It was the first full moon that Derek Hale ever felt content. His pack was restrained enough so they could do no harm to others, but better, they couldn't do harm to themselves. Although he'd never admit it, he was extremely proud of all three of them. Of the progress they have made, the strength and intelligence they have gained.

He was still on guard, worried about Lydia's safety. When wasn't he worried about Lydia's safety? Scott had reassured him that he and Stiles would watch over her tonight. Jackson was sure to be there, and that put him on edge. There was nothing he'd rather do than tear him in pieces and keep her safe and away from harm. But Scott, being the voice of reason, always brought him back from his violent tendencies. Despite the snake that Jackson is, he doesn't deserve to be killed, let alone to be alone and scared during it.

Which was the main reason he was here watching over three quarters of his back pack in the abandoned subway, while the other quarter is throwing her annual birthday party. Scott had said it'd "be for the better", which roughly translated into "there's a big chance that somebody would be shredded into pieces if you were there". His nerves on over-drive. He turned to see Isaac thrashing in his seat and took a deep breath; it's going to be a long night.

xx

There were times when she was completely aware of who and where she was. She was Lydia Martin, seventeen year old queen bee and intellectual super star. She was throwing her annual birthday bash, surrounded by all her friends. Well, three of them. Or four, depending if Jackson was her friend or.. well not. Allison and Scott were looking at each other from the far end corners of her backyard, looking ridiculously tragic. Stiles was lounged out on one of the chairs, eyes glazed over and babbling on about the secrets of the Universe. Typical Stiles. Jackson was standing by the door, drink in hand, permanent scowl on his face. Typical Jackson. She strutted through the crowds, she smiled with the comfort that this is her life. Friendships, no matter how shaky they can get, parties, and picture-perfect wardrobe and hair. She was perfectly okay with that.

But then there were the times where she was in complete darkness. She was running in the woods, grass and leaves and dirt underneath her feet. She didn't know anything, only that she had to keep running. It wasn't until she was completely surrounded that she stopped. Red eyes in front of her, coarse fingers running down her exposed skin, and a smile filled with fangs inches from her lips.

"You know what to do" it said to her. "It's time."

And then she was back among the living. Music on full volume, the sound of muffled laughter filling the night air. She was pouring punch into empty cups, determined that everyone has a glass. She picked up a stray piece of flower, purple flower, sweet wolfsbane. She crushed it between her fingers, the dust disappearing into one of the cups. She picked the cup and walked over to where Scott was sitting.

"You look like you need a drink" she smiled at him, handing him the cup.

xx

She watched in horror as the madness began to sink in. There were people crying, their faces distorted in pure agony. There were people hiding, their arms over shielding their eyes from whatever terror they were witnessing. And there was so much screaming. She was shaking. She wanted to get off this constant rollercoaster, away from the nightmares and images she constantly saw, blood and bodies and red eyes, always those red eyes.

"Lydia" he called. Always on time, Peter, she thought to herself. She checked her watch, taking note that it was fifteen minutes after 11. It was time.

She was fully aware of her actions as she snuck out of her house, leaving the chaos behind her. She was walking along the street as four cop cars flew past her. She narrowed her eyes frustration. Yet another mess up her parents would bring up. She walked and walked, not knowing the true destination, but had no doubt in her mind that Peter would guide her.

She finally stopped walking once she reached the top of a staircase. She was in the quieter part of town, and she recognized the steps. They lead to the abandoned subway, where Derek must have relocated to. She didn't move, didn't blink, didn't breathe. She didn't know what would happen tonight, but the promise of Peter Hale forever leaving her alone wasn't something she could easily ignore. When he first told her what she had to do, she refused. She wouldn't do any harm to Derek. But he promised her that he wouldn't be hurt, that no one could be hurt. She trusted him.

She took a shaky breath and took the first step.

xx

He had just gotten Erica, Boyd and Isaac restrained again. He had underestimated their strength. Erica had ripped through the chains as if they were made of paper. Her crown of nails slid around her neck like a necklace. It was three against one, but Derek didn't mind. His eyes turned crimson and he made it quite clear who the alpha was. Isaac was the first to snap out of it. He found his anchor. Derek looked at him with pride as he pinned Boyd down, helping him calm down. Erica struggled under Derek's grip, but she, too, finally shifted back into her normal self.

He wandered off the train, fresh blood staining his shirt and jeans. The clicking of shoes caught his attention. His head snapped towards the entrance, seeing Lydia, her eyes wide as she walked towards him. He wanted to say something, but couldn't find words. He only looked at her, trying to figure out why she was here. She was only inches away from him now. He noticed the tears welling in her eyes as he gazed down at her. It was the first time he thought about kissing her. About sliding his hand into her hair, his other holding her face steady. About leaning in slowly, waiting for her to close her eyes in acceptance. The feel of her lips, like honey and strawberries, against his. He closed his eyes, trying to quiet his mind. But when he opened them, his heart started pounding. Her fist was closed, close to her lips. She opened it to reveal lavender powder, glittering and sparkling against her pale skin. He went to question her, finally finding his voice, but it was all over. She was blowing softly, as if she were blowing him a kiss, as the powder clung to his face. He would later realize that the crushed powder was Wolfsbane. But for the moment, he was already unconscious on the ground.

When he came to, he was lying on a cold, hard surface. It was dark and his eyes weren't adjusted but he could spell burned wood. He knew where he was before his eyes confirmed it.

"Lydia" he whispered, his voice breaking. She wouldn't look at him. She was grabbing at his arm, pulling him towards an opening in the floorboards.

"Lydia, you don't know what you're doing" he tried again. She looked at him with dead eyes. She wasn't Lydia, he realized. Something was controlling her, someone...

She had moved his arm between a hand, backing away and moving towards a mirror. Horror washed over Derek as he watched her move it, moon light entering the room in lines and angles until it disappeared under the floorboard. He felt the puncture of nails in his forearm, crying out in pain. Lydia seemed to wake from her trance, her heart pounding as tears rolled down her eyes. She looked at him, fear and regret written in her hazel eyes. Anger washed over him as he stared at her, before a loud crash brought their attention back to the man that was standing in front of them. Peter Hale in all his glory, escaping death for a second time. His skin was pale and new, no sign of burn marks. He smiled viciously.

"I heard there was a party" he spoke, looking at Derek briefly before letting his eyes fall on Lydia. "Don't worry, I invited myself."


Shitty chapter is shitty ~ I'm in a glass case of emotion right now, as I watch the Teen Wolf marathon. :') Hopefully I'll get another chapter up tonight. Thank you for all your reviews, you guys mean the world to me x