Author's Note: Well, hello there, my readers. I'm not quite sure what am I doing writing another story, but that's going to be my problem, not yours. But I am excited and motivated, which is always a good combination when you're writing. So, let's hope for the best. I also just want to add that the first chapter is going to be short, an introduction to my OC, but the other chapters are going to be much longer.

Rating: T for mild violence and language. I might change the rating later to M, in case I decided to write some explicit sexual scenes, but if I do, I'll put a warning at the beginning of the chapter.

Disclaimer: I don't own The Vampire Diaries, or anything familiar. Anything original such as dialogue, plot, characters and etc. is mine. The rest belongs to someone else. This is going to be the only disclaimer.

Chapter One: Rash Decisions

Emma Lockwood understood that there were certain occasions where before you made a decision, you needed to think it through thoroughly to avoid any disastrous aftermath, but honestly, it was exhausting to always have to consider every single little detail.

If it was a shitty decision, it wouldn't be a problem, she would figure it out quickly and never make it again. After all, she was twenty. Meaning she was young, single and with little responsibilities. She should be allowed to make rash decisions. And that was exactly she was going to do.

Emma glanced around her small apartment and started making a mental list of what she was going to take with her, move to storage, give away or throw in the dumpster. She knew for sure she wasn't going to take or throw away any of her furniture, it was going to storage. She was going to be gone for a month, two the most—or at least that was what she hoped. Her plans were still a little murky.

Emma was still uncertain of going back to Mystic Falls. There was a time that she used to call that quaint town her home, but not anymore. Her life was in Florida, it had been for the past five years. So, going back to Mystic Falls wasn't something she was looking forward. Her anxiety could be because it hadn't been her idea in the first place to move back.

Initially, she had been resistant, she had no intentions leaving her pack and go to a town that seemed to detest werewolves. But it didn't take too much persuasion for her to agree. She had been in sore that night after a long and painful full moon. Not to mention she had been slightly tipsy and just wanted to be left alone. Sleeping on it, the next day, she called her uncle, agreeing to take part of the plan. From that day, their plan slowly started forming.

Her excuse of going back to her hometown was that she was going to take a break from college before she went to law school. Emma had been under a lot of pressure last semester with applications, deadlines, internships and needed some time to relax before diving back into school. It wasn't a complete lie, she did have plans to take some time off, but she had intended to spend her time looking for an internship in law firms, not trail after her father while he was working like she did when she was five.

Carol Lockwood had been suspicious at the announcement and bluntly asked if Emma was pregnant when she had called them. Emma had sighed in exasperation, not surprised that they expected for her to fuck up again, and after assuring her that there was no bun in the oven, her mother seemed more accepting of the idea of her moving back to Mystic Falls.

Emma glanced at her phone and saw that she had about five hours left before she had to go. Emma still had a lot to do and she groaned, throwing herself on her coach. Closing her eyes, she allowed herself to take a small break. It only lasted for a few minutes before she sat up abruptly. From the floor under her, she heard someone going up the stairs of her apartment. Emma recognized the heavy footsteps and distinct heartbeat. It wasn't until they reached her floor, she caught the familiar scent, Emma recognized who it was.

Mason, she internally groaned and pushed herself up from the couch.

Emma had hoped he wouldn't have shown up. She didn't want to deal with any more problems. But despite her wishful thinking, seconds later, without knocking, Emma heard someone unlock the door and open it, allowing themselves in.

"I'm going to need that key back," Emma told her estranged uncle, Mason Lockwood. It was probably the first time he had used it since she gave it to him over four years ago.

"Well, it's a good thing I decided to show up today."

"Yeah, out of all of the days you could have shown up the past few years ago, you chose today."

"What are you talking about? I've visited you before."

"No, you haven't," Emma said flatly. "I'm honestly surprised you even know where I live."

"I have a key to your apartment, why wouldn't I know where you lived?"

Emma looked at Mason in disbelief.

Despite the fact both, Emma and Mason had lived in the same state for the past five years, they rarely saw each other. The only reason Mason even had her apartment key was because her father had requested for Mason to look after her when she moved to Florida. To his credit, her uncle would show up sporadically at her university to make sure she wasn't dead in a ditch and then would leave as fast as he appeared. She was fine with the arrangement. The less he saw her, the less he would pick up with her nightly activities.

It was only about a year ago when her uncle became involved in her life, and only because he didn't have much of a choice. She highly suspected that it was because of his new vampire girlfriend had pushed him to seek her out. Emma had only met her a few times, and neither meetings were under the best circumstances.

"Are you alone?" she asked, changing the topic, and glanced at the door. A part of her expected for the vampire to appear out of thin air and stand on the threshold with her judgmental face.

"Yes, I came alone," he said in exasperation.

"Good, because there was no way I was letting inviting in the little leech in my apartment."

Mason shot her an irritated look but didn't say anything, disappointing her. Emma always liked to rile him about his vampire girlfriend.

"Is this all the progress you've done?" Mason had given her apartment a glance over and was frowning in disapproval. It still had everything, she hadn't done a lot of progress. She had packed all her essentials, from clothes, shoes, cosmetics, and accessories. The rest wasn't as important.

"Why are you here, Mason?" she asked him, not in the mood to deal with him. "Is this about Jules?"

"No, I'm not here about Jules or the pack."

"If you're not here for that, then I suggest you leave. I have a lot of shit to do."

"I don't think it's a good idea for you to go to Mystic Falls," Mason said bluntly, ignoring Emma.

"Come on, Mason," Emma groaned and gave him a look of disbelief. He truly was unbelievable. "It was your goddamn idea in the first place."

Since the last week, Mason has become completely against with Emma moving back to Mystic Falls. He kept arguing that their hometown was dangerous and would raise suspicion with her return, which made no sense for Emma. They had gone over any scenario that could cause suspicion and had a backup plan in case a problem arose.

The only problem seemed to be Mason's change of mind. A part of Emma wondered if Mason just didn't want her to leave Florida because she was going to leave him alone with the pack and psychotic girlfriend. But it didn't matter, she already made up her mind; she was moving back to Mystic Falls, whether Mason like it or not.

"Yeah, but now that I've thought about it, maybe it wasn't that good of an idea. It was stupid for us to ask you to do it."

"Did Kami tell you that?" Emma said snidely.

"It's Kathy, Emma, and no."

"Fine, Kassie."

"Emma, stop," he snapped, making her flinch at his unexpected harshness. "Jesus, can't you see that—" He stopped talking, clearly frustrated with her, and took a deep breath. He tried again, more calmly. "There's a reason why I left Mystic Falls and, now, for me to throw you to the wolves, it's just wrong."

Emma couldn't help and snort, earning a look of disapproval from her uncle. "Come on, you had to have done that on purpose."

"Emma, I'm trying to have a serious conversation with you."

"And we are. You act like I'm going to stay in Mystic Falls forever. It's just going to be for a few months. Dad actually thought it was great for me to go back. A great way for me to get a job in the Council and become familiar with the way the law works. He told me he wants me to become involved with the family business."

"What family business?" Mason looked confused.

"Hell, if I know, he just told me that he'll explain more when I get back. He's surprisingly really eager for me to come back. I guess he can't wait to show me off that I'm going to be a lawyer," she shrugged.

"Richard wouldn't be saying that if he knew that Mystic Falls was a death trap for us," Mason retorted darkly.

"My dad's not stupid," Emma said stiffly.

"I never said he was. But my brother has lead a very different life than us. Which is why I think that you shouldn't do this. He doesn't understand anything that's going on with us."

"Oh, and you do? You've only been a werewolf for a few months. You don't know everything, Mason, despite what you think."

"I know enough," he said bitterly. "I know that it's not a good idea for a werewolf to be on their own."

"You know what else is not a good idea? Dating a vampire. So, when you dump her, then you can give me shit for making crappy choices. But for now, shut up."

"I'm an adult, and I can make my decisions. I know what I'm doing. It doesn't matter what choice you make, it's how you deal with it."

"Fuck, you sound like Jules," Emma muttered in disdain. Their alpha had not been happy when Emma announced that she was going to leave the pack for a few months but reluctantly accepted that Emma had put her family first. Emma was surprised that no one from the pack had shown up in her apartment.

"Good. There's a reason why she's the Alpha, and not you." Mason gave her a smile, hoping to ease the tension. "You would have gotten us killed the first week."

"Asshole," Emma muttered and turned her back to him, going back to sorting out her bags that laid on her couch. She was only going to bring five of them, but she still had a bunch of clothes left in her room, making her wonder if she should bring one more. Two months was a lot, despite what she argued. The longest she had stayed at Mystic Falls since she moved out was three weeks.

"Should I bring a dresser?" Emma asked Mason, barely glancing at him. "I don't know if everything is going to fit in the storage room. I don't want to throw away and then when I come back buy everything all over again. That's just going to be expensive."

"Emma, can you just forget about the stupid furniture? If you're to be stubborn and do whatever you want, can we go over some basics?"

"Like what?" she asked impatiently.

"I know that Richard is aware, but does Carol even know that you're coming back?"

Emma finally stopped moving around and threw Mason a dirty look. "Of course, I told my mom. I wasn't going to show up without any warning. She would have killed me."

"That would've put a damper on our plans," he muttered.

"Yeah, but don't worry, she knows."

"How'd she take it when she found out you were dropping out of school?" Mason asked curiously, taking a seat on her couch and made himself comfortable.

"I'm not dropping out, it's called a taking a break," she snapped, her patience running thin. "I actually graduated early, asshole. But you wouldn't know since you only talk to me when you need something."

Mason winced. "Fine. I deserve that. But seriously, knowing Carol, she wouldn't be happy."

"You don't know my mom," Emma cut in defensively.

"You know what I mean."

"No, I don't know what I mean." But seeing Mason exasperate expression, Emma had to remind herself to calm down, or at least pretend, and forced herself to continue in a more nicer tone, even if it sounded like it killed her. "Obviously, Mom is not thrilled that I'm taking a year off from school. But after I basically told her I'm not pregnant and then proceeded to guilt tripped her that if I don't take a breather from school I was going to become suicidal, she agreed quickly. She was actually the one who suggested for me to stay at their house."

"You mean your house? You lived there too."

"You're right. My house. It was your home too. It was all our home. Maybe you can go back with me too and we'll all be a happy family and get to bond over how much it sucks to be a Lockwood."

Mason looked vaguely amused, but it was replaced quickly with disapproval. "Look, Emma, you're reckless when it comes to your personal life, but when it comes to other aspects of your life, you're very responsible."

"Here we go again." Emma went over to him and sat down next to him. She awkwardly patted Mason's leg and gave him a reassuring smile. "I told you I can handle it. I know what I'm doing."

"I don't think you do," Mason said, frowning. "Maybe I should…"

"No," she said quickly. "That would be too suspicious. You haven't been in Mystic Falls for years and then you decide to pay a visit for no reason. What would you tell them? Just wanted to reconnect? No one would buy that. Besides my dad would be pissed if you showed up without me. I should go."

"But it's not safe for you to go alone."

"If I can't handle it, I'll call you and you can come."

Mason still looked torn, but she could see the begrudging resignation. It wasn't a solid agreement, but it was better than nothing. There was a tense silence between them, none of them happy with the other choices.

"Emma, it's really important that you find the moonstone," Mason said so quietly that if she didn't have heightened senses, she would have missed it. Emma stiffened at the reminder and nodded tersely.

"And I will."

"Just remember, Emma, Mystic Falls is not for werewolves. That town will kill us," he warned her for the hundredth time. "Be careful."

"Mason..." she started, ready to kick him out of her apartment, but Mason interrupted her.

"You know what, don't worry about the apartment. I'll sort it out. Just worry about what you're going to take with you."

"Seriously?" Emma asked and eyed him skeptically.

Mason shrugged. "It's the least I can do. I'm the reason you have to pack all your shit," he said honestly. "I owe you."

"You owe me so much," she muttered but knew she shouldn't hold a grudge against him. She could see where Mason was coming from. Mystic Falls reeked of supernatural, and unfortunately, it had never been accepting towards her kind. She had been lucky to leave that town, she couldn't imagine the disaster that would have happened if someone in the town noticed her little problem each full moon.

Emma cast a quick glanced at Mason, and felt a surge of regret. Everything would have been easier if she and Mason trusted each other. They wouldn't be going in circles for the past few weeks and would have come to an agreement.

It shouldn't bother her his lack of trust, they had never developed a real relationship, not even the last few months. But they weren't close, and Mason had a vampire girlfriend, and Jules was worried about her, and Emma really didn't want to be all on her own again, and everything just was becoming too complicated.

Emma could hear his breathing shift like he wanted to say something but he closed his mouth, changing his mind, and shook his head. She could sense he wasn't being completely honest with her. Emma knew that she would never let her guard down with Mason because he had never shown his true intentions, not even when he approached her that night and tell her about his plan that involved the moonstone.

Mason had an ulterior motive, and that was fine with Emma. If he could have his secret agenda, so could she. Once in Mystic Falls Emma would be the one calling the shots. Mason and Carrie could fuck off if they had a problem.

Letting out a resigned sigh, Emma looked at the window to her left. She could see the sun slowly descend. In less than a few hours, it was going to be dark outside and the moon would be the only light the sky would offer. The next full wouldn't be until a few weeks when she was in Mystic Falls. Her first full moon all alone.

The next couple of months were going to be brutal and Emma hoped that she didn't run into any complications at Mystic Falls, or else it was going to be a bloodbath.

So, what do you think? I'd love to hear what you thought. Thanks again for reading it.