Page 40 of The Chosen One Universe: Volume One

Vaughn nodded and hurried back toward the office. Sure enough, the principal was heading his way. Luckily, Vaughn knew her and her sickly Pomeranian well.

“Dr. Vaughn? What are you doing here?”

“Hey, Principal McNeely. Kind of a long story? I’ve recently taken in some foster kids. Mr. Baker is a friend of mine and has been helping me. The youngest has grown quite attached to him and was having a moment earlier. I’m afraid I needed to interrupt Sam’s class for help.”

“Oh, my. Let’s go check on them. I’ll accompany you.”

Vaughn nodded, thanking his lucky stars that she knew who he was. They went back to Sam’s classroom and found him still holding Ollie. He’d stopped crying but had a death grip on Sam’s neck. Since it was near the end of the last day of school, Sam’s students were helping him pack up the classroom. Mrs. McNeely stopped at the door and looked inside.

“If that isn’t the cutest thing I’ve ever seen, I don’t know what is.”

Sam looked their way and carried Ollie over. He looked a bit worried about what Ollie might do, but Vaughn wasn’t. He’d reminded the kids of the rules both the night before and again this morning on their walk.

He did it the same way his dad had, gentle reminders with scenarios of how to handle simple situations. Besides, he was there, and an alpha’s presence always helped with control.

“Sorry about this, Principal McNeely.”

“It’s fine, Sam. Well, just this once, anyway. Dr. Vaughn told me there’d been a bit of a problem.”

Ollie lifted his head and looked curiously at her while sniffing and rubbing his teary eyes. “Sam didn’t come back after lunch. He said after lunch.”

She melted a little. “Well, it is after lunch. We’ll have to ask Sam to teach you about the big hands and the little hands on the clock so you know just what time he means.”

“Big hands?” Ollie asked.

“Yep. Sam can show you. Telling time is fun. Now, I know you missed Sam, but I thought you might like to look around school with me. Dr. Vaughn can come with us.”

Ollie looked at her suspiciously then back at Sam. “I don’t want to go.”

His lip wobbled and he wrapped his arms back around Sam’s neck.

“Okay. You don’t have to,” Sam said. He glanced apologetically at the principal. “Do you mind if he stays with me until the end of the day?”

She glanced at the clock then back at Sam. “No problem. I’ll get back to the office. Dr. Vaughn, I’m afraid I can’t let you stay. School rules and all that.”

Vaughn glanced back at Sam, who shooed him away after giving him a sweet smile that made Vaughn’s wolf preen with happiness. Vaughn stared, unable to tear his eyes away from his mate as Sam carried Ollie to the back of the classroom where a few students were stacking a group of textbooks.

“You have quite the challenge ahead of you,” Mrs. McNeely said and keeping Vaughn from following his mate and claiming him once again.

Vaughn pasted on his doctor smile and forced his attention to Sam’s boss. “I know. He’s the youngest of six,” Vaughn said. “But I have a ton of support and believe me when I tell you that their case worker is fierce.”

Of course, she had no idea that he was actually referring the alpha of the hellhounds when he said case worker, but it was the language she understood for what was happening with them.

She smiled and patted his arm. “I’m sure they’re in the best possible hands. And it’s nice to see someone looking at Mr. Baker the way you are. He’s one of the best men I’ve ever met. Treat him well.”

“I will.”

She led him back to the front of the school. “Good. I’ll be bringing Princess in for her checkup in a few weeks. Hopefully everything will have settled for the little guy by then.”

“I hope so. Will you let Sam know that I’m waiting outside? The rest of the kids are in the car with my Nana.”

“You’re a good man, Dr. Vaughn. I’ll pass along the message to Mr. Baker, and please say hello to Jean for me.”

Vaughn exited the school to find six sets of nervous eyes staring at him from the rolled down windows. “He’s fine,” Vaughn said. “He’s staying with Sam until the end of the day. It’s only another thirty-five minutes.”

Ben looked a little nervous about leaving Ollie. He chewed his lip and stared at Vaughn.

“I promise he’s okay.”