Aria rode back in Derek's mustang in silence until they reached his house. She couldn't believe how stupid he was. He threatened a werewolf hunter just to save her hide. Reluctantly, Derek looked over at her once he threw the car in park, "You never told me how the malted bar was."
She laughed, cynically then genuinely. "Seriously, that's what your concern is? You threatened a hunter because of me!"
"I told him I didn't want you involved."
"I think we are little late to that party, Derek." Aria whipped his door open and examined the scratch in his paint. "This is going to be a bitch to get out." She spoke under breath as Derek walked over to her side of the car. "My brother is a werewolf. You're a werewolf. I'm dating you. I'd say we are pretty deep in the shit to avoid it now."
Reaching up, he caressed her cheek, "I just don't want anything happening to you."
"I can take care of myself." She said defiantly, pulling away from his hand. But her eyes focused on a dark figure in the distance. Following her gaze, Derek pulled her behind him as he flashed blue eyes at her brother.
Scott's orange eyes seemed to feel as if they were pulsing as he stalked towards Derek. "I know what you did!" he shouted at Derek as he saw Aria looking at him. A mixture of confusion and rage painted its deadly image on her face.
Crossing his arms, Derek looked at the seventeen year old boy, "I didn't do anything."
"You killed him. You killed the bus driver. He passed at the hospital tonight."
"He died." Derek spoke without emotion, protectively and instinctively reaching out for Aria's touch. Only to close his eyes in regret as she turned away from him.
"Just like your sister died?" Aria spat the words at him. Derek glared his blue eyes at her, for a moment forgetting Scott was even there.
"My sister went missing. I came back to Beacon Hills to look for her." his eyes pleading for her to understand.
"You found her," Scott remarked.
Rolling his neck around, Derek looked back at Scott, his words leeching with heartache. "I found her in pieces being used as bait to catch me."
"And you used my sister's feelings to bait me." Scott accused. The venom in his words caused something to snap in Derek as he shifted.
"No, I care deeply for your sister," a longing glance of blue eyes shifted to her for a moment then back to Scott. "I would never use her."
"I think you killed them both. I'm gonna tell everyone starting with the Sheriff!" Scott charged Derek only to have Derek trip him. Scott fell to the forest floor as Arai glared at Derek.
"That's enough." her stern words cause him to nod in apology.
Grabbing the back of Scotts jacket, Derek lifted him back to his feet. "That was cute." he comment at Scott's blinded attempt to take him out. If he really wanted to, he could have mauled the teen. But he wouldn't do that in front of the woman he loved. Sighing, Derek looked at the twins, "I didn't kill him. Neither of us did. It's not your fault, and it's not mine."
"This?" Scott gestured to his misshapen half wolf form, "This is all your fault! You ruined my life!"
"Scott!" Aria took a step toward her brother, werewolf or not, she knew it was beneath him to blame anyone for circumstances out of his control. "This isn't Derek's fault."
"You're joking right? He's the one who changed me!"
"No, I'm not." Derek chimed up.
Aria and Scott both looked at him in shock, "What?" they both asked as Derek leaned back against his car. "Derek?" Aria walked to his side, her fingers barely touching the heat of his cheek, "What do you mean?"
"There's another werewolf?" Scott asked, skeptical of the news that bled from Derek Hale's mouth.
"It's called an Alpha. It's the most dangerous of our kind. You and I? We're Betas. He's more powerful, more animal than either of us. My sister came here looking for him. Now, I'm trying to find him. But I don't think I can, without you."
"Why me?"
"Because he's the one that bit you. You're part of his pack." Derek looked at Aria, with guilty blue eyes but she didn't even notice as she looked at her brother.
Aria could see the gears turning in his head, "I don't understand." he breathed. There it was again. His naivety.
"It's you, Scott." Aria spoke, looking at her brother. As if her world wasn't already ever changing around her. "You're the one he wants."
Aria stared blankly at her desk. This Saturday was her featurette in the school's art gallery, all of the school and California's Academy of the Arts would be attending. On top of all that, she had to maintain a stable relationship. With a werewolf. Who she recently found out did not in fact bite her brother. But now the Alpha did. Fantastic. And on top of that, Derek had not answered any of her messages. He had promised her last night before he went out on his run that he would attend her galleria. That he would meet her mother and he would make their relationship public. As public as the mortal world could handle without exposing himself. Settling on the idea that he may have been sleeping in, Aria forced herself to shut her phone and run her fingers through her dark brown hair. "You okay?" taking a deep breath, Aria was sure she was in a living nightmare as the voice of Jackson Whittemore registered in her ears.
"Remind me why the hell you care?" she snapped at him. Her green eyes fell on his calm blue eyes. The arrogant boy bit his lower lip and hissed through his teeth at the bitter inhale. "Sorry," Aria spoke as she grabbed her french book waiting for the bell to ring, "Just stressed."
"I get that." He exhaled, staring at the board.
Aria rolled her eyes at him, "Other than lacrosse, Jackson, I doubt you get anything. Especially about how I feel." Her eyes reflected last years bitter break up. For a moment, Jackson looked pitiful, but as the bell rang Aria shot up from her desk and out the door without another word to him.
She pushed through the hallway, a final attempt to, in a foolish way; escape the memory of Jackson. Or escape the acknowledgement of his existence. It wasn't until Stiles pull her into an empty stairway did Aria actually realize she was far from Jackson's grasp. "If Derek isn't the Alpha, if he's not the one who bit Scott, then who did?"
Taking a deep breath, Aria adjusted her buffalo flannel sweater. Gloomly, she answered the boy, "I don't know."
"Did the Alpha kill the bus driver?"
"I don't know."
"Does Allison's Dad know about the Alpha?"
"Not to my knowledge but he knows I'm dating Derek."
Stiles chuckled and smiled at her, "Half of Beacon Hills already knows you're dating Derek Hale."
"Jeez," shaking her head she smiled back at him. Although it was fake.
"Hey? You okay?" Stiles asked as Aria looked back at him. Unable to hide the tears from him. "Hey, Aria, what's wrong?"
"It's too much right now. It's more than I can handle." She pressed her face into Stiles' lean shoulder. Dropping his bag, he stood in the empty stairway, just holding her. He didn't say a word, He just let her cry. After a few moments, Aria pulled away. "Don't cry," he whispered, wiping her tears away, "You're too beautiful to cry." Stiles smiled as he tucked her dark hair behind her ear and gently kissed her cheek before leading her to her next class. Aria was in a daze, slightly confused and yet enjoying the warmth that ran over from the gently softness of Stiles' lips. For a moment, she forgot it all. The gallery, Scott's problems, Jackson, Derek. It was nice, blissfully nice, to just be Aria.
"Dude you need to study more!" Stiles exclaimed as he leaned up against his locker. Bracing himself, he felt a slight increase in strength as Scott slugged his arm. "Ow! That's gonna bruise. And that was a joke, Scott. It's one test! You're gonna make it up. Do you want help studying?"
"No, I'm studying with Allison after school today."
Stiles clapped him on the shoulder, "That's my boy!" Stiles smiled as he caught Aria's eye across the hall. She was lovely looking in her flannel sweater and black skinny jeans. If it weren't for the sneakers and more for the knee high black boots he knew were hiding in her closet, he may have just fainted. His smile got bigger as she waltz over to where they were standing.
"We're just studying." Scott pointed out as he looked at his sister, "Do you want your helmet?" Aria nodded and took the black full faced helmet from her brother and cradled under her arm.
"Uh, no, you're not."
"No, I'm not?" Scott looked up, a puzzling look on his face. Slightly shaking his head.
"Not if I'm forced to live vicariously through you! If you go to her house today and squander that colossal opportunity, I swear to God, I'll have you de-balled." Stiles smirked, handing Scott a condom.
"Stiles, ew!" Aria spoke, elbowing him in the ribs.
"Hey this isn't beat up Stiles Day. And I gave him protection. You don't see me giving you any, do you?"
"No need," Her comment caused both her brother and Stiles to raise their eyebrows up at her. "Ugh, virgin over here. Duh!"
"Good," Scott said. The last thing he wanted on his mind was Derek all over his sister. The sheer thought alone was enough to make him gag. "Just no more questions, okay, Stiles?"
"Done. No more questions. No more talk about the Alpha, or Derek...especially Derek...who still scares me"
Outside of Beacon Hills High, Jackson loaded up his car. He tried to be nice to her just once since, since well everything. Well not just once. Technically this was twice. But today, Lydia was home with lady issues so Jackson parked far away from the school. He had no urge to see Aria's face. Too prideful to admit to anyone that his attempt to throttle her was in his own way, an act to get her attention. Seeing her genuinely upset today forced his wall down. She had that effect on him, to drop his walls down. "Where's Aria McCall?" the voice caused Jackson to jump slightly. Turning he saw a tall guy with dark hair leaning up against his car. He was panting and pouring sweat down his face. Jackson recognized him from the guy at the party. He must have been the guy that was dating Aria.
Jackson wasn't surprised Aria was seeing someone. It had been a little over two years since they split. If he was seeing someone, why couldn't she? He was just surprised at what an upgrade this guy was compared to him. Well, maybe not today.. "Why should I tell you?" Jackson scoffed at the guy. Had to keep up appearances. No one really ever asked him where Aria was. Most Lydia just telling him where Aria was.
"Because I asked you politely, and I only do that once."
"Hmmm," Jackson pondered, slightly intimidated by this guy, "Okay, tough guy. You know, how about I help you find her? ...If you tell me what you're selling her brother? What is it? Is it, uh, dianabol? Hmm? HGH?"
"Steroids'?" Derek frowned at the kid. He could not believe this was the low minded individual that broke Aria's heart her freshman year.
"No, girl scout cookies," Jackson rolled his eyes at him, "What the hell do you think I'm talking about? Oh, and , uh by the way, whatever it is you're out selling, probably stop sampling the merchandise. You look wrecked."
Rolling his eyes, Derek turned away from Jackson, "I'll find her myself."
Jackson lurched forward, yanking the guy's arm, "No, we aren't done here!"
Derek felt his eyes turn blue as his adrenaline shot through him, turning he quickly grabbed Jackson and practically choke slammed him on top of his car. He didn't linger to see if the kid was okay, he needed to find Aria, if not Scott, now.
Stiles followed Aria out of the back door to his jeep. Scott had taken off on his bike to meet Allison and he wasn't going to leave Aria stranded. Normally, Derek would have picked her up but he wasn't there. It seemed odd. Even to him. As they approached the jeep, Aria opened the door to slide her new artwork in the back as Derek's hand fell forward. "Oh my God!" Stiles spoke in shock as Aria quickly pulled the seat forward, wedging herself between him and the floor, closing the door behind her. "No, no, no! Not here. You got to be kidding me. This guy's everywhere, even in my jeep!"
"Not now, Stiles!" she hissed at him, as she held Derek's body up, "What the hell? What are you doing here?"
Derek coughed and winced at the pinch in his arm, "I was shot." The color paled from Aria's face. No. She knew something was wrong.
"He's not looking so good, Aria." Stiles commented as he looked at her.
"Why aren't you healing?" She asked frantically, looking at the wound in Derek's arm. Blood pooling from bullet hole.
"I can't," Derek groaned through the pain, "It was, it was a different kind of bullet."
"A silver bullet?" Stiles chimed up, climbing into the drivers seat.
"No, you idiot-" Derek fought through the pain, fight the urge to shift, sweat poured down his face. "I need to find out what kind of bullet they used."
"How the hell are we supposed to do that?" Stiles asked as Aria looked at him.
"Cause she's an Argent. She's with them." Derek paled before slipping into unconsciousness.
"Derek!" Aria exclaimed, "Stiles get us to Deacon's."
"The Vet?"
"Yes! I'll call Scott. He's at Allison's."
Time seemed to slow, which only aggravated Aria more. Scott wasn't answering his cell. "Come on." She grunted as Stiles looked back at a now groggy Derek. Reaching back, Aria squeezed his hand. Faintly, he returned the feeling. "Stay with me, babe." she whispered, "Come on, Scott!" then more vocal.
"Hey, try not to bleed out on my seats, okay? We're almost there."
"Almost where?" Derek struggled to breathe.
"The vet."
"You're taking me to the vet?" Derek puzzled, taking his mind off the searing pain that ran up his arm.
"It wasn't my idea, all right? What happens if Scott doesn't find your little magic bullet? Hmm? Are you dying?" Aria glared at Stiles, mouthing the words Not an option.
"Not yet," he paused, squeezing Aria's hand a little harder, "I have a last resort."
"What do you mean? What last resort?" Aria asked, almost breaking her phone as she pressed the redial button. Derek sat up suddenly, ripping off his long sleeved shirt. The blood around the wound coagulated and blackened. Derek took out a vial from his pocket and poured it directly in the wound causing him to scream. Aria frantically dialed Scott's number again.
"Oh, my God, what was that?" Stiles said, at this point driving more in his review mirror than in front. "Oh, is that contagious? You know what, you should probably just get out."
"Stiles!" Aria barked at him in shock.
"Drive faster." Derek growled, sensing the panic in Aria's voice. "Now."
"I don't think you should be barking orders with the way you look, okay?" Stiles glanced over at Aria who was glaring back at him but more focused on getting a hold of Scott. And depending on if Derek survives, possibly strangling him as well. "In fact, I think, if I wanted to, I could probably drag your little werewolf ass out into the middle of the road and leave you for dead." Aria, as well as Derek, were now glaring at Stiles with intent. He could see the hurt in Aria's eyes as Derek began to growl at him.
"Drive faster...or I'm gonna rip your throat out...with my teeth."
Finally after twenty minutes of Aria non stop calling her brother, he finally answered. "What am I supposed to do with him?" Aria asked, glancing at back seat of Stiles jeep while Derek bled out.
"Take him somewhere. Anywhere." Scott hastily answered her. Aria could tell he was trying to be quiet.
"I'm taking him to Deacon's." She answered, reaching back, squeezing Derek's hand a little harder.
"And by the way," Stiles chimed in as he stared at the road. His face, Aria couldn't quite read. Whether it was fear of Derek or the adrenaline from the situation, he mind was locked on something, "He's starting to smell." Aria looked at Stiles, her eyes giving him the notion that she was more annoyed with him that usual.
"Like-like what?" Scott stammered, nervously trying to find answer.
"Like death." Stiles said matter-of-factly. Reaching back, Aria grabbed Derek's hand. "What about your boss?"
"He's gone by now. There's a spare key in the box behind the dumpster. Aria will know where to look." Scott's voice slightly echoed. Aria's mind ran through every possible scenario. Where would he be in Allison's house that provided an echo? That's when she heard the toilet flush. Ah, bathroom. "How am I supposed to find one bullet? Do I have any idea what kind of bullet I'm looking for? They have a million! This house is like the frickin' Walmart of guns!"
"Look, if you don't find it, then I'm dead, all right?" Derek exasperated leaning forward towards the phone.
"I'm starting to think that wouldn't be such a bad thing," Scott mumbled into the phone.
"Scott!," Aria cursed, "Think about this, the Alpha called you out against your will. He's probably going to do it again. And this time you'll either kill with him or you'll end up getting killed. So, if you want to stay alive, and I want my little brother to stay alive, then you need Derek. Find the Bullet."