"It's time for me to take it

I'm the boss right now

Not gonna fake it

Not when you go down

'Cause this is my game

And you better come to play"

Confident by Demi Lovato

The person Derek brought to the abandoned station with him was Erica Reyes, the girl with epilepsy at Beacon Hills High. Apparently, he found her at the hospital, having had a seizure at school, which I had missed because I skipped school to be with Isaac. Erica seemed scared but eager enough, despite having a large bite in her side that barely started healing when she walked through the door behind Derek.

"Erica, meet your pack member, Isaac," Derek introduced as they walked down the stairs. Isaac and I were sitting next to each other on the floor against a crate, talking about anything that came to mind. "Sara, I'm going to have to ask you for another favor."

Why am I not surprised? I thought to myself. "I better not have to help you bust someone else out of jail," I told him.

He smirked at me. "Don't worry, this one's easy. Can Erica borrow some clothes?" Derek asked.

That wasn't what I expected by a favor but okay. Erica wasn't exactly known for having nice clothes since she was often trying hard not to be noticed due to ridiculous bullies picking on her for the shit she couldn't control. I shrugged. "Sure, but I need a ride home to get them. I didn't exactly come here in my car with a suitcase full of clothes."

Derek begrudgingly pulled his keychain out of his jacket pocket. "If I find one scratch on her, I'll rip your throat out with my teeth."

I laughed as Derek tossed his key to me, ignoring the slight grumbling coming from the boy beside me. "If you can get that close. Don't worry, I'll take care of your precious car." And with that, I stood up and ruffled Isaac's hair since he stayed on the floor. "Come on, Erica. Let's go get you some nice clothes to show off your curves. Maybe some eyeliner, too. It'll make your eyes pop."

Erica followed me up the stairs and to Derek's car. The ride to my house was quiet, which I understood. Erica and I had never really talked, so we weren't going to become best friends just because I let her have some of my clothes. And it wasn't like they were clothes that I'd miss. Just a short black skirt that my aunt had gotten me a year ago that I'd never wear since it's a little hard to move in it. Erica had a bigger bust than I did, so any tops would have to be oversized ones.

I pulled up to the curb outside of my house and led Erica inside and up to my room. There wasn't anything truly amazing about my room unless you call dirty clothes scattered on the floor something to be amazed by.

I opened my bottom dresser drawer and pulled out the short black skirt, handing it to Erica. "Try that on," I told her as I looked for a shirt to go with it. It didn't present much luck, so I grabbed a simple white top and tossed it behind me without looking. I heard a small squeal, so I'm assuming I hit Erica. I gave her a moment to slip the shirt on before I turned around.

She had nice curves; I had to give her that. "Well, that'll have to be suitable for now until you get new clothes," I said, walking over to my desk and picking up my makeup bag. "And I only have one pair of heels, so I can't really let you borrow any."

"It's fine," Erica replied. "Thank you. Derek thought it'd be a good first step to becoming more comfortable and confident, I guess."

"It's not a big deal, just some clothes. I'm glad they fit well."

"No, really, thank you," she continued, pressing more on the matter. "Derek told me you were the one who gave him my name."

"Oh, yeah, that was me," I muttered. I then felt very awkward. Talking with people I didn't really know wasn't exactly my forte. "We should probably get you back to Derek. Sit." Erica didn't look too happy about my avoidance, but she listened to me. I did her eyeliner as fast as I could without messing up, then we left.

On the way back, Erica tried to pepper me with questions. "Are you in the pack? What are you? Are you a werewolf, too? Did you get the bite from Derek? "

"No, I'm something else. You'll find out in time." It was quiet between us from there. My tone didn't exactly leave her wanting to press my buttons. When we got back to the train station, Derek was teaching Isaac how to shift, so I basically tossed Erica into the mix.

The next day I took Erica to school with me. Isaac had to stay in hiding since he was technically a fugitive.

I had to admit, Erica was extremely sexy when she dressed in something other than sweatpants and sweatshirts. If I wasn't so pathetically straight, I would totally go for her. The new-found confidence also helped. Her shiny, voluptuous blonde hair made me briefly insecure about my plain black hair. She didn't draw too much attention to herself in the morning. It was a big school and people were rushing around. The interesting time came at lunchtime.

"I'm going to lunch with Derek," she told me. "And I'm thinking about skipping the rest of the day. I don't really see the point in staying right now. I want to learn as much as I can as fast as I can."

I eyed her carefully. Her obsession with Derek would not end up well. "Okay, have fun with that," I replied. I actually cared about my schooling. The faster I got it done, the sooner I got out, the better my life would turn out. And I'm Asian, so stereotypes.

Even with her going to lunch with Derek, Erica went with me to the cafeteria, probably to flaunt her new look. She was definitely more confident. I understood why. Both her and Isaac were no longer scared of their every move. I had noticed the change with Isaac when he started talking more. The outcome of the bite seemed good so far, but Isaac was still a fugitive. That had to be fixed soon.

Erica and I walked into the cafeteria, garnering almost everyone's eyes. Mouths dropped comically and people stared. The strangest part was that they weren't only staring at Erica, at me as well since I was with her. I could feel my fox shifting within me, not liking the attention. I did my best to quell my beast and went to the lunch line, leaving Erica to her own desires, which meant leaving her to take some poor bloke's apple from his tray and take a bite from it sensually. It's hard to sexualize an apple but she managed.

Spotting Lydia talking to Scott and Stiles was just as surprising. But it didn't last long since both of the boys got up and hurried after Erica. Now, a normal person would think they wanted to hit on her or something along those lines. I knew better since they're a part of the same world as I am. Dumb and Dumber recognized a transformation by werewolf bite. Scott had gone through something similar. I rolled my eyes as I sat down at the end of a table alone with my food. I wasn't alone for very long. The school's biggest outcast, Vernon Boyd, scooted down from his spot at the other end, stopping when he was across from me.

I gazed at him with a weirded-out expression. Instead of waiting for him to say something, I started the conversation. "Can I help you?" I asked, not exactly politely.

He glanced around and nodded nonchalantly. Boyd then looked me in the eyes. "What was that about?" he countered, folding his fingers in front of him.

I raised an eyebrow. "No offense, Boyd, but we've barely ever spoken except for when we needed to for classes. Now definitely won't be the time I reveal everything I've ever been a part of."

Boyd smirked lightly. "So, you did have something to do with Erica's new look." It was less of a question and more like a statement.

My jaw fixed in place as I looked long and hard at him. "Why does it sound as though you want something?"

He shrugged. "I guess I'm in the mood for making deals today." Okay? I decided to ignore that tidbit. The boy took a moment. "I don't know where Isaac went, but I have noticed his lack of appearance in our math class which isn't something poor, timid Isaac Lahey would do. And now you waltz in with a stunning Erica. Both mostly loners, and the only thing tying them together is you." He pointed at me, his dark eyes meeting mine sternly.

My head tilted to the side, considering what wasn't blatantly stated. "Why should I help you?" I questioned, not completely shutting him down or accepting. Kitsune do like making deals as well. It was like a game to play.

Boyd's eyes shifted downward momentarily but quickly met my gaze again, a sign of respect and false confidence. "For my whole life I have been in the shadows, never really doing anything. I attend my classes. I do my school stuff. I work at the ice rink. That's it. That's my life. But if anything, I am observant. I can see whatever outcast alliance thing you have forming."

"You want friends," I blurted out right when I realized what he meant. He twisted his fingers but didn't reply. His brown eyes held such sadness and loneliness. Of course, friends weren't the only things he wanted. It was obvious that Vernon Boyd wanted to have some sort of meaning in his life, some sort of control, just like Isaac and Erica. I sighed. I'm going to regret this. "What if I told you that I can help you?"

His eyes widened and he leaned forward. "What would I need to do?"

I rolled my wrist to get it to pop and then adjusted my beanie. How did I get myself so wrapped up in all of this? "Give me the rest of the day. " While it was obvious that Boyd was confused as to why I needed so long to decide, he nodded in consent before scooting his chair back down to the other end of the table.

I quickly finished eating my lunch, put my tray in the bin and wound my way through the halls until I found an empty one. Pulling out my phone, I called Derek. It didn't take him long to answer. "Yeah?" he said instead of a standard greeting.

"You want another beta, right?" I asked.

I could practically feel Derek's apprehension through the phone. "Yes, why? Did you find someone?"

Glancing around the hall to make sure no one was close, I replied, "I think so. There's a guy named Boyd who goes to our school. A lonely outcast like the rest of us. He actually came to me asking what was up with Erica and Isaac."

"What makes you think he'd be a good fit?" Not surprised Derek would ask that.

I pulled up a mental picture of Boyd. "He's young, physically fit, probably healthy. He doesn't have any strong connections to people as of this moment. Perfect for your band of misfit toys."

"And what did you tell him?"

I rolled my eyes. "You underestimate me, Derek. I didn't tell him anything important. I only said to give me today to think about his case." Letting out an exasperated sigh, I dug my foot into the ground. "I'm starting to feel like a matchmaker. After this, I'm done recruiting."

Derek's chuckle was a strangely reassuring sound. "I'll meet him, I just need a time and place." I was about to say 'goodbye' and hang up but his voice stopped me. "I accept your resignation, Sparky."

I replied with an incomprehensible word of agreement and hung up, slipping my phone back in my pocket right as the warning bell rang. Hoisting my bag up onto my shoulder, I made my way to class, knowing I'd see Boyd before the end of the day to tell him the verdict.

Things had gone well, I assumed. Boyd got the bite the next day, successfully accepting the bite sometime in the night. However, Scott had tried to stop him from accepting. He arrived too late, of course, since Derek had gotten to him first, but Scott's dedication to keeping innocents from being dragged into the supernatural world was admirable. Foolish, but admirable. It definitely proved there was more to the boy than sheer dumb luck and his adorable face.

A few days later, the school was buzzing with news about another death: a car mechanic. No matter where I went, I heard about it. It quickly got on my nerves.

I adjusted the strap of my messenger bag as I turned the corner to walk down the stairs but saw Scott and Stiles at the bottom, sitting with their backpacks by their feet. I walked down a few steps until I was a few behind them. They didn't seem to notice, just completely focused on each other.

"So sorry about the other day," Stiles said, but something seemed off about his voice. "I'm trying. We'll get through this. Um, I know because I love you." I reared my head back in confusion. What in the ever-loving fuck am I hearing? Some sort of gay-love confession? They would make a cute couple though. Stiles sighed. "I love you more than-oh, my God!" Stiles waved his hand. "I ca-You and Allison just have to find a better way to communicate." That's what he was doing: parroting. Though it wouldn't have surprised me too much if they were his actual words to Scott. But I guess if there was ever to be a reason for being an owl from Harry Potter, it'd be to help your werewolf best friend continue his relationship with his hunter girlfriend.

"Come on, you are the only one that we can trust. Is she coming to the game tonight?" Scott asked.

Stiles pinched his nose. "Yes! Okay, message complete. Now tell me about your boss." These two are terrible at being secretive.

Scott leaned closer in an effort to be more discreet about their conversation, but I could still hear it plain as day standing not too far behind them and leaning on the wall. They needed to re-learn the definition of whispering and secrecy. "He thinks that Allison's family keeps some kind of records of all the things they've hunted. A book." If anyone knew that, it would definitely be Dr. Alan Deaton.

Stiles clapped once in realization. "He means a bestiary."

"A what?" Scott asked. I rolled my eyes. There truly was one dumb person and one smart person per friendship even in real life, not just in the movies. Stiles could be pretty damn stupid, but no one could deny that he knew a lot of things. And if he didn't know something, he could figure it out. Scott, at least you're pretty.

"A bestiary."

Scott chuckled. "I think you mean bestiality." Of course, his mind would go there.

Stiles was not amused. "No, pretty sure I don't. It's like an encyclopedia of mythical creatures," he explained.

"How come I'm the only one who doesn't seem to know anything about this stuff?" Because you're not exactly the brightest crayon in the box, Scott. Tutoring you wasn't exactly the easiest thing in the world.

"Alright, look, you're my best friend. You're a creature of the night. It's kinda like a priority of mine."

"Okay, if we can find it and it can tell us what this thing is. . ."

"We need that book," they chorused together. They both stood up and turned around to go up the stairs, freezing once they saw me.

I waved with a smirk. "Hello, boys. Not very quiet, are you?" I asked cheekily.

The two teenage boys walked up the few stairs to stop in front of me, neither looking particularly happy. "You never did give an actual answer to how you knew Scott could listen in on Jackson's conversation with my dad," Stiles pointed out. "And I never got an answer to why I had to bring you with me and Derek to the Sheriff's Station. So, start talking."

I tut-tutted him and shook my head. "Oh, Stiles, you have no manners. I'm not a werewolf, if that's what you're asking." I kept my voice low, something they seemed incapable of. I glanced around the staircase before turning back to them and their confused expressions. "You'll probably find what I am in that bestiary if you look hard enough, but kitsune aren't really killers. It's kind of, uh, how should I put this, distasteful?"

My facial features pinched for a second. "Unless we deem it necessary, and even then, it wouldn't be so messy. But to answer your questions, Stiles, every creature in the county knew about the alpha rolling into town, and, if you know the signs, it's fairly easy to figure out who's a recently turned werewolf and who isn't. And you, Scott, weren't exactly hiding it very well. Derek brought me to the station because I've known him since I was young. Our families were close, and he knew he could trust me, especially with Isaac."

I took a moment to let the information sink into their tiny brains before I continued. "Now, SpongeBob and Patrick, consider me your Gary. I don't give a rat's ass about a good portion of what goes on in this messed-up town, but something is happening. Something bad. Isaac can barely talk about what happened to his dad and another guy is dead. I intend to help in any way I can, whether you believe me or not. But for the love of all that is sacred, you two need to learn how to be quiet, especially in public. I'm surprised half the school doesn't know about our existence because of you two. Derek is a lot of things, and I don't agree with everything he says or does, but at least he doesn't broadcast our secrets to the world. We need to stick together if we're going to find out what this thing is and how to deal with it."

Both boys looked utterly dumbfounded, but at least they look like they believed me. "I think that's the most you've said in one go," Stiles said.

I rolled my eyes and groaned audibly. "I can't believe how much I want to smack you sometimes, Stiles. I talk, just not to you. Get that book. Be discreet about it." I walked between them, my shoulders hitting theirs and I hurried to my next class.

A few hours after school, I found myself at the abandoned station to see Derek before the lacrosse game. I told him Scott and Stiles were looking for the Argent's bestiary to figure out what the thing was that Stiles saw at the mechanic's garage. Derek didn't look surprised but left with Erica and Boyd to go to the high school, leaving Isaac and me alone.

Throughout my whole conversation with Derek, Isaac had sat in the train car alone, rubbing his forearm and leaning on his knees. He looked up at me when I walked in and smiled. I smiled back at him and said, "Hey, whatcha doing back here?" I moved to sit next to him.

"Just, uh, just thinking, I guess," he replied.

I nudged his shoulder with mine. "You know, sometimes it helps to talk."

A small chuckle escaped him as he looked down at his hand. "You've been saying that for years. I don't think I've ever really taken you up on it."

"I keep offering because I know one day you will. If today's that day, great. If it's not, that's fine, too. I've said it before, I'll say it again. If you need anything, I'm here for you. Rain or shine. Day or night."

His eyes flitted up to mine. "I don't know if I'm worth all that effort."

"You are to me."

If looks could kill, I'd be dead on the floor. But not from malice. Isaac's eyes were excellent at making someone sad. They held so much expression that his face refused to show. "It's. . . it's something Derek said earlier," he confided. "We were training and he said he wasn't trying to teach us how to fight but how to survive. Is that what I've gotten myself into?"

I sighed lightly and leaned over, wrapping my arm around his back and resting my cheek on his shoulder. Isaac tilted his head to set it on top of mine. "Part of the reason we don't show humans what we are is because they would get caught up in this mess. Hunters can be unpredictable at times. Most follow some sort of code and only kill the things that deserve to be killed, like those that kill innocents. Others kill indiscriminately and only care if you're human or not. Derek has come across both. Part of this life is fantastic. You get powers you've never dreamed of and a new family that is tighter than any blood relation. But with that comes dealing with those who want to tear you down. Derek has really only ever been hurt because of what he is. He wants to make sure it doesn't happen to all of you, even if he has a funny way of showing it."

"It's definitely not funny, I can tell you that much."

The way he rubbed his arm bugged me like it had been broken. While training often led to breaks, his arm, in particular, bothered him. Derek. "Did Derek break your arm before, during, or after training?"

"After." I knew he could smell my budding anger no matter how much I tried to quell it. My fox didn't like it one bit and neither did I. "Don't do anything rash."

"I can't make any promises."