Chapter 2 02

It was because of that, that I understood my mother's reasons for taking her own life. I watched her become a shell of a person, a lifeless soul who walked with no purpose or value. I was just a child when it happened, but the impact of her loss haunted me for years. She had once been vibrant, full of life, always there with a comforting smile or a warm embrace. But after my father died, she fell apart. It was as if the light inside her was snuffed out, leaving a hollow figure in its place.

I had grieved for a long time, but Julian and his mate Grace helped ease the pain. They had taken me into their home, offering shelter and safety when I needed it most. They treated me like their own daughter, and I was more than grateful. They never pushed me to talk about my mother, never pressured me to move on. But in their presence, I found a sense of peace that I had longed for. They gave me stability when the world around me seemed so uncertain.

« Miss Jackson? »

The sound of my name, rolled angrily off Mrs. Bennett's tongue, dragged me back to the present. I had been staring out of the window, lost in my own thoughts, the gray sky outside matching the heaviness I felt inside. Mrs. Bennett's sharp voice sliced through the silence, her presence pulling my attention away from the quiet world outside.

Her tall, slender figure stood in front of my desk, her eyes narrow as she glared at me. Mrs. Bennett was one of those teachers who demanded respect without saying a word. Her silence could be more intimidating than any lecture. I removed my hand from my cheek, trying to shake off the thoughts that had clouded my mind, and looked up at her.

Her scowl deepened as her eyebrows furrowed. She clearly wasn't impressed by my lack of focus. « To prove that you were listening, please repeat what I had just told the class, » she requested, her voice calm but authoritative. Her eyes never left mine, as though daring me to fail.

I winced inwardly. We both knew I hadn't been listening, my mind far away, lost in a different time, a different place. I wasn't sure if she was being sarcastic or if she genuinely expected me to recall anything she'd said. Either way, I couldn't muster a response. I simply stared at her blankly, hoping she would drop the matter.

To my surprise, she didn't press me further. She sighed, her lips curling into a thin line before she turned on her heel, heading back to her desk. She didn't waste another moment with me, a silent acknowledgment that she knew I wasn't paying attention. « Turn to page 156 of Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, Miss Jackson, » she said, her tone no less stern, before settling back into her chair.

I exhaled quietly in relief and glanced at the students around me. Most of them were already digging through their bags, retrieving their textbooks. I followed suit, pulling my own copy of the novel from my bag. I opened to the assigned page, but the words blurred in front of my eyes. My mind was still far away, dwelling on things I couldn't change.

« Please read for the remainder of the lesson, » Mrs. Bennett continued. « Once the bell rings, you may leave class. I have lots of marking to do for a class this afternoon, so read quietly. »

The classroom filled with the sound of pages turning, the quiet murmur of rustling paper. Despite my best efforts, I couldn't focus. The pages of Pride and Prejudice were just ink and paper to me in that moment, my mind too cluttered to grasp the meaning of each sentence. Instead, I found my gaze drifting back to the window, watching as the sky darkened with the promise of rain. The atmosphere matched my mood-heavy, oppressive, a storm waiting to break.

A soft whisper broke through the silence. I could barely make out the words at first, but as the whisper grew louder, I realized it was Chelsey and Amber, sitting behind me. They were part of my pack, two of the most popular girls in school, and they were talking about something I couldn't ignore.

« Alpha Gabriel turns 18 next week and he's invited everyone from our pack to his party next Saturday. I'm definitely going, are you coming with me? » Chelsey asked, her voice tinged with excitement. I could hear the enthusiasm in her words, the thrill of being part of something bigger than themselves.

« Yes! » Amber replied eagerly. « Of course, everyone is going to be there. I'm not missing out. » Her voice was breathless, like the mere thought of the party made her giddy with anticipation.

I couldn't help but roll my eyes. The upcoming party had been the hottest topic in the pack for days. Every conversation I overheard seemed to revolve around it, from the outfits to the guest list to who would be bringing what. I wasn't particularly interested, but I couldn't deny that it was hard to ignore the buzz in the air.

Despite my disinterest, I couldn't help but overhear snippets of their conversation.

« I heard Alpha Gabriel is going to reveal something big at the party, something to do with his future as Alpha, » Chelsey whispered conspiratorially.

Amber's eyes sparkled with curiosity. « Do you think he's going to announce his mate? »

Chelsey shrugged. « Maybe. Who knows? But I'm sure it's going to be epic. »

I tuned them out after that, letting their gossip fade into the background. It didn't concern me. I had my own problems, my own struggles to deal with. Parties, clothes, and the drama of pack life seemed so far removed from what mattered to me. Still, a part of me felt that old ache, the longing for something I didn't quite understand. I shook the thought away, focusing on the book in front of me again, though my mind still refused to settle.

The bell rang loudly, its harsh tone breaking the stillness of the room. It echoed throughout the school, signaling the end of the lesson. Students immediately began packing up their belongings, shoving books into bags and hurrying toward the door. The rush of activity made me feel a bit out of place. Everyone seemed so eager to leave, so ready to move on to the next thing, while I remained rooted in the same spot.

I slipped through the crowded halls, weaving between students, trying to avoid bumping into anyone. The hallways were packed, a mixture of humans and werewolves, both oblivious to the presence of the other. It was a strange feeling, knowing that some of the people around me had no idea that I was different, that I was one of them, part of the pack. But unless they had a mate, they couldn't sense it. They didn't know.

My stomach growled, reminding me of how long it had been since I'd last eaten. I headed straight for the canteen, the scent of food wafting through the air, making my mouth water. The line was long, filled with students chatting and laughing, some of them wearing the same eager expression as Chelsey and Amber. They were probably talking about the party again, no doubt.

I picked up my tray, quickly grabbing a sandwich and a drink before finding an empty table at the back of the room. I sat down, trying to focus on eating, but my thoughts kept wandering. The past, my mother, the party next week-everything felt tangled together in my mind.

It seemed like there would always be something hanging over me. A storm that never fully passed. But for now, at least, I had a moment of peace.

I just had to figure out what to do with it.