Chapter 30
Chapter
Thirty
SIMONA
T he corridors are busy with students talking and rushing to and from class. No one notices me. Not even Bella as she and her group of friends leave the library, giggling and tripping over each other. Which is good, I don’t think I could cope with her right now.
Our little apartment is locked up tight. Opening the door, I find the mixed scent of our excitement and happiness hangs in the air. And even though it’s only been a few short hours since we were here, it feels completely different.
I’m pretty sure Heidi and Raney won’t be returning. I’m not sure what Tris is going to do but she travels so much as it is.
I’ll miss them like crazy, and I’m sure there’ll be days I will feel lonely, but I’d take living here alone than returning home any day of the week. I could easily ask the Torres Pack to stay with them, but I can’t risk showing my hand to the founding families, and Brody, until I know exactly what I want to happen. I mean, clearly, I want out of the pre- arranged packing, but Dominic and I never really got the chance to talk about how that happens.
Before I lose myself in figuring that out, I want to have a shower, wash my hair and get out of the dress.
Koz got everything right for Raney’s big day, including the dress. The colour mimics that mix of lilac and electric blue of wisteria so well, it looks like it was made of petals. Well, when we first changed into them, they did. My dress is ruined by dirt and awful memories.
Twisting to get the zipper, I groan as a sharp reminder of Brody’s latest throttling flares. When I step out of the dress, however, the memory of how the bruise turned into a raspberry-pink love bite becomes my focus. Thinking of Dominic, I suck on my lip. Already it feels instinctual, so natural and wonderful, knowing I’m communicating with my Alpha by toying with his bite.
He responds instantly. Flooding our bond with warmth. But like with words, there’s different meanings. This warm hits like a teasing coax in places that has me blushing.
I sink to the edge of my bed, enjoying his touch, my mind drifting to spending time with them. And then my drive changes from being here to getting ready to leave. After all, I only needed to check with the Omega Mothers and see Tristan.
Discovering I have the ability to adjust our bond is an interesting exercise. It’s strange and takes a couple of times until I find a sweet spot that lets me enjoy Dominic’s presence but also not get distracted by him. Climbing to my feet, I dump my bags on my bed and start digging out my toiletries. Before I can take a step in my bathroom, the phone in the kitchen rings. Wrapping myself in one of the towels, I race to answer the phone, knowing it’s either one of the ladies in the administration office, or it’s one of the Omega Mothers .
Omega Mother Beatrice speaks as soon as I manage a nervous hello.
“Ahh, Simona, the guards just let me know you’d returned. Sorry, I’m bothering you probably before you’ve even unpacked.”
By her tone, my stomach plummets.
“I was getting there. Did you want me to come to the office?” I ask hesitantly.
“Not at all, dear,” she says. I hear her take a sharp exhale before she speaks. “I’m sorry…”
“Oh my god, it’s not Lawson, is it?” I interrupt.
“No. My call isn’t because your parents contacted me, although I suspect you’ll be hearing from them in due course.”
“Really? Why?” I whisper, unease stealing the volume of my voice.
She takes a loud inhale before speaking. “I denied your brother access to you, and to Unity. He was rather unhappy with my decision. In time, I’m sure your parents will not be happy with me either.”
“Oh my gosh,” I gasp, collapsing into one of the chairs in the sitting room. I pull one of the blankets we always have on our chairs to my lap, twisting the fabric between my fingers in my anxiousness. “I’m so sorry, Omega Mother Beatrice. I’ll… I’ll speak with my parents.”
He is not my brother rips through my thoughts in a scream. I forbid you , seals my lips shut.
She talks over the top of my internal dialogues. “There’s no need to apologise on his behalf, Simona. He is an adult. I’m very appreciative you let me know your heat was impending, and that you returned to Unity as you said you would. I trust you implicitly and I hope you know that emphatically.”
“Thank you,” I say, taking a big silent exhale after speaking. I’m shaking with anger with what Brody did, and frustrated to hell that he’s still got so much sway over me. Not power anymore, sway.
Omega Mother Beatrice’s voice alters slightly. “Speaking to you not so much as an authority figure, Simona, more as a concerned friend,” she pauses, and I get what she’s insinuating. “I’d like you to consider speaking with a couple of other friends I have.”
“What sort of friends?”
“Well, one is a lawyer and the other works with the Omega Protection Department.”
“Why?” I ask, feeling suddenly nauseous.
“Sometimes, we find ourselves in situations outside of our control. In those times, speaking out can be a task in itself. Your brother makes my internal warning bells toll. The insistence of the father of your intended Alpha, Mr Henderson, was louder than your own parents, that I provide him with updates on your welfare does the same.”
I squeeze my eyes shut. “Did one of them do something?”
She tuts. “Today, the man who claims to be your brother tried to intimidate me after I refused to entertain his false pleasantry.”
“Really? I am so sorry.”
“You are not the one who needs to apologise. I have told you while you are a student you fall under my protection. And I feel you meeting these other friends of mine, Simona, would be an extension of me doing what is best for my students.”
“I appreciate everything you are doing for me, Omega Mother,” I whisper.
I couldn’t bear leading her down a path for her to discover I’m lying later.
“While I am in charge, any person, Alpha or Omega, who spoke the way these people claiming to be your family are, would get the same treatment from me. I will not tolerate rudeness or aggression towards anyone.”
“Thank you.”
“I’m sorry my decision is going to cause issues. I will meet with your parents to discuss the situation. After today’s events, I have a right mind to ban anyone in your family from stepping even one foot on my property.”
I release a loud, obvious sigh of relief. Which I know she hears because I get one of her hums in return.
“I will let you go.”
“Thank you.”
“And, dear, I noticed you’ve not booked one of our heat suites.”
I don’t know what to say, so I don’t say anything at all.
“I’m not about to talk you out of your decision, Simona, you’ve made it for reasons which only you know. Incidentally, I don’t believe our heat suites are entirely adequate either. If you feel safe, you go to a place where you do. If that is a person or persons, Simona, I want you to know I have faith in your decision making.”
I make an ungodly rasping noise, but it’s that or hysterical sobbing.
“One thing though, I’m still not entirely comfortable knowing you’re thinking of leaving the safety of Unity while he’s probably lurking around somewhere.”
“I have guards. They will be with me wherever I go.”
She makes a little harumph that’s full of ‘told you so’. “Good. Now you just proved a point without actually realising. You’re thinking ahead and protecting yourself. I’ll see you on your return and we can speak some more about those friends of mine that I’d like you to meet.”
“Thank you.”
“Of course.” After a hurried goodbye, she hangs up.
There’s probably no other way to describe how I feel but to say I am shocked. Frustrated too because of Brody’s actions. He’s a complete psychopath, and not in the dark romance kind of way.
I need a shower and a cry before anything else.
I make it to my bedroom door, when Tristan bursts into the room, bringing her usual energy and exuberance although it’s dappled in her residual stress making her a little frenetic.
But it is Tristan, and she looks like the highly successful model she is. I must look like a freak, if I look as crazy as I feel.
You look like shit, what’s wrong? T ristan uses her eyes instead of her words.
Falling apart. Not sure if I’m up or down. Drowning probably. You ? Before I talk, “Are you okay?”
Her lips slightly open, her blue eyes shimmering in her own meltdown. Me? No. I am far from okay. We’re all having a shit day, I think. I hope so. I mean, if this is how things are going to be, I’m done. She smiles softly when she speaks. “Yeah.” Need me to go away or hug?
“I’m so glad, Tristan. I might just dip into the shower real quick and freshen up.”
I spin away, impressed we had a chat and offloaded without actually saying too much. It makes me feel better, but like Heidi before, I’m at the point of no return and my vision gets watery.
“Are you up for a glass of wine?” I tease on my escape back to my room, shutting my door behind me.
I hear her talking still, she’s walking towards me. I fling open my bathroom door, scaring her. “Go. Leave me alone for a second. I need to think, and I can’t do that with you hovering.”
“Me hovering?” She gasps dramatically.
And we both have a wildly manic giggle before it falls away. And before it gets serious, I give her something to do as a means to distract her and to give us both some distance. “One glass of red wine, with ice, and if you can throw some corn chips in the oven, I’ll…”
Tristan cuts me off with a tender touch. “Go, Sim. Have a cry in the shower then come avoid talking about sad shit with me.”
I adore you, Tris . I slam the door on her so she doesn’t have to see the tears wetting my cheeks.
The shower is good, so is the call I get from Ryder. “Hey, are you doing okay?”
“Yes and no. Brody was here. One of the mothers covered for me, but that’s not a great outcome at all.”
“Shit, Sin. We need to get you out of there.”
“I know.”
“Who’s with you?”
“Tris is here.”
“Tris?”
“Tristan Cameron.”
“No shit? You know Tristan Cameron?”
I grunt a laugh, but Ryder stops talking. I can feel him snapping shut in our chat.
“What, Rye?”
“That laugh. I can’t see your face so I’m not a hundred percent sure how to interpret it, but it felt a lot like the next thing you were going to say is that she is the most beautiful person in the world.”
“She is.”
“To the masses maybe. I know she’s a model, Sin, and I know she’s your friend, but I don’t lose my breath or skip a heartbeat when I look at her. Whereas when I think of you, my stomach drops, my heart races. No one compares to you.”
“You don’t have to say that to make me feel better. I know she’s gorgeous.”
Ryder growls. And through our phone call I get an insight of his designation. He hasn’t shown much of his Alpha yet, but in that sound, I get a better understanding of that side of him “I’m telling you, Sin, I can’t see beauty and not see you. And I seriously can’t wait to have more times like this, where I get to tell you over and over again you are my girl, and I think you’re perfect.”
Instead of tears, because I seriously think I have none left, Ryder gets a throaty laugh. But his bold declaration was like unleashing a jar of butterflies inside my chest, sending me soaring with their gentle fluttering.
“I want those times,” I admit.
“Good. Let’s make them happen. Dominic wants to call Unity as your lawyer and have all your family, including Brody pretending to be your brother, and his extended family registered as ‘persona non grata’. Loose legal term that defines people or persons no longer welcome.”
“Okay,” I say, “Omega Mother Beatrice is who he should speak with. And it’s good timing, she called to tell me.”
Ryder smiles, I can hear it. “Sin, I am proud of you. I knew this would be so hard for you.”
“Surprisingly not. I have a newly discovered desire to stay alive.”
He’s quiet and I think our call has terminated. “Sin, please don’t joke about that. I’d be a changed man if something were to happen to you like that.”
I sink into a space of quiet at his sweet declaration. It doesn’t spur me on, but it reinforces the time to start and finish this claim Brody and the founding family have on my future is now.
“Rye, Dominic wrote something in his notebook. We didn’t speak about it but I’m starting to believe it might be the only way to do this.” I shut my eyes not wanting to lose my focus. “I’m scared though. If it works, the only thing I would have is me. ”
“Baby, you are more than enough.”
“I’d have no money, no family…”
“We’ve got money, Sin. And sometimes family are the very people holding you back. Love is meant to be unconditional; it’s meant to be your key to freedom. It’s not meant to be oppressive, nor are those who say they love you meant to hold you back. They’re meant to inspire and protect, push you to be better because they want you to be the best, freest version of who you ever could be.”
“I’m not just scared, Ryder, I’m petrified. What I’m thinking I need to do fills me with guilt, and grief.”
“You know you have three Alphas who are going to be with you every step of the way, right?” His voice is full of the same conviction as his words.
“It’s a lot to ask of you to do.”
“Spending time, caring for you is not an arduous task, trust me.” Ryder chuckles before getting serious. “We’re with you, Sin. And then once you’ve done whatever it is you want to do, we’ll be there with you, making our own way, with you by our side.”
“I appreciate that, and it sounds like a dream come true. I just don’t want to screw this up.”
“And you won’t.”
“I think I’ll always question if doing this was my only option.”
“What are you thinking of doing?” he asks. His voice is tender and without judgement.
Without realising it, he gives me the small burst of courage I need. I’ve been straddling the lines, weighing reasons for and against the path I think I need to take. It’s a big one. Probably the biggest any Omega could make.
I blow out another breath, as if to say it’s right there on the tip of my tongue. But first, I do one last mental recount, ticking off each argument inside my head .
My freedom is the reason and my motivation. The reward at the end: them. Which is a good incentive. But that’s not the reason. In lots of ways, it can’t be either. The only motive is my own welfare, my freedom.
It’s like a key unlocks, which is bittersweet. The implications are forever.
“I want him to lodge whatever is needed to emancipate.”
Ryder sucks in a breath. I get it, I’m still reeling. I managed to say the words. The sense of ‘rightness’ that settles all but confirms this is the course of action I need to take.
There might be less extreme, more conciliatory ways to break away from Brody and the families, but deep down, I know these softer approaches would be a waste of time. It really is an all or nothing situation.
I also have to act before they do, or it will look like my actions are nothing more than a sudden, knee-jerk response. But just as important, I want them to know I’ve thought this through. I want them to lie awake in the darkest hours of night, realising I sought independent advice from professionals because I was scared of them, and the life I was going to have to endure.
They’d ignored me previously; they didn’t listen and never would. Losing Lawson will be a terrible price to pay. But I’m starting to truly see, and finally accept, I lost him the day of his accident. And that hurts enough to make my chest feel tight, but the pain is also confirmation of what needs to be done.
“Should I tell Dominic?”
“No, Sin, he’s right next to me,” Ryder adds. “He heard you, as clearly as Hendrix did. We’re all really proud of you making that hard decision.”
“It was hard. I know it’s what I have to do,” I whisper, my throat getting clogged by my emotions. Mainly fear and sadness.
“The three of us will be beside you, every step of the way.”
“Even when they start telling you what a terrible person I am.”
“They can try,” he growls.
“They’ll do more than try, Ryder. They will tear my character apart and twist everything so people will believe I’m an awful daughter and they’ll probably say things like I’ve been unstable since I was a little girl. Brody will claim I led him on and then say something like I’m jealous and vindictive, and he was worried for my mental welfare and has been forever.”
“Let them,” Ryder insists. “Let them show the world who they really are. We know the real you, Sin. Your girlfriends do too. And the Omega Mothers know you better than the people who birthed you. So let them be themselves, trying to tear us down, and apart, because they are revealing who they are. Then you get to choose what you do next, and who you want to be.”
His speech makes me smile. “You stole that,” I tease.
“Sue me.” He laughs, and it cuts through the tension. “I watch a lot of TikTok and Insta on tour. At the same time, it’s solid advice. The original post is cool, I’m not going to reinvent it when they nailed it the first time.”
“I love that.”
“Yeah, well talking of love, you’ve got three Alphas ready to show you what love is. And how fucking amazing life can be, Sin. Dancing under the moonlight high on life after a show in the most insane places. Drinking too much one night and in the morning having Hen bring you iced coffee and blueberry muffins in bed in his need to care for you and make you feel better. Getting in trouble with Dominic and watching him lose control. All of it is good and will be infinitely better with you by my side.” He smirks; I can hear it. “The things I want to show you, Sin.”
I’m nearly breathless already. "And all I need to do is let them?"
“Such a good girl,” Hendrix’s voice suddenly purrs through the phone.
And I literally can’t breathe. We started this discussion with such a hard and overwhelming topic, we ended it with their version of what life is all about. And I feel no guilt about wanting that. None at all.
I have to squeeze my eyes shut to stop all these dreams playing out in my head. Featuring them of course. “Tristan is here. I’ll spend the night with her, then tomorrow…”
There’s a chorus of rumbling growls cutting off the direction I was going. It works though. Perfectly.
I’m about to rejoin Tris in our living area for wine, and snacks, when there’s a knock on our door.
Tristan throws a ‘wtf’ look my way.
Then it’s my turn to throw a similar look back at her once Omega Mother Beatrice leaves Tristan with an armful of gifts and some very lecture inspired words hanging in the air. Though that fades when Tristan turns and directs one of her sassy looks my way.
“Sim, you sure as hell have some explaining to do. Look at these flowers… They’re incredible. They must have cost more than…”
I don’t need to check who they’re from. They have his vulgar scent staining their perfume.
From my first impression, the bouquet is incredible and clearly expensive. But if you knew Brody like I did, you’d read the mix of flame red and heated orange flowers mixed with tulips and lilies—both symbolic of death—as an obvious threat. Which they are.
He’s sending me messages, forewarning me of what he wants to do, while to the rest of the world he is acting a gentleman.
Instead of accepting the bunch of flowers, I mumble something incoherent at Tris, twisting the lid off the wine and trying to drown my sorrows.
“Get a glass,” Tristan scolds with a gentle rub on my shoulders as she reaches around me to open the oven.
The acrid scent of the burnt nachos as she drops the tray on the sink only reinforces the threat hidden in Brody’s floral message.
My knees tremble and I have to dig deep, pretending everything is okay, diverting Tristan with something resembling a conversation. I couldn’t cope if she found out and went after him, like I knew she would.
“Honestly, it’s lucky you’ve got some money in the bank because I’m pretty sure you’re going to need a live-in chef or something,” I say. It sounds hollow and completely abstract, but it’s the best I’ve got.
Tristan helps me find my footing after being shaken to the core by snuggling up behind me and holding me tight. “Imagine if I could cook, all those poor restaurants and cafes would be out of business.” It’s okay, Sim, I’ve got you. Please tell me what I can do to help you.
Nothing. Promise me you won’t do anything.
Another squeeze, and her bubble-gum scent overrides the charred smell of my fear.
“I was thinking we should order in. I’ll sneak down and get it.” She rubs my shoulder.
But if Brody is still here, toying with my by sending flowers, I want to go out. I need to get out. Tristan may unknowingly hold the key to me running to Hendrix, Dominic and Ryder—dangling right there on her wrist. Call it bestie intuition.
I point the gift bag out to her as a reminder. And that’s all it takes.
I feed into every suggestion she makes. Not even batting an eye when she suggests we go to an MMA event. I stay in that strange, emboldened mindset, full of sass and confidence when I walk out wearing Tristan’s ankle boots and a dress Heidi gave me. The strapless baby pink dress is something every person associated with the founding families would abhor. It fits me like a glove, hugging my curves and emphasising my body. Tonight, it feels like armour.
The look on Tristan’s face when she sees me reinforces how I feel—fierce. It’s clear by the look on her face she’s connecting my outfit to the flowers, and while the two do go hand in hand, it’s not in the way she thinks.
“Let’s go kick some serious butt,” she says suggestively before she spins off and races back to her bedroom. I stay where I am, texting Nigel and Dale, asking them to accompany me. And then I send a group message to Hendrix, Dominic, and Ryder, giving them an update on Brody’s latest move, and also letting them know I’m going out with Tristan, and that I have Nigel and Dale with me.
Going out without them might be the definition of stupid to some, but they mean too much to me. Plus, Dominic has more important things to do. As soon as I know he has lodged the paperwork to commence emancipation proceedings, I’ll feel better prepared for what’s coming. Dragging them into this mess isn’t fair, but it’s also inevitable, considering how we feel about each other. I get messages back from each of them. Of course they offer to meet me, but they also understand I’m safe. Ryder encourages me to keep believing in myself, and honestly, asking them not to come is part of that. I’m finding peace and comfort doing things I deem necessary, and that’s what this is all about.
Tristan is as much a ball of nervous energy as we watch the first MMA fight as I am. But as opposed to her anxiety which is targeted towards the fighters, I’m waiting for Dominic’s call.
“Who are we watching, Tris?” I ask, sipping on water.
She is being coy. So far she hasn’t told me anything about why we’re here. It’s pretty obvious, she’s all eyes for one of the Alphas currently in the cage. Her bubble-gum scent keeps twisting and turning with each round of the bout. But if she doesn’t want to tell me everything yet, I’m not about to push her. I’ll stand by and support her however she needs though.
I snatch her hand to get her attention as a roar echoes from one side of the hall to the other.
“I love you like a sister, promise me you’re safe.”
“Without question!” she screams back at me louder than the crowd’s applause.
One fighter is struggling, and the crowd’s encouragement isn’t for him, but Tristan’s entire focus is. She leaks so many emotions that it’s hard to keep up with them. But sometimes you just need a small push. I understand that in spades. Usually it’s her urging me on, today though, that task falls to me.
I squeeze her hand, and she turns towards me, but her eyes keep drifting back to him. “Go. It looks like he needs a reminder or something.”
Even though she doesn’t look at me, my words clearly reach her. The smile that slowly spreads across her face is all the proof I need. Not many people get to see that smile—or be the reason for it—which tells me he means something to her.
“Stay with your guards,” she insists, seriousness temporarily darkening her stunning eyes.
Tristan watches me as I take an obvious step towards Nigel and Dale. Relief brightens her blue eyes, the colour returning as if a mass has lifted. As she races away, she shouts something back. The laughter that trails behind her pretty much gives away the gist of what she meant.
Then it’s my turn to keep watch. I’m not the least bit surprised by her audacity when she smacks the cage fighter. It’s typical Tris. He doesn’t seem fussed until she holds up an empty bottle. He changes in an instant as he obviously understands her message. I doubt anyone else in the world would.
She returns to my side with a smug look in her eyes, and together we watch him slowly but surely regain the upper hand in the cage. As he fights, Tris starts talking. His name is Maverick. They met on a modelling job. He’s stunning and smells better than okay. They’re complicated but what isn’t? She’ll tell me what’s going on when she’s ready.
My bestie’s eyes don’t stray an inch. Not even when the other guy starts fighting dirty. Her gaze stays locked on Maverick. She giggles under her breath whenever Maverick lands a punch or a kick. She doesn’t even lose her heart-eyes when sweat and blood sprays the crowd.
There’s a point near the end of the round when Maverick seems to falter—until the other fighter slips up, costing himself the match. I miss what exactly happens, though, because just as the crowd erupts in shouts and cheers, my phone buzzes with a text.
I expected it to be Brody. I was not prepared to read the text from Dominic telling me to come home. So many emotions unleash as I reread his message.
Squeezing my eyes shut, I have to focus on slowing down the thunder pounding in my chest. It takes a while to lock out the energy of the crowd, to curtail the rush of jubilation as I sort through the implications of his simple message.
The link Dominic sends in his next message is further proof—a lodgement receipt providing a case number. This case number can never disappear. No matter who the founding families use to try to make it vanish, it will never happen. Dominic’s actions ensure my complaint will be permanently recorded in the government’s systems.
“Tris,” I whisper, grabbing her arm.
The fight has barely finished. Tristan’s excitement is infectious, and on any other day I’d probably latch on to it. But today my needs outweigh hers.
She’s jumping up and down, screaming like the rest of the audience.
“Tris, I have to go.” I barely speak, but she hears me.
Her celebration comes to a grinding stop, and she turns all her focus to me. “Sim, are you okay?”
I nod my head.
I’m not surprised by the flip of her switch. It’s how our friendship works.
Clearing my throat, I speak up louder, clearer. “I have to go.”
“Wow, okay.” She blinks back her surprise. “What do you need? Have you got enough money? Are you safe? Where are you going? I’ll come with you.”
I grab her face in my hands, studying her eyes, wondering how the fates blessed me with such a beautiful friend.
“Everything is fine. I need to go. Will you be okay?”
“Me? Oh my god, yes. You?” Please promise me you are okay. I couldn’t bear it if anything happened to you. You know that right?
I hug her as tight as possible, breathing in her scent. Letting our embrace say the words stuck in my throat. I adore you so much. Thank you for always being so patient with me.
Pfft. You’re patient with me. I’m all over the place. If you weren’t my bestie, I don’t know how I’d do this. She squeezes back.
“Are you sure?” I ask once we finally stop hugging.
Tristan nods her head, smiling like I won the lottery. “If this is what you want to do, Simona, I’m never going to stand in your way.”
I leak happiness, so grateful. “I need to go for me more than anything.” Complete truth. “Plus, if I don’t go now, it will look like I’m full of fear, which I am not.” Still the honest truth, but I’m not sure if I’m talking to Tristan anymore or to myself. “I’m just tired of playing games.”
Tristan doesn’t push me for an explanation. She wraps me up in another of her bubble-gum scented cuddles and soaks me in her love, which is all the proof I need that she trusts me. “Ping me.”
I grimace, already knowing that within a few short hours, I’ll hopefully be busy being knotted for days and unable to speak. “I’ll probably just text you.”
“A lot then. Text me heaps, I mean.”
I take a step away, and the rush of the crowd pops the bubble we were in. “I’ll call you. But go… you’ve got a mystery of your own that probably needs to be congratulated, if you catch my drift.”
“Simona Vanderling, are you seriously suggesting I go make out with that sweaty, muscled up, testosterone charged MMA fighter?” she screeches, her excitement back to fever pitch .
I deadpan her, adding extra sass to my voice. “Look at you go, Tris, putting all the clues together by yourself.”
She laughs, loud and raucously. Completely Tristan.
Together, we race through the basics of the Scorned Girls rules; ping where you are; message or text when you can; if you’re in danger, call; if you need to talk, call; if you need anything, call.
One last hug before I walk away really fast towards the future I’ve always hoped for.