He was in his beast form. Alina's breath caught in her throat.
There, sitting in stillness and shadows, was a small fox-like creature, pale as snow, with seven long silver tails curling softly around him. His white fur shining faintly under the soft afternoon light, almost glowing in the dim green of the leaves. His ears were sharp and alert, twitching at every sound, and his crimson eyes were focused—quietly observing the world below like a silent guardian.
For a moment, Alina forgot how to breathe.
She had never seen anything like him before. So ethereal… yet still so small. So guarded.
She wasn't sure how long she stared, but eventually his eyes met hers. Their gazes locked.
Felix blinked once, then looked away quickly, his tails curling tighter around the branch.
But she saw it.
A tiny flick of one ear.
He's cute!
As Alina watched Felix curled in the tree, wrapped in his beautiful beast form, she still couldn't believe it.
He was the one.
The mysterious little fox-boy with seven tails, glowing red eyes, and silent power—he was the one who had shapeshifted into the terrifying, grown-up version of the principal and declared her fired without blinking.
She blinked again, watching as his silvery tails wrapped closer around his body and his ears twitched from above.
That can't be the same boy.
He was too quiet. Too still.
Too small to hold something so big and fearsome inside him and yet there he was.
It both amazed and confused her but more than anything, it tugged at her heart.
He was always watching. Always separate. Always a little alone.
Even now, in his beast form, he didn't come down until he was absolutely sure no one would bother him first.
Alina placed her hand over her chest. She didn't want him to feel like that forever.
She would make sure… that even the quietest child felt part of something. Even if they never said a word. Even if they hid behind shadows or tails or silence.
No one in her class would be left out.
And just like that, an idea lit up in her mind like a lightbulb wrapped in fairy lights.
She stood up with a soft but excited smile, brushed the grass from her skirt, and walked into the middle of the shaded playground.
Then she started clapping her hands, slow and rhythmic, like a gentle invitation.
"Everyone! Come here!" she called out warmly.
Drake's head popped up instantly.
"Teacher's doing the clap! That means it's game time!" he yelled, flapping his arms and dashing over like an eager golden puppy.
Vlad Jr. followed behind, adjusting his collar with dignity. "Announce what we're playing first, please. I don't participate in mud-wrestling or leaf-throwing games."
Alina laughed softly.
Kelpie, from his quiet corner, peeked out with wide blue eyes and then slowly padded over, holding a tiny wet pebble in his palm like a security stone.
Rocky hesitated, but when she looked at him and smiled, he stood up, brushing off his pants, and walked over...keeping close to Kelpie's side.
Even Sable peeked from behind the slide, his shadow stretching ahead of him like it was checking the situation before he joined.
And then Felix moved. He had shifted back to his human form.
He climbed down the tree slowly, gracefully, like a spirit returning to earth, his white hair fluttering in the soft breeze. His expression was neutral, unreadable as always but his feet brought him to the circle.
He stood just slightly behind the others. Alina saw it.
She didn't say anything, just smiled and gave one last gentle clap.
"Let's play something fun and cute," she said cheerfully.
Drake cheered like it was the best news he'd ever heard.
Just as Alina clapped her hands again, ready to announce the game, she looked around the little group of babies gathered around her and smiled.
Drake was already jumping in place, nearly tripping over his own tail with excitement.
Vlad Jr. stood tall, arms crossed like a little nobleman judging the occasion.
Kelpie clutched his comfort stone tightly, eyes focused and calm.
Rocky peeked out from behind Kelpie, shifting his weight nervously but present.
Sable stood quietly near the back, shadow curled at his feet like a shy pet snake.
Boo was floating upside down with his arms crossed, his crown sliding off again.
And Felix… was standing behind them all.
His arms folded. Expression unreadable but he was there. That made her smile.
"Alright, sweethearts," she said, clapping again. "Now that everyone's here—"
She paused.
Wait.
Wait.
Her eyes scanned the group again.
One, two, three…
Where was—
"Luna."
Alina blinked.
"Luna?"
She turned her head left, then right.
No gray fur. No angry cheeks. No sharp growl. Just… missing.
She looked behind the bush.
Nothing.
She peeked behind the slide. Just Boo's glitter glue collection.
Then Vlad Jr. sighed heavily.
"She ran off, didn't she?"
Drake gasped.
"What?! But it's game time! No one skips game time!"
"She's not in the circle," Boo said dramatically from his upside-down float. "This is a betrayal of the highest order. We must form a search party."
"Oh no, not again…" muttered Rocky softly.
"Last time she was hiding in the trash bin and jumped out like a banshee."
Alina quickly stood up and put her hands on her hips.
"Alright. Luna's hiding. Let's find her. Whoever finds her first gets an extra snack after lunch."
"SHE'S MINE!" Drake roared, dashing off like a comet with his wings flapping behind him.
"Don't wrinkle my jacket!" Vlad Jr. called after him as he joined, adjusting his collar like a soldier preparing for war.
Boo vanished into thin air. Literally. His crown floated down with a note: "Gone to hunt the wolf. Leave cake in my honor."
Kelpie tiptoed around quietly, checking small puddles and whispering, "Luna…? Are you… behind the fountain?"
Sable's shadow extended slowly, creeping under bushes like a soft, inky searchlight.
Felix didn't move.
He just turned his head slightly… eyes narrowing at a tree nearby.
Alina followed his gaze.
And there—
On a branch—
Was Luna.
In wolf pup form.
Curled up.
Sleeping.
Snoring softly like a grumpy little cloud.
Alina sighed, placing a hand on her forehead.
"Of course."
Felix finally spoke, voice flat but somehow... amused.
"I saw her climb there ten minutes ago."
Alina looked at him.
"…You could've said something?"
He shrugged. "Didn't want to ruin the game."
And somewhere behind the tree, Drake's voice yelled:
"I FOUND A ROCK THAT LOOKS LIKE LUNA'S BUTT!!"
Alina couldn't breathe.
She sat down in the grass, laughing until her shoulders shook.
This was her life now.