SCOTT'S POV
"THERE'S A FIRE IN THE LAB", one of the clan members hurriedly told me as he panic all the way through. Why is there a problem after another in one night?
Priscilla is dead. There's no easy way to tell Stanley about it, especially now that his health is very unstable. Despite our misunderstandings, disagreements and arguments, the Devlins are still my family. I care about every bit of information and emotion Stanley's sensitive heart can handle.
Damon is missing. I'm very certain he slipped something in the drinks he gave me the past few weeks. I'm impressed how he was able to supress just the lycan in me, and not including the Alpha in my blood. Thus, I doubt that he's capable of making such incredible thing. I know that boy. His empty skull couldn't make something great.
Now… there's fire. There's a reason for every ordeal. As the fire grew, all eyes were set on the Devlins parcel of land where the lab is. Assuming that the sudden fire might be a diversion, I chose to stay at the mansion. It's not because Diana is here, but.. that place is packed with so many wolves already. My presence is unquestionably no longer needed there anymore.
"Go tell Sebastian, let him take care of it", for sure Sebastian can manage it like how he pulled Diana out of the water. Though I applaud him for outsmarting everyone else. He should take Roman with him. That bastard. I should've have beaten that stupidass to pulp, until he cannot walk. The way he blew air through Diana's mouth is now stuck in my head. Seeing Roman still hanging around made my angst grow even more.
Now that Diana has been found, I wanted to confront her before she slip from my fingers again without answering any of the questions circling in my mind. For several sleepless nights and very early mornings, the answers I seek has been troubling me keeping me wide awake. Not even the loud party music, good company with friends and bottles of whiskey could make me forget. Why did she never asked for my help? Why did she never told me the truth? Why did she chose to leave me?
Diana.
The only person who can mend my aching heart and extinguish the burning rage in me.
I left the entire world behind the closed doors of the mansion as I entered the dark hallways. Dissing Lily who have played her role so well, I kicked her out for I no longer need any of her involvement. On my way to the stairs, I heard strange noises from the kitchen. I took a quick peek for whatever's causing such bluster at this time of the night.
"Peanut butter and jelly at this time? Really, Ofir?!", I folded my arms and leaned by the door as I smirked at the hungry little chef.
"Ah!!", he flinched so hard that the slices of bread flew in the air. "You gave me a fright! I could almost have a heart attack! Sheesh", Ofir started making a couple of sandwiches again.
"Aren't you making too many?", I walked towards the long island table he's working on as there were already a pile of sandwiches. It was a total mess for just a simple snack. Ever since I introduced spreads and bread to this eating machine, he have always explored what's best for his tastebuds.
So far, peanut butter and jelly is his favorite.
"It's for my favorite boys", he even put his blue tongue out as he happily put jam on the bread.
"Boys?", I knitted my brows to which boys he's referring to. The pack are carnivorous, if there's steak in between the slices of bread.. they'd eat it. "Which boys?", I asked.
"Yeeeeee-uuup, the boys upstairs", he said as he carefully fix his awful looking sandwich masterpiece arranged in a tower. "Do you need me?", he paused for a bit looking at me and licking the jam off his fingers at the same time.
"Have you.. seen her?", I asked as I clear my throat.
"Who's.. HER?", he widened his eyes looking dumb as if he doesn't know who I was referring to.
I looked around before I swallowed I lump. "You know.. HER.", I whispered as I galee at him.
"Lily?", he lifted his brows at me then smiled. He must be enjoying this.
"Fu..", I bit my lower and clicked my tongue in irritation. "HER. Who else?", I enunciated as I scowl at the tiny elf who's starting to get on my nerves.
"Oh….", he made a long O sound like he just figured who I was looking for. "She's in Sebastian's room.", he quickly answered.
"In Seb's room?! Why is she in there?? We have so many guest rooms here, WHY THERE?", I furiously asked.
"I don't know", he shrugged his shoulders with a teasing smile. "Are you goin' there?", he asked as he place his elbows on the table.
"No! Why would I?", I replied.
"Too bad… I'll need someone's help to bring these yummy sandwiches to the Luna.. let me see.. I bet Roman would love to help", he said as he held the tray full of sandwiches.
"Give it to me! You're one irritating elf", I gritted my teeth as I take the tray.
"LY-THA-RI!", his eyes glimmered in delight as he correct me.
I picked up the heavy tray of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and realized something. "Wait a sec. You said these are for the boys.. then why am I giving them to Diana? Is someone up there with her?", I'm sure I left Roman and Gunner outside.
"Just tell the Luna the sandwiches are for the boys. She knows what to do", Ofir said as he hop down the table.
With a sharp exhale, I left the grinning elf in the kitchen as I went straight up to Sebastian's room. It's the largest room in the east side of the mansion on the second floor. The hallways are like a maze, anyone who's new around here will surely get lost and end up running in circles. I didn't bothered to open the lights. When I took a turn at the end of the hallway, I saw a woman tightly dressed in blue who seemed lost, trying to find her way out.
"Are you leaving without saying goodbye again?", I said as she startled at the sound of my voice. I placed the tray of sandwiches on the console table on the side.
Diana looked my way with her hands straightened out. She tried to reach for the wall slowly and said, "I left a note this time". She must've recognized my voice.
"Sebastian gets a note?", I knitted my brows at her generosity for my brother. "How come he gets a note when I got nothing, even a sweet kiss goodbye?", I asked as I reach for her hand in the dark.
She flinched at the warmth of my touch. "I guess.. I'm not too good at saying goodbyes.. can you please open the lights?", she asked.
I held the palm of her hand, as I guided her waist. Pushing her to the light switches in slow short steps, I held her finger up to open the warm lights of the wall lamps. She then moved away from my grasp as she hug herself. "Thank you", she politely said with slight indifference.
"Ofir wanted me to give you these. He said it's for the boys", I pointed the tray of sandwiches I left on the console table. "Who are those boys?", I asked as I look around. She seems alone, though.
She smiled and took the heavy tray of sandwiches. "Is that all?", she asked. I didn't replied. She then went back to Sebastian's room.
I followed like a dog on a leash.
Inside Seb's room, Diana placed the tray of sandwiches on the nearest table and held the door half open before I could enter. "I heard you're getting married.", she suddenly said.
"Let's not talk about her", I replied as I force myself in.
She firmly held the door not letting me in. "Your fiancé is quite feisty, and wouldn't want you to come near me. So I suggest, you back off. If there's anything else you want to say.. we can talk tomorrow when Sebastian's back", she strongfully insisted.
I heard her gasped when I squeezed myself in. "What if I say no?", I asked as I sit in one of the dainty couches in Sebastian's room.
Diana turned around and leaned against the wall with her eyes getting weary. She wet her lips as she breathe through her mouth. "What else do you want, Scott?", she asked.
SCOTT'S POV
"What else do you want, Scott?", she asked with a frown on her face.
I took a deep breath, crossed my legs and stared at her for a while. "What do I want?", I scoffed at her simple question where she should have known the answer. I rested my head back and closed my eyes. There's so many things that I wanted do and say right now, that I didn't know which one to start with. I looked back at her who's already munching on the sandwiches I thought Ofir made for some boys.
"I don't think you're supposed to be here", Diana said as she eats slowly. The way she gobble on a simple snack made the sandwich look so appetizing. However, her eyes mirrored the melancholy she's keeping in.
"I am where I'm supposed to be", I stared at her as I hardened my jaw. She sat on the chair across where I'm seated. I watched her until she finishes eating.
She drank a glass of water until it's half empty. Then she wiped her lips with a clean napkin. "I have nothing to with you anymore, Scott. You're getting married.. I don't want to be a spare woman who'd just warm your bed when you want to", she said without looking in my eyes.
Lily? Please.
Lily had one role. I needed her for me to build a make-believe affair that I have chosen a new Luna. It would be then I can prove to everyone that I have lost interest in Diana. Anyone that have turned against her would be more vivid, appearing one by one right before my eyes. The nagua kept coming at my doorstep, and everytime she does, I knew Diana isn't in her hands yet. Stanley openly shared his plans in capturing Diana, and the outrageous things he'll do to her.
Sebastian's men reported to me religiously, like how they spotted Diana in a small town with an emergency call she made to Dr. Blackwell. I've always got my eyes around, waiting discretely until Diana appears on my radar. I had to keep the pack in the dark to make the act convincing, except for Cory and Lucas who didn't believed my lies. They found out later that Lily is nothing but a part of the plan.
"Don't you think you owe me something?", I asked as I stared at her. She met my gaze looking clueless about what I seek. "That night… I thought we're in this together. I was all for you but.. you didn't fit me in your plans.", I tried to hide the sadness in every word. Perhaps, my actions spoke louder as she watch my gestures carefully.
"It was a journey worth doing alone", she replied as she looked down. "Besides, you've been busy on your own too.." she added.
"So what are we now?", I knitted my brows as I couldn't hide my irritation. Is she breaking up with me? She can't.
Diana remained silent. She sat unmoved, and stared at me with those blue eyes.
"I asked a question. What are we now?", I repeated.
She stood up and pat the crumbs of bread off her dress. "You should go. I'll wait for Sebastian before I leave by daylight", she said as she walk past me.
I stood and caught her up with her arm. "Answer me, Diana", I said.
"Scott.. you're hurting me", she winced as she try to writhe away from my grasp.
"Hurting you? And what do you think have you been doing to me? You left me, Diana! Without a damn word.", I didn't know I'm squeezing her too tight as I let her go. "And I want to know why!", I added.
"Are you angry for something that I did for you?", she gritted her teeth as she faced me.
"Angry?", I sarcastically laughed. "The hell I am Diana! You got me cursing at all things! You left without a fucking word! And nothing can take that damn pain away", I bursted with all the throbbing feelings and bitterness I kept in my heart ever since the day she left. "Couldn't you trust me? Was it so hard to make me part of your world? Did you ever love me?", I continously asked as her eyes started to swell. "Tell me because I'm going crazy!", I didn't know that you could love a person so much that it hurts.
In the deepest calmest hours of the night, when I have nothing but my own company, unanswered questions swarm my head, and only her image fills me with bliss. Every tick of the clock comes with a hope that I'd see Diana once more and often, I think of ways to make sure that with whatever reason, she won't ever have to walk away from me ever again. Enduring my heartaches, I never stopped looking for her even until I started to lose my patience. And after all the absences due to the great distance and the unbearable torture of waiting, I have learned to love Diana even more.
"I got scared!!", Diana shouted at me as she breathe heavily. "I got scared..", she said softly.
"Scared of what?", she looked away as I held her hand. "Scared of what Diana? I was whole-heartedly ready to be there for you. So what are you afraid of??", I asked persistently.
Her hands trembled as she pulled away, then she removed a few strands of hair on her cheeks.
"I got scared of losing you.." she said. "I wanted to be worth it being called your Luna so I took risks. I left on my own thinking my dad would still be alive, and would at least help me find a way to end the Lockwoods curse.. And perhaps, my death wouldn't be the only thing that could give you your Alpha life.. I couldn't tell you that because I know, you wouldn't want such unfair trade.", she said as she took a deep breath. "But just to let you know, if that's how it is, I'm still willing to give my own life for you, even if you've chosen a different woman", Diana said.
I knelt down on one knee in front of her as I massage her trembling bare legs. "I knew that you're Daniel's daughter. And I have accepted it unhesitatingly long before. The past doesn't bother me anymore. You are what's more important to me. ", Diana looked confused with what I just said. "I'm willing to take an extra mile to find ways how to remove the lycan in me. You won't have to sacrifice yours.", I grazed her hands resting on her lap. The coolness of her skin warmed my heart, and her scent is more alluring than ever.
"You knew about my dad?", she said with her tantalizing eyes. "And what about your fiancé?", she asked.
"Yes I do", I smiled a little. "Lily is just part of a plan… You know what I've always felt about you. But if you're using her to have a reason to leave me.. at least tell me the ways how to unlove you. Because, I don't know how to go back to being strangers again, or even move on with my life without you".
SCOTT'S POV
Diana looked pretty shook, like she couldn't catch a phrase to answer me. She started to fidget slowly with her thumbs by circling each other as her face cloud up. I held her hands and tried to soothe her. "Diana, Please try to be at least honest with me. I don't read between the lines, and I can't guess how you feel all the time. Just say the words, I will try to understand", I tried to cover my worries, deeply hoping she still looks at me the way she does before.
She looked at me with fretful eyes. I held her cheek as she tilted her face feeling the warmth of my palm. Is it the light or she's pale? "Everything has been happening so fast, Scott. Kate got hurt because of me.. I even killed a man.. I met my dad, but lost him saving me..", Her tears started pooling in her eyes. "People are always getting hurt because of me and..it's lame I couldn't do anything to at least give a good fight and protect them", she bit her lower lip and looked down. "Then, here's your fucked up fiancé trying to threaten me.", she said with a deep sigh as she look up trying to hold back her tears. "I'm just tired of being the damsel, and dealing with your jealous girl friend".
I laughed at how she used words of profanity, something she never does and doesn't fit her personality. "Did you just cursed?", I asked.
"I guess I did. Heh..", she smiled. Diana held my cheek with one hand as she inch her face on mine. "I left because I wanted to be someone who could save you. I cannot shapeshift.. And I don't have any superpowers like a Luna should have, but somehow the insecurities that I never knew I had, grew.. that I feel little of myself.", she said with her sad eyes looking straight at me.
"You mean the most to me, Scott.. our whirlwind romance and everything in between won't ever put a toll on me", she said it with her endearing expression that wiped all the acrimony that flourished in my head
"Okay", I whispered as I sat comfortably on the floor and rested my head on her lap. All of a sudden, my troubled heart found peace again. It was a definite answer, a confession of love even without the three magical words that I looked forward to hear. I never thought that I could feel loved even without a kiss from her tender lips, and feeling the warmth of her soft embrace. Now I understand Diana's ways of love.
"Diana, you're a doctor. You've been saving lives countless of times. Even if you can't shapeshift and have superpowers, you can do a lot of things we can't.", I said as I raise my face looking at her. "I have no exgirlfriends, and I never replaced you. Can I ask a favor?", I asked.
"Of course..", she answered.
"Promise me you'll tell me every step you'll make.. that I'll be the first to know your plans, your fears, and everything you need to do..", I tucked her hair behind her ear as I caress her neck.
"I will do the best I can", she smiled then held my face gently before she kissed my lips. It was short and quick. She moved away and let out a soft sigh."You better kick that side chick of yours first, before I cut her abdomen open and slice her intestines", she said as she pull my ear.
"Yes, Doctor", I embraced Diana as I breathe in her scent. Hearing the strange sound of her double heartbeat, Diana must have lost a lot of blood when she was held captive. I looked at her and noticed the evident pallor of her cold skin. "Diana, about Damon. Was he really the one who took you and collected your blood?", I asked.
Before Diana could answer, the lights suddenly went out. I stood up and checked for the switches. There's no electricity in the mansion. Sensing something cold and lethal I looked back at Diana who's looking out the window. She stood up and draw near the curtainless fenestra.
"I think I saw something crawl up there", Diana whispered as she go closer the window.
"Diana, stay away from there", I hurriedly pulled her back feeling her hair raising, and hearing her heart pounding so loud. She held on to me as we both look at the window. "We should go.", I whispered as I held her hand leading the way to the door.
On our way out, I just remembered something. "Wait.. how about the boys?", I asked.
"What boys?", Diana furrowed her eyes in confusion.
I glanced at the tower of sandwiches by the door. "The peanut butter and jelly boys?", I said.
"Oh, right. They'll be fine", she assured as she cling to my arm. I scratched my head wondering who those boys could be.
As soon as we stepped out of the door, we walked swiftly and stealthily on the carpeted oak floor. Keeping my senses up, I made sure I'm not walking on ice, especially now that Diana is by my side. Then, up ahead at the end of the hallway, I saw a man with long sleek hair standing with his hands together in front of him. I placed Diana behind me as two more men came out from his back. Their bloodshot eyes shimmered in the dark like prying eyes ready for a deadly attack.
"Vampires", Diana said as she squeezed my hand. Where's the elf when I needed him? We then heard a voice shouting for Diana's name not too far from where we are.
"That's Roman", Diana said. I hardened my jaw to think she could recognize Roman's voice. Well actually, it's better help than nothing at all. I looked fixedly at the vampires who stood frozen ahead, watching their next move closely. Newborns are faster than regular vampires. Also, they are very hungry for blood.
Then, in a sudden, Roman rolled in front of us as he stab a vampire on the chest. He grunted as he stood up catching his breath. "Newborns", he said as he glanced at us. "There you are!", he exclaimed as he walked towards us. Before he could reach us, he stopped and turned around and stared at the vampires watching us in silence.
Then in one swift move, the three vampires swiftly moved in different directions attacking us. I kept Diana to the side as I follow Roman towards the vampires who were too hyped for blood. Without shapeshifting, Roman and I take on the newborns. He aggressively killed one, smashing his hand with a lamp. While I managed to kill two as I tore one of the newborn vampires to pieces with my bare hands. Thanks to the moonbath earlier, our strengths our undeniably immeasurable.
After crushing the head of the long haired vampire with my foot, I rushed to Diana who was leaning against the wall. Then we ran out with Roman who's holding Diana on her other hand. "What's the situation?", I asked.
"They're all over the place", he answered. "There's this blonde bloodsucker who's ordering around", he added. We stopped in the middle of the hallway as Diana gasped in shock.
"Claudia", Diana whispered. "She's here for me", she said with her hands trembling.
"Who's Claudia? And what does she want from you?", I asked.
"I'll take you out of here, Luna. Don't be afraid", Roman said as she held Diana by the waist trying to pull her close to him.
I held her shoulder as I pull her back. "She's on her way out with me", I said.
"Stop it, you two!", Diana put her hands up as she stayed in the middle. "We'll all walk out, but first let's find Ofir, and your dad", she said.
"Forget about them Diana, your safety is more important", Roman said.
"Shhh!!", I shushed Roman as soon as I sensed something. I heard a familiar voice shouting somewhere down the mansion's ballroom. We draw nearer where we can hear the voice clearly. I peeked out on the balustrade and to my surprise, I saw the helpless woman taken as prisoner by a group of vampires led by the blonde woman that I freed from Tamara's basement. I looked closely on the hostage and my eyes grew bigger when I realized who it was..
"KATE", I whispered.