Confession: Wolves have terrible memories

A soft smile is thrown her way in the velvet darkness. He pulls her close, and steals a quick kiss.

"Where are we going?" she laughs.

"Somewhere we can be alone," he tells her, the smile seeming permanent on his face.

"We are alone," she corrects him with a knowing smile.

"More alone," he concedes. He pulls her closer, this time her heart flutters in such a way that make her uncertain. He kisses her fear away, and she follows him into a school bus.

He sits in a seat across from her and she grins playfully.

"Come here!" She commands, a laugh ruining the authority.

"You come here," he tells her, slinking further into his seat, a smirk playing on his mouth. She obliges, and their lips meet in a way that she's never experienced. There's raw emotion, heat, and need on his mouth. His hands land on her waist and slink further south. Her heart beats wildly, and she pulls away.

"What's wrong?" he asks, confused as to why she pulled away. The wolf brushes against her muddled mind, looking for a place to tear through. A sharp pain shoots through her and she knows the wolf's found its mark. She doubles over and backs away from him.

"Get away. GET AWAY FROM ME!" she roars, the wolf howling along with her. He pulls away from her roughly and stumbles quickly away from her, towards the front of the bus. However, the wolf is having absolutely none of that. She rips a seat from it station and chuck it towards the front. A scared yelp rips from his mouth as he topples down. The wolf advances, hunger coursing through it. He stares at her, fear etching itself in every pane of his face. The wolf pounces and the boy scuttles backwards. He's not fast enough, and the wolf catches on his ankles and rips through. The claws sinks into flesh and his shriek of pain mingles in with her low growl of pleasure. He yanks himself free and runs to the door but cannot escape. Now, the wolf has him. She crouches again, and flies through the air, onto her prey. His scream barely leaves his mouth before the wolf cuts it from his throat.

ↄↄↄ

The next morning, Scar told Stiles about her dream as the pair walked into school.

"So, you killed him?" Stiles asked.

"I don't know! I woke up this morning covered in sweat, heart beating like crazy! I think it was a dream, considering I woke up at home, but I don't know! It was so vivid, like it actually happened!" Scar exclaimed, worry taking up post on her face.

"Whoa. You know, when I wake up like that with a vivid dream, it usually ends up a little different," Stiles said, an ill hid smile on her lips.

"Never give me that much detail about you in bed, like ever," Scar informed the girl beside her, secretly glad for the mood lifter.

"Noted. But for reals, I think it was dream so you should just let it g—holy Jesus Christ," Stiles cut herself off and stopped Scar in her tracks.

Scar started to open her mouth to question what happened, but then she spied the ravaged school bus in in front of them. It bore an uncanny resemblance to the bus from her dreams, and Scar felt her breath and heart slow. Her brain went into overdrive, panicking hard now.

"So, uh, maybe not just a dream…" Stiles trailed off. Harsh panic swirled around inside Scar, making her sick.

"Oh my god," her voice was soft, barely a whisper.

"Okay, no big deal, we just have to find Al," Stiles said, trying to keep fear from her voice.

The wolf snarled at Scar, begging to take charge. Wild anger blossoms and Scar loses it, turning abruptly and ripping the nearest locker door off its hinges. She stares at the hunk of metal in her hands, shocked that she had done such a thing. She dashes away, fully intending to leave school, before crashing straight into Al. His scent fills her nose, and she relaxes immediately.

"Oh gosh, are you okay? I'm so sorry," The words leave her in a rush, relief covering her.

"Yeah, I'll be fine," Al laughed "Once my heart starts back up"

"I'm just, I'm just glad to see you," Scar said, her usual happiness coloring her tone.

Al gave her a blinding smile, slightly dazed by her pure honesty. "I'm glad to see you too, cutie!"

Scar giggled and the pair walked off, headed to class. Neither of them noticed a bewildered Jackie, staring at her wide open locker

ↄↄↄ

As per usual, neither Scar nor Stiles paid any attention in chemistry. What's the use of knowing where an electron might be, if monsters are running around town?

"So what do know about the bus driver?" Scar asked attention completely on Stiles.

"Nothing right now, but I'm pretty sure I can—"Stiles was abruptly cut off by their chemistry teacher, Ms. Harris.

"Ladies, do I have to separate you?" Her voice was dry and deadly, leaving no room for back talk. Both Stiles and Scar gaped at the middle aged woman, and her eyes narrowed cruelly.

"Stiles, you go to that corner desk, and Scar, stay there. Jackie, come join Scar," She directed, gesturing towards the three. Jackie quietly groaned, not wanting to be anywhere close to that little dweeb.

"Let me know if the separation anxiety gets to be much," Ms. Harris called out casually, while turning back to her lesson. Just then, a boy leapt out of his seat and ran to the window.

"Look!" he cried, gesturing to the window. The class huddled around him quickly, staring wide eyed at the ambulance that held the man that had been mauled in the bus.

"Do you think he's dead?" Scar asked; her voice was tiny from fear. Stiles gave no response, but only continued to stare at the ambulance. Suddenly, the man on the stretcher reared up, thrashing wildly. The room filled with screams from silly girls, who simpered and cried. Scar took a deep, relief-filled breath.

"At least we know you didn't kill him," Stiles muttered. She gave Scar's shoulder a comforting squeeze.

It was a relief to know he was not dead, but a new fear filled her: did she willingly maul that man so horribly?

ↄↄↄ

Periods passed and all anyone could talk about was the old injured man. Scar kept her head down, and Stiles did what she did best: research. She was on her phone constantly, searching futilely for any new info.

However, by the time lunch rolled around, her search had yielded nothing. The girls sat at their usual table, whispering potential ideas to find out how she had attacked the man. So absorbed in their thoughts, neither of them noticed the small group of people approaching their table. Quite suddenly, Scar found herself sandwiched by Al and Lyle, who continued on their conversation. Stiles scowled darkly, finding herself in between Jackie and one of her little minions.

"Leave Briana," Jackie ordered as soon as she saw her best friend Dani on the way. The minion gasped theatrically.

"How come you always make me move? Make Dani move!" she cried. Stiles rolled her eyes widely and Al smirked to Scar.

"She doesn't make me move because I don't drool over her boyfriend," Dani replied, tapping her foot until the other girl had moved away. Lyle grinned and greeted Dani with a wink.

"So, does anybody know what's going on with the old man?" Al asked, steering the conversation into a somber direction.

"Whatever, he was just an old druggie who was going kill himself anyways, probably" Jackie said dismissively.

"Actually, he was a bus driver. Gary Morrison," Stiles corrected, scowling at Jackie.

"Oh my god, I know him! He used to be my bus driver, before we moved into our house!" Scar exclaimed.

"Okay, this is so morbid guys. Let's talk about something else, like what we're doing tonight" Lyle drawled.

"Oh. Uh, Scar and I are going out-" Al started.

"Awesome. What are we doing?" Lyle's question was absolute. He had every intention of him and Jackie coming along.

"Oh. It was kinda gonna be, you know, like a date night-"

"Sure, a double date"

Stiles caught Scar's eye and smirked.

"We were going to watch lacrosse videos!" Jackie complained.

"If I have to watch one more girl's lacrosse video, I swear to god-"

"How about bowling?" Al interrupted.

"Okay. Jackie, you love bowling!" Lyle soothed the girl with a charming smile. Scar peeked over at Stiles, who was unabashedly staring at Lyle.

"Yeah cool! Sounds good!" Al agreed genially. He threw an arm around Scar, pulling her closer.

"Okay. This ought to be good; I've never bowled without competition before," Jackie agreed, taking her eyes mean along Scar.

"And how do you know we aren't competition?" Al asked real irritation under his playful tone. "Scar, you're a good bowler, right?"

"Uh, I'm alright, I bowl at parties..." Scar trailed off, determined to ignore Stiles's incredulous stare.

"Are you a good bowler or not?" Jackie asked firmly, glaring. The wolf roared angrily, and Scar met Jackie's look with a firm glare.

"I'm a fantastic bowler,"

ↄↄↄ

"You are a HORRIBLE bowler! I mean, it's honestly astounding how awful you are at bowling!"

Stiles' voice cut through any bravado Scar had after taking on Jackie at lunch.

"I know! Ohmigod, what am I going to do? The last time I bowled, it was at your 7th birthday party! And I ended up knocking over a table," The werewolf exclaimed.

"That was an awful party," Stiles mumbled.

"Jesus what am I going to do?" Scar asked, running panicked hands through her hair.

"And the worst part is the group date! You had one shot to blow his mind, alone, and now that's ruined. You could end up his lesbian friend! You might as well start group dating with Dani!"

"Are you being serious or just dramatic?"

"I'm being serious! The first date is you're shot to get him to keep dating you! You already blew one chance, you can't blow this one!"

"Okay, okay. Oh god, what if I... turn? What then?" Panic hit Scar like a truck; she already felt her heart racing. Stiles's eyes blew wide open.

"You have to get help," She muttered.

Scar closed her eyes; she knew what she had to do.

ↄↄↄ

Usually, biking five miles had Scar wheezing. But now, with her new werewolf body, she felt nothing.

She slowed as she came to the burnt shell of Darian Hale's house. It must've been a grand, beautiful house before it was burned; it towered over her, and the wide porch spanned the entire front of the house.

"Darian!" Scar called, trying to keep her voice steady. "I know you're in there! And that you can hear me! I need help,"

Minutes passed in silence, and Scar's confidence waned. She turned to leave.

"You really want my help?" Scar whipped her head around at the sound of Darian's voice.

"Yes!"

"Then promise me you'll do me favor,"

"Fine, anything. What is it?"

"You'll find out,"

"Will you help me now?"

"You need to stay away from your friends. You are too different now. You could hurt them."

"You think I'd hurt my friends?"

"You'd hurt anybody in your path.

"I think I already hurt someone. There was a bus driver, and I think I mauled him"

"You think?"

"I'm not sure. I can't remember,"

"Yes you can."

"What? I don't remember! How could I? I was a wolf!"

"Go back. Use your senses, and concentrate. Focus on what the wolf saw, not what you saw," with that Darian turned and strode back into the dark house. Scar stood for minute, feeling uneasy and confused. She hopped back on her bike after a minute, and headed off to work.

ↄↄↄ

She peddled fast, whizzing past Marcus St. She was late, and she'd never been before. Suddenly the Animal hospital came into view and she pushed harder. Pulling up to the side, she leapt off her bike, quickly leaned it against the building, and ran inside.

"Sorry! Sorry I'm late" she called. Dr. Deaton looked up, surprised.

"Late? Sweetie, you are all of two minutes late," she said, suppressing a smile.

"I just don't want you to think I'm slacking," Scar explained.

"You are the least slacking kid in this town, honey. You can afford to be two minutes late," The doctor said mock sternly. Scar beamed at her; she loved working with someone that understood her. Just then, someone knocked on the door. Scar nonchalantly looked over to see who it was, and of course, knowing her luck, it was the sheriff, along with her German Shepard partner. Sheriff Stilinski looked considerably like her daughter. They both shared the same angular jaw and the same sharp nose. However, like her dad, Stiles's features are softer, rounder.

"Knock knock" The sheriff called, "is the Doc in?"

"Come on in, sheriff," Dr. Deaton answered.

"Hey kiddo, staying out of trouble?" Mrs. Stilinski greeted Scar. She bobbed her head in a quick yes and forced a smile. The vet coaxed the dog up onto the examination table, and was working on getting its splint off.

"Dr. Deaton, while I have you, could you answer a question for me?" The officer asked.

"Is it a pet question?"

"Well no, but I'm confident you could answer it. Besides, I need it for a case I getting nowhere with,"

"I can try to provide an answer,"

"What kind of animal could have done this?" The sheriff passed a few pictures to the vet. She put down her tweezers and accepted them gingerly. Scar held in a gasp; the pictures were the damage done to the bus driver.

"Huh, this is... interesting. Perhaps a mountain lion or a bear, but the way the claw marks come around, I'm not sure. This is a stretch, but it looks like a wolf to me," Dr. Deaton paced around the room, only helping heighten the anxiety in the room.

"But wolves have been extinct in California for the last 70 years!" Scar exclaimed nervously and panicky. Both adults fixed her with confused looks and Deaton quirked an eyebrow. "I, like, read that somewhere."

"It's seems as though wolves are coming back. As if, from memory," she fixed her attention intensely but briefly, like less than a second, before looking away.

"Wolves have memory?" The girl asked.

"Instinctual ones, yes. But, if there is great need for it, they will remember clearly," the vets voice was cryptic now.

"Alright, it looks like I gotta jet. But a wolf right?" The sheriff interjected. Deaton nodded, and the sheriff patted Scar's arm in goodbye before leaving.

Scar figured she'd better listen to Darian Hale

ↄↄↄ

"I don't like this. I don't like it at all," Stiles muttered, glancing around the street.

"Shh, just pay attention! Let me know if someone's coming. I won't be long," Scar instructed.

"What? I'm standing watch?! Like... like a sidekick! I'm so not your sidekick!"

"No! God no! It's just so I can concentrate,"

"Don't try to placate me! I'm not robin!"

"Ugh, you dumbo, I'm not Batman and you're not Robin! Not now, not any of the time!"

"Not even sometimes?" Scar wasn't sure whether to laugh or groan. As much as Stiles was a good friend, she was also a royal pain.

"Just stand watch!" Stiles pouted and sulked childishly, but did what she was told. Scar nimbly climbed the fence in front of them and hopped down into the bus parking lot. The girl ducked under the police tape surrounding the mangled bus and carefully clambered aboard. Scar took a deep breath and closed her eyes. She moved slowly through the bus, trailing her fingertips along the seats. She could clearly visualize her dream, only this time; it wasn't Al, but the old bus driver. He hobbled when he ran, and wheezed as he exhaled. The stench of fear wafted through the bus. There was something huge and hulking in the back of the bus, slowly inching forward. The growls she thought she was emitting were really the beasts. Suddenly she realized that she'd never hurt the man, she was here trying to help him. She dove at the beast, fight instinct taking over. It hurled her aside like a rag doll before it went for its prey. Scar opened her eyes abruptly, heart hammering. The scream building in her throat puttered out and she relaxed. She jumped off the bus and scurried over to where Stiles was.

"Well? What happened?" She asked, moving over to start her car.

"I didn't do it! It was some other thing!" Scar cried, relief dancing in her voice. Instead of being happy, like Scar expected, she looked horrified.

"What?"

"This means... This means there is something out there, more dangerous than you, Scar. A real monster," Stiles's face grew ashy and pale. She punched the gas and tore out of the parking lot at top speed.

Scar was silent; there was one other werewolf she knew: Darian Hale.

ↄↄↄ

To its credit, the date started alright. Al picked her up like a gentleman; bring roses for her and daisies for her mother. He told Scar she looked gorgeous even when she looked a little worse for wear. He opened his car door for us and let her pick the radio station. When they got to the bowling alley, he paid for her game and shoes. They picked a corner alley, and Scar was glad for it. The less humiliation the better. Soon after, Jackie flounced in, with Lyle trailing listlessly behind her.

"Alright, McCall goes first," called Jackie, grinning wickedly. Scar took a deep breath and gave everyone a half heart smile. Al smiled brilliantly back at her. Scar pulled the ball up, swung her arm back and released. The heavy ball fell languidly from her hand, and she watch, with baited breath, as it lazily rolled into the gutter halfway down the lane. Jackie's tinkling laughed echoed around, making Scar feel incredibly small.

"Oh yeah, she's a fantastic bowler," the blonde girl drawled. Lyle smirked confidently at Al.

"That was just a practice shot!" Al cried. He hopped over to scar.

"Okay, you're just overthinking things. Just relax." He slipped his hands across her abdomen to rest at her waist.

"Stabilize here," his right hand glided down her arm to help support the ball. The wolf was awake. And she loved this.

"Just pull back," his arm moved with hers.

"Breath," his voice was a low whisper in her ear.

"And release," the ball flew out of her hand with supernatural precision. It raced down the lane and crashed against the pins, effectively bringing them all down. Al released his hold on her hips.

"See, she amazing!" Al grinned triumphantly at Lyle and Jackie. Jackie scoffed, and flounced up to take her turn. Lyle quirked an eyebrow and trailed his eyes along Scar, as if appraising her. Apparently, he liked what he saw, because he shot her a pristine smile.

"Maybe I could give you a few pointers?" His voice had a low, seductive ring to it.

"You know, I think I got it," she replied, trying not to smile. Lyle's own smile dropped at that, and he turned to watch Jackie knock down 8 pins.

"Nicely done," he deadpanned. Jackie decidedly ignored this, and sent a challenging smile at Al.

"Guess I'm up," the dark haired boy said. Al, of course, was excellent, something Jackie noticed also.

"Ooh, now it's getting interesting," she commented. She simpered at him.

"Mind helping me?" Jackie's voice was honey sweet. Lyle scoffed quietly in a way that made Scar think of Stiles.

"I think you got it. I believe in you," Al told her, quickly glancing at Scar and Lyle. Jackie scowled, snapped her ball up, and rolled a perfect strike.

The game continued on, with both teams just points from each other at all times. They paused after the 7th round to get food; or rather, Al offered to get food and dragged Lyle with him. Scar settled on the couch by their lane. Jackie towered over her.

"Listen McCall, I know there's something weird going on with you," she hissed.

"Jackie, I don't know-" Scar started worriedly.

"Save it, freak. I don't know what you're doing, but I'm going to figure it out," she glanced over at the boys, who were busy flirting with the cashier. "My best guess: you don't want Al to find out either,"

Needless to say, the rest of the date was an anxiety riddled mess. Scar could barely bring herself to breathe on the car ride home.

Of course, because Al was the perfect gentleman, he insisted on walking her to the door. They lingered there, as Scar fumbled awkwardly for her keys.

"So, I had a good time," he started.

"Oh me too! It was great," Scar smiled sweetly at him, keys in hand. He took a breath, and took a minuscule step back. Scar turned also, figuring she ought to get inside. Suddenly, Al took her waist and pulled her close. She had just a second to comprehend what was going on before Al kissed her. He kissed her firmly, like he couldn't get close enough to her. It was over far too quickly.

"Good night," his voice was slightly ragged and mostly hushed.

"Good night," Scar echoed him completely, from the timbre of his voice to the wide grin on his face.

ↄↄↄ

After Scar had settled in for the night, her phone rang. Figuring it was Stiles asking about her date, she picked it up.

"Hey Stiles," Scar's voice was floaty.

"Okay, major emergency," her voice sounds shaky, like a bad combination of fear and Adderall.

"What?" Scar's good mood is whisked away.

"The bus driver. He was in an intensive care unit, totally getting better, but then all the sudden, he's dead," Stiles's voice shook awfully.

"Oh my god. How?"

"No idea, but I do know that his last visitor was Darian Hale,"

At this, anger bubbled up in Scar. How cruel was Darian, to kill him after she mauled him so terribly? Someone had to go take care of her. It was then that Scar realized she was outside, and half way through the Beacon Hills reserve. The wolf, aided by Scar's confusion, took over abruptly. She dropped into a crouch and took of sprinting. It wasn't hard to find the old Hale house, because Darian's scent was all around it. The house was wicked looking in the pale moonlight. Scar straightened and charged into the house, almost taking the door off its hinges. She stood at a once grand staircase that started a mere few yards from the door.

"Darian! I know what you did, and I'm going to make you pay for it!" She shrieked. A figure appeared at the top of the stairs.

"What do you think you're doing?" Darian's voice was deathly calm.

"How could you kill him? How could go into the hospital and kill him?!" Scar's voice reached a hysterical pitch, and she began to change. Her bones snapped and reformed and claws, fangs, and fur pushed its way out. She charged up the stairs fast, but Darian was ready for this. The older girl sank her claws into Scar's shoulders and threw her roughly down the stairs. Darian snarled, baring her fangs as she descended the stairs. Amazingly, Darian seemed to control her shift, making only part of her wolf come out. Scar lay for a second, then, when Darian was close enough, she pounced. Her claws dug and scratched along Darian's shoulders and arms. The older girl screamed and shoved Scar hard. She crashed into the wall roughly, breaking through the plaster.

New energy surged through the younger girl, and she threw her weight at Darian. She flew backwards, crashing into the next room. Darian struggled to her feet, chuckling.

"That was cute," venom seemed to drop from Darian's voice. She closed her eyes, rolled the head, and open her fist. The change was immediate, and did not seem to pain her. She was quick to grab Scar, quickly ending the fight.

"Okay, okay, let me go!" Scar growled out. Darian grabbed Scar's arm and pulled back, effectively breaking it. The younger werewolf screamed, and tears dripped down her face. She went limp in Darian's arms. The older girl carefully leaned Scar against a wall.

"How do you feel?" Darian asked. Scar looked up at her incredulously.

"You broke my arm!" Scar cried. "This really hurts!"

"Does it? Really focus on it,"

Scar opened her mouth to argue, but realized Darian was right. Her arm didn't hurt anymore, in fact, it seemed as though her bones were shifting back into place and repairing themselves.

"What's happening?" Scar asked.

"We heal faster. We are stronger, faster, we possess more acute senses. We are built for the hunt," Darian explained.

"Why are you doing this? Why did you kill that guy? Why did you bite me?" Scar's voice was resigned from having to hold back her sobs.

"I wasn't the one who bit you. You and I, we're beta wolves. The wolf that bit you was an alpha,"

"That's the one who killed that man, isn't it? What does it want?"

"I don't know. Here's where that favor comes in. You're going to help me stop it," Darian left no room for argument.

Being a werewolf had never seemed less appealing than it did right now.