Hey, sorry that this was a slow update... life happened and I haven't done much writing recently... Hopefully this satisfies you guys! So sorry again! Also.. this next update may be a little more intense then the previous chapters, mainly because I've got Linkin Park blasting in my ear and this little movie has started going on in my head... so if you're looking for some intense stuff, Castle of Glass was kind of this chapter's inspiration you could say. Sorry again for my slowness... and thanks for all your support! ^_^

When Derek threw himself at the door of the cottage he was ballistic, desperately praying that it was nothing, just a fluke. There was no way Stiles was in trouble..

But...

he knew that was a lie.

The only noise was the rattling wooden bits of the door clashing against the floor. There was no movement anywhere, just the lifeless body of an elderly woman draped over a bed, random splashed of blood placed about the room. No sign of Stiles. The cottage was a wreck, food and such smashed everywhere, against the walls, in shattered pieces on the floor... it looked like a storm had passed through.

Derek slumped over to the woman -presumably Stiles' grandmother- and held two fingers up to her neck, checking for a pulse. There wasn't any sign of life left in the poor woman. He clenched his teeth angrily. There was no doubt in his mind that this was the work of the alphas.

He lifted his hands to his head, clutching angrily at his hair before turning to run, out of the cottage, find Stiles' sent... find Stiles. It was entirely his fault that this had happened. Stiles might never actually forgive him.. but he'd find him. If these low life wolves wanted to get him angry, then they'd done their job.

The clothes he'd borrowed from Stiles began to rip and tare as his muscles contracted and grew beneath his skin, his hair lengthening and growing is spurts as his teeth sharpened. His shoulders tensed as his speed picked up mercilessly, forcing Derek onto all fours as the transformation continued. His eyes were a piercing red as he let out the loud, warning, howl. He was coming hard and strong.

Clothes gone, wolf free.

Derek felt his senses sharped instantly, almost as if they were helping to create a visible path through the trees, like glowing footprints. The trees shuddered in fright as he ran beside them, racing through the maze as his determination grew.

The first wolf attacked, trying to come at Derek from the side, but he was ready. His shoulder turned on instinct, ready to face his attacker, intercepting their pounce with his own and vengefully sinking his teeth into the wolf's side. He pulled at the flesh in his mouth as he threw the wolf out of his way.

He continued running, taking on one wolf after another. The forest seemed to move with him, the wind pushing at his back and encouraging him onward. Then the wolves came in groups of two, attacking from both sides, or attempting head on combat. One managed to catch hold of his paw, pulling Derek off balance for a moment before he retaliated, slamming his claws into the wolf's eye.

The wolf shrank away behind a tree before tending to himself, whimpering when Derek snarled at him.

There was nothing that could stop him. The scent was strong now, nearly to an intoxicating point. Stiles was close. Derek let out an involuntary howl of delight as he neared a larger group of wolves. He'd taken out their reserve forces, leaving only a handful now. He could take them.

He was expecting a fleet -almost like a pawn line in a game of chess- to be the ones to meet him. He hadn't expected to be greeted. He hadn't counted on Stiles to be sitting in the middle of the circle, legs drawn up to his chest, as if trying to protect himself. When Derek tried to near him, a few of the wolves snarled, making Stiles jump. He was shaking. Derek growled warningly at the others as he continued to near Stiles. None of them moved to stop him.

Well, accept Tagumik.

He had no problem stomping his way in between them, standing his ground challengingly. Derek scowled, watching the wolf's jaw curve upward into a twisted grin. IT was a clear challenge. One left standing, the prize, Stiles. This bastard had no business with Stiles, other then wanting to rip Derek apart.

It wasn't worth losing Stiles. Shaking, quivering, frightened Stiles. Traumatized Stiles. Broken Stiles.

Derek's Stiles.

Derek knew he'd win. He'd taken on at least six wolves on the way over... but within the slight chance that he might lose... it would mean Stiles' life.

So, instead of doing what any wolf would've done, he fought himself, taking control over his movements once more, and forcing himself to sit. Bow his head even. Tagumik was shocked, along with the other wolves. It was a surprising display of obedience. It was obvious that Derek was strong, and there was no reason for him to sit there and take it other then the boy.

Some of the wolves around the circle started to fidget uncomfortably as Tagumik straightened his head, lifting his muzzle proudly to declare a howl of triumph. He stepped aside shortly after, letting Derek stalk slowly over to Stiles, who still sat in a ball, shaking, wide eyed.

Derek nudged him with his nose, trying to get his attention. He seemed out of it, breathing heavily. Too heavily to be normal... his heart was racing. Derek circled him quickly, caging him within his wolfish body, knocking him over slightly with the push of his nose. He whimpered when it didn't do much. Two of the wolves in the circle started to move closer, slowly and cautiously, almost with guilty curiosity.

They could smell the boy's fear. It was like... a panic attack?

Derek was more desperate in his nudges, pushing the boy over until he had to snuggle against the wolfish fur, warmth spreading over him. One of the two outsiders came dangerously close, making Derek growl in warning. But the wolf didn't back down, instead he joined Derek, pushing lightly at the boy's side, even licking his face a couple of times. The second wolf joined shortly after, until there were four of the outsider wolves helping Derek calm down his mate.

It was working for the most part. His heart beat had slowed, and his breathing was more patterned then before. He'd snapped out of his haze as well, and was now hiding in Derek's fur.

Tagumik watched as his pack started to make a circle around Derek and his mate, lying close to him as they curled into themselves as if to sleep. They were following Derek's lead even after he'd defeated him? His pack? He glared with irritation as another wolf licked at the boy's cheek. What was so intriguing about this human?

It had taken him completely by surprise when Derek gave in. All for the sake of the boy.

What was so interesting?

He wanted to know.