My body tenses almost immediately.

Asher.

The Alpha. My mate. The one who bullied me, rejected me and banished me.

Mate, Raven says softly.

"Hello?" Raiden calls again. "We know someone's there, we heard your singing."

I look at Zaine.

"Over here," he calls.

"I still don't like that girly voice," I mutter, standing up.

Raiden and Asher come walking through the trees beside each other. Not much has changed about their appearances, though they may have more muscle than two years ago. Asher's gaze immediately locks on me. He studies me quickly, his eyes scanning over my face.

"Mate," he says softly.

Raiden looks at him. "Really?" he asks quietly. "You said she cheated—well, tried something with someone else—not she died."

Asher's eyes fog over and a split second later, so do Raiden's.

A few seconds later, Asher blinks and shakes his head. "Sorry," he says, looking at Zaine and I. "It's just that... Well, you're not my first mate. And I was stupid and rejected her."

I hesitate, so Zaine speaks up.

"Oh...What happened to her? Is she in your pack?" he asks tentatively.

Raiden shakes his heads. "No... We don't know where she is. Or who wanted her gone, 'cause someone faked banishing her."

"What?" I ask, my voice sharper than I intended.

Asher scowls. "Someone tried to fake my handwriting and wrote a note saying I banished her. I didn't and we still haven't gotten anyone to own up to it. Wait, we haven't gotten your names yet. I'm guessing Autumn Ranger and Regina Robertson?"

"Yeah." I nod. "I'm Autumn and she's one of my best friends."

"I'm Raiden," my brother says. "This is one of my best friends, Asher."

"Alpha and Beta?" Zaine asks, pretending to be a little unsure.

Asher nods. "What's you two doing out here? Shouldn't you be at school?"

Zaine tenses, his eyes turning sad but his expression empty.

"The redheaded girl, Kia, I think it was," I say, trying to keep my hate out of my voice and expression. "She's mates with my brother, Regina's boyfriend. And well... They've been together for two years and Regina broke up with him so he'd give Kia a chance."

"Wow," Raiden murmurs. "You didn't try to fight for him?"

Slowly, Zaine shakes his head.

"Why not?" Asher asks.

He and Raiden come over and sit a few feet in front of Zaine, so I sit back down beside him.

"It's... private," Zaine whispers. "I don't like to talk about it."

It's quiet for a few seconds. Then a few sobs escape Zaine's lips and he starts crying again, worse than before. He pulls his knees up to his chest and wraps his arms around them, hiding his face.

His body starts changing as his power starts getting out of control. His hair repeatedly changes colours, growing longer then shortening again and his skin ripples as his form goes from Regina's to halfway to his natural one and back again.

Good thing he decided to wear some of his normal clothes today and not the ones meant for his female form. The girl's clothes are too small for his natural form.

"What the hell?!" Raiden exclaims in shock. "What's happening?!"

I ignore him for now, focusing on Zaine. "Where's your ring?" I ask urgently. "Where's your brass ring?"

Zaine's shaking hand goes to his pocket and he pulls out the ring wrapped in a small scrap of fabric. I take it from his unsteady grip and quickly take off the fabric, slipping the ring on his right hand. Almost immediately, Zaine's changes stop and he shifts into himself.

I realize too late however, that the ring also cancels out the changes Zaine's magic made on me. The tingles run through my body and I look down to see my hair returning to it's natural black. I close my now-red eyes with a long sigh, holding a hand up to silence the words Raiden's about to burst out. He closes his mouth, watching me with wide eyes and clearly doing his best to restrain himself at my gesture.

I keep my attention on Zaine and rub his back gently, trying to help sooth his cries. He clings to me, hands fisted in my shirt as he sobs and his shoulders shake.

"What was that?" Asher asks softly. Glancing over at him, I can tell he's forcing himself to put his position as alpha before personal business. "He's a warlock?"

I nod, keeping my eyes on my unofficial brother. "We all are, my friends and I. Well, I was gifted with a witch's power."

"When were you gifted?" Raiden asks, interested. I can tell he's practically bursting with more questions and his tense postures lets me know he's keeping himself from moving closer. "What can you all do?"

I open my mouth but Zaine speaks. "Don't tell," he says, raising his head. His voice is a little raspy and his eyes are red. His cheeks wet from tears but a small grin rests on his lips. "Let's let them try and figure it out. It'll be a little game."

Slowly, I nod. "Alright. You guys okay with that?"

Asher and Raiden both nod. At this point it looks like Raiden is biting his tongue to keep back the words he wants to say. Asher doesn't seem as fit to burst as my twin but I can tell he's ecstatic as well as nervous.

"Sounds fun," he says slowly. "So you use your power as you would normally and we have to figure out what it is?"

"Yeah," Zaine replies. "And... my real name is Zaine."

"So that's why Scott said Killian nearly slipped up yesterday introducing you," Raiden notes. "Almost said he instead of she."

Zaine nods with a small smile. "Managed to convince my friends to let me pretend to be a girl for fun."

"So your ability is shape shifting?" Asher asks tentatively.

"I'm like Tonks from Harry Potter," Zaine confirms. "But it takes up energy the more times I shift, so I can't change repeatedly in a short time. I also recently found I can indeed use my magic on others."

Asher nods, interested. "Cool."

We sit in silence for a while. Asher has his eyes on me but he doesn't say anything. Zaine's cries have stopped and now he's just giving the occasional hiccup. Raiden finally caves and practically tackles me, a choked sob passing his lips as he hugs me tightly.

"I thought I'd never see you again," he whispers. "I missed you so much, Rei. I have so many questions. Where have you been? What have you been doing? Why didn't you ever mind-link me or Dad? I'm so sorry I never noticed you were being bullied, I—"

I cover his mouth with my hand, silencing him. "Verbal diarrhea doesn't suit you, brother mine."

"It really doesn't," Asher adds with a smirk.

Raiden glances back at him, "You want another beating, asshole?"

Asher winces and quickly raises his hands in surrender, "No. No, the first one was enough."

"Not enough for me," Zaine says, lunging towards Asher.

I grab his ankle, effectively causing him to face-plant into the ground. "We didn't come here for a fight, Changeling."

"Maybe you didn't," he replies stonily. "Can I at least punch him once?"

"No. Save it for Kia, if I know her, she's gonna fuck up the practically non-existent chance she has with Flash and I don't particularily care about her welfare."

Raiden snorts at that. "Neither do I. She tried to get with me after you left, Rei, saying something about how she could make me feel better about the loss." A disgusted noise passes my lips at that and my twin laughs, "That's what I thought too. I love you, Rei, forever."

I smile widely at that, "Forever. What this about 'another beating?'" I ask, leaning comfortably against Raiden's side with his arm around my shoulders and basking in the familiar warmth he gives me.

Raiden gives me a smug grin. "I may or may not have given Asher, Scott and Dean a nice gift after learning what they did to you."

"Gift, sure," Asher says sarcastically, rolling his eyes. "Because I love a good two hour beating with bruises and broken bones that didn't heal for days."

My eyes widen slightly at that. "Two hours? I didn't think you had it in you, Raiden."

"You'd be surprised what a person can do when pushed enough," Zaine pipes up. "There's not a lot a person wouldn't do if it insured the safety of their loved ones."

I nod at that. "That's true."

Asher clears his throat, a mixture of nervousness, guilt and hope on his expression as he looks at me. "I know I was horrible, Rei, but would you... Give me a chance? Give us a chance? I swear, I'm not like I was, I'm a better person than before."

I tense. Would I? He hurt me... But I've had my rogues keep tabs on him and they say he's better than he was before. People always do stupid shit in their teens and I know Asher has matured as he's now the alpha and the pack hasn't fallen to its knees. Even just from what I've seen now, I can tell he's not the arrogant shit he was before: he's not as headstrong and is more 'think it through first.'

Please, Raven whines.

Give him a chance, Reina, Zaine says. I'm not mated to Killian and it's amazing; imagine what a true soulmate would be like. If he does the slightest thing wrong though I'm pummelling him.

I nod slowly. "Alright... I'll give you a chance." Asher's face lights up and he smiles. I add in, "You better not fuck it up though."

Asher nods quickly while Raiden smiles, ruffling my hair playfully and making me swat his hands away with a huff. Zaine gives me a grin and hugs me, making Asher give a soft growl.

"Oi, I am allowed to hug my best friend," Zaine huffs. "I see her as a sister and so do the rest of our friends. Sister, nothing more, nothing less. And I know she sees us as siblings too."

I nod in confirmation. Asher relaxes at that and gives Zaine an apologetic look, to which he returns with a smile.

"If I may ask," Raiden says, "Zaine, where'd you get your scars? I can only guess you've been through a lot."

Zaine tenses and takes a quick glance at me before slowly nodding, "I... um... Well, I... was abused... by my coven."

I expect Asher and Raiden to give him pitying looks, something he hates but they don't. They look at him with respect and admiration.

"I'm guessing that's why you didn't fight over your boyfriend?" Raiden asks gently.

Zaine nods sadly. "He'll be happier with a true soulmate."

I scoff. "I told you Changeling, she can not make Flash happier than you can," I say, crossing my arms. "He loves you and nothing's gonna change that. Certainly not a fake-ass bitch.."

To my surprise, Asher chuckles and nods. "Yeah, no way anyone can be happy with my hoe of a half-sister. She's a fuck and chuck kind of bitch." He makes the gesture of poking his index finger through the circle he makes with his other index finger and thumb before miming throwing something over his shoulder. "Fuck 'em and chuck 'em. No way Denny would've done that."

"Don't call me that," Raiden hisses, shoving Asher semi-playfully before turning back to Zaine and I, "She tried and I said no, of course. I'm waiting for my mate."

I can't help but smile. He's still the loyal, caring brother I remember.

Some things never change.

➵

We stay out there in the forest talking for a few hours. We all bond; Zaine grows comfortable with Asher and Raiden and they accept him as a friend. As expected, Raiden stays close to me. Eventually, we all start getting too cold and decide to go to school for the last two periods.

I have English, then art, while Zaine has math and art. I have English with Raiden and Asher is with Zaine in math. Asher mind-linked the teachers about who I really am so there's no confusion or much hassle there.

Saying goodbye to Zaine and Asher, Raiden and I head to our English classroom, his fingers intertwined with mine in a way that just feels right. I haven't seen him in almost two years. Not really that long of a time but to go from seeing him everyday to not at all... All I can say is that I missed him, I really missed him. I notice Raiden tense as we walk down the hall.

"Mate," he whispers softly.

My eyes widen. His mate... It must be someone new here, or else they would've met before... I think the only new people here are my friends and I. And since Killian is mated to Kia and it's not Zaine, the only person I can think of is Clove.

I smile; I knew they'd be a good match.

We walk into the classroom and Raiden's eyes almost immediately lock onto Clove. She looks surprised to see me, her eyes narrowing at my natural appearance.

What happened? she asks sternly.

Zaine was sobbing and his power was out of control, I reply. I didn't realize in time that his ring would make me shift back too and Asher and Raiden were right in front of us.

Clove scowls. But that situation is dealt with and alright?

I nod and her gaze shifts to Raiden. She tilts her head curiously, hopefully, then looks back at me, a question in her eyes.

Told you that you and him would be a good couple, I say, smirking slightly.

Raiden walks over to Clove and she gives him a bright smile.

"Mine," Raiden mumbles, wrapping his arms around her.

I can pretty much feel the happiness radiating off Clove; she's wanted a relationship for a while now and now she can have one. I know she'll be happy with my brother and I know he won't hurt her. Clove is everything I remember Raiden saying he wants in a mate; smart, kind, funny, energetic, understanding and more.

"It's nice to have you back, Rei," the teacher, a kind woman called Mrs. Cameron, says with a smile. I return it with a smile and small nod of my own as she continues, "You can sit next to Clove."

I nod and walk to the back of the classroom to where Clove is sitting. Raiden is in the row in front of us, beside Dean who I just noticed is in this class. Looking at the other students, I pick out Kia sitting in the front row and glaring daggers back at me. I give her a sweet smile and wave, mouthing "Look who's back, bitch." Kia sneers at me before turning away.

How's Changeling? Clove asks, pulling my attention away from the redheaded hoe.

Not bad, I reply. Asher and Raiden found us in the forest and we talked for a while. Changeling's with Asher in math.

Which class? she asks. Flash has math with Mr. Good.

Same class, I say, wincing slightly. Wonder how that's going.

Clove nods. Poor Flash, he looked so heartbroken when Changeling ran out. Didn't help that Kia wouldn't stop touching him. He asked her to give him some time and she reluctantly agreed.

I look at Kia. I can see her posture is tense and her anger is practically visible in the air as she sits with her head low and glaring at the surface of her desk. I look back at Clove and she shrugs.

I want Flash to just reject her, I growl. She doesn't deserve him. Raiden even said she tried to get with him after I was banished.

I want Changeling and Flash to get back together, Clove says sadly. They were the best together.

I know, I agree. Y'know, we should probably pay attention to class.

Yeah...

➵

The atmosphere is... tense, and depressed.

Zaine is curled up on the love seat, staring into space, Killian and Clove are in the kitchen cleaning up after dinner and Chase and Rhea are watching TV. I'm sitting at the dining room table, planning another rogue attack.

It's to rescue a bunch of young werewolves from what's supposed to be an orphanage but is more like a prison. Some of my rogues have been watching the place and they say the caretakers abuse and neglect the kids and will chain them up in their rooms for disobedience so my rogues are getting them out. The rescue will be tomorrow night, at midnight. The sooner the better; no child deserves to be treated like that. The children will either be sent to a proper orphanage or taken into one of the caretaker rogue groups, like the Unity or Healer group.

Mind-linking the groups who will be participating in the rescue, I make sure they all know what the plan is and what to do. I don't want any slip ups on an attack like this. The children need to be brought to safety and the 'caretakers' need to be disposed of. Suddenly, I hear a loud thud and groan from the kitchen.

"Killian!" Clove's voice shouts in surprise and worry.

I rush into the kitchen, Zaine, Chase and Rhea right behind me. Killian is on the floor, groaning and clawing at his head and chest with Clove kneeling next to him.

"What happened?" I ask quickly.

Clove shakes her head. "I don't know. He just suddenly looked dizzy and collapsed."

"Is he okay?" Rhea asks worriedly.

"He will be," I reply, taking her hand.

"Flash," Zaine whispers, placing his hands on Killian's shoulders in worry. "Killian."

"Make... it... stop," Killian groans out through clenched teeth. "Make it... stop, or... knock me... out... Cheating lair."

I can't stop the growl from escaping my lips as I realize what he means. Kia tried spreading her legs.

"Can I go kill her?" I hiss.

"No, Reina, don't," Zaine says, placing a hand on my arm. "Stay here, with us."

I scowl but nod, clenching my fists and my jaw but not moving to go kill a bitch. The twins both hold my hands, looking at me in concern. I take a deep breath at that, forcing myself to calm down.

"Knock... me out," Killian groans again, clawing at his chest in agony.

Clove, Zaine and I look at each other, considering it. Killian lets out another pained groan and I can see a small dot of blood forming on his shirt where he's clawing at his chest. I reach out to knock him unconscious when he stops and just lies gasping on the floor as if he just ran an agonizing marathon.

"You alright, Flash?" I ask gently.

He gives a weak nod. "It stopped... Now can I reject her, Changeling?" Slowly, Zaine nods, making Killian grin tiredly. "I, Killian Ranger, reject Kia Myers as my mate."

Clove and I give each other wide smiles and Chase and Rhea grin. They don't know exactly what's happening but they like Killian and Zaine together and they understand the two warlocks can be together again.

"I'd kiss you, " Killian whispers, "But I don't have the energy to sit up... I love you, Zaine."

"I love you too, Killian," Zaine replies with a smile, taking Killian's hand in his own.

A few seconds later, Killian's eyes widen.

"What is it?" Clove asks, concerned.

"I didn't think it'd be that easy," Killian says, his voice soft. "She accepted it."

"Wow," I mumble. "That doesn't sound like Kia."

"Who cares," Clove replies with a grin. "Their bond's broken for good so it can stop getting in the way of our ship."

I grin at that and nod. Killian suddenly sits up quickly and grabs Zaine, pulling the smaller male into his arms and slamming their lips together.

"Ew," Chase says, covering his eyes with one hand and Rhea's eyes with the other.

They both head back to the living room to continue watching the TV. I chuckle softly at that before focusing on the warlocks again.

Zaine pulls away, breaking their kiss. "I thought you said you didn't have the energy to sit up."