Maybe I should post this chapter later...

NAH.

xx

SSC

Deep breaths in an out. She reminded herself as she walked through the school doors as steady as her legs could carry her. Megra felt the prickling sensation of being watched from every corner. She couldn't help glancing over her shoulder to make sure there wasn't a knife flying her way or a stun gun with her name on it.

Calm down, she heaved another breath. Oxygen consumed her lungs and gave her a small rush that calm her for a moment before the anxiety was back again. Just when she reached the intersecting corridor to the entrance a loud voice called out her name.

"Meg!" She flinched unsuspecting and pivoted instantly. Her looming fear faded at the sight of a familiar tall boy with honey brown eyes running in her direction with Scott trailing behind him.

"Stiles!" She exclaimed a grin brightening up her face. He reached her and took a moment to catch his breathing before returning her smile.

"You have no idea how happy I am to see your smiling face!" He sputtered still out of breath. She was taken aback by his words. They missed her?

Scott rushed over just as she was struggling to form words. He regarded her with his chocolate brown eyes that were soft in relief.

"Honestly Meg. I thought we would never see you again." He panted fiddling with the straps of his back pack. Meg smiled and shook her head at their over dramatics, she wasn't missing for that long.

"Aww you guys really do care." She teased nudging her elbow into Stiles side and then playfully punching Scott on the arm. Stiles immediately sensed the doubt underlining her words. She didn't believe them and she was mocking them at an attempt to cover up her own awkwardness.

"Don't say stupid things." He found himself muttering. Meg was surprised by his own stern tone. She froze, her smile disappearing for a moment as she stared up at them, analyzing them.

"You guys were really worried about me." She mumbled under her breath in wonder. Her head tilting to the side while trying to process the information. Scott rolled his eyes and Stiles snorted, they didn't understand why she was so shocked. Then again she didn't know they both haven't been able to sleep till they got to school Monday morning to see her.

"Of course we were, we still are. Now that we know they are targeting you too." Stiles retorted with much seriousness that Meg couldn't help but find heart-warming and adorable. She grinned and laughed while shaking her head her fear and anxieties fading away at the flustered faces of her two good friends.

"FISH man, wanna hug it out?" She responded with her arms spread waiting.

"I don't—" Ignoring Stilinski's protest Meg hugged them both tightly. Scott laughed and patted her back while Stiles rolled his eyes. His arms forced to his side "Aaand you are going to hug me anyway." He drawled and she chuckled raising her head to meet his.

"You know me so well." Stiles couldn't help but smile and return the hug.

"What did you mean by FISH?" Scott asked. Her lips parted to answer when a figure behind her spoke up.

"F*ck It Shit Happens" Erica stated giving the two her usual blunt stare. Meg perked up at the sound of Erica's jaded voice and turned to face her. Isaac and Boyd stood behind the blonde, practically looming over Meg.

"Hey it's my gang!" She exclaimed merrily and they began to exchange words.

Scott and Stiles stood back and watched them, both equally amazed by how typical she was—as typical as someone like Meg could be—Stiles stare was more intense than Scott's.

"It's like nothing happened" The teen wolf mumbled to his friend.

"No…she is very good at hiding it." Stiles replied, with an all knowing tone with eyes that had softened in understanding while watching Meg's grinning face. It made him worry just how much she was hiding about that night.

The day was coming to an end. Meg was relieved and at the same time she hated that she was. School was one of the best parts of her day, it was so much fun hanging out with her pack and then seeing Scott and Stiles too. But the paranoia was slowly starting to consume her. She began to wonder if coming back to school so soon was even a good idea.

"Well look who just walked in." Isaac spoke just as she had managed to shove her Chemistry text book and Biology book into her locker.

"Chris Evans?" she responded eager and hopeful, turning to face the direction Erica and Boyd were glaring at. She froze when Billy was heading their way down the corridor.

"Oh…"

Her pack grew alert the closer Billy got. Subconsciously they stood in front of her as if shielding her. Their claws were ready to grow out and Meg knew all hell would break loose if she didn't do something.

"Guys don't." She said meekly. Boyd glanced back at her.

"Relax, we are just going to go talk to him," The blue eyed male retorted with a predatory gaze aimed at their target. Erica smirked and nodded in response she was waiting to dig her claws into that little wimp. Meg frowned up at them. Reaching out she wrapped her fingers around Isaac's forearm grabbing his attention.

"Please don't do it, I am asking nicely." Isaac stared down at Meg's pleading eyes for a moment before sighing. He relaxed but continued to scowl. Erica was disappointed and Boyd was relieved. He was never a fan of conflict and he was grateful Meg intervened, the last thing he wanted was more danger directed at his pack.

"Besides, it looks like someone already got to him before us." Isaac mumbled, burying his hands into his jacket pocket when Meg had let go. All their stares fell on to Billy. He passed by them, not before stopping to glance at them from the corner of his eye.

Meg saw the fear in his eyes and she was surprised, shouldn't it be the other way around? And what happened to his face? The left side was turning a slight shade of purple and there was a cutting on his lower lip that still had a crescent mark of blood.

She was hoping Scott and Stiles didn't try to intimidate him. The last thing she wanted was for the hunters to go after them.

"Guys you didn't have to escort me everywhere, I know my way around the school." Meg grumbled, her friends have been insisting on accompanying her everywhere. Even to the bathroom. She should be annoyed but part of her was grateful. She never felt so cherished before, even though it did get slightly annoying later on in the day. Especially when Erica growled at one of Meg's Gymnastic class members who had just come by to say hi.

"Yeah, so do the hunters apparently, we are just keeping an eye on you Meg." Boyd reminded and Meg sighed as they descended the steps along with the rest of the teenagers at school. They were rushing off to get to their cars and drive home.

"I am well aware of what they are…capable of." She mumbled her gaze a far. Her pack was quick to notice and Erica immediately reacted.

"Meg—"

"Oh look Grumpy Growls is here." she exclaimed enthusiastically and slightly relieved. She needed to get out of here.

"Are you guys coming for training?" She asked looking to Isaac, Boyd and Erica. They shook their heads simultaneously.

"I don't think there will be one today, I have practice so does Boyd." Isaac answered.

"I need to get home; my mom wants us to spend some 'quality time'" Erica grumbled with an eye roll. Any other day Meg would have been severely disappointed but today she wanted to go home and rest. She couldn't last night with the freak lightening storm. She prayed there wasn't going to be one later on.

"Oh alright, tomorrow then, bye you guys." She waved and they mimicked her actions before they went their separate ways. Meg jogged down the steps and towards Derek's Chevy. She looked to him but he was staring a head through the windshield, lost in thought.

Meg frowned. How much longer is he going to pretend like I didn't exist?

It had started ever since she was recovering, other than telling her about dinner or breakfast he wouldn't speak to her and barely looked at her. It's been three days since she was abducted and then found. They memories were still fresh in her mind.

"I was wondering if we could stop by that vet who treated me, I want to thank him."

"Fine," She hated his one word answers but she didn't demand more words. She didn't have the strength to try and talk to him when he was more than comfortable with ignoring her. Faking a smile she turned away but then his hand on the gear caught her attention. It was faint but there was a noticeable. There was a pinking area of skin over his knuckles. Meg had seen it before when she had been training, she wounded her knuckles a few times but when the flesh was healing a pink tint was left behind. Her eyes widened when she pieced it together.

Was Derek the one that got to Billy?

Meg entered the animal clinic, taking the plain lobby. It smelt like medicine and detergent and another animal stench she couldn't place. Probably from the pets he took care off.

"Hello Mr Deaton?" She called out. After a moment a bald man in a lab coat emerged from one of the corridors leading to the various other rooms. He walked into the lobby. He smiled instantly recognising her. From his tanned skin and built body she guessed him to be of African heritage or maybe even Native American she wasn't sure, only returned the smile.

"Hey, I thought we should have a proper meeting since the last two were a little…brutal." She spoke shyly. His dazzlingly smile brightened as he reached to shake her hand.

"I think unfortunate is the word but it's nice of you to visit me rather than my operation table." Meg laughed blushing instantly at his words. She felt awkward but at the same time somewhat at ease. The man had a funny sense of humor.

"Thank you for that, I am grateful." She said earnestly.

"You are most welcome my dear."

"So how did you end up getting mixed in all this?" Meg asked starting a conversation which Alan was more than welcome be involved in.

"Occupational hazard, your circumstances are much more peculiar." He noted and she grinned nodding in agreement.

"Haha I know, Derek told you?" He shook his head in answer.

"Not everything, so I do have a few questions."

"Ask away." She insisted. Alan motioned to one of the lobby chairs and Meg complied, walking over and sitting down and Alan sat opposite her.

"How are you?" He asked. Meg found the question ordinary and strange.

"You did a great job I am fit as a—"

"No I mean how are you?" It took her awhile but she understood what he meant from the concerned look in his eyes. Her smile widened on reflex, its been an impulse ever since her friends started worrying about her.

"I am fine," she spoke, her voice sounded strangled like a girl gasping for air and Meg cursed at her pathetic attempt at a lie. She knew he noticed.

"Time heals all they say, but for a werewolf it's a matter of seconds, not for all wounds, part of you is still human." Meg absorbed his words. The heavy weight on her shoulder lifting slightly and she felt a lot less queasier than before. She tried to suppress how depressed she really was, because she convinced herself werewolves are stronger but the doctor gave her the relief she needed, she was still human.

"Are they always so brutal?" She whispered dazedly.

"I don't have any reassuring words for that."

"It's just, not what I expected." She said raising her gaze to meet his. Alan smiled gently.

"What were you expecting?" He asked.

"Don't get me wrong, I don't hate what I am, in fact it didn't really occur to me how different I was until I was treated that way, everything is different." He nodded in acknowledgement to her words, clasping his hands together.

"I know what you mean, but things will get better, you will adjust and you are a strong girl Meg." He assured but she still had a doubtful expression on her face so he continued.

"I mean the first time I saw you, I didn't think I would get to speak to you since you were so close to death but you made it and you did it again." Meg laughed. Abashed by his words and smiled in his direction.

"Thank you." She uttered full of gratitude, the man smiled.

"You are most welcome, how would you like an instant stress reliever?" He asked as he got to his feet. Meg parroted his actions and stared at him in question.

"As long as it not a pill then sure," He chuckled at her words.

"Great! I have a few puppies in the back just waiting for affection." She beamed. Her eyes instantly gleaming in anticipation.

Megra was surprised by how long Derek had let her play with the puppies at the animal care center. Considering how impatient he was she was waiting for him to barge through the door, searching for her under a mass of a few week old pups, but he hadn't. He didn't even show any sign of frustration or annoyance when she got in the car.

Maybe it gave him some time away from me, it is easier for him to avoid me when I am not around, and she sighed sadly. They were currently in the car on the way back to the station, night had fallen and she stared out the window in a growing trepidation. There was a storm coming with heavy dark clouds brewing up lightening, she tensed.

Derek could hear her heart pounding. He glanced at her from the corner of his eye with a look full of question.

What was she scared of? He wanted to ask her but at the same time he felt at a loss for words. He couldn't bear to look at her let alone speak to her. His hold on the steering wheel tightened, his heart clenching in his chest, his knuckles turning white. He was confused to why Meg hadn't questioned his silence. Maybe she didn't notice? Maybe she just didn't care?

No, she isn't like that, but she should be, all I ever did was bring her into this mess.

Megra woke gasping for air. Lightening flashed behind her followed by the clap of thunder, she shuddered. Her hands had fisted the bed sheet under her subconsciously. Lightening struck again causing a eerie shadows to dance on the floor. Meg turned her back to the window and sat up. The flash of light was embedded in her mind and the torture came flooding back to her and before she knew it, hot tears were pouring down her eyes.

Derek couldn't sleep. Then again it was the fourth night in a row that he had trouble sleeping. There was a lingering fear in the back of his mind that Meg could be snatched up any moment, right under his nose. Scowling he threw his legs over the hammock and stealthily exited the train, it was the time in the night to check up on her anyway. Just to make sure she was still there.

As he walked beside the length of the train his mind began to wander. Part of him was expecting her to want to leave, seek refuge in a place where she won't be harmed, where her true nature isn't known by people who wanted to kill her. Derek wanted her to be safe. But then at the thought of her leaving. Never seeing her smiling face and kind eyes made his heart feel like lead.

The faint sound of sniffling and the smell of salty tears immediately alerted him, snapping him out of his thoughts. He moved through the shadows slowly and closer to Meg's bed. He was taken aback by what he saw.

Meg had her shoulders hunched over her legs that were pulled to her chest. Her dark hair hiding her face as she cried softly. His heart melted instantly, his resolve crumbling. He took a step towards her and her head suddenly shot up, startled.

"Derek" She exclaimed furiously wiping away the tears on her face, he didn't utter a word as he approached her.

"I am sorry if I woke you, I—"

"Don't be sorry." Derek assured, taking a seat beside her on the bed. Meg watched his actions with tear brimmed eyes. She wanted to retort and tell him that she was fine and she was going to be okay in the morning back. She was exhausted, from the pretending and the fake smiling, it wasn't her. A sigh escaped her lips, her bent legs fell to her sides and she sat in a meditative style. Her forehand was resting on her thighs as she stared down at the mattress.

A silence fell over them. Derek didn't want to pressure her into telling him what was wrong because he already knew. The lightening storm brought unwanted memories. With patient solicitude he waited. Meg was trying to keep her tears in check, she wasn't the type to break down crying when another person was there. It embarrassed her and she was grateful Derek hadn't turned on the lights.

After a while Meg began to speak. Her soft gentle voice breaking through the silence.

"Even though they healed I can still feel it burning through my flesh like a mark that won't fade" She said, her fingers consciously running up her arm. Her flesh tingled at the thought of the electrocution she had to suffer, it felt like rippling water passing under the skin, numbing her mind and heart. She shuddered and allowed her arms to slacken again. Tears brimmed her eyes when another memory resurfaced.

"But then I start thinking about my dad and whether it was the same kinda of torture felt." She remembered reading once that it wasn't the fire that killed its victims but over exposure to fumes. After the victim had suffered burns the mind becomes numb to the pain, unable to move or think.

"He must have been so frightened and so alone when the flames took him. I never thought about what he felt until that moment and now I can't stop. I promised myself that the day of his funeral was the last time I cry, I guess I am not as strong as I thought." Derek listened intently, his heart clenching.

He wanted to tell her not to think about the past, that the worst thing she could do was put herself in that moment, but then again he knew he wasn't the best example. After all he let his own past define his life.

"Even when it came to the hunters I wasn't strong enough to fight them" He was startled by her statement. Staring at her with intense silver eyes.

"Don't do that, why are you saying that—"

"That's why you have been avoiding me isn't it, because of what happened?"

"No that's not," He heaved a sigh. Derek found it hard to form words from the intense guilt that consumed him. He took a deep breath, struggling to make up an excuse. Meg was watching him with wide amber eyes full of vulnerability and questions. Derek knew he had to come clean, for both their sakes. She had to know and he hated the idea of knowing she blamed herself for what happened.

"Seeing you like that when we found you, made me realise how attached I am to you and how painful it was seeing you suffer known I couldn't be there to prevent it." Meg was stunned by his words, her heart racing and her thoughts racing. Derek was staring down at the floor from his seat on the edge of the bed, his gaze a far

"I was angry with myself and seeing you only made me hate myself more." He added.

"You don't hate me?" Meg stuttered out, a wave of relief washing over her. He regarded her with his pale grey eyes that were gleaming in warmth she had never seen before. The shadows of the night softened the chiseled angles of his handsome face.

"I can't think of anyone who could." He whispered, she felt her cheeks warm at his words. Bashfully she lowered her gaze to the mattress once more. Silence fell upon them again.

"I can sometimes hear their screams at night haunting me. It's my fault you know." Derek was surprised by the words that left his lips. He had never admitted that to anyone but himself. It was obvious his cage on his emotions was set free and there was no stopping it and he didn't even want to try.

"How?" she asked hesitantly, Derek contemplated on whether or not to tell her, part of him wanted to the other was afraid he would see her differently, with the same hate in her eyes that he had for himself. But when he met her fawn-like stare watching him so attentively he knew he had to tell her. He wanted her to know everything there was to know.

"I slept with the enemy, trusted the wrong person and practically handed them over in a silver platter." He spoke through gritted teeth, suppressing the rage he felt. Meg didn't say anything. Only absorbed his words, but he could read the shocked sadness on her face, but there was no judgement.

"It's worse for you. You lost your entire family." She uttered meekly. Derek shook his head twisting his body from the waist up to face her.

"That's not true, you lost your entire world just as I did, and at least I had my sister for a while." He stated sure and reassuring while holding her gaze. At his words her will crumbled and tears that she was trying to suppress poured down her flushed cheeks heavily, but through her tears she smiled weakly at the remembrance of her father's happy face.

"He was so wonderful. You know I got his optimism from him?" She said. Derek found himself smiling watching her with a tender glint in his eyes.

"Really?" He asked she nodded.

"Mmhm, even after mom left he still kept smiling even when it hurt"

"Why did she leave?" Her smile wavered at his question. She sniffled and shrugged haplessly.

"I don't know and I never asked there was no point talking about someone who would intentionally want to leave my dad, I never felt her absence though" she added with a smile, reminiscing.

"He made sure of it. After he died I was so lost, my aunt threw me into a school I wasn't comfortable with and for a long time I didn't find a place where I belong…until I met you." She raised her gaze, looking to Derek from under her long inky lashes. He was surprised by the meaningful stare she was giving him.

"You gave me a purpose a place to call home with people I truly care about, so when they got me and did what they did I knew I couldn't say anything, I didn't want them taking you away from me." His defenses fell at her heart breaking words. His body moved towards her on its own accord. His arms reaching out towards her, cupping her face in his deft hands.

"They can never do that, ever." He whispered gruffly, his dark brows furrowed in determination as he stared into her bright amber eyes. Her plump lips parted, her heart racing from the intensity of his stare. She had never been so close to him before, to feel his hot breath on her cheeks. The feel of his warm palms on her flesh.

"You say that now but—"

"I mean it." He cut her off curtly with a stern insistence. His eyes seemed to silently dare her to oppose him but all she could think about in that moment was how gorgeous he was, silver eyes and dark features. He was the epitome of tall dark and handsome. But a midst the ogling she took in the meaning of his words and his actions, so he didn't want her to leave. He did care for her, she wondered just how much.

She was doing it again. Derek mused fondly. She was staring at him and spacing out that the same time. Even at such a close proximity she still managed to space out. He saw a sudden flash of doubt in her eyes as he searched his own. She was so close to him and she wasn't moving away. He can hear her heart racing like a rabbit in a trap. Her lips called for him and Derek couldn't resist the magnetic pull any longer.

Megra's eyes widened when he pressed his lips against hers. The warmth of his mouth surged through her body like an electric shock—the type that didn't threaten to place her in cardiac arrest, but then again at the rate her heart was thumping she was pretty sure that would be happening sometimes soon— she didn't react at first but just when her eyes began to feel heavy and she began to relax against the press of his lips. Derek began to pull away.

She watched him dazedly as he stared down at her uncertain. Maybe it was her lack of reaction, and she knew she had to fix that. Meg tilted forward and captured his lips, startling the alpha, but his reaction time was faster and returned the kiss instantly.

Megra felt like she didn't really know what she was doing, but the way he kissed her. His tongue skilfully gliding over her bottom lip as his fingers raked through her dark hair. Her senses were a swirl as his mouth slanted over hers. Derek meant it to be a chaste kiss but once was not enough and judging from her actions, it wasn't enough for her either. He smirked into the kiss, the alpha was pleased.

Slowly Derek pulled away before things got too out of hand. They were both breathing hard. His forehead rested against hers. His fingers that were combed through her hair relaxed and trailed down the long tendrils. Meg's hands were cupping his face. The padded base of her thumb brushing over his stubble. He liked the feeling of her hands, soft, warm and gentle just like their owner.

Megra was in a daze. He kissed me…

What does this mean? Does he like me that way? Are we together now? Will we be doing it more often?

"You kissed me." She mumbled all misty eyed. At the word 'kiss' his stare instantly fell on her plump bee kissed lips.

"Yes, I did." He replied hoarsely. Meg cleared her throat and retracted her hands from his face, trying to gather the shatters of her cool –like she ever had any—.

"What does this mean?" she asked meekly, Derek grinned in a wolf-like fashion.

"It means…"He paused to tuck a thick strand of her dark hair behind her ears before meeting her gaze again."You are I are going to eat tomorrow night on plates that aren't made of plastic and on a table, not the floor."