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"I have to tell you something."

The rain was falling harder now.

Damien and Wyatt looked at each other before we came here, and they both said, "West" at the same time. They explained that his emotions through powerful magic affected the atmosphere that was around him, and in turn the weather. Usually, he did it unconsciously is what Wyatt told me. Most of the time he does it unconsciously.

He still had a tight grip on me, looking at me questioningly. I was still on him.

"West, we need to leave," Damien interrupted us, looking a bit apologetic of our reunion as he looked between us. He raised an eyebrow. The freaking Vampire King was West's grandfather, and I still couldn't wrap my head around it or how I could even face such a powerful being. It felt like he commanded the air.

"Grandpa, did you meet my mate?" West beamed at his Grandpa. I got up, helping West to get up.

"I did," the way that the vampire king was looking fondly of West made me heart ache. "She's very lovely. It's a wonder how you kept it from me or your Uncle Zeke for so long."

West looked down at me, adoringly. "Well cat's out of the bag."

Wyatt jogs over to us. "The car is ready for us to leave, Grandpa."

The vampire king nodded. "Good. I have taken care of these rogues as far as we know. You guys will be at one of my places. I'll meet you there shortly. Just follow Reggie." He nodded to one of the vampire who was built like a linebacker, Reggie I assumed waved at us.

And just in a flash, the vampire king vanished.

We headed to the car, filing in. Abby was getting in before me, and there was an awkward pause between us.

Oh yeah, she kissed my mate and is in love with him.

She nodded at me, and turned to be in the passenger seat. "Theo who left you in charge to drive?" she said, breaking whatever weirdness there was- which was only between her and I.

"Myself," Theo responded.

I was in the middle between Wyatt and West. I'm actually glad I don't have to have the conversation with West right now. One moment, I felt so courageous to tell him everything, but the next I totally chickened out. The car ride with Theo, Wyatt, Abby, West consisted of Theo and Wyatt taking digs and joking with West. Even Abby joined in.

I couldn't because I felt like vomiting. Trying to get the courage of telling your secrets does that, apparently. I had to tell West today- as soon as possible. There was no more hiding it. I didn't want to keep anything from West anymore.

Every now a then, West would look at me, a brush of our feet or hands, but thankfully he didn't probe.

"Are you okay?" I whispered to him instead because it was easier to turn the attention on him than me.

"Always when I'm with you," was his reply.

The place we stopped by was a luxury hotel- and it was actually owned by West's dad, Lance and only filled with vampires. A literal vampire hot spot. All of them were working for the vampire king.

When the vampire at the front desk saw Reggie, then West and Wyatt they quickly asked what floor we'd like- and we wanted a middle floor.

We actually got our own rooms, and just as I entered mine, West entered in, closing the door.

"You've been quiet," West tells me, he cocks his head to the side trying to figure it out. "You had something you wanted to say before." A statement. He was waiting for me.

The nerves that picked up inched to my throat, clogging it. I didn't know how I could tell him. How he'd react. All this time, West was worried about me not fully accepting him, but the whole time it was me.

This whole time, I pushed West away because I'm absolutely terrified of his rejection.

My hopes is that he won't reject me, but even if he didn't- what if in the Alpha Challenge I died? I don't want him to go through losing his mate.

"Edith?" West takes a step toward me, his voice sounding tentative.

But I felt stronger, felt like I could challenge Silas all because of West. He made me feel powerful, made me feel like I could do anything. In the beginning, I didn't want to feel anything for him because it was just going to be harder if he did reject me.

"You have a way of creeping in on someone's heart," I thought out loud.

West raised both eyebrows, but his lips formed a smirk. "That's the most Edith compliment I think I'll ever get."

I couldn't help but laugh, because hearing his voice made me want to cry. I closed my eyes because I was feeling like crying. "West Stryder, you are so beautiful."

"Okay, now I'm concerned." West took both my hands.

I opened my eyes only to meet his steely green eyes a few inches away from me. I couldn't help it, the tears welled. He looked adorable concerned.

"You are," I say, willing so my voice won't shake. I swallowed up the clog of emotions I felt for him. All the pent up emotion I was so good at hiding from him. "I haven't told you that because I suck."

"No, you don't," West shook his head. I looked down at our entwined hands. "You don't have to tell me anything if you're not ready- or ever. I just want you to be comfortable."

"Why do you have to be so perfect?" I give him a wry smile.

West barked out laughter, "No. I'm-"

"Perfect," I interrupted, repeating it because he needed to hear that. He was always too hard on himself. I made my way to the large queen sized bed, hands still connected to West who followed me and sat down next to me.

I continued, "And I do have to tell you because I want you to fully know me." West nodded slowly. " You can't get angry."

West frowned, and I can already see him getting angry at the things to come, clearly conflicted but he said,"I'm listening." He brushed his thumb over my hands in a comforting manner.

I took a deep breath. "Since my dad died, the alpha that overtook him was his Beta, Silas who is Blaine's dad. Blaine and I are cousins, as you know, but our mom's are sisters. My mom- since my dad died she hasn't really been active in my life at all." I paused. "Silas has been abusive to Blaine and I for years." There it is. West stiffens. I feel his grip on my hands tighten, and there's a low growl that is purely Salvatore because his eyes flash red.

West's voice is devastated, "Edith-"

"No one could have done anything," I tell him. "Don't feel guilty. Silas said if I ever had a mate, he'd put a stop to that. He'll make me pay."

West gave a dark smile, "Actually I'd love to fight him. I'll tear him apart."

"He - he's vile. And I would never want to knowingly hurt you if I could have prevented it. I wanted to keep you away far from Silas as possible.

"There's physical hurt, but emotionally, you did by keeping me away," West's pursed his lips in a exaggerated pout.

"I would do it again if you were out of harm's way," I tapped his nose.

West showed his teeth in a menacing way, "And I'll kill anyone who stops me from being with you."

This next part, I knew he wasn't going to like the most.

"Recently I challenged him to an Alpha match." West's eyes darkened on the verge to shift again - this outcome only meant I could live or die. "And I think I might know the rogues who killed my dad."

There.

West looked deep in thought at the ground. Now, for the first time I didn't know what West was thinking. There was a long pause.

"So..." I trailed off, wondering when he'd reject me. It was too much, but I delayed it for as long as I could. It was so unfair for him to wait this long.

"So..." West pulled me to his lap, surprising me. "We're going to kick Silas' ass and find these rogues." His forehead brushed mine. His eyes gazed down at me with an emotion that made me breathless. "Don't you already know how in love with you I am?"

My heart stopped beating for a moment, and I couldn't help but smile and wrapped my arms around his neck, one of my hands going a bit more up to feel his silky raven colored hair. "Yeah?"

West's pressed his lips on my neck, and went up, finding the sweet spot that I knew where it would be if he would mark me.

"I love you, Edith Silva." West raises his head to look at me straight in the eyes. "Nothing will ever change that. And I will never let you go for as long as I live." There was a fire in his eyes, a determination that made me feel warm all over.

"I love you too," I tell him, my heart ready to burst. His eyes widened a bit, but nothing could match the loopy smile that graced his lips.

"Yeah?" he asked, dazed like looking up at me, his eyes gazing at me lovingly. He's just perfect.

I leaned down to kiss him.