The Four Beta Brothers
Chapter 155

JUNIPER

I waited for the other students to file out of the classroom, watching Moira's back as she continued to ignore my existence. After the first class, she made a point to show up early and sit at the back of the class. I tried to respect her wish to act like complete

strangers, but I found myself looking at her, wondering if she was doing okay.

I hadn't witnessed any bullying after that first day, but I heard a rumor that she had quit the cheerleading team. Cheerleading was more than a hobby for Moira. It was her passion and her drive. It had been a dream of hers since she was a little girl. Quitting had never been an option for her, but things were different now. I just didn't know what happened, and I didn't pry, reminding myself I had more important things to worry about than what Moira was doing with her life.

Once the classroom was completely empty, I approached Professor Mansel with my things already packed. Asher was waiting for me to finish up, and I didn't want to make him wait any longer than necessary. He was my designated bodyguard for the rest of the day, and while I appreciated his company, I felt guilty, knowing he had his own school work to worry about. "You wanted to see me, Professor?"

Professor Mansel flipped through a stack of papers, pushing his glasses up in the middle of searching. "I finished grading your paper, and I wanted to talk to you about it. I haven't finished grading the entire class' papers yet, so I didn't want to give it to you during class."

I shifted on my feet. This sounded like a bad thing. "Is there something wrong with my paper?"

He finally found what he was working for and slipped it out of the pile of papers. "On the contrary. I thought it was a fascinating and daring topic to write about-especially for your first paper. 'Dismantling the Misogynistic Structure of the Wolf Pack and the Outdated Beliefs They Hold."

The essay topic was broad: "Write about something you would change in this world." It was meant to test out our skills and critical thinking skills, so Professor Mansel knew how best to shape our minds moving forward. From what I had heard, most of the other students had turned papers in about changing school rules or getting better food in the cafeteria.

"I wanted to write about something that's been on my mind." After getting to know Kalli better, it made me wonder why wolf packs kept the alpha system they had. It prevented women from gaining more power, and maybe that was why no one bothered to change it. "You make some incredible points in the paper. It exceeded every expectation I had based on the rumors about you." He handed the paper to me, and the bright "100" on the top stood out to me. "In fact, this is master's or doctorate level thinking. If you keep up with your education, you could do incredible things. I'm sure of it."

My cheeks heated from the compliment. I couldn't remember a time when a teacher or professor had so avidly complimented me. Even when I earned the top grades in my class, my teachers barely acknowledged the accomplishment.

"I won't be continuing school after this degree," I said. "I have already been assigned the second to the luna position in my pack."

Professor Mansel's face faltered. "Ah, that's right. Your mate is the beta of pack Validas. It makes sense you'd fall into that position." Even though he didn't say it directly, his disapproval wafted through the air.

"It's an honorable position," I said, trying not to sound as defensive as I felt. "Luna Kalli is strong and smart. I'm thrilled to be working for her."

"I don't know much about her, I'll admit. She's a new luna, so how she'll fare is still up in the air." Professor Mansel turned away from me and started gathering his stuff. "I'm just surprised you're willing to settle into the very structure you dismantled in your paper. You're above an assistant position."

I gritted my teeth. "I'm not settling. You don't know Luna Kalli. She's the kind of person who shines brightly. She's the one who inspired my paper in the first place, because she doesn't fall into the typical role many lunas do. Just because she holds the title of 'luna' doesn't mean she's the stereotype for lunas. She's smart and strong. She is kind and encouraging, and if anyone is going to disrupt the misogynistic way packs are run, I'm confident she has the strength and power to do so. That's why it's an honor to be chosen as her second, and I'd appreciate it if you didn't comment on my choices. You're my professor. Not my life coach."

Professor Mansel smiled to my surprise. He tucked his papers into his bag. "I'm sure Luna Kalli is as competent and incredible as you say she is. If your judgment is accurate, maybe werewolves stand a chance of growing stronger as a society. However, I hope you don't underestimate your own strength, Miss Johnson. I think you are capable of so much more than you give yourself credit for."

He gestured towards the door to the classroom. "Forgive me for insulting you. That was not my intention. As your professor, it's my job to push you to grow stronger. That was my intention."

I started walking towards the exit of the classroom, and he followed a step behind me. I couldn't think of a response to what he said. I still felt defensive over the way he basically said I was settling for my position, because that was expected of me due to Ethan's title. However, a small part of me wondered if maybe he had a point.

I quickly shook that thought away. As Kalli's second, I would be able to do important work. Maybe I'd even be able to make changes in the world, or at least help Kalli make changes. I wasn't settling. I was getting an upgrade from anything I ever dreamed of being able to do.

As we exited the classroom, I thought about leaving without another word. However, I felt compelled to follow Professor Mansel in the opposite direction from where Asher was waiting for me.

"I know you think I'm settling, but I'm not. I'm doing what I can to become stronger, not just mentally, but physically too. I know I'll be able to do that with Kalli and Ethan and my other mates by my side." Professor Mansel stopped walking and turned to me. There was a smile on his lips, and he was about to say something when his face tightened. "Get down!"

He pushed me to the side, and my shoulder hit the wall. He lifted his arm up just in time to block an attack from a masked man. Professor Mansel didn't stop there. He lifted his saddlebag up and swung it into the assailant's face before kicking the man in the chest. The professor's speed and strength was no match for the attacker.

I pressed my back against the wall, frozen as I watched the fight-if you could even call it that. Only seconds had passed before the assailant lay unconscious on the floor. Professor Mansel's chest heaved up and down and he gently kicked the man on the ground to make sure he was actually out.

"How did you learn to do that?" I breathed, impressed by the professor's quick action. If it hadn't been for him, that hit would've landed on me, possibly knocking me unconscious in the process.

"I used to be one of the most well renowned warriors in my pack before I retired. That was one of the reasons Principal Williams asked me to teach at this school. He wanted teachers who could defend the students. I thought he was just being overly cautious, but obviously not."

Professor Mansel removed his belt and wrapped it around the attacker's hands so tightly, his hands turned red. When he was done, he stood up and wiped a drop of sweat from his brow.

He looked at me as if I was an entirely different person. "Now I realize he was being just the right amount of cautious. I didn't realize you would have such a big target on your back, Miss Johnson."

He offered me his hand and helped me to my feet.

"I thought this was all over," I said, feeling jittery from the adrenaline pumping through my veins. Even after I heard about the attack on Elijah, I had hoped it was a fluke or something different. There was no denying it now that I was a target, and it made me want to scream. I didn't want to be the helpless victim anymore, but my self-defense training was going slower than I wanted. The twins tried to insist I was making good progress, but it was hard to see it, especially with Nathan soaring past me.

"June!" Asher called out, rushing to my side. He pulled me into his arms, holding me tightly and breathing me in.

Only when Professor Mansel cleared his throat, did Asher notice his presence. "What happened here?"

"This miscreant tried to attack Miss Johnson," the professor explained. "I took him out before he had the opportunity."

Asher tightened his grip on me. "Thank you. I thought waiting by the end of the hallway would've been fine, but next time I'll be right by the door."

"No need to thank me. I was only doing my job. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to call Principal Williams to inform him of the incident. I take it you can handle watching over this man while I step away."

Asher's body stiffened, and he stood straighter. "Yes, sir."

After the professor walked away, I lifted an eyebrow. "Sir? Do you know him?"

"My father sent me to train with Zander two summers in a row during high school. He taught me some of the most important things I know as a warrior."

I glanced down the hallway, catching a small glimpse of Professor Mansel before he pulled out his phone and turned the corner. There was more to him than I realized, and I briefly wondered what kind of things I could learn from him before turning my attention back to Asher and the unconscious man on the floor.,