~Hear Me Cry~

By: Aerys Krystie.

Theme: AU—Jackson doesn't leave.

Plot: Jackson thought everything would be perfect, waking up as a werewolf. He's starting to wonder why he should ever let himself hope.

Warnings: Slash, language, training violence, slight animal violence (I swear, it works out!)

Disclaimer: Everything of and referring to Teen Wolf is not mine. This is a fan-based, non-profit story. Please support the official release.

Sitting in a tree, Jackson Whittemore watched as the sun slowly sank. He pulled his knees closer to his chest, forcing his mind to remain blank. He could hear the others on the forest floor, looking for him. He was always the last found. Hiding himself was the one thing he was good at. His defense left a lot desirable, though. Erica had kicked his ass every chance she got.

A howl sounded through the forest and Jackson winced, his neck aching. Not his entire neck, just where Derek Hale had clawed him. Whenever Derek howled, Jackson always felt those claws back in there, demanding he listen. If he was being honest, that was the one thing he missed about being the kanima – ignoring Derek.

Jackson waited until the others were with the alpha, before he slipped of the branch he was on. He climbed down as fluidly as he climbed up. He joined the others and ignored the way Derek glared at him, clearly angry that he had taken his time.

Tilting his head, Jackson gazed back. Chewing him out in front of the others seemed one of Derek's favorite pastimes. He waited patiently, knowing the longer he held the gaze of the alpha, the more irritated Derek would become. A minute later, the red flashed in his eyes and Jackson nodded, turning his eyes to setting sun.

"Can someone tell me why they can't find Jackson? It's a simple seek and retrieve," Derek said as he walked around his pack.

Erica growled, turning her angry eyes to Jackson. Boyd and Isaac lowered their eyes, none of them able to think of a reason. As far as all of them knew, it shouldn't be difficult. Jackson was the youngest werewolf in the pack and he couldn't explain it. Somehow, his nose worked better than theirs, as he could find all of them. Hell, he could find Derek before any of them.

As the silence stretched on, Derek sighed and shook his head. "Work on it," he snapped and glanced at the sky. "That's it for today. I'll see you all tomorrow."

Erica and Boyd grinned, walking off together, talking about the burger they were going to devour. Isaac lingered a moment, glancing from Jackson to Derek. Jackson got the hint and shoved his hands into the pockets of his jeans. He entered the forest, no idea where he was going. He wanted somewhere that wasn't home. He couldn't stand the way his parents looked at him.

Waking up a werewolf was a dream come true. Once he calmed down, his eyes had found his alpha instantly. The next day, Derek was in his bedroom, telling him about control and having an anchor. Jackson had only just woken up and wasn't entirely sure if he was understand the words spilling from Derek's mouth. For the first few days, he though Derek wanted him to carry around an actual anchor. It wasn't until he spoke with Isaac that he realized Derek meant an emotional anchor.

Then he had brought home his report card that had a B- on it. He was unable to curb his anger and his parents saw him. His fear of betraying his secret and the secret of the pack forced back his wolf. His parents didn't talk to him for two days, but Jackson could hear them talking to each other. He had wanted to ask Derek to help him explain what was happening. He knew the conversation would happen that night and he still didn't know what to tell them.

Jackson stopped at the river and frowned. He hadn't been near that since Matt was drowned and quickly shoved that memory to the back of his mind. He couldn't think of a reason for him being there and went to leave, but froze when he caught a strange scent.

It was earthy, definitely pine and oak and berries. Turning to stare across the river, Jackson searched the deepening shadows. His eyes widened when he saw a bear cub run out of the trees and he stepped back as mama bear was a few steps behind. Knowing he should run and leave them in peace, Jackson found he was rooted.

Mama Bear sniffed at him and Jackson retreated a few more paces, wanting to give her the space she needed. She watched him closely, approaching the river and drinking. Her cub splashed in the water and Jackson couldn't stop a smile spreading over his face. He often forgot they shared the forest with others and sat down, watching the bears.

Still wary of him Mama Bear fished for herself and her cub. She was patient as she tried to teach her offspring what he needed to do, but the world was his toy for the moment. She dropped a fish on the bank and the cub growled happily, playing with it, before he feasted.

Getting more comfortable, Jackson froze when Mama Bear raised her head and stared at him. He couldn't understand it, but he felt they had some kind of agreement. If he stayed where he was, he would be fine. Jackson was fine with that arrangement. For the first time in a week, he actually felt peaceful.

The night darkened and the moon provided little light. All too soon, Mama Bear and her cub were wandering back into the shadows. Jackson sighed, knowing he had to return home. He stood and stretched, making his way back to his car. He frowned when he saw Derek there, resting against his Camaro, phone in his hand.

Derek ignored him for a moment, before he turned to face Jackson. "How do you hide from them?" he asked and Jackson frowned, not expecting that.

"I…" Jackson's frown deepened as he tried to think of any reason. "…don't know. I don't even try to hide from them."

Derek narrowed his eyes slightly, before he nodded. "I want you here an hour earlier tomorrow."

Jackson nodded and slipped into his car. He started the engine and stared into the forest, his mind entirely on the bears. As far as he knew, grizzly bears were extinct in his State. He figured they had wandered from a habitat set up for them. Unfortunately, that sent a jolt of fear through Jackson, which had Derek spinning around and staring at him through the windshield.

Calming down, Jackson knew none of the werewolves would be dumb enough to take on a bear, especially one that had young. Swallowing thickly, Jackson left the forest and took his time getting home. He ignored the calls from his parents, wondering why they were calling him. It wasn't that late.

At home, Jackson parked and stared at the house that should be familiar and provide warmth. He frowned, wondering if he ever felt warmth from it. He smiled ruefully when he thought of the only he felt that, when Lydia would come over. When Danny would plant himself on his bed, flipping through magazines. When Derek broke in to tell him about anchors.

Inhaling deeply, Jackson slipped out of the car and locked it. He opened the front door and found his parents waiting for him. Somehow, it surprised Jackson to know that, despite being a werewolf, he was still scared to face his parents after missing their calls. He was led into the kitchen, where that night's dinner was waiting for him.

As he ate the vegetable stir-fry, his mother sat opposite him. "We need to talk, sweetheart," she said softly and Jackson nodded. "Is there anything you'd like to tell us?"

Jackson raised his head, his cheeks bulging. He chewed and swallowed quickly, glancing between the tender warmth in his mother's eyes to his father's concerned ones. Jackson wondered how much they wanted to know. He wondered how much he could tell them. Could he tell them about the kanima? Should he tell them about that dark period in his life?

Again, Jackson found himself wishing he had spoken with Derek. He didn't know how to break news like that to regular people. It took him doing his own research to believe what was happening to Beacon Hills. He doubted his parents would know to search for.

As he opened his mouth to say something, anything, there was a knock at the door. Jackson inhaled deeply and turned in his chair as his father answered the door. His father and Derek walked into the kitchen, Jackson staring at Derek the entire time. His parents were familiar with Derek, more so than they should be.

"You told them?" Jackson demanded, not caring that he was accusing Derek of something helpful. He thought it would fall entirely on his shoulders to break the news to his parents.

"I told them that you're a werewolf, yes," Derek answered, his eyes hard.

Derek hadn't told them about the kanima incident. Jackson didn't know he was going to explain that gap in his life, but he could only pray his parents never asked about it.

"We were told a week ago, Jackson," his father said. "We weren't sure if we believed it or not, but when we saw you in the kitchen…"

Derek's eyes widened. "You wolfed out?"

Jackson shoved his half-finished bowl of food away from him. "I had every right to be angry," he muttered.

"This had better be a good reason," Derek said.

"I got a B- in chemistry!" Jackson felt his claws grow and pushed down the anger. "That was one of my best subjects."

Jackson lowered his head as his mother hugged him. Glancing up at Derek, Jackson saw that he didn't understand like his parents did. His grades were everything to him. Getting anything less than A was an insult and a blow to his ego, like he wasn't smart enough, like he wasn't good enough.

"I'm a werewolf, Mom and Dad," he said, trying to find an excuse for Derek to leave. He knew that showing up an hour earlier to training tomorrow would be painful.

"We're glad you could finally tell us," his mother said as she released him and smiled. "Derek says he's going to help you understand…whatever it is you need to understand."

Jackson nodded, keeping his scent neutral. It hadn't even been a week and Derek already had his parents against him, giving Derek permission to kick the shit out of him. He knew he would be limping home tomorrow and it wouldn't be because of anything fun.

The next day, at five in the morning, Jackson was in the forest. He sat on the hood of his car, staring into the dark trees, not seeing or hearing anything, keeping his mind a complete blank. He was early by two hours, but he didn't care. He played with a leaf and turned his eyes upwards, watching as the sky was slowly lit by the sun.

Derek was speeding through the forest, which broke Jackson from his mindless staring. He hunched down, still playing with the leaf as Derek pulled up beside his car. He could smell Derek's surprise at him being there so early, but true to his nature, he asked no questions about him being there.

"Why didn't you tell me you wolfed out on your parents?"

"Because I didn't. I wolfed out on my report card. They just happened to see me," Jackson answered, keeping his eyes on the leaf. A cedar leaf, he realized, finally noticing the scent.

"Go hide," Derek said and Jackson remained where he was.

"I don't have to find you first?"

"I know you can find me. I want to know why the others can't find you."

Jackson nodded and slipped his car, walking into the forest. He concentrated of moving through silently, as he didn't want to make it too easy for Derek. He didn't bother to hide up a tree, as he knew Derek would find him soon enough, so he kept walking. And walking, and walking.

It wasn't until his shoes hit pavement that he stopped and looked around. He had managed to clear the forest and reenter the town. The sun was fully risen and Jackson wondered how long he had been walking. His legs weren't aching, but he wasn't happy to be around civilization.

Curling his lip back with distaste, Jackson went back into the forest and walked the same path back to his car. He paused when heard movement and realized that hours must have passed. He was walking slowly through the forest, away from Derek. He just wanted the game of hide-and-seek to end, but somehow Derek hadn't found him, despite walking a straight line.

No. Derek had to be watching him, but Jackson couldn't feel that. He was completely alone in the forest and he found that he didn't care. It was nice to enjoy the nature around him, without hearing werewolves running through, trying desperately to find him.

Suddenly, he felt it. The eyes on him and he kept his heartrate normal, not wanting to give anything away. He continued walking and the eyes followed him. It wasn't Derek, as he would have felt the pull of the alpha being so close to him. He stopped moving and so did whoever was following. He inhaled, stretching his arms above his head, catching Erica's scent.

Her excitement was reaching its peak point and Jackson knew she would jump him, just so she could drag him back. He was meant to be hiding from Derek and he would be damned if some beta was going to take him back to their alpha. Changing his course, Jackson started making his way towards the river.

The moment he felt a break in the watching eyes, he moved towards his car again. That split second was all it took to fool a beta, who couldn't track his scent. He frowned as he continued to walk, twirling the leaf by its dried stem. He knew what all of them, Peter included, smelled like. He could pick up their scents all around the town. How were they unable to pick his?

Is it…because I'm not pack? Jackson frowned as that cut deeply in his chest. He could understand why they wouldn't accept him. He had threatened all of them, at some stage or another. He had probably killed people they knew or cared about. He looked at his hands. Maybe I don't have a scent. There was another cut. He wasn't full wolf.

Back at his car, Jackson found he was the only one there. He sat on the hood, staring at the leaf he had carried with him for hours. He had no idea why, but it felt good to keep his hands busy. He was moments from falling into a peaceful place when he heard another heartbeat. Looking up, he found Derek staring at him with an unreadable expression.

"How?" Derek asked as he stepped closer. "Erica said she found you and then lost you, in a literal blink of an eye."

Listening out for the others that were still lost in the woods, trying to find him, Jackson wondered if he could speak with Derek. Instead of chancing that, Jackson lowered his eyes to the leaf in his hand and shrugged. He couldn't explain it any better than Derek or Erica. He prided himself on conquering any obstacle in his way, but he usually had a reason for how he could.

"What's wrong?"

Jackson shook his head, realizing that nothing was wrong. He had found a way to beat all the werewolves and his alpha at his games. Derek hadn't been able to find him, either. He could go anywhere he wanted during Derek's hide-and-seek games and no one would ever find him. He could spend that time watching Mama Bear and her cub.

"Nothing," Jackson finally answered.

Derek howled and Jackson rubbed his neck, wincing. That never hurt that badly before, but Derek had never been that close when he howled before, either. Jackson sighed and dropped his hand, feeling the pain die off to a gentle tingle that ran down his spine.

Erica was the first one back, her eyes wide and furious as she stared at Jackson. "What are you?!" she demanded.

Jackson raised his head and stared back at her for a moment, before he frowned and tilted his head. He had thought about asking her to spar, but knew it wouldn't end well for him. The others had more training with Derek in that regard and Jackson was wondering if Derek would help him, as he had the others, but so far, nothing had been mentioned.

Instead, Jackson shrugged and dropped his eyes to his hands again. Boyd was the next back, breathing heavily as he stared at Jackson. "How long's he been back?" he asked.

"Fifteen minutes," Jackson answered and felt Boyd's eyes grow hard on him.

"How do you do that, man?" Boyd asked and Jackson kept his eyes down.

Isaac tumbled out of the forest, panting. He mumbled something between breaths of air, gesturing wildly at Jackson and then at Erica. He shook his head, clearly trying to get some kind of order going inside his mind. He straightened and stared at Jackson.

"Erica found you!"

Jackson looked up, seeing a smirk starting to settle on Erica's face. "Only by sight. I walked by her."

Derek frowned and turned his attention to Erica. "You didn't mention that," he said and Erica tried to say something in her defense.

Eventually, she sighed. "It isn't my fault he doesn't smell like anything!"

Jackson lowered his head again, figuring he was right. He didn't have a scent or at least, not one the pack knew. He didn't know how to offer up his scent to them. He didn't even know that he didn't have one.

"Go," Derek told them and Jackson slid off his car. "Not you."

Jackson sat on the hood again, listening to the others leave. They were moving away slowly, as though they forgot that both Derek and Jackson could outwait them. It took a while, but eventually, the others were far enough away that they wouldn't overhear them.

"Look at me, Jackson," Derek said and Jackson raised his eyes. Derek was directly in front of him. "Why?"

"What? Why what?"

"Why are you hiding your scent from us?"

Jackson frowned, expecting Derek to sound annoyed or angry with him. Instead, he sounded concerned. Jackson wasn't expecting that, but realized he didn't have an answer for the alpha. He didn't know he was doing it.

"I don't know…how to…" Jackson didn't know the right wording, but he was hoping Derek understood.

"You learn to hide your scent, not how to reveal it," Derek said with a frown and Jackson knew he was confused. He could smell that in spades.

Jackson frowned as Derek stepped closer, burying his face into Jackson's throat. He stayed where he was, waiting until Derek was finished. When he pulled back, Jackson raised his eyebrows expectantly. He wanted to know what Derek had discovered.

"She's right. You don't have a scent." Jackson nodded and lowered his head, feeling Derek's eyes on him. "You don't want to scent your alpha?" he asked and Jackson frowned.

"I can smell you fine," Jackson said, running his thumb and finger along the edge of the leaf. He raised his head when Derek boxed him in. "What?"

"You wolfed out over your report card and you grew claws last night, thinking about your report card." Derek searched his eyes and Jackson knew he should be feeling something. "Why aren't you angry about this?"

"I didn't know I should be." Jackson stared back at Derek. His eyes dropped to Derek's mouth for an instant and his neck tingled. "Did you want me to scent you? Would that make you happy?"

Derek frowned and put distance between them, shaking his head. "No. I want you to want it."

Jackson nodded, dropping his head. "Am I pack?" he asked, staring at the leaf.

Derek was silent for a long while, until he whispered, "I don't know."

Two nights later, Jackson sat at the table with his parents. He stared down at the moussaka his mother had made. It smelled nice, but he had no appetite. He didn't feel hungry in the slightest and Derek had told him his appetite would double, if not triple.

His parents talked about their day and Jackson knew his father had noticed him staring at his food. He thought back to when Derek showed up, the stir-fry. He had only thought he was hungry. After eating what he did, he didn't want anymore. He didn't even want what he did eat.

It was the same last night, for vegetarian lasagna, his favorite dish. He had no desire to eat any of it, despite knowing he should be wolfing it down.

"Aren't you hungry, Jackson?" his father asked.

Jackson knew his parents were told about his appetite supposedly doubling. He raised his head and stared into his father's concerned eyes. He dropped his back to his untouched meal.

"No."

Three days after the moussaka incident, Derek invited himself into Jackson's room through the window. He froze, seeing Jackson at his computer, working on his chemistry. Jackson didn't bother to look at the alpha. He wanted to know why he wolfed out over his report card. He didn't care about it.

"Have you slept?"

Jackson stared at his laptop screen, thinking about the question. He couldn't remember the last time he felt tired. There were a few nights that he would lay in bed, staring at his ceiling, until his alarm beeped at him. Aside from that, his desire to sleep existed as much as his appetite did.

He should be tired. Jackson kept telling himself that, but it didn't make it true. He wasn't tired and he wasn't hungry. His mind was still as sharp as it ever had been. That should mean that something was wrong with him. He should want to know why, but he didn't care.

"No."

The night of his first full moon came. Derek had locked him in the basement of his building. Jackson didn't fight it. He spent the night sitting on the floor of the basement, staring at the cage bars. Derek had returned in the morning and stared at him, seeing that he was in the same position as he left him, only an hour before.

"Did you feel the pull?"

Jackson leveled his head and stared at Derek. There was a strange expression on the alpha's face. Concern, he reminded himself. He was beginning to forget what emotions looked like on other people. He figured that was because all he ever saw was anger from Erica, quiet interest from Boyd and plain confusion from Isaac during their sparring matches.

The full moon was a big deal for werewolves, or so Derek told him. All Jackson felt was the tingle on his neck whenever Derek howled. All he felt, at any time ever, was the tingle on his neck whenever Derek was close to him. There was only the tingle that felt nice, as though reminding him of what emotions were. It never lasted long enough to re-educate him.

"No."

Three weeks later, Jackson stood at Derek's loft door, having knocked. He waited as Derek moved to the door and opened it, gazing at him. Jackson entered the loft without permission and turned when Derek growled at him, eyes red at the arrogance of him.

Jackson frowned and tilted his head. You should feel fear from your alpha. He didn't, though. He knew that Derek noticed it, as the alpha disappeared and he stared at Jackson. They stared at each other, Jackson knowing he should feel something. Derek going alpha on him should have some kind of emotional spark within him.

"What do you want, Jackson?" Derek asked after a lengthy silence, closing the door.

"Nothing," Jackson answered.

Derek raised an eyebrow, pushing off the door and gesturing to the sofa. "Then why are you here?"

Jackson looked at the sofa as Derek sat on it and remained standing. "I think you," he replied.

Derek gritted his teeth. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"I don't know," Jackson said, looking at Derek. "I think I'm meant to be here."

Don't use sentences like that, Jackson told himself. The pack already knew he was weird, because of the kanima incident. He didn't need to show his alpha has weird he really was.

"You think you're meant to be here?" Derek repeated, frowning. "You don't know why you're here?"

Jackson lowered his eyes a moment, trying to give some indication that he still had emotions. "I want to scent you," he said and looked up.

Derek stood, his frown changing from curious to suspicious. "No, you don't. I'd feel it if you wanted to."

Jackson filed that piece of information away and nodded. "Okay."

He could feel Derek's eyes on him as he went to the door, ready to leave. He turned around when Derek's hand slammed on it and the alpha was glaring at him. He had done something wrong, he deduced.

"What is wrong with you?" Derek asked, searching Jackson's eyes.

"Nothing."

"What do you feel?"

Jackson searched for the correct answer. He didn't know what it was meant to be. He didn't know what answer Derek was looking for. What should he be feeling at that moment? Should it be fear and shame, as his alpha was disappointed in him? That didn't seem right. Should it be lust, as his alpha was so close to him? That definitely wasn't right.

The silence stretched on and Derek moved back. "Do you feel anything?"

That was a question he could answer. "No."

Three days after that was the full moon. Derek had told his pack to be cautious as there was a strange scent in the forest. Jackson had found it and found it wasn't Mama Bear and her cub that Derek was referring to. Whoever had walked the faint trails carved out by the werewolves had malice radiating from there. Derek told them it was likely a rogue hunter.

The pack met in some place within the forest, a small clearing. Jackson sat in a tree, watching them and listening. He heard the hunter and dropped from his branch. He caught the arrow that was fired at Isaac's back and snapped it, moving towards the idiot that would take on a pack during a full moon.

"Jackson!"

Jackson ignored Derek calling out to him, especially as a gun fired. The pack scattered behind him and he found the one that was hunting them. Tilting his head, Jackson grabbed the man around the throat and lifted him up, feeling pressure on his shoulder. He removed the knife and threw it to the side.

Tilting his head to the other side, Jackson lowered the man and placed his spare hand on the head. Before he could snap the neck, he was ripped back and the hunter was punched unconscious. Panting, Derek spun around, rage in his eyes as he stared at Jackson. It melted away when he saw the blood.

"Are you hurt?"

"No."

The next night, Jackson stared at his reflection in his bathroom mirror. Closing his eyes, he tried to think about his report card. He frowned and thought about his deceased real parents. Opening his eyes, he stared at his reflection. There was nothing.

You're empty.

That thought should have terrified him. It should have done something to him. He tried to think of what fear felt like. He tried to remember happiness and a smile spread over his face when he thought of Mama Bear and her cub. How could he feel something about them, but nothing for the rest of his life? Thinking on Danny and Lydia, there was a very faint flutter in his stomach, as though he knew he should feel something for them.

Was it a side-effect of the kanima? Jackson had no idea. None of them knew anything about a kanima or what would happen if they killed one. He was meant to be dead. That left him feeling nothing. Death didn't scare him, knowing he should be dead didn't leave him scared.

Turning from his reflection, Jackson went into his bedroom and grabbed his phone. He unlocked it and dialed a number, holding it to his ear. He told himself that he should have felt nervous about calling Stiles, as it wouldn't take long for it to spread to the others.

"Jackson?" Stiles answered, completely bewildered.

"Can I come over?"

"Um…" Stiles went silent and Jackson heard the other heartbeat in the room. "I guess?"

"I'll be there soon."

Jackson left his room, ignoring when his mother asked where he was going. He drove over to Stiles' place and caught Derek's scent in there, as well. He turned off the engine and slipped out, going up to the door. Stiles opened it and stared at him, pure confusion.

"Uh…Come in!"

Jackson stepped into the house. "I've told myself that I think I need answers," he said and Stiles blinked at him.

"Ahh, yeah. From what I've heard, everyone needs answers. Follow me."

Jackson followed Stiles up to his bedroom and found Derek sitting on the bed, a leaf in his hand. Jackson tilted his head, noticing that it was a cedar leaf. Why did that get his attention?

Derek looked up and beckoned Jackson to him. Jackson went, as he told himself that he must answer to the alpha. Without permission, Derek lifted Jackson's shirt and stared at the scar on his shoulder, which had him frowning.

"That shouldn't have scarred."

"I didn't know that." Jackson lowered his eyes, healing over the scarred tissue. "There you go."

Derek placed his hand against the flawless skin and Jackson frowned, an emotion washing over him. Shame. His alpha was ashamed that he was injured. His neck tingled, almost buzzing. Jackson stepped back, as there was no need for him to stand that close.

"So, I've been researching like crazy about whatever you're going through, Jackson," Stiles said as he swayed side to side in his chair.

Jackson looked at Derek. "I could have done that. I don't need sleep."

Stiles stopped and stared at Jackson for a long moment, before he looked at Derek. "You said he hadn't been sleeping, not that he didn't need to sleep." He shook his head and turned his attention to Jackson. "Do you have an appetite?"

"Is this where I lie? I feel a lie should be told around this point."

Pain flashed through Derek's eyes for a moment. "Just answer the questions, honestly."

"No, I don't have an appetite."

"Come here." Jackson stepped over to Stiles, who took his hand and pushed a staple into it. "Do you feel anything from that?"

"No." Jackson removed the staple, his skin healing over instantly. The only evidence was two pinpoints of blood.

Stiles frowned, sitting back in his chair. "Do you feel anything, ever?"

"No." Jackson frowned. "Wait. Sometimes, I feel a tingle in my neck. It feels…I think the word is 'nice'?"

"Your neck?" Stiles asked as he stood and moved around Jackson, looking at the flawless skin.

"Yes, where Derek clawed me."

Stiles looked at Derek sharply for a moment. "I'll have to do a little more research, but as far as I can tell, he's fine. He's just…a machine." Jackson tilted his head as Stiles picked up the staple, looking at the blood. "I'll do a comparison to Scott's blood."

"I'll call you tomorrow," Jackson said headed for the door.

"Whoa, hang on, dude!" Stiles caught Jackson's shoulder. "You can't expect results tomorrow. I need to sleep."

Jackson turned. "Then give it to me and I'll do it."

Derek stood and shook his head. "You wouldn't know what you're looking for. But you're staying at the loft with me tonight."

"Okay." Jackson left the bedroom, missing the confused glance between Derek and Stiles.

"He's more agreeable," Stiles said as Jackson waited in the front hall for Derek. "And he doesn't feel pain from silver. I check the knife, it was definitely silver. Are you sure you want answers? Is he even pack?"

Jackson frowned as his neck tingled.

"I don't know."

Derek opened his eyes, finding Jackson standing at the window and staring out of it. He inhaled and caught the scent of breakfast cooked, which made him frown. He left his bedroom and found Peter sitting at a table, helping himself to eggs, bacon, waffles, pancakes and sausages.

The dishes were stacked neatly, waiting to be washed. Peter grinned and raised his mug of coffee at his nephew, which had Derek frowning. Peter was more of a morning person than Derek was, but he was never that happy.

"I like the new Jackson. Can we keep him?" Peter asked as Derek sat down and looked at the spread.

Derek shook his head, looking over his shoulder. He could see Jackson's shadow at the window, still. He hadn't twitched or budged. That scared him, more than he would care to admit. He still couldn't believe that Jackson had approached a hunter without a hint of fear.

Eating slowly, Derek thought back on the last couple of months with Jackson. When he woke up as a werewolf, he had smelled normal. He had the musk of a wolf on him. The next morning, he had the same scent. It wasn't until he started wolfing out that he lost it, as though his wolf was dying from him. Derek didn't know if that was possible.

Jackson smelled like nothing. Literally. There was no heat from him and Derek realized he hadn't heard a heart beat in Jackson for a long while. He knew that the heart was figuratively the source of emotions, but he didn't think it would be a literal thing, either.

He hadn't felt anything from Jackson, either. For a moment, when he scented the young man, he wondered if Jackson would feel as he used to around Derek. There had been nothing. No fear, no arrogance, no repressed lust. He had just stared at him, like he wasn't his alpha that had scented him.

Hearing from Jackson's parents that he wasn't eating or sleeping had Derek terrified that he was depressed. Seeing him look healthy and act like it wasn't a big deal made things strange. He couldn't explain it, but Stiles had been right. Jackson was like a machine. He barely had any human traits left.

No, Derek corrected. He didn't have any human traits left.

Derek looked at Peter. "Do the dishes," he said and went back to his bedroom. "Jackson."

Like a robot, Jackson turned and looked at him, as though awaiting his command. He beckoned Jackson over to him, as he closed the bedroom door. He knew it wouldn't do anything to stop Peter from listening in, but he didn't want his uncle to see anything.

"Were you going to kill that hunter?"

"Yes."

Derek raised an eyebrow. He wasn't expecting that. "Why?" he asked, curious on the answer. Jackson had shown that he didn't feel anything. Why would he protect the pack?

"Threats must be eliminated. I might not be pack, but you keep me around."

The voice was monotone and Derek knew that Jackson hadn't lied to him at all. Since…whatever it was happened to him, he was honest about everything. That worried Derek. He missed Jackson lying to him. He missed Jackson defying him.

"That tingling you feel," Derek started as he moved over to his bed and sat down. Jackson turned on the spot, but didn't step forward and remained silent. "When do you feel it?"

"Whenever you're close to me, like when you scented me or when you looked at my scar."

"Ask him if he feels anything else," Peter called from the kitchen and Derek closed his eyes, keeping his temper in check.

Opening his eyes, he looked at Jackson. "Do you?"

"I don't know. We're rarely close. Sometimes, I think I feel a shadow of an emotion."

Derek frowned and growled when Peter opened the door. He grabbed Jackson and stood him in front of Derek, shaking his head. "There's a link between you," Peter stated.

Derek looked at Jackson's blank face. There wasn't a flicker of recognition, curiosity or annoyance at being moved around. The eyes that used to sparkle so brightly now gazed back, devoid of everything. Derek couldn't imagine a worse existence than one where he barely existed.

Jackson frowned. "You're sad."

Derek wondered where that link was. He couldn't feel it, until he remembered that Jackson didn't feel anything. He wouldn't feel anything from his first pup and he wondered if he ever would.

"You can feel it?"

"I—" Jackson cut himself off and frowned, reaching up and touching his cheeks. "What?"

"All right. I'll make a list of emotions you need to teach him again, nephew." Peter grinned and left the room.

Derek glared after him for a moment, but felt gratitude that his uncle was still around. He wouldn't have known what to do. Sometimes, that annoying, overbearing, power-hungry jerk was extremely useful. He was going to assume the first lesson was sadness.

End Chapter.

Thanks for reading. If you liked it, please feel free to drop a review.

Subsequent chapters won't be as long as this one, with the exception of a couple.

Until the next one!

Peace.
Auska.