A/N: ATTENTION! I have posted two chapters at once! If you haven't read Chapter 17b, please go back and read that one first. It was a shorty so I posted these two together, to give you guys a worthy update! Thanks folks. And to those of you who read the other chapter already, please enjoy this one as well!

Luca

"Moving in the Dark"

Lucawindmover

Chapter Eighteen

"We Know Not"

"And die from every struggle we know not about."

General Ghost "Strange Animals"

Cora hopped off the motorcycle, unbuckling the ridiculous helmet that Scott had required her to wear. A motorcycle accident wouldn't have seriously harmed either of them but he had still insisted. Apparently, it had been one of the conditions his mother had decreed before allowing him to buy a motorcycle in the first place. Cora thought it was ridiculous but they had been in a hurry and there was no time to argue.

Scott followed suit and motioned for her to follow him into the house. She rolled her eyes but managed to hold back the scathing remark on the tip of her tongue. She recognized that everything had its time and place.

Once they were inside, she was instantly hit with the scent of something not human. There, in the corner of the living room, was the cause of the odor.

Cora froze in the doorway, feeling her eyes glowing gold and her claws extending. She'd dealt with one of these creatures before, with her old pack, and the memories weren't pleasant.

"Are you all freaking idiots?" she exclaimed, leveling her gaze at the girl in the corner. The girl just grinned in response.

Stiles threw his hands in the air. "Well, yeah. Probably. You wanna narrow this statement down to something useful though?"

"For god's sake, she's a Kitsune," Cora answered, pointing her finger toward the creature in question. "Are you telling me none of you knew she was a Kitsune?"

Scott frowned. "What's a Kitsune?"

"That would be a Japanese trickster spirit," Kira spoke up from the corner.

"You masked your scent from them, didn't you?" Cora asked as she stalked into the living room.

Kira shook her head. "I didn't have to do much actually. No one here had ever encountered a Kitsune before so it wasn't hard. They didn't have previous examples to compare me to."

Cora turned to her brother, incredulous. "Not even you?" she asked.

She'd expected Derek to look angry, frustrated even. She knew there was every chance that he'd look annoyed that his little sister knew something that he didn't. The look on his face was one that didn't match her question and certainly wasn't something she'd expected.

Derek looked murderous. Absolutely murderous. His jaw was clenched tight and his neck veins were bulging as his eyes flitted between her and Scott. If he'd even heard her question, Cora would have been surprised.

And that's when Cora realized that she probably still smelled like Scott. And sex. And all the blood rushed to her face.

When she had left Scott in his room with instructions to get dressed, she had really just needed a few minutes to collect her thoughts. She went to the bathroom and busied herself with washing her face and bushing out her hair, wetting it a little to get it to lay flat. She had fully expected Scott to still be in his bed, naked, when she returned. He usually did the opposite of anything she asked him to do so she was sure this time would be the same. If that had been the case, if he'd been lying there full of confidence and smelling of sex, they would probably still be in that bed, going at rounds two and three.

If she'd thought for a second that she would be jumping right up to be in the presence of other wolves, she would have definitely taken a shower. And made Scott shower. And thrown all of his sheets in the washer before they left. But Scott hadn't given her any time to think about those things before they left and now she was kicking herself.

Scott, however, seemed to be completely oblivious to Derek's rage. He was focused on the task at hand, the Kitsune in their midst.

"You came here all the way from Japan?" Scott asked, turning back toward Kira.

"Wow," Kira replied. She shook her head a little, raising an eyebrow. "The others, they find this sort of idiocy to be endearing, right?"

The collective tension level in the room jumped up a few notches but Kira didn't seem to notice. Or if she did notice, it didn't seem to bother her.

"I'm from Long Beach," she said slowly, enunciating each word as if Scott didn't speak English. Cora felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand up and she had to take several long breaths through her nose to keep from running forward and ripping the girl's spine out through her stomach. It wouldn't have been hard. Kitsune weren't much more resilient than humans and if Cora were able to catch her by surprise there was every chance Kira could be nothing more than a messy pile on the living room floor.

"Well then what the hell are you doing here?" Stiles asked. "I mean, besides messing with our heads and making trouble, that is."

"Look, it doesn't really matter what I was doing before. Right now, I'm just here to help," the Kitsune answered.

Derek stood up from his seat on the couch and stormed into the kitchen. Cora could hear the backdoor open and shut and she knew that her brother was taking a breather. She also knew there was a lecture coming eventually, after everything else settled down.

Stiles and Scott frowned, watching the werewolf depart, but they didn't say anything. They shared one of those looks that Cora realized meant the two of them would talk about it later. She really hoped she wasn't around for that conversation.

Kira cleared her throat to get their attention, clearly not happy when she wasn't the center of attention. "So are you going to let me explain or are you going to just keep standing around and not getting any answers?"

Scott sighed and sat down on the coffee table. "Okay. Let's hear what you have to say."

Kira sat up straight and scooted to the edge of her seat, her eyes lighting up in anticipation. Cora could feel her teeth grinding at Scott's proximity to the Kitsune. She wasn't sure if it was because this creature was a fox or if it was because the creature happened to also be an attractive female. She really didn't like the thought that she might be jealous and decided that she was on edge because this was a fox. Wolves didn't like foxes.

"So you guys have a leshy in your forest and it's killing people," Kira started.

"Did you bring that thing here?" Stiles asked as he paced back and forth a little. The guy couldn't seem to stand still and Cora really wanted to put her hands on his shoulders and force him to sit down. "Because we didn't have anything like that in our woods before you showed up."

Kira rolled her eyes. "Are you kidding me? How could I do that? Besides, this particular leshy has actually always been here. He used to be in stasis, kind of like hibernating in tree form. But someone woke him up and now he's sort of driven by a singular task given to him by the guy he calls the Caller."

"It's a druid, isn't it?" Scott asked. "The Caller person?"

The Kitsune shook her head. "No, but it's someone using a druid spell. All I could get out of the leshy was that the Caller is a male and a hybrid."

Cora frowned. "What do you mean by 'hybrid'?"

She shrugged. "I don't know. He didn't really explain what he meant. He doesn't exactly communicate like we do. I imagine that comes from, you know, being a tree."

"Wait a minute," Stiles interjected. "You mean to tell me you've been out in the woods talking to this guy?"

Kira nodded.

Stiles stared at her, incredulously. "And you claim to have no idea why we would think you're in league with the thing. Really?"

"The leshy is obsessed with reviving his dead mate, okay? That's his entire reason for living. That's his one true desire," Kira said, ignoring Stiles' statement. "But he has to follow through with the Caller's task first."

"What happens if he doesn't?" Cora asked. "Is it possible for him to refuse?"

Kira sighed. "If he doesn't do the Caller's task, he'll continue to be forever linked to him. The two of them are wrapped up in a binding magic until the task is complete. So yes, it is possible for him to decide not to do it and just leave. But he'll never be free until he does."

"Well," Stiles said, throwing his hands in the air again. "What's the task?"

Kira adjusted herself in her seat, folding her hands in her lap. "He has to lure Scott McCall into the woods. To his death."

Cora immediately felt her heart beat speed up. She couldn't contain the growl that was emanating from her. No one, no one, was going to lead Scott anywhere. No one was going to kill him. Not if she had anything to do about it.

She wasn't even sure when she'd jumped forward, claws and teeth out. In fact, it felt like only a second between the moment the Kitsune's lips were moving and the instant that Scott put himself in the way, his hands on her waist. He was pushing her back toward the kitchen and she couldn't for the life of her understand why.

"Cora," Scott said, trying to get her attention. But Cora was still seeing red, still wanting nothing more than to sink her teeth into the Kitsune's jugular.

"Cora!" he said more forcefully, his eyes glowing crimson and burning into hers. She felt her wolf come to attention, her bloodlust fading a little in favor of listening to his words.

"What?" she snapped, clenching her jaw and breathing through her nose. He was too close to her. The warmth of his hands on her waist, the scent of their previous activities hanging heavy in the air, the sensation his Alpha pull had on her inner wolf...it was all very intoxicating and she found herself licking her lips and taking a step back.

"Can you calm down?" he said, releasing her waist. "What is wrong with you?"

Cora took a couple of deep breaths.

What was wrong with her?

Why did the thought of someone luring Scott to his death bother her so much? She knew it wouldn't happen. They would find some loop-hole, there would be some daring rescue and he would be fine. Chances were that it wouldn't even come that close to begin with. Stiles would lay out some brilliant plan that would only kind of fail and someone else, probably Derek or Isaac or Allison, would swoop in and save the day. Scott would be fine. He was always fine. So why did the idea of him not being fine fill her with such a blind rage? She didn't have feelings for him. She was sure it didn't have anything to do with feelings. Perhaps it had to do with sex but definitely not feelings.

And that's when she realized the answer.

He was now her Alpha. And being such, she felt compelled to protect him from all comers, no matter how large or small the threat was.

It hadn't been a conscious decision to join the pack. She hadn't said yes. In fact, just a few hours ago she had all but told Scott no. Her wolf had decided that this is where she needed to be, that this boy was the one who would be the Alpha she needed. She didn't get a say in it. Her wolf wasn't letting her argue.

"I'm fine," she said, curtly. "I'm fine now, okay? Let's just get back in there. We shouldn't leave Stiles alone with her. We shouldn't leave anyone alone with her. You can't trust a fox."

"You've dealt with them before," Scott said, crossing his arms.

Cora nodded. "Yeah, with my last pack. Just…don't really believe anything she has to say. Some of what she's saying might be true but take everything with a grain of salt, okay?"

Scott nodded at her thoughtfully before retreating back to the living room. Cora shook out her hands and rolled her head on her neck a little before following him.

"So why are you here telling us this?" Scott asked.

"I'm looking for my next tail," she answered.

"Your…tail?"

She nodded. "A fully-realized Kitsune has nine tails. The ancestors bestow a new tail on each Kitsune after they complete different trials. This is my next trial."

When no one commented, Kira continued. "I have to help for the sake of helping, with nothing to gain in return. That's how I'll get my next tail. There was a strong pull to this area, from the stump that you call the nemeton. It's been emitting a signal. Frankly, I'm surprised there aren't more creatures lurking in your forest. But that's what pulled me here. And when I saw that there was an opportunity here for me to get my next tail, I couldn't resist."

"Well, if you're here to help then what was all of that mind-control stuff you did?" Stiles asked. He'd taken Derek's place on the couch. "I mean, that had to be the opposite of helpful."

Kira shrugged. "Look. It's in my nature to cause mischief. It was fun and I couldn't help myself. I wasn't even sure if it would work on wolves. I'd have probably gotten away with it for longer if you hadn't had a banshee on your side. I can't trick a banshee."

"Scott," Cora said. "I have an idea."

Scott nodded, giving her the avenue to talk.

"Why don't we wait to continue questioning her until Lydia gets here," she offered. "That way we don't have to keep wondering whether or not she's lying."

"I said I couldn't trick your banshee," the Kitsune said. "You mean to tell me she's a supernatural death sensor and a lie detector?"

"Supernatural death?" Stiles interjected. "What do you mean?"

Kira rolled her eyes. "Well, you don't see her wailing every time there's a car accident or a heart attack, do you? She only wails when death is caused by something supernatural. Did you really not notice that?"

"That's a good idea," Scott said, ignoring the banter between Stiles and Kira. He pulled his phone out to call Isaac and get an estimated time of arrival.

Cora decided to take the opportunity to get some air. She left Scott and Stiles with the Kitsune and made her way out to the back porch. She'd almost expected to see her brother out here, but Derek was nowhere to be seen. His scent went around the side of the house, probably toward the sidewalk. He wouldn't have gone far, just far enough not to make an attempt on Scott's life.

She almost didn't want to close the door behind her because it cut her off from Scott's scent. Out here, just hours before dawn, the night was eerily quiet. The moon was hanging very close to the horizon now, causing the night to be much darker and the stars to stand out brightly against the black sky. There was no wind blowing now. The air was crisp with the scent of fallen leaves and a hint of frost. It wasn't cold enough to really freeze yet. But it would only be another couple of weeks probably before a nightly frost was the standard. Winter would be here before they knew it.

Cora sank down on the steps, propping her chin in her hands as she stared off into the night. She was frustrated that her wolf was making life decisions for her. Not for the first time, she wished her mother were still alive to answer the questions she had about her wolf side. She was tired, both from physical exertion and from a general lack of sleep. She'd love nothing more than to go home and crawl into bed, to snuggle down in the blankets and sleep for days.

And when she realized that the home she was thinking of was the McCall's house and the bed she was thinking of was Scott's bed, she realized she was really in over her head.

The Stilinski house was now very crowded and Isaac was incredibly uncomfortable with the nearness of everyone in the living room. Lydia and Kira were spitting scathing comments back and forth, Stiles was attempting to mediate while really just getting in the way, Allison was tense and constantly running one hand over the dagger sheath she had strapped to her lower back, and Scott and Cora smelled overwhelmingly of sex. Sex and something else but Isaac couldn't put his finger on it. Whatever the case, the living room was just far too confined right now. He took his leave of the others, opting for a seat on the front porch instead. Even though the night air was crisp, it was far better than being cramped in the living room with so many other bodies.

He hadn't been outside long before he was joined. Scott shut the front door behind him and took a seat next to Isaac, stretching his legs out and leaning back on his elbows. He looked really tired. Considering what he smelled like, Isaac had a good idea why he looked so tired.

"So," Isaac said. "You and Cora, huh?"

Scott frowned. "Me and Cora what?"

Isaac raised an eyebrow. "Okay, don't even try it. You guys reek of sex."

"We…uh…what?" Scott stammered, his eyes round.

Isaac laughed. "Don't worry. I'm the only one who can smell it. But you should probably be glad that Derek isn't here. You should have seen the look he gave me the one time I just mentioned that she was attractive. And all I'd done was look."

Scott gulped audibly. "Oh man. He was here earlier. And then he just left. Oh my god," Scott said with a little panic in his voice. "He's going to kill me, isn't he?"

Isaac shook his head. "I don't think he can, actually," he said. "Not now that you're the Alpha."

"Right," Scott said with a nervous laugh. "Ha. Right. I'm the Alpha now. Yes. Exactly."

They sat quietly for a moment but the suspense was killing Isaac.

"So are you gonna tell me or what?" he asked.

"Tell you what?"

"I mean, come on. You slept with Derek's sister. How long has this been going on? I mean, I thought you guys hated each other."

Scott sighed. "I thought I hated her, too. Actually, I'm pretty sure I didn't like her at all…right up until the second that I…uh…liked her."

Isaac just shook his head. It wasn't really any of his business, what his Alpha was getting up to in the sack. He just hoped that he was right about Scott's Alpha status being a deterrent for Derek. He'd hate to see the two of them shred each other.

"You're not going to ask for details or anything, are you?" Scott asked.

Isaac laughed and shook his head. "There are plenty of things I'll do for you in this life because you're my Alpha," he said. "But listening to the details of your sex life is not gonna be one of those things."

Scott smirked and looked down at his hands. "You know, there's something I've actually meant to ask you about. Since you brought up doing stuff for the Alpha or whatever."

Isaac furrowed his brow. "Sure. What's up?"

Scott took a deep breath and rolled his head around on his shoulders until his neck popped before continuing. "Okay, so when I first became a werewolf I had a lot of issues with control, right?"

"Well, yeah," Isaac said. "That's pretty common for new wolves. But you found your anchor and it got easier, right?"

Scott nodded. "Yeah. Yeah, it really did. But…well. My anchor was Allison."

Isaac wasn't sure what to say to this so he opted for not saying anything and just waiting for Scott to finish what he had to say.

"Anyway, so when we broke up…" he paused and sighed. "When we broke up, I wasn't even thinking about things like anchors. All I could think about was how much it hurt to not be with her anymore. I mean, we're fine now. We're friends. And I'm cool with you guys being together because I want you both to be happy. But now that we've both moved on…I just…."

"You don't have an anchor," Isaac said for him.

Scott nodded. "Yeah, exactly. And most of the time it isn't even that big of a deal. I mean, this True Alpha stuff seems to have settled my wolf a little better. Little things don't bother me as much. But…my dad came by the other day and he made me so mad that I almost wolfed-out, right there in front of him. He had me so mad that I wanted to just rip him to pieces. I almost lost it."

"So you need a new anchor," Isaac said. "So that kind of thing doesn't happen."

"Well yeah," Scott replied. "But I have no idea how to pick an anchor. I didn't really pick Allison. That was instinct. I didn't have to think about it. So how did you do it?"

Isaac frowned. "How did I do what? Pick an anchor?"

"Yeah."

"God, I don't know," Isaac answered, running his fingers through his hair. "I knew that I didn't want my anchor to be anger or pain, like Derek's. So I picked something that made me happy. I picked my dad."

Scott seemed confused. "But, I mean, I thought you hated your dad. He was abusive and horrible and all that."

Isaac shook his head. "He wasn't always like that. Back before my brother died…he was different. I have good memories of him from when I was a kid. So I draw on those. I remember him like that, instead of the man he turned into."

Scott thought about this for a moment, turning his gaze out to the night. "I'm not sure I have any of those."

"What? Good memories of your dad?"

"Yeah," Scott answered. "Before he left my mom, he was a drunk. And then after he left, he just never really came around much. So all I have associated with him is…frustration. And anger."

"What about your mom?" Isaac asked. "She is nothing but good memories."

Scott smirked. "Yeah. Well, maybe. I don't know."

"Well, no one is making you pick something right here, on the spot," Isaac said, fighting a yawn. He hadn't even realized how tired he was. "Just…well you should probably pick something before you see your father again."

Scott nodded.

A crash from inside the house stirred their attention. From the porch, it sounded like Lydia had thrown something fragile at Kira. Scott excused himself to go investigate and Isaac let him go, opting to stay out on the porch instead.

Isaac looked out beyond the rows of houses to where just the tops of trees were visible. He couldn't see the actual forest from here but that didn't really matter. For him, all trees were suspect now. The bird landing on the mailbox, the last few insects chirping in the bushes. Hell, the bushes themselves could be dangerous. It was as if all of nature had now become the enemy. Isaac sighed and crossed his arms. He hoped Kira could help them get to the bottom of this. He didn't like being afraid of the woods.

…to be continued…

Disclaimer: I do not own Teen Wolf, nor do I profit in this story other than working at becoming a better writer. I do not claim to own any of these wonderful characters. They belong to the creative genius Jeff Davis and the various copyright holders.