Erin's POV:

I wake up the next morning a few days later to distant shouting. Blinking my eyes open I force myself to investigate. Feeling fear run up my spine I pull the covers off my legs climbing out of the bed silently. Padding over to the window I peak outside and cover my mouth in shock.

There outside is a large bonfire set alight, each flame licking closer to the sky. What was shocking was the four bodies tied to the mast burning alive. A crowd of vampires stood staring at the spectacle with sadistic smiles on their faces.

I cover my mouth as I slowly take in the horrific sight. I have to force myself not to vomit my last meal. The crowds jeers were slightly muffled as the window was closed.

I could make out part of their words making my blood run cold.

"Disgusting werewolves!!"

"Die beasts die!"

"Vile cowards."

"Their kind deserve to die!"

This couldn't be happening. Why would they be doing this? Shaking my head in disbelief I fall back onto the bed clutching my hands to stop them trembling.

I felt so stupid. I trusted the wrong people.

Again.

Making a quick decision I look around for a weapon or anything that could help me escape. Taking in the sparse room I start to hyperventilate. I couldn't think straight. How could I?

Think Erin think!

During my panic attack I fail to notice the footsteps approaching the room. I dive under the covers of the bed and close my eyes forcing myself to breathe normal. Just as I slow my heartbeat the door creaks open.

I remain still as the person walks into the room. They sigh in what sounds like relief before the sound of something being placed on to the table can be heard. A tray. Slowly opening my eyes I stare at the back of a young woman as she fixes things on the tray.

My eyes dart to the door.

The open door.

Forgetting everything I know about how vampires, specifically their speed, I jump out of the bed running out the door to freedom. I hear the faint gasp of surprise from the girl but I concentrate on running down the stairs. I don't shift in to my wolf for fear of attracting unwanted attention.

My eyes dart around like the caged animal I am. My eyes land on the front door. Seeing no people or obstacles in my way I run with everything I have. Feeling the handle rest in my shaking hand I pull the door open with unnecessary force. I momentarily take in the empty garden.

Everyone must be still behind the house. I can hear distant voices reminding me of what I had seen earlier. That immediately sets my legs running towards the line of the forest that are in my sights. Thanks to my werewolf genes I am able to run faster than a human and make it to the cover of the trees in seconds. Honing in on my wolf I bring her to the surface as I dart through the trees. Our combined agility allows me to dart in and out of the trees with precision, my speed getting faster as I become more confident in my strides.

Digging my paws into the dirt I try to erase the images I had seen. Lost in thought I fail to notice the shadows darting past me. Lukas suddenly appears in front of me causing me to yell out in shock. My paws dig into the ground in time to save myself from crashing into him.

I stare at him in alarm. My eyes dart around looking for an escape but instead land on vampires from Lukas' clan.

They have me surrounded.

"Why did you run pup?"

My wolf takes over in anger.

"I saw what you did! I saw the fires! You burned them alive!" My heart beats erratically in my chest and I'm pretty sure they can here it.

"It's not what you think."

"Oh really? So I didn't hear 'Werewolf scum' and 'Their kind must die!', I was just imagining it?!"

My voice was starting to rise as I grew hysterical.

"You killed them!"

"They deserved to die!" He roars his face growing red with rage. His hands shake at his side.

I step back. Numb. I don't know how to feel. I thought he was kind. He helped me. I thought I could trust in him.

Clearly not.

His face softens.

"Come pup. I need you to understand." He holds out his hand for me to take but I shake my head in refusal. Sighing in exasperation he waves his hand and suddenly two hands clamp down hard on my arms. Yelling out in surprise I kick and struggle in their grip.

"Calm little one. I need to show you something."

I am pulled back in the direction of the house, the grip on my arm never loosening.The two vamps holding me obediently follow Lukas.

"No let go! Let go of me!"

The men holding me grunt in pain as I kick and hit them as much as I can.

"Relax." One of them grits out as my elbow comes in contact with his stomach.

Suddenly the two men go rigid and everything goes still. Even my wolf goes silent. Each one of us in the clearing can sense the danger.

"They're back."

Quickly and quite efficiently I must admit the twelve vamps including Lukas and the two goons holding me in their vices , all turn towards a gap in the trees standing in a protective circle.

I listen for anything that could help me figure out what is happening. Sensing my confusion Lukas creeps up beside me whispering in my ear.

"Rogues."

From the corner of my eye I see him nod to his men and they thankfully release me.

"You will need to be able to protect yourself."

So that's why.

We all stand together in fighting stances in a tense silence.

One minute I'm trying to make sense of it all the next I have a male vampire hissing in my face. Fresh blood drops down his face from his elongated fangs. His eyes flicker from red and black, the common trait of a rogue.

I fight off his attacks looking for an opening. Lukas appears behind the crazed vamp and easily kicks the back of his legs. They buckle underneath him so I take the opportunity to wrap my around his head and with a hard pull and a twist I sever his head from his body.

It turns out there was only three rogues and they were too far gone to be saved. They were now on pieces scattered on the ground.

"Interesting." Lukas murmurs from beside me.

"Two attacks within a few hours? From both species? A coincidence?" One of his men speaks out.

Silence fills the clearing as I try to collect my thoughts.

"That's what you saw." Lukas states.

"Mmmm...what?"

"The bodies we were burning." I wince but wait for him to continue.

"They were rogues. You probably couldn't smell them."

I roll my eyes.

"No the smell of burning flesh was a tad bit overwhelming."

He chuckles at my sarcasm despite the situation.

"Anyway...they attacked while you were asleep. They tried to attack the children who were playing outside. They almost got them too but the eldest of the group was able to alert us. Rogues, whether they are werewolves or vampires are vicious when they are lost to their beasts and in both attacks they were all goners. That's why we burned the werewolves and the vamps will be too." He stares intently at me.

"Please don't think differently of me or my coven. I am just protecting my family."

I feel the truth in his words and honesty shining in his eyes. Relief washes over me but a sliver of doubt wriggles at the back of my mind.

I want to understand. I know first hand that rogues are foul creatures who only leave destruction in their paths.

Flashes of the vampires cheering as they burn the rogues alive make one thought very clear.

We're all monsters at heart.

And not all monsters can be trusted.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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Sinead xx