But I Am The Keeper

She's A Defender

Allison's POV

"Case dismissed!"

Ugh! Today had been a hectic day, three cases already it wasn't even 9 AM yet. One would think after more than a decade of merging two tribes, life would be smooth sailing, but that couldn't be more wrong.

'That's because, smooth seas don't make skillful sailors.'

Ah yes, my voice of reasoning, my sanity. 'Thanks for the reminder, Sabrina.'

I released one long labored sigh as I tiredly slouched in my office chair.

*Knock, Knock.*

I muffled a groan of frustration... Not another case, please.

I clear my throat. "You can co-"

The door opens.

"Come in." I sarcastically finished in whispered tones.

"Alli!"

"Oh, it's you guys." I was glad to see them but my tone was a little drier than I expected.

"Humm, somebody doesn't look too happy to see us" Sofia frowned, glancing over her shoulder at Gabi and Marissa entering behind.

"No, it's not that, it's just-“ I sighed rubbing my temple.

Marissa swiftly made her way to my side, her hand sweeping the length of my back in a soothing manner. "Alli, you've got to take it easy." She grabbed my face, tilting it up to face her. "You've even got bags under your eyes. You've got to take better care of yourself." Her voice was a gently scowl causing me to chuckle slightly at her motherly instincts on display.

"Ok ok, Mama Rissa." I teased.

But she gave me a stern face. "If the healer gets sick, who heals the healer?"

"My husband." I winked.

Marissa scrunched up her face, playful slapped me on the shoulder. "Eww."

"Right, because the storks dropped off Stiles and Silus." I rolled my eyes before looking back to the girls. "Wait.... I'm missing somebody...." I paused, dipping my brows in curiosity. "Where's Kelly?"

"She's home with Klaus." Sofia informed.

Home? Maybe they wanted to spend a family day together. "So Ryan is home too?"

"Girl, have you forgotten today is a school day? He's still a teacher you know."

"I remembered, just was thinking of possible reasons Klaus won't be at school too."

"Didn't she tell you?" Sofia tipped her head to a side with arched brows of disbelief.

"Tell me what?" My eyes darted between the girls, a frantic panic washing over me

"Klaus is sick, Alli."

"What? Why didn't she call me." I promptly stood, gathering my things to leave work.

"He's not sick like, 'call the doctor type of hospital sick', you know." Marissa clarified.

I paused my packing, a look of confusion overshadowing my face "Huh? What do you mean?"

"As soon as Kelly realized he had high fever, she called my husband. He did a house visit and noticed Klaus was just teething."

"Already? But he's only 13."

I sighed, he must be in hella pain right now. It is a lot easier when you get your retractable canines on your first shift, and that is usually the case for most but exceptions exist. I guess he was one.

"But why couldn't she at least call to tell me that?"

"She probably didn't want to burden you." Gabi reasoned. "We all know it doesn't take much to worry you, Alli."

"It's never a burden when it comes to friends."

"I guess she was trying to be considerate knowing how much you have on your plate already. After all, you are a wife, Luna, a part-time doctor, the Queen of two tribe at loggerheads, then, on top of all of that, you are a mother" Gabi paused before adding dramatically "... to Raylee."

We all burst out laughing, well all, except Marissa who stared at us blankly before clearing her throat, to which I quickly replied. "No, it's not the same, you were meant to be a twin mom, but I wasn't prepared to handle two Ryders."

Marissa couldn't help but partaking in the hearty laughter that one again filled the room.

The laughter soon simmered down. "You guys just reminded me how much I've missed our carefree days."

I reached for my phone. "Hey honey." I said as soon as Ryder answered the call.

"What can I do for you, love?"

"Clear my schedule-"

"But babe, we have a big meeting with Tyron, head of the Lycan Association."

"Well all the best, honey."

"But babe, you know I can't do this without you." His voice dropped to a whisper. "You know those Lycans still freak me out."

"You've got Jack, remembered?"

"You mean, had Jack." I glanced up to see Gabi blushing and giggling like a teenager, simply from the mentioned of his name, as Ryder continued. "You gave him the day off."

Oh right, he did ask in advance for leave. Today was his anniversary and he asked for the day off to plan some grand romantic gesture for Gabi.

I found myself overtaken with Gabi's infectious smile. I didn't even know what the surprise was but I was already so excited for her.

"Well at least you've got your Beta... He might not be Lycan but-"

"Theo? Ha!" Ryder mockingly laughed. "Maybe if you said I had Sofia, I would have been more at ease."

"Dude, I'm sitting right here!" I heard Theo exclaim from Ryder's end of the call. "But I can't deny, my wife would make a pretty badass Beta. My Lil' So So really is a beast... And I'm not just talking about in bed."

I could hear him grinning from over the phon. Ugh! I rolled my eyes as the two men continued their chat.

"Well my wife-”

"Is still on the phone." I Interjected, cutting Ryder midsentence.

"Ah yes, sorry... What was it you wanted again?"

"I'm leaving to visit Kelly, Klaus is not feeling too well."

"Oh, of course, go right ahead babe and be safe."

I smiled, I know he just unknowingly gave me permission to go, totally forgetting that just minutes ago he was begging me to stay. Well, I decided to grab the opportunity and make my move before he could recant. "Ok bye, see you when I get home."

Ending the call, I turned to the girls. "Ready to go?"

I led the way, but before I could even make it out of my office, my phone rang. I held my breath, did he suddenly remember he needed me for the meeting?

"Yes, what's it?" I asked cautiously.

"Good morning, Mrs. Jordan...." I breathed a sigh of relief, it wasn't Ryder. "This is Ms. Rose, Raylee's teacher."

Maybe I exhaled too soon. "Yes, Ms. Rose. How can I be of assistance?"

"I would like it if you could come to the school as soon as possible. It's about Raylee."

Panic set in. "Is my child alright?"

"She's perfectly fine." She briefly paused before sighing. "But I can't say the same about the other student."

"What? What happened?"

"It'll be better if we could speak face to face."

"Ok, Ms. Rose, see you shortly." I glanced over at the girls.

"Raylee?" They asked almost simultaneously. I just nodded, they already knew the drill.

I reached the school, heading to the waiting room of the principal's office, where I was pretty sure Raylee was waiting.

"What's it now, Raylee?" I inquired as soon as I laid eyes on her.

"Mom?" She blinked in utter surprise, her eyes thoroughly searching behind me. "Where's dad?"

Of course she wants to know, because, whatever it is she got herself into, she knew her father was the biggest Raylee supporter. Well sorry, sweetie, you didn't get so lucky this time. "Never mind where he is. I am asking, what did you do?"

"Mom, I didn't do anything wrong."

I gave her a stern stare. "You really want me to believe, that they would send you to the principal's office if you did nothing wrong?"

"Mom, aren't innocent people prosecuted for crimes they never committed?"

I opened my mouth to speak but just then the Principal's door opened. "Mrs. Jordan, glad you could make it.... Please, come in."

She held the door opened for us to enter and waited until we sat.

"Now as you know, we've been having a bit of challenge when it comes to Raylee.... This morning, Ms. Rose came to me with Raylee because she broke one of the kid's fingers."

My mouth dropped open as my gaze fell on her. "You what?"

"Mom, I swear, I don't go seeking trouble, it just finds me. Plus, if he was obedient, he won't have been running in the corridor, when the rules say no running in the corridor. And maybe if he would put all the effort it takes to be a bully, into actually paying attention in class, he would have been able to read the big yellow sign with bold red lettering that clearly said 'Cautious: Wet Floor'."

"So are you saying, he tripped, fell and that's how he broke his fingers?" The principal arched her brow, her attention undividedly set on Raylee.

"I never said that, I just gave you the immediate events leading up to his broken fingers."

Both the principal and I were held captivated as Raylee sought to justify her actions. "Ok, so every lunch time, Demarco always want to pick a fight and bully the children from my class. I always have to tell him to stop but he doesn't like to listen to me, so I always go running to Klaus for help. But Klaus didn't come to school today, so when Demarco was bullying Trevor, I realized, I couldn't just stand by and watch that happen. So I stepped between the two and Demarco pushed me. I thought about what to do and the best idea was going to tell the teacher. So I left to find Ms. Rose, but he ran behind me and that's when he fell. As he was lying on the ground, I considered still going to the teacher, but then I thought about it some more. Maybe if he felt how he makes others feel, he'll quit the thug life. I reviewed my options carefully. I didn't want to be unreasonable, so I chose a part of his body that would hurt without entirely affecting him. I know he is very athletic, so I left his feet alone, but his hands.... Well, he doesn't use them in class unless he is throwing a pencil to hit someone."

"So you broke his fingers?" I blurted out in disbelief.

"Must the innocent hurt while the guilty walk unharmed?"

"Raylee, I thought you told me you didn't do anything."

"Mom, I never said that... I said I didn't do anything wrong. Must not justice be serviced? Isn't that what you do for your job? I just did what needed to be done. Am I in trouble for defending the helpless?"

Genuine concern swirled in her eyes as she looked at me, waiting for me to say something, but I turned and looked to the principal. Damn, she was good.

"We-well." The principal stuttered, gathering her thoughts. "N-next time, let the teacher or I know and handle such situations, instead of taking matters into your own hands. Understood?... Demarco will be punished for what he did, but you must also be punished for what you did."

"Fine by me."