Warning! This Chapter has child abuse!!

-Xander-

I watched as Lumir made his way back inside till he vanished behind the closing doors. As soon as he was gone my body dropped the act sagging into the seat.

My body was on fire, my skin felt like millions of millions of ants crawling on me. My eyes were red once more and seriously sensitive to light. And it was worse with Lumir gone, the surprising comfort he gave.

I let out a groan as the car began moving making my stomach heave, but there was nothing to give.

“How are you holding up Xander?” Mr. Mark asked.

I shielded my eyes. “I've been better.”

He leaned over and dropped the visor, blocking the sun. “Yeah I'm sure. Do you know what brought this on?”

“I have an idea…”

“And that is? It's just odd that two students transform back to back. So maybe something you experienced could help.”

I braced for his reaction.

“Your son.”

“Lumir! What did he do? I'm sure he didn't mean-”

“He didn't do anything wrong, I'm sure of that, well at least not on purpose.”

“Then how did this happen?”

“I was standing near him….”

I looked down at my hands still feeling his warmth, still hearing his embarrassed laugh, his unjudging smile and those vast blue eyes that always seemed to find me- that saw me and didn't run. And yet… today he seemed so uncertain because of something I did.

I turned over to Mr. Mark. Noting his silence to my answer.

“Mr. Mark?”

“Hmm? Oh sorry thinking. This hasn’t happened before?”

Flinching I slowly nodded. “It’s been a long time.”

“And then Lumir caused it to pop back up?” He sighed looking sad. “Sorry, son. I know this must be hard on you.”

My thoughts slammed into a wall. Did he know? What did he know? Was he here after that or during then?

He suddenly laughed jarring me from my thoughts.

“What’s so funny?”

“Amare just asked if I’d go shopping before I head home.”

I blushed looking away feeling like I was imposing on something. The soulmate bond- the mental link between Naturals and their chosen partners. The fact that everyone had someone out there just for them.

I thought back to last night. My confession about Lumir to Kono and Croix. And then Lumir’s question back in the restroom-

“So Xander what happened between you and Lumir? You looked like a bat outta hell last night.” He chuckled. “Sorry for the pun-”

“I like your son.” I blurted.

“A lot of people like him, he's a great kid.”

“I think- no, I know I like like him, romantically.”

I watched as his face went from confusion to understanding. At the red light he looked over.

“Oh, so your gay?”

I flinched. I hadn't even bothered to ask how Lumir's parents took the news, what if they were like my father? I suppressed a shiver.

“Does that bother you?” I whispered.

“No not at all, I know your a good kid.” He patted my shoulder. “And your a good friend of his. Why would any of that change who you are as a person?” His blue eyes a little darker then Lumir's held so much of the same familiar warmth in them as he looked back at me. “Does it bother you, Xander?”

I looked at my clawed trembling hands, the hands that had disgusted me- scared me, the hands that Lumir held without fear.

“I don't know… I guess it does. I’ve known this about myself for a really long time. It's just nice to… tell people.”

To tell someone and not be judged. I thought back to last night with my siblings.

Mr. Mark hummed then. “Seems like you’ve calmed down.”

I looked at him confused then to the mirror. He was right. My eyes were back to brown, my fangs gone. I peeked down at my hands again with a heavy sigh- my claws were gone as well.

What was it about this family that made you drop your guard and feel so... safe? And welcome?

That was the end of our talk but the silence wasn't uncomfortable it was nice and accepting.

When we reached the Manor, Kono and Croix were waiting for me.

The second I stepped out they pulled me into a hug.

“Lumir called me and said you were coming home with his Dad.” Kono explained checking me over.

“Yeah we were about to head off to school but we wanted to check up on you.” Croix said as he lead us to the open front door but stopped abruptly calling Mr. Mark to join us before he got back in his car.

I stared at Croix confused.

“Jolons home.” Was all he said and my already upset stomach rolled itself into knots.

“H-he hasn't left yet?” I whispered. Thinking of how to get out of this in my current state.

Croix shook his head as Mr. Mark joined us at the door.

Kono took my hand pulling me after her. “Let's get you to bed and we'll-”

“Whats going on here?”

My siblings and I froze as our father's voice cut through Kono's caring banter.

Fighting every instinct to run I turned to face him, watching as he came down the stairs, surprisingly with mother at his side.

My parents the figureheads of the town. 

My mother was from the Hawaiian islands from a small Vampire Samoan tribe, and she was breathtaking. Wavy snow white hair fell loosely down past her waist, brilliant golden eyes striking against her tanned skin- her tribal tattoos seeming to come alive as she moved like the true huntress she was as she came downstairs.

Then there was my father, a native from the original Cheyenne tribe, straight charcoal black hair that he had twisted back with feathers and beads. His features were hard and sharp like his copper eyes that normally showed his slitted pupils.

Though the second mother saw me she ran forward and began checking me over with worried hands.

“Kaimana.” My father warned.

Mother shot him a glare that would stop a lesser man's heart, she went back to checking me over.

“Ua'ōlelo mai kou kaikuaʻana uaʻehaʻoe? No laila pehea i hana ai, uaʻehaʻoe?” She asked her native tongue slipping in her worry.

“Ua hala wau…” I answered.

She frowned then noticed Mr. Mark standing by the door.

“Nicholas, thank you for bringing Xander home.” She said normally as she faced him, stepping away from my side.

Mr. Mark dipped his head. “No problem.”

As they talked father came to a stop in front of me.

“Tell me what happened.”

I shrank under the crushing power that he emitted. He smirked.

Kono was quickly back at my side. “He just wasn't feeling good but know he’s-”

“Let him speak for himself.” Father said cutting his eyes at her, Kono ducked her head but kept her trembling hold on my hand.

I spoke up. “I don't really know. One moment I'm fine then the next I'm transformed and I couldn't return to normal.”

He gave me a once over, copper eyes judging. “Yet you’re normal now.”

“My friend helped me, because my headphones died.” I whispered before I caught myself.

His eyes hardened to a glare then he waved his hand dismissively preparing to walk back the way he came.

“So you just needed a bit of blood then. Next time feed before you leave the house.” He said ignoring or not caring how my face paled at his words.

“N-no-” Father tensed and I rushed to correct my mistake. “I mean, I’ll listen to Tutu’s music, it helps more.”

Father nodded but stopped in his tracks coming closer, towering over me. He sniffed me. “What is that smell?”

“Smell?” I lifted the front if my shirt to my nose. I didn't smell anything.

“Kaimana, do you smell that?” Father asked calling mother over.

She sniffed too with a nod. “It's… sweet almost like a… like a flower.”

Father glared at me. “Yes, why do you reek of this plant, Xander? Maybe this is why you transformed. What were you doing before you shifted? You could have come in contact with it then.”

“But I didn't come in contact with any-” Wait I came in contact with Lumir! That was the smell- his scent.

Mother placed the back of her hand on my forehead stopping my thoughts. “Hōkū, when was the last time you fed?”

I stilled. “Why?”

She put her hands on her hips standing to her full height- almost eye to eye with me. “Because young man, your weaker then the day you were born. Now answer me, Hōkū when was the last time you fed?”

I looked down at my feet and mumbled. “Sometime back in the beginning of August… uh the day before school started.”

My siblings looked baffled while my parents shared a happy glance.

“My Hōkū, you've met your other half- your soulmate.” Mother gushed pulling me into a tight hug as she bounced me up and down.

My soulmate?

Father came and clapped me hard on the back. “Tell me, who this lucky girl is. Is she human? Another Natural? Come don't keep us in suspense.”

I flinched away from his lingering touch. “How would I know?”

Father grinned looking happier then I remember him ever appearing.

“You'd feel the need to be near her. And her presence would bring you immense comfort, a feeling of safety.” He smiled and it made my breath hitch. “There are many more ways but the tale tale sign is that you want to mark her.”

I swallowed my throat going dry. “M-mark them?”

“Yes,” Mother smiled. “You'd want to bite them right here.” She pointed to the spot where her shoulder and neck meet, where she had a bite mark. “This spot is very important to Supernaturals known as a Bond Pulse. Or another way to know is your vision. You would have seen something the second you saw them. Is there someone like that for you?”

My brain was a mess of thoughts and emotions. I felt that and seen- all of that for and with him.

I was frozen in stunned disbelief. Lumir, Lumir was my soulmate!

And my weird feeling I had today was because I wanted to mark him but had unconsciously stopped myself because it felt so familiar to Blood Lust and because of that I made myself sick.

I glanced over at Kono and Croix, they knew. And with encouraging smiles and nods, they wanted me to tell- wanted me to tell mother.

I met my parents gazes, I guess it was time.

“Yes, yes I do. They’re one of my new friends. The one who helped me today.”

Mother clapped her hands together bouncing on the balls of her feet. “Come on Xander tell us.”

“Lumir.” I answered simply.

Mother beamed. “That's a beautiful name-”

“It's a boy's name.” I interrupted kindly. “His name is Lumir Mark.”

Behind me I heard Mr. Mark inhale sharply I turned to him. “Is this true?” He asked.

I gave an unsure nod and his face lit up in happiness.

“Congratulations.”

I turned back to father, whose face was blank for a moment before darkening with familiar rage.

“I forbid it.” He hissed.

“Jolon!” Mother whirled on him. “Get a hold of yourself. This is Xander’s soulmate your talking about-”

“No! I will not have my son disrespecting this family!” He turned on me. “I've told you to get rid of these thoughts Xander! I've told you and told you! They're wrong- sinful- disgusting!” Without missing a beat he rushed forward taking hold of the front of my shirt- lifting me from the floor.

Suddenly everyone was moving. Kono tried to pull me away from him, Croix helping her. Mother's eyes were ablaze of golden red, her hand quickly grabbed father's- clawing at it.

Father sneered at me. “Xander you will forget this boy. Or I'll have to do it for you. This is nothing more then a pointless crush. You just need to move on- meet someone better- your real soulmate.”

“Put him down, Jolon!”

Father's eyes snapped to Mr. Mark. “This doesn't concern you.”

“It does because you're talking about my son.”

“Your son? That filthy mix breed!” Father hissed eyes flaring red.

“Don't call him that!” I growled struggling to free myself.

Father shook me yelling with a voice that shook the walls. “I forbid you from being with this unpredictable mix breed! You must Reject him!”

My body grew cold and my heart threatened to stop as everyone in the room gasped.

“N-no, you can't do this. Even if Lumir wasn't in my life, I like guys and you can't change that! And I’m done letting you!”

Father's pupils slitted to their cross form. He was after blood.

I struggled harder. Not again. My thoughts screamed.

“The mix breed has tainted you-”

“My son has done no such thing! Lumir is a kind and caring boy and you have no right to call him otherwise! Now release Xander!” Mr. Mark yelled, then something weird happened.

Electricity sparked from Mr. Mark’s eyes a couple of times as he stepped closer, hand at his holster.

Father growled with a tsk of his tongue. “Stupid Mortal…” He looked at me, his voice suddenly booming through our mental link. Mother and Kono along with Croix's voice being forcefully muffled.

“You need to choose, Xander. The family or that thing you claim to love.”

My families muffled voices cried out at his words but I couldn't hear them over my fear and panic.

I closed my eyes fighting back tears. “Why are you making me choose between you both?”

“Because you can not be with that thing- or any boy for that matter!” He roared hand closing tightly around my throat like all those other times.

“Why! Why do I have to change to be with my soulmate? To be with my family? Why can't you be happy for me? Accept me?”

His lip lifted showing off his fully extended fangs. “Choose!”

I bowed my head tears falling, everyone's voices growing softer. My thoughts returning to when he hurt me. I couldn’t let this go on, I couldn’t let him control me- hurt me anymore.

“You know I can't choose your way. I need him.”

Father growled loudly releasing his hold on me. I crumbled to my knees, mother rushed to my side Kono and Croix not a step behind her.

“Xander are you alright?” Mother asked her voice shaking.

Coughing I nodded trembling.

“Get out.” Father mumbled.

We stared up at him wide eyed.

“What?” I wheezed.

“Get. Out. Of. My. Sight. You're no longer a son of mine.” He turned on his heel, storming upstairs.