SEQUAL

Cynthia's hand ran gently through Vivian's hair. Viv currently rested her head on Cyn's chest. Cyn knew that she needed rest, but Viv had never slept this much in her life. The silver had run out of her system two weeks ago and now she had to sleep to regain her energy. The image of her cold ashen body still frightened Cyn to the point in which she refused to leave her side or even sleep herself. Viv was okay though and the only way to know she was not was that she still had a permanent muzzle.

"I need someone to carry Vivian," Persia directed orders left and right. Ulf volunteered immediately. He carefully lifted Viv in his arms while attempting not to jostle her. "Cyn I want you to run to the house as fast as your legs will allow it, start boiling water, and put these herbs in it once it begins to boil rapidly." Cynthia let out a sad but; however, Persia quickly reminded her she was doing Viv no good just standing here.

Running to the house took Cyn about a minute, but that was plenty of time for her to think. What happens if Viv does not make it? Would she kill Aiden? Well of course, she would destroy him. Nevertheless what would the pack think of her? She was there Alpha female and she was not supposed to put them in danger, but by killing Aiden, that was exactly what she would be doing. Cyn knew the pack loved Vivian and would not fault her for the act of vengeance; still, Cynthia would fault herself.

Why was she so cold? Viv had always been the epitome of hot. Whether it be her clothes, her skin, or just her golden looks in general Cyn was not sure. What she did know was that her cousin who once had a golden gleam now seemed grey and bloody.

The scent of copper still swirled around in the woods, the house, and even in her very soul. Crimson blood stained this night and Cyn knew that this stain, no matter how much bleach, would never wash out.

Cyn was just about to turn off the stove when people came busting through the door. Ulf started upstairs to put Viv up in her room as was directed. Gabriel stood to the side of the door listening to Persia explain what was going to happen.

"Cynthia I need you, some clean cloths, and that pot upstairs with me. Everyone else stay out." Persia's words were strong and final. With a last glance at her sobbing aunt, Cyn ran upstairs taking the steps two at a time. The hot pan in her hand mattered not.

"Persia what do you need me to do?" Cyn asked.

"Just sit with her and lay her head in your lap. Dip the cloth in the water, place it on her forehead, and keep her still." Persia took a cloth of her own and started to squeeze over Vivian's wound. She suddenly jolted and let out a shriek of pain.

"Hey, Vivie lay down. I got you, so just calm down," Cyn smoothed out her hair. Pressing the soaked rag into her forehead the smell of metal filled the air. Cynthia's brow furrowed as Viv continued to writhe in agony. She is drawing out the silver! Cyn looked down at the wound. Finally, she noticed the hissing and bubbling that was coming from the bullet wound. The silver was bubbling out just to evaporate in to the air like steam.

"Persia, will she be okay?" Cyn asked weakly.

"Only time will tell, for now you must keep boiling these herbs and allowing them to seep into her. If you can, get her to drink it."

"What about the phasing?"

"That is all up to her. She has to figure out what she wants."

Later that day Ulf came by wanting to talk to Viv. She had woken up after a couple more hours of sleep and was now working on her mural upstairs. To say she was a little annoyed with her predicament would be an understatement. Cynthia warned him of this before sending him upstairs.

"Hey, um Cyn?" Ulf questioned.

"Yea Hun?" Cyn had gotten back to her roots and was now addressing the boys as she used to.

"We were all thinking about taking a trip down to the ravine. Do you want to come?" People are sure asking many questions, Cyn thought inwardly.

"I would love to, and maybe if you're really lucky I will cook same of those amazing burgers I make," Cyn teased with a smile. She had missed this.

Then Ulf knocked the breath out of her. He had back tracked downstairs and engulfed her in a bear hug. Well wolf hug, but who cares?

"Go see Gabriel," he whispered in her ear. He ran up to see Vivian before Cyn could even respond.

It was not that she did not know she should go see him. Cyn just did not want to leave Viv and she was a little scared. It is not every day you find out the person you hate (in actuality love) has in fact always loved you and only left you because you were being a secretive bitch. Cyn was not ashamed of Gabriel and never had been. Hell, she really just wanted him all to herself.

That was what she told herself as she stood in front of his door. Now she regretted it. Cyn had not even changed clothes. She currently stood in a tank top, a jacket, and jeans. Cyn barely even slipped on converse before running out her door and hopping into her Kobra Kid. She should just go home and come back later, but damn it her hand had a mind of its own.

Oh sweet Moon, she did not even know how to think! There Gabriel stood in all his glory shirtless, freshly showered, and clad only in a fitted pair of low-rise jeans. When had Cyn reduced herself to nothing, but a lowly schoolgirl? It really was not her fault.

"Hi," Cyn spoke softly. She fought hard to make eye contact with the taller man. Damn, she did not remember him being this attractive.

"Hey Cynthia, do you want to come in?" She stepped inside after him.

"Is Viv doing okay?" he asked standing in front of her fixing coffee.

"Yes, she is doing well, but she still cannot turn," Cyn admitted.

"I am sorry to hear that," he handed me coffee. Gabriel gave me my coffee. One sugar and two cream in every cup. "Stirred to golden perfection right?" he questioned with a smirk. I sat it down gently. He remembered how she drank her coffee, what she ordered at fairs, and he had left because of her. He always loved Cynthia.

"Did I mess it up, Cynthia?" She did not fully hear him. Instead, she lunged forward wrapping around him with her head pressed to his bare chest.

"You did not mess up anything, Gee," Cyn let out gripping him tighter. "I did that all on my own."

"You did not mess up anything," Gabriel whispered into her ear.

"We were so happy and I ruined us," she whispered right back.

"You did not ruin anybody." His grip faltered as he tried to gauge her emotions.

"Do not let go," Cyn gripped even tighter.

He sighed out a never before putting an arm behind her knees and lifting Cyn onto his chest. Gabriel sat down on his smooth leather couch with her face nestled in his neck.

"I missed you," Gabriel spoke softly allowing one hand to stroke her arm.

"I missed you to Gee," Cynthia admitted with a smile. She almost laughed at the audible falter in his heart. This man had always been hers and she would be damned if she ever let him go again.

"God, I have really missed you," he reached his hand around her face to cup her cheek and look in her eyes.

"What?" Cyn asked. Gabriel's brow furrowed deeply as he stared into her eyes.

"You have not been sleeping again," he stated. There was no denying the dark circles surrounding her eyes.

"I have been busy watching over Vivian," Cyn spoke evenly without falter.

"And?" he questioned.

"And I have been dreaming of Rafe," Cyn added sadly.

"Well that is what every guy wants to hear the woman they love say. "

"You know that is now what I meant," she snapped.

"No need to get angry. I just worry about you," he confessed.

"Well do not," she huffed preparing to stand.

"Stop that," he gripped her waist tighter, "I am your alpha, and I love you deeply. Therefore, I have every right to worry about you, so please calm down. Better yet sleep," Gabriel coaxed bringing both hands around forcing her to fit against him like a puzzle.

"Only because you are comfy," Cynthia warned.

"Of course love," he ran a hand through her raven locks. It felt so wonderful! The feel of his hand against her scalp sent chills up her spine. She might have called him condescending if it was not for the fact she was already asleep.

Cyn awoke to the scent of musk and the feel of soft bedding. She was no longer on the couch, nor was she wearing any shoes. Instead, she lay in Gabriel's bed wrapped up in his blankets. Kicking off the blankets, she went in search of said man, but what she found was a little more than she bargained for.

"So I am going to walk out and then back, okay? I will try to be little less confused," Cyn, joked.

Stepping back in she observed nothing had changed. In the middle of Gabriel's kitchen stood: Willem, Gregory, Ulf, Finn, Gabriel, and Vivian.

"Okay, did I miss something?" Cyn asked. She knew Ulf had been staying with Gabriel, but that did not explain what the rest of them were doing here. It especially did not explain a significantly human Viv.

"Well look who decided to grace us with her royal presence," Finn jested. Cyn let out a mock laugh before she whacked him sharply in the back of the head.

"Damn right, none of you deserve to even breathe the same air as me. Let alone actually look upon my face," Cyn replied.

"Aren't you just hilarious?" Finn whined rubbing his head.

"Seriously though when did Viv change, and why is Ulf's arm not so subtly wrapped around her waist."

Suddenly Ulf began to 0resemble a fish out of water. His arm retracted sharply and both of their cheeks dusted with a faint blush.

"Hey," Ulf greeted Cyn nervously.

"Well am going to order take out maybe, go see Bucky before that ravine trip, and during that time you can all think of a really good story." Cyn explained as she gently kissed Viv and Gabriel on the cheek.

"I will come with you!" Gabriel followed knowing she was getting her phone and jacket from the bedroom.

"So, Ulf and Vivian are couple? I did not see that coming." Cyn gasped sharply at the feeling of Gabriel's warm hands wrap around to stroke her midriff. All of her shirts seemed to ride up around him.

"I think it is nice. It will be good for them."

She could not help but snort at the possessive tightening of his arms when the man at the restaurant answered her by name.

After ordering, they decided to go pick up the food. Before they made it entirely out the door Cynthia decided she had yet to say her final peace.

She entered the kitchen swiftly, "Okay let us set some ground rules, do not for any reason end up in my bedroom, and do not for the love of all that is good in this world eat my bacon or drink my coffee, and if you hurt her I will ruin you. Not that it is necessary, but just in case: I have studied both medical and criminal investigations and know exactly how to kill you and hide your body. No one would ever know. Love you guys!" Cynthia sang skipping out the door. Gabriel tried desperately to stifle a chuckle as he followed her out.

The rest of the day, they all spent getting to know each other again. Cyn forced Bucky to accompany them to the ravine. This lead to the meeting up with quite a few other pack members and spending some time at Tooley's.

Just once all was right in the world, but little did they know something big was coming. No one is safe from the evil to come.