Colin didn't waste a second, he didn't ask any questions. His arm was wound up, ready to deliver an impressive back hand. 

I expected the little red head to crumple under such a large and furious man. There was a flicker of panic in her eyes, but the tips of her fingers dipped into the tea in her palms. Her normal irises suddenly lit up to a blue so bright, it was like a glowing florescent light. And her hair rose, like she had just dove into water and the current was tangled in it.

I immediately recalled Sebastian and Ethel gasping over the same physical changes to my appearance. Seeing it now, on someone else when it wasn't aimed at me was terrifying and fascinating. 

"Sit down," she sang, her gaze locked on Colin. She cocked her head and gave him a heartbreaking smile. "You're so weary, have a seat."

Colin froze for a moment, his body at war. Then, his shoulders slumped. His posture relaxed into a lazy slouch as his lips parted and his eyes almost fluttered shut. But the part of his eyes that were still exposed shifted from their normal brown colour to a greyish blue.

"I'm so tired," he sighed, then trudged into my living room like it was his own and fell against the love seat.

"My God, you are a siren," Ajax gasped. "how is this possible? You were all supposed to be dead, wiped out by that one alpha in Spain several years ago."

The siren nodded her head, her hair slowly settling on her shoulders once more. Colin's expression returned to it's previous anger, but horror and confusion were now laced in as well. He was released from her spell, but understood her full power now. Her blue eyes were anxious and she kept the tips of her fingers in the tea as she moved her gaze over each of us, but when no one moved towards her she spoke again, "I'm one of the two last sirens, the only ones who were able to escape. Please, I promise I won't hurt any of you, just let me explain what happened."

No one said anything for a moment. The king and queen were seeming to be sizing up the woman they thought couldn't exist. Colin was glaring and itching for a physical confrontation but understood he couldn't win and his parents were just stricken with shock and grief all at once. I just felt numb and wanted to go back to Sebastian, but knew I couldn't until I had answers.

"Well, we aren't going to get any answers by killing each other. Everyone, have a seat. I'll bring out some refreshments," my mother announced, her voice quaking.

While everyone else settled in the living room my mother escaped to the kitchen. The way her eyes flickered around frantically made me think that she was on the brink of having a mental break down. That was my dad's problem though. In the minor commotion I sneaked to the guest bedroom. 

And there, perched on the bed, was my little sister, staring at my mate with wide eyes.

"Tabitha," I whispered, feeling tears prick my eyes. God, everything was just so overwhelming right now. I wanted to hold her into my arms, but I was still so afraid of myself. I clasped my hands behind my back instead.

"He's very handsome," Tabitha stated, watching Sebastian's chest rise and fall.

"He is, isn't he?"

"He's very strong too. Mom and dad told me to stay in my room, but I could feel him here. He must be a really strong wolf. Is he an alpha?"

"He's more of a lone wolf," I corrected.

"Why won't mom and dad let me come outside?" she asked, finally tearing her eyes away to look at me. Seeing her now made my heart ache. I hadn't realized how much I had missed her.

"We are talking about really important things."

"I heard arguing."

"There was a little bit of a heated conversation, but don't worry, we are going to get everything sorted."

"Can I come out?"

"Well, I actually came to give you a special job," I lied, forcing a smile. "Sebastian might wake up at any minute. I don't want him to be alone. Could you please stay with him? It's really important to me that he's not alone."

Tabitha squared her shoulders and I knew that I had hit my mark. "I'll watch him, I promise."

I gave her a quick kiss on the forehead then returned back to the mess that was waiting for me in the living room.

I was too antsy to sit and to be fair, I could see the divide in the way people sat. The Oakleys all perched on one couch together, the king and queen together on a love seat, my father sitting on an arm chair and the siren leaning against the wall. I didn't know who to side with or who would even take me right now. 

"We're all here, now talk," Colin spat. Rita placed a hand on her son's knee, but her rage was just as potent, simmering under the surface.

The siren didn't hesitate. "I've been on the run from Alpha Nero since I escaped. I avoid enemy territory when I can and usually stay in human cities. Alpha Robert tracked me down. He cornered me when I was walking home from a human bar that is frequented by super naturals. I don't know how he found me, but it was a few days after Hades slaughtered his son. He told me that he needed my help to avenge his son and if I didn't help he would kill me," the siren explained.

"Did you know that Sebastian has been trying to kill Alpha Nero for the past few years?" Colin demanded. "He's been chasing that bastard all over the globe on behalf of your people. And you tried to kill the only man who could actually help you!"

The horror on the siren's face spoke to the fact that she didn't know. But we were getting off track. I didn't want to waste a second out here when i could've been with Sebastian.

"Why did I see you in my dreams?" I demanded. "And the dreams weren't bad, at first, you made me feel safe."

The red head rubbed her arms, seeming chilled at just the thought. "It took a lot of trial and error. Sirens hadn't needed to use their powers as a people in years and after trying to hide myself for so long I barely knew how to use my own powers. When you were in a dream state you were the easiest to control, but we always need two things to have a successful session: water and proximity. I could get all the power I needed from just a glass of water or puddle when it came to controlling your dreams. But your wolf hated me right away. I had to make you trust me and I couldn't exactly make you kill anyone while you were sleeping. It seemed the most I could do was make you bitchy in the morning."

I nodded my head, thinking of the time I had been guarding the shower like my life depended on it. "But you progressed fast. I almost killed Ethel because of you."

"At one point I was finally able to convince Alpha Robert that I needed more water, more than what could fit in a glass or bottle. He kept me underground somewhere close by, but was afraid I would slip away if he ever took me outside so that was a battle in itself. I was able to make you furious in your dream, but it took a lot of energy. While I recovered throughout the day I was able to use drinking water to keep you angry and on edge. Then, he finally took me to a swamp when he got tired of waiting. I wanted to get away from him so badly that I used all the energy I had to make you try and kill Hades. Unfortunately, you channeled the anger towards Ethel instead."

"And it wasn't enough after that first burst," I denied with the shake of my head. "Once I threw the knife you could control me, but not for long."

"It wasn't enough. Water like that never can sustain us for long, but Robert didn't know that. But, you played right into his plan by taking those pills. They pushed your wolf away which was the only thing keeping either of you safe. They weakened her. You were much easier to control at that point, but he kept taking me to the damn swamp and murky, stagnant, dirty water can't channel the same kind of energy and you were too far away for me to possess you fully with limited power."

"So you possessed Sebastian instead," Colin accused, his eyes flashing. "You lured him out here to his death!" Rita now put an arm in front of his chest, physically restraining him.

"I can't control people like him. He's kinder, softer, but his wolf cannot be conquered. Robert and Nero had so little humanity in them that there is almost nothing to possess. I need the human part of the werewolf."

"So how did you get Sebastian out here?" Ajax asked, more curious than angry. 

"How do you think a man like Robert would get the wolf of justice out here?" she said. Then, slowly, she pushed up the billowing sleeves of her dress and exposed her pale arms. 

Red, bloody gashes twirled up her arms. In spots the pale skin gave way to dark, angry bruises. The awful mark carried on beyond the sleeves and I could imagine the marks that were covering her back and chest. 

Despite all my numbness I cringed

"You lock up an innocent girl and you beat her almost to death. He made Nero look weak. And Sebastian ran right into his own death."

~~~Distraction Section~~~

Happy Tuesday! Hope you enjoyed the update. 

Question of the Day: When was the last time you volunteered?