1. Remina

As I stood before the imposing gatehouse of the supernatural compound, my heart was pounding in my chest. It had been years since I last set foot in this place, a place that held so many painful memories. I took a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves. The memories of that fateful night still haunted me, but I couldn"t afford to show weakness now. I had a mission to fulfill, and my past had to remain buried.

The compound before me, Astur, was one of the largest in the western hemisphere, a sanctuary for a multitude of supernatural beings, each with their own unique powers, secrets, and hidden agendas. Two days ago, I received a phone call from the Order. A branch of the human government that handles all things supernatural—liaising with the supernatural compounds and dealing with perceived threats. It was not exactly a job that came with a stellar reputation in the supernatural community. I"d been shunned by most of them. But the Order had become my home, and I"d grown to be one of their most valuable assets.

Over two centuries ago, humans had arrived in our realm armed with advanced weapons that changed everything. Although peace now reigns, memories linger of a time when many supernatural beings fell to human innovation. In the aftermath, supernaturals and humans found a delicate peace, living side by side but mostly keeping to their own spaces. Compounds like Astur emerged as supernatural sanctuaries, a place where supes govern themselves, free to practice magic and live by their traditions. Humans and supernaturals live in relative peace, but there are moments, like today, when The Order intervenes to maintain the delicate balance.

I hoped to lay low, not to draw attention to myself. I knew how people reacted when they realized the Order"s Witch had come to town. They clammed up, they got skittish, and I"d rather not resort to torture to get information today. Then again, maybe I was overdue for a little red staining my hands.

People may lock their doors and whisper my name with fear in their eyes, but what did I care? I wasn't a people person anyway.

I tightened my grip on the hilt of my dagger, checked to make sure my tattoo-covered body was still hidden by my concealment spell, and I approached the massive gate. As I neared, I noticed the intricate engravings on the stone walls, marking the ancient lineage of the supernatural races that resided within. It was a stark contrast to the cold concrete and steel of the human world I had come from.

My body had a delicious ache to it after my adventures last night, and I had to fight to keep the satisfied smile off my face. The memory of Frost's commanding presence lingered in my thoughts. Over the years, I"d often contemplated looking into his identity, but there was something about the allure of the unknown. The excitement of a nameless connection had its charm. I didn"t want to complicate what we had by uncovering his identity as if doing so might break the spell we"d woven in those stolen moments.

The gate creaked open slowly, and I stepped through into the compound. The moment I crossed the threshold, a ripple of recognition swept through the crowd. The supernatural beings who passed me on the streets whispered and pointed. They only knew me as the Order"s witch, the one who hunted down rogue supernaturals and ensured they were brought to justice, often facing harsh punishments or execution. To them, I was a traitor, a betrayer of my kind. They didn"t understand my reasons, my history. They didn"t know the truth of that night, the night when my family was slaughtered, and I had been the sole survivor.

As I walked deeper into the compound, my gaze flicked from face to face, and I caught snippets of conversations. Whispers of disdain, anger, and fear. People continued to stare and hastily shield their children from my view. It was nothing new, the same reactions I"d dealt with a thousand times before.

I held my head high, muttering under my breath and forcing a wide smile, maybe a touch too wide. The crazier I seemed the more space people tended to give me. I continued towards the shifter district of the compound, my heart pounding, not from fear but from the adrenaline that always coursed through my veins when I was on a mission.

And then I saw her. Gianna, or "Gi-Gi" as she preferred to be called, waited by the entrance of her apartment complex. She spotted me and ran right up to me, her energy infectious.

"Remi!" she called, and I smiled. "Good to see you still know how to make an entrance," she teased.

I looked up at her tall frame, taking in how much she"d changed in the four years since I last saw her. "Love the new hair, Gi," I remarked, eyeing her deep purple pixie cut that complimented her rich chocolate skin.

Gi-Gi grinned, running a hand through her hair. "Low maintenance is the way to go."

As she guided me towards her apartment, I thanked her for letting me stay. "Of course! Like I"d let my bestie stay anywhere else," she said with that familiar warmth.

"Have you told your brother?" I asked, a touch hesitantly. Gi-Gi and I grew up together in a supe, supernatural, orphanage, and it was quite a surprise to find out four years ago that she had a half-brother who was also a werewolf. Her overprotective brother had no idea that his sister"s best friend wasn't exactly human.

Gi-Gi glanced at me guiltily. "What he doesn"t know won"t hurt him."

I groan. "Gi-Gi! You know he"s not going to like it when he finds out you"re harboring a witch. Even if I am harmless." I smirked, and we both knew it wasn't true. But I"d never hurt her or put her at risk, not after everything we"d been through.

Gi-Gi dismissed my concerns with a wave of her hand and plopped down on her couch. "So, girls" night tonight?" she asked, changing the subject with a mischievous glint in her eye.

As we made our way to her apartment, I noticed several pairs of eyes tracking our progress, and I frowned. Gi-Gi, on the other hand, strolled ahead with an air of confidence, her vibrant purple hair and vivacious spirit drawing attention. The shifter sector was notorious for being a close-knit community, protective of their own, and my presence alongside Gi-Gi was sure to raise some eyebrows.

We approached the entrance to Gi-Gi"s apartment complex, and I leaned in closer to her. "You know, Gi, I hope people won"t judge you for being friends with me. I know I have a reputation."

Gi-Gi chuckled, brushing off my concerns. "Oh, please, Remi. They"re too scared of Slade to say anything about it."

I raised an eyebrow. "Your brother sounds like a handful."

Gi-Gi grinned mischievously. "That"s one way to put it. He"s fiercely protective of me, and anyone who crosses me has to deal with him."

As we entered the apartment complex, we were met with more curious glances and hushed whispers. It was clear that news of my arrival had spread like wildfire, and I felt a mixture of discomfort and curiosity about what the shifter community thought of me.

Gi-Gi seemed unfazed by the attention, leading the way to her apartment with a spring in her step. "Let them talk, Remi. We don"t live our lives to please them. Besides, once they get to know you, they"ll see you"re not as scary as they think."

I smiled, grateful for Gi-Gi"s unwavering support. "Thanks, Gi. You"ve always been a true friend."

Gi-Gi"s apartment was a cozy and vibrant space, a far cry from the sterile environment of the Order"s headquarters. As she led me inside, I took in the colorful decorations and the warm, inviting atmosphere. It was a stark contrast to the forbidding reputation the supernatural compound had outside these walls.

"Welcome to my humble abode," Gi-Gi said with a grin, her purple pixie cut catching the light. "Make yourself at home, Remi. You can stay here as long as you like."

I smiled gratefully. "Thanks, Gi-Gi. You"re a lifesaver." The thought of staying at the Order"s reserved compound quarters had filled me with dread.

She waved off my thanks. "We"re practically sisters, Remi. What"s mine is yours." Gi-Gi had always been the vivacious and spirited one between us, and her energy was infectious. It was good to see that some things hadn"t changed.

I followed Gi-Gi into the living room, where we settled down on her plush, mismatched couches. She handed me a glass of red wine, her eyes gleaming with excitement.

"So, Remi," she began, leaning forward with a mischievous glint in her eyes, "what"s the deal with you and the Order? You"ve got to give me the juicy details."

I took a sip of the wine, enjoying the rich flavor. "Well, you know how it is. The Order keeps me busy, and I can"t say no to a good paycheck." I chuckled, though the reality of my work was far from amusing.

Gi-Gi"s expression turned serious for a moment. "Is it dangerous?"

I nodded, my smile fading. "It can be. But I"ve learned to handle myself, and I"m good at what I do. The dangerous part is more the humans who would love to see me gone, but the Order protects me."

Gi-Gi"s face softened with concern. "Remi, you don"t have to do this. You could stay here and live a normal life."

I sighed, appreciating her concern but knowing I couldn"t just walk away. "I appreciate the offer, Gi, but this is my life now. It's all I know, and I"m good at it."

She nodded, accepting my decision. "Well, promise me you"ll be careful, okay?"

"I will," I assured her, and we clinked our wine glasses in agreement.

As we continued to catch up, I felt a sense of relief. Gi-Gi had always been like a sister to me, and being here in her apartment, surrounded by her warmth and vivacity, made me feel like I could breathe again.

After a while, Gi-Gi excused herself to check on something in the kitchen, leaving me to unpack my few belongings in the spare bedroom. The room was small but comfortable, and I appreciated the thought she"d put into making it feel like a guest room rather than a storage space.

As I unpacked, I thought about how much had changed since I"d left this compound as a child. I"d been through hell and back and seen things that would haunt most people"s nightmares. But through it all, Gi-Gi had been a constant in my life, a source of support and friendship.

When I returned to the living room, Gi-Gi had whipped up a delicious-smelling meal, and we enjoyed dinner together as if no time had passed at all. It was a comforting feeling, a reminder that even in this dangerous world, there were still places and people where I could find solace and connection.

It had been too long since I"d enjoyed a home-cooked meal, and I savored every bite. Gi-Gi had a way of making even the simplest dishes taste like gourmet creations.

As we cleared the dinner table, I felt a sense of contentment. Gi-Gi"s apartment, with its warm and eclectic décor, had become a sanctuary of sorts. It was a place where I could forget about the weight of my responsibilities and just be myself.

Gi-Gi, with her infectious energy, didn"t let the evening end with dinner. She grabbed a bottle of tequila and some margarita mix from the kitchen; her eyes twinkling with mischief.

"Time for some margaritas!" she declared, and I couldn"t agree more. She handed me a glass, and we got to work mixing our drinks. I watched as she expertly rimmed the glasses with salt and poured the vibrant green concoction over ice.

With our margaritas in hand, we retreated to the living room, where Gi-Gi had a playlist of all our favorite songs ready to go. The lively beats filled the air, and without a care in the world, we started to dance.

Gi-Gi"s hips swayed to the rhythm, and she twirled around the room with infectious enthusiasm. I joined in, letting the music wash over me and take away all the worries that had been nagging at me for so long.

We danced with abandon, laughter bubbling from our lips as we moved to the beats of songs we"d loved since our teenage years. It was as if we were transported back to a simpler time, a time when the world was full of endless possibilities.

The margaritas added a pleasant warmth to the evening, and we soon found ourselves in a fit of giggles. Gi-Gi"s purple hair bounced as she danced, and I marveled at her spirit. She was a force of nature, a vibrant reminder of how to enjoy life to the fullest.

A few margaritas into our girls" night, and I was beginning to feel more at ease than I had in a long time. Reuniting with Gi-Gi had been like a breath of fresh air, a reminder of the carefree days of our childhood. She was a force of nature, and she"d always known how to have a good time.

Currently, she was swaying her hips to the beat of Cardi B"s "WAP" as she expertly poured out our next round of drinks. "Girl, you need to fill me in on all the dick you"ve been getting recently!" Gi-Gi yelled over the music. "I need to live vicariously through you. Who knew having a brother would be such a huge pussy blocker?" She sighed dramatically, and I laughed. Gi-Gi had always been a drama queen, but that was part of her charm.

"Surely it"s not that bad," I replied, trying to hold back my laughter. If this was Gi-Gi"s worst problem, then I was genuinely happy for her. After our tumultuous childhood, she deserved all the happiness life had to offer.

Gi-Gi turned her steel-blue eyes on me and fake-glared. "Remi, seriously, it"s the worst! A girl just needs a good dicking now and then, ya know?" She was deadly serious, and in all fairness, I agreed. But the reality of my life was far from that.

"Okay, well, my sex life is not much better than yours, but I"ll help a girl out." I rolled my eyes, unable to resist the infectious energy Gi-Gi brought into the room. "Alright, so the last time ..."

Thankfully, I was cut off by a sudden and insistent knocking on the door. Gi-Gi shot me a look that said we weren"t finished with this conversation, and then she headed over to answer the door.

Before she could fully open it, a large body pushed its way into the entryway. A deep, rumbling voice started to speak softly to Gi-Gi before suddenly exclaiming, "WHAT THE FUCK!" He pushed Gi-Gi behind him in a protective move, his eyes narrowing as he assessed the situation.

Ahh, here we go, I thought as I slowly moved towards him. It seemed that the big, bad wolf, Gi-Gi"s brother, was not my biggest fan.