Ten

One year later

'I got im,' I muttered in a fake British accent, as I breezed down the alleyway, my footsteps echoing eerily as I chased down the evil monster. Abby, Allie and I had been out for a movie and had been making our way to go to dinner when we'd been called into work. Three blocks away, a neighbourhood party had gotten out of control and some human had wandered into the party screaming about vampires, covered in blood. Being the closest warriors available, we'd cancelled our long-awaited dinner in an expensive French restaurant, we'd booked weeks ago. Killing this vampire wasn't going to make up for my annoyance one bit.

'Belle, wait. Come back,' Abby hissed as her earpiece crackled and went dead. My heart stuttered as my stomach dropped in fear as I pushed myself a little, even though I was faster than most warriors my age, I knew I was too far away to get to my girls.

'Abby!' I shrieked.

'We're...needing a little help here!' Allie squawked in my ear. I could hear the fear in her voice so I knew things had gone batshit crazy.

'Be there in a few.' I promised, grabbing my throwing knives, barely taking aim, the knife found its mark in the spine and the vampire fell to the ground screaming in pain as it tried in vain to crawl away. Leaping through the air, I whipped out my short sword, landed on the howling vampire and ended its pathetic screaming once and for all.

Spinning on my heels, I streaked back the way I came, using my mori to give me added speed, because damn, I was three blocks away from my friends. Guilt ate at me as I tried to contact my friends, only to hear crackling of the earpieces. If anything, the fear gave me the incentive to push my body well beyond my limits.

I was definitely going to pay for it tomorrow.

My anxiety and fear doubled as I neared the apartment building and spied Allie stumbling my way. I caught her as she fell. Blood poured through her fingers as she fumbled with a tiny jar of Gunna paste. Abby was nowhere to be found but I heard her dropping F-bombs as she fought the parasites in the basement.

'Go...' Allie whispered at me shoving me to the door. With one last look, I pulled out the paste I kept in the heel of my boot, tossing it to her as I headed inside the dark basement only to be bathed in a fountain of blood the second a female redheaded vampire appeared right in front of me, now was laying on the floor. I stood dazed, wiping the blood from my face.

'You're welcome.' Abby smirked down at me as she appeared three feet away gloating. Relieved that she was alive but pissed that I was now looking like an axe murderer, ruining my one and only good shirt, I stared down at the female vampire who had been pretty damn old.

'I thought the one I got was the leader.' I pouted.

'Nope, it was probably her mate. Is he?'

'Deader than dead. Come on, Allie needs us...' I said pulling Abby out of the basement. She grimaced at the blood I had accidentally on purpose wiped onto her hand and she glowered down at me. Ever since Allie and I had graduated, Abby had officially made us a team, bringing us to more and more hunts with her, where she usually took down the older vamps, leaving us to squabble amongst ourselves for the younger ones. Allie had been more than a little vocal in not being allowed to tackle on older vamps, but honestly, I was okay with it, kind of. I was just thankful she took us at all.

Allie was sitting right where I left her, looking dazed, the tiny jars in her hands was empty. Abby ran to her, instantly going into 'Mummy' mode as we both called it, tending to the bite wound.

'Blood is slowing, that's good.' Abby muttered to herself as she pulled out another jar.

Allie grimaced. 'No, thanks.'

'Take it.'

Pouting like a child, she glared fiercely at Abbie. 'Not on your life.'

'Allie.'

'No momma.'

'Stop calling me that.'

'Stop telling me what to do.' Allie grumbled as she looked at me for support.

'Take it. My dad will ban us from hunting if they see you looking like that.' I warned, taking Abby's side.

'Yeah, Dom will likely see you and scream.' She taunted with a glare, reminding me of the blood drying on my skin. With an eyeroll, I went to call for the cleaning crew leaving Abby and Allie bickering amongst themselves.

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It was past 2AM and when my phone beeped. At first, I quelled the urge to scream, and wanted to ignore it and reply to it in the morning but I found myself taking the phone out of my pocket. It was the group chat that Kylo had put me in last year after he'd found my number somehow. We'd been texting ever since. Yeah I know, weird.

Kylo: Hey, im back to the states for a bit

Jay: I'm* Hellooooo you're not the only one here :(

Me: Boys, its past 2 in da mornin. N yes I kno ur here, touring again and getting panties thrown at u on stage, u man hoes ;)

Kylo: I'm kinda drunk...

Me: This better not be a booty call cause then I might actually have to render u infertile. All of you.

Tae: Hey now...don't bring us into this :(

Me: Good night boyz.

Turning the notifications off, I smirked, climbed into bed, tucked Gemma into bed; the silver tabby was almost as long as a skateboard and a foot and a half at full height. She definitely didn't look like a house cat anymore. Kissing her head, she let out a sleepy chirrup.

'You're cute enough to eat.'

Am not, came the reply XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Sitting in bed the next morning fighting the exhaustion, I was snacking on Doritos and avocado dip, finishing up on my report, ignoring the craving for a vanilla latte when my phone rang.

'Yo,' I answered not bothering to check who was on the other end. Clicking loudspeaker on, I went back to my report.

'You sound very american.' Kylo replied teasingly. His accent was completely gone so I knew he was alone. It must be exhausting to lie to everyone he cared about. I hated doing it, and I wasn't besties with the group. I heard the sound of tires so I knew they were travelling to their next destination.

I scowled darkly. 'Bugger it...'

'So, are you still in New Jersey?'

'Nope, I'm living in Antartica chasing demonic penguins.'

'We're driving to NJ in three days...' Kylo replied talking over my sarcasm. We'd been sniping at each other left, right and center since the first time we met. I was more than willing to keep up the facade that there really was nothing between us. After the hell I went through Dom, I was in no hurry for it to happen again.

'How was New York? Did you film another Rebel Luv segment?'

'We're always filming stuff.'

'Do I detect a little bitterness in your voice? What's up?' I asked into the phone frowning.

'People are noticing I'm not...you know.'

'Ageing.'

'Right...that.'

'You've been in the group for ten plus years dude, you knew it was going to happen. Koreans seem to have very good skin and don't age quickly, luckily for you. I'm pretty sure you can get away with it for a few more years. Your contract isn't up for two years anyway.' I prattled on, hoping the guy wasn't feeling depressed. Despite my best efforts, I tried not be a stalker friend, but news about the group had been popping up into my newsfeed lately and I had been pouring over the rumors of Kylo being rough with a fan. If anything, he'd been protecting the maknae Jun from a Sasaeng boy who tried to grope the guy. The stalker boy was lucky Kylo hadn't flung him to the other side of the room. As of yesterday, the rumors were flying that Kylo had grabbed the punk's junk. I was angry about it, but there was nothing I could do. People were going to bitch about it instead of going about their own lives.

'I know...' He trailed off sounding lost.

'Then what? Fake your death and go into hiding for fifty years? Pretty sure Jay and Tae and the rest of the guys will be devo.' I muttered. God, how did he think he was going to leave the group? He couldn't walk away and disappear without an explanation. His past was shrouded in mystery, so much mystery, it was hard to tell truth from lie. I knew as much as any regular fan, which was a big fat nothing.

'You sound like my mother,' he spat at me sounding agitated.

'Yeah well, you're lucky you have one.' I snapped. Yeesh, I really needed to stop shoving that in other's faces.

'Belle, I'm sorry K? I just...hang on.' At a loss for words, the functional mute shut up as I heard the phone being switched to loudspeaker. A trilling chorus of guys singing my name in perfect harmony instantly lightened up the mood.

'Beeeeeeeelle.'

'Nice harmony,' I commented applauding.

'What are you up to?' Jay asked slowly as he munched loudly. I heard him growl at someone in Korean for trying to steal some. He still wasn't confident in speaking English and I knew it caused him great anxiety to speak it, which frustrated me to no end because he barely ever made a mistake.

'Snacking in bed...what are you up to? And don't say you're throwing Jun's underwear out of the window again or I'll beat you up.' I teased, remembering their last tour log they had put up when they were touring Europe. The poor maknae had no underwear left after a month. Not to mention they had broadcasted to the fans that the guy only wore Bonds which no one freaking needed to know. Hell, they filmed him buying more underwear, threatening to throw these out too.

'Don't give them ideas.' Kylo sighed.

'So, will you be free in a few days?' Jun asked sounding hopeful.

'Yup...probably.'

'Cool, I sent tickets in the mail.' Ky replied quickly.

'Ky...you know I can pay for them, right?' I asked in exasperation.

'Think of it as a late birthday present.'

'Kyyyyy, you guys already sent me loads of Korean makeup...'

'Did you like them?' Tae asked.

'Yes, the lip tints taste like berries and are shockingly hard not to eat. So hey, now that I've remembered, after this US tour aren't you lads going to Down Under?'

'Yeah!' Jet crowed happily. It was his life's ambition to hug a baby wombat. I knew until it happened, I'd never hear the end of it. He even had posted wombat pictures on his bunk in the tour bus.

'Dang, maybe I'll tag along.'

'How long has it been since you been home?' Tae asked between bites.

'Since my parents died.' I replied crunching on a chip.

'Oh, I'm so sorry Belly.' Kylo cut in.

'No, it's fine, Ky. It's next month yeah?' I asked looking at my phone.

'The fourteenth is when we'll be flying to Melbourne. We'll be staying the longest there, you know, filming stuff.' Kylo replied evasively.

'Sweet, should still be warm enough.'

'Yep...I wanna pat a ka-cola.' Jay crowed in his aegyo voice.

'Koala.' Jet and I corrected him in unison. I heard him and Tae repeating the word over and over to themselves in the corner.

'Yo Belle, rise and shine, got vampires to vanquish!' Allie crowed. Abby appeared, looking gorgeous as ever with her rich navy blue and purple ombre.

'What?' Jay asked in confusion.

'Allie, I'm on the freaking phone.' I growled, glaring at them.

'Wait...who are you...you met a guy, didn't you?' Allie squealed happily.

'Yes, because I have time to date a kpop star, go away.'

'Wait a second. Kylo pulled his head outta his ass and finally asked you out?' Abby asked in astonishment clapping her hands in glee shrieking. Abby smirked as I realised, she was just riling Allie up. Laughter lit up from the phone.

'Hi Kylo Ren.' Abby called, smirking as the guy completely ignored her as he growled at the other guys in Korean.

'What's the bet he's swearing at them?' Allie whispered theatrically.

'Ten bucks.' I snorted.

'Hey, no fair man, you can't say mean stuff to us. Ima tell Belle.' Jun replied in a sulky childlike voice.

'Hey! Don't be mean to the maknae, you bully!' Allie and I squawked into the phone.

'Oh please, he just told them to shut up.' Abby told us loftily.

'And you know that how?'

'Eric, duh.'

'Who's Eric?' Jun asked immidiately.

'He's a hot Korean, really starting to wish I married that punk...' Abby replied with a soft sigh as she called a goodbye and stopped dead as Brody walked into the room, gave her a sidelong glance which chilled me to the bone.

'Jealousy alert,' Allie whispered to me.

I grimaced as my brother's eyes flashed. 'Stop talking to your boyfriends' and get out of bed.'

'Make me.'

'Get up.' He growled at me.

'I'm doing my report.'

'Finish it later. We got a lead.'

'Which lead?' I asked. We didn't have any active investigations open right now.

'Got a lead on your parents' deaths.' He muttered.

'Belle? Call me later.' Kylo said automatically. I barely remembered saying goodbye or hanging up. Without a word, I got up out of bed, Gemma chirruped to herself as she trotted at my heels. Dad was in the tech room, rifling through reports. 'Heath, Ian, Devon and Dominic were in England but they're on their way to Belfast now.'

'Did we lose a warrior? Was a pregnant human killed?' I asked firing off questions at record speed as I fought to keep my breakfast down. Everyone crowded around, some sitting, others standing. I myself was leaning on the desk trying not to vomit.

'Almost. An Irish hunter came home from a hunt to find her human lover near death, a stake in his hand.'

'Wait, that doesn't fit the profile.' I replied with a frown.

'That warrior is the one who is pregnant. The attack happened six hours ago. We were just told about it now.'

'So, its type hasn't changed. Killing half breeds is its agenda. Wonder what it would do if it targeted Sara.' Allie mused to herself.

'It wouldn't last a second, actually why hasn't it gone after her for? If it did, bye, bye monster. Why can't it do us a favour?' Abby asked with a slow shake of her hair.

'Good for her, can we get to the big picture? How many warriors know about this freak hunting down half breed fetuses?' I asked.

'Not a lot.' Dad replied with a frown probably wondered what I was getting at.

'Isn't it time we told every single warrior about what's happening? Something is hunting us.'

'And what if it is a warrior? Let's give everything away.' Abby asked folding her arms.

'Who bloody cares at this point? Everyone needs to be on alert. What if the freak decided to up the ante and starts killing little children next, like it did with me? I don't want another child suffering the same fate that I did, or worse, actually dying.' Not wanting to argue anymore, I stalked out.

'Belle,' Abby said in a consoling voice that did nothing but irritate me.

'Let her be, she's right. We have been sitting on this way too long.' Sebastian replied grimly.

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I'd been sitting in the back of this almost empty movie theatre Rebel Luv had hired for two hours, sipping on my coke trying and failing to get absorbed into this samurai comedy, silently cheering up when it was over. The guys were going to do some filming for their channel and Kylo and I were headed somewhere private.

'Something's eating at you,' he commented looking down at me. His eyes were a soft black, almost friendly. It was disconcerting.

Tossing my rubbish into the trash I sighed. 'I don't want to ruin your day.'

'Is it about your parents?'

'Did you know my dad?'

Kylo sighed and shaking his head. 'No, but then I never made it a point to know anyone.'

'Really? I had no idea.'

He went to nudge me but I jumped back. No way was he freaking touching me. I wasn't taking any chances. 'If you met my parents you would understand.' He replied softly.

'I had drawn the conclusion you popped out of the ground like a dwarf or something.'

'I wish,' he muttered.

'Wow we are a pair. Maybe we should date.' I half-joked while he looked down at me horrified.

'Yeah-no.' We both said in unison as I burst into giggles.

'Glad that's cleared up, want to go grab a burger?' He asked as we headed into the night. I shivered a little and was grateful I had thought to bring a jacket.

'No, I um...kinda have to ask you something.'

'Is it about the half breed attacks?' He asked bluntly.

That stopped me cold. 'What do you know about that?'

'I know enough. My father reached out to me, ordering me not to have relations with human females in case I bred a half breed child. He said something was hunting half breeds down.' Huh, I wonder how he knew. I made a point to call Tristan that night.

'My parents and unborn sister were probably a casualty. Well, they might have been, I don't know.'

Kylo frowned. The way the streetlight hit his face, lighting up some while leaving the other in shadow was kind of sexy. 'I thought a master killed your family.'

'He did but we don't actually know if it was the master that is behind all of this. That's the point. For years no one pieced together an MO because no one was looking for a string of preggy women being killed because of their half-breed babies. Whatever it is, has been getting away with this for over thirty years or something, maybe even longer. To be honest with you, it doesn't matter how my parents got killed, the fact of the matter is, they definitely would have been on the list because my mum was human and she was also pregnant when she died. Now a female warrior who was pregnant is now holding onto the hope that her human boyfriend survives.'

Kylo frowned. 'He survived?'

'He's in a coma. The blood loss and lack of oxygen, not to mention he had a fractured hip. He's a Marine on vacation. The trip wasn't even planned.'

'Whoever it was, had been stalking them for a while.'

'Yup.' I didn't tell him that we were doing facial rec on every person who had flown to Ireland, and had come up with nothing.

'Could be anyone, anything.'

'Paranoid yet?'

'Always. So, have you got any rugrats running around?' I asked trying to lighten the mood.

I wasn't expecting him to stop dead. 'If I had a child would I be doing this?'

'Maybe.'

'No Belle, if I ever had a kid, she or he would never have to wonder if I'm coming home or not.' He said walking off his back stiff as a brick wall. I sighed, closing my eyes briefly.

'Is that why you hate your parents? They chose their job over you?' I asked following after him.

'Belle, they chose everything over me. I was their golden boy, the one who could do no wrong. The one destined to have a seat on the council. I ate up the bullshit they fed to me because they were my parents. I was conceited, horrible and walked around like I knew everything but I didn't. My first encounter with a vampire was almost my last. My teammate had to save me from the murderous bitch.'

I shrugged. 'I killed my first vampire accidentally. He fell on me and my knife happened to be in the right place.'

Kylo took my hand, holding on while I gasped and struggled against his hold. 'You're a tough one, aren't you?'

'Yeah. How long did it take you to um...realise your parents were idiots?' I winced knowing I sounded insensitive. He only snorted at me.

'A long ass time. I didn't even tell them I was going to be in a kpop group. I disappeared, dressed down like a younger boy and ended up being street casted.'

'No one even suspected you were well over a hundred?'

He laughed. 'No, I mean I'd lost a lot of muscle tone, started shaving differently. They just thought I was a tall lanky kid. It was easy. They would have overlooked it anyway with my musical abilities alone.

'Bet your parents were pissed.'

'I never actually told them outright.'

'But they know.'

'Of course, they do. They tried to cut off my inheritance but my grandparents wouldn't hear of it. They're actually the only ones proud of me. Everyone else thinks differently.' I was expecting him to sound bitter but I only heard sadness. I didn't like feeling sorry for the punk, but I couldn't help it.

Squeezing his hand, I was surprised when he squeezed back. 'I don't think it's weird or wrong. Abby quit hunting decades ago and I didn't want to do it until I found myself in this mess.'

'It's okay for you not to be what everyone wants you to be. Be weird, it's okay.'

'You sound like a fortune cookie.'

'Screw it, let's get Chinese.'

'Um there's a great place a few streets over. I can't remember the name.'

He laughed. 'You have lived here for a whole year and you still can't remember street names, you're a kyoot one.'

'Yes, I know I'm cute, but keep saying it to me. Makes me all warm and fuzzy inside.'

He sobered up flicking me on the nose. 'Don't you be getting a crush on me. I don't wanna be breaking your heart. Besides...Jun would cry.' He replied with a lazy wink.

'Um what?' I stuttered.

'Yeah...poor kid's got it bad for you pretty bad.'

My heart stuttered. 'But...what?' I squeaked.

'You didn't hear it from me,' he whispered, smirking.

'But I'm only eighteen...'

'Yup.'

'Oh fudge. Another older guy likes me...' I trailed off in dismay.

'And he's human...'

'He'd be bait...' I whispered in horror, catching on to Kylo's idea. Throwing his hand aside I confronted him, folding my arms while I stared up at him. Honestly, it was creepy how he was imagining the scenario.

'Not a bad idea...' Kylo trailed off as he scanned the area.

'You're a moron!' I hissed at him.

'Well let's say you get with a human, get pregnant and the monster comes after you. Job jobbed.'

'Yeah well...not Jun. I'd never survive the wrath of the fans if anything happened to him.' That, and I'd never forgive myself.

'Okay, so not him, but someone.'

'I may be desperate, but I'm not that desperate.' I scoffed whirling around marching away. 'What an idiot,' I muttered under my breath.

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My phone beeped just as I got in the door. It was late, but we'd met up with the guys after they had finished filming themselves shopping and had stuffed ourselves with Chinese food. I'd tried to delete Kylo and the earlier conversation out of my head, but I hadn't succeeded.

I stared at the family chat and sighed. I had a feeling it was bad news before I shut the door. Gemma was doing infinity circles around my legs, rubbing her scent all over me, chirruping sadly.

Brody: Hey sis...did I wake you?

Me: Of course not, I just got in.

Brody: Were you on a date?

Me: Revel Luv is in town, they wanted to hang out...

Brody: Did Kylo behave himself?

Me: Sure, he knows what's happening. His dad reached out to him. Surprised he actually knew about it.

Dom: Okay...I'll mention it to dad before he calls Tristan.

Me: Thanks, so what's the update?

Heath: Alan didn't make it. We're bringing Meg home with us.

Dom: How are you doing?

Me: Poor Meg, she must be dying inside. We gotta kill this son of a bitch asap. I'm going to bed. Night.

Turning notifications off, I poked my head into the tech room, bid everyone that was awake a good night and headed off to bed. Abby was still on patrol with Anna and Allie. Deciding to wait a little longer, I grabbed a novel off of my bedside table practically diving into it.

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'I will never leave you, long as you hold me in your heart...' Kylo sang. I hated this song the most. It seemed like he was singing only for me. Changing the song, I rolled over onto my stomach and was moodily staring at the bedspread when dad entered my room.

'Are you pondering about that Korean?'

'I do that a lot huh?'

'I think he left a lasting impression on you, but a least he's given you something else to think about.'

I scoffed. 'Oh yeah, because getting over Dominic was easy.'

'I am not saying it was, but you are over him now, aren't you?'

'Well, yeah, but it's still awkward being around him.'

'At least you're not packing to go off on your own every other week.'

'Dad, I love you, but do you know you really suck at pep talks?'

Dad chuckled. 'I do now.'

I turned away from him. I didn't want to talk to him about how I was moping over a Korean warrior. I didn't want to admit it to myself but the second my phone beeped, there was that little flash in my mind that hoped it was him. Swearing, I rolled off the bed.

'Belle?'

'What dad?'

'It's going to be okay.'

'Tell me that after I kill that monster.' I ground out. Dad had barely left my room when Drew walked in cocking his head at me.

'Let's go out for lunch.'

'Okay,' I said. Maybe some retail therapy would help me feel better.

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Sifting through the jeans rack, my mori fluttered and I turned, just in time to see, Kylo turn to face me, his eyes glinting across the store.

'Well, well, well,' he said ditching the group and lazily walked towards me, but slowed his pace when he realised, I wasn't alone.

'Kylo, meet Drew, my big brother.' I said yanking Drew by his belt. Drew as usual had a grin plastered on his face as he wrapped an arm around my shoulder.

'Hey man, you must be the guy that Allie won't shut up about.'

'Is she here?' Jun asked looking around.

'Afraid not, it's a brother-sister date.' He said cheerfully.

'And it's officially ended.'

'You're cute.' He said flicking me on the nose and disappearing before I could hurl abuse at him.

Suddenly I was enveloped in hugs, as if I hadn't seen them two days ago. 'So, it's your last day, I thought you'd be I dunno, chilling at the beach.' I mumbled into someone's shoulder. I was getting used to be passed around like a plush toy, although one dark look at Kylo and he held his hands up in surrender.

Tae nodded. 'That's where we're headed after this. You should come.'

'I would but I don't have my bathers.' I replied ignoring the pointed looks as Kylo disappeared and reappeared with a matching bikini set tossing them at me.

I sighed. 'If you wanted to see me naked, you should have asked.' I replied poking my tongue out at him ignoring the looks of horror I received.

'Belle!' Jun stuttered turning beet red.

'Relax.' I teased, shoving my way through them and went to get a different size and a different colour. Rifling through the bikini bin, I finally found something that covered more than my boobs and a tiny pair of black shorts.

'Let me go try these on. Be back in a jiffy.' I called over my shoulder.

Ten minutes later, I was lying on a towel, ignoring the guys pulling their shirts off. I had already been tortured with their perfectly sculptured bodies before and I thought I was immune, until now.

Thankfully, Allie arrived and diverted my attention. Without a word, she pulled me to my feet and dragged me towards the sea.

'How do you do it?' I asked as I looked back practically drooling.

'Meh, they're hot but they're guys, and guys are jerks.' She said twirling me around in the sand.

'But they're not jerks...' I pointed out.

'I'm not a jerk?' Kylo asked as he jogged past us snaking his hand out, aiming to touch her. With a shriek, she jumped back, pulling me with her.

'Please mori, please don't ever be attracted to him.' She begged to herself.

'Don't worry, I think you'll be saved from that.' I mumbled.

'Huh?'

'Drew thinks Ky might be my match.' I groaned to myself. If Kylo heard, he didn't react to it.

'Dom would probably kill him. He still loves you; you know.'

'Yeah well, I'm not dating a warrior. Never, ever, ever.'

'Poor Kylo,' Allie teased in a sing song voice. The pounding of feet interrupted our conversation as Jet and Jun ran throwing seaweed at each other hollering like teenagers.

'See? Case in point.' Allie replied with an eyeroll as we got to the water's edge, did her tippy-toe dance before walking out to her ankles, pulling me with her. Warm arms wrapped around my middle. I looked up to see Tae grinning down at me. Before I could fend him off, he grunted, hefted me up and started carried me away. 'Hey, wait for me.'

'Sorry, this jerk doesn't speak snob.' He called back sounding hurt.

Allie splashed towards us in a hurry. 'Oh, you heard that...'

'Duh.'

'I don't think you're a jerk.' Allie said her eyes downcast. It was cute to see her fumbling over a guy. She was usually so sure of herself.

'Aw, I was kidding. C'mere.' He said dumping me into the sea. when I emerged spitting water, I saw him pulling Allie into a one-armed hug.

'Oi, chick magnet, you gonna join us anytime soon?' Jet called. Placing his cheek on Allie's head he smirked.

'Nah.' He said before he dunked us both. Under the water, we grabbed his legs and pulled him under. Served him right.

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Again, with no leads, I was butting my head up against the wall. Meg was four months pregnant by the time I started packing for my trip. Safe as houses, I was still sure my team were going to use her as bait to try to kill the master. Dad's genius plan was to send me to Australia to keep me safe as well, since I was a half-breed. Being outvoted didn't sit well with me but I went along with it. Besides, I had my own plans and none of them had anything to do with Rebel Luv, so I packed as much as I would need, called ahead to the compound in Victoria, Australia, letting them know I was coming for a visit. The only downside was Gemma began crying every time someone even mentioned my trip, which was fair. I'd been her human/mum for the past two years, so disappearing on her for any length of time was making her feel horrible.

Right now, her back was to me, her tail flicking back and forth.

Counting out my outfits, I was checking my toiletries, when Gemma let out a little mew. 'I'm sorry you can't come with me Gemmy. It's only a few weeks and it's going to be boring. I'm mostly seeing the places I lived and I'm going to that place, you know the place where my parents died. It's going to be horrible for me.' Her lack of response was understandable, being only two-years old, she didn't fully understand English yet and as she placed her head on her paws, squeezing her eyes shut, I sighed. She wasn't the only one having trouble with my trip.

Hey, are you ready?' Abby asked with Brody in tow. As usual, the newly bonded pair were together. Brody kissed her hand which resulted in a roll of toilet paper being thrown at his head by Allie. Suddenly, my calm mood turned sour and bitter.

'Get a room.' Allie hissed as she stalked past, slamming the door to her room.

'What is that about?' Abby asked uncaring while I stared at her coldly. Ever since they'd bonded, Allie and I had been left in the dust and not in a good way. We'd almost been killed twice because Abby, who was supposed to be patrolling the city with us, ditched her for her stupid mate.

'You know, with her attitude, I may not go to Australia.'

'Good; don't.'

She stared at me mystified. 'What did I do now?'

'Gee, what do you think?' I exploded, walking to my door, slamming the door shut in her astonished face. 'You know kid, if you ever find a mate, you better still be loyal to me.'

Always, Gemma replied with a yawn.

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The sun woke me up just after dawn and I lay there, curled up with my werecat, who was cuddled up to Allie who had passed out on my bed. We had a few hours before we were leaving, so I quietly got up, kissed Gemma and went to freshen up. Allie appeared just as I was slathering body butter on my legs. Pulling herself onto the edge of the sink, she brushed her long caramel waves.

'It's a good thing Drew offered to come with us.'

'He didn't offer. They drew straws.' I said screwing the lid to my body butter.

'Seriously?'

'Yeah. Devon lost by half a centimeter.'

'Huh, no wonder he was salty at dinner. Hey, do you really think we'll be okay with just Drew?'

'Why wouldn't we be? We're just going on a holiday.' I replied with a wicked grin.

'I know, but if the master finds out that we're snooping around…'

'Let him. I'd like to see if he's a match for Drew and I.'

'Hmm, I wonder if he'd be a match for Kylo. How old is he anyway?'

'I dunno, it never came up.'

'The guy blurs, so he must be over a hundred or two…'

'Why do you care so much?'

'I think the question is; why does he care? Kylo has been trying to talk you out of coming back to Australia for weeks.'

I scoffed. 'Worrywart.'

A knock on the side of the door made us jump. 'Hey girls, are you about ready?' Drew asked with mussed up hair.

'Sure.'

My phone rang and Drew disappeared and reappeared with my phone. Frowning I pressed answer. 'Ky?'

'We have an issue. Our flight was cancelled and no one will explain why.' Kylo said in the phone with his usual fake accent. I heard voices humming in the background.

'Luckily for us, we have a private jet. Come with us.'

'You're headed for Melbourne, right?'

'Yes, but the pilot can still take you guys to Perth, right?' I asked to Drew who was already talking into the phone. Drew nodded at me.

'It's sorted. We'll be at the airport but ten-fifteen.'

'You are a life saver.'

'Keep buttering us up, it's kyoot.' Allie trilled as I hung up. Chuckling, I looked over my shoulder the second a wave of misery hit me. Gemma was staring at us with watery eyes.

'Baby girl,' I said as my voice cracked but she was already streaking out of my sight.

'Poor baby,' Allie whispered, hugging me hard. Sighing, I buring my head into her shoulder.

At ten to nine, I checked my bags one last time, needing something to do as I tried to ignore the waves of despair, being sent through the house from the attic where Gemma was hiding. Biting my lip, I gathered my duffel bag and together, she gathered her own bag and met me at the foyer where my family stood. I was passed around and hugged. It was going to be only a few weeks, but they made it seem like I wasn't coming back for months.

'Message us anytime.' Anna said pinching my chin as she kissed my forehead.

'Okay,' I promised as Allie reached for my hand. We made it outside and I wiped a stray tear when I felt a sudden explosion of desire and terror. It shook me to the core and I fell, barely catching myself in time.

'Belle!' Allie cried. 'What's wrong?'

Gasps beside me had me turning to face the strong emotion. My eyes found what I was searching for and did a double take. A naked black-haired toddler was standing in the doorway.

'Gemma?'