Shaun and Kayla walked happily through the streets of Oconto Falls. Shaun looked towards his mate as the cold rain droplets ran down her porcelain skin. A small growl escaped his lips as he saw men stare at her in awe. 'How dare they look upon what is mine' Shaun glared. In a quick movement Shaun grabbed Kayla by the hand and held her up against an alley wall.

"Shaun what are you doing?" Kayla questioned in annoyance as she tried to loosen his hold over her.

"You attract for too much attention for my liking, if I am to see another human look at you in such a way I may not be able to control my actions." Shaun whispered seductively in her ear as he playfully bit her neck.

A small moan escaped Kayla's lips. "What is this I see, the great Shaun Irmen jealousy of mere mortal men? I may have laughed at such a thing."

"And why is that so surprising to you Kayla? To feel the fire of jealousy burn within my very soul for another man to have the pleasure of laying eyes on you. Your pale glowing skin, perfect body, and elegant movement would make any man fall to their knees" he replied as his hands traveled down her body and wrapped around her waist to hold her close to his chest.

Her small hands reached towards his face moving away the dark bangs that covered his eyes and looked into them intently.

"You are forgetting that I gave myself only to you Shaun, I will not stray from the one I love so easily, come let's take the rooftops". Kayla said as she took hold of Shaun's hand and scaled the alley walls to roof of the building, jumping across village houses as they pass by.

…………………

"Mother, Father!!" the little boy giggled as he quickly ran out from the castle to greet the two.

Shaun looked down in astonishment at Tucker's happy face 'He called me father' contentment and happiness overcome him as he picked Tucker up and stood closer to Kayla.

"Aww now that's a family moment" Jimmy shouted as the others nodded in agreement.

Kayla looked down happily at the small figure attached to her and faced the rest of the group.

"How has everyone been, Where is Stephanie?" She asked as she looked upon the face standing behind Jimmy.

"She has not came back yet, we have not seen her for days" Jimmy answered as he watched Kayla's guilt ridden expression 'she always seemed to be infatuated by him' Kayla thought.

"Don't worry she will be back when she is ready" Anthony replied.

"Rachel what are you doing here?" Kayla asked the blond as she looked upon her standing behind Doug once again, she also did fail to see Doug and Rachel locking hands together, silently comforting each other in the presence of everyone.

"Kayla how was your night with Shaun? Are you tired? Me you and the girls should all stay over some time"

Shaun quietly growled beside Kayla at the last remark as his hold tightened possessively around her waist. Jessica jumped excitedly before she was quickly stopped from hugging her by Jimmy.

"Wow there Jessica, I don't think you should hug Kayla right now. Now that they are mates, Shaun will still be a little possessive over her. It took months for Doug to allow others to even touch Rachel" Jimmy whispered.

"Oh whys that? That's not fare " Jessica complained.

"A female should always respect her mate's wishes" Jimmy concluded as he smirked down at her.

"Jessica you still haven't answered my question " Kayla asked impatiently as she looked towards the blond haired women.

"Oh haven't you heard, Doug and Rachel are dating now" Anthony replied nonchalantly.

"WHAT!!"

……………….

Anthony, Ryan, Doug and Jessica sat on the right side of the dark oak table in the kitchen. As Shaun stood watching the angered Kayla pace the kitchen while Doug and Rachel sat closely together.

"Hey don't you realize how dangerous this may be for her, what if she gets hurt? There are already others after us!" Kayla shouted as she glared at Jimmy, waited for a good answer from him.

"I told her Kayla and it doesn't change how we feel about each other"

"If you cared about her you wouldn't put her such in such a danger" she relied venomously.

"Stay calm Kayla. If they are happy, we should be" Shaun spoke as he took hold of Kayla's hand in reassurance.

"But…are you happy Rachel?" Kayla looked into the young girls deep blue eyes, revealing her emotions.

"I am Kayla please don't hate for my decisions I really like you as a friend, I'm not afraid of the consequences.

A small smile graced Kayla's features as she looked upon Rachel but was interrupted from answering her as the clock chimed midnight.

Rachel jumped in surprise dropping her glass of water to the cold concrete floor, the glass lay in shattered pieces at their feet.

"Oh, no I'm sorry I didn't mean to make a mess" Rachel gasped as she bent down to clean up the broken glass. She hissed in pain as the small shards ripped at her skin.

Small droplets of blood ran down her fingers changing the atmosphere completely.

"NO!" Doug shouted as he took a protective stance in front of Rachel as Kayla growled ferociously. Her eyes now changing a deep gold, gleaming white fangs protruding from her mouth. In a quick movement she pounced but was brought to the floor by Doug. Both bodies tumbled in a heap on the floor as the thirst took over Kayla's body, the scent of blood filled her senses as Doug's claws scraped her skin. Shaun quickly stepped in holding Kayla by the waist and restraining her arms in a strong grip.

"Get her out of here now!" Doug growled, fearing for the safety of Rachel, he watched as Kayla struggled to break free from Shaun's grip before the disappeared from the room.

…………………

Outside in the garden Kayla sat crying in Shaun's arms, her body shook from the aftermath of today's events.

"Shh, please Kayla don't cry it was no ones fault" Shaun whispered as he stroked Kayla's back lovingly and wiped away the tears that cascaded down her cheeks.

"Why did it have to happen? I couldn't stop myself, I felt so weak and ashamed" Kayla muttered as she lay her head on her knees.

"You know as well as I do that it takes many years to control the thirst, its hard to fight ones nature, please don't cry"

"You didn't see the look in her eyes Shaun, she feared me, she probably hates me but I didn't mean-"

"Stop it! She will not hate you, these are the consequences her and Doug must take if they want to truly be together" Shaun sighed as they both stood. His lips grazed against her own as he looked into her eyes.

"Go to bed Kayla I'll be up shortly and don't worry so much everything will be fine" he smirked.

"Ok I better check if Tucker's still asleep, I don't want him waking up later" Kayla replied as she quickly went back into the castle.

……………………..

Kayla ascended the stairs and quietly opened Tucker's bedroom door, stepping into the room she walked towards the single bed that lay in the dark corner of the room. The music box played in the room filling the room with a sweet melodic tune.

But her eyes lay upon nothing; the bed lay empty before her. Fear took over her heart as she desperately searched the room for the little boy.

Her eyes fixed upon the open window and from the distance of the castle you heard the broken voice of a mother, screaming for her child's return…

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