So I'm back with another major installment in this series! I hope you all enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own Teen Wolf.
"Wait is Theo playing a guitar?"
Theo rolled his eyes. "Yes Stiles I'm playing a guitar."
"He's been playing for a couple months now," Liam said. "He's actually pretty good."
Stiles turned and looked off camera. "Hey Scott, do you know Theo plays the guitar too?"
"Really?" Scott's voice came over. After a moment the alpha appeared in view.
"Maybe we can start a band," says Theo sarcastically. "Me and the Guy I Killed."
"Nah. Me and the Guy Who Killed Me," Scott refutes.
"Why do we use your name?" asked Theo.
"Because I'm the alpha," says Scott lifting his eyebrows and giving a crooked smile. Theo snorts.
"Fine."
Stiles looks between the both of them and then at Liam.
"Yes," says Liam. "That was weird."
"Right?!," said Stiles.
Scott laughed. "I'm over it." He sees Theo's face and laughs softly. "I wouldn't have let you at my back that night in he sheriff's station, when we were going to burst out past Monroe if I didn't. We didn't ask Quinn or Jiang and Tierny to help."
"I was easy collateral damage," Theo refutes, eyes hard and vulnerable at the same time. "Someone you could afford to get hurt."
Scott snorted. "Theo, collateral damage wasn't worth it if you would turn on us. You know that. You're forgiven. If you try to do it again, I'll break you in half. Clear?"
"Clear," he says though he looks like he still can't for the life of him, actually, understand what the hell just happened.
"Just to be clear," Stiles said. "Scott is the only one who has forgiven you for killing him. I don't. I really, really don't"
Stiles' statement has Theo back on even footing and he smirks at him. "Clear."
Liam relaxes from the frozen state he'd gone into and locks eyes with Scott. The alpha's eyes are soft and understanding. Liam wondered if he'd ever get to that state where you're good but not naive. Scott looks amused like he's guessed Liam's thought processes and Liam grins back at him.
Just then Stiles' phone chirps. He pulls it out and reads the message. "Got it," he said. "Derek sent them."
The atmosphere changes as they all get down to business. Liam grabs the atlas that was reposing on the side of his bed and Theo chucks a pen at him. Stiles rattles of general locations first and then more specific addresses. Liam works with the atlas while Theo notes the locations on the GPS of his phone. When the addresses are noted, Stiles gives them the additional details for the locations which consists of number of people, resources, level of training, and details about the buildings themselves if they have specific addresses. Liam sticks sticky notes while Scott on the other side does the same. When they're done, Liam leans back and eyes the pattern.
"Monroe's been busy," Theo remarked.
"Most of these groups are still in fledging states though," said Stiles.
"But not all," said Scott. "Some of them are pretty well trained. I think we might have to send out an alert to groups in the area. Tell them be prepared."
"Won't be easy," Stiles said, "Most preturnatual keep their heads down."
"We can ask Deaton," said Liam. "See if he or his sister knows anyone."
"Do that," said Scott. "I'll ask Breaden to do the same."
"What about Ethan?" asked Theo. "He'll have traveled some right? He might know people."
"I'll get Lydia to do it," said Stiles. He was engrossed with the map. "I'll see what I can dig up. There's something about this pattern that bothers me."
"I'll get Mason on it," Liam volunteers. "Fresh perspective helps right?"
"We'll send them to Peter too," said Scott, "He knows a lot of stuff and Malia might be able to get it out of him."
"True," said Stiles.
"Argent as well," said Theo. Liam nodded.
"And Deaton."
"And my dad," said Stiles. "My dad is awesome." There is a general murmur of agreement.
Scott studies the information again and then sighs. "I think that's all we can do for now. Send information as you get it okay?"
"Sure," says Liam.
"Great," says Scott. "Now I have to get back to my million and one assignments."
"Good luck!" Liam says genuinely.
"You too!" Stiles says, honestly and Liam waves at them both before Stiles cuts the call.
He glances down at the atlas and then he and Theo look at each other. Time to really get down to work.
It's the day before his final semester and Liam finds himself outside of Chris Argent's apartment complex. Everytime he comes here he feels like one of those idiot people in the horror movies who goes to check out the strange noise alone. He's not afraid of Argent, it's the sheer embarrassment he feels at checking up on someone nearly twice his age, with a high track record of being able to take care of themselves and who is very perceptive. But he wouldn't be Liam Dunbar if he didn't check up on his people so he's here. And he kinda wants to bang his head on something so he'd have a legitimate excuse not to go in.
He goes into the building though and the guard calls Argent who says to let Liam up. Liam goes up the stairs to Argent's apartment and knocks.
"It's open," Chris calls back.
Liam eases open the door. "Hey," he says.
"Hey," Chris calls back. He's sitting at the table, phone in hand. Liam goes over and sits awkwardly at the table.
"So...how's it going?" he asks and then wants to facepalm.
"I'm fine," says Argent but his attention is on his phone. He frowns slightly but a bare moment later his mouth edges up in a slight smile.
"Is everything okay?" Liam asks. He really hopes Argent isn't texting Melissa or that would be too awkward.
"Fine," says Argent. He glances up at Liam. "It's Isaac."
"Isaac? That's one of Scott's friends right? I've heard him mentioned a few times. He went to France with you right?"
Argent nodded. "He didn't want to come back with me when I did. He was supposed to be back for Monroe and the Anuk-ite actually but he got sidetracked by some wendigos but all that's over so he didn't come after all."
Liam studied Argent, stealthily took a breath to read his emotions and then haltingly offered, "Do you want him to come? You can tell him to come if you want. And if he wants."
Argent looks surprised but pleasantly so. "I don't know if he'll come."
"Well you can ask," says Liam, giving a quick shrug. "I don't mind if he's here. He's part of Scott's pack right?"
"Yes," says Argent. "He's never chosen another alpha or gone lone wolf. And I know Scott keeps in touch with him."
"It'll be fine," Liam says, knowing that bringing in new pack members is always hard. And while Isaac isn't new, he's still never met Liam, Mason or Corey and had had limited contact with Parrish. Liam didn't want to think what his reaction to Theo might Argent missed Isaac. And Scott trusted Isaac. They'd be fine.
Argent looked at him closely, read the sincerity in his face and nodded slowly. "I'll offer."
Liam nodded and Argent tapped something out in his phone and then looked up and smiled at him. "Want a soda?"
"Sure," said Liam. Argent got up, handed him a soda from the fridge, took one for himself and flopped in his couch.
"You watch documentaries?"
"I love documentaries," Liam said. He sat on the other couch and spent a pleasant evening learning about ocean creatures.
Liam kills his alarm clock when it rings in the morning. A snicker lets him know the murder doesn't go unnoticed. Liam cracks open an eye to see Theo already almost dressed. He groans.
"First day of school," Theo reminds him.
"I hate you," Liam says and shuffles off the bed.
He dresses quickly, snatches his lacrosse stick up and blinks bearily at his phone which has a new word for him. He reads the word and promptly forgets it three seconds later. He grabs his keys and heads out.
He's a zombie all the way until he reaches to school and just sort of sits in his car in the parking lot, holding onto the wheel and convincing himself he shouldn't just fall asleep right there.
"Liam?" It's Mason.
"Uh," Liam says yawning.
Mason laughs, opens the door and hauls him out. Liam comes unwillingly but has to come awake before they both fall to the tarmac. He snatches his bookbag, locks the car and then joins Mason. They walk up to the school and then pause before the main doors.
"I can't believe it's our last semester," he says.
"I know right?" Mason says. He claps Liam on the back. "Let's make it a good one."
Liam grins back at him and they walk through the doors together.
"Why am I taking AP Biology?" he groans at lunchtime, head on the table.
"Because you don't know what you want to do with your life," Mason helpfully informs him.
"I...I didn't want an answer," Liam says.
Corey laughs from where he's sitting next to Liam and takes the opportunity to try and steal his juice. Liam grabs his juice before Corey can take it but before he can go back to bemoaning his fate Nolan drops down in the seat opposite to him.
"Hey," he says.
"Hey," says Liam. He sits up properly and pushes his hair out of his doesn't ask what Nolan's doing here but it must show on his face. They're co-captains but they don't really hang out together despite everything that had happened.
Nolan gives him a wry smile and then said, "Uh, I wanted to ask you a favour." He glances sidelong at Mason and Corey and they take the hint, getting up and leaving though their lunch trays stay behind.
"What is it?" Liam asks.
Nolan swallows and then lowers his voice. "Uh. Well. I've...Uh my parents, they want me to see a therapist since, uh, since I'm not sleeping well. Because, well you know….But...the thing is...Monroe...she was a guidance counselor so I..I don't really trust therapists and…" He breaks off again completely eyes looking down. He moistens his lips and continues. "But...I really can't sleep and I probably need help but I..can't go alone." He stops, eyes still not looking at Liam.
Liam blinks not ever expecting takes him a few seconds to compute that Nolan is waiting for an answer.
"Um. Yeah. Sure. I'll go with you. I'll wear headphones and everything if you don't want me hearing anything."
Nolan looks up startled and Liam gives him a gentle smile. "I know what it's like," he offers. "I didn't go through my first rodeo without nightmares and hallucinations. It's okay to need help. We all do."Nolan blinks at him and then gives back a tentative smile.
"Okay," he says after a while. "I'll text you the schedule?"
"Sure," Liam nods. Nolan nods at him and then gets up and leaves. A few moments later Mason and Corey comes back. Mason lifts and enquiring eyebrow but Liam says, "Later," and he lets it go.
There's no lacrosse practice on the first day of school. They do have a team meeting about the tryouts that will be happening tomorrow. Coach glares at all of them and reiterates that all positions will be open then stalks out the room. Liam sits back and lets Nolan do the pep talk because he's much better at that sort of thing. Liam just backs him up and says he hopes to see all of them out on the field tomorrow before dismissing the meeting.
He takes the chance to go home early because his teachers apparently don't care that it's the first day of school and has given him homework. SInce he's trying to get his grades up this semester after the chaos of the last two semesters, he's planned to make a concerted effort at his school work. After all college is literally right around the corner. He has to start working on his college applications and he's already daunted just by reading what he needs to do.
His mom is already home when he gets there and looks to be hard at work in the kitchen. Liam eyes the amount of dishes being prepared and says,
"Uh, did I miss something?"
"We're having company for dinner," his mom said. "New folks moved in two houses down. The mother came over earlier just to introduce herself and I invited them to dinner."
"Oh," said Liam. He blinks. "I should probably go and change."
"Yep," said his mom. "Call Theo and tell him not to be late."
Liam nodded and headed up the stairs to his room. He had just fininished dressing when Theo walked into the room, wearing his customary dirt from the farm. He looks to be in a grumpy mood because he's tired and not feeling to entertain company. Liam tames his hair while the chimera goes to bathe and then heads down to help his mom with the food.
He's put to work chopping the salad and when Theo comes down Macy sets him to sauté vegetables.
"Whoa!" says Dr. Geyer when he walks in and sees the operation in the kitchen.
"We're having company," Macy says brightly. Dr. Geyer nods, takes in the disgruntled look on Theo and Liam's faces and laughs.
"Cheer up boys. We have to learn to be good neighbours."
"Can we be good neighbours tomorrow?" Theo asks.
"Being good neighbours when it's convenient, defeats the purpose," Macy says sternly but still warmly.
"Well at least the foods good," Liam says and Theo has to agree.
They've just finished set the table when the doorbell rings. Macy squeaks a little and hurriedly tames her hair. Dr. Geyer, freshly showered, heads over to the door. Liam and Theo hover in the kitchen, unsure of what to do and then sort of drift towards the front door. Macy pushes past them and goes to join Dr. Geyer.
Dr. Geyer opens the door to reveal a pleasant looking woman and a tall man behind her.
"Iona!" says Macy smiling. "Nice to see you again. Come in! Come in!"
The woman smiled and came in. "Thank you so much for inviting us." She turned to her husband and said, "This is my husband Destin James and my daughter Hillary." Liam blinked as a tall willowy girl stepped through the door.
She had fine, delicate but firm features. Her eyes were a little large but a beautiful shade of green. Her lips were a soft red with a full bottom lip. Long waves of red hair tumbled down her back. She smiled, face lighting up as she was introduced to Liam's mom. She was beautiful. A sharp elbow to his side brought him out of the trance of utter awe he had entered into upon seeing Hillary.
He glared at Theo who was looking at him amusedly.
"So lovely to meet you!" his mom was saying. "This is my husband Tyrell."
"It's a pleasure,"Dr. Geyer said shaking hands with Iona and Destin. "And these are our two sons, Liam and Theo."
Liam smiled and gave an awkward wave. Beside him Theo had gone stiff as a board at Dr. Geyer's words before pasting on a smile on his face and moving forward to offer his hand.
"It's a pleasure," he said, "I hope you enjoy it here."
"Thank you!" said Iona smiling at him, clearly already charmed.
"Well," said Macy, "How about we move to the dining room and get to know each other over dinner?"
"That would be lovely," said Iona and they all trooped over to the dining room. Liam eyed Theo little worried but the chimera had lost his stiffness and seemed to be okay. When he glanced at at Liam though, his eyes were hard and had lost their customary gleam.
Laim rests a hand on his arm and asks softly, "Later?"
Theo takes a deep breath and lets it out and nods stiffly. "Later." Liam removes his hand and Theo's chemosignals calm somewhat. They hurry quickly to the dining room before the others can notice they've dropped behind.
Dinner is actually really enjoyable. Liam and Theo are seated on either side of Hillary, facing her parents. Liam's own parents take the head and foot of the table. The adults talk about the move across the states to Beacon Hills and Hillary asks the boys about school. She had actually been to school that day to pick up her schedule for tomorrow but Liam hadn't seen her. She was in his year and looked to be in a few of his classes. Between them, Liam and Theo managed to give her the rundown of how things at the school work. Well Theo does, mainly because Liam's mouth doesn't seem to be working chimera smirks at him when Hillary is not looking and Liam glares back at him.
"Liam plays lacrosse," Macy says when she notices that he's lost his tongue. Liam doesn't know whether to thank her or shake her.
"Oh I love lacrosse!" Hillary says her eyes lighting up. "Well I like to watch it. I can't play it. But I haven't been to many live games."
"Really?" says Liam. "Well you can come to the games at school. I mean, if you want. A lot of the students come."
"Yes the school team does have a lot of support from the other students," says Macy. "You can sit with me at the next game," she offers to Hillary.
"I'd love that," Hillary says smiling shyly at Mrs. Geyer.
"Good," says Macy, "But you'd have to help me cheer on our handsome and talents captain here." She winks at Liam who feels like he wants to sink beneath the table.
"Mom!" he says while Dr. Geyer and Theo laugh at him.
"You're the captain?" says Hillary looking impressed.
"Co-captain," Liam says. "Our team doesn't have one captain."
"Oh," she said, "That's interesting. But still," she leans forward, "you must be a really good player."
Liam blushed and tried to hide it. "I'm okay."
Theo snorts at this uncharacteristically humble answer and Liam glares at him. Hillary laughs at their interaction.
"So you are good!"
"Very," says Macy without remorse.
Hillary's parents laugh at the by-play and Liam tries unsuccessfully to melt through the floor.
"Go pick on Theo now," he says.
"How are they going to do that?" Theo asks. "I'm just a wonderful, hard working child who gives no trouble."
"He's also really humble," Liam deadpans.
"It's also one of my qualities," Theo agrees.
"You're just a paragon of virtue then," Hilary teases him lightly.
"Does this face look like it can do anything wrong?" Theo says tilting his head.
"Yes," says Iona smiling at him and Theo clutches at his chest as if he's been shot.
"Ouch Mrs. James!"
Both families break into laughter and Liam thinks that the evening wasn't so bad afterall.
Parrish and Sheriff Stilinski are parked on patrol in one of the main streets when the radio crackles and voice says:
"We have a 000-BH in the preserve."
The Sheriff blinks. "What the hell is a zero-zero-zero-Boy-Henry?" he asks Parrish.
"That's the strange-things-are-happening-in-Beacon-Hills code," The deputy admits with a grimace.
"We have a code for that?" says Sheriff Stilinski in disbelief.
"We do now," says Parrish. He starts the car and the Sheriff gives a sigh and tells the operator that they're responding.
"When was I going to hear about this?"asks the Sheriff.
"Well to be honest,sir I think everybody was kinda hoping we'd never have to use it."
The Sheriff sighs. "I can't believe we've come to this."
"It is Beacon Hills," Parrish says.
"That it is," The Sheriff says. "That it is."
When they finally spot the lights of the other patrol that called it in, They pull over on the side of the road and head over to where the other officer is waiting for them.
"Jones," says the Sheriff, "What's happening?"
"That," says Jones, pointing his flashlight at something on the preserve.
The Sheriff squints through the trees until he sees what Jones is illuminating.
"Oh my gosh," he says involuntarily.
"Shit," Parrish murmurs after him as they take in the gruesome scene.
Liam is in the middle of laughing at some joke Destin is telling when he feels his phone vibrate in his pocket. He frowns and pulls it out enough so that he can glance at the screen. He freezes as he sees who sent him the text and then says,
"Uh, I'll be right back."
Theo shoots him a look having caught the tension in his voice. Liam tells him to stay put with a glance and hurries into the laundry room where he can read the Sheriff's text in peace.
SS to EVERYONE in BH: We have a problem. LD you'll want to see this.
Liam: See what?
SS: You have to see it. CA you too.
CA: On my way.
MH: So am I. Give me an address.
LD: I'm in the middle of a dinner with guests. TR and I can't get away.
SS: Get here as soon as you can. We need your noses.
There was a pause and then a blip as a picture popped up on hs screen.
"What the freaking hell?" Liam blurts out.
I hope I've gotten you all excited! Tell me what you think!
