RATING CHANGE: In anticipation for future chapters, when I post chapter 8, I will be changing the fic rating to M. So if you don't see it, be sure to check the rating filter.

And sorry for being MIA, but it's been a crazy summer. =/ Been working on this chapter since mid-July and finally finished! Hope it was worth the wait...

Disclaimer: Don't own Teen Wolf or anyone in it. If I did, I'd be busy having way too much fun doing other stuff. ^_~

Redemption

Chapter 7

As Jackson crouched in the shadows, he remembered that Cain mentioned that he and his pack were here to "visit someone," Jackson started to get the feeling that maybe that someone was Derek. He watched as the six alphas all went inside and slowly crept around until he was behind the building Cain's room was in.

If Jackson was as smart as he thought he was, he would probably get the hell out of there, but he couldn't help it. If there was something going on, he had to know. Jackson closed his eyes and focused until he could hear the voices on the other side of the wall.

"– gonna tell us that you found a pretty little piece?" Came a male voice.

"And how exactly would you know what he looked like?" Another male voice replied, which Jackson recognized as Cain.

"Because we know your type," a female voice chimed in. Were they talking about him?

"Don't worry about it, I've got plans for him," Cain said. Jackson could just imagine Cain saying that with his lazy smile and a shiver of anticipation ran through his body.

"What about Hale?" Another male voice asked. "I really don't think he's gonna play ball."

"Derek will come around. Eventually he'll realize that his pack will just hold him back and that if he joined us, he would be way better off," Cain said with a laugh.

"I doubt that. He seems really stubborn. Maybe if you hadn't let Athena and Avery run wild and kill that girl of his –"

"Will you shut up Wes?!" Cain hissed. Jackson could hear someone, probably Cain, jump and push someone else, probably this Wes guy, up against a wall. "God! You're like a broken record! What's done is done. Can't exactly put her back together again."

Jackson's breath hitched and his blood ran cold. Two of Cain's pack members killed Derek's "girl"? Were they talking about Erica? If that was true, no wonder Derek was so angry and even scared earlier that night. Because no matter how much Derek didn't like him, Jackson had never felt so much animosity and anger exude from him before. He had to find out more. Focusing his hearing again, Jackson strained to listen to every sound from Cain's room.

Wes continued to argue with Cain and their voices grew louder and then Jackson heard a second female voice say, "Stop it, someone might hear us."

"Like I care, let them hear," Cain replied. "Let them all hear. I'll just rip –"

Rip what? Rip they're throats out? Rip them apart? What? Jackson tried to hear what followed after Cain's words were suddenly cut off. He pressed his ear to the wall and strained to listen, but heard nothing but silence. After a few moments, he heard a tv being turned on. What was going on in there? He didn't think Cain's pack had left. Maybe if he went closer to the window.

"So, hear anything interesting?"

Shit! Jackson jumped up in shock and whirled around to find Cain behind him, his eyes glowing alpha red.

"How–how did you know?" Jackson backed up against the wall, hands suddenly clammy.

"I heard your heart racing. And recognized your scent," Cain said, the look on his face serious.

Jackson's breath hitched again and he swallowed hard. He was scared to death of Cain, but damn if it didn't make him feel kind of warm inside that Cain knew what he smelled like. No! Stop thinking like that, Cain's dangerous. The fact that he let his pack members kill Erica for sport proved it.

"I was leaving, bu–but then I–I wanted to talk you – umm some more," Jackson stammered, hoping to God Cain wouldn't rip his throat out. "I came back but s–saw umm...your pack?"

At Cain's silence, Jackson continued, "I w–was just curious what th–they were like..." Ugghhh...Lame. If he survived the next few minutes, Jackson would seriously kick himself.

"Haven't you heard? Curiosity killed the cat," Cain said blandly as he slowly inched closer.

"Uhh...so I guess lucky for me, I'm not a cat?" Jackson pressed himself back as far as he could despite the hard wall behind him.

"No, you're not a cat, just a scared little wolf pup. Heh," Cain let out a laugh, eyes fading back to normal. "If you wanted to know what my pack was like, you should have just knocked. Come on, I'll introduce you." Cain wrapped an arm around Jackson's shoulders and gave him no other option but move his feet as he was propelled towards the room.

"Th–That won't be necessary. It's late and I'd re–really hate to intrude and I really should get home, it's a long walk," Jackson tried to resist.

Keeping a tight hold on him, Cain continued moving forward, dragging Jackson along with him. "No intrusion, really. And I'm sure they'd like to meet you too. And don't worry, I'll give you a ride home."

Once inside, the door closed behind them as the two female alphas moved to lean against it. Jackson turned his head and gave them a nervous look before his eyes darted around the room, taking in all the alphas. There were five of them, six including Cain. God, he was so dead.

"Hey, relax. We don't bite," teased the blonde girl. "Well, we do, but –"

"But we won't hurt you," Cain interrupted. "I promise, you're safe here."

While Jackson's nerves were still frayed, for some strange reason, he got the feeling that Cain was telling the truth. Even though he didn't like the look he was getting from the raven haired alpha, Jackson knew that Cain wouldn't let the other alphas hurt him...at least not at that moment.

"Introductions, introductions. Jackson this is Athena and Avery," Cain gestured to the girls by the door, "that's Blake and that's Ashe, short for Ashley."

"Hey!" Ashe protested. "No sharing stuff like that." Then turning to look at Jackson with glowing red eyes, he said, "It's Ashe. If I ever hear anything other than Ashe out of your mouth, you're dead. Got it?"

Unable to find his voice, Jackson swallowed hard and simply nodded.

"And that sourpuss over there is Wes," Cain pointed to the black haired alpha.

So that was the alpha that dared to talk back to Cain. Jackson gave him a once over. Yup, scary as hell, but not half as scary as Cain. Jackson was beginning to really regret not listening to Derek earlier.

"Everyone, this is Jackson," Cain said as he ran his fingers through Jackson's hair and then down his neck, shoulder and arm.

It was clear, even to Jackson, that Cain was basically marking him as his territory. Telling his pack members that Jackson belonged to him. And even though it was humiliating, his skin burned wherever Cain's touch passed over. So Jackson stood there, allowing Cain to touch him because the alternative was too frightening. The last thing he wanted was for Cain to decide not to want him and throw him to his wolves, literally.

"All right, out, out." Cain shooed his pack out the door and closed it after them. Then turning to Jackson, he said, "Now, why don't you tell me why you were really eavesdropping on us?" Cain's eyes narrowed. "Did Derek put you up to it?"

"What? Derek? No!" Jackson denied. "Derek has no idea I'm here and even if he did, he wouldn't care. He hates me, remember? And he's not exactly my favorite person either. You heard what he said earlier."

"I did," Cain nodded. "But that could have been an elaborate ruse. After all, he is the one that turned you."

"Well, it's not," Jackson insisted harshly. "There's nothing between me and Derek except a lot of hate and anger. I'm not a part of his pack and I never wanted to be. And he wanted me dead, tried to kill me with the bite." Jackson could feel his pulse racing as all the emotions threatened to overwhelm him.

"Okay, okay," Cain placed a hand on his shoulder. "Alright, just calm down." He slowly moved his hand up to Jackson's neck and then without warning sank his claws deep into the back of Jackson's neck.

"Ahh!" Jackson shouted in pain.

"Shhh…it's okay, I was just making sure you were telling the truth," Cain soothed as he retracted his claws, satisfied that Jackson wasn't plotting with Derek. "But now I know I can trust you."

"Okay," Jackson nodded, trying to get over residual emotions and Cain's intrusion on his person. God, if he survived this, he was going to start going to church every Sunday, or maybe even join a monastery.

"Come on. I'll drive you home. We can talk more later." Cain grabbed his keys and led Jackson out to his car.

They drove to Jackson's house in silence and when Cain got back to the inn, he found his pack waiting for him.

"Are you sure you should keep him around?" Wes asked.

"Yeah. No matter what the circumstances, Derek turned him and that bond could still mean something," Ashe added.

"He's an omega and I'm positive there's nothing between them," Cain replied, his tone brooking no argument. "Do not question me. I'm the pack leader. And Jackson knows everyone in Derek's pack. We can get information from him to use against them."

"But do we really need information against them?" Blake asked. "Can't we just kill them all?"

"I know what I'm doing," Cain snarled. "If I want Jackson around, then he's gonna be around. Got it?"

"Fine, you enjoy your piece of ass, but if he tries anything, he's dead," Wes answered.

"He won't. I can handle him," Cain stared at each of them until they all looked away. "The plan hasn't changed okay? We're still here for one reason and that is Derek. And we're not gonna leave until we have him, one way or another."

Everyone nodded except Wes, who just remained silent.

"There's one little problem though," Athena brought up. "There's a branch of Argents in this town. They haven't been really active these last couple weeks, but their base is pretty secure. They could be a problem."

Blake laughed, "How big of a problem could they be? We've handled plenty of 'problems' and they haven't been able to kill anyone."

"He's right, they shouldn't be an issue," Avery added. "Why don't we just go and take them out now?"

"Because we don't want to attract any unwanted attention to ourselves," Wes answered. "Even if we can kill them and make it look like an accident, their deaths wouldn't go unnoticed. Don't forget, just because we've handled the random hunter we've crossed paths with, doesn't mean they're all that easy to get rid of. And if Rickard hears about a bunch of hunters dying here, he'd know it was us for sure."

"Thank you, Wes, for being such a resounding downer. You never cease to bore me," Cain said with a roll of his eyes.

"I'm just thinking of the pack Cain. Putting it first. Unlike you," Wes accused.

Suddenly the room got very quiet. The tension was electric, and not in a good way.

"Get out," Cain said quietly and furiously, eyes pinned on Wes' as the other alphas quickly cleared the room. "I am so sick and tired of you dragging me down. You've had a stick up your ass ever since I became the pack leader. Always questioning me, second guessing my decisions. But that's what I am: the pack leader. Do you understand? Now if you want to challenge me for the position, go right ahead. In fact, I dare you."

Wes didn't reply, he knew it would be suicide to challenge Cain, at least for now. "I just want you to put the pack first. And I really don't want a repeat of the whole Stephen situation."

"Jackson isn't Stephen. So drop it," Cain said with finality.

"You're right, Jackson isn't Stephen, he's a lot worse," Wes said with a smirk. "Ever heard of a Kanima?" He asked as he tossed some folded sheets of paper to Cain and walked towards the door. He paused and continued, "The hunters, Derek, none of them could stop him. And from what I know, there's a chance a Kanima could resurface." With that, he walked out.

Cain glared after him and crumpled up the papers. As if he didn't read the articles about the strange "animal attacks." But Cain was the pack leader, the strongest of them all and he wasn't about to let any of them tell him what to do. Jackson was a rare treat and Cain was determined to have him. And from what he learned that night, it shouldn't be hard to accomplish. Jackson was an omega. Without an alpha and pack, he had to be lonely. And Cain could see the effect he had on Jackson. He knew that he could easily make Jackson want to be with him. And then an idea started forming in his mind. Two birds with one stone. Cain smiled to himself. Damn, he was good.

Jackson burned as strong hands blazed a path of fire across his chest. He shuddered as hot lips grazed the back of his neck.

"Oh God," he groaned.

"Mmm…you like that, huh?" A deep voice asked.

"Yessss…" He hissed.

The hands slowly moved down his torso until they reached the top of his jeans. They undid the button and zipper and toyed with the waist band of his boxer briefs before stopping.

"You want more?" The voice teased.

"You know I do, Derek," Jackson whispered, desperate for the hands to continue.

"What the hell are you talking about? That's not me."

Jackson jerked his head up to see Derek standing in front of him with a disgusted look on his face.

"W–wait, I…" he stammered.

"You actually thought I would touch you like that?" Derek asked derisively. "As if I would ever. I'd sooner cut off my arm than touch you. You have nothing I want. You're nothing but a weak loser…loser…loser…" The harsh voice echoed as Derek faded into the mist surrounding them.

"Why?" Jackson whispered forlornly. Then he realized that strong arms were still wrapped around his waist. But if it wasn't Derek, who was it?

"Don't be sad. You still have me." A hand on his shoulder suddenly turned him around to find Cain facing him.

He sucked in an audible gasp. "Cain!"

"Who else would it be?" Cain smiled predatorily. "I want you. And now I know you want me too."

"No!" Jackson shouted as he bolted upright in bed. He was breathing hard and drenched in sweat and he could still feel Cain's hands on him. "It was only a dream…" Except that his dreams of Derek didn't turn out to just be dreams. "Why is this happening?" He groaned and flopped back down on his bed.

Jackson looked at the clock: 4:08 AM. He had been tossing and turning for hours as sleep escaped him. And when he finally managed to fall asleep, the dream happened. No, not a dream. It was a nightmare. After everything he found out that night, dreaming of Cain should be a nightmare…right?

He ran his fingers over the back of his neck. Nothing but smooth skin now, but he still remembered the searing pain when Cain's claws sank into him; the same place where Derek had as well. He became linked to Derek when Derek did it to him. Was that how it would be from now on? Would he be linked to Cain? God, he hoped not.

As Jackson lay in bed, his mind went back to the previous night's events, even though part of him wished to forget it all. He wished that he had left immediately after walking back to the inn with Cain. And he really wished he never went with Cain in the first place. And actually, he wished he hadn't gone jogging at all, then none of it would have happened. Jackson flopped over and grabbed a pillow, burying his face under it.

What in the world compelled him to eavesdrop on their conversation? Seriously, six alphas versus one practically brand new omega. If Cain had felt inclined, he wouldn't be in his nice comfy bed right now. Despite the reassurances he had received from Cain, Jackson wasn't completely naive. He knew that his well being could change on a dime if he made Cain angry. There was something in his eyes when he was looking at him, something not quite right. Cain might play casual and laid back, but Jackson could sense that he was like a landmine, ready to blow at any given moment, just waiting for something to set him off.

There were a lot of things that Jackson wished could be different, but most of all wished he could forget Derek's harsh words. Sighing, Jackson knew that it was pointless to hope and wish, after all, didn't he hope and wish the whole Kanima thing had never happened? When was he going to learn? Jackson asked himself once again. It's not like he did anything to show Derek that he could be trusted. How many times did he have to have this argument with himself before it would finally sink into his thick skull? After everything Jackson had said and done, the way he treated everyone.

Wait a sec... Then it hit Jackson. Derek didn't trust him, because he had never done anything to earn it. But what if he did? Jackson thought back to Cain. It was the perfect opportunity to finally do something for someone else for a change. Cain said he trusted him. He would hang out with Cain, pretend to reciprocate whatever Cain wanted and find out what exactly he and his pack were doing in Beacon Hills and how it was connected to Derek. Then Jackson would tell Derek whatever he found out. And even if Derek still didn't want anything to do with him after that, at least Jackson would know that he really tried.

Just as soon as the idea had formed in his mind, a part of him started screaming no, no, no! Danger, danger, danger! And with this dream, how could he even think that getting close to Cain was a good idea?! What if something happened? Worse yet, what if a part of him wants it to?

"Oh that's just great!" Jackson sat up and ran a hand down his face. Joining a monastery seemed like a way better option. Except, he owed it to Derek to try and help him. That and being celibate forever really didn't sound like a good life choice for himself. No, Jackson had to find out what Cain was up to because he knew that Derek would go after Cain, if not for anything else, but because Erica had been murdered.

Poor Erica. Jackson was never friends with her and never really even noticed her; that is until after Derek turned her. But even then, unless she was right in front of him threatening to kill him, Jackson didn't think of her. He was too busy thinking of himself, as usual. Although in his defense the whole Kanima thing was a pretty big deal. But no matter what, it was a really shitty way to go and she didn't deserve to die like that. No one did.

Now, if Jackson could just somehow keep his cool around Cain. He'll have to figure it out, because he was determined to go through with his crazy scheme. Jackson was going to do it for Derek. He looked at his clock again; 4:52 AM. Just great.

Don't forget, the rating will change to M when I post the next chapter.

Also, is it just me, or did the show change what omegas were...cuz in S2 E1, didn't Derek tell Scott that omegas were packless and basically rejects. But in S3 E9 (?), one of the twins said that they were omegas while in their old pack... -_-;; Whatever, I'm sticking to the first explanation...

Please R&R =)