Chapter 37 - ''Leave this to a real wolf''
''So what you're telling us is that we have no way of winning against them?'' Derek growled as he leveled Mickey with a menacing glare, it was like firebolts were erupting from his eyes the way he was trying to kill Mickey with just his eyes. He then let his eyes roam over Scott and Stiles, ''How's this supposed to help?''
Sucking in a deep breath to steady himself, to calm the raging beasts reacting to the alphas thunderous mode. He'd realized quickly how proud the beast was and it was harder to control because of the full moon, his eyes were itching as it haunted him for control, ''Look at the big picture, they're a pack of alphas. That's five alphas versus one alpha and one beta maybe two or three depending on when Isaacs' healthy enough to contribute and that's not even counting in my dad, he's a whole different kind of dangerous.''
''I think what Mickey is trying to say,'' Stiles suddenly cut in as he moved to stand next to Mickey, showing his support while backing up his words in the hope a more friendly face could make the alpha see past his hatred and see reason, ''You guys are gonna be heavily outnumbered, we don't know what we're getting ourselves into.''
''The plan is to sneak past them, we might not even have to fight,'' Scott said making them look towards him, his brown eyes staring down at the piece of paper on the table showing the layout of the bank.
''They already know you're coming,'' Mickey mumbled to remind them all of the real problems, there was no way they could sneak in when they were already expected.
Shifting so he was stood tall, Derek glared at Mickey before letting his eyes roam over the rest of the people present, ''I don't care if it's dangerous if there's a chance we could save them I'm gonna take it. So who's coming with me?''
He looked at Peter who was seated on the spiral stairs in the corner of the room, ''Don't look at me. I'm not up to fighting speed yet, and honestly, I agree with the kid, with Isaac out of commission, you're not looking at very good odds for yourself,'' Peter was quick to reply having found the perfect excuse to get himself out of the fight, no one had expected any less from the former psycho killer alpha.
''So I'm supposed to just let them die?'' Derek argued as he stared at his uncle, he'd had hopes that his uncle had become more human but he was of course proven wrong.
Sensing eyes on him, Mickey glanced towards Peter allowing their eyes to meet for just a second before he looked away. It had been enough to further Peters point as he spoke, even though his tone was light, ''One of them is already dead.''
None of them could argue against that, Mickey kept his stare strictly down at the papers as his hands gripped the table until his knuckles had turned white. He needed to remain calm, had to focus on his breathing because the harsh reality was that he deserved to be the villain and he was damn sure he was gonna keep his mouth shut and the beast in the cage. Because he wanted to do right this time, wanted to prove to them all that he was still Mickey and not the mindless killer his father wanted him to be.
''Do I have to remind you what we're up against here?'' Peter asked when he realized that the spotlight remained on him, finally, his voice had turned serious, ''A pack of alphas. All of them, killers. And if that's not enough to scare your testicles back into your stomach, try to remember that two of them combine bodies to form one giant Alpha. I'm sure Erica and Boyd were sweet kids. They're gonna be missed.''
''It isn't just the twins,'' Mickey continued even though he knew it was a bad look standing on the side of Peter but the former alpha wasn't wrong, ''They're all augmented Alphas which means that they've taken the powers of their former betas, they're way stronger than an ordinary alpha.''
''I rest my case,'' Peter said as he leaned back with his arms folded and a look of determination, ''Not worth the risk.''
''What about you?'' Derek asked not bothering to further argue with his uncle, Mickey knew the question wasn't meant for him and so kept quiet as he stared at the table.
''Yeah, if you want me to come...'' Stiles said looking surprised he'd even gotten the question but was quickly denied as Derek shut him down, the boy pointed towards Scott understanding the question was directed at him, ''Got it. Scott.''
They all turned to look at Scott who'd remained calm throughout the last few minutes of planning, his eyes soft but determined for what was to come, ''If Boyd's still alive, we have to do something. We have to try.''
''But?'' Derek asked sensing that there was more.
A frown set on the brown-eyed boy's brows as he looked towards the window thoughtfully, he then looked towards Mickey, ''Who's the other girl? The one locked in there with Boyd?''
Maybe he'd been told of the girl's identity the day she was brought to the bank but Mickey had honestly forgotten, too caught up in his self-pity and self-hatred that he hadn't paid much attention to the girl or even Boyd. So he shrugged his shoulders, ''I don't know, can't remember if I ever even knew. She's young though.''
''Whoever she is we'll get her out with Boyd,'' Derek said sounding restless, the clock was ticking and they all needed to get going if they wanted to get them out.
So there were no other arguments to the cause, Derek and Scott had already set their minds on the task and nothing would make them back out. Mickey straightened from where he'd been leaning his hands on the table, his brows set in a worried frown but he kept his mouth shut. There was no way he had any rights to argue, his job was just to follow and be there as back-up and he would do it wholeheartedly. Whatever happened he would be there to have their backs, didn't matter how much he doubted their plan.
A hand suddenly clamped down on his shoulder making him look to the person next to him, Stiles' smile was forced but his eyes held softness towards the blonde indicating that their friendship was still intact, although cracked but it was mendable still. His voice was friendly when he spoke, ''I'm glad you're back.''
''Me too,'' Mickey replied feeling weirdly nervous and shy but it felt good to have them close, Scott and Stiles. They were his safety, family, and the few people in his life that he could trust with his life. Betraying them would forever be his biggest regret but all was good now because they'd given him the chance to prove to them that he truly would do anything to keep them safe.
...
The plan was simple, get in through the back wall and get Boyd and the girl out before the alphas' would even notice they were gone. Their route was set and they were already squished tightly in the space between the back wall and the one leading into the vault, luckily none of them seemed particularly claustrophobic or the plan could have failed before they even got into the vault.
Neither of the three-spoke, Mickey hadn't said a word since they left Dereks' apartment. He just followed silently while watching Scotts' gestures, small indications of where he needed to be. He shifted uncomfortably, shoulder brushing against Scotts' making the other male glance over at him. It was obvious that Scott could sense his growing discomfort, his raging emotions, and how he was slowly losing control over the beast within him. It was the perks of being a part of the supernatural world, you could sense others' moods and feelings just by their smell and heartbeat.
Warmth suddenly touched his hand making Mickey glance down at it, seeing Scotts' hand gently touching his. It wasn't like they were holding hands, more like a simple touch. Scotts' calmness and warmth transferring over to Mickey, the brown-eyed teen's way of showing that the blonde wasn't alone. Like when a werewolf took on someone's pain, sharing the burden.
He sucked in a breath to steady himself, to collect his raging thoughts as he focused his senses. He could hear the heartbeats of Boyd and the girl, steady if not a little fast and jumpy. They didn't seem injured, just restless and worried. Closing his eyes, Mickey tried to concentrate on the rest of the building just as Derek planted his fist against the wall. The concrete cracked under the pressure of the alphas' fist, the sound vibrating in the small space. It was impossible to hear anything over the noise, he couldn't focus enough to dull it out.
''If those betas don't kill him, I don't care what Deucalion wants. You kill him, kill Scott and become the alpha.'' his fathers' words echoed in his mind, Mickeys' eyes staring into the back of Scotts' head as the walls cracked open.
''Scott's gonna be dead by the end of tomorrow,'' his father's 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.''
He sincerely hoped that his father was wrong, that they would all be strong enough to subdue the teens without anyone getting injured. He flexed his hands knowing a fight would break out once they broke through the wall, would he be able to keep the beast at bay?
''Scott,'' he whispered the boys' name as he reached over to grab Scotts' wrists to stop him from walking into the room, the latter raised his brow questioningly. Mickey was scared, not of the ones on the other side of the wall but himself. He tried to explain it with his eyes, his throat felt dry. What if he transformed and accidentally hurt them?
But the wall broke down in front of them and Scotts' phone vibrated in his pocket, the brown-eyed teen reached down for it before answering seeing as the caller was Stiles. Mickey swallowed as he stepped into the vault, his eyes finding Boyd who looked on the verge of losing control. Mickeys' presence in the room certainly didn't help to keep him in check, another person who wanted to rip his guts out.
He didn't need to hear Stiles's explanation to understand the reference he was making, although comparing their scene to that of a colosseum and the lions and gladiator couldn't have been more accurate. The room was circled by mountain ache efficiently keeping them from getting out, trapping them with two out of control, bloodthirsty werewolves. There was no way he could allow himself to shift, he didn't have enough control over himself and he couldn't risk hurting the people around him.
So when Boyd suddenly charged him he had no choice but to take the blow, although he was strong even in the human form he wasn't as flexible. The bigger male's claws dug into his chest making Mickey bite down on his tongue to keep himself from crying out in pain, his hands moving to grip the males' wrist to stop the second swipe from connecting. Blood sipped through his shirt, down his abdomen and he could even taste it in his mouth. His back was against the wall and he used the momentum to raise his foot, planted it in the bigger male's abdomen before kicking him back and away from himself. It worked, in a way but Boyd quickly bounced back.
His fist came hard and fast but this time Mickey had seen it coming, ducked, and listened as the wall cracked behind him. He spared a glance over his shoulder and was relieved it hadn't been his head, the blow would have cracked his head open.
''Mike!'' Scott called but it was already too late, Mickey hadn't expected the second blow to come so quickly, and before he had time to face forward it had already hit him.
It came hard and it came fast but this time it connected, Mickeys' vision started to blur as he fell to the floor clutching his face. Blood sipped through his fingers from his nose and he was sure it was broken, his hands were trembling from the pain. The beast was slamming against the cage, demanding to be let free. His muscles tensed and he could feel the bones shifting but he refused to let it out, refused to give over control.
Hands gripped his shirt forcing him upwards, Boyds' face close to his own as the feral man snarled down at him preparing to grace him with another blow. It never landed as his wrist was restricted, Scotts' eyes shining gold as he roared at the other male. Mickey sighed in relief as he was dropped back down to the ground, Boyds' attention had shifted to Scott.
Coughs hurt his lungs but all the blood sipping down his throat was making it hard to breathe, he shifted over to his side as he spat on the floor. His vision was still blurry and he was starting to fear that he had a concussion, still, he could make out Scott being held against the wall.
''Watch out!'' he hadn't sensed her presence in the building and he was shocked to hear her voice, his eyes swiftly moved towards the vault door and onto the girl stood in it. Their eyes locked and he could see the fear in her beautiful brown eyes, the sound of choking made him look behind himself.
His heart was in his throat as he watched Boyd plant his claws in Scotts' abdomen, lifting him not caring for the damage he was causing. Mickey turned just as blood dripped from Scotts' mouth, his hand gripping hold of Boyd's shirt before using all of his strength to throw him away.
''No! Don't break the seal!'' Derek pleaded but honestly Mickey was all for it, there was nothing they could do. Staying inside the vault would only get them killed and if not them it would be Boyd and the girl, there just was no way they could hold out until morning.
So he looked over his shoulder, meeting Allisons' pleading eyes and he gave her a short nod. Her lips pursed as she looked at Boyd who was already preparing his next attack, ''Boyd!''
The seal was broken and the two betas took off, Mickey let himself roll over onto his back silently watching as Derek moved towards Allison with a grim look. He was bloodied with wounds as he screamed in her face while gripping her arm, ''What were you thinking!?''
He wanted to go over there and rip the alpha off of her but his head was spinning, eyes filled with dark spots as he shifted his gaze up to the ceiling. The wound on his abdomen was already closing up, his hand felt for the wound but the outer skin had already healed up. His hands were drenched in blood, felt it drying on his face around his nose and mouth dripping down his jaw down his neck. But he felt oddly alive, satisfied because the beast remained in its cage and knowing he'd done the right thing.
''That I had to do something,'' she snarled back in defense, Mickey closed his eyes as Scott limped past him to try and mediate between the two before another fight broke loose.
''She saved our lives,'' Scott said, his voice was filled with pain. The smell of his blood reeked up the place just as much as Mickeys'.
Sighing, Mickey tried to concentrate his sense hoping to speed up the healing process. They were still arguing but he honestly couldn't find it in himself to care anymore, falling more and more into his old and lazy habits. The pressing matters were that they'd let two feral beat werewolves out into the world and they had no idéa where to, they could be just about anywhere.
He'd missed most of their arguments but he didn't miss the part where Derek and Allison started accusing one another of the ill deeds they and their families had done.
''Well, I am not the one turning teenagers into killers,'' Allison said making Mickey finally glancing towards her, that was a good point and one that would certainly tick off the Alpha.
A silent second, just a short one, and Dereks' voice were much calmer once he responded, ''No. No, that's just the rest of your family.''
It was like throwing punches without harming the skin, just the two of them trying to rip each other's hearts into pieces as they satisfied their injured egos. Mickey still loved Allison a bunch and he wanted nothing more than to go over there but just for the same reason Scott remained silent, so did Mickey because neither side was more in the wrong than the other.
''I made mistakes,'' she sounded so heartbroken but she stood her ground, owning up to her actions, ''Gerard is not my fault.''
''And what about your mother?'' Derek was in a pissy mode, Mickey let his eyes return to the ceiling just as Dereks' eyes shifted to Scott, ''Tell her, Scott.''
His heartbeat suddenly picked up as the beast let out a guttural growl, goosebumps wrecked through his skin causing the hairs to stand erect. The air around them went from tense to heavy and Mickey was on his feet faster than his body was ready for, head spinning as he found his balance. He hadn't realized that he was next to Allison until he gripped her hand, pulling her behind himself as he stared into the shadows across the room.
A dark chuckle echoed in his head as the huge beast appeared, long thick legs carrying its heavy frame silently across the floor. Wolf, bear who even knew what it was, maybe both. Its' fur dark but not fully black, more like a very dark brown color. Its' eyes were crimson red, piercing, and sharp as its muzzle was pulled back to show off its' sharp fangs.
''What the hell is that?'' Derek snarled as his own eyes flashed to show his alpha status, his stance turning hostile but it was obvious by his scent that he could sense the beast's superiority.
The hand in his own squeezed harder and he felt Allison lean against his back, even humans could sense the looming danger coming off of the beast. He wanted to tell her that everything was alright, that she didn't need to be afraid but it was hard to convince others when he couldn't even convince himself. His father was the one thing in the world that could scare the beast within Mickey enough to stay put, could make it whimper and whine with just one menacing look. Yet now somehow it was standing tall, daring to posture in front of its alpha.
Glancing beside him Mickey realized that Scott had moved next to him, stood like a pillar fueling the beast's courage. Even though he was injured, hand clutching the wound in his abdomen, Scott still managed to stand up against the scary beast which had the rest of them want to run.
It oddly made Mickey smile, made him straighten his pose to match the beasts. There was no way Scott could fight his father, wouldn't be able to take him on even in an uninjured state. The beast had been created to kill werewolves and his father had had plenty of practice, not to mention many years of experience. Mickey would never let Scott get injured, he'd never let Allison get hurt.
He feared what Allison would think of him once she found out the truth but he would take the chance, as long as she would make it out alive. So he squeezed her hand harder as he glanced back at her, his lips stretched into a bittersweet smile hoping to lessen her worries. Then he let go of her hand, shifted it over to Scotts' shoulder before he pushed him back towards Allison.
''You can't fight that thing alone,'' Scott said, not liking the way things were going. He made to move forward again but was stopped as Mickey shoved him back once again, his palm on the brown-eyed teen's chest to stop him from moving.
''I told you before, you may be a werewolf now Scott but that doesn't make you a wolf, you're still very much human.'' Mickey smiled before moving his hand over to Scotts' shoulder, squeezed, and then let it drop, ''You've got other problems, so leave this to a real wolf.''
His muscled constricted causing him to grunt in discomfort, his bones popped and he could hear the beast howling in excitement.