After Marie has all her files, temporary ID, library card, and the same books that I had to get, each several bucks more than when I'd gotten my own, we head back for the room. I had already gotten my permanent ID the day before, and while we got Marie's, I was sure to ask about the classes. For the first semester she and I are stuck with the classes we have now, but after that we can change them up if we'd like and if we can afford it. Since we're in essence taking early classes in our case, not even finishing high school before jumping right in, some things were waved, but they can only go so far. After getting a complete list of the classes and courses they offer, we returned to our room.

"You haven't done anything with it yet? I didn't really get a good look earlier, you rushed me out of here so quickly. Do you have any ideas?"

Plopping down on my bed, I shake my head.

"Not really, I wanted to wait till you got here before I really did anything. We talked about the jobs that were available, which, by the way, you'll have a list of in that packet she gave you. It's not like they update it daily so I'm sure what's listed and what's actually available will vary."

She nods as she sets all the papers on her bed and starts moving all the suitcases around. Unlike mine that's a traditional case, the ones she brought are the luggage style with retractable handles and rollers, which really came in handy as there were three of them, not including the bags attached to them. I'm actually surprised she got away with taking it all on the bus, as from what I understood, you're only allowed one. Seeing me eyeball them, she grins mischievously.

"Mom went all out and paid extra for more cargo space. You'd swear that woman wanted to be rid of me or something."

I smile as well but startle when she jumps up and heads for one of the bags attached to the luggage I propped against her desk.

"That reminds me! I was given some funds that are meant to be spent specifically on our room! Mom had mentioned how when she and Dad had gone to college, their dorms were pretty much empty..."

She glances up and runs her eyes around the room before snorting.

"Looks like things haven't changed much in that department. Though I'm pretty sure some of the stuff in here are extras that they didn't have back then, as the way she described it, they were pretty much given beds, a table and chair, a closet, and that was it."

Looking around the room myself, I count off those items, but add in the bookshelves, end tables, corkboard and dressers. Not sure if one can count the curtains, but seeing as how there's a window above the head of each of our beds with simple blinds and a gray curtain, I'd say it's better than nothing. I'd checked days ago and they do open, but there's nothing outside the window but a thin sill for maybe a small plant or two. The view is nice as it looks over the many trees of the courtyard instead of the parking lot, so that's a plus.

"The two things she recommended we get first thing are appliances we'll have to order online and get delivered, I think. That'll be the easiest way to get them here, anyway. The building having an elevator is really nice, especially with us being on the fourth floor."

Looking at her in question as she pulls out a wallet, she opens it to show not just cash but a credit card as well. I don't ask how much she's been given, that isn't for me to know, but I am curious as to what she has in mind.

"A mini-fridge and microwave!"

My eyes widen. While those are things I had seen in others' rooms, I didn't think too much about it as I figured it was something we'd save for. I had found the kitchen of the building days ago and while not fancy by any means, it's better than most eatery kitchens I've worked in. The fare is simple, and needs to be bought using one's ID. Reminds me much of how some highschools are in that way.

"Wynter?"

Jogging myself out of my head I look at Marie who looks a little concerned before walking over to me.

"Hey, I haven't asked since we talked the other day, but how're you doing?"

Giving her a small smile, I try to recapture the good mood.

"I'm alright, just a little overwhelmed. You and your family are doing so much for me."

I get wrapped in a hug before I can say anything more, the first actual hug she's been able to give me since my back healed. She squeezes any harder though and my lungs will be at risk of bursting.

"We're happy to do it. My family loves you. I love you. You're my best friend."

My eyes tear up and my arms tighten around her as my heart feels as if it's about to burst in happiness. Marie gasps and pulls back in a rush, worry creasing her brows as she releases her hold abruptly.

"Oh my God! Your back! I'm sorry! Are you alright? I forgot...well, I didn't forget forget... Are you okay?"

Her scrambling has me smiling as I nod in reassurance. The reddening of her face has me turning my back to her and raising my shirt to show her so she calms herself. Marie goes silent but I can hear her heartbeat as it thunders in her chest. Mine had done much the same when I first saw it fully healed.

"How... I mean... I thought you guys healed...?"

Lowering my shirt over the scars covering my shoulder blades, the healed slices that bleed down my sides, I turn back to her and manage to pull off a half smile.

"We usually do, unless the injuries are serious. Jay had made sure he cut deep."

"He cut you?"

Shaking my head, my insides clench as I again hear the whistle of the whip before it landed. Over and over.

"No, the day before I got free, he'd used a whip on me for a few hours."

Marie covers her mouth and tears once more fill her eyes, but I shake my head and smile at her, taking her hands in my own.

"Hey, I'm here with you now. If it weren't for you and your family, I really would be lost. I owe you all so much."

The young woman practically jumps into my arms as we cry for some time, getting it all out and out of the way. Once there are no more waterworks to be shed, we part with happy smiles, clearing the tears away.

"They look like wings."

Blinking over at her, she flicks her eyes towards my back before returning her gaze to mine.

"Your scars, they look like a pair of wings going down your back. Maybe we can look into getting a coverup when you're ready?"

I smile at her, having already had that thought before when looking through Sasha's portfolio.

"The first day I was here, I had a run-in with another Loner. She's like me in a lot of ways I think. She's a tattoo artist's apprentice and is majoring in Fine Arts. We already talked about doing some cover work after I'd looked over some of her stuff. She's done some amazing work. Werewolves need a special ink before we can get tattooed, and her shop carries it since this area has a local Pack."

Marie is all eyes and interest as she takes in everything, looking like a giddy school girl all over again.

"We'd talked about her doing the art for a piece for me while the shop owner does the actual tattooing. We haven't gotten too in depth yet, since I haven't shown her what would be getting covered up."

My friend nods yet carries a large smile.

"I'll go with you. Is she nice?"

Nodding, I describe Sasha and my impression of her as well as everything I've learned about her. I also share everything I know about the local wolves as well as those in the dorms. We talk for a good hour before we move on to actually getting our things put away.

When I pull out a copy of the sticker Kalista had made for me shortly after we'd met, I look over to Marie in question. A tribal-like wolf wrapped around a snowflake, thinly outlined in black while filled with a midnight galaxy and bursts of white stars. Instead of a sticker this time though, it's a magnet about the size of my hand.

"Marie? Did you tell Kalista?"

Looking over to me from hanging up a shirt, she looks down at the item in my hand then bites her lip. She fidgets for a moment while I become more and more nervous.

"I didn't tell her where you were or are, no, but I did tell her you were safe. She was so worried. I let her know before I left that she couldn't let on that I told her anything about you as you were worried about involving them. I knew you might get upset with me, but I figured you'd want her to know you were alright at least."

I bite my lip, but eventually nod.

"Thank you. I wanted to tell her, to be able to, but I couldn't. I didn't want to put her in that position. The three of us are really good friends, but she couldn't help without putting herself in danger, and I didn't want her to have to make a choice. Her or Markus."

I hug the magnet to me, heat prickling at my eyes again. Kal was working on a digital art project when she made the design for me. Shortly after seeing her laptop and asking if I'd need one I'd gotten one with my own funds. She didn't think I'd need one, but it turns out I did in the long run as it made working on my other classes a whole lot easier.

"I didn't see Markus at all before I left. In fact there were many people who were gone by the time I left."

Her brows are furrowed yet I just nod, which catches her attention.

"The official move date, from what I understand, isn't for a couple more days, but many of the more essential wolves will go first. I wouldn't be surprised if Markus and Leilan get sent first as part of their Alpha training."

My lip gets caught between my teeth as I think about the young Alpha of Lunar Soul. While the young man is fully capable if he puts forth the effort, I won't be there in the shadows to aid him this time around. I do honestly wish him all the best though, and hope he can avoid any troubles my sister may create.

"What about your family?"

Shrugging, I place the magnet on my desk, well away from my computer. There's no magnetic surface in here yet, but if we're going to get that mini-fridge or whatever, then that's as good a spot as any.

"My parents are the Alpha's advisors, so it'll be up to the Alpha's when and where they go. According to Myth, her actions for spreading that feral rumor had reflected badly on them, yet I got the blame, so I'm not sure if my having gone missing will exacerbate that or not. I am curious to know how they explained that away though."

Marie shakes her head and I get the feeling it isn't anything good and it has my stomach sinking.

"There were a few different rumors going around. At first it was that you were sick and being kept home, then that you ran away. These didn't really get started until after Markus and that Leilan left, I guess. Then I'm sure it was because of the previous feral rumor that the one about you running away came about like wildfire. Kalista and I both had tried saying you wouldn't have done that, but we'd just get shot down."

I wince and mutter to myself. Wolves would know better that 'being sick' was a lie right off the bat, and I doubt most submissive wolves would run off without provocation. So no one asking why I 'ran away' just screams of cover-up. Question remains though is who was covering it up?

"That one guy you had me look for, the same one who marked your back... Jay? Wasn't he part of Mythine's group?"

Blinking and looking up, my brows furrow as I think back then nod as I recall what she's talking about. When we'd correlated before I left, making sure everyone was accounted for before I returned to the house for my things.

"Yeah. Least he was before everything. I noticed when you sent those pictures that he and a few others were making a group away from her."

She nods and sits on her bed, a stuffed animal in her hands as she looks up in memory, a frown creasing her forehead.

"I think there might have been some kind of falling out between them. Not only were they constantly in separate groups, but there was a lot of tension between them."

I stiffen slightly as I recall my last moments with Jay when he'd passed me off to Kent. His actions and words.

"I thought he was acting..."

"Wynter?"

Focusing on Marie's face, my quickened breathing gets slowed as I comfort myself with the knowledge that he doesn't know where I am, nor can he find me.

"Jay. It's messed up. He watched me for two days but had to pass me off because he had to show up for classes. That's when Kent came in. They were both handpicked by Myth, but Kent at least wasn't too thrilled about being there. Jay had arranged for me to get free right under Kent's nose and had made it look like he had a thing for me in the process. He'd bitten me along with the potential of claiming getting brought up, but also that it'd piss off Myth as it'd go against her wants."

Marie grunts but taps on the stuffy's head as she thinks about things, then shakes her own, her eyes taking in my worry.

"Well, I'm not sure how things ended up happening between he and your sister, but it may be he was serious with you, as messed up as that is. That Kent guy was also part of his group. Only know him because I had a couple classes with him. I never saw any of the wolves outside of school, thankfully. I half expected at least someone from your family to show up at the shop at some point, but no one ever did."

I grimace at that but at the same time, I'm grateful. If no one ever went to the bookstore, that should mean Marie and her family are in the clear and not in any way suspect to my disappearance. That's the best I could hope for, so I'm going to take it.

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