Today was a strange day. What came over me. The last thing I expected to be doing was giving West Stryder a car ride. Because he can't shift. That was a whole different can of worms that I didn't know how to open or want to. Although, there are rogues around in these areas. Sure, I might have been slightly worried for his safety. He can't shift too which means he's defenseless.

It was totally not normal for me to have someone other than Blaine in the passenger seat. Someone being the mate I'm trying to avoid. But fate has a funny way of things. How West randomly stumbled upon my job vexed me. The more he knows about me, the worse it'll be.

Switching jobs so he doesn't know where I work would be extreme. Joe's Coffee Shop was really good to me, and paid me enough so I can get by. The free coffee didn't hurt one bit either.

I tried not to look at him too much, but my gaze slid over to him from time to time.

West, of course, made himself comfortable getting in my 2008 black Honda Civic. He pulled the seat a little back that I thought he was sleeping, but he just had his head pulled back and was looking out the window. My car is not a car Alphas drove. Did he judge me for working? For my car? And why did I care? I didn't. I willed myself not to care what West Stryder thought about me.

It's only because he's my freaking mate there's a part of me that yearned for his approval. That deep part needed to put a sock to it.

"Rogues usually like to roam at night," I said, breaking the silence in the car. I hate awkward silences, but I knew West didn't notice anything because he looked calm and relaxed. I don't think he ever feels uncomfortable, and I envy him of that. There's something about West's presence that made me gravitate towards him, and I'm betting it's the mate bond making me feel it. Making me feel completely at peace when he's around. And something I haven't felt in a long, long time: safe.

"They do," West commented. Under his breath, "Creeps."

"So I'm surprised you didn't meet one or sense anything," I mused.

"Hm, maybe I was just too into my own head I didn't notice."

I sent a glare his direction. I felt like I was scolding Blaine. "That's really careless-"

"I didn't know there were rogues-" West stopped. "That means they're near the school too, don't you think?" We exchanged glances, nervous. "They're usually not a problem at all. I don't hear much about them actually. Especially in my pack."

Must be nice for him.

"I've only heard things, nothing really confirmed, but it's better to be safe than sorry."

"It is," West agreed. "You need to be careful too."

We were silent again.

The last face I wanted to see near my pack was West. I didn't want anyone connecting me to West. Silas could be watching from anywhere.

"Didn't have any plans tonight?" If only he did. He wouldn't be here, and I'd be home. He'd probably have way more fun than he is right now. Seeing social West alone on a Friday night is bizarre.

"Nope," West's voice was short. I highly doubted he didn't. There was something else. Something so much more that he didn't even bring his phone with him. I feel like he forgot to not bring his phone on purpose.

Trying not to think about what I saw with his twin brother. It was so strange. From the looks of it, Wyatt looked like he was getting beaten up. Badly. At school. And he didn't want West to figure out. West lets his emotions get the better of him. Wyatt's words echoed in my mind. There was something about that statement that made me unwillingly appreciate West.

"Everything okay with you?" I managed to ask.

West sank back more in his seat. He holds up his hand, ticking off his fingers. "Three times you're worried." I bit back my smile, not trying to even contradict it. "You know, this morning when I hit Jared, if you weren't there I would have done much worse to him. You stopped me." West paused, contemplating on something. "There's this thread I'm on that's in between being in control of myself and letting go."

A word no one would use to describe West would be violent. Wild? Yes. Violent? I can't see it. He doesn't have violent tendencies. I've really known him for just a short amount of time, but I've observed his interactions. Above all, he's just straight out kind. To everyone. Blaine is proof of it. Even Callie, shy Callie in gym class, has taken a liking in West.

"What'll happen if you let go?" I asked him. Don't we all wish we could, just a little?

"Destruction."

I swallowed.

"But not willingly, right?" I inquired . His head shifts towards me. "You're not going to cause destruction on purpose."

"No," he whispered. "I would never."

Relief for him and for me. I wouldn't know what to say if he had this twisted part of him that wanted to cause harm for the fun of it.

"Then that's your answer. You'll have people there to keep you in control. You've made it this far." My reassurance comes out of nowhere. For whatever crazy reason, I wanted to comfort him. "By the looks of it, you have a great support system. Use them."

"I have a great mate too," West declared, openly.

"You don't even know me," and let's keep it that way.

"I think I'm getting the gist of who she is."

"Humor me," I deadpanned, but wanted to hear what he had to say. I shoved that thought away.

West tapped his chin. "Let's see... Blaine looks up to you. Any movement you make, he follows it. He respects you a lot. You look after him too. You're loyal. This morning you were going to defend your friend- Penelope- and punch Jared for her. You're honorable. Tonight, you gave a poor guy free coffee. You're slightly nice when in the mood, I think." I tense up a little. His characterization of me was kind of on the mark. "But there's something I don't understand about you. You haven't rejected me as your mate, yet you told Blaine we're mates and I can't tell anyone."

I can feel his eyes on me. He's been wanting to say this, I know he has. Only a matter of time.

"Please don't talk about it."

"You feel it, don't you?" West asked, his voice slightly gruff. "The bond between us?"

"No." A lie. West grinned at me. He knows I'm lying. There is no denying the bond between mates. A pull that he has over me. And his scent that I can bask in.

"Why do you keep pushing me away?" he murmured.

"Why do you keep pushing me back?"

"Because, I'm not giving up on us."

Us. There is no us. Not while a certain someone was alive and took hold of my entire life.

We neared the upperclassmen dorm parking lot. There were wolves either lingering in the lot or walking through it. West directed me, "I'm in the 4500 building." Looping around the huge lot, I slowed down when we came in front of his building number. I parked the car.

"Good night. Really, I appreciate the ride. Who knows how long it would have taken me," West chuckled.

"Not a problem."

He didn't move. Instead he turned to face me. "How will I know you're home safe?"

"I'll get there," I replied.

"But how will I know?" West pouted at me. Actually pouting.

"You don't need to know."

"It'll keep me up at night. I'll be awake the whole entire night, and come morning I'll go back to the coffee shop and wait for you-"

"Do you have Blaine's number because I am not giving you my number." Imagining him getting my number...he would be more annoying through text than in person. I can already tell.

"Worth a shot," West's lopsided grin is back on his face. I feel like it never leaves. "I do have Blaine's number..."

"I can tell Blaine to tell you."

West tsked, shifting his body to leave. "You make this so complicated when it could be so easy."

"It is easy," I said, waving him out my care before anyone sees we're together.

"There's rumors about us, you know."

"Yeah don't let them get anymore ideas." With a laugh that makes my chest squeeze a little, he finally hops out the door, and as he was about to shut the door he leaned in again. His mesmerizing eyes met mine, and in the dark I swore they even glowed a little like sparkling emeralds.

"You know, those people that can keep me in control? You're one of them, Edith."

With that, he shut the door.

My drive back home left me in my own thoughts. I didn't like getting close to West. I sighed because tonight was no use. It had to be done. I wish I could keep him away, but like a pest he kept coming back. Was sure persistent...

Immediately I wiped the small smile forming on my face.

Soon, I come to my apartment parking lot, and I forget how I even am walking up the stairs of my apartment, the motions just come to me. I find my apartment keys, turning the doorknob open.

When I looked up inside my apartment, I instantly stilled at the shadowy figure that was in my line of vision.

I wanted to scream. I wanted to run. But there was no one to help me. The reminder of my pain, the abuse, and the torture is sitting down right in front of me.

Silas looked like a suave business man. Perfectly clean. His dark hair was slicked back, his eyes were soulless, and he was a few inches short of being fully 6 feet. He wasn't big like a body builder, but where he lacked physique he made up in manipulation and cleverness.

He's sitting on my gray couch, legs crossed and sipping tea. Like he owned the place. He went through my things. Like it was nothing. My one place I thought I wouldn't see him. My only place I had to myself, free of his negative presence.

"Ah, Edith," Silas greeted me like I didn't hate him with every fiber in my body. "You're pretty late at home, aren't you?"

For a lot of people, a little past midnight on a Friday night isn't late. He made it seem as though I wasn't working.

"I'd hate to think what you're doing around this time," Silas curled his lips in distaste. I hate to think why you've been in my home for who knows how long. The implication in his statement made me want to punch him. I hated him. "Us wolves are more dignified than that, but what do you know? You are a worthless whore."

My mouth isn't working. His verbal abuse has no affect on me. Not anymore. Not when I know the truth about what I'm really doing. I know he truly likes to believe the worst in me. But there's a slight power knowing your own truth and no one can take it away from you.

I'm still standing in the doorway. I can feel myself starting to tremble. In anger and in fear. I hate that he has this over me. And he's in my own home where Mom is right there. She's right there. No doubt oblivious to an intruder in our home. A monster has come to our home and my mom doesn't even know. I felt like throwing up, wondering how long Silas was here for, so near my mom. Who knew what he could have done.

Why did I ever think this place was safe from him? Why did I think I could avoid him for this long?

My little sanctuary came crashing down.

He hasn't visited me like this before. Ever.

Silas sighed. "Are you going to come in?" Never leaving my eyes off of him, I shut the door. At least, if he's here, he's not near Blaine or Rosie. It gave me the strength I needed.

"Sit down," he ordered as if this wasn't my own home. My dad owned everything. My dad owned the pack house too. The one you kicked me out of, Silas. It's my dad's. Not his. My dad's. Mine. My birthright.

I slowly dragged my feet to the recliner at the corner of the room. Heart pounding.

"I have some friends coming over in the next couple of days," Silas said conversationally. Like he wasn't a complete psychopath. "I want you to be at the pack house tomorrow." He stood up abruptly. "It's not an option." Leaving his tea cup on my table, he walked past me, and patted me on my shoulder, disgust crawling through me. "Do you understand?" He squeezed my shoulder tightly, hurting me. "Answer me."

"Yes," I gritted out my teeth, my voice coming out even. My throat tight, stinging from the bottled up emotion I have inside me.

"Don't disappoint me, Edith." The harsh pressure of his hand was gone. He left.

Leaning forward, I placed both of my hands over my mouth, and tried to not let my sobs out too loudly so no one can hear.