Chapter 3
Rissa
Bright sunlight streamed through my bedroom window, coaxing me awake. I stretched, a grin spreading across my face. First day of school. First real day back in Stock Creek as someone other than just Gavin's little sister.
I rolled out of bed, my body thrumming with excitement. Last year, I taught third graders, but this time, I was teaching pre-K. Right where my heart belonged. Nurturing those little minds and watching them grow and discover the world filled me with purpose.
In the bathroom, I splashed cold water on my face. My reflection stared back at me. Dark hair mussed from sleep, brown eyes bright. But despite the excitement bubbling in my chest, something felt off.
Nathan's face flashed in my mind. The pack alpha. It had been a week and a half since I last saw him at the pack barbeque. That should have been enough time to forget the way he looked at me. The way he felt too real, too big, too dangerous in my carefully constructed world.
I gripped the sink, my knuckles turning white. "Stop it," I muttered. "He's not for you. Focus on what matters."
Teaching. Shaping young lives. That was what I wanted. Not my brother’s alpha wolf who made my pulse race and my defenses rise. I had been down that road before and lost everything. Never again.
I took a deep breath and squared my shoulders. Today was about new beginnings, not dwelling on things that could never be. I had a job to do, and I was damn well going to do it right.
Shaking off thoughts of Nathan, I focused on getting ready.
I left my long black hair down and applied minimal makeup—just enough to look presentable.
I chose a simple blouse and black slacks.
Professional but not trying too hard. It's not like I needed to impress anyone. This was about the kids, not me.
I grabbed my messenger bag and headed out the door.
The heart of the small mountain town pulsed with energy.
Shopkeepers flipped their signs to "Open.
" The scent of fresh bread drifted from the bakery.
A group of children with their book bags hurried toward the school gates.
Stock Creek Elementary came into view a few minutes later, its brick facade glowing warmly under the rising sun.
A sense of homecoming washed over me as I pulled into the parking lot. It had been years since I’d stepped into a school that truly felt like home.
I walked through the quiet halls. Anticipation thrummed through my veins as I unlocked the door to my classroom. My space. A sanctuary waiting to be filled with bright young minds.
I flicked on the light, taking it all in. The low tables, the tiny chairs, the shelves waiting to be filled with picture books and art supplies. A blank canvas ready for me to paint with knowledge and nurturing.
Rolling up my sleeves, I dove in. I arranged the tables into workstations around the edge of the room, leaving the middle for story time and music. I loved music. I used it to help teach. Kids responded well to creative outlets. In the reading corner, I placed a colorful rug and plump cushions.
As I worked, my mind drifted to the kids I would soon meet. The shy ones who would need gentle coaxing. The rambunctious ones who would keep me on my toes. Each one special and bursting with potential.
This was why I became a teacher. This feeling right here, as I created a space for learning and growth. A safe haven where kids could be themselves and discover the wonders of the world.
By the time I finished, the room was transformed. Bright colors, welcoming nooks, everything in its place. Pride swelled in my chest. This was more than a job. This was a calling. And I was exactly where I was meant to be.
A knock at the door startled me out of my reverie. I turned to see a handsome man leaning against the doorframe, an easygoing smile on his olive-toned face. Dark hair, friendly brown eyes. He looked like a guy who probably coached little league on weekends.
"You must be the new pre-K teacher," he said warmly.
I nodded, stepping forward to shake his hand. "That's me. Rissa Mitchell."
"Max Dunn. I teach fifth grade. Welcome to Stock Creek Elementary." His grip was firm, his smile genuine. "You're going to love it here. The kids are great."
I returned his smile. Max had an easy charm, the kind of laid-back charisma that instantly put people at ease. However, he didn’t set my soul on fire like Nathan did. My wolf wasn’t interested.
"I'm looking forward to meeting them," I said, glancing around my freshly set-up classroom. "I've been preparing all morning."
Max chuckled. "I can tell. Your room looks amazing." He leaned in conspiratorially. "Word of advice? If you ever need help handling the parents, I take bribes in the form of baked goods."
I laughed, appreciating the instant camaraderie. "I'll keep that in mind. Chocolate chip cookies are my specialty."
Max grinned. "I knew I liked you. But seriously, if you need anything, just ask. We're a tight-knit bunch here."
Warmth bloomed in my chest. After the upheaval of the past few years, it felt good to be welcomed so openly. To feel like I might belong somewhere again.
The first bell rang, signaling the start of morning drop-off. Max straightened up from the doorframe. "That's our cue. Ready to meet your new charges?"
I took a deep breath, excitement and nerves fluttering in my stomach. "As I'll ever be."
Together, Max and I headed outside to greet the arriving students. Tiny hands clutched oversized backpacks, eyes wide with a mix of anticipation and trepidation. I remembered that feeling well from my own first days of school.
A little boy stumbled out of his mom's car, bottom lip trembling. I bent down to his level, giving him my warmest smile. "Hey there, buddy. I'm Miss Mitchell. What's your name?"
He mumbled something inaudible, his gaze fixed on his light-up sneakers. His mom gave me a grateful look.
"First day jitters," she explained, rubbing her son's back. "He's been anxious all morning."
I nodded understandingly. Gently, I tipped the boy's chin up until he met my eyes. "I know it can be scary, starting something new. But I promise, by snack time, you'll be having so much fun you won't even remember being nervous."
A flicker of a smile crossed his face. Progress. I held out my hand. "What do you say we go check out the classroom together?"
He hesitated briefly before placing his small hand in mine. As I led him toward the building, I caught Max watching me, an approving glint in his eye.
The low rumble of an engine made me glance up from helping another boy out of a car.
Nathan's truck pulled into the drop-off lane and damn if my pulse didn’t do something stupid at the sight of it.
He stepped out, towering as always, and opened the passenger door.
Elle jumped down, her expression unreadable.
My stomach twisted when she barely nodded at me. Great. So she didn't like me.
Nathan's gaze flicked to mine, something tightening in his jaw. His eyes lingered too long, making my breath catch.
"Morning," he said, voice gravelly.
I forced a bright, easy smile. "Morning."
Something in his gaze sharpened at that, but before he could respond, Elle muttered under her breath and walked off. I exhaled, watching her go. What the hell did I do to her?
Nathan's attention followed Elle and then returned to me. His lips parted like he wanted to say something. He didn't. Instead, he nodded and climbed back into his truck.
As he pulled away, I pressed a hand to my stomach. It was ridiculous how unsteady I felt around him. This was not happening. I shook myself mentally and got back to greeting the arriving students.
Throughout the morning, I found my thoughts drifting to Nathan's tense demeanor. Why did he seem so on edge around me? And why couldn't I stop dwelling on it?
I threw myself into the rhythm of the classroom, determined to focus on my kids. There would be time to unravel the mystery of Nathan Gallagher later. For now, I had twenty tiny humans depending on me to guide them through this first pivotal day. And that was exactly what I intended to do.
As the day wore on, I found myself drawn to a little girl named Sophie with big brown eyes and a gentle voice. While the other kids laughed and played together, Sophie hovered at the edges of the room, observing quietly.
During free play, I knelt down beside her. "You doing okay, sweetheart?"
Sophie nodded but stayed silent, reaching for a toy and beginning to play by herself.
Something about the sight made my chest tighten.
I couldn't quite explain it, but being near Sophie stirred up thoughts of Faith, the baby I had lost. My stomach knotted.
She would've been almost five now, likely bounding into her own kindergarten classroom.
I blinked hard, willing the memories back down into the dark corner of my mind where I kept them locked away. I couldn't dwell on that now. My students needed me to be present and focused.
The rest of the day passed in a vibrant blur of story time, silly songs, and tiny hands sticky with glue. And, oh my goodness, all the glitter. By the final bell, I was utterly spent but content, knowing we'd made it through day one.
I gathered my things and headed out to the staff parking lot, ready to collapse into my car. But I stopped short at the sight of Nathan leaning against his truck, arms crossed, clearly waiting. For me? No, surely his daughter.
My stomach flipped, but I covered it with a smirk as I approached him. "Shouldn't you be off doing important alpha things?"
His lips twitched. "Figured I'd check in, see how the first day went."
My pulse stuttered. He had no business looking at me like that, all intense and concerned. I shrugged, keeping my tone light. "Oh, you know, the usual. Sticky fingers, nap time mutinies, the works."
Nathan huffed a small laugh. "Sounds brutal."
"Says the big bad wolf who looked like a grumpy dad at drop-off." I narrowed my eyes teasingly.
He arched an eyebrow. "Grumpy?"
"Mhmm, absolutely menacing. Terrifying, really."
His sexy, bearded smirk deepened, but there was heat simmering behind his gaze as it lingered on me. The air between us felt charged. I needed to shut this down, now.
"Anyway," I said abruptly, "I should get going."
Nathan blinked, seeming to shake himself back from wherever his thoughts had wandered. "Right. Of course."
I moved past him to my car, hyper aware of his presence at my back. "See you around, Alpha."
"Rissa—" I paused at the sound of my name and glanced over my shoulder. Nathan looked like he wanted to say more, but he just shook his head. "Have a good night."
I gave a little wave and slid into my car, not trusting myself to linger any longer. As I pulled out of the lot, I saw Nathan in my rear view, still standing by his truck, watching me go.
What the hell was that about? The way he looked at me...it was almost as if...no. I couldn't let my mind venture down that path. Nathan Gallagher was my brother's best friend, and that's all he could ever be. No matter how his presence made my heart race and my thoughts spin wildly out of control.
I cranked up the radio, determined to drown out the whispers of temptation as I drove away.
When I got home, I started dinner, needing something to occupy my hands and thoughts. The familiar, mindless routine of chopping veggies and seasoning meat helped soothe my frayed nerves. By the time Gavin walked in, still in his police chief uniform, the scent of simmering chili filled the house.
"Smells good, sis." He hung up his belt and placed his gun in the safe in the hall closet before making his way into the kitchen. "How was your first day?"
"Good. The kids are great." I hesitated, then added casually, "Nathan seemed surprised I came back to town."
Gavin frowned. "What do you mean? I told him."
I bit my lip, debating whether to bring up the awkwardness with Elle. "Is it just me, or does Elle kind of...not like me very much?"
Gavin's brow furrowed. "Elle? Nah, she's a sweetheart. Probably just being a moody teenager."
"If you say so." I wasn't convinced, but I let it drop. "I met Krystal and Tavi at the barbeque. I think we're going to be good friends. I like them."
"Those are good women," Gavin said with an approving nod.
I rolled my eyes. "Gavin, I'm twenty-five. Not a baby anymore, in case you hadn't noticed."
He grinned. "Hey, you'll always be my baby sister. That's the rule."
"Is that so?" I grabbed a roll from the basket and chucked it at him. He caught it easily, taking a huge bite.
"Mm-hmm. Thems the breaks, kid."
We both laughed, the tension from earlier dissipating. But as we settled in to eat, Gavin's expression turned more serious.
"Rissa...how are you doing, really? With, you know...everything."
My stomach clenched. He was talking about Faith. And Scott. The asshole whose name Gavin refused to speak these days.
I pushed my chili around with my spoon, appetite fading. "I'm...okay. You know I don't like talking about it."
"I know. I just want to make sure—"
"I said I'm fine," I snapped, more sharply than I intended. At his wounded look, I sighed. "Sorry. I just...therapy helped. A lot. But that doesn't make it any easier to rehash."
"I get it. I do." Gavin reached over to squeeze my hand. "I'm here, though, alright? Whenever you need me. Don't forget that."
Tears pricked the corners of my eyes. "I know. I love you too, big brother."
It was frustrating that after five years, the grief was still raw.
My therapist said I wasn’t grieving the loss of one child, but my ability to ever have a baby.
That was another subject I didn’t like talking about.
When I had the miscarriage, I found out that I had a rare clotting disorder, which made it dangerous to carry a baby to term.
Gavin and I finished eating in comfortable silence, the heavy topics shelved for another day. But as I cleared the dishes, my thoughts drifted inevitably back to Nathan. The heat in his gaze. The magnetism that crackled between us.
I didn't know what to make of it. Or of him. But deep down, a traitorous part of me yearned to find out. Even though I knew I shouldn't. Even though I promised myself I wouldn't let another man wreak havoc on my life ever again.
Damn my weak, stubborn heart. This could only lead to trouble.