"Are you going to get up Alex or are you just going to sit there?"
I didn't even bother to look at Justin as I replied; I was so drained. "I'm going to sit here."
"Do you want someone to sit with you?"
My head perked up because that hadn't come from Justin. It'd come from Mason who was standing by my door, looking at me.
"I'm going to leave you two alone," Justin said quietly, more to himself than to us. He made a quick exit downstairs and left Mason and I simply staring at each other. Mason bounded over to me and soon we were wrapped up in each others arms, both of us holding on tight.
"You've heard then?" he asked, except it didn't sound so much like a question; just a statement to which he already knew the answer.
I nodded on his shoulder and we held on a few seconds longer before we pulled away and sat on the couch. He slipped his hand into mine and traced over my hand with his rough fingers.
"Look, I'm sorry –"
"Please don't apologize," Mason begged. "I know that the wizard under attack that they were talking about in the news was you but I don't blame you. If anything, I blame Nate."
Maybe he saw the panic in my eyes because he squeezed my hand even harder. "Don't worry love," he said softly.
"What are we going to do?" I asked him.
He sighed. "The werewolf packs from all over are coming together to fight. They want me to join them."
"You can't honestly be considering joining them, can you?" I asked him, staring in disbelief.
Any pretense that might have been there dropped from his face. "Considering the alternative, it's starting to look like a pretty good option," he said coldly.
"But you have to know its wrong!"
"Since when have you cared about doing the right thing?" he snapped, letting go of my hand and jumping away from the couch. "You of all people?"
He looked like he instantly regretted saying this the moment the sting of his words hit me. He knew it had been a low blow but it was out in the air now, and he couldn't take it back; even if he wanted to.
I stood up from the couch so we were face to face again. "At least I know the difference between good and evil. Millions of wizards will be killed."
"What about us?" he screamed and I flinched at the volume of his voice. I knew right then that the 'us' he was referring was not him and I, but werewolves as a whole. "What about our kind?" he continued. "What happens when they kill us? When they kill me?"
"If you come quietly…"
He scoffed. "They'll just lock me up in a cage until they figure out what to do with me. Is that your perfect solution?"
"I don't have a perfect solution but I know that joining them is wrong," I said, clinging to his arms. I was desperately holding onto the Mason I knew before he disappeared forever. But I was losing.
"Well maybe you're wrong," he said in a deadly voice, shaking his arms free from my grip.
Tears formed in my eyes. "What's happening to you? You're…changing."
"Maybe this is who I am," he said, boring directly into my eyes. "Maybe the happy-go-lucky Mason was just a façade. It's time we face reality. I'm a werewolf, you're a wizard. Let's not kid ourselves into pretending otherwise."
A lone tear ran down my cheek and Mason reached out to grab it with his fingertip. I didn't move until he'd removed his hand from my skin.
"Is that how it's going to be?" I asked him sadly.
"That's how it has to be."
"Well then, I don't like the werewolf you. He's not the guy I want for my boyfriend."
"What…what are you saying?" he asked shakily. His hands were trembling slightly, from rage or fear, I really didn't know. But I wasn't sure I wanted to find out.
"I don't want to be around you when you act like this. I want the sweet and caring Mason I fell in love with."
Mason shook his head slowly. "What if he's gone? What if he's not coming back?"
The air fell deadly silent. I didn't want to say anything yet, afraid that once I did, this whole situation would feel much more real.
"Then I'm not sure I want to be with you anymore."
His dark eyes were aflame, dancing with a burning anger. "Are you…are you breaking up with me?"
"I don't know," I admitted. "Ask me when this is all over."
I turned my back away from him so he wouldn't see the outbreak of tears. I took a few steps and before I could even begin to comprehend what had happened, I was slammed into the wall; like a rag doll.
I was pinned, staring down at Mason who had his hands around my throat. It was a sight of him I'd never seen before; a face of pure fury
"Mason," I gasped. "Please stop."
He looked away from me and looked into the window where moonlight had seeped in. He went glassy eyed and I knew what was happening.
He howled loudly as hair sprouted from his skin and his features become disfigured. His hands grew larger, stronger and consequently, his grip tightened. My vision swam as spots appeared in my eyes.
Seconds later, I was on the floor, staring dazed up at Justin. "Are you okay Alex?" he asked urgently.
"Fine," I croaked, choking out spluttering coughs.
Mason had been flung over the side of the room, care of a handy spell Justin had used. He stared horrified at his hands, as if he couldn't believe what he'd just done; as if he hadn't realised just what he was capable of until now.
"I'm sorry Alex. I'm so sorry," he whispered, his jaw clenched tight. With one last look, he ran from the room.
I tried to get up to chase after him but Justin wouldn't let me go. "Let him go," he said calmly.
"No," I said, struggling against his hold. I eventually broke free and moved as quickly as my body would let me.
I ran down the stairs and out the door, tears freely running down my face. I couldn't remember the last time I'd cried like this as I slammed her front door shut and sat down in the darkness.
"Mason?" said a voice.
I recognized it and quickly erased all evidence of my tears from my face. My brother emerged from the shadows, looking solemn. He was almost identical to me when we were in this form.
I kept my head in my hands, staring down at the ground. "What's happening to me? I used to be able to control it but now…."
"Shh," he said, clapping a hand down onto my shoulder. "She's coming. You should get out of here. You're in no condition to face her."
He helped me up and I fought the urge to throw up, instead breathing deeply in and out.
"Thanks Christian," I whispered.
He nodded. "Go."
I turned and disappeared into the darkness, hoping it would swallow me whole and for once, put me out of my misery.