Hey guys! So finally got to my destination! We'll be here for a few weeks, then we'll be moving again, but I'm trying to get some writing done while we are settled for now.

Anyway, hope ya'll enjoy this chapter! :)


Skylar waited impatiently for the bell to ring that would free her from the trap of the classroom.

Not that she really minded school, or was particularly in a hurry to get home, but Pack land meant Pack woods, which meant running, and after the events of the weekend, she was eager for the release.

Finally, the dinging noise sounded through the room and she was out of her seat as fast as humanly possible, heading for the door with her backpack hanging on her shoulder.

She stopped at her locker to grab the books she needed for her homework and figured Daniel would show up sooner or later, when there was a tap on her shoulder.

Breathing quickly, she let the scent hit her, and knew who it was before she even turned.

"Carter Vance," she smirked, shutting her locker before looking over her shoulder, "If you're planning on asking me out again, please tell me you found some less cheesy pick up lines."

The Mystic Falls Timberwolves starting quarterback just grinned down at her, "No lines this time. Just some news. I think I found a way to make you very happy, Miss Salvatore."

Skylar faked a gasp, "You're moving away?"

Carter feigned hurt and clutched his chest, "Ouch."

She just shrugged, unwilling to let his all-American-boy good looks buy him an easy pass, "You'll live. Now, what was this about my subjective happiness?"

The smile was back in place as he reached into his pocket, "I scored tickets to go see Smoking Pandas this weekend."

He flashed them proudly, and Skylar lifted a brow at the strips of paper that boldly showcased the band's name.

"Wow," she teased, "I see you finally learned to read...but what does that have to do with me?"

Honey-brown eyes lightened as he leaned against the locker next to her, "Well, if you'd stop being mean to me for a minute, I'd tell you."

She smirked, but remained silent.

"I wanted you to come with me," he finished, "They're good seats and these babies cost a fortune."

"Right," she scoffed, "I'm sure your daddy's bank account is really suffering."

He laughed, "When will you give me a break, Skylar?"

"I won't," she said simply, "Which I've told you about a thousand times. I'm not sure how it keeps getting lost in translation, but low and behold, here we are again."

His lips fell into a pout and he took a step closer to her, "Oh come on. It's one date, you know. It's not like I'm asking you to elope."

Her expression was one of dark humor as she stared up at him, "You don't want to date me, Carter."

"Yeah, I do," he insisted, "In case you haven't noticed, I actually like you."

She laughed dryly, "No darling, you like the thought of me dating you. You like tight jeans on my ass and the opportunity to brag to your boys about roping me in. But it's not gonna happen."

Spotting Daniel across the hall, Skylar sighed and patted Carter's shoulder, "Besides, if you knew me at all, you'd know that I can't stand Smoking Pandas. My taste run more toward Mind Over Mayhem. But it was a nice gesture."

Carter shook his head, "One of these days, I'm gonna figure you out."

She smiled and left him with a final, "Good luck with that."

Then made her way over to her twin.


Daniel glanced up from his own locker as she approached, his eyes flickering behind her, "Another one bites the dust?"

Skylar rolled her eyes, "It's his own fault. No one understands the concept of casual flirting anymore, I swear. Make a guy laugh one time and suddenly he's expecting commitments and concert dates."

"Concerts, huh?" Daniel shut his locker, "Anything good?"

"Hardly," she assured him as walked toward the exit, "Smoking Pandas."

"They aren't bad."

"They're a we-practice-in-our-garage boyband masquerading as a punk rock group," she corrected him, "At best they could pass for a cover band in a coffee shop."

Daniel held up a hand in defeat, "Easy. I wasn't saying they were great."

"Because they aren't," she insisted, "And if Carter thinks that buying me tickets to go see them is going to magically make me swoon all over him, he's got another thing coming."

Daniel chuckled, "Or maybe he just wanted an excuse to ask you out."

"Yeah, again," she sighed, "I've been as blatant as possible, but the message doesn't seem to be sticking."

They reached Daniel's bike and he frowned over at her, "Is he bothering you with it?"

Skylar shook her head, "Not really. It's just annoying. Well, okay, the flirting and being mean to him is fun, but the rest is annoying."

Now her brother was the one rolling his eyes, "Did you ever think that your flirting is why he keeps asking you out?"

She shrugged, "Whatever. If he wants to read more into it than it is, that's his problem. I'm not gonna lose any sleep over it."

Daniel gave her a disapproving look as he handed her the spare helmet, "It's not right to toy with their emotions, Sky."

At that, she had to laugh, "Emotions, right. Because Carter Vance is really emotionally invested in me? Please. We both know that this is all about ego and bragging rights. The chase, not the catch."

"Is that why you play along?" he teased, getting onto the bike.

Skylar smirked, "Only when I'm bored."


The ride home was quick, despite the slight back up in traffic due to school's release, and a wave of relief settled over Skylar when she saw the entrance to the Pack land.

Daniel pulled up into the drive and parked before letting her off the back.

There was an unsettled expression on his face as she took off the helmet to give it back to him.

"What's wrong?" she asked.

Daniel's gaze did a quick scope around, "Do you feel that?"

Skylar stiffened, her eyes darting after his to search for his meaning.

There didn't seem to be anything immediately threatening nearby, but in only took an inhale for her to catch up to where his brain was at.

Something wasn't right.

"It's quiet," Daniel murmured, but that wasn't quite accurate.

"It feels tense," she corrected and Daniel's brows drew together, "You think something happened?"

His frown deepened, "Let's go find out."

She nodded and followed him into the Manor.


The scent was stronger here; a combination of anxiety, confusion, worry, and edginess.

It seemed to seep into the very wood of the house, as if the sense of whatever this was had been lingering for a while.

"What the hell?" she wondered and started toward the centralized scents of the Pack, using the freshest trail to find her father.

"I think they're in the basement," she said, once realizing where the smell of leather and dark spice led, but a voice stopped them in the hall, "Hey, you're back. Figured that was the bike I heard."

Skylar turned to see Michael walking towards them.

Strands of his blond hair were falling from his loosely tied bun, brushing the top of his grey V-neck shirt.

"Just got back," she told him as Daniel asked, "What's going on?"

"Not sure," Michael told him flatly, "Something happened earlier this afternoon and Damon's had most of the others down in the basement since. I've only caught bits of it, but it sounds like it has to do with a Mutt."

"Mutt's are extinct," Skylar insisted, "Dad hunted them down for years."

Michael shrugged and Daniel looked over toward the basement stairs.

"I'll go see what's going on," he said, "Wait here."

"What, why?"

"Because I said so," he insisted, "And because Dad will tell me more than you. So if you want to know what's going on, show some restraint and wait here."

Skylar crossed her arms, a little annoyed, but she knew her brother was right.

If this was something serious, it was more likely that her father would give him more details if he went down alone to address the situation.

"Maybe it's nothing," Michael offered, only half believably, as Daniel disappeared down the stairs.

"Yeah," she sighed, "Sure."

His hand slipped into hers and pulled, "Come on. Daniel will fill us in later."

Reluctantly, she let him lead her away from the hallway and back towards the kitchen.


"There's no point in sending half the Pack," Damon argued, shooting daggers toward Mason and Alaric, "We can have the male brought here to evaluate. It makes more sense!"

Elena reached out and ran her hand down her mate's back, and he calmed beneath her touch.

"I get your point," Alaric insisted, "But I'm also not sure that it's a good idea to have him here."

"And I'm going for the retrieval," Mason stated, "I'm not having Bonnie around him without me there."

"Elijah is more than enough protection," Damon sighed, yet again, "If there is anything to need protecting from. Everything he's said may be true."

"Or it might not be," Stefan pointed out.

Damon looked over at him, "Or it might not be. Which is why we have to be careful with how we handle this."

Elena dropped her hand and took a step forward, "Look, bringing him here is the best chance we have of keeping an eye on him. That fact is indisputable. Then we will be able to tell for ourselves if he's any kind of danger."

"And if he is," Klaus spoke up, "You want him that close to your children? To mine?"

"Do you want to leave Caroline for a few months to go watch him in Tennessee?" Damon asked.

When the other male didn't answer he nodded, "Exactly."

"Besides," Elena added, "The twins and Michael will be fine. Each of them can well beyond hold their own, and William can't make a move without someone's eyes on him. They'll be safe."

As Klaus countered the statement, Elena caught a new scent whiff across the room and looked over at the staircase.

Daniel came into view, an expression of concern on his face.


When the others noticed him, silence fell, but he pretended not to notice, his eyes focused on Damon.

"May I come in?" he asked, hesitating on the last step.

When Damon nodded, he crossed the room.

"Dad, what's going on?"

Damon glanced over at her and Elena sighed.

She would prefer not to involve the young in the Pack's latest revelation, but she knew that Damon wouldn't keep Daniel in the dark.

"Michael mentioned something about a Mutt," Daniel started, "Have you found another?"

"Not exactly," Damon straightened, giving Elena another look.

She nodded at him, giving him permission to continue.

"You remember the male that found the Tennessee pack?" Damon asked him, "The one who claimed not to know what he was until he'd turned?"

Daniel nodded, "Yes. You sent Bonnie and Elijah to see if they could discover his paternal bloodline, right?"

"Right," Damon said grimly, "And they did."

The same heaviness that had been circling the Manor all day filled the air now and it was clear that Daniel was picking up on it.

"Who was his father?"

The name was laced so thick with hatred, Damon's voice came out as a growl, "Giuseppe Salvatore."


Skylar sat next to Michael in the large oak tree that rested on the border of the forest and the backyard.

It was a quiet place that the two of them and Daniel had used growing up when they wanted to talk privately, and there was no doubt in her mind that her brother would be able to find them there without even having to track them.

"I should have just eavesdropped," she reasoned, repositioning herself on the thick branch that was acting as her backrest.

"Like they'd say anything if they knew we were hovering," Michael pointed out, "We'll know when they want us to."

Skylar rolled her eyes, "You are way too willing to roll over for my father's rules."

A suggestive grin spread across his attractive face, "Hmm...maybe. But then again, I figured I was taking enough of a risk when I started running the bases with his little girl."

"Hey," she defended, "What he doesn't know won't kill him."

"No," Michael agreed, "But what he doesn't know could kill me if he ever found out."

She narrowed her eyes at him, "Don't be dramatic."

He chuckled quietly, "Well, if there was something worth dying for, I guess love would be it."

Now Skylar was the one laughing, "And you love me, Michael?"

"Of course," he winked playfully, "You know that I worship the ground you walk on."

She grabbed a branch above her and hoisted herself over to where he was leaning against another one.

"And what if I don't want to be worshiped?" she asked, moving so that he could pull her to him, her back to his chest.

He kissed the side of her head, "Then say the word, love, and I'll burn the blueprints I drew up for your temple."

She laughed, freely, and felt truly at ease for the first time all day as she rested her head against his shoulder, "On second thought, maybe a temple would be nice. Do I get a statue?"

"Oh, absolutely," she felt him nod, "As large as you want, directly in the center of the structure. Men will come for miles to lay gifts at your feet."

At the reminder of gifts, Skylar groaned, "They already try."

"Oh?" she could feel him looking down at her.

"Got offered to attend a concert this weekend with the football captain. Sadly, I had to decline."

"Because you're grounded?" he wondered.

"Because the guy's a tool," she corrected, "And I can't imagine he's nearly as much fun to spend time with as you are."

She tilted her head to smirk up at him and Michael pretended to ponder her statement, "True. I am pretty remarkable. You'd get bored of some random human."

She laughed again, "You're probably right."

His fingers brushed across her hair as she settled further into his arms and let out a deep sigh, "Oh well."

Michael didn't respond.

He just kept brushing over her scalp, lulling her body as they waited for Daniel, and she fought the urge to close her eyes.

This felt nice.

And it felt good to be around someone who knew the real her; not just the fantasy they made up in their heads to share with their locker room buddies.

She didn't have to hide here or be anything other than exactly what she was.

There was a certain freedom in that fact.

Something that a random human teenager would never be able to wrap his mind around, even if she did give him the chance to.

But this male...he understood her.

"Hey, Kael," she said quietly, using the nickname that William had gotten them all hooked on.

"Hmm?"

Skylar bit her lip, feeling stupid for needing the reassurance, but asked anyway, "What's my favorite band?"

His answer was instantaneous, "Mind over Mayhem, why?"

A little smile played across her lips, "No reason."


Daniel could hardly keep up with the conversations flowing around the room as the others discussed the best choice of action.

It took another fifteen minutes for his father to put his foot down for good.

"The male comes here," he said, the Alpha tone clear, "I want the Pack to keep an eye on him until we know more."

Everyone knew better than to argue further, and the topic changed to traveling information.

Who would retrieve the male, how long would they be gone, what would the new living arrangement look like, etc.

Daniel understood their concern.

A male that shows up out of the blue who happens to be the son of an ex Alpha.

And not just any ex Alpha, but the very male who had wanted to kidnap him and his sister at birth.

Who had raised their father to be the killer he was, and had fueled an Uprising against the Pack, using the Mutts to do his dirty work.

Caution was to be expected.

But then again, it was also possible that Giuseppe had knocked up some random human and had not even known about the kid.

It would explain why the new wolf had no idea what he'd become.

Daniel believed that his father made the right call.

The only way they'd know anything for sure would be to evaluate the situation and keep the male under the eyes of the Pack.

"If he's coming here, Skylar and Michael will need to know as well," he said, catching his father's eye, "May I tell them?"

Damon considered it for a moment, then nodded, "Go ahead."

Daniel bowed his head a little, then offered his mother a kiss on the cheek before heading back up the stairs.


When he didn't find Skylar or Michael in the kitchen, he followed their scents out the back door.

With Skylar being grounded, they wouldn't be off running alone, so he was pretty sure that he knew exactly where they went.

Sure enough, their scent got stronger as he grew closer to the forest's edge and he spotted them up in the giant oak that had served as their fortress on multiple occasions.

What he hadn't expected was for Skylar to be in Michael's lap or for their faces to be pressed so tightly together that he wasn't sure how they were managing to breath between kisses.

Fighting back a twinge of annoyance, he cleared his throat and watched as they jumped apart.

Michael's face appeared to color a little at being caught, but Skylar was moving before he could be sure, twisting around the branches until she could jump to the ground.

"Any news?" she asked, brushing back her tasseled hair.

"A bit," he nodded, waiting until Michael got down as well before continuing, "But before I tell you, maybe there's something you want to tell me?"

He stared at her pointedly, his gaze flickering to Michael as well, but Skylar shook her head, "Nope. Now what did Dad say?"

Daniel sighed a little, but went ahead and told them about their upcoming guest.

"Damn it," Skylar groaned, "So we aren't going to Tennessee after all."

"No," he said, "We aren't. But Giuseppe Salvatore's son is still coming here."

She shrugged, "So what. Uncle Stefan is his son too. It's not exactly like he's on everyone's radar."

"Stefan grew up with the Pack," Daniel reminded her, "This male didn't. So Dad doesn't trust him."

"Dad doesn't trust anyone," she pointed out, then started toward the house, "I'll be back."

"Where are you going?" he called after her, but she didn't answer.

Not that he really expected her to.

So he just shook his head and let out a weary sigh.


After a short moment, Michael stepped forward, "I'm sorry."

Daniel looked over at him, "Don't be. She does whatever she wants anyway."

"No," the male corrected, "I mean...about...I know you saw us."

He was quiet for a moment, then said, "Yeah. I did."

Their gazes locked, and to Michael's credit, he didn't back down or waiver under Daniel's scrutiny.

But he did look tense, as if expecting Daniel to tear into him at any moment.

"Relax," he muttered, walking over to the tree, "We're cool."

He sank down against the bark, crossing his legs as he sat on the cold ground.

Michael took the place next to him and pulled out a cigarette.

Once he lit the thing, he started, "Skylar didn't think it was anything serious enough to tell you about."

"Sounds like her," Daniel nodded, recalling the conversation he'd had with his sister earlier, "Is that how it is for you too? Nothing serious?"

Michael shrugged, exhaling a cloud of smoke, "I think it means something different to me than it does to her. But it's what she wants. I'm okay with it."

When nothing followed, he added, "You gonna tell Damon?"

Daniel shook his head, kicking some dirt with the heel of his foot, "Of course not. But I hope you know what you're getting yourself into."

Another beat of silence fell between them, then Michael said, "I love her, Daniel."

Daniel reached over, taking the cigarette from his friend and putting it between his own lips.

He took a hard drag and gave it back with a sad stare "Then I pity you."

"Why's that?"

He leaned back against the tree as Michael flicked some ashes away, picturing the flirty smile his sister had sent to the quarterback earlier.

And he was hardly the first to get wrapped around her finger.

"Because," he sighed, "Most girls will break your heart...Skylar will eat it."

Michael chuckled a little, "You're probably right about that...so is this you looking out for me or something?"

"Or something," Daniel smirked, glancing over at the male, "You are my best friend, after all. Even if you are hooking up with my sister."

"I have more respect for her than that," Michael defended.

"And I'm glad," Daniel told him seriously, "Because you are my friend, but she's my sister. My twin. It's my job to protect her." His hand instinctively brushed over the birthmark at his wrist, "So if I were you, I'd keep in mind whose blood runs through my veins."

Michael's brow lifted, "Sounds almost threatening."

"It's supposed to," he assured him, holding the male's gaze, "Because no matter the love I have for you, brother, if this continues and Skylar gets hurt...there's not a story my father has that will compare to what I'll do to you."

Michael gave a little nod, all amusement having left his face, "Fair enough."

"As long as we understand each other," Daniel concluded, taking the cigarette back again.

"Loud and clear," Michael assured him, then crooked his head, "I thought you said these were a bad habit."

"They are," Daniel agreed, taking another hit, "But it's been a long day."

And with a new werewolf entering Pack territory, everyone on alert, Skylar playing sitting-in-a-tree with his best friend, and keeping Jessica a secret, it was only going to get longer.

"I'll pick up some more tonight," Michael offered, and Daniel nodded.

"Couldn't hurt."


They sat under the tree for a while, moving away from heavy conversation, until Damon came out calling for them.

There was a perimeter run being set up and they had first shift.

Daniel didn't complain.

As usual, he knew his place in the Pack and what his duty was.

The Alpha commands, he follows, simple as that.

He also knew better than to ask why Skylar had yet to return or why she was missing out on this run.

Things worked more smoothly when he didn't question the decisions being made around him.

He would just do as he was told until the day he didn't have to anymore.

But sometimes, he found himself wishing that day would come sooner rather than later.


Bloop Bloop.

There you go :)

Let me know what you think!