I fucked this up, so I get up to go after her. I have no idea what I was thinking. "Give her some time," Logan tells me as he stops me from leaving. "CLAY!" I hear her scream.

We run out to find she is nowhere in sight, but I pick up another scent—multiple ones besides hers. "Where the hell is she?" I frantically ask. "I don't know, but we'll find her," Logan replies determinedly.

"I think it's best we call Lia," Brie says. "Then go, now!" I shout at her as she runs back into the cabin.

Brie makes a call to Lia while we trail behind. I pace back and forth since I suspect the Lycans have taken her. They would do anything to take her away from me. Lia informs us that they have taken Raven to their pack manor for a meeting, that they have vowed not to harm her, that she is currently on route there, and that they are willing to talk to us. After packing, we head to the address Lia provided.

⁂

Logan follows me as I get into my car. I drive faster down the streets in order to reach my girl. I turn onto the muddy path that ascends to the pack manor. When I glance around, I see that everything is disintegrating. They are actually dogs. We pull into the driveway and stand there, unsure of what will happen. Vlad, an older vampire, is there when the door opens; something is clearly wrong.

"This way." He motions to us. We walk into this big dining hall. The walls are dark, and candles light the space. Seated at the table are three elderly vampires, three elder Lycans, and...

"Grams?" Brie says surprised. "Grams?" Logan and I question. The woman looks up from her seat at the table, her expression grave. "Hello, my dear child. I'm sorry to have to call you all here on such short notice," she says. "But there's been a disturbance in the supernatural world that requires our immediate attention."

"What the hell is going on here?" I begin to feel frustrated as I stare at these people who have kidnapped Raven.

"With all due time, my child, we will explain everything." She stands to face us. I look at Brie, whose face begins to go pale. She begins to step back as Logan wraps his arms around her. Her own grandmother is part of the reason Raven was taken. Brie lets out a sob and says, "I can't believe this is happening."

"Clay!" I turn to face Raven; she runs towards me, and I hug her tight. "Are you okay?," I whisper into her ear.

"Enough!" One of the elders shouts. I look over to see weapons placed on the table in front of us.

What the–?

"What are those for?" Logan asks, eyeing the table full of weapons. "These are merely a preventative measure. We won't use them until absolutely necessary." He points to the other guns on the table, saying, "These are filled with wooden bullets for you two if you do anything, and these right here are filled with ordinary bullets in case the witches decide to try anything," a vamp claims.

I push Raven behind me as they all stand up. "Now, let's have a little chat, shall we?" One of the elder Lycans tells us.

They explain that every rule is set in stone and that it would be wrong to deviate from them for the sake of our world because they have already done so previously, which is how Raven was created. To make sure that everyone continues in their place and to maintain the current state of the world order, we must heed Abel's words of wisdom.

Of course, they are followers of Abel.

The witches and Lycans are to stay together, while the vampires remain in their place.

"I'm a vampire also, so rules change," Raven says, stepping in front of me and walking towards them.

"You must wed a Lycan. Your future and identity lie in that. You are not to violate this rule."

"God, I'm so sick of people telling me what my destiny is. I won't just sit here and let you choose my path!" She yells; her eyes glow, and I can feel the wind picking up around us. She's starting to lose control of her emotions.

"Oh, dear Raven, you will be given two choices to choose from. The first is that we force you to watch as we kill Clay, and you live with that for the rest of your life. We keep you locked up until you come to your senses. The second, we made it a little easier because you are young; you are to take this." Brie's grandma puts a vile on the table filled with neon green liquid. "This is easy to do and enables us to have you follow your destiny into the pack. It also erases your recollection of ever having the sentiments you claim to have for Clay."

I can see the gears turning in her head. She's thinking; she's up to something. I know her too well, or so I thought. "I'll take it." She says quietly.

"What?" Brie, Logan, and I all shout. "I said I'll take it," she repeats, looking at me. A hint of a smile playing on her lips.

I feel a sense of unease wash over me as I try to read her expression. Brie and Logan exchange a confused look before turning back to her. Raven faces the elders and nods, signalling her agreement with their decision. I can't help but wonder what she's really thinking.