She was driving too fast; intellectually she knew it, but her foot felt too heavy to let up off the gas. Her hands were numb from clutching the steering wheel so tightly, but she couldn't release the pressure. Her vision was blurry and her eyes stung with tears. She bit hard on her bottom lip to keep them at bay. Inside her chest her heart felt as if it'd ruptured, her lungs burning. Her mind was running relays, each rerun of what had just gone down a fresh slap to the face.

Rain began to patter against the hood of her car the farther away she drove. Her body began to quiver as memories of Scott's transformation raced through her head. It was inconceivable, impossible. Werewolves didn't exist; they weren't real. People didn't go from carefree teenagers to snarling bloodthirsty beasts. But there was no denying the monster Scott had turned into…what they all could apparently turn into.

A tear slid down her cheek and she sobbed. Isaac was a werewolf. He was a monster. He'd lied to her, told her he loved her. His arms had made her feel safe, as if no harm could ever touch her. His words had been comforting and warm; he'd seemed so open. But he'd lied to her. He'd kept her oblivious to what was obviously a large portion of who he was. And it hurt; god did it hurt. She felt stupid, naïve and completely out of control. She'd been a fool.

Iris shuddered and wiped impatiently at her face. She wasn't a crier; she didn't breakdown like other girls. She hadn't even cried when her mother had walked out on them two years ago or when her grandmother had died six months later. It wasn't in her nature to show weakness, but there was no stopping it. He was everything, but she was so afraid. She'd heard about the animal attacks, about Isaac's father being butchered. Had he done it? Had he murdered his own father? Was her boyfriend a killer? Isaac was too sweet and gentle to be a monster, but if he didn't who did? She wasn't even sure she knew him anymore; everything had been a lie.

The weather worsened, obscuring the road. She hiccupped and pulled over onto the shoulder. She killed the engine and unbuckled herself. She pulled her knees up to her chest and let the salty wetness fall freely. Her heart was tearing itself to pieces and she didn't know how to handle the pain. This wasn't something that was supposed to happen. She needed to assess the situation all around, needed to think clearly and logically.

After a few calming breaths she rested her cheeks on top of her knees. She needed questions answered before she could make any decision. For starters was she willing to even accept what they were? Well, there was no denying what was already in front of her face. Maybe a better question would be if she could accept whatever they may have done in the past. Her stomach churned at the thought that any of them were killers. She'd have to trust them to tell her that at least before passing judgment. And could she handle it? That took more consideration.

Isaac had become a large part of her life in such a short while. She'd fallen head over heels for him ever since that day in the cemetery, certainly not the conventional romantic nesting ground. His smile was always available, and he adored her in ways her father had her mother. He treated her like a princess, easily led around by her whims. He was slightly protective and possessive whenever they were in public, but never controlling. He was loyal to his friends, and never once chose her over any of them- though she'd never ask him to. Isaac was perfect for her…she couldn't let him go.

She sighed heavily, and hugged her knees tightly. So she'd overreacted by storming out. But at that moment she needed her distance. It helped her clear her mind and think. Oh yeah, she was beyond pissed at all of them for keeping her in the dark for so long about all of it, but apparently one of them had asked to have her included. Iris wanted to go back, to speak her mind.

Sitting up she turned the key expertly in the ignition. The engine sputtered for a minute, then silenced. She shook her head in disbelief and tried again, a third time, a fifth time. After each try the purr of the engine grew quieter and quieter until it made no sound at all. Mentally cursing, she dug around in her purse for her phone. She dumped the contents onto the seat and pawed through them furiously. Damn; she'd left her phone at the house. She threw her head back and stared at the roof of the car. It was raining far too hard for her to walk back, but it was dangerous sitting on the side of the road without protection. At least at the house there were people who could spare her some clothes.

Sighing, Iris removed her keys and wallet and stowed them in her pocket. She opened her door and stepped into the wet road. It was slightly flooded, but she could manage. Drawing her arms close around her body, she began stumbling over the slick pavement toward what she hoped was Derek's house. The wind gusted malignantly, blasting her with sprays of icy cold water. She was drenched within seconds to her bones. Her teeth clattered against each other, but there was no way to fight the cold. More than once she found herself sprawling in the mud, and the farther she pressed into the trees the more convinced she became that she was lost. She couldn't even tell which direction she'd came from.

She leaned against a tree and coughed. She was tired and cold. She needed something to drink, a warm blanket, and Isaac. She should have stayed in the safety of her car until it decided to work; anything else would have been smarter than trying to brave a storm on her own without a jacket. Iris hugged herself and tried vainly to see through the pouring rain. It was near impossible to see her own hand. Damn she'd gotten herself into trouble this time.


The doorbell rang and Chris looked up from his perch on the couch. He snapped the old photo album closed and replaced onto the book shelf easily. His hand wiped around his eyes and he sat down his small glass of whiskey. He liked to walk down memory lane sometimes, to remember when things made sense in his life. Allison had never seen him drunk or even nostalgic and now would not be the time. Regardless of what others may think of his daughter, she was still a little girl in some cases. He had to be that rock she'd been lacking the last year.

He walked to the door and pressed his eye to the peep hole. He was more than startled to see his nephew standing on his front porch. He hadn't seen the boy since they'd lived in D.C. He wasn't aware that his least favorite brother in law was in town. Had he ordered the hunters here? It seemed highly unlikely considering the man wasn't even note worthy; his late wife just happened to be.

Chris pulled open the door and took in a full view of Gabriel. The boy was small for his age, looked underfed. His black hair had grown out some as well, hanging in his face and down just past his ears. He still had a baby like rounded face with matching dimples in his cheeks. He seemed down and out of place there, but Chris was delighted to see him all the same.

"Gabriel what a nice surprise. It's great to see you. How is your father? Is he here with you?" He stepped aside and let the kid walk in. Gabriel didn't meet his eyes, but stepped into the foyer anyway, looking about him in silence.

"Is Ally here?" the boy whispered. Chris closed the door and followed his nephew into the kitchen. The boy leaned against the door frame and started fidgeting with the edge of his shirt. Chris smiled softly; it reminded him a little of the Stilinski boy.

"No son she's out with some of her friends. Do you want a soda? Something to eat maybe; you look skinnier than Allison." He joked lightly. The kid shrugged and Chris set about making him a sandwich. Though he was not a man of conversation the silence felt uncomfortable and tense. He opened a fresh bag of Fritos and poured a good amount onto a plate with two ham sandwiches. He reached in the refrigerator and pulled out a can of orange soda; he'd make it up to Allison later.

He carried the snack to the table and sat it down before sitting in the chair opposite it. Gabriel hesitated, eyeing him strangely before taking a seat and biting into it. Chris let him eat quietly, getting his questions lined up in his head. Gabriel knew who the hunters were and what they did, so the boy had to have some inkling as to what was going on here. And if not he'd have the identities of the other hunters there.

"So Gabriel is your father here?" he asked conversationally. The boy slowed his chewing, then shook his head and swallowed.

"Nope, I'm here with a few friends." He popped a few chips into his mouth and stared intently at his plate. Chris wasn't sure to make of that. It seemed unlike Jonathan to let Gabriel out of his site like that.

"He let you travel to the other side of the United States with a group of teenagers?" That didn't seem like his brother in law at all. The man was immature and childish like his wife, but even he was a parent when the time called for it.

Gabriel scowled at him across the table, taking a vicious bite of the second sandwich. "I don't think my father's parenting methods should be questioned uncle." He said the word as if it were something profane and nasty to utter. Nonetheless, Chris held his temper and remembered whose son this was. With his parents being who they were the kid was bound to have a snarky side.

"No harm Gabriel I swear. So who are these friends and what are you doing here?" He leaned forward expectantly. The boy assessed him for a moment before setting sown the remainder of his lunch. He leaned forward as well.

"They are people I have sworn my absolute loyalty to. And as for what we're doing, it's just doing the work our ancestors first started."

A chill ran up his spine at the cold words the child spoke. "I can't say I'm sure what you mean Gabriel."

"Wolves. That's why we are here. That's why you're here. We came to end the madness that started a long time ago before more innocent people can die." He spoke calmly, but there was something off in his expression.

"There isn't a problem here son. The pack is safe otherwise I would have dealt with them by now."

"Oh I highly doubt that. How many hunters have died since you moved here? Where are the culprits to match that body count? Why aren't their bloodied heads hung on your walls? Why aren't their hearts preserved as trophies? You apparently have forgotten what a hunter is uncle."

Chris felt his temper snapping. What the hell was this kid even talking about? He sounded insane. It reminded him of how Allison had sounded, how Kate had sounded; it wasn't right. "There is a code we follow Gabriel. The pack has never killed an innocent person in this town. You can't possibly understand that. But the issue here is who ordered you and your friends here in the first place? You can't run around killing people Gabriel; you're just a child."

The boy swiped out with his arm, sending the plate flying and shattering against the wall. Chris was startled at his reaction. His face was red and he was trembling from head to foot. "They are monsters! Monsters! How dare you defend them? They killed your wife, your father, your sister! And you dare say they've never killed an innocent person? We will eliminate them and if you take their side we won't hesitate to blow your brains out!"

He whirled and stomped from the house. Chris was still stunned at the boy's reaction. His expression, his words of rage, but mostly what he'd said. The way he'd spoken sounded more radical than he'd ever heard before…or maybe he had. But it couldn't be; Gerard was presumed dead. And how would he contact the child anyway without Jonathan knowing? But someone had fed the boy those acidic thoughts and it worried him. He may not like Jonathan all that much, but he'd promised to watch over the boy should it become necessary. It seemed as if he and whoever he was currently living with were being led by a maniac; they were in danger. He'd have to get Allison to help him watch over the child. He would not let Kate's only child die.


Author's Notes: YES, bet you didn't see that one coming! I know… Gabriel doesn't exist in the actual show…but this is my story so he does. But anyway I really hope you like it since things are finally about to heat up – I couldn't hold out much longer since everything is in my head already and I'm done teasing you. But review as soon as possible so I can update.