"And now?" Kylie asked, still wondering why the were had paid three pints of blood to have an hour with her.

"Still don't like you," she said matter-of-factly. "But after I saw what you did for Holiday, I don't hate you as much."

"Well, there's a compliment I'll savor," Kylie said, letting a little humor slip into her voice. Fredericka didn't respond.

They arrived at the lake, and the girl stood there and looked out at the water. "I love Lucas," she confessed.

Kylie inhaled and tried to figure out how to play her cards now. Honesty seemed the only way. "So do I."

The were looked at Kylie, anguish filling the girl's eyes. "I know. That's why I wanted to talk to you. While I don't like you, I like her even less. And at least I know he cares about you. Even before you showed up here, he'd mentioned you to me. I was jealous of you even then."

Kylie shook her head, trying to play catch-up with Fredericka's conversation. "I'm not following you."

"I'm talking about Monique. I know he's told you that he can get out of it. But I'm not sure he can. I don't think you should let him do it."

"I'm still not following you," Kylie said, but she already had a feeling she didn't like what Fredericka had to say.

Fredericka just stared. "Shit. He didn't tell you? He said he did and you understood. That damn dog lied to me."

Frustration welled up inside Kylie. "Lied about what?"

"Lucas's betrothal ceremony is tonight."

Fredericka's words bounced around Kylie's head. "His what? He's ... getting married?"

"Engaged, but with weres when you get betrothed, it's written in stone. He thinks he can get out of it, but I don't buy it. You don't just change your mind. And she's a complete bitch. If he goes through with this, he'll be stuck with her for the rest of his life."

"No!" Denial shot through Kylie and anger welled up inside her. "You're lying. You just want to start trouble. You'll do anything to break Lucas and me up."

"You bitch." Fredericka growled. "I'm trying to help and this is what I get? Yes, I've tried everything to break you up. It didn't work. But I'm not lying." She pulled an envelope from her pocket. A small envelope, like an invitation. "If you don't believe me, go see for yourself." She stepped away, and then turned back. "Just make sure you keep your were pattern on, or someone will rip your heart out before they ask questions."

* * *

Kylie didn't want to believe Fredericka. More than anything in the world, Kylie wanted this to be just another one of the were's tricks to come between her and Lucas. Yet the girl was right about one thing: Kylie had to see it for herself.

The ceremony was taking place at another state park around five miles from there. As a were, Kylie could make that run fairly quickly. All day, she considered whether or not to tell Holiday and Burnett, but decided she'd rather ask for forgiveness than for permission. And speaking of forgiveness ... She swore if Fredericka was lying, she'd never forgive her, never trust her again.

But if she wasn't lying ... Kylie wasn't sure she'd ever forgive Lucas.

The ceremony was supposedly happening at midnight. Which made it easy to get away.

Kylie tiptoed out of her room. Della yanked open her bedroom door.

Easier to get away, but not easy.

"Where are you going?" Della snapped, her gaze moving up and down on Kylie. "And all dressed up?"

Kylie didn't know what one was supposed to wear to a betrothal, but her black dress and low black pumps would have to do.

"I need to go somewhere," Kylie said, stating the vague truth. She hadn't told Della or Miranda about this. At first, Kylie thought it was because it just hurt too much. Then she thought it was because they'd try to talk her out of going. Right now, she realized it was because she was worried they might say, "I told you so."

They hadn't been pro-Lucas lately.

Not that Kylie totally believed it yet. But she obviously believed it enough to sneak out of Shadow Falls to find out. But how could she not be suspicious? Lucas never told her anything. And damn, that hurt.

"You're meeting your grandfather?" Della asked, studying Kylie with suspicion.

"No," Kylie said.

Della frowned. "You've been acting weird since you walked off with Fredericka."

"I need to go," Kylie said.

"I'll come with you."

"No," Kylie pleaded. She needed to do this alone.

Della's chest puffed out. "Then tell me where you're going."

"You're not my shadow anymore," Kylie countered.

Della's scowled. "No, I'm your friend."

The honest emotion in Della's voice pulled at Kylie's heart. "Look, I'm going to try to meet up with Lucas." It was the truth-or a form of it.

"I thought you hadn't heard from him," Della said.

"Fredericka told me where he was."

Della made a face. "You trust her wolf ass?"

"Not really," Kylie said. "But I'm going anyway, and as your friend, I'm asking you not to stand in my way."

"I don't like it," Della said.

Kylie paused in thought, trying to find a way to get Della to understand. "I don't like that you're doing work for the FRU, but I respect your wishes."