Chapter Six- Jackson

"So, what do you want to watch tonight?" Lydia jumped onto the couch next to me. "I was thinking along the lines of Captain America or Star Wars. Something that you guys already have here so we don't have to go out and get one."

"You don't want to watch The Notebook?" I was shocked. It was Friday movie night and we had watched the movie so many times that I lost count. "Let's just watch Captain America."

She popped the disk into the blu-ray and came back to nestle herself between me and the armrest. I slid my arm around her and she rested her head against my chest. We got to the point where Steve was accepted into the military before Lydia asked, "How was the meeting last night?"

I shrugged. "Derek old us about some weird Alphas that came to see him named Hayden and Savannah. Apparently they want him to join their little club. None of us know yet why someone is following you."

Lydia nodded. "What about Erica? She was really upset last night. Was she angry that she wasn't able to go to the meeting?"

"Yeah, she was," I replied, "I could tell. But don't worry about it; Boyd filled her in. The rest of the pack decided to go to Isaac's old place tonight to watch over Scott so he doesn't freak out."

"They're next door?" My girlfriend turned in the direction of the house as if she would see it through the wall.

"Derek wants to keep moving locations. We were in the middle of the woods last night," I explained. "They also wanted to be close in case either one of us needed help. Scott might go completely insane."

Lydia nodded again. "Will you be okay, since the full moon is tonight?"

I looked into her beautiful eyes and tried to reassure her. "You're my anchor. I'll be much better then okay while you're here."

She smiled and settled against me. I was lucky it was the full moon; the heightened senses helped me listen to what was going on next door. I could hear Isaac telling Scott to focus on him and not his instinct. Stiles was talking rapidly to Derek and Erica about Lydia. "Maybe they want to know why she's not a wolf." Erica presented the new theory.

"Maybe," Derek replied. His voice was so quiet that I could barely hear him. "Her scent has changed since Peter bit her. She smells more like him."

I focused my attention elsewhere and found Boyd keeping watch around my house, Peter watching over Isaac's. Neither made a noise as the night went on. The movie was over quickly and Lydia got up to stretch and pick out a new one. "What would you like to put in now?" she asked me.

"Whatever you want babe," I stretched both of my arms and placed them on either side of the couch on top of the cushions.

She pulled out The Other Boleyn Girl and gave me a questioning look. I smiled in response as she replaced Captain America and snapped the case shut.

And that was when I heard it. Scott kicked down the door to Isaac's old home and went sprinting down the street growling for Allison. Isaac tore after him screaming "Scott, come back!" Derek and Erica were following only a second later, the Alpha shifting into full form to chase him. Boyd leapt onto the window ledge and knocked frantically. Lydia jumped, heart beating instantly faster, as I ran to open the window. Boyd spoke quickly, almost all in one breath. "Scott got out and we don't know exactly where he's going. All we know is that he's trying to find Allison, but she's most likely training somewhere. Peter is accompanying Stiles home so he's safe."

With that, he jumped to the middle of my backyard and went to join the others. His snarls could be heard for at least a mile. I closed the window and spun around at the sound of Lydia's soft whimper. I pulled her towards me and tried to calm her, running my finger through her hair in a way I knew helped her to relax. After almost fifteen minutes she allowed me to gently pull her to the couch and play the movie.

Her eyes never ventured from the screen. Lydia stayed completely focused on the tragic story and I stayed focused on her. She was obviously worried and nervous. Her body was tensed, her heart beating rapidly, and her hands were clammy. "Lydia?" I placed my hand on hers.

Suddenly, halfway through the film, another thud came from the window. "What is it now, Boyd?" I rolled my eyes, but realized it wasn't my fellow Beta when I looked through the glass.

The woman was just as Derek had described. Her black hair whipped in the wind and her white skin glowed in the darkness. Her dark eyes were filled with excitement as she tapped her sharp, red nails on the glass. Hayden punched through the window and the pieces shattered across the floor. Lydia was too terrified to do anything but take gasping breaths as I pulled her behind me, backing up at the same time until her back was against the wall. The female Alpha slithered past the broken shards of glass into my home. The smell of ash radiated off of her. I couldn't figure out how I hadn't noticed the stench before. I growled a warning as she stalked closer.

Hayden laughed. It was harsh and throaty, as was her voice. "You cannot stop us, you pathetic Beta! Give me the girl."

"What do you want from me?" Lydia squealed.

The new Alpha ignored her and met my eyes. "You cannot stop us," she repeated.

She lunged, her eyes as red as her nails. She swiped at my throat but I retaliated by grabbing her arm and pushing her away. Hayden moved swiftly and slashed my stomach. A strip of red appeared across my shirt and I hissed at her. I kicked her in the chest and she did nothing but take a step back. Hayden laughed once again, then threw her head back and let out a short howl. I realized a moment too late that it was a signal. The older woman grabbed me in my moment of surprise and tossed me to the floor as if I took her no effort. She pinned me against the carpet as someone else sprinted in. They were a blur as they threw Lydia over their shoulder, leaving out of the broken window instantly. I never felt so helpless as I heard my girlfriend's screams.

Hayden leaned down next to my ear and whispered, "It was fun playing with you boy, but I have a message for Derek. Tell him that you can have the girl back once he joins us. If he still refuses, we will strike again."

Her claws dug into my forearms, drawing blood, and she was gone a moment later. I stood slowly as the wounds healed and let out a howl full of all the rage, fear, and pain that I felt at loosing Lydia. I felt the guilt settling in already. Thoughts about not being able to protect her came to mind, along with the terror that she might be hurt. I couldn't stop the shift as I transformed into my wolf form and leapt out the window to follow the scent of ash. My house disappeared behind me as I ran into the woods, yelling out for Lydia. It echoed around me, but it wouldn't erase the sound of her screams.

Notes: Thanks guys! As always, I really appreciate you reading, and ask you to review. (: Unfortunately, though I hate to say it, it'll probably start to be about this long between posts now since I'm back in school. I'll try my best to post every two or three days, but expect a little longer.

Hope you all enjoyed this chapter. (:

-Megan