52.

-HER-

I spend the rest of the evening waiting. I try to distract myself with a book or even surf the internet but now and then, I’d find my eyes drifting to the clock to check the time. As time ticks by, I grow more and more restless.

I would even look out of the window several times in the hopes that he might be early here. I didn’t realize when I sort to stare out of my bedroom window, imaging a wolf appearing out of the woods. The idea always makes me thrilled.

The sun had eventually set but it was still very early. I continue to keep myself distracted. I end up settling with a book. When I am called for dinner, I am reluctant to go at first but I end up going to eat.

Tonight, I am the centre of attention. Dad asks me all sorts of questions about college and studies and I answer them as honestly as I could. My father is strict and it instantly makes me realize that I might have slight trouble if I ever invite Jake over.

On the other hand, mum is very easy going. I think she may like him but still, I couldn’t help but worry. It’s the first time that this idea has struck me. It may be very early to introduce him. It has hardly been a day since we got together. I definitely would have to wait and contemplate over it before doing anything.

The dinner drags unnecessarily and I am easily annoyed today. I somehow finish my dinner early and manage to escape upstairs. It’s exactly nine when I check the time. I instantly rushed to my bedroom window that faces the woods.

At first, I don’t see anything. It’s complete darkness. I keep staring but nothing appears from the woods. Slowly, disappointment starts to creep in. I resort to pacing and constantly checking the time on my watch and then looking out of the window… still nothing.

Minutes pass, followed by hours but still, I see nothing. Deeply disappointed, I go to bed. Tonight, I fall asleep easily. I don’t really remember dreaming anything.

In the morning, I wake up feeling like crap. Realizing it’s Monday, makes me feel even worse. I drag myself out of my bed and get ready for classes. I am still very much disappointed due to last night. I am deep in thought as I have breakfast.

Did he visit me while I was having dinner? Or did he not show up at all? He said he’d come. I check his messages as well but there’s nothing, not even a ’good morning’ that he generally sends me every morning.

Did something go wrong?

I text him but my message remains unseen and unread. I couldn’t stop thinking about him on my way to college. I think of calling him several times but then drop the idea. Maybe, he is busy with his duties? Maybe he is caught up in some important work?

I try to convince myself that he is busy but a part of me couldn’t stop imaging all the things that could go wrong. Maybe, I am just overthinking. Lisa is already there when I show up for classes.

“I am so happy for you!” She chirps and hugs me as soon as she sees me.

“Thanks,” I croak before we start to climb those numerous stairs to our classes.

“So, are you guys… er together?” She asks me after an awkward silence.

“Yes,” I answer breathily due to climbing so many stairs.

“This way,” She tugs me towards cafeteria when I was about to walk towards the class. I instantly look at her in puzzlement, “We have an hour before our classes begin. Professor Benedict has cancelled his class today,” she informs me before we head to the cafeteria.

“Did he tell you right away?” I ask her as soon as we have found ourselves an empty table, “No, he took some time,” She answers.

“How much?” I inquired, leaning in. I am careful enough to keep my vice low because we have some of our classmates around.

“A week and a half,” She answers me while I stare at her neck, reminiscing how Jake told me that mates mark each other.

“Did he mark you?” Is my next question. She looks at me for a bit longer, “Yes, we have completed the mating process,” She draws out with a slight nod, “It’s not here,” She snaps me out of my daze when I stare at her neck longer than necessary.

“What?” I croak.

“You’re looking for the mark, right?” She asks. I nod. “He didn’t mark me on my neck. It’s on my chest,” She informs me with a light blush. I lean back a bit, feeling somewhat awkward.

“Where did you mark him?” My question comes out sounding more awkward than I had anticipated. She smiles at me, “I am a human. I don’t need to mark him,”

While I am busy contemplating her words, she speaks, “I am surprised that you never told me anything about him,”

“I am sorry for that… but I was very much confused about him from the starting,” I tell her.

“Why? Didn’t you feel the mating pull from the beginning? You spent so much time with him in the office before, didn’t you feel anything then? I am surprised that despite being a Beta, he gave you so much time,” She speaks while maintaining her gaze.

A blush instantly creeps into my cheeks as I finally spill the beans to her, “Actually, I had so much confusion about him from the starting. I never knew that he had a twin. I thought he was dating Brooke. Once, we kissed in his office but it appeared to me that he was cheating on Brooke…” Lisa shakes her head at me disapprovingly as I trail off.

“That’s not a good enough reason to not tell me anything,” She frowns at me. I instantly feel bad for hiding things from her.

“I am sorry, Lisa. I was under so much stress… I just couldn’t think properly,” I mumble, “But what does it has anything to do with him being a Beta?” I ask further.

She sighs before explaining me briefly, “Being a Beta, he is much stronger than other wolves in his pack. He’s also a hybrid too, which means that the pull is very strong for him. He could have marked you the moment he found you alone. I have to say that he is very patient and disciplined to haven’t done anything like that,” She tells me.

She is somewhat right about him.

**...
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