"Babe!"

Maia rode Isaac as if there were no tomorrow, the two christening his new bed the same as she and Derek had done their own. He looked at her, tightening his hands on her hips, "The party's in an hour Mai." She looked at the clock and sighed, falling forward to kiss him before apologizing. "Later, I promise," Maia said, rolling out of the bed and exhaling heavily. She went to her own bedroom and got a shower before getting dressed, spinning in her full-length mirror to take in her reflection.

Her hair was in loose waves rather than the tight, natural curls she usually wore, her makeup light. Maia was wearing a soft yellow dress cut high on her thighs and tight on her waist, making her look a bit like a 1940s pinup girl. She felt like a slightly-whacked out version of a housewife and strangely enough, she kinda liked it.

But she wasn't the only one- no one in the house could seem to keep their hands to themselves…

"Maia! Get your ass down here," Derek shouted up the stairs once more, walking through the kitchen to grab a beer. He stared at the hors d'ouevres table she had set up in the kitchen, arrayed around the champagne punch fountain on the buffet- she had threatened to do no less than effectively neuter him if he even thought about making a play for the food and he was thoroughly convinced that she would do it.

"Your fingers itching?"

Derek looked up at his wife as she came into the kitchen, smiling impishly. She rearranged the dessert table before looking around at the natural splendor of the house, enhanced by their blood, sweat and tears, a smile on her face. "We own this place, Derek. Everything has just seemed to fall into place these last few months… You did invite all of the neighbors, didn't you," Maia asked almost nervously, staring at her watch. "For the thousandth time, yes. And I got their RSVPs just like you told me to do baby- they'll be here. Everyone's curious about us new folks and about what we've done with the house."

Erica walked in to Derek pinning his wife against the wall, rolling her eyes, "There is a small crowd of people walking up. Quit it."

She moved into the foyer and smoothed her hair back, running her hands over her short party dress when the doorbell rang. Maia came around the corner, giving Erica a plate of cocktails and answering the door. "Hello new neighbors," she said cheerfully, greeting the people at the door. They seemed awestruck at her and Erica standing together, unable to decide who was more attractive. And then Derek came out of the kitchen, setting the women's hearts ablaze as he smiled.

Maia looked at the small group, smiling in a deadly fashion, "Welcome to Hale House."

The party seemed to be in full swing by the time Boyd arrived, standing on the porch and debating whether or not to knock. He had argued with himself about coming in the first place but he had a certain degree of curiosity about Erica and her so-called family, despite his determination not to care.

Before Boyd knew it the door was swinging open and Erica was standing there, smiling at him.

"So how long are you going to stand out there Mr. Boyd," she asked, looking every bit the angel she sought to be. He smirked at the much shorter girl who promptly took his hand and dragged him inside, grabbing him a drink before going out to the back patio. It seemed like much of the school was there, talking and laughing.

Maia worked her way through the party, going to Derek's side.

"That's him? God, look at that potential," she said, her husband wrapping an arm around her waist and kissing her. He seemed proud of himself, taking a swig of his beer, "You're welcome."

They both looked out at where Scott was with his girlfriend, Maia licking her teeth. "I don't like her Derek. If she's not one of us, she's one of them and we can't have that," she murmured, her husband agreeing silently. "It will work itself out. I'm more worried about his stupid ass friend Stiles- he's getting too close to the Casablanca Lilies for comfort…"

Erica laughed and mingled in her party, always keeping one hand on Boyd. He was forced to talk and be sociable by her close proximity, which actually wasn't all that hard. He'd probably been there for three or four hours before he finally got to sit, he and Erica sitting in lawn chairs by the pool. "So Boyd, you having a good time," she asked, tucking her hair behind her ear. He shrugged in reply and Erica smirked, "Yeah, I thought so." She laughed again, Boyd cracking a smile as she shook her head at him. "Well still, I'm flattered that you came. Thanks Marcus." His lips parted and in his voice there was an unintentionally seductive quality, "Its my pleasure, Erica."

She observed his face with rapt attention as they talked, intrigued by his intellect. It wasn't as if her pack wasn't full of intelligence or anything, but Boyd was intensely astute and well-spoken.

"Boyd, I want you to meet some people before you have to leave."

Maia was intensely pleased with the turnout of the night as the party started to wind down, standing in a corner to take in everything. Most of the neighbors and people from the surrounding community had seemed ill at ease when they had first come over, but with all the prowess of an animal, she and Derek had soothed their fears with kind words and good food- and more than a little influence- making easy conversation and inviting people to explore their home.

Her attention was taken by Derek, who was actually smiling and laughing with- hell, normal people, discussing things like world politics, sports and money. Every so often their gaze fell on each other and his eyes would flash just for her, leaving the impression of happiness and pleasure- and as well, he should have been pleased.

"Maia."

She looked up at Erica as she came through the crowd of people, her fledgling smiling at her widely. "Hi sweetheart. Who's your friend," Maia asked smoothly, looking at Boyd. He instantly felt at ease in her presence, as if he were standing in front of… his mother. And she had a maternal air about her, despite being intensely attractive and very young, probably only in her twenties. He looked at her again, seeing how familiar her eyes looked- how familiar she looked. And then he knew her, the same woman who had been with Isaac the last anyone had seen of him before his dad was killed and he was arrested for the murder.

The realization set him on edge almost immediately.

"Maia, this is Marcus Boyd, one of my friends from school," Erica said, gesturing to each of them in turn. She pressed her hand to Boyd's back, pressing him almost nearer to the Alpha. "Boyd, this is Maia. She's like my den mother, but more importantly my best friend."

They shook hands and Maia looked around before calling Derek over, Boyd's eyes flashing up quickly. He was dressed in jeans, tennis shoes and grayish-blue button-down shirt left open over a white undershirt, a beer in his hand- it was Derek's tenth or twelfth of the night, but he couldn't remember thought it didn't seem to matter; he wasn't even feeling it yet. Boyd met almost cold blue-green eyes, the forceful aura of authority and dominance wrapped around him in a way that came across all too well. "Derek, this is Erica's friend Marcus Boyd." The same greeting rituals between the two men ensued and then silence followed, Boyd intensely uncomfortable- it felt as if they were talking without needing words, talking about him undoubtedly.

"I, uh, should probably get going," Boyd mumbled, Derek shaking his head.

"Have a drink with me first Boyd."

He steered him into the kitchen as Erica and Maia went to go bid the rest of the guests farewell, Derek opening a beer with his teeth before giving it to the bigger man in front of him. "Nice set of chompers," Boyd said, Derek flashing a deadly smile and leaning back against the counter. "You have no idea kid." They made small talk, Boyd finishing two more beers before looking over his shoulder at Erica and Maia. "So, you and your wife are like foster parents or something?" Derek considered the choice of words and inclined his head, "I guess you could say that Boyd. Its simpler for us to be looked at as parents and children than what we really are- most people don't understand how teens and adults could be almost equals. But then again, Isaac and Erica aren't normal teens."

Boyd looked up at the mention of Isaac, the older man seeming as if it were nothing out of the ordinary. "You know Isaac's a fugitive, right? He killed his dad-" There was the sound of heels coming across the floor and Boyd turned to see Maia in the doorway, the woman smiling at him. "We good," Derek asked, his wife nodding in reply. She stepped out of her shoes, tossing them to the side before standing at the foot of the stairs.

"Isaac!"

Boyd set down his beer and swallowed, trying to figure out how best to get out of the house.

"We're not holding you against your will, promise. We just want to talk to you," Derek said calmly, seeing the fear rise in Boyd. The teen looked around, his heart starting to race as adrenaline started to pump through his veins. Erica inhaled, licking her lips as she looked at Boyd- the scent rolling off of him put all of the werewolf in a precarious state, for him at least. Derek looked at her, almost growling, "Erica, knock it the fuck off. Boyd- you need to calm down and get your heart under control before someone gets hurt."

"Look man, I don't give a fuck what you guys are in to but I don't want a part of it-"

Maia walked back in the room with Isaac at her side, Boyd noting that lovesick, puppy-dog look on his face. He wondered if they were some kind of sex masters in some BDSM world looking to recruit from the teenage harem they were trying to build; he felt stupid for having trusted her skin color for loyalty, especially when all of the people she called family were white. Race really didn't mean anything when it came down to bad intentions and it didn't seem to matter now.

Erica crossed the room to lean against Maia, the older woman wrapping her arms around the younger's waist and kissing the side of her neck lovingly.

"You might be wondering why you're here Boyd and its for good reason. You don't know us and you don't trust us and you fear us," Derek said, looking at the frightened teenager. "But there is no reason to fear the pack, not when we've taken such an interest in you."

"The pack? What the hell is that- a gang? Some weird sex thing that you guys are into," Boyd questioned, Isaac cracking a wry smile. Derek shot him a glare before turning his attention back to the potential, sighing. "Look, we are nothing more than a very unique family, friends- people who can sit with you at lunch. My kids tell me that others ignore you and overlook you, but Boyd, we are looking right at you and we see-" Maia interrupted him, stepping away from Erica a pace, "Potential. People will take notice of you Marcus, all tall and strapping, alluring and bad… You remember Isaac and Erica from before, but look at them now- really take a good look. Erica was always this beautiful and poised even underneath her sweats and those seizures. Isaac was always this self-possessed and handsome even underneath his bruises and timid nature. And Boyd, I can look at you and see this man who is powerful and dangerous and magnetic even underneath your fear. We want to give that to you."

Boyd swallowed, looking at her as his hands tightened into fists. "And you want something from me? My life, maybe," he said, the woman chuckling.

"No, we're going to give that to you. All Derek and I want is your loyalty."

"What are you?"

Maia reached up and undid the halter around her neck, allowing her dress to pool around bare feet. "I thought you'd never ask." Her eyes glowed, Boyd's breath catching in his throat. Erica and Isaac went to hold him through the shift, Maia letting out a soft exhale. She allowed her wolf to take over, allowing the phase to overcome her in a welcoming fashion. Careful of her surroundings, she reared up and before where there had been a woman standing before Boyd, there was now a massive wolf-like creature, standing almost at Derek's chest at the shoulder. Maia bumped her snout against her husband's neck, feeling him pat her lovingly as she sat back on her haunches. "We are werewolves, Boyd and this is what you will become if you join us. You'll be bigger, stronger, faster… better. Everything around you will be brighter, louder, smell more potent, taste great and feel more amazing than words can describe. The Bite will make you almost invincible and what does harm you, you will heal from more rapidly than what should be humanly possible. When you learn control, you will be able to do as Maia just did and phase at will. And all this we will give you for your loyalty through one single, little Bite…"

"Why me," Boyd questioned, Derek gesturing to the teens holding him.

"Ask them, not me."

Isaac pulled away to stand in front of Boyd, his arms open, "Look at me. My dad used to beat the shit out of me because I was weak. I was always alone because no one wanted to hang out with the kid who had unexplained black eyes and broken arms- everyone knew exactly what hell I was going through, but no one did anything about it. No one except Maia and Derek… They, literally, pulled me out of a hole and gave me this gift because they considered me out of all people worthy. Do you know what its like to be considered worthy after a lifetime if being told you're not? Its almost better than sex, almost better than being my wolf- but none of that can truly describe how good it felt. Its was like being born."

"I had a seizure once during class- it was so bad I pissed myself. And some asshole just decided to take a video of it and post it to YouTube. Bad shit happens to the best people, but its only to make them stronger. And that's exactly as I am now- you are an outsider as much as we were. And now we all feel that a piece is missing in our pack… and we all feel that that piece might just be you. Boyd, take this gift and be exactly who you are supposed to be. A man, a predator… A wolf," Erica said lowly in his ear, her voice warm and sweet. She pushed him towards Derek, the man's eyes glowing as red as his wife's had. She growled in her chest, the anticipation getting to her- she wanted it done and over with already. Derek allowed his teeth to lengthen, his claws curling as he stared at Boyd. "Ask me." Boyd had no intentions of begging for something he wasn't sure he was going to regret- his life was shit though and there was no really no reason not to.

Erica pushed him gently to his knees, her hand on his shoulder, "You have to Boyd- he's the Alpha and we are beneath him. You have to ask for the Bite."

Boyd exhaled, closing his eyes.

"I want the Bite."

Derek was on him like a cat on a mouse, snatching his head to one side and burying his teeth in Boyd's throat, tasting the blood that welled up from the Bite. He forced venom into the wound, holding him, feeling the new wolf struggling underneath him.

"That's enough Derek."

He stepped away from Boyd as Maia phased back, her hand on his shoulder. She moved forward to catch him, the teen's head falling forward onto her chest. Maia cradled his head, hearing his racing heartbeat and comforting him through the change. He let out one sob of pain before losing consciousness, the Alpha female kissing his forehead.

"Yes," she breathed, closing her own eyes. "We are… complete."