Sorry that this chapter kind of moves slowly but it will pick up in the following chapters! And thanks so much to the people who favorited and followed!

I woke up at 5 in the morning. Just my luck! I grabbed my half packed bag and went to the bathroom. I threw in a deodorant, toothbrush and toothpaste, brush, and my retainer case. I've had my retainer about a year now and I still questioned its importance but my father threatened me if I didn't wear it so I obliged. I yawned and shuffled to my closet, picking out which shoes to bring.

Since we were going to Arizona and Arizona was mostly a desert, I went with my brown work boots and my favorite high top Converse. Last night, I grabbed every single pair of jeans I owned, which was only four and threw them in my father's police duffel bag. Now, I shuffled around in my t-shirts trying to find something comfortable. I opted for four short sleeved V-necks, two long sleeved thermals and two plaid button ups. Arizona's weather was said to change in a heartbeat so I planned for both extremes plus we might go out at night in the cold.

I looked at the clock and noticed only 45 minutes had passed. I jumped in the shower and took my time just standing in the warmth of the cascading water down my back. When I began pruning I turned off the water and grabbed the towel hanging on the towel rack. I dried myself and pulled on a pair of khakis and grey V-neck with my favorite red hoodie. Now it was 6:15 and I mentally prepared a checklist of things I could do in the time before heading over to Derek's.

My dad would be awake in less than an hour and be heading off to work so I had to do something quiet for the time being. I pulled out some school work I would be missing but soon gave up realizing I couldn't think this early in the morning. I tried tidying up my room; throwing stray pieces of clothing into their respective drawers, placing books back onto the shelf and throwing away useless papers on my desk. It was getting close to 7 and I heard my father moving around in the room across the hall.

I knocked on his door and waited for the grumpy response. "What" he mumbled as he pulled the door open. I just smiled back at him. Sure, he wasn't much but he was still my father and the only parent I had left. He opened his eyes wide waiting for a response.

"Oh, right! I just wanted to let you know that I'm going on a trip this week so don't worry about me and I'll see you when I get back" I turned around and walked into my room. Before I could shut the door he walked in behind me.

"What do you mean you're going on a trip this week?"

"I'm visiting Arizona for a research project. I promise to call you every night and tell you all about it when I get back!" I really hoped he would be fine with that explanation and of course he was. Even though I got in trouble a lot and lied to him a lot my dad seemed to think I was trustworthy. He blinked lazily and shook his head as he groggily walked back to his room.

I went downstairs and looked in the pantry for some travel foods but couldn't find any. The only thing we bought was microwavable or cooked on the stove. I would just ask Derek to stop before we left.

I sat in the living room channel surfing until it was time to go. I even left early since I didn't have anything to do. So at 7:50 I headed over, I threw my bag and neck pillow in my trunk and slowly got in. I looked at my house and sped off towards Derek's.

I arrived 15 minutes later and sat outside his door not wanting to make him grumpy before the trip even began. I played Flappy Birds for a while and I tried to swear quietly under my breath. I hadn't even noticed two huge feet standing beside me. As the bird hit the pipe, I heard someone clear their throat. I looked up slowly. "Oh hey there Derek!" I quickly got to my feet and tried to stand as straight as possible but I don't know why, probably because Derek was half a foot taller than me and seemed really intimidating.

"Is there a reason you're sitting out here instead of coming inside?" He walked back inside before hearing my answer. I trailed after him trying to explain but not finding the right words.

"I, uh, didn't want to disturb you. So, I, uh, thought I would, uh, wait until 8:30!" It all came out in a jumble and I wasn't sure if I had actually said it or not. Derek grabbed a bag off the table and motioned for me to follow him outside.

"You should've just knocked. I was waiting for you to come so we could leave. We could've left a while ago! The only reason I knew you were here was because you started swearing about a digital duck" he wiped his sleepy eyes and trudged the last steps down to his car. I ran to my car and grabbed my bag and pillow and hurriedly walked over to Derek as he awaited my stuff to be put in. "You can get in. I'll be back down in a minute" he was gone in a second. I sighed. What did I get myself into? Well, whatever it was I couldn't turn back now.

I climbed into Derek's black Camaro and tried to get comfortable. There was so little room that I had to sit sideways in the seat and lay my head on the middle armrest to be sort of comfy. I waited a while noticing Derek had been gone longer than a few minutes. I was about to get out of the car to check on him when he slowly walked down the stairs, hanging his head in defeat. I rushed out of the car as he collapsed in front of me.

There was a bruise forming around his left eye and his shirt was cut in three places revealing three long gashes in his side. His jeans were scuffed and his fists were turning purple.

"Derek, what happened?" I leaned down next to him as he his breathing slowed. "Derek!" I didn't know what to do! I pulled out my phone preparing to call Scott but Derek reached out and grabbed my arm before I could finish dialing. "What's wrong Derek?"

"Just get me to the car!" I shook my head sideways. He was in no condition to be driving. "I said, get me to the car!" He barked his order and I hastily dragged him to his feet. I grabbed his waist and hoisted him up until he was haphazardly splayed across my back. It took a few minutes to get him to the car with no help and a break or two. I dropped him in a heap as I opened the back seat. I got in and pulled him in by his wrists. He growled but I didn't stop. If he wanted to get in the car so badly this is how it was going to happen.

I hopped into the front seat and pulled out of the parking garage. I drove for about ten minutes before I stopped at a gas station. I turned around and saw that Derek was unconscious. I started getting out of the car but Derek's whimpering made me sit back down. "Are you going to tell me what happened to you now?" I tried to be patient but it was no use. All my energy had been spent.

"I'll tell you but we need to keep moving!" I heard the urgency in his voice and saw the fear in his eyes. Now, I felt bad for the sour wolf. Because even though he was a powerful alpha doesn't mean he could withstand all the dangers that were coming his way.

I breathed and nodded apologetically. "I'm going to grab some snacks and fill up the tank. Then, we'll be on our way" he nodded and I ran inside. I grabbed chips, chocolate, beef jerky and soda. Then I filled up the tank and we were on our way again to Arizona.