Chapter 14: Choice
"Nice neighborhood." Tessa commented as she walked down an urban street, with Peter at her side.
"It's... That house." Peter said hesitantly.
For the first time, Peter didn't want to risk others getting hurt just to save himself. He felt helpless.
"Nice house. Thank you Peter. You may leave. And don't worry, I won't kill anyone." Tessa said.
Peter glared at her, watching her walk up to Scott's house that was empty because Scott was at school.
Tessa observed the house, then leapt up, climbing on the roof and opening the window and slipped inside, in Scott's room.
X X X
Scott arrived home and carelessly dropped his bag on a chair in his room.
It was then that he heard a small whimper.
He was shocked to see on his bed, was Allison, her mouth covered with tape, and her arms behind her back.
"What the hell." Scott gasped, running to the bed, getting to work on the bindings.
"Who did this to you?" Scot asked, moving, untying the knot on her mouth.
"Scott. Behind you!" Allison cried.
Scott turned and was surprised to see Tessa standing in front of the closed door.
"Tessa. Where have you been? We..." Scott paused, observing her again then glancing down at the fear struck Allison.
"Did you do this?" Scott asked Tessa, anger slowly rising.
"Maybe." Tessa faked innocence.
"She did this Scott. She says she'll kill me if you don't do what she wants." Allison said.
Scott stared in surprise and more anger at Tessa.
"You see. That's why I had your mouth shut in the first place." Tessa said, taking a few steps forward.
Scott put himself between Allison and Tessa, his eyes now a golden brown, "Don't come any closer." He said warningly.
Tessa stopped, and focused on him.
"What do you want?" Scott asked.
"That wasn't so hard. Was it? I need you to return with me to my pack." Tessa said.
"I thought you didn't want anything to do with that pack." Scott said.
"That was before Deucalion made me realize how powerful an Alpha can be. I'm an Alpha, and you... Are you coming with me." Tessa said.
"You don't want to do this." Scott said.
Tessa glanced past Scott, "You're right. I really don't. But if you don't come willingly. I might make a little mess in your room." She said, focusing on Allison.
"Don't hurt her. I'll come with you." Scott said.
"Good. We don't have much time. I would like to return to the pack by tomorrow night." Tessa said.
Scott glanced back at Allison.
"I'll be outside." Tessa said and walked out the door.
X X X
"Derek. You've got to believe me. She's not herself!" Peter said for the thousandth time.
Derek felt more anger build, "Tessa is not like that! She wouldn't hurt anyone. I suppose now you're lying about even seeing her!"
"If you don't believe me. Call Scott." Peter said.
Derek looked at him, still in disbelief.
"Call. Scot." Peter said, his eyes pleading.
Derek took a deep breath, but pulled out his phone, and put it to his ear when he dialed the number.
Cora sat on the couch in the room, glaring predatorily at Peter. With the same anger as Derek.
"He's not answering." Derek said.
Peter felt slight panic, "She's gotten to him."
X X X
Tessa was halfway through the forest, leading outwards of California, with Scott following behind.
"Tessa. You're making a mistake." Scott attempted one more time to faze her.
"Unfortunately, I know what I'm doing. Now let's get moving." Tessa said.
"I'm sorry Tessa. You're not going anywhere." Peter appeared in front of them.
Tessa abruptly stopped "Peter, you did wonderfully leading me here. I'm sparing your life here."
"I can't let you take Scott." Peter said.
Tessa turned her head towards Scott then back at Peter.
"Or else what?" Tessa challenged.
Then, Isaac was approaching Peter's side.
"You are being naïve. Peter." Tessa said.
"So are you." Cora said, appearing beside Isaac. "You old the truth." Cora whispered.
Then in front of the three, Derek appeared. "Tessa. What are you doing?"
"Isn't it obvious. Scott here is needed elsewhere." Tessa said.
"She's lost it Derek. We need to."
"Quiet." Derek snapped at Peter, then focused back on Tessa.
"Cut it out Tessa, you know what I told you about your inner Alpha." Derek slowly, cautiously took a few steps towards her.
Tessa seemed to relax a little.
"You don't want to do this. They've gotten to you." Derek said, no standing inches from her.
Tessa stared at him, with slight confusion and slight alert.
Derek rested a hand on her cheek, which she tensed at the touch as if she was burnt. "Turn back. Now."
Tessa's burning red eyes stared into his calm and pleading blue ones.
Suddenly, Tessa returned to her senses, and squeezed her eyes shut, "S-stop confusing me!"
With that, with inhuman strength, she pushed at his chest and sent Derek flying back, landing roughly on the ground.
Tessa began to feel something in her eyes, something wet, and it burned.
With a few gasps of breaths, she took off in inhuman speed, leaving Scott, Peter, Cora, Isaac, and the recovering Derek in shock.