Mateless Alpha

Chapter One

SIX YEARS LATER

Third Person's POV

It was a bright morning, sunnier than the previous month. The birds chirped happily while taking shade on tree branches, enjoying the morning breeze. The dew on the leaves glistened with delight as they rolled down onto the dampened ground. In the bustling city, car horns blared with angry drivers shouting out their displeasure. It was Monday, the start of a new week, and everyone, including the thieves and beggars, were rushing to work. Kids could be seen in their school uniforms, holding their parent's hands and the older ones being by themselves, making their way to school. Despite the sun, the weather was pleasant, adding to the delight of the day.

"Ah! This is a beautiful morning, Ishtar, wake up," her mother called, sliding the curtains and opening the windows. The sunlight flooded the room instantly, lightening up the once dark room.

"Just one more minute, please, mom," she whined, stretching under the covers without opening her eyes.

"No young lady. You have to get up now. You have work."

"I am the boss, mom. I can't be late. Let me sleep, thank you."

Athaliah was determined to get her daughter out of bed as she had asked for earlier. She pulled the duvet off her, exposing her to the cool breeze. Ishtar knew she might over sleep or worse, her alarm would fail her so she asked her mother to wake her up.

"Ishtar, wake up! You have to take Ryan to school, and you have an important meeting with a new client, remember?" That got her off the bed immediately.

“What time is it?” She asked, trying ti get sober by passing her hand over her face.

"It's 7:30 am," her mum replied with an eye roll.

"s**t! Why didn't you wake me up earlier? I'm going to be late for the appointment."

"That's what I have been trying to do for the past ten minutes. Now hurry up and get ready. Remember, you have to take Ryan to school first."

"About that mum, can you pl......."

"No no no no. I am not doing that. The principal said she wants to see you. Now go and stop wasting time."

That was how she found herself rushing out of the house with her son in her arms. She wished she could skip the part where she has to visit the principal and just take him to his class. Yet still, she was curious about why she wanted to see her. Everything about her son is a priority to her and she would forfeit everything including this important meeting with the client so she can be with him.

She secured him in his car seat and climbed into the driver's seat, ready to start her day. Her son is just four years but he can speak fluently like an adult.

"Baby, do you have any idea why your principal wants to see me?" she asked but she didn't receive a reply. Ryan was very quiet and moody, unlike his usual self. She watched him through the mirror but she couldn't meet his eyes since he had bowed his head.

"What is it baby? Did naana do something to you?" She asked, sounding a bit concerned. He shook his head in the negative.

"Then what is it?"

"Alex, mum, h-he called me a beast yesterday." He answered sadly. Her heart skipped at his response. She was not expecting this. She parked her car by the side of the road so she could talk to him.

"Beast? Why will he call you that?"

"I don't know but they were all laughing at me. I don't want to go to school" His pronunciation wasn't perfect but she understood everything he said.

Her heart started pounding, her thoughts going wild. Why will they be doing this to her son?

"Baby tell me everything. Did you do anything that, you know, made them scared?" She asked, evidently more concerned now.

"No mum, I didn't." He answered innocently, his eyes tearing up.

"Don't mind them. I think they were just playing with you." She assured him and continued their journey to the school. When they got there, she secured him in his class before walking off to the principal's Office.

"Come in Ms. White." The principal invited as a response to her knock.

"Hello Ms. Duke, you asked to see me. Is everything alright with my son? Is he doing well with his academics or has he done something wrong?" She asked in one breath. This was actually the first time she had ever been summoned to her office.

"Everything is alright with your son, and his academics are perfect for a grade one student. He hasn't done anything wrong. However, I want us to talk about certain complaints I received from his teacher."

At that moment, Ishtar was sitting at the edge of her seat, impatient to hear whatever Ms. Duke has to say. She looked worried and confused. Each second that passed by without the woman talking was argonizing to her. However, she managed to stay calm.

"It is quite serious but I don't mean to scare you so please relax. Four days ago, his teacher reported that a group of Ryan's friends said his eye color changed from blue to red which was unusual. On Friday, a classmate of his said he broke her pencil and when she approached him, he bit her ear, almost taking it off. Now the kid is in the hospital and her parents are demanding answers. I tried to reach out to you but you were not available."

Ishtar was dumbfounded. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. Her sweet, innocent son being accused of such behavior? This was so new to her.

"Sorry I was out of the country. I came late yesterday. Forgive me ma'am but I do not believe that my son will do that. He is just four years. How can he do what you just said he did?"

"I am as surprised as you are Ms. White. Since we are both doubting it, why don't we call your son so we ask him?"

She was dumbfounded. What was happening to her baby? Is his process starting so soon? She pondered over that as the principal got on the phone.

Minutes later, Ryan was brought into the room, looking sad and confused.

"Ryan, darling, your headmistress here told me that you hurt your friend. Is that true?" Ishtar questioned gently, kneeling down to be at his level.

He didn't respond, seeming clueless.

"Ryan, your mum is asking you a question. Did you hurt Alexa yesterday? Did you?" Ms. Duke repeated, her tone less friendly.

"No, I didn't," he said simply.

Ishtar observed him closely. How could a four-year-old exhibit traits that reminded her so much of his father?

"Why are you lying? Your friends and teachers saw you hurt the poor girl." An irritated Ms. Duke bellowed. She was getting frustrated because, first, she has a child who is scaring his mates and another in the hospital whose case she hasn't solved yet because she does not know what to say to save the reputation of the school.

"Hey, don't you dare yell at my son. If he said he didn't do it, then he didn't". Ishtar roared, her protective maternal instincts surfacing.

"Woman, your son is dangerous and a danger to the other kids. Since he has denied it, he can kill anyone and deny it. I am sorry but we cannot continue to educate him here." Ms. Duke has been working in the school for over two decades, never had she experienced such a situation.

"What are you saying? Are you even listening to yourself? You're accusing a four-year-old of nearly biting off a classmate's ear with what teeth? These baby teeth? Don't be ridiculous, madam! You're smarter than this."

"There is evidence that he really did it. I never wanted our conversation to end this way. I wish there is something we can do, but I have to protect the other kids."

Frustrated, she thanked her and left with her son.As they exited, she kept pondering over what was happening to her son if really he did what he was being accused of. The thoughts swirled in her mind as she held him close, determined to figure out what was going on.