Make sure you read Chapters 30 and 31 first!

"You don't have to go you know," Kai said as I grabbed my bags.

"Yes I do," I argued. "I have things to take care of."

Meaning, I had to make sure Fen hadn't destroyed my home. In hindsight, I shouldn't have left him there alone, but I hadn't been thinking properly.

"But—"

"Kai, I will come back and visit again soon, okay? I promise, but I really do have to go."

I could tell that he still didn't want to let me leave, but Tyson shot him a look that sent him out of the room, likely to sulk to Easton.

"Are you hoping to talk to him?" He asked me in a hushed voice.

"I told you that he wasn't there anymore."

"You're telling me that in the months he was there nobody knew what pack he was from? Don't you also have his number?"

"I do, but I'd feel awkward texting him out of the blue like that and I'm sure that there are some people—" or rather, a specific person. "Who knows where he's at, but I highly doubt they'll tell me."

"It can't hurt to try," he argued. "Stop making excuses. You'll only regret them later."

"Finding your mate's changed you," I told him. "I like it though."

Tyson grinned at me before helping me move the rest of my bags to the car. Once I was settled, I pulled him into a hug and did the same to my other two brothers.

"You know, I'm sure Mom and Dad would love it if you stayed," Easton said and I rolled my eyes.

"I saw them yesterday. If it didn't work for them then it won't work for you."

Easton sighed, but I could see the corners of his lips rise. "I love you, Kangaroo. Don't forget that."

I scowled at the old nickname. "I thought we agreed to let that die a long time ago."

He shook his head. "You're always going to be Kangaroo to me."

"You're infuriating," I shook my head. "Also, while I'm here, quit giving Ty's mate such a hard time."

Easton's expression shifted and he opened his mouth, but I raised my hand to stop him. "Let him be happy with his mate. Put that energy into finding your own."

"I changed my mind. Maybe you should go back to Oakville."

"Oakwood," I corrected with an eye roll. "I'm serious, Easton. You can't tell me that you haven't seen how much happier he is."

Easton sighed and his eyes drifted over to where Tyson and Kai were and he studied our omega brother.

"He is happier, isn't he?" He muttered, mostly to himself. "One chance. That's all I'm giving him, Reu."

"That's all I'm asking you to do," I told him and opened the door to my car. "I should leave soon."

Easton ruffled my hair. "Be safe, okay? And don't be afraid to come back if things don't work out."

"East."

"I'm just throwing it out there as a backup, Reuben. We're always here so don't forget it."

"I won't," I promised.

Easton smiled and I slid into the car and pulled on my seatbelt before leaving the pack once again. My brothers waved at me and continued to do so until I was out of sight.

...

Oakwood was, well, Oakwood. It was the same boring town from before I left, but I didn't mind. I liked that even if everything else changed, Oakwood remained constant.

What I was mostly worried about was the state of my home. Had Fen destroyed it all? Was I going to come in and find things missing? What was I in for?

I took a deep breath and entered the apartment complex and pushed the elevator button for my floor. I was more than likely being overdramatic. It wasn't as if I had left anything really worth stealing. Everything could be easily replaced.

The elevator door opened and I carried my bags down to my apartment. My eyes drifted over to Arlo's door and I made a mental note to go talk to him later as well. I didn't like the way we had left things off. First, I needed to check my apartment though.

I fished for the key and started to unlock the door, but before I could, it was thrown open. Fen stumbled backward and bumped into me.

"What the hell are you—" I started to say, but the words came to an abrupt pause when Fen suddenly ducked and a fist slammed into my face. The punch was violent and fueled by anger. I dropped the bags and managed to catch myself before raising a hand to my face. There was blood, but I wasn't sure if it was from my lip, nose, or both.

A loud crash from inside pulled me from my shock and I turned and watched as Fen wrestled with another guy on the floor. They both were bleeding or had been at one point.

"What the fuck is going on?!" I called out and they both paused.

The man lay partially on top of Fen. He lifted his head and dark eyes studied me.

"Are you Reuben?" He asked.

"Yes?" I replied, but it sounded more like a question than an answer.

And those dark eyes seemed to increase in ferocity. One minute, he was on the ground with Fen, and the next, he'd pushed himself off the ground and lunged at me. It was like I was watching the scene play out in slow motion, but was frozen in place. The man moved closer and closer. He probably would've reached me too if not for Fen grabbing his leg just before he was out of reach and yanking him down with all his might.

The man hit the floor with a loud thunk and Fen rolled over, letting out heavy heaves of breath. I stared at the destruction. The glass table was broken, anything that'd been sitting on the kitchen counter was shattered, and there was a large crack in the TV and a hole in the wall in the hall toward my room.

Then there was Fen who'd looked as if he'd run three consecutive marathons and the other man who, quite frankly, I didn't feel safe around.

"Who the hell is that?" I asked Fen who ran his hand through his dark hair.

"Meet Nixon," he said through short breaks. "Eli's best friend."

And suddenly, it all made sense. I opened my mouth, but I didn't get the chance to speak because suddenly the violent man was back up off the ground and his eyes were focused on me again.

"Fen," I said hesitantly as he pushed himself off the ground and started to walk toward me. Slow walking turned into more of a sprint and I took a few steps backward. "Fen."

I glanced back down the floor and Fen was no longer awake. It was just me and the walking ball of rage known as Nixon.