Luke was incredibly grateful for his habit of planning each week out ahead of time. He hadn't been kidding when he told Gage that his science kids would eat him alive. Even though they met for dinner or lunch a few times every week and talked every night on the phone, things moved slowly. Gage didn’t attempt to kiss Luke again, though Luke often caught his eyes lingering on Luke’s lips. What was holding Gage back? He’d asked around, and it wasn’t a family thing to be slow to mate. Jess and Cole had been a little on the longer side, but they’d been engaged within a week and mated and married within three months. Gage didn’t seem in a hurry, though.

It wasn’t the worst thing. Luke would have felt guilty abandoning his kids in the middle of the season, especially when they were doing so well, but he couldn’t help but wonder when they were going to take a step forward. He loved talking to Gage, they never ran out of new things to discuss, but his libido wasn’t fading, and Gage’s scent was like a kick start to his dick.

Luke had no plans on addressing the issue until after the football season, though, and he wasn’t going to chase Gage away based on conjectures when he wasn’t willing to dig in and discuss the route yet.

Luke felt guilty enough already with how much he’d started slacking on his classes because of staying up late every night and talking. Having the lesson plans laid out in front of him made it a little easier. Even weeks later, though, the memory of Gage's kiss insisted on popping into his mind with no provocation. He was beyond grateful that his dark skin kept the kids from noticing his blush.

The team was nearing their final two weeks of regular games before they moved on to Regionals. Luke’s attention was split between thoughts of Gage and preparations for the team, but he made it through classes without angering the science kids too much, though, and on his way to his office before practice, he caught sight of Sean's tousled blond hair and called out to him.

"Hey, Coach," Sean said with a guileless smile.

"Ah, I have a question for you, if you don't mind." He suddenly felt like a teenager. "Your brother's not planning on coming to practice today, is he?"

His smile stretched wider. "Not today, Coach. Did you want him to? I can call him."

"No, no. That's fine. Thanks. See you at practice in a few, kay?"

"Sure thing." Sean scurried off. With another kid, Luke might have to worry that his love life was about to become prime gossip on the team, distracting from practice, but not Sean. He seemed to keep things pretty close to the chest.

Part of him was disappointed that he wouldn't be seeing Gage, but he hadn't really expected to. And Sean's confirmation let him wrest his brain away from wondering so that he could focus on his work.

Luke had a good batch of kids this year. He probably said that every year, but already, the team was gelling in a way you just couldn't teach. He couldn't help but wonder if that had something to do with Sean's presence. Any time a fight normally would have broken out between his young alphas, Sean was there the moment before things reached a boiling point, making a joke or asking a question. The kid was a natural leader. Not a might makes right type like most alphas, but more like Luke’s alpha, Alice Williams. If Sean had been on the team last year, there was little doubt in Luke’s mind that he would have become team Captain this year.

Halfway through practice, Luke noticed someone he didn't recognize watching the kids play, and his creeper alarms started to ping. He kept his eye on him, but subtly. It didn't take long for Luke to realize he was focused on Sean. He waited for Sean to fumble a catch. "Carpenter," he yelled, and waved him in. Sean picked the ball up and tossed it to his partner then jogged over. Luke turned his focus to his clipboard and gestured for Sean to join him in looking at it.

"What's up, Coach?"

"Just keep your eyes on the paper for the moment. Now, there's a guy in the stands who has been watching you. I need you to take a look at him without making it obvious. Is he familiar?"

Luke turned his eyes to Sean's face and he could see when Sean figured out who he meant. Sean’s face drained of color and his eyes spun back to Luke’s clipboard."

"Yeah," Sean whispered. "That's the Cherry Creek alpha, Mark."

Not my alpha, the way most wolves would phrase it. But the Cherry Creek alpha, as if Sean didn't really consider himself part of the pack. "Okay, thanks, Sean. Listen, why don't you let me give you a ride home tonight? It's not far, but I have some things to talk over with your brother."

Sean nodded, and Luke could tell he was relieved, if still shook up. He patted Sean on the back. "Okay, back to drills."

Luke continued to keep his eye on the Cherry Creek alpha. The guy was sending off all kinds of bad vibes. When practice wrapped, he finally moved, walking on to the field and making his way toward Sean. Luke could tell the kid knew he was coming toward him though he never glanced the alpha's way. Luke headed toward Sean as well, and the three of them met on the field.

The Cherry Creek alpha immediately started trying to bully Luke. Luke didn't stand for bullying in his classroom or on his field, and this asshole wasn't his alpha. The alpha’s chest puffed out and he drew himself up, posturing. He stuck out his hand and Luke took it. “Mark, Cherry Creek alpha." He tried crushing Luke’s hand, but that was an old tactic. Luke tightened his grip just enough to frustrate him, and he finally let go.

"Luke Sawyer," Luke responded. "White Falls." Mark tried to hide it, but Luke saw his nostrils flare at his pack's name. Yeah, Alice Williams was no one to trifle with, and if Mark tried to fuck too hard with Luke, she would definitely hear about it.

"I was just dropping by to check on Sean here," Mark said, dropping his hand on Sean's shoulder. The boy winced, and Luke held back the anger that bristled against his neck. "And figured I'd drop him back home since I have to pass by that way."

"Sure." Luke shrugged, ignoring Sean's frantic look of surprise. "You'll just have to get the front office to sign off on Gage's note saying you have permission to take Sean off school grounds." Sean relaxed.

Mark narrowed his eyes at Luke, and Luke could smell his alpha pheromones intensifying. "I'm sure we can skip that, what with me being his alpha and all."

Luke shook his head sadly. "Can't go flaunting the human rules too much, sadly. But you can always get Gage to put something on file for future pick ups." He hoped he wasn't throwing Gage under the bus. Sean clearly didn't want to go anywhere with this alpha, and Luke couldn't imagine Gage forcing him to. And there seemed to be something more to the situation, something beyond what Luke could pick up from this little interaction.

"I'll talk to him about that," Mark said, and he squeezed Sean's shoulder, making the boy wince. "See you later, Sean."

Luke and Mark nodded to each other, the frustration seething from the alpha, and Luke slid his arm over Sean's shoulders as they headed into the school. 

"You okay?" He asked Sean once they were safe behind the school's doors. He nodded, but his eyes were still tinged with worry. "Well, go clean up and get your things. I'm definitely giving you a ride home tonight." He had no reason to think the boy's alpha had anything untoward planned, no reason beyond instinct. But the man's mere presence made his hackles raise, and there was no way he was letting Gage's little brother out of his sight before he was safely at home and in his brother's protection.