Hey, another update here. In other, better news, I now have a Beta, MidnightMoonWarrior, who pretty much doubled the length of this chapter. Fingers crossed for less work on her part next chapter.

The Pack began to gather at the decrepit Hale House at about quarter to noon on Saturday. The Huntress arrived first, pulling her bow out of her car as soon as she got out. Scott arrived next, running in his furry form. The jerk jock arrived next, bringing with him his boyfriend Danny and a cup of coffee for each of them. Derek pulled up in his Camaro, bringing with him the timid wolf and lunch for the Pack. Lydia arrived at precisely noon, looking as immaculate as ever. Stiles arrived, as usual, five minutes late.

"No practice today," The pack reacted in slight confusion and curiosity, as he never gave them a Saturday off. The Alpha continued, his tone serious despite the arched eyebrows and slight smirks around him "Your finals are in two weeks, so you are being given this time to study. I have your bags inside."

The majority of the pack groaned in sync, but began walking towards the husk of a house. As soon as they entered, Scott claimed the remains of the couch for himself and Allison, Lydia and Stiles took the damaged kitchen table, Jackson and Danny sat on the Pack bed, and Isaac took the corner.

"Can we talk outside for a minute?," Derek requested while facing Lydia.

Lydia nodded, confused as to why they would need to talk, but she followed Derek out the door anyway. After walking a good distance away, as to deter werewolf ears from listening in, he began the conversation.

Derek asked, "What classes are you planning to take next year?"

Lydia responded, while checking her nails, "Lit, US History, Calc, Latin, Psych, and Physics B; all AP level. Oh, and Art 2."

Derek blinked, shocked. "Can you handle that?"

Lydia said, with an air of indifference, "Of course."

Derek asked, intrigued by his smartest Pack member, "Do you think anyone else in the pack could?"

Lydia thought for a moment, interested in the idea the other had had, before replying, "Stiles could, if someone made sure he did his homework and if we don't have a major supernatural disaster. Allison and Danny can handle half as many AP classes as I do and Isaac probably can handle two with support from the Pack. Jackson, maybe one, and Scott can't handle any. I'm not even sure he can handle Honors work and keep his grades up."

The older man took in the information, before saying, "But everyone else inHonorsotherwise."

The She-wolf nodded, a faint sense of pride tinting her words, "No one is dumb in the Pack."

Derek raised an eyebrow. "Not even Scott?"

The fiery redhead argued, "He doesn't retain information the way that is crucial for classes, but outside of that he doesn't need to. He knows more about people than any of us could, yet he still trusts people. Scott is not dumb, just experienced in another area. A part of him expects to be betrayed, or hurt by what could happen, but he still trusts people and has faith in them. No matter the risk, he lets them in anyway."

Derek, surprised by the passionate defense, was left momentarily speechless. "Thank you. Go study and send..." He paused, as if trying to choose the right person. "Send me someone other than Isaac."

Lydia sauntered back to the house. After several moments, Danny jogged up with a smile on his face,"What's up, Derek?"

Derek responded sternly, "Danny, I want you to take at least twoAP courses next year, everything else Honors if possible."

The hacker crossed his arms. "No offense, but why are you telling me what classes I should and shouldn't take?"

The Alpha paused, considering the question, before answering it truthfully. "I am partially responsible for you guys and I want all of you to do well. You all have great potential to be more than wolves, but you have to do your best. A couple AP courses would challenge you."

The human Pack member stood silent for a moment, shocked. "You care that much about us?"

Derek smiled slightly."Yes, I do. Go study. Send someone else this way."

Danny walked up to the house at a meandering pace. After a period that was just enough to make Derek antsy, Stiles galloped up. "Making us studying and have private conversations? This is the weirdest Saturday since that time with Fred."

Derek replied, carefully, as if he was struggling to stay calm,"Fred? Nevermind, I don't want to know. You will be taking as many AP classes as possible next year" The older man watched the other about to protest, but he continued, "I know you are smart enough, and as long as you keep a handle on your homework you will be fine."

Stiles argued, flailing his arms around spastically,"But what if the town is besieged by chimeras, or a kanima? If an entire pack of Alphas decides to invade there is no way I can help if I am drowning under homework."

Derek rubbed his forehead. "I've never even heard of a kanima, and a pack of Alphas is completely ridiculous. "You can keep up, you are capable enough for it, and no, you are not getting out of back and send someone new out."

Stiles pouted his way up to the house. Scott came flying out of the house down to talk to Derek.

Derek inquired earnestly, "What do you want to be when you grow up, Scott?"

Scott paused for a moment. "I kinda wanna be a Deputy."

Derek asked, interested, "Why?"

Scott thought for a moment. "I know I'm not smart like the rest of the pack. But, I am good at reading people. I was good at it before this year."

Derek considered the answer for a moment, "You told me why you are a good fit, not why you want to do it."

Scott stood with a typically confused look on his face. Then he said passionately, "I didn't want to fight when the whole thing with Peter started, but I had to get involved. I had the power to try to stop it, so I made an attempt. Mom says that she always needed to help people, ya' know? I feel the same way. I have a duty to help protect Beacon Hills from both sides of the law."

Derek expression was one of pure shock. "That was well thought out. I want you to take regular track this year to keep your grades up. Maybe take Criminal Justice as an elective? Your goal is admirable; you should talk to the Sheriff about it. Now head back and send someone else."

Scott rushed back to the house, to minimize his time apart from Allison.

Isaac came walking quietly after several minutes, looking as nervous as ever. "Wh-what do you need, Derek?"

Derek said calmly, "I just want to talk to you about what kind of classes you think you should take next year."

Isaac said, sounding slightly relieved, "Oh."

Derek asked, maintaining a steady voice, "What would you think about taking AP classes next year?"

Isaac mumbled, looking down at the ground, "I'm not that smart."

The Alpha nearly growled, having the sudden urge to throttle Mr. Lahey within an inch of his life. Instead, Derek took a breath and encouraged the beta."I think you are. Wait, I know you are."

Isaac looked up at Derek with a look of wonder in his eyes. "Y-you th-think I'm intelligent?"

Derek replied matter-of-factly, "Of course. I wouldn't let any idiots into the pack."

Isaac said without thinking, "What about Scott?" After a second, he covered his head and crouched down live he was expecting to be hit.

Derek said with a slight grin, pretending to ignore the flinch, "My uncle had terrible taste."

Isaac laughed quietly and stood up slowly. "H-how many AP cl-classes do you think I should take?"

Derek said carefully, "Lydia said probably two, but I think you can handle three."

Isaac seemed to be standing up a little taller. "I'll take three, Derek." His voice carried an edge of determination.

Derek grinned at Isaac, displaying his pride, "Go back to studying. Please send Jackson next."

Isaac nodded his head before walking back into the house, Jackson replacing the more timid wolf after a few minutes. "What do you need? I was busy not working out."

Derek ordered, "You are taking at least one AP course next semester, and all honors."

Jackson huffed. "Or what? You'll ground me?"

Derek smirked evilly. "I'll tell your parents about everything."

The blond athlete froze, his eyes narrowing as he ground out a response."You wouldn't dare."

The Alpha threatened, "I would and I will."

The jock ground his teeth, "I'll do it."

Derek ordered, "Go back and send Allison."

Jackson muttered, as he walked back, "He's even worse than Stiles with blackmail."

Allison sprinted to him, a slight smile on her face from the conversation she had left. Derek nearly hesitated, before speaking."Allison, I know that I have the least amount of say in your life, and that you will probably not like this one bit, but I would like to ask if you were planning on taking any AP courses next year?"

The Huntress raised an eyebrow."I planned to take two or three. And don't think I don't respect your opinion. I chose to be a part of this pack and I thank you for treating me like everyone else without consideration of what my family does."

Derek seemed to release a breath he was holding. "I thought you were only here because of Scott."

The Brunet shrugged. "Every single one of my friends is in that house. Most of them, I was friends with before I knew about werewolves. I will be here until the very end."

After three hours of studying and the weekly Pack bonding nap, Danny decided to spend the evening with Jackson. They drove back to Jackson's house at around six. After collecting some snacks from the kitchen, the young couple went straight up to watch TV in bed. After several minutes of distracted conversations, the kind lacrosse player asked nervously, "Jackson?"

"What's up?" Jackson replied, scooting closer to Danny.

"Every night I have these dreams now, so terrifying, so confusing…" Danny replied, voice shaking.

"About what?," Jackson questioned with the barest hint of concern.

Danny responded, voice quivering, "A drop of Scott's blood coming towards us. The past, present, and future show themselves to be separate but connected. And there is this phrase: Þegar silfur fellur fyrir símtalið á tunglinu, Ragnarøkkr hefst sem Gleipnir brýtur undir eina gildi sterkari en það. Nema Gënim geta iðn aftur ómögulegt band, heimurinn skal ljúka með wolf guð that repeats over and over in my head as I see it coming. The Bad Wolf, coming for us, and I don't know why."

Jackson said dismissively, "it was only a dream, don't worry about it'."

The darker skinned of the two shuddered in breathing, before nodding, trying to accept the conclusion. Yet he was unconvinced as he gazed upon his friend, his voice serious despite the fact that it had been waving moments before. "Remember when I said that I had a bad feeling about sophomore year?"

Jackson shrugged "Yeah. I had one too, everyone thought it was going to suck"

Ignoring the lack of focus his friend was displaying for the prospect of another bad feeling, Danny continued "The dream, it's like that, but more intense"

"Don't worry, we'll survive this year too" The fact that the other was wiping away his worries irritated the dreamer, so he said his next words carefully to make sure that he would be taken with as much terroras the dream had given him.

"No. This is going to kill us all."