Chapter 45
Tori's POV:
The next morning.
As I stepped outside my dormitory, I spotted a familiar black SUV parked at the curb.
Jack Green, Alpha Lucas's Beta assistant, straightened as he saw me approach.
"Ms. Sullivan," he nodded professionally. "Alpha Lucas asked me to bring your medicine."
I blinked in surprise. "I didn't expect it so soon."
Jack retrieved a wooden box from the vehicle. "Dr. Bennett prepared it last night. Alpha instructed me to ensure you take the first dose."
I hadn't anticipated Lucas would be so efficient—or that he'd send his high-ranking Beta assistant to deliver medicine to an Omega. It seemed excessive.
"Thank you," I said, taking the box and nodding gratefully. "I'll take it."
I turned to leave, but Jack's voice stopped me. "Ms. Sullivan, Alpha Lucas also instructed me to drive you to school. He mentioned your foot shouldn't be stressed."
I glanced down at my ankle, slightly surprised. It wasn't badly injured and was already healing.
"That's really not necessary—" I began.
"Alpha's orders," Jack said simply, already moving to open the passenger door of the SUV.
I slid into the seat, unwilling to argue further. The drive to Moonridge High was mercifully short and silent.
When I arrived at school, Morgan was already waiting by my desk.
She waved enthusiastically as I entered the classroom.
"Morning! I brought you breakfast," she announced, pushing a paper bag toward me as I sat down. "Blueberry muffin from that bakery you like."
"Thanks, Morgan," I said, genuinely grateful as I opened the bag.
The warm, sweet scent was comforting after the bitter medicine.
As I took a bite, Morgan tilted her head, studying me. "What's wrong? You seem down."
I sighed, lowering the muffin. "I called Greg at the coffee shop this morning. Told him I had to quit."
"What? Why? "
I gestured to my ankle. "This. Can't exactly serve coffee while limping around. Standing for six-hour shifts is impossible right now."
Morgan's eyes widened. "But didn't Greg say he'd hold your position until you recovered?"
"That was when we thought it would be a couple of days," I explained. "Now it's looking more like weeks. I can't expect him to manage short-staffed for that long."
"You could take time off," Morgan suggested. "Just focus on healing."
I shook my head firmly. "Not an option."
Morgan observed me for a moment, then squared her shoulders. "Alright, then we'll find you something else. I'll help."
"You don't have to—"
"I want to," she insisted. "Besides, I'm excellent at job hunting. By this afternoon, you'll have so many options you won't know which to choose."
I smiled despite myself. Morgan's unfailing optimism was sometimes exactly what I needed.
Morgan suddenly sat up straight, her eyes lighting up.
"Wait! I just remembered—there's that tutoring place right by school. They're always looking for tutors."
"A tutoring center?" I considered it.
"Yes! You're literally the top student in our year. They'd be crazy not to hire you." Her excitement was building.
"Plus, it's all 1-on-1 teaching, so you'd be sitting most of the time. And the pay is really good—those rich parents don't mind paying extra for the top student."
I had to admit, it wasn't a bad idea.
"Let's check it out after school," I agreed.
The prospect of earning decent money while sitting down was too good to pass up.
---
Morgan and I headed to Luna Tutoring Center after school. Located just a block from campus, we reached the modest two-story building within minutes.
As we approached the entrance, a gleaming red Maserati pulled up to the curb.
A striking woman stepped out—tall, elegant, with aristocratic features and an aura of unmistakable authority.
A boy around seven or eight climbed out of the Maserati.
He wore an impeccable little black coat with shiny leather shoes, his hair meticulously styled with gel.
His small face remained expressionless—serious and cool beyond his years.
Something about him reminded me strangely of Lucas.
"That's Arabella Grayson, Alpha Lucas's sister," Morgan whispered beside me. "And that's her son, Leo."
As if hearing his name, both Arabella and Leo turned toward us.
The boy stood slightly behind his mother, his critical gaze sweeping over us with an intensity no child his age should possess.
Arabella approached with graceful, measured steps.
"Morgan, what brings you here?" Arabella asked, her voice smooth and controlled.
Morgan straightened slightly. "I'm helping my friend Tori find a tutoring position. She needs something that won't strain her injured ankle."
Arabella's gaze shifted to me, assessing.
"Tori? Are you the Sullivan girl who was the first to win the Grayson scholarship?"
I nodded, surprised she'd heard of me. "Yes, ma'am."
A calculating look passed over her face.
"Interesting timing. I'm here to find Leo a tutor. His previous one wasn't challenging him enough."
She looked directly at me. "One thousand per hour. Would that interest you?"
I nearly choked. One thousand moonstones per hour? That was more than I made in a month at the coffee shop.
"That's... very generous," I managed, my mind racing.
The incredible pay rate made my heart race. But then it hit me: this was Lucas's sister. I was already getting dangerously close to his orbit.
Before I could voice my concerns, Morgan jumped in. "She'll take it! She's amazing with Lunar Calculation—best in our year!"
Arabella raised an eyebrow, clearly impressed.
Lunar Calculation was considered one of the most complex mathematical systems, as it involved tracking how moon phases affected different aspects of werewolf abilities.
"Very well," Arabella nodded. "If you're amenable, we could begin today. Consider it an evaluation session."
Her eyes narrowed slightly. "I should be clear—if I'm not satisfied with your methods or Leo doesn't respond well, we won't proceed further."
The business-like approach actually relaxed me. This wasn't charity or special treatment—it was a job with clear expectations and consequences.
"I understand," I said with newfound confidence. "I'd be happy to start today."
"Excellent," Arabella said, gesturing toward her Maserati. "Let's go, then. I'll drive you to our home. Morgan, I can drop you off on the way back."
"Your home?" I asked, confused. I glanced back at the tutoring center.
Arabella followed my gaze and smiled slightly.
"Leo doesn't respond well to crowded environments. " She placed a protective hand on her son's shoulder. "If you agree to tutor him, all sessions would be conducted at our residence."
I hesitated. Going to the Graysons' home meant potentially running into Lucas again. The thought sent an unwelcome flutter through my stomach.
Morgan nudged me. "This is perfect! We'll get to see each other all the time now when you come to tutor."
Leo was already climbing into the back seat, his expression unreadable as he watched me.
"Alright," I finally agreed.