CORA'S POV:

When I got home I stuck that stupid rose that Scott gave me in my underwear drawer. I doubt anyone would go in there, at least I hoped. Everything happened so fast for the next day or so that I didn't have time to think about Scott or what he was trying to sell me. Allison and her dad moved in along with Lydia for the rest of the weekend. Lydia almost had a breakdown because of Allison, Derek found me purging in the bathroom and threw a fit, but calmed down after I promised to get help, Ethan came over almost figured us out, Deucalion and Stiles almost got into it over what to do about the Alpha pack, and Allison responded to her dad, so Isaac was posted at her side the whole time, which I didn't want to admit hurt, but did.

Needless to say, the weekend was hectic and I was sort of looking forward to school as an escape. Wow, I never thought I'd say that.

"What do you want to know?" I asked Lydia as she walked quietly by me in the halls.

She hesitated as she met my eyes. "Uh. . .I just wanted to know how long have you been. . .you know?" Her voice tiny.

I really shouldn't be mad at her. She was my only girl friend and it was clear that she was worried about me. It was clear that everyone was worried about me.

I huffed. "I know I need help. I know that I'm slowly killing myself." I avoided her eyes. "I can't help that I'm fucked up, okay?" My eyes met chocolate brown ones without trying to. My whole body flushed in embarrassment. Why should I care that Scott knows I'm messed up in the head? I quickly looked at the ground.

Lydia's hand found mine and squeezed. "You know I'm here for you, right? That Stiles is here for you? You can't keep doing this to yourself, you can't keep doing this to him. He told me how helpless it makes him feel when he can't fix you." Her hazel eyes were tearing up. "I know that we sort of just met and that this is your business, but I've been through the ringer with Allison and I don't want to watch that happen with you. I like you. I want you to be healthy. Derek, Isaac, and Stiles wants you to be healthy."

Somehow I couldn't help the tears from slipping and falling. How could I not feel like an idiot? God, I was so stupid. My fingers grabbed at my fat stomach. I tore my hand away and went in the opposite direction. "I'm sorry, I have to go. . ."

"Cora-" Lydia began, but I was hightailing it to the other end of the school to the girls locker room that would be empty until fourth period.

No one knew me at Beacon Hills High except for Stiles, Lydia, Isaac, and the Alpha pack. Isaac was at home with Allison helping her recover with her father. Stiles was talking with Deucalion still. I doubted that the Alpha pack would make sure that I was okay, so I didn't have to worry about anybody stopping me. I made it there and to the toilet as fast as possible, making sure the room was empty before I made myself throw up my breakfast that Derek forced down my throat. As I yakked up everything I felt someone behind me. I wiped my mouth, but didn't turn around as I rubbed my stomach.

"Lydia, I'm sorry. Please, don't tell Derek or Stiles." I rested my forehead on my arm that laid on the lip of the seat.

I heard the sink running, so I assumed that she was wetting a paper towel to give to me. Seconds later a hand was wiping at my mouth and it wasn't pale and feminine, but tan and muscular. He turned my face to look at him. There was no trace of indifference in his features like I half expected.

"How can I help you?" He asked. Somehow genuine concern dripped from his voice. His brown eyes bore into mine with an intensity that I didn't think should've been there.

My skin tingled where he touched me, which was annoying. I pulled away from his grasp, mostly because I was embarrassed that I'd have vomit breath. And I guess I didn't want him touching me. He was sort of evil after all.

As if reading my mind he produced gum from his jean jacket pocket and unexpectedly feed it to me. I was so caught off guard by what felt like some sensual act after what disgusting action I just committed in front of him. Where did he come from? He just poofed in Beacon Hills and decided to treat me as his mate?

Pride filled me as I wrenched away from him. "I don't need to be pitied. Especially not by you."

"I don't want to pity you. That's the last thing I want to do."

I turned to him with anger because I still didn't believe that crap he was spouting. "Then what is it exactly that you want?"

He stepped forward, closing in on me. "I want to care for you, Cora. Is that so hard to believe?" His patience was wearing thin. I couldn't imagine he had much of it in his position.

"Yes!"

"Why because Stiles hates me? Because you think I'm evil?"

"Because you scare me!" I pushed at his chest, my hands staying a moment too long to feel the hardness of muscle. "Now will you leave me alone?" I raised my arms in question as I headed for the door.

He didn't say anything, he just looked at me with anger in eyes as I left him there to stew in what he created. I forced myself to go through the rest of the school day because if I went anywhere else my mind would be on Scott. I know it was stupid, but I couldn't deny that it seemed like he wanted to help me, but that didn't take away from the fact that Stiles doesn't trust him. If Stiles doesn't trust him neither do I.

At lunch I ate in the library because I wanted time to myself. That's what I needed more of these days. The drama of Stydia and Allisaac were just too much. I promised myself without question that Scora would not happening in any form of a relationship. I wanted to barf at the idea, but that was a bit too dramatic. In all honesty, Scott was a pretty good looking guy and maybe he was sweet when he wanted to be. None of that made up for the fact that he was trying to ruin our lives.

My head hit the edge of the table as I closed my eyes and let my hair cover my face and stayed like that for the majority of lunch. Being a teenager blows chunks like ninety-nine percent of the time. That's one thing the movies got right.

"Hey, are you okay?" A voice asked that I was sure was not Scott's or Lydia's.

I looked up to see a guy with curly blonde hair and blue eyes and I wasn't at all expecting him to be on the same level of hotness as Brad Pitt was in Troy. I admit at first glance he had my no no place scream yes.

"Uh, huh?" I stumbled out.

He smiled a crooked white teeth smile. "I asked if you were okay."

"Oh." I nodded vigorously like a dog. I gave a small laugh at the irony. "I mean, yes. I think." I gave a light shake of my head. "No, actually. I'm not." I said as a warning. Whatever this guy's interest was it wouldn't do him any good.

He sat down adjacent to me without asking. "Cora, right?"

My eyes narrowed. "How do you know my name? We don't have class together do we?" I really wouldn't have noticed.

"Actually, we do. History and Chemistry."

"Is that a pick up line?"

He laughed gently, letting it meet his baby blue eyes. "No. Would it have worked if it was?" There was a light teasing in his voice that I found myself comfortable with.

A tint smile found my lips. "Um, I don't know. I've been on a date." Embarrassment filled me. "I can't believe I just said that."

He leaned it as if to tell me a secret. "Me neither."

I found that hard to believe. "But you're so . . ." I wasn't finishing that.

He appeared embarrassed by my half compliment. "Looks can be deceiving."

I wanted to ask him what he meant by that, but Stiles came rushing to the table. He looked at – I didn't even know his name – then back at me.

"We need to leave now. Something came up with Duke and it's not about Scott." He told me, sure to say Duke instead of Deucalion. Not too many people thought Deucalion was a normal name, so if were in public around humans we'd say Duke just to sound normal.

Adrenaline spiked through me. "Where's Lydia?"

"With Ethan now come on." He headed for the door.

I grabbed my bag and followed him, then looked back at whatever his name is and waved.

"My name's Killian." He said low once I was already well across the library.

Did that mean he knew about me? I mean, the way he said it was like he knew I could hear him. Maybe I was imagining things. He didn't smell like a werewolf, after all. If there was a next time I'd have to get a better whiff to make sure.

When we were all in Ethan's van the questions started, "What is going on? What's so urgent that we all had to skip school and go to your house?"

"We can't explain it. Sorry, Eth-" Stiles started, but was interrupted by Ethan.

"You can't tell me?" He all but yelled. "You drag me out of school and tell me I have to help you protect Lydia and Allison and you won't tell me why? Are you freaking kidding me?" He looked over at Lydia who was giving him an apologetic smile. "You really can't tell me?" He asked her quietly.

She shrugged. "I wish I could, but it's not up to me."

Ethan shook his head in disbelief.

I looked over at Stiles. He knew he couldn't tell Ethan, but I was betting that he wanted to for Lydia's sake. My hand reached over the squeeze his.

He met my eyes as he squeezed back. A small smile tugged at his lips.

By nightfall we had swept the surrounding woods with Deucalion's help as Isaac, Ethan, and Mr. Argent stayed behind to watch over Lydia and Allison. Really, Isaac should've been out here with us, but he practically growled at us for requesting that he leave Allison's side. At the same time, I couldn't blame him because the girl he was in love with was doing better. Well, better is a relative term. Allison's up and active, but she's not the same. She's cold in a sense. I didn't know what that meant for us or for her.

Now it was a waiting game as we guarded the perimeter of the house from the woods. I crouched and barred my fangs as a crunch too heavy for your typical animal came from the distance.

"Did you hear that?" I whispered to Stiles.

He was half a mile away, but he heard me. "It's probably nothing. I'll check it out."

"No," I protested. "It sounds closer to me. I'll do it."

"What if it's a trap to lure us out?"

Suddenly there was a huge mass of man crouched in front of me. My heart lurched in my chest as I saw who it was. My hands shoved at his chest, once again staying a moment too long. I wondered if he was flexing or if he really was that firm in that position. "Scott, what the hell are you doing here?"

We both stood.

"Scott?" Stiles asked in the distance.

Scott rolled his eyes. "We know there's someone in town."

Erica and Boyd appeared from the dark. Now I could tell why Lydia was jealous of Erica. Even though she was on the slutty side she was still very beautiful and obviously confident. But Lydia had nothing to worry about on that end, she so wasn't Stiles' type.

A few seconds later Deucalion and Stiles were by my side. I was trying to avoid Scott's eyes, but I could feel them all over my body. What annoyed me more than anything was that I liked it.

"What are you doing?" Stiles demanded, moving in front of me.

My heart tugged at bit at his protectiveness over me.

Deucalion stepped forward. "Now, Stiles." Deucalion chided. "Scott's here on our behalf."

My brow furrowed. "You want to protect Lydia and Allison? Why?" I couldn't help the bitterness from escaping.

"We want them with us. We wouldn't put them in danger." Erica snapped.

I rolled my eyes. "You just want to kidnap them and take them away."

"That's not what we want to do." He explained to me specifically, but I wouldn't look at him. "Whether you like it or not, we're staying, so you can turn away our help or you can welcome it."

Stiles and I looked to Deucalion in question. Was he going to stand for this?

There seemed to be no hesitation on his part, which is why Stiles was arguing with him all weekend. We shared a look before I turned back to Deucalion. "What, are you really buying this?" I held my hand out to point at them. "Come on, we don't know them." I pointedly met Scott's eyes. "So how can we trust them?" Distrust colored my voice.

Stiles backed me up. "I have to agree with Cora on this."

"Enough." Deucalion announced, the Alpha dominance in his voice making us command his wishes. "Yes, we'd like your alliance."

"Wait-Alliance?" Stiles asked. "Help this one time is enough, we don't need to be allies with them."

Deucalion faced us with red eyes. "I said ENOUGH!"

We recoiled under his power.

I turned to Stiles. "Come on."

We ran in the other direction, stopping a mile away not that we could branch out more. I moved a quarter of a mile away from him.

"So are we going to talk about what happened back there just now?" His voice carried to me from the distance.

I shook my head even though he couldn't see it. "I really don't want to."

"Well, you're my best friends, so you're going to have to. You can't keep us at arm's length, especially not me. With everything that's been going on we need each other."

I sighed as I surveyed the woods. "I know. I just. . ." My hand scratched at my stomach. "I just don't know what to say and even if I did I wouldn't feel like talking about it. Not with you."

He was quiet for a while and I knew I offended him.

Why was I such a terrible friend?

"Stiles, that's not what I meant. It's just your my best guy friend and talking to you about Isaac was already embarrassing, so I can't do this with you."

He was silent for a few moments. "So, Lydia?"

"Yes, Lydia." I said without question. It was sort of surreal to think just a week ago I didn't have any girl friends and I was madly in love with Isaac, and there was no Alpha pack. Now I had Lydia and I was hoping Allison if she wanted, I accepted that Isaac and I aren't going to work out and neither will Stiles and I, and now I have to accept this Alpha pack alliance along with Scott's advances. Well, I didn't have to accept the last two, but I did have to be cordial with them because Deucalion's word was final.

"You do know that yo-"

A sharp pain shot through my stomach. My vision instantly blurred and my throat felt swollen. I saw a flash of tan skin then white then total darkness.

My eyes fluttered open as I jolted awake. Everyone was around me, including the Alpha pack. Scott was right besides Stiles and neither of us were too comfortable with that. I noted the faint discomfort in the side of my stomach. My hand went there and touched the white bandage.

Anger seeped into me. "I was shot." I met Stiles' eyes.

He nodded.

I tried to jump off the kitchen island that they laid me on, but Scott's hand latched onto my waist, keeping me in place. My entire body flushed as everyone stared between us. The only reason I didn't remove his hands myself was because I didn't want to be rude in front of this many people. Although I was grateful that Stiles removed his hands my body missed the tingling touch.

I rolled my eyes to show I wasn't effected. "So what the hell shot me?"

"They're not a problem anymore." Scott assured me.

"You killed them?" I turned to Deucalion.

He nodded. "They were volatile. We had no choice. It was clear they were looking for blood."

My eyes found Lydia and Allison, they weren't hurt. That's when I noticed that Ethan stood a few feet away from the rest of us with freaked out eyes.

"You guys told him?"

"We kind of had to." Lydia grinned. "I'm glad that you're okay."

I smiled back. "Thanks. Same."

"Okay, give her some room." Derek appeared out of nowhere, hugging the breath out of me.

"I can't breathe." I told him as I hugged him back.

He let me go. "I'm just glad you're okay." He grinned.

"I'm fine."

He helped me off the island and onto my feet.

"So, is everything relatively back to normal?" I looked to Stiles.

He glanced at Scott before nodding.

Derek walked me to my room because he just knew I was tired. "You're not going to school tomorrow, okay."

I nodded as I curled up in my bed. "I love you, too." I drifted off to sleep.

SCOTT'S POV:

I couldn't help but feel creepy as I watched her sleep, but I couldn't help but take a liking to it. She wasn't barking at me or looking at me with those judgy eyes. Really, I had no one to blame but myself for her being scared of me, as she said.

Lydia laid next to her on the bed while Stiles sat next to me with our backs against the frame of the bed as we sat on the floor. It had been hours since everything calmed down, but I couldn't sleep and Stiles wouldn't leave Lydia or Cora alone with me even though I wouldn't hurt them.

"Whatever you're trying to pull on Cora, drop it." He demanded.

"Yes, sir." I mocked.

He looked at me with hatred in his eyes. "That was me asking nicely."

"Oh, trust me. I know." After a few minutes of silence, I said, "You can't your cake and eat it, too."

He gave a noncommittal shrug. "Maybe not, but she will never go for you."

Normally, I'd agree with him, but Cora and I were supposed to be mated. That meant on some level she felt some connection to me, no matter how small. That's all I needed to convince her that I'm not here to destroy everybody and everything.