My hands remained in Mia's chest as she coughed up blood, and I looked at her with a blank stare. For years I'd been wanting to do this, but never had the motivation to go against the entire kingdom and her father's army. Now I did. Pictures of the brutal way in which she drained Queen of life were running through my mind, making my chest ache and tempting me into the usual numbness I felt inside before her.

"Syn, don't do this." My mother said in a shaky voice from beside me as she looked between Mia and me. "I want her gone too, I do. But we can't do it like this. Vitus will destroy us, Syn."

"I don't give a shit about Vitus," I growled, squeezing the weak excuse of a heart Mia carried in her chest. My eyes met hers, and an insurmountable amount of anger flashed through my body. I froze at the familiar feeling of warmth traveling through my body, wrapping itself around my bones like a snake. I groaned at a sharp pain in my rib cage, and hunched over, holding a hand over my chest.

"Syn?" My mother asked, taking a careful step toward me. "What's going on?" In the distance, we heard a howling of wolves in the distance and my mother froze, her eyes widening as she looked at me. "Syn, are you?"

"Run," I groaned, my head snapping up at her. My shoulder blades cracked, making me scream out in pain and stumble backward until I fell onto the dining room table. Glasses went shattering to the floor from the table, and I groaned in pain as my bones continued twisting.

"Syn, will you be-"

"Evacuate the palace," I growled in an unrecognizable voice. When she made no move to do so, I yelled at her, "Now!" She sprung into action, grabbing Mia from the ground and running out with her. The dining room doors slammed behind them and I could hear the screams of servants in the distance trying to run out of the palace.

I took heavy breaths, the light of the full moon in the distance making an animalistic growl rumble from deep inside of me. My vision darkened and my mind began drowning in a sea of red until another side of me began to take over. I heard the deep thundering of his laugh inside of my head, tugging away the little control of myself I had.

Let go, Syn, he growled lowly. It's been so long since I've been able to have some fun of my own.

I was usually able to hold him back by controlling the only emotion I had. My anger. But tonight I couldn't do it, and I couldn't be held responsible for whatever he decided to do.

I tried fighting against it, his painful contorting of my bones making my head throb, and I coughed up blood. My thoughts traveled to Queen and the fact that she was no longer here, and I closed my eyes. Wanting to feel the nothingness I knew I was capable of feeling, I let go, giving away the last bit of control I had to the roaring beast inside me.

My head ached as I slowly sat up in Syn's bed alone and disoriented. My vision was blurred and the floor was spinning around, making my head spin and my stomach churn. I closed my eyes, taking deep breaths, and as soon as I opened them, memories poured into my mind. I remembered Mia attacking me in the hall, my body falling to the floor, and Syn running towards me and trying to help me. What happened? I recalled the sound of my heartbeat thundering in my ears, yet I also could play out the sound of it slowly getting quieter and quieter until it reached a harsh stop, sucking the air out of my lungs.

I died...

I distinctly remembered the feeling of being wrapped up in nothing but darkness, but now I was here. And I had no idea why. "Syn?" I called out, figuring that since I was in his bed, he would've known the answers I was searching for. I felt a crumpling of paper in my left palm, making me look down and frown at the yellow piece of paper.

A frown made its way into my face as I unfolded it and read the familiar lettering on it:

You're welcome, little one. Be careful next time. :)

A shiver ran down my spine at the vague message and I dropped it. What else could they have been talking about besides my being here? I wondered if they somehow brought me back from whatever state of being I was in. That thought seemed to scare me more than Mia did in those moments because now I'd have to wonder...why? Did I owe this creep something now?

"Syn!" I called once again but was answered with nothing again. I stood up from the bed, a sharp pain shooting in my leg as if I hadn't walked in years and I winced. When it alleviated, I did the same with the other leg and the same pain flowed through it. In fact, all the muscles in my body seemed to ache with a foreign pain that wasn't there before.

I walked towards the door and opened it, slowly walking out and frowning at the flickering lights in the halls. I walked to Xavier's room and knocked, hoping that he'd be there but when no one answered, my worry intensified.

I continued walking down the halls, taking note of the empty posts where the guards usually stood by, and made my way downstairs. I passed the kitchen where the bustling of servants was loud and prominent throughout all hours of the day and found it empty. A pan sizzling with vegetables sat on the stove, smoke coming from it and I walked towards it and turned it off.

"Where the hell is everyone?" I whispered, wrapping my arms around myself. A vibration on the counter beside me made me walk towards a small phone and I picked it up to see Queen Genesis flashing across it. I answered the phone, temporary relief flooding through me, but it went as soon as it came when I heard her crying on the other line.

"Matilda! Are you out?!"

"Gen, it's me," I replied.

Her crying momentarily stopped as a gasp came from her and I looked around once again. "Queen?"

"Yes. Where is everyone?"

"How are you a-" she paused. "Never mind that. You need to get out of the palace right now!"

"What's going on?"

"I'll explain once you're out. Please be careful." The phone hung up, and I frowned, deeply perplexed by everything going on. I put the phone into the pocket of my jeans and walked back into the hallway to head to the entrance.

My steps came to a slow as I reached the shut dining room door. The handles were held together with a wooden broom, and a loud banging would push it open before it shut once again. I could hear the beastly growl of whatever was attempting to get out of the room and my eyes widened.

I let out a small scream when the door was pushed open once again and I caught the face of a large wolf with blazing green eyes looking straight at me before the doors shut again. With the condition the broom was in now, the door would burst open with a couple more pushes. I was reminded just how little time I truly had when I heard the wooden broom splinter, and I sprinted towards the doors of the palace.

When I reached it, I moved to open it but the sounds of chains from the other side kept it tightly shut. "Fuck!" I cussed, glancing behind me to see the failed attempts of the wolf trying to break through the door.

Where is Syn when I need him?

From this point in the palace, there were no halls or stairwells on my left or right. The only way to hopefully find a place to hide was to run past the dining room hall...which could probably end up in death. Seeing as I had no other choice, I calmed my trembling body and ran towards the hall.

I immediately stopped when the door to the dining room flew off its hinges in front of me, and I panicked. I took slow steps backward, careful not to make too much noise, and I leaned against the walls to blend into the shadows.

My eyes widened in shock and I held back a scream as the animal slowly walked out of the door. Its fur was black as night and on its four legs, I had to stare up at it. Calling it a wolf seemed too kind. Trembling, I held a hand over my mouth to stop myself from making any noise, and I took silent breaths.

The beast's eyes scanned both sides of the halls before walking towards the hall that I wasn't in and I closed my eyes, letting myself relax. At least now I'd get more time to find a way to get out of-

The phone began ringing in my pocket and my eyes snapped open, a small sob escaping my mouth. I quickly ended the call from Gen with the press of a button through my pants, but the damage had already been done. I heard the booming footsteps of the monster getting closer to me and I sprung out from my spot and dashed down the hall.

My calfs burned with each leap I took down the hall, and my body pained as my adrenaline forced me to new lengths I had never been. I could hear the claws scratching against the floor behind me as the animal followed me and tears blurred my vision as they streamed down my face.

"Ahhh!" I screamed out, feeling a deep scratch along my back knocking me to the hard floor. I quickly sat up and was face to face with the creature as I backed away slowly. "Please d-"

A growl from the animal made me shut my lips into a thin line and I held back the cries of terror within me. I looked down at the floor to see the palms of the animal trekking blood and let out a muffled sob. Any moment now, that would be my blood that stained its dark claws.

I winced as the pain in my back amplified from my movements, and I stayed still, not wanting to bring myself more pain in my final moments. I stared up at the furry creature, no longer running away, and fear radiated throughout my entire body.

A constant low growl emanated from it as it walked toward me like I was its prey. Its large face moved closer to mine and made me lean backward to get away. When it opened its large mouth and bared its fangs, I panicked and lost my hold, falling onto my back on the floor.

I screamed out in pain as the cuts on my back hit the floor and I let out the sobs I was holding in. I was going to die anyway. What need was there to be brave anymore?

I turned on my stomach to relieve the pain in my back and laid my head in my arms as I cried. I was determined to let everything go in my last few moments. Any lingering resentments I had, my dislike of anybody, the hate I had towards people I used to know...it was all shed through my tears. The only thing left in me that was worth crying for was the regret I had with Syn. I wished I had let myself be with him the way I truly wanted.

I heard a sniffing above me and my body tensed, thankful that I couldn't see the beast anymore. I felt its hot breath along my back and I cried softly, preparing to be made into some meal. I felt its tongue move along my wounded skin and I winced sharply in pain, holding back a gag. I knew animals licked their food before eating it, but this seemed mean.

"Just kill me." I sobbed into my arms. Instead of listening to my words, it continued and I held my breath. After a few minutes, the pain in my back seemed to be disappearing and I frowned. I moved my hand to my back, slick with dog saliva and I cringed in disgust before gasping loudly.

The deep scars on my back from its claws were gone. I could still feel the stinging from them like they were some phantom injury, yet the wounds themselves had miraculously disappeared.

I sat up slowly, keenly aware of the large wolf beside me and I turned towards it. Its glowing green eyes stared into mine and I furrowed my brows at the familiarity. I jumped at the sound of the phone ringing in my pocket, and I reached for it as I kept my eyes on the animal.

It watched my every move silently and I swallowed a nervous breath before answering the call and holding it to my ear. "H-hello?"

"Queen, where are you? Are you hurt?" Gen asked.

"I-...no I'm okay. I think," I whispered. "Why is there a-a wolf in the palace?"

"It's Syn," she cried softly, making my eyes widen. "It's a full moon and usually he's susceptible to changing, but he's able to control it. I thought going out with Xavier would keep this from happening but...tonight he just lost it." I didn't think I could be more shocked tonight, but now I was being told this. "If you see him run, Queen. He's not himself and he can seriously hurt or even kill you."

"Okay," I whispered, staring in shock at 'Syn'. "The front door was locked."

"There is an escape hatch in the far left window in the dining room. I'm sure he's out by now, but if you make it there, he's too big to follow you out."

"Uhh okay...I-umm...I'll try to avoid him. Bye." I hung up the phone, placing it into my pocket before glancing at him. "Would you happen to be a friendly-"

He snarled at me, baring his teeth and I jumped. Not friendly. He had this entire time to hurt me, yet he hadn't. Either he was giving me the biggest mind fuck of all time, or that's not what he wanted to do. I stood up on shaky legs, careful not to make any quick movements, and walked back down the hall.

Every step I took backward is one that he followed, and I counted on the escape not being big enough for him to be my saving grace. Through all the twists and turns in the palace, I made it back to the dining room and he trailed close behind me. I walked inside, finally turning my back to Syn so I could be careful not to step on any glass with my bare feet.

Once I made it to the window, I pushed the heavy red curtain to see the latch that Genesis was talking about and I let out a breath of relief. She was right about Syn not going able to get through here, I'd have to crawl to get through it myself.

I quickly clicked the latch, letting a breath of relief out when it gave away. I bent down to go through it, but a loud crashing from behind me made me turn around. I heard a bellow from the wolf as he fell to the floor and I moved away from the exit to assess the situation.

The wolf's head lay on the floor, his legs outstretched in front of him except for one. That one remained bent as he panted, small occasional whimpers coming from him. I needed to leave as Gen had advised me, but I couldn't just leave him here if something was wrong.

I walked back to his side, careful not to get too close as I gauged his reaction to my proximity. When he made no moves to hurt me, I reached out for the paw he held up, and took out the phone, directing the flashlight towards it.

I grimaced as I saw a large shiny shard of glass planted into his paw and I reached to pull it out, making him howl loudly. The piece of glass didn't budge, making my heartache as I realized that attempts to take it out would just hurt him more. "I'm sorry," I whispered. He responded with a whimper as if knowing what I was saying, and pulled his paw away from me.

His head pointed towards the window and I looked at him in confusion. When he did it again, I realized he was trying to tell me to leave and I shook my head, making him drop his own and lay it back on the floor. I looked around the dining room and sat down on the floor, wrapping my arms around my legs as the cold air in the room seemed to drop a few degrees.

I closed my eyes, shivering slightly and when I heard another loud crash, my eyes snapped open to the source of the commotion. I looked up to see the wolf growling as it tugged the table cloth off of the table with his teeth, not flinching as the glasses fell off. When he managed to pull it off, he dropped it in front of me and pushed it forward with his snout.

When I picked it up, he limped back to his spot a few feet away from me and laid down. I smiled at the kind gesture before wrapping the cloth around my shoulders and laying my head against my knees. I thought about the tiny bit I knew about werewolves and wondered when Syn would be back to normal. In all the movies I'd seen, it was when the full moon had disappeared, but I wasn't sure if that was a myth or not.

If it was true, Syn would probably wake up here on the floor naked and disoriented. And that was the last thing I wanted for him. For all the amazing things he'd done for me, I wanted to be here for him.

I crawled to his side, still mildly afraid of what would happen, and I put the large fabric over him. His eyes fluttered open, making me tense and move away slightly. Relax, I told myself. "Don't bite me, okay?" Instead of growling like he usually did when I spoke, his eyes closed once again.

I scooted closer to him under the blanket, leaving a bit of space between us before laying down on the floor and closing my eyes. It'd be hard to go to sleep with the lingering threat of him possibly killing me in my sleep, but I relaxed. We laid there in silence for what felt like hours and I began drifting off to sleep to the loud sounds of his breathing.

The last thing I felt before completely giving in to my slumber was his heavy head resting on my shoulder, and sniffing my face.