DRINKING GAME:

go back and reread this story and take a shot every time I make a reference to a song/moment that happened in real life. I can assure you ur probably going to be drunk by chapter 5

"You're weak,"

Camila looked at the reflection in the mirror to see Liz lingering in her doorway.

"I feel fine," Camila brushed off.

"You know I can tell when you're lying to me," Liz scoffed, crossing her arms.

"Is this a clairvoyant thing?"

"No, it's a common sense thing. You suck at lying,"

"I'm fine,"

"I don't think you realize how serious this is," Liz said sternly, walking into Camila's bedroom. "The bullets were laced with wolfsbane, it's in your system. It's tearing you from the inside out. Eventually, yes, you will be fine. But you're in no shape for going to the fight,"

"Gillies, I told you I'm fine," Camila rolled her eyes.

"Look," Liz sighed. She made Camila face her. "I'm coming to you as a friend, and also as a mentor. Sit this one out. Let Dinah take the lead. Right now she's physically stronger than you, and she doesn't have the wolfsbane slowing her down,"

"No," Camila said sternly. "I'm doing this. My pack, my responsibility,"

Liz pursed her lips. "I have a meeting with James in a couple of hours,"

"Oh,"

"Harry, Zayn, and Niall are coming with me to meet with him. If we had an Alpha with us-"

"No," Camila said firmly. "I don't want to see him,"

Liz nodded, expecting this answer. She handed Camila a vial.

"More healing meds," she said. "Just in case,"

~~

"Wherewolf?" Normani asked, a playful smirk on her face.

Lauren pointed at Dinah. "Therewolf,"

"I will rip out your throats," Dinah grumbled, holding up a beaker of pink steaming liquid. "What is this again?"

"Sleep serum," Liz explained. "Just in case we need it,"

"Where did Camila go?" Ally asked, looking at Liz's spell book.

"She's trying to convince my parents to take Chris away during the eclipse," Lauren explained. "She doesn't want him here while the vampires come,"

"And I got them to go to Miami early," Camila announced, walking into the basement. "They're going to stay there until New Years,"

"You, too?" Bea asks Lauren.

"No, I told my parents I'll stay with Normani," Lauren pushed her hair back. "I want to look the fucker in the eye and tell him to burn in hell,"

Liz felt a shiver run down her spine. "Speaking of fuckers..."

"Is he here?" Camila asked, walking towards the witch.

"He's close," Liz said, eyes shut. "I can feel it,"

"Really?"

"Of course," Liz nodded. "You can't be that old and powerful and not radiate a strong aura,"

"Harry and Niall are on their way," Zayn said, grabbing his backpack. "You ready?"

"Yes," Liz sighed. She could have been at home in LA right now, waiting for her early acceptance letter to RISD. Instead she could possibly die in the next week.

Go big or go home, right?

~~

"So, um," Harry shifted on his feet awkwardly. "Do you... like cheese?"

"Course I do," Niall smiled happily. "My favorite is gouda,"

"Nice, nice," Harry bit his lip. He felt weird around his newfound mate. Where was Zayn? Harry begged for him to hurry up to save him from this embarrassment.

"Hello, gentlemen," the voice sent chills down Harry's spine.

"Hello, lad!" Niall greeted cheerfully. Harry turned around to see a tall, pale, blonde vampire. But he wasn't as handsome as Niall in Harry's eyes. No, not even close.

"McVey," Harry said politely.

"Please, call me James," he said, looking around his surroundings. "It smells like mutt in here,"

"I'm a werewolf,"

"That explains it," James said rudely. He spat on the ground.

"Boys," Liz said, walking up to the group. "Glad you could make it,"

"Make it quick, Gillies," James snapped. "What do you want?"

Liz held out her hand to James. James rolled his eyes, before begrudgingly placing his cold pale hand into hers.

"Interesting," Liz murmured, before pulling away. "What do you know about hybrids?"

"Don't you already know that?" James crossed his arms.

"Say it to the audience so I know if you're lying or not,"

James stomped his foot like a child. "They're vampire-werewolf thingys. I don't think you need a witch to make them because it's blood magic. They're also supposed to be the end of the vampire-werewolf line. Am I correct?"

"Yes, and what do you know about Justin Bieber?"

James thought back for a minute. "I think I recall him, I'm not sure. Kind of tall? Brown hair? Devilishly handsome?"

The other three men nodded.

"If I remember correctly, he tried to join my coven ages ago. Something about power,"

"What did you say?"

"No, obviously," James glared at Liz. "I didn't need the leader of another coven trying to challenge me for the power of mine,"

"Well if he succeeds with the hybrids, there's no doubt he's coming after you first," Zayn said, crossing his arms.

"Why do you say that?" James raised an eyebrow warily.

"Think about it," Zayn said. "You're the most powerful vampire in the world. You were born in BC. You have the wisdom of all the kings and rulers from the ancient times. If he eliminates you, he'll be feared even more so than he is now,"

James was silent, running through all the scenarios in his head. He may be arrogant, but he was a smart man. He would do whatever it took to save his skin.

"You make valid points," James caved. "As I do not wish to be devoured by the flesh of wolf and bat, I will accompany you in your quest to defeat Bieber. What do you need me to do?"

~~~

"It's beautiful," Camila murmured, running her hands over the fabric of Lauren's dress. "You'll look great in it. Stunning, actually,"

"You're sweet," Lauren grinned. "Oh god, I'm so nervous,"

"Don't be," Camila comforted. "I thought you've been to a thousand of these dances back in Miami?"

"Not about that, dork," Lauren laughed at her girlfriend. "The eclipse,"

"Oh, right," Camila bit her lip. "Me too,"

"But it feels like it's like a huge finale," Lauren ran a hand through her hair. "Like all the events since I came to Georgia is leading up to this moment,"

"Like we're in a story," Camila nodded.

"But more like a horribly written fanfiction," Lauren chuckled. "Seriously, who comes up with half the things we say? It's like song lyrics,"

"Also awful puns,"

"Right, those too," Lauren smiled. "I just guess that's what them girls be like,"

Camila stared at the dress, before jumping up and screaming, standing on Lauren's bed.

"What?" Lauren asked, started. Camila hoisted her up with her.

"Spider! On the wall!" Camila shrieked.

"Well... kill it!" Lauren said, somewhat confused. She didn't see a spider anywhere.

"No, you do it!"

"You're the werewolf! You probably eat spiders,"

Camila screamed again, jumping into Lauren's arms.

"What on earth-?"

"It moved!" Camila cried. "It moved and I'm scared!"

"Jesus fucking Christ," Lauren mumbled. "Why do people think I'm the bottom?"

"I fucking hate spiders," Camila whimpered. She clung to Lauren's neck.

"Who's afraid of the big bad wolf? Everyone. What is the big bad wolf afraid of? Spiders. And she lives in the forest,"

"I will fucking break up with you," Camila grumbled. She clambered to Lauren's back, wrapping her legs around her torso. "Kill it,"

"No, you're acting like a baby. Let it live,"

"Let me live, Lauren. The spider is going to kill me,"

"You're such a drama queen,"

"I've been raised with Dinah, what do you expect?"

Camila's phone rang Dinah's personalized ringtone. Camila picked it up while still on Lauren's back.

"THE NERVE!" Dinah bellowed, before hanging up.

~~~

"Camila's going to be drooling," Normani smirked, putting the last finishing touches on Lauren's makeup. "Out of all four of her lips,"

"Gross, Mani," Lauren screwed her eyes shut. "I think her mind is going to be a little preoccupied tonight,"

"Yeah, preoccupied with the thought of you out of your dress-"

"That's not what I meant," Lauren shook her head, sighing.

"Lighten up," Normani smiled smally. "Everything is going to be okay,"

"But what if it's not?" Lauren asked, turning to her best friend. "What if they don't stop the vampires? What if the hybrids come to life? Oh god, I can't lose Camila, because I love-"

Lauren's voice stopped, her eyes widening as she realized what she said. Her cheeks flushed red.

"What was that?" Normani asked, smiling widely.

"Nothing," Lauren blushed.

"Did you just say you-?"

"No, no I didn't," Lauren assured, looking down at her hands.

"You love her,"

"No I don't shut up,"

"You love her!" Normani said louder, clapping. "Lauren loves Camila! Lauren's in looove-!"

"Shut up, Mani!"

"Did you know?"

"Did I know what?"

"That you're in love with a monster?"

"I'm in love with a monster?"

"Yes!" Normani said gleefully. "This is awesome. I have to text Dinah,"

"No!" Lauren dived for Normani's phone. "You're not telling her anything,"

"This is so cute,"

"I am not cute!" Lauren pouted, stomping her foot. She clenched her fists.

"That's adorable,"

"I really fucking hate you,"

"No you don't," Normani smirked.

Normani's father called for the girls to come down. Camila and Dinah were here.

"It's now or never," Normani pursed her lips. "Are you ready?"

"Does it matter?" Lauren sighed. "I'm going to try to enjoy it before it all goes to shit,"

~~~

Lauren woke up, the sun peeking through the window and into her eyes. Her surroundings were unfamiliar.

The front of her shirt was wet, and it was warmer than usual. Camila was fast asleep in her arms, clinging to her. Tear stains ran down her cheeks.

She had the feeling that she was being watched. Zayn stood at the foot of Camila's bed, watching the two of them.

"How long have you been there?" Lauren asked softly.

"Not long," Zayn said. "I want to talk to you,"

"Here?"

"No, come with me. She's going to be okay,"

Lauren looked down at the sleeping girl. "I don't want to leave her,"

"She'll know you're still here," Zayn assured. "But I do need to talk to you. Alone,"

The two of them sat in the living room. Zayn handed Lauren a cup of tea, before sitting on the table adjacent to Lauren.

"Where is everyone?" Lauren mumbled, drawing her legs to her chest and hugging her knees.

"Resting, but it's been two days," Zayn sighed. "I think right now, they're just grieving,"

"We all are," Lauren ran her thumb along her mug.

"How are you?"

"Alright, I guess,"

Zayn leaned forward, eye level to the teenager. He rested his arms on his knees, folding his hands. "Look at me,"

"I need to know that you understand all of this," Zayn said calmly. "It might be hard for a human mind to comprehend everything. Even as a witch, it's still hard for me to comprehend,"

"I think I know everything," Lauren shrugged, a solemn expression on her face.

"Do you now?"

"Bits and pieces," Lauren said. "Fragments. Some faded out,"

"Like what?"

"The fight. I don't remember most of it,"

"That's because you blacked out," Zayn said, leaning back. "Why don't you tell me everything you remember,"

"We were by the lake," Lauren recalled. "Justin was there, standing in front of a fire. So were those other werewolves, from the pack,"

"Do you remember their names?"

"No,"

"Ashton, Calum, Jade, Leigh Anne and Perrie. Ring a bell?"

"No,"

"Those were the initials Liz gave us, the ones of the people involved," Zayn explained. "Continue,"

"Justin trapped us, all of us, including that vampire, James, with a spell. How was he able to perform magic?"

"Blood magic, any supernatural being can perform it,"

"And Justin started chanting. It was a different language,"

"Celtic, language of the Druids,"

"Right. And he told James to come and join him. And James said yes,"

"Do you know why?" Zayn asked. Lauren shook her head.

Zayn took a deep breath. "A hybrid has a great amount of power. Justin taunted James, telling him how he will be more powerful with his pack of hybrids than James's coven. After this, Justin told James that if he were to join them, James would become even more powerful than he is now. It was an offer no one could give up. McVey would have been an idiot not to,"

"So Camila staked him,"

"But do you know why?"

"Because he broke the deal?" Lauren guessed.

"Close," Zayn sighed. "Do you understand how Camila broke the bonding spell?"

"Her status?"

"Her status as a true alpha, yes," Zayn nodded. "Her mental and physical will are stronger than the others. Camila staked James as an act of anger, and an act of revenge,"

"Wasn't James the one who killed her father?"

"Exactly. She never trusted him in the first place. It was her way of finding peace for what he did years ago,"

"Oh,"

"What happened next?"

"I don't remember,"

"Because this is the part where you blacked out," Zayn said. "What do you remember when you woke up?"

"Justin was dead," Lauren shuddered. "So was James. And Dinah..."

Zayn looked down, biting his lip. He tried not to cry.

"The other werewolves were rounded up," Lauren continued. "Harry and Liam were yelling at them. What ever happened to them?"

"They were exiled," Zayn said, his voice hollow. "Liam threatened to kill them if he ever saw them again,"

"Lauren?"

Zayn and Lauren looked over to see Camila standing in the doorway of the living room. She looked tired, and broken.

Walking over, she slowly climbed into Lauren's lap and curled up, sniffling. Lauren wrapped her arms around her.

She looked up at Zayn, who looked like he was about to break. He cleared his throat, getting up.

"I, um, I should go check on her," Zayn said sadly.

"Hey," Lauren said softly, rubbing Camila's back. She kissed the top of her head.

"It hurts," Camila whimpered. "I miss her,"

"I know, baby," Lauren said, "I miss her, too,"

"Why won't she wake up?"

"I don't know," Lauren stroked Camila's hair, feeling the girl's tears against her skin. For a while, the two sat there, the only sound between them was their breathing and Camila's soft cries.

"I'm glad you're okay," Camila said shakily. She buried her head into the crook of Lauren's neck. "I love you,"

Under any other circumstance, Lauren would have been over the moon. But they were here, early morning after a long anticipated battle, grieving over someone they could lose at any moment.

"I love you, too,"

~~~

here's the last chapter 😬🙃

for the record, Dinah isn't dead. her injuries in the final fight were heavy and she's in a comatose state

I know the final battle was unclear, as it was told from Lauren and Zayn's memory, but I planned it to be like that, I never planned on writing an actual confrontation

the epilogue is next, and it has a flash forward and Camren children so... yay

twitter: dinahsdilemma

tumblr: delevingnekordei