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.
Ever since my fight with Derek I've been in a funk. I feel guilty for sending him away without hearing him out, angry that he thought I only saw the world like some kind of fairytale, and sad because… I just miss him. It feels like I lost a part of me I just got back, but I don't understand why. Maybe I just didn't realize how much I've grown to like him - you know, like that - until I sent him away.
Still, I've decided not to confront him. However I feel about that night, one fact remains; I'm still being lied to. I just know my parents and Derek aren't telling me the full truth. The next best thing before extreme interrogation? Research. I pour the energy not dedicated to school, work, and the newspaper into reading up on all things werelion. Of course, that's all easier said than done.
I hum as I sit on the hood of my car in the school parking lot, having arrived earlier than most of the other students. A book on mythological creatures rests next to me as I flip through my file on Löwenmensch.
"The Löwenmensch is named after the prehistoric Lion-Man ivory sculpture found in the German cave Hohlenstein-Stadel. The background and symbolism of this finding remains unknown, with archeologists and anthropologists alike relying on inferences. For example, Dr. Ilse Vickers - an expert of paleolithic cave art - suggests the Löwenmensch sculpture is related to the Roman God Aion, a man depicted with a lion's head, coiled by a serpent."
I huff. "Well, that's all very interesting, but what the hell is a Löwenmensch?" I mutter to myself, shoving the files back into my bag before opening the book on mythological creatures. And, nothing. Not even a random little German old wives' tale. Nothing. Which means I either have to confront my parents, or confront Derek. Neither one of those options sounds particularly pleasant.
I think my mom is starting to suspect I know something about my true heritage. The worried look on her face when I told her Derek wouldn't be joining us for dinner the night we fought was enough to let me know. My father's been so busy with all these attacks to notice, especially since the Sheriff got hurt on parent/teacher conference night. Evidently, it was a wild time. A mountain lion was walking around the parking lot as parents and students alike were leaving the school. Allison had called to tell me her father shot it down, her voice shaking.
I look up as the rest of the students come walking and driving in, refocusing on my book when I don't see any of my friends. All these entries, and not one about a famous man or woman who could turn into a lion? Nothing? What the actual hell?
Someone coughs, and I look up to see Stiles standing in front of me, one hand holding the strap of his backpack and the other in his back pocket. "Hey, how's your dad?" I ask, closing my book.
"Still fine. Busy grumbling about his sprained ankle. What are you reading?" I hold up the book. "Ah, supernatural research. Well, I've been doing some digging of my own, like you asked." Stiles carefully holds up a manila folder.
I nod and hop down from my hood, putting my book in my shoulder bag. "What'd you find out"
"Every record says electrical failure, but the fact that everyone died without getting out is suspicious. Right? I mean, there should have been more survivors than just Peter Hale." Stiles insists.
I nod in agreement. "Yeah. Sorry, I've been distracted with, well - I've just been distracted. I'll go through mom's files again later, probably when she's picking up the boys from after school. Hey, have you heard from Scott?" I ask, walking with him towards the school.
"No."
"Come on, are you still not talking to him?"
"My dad was hurt, Ricky."
I sigh. "It wasn't Scott's fault, and you know that deep down. Come on, he's your best friend. 20 bucks says you break before first period is even over."
He scoffs and shakes my hand. "You are so on. Hope you have some money ready."
"Same, Holmes."
Just as I'm dropping Stiles off at his classroom, he takes my elbow. "Hey, what's wrong?"
"What do you mean?"
"Ricky, I know you. Probably better than you know yourself." I cross my arms and look down. "What happened?"
"Nothing." He snorts. "Fine. It's just, I feel like there's something my parents haven't been telling me. About… about my family."
"What do you mean?" I wait for a couple of students to pass, then look up at his concerned face. "Patricia?"
"I mean that…" The bell rings, and I shake my head. "I'll tell you later. I'll meet you and Scott before lunch." Without even a wave I dash off to AP Bio, hoping Mrs. Finch's lesson would be interesting enough to distract me from my thoughts.
Standing outside Stiles and Scott's last classroom, I smile at the A I received on my latest AP Physics test. At least I can depend on my grades to make me happy. The smile gets bigger when I see Scott and Stiles exiting together, talking animatedly. "You owe me $20." I sneak behind Stiles, who shrieks and jumps. Scott and I laugh as our best friend frowns at us, practically through the bill in my face.
"You suck."
"Yeah, yeah. So, what's going on?" I ask Scott.
"I went to Derek for help, and Stiles thinks I'm an idiot for trusting him."
I nod, frowning at the mention of his name. "I see. And?"
Scott sighs. "He said that anger is what helps me shift."
"So he wants you to tap into your animal side and get angry?" Stiles asks, and we start to walk to the cafeteria.
"Yeah."
"Well, correct me if I'm wrong, but every time you do that, you try to kill someone, and that someone is usually me. And never Ricky." Stiles glares at me, but I only poke my tongue out at him.
"I know! That's what he means when he says he doesn't know if he can teach me." Scott explains. "I have to be able to control it."
"Well, how's he gonna teach you to do that?"
"I don't know." Scott shrugs. "I don't think he does either."
"Okay. When are you seeing him again?" Stiles asks, irritated.
Scott hums, not really listening to the other boy. "Just told me 'not to talk about it.'"
"Sounds like Derek." I mutter quietly.
Scott carries on listing what the other werewolf had ordered. "'Just act normal and get through the day.'"
"When are you seeing him?" Stiles repeats his early question, finally getting Scott's attention.
"He's picking me up at the Animal Clinic after work." Scott huffs.
Stiles nods. "After work. All right, well, that gives Ricky and I till the end of the school day."
"To do what?" I ask. "How do you know I'm not going home after lunch?"
"Please don't? Help your best friends instead!" I roll my eyes but fall for his pleading, and Stiles turns to Scott. "To teach you ourselves."
We walk into the cafeteria and find a table in the back, unoccupied. While the boys get their lunch I unpack my nutella sandwich and apple, opening up my ice tea. They rejoin me, talking in hushed voices, and give me confused looks.
"What?" I ask, chewing and swallowing my sandwich.
"Stiles said you've been looking into your family's 'true nature'?" Scott brings up, and I groan.
"It's nothing."
"What, were they like, bad or something? Mafia members? Spies?" Scott asks, becoming more hushed and anxious. I roll my eyes.
"No. No, none of that." I sigh. "Okay, before I explain, please know that I'm fully aware of what I'm doing. Okay, more like 99% aware."
"Okay?" Stiles asks, leaning forward. "What's going on?"
I sigh. "Well, you know how I became friends with Derek, sort of? We got into a fight after my mom said he could stay for dinner since she knew he had come into my bedroom through the window, after he had visited me the night before -"
"You did what?" Stiles asks, loud enough for half the tables closest to us to turn in interest. I smile and wave, and they return to their conversations, then focus on Stiles and Scott.
"I literally just said I know what I'm doing. Stop freaking out."
"What does Derek have to do with your family?" Scott asks.
I run a hand through my hair. "My parents were close friends with his. They were in the Hale pack. They're human, but my dad's side of the family carries some werelion gene. Or Löwenmensch. The last known one was my great-grandmother." The boys nod, intrigued. "According to Derek, she wasn't much of a storyteller by the time he knew her. At least, not about her life before the Hale pack. I'm researching by the seams of my pants here, with no real direction."
"But you're human, so what does all this have to do with Scott or werewolves?" Stiles asks. "You're just torturing yourself."
I look around, then lean forward. "I asked Derek if I was human. He says he doesn't know. What if I end up becoming a Löwenmensch? So I've been doing research, but nothing's come up. Only history about the sculpture an archeologist found. No myths, no legends, no mention of a lion-man in German folktales."
"Did you consider the fact Derek could be lying?" Stiles asks again, looking concerned. I shake my head.
"Maybe. But still, something feels wrong."
The rest of the meal passes in silence, the boys watching as I play with my meal rather than actually eat it. In the end I just pack it up, and stand as the cafeteria empties of all but the students who have a free period.
"Where are you going?" Scott asks.
"I'm going to sit with Lydia and Allison for some girl time. Just text me the plan when you and Stiles figure it out." They nod and I walk away, joining the two girls at their table.
"Tricia!" Lydia greets, dimples showing and green eyes calculating. "To what do we owe the pleasure?"
"Well, I need girl time, which means you two will be keeping me company."
Allison smiles, then looks over at Scott, frowning. "Is he okay?" I watch unimpressed as said boy awkwardly hides behind his textbook.
"Um, I don't know." I turn, then look at the book she's holding. "What are you reading, Alli?
"Oh!" She perks up in excitement. "For history class, we have to do this project on a point in time relevant to our own family history."
"Oh yeah, I remember that. I did mine on my maternal great-grandmother, who was a part of the WASPS."
"Oh, cool!"
"So, what's yours?" I ask Ally, Lydia still eating.
"Oh, my report is on La Bête du Gévaudan."
Lydia finally looks up from her plate. "The what of who?"
"The Beast of Gevaudan." Allison translates for us, shifting to a more comfortable position in her seat. "Listen. 'A quadruped wolf-like monster, prowling the Auvergne and South Dordogne areas of France during the year 1764 to 1767. La Bête killed over a hundred people, becoming so infamous that King Louis XV sent one of his best hunters to try and kill it.'"
"Boring." Lydia comments, and I snort.
Allison makes a face. "'Even the church eventually declared the monster a messenger of Satan.'"
"Mmm. Still boring." I nudge her, amused.
"Go on. I'm listening and interested." I tell Allison, who just rolls her eyes good naturedly.
"Thank you, Trish." She clears her throat. "'Cryptozoologists believe it may have been a subspecies of hoofed predator, possibly a mesonychid.'"
"'Slipping into a coma' boring." Lydia declares, playing with her fork.
Allison pays her no mind. "'While others believe it was a powerful sorcerer who could shape-shift into a man-eating monster." I freeze, looking at her in shock. Of course. I'm so stupid. Of course she's doing a report on something similar to werewolves. But who put her up to this? Not her parents. At least, not her dad. He doesn't seem to want her to know anything. Maybe her aunt Kate?
"Any of this have anything to do with your family?" Lydia asks, still uninterested.
"This. 'It is believed that La Bête was finally trapped and killed by a renowned hunter who claimed his wife and four children were the first to fall prey to the creature.'" She looks up with us, grinning. "His name was Argent."
Lydia makes a face. "Your ancestors killed a big wolf. So what?"
"Not just a big wolf." Allison flips a page. "Take a look at this picture. What does it look like to you?" She shows us the image, and I stare at it in shock. Lydia no longer has the video on her phone, but I do. And I can say, without reasonable doubt, that I'm looking at an alpha werewolf.
Lydia covers her own trauma, staring up at Allison. "It looks… like a big… wolf." She grabs her bag and stands, tray in her hands. "See you in history. Bye Trish." She kisses my cheek and walks away, and I look at Allison.
"What's wrong with Lyd?" She asks me, going back to her book.
"Not sure. Maybe she saw something, that night the video manager was killed? Could be PTSD." I offer. "Hey, can I take a picture of what you just showed me?"
"Sure, why?" Allison asks.
I smile. "Oh, I just - I've been looking for some inspiration for a painting."
"I didn't know you paint."
"Recreationally." I nod, trying to look believable. I don't have an artistic bone in my body.
"Here!" She smiles, and I grin back, snapping a picture of La Bête. Handing the book back to her, I take a sip of iced tea.
"So, are you too grounded to meet me for coffee on Saturday?"
She tucks her chocolate curls behind her ear. "Oh, no, I don't think so. I'll have to ask my dad, though."
"Of course." Your dad probably hates me. I think to myself. Considering I caught him threatening Derek and then blackmailed him.
Suddenly Allison stands, and I turn to see Stiles and Scott rushing out of the cafeteria. "I'll text you later. Scott!" She calls, taking her belongings and following after him. I stare down at my phone, and see the text from Stiles.
Lacrosse field in five.
I stand and make my way to the field, passing by a few struggling students. I'm the only one outside, so I sit on the bleachers and pull out my Physics textbook.
"Okay." I close my head and see the two boys approaching me, Stiles carrying a Lacrosse stick and a gym bag. He sits next to me while Scott stands in front of him. "Now, put this on." Stiles riffles through the bag before handing a heart monitor strap to Scott, who just looks confused.
"Isn't this one of the heart rate monitors for the track team?" He asks, just as lost as I am considering the fact I have no idea what Stiles has planned.
"Yeah, I borrowed it."
I snort. "No. You stole it."
"Fine. Temporarily misappropriated." He makes a face at me before looking back up at Scott. "Coach uses it to monitor his heart rate with his phone while he jogs, and you're gonna wear it for the rest of the day." Stiles pulls something out of his pocket.
"Isn't that coach's phone?" Scott asks.
"That, I stole." Stiles comments, looking incredibly proud of himself. I roll my eyes.
"Why?" Scott asks.
I give him a blank stare. "Have you not met him?"
"Haha." Stiles looks at Scott. "All right, well, your heart rate goes up when you go wolf, right? When you're playing Lacrosse, when you're with Allison, whenever you get angry. Maybe learning to control it is tied to learning to control your heart rate?"
"Damn, you are so smart." I remark, getting a pleased smile from Stiles.
"Like the Incredible Hulk." Scott says, staring off into space happily.
"Kind of like the Incredible Hulk, yeah."
"No, I'm like the Incredible Hulk."
"Wow, Scott, get any more egotistical and you'll be as bad as Douchemore." I snark, getting a laugh from Stiles and a pout from the puppy. "I'm kidding, hon. It was a joke. Kinda. Alright Hulk, Peter Parker, do your thing." I shoo them off.
"Just put it on." Stiles orders Scott as they walk towards the middle of the field. I watch in interest as the former duct tapes the latter's hands behind him, effectively cuffing the werewolf.
"This isn't exactly how I wanted to spend my free period." Scott tells us, and I just give him a sarcastic thumbs up. He tries to flip me off, but is stopped by the duct tape and pouts as I laugh harder.
"All right, you ready?" Stiles asks, picking up the bag and stick and walking away from Scott, who turns.
"No."
"Remember, don't get angry."
I can't hear whatever Scott mumbles, but my hands cover my mouth to hide my shock and amusement when Stiles uses his stick to throw a ball at the werewolf. He groans and bends over. Stiles starts to laugh, and throws another. It hits Scott in the chest and he curls over in pain again. This time I actually laugh, clutching my sides.
"Shut up!" He calls, but I just wave him off. "Okay, that one kind of hurt." He tells Stiles, who ignores him in favor of picking up another ball.
"Quiet, remember, you're supposed to be thinking about your heart rate. All right? About staying calm."
Scott mutters to himself, getting louder and bouncing as he goes. "Staying calm. Staying calm, there's no balls flying at my face -" He groans when he's pelted in the chin, Stiles laughing once more. More balls get thrown. "Ahh, son of a bitch!" Scott yells.
"You know what, I think my aim is actually improving."
"You look good Stilinski!" I give him a thumbs up, which he returns.
More balls fly and hit Scott, until he kneels onto the ground, groaning. All it takes is one glance at Stiles's face to know something's wrong. I run to the boys and fall in front of Scott. He rips the duct tape apart and throws his hands forwards onto the ground. Steeling my nerves I touch his back.
"Scott. Come back to us." He starts to breathe slower, nodding as he does. He sits up and my hand falls off of him.
"You started to change." Stiles tells the confused boy as he rolls over, panting.
"From anger. But it was more than that. It was like, the angrier I got, the stronger I felt."
I exhale slowly "So it is anger, then. Derek's right."
"I can't be around Allison."
"Just because she makes you happy?" Stiles asks.
"No, because she makes me weak."
I scoff and stand up, getting a look from the boys. "That's bullshit, Scotty. Love makes you strong."
"Well, obviously it doesn't."
"I wouldn't be too sure. Look, I'm gonna do more research in the library. Text me when you're out of class." I tell the boys, and Stiles nods.
"You got it!" I wave and walk back over to my belongings, grabbing my bag as I walk past the bleachers to the school
"Oh, sorry!" I gasp out when I bump into a chest.
"No, my fault." I look up and see Jackson, dark circles under his eyes.
Despite how awful he is, a small part of me cares about him. For Lydia's sake. "Jackson, you don't look so good."
"I'm fine. See you around, Patricia." He bites back, walking around me. I stare after him, noticing a piece of gauze attached to the back of his neck. Weird. Beacon Hills has definitely changed for the stranger.
I'm in the library when I get the text You were right. I smile down at Stiles's message.
Obviously. How'd you figure it out?
Coach started to yell at Scott. He got angry, then his heart rate went down.
Again, how?
Allison held his hand.
Awwww.
No. Gross.
I snort before returning to my research. I pause when I come across "La Bête du Gévaudan". The name Marie Jeanne Valet pops up, and the further I read, the more it goes against what Allison said about her family. "The Maid of Gévaudan." I say out loud, then text Ally.
Girl, I got interested in what you were telling me so I started researching. I think I have something for you.
Wow, that's awesome! What is it?
Does your book mention "The Maid of Gévaudan"? The one I'm reading does. It says she married a man named Argent. And I think the story you're reading may have been written by a man, because this one credits her with the victory.
Thank you. Oh my God, you are amazing.
Anything for you, Ally.
Seriously, you're such a good friend.
Stop it, I'm blushing.
LOL.
I smile and go back to the book. Seconds later I get a message from Stiles.
Hey, Scott and I are about to do something stupid. Don't go outside.
Of-freaking-course. I roll my eyes and close the book, laying my forehead on the cover. Can nothing be easy with those two?
Evidently not, because they ended up getting detention.
"Look, it was a good idea!" Stiles argues, having come straight to my house after detention got out. I left the school an hour before them, tired of waiting around for the two idiots.
"Really? You keyed a car, blamed Scott, and watched him get beat up?" I whisper, glancing over to the living room to make sure the twins aren't listening in.
"Okay, so I was still mad at him. How was I supposed to know Harris was gonna show up?"
"The dude's a bloodhound." I remind him. "Literally, he can smell when you're doing something irresponsible."
"Yeah, whatever." He tosses his dirty napkin at me, having ordered a pizza for us. I'm still munching on my slice of pepperoni when Stiles gets a call.
"Scott! What's up?" His face immediately pales. "Of course. You're already there?" Stiles looks at me, panicking. "We have to go! Scott's waiting for us!" He hangs up.
"The twins!" I mutter, looking at them. "I can't just leave them!"
Before Stiles can say anything my dad comes through the door. "Oooh, pizza. Thank you, Holmes and Watson!"
"Have at it, William, we gotta go!" Stiles rushes off, and my dad sighs, used to his behavior.
He sends me a quick glance, already preparing to hug me goodbye. "And where's Stiles taking you this time?"
I shrug, then grab my purse. "No idea. Something with Scott. Love you!" I kiss his cheek and run into the living room. "Bye, my precious little troublemakers." They barely look up from the show they're watching, and I affectionately kiss the top of their heads. With that I'm out the door, running across the street, wondering what the hell is going on.
I leap out of the passenger seat of Stiles's Jeep, for once beating Scott at claiming shotgun. I know now isn't the time to brag about it, considering the fact Derek came to the conclusion that Dr. Deaton is the alpha and has kidnapped him, but I can't keep the smug grin off my face at the sight of the werewolf trying to get out of the back. "You suck." He tells me, but I only smile angelically.
"This is a terrible idea." Stiles points out, opening his trunk.
"Yeah, I know." Scott admits. He looks down at me. "You with us?"
I scoff, offended. "Obviously."
"So, we're still gonna do it?" Stiles asks.
"Can you think of something better? Either of you?"
Stiles makes a face. "Well, personally I'm a fan of ignoring a problem until eventually it just goes away."
I roll my eyes. "And when has that ever worked out for you?" Silence. "That's what I thought."
"Just make sure we can get inside." Scott interrupts any argument about to unfold, and Stiles nods. He opens his trunk to rummage for something as a familiar Camaro drives into the lot, parking right behind us.
"He's here." Scott announces, and Stiles hands me the bolt cutters.
"We don't need those." I point to my hair and he nods in understanding, putting the bolt cutters back in the car.
We walk over to the Camaro, and I do my best not to look directly at Derek while sliding on a pair of gloves. "Where's my boss?" Scott asks.
"He's in the back."
Stiles walks behind Scott to look through the back window, and from my spot next to him I can see Dr. Deaton awkwardly bound and propped up, mouth covered in duct tape. "Well, he looks comfortable." Scott taps us on the back, and we start to walk away.
"Wait. Hey. What are you doing?" Derek asks, confused.
"You said I was linked with the alpha. I'm gonna see if you're right." We keep walking, but I stop when Derek calls out my name.
"Patricia." I barely glance over my shoulder at him. "Be careful."
"Whatever." I mutter, angry that he didn't apologize and angrier that I didn't, either.
I catch up with the boys and pull out my bobby pin, quickly picking the large lock and pulling the chain from the door handles.
YouTube, man. So many useful tutorials.
I follow after them as we walk into the dark school. Stiles turns on the flashlight, and we walk towards the main office, where I pick the lock once more.
"Okay, one question. What are you gonna do if the alpha doesn't show up?" Stiles asks as we enter the room, Scott closing the door behind us.
"I don't know." Scott admits.
I raise an eyebrow. "And what are you gonna do if he does show up?" I ask as Stiles turns on the PDA system.
"I don't know."
"Good plan." Stiles sasses, looking up at him. I snort.
Scott nods. "Alright. You said that a wolf howls to signal his position to the rest of the pack, right?"
"Right. But if you bring him here, does that make you part of his pack?"
"Not necessarily." The boys look at me. "Remember, the alpha needs something from him. Contact probably isn't enough. There has to be some action. Besides, Scott's connection to the alpha is through the bite, not choice or loyalty."
The boys nod, both looking more at ease. Stiles puts the mic in front of Scott. "Alright. All you."
Scott nods, takes in a breath, and releases a loud, bizarre sound. It's less of a howl, and more of a scream from a slasher film remixed with horrible techno music. Stiles and I both look down in secondhand embarrassment, and I start to laugh.
"Shut up." Scott blushes.
I shrug, wiping away some joyful tears. "Performance anxiety. It happens." Stiles starts to laugh too, and we calm down after a couple of minutes.
"I mean, it was a howl, right?" Scott asks.
Stiles shakes his head. "I-yeah, technically."
"What did it sound like to you?"
"Like a cat being choked to death, Scott." Scott looks at me for confirmation, and I nod with a grin.
"What do I do? How am I supposed to do this?" Scott asks us, panicking a bit.
"First of all, breathe." I gently order. He does.
Stiles walks around the desk to grab our best friend's shoulders. "Hey, hey. Listen to me. You're calling the alpha. All right? Be a man." He starts rubbing his shoulders. "Be a werewolf, not a teen wolf. Be a werewolf." He shakes him one last time then steps back.
"Werewolf." Scott mutters.
"Do it."
Scott nods and inhales, and I watch as his eyes turn gold. He lets out a primal roar that shakes the walls and floors around us. I hear lockers moving like it's a small earthquake, and smile at Scott proudly.
When he finishes he smiles back at me. "I did it."
"Hell yeah."
We leave the office in silent awe, and I make sure to lock the door from the inside. Once we reach the exit of the school I reattach the lock, joining the boys as they approach a still-irritated Derek. "I'm gonna kill both of you." He threatens the boys, then looks up at me. "Not you."
"Is that an apology, Hale?" I ask, crossing my arms.
He lets out a sigh and looks away. "Sure."
"I'm sorry, too." He looks at me, and I bypass Scott and Stiles to grab his hand. "I should've been more understanding. I get it, though.."
He nods, and squeezes back. "I'm sorry." He finally mutters, and I smile, at peace.
"Aww, that's sweet. But, uh, can we get back to the part where you want to kill us?!" Stiles asks, and I release Derek's hand to look at my friends, trying not to laugh.
"What the hell was that?" Derek asks in return, referring to our plan. "What are you trying to do, attract the entire state to the school?" He looks at me. "You okayed this?"
I shrug, and Scott starts to apologize. "Sorry. I didn't know it would be that loud."
"Yeah, it was loud." We look at a happy Stiles. "And it was awesome." He sings the last word.
"Shut up." Derek orders, looking more serious than usual.
"Don't be such a Sourwolf!" Stiles comments, but Scott stops him.
"What'd you do with him?" He asks, looking into the back of Derek's car.
"What?" Derek looks too, then pushes me away when he sees Dr. Deaton is missing. "I didn't do anything." Suddenly blood comes out of his mouth and I scream, Stiles grabbing me as we watch the giant alpha appear behind Derek, lifting him up by the claws in his back. "Pa-patricia." He gurgles out, and my eyes well with tears as the boys drag me towards the school. I hear a thump against the brick wall, turning just in time to see Derek fall down onto a pile of leaves, lifeless.
Stiles tugs the bobby pin out of my head and hands it to me. I shakily pick the lock and we run in and slam the doors shut, pushing against them as the alpha roars outside.
"Derek." I exhale, then hide my head in Stiles's shoulder, breaking down.