• I recommend listening to Lovely by Billie Eilish ft. Khalid bc I had it on repeat when I wrote this chapter •

It's funny, how when someone dies in a movie, everything is in slow motion. How each sound is magnified, and everything sounds like it's underwater.

For Beverly, everything was moving faster than she could even begin to process.

One second her mother was alive, and the next everyone was screaming and she was lying in a pool of her own blood.

It felt like mere minutes before the police came, seconds as the paramedics hoisted her body onto a gurney.

As soon as the police showed Allison and her father left, and Aiden was nowhere to be seen. She had no one except the police, who tried to get her to answer as many questions as she could.

But all she could answer was the same three words.

"I saw it."

Beverly couldn't even hear them as they explained what the next actions were, a harsh ringing in her ears being the only sound she heard.

The only think she really absorbed was the word hospital, reading the officer's lips as he spoke to her.

She didn't remember getting in her car, or even the drive to the hospital. She hardly noticed the raging storm around her, or even the fact that a multitude of ambulances were driving in the opposite direction of her.

It wasn't until she had pulled into the parking lot of Beacon Hills Memorial Hospital, and stepped out of the car that she suddenly became very aware of what was happening.

Maybe it was the rain, maybe it was the sound of the ambulances or even the bright lights of the hospital, but her mind instantly cleared as she stood in the middle of the parking lot.

Her tears mixed with the rain as she stood there, her whole body shaking-half from the cold, half from the heartache.

Beverly turned and looked at herself in the reflection of her car window, scrubbing her face furiously with her hands to wash away the splattered blood. She tried her hardest not to gag, the mere thought of her mother's life force staining her skin made her stomach churn.

She was getting more and more soaked by the minute, Aiden's jacket having no hood. Normally she would have pulled it up and over her head to shield her hair from the rain, but it was pointless now.

Her converse splashed in the puddles on the asphalt as she jogged towards the hospital doors, stepping inside and shaking her arms out as an attempt to some of the water off.

Beverly slowed as she realized that the hospital was practically empty, the blonde turning around and peeking down the halls. She started to wander, the hair on her arms standing up as the lights began to flicker. She had the feeling that something really bad was going to happen.

"Hello?" She called out, her shoes squeaking against the tile as she came to a new hallway, craning her neck to the left.

Bevie?" She turned around, seeing Aiden standing at the end of the hall. A look of relief crossed her face, the girl running towards him and throwing herself against him in a hug. He quickly pulled away, grabbing her face and wiping away the tears that had escaped. "I'm so sorry, are you okay?"

"No." Beverly took a shaky breath and shook her head, a look of sadness crossing his face. He pulled her face closer, kissing her deeply for a few moments. When they broke apart he pressed a kiss against her forehead, hugging her close to him.

"Aiden-" Ethan came from one of the rooms, his mouth open in warning but it was too late.

"Now isn't this quaint." Deucalion sighed, a sick smile on his face as he came out of the room from behind Ethan, his hands folded over the top of his cane. "I do enjoy young love."

Aiden grabbed Beverly and shoved her behind him, a shocked gasp leaving her lips at his abruptness. "What do you want?"

"I am quite disappointed in you, Aiden." The alpha of alphas took a step forward, Aiden's face hardening. "I thought we had a deal; don't get attached. Now I don't know about you, but that kiss looked rather attached, don't you think Kali?"

"I'd have to agree." Kali stepped out of the shadows, her pointed toenails scratching the tile. Beverly recognized her as the woman who had welcomed her to the building, swallowing nervously.

"I didn't mean to-"

"I already gave you a second chance, Aiden. Now you have to pay the price." Deucalion seemed to be almost shaking with excitement, the smile on his face turning into a full blown grin. "Give them back."

"No." Aiden clenched his jaw, Ethan watching with wide eyes.

"Either you give the girl back her memories," He cocked his head to the side, his red eyes flashing through his glasses. "Or I kill her in front of you."

"Aiden what is he talking about?" Beverly whispered, the grip he had on her upper arm tightening.

"Deucalion, please." His voice cracked, showing Deucalion weakness. "I'll do anything."

Deucalion shrugged, flicking his claws out and cocking his head to the side. "Slowly, or quickly? I'll let you choose."

"Fine." Aiden whispered, closing his eyes. Deucalion took a step forward, bringing a clawed hand to his ear as if he couldn't hear him. "I'll give them back."

"Give what back?" Beverly's voice was laced with confusion, Aiden turning around and grabbing her shoulders.

"This is going to hurt, but I need you not to move, do you understand?" Aiden said slowly, Beverly nodding. He wet his lips, shaking his head. "I am so sorry."

Aiden moved her hair over her shoulder, the scars that haunted him every time she wore her hair up staring back at him. Ethan had to look away as Aiden lined his claws up with the scars, taking a deep breath and sinking them into her spine. Beverly gasped, her eyes growing wide.

Beverly frowned as Aiden didn't pick up her call again, the girl shoving her phone in her back pocket. He usually met her when she got off the bus, and would walk with her back to her house.

He had been acting so weird lately, always busy and running off last minute.

She walked through the yellow grass behind her house, imagining what her mom was gonna make for dinner that night. She paused when she felt something crunch under her feet, stepping back and kneeling down.

Her dad's glasses.

She picked them up, wondering why the hell her dad's glasses were in the backyard.  She paused when she saw the blood smudged on the glass, her breath catching in her throat.

And that's when she saw the bodies.

In the middle of the field next to her house laid about a seven bodies, blood standing out harshly against the dead grass.

There were a few people still kneeling, their hands tired behind their backs.

One of them, her father.

There was a huge creature circling around them, almost taunting them. It looked half human, half animal as it stood, something straight out of a nightmare.

Beverly dropped her backpack on the ground and started running, willing her feet to carry her as fast as possible. Her heart rate quickened as the beast swung its arm out, the woman's head coming clean off.

Her father was next.

A force suddenly hit her in her chest, Beverly fighting against the arms that held her back. She was crying now, a painful shriek escaping her lips. One of the hands covered her mouth, holding her back as she struggled.

"Beverly stop." Her mother whispered in her ear, her words thick with emotion. "Stop if they'll kill us too."

The creature seemed to hesitate as it stood behind her father, Marshall Hunt's head raising and his eyes finding his wife and daughter.

The creature raised its arm, Marshall mouthing three words.

'I love you'

Beverly screamed against her mother's palm as his head hit the floor, tear streaming down her face. Her knees buckled, falling to the ground and gripping her mother's arm as sobs wracked her body.

Her eyes were too blurry with tears to see the creature murder it's last victim, her mothers grip loosening as she was overcome with grief.

Beverly took this chance to tar away from her grasp, standing up and running down the small hill.

She tripped and fell on her hands and knees a few feet away from her father's body, loud wails emitting from deep in her chest.

She bent her head own, crying as her hands gripped the dead grass. She didn't care if the creature killed her in that moment, grief and pain consuming her whole being.

Beverly finally looked up, her breath getting caught in her throat as she saw the creature separate into two different men.

"No." Beverly whimpered, shaking her head as Aiden made eye contact with her. His face was full of guilt, his chest slick with blood. "Why?"

He didn't even flinch as she screamed at him, her face contorted in fear and anger. He couldn't speak, just turned around and walked past his brother.

Aiden stepped back, tearing his claws away from her neck and holding his hand to his chest. She didn't react at first, her shoulder moving with each deep breath.

"You." She finally spoke, turning around slowly. Her eyes flicked from Ethan to Aiden, both of their faces drowned with regret. "It was you."

"Be-"

"If you call me Bevie right now, I swear to god." Beverly voice came out hoarse, her hands curling into fists. "What was this? Coming here, getting close to me? What? Was it so you could kill me too, rebel in the glory of murdering a whole family? Too bad you missed out on my mom, huh?"

"Aiden, you neglected to give back her other memories." Deucalion shook his head, clicking his tongue in distaste.

"What do you mean, the other ones?" Beverly breathed, her eyes stinging with tears as she looked back and forth between them. "There are more?"

"Bev, he took them for your own good." Ethan stepped forward, pausing when she shot him a glare.

"My own good?" She shook her head, feeling a tear spill over. "You already took my dad, you don't get to take anything else."

"You better give her what she wants, Aiden." The alpha mused, looking over at Beverly. "Tell him what you want, sweetheart."

"I want my memories back." Her voice came out hoarse, almost a whisper. "All of them."

"Aiden-"

"She already hates me, Ethan." Aiden snapped, clenching his jaw. "It won't make a difference."

Ethan fell silent as he strode over, her cold gaze making him sick to his stomach.

"I'm sorry." Aiden whispered, lining his claws along the already mapped out marks.

Bev didn't say anything as she closed her eyes, taking a shaky breath as she prepared herself.

Aiden closed his own eyes and slid his claws in, Bev making a small noise out of fear and pain. Everything came in flash, like a bunch of scenes playing in her head.

"I love you." Aiden whispered, Bev's face lighting up before she pressed her lips against his, messy and excited, like a first kiss should be.

Ethan watched as both of them winced, a lump growing in his throat.

"Dance with me."

"School dances are overrated."

"If you love me you'll dance."

Deucalion looked smug, his arms crossed as he watched.

"You're like my soulmate."

"That's the girliest thing I've ever heard you say." Bev giggled, shoving him playfully.

Kali's face held no expression, the woman looking at the floor in muted discomfort.

Beverly seated at a piano in the middle of the auditorium stage, trying to get her hands to stop shaking. She looks into the crowd, and sees her parents, Aiden seated next to them.

Aiden claps loudly, bringing his fingers to his lips as he whistles. "That's my girl up there!"

A tear rolled down her cheek, each memory hitting her harder than the last.

"What are you doing?" Bev covered her face, Aiden smiling behind the Polaroid camera he had pointed at her.

"Making memories."

Aiden's whole body was rigid, his free hand clenched at his side.

"I love you, you know that?" Beverly propped her head up on her hand, her hair falling messily over her bare shoulders.

"I love you too." Aiden grinned, his fingers tapping against her waist, hot on her skin.

Every kiss, every "I love you", every single memory that her and Aiden shared while they were helplessly in love returned, crushing her like a pile of bricks landed on her chest.

When the last memory was restored he pulled away, his eyes watching Beverly carefully.

Bev didn't move, her eyes shut as tightly as possible. A heavy silence hung in the air, until it was broken by a sob.

"I loved you." She whispered, turning around to stare at him. Tears were flowing freely, her eyes full of betrayal.

"Bevie-"

"I loved you!" She cried out, pushing him hard. "I loved you!"

She hit him with each word, Aiden flinching each time her fist hit him. She screamed in anger, in pain, in frustration as her small fists slammed against his stomach.

Deucalion nodded to Kali, who crossed the hall and stood behind Beverly. Her arms looped underneath her arm pits, pulling the girl away from him.

Beverly slumped against her, exhausted. The look she gave Aiden made his stomach drop, the same one she had given him that day in the field.

Disgust, fear, and worst of all, betrayal.

"I'm so sorry." Aiden was crying now, his voice hoarse as he shook his head. "I didn't want to, he made me-"

"Shut up." She spat, yanking herself away from Kali. She let out a bitter laugh, wiping the tears off of her cheeks and opening her mouth to speak.

No words came out, Beverly taking a deep breath and staring at Aiden for the last time before turning around.

As he watched her walk away, her was sure of one thing.

He had lost her, again.

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Not edited

Fuck.

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