Chapter 012

CASSIAN

The plan was to stay the hell away from her, to make sure our parts never crossed even though I had to teach and she had to go to this school.

So why was it that the universe or fate or whatever the hell this was kept getting me involved in Talia's business? And why did a girl so innocent looking always manage to get herself into a shitload of trouble?

Speaking of trouble, there is was, lounging on the chair in front of my desk his arms crossed over his massive chest. He had that arrogant look that made it seem like he owned the world.

A look I was very familiar with. The look of an alpha son used to getting everything he wanted.

Ethan Fletcher moved his shoulders slightly and my eyes caught the word DANGER written in bold white letters over his very tight black t-shirt.

I would have laughed if the memory of Talia writhing on the floor and gasping for breath wasn't still fresh in my mind.

Boy probably thought he was the shit. The sad, pathetic part of all this I could sense Ethan's aura and I could tell he did not even have a strong wolf.

His was a weak soul trapped in a big body. A bully who thought making others feel small showed power.

I glanced over at Talia's sister, sitting on Ethan's left. Their friend stood behind them like some sort of bodyguard.

Why would the girl even bully her own twin? It made absolutely no sense.

"I would like to leave," Ethan said.

"Leave?"

"Yeah. I did nothing wrong anyway. Tessa already told you what happened so what's the point in hanging around, huh? Listen, I just came here because I didn't want it to seem like I was disrespecting you. I mean... You're a guy like me after all."

"A guy," I repeated, cocking an eyebrow.

The more this hulk opened his mouth and words came spilling out, the less I liked him.

"Yeah," Ethan said again, raking back his curls, a move that probably got all the girls giddy. He smiled a little. It was a condescending kind of smile. "I can tell you're still young even though you're a professor and all. Way younger than the old geezers who teach here. So, can I go now or is there something else you want to talk about?"

I curled my fingers around the edge of the desk so I didn't give in to the temptation of driving a fist into his mouth. I was still new at South Ville. It wouldn't good look on my employment record if I assaulted a student.

"Yes, there is something," I replied when I felt I could speak without grinding my teeth. "There is the matter of your punishment. You will get detention for three days and if you ever bully Talia Westwood again, I will personally write a letter demanding your suspension."

Ethan reeled back. I watched as he blinked away the shock, and then as my words sank in.

"You have got to be kidding," he said flatly then he began to smile.

It was the kind of smile you wore when you were trying but failing to see the joke.

Ethan's friend exchanged a look with Tessa and snickered like I had said something funny.

"Oh I am many things, Mr Fletcher but I assure you, I'm no kidder," I told him.

Seeing that I meant business, an ugly look jumped into Ethan's eyes. Splaying his hands on the desk, he leaned forward as much as the desk would allow.

"Look here, Ethan-" he began.

"That is Mr Fletcher to you," I said coldly.

"Look here. No one punishes me. No one! Not you or any of the other professors."

"Really?" I said.

My calm response seemed to knock some of the heat out of him. He leaned back, breathing heavily, his cheeks flushed.

"Yeah," he grunted. "Obviously you don't know how things are done here in South Ville, or who calls the shots here, so I'll let this slide just this once. A quick word of advice though, professor. Maybe you should ask your colleagues about how things are done at this school. No offense, but you don't want to be caught stepping on important people's toes," he finished, smirking.

The last frayed rope on my temper snapped.

I thought, to hell with assaulting a student!

The jerk in front of me needed to be taught a lesson his mother had obviously failed to teach him. I sprang out of my chair before I was aware of moving.

Kicking a chair out of my path, I stalked over to Ethan. My fingers twisted in the collar of shirt and I hauled him up to his feet.

There was a ripping noise as the material of his shirt tore.

"Professor!" Tessa screeched, jumping to her feet.

Ethan's face was a mask of shock.

"Hey!" he cried and began to struggle, trying to break my hold. "What the fuck are you doing? Let go of me! This is assault! This is-"

The blood roaring and pounding in my ears, I held on more tightly, twisting the collar of Ethan's shirt like noose around his neck. He suddenly stopped shouting.

His mouth moved open and closed like a fish out of water as he struggled to breathe. His face got redder and redder by the second.

His friend moved forward. One look from me and he stumbled back, holding up his hands.

I pulled the asshole closer until his nose was touching mine.

"Professor, please you are hurting him!" Tessa said.

I ignored her.

"Listen and listen good, Mr Fletcher,," I said softly. "If I ever find out you touched Talia again, or hurt her, I will find you. I will choke the air out of you like I am doing now for like 5 minutes. Would you be able to survive without air for five minutes, I wonder. Now... do we have an understanding?"

"Professor, please!"

"Quiet, Miss Westwood," I said.

Ethan managed a jerky nod.

Tightening my grip on his collar, I shook him a little. "When I ask a student a question, I expect an answer. I said do we have an understanding?

"Yes," he managed to moan.

I suddenly let go of Ethan. He staggered back, was caught by his friend before he hit the floor.

Tessa, whimpering, rushed to Ethan and thumped his back while he coughed and spluttered. The other boy had backed away and was eyeing me warily.

Working to keep my voice steady, I said, "The three of you will serve detention for the three days. Now get out of my sight."

********

The woman looked very much like her daughters. The structure of her face was the same as theirs. She had the same emerald green eyes.

Why had she come, I wondered.

The woman cleared her throat and said, "Thank you, Mr Cassian for seeing me."

I nodded, reflecting that it was not like I had a choice anyway.

"I am Mrs Westood. I am here because of my daughter, Tessa, you must know her... A very bright girl, beautiful, very friendly and popular too..." She smiled. "She needs a literature tutor and she thinks you will be a great fit. What do you think?"

"I do not to tutor students," I stated flatly, internally pissed that the girl had to drag her mother into this.

What was it with the Westwood girls and understanding the word no?

"The pay is good," she assured me. "Better than good actually. My family is a wealthy one and I am glad to say we are not tight-fisted. You will be well rewarded for your service."

Her hand crept up to the string of pearls around her throat.

"My answer still remains no."

Mrs Westwood's smile cracked at the edges and disappeared. Fingering the straps of her purse, she seemed to be thinking of what else to say.

Something struck me then.

"You have to two daughters. Am I right?" I said "Why do you want a tutor for only one of them? What about the other."

Mrs Westwood stiffened.

"Talia-" I noticed her grimace when she said her order daughter's name like she had bitten into something bitter. "-does not need a tutor."

"Why?"

"That is a personal subject I do not wish to discuss," she said stiffly.

Obviously Mrs Westwood had no affection for her other daughter and hated to be reminded of her. Was this why Tessa was always bullying her twin?

It made me curious whether Mr Westwood treated Talia the same as his wife did.

I opened my mouth and found myself saying, "I will do it."

"Thank you, Mr-"

"But only if it is for both girls," I finished.

Mrs Westwoods lips parted. She shook her head. "Tessa will not like that."

I shrugged. "A pity then. I either tutor both girls or none at all. That is my condition."