Stiles opened his mouth in shock as he stared at the blue ball of fire that levitated just above his hand. This had been the first time he'd managed to do anything like this. Well, actually anything at all. He'd started to feel down because with all the power he had or supposedly had he couldn't seem to do anything. Elisa had told him that doubt was part of the problem. All those years being bullied and Scott turning on him had built up and made him feel worthless. These negative emotions had created a barrier that stopped Stiles from learning.

All he needed was just one success. Derek had been fantastic and managed to take him away and make him forget his frustrations. It had also given him a chance to get to know his mate even more, and his werewolf had done the most romantic thing ever…made him the best curly fries known to man. Then he was pulled into those strong arms and kissed. It had made him so relaxed that when he had tried this time a magical ball of fire appeared.

"I can do it, I can do magic." He whispered.

Elisa laughed as the ball disappeared. "Yes, yes you can, you are magical. Once you can do that easily, we'll then move onto something else."

Stiles reached out and pulled her into a hug. "Thank you."

"You're welcome my little spark."

"Hey enough of the little." He laughed.

XXXXX

Noah stood next to Melissa and sighed.

"What's wrong?" He had seemed so distant lately. Melissa had thought that there was something between them, but now she wasn't so sure.

"It's about Isaac Lahey. I'm trying to find a good family to place him with. It's not going very well."

"I could take him. He's a friend of Scott's. I'd hate to see him be put into the system." She didn't ask specific details but had seen the numerous bruises. As a nurse, she'd seem too many abuse victims. Isaac needed somewhere he could feel safe.

"Thank you, Melissa. I really appreciate this. I'll start putting through the paperwork. Once it's all signed off I'll let him know, that kid could do with a break." Noah winced as images of his son flashed through his mind and with them the odd moments of love. What the hell was going on?

"Noah?" She reached over to help him, but never managed to hide the hurt when he pulled away.

XXXXX

Scott stared out into the woods. There was so much going on at the moment. He needed support, but the man he looked to for this had been ignoring him. Damn those councils for hiding the Nemeton and for bringing back the Hales, which included Stiles.

Once the spell wore off completely, the Sheriff was going to be pissed. He'd hoped that the man he considered a father and his mother would be together. Time was running out, was there any kind of love potion that could work? When they were a family, he would be forgiven, and Stiles wouldn't be needed as he would be the only son that would be wanted. Did he really need his ex-best friend? Was this boost thing true?

That wasn't the only problem; he needed his pack to be stronger. It could be time to start biting people. Once they were changed, they would be happy. He completely ignored the fact that he'd hated having the bite forced on him. It was different with him; after all, he was special. Who wouldn't want to be part of his pack? Just then his cell went off.

"Yes, oh hi Dr Deaton. Wait, what? Deucalion has Boyd and Erica?" He tried to make his voice sound naturally surprised. "I don't know what to do. Yes, as soon as I decide I'll let you know." Scott sighed this was the last thing he needed. He definitely needed to build his pack. A smile suddenly covered his face; the perfect candidate had just popped into his head.

He might as well start now. His pack was going to be the strongest. As the True Alpha of this pack, he would be admired and people would listen to him. Scott was unique, and nothing would change that.

XXXXX

Jackson rushed towards the vet clinic. There was so much that needed to be discussed. As he got closer, he heard shouting. He recognised those voices immediately, it was Lydia and Scott. It had been a while since he'd heard her that angry and it was usually aimed at him. What the hell was going on?

XXXXX

"What do you want Scott?"

"We need to wait for Deaton." He'd hoped the older man would help him.

"You dragged me here, you tell me now."

He sighed. "Fine, it seems Deucalion has Boyd and Erica."

"What? Oh my god, how are we going to rescue them?" She may not be close to these people, but they were needed. A pack had to be strong.

"We're not going to."

"We're not going to what?"

"We're not going to rescue them," Scott explained more clearly.

"Why not?" Lydia snapped.

"We don't have the numbers, it would be suicide. I'll just replace them."

"You're going to leave them in the hands of a psycho and not knowing what they're going through. Instead, you're going to try and replace them, are you crazy?"

"No, it makes logical sense. I just need to find better, smarter candidates."

Lydia eyed him warily and took a step back. "I don't like where this conversation is going. I don't want to be a werewolf. I'm only here because of Jackson."

"Come on, think of all the benefits. Look how strong you'll be; with your brains, it's clear you'll be my second in command."

"I'm no one's second." She sniffed.

Before Lydia could scream, Scott was right in front of her. His face in its beta form, he leant forward and then sank his fangs deep into her neck. All she could do was release the scream that had built up.

TBC