If only | Damon Salvatore

026. YOU CAN'T SOLVE EVERYTHING ON YOUR OWN

Chapter twenty six

"You can't solve everything on your own."

Waking up the next day, Beatrix walked down to the kitchen where her mother had already prepared breakfast for everyone.

"So, you two truly believe that Damon not only wants to kill Mason, but has probably already tried and has now started a war he won't be able to get himself out of unless one of them dies?" Beatrix asked, processing the news.

"Yes," her mother and grandmother replied in unison.

Beatrix shook her head in disbelief, taking a bite of her eggs. "Unbelievable. So, what exactly do we do now?"

"Well, the Historical Society volunteer picnic is today," Winnifred shared, leaning over the counter. "That means both of the Salvatores and Mason will most likely be there. Since there are three of us, we all need to be working different angles."

"Which are?" Beatrix asked.

Winnifred pointed a finger at her. "You are on Salvatore brother duty. Try to keep Damon in line, and use your friendship with Stefan to help keep him in check if Mason happens to threaten either of them." She then shifted her sharp gaze to Cassandra. "And you? You're obviously on Mason duty. Since you two seemed to get closer yesterday, we need you to figure out exactly what he is here for, and we need to know by tonight. Plus, someone needs to stop him from getting himself killed and dumped in a river."

Cassandra furrowed her brows, looking at her mother. "And what exactly are you going to be doing?"

Winnifred's lips curved into a smug, knowing smirk. "I'm on Sheriff Forbes duty," she said, smiling brightly at the prospect of managing the town's council leader.

Arriving at the park, the three Black women split up to head toward their assigned targets.

"This is all a part of the Historical Society's continuing efforts to give back to the community," Carol Lockwood projected over the loudspeaker. "Thanks to the generous donation of the Fell family, we are now standing on the site of our newest public park. Thank you to everyone who has shown up today to lend a helping hand. Thanks."

The crowd erupted into polite applause. Nearby, Cassandra found Mason lifting heavy crates out of the bed of his truck.

"Need some help?" she asked, strolling up to him.

Mason turned around, a slow grin spreading across his face. "Yeah, actually."

Cassandra stepped closer, leaning against the tailgate. "Not that you couldn't effortlessly handle it all on your own or anything," she shared with a playful smirk.

Mason furrowed his brows, his eyes dancing with amusement. "Are you actively flirting with me right now, Cass?"

Cassandra shrugged innocently. "Maybe."

Mason chuckled, turning around to hand her one of the lighter cardboard boxes. As she took it, Cassandra spotted Stefan walking up the path toward them. She kept her expression completely calm and unbothered, especially when she saw Beatrix sprinting up from behind him.

Without warning, Beatrix launched herself through the air and jumped right onto Stefan's back. Stefan's vampire reflexes kicked in instantly, and he caught her legs to steady them both.

"Beatrix," he warned, though a small smile tugged at his lips.

Beatrix chuckled into his shoulder. "Hi."

Stefan let out a heavy sigh. "Yeah, no. We are absolutely not speeding past this," he said, lowering his hands and letting go of her legs.

Beatrix dropped lightly down to the grass, furrowing her brows in confusion. "Speeding past what exactly?"