=Eloise=

When I pulled up to Clem's place she was sitting on her porch like a child waiting for her lost puppy to return.

"I'll be staying with Dorian tonight." Juliette called out the window.

"That's cool, I'll spend the night here with Clem then."

I got off and Clem smiled over at me.

My sister smiled and waved at us as she drove off, I smiled in return but in all honesty after this afternoon I couldn't help but wonder if my sister was in a good relationship? The two of them just seemed so Stepford, and even his 'goodbye'...a kiss on the freaking forehead, is Juliette his girlfriend or his little sister? Don't get me wrong it's cute and some may see it as romantic...but where's the passion?

Then again who knows, maybe he purposely toned it down in front of me.

I waited until Juliette was out of sight before I spoke up.

"Anybody home?" I asked.

Clem rolled her eyes, "my mom's practically never home and my dad won't get off until closer to 7 tonight." ..."I didn't think I'd hear from you, I was actually really worried you'd decided to leave."

I shook my head, "I don't scare that easily if that's what you were trying to do."

Now she shook her head, "that's not what I meant at all...everything I told you is the truth Lou, all you have to do is verify it with someone and they'll back me up."

"And that's why I need you to do something for me."

She remained silent so I continued.

"I need to see Rocco, if what you said is true about the wolves and that whole mate thing then he won't have any choice but to tell me the truth...plus he isn't from this town...so if you are fucking with me, chances are he won't be in on it." I said honestly, "So I need a ride and an alibi."

She rolled her eyes but nodded. "Look I'll cover for you, no problem...but I can't just drive you over to Roc, his pack would lose their shit and word would get back to my Alpha who in turn would lose his shit...and you haven't seen Dorian pissed off."

I nodded and then pulled out my cellphone.

After talking last night I had taken the liberty of saving Rocco's number, I hesitated at first but then pressed his name before putting the phone to my ear.

It didn't take long for him to answer.

"Hart."

I could practically hear the smirk in his voice and I had to fight the urge to smile like an idiot because I knew Clem was watching. "Hey, I need a favor."

The playfulness was gone now, "What's wrong?"

"I was under the illusion that you wanted me to come and see you." I teased.

Clem smirked and shook her head as she now knew who I was talking to.

"I'll have someone come and get you, send me your location."

I thought about it, both Clem and my sister had mentioned that Roc and the people of his town aren't allowed on these lands, and weird as it is...I sorta had a deep urge to keep him safe.

"I'll just need someone to pick me up where the two towns meet." I filled him in.

"Done...you really coming Hart or are you just fucking with me?"

At this I actually laughed, I could hear a slight tinge of hope in his words and I was beginning to wonder if this whole mate thing was true. Then again all Clem really told me is that Weres have mates, they can't live happily without them and to hurt their mates causes them physical pain.

"Well I do need my car right?"

I didn't bother telling him bye as I hung up after my last statement, and as Clem had been listening she knew we needed to get going.

She drove with her radio on low, "I can't believe I'm doing this." She said with a sigh. "I'm so fucking dead if Dorian ever finds out."

"Dude chill, he won't find out." I said, "Truth or not, I won't let you take the fall for this, alright?"

She nodded and Twenty minutes later there were no buildings in sight as we drove down a two lane street sandwiched between thick woods.

There was a sign that read, 'You are now leaving Harmond.' and Clem pulled up to the sign and turned off her car. "This is as far as I'll go...I can already see the other car up ahead, set your alarm for twelve minutes, if you don't text me that everything is fine in exactly twelve minutes I swear I'll go to your sister and tell her everything, consequences or not."

I nodded and did as she asked, then I got out of the car and walked forward.

The other car seemed so far away but when I finally reached it I was met by a silent sort of man, "Ms Hart?" He asked.

I nodded and he opened the door behind the passenger seat for me. I got into the car and he closed the door after me before going around and getting in himself."

"Where's Rocco?" I asked worried, had I made a huge mistake?

"Work."

I knew I wouldn't be getting much info out of Frankenstein's monster so I sat back and prayed that I wouldn't be abducted by this stranger.

After driving for what must've been several minutes the trees thinned and soon buildings were visible, but Springwell wasn't anything like Harmond.

Where Harmond is you're picturesque little storybook town, Springwell is more upscale. It had a very big city feel but in a condensed location.

The car pulled to a stop just outside of a local mechanic shop, and somehow amongst all of these mainstream stores, this auto shop seemed to just fit in.

The driver didn't say anything else as I let myself out of the car and walked into the front door.

I looked around and decided to take a seat, some guy finally came up to the reception area and noticed me.

"Sorry about that, hope you weren't waiting too long...how can I help you?"

I stood up, "hello I'm here to see Rocco Wylde."

His eyes went just a little wide, "oh of course...um right this way miss."

He lead me passed the front desk and through a side door that revealed an actual garage where multiple cars were being worked on by various people...it didn't take me long to spot Rocco, and as if I had called his name he looked up right at me and smirked. He signaled for another guy to finish up on the car he was working on as he left it to approach me.

"Welcome to my spot."

"Nice place." I countered, I was a ball of nerves but I refused to let him see that. The guy who initially greeted me silently left us and now it was just Rocco and I, "where's my car?" I asked as the silence between us was growing too thick.

"It's out back ready for pickup, but I'm not really ready to release it just yet." The sounds of the work being done was a little overwhelming and he must've sensed it too "how about we go to my office and talk."

I nodded and followed him up a set of stairs. As I followed him my cellphones alarm went off and I turned it off and text Clem.

[Eloise: Alive and well, won't need a ride, getting my car now.]

She didn't text back.

Once inside Rocco's office the sounds from the mechanics were drowned out. "Sound proof walls." He filled me in knowingly as he began to step out of his mechanic coveralls.

I nodded.

"So...I'm usually better at this sort of stuff, but I'm really glad you came by."

"Well you know, I met this guy on my first night here, told me I should come by and visit the town sometime." I offered playfully.

He smirked, "don't make me jealous Hart."

I could feel the heat on my cheeks, but I knew before I let myself be consumed by this guys good looks and super charming personality I had to get down to the real reason I came by.

"So I actually wanted to talk to you about something." I confessed.

He leaned against his desk and folded his arms over his chest. "What's up?"

With a deep unsure breath I decided to just let it all come out, if Clem was fucking with me then he'd more than likely laugh his ass off and I'd hate her forever.

"Two questions really...are you a werewolf and if so, am I your mate?"