A/N: double update today because you guys are awesome and I felt like it.

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*Annabelle's POV*

I sighed as I placed the final worksheet on the completed pile. I should really stop making material that I have to grade, there must be other ways to teach geography.

The past few weeks flew by, and Christmas break was now only one and a half week away. I had finished all that I had to teach the kids, so only my Christmas lessons were left on the agenda.

After checking my phone, I realized I got a text from Fred asking if she wanted to lunch with me, so after telling Adam, I was off.

"So how are you holding up?" I asked her after we gave the waiter our orders.

Fred shrugged, "Still getting used to all of it, but I guess it's getting easier."

"I'm glad. You went back to the pack the other day, right?" I continued.

"Yeah," Fred said with a nod, "I wanted to talk to more people and learn more. It was terrifying but I lived."

I chuckled. "They're really not dangerous, especially if you're part of their pack."

"I'm not part of the pack yet, though. Apparently, they only consider you part of the pack after you've completed the mate bond." Fred explained as she stirred her coffee.

I hummed, "That sucks. How is that going though?"

Fred immediately turns red, so I know I've hit a jackpot, "I've been thinking about marking, but I'm not sure."

My hand goes to my neck out of instinct, "It's not bad at all. I never felt any pain."

"I know it doesn't hurt... it's the principle, I guess. The mark is like a wedding ring you know? I'm 23 years old." Fred says with a sigh.

I smile, "Mate bonds work so differently than normal relationships. Adam told me I shouldn't really compare it with marriage, since mate bonds are apparently even more important than that."

"Doesn't help my reservations on marking." Fred points out.

"I know, for me it didn't really feel like I was getting married. There is something called the mating ceremony, that's more like a wedding. It just felt like I got closer to Adam, I guess. I can mind-link him now and feel the sparks when we touch, that's basically all that's changed." I try to reassure her.

We pause our conversation as the waiter comes with our lunch. As we inhale the food, we don't speak much, eventually, Fred speaks up first. "It's just a big commitment, you know?"

I nod, "Oh yeah, I've been thinking about completing the bond, it all feels so real."

"How's that going? You're a step ahead." Fred asked.

I sigh, "I don't know. Adam and I are doing great, but I know he's just waiting until I'm ready. I also found out that heat returns every two to three months, which will be soon. I don't know about it all."

"Heat?" Fred inquires and I nod, realizing she probably doesn't know about that yet.

"Apparently it's a way wolves are forced to complete the bond. It usually doesn't happen to humans, but since Adam is an Alpha, I'm an exception. Basically, heat sucks. It's like your period, but ten times worse. Your entire body hurts and you have this high fever. Your hormones also go crazy." I explain.

Fred scrunches up her nose, "That sounds like a great time." She says sarcastically.

I groan, "Yeah... Adam thinks it will happen again around Christmas. How will I survive my family when I have a high fever and everything hurts!?"

"Does completing the bond fix it?" Fred asks.

I nod, "It does. Adam doesn't want to complete it just to avoid heat though."

"What do you want? It's about your feelings." Fred takes another bite as she looks at me.

I starts picking at my food to distract myself, "I don't know. Some moments I feel ready, others I'm scared. It gets confusing."

"I get that. Maybe you should talk to Adam about it." Fred suggests before taking another bite.

I sigh, "Adam is so set on waiting for me. I know he'll just tell me we'll wait until I'm a hundred percent sure."

"Can you talk to anyone else? Your sister has a mate too, right?"

"She does. She completed the bond within a week." I spoke.

Fred's eyes widen, "Damn... maybe not Isa then."

I give Fred a smile, "I think I'll just have to think about it a bit longer. I think Adam is right in a way, I'll have to be completely sure of it."

Freddy nods and gives me a pat on the shoulder, "You'll be fine. If I know anything it's that Adam loves you. That guy would probably go through hell and back for you, so I know he'll respect your decision no matter what."

"Yeah, same goes for you. Jasper looks at you like you're some form of treasure." I say with a laugh.

Fred rolls her eyes, "He's been acting like a lost puppy lately. I think running from him hit him harder than I thought."

I laugh even harder, "It gets worse after marking. Adam told me they get the most possessive and clingy after marking and mating."

"Oh great... are you sure Adam isn't just clingy and is covering it up with an excuse?" Fred asks with a groan.

I chuckle and open my bag, grabbing the book Adam gave me. "This is a book with a bunch of info about mates."

"Should we be looking at it out in the open?" Fred asks quietly.

I blink and look around. Maybe this is a bit suspicious. Fred laughs, "Let's finish our food and then we can do some reading. I'd love to learn more about it all."

I nod and put the book away again. I decide to change the subject, asking Fred what she'll be doing for Christmas.

"My family is going to France again this year, but I decided to stay here. There is so much going on, going to a foreign country is too much to handle right now." Fred says.

"I get that. Are you celebrating with Jasper?" I ask.

"I don't know. Do they celebrate Christmas?" Fred wonders before taking another sip of her coffee.

I frown, we've never really talked about that. Adam just goes along with anything I say. "I don't know actually... maybe it's some sort of pack celebration?"

"I'm not sure if I can handle that." Fred says nervously.

I chuckle, "I bet Jasper will do whatever you want."

"Probably... what about you? Oregon?"

I nod. "We're staying at Isa's house. Last time dad caught us sleeping in the same bed and Adam apparently can't sleep without me next to him."

"He can't?" Fred asks with a bewildered expression.

I grin, "Speaking of clingy boyfriends. Jasper is nothing compared to my Alpha. He can't sleep without me next to him and he calls me as soon as I'm one minute later than usual. I swear he acts like my mom sometimes."

"Damn... so you're hiding at your sister's house so you can sleep in the same bed?" Fred asks with amusement on her face.

I chuckle and nod. "Yup. My poor baby."

We finish our food and I link Adam that we're heading towards Fred's apartment to read. He told me he was going to the gym to work out and we cut the link after that.

Fred's apartment is pretty small. Much smaller than mine. She always told me she wants to keep saving money before buying an actual house. The small space here saves on rent.

Besides the size, Fred's apartment is pretty cozy. Her walls are a simple white, but Fred has a lot of plants and cute décor items. She also has enough space for her cat, who was sleeping on the bed when we came in.

Fred was interested by the book. Most of the information I already knew, so I just added some information for Fred to help her out.

Eventually, Fred started skipping a few pages that didn't really had anything to do with her. I generally didn't mind; I had already read the chapter about Alphas and Lunas and their mating process. Fred started reading random pages and I asked if it would be ok taking out the diary to read that.

We spend our time like that before Fred spoke up. "Hey, didn't you say that Adam wasn't a rogue anymore since he has you now?"

I nodded, "Yeah, why?"

"It says here only a complete bond can prevent a wolf from going rogue." Fred says.

My eyes widen, "What?"

Fred looks at the book, "Even though meeting your mate when rogue can prevent the wolf from going fully rogue at first, and even bring him back for a while, only a complete bond can stop the process. If the bond is not completed, the wolf will still have to fight against the feeling of going rogue." She reads.

"Adam said he was fine though." I mumble as I look at the book, as if to confirm the words are really there. Much to my dismay, it actually did say that completing the bond was the only way to save a rogue.

"Maybe he didn't want to tell you?" Fred suggests.

"But why wouldn't he? He hasn't lied about things like that before." I wonder.

"He probably didn't want to worry you. If he doesn't want to force you into completing the bond because of heat, he wouldn't want to complete the bond for this reason either."

What Fred said made sense. Ever since I told him about my ex, he's been so worried about forcing me into things, he might have gone a bit overboard. After all, going rogue is definitely something we should have discussed.

I sighed, "Sometimes, he's such an idiot."

"In a way, it's sweet he'd want to wait for you." Fred says.

"It wouldn't matter if I'd wait too long and he'd go rogue though." I counter.

Fred shrugs, "I guess you and Adam are having a talk tonight."

"Oh yes, we will." I say firmly.

We continue to read and talk and eventually say goodbye to each other.

I make my way home next to the woods. Fred's apartment is right next to them, and I always prefer the scenic route home.

As I walk, I keep thinking about what we read. Maybe I should just complete the bond... what reasons do I have to wait? Heat? What happened with my ex?

I really shouldn't let him control my life, and I know that Adam is nothing like him. I really don't have anything to fear. Besides, I don't want Adam to fight against going rogue.

I groan and look around the woods. It is cold out, but I'm prepared with my warm jacket. It snowed again last night, so most of the snow is fresh and looks pretty.

I stiffen when I hear a sound, but don't think much of it at first. That is, until I feel eyes on me. I don't know why I have the feeling. I've never been good at sensing people looking at me. But right now, I'm certain someone is looking at me, and it's unnerving.

'Adam?' I link.

'Yes, love?' he replies back immediately.

'Are you messing with me?' I ask him.

'No? What's going on?' Adam asks, sounding slightly concerned.

'I'm on my way home through the forest and I think I feel someone staring at me...' I reply, trying to sound confident. I know how protective Adam is, and I don't want him to freak out over nothing. 'It's probably nothing.'

'Do you have your silver?' Adam asks.

I reach for my necklace, 'Yes... Adam, don't worry about it. It's probably just a rabbit or something.'

'I'm on my way. Stay alert and keep me updated.' Adam speaks up.

I let out a soft breath and look around. There is nothing out there. I'm just working myself up.

I keep repeating that mantra but flinch when I hear another rustle. It appears my mantra wasn't true. A dark grey wolf comes out of the bushes, baring its teeth at me. I gulp and take a step back, and the wolf follows my movement.

Great, now what?

I think about running for a split second before I remember Adam's words.

'Only run from a wolf when you know what you're getting into.'

I clench my hands around the necklace and pull it from my neck, breaking the chain in the process.

Adam is on his way; I just need to stall.

I open the necklace and take out the silver dipped pin, the wolf growls at the thing, so I take that as a sign to hold it in front of me in protection.

The wolf continues to stalk towards me, and since I'm stalling, I slowly take steps back, hoping to god knows who that I won't hit a tree and cage myself in.

Sadly, the wolf becomes impatient. And in a moment of clarity, I manage to use Adam's training and jump out of the wolfs way, I see an opportunity to silver the animal and go for it. The silver hits, and the wolf let's out a menacing growl, but in the excitement of hitting him I forget to dodge his next attack and I get hit full force with a claw.

I cry out in pain as I look at the damage done. My jacket quickly gets drenched in blood and panic at the sight.

'Anna! What's happening!?' A concerned Adam links.

I gulp, 'Please tell me you're close.' My eyes meet the wolf's brown eyes. They seem familiar, but I can't place it. The blood keeps seeping from my stomach, and my vision get's blurry.

'I'm almost there. Are you ok?' Adam asks.

I try to get up, but my body fails on me. Crap! Why didn't the silver work? It was supposed to take a wolf down for a bit, but the animal in front of me doesn't seem bothered.

Maybe it's not a werewolf?

I take in my blurry surroundings and realize that Adam isn't going to be on time.

I look at the wolf one last time before linking Adam, 'Brown eyes. The wolf has brown eyes.'

After that I black out.

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Uh... sorry about that?

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