Disclaimer: I own none of the Teen Wolf original characters or plotline.

Chapter 10

(Chloe POV)

I stood off to the side watching them all interact and catch up. I wanted to laugh and join them in catching up, but my mind drifted to the situation at hand, and I pushed off the archway leading to the living room and made my way back to the office. This time, as I made my way into the office I felt them both follow me, I left the door open as I entered the office and walked to the window along the back wall and gazed out towards the night.

I let out a sigh closing my eyes before turning to them. "What is it?"

Peter and Derek looked hesitantly at each other before shifting their stances and looking at me. I just raised an eyebrow when they stayed silent.

"We wanted to see if you were okay," Peter finally spoke. "Kira's sudden appearance distracted from your sudden disappearance and reappearance."

"I'm okay," I sat at my desk with my back to the window. I rested my elbows on the mahogany surface and folded my hands together. "I just have a lot to think about, and I need to figure out what my next move will be."

"May we be of any help?" Derek took a step closer to me, and I shook my head.

"Honestly, you both have become hindrances rather than help," I muttered. I immediately felt hurt wash over me from Derek, and I sensed it from my fading connection with Peter as well. My grip on my hands tightened. As much as I wanted to, I couldn't cry in frustration. Whining wasn't going to solve anything, nor make the situation any better.

My bond with Peter was quickly fading, and I knew Peter was aware of it, I could feel the hidden angst despite his seemingly calm outward appearance. He knew since the binding spell broke, Derek and I's bond was getting stronger every minute and would erase the one Peter and I had created over the past couple of years we had been together. My heart clenched at the unfairness. Nature was forcing my hand. I didn't like it one bit. It wasn't that I didn't want to be with Derek, it was more of the fact that I feel pressured.

If the situation wasn't as twisted as it was, I'm sure I wouldn't have come to love Peter as I had. Now I'm stuck in a shitty love triangle, I mentally groaned. Shit, did I have my barrier up to keep Derek out? I hadn't even been paying attention

My eyes flickered up to look at Derek. His face looked stoic as he watched me from his position slightly to my right. Peter was closer to the door, but more to my left side. I squinted at Derek for a moment, before slamming a reinforcing barrier up. A slight twitch, he had been reading my thoughts.

"You need to stop doing that," I growled.

"You act as if I can help it," Derek glowered at me.

I slammed my hands down on the desk, standing up in the process. "Don't test me, Derek." I glared at him. "I'm still pissed as hell at the both of you."

Derek let out a sigh. "Chloe, we're going to have to talk about this sooner or later. All three of us know it."

"That doesn't mean, you need to pressure me against my will more than nature already is," I hissed at him. "You know what my big problem with all this is?" I paused and saw a look of apprehension cross his face. "Peter's intentions might be a little questionable because of some things he has hidden from me, but he never once, not once, made me doubt his loyalty and devotion to me. He was celibate just for me Derek! Can you say the same?" Derek's face faltered.

Peter sauntered towards me. "Chloe," he started.

"You!" I turned and pointed my finger at him. He froze, his eyes widening slightly. "The emotions may be real that you feel towards me, but you were using me, weren't you?" My voice was rising slowly; I was letting out all the frustration centered around these two impossible men. "Say something," I snapped when Peter stayed silent at my outburst towards him.

"No, I wasn't." Peter shook his head slowly. Remorse and pain were in his eyes as looked at me. "I didn't even think that was a possibility; I was so focused on helping you get what you needed. I just wanted to be with you, and I still do." His voice was soft as if he were timid about speaking. My eyes glowed red, I looked him over slowly and could sense no deception in his aura or scent. I let out a breath and brought my hand to my head, rubbing my temple softly.

"I can't-do this," I tried to focus on my breathing. "I can't-do this with either of you right now. I'm close to just shutting down. I mean I'm being forced back into the arms of an unfaithful, deceitful male that I don't know anymore. I'm not getting any say in the matter." My voice was starting to crack.

Peter was by my side before I knew it and he held me. This was so unfair to him and to me. My hand unconsciously fingered where my scars were under my shirt. As much as I still loved Derek, I would always question how long he would stick around this time before leaving me again. My scars would be a constant reminder of that, and it hurt.

I whimpered a little and leaned against Peter, trying to hold back from crying again. God, when did I become such an emotional wreck? It was just earlier today that Derek and I were making out and he was heartfelt in his apology and sincere in his intent to win me back. But, seeing Talia, and having to talk about it all again just fueled the hurt I felt all over again.

I was taking some shaky breaths as Peter rubbed small circles on the small of my back. It was calming me, and my breathing became steady again. I made a small step out of Peter's embrace.

"I need to sleep." I glanced at Derek for a moment before looking at Peter. "I can't think through all this, in the state I'm in right now. I'll see you both in the morning." I made my way out of the office and climbed the stairs to my room.

"Chloe?" I stopped and turned to see Kira approaching me.

"Hey Kira, sorry I didn't catch up, I just have a lot going on lately." I gave her an apologetic smile. I missed the little kitsune. I had met her before I met Scott, she and I had crossed paths when I was dealing with some problematic betas I had at the time.

"That's why I was looking for you." Kira offered a comforting smile. "I think chocolate ice cream and some Fast and Furious binge-watching is in order."

A grin broke out on my face. "See, things like this, remind me of why you're my favorite kitsune." I hugged her and began to walk with her up the stairs to continue towards my room.

Kira playfully rolled her eyes. "I'm the only kitsune you know."

I opened my mouth to refute then rethought my reply, "True, but you'll always be my favorite." I grinned at her as we walked into my room.

"I'd like to take a shower before we binge, that okay?"

"Sure thing, I'll go get the ice cream and movies!" Kira bounced out of my room as I entered my bathroom and locked the door behind me.

When I stepped into the shower, I let out a heavy sigh. I wished I could just let my troubles and issues be rinsed from my skin and watch them swirl down the drain. I thought back to when Peter first arrived, and I remembered Scott looking at Peter and me with his red eyes. I didn't think much of it, but Deaton and Scott saw something that caused alarm. I pondered over what it was as I finished my shower.

As I walked out of the bathroom and towards my closet, I saw Kira skipping back in with two tubs of chocolate ice cream and four movies bundled in her arms. I smiled at her excitement as I put on some sleepwear. Kira made herself comfortable on my bed, and I took the first movie from her and placed it in the Blu-ray player. I joined her on the bed and grabbed my tub of ice cream, absently taking small bites.

"So, tell me what's happened? What's on your mind?" Kira whispered, her eyes never straying from the television screen.

I glanced at her before reciting the events of the past several days. Kira was someone I had bonded with quickly. She and I had a special connection that I now know to be due to my other abilities, whatever those are. As I finished my retelling, Kira held her spoon of ice cream in her mouth for a moment.

"You said Adrian's eyes were orange and glowed silver?" Kira asked.

I nodded. "Why?"

"That's odd for a warlock. Usually, warlocks have grey eyes that glow orange, like Zephyr's." She said thoughtfully. I had to agree, that was odd.

"Maybe it's due to him being a rogue warlock? The colors invert because of their choice of life?" I reasoned.

"Maybe," Kira mumbled to herself.

"Just something else to add to my figure out list," I said slightly annoyed.

"What else do you have to figure out?"

"What I am, how to deal with Peter and Derek, the deal with Adrian's eyes, what Adrian wants, who the wolf was at my parent's tree, and what Scott saw when he looked at Peter and me's aura's," I listed off, leaning back against my pillows.

"Sounds, like you have a pretty full plate."

I scoffed lightly. "I'm fairly certain there are more things on that list, to be honest, or there will be as time goes on with this whole situation."

Kira nodded in silent agreement. "Well, I'll stick around as long as I can to help. Aren't Stiles and Lydia heading out tomorrow morning?"

"Yea, Stiles has to get back to his precious FBI, and Lydia wants to stay with him. I'm not too worried because Lydia can always contact us via phone or the pack link if something dire happens." I tilted my head as I ate another spoonful of ice cream. "I need to see if Stiles would be willing to find information on someone for me once he returns, if possible."

"Who?"

"Sebastian Karuch."

"Who is he?"

I looked over at Kira. "I have no idea, but Talia thinks that is who was with me, at my parent's tree, when I woke up from the attack finally."

"By the way, I may need your help finding a mutual friend." Kira gave me a knowing look.

"Oh?"

"Yes, I received a message from the Guardian that our friend is needed, it is a matter of dire urgency."

"How is that old coon?"

"Chatty as ever, did you figure out the transfer spell you needed from the library?"

"I did, but it won't work in light of everything that's happened. I'm starting to see why our mutual friend said what they did to me when they caught up with me that one night."

Kira and I settled into a comfortable silence and continued to watch our movies and to eat our ice cream until we fell asleep. That night my dreams felt as if they were trying to warn me of the future. I saw myself in Europe with Jackson and Ethan, traveling to ancient temples in search of answers to questions I did not have yet. I saw flashes of Malia getting taken and myself and two others being forced to make a choice that was not simple, Malia or the safety of the world.

"You girls have a choice to make; you can either save the girl or save the world." An old voice spoke, solemnly.