Chapter 10

3rd POV

Scott and Jackson were waiting at the entrance for them. Allison went over and hugged Scott, while Jackson pulled Lydia into a heated kiss. Percy was, of course, left in the middle with his hands in his pockets, wishing to be anywhere besides here.

Once the two couples broke off their PDA, they all went to get their shoes and lane. Jackson was first to bowl and got a strike. Then Percy was up, making a strike; next Allison, who got a strike. Lydia made two pins with the help of Jackson. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her bowling arms back. Together they pushed the ball forward. Percy wanted to gouge his eyes out.

Jackson turned back to Scott with a smirk on his face. "You're up, McCall," he said. Jackson knew how this night was going to go, and did not see Scott winning. He didn't see anyone winning...except maybe Percy.

But he was alright with Percy winning.

Scott sighed, and picked himself up from his seat by Allison. He shuffled over to get his ball and turned back to Allison and Percy, who seemed to be the only ones supporting him at the moment.

"Just focus, Scott," Percy said, taking a sip of his drink.

Scott nodded back and stepped onto the platform. He let go of the ball and immediately it rolled into the gutter. Scott closed his eyes, hearing Jackson burst out laughing. He turned and made his way back to his companions.

"Jackson," Allison said, annoyed at his rudeness. "You mind shutting up?" His laugh was louder than a nearby set of pins smashing into the ground when hit by a 10 pound ball

"I'm sorry," he said in between chortles. "I'm just flashing back to the words, 'I'm a great bowler'." Just remembering the conversation they had at the lunch table yesterday seemed to set him off. He burst out laughing once again. Percy smirked at Scott's failure and bumped fists with Jackson. "Oh man. This is going to be so great." Percy mused with a broad smile.

Scott whirled around to face Percy in betrayal. "Why are you on his side?"

Percy stood up. "Why shouldn't I be? Jackson has been more of a friend than you have. I even offered a truce and apology, but you refused. So give me one good reason why I shouldn't be his friend?" He asked pointedly.

"Maybe he just needs a little warm-up," Allison said, trying to change the subject and break the tension.

Jackson turned his attention back to Scott. "Yeah, maybe he just needs the kiddy bumpers."

Allison rolled her eyes. "Just aim for the middle," she told Scott.

The boy sighed and picked up his ball again. He walked back up the platform, ignoring Jackson's shit-talking. Scott exhaled deeply and looked straight down at the pins. He closed his eyes and begged anyone that was listening. "Come on, just one pin, please." Scott rolled the ball. He watched as it stayed on its path toward the middle. His hope rose.

The ball rolled slightly to the left, hitting three pins. He saw Scott sigh in relief, but Jackson continued to laugh. "Oh, great job. Man, you are such a pro," Jackson mocked as Scott plopped down next to Allison.

"Don't worry. We only just started." Allison patted Scott on the knee, trying to comfort him.

The rest of the night, though, went the exact same. Percy, Allison, and Jackson continued to get strikes and spares. Lydia usually got 5-8 pins in every frame, with Jackson still helping her. Scott still had only gotten two to four pins each frame.

Part of Percy wanted to help him, but Scott needed to do this on his own.

Everything changed once Allison got tired of Percy's laughing and Jackson's trash talking. She got up and snuck up behind Scott. Percy frowned, watching the two interact. He craned his ears to her what they were saying. He saw Scott suddenly perk up, and then a blushing Allison ran back to her seat.

Everyone waited impatiently to see if Scott would hit anything this time. But it seemed like someone turned a switch on for him. Scott backed up and rushed forward, rolling the ball perfectly and firmly. The 14 pound ball knocked every single pin down, much to the astonishment of everyone. Allusion jumped up and laughed, clapping for Scott.

Lydia raised an eyebrow. "What did you say to him?" She was surprised.

Allison looked back up at Scott with a huge grin on her face. "I just gave him something to think about."

Percy laughed. "Well, whatever you said, it definitely did the trick." Percy had a feeling by the way Scott sat and smiled, and how Allison sat close to him, what exactly she told Scott.

Lydia huffed and turned back to Jackson. He pushed the next game button. Percy stood, needing to remove himself from all the uncomfortable awkwardness. "I'm going to go get drinks. Anyone what anything?"

Lydia hopped up and went to stand by Percy. "I'll come with you," she said before heading off to the concession stand. Percy groaned back at Allison before hurrying to catch up with her. Percy filled up the drinks while Lydia leaned up against the wall beside him silently. They went back to the lane in silence, and sat back down in their spots. Scott was just coming back from his sixth strike. He sat down, giving Allison a warm grin.

Allison smirked over at Jackson. "How many strikes is that?"

Jackson grit his teeth, and rolled his eyes. "It's six." He closed his eyes in frustration. "In a row."

"Something just clicked, I guess," Scott said, smiling at Allison.

The brunette grinned at Scott, and placed a hand on his. "Maybe it's just natural talent."

Lydia leaned up against her seat, giving Scott a coy smile. "I could use some natural talent. You mind helping me out this time, Scott?" She asked, glancing over at Percy, enjoying his irritable facade.

Scott laughed nervously and scooted closer to Allison. "No, you're good. Go for it."

Lydia sighed, and grabbed her seven pound ball. "Thanks for the vote of confidence," she grunted. Jackson got up and told her he would help. Lydia once again glanced up at Percy. He raised an eyebrow at her, and crossed his arms.

Lydia looked back at her boyfriend and stopped him. "How about I just try this one on my own?" She chirped. Jackson let out an irritated noise and motioned for her to go right ahead. Lydia stepped onto the platform, and, with ease, rolled the ball straight down the middle. The ball pushed each pin down easily. An 'X' for strike appeared by her name on the TV. She beamed and skipped back over to Jackson. Percy couldn't help the tiny grin spreading across his face.

She innocently looked at all of them. "I think I'm getting the hang of it."

Allison stared at her with an open mouth. "That was sort of perfect form," she observed. Lydia just twirled a curly lock of hair around her finger and questioned it. Allison leaned close to her. "Maybe you should stop pretending to suck just for his benefit."

Lydia laughed. "Trust me, I do a lot of sucking just for his benefit," she retorted. Allison nodded, grimacing as she leaned back into her seat. Everything was going fine, apart from Jackson, Percy, and Scott's occasional arguing, until Percy's cell phone rang out loudly.

"Can't it wait an hour?" Percy queried, his tone firm. Someone must've said something on the other line that Percy didn't like, because he sighed and rubbed his tired eyes. Lydia noticed he looked so strung out and older when he talked. She noticed the shadows under his eyes, and his growing stubble on his chin; it was kind of cute. She frowned at that thought. Percy hung up the phone, and began to take off his bowling shoes.

"Where are you going?" Allison asked.

Percy grabbed his jacket, pulling it on. "Emergency call," was all he said. Scott frowned at him; he heard the message and wondered if he should ask him about it later. Percy tossed Allison his wallet. "On me." He sounded rushed. He hurried away from them.

Allison stood and called after him. "Where are you going? You don't have a car?"

"See you later!" That was the last Allison heard of her cousin the rest of the night.

Percy slammed closed the front door to Derek's house.

Derek sat on the front steps, waiting for him. "Finally," he grumbled.

Percy rolled his eyes. "I was all the way on the other side of town when you called. What did you expect?"

Derek sat the beer down and stood. "Meyers is dead."

Percy groaned. "Did you kill him? I really don't want to have to clean up another mess for you."

Derek shook his head. "No, but-"

Suddenly the door slammed open to reveal a disheveled Scott McCall. He didn't blink twice, seeing Percy. "Scott, what're you doing here?" Percy questioned.

Scott ignored him and laid his eyes on Derek. "I know what you did," he growled. "You killed him!"

Percy shook his head. "No Scott, he didn't."

"I think you killed your sister, too," Scott continued. He slowly started toward Derek.

"Back off, Scott." Percy warned.

Scott scowled at Percy, and turned back to Derek. "I'm going to tell everyone, starting with the sheriff, what you did," he threatened. Scott raised a claw, and brought it down, only to be stopped by Percy's arm. "I said 'back off'," Percy pushed Scott into a wall. Scott hit his head against the wall, anger filling his mind. He glared at Percy, his amber eyes narrowing, hoping his wolf features may scare him.

It really didn't.

Scott pushed himself off the wall but was stopped by a floating knife resting just in front of his throat. He looked up to see Percy's eyes glowing purple, his hand raised, seeming to control the blade. "Stand down beta." He snarled as his fierce glare didn't waver.

Derek put a hand on Percy's shoulder and spoke. "Let's all calm down, and figure this out."

Percy rolled his shoulders and lowered his hand. The knife vanished and his eyes returned to their normal color. "I'm calm."

"Figure what out? You killed your sister and the bus driver," Scott said firmly.

Derek shook his head. "No, he died. And I found my sister dead. She was just bait used to bring me back here. I didn't kill him; neither of us did."

Scott scowled. "This is all your fault. You ruined my life!" He yelled.

Derek shook his head, exasperated. "No, I didn't. But I know who did." He turned to both of them. "An Alpha."

Percy scoffed. "There hasn't been one in Beacon Hills since Talia, your sister."

"Well, there is one now. It's the most dangerous of our kind. You and I, Scott, we're betas," he explained.

Scott frowned, glancing at Percy. "What're you? And if you remember that, then you two must be the same age." He concluded.

"You're smarter than you seem. But I'm not as old as Derek, nor am I a werewolf, just a son of a wizard." He half-lied. He was half god, but that wasn't necessary to reveal for this conversation.

"This Alpha is more powerful, more animal than both of us. My sister came here looking for him. Now Percy and I are trying to find him. But I don't think I can do it without you." Derek said bringing the conversation back to the start.

"Why me?" Scott asked.

"He was the one that bit you. That means you're a part of his pack. Which kind of sucks because, you know, he's killed a lot of people. But that's not too bad," Percy tried lightening the tense mood.

Derek rolled his eyes at his friend. "It's you, Scott," Derek mused, "You're the one he wants."

Updated:08/27/2018