A/N: I forgot to mention that Chapter Four explains how Monica is able to turn into a wolf. Thank you so much to everyone who reads, reviews, alerts, and faves! I really appreciate it! So far Daughter Of Darkness has 1,800 views! I'm so happy! Thank you all! Also, thanks to BrittleHeart, the world's greatest beta!

Chapter Ten: Scars

Pierce looked up into Monica's eyes.

"So, this is where it ends?" he panted. "My cycle completes, and yours begins."

"What cycle?" Monica growled.

"The cycle of guilt, remorse, and insanity that comes from killing someone." he quietly answered.

"And who said that I was going to kill you?" Monica asked; her voice trembling through clenched teeth.

Pierces eyes widened, and then narrowed, "What do you mean you're not going to kill me?" he howled; his face was the picture of anguish.

"It's not my place to," Monica coldly replied. "So, I guess you're just going to have to keep living with your cycle."

Pierce sobbed, "You really are cruel. I thought you were about to grant me peace, but all you did was take away my last hope."

Monica glared, "You're pathetic! Pull yourself together!"

Pierce sighed, "Why should I?" he asked.

"Because, maybe I do have some hope for you," she answered, moving herself off of him.

"Really?" he whispered.

"Yes," Monica said. "When I leave from here, I can take you with me. I'm…with some people who can help you."

Pierces eyes widened again, "Who are these people?"

Monica looked away, "I can't tell you that yet, but trust me, they're honest people; almost too much so." she said.

"Which side of this war are you on?" Pierce demanded. "The wizards'? Or your father's?"

"I'm on the same side I've always been on: mine." Monica said, and Pierce nodded.

"That's what I figured you'd say." he said.

"Well, you have always claimed to know me best." she shot back. "Now get up before I figure that I should strangle you!"

Pierce shot up, and the two padded silently through the forest.

Monica had never quite gotten used to walking on all fours; it was the oddest thing about being in wolf form.

Finally, the came to a clearing, and Pierce lay down; Monica glared at him before she laid down too, continuing to scowl across the clearing at him. Slowly, her eyes fluttered closed.

Sunlight burning across her eyelids woke her up the next morning; she looked and saw that Pierce was still a-

She quickly looked away; Pierce was back in human form. She gazed down, and saw that she was too. Jumping to her feet, she darted off to find the tree her clothes were in.

"Darn it! Where did I leave them? Where?" she panicked.

After hurriedly glancing at at least two-dozen trees, and running around for an hour, she found them. Thankfully sliding back into jeans and t-shirt, she glanced at her left shoulder; a hand covered the scars. Whirling around, she punched Pierce in the jaw.

"Don't you ever do that again!" she screamed.

Pierce felt his jaw, "Don't suppose you have any clothes for me, do you?"

"No, I don't! Get lost before my father shows up!" she snapped.

"Your father…He gave these," he said, running his fingers over the scars. "To you, didn't he? They look like claw marks. I'm guessing he marked you in a fit of rage?"

Monica felt her face flush crimson, "Shut up!" she cried, shoving him away, and running back towards the village.