The Monday of finals week, my Dad Facetimes me.

"Hello?" I greeted him, but Dad brings the phone closer. "You can't see me more because you have your face closer to the camera," I chuckled.

Dad brings the phone back, so I can get a good profile. "Better?" he asked, unsure.

"Yeah yeah."

"Your mom and Wyatt make fun of me too," Dad said. "I will never get used to the Facetime." It looked like Dad was walking somewhere- and he definitely wasn't in the pack.

"What's up with you?" I asked.

Mom jumped in on the screen and waved her hands and grinned at me, "We're going on a vacation!"

I blinked, "Huh?!"

"Right now! Your dad surprised me. I have you to thank too. He said it was your idea that we needed one."

"Whoa whoa whoa," I said, shaking my head. "Where when who what?" and then, "You're leaving me?"

"About two weeks to Bali," Dad replies.

"Without me?" I asked, joking, but there was no way I wanted to go with those two. I knew they wanted alone time.

"Oh honey, we knew you would have tests this week. Your dad just surprised me. Honestly, I think that he wanted to go more than me."

"You guys do deserve it. Spending it alone. Just a couple's trip."

Mom made a face at me and Dad said, "Whenever you have time not studying- which is supposed to be until the end of this week- check up on how Carter is doing. When we board the plane and get to Bali, we'll let you and Wyatt know."

"Thanks guys,"

"What's been going on with you?" Mom asked innocently.

I couldn't tell my Mom that I was having trouble controlling my magic because there's always a cause for it which is usually emotions. I can't tell Mom I've been feeling sad because then she'll ask why, and I can't lie to her. I don't want to lie to her. I want to tell her it's because of my mate. I know my parents would give me the best advice in order to handle this situation I'm in.

It feels like I'm losing my literal half with Wyatt being so distant.

I can't lose the one who will make me always feel whole.

I won't.

Doing two hours of studying for thirty minutes was a lot, so I decided to clear my head and visit my pack to see Carter.

Carter rifled through. "Your Dad gave me a detailed schedule about what he does during the day. I didn't know he played bingo with the elderly werewolves on Fridays."

"Didn't you know how boring my Dad is?"

Carter chuckled a little. "You're funny, West."

"Thanks, I'd like to think so too but my parents beg to differ."

"I think it was nice that you finally told them to go on a vacation."

I shrugged, "They need it. I'm happy they finally went. It's only two weeks anyways, so it's really not much. What's been going on with you here?"

"Wyatt helped me out with the finances. That was something else."

I remember Dad saying that he was looking to see if Carter would be a good Beta or not. This was probably the chance. "If you need any help, chances are I can't really help you, but I think you'll do amazing."

Carter smiled, "Thanks."

Raquel, our pack doctor, walks in the room and upon seeing me she smiles, "Oh West, it's such a pleasure seeing you! How've you been?"

"Procrastinating on studying," I honestly answered. Carter wraps his arms around her.

"She's been better at keeping me in check with all of this."

"Lance did ask me how I felt about doing it, but if it's being Beta or being the pack's doctor, I chose doctor. Even if this pack seems like they can't get it together and just not be sick or seriously break a bone for just one day," Raquel explained to me. "When you were younger, you always got yourself hurt by climbing trees and trying to be a bird than a werewolf."

I blushed, "Trust me, Uncle Bo and Zeke have plenty of babysitting stories they keep reminding me of." Carter and Raquel laughed, and Carter leaned in to his mate, and I thought how the pack couldn't be in better hands right now.

Edith and I agreed to go check out the location that Nicholas said were where the rogues were. He told us there's a hotel nearby that's a good one, and the following day we can see where the wolfsbane is being distributed and made.I don't know why we wanted to do this, but if wolfsbane went to the werewolf packs, it wouldn't look pretty. Nicholas said he'd meet us at the hotel, and to be careful of rogues in the surrounding area.

Now, before I go on an adventure with my perfect mate, I had history to deal with. Maddox decided to head out early because he got the material, and needed a nap. Also, we barely got any studying done when it's us. We have to be separated in order to actually focus on anything.

Especially Theo.

"Theo what year was the collar banned in the packs?" I scratched my head.

Theo shrugged, "Like hell if I know."

"We're failing history aren't we?"

"You are, but I'm okay with dates," Theo looked at my study guide in concentration. He hummed and then snapped his finger. "Hold up! It's a trick question!"

"What do you mean," I drop my pencil, looking at him.

"The whipping post is technically agreed forbidden by the Alpha Council, thanks to Alpha Lance Stryder- your Dad-"

"Thanks, I think I know who my Dad is."

Theo grinned, "And the collar is just frowned upon. None have been officially banned. In fact, I think a few of the worst packs use it. On their own members of the pack and other rogues."

I shivered. "That's horrible. Why would anyone ever do that?"

As we're talking about this, the one wolf I genuinely disliked decided to butt in. Keaton wanted his input to be heard by us. "It's the way of the wolf. Strict rules and harsh punishments. It is always going to be like this no matter what. Alphas are feared. And supposed to be feared and submitted to."

I growled at him, "You don't have to make your pack fear you. That isn't what an Alpha is."

"To most, it is," Keaton said, looking at Theo. "Your own dad is notorious for instilling fear in everyone. Do you disagree?"

"Sure, but they deserve it. And he doesn't use the collar or whip because it's violating every single right-"

"Werewolf rights?" Keaton laughed. "We're better than humans, but more prone to disobeying. The Alpha has to command his pack in any way he can."

"So you agree with collaring?" Theo asked, stiffly and getting pissed off really fast.

"If that's what it takes, sure why not. There are werewolves that still do it today. The ones who aren't so chicken-"

"Oh yeah?" In a blink of an eye, Theo got up so fast and grabbed Keaton's throat. For a moment, I leaned on the back of my desk chair, wondering if Theo should just go ahead and choke Keaton like he deserved, but then Theo would get in trouble.

Slowly, I got up.

"Come on, it's not worth it," I said seriously. Theo gazed at Keaton for a few more seconds.

"How about we use the collar on you and you see how you like it?" Theo snarled, letting Keaton go.

"Werewolves today are such snowflakes," Keaton scoffed. "Alphas are supposed to do anything they can to make sure the pack obeys. It's how it's always been. But these new ideas of banning collar and letting Lunas and she-wolves participate in pack matters is too much change." Keaton turned around, looking down on us.

His mentality was sickening. "Good luck finding a mate!" I called out cheerfully.

Coming out of my last exam, I took a sigh of relief. In the middle of the exam, I just wanted to be done and over with it. So I was one of the first ones to be done with it, and let Edith know I was heading her direction. I already packed for the weekend, so I was set to get going.

Everyone was going back home in their breaks, and I hated that I cared what Wyatt was going to do. If he's at the pack, it'll be good for Carter. Theo is hanging out with Maddox for the duration, and he's pressing me on what I'll be doing in these "three mysterious days" but I told him I'll be back in Noctis Luna or the dorms. Some of the wolves, foreigners that are in different countries, stay in the dorms because it's too far. The United States is the only country that holds the werewolf schools.

I suggested to Edith that I give us a ride to the city about three hours away. I'd pick her up. She gave me her apartment location, but didn't tell me to come inside. Never the one to really follow the rules, I went into the apartment room that I knew was hers based off her scent.

I knocked on the door and after a few seconds, Edith opened it. "Hi," I said, really drinking her in. Her plain white t-shirt and black pants were her traveling clothes, and it never looked better.

Momentarily, her perfect face looked surprised, but upon entering her apartment, Edith was clearly hiding something.

"Can I-"

"No," she closed her room door. She already knew what I was going to ask.

I pouted at her. I'd love to see Edith's room. A glimpse of her private life.

"My mom is sleeping," Edith said, almost like it pained her to say it. "Uh- do you want water or coffee? Tea?"

"I'm good thanks," I smiled at her, trying to not make her feel uncomfortable in this situation. "Ready to go?"

I tried to act normal that I was in my mate's apartment and we weren't alone, but I was in her apartment. Finally one thing in her life that wasn't so secretive. And it was totally normal.

She pulled out the bag and my eyes popped. "We're only going for two days!"

It was the most adorable and lovable sight- her cheeks tinging pink. "I-I don't know what the weather is going to be like?"

"Got any more of those crop tops?" I teased her. In truth, I didn't know how to breathe right when I saw her wear that. It looked too good. If anyone did try anything with her, I'd knock them out.

Edith narrowed her eyes at me, glaring. Promising she'll get me back for that. "No," she hissed.

"Too bad. They looked really good on you."

Edith glowered at me. "All the more reason not to wear it ever again."

I adjusted her bag on my arms brushing off that comment, "Ready?"

"Yeah..." she looked back at where her mom's room was, looking like she was having doubts.

"Your mom will be fine," I assured her, not knowing fully well if so. Whatever her reasoning for wanting to stay with her mom is probably a good one, but I know not to push about exactly why she can't leave her mom. All I do know, is that her mom is heartbroken. And I haven't even looked at the state of what Edith's mom is in. Not that Edith would let me get that close. Not yet, anyways.

"How do you know?" she asked.

"I know you. You don't do things halfway...you go all the way and then some. I'm pretty sure she can manage for two days."

Edith hesitated, and honestly I think she's going to tell me she's changed her mind and not going. "Let's just go," Edith's keys jingled and large duffel bag in tow, she walked outside. I followed her out, and she locked the door.

As we got to my car, I opened the trunk where she put her duffel bag in. I wanted to be chivalrous and open the car door for Edith, but she's Edith and opened it before me. Throwing me a look. I couldn't help but smile at her. I tried.

I got into the driver's seat, putting in the hotel's address in Google Maps. 3 hours and 7 minutes in a car alone with Edith.