Chapter 6: Chapter Five
Arriving home an hour later after some research, she was surprised when Ethan stepped out of the kitchen a small smile on his face.
"Hi Ethan," she greeted. "How did the mission go?"
"No problem," he stated with a touch of arrogance nodding his head before running upstairs.
"Danna was asking about you," she called out heading for the kitchen.
<Thank you> he called back through the pack link since he was heading for his room.
She entered the kitchen with a frown on her face absently saying 'hello' to Tony who was standing at the stove.
Everyone took turns cooking even the Alpha who was actually an incredibly good cook, Tala gave him a soft smile putting her things down on the counter.
"What's wrong, honey?" Tony asked wiping his hands on a towel after he stirred whatever was in the pot and covered it.
Remembering how she couldn't hide anything from her mate, Tala grinned softly. "Just worried about one of my students," she answered wrapping her arms around his waist. "She hasn't been in my class for the last two classes."
"Tala honey," he cajoled, "she is probably working."
Sitting down at the table, Tala admitted in a low concerned voice. "I think she might be doing it on purpose, so she can request a withdrawal from my class."
Tony walked over and covered her hand with his own. "I'm surprised since most students like your class."
Kala nodded her head pursing her lips while thoughts ran through her head, and Tony sighed squeezing her hand before he walked over picking up the cordless phone.
"Why don't you call her if you are that worried about her?" He suggested walking back over to the table handing her the cordless. "I'm sure you have her number."
Tala gave him a narrowed look, but he winked at her walking back over to the stove while she made the call.
She dialed the number waiting for the phone to be answered when Ethan stepped back into the kitchen just as the phone was picked up on the other end.
"Hey, Ember." Tala greeted when Ember answered in a weary tone. "Are you okay? You've missed two days of my class."
There was a moment of silence, which Tala found telling, even when Ember answered. "I've been working, Professor Lyra, and once I get home I've been going to sleep. In fact, I was thinking about asking for a withdrawal from…"
"Ember, you've worked so hard," Tala interrupted turning to face Tony who shifted a look over his shoulder at her. "Besides, you need this class in order to graduate."
"Damn," Ember muttered, and Tala knew she had gotten through to her. "All right, I will be in the next class."
Tala grinned giving Tony a nod when her eyes shifted to Ethan seeing the way his blue eyes alert and listening to every word of her conversation, and she had a sudden thought.
"We had an assignment today that counts against your grade, and since you've missed two classes, you might have to take a zero for it," Tala stated tapping a finger against her lips.
"Can I do the assignment on Monday?" Ember asked hesitatingly as if she already knew the answer.
"I have to have the grades in by Monday morning," Tala said honestly. "But if you can make it to my house around two tomorrow, then I can let you take it before I record and calculate the grades."
"Professor," Ember began a slight worried note in her voice.
"Ember, you can call me Tala outside of class," Tala interrupted unaware of both Tony and Ethan staring at her in shock.
"is everything all right Professor?" Ember asked slowly. "You are acting a little strange."
Tala laughed tilting her head to the side. "I like you, Ember," she confided with a single nod of her head. "Besides, you also a good student and I hate to see you withdraw messing up your chances of graduating this semester."
There was another brief pause of silence before Ember sighed. "Thank you for thinking about me, so I guess I shouldn't mess with the opportunity you are giving me. What time did you say you wanted me to show up?"
"Around two," Tala repeated shifting a look to Ethan. "I'll leave you in Ethan capable hands while you are here so there will be no problems. Ethan?"
"I don't have a problem with it," Ethan replied nodding his head feeling his wolf growl with anticipation of seeing her again.
"So we will see you around two tomorrow, Ember," Tala repeated, smiling when Ember answered with an affirmative. "See you tomorrow and have a good evening."
"You, too, Professor."
Ember hung up before Kala could chide her on calling her Professor.
"Honey, I have a lot of questions but there is one thing I'm curious about," Tony stepped over to the counter and placed a hip against it. "Did you forget we are throwing a party tomorrow for James and Tasha celebrating the new couple of our pack?"
Tala's eyes widened putting a hand to her mouth. "I did forget. I guess I should call her later and change the day."
At her words, Ethan made his excuses and headed out of the kitchen unaware of Tony's narrowed look or the fact he hadn't forgotten what he had gone down, for while emotions churned through him along with the disappointment of his wolf. He pulled his cell out of his pocket and called Danna even though he realized after she picked up, he wasn't in the mood to deal with her, but he was a gentleman, so he went ahead and invited her to the party tomorrow.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone