Absolutely no one is surprised that I'm sitting in the principal's office right now. It's just another day, another time at the principal's office. I think I've been here more than I have some classes.

I'm all to comfortable at the principal's office in this school. The receptionist knew me- I almost came in every other week. The chair in front of Principal Greer's mahogany desk was all too familiar.

Hands crossed on the back of my head, I'm in a relaxed position even though I have Principal Greer glaring at me. Principal Greer was leaning on the back of her chair, a hardcore woman who came from a line of Betas, but thought she could schools for wolves some justice and educate us wild wolves. She got hired through some big process by the first female Alpha, Heidi, who was the one to make this school in the first place.

I'm trying my hardest to pretend to listen.

"Did you think punching a student was the right thing to do? No, not even punching him, but dislocating his jaw bone which is hard to do to a werewolf? How much force did you use? And to think that you were doing so well too, Mr. Stryder." Her glare isn't gone. "The first week of school wasn't even over before you got into a fight!"

I sighed. This puny wolf called my mate crazy, and I punched him, breaking his jaw. So what.

He thought he could insult my mate.

What I wasn't going to tell our Principal was that if it weren't for my mate stepping in front of me, and asking me to stop, I would've done way worse. But Edith stepped in front of me, telling me not to and I relented. Because of her that wolf isn't in worse condition.

I cleared my throat, "This student you're defending, Principal, is harassing other students."

"So you came to the defense of, what was her name- Edith?"

I smiled- I thought I was doing Edith a favor by stopping her from punching him, but it had to be me doing the punching instead. It wasn't intentional, really. Things just happened. Mouths had to be opened. Punches had to be thrown.

"I mean, yeah she could have taken care of herself, but I was standing up to bullying."

"Bullying." Principal Greer was done with my crap from the way her glasses fell and she raised an eyebrow at me. Yes, I was full of crap right now, but really

"I think it's a national issue, but why don't we make our school a better place and resolve Alphas' bullying quote on quote lesser wolves? Because that's what they do, Principal Greer. That was what Jared was doing."

A long sigh came from my principal. "Honestly West, you were doing very well with not fighting other students for so long and you had a relapse."

"You're acting like I'm some drug addict." My mouth curled downward.

"Maybe you're addicted to fighting."

I had think about this for a quick second, but I shook my head. "Nah, I really don't think so."

"If your parents-"

"Did you tell them?" I cut her off, worried. Her look told me everything. I closed my eyes shut. Shoot. Shoot. Shoot.

"Yes, I did. That is standard protocol. Especially with you. I've already arranged a meeting with them today."

"Today?" I nearly spit out. Since when did Mom and Dad have time off? They're busy with a whole pack. I needed at least 5 business days to prepare an apology.

Principal Greer nodded-looking way too happy about this, "In fact, your mother should be here by now." My heart dropped. "She was already coming to this school for something else-something about your brother, and this just works out perfectly, no?" She smiled at me like my life wasn't some big joke.

So much for relaxation. I'm fried toast.

It took no more than 10 minutes for Mom to enter the room, completely dismissing my "hey". At least Dad wasn't here. I'm guessing he couldn't come because of the pack, but I know he's going to talk to me later. At least one thing is going right. Having both my parents look at me in disappointment is hard.

Mom had the looks of "when we're alone, then we'll talk" look and I gulped.

I know if I told my parents that this wolf called my mate crazy, they'd understand. They wouldn't give me disapproving looks. In fact, I know Mom would cheer me on.

But I couldn't tell them that.

"Explain what you did," Principal Greer pressed.

"Yes please, son, explain," Mom's tone was clipped.

I tried looking at my mom, but I was too coward to, so I looked at the principal. "I was walking to class when I saw this wolf harass a good friend of mine, Edith." I paused.

"Edith?" Mom asked, finally looking at me then, her face a strange look. "Is-do you mean Edith Silva?"

"Uh....yeah?" I answered, but it sounded more like a question.

Her eyes widened. "Continue on, sweetie."

Sweetie? Now I'm on her good terms? I watched as Principal Greer's face broke the smug mask.

"This Jared guy called Edith crazy, so I punched him. She's a friend of mine-" to put it lightly- "so I did what any friend would do." I didn't add that Jared was lucky we were on school grounds. That made me have some restraint. I was about to break off his arms too.

"Yes, you assaulted this student."

"West, don't you remember Edith?" Mom wasn't letting this go, was she?

"Why would I remember her?" I shook my head. Pretty sure I'd remember my mate.

"Edith is my goddaughter!" Mom exclaimed. I think both Principal Greer and I nearly fell off our chairs for entirely different reasons.

My mate was her goddaughter?!?!?!?!?!?

Mom smiled at me sweetly, "Oh West you're such a wonderful son. I could not have raised you better."

Now I am confusion.

Principal Greer's face went pale. She was as confused as me. "B-but, Luna Ava your son did assault-"

Mom stood up suddenly, "Principal Greer. With all due respect to you, because I do respect all that you do in this school, my son did absolutely nothing wrong. He was merely defending a fellow classmate and my goddaughter."

"I think it's a little biased-" Principal Greer was cut off.

"How could you allow my funding to this school go towards this behavior from wolves like Jared? I feel as if something needs to be addressed because you have a problem."

This meeting is not going at all how I expected it to go.

Principal Greer told me that my punishment would be determined after further evaluation, Mom wasn't in a bad mood anymore, and to my complete surprise, my mate was sitting outside the office on a chair, waiting for me.

Her eyes met mine before Mom came in front of me and squealed like a teenager. Aw, gosh.

"Ohmygosh Edith!" Mom didn't wait for anything, and hugged Edith as she was getting up. "It has been so long since I've last seen you! I've been sending you letters since I couldn't enter your pack-" Mom's been sending my mate letters? "-and you!"

Mom leaned back, still holding Edith, and my heart lurched when Edith was smiling at Mom, two deep dimples popping out and looking too adorable.

I'll punch Jared a thousand times if I had to for my mate.

"You have grown to be so, so beautiful how do you keep any of the wolves away from you?" I think the world is ending because my mate is slightly blushing, clearly embarrassed. I bet if I told her she looked beautiful, she'd flip me off.

Mom goes in for the hug again. "Did you remember my son, West? You used to come over at least every month- we have pictures- when you were such a little pup so you might not have."

I mean, I sure did not.

"Yeah, I kind of do Luna." Mom finally gives Edith time to reply. Edith knew me?

"What?" Now I'm confused.

Mom looked at me, rolling her eyes like this was common knowledge. "Please, call me Ava or even godmother." Mom winked at her. "I know you've been so busy with your pack since you never replied to any letters, but I'm so glad to see you here." I watched as Edith's smile flickers for a second. "If you ever need anything, please call me. I would love to see your mom too." She grabs a scrap paper from her purse, writing down her number. "And since my sons are at the school, if you need anything tell them and I'm sure they'll be happy to help. Or else I'll force them." Edith took the piece of paper my mom shoved at her. Mom was way too overly excited at this.

"Thank you," Edith said, her voice sincerely appreciative.

"I'm so glad you and West are friends," she patted Edith on the shoulders. She had no idea. Mom gave me a pinch on my cheeks, and kissing me there. "Love you West."

"Are you leaving already?" I asked, feeling myself pout. Mom checked her phone and nodded.

"Wyatt asked me to come to his art show today which I was coming to before you got yourself into trouble." He had an art show? Mom looked at me curiously. "Aren't you going?"

"Nah," I shrugged feeling dejected about Wyatt having frigging art shows all of a sudden, "I have to sleep early so I can wake up to practice." A lie. A complete and total lie. It felt horrible, but it was easier than telling Mom my twin was ignoring and avoiding me.

"Your dad will call you at night- can't wait to tell him who I just met! I have to tell Bo too!" Mom hugs me again. I hug her back, feeling the love only a mother can give. Her voice lowers, "You need to stop fighting, West."

Tell me about it. "I know."