Shadow

44

-Denice's Pov-

It was the end of the year and thankfully we all passed our classes with good marks. Year three was tough but as each year comes we knew more challenges will come our way and tough choices will be made and that is something I'm willing to conquer and face it straight on with my friends. As I look over at my best friend Ray who is stuffing her face with turkey while Jake laughs admiring her messiness I couldn't help but smile. Jake is a guy best friend every girl needs in her life and I'm lucky to have him in mine. I look to my side and see my sister talking with her boyfriend Tobias about summer plans since mother allowed us to go to Karson for two weeks to be with our friends to start off our summer vacation. Tobias leaned over the table to reach Shay's hand and gently placed a kiss on her knuckles while she told him she loved him and hearing those words from her I knew right there that they were going to be forever. The way her eyes shimmered with happiness and Tobias telling her back that was true love. I'm surrounded by life long friends, and while we all were eating during this feast I couldn't help myself but look over at my mother who was sitting in front at the long table with the teachers facing all the students of Dusk Manor as her eyes caught mine. She mouthed that she loved me while I give her a wink and turned my attention back to my friends planning a two week agenda while Ray suddenly pulled out a notepad writing things down.

Shortly after the feast we were told by our mother that some of the students had left a day early back to they're hometowns but the ones that were heading to Karson had to stay back an extra day due to some complications of the plane. Which sounds scary but wasn't nothing serious. Us girls were hanging in our dorm room, Shay was braiding Rays hair, and as for me I was continuing my packing. "I got an idea. Let's carve down our names on the door for a memory. This will be our room for another three years though but it would be memorable for us, and who knows maybe our kids will come here," Ray suggested after sitting on the floor and stood up to grab a pocket knife from her study desk that she suddenly had tucked away. "What about a place in the room where we were always at. Like Ray could crave her name on her bedside table up on the loft, Shay can carve hers at her study desk, Denice you could carve yours on the window sill. Since you always left that way to sneak off to see Carter," Ray teases while handing the pocket knife to me which I take. We all laughed but agreed so I walked over to the window and began carving it down as best as I could. It wasn't to big but not too small it was the perfect size. I handed the knife back to Shay as she carved her name down on the study desk and passed it along to Ray up at the loft. "What about Kayleigh?" Shay asked handing me the knife when Ray was done. I walk over to the door and begun carving her first and last name.

The next day we were boarding our plane to Karson. Me and Shay we're saying our goodbyes to our mother who gave us a lecture about being safe, calling her everyday and telling us that she loved us and that we will see her in two weeks. I made her promise me that dad will be there too because I know our dad is a travel agent, he is human so he's always travelling across the country for his job. We hug her goodbye as we boarded the plane, Shay went to sit with Tobias of coarse and I went to sit with Ray because she wanted to show me some videos she found online that were funny. I couldn't wait to see Carter too, I know he's already there waiting in the woods with Wren and Cade, and most likely
Kayleigh waiting somewhere too and apart of me wonders how Carter truly feels, now that he's an alpha wolf to his little pack and not the beast he was for a year. It took us a while to get to Karson but as soon as we landed Tobias parents had a big suv waiting for us and as I watch Jake place all our bags in the back I couldn't help but overhear Tobias parents. "We're so happy to have you home again, and to bring all you're friends with you," his mom said hugging him so tightly he kissed her head wrapping his arms around his mother. Tobias was tall but then again his mom was small. "I was here a few weeks ago mom, I'm okay. But we're all excited. Especially Shay," I watch my sister rush her way towards his parents while she gave them a quick hug as they told her they missed her. Everyone was hopping in the vehicle and just before I hopped in Tobias dad spoke. "You're our only child now son, don't mind us being overprotective. I know Dani girl, would've loved to be surrounded by everyone." He choked. That was my cue to hop into the vehicle and wait for the family to finish. As soon as we got to Tobias house we seen Carter, Kayleigh, Wren and Cade standing at they're front door and when Mr. Delroy parked the car I was the first one out and ran towards Carter and jumped into his arms in excitement. "Hi my girl!" He smiled against my cheek while I give him a quick kiss. We had our little moment for a quick second before Wren cleared his throat interrupting us. "Now excuse me, I got to go greet my love," and he walked off towards Jake making all of us laugh. I talked with Kayleigh and asked if I could stay with them while we're in Karson since it will be packed at Tobias place. It wasn't a problem so Tobias ended up driving me and Carter to the place on the outskirts where Kayleigh got a house to rent and as we got there I was in awe of the beautiful cabin that was in the woods. It was a small two story cabin, with a loft upstairs. It had its own little balcony facing the driveway and when Tobias parked the car Carter and I hopped out and while Carter went to grab my bags Tobias began to tease. "So what, I'll tell everyone we won't expect you two for couple hours? Or until tomorrow? Wait how about-"