MINE

Chapter 3- Rules Revealed

VIELLA'S POV

Can I rewind the hands of time?

My bones felt deplated as I walked through the streets of New Orleans. Last night was beautiful, for everyone else. It seemed as though I left the group chat just when the night was sizzling out.

“Mom” I greeted the moment I walked into my house. A building surrounded by lots of beautiful plants, and a large patio.

We weren't rich, but we were above average. My father, according to my mother, was highly respected on the street and among some ‘chiefs’.

“Viella, baby. You're home!” Breath seizing hug was what I was enveloped with. The warmth made my deplated and fatigued bones rejuvenate with life.

The smell of tomato, chicken, and love made me release a deep, relaxing sigh, as I hugged my mother back. Tears filled my eyes from the yearning of normalcy.

Ever since I left home only a week ago, s**t had happened. And it made it look like it's been months. Just one week. One freaking week!

“Where's Dad?” I asked, the moment I sat on the kitchen island while my mother stirred her pot.

She gave me a side glance, before clearing her throat and answering, “He's out”

I simply nodded, without further pressing. That's what I've been hearing all my life each time my dad came back late after returning from work.

And the only answer I got? He's out. Always.

“So, how's the new week?” I groaned, and rolled my eyes, as I crawled to the fridge.

My mom chuckled at my unenthusiastic, and tired tone.

“That bad?” She asked again, and I only nodded in confirmation, as I gulped down the root beer in my hand.

“I broke up with Jalyc” I nodded, already in terms with the fact. Now, only one person occupied my head.

Kaelen!

My mom thundered towards me, grabbed my shoulders and forced my face to her, all of which caused me to choke on my drink, and spill some on me.

“Mom!”

“Viella!”

I groaned, as I released myself from her grip and went to the sink to grab some toilet papers. And while I dapped myself clean, the front door opened, and I rolled my eyes at the drama I knew that was incoming.

“Mark, your daughter was overbearing again!” I pursed my lips, as my father's footsteps neared the kitchen.

“That's not true, Eleyna. I'm sure you're overreacting again”

My dad came beside me and gave me a forehead kiss and pulled me in a side embrace, letting my head rest on his chest.

As his arms wrapped me, I felt the weight on my shoulders disappear. My father was always one to bring me confort.

Always…

“Really? Ask her. I'm sure she did something stupid to make Jalyc break up with her” My mom accused, and I felt tears filled my eyes.

“You didn't even ask me!” I fired at her, as I retracted from my father's embrace.

“No need. I know my own daughter” She insisted, which made me scoff.

My mom always liked Jalyc. Why? Maybe because his family was high in the ‘chiefs' rank, and his mother was head of a social club my mom was a member of and she wanted to be in her good books.

I didn't know.

But I knew, I had no problem with it. Infact, I loved it, till I realized what sleezing dirt bag he was.

“Do you? Mom, your daughter was cheated on after being faithful for four years. Four years! And you claim to know me? Absolutely not!” I sobbed.

I ran out of the kitchen, and headed to my room, as tears ran down my eyes. I laid on the bed, and immediately all fatigue that I had fought off came drowning me.

And, slowly, I let my eyes close, irrespective of my aching heart.

****

“What are we going to do? They've started coming out from the bayou” The terrified tone of the man was sufficient enough to feel the terror he felt.

Slowly, I came down the stairs, rubbing my eyes off any residue of sleep. I turned my head and saw our living room packed with men and women holding shotguns and crossbows.

I had seen this meeting once, fourteen years ago when I was six. My mom spotted me hiding behind the door, exchanged a look with my father and took me upstairs.

I stood quietly behind the stairs and listened, the tension in the room was palpable.

“We need more hunters, Mark. The children are very trained, and your daughter should be amongst them. You can't hide her from her destiny much longer”

Hunters?

Nods of agreement followed the man's statement, and saw the worry that filled my mom's eyes as she looked at my father.

“In due time. In due time. Meanwhile, the report on the beasts spotted at Northeast Riverside”

Beasts? Is this some kind of folktale?

“Ten of them. Seemed to be newly turned” A ginger-haired lady informed, holding her s**t gun fiercely.

“There'll be a full moon in three days, we need to be prepared. They'll increased in numbers and we don't want to be caught unawares”

The whole pack nodded in union.

My eyes widened when a member holding a nine millimeter gazed at me from across the room.

“Oi, whatcha doing?” He asked, garnering the attention of everyone in the room. My skin crawled with self consciousness, as I stepped closer to the crowd.

My father's eyes looked like it'll be gorged out once he saw me.

“I, uh, I came looking for my mother. I swear, I didn't hear a thing” Eyes glanced at my father as he stared at me, biting his lip, contemplating.

“Honey–”

Curiousity overrode my mind, as I stepped forward, standing almost in the middle of the room.

“What are beasts? And what do you guys ‘hunt’ exactly?” I asked, but the room fell into heavier tension.

“See ya, later, Markie” The grim looking man gave my father a nod, and looked around the room.

“Cmon, seems they have a private discussion needed” I squinted my eyes, as the man gave me one last look and left. The crowd dispersing shortly after..

I turned to my father, as I looked at him expectantly. His gaze on my mother went from uncertainty, to conviction.

“Honey, it's time we had a talk. I can't protect you much longer”

I nodded, and sat in front of them both, as my mother squeezed my father's hand.

“I'm, I'm a hunter, darling. I've been so for many years now, over twenty years to be precise. And what I hunt? I, I hunt wolves, beasts”

I nodded my head again, urging him to continue, but he stopped, signalling that he was done. Hopeful and expectant gazes rested on me, while I sat in confusion, almost amusement.

“You…you can't be serious. Beasts? Like ‘werewolves’ wolves? What- How old do you think I am, Dad? I mean, I expect it from Mom, but you? Really? Try again” I scoffed in disbelief.

And maybe denial.

I had heard killings, mysterious killings on the news. But I didn't dare believe such a thing as wolves.

“No, honey. We are being serious here. On Monday, there'll be a full moon, and all your life I protected you from that. And when you entered college, I was fortunate enough that a full moon always fell on a holiday. But…not this one”

I sighed, as I heard the serious tone of my mother.

“Mom–”

“No, honey. On Monday, I know I can't ask you to stay home because you have school work and I know how stubborn you can be, so promise me, that come Monday, once it's 6pm, you lock doors, and windows, and stay inside!”

My lips fell open at the dooming tone of my mother. I glanced at my Dad and saw that he had the same serious expression.

“Okay, fine”

“And for more protection, you'll need this” My Dad walked to the vanity at the edge of the living room and took out a vial..

“What's–”

“It's wolfsbane, sweetheart. It'll affect any werewolf, no matter what”

I gawked at the vial, and took it with shaky hands. My eyes scanned the bottle containing an almost clear liquid, and a tag boldly written WOLFSBANE on it.

“Baby, one more thing” I nodded and stared at my father, who was bent on his knees in front of me.

“A human never, and I mean never, sweetheart, mix, dine or associate with a werewolf. We either kill them or stay clear. Understood?”

“Why? It's not like all are really bad people”

“Those are not people, darling, they are beasts. Heinous beasts”

I breathed out and nodded my head at my father's thunderous tone.

“It's a rule. And as a hunter's daughter, you must obey it. Do you understand, sweetheart?”

With one look between my Mom, and the vial in my hand, I took a heavy gulp and slowly nodded.

“I understand, Dad!”