CHAPTER FOUR

"Your uncle is going to freak," Selena noted helpfully, for the hundredth time since I had told her about my plan.

I rolled my eyes, "I'm nineteen, so I'm perfectly within my rights. Besides, it's already halfway done." I grimaced as the tattoo needle shifted to a more sensitive area but I made sure to hold still. The last thing I needed was a wonky tattoo.

Selena didn't disapprove of the tattoo, she just didn't understand why I wasn't waiting until I had graduated from school. I had just told her that I was ready for it, it was the same tattoo my mom had, and my grandmother. It was our symbol, the symbol of the Blanchett witches. It was a crescent moon filled in with spell work that was disguised as meaningless decoration. To someone without white magic it would appear just like a normal tattoo, to someone with white magic it would mark me as one of their own. My mother's tattoo had been on her shoulder, and I had always admired it, the way it seemed to glow and twinkle before my eyes as it identified her as a white witch. Mine was going to be a bit bigger and between my shoulder blades. This hurt considerably more since it went over the spine, but I would make due. I felt like I needed it now, with everything going on I needed something to help me feel connected to my mother.

Selena paced the room again, looking at all of the tattoo designs on the wall, "So, you haven't told me how it went when you saw Declan."

I closed my eyes, voice strained with pain as the needle ran over my spine, "Not much to tell."

"Okay..." Selena was never satisfied with my lack of relationship drama, "What about Derek?"

"What about him?"

"How are things going with that? I mean, I know you guys don't see eye to eye on some things." Selena shrugged, "Would you say you're friends?"

"I don't know," I said honestly, "I think he almost trusts me, which is big for him. As for the things we don't agree on we are just avoiding those subjects for now. Mostly he just comes to me for help."

Still, we had reached a certain level of comfort together since our argument at the hospital. We almost had an unspoken agreement to disagree on the Argents, mostly he just came to me to complain about Scott. Apparently Scott was still struggling to trust him, which was true. I knew this because Scott had told me, he seemed to think that Derek was keeping something from him. I couldn't argue that, I had the same feeling sometimes.

"Mmm," Selena shrugged, "Do you think I should get a tattoo?"

"Your mom would kill you," I reminded her and she laughed.

When we left the tattoo parlor a little while later I was satisfied, it had turned out well, despite the bruising of my skin. I wasn't overly worried, my grandmother had added some healing spell work into the design that would help it heal faster. It would probably be completely healed by morning. Which was good because the bandaging overtop of it was starting to itch. We got into Selena's car and started down the road, she was throwing out suggestions of what to do. I just gazed out the window as she spoke, it had rained and everything was still wet and shimmering silver. For the first time in a while I was starting to feel like a normal teenager again. I was out with a friend, I had gotten a rebellious tattoo.

"I'm hungry, I think we should order a pizza or something," She noted, "Maybe rent a movie? You know, do something other than try to figure out how to stop the alpha."

"Sure, a movie would be cool," I agreed and then turned to her, "Nothing with werewolves."

Selena laughed, "Oh come on, not even the hot Derek Hale kind?"

"Definitely not that kind," I snorted.

She just laughed again and turned toward the movie rental place. We were getting close when we saw the flashing lights of emergency vehicles up ahead, "What the hell? Is that the rental place?"

I sat up straighter in my seat and peered through the windshield, people were gathering int he parking lot to try and get a peek at whatever had happened, "I think so."

Selena pulled the car to the side of the road and parked, "You don't think..."

I wasn't listening, I was staring out the window, as we had parked cold had seeped into my bones. Laura was standing on the sidewalk staring at me, she seemed to want to say something. There was something about her now, something that seemed more substantial then before, more aware. I was starting to wonder if she was more then just the form my visions were taking. Laura opened her mouth as if to speak but instead she just turned to look toward the rental place. I followed her gaze and when I looked back she had vanished, leaving no indication she had ever been there.

"It's the alpha," I said confidently and started to get out of the car.

Selena hurried after me, "I felt something, just then, like a chill."

I nodded but didn't explain, I wasn't sure how to explain Laura yet. I needed to try to understand what exactly she was first. I wove my way through the gathered onlookers, people gossiping in morbid excitement. I reached the perimeter the police had set up, yellow caution tape was strung up to keep the civilians from tarnishing the crime scene. The storefront window had been busted, and I could tell by the amount of glass glistening on the parking lot that it had been shattered from the inside. Like a huge creature leaping through it. Through the window I could see a few of the shelves laying on their sides, knocked over. Then it occurred to me that Laura only ever seemed to appear to me when Derek was nearby, almost like she was leading me to him. I started to look around the crowd or the telltale leather jacket.

"Jackson is being an ass," Selena noted suddenly and I tuned in to where he was yelling at the Sheriff.

I rolled my eyes, "That's because he is an ass. Why is Jackson even being interviewed by the Sheriff?"

"Isn't that Lydia's car parked out front?" Selena asked, "There she is in that ambulance. Maybe they were witnesses."

"I can't imagine they saw much, otherwise I doubt the alpha would have left them alive."

Then we both fell silent as the gurney was rolled through the doors of the store. A body clad in a body bag was strapped to it and headed for an empty ambulance. I couldn't see who it was, there was no indication, I didn't see anyone dressed as an employee of the store being interviewed. Perhaps he was the employee? I needed more information, I needed to know who it was and why the alpha would want them dead. My thoughts were interrupted by the feeling that I was being watched. I glanced around at the crowd but nobody was paying attention to me. They were way too focused on the chilling appearance of a dead body. I cast my gaze up towards the roof of the store and saw two figures there. Scott was kneeling down and peering over the edge at the developing crime scene. Derek was standing upright and looking right at me. It seemed like we had a silent affirmation between us that this was another alpha attack.

I sighed and watched the body getting loaded up, they closed the doors on it and I shook my head, "I think we should just go home tonight."

Selena nodded, "Yeah, I'll drop you off at your place."

On the drive home Selena tried to make the conversation normal again, "What about the parent/teacher conferences tomorrow. How do you think those will go?"

"Fine, for me at least. Stiles has good grades, but his behavior isn't the best," I noted, "And Scott is failing a class so he'll have to be there."

"What is he failing?"

"Chemistry, I think," I shrugged, "He's having trouble focusing this year."

Selena pulled into the driveway at my house, "I'll see you at school tomorrow."

I nodded, "Let me know if Eva saw anything about the attack."

I waved good bye as she backed out of the driveway and I just let myself inside quickly. Another alpha attack, and I still felt no closer to figuring out who the alpha was. Surely tomorrow I would be able to at least know who this latest victim was. This victim and the bus driver must be connected somehow, these killings couldn't be random. I changed into some more comfortable clothes and tried to focus on homework until I heard Stiles get home. He clattered up the stairs and was at my door in no time flat.

"Did you see?" He asked urgently and came in.

I closed my notebook and sighed, "Selena and I were at the crime scene for a minute. Do you know who it was?"

"Movie store clerk was the victim," Stiles said, "And Jackson and Lydia are kind of witnesses."

"Do you think either of them saw anything actually useful?" I asked.

Stiles shrugged, "I'm not sure. Hopefully we can find out at school tomorrow. You weren't able to tell anything about it?"

"No, I felt death there, but that was about it," I shrugged, "I'll check in with Selena tomorrow and see what Eva saw, if anything."

"Scott isn't responding to my texts," Stiles said worriedly.

"He's with Derek, they were there," I assured him, "He'll be fine."

"That's debatable. I'm not entirely sure we shouldn't have let Derek die when he was shot," Stiles noted and then frowned at me, "But he's almost nice to you."

"Now that's debatable," I shot back.

"He thanked you, when you tried to heal him the other night," His shook his head in disbelief, "That was almost more shocking than the whole 'you being a witch' thing."

I sighed impatiently, "It's probably just because our moms were close."

"Maybe," Stiles sighed, "Either way, I don't like him."

"Go do your homework," I ordered simply, "Parent/teacher conferences tomorrow."

He scowled but started out and toward his room and I finished my homework for the night. I stayed up late looking through my mom's spell book again, I knew I wouldn't find anything helpful. It was the act of looking that I found the most comforting. I put it away after a while and started to turn off my lamps to go to bed. I went to close the curtains at my window and paused. Derek Hale was standing in the yard staring up at my window, I sighed and nodded that I would come down. Of course, I should have expected this. He had followed my command of not breaking into my room, but he was still finding exceedingly unorthodox ways to get in touch with me.

I pulled on a jacket and my shoes and left the house quietly, Stiles was already in bed and the Sheriff hadn't come back yet. I went out and pulled my jacket tighter around me as I crossed the yard to where he was waiting in the shadow of the trees, "You're so creepy."

He rolled his eyes at me, "Did you sense anything tonight?"

"I felt it happening, but nothing helpful," I sighed, "I'm hoping Jackson or Lydia saw something useful. Not that Jackson is likely to tell anyone anything."

Derek looked thoughtful for a moment, "Scott is worried about school."

"Good, he's failing a class," I noted and this earned me a glare.

"He has bigger things to worry about than Chemistry and his girlfriend." He said simply.

"Oh come on Derek, he's sixteen. Let the kid be in love," I laughed, "He can worry about those things and still take the alpha problem seriously."

"He's distracted," Derek said simply.

"You don't give him enough credit. Sure, Scott has his moments but he's a good kid. He's stronger than you think he is," I pointed out, "I mean, he managed to get enough control to fish that bullet out of the grate the other night."

Derek nodded, "We'll need him if we want to have a chance of taking on the alpha."

"I know," I agreed, I wasn't strong enough to deal with the alpha on my own and I'd likely need more than Derek in my corner. I didn't like it, but Scott was the only other real option, "If we're going to beat the alpha we will need to do it as a... pack." That felt weird to say.

"A pack?" Derek mused, "You're saying hat you'll be a part of my pack?"

"Your pack?" I snorted, "If anyone is the alpha of this little rag tag pack, it's me."

He managed a smile, "Hard to argue with a white witch."

"If that's all for tonight I would like to get to bed," I rolled my eyes, "Oh, and here's my cell phone number. So you can stop acting like a creep." I held out the piece of paper I had written it on.

Derek raised an eyebrow but took it and put it in his pocket, as I started to go back inside, he grabbed my arm quickly, "Are you hurt?"

I blinked at him in surprise, "No, why?"

"I smell blood."

"Oh," I laughed, "I got a tattoo tonight, don't worry. It will be healed up by morning, it has a healing charm worked in."

"A healing charm?" He looked amused.

"What?"

"I'm just thinking about all the pain I had to go through for my tattoo," Derek noted.

I grinned, "Jealous, much?"

By the time I got back to my room and looked out the window he was gone, so I closed the curtains and went to bed. No visions came to me in my sleep, but I was getting used to waking up disappointed in that regard. I didn't mention my meeting with Derek to Stiles, he always got so worked up about Derek. Instead I went to school determined to find out what Jackson and Lydia had seen at the video store. It was decided after we got to school that Stiles would be in charge of trying to talk to one of them. He was the one that had classes with them so it would be easier.

Lydia wasn't even at school, but neither were Scott and Allison. I was annoyed about that, I just hoped he got himself back here in time for the conferences. I knew his mom would not be happy to have to sit through the conferences alone while he was failing a class. I also had bigger problems that needed my attention besides Scott skipping class. I refused to admit that Derek was right though. Scott was mixed up in all this werewolf business now, but he was still a kid and I was determined to let him be one. Though, I figured he would probably be a grounded kid if he didn't make it back for the conferences. That could put a damper on our alpha hunt.

"Have you heard anything from him at all?" I asked Stiles at lunch and he shook his head.

"Nothing," He seemed just as annoyed as I was, "And Jackson hasn't told Danny anything about what happened. Also, I don't think Danny likes me."

"Jackson isn't likely to tell anyone if he doesn't tell Danny," I noted and Stiles nodded, "Danny doesn't not like you, you're just... annoying."

"I'm going to go by Lydia's after school, maybe she'll be more willing to talk," Stiles replied, ignoring my other comment, "Otherwise we don't have much to go on."

I nodded, "Good luck. Keep trying to get in touch with Scott. With the alpha running around I would really rather know where he is."

After school I went home while Stiles went to Lydia's, I tried to do homework but in the end I felt far too restless. I was itching to get out of the house, I felt full of pent up energy. I decided to go for a run, if I was lucky it would trigger a vision or something and at the very least it would get some of my excess energy out. I changed quickly, pausing only to inspect my healed tattoo in the mirror, I liked it. It made me think of mom. It also made me feel like a full blown witch, which was the confidence boost I needed right now. I grabbed my keys and went down to car to drive out to some of the trails I liked to run. I realized when I got there that I had left both my iPod and my phone sitting on top of my dresser, it didn't matter, I didn't always run with music anyway.

The air was crisp but I left my jacket in the car, I knew I wouldn't feel cold for very long. I tried to focus on anything other than my thoughts. My worry and anxiety. I focused on the sound of the leaves crumbling under my sneakers and the sound of my breathing. I let my pace fall in time with the beating of my heart and my mind began to clear. Stiles had tried to come running with me once, he hadn't been able to keep up. He said that I ran like I was running away from something. Maybe I was, I was running away from the problems that I couldn't escape otherwise. I was running away from Scott being a werewolf, I was running away from the alpha, I was running away from the pressure of the coven, and I was running away from Derek Hale and all the trouble that came with him.

Without warning pain flared from my side to the rest of my body, I fell to my knees, fingers digging into the decaying leaves and into the fresh dirt beneath. My body continued to be wracked with it, it felt likes waves of electricity running through my bones. I heaved a breath as it faded away and I opened my eyes slowly. I was alone in the trees, but that hadn't been my pain. That was a warning that someone was in trouble. I panted and rubbed my hands together, brushing the dirt off. I frowned down at where my right hand had been. It seemed that I had drawn a symbol with my fingers in the soil, it was three connected spirals. I had seen that before, it was that tattoo on Derek Hale's back.

I looked around the empty woods quickly, getting my bearings as I pulled myself to my feet again and started to run in the direction of the Hale house. I hadn't been very far and before long I came up the hill at the back of the house and I slowed down, letting myself catch my breath. There was danger here, I could feel it in the air like a fog. I hesitated, the Hale house wasn't a place I wanted to be. Being this close was enough to make me feel very small, weak. I absolutely didn't want to go inside of it. I looked up at the charred house, it's vacant windows staring back me. From inside I heard a loud, angry snarl and several thuds and crashes.

"Derek..." I hurried forward quickly and moved to peer into one of the window pains that wasn't boarded up. I had to reach up to rub some of the dirt from the glass so that I could se more clearly. I was looking into what appeared to have once been a living room, it was littered with ruined furniture that seemed to suggest that. Through the debris I saw the female hunter I had almost recognized at the Argents the other night. I had since found out that her name was Kate Argent and she was Chris' sister. she stood, brandishing some sort of electrified wand. Derek seemed to be recovering from its effects at her feet. He was shirtless, which was becoming a pattern, on the floor. The electric shock would certainly explain the pain I had felt in the woods. I tried to make out what she was saying.

"Wow." She spoke over the sound of his labored breathing, "This one grew up in all the right places." She walked slowly around him as he rolled onto his side, trying to put some distance between them, "I don't know whether to kill it or lick it."

"Gross," I said under my breath and Derek's head tilted slightly, he had heard me, "I got you." I whispered and moved toward the back door. It looked like it was still functioning but I wasn't confident that I could open it without making way too much noise. If I was lucky the hunters had left the front door open for me. I hoped I could get in without losing the element of surprise. Unfortunately my powers didn't do much to stop bullets, and she was definitely armed to the teeth. I hurried around the side of the house, keeping low so she didn't spot me through any gaps in the windows. I climbed carefully onto the porch and moved quietly, testing each board as I went to make sure it wouldn't groan and give me away. I could hear her talking inside, but I didn't much care what she was saying, I needed to focus on getting inside quietly and quickly.

I peered cautiously into the open front door and noted that there was a hunter on the ground, unconscious, right inside the door. I could see a taser gun attached to his belt. I looked through the window at the side of the door, Kate was kneeling in front of Derek, this was my chance to get inside when she was least likely to see me. I moved quickly inside, snatching the taser off of the unconscious man as I moved quietly to the other side of the stairs. I paused and held my breath, listening to make sure I hadn't been seen, when I was satisfied she was still focused on Derek I moved again. I crept around the back of the stairs and moved along the wall of the room they were in.

"What do you think did that? A mountain lion?" She was asking, now on her feet again, I watched through a hole in the wall, waiting for the best moment to strike.

"Why aren't we helping each other out?" Kate asked as she snapped the wand closed, "You might as well admit what you've been guessing all along, which is, the alpha killed your sister. And all you have to do is tell us who he is, and we'll take care of it for you. Problem solved, everybody goes home happy."

There was pause while she gauged Derek's reaction, "Unless, you don't know who he is either." She laughed humorlessly, "Wow. Guess who just became totally useless?"

I didn't have time to wait, she was about to reach for her gun, I moved quickly into the doorway and aimed the taser. I was the niece of the Sheriff, of course I knew how to use it, I hit her in the stomach and she went down as I continued to press the trigger. I dropped it quickly when I was satisfied and moved to grab Derek's arm and help him up.

"Come on!" I hissed as he stumbled to his feet as we ran out of the door. She recovered faster than I would have anticipated because gunfire rang out behind us, no doubt striking the air where we had just been. We jumped off the far end of the porch and continued to sprint into the trees. We ran a ways before Derek started to slow down, for which I was grateful. I was a good runner but didn't exactly have the stamina of a werewolf. He looked back toward the house, seeming lost in thought.

I took in a deep breath, "You okay?"

"Yeah, just some electricity," He dragged his gaze back to me.

"Sure, but are you okay?"

Derek looked at me thoughtfully for a moment and nodded, so I continued, "Okay, well come on. My car is that way. You should probably lay low for a few hours."

He nodded again and moved to follow me in that direction, we weren't running anymore. There was no need, she wouldn't pursue us, probably. We walked in silence, he had a far away look on his face and I decided not to pry. No doubt, Kate Argent had given him quite a bit to think about. I mostly just hoped she hadn't recognized me, then again if she did I doubted she would go to Chris. I had a feeling she had paid the visit to Derek against orders.

Back at my car I opened the back first and pulled out a sweatshirt that Declan had left my car before we had broken up. He hadn't asked for it back since and I had forgotten it was there until I had walked several miles with a very shirtless Derek Hale. I offered it to him wordlessly and he took it before starting around to the passenger side of the car. I got in and pulled my own jacket on, as my body had cooled down over the walk the chill in the air had started to get to me. I turned the car on to get a little warm air circulating.

"Thank you," Derek spoke finally.

"Swooping in to save your ass is becoming quite the commitment," I noted lightly, "She seems psycho, she didn't actually lick you did she? I feel like I should have one of those dolls that you point to and show me where she touched you."

He rolled his eyes but did give a small smile, "I'm fine."

I nodded slowly and then turned to look at him, "It's okay to not be fine, Derek. I mean, it's actually pretty normal. Clearly you're holding on to something, something that is weighing on you. Probably the same thing that keeps you from trusting anyone, ever."

"So I should trust you?" He raised an eyebrow.

"Not necessarily. But since I'm probably just as messed up, if not more, than you are I seem like a pretty good option," I replied, "At least I can try to understand."

"You seem pretty fine to me," Derek noted, "You have something of a family left at least. It's different, what we went through."

"It is," I took a deep breath, maybe the way to gain his trust was to offer up something. Something that made me feel vulnerable and small, like a little girl waking up in the hospital after a deadly car crash, "Do you know what most of my visions are?"

He shook his head, eyeing me curiously, "I know that you seemed like you were in pain after you saw Laura's body."

"Yeah," I turned to face out the windshield and sighed heavily, "Typically I don't see things. I feel things. I felt Laura's death as though the teeth were tearing into my very skin. My mom was the same way, she said it was our magic's way of reminding us who we are protecting. When an innocent person dies sometimes I can feel their death, it's to make it personal for me. I didn't have any visions of the kind until six years ago."

I hadn't told anyone this, not Selena, not Eva, not Declan. No one. "After that crash I spent two weeks mostly unconscious. I'm not sure if it was my mother's powers passing on to me or what but I spent those two weeks in the fire. You know, I could probably walk every inch of your old house blindfolded. That's where I was, burning for two weeks. It felt so real that I would tear my very real stitches out trying to get into the shower and put the fire out. They had to sedate me to keep me from doing that."

My hands were shaking so I clasped them together to make them stop, "The point is, that I take what happened to your family very personally. I think you need to understand that."

Derek watched me for a long moment after that, "Is that how you knew I was in danger just now?"

"Basically," I confirmed and then tried to steer the subject away, "Getting tased really sucks."

He nodded, "Yeah, sorry."

"It's not your fault."

He glanced out the window, "You know, I think I remember you. From before, when we were kids."

"Yeah?"

Derek nodded, "At the house, your mom had come by to visit and you were playing on the porch with my sister Cora." He swallowed at the name, "She was little younger than you I think, but you two were the closest in age. I don't remember what game you were playing, but I do remember that I accidentally trampled over it."

"Accidentally, huh?"

He cracked a smile at that, "Maybe not so much." He laughed, "I remember you got so mad. I don't remember what you said but you got right up in my face and told me off."

"That does sound like me," I agreed with a laugh.

"I remember it the other night in the hospital," Derek noted, this was his first mention of our argument, "You've never been scared of me for a second. I could probably make Stiles wet his pants, but you..." He shook his head.

I shrugged, "I can handle myself against a werewolf, no taser needed." I reminded him, "Besides, Laura told me you were basically just a big puppy."

"Did she?" Derek raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah, she hoped you stayed that way." I noted, "She was worried that you'd lose that."

He sighed, "Laura always thought more highly of me then I deserved."

"Big sisters can do that, for sure." I said knowingly, thinking of Stiles he was basically my brother, "But I don't think she was wrong."

Derek met my eyes for a moment as if trying to read something there, "I think I could trust you, but you may not want to trust me."

I wasn't sure how to respond to that. He had a point, I still wasn't sure if he was set on the good path or if he would turn bad. As much as I trusted Laura's opinion of him, I didn't know Derek Hale very well. He had shown me glimpses of the person Laura had talked about, he had worked hard to push that person down. I decided not to respond, that was enough talking for now. I was tired and the shadows were starting to deepen around us. I reached down and pulled the lever on my seat to recline back, and shortly after Derek did the same. We lay back in silence, watching the leaves shifting in the wind through the sun roof. I think we had made progress today, I had given him more reason to trust me. Though I was now coming to terms with having admitted that part of my past to someone. I didn't like to think about that time, I had felt like I was going crazy. I still felt like part of my was in the fire and it still made me afraid to close my eyes sometimes. I had never told anyone, but if anyone needed to know it was Derek. He needed to trust me. Slowly I let my mind clear again.

I must have drifted off because when I woke up it was dark out and the passenger seat was empty except for Declan's sweatshirt. It was the only sign Derek had even been here. I sat my seat up and tossed the sweatshirt into the back, I turned my car on again to check the time and get the heat going. It had gotten colder. I rubbed my eyes to make sure I was awake and then I pulled onto the road to go home.

I was surprised to find the house empty when I got there, I went to my room and grabbed my phone. I had several mixed calls from Stiles but he had only left one message. It was about an accident at the school, I didn't wait to hear the whole thing, I just called him quickly.

"Hello?"

"Stiles, I'm sorry I left my phone in my room," I said quickly, "What happened?"

"There was a mountain lion at the school, dad got hit by a car," Stiles said quickly, "He's fine, just a bad bruise. We're leaving the hospital now. We'll see you at home."

"See you then," I sighed and hung up, I went to get in the shower.

I could tell that Stiles was angry with me, probably for not answering his calls. I knew it would be pointless to apologize again so I just let it go. He would stew over for a day or two and then he would decide to forgive me. I definitely didn't want to explain where I had been. Considering how anti-Derek he was I knew that telling him I had been saving Derek again instead of answering his calls, I doubted that would win me many points.

The appearance of an actual mountain lion in the midst of all of the attacks was definitely serendipitous. Of course it wasn't the mountain lion that had killed those people, and this particular mountain lion would probably be cleared of the charges. Still, it would only go reinforce the false belief that it really was some sort of mountain lion that was committing the attacks. I closed my eyes against a tension headache and decided to go to bed early.

I dreamed that I was running.

...

"He's into you." Selena said triumphantly and shifted on my bed where she had been flipping through a magazine. We had been working on a healing spell for the Sheriff, so that his bruising would fade more quickly from the car accident.

"Who is?" I asked, trying to make my tone sound as bored as possible.

Selena sat up, crossing her legs in front of her, "Derek!"

I laughed sharply, "Don't think so."

"Oh, come on," Selena had a very smug look on her face, "Let's look at the evidence. He's a giant asshole to everyone else on the planet. He obviously trusts you too, at least as much as he can, I mean he's constantly showing up to ask you for help or just compare notes or whatever on the alpha." She grinned, "All of those little excuses just to come see you."

"Probably because our moms were close," I rolled my eyes.

"Or, and hear me out here, or because he wants to see you naked."

I laughed again, "You have an overactive imagination."

"I'm so right," Selena picked up the magazine again, "It's ridiculous how right I am."

"It's certainly ridiculous," I teased and finished the spell, "There, how does this look."

Selena took the pouch from me and examined it, "Good, you're getting better at this." She noted before tossing it back to me.

I got up and went to the Sheriff's room to tuck this under his bed quickly, when I got back we settled down to work on some actual homework. Fortunately she didn't bring up her little theory about Derek again. I didn't buy it, Derek and I were... well almost friends. Considering how bent out of shape he got about Scott having a 'distraction' of a girlfriend I doubted he would let himself be interested in anyone. I wasn't exactly looking for a romantic entanglement either to be honest. I hadn't even considered it a possibility with Derek. Selena was just creating her own drama to entertain herself.

I had all but forgotten the conversation when I turned out the lamp and laid down to try and get to sleep. My phone buzzed on the nightstand and I sighed, sitting up and grabbing it, I figured it was probably Selena staying up too late or something. It was a from a number I didn't have programmed into my phone and it was a text that just said "Window." I looked over at the window and saw Derek there, tucking his phone back into his pocket as he crouched on the roof.

I sighed and got up opening the window for him, "What's up?" I asked, shivering slightly as a cold wind drifted in with him.

He straightened and glanced at me before closing the window, "Scott met the alpha tonight."

"What?" I said a bit too loud and glanced at the door, everything was quiet in the hall, "Is he okay?"

"Yeah, he's fine." he answered, it was Derek that looked shaken.

I went and locked my door, "Did he speak to him?"

"No, Scott said he could feel rage," Derek ran a hand through his hair, "and he drew a spiral."

A spiral, I could almost remember what this meant, to give myself time to think about it I rummaged for a sweatshirt in my dresser that I forgot as soon as the detail clicked into place, "It means a vendetta, right?"

"Yeah." Derek swallowed, "Exactly."

"Whose vendetta?" I asked, mostly to myself, Eva had said that the alpha had a purpose. It was motivated by something, a vendetta would certainly fit that description.

"I'm not sure, I may need your help with that," Derek shoved his hands into his pockets, the leather of his jacket creaking slightly.

I laughed lightly, "I'm not sure how much help I can be with that. This doesn't really get me any closer to being able to identify who the alpha is. All it does is to confirm that these killings aren't random, but I already suspected that."

"Do you think you could look into someone's mind?" Derek asked, ignoring my last statement.

I blinked, "Whoa, that's intense," he was staring at me, "Maybe, if they are open to it."

"Good," Derek nodded and turned back to the window.

"Are you going to tell me what you're thinking about or are we back to all this cloak and dagger nonsense?" I asked, moving over as he opened the window again.

He sighed, "I'm still working on it. I'll let you know." Derek started to climb out of the window again and he paused, "The tattoo looks good, by the way."

"Oh," I glanced back and could see it in the mirror, the tank top I was wearing didn't cover it, "Thanks."

He nodded and then jumped down from the roof and vanished into the darkness. I shook my head and closed the window, locking it again. Only then it occurred to me that what he had done was only marginally less intrusive than just breaking into my room. I rolled my eyes, werewolves, they had no sense of boundaries apparently. At least he did use his phone instead of just sitting there staring at me until I noticed him. I would take whatever progress I could get.

The alpha had gotten near Scott again, only proving how there was probably very little we could do to actually protect Scott. I fell into bed feeling completely powerless. How had all of this been put on me? Oh right, I had volunteered. Then again I hadn't really volunteered, it was my duty as a white witch. As a Blanchett witch. Protect the innocent, stop the big bad wolf. How, exactly, was I supposed to do that? I had my not yet fully developed powers, Scott who was not even a little competent as a werewolf, and Derek who could honestly still pull an Anakin Skywalker and join the dark side.

"We are so screwed." I sighed and pressed my palms against my eyes until I saw stars, "So screwed."

...

Scott and Stiles were both acting strange the next day, but I decided whatever they were up to was dead last on my list of concerns. At school I relayed the meaning of the spiral to Selena and that seemed to worry her enough to keep her from commenting on Derek's late night visit.

"So you were right then, these attacks aren't random," Selena noted and shook her head, "It's part of a vendetta, but for what?"

"I don't know," I shrugged, "The bus driver that was attacked, he recognized Derek and I. He apologized for something."

"Okay, well why would he apologize to you guys?" Selena curled a strand of hair around her finger thoughtfully.

I shifted, staring into my locker without seeing, "It all seems to come back to the fire somehow. I think that's why Laura was here, she was looking for answers about what happened six years ago. It's the tragedy that Derek and I have in common, and it's certainly vendetta-worthy."

"Okay, but if someone is trying to avenge the deaths of the Hales why would they kill Laura?" Selena frowned, "That makes no sense."

"Unless she had something they wanted," I shook my head, brainstorming absently, "Maybe information or... the alpha spark."

"This is so messed up," Selena noted grimly and I couldn't help but agree.

After school I pulled into the driveway at home and got out of my car, I was getting a headache. I figured it was probably from stress. I needed a vacation, but that didn't seem likely to happen ever again. I opened the back to get my school bag out when I felt it, the feeling that I was being watched. At this point I don't know what I would do if it didn't end up being Derek. Sure enough was across the street, he had parked his car and was leaning against the door watching me. I locked my car and started over to him irritably.

"I gave you my number for a reason," I informed him, "I feel like you don't understand why."

Derek rolled his eyes and just straightened, opening the passenger side door for me, "Come on, I have an idea."

"Super," I started to get in, "Is this anything like your other brilliant ideas?"

He just closed the door behind me and went around to get into the driver's seat, "I think I have an idea of how we can find out more about the alpha."

"I love it when you're cryptic and secretive," I joked as he started to the car, "It's not frustrating at all. How are things going with Scott by the way?"

"I'm trying to teach him control."

" 'Trying' being the operative word?" I asked.

"He was bitten, it takes time, I'm not sure how we should be going about it," Derek was clearly frustrated as he pulled onto the road and sped away.

"Well, I think Scott and Stiles were working on it at school," I noted, "I overheard Stiles saying that he was going to be a better Yoda than you."

Derek snorted, "Sure, until he gets himself killed."

"Your shining optimism is so comforting." I shot back.

"You're in a particularly sarcastic mood today," Derek noted drily.

"Coping mechanism," I waved a hand dismissively, "I bury all my stress under layers of snark and bad jokes. I'm sure it will never come back to haunt me in the form of a nervous breakdown."

He parked at the hospital and got out, "Well, if you're going to have a nervous break down, this would be the place."

"Ha ha," I deadpanned and followed him inside, "Not that I don't enjoy these frequent trips to the hospital, but maybe we could mix it up sometime and go someplace not oozing with death and sickness."

I followed him to his uncle's hospital room and we entered quietly. Peter was in his wheelchair with his back to us, facing the windows. I guess some nurse had thought that he should have a nice view. Of course whether or not he actually had the mental capacity to appreciate seeing the sky was up for debate. I had a feeling that was a debate Derek wanted to settle today. He must have come to the same conclusion that I had, that the vendetta had to do with the Hale fire. I guess it was reasonable to expect that the only known survivor of it may be able to offer some insight. That was if he was actually still in there.

I sighed at the realization, "You want me to see if I can see into his mind?" It was hardly a question, that was obvious now.

"If you can," Derek replied.

I slid out of my jacket and draped it over the foot of the bed, hanging my scarf on it, "This feels like a long shot Derek."

"If it has to do with what happened six years ago then he's our best chance," He argued and then shook his head, "Elise, would you please try?"

I rubbed the palms of my hands together nervously, "I'll try, don't expect much okay?"

I sat on the edge of the hospital bed and Derek turned the chair around so that Peter Hale was facing me. I looked into those blank eyes and felt whatever hope I did have ebbing away. There didn't seem to be much left of the person he had once been. I glanced at Derek, I was acutely aware that I might look into his mind and see only pain and fire. I wasn't particularly fond of that idea. I took a deep breath and focused back on Peter, I raised my hands to touch each of his temples gently.

"Sorry, uh, for the intrusion," I apologized in advance and closed my eyes, reaching out with my magic. I felt it flaring to life and forming a connection between his consciousness and mine. I wasn't even sure it would work until suddenly all I saw were flames, I was standing back the familiar hallway of the Hale house. All around me was fire and I felt it biting into my skin, the pain was more real than anything I had ever experienced.

I jerked back and severed the connection instantly, I bolted away from the catatonic man toward the window. My hands were shaking and I rubbed them against my skirt, as if some remnants of the connection I had formed with his mind might still be on my fingertips. I could feel my heart beating wildly in my chest, I hadn't felt like this in quite some time. For the most part I had banished the fire from my memory. I could still feel the heat of it on my skin. I leaned my forehead against the window pane, the coolness of the glass helped. It helped bring me back to the present and I felt my breathing and heart rate calm. Soon I was calm enough to feel embarrassed by my little episode, I must look insane.

"Sorry," I spoke, "All I saw was fire."

I turned around as I spoke and was surprised to find Derek there, as close as we had been standing when we had argued in this room before. He was watching me carefully, as if I might collapse at any moment, and for once his gaze was unguarded and even reflected concern, "I'm sorry," he said softly, "I didn't think..."

I cleared my throat awkwardly and gave him a reassuring smile, "I'm fine. It's fine."

Derek nodded and glanced at Peter, "I guess this idea was a bust."

"Maybe not," I tucked my hair behind my ears, glad to have his penetrating gaze away from me. I had felt vulnerable enough in that moment without him staring at me like that, "You're his nephew, try just talking to him."

Derek didn't look so certain but he took my spot on the edge of the bed, seeming almost nervous as he started talking to Peter. I hung back and just crossed my arms, trying to give him his space. I figured this might be awkward enough without me watching over his shoulder. I wasn't even sure how useful it would be, I hadn't gotten much of a sense of Peter Hale in my short glimpse. There had been a flicker of something, but I couldn't be sure.

"I need your help." Derek started, "If you can hear me, I need you to give me a sign. Blink. Raise a finger. Anything. Just... Just something to point me in the right direction, okay?"

Peter didn't look any more alive than before and Derek glanced at me and I gave an encouraging nod. Derek cast his eyes down at his own hands for a moment as if gathering his thoughts, "Someone killed Laura." He began again holding back the pain that came with those words, "Your niece. Laura?" Derek looked at Peter for a long moment as if hoping for a reaction, there was none.

"Whoever he is, he's an alpha now. But he's one without a pack." He pushed on, "Which means he's not as strong. I can take him. But I have to find him first. Look, if you know something, just give me a sign. Is it one of us? Did someone else make it out of the fire?" He was getting more and more determined, "Just give me anything. Blink, raise a finger, just anything." His desperation reached a peak and he leaned forward, grabbing the arms of the wheelchair, "Say something!"

I moved forward quickly and gripped his arm placing my other hand on his shoulder in a restraining gesture, "Derek..."

"Let him go." The same nurse from the other night was standing in the doorway. How long had she been there? She was quiet like a ninja. Derek straightened and looked back at her as she continued, "You think after six years of this, yelling at him is going to get a response?"

"You got a better method?" He challenged.

"Patience," She answered quickly, "He'll respond if you give him the time."

Derek looked down at the still motionless Peter and then looked at me, I realized that I still had a hand on his arm so I dropped it quickly, "I don't have any more time," Derek said simply and brushed past the nurse on his way out.

I sighed and pinched the bridge of my nose for a moment before remembering he had driven me here, "Sorry," I apologized to the nurse and hurried out, grabbing my jacket quickly as I went, "Derek!"

I had to run to catch up with him and when I did it became clear he wasn't in the mood to talk. He was disappointed, and probably felt pretty silly for even trying. I wasn't entirely sure what to say, or what I could say that would make him feel better. I figured this was probably a time just to let him stew in silence. I pulled my jacket as we exited the hospital, there was snow falling lazily. It wasn't enough to stick but it was a testament to how cold it was. Derek stormed around to the drivers side of his car and snatched a piece of paper off the windshield. Someone had left it under one of the wipers to keep it from blowing away. It was too big to be a parking ticket, it was probably a flier or something. He looked at it for a moment and then glanced around as if the person that left it would still be hanging around.

I stayed on my side of the car, straightening my jacket, "What is it?"

Derek looked at me for a moment, his gaze piercing and thoughtful as he decided to ignore my question. He got into the car quickly and I moved to open the door, but it was still locked, "Hey," I called and rapped on the window. Derek didn't look up, he just put the car in gear and I had to step back as the car sped away.

"Derek!" I watched him go, "Seriously?!"

I tugged my jacket tighter around myself and looked around the parking lot, completely at a loss. I needed to know what was on that piece of paper, if Derek didn't want me to come along it was probably because he thought I wouldn't approve of whatever he was doing. I paused when I realized my scarf was missing and I moved to back track to the hospital room and retrieve it, it wasn't like I could go anywhere fast anyway. Besides, it was cold and a dress and leggings didn't prove to provide much warmth. The nurse had left the room when I got there and Peter hadn't moved. I looked around for my scarf for a moment before giving up, I probably dropped it in the hall or something.

I glanced at Peter again, it was interesting that whoever had put that paper on his car had done it while we were here. It occurred to me that being catatonic was one hell of an alibi. Also, that an alpha spark might provide an additional healing boost that someone who had been half burned might need. I moved back over to Peter and sat on the bed again, scrutinizing him. His eyes were definitely far away, from what I could tell he hadn't moved in any way since we had first arrived. I reached up hesitantly to touched some of the scarring on his right temple.

"No, that would have healed," I sighed and shook my head, I needed to find Derek so that we could figure out who the alpha was. Mostly I needed to find him so that he didn't do whatever it was he knew I wouldn't approve of. I got up and closed the door quickly, I put my bag on the bed and started digging through for something. I pulled a small stub of a candle out, I needed to know where Derek was going. Tracking spells could be hit or miss, but I hoped this would be one of the instances when it proved reliable. I glanced at Peter and then the door again before snapping my fingers over the wick of the candle to light it.

I closed my eyes and inhaled the smoke that drifted lazily up from the flame, a familiar haziness came over my. It felt as though the smoke was in my skull, warming me up from the inside out. This was a good sign. I pulled up an image of Derek in my mind, the image swirled like smoke in a breeze and took another form. It was the image of the sign for the animal clinic.

I blew the candle out quickly and shoved it back into my bag before hurrying out, I didn't have time to get a ride so I just zipped my jacket up tightly and started to walk. It wasn't too far. When I felt that I had adjusted as much as I could to the cold air I started to run, I couldn't imagine what had been on that paper that would lead him to the clinic but I knew I needed to get there quickly. I spent the run entertaining the thought of punching him in the face. I knew it would hurt him more then it would hurt me, but I wasn't entirely sure that it wouldn't be worth it. I mean, it was snowing and he had abandoned me. I was starting to understand why Stiles had such a low Derek tolerance.

The sun had set by the time I arrived at the clinic. The sign hanging on the front door was turned to 'closed' but when I peeked in I could see a light on in the exam room. When I tried the door I found it to be unlocked. That seemed unusual for after hours. Suddenly I had a thought, what if Derek had killed someone? Or done something almost as unforgivable, something that would make him my target? I had sworn to the coven that I would put an end to him if he became a danger to innocent people. I gripped the handle of the door tightly.

No. Derek wouldn't do that, there was more good in him then that. Even if he was a giant asshole. Then my anger and indignation came flooding back and pushed away the more morbid thoughts, "Derek!" I shouted angrily as I shoved the door open and stormed inside.

When I entered the exam room it was Scott that I saw first, he was standing over Dr. Deaton and cleaning a wound on the man's cheek. It appeared that the good doctor was currently unconscious, and tied to a chair. A movement in the corner caught my eye and I turned to see Derek standing sullenly in the corner. When I looked at him he at least had the good decency to look remorseful, even if only for an instant.

"Seriously! I should kick your werewolf ass!" I stormed over to him and shoved him, more angry then rational. Of course this had little affect on him, he wasn't unmovable wall of werewolf muscle, "You abandoned me at the hospital without even a word so you could go beat up Dr. Deaton?!"

"I knew you wouldn't let me," Derek defended.

"You're damn right I wouldn't have let you!" This time I conjured my magic and used that to push him and to my pleasure he looked reasonably surprised when he was slammed back against the wall. I just continued my rant, "Ugh! I had to walk here, it's cold outside! I vouched for you to the coven and then you go pull this..." I motioned toward the unconscious Deaton, the words failing to come to me.

"He lied. He said he hadn't ever seen anything like this. He lied, why would he do that?" Derek held up the piece of paper that he had found as if it were some sort of infallible evidence in his favor.

I snatched the paper away and examined it, it was a photo of a dead dear with a spiral carved into its side, "I don't know but you don't just go around punching people you're suspicious of! What if he's innocent Derek?"

"What if he's not?!" He shot back, "What if he's the alpha? Or protecting the alpha?"

"There are other ways to find that out." I sighed irritably and went to see if I could help Scott.

Scott nodded, "Look, just give me an hour."

Derek sighed, "Then what?"

"Meet me at the school. In the parking lot." Scott had the look of someone that was working through an idea, "And don't hurt him anymore."

I folded my arms across my chest, "Don't worry, I'll keep an eye on him."

"Thanks Elise," Scott noted gratefully, "An hour," he repeated and then started out.

After Scott left I set my bag on the exam table and went to examine Dr. Deaton's wounds. I could feel Derek's green glare boring into me, and I was very pointedly ignoring it. I touched the doctor's cheek and pushed some of my magic into his skin, hopefully that would help with the healing and the pain whenever he woke up. It was several long, silent minutes before one of us spoke.

"You vouched for me with the coven," He said finally, not moving from the corner maybe he was afraid I'd use magic on him again. I might have, hard to say.

I glanced at him before turning back to Deaton's wounds, "Yeah, I did. They wanted to know if I thought you were a risk."

"And you told them no," Derek concluded.

I shrugged, "Not exactly. I said that you were dangerous, but that there was good in you. I basically took responsibility for you." I shot him a glare, "I didn't realize it would be a full time commitment."

"I'm sorry," He said finally.

"Dr. Deaton might like to hear that," I noted drily.

"I'm not sorry about that," Derek rolled his eyes, "I'm sorry that I left you at the hospital. I did what I thought I needed to in order to get answers."

"I thought the whole point of this was that were doing it as a pack," I snapped, "The whole 'we're stronger in numbers' philosophy. You can't go rogue. We have to trust each other."

"I don't trust anyone," Derek said simply.

"You've made that abundantly clear."

After that we fell silent, even after I abandoned Deaton's wounds we didn't speak. I stayed on the other side of the room, keeping a close eye on Dr. Deaton while we waited. Once the hour was almost up Derek grabbed a roll of duct tape and went to tape the doc's mouth. This quickly escalated into another confrontation, in the end I relented. He had a point, if the doctor woke up while we were driving somewhere and started screaming. The last thing we would need was to be pulled over by the police. I made sure to let him know that I was very unhappy about it though. However, we were soon at it again when Derek was determined to put his prisoner in the trunk of his car.

"No way," I said firmly, "Absolutely not."

Derek gave an exasperated sigh and just pressed the button on the remote that popped the trunk, "And if he wakes up and turns in the backseat?"

"How about he rides shot gun and you ride in the trunk?" I snapped before slamming the trunk closed again and planting my feet firmly, "Or better yet you can walk."

He glared at me but just carried Dr. Deaton around to put him in the back seat. I helped by opening the door and leaning the passenger seat forward. He shoved the poor man back there and then just stormed around to his side of the car. I huffed and did what I could to make Dr. Deaton more comfortable before I got into the front seat. I was in the mood to punch Derek in the face again. He seemed to get over his sulking on the drive, and turned the heat up on high. I had the feeling he was trying to make it up to me for leaving me to walk in the cold earlier. This made me feel slightly less furious, but only a very little bit less.

"How did you find me, by the way?" He asked.

"A tracking spell," I caught his look, "Don't get your hopes up about that. It was a long shot that it would work. It's not always that easy, especially if someone doesn't want to be found."

"You're saying I wanted you to find me?"

"Maybe," I sighed, "Or maybe you were just open to me because you felt bad for leaving me in the parking lot."

"Do you have any idea what these losers are planning?" Derek changed the subject as we pulled into the parking lot at school and saw Scott and Stiles standing by the jeep, Stiles had a flashlight and some bolt cutters cradled in his arms.

"Nope." I shook my head, I hoped it wasn't completely idiotic.

"Where's my boss?" Scott asked as we got out of the car.

"He's in the back." Derek said dismissively.

The boys moved around me to look inside to where Deaton was was lying awkwardly in the back, "Oh, he's looks comfortable." Stiles noted drily.

"I made sure he didn't get put in the trunk," I said defensively when Scott looked my way, "I tried to make him comfortable but I didn't have a lot of help." I shot Derek a scathing look.

Scott just sighed and tapped Stiles on the shoulder, starting up toward the entrance to the school, "Wait. Hey. What are you doing?" Derek stopped them quickly.

Scott looked back as he walked, "You said I was linked with the alpha." he turned to continue climbing the stairs to the door as he finished, "I'm gonna see if you're right."

I nodded, though not entirely sure what that meant, "I'll stay here and continue to wolf-sit, don't mind me." I called after them and just went to lean on the back bumper of the jeep.

Derek shot me a glare but then came around his car to perch next to me while we waited. I shivered faintly, I almost always seemed to be cold these days. I had asked Eva about it once, she said she didn't fully understand but that my mother had been that way too. Apparently my mom always thought that it was because of the magic. When we let our magic flow it felt like a pleasant fire through our veins. So it made sense that the cold would be much more noticeable in its absence.

Derek glanced at me, "I can get a shirt from the trunk..."

"No thanks," I cut him off, still pissed. I'll be the first to admit that it was somewhat childish, but I didn't care. I had a right to be pissed, he abandoned me in a parking lot so that he could go beat in the face in of a guy who had always been perfectly lovely to Scott.

"Aren't white witches supposed to be forgiving?" Derek noted tiredly.

I rolled my eyes, "I'm a witch, not a nun."

This earned a snort of laughter from him and he shifted his weight, his arm brushing mine slightly, "Okay."

Suddenly a sound erupted from the speakers all over the school, it sounded like some sort of pathetic creature. It brought to mind the image of a cartoon cat that had been placed in a pillowcase that was being beaten up against a wall. I blinked and glanced back at the school.

"You've got to be kidding me," A mortified Derek grumbled.

I realized that the sound was Scott, and that he was trying to howl. I burst out laughing as the sound faded pathetically away, all that was left was the sound of my giggling. Derek looked at me and shook his head so I elbowed his arm quickly, "Oh c'mon Derek, that was the most hilarious thing I've ever heard."

"It's embarrassing, is what it is," Derek corrected me.

I laughed again, "Not for me it's not. I want that to be my ring tone, do you think he'd do it again?"

Derek actually rewarded me with half of a smile when another sound built up through the intercom system. This was definitely not a drowning cat, this was a real, proper, howl. The window panes of the school trembled with it and it was so loud I could feel it reverberating in my chest. Derek and I exchanged a look and we both stood from the bumper and walked around to watch the school. Needless to say we were both surprised, it was loud. This was their plan? This was the worst plan ever! What were we supposed to do if the alpha answered his call? I glanced around quickly as if it might already be here waiting to pounce as the last echoes of Scott's first successful howl faded away. A few minutes later the two dingbats came sauntering out of the school, looking very pleased with themselves.

"I'm gonna kill both of you!" Derek threatened accusingly.

I frowned at him, "Do you just threaten to kill them all the time? Eventually that's going to stop working."

He ignored me, "What the hell was that?" he demanded, "What are you trying to do, attract the entire state to the school?"

"Sorry." Scott said but clearly he was pretty satisfied with his howl, "I didn't know it would be that loud."

"Yeah, it was loud. And it was awesome." Stiles chimed in and I rolled my eyes, resisting the urge to face palm. This was my pack. Dear god what a depressing thought.

"Shut up." Derek ordered.

"Don't be such a sour-wolf," Stiles said simply. I stored that away for later, 'sour-wolf' I liked that.

Scott motioned to get Stiles' attention quickly, staring past us at the car, "What'd you do with him?"

"What?" Derek frowned and we both looked back, the passenger side door was open with the seat folded forward. The car was empty, there was no Dr. Deaton to be seen.

"I didn't do anything," Derek insisted turning back around to face them.

I nodded, "Yeah, I was watching him the whole time."

A low growling was the only warning of the attack, and it gave us less then a second to react. Suddenly Derek jerked and then choked, the sound turning into an odd gurgling. I turned and watched him being lifted from the ground, blood spouting from his mouth. With the tips of blood stained claws piercing his abdomen. The beast was massive, towering above us with bright red eyes and huge pointed teeth made visible by its snarling that was growing in volume and anger.

"Run!" I shouted at the boys as the alpha tossed Derek like a rag doll easily twenty feet until he hit the wall of the school and fell in a lifeless heap into the leaves. I moved to pivot on my feet to face the attacker, magic tingling in the palms of my hands as I built up to strike. A giant clawed hand swung out and struck me in the side so hard that my feet left the ground. I was flung just as far as Derek had been. The impact of striking the brick wall of the school caused me to emit an involuntary yelp. I felt the side of my skull smack the brick and then I landed only a few feet away from Derek.

The wind had been knocked out of me and grasped for air and scrambled on my hands and knees to check Derek for signs of life. I felt like the ground was rolling underneath me, as though I was on the deck of a ship during a storm. I didn't dare try to get to my feet, black dots swam before my vision. I gripped the neck of Derek's jacket and pulled it back, trying to find a pulse but I was too disoriented. The snarling intensified.

"Derek?" My voice sounded hoarse and far away. I felt the shadow looming over me and I jerked around, this made my head spin. I was ready to get off of whatever cheaply made carnival ride this was, the spinning made my stomach twist. The alpha leaned down close, it's teeth dripping with saliva and only a few inches from my face. It's hot breath blew strands of my hair back. I was gripping the back of Derek's jacket very tightly, the leather solid and comforting. It helped to keep me stable despite my ragged breathing and throbbing head. The air was cold but I felt a layer of sweat over my skin. This was it, I was going to die without even being able to put up much of a fight.

I flinched back as it reached up a monstrous hand, it's elongated claws still dripping with Derek's blood. Its claws brushed my cheek a razor sharp claw brushing over my throat. It didn't apply enough pressure to break the skin, but it left trails of Derek's still warm blood behind. There was a low rumble in the back of its throat, surely it was about to strike. I closed my eyes, preparing for the final blow, but then the presence was gone. I opened my eyes and saw the parking lot swimming before me. The image of it seemed to ripple before my eyes and the black spots grew starting to envelope my vision. The earth was tilting rapidly, we would all fall off of it into space. No, wait, I was just falling. Everything went black before I hit the ground.

I dreamed that I was running again. I was running through the forest and it was so dark I couldn't see the ground in front of me. I propelled myself forward because I had to run, I couldn't tell if I was running to or from something. All I felt was the urgency, I had to keep pressing forward. I lengthened my stride flying forth into the blackness, unsure of where I was stepping until I felt my boot meet the solid ground. Then suddenly it didn't, there was no longer the earth beneath my feet and I was falling. My arms flailed but I couldn't scream, I couldn't do anything. Then I hit something, or more like something caught me. An arm wrapped around my back as I collided with him, an unmoving force. Derek's face looked down at me, blood still staining his chin and lips bright red.

"I got you," He echoed my words of reassurance from his run in with Kate Argent.

I opened my eyes slowly, I was warm and there was definitely a pillow beneath my head. I blinked slowly, letting my eyes adjust to the dark room, my room. I reached up to feel my throbbing head and hissed when I touched the tender area of my skull where it had bashed against the school. My ribs hurt, but they were probably just bruised, nothing more. I sat up slowly, but fortunately the room didn't start spinning again. I swallowed, how did I get here? I looked around, expecting someone to be in the shadows, but I was alone. I reached over and turned the lamp on, I flinched back at the bright light and took another moment to adjust.

I got up off of the bed and moved to my bathroom, the blood from the alpha's claws had dried on my face and neck. They looked like slashes, it was morbid sight, the bright red of blood a stark contrast to my skin. I turned on the sink and started to wash it off quickly, this was very important, I had to get it off. When I was satisfied that all traces of it were gone I looked at my reflection again, I looked pale and unwell, but then again I did have a pretty good knock on my head. I let out a shaking breath and closed my eyes. I still felt disoriented. I ran through the events in my mind, making sure I had them all in order before I remembered.

"Stiles!" I gasped and went back out into my room, my bag was sitting at the foot of the bed and I sat down to rummage through it for my phone. On it were quite a few texts from Stiles, the first were asking if I was okay. Then saying that the alpha had killed the janitor, then asking where I was. The last few were assertions that they were all alive and the alpha was gone, apparently so was Derek. Which was good because Scott had decided to blame it all on him, again.

I heard the jeep pulling into the driveway downstairs and I tossed the phone aside but didn't bother to get up. I listened to the front door banging open and then the sound of Stiles ungracefully mounting the stairs two or three at a time. That kid, was just... so loud.

"Elise?!" He appeared in my doorway, "Oh thank god! What happened to you?"

"I'm not sure," I was relieved to hear that my voice sounded stronger than I felt, "I got knocked out and I just woke up here."

Stiles glanced toward the window at the sound of the Sheriff's cruiser pulling up to the house, "Are you okay?"

"I have a headache, but I'll be fine," I assured him, "Are you okay?"

"Yeah... yeah, I think so. Yeah," Stiles nodded quickly, "We didn't tell them you were there so... you weren't there."

"Okay," I heard the door open downstairs again, "You can tell me everything tomorrow, okay?"

He nodded, "Yeah, uh, I'm glad you're okay. Really, really glad you're okay."

"Me too, but about you," I gave him a tired smile, "Go get some rest Stiles."

The Sheriff came to check in and I told him that I had been at Selena's and didn't know that anything had happened until I got home. He seemed to buy it, but I must have really looked rough because he kept asking if I was okay. I told him it was just a really bad head ache and he brought me some aspirin and water and told me to get some sleep. I was relieved to be able to close my door and keep them both out. I did want to know what happened, but I still felt off. I felt like I was in both of a reality and a dream simultaneously and I couldn't think very coherently. I took four aspirin for my head ache and then turned on my shower. I had washed the blood off but I could still feel where it had been.

I undressed, pausing to examine the darkening bruises that was blossoming along my side where he had hit me. There were also bruises on my back and shoulder where I had struck the wall. I would have to be careful to keep these covered so that the Sheriff didn't start asking where I got them. I took a long shower, letting the hot water ease my aching body. Afterwards I crawled gratefully into bed, the one good thing about how I felt was that it was easy to ignore all of the questions I had. I was aching and tired, too tired to be able to worry about them. I managed to fall into a mercifully dreamless sleep.