"So, let me get this straight. You've decided to spontaneously leave with Eli and go back to his pack. The same pack where one of the alphas clearly doesn't like you and has already punched you in the face. Did I get it all?"

"Pretty much."

"What the hell, Reuben!" Arlo pushed me before raising his hand to my forehead. "You aren't sick or anything, are you?"

"Stop," I rolled my eyes at the omega I called my friend. "You're being dramatic."

"Can you blame me? You've basically just told me that you've accepted a position as a human punching bag."

"It was one time and he wasn't aiming for me."

"It always starts as 'one time'."

"Arlo."

"Reuben."

"Look at me," I said and he did. "I'm going to be fine, okay?"

"I know," he replied with a pout. "Still, we just started talking again and now you're leaving. It fucking sucks."

"Come on. We'll make it work. It's not like I'm moving to a different continent. Besides, the chances of you leaving me alone are close to none. I'm sure you'll blow up my phone twenty-four-seven."

"'Course I will," he said. "You wouldn't know what to do with yourself without me."

I lightly shoved his shoulder and he grinned.

"I need you to do something for me though," I told him.

"What?"

"Look after Cronan."

I knew Eli was worried about him after yesterday. That was where he currently was. I knew that just knowing that there was someone there to look out for him would make Eli feel somewhat better.

"Did something happen to him?"

"Yeah, but I can't really go into details," I told him. I doubted Cronan wanted people to know. "Just...just watch out for him, okay?"

Arlo nodded wordlessly and before I could react, he launched himself into my arms. "You better come and visit, Reu."

"I will," I promised. "And you better keep me updated on what's going on with the human."

Arlo pulled away and his face was slightly red. "You know I will."

I checked the time and gave Arlo one last goodbye before heading up to Eli's apartment. It didn't surprise me when I saw him exiting from Cronan's place.

"How is he?" I asked.

Eli sighed. "He says he's fine, but...I don't know. I'm worried. I know he's strong, but I care about him."

"Give him some time. He'll be okay," I said. "Cronan always bounces back."

Resilience was a common attribute in Oakwood and I had no doubt Cronan possessed it as well.

Eli took one last look at his door, let out a sigh, and nodded. "I guess it's time to go then."

All the boxes were already loaded up, so Eli reached over and grabbed my hand. Instead of taking the elevator, the two of us walked down the stairs and took one last at the apartment complex. I was surprised by the wave of sadness that overcame me. When I first arrived in Oakwood, I had no plans to stay in the town for long. I just wanted to get away; to escape. I didn't expect to find friends or to end up leaving with a mate.

Before leaving, Eli and I stopped on my floor and I unlocked my apartment one last time. I expected to see the same wreck as before but was surprised when I didn't. There were still some signs that something had occurred, but the table had been replaced as well as the TV. The kitchen was spotless and as I walked further into it, I noticed that my bed had been neatly made too. I walked toward the guest bedroom and pulled open the door. The room looked exactly as it was before Fen came.

Fen.

I did one last loop around the house to confirm what I already knew.

"Fen's gone," I told Eli. "All his stuff is gone. There's no sign of him."

Eli ran his hand through his hair and sighed. "Typical Fen, but...maybe it's for the best."

"You think he left Oakwood?"

Eli stared at me with an unreadable expression before shaking his head. "No. I think he's still out there somewhere. Even Fen can't escape the mate bond."

"Come on, let's go," I told him. Eli followed and I locked the door before we continued our descent.

The two of us stepped outside and before entering the car, I turned and took one last look at the building and snorted. It was funny how on the outside, the building appeared to be perfect, and yet, on the inside, it was a dysfunctional shit show.

"You know, I can't believe I'm saying this, but I'm actually going to miss this place," I admitted.

"I know," Eli squeezed my hand.

"But I'm excited too. Excited to see what's next."

Eli smiled at that and he let go of my hand as the two of us entered the car and drove. I stared out the window as the apartments grew smaller and smaller until they were little more than a speck in the distance.

Memories of when I arrived were recounted in my mind. I could still remember meeting Arlo's hyper self. I remembered thinking he was the most annoying person alive and that we'd never be friends. It was funny how that changed.

I remembered saying I was only staying for a month or two before I left; I remembered the way Arlo practically begged me to stay longer when my lease was up; I remembered the first time we went on a run together.

We left the town and I watched as Oakwood disappeared like it never existed in the first place.