𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐁𝐋𝐀𝐂𝐊 𝐒𝐇𝐄𝐄𝐏 ~ Kai Parker

Preview of TBS Sequel

Author's Note:

For those of you who weren't aware or have not yet started 'The Lost Sheep', I'm updating this book with a quick preview of the prologue to get you excited for the rest of the sequel!

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Mikaela's POV

"Hey, Mom. It's been a while."

Staring down at the tombstone, I read the epitaph I'd seared into my brain as if for the first time:

'In Loving Memory Of Carol Mavis Lockwood.
Dear Mother, Mayor And Friend Of Mystic Falls.
Born September 14th 1968.
Died January 2nd 2013.
"One Community Is Stronger Than A Thousand Of Its Members."'

Gulping down the lump that had formed in my throat, I clutched the bouquet in my hands tighter. "I'm sorry it's taken me so long to come and visit," I continued softly. "Everything's a little... crazy right now, to say the least."

"Wedding planning is definitely not as fun as I thought it would be. If you were here, you'd have the entire thing under control in a matter of minutes." I giggled, rolling my eyes in good humour. "We both know it would be the grandest, most extravagant event you'd ever organised."

Nodding to myself, I tried to remain upbeat about the whole situation. "It's okay, though. I've got plenty of people around to help me." I forced a smile. "I can do this," I assured her before pausing. "But that doesn't mean I don't miss you more than I can explain..."

Wiping away a stray tear that had escaped without my permission, I crouched down. "Anyways, I just wanted to stop by and put in new floral arrangements for you all." Grabbing the metal pot, I wiped it clean then began to place each daisy as artfully as possible. "You've got the prettiest one, of course," I teased, hiding a grin.

"Other than the insanity that is my wedding, things are actually pretty good," I continued, distracting myself with positive thoughts and decorating. "I know, right? Your daughter living a fairly normal life without someone trying to destroy everything she's worked for? Where's the punchline?"

I chuckled softly. "But it's the truth. Kai is a great leader, everyone adores him. He's doing so well with the kids in his class." Forcing myself to tear my eyes away from my hands, I glanced up at her tombstone through blurred vision. "The town is safe and happy, business is booming. I'm trying my very best to make you proud."

Feeling a dull ache begin to grow in my throat, I gulped down any further tears and dropped my gaze back to the task at hand. "Max is amazing, as always," I added with a grin. "God, I wish you'd gotten to meet him. He's come such a long way since that shy kid I met playing games on the couch."

I hummed quietly in remembrance. "Most of the credit goes to Kai, obviously, but I can't help but feel like I aided in his development and growth." Hiding a smile, I admitted, "I guess somewhere along the way you did teach me a few things about being a mother, even if I couldn't see it."

"You have to put them first, always," I stated. "That's all there is to it." I sighed longingly. "And as much as you used to piss me-" Pausing immediately, I corrected my words, remembering who I was speaking to, "-Annoy me, you only wanted what was best for me."

I chuckled under my breath, knowing fully well she was currently shaking her head in disapproval - if she was listening, that is. "I resented you for so long... but I understand now. I'm sorry I couldn't see it while you were still here."

Finally finished with the flowers, I sat down in front of the stone, getting comfortable as if this conversation wasn't one-sided. "The girls are taking me dress shopping tomorrow - that will be a barrel of laughs," I teased, pulling a face. "I can't tell if they're going to be more of a help or a hindrance."

Snickering to myself, I continued, "But jokes aside, I'm hoping it will be fun. I need to stop being so uptight and just enjoy myself, right? Like, why am I even complaining?" I gulped thickly. "After everything we've been through, if the worst thing I have to deal with this week is trying on wedding dresses then I'd say I'm doing well."

Heaving a sigh, the time began to play on my mind, knowing I had to cut this visit short. "As much as I'd love to stay here and ramble on about all the boring details, I do have to get back to work, unfortunately." Getting to my knees, I pushed myself to stand, brushing the stray leaves from my jeans. "But I'll be back next week, I promise."

Resting my hand on top of her tombstone, I began to cry silently, unable to hold it back any longer. "I hope you're all partying hard up there and not missing me too much. You know things will only get better when I eventually show up." Of course, I masked my pain with humour, refusing to seem weak in front of my family even now.

Chuckling, I wiped my nose with my sleeve. "I'll see you guys soon," I murmured, glancing back and forth between the three stones. "I love you."

Stepping away from the Lockwood family plot, I began to head back to my car. I'd only managed to take two steps when the hairs on the back of my neck suddenly stood on end, causing me to pause in my tracks.

Someone was watching me.

Whirling back around, I glanced up the hill behind my family's tombstones, scanning the area in search of any sign of life. Narrowing my eyes at a hooded shadowy figure in the distance that appeared to be keeping tabs on me, my jaw dropped as they swiftly stepped behind a nearby tree to hide.

In a heartbeat, I rushed over to the spot I'd last seen them, ready to interrogate them by whichever means necessary. "Hey, what the hell are you-"

However, when I arrived the area was deserted, not a glimmer of the stalker still hanging around. I rapidly peered between the trees, hoping to find something that would help me figure out who had been watching me.

But there was nothing. No sound. No breathing, no heartbeat, no footsteps. Whoever it was had appeared to have vanished into thin air.

There was no way they could have been human. I was too fast for them to have managed to run away without a trace before I could catch them.

And the fact that someone supernatural had been checking up on me? Well, it only made the dread in the pit of my stomach grow stronger.

With one last scour of the cemetery, I finally gave up and decided to just head back home. Hopping into my car, I clipped in my seatbelt as a shudder of anxiety rippled through my torso.

Starting the ignition, I attempted to concentrate on driving safely, unable to stop myself from wondering if I'd ever get the chance to find the creepy culprit again...

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