CONSTANCE
Constance couldn't scream any more. She lost her voice. She had other means of making noise though.

She slammed her chains on the floor, angrily running at the door and banging on it.

Eventually Becker came and sat in the room with her. He had an invisible shield around him that Constance was trying to take down.

He wouldn't.

Here dead voice mangled out cusses and threats, pleads and cries. Becker just sat there. Every once in a while he would say, "you're not alone."

Constance was beginning to think he was stuck on autopilot while listening to her.

She finally sat down criss cross applesauce in front of him and cried, laying on the concrete floor.

She looked at her cut up arms. "You let this happen to me." She cried.

Konrad didn't give her chains at first. She didn't have that pleasure. It started with strong thorny vines holding her back that dug and cut, scratching and tearing.

She had never been tortured by Konrad but she remembered what it did to Arlis. How he turned out.

She remembered one night that she checked on him

"Arlis?" She knocked on the door and walked into his room. She shook him awake from his screaming dream. "Arlis." She said softly.

He widened his eyes, breathing heavily as he shot out of bed, his dark hair glistening with sweat. He had soaked his sheets with it too.

"It's just a dream." She whispered, crawling into the bed with him and cradling his head in her lap. "It was just a nightmare."

He took a deep breath. "But that's the thing Constance."

She tilted her head at him.

"That wasn't a nightmare. That was a memory. A memory filled with only ghosts of pain." He shuddered and wiped his face. "You can't feel pain in dreams. So I didn't feel that pain but I remembered it." He cried.

Becker came into the room and sat on the other side of Arlis. "I can help you forget, Arlis.

Arlis shook his head. "I don't want to forget. I want to remember. I want to remember and deal with my pain because otherwise my scars mean nothing and I've let him win."

Constance shook her head. "Arlis it's okay to take the Dream potion. You're not sleeping like this."

He sat up from Constance's lap. "You guys don't understand. I buried my parent's death in me except for one day of the year. I will not hide from this. This is who I am. If I bury this... if I run from it... I'm hiding from myself."

Constance felt the scars on her stomach, the ones Konrad gave her when he... Constance shook it from her mind. "Okay." She said. "Okay." She laid down on the bed and Becker followed suit.

"Promise me something, guys." Arlis asked.

Constance turned up to look at him. "What?"

"If any of us get taken again, we won't blame each other if we... if we give up." Arlis cried. "I was so close to giving up. And I don't think I'd blame you guys if you did."

Constance moved her hand over her stomach thinking about the memory. "Becker. I love you. And I'm sorry."

Becker nodded back to her. "I'm sorry to Connie." He muttered. "I know... it's hard to be here. I know what memory you're thinking of because the same one is running through my head. But Arlis was wrong. We don't need to give up."

"I can't, Becker." Constance cried. "You don't understand. He killed my unborn child."

Becker took a deep breath and Constance felt the invisible shield's presence run vanish.

Becker nodded at her. "I know. I know." He opened his arms and Constance scrambled up to him, holding him tightly. "That was my child, Beck."

Becker sucked in a deep breath. "The scars on your stomach."

Constance nodded. "I tried fighting. He fought harder and I lost my child. I have to get out of here, Beck. Please. I will give up. I can't be here."

She knew Becker gave in to her. She knew.

Becker opened up a portal, all its purples and blues spiraling together. "Don't tell anyone you've left. Not even Arlis."

She didn't question why. She could trust Beck. She knew she could.

She kissed his cheek. "Do you remember when we almost kissed that night." She laughed and Becker did too, hugging her tightly.

"Don't remind me, Connie!" He wiped his eyes. "Leave."

Constance jumped through the portal, landing on her ass in a small Irish cottage. A woman stood in the kitchen, maybe Boxty.

"Aunt Marinda?" Constance asked.

The girl jumped and faced Constance.

"Connie!?" She ran to Constance, catching her in a hug.

KATE
Arlis and I hung out in the kitchen that night, three kids with us; Gracie. Jake. Lilly.

It was a long day. For all of us.

The fire. The pond. The attack at Leslie's. With the sun gone, replaced by the bright moon, and only the kitchen lights on in the house, it made me even more tired.

Arlis moved around the kitchen airily, dodging the two little kids perfectly.

Lilly sat next to me on the barstool, blinking her eyes. She hadn't really said anything. I wasn't sure if it was because she was just tired or if she was still processing what had happened earlier. I could begin to imagine what she felt like. Her face was cleaned up, but it was definitely torn from where Konrad scratched her. It was going to scar. Four straight lines from her cheek bone, to her jaw.

Meanwhile, Jake seemed like he barely remembered what happened.

I elbowed Lilly's shoulder. "Ya know, you're only a couple years younger than me." I smiled, trying to lighten her up.

She looked up reluctantly. "So?"

I smiled sadly. "So we can totally go do girl things. I only have an older brother so like... I never get to do anything fun."

She huffed and set her chin on the island top. "No offense. But I need my mom. Not some girl."

I took a deep breath, shaking my head. Shopping? That's not what she wanted to talk about. I was stupid for thinking anything otherwise. "Yeah. It's hard. Especially since it's Christmas Eve." I rubbed her back and looked to Arlis who was making bowls of ice cream.

Jake laughed and clapped his hands up as Arlis teased him with the bowl, pulling it back and forth.

"Buddy you're not tall enough for Icecream!" Arlis chuckled.

The kid smiled and crawled onto the counter, standing up.

"Woah there Jake! You're gunna grow too much and hit the ceiling. Shrink down and I'll give you the bowl." Arlis held his arm real low, playfully getting the kid to listen to him.

I had to admire that. Instead of just telling the kid to get down, or being naggy, he made it sound like a game.

"But then I'll be short like you!" Jake jumped and Aris caught him in his arms, a panicked look on his face.

Arlis took a bite of his ice cream. "Sugar is bad apparently." He handed him a bowl of Ice cream. "Do you want some, Lil?"

Lilly gave him a blank look. "Do I want some... ice cream? Is this making up for you letting Konrad into the pack? Or you being gone all day after you said you'd help us?" She regretted it as soon as she said it, but she didn't apologize. I think she only regretted saying it out loud.

Arlis took a deep breath and bent down to Jake's level. He called Gracie over to him. "Why don't you show him your room, Gracie." He asked.

Gracie, being a little older, understood the situation and grabbed Jake's hand. "I'll show you!"

They ran up the stairs and Arlis winced as Jake fell. "Don't run up the stairs!" He yelled.

Arlis turned and relaxed, showing all his tiredness to Lilly. He dropped his fake happiness, all his façade of being youthful still. He was drowning in a room with no windows or doors, no openings. He was vulnerable.

"You're what... 15?" Arlis asked.

She nodded. "Yeah. Look, I really appreciate this. I do. I'm sorry for being rude. I just think you're acting like nothing happened. And my mom raised me to speak my my mind."

Arlis agreed, coming to stand next to her. "And you're right. Konrad came into the pack on my watch. I should've felt his presence pop into my territory. I can admit when I'm wrong. I'm going to show you something, okay?" He started lifting up his shirt. She looked away. "It's fine. This is what I have to show you. This is me trusting you, can I do that?" He asked.

She shrugged. "Can I trust you?"

He smirked. "Smart girl. Yes. You can trust me. Can I show you?"

She nodded.

What was he doing? I watched intently as he took off his shirt. "You know I was one of the three who killed Konrad the first time right?" He prided.

She nodded. "Yeah. But it was mainly that evil witch guy Becker."

Arlis chuckled at her use of "evil witch guy." "Yeah. Well... today... I faced off with him again. And..." He pointed to a bleeding hole. It was nearly as bad as it was earlier. "I got stabbed. By a Hunter. But I'm alive. I'm telling you this to show you that I'm doing my best to kill him."

She seemed to feel a little better, knowing that someone was fighting for her. "What's on your back?" She asked curiously.

Arlis froze up, his gaze fallen to the ground. "Another time."

"I trust you. You trust me. That's how this works." She stated.

Arlis frowned and nervously licked his lips. "Konrad. He cut my back up and placed me in a silver bath. I couldn't heal so they scarred over." He put his shirt back on and sighed. "He has hurt us all, Lilly. I was gone today so I could hurt him. And I did. I ripped at his fucking stomach."

"ARLIS NO!" I yelled and slapped his side.

"Whaaat?" He griped. "She's 15, Probably turning 16. And 16 is 17 and we all know 17 is basically 18." He smiled and stuck his tongue out when I slapped his shoulder again.

"Good job, Alpha." She held up a high five.

He high fived her. "It's just Arlis. Or Arlie. Or... whatever you feel comfortable saying. Mr. Barron. Lord knows I called Iris and Anthony the Mr. and Mrs. Queens for the longest time after my parents died." He ruffled her hair and she smacked his hand away.

"Do I sleep in the guest room?" She asked.

Arlis nodded. "Yes. I'm sorry. But I won't let anyone come in if it makes you feel better. My room is across from yours."

She hummed. "I haven't been scared to go to sleep in a long time." She said chuckling sadly.

Arlis gulped. "I know the feeling, Kid."

She threw her arms around him and cried. He squeezed her tightly. "I promise nothing is going to happen to you or Jake. I promise." He was almost crying to, and the way his voice cracked when he promised her, it made the truth that much more real.

She let go and wiped her eyes, getting rid of the tears. "I'm sorry I have to stay here."

Arlis shook his head in understanding. "Don't you ever be sorry for something that's outside your control." He sounded like he was talking more to himself than he was to her. "It's not your fault so you shouldn't be sorry."

She nodded. "Nobody is coming in? You sure?"

Arlis nodded his head. "However, tomorrow morning I have to go pick up Kate's parents from Columbia Falls. Do you want to go with? I won't have enough room for Jake but he'll be with Melloni whether you come or not. But you can come with me or be stuck with Melloni."

She tossed the idea around while I stressed about it. "Sure I'll come."

How was I going to explain to my parents who she was? "Oh yeah! Arlis is housing three kids by the way. Yeah he's only like 20something but he's kind of rich and can take care of four people while maintaining his own house. Where does he work? Oh he doesn't have a job." Because that doesn't sound sketchy.

Chance walked down the stairs and took a deep breath. "Where have you two been all day and who's that?"

Lilly's face blushed. "I'm Lilly."

Chance raised one eyebrow. "I'm Chance." He looked to me. "Sis, where have you been? You totally ditched me today."

I raised my eyebrows, not quite sure how to answer him. "Umm."

"We went to a witch named Leslie's house and murdered her and tried to attack Konrad. Didn't kill him, but I got my adopted daughter back so that's a plus." Arlis said and took another bite of ice cream like he was talking about last night's football game. He held out the bowl. "Ice cream?" He asked Chance.

Chance closed his eyes in irritation, his face scrunching up. "And you took my sister!?" Chance yelled.

I stood up and put my hands out, trying to diffuse the situation. "Hey. Calm down."

Arlis stood and walked to Chance, much taller than him. "I am the 4th most powerful being on the planet. The first is my best friend and the 3rd is my mentor. I got stabbed today and fought the 2nd most powerful being in the world, almost winning. You can trust me to take care of your sister."

Chance took a surrendering step back. "Sorry."

Arlis took a deep breath and faced Lilly. "Now I need to figure out where to put you since Chance is in the guest room. Totally forgot he was even here."

"I'll sleep on the couch." Chance offered, rolling his eyes.

Arlis smirked. "Alright, that works. It's a comfy couch."

Chance looked lovingly at it, almost mesmerized. "I know. I took a nap today and it was amazing." He walked to the couch and collapsed onto it.

Lilly smiled at Chance brightly. "Thanks!" She yelled.

Chance stuck a thumbs up. "No problem."

We followed Lilly up the steps, worn out and tired.

"Night Chance!" I shouted.

"Night sis." He yelled back.

Lilly separated from us at the doors, each one closing at the same time.

Neither Arlis nor I decided to waist the energy to turn on the lights. He swooped me up into his arms and carried me to the bed, seeing in the dark much better than I did.

He laid me down and crawled on top of me. "You know I'd never let anything bad happen to you, right? Ever?"

I nodded and kissed him chastely, pushing him over and off of me. "Yes."

He wrapped his arms around me, locking me onto the bed. "You sure you want your parents here tomorrow?"

Oh now he was asking me for permission. "Yeah."

He kissed my temple."Okay."

I didn't really want to ask him this right now, but I wasn't sure when I'd get another chance. "How are you so good with kids?"

He didn't even hesitate with his answer. "Who do you think babysat Dalia and Jonah? All the time since they were born. Even when my parents were alive. I was 15 when they were born." I smiled, imagining Arlis taking care of his siblings. "Xavier and I had to do it a lot."

He took off his shirt and laid on his stomach, comfortable in the dark.

I ran my hands over his back, tracing each scar with the tip of my finger. "What were some good childhood memories?"

He smiled. "My favorite memory was when I was 16. The year was 1738. I don't remember much of my childhood, my life actually, but this is vivid. I was laying in my cot, trying to sleep, when my mom came in." He gulped. "It was starting to rain so she grabbed me and pulled me outside. I was confused with what was happening but then I saw Xavier and Anthony and Iris. Seymour was there. Electra was with Timothy, their daughter with them before she died. It was boys against girls."

I don't even think he realized said it; About Leif's older sister.

"Mom wanted to play soccer in the rain. And so we did." Arlis stretched, his back popping. "We played until the sun rose and Dad called mom in, asking if she slept at all. None of us had. Girls won, but only because they played dirty. That and me and Xavier weren't full werewolves yet so they had an advantage. But... that was the best night of my life until I met you."

I kissed his jawline. "Every time you feel sad, think about that. I know it hurt you today, with Everly."

He nodded in an ashamed way. "That's why I help kids so much. I don't want any of them to feel as helpless as I did." He took a deep breath. "Now... I'm exhausted. I can't keep my eyes open."

I turned and kissed him lightly. "Night Arlis."

"Night Kate."

***

When I woke up, two amazing things had happened. One, I was off my period. Two, Jake was jumping on the bed, screaming that it was Christmas.

"It's Christmas! ITS CHRISTMAS!" Jake smiled and laughed at us.

I panicked and looked to Arlis who was still passed out, arms sprawled across the bed and drooling.

He opened his eyes. "What Time is it!?" He shouted.

Oh no oh no oh no. He's not a morning person. He's really not a morning person. Actually... I don't think he's a waking up person.

I checked the clock on the nightstand. "6:30 am."

He turned and glared at Jake who got really scared really fast.

Arlis tackled forward.

"Arlis!" I screeched, but I heard the sound of Jake laughing. I wiped my forehead. Arlis was tickling the kid, not attacking him.

"Stop! Stop!" Jake laughed and Arlis pulled away.

Arlis laughed along with the kid, making my heart melt like snow in summer. I smiled at them.

"Do we get presents? Are my mommy and daddy coming back today?" Jake smiled and stood up.

Arlis winced but covered it up quickly. "They're on vacation for a little bit. That's why I'm taking care of you."

Jake frowned. "Oh." He perked right up though. "We still get presents right!?"

Arlis nodded and rubbed his head. "Of course! I have to get them though. In the mean time, can you wait with Melloni and Gracie at the Daycare?"

Jake nodded. "Yeah I guess." He narrowed his eyes at Arlis.

Arlis smirked. "Let's go." Arlis grabbed my hand and dragged me out of bed.

"Arlis it's early!" I whined. Now it was my turn to complain about getting up. "Why can't you be your usual self and grumble until you go back to sleep?"

He gave me a dumb look. "It's Christmas!"

"You're not even Christian!" I laughed, poking his side. "We don't have a tree or—"

"That's where you're wrong. Well you're right. I'm not Christian. But we do have a tree." He pulled on a grey t-shirt and some plaid green and red pajama bottoms, smiling.

He looked me up and down. "Here. You can wear my pajama bottoms. They'll be big but whatever." He tossed me a pair and I slipped them on. They weren't actually that big. Maybe it was because I wasn't as super skinny and he was.

Didn't matter. I slipped on one of his white v-necks over my sports bra and ruffled his hair.

"Where at then?" I challenged.

Arlis pulled a strand of my hair. "Melloni and Jonah's house. We always spend Christmas morning at Mell's house. All of us adults with kids do anyways. That's where the tree is. There's another one set up at the daycare for kids... without parents. Chleo's sister always goes there and helps them out."

I shook my head. "I was there the yesterday. There's no tree."

"That's because Santa sets everything up the night before." Arlis winked at me. "He brings presents and he sets up your Christmas decorations."

Gracie ran in the room, pulling a reluctant and angrily tired Lilly behind her.

"I'm canceling my Christmas this year." Lilly said when she walked into the room.

Arlis shook his head. "No you're not. Little Lady, the best thing for you right now is to be around family."

"Dead family? Join them? Definitely." She said, her eyebrows raising.

"Hey don't talk like that. You have people here that need you. Jake. Melloni. Me now. Kate now." Arlis leaned down to her height.

Lilly rolled her pretty almond eyes, her nearly blonde hair covering over some of her left eye. "It was a joke. Kind of."

Arlis picked her up and threw her over his shoulder.

"Put me down!" She yelled but he didn't follow her request.

I followed them and felt Jake grab my hand. We followed them down the stairs, and to the front door.

I slipped on a pair of uggs that Melloni got from our mall trip and tied on Jake's shoes. Gracie already had hers on. I grabbed a jacket from the wall and bundled myself up in it, giving Gracie and Jake one each. They ended up just throwing one on the ground and sharing one between themselves.

Arlis shut the door behind him, locking it. He set Lilly on the ground and pulled me to his warm chest. "If you want to join your parents so badly, stand here in the snow and freeze."

Lilly opened her mouth to argue but I got to it first.

"Arlis! How could you—"

He had an irritated look on his face that made me run cold for other reasons then just the weather. "Well. Death is a lot scarier when it's looking at you in the face. It's terrifying. Lilly, you do not want to die."

Lilly groaned, looking up. "I know I don't! I was exaggerating, being a teenager. God 18th century kids are so annoying."

Arlis opened his mouth in retaliation. "Uh! Is that an old joke!? I can be cool. Kate am I cool? Am I down with millennial slang?"

I burst out laughing. "Oh no, you're not. I love you but no. You called her little lady earlier and you still sometimes talk like you're from the 19th century."

He went off into incoherent mumbles. "Yeah well, at least I'm not too young to drink alcohol!"

I put my arms up. "You're the one dating me."

He narrowed his eyes. "Does that make me your sugar da—"

"AND THAT'S ENOUGH of THAT." Lilly pushed through us and started on the walk to Melloni's house.

We walked behind her, silent and calm. It was easy to be content when the weather outside burned it was so cold.

We approached the small home, the snow crunching heavily beneath our feet. A white picket fence stood, nearly invisible in the snow.

Melloni sat on the porch, in a hoodie thrown on and a pair of pink pajamas bottoms. She smiled when she saw us, holding her arms open.

"Well if isn't the Luna and her Alpha?" Melloni walked to us, crushing us in a hug.

She bent down and gave Gracie a shocked look.

"Gra— Gracie?" She pulled Gracie into a big hug, smiling brightly.

Arlis smirked down at them. "Told you I'd find her."

Melloni stood up and grappled Arlis, nearly knocking him over. She was too short to grab around his neck so she did his waist instead.

Arlis patted her back. "It wasn't just me. Kate had the idea, of what basically got us to where Gracie was."

He knew is was their idea. Kate gave him a pointed look but it was washed away when Melloni wrapped her arms around Kate's neck.

"Thank you, Kadelyn. I knew I was right about you." She whispered in my ear and pulled back, softly smiling. "C'mon guys, let's go inside."

We followed her in, empty handed.