ALEX'S POV

I hate shopping! Like if I ever have to shop again, I'd probably kill a goat and then myself!

However, Felicity loved shopping and since I loved her –as a friend, like I'm not homo or anything, well not exactly – I just went through it but I'd never willingly do it, you understand?

I would've much rather spend my day watching people falling off of buildings and cats eating birds or I would've spent my day with Mr. Seth Clearwater.

I've always been skeptical when inviting people into my life, getting to know the real Alex Mazzola and not the mask I'm currently putting on. It's always been hard to open up to people because I've been hurt so much in the past but ever since meeting Seth for the first time, those feelings just evaporated into thin air, as if they never existed.

I was constantly hurt before by people in my life and when I got to the point where enough was enough, I realized that I could either crumble into a hole and isolate myself from everybody or I could change my entire personality and let my voice be heard so obviously I went with the latter.

People think I may be rude sometimes, maybe they think I'm too honest or maybe they think I'm just being a savage but frankly I didn't care because I've spent half my life caring about what people thought of me when in reality I should be embracing who I really was. Seth was the one who set that side of me free.

He was the answer to all the questions I'd been asking myself. Will I ever be happy? Is my life worth it? Will I ever find love again? Is there anything sane in this wicked world?

Meeting him instantaneously made me scream: Yes!

I make a lot of big talk about not being a cheesy snoozeball when it comes to love because that was because I've never experienced that before but I know how it's like now –and it's not the love-sick teenager inside of me talking. I genuinely do love the guy but I just haven't found myself saying the words because I'm afraid. I'm afraid of being hurt.

Just like how I was hurt by him…

However, I knew Seth wouldn't be capable of doing that. He's the sweetest, most thoughtful, loving, happy, carefree guy in the world!

And to think that my feelings for him were enough, I found out he was part of this werewolf clan! I mean how sick is that? I'm dating a werewolf! That should be some sort of TV show, shouldn't it?

FLASHBACK

Seth and I were currently sitting in the trunk of his van. Right before school ended, Seth and I snuck out and got into his car and drove off. It's not easy dating your teacher in a small town like this! You can never actually have alone time without anyone making assumptions and having those assumptions come out as true.

"This song stinks!" I pointed out as we listened to a song by Colbie Caillat.

"Hey! Don't hate on the Seth mix-master's playlist! It's romantic!" He pointed out. "But of course you hate that."

I rolled my eyes and patted his hard stomach.

"You'll get over it." I said to him. "I've always wanted to ride a gator."

"Okay, random! Why?" He chuckled.

"I don't know. It's like one of my lifelong dreams. I don't dream to fly a plane, or own a fast car! I want a gator!" I stated.

"Mmm…well that could be arranged because back home, I have a Gator 2300!" He stated.

I gasped. "Shut up!"

He laughed. "No, I won't because I love my voice."

I rolled my eyes as I took a swig of the Dr. Pepper before placing it back and planting my head on Seth's muscled thigh.

"I hope this isn't going to be forever."

"What do you mean?" Seth mentioned as I heard him shuffle for a can in the cooler.

"I don't want us to sneak out of school to hang out with each other all the time. I want us to have the real thing." I said to him.

"And we will. I promise you. You only have a year left of school."

"Yeah, I guess." I replied with a sigh.

We fell silent for a short while before Seth broke the quietness.

"Come on," He said as he lifted me from his thigh and hopping out of the van.

"Where are you taking me?" I chuckled as I hopped out of his Durango and we began walking through the woods of this damned town.

"Somewhere we can be alone. I want to show you something." He grinned as he draped his hand around me and began running.

I laughed as I felt my legs following closely beside him.

"You can slow down a bit! I am human after all." I snorted.

He immediately halted when we reached a clearing, overlooking the town. He let go of my hand and took a step back. I gnawed my bottom lip as I eyed him carefully.

"You're not going to pull a Nicholas Sparks on me and prepare some picnic under the sun, are you?" I asked.

"Ugh, you ruined the surprise!" He pouted.

I laughed and rolled my eyes, shoving my hands into my hoodie pockets.

"No. It's actually something I think and hope you'll like." He whispered. I smiled.

Okay!

"I already like you so I doubt it'll top that." I said to him.

He chuckled as he unzipped his suede jacket and shrugged it off his shoulders, tossing it to the side. He then trailed his fingers to his flannel buttons, beginning to undo them.

I grinned. "Ooh, a peak show!" I teased.

"Stop it! You know how badly I blush, Alex!" He whined.

I rolled my eyes. Baby…

When he was down to his last button, I watched him pull his plaid shirt off, showing off his perfectly sculptured body before plopping his jean button and shoving it to the ground.

"Okay, seriously, now you're stripping? What is going on?" I asked. "Not that I'm complaining because I'm enjoying the landscape."

"Shh, you'll see." He murmured before shoving his boxers down and kicking his shoes off.

I furrowed my eyebrows as I watched a weird aura radiating off him before he morphed into standing on four legs instead of two. The gangly looking creature was rather resplendent, something I had never seen before. He looked so much like one of those fairytale creatures you read in those princess books.

The horse-like creatures came close to me. I took a step back warily but when I realized the horse-like was actually a wolf and nothing I should be afraid of, I dipped my hand in and patted its furry head, awakening a whirr in return. I giggled.

"Wicked," I laughed.

END OF FLASHBACK

After that day, I grew closer to Seth in a way I never thought I would. He was my first honest, real, committed relationship and that scares me but it also makes me really excited for what's in store for us.

I knocked on the door and only a minute later, the door immediately opened and my big bro –of only two months – smiled at me.

"Hey there, big bro!" I grinned, letting myself in.

"Come right on in, Alex!" He sighed, shutting the door. "What are you doing here?"

"Can't I hang out with my brother, oh Justin?" I questioned, clutching myself as if I was offended.

"Yeah but that always leads to you wanting something from me." He pointed out.

I shrugged. "True," I simply replied at the thought. "But I actually want to help you now."

"With what?"

"Your girlfriend troubles!"

He sighed.

"What girlfriend troubles?"

"Really?" I questioned with my eyebrows raised.

"Alex!" I heard the warm, high-pitched voice of Sofia Rodriguez, Justin's mom. I turned around and grinned, finding myself being engulfed in her arms.

"How are you Sofia?" I asked.

"Oh, I'm good hija. You came back from swim practice?" She asked me, gesturing to my semi-damped hair as she rummaged through her bag. I nodded my head. "Well, I know it'll pay off."

I chuckled. "You're going to work?"

"Yeah, the hospital is swamped! Oakland Woods General can't even hold patients down so they're sending patients over to us at Oakland Woods Memorial." She sighed. "So the on call doctors want us all there."

"What's going on?" I asked.

She sighed. "Mass homicide," She pointed out. I glanced at my brother who looked to the ground. Does he know something about this?

"I've got to go. I won't be able to make it for dinner tonight so I've left $12 for pizza or something. You'll be okay, right hun?" Sofia asked her son who nodded his head in return. She grinned and planted a kiss on his cheek. "Love you,"

"Yeah, me too," Justin replied.

"Love you too." She said, kissing me on the cheek before heading to the door. I laughed. "Oh, I almost forgot. Your father said he wants you two over for brunch tomorrow."

Justin and I glared at each other, frowning before turning back to his mom.

"Why?" We asked in sync.

She shrugged. "Beats me. He says he has something important tomorrow. It's mandatory. I'm talking to you Justin."

That's weird.

My dad never called up a family meeting unless it was something super important. And my brother was never the one invited, even if he was, Justin wouldn't attend.

Something's about to go down…

… …

I woke up the next morning – well should I say12 pm – by the sound of my mother calling my name from downstairs. I groaned as I rolled out of bed and found myself trotting down the stairs and heading to where I heard my mother conversing with someone. I grinned when I realized the person was my brother.

"Hey, tiger." I greeted, wrapping my arms around his neck whilst he pulled me close by the waist.

"When you say you sleep you don't kid." He joked.

I nodded my head. "I value my beauty sleep."

"What beauty?" He teased. I pulled his ear. "Hey! Watch it!"

I rolled my eyes.

"Are you ready for your father today?" My mother asked me nonchalantly as she folded the kitchen cloth.

I looked up into her light brown eyes and nodded my head.

"Yep," I said, letting go of my brother and taking a seat on the island chair.

Our father immediately entered the room and the happy aura suddenly just vanished. It was replaced by something decorous.

"Justin, my son, I'm glad you could make it." Our father, Alessandro greeted as he managed to muster up a smile.

Justin sighed. "No, you're not. You just want me here because you benefit from it. So let's cut to the chase, dad!" He emphasized.

Alessandro released a sigh as he stared at my brother, disappointment in his eyes however, I could sense what my brother said was somewhat true.

"We should take this to the living room, please?" He urged, gesturing to the open space leading to the designated room.

I rolled my eyes. I really don't have time for this.

I hopped off the island chair with my brother closely behind me and we entered the big living room to see my Uncle's familiar grin in full effect as he lounged on the couch.

My eyes widened.

"Omigosh!" I squealed.

"Uncle Tony?" Justin chuckled, eyes bulged in shock.

"The one and only!" He laughed as his masculine frame hopped off the couch and jogged over to my brother, pulling him into a massive 'panda' hug.

"Kid, you're on steroids! What's happening?" He laughed as he set my brother down who laughed. He turned to me. "And you! My gorgeous niece!" He said, cupping my face and kissed me –as true Italians all do – and hugging me.

Uncle Tony, my father's younger brother had always wanted to have the title of 'Fun Uncle'. Coming from a giant family like ours, it must be hard to uphold that title but he deserved it because it was actually true. His immature yet refreshing energy just made the room go crazy. And I loved that!

"What are you doing here?" I asked him. "Not that I'm not happy. There should be some liveliness in this dull house."

He chuckled. "I came down from Chicago to visit my favorite niece and nephew before they head off to their senior year of high school, oh how I miss those days. Let me tell you, getting drunk and high on weed is like living on cloud nine." He whispered to me.

"You should try it. And the ladies, woo! Even the not so pretty ones, but once you get a taste for 'em…" He mentioned to Justin, shutting his eyes and nodding his head at the remembrance of his teenage years.

My father cleared his throat. "And I also came to see my stuck-up, uptight big brother, isn't that right Ale?"

"Yes, Anthony." My father replied in annoyance. Uncle Tony laughed.

"I didn't come empty handed!" Uncle Tony mentioned as he ran over to his bags and came back with two gift bags, handing them to us. "I come bearing gifts!"

I greedily seized the bag and began rummaging through the bag –don't judge, I love presents!

I pulled out the gift to see a Metallica T-shirt, two concert tickets to a rock band show and a sweet iPod with a killer rock playlist. I felt my eyes glisten and I turned to my uncle.

"You're my hero." I whispered. He winked at me.

"And you, kid?" He motioned to Justin.

He pulled out a set of car keys. I widened my eyes. Did he just get a car? I don't even have a car! And he already had a truck, why did he get to have a car?

"You got me a car?" Justin laughed.

Uncle Tony grinned widely.

"You got him a car?!" I retorted.

I couldn't believe this.

I am so offended!

Tony laughed. "Nope, I can't afford that! But those-those are the keys to the race car rally in Las Vegas. You should check it out."

Justin chuckled. We gave our uncle a hug and thanks for the gifts.

"So, how long are you here for?" I asked him.

"Uh…" He paused, glancing back at my father who gave him a slight look before turning to us. "We'll see now won't we?"

"Hopefully it'll be for a while." We heard a familiar feminine voice and at that minute, my heart literally flipped. "Now you all didn't forget about your favorite aunt now did you?"

I was flipping.

I turned to where the voice was coming from to see my aunt, Sandy standing by the doorframe with her luggage in her grasp. I squealed so loud my brother covered his ears as I ran over to her, throwing myself in her arms.

"Aunt Alessandra!" I called in her arms. Am I dreaming? What the flip is going on? This is like Oprah! I'm reuniting with all my family members?

"Oh, my lovely niece! God you've grown up to be a freaking supermodel?" She mentioned as she twirled me around. I smiled sheepishly. "I don't know how you do it but I want it!"

"I'm in my pajamas!" I chuckled.

"Hmm…is that what you call it?" She pointed out. I giggled. "I haven't seen you in almost a year!"

"Yeah, since last winter!" I laughed.

She shook her head. "Wow," She smiled as she made her way over to the rest of the family. "Now look at this handsome face." My aunt mentioned as she went over to pinch Justin's cheeks. He groaned.

"Hi, Aunt Sandy," He replied.

"It's good to see you again, Alessandra." My father stated as he looked at his younger sister.

"I wish I can say the same but I'm not here for you. I'm here for my wonderful niece and nephew, okay?" Aunt Sandy stated, not moving her eyes from Justin and I.

I guess that rocky relationship never faded away!

"This is like one big family reunion!" I pointed out, trying to lighten up the mood.

"It sure is!" Uncle Tony replied. "How was Bali?"

Sandy squealed. "Ugh! Amazing! And how's Illinois? You knocked anyone up yet?"

"Not yet, I hope." Uncle Tony said with eyes of horror at thought.

This was amazing! I had two of the best family members with me and I want more than anything to catch up with them but all I kept asking myself was why they were here! I needed to know!

"Okay! As much as I love all of this, why are you guys here?" I asked them.

Sandy and Tony glanced at each other before turning to my father.

"I brought them all here." My dad, Alessandro stated. "They're part of what I'm going to show you."

"Show us?" I said, furrowing my eyebrows as I eyed Justin. "What are you going to show us?"

"All in good time, my daughter," He said to me.

I frowned.

That was weird.

As if on cue, my father's phone buzzed and he pulled it out to read the message. He frowned.

"Is it work?" My mother, Margareta asked.

He shook his head. "No." He replied, looking up at his siblings before turning to my wife. "I better head out, but I'll be back soon." He said, kissing me on the cheek before running off.

He always kissed my mother goodbye but this time he didn't which was strange.

I shook my head as I followed his tail.

"Hey, dad!" I called out. He spun around with his hand on the door, strapping a backpack on his back.

"Yes?"

I pressed my lips together. "What's going on? All the sneaking around, all the meetings…Are you cheating on mom?" I asked bluntly.

"What?"

"You heard me. You've been sneaking out of the house every night a-and I'd like to know why?" I demanded.

I know it isn't the best way to approach the situation but I couldn't help it. I'm sick of all the lying!

"It's nothing you need to worry about just yet, sweetheart." He mentioned to me, flashing a small smile that was so identical to Justin's. It was that male Mazzola smile that could shut anyone up. "Now, go back and catch up with your aunt and uncle." He said before slipping out of the house.

The loud shut of the door caused me to flinch. Something wasn't right. He said that it was nothing I should worry about just yet.

So will I need to worry after finding out?

… …

I was walking on the gravel ground when I approached a derelict warehouse down the upper west coast. I had no idea why I was here but it seems as though I was instructed and obligated to be here.

I skimmed through my surroundings before unfurling the rolled up chains of the large, metallic doors. I watched the chains fall hard onto the sandy, dusty ground before opening the door.

I jumped over the manacles before waltzing into the cold, gloomy, eerie, abandoned warehouse.

"Hello?" I called out; hoping to get an answer but all I got was my voice echoing throughout the empty space.

I inhaled deeply.

The door closing shut caused me to flinch. I folded my arms together as I decided to saunter my way into the warehouse.

I loved watching spooky things. I loved anything spooky but I didn't particularly like being a part of anything spooky, you get what I mean? I tend to get a little squeamish –which is exactly what's happening right now.

However, I also don't get frightened easily so hit me with your best shot, totally dark, funky, restricted warehouse! Uh…yeah…

"Anyone in here?" I asked.

I heard a series squeaking noises and I was immediately on high alert!

"I can hear you!" I retorted.

It's probably a rat.

"Hello?" I called.

It's a rat, Alex! It won't answer you! I heard my conscience speak to me in my head. I rolled my eyes.

I shook my head as I continued walking through the warehouse, moving past decayed bird matter, old sheets of cardboard paper and all sorts.

When I reached a particular part of the warehouse, I heard a flicker of something and a huge, bright light shone onto my face. I covered my face as I tried to hide my face at the suddenness. That was immediately the time I heard a bunch of things falling and the shuffling of restraints coming from behind me.

I widened my eyes. Somebody was here.

Someone was here. Something was behind me and I had no idea what to do.

I decided on the one thing I shouldn't have done.

I looked back.

I turned around to see a man, held back by hawsers I assumed as he narrowed his dark eyes at me. Dark….I've never seen such a color before. It was almost like grease. Black, gooey grease. His clothes had been frayed and showcasing his skin. His skin was so anemic. I could not even notice the marks on his face. I could only imagine him bathing in powder or milk all his life.

However, this is not what scared me the most.

His teeth, his teeth were the things that I had my eyes set on. They were long, sharp and bared. I widened my eyes as I turned on my heel and charged for the door, only to find myself tripping over something.

I heard the chains break apart and before I knew it, I was met with a growling noise and the man with granite skin making its way towards me, fangs bared and chains following his tail.

My eyes widened and I released a high-pitched scream before I watched an arrow pierce through the guy's neck, awakening a scream in his throat and causing him to crumble to the ground. His neck had slightly been readjusted, almost at the verge of breaking point.

"Okay!" I heard a deep, heavy voice coming up on the second floor balcony. I looked up to see my father looking down at me. "I guess you're not ready just yet."

My eyes widened.

What the freaking hell?

"Dad?"

I watched him descend the steps, making a clanking noise and five guys emerging from the shadows with weapons on their bodies. They all charged at the man who looked to have been starved for months and held him back, grabbing some chains and cuffing him again.

"I'm glad you came, my daughter." My father smiled at me as he made his way towards me. He extended his hand out to me as a sign to help me up but I just spat, shifting back. He chuckled as he walked over to the man and grabbed his face fiercely.

"Hmm…looks like you've got a crack on your neck." He laughed sinisterly. The man snarled back. "You must be starving after two months of no food, huh? You look terrible, son!"

"I could eat you!" The man with shoulder-length, ruffled hair growled.

Why was my dad doing this? What is my dad doing? I can't believe my dad is –! What the hell is happening?

"Why are you doing this to him?" I groaned, still shocked at what just happened.

My narrowed his eyes at me. "Why am I doing this to him? Honey, I think the question you should be asking is 'Why are they doing this to us'?" He said, letting go of the man's face and making his way over to me.

"These are the people that cause our population to decrease. Have you seen the news lately? Thirteen locals got killed in the past six months alone and twenty went missing." He stated.

He stood in front of me and I shifted back.

"Don't be afraid. I won't hurt you!" He tried to console me.

"How do I know that, dad?" I spat. "If that's even your real name,"

He sighed. "Okay." He replied as he began pacing around me.

"I know I've been hiding some stuff from you. I know. But that's only because I wanted to protect you. I kept all of this so that you wouldn't be exposed to this world."

"This is a dangerous world and all I wanted for you is to be safe. However, we've noticed for the past months the capability you hold. I thought you'd be ready when you turned eighteen but I was wrong." He mentioned.

Ready? Ready for what?

"Our family comes from a long line of people who preserved humanity. They put the whole world's lives first." He mentioned. "Ever wondered why I was named after your grandfather? And why he was named after his grandfather? Do you know what the name Alessandro means?"

I nodded my head, getting up from the ground and facing my father. "It means Defender of Men."

"That's right." He replied with a smile. "The Mazzola family name has been around for centuries. Italy being our homeland, The Mazzola's were a well-known family dynasty. That was until they wiped out the entire name from existence in 1829." He told me.

"You see, Alexandra, mi bellissimo bambino." He mentioned, running his hand over my face. I flinched. "This is a wicked world, with wicked people and they need to be gone."

"What are you talking about?" I asked.

He sighed. "Ever wondered if the stories you thought were just fairytales and myths were real? Well, I think you'd be pretty surprised to know that they are." He pointed out.

"What? Like dragons and princesses?" I demanded –and I wasn't trying to be funny.

"No." He replied. "These creatures are far more powerful, far more dangerous." He stated. "Ambrogio bagno di sangue,"

I replayed the word in my head. Ambrogio bagno di sangue…

"Blood-bathing Immortals?" I asked.

He nodded his eyes. "Yes, my child. Vampires are real." He stated.

My eyes widened. Vampires? The whole blood-thirsty, creature of the night, sleeps in coffins, never sees sunlight myth? Was my dad being serious right now?

"Are you serious?" I laughed.

"What did you just see?" He retorted, pointing directly at the man being held back by the manacle and the men. I turned to him.

And then realization hit me like a ton of bricks.

He wasn't a man. No. He wasn't human…

"I-I don't understand." I whispered.

"Vampires have been around for centuries and centuries again but the origin of the race remains a mystery. They are immortal beings who feed and survive off of the blood of us, mere humans!" He spat out. "Contrary to pop culture, these vampires don't possess the qualities that we assume they have so that makes it harder to detect them if they're around."

"Many people who came across them never come out alive to even inform the world about them. Your great-great-great grandfather began studying them as a mere child in a small Italian village. He grew up fascinated about them when he met an 'a creature from the heavens' approach him but his fascinated died out when he watched the immortal kill his mother one night when she was sleeping. At that age, your mother is everything to you. He wanted to avenge her death. He wanted to let the world know that there are dangerous things out there and they needed to perish!"

I frowned. This is insane!

I wanted so bad to slip out of there but my dad's henchmen came to my side, blocking me from retreating.

"Nobody would've believed him though. He knew that just as much. So, what was he going to do? Well, he was going to prove to the world and diminish the entire vampire race." My father told me.

I chuckled. "This is insane, dad? Is this some sort of joke? Am I being punk'd right now?"

"You should know by now that I never joke!" He shouted. I flinched. "I brought you here to tell you, to show you why I do this."

"Why couldn't Justin be here? He should know just as much as me!" I told him.

"Your brother is…" He said, pausing as he reverted back to something. "He's not ready."

I frowned.

"Our ancestor grew up studying the vampires, studying their weaknesses, studying their strengths. He wanted to find a way to destroy them, just like how they destroyed his life." He mentioned. "He came across a vampire in his early twenties one night. His pale skin was hard as stone, like marble. It was freezing cold. The vampire's deep, dark crimson eyes met with his and in just a second, he could've been dead but something happened. Long story short that was his first kill,"

I widened my eyes. I didn't think you could kill a vampire just by mere luck? I mean can you? And why the hell am I entertaining this?

"How did he do that?"

My father grinned. He pulled out a lighter and lit it, flashing it against his nose before putting it out. I gulped.

"It was the only possible way to destroy the thing, he believed and that's when more vampire kills occurred, actively decreasing its population." He told me.

"B-but-but he was just human?"

"Exactly!" My father snapped his fingers at me. "That's what the bloodsuckers thought. How could just a mere human destroy almost a hundred vampires in the space of ten years? However, what they didn't know was that he wasn't working alone. He and the local beauty of the town met up that same night. They fell in love instantly and that's when the Mazzola line began. His wife, your great-great-great grandmother wasn't just a pretty face. She had tricks up her sleeve. She was the true protector of the village." He told me.

Way to go girl power I guess.

"Okay, but I still don't understand how they were able to kill that many vampires and not get killed." I said.

"They had help." I heard a feminine voice replace my dad's thick, masculine one. I widened my eyes as I watched my aunt, Sandy enter the room in all leather. She waltzed over to the vampire and pulled the arrow out of him, causing him to groan.

She scanned the arrow's tips.

My aunt knew about all of this too?

"That's correct." My dad replied, smiling at his younger sister. "They did have help. Recruitments, if lack a better word. They had people who were willing to risk their lives for humanity. People who believed."

"You can't kill a vampire with sunlight because apparently it sparkles. You can't kill it with a wooden stake, you can't kill it with silver and you can't kill it by breaking its neck so how can you kill it…hmm? That's the question the Mazzola bloodline has been asking for more than a century. Our ancestors tried but ultimately failed and the question still lived." Aunt Sandy mentioned.

"But they did manage to kill them, sister. With fire, remember?" My father told Sandy.

"Yes but look where it got them, brother." She snapped. "Obviously they needed to find another way to destroy them. Ripping them apart didn't work either because they would always find a way to put the pieces back together, like a puzzle." She told.

What?!

"I guess there could be a possible way to kill them. It's ridiculous but it could be."

Sandy stared at her brother. "Vampire Disease…"

"Vampire Disease" refers to the condition known as Sangue Debolezza, which translates to 'blood weakness' in Italian. No one really knows what it is or how it is spread but it's the only known disease that can kill a vampire like these, that's what records tell us. Sangue Debolezza is extremely rare and its origin is unknown, so the chances of somehow being able to inflict this disease on a vampire would be difficult. However, seeing as there a handful of ways a vampire can die." My father replied.

"A handful, sure," Sandy scoffed.

This is so messed up! I could not even pay attention to their little conversation because my mind was being boggled with all this sudden information. Vampires were real? And my family knew about them?

"Okay, hold up. What happened to his mother's killer? Did he manage to kill him too?" I asked my dad.

"No." He said. "Years went by and he still couldn't find the vampire that took his mother's life. However, he did know information about this particular vampire. He was part of this Italian enemy clan, sort of the presidents or kings of the vampire world. He didn't know where they resided. He didn't know how to find them. But he was determined to die trying."

"Now generations later, the Mazzola bloodline learned about the legend. This was perfect because the family grew, spreading across the world, even after being wiped out by the same vampires all those years ago. We still stand." Sandy stated. "And with each century, technology improved."

"And this meant there were more ways we could defeat this abomination." My father, Alessandro added.

"Arrows, rifles, shotguns, pistols, metallic stakes. These were the few things we created." My uncle, Anthony appeared. "But we found out that these vampires wouldn't back down. Their shitty skin wasn't penetrable by anything. So the generations came up with ways to defeat them until they came across a certain creature."

"They're known as Children of the Moon, Creatures of the Night, Lycanthrope, Moondogs, Wild Beasts but their more commonly known alias is Werewolf." My father told me. "Dominated in countries in the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean, these creatures were the only that didn't deviate from their natural norms."

My breathing hitched and my heart skipped.

I believed werewolves existed because I'm dating one!

"They only transition to their forms on a full moon. Werewolf venom in their system is the only possible way to transmit the gene to someone else. We could've easily destroyed this race but they pursued in the same goal. Wiping out the blood-bathers." Uncle Anthony stated.

"So our ancestors formed an alliance with them in the late 1800s after the same vampire clan wiped half of its existence. We agreed to kill as many vampires as we can until we left the main course for last."

"However, they broke the deal. They broke it by endangering human life, turning people into them." Sandy stated. "So we stabbed them in the back just how they stabbed ours."

"We noticed that they're the answer to all our questions since they're the only creature able to kill a human by physical means. Their venom, their teeth, can kill a vampire in an instant."

"So we took what they have…" Alessandro grinned. He flashed the arrow in his hands to me. "This arrowhead is made from a certain werewolf's fangs which can easily pierce through its skin. It's laced with werewolf venom, which acts as a poison to a vampire, killing it slowly if not treated." He smiled as he turned to the immobile vampire. "He's dying."

I narrowed my eyes at my family. They were unrecognizable to me. Just yesterday, I thought we were an average, normal family and now, all I see are blind spots.

Am I born into a family of killers?

"Many other weapons of ours have been influenced by these traits. Heck, even Black Magic contributed." Uncle Anthony stated as he pulled out a pistol. "This is a turnover pistol loaded with bullets filled with dark matter and werewolf venom."

"And this is an AKS-74U carbine. The bullets are inspired by the teeth." Sandy grinned at me, flashing the large firearm.

"And my personal favorite, the Arbalest Crossbow that shoots fire bolts, burning the vampire to ashes instantly." My father stated, gesturing to the bow one of the henchmen held.

I turned to my father.

"Is that why you gave me all those lessons as a kid?" I asked.

He nodded his head. "I can see you're ready, Alexandra."

I frowned. I don't think I'm ready for all of this? This is just too insane and I just…

My father just smiled, as if he read my mind and began pacing around me.

"Insegniamo ai nostre figli di essere guerrieri, a combattere per le loro famiglie mentre noi, Insegniamo le nostre figli per essere proterrori." He mentioned as he whispered into my ear. My breathing hitched. I knew exactly what the motto meant.

"We teach our sons to be warriors, to fight for their families and never back down from a fight. We teach our daughters to be protectors, only valuing human life…to be guardians." He translated. "Alexandra, Protector of Humanity."

My eyes widened as I turned to look at my father.

"That's you." He whispered proudly. "I told you before how your ancestor was the true protector of the village, and that tradition has never changed. I believe that you're ready. We believe that you're ready. All that's left is for you to believe yourself." My father told me, cupping my face and kissing my forehead.

He placed the crossbow onto the ground and began heading out. My uncle soon followed, placing the gun on the ground beside it and so did my aunt with the pistol. She smiled as she kissed my cheek and followed her siblings.

"Take the chains off!" My father called to his henchmen. I spun around to see my dad standing by the door. "We're timing you."

What? Was my dad seriously going to leave me alone with a starving vampire? How could he do such a thing?

"Dad!" I cried out.

"I know you can do this. I trust you." He said to me before he and my uncle and aunt left the warehouse with their fellow huntsmen following closely behind.

"Dad!" I sobbed.

I could hear a low growl coming from behind me. I slowly turned around to see the vampire glaring at me, with his fangs bared.

I could feel my heartbeat rising the same time I felt tears trickling off my cheek.

I stared down at the weapons before staring back at the vampire making its way over to me.

This is it…

… …

A/N: Another cliffhanger! Crazy! I'm sorry guys but I enjoy being evil! *Aro laugh*

[I had to do a ton of research on killing vampires and it was hard because the vampires in Stephenie Meyer's world are not part of the norm *shakes her head*.]

So Alex comes from a family line of vampire hunters and she's the chosen hunter as the next heir! Uh, that's a lot of responsibility to uphold. Will she go through with it? How will this affect the Cullens? How will it affect her friendship with Nessie?

Heck! Will she even survive this vampire?

You'll find out soon enough in the upcoming chapter of 'Dusk Horizon'!

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