Chapter 10

The sun seeped into Malia's skin, the golden rays peeking through the slim leafy trees. She looked behind her, surveying her surroundings. She caught no new scents, or heard any rustling of someone approaching.

Malia stopped in front of a thicker tree, glaring red paint sprayed over its bark. She started slipping out of her clothes, first her hoodie, then her baggy shirt, then her pants. She took in a breath, letting the cool fall air settle over her skin. Shedding her underwear, her transformation came upon her with a wash of heat, her body changing from human into coyote.

Malia shook her ruff. When Malia and her boyfriend first started to get to know each other, she had said that all she wanted was to learn control, so she could return to the forest. Then she learned to be human. And Stiles, well, she couldn't leave him. It went against her nature.

But, despite the becoming more human, she still wanted to return to the woods, permanently. She missed the way the leaves crunched beneath her paws; the way the sun warmed her fur. Being able to transform fully again was its own kind of sweet torture. It became harder and harder to return to human form. Malia found herself going out early every morning for a run through the forest.

At first, she ran as a human. But it didn't have the same feel, not even close. So she started to change every morning.

So Malia ran, reveling in the sweet symphony of her muscles, as they propelled her through the trees. She ran aimlessly, wandering. She knew these woods like they were written on her soul. Malia wasn't worried about being lost.

The murmur of a voice reached her, her ears swivelling atop her head, locating the source of the sound. She wasn't too far from them. The faint trace of clean cotton and floral perfume filled her nose. Diana Hunter.

Malia hadn't really gotten to know the new girl like Lydia and Kira. Something about her rubbed her the wrong way. All of her coyote instincts drove her either to attack or to run, whenever she saw her.

Whatever she was, she was a powerful and dangerous supernatural.

She let the scent carry her through the forest. It grew stronger as she approached, making Malia's fur stand up. The murmurs of a voice cleared into crisp words floating on the sweet fall wind. The way her body was tilting slightly forward, Malia knew she had reached one of the ridges lining the unused area of the running trails. The authorities had closed it off because of sightings of dangerous animals. Maybe a certain black wolf.

Malia tucked her body behind a tree, peeking her head out around the trunk. The smell of her own surprise engulfed her. That Hunter girl wasn't alone. Scott was with her.

The black wolf sat beside the girl, the girl slightly leaning into him. If Kira had seen this, she would have blown a gasket.

"Its better that I talk to you, though. Even though you can't talk, it seems like you know what I'm saying," Diana was saying to Scott.

Scott the wolf rumbled, resting his chin on her shoulder. Confusion swirled around Malia. Why was Scott so drawn to this girl? If he ever changed back, he would have some explaining to do.

"I just keep having these strange dreams about the attack, and how I got my scar," she continued. "It's like they happened at different times, but they're blending together into some chaotic mess. But its impossible, because it was only that one time."

Diana absently scratched the black wolf's ears. She stopped, her eyes drawn to Scott's foreleg.

"Oh, I never noticed that," she said, touching his leg. Malia inched closer. Two bands of white fur encircled his leg. Just like his tattoo. Huh. She never noticed that either.

"And there's these other dreams," Diana added, shaking her head. "They don't even make sense."

Malia crept forward. This could be important.

The wolf butted his head against her, telling her to continue.

"Yeah, I should get on with it. Well, I dream of these dark forests, and I'm running. I feel strong, whole. I think I'm running with someone else, I'm not sure. But I know there's something in front of me, me chasing it. Its terrified, somehow I can smell it. And," Diana took a breath. "And-"

Malia tiptoed closer. Come on Diana! Just spit it out already! She thought.

Scott the wolf stiffened, his ears swiveling around. A growl rumbled in his chest. Diana stood. She walked forward, eyes scanning the area, golden brown hair blowing around her. Scott was slightly in front of her, in a protective stance. That image burned into her eyes.

She cursed to herself. Of course Scott caught her scent. With the way the wind was blowing, her scent was being carried towards him, while his remained hidden.

She turned tail and ran.

...

Everyone was packed into Stiles' Jeep that afternoon, heading over to Lydia's lake house. The full moon was that night, and despite Malia's and Liam's newfound control, they didn't want to take any chances.

They sped along the road, the woods passing by in a green, sunlit blur.

Liam had been staring off into space, daydreaming about of all things, Diana. He had left her alone like she wanted. But even though he cared about what was best for her, which wasn't him, he couldn't ignore this primal sense of loneliness that hovered over his heart. This was the main reason why he needed to go to the lake house. If he were far away enough, he wouldn't be tempted to visit her.

Maybe. And there was the matter that Scott was hanging around her for some reason.

All of a sudden, the Jeep swerved in the road, tires screeching as the vehicle whirled around. Hot white smoke rose into the air. The smell of burnt tires stung Liam's sensitive nose, making him scowl. The Jeep shuddered to a halt.

Despite that it felt like someone burned out his sense of smell, Liam managed to pick out scents from the smoke.

Blood. And the musk of another werewolf.

He looked to Malia. Exchanging a nod, they burst out of the car, Kira following after. She withdrew her nunchucks, the handles glowing a bright red. Stiles and Lydia hovered behind.

The smoke cleared, the silhouette of someone tall, slim and male materializing. Stiles, Lydia and Kira straightened, recognition lighting their eyes. Liam and Malia exchanged a confused glance.

The boy stumbled forward, his hand clutching his shoulder. The salty tang of blood made Liam's wolf side stir in response. His brown curly hair was dark with sweat, his pale blue eyes shining brightly.

"Isaac," Lydia murmured.

Isaac's face contorted in pain. "I need to talk to Scott." He took in a shaky breath. "Its important."

...

The group split up; Malia, Liam and Lydia waiting at the lake house, while Kira, Isaac and Stiles headed back to town, to the Animal Clinic.

"You know how much it's going to cost to get the blood out from the mats?" Stiles grumbled, as they pulled into park.

Isaac glared, eyes glowing yellow. His lip pulled back to reveal lengthened canines.

"And now you look like you're going to add my blood to the mix. Okay, let's get him in," Stiles said, flailing in his usual manner.

Kira helped Isaac out of the Jeep, while Stiles barged his way through the Clinic. They found Deaton in the examination room, holding an arrow in his hands, a grave look in his face. He put it away once he saw them.

"Welcome back, Isaac," the vet said, helping him up onto the table. He ripped open his shirt, taking a look at the wound.

"What made this?" Dr. Deaton asked Isaac, as he pulled on gloves.

"Arrow," Isaac panted, his eyes glowing.

"Only one?"

"Yes."

Deaton's gloved fingers were covered with black blood. "The arrowhead was treated with a mixture of mistletoe and rare wolfsbane. I'll have to make an incision, and try to bleed it out."

Stiles grimaced, turning his back. Kira just held the injured werewolf down, her jaw tight, as Dr. Deaton handed around surgical masks for everyone, then pulled one over his mouth and nose.

Isaac let out a pained growl as the vet cut him open, a black vapour escaping the wound. Black blood filled the dips and valleys of the examination table. Little droplets of it made plinking sounds as it hit the ground.

"Isaac, if you would please stop moving," the vet complained. Isaac glared up at him, fangs completely bared. He unclenched his blood-soaked hands, revealing his claws.

"Kira, I would think it best if you knocked him out," Dr. Deaton said, staring down at Isaac's hands.

Kira nodded, placing two fingers on Isaac's neck.

"Sorry Isaac," she said. Blue tendrils of electricity sparked from her fingers into his skin. Isaac went limp.

Plumes of the black vapour escaped from the vet's incision.

"Who the hell would want to use these things?" Stiles asked, clutching the mask to his face.

"Isn't it obvious? Hunters," Dr. Deaton responded. He withdrew the arrow he had hidden earlier. He twirled it between his fingers. On the arrowhead was a sigil of bird in flight.

"Hey, isn't that..?" Kira asked.

"Yes. The same hunters that used arrows to try to take out Satomi's pack, is back. Their symbol is specific to a sect of hunters that follow someone very dangerous and important."

"Who?" Stiles asked.

Dr. Deaton looked at each of them. "The Desert Wolf."

I know its been a long time since I updated. Now that all my exams are done, I will be writing as fast as I can to catch up on lost time. So thanks for being so patient! I will update and write ASAP