Welcome to Season 3A of The Haven Series!

Synopsis: Beacon Hills keeps getting stranger, and to Riley Haven's displeasure more and more people are ending up murdered. Can she use her new found gift to seek out how to save the people she loves before it's too late? What's in store for her as things like Darach's and Alpha packs start showing up? History may just end up repeating itself.

Month One: May

There's nothing anyone can teach you that will prepare you for the life endeavors you are bound to have. You will make mistakes, fall in love, lose yourself and find yourself. It's a repeating cycle that continues on until the day you whither up and become frail. It's a journey you'll remember as the years pass on. Memories you hope you'll never forget, and memories you hope will fade alongside the dull heart ache that bruises your ego with each reminder.

Journey is inevitable for human life.

But what about those who stood on the blurred line between something human, and something extraordinary? Did those who possessed such capabilities have a much bigger story to live? If they did, what stories would they tell upon their death bed? Which would be worth sharing? Which would be the stories they kept to themselves? Would they relay the time they found love while drowning in the bottom of a pool, or would they retell the time they stood frightened with a gun pulled to their head?

Every journey has two outcomes, and your instinct in that moment in time determines your fate. What if you were able to come out alive in each situation, how differently would your obstructed views on death become? When your fighting not only for your own life, but for the friend that stands beside you - only then do you realize what death might do to you. Even if it's not bestowed upon you directly, the death of people around you is what hurts the most.

And though our lives are laced with uncertainty, our journey will always end the same way. We'll lead the lives that are suited for us, but in the end we all become will all become frail.

The things that repeated over and over inside Riley's mind were enough to make any normal person go crazy. She stayed awake the entire night, thinking deeply of things that weren't within her reasoning. She'd toss and turn, but her mind buzzed like a hive, never allowing her body to slip into the restful state she craved. She rubbed her eyes, yawning at the morning sun. This was the one thing she loved about summer vacation, that she had no place special to be. Unless of course she worked, but since her job had boosted her up to assistant manager, she was getting less and less free time. She only receive one-maybe two days off a week, and that was seriously cutting into her social life.

But because she'd proven herself to be a hard worker, the manager only had her scheduled for the night shifts, and Riley used her days wisely.

Like today, as she tied her tennis shoes, grabbing a banana on the way out the door. She'd had a special job since summer had begun. Jackson had been re-birthed, and it was Derek's duty to teach him all of the werewolf responsibilities he could before the start of Jackson's Junior year. Since it was his responsibility, Riley took it upon herself to get him through the training he needed.

She used what careful tactics Chris had showed her, and used them to teach Jackson of how he could defend himself against a hunter. Little did Riley know, Derek was also using this method to make Riley more skilled in her defense. It was a winning battle for both parties, and she couldn't complain. They'd started the training nearly three weeks ago, and she could already feel the gaining tactics grow on her. She became familiar with them, allowing her muscles to memorize the fighting sequences.

The morning chill faded as she weaved her way through the abandoned building, finding Derek's door with ease and familiarity. Nothing in this world could compare to the smile that creeped over his lips when he spotted her first thing each morning. His chin would dimple, and his skin stretched effortlessly over his cheeks. She made her way to him, kissing his rough lips tenderly.

"You two just going to make out all day, or what?" A snide voice chimed. Riley peeked over her shoulder to see Jackson bent at the waist. His rigid hands tied his shoes, anxious for today's lesson. Riley rolled her eyes, setting her bags down as she slipped her dagger from the front pocket. She snapped the protective guard over it, ensuring the blade was concealed.

"As a hunter, their instinct is to bring down whatever is terrorizing them, so use that to your advantage." Derek nodded to Jackson, ensuring he understood. "If it's a life or death situation, you can't hold back." He glanced to Riley then, narrowing his eyes. "A werewolf will do anything to stay alive. It's instinct is to kill before it is killed."

Riley agreed, heading for her end of the room. She bounced on her toes, stretching in preparation for the days lesson. Her eyes shut, taking a calming breath as Derek gave the signal to go ahead. Jackson came forward, leaping from side to side as he made his way down the narrowed space. Riley had seen him use this tactic many times before, and she already knew the outcome. Her skilled eyes remained on Jackson's form, calculating each movement to her advantage. He used this moment to show off, bounding off a pillar as he flipped through the air with ease.

And from the pillar, just like Riley suspected, lunged for her. They both fell to the ground, his weight bounding her, but she had the upper hand. Flipping their bodies over, straddling his waist as she held the dagger to his chest. A muffled chuckle sounded from Derek's lips, and Jackson squirmed beneath her. He got up, nostrils flaring as he brushed off his shirt. "You keeping count, Isaac?" Derek eyed the wolf seated across from him on the stair case.

Isaac nodded, holding up a single finger. "Riley-one. Jackson-zero."

"Again." Jackson demanded, heading for his head of the room. He cracked his neck in preparation. He shook his shoulders, flexing his chest as he bent as his knees. His eyes narrowed to her, his temper bubbling higher and higher. Riley twisted the blade between her fingers, a deep sigh escaping her lungs. She licked her lips, tasting a mix between Derek and his dusty, abandoned home. She didn't have to see Derek to know he gave the signal as Jackson's form came barreling toward her. She didn't cower like she use to, standing her ground as a gutted snarl escaped his teeth.

She held her blade up and out, but not even that was enough. His rigid hands grasped her shoulders, shoving her back as he pinned her against the wall behind her. They stood face to face, neither one cowering as both of their tempers grew. "Enough." Derek snapped. His voice echoing off the walls as his command weighed down Jackson. Derek narrowed his eyes until he let go of Riley, taking a step back as he smirked. "Apologize." Derek gritted his teeth, eyeing Riley for any sign of damage.

"Apologize?" Jackson hissed. "For what? I won fair and square!" Riley could sense the tension in the room as she put a reassuring hand on Derek.

"No. It's okay." Riley rolled her shoulders, hiding back her wince. She was positive Jackson had bruised her. "He and I are tied." She silently thanked him for the stunt he had pulled. It was a wake up call for Riley, reminding her of just how unprepared she could be at times where her life was threatened. Jackson's cocky smirk was another reminder of how much of a jerk he still was. Though he had been depressed for weeks about the killings he'd committed while the Kanima, nothing could ever diminish his attitude. "Wipe that grin off your face." Riley murmured. "I'll kick your ass next time, you'll see."

Riley waited patiently for his smart-ass remark, but it never came. A prolonged silence hung over them, making it nearly unbearable to withstand. Jackson sighed, cracking his fingers nervously as he side-eyed Derek. "There-ugh," Jackson gulped. "There won't be a next time." The tension spread quickly, engulfing the room like wildfire as Riley glanced from Jackson to Derek. Neither of them speaking as they waited for him to explain. "My dad-ugh. . . my dad got a job offer, so. . ." He trailed off, shrugging his shoulders.

He'd waited till the last minute, not wanting to tell anyone just yet. "Where?" Riley breathed, the news still sending an uncertain shock through her body.

"London."

Riley and Derek glanced to one another, both wondering if this was a prank. One look to Jackson, witnessing the sorrow and sheepish apology in his eyes, and Riley knew it was not. "When?" Isaac spoke up from the banister, his brows knitting together.

A humorless laugh escaped his lips. A nervous hand ran through his hair, crossing back over his chest as he finally looked Derek in the eyes. "Tomorrow morning."

"Tomorrow Morning?" Riley screeched. "You're telling us now? Jesus Christ, Jackson!" Riley rubbed at her temple, already feeling the ache of a migraine work its way in. "I mean, have you even told Lydia yet?"

He looked to his hands, fiddling in his pockets as he shook his head. "I was going to tell her tonight. Let her down easy, you know?"

"You're a fucking moron." Riley judged, shaking her head with disbelief. Things had finally become somewhat normal, and he and Lydia had finally gotten back together. She winced, just thinking about how Lydia would react to the news.

"You think you're ready to leave?" Derek questioned, eyeing Jackson with skepticism.

"You've taught me the basics." Jackson ticked his fingers off one-by-one. "Control on a full moon. Avoiding hunters. Survival skills." He threw his hands up in defeat. "What else is there to be taught?"

"You think you can get by with just that?" Derek fumed. "I've been a werewolf my entire life, and I'm still learning." He huffed, pursing his lips as he shook his head frantically. "You should have told us sooner." Derek cursed him.

He hung his head with sudden guilt, knowing he was to blame for their late knowledge. That was the thing about Jackson, he could be the biggest dick, but then become guilt ridden within seconds. It was how he functioned now, and most of the time he used his cockiness to hide the overwhelming depression that crippled him from the inside out.

"So. . ." Riley mumbled, trying her best to fill the silence. "London, huh?" Jackson nodded, a small smirk appearing momentarily. He was excited for the change of scenery. He was glad to have a fresh start. "Since you're untimely departure has us all in a funk, I think you should make it up to us by sending me back a British man."

The loudest snort Riley had ever managed to hear in her eighteen years of life sounded right beside her. Derek rolled his eyes, his body relaxing at Riley's voice. He sighed then, looking back to Jackson with demanding eyes. "You stay in touch. You're my responsibility." If there was an award for most awkward goodbyes, Derek would have won. He should have been use to it by now, but no words could form on his lips. Just a curt nod as Jackson finally escaped the shadows of the abandoned building. Each time he was forced with a goodbye, it was only a reminder of what was coming.

Something he'd only shared with Isaac. Something he needed Jackson's help with, but was now a werewolf short. Something was coming. . . and he was more unprepared than he was yesterday. He found comfort in Riley's touch. The warmth in her palm as she rubbed his shoulders. The flavor of her lips as they pressed to his jaw, reminding him that he wasn't alone. Maybe he could defeat whatever was coming without putting people's lives in danger. Maybe he could withstand the storm before the lighting even struck.

"I'm starving." Isaac whined, standing up with stiff legs. He descended the stairs, grabbing his jacket. "Can we go get some dinner?" He'd become use to being the third wheel these days, and it didn't bother him as much as it should have.

"I can't." Riley pulled away from Derek's grip. "I promised Scott and Stiles I'd be there for their weekly movie date."

"Scott and Stiles have movie dates?" Isaac's brows furrowed. "That's romantic."

"They call it Bro Thursdays." Riley shrugged, she shook her head at the thought of it being anything romantic. "You guys can come if you want."

"I'm gonna pass." Derek grunted, plopping down onto a chair. "You have fun."

"What about you Isaac?" Riley sighed, slipping on her coat. She pecked Derek on the lips once more before heading for the door. "You coming?"

"Will there be food?" Isaac questioned. Riley shrugged, nodding her head. "Then I'm in."

Derek was generous that night, allowing Isaac to borrow the car as they drove to Stiles' house. Though he had given him detailed instructions on how to care for his Camaro, Isaac didn't think twice about popping open a bag of chips as he drove. "He'll kill you if you get crumbs everywhere." Riley noted, watching as he shoveled handful after handful of cheesy puffs into his salivating mouth. "You're disgusting." Riley turned away, the constant crunch of the chips ringing in her ears.

"I'm a growing boy." Isaac corrected. "A werewolf at that."

"You're a pig. God!" Riley sighed, snatching the half empty bag away from his clutch. "This was suppose to be for the movie!"

"I have no regrets." Isaac burped, his fingers stained orange. He licked them clean before grasping the steering wheel. Riley made a mental note to clean the car before they went back to Derek's. As much as Isaac annoyed her sometimes, she wouldn't let him get in trouble for the orange crumbs littering the leather seats. They let themselves in once they got to Stiles' house. Isaac followed Riley upstairs timidly, wondering if maybe it was a good idea to come after all. He wasn't best friends with the other boys, and thought his presence could become unwanted.

Being unwanted wasn't a new feeling for him. He'd felt that most of his teenage life.

Riley hustled through the door, kicking off her shoes as she bounced on to Stiles' bed. "I brought a friend." Riley chimed, motioning to Isaac as he shyly approached the door. Scott and Stiles smiled, both seated on the pillows on the floor, motioning for Isaac to come on in. He took a seat on the bed beside Riley, feeling refreshed with their approval. "Did you bring the snacks?" Stiles chirped, popping the movie into his Xbox. Riley side glanced Isaac, biting her lip as she tossed some candy bars, twizzlers, and a half eaten bag of cheese puffs on the floor. He pressed play, taking a seat beside Scott as the movie began. Scott sat below Riley, his fingers tapping the screen of his phone hesitantly, his lips pursing. "Don't do it." Stiles whispered to him, bumping his shoulder with his own.

His slumped shoulders caught her attention, leaning on her elbow as she hovered to see his face. "Do what?"

Scott sighed, his thumbs twitching over his phone again. "I haven't. . . I haven't texted Allison since she left for the summ-"

"I swear to God!" Stiles hissed. "If you even pull her number up on your phone, I will rip your thumbs off!"

"I agree." Riley sided, watching as Scott flipped his phone over and over in his hands.

"You're just saying that because she held a knife to your throat." Scott spat, feeling the weight as they ganged up on him.

"She also stabbed me with knives." Isaac held up a hand before ripping open his candy bar.

"You're better of without her, Scott." Riley murmured honestly. "I think a summer alone will help you understand what she did."

Scott nodded, sighing deeply as he remembered the months he'd spent with her. Allison's smile and laugh all replaying in his memory, reminding him of the girl he'd lost. He'd promised her he'd wait, but only a month into summer and he was tired of hoping. "I'm texting her." Scott finally chanted, pulling her number onto his screen. His fingers clicked against the keyboard, writing out his feelings. Riley fumbled, rolling from the bed as she landed on top of him, screeching for him to stop. He rolled them over, pinning her to the ground with a sigh of victory, only to have Stiles climb on him from behind.

The added weight should have made her cry out, but the adrenaline pumped through her veins, using her hands to weave around Scott's body as both she and Stiles wrestled him for the phone. It was quite comical for Isaac as he lounged on the bed, eating his Snickers as he watched them tackle one another. His mouthful of chocolate snagged in his throat as somebody suddenly walked through the thresh hold of stiles' room.

"I got Pizza-" John trailed off, watching with slight disturbance as the kids he thought of as children made a dog pile on top of Scott. Isaac froze, becoming uncomfortable as the Sheriff that had arrested him layed his eyes upon him. The smell of melting cheese drove Isaac wild as he stood up suddenly, mumbling a thank you as he grasped the box from John's hands. "What the hell is going on?"

Scott sighed with defeat as Riley snatched the phone from his palm, powering it down before slipping it into her cleavage. "Nothing!" Riley assured. "Nothing at all. Just hanging out, ya know? Bro Thursdays." Riley punched Stiles' arm playfully, sitting back on the bed.

John nodded, scratching his head with confusion. He sighed then, reminding himself that they were teenagers, and they could be doing things much worse than wrestling each other in his sons room. He went to leave, but stopped, turning back as he remembered something. "Why does that Camaro out front look so familiar?"

Month Two: June

"What do you mean you're leaving?" Riley gaped, watching as Derek stretched his arms out in front of him. His joints cracked, making her wince with confusion and uncertainty.

"It's only three days." He reminded her, continuing to warm up before they went at it.

Since Jackson's departure, Derek had taken it upon himself to continually train Riley. On the few occasions Isaac wasn't complaining, he would put himself up against her as well. And though Derek argued with her to not hold back, he had to constantly chant his own reminder to himself quietly. He had to hold back. He couldn't let himself slip up and destroy the only thing he was still graced with.

"Longest three days of my life." Riley sighed to herself, oblivious to Derek's half smile as he heard her every word. It was hard to remember he had supernatural abilities sometimes, and he took advantage of that ability whenever he could. "Where are you going?"

"Nowhere important. Just some bonding time with Isaac." Derek shrugged. His innocence was perplexing as Riley narrowed her eyes.

"You bonded with him last weekend." She noted. "And the weekend before that."

"You ready?" Changing the subject quickly, nodding his head in her direction. She pursed her lips, taking a step forward. Riley's limbs began to shake with anticipation, waiting impatiently for the moment Derek lunged. "You need to show me how you'd defend yourself without your weapon." He repeated, taking a light breath as he took a cautious step forward.

His lithe steps were quick, polished, and deceitful. He lunged for her, only to side step her last minute. His arms wound around her waist, pulling him to her. "Fight back." He encouraged over her panicked breaths. She hesitated only momentarily, taking a deep breath to relax herself as she claimed back her confidence. Using the tactic Chris had shown her a few months prior, she followed the defensive move willfully. Her leg expanded, wrapping around his calf as she constricted it. She let her body weight fall back, burdening him as she forcefully knocked him to the ground.

"Fight back." Riley spat, repeating his earlier words.

She could feel the hesitance and the willpower behind his careful moves. She pinned his body, hoping he'd follow through with his brutal attack. He rolled them over, hovering above her as her arms clawed at his shoulders. Derek grasped her wrists, pinning them above her head with ease. A hatred filled huff escaped her lips, knowing he'd won. . . again. He wasn't as easy to beat like Jackson, and he'd even put up a hell of a fight. "You suck." She hissed, feeling his weight flatten her to the ground.

He smirked, chin dimpling as he leaned down, catching her bottom lip with his. Their relationship wasn't rough or hostile like he'd been use to. Their cautious approach with each other reminded him of a time he'd shared with someone else entirely different. But Riley wasn't Kate. Riley and him were mutual and equal, something he was both terrified of and passionate about.

"Where are you going?" Riley tried again, breaking away from him to search his eyes. They were still closed, and he hid them to conceal his frustration. Derek sighed, sitting up as he scratched at the scruff on his neck.

"Were searching for Boyd and Erica." He admitted, opening his eyes to reveal his hopefulness. "Isaac got a whiff of Boyd last week, but their scent vanished after a mile or two."

"You're hoping you can find it again?" Riley guessed, and he nodded.

"It's like they vanished into thin air." Derek groaned, wishing his Betas hadn't left in the first place. He'd seen the look on their families faces. He knew he was to blame for their disappearance. "I just. . ." He shook his head, looking to Riley for guidance and comfort. "I just want them safe, ya know? Is that too much to fucking ask?"

"It's not your fault."

"But it is." Derek reminded her gently. "I'm the one who let them go." His throat became dry, finding it hard to swallow. He gulped back his frustration, not meaning to reveal his thoughts so fast, and so soon. His cracked lips pursed, finding the hope he'd lost in Riley's fingertips as she roamed his arm. "I'll be back before you know it."

She nodded, not worried about his secret trips with Isaac anymore. Her belief in anything superior was nearly non-existent before she moved here, but she found herself praying for the lives of her equals more often then she'd realized. Faith was something that became imbedded in her skin. Sinking between the depths of fear and passion. Riley's faith was the anchor washing her to shore, while her guilt dragged her back to sea.

AN: Season 3A is finally starting!

Let me know in the comments what you guys think so far! And don't forget to follow me on Tumblr for weekly sneak peeks and such!

Let me know if you guys have any ideas as to what this season will offer Riley!

Reviews, comments and praises are appreciated!