On Her Professor's Bed: Alpha's Plaything

Chapter One

Thalina

"Don't forget everything I told you, and make sure you send back reports of your progress every week," Father said.

I nodded at him and looked out of the window. I could already see the school, and my reality became clearer than before. I was being sent on a mission for my pack-a mission that could either take my life or the life of the most powerful person in the kingdom, the Alpha King. He was the ruler of all ten packs, and our pack was one of them.

"He has been traumatizing us for years; we need to put an end to it."

Ever since Father told me about this mission, I had been wondering why I was chosen for such a significant task. I always knew Father didn't care much about me, and he always blamed me for Mother's death, but I couldn't understand why he had to send me on this dangerous journey, especially when I just experienced the biggest heartbreak of my life.

"Ember and Fenris will be getting mated soon," Father said, and I immediately turned to him, my eyes wide.

"Wh...what?" I stuttered.

Ember was my stepsister, and Fenris was my mate. I had caught them cheating just a few days ago, and the pain was still lingering in my heart.

I had tried every possible way to get those hurtful thoughts and that agonizing scene out of my head, but nothing was working.

The only good thing about this mission was being away from Ember and Fenris, because just seeing them takes me back to the moment I walked in with excitement and joy to surprise him for the new job he got, only to be welcomed by sounds of moans and cries of ecstasy that tilted my world on its axis, leaving me breathless and confused.

I had the widest smile on my face and my heart wouldn't stop thumping with excitement. I had planned to finally have that first sex with him, one I had been looking forward to. I had watched so many videos just to learn how to do it the perfect way.

I was waiting for the right time-waiting until I turned twenty-one-but soon realized I couldn't wait any longer. I loved him so much that just the thought of waiting more months without being touched by him made my whole body heat up. I wanted him so badly, and that day felt perfect.

I shook my head and sniffled, fighting back my tears. "Not again," I murmured under my breath.

I had spent the next few days crying and wishing everything I saw and heard wasn't true, just as I desperately wished it wasn't true when I walked in on them.

The sight still makes my heart twitch with pain: how he was slamming into her and the cry of her body being filled with pleasure. How he was giving her every single thing I had imagined receiving from him. The way he groaned loudly and called her sweet names, ones he never called me.

I was fucking stupid!

I was stupid to have thought the small things he did were love. He did the bare minimum, and I assumed he loved me just as much as I did. But the fucking dunce was just playing games with me.

How stupid of me not to have noticed! But I was sure I felt that spark, that tumbling and swirling of my wolf inside of me. I was convinced he was my mate.

"They will be getting mated," Father repeated, his voice harder and more serious than before. "You made a scene back there, and the entire pack now knows what happened. It is only right that we get them mated to protect the family's dignity."

"Dignity?" I scoffed.

Why was I the one being fed stories about family dignity? Wasn't Ember thinking about the same dignity when she slept with my mate? And Fenris, the fucking dog who wouldn't keep his cock in his pants and had to get down with my stepsister-I wish him hell!

"You could have come to me to tell me what you saw instead of creating a scene," he continued. "Ember and Fenris want to be together; it doesn't ma-"

"Father!" I chimed in. "Fenris is my mate. He loved me, he-"

"He wouldn't have done what he did with Ember if he truly loved you." He shrugged.

He was right about that. I needed someone to say that to me, someone to talk some sense into my head before it sinks in that Fenris never loved me. It was all a facade.

"You will be sent the notice a few days before the mating ceremony. It wouldn't be right for you not to attend," he said, readjusting in his seat. "We are here," he added.

I looked up to see that we were right in front of the school, and my eyes fell back on him. He had that blank look on his face as usual, the one he always has when he's with me. It was always different with Ember-smiles and laughter.

I looked back at the school, and my heart sank. A mixture of fear and uncertainty gripped me, and I spent minutes wondering if Father was doing this for the pack or to take me out of the family.

No one has ever seen the Alpha King; no one knew how he looked like. Yet, I was sent to kill him.

That didn't make sense to me at all, but I was a girl who lost the right to live for herself and make decisions when I lost my mom. Father doesn't care about my well-being and safety; the only thing he was bothered about was getting the position he had been promised if I succeeded in killing the Alpha King as I was sent to do.

"You are here now; do not get distracted and forget your mission," he turned to me. "I am going to be the pack minister if you succeed in this mission. I am going to be wealthy. You can't afford to fail."

I wasn't sure if that was a threat or encouragement, but I just nodded at him. It was the only thing I could do. I pushed the door open and was about to leave when he grabbed my hand and pulled me back.

I was expecting him to say something nice and wish for my safety, but he cleared his throat and said, "You must attend Ember and Fenris's mating ceremony when it's time. Those two are in love."

I didn't say a word. I pulled his hand away and got out. My bag had already been dropped by the driver. I grabbed it and headed for the school gate, with Father's words ringing in my head.

Thinking about it, they had many reasons for sending me on this mission where they knew it was eighty percent guaranteed that I wouldn't return. If I were back at home, I wouldn't let the mating ceremony happen. Ember and Fenris couldn't live happily after they broke me like this. They couldn't be together after they made a joke out of me.

Silly me! I was so excited to spend my first night with him. I was happy and just couldn't contain it. I had been looking forward to the day, but I wished I had never looked forward to it. If only I had known I would be welcomed with the most heartbreaking and painful scene of my life. Those scenes just wouldn't leave my head; they wouldn't fade away. How could he do that to me?

"You have to drop your bags here, miss. They'll be taken to your apartment later," the man at the gate said to me, and I complied without saying a word. The only thing in my head was that scene of Fenris pounding into Ember with her moans filling my ears. "Scan that code and download the school app; it will help you through your stay here."

I scanned the code and downloaded the app as he had said. My mission was to find the Alpha King and kill him, but I was being sent to a school instead. I was also confused by this until it was explained that I could only enter the royal castle through this school. Every month, the top students in the class would take an excursion to the palace, and I would find the Alpha and kill him. Simple as ABC-those were Father's words after he explained.

"Take this," the man handed a note over to me. "I hope you have your admission form with you?" I nodded in response. "Great! Find his office on the map and get him to sign the last part. You can only be qualified as a student when it is signed," he added and looked up at me with a smile. "Welcome to Wolfhaven College."

I flashed a smile at him, which faded the moment I stepped into the school. Following the map to the office I was directed to, I remembered planning to do a lot of things with Fenris-how I thought I would go to college with him and we would live our best lives. I thought he was as excited as I was, but he never really cared about me; he never loved me. Every single thing he showed me was just a facade, a game he played on me with Ember.

He could have been real with me. He could have just told me he never liked me and not made me believe he did and look forward to spending that night with him. He could have told me the truth and not let me walk in on him like that. Would it have hurt less if he had told me? I wasn't sure it would, but at least I would be free from the sounds that continued to haunt me-the loud moans and cries that kept ringing in my head.

I finally reached the door of the office and knocked, but received no response. After standing there for several minutes without getting any reply, I tried to see if the door was unlocked, and it opened.

I took a step in, stopped, and looked around, but I still couldn't find anyone. I wanted to go back, but what the man at the gate said made me stop; I needed to sign the form before I could be considered a student. I took more steps further and halted at the sound of familiar, heartbreaking yet soothing sounds.

I shook my head, thinking it was the constant sounds that had haunted me ever since I walked in on those two buffoons. But I was wrong, completely wrong when I saw him.

He stood tall, his broad shoulders framed by a white shirt that was untucked and rumpled. His trousers were dropped almost down to his knees. His round and perfectly structured ass made me drool. I never thought a man's ass could be so sexy.

His back was turned to me, and he had one hand gripping the edge of the table for support, while his other hand stroked his cock. I could tell that just from the movement of his hand and the way his head swung back every few seconds, also the raw, guttural moans and groans escaping his lips.

"Yes! Fuck!" he groaned, sending shivers of pleasure up my spine, a thrilling mix of anticipation and desire coursing through me.

I felt my stomach tightening into knots. Oh! God, I had waited for days to have this moment with Fenris, to share this moment with him, to hear him moan and groan like this.

"Oh! Fuck it!" His gentle moans echoed through the air.

I instantly became breathless and aroused.

The tightening in my stomach seemed to loosen, sending my pussy dripping with so much fluid that I struggled to pull my legs together, causing me to stumble over the table beside me.

"Who the hell is that!" His commanding baritone voice filled every corner of the room.

My spine tingled with fear, but it was instantly replaced with thrill and excitement when he turned and my eyes fell on his over eight inches long cock.

My heart skip with delight and my stomach knotted in a burst of ecstasy, my legs became wobbly and shaky just with the thought of having that hard veiny cock deep inside of me.

Fucking hell! I was dripping and fucking wet just by staring at him. This was what I wanted from Fenris but he had to choose Ember over me.

"Why are you late? And are you just going to stand there?" He grunted in frustration, his hand still moving through the length of his cock, stroking it hard and fast like he was going to cum soon.

His shoulder length dirty blonde hair was in waves, which was now messy from swinging his head back and forth while fisting himself.

The scent of his strong cologne gripped me, sending more waves of wetness dripping down my opening and making all my reluctance and confusion vanish.

He was a stranger and a professor in this new school, but I couldn't help it, not with his hard and enormous cock that I just couldn't take my eyes off.

Fuck it! I wanted that in my mouth.

I shuddered at the overwhelming pleasure that completely engulfed my body. I was confused about what he was saying, and wanted to speak, but I couldn't. "Get on your knees and do your fucking job!" He growled. "Your lips are so sexy... I want to fuck it very hard!"

I quivered. Was he really serious right now? Does he really want to do that to me because I was so fucking down for it.

"I hate to repeat myself, baby-girl. Get... on... your fucking knees!"

The dominance and authority in his words guided me to him, leaving me with no protest or reluctance. I thought it would take me forever to get over Fenris, I wasn't able to do with the thoughts of him for days, but at this point, all I could think of was getting filled up by his glistening cock.

Chapter Two

Thalina

When I got close to him, the first thing I noticed was how tall he stood-well over six feet, towering above me and making me feel so small beside him. His presence was so overwhelming and commanding, I could tell he was pthe kind of man who commanded a room without saying a word.

I couldn't take my eyes off his face. He was clearly older, maybe a decade or two my senior, but that only made him more attractive. God! How could he be so hot? Everything about him from his head, down to his cock was one to die for.

The lines around his eyes, the touch of gray at his temples, and the soft groan that escaped his lips-all of it screamed experience. The kind of experience someone like me-innocent and untouched-needed.

I knew this was wrong. He was a stranger, I just met him. Above all, he was a professor, someone I shouldn't even be thinking about in this way. But the magnetic pull I felt towards him was irresistible, stronger than anything I had ever felt. It reminded me of the excitement I once had when I thought I'd share my first time with Fenris-back when I was still naive enough to believe he wanted me as much as I wanted him.

That excitement was crushed when I walked in on Fenris and my stepsister, their bodies tangled together. He had always held back with me-barely touching, only kissing me in ways that left me unsatisfied. He made me think sex wasn't important to him, that maybe I was too much, or worse, not enough. But now I saw it clearly-he had been lying all along.

This professor, though... the way he looked at me, with hunger and admiration, like I was the most irresistible thing he'd ever seen, made me feel desirable in a way Fenris never had. There was no hesitation in his eyes, no doubt. He wanted me, and that realization sent a thrill through my entire body.

I no longer gave a damn about the consequences... It was just this one. I would let him fuck me just this once.

Any other reservations I might have had melted away. Why hold back? There was nothing left to keep me from diving headfirst into this.

"Now get down on your knees and take my cock into your damn mouth!"

My knees greeted the floor immediately, his dominating voice and piercing gaze from his ever gorgeous face sent more wetness down my sore pussy.

I settled under his cock, and took a closer look at it. I gulped down the hard lump of pleasure and anticipation that blocked my throat, which instantly rushed down my pussy to cause a tingling sensation that caused a very low moan out of my lips.

I looked up at him and shuddered at his gaze, a mixture of everything I needed, dominance, admiration, longing, gorgeous. Who the fuck is this man? So perfect, so hot, giving me everything I needed, everything I wanted from Fenris, and everything I had watched.

"Twenty minutes." He grunted, seizing my cheeks and raising my head up. "You are twenty minutes late, didn't Jayden tell you I hate lateness?"

Jayden? I had never heard that name before. I knew he maybe took me for someone else, but I was loving how everything was going, and I had no reason to tell him I wasn't the one he was waiting for.

"You are going to get fucked by me." He groaned, now teasing me, rubbing his cock on my lower lips and sending me completely crazy. "You are also going to be paid for it, and you dare come late?"

A huge sense of anticipation and instant longing overtook my body, wrecking me totally shameless. I felt like a nasty slut, just like what I've been watching. I always looked forward to acting out everything I watched, and this was the perfect opportunity. With the perfect man.

I stuck my tongue out, aiming to have a taste of him, but he pulled back, and continued to tease my lips.

Heck! I was already quivering, and my pussy clenched painfully at the thought of having him slamming into me. How sensuous would that be?

I didn't understand the lateness and getting paid, but I so much understood the getting fucked part, it was what I wanted. I had been filled with so much urge for this since that day.

"Don't just look at me, apologize now!"

"I...I am sorry."

If an apology would make make him fuck me and do everything he had said to me, then done deal.

"Just sorry?" He furrowed. "Didn't Jayden tell you the rules?" He was frustrated, I could see it on his face.

It made me feel a little less, making me wonder if it was the same way Fenris felt to have made him choose Ember over me. I felt a sudden push, the push to use every moves and tips I have learnt in those videos to satisfy him in the best way possible.

"I am sorry sir." I corrected myself, hoping I was right this time.

He groaned loudly and I trembled. "It is Daddy to you. Understood?"

I nodded at him.

"Words!" He seized my neck, and the little restriction of my breath made my legs shake. "Use your fucking words!"

"Yes si...Yes Daddy." I struggled to speak.

"Don't just kneel there, take my cock into your fucking mouth!"

His voice was so dominating and authoritative that I found myself complying without saying any word. That was so unlike me, I would definitely say something, but at this point, I wanted to do everything I can just do we could get to the part where he was sliding his cock in and out of my already aching and dripping pussy.

"Don't make me wait, baby girl." He groaned.

My hand managed to get a hold of his cock. He was so big that my hand could only go halfway round it. Before I could think about anything else, I began to move my hand up and down the length of his cock.

He was so damn huge! Bigger than I thought, and the way his cap was so pink and hard... I swallowed down another pleasureful hardness that had formed in my throat.

"Fuck!" His soft groan caused my whole body to shake, I could see the satisfaction on his face, and it pushed me to do more.

I had done a lot of practice with different things and now I get to do all I've learnt with a real cock. I was super excited!

"How does Daddy's cock feel in that tiny little hand of yours?" He asked, looking down at me hungrily, as if he would devour me that instant.

"So huge." I blurted out. The gentle bite on his lower lip that he was enjoying the moment as I was. "I love Daddy's cock... It's... so huge and hard." My hand continued to move through the length of his cock, my grip growing harder whenever it gets to his shaft

"Oh... Yes! Now, I want to feel my cock in that sexy little sultry mouth! I want to cum so hard in that little mouth," he grunted, his voice thick with desire. "Hands to your back!" he commanded, his dominance making my heart race.

My hands instinctively moved behind me, following his order without hesitation. The rush of obedience sent a shiver down my spine. I did everything he asked without complaint-and I loved every second of it. The way he took control, the raw power in his voice, made me feel both vulnerable and empowered. It was something I had always pictured.

"Good girl," he praised, his eyes burning with intensity as he watched me. My lips parted slightly, anticipating the taste of him, and the heat between us grew hotter and unbearable.

His hand gripped the back of my head, guiding me closer as he stroked himself. "You've been so obedient," he murmured, his voice low and rough, "and I'm going to pay you more if you make me feel even better."

My breath hitched, my body aching with need, craving more of him as he pushed my boundaries further.

His fingers tangled in my hair, tugging just enough to make me gasp as he pulled me closer. The warmth of him hovered near my lips, and the anticipation alone sent a jolt of desire coursing through me. I trembled with intense longing.

"Open your mouth, little slut." he demanded, his voice dripping with hunger and authority.

I parted my lips, my eyes locked onto his as I let him guide me, as though he knew it was my first time handling a real life cock, and not just any cock, one which was as huge as his.

The moment I wrapped my mouth around him again, a deep groan escaped his throat. His grip tightened in my hair, his hips moving forward as he rammed his enormous cock into my mouth. The first taste of him sent my eyes rolling to the back of my head. God! It felt so great.

Something about him... Something about his cock made me want to strip myself before him and beg him to fuck me. My pussy clenched so hard. So fucking hard and sore.

I gripped his legs for support and tried to push him further, but he slides his hard cock out and rubs it on my face, his precum splattering all over my face. Then, he shoved his cock back into my mouth, making me choke.

"Just... like... that," he growled, his breath ragged and heavy. "You look so good with my cock in your mouth, little slut."

The praise sent a thrill through me, making me want to please him even more, and act more like the slut he just called me. I hollowed my cheeks, swirling my tongue as I bobbed my head slowly, savoring every inch of him. His reaction was immediate-his body tensing, his groans growing louder as his control slipped away.

His pace quickened, thrusting deeper as he lost himself in the rhythm. "God! you're... perfect," he grunted. His fingers digging into my scalp as he pushed my head against his cock. "Your mouth is so fucking tight... ugh!" He rasped. "I'm gonna cum so hard..."

I moaned around him, the vibration making him shudder. His grip tightened, his breathing ragged, and I could feel him getting closer. Every muscle in his body was tense, his pleasure building with every movement.

"Suck my balls!"

I moved lower, my tongue darting between my lips as I took his soft and succulent balls into my mouth. Sucking on it gently and slowly, his body wracking with pleasure.

"Oh! Fucking... hellll." He quivered. "It feels so fucking good... having my cock in your tight mouth." His grip tightened on my hair. "Yes... whore!" He grunted, pushing my head back. He gripped my jaw, parting my lips, and slamming his cock down my throat and gagging me.

My pussy flushed with heat and spasm. The more he talks dirty, the more I want him forcing his cock down my throat, choking me up. My nails dug deeper into his legs, I could feel tears at the back of my eyes. Oh! God! My pussy was so sore, I was dripping wet!

"Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!" He exhaled deeply.

He fucked my mouth so hard and deep this time. No more slow and easy. I was beginning to lose my breath, and my knees were getting weak.

"Fuck," he growled through gritted teeth, his hips jerking forward as he reached the edge, his body trembling with the force of it. "You fucking... cock sucking slut!" He yelped, pulling out and bathing my face with his cum.

He shot over and over again, his hips buckling. He fisted and pumped more cum off his cock, and rubbed it on my face. "Lick it off!" He smirked.

I didn't wait for him to say more than that before sticking my tongue out and licking his cum off my face. I had never tasted it before, but I licked every bit of him off as though I had done it multiple times.

"Yes... fucking whore!" He gripped my shoulder and raised me from the floor. "Now, it's my time.

Chapter Three

Thalina

"I want to fuck this these tits..." He stopped and squeezed my boobs, his fingers roughly pinching my nipples through the thin fabric of my shirt. A low, guttural growl escaped his lips as he tugged on the sensitive peaks, making my body arch into him.

God! No man has ever touched me this way. He knew just where and how to touch me.

"These perfect tits," he murmured, his breath hot against my skin as he lowered his head, brushing his lips over the fabric. "I'm going to devour them." His growl was followed by a sharp snap of his teeth, sending shivers through me, my whole body trembling with pleasure.

In one swift motion, he ripped open my shirt, buttons flying across the room, creating sounds that only added to sparks flying around. His hands moved to cup my bare boobs, squeezing them firmly as his mouth latched onto one of my nipples, sucking hard while his other hand teased the opposite one, rolling it between his fingers.

Fucking hell... This was it? This was how good it felt? I didn't want this to stop, I wanted to have them in his mouth for as long as I wanted. The way his tongue slide over my nipple was so smooth, subtle, and blissful.

I moaned, my body overwhelmed with the sensation of his mouth on me, the roughness of his hands squeezing the other one sent waves of heat through my core. I was dripping with wetness. His tongue flicked over my other nipple, and I could feel the wetness pooling between my thighs as I squirmed beneath him.

"Tell me how much you love it, little slut..." he growled against my skin, his teeth grazing my nipple just enough to make me gasp.

"I love it... so much." I whispered breathlessly, my voice trembling with need. "I love how you touch me."

He pulled back, his eyes dark with lust as he stared down at me. "Damn right you do," he muttered before clearing the stuffs on his table to a side, and lifting me on it. His hands roaming down my body, his fingers tracing over the waistband of my pants. "Now let's see how wet you are for me."

He gripped the waistband of my jeans, his eyes narrowing in disbelief. "Jeans!" His voice erupted in a low, menacing growl that sent shivers through my spine. "Weren't you trained enough? You don't come to me in jeans!"

"What... what am I supposed to wear?" | asked, feigning innocence, though the fire in his gaze told me that game wouldn't last long.

"Don't fucking play with me." He spat, his hand moving swiftly to seize my neck. The heat of his palm pressed against my throat as he leaned closer, his breath heavy with frustration and desire. "Skirts. Short, free, easy. I don't have the patience to fight with denim when I want to take what I want. I just want to push that skirt up and fuck you." His eyes darkened with a dangerous gleam. "Do you understand?"

1 nodded quickly, but his grip only tightened on my neck, my heart racing as the pressure of his hold sent cold chills through my body.

"What did I say about using words?" He snarled, vibrating with power as his face hovered dangerously close to mine.

My breath hitched, my pussy clenched harder than it had already. Oh! That look on his face. It sent my boobs yards against my chest, and my pussy dripping with more fluid.

"Yes.... Daddy," | whimpered, my voice barely above a whisper, but loud enough to satisfy him.

He smiled, but it wasn't a gentle smile- it was filled with something darker, more primal. "That's better." His grip loosened slightly, his thumb brushing against the pulse point in my neck before his hand slid down my body. "Next time you show up in jeans, I won't be so gentle. I'lI tear them off and leave you with nothing." His fingers grazed the hem of my pants. "Do you understand?"

"Yes, Daddy," | breathed out.

"Good girl." He smirked, his eyes roaming over me like a predator circling its prey. His hand slipped lower. "Now, let's see just how wet you are..." he licked his lips.

He roughly unbuttoned my pants and yanked them down, his hands immediately slipping between my thighs. His fingers brushed over my soaked underwear, making me quiver in delight, and a wicked grin spread across his face.

"Just as I thought," he whispered, his voice dripping with satisfaction. "You're so ready for me."

His fingers slid under the fabric, teasing my swollen and sore folds as I gasped, pressing my hips toward him in desperation. He chuckled darkly, his thumb circling my clit, sending jolts of pleasure through my body.

"You're dripping, baby girl," he growled, rubbing harder. "So eager, so desperate. You can't wait to have me inside you, can you?"

I whimpered, my breath coming in shallow gasps as I struggled to form words. "Please... I need you."

He stepped back, savoring my neediness for a moment before pulling me toward him. In one swift movement, he raised one of my legs on his shoulder, pressing my back against the table. His hands gripped my hips tightly, and I could feel the hard length of him pressing against me.

I wanted him so bad. I wanted that cock inside of me.

"I'm going to fuck you so hard... you won't be able to walk tomorrow," he hissed into my ear before sliding my underwear down, exposing me completely.

I braced myself against the table, feeling the anticipation coil tightly in my stomach as he positioned himself between me. Then, with a forceful thrust, he pushed his finger inside me, and immediately pulled it back.

"Fuck!" He grunted. "You're so tight." He pushed a finger into me first, and then joined it with another, filling me completely.

I cried out, the sudden sensation overwhelming as he didn't give me a moment to adjust, pounding his finger into me relentlessly.

"You like this, don't you?" His voice was low, rough, and demanding. "Say it. Say you want more."

"Yes!" I gasped, my fingers curling against the table as my body shuddered from the intensity. "I want more... please, don't stop, Daddy!" I writhed from a side to the other.

He gripped my hips even tighter, holding me in place, his fingers digging into my flesh as he worked in and out of me over and over again, each thrust harder than the last. The room was filled with the sound of his finger sliding into me, the slurpy sound, my breathless moans, and his ragged grunts of pleasure.

"God... you're so tight," he growled, his voice dripping with lust. "You take my fingers so well, like you were made for this. I can't wait to have my cock inside your tight pussy!"

His words sent a jolt of electricity through my body, and I could feel the heat building inside me, rising higher with every thrust. I pushed back against him, meeting each of his movements with equal fervor, desperate for more. My mind was spinning, lost in the intoxicating mix of pain and pleasure.

He leaned forward, his breath hot against my ear as he whispered, "I'm going to eat you out, my little slut. Every inch of you... you're so damn hot."

The words sent a shiver running down my spine, melting my pussy into an ocean of tranquil blues. He was a total stranger, a man I had just met, a professor in this school, but I wanted him so bad, as though I had been longing for him for years.