The song for this chapter is Sia - Helium
ALLISON'S POV:
"I'm going to head to bed for the night," I told the girls. It was exhausting waiting for someone to return home from battle. I didn't know how Army Wives and Husbands did it year after year.
Stiles and I weren't married, we haven't even said the L word, so I could only imagine the constant crushing worry they felt for their other half.
I closed the door behind me, my eyes by my feet. When I looked up a little ways down the hall I halted. My breath left me.
Stiles stood there. His gaze stuck on me.
My feet worked on their own and I ran to him.
He caught me in his arms and lifted me off the ground. "I'm sorry," He whispered.
"It's okay," I said even though it wasn't. "What happened? Where are they?"
He tightened his hold on me. "Going home."
I pulled away with hopeful eyes at what this meant. "They got her?"
He grinned. "They got her."
I jumped up and down on him.
He scooped me up before I knew what was happening. He lead us to our room, then set me down. He stayed in my personal space like he didn't know the meaning of the word.
My eyes stayed locked on his while he backed me towards the bed.
He grabbed my hips and wrapped my legs around his waist as I jumped into him. My arms around his neck as he lowered us onto the bed.
My heart pounded like a war drum, but I let him kiss me how he wanted, touch me how he wanted, and love me how he wanted.
MALIA'S POV:
On the drive back home I sat in the passenger seat with my sister's sleeping body across the backseat. Going into this I had little faith that we'd actually get her back this early in the game, but Scott and Stiles were a big help with that. Without them, I don't know that things would've played out in a similar fashion.
My eyes went to Scott just to reassure that he was in fact still there.
He glanced over at me with tired chocolate eyes. "You okay?"
I nodded, unable to find the energy to speak.
He pulled me close to his side, his fingers interlocked with mine.
I rested my head on his shoulder with our hands in between us. A feeling of intensity swept over me and I wondered if my emotions were heightened at our great feat and or from our other lives. All that I knew was that Scott made my heart beat faster for no reason at all. We were supposed to be working on friends and we were, but it was hard when he was so obvious about his intentions with me. Who was I to deny them when I felt the same in the long run? But even so, we had to play this thing by ear.
I'm never really necessarily afraid of a fight, but I was afraid that I wouldn't get my sister back. Having Scott by my side, I felt even more sure of myself than usual. He was a King after all.
My eyes drifted shut while his warm, reassuring thumb rubbed at the skin on my hand.
By the time I woke up we were close to my house. Well, one of my houses. We had like three. This was my childhood home, but we'd moved away right before high school started. I've been back there a total of six times. There always felt like there was something important here, but now I think it might've been my brain warning me about Scott. No amount of warning would've prepared me for Scott.
I cracked a grin at the thought and moved away a bit to stretch.
Kylie was still asleep in the back.
"Hey," Scott muttered.
I grumbled, still needing a bit more time to wake up. I yawned in an incredibly unattractive way.
He chuckled. "You have dried drool on your cheek. I thought I felt something wet on my shoulder." He teased.
My eyes rolled while I licked my hand and wiped at the crust on my face.
"Why exactly are we going to your house if they left there to go to a safe house anyway?"
"I'm worried about one of Deucalion's men following us. They know where we live, we can fight if need be, but if they trailed us to the safe house it wouldn't be so safe anymore." I yawned a bit more, then looked out the window. "We're almost there," I rubbed my hands into my eyes. "I don't know how I'm going to tell my dad and Peter..."
He shot me a concerned look. "You don't tell them when you talked to them earlier?"
My lips pursed together. "No, I chickened out. And that's not something you tell someone over the phone."
His hand on the wheel opened in agreement. "You're right." He glanced out his window, then in the day night mirror. "What kind of car does your dad drive?"
I looked back behind us then snapped around. "Not that one." I glanced at him.
He sped up, which jostled the car against a branch in the road.
Kylie stirred in the back. "Lizzie?"
I turned to assure her. "I'm here."
She sat up, her dark hair rustled from her nap. "What's going on? We're going so fast," Worry crept into her voice.
My hand grabbed hers. "It's okay."
She looked for herself. "There's someone following us," Her brown eyes filled with dread. "It's him, isn't it?" Her eyes turned glassy. "I don't want to go back, please don't let him take me." Her voice trembled.
"That's not happening," Scott announced, his voice filled with Alpha protection, deep and raspy.
My eyes burned blue on their own.
Kylie reached out to touch my face. "I almost forgot about that."
My hand encased on hers. To stare at her now was insane. She looked like the same Kylie that we buried all those years ago, but now her features were that off a teenager. Her body has morphed into a curvy figure that made me want to cover her up more than the dainty white dress she had on.
Scott sped up, even more, turned the car around until we were facing our opponent. He leaped out of the jeep with vigor and the handgun Stiles gave us for necessary protection. He aimed at the car that stopped a half a yard in front of us.
"Get out of the car!" He stormed toward them in a no-nonsense way. "Get out of the car or I shoot!"
My vision adjusted to the glare of the windshield and I froze. I unbuckled my seatbelt.
Kylie scrambled to grab a hold of me. "Don't leave me."
My eyes assured her she'd be safe. "It's okay, Kyle. It'll be okay." I jumped out of the jeep, then rushed to the other car. "Stop,"
Scott looked back at me in confusion, then at the girl in the car.
My hand grabbed him to back him away from the crying girl I used to know. "It's okay," I pulled on her door, but it was locked. "Michelle," My eyes found hers. "Unlock the door."
Hesitantly, she unlocked it in between her frightened sobs.
I tore the door open and pulled her into a tight embrace as I crouched to be on her level. "I'm so sorry."
She leaned into me like she used to do a lot. "I don't understand...What did I do?"
My head shook. "Nothing. We thought you were someone else. I'm so sorry, Chelley."
Her wet eyes went to Scott and scrutinized him. "What are you doing with a gun?" Her tone disbelieving, her hand went to mine.
He noticed the move and his mood shifted as he looked at me. "What am I doing with a gun, Malia?"
Michelle's eyes weighed down on me.
"I can't explain it right now, I'm sorry." I put some distance between us and stood. "How'd you know I was in town?"
She came my way, intent heavy in her green eyes that I used to love. "Henry told me to stop by." Her bronzed, chocolatey skin glowed in the sunlight.
Why would he do that? I knew he loved Michelle for me, but he didn't know Scott was with me so maybe that's why he told her to come by.
She eyed Scott, then looked back at me with question in her eyes.
I made a noise of discomfort. "Scott, this is Michelle. Michelle, Scott." I wanted to retreat, but that would be melodramatic.
Michelle held out a hand.
Scott took it firmly.
She looked back at me. "So can we hang out later? Go to our old place," She pulled a dazzling grin that used to make my heart skip a beat.
Scott closed the distance between us. "We're busy,"
I looked at him, trying to convey he needed to keep calm. But I had been there, so I understood where he was coming from. I turned back to Michelle. "Yeah, our evening is sort of hectic right now. I don't know how long we'll be in town, but we'll do something before we leave."
She looked between Scott and me, knowing for sure that we were a thing when I kept saying 'We' instead of 'I".
"Great," She wrapped her warm arms around me.
Instinctively, I buried my nose into her neck. She always smelled like cocoa butter and brown sugar. Good enough to eat, suck, and lick. And we'd done plenty of that back in the day.
Satisfaction rolled off of her at my falter and the fact that it happened in front of Scott.
He was a mixture of angry, territorial, and turned on while he headed back to the jeep.
"So you and him, huh?"
My shoulders shrugged a bit. "Headed in that direction." I could feel the smile form on my face.
She looked at me in the way you always looked at your old flames, longingly, but wondering if things were left best as they were.
"We fell out of touch and maybe that was my fault, but I miss you." She said.
A grin crept to my face. "Yeah, I miss you, too." And I did, but it wasn't ever going to be the same as it used to be. I knew that. We had grown apart, lived our lives separate for almost two years now. We were supposed to make it the long haul through college, but long distance inevitably ended our five-year relationship.
With her in front of me, it was easy to recall how things developed between us freshman year of high school. She'd been on the volleyball team while I was on the soccer team. She was the girlier one between the two of us. Heat pooled in my shorts from the countless times I fucked her with my strap-on. Our sex had been pretty hot and we had a lot of cute moments, meaningful moments. But that didn't compare to how I felt about Scott or even around Scott. Our connection was a once in a lifetime thing or maybe it wasn't technically, but finding someone like how we found each other was rare.
"Malia," Scott called when I took too long, he stood by the open door of the driver's side.
He was right, we were wasting time.
"You still have the same number, right?" I asked.
She nodded, her kinky curls bobbed with her.
We moved for a hug, then I pulled away with the slam of his car door.
"I've got to go," I glanced behind us, then gave her a final look. "Take care."
She nodded. "You too."
I jogged back to the jeep, knowing that this would be talked about later, but I couldn't deal with that today.
When we got to my house there weren't any cars outside, but there were two heartbeats inside.
Peter came out onto the porch.
I looked at Scott. "Maybe you should stay in the car."
His jaw clenched at the sight of him, but he shook his head. "I can't."
My heart tugged. I reached over to squeeze his hand in his lap. "Hey, you don't have to do this for me."
His intense brown eyes burned into mine. "Yeah, I do."
What I wanted to do was reach over and plant a kiss that demonstrated how much I loved him, but the thought filled me with fear. Fear that I was falling for someone that wasn't mine to fall for.
He got out to help Kylie out, his hand held out for her.
She took it in indecision.
I blew out a heavy breath. "Here goes nothing," I muttered under my breath. My hand wrapped around the door handle, but I couldn't force it to open. Panic settled into my stomach.
Scott came around to open it for me, his eyes perfectly understanding. He held out his free hand.
My hand gratefully slipped into his while I hopped out.
The short distance to the porch felt like the Green Mile.
Scott's hand tightened around mine reminded me that he was swallowing a huge pill by being this close to Peter and not doing anything about it.
Peter greeted me with a warm welcome. "I'm glad you're okay."
I hugged him back. "Me too."
He pulled away. "Who might you two be?"
Scott stared at him with hard eyes that screamed of restraint. "Scott."
Kylie leaned into Scott's side under Peter's stare.
"Kylie," She looked at me.
"We have to go talk to Dad."
She nodded.
I grabbed her close to my side, then tried my best to inconspicuously push Scott ahead of us so there would be no temptation to lash out.
My dad popped his head around the corner. "Oh, I didn't know you were bringing company. I would've cooked more." He came to meet us. He reached out a hand to Scott.
Scott stepped forward to shake his hand. "Scott McCall. I go to school with your daughter."
"Nice to meet you, Scott." My dad nodded, then looked at me with the promise we'd gossip about this later. His glasses lowered as he took in Kylie. Question rose in his eyes, then he looked to me.
I nodded. "We found her." I lightly shoved her forward.
She looked at him in recognition but was afraid to go to him.
He closed the distance between them. "Kylie," He crushed her to him.
"Daddy," She squeezed him back. "I'm sorry."
He nuzzled her hair. "What are you sorry for?"
She started shaking.
"What's wrong?" He looked to me. "How did this happen? How are you alive?"
Kylie's head hung in shame, her arms hugged herself while she tried to make herself as small as possible.
"Kylie, why don't you go rest upstairs?" Scott suggested. He rested a hand on her shoulder.
She nodded with tears down her cheeks, her hand clutched at his tightly. She glanced back at me with a furrowed brow.
My head nodded once, letting her know I'd take care of this. I had to. This was best coming from me.
My dad watched them go, then stood in front of me. "What's she sorry for?"
I walked him over to the couch, then grabbed Peter to sit next to him while I stood in front of them. With their expectant eyes on me, I knew I couldn't get through this without shedding a tear.
"Elizabeth," He spoke as he noticed the guilty look on my face.
I looked between them, then settled on Henry. "There's something I have to tell you." I glanced at Peter. "Both of you."
"Spit it out already, sweetheart." Peter snided. "I see you have a flare for the dramatic like I do."
With that, I crouched down and grabbed a hand from each of them. "I don't really know how to go about saying all of this, so I'm just going to say it." I swallowed the dry lump in my throat. "You know how when Deucalion was our Alpha?"
They nodded.
"Do you remember what he did to Kira?" My legs never felt weaker.
Worry and recognition fell in both of their eyes.
I wet my lips. "Well, it wasn't just Kira that he did that to."
My dad sat there, frozen in place while his mind tried to work through that.
Peter leaned forward while his hand gripped mine. "What exactly are you saying?"
My eyes dropped to the floorboards. I'd never wanted to disappear so badly. This was why rape victims didn't like to share this news with loved ones. The embarrassment, the self-loathing, the hatred that formed in them constantly because of it was enough to make you want to rock back and forth in a corner. I just covered all that up with my confidence and attitude. Being a Woman's Studies major was the ultimate band-aid over the issue. That's why I moved across the country to go to Longwood University in Virginia, to get away from this, away from my sisters. Coming back was a necessity and I couldn't be gladder that I did.
"Malia," Peter yanked on my hand. His anger more worried than angry.
I looked them both in the eyes and said, "Deucalion raped Lydia and I, too."
Peter shot up and flipped the nearest table into the wall.
I grabbed both of my dad's hands. "Dad,"
Immediate tears streamed down his face, but he couldn't look at me.
"There's more," I knew this next part would completely crush him, but I had to get everything out there now. "He brought Kylie back to life. He's had her for a few years."
His eyes shot to mine and his head shook.
I nodded. "He..." I took a calming breath to steady my voice. "He raped her, too."
His face crumbled as a sob leaked out. His glasses fogged up and he threw them across the room.
Peter stalked out the back with a slam of the door.
I'd deal with him later. Now I had to deal with this.
His head shook. "No." He cried. "No." His hand came to my face lovingly. "Not my babies."
I couldn't keep the tears at bay any longer. "I'm so sorry." I apologized. "I should've told you sooner."
He tried to stand to go to Kylie but fell to his knees on the floor. "No!"
My arms wrapped around him protectively. I hated to see him like this, to see Peter like this. It wasn't fair for them.
He shook in my arms while he cried uncontrollably. He kept muttering 'No' like he could change things. He couldn't.
I rubbed his back even though that did little to nothing to help him cope. "I'm sorry."
He could only shake his head.
My heart longed for Scott's warm embrace to help me deal, but I knew I had to be here right now.
He looked up with puffy red eyes, his focus on the stairs. "You trust Scott enough to be alone with her?" His voice crackled.
"Of course," I answered right away. I felt insulted he'd ask that, but I had to understand. This was fresh for him, I had a few days and years to deal with it. "You can trust Scott. He helped me get her back along with another member of his pack."
His eyes went to mine. "He's like you?"
My head shook. "No, he's a Werewolf. An Alpha."
His eyes narrowed. "And you trust him? What if what happened before happens again?"
"He's not Deucalion!" I defended angrily, unjustly.
His face fell and he began to cry again.
I put his head on my chest. "He's not Deucalion, Dad. He's a good guy. You'll see." Hope filled my voice.
SCOTT'S POV:
I helped Kylie upstairs. She automatically went to what I assumed was her room. If it wasn't then Malia had a lot of pink and a lot of ballerinas in hers.
She looked at the bathroom, then at me. "Can you stay here while I shower?" Her voice was so small, yet held the same confidence that filled Malia.
"Sure," I sat on the edge of the bed while she went to shower.
I tried not to listen to the conversation below us, but when the sound of wood splitting vibrated through the air I had no choice to make sure Malia was okay.
She told Henry the truth and I listened to them both cry.
My eyes fogged up, but I blinked it away. I knew if I started to cry for this I wouldn't stop until it was Malia holding me up. And I knew I had to be the one to hold her up when she got up here. I wanted nothing more than to go down there to her, but I promised Kylie that I'd stay.
I could hear her cries from the shower and my head hung.
How could a man do this to little girls, to anyone? How could anyone think it was okay to burden somebody with life after the unfortunate event of rape?
I walked over to the window to find Peter struggling not to become the Alpha.
"Malia!" I called and ran to the top of the steps. "Peter's turning!"
She cursed then raced after him.
I didn't particularly care that he was at a war within himself, but if he hurt someone as the monster then I'd feel guilty.
She caught up to him with a growl.
He roared back.
"Peter, I know it hurts, but this isn't the way to deal with it." She reached out to him.
He backed away.
She moved a step closer. "I know you want to kill him, so do I. This isn't the way to go about it."
I disagreed, but for the sake of Peter not running around town as the Alpha I agreed.
He fell on all fours and readied to race off.
"Dad!"
He faltered and turned around to face her. He stood tall.
She rushed forward to wrap her arms around him. "Please, don't leave me now. I need you."
He miraculously turned back and fell into her with a sob that couldn't be helped.
She glanced up at the window with a thankful nod.
I nodded back.
A few minutes later Kylie came out of the bathroom in clothes that were too little for her so a lot was revealed.
I snapped around. I took off my jacket, pulled off my shirt and tossed it to her, then buttoned my jacket up.
She slipped it on. "Thank you." She unpeeled the covers and nestled into bed with nostalgia in her eyes.
I hesitated by the door. "Do you need anything else?"
Her head shook. "Can you stay until I fall asleep?"
Was that a good idea? I hoped Henry saw it as innocent.
"Yeah," I sat on the side of her bed with a bit of distance between us.
She looked at me with young Malia eyes. "She told them didn't she?"
I nodded.
Her gaze went beyond me. "He's never going to look at me the same."
My hand went to hers. "It'll pass. It may seem like it won't, but one day things will be back to normal."
"I don't know what 'normal' is."
As she whined down enough to fall asleep I listened to the eerie quietness that fell upon the house and woods. It was quiet enough for me to detect one more beating heart than the five of us. I leaned closer to press my ear close to her stomach to confirm.
"What are you doing?" Malia asked.
I snapped around, caught. I rose to my feet and motioned for the hall.
She followed, wariness in her eyes.
"I think we need to take Kylie to the doctor,"
Her eyes motioned for me to go on.
"Close your eyes and listen," I instructed.
She did, not hearing what I had at first, but when it sunk in her eyes flew open. Her eyes watered and she looked away. "This can't be happening." She pressed her forehead into the wall.
My hand went to knead her neck. "We'll figure this out."
She eyed me.
"Together."
She nodded, then brought her arms around my neck as she cried. "Thank you for everything."
LIAM'S POV:
It had been a few days since Scott and Malia left. That meant a few days of my continuous worry of what they'd decide to do with Theo when they got back. All I knew was that he was trying and I couldn't let that go unnoticed. He helped me run through plays when I was done with my school work and other times he'd advise me on my footwork and rotations. He was pretty swol so him training me as well helped my performance. It made me roll my eyes that he'd be drinking some Starbucks concoction while doing so. I'd watch him draw all the time, on napkins, on his hands, on anything he could get his hands on really. He was pretty good. I noticed it the other day when he was attempting to tutor me in Psych and he drew on the whiteboard.
"Dunbar," Coach yelled from across the field during practice.
"Yes, Coach?" I jogged over.
His gaze was focused on the other players when I neared him. "You've been doing extra practices, son?"
I nodded while I caught my breath. "Yes, Coach. McCall was helping me, but he's been busy the last few days."
He looked pleased. "Looks like you're getting consistent help?"
My mind went to Theo. "Another friend of mine, he's helping me practice, but he doesn't know much about Lacrosse."
His eyes went to mine. "If he's helping you practice and you've progressed this much then I think I need to meet him."
I made a face. "Uh...yeah." I smelled Theo's scent nearby. My eyes spotted him across the way. "He's here now if you want me to flag him over?"
Mild satisfaction wafted off of him. "You do that."
I jogged over to him, having to make myself stop from tackling him to the ground and planting my mouth on his.
He gave a kind smile at the sight of me. "Is it weird that I'm here?"
I grinned. "No," My face felt flushed, but we both knew it wasn't from exercise. I gestured behind me. "My coach actually wants to talk to you,"
His brow arched. "What for?"
My shoulders shrugged while my eyes challenged his. "Why don't you find out?"
A bit of nervousness swam in his eyes.
I backed away with a cracked grin. "Come on, you're not scared, are you? Big bad Werewolf like you..."
"Actually, I'm a Chimera." His eyes told me that the challenge was accepted as he stalked forward.
I didn't think we were good at hiding our attraction toward one another, not that we needed to.
"I'll find you after practice is over with," I told him then turned to run back to the field.
Throughout the rest of practice, I tried not to be too distracted by them talking, but it was hard because I had to focus on the plays the assistant coach spouted and keep up.
When we were wrapping up practice one of the upperclassmen, Jackson, called me to his side. "Liam," He waved over.
"What's up?"
He wiped the sweat from his forehead and he looked good doing it. "Some of us are having a thing tonight if you want to come?"
I tried not to show my excitement. They hadn't really gone out of their way to make me feel welcome, freshman initiation I supposed. Scott had been the only one and that's why I crushed on him like I had in the beginning.
"Yeah, for sure. What time?"
He smacked a passing teammate's back, then turned to me. "Around ten at the house, bring whoever you want." He squeezed my shoulder. "Good job today."
Pride filled me. If Coach and an upperclassman thought I was improving then these extra practices were, in fact, paying off.
"Thanks, see you later." I headed for Coach and Theo still talking on the bleachers.
They stood to wrap up with a handshake.
"I will see you tomorrow, thank you, sir." Theo offered a professional smile that I didn't know he was capable of, then walked my way.
"See ya, Coach." I waved a goodbye.
He nodded in my direction.
Once we were a good distance away, I nudged Theo's arm. "What was that about?"
He rubbed his hands together, then turned toward me as we continued to walk. "He was impressed with my helping you train. He wants to offer me an assistant supervising coach position, probationary." His eyes searched mine to gauge my reaction.
Intrigue sat on my face along with a bit of pride. Not necessarily for me but for him. I tried to hide my grin, but a little seeped out.
"You're starting tomorrow?"
He nodded, unsure of my reaction. "Yeah, if that's okay with you?"
This time I didn't hide my grin. "Welcome to the team," I held out a hand.
Pleased with that, he took my hand in his with a soft shake that lit up my skin. "Thanks."
I eyed Jackson while he walked in the other direction. "We're invited to a party tonight. How about you meet some of the team?"
"We need to hit the mall then."
I waved it off. "You've already shopped enough for a full closet."
"Not for me," He gave me a dismissive look.
My mouth dropped. "What's that supposed to mean?"
He chuckled. "You're not in high school anymore, Liam. You're hot. So dress like it."
While I didn't think what I usually wore was bad, maybe he did have a point.
When we got back to my dorm the DA flagged me over.
"Got a personalized care package. Two of them actually." She passed them through the small enough window.
I took them carefully. "Thanks." I sent a blessing up for my mom while I rushed to the side door down the hall to let Theo in. This was our way of sneaking him into the building without having to sign him in and out.
He nodded toward the packages. "You're lucky to have a mom that cares about you so much."
"Yeah, I am." I felt a little bad that it felt like this was rubbing it in his face. Part of me wished my mom hadn't sent anything.
I kind of just put them on my desk to diminish how much they meant and jumped in the shower before he could question it. When I got out I heard Mason and him playing video games and I grinned. They were becoming fast bros.
Mason glanced up from the screen. "Hey, some girl stopped by while you were in the shower."
I looked to Theo to see if he knew who it was.
"Kira," He mouthed.
I wondered if she was okay, then went down to the lounge at the end of the hall to call her. "Hey, my roommate told me you stopped by. What's up?" I kicked back on the couch.
"Nothing much. Lydia bailed on me to go on a date and I think Allison and Stiles are sucking each other's faces off. I wanted to see if you were busy, but Theo's there so I know you are." A twinge of sadness in her voice.
I instantly felt bad. "Well, we're actually about to go to the mall in a bit if you want to come? There's a party at the Lax house, I don't think they'll say no to letting you in." She was beyond gorgeous and I knew she knew that, but sometimes her attitude made her ugly. But I could understand. If I went through the same thing she did I think I'd have an ugly personality, too.
"Please, I know all of those cats. Let me know when you want me to pick you guys up."
I nodded. "K, bye."
"Later," She hung up.
Going back to the room, they were still playing video games.
Theo met my gaze in concern.
"She's coming with us to the mall."
Mason paused the game. "You're going to the mall? Can I catch a ride? I was going to ride the bus over there later to pick up this new game."
I nodded. "Kira wouldn't mind. You're gay, she can tolerate you more than most men."
He gave a confused laugh. "Okay."
Theo jumped upand sprawled out across the futon. "Open the boxes."
My eyes went to them and shook my head. "No, it's fine. I'll open them later. Not a big deal."
Mason shot up to run across the hall.
Theo gave me a knowing look. "Liam, it won't hurt my feelings. Open the boxes."
"Do I have to?"
His gaze turned serious.
"Alright, fine." I reluctantly grabbed one, then unpacked it. Inside was a card.
Liam, I'm so proud of you and this is a token of our pride. Don't feel like you have to be perfect for us. If you're struggling to balance things that's okay, just let us know. We won't think less of you - Mom & Dad
P.S. The other box is for Theo ; )
My mouth dropped open as I smiled. My mom was trying to smooge us together. Was smooge a word?
I handed him the other box.
His forehead creased. "I don't want your package, Liam."
A smirk sat on my face because we knew that wasn't true.
"It's not for me, it's for you. Open it."
A look of disbelief passed over him as he undid it.
Inside were paints and pencils of all kinds, a sketchpad, a book of inspirational quotes and a journal, and a few Starbucks gift cards.
He looked up at me teary eyed and unsure of what to say. He cleared his throat and turned from me for a bit.
To give him the privacy he needed, I went through my box, which wasn't as exciting as his. Just a bunch of underwear, socks, candy, and a small new testament version of The Bible.
At least I got something and I knew they cared. Honestly, seeing Theo's reaction was more of a treat. He was far from the person he'd been that night I almost died in that warehouse.
When I turned back to him he sat on the futon, his elbows on his knees while he stared forward into the distance.
I sat next to him. "You okay?"
His eyes drifted to mine, they never looked more clear. He leaned forward until his mouth was on mine in a firm tug of lips with his heart on his sleeve.
My face felt hot under his gaze. And it was a good kiss. "What-what was that for?" My voice smaller than I would've liked it.
"For the care package,"
"Not that I'm complaining, but I didn't put it together."
He gave a little nod. "I know, but your mom got those ideas from somewhere. It's been so long since I had someone genuinely care about me that..." His eyes watered again, but he didn't shed a tear. "That I forgot what it felt like."
I leaned forward. "I care about you," I said without thinking.
His eyes gazed into mine.
Feeling backed into a corner I said, "I mean, we're friends. The others care about you, too."
He leaned the rest of the distance until his face was right near mine. "Not in the same way you do." He pointed out.
Very true.
This time I was the one that leaned forward, my hand cupped the back of his head to get a better grip.
He moaned into my mouth and the more we got into it, he moved us backward onto the futon so he was on top of me, which I was okay with.
My hips opened up for him to slid into.
His jean clad cock rubbed against mine as he grinded into me.
"Mhmm," I moaned into our kiss.
He ripped his mouth away from mine and glared into mine, he continued to dry hump me.
I pulled him back down to get his mouth back on mine.
His lips pulled into a smile against mine at that.
"Ahem," Someone cleared their voice.
It was Mason.
I thought Theo would've jumped off of me, but he simply picked his head up to stare at him while he continued to hump me.
"Need something?"
My hand slapped over my mouth to keep in my laughter and groan.
Shocked, Mason's eyes widened. He backed out of the room. "No, I'll be down the hall when you're ready to go." He closed the door behind him.
My laughter filled the room to cover up my embarrassment. "Why didn't you stop?"
Theo smirked down at me. "I've been waiting to make you moan for days. You think a little intrusion is going to stop me?" His mouth trailed kisses down my neck. He unfastened my jeans and reached inside to stroke me.
My eyes fluttered. "Fuck me," I cursed.
He chuckled. "You're not ready for that." His tone told me he knew I was a virgin. His eyes told me he was okay with that. "But we will definitely get to that." The certainty that dripped from his voice made me that much harder. He got rid of his shirt.
When he moved down to take me into his mouth my eyes flew open and I gaped at him. I've had blowjobs before, but none like that. None that felt that good in a mouth of a God.
He seemed to enjoy it as much as I did, if not more. He gripped my hips and worked me until I had no choice but to shoot inside his mouth. His eyes locked on mine when he tasted it, a hum around my cock from his satisfaction. He licked me clean then moved up my body to kiss me with a predatory gleam in his eyes.
To be frank, I was in heaven.
He pulled away from the kiss only to put my bottom lip in between his teeth.
I don't know how it happened but I came again, this time on his chest.
MALIA'S POV(flashback):
The three of us stalked the place as carefully as possible.
Stiles signaled for us to stay low to the ground, but it was hard when I didn't know if my baby sister was inside or not.
Scott's red eyes met mine. He signaled for me to go ahead.
Stiles shook his head.
With Scott mentally and physically behind me, I went forward and kicked the door in. In hindsight, that was a terrible idea, but I wanted to get this over with.
A round of bullets flew my way from the few guys inside, but I ran and grabbed a hanging chain that let me swing above them. The spray of bullets only a millisecond behind me, which was enough time to get their attention on me and off the door.
Scott roared to life as he attacked them viciously.
I dropped to the ground, my combat boots gave a satisfied tap.
Stiles threw a knife into the back of the guy with his gun aimed at me.
The one that ran for the other exit I ran after him and yanked him back to the ground. My hands grabbed his arms. I growled.
He struggled against me.
I don't know if I was stronger than him, I probably was, or angrier, but I pushed against his arms until they cracked under the pressure.
He cried out.
"Where is she?"
"I don't know who you're talking about."
I moved his arms about.
He groaned in pain.
"Where is she?"
"What girl?"
My knee pressed into his neck. "I have no problem choking you until you take your last breath." I pressed a little harder to make sure he got my point.
His face turned red from lack of air.
"So where is she?" I crushed his windpipe.
Stiles ran past me to shoot some arrows into people.
I pulled out my phone and showed him the screenshot of the girl. "Where is she?!"
His eyes motioned behind me.
Scott ran my way and pulled me along a hallway. There was blood splattered on his face that was a few shades darker than his eyes.
Stiles was far ahead of us frivolously laying his weapons into whoever came into view.
My hair was pulled hard enough to yank me back. I fell backward to the ground unsuspectingly.
Scott whipped around, spotted me on the floor, then leaped forward with a motor-like growl while I stood from the floor.
A girl charged down the hallway at me.
I met her halfway with a kick to the stomach and another to the face with my other foot. At the odd angle, I fell back again but recovered quicker with a spin kick that swoped her feet from uner her and landed me on my feet. I snapped back to Scott who had pulled the eyes out of the guy's head.
He threw the eyeballs with nerves attached down at the ground while the guy screamed in pain. He turned to me and roared loud enough to shake the windows high on the ceiling.
I turned around in time to get a dagger to the gut. I stilled from the pain.
The blue eyes glared into mine in revenge.
Scott jumped against the wall to land behind us, his eyes held murder in them. He stabbed his claws in the guy's back and slowly raised him into the air. His other hand wrapped around his neck then he slashed his claws across the meat.
Some of the blood got on my face. I backed up so he could fall to the floor.
Scott rushed to me. "Are you okay?"
"Are you okay?" I noticed the few scratches and bullet wounds on him.
He nodded. "Let's go."
We ran forward until we hit a set of steps.
He kicked back the first person that challenged us so hard that they flew through the air until they hit the wall with a shattering blow, the plaster around them indented.
My hand grabbed onto Scott's shoulder to propel me forward so I could roundhouse kick the second guy. My boot landed on his knee with a crunch of bone.
He howled in pain.
I nodded to Scott, behind him.
He turned halfway and side kicked them back, then delivered power punches to their stomach so hard they spit up blood.
I stood on the stairs, my hand on my stomach. "Alex,"
Scott looked back at me with a raised brow.
Wow, I did just give him a nickname for his middle name.
He joined me on the stairs so we could walk up. "Alex, huh?" He shot me a sexy grin that shouldn't have been sexy with all that blood on his face. His dominance rolled off of him in spades.
My eyes rolled. "At least, I'm not a show-off."
He hung an arm around me and leaned in close. "You know you like it," He planted a kiss on the spot between my neck and jaw, then nipped at it.
I whimper leaked out of me. Not only did it feel amazing, but the pain from my stomach was gone.
He pulled away with a smug grin on his face that I should've knocked off with a right hook, but I wouldn't dare in reality.
We ran up the other set of stairs and followed the sound of fighting.
I ran to help Stiles.
He held his own against a group of three, but more were coming. He glanced my way and threw an Emei dagger my way.
My hand caught it in the air with no problem. I ran far enough, then slid underneath his legs and past the others to stab the closest one in the leg. To get a cheap shot, I hit him in the nuts.
He fell over, clutching them.
One grabbed me by the shoulder, but I pulled out the dagger from the guy's leg and flipped myself over with a growl and plunged it until into the new targets head. I yanked it out with a gratifying smirk.
Stiles dropped the last guy and offered his hand.
I wrapped mine around it. Once I was on my feet I spotted the guy charging our way and prepared to chuck the dagger at him, but Stiles instantly hurled an arrow into his throat with extreme accuracy that no human should've had in the short time his brain should've realized a threat and knew how to tackle it.
Color me impressed.
He looked back at me and winked.
I couldn't keep the grin off my face.
"Where's Scott?" He asked a second later.
The moment of lightheartedness left me once I realized he wasn't anywhere in sight.
My nose picked up his scene not too far from here.
"I hear him." Stiles looked to the side to focus his hearing.
My brow arched. "You can hear him?"
"Part of my training." He jogged forward.
I followed to see if he was as accurate as he thought. He was.
Scott had disemboweled the two guards of the room that held another door inside. The door was open.
My nose rose in the air to evaluate the scent and I instantly knew she was inside.
A second later Scott appeared with the same girl from the video by his side. She was definitely Kylie, older, more damaged, but still Kylie. Her dark hair was almost black, unbrushed and knotted in places. She was an inch shorter than me and probably done growing for a sixteen-year-old. Her brown eyes mirrored mine. The dirty white dress she had on adorned a few rips and tears. From here I could tell she'd been freshly raped not too long before we got here.
I let out a cry of relief as I fell to my knees.
She stared at me in question, wondering why I looked so familiar. She slowly came forward on shaky legs, kneeled down, then extended her hand in a trial.
My pinky hooked around hers, then our other pinky's met. We met in the middle to kiss our hands.
She cried out in disbelief. "Lizzie?" Her voice far deeper than I was used to.
I nodded and swept her up in probably a bone-crushing hug, my head nestled in her hair as I cried. "We're going to get you out of here. I'm sorry it took us so long."
"Sorry to break up the reunion," Stiles started, "But there's got to be more coming. If we're going to go we have to go now."
We picked ourselves up.
I pulled us toward the door we came in.
"Not that way," Stiles interjected.
We all looked at him.
He pointed at the barred window. "That way. We'll jump down. Whoever else that's headed this way will be down those stairs and waiting for us."
Scott began pulling the bars apart while Stiles readied his gun at the door. Scott drove his fist into the glass to shatter it all and knocked it away, simply ignoring the cuts on his arm now. "Let's go," He motioned for us to go first.
I hauled Kylie onto my back. "Hold on tight." I stepped onto the ledge, then threw us into the air until we landed on the ground.
She shakily held onto me even though I stood on my feet with no problem.
A moment later Scott landed behind us with Stiles on his back. No matter how skilled Stiles was, that drop was high enough that if he landed wrong he could break something.
We all looked at each other in relief. We did it. We saved my sister.
Bullets zipped past us and into the trees.
"Go," Scott directed. "Go!"
We raced for the jeep parked a mile in the other direction. I kept Kylie on my back because it was faster. She was in no condition to run.
Stiles tossed Scott his gun, then produced throwing star daggers that sliced through the air until they hit flesh.
When the jeep came into view I relaxed a smidge, but not entirely.
Scott ran ahead and slid across the hood of the car. "Keys!"
With them already in my hand, I tossed them to him. I set Kylie down to open the door.
She groaned, a bullet passed her and hit one of my headlights.
I whipped around. "Are you hurt?"
Her hand went to her side.
Scott started the engine. "Lia?"
I put her into the backseat then pushed her over enough for me to climb in.
Stiles jumped into shot gun.
The jeep pulled forward with so much speed that it scared Kylie.
I checked her over and settled on the realization that the bullet grazed her side and didn't actually go into her.
We both relaxed at that.
She fell into my side, then moved so that her head was on my lap, and by the time we dropped Stiles off she was asleep.
Scott stopped by his place to grab a duffel of clothes for us.
Soon after I dozed off, too.
At some point, we stopped and I was shaken awake. My hands flew out protectively while my pulse spiked. No one was going to get my sister.
Scott grabbed them as he came into view. "Relax," His hands rested on my shoulders.
My breathing evened out.
"We've got to clean up before someone sees us like this." He nodded toward the rest stop bathroom.
My head shook. "I don't want to leave her."
"You go first, I'll keep watch." His eyes bore into mine. "I'm not going to let anything happen to her." His gravely voice thick with promise.
If it had been anyone else I would've scoffed at the idea, but it was Scott. And I trusted him with my life and dare I say Kylie's.
Once we were both cleaned up I sat in the driver's seat.
He came around to my side. "I can drive so you can keep an eye on your sister."
He was so sweet.
As if knowing my thought process he said, "And I also don't trust that you'll drive safely if you're distracted by checking on her, so out you go." He opened the door and leaned against it.
With a warmed heart, I jumped out and wrapped my arms around his neck. "I don't know what I'd do without you. You're a good friend." Even as I said it, I knew what a death sentence that was to some guys. Sure, we're working on our friendship, but everyone and their grandma knew we were beyond just friends.
"If I didn't know that that was a sincere compliment, then I might feel some type of way." He spoke, then pressed a kiss into my hair. He pulled away. "Now get your ass in shotgun."
I grinned with a laugh and followed orders with a salute. I searched for my phone, but almost panicked when I couldn't find it.
Scott held it up in his hand while he moved the jeep onto the road.
Part of me relaxed at the sight of it. I knew I'd never be truly relaxed until all of this was over for good.
I called my dad to tell him I was on my way back home and now and to meet me there in a few hours.
We'd been here a few days and each day seemed a little easier for Kylie, but she was far from being fine. I loved her dearly and it was the second chance I thought I'd never have to be her big sister again, but I was exhausted.
So when my dad and Peter went to take her fishing to get her out of the house I stayed behind. By default, Scott stayed behind.
With a light sprinkle outside I went to the front porch to sit on the couch. I placed a blanket over my legs to shield from the breeze. Being out here gave me a chance at a clear mind. Three weeks ago my life had been seemingly normal...ish. Now everything was turned around but in a good way. I never thought I'd have Kylie back or have Peter this in my life or Scott this supportive.
He was maybe the best part about all of this, he'd been the only one to convince Kylie to go fishing and eat her vegetables at dinner. Whether she had a crush on him or felt comfortable in his presence I wasn't sure yet. Either was fine with me.
A little bit later he came out with two mugs of his homemade hot cocoa.
I perked up when he handed me a mug.
He sat beside me and reached for some of the blanket.
I rested my legs across his lap.
He gave a tiny grin at the action.
We sipped our cocoa's in silence and let the rain pick up around us.
He gave a yawn.
Automatically, I yawned, too.
He grabbed my empty mug and set ours on the floor, then pulled me toward him so that my back was into his side.
Maybe I shouldn't have, but I moved until I was in his lap. It was ten times warmer than the couch.
"Oh, we're playing that game?" He asked teasingly, then he moved so we laid down flat on the couch.
My laughter filled the air.
He joined in.
I turned so that I was on my side against him.
His warm arms held me to him.
I let out a sigh of comfort as I snuggled up to him.
"Not to ruin a perfect moment, but when we go back what are we going to do about Theo?" He voiced.
My eyes met his in indecision. "I hadn't thought about it. Allie says he's been doing well. Yes, he should've told us about your mom, but I don't blame him."
He gave a tired sigh. "Yeah, neither do I. But do you think we can really trust him? What if he is playing us and is using Liam to get closer to us?"
I mulled that over, then rested my head on his chest. "Kira says they've been hanging out a lot. I don't think you can fake caring about somebody."
"Unless you're a Psychopath."
He had me there.
"If he's offering up info then how much of a risk could he be?"
"I guess, we'll find out." He said.
The cool breeze and after effects of the cocoa worked on my eyes and before I knew it I was dozed off.
The sound of an old school camera snapping pictures woke me up.
My eyes fluttered open to find my dad a few feet in front of Scott and me on the couch with a camera in his hands. I sleepily looked down at Scott as he looked at me. Humiliation washed over me
"Dad," I complained.
He took a few more at different angles. "What? You guys look cute."
I buried my face into Scott's chest with a mortified groan.
His laughing body shook me. "I think it's cute," He said into my ear. "The more photos we can show at our wedding." He teased.
"Bite me." I said even though my mind told me that that wasn't the worst idea.
We stilled against each other, our minds taking us to what we knew was another life.
First thing I noticed was that my hair looked so cute with the blonde highlights. Slay me. The second thing I noticed was that Scott looked older, rugged and even more handsome. We stood in front of this house only it was different somehow. There was death surrounding it, rebirth. That me looked at that Scott with tears her eyes.
"You built this entire house by yourself?" She asked.
He nodded. "I wanted it to mean something."
She basically attacked him in a bear hug, then ran off to scope out the house. In her excitement, she went out back to check out the view of a marked grave. My dad's marked grave. Or, I guess, her dad's marked grave. When she turned around Scott was down on one knee.
"Malia, It's by complete chance that you and I found each other. There are a lot of variables that if changed we would never have known each other. It's because of those variables that I'm extremely grateful that I got the chance to know you. From the moment that I saw you I knew that there was something about you that forever changed my life. And you did. You believed in me when I didn't believe in myself. You stood by my side in battle and in friendship. You made me realize that I could laugh. Because of that, I realized just how right you were for me, even if you didn't see it at the time."
She gave a laugh full of tears.
"Seven years I have loved you like I haven't loved anybody else. When I saw you in that diner two years ago I knew that I was completely screwed. And I still am because every day with you reminds me of what my life could be like without you in it. That thought alone scares that crap out of me. I want you in my life, Lia. Forever and always." His eyes searched mine. "Will you marry me, Malia Elizabeth Tate?"
She said yes, who wouldn't?
They kissed at their celebration.
Our minds snapped back to our reality.
"Hello?" My dad asked.
With our eyes on each other's, I lost my breath. We were engaged there, possibly married at some point.
It was hard for me to imagine letting a man have that title and hold over me, but the emotions she felt flooded me and I could truly say that in that moment if Scott asked me I'd say yes. That terrified me.
My hand pushed me off of him in panic.
"Are you guys okay?" My dad grabbed me.
Scott propped up on his elbows with his eyes on me in much the same way mine were on his.
It was hard not to look at him like she had looked at him, with so much love and gratitude that it choked me.
"Malia?" He asked again.
I nodded. "Yeah,"
"Good cuz I invited Michelle to dinner tonight,"
My body froze. "What?" I was gonna have a panic attack. "Why?"
"Because I told her you were leaving tomorrow and she wanted to spend time with you before you left."
My hands covered my face. "No, Dad." I stalked off and childishly stomped up to the stairs.
Peter popped his head around. "There's going to be none of that in this house."
I looked back at him, then continued to stomp up the rest of the stairs until I got to my room to flop onto my bed.
There was a knock on my door.
"I'm not in the mood, Scott." I said, then pressed my face back into a pillow.
The door opened. "Then it's a good thing I'm not Scott," Kylie said.
I came up for air with an agitated huff.
"It feels like nothing changed and we're back to the old days." She gave a reminiscent smile, then looked at me. "What happened?" She sat on my bed.
Not ready to tell anyone the truth just yet, I omitted the truth. "Dad invited an old girlfriend of mine over for dinner."
"Is that the girl from the other day? She was pretty."
I nodded. "And I woke up to him taking pictures of Scott and me on the couch outside."
She snorted a laugh. "I tried to stop him, but better you than I." She joked.
My hand pushed her shoulder back. "Thanks, sis."
She grinned a closed mouth grin. "What are younger sisters for?" She leaned forward on her arms. "So I'm guessing you're worried about Scott?"
I nodded.
She chewed on her lip, then leaned forward to whisper, "Are you two dating?" The first of elation in her eyes.
I didn't know how to answer that question.
"Maybe?" My shoulder shrugged.
She twirled her almost black hair. "Because it really seems like it. Obviously, I'm not a nun so I know romance in the works when I see it."
I made a slight sheepish face at her words. She didn't know romance, she knew abuse. I didn't want her confusing the two.
Instead of lecturing her, I said, "When I say it's complicated, that's the understatement of the century. We're supposed to be just friends for right now until things calm down and we get to know each other better."
The last part felt false now. It felt like I knew everything I needed to know about Scott. All the important things, at least. Like if he'd risk his life for mine. Yes, he would. If he'd risk his grades slipping to be there for me emotionally. Yes, he would. If he was willing to put aside his hatred for Peter to stay with me to make sure my sister was okay. Yes, he would.
"Why would you want to be just friends with him? He's like totally in love with you, you know."
My forearm covered my eyes. "He is not." I dismissed.
She fell down beside me. "Yes, he is." Her head rested on my stomach. "He wants to kiss you," She poked at me. "He wants to make love to you. He wants to have yo babies."
I swatted her fingers away. "Shut up," There was no malice in my voice, only sisterly bickering.
"Not until you admit you're in love with him, too."
My head shook. "I can't do that."
"He's out back with dad descaling the fish if that's what you're worried about."
I brought my hand to her hair. "Even if he weren't able to hear from there I still can't say those words." Those were the last words I ever said to her, then she died. Granted, she came back, but still.
"Well, when you can I think he'll be there to hear them."
If she picked up on my reasoning, I couldn't tell.
"Besides, if you don't go for it I will."
I gaped at her.
She laughed. "We're not going to pretend like he isn't insanely hot, but I was joking." She swore, then lightly smacked my face.
I punched her boob. "Bitch."
She clutched in her hand. "Bitch."
We laughed like we'd been doing this our whole lives. But we hadn't. And I owed a lot to Scott for helping her break out of her shell as quickly as she did because much like me, she felt safe around him.
My heart warmed.
THEO'S POV:
The party that Liam dragged Kira, Mason, and I to wasn't bad. I hadn't actually been to a college party before, but I tried not to act like it was a big deal. Letting people know that you cared about things usually showed your weaknesses. So far I showed plenty to Liam. That hadn't been my intention, but once his blue read mine I fell open like a book. He held so much faith in them that I'd change and maybe I did a little. But that's not why I was here.
I grinned at him across the room while he chatted with his teammates. He introduced me to them earlier, but my mind was preoccupied with the dawning minute trickling down until I had to step outside. When the time came, I did. I made sure that Liam and Kira were busy as I snuck out.
Over the thumping music and drunken conversations inside and outside the house, I was sure no one would hear.
My phone rang like clockwork.
I answered begrudgingly.
"Are they still buying it?" Deucalion demanded in the soft tone he only had with me some of the time.
"Yes," I answered. "Most of them, especially Liam."
He made a noise of contentment. "Good job. Keep it up." He hung up.
If I let in the guilt and betrayal they'd inevitably feel I couldn't continue being a double agent and I needed to be to get my happy ending. It was the only thing keeping me sane these days.
When I turned around Mason was staring at me. I jumped back. "Dude,"
He offered a grin that didn't reach his eyes. "What was that about?"
I gave a grin that usually worked on Liam. "Nothing, just an old friend." I patted his shoulder in passing. Once at the steps, I looked back and we locked eyes.
He didn't seem convinced.
I liked Mason. He was a good kid. If he became a problem I'd have to take him out of the equation. I wouldn't like it, but I'd have to.
He tore his gaze away and took out his vape pen.
As soon as I went back inside Kira pulled me toward the kitchen for Jell-O shots. I threw a few back to appease her. I felt a gaze on my ass and turned to find Liam checking me out. Out of amusement, I winked.
He reddened while he talked to a different teammate.
A grin planted on my face disguised the evilness that lurked beneath. I felt trapped in a sunken place and I wanted to scream for help, but couldn't.
A/N: How was it? Please leave a review to let me know where you're at mentally :) IF YOU LOVE THIAM AS MUCH AS I DO CHECK OUT MY NEW THIAM FIC: HOWLING(it's only two chapters so far, kinda smutty if you're into that lol). If