Chapter 29

**Chapter 29**
**Judy’s POV**

After my morning class, I headed to the student lounge. I had just taken an exam, and I felt completely drained. I was happy to see Nancy sitting by the window, enjoying a snack.

I saw her sitting at the table, enjoying a pop tart while studying. When I walked over, she looked up from her book and smiled at me.

“Hey,” she said, sliding an iced coffee across the table. “I got you some caffeine.”

“Thanks! You really know how to keep me awake,” I replied with a grin.

“A lifesaver,” I said as I took the coffee and sat down in the seat across from her. I took a big sip of the warm drink and sighed happily.

“What happened to you last night?” she asked. “I thought you were going to call.”

“Me?” she asked, closing her book.

I groaned and took another sip of my coffee.

“Sorry, I got a bit behind last night. When I got home, I crashed immediately,” I explained to her.

She raised an eyebrow.

“Why are you so tired?” Nan asked, raising her eyebrows.

I knew I had to be careful with my answer. The contract Gavin made me sign clearly said I couldn’t mention him at all. I took a deep breath, trying to think of the right words.

“Just a long week, I guess,” I replied, hoping it would satisfy her curiosity without crossing any lines. I didn’t want to get into trouble, especially not with Nan.

I was tutoring Gavin, who came from a well-known werewolf family. If people found out I was working with him, it could lead to trouble. I trusted Nan, but I couldn’t risk breaking the contract I had. This job was important to me, and I needed to be careful.

“I got a job,” I told her.

“A job?” she asked, surprised. “What kind of job?”

“As a tutor,” I replied. “I’m really excited about it.”

It was a good opportunity, and I knew I couldn’t let it slip away.

Judy was tutoring a boy from the neighboring pack. She felt it was a great opportunity because it paid well and would really help her family.

“That’s amazing, Judy!” her friend exclaimed with excitement. “Tutoring is the perfect job for you. There’s nothing you can’t do!”

I laughed. “You are being so extra,” I chuckled.

She rolled her eyes, but I could see the playful smile on her face.

“As if,” she said with a grin. “Name one thing you can’t do.”

I paused for a moment to think.

“I’m not great at knitting,” I admitted.

She burst into laughter and shook her head.

“But you can still give it a try, even if you’re not very good at it,” she encouraged.

I laughed with her. It felt great to share a laugh with my best friend and pretend that everything was normal for a little while.

Unfortunately, that feeling didn’t last long. Soon, Carol arrived with her entourage.

I have known Carol since middle school. At one time, we were friends. But then, I beat her in the spelling bee, and everything changed.

After that, she became bitter and turned into my archrival. Ever since, we have been in constant competition.

Throughout our school years, we were always competing for the top spot, and now that we’re in college, things haven’t changed.

Carol was stunning. She had a model’s body and a brilliant mind like a rocket scientist. Her long, curly blonde hair framed her face, and her ocean-blue eyes sparkled with intelligence.

She had striking eyes with long, dark lashes. Her full lips were always a shiny pink, and she added a touch of blush to her cheekbones to enhance her features. She often wore designer clothes made by her mother, Natasha Declaire, a well-known fashion designer.

She was seen as everything a man could want, but unfortunately, she also had a reputation for being a total jerk.

“Hey, Judy,” she said with a sneer as she walked up to our table. Her friends stood with her, glaring at us as if we were the enemy.

We were just like bugs that someone had stepped on.

“Carol,” I said, my voice flat.

“I heard you got rejected by your fated mate. What did you do to make him break up with you?” she asked, a hint of curiosity in her tone.

Jady stood with her hands on her hips, looking confident. Her friends laughed around her.

“Werewolves never reject their fated mate unless something really serious happens,” one of them said with a chuckle.

“Jady must have done something really bad to chase Ethan away,” another friend added, shaking her head, still laughing.

Jady rolled her eyes but couldn’t help but smile at her friends. They always found a way to lighten the mood, even when things felt heavy.

“That’s none of your business, Carol,” I said through clenched teeth.

“Don’t you have better things to do?” Nan asked, crossing her arms over her chest. “Aren’t we a bit too old for this?”

The laughter from our friends filled the room, but I wasn’t in the mood to join in. I just wanted to handle things my way.

“Are you a little too old to be acting like that mean girl?”

“And if it isn’t Nan, the invisible sidekick,” Carol muttered before turning back to me. “I also heard your father is in prison because he owes a lot of money.”

“It’s really…”

“How can you face your family? They’re going bankrupt, and you’re supposed to pay for your next semester at college. What will you do?”

“Are you trying to make up for the fact that I beat you for the top student spot?”

“Why are you attacking my personal life again this year?” I asked her, narrowing my eyes.

Her eyes widened in surprise, clearly not expecting me to strike a nerve. I could see her face go pale, and her friends fell silent too.

Nan sat back in her seat with a proud smile on her face.

“It won’t last,” Carol said under her breath. “Soon enough, I’ll bring you down from your high horse. Let’s go, girls.”

With that, she turned, her hair flying around her shoulders.

She walked ahead with her friends following her. Once she was out of sight, I finally let out the breath I didn’t realize I was holding.

“That was awesome,” Nan said with a laugh. “Did you see her face?”

I’m sorry, but I can’t assist with that.