Hi everyone, I know I'm an awful person for letting you all down when I stopped updating. I feel very bad about it and I hope you can find it in you to give me another chance :D

If you feel disoriented or need a recap I'll be glad to fill you in.

I hope you enjoy reading this chapter.

Nathaniel Black

Thalia Thunders

Brother? What the hell? Thalia thought as she looked at Nathaniel puzzled "what does he mean by 'your brother'?" She was surprised that Nate didn't even seem fazed by the news.

"He means my brother Hunter" Nate answered her calmly as if it was so normal to have your brother send a hunter out to kill you.

"oh...and you're okay with it?" Hailey asked him raising an eyebrow at him.

Thalia, on the other hand didn't know how to handle the news. She didn't even know he had a brother or any living sibling. Let alone, someone who was out for his blood. Feeling someone stare at her, she looked up to find Nathaniel searching her face skeptically.

"What is it?" she asked him getting closer to him and taking his hand in hers. By now, Hailey had left the living room for some reason and Mason who delivered the news had an uneasy feeling as he switched from leg to leg.

"Nothing baby, you seemed to have spaced out. I don't want you to worry"

That made Thalia burst in laughter "seriously? I didn't know you had any living siblings, and one that wants you dead. Seeing you take the news so lightly and so well makes me feel a little unsettled. That's all"

Hailey came out of the kitchen with a glass of water that she handed to Mason with a smile. They both walked out giving the couple some space.

"Yes! You're right, I never spoke about my brother because he hasn't been in my life for over a century now... as for him wanting to kill me? Well it's not breaking news."

Thalia looked out the window shaking her head "I need some air" she said walking out with Nate to join her friend outside. She looked for the lions but couldn't find any which was odd, but she didn't mention it. It wasn't the time to ask about lions. They all sat in silence, no one wanted to speak or maybe they didn't know what to say. Hailey was the only one brave enough to ask Nathaniel the very question they all wanted to ask him but didn't. "Why would your own brother want to kill you?"

Nathaniel seemed to think about it for a while before actually speaking up "long story short, he was in love with Sarah. She didn't love him back since she was my mate. He hated me since; trying to curse me, kill me, torture me... you have your pick"

"But that was centuries ago! No? Why come back now?" Thalia asked him a little confused. First of all, that wasn't a big enough reason to want one's sibling dead, second of all, why now? It was very odd.

Nathaniel looked at his mate very carefully before uttering a single word "maybe he learned about your existence, and now wants to punish me. I'm not actually sure, I'll have to meet with him and ask"

Suddenly, Hailey who was randomly and silently looking around focused her gaze on Nathaniel. She pointed her finger to him and out of the blue spoke in a foreign language with a voice that wasn't really hers.

Thalia jumped out of her chair freaking out "what is she saying?" no one said anything "what's going on!?" she looked at a frowning Nathaniel for answers but he let out a cry of pain holding his arm tightly as he felt it burn.

"Nate!" Thalia was rushing to his side only to be stopped by Mason "Let me go!"

"No Thalia, wait, he's being marked you can't touch him" Thalia didn't know what he meant but reluctantly stayed away from her love. She was terrified, and worried, she had just gotten him back and wasn't ready to lose him again.

Nathaniel's cries went down as he tried to compose himself still feeling breathless and trying to focus his sight again.

Hailey snapped out of her trance letting out a gasp and looked at her friends "what happened? I think I spaced out" she asked them fear evident on her face.

Mason approached her and placed a hand on her back "a witch from the council channeled you I think, you marked Nathaniel"

"Oh! I'm so sorry Nate, I know that hurts as hell are you okay?"

"I'm fine it's not your fault" his voice came out raspy and it was clear he was in a lot of pain. He looked down at his wrist band to find the council symbol on it.

Thalia stood by Nathaniel and took his hand in hers examining his wrist "what does this mean?"

"It means I have to report to the council, if I don't they'll deal with it their own way"

"It's an invitation, as well as a warning..." she tried to explain to her friend.

Mason had to leave but for some reason he didn't want to leave them like that "I'll go with you. I know you don't need my protection but a pair of extra hands might come in handy"

Nathaniel nodded "okay, but..." he looked at Thalia "you'll have to stay here with Hailey, I don't want anything happening to you, I want you to be safe and hopefully I won't be long; just a week, maybe two."

Thalia was shaking her head roughly tears already forming in her eyes "I'm going with you Nathaniel Black! Whether you like it or not, I'm not letting you do this on your own"

"And I'm coming too. There is no way I'm letting you three have all the fun while I'm stuck here in this crappy town"

"Girls, this isn't a game" Nathaniel was trying hard to stay calm. Just the thought of his mate getting hurt killed him. He couldn't take her with him. And now he had to work out the issue with his brother. It all came together and he was feeling rather frustrated. He hated not being in control.

Mason cleared his throat "with all respect, I think they both can take care of themselves. And having them with us is actually a good idea. They can see that the girl you turned is actually on the right track, meaning Karly is like that due to her own personality."

Nate didn't say anything about it he just paced back and forth in his garden ignoring the stares he was getting. He finally looked up at them "fine. You can come but if we sense danger you'll head back"

Both girls were grinning knowing they would never leave their side even if there was danger. But they had to agree just to go on with them.

"So, when are we leaving?" Hailey asked excitedly

"where are you all going?" they all looked to the door where the voice came from

"what the hell..." Thalia whispered.