"Ian?" I whispered. "Ian Darkwater?"

"The one and only," he smiled awkwardly. Holding his hand out in front of me to gesture that he wanted a handshake. But his gesture back-fired on him as I only recoiled in fear. Looking at him with eyes that screamed danger. He sighed with a frown he reluctantly put his hand down and placed them both in his pockets.

"You're afraid of me."

"Pft, don't be absurd. Why would I be afraid of someone like-"

"You're afraid of what I might do to you." He paused looking at me as no words came to my mind. "You've always been afraid. Ever since I became your elementary bully your brain placed a mental warning on me. Reassuring you that you would stay away and never deal with the likes of me again. You weren't afraid of me, you were afraid of the way I turned the whole school on you in a second. Afraid of the words that seemed to cut you like knifes even though they left no physical scaring. Afraid of having food thrown at you when you were just walking in the hall. You weren't afraid of people and you weren't afraid of me. You were afraid of the way they got under your skin and ripped you apart from the inside out. You were afraid of the monster they would bring out in you, but you stayed strong and I am relieved that you stayed strong."

"Are you saying that your sorry for what you did?" I spoke through clench teeth. Trying to not make those terrible memories roll back into my mind and cry in front of the person who caused them. You don't ever cry in front of your enemy, ever. And Ian Darkwater was my enemy ever since I walked through those school gates for the first time.

"Yes," he said softly. "Not a day goes by where I regret what I did to you. And I know no matter how many times I say the word sorry, you will never forgive me. And you shouldn't. Why forgive a brat like me who picked on you for a stupid reason."

"What was the reason exactly? Why the bullying?" I asked, cold and emotionless. My fingers fidgeting with themselves as I took deep breaths. Trying to soothe my nervous heart.

"You don't know?" He questioned, giving me a surprised look as if I knew how his mind works.

"I only know the fake reason, thinking I was weird because I only drew wolves," I looked up at him. "But I know any smart kid like you could care less of what I drew on my paper. So tell me the real reason as to why you made my elementary life almost like a living hell."

He held a face of guilt for 3 seconds. He sighed and it was as if his whole body had released the hidden tension he was carrying for all those 10 years. We were 8 when Ian bullied me for the first time and now at the age of 18, 10 years later, I'm finally getting some answers.

"I had a crush on you." He admitted, his eyebrows knitted together with stupidity.

"What?" I said in a whisper, raising one of my eyebrows in skepticism.

"I didn't know at the time. I just knew you gave me this weird feeling when ever you were around and I didn't like it cause it was unfamiliar to me. You made my stomach all nervous and my hands clammy. And you just had that power to knock the wind out of me with those eyes. Those...green eyes." He spoke sincere, breaking our eye contact before he looked down at his feet. "I was 8 years old and I had no idea what a crush was, hell I still believed girls had coodies back then. So I concluded that this feeling was hate and I made myself believe that. That I hated you for no reason, that my instinct just told me to hate you. It wasn't until middle school that I realized...that my elementary school self had a crush on the girl that drew nothing but wolves. A crush on the girl that he turned her school against her and he is sorry about that. I am so very sorry."

I was at a lost of words. I knew that was a stupid reason to bully an 8 year old girl. Hell it's practically the most stupidest reason to bully anyone. But...it was the most valid reason and the most forgiving one. He was only 8 when love wasn't even a word to me. Let alone a feeling. Of course he had family love and he loved his toys and he's favorite food. He maybe even loved the sports he played with his friends. But a crush love, that's meant for 18 year olds. That kind of love, was still unknown to me at that young age. He was a scared little boy he didn't even understand what his own body was telling him. A scared little boy he didn't know right from wrong. A little boy who now stands before me as a man to apologize for what he did those ten years ago. I looked at him, the corner of my lip perking up as a half smile. A smile in which he didn't see, a smile that faded once I noticed the small bouquet of roses hiding in the pocket of his jacket.

"Who are you visiting?" I spoke softly, getting rid of the harsh and emotionless tone. He looked up once he heard my voice, noticing that I was eyeing the roses.

"My mother." He said calm with a hint of sadness in his voice.

"What happened?" I questioned concerned.

His eyes adverted to the ground once more. The look of sadness replacing the guilt he had a few minutes ago. His eyes becoming dull like a rainy day as the memory replayed in his head. "It was at an intersection. She had the right away...and the Semi-Truck driver was drunk. He didn't stop...why didn't he stop." His eyes closed as he continued to fight his mental war. "She's been in a coma for a whole year and the doctors say she may never wake up." His voice was heavy, weighed down by so much pain. His voice was like a bird chained to the ground, no happiness and the ability to touch the sky was gone.

"Where's your father?"

He opened his eyes and I fake smile played on his lips. "He left me and mother when I was ten."

"Grandparents?"

"They live in Paris. It would cost them an arm and a leg to fly here and they don't have the energy to do that anyway."

"Siblings?"

"Only child."

"Friends?"

"Kind of stopped having friends after the accident." He paused and contemplated. "My mother...she's the only thing I have left."

"Well, you got me." My voice was joyful and sincere. I held my hand out to him and he looked at it with surprised. "Serena Havenmoon, it's nice to meet you again Ian Darkwater."

He hesitated before his lips broke out into a smile. Shaking his head as his chest rumbled from the little laugh that passed his lips. He grabbed my hand and shook it as he said, "It's nice to see you too Serena."

* Ky's P.O.V *

'Knock Knock' was the sound my knuckle made against the wooden door. The rich dark color of mahogany staring back at me as if it was judging me for my actions. As if it knew every one of my dark little secrets and that freaked me out, like a lot. I was freaking myself out. Stupid brain.

'Knock Knock' I knocked again, getting impatient. She said she would be here, what the hell is she doing?

"I'm coming!" I heard Rachel's voice from the other side of the door. It wasn't long before she opened the door and nearly made me jump out of my fur. She stood in the door way wearing only a button down white shirt and her panties.  I narrowed my eyes at her, I was not amused.

"What are you doing?" I said a little ticked.

"Seducing you. Is it working?" She said with a wink, biting her bottom lip as she was trying to turn me on. You ain't nothing but a hound dog aren't you.

"Go get some pants on." I growled, infuriated.

"But honey-"

"I'm not your honey," I rubbed my temples. I had dug myself into a really deep, regretful hole. And why did I volunteer to dig this hole you may ask? The truth is...I don't remember. It just seemed natural I guess, date until you find your mate. Except...I wasn't dating Rachel, we were just using each other. That was the deal between me and her, be each other's "company" until we found the one we're suppose to be with. We were never exclusive but I'm guessing Rachel misunderstood that for she became really really possessive over me. Hence the fighting between her and Serena. "Just please go get some pants on."

"Fiiiiiine," she pouted like a child. Running back upstairs as I entered her house. Closing the door behind me as I sighed with relief. I knew that starting this deal with her would be bad, but...I thought I would never want to get serious with someone. But if I want to get serious with her...I have to end this thing with Rachel and fast.

"I'm back" Rachel announced as she walked over to me with a skip in her step. Thankfully she was fully clothed this time as she stood before me. She had the most happiest grin on her face. A grin that made me sigh and shove my hands in my pockets.

"Sit down."

"Kay!" She was so obedient, always so obedient. I sat on the recliner that was next to the couch. She looking at me with the most clueless eyes. Eyes that didn't know the storm that was about to destroy her world.

"You remember the deal we made a long time ago right? That we would keep each other "company" before we found our mates."

"Yes, how could I forget." She laughed, acting all bubbly before she quickly became serious. Her eyebrows knitted together in concern. "Why?"

Seems like she's catching on. "Rachel, I'm sorry but...I have to end the deal."

Her face dropped as anxiety took over. "W-why?"

"Well..." my voice died off as I run my hand through my hair. Frustrated as I left out a heavy sigh, unable to look at her. This deal was a really stupid idea.

"It's because of her isn't it!?" Her voice was broken. She was sad but it was the type of sad that quickly turn into anger and jealously. "It's because of Serena isn't it!?" She yelled at me. Standing up as her hands became fists at her sides, her wolf eyes burning through her blue.

"Yes it is!" I retaliated back, my voice reaching her same anger and hate.

"Why? Is it because she's better than me?! Or prettier!!! She's prettier isn't it! I can be prettier too!" Her voice was like a beg as she clawed the front of my shirt. Looking up at me with those same desperate puppy dog eyes. The eyes she showed to anyone when nothing went her way. The same eyes that she gave to every boy at school.

"Rachel-"

"I'll dye my hair! Go on a diet!"

"Rachel!"

"I'll dress differently! I'll-"

"RACHEL!" I screamed at her. Grabbing her arms firmly I shook her slightly to make her stop. Her hysterical face still and silent as she looked upon me. "You don't love me and I don't love you. And you know that, you know that I'm not the one for you. You feel it in your bones...don't you?"

Her face was frozen as she searched in her heart the truth about her feelings. Going back through the memories and the efforts she made trying to keep me as her's. She couldn't find a reason. Not one reason as to why she went through all this trouble just to keep me on leash. Not one valid reason as to why to not let me go. She looked at me as silent tears ran down her cheeks and then she smiled. She decided to let me go.

"She's your mate isn't she?" She spoke in a whisper that was peaceful and serene. The kind of whisper that came to terms with the facts and was willing to give for the better nature of others. She was giving me away and she finally realized that was the right thing to do.

"I hope she is. God, I hope she is."  I admitted and her smile only seem to blossom in size. With all the confidence in the world, she grabbed my face and kissed my cheek as a goodbye.

"She is. And I'll apologize to her, who knows maybe we'll even be friends one day." She chuckled, finding it a little silly to suddenly want to become friends with your arch rival. Think about it! Rachel and Serena talking and laughing with one another, now that would be a sight to see. I laughed at the thought of that.

"You take care of yourself okay?" I said as her hands fell from my face. My hands falling from her shoulders simultaneously as my hands enter my pockets.

"I will, now stop wasting your time with me and go get her tiger!" She said with encouragement. Nudging my shoulder as she urged me to hurry and not lose her.

"I know," I said nonchalant. Remembering all the time where I screwed up in efforts of grabbing Serena's affection. "But I'm afraid I might have already screwed up with her too many times. What if I can't win her heart?"

She gave me one of those looks that screamed, "you have got to be kidding me".

"What???" I replied to her look, confused as to why she gave me such an expression.

She than rolled her eyes and walked to the door. Gesturing that it was time for me to leave. "You boy's so oblivious to everything! Ky...you have a better shot than you believe."

"Really!?" My voice was filled with excitement as her sentence made my heart flutter with hope. She chuckled and shook her head. Opening the door as she let the cool breeze in. The nice fresh air brushing against my skin as it filled my lungs and made me at ease.

"Now go. Don't let me keep you here much longer."

I gave her a smile, said my goodbyes and my thanks. Then I just stared at her for a while, looked deep into her sea blue eyes. You may think she's not a good person, but I have to tell you wrong. You see underneath all the jealous, all that popularity and the ego. Is a good person, an extremely excellent person. You see what she shows at school is a facade, a mask to keep the wounded version of herself hidden. Away from prying eyes and away from her heart. She wasn't always like this, she was a lot like Serena except less noble and confident. She changed, ever since that time, since that faithful day she's never been the same. The day when she lost her baby brother...was the day her mask was created.

* Narrator *

"Y-your highness..." the servant quaked in fear as his master resided in the shadows. The bearer of bad news kneeling as he fell to the floor, knowing what he had to say would only make his master angry.

"I asked for an update on Delphine and if you don't have one word about her then get out of my sight!" The master hissed from the shadows, moving from one corner of the room to the other like lightning.

"Your highness, Delphine failed her mission. The werewolf lives."

The master released a rumble from his lips that sounded like a tigers roar. His hand crashing the small stone statue into dust. "So does Delphine hide from me in cowardice cause she's afraid that I will punish her for her failure!" The master roared as he dusted off his hands in anger.

"No, the Werewolf police have her in custody behind artificially made Ivory bars."

The master growled as he looked towards his servant. His blood red eyes piercing through the veil of darkness. "Ivory," he spat at the word. Feeling a shiver run down his spine as he spoke the name of his worst enemy. The only thing that could kill...a vampire. "What are the wolves doing to Delphine?"

"They're interrogating her. Questioning about who she's working for, why she broke the peace treaty, and why she went after the wolf of course."

"And has she uttered a word or a syllable?" The master took a step out of the darkness. The light hitting his pale skin as he seemed to shimmer in the golden glow of the sun. His eyes burning like the embers of a fire as his raven black hair shined like black magic.

"No Highness, she remains loyal to you and only you."

"Good, we don't want to pull the trigger and give away our plan."

"Of course not highness."

The master nodded, rubbing his chin in content and contemplation. Analyzing his choices and the cards that he hid in his deck. Secrecy. Capture. Conquer. Revenge. He stood and contemplated a bit more. Staring off into space as he stood tall and proper. Wearing royal clothes and a long black robe that held the cosmos within the cloth. "That will be all for today. You may leave."

"What about Delphine your Highness?"

"I'll make a visit to the police department tomorrow. As for now forge some kind of document that releases her into our care and leave me in peace." He ordered and the humble servant bowed in respect.

"Of course your highness. Have a nice rest of your day your highness."

"A nice day to you as well. You are dismissed." And with that the servant scampered off and closed the door to the throne room so the Prince could think in peace. With a heavy sigh the prince fell into his throne sitting in a way that presented power and dominance. His fingers tapping his arm rest as his lips turned up into a evil smile. A small chuckle begin to rumble in his chest before it suddenly burst into a laugh. Watching his beautiful plan unfold before him with victory. Ready to set the wheels in motion as his revenge tasted closer and sweeter.

"They wouldn't know what hit them." He said to himself, crazy residing in his eyes as his laugh only seem to extend in power. "I will make every last one of them pay! They will all pay! But the person who will pay the most...will be that damn Alpha, Ky Severs!"

* A few Days Later, Serena P.O.V *

"Well Ms.Havenmoon, the silver nitrate has completely been drained out of your system and your muscles are now in perfect and full condition. All I have to do now is sign your released papers and your free to go."

"Thank you for taking care of me Dr.Wright."

"Your welcome my dear," she said with a smile, signing the papers as her pen scribble against the paper. Sitting there in silence as I thought long and hard of the question I wanted to ask.

"Um do you know where I could find Mary Darkwater?" I asked. Sitting on the bed as I was finally dressed in my own closed. All set and ready to go.

"What's your relation with her?" She questioned, her eyes darted from the page to my eyes.

"I just know her son, Ian Darkwater. I thought it would be nice to visit her and maybe help him or something. But if it's Doctor Patient-"

"Room 309," she said with a smile. Walking up to me as she handed me my released papers and her pen to sign with. "She's in room 309. I believe he's there now, giving his mother her favorite flowers. Irises."

I smiled and grabbed the pen from her. Signing my name on the line that asked for my signature. Finally relieved that I could get out of this hospital room and back home. "Thank you," I said as I handed her back the pen. Standing up from my bed as I grabbed my things. Shoving everything into my purse before I sling it on my shoulder.

"Your welcome," she replied as she took the clipboard with my paper's and pen back. "Do I need to call somebody to come pick you up? Relative? Friend?"

"No, my family will be picking me up soon. Can you point them in the right way when you they get here?"

"Of course." She said with light flashing in her eyes. Her smile just filled with hope and happiness. "Have a nice day Ms.Havenmoon."

"You too Dr.Wright." She nodded and left. Shoving her hand in her pocket as she knew she did a job well done. Feeling satisfied with her work as she moved on to the patients that needed her care the most. While I decided to make a visit to room 309. It didn't take me long to get to the room, in fact it was right down the hall. That's probably why Ian was able to visit me every day. But when I entered the room, the air changed dramatically.

(Play video)

The atmosphere was heavy, but it was a heaviness that pulled at your heart strings and took your easy breathing away. This room...was more dead than alive and yet it seemed to be full of happy memories with Irises framing the moment. It was Irises that framed the beautiful women that seemed to lay lifeless on the white sheets. She was ginger just like her son and I bet if she opened her eyes, she would have that same deep rich blue. Her skin was fair, almost porcelain as she had all this machines hooked up to her. Helping her to breath and give her the nutrients she needed for day to day life. The murmur of a heart monitor broke the silence as it remained in the corner. So many machines...and not one of them could wake her up. Not one of them could bring Ian's mother back to him. They just prolonged her life as Ian continued to pray for a miracle. A miracle that seemed impossible and out of reach from his grasp. This room...was the most heart breaking and what made it worst, was the helpless son sitting at her bed side. His elbows laid on the bed as her held his mother's hand against his face. Tears seeming to fall from his eyes as he stared at her with so much pain and hope. He never lost hope and I don't think he'll ever will. Ian Darkwater is a man who lives on dreams and promises that seems unlikely to be fulfilled. He lives and loves on hope and he always will. I couldn't say a word as I look upon them both. I couldn't acknowledge him with my presence, I didn't want to break the moment. So with a heavy heart, I slowly walked over to him and placed my hand on his right shoulder. Squeezing it in reassurance and comfort. He didn't turn around, he didn't even flinch when my hand landed on his shoulder. He remained calm and relaxed as if he knew that it was me. He only proved my assumption when his other hand grabbed mine. Squeezing it in return as a way of saying..."don't leave".

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* Jordananime Here *

Song for this chapter: "Hurt" covered by the 2 cellos

Hello all my lovelies! I hope you are all enjoying an amazing summer and sorry for how late this chapter is. I hope you you can forgive me. Hehe. And I hope I'm not disappointing you in the story line spread the word about my books if you don't mind. Tell a friend, your significant other, perhaps even a family member. Anybody! I love you all so much and thank you for giving me all this support and encouragement. You are all amazing and I love you all so much.

Questions for this week:

Any of you who read this book read my other books?

What do you think of the story so far?

What do you think of my writing skills?

Did Rachel's reaction surprise you?

How are you feeling about Ian?

Do you believe Ian should be more involved in the story as time go on?

What do you think is Prince Derek's plan?

How did Rachel lose her baby brother?

Answer these questions and ask your own in the comments below!

I love you all so much and I hope to see you when the NEXT FULL MOON HITS!

* Jordananime Out *