I

When you began thinking you were safe, that's when you were the most wrong. That false sense of security could never live up to its promise. I had thought that with Peter dead, everyone would be safe. The remaining Argents would not hunt down werewolves who weren't killing people. Lydia, although hospitalized, would recover and it looked as if she was not going to join the ranks of the other wolves in Beacon Hills. All everyone needed was just a little time. Scott and his friend returned to school, I found myself setting up in a double wide outside of town and Derek had went off, keeping to himself. The only problem was, that there was always that calm before the storm. Not days after the tragic chain of events following the winter formal, hell had decided to break loose. Lydia disappeared from her hospital room, sending everyone searching for her. Her friends, the police and the hunters. Thankfully she was found but something had happened that she seemed unwilling to talk about. As if that didn't seem bad enough, Allison had reported her father talking about others coming. There were no details of whether this was more hunters or just family for the upcoming funeral. It put everyone on edge. Enough that Derek jumped at the opportunity of adding to his pack. Preying on those outcasts who wanted nothing more than to be stronger, fasters, invincible all around. Yet with three new wolves, he still seemed to think he needed more. Since becoming the alpha, he had tried his best to persuade his childhood friend to join him. The thing was, I was having no part in it. Far as I was concerned, we had bigger problems to worry about. On top of the other two situations, something else was out there and killing. A creature that wasn't a werewolf. One who had the ability to paralyze it's victims before destroying them beyond reorganization. It was being said that it's only purpose could be killing.

These thoughts weighed heavy on my mind. Everything was suppose to have returned to normal. They were not suppose to have gone from hunting one monster to another. Especially one that no one had any clues as to what it might be. One thing was certain, that it was not a werewolf. At first no one knew what it looked like. Scott and Allison had glimpsed it in a dark house, catching only that it had a tail. Yet, it showed it's face again and luckily, Stiles had caught a better look. I didn't like the idea of my cousin being so close to danger, yet I found myself hoping we could use this information to find out what we were up against. However, I couldn't keep this information to myself. Derek had to be brought up to date. It came as no surprise that it fell to me to report last nights events, hoping he might have some answers. Not to mention, I was due to check in on him and his merry band of were pups. When one became an Alpha, a great deal of power came with it. It was a big responsibility that left me hating what my friend was becoming. There were so many years shared between us that I wasn't about to let him taint who he was on this quest for power. Derek could pretend all he wanted that he hadn't cared if Scott and his friends had died at Peter's hands, yet he was always there to bail them out of trouble. Even after they had gotten him arrested once and framed for murder after that. Most of them felt like he should be crossed out of the equation, not trusting to work with him but I felt different. If we were going to survive this a second time around, then we would be working together once more.

The wheels of the SUV crunched over the gravel as I pulled through the abandoned lot. Since the night of Peter's death, the Hale house had been covered with traps and hunters. Though Christopher Argent swore to the hunter code, it seemed like he was set on bagging the new Alpha even before he killed someone. Needing the space to train and house his new wolves, Derek had found an old warehouse. It lacked a certain homey touch but served its purpose. Seeing as how one of the teenagers was a fugitive, it was perfect. Isaac had no home to go to after this new creature had killed his father. Unfortunately, the sheriff, my uncle, believed the kid had some connection to the murder. We couldn't stand the risk of him being held in a cell, not during the full moon, so he had to be busted out. Now he could never return to school or anything from his old life. The other two, Erica and Boyd were at least able to return to their normal lives. I was against all of this and Derek knew how strongly I opposed his choice of recruits. They were just kids, who were scared and tired of being alone, who thought that being a supernatural creature was going to give them a leg up in life. Derek's sales pitch needed some adjustments apparently. Guiding the eXterra into a parking spot, I found myself sitting there for a few moments. Not seeing eye to eye with Derek on his plan of world domination kept things a little tense around us. Tense for me at least. He hadn't seemed to change his opinions at all. Just that he wanted his good friend to join him and was not giving up. It would probably have been a lot easier to convince him that 'No' meant no if I hadn't been sleeping with him. There were just some attractions that you could squash and then there were those that were sticking around for a very long time.

With a deep breath, I pulled myself from the vehicle and made my way to the old entrance. Boots crunched on the uneven ground while stepping with a purpose. Though winter, werewolves didn't feel the cold like any human would. The jeans were a faded blue, a white jersey adorning my torso. Hanging at my throat was the ankh that never left my neck. There was no meaning behind it except that it was a gift from my grandmother. The door opened with a creak and slammed behind me the moment I stepped into the dim building. Having been here a few times already I was familiar with the layout. Straight thru the small hall you were brought into the main area and it's open floor plan. There were a few levels that housed a bathroom, kitchen and some different sleeping quarters. It was dark, dusty but perfect for the Alpha's purpose. Already I could hear the sounds of activity coming from that main area and that became my destination. Making my way, I pushed open the last door to stand in the way and saw what I expected. Derek was sure to be training his wolves because they were useless if they couldn't defend themselves or the pack. The problem was, it took years to learn all that he had to teach. I myself could remember learning from Laura and Derek himself when I had first been turned. Being a wolf was more work than these teenagers must have realized. It was not all about the strength and the speed, you had to know how to use it. They would die without these skills honed.

Moving forward, I folded her arms beneath her breasts. The site before me resembled an obstacle course. Crates, chairs, stacks of boxes littered a space between Isaac and Derek. The young wolf was running as fast as he could, jumping and launching himself off of the various objects towards his Alpha. Each time he made the leap, he was caught and thrown to the ground. A smile cross the full lips while I watched. After a few minutes, you could see that the idiot was doing the same thing each time. He hadn't bothered to change up his routine as he charged the wolf in command. Leaning back against a wooden pillar, I found myself wondering just how long before Derek decided to point this all out. I felt eyes on me and flicked green orbs towards the stairs and saw Boyd sitting all this action out. The young man was huge but quiet. I had been told that he gave Scott some sort of flattery. Saying he wanted to be like him instead of Derek. This came off as confusing, because he was still here with the Alpha he didn't want to aspire after. Offering up a small smile and receiving one in return, my attention was back on the little session. The moment I looked over I saw Erica join in the fight. It was a half ass attempt, launching herself from the abandon bus towards Derek from his side. Unfortunately for her, werewolves didn't have a blind spot. Shaking my head as I heard the slam of the other female hitting the ground, I moved forward.

"You have outdone yourself, Derek. I mean, these are the most impressive betas I'm sure the world has ever seen." Beta was the term for the wolves other than the Alpha. Usually though, it was only applied to those in a pack. For ones like myself and Scott, who seemed to belong to know one, we could be known as Omegas. None of it really mattered but it was nice to brush up on your Intro into Lycanthropy. Heels clicking on the concrete floor, I didn't miss the smirk that appeared on Derek's lips. There were days it was hard to keep denying his offer to join the pack. Especially when he stood before you in fitted pair of blue jeans and the white tank top. Women were suppose to be the ones that flaunted their bodies to weaken the men, not the other way around. Trying to focus on light green eyes, I stopped before him and took a seat on the stacked crates. "Are they house broken yet?"

"Is there something I can help you with, Ryann?" His voice came across stern but I could hear the amusement hidden in it. Gripping the edge of the crate, I leaned back with a soft shrug.

"I was just checking in on the pups. You know, making sure they aren't out killing anyone." Near the end of the spoken sentence, my voice hardened. Three baby werewolves could prove to be a lot of trouble. There was no telling how out of control they would be around their first few full moons.

"We can be so lucky that we have you out there to babysit us." Erica sneered from her spot on the floor. She seemed to hold this strong distaste for me since the moment we had crossed paths. I'd come to the conclusion that it was jealousy. Derek may have flirted his way into snatching up Erica but she was a pack member now, not a mate. Ignoring the comment, my gaze stayed on the friend before me. The training must have been lacking in impressing him. I could tell he was tired and agitated.

"Erica." The power in the Derek's voice was enough to silence his beta. Turning, he presented me with his back as he moved to the spot he had been standing in when I walked through the door. It was the perfect opportunity for him to give his three betas an idea of what they were suppose to be learning. I wouldn't let him down if he asked me to charge him. Though a was a bitten Were and a good four years younger, I was strong. "Ryann. If you think you can do better," He turned to look at me with those icy green eyes. "Show me."

Pushing myself off from the crate, I thought about what the others had been doing. Isaac had continually taken Derek head on. There was no way the Alpha wasn't going to see that coming. Erica had the right idea but she was still just as predictable. Most people would believe that coming in from the side would be your advantage. Most people were not werewolves. As I made my way to the beginning of the course, I knew exactly what would get me the advantage the teenagers were looking for. Facing Derek, it was hard to read his face and get an idea of what he was thinking. These kids were never going to learn with his lack of patience. If I had to be there every day to lend a hand, then I guess I knew how my days would be spent for the next few weeks. I wasn't going to let them be killed because their teacher couldn't force himself to take his time. Drawing a deep breath into my lungs, I closed my eyes and envisioned what I wanted to do. Seeing myself move through the coarse until I reached my target. It felt like one of those days where I needed to slam my fist against that lovely jaw line.

Lifting green eyes to meet those of a lighter brilliance, I took off. Speed came easy to those of our kind. It was an advantage that was sometimes taken for granted. Running up towards the first crate I leapt onto it. Toes only briefly hitting wood before I jumped again. The next stack was higher but I made my way to it with ease. There a metal beam that ran between two poles and that was my destination. Leaping up, I swiftly made my way across. Derek stood like he had with the others, unmoving and lacking much interest. Did he really expect me to fail like his little fledglings? The metal barrel before him was the perfect landing spot. Dropping down to it, I saw him reach out to grab me as he did the others. However, I had bent my knees and pushed off, jumping high and twisting to land behind him without any trouble. The minute he turned, I had already let my balled up fist fly. Though he had seen it coming and made an effort to duck back, I felt my knuckles glance off his jaw and catch him in the mouth. It had a satisfying sound to it and I let my lips spread into a smirk. Just because he was my friend and had been for a long time did not mean I didn't have this urge to throw a punch at him from time to time. Since becoming the Alpha I was tired of seeing who he was becoming. It was so far from who he was that I often felt like my friend was lost. Then there were times when he was exactly as I remembered and that was why I even bothered with being in his life anymore.

Stepping up towards him, I just shrugged my shoulders with a little grin. "I win." Feet carried me past him as I watched him turn his head to the side and spit the blood to the floor. His lip would heal in minutes without a mark left behind. Finding my seat once more, I crossed a leg over the other and saw the smirk on his lips.

"Good. That," He turned his attention on the younger wolves that sat quietly. What did they think, that this was going to turn into some kind of a fist fight? "was how you make an impression. You can't keep going for the obvious, they're gonna pick up on that." Taking the steps forward, he put himself closer to the Betas. They looked not only terrified but excited. These idiots wanted so badly to be like us but they had no idea what the cost was. Isaac was already a fugitive, the others probably well on their way to being social outcasts. The very reason they had wanted this gift was to fit in and that wasn't going to happen. "Now. Does anyone want to try not being completely predictable?" As soon as the words had left his mouth, it looked like he had his volunteer. Erica had pushed herself up from the concrete. Taking an advantage of her new found speed, she had launched herself into Derek's arms without a hesitation. That new found confidence of hers had seemed to be improving. Her slender legs were wrapped around his hips as hands had fallen to his shoulders. Lips pressed to those of the Alpha with an eagerness that even I was surprised to see. Then again, I wouldn't use the word eagerness. Desperation seemed much more fitting. It was hard to tell if Derek himself was enjoying this. There had been plenty of times when I had seen him lip locked with a female. However, I watched as his hands gripped her thighs and throw her away from him. I wasn't the jealous type, because he sure as hell wasn't my boyfriend but it was funny to see that door of denial being slammed in her face. Watching the look of rejection cross her face, I kept my lips pursed smugly. Derek had wiped his hand across his lips and growled at her, "That's the last time you do that."

"Why? Because I'm a Beta?" Erica snapped, pushing herself up onto her hands. This girl was way in over her head. It was easy to see that even with the warning, it certainly wouldn't be the last time she tried.

"No. Because I have someone else in mind for you." He answered and my interest jumped up. Now he was pimping out his teenage prodigies? Girls had always been using their sexuality to their advantage and he obviously saw use for that. I imagined the he might want to use her to get Scott on the team but I didn't see that happening. McCall was so caught up in Allison it wasn't even funny. You could see the disappointment on Erica's face and that smile was on my lips once more. The younger Beta noticed and I caught her glare.

"You see something amusing, sweetie?" Her words were bitten off in anger. This was the high school bull shit I should have out grown. That had to be the worst thing about all of this. Being pulled into the world of hormonal teenagers. Whatever her problem with me, I was beginning to tire of it.

"No just something pathetic." The words had left my mouth before I had given them much thought. All it was doing was throwing fuel on the fire. Derek turned to give me a displeased look. Shrugging innocently, I wasn't going to apologize. The girl had earned being called out on what she was. Watching her move to stand I really hoped she was getting the courage to challenge me. I had been told that Scott had wiped the ice rink with her and Isaac the first time they met.

"Excuse me? You're not part of out pack, who are you to call desperate? Always coming to hang around here. You want his attention just as bad but I don't seem him all hung up on you." She said, trying to start a fight that would have no meaning. My assumptions of her being jealous had just been justified. Of course, she had not said it out right but her words spoke it indirectly. If she really wanted to play this game, then fine. Pushing myself from the crate I took the step towards Derek. Unlike her, I had no reason to be desperate. One hand reached out and laid fingers upon his neck as I pulled his face down towards mine. The kiss burned the moment our lips touched and I opened my lips to him. Tongue snaking out and caressing the side of his own I had forgotten about the audience. Derek responded with an arm around my lower back, pulling my hips in to meet his own. He fueled the kiss with his own need. Teeth pressing into my lips as they worked over his own. I drew back, nipping his lower lip as we broke apart. He wore that knowing grin that left a pull of desire lower in my stomach. Taking a step back I didn't find the need to look over at her. There were a pair of light green eyes that had my attention. "Who do you think you are, you don't own him." It was her voice that broke the moment and I realized how much I wanted her to get over it. There was never going to be that chance that she so desperately wanted. Had Derek had any want for her, desire for her, she would have known it by now.

"Nobody owns him." I stated and shot her a look. The last thing he was going to do was get involved with any one after what had happened with Kate. It wasn't common for your ex to be a psychotic hunter hell bent on killing everything that changed on the full moon. Not to mention, finding enjoyment in burning your family alive. I couldn't tell you why he and I still had the connection we did, but I wasn't worried about it becoming serious or monogamous. Ignoring the kids, figuring they were probably done for the day, I remembered the real reason I was here. "We need to talk." I informed him, stepping past as I headed for the stairs Boyd had taken refuge on. As I moved up them, heading for the upper level where the bedrooms were, I could hear Derek giving out orders. It was early morning, meaning two of them still had school to get to. They needed to blend in as best as they could. He really didn't need the cops trying to find him on the assumption of kidnapping if Erica and Boyd stopped showing up at school. It wasn't long after I stepped onto the second floor that I heard him following me up the stairs. Stiles had seen the creatures last night and Derek needed to know. One way or another, we needed to find out what this thing was and how to kill it.