Chapter 3

Scott takes a calming breath as he stares at the closed door to Liam's house; he deliberately raises his fists and gives the door 3 sharp raps. He waits a few moments but when there is no answer he knocks again, "Liam." Silence is his only reply and a glance through a nearby window reveals a stillness to the house that suggests emptiness. Damn, this was not going well. Scott had hoped to have found Liam by now but so far all he had managed to do was alienate Stiles further. It had been stupid to think that Liam would be at school after Hayden …

But if he isn't at home where is he? He pulls out his phone and sends off a quick text.

'Hey Liam r u ok? Where r u?'

Good one Scott! 'R u ok?' of course he wasn't gonna be okay. God, he was no good as this. He wished Stiles was here, Stiles would know what to do … Dammit Scott you're the kids Alpha, act like it for goodness sake! He presses the call button and puts the phone up to his ear listening to the ringing signal but Liam doesn't answer and it goes to voicemail, "Hi Liam, it's Scott, look I'm sorry man I can't imagine what you must be going through but I just wanted to let you know that I'm here for you. We're pack Liam so whatever you need … I'm worried about you man so when you get this can you give me a call. Thanks. I am sorry."

Oh yeah cos that was just so much better, shit why was this all so hard? Focus Scott, think, Liam's dad is a Doctor, maybe Liam was at the hospital with his dad. Scott turns and heads off the stoop towards his bike planning on going to check out the hospital as Mason is coming up the path to Liam's front door.

"Scott! Hey man how are you?" Mason's eyes light up as he gives Scott an obvious once over, "Dude you look amazing!"

"Thanks?"

"Na, I mean you were practically dead like two days ago and now look at you all walking and talking and looking totally normal. Man this werewolf stuff is amazing!" Mason fanboys with a big grin on his face.

"Yeah, I guess. Um, Mason do you know where Liam is?"

"Actually that's why I'm here to see if he's at home but if not, then sadly no sorry. I haven't seen him since that night, you, at the library, you know …" Mason's smile freezes as images flash behind his eyes, Liam standing over Scott ready to kill him; Scott lying on the library floor and all that blood; Mrs. McCall desperately fighting to save her son's life and thank God she had. If only she could have been able to help Hayden too …

"Me too. I'm kinda worried about him, so if you do see him can you let me know?

Scott's words bring Mason back to the present and he can see genuine worry in his eyes, he really does want to help Liam, "Sure Scott."

"Thanks." Scott doesn't turn to leave yet though, it looks obvious to Mason that he wants to say something else but is hesitating.

"You okay Scott?"

"Huh? Oh yea sure. Look can I ask you a question, about yesterday at school?" Scott gestures to the steps and they both take a seat.

"You mean with Stiles going all Dark Side on Theo? What was up with that, he looked liked he wanted to kill the kid!"

Scott couldn't deny that Mason had a point, the look on Stiles' face when he pulled him off Theo was one of pure hatred, "Pretty sure Theo is public enemy number 1, 2 and 3 in Stiles' book right now" with me following right behind him Scott adds to himself, "and that's what I wanted to ask you, about Theo. The rumour mill swears gospel that you and Theo were talking in the hall when the whole Stiles thing went down and I wondered if there was any truth to it?"

Mason shrugs slightly, "Yea sounds surprisingly accurate."

"What were you two talking about?"

"Ugh that guy! Last time I see him he's knocking me out in the school library and the next thing he's all best mates acting like nothing ever happened; I mean Serious psychopathic tendencies right?" He looks over at Scott to find the young alpha nodding his head in agreement,

"So Theo was being all best buds with you? Why, what did he want?"

Mason snorted, "Who knows why crazy does what it does but he was certainly giving the concerned friend bit the hard sell. He was blowing a fair bit of smoke too saying how he thought I was really smart and noticed how I was such a good friend to Liam helping him and being there for him and his pack. He told me he hoped that I stayed being Liam's friend especially now when things were so tough. He wanted me to know that he had only ever been looking out for Liam too and hoped that perhaps him and I could become friends. That's pretty much when Stiles 'The Punisher' Stalinski hit full force and you know what happened from there."

Scott's hands had bunched into tight fists as Mason talked about Theo, "He thinks he's looking out for Liam?" he spits out between clenched teeth and he can feel a dim glow burning in his eyes. How warped was this guy that he thought this was how you treated friends? No, he had other motives at work and he was just using that poor kid to his own ends, willing to manipulate Liam and turn him into a killer for what? Well Liam was Scott's beta, Scott's pack and he wasn't going to let Theo hurt his pack any longer!

A low growl starts rumbling at the back of Scott's throat and Mason puts a hand gently on his arm, "Don't worry Scott I wasn't buying his bull and I won't be defecting to 'Team Theo' anytime soon, there's something really off about that guy. I'm sure when Liam calms down he'll see that too and things'll go back to how they were."

"Thanks Mason, Liam is lucky to have such a good friend … and so am I." Scott smiles at Mason as he stands up and turns to leave but before he can take a step Mason stops him, "Scott."

"Yea?"

"I, uh, I was at the hospital just before, seeing if Liam had maybe gone there to visit his dad, which he didn't, but while I was there I um found out that Lydia is in hospital."

"What?! Lydia? Are you sure?"

"Look, I don't know what's wrong with her but her mum looked really upset and I don't think it's good."

"Um, thanks Mase, I better go and see how she's doing. If Liam calls ..." Scott starts running towards his bike.

"Don't worry Scott I'll let you know."

"Thanks!" he calls out as he slams his helmet on and speeds off towards the hospital.