The Reluctant Cougar (Rise of the Alpha King's Heir)

First Day of School

"Be there for her, and she'll come around," Ben reminded himself, brushing his hair in the mirror.

He double checked his polo shirt, popping the collar and turning this way and that. Then he shook his head and tucked it back down.

He heard a car rumble to a stop outside his house. A minute later his mom called, "Eileen's here!"

"Coming!"

Ben quickly pulled on and laced his tennis shoes before bolting down the stairs.

"Your breakfast!" his mom called.

"I'll eat at school! Bye, Ma!" he quickly kissed her cheek and ran to the door, slowing on the other side so that he could take a deep breath and calmly walk outside.

"'Morning, Eileen," he called as he sauntered to the car.

He saw her eyes start to look at the way the shirt pulled tightly across his chest, but then she looked away, "'Mornin', Ben. Let's go."

He was barely buckled before she kicked the car into drive and sped down the road.

"Nervous?" he asked, amused that she was slightly speeding.

"Huh? Yeah, a bit," she admitted, tapping the steering wheel impatiently with her thumb.

She wore black slacks with a dark green, long-sleeve tunic-style shirt that made the green in her eyes seem even more magical.

"You look amazing," he breathed.

A flush covered her face, and she glanced at him, "W-what?"

Great, he was making her more nervous. "You look nice. Very professional."

She relaxed at that and gave him a soft smile, "Thanks, Ben. You look nice too."

They drove the rest of the way in silence.

At B-Lot, he stepped out of the car and walked around, "Can I get a hug before school?"

She backed away, looking around them, "I don't think that's a good idea."

She was probably right, but he had to try.

He held out his hand instead, and she shook it. "Have a good day, Eileen. Holler at me if you need anything."

She smiled, "Thanks, Ben. I hope you have a good day too. See you fourth block."

Then she walked towards the main campus, and he walked into the gym to change for his species specific class, Weildon Studies.

***

Eileen barely remembered first block. She'd been so nervous she'd tripped over a desk, a student, and had forgotten her own name. Second block had gone much better, though she was still a bundle of nerves by the end of it.

"Everyone gets nervous, dear," Ms. Mage assured her during lunch. "I still have nightmares before school starts that my class won't listen and I have to use rocks to string them up by their ankles."

Eileen laughed, but the laughter stopped when she saw how serious Ms. Mage was. There was a reason even the largest Weildon male respected and feared the woman. Unlike human schools, New River Academy allowed the teachers to intervene with powers when necessary. Eileen wasn't comfortable doing that, and she sincerely hoped she'd never have to, but obviously Ms. Mage felt no such qualms.

"Looks like the seniors have it bad for the new teacher," Mr. Garth teased next to them.

Eileen glanced at the table of senior boys, and they all quickly glanced away, blushing. She grinned, amused by the innocent reaction.