Alpha Amor was pretty irritated that I chose the weekend for all the unification events to take off, but on the other hand, I couldn't have been more relieved. I think the only reason he gave me off anyway was because I hadn't taken off in a year. Driving away from my pack, only made me feel as relieved as ever. I had barely slept this past week: I kept replaying the way Zyon had snapped that girl's neck. I couldn't get it out of my head. Why had he become like this? It was impossible to understand.

It was true that his pack was more barbaric than others. They followed traditions from the olden times, but no one really knew to what extent. Most packs had relaxed their policies on rouges. When encountering rouges, there wasn't just an automatic attack on them. They were questioned, asked if they wanted to become part of the pack they had trespassed on and if not, if the pack didn't think they were dangerous, they were allowed to leave- to go live in the human world. Yes, at the time of war, werewolves were ruthless. They killed any and everything in their way, but did not indulge in unnecessary bloodshed anymore. This didn't seem true for Zyon's pack. From his security detail on the outskirts, to his guards, to the women in his pack, everyone just seemed calculating and cold- more animalistic than human. I didn't know how I felt about that. I don't think I wanted to experience such an environment, specially without a wolf.

Daniel questioned, taking his eyes off the road.

I looked into his ocean-sea green eyes. They reminded me of nature. Of a part of myself that I lost. I wonder how he would feel if he knew I was part wolf. I knew I could never tell him, however much I occasionally have wanted to over the years. Would he be revolted, scared? Would it change the way he looked at me? He was my haven, the place I felt most safe. I never wanted that to change. I wonder how he would felt if he knew I'd be lying to him. All the times I had lied to him and told him I was thinking about work or made an excuse, when I was truly thinking about Zyon. I felt guilt overtake me. How could I do that to someone who had only ever shown me unconditional love?

I blabbered on.

He says as he places a kiss on the back of my hand. So gentle, so great with words always.

I can't help the smile that comes about, hearing what he has to say. and I truly do. I truly do think it's inspiring that Daniel's parents have been together fifty years without having a mate bond. They loved each other and stayed faithful to each other without fate pushing them together. Without the tingles, without the sparks, without the intoxicating scent. I think that's incredible.

Daniel and I spend the rest of the ride, just listening to music. He has the conventially 'cooler' taste in music and I like listening to the same old repeats from 2009. I know I'm super cringey. But I like what I like. So we take turns changing the music. We finally drive up to the cabins at the edge of the woods. They're on the edge of Zyon's territory, not actually on his territory, but on the edge. Yet, being that close to his territory gives me anxiety, knowing werewolves would be running around this area. But I push it away. I'm human, I'm spending my life with a human. I need to forget about wolves and all things associated with werewolves.

We head in and as always are enveloped with hugs from his family and a couple of close family friends. The sun has already begun to set, so Daniel and I have about an hour to rest before we join the rest of the family for the BBQ. As Daniel sleeps, I walk onto the balcony connected to our room, and I can't help but gaze at the forest. It's beautiful, the way the setting sun hits the leaves, the smell of the forest, the different colours of green. I'm itching to walk through it. I let Daniel sleep and head downstairs to sit with Lily and Emily. As I step onto the porch, they motion to me and tell me to stay silent. Their toddlers had just gone off to sleep and the last thing they wanted was to wake them up and have to deal with a tantrum.

Lily questions.

Emily says.

"

Lily chimes in.

I giggle. But as I say this, I can't help but feeling an overwhelming sense of guilt. Something I seem to be experiencing a lot since I've had run ins with Zyon. I know I don't deserve Daniel, not when he's so focused on me and my irritating brain keeps playing thoughts of Zyon in my head.

The rest of the evening goes off without a hitch. I find myself getting drunker and drunker during the evening. By the end of the night, I'm dizzy and ready to fall over. Daniel finds his way over to me, "

And with that, I trip and fall right over. I hear the entire family burst into laughs around me. I feel Daniel pick me up and carry me up into the room.

He places me down and covers me with a blanket. I snuggle into the sheets and pass out.