Chapter 438: The Freshman Representative
Hayley’s POV:
His gaze softened, filled with a warmth that seemed to melt away the chill of the night. I couldn’t help but smile as I hurried toward him, wrapping my arms around his waist.
“Why are you here so late?” I asked, curiosity lacing my tone.
Benjamin held up the bag in his hand. “I thought you might’ve missed a few essentials, so I brought some for you.”
Opening the bag, I found a thoughtful selection: sunscreen, a variety of first-aid supplies, and an assortment of over-the-counter medications—all meticulously organized.
“Why did you get me all these?” I asked, amazed by his foresight.
He gave a small shrug, grinning as he tousled my hair. “It’s better to be prepared than caught off guard, right?”
Touched by his thoughtfulness, I smiled. “Thank you. It really means a lot.”
But his expression shifted, mischief dancing in his eyes. “That’s it? Just a thank-you? Shouldn’t you show your gratitude a little more?”
I met his teasing gaze and, standing on my tiptoes, brushed a light kiss across his lips. “How’s that for gratitude?”
His eyes sparkled with amusement, though his voice dropped to a playful murmur. “It’s a start, but it’s far from enough. I’ll settle for it—for now.”
Blushing, I gave him a gentle nudge. “Alright, you’ve done enough. You should head back now.”
His face turned serious for a moment, his gaze steady. “Hayley, when are you going to grow up?”
Surprised by his words, I quickly replied, “I’m already eighteen.”
“That’s not what I meant,” he said, his tone carrying a depth I couldn’t fully grasp.
His words lingered in my thoughts as I walked back to my dorm. Once inside, I instinctively turned to the mirror, studying my reflection. My figure was lean yet curvaceous, showing all the signs of adulthood. Surely, he wasn’t referring to my appearance. I shook my head, brushing off his cryptic comment.
The next morning brought the excitement of the opening ceremony. New College pulled out all the stops for the event. As the freshman representative, I was tasked with delivering a speech. For once, I didn’t wear a mask, and it wasn’t long before some fans recognized me as Harmony. They eagerly approached, requesting autographs and pictures.
After signing for the last fan, I noticed someone approaching—Winifred.
“Ms. Carson, may I have a moment of your time?” she asked formally.
I raised an eyebrow. “Is there something you need? If this is about the wedding dress, the finalized design has already been sent to Tanner’s studio. It’ll be delivered as soon as it’s ready.”
Winifred shook her head. “It’s not about that. Ms. Sander has requested to meet with you.”
Surprised, I followed her outside, where a sleek, luxury van waited. The door slid open, revealing Freya seated inside.
“Ms. Carson, it’s good to see you again,” she greeted me with a polite nod.
“Ms. Sander,” I said cautiously, “what can I do for you?”
Freya wasted no time. “There’s something I need to ask of you.”
As the van began moving, she continued. “You met my mother recently, didn’t you? She’s… not like most wolves.”
I nodded, unsure where this was headed.
Freya’s voice softened. “Your wolf must’ve sensed it. My mother carries human blood, and it’s made her weaker than others. Since my sister passed away, my mother has been unable to cope. Her mind is fragile, and her behavior unpredictable. We’ve sought countless specialists, but nothing has worked. We thought she would always be like this, lost in her world.”
“That was, until the day you met her. Something about you triggered a reaction in her—a spark we hadn’t seen in years.”
I tilted my head. “A reaction? Because of me?”
Freya nodded lightly and continued, “I don’t know what’s gotten into her. When she saw you, her emotions became unusually intense. After you left, she kept calling out my late sister’s name. These past couple of days, she’s been insisting on seeing you, even going as far as refusing to eat until I brought you to her.”
“I think my mom must have mistaken you for my sister. But my sister is gone, and there’s nothing I can do to change that. That’s why I had no choice but to seek your help.”
She looked fragile, her voice trembling as she clung to my hand.
I pressed my lips together, frowning slightly as I asked her, “So, what exactly do you want from me today?”