Tangled Fate

Kill or Be Killed

Emerald Coast, One Year Ago

The humid Florida air clung to the neon-lit alleyway behind the bar, where the scent of stale beer met the salt of the Gulf. Katherine leaned against the brickwork, her eyes fixed on a local man named Jimmy, who stood swaying under the influence of something far more potent than the whiskey on his breath.

Vivienne lounged against a stack of crates, idly twisting a dark curl around her finger. "He's a bit of a lightweight, isn't he, Kat? Are you sure he can even land a punch?"

"He doesn't need to be a prize fighter, Viv. He just needs to be relentless." Katherine murmured. She stepped into Jimmy's line of sight, her gaze locking onto his with a predatory snap. "Listen to me, Jimmy. You're angry. You're furious, actually."

Jimmy's eyes glazed over, his pupils blowing wide. "I'm...I'm furious."

"Mason Lockwood is sleeping with Marla." Katherine lied, her voice a poisonous honey. "He's laughing at you. When he walks out that door, you're going to confront him. You're going to pick a fight, and no matter what he says, no matter how much he begs, you will not back down. You won't stop until one of you is dead."

Vivienne let out a soft, melodic laugh. "Make sure you really get in his face, Jimmy. Men like Mason need a little...push to find their teeth."

"I won't back down." Jimmy droned.

"Good boy." Katherine patted his cheek. "Now go. He's coming."

Inside, the atmosphere was lighter. "All right, Carlos. That's it for me," Mason Lockwood said, slapping a few bills on the bar. He stepped out into the night, heading toward his car, unaware of the two pairs of eyes watching from the shadows.

Jimmy stumbled out after him, his face contorted with a manufactured rage. "Mason!"

Mason turned, surprised. "Hey, Jimmy. Easy. Let's get you home, man."

"Screw you!" Jimmy spat, shoving Mason hard against the car door. "I know about you and Marla."

Mason held up his hands, confused. "What are you talking about? You've had too much to drink, buddy." But Jimmy was beyond logic. He lunged, his hands finding Mason's throat. Mason managed to shove him back, his voice rising in alarm. "Dude! What's up?! It's me, Mason! I'm not messing with Marla. You know that!"

Jimmy's answer was a jagged right hook to Mason's jaw.

"You don't want to do this." Mason warned, his own pulse starting to thrum with a strange, heavy heat.

"I'll kill you!" Jimmy screamed, tackling Mason to the pavement and burying a boot in his ribs.

The world seemed to blur for Mason. A primal instinct took hold, a strength he didn't know he possessed. He caught Jimmy's arm, hoisted him up, and threw him with terrifying force. There was a sickening crack as Jimmy's skull met the concrete.

Silence fell over the alley.

"Jimmy?" Mason whispered, crawling toward the limp form. "Jimmy?"

In the shadows, Vivienne leaned toward her sister's ear. "And just like that," she whispered, "the little wolf finds his fur."

━ ➶ 𓆉｡˚ ✧ ༉‧₊˚. ━

March 5, 2010

"I still can't wrap my head around it. Tyler Lockwood...a werewolf?" Jeremy leaned against the doorframe of their shared bathroom, watching Louise vigorously towel-dry her hair.