I didn't bother leaving a note for Phelan as I knew this would be quick. I'd simply ask Hale what the hell he was doing here, listen to some sob story, and then I'd be all 'Bye Felicia...'

Despite knowing I wasn't doing anything wrong, my stomach churned. I was struck by momentary guilt and hesitation. The other part of me however, brushed it off because I knew I had nothing to be afraid of.

I was strong. I was living amongst the supernatural, a town of werewolves. Had anyone told me this would be my life six months ago, I would have recommended sectioning.

Gnashing jaws, blood and claw became a daily norm. If anyone needed to worry, it was Hale and certainly not me. Besides, I'd be there and back before Phelan even noticed, and I could explain everything to him then.

Hale was my past, and I'd missed the opportunity for closure when he vanished into thin air. I needed this to heal and move on with my life.

~

My knuckles turned white as I gripped the wheel. Each bump in the road dimming the headlights like ghosts taunting a guest in a haunted house.

As the tyres screeched to a halt amongst the gravel road, I made a mental note not to cross the border. I didn't need a repeat of last time.

Seven o four pm.

My watch still ran five minutes fast due to my tendency to run a little late to my old college lectures. I made a mental note at how that seemed like a parallel universe, and so long ago at that. I became a little reminiscent... a little thing like a watch became a memento of the past, proof that I once had a completely different life.

And however grateful for the experiences that helped shaped me, I was growing into myself. My identity, who I was, what I stood for and what I believed all shifting since coming to Haven, and I felt like I'd discovered myself.

Hopping out of the car, the moon's eclipse cast the dimmest of shadows, it was as if she was peeking out from behind her lashes thinking something along the lines of 'I can't watch this shit show...'

Oh ye of little faith.

So there I stood, leaning against the timber signage, Haven. I was not stepping a foot over the proverbial line.

Looking at my watch again, I began to wonder if someone was fucking with me. There was no sign of Hale.

Listening intently, I scanned the forest on either side of the road. Although it was dark, there was no movement. No noise. The only indication that I wasn't alone was the lonely hark of a night owl before it's wings spread in search of it's hunt.

Dipping my hands into my jean pockets, I traced circles with my boot in the dirt. Letting out a sigh I decided to call it quits. Maybe it was a joke. Maybe I'd made a mistake. But before I could conjure a further thought, I saw him.

Without uttering a single word, his frame came into view. It was the strangest feeling. Seeing the man who was my first real relationship walk towards me. He was slow in his approach, walking in the middle of road as if not a care in the world.

I wondered what he was thinking... what he was expecting?

But I knew what I was feeling. It wasn't nostalgia. It wasn't regret. It was a sense of freedom.

So much had changed. I had changed.

I knew my life was on the right path.

As he came closer, I eyed him with a small sense of curiosity. He looked how I remembered. His ashy blonde hair buzzed short. His blue eyes. His scent... a mix of stale coffee and peppermint.

Involuntarily I scrunched my nose in distaste. I couldn't believe I'd never noticed it before. But then I realised that everyone now paled into insignificance compared to Phelan.

And he was the opposite.

What the hell was I ever thinking?

Without saying a word, he stopped in front of me.

My words were laced with impatience as I picked the dirt from under my fingernails, making eye contact with him only briefly before moving onto the next.

I surprised myself with the fact I felt nothing. I thought I would feel something, albeit regret, but the absence of any emotion only solidified that I harboured nothing for him.

"Why are you here Hale..."

He stepped closer.

"I'm here to help you see reason." His palm opened in a gesture of truce, as if beckoning me forward. "We need to leave before you get yourself killed here."

I rolled my eyes in disgust. "Seriously Hale? That's the best you can do?!"

"Look I know I wasn't the most trustworthy-"

My eyes shot up in incredulity, "you think?! You're as corrupt as they come Hale. How the hell did you even know I was here anyway?!"

He scuffed the dirt with his boot, his expression darkening as he mulled on his reply. "Did he tell you you're his mate? Did he tell you that you're a hybrid? Only one of those things is true Edie..."

I ignored the doubt he was trying to cast. He wasn't going to manipulate me. "So how long have you known about werewolves Hale? Why didn't you tell me that?"

Did he know I was a hybrid the whole time we were together? I pondered.

"I am human Edie. Would you have believed me? Would it be beyond the realm of possibility that my job as a police officer is a cover for what I really hunt?"

"So it's not bottle blondes with twenty inch waists then? Oh, you mean werewolves, my bad... but by all means continue..."

"I see you haven't lost your charm," he scoffed. "Yes, I hunt werewolves who don't follow the law-" he huffed, rolling his lips together before continuing. "Look, it's besides the point. Phelan was on human territory; that's my jurisdiction. He was stalking you. I did what I had to do, but he was one step ahead."

"And why would a human care about werewolf law? Who exactly do you work for Hale?" I said accusingly.

I already knew the answer. But to what benefit?

"Rest assured whatever he has told you is a lie."

I didn't believe him. I shook my head as I came to terms with what I knew. Baring in mind it in no way aligned to what he was telling me.

If he worked for The Guild, as some sort of secret enforcement, was I just a job? And Phelan... did he find out about Hale's true motives?

Did Hale plan to kill me? Hand me over to The Guild?

I fell short of divulging my assertions.

"So The Guild, then? Why would you choose to work for a werewolf council, Hale?" My eyes narrowed. "What's in it for you?"

"Protection. Protection from others like your new boyfriend," he drawled sarcastically, "and I use that term very loosely."

I couldn't hide the smirk that I felt hitching from the corner in my mouth. "I detect a hint of jealously Hale... you must be fucking high if you think for one second I would trust you over him."

In my rising anger I stepped forward, my finger pointing, prodding against his leather jacket as I forced him backwards.

"Whatever issue you have with my boyfriend is your own. I am not leaving him. I am done with this conversation, you've wasted your time."

My anger brewed beneath my skin as his expression smeared with arrogance.

I was acting on impulse... emotion. And despite knowing it was dangerous, it was too late.

"Are you sure Edie?!" he mocked in false sincerity, my thoughts immediately filled with regret.

And I fell into his trap.

His hand gripped my arm, as he pulled me forward, my body jolting against him as I struggled to get my balance.

I knew the second I crossed the territory border. My stomach churned immediately, the feeling of motion sickness making me stumble as I began to panic.

I felt my face pale in realisation with what I'd done. "Let go of me you fucking bastard!"

I felt him chuckle against my cheek as his fingers gripped my neck, dragging me step by step away from the border, his actions making it clear he knew the effect it had on me.

He knew I was Phelan's mate.

He knew he was causing the pain.

"You sadistic piece of... shit!! Phelan should have killed you when he had chance!" Every word was exerted, each breath a conscious decision not to vomit as he gripped my neck, preventing me from falling to the ground.

"Just a little further..." he hissed.

Sweat was dripping from my forehead, my hair sticking to my neck as he dragged me to the back of his car. It felt like the earth was spinning, my balance completely off kilter as he threw me in the back of it.

The bitter taste of bile filled my mouth as I wretched in agony. My nails scrapping the boot floor as I tried clawing back out to freedom. I was helpless. I had nothing. Sobs wracked my body uncontrollably as I held onto consciousness.

What had I done?

Trembling and moaning, I watched as Hale scanned the trees, his eyes flickering in recognition as he heard the howls closing in on us.

Phelan.

Whistling in smug satisfaction, he paused, shrugging his shoulders as he slammed the door. "Looks like your mate is a little too late Edie."

I felt the vibration of the engine beneath my body as I curled up on the floor, my plea but a whimper that I knew would go unanswered.

"Help me..."

The crunching of the tyres began to spin, slowly at first and then picking up speed as he tore from the scene.

This was it.

It was over.

Midnight fur and ember eyes were my final vision as Phelan's wolf tore frantically through the trees... and I had no choice but to watch on helplessly as he became but a tiny blot of ink in the distance.

No....

I felt myself slump forward, my body collapsing in defeat.

The distant howls of anguish dissipated as the distance grew between us, leaving me with nothing but the tears that rolled down my cheek as everything faded away...