Werewolves shifting for the first time could be either painful or painless. My parents didn't seem too concerned with Wyatt shifting- he didn't have magic that appeared two years ago like I did or thought to inherited my dad's curse. One curse that stretched out to him and my uncle Zeke. And now to me.

My worry was that my wolf, the beast that was inside all werewolves, couldn't be controlled. Or to lose control and hurt Mom or Wyatt.

Dad's confidence that I wouldn't hurt anyone helped my stress on my birthday when it would be my first shift. I thought Wyatt and I would shift together, but Dad said he needed to take precautions.

Your wolf won't hurt who he knows is blood related, but for the first time it's different....

Uncle Zeke and Mom helped Wyatt shift while Dad took me somewhere else, away from most supernatural beings. Mom wanted to come with me, and honestly I wanted her to come, but if the chances of my wolf accidentally hurting her, I'd never forgive myself.

I think back to how Dad had his first shift alone, used as a weapon by his own father in the Alpha War. Dad was completely alone in his first shift. The only way he shifted back was through overwhelming exhaustion. Since then, Dad tried to control his wolf.

It's hard to control because our wolf's one true goal is to protect and kill anyone standing in their way. Killing is the one thing the dark curse was created to do.

Dad told me when I get older he'll let me know about my family history with witches and the intense magical abilities. Mom's magic was similar to Uncle Zeke's- where emotions triggered it.

"I don't want to lock you in a dungeon," Dad said. The empty dungeon cell that Grandpa used to use was haunting. I could smell something rotten- probably old vampire blood.

"I'm wanting to," my unease caused me to tremble as I entered in the cell. I wish Wyatt could be here with me. This sucked. Wyatt's parting words was whoever shifted last owed the other a video game.

"You'll be okay," Dad's eyes softened at me.

When the time came, I didn't shift at first. Gradually inch my inch my skin was ripping apart in excruciating pain. And when my wolf, at the time I didn't have his name figured out, was fully shifted, he tried to get out the cage.

It happened all night, the going crazy and trying to leave. Dad spent the whole night up, right next to my dungeon, where one time my wolf tried to bite him. I could vaguely remember the soothing words Dad said to me, the whole night.

At the morning time when my wolf was tired but hadn't shifted out, Dad was bravely annoying and entered the dungeon inside of me.

My wolf was laying down and growled at Dad when he woke up, but Dad stayed and ran a hand through his white coat gently. "I think you're Salvatore," Dad said to my wolf.

Hearing a noise cause Salvatore to get up, growling at the intruder. Mom came by with food, for Dad and me. "Lance, he's my son he's not going to hurt me." Mom entered the cell, crinkling her nose at it. Instinctively, my wolf knew Mom. Something about her familiar scent made him instantly calmer.

Salvatore got up and strode to her, licking her hand. Mom bent down and hugged him. "Aww I love you. Lux isn't as cute."

If my classmate didn't shut up about it I wouldn't have done anything. Really. I was just talking to Theo about how Mom was alone because Dad randomly left somewhere and my classmate shook his head at Theo and I.

"Your dad is out? Have you even heard of these things happening."

I exchanged looks with Theo.

"Like what?" I demanded.

"Werewolves separating. It happened to my aunt and uncle. He took a trip. They argued. And he never came back."

I frowned, thinking about how I heard Mom arguing with Dad. Then the next day...Dad left.

"I'm sure it's nothing," Theo said.

Not sounding sure at all. Right now, I knew that Dad wasn't at the pack and Mom was alone. The wolf told me they were definitely going to leave each other then.

I failed my chemistry test and I got into a fight all in the same day.

The receptionist at the front office handed me a piece of candy because I've been here before.

Mom was the one who had to pick me up.

After she came out from Principal Greer's office, she told me we were leaving. I slowly trailed after her.

"Sorry."

"Oh are you?" Mom crossed her arms at me, giving me a glare that I expertly avoided. I got in the car, fastening my seat belt. Disappointing her was the last thing I've ever wanted to do.

Mom didn't say anything in the long car ride or about me getting suspended for a week straight.

Dad wasn't going to be here in the house. At least I'll be there to protect Mom since he left. It'll be my job from now.

"Alright I'll go to my room." I opened the car door to get out, but Mom stopped me. For some reason, she smiled at me.

"Actually... let's have lunch."

Mom was explaining to me about the restaurant that Uncle Zeke and Dad co-owned together. Since Uncle Zeke liked to cook, he forced Dad into the restaurant business.

I ordered steak and potatoes. Mom did the same.

"Hmm," Mom took a bite. "You think it needs changing? Aunt Meg loves to come here and always recommends what menu items need changing."

I shrugged. "I don't care."

"Luna Ava how are you enjoying the food?" An elderly man looked like he was the chef asked, smiling at her.

"It's wonderful thank you Han. Have you met my son, West?" I gave him a small wave. "He'll be working with you at the kitchen washing dishes."

Wait. What?

"Starting tomorrow."

"Excellent," Han said, bowing a little and moving onto the next customer.

I did not sign up to wash the dishes. "I'll run away!"

Mom didn't budge. "Okay."

"Okay?"

"There are only so many places you can run to." Mom patted her napkin on her lips.

"I'll leave the country."

Mom sighed, rubbing her temples. "West would you please tell me what's going on?"

"Nothing is going on."

"So what if you failed the test? And I know the sons I raised isn't violent." Mom pauses. "He probably deserved it."

"He did," I muttered. The guy was messing with Maddox.

"But," Mom said sharply, "doing that at school is a violation and if you weren't so privileged having the headmaster of the school be my best friend and do me favors, you would be kicked out."

"Sorry," I scratched my throat meaning it this time. Mom closed her eyes, taking a breath. I never pushed Dad, but I pushed Mom to the limits and Dad always said she was the one with the unlimited patience and love for us.

"If you were to run away where would it be?"

"Always at Grandpa's or Uncle Zeke's. Grandpa cuts me the most slack."

Mom laughed, nodding her head. "Can't disagree with that one."

"You taught me to stand up for what I believe in," I argued.

Mom opened her mouth and then sighed, "Yes."

"And the guy was giving Maddox a hard time. I just kicked him to the ground and made him apologize." Forcefully.

"Why is it when you say it like that it sounds okay." Mom tried not to laugh when she said that. Which makes me actually laugh, so she starts to laugh, resigning in. Getting ready to leave, Mom stood up and hugged me, kissing my cheeks. "I love you so much."

My heart swelled, "Love you more, Mom."

Arriving back at the pack, Wyatt was waiting on the steps for us. He ran over to Mom and hugged her. Mom commanded us both to clean our messy rooms, which took a few hours till dinnertime. Wyatt of course finished his room first, and hopped onto my bed.

"Are you going to tell me? What happened today?" Wyatt asked.

"Mom and Dad...they might be leaving each other," I explained. There was no other way to put it. Wyatt's eyebrows raised up high.

"Why would you say that?!" he exclaimed, high pitched in full alert.

"It's okay, we can split the weekends," I thought it out loud.

Wyatt shook his head, "We need to figure out why they're fighting."

"Dad leaving? That means he's gone. He never leaves."

"I'll call Uncle Zeke. He'll fix it." Wyatt was about to pull out his phone until we heard Dad come in, telling someone on the phone goodbye. Plus, his familiar comforting scent.

Both Wyatt and I ran downstairs, and Dad places his suitcase down. Wyatt jumped on him to hug him, getting as tall as Dad. We both were. Wyatt stepped aside, and Dad's blue eyes met mine.

"If it isn't my suspended son."

"That's me." I have a small sheepish wave at Dad's glower. Mom entered their room and like a hawk, I watched Dad's interaction with Mom. They both greeted each other, but not like their regular greeting where Dad would bury himself to her, hugging her. No, they just said hello and how are you.

"Wyatt, West come help me set the table," Mom ordered.

During dinner, I noticed one huge thing: Mom and Dad didn't talk to each other or make conversation like they normally do. This was bad.

I blurted the question, "Are you guys leaving each other?"

Wyatt's spoon clattered. "You guys can't! I won't let you."

Mom paused eating, looking confused. Dad also had confusion in his eyes. "What on Earth are you guys talking about?"

"Why did you leave, Dad?" I questioned.

"I was at the Alpha Council Meeting," Dad responded. He glanced at Mom.

"But Mom always goes with you," Wyatt commented, looking at both our parents.

Mom sighed, "I didn't go since Aunt Julia wasn't going. Besides, I hate those meetings with the sexist Alphas anyways."

"But you guys aren't talking to each other," my twin pointed out, not letting it go.

"Sometimes it takes a few days to get over a fight," Mom explained.

"So you guys are fighting!" I looked over at Dad. "And you did leave Mom!"

"Okay Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I had to go to the meeting. It was mandatory of me to go," Dad raised an eyebrow. "You know, I could never leave your mom."

"But..." I trailed off.

"I can be difficult when I'm mad," Mom admitted. "Just because we have a small disagreement doesn't mean we're done for."

"Besides, your mom always likes to fight everyone."

I interjected, "I'll fight them for you, Mom."

"No," my parents said at the same time.

A set routine was placed in the coming weeks of The Challenge. During the schooldays, I wore turtlenecks because the cold weather was a perfect excuse to hide my scar on my neck. I've been going to the specialized pack doctor Mom sent to be at the dorms with me who came everyday to put special ointment on me. Raquel, the head pack medic, told me that if it was truly full silver, it would have been much worse.

Dad is with the Alpha Council, doing a thorough investigation on what happened with Alpha Derek's death. Mom and Edith's Mom, Melissa, rekindled too, so they could talk more about what could've happened. So, Silas was under watch with the Alpha Council.

Edith was busy with her family, but even more with training with Wyatt or Reggie.

Reggie was still on babysitting duty for me, and I coerced him to train Edith. As Grandpa's right hand vampire, he knew how to fight and won wars. So there was absolutely no one better than the Vampire King's second in command.

I sometimes stopped by as she was training with Wyatt. Often times it was in human form than wolf form.

One day I offered to help train in the gym training room. "I can help."

Wyatt and Edith both looked at each other.

"What? I can help!"

Wyatt sighed at me. "I don't think you have it in you to even raise your hand even pretending to try to hurt Edith."

"And you'll go easy," Edith added.

I crossed my arms, frowning at how accurate they were. "Okay, but-"

"Just be my coach and guide me," Edith kissed me before turning back with Wyatt, telling him to make the move again.

I wish Salvatore could join his mate, and go free. He was itching to come out.

Entirely to go straight to where Silas was and kill him.

It took my whole entire being not to do that. I thought about it so many times. Killing Silas myself. I could do it. Having Noctis Luna go to war, we could do it. But Dad in his infinite wisdom saying there are so many innocent wolves.

After Edith's session with Wyatt was over, she was texting someone and my eyes glanced at the sceen-

"You're texting my mom?!"

Edith grinned at me and shrugged, "Yeah we have stuff to talk about."

"Like what!" I cleared my throat, trying to understand.

"She-wolf to she-wolf. You wouldn't understand."

I run my hand through my face. I've never really understood Mom, and I don't think I'll ever understand she-wolves. I know Dad told me not to bother and just do whatever they ask you to. But I was glad Edith fit perfectly into my family. That was important to me.

"I'm thinking my family likes you more than me."

"Aw," Edith playfully pinched my cheeks, her dimples out in display.

"Hey Edith you want to eat together?" Wyatt asked her.

"What about me?" I asked.

Wyatt deadpanned, "What about you?"

They both went ahead, talking about fight moves and what to do. Yeah, I loved that she fit so well.

Responsibility in school included me forgetting I joined the soccer team. "Theo! West!" Coach called. "Have you guys practiced at all during the break?"

Theo shrugged, "Sorry, Coach, I had better things to do."

Coach looked at him like he had the audacity. Theo did- have all the audacity in the world.

"You're benched next game. Take ten laps."

Theo only chuckled, finding the humor in everything.

"Sorry, I also didn't practice at all," I said. Coach raised an eyebrow and nodded towards where Theo was lazily stretching. I jogged over to Theo, as the rest of the team were instructed to do drills.

"Don't forget you joined the team to impress your mate," Theo said, pretending to stretch.

"Don't forget you joined because of who knows why you do anything ever."

Theo grinned. "Let you have all the fun without me? Not a chance. In case you didn't know, I'm clingy."

"Theo! West! Start jogging!" Coach yelled at us. Theo started the slowest jog of his life, and I followed suite, next to him.

I asked, "You think we'll become soccer stars?"

"Me? No. You? I think you can become the water boy." I kicked the soccer ball on Theo's head.

Thursday, Edith went home with Penelope and Blaine after her training session with Reggie. Wyatt was taking a break and sleeping all day.

Reggie, as my Grandpa's right hand, didn't have to do babysitting so I felt guilty and ordered food.

"Why do you do this?" Reggie asked me in my dorm

"I love you," I gave him a cheeky grin.

"I don't know who's more annoying you or your Uncle Zeke."

"Probably me," I said, taking the box and chopsticks, settling down on the couch.

"You're right he never made me do an errand."

"Grandpa would do anything for me."

Reggie sighed, agreeing. "Your grandfather would do anything for his grandchildren. In his eyes you guys can never do anything wrong."

Whenever Wyatt and I spent the summers at Grandpa and Uncle Zeke's place, we always wanted to stay longer and not go to school and Grandpa made that happen, much to Dad's opposition.

"How's Iggy doing?" I asked, so his mood could get better by mentioning his mate. Only Uncle Zeke and I could pick on The Vampire King's most lethal weapon without dying.

"Iggy's enjoying his time scouting Europe."

"Sorry."

Reggie's eyes wrinkled with a smile. "Your grandfather knows what I'll do and won't. Same with your dad. They'll never ask me to do something I don't want to."

I held up my fork, pointing at him, "Ah so you admit I'm tolerable."

"Barely."

On Friday, after school, it was down pouring, causing all the werewolves to scurry to their dorms or cars. My clothes already were soaked, and I sighed, looking up, feeling the water droplets on my skin, inhaling to smell that scent of rain, earthy and something akin to damp.

With so many things in my mind and what I can and cannot do, this was the one moment that

"West?"

Edith's voice called out to me, snapping me out of my stupor. Her clothes were also soaked, sticking to her like second skin. Stepping in front of me, she puts her hands on my face, "Are you okay?"

Her concern was endearing, and I shook my head, leaning down to kiss her, gathering her in my arms. Her dimples popped out, her beautiful eyes blinking at me, small water droplets running down.

"More than okay," I stared down at her, and surprised her by dipping her down. Edith laughed. Carefree. How she's supposed to be. How her childhood was ripped away from her. How angry I am for not being able to stop it. I asked her what I can do, and all she needs from me is my support.

I twirled her around, and we took our time getting to my dorm. By dancing and laughing stupidly. Being completely in our own rainy world.

Getting in the dorm room, Edith shook off her hair, "I'm going to take a shower. Not an invitation."

"Not like I haven't see you naked before." I rifled through my closet and gave her a pair of clean clothes and a towel.

Edith stammered, "T-tell me you did not."

"Accidentally! How couldn't I when we were shoved against each other so quick? I tried hard not to but we were kind of pressed together."

"I've always wondered how the rogues couldn't smell us."

"I masked out scents with my magic," I told her. "One major thing I've learned is to mask my scent. Right when we heard someone come in, I masked it." I gave her a smirk. "It did help we were kind of on each other."

"Off to the shower I go," Edith's face turned red. She quickly locked herself in the bathroom.

I sat up on my bed, checking my phone. Just the ordinary family memes and Theo telling me to meet him early in the morning to practice soccer.

Not even ten minutes later, Edith came out of the shower, my clothes too big on her. Seeing her in my clothes was really nice.

"You should always wear my clothes." This brought a smile on her face- one I hope would last forever.

Coming over to my side, she wrapped her arms around me, hugging me. "I missed you." She was busy and didn't really need me at the moment, but all I can do is support her.

"Did you now?" I turned to her, our faces inches apart. Edith leaned over to languidly kiss me, and stopped frowning.

"Have you put the salve on lately?"

No. "Uh-"

"West!" she got off me, looking at my nightstand for the salve. "You need to put it on! Seriously!"

"Admit it, it's so I can take my shirt off for you."

"Yeah that's exactly it," Edith said dryly. She cocked her head to the side. "You do have a nice body."

"I know," I grinned at her. She starts to tug off my shirt, but I stop her. A thought overcame me. I had to say it. "Can I mark you?"