"My father spoke of the stories to me when I was a young boy. I could quote our ancestry before I started school." Ambrosio said, taking a long draw off of a cigarette as he sat down at the head of the big table.

His son took a seat beside him, then the rest of us scattered about the table. I did my best to hide my flaming cheeks as Theo pulled me into his lap, and avoided meeting Liam's and Cora's eyes.

Chris sat forward, clasping his hands together with a look on his face filled with anticipation. He was probably wondering if Melissa was okay. She'd had to stay behind to take care of the people injured in the attack. With the creature getting more and more vicious, he had to be asking himself what could be happening to her right now.

"Our lineage began with a man and a woman who saw dastardly things in a small Spanish-French village called Pasando Por. Of course, this place no longer exists, as the monsters wiped it off the map. When Almerique Dorado's sister, Beatrice, became prey to one of the creatures, his need for revenge drove him to create a safe world for his family."

"So your family became hunters based on similar principles to those of the Argent family." Liam said. "Yes, lobito. You might already know what it means to lose someone you care for, and how it can make you either stupid or determined." Ambrosio said, taking another draw before returning his eyes to Chris's.

"Almerique studied these creatures, naming them based on the aftermath of their attacks. When he met Isabelica Canizares, a young, brave woman with intelligence all her own of these monsters, they fell in love through teamwork."

"That's romantic and all, but we need to know how to kill these creatures!" Cora burst out. "Patience, lobita, patience." Ambrosio grumbled.

"For years, Almerique and Isabelica tracked, killed, and studied these things, When their first son, Santiago, was born, they taught him to defend himself and to watch his back, then passed the knowledge on to their second son, Alvaro. Thus, continued the hunting line."

"They tested silver, wolfsbane and anything they could get their hands on to try and kill these creatures, but nothing worked." Castanon broke in, "It wasn't until Isabelica found herself cornered alone one night after going out for fresh water in the woods. Though she believed herself to be dead, all changed when the creature went to bite at her throat, and instead got a mouthful of her solid gold necklace."

"Why was none of this passed on to the Argent family?" I asked. "Because, at the time, they did not know of any other hunting family. Marie Jean and Henri met them years later, when most of the monsters had been hunted. Santiago was a prideful man, and he hunted even when it was unneccessary. They believed Santiago and Alvaro would wipe out the creatures for good before the line moved beyond their grandchildren."

"So, if there is still one here, they obviously didn't finish what they started." Theo said.

"These things are peculiar. Sometimes, they lie dormant and wait for opportunity. They could be sneaky. It is possible that this very creature could be centuries old." "And seeking revenge on the family that took everything from it." Mason said.

Ambrosio gave Mason a small, tight smile. "All a possibility. Now, we have not hunted these creatures in decades, but we are always prepared. We will not go to fight with you, however, we will give you the weapons needed to take it down."

"So...it can't be saved?" Liam asked, his voice tight, and a distraught look on his face. "No, lobito. Alvaro's only son tried valiantly to restore one to a natural state, and he lost that battle. Alvaro's line died with him. These creatures cannot be saved."

Disappointment showed clearly on Liam's face, and my heart hurt for him. "Doing this does not make you a failure, Liam," I said, "it makes you a savior. You will be saving hundreds of people."

"Argent." Ambrosio said, turning from the shadows with a jar in his hand. Its contents shimmered and glistened, a deep yellow dust worth more than anything in the entire country of Mexico. Chris stepped forward and gently took the glass jar from him. "Melt and combine it to use as a weapon. More than likely, you will have only one shot. Make sure that it finds it's target: any vital area of the body, like the heart or brain."

"Thank you, Ambrosio," Chris said, holding his hand out to the older man. "Thank you for coming to warn my family, Argent. Now, kill that monster and take back your town."

With a nod, Chris made his way back to the cellar opening, and the pack followed, finding a crowd awaiting us at the entrance. Two women and four teenaged boys lined the doorway, no doubt curious about the conversation we'd had. But they said nothing, and watched as we got in our cars and left.

At some point, I must have fallen asleep. Theo patted my arm until I woke, and we were parked in front of the hospital. "How long was I out?" I asked. "Couple hours. You had a long day and not a lot of sleep. We're going to go relay things to Melissa, then I'm taking you home. Be right back."

I nodded, laying my head back against the window and watching him walk after the rest of the pack. We had gathered a lot of information that day and night, and been through a lot more. My side throbbed when I moved, making me remember that a few hours ago, I had busted a couple and had them redone.

I jumped when my phone went off, with an alert that I didn't want to look at. I had a news app now, and I knew it had to be Damian. Please, don't be any closer than you already are, I thought.

Hoping more than I should have, I lifted the phone and read the report.

My stomach lurched at the title: Serial Killer Found In Small Texas Town. He had made it to yet another state line, and that left only two states. Panic settled in my chest, and I thought to my friends. Was there a need to tell them? I mean, there was no guarantee that he'd found me yet, especially since he hadn't jumped straight to Beacon Hills.

Sooner or later, I would have to tell Theo that Damian was my brother. But I felt like tellling him would show him just what kind of family I had come from, and wondered if telling him might question his want to be with me.

If it did, it might be for the better anyway.

After a few moments, I saw Theo, Liam and Cora coming back out of the door. Liam was making stiff motions with his hands, and Cora rolled her eyes. I could see that whatever was being said between the guys was annoying her, and I had to giggle.

Spotting me in the car, she walked over and I lowered my window. "What are the boys chatting about?" I snickered. "They're being their usual selves, arguing over everything." She said and I smiled. "That's what they are best at. So...do you really think this is all going to work?" I asked.

"I hope so. I'm ready to end this and go back home." "I'm going to miss you when you've left." I admitted. "Don't worry, I'll be back to visit." She said, smiling, then looked back to the guys, still making wild gestures and arguing heatedly.

"What are they talking about?" I asked her. "The creature, you, Scott. Everything basically." "Why me? I'm of no importance right now. They should be solely focused on making a weapon to defeat the creature."

Cora didn't respond, but instead a slightly worried look came over her face. I put my hand on her arm and waited until she looked at me to speak. "What's going on?"

She sighed. "I'm not bringing back up any useless talk, but...is this thing with Theo serious?"

Shocked, all thoughts left me for a few seconds. I had not expected her to question me on that, and I quickly gathered my barings. "Well...it's a little complicated, but to me, yes, things are serious as they can be right now."

"If you were hearing the things that I am right now, you would know that he's serious about it too. Liam has been hounding him day and night practically." I allowed a little of that wonderful feeling to settle in my chest for a second, and smiled to myself.

"You...you love him, don't you?" Cora asked, her eyes wide and mouth slightly open. Blushing, I ducked my head slightly. "I..." I took a deep breath, "I didn't realize it until this morning, but yes. After all the time I've been spending with him, the things we've talked about, everything, I have fallen in love with him, but he can't know that, not right now."

"And why the hell not? That's a huge thing." Cora said, her eyes drilling into mine. "Because," I whispered, looking over to him, "I don't know if he loves me back."

Cora opened her mouth to respond, but Theo came toward the car in big strides, irritation covering his face. "What was all that about?" I asked him when he was close enough. "Liam being a moron." He growled, climbing into the drivers' seat.

"How so?" I asked. "He doesn't mind his own business." I giggled, then nodded to Cora, who gave me a smile and backed away from the car.

"Theo?" I said in the darkness once we got onto the road a little ways. "Hmm?"

"You don't have to stay tonight." I said, each word becoming more painful than the previous one. "Does that mean you don't want me to stay tonight or you're saying that because you think I don't want to?" He asked, seeing right through me.

"Theo, I've spent my whole life trying not to be a burden. I think I've been the biggest in your life." "What the hell makes you say that?" He asked with an incredulous tone.

I sighed, trying to find all the words I needed. "I upset you this morning and I didn't mean to. But Theo, when it comes to where this relationship goes, that's something I want. And I won't continue to drag you farther into my life if that's not a goal somewhere in yours."

I could see that what I'd said took a toll on him, I just didn't know how or what emotion it might spark. So I quieted, and waited. If he didn't want to say anything, that was fine, but if he did, I would listen to and respect what he had to say.

Once we were almost home, he exhaled heavily and I looked to him. "Cass, there are still things we need to discuss. There's still one big issue that we haven't addressed, and I'm not sure how you will react once I tell you."

"I understand." I said.

Theo pulled into my parking spot and shut the engine off. His truck sat to our right, shiny in the moonlight. All was quiet.

"I have to do something tomorrow, before anything else. I want you to come with me." He said, looking slightly stricken.

"I'll come," I said, taking his hand. Without a word, he raised my hand to his lips and kissed my fingers. "As for tonight," he went on, "if you want me to, I'll stay. If you want your house alone, I understand that too."

"Alone is such a somber word." I said, already feeling the ache of it, "I've been alone for years, Theo. I'll never want to be alone, I'll only ever be forced to be. So, if you want to stay, stay."

I took a handful of his jacket in my fingers and pulled his body to mine, feeling comforted when he wrapped his strong arms around me and held me close to him.

"As long as I'm here, you will never be alone again."

**Thank you guys so much for reading! I hope you're enjoying it and I appreciate your reads, reviews, follows and favorites so much! Have a good day!**