Lena Matthews

As the car lurched over a pothole, I heard a distinct thump echo from the trunk of Kiara's car. "Are you okay?" I called, but I wasn't sure if anyone could hear me. As Kiara neared the gate, her knuckles tightly clutched the wheel.

"Be calm." Kiara instructed me, but I had a feeling she was just talking to herself. Underneath her hat, she was probably starting to sweat.

The car came to a halt next to a familiar security booth. Makaya's full-time replacement was smiling at us pleasantly, but I still refused to like her out of principle. I never even bothered to learn her name.

"Did you enjoy your breakfast?" she asked us.

"Yep." said Kiara quickly. "Now, we have a meeting to get ready for."

The woman frowned. "You're going?" she asked Kiara.

"Ivy's my friend. I want to support her." Kiara explained.

"Being here is a privilege for you. Do you really think you should attend a meeting on top of that?" the woman asked.

"Just let us through." I retorted.

"I'll see you at the meeting." said Kiara, smiling despite the woman's comment. The gate swung open, unveiling the way back to Atalka. I looked at Kiara and nodded. The car glided forward.

Kiara was still stiff when the vehicle stopped in Carter's driveway. She turned the engine off and popped the trunk open. Taylor and Carter were already outside, waiting behind the car. I quickly stumbled out and met Taylor and Carter by the trunk. It popped open, revealing Aaliyah and Jerome.

"I can't believe that worked." said Aaliyah breathlessly, accepting Taylor's hand as she crawled out of the trunk.

"Carter." I whispered. "Stop staring at him and help him out."

"Right." said Carter, breaking from his strange trance. He and Jerome were looking at each other like neither of them had ever seen a person before. He held his hand out. "I'm Carter."

"Jerome," said Jerome, taking Carter's hand. "Are you like Aaliyah?" He asked, staring at the Forbidden brand on Carter's neck. He hadn't bothered covering it today.

"Um, we're all Forbidden." I interjected. Jerome didn't turn to look at me. I felt like I was interrupting something.

"So are there types?" Jerome asked. Despite the fact that he was fully out of the trunk, he hadn't bothered dropping Carter's hand.

"Kind of. I'm a vampire." said Carter.

"Wait really? Do you sparkle?" Jerome asked. Carter dropped his hand instantly.

"One more person asks me that, and I'm out." Carter decided. He sped back to the house, leaving a gust of wind in his wake. I huffed as I pushed my hair out of my face. No matter how many times Carter did that, it would always catch me off guard.

"He doesn't like Twilight." I informed Jerome stupidly.

"I think I picked up on that." Jerome snapped.

"Okay." I said defensively. "So, what brings you here? We just needed Aaliyah."

"And I needed to be there for my best friend." Jerome replied. "Also, I've always wanted to see the other side of the gate." He stared at Carter's sprawling house. "You guys are extra."

"This is going to sound strange, but have we met before?" I asked randomly.

"Not really. I just saw you that one night, but that's all." said Jerome.

"It's just..." I wasn't sure what to say. "I feel like I've had a conversation with you before, that's all." I wasn't about to admit to Jerome that we had spoken to each other if he didn't remember it. I really hoped it would stay that way, because he knew way too much about me.

We didn't say anything as we walked into the house, where Jessica was in a frenzy.

"In the trunk?" she nearly shrieked when we walked inside. "What were you guys thinking? Are you alright?" Jessica was doting over Aaliyah while glaring at everyone else. "Do you need any water or something?."

"I'm fine Ms..." Aaliyah trailed off.

"Jessica." Jessica introduced. "It's nice to meet you, although I think we already met. You tried to kill me."

"I... what?" Aaliyah asked. At that moment, Jessica looked up at Jerome.

"There's another?" Jessica asked, her blood beginning to boil all over again. All of us made nervous eye contact with each other, unsure of what to say. "You stuffed two innocent teenagers in a trunk?" Her eyes flashed bright red for a moment.

"What in the-" Jerome quickly backed away from Jessica.

"I'm not mad at you, sweetheart." Jessica assured him. She then glared directly at Kiara.

"I'm sorry, did you guys want a werewolf or not?" Kiara asked.

"That's the thing. I thought we established that I'm not a werewolf. I don't know what I am." Aaliyah murmured the last part.

"Do you remember how you died?" Jessica asked gently.

"Died?" Jerome spluttered. "You're dead?"

"I'm breathing, you idiot." said Aaliyah. She reached up at her collarbone, where her Forbidden brand was displayed. "I mean, there was this thing. All of the girls in my family got sick. My grandmother, my mom, my sister."

"You were the only one that made it. It was a miracle." Jerome finished.

"Yeah, well, I haven't been the same since." said Aaliyah. "Do you know who could have done that?"

"There are a lot of Forbidden that can cause sickness: for example, the encantado," said Jessica.  All gazes drifted towards Kiara.

"No!" Kiara exclaimed. "Seriously?"

"After this is over, I can help you figure it out." Jessica offered.

"That would be really cool." said Aaliyah gratefully.

"Okay, I hate to ruin the moment, but it's plan time," said Taylor. "We need a place for Aaliyah to hide so she can meditate, and we need people to watch her body."

"I can do it." Jerome volunteered.

"Me too!" Carter offered quickly.

"I'm not sure if you can do that," said Jessica. "People will notice if you're missing. All Forbidden need to be present at the meetings."

"You can't seriously expect Jerome to watch Aaliyah by himself!" Carter argued. "No offense, but you're just a person."

"None taken... I don't think." said Jerome.

"I can help." Kiara announced.

"I thought you would be at the meeting." I said. "It was going to be your first."

"Yeah, well, you saw how that lady reacted. I'm not wanted." said Kiara.

"But we want you, Ki." Taylor protested.

"I'm fine, Taylor." Kiara insisted. She sighed and stared at the floor.

"Can we focus?" Jessica asked. Everyone snapped back to attention at her words. "We're going to Atalka Academy, and we'll need Carter to speed Jerome, Aaliyah, and Kiara to a secluded spot so Aaliyah can start meditating. Aaliyah, how much control do you have over the wolf?"

"I've been getting better," said Aaliyah. "If you say something to me while I'm meditating, the wolf should be able to listen and adjust accordingly."

"Good." said Jessica. "I'll be texting Kiara throughout the meeting so that everyone's on the same page. Ivy?"

"I'm going to tell everyone that I have nothing to do with the cold woman." I affirmed.

"Good." said Jessica. "Let's do this."

Because Jessica felt guilty, Aaliyah got the front seat. That annoyed Carter at first, but he didn't seem too upset about sitting in the back with Jerome. Taylor and I ended up taking Kiara's car since Jessica's didn't have enough seats.

We pulled into the parking lot, which was still empty since we were the first to show. I could spot a blur traveling across the campus as Carter rushed Aliyah, Jerome, and Kiara into the Academy. I took a shaky breath and rubbed my wrist nervously.

"You'll be fine," said Taylor.

"Do you think they'll buy it?" I asked.

"They better," said Taylor, shrugging. It wasn't very uplifting. Kiara probably have been more suited for this kind of thing. "Listen, everyone wants to believe that the werewolves are still around, looking out for us. You're just giving them what they want to see. Remember that."

I nodded, actually feeling better.

"I mean, who wants to face the truth? Because the truth is that evil won all those years ago, and the native werewolves are all dead. And nothing, not even renaming the town, will ever bring them back. We're really alone."

"Taylor!" I snapped, her words no longer comforting me. Taylor shrugged, unbothered.

I stepped out of the car, eager to be outside again. My eyes landed on Makaya, who was approaching me. For once, she was actually expected.

"When can I see her?" I asked before Makaya could say anything.

"Nice to see you too, Honey." said Makaya, crossing her arms. "Listen, she's being kept in a pretty tightly run facility. I had to pull a lot of strings to get you in for a visit on Friday."

"What are you guys talking about?" Taylor asked.

"Fuyuko Kazama is the yuki onna, I just know it." I said. "It makes perfect sense, and I need to confirm it."

"The crazy lady who used to live in your house? That's who's behind the attacks?" Taylor asked.

"Yep." I confirmed.

"Well, Friday is the Night of Shining Stars," said Taylor.

"And there are lives on the line. I think you girls can skip a talent show, can't you?" Makaya asked.

"What about you?" I asked.

"Our good friend Mrs. Pearce wants me to be with her at the show. It's hard to say no to her." Makaya gave Taylor a playful smile, but she only glowered back. "Well, I've been meaning to keep an eye on her anyway, so it's not all bad."

"Fine." I muttered. "Let's get through this meeting."

Everything was set up identically to my trial, which was stirring up some pretty uncomfortable memories. As I arrived, several Forbidden paused their conversations to stare at me.

"Are you okay?" Carter asked, coming to my side. I nodded silently. "Everything's going to be fine. You have nothing to hide." he promised.

"I..." I couldn't bring myself to finish my own thought. "Thank you." I replied instead.

"Everyone, please take your seats." Mrs. Pearce announced from the center of the stage. Her voice resounded across the field, and everyone quieted instantly. All I could hear was the sound of footsteps as the crowd settled into their chairs. Mrs. Pearce waved me towards her. I took my place on the stage, right at her side.

"This is Ivy Scott." Mrs. Pearce announced to the crowd. "We may remember her from her trial, when it was decided that she would be trusted with our secret because she was the first one to see a werewolf in Atalka in decades." I waved awkwardly. "As of a few weeks ago, she has joined us as one the Forbidden."

At those words, I pulled down my sleeve to show everyone my Forbidden brand. I had assumed that everyone knew by now because of the way rumors spread around here, but there were still a few gasps.

"The circumstances behind this were... complicated to say the least." Mrs. Pearce continued. "It was brought to my attention that some believe that Ivy had something to do with the untimely death of Flora Delaney. This meeting was called to dispute these outlandish claims and cement Ivy Scott's innocence." Mrs. Pearce turned to me. "Anything you'd like to say?"

"Sure." I said quietly. Somehow, the microphone picked that up and my voice echoed everywhere. I switched places with Mrs. Pearce and adjusted the microphone to my height. "So, I'm Ivy Scott, and I was the last person to see Flora Delaney alive."

I scanned the crowd as everyone took in my words. As I looked around, I could have sworn I saw a tiny green dot. I blinked, and it vanished. My phone vibrated, but I ignored it.

"The cold woman attacked the tree that Flora had a connection with. Then she just vanished. Before Flora died, she had enough strength to kill me. I'm not sure why. She could have thought I was the cold woman in her last disorienting moments." I was getting pretty good at lying at this point. Good thing no one was monitoring my words this time.

"Also, it's come to my understanding that some people are doubting whether or not I saw a werewolf. After all, it's possible for Mr. Liu to have misinterpreted my words and my intentions. Since everyone took a leap of faith for me because of the werewolf, and that sighting is being called into question, the initial ruling of my trial is now questionable as well." It took all the strength I had not to roll my eyes at that.

"However, this is going to be impossible to misinterpret." I concluded. I nodded to Jessica, who started to type on her cell. My phone buzzed again, but I still ignored it.

I climbed off the stage and tried to calm my nerves. Heads turned to see Aaliyah's wolf lumber towards me. In the broad daylight, she looked a lot less frightening. The silver fur that covered her body looked magnificent in the sunlight, and everyone revered her with complete and total awe. I didn't blame them. Even my breath was taken away.

I walked down the center of the aisle, my steps slow and measured. The wolf met me in the middle, her yellow eyes registering me with an understanding that hadn't been present before. As she passed the aisles of Forbidden, they all bowed to her respectfully. When the wolf and I were finally standing before each other, I watched her movements with bated breath. With a conscious precision, she bowed her head, and I reached to touch the fur on her forehead. It was unexpectedly soft, like a stuffed animal. I smiled to myself. Meanwhile, my phone was buzzing like there was no tomorrow.

One of the wolf's ears suddenly twitched. She lifted her head, not caring that my hand ended up smacking her snout. She pointed her nose to the left and growled at nothing. My phone continued its buzzing rampage. Annoyed, I caved and pulled my phone out of my pocket.

I had several messages from Finn.

Lena.

Seriously, answer.

I'm not joking.

Get out of there now!

A/N: Apologies for the cliffhanger, but I couldn't help myself! I would totally love to hear your thoughts about this chapter! We are so close the Night of Shining Stars, and I can't wait!

QOTD: What did Aaliyah's wolf see?