"So you finally snapped huh?" Scott pondered with an amused smile on his face, they all stood by steps of the school, students filtered out from left and right making their way home or to their cars.
"About time, I was starting to doubt whether you were a werewolf at all." Stiles teased nudging his shoulder against Meg who blushed under their stares.
"How did he do it?" Scott asked and Meg resisted the urge to flinch at the memory and adjusted the strap of her bag over her shoulder.
"Guys, it's not a big deal." Scott sensing her discomfort decided to change the topic, though he grew worried to what methods Derek turned to, to get Meg to turn.
"So how did it feel?" Stiles curious as ever asked and Meg glanced at him with her eyes.
"Weird, but I was happy I managed to injure Derek, which was definitely a plus." Meg stated with a grin and Scott smiled, but no one was happier than Stiles who was resisting the urge to dance on the spot.
"Dude, that's awesome." He stated raising his hand in a high five which Meg gladly accepted.
"I know right" She shrugged smugly.
"Next time please carry a camera" Meg laughed at his words and nodded.
"I'll remember that,"
"Oh yeah Meg I wanted to ask you, did you know your grandmother is here?" Scott spoke up looking to Meg; her eyes suddenly widened a gasp escaping her lips
"Oh my gosh I have a grandmother?!" Stiles and Scott gaped as an awkward silence passed between them, but then abruptly Meg's expression turned sober and she looked to Stiles.
"Did I do it right that time, was it sarcastic enough?" Scott dead panned and Stiles laughed shaking his head.
"A tad exaggerated," Stiles stated Meg frowned disappointed before looking to Scott.
"Yeah I knew I was planning on visiting her today actually, it's freaky how you mentioned her just now."
"Why don't you just stay with your grandma?" Scott suggested, everyday he knew she stated with Derek only made Scott more restless about her safety, he wanted her safe and furthest she could be from Derek.
"I can't I am practically a stranger to her," Meg said simply with a delicate shrug of her shoulders.
"Come on even I am not close to my grandma but that doesn't mean I can't stay with her." Stiles said comfortingly but Meg stared at him mystified.
"No that's not what I-" Before Meg could finish the honking of a loud familiar horn caught her attention, she looked a head and the very bottom of the steps parked right in front of the school was Derek's black Chevy Camaro with the driver casually seated at the front staring at them from behind his dark shades.
"Mr. Grumpy Growls has arrived," Meg exclaimed although she was sad about leaving her two good friends behind, Scott and Stiles both snickered at the nickname she had given Derek. The Alpha, as if sensing the laughter was directed his way, narrowed his grey eyes at them.
"You call him Mr. Grumpy Growls?" Stiles snorted impressed Meg grinned maliciously.
"Only behind his back," She said nudging her elbow into Stiles's side which received a laugh from both the boys.
"Well I am off, see you guys tomorrow." Meg announced about to descend the steps when Stiles placed a hand on her shoulder stopping her mid walk.
"Oh yeah Meg, my old man wanted you to come over to our place tonight for dinner, will you be able to make it?"
"Free food with you and your dad…How could I possibly say no?" She replied with a large grin on her pretty face, Stiles was taken aback by her sudden dazzlingly smile before returning one of his own almost bashfully, Scott watched the exchanged with gleaming eyes. Meg looked to Scott once more, waving at them before merrily stomping down the steps to where Derek waited.
"Hey, where are the rest of them?" She asked taking a seat on the place adjacent Derek in the car.
"Erica's got detention, Isaac and Boyd has practice." Derek stated monotonously as Meg shut the door after she had settled in, Meg sighed at the news, glancing back the seat behind her sadly.
"Aw, I am going to miss them." Derek glanced at Meg from behind his shades; he frowned at his body's unknown instinct to want to reassure her.
"It's for the best; I can teach you to catch up so you won't be such a flunk tomorrow." He muttered releasing the brake and turning the car around into the main road just as Meg was bringing the seat belt over her shoulder.
"I have to be done by seven though." She announced brushing aside a few stray strands of her dark hair off her eyes.
"What's happening at seven?" Derek inquired not taking his eyes off the road and shifted gears.
"I am going over to Stiles's place; he invited me over for dinner." Derek didn't know how to feel about the news, he didn't want Meg talking to Stiles in fear that she might give away their location to him, being the open person she is. But at the same time Derek knew he prevent her from going to not arouse any suspicions from her regarding him. So he sat silently brooding with a new plan formulating in his mind, maybe he could get her exhausted enough to want to cancel.
"So am I going to learn those neat jumping tricks?" Meg inquired eager to start her training, maybe it was at the prospect of learning something new and she did love discovering. Derek stood in the middle of their training spot staring down at Meg with his usual sternness.
"No, we are starting with the basics like being able to strike the right balance between accessing your strength and not turning," He informed and she listening intently and nodded in acknowledgment.
"Okay, how do I do that?"
"Using all your senses, but before we do that you need to learn to activate the wolf it will help you control it and not go berserk like last time." Meg frowned at Derek insinuation and crossed her arms over her chest.
"Oh yeah because that was entirely fault," She muttered glaring his way, Derek stared passively. Meg was proud of herself, sarcasm was really handy when it came to being around Derek, and he was obviously not amused with her words.
"Well it certainly won't be my fault in a week when the full moon comes out," He snapped Meg shrugged.
"Touché" Derek resisted the urge to smirk and crossed strong arms over his broad chest.
"You need an anchor to weigh down the human side so when you turn the wolf wont completely take over,"
"Anchor, like what?"
"I use anger, but its different for everyone" Meg wanted to ask him to elaborate the core of his anger but from the way his grey eyes hardened and he averted his gaze she knew it was a sensitive topic, so she opted to change the subject.
"So what happens on the full moon? Why is it so important that I learn to control it?" Derek looked to her again.
"Full moons are when werewolves gather in packs and hunt, the time when you're blood lust is at its peak so if you allow the wolf to take over you would want to attack and kill anything in your way." She tensed the last thing she wanted to do was hurt somebody or worse, kill them, now she was more determined to learn control more than ever.
"Let's get started then shall we?" she exclaimed enthusiastically and Derek nodded in agreement.
"You have to allow yourself to get angry, can you do that?"
"I'll try," Meg said with a heavy sigh, why anger? Why couldn't it be sarcasm?
"Want me to take your necklace again?" Meg's hand immediately flew to her necklace, clutching the pendant in her hand as she glared at Derek, but the artful gleam in his eyes made her grip waver.
"I swear, that almost resembled a joke," she murmured and Derek rolled his eyes and walked away to pick up something off the floor, he came back over to Meg and she saw a wrist watch in his hand. Derek asked her to extended her arm and she did and he gently strapped the watch on to her hand, Meg realised it wasn't a watch at all, it was a heart monitor.
"When our heart rates are elevated we turn, so let's get that heart rate up." He stated and Meg grinned.
"That's easy; just take off your shirt,"
Derek went very still,
"What?" He breathed and Meg tensed her impish smile instantly dropping and her cheeks turning a bright shade of red.
"I was joking, I wasn't trying to make a pass at you—" Meg tumbled with her words, growing intensely nervous under his piercing gaze and dark lashes, there was no hint of amusement on his face, just that usual strict exterior, she took a heavy gulp.
"I am sorry, I have no filter I-"
"Twenty laps back and forth, now." Derek cut through her panicky rambling, her lips sealed shut and her posture straightened, alert.
"Yeah I'll just, okay" Derek stared after her, Meg almost stumbled over her own feet before hurrying to the far end of the room, he could hear her mumbling expletives to herself and then inflicting a sharp slap to the head. Derek had to shoo her away, afraid that she might have heard the sudden spike in his own heart from her careless words. She was joking, that much he could tell from the ample innocent eyes but that didn't stop the blood from rushing up his neck. But the deep flush in her tan cheeks and clumsy words made him feel better, much better. Smirking Derek calmly went to the old beat up train he resided in and took a seat on the passenger steps, waiting patiently as she began her twenty laps.
"That heart rate up yet?" Derek asked just as Meg finished her last lap and jogged over to him, breathless and exhausted.
"Yeah…but….not…turning." she said struggling to catch her breath, she hunched over clasping her hands over her knees, her legs pumping and her chest heaving.
"I know it takes more than just running around to turn." Derek's smooth reply grabbed her attention, she narrowed her eyes suspiciously.
"Then why did you make me do that?" She asked through gritted teeth, a malevolent smile curved his lips, deepening the manly dents of his face.
"Your suffering pleases me," He stated simply before getting to his feet, towering over Meg who glared up at him.
"And to get you warmed up for the next part of the training," Meg sighed wiping away the beads of sweat over her brow with her forehand, finding the strength to stand straight again, she looked up at Derek.
"Please don't say sit ups,"
"Attacking," He stated walking to the middle of the clearing again, waiting for Meg to follow.
"Oh cool, sounds like fun." She grinned, waves of excitement consuming her as she walked over to Derek, awaiting instruction.
3 hours later…
"Everything…hurts," Meg groaned lying on the floor on her back while staring up at the ceiling lights with tired eyes. Derek was as poised and cool as he was in the beginning, except for a few beads of sweat on his face and arms.
"I guess that's all for the day." He stated glancing at the teen wolf on the floor, a smile full of amusement pinching the corner of his lips. Derek was somewhat surprised, she was a fast learner, quickly adapting to his fighting methods, more than that she asked plenty of questions it was more than just a method of survival it was education. Derek was pleased she didn't complain during the session like Erica likes to or add sarcastic remarks, she was devoted.
"What time is it?" Meg asked wearily, not really as an inquiry but as a statement, she turned her wrist, the one that previously had the heart rate monitor but now had her wrist watch she had put on sometime during their training.
"Oh my gosh its seven thirty, I have to get going." Derek was surprised by how rapidly she was on her feet, fleeing to her bed to pick up her clothes and back pack. Meg began to mentally beat herself up for not keeping track of time, now she would have to rely on Stiles to let her use his bathroom for a wash, she didn't want to stink up his house.
"You are still going to go?" He asked in disbelief, he could still see the way her legs trembled from their exertions, how much energy can one girl possess?
"Of course, I promised him I would" Meg exclaimed cradling her clean set of clothes in her arms—a pair of jeans, a purple t-shirt and her jersey— her eyes darted across the room in search for anything she needed before making her way to the staircase, Derek gaze trailed after her.
"Do you know where he lives?" He aroused his voice full of qualm.
"Yeah we were neighbours remember," Meg replied at the landing before placing a hand on the railing and beginning to ascend the steps. She was slow and wobbly, the exercise had a heavy toll on her body considering it was her first time but the determination still kept her going, Derek watched the pained expression on her face each time she took on a new step, her muscles were probably stretching. An irritated but pitying sigh escaped Derek's lips as he took another glance at Meg, silently he went back to the train, picked up his leather jacket and made his way to the staircase, Meg was nearly at the top when he spoke up.
"Wait, I'll drop you off." she froze and looked down at him in surprise.
"Really…?"
"It's not safe at this time; the hunters are usually on their watch by now." Derek stated firmly to show he was doing it more as a duty than concern, Meg turned her profile to him.
"Well I have no objection, thank you" the soft gentle smile she besotted upon him made Derek stare longer than he would usually, but it was hard to look away, he had never seen such a grateful pretty smile directed at him. Abruptly he averted his gaze, gritting his molars to prevent the blush from rising to his cheeks. Meg was oblivious as usual and walked ahead cautious not to strain her muscles more than she had.
Stiles took his head out of the fridge when he heard the door bell ring, he made his way to the door and cautiously opened it to find Meg standing at the threshold, and she wore a pair of knee black length tights, trainers and a blue baggy shirt.
"Did you just come from the gym?"
"Nope training with Derek," She said simply as Stiles opened the door more to allow her in, she had her back pack slung over her shoulder.
"Is your dad home yet?"
"He is on his way, might take a while though."
"Oh good, I don't want him to see me all sweaty and stuff, do you mind if I use your shower? I was in such a hurry I didn't have time to bathe so I don't want to stink up your place more than I already have."
"Trust me we could use a little girl stink in here,"
Meg stared shocked by his statement; Stiles shifted his gaze and cleared his throat.
"Yeah…forget I said that, upstairs first door on the left."
"Thanks, I won't be too long."
Meg smiled dazedly as she exited the guest bathroom with a head of damp hair and in a new change of clothes which consisted of a pair of blue jeans and plain purple t-shirt. She contemplated where to dump her bag and decided downstairs was best in case she forgot it. She headed to the staircase when the sound of the door slamming caught her attention.
"Stiles I am home!" Meg smiled in faint amusement, she remembered the day when her father would get home late in the night and announce it and Meg would come rushing down from her bedroom too greet him and make him a cup of tea. Her gaze turned distance the thought of her father, for a moment she allowed herself to fall into that melancholia before quickly recovering and making her way down the steps.
"Meg!" Mr. Stilinski exclaimed watching her descend the steps with a large friendly smile on his face, Meg grinned and didn't hesitate to race over and embrace him.
"Hey Mr. Stilinski, it's been such a long time."
"Truly, I am glad you came over Megra, I was looking forward to catching up with you and—"He released her from the half hug and that's when she noticed the bag in his other hand, he shook the bag at her with a smile.
"I still hope Chinese is your favourite." She could only beam up at him, utterly amazed he still remembered.
Laughter filled the dining room and sheriff Stilinski smiled pleased the house was warm with company for the first time in a long time. Meg was retelling a childhood memory which Stiles nodded in eager remembrance while they feasted on Chinese Takeout.
"I remember that it was the day I fell of my bike and skinned my knee," Stiles exclaimed with chopsticks still in hand, his father sat at the head of the table with Stiles on the chair on his left with Meg sitting beside Stiles.
"You were such a baby, Scott and I had to carry you all the way home, which was very difficult by the way, considering how chubby you were." She stated with a mirthful smile.
"Oh ha-ha, coming from you that's not much of an insult,"
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Remember when you were convinced you were a boy and ran around the house shirtless." Her cheeks instantly reddened and Stiles and his father laughed.
"Shush, I was gangster" She muttered taking another chopstick full of noodles into her mouth, smiled fondly.
"I didn't know that, was that why you kept your hair so short?" He asked Meg nodded with a smile.
"Yup and boy or not, I still kicked your butt in every game we played." She stated poking Stiles in the shoulder; he rolled his eyes while picking at his food.
"Stiles would come home crying to his mom complaining about the girl next door that was so mean to him." The good sheriff stated grinning at the memory of his son clutching onto his mother's skirts and weeping. Meg's eyes widened at the information, immediately looking to Stiles.
"You cried?" He dead-panned, sending a glare at his father who was suppressing the urge to smile.
"Thanks dad, no really thank you." Stiles hissed sardonically at his stung male pride, she grinned with a tender glint in her eyes.
"Aw I didn't know I made you cry; now I feel bad"
"It only lasted for a day, next day he would be so excited at the thought of spending time with you and Scott." Mr. Stilinski added elbowing his son; Stiles swayed slightly but was silently cursing under his breath.
"Aw, that is so cute." Stiles could feel the blood rushing up his neck.
"If it's any consolation, I feel the same way even now. I always look forward to seeing Stiles and Scott in school." Meg added while taking a sip of her water, Stiles smiled her way.
"Those were the days, we missed you so much when you left to Colorado, so we are glad you are back."
"I missed you guys too; things were different in Colorado especially after, well you know." Meg said in reply to the sheriff's words, his smile fell for a moment as sadness clouded his eyes.
"Stiles told me about what happened I am so sorry Meg." She felt comforted by the sincerity in his and only smiled gratefully.
"Yeah me too, I guess after that I just wanted to get away, mainly because on my way to school I always end up passing the wreckage, I didn't want to be around that kind of a reminder."
"What school did you go there?" Stiles asked curious about her past since most of it was still a mystery.
"Judy's All Girls Boarding school, there were so many rules and regulations there and the girls were all from rich families so they were a little stuck up, and my aunt didn't really want to leave me alone at home when she travelled so put me there for my protection I guess, but that place was never welcoming." The sheriff could see the wretchedness threatening to take over her pretty face, so cheerfully he added.
"Well you are always welcome here; even to stay with us if you like I am sure it must be boring for you there at times, with the lack of conversation between you and your grandma."
"Huh? What does that mean? What's wrong with your grandma?" Stiles asked in alarm not comprehending his father's words. Meg sat up alert and glanced at Stiles.
"Oh right that's what I was trying to tell you at school, my granny has senile dementia,"
"Oh…that's what you meant by-"
"Yup,"
"Wow that sucks,"
"Yea, but I am not always there, sometimes I stay over at my friend Erica's place," she said.
"You were always managed to make friends quickly, never lose that quality" Sheriff stated picking up his empty paper bucket of noodles to head to the kitchen, Meg beamed.
"I won't,"
