VIELLA'S POV It burned. The aftertaste of heartbreak burned my throat and it tasted like shit. The city of New Orleans felt cold, and lonely, although the buzz of people were still lively around me. Stares I got made me know that I must be looking pathetic, sad, and miserable. I mean, who wouldn't think the same? Walking down the street with disheveled hair, a half bottle of gin, heels in hand and a makeup stained face, anyone would think you're crazy. "Well, I can thank Jalyc for the attention" I thought in my head, as I climbed the stairs to my apartment. Drunkenly, I opened my door, immediately went to the room and collapsed on my bed. My heart hurt and so did my head. I started and ended sophomore year in a happy relationship, but three months after, and I'm beginning my penultimate year with a broken heart and possibly a heavy migraine. This is about to be a wonderful academic year... **** Sun rays burned through the slits of my curtains and filled my room. I rolled to the other side once a misdirected ray hit my eyes. I groaned deeply, as my eyes began to flutter open and the fucking mind-blowing headache from last night resurfaced. "Fuck you, Jalyc" I stared at my solar system designed ceiling, as last night replayed in my head. My boyfriend and my fucking best friend. Two most important people in my life and they had to stab me in the back. I was too angry to cry last night, so instead, I got drunk. But now, laying awake sober, the tears threatened to fall. The beeping sound of my alarm jarred me out of my self pity, as I hit the snooze button. I rolled off my bed, showered and got ready for school. I was excited three days ago to resume my penultimate year, excited to be on the journey with my best friend, Louisa, and my boyfriend, but now as I walked out of my apartment, I wished i could walk into a moving truck. "One more year, Vi. And you'll be done" I walked into campus, dragging my fatigued being into the administrative block to get my schedule. Then I sighted someone, blonde hair, and pink shirt skirt. My veins burned with anger, the closer I got to where she stood. And my tongue rancid with disgust and wrath. "Hey bitch!" I scowled, the moment I was three feet away from her. Slowly, she flipped her hair and turned back to look at me, her lips in a devious smile. "Oh, the girlfriend that got dumped yesterday?" Bafflement clouded my features, but anger filled my vision making me see red. I scoffed, dropped my backpack to the floor, and stared back at her. "Well, if you weren't such a low, cheap conniving slut who stole her best friend's boyfriend, I wouldn't be the girlfriend that was dumped yesterday" I fired back at her, as I crossed my arms over my chest. "Who. The. Hell do you think you're calling a slut, you bitchy Viella!" She screamed and launched at me her hand reaching for my hair. Before she reached me, I sighted Jalyc amongst his friends coming down the hallway and an idea entered my head. I dodged Louisa's attack, and ran towards his direction. Clouded by her rage, Louisa didn't take time to think, as she launched at me again, reaching for my hair. I dodged once more, but this time, Louisa tripped, her hand flailing towards Jalyc's joggers. And down it went. Gasps and shocked screams filled the hallway, as Louisa and Jalyc's joggers hit the floor. Clicks of camera followed shortly after. Jalyc stood there frozen, his face red with embarrassment. His uncovered genital was on display, but the crowd didn't seem to give a fuck as they continued capturing them. "You both thought you could rub my heart through the mud. I took y'all to hell" I scoffed, as I picked up my bag. This time Louisa was on her feet, her pale skin void of blood. She looked like a ghost. "You...!" Jalyc rushed at me, but tripped on his own joggers, which made the whole crowd snicker in amusement "See y'all later!" I tsked, and walked away from the embarrassed couple. I rolled my shoulders as I left the block, right after collecting my schedule for the session. The air outside hit different, and my chest felt lighter, but it didn't dismiss the dull residue of heartbreak. Now, that was revenge. I didn't bother sticking around school, as I began walking to a nearby diner. My thick, long wavy auburn hair danced in the wind and on my face, blocking my vision for a bit which made me lower my head. My head ached as it came in contact with strong muscle, forcing me to look up, as I put it in a ponytail. "So sorry, didn't see you" I apologized, and turned to leave, but the disgruntled man held my arm and pulled me back forcefully. "Hi, sweetheart. Hitting me there, I thought you wanted some fun, huh, what do you say?" I furrowed by eyebrow as my lips fell open for a reply, but the man yanked off my hair scuffle, and pulled my hair, leading me to an abandoned alley. "What the hell do you think you're doing?" I fought against his hold, but he didn't budge. Reaching the deeper section of the alley, I was thrown against a dumpster. Mind numbing pain shot through my spine, making me close my eyes in agony as I felt the pain flow through my nerves. "Fuck!" I hissed, as I writhed on the floor. The man's shadow loomed over me but I didn't open my eyes. Soon, I was being pulled up by my hair. The forceful drag sent pain to my brain, which added to the spine ache from moments ago. "Come, let's have fun!" I whimpered, as I forced my eyes open and saw the lustful gaze beneath the man's black orbs. I didn't wait to be told the type of fun before I kicked him between his legs, which forced him to free my hair. Falling to my knees, I immediately grabbed my bag and bolted away from the scene. Hearing footsteps behind me, I turned to look, but my face collided, yet again, with another strong muscle. My breath hitched in my throat as my mind raced with an ugly thought that I'd run into his accomplice. Slowly, I turned my head, and looked up to the face of the person in front of me. Brown eyes shone brightly with hues of gold, as his features settled into a deep frown. Cold air hit my skin, leaving the hair at the back of my neck alert in its wake. There was something about his aura. It was intimidating, like something that can't be challenged. "I–" "Run!"

VIELLA'S POV FUCK! My back ached as hot water ran down my spine. All in one week– I was dumped, or rather, cheated on, humiliated my boyfriend and best friend, ran from and got assaulted by a grumpy lunatic, and finally, him. Run! I could still hear it, the deep waves of authority his voice sent through my body, and how my feet moved without question. I shook the strange man off my mind, and began to get dressed. Tonight was the bonfire party to welcome in the freshers. Putting on my short cargo skirt, fitted crop top, and black boots, I headed out of my apartment to Black Haven's bonfire ground. Trees, people and alcohol cans littered all around me. The cold air blew, hitting my skin, making me shiver little as I found my way to the middle of the forest, where life chatters were heard. Low pop music with shouts of drunk college students hit my ears the moment I got to the crowd of students. Fellow course mates, some finalists and a lot of freshers took seat on logs surrounding the fire. I sifted through the crowd, and to the drink cooler farther away from the crowd. One drink after another, after another. My head soon began aching, as I swayed my hips slowly to the music, intentionally staying away from anything with testicles. The night began to unwind slowly, students started returning to their hostels, drunk or sober, and soon only few people sat by the fireplace, including me. I sipped on my beer, as I watched the sky and let the wind dance in my hair. I took a deep breath in as I felt an intense gaze down my spine. I turned and lo and behold, it was him. Again! I stared back at his brown and golden eyes, but he didn't even back down, embarrassed of getting caught. I tilted my head, as my mind raced to how golden his eyes seemed to be. A presence sitting beside me brought me out of my reverie. "Hi, been watching you all night. You don't look like a fresher, so I'll assume, sophomore?" A goofy looking guy spoke, as he leaned into me. "Penultimate" I nodded, my eyes briefly going to the stranger of yesterday that now had a frown on his face. "Hm. So what major?" I snapped my head back to the guy, and just studied him. Dilated pupils, cloudy iris....he was high. "Want to take me back to your room, huh? Could've just asked though" Heat rushed to his face, but he quickly nodded his head. Quietly, we both got to our feet, as I glanced at the stranger again. And for a brief second, a flash moment, I saw his eyes. There was no remnant of brown, only pure gold. His eyes shone dimly under the moon, as he seemed to focus on only the goofy guy, but I saw it. And as soon as it appeared, it left. Birds chirping, and leaves rustling, we walked away from what remained of the crowd. I stopped in my tracks the farther we were from the fireplace. "Uhm, i...I don't think this is a good idea. I hope you find someone else though, yeah?" I smiled, but the guy just turned to look at me and said nothing. His eyes glared at me, as they seemed to change to a different color. What the- "So, what they say is true?" I blinked severally as I tried to understand what he was saying. His gaze now rested behind me, and immediately I felt a presence. Spine chilling, and unquestionable, this presence loomed over me. It felt like him. "What are you saying?" I shivered, trying to ignore the icy feeling in my spine. "You act a fool. You belong to Kaelen, don't you?" He came closer, but still kept reasonable distance between us. Tension, spine steeling tension enveloped the air, and I immediately felt like I was about to be an ant in the fights of elephants. "Declan. I advise you back off!" My breath hitched in my throat at the finality of the command. It wasn't a request, it wasn't a suggestion. The aura from Declan changed immediately. Feral energy, almost like deep rooted anger, oozed off him. But, his eyes held the same emotion I felt. Fear. Slowly, without another word, without question, he disappeared into the night, leaving me with his smirk, and the stranger from yesterday. I didn't move, it felt forbidden. Shaky breaths escaped my lips, as I moved my eyes to catch a glimpse of him, but no avail. I didn't see him, but I felt that aura from yesterday still hovering around. "What is your name?" My lips quivered, as my fingertips ran cold, but my palms were sweaty. I took a heavy gulp and opened my mouth to speak, but nothing came out. "I ask you again, lady. What is your name?" Footsteps. Heavy looming footsteps filled the air, as his shadow came closer and closer to me, swallowing me whole. I felt him two feet away, behind me. Hot breath caressed my neck, and even the little oxygen I managed to take in, stopped completely in my throat. Is he about to kill me? Adrenaline pumped through my vein, as I forced the answer he sought out of my constricted throat. "My name is Viella. Viella Dale" I swallowed, and waited. Fingertips trailed my arms, leaving my hairs alert in its wake. "Viella, hmm" Softly, he repeated my name, like he was ruminating over it. Series of footsteps surrounded us, and I saw shadows move with the night. Behind me, I heard him step back, four feet away. The shadows emerged from the dark, five of them. "Kaelen, step back!" I neared passed out to how thick and unbending the air was. What are these people to command such strong presence? "Why did follow me, Ruka?" Kaelen fired back, and no soothsayer was needed to know he was highly pissed. "To make sure. And seems like you failed!" Ruka thundered, making me flinch and shivers run down my spine. "Viella?" Kaelen called, and I angled my head to his direction in response. My lungs weren't working, my throat wasn't working, my head wasn't working. Nothing was working! "Run! And don't look back!" Again, he told me to run. Again, I obeyed. As I ran through the thick forest, shifting in-between trees, I heard one final sentence from Ruka. "You must be mistaken. You know the rules, Kaelen!" What are the rules?

VIELLA'S POV Can I rewind the hands of time? My bones felt depleted as I walked through the streets of New Orleans. Last night was beautiful, for everyone else. It seemed as though I left the group chat just when the night was sizzling out. "Mom" I greeted the moment I walked into my house. A building surrounded by lots of beautiful plants, and a large patio. We weren't rich, but we were above average. My father, according to my mother, was highly respected on the street and among some 'chiefs'. "Viella, baby. You're home!" Breath seizing hug was what I was enveloped with. The warmth made my deplated and fatigued bones rejuvenate with life. The smell of tomato, chicken, and love made me release a deep, relaxing sigh, as I hugged my mother back. Tears filled my eyes from the yearning of normalcy. Ever since I left home only a week ago, shit had happened. And it made it look like it's been months. Just one week. One freaking week! "Where's Dad?" I asked, the moment I sat on the kitchen island while my mother stirred her pot. She gave me a side glance, before clearing her throat and answering, "He's out" I simply nodded, without further pressing. That's what I've been hearing all my life each time my dad came back late after returning from work. And the only answer I got? He's out. Always. "So, how's the new week?" I groaned, and rolled my eyes, as I crawled to the fridge. My mom chuckled at my unenthusiastic, and tired tone. "That bad?" She asked again, and I only nodded in confirmation, as I gulped down the root beer in my hand. "I broke up with Jalyc" I nodded, already in terms with the fact. Now, only one person occupied my head. Kaelen! My mom thundered towards me, grabbed my shoulders and forced my face to her, all of which caused me to choke on my drink, and spill some on me. "Mom!" "Viella!" I groaned, as I released myself from her grip and went to the sink to grab some tissue papers. And while I dapped myself clean, the front door opened, and I rolled my eyes at the drama I knew that was incoming. "Mark, your daughter was overbearing again!" I pursed my lips, as my father's footsteps neared the kitchen. "That's not true, Eleyna. I'm sure you're overreacting again" My dad came beside me and gave me a forehead kiss and pulled me in a side embrace, letting my head rest on his chest. As his arms wrapped me, I felt the weight on my shoulders disappear. My father was always one to bring me confort. Always... "Really? Ask her. I'm sure she did something stupid to make Jalyc break up with her" My mom accused, and I felt tears filled my eyes. "You didn't even ask me!" I fired at her, as I retracted from my father's embrace. "No need. I know my own daughter" She insisted, which made me scoff. My mom always liked Jalyc. Why? Maybe because his family was high in the 'chiefs' rank, and his mother was head of a social club my mom was a member of and she wanted to be in her good books. I didn't know. But I knew, I had no problem with it. Infact, I loved it, till I realized what sleezing dirt bag he was. "Do you? Mom, your daughter was cheated on after being faithful for four years. Four years! And you claim to know me? Absolutely not!" I sobbed. I ran out of the kitchen, and headed to my room, as tears ran down my eyes. I laid on the bed, and immediately all fatigue that I had fought off came drowning me. And, slowly, I let my eyes close, irrespective of my aching heart. **** "What are we going to do? They've started coming out from the bayou" The terrified tone of the man was sufficient enough to feel the terror he felt. Slowly, I came down the stairs, rubbing my eyes off any residue of sleep. I turned my head and saw our living room packed with men and women holding shotguns and crossbows. I had seen this meeting once, fourteen years ago when I was six. My mom spotted me hiding behind the door, exchanged a look with my father and took me upstairs. I stood quietly behind the stairs and listened, the tension in the room was palpable. "We need more hunters, Mark. The children are very trained, and your daughter should be amongst them. You can't hide her from her destiny much longer" Hunters? Nods of agreement followed the man's statement, and saw the worry that filled my mom's eyes as she looked at my father. "In due time. In due time. Meanwhile, the report on the beasts spotted at Northeast Riverside" Beasts? Is this some kind of folktale? "Ten of them. Seemed to be newly turned" A ginger-haired lady informed, holding her shot gun fiercely. "There'll be a full moon in three days, we need to be prepared. They'll increased in numbers and we don't want to be caught unawares" The whole pack nodded in union. My eyes widened when a member holding a nine millimeter gazed at me from across the room. "Oi, whatcha doing?" He asked, garnering the attention of everyone in the room. My skin crawled with self consciousness, as I stepped closer to the crowd. My father's eyes looked like it'll be gorged out once he saw me. "I, uh, I came looking for my mother. I swear, I didn't hear a thing" Eyes glanced at my father as he stared at me, biting his lip, contemplating. "Honey–" Curiousity overrode my mind, as I stepped forward, standing almost in the middle of the room. "What are beasts? And what do you guys 'hunt' exactly?" I asked, but the room fell into heavier tension. "See ya, later, Markie" The grim looking man gave my father a nod, and looked around the room. "Cmon, seems they have a private discussion needed" I squinted my eyes, as the man gave me one last look and left. The crowd dispersing shortly after.. I turned to my father, as I looked at him expectantly. His gaze on my mother went from uncertainty, to conviction. "Honey, it's time we had a talk. I can't protect you much longer" I nodded, and sat in front of them both, as my mother squeezed my father's hand. "I'm, I'm a hunter, darling. I've been so for many years now, over twenty years to be precise. And what I hunt? I, I hunt wolves, beasts" I nodded my head again, urging him to continue, but he stopped, signalling that he was done. Hopeful and expectant gazes rested on me, while I sat in confusion, almost amusement. "You...you can't be serious. Beasts? Like 'werewolves' wolves? What- How old do you think I am, Dad? I mean, I expect it from Mom, but you? Really? Try again" I scoffed in disbelief. And maybe denial. I had heard killings, mysterious killings on the news. But I didn't dare believe such a thing as wolves. "No, honey. We are being serious here. On Monday, there'll be a full moon, and all your life I protected you from that. And when you entered college, I was fortunate enough that a full moon always fell on a holiday. But...not this one" I sighed, as I heard the serious tone of my mother. "Mom–" "No, honey. On Monday, I know I can't ask you to stay home because you have school work and I know how stubborn you can be, so promise me, that come Monday, once it's 6pm, you lock doors, and windows, and stay inside!" My lips fell open at the dooming tone of my mother. I glanced at my Dad and saw that he had the same serious expression. "Okay, fine" "And for more protection, you'll need this" My Dad walked to the vanity at the edge of the living room and took out a vial.. "What's–" "It's wolfsbane, sweetheart. It'll affect any werewolf, no matter what" I gawked at the vial, and took it with shaky hands. My eyes scanned the bottle containing an almost clear liquid, and a tag boldly written WOLFSBANE on it. "Baby, one more thing" I nodded and stared at my father, who was bent on his knees in front of me. "A human never, and I mean never, sweetheart, mix, dine or associate with a werewolf. We either kill them or stay clear. Understood?" "Why? It's not like all are really bad people" "Those are not people, darling, they are beasts. Heinous beasts" I breathed out and nodded my head at my father's thunderous tone. "It's a rule. And as a hunter's daughter, you must obey it. Do you understand, sweetheart?" With one look between my Mom, and the vial in my hand, I took a heavy gulp and slowly nodded. "I understand, Dad!"