Alison put aside her homework. Her mother had announced that they were leaving after dinner. After she had left, Alison had visited James and Jordan and after promising them another piano lesson later, she had gone to her room and had done her homework.

It was a quarter to 5 when she was done. She changed into a black sports tank top and leggings and french braid her hair. She then went downstairs and to the gym. She walked in and froze when she saw Damien, Xander, and Hunter already there. Xander and Damien were wrestling in the center of the room where a mat had been put and had created a ring. Hunter was sitting on top of a few boxes there, shouting and watching them. Damien and Xander were shirtless and in sport shorts, showing their six-packs proudly. Their skins that were covered with tattoos were glinting with sweat. Hunter too was in shorts put he had a t-shirt on.

They all stopped and turned to her when they noticed her and she moved on her feet uneasily under their intense gaze.

"Alie!" said Hunter confused but with a happy tone in his voice.

"Uh, Rich told me to meet him here." she explained hastily as she pointed to the door. She felt heat raised to her neck.

As if on cue, the door opened again and Rich walked in. He was wearing a black t-shirt and sweat pants. He frowned when he saw the twins. "Put on a shirt. Now." he ordered firmly and sternly.

None of the twins disobeyed. Only Xander groaned under his breath. Rich then turned to Alison and smiled. "Okay, Al." he said and clapped his hands. "Let's see how much you know about self-defense. How long were you going to Kung Fu classes?"

"Four years." answered Alison. "After that, I practiced regularly with my friends."

Rich nodded. "Hunter is the smallest of all of us." he said as he smugly smirked at the annoyed Hunter. "Let's see how you will do against him."

Hunter jumped down. "As you wish, my dear big brother." he huffed and walked on the ring and smirked at Alison who came and stood in front of him confidently. His 5'9 feet easily towered over her 5'3 figure.

"I'm going easy on you, Alie. Don't be worried." he said smugly and brought his fists up and took a guard.

Alison bowed and put one of her hands behind her and smirked. "Never underestimate your opponent, little brother." she responded.

Rich, Xander, and Damien gathered around the ring and watched them intently. Hunter yelled and was the first one to attack. Alison blocked and dodged his fists and kicks. He was quick and accurate, Alison was giving that to him. But .... she was good as well. She used a moment, put her arms between his and pushed them outside, and then pushed him backward.

As he was stumbling backward, she continued to attack with calculated kicks and then jumped, whirled in the air, and kicked him one last time in the chest, hard enough to throw him down. Hunter jumped on his feet quickly and threw a punch at Alison. Alison dodged it, grabbed his hand, and twisted it painfully, and brought it to his back, and with a kick to the back of his knee, brought him to his knees.

Rich clapped satisfied and Alison quickly released Hunter and helped him to stand. "You're fine?" she asked worried while checking him for any injuries. Hunter massaged his shoulder. "Yes, you didn't go hard on me." he winced as Alison touched his shoulder. "Sorry." she said.

"That was great. Better than I expected." said Rich amused. "Now let's see what you will do in front of one of the twins. Damien." he said and Damien smirked and stepped on the mat.

She only could stand against Damien for three minutes before he grabbed her leg and made her fall painfully on her back. Before she can catch her breath, Damien twisted her hand on her back and put a knee on her back and she hissed in pain that erupted in her arm.

"That's enough, Damien." said Rich and Damien released her instantly. She stood with the help of Rich who looked at her concerned. "I'm fine." she said as she rubbed her arm just like Hunter. She then bowed to Damien who was watching her with his sharp eyes. "You did a good fight." she said and he nodded emotionlessly before walking away and drying himself with a towel that Xander threw for him.

"As I said, you are better than I expected." said Rich. "But you still have some skills that needed to improve and we also need to make you stronger. No offenses but you are skinny and you need both strength and skill together to be able to defend yourself."

Alison nodded. "Okay," said Rich cheerfully. "Now let's start the training."

Alison was exhausted as she walked into her room after two hours of constant training under Rich's watch who turned out to be a strict coach. She quickly took a shower and put on a light blue short sleeve linen dress and ran downstairs for dinner.

The whole time of the dinner, James and Jordan had sat on each side of Eva with their heads leaned on her sides and with grumpy faces which were making Alison want to laugh. They had become attached to her mother for sure and had become clingy after they had heard about the trip that they couldn't go with her to.

"Can we not come as well?" asked James as he played with his food.

Eva kissed his head. "Not this time, sweety." she said kindly. "But I promise all of us will go on a trip so soon."

"But we want to come." whined Jordan.

"You can't come, boys." said Albert sternly. "Get over it and finish your food." he then turned to the four older ones around the table. Mason and Rich were absent. "While we are gone, Mason will be in charge. You should obey what he says and don't make any trouble." his hard glare got fixed on Damien and Xander who looked down and gritted their teeth, surely remembering a memory.

After dinner, Eva and Albert left the house. Gino and several other guards went with them as well. Alison was quick to take grumpy little twins to her room and they were laughing happily again after their piano lesson was done. They both fell asleep almost instantly when Alison finished the first bedtime story. She lightly kissed their foreheads and walked out of the room and kept the door open. She was going to leave her door open as well, so she could wake up if they had one of their nightmares.

She then went to her room and stretched her tired body a bit. Her eyes fell on a book she had taken from the library. She picked it up and walked toward the library. She opened the door gently and froze in her place. The soft waves of music caressed her ears and she looked at Hunter's back who was playing the violin masterly and was swaying with the beautiful song.

Alison stared at him shocked but didn't make a sound in fear to stop the melody. Hunter finished and dropped his arms and sighed. "That," said Alison and Hunter whipped around shocked. "was wonderful." finished Alison as she walked to him.

"You are a master. You should play more for us." she said with a gentle smile.

Hunter dropped his head and blushed. "No one is intresed." he said and scratched the back of his head.

"At least me, James and Jordan love it." she said and Hunter looked up and smiled a bit when he saw her sincere face.

Alison went over to the grand piano and open its lid. "I know the song as well." she said and she sat on the stool and looked at him. "Let's play together,"

Hunter grinned and nodded while preparing himself. For the next 30 minutes, they played different songs together, having a great and relaxing time. After that they sat there and talked for a while, telling stories from their childhood.

When it was near midnight, Alison yawned. "You must be tired." said Hunter softly and stood. "You must rest. It was a great night, Alie. Thank you." he said as he took Alison's hand and helped her to stand.

"We should try to have more time like this." said Alison with a smile. "And we should involve the others. I'm sure they will love it."

Hunter looked at her with guilt. "Alison!" he said and Alison hummed in response. "I'm so happy that we had this time. I was so sad since the day Xander dropped you out of the car. You don't know how much it hurts me to not tell everyone at school that you are my sister. I'm sure Damien feels the same. He is just not good at showing his emotions. But we can't oppose Xander. He can be quite a dick if he wants. Forgive us."

Alison looked at his sincere eyes and smiled and squeezed his hand. "Don't be worry." she said. "It was not your fault. Everything will be going to be alright, Hunter. I'm sure. I will use my charms to bewitch Xander as well." she said and winked at him who chuckled.

He hugged her tightly. "I'm happy that you are here and part of the family." he whispered.

"And I'm happy to have a great brother like you." she said and they pulled away.

Hunter's face became concerned and he kept Alison from her shoulders. "Today we heard things that happened between you and West." he said. Alison opened her mouth to say something but Hunter shook his head and stopped her. "I'm not going to order you what to do. I just want you to be careful. West is a dangerous boy. I don't want to see you hurt. Please be careful."

"I will be. I promise." said Alison and then stood on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek. "Good night, Hunter." she said softly as she walked to the door.

"Good night, sissy." said Hunter. "Sweet dreams."

Alison checked up on the little twins and once she made sure that they are fast asleep, she went to her room, did her night routine, and went to bed. Sleep took her away even before her eyelids could close completely. The last thought in her mind was what kind of drama tomorrow would bring with it.

******

As Alison had planned with Jess and Ayda, She tried to avoid West the best she could the next day at school. Things were going as she had planned till her last class. She was walking toward her class alone when she felt a hand grabbed her arm in a tight grip and dragged her into an empty corridor. The whiff of a cologne that reached her nostrils and the feeling of safety she felt instantly, let her know that the person was West.

"Make sure no one disturbs us." West ordered his friend who nodded and turned his back to them, watching the entrance of the corridor. West dragged Alison more into the corridor. "You are avoiding me," he said the moment he turned Alison toward him and locked eyes with her.

"You are hurting me." hissed Alison when his grip became so tight. He released her instantly and she rubbed the place.

"You are avoiding me, Alison." he repeated sternly.

"Yes." answered Alison and stared at his eyes. "Ans why is that? Give me a valid reason." gritted Alex and took a step closer to her.

Alison sighed. This game must have ended there and then. She looked up at him again. "Alex, I'm the Kings' step sister." she said firmly.

Alex raised an eyebrow. "I already know that. What else?" he asked a bit annoyed.

"You knew?" asked Alison confused.

"Give me a valid reason, Alison." he growled.

"They say that you are dangerous," said Alison.

Alex scoffed. "Babe, do you know who you are living with?" he asked.

"Alex, please understand me." pleaded Alison.

Alex grabbed her arms gently this time and stared into her eyes. "Alie, You are the first girl I'm asking this from." he said. "Hell, you are the first one I have this feeling for. I only know you for two fucking days and I can't sleep at night knowing you are not mine. You make me feel emotions that I didn't know exist. Alison, please. give me a chance."

Alison looked at his desperate eyes. "I want to give you a chance." she said. "But I can't go against those I'm living with. I don't want to be homeschooled because I chose a boyfriend that my stepfather doesn't approve of. I don't want to lose more of my freedom."

Alex looked away and closed his eyes and took a deep breath while still keeping Alison in his hold. "Tell me what should I do." he said and looked at her eyes again. "Tell me what should I do in order you give me a chance."

Alison could see the determination in his eyes. It was then or never. "Gain my brothers' trust." she said. "I don't want to hide our relationship or always be in a fight with my family. I want peace. I don't want to get hurt again, Alex."

"That is because of that fucker who was your boyfriend?" growled Alex as he released her and ran a hand through his hair.

"How do you know about Fred?" asked Alison.

"Don't say his name." hissed Alex angrily with a clenched jaw. Anger was shining in his eyes.

Alison could see him in battle with himself. "When you gain their trust, I will think about what you want." she said and walked past him. Her heart clenched and she felt tears gather in her eyes. Her heart was heavy. She knew he won't do that for her. Why he would do it for someone he had just gotten to know?

Simon walked to Alex who still had his back to him, staring at where Alison had stood just a moment ago. He put a hand on his shoulder. "She is right, Alex." he said. "She doesn't deserve to be put between our feud."

"No, she doesn't." said Alex as he clenched his hands. "She is more delicate than to endure it."

"Now what do you want to do?" asked Simon.

"If having a peace treaty with the Kings is what is needed to have her, then so be it." said Alex as he turned and walked away.

"What?? Are you out of your mind? They will kill you." argued Simon as he followed Alex.

Both of them were inattentive to one of the doors in the corridor being a bit cracked. The person behind the door opened it more. Icy blond hair shone under the lights of the corridor and her silver eyes shone. Susan had gathered very important information from eavesdropping. So Alison was the Kings' stepsister. That was not good for Susan, not at all. That girl had some charms for sure to make stone heart West fell for her. Susan had even seen Damien looking at her softly. She was sure if things continues like that even Xander would be softened and that was bad for Susan. Alison obviously didn't like her and she could take Xander away from her. So she had one way. She should make sure that the King brothers hate Alison.