75.

-HER-

The frequency of his midnight visits grows after the new year. The majority of my day is spent studying for the semester finals while the nights are occupied by him.

College reopens sooner than I was expecting and before I could notice, finals are breathing down my neck. I meet Lisa on my first day to class after the holidays while our routine and conversation resume.

“Have you heard the news?” She asks as we climb upstairs to our classes on a Friday.

“What news?” I ask, confused.

“You don’t know Lucy died on the new year’s night?” Her question makes me freeze on the steps for a moment. I remember Lucy very clearly. She was part of Holly’s group. Although, I considered her the nicest of her minions.

One time she smiled at me politely when she saw me sitting alone in the cafeteria. I didn’t know her much personally but she seemed to be a decent girl. I am definitely shocked at the news.

“How… I… I had no idea,” I shake my head in disbelief.

“Why? It was in the local news. Anyway, she was run over by some drunk kid. She was nicest in the group tho,” Lisa adds sadly. The news shocks me very much but I couldn’t help agree with her. I wonder how Holly’s group is coping with the loss.

When we reach the class, I only find two girls from Holly’s group and the rest of them are missing. Today’s our last class before the tests begin. We have only one class today and that too is organized by the professor to give us some important information about the exams. Not many people are present.

Before the class could begin, the professor expresses her grief on Lucy’s demise. Although, what bugs me is Holly’s absence.

During the class, Jake texts me to meet him in the office after my class is over. Lisa leaves with Sid while I head to the office after the classes end. His eyes light up as soon as he sees me.

“What are you doing here today?” I ask him as he stalks towards me.

“Just some lobby work. Today’s my last day as the President,” He tells me before burying his nose in my hair.

“When’s your graduation?” I ask him after he turns to get some papers in order.

“Next week,” He answers, looking at the list of nominations for the next President, “When are your exams ending?” He asks.

“On the 15th,” I tell him. I know the reason behind that question. He wants me to return to the pack.

“Will you visit me after that?” His question proves me right.

“Yes. Isn’t it around the time when the council will be visiting?” My question makes him tense before he nods lightly. Although he is quick to assure me, “You have nothing to worry about. We are fully mated now,”

His reason is quite strong but I still feel anxious. Even though his pack loves me and they have fully accepted me, I still want to be worthy of all the love and support they give me. I want to be my best as their Beta Female.

“Jake,” I breathe. “Yes,” He abandons the papers and turns his attention towards me for the moment.

“Can I work with Brooke… I mean, I want to learn how to do the ropes, you know what I'm saying?” If anything, my question helps a grin climb on his face.

“Why not? Your next stay is going to be longer. You can start then,” He tells me brightly. His words put me at ease to some extent. I help him finish his work in the office before he drives me home.

“Want me to visit tonight?” He offers me when we are closer to my house.

“Nah, I need my sleep. The exams are near,” My response makes him pout. He pulls over in my driveway and kisses me before letting me go. He ends up visiting me over the weekend.

Soon, Monday arrives with the first test. I notice that Holly’s group is here except for Lucy and Holly herself. Holy doesn’t show up throughout the exam. The next day she isn’t there too.

Between my exams, Jake has his graduation. My dad surprises all of us by deciding to go to his graduation with me. He ends up meeting Jake’s family there. The meeting turns out to be very pleasant. Invitations are exchanged before goodbyes are said.

Soon, it’s my last exam and I am supposed to go to the pack directly from the college today. Jake is already in the campus to pick me up as usual.

“I have news for you,” He tells me as I get into his car.

“What?” I ask him while putting on the seat belt.

“One of your classmates died, right?” He asks and I nod before adding, “Yeah, she got hit by a car,”

“Guess who was driving the car,” Jake’s words make me freeze. I turn to him slowly to find him waiting for my answer. There's this same knowing look in his face that used to haunt me before.

“Holly.” Her name slips out of my tongue even before I could contemplate. A light nod from him sets my heart racing.

“H- how did you know?” I stutter due to the shock.

“I have my sources,”

“Are you sure?” I ask him even though this conversation itself explains Holly's absence from the tests.

“Thousand per cent. She was taken in on Monday for interrogation. The car wasn’t hers so it took the police some time to get to her. Although, she has admitted to be driving the car that night. A case of murder has been filed against her,”

I am absolutely shocked by Jake’s revelations. Although, a part of me is angry for Lucy. She didn’t deserve such friends.

I am lost in my thoughts as Jake drives me to his pack. He decides not to speak much and leaves me alone with my thoughts for some time. Although, I feel much better when I am back in the pack. Jake’s family is very happy to see me again and I don’t think they’d let me go anytime soon.

“Be sure to hide her stuff this time, Brooke,” Jake’s mother jokes as Brooke caries my things inside.

“That wouldn’t be necessary,” I tell her with a small laugh and everyone joins me. By the evening some of the friends from the pack come to visit me while Jake’s out to get some things done. He’s back by dinner. Everyone’s very lively over the table until the topic moves to the council’s visit.

Everyone’s seemingly tensed, even though they don’t try to show it. I don’t know why but it feels like the silence before a storm.