Prologue
Home Has Changed
Twenty-four year old Nick Negron parked his car on the shoulder of the highway, looking out at his hometown of Meteor Heights. The city proper stretched out for miles below him. Nick hadn't been back in town since him and his mother had moved away just over seven years earlier, and he was amazed how the view hadn't changed since. It was almost like nothing had changed. Remembering all his old friends, he hoped at least some of them hadn't moved on from their self-proclaimed boring town. Starting the Scion FR-S back up, Nick began making his way back into town.
In Town..
A young woman in her twenties lifted her head from the desk in her bedroom, sniffing the air. Her face lit up with a breathtaking smile at the scent we picked up even from miles away. "He's back?! I have to tell the others. And dad." Picking her phone up from next to her, she began texting multiple numbers before calling one other. "Dad? Yeah it's me. Listen, Nick's coming back into town.. No, I smell him coming, dad. Yes, I know he has no idea about how much has changed since he left. That's why I called you. I already told the rest of the pack. Dad, we are not talking about this, I'm a big girl and I can make my own decisions. Alright, he may stop by there to see how everyone is doing, but don't tell him. That should be our job. Just tell him we all went out to the old clubhouse for the day. Thanks, dad, love you. I'll see you for dinner, right? Okay, until then." She hung up and stood to change into something more worthy of the occasion. After all, it wasn't every day the most important person in your life came home after years of living in a different state, was it?
Meteor Heights Police Department, Fourth Precinct, An Hour and A Half Later.
Hearing the door to his office open, sheriff Paul Montero looked up to see a face that, oddly, hadn't changed in seven years. "There he is, Nick Negron! Welcome home, my boy." He smiled at the newcomer.
"Hey, sheriff. Were you expecting me?"
"Somewhat. Sarina called me and said she knew you were going to stop in." He laughed at Nick's obviously confused expression. "You'll know soon enough. The group's all out at the old clubhouse waiting for you by now. You get taller?"
Nick smirked. "Yeah, but only a couple of inches. One final growth spurt you know. Thanks for letting me know, I'll leave you to your work, sheriff." He tuned to leave.
"Nick?" The young man turned back. "You'll hear it from Sarina, but just know Meteor Heights isn't the same as when you left. A lot has changed, I just hope you're not put off by just how much."
"Come on, sheriff. You know me, I roll with the punches." And with that, Nick left the police station.
About forty-five minutes later found Nick pulling up outside a large old warehouse the town had converted into a community rec center. He noticed the parking lot was filled with cars he both recognized and didn't. His eyes fell on a familiar red Jeep and he smiled. Getting out of the car and walking over to the entrance, he was stopped by a voice near him. "Son of a bitch, she was right." Looking over, he saw his old best friend Elliot Tate with a cigarette in his mouth.
"Elliot! Great to see you, man. Got an extra? I haven't stopped to pick up a pack myself yet." Nodding, Elliot tossed Nick his pack of cigs, allowing Nick to extract one for himself. Lighting it up, he stood next to his old friend. "I hear things have changed here at home. How much are we talking?"
Elliot laughed. "Honestly? You may not even believe it. And you came back in the middle of something, too." Nick could hear the hesitation in his voice, but didn't press it.
"Wow. Was she miserable when I left?" Nick asked, referring to Sarina.
His friend nodded. "Of course. It hurt all of us when you moved. Her seemingly the worst. We couldn't get her out of the house for weeks." Elliot gave Nick a look over. "The fuck are you taller than me now?"
"Just happened," Nick shrugged. "So everyone making a party in there?"
"You know it, bro." The two friends finished their cigarettes. "Come on, everyone's waiting, and Sarina was absolutely beside herself when she sent the word out you were coming back. Shit, half of us left work early to greet your ass back home."
Nick laughed. "Well, I'm sorry if anyone gets fired then." He said as they both went inside the rec center.
As they entered, a smell Nick hadn't scented in years made itself known. "You weren't kidding. Sarina even cooked for my return? Seriously, how did she even know I was back?"
"All in good time, Nick." Was all Elliot said as they entered the main room, where a banner congratulating his return hung across the ceiling.
Looking around, he noticed none of their other friends had noticed their entrance. Instead, they all continued prepping snacks and drinks for the party. "Hey, don't look all excited I'm home, you jerks." He shouted, falling to the floor laughing at everyone's reaction of jumping out of their skins and looking at him and Elliot.
There was also the sound of something falling to kitchen, followed by a shout. "Motherfucker! Now I have to start the pies over!" This was followed by Sarina Montoya appeared in the doorway. "Seriously, guys?! Like, what the-" Her deep blue, almost purple eyes focusing on Nick and the fury drained from her face, replaced by radiant joy. She ran forward into Nick's now outstretched arms. "Nicky, you're home!" She gripped him tightly, tighter than Nick expected from the shorter girl.
At five-foot-two, Sarina had to look up even more at Nick's own height of now five-nine. After a moment, she realized the new height difference from his five-foot-six and a half. "Why did you have to get taller?" She whined and pouted cutely, making Nick laugh.
"I can't control how my body grows, Rina." Sarina smiled at the nickname she only ever let Nick called her. His hand cupped her face as they just stared into each other's eyes, Nick swearing he saw Sarina's eyes flash a fluorescent mix of purple and red for a split second until he heard someone clear their throats.
"Hey, lovebirds, you can do the adorable reunion later. Sar, the food?" Said Sarina's best friend Mara Sorryan, appearing next to them. Then, when Sarina gasped and ran back off, Mara hugged Nick, placing a small kiss on his cheek. "Its good to have you back. She hasn't been like this in a long while. You're looking good."
Nick chuckled. "Thanks, Mara. You too. So, there are people I don't know here, so maybe introductions are in order?"
Mara giggled. "True. You guys handle that, I'm gonna make sure Sar is alright in there by herself." With that, she rushed back to the kitchen.
Elliot decided he would handle the introductions. He motioned to a guy a bit taller than Nick, who noticed he himself was the second tallest in this new group of people. "This here's Daryl Hardy, he's quiet but he's still a good guy. Then there's Nicole Murdock, group nurse if our shenanigans go wrong." Nicole had curly honey brown hair and green eyes, rolling the green orbs at Elliot's version of introductions. The next and last person of the group Nick didn't know was another guy, this one mousy and looking around nervously, his gray eyes darting everywhere. "And meet Keifer Hunt. Newest member of the group, still adjusting to how we all act together. Can also beat anyone in a fighting game."
"Does that mean a Dead or Alive tourney is in our future?" Nick smirked, Elliot knowing that Keifer's talent at the fighters would still not be enough for Nick in that specific series. Nick was unstoppable when it came to his D.O.A.
"Maybe, we'll see. And I know you already know these two," He jerked his thumb in the direction of the other two members of Nick's old friends Roger Jackson and Liara Larson, who both waved to Nick, smiling.
Nick shook his head. "Well, despite Elliot's theatrics, its good to meet those I don't know and see those I do. Now, I think its time for a fun game, and I brought the ultimate clusterfuck of comedic genius."
"Cards Against Humanity?" Elliot asked, his voice betraying how hopeful he was.
"You know it, the Complete Edition, too. Every subject is ours to twist as we see fit." Nick left to grab the game from his car.
In the Kitchen, Moments Earlier..
Sarina hummed as she stirred a pot on he stove before moving to the left to remake the pie she had been trying to make as Nick had scared everyone. Mara entered the kitchen. "So, what happens now? You can't just act as if everything is the same as when he left. Not without possibly having to bring him into the pack."
Sarina's eyes glowed bright red as she released a short huff of a growl. "Don't you think I know that? I'm not keeping secrets from him, Mara. I'll tell him everything later, when we have a chance to be alone. If anything, I've deserved to be happy by now, and I already decided he was a part of this pack, when it wasn't even a pack and he was the Alpha of the group."
Mara noticed a faraway look in her friends eyes, the look that said Sarina was being reminiscent. "He still is as far as you're concerned, isn't he?"
Sarina nodded, a tear threatening to fall into the pot of vegetables she was currently stirring. "He should have been the one Bitten. We all know it, we all heard what my uncle told us when we had to stop him. He changed me out of pity, thinking he could use my heartbreak to control me."
"But he couldn't, because you knew Nick wouldn't want you to. You're a good Alpha, hun, even if not the first round draft pick." Mara smiled, knowing her friend was just being overly critical of herself.
"I know, but I wish Nick had still been here for it all. He would have become a true Alpha, I know he would."
Mara giggled. "Yeah, well. The hard choice was killing your uncle, but it's good you did. The last thing we need is Auron Montero still running around causing havoc."
Sarina nodded. "Yeah, guess you're right about that. Thank you, Mara, for being there through all this."
"It's no problem, Sar. We were all brought into this situation by Auron, he turned all of us except for Keifer, but you brought us all under you as a pack to bring him down. And do you know why you united us against him, or better yet how?"
Sarina shrugged. "My winning personality?" She said with her sarcasm evident.
Mara just laughed. "No. Because you made us all believe in the old motto about our little group, and how Nick brought us together originally because of it. The pack is family, Sarina, and now our missing piece is finally back. So stop being so cynical. You obviously love that boy beyond any doubt, so let's just focus on celebrating the day. Other circumstances be damned."
Sarina slapped the counter. "Damn it! Nick doesn't know anything about any of this, Mara! How's he going to react to Hunters? Berserkers? Fucking Ghost Riders, God forbid they show up."
"Then turn him, Sarina! What else do you want me to say? Anything pertaining to Nick being in the pack is ultimately up to you."
Sarina sighed as Liara walked in. "Um, I don't know how either of you are going to take this, but I figured the Alpha should know." Liara said timidly, she always got nervous around Sarina ever since she saw how the Alpha could be when agitated.
"Oh no, please just not bad news, Liara."
Liara rubbed her arm. "Nick isn't just our best friend, I mean he's always been," She had to alter her words as Sarina glared at her with her red Alpha eyes. "It's something else. Sarina, Nick is genetically a werewolf. It's dormant from his father's side, but you know what that means."
"Wait, you're serious, Liara?" Mara asked, eliciting a nod from the younger girl and looking at Sarina. "Sarina, now you don't have to be so damn scared about all this. This is good news. Now it's just a matter of-"
"Telling him about our new existence as preternaturals, I know. And also getting his genes unlocked without having to bite him. I stand by my decision that he should have been our Alpha, though."
"Well, that's another thing," Liara giggled, her psychic powers probably letting her see something silly. "Unlocking his powers brings out the status of the gene in his family, and being the only living child by his father-"
Sarina's eyes widened to the size of saucers. "No.. Nick's a genetic Alpha? But, that's extremely rare, more so if their powers are dormant."
"That's right, but that gives us co-Alphas," Liara got a faraway look. "And honestly, everything else I'm getting for you both is either extremely dangerous situations or crap I just can't say out loud with the rest of the group."
Everyone including Mara, who didn't mind the dirty joke or statement usually, looked at Liara with priceless expressions. Sarina shook her head. "Liara, that's TMI even for you. God, today is turning upside down! All I wanted was a nice day to welcome my lov- Nick- back home. Nothing else was supposed to be said or done dealing with the supernatural hotbed that is our home and lives, but no. I can't get one fucking day! Elliot!" She yelled, leaving the kitchen in her brand of fury. "Newport me! I need a cigarette." Passing by him and Nick, Elliot just handing her the item in question.
Elliot turned to Nick, handing him one as well. "I think you need to talk to her. Probably the only one she'll listen to, or at least help calm her down." Nodding, Nick got up and left the recreation center.
Outside the door, Nick felt a vibration in the ground, following the repeated sensation to a tree a few feet away, seeing Sarina causing the vibrations as she punched the tree repeatedly. Coming close while lighting his cigarette, he noticed Sarina had tears falling from the corners of her eyes. "Sarina? You okay?" He asked cautiously.
Sarina turned to look at Nick, her eyes blazing red. As she saw who it was and calmed down, she saw Nick's own eyes glow red as hers faded back to their unusual regular hue. "Oh, Nick.."
"That confirms that things are in fact different here at home. You're an Alpha," The expression on Sarina's face was all he needed to continue. "Yeah, I know about my own little genetic abnormality. My mom told me about my dad, that's part of the reason we left. She knew someone here had killed him for his own power. I came back to see if I could figure anything out about it, and of course because I missed everyone."
Sarina sighed. "Oh, Nick," She repeated. "That makes this whole thing so much fucking easier.." Suddenly, she remembered something else her uncle had told the pack several years before when they had to take him down.
"You have your little boyfriend's father to thank for me becoming your Alpha, little Sarina."
"My uncle killed your father. For his power, as you said. I killed him, now I guess I have his and your father's power."
"Well, as upset as I could be, I can't be mad at you. You obviously had to kill him, he must have gone power mad," Sarina nodded. "But then where does that leave me?"
"Nick, you should have been the one my uncle turned, he told me as much. But, you're still the Alpha around here, I'm just the one who was bitten because you weren't here. My uncle, he turned me because he thought your leaving would put me in that dark place where I would do anything he asked me to. But I wouldn't, because I knew you'd never forgive me."
"And its damn good you listen to me," Nick laughed. "So does that mean..?"
"Our whole group are preters, yeah. Elliot, Mara, Roger, and Liara are all werewolves, all turned by my uncle. Liara's also part banshee, but she only gets visions usually. Daryl is a kanima, Nicole is a were-jaguar and Kiefer is a chameleon. That leaves you as the only one currently human, for the most part."
"Shit. Wait, you said kanima. As in paralytic lizard kanima?" Surprise evident on Sarina's face made him laugh. "My mom let me keep my father's old bestiary a year ago. What about Hunters? There's gotta be some around with all the preters in town."
"There are a few, a family of course. They don't really bother us because we don't bother them. Except when necessary," Sarina giggled. "Not to mention they mess with us they have to deal with my dad."
"Always good to have family in the police. So, what exactly caused you to take whatever anger you had out on the poor defenseless tree?"
"Liara being a psychic, partially. The rest is Mara telling me I had to explain this all to you, even though you obviously don't need me to tell you most of it. I just had enough, you know? Today was supposed to be just about welcoming you back home. Where are you staying, anyway? I know your old house was bought like five years ago."
Nick scratched the back of his head. "Didn't really look into it yet. I was too focused on just coming back."
Sarina laughed. "Well then, I guess I need to make a call. Come on, let's get back in before Mara and Elliot get any ideas." Laughing, Nick nodded and the two of them headed back in, Sarina dialing a number as she went back towards the kitchen. "Hey, dad? Yeah, he's here. Listen, can I ask a favor..?"
Nick, meanwhile, sat back next to Elliot. "Do it." He told his friend.
"Do what?" Elliot asked back at him.
"The fucking eyeshine, idjit. No questions just do it." Elliot, surprised, made his eyes flash, becoming an electric blue as his own flashed red. "Jeez, who did you kill? Better not have been your mom. I love your mother."
"No, but the real question is how do you even know about the color meanings?"
"Because I actually read up on my heritage. I'm a genetic Alpha from my dad's side of the family."
Elliot looked at him like he had three heads. "That's actually a thing? Well, fuck. But I had to kill my girlfriend, actually. She wouldn't side with us when Sarina went well Mockingjay and rebelled against her uncle."
"Shit, I'm sorry, bro. I had no idea." Nick decided to stay silent after that revelation.
Soon after, Sarina, Mara and Liara came from the kitchen with the food. Sitting next to Nick, she clapped her hands. "Alright guys, dig in."
Mara held up the beer she had. "To our lost pack member returning to us!"
"To Nick!" Came a chorus of cheers from the room, making Nick smile.
Sarina leaned towards his ear. "I didn't drive out here. Would you mind?"
Nick smirked. "Not at all, Rina." He said before starting to eat.
It wasn't long before the party began winding down, some of the pack having to go into work while others just wanted to make sure everything was alright at home. Soon it was just Nick, Elliot, Sarina and Mara left, the guys with cigarettes in hand and the girls without. Mara hugged everyone before saying goodbye, looking at Elliot a second longer than anyone would think, Nick noticing the look.
"I know you were kinda forced into killing your last girlfriend, but do you even realize Mara likes you?" He asked his best friend when Mara had driven away.
"What? Nick, you're bugging. Mara doesn't like me like that. Hell, she can barely stand me." Elliot replied.
Sarina and Nick looked at each other, the former shaking her head. "I call it as I see it. Anyway, let me get this one home. Be seeing you, El." Nick said, flicking his cig into the dirt.
"Yeah, see you guys. Don't get too crazy." Elliot cackled as the two walked away towards Nick's car.
Once they were on the road, Sarina looked at Nick. "How did you know about Mara?"
"The look she gave him just before she left. I've seen it often enough."
"Oh you have, have you? Where?"
"Every time I look at you." Nick said simply, causing Sarina to turn away, a light blush on her cheeks.
The rest of the drive to Sarina's house was silent until they parked out in front. "I hope you're coming in. I told my dad you'd stay and help me with dinner later." She told him.
"You sure? I should really go see about renting a room at the hotel."
Sarina smiled. "You don't have to. Dad agreed for you to stay in the guest room. For now, at least.
"Really? And how much coaxing did that take?"
"None. He likes you enough, that's all. Now come on. There's still some things I want to talk to you about." Giving Nick the look he had told he had noticed earlier, Sarina giggled and almost ran into the house, Nick laughing as he followed her inside.
Moments after the two went into the house, it started raining buckets outside. Looking at each other, they laughed as Sarina took Nick's hand, leading him up to her bedroom. As Nick entered her room, he saw that it hadn't changed in the last seven years, still so.. Sarina. He closed the door only to have Sarina push his back against it. As the two looked at each other, Nick took the time to fully look at the girl he had pretty much left behind. He noticed she had filled out a bit more than he really expected, her upper body now considered somewhat top heavy as he realized her breasts had grown more than her height. He took in Sarina's incredible body, something he had always kept his eyes on even before he realized why.
"What are you thinking about, Nicky?" She asked, tilting her head slightly to the left.
He chuckled. "You. How much I missed you these last seven years, wishing I could take it back. How much I regretted not calling or letting you know I was alright."
Sarina's smile made Nick feel the fluttering feeling she had always given him. "Oh yeah, Romeo? Well I can't express how much I missed you, how badly I needed you during all of this. It's been so hard without my rock." Her arms snaked around Nick's neck, Sarina pressing her body closer to Nick's. "Remember tenth grade? How you never failed to walk right into my room while I was still changing?"
Nick smiled a goofy grin. "Yeah, I do. Although I'm pretty sure I was doing that as far back as seventh. What I remember more was how you never seemed to have a problem with it."
Sarina giggled. "Why would I? Granted you weren't the only one to look, but you were the only one that mattered."
"Really now? And why was I so important, hmm?" Nick leaned his head down, closer to Sarina's. They were close enough now to feel each other's breath on the others' skin.
Sarina bit her lip. "Why Nicky, I thought that would be obvious by now. Ever since eighth grade, I've been in love with you- mm!" Her words were replaced by an inward moan as Nick closed the distance between them, pressing his lips to her own.
After what seemed like an eternity of bliss, Nick broke the kiss, his breathing heavy. "Thank God, I thought I was the only one who felt the connection. I've waited ten years to do that."
Sarina smiled. "You could have said it first, you idiot." She kissed Nick again, his reaction being picking her up by her legs- which wrapped around his middle- and laying her down gently on her bed ten feet away.
"Damnit, Nick!" Sarina exclaimed when the kiss broke minutes later. "This all feels like a dream. Please tell me I'm not dreaming," Tears formed in the corners of her eyes. "Tell me this is all real."
"It's real, Rina, otherwise I'll be very upset when I wake up. This is the moment I've dreamt about for so long. I love you, Sarina, and I always have."
"I love you too, Nicky! Tonight can't get any better than this."
"I think better could be arranged. I mean, this in itself was waited for more than long enough." Nick kissed Sarina's neck lightly.
The girl let out a carnal growl. "Nick, no. Not right now, my dad's going to be home soon."
"And? I think the sheriff will be more than happy to let me occupy his daughter's attention awhile."
"You say that now, but what about when he comes in with his gun drawn on you?"
"Then he kills your happiness? I don't think so. But, if you really would rather wait.."
"I'd rather never wait at all, but I'd rather be respectful of my father. He is the law in this town," She kissed Nick once more. "We can resume this later, even if we have to sneak out once he's asleep."
Nick chuckled. "Look at us, both twenty-four and still having to sneak out. Oh, what will I do with you?"
Sarina giggled, biting her lip. "Baby, you can do anything you want to and with me, just not until after dad is asleep. Until then, I just want to stay here in your arms. I feel we've waited long enough just for that."
Nick nodded. "Alright, you win." And with that, the new couple lay in each others' arms.
The Next Morning..
Nick woke up to the sound of a phone ringing. Looking around, he first noticed Sarina waking up in the bed next to him, the comforter only covering the naked body he had ravished the night before. She reached over and grabbed her ringing phone. "Hello?" She asked, putting it on speaker.
"Yeah, hi. Is this Sarina Montero, Alpha of the Meteor Heights pack?" Said an anxious voice on the other end of the line.
"Um, yes. Who is this and how exactly do you know that information?" Nick and Sarina looked at each other.
"My name is Stiles Stilinski, and let's say first that your Hunters owed Chris Argent a favor. I'm calling to ask for a pack meeting. I'm part of the Beacon Hills pack, and we have some information you might like to know about your current supernatural problem. We're here to help."