Pursuing My Rejected Alpha

37 The Past And The Future

Lucien Clearwater had a thin face. After he cleaned himself up, he went back to his office just to clean the mess that he and Ronan left behind. He also found his and Ronan’s phones, both out of battery. After locking up, Lucien went home and charged his phone.

There were a few missed calls from Hayley and some messages from his colleagues and students. Most of them were fretting about the upcoming art exhibition. It was the first step to getting recognition for their talents. Who had not heard about the glorious stories of past graduates who managed to attract visitors’ attention with their masterpieces and proceeded to thrive in the world of art wonderfully? That was all these students heard from day one!

Lucien did not have the heart to tell them that success depended on a lot of factors. Talent, unfortunately, was not enough to be famous and successful.

Nevertheless, as their teacher, Lucien was determined to motivate and not demotivate his students. The future was uncertain. Who would be able to say for sure that none of his students would grow into, say, a Picasso or a Da Vinci or a Michelangelo?

Lucien’s spirit plummeted slightly when he saw Ronan again in his class the next day. He almost forgot about this insolent werewolf who smuggled himself into a pack of lambs that were his students. Not only that, he even brought one of his girlfriends with him.

A layer of ice covered Lucien’s eyes when he saw Ronan and the blonde woman getting comfortable with each other. The woman was exceedingly pretty in her white dress, even without any accessories or brand items on her. The kind of woman that Ronan had the privilege to surround himself with.

A sour taste rose up Lucien’s throat, making him want to spit at Ronan. He would not have slept with Ronan if not because of the sudden arrival of his rut. Ronan on the other side did not have the slightest bit of decency. Jumping from one bed partner to another like switching pants. To think that he ever fell for this kind of man made Lucien sick.

Thankfully, his desperate students were willing accomplices to distract him from looking at Ronan and his girlfriend.

“Mr. Clearwater! I wanted to draw a waterfall but it looks like a giant, blue dog!”

.....

“Mr. Clearwater! I accidentally chopped the nose off my statue! What should I do!”

“Mr. Clearwater! This is over! I cannot do this anymore! I want to quit!!!”

The art teacher/counselor went around to help his students one by one. Lucien now understood why Hayley took the day off. The poor woman must be suffering a lot on her own yesterday afternoon while Lucien skipped the class. Lucien reminded himself to treat Hayley to lunch in the near future.

After going around the class and visiting each student at least twice, Lucien couldn’t continue ignoring Ronan and his girlfriend. Stiff like a stone statue, he thus came by to take a look at what the two people were doing.

One closer look at Ronan’s companion sufficed to tell Lucien that she was not an ordinary woman. She was a werewolf and not any random she-wolf of obscure background. It must be one of Ronan’s mate candidates. A very strong one.

The white dress that she wore was splattered with paint, but she seemed to not care at all. She was instead having a heated discussion with Ronan about the best color to use in their paintings. Lucien looked at the two people thoughtfully. They looked like a match made in heaven.

Such a captivating woman indeed.

Lillian Woodland turned to Lucien with a smile as soon as Lucien came close.

“Mr. Clearwater, you finally have time to check on our progress!”

Lucien returned her smile with a polite, albeit slightly cold one.

“Yes. Miss, I have not seen you around here. Are you new?”

“Oh, yes. Lillian Woodland. I just registered yesterday. I have heard a lot about you even before I join your class. I cannot wait to participate in the art exhibition!”

“That is wonderful. On the other side, the registration will conclude by the end of this week. Not sure if Miss Woodland can make it.”

Ronan leaned in with a conspiratorial smile. “Mr. Clearwater, can you not make an exception? Miss Woodland is very talented.”

Lucien gave Ronan a super-sweet, poisonous smile. “Unfortunately, I do not own the South Bedford Art Exhibition Center. Forgive me but I cannot help.”

Lillian gasped. She pressed her slender fingers against her red lips in surprise.

“Oh, then I am exceedingly lucky! My father just recently bought the whole building!”

“...”

Exceedingly lucky?

South Bedford City was only a small city compared to the many larger, more prosperous cities that werewolves lived in. In fact, Lucien was pretty sure that he was the only werewolf who lived in the city until Maya came along. So why was Lillian acting as if South Bedford City has been one of the most prominent werewolf dwellings for ages?

Ronan flashed Lucien a victorious smile. Lucien raised an eyebrow at him. If Ronan thought that he could aggravate Lucien that easily, he was sorely mistaken.

“Then I am so sorry to inform Miss Woodland that art exhibition participants must not have any relationship with the center to prevent unfair judgment. This is a serious event for up-and-coming artists where they can get their first public opinions about their works. I am sure Miss Woodland will understand.”

The disappointment did not linger for long on Lillian’s face. She instead grabbed Ronan’s arm and hugged it against her ample bosoms.

“It is fine. I will support Ronan instead then.”

Lucien almost burst into laughter. Ronan Silverback’s artwork would not gain public recognition even if all artists suddenly got diarrhea and could not finish their works.

The little smile on Lucien’s lips betrayed his thoughts. Ronan raised an eyebrow. He was more than ready to take Lucien up on the challenge.