[Sorry in advance, this chapter is kinda boring. It's mostly set up for other stuff. Also: If you know more about social services and think anything I wrote seems inaccurate, please let me know! I tried looking up some information, but I know I'm not an expert.]

"I'm just glad she didn't get hurt." Lydia's mother said.

"Of course, I am too. Hopefully animal control can help take care of these attacks." Mr. Argent said, glancing at the staircase leading upstairs again. "I'm just going to check up on them, if you don't mind."

"Go ahead." She said as she got up to move into the kitchen for a glass of water.

Chris quietly made his way up the stairs and crept towards the sound of sniffling and hushed voices. He leaned into the door, but had trouble hearing anything. Softly, he knocked on the door before opening it. "Hey girls," he said with a smile as they looked up. Allison had her arms around Lydia whose eyes were all red.

"Dad, can I sleep over?" Allison asked.

He nodded with his lips pursed, "Sure, sure, of course. As long as that's what Lydia wants."

"Yes please." Lydia said.

"Do you feel any better?" He asked.

She smiled softly, "Yeah. Thank you."

"You look like you could use some tissues. Allison, can you go grab some? And a cup of water." He said as he walked towards a chair in the room.

Allison's eyebrows pinched together as if in a question, but instead she said, "Sure dad." Turning towards Lydia and clasping her friend's hands she said, "I'll be right back." Lydia nodded and then it was just her and Chris.

"An animal attack, huh?" He asked. She nodded solemnly. "You're lucky you got away." He sat in a chair in Lydia's room.

She nodded again, but this time slower and her head hung low. "But my friends didn't."

"Friends?" He asked, leaning in.

"Yeah. I don't know what happened to them." Her voice began to break again. "They just disappeared and I tried calling them-but they-they didn't answer and I-"

He softly hushed her and soothingly said, "It's okay. I've got people out looking for whatever did this right now. They'll be safe soon."

"Really?"

He nodded, "Oh yeah. Some of them work with animal control. Good hunters."

Lydia frowned and crossed her arms, "I… I don't know. Have you they hunted a bear before?"

"Sure. And things much bigger."

Lydia looked up at that. "And faster?" He smiled for an answer. She seemed to stop and think about that. "There were three of them. And-" She hesitated as if worried he wouldn't believe her.

"And? What is it? You can tell me."

But she shook her head with a chuckle. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't get the police officer's apathetic look of disbelief out of her head. "It was just weird. I probably wasn't seeing right… the adrenalin or something." She muttered.

"What did the other two look like?" When she hesitated, he added, "Were they big like the bear?"

"Well-" She paused, "I mean, no. They were big, but not like that. The bear-" She thought to herself that she wasn't quite sure it really was a bear "-was huge. And fast… and it-it-it didn't really look like a bear." She turned her head as she said it, her eyes wide as if scared. "The others… they looked weird. And-" She shook her head.

"This bear… there's rumors that they might be circus animals. Was it wearing any clothes?"

"What?" She asked, her eyes locking onto his. Well… maybe it was a bear. Silence sat in the room for a few moments before she opened her mouth. "The biggest one didn't." Allison walked into the room and handed Lydia a box of tissues. "So they were circus animals?" She said, sighing in relief. As Alison came closer, Lydia sat up straighter and tossed some of her hair back. She took the tissue and blew out her nose while Allison put the cup of water by Lydia's feet under the bed.

"Now… those friends you mentioned. What are their names?"

Xxx

Isaac breathed softly into one of Stiles' pillows until an irritating noise woke him. It was soft and rumbling, and had a bit of chatter on it like when teeth clang against each other. Slowly rising, Isaac turned to Stiles next to him to see if his new friend had woken up as well, but Stiles didn't seem bothered. Trying to ignore it, he turned away again.

Facing the wall, he thought about what Sherrif Stilinski had said. It made sense, but Isaac still hated it. Couldn't he just let this slide? Why did they have to call social services? He sighed thinking that Stiles' solution ended up backfiring. Clenching his fists and curling into a ball, he held back tears. "I'm sorry." Stiles had said, "Of course this would have happened. I panicked-I wasn't thinking. We should have taken you to Scott's house instead." What would happen to Isaac now?

Sherrif Stilinksi had said that depending on what the case worker found, Isaac would still get to live with his father as if that were a good thing. With every breath, Isaac wondered if maybe he made a mistake. How could he go back after almost killing his dad? But what would happen to him if he didn't go back? Would he go to foster care? Would his aunt take him? Did she even know who he was? Isaac sighed and wished he still had his brother. He would have been old enough to take Isaac in.

Suddenly Isaac seethed at the annoying sound. Standing up angrily, he approached the window to find out where the noise was coming from. As he did, he looked down at red eyes near a bush. White teeth spread into a smile under the moonlight. Frozen, Isaac could do nothing but stare back. Finally it turned away as if approaching the front of the house. Was the monster going to come in?! Isaac rushed down the stairs to check if the door was locked. Then he went to the windows. The sounds of leaves rustling passed by him on the other side of the wall. "Isaac…." A voice said. "...what happened to your father?" Panting, Isaac gripped his fists as he felt his nails turn into claws. Quietly, he tried to control his breathing so that he could stay hidden, forgetting that neither of them had the limited abilities of humans.

The monster continued. "So unfair for you to do something like this without me. Though I guess it's for the best, I was trying to get a few of our packmates to catch up with your pace. I knew you were ready. But you left too early. If I had been there, we could have made sure he was dead." Isaac stared into the floor, remembering blood, glass, and frightened eyes. At Isaac's silence, the voice continued, "Don't tell me you left him alive on purpose. Isaac…" Isaac felt as if he might throw up hearing his name in this stranger's mouth, "...sometimes we have to kill the people we love to become stronger." Isaac stopped breathing. "I did it too. Don't worry, it isn't too late. We'll take care of him together this time. I know I don't have to worry about you like the others. Just tell me when you're ready and we'll end this." The bushes rustled outside and then he was gone.

When Isaac finally went back upstairs, he realized the irritating noise had stopped a while ago. Carefully he went back into bed so as to not wake up Stiles.

Xxx

"Wake up." Danny said. "You and Scott need to stop pretending none of this is real-"

"I'm not pretending." Jackson said, "I really don't remember. Like-maybe a little, but I can't go into detail like you can!"

Danny sighed. "Look, I get it. It's scary. We didn't ask for this." He paused as Jackson sat on his bed. "I'm sorry, I'm just freaking out. I've never seen someone die before."

Jackson stiffened and looked down at his hands, suddenly feeling the urge to throw up. He rushed into the bathroom to rewash the blood off his hands. "This is freaking me out."

"We didn't kill him. That other thing did." He tightened his fists. "And we didn't stop it."

"What? Do you blame us? It sounded like a fucking beast." Jackson said from around the corner, turning off the sink. Suddenly Jackson had a vision of something big moving past him very quickly. He shook it off and walked back into the room.

The doorbell rang. Danny glanced over his shoulder at the sudden feeling of being watched. Cautiously he went up to the window behind him, but it was too dark outside and the light in the room only revealed his reflection. Angrily he stared into the window. Jackson was in the bathroom again, trying to make sure the blood was gone.

Voices could be heard downstairs. Footsteps became louder on the stairs as Jackson's mother's voice could be heard saying, "They went out a while ago, but I don't think they're back yet. You said you were with Lydia?" Danny turned towards the door as Mrs. Whittemore opened it. "Oh. Hello Danny. Is Jackson with you?"

"Yes, Mrs. Whitmore."

Jackson leaned into his mother's vision and asked, "What?"

"Mr… what was his name-Mr. Argent is downstairs. Lydia's friend's dad." She said pointing her finger in the air as if to remind herself. Jackson's eyes widened at the mention of Lydia's name and he desperately searched for his phone. "He said there was some animal attack, are you boys okay?"

Jackson shrugged and looked over at Danny. "Yeah."

"Well come downstairs. He wants to talk to you." And then she was gone.

"Argent? Like Allison Argent?" Danny asked.

"I guess."

"That's kinda weird." He crossed his arms over the familiar name. Maybe it just sounded familiar because it was Allison's name.

The boys headed downstairs. "Hello Mr. Argent." Danny said, leaning in to shake his hand.

Chris smiled and followed the handshake with another in Jackson's direction. "I heard you two met our neighborhood bully."

Danny breathed out a laugh, "I guess you could call it that."

"Lydia seemed pretty upset. She was worried you two got hurt, but I'm glad to see that you look safe."

Suddenly Jackson got a phone call from Lydia. "One sec." He said as he rushed upstairs.

Mr. Argent turned his attention to Danny. "This animal attack… what do you remember from it?"

Danny crossed his arms, "It was big. Fast. Is Lydia okay?"

"She'll be fine. Just a little traumatized." Mr. Argent took a step forward. "She shouldn't have had to see that."

Danny took a step back. "Yeah, it was messed up."

"How many were there?"

"Hmm?" Danny asked.

"How many of those animals did you see? The bears, I mean."

Danny shrugged, "Why? Are you with animal control?"

"Something similar."

Danny tried to appear unchanged as he suddenly found himself suspecting Mr. Argent of being a member of the old hunting family in Beacon Hills. "I just remember running away. Me and Jackson," Danny said, turning to gesture up the stairs, "freaked out and just ran. I feel kind of bad about Lydia. I'm glad she's okay."

Was Argent their last name? When was the last time he'd heard of them? Didn't they all leave years ago? Jackson remembered that Allison had only recently moved here. Maybe they were just moving back. But… the legendary hunter… Allison's dad looked too young to be him. Maybe Danny could call his parents tonight. He checked his phone and decided it'd be better to call in the morning.

"Got somewhere to be?" Mr. Argent asked.

"No, just checking the time." Danny said. "How's Allison? Did she also get in trouble with it?"

"Yeah, she's fine. She's with Lydia right now. I would have thought Jackson would be the one there. He's her boyfriend right? Kind of strange that he just-"

"We saw someone get killed." Danny said. "It's kind of hard to think straight when that happens."

Mr. Argent seemed to soften at this. "And you shouldn't have had to experience that." He paused before saying, "Sometimes things happen to you that you can't control. That doesn't mean you're at fault for it. But there are rules to follow. Don't go out after curfew. If you want to talk about what happened, call this number." Mr. Argent said, handing Jackson a slip of paper. "Humans and… beasts can live well together if we all follow the rules."

Danny couldn't find himself trusting this hidden message, but he took the paper. Maybe soft rules are the reason why we were changed in the first place. But now that he was one of those werewolves, he couldn't say this aloud. Instead he said, "Thanks."

Xxx

9:23pm

Lydia: R u ok?

L: Jackson r u ok?

9:40pm

L: I looked for u. Please just tell me ur ok.

L: Y r both of u so dumb just answer ur phones.

L: Ill break up with u if u dont answer me

11:01pm

L: I wont break up with u just please answer me.

L: Im fine btw.

L: Allison helped me.

L: Please call me when u can.

L: I swear if ur phone died i will be so pissed.

L: And what did Danny's phone die too?

"Lydia… I'm sure he'll answer when he can." Allison said. Outside the girls could hear Mr. Argent's car rev on. Allison reached out to hold Lydia's hand. "You've done everything you can. Now we just have to wait."

Lydia sat unhappily knowing that Allison was probably right. As she tightened her fists, she became more irritated and her feeling of helplessness lessened. She went to stand but then she remembered the sight of the beasts and the dead body.

Twenty to thirty minutes later, Lydia's phone suddenly buzzed.

Jackson: I'm fine. U ok?

Lydia breathed out a heavy sigh and immediately called him. She expected that he'd come over immediately but instead he said that he couldn't because of the curfew. As if he ever cared before. But Allison tried to comfort Lydia by saying that he was probably scared too and she could see him tomorrow. It could made sense, so Lydia went along with that. Still doubt wandered in her mind as she remembered small moments of Jackson being strange recently.

"So does your dad hunt?" Lydia finally asked.

Allison sat up in surprise but responded, "Yeah, sometimes. He didn't used to as often, but he started up again since we've moved. Like deer I guess. I've never gone with him."

"So you don't hunt?" Lydia asked.

Allison shrugged, "No." Lydia looked a little disappointed, and Allison found herself saying, "but I know some archery."

"Wow, you're full of surprises." Lydia said with a smile. "Cute boutiques and archery? What else is there to you?"

"What about you?" Allison asked, tossing her hair back as she readjusted herself on the bed. Allison thought about the Lydia she saw in class and the Lydia she saw around Jackson. "Why do you hide how smart you are?" Lydia raised an eyebrow. "Whenever you're with Jackson you…"

Lydia narrowed her eyes as she looked away before pursing her lips as if asking herself a question. "Being smart isn't always about showing off how smart you are. Sometimes it's about finding the easiest way to get the things you want." Lydia said with a shrug, raising her chin with a definitive smile.

"Yeah but… I mean…" Allison wasn't sure how far to push this. She didn't want to make her friend upset but she also didn't like that Lydia didn't seem to think she could date Jackson and still be herself. Why should she have to dumb herself down to still be the girl who ruled school? And why did she need Jackson to maintain her status? Finally she pulled her hair behind an ear and shook her head with a smile.

"What?" Lydia asked, clearly on edge and ready to poke herself into an argument.

Allison shook her head again, her eyes glancing up just once before resting on Lydia's manicured hands. "Nothing."

"If you were smart, you'd date Scott or Isaac." Lydia said shaking some hair back as she lifted her chin again, looking up into a corner like a lounging queen. "They're rising stars in lacrosse and still available." Might mess up by backup plan though. Then she smiled to herself as if suddenly pleased, "It might be fun if you were there with me."

"There?" Allison asked, but Lydia pouted her lips into a smile, turning her head once more before finally standing to walk across the room. She looked past her reflection in the window into the darkness of night. Again she remembered what had happened earlier in the video store. Crossing her arms she decided to plot her next step in total rule of the school and wondered how much she should let Allison in on the truth.

But something bothered her in her thoughts… nagged at her. Why would there be circus animals in Beacon Hills?

Xxx

"Has he ever hurt you in any way?"

Isaac shrugged and looked over at a wall.

"We would like to inspect you for any signs of abuse on your body, is that alright?"

Isaac shrugged again. "I don't care."

The case worker left the room and a doctor came in. He was friendly and tried to get Isaac to smile, but Isaac was too nervous to. He hadn't expected the case worker to come so fast. Maybe it was because Mr. Stilinski was the one that reported it. How did he even figure it out? All Stiles said was that Isaac needed to stay for a bit. Isaac raised his other arm for the doctor. "Well," the doctor said with a smile, "You seem to be perfectly healthy."

Isaac looked at the doctor in surprise but then quickly tried to mask his emotions. When he thought back to his fight with his dad, he thought of the usual bruising patterns that should have been there. Was Isaac just stronger now? He put his hands in his pockets and looked away.

The caseworker came back in. "So…" She looked over the medical file, "It seems like you're in perfect health. We want to help you. Again, cases like these don't always mean you have to be removed from your family. If we can keep you with your father and give him the services to keep you safe, we will. But only if it's safe enough. Has your father ever hurt you in any way? Is there any evidence we can find that can help you?"

Isaac thought about the cooler in the basement while his lips zig-zagged across his face. He didn't care what the caseworker thought. He didn't care what Mr. Stilinski thought. He wasn't going back there. There was nothing she could do to make his father safer. But… he also didn't want to go to a foster home or something like that. How could he now? He was a werewolf. What if they moved him out of town? Could he really survive like this on his own? Without Scott and Stiles? He'd almost killed someone by himself. But… he remembered the voice outside last night….

Would staying here really prevent him from killing his father or anyone else? What was it Stiles had said? Being a monster is something you choose? And what if he was already a monster? He'd wanted to kill his father. He almost did. Didn't that make him a monster? Could he choose his way out of that as well? Isaac gripped his fists as his teeth ground against each other.

"Isaac?"

"No." Not if he could stay in this town.