I couldn't even roll out of bed. I lost track of how long I hid like a recluse. Knocks on door and hushed enquires from Sophie or Phelan fading to background static that I left ignored.

Nestled under the covers in Phelan's guest room I shut out the world. Maybe it was my way of trying to come to terms with it all, and whilst I knew how rude it came across, the thought of confronting everything made me feel physically sick.

But wasn't that what I came here for? To confront it all?

I groaned outwardly as I chastised myself. Any prior thoughts of being a Joan of Arc-esque heroine had gone out the window, after all, look at what happened to her.

Laying there as morning turned to night, I flicked through my mental library for any pieces to the puzzle to help it all click together. Fragments, memories, what I knew and what I didn't know about werewolf folklore... Are mates a thing? Can werewolves use some kind of mental telepathy? What is a moon goddess? What else am I missing?

Enough.

Throwing the blanket off in a huff, I sat upright in my two or three day old clothing and stale breath to match.

Edie, you are a hot mess.

Sighing, I attempted to fix my hair, the knots impossible to untangle as I weaved my raven waves in to something resembling a messy bun. At least I got the messy part right, I thought.

Only just noticing some fresh clothing that had been placed on the dresser, I chose the hot pink fluffy socks and pulled them up as high as I could. Perhaps my choice of fashion was the reason for my single status, and not that fact that the only man I'd been able to attract was a corrupt police officer who was more criminal than those he was meant to apprehend... The name Hale should have been warning enough, I thought.

But there was no point dwelling on the past when the future looked even worse.

Shrugging my shoulders at the thought, I stepped out of the room.

"Hello?" I could hear the hesitation in my voice as it echoed down the stairs. There was no reply. I felt uncomfortable walking around Phelan's house alone, but what else could I do?

Heading down to the main floor, my hunger took over as it navigated me straight to the fridge. Pizza. Why on Earth hadn't I come down sooner?! Peering in, I grabbed a slice, the biggest in the box mind you, before the slamming of a kitchen cabinet behind me had me hit my head against the roof of the fridge.

"Jesus fucking Chr-owwww!"

Nursing the back of my head with one hand and being mindful not to drop my pizza with the other, I turned to face the culprit.

"Really?! You couldn't just clear your throat of something?"

His eyes met mine as he smirked.

"You seemed so focussed on the food, I doubted you'd notice."

"Yeah well, I was... I mean what kind of person puts pineapple on pizza anyway?!"

"Someone... refined."

I chuckled, "oh okay, a culturally elite werewolf in the middle of the remote wilderness? Quite the juxtaposition there."

"Lucky I don't care for the judgements of others, tell me, do you Edie?"

Walking toward the lounge room, I was hyper aware as he stalked me from behind.

" I guess in truth, I always have worried what others thought of me. Honestly, I'm not sure why."

Although I focused on the fireplace, I was acutely aware of him staring at me as I avoided his gaze.

"That's because deep down you knew that you didn't belong."

My appetite vanished as quickly as it had arrived before my deadpan expression met his hardened gaze.

"Oh, and I belong here do I? I'll have you know I'm not buying into all of this..." I was becoming flustered as I swayed my hands in front of me as if gesturing that this, really meant him.

I watched him intently as he pursed his lips. "What exactly do you mean Edie?"

"I mean, how can I trust you? How do I know this isn't some elaborate rouse?"

I paused before I continued. "Why am I even here? I am a risk to your pack, you've said as much!"

Lacing his fingers together he paused before resting his chin atop his knuckles. "You're here because you are safest here."

"Oh here we go! Always around in circles and vague statements. So, I can leave if I want then? Or are you keeping me here?"

His eyes met mine and I felt unnerved. "That. Is. Enough. Anyone else and you'd be flat on your ass by now. Watch your attitude."

I stood up, walking towards him slowly, I challenged his gaze, and his authority. I knew I was crazy and although my heart was hammering a mile a minute, I wasn't about to let him know it.

He stepped forward, accepting the challenge. The glint in his eyes told me he welcomed it and I suddenly became aware of my mistake.

The energy in the room felt tense and thick.

I felt a slight tremble in my voice as I continued. "I want to leave when it is safe to do so..."

"I will be resolving this with The Guild. You needn't know any more. I will let you know when it is safe to leave."

His words hit hard as stone. And the awkward silence that ensued only thickened as he turned and left the room.

I sat there, momentarily stunned by the conversation and the abruptness of how it ended before I cursed aloud for him to hear, "And pineapple doesn't go on Pizza!"

~

The fallen leaves crunched under my feet as they flattened into the forest floor. Pine needles tore at my dress as I weaved, panic-stricken through the trees.

The winter was gone, but replaced with a coldness that chilled me to the bone. Echoes of laughter filled the chasm as I tried desperately to outrun- to evade- him.

Mossy logs and pine trees framed the naturescape, a would be reverie flipped on a precipice- he was back.

Using all of my strength I fought to claw back to reality. Groaning, my body was being depleted, and I could not escape.

Running to the fore, in a directionless haze- I was sprinting. Gashes ripped across my arms as I pushed through the density, scrambling- searching for a way out.

"I'm coming back for you Edie..."

The taunts ebbed closer, teasing me as his voice licked the back of my neck. Goosebumps rose on my skin as I felt him wrap himself around me. Featherlight strokes becoming scratches as he clawed manically before ploughing my back against his chest.

"Did you really think, I'd just so... willingly let you go Edie?"

His breath fanned my neck, his teeth scraping my veins as his words hissed into my ear. Pulling my hair he held me tight against him.

"Fuck you Hale! What the hell do you want from me?!"

"Still impatient I see... but where would the fun be if I gave away all my secrets? Hmm?"

His thumb traced my jaw as he held me in place. I began to scream as I felt his teeth graze against my shoulder as he tauntingly inhaled in anticipation. "It will be all over before you know it."

Blood travelled down my dress like a torrent as his teeth sank into my neck. My hands clawing furiously behind me as I felt his skin gather beneath my fingernails, scraping his face as I tried anything to lessen his assault.

Gasping, my flailing arms clawed out at my attacker. "No! Hale- pl-"

I felt wild and completely out of control as I unleashed. Twisting and turning, my hair whipped across my vision in a fury, my face slicked with sweat as I spat out my words.

"Edie! Wake up!"

Shaking violently, my body was in a state of shock, the urge to vomit overwhelming as I kicked back against the constraints on my arms. "It's not real! Edie! It's... not... real."

I grabbed back at the arms in front of me, panting heavily as I took in my surroundings. Dresser. Curtains. Phelan.

"Ph-Phelan?" My voice quivered as I burst into tears. My head involuntarily burying into his chest as he wrapped his arms around me.

"It was just a dream, you're safe, I promise." His voice was soft, soothing, as his fingers laced through my hair in an attempt to comfort me.

"But how did it feel so real?!"

My question remained unanswered as I nestled against him. I'd become the epitome of what I'd swore I'd never be, but in that moment I didn't even care because of how it felt. It felt so right... it felt like home. He felt like home. I couldn't even muse on how embarrassed I'd be in the morning, because the steady strum of his heartbeat overtook any thought as I fell back asleep instantly in his arms.