Chapter 4. Party.

“Whoa, girl, you look really good. I bet Jayden won’t be able to take his eyes off you the minute he sees you at the party.”

Annie chirped excitedly as she gushed over me in the mirror. She had taken it upon herself to do my makeup and had practically forced me into wearing a tight-fitting red gown. She had even made me take off my glasses and replaced them with brown contacts to match my eyes.

Looking in the mirror felt like looking at a completely different person. I didn’t look like Jane, the antisocial nerd. For the first time ever, I could actually call myself pretty.

“Wow, I look... different.”

“Of course you do, girl. Have you forgotten that I did your makeup?” Annie flipped her hair dramatically, looking very proud of herself. “I can’t wait to see Jayden’s reaction when he sees my work of art.”

I looked at her in panic. “But what if he doesn’t like it? What if he doesn’t even notice? What if he thinks I’m trying too hard and thinks I’m weird for—”

“Hey, hey, hey, Jane, calm down.”

Annie grabbed my shoulders and looked into my eyes reassuringly.

“He’s not going to think you’re weird. I mean, for the first time ever, he actually talked to you. You’re no longer that girl everyone ignores and nobody knows. You’re Jane Holloway, the most intelligent wolf in the entire fucking world. We’re going to march into that party, and you’re going to own it because you deserve it.”

My heart warmed at her encouraging words. Annie was never this sensible. Most of the time, she teased me for being antisocial. But her words helped a lot this time.

“Thanks, Annie. I guess you’re right. I have to be confident.”

“That’s the spirit, my girl.”

She patted my butt, and I glared at her, which only made her laugh and call me cute.

Her phone rang, and she hurried into the bathroom to take the call.

Thank Goddess for that.

I wouldn’t want her acting all lovey-dovey over the phone with her mate in front of me. This night was supposed to be special, and I didn’t want them reminding me of my predicament.

I looked at myself in the mirror and lightly touched my face. A small smile grazed my lips.

I really looked beautiful tonight.

I sure hoped Jayden noticed.

Maybe tonight, I could finally tell him how I truly felt about him.

I was just praying I didn’t end up making a fool of myself in front of him once again.

---

I rode with my friends to the Alpha’s party because I couldn’t stand my parents gushing over me and pampering me because of my achievements. Particularly my dad.

He was so happy and wouldn’t stop praising me. He had even received a special invitation to the party from the Alpha himself.

Apparently, this was the first time the best student in the entrance exam had come from our pack. Not just our pack, either—the whole of the United States.

I felt proud, but I was also anxious.

This meant that all eyes would be on me from now on. I remembered that the person who had performed exceptionally well in the entrance exam the previous year was an Alpha from South Korea. He had become so famous that everyone still knew his name to this day.

I remembered admiring him a lot, but I never thought I would be experiencing the same thing.

Actually, my case was worse.

Over the years, all those who had done exceptionally well had been Alphas. I was the first ordinary wolf to achieve something like this.

Oh, my Goddess!

That meant the attention would be even worse.

We arrived at the pack house, a huge five-story mansion where the Alpha and some of the pack members lived.

I got out of the car along with Drake and Annie. Annie immediately threw an arm around me.

“Calm down, Jane. This is your party, so you better be having fun.”

Drake chuckled as he stepped closer and threw his arm around me as well.

“Yeah, Jane. You’re like the most intelligent wolf in the whole world. Your nose should be in the air right now. If it were me, I know mine would be.”

The place was alive with music and happiness. Some of the pack members were having fun outside with drinks in their hands. Some were even playing games, transforming and racing down the training field.

Everyone seemed to be having a good time.

As we passed by, there was a sudden hush as all eyes fell on us.

On me, particularly.

I was nervous, but I willed myself to keep moving forward.

“Yeah, that’s her.”

“That’s Jane Holloway, the girl who came first in the entrance exam.”

“I don’t think I know her. Is she new to the pack?”

“I think she’s James Holloway’s sister.”

“The hot kid in his sophomore year? No way!”

The whispers grew increasingly louder, making me even more nervous.

“Yes, bitches! Her name is Jane Holloway, and she came first in the entrance exam in the whole world. Suck it up, people! That’s my best friend!”

Annie yelled the words loud enough for everyone to hear.

Everyone laughed and started clapping.

I wanted to die of embarrassment.

Finally, we entered the pack house, where the main party was taking place.

I glared at Annie.

“Did you really have to do that, Annie?! That was embarrassing.”

She shrugged.

“I was annoyed because they kept staring and whispering. They never used to care, but now they all know your name, and they should respect it.”

I wanted to argue further, but Dad hurried over.

“There you are, Jane.”

He was dressed professionally for the occasion, and there was a wide smile on his face.

“Dad? When did you guys get here?”

He chuckled.

“The Alpha invited us. We wouldn’t dare keep him waiting.”

Annie smiled at him.

“You look so good in a tuxedo, Mr. Holloway.”

Dad laughed.

“Thanks, Annie. You don’t look so bad yourself.”

Drake groaned dramatically.

“Please, sir. I know you’re hot and all, but can you tell my girlfriend to keep the compliments to herself?”

Annie rolled her eyes.

“You’re lucky Mr. Holloway is married. I would ditch you for him.”

“What?!”

I exclaimed, and they all laughed.

What the hell did she mean by that? He was my father and old enough to be hers!

“It’s a joke, bestie. You’re always so serious.”

She explained it with a laugh before pinching my cheeks like I was a little kid.

Then she smiled at my dad.

“I’ll leave her in your care, Mr. Holloway.”

With that, she dragged Drake along with her.

I rolled my eyes.

She was always a nuisance.

Dad took my hand and linked it with his.

“You look really beautiful tonight, dear. I’m glad you made an effort to dress up because the Alpha and Luna want to meet you.”

My eyes widened in panic.

“What? Why?”

Dad raised a brow at me.

“Seriously, honey? You came first in the entrance exam in the whole world. The Alpha and Luna are among the least of the people who want to see you. I’ve been getting emails and phone calls all afternoon from people asking for your number and requesting interviews. What you’ve achieved is something big, Jane. I hope you understand that you have made me and the entire pack extremely proud of you.”

I was happy. Honestly, I was.

But I was also scared and anxious.

Had I really gotten that famous?

I’d only ever seen the Alpha and Luna from afar, let alone spoken to them.

How did my life get like this?

Dad pulled me toward a small crowd of guests, all dressed smartly for the occasion in beautiful gowns and tuxedos.

Among them, I recognized our Alpha, Alpha Maison Blackwood; his wife, Luna Madison Blackwood; our Beta, Logan Bennett; and his wife, the Beta female, Chloe Bennett.

There were others in the group, but I only recognized those four.

My mom also stood there, looking at me with a proud smile.

All eyes in the small crowd were now on me.

“This must be the pride of the Blackwood pack, Jane Holloway.”

Alpha Maison spoke with a soft, beaming smile.

I lowered my head respectfully.

“G-good evening, Alpha.”

He chuckled.

“Don’t be so shy, dear. You are the talk of the city now. Your name is all over the internet, and you have made a name for the Blackwood pack. I am proud of you.”

I bowed again.

“Thank you, Alpha.”

Luna Madison spoke kindly.

I couldn’t help but stare at her golden-blond hair and blue eyes. She looked every bit like Jayden.

“We have decided that whatever you need when you start schooling at Moonlight University, the expenses will be on us. The university is already providing you with a scholarship and a monthly allowance of five thousand dollars. I doubt you’ll need anything, but if you ever need something within our capability, do not hesitate to reach out to us.”

She smiled warmly.

“My mate and I have already given your father our number, which he will give to you later on. But we have asked Jayden to look after you. You both have made us proud.”

I got butterflies in my stomach at the mention of Jayden, but I nodded anyway.

“Thank you, Alpha and Luna. I really appreciate it.”

They nodded with smiles, and Beta Logan spoke next.

“You have raised a true gem, Ethan. I really wish my Olivia was this smart.”

Beta female Chloe rolled her eyes.

“She did well already, Logan. Give the girl some credit. Even though she didn’t make it to Moonlight University, she’s still going to one of the top universities in the city.”

Logan sighed.

“She’s not happy about being apart from Jayden, but she should have worked harder.”

I felt a bit of happiness knowing Olivia wouldn’t be coming to Moonlight University with us.

She was the Beta’s daughter and the stereotypical dumb blonde. She had been inseparable from Jayden for years and was extremely possessive of him.

Maybe now that she wouldn’t be around anymore, I could finally have Jayden all to myself.

As they talked, Jayden eventually joined the crowd.

My heart did a flip at the sight of him in a red tuxedo, his blond hair gelled back.

Why did he have to look so good?

To torture me further, he looked at me and smiled.

“Oh, hey, Jane. You made it.”

I blushed and tried to reply without stuttering.

“Uh-y-yeah.”

That was the only dumb thing that came out of my mouth.

Luna Madison smiled.

“You two are wearing matching colors. I can’t help but think you would make a cute couple.”

My blush deepened, and Jayden shifted awkwardly.

“Don’t be weird, Mom.”

“Don’t blame her, son. You refused to choose a mate before going off to university.”

Alpha Maison added.

Jayden shrugged.

“That’s because I haven’t found the perfect girl for me.”

I stared at him longingly.

If only he would give me a chance.

I would do everything to become the perfect girl he hoped for.