WOO! On such a roll here, so happy with how this story is progressing! Once again, thank you to all those who have faved, reviewed and followed my story, it really means a lot.

And now without any further ado, here's Chapter Three!

XoxoxoxoxoX

I woke up early the next morning despite having little sleep, a combination of orgasm-inducing dreams and sheer nerves at possibly meeting my maker today. I was really starting to regret having pissed Derek off before I'd even met the guy. It was 6:30 am and the sun was barely up, casting beautiful ethereal shadows from the woods, creating a light mist in the street in front. Having nothing better to do until Nick decided to wake up I decided to do some cooking. I love cooking, baking, anything really that involved the preparation of food and had since I was a young pup and my mother would teach me basic kiddy recipes to focus my untamed energy on something productive. Now it served merely as a stress relief and something that I only ever did when I was anxious or wound up. Two days before we had moved to Beacon Hills in fact, I had baked five cakes, six batches of muffins and made about ten different soups, casseroles and roast dinners. Nick and I had happily eaten them all of course, but it was my one tell when anything was really bothering me.

And so this is how Nick found me four hours later, covered in flour and frosting, with four cakes and a full breakfast of bacon, eggs, sausages, grilled tomatoes, toast and two steaming towers of pancakes plus fresh juice and coffee.

"A wee bit nervous are we then?" Nick asked jauntily as he piled up his plate.

"Just a little, no biggy."

"Yes biggy! We're meeting another Alpha today, one whom, I'd like to remind you, you pissed off enough that he has teenagers sending you messages rather than doing it himself."

"So this can only end well?"

"More or less," he mumbles with cheeks comically stuffed with food. "Do we have a plan if things go south today?"

"Run like hell sounds as good as any right now but this guy is so strange. Not like the other Alphas we've come across. He's calculated but he's running on raw emotion at the same time. It's odd. Besides, he could have sent all his pack to attack us that first night and be done with it. Why wait almost a month?"

"I dunno, maybe the guy's a fan of suspense."

"No, he seems way too impatient for that sort of thing. He was ringing Stiles after only a short time so that's either indication of strong pack bonds or he just doesn't like to be kept waiting."

"I suppose you get that with guys who have lived in the Big Apple?"

"He lived in New York? How do you know this?" I asked suspiciously. Nick just chuckled.

"I've been scrapping bits and pieces together from Melissa at the hospital who only has a partial picture from Scott. Seems he and his uncle Peter are the last of their family due to some tragic accident about ten years ago. His uncle is some sort of socio-path but Derek still keeps him around; apparently the guy is like Jesus, managed to come back from the dead or something like that. Peter was actually the one who turned Scott and attempted to turn another human in the pack, Lydia I think Melissa said, but she was immune to the bite and survived."

"What? No way!" I scoffed. "We both know that either the bite turns you or kills you. No one has ever been immune from it! And really, a guy coming back from the dead? It's all a little hard to believe!"

"Yes but remember that werewolves aren't supposed to exist either and yet, here we are eating breakfast."

"Fair enough. Melissa tell you anything else?"

"Well I did get some small tid bits of information regarding the other members of the pack. Seems after Derek had killed his uncle, a hunter moved into town by the name of Gerard. One nasty motherfucker by all accounts. He wasn't following any form of code and then all hell seemed to break loose on the town. Apparently Derek got his hackles all in a bunch and began trying to build a little pack of his own. Bit three teens, that's Isaac, Erica and Boyd, in a short space of time. He bit another kid, Jackson, earlier but he had some sort of adverse reaction to the bite; Melissa mentioned something about a lizard monster but it wasn't very clear. Anyway, long story short, they managed to get Jackson to turn full wolf, got rid of the hunter and all is right with the world…well, sort of. The same night that all this went down, Erica and Body got caught by the Alpha pack. Roughed 'em up a little but nothing terribly serious. More scare tactics than anything else. And that's when we come into the picture."

"Interesting," I muttered, taking in all the new information in. "So weren't they worried about other hunters coming back for retribution? After all, a wolf possibly killed one of their own, isn't it in their code or something?"

"It is part of the code but get this! There's a family of hunters here in Beacon Hills! That Gerard guy was the father and grandfather of the father/daughter team here. The father actually helped the wolves defeat him. But it gets so much better," he goes on gleefully, seeing my incredulous expression. "As it turns out, the daughter, Allison, is Scott's little girlfriend!"

"Say what?!" I cried, overwhelmed. "A hunter happily dating a werewolf? Jesus, Nick, what kind of cluster fuck have we gotten ourselves into? I mean, we're going to meet an Alpha who killed his uncle only to have him come back to life, who turns teenagers into ravenous monsters so he feels safer, turned one into a crazy lizard beast and then back to a wolf, two humans who he sends to do his dirty work unprotected and a beta who is dating a hunter? Great, just great! I'm starting to think that meeting up with this guy isn't a good idea anymore."

Nick, rather than sharing my anxieties, just laughed. "Breath, Scarlett! You're getting way too ahead of yourself. Look, Derek obviously seems a little out of his depth here, meaning he clearly hasn't been an Alpha as long as you have, or around a fledgling pack before either. As for Allison, Stiles and Lydia? Well, if they are fool-hardy and brave enough to survive a pack like this then they are clearly an asset. We'll just take this as it comes but, as always my dear, the final decision is yours."

I let out a deep breath and tried to will away the tension in my shoulders. "You're right, my love. I'm just over thinking things again. It's just that if I had known what I was setting us up for I maybe wouldn't have accepted Deaton's proposal so quickly, or at the very least charged the pups in the woods to keep them away. It all seems like more trouble than the end result is worth."

"It very well could be but again, we'll never know until we've tried."

"True enough." I glanced at the clock and saw we had another hour and a half until we had to meet Derek and I felt filthy from the caked on flour and grease and the sweat induced by fear and nerves. I was in desperate need of a shower to say the least. "Well, I should probably start getting ready; nothing says intimidating like a she-wolf Martha Stewart."

"Good call, your scent is a little more pungent them usual today." Nick said nonchalantly while dodging the spatula and spoon I threw at his head. "I've laid your clothes out on your bed; I'll see you up there soon."

I nodded and made my way upstairs, not before pausing to give Nick a sound thwack on the back of his stupid, pretty boy head. Just because he was gay he didn't have to act like a bitchy little queen! That was just enforcing stereotypes as far as I was concerned. I stripped completely once I got into the bathroom and stood under the steaming spray from the shower, sighing contentedly. As I washed the last hours off my body and washed my hair thorough I felt my traitorous mind flash back to the latest in the long line of 'mate dreams'. Last night's in particular had left me sitting bolt upright with actual tears streaming down my face. I'm no hopeless romantic by any stretch of the word but that dream, so lucid and vivid, had made my heart ache. The man, my imaginary mate, had been so sweet, so tender, his back against the arm of a sofa in an old house as I reclined against him, his hands drifting lazily over my pregnant belly while whispering in my ear about the pup I was currently bearing, hoping it would have his eyes but my smile or some such nonsense. It was beautiful. It was simple…it was nothing more than a delusion.

I had long ago resigned myself to a life of spinsterhood. That's not to say I couldn't enjoy the company of a man both in and out of the bedroom but as for a long term, committed relationship? No way. There was enough trouble in my life without bringing someone else into the equation, be it wolf or man. And to bring children into this world? Having to explain to a possible human partner that his children would become small balls of fluff every time the moon was full? Again, no way. Being alone was far easier than any relationship could ever be. There was, of course, the possibility of finding my mate one day, that one true soul who I could bond with entirely and who would ruin me for all others. It was an idyllic notion truthfully, one I had fantasized about as a pup, watching my mother and father in such blissful happiness with one another, bonded for eternity. But they were just a few of the lucky ones. The world was a large place, with many potential mates inhabiting its far corners, so most wolves never get to meet their one true mate. If you were, you souls were bonded and no other person could fill that little void in your heart once you had both recognized each other. Wolves, after all, mate for life and no substitutions were allowed. To deny your mate, once the wolf inside of you had declared its intentions, was to slowly and painfully kill yourself. Without your other half, you were nothing. But I wasn't one of the lucky ones, I probably never would be, and sadly that was okay too. Finding a mate whom you fall deeply and madly in love with is nothing more than a fairytale and I had stopped believing in fairytales fifteen years ago.

I eventually stepped out of the shower, fresh and clean and quickly dried myself off, deciding to let my blond hair dry naturally it waves rather than waste time with a straightening iron. Make-up had never really been a necessity for me, not to brag or anything. It was just a perk of being inhabited by a she-wolf who took pride in her appearance. Long eyelashes framed big blue 'anime' eyes, full pink lips and rather pale skin. Apparently I was short for a wolf my age, only five foot four at most, barely 5"6 when wearing heels but I was toned and athletic from the fast metabolism that also came as one of the few perks of turning into a bitch every full moon – in more ways than one. Another resigned sigh I slipped back into my bedroom and found the clothes Nick had laid out. My brother sure did know what I liked and he had picked exactly what I needed. A short black corseted dress with red and white flowers dotting its entirety. Black combat boots with a slight heel and a light denim jacket to go over the top of it all, plus a red beanie to place delicately on my head. Not bad, not bad at all Nicholas. I pulled my clothes and examined the reflection starring back at me. The dress certainly accentuated my figure nicely and my cleavage was impressive without being too much. The boots, jacket and beanie gave the dress an edgier look so I looked innocent enough to send the image 'a threat? Lil old me?' but at the same time look tough enough to kick ass if necessary. Perfect.

I heard the shower kick on and figured Nick was now also preparing for the day ahead. I walked down stairs and cleaned up the remnants of our breakfast, covering the cakes for what I hoped would be our successful return then sat to watch some television. I barely paid any attention to the Saturday morning cartoons, crossing and uncrossing my legs every few minutes while bobbing my foot up and down. I felt slightly calmer when I heard Nick finish his preparations and start descending the stairs. He appeared looking gorgeous and deadly in black skinny jeans, green muscle tee and a leather jacket with boots to match.

"Damn you fine," I smirked, sending him a wink. He took a cocky little bow.

"Why thank you kindly. And your rack, madam, would turn a gay man straight!"

"Wonderful! Well, should be get going?"

"Sure thing, you know the address?"

"Yes which is why I'm driving, and for God's sake don't give me that look!" I said exasperated as Nick pouted. "It's not like you drive a Porsche and I promise to be careful with your baby, okay?"

"Fine, I guess so! Now go before I change my mind."

We were off and down the street moments later, the both of us silent as we contemplated what could possibly be awaiting us at the subway station. In all likelihood and from what I had gathered from Derek's particular style, we were there to talk and nothing more. Or growl in his case. But still, the very real threat of an ambush attack loomed over our heads and the fact that Nick wasn't fiddling obsessively with the dials on stereo or making idle chatter was enough for me to know that he felt it too.

About twenty minutes later we were pulling up to a rusted out building, which I'm sure at night looked like the perfect scene for some teen slasher film. Freddy and Jason would certainly approve.

"Is this the place?" Nick asked.

"Well seeing as there is only one subway station in Beacon Hills, I'd say that this is it." I replied quietly, turning the car off and the getting out, still standing before the intimidating building. I wondered if this is where the pack was permanently located or if he had picked this place for that specific purpose; to frighten and intimidate. I closed my eyes briefly, breathing deep as I tried to hone in on a scent or a heartbeat that would indicate his presence. So far nothing except the lingering traces of the young betas and an older wolf, who I assumed was Derek's Jesus-like uncle, Peter. I smelled Scott, Stiles and the two girls I had not met yet, Allison and Lydia. But I could not smell Derek. I sighed and I opened my eyes, glancing at a pacing Nicholas.

"He doesn't seem to be here yet, in fact, none of them appear to be." I told him. "Let's just go inside and wait; we'll give it an hour and if he doesn't show then we'll leave."

Nick nodded a little apprehensively and following me into the swinging door that led to the rickety stair case leading to the inside of the station. A few old train cars littered the space, and from the top of the stairs I saw makeshift bed and piles of clothes. At least three or more people stayed here at a stretch. A beat up couch was against one car with an ancient, block like television resting gingerly on a milk crate.

"Well, I love what they've done with the place." Nick said sarcastically. Ever the queen…

"If this were a horror movie, I think we'd both be dead by now." I muttered, eyes darting instinctively for any sign of life.

"No way! I would still be alive to be the trust, wise cracking side kick of the virgin who lives till the end of the film but you, my dear, would be the chick getting chopped up first because her and her boyfriend, Chad, were too busy gettin' it on to watch out for serial killers."

"It scares me how much thought you've put into that scenario, it really does."

"Whatever, you love me." Nick's nostrils flared slightly, his eyes taking in the station as me reached the floor. "Smells like no one has been here for hours now! Maybe this is a set up?"

"No, otherwise we would have noticed more recent activity, stronger scents, and louder heart beats. They're still all so young, it would be odd if they could control themselves this well."

"This is true, and most of them have been given the bite, not wolves from birth."

"Right; the signs would be there but this," I made a gesture to the station. "This is practically a ghost town."

"Tell me about it," he said, wearily leaning against an empty barrel. "So, we wait?"

"We wait," I echoed and took my position next to him.

Five minutes ticked by agonisingly slow. Then ten. Then fifteen. Then half an hour.

I let out a loud annoyed huff. "Seriously, does this guy have penchant for building to an entrance or something? This is just a joke!"

"Tell me about it," Nick replied, obviously irritated at the Alpha's absence. "Maybe we should just split, he doesn't seem like he's going to show."

"You're right. Come on; let's get back to the car." No sooner than the words had left my lips did I hear a loud noise coming from the entrance on the stairs. Both Nick and I spun quickly, stances defensive as more than one scent, more than one heart beat and more than one voice reached our ears.

"I am going to kick your ass, Boyd!"

"Yeah, yeah, you talk a big game Lahey but your mouth is writtin' cheques your butt can't cash!"

"Are all boys like this when it comes to video games?"

"Apparently. And they say females are the irrational ones when it comes to obsession!"

"You're just mad because Jackson and I kicked your proverbial asses at C.O.D last week."

"Watch it, Stilinski."

Wait a second…"Stiles?" I called out hopefully, looking for that familiar friendly face.

"Scarlett?" he responded, completely surprised. He wasn't the only one. The group of young betas and the accompanying humans had arrived at their hideout to find two strange wolves in their midst, one an Alpha, and their own Alpha and his uncle were nowhere in sight. What a dick! Stiles, all smiles and exuberance, and ran forward to give me a hug. "What are you doing here? Not that it's not awesome to see you and all, you're so awesome but really, what are you doing back at the lair?"

"Well, according to Mr. McCall standing over yonder," I pointed at Scott when Stiles had stepped back. "I was to meet the sour wolf here at noon to discuss my helping you guys with your current Alpha problem but he never showed. Nick and I have been here for half an hour now. Oh, and this is my brother, Nicholas."

"Hiya." He sent them all a friendly wave.

"Wait, Derek didn't show?" Scott asked bemused, clearly thinking. It looked painful.

"Nope, or else we wouldn't be here right now."

"But I told Peter to tell Derek –" everyone in our company groaned in exasperation at Scott and the tall African America teen, who I guessed was Boyd, actually face-palmed.

"What? What did Scott do wrong?"

"He told Peter Hale, of all people, to a relay a reliable message to his uncle. Honestly McCall, I wonder how that tiny brain of yours can function sometimes! It's embarrassing!" The rather attractive teen with a swagger quipped snidely, throwing Scott a withering glare.

"So I'm guessing we just showed up for nothing?" I concluded, frustrated and annoyed beyond belief. "Unbelievable! I haven't even met the damn Hales and I'm already fed up with the two of them!"

"You don't know the half of it," the waif like girl with black hair sympathetically. I may not be a detective but it was clear from the protective grip she had on Scott's arm that she was Allison, the hunter. So not what I had expected.

"I'm sorry," Scott muttered, actually looking meek.

I let out what had to be the millionth sigh today and sent him a wan little smile. "It's okay kid, you didn't know they were going to screw you around. Well, you didn't know Peter was going to screw you around. Look, since Nick and I are both here, how about we all get acquainted?"

"Finally, someone around here who's speaking some sense! And she's a woman, how refreshing!" the modelesque figure with strawberry blond hair and a pout exclaimed bright, promptly shoving Stiles out of the way to shake my hand. "Lydia Martin, pleasure to make your acquaintance."

"Pleasure all my, hun." I replied warmly with a wink. "I have a feeling that we're going to get along just fine."

"And I'm Jackson, but you can call me anything you want gorgeous," The swagger teen commented smugly before receiving identical slaps upside the head from Lydia, Allison and the other girl with long blond curly hair who had to be Erica. I would have to watch this one.

"I apologise for his existence, I'm Isaac by the way." The tall boy with curly said with a small smile but exuded quiet confidence. I liked him on sight.

"And I'm Boyd," The big guy nodded from his original spot on the stairs, a little more cautious than the others.

"Well, since we've got this whole thing going, may as well get comfortable. Besides, I still need to have a word with your Alpha, regardless if he wants us here or not."

"You mean we may actually get to witness you taking Derek down a peg live? Oh man, this is going to be priceless," Erica smiled deviously. "I'm thinking you need to stick around for a while."

"I'm starting to think so too."

"Hey Nick," Stiles called where the boys seemed to have assembled with a beat up X-Box. "You play?"

"Do I play? Bitch please! Move over boys, the queen is in the house and he's gonna show you how it's done!"

"Don't make them cry now Nick," I called over my shoulder as I was briskly led to a train car by the girls.

"No mercy!" was the only reply I received as the cyber carnage began. Seriously, what in the hell have I just gotten myself into?!

While the boys (and I mean boys) bonded over their games, the girls and I sat and talked, filling me in on all the missing puzzle pieces that Nick had left out or just not known. What every single one of them has gone through in just the last year damn near broke my heart. Allison, losing her mother who would have rather died than change into a wolf; Lydia, being bitten by Peter and only be controlled by him to help him 'resurrect'; Erica, her awful affliction that pushed her to accept Derek's bite for the sake of a better life. The boys weren't much better. Stiles and Scott had both had their parents threatened by wolves and hunters since Scott's turning, Isaac only accepted the bite to escape the brutal abuse inflicted upon him by his own father, Boyd had just wanted to belong to a group so he didn't feel so alone in the world anymore; I even felt sorry for Jackson who had lost all control, becoming the legendary, murderous Kanima, controlled by others who had nothing but evil intentions for him and those he hurt. There was something about all these teenagers, so strong and capable but still just kids, that made me want to go all mama-Alpha and protect them from all the evil that the world had to offer and believe me, I had sampled some of it first-hand. I had suffered young, Nick had suffered young; these kids didn't deserve it but, by either association or as a result of their bite, they were forced to grow up fast. It was meeting young wolves and humans like these that made the wolf within me yearn to expand my own pack.

See? You'd be good with pups of your own! The maternal instinct is there; just let it flow through you.

Shut up bitch! I wasn't asking you!

It had been at least three hours since Nick and I had arrived at the station to meet with Derek, only to be informed that he had been misinformed by his devious uncle. The guys were carrying on rambunctiously, Nicholas schooling Isaac, Boyd, Jackson and Scott quickly before finding a formidable foe in Stiles. The girls and I had bonded quickly and I think they appreciated the older female perspective on wolf life and all things pack; clearly only having an older male Alpha with emotional blockage issues wasn't ideal for a small group of teenage girls, one of whom was a wolf, another a hunter and the third a supernatural and human anomaly.

I was about to suggest that we all go out in search of some food or, better yet, invite them to my house for some of my cooking while I was still in the mood, when there was the loud scrunch of gravel under men's feet. Two men. Both wolves…Aw, hell. Everyone in the station was frozen in shock, unsure of what to do.

"Derek's back," Erica murmured, sending me a fearful look. I didn't blame her. Not only did Derek not know that Nicholas and I had arrived but that we had spent almost an entire afternoon with his betas and pack without his permission? A no-no in wolf circles.

You done goofed this time girl.

"Quick, we should hide them!" Stiles whispered frantically, arms flying everywhere and clocking Jackson in the back of his head. "Hide under a blanket or something."

"Yeah, um, Stiles? I think it's a little late for that." I replied tersely, standing up from my spot in the train car and walking out into the middle of the station, Nick close behind me, watching the door and the stairs with trepidation.

"Would anyone care to explain why there's a strange car parked out in front with the stench of wolves all over it?" I heard Derek's terse voice echo through the station. The betas visibly shrank in their respective seats, the urge to submit to an Alpha too great. Even Nick trembled slightly behind me before shaking it off. I stood my ground and tried not to let my heart beat right out of my chest.

"Oh, that's right! I completely forget to mention that Scott told me to tell you that one Ms Keats and her brother had agreed to meet with you today to discuss the proposal." Came the smooth, almost creepy voice of (I assumed) Peter. He promptly appeared, racing down the stairs before his nephew, an older man of perhaps forty-something but still youthful and attractive. His eyes were almost pale blue, warm but dark in their depths. Creeper.

"You WHAT?" I heard Derek roar angrily from somewhere outside.

"Oops, my bad," Peter said calmly flippant about the whole situation. "Well? Don't be so rude Derek, come and greet our guests."

There was the quick pace of mad feet stomping their way to the door and down the stairs. Rather than boldly watch his descent, I nervously flicked my gazed back to my brother, who was looking a little less than stoic himself but still behind me, ready to defend if necessary. I heard an angry exhale of air and felt his intimidating presence closer than before, only a few feet away. Slowly, cowardly, I turned my head back to stare down Derek in at least some semblance of authority when it hit me like a speeding freight train.

That smell; oh my God, that scent! Those eyes, that voice! I knew it! Yes, oh yes!

No, oh fuck no! Please God, why now, why him? Please don't do this to me? I can't handle this!

Why are you so sad, Scarlett? This could mean great things for us! Embrace it, own it, it's our destiny.

Destiny is bullshit and so are you!

Standing before me was a man, no older than my own twenty six years, tall and imposing, nothing but masculinity and muscle. Black hair spiked messily that framed a sharp face with the dark growth of five o'clock shadow, lips drawn in a tight, angry line and grey green eyes flashing daggers and Alpha red and fuck. His head was cocked slightly at an angle, glaring down at me with a mixture of anger, disbelief and curiosity, arms crossed over his pectorals.

Oh, my, Lord!

We stared each other down for what seemed an eternity but in reality only seconds had passed. Nick and the other betas stared at us in breathless silence, having no idea about the infantismal shift that had taken place between their Alpha and myself. Peter, however, looked on with a smug smile, as if he had expected this to happen. Deciding to end the torture of Derek's gaze I cleared my throat as steadily as I could and stepped forward, suppressing the little gasp that threatened to escape my lips.

"Mr. Hale, I believe we have some business to discuss." I said softly, desperately wanting to look away from his eyes but afraid of the consequences if I dared.

Derek said nothing. He only nodded curtly before turning on his tail and walking up the stairs again, throwing a grunted "Follow me" as he walked away. And as a strong, independent, female Alpha who had never submitted to any man, not even another Alpha, I followed him out into the fading afternoon light like a meek puppy scurrying after her master.

What have I done to myself now? I pleaded with the she-wolf who I could see clearly in my mind; my own face starring back with fangs and blood red eyes.

You know exactly what this is, Scarlett. You know the consequences; I dare you to bare them on your own.

"So," Derek said, making me jump a foot in the air, drawn out of my internal monologue. "What do we do about all of this?"

I looked away. He took a step forward. "I have no idea what 'this' you're referring to?"

"You know exactly what all 'this' is, Ms Keats. Don't take me for a fool." He growled lowly, bitterly.

Yeah, I know exactly what you're talking about…I just wish that I didn't….

XoxoxoxoX

Whoa! So, okay, a lot to take in this chapter but I just couldn't stop myself once I got started, ARGH! You all probably know where this is headed but I promise you, my loyal minions, that I will try not to rush this so I can draw the story out a lot longer. Any and all suggestions welcome so please hit that little old review button and tell me what you think.

Thanks as always for your wonderful support. Love, Lithium xxoo