Can I come in?

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!”

Carmen looked over to her sister for help, but Imogen just turned her head away from her. She then looked to her mom, but Hannah just smiled softly then tilted her head towards the door, silently telling her daughter to leave. Carmen then finally glared up at me, I put a huge smile on my face, then walked right over to her and sat in the chair that she'd so kindly pulled out for me.

She huffed and stomped her foot on the floor like a child, before storming right out of the room. I chuckled on the inside, while I smiled gratefully at Amelia. She smiled back, then sat back and drank her orange juice. I sat there and watched her. Seeing her go for Carmen like that and the words she used, it was like I was watching Freya. I'd never really thought about it before, but she was a hell of a lot like her sister. Strong and stubborn, headstrong and a little crazy. My smile faded and my heart began to hurt as I suddenly realized that I may never see my Fianna again.

Freya Rose

“Freya? Freya, where the hell are you?” I heard a faint call from Selene in my head.

As I stirred from my sleep, I felt groggy and didn't quite know where I was, but gradually my mind began to clear. Shit! I thought and quickly thrust Selene out of my mind, then locked her out. I had been keeping her out so that she didn't know that I'd run away with Kali, instead of meeting her at the safe house. But I guess I let my guard down a little while I was sleeping and she was able to peek into my mind. It was too late now anyway, by the looks of the huge iron gates we were pulling up to, I guessed we were already at the council compound. Selene might track me down at some point, probably through Finnley, but I doubted that she would be able to go up against the council and a ton of hybrids.

I rubbed my eyes and stretched, preparing myself for my new future, as the councils hybrid bitch. Two massive men opened up the giant iron gates and the van in front of us drove through. Kali pulled the car away and followed slowly behind the van. I could hear the iron gates close behind us and lock. This is it, there’s no turning back now. I hope you know what you're doing Freya? I questioned myself.

“We're here Freya,” Kali said softly. I didn't react or say a word. I knew it might provoke her, but I really didn't care by that point. She took off her seat belt and turned to face me. “Look, I know that this whole situation is less than ideal, but the council are good people, they will treat you like a Queen. You'll love it, I promise,” she then patted my shoulder and proceeded to leave the car.

I took my time undoing my seatbelt, then let out a deep sigh. I didn't care if they were going to treat me like a Queen, I wasn't like Kali, I didn't get off on killing or hurting people. The last thing I wanted was to be there, but I knew I had no choice. Kali was there for the power and the destruction, but I was there to keep my loved ones safe.

“You coming, or what?” Kali shouted out as she slammed the car door and began to walk away.

I got out of the car, then gradually followed behind her. We walked up a gravel drive that led up to a large circular fountain that was placed in the middle of a green. The gravel drive curled around either side of it and re-joined in front of a huge mansion. It looked as big as the White House or Buckingham Palace. It was surrounded by lush green grass and a huge forest.

“Welcome home, Freya. It's spectacular isn't it?” She said excitedly as she skipped towards the mansions gray stone steps.

I nodded in agreement. I couldn't deny it, the place really did look spectacular. I continued to follow Kali and suddenly the two enormous wooden front doors to the mansion creaked and began to open. I wondered to myself who was behind them and I gasped when I instantly recognized the two men that walked out of the doors.

“Welcome, my little hunter,” Alpha Jeremy Quinn greeted me.

I furrowed my brow not understanding what a werewolf Alpha was doing here at the hunter's council. But what took my breath away and baffled me even more, was the person standing next to him. Kali ran up to the guy and kissed him passionately, then she whispered softly into his ear,

“See, I told you that your soft and slow approach wouldn't work. I win the bet, I got her here before you did. Now, time to pay up, Sam.”