I Became a Kindergarten Teacher for Monster Babies!

Serafina laughed again, her elegant shoulders shaking as she turned her head toward him. "Zoomies?" she repeated, her eyes teasing.

Ryker nodded solemnly, though his eyes were full of warmth. "Wolf pup curse. Too much excitement—then no one in this house can catch her."

As if proving his point, Luna zoomed past them again, a happy blur of fur, her little claws clicking against the floor before she launched herself onto a cushion pile, tail wagging furiously.

Serafina leaned against Ryker's arm, her smile soft. "Let her," she whispered. "She's so happy… she thinks she discovered real magic."

Ryker's lips quirked, and his hand brushed over hers. "She did, Serafina. Look at her. That's the strongest magic of all."

And together they watched their little wolf pup run wild, their hearts full.

Finally, after Luna zoomed herself breathless, she bounded back to her father's lap in her wolf form, then shifted with a shimmer into her little human self. Her cheeks were flushed pink, her braids messy, and her eyes glowing with satisfaction. She snuggled into Alpha Ryker's chest with a happy sigh.

"Looks like you're enjoying this kindergarten of yours," Ryker said, his voice a low rumble as he smoothed her hair. "Back in our days, we had no teacher to guide us. We only had to learn by ourselves."

Luna tilted her head, listening seriously, then nodded.

Serafina's smile softened as she stroked her daughter's cheek. "Then perhaps you should thank your teacher properly. Maybe give her a little gift for sharing her knowledge with you."

At that, Luna's eyes widened. Gift. Her lips parted as if the word itself was precious. She sat up straighter in her father's lap, her little hands clutching his shirt. "Gift for teacher…" she repeated, golden eyes shining with sudden determination.

Serafina and Ryker exchanged amused glances, both knowing their daughter well enough to see she had already made up her mind.

***

The next morning, Alina reached the kindergarten earlier than usual, her steps light but her heart oddly nervous.

She stopped before the heavy office door, smoothed her hair quickly, and knocked.

"Come in," came that deep, smooth voice.

She pushed the door open and stepped inside. "Good morning, sir," she said warmly.

Dante looked up briefly. He was seated behind his desk, a thick, ancient-looking book open before him, his brows knitted in concentration. The deep olive shirt he wore today contrasted beautifully with his dark hair and crimson eyes, making him look sharper, impossibly handsome in a way that made her pause for a breath.

"Good morning," he replied, his voice calm but distracted, his long fingers turning a page with care.

Alina stepped forward, holding out the folded dress. "Sir! The dress I borrowed from your house—I've washed it and ironed it." Her smile was bright, almost proud, as she placed it gently on the edge of his desk.

For a moment, Dante simply stared at the fabric, then at her, his expression unreadable. Disbelief flickered in his eyes before he leaned back slightly.

"Miss Alina," he said slowly, his voice dropping into that velvet-smooth tone that made her shiver, "I do not need those clothes back. They were prepared for you."

Her smile faltered, and she shook her head quickly. "No, sir. I can't take advantage of your kindness. Borrowing once was already too much—"

Dante's eyes narrowed, the faintest trace of annoyance flashing through them. He closed the book softly, the sound sharp in the quiet room. "Miss Alina," he said again, more firmly this time, "I told you I don't need them. What am I supposed to do with women's clothing?" His crimson gaze held hers with unshakable weight. "They were chosen and prepared for you. Not borrowed. Not temporary."

Alina bit her lip, flustered. "But, sir—"

He leaned forward, his elbows resting lightly on the desk, his gaze pinning her in place. "Are you calling my word meaningless?"

Her breath caught. She quickly shook her head, cheeks warming. "No, sir. I just… I didn't want you to think I was ungrateful."

Something softened in his expression then, though his voice remained steady. "I know you are not ungrateful. But you must learn—when I give something, it is yours. I don't take it back."

Her heart skipped. She lowered her eyes to the folded dress again, her fingers brushing the fabric, unsure what to say. For reasons she couldn't explain, her chest felt tight with unknown emotions.

"Thank you… sir," she whispered finally, her voice small but sincere.

Dante leaned back again, satisfied, and opened his book once more. Yet the faintest curve of a smile tugged at his lips as he turned the page.

Alina returned to her little house to put the dress away. She carefully folded it and laid it back inside her wardrobe. Her fingers lingered on the soft fabric, and she couldn't stop the small smile that spread across her lips. She really liked this dress—the way it fit her, the way it made her feel a little more graceful. Overjoyed, she shut the wardrobe with a gentle pat.

By the time she reached the staffroom, the smell of freshly brewed tea floated in the air. Gabriel was already scribbling something in a notebook, Miss Kelly humming softly as she arranged some papers, and Professor Hobb sat in his usual corner. But this time—shockingly—he didn't look grumpy. In fact, there was the faintest… satisfaction in his expression.

Alina blinked in surprise, then offered a cheerful, "Good morning, Professor Hobb."

Instead of his usual grunt, he actually looked up at her. "Good morning," he said curtly, but his eyes carried a glint that she had never seen before.

Alina tilted her head. Strange…

Then, with an uncharacteristically smug air, Hobb announced, "Your advice was really good. My wife liked the anniversary gift."

Alina's eyes widened, her lips parting. "Really??" she asked, half in disbelief. She had expected him to come back scowling, complaining about how women were impossible to please.

He leaned back in his chair, stroking his beard like a man replaying his victory. "The flowers, the dress, even the little dessert… she actually smiled. Said it was thoughtful." His tone was still gruff, but there was no missing the pride beneath it.