My Teacher, My Mate

4. No Hope

Tessa

Life has no meaning. I'm worthless. Why even try.

It was those exact thoughts that had me leaving for school in sweatpants in 80 degree heat, pink flip flops and a pajama tank top that was see-through. I wore my sports b*a so it wasn't too scandalous.

"Oh my god! Did somebody die?" Steph went to hug me and must have noticed I wasn't wearing deodorant. "Because if not, this whole tragic, smelly, thing in front of me is not my friend Tessa."

"Sorta. Part of me died." Lana has basically been gone since July. Her brief stint back yesterday gave me hope and then that hope died.

"Please tell me you aren't still heartbroken over Luke, are you?"

"Subtle, sensitive, and caring." Mark had lifted his head to say. "Woah, but Steph's got a point. Yesterday you looked hot and now you look...not."

"f**k you both. It's not about Luke." But it kind of is. "Leave me alone alright. At least I didn't skip a day of school."

"Maybe you should have." They said almost in unison as the bus came to a halt and the doors opened.

Too late now.

The entire day was a wash. I tried to blend in but I was taller than the average girl and more built. My messy bun bobbled through the hallways and got me more notice, not less. Could this day get any worse?

Why yes it can. Ladies and gentlemen, my art teacher is looking at me like he's about to cry. He pities me.

I'm pitiful.

When the bell rings Mr. Knight asked me to speak with him and since he was a wolf and willing to write a note for my tardiness yesterday and today to math, I indulged him.

The closer I got to him the more I felt Lana coming forward. I wonder what would happen if I touched him. He made sure to stay behind his desk and asked me to sit across from him. When I slouched into the chair, I kicked out my foot hoping that my bare toe "accidently" touching his ankle would bring Lana back. I'm basically trying to molest a teacher to bring my wolf back. He was quick though and put space in between us. That was the appropriate response and should have made me feel safe but I didn't want space from him. The further he was from me the more anxious and depressed I felt.

After a minute or so of him creeping me out with his intense stare I coughed to break the tension.

"Yes, uhh, Tessa, correct?"

"Yep."

"Is everything alright?" He leaned forward on his desk and looked like he really cared but I didn't buy it.

"Sure, Mr. Knight." My sarcasm made his jaw tick.

"Lucian, actually. You can call me Lucian."

"Nope, I'm good. You're my teacher so that would be weird. Speaking of weird, can I go now?" I grabbed the extra textbook that didn't fit into my backpack and sat up.

"Wait! I mean, you still haven't told me what's bothering you. Or who? Maybe that Mark kid." He really didn't like Mark for some reason. "Did he hurt you? Say something mean to you? Are you in love with him?"

My jaw dropped. Mr. Knight was asking if I was in love with Mark. He blushed and looked away from me for once.

"One, it's none of your goddess damn business. Two, Mark is my friend and he would never intentionally hurt me or be mean to me. Three, you have to help him with his art portfolio for school so maybe he should be here right now and not me. Four... I don't really have a four, but you're my teacher so you shouldn't be asking me about my love life." I huffed and by the time I got to the door I heard him sigh.

"You're right. I'm sorry. I thought you and Mark were a couple."

"He's human."

"Well, there have been stories of humans with shapeshifters before. I was just concerned he wasn't treating you well."

"Why? Because I look like s**t? No. Mark is not my mate. I highly doubt I'll find him. Wait, why am I telling you this?! I have to go to math."

"I'm here for you if you need to talk, Tessa. I'll always be there for you." He had the passes for being late to class stretched out to me and he was being so nice. Creepy, but nice.

"Thanks. Sorry." As I grabbed the slips our fingers touched and I felt Lana start stirring in my head.

Mr. Knight's eyes glowed and he let out a noise that sounded like a moan mixed with a growel. My entire body responded to the noise he made. I felt hot and in need in a place I can't talk about with my teacher. I hadn't felt this turned on with Luke. Maybe I shouldn't wear sweatpants tomorrow.

I slipped out of there as quick as my flip flops would take me and for once I was happy to be sitting in math class.

Wednesday was on par with Tuesday, and by Thursday I was hoping my mom would let me stay home from school.

"Buck up, buttercup! You are hours away from being able to find your mate. So you get out there and enjoy your last day as a truly single wolf."

I spit up my orange juice. "Mom? Did you just tell me to sow my wild oats before I'm tied down to my mate?"

She stuttered something out and flushed red.

"I guess I'll need a box of condoms. T-minus 16 hours before I find my mate. Better get busy!" Although she didn't mean to, my mom had just given me the best birthday gift, which is why I texted her while riding the bus to school: Thanks for making me laugh xo

By the time I got to art class I was on edge. Lana seemed to want to go for a run. An actual run! I didn't have to beg for her to come forward. I was planning on skipping out after lunch but Lana was persistent that I made it to art.

Poor Mr. Knight was a nervous wreck when I walked in. I wore simple black leggings and a t-shirt with a cat throwing up rainbows on it. Hey, at least I remembered to wear deodorant today.

He looked bad. Not that he didn't look good, he always looked good. He was a handsome guy. But he seemed to be on edge and had sweat through his shirt. Maybe it was the humidity? We did live in North Carolina so humidity is a given. Was there a full moon tonight? No, that wasn't for another week.

When the bell rang I felt the urge to let Lana loose but I was outside of pack grounds.

"Mr. Knight?"

He kept looking down at pictures created this week by some younger students working on shading with dots. They weren't even that good, but he didn't look up at me, only nodded.

"Do you think you could give me a ride back to the packhouse?"

"Uhh..."

"Yeah you're right it's a bad idea. I'll just walk."

"And miss out on math without a permission slip from another teacher?" He smiled up at me.

His smile was only to one side and showed a little bit of his straight pearly white teeth. Damn. I hope I find my mate tomorrow because I think Lana and I agree we need to sow our wild oats with Mr. Knight. "And please, call me Lucian."

"Alright, Lucian, I'll meet you outside in 5?"

"Mmmhmm yes, definitely. Black Ford truck." He seemed to be really happy to help. Thank Luna!

"Okidoke, Teach. See you soon."

I walked to my locker to put away my books and ran out as fast as I could to a black truck. The only problem was that it's North Carolina and a lot of people own black Ford trucks. I was starting to panic when he drove up behind me in a shiny new truck.

"Need a lift?" Was he flirting with me?

"I do. And you look like a knight in black shining armor." He rolled his eyes at me but unlocked the door and waved for me to get in.

He rolled his eyes and waited for me to buckle in. The tan leather seats were cool instead of on fire like my parents car would be. Never buy a car with black interior, it just soaks up the sun. He also had tinted windows. It was huge and definitely new.

"Soooo this isn't awkward at all. Aren't you gonna get in trouble for driving a student home?"

"Not for this, no." He paused, "I mean you're a friend of my family so technically I can drive you home. You live in the same home as my brother." He shrugged his shoulders not seeming to like that idea.

"Yeah, but he's a freshman and I don't hang out with him."

"Because he's a freshman?"

"Not really. He's the Beta and is busy when he's not in school. Plus my group of friends already graduated high school. Please don't ask me why I was held back, my parents listened to this stupid human who said my birthday was at the cut off point for the year. I wanted to be pushed up but I was 6 and it was a losing battle. Sorry, I tend to ramble when I'm jumpy." I glanced over at him. He seemed the most relaxed he had since I met him.

"No need to apologize. I want to know this stuff. The whole being a werewolf and turning 18 is much more fun towards the middle or end of senior year. Not that I'd know. I watched my friends go through it though and it seemed like they had fun."

"So you understand why I want to take off running for the hills and not come back until my birthday is officially over tomorrow."

He nodded. "I do. 17 is a very lonely age. All of the wolves in the pack pairing off and you are on the cusp of being able to mate." He gulped. "But then you can. So alls well that ends well, right?" Lucian laughed nervously. "Got any plans for the big day, besides running?"

"Nope. I plan on going out tonight with my friends to the shapeshifter bar in town tonight and skipping out on school tomorrow." I froze realizing I just told a teacher I was planning on drinking underage and skipping a school day.

He didn't seem to care though. I saw the pack coming up and Lana was itching to shift.

"I didn't know there was a shapeshifters bar in town?"

"Yeah! Well, it's newer so maybe it went up while you were off learning to teach."

"You mean going to college?" He laughed. His eyes lit up when he laughed.

I needed to get out of this car because my thoughts were getting more and more inappropriate.

"Mmhmm." I pressed my thighs and my lips together.

"So does this place have a name?"

"Oh, yeah, it's called the Night Shift. You can drop me here." I unbuckled my seatbelt and the stupid alarm went off for me not wearing a seatbelt while the car was still moving. "Thanks Mr. Knight in shining armor!" He slowed down but wasn't at a full stop when I jumped out of the car and hightailed it into the woods.

It was time to let Lana take control, which I handed over to her as soon as I put my top and shorts into my backpack next to a tree.

I was giddy when I felt my body morph into my wolf form. Bones cracked, hair grew, it wasn't a pleasant process, but I missed it. I missed Lana.

'We have a few hours to run before we go out tonight.'

'We'll be home in time for midnight, Cinderella.' She was still sharp and sassy.

'Let's go!'