She stood, outlined in darkness as careful eyes scanned the street from the window.

"You haven't slept in days. You're jumpy. You're suffering from this overwhelming fear that something terrible is about to happen."

Maia smirked and nodded, adjusting herself for comfort, "That's because it is."

Peter moved to lean against the other side of the window so that he could see her face, scanning her profile the best he could. "Hyper-vigilant, a trait of a worthy Alpha," he murmured, the woman sighing.

They had been holed up in an abandoned cabin for the past three or four days since the events of the last full moon, trying to stay under the radar. It was clear that they were being watched, seeing the black SUVs always sitting down the street or driving behind them.

"Have you persuaded Derek to go under yet," Peter questioned, seeing the tiny lines around her eyes tighten fractionally. She shook her head and sighed, reaching out to stroke the glass. "No. If my mate is anything, he is resistant- he wants to maintain the façade, but fuck me if that hasn't crumbled just a bit. We revealed ourselves to two humans. The Kanima has killed and it's still out there. A… child is dead- and he was a child, no matter how fucked up in the head he was. And Derek just wants to pretend like all eyes aren't on us. Rather to look guilty and run while we still can than to risk the survival of the pack," she replied quietly, her thoughts on Isaac and the others. She was glad to know that he was home and safe after he had been injured while running with Derek, but she hadn't been in contact with her pack beyond that. Her husband wanted nothing to do with Peter and he made damn sure he had no contact with the pack- Derek was Alpha and his word was law… for now.

There was a beat of silence between them for a moment before Maia sighed, folding her arms across her chest. "So how does it feel, being out of commission for a few months and coming back to lizard people, geriatric psychopaths and self-esteem deprived adolescent werewolves?" Peter chuckled and nodded, "Well, its… strange. But I'm obviously here for a reason."

"You're the last family member we have left and contrary to popular belief, I believe that there's still a lot you can teach. I'm not naïve enough to say that I'm the best Alpha ever to have come along, but I'm on my way and I need to know everything I can," Maia replied evenly, looking at the former Alpha. He chuckled and nodded, looking out at the night. "Well, since that wasn't my finest performance- seeing how I ended up dead- you could look elsewhere for guidance, information-"

"From who, Derek," she asked harshly, trying to keep the malice out of her voice. "We both know that so far he's been a complete and utter failure as an Alpha. I lead the pack, Peter and he doesn't even see it."

Peter met her gaze and he smirked, "Why do you think I joined up?"

"You flatter me."

The werewolves both drew away from the window and Maia looked at her pack mate, curious. "Peter… I need to know your thoughts on what to do about Jackson. He was definitely bit by Derek, and that means he has Hale blood running through his veins. By association, you can see why I'm reluctant to kill him," she said, pulling on her jacket and tossing him his. He nodded in agreement and thought back on his vast knowledge of supernatural folklore, "There's a myth that you can cure lycanthropy simply by calling out its Christian name, and while that's obviously not true, there is sometimes a hint of veracity within the mystic. Our names are a symbol of who we are-"

"And the Kanima doesn't know who it is."

"That's why it doesn't seek a pack, to align its identity with others- it seeks a master to give it purpose. And the human parallel would be an orphaned child, just like Jackson," Peter replied as they began to walk through the forest, heading back to town. Maia nodded and ran her fingers back through her hair, "He's buried underneath the Kanima and the only way we can get to him is calling out to who he really is: his heart." The second werewolf was quiet for a moment before looking at the woman beside him, his still wild emotions raw. "Yes, there is a certain tie that we all have. And even somebody as burned and dead on the inside as me knows better than to underestimate the simple yet undeniable power of love…"

There was a sound of what seemed to be a far-off pack of werewolves, both of them turning to the direction for which it came. "Maia," Peter murmured, reaching out to grasp her shoulder.

She turned back to where they were going, starting to run, "We have to get to Derek and the others."

The Alpha male was standing in the doorway to the backyard, inhaling deeply as Isaac same to stand behind his shoulder. "When are we going to discuss what happened the night of the full moon Derek? The teen was unsure of how to approach the topic of the second pack, curious of what such a thing entailed.

"Isaac-"

Boyd and Erica burst through the front door, looking at Derek, "There's more of us."

"Excuse me," Derek questioned as he turned to face them, searching their wild eyes for answers. The two told him of how they had been walking through the woods and had heard a second pack. Erica looked at him, swallowing before she spoke, "Derek… things are dangerous here- too dangerous. And I think its time we go. Get Maia and run."

"You would have me bow down to another?"

Maia appeared in the doorway of the living room, the pack looking at her, unsure of what she was doing here after having run away previously and who exactly the man was with her. "Kids, meet… your uncle, Peter Hale. Peter, meet your pack: Erica, Boyd and Isaac," she said, making casual introductions that didn't fit the situation. Everyone could feel the tense air that stole through the room, husband and wife looking at each other, "Now what's this about a second pack? You couldn't possibly be thinking about running off, can you Erica?"

"We heard them- at least twelve wolves," Boyd replied quietly, the Alpha male scoffing. "If there were twelve more werewolves in the area, don't you think that we would have heard or seen something the night of the full moon?" Isaac's eyes cut quickly to Maia and she held his gaze for a moment, forcing him to look away. "There's something called the Beau Geste Effect that creates the auditory illusion that what could only be two wolves can sound like a dozen," Derek continued, his wife agreeing silently. "So save yourselves the worry and stick with what you know. Besides, if the other Alpha- if there is one- wanted any of you, he would have challenged one of us and called out to you. Going off and running to another pack thinking you'll just slip into the ranks is a good way to get to yourself killed…"

"And staying here isn't," Erica questioned, seeing Maia's eyes narrowed.

The Alpha shook her head and shrugged, "Go then. And pray you survive the night.

"Derek, we have things to discuss…"

As the two Alphas went to talk, Peter looked at his new pack mates, trying put them at ease. "So, where's McCall? He still with us or did mom and dad finally cull the little mutt," he questioned, moving to sit down on the couch. Isaac surprisingly bared his teeth, letting out a grisly growl, "Don't talk about my brother like that." Peter raised his hands in consolation, smirking humorlessly at the young wolf. "My apologizes. I wouldn't want to get on the Beta's bad side, just yet."

The younger wolves left then, stepping outside and looking at each other. "I don't care what ether of them says Isaac. I don't want to die, not yet- I just got my life back," Erica whispered conspiratorially, looking at the Beta. He was angry, his mouth tight as he spoke, his eyes on both of his pack mates. "Yeah, the life that Derek and Maia gave you! And you as well Boyd-"

"Isaac, there are people dying! This isn't what I signed up for!"

"You knew exactly what you signed up for when they gave you the Bite, both of you," Isaac shouted, growling at his brother and sister. "But if you want to leave, then go. And don't come back because there's no home for you after you betray us- you don't abandon the family or the pack, especially in a time of need."

The teen went back inside, slamming the door behind him as Boyd looked at Erica. He held his hand out to her and squeezed gently as she wrapped her fingers around his, nodding.

"Let's go Erica."