10
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Anna scrambled to her feet. "Who the hell are you?" she asked.
He offered a devilish grin that gave Anna goose bumps. "Now what kind of greeting is that?" He stood, brushing himself off and looking at his hands. "Whose body am I in anyway?"
"Stiles," Anna said, through gritted teeth. "And if you hurt him I swear I—"
He rolled his eyes. "You swear what? That you're going to put me to sleep?" he asked nodding to the tranquilizer gun. "You wouldn't even make it in time to pull the trigger." He ran his hands down his chest like he was trying on a new suit. "Stiles, huh?" he asked, peering at himself in the front window. "Always liked him. Smart. Good looking kid, too. Beautiful skin," he said, touching his face. "It's unfortunate that I have such limited time in here." He turned back to her and smiled sweetly. "Peter Hale. Nice to make your acquaintance."
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Derek raced to the top of the stairs but Scott stopped him. "Derek, no!" cried Scott.
"He'll hurt her," said Derek, eyes wide with concern for Anna. "I can't let that happen."
"Derek you're forgetting that he's in STILES' body! You'll kill Stiles if you go up there and battle it out. Please, please…don't," begged Scott.
Derek backed up a step. "Shit," he said, through gritted teeth. He wanted so badly to protect Anna but he couldn't risk Stiles' life either. "You're right."
Slider joined them at the top of the stairs. "Look there's five of us. Maybe we can subdue him long enough to get Stiles back out," he suggested.
Derek shook his head. "He'll bite off Stile's tongue before we can even get to him," he said despondently.
"Jesus," said Slider, exchanging worried looks with Danny.
"So we just sit here holding our dicks," said Jackson. "Great."
"If you can come up with a better idea then I'm all ears," said Derek.
Jackson swallowed hard and looked at the floor. "As much as I hate to admit it, Stiles is usually our idea man."
Danny and Slider waited on pins and needles while the pack listened to the events on the porch unfold in horror.
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"Is he—can Stiles understand what's going on?" Anna asked. She was so frightened for Stiles that her spine felt like ice.
"Yes," said Peter. "He's not thrilled right now. However this was a necessity. I've been trying for a month to possess a human. But I was only able to manage dogs for the longest time."
Anna's eyes flashed with recognition. "Mrs. Billington's dog," said Anna. "I saw her eyes glow red in the video I took."
"Yes," he said, nodding.
"Why did all the dogs freak out yesterday morning?" she asked. "And why do they look so docile now?"
Peter looked at the animals gathered in the yard. "They could sense me the other night," he said. "They were calling to me. I'm getting stronger now, making it easier for them to know when I'm out and about. They're terrified yet fascinated at the same time. See them all at this moment, calm as could be? Right now, they're all in prime position for me to possess any one of them. Dogs are rather easy to do that to, I've found. Humans? Not so much. Even now I can hear Stiles in my head. He'll find a way out, bright young man that he is."
He looked into the sky, listening to something Anna couldn't hear. "Calm down Stiles. I'll only be a few minutes." He looked at Anna. "He's getting a tad antsy." He looked back out into the front yard at the massive number of dogs. "Stay nice and quiet now my little doggies. We don't want to wake the neighbors." They all watched him with extreme reverence. He took a step forward and Anna stepped back in kind. "Aren't you lovely?" he remarked, scanning her face. "Quite beautiful in fact."
"You think flattery is going to help your cause?" she asked.
"Couldn't hurt." He stepped forward again, backing Anna up against one of the porch columns. "Stiles is calling your name. Anna. You're scared for him aren't you?"
Anna swallowed hard. "He means a lot to me."
He looked into her eyes. "You've come to love him," he declared. "He's like family to you now, isn't he?"
Anna held her gaze. "Yes," she said.
He sighed. "Then I'll make this short and sweet. My nephew, the one currently hiding like a coward in the basement—took something of mine. I'll give you three guesses as to what he took."
"Your alpha status. And your life."
"Very good. And for those reasons, he'll have to pay for his actions," said Peter.
"Meaning?" asked Anna.
"Meaning," he said. "Derek and the pack will suffer. And then they will die."
"How do you expect to accomplish that?" asked Anna. "You're dead."
Peter smirked. "Oh like that would stop me," he said. "You see I secured a life insurance policy before I died. I mean, we all want something to leave behind for our loved ones, right?"
"What kind of insurance policy?" Anna asked.
"Oh, just a little something to ensure that my death wouldn't be in vain. Call it…my ace in the hole," said Peter. He chuckled. "I'm so smart I amaze myself. Anyway, this policy is keeping my spirit around, allowing me to bide my time in any way I please. I'm getting stronger in death. Immortal, if all goes the way I planned. Now, possessing a human has been my little hobby of late, but I've got plenty of other interests to keep me busy. One, of course, will be to watch the pack—my pack, mind you—punished for their insolence."
"Again, how do you plan on doing that?" asked Anna.
"Oh my dear Anna, you haven't been listening. Tsk, tsk. Like I said before I took the proper precautions before my death. I've made it so that all I have to do is sit back and watch the fun. I don't have to lift a finger because things will happen all on their own."
"That explanation is a bit too opaque for me, Peter," said Anna.
"Well honey if I told you my unabridged plan you and Stiles would likely try to thwart my efforts," said Peter. "Stiles for Scott's sake, and you…for Derek's." He laid his hand on her shoulder. "His scent is all over you. Did you know that? I must confess that I admire his taste."
Anna ignored his last comment. "So you admit that there is a way to stop you," said Anna. "Good to know."
He laughed softly. "Don't even try Anna, it's a lost cause. Derek, Scott and Jackson won't be around much longer. I know they can all hear me from their little hiding spot. They have no idea what's to come or when—but time is running low. Hear that gentlemen? That's the metaphorical sand in the hourglass, slipping away. Much like your lives."
Suddenly he winced, holding his head in pain. "It seems our friend Stiles has figured his way out," he sputtered. "And he's chosen a rather painful way to do it." He dropped to his knees, groaning and twitching. Anna watched in terror as his face contorted in agony and syrupy blood spilled from his nose and dripped onto the porch. He fell forwards with a thud, his movements finally ceasing.
Anna went to him. "Stiles," she whispered, stroking his head. "Hey," she said. "Come on back to me. Come back to me."
After a few tense moments, Stiles finally returned to consciousness. He held his head in pain. "Damn," he said. "I don't know if getting out was worth this freaking massive headache." He wiped the blood from his nose and got to his knees.
"I'll take care of you," said Anna. "We'll get you some aspirin and an icepack, okay?"
He nodded and took her hand. She helped him up and brought him through the front door of the house. As she closed the door, she noticed the dogs already beginning to leave the yard. Stiles flopped down on the couch just as the pack emerged from the basement. Slider and Danny followed close behind. "Stiles are you okay?" asked a frantic Scott, going to his friend.
"Yeah," said Stiles. "I've got a bitch of a migraine for my efforts but, hey, it was my first possession."
"And hopefully your last," said Anna, handing him two aspirin tablets and a glass of water. She gently placed an icepack on his head as he swallowed the pills. Next, she handed him a wet paper towel to wipe away the blood under his nose that stained his lips and chin.
"I'm so sorry," said Scott. "Derek did try to come and help but I stopped him. Peter was in Stiles' body and we didn't…"
"It's okay," said Anna looking at Derek with sympathy. "I understand totally."
Derek nodded back to her before turning his eyes downward.
"Stiles, how did you get out?" Jackson asked.
"I don't know how to describe it. It was like I was having a nightmare, and willing myself awake," said Stiles. He turned to Derek. "I'm so sick of your uncle. Even dead he's a huge pain in the ass. Or head in my case."
Derek sighed. "I know, and I'm sorry you had to go through that Stiles. You handled yourself very well, though."
"Aww shucks, thanks Derek," said Stiles.
"Wait, I thought you killed Peter," said Jackson.
"I did. But in classic Peter fashion, he's found a way to wreak havoc on the world from beyond the grave," said Derek. "The question now is how the hell is he doing it?"
"Derek did you understand what Peter meant when he mentioned an insurance policy?" Anna asked.
Derek shook his head. "I wish I did."
"Not to worry," said Stiles, from the couch. "You see, I discovered that one of the benefits of being possessed is that it gives you an inside glimpse into the mind of whoever's wearing your meat suit."
"What did you find out Stiles?" Anna asked.
"Peter's insurance policy is really a curse," said Stiles. He shrugged. "As crazy as he is, I've got to give the guy credit for his ingenuity."
"What? A curse?" Scott asked. "What do you mean?"
Stiles sighed. "Peter had a curse laid on him so, in the event that he was killed, his murderer would then inherit the curse. It was actually very dangerous on his part. He ran the risk of activating the curse on himself," said Stiles. "But as we all know he was a freaking nut job so I don't think that possibility concerned him too much."
"So because Derek killed Peter then the pack is now cursed," said Scott.
"That must have been why I saw the wolf just after I killed him. It was the curse being passed to me," said Derek.
"Why is the whole pack cursed, Derek?" asked Danny. "I mean if you were the one who dealt the death blow then why aren't you the only one at risk?"
"Well we all took part in killing him," said Jackson. "I helped set him on fire. Scott put up a pretty good fight. Derek finished the job."
"Yeah but Stiles was there too. And Allison and Chris Argent. They're not part of the curse," said Scott.
"They wouldn't be," said Derek. "Peter's just concerned about the pack. Everything else is secondary. His main focus is revenge. He feels as though his pack turned their backs on him and I took his status away."
"But Jackson wasn't even turned at the time Peter was killed. Why would he be subject to any of this?" asked Danny.
"It doesn't matter. Anyone I bite and turn will become part of this mess," said Derek.
"What are we going to do? How does the curse get triggered in the first place?" Scott asked.
"My guess is that it has something to do with Lena's warning about dogs," said Stiles.
"But how?" Scott asked. "The whole pack has been in and out of this house and Clipper has been fine with all of us. How do we know that any dog is dangerous?"
Anna slipped her fingers under Clipper's collar. "Well just to be on the safe side, I'll bring him upstairs."
"I'll take him," said Stiles, slowly getting up. "He's not going to want to be locked upstairs alone. I could really use some sleep anyway and I don't have the energy to sneak back into my house."
Anna patted him on the back. "The guest room is all set up," she said. He thanked her and climbed the stairs with great effort. Clipper followed, tail wagging.
Stiles stopped at the top of the stairs. "One more thing. Peter wants to set things in motion as soon as possible. He's becoming stronger by the day. I think…well, this is just speculation on my part…but I think that once the pack is dead he will attain immortality. I don't know for sure, but I kept getting these weird flashes from his mind telling me that."
"He did mention something about becoming immortal when he was outside," said Derek.
"In any case, we need to get moving on this. Right after I sleep off my possession hangover, that is," said Stiles. He grimaced and held the ice pack to his head and walked to the guest room.
Anna turned back to the group. "Okay, Slider you go home and get some sleep. We'll reconvene at ten AM. Boys, I have another guestroom downstairs and you're also welcome to the couch and recliner. If Stiles' dad gets suspicious, I'll just think of the most plausible lie. Derek you probably won't sleep but of course you're welcome to anywhere you can get comfy. I'm off to bed."
Anna flopped down on her bed. Danny took the couch. Jackson was content in a recliner chair, pulling his blanket up to his face. Derek roamed the house, moving from upstairs to down, continually checking on all of the inhabitants as if Peter would come back at any moment and climb into some unfortunate person's body.
Scott sat in front of the computer, biting his nails nervously. Derek wandered into the office and sighed. "Scott, get some sleep. I doubt you're going to find anything useful on the Internet."
"I know," said Scott. "But I feel like I should be doing something, you know? I kind of owe it to Stiles. He's always helping us out. Since he's out of commission, I feel like I should be making the same effort that he always does."
Derek softened and patted Scott on the shoulder. "I get it." He was thoughtful for a moment. "What are you looking up?" he asked, taking a chair next to Scott.
"Werewolf curses. But the only thing I can find is the actual curse of being bitten by a werewolf. I want to find curses you can put on a werewolf, not the other way around," said Scott.
"Maybe it doesn't need to be a werewolf curse," offered Derek. "Maybe it's voodoo or gypsy. Could be a hex."
Scott brightened and nodded. "It's worth a try. I didn't even think of that." He began tapping at the keys enthusiastically.
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Anna awoke at eight-thirty and started a fresh pot of coffee. Jackson and Danny were still sound asleep. Scott had passed out with his head on Stile's desk. Anna was surprised to see Derek asleep in a chair close by. She quietly made a cup for herself and Stiles before padding back upstairs.
She entered the guest room to see Stiles still dozing on his stomach. Clipper didn't lift his head but wagged his bushy white tail in greeting to Anna. She giggled. "My two boys are exhausted."
Stiles stirred and smiled with his eyes still closed. "That coffee smells ridiculously good," he said groggily. He sat up, rubbing his eyes.
Anna sat down on the bed. "I know I usually discourage coffee for you because you're naturally caffeinated but I thought you could use it after this morning," she said, handing him the steaming mug.
He gratefully took it and enjoyed a few sips. "Thank you."
"How are you feeling today?" she asked.
"Better," he said. "The sleep helped a lot."
She watched him with concern. "Stiles, I was really freaked by what happened with Peter this morning. I was so worried about you."
"I know," he said. "And I was worried about you. I kept thinking he would harm you while in my body and I'd wake up with your blood on my hands." He shivered. "How do you come back from something like that, you know?"
She looked down. Stiles thought she looked as if she was about to cry. "I just thought of you suddenly being taken away and I felt paralyzed with fear. I didn't want to lose you. I don't know what I'd do without you, kiddo. I came to Beacon Hills feeling very lonely and you played a big role in changing that."
He swallowed hard. "I know how you feel."
"Stiles, I know I could never replace your mom, and…"
"Hey," he said. "It's not about that. I know." He laid his mug on the bedside table. He took her cup from her as well and put it aside. "Come here," he said, pulling her in for a hug. She squeezed him tightly. "I want to say something to you. Besides Scott, you are my best friend, Anna. I know we've only known each other a short time but I feel the same way you do…about us being family. We are family. When I'm around you I don't feel like the weird kid at school or the sidekick. I feel important. Valuable. Thank you for that. You're not a replacement for my mom and I would never expect you to be. You're special to me in your own right."
She hugged him even tighter. He felt tears on his neck. "I love you," she whispered.
He smiled. "You asked me once what my mom used to call me as a nickname. She was the one that started calling me Stiles. That was her nickname for me and it just stuck. That's why I like to be called that. It reminds me of her anytime I hear it."
Anna rubbed his back while still holding him close. "Thank you for sharing that with me."
"I like what you call me, too. Linski," he said. He gently kissed her forehead and then he said words he had not spoken in a very long while. "I love you too."
As if he understood their conversation, Clipper jumped up and wedged his wet nose in between them. When they separated, he licked Stiles' face like mad. Stiles cracked up. "Okay, okay I love you too, Clip."