Keep in mind, I had to make up many of the back-stories in this fice, seeing as I'm in the dark with many of the facts.
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Erica didn't have seizures often anymore. It was only in moments of extreme exertion or anxiety. Or both. Isaac, however, still had panic attacks regularly. Usually at night.
Whenever they happened, Erica was right by his side. It didn't matter if she was at her house and he was in the Pack house, somehow she could tell. She would slip into the window that was usually open and always unlocked and sit on his bed. She would cradle him and croon to him until he could relax. Then she would stay the night, hands soothing tense muscles and straying to his curls.
She would slip out in the morning before Derek or one of the others showed up. She must have known it would embarrass Isaac if they found out. For some reason, they never really noticed the way her scent would cling to him as he descended the stairs for breakfast. Perhaps they had attributed it to the amount of time they spent together during the day. Perhaps they were just unobservant.
For a house full of werewolves with heightened senses, many of them were plain oblivious. Scott was never completely adept at honing his skills onto anyone other than Allison. Jackson was rarely ever there. Derek usually had his mind on other things, often leaving in the middle of the night to go running or making rounds. (He was always there when he was needed. Derek was many things, but unreliable was not one of them.)
Boyd may have noticed, but even if he did, he wouldn't have said anything. Boyd was a quiet and unassuming guy who had been especially courteous after running away. He had realized his mistake early on and when he returned he had completely given in to Derek as Alpha. He now understood that Derek would protect them.
And that Derek did. They had regular trainings where they learned tracking, self defense, and form control. He taught them how to find their specialties, their abilities, and their weaknesses. Unlike the first few trainings, these latest ones had become more laid back and understanding. Not easy, of course, but a lot less throwing to the ground went on.
Although Derek did not seem like the Kumbayah type of guy, they had had quite a few sessions where they would find their centers and focus on what allowed them to take and keep control. The first one of these sessions he had brought them all outside and told them to pick a tree. Confused, the Pack had stood there looking at him dumbly.
"You're going to sit by it. You need to pick the one that entices you personally." Derek explained.
"You want us to pick a tree? Is this tai-chi yoga crap?" Jackson had asked, scathingly.
Derek let out a sharp breath through his nose. "I don't need your smart-ass remarks, Jackson. Pick a goddamn tree."
Isaac looked around at the trees available. There was an entire arbor behind the Hale house. Maples, oaks, beech, and many more were clustered around each other. Derek took a place at a yew tree, pressing his back up against the trunk and relaxing. Isaac walked tentatively over to a cherry blossom tree that had been calling to him. He found a little dip in the earth which would allow him to sit comfortably and used the tree as a back.
Boyd settled into an apple tree, Jackson a flowering pear, and Erica a dogwood. Scott floundered for a moment before he spotted a maple. Now that there was stillness, Isaac could feel a buzzing hum noise. But it wasn't like he could hear it with his ears. It was almost like he could see and taste it.
"What you're feeling is normal, so don't freak out." Derek's voice was calm. "I want you to follow my instructions. If you think it's bullshit, then you can leave. But do it quietly, so no one else is bothered." His comment was bluntly directed at Jackson, who rolled his eyes but stayed put.
"Okay. When I was young, my fam—part of my training was to find my center. These trees help you focus your energy. Trees run on different frequencies, just like people do, so everybody has their own preference. Sometimes it's just a personal connection, sometimes it's memory-linked. Who chose a tree because it reminds you of something or someone?"
Boyd nodded. "We had one in our backyard."
Jackson muttered something about Lydia. Isaac remembered the way she always smelled like pears and cinnamon.
"So you three chose it because of the tree itself?" Erica, Isaac, and Scott nodded. "Alright. I'd like you to close your eyes and settle back into the trunk of the tree. Calm your breathing and lower your heart rate. It might be difficult at first, but with time, you'll be able to do this instantly."
For a few minutes, there was no sound but for breathing, heart beats, and the sound of nature. Isaac listened to Derek's pulse intently. It had already lowered significantly. He focused inwardly, trying to do the same. After a while, his focus shifted to Erica's heartbeat. Oddly enough, they were in tune. As Isaac noticed this, he relaxed and his heart rate lowered. Erica's was soon following.
Derek's voice broke the quiet. "Good. This calmness is what will allow you to keep from shifting. Especially during the full moon. However, the calm is only half of it. Isaac, Erica, and Scott have already found their anchors. They're people or their memories of a person. That's fine. Your anchor can also be an object or a memory. Focus on something that makes you calm. There may be many things, and it may take you a while to decide, but eventually one will stand out as your anchor.
"This anchor will be the final tie holding you down during a shift. It will also allow you to take greater control of the transformation, making it quicker and less painful."
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Isaac already knew his anchor, and although many of the pack couldn't understand it, it worked. The connection to the way his dad used to be was a way for Isaac to feel loyal without feeling guilty. Ever since he had joined the pack, he had lost all ties with his father. He barely had any time to mourn before he was yanked into a whole different way of life. He hadn't really had any time to feel bad about it either.
That night in the sub car, as he was shifting, he was brought back to a memory of his father. It was when he was quite young. They had been in the park and his father was pushing him on the swing. That image had filled him with a strong sense of calm, made him feel human again. Then he had felt the wolf go to sleep in his body, tucked under his heart, beneath his ribs. The sensation had been extraordinarily strange, but had given him control over himself.
It was times like this, when the moon was high in the sky, shining in little slats through his blinds, he liked to peruse memories of his father. He found it was much easier to sleep when his wolf was doing the same—which made a lot of sense, logically.
With much practice, he had been able to call a succession of good memories with his dad to the forefront of his brain.
He was four and on the playground. His dad was making him laugh. When the young boy swung forward towards him, he would pretend to get hit by Isaac's small feet.
He was seven and they were having a party. His dad brought out a large cake with his name and seven candles.
He was ten and his dad gave him a high five and took him out for ice-cream when he got good grades.
He was twelve and his dad was scolding him for not making his bed.
He was thirteen and his dad began drinking.
Isaac knew where this was headed. He tried to choke off the regurgitated memories, but he couldn't stem the flow.
He was fourteen and he started wearing long sleeves all the time to hide the bruises.
He was fifteen and his father cleared out the freezer. He was pushed inside. A metallic snap told him that there was a lock. He panicked and lashed out, jamming several fingers as he smacked the walls of the freezer repeatedly. After several minutes and fractures later, he stopped all movement, crying softly to himself. It would be hours later before he would be allowed out.
Isaac's breathing quickened and his eyes blinked rapidly. He tried to rid his mind of these ideas, but they invaded and took over. Tears began to form in his eyes as his breath came quicker and his lungs constricted. The sound of blinds and footsteps filled his ears and the smell of Erica filled his nose. Her warm arms enveloped him and he felt his muscles tense and then relax.
As his vitals returned to normal, Isaac could hear her singing to him. Her voice dipped and flowed over the notes. Her words were sweet honey and warm tea as they washed over him. He sat up and cupped her chin, laying a soft kiss on her lips. Through the darkness, he could make out the silhouette of her large sweater. He smiled and she lay down beside him, turning to fit her back to his chest. He wrapped an arm around her and breathed in her scent before dropping off to sleep.
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Erica had recently saved up enough money to buy a car. An old one, granted, but a car anyway. She drove the old junker to Derek immediately, and he showed her how to fix it up. Boyd helped out, and it became a bit of a group project. A week after buying it, they stood back and looked at it with pride. Erica decided to take it out on a drive.
"Isaac! Come with me." She prodded at Isaac.
He set down the book he had been reading and looked up at her eager expression. He eyed the oil stains on her hands and smiled. "Car's finally finished, then?" He asked. She nodded excitedly, grabbed his hand and hauled him to his feet.
They went out to find her blue civic shiny and waiting for them in the clearing in front of the house. It had been washed and polished so well it looked practically new. Erica jingled the keys happily as she walked to the driver's seat.
"Sorry I couldn't help out. I'm useless with cars." Isaac said as he followed and dropped into the passenger seat. "You know how to drive stick?"
"Derek taught me." Erica explained.
Isaac smiled. Derek really was like the dad Erica never got to spend time with. Except younger. And a werewolf.
They pulled out of the clearing and down the path through the woods. They peeled out onto the main roads and Erica headed for the highway. She looked good in this car. She looked like she fit. She pulled a pair of sunglasses out her leather jacket and put them on.
"So where are we going?" Isaac asked, putting on his own pair.
"No idea!" Erica handed him her ipod. "Here, plug this in."
Isaac did as he was told and pressed play.
If you could only see the beast you've made of me,
I held it in the night, it seems you've set it running free.
Erica laughed. "I love this song. It's a bit fitting, don't you think?"
Screaming in the dark, I howl when we're apart.
Drag my teeth across your chest to taste your beating heart.
My fingers claw your skin, try to tear my way in.
You are the moon that breaks the night for which I have to howl.
My fingers claw your skin, try to tear my way in.
You are the moon that breaks the night for which I have to
Howl, hooowl.
Erica's red lips shaped the words in a pretend howl. Her laugh burbled along as she sang, matching the singer's voice. Isaac had to admit, it was a bit funny. He laughed with her as they drove down the road. He rolled down his window and turned up the music. The wind whipped Erica's hair around her and she smiled unabashedly.
Nodding to the beat, Isaac watched the other cars and trees as they passed by. He was filled with a strong sense of freedom as he felt the warm sun on his skin and they drove a little too fast. He found himself tapping along with the beat.
When the song was over, he looked over at Erica who reached over for his hand. Their fingers intertwined as the next song came on. This one Isaac recognized.
Ob-la-di, ob-la-da, life goes on! La, la, la, la, life goes one!
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A/N: Sorry it took so long to update. I've been busy and procrastinating, which is never a good mix. I'm happy to be back on this story, however. I really enjoy this couple. This is the second to last chapter. I only have four planned. (That may change, but I don't expect it to.)