Authors Note: These chapters seem to be getting staying pretty long so I might cut back until I get a few more reviews. I don't want to keep making them painfully long for no reason. I appreciate your patience and I'm super excited for the new season to unfold. I'd love to hear from you all so if you read this story and have a tumblr, please come find me. Thank you all for reading and I hope you enjoy the update.


[Derek's POV]

I woke up slowly feeling the dull ache of my body moving for the first time after being healed from something incredibly strenuous. The sound of a storm outside was somehow comforting to the way that I felt. I ran my hand across the place where the throbbing was the worst and felt a bandage. I tore it from my skin to see the hole that once bored itself through me completely was no longer there. I rolled to the side of my bed and saw a glass of water sitting there. Maggie clearly took care of everything while I was passed out. I noticed the blood had been cleaned up and my clothes had been changed.

"Boyd came by earlier. Gave Maggie her injections. She's been out cold for about an hour." Cora leaned against the wall that separated the room we'd set up for her and the living room. She had her arms wrapped around her like she had earlier when she was panicking. She seemed calmer.

"You okay?" I asked pulling an annoyed scuffle from her.

"No Derek, I'm not okay. I'm freaking the hell out." Cora unwrapped her arms from around herself as I pushed myself up from the bed. My legs were tingling which meant someone pulled some of my pain.

"What are we going to do about the alpha pack? I have a feeling that the next time we run into them we won't be as lucky. We have to strike before they strike us again." Cora asserted. Her nerves were pouring out of her so I know she was speaking for a place of fear but I couldn't tell if the fear was of something happening to us or of the pack itself.

"You're right. We have to strike now when they least expect it." I nodded at her watching her recoil just from the surprise of my cooperation. She was right. The longer we waited to strike back, the more time they'd have to plan to try and make Maggie and I kill the people we cared about.

"But first we need to make some changes. We can't make it so easy for them to attack us like they did. The only reason they didn't kill you is because you're blood. They know there would be no winning either of us over if they killed you. Boyd and Isaac aren't safe here." I explained. The sound of the elevator being used by Isaac made me sigh.

"What are you going to tell him?" Cora asked almost too quietly as thunder boomed over her.

"I'm going to get rid of him the only way I know how. It's probably best you aren't in here." I nodded towards the other room that she was now staying in and she backed away with a nod and I turned towards the window with my glass of water, downing it just as Isaac pulled the door open.

"Hey, sorry I'm so late but I got my laundry done so Maggie will get off my back." Isaac tossed his bag of clothes next to the couch as I stared out the window. I didn't want to kick Isaac out. He was still pack and still very much my responsibility but we couldn't go through another loss like we had to with Erica. It just wasn't safe for him here.

"Derek?" Isaac called out my name snapping me from my thoughts.

"I'm going to need you to leave." I still hadn't face him.

"What do you mean?" He questioned clearly confused.

"I mean you can't live here anymore. You need to leave." I tried to keep my tone low and serious so he knew that it wasn't a request.

"I don't understand, did something happen? Is this about what I said about Cora because I was joking? I promise I won't hit on her." Isaac chuckled uncomfortably hearing Cora's heartbeat in the next room.

"There's just no room for you here now that Cora is here. Between trying to get Maggie and Cora to get along and dealing with everything else, it's just too much. We need to work on being a family instead of being a pack." I rubbed the empty glass on my pants knowing that my heartbeat was steady.

"I thought they were the same thing? Pack and family? Maggie always says-" I cut him off.

"Maggie isn't the alpha. I am." I raised my voice feeling Isaac tense up.

"I need you out tonight." I realized looking out the window that kicking him out right now was only adding insult to injury but there were no other options.

He laughed when lightening lit up the loft and thunder rolled seconds later.

"Where am I supposed to go?" He asked incredulously.

"Somewhere else." I said simply turning around and putting my glass on the table. Isaac moved away from the pillar he was once leaning on to take a step towards the table.

"Did I do something wrong Derek? Is this about what happened at the school? The twins came after me." I looked up at him not sure what he was talking about but if they'd sent the twins after Isaac then I knew I was making the right decision.

"You're doing something wrong by not leaving. Now get out." I gripped the glass again in anger.

"Come on Derek." Isaac started towards me and I knew I was going to have to use force.

"I said get out!" I pointed to the door once more but he kept coming towards me with an amused smile on his face like he could change my mind.

"GO!" I screamed pitching the glass at the pillar behind him and making him duck and cover. I could see his shoulder shaking. I knew what I had done and I hated myself for it but it had to be done. Isaac glanced over his shoulder at me disappointed and angry. I knew a fraction of what his father put him through but the night after I turned him, I remember him coming to the railcar to tell me about the fight they had and how his father had pelted a glass at him. He snatched his bag up from the floor and didn't bother looking back once he reached the door. It slammed shut heavily and I put both my hands down on the table to steady myself. I listened to his heartbeat grow progressively faster the moment he stepped out into the pouring rain in search of shelter. All I could hope is that he'd find someplace safer than here. Cora cleaned up the glass silently as I sat on the couch with my head in my hands. It wasn't until after she'd finished cleaning did she put her hand on my shoulder and give it a squeeze like she was letting me know I had done the right thing. I didn't know how much time I had to let it sink in before Maggie would be waking up and questioning me. There's no telling how this would all pan out but I knew she'd fight me on it. She fought me on most things. It's one of the things she was exceptionally good at which only further reminded me of just how much of a Hale she truly was.

"Hey, you look a lot better than when I last saw you." Maggie came down the stairs with a relieved smile on her face.

"Next time I tell you not to pull pain, listen." She scrunched her eyebrows together at me.

"No it was not a problem at all. You're so very welcome." She rolled her eyes walking towards the kitchen to retrieve a drink.

"I mean it Maggie. You need to save your strength. I have added healing capabilities as the alpha and you know that." I reminded her.

"God Derek you act like I'm waking up from a 10 year coma. Draining your pain didn't make me nap, my injections did. That and being pissed at Isaac for most of the day. You two are quite a burden on me." She joked looking towards the clock on the wall.

"Where is he anyway? It's getting late." I took a deep breathing catching her attention immediately.

"He's gone." I said listening for her heartbeat. It stuttered as she looked at me.

"What do you mean he's gone? Where did he go?" She pressed but this time Cora came around the corner looking at the both of us. When I didn't answer, Maggie looked to Cora.

"Deucalion wants you and Derek to join the alpha pack. In order to do that, you've got to kill your pack." Cora explained.

"Well that's not an option obviously. That still doesn't answer my question. Where the hell is Isaac?" She stepped towards me and I stood up from the couch.

"It's not safe for him here. I told him he had to leave." Maggie's eyes were wide as she gripped her hair.

"You kicked him out!? Are you freaking kidding me?" Maggie asked disbelievingly starting to pace.

"How could you do that? It's pouring out! Where would he even go? We're his only family." Maggie raised her voice in a panic.

"Maggie, this is for the best. Isaac isn't safe so close to us. If they have the access, they'll kill him at your feet just to prove a point." I explained making her shake her head.

"You let Erica and Boyd go and look how that panned out." I stepped back like she'd verbally slapped me across the face. She knew I'd always felt responsible for letting Erica and Boyd take off without knowing what they were really up against but she'd never fed that guilt. Cora stepped towards her like she was ready to intervene but I shook my head at her.

"Don't you get it Derek? Sending everyone away only gets them killed. We can't do this if we're separated. That's how we lose people." She argued.

"You can stand there and say that to me when you spent the entire summer hiding from the two people you care most about in this world because you wanted to protect them." I contended.

"And how did they find out?! You opened your mouth. They're in this now because of you. Now you want to toss Isaac out and just pray for the best?" Maggie screamed over the thunder. It seemed the angrier she got, the more the storm raged.

"He's not safe here Maggie." I pursed my lips trying to stay level headed.

"I've got to find him." She tried to push past me but I grabbed her arm.

"Where am I supposed to go?" "Somewhere else." "Did I do something wrong Derek? Is this about what happened at the school? The twins came after me." "You're doing something wrong by not leaving. Now get out." "Come on Derek" "I said get out!" "GO!" I screamed pitching the glass at the pillar behind him and making him duck and cover.

I let go of Maggie and she pushed away from me. I hadn't meant for her to know the details of how I kicked Isaac out but we were both so emotional in that moment that I must have been vulnerable to her latching.

"Maggie…" Her name rolled off my tongue like a plea but she bit her lip harshly to keep from saying whatever it was that was on the tip of her tongue, ready to cut me to shreds. She ran up the spiral steps and started rummaging through things in her room while Cora looked at me confused.

When Maggie reemerged, she had two huge bags over her leather clad shoulder and her boots hitting the floor with a repetitive thud as she bounded down the steps. The bags were practically overflowing with magic books, weaponry and some of her clothes. It was the same duffle bags she used to move from the waterfront house to the loft. I knew exactly what she was doing.

"Maggie please don't do this." I implored. She didn't even bat an eyelash as she jolted her arm out of reach as she passed. She yanked the door open and slammed it shut with force someone her size shouldn't be able to do. I clenched my teeth together, grinding them together so I wouldn't say anything that would make it worse as she stormed out of the building in search of Isaac. The tires squealed as she peeled wheels out of the lot and down the road.

"What the hell was that?" Cora asked when I finally unclenched my teeth.

"She's obviously going to find Isaac, I thought that was pretty self-explanatory." I waved my hand at the door turning away from Cora.

"No I meant when you grabbed her and blacked out. She looked like you were electrocuting her." There was so much about what Maggie was that Cora didn't know yet.

"Do you remember those stories mom told us when were kids. The one about the baby who would grow up to rule every creature because her abilities extended past anything imaginable?" Cora's eyes narrowed at me.

"Yeah but it was just a story." Cora shrugged.

"It wasn't just a story. Maggie is that creature. She's not just a hybrid, she's the hybrid. She's the Nyvolore. The things she can do would blow your mind." I tried to explain but even I hadn't seen all of Maggie's abilities yet.

"I want to know everything. Not just what happened over the summer? I want to know everything." Cora held her chin up like she was more prepared now to know about the last year here in Beacon Hills then she ever could be. Maybe if she knew why Maggie was the way she was, it would help understand her more. She could understand why Maggie had such a hold on me and how her leaving affected me more than I'd care to admit.

[Scott's POV]

It was pouring outside tonight as I did my homework. Isaac had left not even an hour ago after having dinner with mom and I which was surprisingly relaxed. He didn't say much about what happened to him over the summer as far as the alpha pack was concerned but he did talk about Derek training him to use his senses better and Maggie making sure they had dinner together to maintain closeness. There were times where mom would step too close to an uncomfortable question and he'd back pedal but all in all, he seemed pretty forthcoming. It was actually kind of nice to just do normal things with him. He wasn't a bad guy at all.

A knock at the door made me get back to working on my homework.

"Come in, Mom." I said without even bothering to look at the door. She probably wanted to ask me about Isaac some more. She seemed to be intrigued by how he survived living without both his parents but I reminded her that Maggie had been with him for the summer.

When I turned around, it wasn't my mom standing there. It was Isaac. He was soaked all the way through from the rain, his clothes clinging to him and he almost looked shaken.

"I was wondering if I could ask you a favor?" He lifted his eyes from the floor to look at me and I jumped up from my chair to get him a towel.

"Dude what the hell happened to you?" He sat his bag down and put his face in the towel to dry off.

"Derek kind of kicked me out. Well he didn't kind of kick me out. He did, in a really shit way too." Isaac shook his head and I tried to wrap mine around what Derek was doing.

"I didn't really know where else to go. I was thinking of crashing at Maggie's waterfront house but I'm pretty sure Nathan is back and I don't want to make problems for Maggie since she hasn't gone to see him yet. I obviously don't have any family so-" Isaac looked defeated, borderline ashamed to even ask me for help.

"You can totally stay here man. Maggie isn't using the guest room anymore and I know mom won't mind the company. It's totally cool." I was quick to ease his mind and he seemed instantly relieved.

"Are you sure? I mean I don't want to cause any problems. I can talk to Maggie and-"

"Does she not know?" I asked curiously.

"No there's no way she'd allow it. I mean I know she's pissed about me acting out with the twins but she wouldn't punish me by making me homeless. Something tells me this is one of those spur of the moment Derek decisions." Isaac explained.

"Because those always work out for all involved." I rolled my eyes but it made Isaac laugh.

"Yeah…do you think I could shower? It's kinda raining out there." He gestured to the window as lightening lit up my room. I got him some more towels while he pulled some dry clothes from his bag. I walked into the hallway once he got in the shower and mom was holding fresh sheets.

"Did you hear all that?" I asked unsure but she scrunched her face.

"Honey, I hear everything. I'll change the sheets on the bed but you should really give Maggie a call. Let her know he's safe." Mom walked into the guest room and started setting Isaac up. I grabbed my phone and hit Maggie's number. She didn't answer so I decided I should probably leave a message just to be safe.

"Hey, Isaac just showed up over here pretty shaken up. He's alright now so don't worry. I just wanted to let you know he's safe." I hung up the phone and walked into the guest room to see Isaac holding one of the pillows off the bed to his face.

"It still kind of smells like Maggie." I pointed out making him look over at me.

"Yeah it's kind of comforting." Isaac said but looked like he quickly needed to explain himself.

"We didn't…we never…" I put my hand up to stop him.

"You don't have to tell me." I dismissed but he shook his head.

"I don't but you should know that I've only ever been respectful of Maggie. We both sort of needed someone this summer and I was there for her as much as I could be but that didn't happen. It took me a while to figure it out but I think our bond is more of a protective one, not so much a love sort of thing." We exchanged a look of understanding.

"She loves you, I know she does." I spoke up but he shook his head.

"Not like she loves Stiles…more like how she loves you just less intense." I looked down at my feet unsure of how to respond. He cleared his throat cutting through the silence.

"She missed you every day, you know. Not like she missed Stiles. I mean we both know how she feels about Stiles but you are kind of her life line. To her, you are the only person connecting her to the family she lost and the family she has. You might not feel like it right now but you're important to her. The love she has for you is unlike any other I've ever seen. That's why she pushes you so far away from all of this." I couldn't say Isaac's words weren't a comfort. I didn't quite know what to say so I pointed to the stairs.

"Let me get you an extra blanket. I know how cold rain can really soak through the bones even with the extra body heat." I walked to the hallway closet and leaned my head against the door. The only bits and pieces I knew about Maggie's struggle over the summer, I'd gotten from Isaac and nothing sounded simple. I spent the summer worrying about her and Stiles but to think I had the focus to get through summer school and start SAT prep while she was getting tortured and hunted made my stomach turn. I knew Isaac was trying to comfort me in some way but it only made me feel guilty. I should have pressed harder. I should have searched longer. Anything but let her get this far away from me.

I grabbed the blanket and headed back towards the guest room. Before I could say anything, I saw Isaac had already passed out clutching Maggie's pillow to his chest, curled into the fetal position on the bed. I covered him carefully and pulled the door shut behind myself to see my mom waiting in the hallway.

"How's he doing?" Mom asked with her hand to her mouth.

"He's passed out. He should be alright. I have a feeling he walked all the way here so I'm sure he's beat." I waved my mom off but she held a concerned expression.

"It's okay if he stays for a bit right?" I wanted to double check since I kind of sprung this on her.

"Of course it is. I just want to make sure he's okay." Mom reached out and grabbed my hand to give it a reassuring squeeze which I took happily. Sometimes I think about all my friends who have to suffer without their mom's and I truly feel blessed that I still have mine who loves and supports me no matter what.

"Have you reached Maggie?" Mom asked just as I picked up a frantic heartbeat coming up the sidewalk. I ran down the steps and met Maggie as she burst through the front door.

"Where is he? Is he okay?" She looked around me up the stairs walking from the foyer to the living room and back.

"Maggie calm down, he's upstairs sleeping." Maggie paced the floor rubbing at her forehead with relief.

"I need to see him. I need to know he's alright." She pressed stepped towards me with hesitation like she was afraid I'd reach out and touch her but I've learned recently that she isn't okay with that right now. Not like she used to be anyway.

"Come on." I gestured up the stairs and she skipped them two at a time before opening the door carefully so she wouldn't wake him. I watched her walk slowly over towards him, light snores let his lips as she sat down next to him and gently stroked his hair. I knew Maggie cared about Isaac but watching her lovingly stroke his hair trying to soothe his tension seemed more like something you'd do to a child. Maggie felt responsible for Isaac just like I did but the love she had for the betas that Derek turned ran deeper than just good friends. Isaac and Boyd were family now which meant no matter what, I'd do whatever I could to protect them.

"I'm so sorry. I promise I'll make this right. I promise." She leaned forward and kissed Isaac's head making him stir just barely before getting to her feet and hardening her stance. She walked past me and I shut the door, following her back down the stairs.

"It's probably best to let him sleep here tonight. He's been through enough. It'll give me time to make up the guest room at the waterfront house." She crossed her arms over her chest, rubbing absently at her jacket like she was afraid of being judged or something.

"You're moving back home?" I asked making her look up at me.

"After the crap Derek pulled, yeah I'm moving home. He's being a real jackass and I can't focus on keeping everyone alive if he's playing scared." I couldn't imagine what Derek had done to have fallen from Maggie's grace so quickly.

"You know, it's okay if Isaac stays. He seems to like your old room. Mom is totally cool with it. It's actually cool to have another guy around the house." I dug my hands into my pockets and she shook her head fiercely.

"I couldn't ask you to do that. He's not your burden." She dismissed but I chuckled.

"He's not a burden at all. He's family." She looked surprised at my response. She cut her eyes anywhere away from mine.

"If he wants to stay and you're both okay with it then I don't see why not." She shrugged. I could tell she was still having doubts so I took a step towards her.

"He's safe here. I promise. I won't let anything happen to him." I knew she wasn't listening to my heart to see how sincere I was. She knew me better than that.

"I know you will." She breathed unfolding her arms like she was tired of putting up a front.

"Maybe you're right. Maybe he's safest with you. No one should be around Derek and I right now." She conceded. I should have known she wasn't going to let her guard down that easily.

"Just because Isaac's staying here doesn't mean you're going up against the alpha pack alone." I took another step towards her without her moving away and I know she could feel my intense need to protect her.

"Being pack to us right now means being on a hit list. If you all stay clear of us then there won't be any pack to kill." She explained like things were that cut and dry with the alpha pack.

"You and I both know it won't be that easy. If we stick together" This time when I moved into her space, she didn't back away. She tensed like she was about to crumble into pieces.

"Scott…I am on the verge of self-destructing and all I can think about is how badly I don't want you around to see that part of me." Her voice was broken and it was tearing me up inside just to hear how terrified she actually was.

"Maggie you aren't a monster." I could smell Maggie's sadness standing so close to her and she shook off a frown and gave me a forced smile.

"You're right. I'm what monsters have nightmares about." She looked over my shoulder as mom came into the room.

"Thank you for taking care of him a few weeks ago and for letting him stay. If he needs anything or you need anything, just call." I knew my mom wanted to do the same thing I wanted to do and that's wrap her up in our arms and tell her that she isn't alone but mom knew better.

"You do the same sweetie. You know we're still here no matter what." Mom insisted earning a compulsory smile. This time Maggie stepped into my space.

"Isaac told me that Allison was at the school the night we wrangled Boyd and Cora. Whatever she's doing, she needs to be smart. Make her understand that his isn't a game. Deucalion has history with the Hales which means he's got history with the Argent's. If you need anything, you know where to find me." Maggie slid an arrowhead into my hand carefully before giving me a look and heading back out into the rain. I watched her drive away and felt the shape arrowhead slice at my skin. I turned around and grabbed my jacket off the coat rack and the keys from the table.

"Can you keep an eye on him while handle this?" Mom smiled sympathetically before pulling my head down to kiss.

"Be careful. I've got this." She assured me. The drive over to Allison's was almost as nerve-wracking as Maggie's visit. I couldn't shake her demeanor. Maggie never tried to show fear. She was always the one reassuring me that we could handle anything but this time was different. This time I questioned whether or not we could handle this. I texted Allison letting her know I needed to stop by and she didn't seem to have any objections. It was strange that they had sold their house and got an apartment but I guess after what happened with her mom, she wouldn't really want to stay there. It was a nice complex with a doorman and everything. I pressed the elevator button and waited for the doors to open.

"Hello Scott." My entire body tensed hearing the drawl of the voice that walked into the elevator next to me. Deucalion held onto his cane with ease as he reached for the buttons.

"Going up to see the Argent's I assume." He hit the number I needed and smiled. I instantly let my claws out in case he tried anything.

"Come on Scott. Put those away. I'd have to be blind, deaf and quadriplegic for you to be an actual threat or maybe you should take a chance." He turned his body towards me and closed his eyes.

"Your heartbeat is steady. You may be afraid of me but you're controlling it. Maggie was able to control hers too. That was of course before Kali and the twins started in on Isaac." His smug grin held an almost sadistic sneer to it that gave me chills but I knew I had to keep my cool.

"Maybe you would rise to the occasion and become an alpha by killing one." He pointed out.

"I'm not like you. I don't have to kill people." I said firmly keeping my eyes on him and my claws out. I didn't trust him one bit and I wasn't going to let him get the upper hand.

"Not yet but situations come about, situations where you realize the only way to protect one person is to kill another. Maggie found that out the hard way. What she didn't realize is that she was born a killer. What she is, what she's made of, it's meant to destroy anything and everything that stands in her way. She's quite immaculate." The more Deucalion talked about Maggie, the more I felt like he was baiting me.

"I don't know why you're here but I know Maggie. I know her better than anyone and she's not a killer. She may have done things to stay alive or protect her family but she's not a killer." There were times where Deucalion looked at me where it felt like he not only could see me but he could stare right through to my soul.

"Killer, murderer, butcher, it's all the same Scott. You're right about one thing however. She has done things but that's not what makes her a killer. What makes her a killer is when she decides it's the only option. I gave her that push. I showed her that side of herself. Once you see it, you'll know too." Deucalion stepped towards me.

"What do you want?" We were coming to an impasse as the elevator climbed dangerously close to the Argent's floor.

"I want to see what you're made of." He closed in on me as if he was sizing me up when the elevator let out a loud ding, halting on the Argent's floor. I stepped off the elevator as more people piled in and watched him smile as he walked to the back.

"Can someone please hit the Penthouse button?" As the doors closed in my face, I connected the dots. The Alpha pack was living in the same building with the Argent's which meant they were in more danger than Maggie could have anticipated.

[Maggie's POV]

I walked into the house and shook my wet hair out. The rain had kept coming down just as hard the entire drive here. I heard heavy feet bounding the stairs and Nathan practically jumped down them with a bat in his hands.

"Surprise?" I put my hands out like I was giving him awkward jazz hands and he stared at me almost confused.

"I know it's been a while but I'm going to assume you remember who I am." I tossed my bags on the ground and Nathan dropped the bat, jumping down the remainder of the steps to pick me up into a tight hug. My feet left the ground and my arms were trapped against my body as he held onto me.

"Jesus Kid! It's damn good to see you but try not to give me a heart attack next time." I could feel Nathan's heartbeat against my chest. I hadn't realized how showing up without warning could have caught him off guard but at least he seemed happy to see me. He put me down and looked me over.

"What are you doing here? Not that I'm not happy to see you but I haven't heard from you, which by the way, you're grounded." Nathan pointed at me and I chuckled.

"I don't have many friends these days anyway. You're cool with me moving back now that you're home right?" I asked seeing his eyebrows go up.

"Hell yeah! I mean of course. Is everything okay with Derek? I haven't heard from him either so he totally loses points on the whole guardianship front." Nathan picked up on of my bags and helped carry it up the stairs. Everything in the house smelled the same, minus the dust that had collected that Nathan seemed to try and get rid of but did a pretty horrible job. I could add that to the list of minuscule spells I needed to do later, another being strengthening the protection spells on both Scott's house and here.

"So catch me up Kid. What the hell has kept you so wrapped up that you couldn't give me a heads up?" Nathan asked as I walked into my old room and let out a heavy sigh or the last time I was in here. I was gathering clothes for Cora after Erica's death. The time before that I listened to Stiles drunkenly wish he'd never fallen for me. Now here I was adding another shit memory to the pile.

"I'm actually really tired Nate. You think maybe we could talk about it tomorrow?" I turned around to face him and he frowned.

"Yeah, yeah of course. Get some rest." Nathan stood in the door for a few moments before walking over and hugging me again. I let him.

"It's just good to see you again. Holler if you need anything." Nathan pulled the door shut slowly behind himself and I tossed my bag on the bed. I hadn't planned on sleeping tonight. I just wanted to get some things put away. Lydia had texted me about something she and Stiles found on the sacrifices. Something about a Darach. I pulled out every book I had brought home with me to start looking into what a dark druid would possibly need sacrifices for and it turns out the answer to that question was something that none of us were ready to deal with. My phone buzzed a few times throughout the night with texts from Derek but I didn't bother answering them. I knew Scott would call if anything came up with Isaac and Boyd had developed a bond with Cora so I knew he was taken care of as well. Right now, I needed to focus on stopping these sacrifices because according to what I was reading, there were going to be a lot more innocent lives taken before it was all said and done.

I had been so engrossed in what I was doing, I didn't noticed the sun had come up until I heard Stiles jeep pull down the gravel driveway. I looked at my phone thinking I might have missed a call but there was nothing from him. I looked around the room and saw the progress of my unpacking which was basically clothes strewn about the room and books all over the bed. I quickly tried to change out of the clothes I had put on once my jeans had gotten too uncomfortable. I hadn't quite gotten my shirt on when the door opened.

"Hey it's 2PM you should be-WHOA! My bad! My bad!" I spun away from Stiles to finished getting dressed and his heart was racing.

"Typically you shut the door and wait outside but whatever works for you." I jerked my tank on and pulled my hair back. He licked his lips like his mouth had suddenly gone dry.

"Yeah sorry. I was just down at the tavern and Nathan said you were still sleeping. I figured I'd bring you lunch." Stiles shook his head holding up a sandwich in one hand and a drink in the other.

"You didn't have to do that." I rubbed the back of my neck trying to pick up some of the clothes from the floor and tossing them into the bathroom. Stiles took the chair from my computer stand and sat down on it.

"Please make yourself at home." I rolled my eyes too tired to even try to argue with him. I didn't know why he was here but I'm sure it had something to do with Scott.

"Scott told me about Derek kicking Isaac out. Is that why you moved back here?" He asked opening the sandwich and taking a half of it. I noticed how he didn't refer to the house as my home. I knew he still had lingering doubts about this place being my home but it was, for whatever that was worth.

"It got too crowded in the loft. It was time to come home anyway. Nathan is here and I promised him I'd come back when he did." Stiles kept looking down at his hands. I could tell something was on his mind and almost dreaded him throwing anymore into my lap at the moment.

"So I thought all werewolves had that special healing that kept them from getting scars." I froze standing in front of the closet. I hadn't gotten around to fixing the scars on my back yet and I must have forgotten they were back there in my haste to get dressed.

"I was hoping you didn't see those." I turned back towards him, self-conscious that he could see them even through my tank.

"Well I did and I'm worried about them." He looked up at me from the chair, his hands still folded together. I tried not to think about what he must think. I hated that Derek and Isaac had seen them. I hated that they were a reminder of how close I was to saving Boyd and Erica. I hated that they made me feel disgusting.

"You don't have to be. I'm actually looking into a spell to get rid of them, I just haven't had the time." I tried brushing it off but Stiles was never one to let things go.

"Did the alphas do that to you?" He swallowed a lump of disgust that must have grown in his throat. I nodded at him.

"Um yeah. It was my own fault though. I make weapons to hurt werewolves. I run the risk of hurting myself in the process." I explained as briefly as I could, turning back to the bag and putting it in the closet.

"Did they torture you?" He pressed harder making me spin around to stop his interrogation instantly.

"Stiles please…don't push me to talk about it okay? It was hard enough living through it once" I pleaded with him. I couldn't do that to him. I couldn't put what happened to me on his shoulders because I knew that's who he was. Just staring at his face while he bit his tongue was hard enough. He took a bite of the sandwich he had brought with him and glanced over at me when I stared at his attempt of squashing the subject.

"There's still half a sandwich for you. Don't give me that look, I eat when I'm anxious." Stiles put the sandwich down on the desk.

"If being here makes you nervous then you can leave. I'm fine. I don't need you to check up on me." I insisted but this time he was the one rolling his eyes.

"Oh I know that. I've resisted checking up on you since you decided to reappeared but I typically go to Scott's and vent about how stubborn and obnoxious you are and I can't do that now that Isaac is living there." Stiles complained pulling at one of the books on the bed. I swatted his hand away.

"What does Isaac being there have to do with anything? At this point, he might even join you in your rants about how much I suck." I offered but he narrowed his eyes.

"I don't want to talk shit with Isaac. The guy wears winter sweaters in 80 degree California heat. He makes stupid, pointless comments during really unneeded times and his face is…annoying." Stiles leaned back in the chair and I had to bit my lip to keep from chuckling. He noticed.

"Wasn't it you that once told me the day I gave Lydia Martin a chance is the day you welcome Isaac into the family?" Stiles pulled a face.

"Yeah but then it seemed pretty impractical to think you'd ever be friends with Lydia. Now you're…I don't even know what you are but it's shocking." Stiles put his hand on his chest. I looked down at the books and he cleared his throat.

"Don't think I didn't see you almost smile by the way. I totally saw it. You keep doing that, you know. I won't tell anyone if you did crack one. It happens. Life can be pretty entertaining sometimes." Stiles leaned forward on his knees and I cut my eyes through my hair.

"It won't be if these sacrifices keep happening at the pace they're occurring. There's still at least 10 more sacrifices according to…well most of the things I'm reading." Stiles got up to join me on the bed but stopped himself. I looked up at him as he grabbed the chair and rolled it towards the bed. The last time we were on it together, we were making plans for the summer and making out. It seemed like a lifetime ago.

"How did you…" HE looked at me once he read that I was researching dark druids.

"I've talked to both Lydia and Deaton already. According to most of the text on a Darach, they need a cluster of victims to complete their end game which is why you should stay out of this." I closed the book he was looking in and he pulled his hand back.

"Why would they need 10 more virgins? I mean there really can't be that many left in Beacon Hills so it kind of concerns me." Stiles blushed slightly and I thought back to the talk we had when confessed to saving that for me.

"I told you I would protect you. Besides, it's not always virgins. It depends on what they're trying to power. I doubt this druid is trying to have plentiful crops." I explained.

"First of all, if they wanted plentiful crops they came to the wrong place. California will either be completely dried out or an island in a few years. Second, I don't need you to protect me. I can protect myself. I just would prefer to actually get to the sex part before dying." Stiles joked not even realizing the gravity of the situation. I got up from the bed and stood over him making him push back uncomfortably. Without warning, I whacked Stiles in the head with my palm making him rear back.

"OW! What the hell was that for?" He asked rubbing his head.

"You think you can protect yourself? Prove it." I swung at him again and caught his shoulder making him roll out of the chair.

"What the fuck? Stop hitting me!" He yelled now rubbing his shoulder. I crossed the floor and threw another hand at him but this time he stopped me.

"I'm not doing this with you. Stop!" His demeanor change to tense and serious as he should be.

"Is that your plan if someone walks up to you and starts trying to hurt you? Just tell them to stop? Call uncle?" I kicked my legs out at him and caught his shin.

"What are you going to do if you're all alone without Scott to save your ass, without your dad to arrest them?" I mocked him and could tell he was getting frustrated.

"Cut it out! I mean it!" He raised his voice as I hit him in the chest.

"I'm not using any extra force. Nothing supernatural at all so you're just letting a girl that stands in at 5 foot nothing slap box you right now." I said as he back into the wall with his hands up.

"I'm not going to fight you." He said through tight lips trying to push past me but I pushed him into the wall.

"So that's it? This is you protecting yourself? This is pathetic. You think you can manage on your own but the only thing you're managing to do is get your ass kicked by a girl." I swung on Stiles again but this time he caught my arm. We locked eyes and I swung my other arm which he also caught. He raised his eyebrows like he'd shown me up but I just tilted my head to the side. He knew what I was about to do.

"Don't-" Before he could get the words out, I kneed him in the groin taking him to his knees.

"This isn't a game Stiles. People are dying. More people will die and you are just as vulnerable as every other person waking around. The only advantage you have is that you know what goes bump in the night." Stiles pushed his head forward and scooped my lungs out from under me making me fall to the floor. When I saw his face, I could tell I'd struck a nerve. I went to kick my leg out and he grabbed both of them sitting on them at the knees trying to keep me on the floor but I sprang up towards him just in time for him to grab my arms and pin me to the floor. He shifted his weight on top of me not wanting to crush me but I could tell he was done taking my abuse. I struggled and actually considering using my wolf strength but I knew I was only out of breath and weak from not sleeping the night before.

"Stop acting like you're the only one feeling this pain. I lost someone too and I know the severity of the situation, both of them but that doesn't mean I'm going to sit up in my room by myself and hide like the fate of everyone is in my hands. I know how to defend myself and if the situation calls for it, I will." Stiles gritted out as he held me down.

"Apparently." I breathed opening my hands in surrender. His eyes darted to my lips and I stopped fighting him, letting the tension out of my body. He instantly lightened his grip and I flipped him over and kicking my legs out to keep his apart. Stiles struggled against me before freezing and looking at the window.

"Derek?" He said confused and I turned to look. It was my mistake though because Stiles flipped me like I had flipped him moments before practically crushing me with his body. He pushed off of me and put his hands up like he'd given up.

"I didn't come here for this." He turned his back on me, cheeks blotched from exertion but I didn't want to let him go that easily. I ran towards him only to be spun into the wall. His feet pressed down on top of mine to keep from catching another knee and it actually hurt.

"OW…okay I get it." I gave up. Stiles didn't look like he enjoyed the victory however. He looked hurt.

"You really don't but I'm done trying to make you even understand." He let me go and I let my arms slide down the walls as stood out of breath in front of me. I looked up at him and felt that part of me that lingered in the pit of my stomach that wanted to reach up and stroke his face. I could feel his breath on my lip and the only thing that took my attention away from him was my phone buzzing on the bed. He took a few careful steps back from me and fixed his shirt.

"I don't know if you were faking me out or not but if I did actually hurt you then I'm sorry." Stiles apologized and I let out a dry chuckle.

"I'm okay." Stiles huffed at the response.

"Do you ever get tired of lying to people? " I looked over at Stiles. He shook his head.

"Or have you just convinced yourself that the lies are the truth?" I looked down at my feet that had Stiles shoe tread slowly being erased from them. Stiles went to brush past me and I grabbed his arm stopping him. I don't know why I did it but I did and now he was standing close enough for me to have his heartbeat be the only thing I could hear in my head. He let his tongue flit across his bottom lip as he turned his body back towards me but I didn't know what to do or say.

"Hate to interrupt but you weren't answering your phone." Stiles and I both jumped at the voice standing at the door. Cora was leaning against the frame with her arms crossed over her chest like she was incredibly put out by having to be here.

"I was just…heading out." Stiles rubbed the back of his neck as a blush crept up it exiting and getting a look over by Cora passing her on his way out. I went back over to my bed shaking what just happened off and trying not to let Cora know that she had actually walked in on something that could have been a disaster.

"Boyd said you had a thing for the gangly one but I didn't realize it was that serious." Cora surveyed my room, looking at the pictures that I had taken down last night once I got tired of looking at them. There was a framed one of Stiles, Scott and I on the nightstand that I had turned down and she picked it up.

"There's nothing going on with Stiles. He came by to ask about the human sacrifices. That's all." Cora snorted a laugh at me.

"You can feed him that lie and eat your own BS soup but I'm a werewolf. People don't give off that scent unless there is some kind of connection." She sat the picture down and looked at the books scattered on the bed.

"Good to know you're distracting yourself with things that have nothing to do with our currently dilemma." Cora closed one of the books with her index finger.

"Is there something I could help you with Cora? I'm not really in the mood for chit chat." I cut to the chase and she picked up my phone.

"Boyd and I found out where the alphas are staying. We're going after them. Derek has been trying to call but I guess you've been too busy rolling around with Stiles to notice." I jumped up and snatched my phone out of her hand.

"I've been busy. What time are we going after them?" I asked glancing at the clock.

"We're meeting at the loft to discuss the details. Unless you're busy." Cora was testing my patience and I could tell.

"I'll be there." I watched her walk back towards the door and turn to look at me.

"Derek did the right thing, kicking Isaac out. You weren't there. You didn't see what they did to Derek." Cora defended. She held her chin up high before slamming the door shut behind herself. I ran my hands down my face trying to collect my thoughts. I took a shower trying to wash the encounter with Stiles off my skin and out of my head. There was no room to think about that right now. Not when we were about to go into battle with the alphas again. I wanted this to be the last time. I was tired of letting them threaten the people I cared about.

I got dressed and drove down to the tavern where I knew Nathan would be according to the note he left on the counter. I felt a wave of sadness waft out of the door and hit me in the face. I was almost unsure if I wanted to enter but Nathan was shaking the hand of a man who was weeping at the bar and he noticed me standing outside. I gave him a slight wave and he walked out towards me.

"Hey what's going on?" I asked gesturing to the people walking in and out of the bar.

"A buddy of mine just lost his son. Apparently he was killed the other night. They found him at school. You might have known him-"

"Kyle Gunderson? Yeah I saw. How do you know his dad?" I asked looking over his shoulder and completely missing the pointed look Nathan was giving me.

"We've done business together. Do you know something about what happened to him? Like all I'm hearing was that it was really horrible but if this has something to do with that pack-" I cut Nathan off.

"The two things aren't connected." I dismissed quickly looking around suspiciously to make sure we weren't drawing attention.

"But you know who killed him?" I looked up at Nathan and let out a sigh which seemed to make him even more stressed.

"This guy may have murdered a friend of mine's kid. A kid, Maggie. I need to know what's going on." Nathan pulled me to the side away from the customers entering for the wake.

"The alpha pack didn't kill him. He was one of the human sacrifices made by the Darach." I kept my voice down but judging by the face Nathan gave me, he heard me loud and clear.

"The Darach sacrificed him…well that makes perfect sense." He pouted his lips out sarcastically and shrugged.

"It's complicated." I didn't really have the time to explain the entire situation to Nathan and he could tell I was blowing him off again. He threw his hands out in frustration.

"Of course it is! First you completely shut me out over the summer and now the secrets are back. God teenagers really do suck. Did I suck this much as a teenager?" Nathan started questioning himself and pacing in place. I did feel bad that I didn't keep up the calls with Nathan but after I almost lost Isaac, I didn't have the heart to keep calling just to lie to him. I knew Derek was keeping up with him but I just couldn't. I didn't want something to happen to me and Nathan think it was his fault for not stepping in.

"I tried! Things got so crazy this summer and I didn't want to call you just to lie to you. I was trying to protect you." I pointed out making him instantly look defeated.

"Secrets don't protect people, Kid. You of all people know that. Look what your dad did to you." Nathan didn't know just how close Peter and I had become in his absence and I didn't think now was really the time to throw it out there.

"Nate, I'm sorry. I'm just…scared of losing anyone else." Nathan's face finally fell and he shook his head at me. I wanted so badly to reconnect with him and tell him that everything was going to be alright but it wasn't. I knew things were going to get worse before they got better, bloodier even. Now the second threat has already started going after humans and we were running out of time to figure things out.

"Look, I know you walk around with the weight of the world literally planted on your shoulders but whatever you think you can't tell me, whatever you think I can't handle, you're wrong. You are not alone in this Kid. Stop thinking that everyone around you is glass waiting to be shattered. Give us a little credit." Nathan gave my shoulder a squeeze and I put my hand on his trying to soothe his anxiety. He pulled on my shoulder so that I would stumble into his chest.

"You've become quite the hugger in your time away which worries me. I didn't realize men of the sea were so touchy feely." I teased as he hugged me to his chest again.

"No I just know you're about to tell me you're running off again and with you I'm never sure if you'll come back so let me have this okay?" I wasn't sure if Nathan was kidding or being serious but it made me feel like a total asshole. That's the person I'd become. The girl who runs from the people she cares about. I hated it but that's what my life was now.

"I'm going to Derek's. I'll be back later." I assured him before walking back to the car. I could feel Nathan watching me as I got into the car and started up the road. It wasn't fair that I had been dumped in his lap but he was surprisingly accepting of a lot of things most people would explode about. I think he knew there was no point trying to restrain me because I had responsibilities. The whole way to Derek's my rage started to rebuild. Thinking of that latch I had with Derek only to find out that he was such a prick to Isaac only made me more annoyed. I pulled up to see a familiar black Lexus.

"You stink of angst already. Are you sure living with a human is what is best for you?" Peter wrinkled his nose as I got out of the car and shut the door.

"It's not the humans that make me angsty. It's the werewolves." Peter followed me onto the elevator and chuckled.

"You seem a bit tense sweetheart. Are you sure you're sleeping enough?" He could probably see the exhaustion on my face but when he reached out to touch my face I swatted at his hand.

"Don't test what little patience I have." I pulled the door to the loft open and Derek stood up straight from where he was leaning on the table. Boyd and Cora were standing next to him.

"Thanks for not being on time. It's not like we're trying to make big plans or anything." Cora snarked.

"You didn't give me a time, you just said to meet you here. I'm here. Take a breath." I walked up to the table and looked at the blueprints that were spread out. I felt Derek shift on his feet to walk towards me and I moved around the table to take a seat.

"This is where Allison and her dad moved." I realized the layout of the blueprints was for the familiar apartment complex. I had seen Chris moving their things in over the summer.

"That's where the alphas are staying." Derek ran his finger across the blueprints.

"I knew it. They're keeping an eye on everyone, not just us." I shook my head hoping that Scott had talked to Allison like I had asked. As if I'd summoned him just by saying his name, Scott pulled the heavy door open and walked through it.

"I know where they are." Scott declared out of breath.

"Same building as the Argent's, we know." Derek informed him.

"Cora and I followed the twins." Scott looked over at me and I held my hands up.

"I just found out myself." I explained. He walked further into the loft looking at us in surprise.

"Then they want you to know. There's no way they'd just let you find out where lair is." Scott's terminology made me sigh as Cora rolled her eyes.

"It's an apartment Scott. It's not a lair. They're werewolves, not super villains." I corrected.

"I said the same thing to your sidekick. How very father/daughter bond like." Peter smiled at me proudly.

"Can we stay focused here?" Derek interrupted the moment Peter thought we were having.

"Yes of course. It's more likely that Deucalion just doesn't care that we know where they are." Peter leaned on the table making Scott approach to see what we were looking at.

"What is this?" He stood across from me, scanning the blueprints laid out in front of us.

"Isn't it obvious? The schemers are scheming. Coming up with a coup de main." Scott looked up at me not sure what Peter was talking about.

"It's a preemptive strike." I explained watching his eyebrows go up.

"You're going after them?" Scott looked at Derek like he was crazy.

"Tomorrow night and judging by your presence, I'm assuming you're going to help us." Now I was looking at Derek like he was crazy.

"Derek, what are you-" Scott cut me off.

"What's the plan?" I looked from Cora to Boyd and then back to Derek. I could see how this was going to go. Derek ran down the plan on how we would infiltrate the building and override the power system. He made it sound so easy like getting in and killing them would be a lot simpler than we could imagine but we knew without a doubt that it would be much harder.

"So that's it? Kill them first?" Scott sounded upset. I knew how he felt about Derek's murder logic but there was no other option for the alpha pack. Not after what they'd done. Not after Erica.

"They'll never see it coming." Boyd tried to reassure Scott but I knew that's not what he needed.

"Why's the default plan always murder? Just once can someone try to come up with something that doesn't involve killing everyone?" Scott implored desperately.

"Do you ever get tired of being blandly moral?" I elbowed Peter in the side.

"What? I mean I don't disagree with him but his golden boy routine gives me indigestion." Peter gestured to his stomach.

"I disagree with him. Why do we even need this kid?" Cora eyed Scott viciously but before I could jump her shit, Derek crossed his arms over his chest.

"This kid helped save your life so show him a little respect." Scott gave Derek a thankful nod and it was returned. I wasn't sure if Derek was trying to make up for being a dick to Isaac by showing some actual kindness to Scott or if he was being genuine.

"We can't just sit back and wait for them to make the first move." Derek continued.

"We can't beat a pack of alphas." Scott dismissed.

"Not the whole pack, just Deucalion." Cora spoke up with less tension towards Scott.

"Cut off the head of the snake and the body dies." Boyd sounded so optimistic, it kind of felt like a gut punch.

"This isn't just a snake, it's a hydra and like Scott says, they're all alphas." I watched them all discuss the plans, Peter being on Scott's side of things and Derek, Cora and Boyd being on the opposite.

"Deucalion is still the leader." Derek reaffirmed.

"Let's hope so because you know what happened when Hercules cut off one of the heads of the Hydra?" Peter turned to Derek trying to challenge his plan.

"Two more grew back in it's place." Scott answered making all of us look towards him.

"Someone's been doing their summer reading." Peter smiled mockingly.

"I don't understand why we can't consider another option. Why does murder always have to be the final answer?" Scott tried to challenge the plan once more.

"Because that's what they deserve Scott." I felt Scott's gaze land on me and I looked up at him from leaning on the table.

"They kidnapped, tortured and murdered pack members, the only fate they deserve is death. Deucalion will be the first, the others will either disappear or end up in pieces. There is nothing more to discuss. Tomorrow night, he dies with or without you. You can think this is just because Derek feels like he has no other way out of this but it's not." I explained watching his face fall into a whirlwind of confusion and terror.

"Maggie, it doesn't have to be like this." He shook his head but I just pursed my lips.

"You're right, it doesn't. But it will be because I want him dead, Scott. Even if I have to tear his heart out with my bare hands." I gritted my teeth and took notice of the disgusted look he held. It was like he was finally seeing the person I had become over the summer. Derek broke through the silence that had filled the loft as Scott tried to wrap his head around just how far from grace I'd fallen and I tuned most of what he was saying out until Scott said he would be there tomorrow and gave me one last desperate glance before walking out of the loft. We all stood around awkwardly waiting for the sound of Scott's bike to take off from the lot.

"You know he's going to try and reach out to him right? His conscience is not built for this." Peter broke through the silence.

"He's right. Scott will do whatever he can to save someone." Derek agreed.

"Why would he bother trying to save Deucalion after what he knows about him?" Cora questioned absurdly.

"He's not trying to save Deucalion. He's trying to save me." I looked over at her and her face seemed to soften.

"I know how to track Scott. I'll find out when he reaches out and text you. Be ready to roll out whenever." I turned on my heel to leave.

"You do that. Just make sure to keep Isaac out of it. We don't need him getting involved." Derek's words stopped me at the door. It's like he was trying to get under my skin.

"I'll be sure to find a small box to lock him in if he starts to suspect anything. Sound good fearless leader?" I turned around slowly to see him standing with his arms crossed firmly against his chest, a stubborn scowl painted on his face.

"You do whatever you have to do, Maggie." He's position was unapologetic but at this point, I didn't care for one anyway. It didn't really matter if he was sorry he did what he did or not. We had a mission tomorrow and nothing came before that, not even hurt feelings.

I didn't bother saying any goodbyes. I would see them all soon enough and I was already stressed out to the max knowing the Scott was now officially apart of this. I also couldn't shake the look he gave me. I knew it was hard for him to accept me having these kinds of feelings but that's not his fault. Scott had a pure, untainted heart. He always has. That's why I loved him so much but that wasn't me. I lost that naivety when I was a kid. Now I wanted blood spilled to be answered with the blood of the guilty.

I changed my clothes once I got back home and started to pack things up for tomorrow night before distracting myself with the virgin sacrifices. I figured if something happened to me that it would be best to hand off all the information I'd put together for Deaton to keep the town safe. The scariest part of all of this was that I knew the risk of me not making it back tomorrow night was a very real possibility but I just didn't care anymore. I wanted this to be over. I wanted the alpha pack dead, I wanted all the people I cared about to be out of harm's way and I was willing to risk my life to make that happen.

I felt the breeze from the window and shook my head knowing I had a visitor.

"Really? I attended the meeting, what more do you want from me?" I didn't even look up from the books I was reading.

"Is that really how you're going to leave things with Derek?" Cora asked annoyed.

"You know for someone who has disliked me from the moment we met, you certainly care an awful lot about my relationship with Derek." At first, the only thing I could smell on Cora was suspicion and anger but the more time we spent around each other, her scent changed. She was more jealous and resentful whenever Derek and I were around one another. I thought for sure she'd be happy that I wanted space from him.

"You shouldn't have left like that. You two need to get over yourselves and work it out before we go after Deucalion tomorrow. It's not going to help any of us if you both have your heads in different places." Cora talked as though we were playing in a lacrosse championship or something.

"You really want to do family mediation right now? Come on Cora." I finally looked up at her and she looked as though she was so frustrated, she considered stomping her foot. Instead she walked over to my bed.

"So what are you planning on doing? Sitting up here and sulking? You've clearly already spent way too much time with Derek it would seem." She picked up one of the books like Stiles had done earlier and tossed it on the bed.

"Actually I'm reading up on human sacrifice. I'm pretty sure I've pegged the thing killing random people around Beacon Hills but I want to be sure." I explained knowing she didn't really care about the people of Beacon Hills. Cora and I shared a few similarities but her cause was her own. She wasn't as invested in innocent people that were affected by the brunt of our supernatural bullshit.

"I'm talking about with Derek. He needs you if he plans on taking the alpha pack down. Derek's a terrible fighter and if you're the tiny version of the Scarlet Witch then we need you with us." I had signed up for the fight but that didn't mean I was going to suddenly be less pissed about Derek doing what he did.

"A lot of people need me, Cora. Derek is the only one who seems to be actively trying to get rid of me. Besides I've got other things that require attention." I was starting to lose my patience with Cora but it would appear she was losing hers faster.

"I can't concentrate with your uncle creeping around outside the door." She gestured to the door irritably. I had heard Nathan come in the house and assumed he was merely checking up on me but he did have a tendency to linger whenever I had company.

"Nathan, you might as well come in." Nathan must have been considering fleeing because it took him a few extra seconds before he opened the door. He gave me an embarrassed smile before tossing a questionable look over at Cora.

"First of all, this is my house. I don't need to creep. Second, when a visitor uses the window instead of the door, I'm allowed to be suspicious. Who are you exactly?" I chuckled at Nathan explaining himself.

"I'm family." I looked over at Cora who seemed to be staring at me earnestly. It was the first time she'd ever really acknowledged that we were family and I could tell she was genuine when she said it.

"I'm Cora Hale, Derek's not so dead little sister." Cora put her hand out and Nathan shook it.

"Another Hale? I feel like I should have guessed that. You all sort of carry that disdained look around on your faces." Nathan waved his hand in a circle around his own face.

"It's about time she had some female backup in this family." Cora smiled softly.

"Yeah it is. I've actually got to get going but please consider talking to him before tomorrow night. You don't want anything to get left unsaid because you were mad." I couldn't understand the complete turnaround Cora had towards me all of the sudden until I remembered how quickly her family was taken from her. We both had a lot of things we wished we said to our families and never got the chance. As angry as I was at Derek, I needed to at least talk to him before we went to handle Deucalion but first I had to bring Nathan out of the dark.

"You okay Kid?" Nathan nudged my shoulder and I looked up at him.

"That's the same face you made when you told me that I needed to let you disappear for the summer. I'm not going to like what you say next am I?" Nathan shifted his body trying to prepare himself for whatever it is I was about to say. I pulled the desk chair out and gestured for him to sit down in it. I sat on the bed across from him trying to figure out where to even start.

"There's a lot that I haven't told you that you deserve to know and I'm going to try and do that now before it's too late." I said simply making Nathan even more anxious.

"If I make it back tomorrow, I'm not sure who or what I'll be and I just want you to know that it's not your fault. I was born from darkness and there's no real way of getting rid of it." I looked down at my hands and clasped them together so he wouldn't see that they were shaking. Knowing that I would have to share so many skeletons with Nathan made my whole body want to crumble into pieces but I had to be strong. I had to show him that I wasn't afraid of what I was becoming, what I already was.

[Stiles POV]

I had been waiting all night for Scott to call but he didn't call until the next morning. I wanted to ring his neck for waiting so long but he sounded off like something was really upsetting him. He didn't tell me much just that I needed to get to the clinic as soon as possible. I had wanted to tell him about what happened with Maggie but I could tell he'd already had a lot going on the moment I saw his face.

"What do you mean they're going after them tonight? Did Maggie come up with some super awesome kryptonite Wolfsbane that makes them leaving willingly or something?" I questioned unsure of what had changed in the 16 hours I'd last seen Maggie that she failed to mention. I knew I promised to stay out of the alpha pack stuff in exchange for the inside knowledge on the Darach but these guys were no joke.

"No she said they're going to kill Deucalion." Scott looked upset.

"Derek wants to kill the leader? That's not a surprise." I rolled my eyes but Scott shook his head.

"No Maggie said she wants to kill him. I tried to offer an alternative but she said…" Scott stopped himself and I looked over at Deaton as he held a frown.

"She said she would tear his heart out with her bare hands if she had to." Scott had his hands gripping either side of the metal table like he needed it to steady him.

"She was clearly kidding Scott. It had to be a metaphor or some euphemism." I laughed it off but his eyes told me a different story. Scott always had this look that he gave me when he didn't want me to worry but it always gave him away. He gave me the same look when they wanted to pull the plug on Maggie.

"What are their odds? If they go up against Deucalion, can they beat him?" I looked directly at Deaton this time who shook his head with pinned eyebrows.

"It's not that simple. No matter what their plan is to go directly after Deucalion, the others won't be that far." He explained.

"Okay will throw some situations at me here. I mean Maggie is supposed to be all powerful right?" I knew there was a lot about Maggie's abilities that I didn't know about yet but scaring off this pack should have been easier than this. Somehow looking at Scott, I'm so much more unnerved now than I was before.

"They're all worst case scenarios Stiles. There is no positive outcome here. The alphas could slaughter Maggie's pack in front of her and she's left with that guilt or she could use her abilities killing not only the alphas but everyone she cares about in the process. Maggie's ten times stronger than she was before the summer started. So much so that she has the ability to kill the entire town if she really lost her center." Deaton made it sound like Maggie was a bomb waiting to be set off at the wrong time destroying everything in her path. I'm not sure I could ever see her as that.

"So what do we do? How do we stop this from happening?" I leaned on the table mimicking Scott's stance.

"Scott's reached out to Deucalion-" I threw my hands up.

"What? I'm sorry you reached out to the head honcho of alphas? To do what exactly?" I narrowed my gaze at Scott.

"He's agreed to meet me alone at the bank to talk about a potential for peace." Scott enlightened me to his idiotic plan.

"Wow that's like the worst idea ever. What on earth would make you think he won't just kill you for being so naive?" I asked kinda pissed Deaton actually thought this was a good plan.

"He's had plenty of chances to kill me already. He hasn't. That's got to mean something." Scott pressed as if that was some sort of sign of safety.

"Come on Scott. This can't be our only plan." I ran my hands down my face in frustration.

"We don't have time." Scott looked desperate and that's what scared me most of all.

"Fine, what do you need me to do? I can do the mountain ash trick again if you think that'll help." I offered but Deaton finally stepped up.

"No you're needed elsewhere. We need you to reach out to Maggie." Deaton gestured to me and I chuckled..

"She won't listen to me. I've tried to get through to her-" Deaton cut me off.

"Her center is knowing that the people she loves are safe. That's why she pushes you all so far away. You need to remind her that you aren't going anywhere. You need to remind her that before she was the Nyvlore, before she was a witch or a werewolf, she was a human with a human heart." Deaton put his hand on my shoulder giving it a reassuring squeeze but honestly he was becoming pretty shit at advice given these days. At least in my opinion he was. Scott seemed to consider his advice as some sort of comforting weight but nothing he ever told me worked out. The mountain ash was a fluke and trying to reach out to Maggie would require more than that.

I gave Scott a hug before I left the clinic. He'd come back. He had to. I couldn't handle this shit without him and he knew it. I'd kill him if he didn't come back. As stupid as it sounded, I was more nervous about talking to Maggie than I was about Scott not making out back from his meeting with the Alpha Dick. Our last encounter was strained. It didn't help that Cora came in and made things awkward but it wasn't her fault. I'd put myself in that situation with Maggie when I let her push my buttons. I knew what she was trying to do and I gave into the game she was playing. I told myself that I wouldn't do that this time.

I parked the jeep and took a deep breath as I stormed into the house. I wasn't going to let her run the conversation this time. I wouldn't let her push me around. She was going to listen to me or I was going to make her listen to me. When I burst through the door, she was tying her boots. She didn't seemed surprised or phased by me barging in. The whole way up here, I knew I was going to give her a piece of my mind. Like really let her have it. Tell her all the things I wanted to tell her that night at Heather's, all the things I'd been saving up this summer but when I saw her sitting there with her knee to her chest, slowly lacing her boots with one bare foot dangling just above the floor, I'd lost my determination.

"Hey." I managed feeling like an idiot.

"Hi." She replied simply.

"G-going somewhere?" I rolled my eyes and put my hands on my hips silently wanting to punch myself in the face for being about as smooth as the gravel driveway I'd just driven up on.

"I'm going to make a wild assumption when I say you already know the answer to that question." She finished one boot and started to pull on her sock for the bare foot. I almost got distracted by how little her feet were but shook the stupid distraction away.

"Look, I know what you're about to do and honestly I get it. After what they did to Erica, after what they did to you…but you have to know something before you do this." I swallowed the lump in my throat and she looked up at me intently.

"You aren't the monster you think you are. We all do bad things Maggie. Sometimes we fall into darkness but that doesn't mean we should let it engulf us." I moved towards her as she held my gaze. She didn't look angry or like she wanted to tell me how stupid I was. She looked sad.

"You killed that alpha to survive. You want to kill Deucalion because he took a piece of your family away but you aren't going out and murdering children or kicking handicap people. Whoever you think you've become, you're wrong. Bloodlust and vengeance are two different things. That's not who you are." I said tilting my head to the side.

"How do you know that? How can you be so sure?" Maggie questioned and I kind of lost it.

"Because I know you, okay?!" I threw my arms out wide and she blinked like my outburst startled her.

"I know you like caramel and vanilla ice cream, I know you like the smell of ocean breeze candles because it reminds you of being at the beach, I know you like to listen to Bob Dylan because it reminds you of my dad trying to serenade our mom's at Saturday evening BBQ's." Maggie smiled sadly at the memories but it faded as I took a breath and a step closer to her.

"I know that you not only sleep clutching a pillow but you put one behind you because as much as you hate to admit it, you like to feel like someone is with you so you can sleep better. I know you're self-conscious about your short legs even though they're super cute and I know that you didn't come back to Beacon Hills because it's home. It was because we're home. Scott and me. We're you're home." My voice broke as she chewed on her bottom lip.

"Dammit Maggie, I know you better than you know yourself. I believe in you. I've always believed in you. I believe that you're still the same person you were before all this shit happened." I gestured my hands in the air and she shook her head.

"How could you honestly still believe that?" She looked down at her feet and crossed her arms over her chest protectively.

"Because you came back to me. No matter what's happened, no matter how bad it's gotten, you always come back to me. Always." I took the last step towards Maggie and now she was only about a foot from me. I watched her body tense slightly as I stepped into her guarded space.

"I'm standing here screaming my freaking lungs out with my arms flailing trying to get you to see that you aren't lost. You just need to follow the light back home, back to me. Don't let the fear of what you've done keep you from coming home to me. Please." I pleaded with her. She took a moment to look at me and lifted her hand like she wanted to touch my face but stopped herself to turn back to her bag that was lying open on her bed. I saw the daggers sticking out of it and I felt the pit of my stomach churning. She must have seen what had distracted me and pulled one of them out to show me.

"The scars on my back, they came from this blade. Ironically enough, Gerard gave me the idea when he tortured me. I figured all I would need to do to get Erica and Boyd back would be to stab whoever was guarding them and the Wolfsbane would be so fast acting that it would give us enough time to get away. Plan went to shit when they got Isaac though. I panicked, woke up chained to the ceiling." Maggie rubbed at the back of her neck nervously.

"Deucalion doesn't want me dead. He wants me to be his weapon and I won't do that. I won't ever be that, not for him. He tortured my pack, punished me for thinking being cocky and used my own weapons against me. I actually had to cut the skin from my back, just so the scars would go away. It doesn't matter though. I'll always know that they were there." Maggie started to zone out for a moment before putting the dagger back into the bag.

"You said that we all can fall into darkness but I was born with mine. No amount of light or anchor can change that, Stiles." She threw her bag over her shoulder and I felt like I was out of time. I stepped into her space one final time, far enough to where I was actually looking down at her and she didn't tense. She let me stand right there with her.

"Promise me you'll come back from this in one piece. Lie to me if you have to." I begged desperately. This time she didn't hesitate when she brought her hand up. She placed it on my chest, right over my heart and I wasn't in the least bit embarrassed that she could probably feel it beating so hard.

"I'm not going to lie to you anymore Stiles. There's no point." She frowned before taking her hand away from my chest all too quickly and walking out of the door. I could hear her car pulling up the gravel driveway as I sat down on her bed and put my head in my hands. I didn't know how to help her. I didn't know if I could save her this time and just admitting that to myself scared the hell out of me. I don't know how long I sat on Maggie's bed before Nathan shuffled up the stairs and leaned against the door frame.

"You didn't go with her?" He asked looking disappointed.

"No she wouldn't let me if I tried. I was sent to distract her, remind her of her humanity or something and I pretty much failed at that too." I rested my chin on my clasped hands and Nathan shook his head.

"We are her humanity. That's why she keeps us so far away." Nathan looked wrecked. He kept himself rooted in the doorway almost like he was afraid to come all the way into the room because he might break down or something. He had a drink in his hand and I couldn't help but be reminded of my dad. He always drank whenever things got rough at home or whenever he worried about me or work. I never really looked at how Nathan and my dad were kind of in the same boat. I can't imagine how hard it must be to raise a kid by yourself. It seemed like Beacon Hills was full of single parent's these days except Nathan and Melissa knew about everything supernatural and my dad didn't. Seeing the way Melissa and Nathan dealt with knowing that there wasn't anything they could actually do to protect these kids almost seemed more painful then watching my dad think he was a failure at his job.

"I can go if you want." I offered but he shrugged.

"I don't mind. Stay as long as you want." Nathan took another drink and hissed from the bite of what I assumed was whiskey.

"You know, I came up here every night that I stayed in the house like she might be here. Like somehow she'd just give come back and give up the fight. She's just a kid man. You're all just kids." Nathan said bitterly. I didn't know what to say to him. There was nothing I could possibly think of to ease his mind that was even remotely truthful.

"She'll come back. She always does." It was more of a hope than a reassurance and he looked at me like it wasn't good enough.

"She's already broken. Every time she leaves and comes back she loses pieces of herself. Sooner or later, there won't be anything left even if she does come back." Nathan took his glass and left. I heard his boots stumble down the stairs crushed by the entire situation. I actually felt bad for Nathan. He had some idea what he signed up for but there's no way he could have predicted just how far gone Maggie would be. None of us could have seen this coming. I stayed sitting on Maggie's bed, unsure of what to do or where to go. All I could is wait.

[Scott's POV]

"I don't know what else to do. Do I keeping trying to get them to listen to me even after what happened? Do I tell Derek he's going to get them all killed? How can I possibly convince Maggie that blood for blood doesn't make the pain go away? How do you save someone who doesn't want to be saved? How do I stop them?" I had a million questions for Deaton and no time to actually get answers for all of them.

"Don't stop them." I looked up at Deaton from the table and he smiled despite the situation.

"Lead them." I never really knew how an answer could be simple and complex at the same time but that's what it was.

I rolled the syringe around in my hand remembering what Deaton had said. Standing in my room now, I felt nervous. I was out of time. I pulled on my jacket and felt the weight of the syringe in my pocket. Deaton was worried that Maggie might get out of hand and whatever was in this syringe would shut her down instantaneously. Just the fact that Deaton had to give me something that would knock Maggie out scared me. I knew she was powerful but I didn't think it required this kind of controlling. I snatched the helmet off my bed and nearly jumped out of my skin when I saw Isaac standing in my doorway with a grin of satisfaction on his face. He seemed pretty proud that he was able to sneak up on a werewolf.

"Where ya going?" He asked innocently.

"Uh I...I was going to go and get some food to eat." I lied carefully.

"Cool, I'll come with you." Isaac shrugged.

"Nah dude it's okay. I can eat alone." I tried to be as nonchalant as possible but he seemed pretty persistent.

"Well what are you getting?" He pressed.

"Uh...Mexican?" It came out like a question and it was then I realized that Allison had been right. I really do suck at lying.

"Dude, I love Mexican." Isaac turned like he was about to lead the way but I knew I had to stop him.

"Isaac." I stopped him making sure he saw how serious I was.

"I can eat alone." He chuckled and shook his head.

"You're not going alone. Come on." He nodded his head out the door. He knew I was BSing the whole time. He was trying to humor me apparently.

"How did you-"

"You aren't hard to read Scott. You're honest, you're protective, and you always try to do the right thing. It doesn't take a genius to know what you're up to but I've got your back." I handed Isaac the extra helmet I had and took a deep breath. Deucalion assured me that this meeting would be a peaceful one but I figured I could flee if all else fails. By the time we go to the bank, I had calmed myself.

"We're just going to talk to him, try and reason with him. That's it." I looked back at Isaac who looked around the bank. I had forgotten that he had been here a few times with all bad memories.

"Are you alright?" I checked but he stuck his lip out.

"Yeah it's just that I'm actually kind of hungry now." Isaac put the helmet on the back of the bike and I chuckled.

"Yeah so am I. Peace talks first, tacos after." I patted him on the back and started to follow the strong and steady heartbeat I recognized as Deucalion. He stood in the middle of an escalator, cane in front of him, unmoved.

"You didn't come alone." He said smoothly but I didn't take my eyes off of him.

"Yeah this is Isaac." I knew he knew who Isaac was. I just thought maybe I could pull a little humanity out of him if he knew his name.

"I'm not talking about Isaac." He tone wasn't eager. I heard feet shuffling and looked towards it to see Derek fully wolfed out with both Boyd and Cora standing behind him equally ready to tear Deucalion to shreds.

"You knew I would do this! Derek don't. Please don't do this. We can do this in a way that no one gets hurt. If someone else dies, Maggie will never forgive her-" My pleas were interrupted.

"Him. Just him." Derek pointed at Deucalion.

"Just me? Now how's a blind man find his way into a place like this all on his own?" Like a distress signal had gone up, all four of his fellow alphas emerged surrounding us on almost every angle. We weren't exactly outnumbered but seeing as how three of them were alphas and one was a mega alpha, I didn't see any of this going in a good direction.

"You know, we'd hoped you'd come alone but we weren't counting on it." Maggie wasn't wolfed out but she had daggers strapped to the belt of her jeans and she held her shoulders back unafraid.

"Maggie please. There's another way." I tried one final time but her eyes never left Deucalion.

"I don't need you to save my soul, Scott. It's too late for all that. The only difference from the broken mess I was before is that now I'm not weak. I'm pissed off and that is a very, very dangerous thing." Her eyes flashed emerald and Kali chuckled.

"I've seen trolls more terrifying than you." She snarled and Maggie raised her hand slowly, directing it with her palm out and towards Ennis. She flicked her wrist abruptly and Ennis head snapped to the side violently sending him to the ground. Kali growled from across the room, eyes flashing red with anger.

"Next time I'll tear his head from his god damn shoulders and throw it to you." Maggie remained utterly still switching her gaze from Deucalion to Kali without flinching. How she could snap someone's neck like that and remain so unaffected terrified me more than any alpha in the room.

That was enough to set the battle into motion as Kali sprinted towards Maggie with a guttural growl but was intercepted by Derek. The sound of Ennis neck snapping back into place made me jump backwards. Boyd and Cora went for him while he tried to get to his feet but it appeared that having his neck snapped only made him more vicious as he tossed them around like rag dolls. The twins had morphed into their super wolf and grabbed Maggie by her shoulders hoisting her up into the air. Isaac took off out of instinct to help her but by the time he reached her, they tossed her into Isaac making them both hit the ground hard. There was no way out of this. I was in this fight whether I liked it or not.

I'd managed to get in touch with my wolf over the summer. He wasn't hard to control anymore so bringing him forth was pretty easy. However being tossed into a concrete wall would never be a walk in the park. My back crumbled with the stone and I hissed. The bank was filled with growls, bones cracking under ferocious blows to the body and the sound of skin tear from claws. It felt like everything was moving so quickly and it was hard to focus on one thing at a time. Cora cried out and Maggie's head turned towards her before taking off. She tore the blades from her belt and started to dice into Ennis like it was nothing. The distraction cost me when the twins came at me and swatted my arm out of place causing me to howl out in pain. Werewolf healing didn't work quickly enough in situations like this. It took a few moments before the bone would snap back and heal but by then I was tossed to the ground once again adding to the pain.

Maggie had somehow gotten the upper hand on Ennis once more before flipping her dagger on its head and throwing it with impressive strength towards Deucalion only to have him swat it away with his cane aggressively. She tries to throw the second one as she darts towards him but he catches it and tosses it back hitting Maggie directly in her chest.

"NO!" I wailed trying to run towards her. I was gripped by the back of my neck as was Isaac and dragged across the floor. It was like everything froze and Ennis tossed Boyd to the ground in front of Boyd as Cora ran over to cradle Maggie when her knees buckled.

"Kill him and the others can go. You're beaten here Derek. She'll be in agony before long and she'll need assistance if she wants that to heal properly." Deucalion explained walking down a few more steps. Kali walked over and tore Cora away from Maggie letting her sit on her knees hunched over so she could put her foot against Cora's throat. Derek looked from Cora to Boyd and then to me like he wished he could get some assistance.

"Are we serious with this kid? Look at him! He's an alpha? To what? A bunch of worthless teenagers." Kali pressed her foot down, digger her claws into Cora's hands as she tried to push herself free.

"Some have more promise than others." Deucalion looked over at me and Derek followed his gaze towards me.

"Then let him rise to the occasion. What will it be Derek? Pack or family?" Kali pressed down and Cora yelped.

"That's where you're wrong." Maggie ripped the dagger from her chest and let it fall to the floor with a clink.

"Pack is family." She lifted her head and it was the first time I'd ever seen her face contorted like a wolf. A whistling sound surprised us all and a bright flash sent the twins falling backwards away from Isaac and I. One whistle after another exploded in the air and somehow Maggie managed to get Cora free of Kali's hold and onto her feet.

"Get Boyd out of here now!" She ordered pulling Boyd to his feet and handing him off to Cora. Ennis looked at me with rage when I jumped to my feet preparing for a fight once more. It was as though my challenging him was offensive to him and he took off towards me. I prepared my body for the collision, to be thrown back to the floor but when our bodies collided, it was him that fell backwards. I felt a surge of power run through my body unlike any I'd ever felt before leaving the sound of thunder rumbling in my head.

"That'a boy Scotty." Maggie's eyes were wide as I shook the feeling off. Derek run up behind Ennis and resumed the fight in my place. Kali blocked Maggie's path when she tried to finish what she started with Deucalion but Maggie was totally demolishing her. I'd never seen her in action before and watching her fight was like watching someone preform a choreographed dance. Kali blocked and Maggie would land a strike. She'd move left and Maggie would follow with a heavy right. She didn't use magic. She used brute force and the training she'd acquired to put Kali down. I was actually entranced until she let out a scream, staring at Derek in horror as his fight with Ennis took him to the edge of the platform. I scrambled to try and reach him in time but he'd already started falling. Maggie blitzed towards the edge following him over the side.

"MAGGIE!" I gripped her legs and kept her from falling. Isaac wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me backwards so that Maggie was no longer dangling over the side.

"No…Derek…no!" She whimpered looking down at Derek's broken body as it lie motionless on a lower level escalator.

"Maggie…" I reached out to her watching her grip on the edge tighten until blood started to spill from her palms. She let out a deafening wail that made me fall back into Isaac as we both fumbled to cover our ears. The building actually started to shake around us, pillars cracking and threatening to bring the roof down at any moment. Kali grabbed Deucalion's arm and led him down the steps so they could escape quickly and that's when I remembered what I had. I yanked the syringe out of my pocket and stabbed Maggie in the neck with it cutting her cries of pain off immediately before we were all crushed. She whimpered falling back against my chest, Derek's name repeating on her trembling lips until her eyes grew too heavy, body going slack against my own. In the eerie silence of the run-down bank, a heavy realization set in as Isaac looked down over the edge at what had sent Maggie into a complete spiral.

Derek was dead and tomorrow Maggie would wake up and Derek would still be dead. All I did was prolong her agony.


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