A/N: I don't own anyone but my OC's…though I wished I owned the rest…*sighs*
Alaric inhaled and opened his eyes to greet the blinding sun. He was careful not to disturb Brooklyn who remained entrenched in the depths of slumber. Their latest encounter had taken on a rougher darker undertone that culminated in several bruises where his fingers had dug into his lover's hips. The perfect purplish ovals glared back at Alaric serving as a cruel reminder of the inner beast lurking within. Guilt slowly crept through his soul but at the same time he felt shameless about the marks as Alaric remembered the brown haired man challenging him at the wake and funeral.
His hands brushed over the exposed hip and waist pushing aside what bit of blanket clung to her body watching as it fell to the side without a second glance. Skin pressed along skin as he silently reveled in the afterglow and sensed the serenity in control over her being. Though he was more than ready for another round with the hunter, Alaric knew it would have to wait until after he got home. It was the middle of the week which meant school was still in session.
Groaning in open displeasure, Alaric maneuvered around and over until his feet were planted on the carpet. He hated to leave her alone but realized Brooklyn was a hunter and as such could take down a 250 pound man with but a few simple moves. Yeah, she would fine on her own. Alaric watched as Brooklyn slept and felt a small smile creeping up upon his lips and heart swell as the thought that the hunter was his.
"I'll be back soon," he whispered softly in her ear. Brooklyn stirred and moaned in response to his words but didn't open her eyes. Alaric spread the blanket across her body keeping the chill in the air away from her body. He knelt down to leave a chaste kiss on her lips before hurrying to shower and face the day ahead.
Several hours later Brooklyn was seated at the library sifting through old newspapers and journals. The history of Mystic Falls was muddled at best in the beginning but after 1864 detailed, meticulously kept entries suddenly sprung up.
Right around the time Katherine made her presence known….
The thought of the dark haired bloodsucking succubus made Brooklyn bristle internally which triggered memories of the other night. Her hands curled into two tight fists and trembled with anger as tears comprised of equal emotion and rage started streaming down her face. It was killing her to be apart from the vampire but Damon had made his bed and now he was forced to lie within it.
"Are you alright?" A voice quipped beside her. Brooklyn's head snapped up and instinctively she wiped away the tears.
"Yeah…" she muttered in haste.
"I don't think you are," Mason pulled up a seat beside her.
"What are you a psychic?" Brooklyn snorted.
"No," Mason lightly chuckled, "I'm very observant and I am observing someone who is deeply upset by something…..or someone."
Brooklyn merely sighed and pushed aside the volumes of clippings and entries knowing she wasn't going to get anything accomplished- not with Dr. Phil planted right beside her. Mason patiently sat there knowing he wouldn't get make any inroads with the hunter by rushing things. Besides it was an opportunity to size the hunter up without interference from Alaric or Damon.
"Look buddy I appreciate the concern but my problems are way beyond your scope of understanding."
Mason stayed quiet but focused his eyes on Brooklyn's. She was clearly hurting but donned a mask to shield the pain.
I will show you the world…..
A hint of genuine sadness laced his thoughts but were immediately suppressed as Mason continued to watch Brooklyn battle to gain her composure. He suspected it had something to do with Damon Salvatore but kept his opinion to himself. With the vampire hysteria entrenched in the town's psyche, Mason had to be discreet if things were to play out in his favor. Brooklyn may get the suspicion he's a vampire or learn about his true nature which would be devastating enough.
"Well perhaps if I could lend a shoulder or ear for you…." Mason started to say but Brooklyn abruptly cut him off. His suave looks and charming manner just wasn't getting through to her.
"As I said," she gathered her laptop and notes in her bag then hoisted it across her chest, "My troubles run way deeper than you can even fathom."
Mason stood and extended a hand towards the hunter.
"Well then perhaps I may offer a drink?"
"Thanks but I have to meet someone," Brooklyn flashed an uneasy smile and hurried out of her seat banging her knee against the wooden leg in the process. She gritted her teeth as the joint burned and stung from the violent jolt against hard oak.
"Damn it!" Her curse earned several curious stares but the hunter didn't take notice. Her eyes were closed tight and pushing tears from between and out onto her cheeks. Mason saw a chance. Thinking fast, he snatched her bag that had fallen from her shoulder and secured an arm around her waist. Brooklyn was lost in pain and didn't notice the strong arm latched tightly against her waist but felt a few powerful surges race through her body as he guided her towards the two seat couch easing her shaky frame in the plush welcoming depths.
Brooklyn took several ragged breaths before opening her eyes to find herself staring deep into a beautiful set of ice blue depths as Mason kept his eyes focused on hers. The hunter found her pain receding after several agonizing minutes and rose to leave.
"Listen thanks for helping me but I really must be going."
Mason quickly shot up and retrieved her bag passing it across as Brooklyn nodded in gratitude.
"Are you sure you can't have maybe but one drink? I'm sure you can tell whomever it is you're meeting to simply change plans and meet you at the Grill."
Brooklyn stood and pondered for a moment before slipping her phone from her pocket and punching a short text to Alaric. Mason smiled to himself as he slowly started to create inroads with the hunter.
"So Mason you are from Mystic Falls?" Brooklyn took another long swig of beer.
"Yes," Mason took a shot of whiskey, "I left when I was in my 20's but now I'm here to stay."
"So what brought you back home?"
"My brother died and I felt I was needed back here to support the family."
"Really?" Brooklyn eyed him suspiciously.
"Yeah," Mason braced himself as his heart pounded wildly in his chest.
"Well if you don't mind my asking who was your brother?"
Mason took a deep breath and looked over with regret ringing his eyes. Brooklyn would find out eventually but at least it would come straight from his lips.
"Mayor Lockwood," he exhaled in one breath. Brooklyn nearly sprayed the bar and Mason with her beer as she nearly spat it out in shock. Mason was Lockwood's brother!
"I see you knew him then?"
"Well he wasn't exactly on my Christmas list," Brooklyn snorted and ordered another round.
"Well my brother and I were not on the best of terms. I was the black sheep of the family while he was the golden child," Brooklyn picked up hints of resentment and anger looming beneath the surface. Maybe this Mason Lockwood could be someone worth keeping as an ally…
"I'll be honest with you Mason your brother gave me the creeps. He would size me up like a piece of meat whenever he laid eyes upon me. "
Sounds like Richard chose her…..Well she's mine now….
Mason watched the hunter shudder at the images that flashed through her mind. He knew Richard could be a bit strong and forth coming and based on Brooklyn's reaction things had not changed.
"I apologize if Richard had been rather creepy as you put it but I hope you won't think I'm like he was."
Brooklyn thanked the bartender and gulped half the bottle's contents down before turning to answer. Her eyes were laced with suspicion and uncertainty which Mason knew was going to be a challenge to break down and around. But still he wasn't one to give in so easily as after all he was a Lockwood and Lockwoods got what or who they wanted.
"How can I be sure that I should even be talking to you right now let alone drinking with you here?"
"Because," Mason flashed a brilliant smile and took a shot of whiskey, "You're gonna have to trust me."
Brooklyn snorted in dry humor and finished the rest of her drink wondering where Alaric was. Mason could see cracks in her guard beginning to show as she ordered another round.
Alaric tapped his fingers against his bicep waiting for Stefan to appear. He received a text from the vampire to meet him after school but about what Stefan didn't specify. The teacher hoped he would get there soon for Brooklyn was waiting for him at the Grill but unbeknownst to him Mason Lockwood was attempting to get good with his hunter among other things. His brow was furrowed in thought over the dilemma with Damon. He wanted the vampire back in his bed but Damon's betrayal prevented Alaric from telling the vampire such.
"Alaric," Stefan finally appeared in the doorway.
"Stefan come in," Alaric straightened up motioning for him to enter.
"We need to talk….about Katherine," Stefan exhaled.
"What about her? Did she hurt Brook?"
"No," Stefan instantly shook his head and hands. "But knowing her that isn't out of the realm of possibilities Alaric- Katherine sees Brooklyn as a threat."
"Because she's a hunter," Stefan nodded his head.
"And apparently she knows about you her and Damon. It's why you found her with Damon – she plays these games with minds and hearts not caring who gets hurt."
"It still doesn't excuse what Damon did Stefan."
"Yeah well Damon's rather….upset about what happened."
"Boo hoo," Alaric snorted, "Brooklyn opened her heart and soul to him!"
"And I know she's still hurting," Stefan's tone lightened.
"So do you know where Katherine is now?" Alaric changed the subject.
"No that's the thing about her- she shows up when she wants to. Katherine is a powerful vampire and can easily manipulate anyone to get what she wants."
"Great," Alaric shook his head and gathered his bag. He was anxious to get to Brooklyn before Katherine did.
"So why don't you and I get to know one another better by say…having lunch tomorrow?"
"Oh I don't think that's a good idea Mason," Brooklyn shook her head as she gently let him down.
"Why not?" his eyes widened as he feigned hurt and bit his bottom lip.
"I'm with someone and….."
"Say no more I understand," Mason nodded, "But I'm not trying to muscle in to your man's territory. I want to do this as friends."
"Friends?" Brooklyn raised an eyebrow.
"Well I was thinking here at the Grill. I don't think your boyfriend will be jealous or upset about that now."
Brooklyn darted her eyes away feeling the heat of his stare bearing down on her. Her cheeks grew flush at the attention Mason was showing. Lockwood watched as her face deepened with crimson and quickly backed off before she bolted.
"Are you alright?"
"Oh yeah…." Brooklyn grinned and shook her head. The hunter's deep copper tresses shielded her face from his gaze. Mason grabbed a pen and jotted his number down on a napkin then slid it across the bar.
"If you change your mind call me alright? But I need to leave and tend to family business."
"Uh sure," Brooklyn snatched the paper cloth stuffing it in her jeans pocket and watched as he walked away. Mason paused at the doorway and looked across the bar one last time. His eyes pierced through the lighting, twinkling with hope. His lips parted upward in a dashing smile before he vanished out the door leaving Brooklyn alone for a few moments before Alaric burst in anxiously searching for his hunter.
"Brook!"
Brooklyn twisted around and smiled as Alaric leaned in tasting her lips within his. It was something he had missed all day and the sweet hints of her cherry lip balm coating his mouth erased his fears.
"Are you alright?"
"Yeah….Ric what's the matter?" Her face dropped at his alarm but Alaric waved his hands. She picked up on his anxiety and enclosed her hands around his in a soothing gesture.
"I didn't want to scare you but Katherine may try to hurt or even worse kill you."
His voice shook and creaked as the words slipped past his lips. He knew Brooklyn was safe at home but beyond the threshold Katherine could get to her.
"I know," Brooklyn sighed. "I could feel the cold sliming from her."
"Brook," Alaric grabbed her hands, "You're vulnerable outside of home."
"Ric I can handle myself."
"Katherine isn't like the other vampires Brook."
"I know Ric which is why I'm armed," Brooklyn discreetly revealed her extra arsenal concealed inside her bag.
"It doesn't make me feel any better," Alaric shook his head.
"Well maybe if went home…." She winked at him, "You would feel better?"
Alaric grinned and led her by the hand away from the bar. As the couple headed out and across the square Mason Lockwood watched from his car. His jealousy flared and hands gripped tightly on the steering wheel as his eyes caught sight of Alaric's hand in hers. The rage seethed below the surface but Mason kept it from assuming control of his mind and body. Years of discipline and strength taught him to restrain the curse but it was difficult when the one he chose for his mate was in the arms of another.
"Alaric Saltzman is going to regret crossing paths with me….."
Sorry but the delay! Alaric and Damon are soooo gonna have problems with Mason!