Chapter 23

‘‘Could you help me arrange these assignments according to the weeks? I want to look at the student's performance according to the topics and period.’’ He said and I was glad he didn't bring this friendship thing again or how grateful he was and it would become awkward for me.

Nodding at him, I took half of the bundle of the assignment before sitting on the first branch while he sat beside me with his bundle and we both got busy arranging the papers.

After thirty minutes of rigorous work, I was finally done with my work.

‘‘If that's all, then I'm going now. I am hungry and my friends must be waiting for me.’’ I said, making him nod his head.

‘‘So you've got yourself a bodyguard? For what? Protection from me?’’ He asked with an amused expression, though still immersed in his work.

‘‘Not really. He's the brother of my friend and I had to say something about his identity, and that was what I came up with. Besides, can someone protect me from the wrath of the strongest Alpha in the world?’’ I asked, making him nod his head.

‘‘I’ll protect you. Don't worry,’’ he said, looking up from his papers. His eyes held a strange kind of promise.

‘‘Well, of course, you'll have to, or people would call you a bad friend.’’ I chuckled, making him smile before I picked up my bag and exited the class.

Remembering my bodyguard, what is Eric doing here? And how did he even come to know that I was studying at the university? And how did he find me despite how big this college is?

Entering the cafeteria, the first thing I noticed was a stray crowd gathered in the middle of the hall.

‘‘What's going on here?’’ I thought, wanting to check it out, but the grumbling from my stomach stopped me from going any further.

Food was more important right now.

Spotting Audrey sitting alone on a table, which was strange given how Shayne was always by her side, I took my tray towards her table and placed it down with a little sound to get her attention.

‘‘So, where's Shayne?’’

‘‘Oh, Alexis, you're here,’’ Audrey said, her eyes instantly beaming with happiness.

She was really like a ray of sunshine.

‘‘You didn't answer my question. Where is he?’’

‘‘Oh, Shayne? He's busy with Matt and your bodyguard over there? What's his name again?’’ She asked before sneaking a piece of French fries from my plate.

‘‘Eric. And what are they doing there?’’ I asked, and it wasn't long before my question was answered when I saw Eric flexing his abs while standing on the table.

Coughing at the milkshake that I was drinking, I looked at the sight in horror before facepalming myself.

Just what the hell is wrong with people around me?

‘‘Eric! What the hell do you think you're doing?’’ I mumbled, still sitting with Audrey, hoping he would listen to my werewolf voice with his werewolf heating and stop that useless and flexing.

Thankfully, he did listen to my voice amidst all this crowd because the next thing I knew he appeared by my side.

‘‘Heh! Now I know why you're studying here. People here are so fun, unlike our pack.’’ He whispered in my ears, making me roll my eyes at him.

‘‘I’m glad that you can see why I'm studying here. But that doesn't answer the question that I asked. What are you doing here? I am sure Mark didn't mention anything about going and protecting Alexis at her university, where the member of the strongest pack in the world is playing as a teacher, which I must add, will blow my cover more than it already has.’’ I hissed, making Eric widen his eyes in surprise

‘‘Are you serious? They are going to such an extent just to know more about you. What else are you hiding Alexis?’’ Eric asked. And I was about to answer more when the sound of someone clearing their throat disrupted us. I looked up to Audrey staring at us with squinted brows.

‘‘What are you guys whispering about? It's like you guys are on a secret mission to save the country,’’ Matt was the first one to comment.

‘‘Oh! Nothing. I was just asking Eric what he was doing here and how he even managed to find us in the first place?’’ I said, smiling through my teeth, staring daggers at Eric so he could play along.

‘‘Well, I sniffed your alluring scent of course,’’ Eric answered, making me look at him, surprised.

Was this man crazy? I was sure that if he stayed around me on the campus, then it wouldn't be long before Blake figured out everything. Everything started from how I wasn't only a lantern but also a rogue. I wanted one at that.

‘‘Haha. This guy's sense of humor is so epic. I am sorry Alexis. It was me who gave him the address and everything. We had shared our numbers last night. It was his idea, so don't look at me that way. This way, I'll be able to contact him when you're in trouble or something like that,’’ Matt said, looking at me awkwardly, and though I was feeling a bit offended, knowing he only meant well, I didn't say anything.

‘‘It’s okay. Just don't come here uninformed next time. I am sure you wanted to say something,’’ I asked Eric, who just shook his head while motioning his eyes to others. A clear sign he didn't want to talk about it with others around.

‘‘I will meet you and talk when I get back home, yeah?’’ I said, making him nod, before he picked up my sandwich and took a large chunk from it.

Smiling at him while shaking my head, knowing all too well he wouldn't listen to me if I asked him to leave my food alone, I just sighed before getting engaged in a conversation between Audrey and Shayne, who were talking about taking a step forward on their love.

‘‘What do you think about it, Lex?’’ Shayne asked me, bringing me out of my thoughts

‘‘About what exactly?’’ I asked, smiling apologetically for not listening.

‘‘About meeting our parents? I am super confused about this. Should I wait till graduation or start making a move already? On one hand, I think I should do it after graduation so our parents would know we're mature enough to formulate our own decisions. But on the other hand, I think I should meet them now. In case they deny, I will be able to make arrangements to get them to agree on two years.’’ Shayne said, making me nod my head at them.

‘‘Honestly, I don't know. Never had a boyfriend who would make me experience this.’’ I laughed, making them both chuckle at my answer.

‘‘On a serious note Alexis. What would you have done if that was you? How do you think your parents would react if you told them something like that?’’ Shayne asked, with my smile in place.

What would they have done? Would they have felt happy for me? Or just like always, they would have neglected me like I wasn't their child. It's been more than a year now since I left home but they've not contacted me once. What do I think they would have acted like?

Of course, they would have denied my love for anyone. Given how I was a shame to them. Nothing but a lantern that brought shame to their family. Nothing but a useless wolf-less person who doesn't anyone's care or love anyone. Paired with some hundreds of whipping with that wooden stick, I think that would have been their reaction if I had brought a man home telling them that I love him.

Feeling the familiar wetness on my cheeks, I involuntarily touched my cheeks not realizing that I was crying.

Grazing up from my plates, I looked at my friends who had concerned expressions on their faces, and I couldn't help but curse myself for letting my emotions go haywire like this. They didn't know what was wrong with me. And my crying like this would make things bad now.

‘‘Alexis, sorry I didn't mean to,’’ Shayne said, probably realizing that my parents were a taboo topic that wasn't meant to be touched.

‘‘It’s okay. I'll catch up with you guys later, yeah? I need to help Professor Blake arrange assignments anyways,’’ he said, trying to save myself from more awkwardness than I already was.

Walking away from the table before anyone could say something, I stopped beside a tree, leaning my body for support before closing my eyes.