The lunchroom buzzed with conversation. Everyone was excited and sad to be back at school; the extra weeks of break had energized them. Sol sat next to me, chatting with Julie on her other side. Emmett and Allie sat across from me; Emmett was talking to Sulien about girls, while Allie read. I pushed my food around my tray, uninterested in school or gossip.

"Earth to Missy," Sol said, waving a hand in front of my face. I snapped my head toward her. "You've been spacing all day."

"Sorry," I said. "Just a bit tired, I guess."

"I can make you feel energized," Emmett said with a wink. An empty water bottle flew at his head. Everyone looked at Julie.

"Shut up, you hoe," she said, rolling her eyes. "You know Maddox is her mate!"

Sol smacked her arm. Julie's eyes widened; she clearly hadn't meant to say that. I sighed. They were trying to be sensitive about Maddox's absence, but it didn't really matter.

I looked back down at my tray, my shoulders slumping. I'd slept horribly, even with Sol in the next room. I'd held Maddox's pillow all night, but it wasn't the same. We hadn't been apart much lately, except when Warwick held me captive. I was so used to him being there; being alone felt awful.

Sulien nudged my arm. "Maddox is a tough dude. You shouldn't worry so much. He'll be back, and I bet you guys can get excused from school to make up for lost time," he joked.

I could almost hear Sol rolling her eyes. "The important thing is to focus on school," she said. "We can all come stay with you whenever you want. It's not like we have parents bossing us around. We won't let you be lonely while he's gone."

"Thanks, guys," I said softly. Everyone slowly returned to their conversations. I looked up and locked gazes with Allie.

"I'm sorry," she mouthed. I nodded and gave her a tight smile.

As lunch continued, everything felt suffocating. The school's energy and excitement were overwhelming. A few minutes before the bell, I got up, taking my tray of uneaten food.

"Where are you going?" Sol called.

"I'll see you tonight," I called back, waving. I dumped my tray and headed to my locker. I needed to leave. I know I told Lea I'd focus on school, but I'd had enough.

I wrenched open my locker, grabbed my bag, shoved in my first two periods' books, and slammed it shut. I headed for the front door, head down. No one looked twice as I walked out and down the sidewalk.

The closer I got to home, the more frustrated I grew. Maddox and I were supposed to be at school together. I finally had friends, and school was supposed to be easy this year. But all I could think about was Maddox and where he was.

I'm not an Alpha, and I'm not mated to one. I wasn't supposed to deal with this. I just wanted to meet my mate and live quietly in the pack; I didn't want my mate running off on dangerous spy missions and torturing vampires.

By the time I got home, I was in a frenzy. I threw open the door, dropping my bag. I didn't know why I was so angry, but I was. I paced, unsure what to do. How had it all come to this? Last year I was a nobody, trying to avoid Vlad.

Vlad. Vlad.

This was all his fault. If he hadn't led Warwick to us, if he hadn't gotten me kidnapped, none of this would be happening. He lied to me for so long. He endangered everyone I love. He kept me from finding my real mate on my birthday!

My frustration turned to rage directed at Vlad. I wanted to get my hands on him. I wanted to hurt him. Then it hit me: I could!

I grabbed my phone and quickly scrolled to Austin's number. He'd told us many times that Vlad wanted to see me; surely he could help me now. The phone rang until it almost went to voicemail. Finally, Austin answered.

"Missy?" he said, out of breath. "Aren't you in school? Is something wrong? Did something happen?" He fired questions at me while breathing hard.

"I was at school, but I left," I said. "Why are you breathing so hard?" There was a loud thump, then a groan.

"No reason," he huffed. I thought I heard someone in the background. "Why did you leave school?"

"Bad day," I said. "But that's not why I called. I need your help."

"You can't just leave school! You know Luna will have my head if I don't tell you to go back," he said.

"And you told me. I'm politely refusing. Call it a mental health day. Now, are you going to help me or not?" I asked impatiently. I was trying to hide my anger; I didn't know if he'd get me to Vlad if he knew I'd punch him and possibly let Holland take a chunk out of him.

He sighed. "Is this super important? I was in the middle of something."

"Well, we're both more susceptible to Alpha and Luna wrath if we wait too long…" I said.

"Missy, what exactly are you calling about?"

—

"Kid, I don't know if this is a good idea anymore," Austin said as we walked toward the prison.

"You said he kept asking to talk to me. Just let me talk to him," I said. "I need to do this. I need closure." I batted my eyelashes. Austin threw his head back and groaned.

"You damn Blackfur kids. Look, if your parents get mad, you're taking the blame," he said. "And to think Abigail was doing the 'bendy thing'," he muttered. I internally gagged; I didn't want to know what that was.

The guards let Austin through, giving me skeptical looks. I kept my head down and stayed close to him. Half the reason I'd never visited Vlad was this place. It also never felt right with Maddox.

It felt like forever before Austin stopped in a hallway and turned to me. "Okay, I'll open the door and let you talk to him only because I know you too well to think he could hurt you," he said. "But I'm staying close by. Make it quick." I nodded.

My heart pounded. I hadn't seen Vlad since he'd visited my cell in Warwick's mansion. My anger-fueled confidence was slipping. Maybe this wasn't a good idea.

We reached the end of the hallway, where Austin unlocked a door. He stepped back, letting me enter. My gaze was on the floor; I slowly looked up to see Vlad sitting on the bed, shocked.

"Missy?" he said in disbelief.

I nodded curtly. "Vlad."

"I can't believe you're here," he said, scrambling to his feet. "I was losing hope."

Austin walked away, leaving us alone. I looked away, emotion clouding my vision. I took a deep breath. "I thought it was time to clear the air," I said.

"I'm so glad you came. I haven't stopped thinking about you since…" he trailed off. He took a step toward me; I stepped back. "I don't know where to start," he said quietly.

I couldn't look at him. My anger and frustration were mixed with hurt and sadness. Vlad had been my rock; I thought he would be my mate. I was so wrong, and I'd let him hurt me terribly.

"Missy, say something," he whispered.

"I came here on a mission," I said, looking around his tiny cell. "I wanted to hurt you. I wanted to give you back some of the pain you caused me." My eyes landed on him. He was paler and thinner. He looked sad. "I was going to hurt you so I could walk away and never look back."

I touched the mark on my neck. Vlad's eyes followed my hand; I saw hurt flash across them. "Now, I just don't get it. I don't get how you could be so cold, so heartless, yet the best thing in my life? Am I that stupid? Or just blind?" My voice was rising. I hadn't planned any of this. I just wanted to hit him and get it out.

"Missy, I—"

"You did this!" I pointed at him. "You messed it all up. You brought that stupid vampire to us, endangered my mom and baby sister, got my brothers kidnapped, and almost got me killed! Now my mate is off tracking down the bastard so my dad can kill him! How can you cause so much calamity with no remorse?"

"I do—"

"And then you're just going to ask me to come here repeatedly? Why? Haven't you hurt me enough? Haven't you done enough? How did I not see it all that time? For two years, you were spying on our pack, and I never knew." My body was shaking. I couldn't tell if I was mad or upset; it was all coming out at once.

"Missy, please, calm down," he said, raising his hands and stepping forward.

"No!" I shouted, stepping back. "Don't touch me!" Vlad stopped.

"Okay, but I need you to know that I regret everything I did," he said. "I hated every minute of what I was forced to do. I never thought there was a way out. I never wanted you to be hurt, and that is why I did it."

I looked away. "I don't know who's the bigger idiot, you or me."

"It's me, and it always will be. I should have gone to your father in the beginning, and none of this would have happened. Missy, I am so sorry I hurt you and your family. I know I don't deserve your forgiveness; all I wanted was the chance to apologize now that you're safe."

I crossed my arms, blinking away tears. Vlad continued, "I can't say I'm glad Maddox is your mate, but I am happy that he makes you happy. You deserve the world, Missy. Anyone who can't see that is an idiot; I was an idiot. I hope Maddox gives you everything you want in life."

"If he survives this mess," I shot back angrily.

"I hope he does," Vlad said. His expression was sincere. "You don't deserve to lose your mate."

I was wrong to come here. I should have stayed home and eaten ice cream. I looked at Vlad, closed the distance, and watched his eyes widen. Then I raised my hand and slapped him. The sound echoed.

Vlad didn't move. He just stared at me, and I stared back. Then I hit him again. I kept hitting him, and he took it. Then hands closed around my wrists.

"Missy, that's enough," Austin said loudly. I froze, gasping. "That's enough."

Austin gently released me and stepped back. Vlad cupped his reddened face. I turned to leave.

"I'm sorry," he said again. "I will never be able to make up for everything, but I am so sorry. Your mother asked for my help, and she offered to help me get out. I helped her but told her I deserved to stay. They can keep me locked up for life, and I wouldn't fight them. I deserve it. I'm sorry, Missy."

I didn't look back as I left his cell and strode down the hall. I didn't wait for Austin; I wanted out. I quickened my pace, almost running. When I reached the outside, I didn't stop. I went straight for the trees, shifting into my wolf.

I needed to run. I needed to clear my head and regain control. Maddox had been gone for 48 hours, and I felt lost.