A/N Thanks for making this story reach 100 followers 3 Y'all are awesome!

Chapter 35 - Realization

Their eyes met as Stiles approached and for a guy who usually bore his emotions plain on his face, Mickey was unable to read his friend's stiff expression. Allison stepped back, let go of his hand leaving Mickey at the mercy of his childhood friend. He was prepared for anything, a punch, being yelled at, or a cold shoulder. Stiles didn't do any of it as he gripped Mickeys' shirt, forcing him forward into a strong hug. It took him off-guard and a few seconds passed before he returned it, burying his nose in his friend's shoulder as he let Stiles hold on to him.

The grip on the back of his shirt kept him from moving away and quite frankly he didn't want to either, Stiles made him feel safe. It wasn't like the feeling he got from Allison, she awoke a want to protect. She made him strong and proud, nothing could scare him if he fought for her. Stiles was different because Mickey had never felt the need to protect him, it had always been the other way around. Even though Stiles was just a human he was still in every way stronger then Mickey, in more ways than just physical strength.

''Where have you been?'' Stiles asked but refused to pull back, Mickey allowed it as he glanced over his friend's shoulder to look at Lydia and Allison. Both of them were engaged in a quiet conversation, they were probably spooked about what had happened.

He realized that he hadn't come up with a good lie he could tell Stiles, he hadn't even thought about talking to him. He had planned to attend a few classes and then quickly disappear again, he hadn't expected to meet Allison. She'd made him forget all about his problems, had momentarily allowed him to close off those depressing feelings. Now he couldn't ignore them anymore, didn't know how to.

''I can't tell you,'' was his lame excuse, Stiles sighed as he pulled back so their eyes could meet. Mickey felt like a child when leveled by Stiles's stern eyes, the later was becoming fed up with the secrets.

He flinched as Stiles suddenly used his thumb to wipe away the blood from Mickeys' forehead, he hadn't even realized that he'd been scratched. It wasn't painful, the skin had already healed itself. Stiles had noticed, his eyes returned to Mickeys', ''I already know, he knows.''

Mickey was sure Stiles meant Scott, it didn't surprise him. He'd expected they knew but it was just a small part of it, it was but an assumption based on a few evidence. Mickey smiled, a bitter-sweet smile as he averted his eyes from his friend, ''It's not that simple.''

''Then make it simple,'' Stiles sounded fed up, his arms crossed over his chest. Mickey knew he was getting annoyed at this point, desperation shone in his eyes causing Mickey to look away.

He stared down at the floor as he started to chew on the inside of his cheek, brows set in a frown as he tried to come up with a good enough lie. Should he just tell him the truth? Should he say that he killed Erica, that he was currently working with someone who desires to see harm to others? Mickey didn't have the means to judge any of the alphas, but Stiles could very well judge Mickey. Despise Mickey, feel disgusted by him.

''The truth will come out,'' he finally said as he heard several cars enter the schools parking lot as the town's sheriffs arrived, he raised his gaze to meet Stiles who still looked annoyed, ''I don't have an excuse, just know that I hate myself for what has happened. Everything.''

He didn't dwell further on the subjects as Stiles's dad entered the classroom with several of his deputies, Stiles stare shifted away momentarily but it was enough for Mickey to slip away and out of the room. He barely made it out through the doorway before he bumped into someone, his reflexed sending him backward knowing to maintain distance.

''Mickey,'' Chris said as a greeting causing Mickey to flinch, he barely had it in him to straighten his posture like he often did when faced with the hunter.

''Argent,'' he merely gave a curt nod as a greeting as he stepped around the man, he didn't bother to stay for further conversation.

As he exited through the entrance of the school his mind shifted to the scene that had occurred leaving him restless, his gaze shifted to the sky as his fingers flexed into fists before straightening back out. A nervousness sent shivers through his skin, the frown on his brows deepening. Birds don't just suicide for the hell of it, something had spooked them. He'd sensed their terrified state, like lunatics not thinking straight. A power was growing within Beacon Hills, something far more dangerous than a pack of alphas.

''Sacrifices,'' a familiar voice came from the direction of the car causing Mickeys' eyes to shift towards the man, his father was stood with his back against the car looking rather intrigued as his gaze was glued to the broken windows, ''I wonder who's next.''

Glancing over at the windows Mickey was unsure if he even wanted to know what was going on, what was going to happen if said person gained the power they so desired. By the looks of it, they were searching for power gained by evil acts, so another villain had entered Beacon Hills.

''What are you even doing here?'' Mickey finally asked as he set his eyes on his father, his gaze turned into an empty glare as he realized that the car had been taken back by its owner.

His father glanced at him, let his stare linger for but a moment before he held out his hand for the keys. Mickey stuffed his hand into his pocket to retrieve them, letting them fall into his father awaiting palm. He tested the weight of them, his eyes growing more distant, ''I'm worried about you, Son. Things are about to take a bad turn, it isn't the time to stand alone.''

The stare he gave his father was mostly due to surprise, he knew his father cared about him but as far as he'd known Earl hadn't given a shit about Mickey or what side he stood on. He hadn't defended Mickey even once, had just stood there watching him struggle. They were stood on the same battleground but neither were they allies nor enemies, just two warriors not giving a single damn about the other. So his father's sudden expression of concern took Mickey off-guard but neither did he take it seriously, he snorted as it was the only way he could express his reaction.

''You don't have to worry about me I ain't scared of Deucalion and neither am I scared of his pack,'' Mickey reassured him feeling frustrated, why were his father even caring about it?

He looked at the car realizing that he'd have to ride with his dad, didn't sound like a pleasant plan. So he turned around to walk, not knowing where and neither did he care. His hands shoved deep into his pockets as he kicked at a stone sending it flying in front of him, at least the weather was good.

''Scott's gonna be dead by the end of tomorrow,'' his father voice boomed through the silent air causing Mickey to halt, half turning around so he could look at his father with a raised brow. Earl had pushed away from the car as he stared straight at his son, ''The kids in the vault, they haven't been exposed to the full moon. They won't care about who's their alpha, they gonna kill anything that enters that cage. Knowing your friend, he's gonna be one of those, and knowing him he'd rather die than kill those kids.''

Eyes flickered as he processed the information, Mickey felt his hands clench into fists. Things were about to change, become serious. It wasn't like it hadn't been serious before but everything that had happened then had only involved Mickey, now they were involving his friends and there was nothing he could do to stop it. The things he'd done would make them hate him, they'd push him away. But he needed to keep them safe, couldn't allow himself to stand by as Deucalion and his pack ripped his friends to shreds. He looked at his dad wondering if he would stand in Mickeys' way, or would he simply step aside like he'd done so many times in the past? He could fight the alphas, hell he would even fight Deucalion but he was no match for his father. Probably no fight for Deucalion either but he didn't fear the Demon Wolf-like he feared his father because he at least knew the limits of Deucalions' powers.

Sighing he let his stare fall to the ground, to the stone he'd kicked over by the grass. He bit down on his lower lip, chewed on the skin until he tasted blood. His brows set into a deep frown, ''I thought they wanted Scott in their pack, you know the true alpha and all?''

Lips stretching into a knowing smirk, his father moved towards the driver's side of the car. He stopped just as he'd opened the door, his eyes turning towards Mickey, ''You think some betas can kill an alpha?''

He didn't quite get it at first, it hit him only as he watched his father drive away, and when it did his stomach clenched. It was the initiation ritual for joining the pack, the one way to become stronger. Whenever an alpha killed their betas they took their power, to join Deucalions' pack the alpha needed to kill their pack. They were gonna force Derek to kill his own betas, they were gonna force Scott to kill his friends. To kill Stiles, Lydia. They were going to kill Allison.

...

His phone was vibrating furiously where it laid on the bedside table, several missed messages and calls lighting up the screen as they were added to the already great number. Mickey sighed as he realized that the calls wouldn't stop, so he turned around so he could reach for the device. He didn't bother to answer Stiles's call, didn't have the courage to, and instead opened the message. Isaac had told them everything, about the alphas, the bank, vault, and Erica. He wanted an explanation, an excuse, or just something that could justify it all. It was obvious that Stiles wanted to doubt Isaacs' words but the evidence was too strong, all pointing towards Mickey. If only Mickey could have a good excuse for what he'd done, maybe then he wouldn't hate himself so much for it.

The fact of it all was that Mickey had lost control, hadn't been cautious enough and that had caused Ericas' death. He'd been too focused on himself that he hadn't thought about Erica or Boyd, he'd been too blinded by rage that he'd lashed out in surprise. Instincts took over and he'd aimed to kill, hadn't even thought twice as he went for the killing strike. The only excuse he had was that he hadn't meant it for her, hadn't thought it would be her to bump into him. But it wasn't a good enough excuse because he should have been more cautious, his senses should have warned him.

So he put the phone in silent mode, he'd stay home tomorrow and prepare for what would happen at the bank. He felt his chest clench as tears dampened his eyes, sucking in a rugged breath as he forced his eyes shut. There was no going back, he was alone and he deserved it.