CHAPTER THREE: THE HALE FAMILY DRAMA.

      When Rayna saw Malia Hale, she knew that she shouldn't have come. She had said no when Peter told her to come, but the man knew her well enough to convince her. The brunette gave up after putting up a fight.

      Peter and Rayna sat down one next to the other. Malia was tense because of the presence of the brunette, but she didn't say anything about it. Taking this into account, Rayna stayed away from her.

      "I'm almost getting tired of turning you down. . . almost. Sincerely, I don't have any idea of where do you take your stubbornness."

      Rayna smiled at Peter's words. Her friend had a soft spot for his daughter, even though he said he didn't. "She got it from you."

      "I got it from you," Malia replied at the same time as Rayna did. Both girls looked at each other for a moment, surprised.

      "Aw, look at you. You could be besties!" Peter laughed. "And of course not. What do you want?"

      "I want to give you all the facts," Malia announced, clearing her throat. "I want to give them to both of you. Something more is happening here. Something that not even you can outrun, Peter."

      Rayna stared at Malia. She knew that the girl was trying to convince her father of helping them, but she also believed her. She didn't think she would lie with this. She didn't think she was a good liar either. But the fear in her eyes confirmed the truth of her words, and Rayna felt like she was staring at a mirror.

      "There's nothing I can't outrun. Outrunning runs in the family." Peter laughed and Rayna looked at him.

      "You felt it, didn't you?"

      Peter looked at Rayna. He felt the instant she froze and looked between her daughter and her friend before talking to the brunette. "What did you feel Rayna? You need to tell me what you're talking about."

      "I felt that something is about to happen to this city, or it's already happening," Rayna explained, her hair going up while she spoke. "My instincts have never reacted like this. I know that's not the most reliable source, but they've never been wrong. And it's going to be chaos according to them."

      "I cannot explain it either. But I can show you." Malia said before clawing her claws on his father's neck. Rayna got up, knowing how dangerous that was while she stared at them. She focussed on Malia because she was running even more risks.

      Peter tensed. His face went pale and showed his face full of horror before getting away from his daughter, standing up next to Rayna while he breathed heavily.

      Malia got up and approached them, still keeping her distance. "What happened?"

      "What was that?" Peter looked at her daughter.

      "That's the Anuk–ite."

      Rayna felt like something hit her on her stomach and left her without air. She hugged herself while her eyes shined in a red shade with gold specks. The creature's legend was re-told in her mind, thinking of all the packs that the Anuk–ite had killed.

      "Ray?" Peter called her, taking the girl by her shoulders even though his hands were still shaking. The girl got up again, looking at the Hales before saying what her visions told her.

      "The Anuk–ite, double-faced, creates the worst nightmare you could ever feel. It's an old shapeshifter. He tortures you with your worst nightmares and he feeds off of your fear, that's how he becomes stronger. Until he kills his victims. He uses the paranoia that evolves into rage and violence."

      Malia nodded, her face frowned because the girl already knew the myth. "It's affecting the hunters. And it will make them go after everyone, even after you."

      "And the incorruptible Scott still believes he can keep his hands clean. That's why you wanted to see me, right?" Peter shouted.

      "What are you talking about?"

      "Lying to someone who was in your head? I wouldn't recommend that. You know your only opportunity to win is to surround your delicate Scott with murderers. Murderers like me, like Rayna. Like you."

      "Technically, I am not a murderer." Rayna clarified, remembering all her enemies were dead thanks to the wolfs that followed her.

      "Will you fight with us or not?"

      "You can't fight that thing." Peter turned, wanting to leave. Rayna followed him slowly, trying to come up with a way of convincing him.

      "That's right. Go back running to your cars and the things that you care about more than anything else." Malia barked and Peter turned again. He took her hand and put the keys of one of his cars in between her fingers.

      "One of the cars is for you," he announced before walking into Rayna's side.

      "Peter?" Malia called. "I don't want your stupid car." She threw the keys back. Peter took them mid-air without saying anything before getting into his car. Rayna stared at Malia for a moment before following his friend. The tension between them was too much.