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"Cousin Kale! S--Slow down! I have little feets!" 

The panic I was in let me register half of what my cousin was saying to me. I just kept feeling my heart pounding in my chest and it was hard to breathe. My eyes kept glancing everywhere as my shoes hit against the pavement in my run. 

"Cousin Kale!" 

I slowed my steps, turning to look down at the six-year-old panting heavily and his little face all scrunched up in trying to keep up with me. He'd been stumbling the whole way from the way he almost tripped over his sneakers. 

Bending, I scooped Maddox into my arms and continued running. It was a little more difficult with the child in my arms but it allowed me to not have to slow down as much. 

Maddox's arm around the back of my neck held tighter as he asked, "Where are we going!?"

I shook my head, huffing out, "Not now, Maddie! I'll tell you later!" 

"But why!?"

"Maddie! Please! Cousin Kale can't think straight right now!" 

My little cousin pouted but fell silent as I'd asked. 

A few townspeople walking around gave me odd looks, some jumping out of the way from me almost barreling into them. From the way it probably looked I was a bit manic... but could you blame me!?

Gritting my teeth, I pushed myself to pick up the pace. I looked to the side for any on-coming cars before sprinting across the street to turn the corner that led towards the neighborhoods. It was quieter in this part of the town other than the few kids playing out on their lawns in the sprinklers. 

My eyes landed on the pathway leading towards Aunt Penny's house, but it wasn't her house I was going to. Yet. First I needed to take the back roads into the woods. 

I was passing by the house just as Maddox cried, "Cousin Kale! There's my daddy!" while I felt him pointing behind me. 

With my focus on my own destination, I ignored my cousin... as well as Dennison shouting for me. Who knew I'd be able to ignore Dennison of all people?

"Kale! Kale, God dammit, where are you taking my son!?"

Not now, Dennison!

The pavement under my shoes disappeared, fading into the dirt road I was so familiar with. I heard Maddox cough, piping up that I was leaving dirt clouds behind us. I didn't answer, just kept staring straight ahead. 

I was now running down the narrow dirt path, my breathing escalating as my heartbeat was pounding wildly in my eardrums. Once near the middle of the long road, I could see the worn out wooden sign with its post standing crookedly out of the dirt. I could read the fading lettering of 'Cemetery. This Way' and picked up my pace. 

After turning down the woods' path leading to the cemetery, I came to the open space where the lonely resting place was. The black gate surrounding its perimeter was slanted and looked ready to fall off, but added to the overall gloomy look to the cemetery. 

Swallowing, I slowed my steps, stopping at the entrance to the short gate. 

"Cousin Kale...?" Maddox whispered. 

I slightly turned my head to him, keeping my gaze on the far end of the cemetery. 

"What, Bud?" 

"Are you okay?"

I didn't answer. Because I wasn't sure if I was.

I lowered Maddox to his feet, asking him to stay put as I walked over to the tiny wooden shed that was just as ready to fall apart as the gate. It was where all the tools were kept to keep maintenance for the cemetery. 

The door creaked as I opened it up, my eyes scanning the tools resting against the walls. I reached in, grabbing a shovel then spun back around to rush back over to the gate. Maddox's gray eyes were wide, blinking up at me worriedly when I glanced at him. 

"Don't be scared, Maddie... I'm just..." I licked my lips, not sure what to tell my little cousin. 

How could I even begin to explain what I was about to do? I didn't want to scare Maddox... but I had to know. I had to know whether I was just going crazy or not... 

Scrunching my nose, I told Maddox to stay where he was then quickly walked through the cemetery with my grip on the shovel tightening as I got closer. My eyes settled on the two graves that rested in the very back of the resting ground. I swallowed hard as I stared at one in particular.

Frowning, I stared a bit longer at the name carved into the headstone before feeling a bit more determined and positioned the shovel in my grip. I dug the end of the shovel into the grass, using my foot to stomp on the edge of it then scooped the shovel upward. I winced from each time I shoveled the dirt and grass over my shoulder, some of the dirt getting into my face. 

"Kale!" 

I frowned, I couldn't stop now. I had to know!

My body was trying to dig as fast as it could, hoping that I could just get to the coffin sooner than I actually could. 

"Kale, what the hell are you doing!?" 

Huffing with each dig, I shouted back without losing focus, "I have to know! I have to see it for myself!"

"Kale!" 

I grunted once the shovel was being tugged out of my hands. I turned around, elbowing Dennison in the face which made Maddox cry, "Daddy!" but that only made Dennison's eyes flick to his wolf's. I tried tugging the shovel back from him as I shouted for him to let it go. 

Dennison shouted back for me to stop what I was doing and I let out a groan of frustration before shouting, "Fine!" 

I turned away, lowering myself to use my hands to continuing pulling the dirt off the grave. 

"Kale! Kale, stop it!" 

I felt the father's arms wrap around me and tried hauling me up and I began to have a panic attack.

"I gotta know, Auric! I gotta know! Let go!" 

"Oh my God... Kale! Auric! What's going on!?" 

There was multiple shouts happening all at once and all I could do was continue to scream out that I had to finish digging! 

Dennison turned his body with me away from the grave, lowering me down until the side of my face was pressed against the grass. I grunted from the force he put with his hand to the back of my head. 

"Please! Please, you gotta let me finish! I have to know, Auric!"

I could see Thea and the others behind her, eyes widely fearful as they heard me cry out. They looked like they didn't know what to do---not that I blamed them. From the corner of my eye, me trying to control my breathing as my eyes watered from Dennison looking at his wife in a silent questionable manner. 

Thea's eyes kept switching from her husband to me. When she looked at me, her eyes watered, chin trembling as she grit her teeth and demanded, "What... are you trying to pull, Kale?" 

My eyes squeezed shut, jaw tightening as the pounding in my head wouldn't stop. Sucking in a small breath, I pried open my eyes to look at my cousin's angry gaze. 

"Maddox... He..."

Thea's eyes immediately went to her son somewhere I couldn't see and I winced, speaking a little louder to say, "No..." which drew her attention back to me. I swallowed, whispering, "Not that one..."

Thea blinked, brows furrowing before her brown eyes shifted to where I'd been digging. With her eyes still locked on the grave, my cousin's tone became tight, became tense. 

"What are you doing, Kale...?  Why are you doing this?"

Her eyes wouldn't leave the grave. They started to water more, a tear managing to push past her barrier. When she looked at me, I could see it in her face that I was bringing back unwanted memories. I was bringing back that day when our friend was taken away. 

It was hurting her, something that I didn't want to do... but I couldn't just let myself wake up tomorrow not knowing if what I saw was true or not. It had to be... 

Closing my eyes, I scrunched my nose to ask Dennison if he would let me up. I felt the hesitation on his part, me looking over at my cousin who---after staring at me---nodded to my request. Dennison slowly lifted his weight off me and I could breathe a little easier. 

I slowly pushed myself onto my hands and knees, staring hard at the grassy dirt underneath me. I was asked again to what I was doing here in the cemetery---scaring everyone to death. 

Apparently Dennison had seen me running past the house as he was grabbing something to drink for Eli's lunch. When he told the others before going onto the back porch to call after me, Dennison got worried because of the way I'd looked so panicked. And to add on top of that, his six-year-old was shouting for me to slow down. 

The group staring at me, waiting for my explanation, had only my Aunt Penny and Alice missing. I was assuming it was because they were watching Eli back at the house. My Uncle Thatcher was crossing his arms, frowning at me from beside my dad who looked more worried than upset. My uncle raised a brow, urging me to start explaining why I practically desecrated a grave. 

Narrowing my eyes at his blurry figure behind my teary glare, I snapped back that I was not desecrating anything. That I may have been panicking but that was because I needed to see Maddox Hollow's coffin. 

"What for, Kale?"

It was Thea this time. 

I looked at her, that frown still in place. Her jaw tightened while those brown eyes of hers was giving me this offensive look. Maddox was a sensitive topic for her. Everyone knew that. Everyone knew that because of how much guilt Thea still harbored (even if she didn't admit to it) after all these years. 

Frowning at the ground, I hesitated in answering. In my head it sounded way better than I thought it would once I spoke the words out loud. Perhaps I jumped the gun on this and I might not be seeing what I thought I did. Maybe the person I saw on that cover wasn't who I thought after all. 

My eyes squeezed shut before gritting my teeth and admitting, "I thought Maddox might be alive..."

Thea's eyes widened, her brows furrowing further while shifting her gaze over to the ruined grave. 

"What makes you say that, Son?" Dad asked, worriedly stepping closer. 

I winced from the looks everyone else was giving me. I hated this kind of pressure. I seriously needed to chill...

I blinked away the tears threatening me and I sniffled, "In my bag..." I nodded weakly in the direction of where I left Maddie with my messenger bag, "There's a book in there... and... and on the back of the inside cover..."

Looking up at Thea, I swallowed, "It was Maddox." 

The looks I was being given didn't make me feel any better. I could feel my face getting hot from the odd stares. 

"I know it sounds crazy! I know! But---but it's him! It has to be!" 

I kept looking to each face, trying to find one that would look at least a little like they believed me. Sniffling, I choked out, "I'm sorry! I know it sounds crazy! I just---just panicked!" 

For a moment the silence was overwhelming. Everyone kept staring at me like I was going crazy.

Was I? 

My eyes squeezed shut, shaking my head as I sniffled out another apology for what I did. 

It wasn't until a few seconds later that the soft footsteps approaching halted right in front of me. I refused to open my eyes until there was a gentle touch cradling my face, turning it upward towards them. 

"Kale..."

I squeezed my eyes shut more, almost whimpering because I didn't want to see the disappointment... or the pity... or the gloominess in her eyes. It was hard enough to let her see me act crazy like this since I've managed to hold it together the past years since Maddox's death.

"Kale..." she whispered again. "Open your eyes, Dear Cousin." 

Sniffling, I obeyed, letting my eyes flutter open to see a blurry-looking Thea staring back at me. Her brows were furrowed, brown eyes looking over my face before settling onto my gaze. My cousin tilted her head, letting one of her hands brush my hair out of my eyes a little then I saw her grin a bit when it fell right back into place. 

"You know, Kale... I can't blame you for trying to look. For trying to see if he really is gone. I think you were braver out of the both of us to actually try digging."

Thea sighed, lowering her hand back to cradle my face. 

"As much as I want Maddox to magically appear somewhere, Kale..." Thea swallowed, licking her lips. She frowned, shaking her head slowly. "He's not going to. He's gone. We can't change that."

My lip trembled at her words and Thea sighed, "Oh, Kale..." before letting me lean over to hug her. She wrapped her arms around me, squeezing me for comfort. I sobbed into her shoulder, my apology muffled against her.

"I'm sorry! I just---I really thought..."

Thea sighed again, nodding and replied that she knew... that she did too. 

When she pulled back a little after I was able to calm myself, Thea tilted her head to catch my gaze. She reached up to wipe away my tears, asking me if I'd be able to manage going back to the house. That I needed to rest a little.

I nodded, not able to say anything anymore. I was still embarrassed that everyone else was standing here watching my meltdown. Turning towards where I had left my six-year-old cousin, I sniffled, "I think I scarred him for life..."

Thea laughed lightly, making me look at her. 

"He's fine. I think he's used to you acting a little out of sorts."

I narrowed my eyes a little to which Thea smiled back at me for. Letting out a long breath, I mumbled that I should probably get up now. Thea nodded in agreement, pushing herself to stand too. She looked behind me at her husband so when I looked at Dennison, his gray eyes were shifting back and forth between my cousin and I.

Fixing his gaze on me, Dennison raised a brow asking if my 'shit was calm' now. 

"Auric." 

Dennison glanced at Thea, his lip curling as he grumbled to his wife that he had every right to be annoyed when it concerned the scare that I put them through.

"Especially when my son is involved..."

I winced at the way Dennison's eyes seeped into that reddish-gold coloring, a growl slipping from behind his closed lips. Gulping, I weakly shrugged out another apology just as Thea snapped at Dennison to calm himself. That I was having a moment, that I was able to. 

Dennison turned his look to Thea who only had to raise a brow while her brown eyes flashed a silent warning that made the former alpha squeeze his eyes shut and let out a long sign. Glancing at the way Thea grinned up at him, it still baffled me how she could get him to ease so quickly. 

The man ran a hand down his face, scowling at me as he muttered that he was going to grab his son. He stormed off, grumbling under his breath about 'annoying potatoes' while heading over to where I'd left little Maddox. Dennison bent, scooping up the small kid. 

Maddox blinked a few times, inaudibly asking his dad something with his head tilted. Dennison shook his head in return, reaching up to use his thumb to wipe at Maddox's cheek. I could see him mouth, "Don't worry about it," which Maddox frowned to. Dennison didn't look our way when he turned away to head out of the cemetery. 

I sighed, sulking as I glanced at Thea. 

"Sorry for scaring you..." 

Thea broke her gaze from looking at Dennison and their son walk off. She shook her head, shrugging a shoulder but didn't really say anything. Her eyes glanced at the others who started to turn away to head back out of the cemetery after they'd looked at her. She waved for them to go. 

I could hear her following me as I walked over to where my messenger bag was left. Bending to lift it up onto my shoulder, I glanced at my cousin when she asked to see the book. I stared at her for a good full minute. There was something in her eyes that had this... kind of... desperate need. It was a look that was quite familiar to me. 

"The book, Kale... I want to see it." 

That was more of a demand. One I didn't want to disobey. 

I bit my lip as I nervously opened the flap of my bag to reach inside and pull out my book. I held it in my hands, staring down at the cover for the longest time before handing it over to my cousin's waiting hand. 

Thea glanced at me while turning the book right side up. She stared at the cover, her brows furrowing as she read the title out loud. 

Thea's nose scrunched as she looked up. "What is this?"

I shrugged a shoulder, rubbing the back of my neck as I explained that I came across it in the bookstore. That the store owner said it was the only copy he had, but that it was supposed to be about all the Supernatural creatures known to man. 

"Known to man?" Thea frowned. "Humans don't know about creatures from the Supernatural world... How would this book even exist?" 

I shrugged again. 

"I don't know, Thee." I lazily waved at the book she was holding. "I've been reading it and the section on Werewolves is way off... but the fact that Werewolves are mentioned to begin with makes me a little curious as to how they were discovered." 

"Hmm..." 

Thea lowered a brow, flipping page after page and muttered, "All these creatures... what if they actually exist?" 

"That's the hard part of believing this book. Werewolves are mentioned so that immediately makes me believe the rest do exist... but the facts about Weres are way off that I don't know about the rest. See what I mean?" 

My cousin nodded, frowning as she was flipping for a couple more pages. She then turned to the back of the book where it reads the description of what the book entails. I studied the way her fingers were hesitant with opening the back cover. She bit her lip, chewing gently---almost warring with herself in whether to follow through. 

She ended up taking a deep breath prior to forcing herself to turn the back cover open. Her eyes fell on the photo staring back and Thea's jaw clenched tightly. The small intake of breath made me ease up a bit in my own shock of thinking the author looking exactly like our departed friend. 

Thea's eyes widened at me and I raised my brows, shrugging a shoulder. 

"Wait till you see what the author's surname is..."

Without hesitation, my cousin looked back to the photo that was only placed on that part of the book. She then closed the book to look at the front again, muttering, "That's impossible..." when finally focusing on the name at the bottom of the cover. 

Thea frowned, "This has to be all coincidence... right? I mean... It says 'E.G.' Hollow... not Maddox." 

"Authors do use pen names, Thee."

Thea squeezed her eyes shut, groaning that this was too much to handle at the moment. I nodded, silently holding out my hand for the book back. She handed it over, glancing at me with a small smile before walking back with me to Aunt Penny's house. 

I chuckled lightly when Thea scrunched her nose and nodded, "You're all dirty, Kale." and nodded, "I am... I can just wash my hands for now and take a shower once I get home." 

Thea nodded, staring straight forward before pursing her lips and teased, "Alone?"

I shot her a look, growling, "Yes. Alone. What else would I be doing?" 

"Easton, probably..." she shrugged nonchalantly.

"Thea!" I scoffed, shaking my head that she can't be saying shit like that. 

Shrugging a shoulder, she asked why not. 

"We all know that Easton is gay, Kale. And then we all know that he likes you. And then on top of that," she raised her brows, giving me a pointed look. "You have been making out with him every so often. And doing other things according to Uncle Vincent." 

I swear to God that my dad was asking for me to never speak to him again. He'd been talking away like he is proud about finding me half naked with another guy. 

Wait... was he?

I frowned, scrunching my nose at the ground as I was going up the back porch steps. I rolled my eyes that I'd appreciate it if she would just not tease me so much about Easton. That I was still getting used to that idea of me liking him. I felt my face go hot with the look I could feel her giving me. 

She practically squealed, and I widened my eyes, lifting my chin as I eyed her and pointed my finger at her. 

"Don't...Start." 

Thea giggled behind her hands, nodding, "Okay, okay! I won't..." 

As I gestured Thea to go in first through the back door, she whispered if it would be okay to get me cute his & his mugs. I shot her a look, gritting my teeth as I snapped, "No, Thea." 

Thea got distracted when her youngest son cried, "Mommy!" and practically rammed into her. Maddox giggled against her, looking up with a giant smile. His gray eyes bright as she smiled back at him, brushing back his hair. 

"What are you up to my darling?" 

"I am gonna eat a snack, Mommy! Watermelon with lemon!" 

"Mmm," Thea smiled, brushing his hair again. "That sounds good. Why don't you go finish?"

He nodded, glancing up at me with a giant smile. "Are you okay now, Cousin Kale?"

I sighed, grinning, "Yeah, Bud. I'm okay." 

I rested my hand on his head and I caught the way Maddox's eyes blinked repeatedly as he took in a deep breath. Wincing, I drew back my hand and grumbled, "Aw man... I'm sorry, Maddie. I forgot there was still dirt on my hands..." 

Maddox's eyes were still wide, his brows lowering as he stared up at me. I'd never seen that look before but Maddox tilted his head to the side with a pout. 

I wasn't able to ask him about it since Eli suddenly made his presence known. 

"Kale! Is it true that you are on the brink of a nervous breakdown!?" 

Frowning, I stared at the grinning boy before shooting his dad a look. Dennison was seated at the table with his arms crossed over his chest. One of his brows rose up, his eyes already on me. Sneering at him, I directed to Eli that I was not having a nervous breakdown and that perhaps Eli's dad needed to know when to stop prying into my business. 

Dennison's eyes narrowed, growling out, "You scared my son. I have every right to make you feel uncomfortable."

Rolling my eyes, I walked over to the table and pulled out a chair beside Eli. I slumped heavily, sighing as I looked at my younger cousin. Eli was grinning at me, chewing on the watermelon that was cut up for him. 

My eyes narrowed slightly, my inner 'snipe' as Thea likes to call me pushing to break out and tease Eli about having to stay inside all day, but that would be crossing the line again. And I'm pretty fucking sure that Dennison would use it as an excuse to throw something at me. 

Eli's gaze fell to my person and his nose scrunched before looking up at me. 

"You're covered in dirt."

Thank you, Captain Obvious.

Raising a brow, I nodded in agreement that I was. Eli then chuckled, before reaching over to try and help me dust off the dirt on me. The moment his hand brushed off the dirt though, Eli gasped, retracting his hand. 

I was a bit startled, as was everyone else when Eli just kept staring at his dirt covered hand with this horrified look. His eyes widened and his chest kept heaving. 

"Eli?" I frowned, sitting up and leaned closer but Eli stumbled backward, shaking his head. 

Dennison rose, walking around to kneel in front of his son who was trying to scurry away from him too. 

"Eli? What's wrong?"

Eli's brown eyes stared once more at the dirt on his hand, blinking once... twice... then shifted his gaze to his dad. Dennison raised a brow, reaching slowly towards his son to pull him closer. As he was about to touch his hand, Eli cried, "Don't touch it!" which made Dennison retract his hand a little. 

Frowning, Dennison glanced at me and then Thea before reaching for his son again; this time taking Eli by the wrist. 

Eli's bottom lip puckered outward the longer he stared at the dirt. Swallowing, he finally gave into looking up at his dad when Dennison softly called, "Eli... Eli, look at me." 

His son's eyes looked far off. They looked terrified. 

"What's wrong, Eli? I can't help you if you don't tell me what's wrong."

Licking his lips, Eli frowned at Dennison. He looked to be struggling to say something. Anything, really. 

I stood up, lowering a brow at the way Eli suddenly glanced at me and then the dirt that I was wearing. Dennison also looked at me in confusion then turned to face Eli, reaching up to gently turn his son's face to him. 

Again, Dennison raised his brows, speaking a little more firmly this time.

"Eli. What... is... wrong?"

Eli blinked a few times, brows furrowing as he stammered, "M--Maddie..." 

Dennison's gaze as well as the rest of us immediately looked at Maddox standing by his mother with his hand in hers. The six-year-old blinked a few times, turning his head to look up at his mother then back to his brother. 

Eli shook his head, swallowing hard. "No... No, not my brother..."

Thea's eyes widened at me and I was suddenly feeling my heart pound loudly in my chest. Looking back to Eli, I saw the way he raised his hand to frown at the dirt. He then looked up at me and asked, "Where did you get this?"

Hesitating, I tried clearing my throat then replied, "The cemetery... I was... was at the cemetery."

The boy's brows furrowed more, blinking a few times then shook his head asking if I was sure. Nodding that I had just come from there, I asked why that mattered. 

Eli turned his head to look at his younger brother who tilted his head a little. 

"Did you see the tall man too?" Maddox asked, making everyone in the room stiffen. 

Eli continued to stare at his brother, taking a deep breath before nodding. 

Thea lowered a brow, looking down at her son and softly asked, "Maddie... What tall man?"

Maddox smiled up at his mother, raising a finger to his cheek and pulled it downward as he replied, "The one with the purple eyes, Mommy!"

Startled, Thea's lips parted then looked over at me. Dennison and I looked at one another, trying to piece together what the boys were talking about. Clearly they were understanding one another and we were all left out of the loop. 

With a brief hesitation, I stepped towards Eli and knelt down in front of him. He turned his attention to me, his brown eyes locking with mine. 

"Eli..." I paused, biting my lip because my question was going to be hard to get out to begin with... but more the answer to it was what I was so nervous about. Taking a deep breath, I asked my cousin, "Who is the tall man?"

Eli looked sad for a moment, his shoulders slumping a little. He was silent for a good while, just letting us all stare at him. He seemed to be hesitant in answering me. Raising my brows, I pleaded with Eli to know who 'the tall man' was. 

"My brother calls him the 'tall man' because he doesn't know his name..."

I raised a brow, turning my head a little while staring down Eli. 

"Eli... Do you know the 'tall man's' name?" 

Another hesitation on his part. His gaze dropping between us before he nodded. His brows furrowed, nose scrunching as he muttered, "That's why I was so confused to where you got this dirt, Kale..." he indicated to the hand covered in it. We both stared at it for a moment longer then I waited again for Eli to continue. 

With his frown deepening, Eli shook his head, "I can see him." His eyes lifted to mine. "I can see him somewhere but I just don't know where. But I don't know why I can see him if he's not supposed to be here." 

That pulsing heartbeat was in my ears and I swallowed, studying the way Eli stared back at me. His face was still in a frown, but his eyes seemed to be questioning whether I'd believe him or not. To reassure him, I nodded for Eli that it was okay, that he was in a safe place and that he was around people who loved him and would do anything to help him. 

Eli sighed, closing his eyes so tightly that his nose scrunched. 

We waited, me looking over at Thea whose brown eyes teared up before looking at me. I was giving her this look that I hoped she'd understand that she needed to be calm. She must have understood because she nodded, swallowing hard. 

Turning back to Eli, his eyes were already meeting mine. He softly told me that this felt like his dreams that he used to tell me about. He paused, asking if I remembered. When I nodded, Eli swallowed before going on to say again that they were like the dreams but this time it felt so much more real.

"Kale..." Eli whispered, letting out a shaky breath. "Maddie's alive."