Ice Pick

The hour was quite late and the night was dark and cold as Artemis sat on the windowsill of her bedroom.

She was gazing at the moon and thinking about everything and nothing while enjoying the chill night air. It felt oddly relaxing and seemed to clear her mind of all her troubles. Her moment of peace was interrupted when her cell phone rang. It was Stiles.

"Hey, Stiles, what's up?"

"Hey. Alison just called me. She says she needs to meet you in the woods, like right now. Apparently, it's important," said Stiles.

Despite knowing that Stiles was Artemis's best friend, Alison's family had no problem with Alison communicating with Stiles as he was a human. Naturally, Alison and Artemis had started to use this to their advantage.

Artemis immediately felt worried and hoped Alison wasn't in trouble. "Is she okay?" Artemis hadn't talked to Alison properly in days ever since Gerard's declaration of war.

"She's fine. She just needs to talk to you," said Stiles. "She sounded kind of upset, Arty."

That didn't sound good. "Okay. Call her back. Tell her I'm on my way. Thanks, Stiles."

Artemis hung up her phone and then snuck out into the woods. She eventually found Alison in the woods at their meeting place. "Alison?"

Alison nearly jumped out of her skin before she turned around. She then relaxed when she saw it was Artemis. "Artemis. You scared me."

"Sorry," said Artemis, apologetically. "Didn't mean to. I got your message. What's wrong?"

Alison sighed and looked down before pulling back her sleeves, revealing the red and sore marks of rope on her wrists.

"Ali, what happened to you?" demanded Artemis. "Who did this?"

"My family."

Artemis was taken aback and her eyes narrowed. "Excuse me?!" If Alison's family was going bonkers and mistreating Alison, there would be trouble.

"They've decided to start training me," explained Alison. "My dad and this other hunter, Bennett, snatched me at a gas station. They took me to Derek's old place and I sat there bound and gagged for a while. My dad took off the gag and explained a few things to me before leaving me to break myself free while Bennett timed my efforts."

"Let me guess, this was Gerard's choice," said Artemis. Just when she thought she couldn't fear and despise Alison's grandfather more, he went and proved her wrong.

Alison shook her head. "It's not entirely Gerard's choice or my dad's. My dad told me that the men of our family are trained to be soldiers and the women to be leaders."

"Meaning your mom's also declaring war on my kind and willingly going against the code," said Artemis. She wasn't entirely surprised by this, but part of her wished she didn't know. It made her feel even more afraid of Alison's mother.

Alison nodded and then looked upset. "I love my mom, and part of me admires her bravery and stuff, but at the same time, she scares me. What if I become like my mom, hating werewolves and always feeling so angry when I'm not in control of the situation?"

Artemis's face softened as she gave Alison's shoulder a comforting squeeze. "I don't believe you will and I doubt your dad does either. We'll find some way to get through this, I know it." If they survived Peter and Kate, they could survive this too.

"I hope you're right," said Alison.

At that moment, Artemis's watch alarm beeped, reminding them of the late hour.

"Listen, I need to get back, but we've got to do the climbing wall in P.E. tomorrow, so we'll talk more then," said Artemis. "Does that sound good?"

Alison nodded. "Thanks for listening, Arty. I appreciate it."

"Anything for a friend," said Artemis, before she took off.

XXX

The next day at school for P.E., Coach Finstock had everyone go in pairs up the climbing wall and it was lucky that Artemis and Alison were paired up. They used the time to climb to talk and Artemis told Alison of the creature she'd seen the night of the full moon.

"…no idea what it was, but it reminded me of the Lizard from Spider-Man, except it was pure evil, you know?" said Artemis. "It gave me the creeps."

Alison shuddered. "See, now that creature is a perfect reminder of why I hate reptiles."

"You and me both," said Artemis. "Derek's trying to find out more information about it. He hates being in the dark. It drives him crazy."

"It'd drive anyone crazy," said Alison. A smile then crossed her face. "Race you to the top of the wall?"

"You're on," said Artemis.

So, the two girls raced to the top of the climbing wall, but as one might've expected, Artemis reached the top first and even waited for Alison.

Alison teasingly scowled. "You cheated."

Artemis smirked. "Werewolf."

Alison laughed before kicking Artemis's foot, causing her to lose her grip and fall. Thankfully, she was decked out in a bungee rope and climbing equipment and there were thick mats beneath them to catch them if they fell, so Artemis's descent wasn't all that bad. It did, however, earn her quite a few laughs from the coach and her fellow students who found it all amusing.

"Very funny, Alison," said Artemis, sarcastically as she took her gear off.

Alison just threw up her hands and smiled.

"All right, next pair. Stilinski, Reyes, you're up!" said Coach Finstock.

Stiles, who enjoyed climbing, eagerly stepped forth and began climbing up high and descending just as quickly. His partner, however, didn't share in Stiles' eagerness.

Erica Reyes was a small unpopular girl with messy blond hair, bags under her eyes and wearing shabby clothes. She looked at the climbing wall with complete and utter terror in her eyes, but nevertheless, she did as she was told. She managed to get just a few feet up the wall before clutching it for dear life as she began hyperventilating and crying.

Immediately, Coach Finstock and the others gathered down beneath her. "Erica! Are you dizzy? Do you have vertigo?"

"I'm fine," rasped Erica.

But it was a lie and a half. Anyone could see that.

"Vertigo's a dysfunction of the vestibular function of the inner ear. She's just freaking out," said Lydia, unsympathetically.

Artemis glared at Lydia. Erica was scared to death and Lydia was patronizing her. Would it kill Lydia to be kind for once in her spoiled life?

"Coach, I don't think it's safe for Erica to be up there. She needs to get down. She's epileptic and acrophobic," said Artemis.

Erica Reyes was epileptic, which meant she had a neurological condition that led her to have seizures and she'd had a phobia of heights for years.

"Why does no one ever tell me about these things?" moaned Coach Finstock. He hadn't known of Erica's health problems. He blew his whistle. "Erica, you can come down. It's okay. Just kick off from the wall. You'll be fine. There's a mat right below you and I'm right here to catch you."

That did the trick. Erica slowly came down and looked upset and angry, but Artemis could tell the feelings were directed at Erica herself. Artemis felt a wave of sympathy for Erica.

"Erica, you okay?" asked Artemis, gently.

Erica nodded and then walked away with tears in her eyes as the other students snickered at her for her weakness.

Later that day after lacrosse practice, Artemis was tired and ready to call it a day. "Man, I can't wait to get home. I'm beat."

"Tell me about it. Practice was brutal today," said Stiles, in agreement. He then noticed the look on her face. "Hey, what's with the look? Are you okay?"

"I'm fine. I'm just thinking about Erica. She looked awful today. I hope she's okay," said Artemis. She wasn't close friends with Erica like she was with Alison, but Artemis still worried for Erica as she knew what it was like to be unhealthy and mocked.

"I'm sure she's fine. Erica's a tough girl," said Stiles.

Artemis knew Stiles was probably right, so she nodded. "Yeah. I guess. So, what's Derek got planned for tomorrow night?"

Artemis had a date with Derek that evening and he had a surprised planned. He'd gotten Stiles to help, and Artemis couldn't help but be curious and try to find out as she was excited.

"Not telling. And don't even think of using the puppy-dog eyes on me. Derek already bribed me with a hundred bucks to help out and keep my mouth shut," said Stiles. "Let's just say, you're going to have fun tonight and enjoy it. You need it."

Artemis smiled. "You're the best, Stiles."

"You know that's right," said Stiles, smiling. He then frowned. "Arty, what's happening?"

"I'm not sure." Artemis's hand had started shaking like crazy and she didn't know why. Suddenly, it hit her like a ton of bricks. "Oh, gads. Erica."

Quickly, Artemis ran from the locker room and went straight to the gym.

She didn't get there a moment too soon.

Erica had decided to try the climbing wall again while the gym was empty and without using any proper equipment. It had been a poor decision on Erica's part, for she began having a seizure and within moments, she lost her footing and her grip on the wall and fell.

Artemis caught her before she hit the ground and laid the poor girl on her side as a crowd gathered. "Stiles, call an ambulance!" she said. Artemis placed her hand in Erica's and the shaking girl clutched it tightly to her chest like a lifeline. "Erica! Erica, can you hear me? Stay with me. Everything's going to be okay. Just stay with me."

Erica didn't reply. She just tightened her grip on Artemis's hand.

XXX

Thankfully, the ambulance came quickly and Erica was taken away to the hospital to get the care she needed. Several hours later after school when the doctor allowed it, Artemis visited Erica in her hospital room. She wasn't close friends with Erica like she was with Alison, but she knew Erica would want a friendly face to see.

Erica lay on her hospital bed with a tray of half-eaten food and the blankets up to her waist. Her messy blond hair was in a ponytail, there were shadows under her eyes and she looked a terrible mess. But she smiled when Artemis came into the room.

"Artemis. Hi," said Erica. "What're you doing here?"

"I was in the neighborhood and thought I'd stop by with some contraband," said Artemis. She held up a small carton of ice cream and a plastic spoon. "Actually, I just wanted to check on you. Mind if I sit down?"

Erica shook her head. "No, please. Sit."

Artemis took a seat by Erica's bed and gave her the ice-cream. "So, what's the prognosis? Are you going to be okay? You looked a bit worse than usual back there." Erica had scared the crap out of Artemis. Artemis knew Erica had a medical condition, but she'd never seen Erica in such poor health before.

Erica nodded and took a few swallows of ice-cream before replying. "I'm okay. I just missed a few doses of my medication, that's all. They want to keep me here overnight for observation, but I should be okay. I'll be back at school tomorrow."

Artemis nodded in relief. "Good," she said.

"Thanks for what you did, by the way. That's two I owe you," said Erica, gratefully.

Erica had once had a seizure in class a few years ago. While everyone else had laughed and some jerk had posted a video about it on the internet, Artemis hadn't participated in the mockery. She'd gotten Erica to the nurse's office and paid off Danny to find the video and get it taken down. She'd also checked on Erica from time to time afterward.

"Don't worry about it. I'm just glad you're okay," said Artemis. "Is there anything else I can do for you, Erica?"

Erica hesitated. "Actually, yeah. Can you…can you make me be like you?"

Artemis frowned in confusion. "Excuse me?" What was Erica talking about? Please, don't tell me she knows about my lycanthropy! "What do you mean, be like me?" My lacrosse success aside, why would anyone want to be like me?

Erica sighed. "Artemis, over the past few months, I've noticed things about you. You weren't always as healthy as you are now, you had asthma, and you weren't that popular. Then as soon as school started this year, you became even more beautiful, you became popular, a lacrosse star, and you're in love. Don't deny that last one. I know you're in love. It's all over your face. And I've noticed you don't need your inhaler anymore. I want that."

Artemis hesitated. She should've guessed this would happen. Someone was bound to have noticed she'd transformed overnight, literally. But she hadn't entirely been prepared for this. She felt conflicted. What was she supposed to do? Bring Erica into the pack, despite the risks? What if Derek didn't want her?

"Erica, I…I can't," she said, finally. "If I could take away your pain, then I would. But what happened to me…it's complicated. And you need to understand that it's not my gift to give and even if it were, it doesn't come without a heavy price to pay." Sometimes she wondered if she would've accepted her lycanthropy if Peter had given her a choice.

"I don't care," said Erica, stubbornly. "Whatever the price is, I'll gladly pay it."

Artemis sighed. "You don't know what you're asking for!"

"Yes, I do," said Erica. She looked unafraid and determined. "I'm asking for the chance to have what I've never known before." Now she looked desperate and pleading as a tear slid down her cheek. "Artemis, please. Make the pain go away. Please."

Artemis hesitated again. Maybe it couldn't hurt to make her the offer. Derek does want two more in the pack. But can I really do this? Finally, Artemis said to Erica, "Give me a minute to make a phone call and then we'll see. Okay?"

Erica nodded and then Artemis left the hospital room to call Derek. After informing Derek of everything, he arrived and after a small talk between the two of them, they went inside Erica's room. She looked startled to see Derek.

"Artemis, who's he?" asked Erica.

"This is Derek Hale, my boyfriend and my mate," said Artemis.

Derek sat on the edge of Erica's hospital bed. "I can give you what you want. I can give you a family and make all this pain go away, but there are some things we need to talk about first."

XXX

The following day at school, life continued normally except for a few changes.

It was lunch hour, and instead of Stiles and Artemis sitting together by themselves, Isaac was with them. Isaac now sat with Artemis and Stiles at lunch and he'd begun hanging out with them. Stiles didn't mind. In fact, while Artemis was his best friend, he liked having a guy friend to talk to and it turned out he and Isaac had plenty in common.

"So, what're you guys doing tonight?" asked Isaac. "I'm free if you want to hang out."

"Artemis has a date with Derek tonight, but I was just going to watch the game at my place. Why don't you come? My dad's working the graveyard shift tonight," said Stiles.

"Sounds good," said Isaac. "I'll come by around five and bring—holy fudge!" Isaac's eyes widened and his jaw dropped as he saw a student come in.

It wasn't just any student. It was Erica and she'd undergone a huge transformation. Gone was the epileptic girl with the shabby clothes, the bags under her eyes, and lank hair. In their place was a girl who looked incredibly beautiful and confident. She was dressed in a white shirt with a black leather jacket, a black leather skirt and high heels, she wore makeup that brought out her features and her blond hair was in in beautiful silky waves.

"What the holy heck is that?" demanded Lydia. She was standing by their table and had the same reaction as everyone else, except she was also irritated.

"That's Erica," said Artemis. And she's definitely gained a taste for making an entrance. Everyone in the cafeteria was staring at her with dropped jaws and wide eyes.

"Holy cow," said Stiles, stunned. "Is she part of—?"

"Yep," said Isaac, nodding.

Erica had accepted Artemis and Derek's offer to be part of the pack. She'd agreed partly because being a werewolf would cure her epilepsy; and partly because she was tired of being alone and wanted a real family and friends for once. She was also stronger and had more confidence now.

Lydia looked thoroughly agitated and stormed off. Seemed she didn't like having a rival for being the school's Teen Queen.

Erica walked over to their table. "Hi, guys. Room for one more?"

"Plenty," said Artemis. "Sit here."

Erica took a seat by Artemis and began eating her lunch.

"Wow. Erica, you look amazing," said Isaac, smiling.

Erica smiled back. "I feel amazing. Makes me wish I'd been turned earlier."

Artemis sighed. Glad as she was that Erica was well, Erica needed to remember some things. "I'm glad you're so much better, but don't forget what Derek and I told you last night. Together we're a pack and we're strong, but we need to be careful. The hunters are out there and we have to maintain control," said Artemis, warningly. She was happy to have Isaac and Erica in the pack, but she needed them to be careful as she didn't want to lose her new friends.

"We won't forget," promised Erica. "Just let me enjoy the moment. I've never felt so alive and strong before."

"Well, it suits you," said Stiles. "You look sensational."

Erica nodded. "Thanks, Stiles. You know, maybe you should take up Derek's offer. It's really awesome."

Stiles shook his head. "No, thank you. Lycanthropy isn't for me." Tempted as he was by the offer of power and skill that lycanthropy brought, Stiles knew that he wasn't meant to be a werewolf and he didn't particularly want to be one.

"But regardless of whether you're human or a werewolf, you're still part of the pack," said Artemis, firmly as Isaac nodded in agreement. In Artemis's opinion, Stiles was more than just her best friend, he was her brother in all but blood.

Stiles smiled at that and looked visibly touched. "Thanks, Arty," he said. "So, speaking of the pack, is anyone else going to join?"

"Derek wants to ask Vernon Boyd," said Artemis. Vernon Boyd, or Boyd as everyone called him, was one of the lonely students of Beacon Hills. He worked at the ice-skating rink and despite not playing sports, he was huge in size and muscle and he was also quite nice. "And Derek's promised me that even if Boyd says no, it'll be the last time he turns anyone for the foreseeable future."

Artemis was glad for that because three new werewolves was her limit and any more than that was a huge risk.

Stiles looked equally relieved, but didn't say so aloud.

"Artemis, mind if I ask you a question?" asked Erica.

"Shoot."

"According to Derek, you used to hate being a werewolf and when Jackson asked you for it, you kept refusing him. You were against it and you wanted a cure. But now you're helping Derek build up the pack and you seem like you're okay with what you are. What's changed?" asked Erica.

Isaac's head perked up and he looked at Artemis with curiosity. He'd wondered the same thing, but hadn't asked.

Artemis sighed and was quiet for a moment. It seemed like a lifetime ago, when she'd been newly turned and seeking a way to juggle her double-life and find acceptance. After a few moments, she decided what she wanted to say.

"I was against it and I did want a cure. I hated being a werewolf because I couldn't see past the price I had to pay for my power. What you guys don't know is that unlike you, I wasn't given a choice. My Alpha at the time, the one who turned me, did it against my will and he tried to use me in his plans for revenge."

Isaac and Erica looked horrified. They hadn't known about this.

"So, what happened?" asked Isaac.

"It took time and a lot of trouble and help from Derek and Stiles, but I eventually broke free of my sire and gained acceptance of what I was. I gave up on the cure because I'd accepted myself and because the risk of it backfiring was too great," said Artemis. "As for Jackson, I kept refusing him because he wanted it for the wrong reasons and he threatened to expose me to the hunters if I didn't do as he asked."

Upon hearing this, Isaac and Erica looked furious. Knowing that Jackson had blackmailed her, mad them beyond angry.

"I'm going to kill him," said Erica.

"That's not a good idea," said Stiles.

Erica ignored him. She tried to stand up, but Artemis grabbed her wrist and gave her a look that forced her down.

"You're not going near him, Erica. Sit down, now," said Artemis, sternly. "Derek's already punished Jackson. And even if he hadn't, I still want you to leave him be. Both of you." She gave Isaac a stern look as well and the two young Betas grudgingly nodded. "Anyway, I'm still scared of the hunters and I hate full moons, but I'm not the same inexperienced wolf that I was. I've changed in some ways."

Thankfully, that satisfied Isaac and Erica's curiosity, so they said nothing further on the subject. Instead, they changed the topic to something else and the rest of the day went by normally.

XXX

Later that evening, Derek picked up Artemis from work and blindfolded her so she wouldn't know what the surprise for their date was. Artemis had no clue what he had planned, but she had no doubt it was going to be something fantastic.

"Derek, are we there yet?" asked Artemis.

"We'll pulling in now, Huntress," said Derek. The car came to a stop and then he parked it. "Don't move." He quickly got out of the car and went over to her side. He opened her door, unbuckled her seatbelt and then helped her out. "Okay, take off your blindfold."

Artemis slipped it off and immediately, her face lit up. "No way. We're going ice-skating?" They were parked outside the skating rink, which was closed. Artemis hadn't been ice-skating in a while, but she loved it.

Derek smiled and nodded as he held up the keys. "Stiles paid off Boyd to let us in."

Well, that explained the money Derek had given Stiles. She made a mental note to treat Stiles to pie later. "Derek, you're amazing. Thank you."

Derek's smile widened. "You're worth it. Come on."

Artemis slipped her hand into his and together, they went into the rink. After putting on their ice skates, Derek took Artemis's hand and led her out onto the ice for a wonderful night.

Because of her enhanced speed, strength and reflexes, Artemis's skating skill was like that of a professional skater's, as was Derek's. Together they skated around the rink with amazing grace and beauty. Derek twirled Artemis around and they did amazing jumps. It made Artemis feel like she was flying.

"You know, maybe you should consider quitting lacrosse and becoming a professional skater," said Derek.

Artemis chuckled. "Yeah, and risk you becoming jealous of my adoring fans? No way."

Derek chuckled and kissed her as they continued skating through the night.

After a few hours, they decided to call it a night and leave. They'd just gotten their shoes back on when Artemis spotted something.

"Hey, Derek, there's a photo booth. Why don't we get some pictures taken?"

"Uh…no," said Derek. He didn't particularly like getting his picture taken.

"Come on. Just this once?" said Artemis. "Please?"

Derek hesitated, but then agreed when Artemis gave him the puppy dog pout. He sighed but smiled as he allowed Artemis to pull him into the photo booth, where they took several photos of them together. In the photos, they smiled, acted goofy and kissed. They took two sets of photos. Derek kept one and Artemis kept the other.

"Why do I let you talk me into these things?" asked Derek, as he pocketed his photos.

"Because you love me," said Artemis.

Derek nodded and then kissed her again. "I do love you."

"I love you too," said Artemis.

She felt immensely happy and silently wished their night together could last forever. She knew that with war on the horizon moments like this would become rare and because of that, she'd soak up all the happiness she could get.

XXX

At the Argents' house, Victoria had just finished laundry and was putting Alison's clean clothes in her dresser when she spotted a folded note sticking out of one of Alison's books. Curious, she took it out and read the following message.

Keep your chin up, Ali. Everything will be OK. You're stronger than you know.

The note was innocent and full of good intentions. Normally, Victoria would've been pleased that someone was being so thoughtful towards her daughter, except there was just one little problem. The note was in Artemis Moon's handwriting.

Alison had meant to get rid of it, but after the crappy day she'd had, she'd changed her mind as the note had been the only good part of her day and it gave her the strength she needed to go one with her day. She'd mistakenly believed that no one in her family besides her father knew Artemis's handwriting and since the note was innocent and without a signature, no one would know it was from Artemis. She was wrong.

Still, the note wasn't exactly proof. Victoria knew the note could've been an old keepsake. But never the less, she needed to find out for certain and the best way to do that was to talk to Artemis's mother. Needing a good excuse to go the hospital, Victoria "accidentally" cut her hand and went to get it treated. Fortunately for her, Melissa Moon was the one who tended to her.

"This is so embarrassing," said Victoria. She'd claimed she'd accidentally cut herself while cooking dinner.

"Not at all. I've seen far worse come through these doors," said Melissa. "Usually, it's teenagers who got themselves into trouble."

Victoria chuckled. "Don't I know it. I was a teacher for a number of years at a private school. And speaking of teenagers, how's yours? How's Artemis?"

"Artemis is like every other teenager," said Melissa. "She's doing all right. She's making more friends and getting out more."

"That's good to know. I was afraid she might've been terribly broken up after she and Alison fell apart," said Victoria.

"She has been a little stressed and odd lately," admitted Melissa. "But then again, she's always been a bit like that. I would've thought she'd be a little more upset after what happened with Alison, but I guess Artemis is just good at hiding her emotions."

This didn't please Victoria, but she concealed it well. "Teenagers are quite good at hiding things, aren't they?"

"Indeed," said Melissa.

Victoria was silently fuming. She had no proof at the moment, but she was a patient woman. If she found out Artemis was continuing her friendship with Alison behind her back, Victoria would have to deal with her, permanently.

XXX

The next day uring lunch, Jackson decided to find Derek and get answers.

Weird things were happening to him. Despite the bite not taking and nothing happening on the full moon, his hearing had become enhanced and so had his strength. He'd found out the latter when his car got stuck in mud and he'd managed to lift it up and out of the mud.

Believing Derek was taking residence at the old Hale house, Jackson went there. He went up to the front porch. "Derek, I know you can hear me. I need to talk to you. I need answers, Derek." There was no reply, which agitated him. "Forget this."

With an angry huff, Jackson broke down the door, only to stop in his tracks when two hunters aimed their guns in his face.

Oh, crap. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea after all.

"Wait," said Chris. He then came into the entry way from the other room and then relaxed when he saw who was at the door. "It's okay. He's human. Put your guns away." The hunters obeyed. "Leave us for a moment."

Once again, the hunters obeyed. They walked out of the house, leaving Chris and Jackson alone to talk.

"Jackson, what on earth are you doing, looking for Derek Hale?" asked Chris. He folded his arms across his chest. "As I recall, Derek hates your guts and refused to turn you."

"He did. He does. He hasn't turned me. I…I just needed to talk to him. I thought that he'd be here," said Jackson. He was regretting his decision to come looking here for Derek.

"Well, as you can see, he's not. Derek left this place and took up new residence a long time ago. Don't ask me where. I don't know. He's gone underground," said Chris.

Jackson's heart sank. "Do you know how I can find him?"

"I think we both know already," said Chris. He was referring to Artemis. She was the key to finding Derek. "Jackson, let me give you a bit of advice. Stop trying to hunt this werewolf fantasy of yours or I might have to hunt you. You have a good life. You have good parents, wealth, friends, you're good-looking and co-captain of the lacrosse team. Why mess with that?"

Jackson got the hint and numbly nodded. "Guess I won't," he mumbled, as he left the house.

XXX

That evening, Derek had a training session with Artemis and their Betas.

When he'd returned the keys, Derek had talked to Boyd and made him the same offer he'd made to Isaac and Erica and warned him of the consequences. Like Erica and Isaac, Boyd had accepted, primarily because he was tired of being alone and wanted to feel strong. He was a great addition to the pack with his strength and he quickly made friends.

Training was tough and exhausting. Derek and Artemis were teaching their new pack members not only how to fight and maintain control, but how to survive. By the time training was over, everyone was tired and sore. But hard training was a small price for them to learn survival and control.

"Good work today, guys," said Derek. He tossed everyone a cold drink from his freezer. "You did well. Keep it up."

Erica and Isaac practically beamed under Derek's praise while Boyd smiled and muttered a soft, "Thanks, Derek."

Artemis couldn't help but smile as she sipped her drink. "Derek, mind if I use your computer to check my e-mail?"

"Go right ahead."

Artemis sat down at Derek's desk and quickly checked her inbox for messages. She found one from her boss, Dr. Deaton. At first, she thought he just wanted to ask her to pull a double-shift, but then she noticed the subject said, "urgent." She quickly opened the e-mail and read the message from her boss. As expected, it wasn't good news.

"Huntress, what's wrong?" asked Derek, concerned. He'd noticed she'd become paler and her heartbeat had quickened.

"Derek, we need to go to my work. Now," said Artemis, as she rose up and grabbed her jacket. "My boss just e-mailed me. Remember that creature we saw the other night, the one we think was what killed Mr. Lahey?"

Derek nodded. "What about it?"

"I told Dr. Deaton about it yesterday and he says it's just claimed another victim. He was asked to examine the body. He needs to see us while there's still time," said Artemis.

Derek's eyes flashed red and he immediately donned his favorite black shirt (he was wearing a tank top) and his leather jacket before grabbing his car keys.

"Wait, I don't get it. Why would the body be sent to the vet's office and what's the rush?" asked Boyd, confused.

Artemis looked grave. "Because my boss isn't what he seems. He knows about us and a lot more. The body's going to be moved soon and it wasn't just another human the creature killed. It was one of the hunters," she said.

Dread and fear settled on the young werewolf pack at this information. The situation had just gotten worse.