OMG AN UPDATE!

Not as long as my usual chapters, but for Book 2, you'll be getting a lot of these. At least the updates should be quicker. Thank you to everyone who still supports this story and I hope you're all staying safe.

Please keep in mind the Chapter warnings I'm including, for your own mental and emotional safety :)

CHAPTER WARNINGS!: THIS CHAPTER CONTAINS POSSIBLE TRIGGERING CONTENT REGARDING GRAPHIC DEPICTIONS OF IMPLIED EMOTIONAL/NON-CONSENSUAL RAPE, TORTURE AND ABUSE, AS WELL AS DESCRIBED TRAUMA AND SELF-HARM. READ AT OWN RISK.

If you wish to skip the above mentioned scene, Start reading from the word 'REMEMBER' in bold.

Enjoy x (blabbing at the end :)

[Chapter is RAW & Unedited. All Mistakes belong to the Author]

Book 2: Twisted Keys.

Chapter 2: Remember, Remember.

*Araiya's Pov*

"Don't touch me!" I frantically whispered.

The emotion was clogging, swelling uncomfortably in my throat until I heaved and retched with the need to breathe. He stepped closer, his eyes dancing with wonder, awe, and obsession. I could taste it. I could taste the vile filth that coated the emotion, like rotten flesh at the core of the juiciest fruit in the garden. It was deception dazzled and delivered with honey-soaked purrs and compliments. The bile in my throat burned as it's acidic flare festered in my gullet with no viable way to escape.

But I was so starved…. I hungered so desperately for substance of any kind….

I felt disgust towards myself as I greedily devoured the sickening sentiment he freely offered. It brought tears of hatred to my eyes. The glow of my veins as I fed infuriated my beast; drove my demon mad with pure rage, but we knew better than to let her come forward. Not when she was who he truly wished to treat.

Not when she was who he obsessed for.

I suffered….again….and again….he fed me the rotten fruit from his garden of emotions and lavished me with his obsession.

Every day….

"Good morning, my sweet,"

….Every passing hour….

"Don't touch me" I repeat.

….Every slow ticking second….

"You are so beautiful, Araiya…."

"Don't touch me," I plead.

"But why?" He whispers while pressing his nose to my cheek and inhaling deeply like an addict would their favoured drug. I bite my tongue in attempt to silence the whimper that nearly passes my lips. He touches my cheek, letting his fingers leave phantom trails over my flesh. Down my cheek, pass my lips until finally they rest comfortably around my throat. He inhales once again, and the pungent smell of our close pressed bodies drives my beast into a blood thirsty rage.

DON'T TOUCH ME!

"Your skin is so soft…."

*GASP!*

I wake with a choked gasp with my claws skin deep in my forearms and cheeks. The salt of my tears make the open flesh wounds sting like a bitch, but my mind is still stuck in the throes of the horrific nightmare I'd just escaped. I fold into myself and sob as the blood on my sheets dry and the wounds on my cheeks continue to burn from the salt of my tears.

I feel unclean and violated at my core, invaded, and tainted by the filth of the monster in my dreams.

Or perhaps, it is the knowledge that these are not dreams but memories.

That somewhere, out in the world at some point, I'd been under the care of a monster so wicked.

Remember.

The explicit clarity of the word in my mind was enough to trigger the festering fury I felt growing towards my selves. My caged other, now free and refusing to obey, was so persistent in shoving these fucking memories in my face. My beast, the stupid bitch, had seemingly decided not to take sides. Instead, she only ever showed tail or interest whenever Derek was involved. It was betrayal, pure and simple.

Is it even possible to betray yourself?

As if timed, my phone rang, and I debated not answering. After the fourth ring, the call dropped on its own, only to start again along with a hard tug at the bond that connected us. I growled and wiped at my bloody cheeks, which did nothing but smear the mess, and answered the call.

"What?" I grunted, a little startled by the croak and scratchy sound of my voice.

"There are only two instances in which you are excused from answering your phone when I call you…" Peter's silky-smooth tenor purred down the line.

I could feel my shoulders slump at the mere sound of his voice. My terror must have had a bigger emotional impact than I thought if Peter could feel it all the way where he was.

"One is if you're being horribly tortured, maimed, are committing a murder, dying or dead. Seeing as you have answered, I'm honestly offended you didn't immediately answer after the first ring." He tutted.

I could hear the click and zip of a bag or something other on his end. I slumped back into my bloody sheets and found my heart slowing while my lips stretched the gouged claw wounds in my cheeks that were slowly healing.

"Maybe it was instance number two?" I drawled with a shrug as I stared at the ceiling.

I smiled at the flood of care and amusement he sent down the bond that soon turned bubbly with mischief and mockery.

"I highly doubt you've jumped my nephew and had your wicked way with him since I last spoke with you," he commented as lightly as one would about the weather.

My reaction was immediate.

I sat up and promptly choked on my own spit while my heart gave a jolt and dropped into the butterfly storm in my belly. On the positive side of things, it snapped me out of whatever mood I'd been in and healed all my self-made wounds. Burning a furious shade of red under the coat of dried blood on my skin, I near screeched my words down the line.

"DAMN IT PETEY! WHAT THE HELL?"

"If you must know, the Sexual tension between you two is incredibly suffocating. I, for one, refuse to return and find myself carrying a spray bottle to douse either one of you."

"Spray bottle? Why would you even need that?" I spluttered as I slowly drowned in embarrassment.

"Oh? Are we ignoring the childhood trauma that stopped both of you from experiencing a 'normal' teenage life, therefore, greatly affecting your sexual experiences? Thankfully, due to my own recent mental reboot, I was able to remember all the many petty arguments you and my dear nephew had. I can only imagine how bad the sexual tension between you is, if it was absolutely stench inducing back then, it must be suffocating now."

"Oh my god! Peter, Derek and I aren't so stupid horny we're going to jump each other like teenagers!" I hissed back.

"I don't get them. What's taking so long?"

I blinked at the unexpected voice that decided to weigh in on the conversation. I buried my head in my palm and wished the ground could swallow me whole.

"Hello Malia," I managed to mumble.

"Hey."

"Peter!"

"She's my daughter, Araiya," Peter simpered.

I didn't need to see him or even have a bond with him to know the asshole was making one of his mocking pouty faces.

"Who also happens to be the mate and girlfriend of the most chatty and nosy teenager to exist!" I hissed back.

"Please tell me you don't actually believe nobody has noticed this ridiculous song and dance between you and Derek."

I could hear the change in his tone and the slight stutter of our bond. It was all the warning he would give that he was about to tell me some rather hard truths I've been pointedly ignoring. Trust Peter to always kick me in the ass and remind me to get my shit together. Then again… he wouldn't be my best friend if he weren't such a provocative asshole.

And yet, I wouldn't have him any other way.

My feelings must have bled through the bond as he sighs heavily on the line and orders Malia out of the room. It's just the two of us now, both taking comfort from our paced breathing down the line. A silent moment of reassurance and comfort, a reminder that we're still alive and (relatively) sane.

That we get to try again.

"It's horrible Petey…" I near sobbed in a terrified whisper.

From the surge of rage that appeared quickly and fled, he already knew just how terrified I was.

"But I'm far more terrifying," He firmly counters.

The confidence, promise and certainty in his voice surprises a laugh out of me. When I calm down and can forget enough about my nightmare to be at least functional, he talks to me about his day. We talk for hours until we can't ignore the world around us any longer.

"How much longer until you come back?" I ask, trying not to sound as needy as I felt.

"Well, Henry still has a few more spots he wants to check out. But with Malia determined to start her senior year with the rest of the unworthy misfits she calls pack, maybe earlier."

"Stiles misses her," I idly mention, the scoff Peter gives causes me to smirk.

"She's got strange taste; I'll admit that at least."

This time I out right laugh down the line before teasing him back.

"Don't lie Petey, you know she could have done worse."

The loud scoff of disagreement he gives back is enough to make me giggle.

"Hey, it could have been Scott," I tease.

The flat dial tone is all I receive in response, but I'm laughing too hard to care. Flopping on my back, I allow myself another few minutes to simply wallow in all that I'm feeling. My caged other prowls, but thankfully doesn't force me to remember anything else. My beast purrs and growls, encouraging me to leave our room and find the others.

I don't move until there's a soft knock on my door.

After shuffling my way towards the door and opening it, my heart gives a stuttering leap and my beast howls with excitement. Derek stands across from me, his hand holding a takeaway bag and his smile bright and inviting. I'm reminded that I must look like a horror movie or something other when his eyes linger on my cheeks. I flinch and am seconds from scrambling back inside the room to hide and wallow in my terror and self-hatred once more, but his free hand hovers inches from my cheeks. Wanting to touch but not doing so out of consideration. I feel my breath catch and all thoughts in my mind disappear as I stare into his beautiful green eyes.

"Don't."

I shiver, feeling his plea ripple through my flesh and bone. The sincerity and honest care in his every action incites tingles throughout my limbs and I feel cleansed and renewed.

"Ok…" I croak and there's a promise in my voice.

When he smiles at me, my soul sings in harmony with the reminder that I get to try again.

*Augusta's Mansion*

Nik scowls and runs through the numbers in his head again. He's confident that his calculations are accurate but if this was their best success ratio, he was better off dealing with everything himself. The 21, soon to be 22, year old let out a rather beast like growl before running the numbers once again. So caught up in his calculations he nearly didn't hear the oncoming footsteps just outside the door.

"Nikolas?" Jeff politely called.

Nik grunted but that was permission enough for the elderly man.

Jeff enters Augusta's office and eyes the stacks upon stacks of textbooks and paperwork scattered about the room. He quirks a brow at the scribbled notes and sketches on several charts and white boards. Jeff can't help but wonder how someone so physically young could possibly seem so old. He made his way towards the left half of the room and idly skimmed the hastily scribbled notes on one of the boards. This time, both of his brows, rose high on his forehead with disbelief. Another quick scan confirmed what he was reading to be true.

"Are these…. your calculated probabilities on everyone's death rates!?"

Nik gave another grunt but didn't bother opening his eyes or moving from his thoughtful position.

Jeff blinked at the younger werewolf and felt both awed and concerned. It was obvious Nik hadn't been resting enough by the sickly pale sheen to his skin and the light purpling under his eyes. The fact he, a werewolf, was even showing signs of exhaustion proved just how hard the younger man had been pushing himself. Despite knowing his attempts would be futile, along with the fact he had no real authority over the 21-year-old, Jeff did his best to look stern.

"I think you've done enough for the day."

Nik didn't even bother acknowledging Jeff had said anything.

"Nikolas," Jeff repeated a little more sternly.

The elderly man jumped at Nik's sudden move towards one of the white boards. He blinked rapidly as the young adult madly scribbled a series of equations.

"Nikolas?" he repeated less demanding and more curious.

When Nik finished, whatever he'd been puzzling through, he then turned to Jeff.

"Where are the brats?"

"Wha- Are you going to just-"

"I want the brats in the kitchen in the next 5 minutes."

"Nikolas," Jeff tried again, but it was useless.

Nikolas had already disappeared out the door to wherever it was he was needed next. Jeff scratched at his forehead and begged a short prayer for patience before resolutely marching off to summon the teens scattered about the mansion.

"I am not a butler, for gods sake. I am a retired lawyer who had been respectable in his own right, God dammit," Jeff grumbled under his breath as he readied the bell in the kitchen.

Despite his grumblings, Jeff knew he would always be of service to the Black family in whatever way possible. It was, after all, what he owed to them.

Jackson growled as he stomped his way into the kitchen. He hated that stupid bell. He gladly would've ignored the bloody thing if Nik hadn't all but killed him the first and only time he tried. So, while he didn't like it, he knew better than to dismiss the summoning chime. Cora and Isaac were already seated and waiting, both looking rather bored and disgruntled. It annoyed him that Isaac appeared to feel the same as him. Which is why he purposely knocked into the boy as he passed by.

Isaac turned a beta-blue glare towards Jackson, which had little to no effect.

"Oops," Jackson drawled with a taunting smirk.

Cora snorted and rolled her eyes while Isaac let out a throaty growl.

"Idiots," she scoffed before continuing to tap away at her phone.

As Jackson settled into his seat at the table, the last of their little group joined them. Kira and Danny, in contrast to the other three, could rival sunshine and rainbows after a thunderstorm. The teen kitsune was babbling, so energetically and fast, it sounded like rapping. By some miracle, Danny somehow managed to understand every single word she blurted. In unintentional unison, Cora, Jackson, and Isaac, made various groans of exasperation. Kira's babble came to an abrupt stop and her cheeks burned an embarrassed pink.

"Right…. Sorry, forgot about the hearing sensitivity," she meekly apologised.

The three teen wolves immediately felt like assholes and quickly assured the teen Kitsune otherwise. Kira's rambling rap babble wouldn't have been an issue for the wolves, if it weren't for the unfortunate consequence they discovered. Apparently, as a Thunder Kitsune, Kira could generate kinetic energy of her own if she's charged up enough. It wasn't until she'd fallen into a very passionate and upset rant about Scott after their breakup, that they realised the vibrations of her vocal chords could emit a low thrumming hum of cackling energy. It was very much like listening to white noise on the radio, but in a higher pitch for the wolves.

As they fretted and reassured Kira she did nothing wrong, all three were hyper aware of Danny's pleasant smile.

"What do you think it is this time?" Isaac prompted with a head tilt, looking curious.

Kira shrugged as she fiddled with her pen. She'd gotten into the habit of carrying either a pencil or pen everywhere with her along with a notebook. A habit that's certainly saved her from many panic induced breakdowns since becoming Nik's apprentice. As Danny tapped away at his tablet, Kira once again wondered how the Hawaiian human survived Nik's ruthless, high pressured, apprenticeship.

"Could be anything, you know how it is," Danny answered.

Jackson snorted but it was Cora who spoke next.

"At least it's not 'training'," she drawled while making quotation marks with her fingers.

"Don't jinx us, Hale." Jackson snarled.

All five teens jumped when Nik entered the room. The irritated glare he levelled them with made them all slump in their chairs with dread.

"What did I say about maintaining your awareness? So long as there's a hit for your heads, you're never safe," Nik snarled with a cold glare of irritation.

The teens ducked their heads, some sullenly and some reluctantly.

"Aye aye, Captain Moody," Cora muttered with a sneer.

She ducked to the left just in time to miss the poisoned tipped dagger aimed at her head. She flashed her furious beta-gold eyes at Nik, but the older wolf was already moving on.

"Kira, Name the international pandemic plagues and cures which have resulted in positive evolutions within the Supernatural community."

Kira took a deep breath before she rapidly listed what she knew. Isaac watched with wide eyes as the Kitsune basically gave an impromptu verbal essay off the top of her head. Cora had her phone out recording Kira's presentation so the Kitsune could review it later. Jackson, despite his bored expression, was doing his best to commit as much information Kira was sprouting to memory. All the while, Danny sat back in his chair and watched Kira successfully meet Nik's expectations with ease. The pride he had for his fellow apprentice was beyond obvious and he could care less if it showed.

When Kira finally reached her conclusion, having spoken for a total of 4 minutes and 25 seconds, the static in the air combed over them. Nik lifted a cup of coffee to his lips as Kira returned the senbon needles he'd aimed towards her throat. All the teens clapped, thoroughly impressed by Kira's presentation and ability to catch every senbon Nik had launched at her. None of them had even known the older wolf was attacking the kitsune as they were too distracted by her presentation.

"Well done," Nik praised with a nod.

Kira looked like she was ready to collapse into a puddle of pure joy and pride. Nik then turned a stern finger towards the wolves, scowling at them as he did.

"Awareness. Maintain it."

The teen wolves grumbled but didn't argue knowing it was for their own benefit. Nik snapped his fingers in Danny's direction and the human boy handed over his tablet. The teens watched Nik intently, trying to guess at what he wanted with them as he tapped and scrolled at the tablet.

"Danny. Left stack, cases 436 and 462. Get it done."

"Ok," Danny agreed with an easy shrug while catching the apple Nik launched his way.

"Isaac, you're on pixie duty."

Isaac made a noise of protest but quickly shut up the second Nik glared at him. Jackson snorted and didn't even try to hide the taunting smirk he sent towards the curly haired boy. A smirk that just as quickly died when Nik next spoke.

"Jackson, you're tutoring Hale in Math."

"WHAT!" the two yell with disbelief.

Nik growled and while they didn't immediately obey, they certainly fell quiet.

"My grades are fine!" she snarled.

Nik scoffed and finished his coffee before he replied.

"You're passing, but that's not enough."

"I HAVE A 4.0 GPA!"

Nik glared harder and set his cup down with a thunk.

"If you think a 4.0 GPA is impressive, you're obviously wasting the use of your abilities."

Cora jumped to her feet, snarling with her eyes flashing aggressively, across from Nik who stared down at her impassively. This was far from the first time the two had gone head-to-head like this. Danny sometimes wondered if the tension between them was sexual or purely hostile. He could never tell the difference when it came to Cora and Nik.

"You're impulsive and if my sister hadn't practically begged me to give you brats a break, I would have continued with the method of beating logic into you. Since I can't, we're going to have to do this theoretically. Hence the Math."

With impeccable timing, Jeff entered the room with several stacks of textbooks in his arms. He dumped the stack on the table in front of Jackson and Cora with a groan. The teens gaped at the stack looking overwhelmed.

"Jeff will oversee both your progress."

Cora looked like she wanted to say something, but Jackson elbowed her quiet. Nik arched a challenging brow but neither wolf dared to meet it. With a final nod, Nik then turned to Kira who had been quietly watching while occasionally scribbling into her notebook.

"Kira."

"Yes!" she answered with a jolt.

"Apple or orange?"

Kira blinked and looked towards the others, unsure if she'd heard right. From their expressions she could tell they were just as confused as she was.

"…Orange?"

Nik snapped his fingers three times and stared her dead in the eye. Kira gave a startled squeak at the sudden attention but was overwhelmed by how close Nik was to her.

"Apple. Don't think just answer," he ordered sternly.

Kira rapidly nodded and did as she was told.

"Blue or red?"

"Red."

"Lavender. 23 or 24?"

"69."

There was a sniggering laugh behind Nik, but Kira didn't have time to get distracted from it as Nik barrelled on with his seemingly random questions.

"83. Up or down?"

"Up."

"Down. October or January?"

"April."

"Monday or Saturday?"

"Wendy."

"James or Arthur?"

"Peter."

"Hot or Cold?"

"Warm."

"Cat or Dog?"

"Dog."

"Last one. Land or Sea?"

"Tree."

Nik finally backed up and Kira blinked rapidly as she caught her breath. She felt as if she'd been released from some sort of spell. The rest of the group were glaring and looking at Nik with disgruntled suspicion.

"What the hell was that about?" Jackson grunted.

Nik ignored him and gave Kira a kiddie box of apple juice which she absently accepted with dazed eyes.

"You won't see me for the next two days. Don't bother contacting me unless you're dying or Araiya's done something stupid again. If you can't reach me by cell, howl, especially if your dead."

"What- Where are you going?"

"None of your business. Do as you're supposed to, and I'll know if you slack," Nik warned.

"What about Kira?" Isaac questioned having noticed only the Kitsune hadn't been given any instructions.

Nik scoffed and gave Kira a light pat on the head before moving. Kira could only blink blankly at the rather affectionate and gentle touch. Danny gave a soft chuckle and helpfully stuck the straw into her juice box. When she didn't make any moves to drink it, the human boy laughed and guided the straw to her lips. Kira absently drank her juice as her mind failed to process what just happened.

"Whatever she wants, she earned it, unlike the rest of you pathetic bunch. Jeff, I'll be in touch."

With that final parting, Nik was gone, and the teens could only share disgruntled and disbelieving glances. It wasn't until Kira finished the last of her apple juice that her brain seemed to have rebooted.

"Back with us?" Danny teased.

Kira turned to her fellow apprentice with glazed teary eyes.

"H-He….H-He…"

Danny laughed and squeezed her shoulders lightly.

"Congratulations on successfully earning Nik's approval, fellow Apprentice."

Danny's words only confirmed what she'd come to understand. Without warning, Kira burst into tears, startling the wolves who'd been squabbling among them. Danny warned them off from approaching as Kira sobbed desperately into Danny's arms. Jackson is the one to guide the other two out of the room, snapping at them to give the two privacy. Danny smiled fondly at the teen wolf, because only Jackson understood. He remembered the day he finally earned Nik's approval. It was Jackson who held him as he cried out his relief, joy, and pride. The others didn't understand Nik, not like Kira and Danny had come to know the man.

Nikolas Black was a ruthless and unapologetic man. He expected nothing but the best and beyond that if possible. He hated wasted potential, especially if he decided to feature in a person's life. Many considered him obsessive and cruel, a sadistic wolf who enjoyed inflicting hardship on others. But they don't understand him, as many don't. They couldn't handle him.

But those that knew him, could understand, and survive under him, they understood the priceless gift Nik was in their lives.

They understood that if you successfully reach every single one of Nik's expectations, you'll shine bright.

As bright as a diamond.

*McCall House*

Nikolas checks his watch and mentally notes he has a 6-minute window to get in and out. If the Parent Packs meet ups have yet to change, Melissa wouldn't notice her son's disappearance for at least 4 hours. Argent should get his note about the situation and the Sheriff would probably hear the news from Noshiko.

Which means, Araiya won't know anything about what he's doing for a good 8 hours.

"Alright, lets do this…." He mumbles.

Nikolas takes a deep breath and lets his heart slow to match the world around him. He lets it settle for 3.6 seconds before making his move. With his beta-blue eyes, navigating through everything covertly, is easy as breathing. The tricky part doesn't occur until he's above McCall's room. He could smell the torment and Alpha reek from where he was. He sacrificed a few seconds in favour of tracing the unbalanced True Alpha wandering the floors. Inhaling deeply…. Nikolas made his move…and there was a telling thump inside.

Nik held his breath as he quickly grabbed the unconscious teen and made his escape.

He didn't dare exhale until he was certain the boy wouldn't wake.

With laboured breaths, which put an aching strain on his heart, he tried to re-anchor himself. When he finally regained better control over his senses, he considered the unconscious True Alpha with a sneer.

"Fucking hope you're worth the pain, brat."

Nikolas loads the teenager into his car and drives away.

As predicted, Araiya calls his phone 8 hours later, but she's far too late.

Whelp, That's all I've got for now.

I know it's lacking from the usual updates, but this is only the second chapter for Book 2. I also don't think Book 2 will take as long as Book 1. At least, it shouldn't.

Regarding Future chapters:

-Next chapter is defs going to focus on Scott because the poor guy is being put through A LOT of unwanted and harsh realities about his life and friends. I have half a mind to name the next chapter "Scott McCall's Redemption" but eh, we'll see. But more Scott means more Nik. Still a little buzzed at how well received Nik's been. I'm very interested to see how you all react to the rest of the Black family as they are slowly introduced and included.

-We're defs going to have LOADS more romance between Derek and Araiya, but remember romance is not the focus y'all. Also, Araiya has made it explicitly clear she is nowhere in the right state of mind or position in life to take that step with Derek.

-Yes, we are going to have some heart wrenching Father/Daughter bonding scenes for Malia and Peter. So you can look forward to some Hale family re-bonding which includes cousin bonding and good ole Uncle Peeta :D.

-Fair warning, Stiles and Lydia's mysterious situation and discovery from Book 1 will take a back seat. There will be mentions and hints to what they've been getting up to but nothing specifically dedicated to them. Y'all will only get to read about them when their interacting with the others characters :(

At least until Davian turns up :)

Fun facts about writing this chapter:

-I adored writing Kira and Danny, our rainbow and sunshine characters. I don't know why, but when I get to write them in a scene with Nik I always get all bubbly and gooey at how sweet they are with each other. Gaaaaaah heart melting moment with Mentor Nik being protective over his little apprentices is bound to happen at some point.

-Jackson, Isaac and Cora blend a little to similarly for me lately when I try to write them. So, their probably gonna get split up to face some new facets and grow up a little before I bring them back and settle them into their final dynamic.

Questions:

Are these Blacks based of the Harry Potter Black family?

- Yes. At least the name for sure. I was initially going to make this a Harry Potter fic but got caught up in Teen Wolf and changed my mind. So I kept the name and the whole 'powerful pure family with loads of crazies and influence' aspect. The basic core of the Black Family characters are based off my own blood relatives. But I would like to emphasise they're not mirror copies cause that would be a mean and creepy of me to do to my fam haha.

Overall: I'm very excited to write Araiya and Derek's next arc, and for the rest of my OC characters to meet the New and Nik approved McCall Pack !

Once Again, Thank you everyone for continuing to support me and this fic