A/N: I'm back! I am SO sorry that it took me so long to update this! School started and everything has been chaotic! Thankfully I got some writing in just before, so most of this chapter was finished... It was just the finishing that took a while...

Hopefully people are still reading this, and I'm going to have to keep this short because I've got class in about 15 minutes...

Thanks to:
Sophia: Yes she is. And she's just as evil!
Night-Alice: It's simply pay-back for all the ones you leave me :P
starr1095: Yay! I'm glad you're not mad (though you're probably annoyed at me not updating). I very much like the twist you suggested although I think it's more so reality sinking in and him realizing how absurd he had been
kinanbon x3: I'm glad you're enjoying and I feel the same way!

Happy Reading!

Chapter 24

Mr. Carter continued to force Mary-Lynette into the SUV, oblivious to the new visitor. Not having packed, the SUV was empty and hollow feeling. As Mr. Carter began forcing Mary-Lynette into the car, a cold hand grabbed his shoulder. Another one grabbed Mary-Lynette's arm. Momentarily shocked, Mr. Carter turned to face a black-haired lady with even darker eyes.

"I'll take it from here." she told him in a voice that froze him to his very core.

Suddenly another hand was on Mr. Carter's other shoulder.

"Actually, I'd prefer you didn't." a familiar voice said. The lady's icy glare intensified as she shifted her gaze over to the blonde boy.

"Oh look. Little lover-boy to the rescue yet again." she sneered. "Unfortunately I won't be giving in so easily this time."

Frozen in fear, Mr. Carter couldn't take his eyes from the black-eyed lady. He was completely captivated by her, and slowly felt himself relinquish his hold on his daughter's arm. He wasn't sure why he was doing it. He just was. It was like his mind was no longer his own; like it was being invaded…

Mary-Lynette was terrified. Her soulmate's mother was out to kill her, and now she was back. Her father was holding her in place, trying to force her into the SUV when a cold hand gripped her wrist. Shivers went through her spine as she turned towards to lady who was determined to kill her, paralyzing her. As she faced the black-haired lady, a warmer, more familiar hand wrapped itself around her free wrist. A voice reached out to her in her mind.

Mary-Lynette, it's okay. Everything will be fine as long as we can get your family away from here. You too. I don't want you caught in the middle of this.

I'm already in the middle of this! We need to get my parents and brother out of here, but I'm staying.

No. You'll get hurt!

So will you if you fight your mother!

I don't matter! You're all that matters!

Well you're pretty important to me!

Their silent argument was interrupted by Dahlia's cold voice.

"Ash, we can resolve all our issues quite simply." she said in a fake motherly tone. He gave her a questioning glare.

"Simply ditch the humans and human-lovers and everything will be back to the way it should be."

"It's a little more complicated than that." Ash retorted. "Mary-Lynette is my soulmate." he stated firmly, moving his arm from Mary-Lynette's wrist to around her shoulder, pulling her to his side. Mr. Carter had released his daughter, so Ash wanted to attempt to bring his soulmate closer to his body. Dahlia refused to release her wrist, so Mary-Lynette's arm dangled between the two sides.

"You honestly believe in all that soulmate nonsense?" she looked disapprovingly at her son. "I thought I raised you better than that. You've fallen for vermin. Become attached."

"You're right." Ash said as Mary-Lynette looked on him with wide eyes. "I have fallen for her. I've fallen head-over-heels in love with her and nothing can change that. She's my soulmate. We're meant for one another." he finished simply.

Dahlia turned her glare from Ash to Mary-Lynette. Her eyes bore into her like small beetles bent on destroying her. Mary-Lynette could feel Dahlia trying to enter her mind at the same time. She heard the voice in her head again. The same voice that had haunted her back in Briar Creek. The only difference was that this time she knew exactly what - or rather who - it was.

He's lied to you you know.

No he hasn't. You're the one who's been spreading lies Dahlia.

Nonsense. I've simply been trying to protect you.

From what? As far as I can see, the biggest threat to me here is you.

Me? Sweetie, you know Ash doesn't love you. He's using you.

No he's not.

Yes, he is. You're just a toy to him.

No I'm not. You're not going to fool me.

Mary-Lynette, I'm ashamed to tell you that my son has deluded you into believing in nonsense like the soulmate principle. He made a grave mistake by revealing what he truly is, and tried to cover it up by spewing lies.

No he didn't! He's told me everything!

Has he? Well he's certainly told you many lies, if that's what you mean.

He hasn't! Has he?

Ah, now you see, that's the question. Has everything been a lie?

No. It can't have been…

Mary-Lynette slowly found herself doubting everything Ash had told her. Maybe he had been lying to her about everything. But what was with the blood exchange? Only a vampire would do that, right? It had to be true, yet she was having a hard time believing. Maybe her Dad was right. Maybe leaving was smart. She'd have a clear head then. Nobody inside it but herself. She'd be able to think and try to separate reality from lies and deceit.

Deciding to go home with her family, Mary-Lynette tried to get into the SUV. As she did so, she remembered that Ash was restraining her. Holding her tightly to his side, he refused to let her go.

Ash could tell that his mother was doing something to Mary-Lynette. The two were staring intently at one another, glaring. Peeking into his soulmate's mind, he could hear a furious argument within her head. Listening, he could hear his mother trying to convince Mary-Lynette that he didn't love her. Though Mary-Lynette seemed to be resisting, he could feel her slowly giving in. Slowly beginning to believe his mother.

Mary-Lynette! he had no choice. He needed to make things right.

Mary-Lynette, listen to me please! he shielded the thoughts from his mother, hoping he would be able to convince Mary-Lynette not to listen to her.

She wasn't responding, so he tried again. Mary-Lynette, my mother is trying to turn you against me! She's lying to you!

Is she? Mary-Lynette finally responded. How do I know that you're not the one lying to me?

That blow hurt Ash. His mother was using her mind to influence his soulmate and telling her not to trust him! It infuriated him, and he was now determined to get his mother away from her as soon as possible, by any means possible.

Mary-Lynette, he figured it was worth one more try. You need to listen to me. My Mom doesn't believe we're soulmates, she's trying to kill you and probably me too.

No she's not! You're the one trying to kill me! You've only told me lies since we met! You left me hurt and alone for almost a year with no communication whatsoever! Then you kidnapped me and brought me here, to somewhere I don't belong and don't fit in and don't even introduce me to anyone until I ask! Although, I have to thank you for dating me or whatever it was. You've taught me to be more careful about who I trust and who I fall in love with!

Ash just stood there. Mary-Lynette's words hurt him like a wooden stake to the heart. Stakes that were lit on fire and slowly left him for dead; burning and bleeding in a place worse than hell. Worse than her words the night before, they left Ash standing in shock before his soulmate.

Letting his arm drop, Ash stared at his soulmate. She returned his stare with a glare filled with frost and hate. Stepping away from him, Mary-Lynette didn't turn her back, but simply turned so she was now standing beside his mother. Dahlia reached out and took hold of Mary-Lynette's hand, signalling to Ash that Mary-Lynette was hers now. She had surrendered her mind and believed her wholeheartedly. Ash felt as though he was dying. His own mother had turned his soulmate against him. Even worse, his soulmate refused to trust him! She was supposed to be with him forever! He figured that meant complete and total trust in one another. Ash knew that if it came down to it, he would trust Mary-Lynette with his life! He had always assumed that the feeling was mutual.

Guess not.

A/N: So what did you think? Please let me know what you think and if you're still there!

Once again I'm SO SO SORRY! I will try to update more frequently, but I can't promise anything... My course load is crazy! If I don't have time during school, I'll try to do some writing over Thanksgiving Break (unfortunately that means you have to wait another 2 weeks).
Hopefully you all are still enjoying!

Happy Writing!