A/N – Sorry for the huge delay…got sidetracked with so many other stories, and it took me a while to get my head back into Mal's character, not to mention time to puzzle out what his big plan consists of…but I think I have it all in my mind now. I will try to get updates out much more quickly. Sorry for the short chapter.

At school the next day, Mal made his plans while paying half-attention to the lesson on the finer points of the periodic table of elements.

"And who can tell us what the defining quality of a noble gas is? Who will provide me with the wrong answer this time…Edwards?"

Edwards was fast asleep, and too groggy to filter his usual smartass remarks. "It's when a king farts." The class laughed.

"Detention…I already filled out the card before class, here you go, you may gather your things and head down to see the principal…and now let's go to a student who might actually make himself famous one day…Drake!"

Stiles, Scott, Jackson, and Allison stared openly at Mal, while Lydia pretended to be more interested in powdering her nose.

"A noble gas has enough electrons to completely fill its outer shell, making it highly resistant to forming bonds with other elements; since it retains its unique qualities despite the influence of the common elements all around it, it is viewed as 'superior' or 'noble'."

Stiles shook his head in awe, while Scott scowled. Allison beamed at him, then turned to Lydia and whispered something in her ear. Jackson just glared at him.

Harris nodded, pleased. "An excellent and absolutely correct answer. Mal, there is no point in forcing you to sit through a tedious mid-term. Keep this up and I'll exempt you from the final exam as well."

Mal smiled, the long unused muscles twitching in surprise. "Thank you, Sir. I appreciate that." Too bad the school likely wouldn't be around long enough for mid-terms.

"Kiss-ass." muttered Edwards as he stalked by Mal's desk. He reached one hand over to sweep Mal's books onto the floor as he walked by. Mal (who of course had been expecting this) stuck his foot out and tripped the bigger boy who promptly fell to the floor, smacking his head loudly into the corner of Mal's desk on the way down. He lay there unconscious and bleeding while Mal stared down at him.

Harris turned back around and glared at Edwards before picking up the intercom handset on the wall. "Stupid lout, even walking's too much for his tiny mind. Mal, you aren't hurt, are you?"

"No, Sir. I'm feeling pretty good."

Mal sidled up to Harris after class. The chemistry teacher had shown a liking for Mal (the first teacher in a very long time to have done so) since Mal was one of the few students that showed aptitude for the subject of chemistry. Mal liked that the teacher recognized his talent and held him up as an example to the rest of the class. Maybe he would see to it that Harris survived…hell, from the vibes he was getting, the bitter fuck might even help Mal with his plans. This town just got better and better, what a freaking cast of characters!

"Mr. Harris…can I get your opinion on something?" Mal looked intently into Harris' eyes.

"Of course, son. What can I do for the brightest student I've seen in my entire career, and makes me proud to be a teacher?"

Mal's mouth opened and shut in surprise at this unexpected compliment, and he reeled that the teacher had called him 'son'. He quickly recovered.

"There's a girl in class…she's really pretty, and she keeps flirting with me and asking to study together. I know I'm…a bookish-looking type. If she's really into me, I'd say yes, but I have the feeling she's just using me to get a good grade in the class. What should I do?"

Harris looked at Mal a long time, and Mal wondered if the teacher saw through the ruse. Then he blinked and took off his glasses, rubbing his eyes.

"You know, Drake, you remind me a lot of myself when I was your age. One day, you'll meet a woman who appreciates everything you are…but I'd spare you some of the pain that I went through if I could. A beautiful woman once threw herself at me simply to gain knowledge of chemistry that most street thugs master by the time they're fifteen. She used that information to commit a crime I nearly got blamed for. Use this mystery girl in class and discard her if you must, but you make her pay for every bone you throw her…in advance. If you know what's good for you, you won't let yourself get emotionally involved. Will you take my advice?"

Mal nodded. "In a way, I already have. Thank you. You've been very helpful."

Harris nodded, obvious pain in his eyes. "I always knew you were a bright student." He gave Mal a gentle pat on the shoulder, and Mal surprised himself by not flinching. Harris grabbed his books and left. Mal stood there, watching him go. Damn, this town was fucked up, and it was fucking with his own head too. The people at the other schools…it was like they weren't real, just cardboard cut-outs that were too crudely made to fool the dullest child. In Beacon Hills, he was finding kindred spirits everywhere making him begin to doubt for the first time if he really wanted to go through with this.

The class door slammed. Scott McCall stood there glaring at Mal. "If this 'mystery girl' is Allison…then you better stay away from her."

Oh yeah. He really wanted to go through with this.

"It isn't, Scott. Didn't I tell you I wasn't romantically or sexually interested in anyone at this school? You know I am telling the truth."

Scott cocked an ear, and seemed to be listening intently. A puzzled look came onto his face.

"Yeah…you are. That's the weird thing. Why were you quizzing Harris about what to do with girls? Anything he knows came out of a book."

Mal thought a second, then decided to take a gamble.

"If you were listening to him as carefully as you were to my heartbeat a moment ago, then you'd realize Harris as much admitted to me that it was Kate Argent who started the fire at the Hale house and killed that whole family of werewolves."

Scott turned white in shock at Mal's words. "You know about that?"

Mal walked up to Scott, and for all that Scott's eyes were glowing amber and that he sported the beginnings of fangs and claws, he was the one that backed up against the wall.

"What did I tell you, Scott? I am really good at figuring people out. And I know something else too…the identity of the Alpha. His human identity."

"How…" Scott lost the ability to speak.

A new voice startled them both.

"I don't give a shit how you know it…but I want to hear that name."

Derek Hale stood by the windows, obviously having just climbed through despite the fact that they were on the second floor. His leather jacketed arms were folded tightly across his chest, and he definitely looked like he was straining his glaring muscles to the limit.

"Not now. But very soon."

Derek pushed away from the wall and stalked towards Mal, his eyes flashing a brilliant blue.

"Tell me, or I will rip your throat out…with-"

Mal rolled his eyes. "Oh fucking spare me, Fonzie. Do I smell scared to you? You think I'm one of your little cubs that you can scare the shit out of with a look or slam into the wall when you feel like it? Guess again. You are not ready to hear it. I will tell you when the time is right. I have no allegiance to the Alpha and wish to see him dead for reasons of my own, and will be glad to help you kill him. And with my help, you will succeed. Am I telling the truth?"

Derek was more surprised at Mal's response than at anything else in his life. He had to admit it…the kid was telling the truth and did not fear Derek in the slightest. He had Alpha potential.

"Yes." The older Beta's eyes were wide and uncertain…although his claws twitched with eagerness and the fangs were grinding together something frightful.

"Good. Then stay out of my way until I'm ready to tell you. Or kill me…that is, try to. If you succeed, then you never find out what I know. If you fail, well that would lead to an interesting situation."

Mal turned and walked to the door. "Move, Scott."

Scott backed off and Mal left the class room.

Derek and Scott looked at each other.

"We need to find out more about this kid. I still don't trust him, and I'm beginning to think that he may be more dangerous than the Alpha. We need to do some digging that he won't detect, and we need someone to do it that he hasn't had direct contact with yet. Any ideas?"

Scott thought for a second. "Yeah. One name springs to mind. I'll call him."