A/N: Thanks to iWant9Lives2Live, SyfyGeek13, Yudith88, and anonymous reader for reviewing! I'm trying to make the chapters longer from now on, so we'll see how that works out. Happy Reading! Also, if you want a preview of the next chapter just leave a review! Make sure to sign in and have private messaging enabled so that I can send you the excerpt.

Chloe wrapped the white and navy striped scarf tighter around her neck as the wind attempted to steal it from her. She shoved her hands into the pockets of her jacket. Geez, she hadn't expected it to be this windy. She had hopped into the car that all the late hours working at the vintage store had bought her, and drove until she felt like stopping. Her impromptu journey had brought her here, to the Point Bonita Lighthouse. It was just a little ways northwest of her house, and she found herself filled with excitement at being somewhere new. There was something freeing in accomplishing things in solitude. As she walked across the suspension bridge it swayed with every gust of wind and every step she took. Unable to resist, the daring blonde glanced down at the water below and felt goosebumps appear on her skin. She wasn't sure if it was the cat-like instincts she had, but the sight of the churning waves made her nervous. She reached into her purse to check her phone, but realized that she had left it at her house. Damn, Alek and Jasmine are probably going crazy right now since I left. I seriously hope Valentina's still out of town…she's even more strict than my mom.

Chloe contemplated turning around and returning home where everyone could reach her. It would be the more responsible thing to do. But she quickly discarded the thought. She had come here to escape all the drama. All she wanted was one day alone with her thoughts. She needed to figure out what to do about all her new abilities, what to do about the situation with her father, how to handle the job of being The Uniter, and how to handle her quickly deepening feelings for Alek. Surprisingly, it was the last thing that scared her the most. She had never been in a relationship with someone before. Her kiss with Paul ten years ago so did not count, no matter how much he argued that it did. Alek made her nervous. Whenever she as around him she felt almost unsure of herself. She wanted him to like her. Granted, he made his attraction to her pretty clear when he kissed her on her porch…and on her rooftop. But she wasn't sure how deep his feelings were. Did he want a relationship? She found that notion hardly believable. He seemed more of the love 'em and leave 'em type. Not exactly the sort of guy who would pursue a real relationship. And if she would agree to go out with him, it would be all or nothing. She wasn't the type to mess around or play games.

As Chloe admired the jagged cliffs and picturesque landscape she felt renewed. All her stress melted away under the heat of the California sun. Then the cold air blew her golden hair behind her, sending it flowing back over her shoulders and effectively re-freezing her neck. With a muttered curse, she continued across the bridge towards the brightly lit lighthouse. She could check her phone when she returned home. She doubted anyone realized she was gone anyways.

Alek stormed into the coffee shop that Chloe and her human friend's usually met up. Chloe wasn't answering his calls or texts, and he found himself worrying about her. He couldn't fathom why she wouldn't answer him…unless she was with Brian. That thought brought Alek to an abrupt stop in the entrance to the building. He had advised Chloe to stop seeing her human, but she really wasn't one to heed other peoples advice. And if he was honest with himself, he more demanded that she end her relationship with Brian. If anything, his outright disapproval probably would make her want to see the human more, just to spite him. He wished that was the only reason the blonde continued to see Brian. But, as much as Alek despised it, he knew that she felt something for the other guy. Even if it killed him inside to acknowledge this.

As the hurried Mai surveyed the coffee shop for a head of wavy blonde hair, he caught sight of her two friends at a back table. Immediately, he stalked towards them and interrupted their conversation, "Where's Chloe?"

Amy responded sarcastically, "Well it's nice to see you Amy. You too Paul, I hope I'm not interrupting anything."

"Look I don't have time for this." Alek said in exasperation, "I need to find Chloe. She's not answering her phone, and no one's heard from her."

Amy took in the serious expression on the blonde's face. "I asked her to meet us, but she said she had some errands to run…but maybe- I mean...never mind"

Alek narrowed his eyes at the brunette. Was she hiding something? "What do you know?"

"It's just…I know she mentioned that Brian was having family troubles and asked for her help today." The blue-eyed girl explained apologetically, wincing at the stunned expression that overcame the British Mai's face. "But I'm sure she wouldn't have gone."

"I should have guessed." Alek said quietly, his eyes alight with betrayal and hurt. "If you hear from her tell her to call Jasmine. It's important." Then he was gone.

Paul and Amy exchanged worried looks. Despite imperfect first impressions, the arrogant blonde had grown on them. Once you got over his super-sized ego he wasn't that bad. Amy's initial attraction for Alek had morphed into a tentative respect. He had a hard, self-absorbed exterior, but when he was interacting with Chloe she could see another side of him. A softer, kinder side. He obviously harbored strong feelings for her childhood friend that he desperately wanted her to return. Paul had began to form an almost friendship with the guy. Even though they were wildly different, they were able to get along. He had, unknowingly, become a part of their little group. Even if he wouldn't admit it.

Alek walked outside, anger flowing through his veins like fire. He wasn't used to girls rejecting him. But this was more than that. He wasn't upset because his pride was hurt, it was because his feelings were. He and Chloe were recently spending more time together, and he had hoped this would bring them closer. Hoped that their friendship and student/teacher relationship would grow into an actual relationship. After their first kiss on her front porch he had thought she would see that it was him she should be with. But of course her human showed up at the most inopportune time, officially destroying any chance for that moment to be special. At least I can kiss her without dying. He thought smugly, lips upturned in pleasure. Even if she didn't want to be with him, she still couldn't be with Brian. He felt the unfamiliar pangs of guilt at his selfish thoughts. He really did want Chloe to be happy, with to without him. But he wouldn't give up without a fight. He would stay by her side until she told him to leave. Until that day came, he would be fighting for her no matter the cost.

Hearing a knock at the door, Valentina went to answer it. She pulled the wooden for open only to see her daughter's friend, Zane, standing on the other side. She stared at him, baffled. What was he doing here so late? Wasn't he supposed to be meeting Jasmine for dinner? As the Mai leader of San Francisco, she was naturally cautious of everyone she met. That's why she was suspicious when she first saw him in her home after she returned. But when she saw Jasmine's face after she treated him rather poorly…she felt that maybe she was being too harsh. After all, he was just a teenage boy. And she could tell her daughter liked him enough. Maybe she should give him the benefit of the doubt and trust Jasmine's judgement. She may expect a lot out of her, but it was only out of love. She truly wanted her daughter to be the best that she could possibly be, even if she resented her mother for it. Jasmine was destined for a difficult future. She would take her place one day and she needed to be ready.

"Oh, hi. Is Jasmine here?" Zane asked, his voice nervous.

"I thought you were meeting Jasmine out for dinner?"

"Yeah, she texted and asked to meet here instead."

"Well she's not back yet." The dark haired woman replied immediately, her voice sounding harsh even to her own ears. She sighed to herself. Don't scare off another of another one! I have a feeling she won't be as forgiving this time. "But you can come in and wait for her."

The curly-haired Mai nodded in thanks, and entered the loft behind her. With her back turned to him, Valentina missed the triumphant smirk that overcame his face as he shut the door; sealing her fate.

A/N: The lighthouse in the story is actually a real place…and a dream of mine. I've always wanted to tour a light house…yeah I'm kinda random. Thanks for reading! Review if you want an excerpt of the next chapter! In case you didn't notice I cut all the Brian scenes out of the story because well…that would just be a waste of chapters. And i figured everyone reading this would have already watched the finale so ya'll understand whats happening anyways. :)