Hi all! Here's my 100th revision. It was all self-forced, I tried to get back into writing this story and realized how much my style changed in a year. I figured it was time to re-edit it until I felt like I was back in the groove.

Well, here goes. As always, all I own are my OCs.

I sit in my room, the moonlight shining in and helping to brighten my room, as my desk lamp is dim. The rest of my family is asleep, my dad taking full advantage of his day off. It honestly isn't that late, barely 9:30, but my parents have been exhausted ever since Derek was arrested - again, my bad - and the twins are eight which means they're menaces to society if they don't get at least nine hours of sleep.

I lean back against the headboard of my full size bed, flipping through my old copy of Anna Karenina. Something knocks against my window and I jump, clutching my book to my chest. A figure rests against the glass, and Derek gestures for me to open the window.

With a relieved sigh I climb off of my bed to let him in, closing the window behind me. "God, you scared me. What the hell are you doing here?" I hiss.

"The alpha killed the manager of the Video 2*C."

"When?" I ask, sitting next to him on my rumpled covers, legs crossed.

"An hour ago. I'm surprised your dad wasn't called in."

"He's had doubles the past week. According to my mom, finding out who murdered your sister is pretty important to him. Especially since the 'family friends' title goes back to my great-grandmother." Derek looks at me in shock. "What? Surprised I know? My mom told me. Well, she didn't tell me everything. I know that she was close to your mom. They were friends. Good friends. I know she thinks family didn't deserve what happened to them, especially because of how special they were. I mean, to be clear, I agree with her." I look up at Derek, hands folded in my lap. "She told me you're a good guy."

He snorts. "And what do you think?"

"I think she's right. Actually, I know she's right. Even if Scott and Stiles don't think the same."

"Aren't they supposed to be your best friends?"

"And they are. Hell, they're more like my brothers. But it doesn't mean I always have to see things their way. I'm my own person." Derek nods. "I need to know something. Are my parents… are they special too? Like you, and your family? Because there's something they aren't telling me, and I'm tired of being lied to. Because there's no way we only just met, not with how my mom described everything."

Derek sighs and stands, turning to the window. "I should go."

"Damn it, can't you just be honest with me?" I ask, but remain quiet so I don't wake my parents and alert them to the fact there's a guy in my room.

He stops in his tracks, and I watch his reflection. He sighs before turning to face me once more. "You should get some rest. Don't you have parent/teacher conferences tomorrow?"

I tilt my head. "How did you know?"

"Scott."

I nod, as if that answers my question. "No, I don't. My parents trust I'm on top of my shit. I only have to show up to AP Physics sixth period, so you have plenty of time to tell me what my parents won't."

Derek sighs again, and I sit on my bed. He pulls my pink rolling chair away from my desk and sits on it to stare into my eyes, neither of us blinking. "Your parents, as far as I know, are human."

"Oh."

"But," I look up at him, "someone in your family wasn't."

Something clicks. "Great-grandma Diane, right?"

Derek nods, licking his top lip. "Yes. But the gene stopped there. At the very least, it's been dormant for three generations now." I nod. "Diane was a Löwenmenschen. A werelion. She didn't talk about her past a lot," my questions pop like a too-full balloon, "but my mom told me she used to be an alpha. I'm sorry, I don't remember how she lost the spark. Laura," he takes a deep breath, "Laura probably knew."

I don't remember any of that. Actually, the more I think about my great-grandma Diane, the less I do. I think she was a terrible cook, but an excellent baker. I think she hated knitting, but was an avid crochetier.

"And my mom?" I finally ask. "She was just… welcomed into the pack? Even though she's human."

Derek nods, and a sudden warm smile replaces his morose expression. "Yeah. Mom used to tell me she knew your mom belonged with the Hales before they even said a word to each other. We were all family, in the end. All one big pack."

I run a hand over my face before cradling my chin on my knuckles. "So… how… why did my parents keep me away from all of that? Why hadn't we met before Scott was bit?" I ask, then stand up, completely frustrated. "How could they not tell me?"

"Maybe they thought they didn't need to. I mean, it's not like there were any active werewolves around Beacon Hills after the fire. Maybe they were going to tell you when you were old enough, but thought you'd be safer not being involved?" Something in his tone throws me off, and I spin to point accusingly at him.

"You're lying. You're covering something up for them. There's no way that's true!" He stays quiet and I huff angrily, storming over to my bookshelf.

I barely jump when I feel Derek's hand on my shoulder. I just turn to look up at his concerned face. "I'm sorry. That's all I can say." I purse my lips, then tilt my head.

"What about me? Am I human?"

Derek just makes a face. "I honestly don't know. Your smell… it's all wrong to me."

Well. That's reassuring. "Shit. Am I sick?"

"No!" He's quick to amend. "No, that I can smell. It's just, your scent… it's different than before."

"Before?"

Derek clears his throat. "Look, I should get going. Do you have any more questions? About what happened at the video store." He corrects.

Sensing it's a losing battle, I reluctantly move on. "Yes, obviously I have more questions. Did you catch the alpha's scent?"

He sits back down on my bed and I join him once more. "No. The place was too crowded. It felt familiar, though. Just a little bit. But he's so angry that any other natural scent is difficult to pick up."

"Natural scent?"

"Yeah. Everyone has one. Werewolves pick up on it, along with heartbeats. It's how we find our packmates. Especially the humans."

I nod. "Okay. Now, a pack. I know there's an alpha, and they have betas, like you and Scott. How many are there usually?" I ask, concerned if the alpha terrorizing Beacon Hills is planning to make more.

"It depends on the pack. Sometimes there's only one, sometimes there's twenty."

"What about omegas? Are they the lowest level?"

Derek shakes his head, slightly amused. "No. Omegas are dangerous. They don't have a pack. They're alone, and oftentimes that loneliness manifests into an intense bloodlust. They're angry and lost."

I look into his green eyes. "Are you an omega?" I ask.

He stares right back at me, as if looking into my soul. "I don't want to be."

"Then you won't. I told you, we're friends now." I gently take his hand. "And if our families were pack, doesn't that mean the same for us?"

Derek tilts his head, but squeezes back. "I guess so. Patty."

And the future never looked brighter.

With a sigh I close I step into the nearly empty hallway, walking towards the front door. AP Physics was surprisingly easy today, and those extra few hours I spent in the school's library really helped me focus on my homework.

After shoving the completed work into my locker, I leave the building. Hearing the chorus of That's Not My Name belting from my tucked away phone, I pull it out of my bag.

"Stiles." I answer, having not spoken to him all day. There's just… there's a lot on my mind.

"Watson! Thank god!" I stop just outside the school doors.

"What's wrong?"

"Scott is totally MIA, not answering his phone. He wasn't at school all day, and neither was Allison." I tilt my head, thinking, then remember Allison's "big secret."

"Oh, dude, it's her birthday. They're probably out being romantic."

"All day?"

I laugh and walk to my car, one of the last in the lot. "You get a girlfriend and then tell me you won't want to skip class to be with her."

"Shut up. And now I'm even more pissed, because this is more important!" I stop laughing at his harsh, panicked tone, and immediately get serious.

"What happened?"

"Finally!"

"Stiles, don't you dare make me say your real name."

He sighs, and I hear his bed creak as he presumably sits on it. "Okay, so you know how the manager at 2*C was killed by the alpha last night?"

"Yeah, yeah. My dad told me all about it." I say, you know - like a liar.

"Uh, your dad wasn't there."

"No, he called me after he got to the station, telling me to be safe." I cover.

"Oh. Anyway, Jackson and Lydia were there. Jackson came to school, but he was a damn ticking time bomb of anxiety ready to go off at any minute. Lydia wasn't even there!"

"Lydia Martin stayed home instead of going to school?"

"Again, not the point." I nod and put him on speaker, starting the drive back home. "I went to go see her, and she said she saw something. She was on a bunch of relaxants though so she didn't make any sense and was basically just repeating what I said. Then she called me Jackson and passed out."

I snort. "Tough break, buddy. And a little creepy. What's the point of all this?"

"The point is I have her phone, with the video of the alpha running out of the video store."

"Oh damn. Okay, I'll be home soon. We'll figure this out."

"Thanks." He hangs up as I sigh.

Parking my car in the driveway, I forgo entering my house and instead dash across the road and knock on the Stilinski house door. The Sheriff opens it, out of uniform. "Well, if it isn't Watson. How are ya, kid?" He pulls me into a hug and I return it, smiling.

"I'm good, Sheriff."

We break apart and he lets me in. "How's your last semester going?"

I shrug. "Just counting down the days until graduation."

Noah laughs, throwing his head back. "Honestly, I don't know what Stiles and Scott are gonna do without you next year."

"I'm still gonna be across the street." I remind him, and he waves me off.

"Aw, kid, you know it won't be the same." Noah looks a little nostalgic. "I remember when you two really started hanging out. I think you were the only one who could keep up with him. Remember all those secret spy missions you two used to drag poor Scott on?"

I laugh, remembering the gear we used to "borrow" from our dads. "Yeah. Those were the days."

Noah sighs, and rubs his face. "Well, I'm off. Stiles is upstairs, I'm sure he has money for pizza."

"Okay, Noah!"

He ruffles my hair then walks to the front door, pulling on his jacket. He briefly turns around. "Oh, and tell your mom I have more files for her."

"Got it!" I give him a thumbs up and he waves, closing the door behind him. And with that I'm running up the stairs and giving the secret knock. On the other side I hear Stiles stumbling, and finally he opens the door.

"What the hell took you so long?" He panics, and I snort.

"Okay, calm down. Give me the phone." He hands it to me and I unlock it.

"You know her password?"

"Mhmm." I find the video and watch it before sending it to myself. Once my phone receives the message I save the video, then go back into Lydia's phone and delete her latest message to me.

"There. Why were you panicking?" I ask. Stiles sighs and grabs the phone, looking at the video. It ends, and he clicks a few buttons. "What are you doing?"

"Deleting the video!"

"Why the hell would you do that?"

"Because she can't remember what she saw! I don't want her to be all messed up because she was in the wrong place at the wrong time!" Stiles yells, jumping up from his desk.

I sigh, and take his hand. "I know you care about her. And you know I'll do my best to keep her safe. We all will. But we shouldn't lie to her."

"Sometimes a lie can save a life."

"And sometimes it can drive us crazy. Trust me." My latest dream - Talia Hale tossing me into the air like I'm a peanut - still playing in the back of mind. I grab Lydia's phone and start to walk out his door.

"Where are you going?"

I wave the phone at him. "To return this."

"No, come on, don't -" I roll my eyes at his pleading, shutting the front door behind me.

The ride to Lydia's takes less time than usual. And to be honest, I may have been speeding but evidently the Sheriff's Department doesn't care, because no one stops me. Budget cuts, I suppose.

Getting out I rush up to her front door and calmly knock. Thankfully it's Mrs. Martin who answers, because I don't have the patience for her husband right now. "Oh. Hi, Patricia. I'm afraid Lydia's resting."

"I just wanted to check on her, if that's okay?"

"Sure, I don't see why not. Just make it quick, her father and I have to leave for parent/teacher conferences."

"Of course. Thank you!" I wave to Lydia's indifferent father as I pass him, lightly bounding up the steps. When I reach her room I silently open her door. "Lyds?" She only mumbles and pokes her head up. "Hey, I just wanted to see you."

"Pretty Patty. Trisha-Wisha." I snort at her loopiness, then walk over to her bed. She closes her eyes and I take that moment to put her phone on her bedside table.

"Yeah, Lyds. Listen, I'm going to go. But I want you to feel better, yeah?"

"Mmm. Bye-bye Paddy." I snort once more and kiss her temple before leaving her room, shutting the door behind me. Downstairs the Martins are waiting by the door.

"How is she?" Mrs. Martin asks nervously. I smile.

"Oh, she's resting. She only woke up for a moment. She's a strong girl." I don't miss the scoff from Lydia's father and turn to glare at him, narrowing my eyes in disgust. He only smirks, and I turn to the embarrassed Mrs. Martin. "Well, have a good night. Be careful!"

"You too, dear!" I nod and leave the house, getting back in my car. I watch as Mr. and Mrs. Martin argue all the way to their cars, and once again remember why Lydia's built up so many walls.

"Yes Stiles, I returned it. No, she didn't remember seeing you. Yes, I'm sure she would've appreciated the company if she wasn't high as a kite." I tell Stiles over the phone, lying on my bed completely exhausted.

Stiles sighs. "Thanks, Ricky. Hey, I'm going through the records from the Hale House fire. I sent some pictures of them to your email if you want to look through them, too."

"Wow, you are sneaky, Holmes." He laughs.

"I learned from the best, Watson."

I make an offended noise. "How dare you? Me, sneaky? Blasphemy!"

"Shut up, Ricky."

"Yeah, yeah. Listen, I'm gonna go through the info. You just keep calm."

"Sure. Keep calm. Especially because Scott still hasn't called me back, after being MIA all day."

"Come on, Stiles, everything's fine."

"Everything is not fine, he's a werewolf!" My window suddenly slams open, and I turn with wide eyes to see Derek crawling in, out of breath. Considering my window stares out into Stiles I quickly tug the older man onto the carpeted ground, waving at Stiles as he looks out in worry. "Oh my God, are you okay? Why is your window open?"

"Oh, um, sorry. I needed fresh air, and there was this bird that wouldn't stop chirping." Derek scowls at me and I narrow my eyes at him in response, playfully sticking out my tongue.

"Right. Okay. Well, I'm going to keep investigating. Later, skater!" Stiles hangs up and waves at me before closing his blinds. I shut my window and press my face against the glass.

"God, that was close." I move the curtains so they're back in place and watch as Derek sits on my bed, groaning. "What are you doing here?"

"I thought we were pack."

"Next time call, like people usually do! What if I was naked!"

"Why are you whispering?"

"Because my mom is downstairs with the boys!"

I hear footsteps coming up the stairs. "Honey, is everything okay?"

"Yeah, fine! I'm all good!" I turn to Derek and gesture for him to hide under the bed. He rolls his eyes but does as I command, just as my mom opens the door. "Hey. Hi. Sorry, dropped my phone."

She crosses her arms. "It sounded like your window slammed open."

"Uh. Well, I wanted fresh air. So I opened it. Enthusiastically." She pouts her lips and raises an eyebrow, arms still crossed. I sigh. "Fine, you caught me. I smoke."

Out of nowhere she doubles over, laughing hysterically. She straightens and wipes away her tears. "Oh my God. You. Smoking?"

"What? Why is that so unbelievable?"

"Pumpkin, you yelled at a complete stranger in New York for smoking near the twins, then proceeded to lecture the man until he stormed away."

"He shouldn't be smoking next to children! Ruin your own life, not the lives of others, especially not kids!" I yell in response, remembering the man.

"Exactly. Oh, you are so my daughter. I also know when you're lying. You have a tell. It's the same as mine. You blink twice while looking in the other person's eyes."

I scoff. "I could just have dry eyes!"

"Mhmm. Well, I'm going to get started on dinner." She walks away, but stops at the door. "Derek, why don't you join us? I'm making my famous sausage lasagna."

Derek crawls out from under my bed, face morphed into a scowl but a blush on his cheeks. "Sure, Mrs. Abernathy."

"Sofia, dear." Mom looks at me, and points her finger. "I'm closing the door, because I trust you. Capiche?"

"Capiche." I nod, and she smiles at us, doing as she said. I turn back to Derek. "Hey, you don't have to stay."

"Is that your way of kicking me out?"

"No, I just didn't know if you wanted to have dinner with us."

"Well, I haven't had a home cooked meal since I got to Beacon Hills."

"It's been nearly a month!"

"Exactly."

I sigh. "Well then, fine, you're staying. But first, you need to tell me why you're here. What happened that you risked Stiles seeing you?"

He sighs and sits on my bed, but I remain standing. "The woman who shot me. Kate Argent. She and a couple of hunters came to my house this afternoon."

"Oh my God." I cover my mouth. "Did she shoot you again?"

He shakes his head. "No. She just shocked me with her 900,000 volt stun baton."

"Is that worse?" I ask, before I can help myself.

"Well, it didn't feel much better." He sasses back, and I move closer to him, pulling at his shirt. "What are you doing?"

"Checking you for burn marks!"

"I heal, remember?"

"So? You heal that fast from 900,000 volts of electricity?"

"Yes."

I glare at him, one that makes the older guy turn slightly submissive and pull up his shirt. All I see is his smooth chest and toned abs, and I carefully touch my fingers to his ribs, noticing some red marks. "Well, they're still healing, so I'm not buying any of your crap." I lower his shirt and readjust his leather jacket, smiling softly. "You can't hide from me, Derek Hale."

"I know." I pull my hands away from him and sit next to him, staring down at my blue bedspread.

"What else happened? When Kate Argent paid you a visit?"

"She confirmed that it wasn't hunters who killed Laura. She was going to offer me some deal, but deemed me useless because I don't know who the alpha is, either. So she started shooting at me. And I ran." Derek growls deeply, clenching his hands into fists. Acting on instinct I grab them, and stare into his now vibrant blue eyes.

"She sounds like a total bitch. How's she related to Allison again?"

"She's her aunt."

I nod. "Wow. Tough family."

"You know Allison is going to become just like them, right?"

I shake my head, removing my hands from his when his eyes flicker to a confused green. "No. She's too nice."

"For now. But sooner or later, she's going to be a hunter. And she'll kill Scott as soon as she gets the chance."

"She won't. She's good."

"Yeah, well, give it time. Maybe learn to trust a little less easily. Especially when it comes to the Argents."

I stand up and storm away from him, opening the window. "Get out."

"Pat-"

"No." I scowl at him. "Why can't you ever see the good in people? Why can't you find a way to see the light in the dark?"

"There is no light!" He yells, storming over to me, glaring. "Don't you get it? The world is cold, and dark, and awful, with monsters everywhere. And if you can't see that, then you will die. Because you're too trusting in your belief that the worst kinds of people can be good!"

"I know Allison! She's kind, and funny, and her last name doesn't make her what you think she is!" My eyes start to well up. "Don't give up on the world. Don't give up on humans."
He clenches his teeth. "All the world has ever done is screw me over. Again, and again, until it's just me left standing. So forgive me if I don't have the same wide-eyed approach to life that you do."

The tears start to slide down my face, because he's not wrong. I am naive. I do try to see the best in people. Because if I don't, then maybe I'll only start seeing the worst in me. "Fine. Go. Clearly this whole 'friend' thing isn't working. I'll see you around." I close my eyes, and when I open them a moment later, Derek's gone. All that's left behind is an open window facing a dark world.