The Cousin I Thought I'd Lost!

Scarlett let out a gasp as she dashed through the woods. When she heard her grandfather's angry words, it came along with the realisation that he knows who she is. But how did he discover this? Scarlett's only thought as she ran in the cold night and almost full moonlight was to go to the territory to meet Mace and stay there for the time being for safety. She tried to catch her breath and inhaled deeply, but suddenly covered her nose when she smelled something bad.

Rogues.

Scarlett entered through the gate, but there were no guards stationed at the entrance. She took a look around and noticed how dry everything was. Where has everyone gone? She pondered. The packhouse was her first stop. She could smell blood when she arrived, and it was as desolate as a desert. She attempted to mindlink Mace, but it did not work. Scarlett sighed as she approached Simon's mansion and smelled the scent of werewolves.

Simon must have kept them all in his house for their own safety. Speaking of which, she couldn't smell Simon or Mace. Scarlett turned the doorknob and pushed it open. Everyone's gaze was fixed on her. The werewolves' expressions were dejected and fearful.

"Where have you been, Luna?" one of them inquired. Her voice was trembling.

Scarlett was befuddled. She closed the door behind her as she approached them. "What exactly happened here?"

"This is what happens when you have a half-bred Luna," said another.

"You mean, turned?" The first one spoke angrily. She returned her gaze to Scarlett. "Darkness has descended on us since you joined our pack. Uncle Vigo died, our pack was attacked, and..." She paused. The words couldn't escape her mouth. Scarlett was waiting, but her hand was held. When she looked down, she noticed Flint.

"Don't mind them, sister in law." Flint smiled. "You are not to blame. They are simply attempting to place their rage and blame on someone. If you are looking for my brother, he is at the graveyard. He's been there for hours."

"Graveyard? What do you mean?"

"You should go meet him. He'll explain everything to you. As you can see, this room is already filled with werewolves mourning the loss of their loved ones."

"Where can I find Mace? I really need to speak with him."

"My brother would be aware." Flint smiled softly as he watched Scarlett turn around and approach the door. Scarlett took a deep breath and exited the house, closing the door behind her. She approached the graveyard Flint had mentioned. When she saw Simon's sad back, she remained in the distance. He was bending down. In total silence.

"I know you are there. What are you doing here?" Simon's voice made her heart skip a beat. Of course he is aware. He has picked up on her scent.

"What are you doing out here? Alone in the cold?" Scarlett came up to him. "What happened when I was gone?"

"You are supposed to stay gone. Why are you back?" Simon's back was all Scarlett could see as he spoke. He refused to look at her.

Scarlett took a deep breath. "Well, I can't. I am being hunted and chased down by…" She paused. "I have something I need to tell you." Simon remained silent, and she went on. "I learned more about things I probably shouldn't have known, and it hurt me. I realised that the man who nearly killed me that night when I lost control with you was my grandfather. Simon, he's a hunter, and so is my family."

Simon rose to his feet and exhaled deeply. Finally, he turned to face her. His eyes were red, and Scarlett could see that he had cried. He approached her and looked into her eyes. He grabbed her arms and tightened them, inflicting pain on Scarlett. "Why are you here?"

"You are hurting me."

Simon let go of her when he realised his grip was getting tighter. "I heard what you said. For years, your family has been causing so many problems with the werewolves."

"You knew. Was that why you rejected me? Because you learned about my family?"

"You could have informed me."

"I had no idea until recently. I wanted to solve the problem, but..."

She was abruptly cut off. "There is nothing to solve, Scarlett!" Simon yelled at her. "Let me guess. Now they know about you as well? They are out to kill you, and they will track you down to this territory to kill us all?"

"No one followed me here or saw me pass through this area. I am certain."

"Well, what is the point if anyone follows you here? We're already as good as gone. We've already lost people who were dear to us. And…" He took a deep breath and blinked away his tears.

"And?" Scarlett shook her head. When she saw Mace's precious bracelet on Simon's wrist, she hoped it wasn't what she was thinking. Mace had not been detected anywhere. "Please tell me it isn't what I think it is."

Simon took a deep breath. "He left this world thinking about you and how I shouldn't hate you because of your family." Simon began to cry once more. Like a child. Like a child whose heart had been broken and who needed comfort.

Scarlett's heart began to shatter. "No." She shook her head. "Mace wouldn't leave. He is a strong man." She took a sniff. "Did my family do this?"

"No. It was rogues." Simon stated. "They unexpectedly attacked us." He smiled weakly. "And Mace sacrificed his life to save mine."

"His death won't be in vain. I will avenge him." Scarlett started to walk away but was stopped. "You won't be able to stop me now!" She yanked Simon's hand away from her. "They deserve to be killed. Do you have any idea how long I waited for him?" Her voice lowered as her emotions weakened. "He's no longer alive, Simon. He is no longer alive." She began to sob, and Simon cradled her in his arms to comfort her. She cried even harder, unable to believe what she had heard. How is that possible? How could it possibly be Mace?

"You can't go up against them. For the battle, we'll need a larger team. The Zeta wolf was the one who attacked Mace, and he will pay for it."

"Zeta?" Scarlett stopped sobbing and looked at Simon. "Zeta?" She repeated.

"It is a rare werewolf. I only recently learned about him. He is stronger, with dark fur and white eyes. Stronger. Stronger than I am."

"Oh my goodness."

"What?"

She kept an inch between herself and Simon. "I know who that is."

"What?"

"He attends my school and goes by the name Luke. Luke Martin."

Simon was taken aback. "Luke Martin?" There is only one Luke Martin, and that is... "No way." He had looked for him, but he had been right under his nose the whole time.

"What is it?"

"He is my cousin." Simon clenched his fists. "The cousin I thought I'd lost."