Disclaimer: I do not own Teen Wolf.
Chapter 1: Guardian
Scott McCall hiked up the trail to their usual meeting point. The crunching of his shoes against the snow sounded harsh and foreign in the quiet woods. The moon shone brightly through the tree branches, casting dark shadows that resembled clawed, skinny hands. He started to run. He couldn't be late, couldn't risk missing her. His heart hammered in his chest, a sense of urgency pushing his tired legs forward until he reached the clearing.
She wasn't there yet. Scott took a deep breath and told himself she would come. This was their place - their haven where they spent so many nights together enjoying the peace of the night, looking out at the sleeping little town they called home. He stepped closer towards the edge of the cliff and waited, watching the faraway lights.
"Scott," she called out to him.
Her voice sounded the same as always, as if time could not tarnish his memory. it was nothing like the last time he really heard it - thin and raspy from dwindling energy. No, this voice was whole. He turned around to face her, a pit in his stomach rapidly forming, spreading wildly like fire. It felt like his whole body ached when he saw her.
Their eyes met like old friends and her lips curved slightly into a smile. The moonlight made her pale skin glow, contrasting her long dark hair beautifully against her bare shoulders. She walked towards him with silent steps, the skirt of her powder blue dress brushing against her knees. The sight of her filled Scott with grief, but he couldn't look at her enough. He was scared to even blink for fear of losing her in an instant.
"I've missed you so much," she said calmly as she stopped inches away from him.
"I've missed you, too. You have no idea," he replied with some difficulty, tears forming in his eyes. He willed himself to breathe properly, to be strong, to not let his pain break him apart. He tried imagining his emotions as tangible objects that he could lock away in little boxes. He needed control.
She tilted her head slightly in confusion. Her hand reached out to touch his face, and he braced himself for the nothingness he knew he would feel. Her touch was gentle, warm. He closed his eyes and tried to cherish this impossible feat. He wanted to touch her hand, hold it, feel its warmth against his, to know she was real, but his body was frozen, and all he could do was let her brush away his rebellious tears.
"I did something bad," he confessed to her like a small child to his mother. He opened his eyes and saw understanding in hers.
"You bit him," she said bluntly, as if she were stating a less-than-life-changing fact. She dropped her hand from his face to Scott's dismay.
"I didn't want to, I swear. But I had to or he would've died. It was either change him or kill him," he said in a steady voice.
He had to make her understand. She had to know he never would have done it if there was another option.
"It's okay, Scott. This is how it had to happen."
Scott searched her face for answers. She was as beautiful as ever and he wanted to desperately wrap her in his arms, to feel the beat of her heart telling him that she somehow survived, that she just needed a break from the supernatural mess they called life and that she was ready to come back and protect their home with him and their friends again.
"What if he dies? What if his body rejects the bite?" he asked, his stubborn arms glued in place at his sides.
"It won't," she said prophetically.
He paused for a moment, letting her words sink in. She spoke the truth, he knew it.
"What am I gonna do?"
"You're strong, a true alpha. He'll learn, just like you did, and you'll guide him," she said confidently. "You can do this."
"I need you," Scott whispered. His body suddenly felt limp. He was just so tired.
"No," she responded in a firm tone.
He wanted to ask her why. Of course he needed her, they all did.
"Are you really here?" he asked instead.
She slipped her hand in his hand and squeezed it reassuringly. "I'll always be here for you, Scott."
Hope you guys enjoyed this first chapter. Thanks for reading!