Author's Note:
So, it turns out Mondays, it's difficult not to think about Teen Wolf, so I posted up this chapter quickly. Let's see if tonight's episode and reviews push me to get the next chapter out tomorrow!
And BTW, my heart almost melted when one of my beloved readers used the word "Donner"... Conner and Derek are officially a ship!
It's dark and cold, but my blood runs hot under my skin as my heart pounds loudly in my ears. I can't move, my arms bound somewhere above my head in a way that I can hardly feel them. My eyelids are heavy, but I manage to lift my head an inch or two before pain hits me and look up. The room I'm in has an artificial light giving the dank area an orange glow, but the warm color is anything but comforting, and I can hardly see. Two familiar female figures approach, and instinctively I roll back my lips, bare my fangs and-
"Coffee?"
Dr. Deaton's voice snaps me back to reality and I meet the vet's dark eyes above me. He's holding out a paper cup with steam lightly wafting out of it, and the smell of fresh coffee hits me. I gratefully accept the drink and wince, tilting my head around carefully. I fell asleep in a plastic chair a while before, and my back and shoulders are stiff from being in the same position for so long. In a feeble hope, I check my cell phone for any missed calls. It's about five o'clock in the morning, so the sun hasn't even risen yet, and everything on the phone is from the night before. There's a missed call from Roy, one from Jackson, one from Stiles, and two from a number I don't recognize, as well as voice mails from everyone. Bracing myself, I dial the number 1 on the keypad and listen to the voice mails as Dr. Deaton steps out of the room again.
Conner. This is Roy. Call me for a status report when you leave Deaton's.
I smile a half-smile at my biological father's concern. Dr. Deaton told me he'd spoken to him before I'd passed out watching Scott. As I listen, my gaze drifts to said beta, still unconscious on the examination table. His bullet wound has gauze over it and has bled out slightly, but I saw Deaton take care of his wounds like a pro, so I'm not worried. My wound healed on its own, and the impressively sized bullet is in my pocket as a souvenir. The next message starts to play, and I take a sip of my coffee.
Okay, I don't know what the hell happened last night, but you owe me an explanation. We had a deal, and I held up my end.
I hadn't spoken a word to the kid on the phone, but the tone couldn't have belonged to anyone but Jackson. Which reminds me, I need to find him later and make sure he's alright. The coffee is perfect, and I gratefully continue to sip at the drink.
Okay, Conner, Scott didn't call me back last night. Did something happen?
Yes, Stiles, we got shot at by hunters, but no worries: Scott will be in first period on time. The last message is from a woman whose voice I don't recognize, so I listen carefully.
Hello Conner. My name's Kate Argent, and I'm a friend of Roy Blackbird's.
My skin bristles and I momentarily stop breathing, hanging on the woman's every word. This is the hunter who organized the Hale house fire, the woman Peter most wants dead.
Now, we haven't been formally introduced, but I'm a hunter and Roy tells me you're aware of the little wolf problem in Beacon Hills, so I won't bother speaking in code. I just gave my niece, Allison, a bit of a reality check in regards to werewolves, and she's not handling it so well. I was thinking that maybe the two of you could talk, so she could have a friend in the business.
She pauses, and I hear something like chains rattling.
And also, I thought it would be nice to spend some time together, just girls. Roy's a... close friend of mine, and he's told me a lot about you. I'll be waiting.
Immediately I feel suspicious, and wonder if she's figured me out. It wouldn't surprise me if she was the one in charge of the attack on the Hale house last night, but I wasn't followed when I escaped. The only possibility would have to be that Derek said something, but that's a thought I won't even dare to entertain. He wouldn't rat Scott or me out. Hell, he walked straight into the line of fire for us, why would he hand me over to the hunters? I can only assume that she's maybe telling the truth, and that Roy maybe has said good things about me. And maybe Allison really is freaking out. I honestly wouldn't know how that feels: werewolves has been the norm for me for as long as I can remember.
Taking one last look at Scott, I get to my feet carefully, testing out my sore muscles. Once I'm standing the pain disappears, and I down the rest of the coffee at once. Deaton comes back into the examination room, assessing my physical state even as he smiles. I know I must look a wreck with my bloodstained t-shirt and dirt-covered jeans, but he doesn't seem at all disturbed by my appearance, only concerned with my wellbeing. Ha, I snarled at him when he approached Scott and me in the woods, and he didn't even flinch! The guy's got a backbone, and for that, I respect him already.
"Leaving so soon?" he prompts. I nod, and look around for my jacket so I can leave.
"I have some business to take care of if I want this one to last the week," I confirm, jutting my thumb at Scott. I don't see my jacket, and decide I must have dropped it on my way over here or something. I'll have to backtrack later and find it. It's a nice jacket.
Deaton nods, and follows me out of the examination room, closing the door behind us. "Anything I can help with?"
I lift the counter and cross into the waiting room, smiling warmly at the vet. "I have to go pacify an Alpha, find my missing pack mate who may or may not be dead, and keep up the act of the harmless daughter of a hunter for the Argents," I answer, letting out a heavy breath. "You've done more than enough giving us someplace safe to stay for the night, and for that, I am incredibly grateful." I back up to the door and wave. "Tell Scott to call me when he wakes up?"
"I already told you, I can't take her to the formal!"
The other members of the lacrosse team had already filtered out of the boy's locker room when Scott and Stiles cornered Jackson with their request. Scott couldn't go to the formal, so he needed Jackson to go in his place and watch Allison to make sure the Alpha didn't attack her. Scott had done as Conner asked and called shortly after waking up. She let him know that the Alpha was still adamant about convincing Scott to join him and would go after Allison, and that he was also trying to track down Derek, but that if she had any more news, she would text Stiles or him.
Unfortunately, Jackson wasn't cooperating. "What do you mean, you can't take her?" Scott exclaimed exasperatedly. "You're not going with Lydia, so-?"
"I already have a date, dim wit," Jackson cut off, glaring at the werewolf. He was obviously still sore about the scare he'd had the night before. Scott scoffed, not believing him, and Jackson narrowed his eyes. "Go ahead, laugh it up, I'm still not taking your precious ex-girlfriend."
"Just cancel the girl you're going with, and take Allison!" Stiles suggested. "Problem solved!"
"I can't," Jackson repeated, turning on Stiles. "See, you had to go and ditch her first, so I'm pretty sure she'll be pissed if I back out, too. Last thing I want is the Alpha-whatever on my case."
Stiles frowned, putting the pieces together. "Wait, you're taking Conner?" he clarified, raising his brows. Jackson gave him a look, daring him to question it, and Stiles held up his hands in defense. "Yeah, no, I believe you. It's just, you're not really..." He trailed off, searching for the right words. "... Her type."
Jackson let out a laugh, shaking his head. "Stalinsky, when are you going to realize?" he asked, smirking. "I'm everybody's type."
Stiles pretended to gag as Scott took a turn trying to reason with Jackson. "But why would you take Conner to formal?" Scott asked, still not understanding. "She's not even in high school, and she's looking for Derek."
"Well, I'll have you know I'd already bought her the dress when Stalinsky here went and sent her the message that he was going with Lydia instead," Jackson answered, eyes fixed on Stiles as the teen's face blanked. "Yeah, good job, bro."
"But why?" Scott pressed. "You could ask anybody-!"
"She's going to do what you couldn't," Jackson interrupted, finally stepping back to leave. "If I help her out, she'll convince the Alpha to get me the Bite." He shrugged, holding up his hands. "Good luck."
There's this feeling we sometimes get when somebody's intruding in our territory.
As I'm washing my hair, I get that feeling. I ignore it and continue to lather the shampoo into my scalp, closing my eyes and relaxing into the feeling. The shower blocks out any and all noise outside, and considering the person standing outside my door is most likely Peter, I'm not in any hurry to end my shower. He can wait until I've finished. I had to walk home from the vet's office because my truck's still at Peter's place, though luckily Jackson picked me up halfway there and drove me home after getting my message.
I'd almost forgotten that he wanted to take me to the formal, but he'd made sure to remind me. In spite of what happened last night, he wasn't backing out of wanting the Bite, and quite honestly, he was starting to convince me of the idea, too. Maybe Instinct would push him to get more of a pack mentality? Or maybe I was fatally optimistic, and didn't want to break the news to him that Derek and Peter would most likely eat him alive before welcoming him into our pack. Well, except for Peter, who wasn't quite as selective as Derek could be. He'd make Jackson eat all of the hunters first, and then get rid of him at the first sign of disrespect.
I walk out of the shower a couple of minutes later wrapped in a towel and scan the apartment. Whoever wants to see me hasn't gone to the trouble of breaking in and is waiting outside, which leads me to believe the person might be someone other than Peter. Maybe another one of the hunters keeping an eye on me?
I get dressed in a pair of dark jeans, a low-cut red tank top and a pair of ankle boots to give me a little more height. Today I'm going to need that height for confidence. I've already taken care of Jackson, but I still need to talk to Peter, and start listening around for Derek. Maybe I'll tell one of the hunters that I'm Roy's daughter to make them trust me. I take my time loading my gun and storing two extra clips in an ankle brace which I stick in my purse for later. It's enough that I keep my gun in my hip holster, I can't go around looking like I'm about to go hunting all the time. I grab my cellphone and keys, and finally open the front door.
A woman is leaning against the wall outside my apartment, arms crossed and a light smirk on her face. She's tall, but then again that could be due to the high-heeled boots she's wearing, and she has long light brown hair with soft curls. She straightens up when I step out, and holds out her hand with a smile.
"Kate Argent," she introduces herself. My heart leaps into my throat as I realize this is the main target Peter wants to kill, and I feign pleasant surprise, shaking her hand firmly.
"Conner Fitz," I answer. "Though it seems like Roy's told you about me already."
She laughs and throws her head back. "Honey, that man won't shut up about how proud he is of his little girl," she assures me. When my eyes widen, she winks. "Yeah, he told me he dropped the Daddy Bomb on you."
"Yeah, still kinda processing," I say nervously, looking away. That's a natural reaction, right? More natural than running away from her, I think. Or shooting her. Whichever I want to do first. I clear my throat and look back at her, smiling. "So, what can I do for you? I got your message about your... niece?"
"Allison," she confirms, and gestures for me to start walking down the hall next to her. "I hear you two have some friends in common- Jackson, Scott and Stiles?" I nod, and she continues. "Well, I told her about the werewolves, and it isn't going too well so far. She's avoiding me, so I was hoping you could talk to her, see how she's handling it."
"Uh, sure," I reluctantly agree. "Though, honestly, I'm not sure how much help I can be."
Kate shrugs, but gives me a knowing smile. "I'm sure you'll figure something out." I can't keep her eyes, and look away. "Otherwise, I wanted to welcome you to Beacon Hills. I hope you don't mind me saying, but Roy told me about you and Derek Hale."
I stop breathing and look up at her, unable to stop the alarm from showing on my face. She's come alone to kill me? She laughs, leading me to wonder if this woman has mental problems. "Hey, I think it's genius!" Now I'm really, really confused, but she doesn't keep me in the dark for long. "I mean, sure, I already did it a couple of years ago, but hey, you're just starting out. Seducing the werewolf to get to the rest of the pack is a great trick to perfect early on."
The relief that courses through me has about the physical force of a small tidal wave. I pretend that I'm embarrassed and run a hand through my curling hair nervously, masking the scare I just had. "Yeah, I'm surprised Roy told you about that," I mutter.
"Oh, he had to," she says, quickly defending the fellow hunter. "I mean, after the attack, you started spending time with Derek, and we thought you were one of them. Then Roy explained what the two of you are doing, and I must say, I'm impressed." She pats my shoulder encouragingly, then leaves her arm loosely hanging over my shoulders like we're old friends. "So, do you have any leads?"
I shake my head, feigning disappointment. "Not as to who the Alpha is," I lie smoothly. "I mean, I started investigating the Alpha's victims, and other than me, everyone can be connected to the Hale fire." I shrug. "So, it can be any Alpha close to the Hale family, looking for revenge, maybe, which is pretty much every werewolf in California or New York. But Derek doesn't know anything yet, and he's been missing since yesterday. Have you guys seen him?"
I look up at her, and feel my stomach sink at the wide grin on her face. Even knowing the Alpha wants to kill her specifically, she can only grin like a Cheshire cat. She pulls me in closer to her side as we approach a large SUV, and stops in front of it. Grabbing both of my shoulders, she holds me at arm's length in front of her, sizing me up. She seems to be debating something, and finally, with a sigh, reaches a decision.
"Okay Conner, your dad's most likely going to kill me later, but I'm going to show you something," she says, smiling as if we're sharing a secret. "I've only shown Allison, so this will stay between us, alright? Girls only." I nod, trying to keep my face as blank as possible. Convinced, she lets me go and unlocks the SUV, motioning for me to get inside. "Come on. I'll drive."
My hands shake as I pull the dress on, sliding it up my legs until it's high enough. Allison pulls the zipper up behind me, then helps twist it into place. She smiles a forced smile at me through the mirror, and I smile sympathetically back at her. She's already dressed and her hair is done, but she's helping me out. Kate and I had picked her up at the mall, then brought her back to the house to get ready for the dance. I convinced Jackson to take the both of us when I found out she didn't have a date or a friend to latch onto, which gave me the perfect opportunity to talk to her in private.
Which, honestly, was the last thing I wanted to do after Kate showed me what she wanted to.
Even so, as I watched her curl her hair, I let her know who I am. Or, at least, who I'm pretending to be, which is a hunter's daughter who's known about werewolves since her mother told her about the Alpha that killed her father. Which is true; I just left out the part about the Alpha turning my mother and her aunt. I explained the issue with the Alpha and told her about the times he'd attacked me, but then started to tell her the different ways I'd found to protect myself. Simple things: never going out alone at night, locking the doors, always letting someone know where I was, carrying a gun at all times... Okay, the last part I'd admitted was a bit of an overkill, but I defended myself with the fact that it saved my life the night of the hospital.
Surprisingly, she seemed slightly reassured. She showed me the stun gun her aunt had given her, and confided that she was scared. I pretended she was a newly turned beta and reassured her that it was normal, but that she was strong, and would get used to the idea in time. I offered to help her train, and she enthusiastically accepted.
By the time she finished with her hair and makeup, I decided that I really liked her.
When she motions for me to sit in the chair so she can do my hair and makeup for me, I decide that I may just love this girl. I wouldn't know where to start on my own (Susan was the one to do my hair for the first and only dance I attended), but she seems to have a clear idea as she separates my hair into bunches and gets to work doing my makeup. She puts light smoky eyes on me and clear lip gloss on my lips, and then starts on my hair.
We stay silent at first, but after a while a conflicted look crosses her face, and she blurts it out. "What do you think about Derek Hale?" she asks. She's looking between my hair and my eyes in the mirror, and for a moment, I wonder if she notices how my heart clenches in my chest. "Aunt Kate showed you where she has him, right?"
I take a steadying breath and nod minutely. "Do you think that's... okay?" she asks. I involuntarily tighten my jaw before answering.
"No. He didn't kill anybody."
"So... What Aunt Kate says about them just being animals...?"
I close my eyes momentarily and smile to keep from roaring. "Even animals have rights," I remind her, reaching into that dark place inside me for a response. "What's being done in that room is... unnecessary."
"But Kate said..." she trails off, not sure if she should say what she wants to. I give her an encouraging look, and she takes a deep breath. "She said you're like her."
I chuckle humorlessly, and feel the shadow cover my eyes. "I can understand why she'd tell you that..."
Several Hours Earlier:
The smell of the Hale house is becoming strangely comforting and familiar, but it does anything except calm me as I follow Kate into the underground hallway. Orange light illuminate the way as we walk down the narrow passage until we reach a large steel door. We must be going to a cellar or a basement, and while there isn't any visible indication that I should feel worried, I find I can hardly breathe. This place is giving me a sense of deja vu, and the rising suspicion I have is making me wish I could shift into my still unfamiliar wolf form, just in case.
Two men stand guard at the door, and greet Kate with nods. She stops in front of the door, hand resting on the lever locking it as she smiles conspiratorially at me, ignoring the two men. "Remember, not a word to your father, okay?" she reminds me. I nod, taking a deep breath. Now the excitement starts to bubble to the surface in her expression, and with hardly any effort, she lifts the lever and pushes open the door. With trepidation I follow her inside at a safe distance, looking around the large, dark room.
The dream I had in the vet's office starts to come back to me as I look around, noticing little details that I saw in the dream. The lights are off, but Kate walks over to a switch to take care of that. I notice a large fence pushed up against the wall with something chained to it, and I feel my heart practically stop when a pair of blue eyes glow in the darkness.
"Derek?" I choke out.
The room immediately floods with light as Kate turns on a large lamp, aiming it directly at Derek. I stare with barely masked horror as I assess the situation he's in. His wrists are shackled above his head and chained to the fence, and attached to his bare side is a large patch connected to many wires. The wires lead to a machine, and it only takes a second to put two and two together to determine what the device does. She's been keeping him weak and torturing him with electrical shocks. That's why he hasn't been able to break free. Some blood is on his face, but not much, meaning there's been a struggle and his healing factor still works. I give thanks for that little blessing, but can't speak as I wonder at what he's been going through for the past day.
"Conner!" Derek yells, pulling against the chains holding him. "Get out of here!"
As Kate comes to my side, I'm paralyzed and he roars, baring his canines threateningly. Kate only chuckles and drapes her arm over my shoulders affectionately. "Isn't he just delicious?" she comments. When he roars again, she rolls her eyes. "Oh come on, Derek! I'm not doing anything to your little girlfriend." She cocks her head to the side and looks at me questioningly. "Want to play with him?"
Even with his wolf form completely exposed, I can see that he's confused as he looks between us, silently demanding that I explain. Kate shakes me softly, breaking me out of my trance. "You okay, sweetheart?" she asks teasingly. I nod mutely, and she leads me to the machine. "Come on, I'll show you how it's done."
"Conner, what is this?" Derek asks, staring at me. I can't look at him as Kate starts to explain what the dials on the machine do, and pay attention to what she's saying. "Conner!" Once Kate's done, she steps back and crosses her arms, looking at me expectantly.
"Go ahead," she encourages, looking up at Derek with a smirk. "Show him who's boss."
For a moment I can't move or speak. Derek's calling my name, and I hear the betrayal sneaking into his voice, but I can't respond as I evaluate the situation. Two fully trained hunters outside the door, armed, and one undiagnosed sociopath hunter with far too much experience killing wolves, and an arsenal of weapons designed to specifically hurt werewolves within her reach, while I only have a pistol with one clip. Taking Kate out would be a challenge, but it's manageable; to do it without the other hunters outside noticing, on the other hand, is impossible with the door open, and even if I do manage that feat, I can't take two hunters on by myself, and I don't have time to get Derek loose before they start shooting.
And now Kate's looking at me, doubt clear on her face. "Hesitation?" she asks, raising a brow. "Really? Come on. Roy's daughter should have more backbone than that."
"...Roy's daughter?" Derek repeats in a growl. Slowly I look up at him, meeting his glowing blue eyes. Now the betrayal is clear on his face, and it feels like a knife stabbing into my stomach. Kate laughs, much too amused by Derek's pain. "A hunter? You're one of them?!"
"Oh come on Derek, give the girl a break," Kate says teasingly as Derek tears his gaze away from mine in disgust. "Isn't the phrase, 'Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice...'?"
He roars and I see her take a step forward, a malicious grin on her face as she raises her hand. Before she can touch him, I turn the large dial on the machine, and watch with a tight jaw as the electricity courses through him. I don't think I'll be able to control myself if I see her lay a hand on him to harm him. He grits his teeth and his body arches, his wolf aspect pushed away by the torture. I don't let it last more than a second or two before I turn it off, masking the pain with cold indifference.
Kate looks at me with raised brows. "That's a start," she admits, nodding in approval. Derek's hanging tiredly from the chains, head dropped facing the floor. Not wanting to be pushed to electrocute him again, I step away from the machine and move next to her.
"Have you gotten anything out of him?" I ask, though I know the answer. He's stronger than any of us. She sighs and wanders over to the table where the machine is, disappointment clear in her voice.
"Not a peep," she admits. "Though I have gotten a scream or two."
The innuendo is clear in her voice, but I push down the anger and step towards Derek. He doesn't look up, but his shoulders tense and he balls his fists. I motion for Kate to toss me a rag from the table, and once I catch it, I reach forward, cupping Derek's chin. He doesn't fight me as I turn his face, then wipe the blood off. There are flecks of already dried blood, but some of it looks fresh. "That's better," I murmur. I can't help but clean the rest of his face covered with sweat and dust, providing even this tiny measure of comfort. He glares murderously at me, making it clear that if his hands weren't bound, they'd be around my neck.
"Don't touch me," he warns, his voice barely above a whisper. Feeling Kate watching me like a hawk, I close my eyes and take a deep breath. Derek walked into gunfire for me. Acting is the least I can do. I reach to a dark, sadistic side of myself, and try to mirror what Kate would do. When I open my eyes, I smirk and cock my head to the side.
"You mean like this?"
I trail my fingers over his cheek and down his neck, noticing how the muscles there immediately bunch up. His eyes glow blue and his fangs start to extend, but I ignore it and run my hand languidly down his chest. "Oh come on Derek," I whisper teasingly, leaning up so our faces are close. "Just yesterday, weren't you asking me to stay with you?" He bares his teeth warningly, and in response I reach up, then rake my nails down his abdomen. "What were you hoping to do, Derek...?"
"Did you get to sleep with him?" Kate asks. Still staring into his hate-filled eyes, I shake my head slowly. "Too bad. He's most likely even better now than when I had my chance."
I shrug lazily. "He's a pretty good kisser," I admit truthfully. She nods in agreement.
"Too bad you can't have a last taste."
I look down to see what's holding his feet, and see he's standing on a platform with his ankles bound with wire. I stand up on the platform, lifting myself to his level and using the fence behind him for support. He growls warningly, but leans back against the fence, allowing me to stand in front of him. My body presses completely against his and I lean up, my lips barely reaching his jaw. My heart is beating erratically from the proximity mixed with the fear, but while he's tense, he makes no move to attack or push me away. Holding onto his shoulders for support, I lean my head back and meet his eyes.
"Who says I can't?"
I grab onto the back of his head and pull him down, crashing my lips against his. He resists at first, but when I run my tongue along his bottom lip they part, and he possesses my mouth. Hunger fills me as he fights for dominance, moving his lips roughly against mine and lowering his head, deepening the kiss. I groan involuntarily and press myself against him, momentarily forgetting the circumstances. He's being rough and angry, as if he's trying to punish me, but it's the total opposite. He feels perfect, a natural Alpha.
Kate lets out a low whistle, however, and that brings both of us back to earth. I wrench my lips away and jump back just as he roars, snapping his teeth at me. Kate immediately cranks up the electricity and he yells in pain, shrinking into himself. She lets the electricity run longer than I did, so when she shuts it off, he collapses, chest heaving and skin bright with sweat.
"That was a close one," Kate informs me, but she's grinning with pride. I force a laugh and touch my lips, sticking out my tongue to taste them. They taste like him, and I hate that I can't just wrench him off the fence and run. "Satisfied?" she asks. I shake my head, and answer with complete honesty.
"Not nearly."
Her arm is around me in a second, pulling me into a one-armed hug. "A woman after my own heart!" she exclaims excitedly. "I can't believe Roy didn't introduce us sooner." She takes a look at her watch, and sighs with disappointment. "Come on, we've gotta pick up the niece at the mall." She pats Derek's chest lightly, then starts for the door. "Say goodbye to the wolf, honey."
"Can I play with him later?" I ask, looking over my shoulder. "I'll have some steam to blow off after dealing with Jackson all night." She smirks and nods, giving the guards the okay to let me come back. I turn back to Derek and lay my hand flat against his chest, right above where his heart is. He doesn't even fight me when I move forward, pressing a soft kiss to his lower abdomen.
"Wait for me," I breathe in a whisper. "I'll be back." I don't look at his face as I turn around and follow Kate, turning off the lights on my way out. I can only pray that he understands, and is able to survive until I come back.
Present:
I look at Allison through the mirror and smile. "You'll start to see how different we are soon enough," I assure her. "I'm not as cruel." She nods, reassured by my answer, and continues to fix my hair. My phone vibrates on the vanity and I reach forward, careful not to move too much and ruin Allison's work. The number is unknown, and already suspecting who it is, I quickly answer. "Hello?"
"I take it you're having fun with Allison."
Peter. I mask my nerves at the idea that he was watching me, and smile pleasantly. "Yeah, Allison's doing my hair. We're going to the formal in an hour," I say casually. "What are you going to be up to?"
"I'll be there," he confirms. "Have your heard from Derek?"
I hesitate before speaking, but when I do, my voice is even. "I think I saw Kate, Allison's aunt, talking with him earlier," I answer. He knows I don't mean they were talking.
"Where?"
"I don't know yet," I lie. "But I already have a ride to get there, so don't worry."
"Will you need help?" he asks.
"No, it'll be just the three of us," I say, winking at Allison.
"Three hunters?"
"I'm hoping only two," I admit. "I really don't want to be out too late."
"I need him back, Conner," he says tightly.
"I know, I won't forget, I promise," I assure him.
"Good." He lets out a breath, then clears his throat. "How would you feel about the pack finishing off Kate tonight?"
"Tonight's good," I answer calmly, not wanting to raise suspicion with Allison. "Just us?"
"We'll go with or without Scott," he states, and I can hear in his voice that he's antsy to kill already. I can't blame him. After seeing what she did to Derek, I'm dying to get my hands on the hunter, too. "But we need Derek. So, I'll try on my end, and you try on yours to get him back. The sooner, the better." And with that, he hangs up the phone.
"Alright, sounds good," I tell the silent phone. "See you later." I pretend to end the call, then place the phone face down on the vanity. "Sorry about that. My uncle just wanted me to remember it's family night."
"Oh, that's nice," she says happily. Clearly, she hasn't heard about my real family situation. "Okay, all done."
I look up with surprise, and can't stop the smile from spreading across my face. She's lightly curled all of my hair, not bothering with clips or any adornment other than the curls because it looks beautiful as is. She motions for me to stay where I am, then picks up a black box from the bed with a purple bow tied on it. "Speaking of your uncle, he gave me this for you while I was in the mall."
I frown in confusion as she hands me a note that came with it, and unties the bow. The card is small, a simple folded square of card stock with a short sentence written on it. Allison pulls the contents out of the thin box, gasping lightly.
Found them in the woods that night.
-Peter
Allison drops a string of small pearls around my neck and fastens them delicately. I stare with wide eyes at the pearls I had always thought my mother had lost the night of the accident, and feel tears well up. They used to be my grandmother's, and Peter found them in the woods. My mother's car was found wrapped around a lamppost, and her body burned to an unrecognizable degree in the driver's seat. That lamppost had been by a field, and not close at all to any forests.
Which confirms what I've been trying to avoid accepting this whole time.
My father, the man who raised me, killed her.
A tear slips out unbidden, and Allison gives me a concerned look. I smile as I wipe the tear away, shaking my head. "I'm fine," I lie. "Just... touched."
She hugs me in comfort, smiling encouragingly. "Come on. Jackson's here," she says, rubbing my arms. "Are you ready?"
I stand up, looking at myself in the mirror to pull myself together. My golden eyes look back at me steadily, as if they're telling me to be strong. Peter gave me these pearls to give me answers, and most likely to give me that taste, to want vengeance. And it's worked, partially: I want to kill. But I want to kill him, too, for making me feel what Derek is going to feel when he finds out that his sister's death wasn't an accident. The pearls glint up at me, and touching them softly, I nod.
"I'm ready."
Tonight, heads are going to roll.
Next chapter, we have the formal, death, and Conner will exact some revenge :]
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