Belinda's eyelids fluttered open to find herself in her old bedroom. She had no trace of burns on her legs when she looked. She would have thought everything had been a dream if it weren't for the bangle on her wrist and the necklace around her neck.

As she sat up, every bone in her body ached. Skylar entered the bedroom, happiness flashing across her face. "You gave us quite a scare."

"Where are the others?"

"I don't know. Your mother said that Fane didn't say a word when he appeared at her doorstep with you unconscious in his arms. We were waiting for you to wake up."

"The beasts attacked the cabin... I don't understand how they found it."

"Maybe someone close to him betrayed him."

"They attacked after y'all came."

"Are you saying it was because of—"

"I'm saying that they're going to believe you led the enemy into the cabin." She raked her hands through her hair, pausing at the soothing tingle that sprouted on her neck. She clasped a hand over the spot, attempting not to allow it to get to her head. "Where are my parents?"

Skylar didn't answer.

"Where are they?" she asked, heaving out of bed.

"You've been unconscious for hours... Your father headed out to speak with the victim. I don't know exactly what happened, but the woman is now dead. They say the cameras in the hospital show your father shot her in the head in cold blood."

Belinda plopped back on the bed, her world threatening to come crashing down. "That... That can't be real. My father would never—"

"They have him on camera."

She lurched to her feet and dashed toward the door, but Ezra barred her path and restrained her. She banged her fists against his chest, demanding he release her. He ignored her, holding her tighter. "I'm so sorry."

"He can't be guilty—there has to..." She could no longer hold back her sobs, and she shattered in his arms.

——————

Ezra and Skylar accompanied her to the station. The moment they entered, all eyes homed in on them, but she didn't care and ignored everyone. Her mother exited the chief's office and embraced her. "You should still be resting."

"I'm fine. Where is Dad?"

Police Chief Corina exited her office and greeted everyone. "Let's speak in my office."

"You know my father would never do such a thing," Belinda said.

"Come with me. Please." She glanced at Ezra and Skylar. "You two head home." A nice way of letting them know the conversation she wanted to have with Belinda and her mother was only for their ears.

With palpable reluctance, Belinda and her mother followed Corrina into her office. After the door closed, a police officer pushed a button next to it. A subtle red hue tinted the room's walls for a moment.

"What was that?" asked Belinda.

"It prevents anyone outside this office from prying into our conversation." Corrina opened the laptop on her desk and turned it around for them to see the video that showed her father speaking with a blond-haired woman. Belinda's eyes watered when, out of nowhere, her father pulled out his handgun and shot the woman in the head, splattering the wall behind her in beads of scarlet.

Belinda lowered her gaze, struggling to remain composed.

"My husband is innocent, and you all know it."

Belinda stared at her mother, mouth agape. "Mom, the camera footage doesn't lie." Part of her had hoped there would be a reason for her father's actions, but nothing excused this.

"It's glamour."

Corrina stood beside the door, her green eyes locking on Belinda. "Someone has betrayed us all and we need to find out who before it's too late." Before Belinda could say anything, Corina motioned them to follow her, and they did.

They headed toward the cells at the back of the station, and when Belinda spotted her father, she hurried to the cell he was in. Once the doors slid open, her mother and she embraced him.

"What exactly happened?" Belinda asked.

Corina hesitated. "The woman took the handgun from your father and took her own life. Whoever did this is powerful enough to create an illusion within the program that records the camera footage. Human eyes are easily deceived."

"Are you not humans too?"

A smile tugged at the corners of Corina's lips. "No."

Her father rested a hand on her shoulder. "It's about time you knew the truth... Mostly everyone in this station is a slayer."

Belinda stared at her mother, hoping she would explain why she had lied to Charlotte, and how she managed to when the supernaturals could listen to someone's heartbeat.

"We're human."

"Your mother and you... yes, but I'm not."

"Why didn't you tell me before all this madness—"

"When our children turn twenty, we inform them of everything, unless they are chosen," Corina said. "It was part of the peace treaty signed long ago."

Even if she hadn't inherited the supernatural abilities of her father, slayer blood still coursed through her veins. Slayers were the sworn enemy of the vampires—the protectors of the human race.

When her mother seized her forearm, Belinda allowed her to guide her out of the cells and back into Corina's office. Once seated on the chair opposite Corina, she focused her attention on the folder laid out before her.

"Fane is no longer in charge of your safety—"

"What gives you the right to make such a decision?"

"Long ago, after we defeated the lost ones, humans with enough power drew their attention to the supernaturals. It became a sport to hunt down soulmates for their blood. Some humans believed that their blood would gift them with eternal life, but it was all the contrary. Their blood is highly addictive, and once a human consumes it, they can't stop... The humans exhibited zombie-like behaviors. The vampire king grew furious and released his army upon the human race—"

"Wouldn't you agree he had all the reasons to?"

Corina shook her head. "Most of the human population didn't even know what was happening. He released his wrath upon innocent people... All slayers have an oath to the humans. When he attacked, we retaliated and struck down any vampire who dared enter human territory on sight. After years of madness, we finally came to an agreement. No human would ever consume the blood of a supernatural or stand in the way of soulmates. In return, they helped protect the towns from the lost ones."

"Why are you telling me all of this?"

"Because the agreement included that for no one to stand in their path, they vowed to always protect their beloved. Fane has failed to do so on two occasions, which now places you under my protection."

"That's ridiculous. If it weren't for him, I'd be dead."

"It's not up for discussion." Belinda rose to her feet, her eyes drifting to the police officers guarding the door. "Please, don't make this more difficult than it has to be. As slayers of this town, we must protect every human, including those chosen. You are now under the protection of the Elkerif slayers."

Belinda hesitated before settling back in her chair. After a minute of silence, she brought her hand to the desk; the bangle adorning it glinting against the light. "What is this?"

"I gifted that to your mother so that it would protect you from any sort of compulsion magic. It gives you the free will to make your own decisions without the beloved's bond affecting you."

"What else does it do? I want to know everything."

Her mother was the one to speak. "All I wanted was to protect you. I didn't want you to end like the others. It... It also prevents you from getting pregnant."

"W-What?"

"I think we should go home."

"No," she interjected her mother. "I want to know everything—I want no more secrets."

Corina slid the folder closer to her. "Do you trust Fane?"

"Yes. He isn't the one you're looking for."

"Open it and then tell me what you think."

For a moment she hesitated, wondering what the folder could contain that they believed could morph her idea of Fane. When she opened it, she attempted to look unfazed by the many names of those who had died at his hands.

"Fane isn't a good guy."

Belinda met Corina's gaze. "He never claimed to be, did he?"

"How can you know that many have died at his hands and still believe he is innocent?"

"Haven't you also killed many to protect humans? Seems hypocritical, don't you think?" Belinda closed the folder and slid it back to Corina. "It feels like whoever is behind all the murders wants both of you to turn against each other. Fane would never harm someone innocent."

"I've heard he killed his brother, Dante." Belinda stared in utter disbelief. "You didn't know? Fane murdered his twin a year before he met you."

"What are you implying?" she asked, her heart breaking.

"Mostly when twins are born, they aren't identical. Fane and Dante were destined to fight for your love. Fane facilitated things by killing Dante before he could meet you."

"That sounds ridiculous—How do you even know all of this?"

"It happened once before. Two identical twin sisters and one chosen man. It didn't end well for none of them." Corina placed a handgun on her desk. "I think everyone present would agree that you need to arm yourself.

Belinda hesitated before taking the handgun, noting the intricate engravings that seemed to flicker gold against the light emanating from the ceiling lamp.

When she rose to her feet, so did Corina. "Don't let the love you have for him blind you."

"You shouldn't automatically think he is guilty. Do you think if he was the one behind it all, he would leave bodies for you to find?"

When she attempted to leave, Corina moved faster than she had ever seen before and grabbed her forearm. "I know it's difficult to believe, but the woman had identified Fane."

Belinda became lost in her head for a moment. "What if... What if it's his twin?"

Corina released her hand. "Impossible. Dante is dead."

"It would make sense, though. If what you say is true, then he is out to take out Fane and..." Her voice drifted away, realizing that Dante wanted her alive.

"What?" Corina asked.

"When the lost ones attacked the cabin... a beast was about to hurt someone... I jumped in front of it—"

"That wasn't very smart of you."

"Maybe, but what was I supposed to do? Everything points at whoever this is wants me... I don't want anyone getting hurt because of me." Not even Quinn, despite not being someone she was fond of. "The beast would have attacked me, but I saw strings hold it back... Or maybe I'm losing my mind."

"Strings?"

"Yeah. They were almost translucent, barely noticeable."

Pin-drop silence.

"What?"

"I hope you're wrong." Corina headed toward her desk, pulled out a notebook from the drawer, and started taking notes. "Dante didn't possess the magic that you describe. It's rare—those who possess such magic would do everything to hide it."

"Why?"

"It's a death sentence. Belinda, this magic is far worse than a simple compulsion."

"How so?"

"If you have enough willpower, no supernatural can play with your mind. Our magic aids to fight off compulsion as well, but this. No magic can help once those strings take hold of you. I've only seen it once before, long ago." Tears glistened in her round eyes as they met hers. "My brother is dead because of it." Corina leaned back in the chair, halting her writing. "I don't know the details. All I know is there was a bounty on the head of a vampire, and he took it with his friends. He was supposed to return within two months, but he never did. Our then-leader decided to search for the team. I went along, and I was the only one to return."

"I could have imagined it."

Corina averted her gaze. "Let's hope you're wrong. If this is the same vampire, Fane is already dead."

"How can you say that?"

"He is toying with Fane. If he wants you, all he has to do is wrap those threads around you and you'll become his puppet. He can make you turn against those you love, as he made my brother." She sighed. "He was an empty vessel when we found him. He killed everyone... I tried to save him... But he was beyond saving. Darkness had hold of him... I had no choice but to kill him."

Belinda's eyes narrowed. "Could this affect the royals as well? Like if Dante was alive?"

Corina tapped her pencil against the desk. "Such rare magic is a death sentence because it affects everyone the same, including the royals. So, yes."

Belinda hesitated before asking, "What happened to the twins and the human man?"

"The rejected one went insane and murdered both her sister and the human... then she took her own life."

Belinda stared into the distance, struggling to control the whirlwind of emotions. "Both aren't the best of outcomes, are they?"

No one said a word for a few minutes.

"Dante being the one behind it without the manipulation of someone with threads is what we should hope for. Fane can handle Dante if it comes to it. But someone with threads—unless Fane has some sort of magic we're not aware of—Fane stands no chance. Have you been intimate with him?"

"Why does that matter?"

"The chosen ones strengthen their beloved's magic. Couples mated are far stronger than not." Corina once more started taking notes, and for a moment, Belinda thought the pen would snap under the pressure she used. "But please don't be intimate with him just for that."

"Who is the dark queen?" Belinda asked.

The room fell eerily silent.

"Why are you asking?" her mother inquired.

"I was simply curious." Part of her still didn't fully trust Corina and the slayers to inform them that whoever this was could speak with her telepathically. Could they use her to locate him? Would they resort to dubious methods?

Her mother looked concerned for her as she spoke softly, "The dark queen is nothing but a myth. The vampires claim she holds unlimited powers and will be the one to lead them to war once more against the slayers and humans. She will cleanse the world of their existence."

Belinda turned to leave, pausing when Corina said, "Belinda, if you know anything else, tell me. I'm simply trying to keep everyone in this town safe, including those you love."

"I've told you everything."

Without a word, Belinda exited the office and ignored all the looks shot in her direction. She didn't stop until she walked through the double doors of the police station. Her hand went to the pendant resting just below her collarbone.

"Are you okay?" her father asked.

"Yeah." She faced her mother. "Why did you lie to Charlotte?"

Her mother held her gaze. "I will do everything to protect you, including lie to the vampire queen."

"They aren't the enemy, Mother."

"Nothing guarantees me that." Without another word, her mother headed toward their home.

"It's difficult for any of us to put our trust in the royals," her father said.

"Dad—"

"Everyone now will know I'm a slayer, including Fane. Let's see how easy is it for them to set aside centuries of hatred."

Her heart ached at the mere thought of Fane glancing at her with loathing. "Point taken."

He sighed. "Let's go home."

Once inside their home, Belinda set the handgun on the coffee table and glanced at her mother as she moved about in the kitchen, preparing food. "Is there anything else I should know?"

"No," her mother answered. "If Fane comes for you, you have to refuse."

"Mom, the contract—"

"We have two years before that contract will affect you. Hopefully, we'll resolve this madness before that. Until then, he has no right to come take you when he failed to protect you." Tears glistened in her eyes. "He vowed to me he would."

"Wait—What happens when a vampire fails to keep their vow?" When neither answered her, she attempted to leave but didn't get far. Her father restrained her, telling her to calm down, but how could he ask that of her? She had to ensure Fane was okay. "Dad, please let me go."

"Please calm down."

"Nothing is going to happen to him."

"What?" She ceased her struggles.

Her mother paused her cooking and turned to them. "I shouldn't have overreacted. The boy did his best to protect you, even if he almost failed both times."

"Then why am I under the protection of the slayers?"

"Isn't it obvious? Corina knows whoever this is wants you, and they'll do everything within their power to get to you. By duty, she is bound to protect you." Her mother averted her gaze. "She didn't get such a chance with the others."

"She could have stopped them before they headed into the forest. She could have saved them all."

Her mother shook her head. "That's not how the agreement works, darlin'. Doing so would have sentenced everyone in this town to death."

Belinda headed toward the door, pausing when her mother spoke. "You can't go see him."

"I just want to make sure what you say is true and that he's okay." She turned to her parents, her chest tightening. "I love him."

"You don't understand. You can no longer leave this town."

"What?" Belinda stormed out of the house and headed toward the forest. A gasp escaped her lips when she slammed into an invisible force field. It flickered into view for an instant, appearing like the colors of oil spilled in water. In frustration, she banged her hands against it, heat flowing through her veins.

"What the fuck is going on?" She turned to face Ezra, who appeared furious. He stepped closer and stretched his hand out, and the force field didn't affect him. "You have all lost your mind."

"Belinda, please." Her mother exited her house. "You can't leave without a guardian."

"This is insane—So, now I'm a prisoner?"

"You can't force her to stay." Belinda noticed the four police cars parked close by. "This is breaking the alliance!" Belinda's eyes widened when a snarl escaped Ezra's lips. "Continue this behavior and the magic protecting this town will disappear. No one will do anything when the lost ones come for all of you."

Skylar came running and cupped his face in her hands. "Ezra, please calm down."

He recoiled away from her and glared at the police getting out of their vehicles. "We should have known better than to believe you would keep your word."

Belinda stood in front of him as the police officers aimed their weapons in his direction. "Have you all lost your mind? He hasn't done anything wrong!"

"Ezra," Corina said, appearing out of thin air. "Or should I call you Nico?" Shots were fired in his direction the instant Corina pulled Belinda out of the way.

"Ezra!" Belinda screamed when he did nothing to avoid the bullets piercing the air toward him. Time seemed to slow down around her as he stood still, not a sign of fear in his bright eyes. Nothing but pure disappointment.

The bullets struck a silver blade Belinda recognized and clattered on the pavement.

A hiss escaped Fane as he held the sword in front of him in protection. With his chin held high, he scanned the town before raising the sword above his head; the force field flickering into existence for a moment in the sky.

"Wait." Belinda jerked out of Corina's hold and stood feet from him. "They're blinded by the desire to protect everyone."

He ignored her and brought the sword down, fire flowing through its blade in web-like patterns, a choir of voices echoing throughout the town. Before the sword's tip touched the ground, Charlotte appeared and held it with her bare hands. Blood dribbled down the sides of the blade as she tightened her hold.

"Do not allow their hatred to morph who you are, my child."

Darkness consumed Fane's eyes and black web-like patterns matching his sword flickered through them. "One of them sent them to the cabin, Mother."

"You have no evidence of that, my child. Unlike them, we do not sentence anyone to death without evidence."

After a moment, Fane brought the sword to his side before a shot ricocheted through the town. Charlotte's eyes widened when Fane stumbled back, a bullet hole in his shoulder. Belinda's heart sank as he struggled to regain his footing.

A gut-wrenching scream caused Belinda to whirl around to find Charlotte with a police officer in her grasp, and a heart in her free hand. She tossed the man aside and right before their eyes, the man transformed from a human to a beast.

Charlotte spat on the floor; her lips coated with crimson. "Lost blood tastes like poison." She focused her eyes on Corina, but Belinda didn't care about anything else but ensuring Fane was alright. She hurried to his side and lowered his shirt enough to see black lines appear around the bullet wound.

"Does it hurt?"

"What do you think?" he said with a smirk.

"I'm sorry."

"I should not have brought you here."

Her gaze fell upon the sword in his hand before glancing over her shoulder to find Charlotte speaking with Corina. Thank the gods both women spoke with calm.

Ezra moved to Aurora, who had been rooted to the ground. A slap across his face stopped his advances. He remained silent, eyes glowing amber against the sunlight.

"I deserved that."

"You sure as fuck did." She pushed him away, and when Belinda moved to intervene, Fane seized her hand, shaking his head.

"You deceived me. I never want to see you again."

Pain flickered in his eyes. "Have it your way." Then he vanished, moving too fast for Belinda's human eyes.

Fane's sword glowed a soft golden hue, morphing into his bracelet.

Charlotte stood beside him. "Fane. Release her from the contract."

Wide-eyed, Belinda met his gaze.

"Her people have killed thousands of ours. Release her from the contract, my child."

He held her gaze before drifting his eyes to his mother. "She is not to blame for her ancestors' actions, Mother."

A small smile tugged at the corner of her lips. "Bring her to the palace." Then she was gone.

The police officers were no longer in sight, but Corina was speaking with her parents.

"Aren't you going to do anything about that bullet?" When he removed it using his bare hands, she thought she would faint at any moment. "You could have gone to the hospital."

"I hate hospitals."

"Don't we all?" She inspected the wound to see that it healed, not even leaving a scar behind. Her face flamed when he lowered his head to her neck. Thankfully, he didn't bite her. If he had, she wasn't sure she would have been capable of holding back the effects, despite knowing they weren't in private.

"Are you alright?" she asked.

He planted a soft kiss on her shoulder before pulling back to meet her gaze. "Come with me to the palace... I should have taken you there from the start."

"I can't... a force field stopped me."

He fidgeted with the bracelet, and Belinda finally noticed the golden rose-shaped markings adorning it. "They have taken you under their protection, which means you will not head anywhere without a guardian."

"So, a bodyguard?" She groaned. "I don't need anyone following me around like a fly."

He glanced toward the forest. "I must go."

"It's alright. I'll be safe here."

He hesitated before releasing her hand and vanishing from her sight.

Not wanting to discuss anything at the moment, Belinda headed to Skylar's home to check up on her. It took a couple of knocks for her to finally open.

"I should have known that wasn't Ezra. The bastard looked like him but behaved so differently. I'm not saying Ezra was a terrible friend, but he was never interested in helping me out with sowing my dresses." She guided Belinda to the room where she kept all her sewing materials and machine. Belinda inched closer to the dress she had started to create that was on the half-body mannequin. She ran her fingers over the lace fabric adorned with flowers she knew Skylar had sewed one by one.

"Maybe he had his reasons?"

"Oh, don't you dare defend him."

"I'm not." She faced her, and when she noticed her eyes sparkling with tears, she hugged her. "I'm sorry—I'm only trying to understand why a werewolf prince would hide in this town and hook up with my friend using someone else's face."

"Do you think Ezra is dead?"

She hadn't even thought about that. "I hope not."

Skylar pulled back. "Then where is he? Nico couldn't have magically assumed we were Ezra's friends without speaking to him, could he?"

"I don't know."

Skylar sat down on her chair and started to sew what Belinda guessed to be a part of the bodice of the dress in the mannequin. "The bastard got me on his little web, and I hate it." She paused and glanced over her shoulder at Belinda. "Have you spoken to your parents after what happened out there?"

"No. Honestly, I'm in no mood."

She went back to sewing before cursing up a storm when the needle must have pierced the tip of her finger. She rose to her feet and forced a smile Belinda didn't believe. "I can't believe the bastard left without even explaining to me why he dragged me along for so long."

"Um. You told him—"

"I know what I told him." She propped her hands on her hips. "I was furious... I still am, but I'd like to know why, at least."

"It's my fault."

They both turned to find Ezra standing at the open sliding door that led to the garden at the back. When he entered the house, Skylar was about to slap him, but Belinda held her back.

"I'm Ezra, not Nico."

"And that matters to me why? You deserve a good slap for helping him deceive me."

"I'm sorry, okay? It was wrong to allow my older brother to take my place here."

Skylar calmed down as his words also shocked her. "Brother? How old is he? Please don't tell me he's over one hundred years old."

Ezra chuckled. "He's twenty-five years old."

Belinda released Skylar when she was certain she wouldn't lash out at Ezra. "So explain yourself."

"Why did he take your place?" Belinda asked. "Isn't it against the rules for a supernatural to live in human territory?"

"No. It is against the rules for them to reveal themselves."

"Why did he deceive me?" Skylar asked. "I thought I had fallen for you, not some werewolf prince."

"One day, when I was out for a walk in the woods, our paths crossed. After speaking with him, I realized that although our mother had returned to the town after three years, she never stopped seeing the werewolf king Jaxon."

"Your mother walked away from a werewolf king?" asked Skylar in disbelief.

"It might be hard to understand, but not everyone desires such responsibilities. One wrong decision could lead to many werewolves' dead."

"But I don't get it. Why would the werewolf king allow one of his sons to live here?"

"He died before finding out that my mother was pregnant. Nico never knew of his father still visiting our mother. Since she left him behind, he never searched for her, so he never knew of my existence, either."

"Wait, if your father died, then who is the king of the werewolves?" Skylar asked, but she must have put the pieces together in her head. "He just turned twenty-five, didn't he?"

"Yes, and soon he will be crowned the werewolf king."

Skylar slumped back in the chair, raking a hand through her hair. "A werewolf king... I was fucking a werewolf all this time—I should have known. That man has an unlimited stamina." She laughed. "This is a dream, isn't it?"

"Skylar, you have every right to be angry, but before you reject him, please talk to him."

"Reject him? Oh. My birthday is in two weeks." She propped her elbows on her lap, resting her face in her hands. "And here I thought the new year would bring me good luck."

Ezra crouched in front of her, placing a hand on her shoulder. "When Nico and I met in the woods, he caught your fragrance on me. He shouldn't have, but he wanted to meet you."

"He shared my bed for more than a year, Ezra."

He let out a nervous laugh. "Your beauty clearly bewitched him."

Skylar hit his shoulder playfully. "Be serious... am I his beloved?"

"Yes."

"I'll let you both talk. I need to return home before they come looking for me." She didn't even get to move an inch.

Ezra moved too fast for a human and held her forearm. "You and I also need to talk."

"About what? Let me go."

He released her. "Belinda, please don't let what the slayers tell you get to your head."

"I won't."

"Refuse their offer of a guardian."

Her eyes narrowed. "Why?"

He said nothing before an actual snarl rumbled in his chest.

Skylar laughed, gaining their attention. "You werewolves act just like dogs when angry."

"No, we don't," he said, sounding insulted by the mere comparison.

"I've volunteered in the shelter, and many cute little dogs and some huskies have growled at me. You reminded me of the huskies."

"Enough," he said, the amusement evident on his face. "The supernaturals and the slayers don't get along. Trust me. They will try to brainwash you against Fane."

"Did Fane kill his brother Dante?"

He fell silent, the shock of her question on his face. "Why the hell—they already filled you with lies."

"Then what happened to him? Corina says twins—"

"Identical twins are cursed to have the same mates. Yes. But guess what? No one is forced to be with their mates. In the end, it is the choice of the human."

"The one behind it all can connect to me in my mind."

"I've heard of your dreams. That's not—"

"It was no illusion shoved into my mind. He spoke to me when I stood before a beast. He wants me alive, Ezra. If I must hand myself over to save Fane and everyone else, I will."

Ezra stared at her in utter disbelief. "This is impossible. Dante is dead. He was killed right before Fane's eyes. Did you tell Fane about this?"

"I didn't remember to with everything that happened."

"Dante would never hurt Fane. This isn't him." His eyes fell upon the pendant hanging around her neck. "Don't ever remove that, even if Fane asks you to." Then he vanished.

"Oh, wow. He moves just like them." Skylar glanced at Belinda. "Do you really believe his brother is the one behind this?"

"I'm not sure." She clasped the pendant, seeking some sort of comfort. "Do you plan to forgive Nico?"

"I don't know." She sighed. "Why do our lives have to be so complicated? All I wanted was to have my boutique, someday get married, and have one child."

A mundane life wouldn't have been something bad. She would have loved to continue to work in the cafe and return home to a loving husband and maybe two kids.

But fate had other plans.