~2 years later~

I could barely keep my eyes open. Human history had to be the most boring class ever, and it didn't help that I stayed up until four last night finishing a mid-term paper. If the professor really wanted to liven up the classroom, she'd include some werewolf history. There were plenty of epic battles in there.

Rubbing my eyes, I sat up straight. If I slipped any deeper into my chair, I'd fall asleep. I yawned and fought to keep my eyelids from gluing themselves shut. I had to make it through this hour before I could take a well-deserved nap.

My phone vibrated on my lap, and I quickly read the text. Cursing under my breath, I remember I promised to help Liam with his calculus homework today. The poor sub's mate was too smart for his own good. Cyrus's way of explaining things only got him blank stares. Sometimes, he even left me confused and I knew how to solve the problem.

I quickly typed a reply that I'd meet them at the cafe. The professor started to read a passage from the textbook. I couldn't stop my head from dropping forward. After setting an alarm on my phone for the end of class, I gave up and let my eyes close.

***

My phone went off, and I looked around to see the majority of the students getting up to leave while wiping my face. I did a quick stretch and put my laptop away. Grabbing my bag, I headed for the door while making sure not to look at the professor. She clearly did not appreciate that I slept through her class. It wasn't like I failing, so she couldn't be too upset with me.

Outside it was crowded with streams of students going to their next class. I wandered across campus to a cafe just off the grounds. The majority of the tables were filled with college students. I really wished caffeine work on werewolves. I could sure use some. By the way humans talked, it sounded amazing.

I spotted Cyrus and Liam at a table outside with a couple of drinks. I hurried over and sat down across from them.

"You look like shit," laughed Cyrus.

"Thanks," I muttered. I felt like it too.

Liam jabbed his elbow at his mate. "He had that paper, remember?"

"I know," laughed Cyrus. "That's why you look like shit."

"Hmm..." I took out my laptop. "What your excuse?"

Liam laughed and grinned at his mate.

Cyrus eyed the sub. "Ha. Ha."

"You deserved that." The sub opened his math book. "Now help me," he groaned.

I read down the page. Derivatives, no wonder the sub was lost. "Alright, let's start from the beginning." I flipped to the front of the chapter.

Liam pulled at this hair. "I should have gone to school with Raven and Jesse."

"What about me?" Cyrus frowned. "You'd rather be with them instead of your own mate?"

"Depends on what generals are required." Liam flopped over. "I didn't think I was dumb until this stupid class."

"Calculus is hard. You're not the only one who struggles," I replied.

"Cyrus doesn't struggle at anything." He lifted his head.

The man shrugged. "I have a good memory. It helps."

We spend the next two hours going over Liam's homework. Cyrus mostly made sure we had plenty of drinks and kept us well fed with donuts. The sub nearly had a few mental breakdowns, but by the end, he was figuring out problems by himself.

"What's the point of finding the derivative of the derivative," Liam muttered as he put his books away. "I'm a sub for crying out loud. None of this matters, and even if I wasn't, I would never apply for a job that required Calculus."

Cyrus laughed. "You sound like Jesse."

Liam glared at his mate. "I didn't mean it like that. I wanted to go to college but this seems pointless." He shoved his notebook in his bag.

The dominant hugged his mate. "I'm proud of you for sticking with it."

"Hmm..." The sub frowned.

"Well, I'm going to head home." I cleaned up my stuff before finishing my drink. "I'll see you guys around."

"Hey," Cyrus said, "Daven wants to know what your plans are for Christmas."

I shrugged. "Going to my grandparents."

"I guess Jesse and Raven are planning a family trip to Northern Ridge to go to the hot pools. We're going too. It'll involve a helicopter to get there, so they're trying to figure out transportation. It's not a for sure thing yet."

I shrugged. "I'd have to ask my parents. Does Darius know yet?"

Cyrus shook his head. "It's still just in idea-form. They are trying to find a way so they can spend more time with both sides of the family."

"More like Jesse and Raven want to spend more time together and we were invited," added Liam.

"Exactly," I laughed, pointed at the sub. "I'll talk to my parents but I don't think it'll happen. My grandma is pretty protective of those couple of weeks."

"When you know, let us know."

"Will do."

"When's the last time you've been home?" asked Liam.

"Summer?" I offered. "Why?"

Liam swirled his drink. "Raven thinks it time you come home. To Northern Ridge."

I groaned. "I'm busy. I see Raven plenty. I don't understand what he's complaining about."

"But you don't go to the pack?" Liam sipped his drink. "That's what Raven told me."

Cyrus looked between us. "You don't go to the pack?"

"I do. My parents live in Bloodhound. It's complicated. I see my cousin plenty. So there's no family drama going on."

"Okay," said Liam. "I'm just relaying what he tells me and lately, it's been a lot about you. Jagger is feeling stressed."

"That's because the hormone kicked in during the summer. It's a transition for him. He'll be fine."

"Would have been better if his beta had stopped in to say hi," replied Liam.

I let out a deep breath.

"You got it early, right?" said Cyrus.

I nodded. "Some stuff happened. It wasn't positive, but it never is, right?" I laughed. "I'll talk to my parents about Christmas, and I'll call Raven. Do you think that'll be enough for him?"

Liam nodded. "They gave me the job of guilt-tripping you into going."

I shook my head. "I'm definitely calling Raven now and let him know about our conversation."

Liam smiled. "Good, then maybe he'll stop bothering me about bothering you."

"See you later." I waved. "Text me if you have a question."

"Bye." Liam nodded while his mate waved.

Putting my backpack on, I started for home. That nosey pup, I shook my head at the thought. Raven was taking some lessons from my grandmother. But maybe it was time that I stop acting like a coward and went back to Northern Ridge. The Christmas trip could be a test since it would be like two or three days. I could handle that. Running into Archer would be awkward as hell, but I did that to myself. I shouldn't have stayed away for so long. I was going to be the next beta, I needed to get to know the members of my pack. Gage would be the beta of Bloodhound. I was meant to be with Northern Ridge. Letting out a groan, I ran my hand down my face. I was too tired to deal with pack drama.

I cut across the lawn to the crosswalk. After pressing the button, I noticed I had missed a call from my uncle. I check my call record.

"What the hell?"

The walk signal lit up. I crossed the street and frowned. He had called me close to ten times over the last couple of hours. I had my phone on silent except for alarms. Pressing on his name, I continued on toward my townhouse. No one answered, so I tried again. The call ended the same, so I called him another time. Hopefully, someone would hear it ringing.

I turned the corner to my block. Someone was standing on my stoop.

"Saigon," gasped my uncle on the end of the call.

"Yeah?" I stretched my neck to see who it might be. "What did you need? I had my phone on silent."

"Archer, he's gone. We've searched everywhere. He took a pack credit card. He's on a bus. We have no idea where we went. We're trying to figure it out—"

I stopped at the base of the steps. The man standing at my door turned around. His eyes were red and swollen. My uncle was still frantically telling me about the situation.

"Darius."

"Yeah?"

"I found him."