It’s Sunday morning.

The students are all gathered for breakfast and talking about the weekend they just had with the first Ravenwood mixer and the subsequent dates they went on yesterday. I guess the mixer worked its intended effect because the school has been buzzing nonstop since.

I know I am still giddy after my fantastic night with Jayden in my dorm room and the showers. I had never felt so close to anyone like this before and to think I am meeting his parents in less than a week is mind boggling to me. How do I face them?

How do I conquer the Alpha? *winks at the audience*

“Is Jayden okay? He looks weird today!” One of the Alphas questioned Skylar on their section of the dining hall as they sat for breakfast. It appears that the somber looking Alpha was happier than ever before. I wonder why…

“He has been happy since last night, I think he scored with his Omega.” Skylar replied with a naughty grin. I blushed far away from their table.

“Isn’t that dangerous for him when his grandfather blocks his contract?” The boy wondered, assuming we did the deed by Skylar’s inflection.

“He is not my Alpha, Gustav! For the last time, the only person I need to impress is my mom!” Jayden glared at him for saying that. He also knows that I am listening to this whole conversation.

“Sure… You do know your grandfather is your mother’s Alpha too, right?” Skylar said, sarcastically.

“That’s not how this works, or do you think your father will ask his father to approve your contract?” Jayden rebuked him, annoyed.

“Good one, roomie. My grandfather is not yours. He is just not gonna let you waste an opportunity by claiming a nobody.” He countered, setting Jayden off. He slammed the table, raging at his roommate with shining eyes.

“He is NOT A NOBODY! CAN YOU SHUT THE FUCK UP ABOUT IT?” Jayden was fuming at Skylar’s lack of touch, to say the least.

Naturally, this discussion caught everybody’s attention inside the cafeteria. Skylar remained silent because he did not want to escalate the matter further. But I got the message loud and clear. Can I ever just get one day to enjoy my time with my man?

It’s not like I am dating a prince or something… For the love of Goddess!

“Good evening, students. I trust you had a pleasant weekend.” Headmaster Lockwood was greeting us at the mandatory Sunday evening assembly where we reconvene for another week here at Ravenwood, only this time nobody left for the weekend.

“First off, a little announcement. I will not be here next Friday. I am turning sixty, so my family is throwing me a dinner party back in Georgia. My grandson is also not going to be here because he is coming with me.” He announced and I gasped at the surprise.

Wait, what? Why would Jayden ask me to go meet his parents on the weekend of his grandfather’s birthday? Did he forget about it? That would be my guess…

“I know you kids don’t like when I talk about my mating and I get it, but just this once can you please humor me?” He asked, not really expecting anybody to refuse.

“I got mated in 1982. Back in those days, there was no interracial mating going on, especially in the South. So when I got mated to the most beautiful girl in my senior class, everybody just saw the color of her skin, nothing more.” He told us, reminiscing about the golden age.

“The reaction was so bad that even the Wolf Council of my pack advised me to reject my mate on account of her race. I was like: are you for real? I can’t reject my mate, I am the future Alpha!” He continued with his intonation showing outrage.

“Back then, there was so much talk in our town, people weighing in on what I should do, my father was even advised at one point to choose my younger brother as our future Alpha because we couldn’t have an Alpha mated to someone of a different ethnicity.” He told us, purposefully showing his nonconformity at the idea.

“I put my foot down and told my father at the time that I was not going to reject my Goddess given mate just because she doesn’t look like what people think my mate should look. That’s outrageous! And highly offensive to my mate and the Moon Goddess, who paired me.” He spoke, dramatically.

“I am an Alpha. I do not get to reject my mate and I wouldn’t even if I could. She was born for me as I was born for her. I am sorry if people don’t see it but I do. If you choose my brother to succeed you then what you are truly saying is: that mating is only valid if the person chosen suits your personal worldview. That’s ridiculous!” He raised his voice, getting emotional.

“At the time, though my father was pressured into blocking my ascension, in the end, he gave a passionate speech to our pack that times were changing and it was our job as werewolves to be at the forefront of this change.” He got emotional as he said that.

“My father faced a lot of hate. Jemima and I faced even more abuse and people looking down on us. But I refused to give in, I refused to give up my mate. With time, people got to know her as Luna and warmed up to her slowly. She was a true gem, so all I had to do was watch her be her sweet self and conquer people’s hearts.” He had tears in his eyes as he told us about her. We could tell that he truly loved her, even after her passing.

“She gave me four beautiful children and we were happy for more than three decades. Unfortunately, as you all know, she passed away three years ago. But she is still remembered by her family and our pack as a wonderful Luna.” His voice was wrought with emotion, it was getting to all of us who were watching his passionate speech.

“When my daughter was born, again I heard voices of dissent telling me a woman shouldn’t be Alpha of the pack. Honestly, I just wanted to slap whoever said that. My daughter is a great Alpha. I am just sorry that she never got to experience her mating. As I am for all of you. It is truly magical.” He low key bragged.

“When my daughter attended Ravenwood, I wasn’t headmaster back then because I still was running our pack. The only thing I told her at the time was to make the best choice for her. Do not concern yourself with silly things like the ethnicity of your partner. If he is a great man, I don’t care what he looks like.” He said, joyfully.

“When she came back to Georgia to introduce her chosen partner, I was surprised by how well she chose. It wasn’t who I had imagined for her… He is too good looking, it’s distracting!” He joked.

“But it was who she wanted, so I respected that. And they have been living happily for twenty years now. It only serves to prove that this program works if you give it a chance. It may not be as great as what I had with my mate, but it could lead to marital happiness. Have a great week, everybody.” He concluded and all the students applauded him.

Is this the same man who thinks I am not good enough for his grandson?

From the way that he is speaking, you’d think he marched with Dr. King or something… O.o

I do appreciate the fight for color-blind pairing, but let’s work in that poor people are valid too. I could potentially make for a great Luna, should I be given a chance. I am right here, genuinely loving Jayden Lockwood Johnson for who he is.

I wouldn’t care if he were the Alpha of a small pack and lived in a two-by-four apartment.

I guess soon enough we shall see if Lockwood is truly a visionary or not. I will say this: I am good to go. If you wanted a change Alpha Lockwood, don’t worry sir. A change is gonna come.

A|N: Honest to God, this is NOT the song I had envisioned for this chapter.

I was halfway through it and thinking it was going one way, but then that speech happened.

It is what it is.

A change is definitely gonna come. Just not in the way he was referring to.

OFF: I have been distracted lately, so that’s why I haven’t posted in a while. But I will get back to it. I will not leave you hanging on both books, I promise you that.

Love,

Léo.