Chapter 22 – No One Dares Bully My Pup
Fiona’s POV
The scent of toast and maple syrup filled the kitchen, but I barely noticed. My fingers drifted through Jamal’s curls, slow and absent, while my mind stayed tangled in the night before.
Xavien’s kiss still lingered on my lips.
His hands, his warmth, the way he made the world quiet when he looked at me like I was the only thing that mattered… it was dangerous. Not just because of what I felt, but because of what it meant. Meeting his mother? That wasn’t just a step forward-it was a leap off a cliff. My wolf stirred uneasily in my chest.
Was I ready to enter marriage again?
“Mom! My shoes! You okay, Mummy? You’ve been in your head all morning.” Jamal’s voice cut through my spiraling thoughts
I blinked, shook my head, and offered him a smile. “Yeah, baby, I’m good. Just some grown-up stuff. You ready for your big day? Third grade already. How’d my pup get so grown?”
Jamal wrinkled his nose, pushing the last piece of toast across his plate with a frown. “I guess. But… I don’t wanna go. Some kids were mean last year. They might still be mean this year.”
The words hit me like claws to the heart. I crouched beside him in an instant, my hand finding his.
“What do you mean, sweetheart?” I asked softly. “What did they say?”
He hesitated, eyes on the tabletop, little fingers fidgeting. “They said I talk funny. And… that I don’t have a dad. They asked why. They laughed.”
My stomach twisted, hot and bitter. I felt the low growl rise in my chest before I shoved it down. I couldn’t shift here. Not in our kitchen. But goddess, it took every ounce of restraint I had.
I placed a hand over his. “Baby,” I whispered, brushing a curl off his forehead. “You are perfect. Do you hear me? Perfect. You’re kind, you’re smart, and you’ve got a wolf spirit stronger than most adults. Anyone who makes you feel small for being different? That’s their weakness. Not yours.”
Jamal’s bottom lip quivered, and his eyes shimmered. “But it still hurts. I don’t know what to say when they ask why I don’t have a dad.”
I wanted to scream. Not at Jamal-but at the world. At Alpha Dorian. At every parent who had failed to teach their kids compassion. I pulled Jamal into my arms, holding him tight.
“You do have a dad,” I said, my voice low, steady. “He’s just… not the kind who stayed. And that’s not your fault. You hear me? That’s on him, n you.”
Jamal’s voice was barely a whisper. “But Uncle Xavien isn’t my real dad. The other kids won’t get that.”
I pulled back to look him in the eyes. “No, Xavien’s not your biological dad. But he is someone who shows up. Someone who protects us. He’s teaching you to ride your first wolf run, remember?” I smiled softly. “Family isn’t always blood. Sometimes it’s about who stands beside you when you’re scared. And Xavien’s done that. For both of us.”
Jamal was quiet, chewing on his thoughts. Then, in that small, hopeful voice of his, he asked, “Do you think Uncle Xavien could come to schoo sometime? Like on Parent Day?”
Oh. Goddess.
Tears burned behind my eyes. I blinked them back, forcing myself to stay calm for him.
“I think that’s a wonderful idea,” I said, cupping his cheek. “And I’m sure he’d be honored to go. You know what? You can talk to him about how you feel, too. He’s a good listener, even if he pretends to be all stoic and Alpha-like.”
That pulled a little giggle from him. “Okay. Maybe I will.”
I ruffled his curls again, heart aching and full all at once. As I grabbed my keys and slung my purse over my shoulder, I couldn’t help but glance at Jamal one last time before we headed out.
He was still so small, but brave in ways even grown wolves struggled to be.
< Chapter 22 – No One Da..
I knew one thing for sure as we stepped out into the crisp morning air.
No one–no one-gets to bully my pup.
Not while I still have breath in my lungs and a wolf in my soul.
5 Borus
After breakfast, I helped Jamal gather his things. His little backpack was almost too heavy for his frame, so I adjusted the straps myself. double-checking that they didn’t dig into his shoulders. My fingers lingered there a second longer than necessary-part of me wanting to keep him home, tucked away, far from cruel words and careless kids.
He smiled up at me, brave like always, but I saw the shadow in his eyes.
He was worried.
I felt it in his energy, in the way his wolf stayed curled inward instead of perking up like usual. And it gnawed at me.
The ride to school was quiet. Too quiet. Normally he’d be chattering about the new season of Wolfriders Academy or asking if he could shift sooner than the elders said pups were ready. But today?
Nothing. Just him staring out the window like the world on the other side might swallow him whole.
I tried to talk. Asked about his favorite subjects, his best friend Elijah, if he was excited for gym. But all I got were one-word answers and a distracted nod..
My wolf paced the inside of my skin, restless. Angry.
By the time we reached the school parking lot, I had made up my mind.
We walked hand in hand down the hall, his tiny palm warm in mine. When we got to his classroom, I crouched to his level and cupped his face, eyes locking with his.
“You’re strong, Jamal,” I said, my voice steady. “You hear me? Stronger than any of them. If anyone bothers you, you come straight to me. Got it?”
He nodded, but that worry still lingered behind his lashes.
I pressed a kiss to his forehead, smoothed down his curls, and watched him walk into the classroom with his shoulders just a little higher.
Then I turned.
Mrs. Evans was setting out books at a table near the window. She looked up and smiled like everything was normal.
t wasn’t.
approached slowly, heels tapping.
‘Mrs. Evans?” I called.
she looked up, smile faltering a little at my expression. “Oh, good morning, Alpha Fiona. Is everything-?”
A word,” I said, and gestured for her to follow me a few steps away from the students.
she did, lips pressed into a nervous little line.
Once we were out of earshot, I turned to her and let my voice drop low.
“My son told me he was bullied last year.”
Mrs. Evans blinked. “Oh… well, we try our best to make sure every student—”
“That’s not good enough.” My tone sharpened. “I need you to keep a close eye on Jamal. If anyone lays a finger on him, or even looks at him the wrong way, you end it. Immediately.”
She shifted on her feet, clearly flustered. “I-I understand, Alpha Fiona. And of course, we take bullying very seriou-
I stepped closer, just a breath away, my wolf bristling beneath my skin. My voice dropped to a whisper, but it was the kind that carried weight.
*I want to be very clear with you, Mrs. Evans. If my son comes home even once and tells me he was hurt, or mocked, or made to feel less than? I will come back here, not as an Alpha, but as a mother. And I will burn. This place. To. The ground.”
Her eyes widened in horror.
“Alpha Fiona, that’s-”
“I don’t make empty threats,” I said coolly.” Try a mother wolf whose pup has been wounded.”
She swallowed hard and nodded, flustered and pale. “Yes, of course. I-I’ll keep a close eye on Jamal. You have my word.”
I straightened, offering her a smile that didn’t quite reach my eyes.
“Good. Because I’ll be checking in with him. Daily. And if there’s even a scratch…”
I let the sentence hang, unfinished but understood.
With that, I turned on my heel and walked out of the school.
