4 years later

Destiny was creeping back in.

I spent the past year in my entry level job with the police, collecting samples off trees from the Corridor to Die; in the middle of the day. In fact, I worked most days and moved into an apartment I rented with Carmen, in the very first year of college. Doctor Vos helped with that. He didn't want to go to jail, so we bargained, and here we were; free accommodation, paid by our generous donor.

We never returned to the asylum again.

It was a special vaulted apartment, which sealed out night lurking supernatural creatures.

Lycans, witches and vampires were primarily banned from this apartment block.

Werewolves were day creatures. So Carmen was fine to reside here.

"Listen to your senses, listen," Carmen is meditating in the living room on the rug, whispering quietly under her breath.

I've just got back from work, and thrown my bag on the counter while I take out my pony tail and massage my sore scalp. I watch Carmen sitting cross legged, fingers in o's, chin up, eyes closed but mouth moving.

What did she do now?

Do I want to know?

I narrow my eyes as I consider my line of questioning.

"Did you cook dinner like you said you would? It's your turn," I look over to the empty kitchen stove top. Not one thing has moved, "Oh, Carmen?"

When I look back over to her, our eyes lock. She slaps her hands onto her knees and suddenly blurts out.

"I almost fucked a Lycan today!" Carmen screams it, "There," she calms down, "I said it. I did it. Almost, almost, okay?"

4 years celibate, we both agreed it was for our own good, purposefully avoiding sex altogether; to hear this?

I go pale.

"What?" I walk around and pull out a stool, sitting my ass down, "Explain. Properly. So I understand."

"I went on a date with a Lycan! And I almost –" Carmen seals her lips and moves her brows, and points her finger at me.

"Yeah, I know what you mean by almost," I speak in a monotone, "But I'm officially apart of Lycan Control. Why are you falling for their charm after everything I've told you, everything we've learnt? Lycans only have sex slaves, there is no such thing as girlfriends for these monsters. You KNOW THIS!" I really snap at the end, going red in the face. I don't know if I'm embarrassed, humiliated or... jealo –

Carmen breathes in through her nose and slowly exhales as she closes her eyes and starts to meditate again.

What.

Now.

I know it's going to get worse.

"It wasn't just any Lycan. It was Onyx," she whispers, " –Fuck."

"Fuck off," I hiss through my teeth, "Are you joking? Tell me you're –"

"No," Carmen opens her eyes again, "I didn't recognise him. He matured into a different coat colour."

"Oh. Really. Tell me more," I roll my eyes and try to keep my composure. Why was I sweating so damn bad about this? Why did I care?

"A black coat, which is all about breeding pheromones, you taught me that babe, heheh – anyway," Carmen says, blushing herself, "I actually just went for a job interview and we happened to meet. You know I want a job in a club. You know Lycans actually, legitimately employ people and don't kill them due to the contracts. So... it might have been... a job. At. Onyx Lycan Nightclub," she whispers that very quietly, glossing over it, "Because it was offering super high pay!" she whispers even more quietly, "I did not expect his ding dong to start, you know, rising while he interviewed me," Carmen grits her teeth as she smiles, "I borrowed your clothes – they had your scent, oops? Big oops?"

Jesus.

Fucking.

Christ.

I lay my face in my hands, "You fucking kill me Carmen. I spent four years dropping off the grid. And you just... almost... fucked Onyx. After you willing. Walk. Into his nightclub."

"I know he marked you. And I actually wanted to also get answers," Carmen suddenly calms down, "For you. So I asked."

"Asked what?" I peak through my fingers.

"What it means?" Carmen starts slowly. The mark.

Not this conversation again. Carmen often disagreed with the theories I was taught. But I believed the studies on Lycans. I believed the research. She just didn't like it.

"It means I'm cursed," I snap.

"It means something else," Carmen murmurs.

"No it doesn't."

"You'll thank me later. On the eclipse, the mark will activate," Carmen blurts, quickly.

"Activate?" I am breathless. I haven't heard of this. Carmen looks smug, she knows I don't know, but she does know. But of course, she's the best, best-friend in the world and finds out crucial information for me. I could hug her, but I also want to stab her. Fucking hell.

"It means you'll be guided down the Corridor to Breed, I made that name up, the corridor name, anyway, it's just..." Carmen chuckles, nervous, "...you'll be guided into the forest where he'll mate with you."

So on the Eclipse I'm fucked.

"Does he remember me?" I ask, gulping.

"Of course he does," Carmen chuckles, "But hear me out. This activation on the night of the coming eclipse? You can use it to finally capture him with Lycan Control," Carmen finally finishes, "You. The bait. Onyx – on a hook. The police? Set up a mechanical trap."

"You remembered that Lycan Control won't promote me until I catch my first Lycan," I whisper, suddenly relieved, "And you're helping me to get promoted in the team?"

"Fuck yes bitch, that's my job, push you harder, and help you be the bossest bitch you can –" Carmen can't finish.

I launch at her to hug her on the floor.

I didn't know how I was going to catch my first Lycan. I often worried about it.

But I joined Lycan Control because I was terrified of Onyx.

This was a double win.

Get a promotion.

Imprison the monster who marked me.

"I know, bitch, I'm amazing," Carmen smirks as I hold her shoulders at arm distance, grinning.

"I'm going to catch my first Lycan, and I owe you for life," I say it seriously, "You're brilliant."

"Well it is our birthday," Carmen smiles.

I almost. Fucking. Forgot.

Our birthday.

It was on the same day, just a huge coincidence.

I sit back on my butt.

"Lame ass 23," I hug my knees to my chest, "I have an idea."

"Ooo?" Carmen raises a brow.

"After I imprison Onyx – we break the celibacy rule. We'll go out. And we'll find some company," I start to smile.

Carmen almost goes speechless, "Y-yes, yes, yes – yes!"

"Calm down. First we have to catch the big bad Lycan and lock him away. Onyx commands the Dire Wolf Lycans. This will set me up for life."

"Okay," Carmen purses her lips.

"You're brilliant," I chuckle, "How is your... dreams, by the way?"

"Oh, Sloan?" Carmen immediately loses her smile, "Don't worry about it. He's such a creep. He still invades my dreams, just to taunt me."

"Controlled Lycans are used to hunt vampires," I say, "Maybe I can make that happen when we get Onyx on a leash. If Sloan dies, you'll be free."

"I know," Carmen grimaces, "I know."

"Does that make you sad?" I ask, confused.

"No," Carmen shakes her head, "I don't like him," Carmen shakes her head, "Why would I like someone who ripped off my head and stitched it back on?"

"I didn't say you liked him," I narrow my eyes, "But... whatever."

"Whatever," Carmen speaks too quickly, "Anyway, I better make dinner. And you should shower because you stink."

"Thanks," I stand up.

I walk to the bathroom, disturbed.

Excited.

Worried.

So much was at stake.

Lycans were legendary monsters, insanely hard to capture or trap. They were too smart and were extremely unpredictable. We only had two other Lycans imprisoned at the police station in underground vaults, caught over the last two decades. It was prestigious to be awarded that rare trophy title – a professional Lycan hunter.

So, it was a one in ten year opportunity. And Carmen just gave me the answer. Using my mark, from Onyx, against him.

I was just a mortal, Carmen a werewolf. And we were both clinically insane to some degree.

Could we pull this off?

I was afraid if we didn't... we'd be dead anyway.

It was just a matter of time. Either Onyx would win.

Or we would.