Hey, loves! Sorry for the delay. Things have gotten busy on my end! I'm heading on vacation this next week so I'll try and get up another chapter before I go!

This chapter is dedicated to teresaseda28, as per usual, for her wonderful reviews!

Also, I would like it known, that I do know it takes longer than 24 hours to run a DNA test. Mattie isn't familiar with criminology.

Matilda awoke the next morning and showered really quick before she got dressed, pulling on a pleated red plaid skirt, a pair of black leggings, black ankle boots, and a red blouse. She looked at herself in the mirror and nodded, knowing that she needed to go back to work, but she didn't need to dress like the older librarians who worked at the school. Speaking of libraries, she needed to stop by the public one to put in her two weeks, not that it mattered. They weren't scheduling her anyway, not that she minded. She figured that since Derek was back full time and with the Alpha on the loose targeting her, she didn't need to spend her nights out at the library.

After having her morning cup of coffee, Matilda made her way to the police station to pick up Derek. The librarian stepped from her car, purse across her body before she made her way inside. She waved to the Sheriff, who waved back before she approached the front desk.

"I'm here to pick up a Derek Hale." There was a silence. "He has been released, hasn't he?"

"I'm afraid not." Matilda frowned.

"You're kidding. It doesn't take 24 hours to run a fiber or DNA analysis…" The man behind the counter gave her a tight lipped smile. Matilda sighed heavily and ran her tongue over her lips a moment. "Can I at least see Derek?"

"Sheriff said no visitors." A huff escaped Matilda's lips before she turned and looked at the Sheriff. He looked up a bit before he shook his head. Matilda scratched her head before she turned and looked at the guy.

"Can you at least call me so I can come pick him up when he gets out?" She asked, making sure to put some emphasis on the p in "up," popping it slightly. The man looked at her a moment, eying her before he nodded his head. She smiled over at him before she turned and left, huffing quietly. Dicks.

Matilda arrived at the school in ample time, unlike two days ago. She stepped inside, making sure to put her things down and clock in before she made herself comfortable at her desk. As she sat in the library, occasionally helping students and reshelving books, she found that her day went by rather quickly, well, up until she heard the news about the newly deceased bus driver. To be honest, the woman was shocked, but with the alpha out and about, she couldn't imagine anything else happening. Of course, for everyone else, she acted shocked and upset about the whole ordeal despite how she felt a bit…numb about it. She didn't know him and as such, it didn't hit home as much as Laura's death did.

Lunch came and Matilda ate it alone in silence. She didn't feel like dealing with Scott and Stiles and their useless theories about her best friend. They were starting to irritate her and an irritated Matilda was something that no one wanted.

Right after lunch, at about one thirty, Matilda got a phone call from the police department. The librarian was so excited, she nearly darted off the school's premises at that moment, but knew she needed to wait until her shift was over, which wasn't for another two hours. Another two hours that went by at an agonizingly slow pace. Still, once that minute hand clicked to the last second of her imprisonment at work, the woman was off, biding everyone a good evening as she headed out the door, down the hall, down the stairs and to her car. Once inside, she sped off to the police station.

As before, the woman exited her car and made her way up the steps and into the police station's front desk/waiting area. She approached the desk, smiling as she had in the morning.

"Once again, I'm here to pick up one Derek Hale." The man eyed her before he sighed and nodded his head. Her smile brightened significantly as the man motioned towards the back area. Turning on her heel, she made her way down the hall and towards where the cells were. It was a small police department and she may have been there one time before. Once in the holding area, Matilda tilted her head to the side as she looked around. "Real homey, Derek." The wolf's head shot up and he looked over at her from his sitting position, his knees spread so that his hands hung in between them. She smiled. "C'mon, Wolfman, I'm here to take you home," she told him. He looked over at her, smirking as he stood up. The man from the front desk arrived with the keys. He unlocked the doors and let Derek out. The brooding man gave him a look of disdain before he approached Matilda. Protectively, his arm wrapped around his best friend's shoulders as the two turned and made their way towards the front desk where he collected his personal effects.

Once inside of Matilda's car, Derek was the first to speak.

"Did you need to wear that?" Matilda rolled her eyes.

"Seriously, Derek?" There was a silence as Matilda started the car, engine roaring to life as usual. "I was hoping it would help get you out of there faster, but the dick behind the counter wasn't having any of it." Derek rolled his eyes as his friend backed up her car before putting it in drive and heading off for his home where the newer version of her car in a darker color awaited her master.

"Don't do it again." Now it was Matilda's turn to roll her eyes.

"I'm a grown ass woman, I can do what I want."

"A grown ass woman that can't even take care of herself," he muttered.

"I'd be able to take care of myself I was a were," she muttered back. Derek's head snapped over to look at her and the man jerked her wheel to the side, driving them off of the road as Matilda slammed her foot on the break. She turned, looking at Derek incredulously as he put the car in park, glaring at her.

"What did you say?" Matilda sighed, running her hands through her hair.

"I said that I would be able to take care of myself I was a wolf…" She closed her eyes and when she opened them, Derek was looking into her forest green eyes with his dark green ones.

"No." Matilda snorted.

"No?"

"I said no, Matilda." The librarian looked at him, knowing Derek only used her full name when he was being serious.

"It doesn't matter anyway, Derek. It's not like you can bite me," she said as she went to put the car in drive, Derek's hand stopped her.

"No, but if the alpha senses you want it, he may give it to you." Matilda looked up at him.

"And would it really be so bad?"

"YES," he barked. "When you're bitten, you either turn or you die. I don't need you to die, Mattie." Matilda's eyes flashed.

"What? Do you not think I'm strong enough?" Derek sighed heavily.

"NO. I just don't think it's a good idea for you." Matilda laughed shortly.

"You've got to be kidding me! Derek! How is it not a good idea?" Derek's nostrils flared a moment before he opened the door to the car.

"Because I said it's not!" He shouted as he slammed the door shut and ran off into the woods.

Matilda leaned back in her seat, sighing heavily and closing her eyes. She tried to get herself to relax before she shook her head. Dammit Derek infuriated her sometimes. She sat up, putting her car in drive and heading back home. If Derek wanted to go run around in the woods all night to blow off his steam, that was fine by her. She didn't need him around anyway…or at least that was what she told herself.

Matilda arrived home shortly after and made herself a quick dinner before she locked her doors and windows, making sure all were shut before she cuddled up in to bed, closing her eyes. Her eyes snapped open as the image of her best friend's lifeless eyes stared back at her. She sighed, turning on the light beside her bed. She shook her head, taking a few deep breaths. Her eyes weld up with tears and for the first time since she found Laura's body, she started to cry so hard the sobs wracked her body. It was times like this she was glad she lived alone. She wasn't ready to deal with anyone asking her if she was okay or what was wrong. No one was ever ready for those kinds of questions when their friend died.