“Maximillian said something before I ended his life. His faction hates hybrids like us. They call us abominations.”
“It seems you also hate them,” Grace stated due to the darkness in his voice.
“He killed my parents. I have a good reason to hate him and his followers. There are a lot more like him. Your grandfather believes that others might come.”
“Is that why he asked you to stay?”
Noah nodded. “He thought I’d be useful.”
“And why did you stay? You acted like you were ready to die that night.”
Noah sucked in a breath and folded his arms. “I had nothing important to do and nowhere to be.”
“You’ve talked about an aunt. Therefore, you have a family who cares about you.”
“Yes, but she has her own problems. I owe her my life, and it’s time to find a place to settle down.”
A million more questions wanted to leave Grace’s mouth. She thought better of it to not burden him with her curiosity.
Noah looked at the buildings and people on the sidewalk. “Where are we going?”
“To a hairdresser. You need to cut your hair if you want to look like a teacher and not a rogue hunter. The new fancy clothes aren’t enough.”
Noah’s eyes bulged. “No one touches my hair.”
Grace offered him a lopsided grin. “We’ll see about that.”
***
Grace had a hard time concentrating during the weekend while going over the lesson plans with Noah. His long blonde hair was beautiful, and Grace felt sorry when it was cut. His new messy short haircut made him look hotter and modern-looking. The new clothes and his haircut helped Noah fit into the professional environment that her grandfather had established at the academy. It would also help Noah look like a real professor to the other students.
Meanwhile, she managed to find the time to turn the attic into a bedroom for Noah, since he wasn’t keen on sharing a bedroom with another teacher. Maybe it was for the best. That way, she could always find an excuse to see him.
With the help of two male students, she assembled a bed and rearranged three shelves to create a private corner for Noah to sleep in. She also found space in the wardrobe to hang his new clothes and cleared a few drawers for him to keep his belongings.
With the news spreading about a new substitute teacher, all the students were curious to meet him. The other teachers met him in their mess hall when Grace gave Noah a tour of the premises. Noah didn’t seem interested in making new friends and liked to spend his time in the attic, looking at the sky or reading.
That Sunday, Grace sat beside him and peeked at the cover. “It’s sunny outside. The guys are playing games, and the girls are grilling meat and making refreshments. Don’t you want to join us?”
“Vampires aren’t fond of sunlight,” he mumbled with his eyes on the page.
“Yet here you are, basking in the light,” Grace noted.
Releasing a sigh, he looked at her. “My wolf side likes sun, but I don’t like to mingle with people I barely know. Plus, I’m catching up on my reading.”
Resting an elbow on the sofa, she lowered her head against the palm of her hand. “It’s not a workday, and you have your first class tomorrow. Don’t you think you should be reading the lesson plan once again?”
“I’m sure I can handle a defense class just fine.”
“Have you ever taught anyone how to defend themselves?”
Noah huffed. “Shouldn’t you be outside, having fun with your friends?”
“I don’t like you being here all by yourself.”
Noah frowned. “It’s my problem, not yours.”
“I’m your guardian.” She smirked.