I'd been flying for over an hour and I'd had a lot to think about. Like, Why didn't Mason tell me that it was Kali that the council had sent to the cabin? What were the council going to do with me? Was there any way I could save Finnley and make a run for it? Were Mason and Evan okay? Would I ever see Mason again?

I had to stop thinking about it all, because I was driving myself insane and becoming emotional. If I broke down right now, I'd be no use to anyone. Thankfully just twenty minutes outside of Redwood I got a mind link from Selene. I rapidly descended and as I did she rang my phone,

“Selene?” I answered.

“Freya! Thank God, I've been trying to contact you for hours, where are you?” She asked in a panic.

“I can't tell you Selene, but just know that I'm okay and I'm going to fix it all. How are Mason and Evan?”

“Why can't you tell me? What do you mean you're going to fix it?” She huffed then continued, “it doesn't matter, we can discuss it later at the safe house. I'll get Samael to text you the address. And Freya, don't bother to argue with me. Mason and Evan, hell, all of us, need you right now!”

“Selene, is there something wrong with Mason and Evan?”

“Evan's been turned,” she said with sadness in her voice.

I'd never heard her like that before and it was unsettling. I'd gotten used to her being crazy, demented and over the top. This new Selene worried me.

“Werewolf?”

“Vampire,” she replied softly.

“Kali? Turned him?” I asked through gritted teeth and my blood began to boil.

“She did more than that Freya. She tortured and mutilated around a dozen hunters right in front of him, while trying to get him to give up your location,” she paused as I gasped down the phone. “She chained their corpses to the walls of the living room, and showed them off to Mason, like it was a damn trophy room. Then she tied him to the wall and left Evan in there with him while he transitioned,” she paused again to let it all sink in.

I stood silent for a moment while I processed it all. I tried my best to keep myself calm, flying into a rage right now wouldn't help at all. Once I calmed myself enough I said,

“Is that everything?”

“No, I just got there in time to stop Mason from killing Evan. Freya, Evan is really broken, he's not coping at all. The bitch even killed his dad!” She snapped down the phone.

I knew her anger wasn't aimed at me, so I thought nothing of her snapping. Although to be honest, I was quite surprised that she wasn't admiring Kali's work. Something had changed her, but now wasn’t the time to find out what. I knew that she wasn't going to take no for an answer and she didn't need me to tell her where I was either. She could find me anywhere, she could find any of her werewolf or vampire children, so I needed to lie to her. I spoke as convincingly as I could,

“Okay, get Sam to text me the address of the safe house, I'll get there as soon as I can. And Selene?”

“Yes?”

“Please keep them safe. Tell Mason, I'm sorry and that he's always in my heart,” I said as a single tear rolled down my cheek.

“Okay, I'll tell him,” she replied then the line went silent.

I wiped the tear from my cheek then straightened up. I couldn’t let anyone else die because of me. I needed to go to the council, so that Kali would have no use for the faction, Evan, or Mason. I wanted to be able to keep Finnley safe while trying to figure out a way to either escape, or bring Kali and the council down. Either way, I needed to keep the people I had left safe and I was willing to do anything necessary. I wondered if I would ever see Selene, Sam, Evan, Mason, or my siblings again. The thought terrified me, but I needed to be strong. I took in a deep breath and screeched into the air when my wings ripped through my skin. Fanned them out, I showed off all their magnificence. Once fully ascended, I took off into the sky with Mina howling a war cry in my head. We were both more than ready to face our fate as I screamed up into the sky,

“I Love you, Mason!”

Mason Hart

Evan and I sat in silence for what seemed like hours. I had drunk three glasses of whisky in however long we'd sat there and Evan was still nursing his first glass. He was just sitting there with his elbows on the table while he held his glass. He was staring off into space, with the occasional tear escaping his eyes and trailing down his already soaked cheeks. I had tried to speak to him, but he hissed at me, so I just left him to his thoughts. I couldn't imagine what he was going through. I knew that a part of me blamed Freya for being the cause of all of this, but I still wished that she was here. She was probably the only person that could relate to Evan and help him through all of it. Well, other than Finnley, but I didn’t have a clue where he was, right now.

I knew that Kali had him in the back of her van, but I didn't know if she was on her way to my mom's house to get Freya or if she would head straight to the council. Even though Finnley would know exactly what Evan was going through, he'd of no use, because he would be going through his own battles with grief. Freya chose to be turned and she didn't grow up as a hunter, so she didn't have the same hatred for werewolves or vampires like the rest of us did. Although she wouldn't fully understand what Evan or Finn were going through, she would still have a little idea.

To be honest, she couldn't do any worse than I was doing. I felt so helpless sitting there, not having a clue what to do or say to help my cousin. I was just having to watch him fight his own demons and there is nothing I could do to fix it. I got my phone out of my pocket and sent Freya a text.

Freya, I am so sorry that I left you behind.

You were right, I should never have come home alone. We should have faced this together. I can't wait to see you. I need you and Evan needs you too. We love you so much. Please forgive me, I will never leave you again.

Always on my mind, forever in my heart.

xxx

I hit send, then put my phone down on the table. I poured myself another drink and went back to my thoughts. As I took a sip of my drink, my eyes glanced up over the rim of my glass and saw Selene standing in the doorway. She was ushering me with her hand to go to her. Placing my glass down on the table, I got up out of my chair. I looked over at Evan to see whether or not he had noticed me get up, but he was still staring off into space while holding his glass. I sighed, then strolled over towards Selene. She turned around and casually wandered out of the front door and I followed her out of the cabin. She continued to walk across the grass and into the woods.

I wondered where she was going and I still didn't trust her, but at that moment in time, I didn't have a clue what to do, or how to act. My head was a mess and that crazy-ass woman was my only direct link to Freya. I knew that Selene was someone that I should keep sweet. I didn't want to make an enemy of her, I had enough to deal with already. So, I continued to follow her into the woods. She found an old fallen log and sat down on it. When I caught up to her, she patted the log for me to sit.

“Freya is going to meet us at a safe house,” she stated when I caught up to her.

I sat down on the log next to her.

“Okay, so when are we leaving?” I asked her, hoping that she would reply with 'right now'.

“That's why I have brought you out here. Mason, you can't come with us.”

“What!? Why?” I snapped at her while turning around to face her.

She gave me a soft smile, then replied,

“Look, it's nothing personal, Mason. Don't for a second think it is. See, we are going to the moon realm. I did have another safe house picked out, but Kali has Finnley with her and she can use him as a tracker,” she paused for a breath, and then continued, “I control the moon realm, so I can keep people out. Kali, her hybrids or the twins, won't be able to get to Freya or Evan there.”

I furrowed my brow. I understood that the moon realm sounded like the safest place for them both, but I still didn't understand why I couldn't go with them, I couldn't help but take it personally.

“I agree, that sounds a lot safer, but wherever my cousin and Fianna go, you can bet your ass I'll be going too,” I replied bluntly.

She sighed and placed her hand on my shoulder.

“Mason, I'm going to tell you a story of who I am, and why I live in the moon realm, okay?”

I shook my head at her, and snapped,

“As interesting as that sounds, Selene, I don't think we have time for that right now, do you?”

“We have time, Mason, and besides, it's a story that you need to know. It explains why you have to stay behind. It's your choice, you can stay and listen, or you can walk away. But either way, it doesn't change the fact that we will be leaving and you will be staying here,” she raised her eyebrow at me, then stayed silent while she waited for my reply.

I sighed and nodded my head at her, letting her know to continue. I needed to know why she was stopping me from going with them. I knew I wouldn't be able to fight against her and if Freya and Evan wanted to go, there was nothing I could do to stop them.

“Okay, so as you may know, I am thousands of years old,” she said, then paused to stare at me.

I smiled knowing exactly what she wanted. I quickly gasped, and replied,

“No way!? You don't look a day over five hundred.”

She chuckled and gently swatted my shoulder.

“Aww, thank you. I do try my best,” she said with a giggle, then continued with her story.

“So, in 55bc, Emperor Julius Caesar invaded the south-east of England. He had taken two Roman legions along with him. He won a few battles against the Celtic tribes, but then returned to France.”

She continued on with her story and I listened intently as she told me all the history about how she became the moon Goddess and mother of all werewolves and vampires. She told me that Julius Caesar Invaded England for a second time the following year. That time, he landed in Kent and took five Roman legions with him. They consisted of around thirty thousand-foot soldiers and two thousand cavalries. That time the British tribes promised to pay tribute to Rome. As a result of their tribute, Rome left them alone for almost a century.

She then told me that just before that century was up, Emperor Claudius invaded England. He took along with him four legions, which consisted of around twenty-five thousand soldiers, plus an equal number of auxiliary soldiers, who were led by General Aulus Plautius. The biggest battle was fought on the banks of the River Medway, close to Rochester. The fighting only lasted two days and the Celtic tribes retreated. Although, the war was still not won and many tribes resisted the Romans. Four years of battles followed and many soldiers were lost along the way.

General Aulus was called upon by Emperor Claudius to find a way to beat the Celtic tribes once and for all. Aulus believed in the old Greek Gods and prayed to Ares to help them win the war. Ares answered and turned fifty of the Roman soldiers into Lycans. These new soldiers were strong and fast, but to balance out their new-found strength, once a month when the moon was its biggest in the night sky, the soldiers shifted into gigantic man-shaped wolves. They looked like wolves but walked around on two legs like men.

Armed with their new-found strength, the Lycan soldiers fought amazingly and finally took control of the south-east of England. As the war had lasted for a long and exhausting four years, many of the soldiers had secretly taken the Celtic women as their lovers. A few of the Celtic women became pregnant by the Lycan soldiers and some of them bore Lycan children. Selene was the first Lycan child to be born. As Selene grew up, she lived a fairly normal life, but on a night when the moon was at its fullest, she shifted into her Lycan form. While hunting through the woods she came across a bright white light and curiously followed it. Bent down by the river and splashing the cool water over his face, was an archangel.

“That was the night I met, Azael,” she beamed an enormous smile at me, as she remembered the first time, she'd met him. “He was the most magnificent creature I had ever seen. I watched him in curiosity while he splashed the river’s water on his face. I had forgotten that I was in my Lycan form, so when he finally stood up, he startled at the sight of me,” she explained and as she reached the end of her sentence her smile faded, sadness replacing its once prominent place on her face. I stayed quiet as I listened to her story, I was beyond hooked and completely fascinated by her.

“I took off running into the woods and as I ran with Azael hot on my heels, the morning sun began to rise and shine delicately through the trees. Eventually my Lycan speed began to fade, as my imminent shift back to my human form approached,” she paused for a breath, and then continued, “my speed dwindled, as did my stamina and I had to rest against a tree to catch my breath. As I did, I began to shift and collapsed to the floor with the pain.”

I was beyond invested in her story, I felt like I should have been sitting there taking notes for the hunters history journals. This stuff was a once in a lifetime opportunity to hear and I didn't want to miss a single word.

“I startled when I awoke from my shift. I was completely naked and being carried through the woods by this stunning man. He had long dark hair and the most amazing golden-brown eyes. His body was gorgeous, he had no shirt on and I felt an enormous heat radiating off of him as my skin rested against his,” she spoke so softly as she described Azael to me, she even bit her lip when she imagined him and I blushed red hot with embarrassment.

“He asked me where I lived, then carried me all the way home. We had some dirty looks and glares as we walked through my village. Once we walked past the people, I could hear gasps and whispers about his wings. I truly didn't care though, I was like a princess in our community, so no one dared question me. I was used to doing what I wanted, when I wanted,” she said with a proud tone and a giggle at the end.

That definitely explained a few things, she was basically born a princess. She was the first born of her kind and then she became a Goddess, before becoming the mother to two of the world’s strongest species, how could she not be cocky and feel above everyone else. I slid down the log and rested my back on it while I sat on the woodland floor. Selene stood up and sat on the floor beside me. She looked out into the woods and continued her story,

“When we reached my home, he placed me on the bed. He didn't speak a word, but right at that moment in time, words were not needed. That was the first time we slept together. The connection we had was beyond this world. He left that night, but then returned to me every night after, for two whole weeks. They were the best two weeks of my entire life,” she said with such happiness in her voice.

She sat there silent for a moment and I glanced up, her expression did not match her previous tone. She looked a mix of sad and angry.

“My family forbid me from seeing him, they told me that he was a monstrosity. I couldn't believe my father of all people, had the cheek to use that word. He was the King of Lycans for Christ sake, he wasn't exactly the epitome of the perfect or normal human being, now was he? Oh, and when the archangels found out about our relationship, they were even worse. They told Azael, that if he didn't cease his relationship with me, he would be cast out of heaven for eternity,” she said with pure anger in her voice.

I gasped and shook my head. I couldn't believe that their story was doomed from the beginning. It was like something out of a tragic romance novel.

“We did try to stay away from each other, but our connection and love for one another was too strong. Azael still came to see me every single night. He made me feel so special, like I was the only one in the world that mattered. He called me his Luna and I called him my morning star. Then when the moon was at its biggest again, I shifted and ran off into the woods on my usual hunt. I sprinted to the riverbank where Azael usually met me, but he wasn't there. I laid down on the floor and waited for him,” she paused, then took in a deep breath, then exhaled. “Suddenly the sky turned crimson red. Lightning bolted through the red clouds and thunder boomed and clapped louder than I'd ever heard before. It was so deep and violent that I thought the world was ripping apart at the seams.”

My eyes grew wide when she described the scene, I could imagine everything that she was saying to me.

“A final lightning bolt shot out of the crimson clouds and reached towards the river. It was so bright that I had to hold my arms up to my face to shield my eyes. An enormous crack boomed through the air, followed by a catastrophic splash and a wave the size of a house hurled towards me. I scurried backwards as fast as I could, but the wave caught me and swept me back with it as it returned to the river. I tried my best to keep my head above the water, but I kept being dragged below the surface,” she paused while she took in another breath. She sighed as she remembered that night.

“I must have passed out, because when I awoke, it was morning. I was back in my human form and cradled in Azael's arms. I hugged him tighter than I ever thought was possible. I was so happy to see him. He laid me down and we made love on the bank of the river.”

She stood up and walked over to a tree, then slid down the tree, with a sad and defeated look on her face. I guessed that the next part of the story wasn't going to be a 'we lived happily ever after' kind of ending.

“When we finished, Azael was different, he was usually so loving and kind, but now he was distant. He would have usually carried me home and embraced me throughout the night. That wasn't to happen that night, or any other night, ever again. Azael told me that, that night would be the last time I would ever see him. I didn't understand why and I tried to beg him to stay, but he cruelly laughed in my face and told me that he could never settle for just one woman. I couldn't believe what he was saying.” She lowered her head and I watched as the tears rolled down her cheeks. I couldn’t believe I was seeing this vulnerable side to her. I didn't even know the woman had a heart beating within her chest.

“As I sat there naked and heartbroken on the riverbank, Azael fanned out his wings. Their usual brilliant white color was now an ashen gray and half of his wings were either black and singed at the ends, or completely burnt off and missing. I scanned up his body in shock and when I glanced at his eyes, I scurried backwards in fear. The golden-brown beautiful eyes that normally stared back at me, were now a piercing crimson red,” she said in a low and monotone voice. I think it broke her heart a little as she relived that night.

She sighed heavily, then told me of how Azael had been cast out of heaven and was now a fallen angel. He had lost his soul and any love that he'd once felt for Selene. It kind of reminded me of how Tristan had lost all of his love for Freya once he found his mate. Selene went on to explain that as her punishment for disobeying her father, he had prayed to their Roman Gods and the Gods had decided to banish her to the moon. There she was to spend an eternity alone. What they didn't realize was that on the night that Azael was cast out of heaven, Selene became pregnant to the fallen angel.

“I was in my new realm, scared, alone and eight months pregnant. When I went into labor it was the scariest thing I'd ever been through. Hours went by and at certain points the pain was so unbearable, that I wished for death to take me. Eventually I managed to bring my son Marik into my world. He looked just like an angel. He had dark blonde hair and stunning deep blue eyes,” she said with a huge beaming smile on her face.

I could tell just by looking at her, that her son meant the absolute world to her. She then smiled even wider, as she continued,

“A few moments of pure peace washed over me, then the pain started up again. I panicked and thought that something was terribly wrong, then I felt the sudden urge to push again, so I did. That was when I brought my second son, Traian into the world. He looked so much like Azael, he had a full head of jet-black hair and golden hazel eyes. I felt complete with my two sons, who were then contently sleeping in my arms.”

My heart melted while I watched her beam with love and pride for her boys. She went on to explain that as the boys grew she knew that they were very special. By the time they were teenagers their abilities were beginning to show themselves. Marik could shift into the form of a wolf at will. He was kind and loving. He wanted nothing more than to go to earth and find someone to fall in love with. Traian on the other hand was feisty and had a cruel streak. Selene explained that he was a lot like his father, after he had lost his soul. She had a hard time controlling him and he kept trying to attack his brother and her.

One day, just after their sixteenth birthday, Traian had completely lost control. She described it like how Evan was with his blood lust. She had to break up a fight between the two boys and that was the first time that Traian had extended his fangs. He sank his fangs into his mother’s wrist and nearly bled her dry. Her voice became low, barely above a whisper and she rubbed her wrist as she nervously recounted that day. I looked down at her wrist and I could see a scar. It was two tiny puncture marks and she frantically scratched at them.

“I managed to fight Traian off, but when I looked into his eyes, they were as black as coal and they had his father’s crimson red glow to them. I panicked and knew I had to keep Marik and myself safe. I had no choice and I instantly cast my own son out of the moon realm, letting him loose on the earth. He went on a bloodthirsty rampage and before long, he had an entire brood of vampires, following him around like a King.”

She scratched even harder at the scars on her wrist, and they began to bleed. Tiny streams of blood ran from the puncture marks and dropped down onto the dirt. I furrowed my brow as she continued in a frantic and panicked voice.

“Shortly after casting him out, I got sick. Marik was beside himself and thought I was going to die. When I came around from the fever, all I could think of was blood. I could hear Marik's heart pounding and the noise of it was deafening. I couldn't stand it, I could smell his blood and hear it pumping through his veins. I knew I didn't want to hurt him, but I couldn't help myself. That's when... That's when I...” Selene stuttered, then burst into tears.

I got up onto my knees and crawled as fast as I could towards her, she was delirious and mumbling to herself. I went to touch her, but she lunged forwards and hissed at me. Her eyes were raven black and had the crimson red glow. With her fangs extended she screamed out the name Marik, then vanished into thin air.

Mason Hart

I sat back onto the woodland floor and sighed, as I tried to piece together what had just happened. I never thought that I would feel sorry for Selene, but I did. I could understand a little now, as to why she ended up so twisted and crazy. I hoped that she was okay, while I began to stand up from the dirt. I brushed off the dirt and leaves from my ass, and as I did, I heard a high-pitched ascension screech and immediately took off running back towards the cabin. I ran as fast as I could, then ascended so that I could get to the cabin even quicker.

I eventually got to the cabin and sprinted up the steps to the porch. I entered the cabin cautiously and it was eerily quiet as I crept up to the dining room door. I took in a deep breath and then burst through the door. I was ready for a fight, but no one was there, all that laid before me was broken furniture and smashed whisky glasses.

“Evan?” I shouted out, but he didn't reply.

As I turned around trying to figure out where Evan had gone, I saw a small note on the floor. It was lying next to the broken bottle of whisky and was thirstily drinking it up. I rapidly snatched the soggy piece of paper up to read it. Most of the writing was illegible and the ink just sprawled across the page, but the bottom was clear enough to read.

Mason,

I can't do this. I can't stay here.

I'm sorry, goodbye cuz.

Sadness filled my heart and I wondered if I'd ever see Evan again. I turned away from the devastation that the room was in and made my way up the stairs towards my bedroom. I threw myself onto my bed with a deep sigh. I never needed Freya more.

Freya Rose

I flew into the woods as soon as I arrived in redwood meadows. I descended, then calmly prepared myself to meet Kali. It wasn't long before Mina could smell Finnley and we pursued the scent until we saw a large van and a car. I approached cautiously. I knew she wouldn't dare hurt me, because the council needed me, but I didn't know if she'd done anything to Finn.

“Freya, I'm glad you finally came to your senses,” Kali said sarcastically when she exited the van.

I watched her in fascination as she stepped out from behind the van and into my line of view. She really did look a lot like me and I frowned while I inspected her features. The only thing different about her was her eyes. Even though they were the same shade of blue as mine, Kali's had a slight gold hint to them. She wore her hair slicked back into a ponytail and she wore darker clothes and makeup than I would. It was a strange feeling, standing there staring at someone that was wearing my face. I pushed my fascination and cautiousness aside and casually strolled up to her.

My body became rigid when she held onto my shoulders and placed a kiss on both of my cheeks. She was acting like she hadn't just butchered a dozen of my hunters, turned Evan and kidnapped my son. She was acting like a long-lost aunt, greeting her niece like nothing was wrong. I chose not to react, I didn't want to piss her off, I didn't know how long the drive would be to the council. I just wanted this all over and done with.

“Look, Kali, as nice as this is, can we just get going please?” I said calmly while her lips were still pressed against my cheek. I felt her mouth curl up into a smile, then she let out a little breathy laugh as she pulled away from me.

“I like your attitude little niece. I think we're going to get along great.”

I wanted to roll my eyes at her, but I really couldn't be bothered with the bitch fit she'd probably throw. So, instead, I just plastered a fake smile onto my face, then let her lead me over to the car. We got over to the little black Porsche and stood there holding open the driver's door was an attractive guy. There was another guy holding open the passenger side door. The guy holding open the driver's door was about six foot in height and of a slim, but fit build. He had dark brown hair and dark hazel eyes. They were almost brown. He had a little stubble that lined his serious looking expression. He had tanned skin like Samael and dressed similarly too, a crisp white shirt and suit pants. He even had a tie on. He kinda looked like a chauffeur, he was only missing the jacket and hat.

“Thank you Andras,” Kali said as she gracefully slipped into the driver's seat.

Andras waited for her to put on her seat belt, then gently closed the door. He then stood there not saying a word or moving a muscle. I looked over to the other guy, and he was still standing there holding open the passenger side door. I guessed he was waiting for me. So, I slowly walked around the car towards the guy. He looked a lot like Andras, same color skin and hair, he even wore the same clothes and had the same stubble. His facial features were slightly different and his eyes were a lighter hazel color, almost green.

I walked up to the guy, then stood in front of him waiting for him to say something, but he didn't. So, I silently got into the car.

“Thank you, um...” I said expecting him to reply, but he didn't, he just gently closed the car door. I watched as the two guys then gradually walked away and got into the van in front of us.

“His name is Ashtaroth, he and Andras are Samael's younger twin brothers,” Kali said casually as she started up the engine of the Porsche.

I put my seatbelt on and sat back in my chair. I placed my head back onto the seat and closed my eyes. I didn't have a clue what awaited me, or what my future now held, but I was determined to be strong. I needed to keep the people I loved safe and I was willing to do anything. I hoped this choice of mine, would allow Mason, Evan and the faction to get back to normal life and stay safe. The council would surely leave them alone with me in their clutches.

Kali pulled the car away and began enthusiastically singing along to some eighty's song that I'd never heard before. I just tried my best to drown her out. I really couldn't deal with her excited and happy attitude. The twisted skank was acting like she hadn't just butchered a ton of hunters and that this was some sort of girlie road trip. I began to drift off to sleep, hoping that when I woke up, the last few months had just been a terrible dream. I wished that I'd wake up in my old bed, on the morning of my graduation and my mom would be alive and well, cooking breakfast downstairs. Tristan wouldn't tell me that he and the others were werewolves. Balan wouldn't have stalked me on my way to school. And, I don't know, I could just get on with a normal life, go and work with Cassie and live a happy teenage life. I knew it's a long shot, but what was the harm in wishing eh?

Mason Hart

Tap, tap, tap...

I heard a light knock on my bedroom door, but I didn't bother to answer it. I just stayed where I was, safe and cozy, hidden under my duvet. I hoped that whoever was on the other side of the door would get the hint and buzz off. No such luck.

“Mason? Mason, can I come in?” I heard Carmen call out to me.

Oh for Christ's sake, not her, anyone but her. As if I don't feel crap enough as it is, now I have to deal with that idiot. I let out a deep sigh, then replied,

“Sure.” I didn't even bother to come out from under my duvet. I really didn't want to face the world today.

Yesterday was the worst day of my life, within a few hours, I'd lost a dozen friends, my uncle, Evan and Freya. I knew the hunters needed me to help put them back together, but right now I felt pretty broken. If I couldn’t even pull myself together, how could I possibly begin to try and fix this faction?

“Mason, are you going to come out from under there?” Carmen asked sweetly.

“No,” I replied sharply.

I heard her let out a low sigh, then turn and walk away.

Yes, it worked, she's leaving. Thank fuck for that, I thought as I rolled over and closed my eyes again.

“Mason Hart. You get your ass out of that bed, right now. I need to get this mess cleaned up, pull everyone back together and show this faction that I am capable of being their Fionn. I can not do all of that by myself.” Amelia screamed at me. I let out a deep and aggravated huff, as I rolled over onto my back. I still stayed under my duvet though, I really wasn't ready to face life just yet. I felt like I could have hibernated for years. “Mason, please. I have no idea how to lead, or how to sort this mess out. Please, I need your help and the other hunters need you too. We can't do this without you,”

I couldn't ignore her any longer. All I wanted to do was hide away and pretend that the last few months hadn't happened. But Amelia was just a kid, her dad was dead, her aunties were lunatics and her cousins were useless. If Evan was here, then I'd let him deal with it all. The poor girl didn’t have anyone else that could help her. I had no choice, I had to pull myself together and help her pull this faction back together.

“Okay, okay. Fine. Wait for me in the dining room, I'll be down in twenty minutes,” I grumbled in defeat beneath my covers.

“Yes!” Amelia cheered out in victory.

I heard her run out of the room and slam the door behind her. Once I knew I was alone again, I gradually emerged from my pit and headed for the bathroom. I showered and got myself dressed, then headed down to meet the others in the dining room. As I walked down the stairs I could see lots of hunters busying themselves, some were carrying the bodies of our fallen friends and others were cleaning up the blood and carnage that covered the entire cabin.

I got a few sad looks from people, a couple scowled at me, but most of them greeted me with soft and hopeful smiles. Seeing their pleading faces made me realize that I needed to step up my game. I couldn't sit around feeling sorry for myself any longer. Those hunters had also lost loved ones and friends and they needed a strong leader to pull them through this horrific ordeal. I now had a new purpose and that was to support Amelia, help her put this faction back together and make it strong again.

With a newfound sense of priority and a strong need to help and protect my fellow hunters, I took in a deep breath and held my head up high as I walked into the dining room. Amelia was sitting at the dining table, along with Carmen and her sister Imogen. There were also a few other hunters sitting there too, Amelia needed all the support she could get right now. I looked over into the kitchen and was shocked to see Hannah busying herself, making coffees. I furrowed my brow as anger instantly built up inside me. I could feel my eyes beginning to illuminate as I struggled to keep myself under control. There had been too much violence and bloodshed lately, Amelia and the others didn't need to see me rip Hannah's head off as well. Even though I couldn't kill her, I couldn't stop myself from saying something and angrily blurted out,

“What the hell is she doing here?”

Everyone in the room turned to stare at me and by now I had my hands balled up into fists. My fingers were pressed into my palms so tight, that I'm surprised that blood wasn't pouring out of them. Hannah picked up two coffee cups and began to walk towards me.

“And why shouldn't she be here exactly?” Carmen spat out at me.

My head shot round in an instant, to answer the stupid girl.

“Well, maybe because this whole damn situation is all your mother's fault!” I said in a rough tone, while illuminating my eyes a little more. I used to be able to tolerate the girl, but no more, she got on my last nerve.

“No it isn't, it's Freya's fault. I wish you'd never found her on that damn bus, then my best friends Ellie and Stevie would still be alive, Finn wouldn't be a werewolf, and Evan wouldn't be a vampire...” She screamed at me while standing up from her chair and illuminating her own eyes in anger.

“Carmen, that's enough!” Hannah shouted at her daughter, much to my surprise.

She handed me a coffee, then went to sit down at the dining table.

“But mom,” Carmen whined.

“No, Carmen, he's right, this is all my fault. I wasn't thinking. I wish I'd never told the council,” she said with regret in her voice. She clearly felt bad for what she'd caused.

“No! Mom, I will not have you blaming yourself, this is all Freya's fault. If she never came here uncle Damien would still be alive...” She went to carry on with her rant, but before she had a chance to say another word, Amelia had ascended and launched herself across the dining table.

Everyone shot up ready to assist or intervene in some way, but I just watched in awe at her strength and speed. She grabbed Carmen by the throat and pinned her to the wall. Carmen's face was a complete picture and I wished I hadn't left my phone upstairs, because I would have loved to have had evidence of this spectacular scene.

“You say one more fucking word about my sister and I swear I'll rip your tongue out and shove it up your ass. Do you hear me?” Amelia screamed into her face.

Admittedly she didn't need to scream while being only inches away from her face, but I could see that Carmen got the hint. She looked as if she was about to cry or wet herself. Carmen eventually nodded in agreement and everyone sat back down. Amelia gradually let go of her neck and began to walk back to her chair. Carmen coughed a little and rubbed her neck, and then went to sit back down, but Amelia spoke again,

“I think you'll find that's Mason's seat,” she said as soon as Carmen's hand touched the top of the chair.

“But...” Carmen went to reply but it fell on deaf ears.

“Get out!”