“Yeah. Tell us everything,” Katryina coaxes.

“Well, when we met I was just a center on the basketball team and she was the head cheerleader. We both had busy schedules with school and stuff but she always understood. She never let it come between us. She was super sweet, hot, smart, witty, flexible and so much more. She didn’t even let clubs get in the way of our relationship. My friends kept telling me that she was with this guy at some club but I never believed them because they never had any proof. Then we moved here. I told her I would call and text her every day. I also told her I would try to visit her on the weekend. Then a few nights ago I got a picture sent to me by one of my friends and it was of her and a guy making out in a club. I confronted her about it and she said that the photo was fake. That it was photoshopped or something. That my friends hate her so they were trying to break us up. I told her that I’ll give her another chance and that I’ll be coming to visit this weekend. The next few days were fine but something was off. I called her this morning and I heard a male voice call her baby. I asked her who that was and she told me that he was just a friend. That he was messing around. I told her that I didn’t like that joke.She then responded with that she didn’t like being tied down by a selfish slut with body issues. Then she broke it off with saying that I was just a fuck any ways,” Alexzandra says as she looks down at her cocoa. A few tears falling into it.

“She is just projecting herself and her problems on you,” Marie comments while moving a strand of hair from Alexzandra’s face. Alexzandra gives a weak smile.

“She didn’t deserve you,” Katryina comments with ice cream in her mouth.

“Yeah,” Alexzandra sighs deeply with a sad tone.

“So, what’s your plan with dating,” Christina asks quietly.

“Well,for now I’m helping Marie by agreeing to go on a date with one of her contacts,” Alexzandra answers in a matter of fact tone.

“Oh? How did that happen,” Victor asks curiously.

“I volunteered,” Alexzandra answers as she looks up at him.

“Alex about that date, please be careful. I’m not saying don’t go. I’m just saying please call if anything happens,” Marie says with a worried look.

“I will. I promise,” Alexzandra replies with a soft smile.

“Good. Now it's getting late and I need to clean up," Marie comments while standing up. Her siblings nod while yawning as they head to their room. Victor and Kyle stay sitting at the table.

“So, the treaty,” Marie questions as she starts to clean the table off.

“We will have a treaty and I will sign it,” Victor says with a smile. Marie smiles brightly.

“I have one question before we draw up the treaty,” Marie comments while walking up to the sink.

“And that would be,”Victor questions curiously.

“Did your pack murder my grandfather,” Marie asks while having a straight face and looking Victor in the eye.

“No, I wouldn’t let my pack get close to him. Out of respect for you. A loner did come through town for a few days. We lost track of them. Next thing we know is your grandpa was killed,” Victor answers with a straight face.

“Alright. Thank you for being honest with me,” Marie comments with a small nod. Victor smiles and gives a small nod as well. They then gather at the counter. Marie opens a drawer and pulls out a piece of paper, a glass quill, and an ink well. They discuss the terms and policies. The ink looks dark as they write down all the information on to the paper but when the ink dries it looks like a rusty red. They write and rewrite the treaty several times. Marie then sees them to the door and sends them home with a couple of goodie bags. Shortly after they leave Marie is in the kitchen starting on the dishes. Then Marie hears their mother pull into the driveway. Marie tries to quietly but quickly finish the dishes. Then Marie hears their mother enter the house. Their mother stumbles in drunk. She then heads into the kitchen. She catches Marie at the sink. Marie tries to slip past their mother but gets stopped by her. Marie stops and looks at their mother.

“What are you still doing up,’ Their mother slurs out.

“”I’m just finishing up cleaning,” Marie answers quietly. Then their mother slaps her.

“You’re lying. You are doing the one thing I forbid you to do,” Their mother angrily slurs.

“No. I was just finishing up the dishes,” Marie comments quickly and quietly. Their mother slaps her again.

“We have a butler that can do that. You are just hiding the fact that you are a worthless heathen. That would kill her own family before giving up on any hunt,” Their mother angrily growls in her drunkenness. She then picks up the knife from the dish strainer.

“Mom, you’re drunk. Put down the knife,” Marie comments while putting her hands up.

“No, I have to protect my family from you,” She growls as she drunkenly slashes at Marie. She gets Marie’s arm and it’s pretty deep. Marie hisses and silently curses in pain as she dodges her mother’s next attack. Marie then runs upstairs and to the bathroom. She soon hears a soft knock on the door.

“Marie, it’s me. Joseph,” He whispers. She then quickly opens the door and pulls him in. She then shuts and locks the door quickly.

“What happened? I can smell your blood,” He whispers concerned.

“Doesn’t matter. Do you know how to do stitches,” She asks quietly and he nods with a concerned look, “Then please help me stitch my arm.”

He helps her stitch and disinfect her arm. He also helps her wrap it up to protect it. They cautiously and quietly head to their rooms. Marie goes into her room and changes into a hoodie and sweatpants. She lays down in bed and is wide awake while listening to the noises of the night. She can hear their turn on the TV in the living room. She can hear the soft pop music playing in Alex’s room. She can hear the soft music from a video game in Katryina’s room. She hears Christina softly humming in her sleep. Then she hears a soft knock on her door and it opens a crack. Derek then peeks in.

“I had a nightmare. Can I sleep with you,” Derek whispers while looking at the floor.

“Of course. Come on,” Marie says quietly. He quietly enters the room and quietly shuts the door. He then tip toes over to the bed and crawls in next to her.

“Can you sing me the lullaby please? It helps me sleep,” He whispers quietly and she smiles softly.

“Of course, hun. Now, get comfy,” She whispers softly and he snuggles in close to her, “Comfy?”

“Mmhmm” He answers with a soft smile.

“There are dragons and wolves. Demons and devils. Bats and birds. They all want to create trouble but the flowers stop them. The flowers help keep the balance. The flower watching over you is a bright blue rose. She will make sure you are safe and protected,” Marie softly sings and Derek drifts off to sleep quickly. Marie cuddles him but doesn’t sleep. Derek wakes to see Marie has slipped out of bed. He goes downstairs and sees Marie with light dark circles around her eyes, sipping coffee.

"Did you sleep last night," Derek asks concernedly and she shakes her head no.

"Mom's off today. So, why don't you, Katty, and Christia go into town," Marie comments seriously as she looks down at her coffee.

"What about you," He asks quietly while trying to hide the fear in his voice.

"I'm going to be trying to catch up on some much needed rest," Marie answers with a tired smile.

"Will you be ok," He asks quietly.

"I'll lock my door and Josiph will be going around cleaning. I'll be fine," She answers as if trying to convince herself. He nods with a frown. He then rushes upstairs to tell the others.