Hey all, I hope you're enjoying the story so far. If not, I did warn you that this is quite AU though the story follows season 3-A.

Chapter 10

Melanie wasn't completely wrong about today. It wasn't so terrible. She and Danny had a lunch table to themselves for a while. It was peaceful. Isaac and Allison sat with them about fifteen minutes into the lunch hour. Though the gesture was friendly, Melanie wasn't stupid. Allison had that look. The one a jealous spouse gets before being obviously jealous and plotting someone's death. Being that she was a hunter, she probably knew how to kill someone and hide the body successfully. Making it look like a really good animal attack, for example.

That didn't bother Melanie so much. What bothered her was not knowing if she was the only one noticing it. It was unnerving and weird to be looked at as a threat of this kind.

Danny nudged her in the side.

"Hello, are you alive in there?" he inquired.

"What?" Melanie said, grinning sarcastically.

Danny huffed, scowling jokingly. Teasing him was too easy sometimes. His curiosity about her life had waned a great deal. She breathed easier, not having to worry about him getting too curious.

"I'm going out tonight actually."

"Oh, you're going to Lydia'a party?" Allison said.

"Lydia's having a party?" Melanie looked back over her shoulder. Lydia sat across from Stiles and Scott filing her well-manicured, salmon pink nails. "Hm, I didn't know that. No, I'm heading out of town."

"How come?" Isaac asked abruptly.

Melanie paused. He'd gone rigid and his eyes hard underneath furrowed eyebrows.

"A party."

"There's a party that's closer," Danny said, shaking his head confused. "I don't get it."

"It's a college party. An old friend invited me," Melanie grinned, wiggling her eyebrows and biting her lower lip excitedly.

An old friend was an exaggeration. Laura had taken her to a few parties a few years back when she was barely fourteen. It was a good time. Lots of boys and lots of drinking. The boy was a pledge when she'd met him and he was so cute. Derek got so angry at Laura for taking her to that party. A few months later she was shipped off to Paris. Those days were fun. She didn't feel like her life was in peril all the time. It was time to get back to that now that Derek had thrown her away. Though it hurt, she was starting to feel okay. Being fully okay would probably never happen, but the small relief was a start.

Behind them, a few tables away, Scott sat up straight, listening to their conversation. Stiles pointed a fry at Lydia while she ignored him and the point he was trying to make.

"No, that's dangerous Lydia," Stiles huffed.

"They don't know that we know. We're sure that they're part of the alpha pack right?" Lydia said, setting her nail file down.

"Melanie said so,"

"Okay then. If I don't stay with him he'll get suspicious. If I stay with him we have a chance to get close and find out why they're killing people," she said.

Stiles shoved his food around on his plate. He'd lost all appetite to eat.

"She's right," Scott said. "We can't let them know what we know. We've got the upper hand for a change."

"Scott, she could get hurt or worse, killed."

Stiles would rather have himself on the chopping block over Lydia anytime. His love for her was obvious to everybody in town. He'd accepted that Lydia would probably never look at him the way he wanted her to. He could wait for her though. Waiting was the only thing he'd been doing for the last seven years. Having her in his life was enough. He knew he couldn't be too picky about how she was in his life. Their relationship was certainly better than a year ago when she ignored his existence.

"She can get hurt either way." He gave her a sympathetic look, wishing he was wrong. She would have to be watched more carefully now.

"It's okay," she said with a nod. The nervous, scared look in his eyes betrayed her words. "I'll be fine."

Her luscious green eyes looked past Scott at her best friend who sat with the bitch and Danny. Melanie and Danny were grinning mischievously. Allison bore that nervous smile. The one that said so much with so little. She was bothered.

"I don't get it. Why is she choosing to sit with them?" Lydia said then took a sip of her water.

"Isaac," Scott replied a little too quickly.

"And why is he sitting with them?"

"Because he just became Melanie's roommate," Scott answered.

"Oh," Lydia said, finally understanding. "I get it."

"And I'm confused…again," Stiles said, pushing away his tray. He set his chin up on his palms and sighed.

Scott had looked over at Melanie a few times today. He thought about talking to her, but ultimately decided against it. He had to stop Stiles earlier this morning and filled him in on the fight with Derek. First through fourth period, he was annoyed and only gave Scott pointed looks. The unique friendship that he and Melanie had developed wasn't lost on Scott. After the whole Seth debacle, he didn't question it. Stiles finally stopped with the theories on her being evil, but now complained on and off that she was bitchy.

"Allison is scared of losing him," Lydia said.

Scott kept quiet. He was happy for Allison being able to move on, but he didn't. Just like he said he'd do, he waited. However long he needed to, he'd wait. There wasn't anybody else for him. Others didn't understand and that was fine. It wasn't for them to understand. His first love was the only love for him. There wasn't anyone else that he could see himself being with. This wasn't just teenage hormones or angst. This was just what he wanted. It ached from deep within his bones.

If she never loved him again, that was okay. As long as she was happy, so was he.

"Why?"

"Stiles, really?" Lydia snapped.

He shrugged.

"Okay, if your girlfriend decided to be roommates with a guy you barely know because she wanted to help him and be a friend, how would you feel?"

"Your point is invalid. I don't have a girlfriend," he said, still drawing a blank.

"Not the point. The point is that she's afraid of losing him to her," she exasperated.

"Why?" he asked

"Because she's hot," Lydia blurted, her aggravation rising. "I mean, she's quite attractive and she can relate to a lot of things that Allison can't when it comes to Isaac. She isn't some normal girl. She's the girl who was raised by wolves."

"Oh," Stiles said. He scratched his head, giving up on the subject. He didn't see what she or Allison was seeing in Melanie. Part of that was because he experienced a different side of Melanie that they've never seen. The softer side compared to her hard, shiny shell that she showed everyone else. That softer side didn't make her out to be a threat, but an actual person who struggled just as hard as he did with measuring up to werewolves. Neither of them had the abilities they did. So, that made it difficult for him to understand what Lydia was suggesting about Melanie. She was a bitch, but she couldn't be a homewrecker.

"They're going out tonight," Scott said suddenly.

"So she's not coming to my party. Good. I don't exactly want her there which is why I didn't invite her," Lydia said. She started filing her nails again, a small smile spreading across her face.

Stiles rolled his eyes. Those two were going at each other's throats without even being around each other.

"Allison and Isaac are going too," Scott said.

"What? Allison said she was coming to mine tonight," Lydia said bitterly.

"It's a college party," Scott said, ignoring her comments.

Stiles sat up straight, his eyes brightening. A grin crept across his face and Scott knew that he was imagining the party. Lydia caught the look too and threw her file down.

"No," Scott and Lydia said simultaneously.

"C'mon!" Stiles whined.

"No," Scott repeated.

"But-"

"No."

"We could-"

"Shut. Up," Lydia snarled.

"You guys suck," Stiles grumbled.

Scott opened his mouth to speak, but no sound came out. What was he going to say that would wipe that pitiful look off his face? Nothing came to mind. Any possible ideas were forgotten as Aiden sat down beside Lydia. As usual, he was in top shape. Scott heard her breathing shutter as she exhaled. Their eyes met and she smiled as Aiden kissed her ear affectionately. Be calm, he thought.

"So, it's Friday. What are we doing?" Aiden asked, taking Lydia's hand in his.

"Well, a few of our friends are heading to a college party-umph," Stiles grunted from the elbow Scott shoved into his ribcage. It was a little harder than it needed to be.

"A college party. Sounds fun," Aiden said.

"But I'm having one at my house," Lydia whined.

"Cancel it. You'll have a good time. College is a whole different experience. I've been to a few," Aiden said in her ear. She shivered from his whispered breath on her earlobe. Though he was evil, he was still seductive.

"Fine," she said, glaring at Melanie. She wasn't even sitting with them and she was still annoying.

"Don't pout," Aiden said demandingly.

"Let's go!" Melanie called up the stairs. She looked over at Danny and Allison. "He takes longer than I do to get ready."

She looked down at her black velvet pumps and wiggled her toes. Simplicity was the only way to go for chic. Her white skinny jeans hugged her toned legs, giving off their feminine, yet muscular curves. Allison came up beside her and leaned against the arm of the couch. Melanie smiled happily at her. This was happening. An actual outing with actual friends. It was nice to hang with friends and not people who wanted to kill her.

"I am so glad you guys are tagging along. I won't be without a wingman," Melanie said.

Danny got up and came to her side.

"As if you need one," he said.

Melanie touched her cheek and smiled. She had no idea why she deserved him as her best friend. After all that had happened over the last few years, she didn't deserve him. Ever since she'd gotten here she stayed detached from everyone and everything. The fact that he, of all people, stuck by her was heartwarming. Derek had left her. Scott and Laura too in other ways. Having a 'normal' life thrust on her was hard and unfamiliar. Danny made it easier whether he knew it or not.

Melanie chuckled at his comment.

"Finally," Allison breathed.

Isaac's thumping down the stairs was followed by his presence. He was scratching his head. Melanie tried not to stare. He was wearing what he normally wore. There shouldn't have been any reason that her stomach trembled like an earthquake from the sight of him. It wasn't a bad earthquake. She gulped at feeling it tremble some more as his hand slid down the back of his neck then fell to his side. No, it definitely wasn't bad. Especially with the way his white t-shirt hung off his shoulders loosely. She could imagine how he looked underneath it easily.

"I can't find my keys," he mumbled.

Melanie turned and pointed at the coffee table where a half empty bottle of Mountain Dew and his house keys beside it were.

"Okay, I guess we're good to go."

"Good, follow me and we'll see you there," Melanie said.

"We're not going in the same car?" he asked. He closed his eyes, biting the inside of his cheek regrettably from the upset in his voice.

"I figured Danny and I would go in my car and you two can take Allison's. This way we can have multiple rides in case somebody wants to leave early and others don't," Melanie said, smiling. "Let's go!"

She was jumping on the inside. Excitement was an understatement for how she was feeling. Tonight was a night she needed. It was already good since she wasn't going out alone.

She opened the front door and stopped dead in her tracks. The smile on her face fell at seeing Stiles and Scott standing there. Stiles's hand was raised, ready to knock on the door. A large, goofy smile was plastered on his face making him childlike.

"Heard there was a party," he said.

Scott scratched the back his head, grimacing. Melanie looked back at Danny for help. Having these two tag along would be like bringing the Chess Club to a party for jocks and cheereleaders. He only shrugged casually. He was just as befuddled by their sudden appearance as she was.

"Okay…" Melanie drew out, not really caring for the addition. "You can follow behind them."

She motioned back at Allison and Isaac then brushed past him, sighing heavily. She didn't look at Scott. Her lips pursed together aggravatingly.

The drive had been a thirty-seven minute drive to Statera University. The drive to Greek row was slow. Multiple partygoers passed in front of them obliviously and walked along the sidewalks tripping over their own drunk feet. The girls were primped with curls and tiny dresses that showed too much flesh in hopes of grabbing a frat boy's attention so that he would relieve her stress. She knew from experience. Unlike the girls who strolled messily up and down the sidewalks, guys wandered about looked casual and laid back compared to them. Some carried a six pack.

Melanie parked in a church parking lot not far from the frat houses. Various tunes pumped out into the night and melded together, filling the chilled air. Melanie tucked her keys deep in her pocket and her phone in the other. She took her hoodie off next revealing her black v-neck t-shirt that showed off a voluptuous amount of cleavage. She started for the sidewalk with Danny in tow and took out the hair tie that had her hair up in a messy simple bun. Her hair unfurled around her face in waves. She stopped on the sidewalk and through her head down. Shaking her hair, the waves framed her face.

Stiles and Scott were whispering to each other by the jeep. She caught bits and pieces, but that wasn't enough to tell that they were arguing about. Lydia stood hugging herself, her cherry lips pursed together. Melanie smiled wider. Lydia's anguish lifted her spirits. She had no party tonight. How glorious, Melanie thought. That alone was enough to make her tipsy and giggly.

Isaac and Allison were coming to meet them on the sidewalk. His arm was around her waist, hugging her close to him. They fit together perfectly like puzzle pieces. Melanie ignored the sudden jolt in her chest from the sight.

"Hey girls!" she shouted at Stiles and Scott. They went silent. Both of their heads swiveled at her quickly. "Are we going or do you two want to fight all night?"

They stared at each other again. Stiles walked away first, joining them with Lydia at his side, followed by Scott who was uneasy about the whole thing.

"Hey ginger!" Melanie grinned. Lydia's nose twitched angrily, but she said nothing. She was chomping at the bit to. It was difficult to h hold back.

"So, uh," Melanie said, "I was only able to get us four in," she motioned between her, Isaac, Allison and Danny. Her face cringed. "But we're going to see if we can get you guys in. This is a themed party, so it'll be pretty packed."

"How'd you get in then?" Lydia asked shrilly.

"I was invited by an old friend I haven't seen in a very long time," Melanie retorted.

She turned on her heel and looked both ways before crossing the street.

"Melanie! Is that you!" came a shout from the porch of a grey house with the letters: Gamma Eta Mu aka GEM.

Melanie looked up as she made it to the base of the porch steps that scaled up to a wrap-around porch which was clustered with various people. Some were smoking and some were making out. Being lifted from the ground and into the air, she squealed. She was spun around in a circle by a six foot tall man with a taut swimmer's body. Hugged against his chest, she could feel the muscle through his shirt. From the inside out, her body grew warm. Her cheeks flushed with a blush. The chilled air of the night only felt like a warm breeze across her skin. She forgot about the others surrounding them, waiting for him to lead the way.

He set her down on her feet and she looked up at the blonde with the bright grey eyes.

"Drake." She sighed his name, smiling. She stared at his lips wondering if they still kissed as good as they did three years ago.

"It was only yesterday that you nearly got me kicked out of the house," he chuckled, tucking her bangs behind her ear. His fingers trailed down the back of her cartilage to the lobe of her ear. He smiled wider as her cheeks turned an even deeper shade of red.

"That couldn't have been me," she feigned innocence. "You must mean Derek."

"Ah, right. How can I forget the guy who knocked out two wisdom teeth? How he is?"

"Wouldn't know." Melanie shrugged.

"You're okay though?"

"I'm fantastic now," she said and wrapped her arms around his waist. She bit the corner of her lower lip, letting out a heavy breath. "Can we join the party?"

Drake looked past her at the group. His eyebrows knitted together curiously.

"Wow, interesting crowd," he said flatly, with obvious disapproval. "Sure, it's packed in here, but uh yeah. Come on in."

She looked back at the others, not removing her arms from around Drake and said,

"Have fun," then winked. Drake took her hand and pulled her up the stairs past a few Greek brothers and into the house.

"Is anyone else slightly frightened to go in there?" Stiles said. Tagging along seemed like a good idea at first, but this was a totally different atmosphere. It was like Lydia's birthday except the punch wasn't spiked with wolfsbane. It was full of lost inhibition. "I did not dress for the occasion."

Danny rolled his eyes and went inside. Why did Melanie hang out with them. he wondered.

"I'm slightly frightened and this is your fault," Scott said, punching him in the arm.

Isaac and Allison ignored the two and walked inside, following Danny's lead. Allison took Isaac's hand, slipping her fingers between his. He gave her hand a gentle squeeze. The butterflies deserted her stomach and crowded her heart making it beat faster.

"Lydia!"

Aiden and Ethan came jogging up behind her from the church parking lot. Ethan passed the three of them and walked up into the party. Three girls followed him in with lust-dazed expressions. One dropped her red solo cup causing its content to spill onto the porch.

"Finally," she huffed. "Where were you?"

"I had to do a few things first. Sorry," Aiden said, sliding his fingers between hers and taking her into the party. Lydia looked back at Scott petrified. What was it they had to do?

"I have to go watch her. See you in there?"

"Yeah," Stiles said blandly. A frown formed on his face. He looked up at the porch filled with people. They all looked like they fit in without a care in the world. He would've killed to find out the secret to fitting in. He looked down at his attire again. He shouldn't have worn plaid.

"Hey!" yelled a girl sitting on the banister of the porch, looking directly at him. She hung off it nearly falling off into the grass of the front lawn. Stiles chuckled, holding out his arms to catch her. She giggled reaching out to him. Some of her drink spilled onto the ground. Stiles whipped around at the sound of tires screeching, his arms still outstretched just in case.

A van, black as night, had pulled up to side of the house. Stiles looked back at the girl. Somebody else had grabbed her and was steadying her now. He dropped his hands and crept up to the van slowly. He tried to peek into the window. He couldn't see the driver all that well. Whoever it was, was shrouded all in black. He moved around to the back and reached for the door handle of the back door. His fingertips skimmed the cold metal and the door burst open. Black clad arms reached out and yanked him in, slamming the doors shut.

"Where did that cute boy go?" the girl on the porch said. She peered over the porch. "Cute boy where are you?!"

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