"Say it again."

Edith paused inspecting the air conditioner which was unnaturally cold for some reason, and shot me a look which made me grin even bigger.

"Please???" I clasped my hands together, getting up from the bed, walking towards her. She took a step back, and raised an eyebrow at me.

"I need to take a shower and you need to take one too." Edith pointedly scrunched up her nose at me, looking up and down.

"You're saying I stink?" I asked, appalled. Not her though - a calming vanilla infused lilac scent I could never get over. "You definitely do not need a shower."

Edith sighed, checking outside the window and crossed her arms.

Reggie gave us some spare clothes that were on hand- t-shirts and sweatpants.

The clothing swallowed Edith up, "I'll need a new pair of clothes soon."

"I think you'd look beautiful wearing a trash bag."

"Are you comparing this to a trash bag?" Edith gestured to her huge clothing, but I could see her smile breaking out. 

After telling me everything- I was pissed off, happy and then pissed off again- Edith seemed to relax around me even more. My anger is brewing within me, but having Edith with me eased the resentment.

Because if I ever saw Silas myself, I'd let Salvatore take over in a blink of an eye. Silas would be dead in a blink of an eye. Literally.

I chuckled, "My cue to leave and take a shower." I walked towards the door, biting my tongue not to make some corny let's shower together joke because Edith would 100% not let me back in the room again. And just thinking about Edith taking a shower, I swallowed hard almost sprinting out the room, my hand on the knob, ready to take a cold shower before I froze hearing her voice.

"I love you," Edith stated simply and so easily, creating an ever greater ache in my chest. Her deep dimples pop out and I'm already walking back to her, like a magnet. The mate bond deepening, her scent driving myself and Salvatore in a craze.

 She definitely looks at me differently. I don't know how much happier I can feel about it. 

"Oh yeah?" I smiled down at her, almost towering over her as I wrapped my arms around her waist, wanting to drown in those dark brown eyes. I don't think I'd ever get tired of her saying it to me because the thrill of her saying her true feelings is like some kind of aphrodisiac.

She bites her lip, and ducks in my chest, embarrassed. "You make me feel like I can do anything. You make me feel safe, more than I ever have in a long time."

"Serenity," I told her, and she leaned back, looking up at me. "You make feel serene and calm because -" I lifted my hand to my head, pointing to my temple- "I have so much noise in here constantly but whenever I see you, your entire presence calms me. Actually calms crazy Salvatore down." 

She laughs melodically and shakes her head getting back to business, "I need to shower now."

Screw it. I take my chance, "Can I-"

"Absolutely not."

"You didn't even know what I was going to say!" I argued, but grinned. "Worth a shot?"

"No."

"Not even close?"

Edith pretend to think about it, "West maybe your persistence of asking to take a shower together one day in the very far future might come true."

"Far future?" I winced.

"Keep it up and we'll see how it goes."

"Did I tell you how much I love you?" I kissed her forehead.

"Go. Now."

I saluted to her, but not before seeing her blush.

I took the shower in 15 minutes, getting high off of...love, I guess you could call it.

Both Wyatt and Theo were still taking naps.

I went to were the hotel had their own small restaurant and spotted Reggie already sitting at a far corner booth.

Reggie was one of Grandpa's oldest friends. Grandpa kept his circle really small. Only those he trusted for almost his whole life did he keep around him and family. Reggie was hundreds of years old- liked to dress like he was auditioning for Dracula, in all black and fancy high collar black shirts. His dark skin contrasted with his light blue eyes, almost too blue you couldn't see the pupil made him look intimidating if his massive physique didn't.

Which he wasn't to me. Especially since he's watched me grow just like Grandpa has.

I stole some fries from his plate. "Why do you even bother."

 I loved to mess with Reggie. It was Uncle Zeke and I's favorite pastime. Reggie told me that I was literally the exact replica of Uncle Zeke and he didn't know how the world could handle us. He would always tell me, "Your twin in personality is your uncle."

Reggie doesn't even look up from what he was looking at. "West, I'm on guard duty."

"Guarding?"

"Your Grandfather told me that my job right now is to protect you and Wyatt with my life," Reggie is always solemn, he reminds me of Uncle Cole.

"Where is Gramps right now? I tried calling him but he didn't answer." 

He probably kept Reggie updated. It wasn't fair- I was a part of this so I should know. It was childish, but Reggie's look was let the grown ups handle this look.

"Tracking down the rogues. This one's personal." Reggie gazes over at me with those pale blue eyes, softening. "I'd be with him right now too."

I scratched my head, "Aw Reggie is this your way of saying you care about me?"

"Don't let it get to you. Damien is going to destroy anyone that was the cause of your pain. I don't want to know how your parents will react."

"Me either," I mumbled. Reggie also watched Dad grow up too.

"You're alright otherwise? Do I need to get more balm for your silver injuries?" Reggie narrowed his eyes at me. "You feel hurt anywhere?"

"I'm fine as I can be," I shrugged and turned around to see Edith walking over my way.

"Hey," Edith said, looking at both Reggie and I.

"Reggie, this is my beautiful mate Edith. Edith this is Reggie. He's an old family friend," I grin over at Reggie's direction.

"Nice to meet you," Reggie lifted his hand in a wave and Edith said the same thing. "It is truly a sight to see that our little West found his mate. If you ever want any baby stories about West or pictures let me know. I have albums. Damien keeps them all hidden well."

"We have tons too," Theo sat next to Reggie and Wyatt sat next to me. "West was so cute back then." They went in on a conversation about me and Wyatt.

My phone buzzed and Grandpa sent me a text:

My heart dipped, thinking about them knowing what happened to me.

I sighed, and leaned back in my chair to take a moment to see Edith, Wyatt and Theo as they were talking to each other and laughing: simple teenager wolves without the stress of some rogues trying to kill us.

"How are you doing?" Wyatt's quiet voice made me feel sad all over again. I'd do anything for Wyatt. He was everything that was good and pure in this world.

Slapping him on the back, feeling good for the first time in a long time- I told him honestly, "Really really good."