After our initial meeting, I created the lie of doing a course for work which gave me a regular time to see David. Because I had to run the risk of Hannah and Aiden seeing each other and therefore the course could end up being a topic of conversation at some point, I actually enrolled into a basic level online graphic design course. This way it could sound legit to both of them, and I had evidence in the form of actual study at other times too. The downside was that I felt horrible doing it all in the first place, but that it also meant I had to find time to fit in an actual course.

It was the worst thing going on in my life so really I couldn't complain and with Luke and Jack my only real confidents at the moment, I still managed to complain about it to them. Neither of them thought any of it was a good idea, because apparently, none of this could end well mostly due to how much of a dedicated student I have been in the past; which was hardly a student at all.

Four weeks later I was developing an understanding of Photoshop so spent some of the time I should have been studying further putting my brothers faces onto other people, animals and mythical creatures to send to them. I also considered David as a friend now as we never seemed to run out of things to talk about or share. I got Luke to send me photos of my birthday parties, a couple from the few holidays we had taken, school dances and those kind of moments he had missed out on. If he was feeling more talkative than me, he would go over those first couple of years after his change or the ones before it. The last ten or so years were off topic, if I mentioned Aiden he'd change the subject or go quiet, and the vampire family or at least the one who made him were also no go areas.

Naturally that was where my interest remained and if I was going to find a way to get some kind of truce happening, it was those years I needed to know about the most. The biggest issue I had though, was that if I got him to open up and even Aiden to a point, who did I believe since both told different sides to the story with the other being the bad guy.

"You seem very distracted this evening." David commented as we left the old movie theatre.

In our talks, we discovered we shared a love for B-Grade movies so when a special showing of Sharknado was happening and on one of our nights, we had to go.

"I'm just still trying to process that chainsaw scene." I tell him, and now that I think about it again, it was pretty amazing. Well, if that's the right word for it.

"Are you sure that's all it is?"

We go into a nearby coffee shop and I place my order before joining him at one of the tables at the back.

"Well?" He asks expectantly, sounding and looking a little too much like my other Dad when he was waiting for me to explain myself.

"Well what?"

"What's going on with you tonight?" He pushes.

"You're not going to tell me so what's the point?" I sigh a little too dramatically and check the time on my phone.

"Try me." David offers, sitting back in the chair looking much too relaxed.

The barista brings me my coffee and I take my time, stirring in some sugar and taking a sip. "I just want to know what's so bad between you and Aiden that you can't put it aside for my sake."

"Well, will he?"

"Honestly, I'm not sure, but he might." I shrug. "He didn't totally dismiss it the other day and after all thats happened, and really, after what you've done to him, if he can find it to move on, why the hell can't you?"

David went quiet and stared off at something behind me. I wasn't expecting an answer, after all I had been trying for weeks now so when he did speak, to say I wasn't surprised was I lie.

"I see your point and these last few weeks have been, wonderful. I guess, if he was willing to put the past behind us, I could, perhaps do the same thing." He mused.

My jaw actually dropped. "You're kidding."

"I rarely kid."

"But, this, oh my gods! This is kind of great." I stuttered, a rush flowing through me that was a hundred times better than coffee. Maybe I really could have it all. Maybe after all the crap in my life, I could be greedy and want this. Even better, I could do more than want it, but actually have it.

How different would next Christmas be. I'd have to see my Dad, and my family, and Aiden could visit both with me. We wouldn't have to worry about the big lunch and fuss my mother made with my father. He didn't eat Christmas ham and all the trimmings. We could drink wine from his winery, watch carols on TV or maybe even go out to see some celebration that was going on in the city. It would low key and easy, so unlike the madness that took over my mother around that time of year. Not that it would be as bad as it had been in the past, and really, nothing could top Christmas this year, but with Aiden's help and support, we'd head home to the family and suffer through the rest of the holiday with them.

Was I losing my mind to even imagine a time where we could actually all be together as one big family unit?

"Samara? Are you alright?" David's voice interrupted my daydream and positive I was now glowing and everyone around us would notice, I smiled and nodded.

"You have no idea how happy this makes me!" Maybe he did and that's why he was willing to do it.

Had we really come this far?

A beep from his phone had David looking towards the exit and he smiled almost sadly. "My driver is outside. Are you sure you're ok to get home?"

"I am perfectly fine to get home." I get up and hug him, still unable to wipe the smile off my face. "I'll see you next week."

He kissed my forehead and nodded. "Until then."

I watched him leave and then sat back down, thinking of when and how would be best to bring it up with Aiden - again. I finish my coffee quickly and start the walk home, taking time to breath in the cool night air and notice all the aspects to the world around me I had been missing. I'd never been this strong before, or healthy, or able to actually notice any of my supernatural abilities enough to use them. Things I would avoid like, any exercise in general, I almost, kind of, enjoyed. I didn't struggle to open the lids on jars anymore, I could lift the sofa enough to move it on my own and get the remote, loose change and other little things I'd lost under it and just never could be bothered to save. My eating habits hadn't really improved, still preferring junk food and barely cooked meats over other things but Aiden claimed it just my body wanting energy and even those cravings were less now I had other things in my diet.

Overall I felt a little like Wonder Woman and my mood made me feel like nearly anything was that kind of possible. As the car stopped at the end of the street, I glanced it's way curiously. It was quite late, my post class coffee or drinks with classmates gave me reason to still be out, but as the first person got out of the car my skin goose bumped. I kept walking, listening closely and thankfully no sounds of the figure dressed in black coming this way came to me. Without realising it, I clenched my fists, growing tenser with every step I took. I was being stupid and even if the anxiety growing in the pit of my stomach meant anything, I was no longer the weak, breakable version of myself. I was so far removed from being that girl these days, it was like I had simply watched a movie with someone in it who looked like me for years.

That said, I pull out my phone and call Aiden.

"Hey you." I quickly say as he answers.

"You ok?" He asks instantly.

"Yeah. I just, I'm nearly home and-" I look back as I turn the corner and the car is parked. There is no one around and my cheeks start to burn as I feel like an idiot. "And just wanted to tell you that."

"Well hurry home then. I've missed-" He sounds more relaxed as soon as I do, only I never hear him finish as I'm suddenly knocked off my feet.

The ground is wet, cold and much harder than I thought it would be as I taste dirt and dead grass. So much for my super senses, where the hell where they just now?

Someone grabs my arm before I can even process what's happening. The ground disappears as I'm passed around, rough hands digging into my leg, my hip and arm as tape is slapped over my mouth. Then they lift me up. Snapping out of my shock, I start to wiggle before going limp and looking at my attackers, their faces are covered by shadows, helped by the hoods of their jackets they had pulled down over near their eyes. It's not too dark to see one of their beards, the mass of wirey hair nearly reaching his chest so as the other adjusts his hold of me slightly, I manage to get a hand free and reach over to pull on it.

He lets out a roar, dropping my legs as I use every bit of strength I have to hold on and for a second I'm against him as I use it like a rope to steady myself as the other one lets me go completely. He smells like old cigarette smoke and dampness, and I'm helpless not to breath in as I struggle to stand. The second I find my feet, the other man has his arms around my waist and then, swings around to get me away.

But I don't let go. From where he turns, my hand twists which only brings his friend stumbling after us with an even louder roar of pain and rage. I feel the second it gives way, and as I'm let go and shoved forward, I'm glad the tape stops me from screaming as I fling the stump of hair out of my hands. The smell of blood hits me instantly and as what I just did processes, bile rises in the back of my throat which I quickly swallow down. With both hands free, I suck in a breath and rip the tape from my mouth and then I start to run.

For all my new strengths and health, I am not going to try and even attempt to fight these two. Their anger chases after me before they do. I can feel the air changing as the wolves gain control over the human and I push myself to run faster all while trying to work out the faster route home despite the slight back tracking Shouting and growls fade slightly, before the heavy thumping of footsteps lessens and I don't need to look behind me now to know one of them has changed.

Well, shit.

I try to think of everything I read about what to do if being chased or attacked. I thought of the self defense classes I took after moving away from home and every piece of advice my brothers had given me - all of it seemed pointless right now especially when the wolf was so close behind me I could feel the heat of his breath tickling my back where my top had been ripped when I had been shoved away moments ago. Not even sure if it would be worth it, I darted to the left across the road and down an unfamiliar street. Thankfully no one was out this time of night, but the animal didn't falter until suddenly there was one behind me, and one at my side. There were no other footsteps apart from mine and as the paws hit my back sending my sprawling forwards, the other snapped his jaws against my ribs as I fell, taking with it another piece of my shirt only this time I didn't hit the dirt, or worse the road as David managed to somehow dive in and break my fall.

It still hurt, but with his arms over my head he took the brunt of the fall as we rolled and then he was gone and I just stayed on the ground as I couldn't seem to get in the right amount of air that my body now demanded. Getting up, I saw him in the middle of the road simply watching the two animals that now paced back and forth, circling him like sharks as for a second I was forgotten.

Seeing the tree at the side of the road and the debris of branches beneath it I quickly went over and picked one up, preparing myself to swing in case one of them had decided to come and deal with me after all. Instead I looked up in time to see one wolf silent and limp on the road and the other being dropped beside it. Death crept into the street, as quiet as the animals that disappeared now as their human forms returned. I couldn't move.

"Are you hurt?" David asked, instantly at my side and taking the stick out of my now shaking hands.

I managed to nod and seeing the figure under the streetlight at the end of the road, I nodded again as relief finally took hold. Aiden came rushing over, barely looking at the pair and wisely, David moved away towards the tree out of his way.

"I came as fast as I could." He puffed, and I didn't doubt that at all. "I'm sorry it wasn't sooner. Are you alright?"

His eyes searched mine and again I nodded, right before I threw my arms around him and held him tight. Burying my face against his chest, I breathed in his scent and could have stayed that way forever. Maybe we did or maybe it was barely a minute, but the second he was satisfied that I was ok I felt the change as he tensed again and his head was no longer resting on top of mine but looking towards where my Dad was waiting.

"What are you doing here?" Aiden growled, holding me right now was probably the only thing keeping him in place.

"Saving her life?" He snapped back.

"What?" Clearly not quite the answer Aiden had expected.

"He did, he came just in time. If he hadn't you would have turned up to a very different situation." I tell him.

Aiden looked back towards the pair as David came closer.

"Get her home. Don't worry about any of this. I have people that can-"

"I know about your people and we don't need-" He started, the pair of them moving so they were squaring off against the other.

"We do Aiden. Despite everything, he was here tonight and-"

"Why was here? Was this to do with him in the first place?" My mouth dropped.

"I was merely ensuring she got home safely. Something felt wrong so I was simply coming to check on her. My instincts weren't wrong." David growled back.

Aiden looked like he was about to say a lot of things that I wasn't sure I wanted to hear and that would also ensure some kind of truce would be possible after he said them. Looking at David, he clearly had similiar thoughts as his eyes narrowed on Aiden and as he opened his mouth there was no hiding his fangs - something I had already noticed happened when ever he was really, really angry.

"He was my hero tonight Aiden. He is my father too and you had said you would be willing to, maybe even try to get along. This would be the time to start to do that." I looked up at begging him to give in, at least for tonight.

Just when I thought it was no good, he nodded and taking my hand in his kissed my skinned knuckles which sent a shiver all the way down my spine.

"Fine." He sighed, his shoulders relaxing slightly. "Thank you, for helping. Tonight."

He struggled with each word, but it was a start and despite everything that had happened, I was happy again. That was until I saw the look the two of them shared as we left David to do clean up and started to walk home. It wasn't going to be that simple at all, not that I expected it to be. Charlie had said we'd have obstacles, and I was determined to find a way for all of us to overcome them.

"You're welcome." David finally answered, yet all Aiden did in response was squeeze my hand that little bit tighter.