YOU ARE WHAT I NEED [COMPLETED]

30

Claire stood at the gates of her family's ancestral land, a sprawling estate hidden away deep in the mountains. The thick forest surrounded the area like a fortress, isolating the land from the outside world. Everything about it felt unfamiliar, like she didn't belong, even though this was technically her family's land. The towering trees, the quiet hum of nature, and the overwhelming feeling of magic in the air all reminded her that this place held secrets—secrets that her mother's side of the family had kept from her for so long.

The moment she stepped foot inside, she could feel the pull of the land's magic, as if it were trying to absorb her, remind her of where she came from. Despite the warmth of the sun, there was a strange chill in the air. Claire felt out of place, even though her mother assured her that she'd be safe here.

As they walked through the grounds, Claire met members of the family she had only heard about in passing. There were distant cousins, elders, and relatives whose faces seemed familiar, but only in the way family resemblances sometimes felt. They were all witches, practicing magic openly in ways Claire had never seen before. She could feel the strength of their power in every gesture and every word they spoke.

One person, however, stood out—Alicia. She was a cousin around Claire's age, with sharp features and a cold gaze. The first time they met, Alicia gave her a look that Claire couldn't quite place. It wasn't just disdain or annoyance; it was pure hatred. At first, Claire thought maybe she was imagining it, but as the days went by, the hostility only grew stronger.

Every time Claire asked a simple question, Alicia had a snide remark ready.

"I didn't know this family was so big," Claire said one afternoon during a family gathering, trying to make small talk.

Alicia scoffed, rolling her eyes. "Of course, you didn't. You've been too busy playing human all these years, haven't you?"

Claire clenched her jaw, trying to stay calm. "What's your problem with me?"

"My problem? You waltz in here like you own the place. You don't even know what it means to be a witch."

Claire's aunt, who had been watching the interaction, stepped in before things escalated. "Ignore her, Claire. Alicia has her own issues to work through."

But Claire couldn't just let it go. She couldn't understand why Alicia hated her so much when they didn't even know each other. The constant snide remarks and the venom in her cousin's words made her feel even more out of place.

Still, Claire tried to settle in. The land was peaceful, the family mostly welcoming, and for the first time in weeks, she didn't feel the constant fear of being hunted. But Alicia's presence always lingered in the back of her mind, souring what could have been a more peaceful stay.

Meanwhile, Selene had finally returned to her own family. Although she was relieved that Claire was safe, the separation weighed heavily on her. Every part of her body and mind ached for Claire. It had been hard enough to leave her, but she knew she had to face her own family and gather herself after everything that had happened.

Her mother greeted her warmly when she walked through the door, wrapping her arms around her in a tight hug. "My little girl is finally home," she whispered.

Selene smiled, but she couldn't shake the tension that had been building within her since she'd left Claire.

As she sat down with her family for the first meal she'd had in days, her father watched her closely. His eyes, always sharp and calculating, seemed to study her with even more scrutiny than usual. "You smell different," he finally said, his voice low and filled with suspicion.

Selene's heart skipped a beat. She knew exactly what he was hinting at, but she hadn't expected him to notice so quickly.

Her mother looked between them, her brows knitting in confusion. "What do you mean?" she asked.

Selene took a deep breath, her hands trembling slightly. She had to tell them. "Claire and I... we've mated."

The room fell silent. Her father's eyes narrowed, and his jaw clenched. "You mated... with a human?"

"She's not just a human," Selene replied, her voice trembling slightly but filled with conviction. "She's a witch, and she's—she's everything to me."

Her father stood up abruptly, his chair scraping against the floor. "You idiot! Do you have any idea what you've done? Mating outside of your kind is rubbish. You're bound to her now. You've marked her for life. If anything happens to her, it will destroy you!"

Tears welled up in Selene's eyes as she stood her ground. "I love her," she said, her voice cracking. "I couldn't stop it, even if I wanted to. She's my mate."

Her father's anger wavered, and he stared at his daughter as if seeing her for the first time. It wasn't often that Selene let her emotions show, let alone cried. She had always been the strong one, the one who could handle anything. But now, seeing her so vulnerable, he realized how serious this was for her.

He sighed heavily, rubbing his face in frustration. "I never thought I'd see the day when one of my own would mate with a witch," he muttered.

Her mother placed a hand on his arm, giving him a warning look. "Let it go," she said softly.

After a long pause, he finally relented. "Fine," he muttered. "But if this girl is your mate, then she's family now. And I'll protect her as I would protect you."

Selene felt a wave of relief wash over her, but it was short-lived. She had come home not just to be with her family but also to seek their protection.

"I need your help," she said, her voice more serious now.

Her father's brow furrowed. "From who?"

She swallowed hard, dread settling in her chest. "Mark's father."

The moment the name left her lips, the air in the room grew heavy with tension. Her parents exchanged a look, understanding the gravity of the situation. Mark's father was powerful, ruthless, and dangerous. If he was coming after Claire, it meant trouble for all of them.

Her father's face darkened. "What exactly are we dealing with?" he asked.

"He's seeking revenge," Selene explained. "He doesn't know for sure who killed Mark, but he has his suspicions. Claire is his next target. I need to keep her safe, and I need you to help me do it."

Her father nodded slowly, his expression hardening with resolve. "We'll protect her. If he comes for Claire, he'll have to go through all of us."

For the first time in days, Selene felt a glimmer of hope. With her family's help, she knew they could stand a chance against whatever Mark's father had planned. But deep down, she also knew that the danger was far from over.