Chapter One: The Folks

Almost an entire year had passed since Gabriel and Kara had last seen one another. Gabriel, with the help of Lysette had brought the Lycan Kingdom back to its former glory. The Vampires had been silent, and it was an unsettling feeling to many. They normally were not this quiet. But Gabriel wasn't worried. He was more than prepared if they had attempted to attack his Kingdom.

Lysette, who had originally hated being within the palace found it feeling different with Gabriel there. It was slowly beginning to feel like a home to her again.

" Gabriel...eventually you are going to have to talk about what Happened" Lysette leaned again the dinner table with her arms crossed as Gabriel was finally eating. His eating habits had changed drastically over the last few months. He hadn't really discussed things in detail about what happened with Kara. Only that things had been solved and that was it.

" I already told you" he answered as he chomped down on some meat. " I don't don't anything to say about it. We patched things up as best as we could and we went out separate ways. There isn't much to say with it " Gabriel takes a sip from his chalice full of Wine. He had taken an interest in it after Lysette had introduced him to a crude version of it which he refused to know what the contents contained.

" I know that you love her. And I just wish you two would talk again " Lysette takes a seat across from Gabriel who stares down at his plate, who was concentrating on his meal.

" She didn't want us to communicate for the time being. She made that very clear and I'm respecting that" Gabriel knew that she was just concerned but his hands were tied on this. Kara had made her wish clear and Gabriel was going to respect it.

" Well eventually you two will have to get over it and talk" Lysette places her hands on the table. " So..have you given anymore thought on what you are going to do about Aurora? It's been eight months Gabriel. You have to figure it out. Either destroy her or.." Lysette wasn't actually sure what the other option would even be at this point.

" I could just give her to you and let you have your way with her" Gabriel jokes. Which luckily, Lysette caught because otherwise she would have gotten to excited.

" I think we both know what I would choose.. " Lysette laughs, thinking of how hard she would stomp her foot on the orb.

" Shawn and Raven are suppose to come by today. Raven will be having the baby soon and they want to check on me. I guess they are as concerned as you" Gabriel rolled his eyes. They had poked and prodded him for months to make the trip to go see Kara. Even though they knew what she asked of him. Nobody wanted to listen.

" Well, we are concerned because you have been throwing yourself into work. You hardly spend time with them anymore. You need to relax. You need a break. If you push yourself too hard then you are going to burn out" Gabriel reaches up to his cheek and feels the burns that Kara had left on him. They had healed but not completely. " I'm sorry.." Lysette knew should have chosen her words more carefully.

" Its fine " Gabriel stands up and grabs his plate. " I have work to do though. I will see you later in the evening " Gabriel nods as he walks away to dispose of his plate and leaves Lysette.

" Come on Raven, we are already running late " Shawn calls out to Raven who took her time, coming down the steps. " I'm coming as fast as i can dammit" Raven snapped back as had finally reaches the final step. " They can't be that impatient..the damn people are thousands of years old".

Today was the day that Raven was going to meet Shawn's parents. She was excited but also nervous. She had waited so long for this and wanted to look perfect. She spent hours doing her makeup even though she didn't have much to work with. " Finally " Shawn breathes a sigh of relief.

They were heading to Outworld. The was the land of containment. The worst of the worst powerful beings were sent here to be imprisoned after death. If they had anyone who would attempt to resurrect them, they would be unsuccessful. The Prisons were inescapable. And the vast harsh land surrounding the Prisons would surely lead those who ever attempted it to perish. An endless red sea of crimson sand covered the entire world. Enormous Black Pyramids, housed the inmates and that was all could be seen on the surface. The sky was orange and provided very little light. Though, it was always warm there, the weather being the only comforting thing about it.

Shawn teleports them to his parents Castle. " King Yogmund and Queen Halipe were the rulers over the entire world. These were Shawn's parents. Both of which were loving and Kind but had a firm and strong attitude when it came to things that needed to be done. They had important jobs and if one thing were to be done incorrectly, it could send the Outworld into Chaos.

Raven notices the giant room they are standing in as being all black, so much so that almost no detail could be made from it other than that.

It was then that 16 people stepped out from the darkness. An older man and Older woman. The older man, was practically skin and bones from what Raven could see and the Woman looked about the same. Whatever hair they did have had been lost the fabrics of time.

" I am King Roshawk and this is my wife and Queen, Ishtir. They step to side and proceed to introduce the 10 men and 4 Women behind them. " This is Kassir, Warrick, Ramuge, Laoh, Parik, Parok, Tyru, Kalsi, Ashime, and Garoth " He introduces the boys first and then the girls " Valshi, Esione, Yetemeh, Xelima " all of which bow before Raven. " These are Shawn's siblings and we are his parents. Raven tries to bow as well and smiles " How did Shawn get the less complicated name? " She laughed to which Shawn replied. " Well my name is actually Shawnia". Raven stares blankly at Shawn. " I really wish I had never learned that. I really...really do"

Meanwhile, Kara awoke the sound of her Felix Alarm clock and rolled back over in bed. She didn't want to get up today but she knew she had too. She was still working on renovating the entire castle. She didn't like the way things looked. They were tied to her mother and tied to pain and death. She wanted something new. Something different.

She hadn't given much thought to being half Vampire though while at first. It did intrigue her. But, she also couldn't see a reason as to why that changed her all that much from who she was. And who she was, was the Queen of the Witches. The woman who had led the Kindom through the rubble of Aurora's destruction and would allow it to finally be what it was meant to be. Unity. But of course, it would never be that easy. The Vampires had not been seen or heard from in months. And Gabriel and his Kingdom were something Kara wanted to put far behind her. She wanted to start fresh. And she knew she had alot to do. Gooblin had returned to the castle and had been helping her as best as he could but Kara really did enjoy the company.

Gooblin pressuring Kara the same way Lysette had been doing to Gabriel. She always tried her best to avoid the subject though. She didn't want to talk about Gabriel. He had consumed so much of her time and she needed time away from him both physically and in her mind. She had wanted to see him so bad for long and had missed him and by the time she did see him..she knew it was too late. There was no way anything could be pursued between them. Not after everything that had happened on both sides. And on top of that, she wasn't so sure of her feelings anymore. She had developed feelings for Gwen in their short time together and she couldn't help but feel like that meant whatever she felt for Gabriel wasn't as strong as she once believed. She missed Gwen. And wanted her back every single day. But she would never cross the same lines that Gabriel did though. She had accepted that Gwen was gone and there was nothing she could do about it.

" You still love Wolf man" Gooblin smiles. He had taken to calling Gabriel 'Wolf Man". Kara thought this was cute but she also couldn't smile whenever Gabriel came up anymore. " Its complicated " She tried to explain.

" You love Vampire. She die. He love Wolf lady. She die. You love each other. You alive. He alive " Gooblin was confused as to why Kara was making things so complicated for herself.

" Its not that simple Gooblin.." She Sighs. " I had to let Gabriel go. I can't be hung up on him for the rest of my life. Especially after all that has happened. It wouldn't work if I'm being logical about it"

" Logic not love. You stupid " Gooblin sits down in a chair and drums on the table. " Hey! I'm not stupid. I'm being smart for the first time in a long time.." Kara couldn't understand why she was trying to explain herself to Gooblin. He felt the way he felt and he wouldn't change his opinion. " You stupid. You still love Wolf man. You will see " Gooblin snorts at Kara who throws her hands up in the air in defeat " God you are so hard headed. I'm doing what is best for the both of us. Let it go. For fucks sake"

Gabriel does his best to organize the castle duties and complete them so he could have some time to spare. He wanted to get things done and over with as quickly as possible. He enjoyed having time to himself. Despite what Lysette thinks. He loved drinking and spending time in his room and being happy with.." God I live a fucking sad life " Gabriel admits to himself. He really did have to work on things if he ever wanted to get out of this rut. As he finished up his tasks for the day, he finds himself walking down the main street of the town. He wasn't sure what he was looking for but he still looked around. Almost as though he would find something of interest and would be distracted for once. As he makes his way down the street, he sees the tavern a feet up the head. He hears clambering and the sounds of a commotion coming from inside. A man, with Scarlett hair, around the same height as Gabriel was flung through the doors.

" Another Long night at the pub I see Nate? Gabriel looked on in Disapproval. It wasn't too long ago that he has met this Young Lycan. And Gabriel saw Nate getting into trouble more than anything else. He was firey, just like his hair. He was always eager for a fight and a good drink.

Gabriel had tried to talk him into working for the guard but Nate had always denied the offer. " Living the free life" he would always to Gabriel. In some ways, Gabriel respected that. Gabriel had never managed to find freedom no matter how close he was. He thought he had once, but that was a illusion formulated by the emotions overwhelming him. Since then though, Gabriel had managed to control himself alot better though. Wisdom he tried to pass on to Nate who always appreciated the advice but had no intention of taking it.

" Our strong King, who would find more comfort in a strong drink like myself " Nate shoved Gabriel playfully. " We both know I could drink you under the table Nate. But being King is difficult and stressful" Gabriel shrugs off Nates comments.

" Oh I'm sure. Having a crown so heavy must really weigh heavily on your mind " Nate jokes which Gabriel rolls his eyes to and proceeds to walk away. " Oh come on, you know I'm only having fun " Nate runs after Gabriel and tugs on his arm. "I know your job is difficult. And you have done some seriously great things here. And I'm thankful. You have given me the chance at a new life " Nate says with a more serious expression. He truly did appreciate Gabriel for all the hard work he had put into making sure the kingdom was restored. Most of the homes had been rebuilt and businesses were back up and running. " I really do thank you for everything"

Gabriel stops and turns to Nate " I know Nate. Thank you for your support. You are a good friend" Gabriel pats Nates hand and makes his way back to the Palace.

Shawn and Raven watched as his siblings gathered around them, taking seats curving to two thrones. " We are so happy to finally meet you Raven" Ishtir smiles at Raven. " And we had heard you were pregnant, and we can't tell you how excited we are. We can't wait to have a grand baby" She adds.

Raven smiles back at places her hand on her belly. " Well, next month you should be able to meet the baby. We aren't sure of the gender yet but we will make sure you are made aware as soon as we know" Raven takes Shawn's hand into hers.

" And it is lovely to meet you all as well. You have such a beautiful and I'm honored that I can be a part of it" This makes Shawn's Parents smile.

" Well, we want you to make yourself at home. This is just as much your home now as it is our children's " Shawn's Father nods towards Raven.

" Well, we can't stay entirely long. But I would love to come back here and get a chance to better to meet you all so we can't get to know one another more. I just don't want to be in a rush as we do so" Raven explains as Shawn clenches hand a little hard.

" Where are you in a rush too sweetie? " his mother asks, puzzled and dissapointed as to learning of the short visit. " We have to go see Gabriel and then we were going to stop by and see Kara as well" Both of Shawn's parents stand up from excitement. " Gabriel? Please say hello from us! We have wanted to meet him for so Long but Shawnia never brings him home" His father explains as Raven giggles at the name again. " Of course we will. In fact, the next time I come back, I will make sure Gabriel comes back with us" this makes his parents clap happily and take their seats again.