Keifer was almost completely silent as he scaled the side of the house. The only light in the night was the bright yellow moon slanting down through the trees.

He hefted his weight over the roof, surprised at the burst of strength he had. Although he was not a typical 13 year old boy, his supernatural strength grew so quickly that it always shocked him.

Slithering up the shingles of the slanted roof, he made sure to keep his footsteps light. He didn't want to wake an unwanted person in the house. Keifer knew he'd be screwed if Ace heard him.

His intended target was still awake when he gave a slight knock with his knuckles against the glass window pane.

Opal sprung to the window, silently but quickly pulling it open with panic written on her face.

"What are you doing? You're going to get in even more trouble." She insisted, shaking her head in disapproval, her messy hair flying around her face.

Keifer couldn't help it, he grinned.

"So, you heard?"

Opal rolled her eyes, propping herself up on her elbows on the sill of the window.

"Of course I heard, you imbecile. Nothing stays a secret in this pack. But really? Throwing Stacey's PlayStation into the river?"

The little lycan boy didn't even attempt to deny it. He chuckled mischievously.

"It was totally worth being grounded, believe me. She deserved it. You should've seen the look on her face." He had to contain his laughter, still afraid of waking Opal's adoptive father.

That would be trouble he couldn't handle.

"How long are you in for?" She wondered in a hushed voice.

Keifer shrugged, unbothered.

"A couple weeks. Dad is pissed, but I expected that." He grinned, and Opal shook her head again. She was never surprised by his shenanigans. She just wished he would stop this madness and mellow out a bit.

"Keifer, when do you think you'll be over all of this?" She asked suddenly, filling out the silence.

His grin disappeared, replaced with a shocked look.

"What do you mean?" Keifer was puzzled. It took all that he had not to scratch his head.

Opal shrugged, looking away as she traced the window pane with her fingertip idley.

"I just mean, when are you going to be done being so crazy? All you seem to do is cause trouble. What's to gain from all of it? It has to stop at some point. The recklessness, the pranks, sneaking out. It has to end before something bad happens, you know?" She explained shakily.

Keifer reared back from her words.

"No, I don't know. Maybe this is just how I am. Ever thought about that?"

Opal reached out tentatively, trying to touch him in order to calm the storm that was starting to wage inside of him.

He moved backwards.

"No, Keifer, that's not what I meant. I'm just worried something bad will happen one day. Something that you can't take back." Her tone was drenched in worry, terrified that she hurt his feelings by accident.

But it was too late, he was already wounded by her words.

"Or you think I'm a freak, just like the rest of the pack." He insisted, twisting her words into something they weren't meant to be.

"No, no, you've got it all wrong...." Opal tried to make things right, but Keifer wasn't having it. He attempted to hide the insecure tears shimmering in his eyes. He wiped at them furiously.

"I'll see you later, Opal." He said in a whisper, turning back and climbing off the roof before she could stop him. He had never felt so betrayed, and by the person he loved most too.

Opal bit her lip. Worry blooming in her gut. She realized that she shouldn't have said anything.

"I love you." She whispered, letting the words be carried away by the wind.

I jolt awake, startled by the memory that assailed me. It would seem that my reminders of my mate are endless. The sooner I find her, the better. Every time a flashback haunts me, my grip on reality and sanity fade.

"Good morning sunshine. Have a good nap?" Ace's snarky voice asks, and I grumble in response. I'm sat all the way in the very back seat, and I make eye contact with him in the rear view mirror.

I can't imagine it was easy for him to be in the car alone with Beau and his son. The older Faerie is fairly talkative, but his son is another story.

My Mother's half brother stares out the window with a thoughtful look on his face. Apparently this is his first time in the mortal realm. He's asked us to call him Lucien since he can't reveal his Faerie name to us.

It amazes me how much he looks like my mom. Both of them, really. Dark hair and dark eyes, slender build, even a splash of freckles across Beau's face. Lucien is much paler in color, and taller and more filled out than his father.

I hate to think of the phone call between my dad and Ace. He claims it went better than expected, but I saw how grim he was afterwards. I really can't say I blame him, telling the Alpha King bad news is no easy feat.

It will be interesting to see how he and mom react when Beau shows up at the pack with us. I'm not looking forward to that. I shouldn't be focusing on that now. I need to focus on getting Opal back.

"So, you're absolutely sure that she's in Yellowstone?" I ask, my mind always going back to her.

Beau sighs, clearly annoyed with me.

"Yes, for the last time, I'm sure." He insists, turning in his seat to look back at me, pointed ears twitching mischievously. "Why do you keep asking me that?"

I narrow my eyes at him, shifting my neck to ease the discomfort from sleeping sitting up.

"Because it makes no sense why she would go West. And, I happen to not trust you. At all." I insist.

Beau rolls his eyes, turning back around to give me his back, clicking his tongue.

"I don't know why, I just followed her. Also, what could I possibly hope to gain by lying? All I want is to see my daughter again."

He makes a fair point, but it still doesn't make any sense. Why would Opal be in Yellowstone? That's so far from Colorado. Was she confused? Directionally challenged? I just don't understand.

"Not to mention, Faeries can't lie. In case you forgot."

I did not know that. You learn something new every day, I suppose.

"She's stayed in her wolf form pretty much the whole time." I glance up at Beau, he's noticed my thoughtful, worried expression. He's showing sympathy to me. He likely pities me. Fae aren't known for being kind and giving.

"Did she seem... ok?" I press, desperate.

My mother's father shrugs, looking unsure.

"I don't know her. She seemed fine. A little reserved maybe. All I saw was a wolf. I knew it was her since I trailed her. I didn't notice anything of concern. Why?"

I look away, the information becoming too much for me. I wish he could've brought her to me. I wish I knew why this bad feeling is constantly circulating through my body. I wish I knew everything that happens when mates aren't accepted. It makes me think of my memory dream just now, and how Opal said she felt like something bad was going to happen, and it did.

That day at the cliffs was bad enough, but it set off a chain reaction of awful proportions. She was right, but then again she's always right.

I stare deadpan out the window, effectively cutting off the conversation with my estranged grandfather. He takes the hint and leaves me alone to suffer in peace.

Watching the snow fall, I can only think of my mate. Hold on Opal, I'm coming for you. Just hold on.

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If you're reading this, you are brave :)

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