The Beast within

Chapter 21

Jake's P.O.V

  I sped toward the Red Moon Pack, but still being careful so I wouldn't get a speeding ticket and I got there in record time. I drove through the gates as the guards opened them for him and I nodded to them, as I drove past. I finally got to the house, parked my car and got out, Casey was at the front door waiting for me, and the first thought I had was Wow she is beautiful. 

  "I'm sorry I'm late, did I miss anything?" I asked, walking up the steps to her and she shook her head.

  "No, not yet, she's coming down now. Let's go into the backyard." Casey replied, I took her hand in mine and as she looked down at them, I could have swore I saw her blush. We walked to the back yard and everyone was already there, waiting for the birthday girl to come out. They all smiled at me and I thought to myself that maybe this wouldn't be too bad after all.  I was probably just overreacting, but I am the only vampire here and it makes sense for me to be a little on edge, I'm outnumbered. We all stayed quiet waiting for the signal that Becky was nearly here.

  "HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!" We all shouted, just as Becky walked out of the back door, she jumped back in surprise, clutching her chest and looking around at everyone and everything.

  "Thank you everyone." Becky yelled back at us, smiling widely. I looked around and saw a table, piled up with presents, I placed mine down next to the others and then walked back over to Casey.

  "Today is a very special day, it's Becky's 18th today, let's open the gifts first and then let's have cake." Alpha Ron announced and everyone cheered. Becky walked over to the table full of gifts and picked the biggest one there, she read the label and immediately looked at Casey while she opened it. You could tell that she genuinely liked the gift as the smile on her face was going from ear to ear.

  "Thank you Casey, I love it and I needed new sheets and a blanket." Becky said and then took the present that was beside it. I think I nailed it, because when she opened it, she started excitedly jumping up and down. 

  "Thanks Jake, I love these." Becky said, I smiled and nodded my head, as we watched Becky open gift after gift. She was so happy, she had received clothes, shoes, make-up and money.

  "Thank you. Everyone thank you." Becky said and It was now time for the cake, they lit the candles and we sang happy birthday to her, Becky lent forward and tried blowing them out, but it didn't happen. She must have been there for a good five minutes, repeatedly blowing on them and then she realised that they were trick candles.

  "Hahaha, funny." Becky said and we all started laughing. After a couple of hours the party started winding down and Alpha Ron gave me the nod to distract Casey, which I was more than happy to do.

  "So, do you want to go for a drive, I know it's getting kind of late and the stores are closing, but…" I said and Casey nodded yes, stopping me from talking.

  "Sure why not, I'll let Katherine know and we'll get going." Casey replied, she went to tell her friend, we said our goodbyes and then we left, getting into my car. 

  "So where do you want to go?" I asked, but i already knew exactly where she wanted to go, she hadn't been there since the day of the funeral. 

  "I'm not really sure, but I would like to go to my parents graves please. I promised them I would visit." Casey replied, slightly shrugging and I nodded, not having a problem with it. It was a weird place for a first date, but then we never said this was a date.

  "Then let's go, we don't want to break that promise." I said, smiling, I started the engine and pulled away. We must have driven for thirty minutes and we finally pulled up to the place they were buried. I parked up and Casey got out of the car, walking over to their graves. She kneeled in front of the tombstones and rested her hand on top of it.

  "Mommy, daddy, I'm here just like I promised. I miss you so much. I've been trying to stay strong. I don't want to feel like I'm a victim when you're the ones that were the real victims. I'm so sorry that I wasn't there that day. I could have tried to save you." Casey said and I felt my insides knotting up, if she was there that day then she could have been killed, I would have lost her forever. I walked up behind her and put my hand on her shoulder, gently squeezing it and I knew she felt it, but she kept on talking.

  "I applied for two local colleges and one in Mississippi, I doubt I would get into that one, but I hope I get into one of the local ones and I promise I'll go for a year. I wish I could hug you both right now. I'm staying with Katherine and her family, they have welcomed me with open arms." Casey continued, when suddenly I felt a few spots of rain and then the heavens opened up. I knew she didn't want to get up and tears started falling down her cheeks.

  "Why couldn't it be me that died?" Casey whispered, but I heard her and leaned down beside her, the rain started getting heavier and heavier.

  "Casey, we need to go sweetie, it's raining hard." I said, pulling her up to her feet, but she jerked away from me.

  "Tell me why first, tell me why they didn't kill me instead?" Casey said, making me confused. 

  "Casey, I don't know why, but one day we will find out who it was. I promise, we will." I replied, trying to calm her down and comfort her, she nodded and I pulled her into my arms, holding her close to me as she cried. The rain finally stopped, just as we got back in the car.