The Hawthrone Heir(UNEDITED)

Arturo

Sidestepping my incoming fist, she lands one of her own, right in my ribcage, a groan leaving my lips as a result of the force behind the punch.

“Don't look so pleased Halfpint.” I chastise, wiping the smirk off her face. “Remember, always assume your opponent will be going for the kill,” I warn right before I pull out a hidden small-sized arrow from my sneakers, pointing it at her throat while pinning her down in a flash.

“Fuck!” She groans in frustration, slapping the practice mat.

“Are you giving up already, Squirt?” I ask quirking my left eyebrow at her.

“Never,” she growls, head butting me. If it wasn't for the fact that I'm an elder, I'm sure the force would've surely knocked me out.

“Good to know that the four-year-old stellar student of mine still exists, I thought you've gotten soft on me now that you're practically a woman,” I say, smirking.

Chuckling, as I help her stand to her feet, she grins. "Nope, just gotten smarter with reading your moves,” she replies. “Plus, I wouldn't dare think about hurting you, old man, you're my favorite.” She adds cheekily, winking at me.

“I see you still have that smart mouth of yours,” Miguel chimes in interrupting us.

“Miguel, I thought you'd be hiding under your bed away from me. I'm so happy to see you,” she retorts.

I tried really hard but failed miserably to conceal my laughter. “You should know your fucking place, Hawthorne,” Miguel growls, getting agitated by the comment.

“Vargas, you better back the hell up out of my face and control yourself before you really piss me off.” She retorts in an evenly challenging manner, boldly glaring at my son. It's comical really. Watching a barely 5ft5 seventeen-year-old stare down a twenty-four-year-old alpha male. “I thought so, bitch,” she huffs when Miguel walks away.

“One of these days you're going to push him too far,” I chuckle. “He's right though,” I say, attempting to follow in the direction my son went.

“Which is?”

“You still got a smart mouth,” I reply with a smirk.

Scoffing, she grabs her gym bag and towel. Kissing my cheek, “see you at dinner old man.” She mutters, walking past me.

Feeling the need to say something. “Hey hybrid,” I called out through the hallway, stopping her movements. “You'll be okay,” I guaranteed.

Briefly glancing over her shoulders, “maybe one day I'll truly believe you.” She mumbles and continues walking down the hall.

Sighing, I make my way back inside the gym. Standing near the window, I can see Destiny sauntering her way in the direction of my family's cemetery. It was the least I could've done for her mother --- she was a Hawthorne after all, earning the right to be buried there.

I can still remember the day Sara had introduced the ocean, blue-eyed beauty. I had laughed right in her face when I first heard she was the mother of the hybrid child Sara talked so fondly of. Imagine my disbelief when they brought in the little Squirt, who is indeed the corban copy of the woman.

Hybrids were unheard of, well a healthy, and living one that is. So I demanded a demonstration from the kid, I told her to hit me as hard as she could. Raising her small fists, she landed a solid right hook. Man, was I amazed by her strength, it was like getting hit by a ten-year-old pup. Immediately I became interested, agreeing to be discreet about her true nature. However, it wasn't long after I realized she didn't belong with the regular pups, so I upped her training with the pre-teens. Again, she floored me, by knocking out my son. There and then, I truly invested in her training, by teaching her myself.

Even though Destiny's yet to pass my class, she has excelled in the others I enrolled her in over the years. Looking at it now, she's almost the perfect weapon. A master in the arts of weaponry, a spear and gun being her strongest, decent with a sword, but terrible with a bow. Hand-to-hand combat specialist, decent in a long range. As for magical, she uses the air element well, it's almost as if she's flying. Her levitation, along with her ultimate defense, the forcefield.

It's powerful.

An impenetrable barrier that surrounds her automatically whenever in danger. She's got full control over it, however, at times we realize it acts on its own whenever she's pushed to certain limits.

Barking pulls me from my thoughts, courtesy of Demon. It's strange how close that dog is to her, he even trains with her on most days. If I didn't know better, I'd say there's something mystical about the big, brown, German Shepherd.

Then again I could be wrong.

Looking at the pair, I see a smile craves its way on Destiny's beautiful face making her eyes sparkle a bit with utter joy. No matter how powerful the kid is, she's still a young woman who misses her mother dearly.

Moving away from the spot that I'm much too comfortable with, I stride on out to take a quick shower. I've been an Elder since Miguel took over his alpha role two years ago, but I still train the younger pups and other supernatural creatures who are in need of it. I refuse to be like the ones in my time. Always judging, never really sitting to discuss situations from all angles. That's why the rogues have been growing over the years. Even though my pack is protected by Asena, it doesn't mean we don't get our fair share of rogue attacks.

And the werewolf council?

Those bastards are even worse, especially Victor, he's always quick to kill.

Sighing.

When will change ever come?

-----------

“The Eastern border requires more patrolling, a small group of rogues had to be taken care of,” Miguel briefs us as collective murmurs go around the U-shaped table.

“Did you kill all of ‘em?” I ask, gritting my teeth together. He can be so arrogant at times.

“Yes,” he replies, the slight growl in his voice doesn't go unnoticed.

“Did you extract any information before killing them all?” I pressed.

“No, what can a group of rogues tell us?” He snaps, “they're just a bunch of mindless hounds that need to be exterminated,” he adds.

“You, boy, is an airhead!” I shout, startling the panel. “How exactly did you come to that conclusion that they're mindless?” I sneer.

“Arturo, what are you asking him?” Emo, a former tracker in his glory days questions.

“Rogues are not like they were in the old days, Elder Emo,” I reply. “They've evolved,” I added.

“That's ridiculous!” Rafael, a former warrior, retorts doubtful.

“You all dare to question my insanity!” I barked as they lowered their eyes a bit just as the loud bang of the swindling door brought a halt to the meeting from escalating.

With a small bow in greeting. “Sorry for the interruption,” Sara says.

“What is it, Sara?” Arbela, a fine warrior once, who's still the only female to ever reside as an Elder, ponders.

“Thank you Madam Arbela,” Sara replies. “I came here not for me, but for someone else who requested your audience,” she further explained.

“Very well, fetch the person in.” Rafael demands, “we don't have all day. There's still the young alpha's report to go through,” he adds rudely.

Curious, all four of us. Well, five including Miguel --- is anxious to see who it is. Dressed in a silk white robe, the hooded figure is...Destiny?

“Elders, I'm here to humbly request safe passage outside Barbican.” She says, “as the only living heir to one of the oldest coven known in the land of Nebula, The Hawthorne Coven. I think it's time I go home, back to Rosewood.” She quickly adds.

“What heir?” Rafael chuckles, Emo joining in. “The Hawthorne Coven is dead, little girl,” he taunts. “Furthermore, you were born in Green Bay.”

“Rafael!” Arbela hissed in disbelief.

Glancing at Sara, the silver-eyed beauty only smirks once she got the single nod from the woman raising her. “It's amazing you think this is an actual request,” she cackles. Just then, Demon strides into the room growling, looking more than ready to pounce. Emo visually gulps, while Rafael remains stubbornly smug.

“Do explain what makes you think you can come in here and make demands,” he sarcastically responded.

“Because,” Destiny begins to say. With speed I've seen her used before, she had her hand around Rafael's neck. "I asked you nicely.” She sneers, clenching his throat even tighter. “Now, you've got exactly a minute before I block your air channel points…Permanently,” she growls.

Rafael's face begins to turn blue, yet he's too stubborn to submit. “Acting tough are we?” Destiny chuckles, “no worries.” Extending her claws ever so slightly, it pierced Rafael's flesh, whimpers leaving his lips.

“Enough of this!” Arbela pleads, “your request has been granted.”

Smirking, “I want to hear it from this asshole,” Destiny says, slamming Rafael unto the ground.

Gasping for much-needed breath, “r-r-request gr-raanted,” he managed to wheeze out.

Patting Rafael's head, “good boy,” Destiny says before walking out the room with Demon right behind her with his head held high, and I swear the damn dog smirked.

“W-what is she?” Emo stutter.

“Someone you never should've underestimated,” Miguel's the one to answer making both of us chuckle, understanding the line between his statement.

******

“Hey,” the familiar soft voice says in greeting after a brief knock.

Taking off my glasses, “what's up?” I reply.

“I'm going to miss you old man,” she mumbles, plopping down in the armchair.

“I’d miss me too, but seriously what's wrong?” I respond by closing the file I've been overseeing.

“After all is said and done. Do you think there's a mate or spirit spouse out there for something like me?” Destiny asks so lowly I almost didn't hear her.

Without any hint of hesitation, “yes.” I proclaimed. “I truly believe someone's out there for everyone, you just need to be patient and have faith that the person for you is strong enough to handle what and who you truly are,” I add.

Destiny didn't reply, not like I expected her to. I always knew deep down she'd eventually ask, knowing how closed off she'd automatically become whenever a guy showed interest. Truth be told, she's just scared of getting her heartbroken. Hence why she secures it so tightly. Nothing's said for a long time, we just bathe in the comfortable silence for one last time. It's not strange for her to come to my office and watch me work, sometimes she even offers her help.

“Destiny, Sweetie,” Sara calls out, knocking lightly before entering. “They're here honey, let's go.” She adds.

Nodding, Destiny rises, looking at me with soft pleading eyes. “Take a walk with me old man?”

“Of course,” I retort, knowing exactly what she's asking for.

The warm, inviting summer breeze gently caresses our skin while we take small steps along the glistening, stone pathway. Striding over towards the headstone carved into wings, she crouches down, staring at it for a minute.

“I'm going home mama,” she begins. Her voice thick with emotion, I can see her biting her cheek, stopping herself from crying. “Forgive me, but I'm going to get back what rightfully belongs to our family, even if it means burning down the entire Rosewood.” She declared.

“Blood for blood mama. I promise I'll bring you home, our real home, on ancestral soil where you truly belong.” She states, brushing the nonexisting dirt off the grave. Without looking at me, “take care of her will ya?”

“You've got my word Half-pint,” I promised.

Getting up, she hugs me. “Thank you, Arturo. For everything you've done for us,” she says inhaling my scent. No doubt imprinting it into her memory.

“Come on, your uncle's waiting for you.” I remind her, breaking up the moment. Ever since Destiny's statement, it's as if nature herself is getting ready for the brewing storm coming.

“German! Uncle Blue!” Destiny squeals, launching herself at the father and son duo.

“Muffin! Damn, I missed you so much,” Blue groans, hugging Destiny tightly. “Let me look at you,” he sniffles, twirling her.

“We missed you Squirt,” German huddles her to his chest like a prized possession.

Demon chooses that moment to bark, showing his displeasure. “We missed you too boy,” they said at the same time chuckling.

“Arturo, it's been a few years, nice to see you again.” Blue greets, shaking my hand.

“A total of five years,” I add, agreeing. “How's Martha?”

Sighing, “she stayed back home to prepare for princess over here,” he grumbles, pointing at Destiny who just rolls her eyes.

“Nice to see you again Mr. Mendez,” German greets. “Sorry to be abrupt, but we need to get going.” He states politely.

“That's right,” Sara agrees. “Your things are already in the trunk, here,” she says, handing over a necklace. It's Maureen's necklace, which I haven't seen in years.

“But-” Destiny begins to protest.

“Shush, it rightfully belongs to you, I was just holding on to it for you.” Sara hushed, putting it around Destiny's neck. And that's when I saw it for a brief second, if I had blinked in that second window, I would've surely missed it.

I saw the necklace light up along with Destiny's body.

With last minute hugs, everyone says their goodbyes. I'm the only one here, seeing as Sara had isolated herself along with Destiny a long time ago from the pack.

“Hey, Squirt!” Miguel's voice calls out, halting Destiny from entering the black Escalade. Walking up to her, “so you’re not completely incompetent,” he mumbles. Grabbing her face, my son did the unexpected.

He kissed Destiny.

And what's even more surprising, she seems to be kissing him back. The sound of bone cracking seems to snap us all back into reality.

“If you ever utter a word of this, I'll skin you alive Vargas.” She glares at a smirking Miguel, whose lip she busted wide open.

“So worth it,” Miguel retorts, licking the blood seductively. “Time to let someone in Hawthorne,” he suggests. “I truly hope he's in Rosewood,” he adds with a genuine smile.

“The same could be said about you Alpha Vargas, ” Destiny comments. “Your Luna is waiting for you, just open your eyes.” She retorts.

They hug, saying their goodbyes. It's the first time she's ever addressing him with such respect. And I know he appreciates the gesture greatly. Finally getting inside, the engine starts, leaving only dust in its wake. Miguel shifts into his dark-brown wolf, racing off towards the East of the borders. The boy's such a hothead. Maybe he does need a Luna, sooner rather than later.

“So what's next?” I turn my focus on Sara.

“Now, we wait and prepare ourselves,” is all she says before disappearing.

Waiting has never hurt before, this time feels different though. Even nature's beginning to feel it. “Asena, protect us all,” I mumble out loud

_________________________

It's been almost eighteen years since Rosewood has seen a Hawthorne.

The question is, are they prepared for this specific Hawthorne?

The journey's just starting.

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Thank you for reading The Hawthorne Heir.