The Failed Rejection
Chapter 12

The drive to Pennsylvania was turning out to be a fun one. Who knew Jackson loved pop music? Specifically Katy Perry, watching him sing ET Penelope couldn’t help but giggle. Penelope was pretty sure Jackson did it for her amusement.

Penelope was sure this is what dads were supposed to be like. Loving and caring to all of their kids. Speaking of kids,

“How’s Brad?” Penelope asked turning down the music. Jackson sighed,

“He’s okay I think. I don’t get to talk to him much. He should be due for a vacation soon. But I’m not sure if he will come back to the pack.”

“Why not? It’s not cause of me and Lili right?” Penelope asked concerned. Jackson laughed,

“No don’t be silly. He feels like you guys are part of the family just like I do. I don’t know he just has this wonder l**t.” Penelope looked at Jackson and she could tell that really bothered him.

“I’m sorry, maybe things will change when he gets older. Finds his mate.” Jackson gave her a small smile.

“I hope so. You want to pull over and get something to eat?”

“Sure, where are we?”

“West Virginia.”

“I know the state, I meant the town.”

“I don’t know, we are close to Victor.” Penelope started to get excited,

“Oh does that mean we will be going through the new river gorge?” Penelope always wanted to travel. Sadly being a werewolf of no rank you really didn’t get the chance to do that. There were very few exceptions to being allowed outside of the pack. A member had to petition the alpha and in the letter you had to explain why leaving would be for the betterment of the pack. The only other reason would be if you found your mate outside of the pack would you petition to leave.

Well, unless you wanted to be an elite warrior and join the werewolf council like Brad. Brad got to go to packs all over the world, and help settle disputes train warriors. It was a huge honor to be selected. Penelope remembered when Brad got his letter, he strutted around the pack for two weeks.

Penelope was lucky she got to go to medical school in Pennsylvania. Perks of being a smart ranked female.

The drive was only supposed to be fourteen hours. But with all the stops they made along the way it quickly turned into an overnight type of situation. They stopped in a small town called Norristown for the night. Jackson liked it cause he said it reminded him of Chuck Norris. Penelope called him old and laughed.

They got two rooms for the night and got an early start in the morning.

They got an early start and managed to get to the Perelman medical school by ten. She rechecked her email and saw that she was staying in the Thompson Hall.

It was hell trying to replace it. But eventually they found the hall, parking however was a nightmare. It was even worse than Chicago. Penelope didn’t think that was possible. Finally Penelope asked if they could unload her stuff out front then park elsewhere. The RA told her that was fine as long as Jackson moved right afterward. Man he was snarky.

She and Jackson being werewolves made quick work of her stuff. Jackson told her he was going to replace a quick hotel to check in at and then come back. Penelope looked at her dorm room. It was a typical college dorm room. There was a bed, a small bathroom, and some shelving. It was only a half-bath so that must mean there would be showers somewhere.

Jackson came back about an hour later, and helped her to get settled in. The orientation didn’t start until tomorrow, so Jackson suggested they go out to dinner to say goodbye.

“Are you nervous?” Jackson asked as they sat down in a small hole in the wall diner. Penelope nodded,

“Yes I’m very nervous.” Jackson gave her a fatherly smile.

“Don’t be, you are the smartest person I ever met. You will be amazing.” Penelope wasn’t so sure about that. She was about to meet her professors and other peers who would be through her the next several years until she starts her residency. They were like her, some of the best. She expected them to intimidate her.

“Don’t let them get in your head.” Jackson said as if he could read her mind.

“How?”

“You and your sister share the same look when you are psyching yourself out.”

“Really?” Penelope thought they didn’t really have all that much in common, other than their love for each other of course.

They quickly got their food, they both ordered the Philly cheesesteaks. When in Rome.

“Mmm so good,” Jackson said and Penelope laughed. Penelope felt the same, and quickly ate her food. They walked around a bit, getting a feel for the city. Jackson was checking out the security, also looking for potential places for her to shift. Penelope mainly wanted to get a feel for the university. It was so beautiful! The old brick buildings. Which make sense since the university was founded in 1765.

“Wait I think we are in the UPenn campus,” Jackson said.

“Oh, well let’s keep walking.” It’s a good think Jackson has a head for direction. They finally walked to an area that was clearly newer added buildings.

“I think this is it,” Jackson said. Penelope nodded her head in agreement. She walked around paying attention to each building and where the location was.

“Have you found where you need to be at tomorrow?” Jackson asked. Penelope nodded her head.

“It’s that building right there,” Penelope said as she pointed to the large circular buildings with lots of windows.

“All right you ready to go back to your room?” Jackson asked. Penelope nodded and they walked slowly back to her dorm room. The sun had long since set, but the night didn’t bother the two werewolves. Once they got to her room, Jackson stayed outside. Penelope assumed he didn’t think it was appropriate.

“Now I know you got through college by working as an EMT. But for your first year of medical school I don’t want you to have to worry about money.” Jackson handed her a huge wad of cash, all hundred dollar bills. Penelope was flabbergasted,

“How did you?”

“Killian still pays me most of my delta wages even though I’m retired. I want you to have this.”

“But Brad-“ she suggested before she was cut off.

“I have put more than enough aside for Brad, and Brad has made more than enough in his life time working for the council. Now if you need anymore, you left me know.” Jackson left and Penelope tried to get comfortable in her new room. She decided to take a quick shower. The orientation was at eight tomorrow morning.

The showers were co-Ed which didn’t bother her. It was completely empty. She quickly showered while she thought about what Jackson had said. Yes she had made it through her college career being an EMT. Her parents definitely didn’t pay for anything.

Penelope heard that the first semester of medical school was the hardest. Is Jackson right? Penelope didn’t know, maybe it wouldn’t hurt to put in an application at the local hospital to see what would happen. Penelope fell into a restless sleep not knowing what would come next.

Authors note: I checked the Perelman website and apparently they don’t have dorms. Odd but sorry for the inconsistency,

I try to keep my writing as realistic as possible.