New Beginning

Chapter Thirty-One

*Hey guys, sorry this update is so late but with everything going on right now my creativity has been at an all-time low. This chapter has not been edited by my Beta yet as she has just started back at work and is very busy, but she will be looking over it during the next few days and I will release it when she is done. I just thought you'd all want it now rather than later, seeing as I have noticed a few of you worried I have abandoned this fic. Just FYI that will never happen, I may be terrible at constantly posting updates, but I will always come back. Also, I love reviews of any kind, but I cannot reply to Guest reviews, so please sign in if you have a question. As always, please let me know what you think, good or bad. Reviews make me smile, and they keep me motivated. There may be a trigger warning in this chapter towards the end. There is an animal death and I don't want to upset anyone. This chapter has been edited by my Beta Casey.*

The fire crackled ominously. The spitting of the logs was the only sound in the otherwise silent room. Elena scooted closer, pressing her body against mine. Her chin tilted downwards as she nervously fiddled with her fingers, eyes flickering around, warily watching the rooms other occupants. Damon stood in front of the fireplace, gripping the mantle so tight his knuckles were white. The fire cast a warm glow against his pale skin, and his hard cerulean eyes stared down into the flickering flames. His shoulder was tight as he continued to grip onto the mantle, riveted to the spot. Stefan stood a few feet away, slowly pacing in a small circle, his usual flawless appearance in complete disarray. His midnight blue button-up shirt was wrinkled, the sleeves unbuttoned and rolled above his elbows. His hair was a flat and tangled mess, the product he so obviously used daily had been put to the test and failed. There were purplish-blue shadows under his eyes, confirming the exhaustion that his disheveled look called attention to.

At the end of his panicked pacing, he paused just long enough to cast his fear-filled gaze on Elena, before the whole process restarted. At the other end of the room, Alaric stood vigil at the bar, his back rigid. The only movement he made was the slow lifting of his arm as he brought a glass of bourbon to his thinned lips. Beside my place on the sofa, Mason and Tyler stood, their arms crossed, and eyes uncomfortably glued to the window. I followed their gaze and noticed the dying daylight; it wouldn't be long before they needed to prepare for the long night. We couldn't have two werewolves shifting in the middle of the Boarding house.

I refocused my attention on the two brothers and the hunter; Alaric always seemed to get sucked into the thick of things. I had no doubt that they were all still angry and held no trust in me, but if they wanted to survive the night and the days that followed, they would have to come to terms with the fact that I was their best bet.

"It seems Damon has drug the lot of you into another shitty situation, but before I offer my help, I think it's best to try to deal with it on your own. I don't want to be accused of manipulation. According to you lot, that is what I do best," I said, pursing my lips and flashing a heated glare at Damon's back.

A warm weight fell on my shoulder, and I leaned forward, rubbing my hands down my knees. I glanced up at Tyler defensively, faltering at the gentleness in his gaze. He stared down at me, shaking his head. His dark eyes held a definite warning, but I could see he would be there even if I chose not to take it. I huffed in acknowledgment, admittedly pouting that, yet again, I was the one who had to hold back. He squeezed my shoulder as Mason stepped around the couch, his biceps flexing as he fisted his hands, jaw tightening. He took an apparent deep breath and stared the two vampires down.

"We don't have time to rehash old arguments. You pissed Jules off and made an enemy of the entire pack. You've been marked, which means she will be coming for you tonight. Anyone who stands in her way will meet the same end. It's truth not legend when they say that one bite from us will kill your kind," Mason said.