I don't own TeenWolf.

Married to Darkness- Chapter 4

Nolan left Theo's den shortly after their conversation on the plan of action for the evening. Theo did his usual routine for Sundays which included his laundry, shopping for food, doing his course work, and his workout routine. Corey stayed with the chimera and helped him or participated with him throughout the day. As the evening was approaching, Theo sat at his computer finishing up his psych paper while Corey read one of the dread doctor's journals while sitting on Theo's cot. Theo side eyed his fellow chimera and asked, "What do you think you are doing?"

Corey glanced to Theo, "Reading the materials you have from the dread doctors."

Theo hit the submit button on his finished paper and said, "I can see that but what I want to know is why?"

Corey shrugged, "Because I am a chimera too. If there is something I should know about, I would like to find out before it kills me. Again."

Theo shook his head and opened a tab to a discussion board and began to fill out the prompt, "There isn't too much in there. I should go back to their former lair and see if there is anything else hidden."

Corey closed the book and set it down on the stack next to Theo's bed. He asked, "Why did you go back there in the first place?"

Theo smirked, "I was looking for a place to call home. Before I found this wonderful bat cave."

Corey raised an eyebrow as he asked, "You planned on moving into the Dread Doctor's lair? That doesn't sound like it would've been a healthy decision."

Theo bit back, "What should I have done? Try to find my fake mom and dad and see if they wanted to play family again? Better yet, I probably should've just left town."

Corey shifted nervously as he asked, "Why didn't you talk to someone from the pack? We could've found a place for you."

Theo glanced to Corey before focusing on the screen, "Because I don't want someone to "find a place" for me. I take care of myself just fine."

Corey responded, "Yeah, we know you can take care of yourself but you don't have to do everything alone. You do have people who want to help you."

Theo audibly deleted a line he was typing as he stared at the screen, "Why? Because I helped them in the past? I didn't do any of that for anyone's benefit but my own."

Corey began, "But Gabe."

The younger chimera was cut off, "Don't start down that road Corey."

Theo knew his anger was rising and Corey could feel it. He wasn't surprised when Corey changed the subject by asking, "So how do you want to handle tonight's mission?"

Theo responded, "I will infiltrate their perimeter first, create a distraction while you and Nolan enter the facility. I will buy you time to find out what we need to about this facility and hopefully more about the other. If the hunters maneuver on you, I will take them out."

Corey nodded, "That sounds dangerous on your part."

Theo smirked, "Not really. They may be hunters but they are just human."

Corey swallowed audibly before asking, "How do you plan on distracting them?"

Theo laughed softly, "Easily."

Before Corey could ask another question, Theo asked, "So when do you plan on picking up the flare gun?"

Corey's eyes widened as he had forgot about the flares, "We can just stop at my house before we head to the forest. My dad has one on his boat."

Theo nodded as he finished up his discussion board. He turned in the chair to face Corey, "So are you ready for a little doctor pick-me-up?"

The chimera alpha reached into the drawer and pulled two vials and two syringes out and set them on the desk. One vial was the purple one from earlier. The second vial was considerably larger and contained a cloudy green fluid and the syringes were the large, twisted metal syringe that the dread doctors used in their experiments.

Corey looked at the vials and asked, "I thought we were using the purple vial?"

Theo grinned, "We are. The green vial is for me."

Corey softly asked, "What's in the green vial?"

Theo's mask of a smirk appeared and he said, "Maybe I will tell you when we get back from this mission."

Theo loaded half the contents of the purple vial in the syringes. He lined the tip up to his neck. As he slowly began to push in, there was a knock at the door. Theo set the syringe down and glared at Corey, who was staring at the older chimera, "Go open the door. It's probably Nolan."

Corey walked to the door and opened it. The nervous human stepped inside. He was wearing a set of black fatigues that matched those worn by Monroe's hunters. He carried a crossbow with a small quiver of bolts. Corey gasped slightly but Theo wore a proud smile, "It's good to see you already getting into character Nolan."

Nolan nervously smiled as he stepped into the den. He looked at the vials and syringe and asked, "Should I try the purple vial?"

Corey shrugged and Theo grinned, "I wouldn't if I were you. From what I've read you should be fine but I don't have all the dread doctor's notes."

Nolan nodded as Theo picked up the syringe and injected the contents of the solution into his jugular vein. He closed his eyes as he felt the burning sensation enter his body and spread throughout. When he opened them Nolan gasped and took a step back. Theo asked, "What's up? You knew I was going to use this for the mission."

Nolan shook his head and shivered slightly as he spoke, "It's not that. Your eyes glowed purple."

Theo looked to Corey to confirm and his fellow chimera just nodded his head. Theo shrugged and handed the other syringe to Corey. His fellow chimera eyed it and asked, "Will this really help?"

Theo smirked and looked to Nolan, "Do me a favor and shoot me with one of those wolfsbane bolts."

Nolan responded, "What? I can't do that." Corey gasped and said, "No, Theo. Don't do that."

The older chimera grinned, "Seeing is believing. Now Nolan, shoot me."

The teen nervously shook his head as he took a step back, "No."

Theo growled as he stood up. His eyes flashed yellow as he faced Nolan, "Shoot me or I will break your nose."

Nolan slowly raised the crossbow after he loaded a bolt. The weapon trembled in his hands as he lined it up to shoot Theo. He shook his head with his finger on the trigger. "I can't shoot you."

Theo growled and charged the young man. Corey quickly jumped to his feet as Nolan tightened up for the attack and set off the crossbow sending a bolt into Theo's chest. The bolt imbedded half of its shaft in the chimera's chest, piercing the lung. The older chimera stumbled back from impact but the bolt pushed out of his body and hit the floor before he regained his composure. Theo pulled up his shirt and there wasn't even a mark where the bolt penetrated his chest. Theo grinned and blew out a puff of wolfsbane smoke.

Corey's mouth fell open as he stared at the spectacle and Nolan couldn't help but laugh nervously. Theo responded, "What did I tell you? It only lasts for a few hours and you feel horrible the next day but for a mission like this one, it's a way we can close the gap between strengths of the hunters or something else supernatural."

Nolan commented, "But I could've killed you."

Theo shrugged, "Maybe but probably not."

Corey glared at Theo, "What do you mean maybe?"

Theo returned the glare, "I mean I don't know if he would've shot me in the heart."

Corey's anger grew as he said, "You mean you did that ridiculous stunt just to prove a point and it could've killed you."

Theo laughed lightly, "Well yeah. I didn't think Nolan would shoot me in the heart plus I only said maybe. It might even speed it up enough to where it would take multiple shots in succession to kill us."

Nolan gasped and Corey muttered, "Asshole."

Theo walked over to the table and reloaded his syringe with a portion of the green vial and injected it the same way he did the purple. Corey set his syringe back on the desk without using it. Theo rolled his eyes and put the syringes and empty vials back into the bottom drawer of the desk.

The three finished up their preparations at the den and left to begin the mission just as day was giving way to night. Corey received a call from Mason while they drove to his house and Mason told him that they were in position at the Hale house. Theo parked his truck in the driveway while Corey stepped inside to grab the flare gun.

From the back seat Nolan asked, "Are the stories about you true?"

Theo kept his eyes forward as he listened to Nolan's heartbeat, "What have you heard?"

Nolan's breathing hitched and his heartbeat sped up. The nervousness flowed from the teen, "That you tried to kill Scott and shot Malia in the stomach and…" The teen trailed off as he looked to the floor of the truck. The waves of fear and confusion crashed from the teen to the chimera.

Theo glanced at Nolan through his rear view mirror and said, "If they sound terrible then yes."

Nolan bit his lip before he asked, "So you were going to kill Mason?"

Theo coldly responded, "Yeah"

Nolan continued, "Then why is the pack working with you?"

Theo nonchalantly shrugged, "I can't answer that. Just do yourself a favor and don't trust me. I meant it when I said I am only good at two things."

Nolan took a deep sigh as he let the information sink in. Corey returned to the truck quickly. He brandished the orange flare gun in hand before getting back into the truck. Theo smiled and drove to the location on the edge of the forest they planned to use. He drove his truck into the wood line and parked it where some of the outer shrubs blocked a clear sight of it from the road. He stepped out of his truck with Corey and Nolan following. Theo locked the doors when they stepped away. Theo hid his keys in a tiny box affixed to the inside of his driver's side wheel well. He said, "If something happens, my keys are here. The point of this mission is to get information on the compounds and, if we can, information on the hunter's plans."

Nolan asked, "Why don't you just carry them?"

Theo smirked before he flashed his eyes yellow. The older chimera shed his t shirt and shifted into a black wolf, with his baggy sweatpants and shoes making a tidy pile near his truck. The wolf darted off into the forest towards the compound.

Corey looked to Nolan, who stood in awe of the complete transformation. The nervous teen mumbled, "I didn't know he could do that."

Corey smirked, "Yeah, Theo can be a show off. Take my hand."

Nolan grabbed Corey's hand and the two young men disappeared.

Theo ran through the forest, his senses were heightened even more than normal. The dead leaves gently crunched underneath his paws as he zipped towards his objective. The forest was mostly devoid of wildlife, from either the cold or the hunters Theo couldn't place. He could smell the munitions and vehicles as he ran towards the compound. He dodged several trip wires and snare traps as he maneuvered closer. He reached the inner perimeter and saw a couple of armed guards outside. The building was large and concrete. It looked like it was built in the 40s as a military structure and was in desperate need of repair. Moss grew on the concrete walls but the rusted metal doors looked like they could still take a beating. The chimera noticed light spilling out of the few windows and periodic shadows moving past the light. He counted more than ten heartbeats. He thought to himself, "I hope Corey and Nolan can handle this."

Theo lowered his wolf frame down to stay out of sight as he listened for Corey and Nolan's footsteps. When he heard them several hundred feet to his right flank he stood up. The older chimera howled but the message he conveyed is, "I bet you apes can't catch me." The hunters looked in his direction and Theo flashed his eyes at them. One raised his gun and ran towards the wolf while another pulled out his radio handset and called for assistance.

Theo ran away from the compound, making sure the guards were following him. They fired several shots as the chimera weaved lines through the forest. The shots missed badly and hit the trees around Theo. He slowed down to make sure the remaining guards were catching up to him. As he pulled the hunters farther away from their base, he jumped a dry creek bed. The wolf laughed to himself as he ducked back into the shadows and hid in the creek bed. He watched the hunters, one by one, jump over and continue to run through the woods. He counted eight hunters following him. When he only heard heartbeats ahead of him he stalked them from behind. The hunters circled up a few hundred feet from the creek bed and fanned out to find the errant wolf. Theo grinned as he stalked the hunter hanging back the furthest.

After following them for almost half an hour, the man pulled out his handset and said, "I think we lost it. Head back to base."

Theo growled as he charged the man. The hunter barely lifted up his assault rifle before the chimera's jaws clamped down on the hunter's knee and drug the man through the forest.

He screamed in pain as the considerable stronger chimera pulled his body to the ground and through the forest. The hunter attempted to shoot Theo but couldn't get a good aim or angle as his head hit several trees and stumps.

As the man's body thrashed against the trees and rocks, he passed over one stump that caused his head to hit with a satisfying thud. Theo released his grip when the man stopped struggling due to being unconscious. Theo grabbed the man's handset with his teeth as he lightly bit the loop of rope that was holding it to a D clip on the man's belt.

Theo heard the other heartbeats and ran in their direction. He attempted to parallel the team of hunters but didn't notice the one who lined up a shot on him with their night vision scope. The shot rang and the round embedded itself into Theo's thigh. He let out a loud yelp in pain as his body tumbled down a hill. He managed to hold on to the radio as he bounced off of rocks and trees. He felt his body push the round out and reject the effects of the wolfsbane. Once he hit the bottom of the hill, he pulled himself to his feet. He began to run and another round found his chest. The bullet lodged close to his heart as he continued to run. His body pushed the new round out as a few more shots were fired and two more tore into his torso. Once again the chimera let out a yelp in pain as he collapsed.

The hunters got closer as he pulled himself to his feet. The wolf sprinted between trees as he carried the radio. More shots rang but none of the new volley found their target. Theo smiled with the radio in his mouth as they continued to pursue. As he rounded the circle we was running around the compound a force wave knocked him to the ground. A blue shockwave of electricity rippled with the force hitting him being an outer band of the ripple.

Theo glanced back and saw the point of origin to be almost a kilometer back in the direction he just lured the hunters from. He thought to himself, "I can't believe that wolf. He couldn't just sit back and wait." He cursed himself for not noticing the mountain ash barrier. He heard the hunters change direction and head to the point of origin. Theo moved some leaves and hid the radio under them near some brush. He marked a nearby tree and ran in the direction of the origin.

While he chased the hunter, he heard the sound of the flare gun being fired. The chimera slowed and looked for the plume but never saw it fly. Almost a minute after the flare was fired he heard a loud explosion and felt the shockwave which originated from the facility. Theo's mind screamed but he continued to run towards the center of contact with the mountain ash barrier. He saw four hunters run to the facility but Theo continued. He barreled towards two hunters and plowed through the backs of their legs sending them flying into the air. After pushing his body to its limits, past the one hunter left in pursuit, he reached the edge of the forest and saw Liam and Mason. The young wolf growled and Mason held his baseball bat. The chimera snorted as he caught the smell of the mountain ash.

He lower his head and used his mouth to scoop up the dirt that carried the smell. He felt the energy of the barrier leave as he reached Liam and spat out the clump of dirt in his mouth. He heard a hunter behind him yell, "Lobo de Sombra" before firing a round which struck the chimera in his rear leg. The force of the round sent him flying past Liam and Mason. He glimpsed Liam charge the lone hunter. Theo thudded to the ground and tumbled through the forest opening for a moment but quickly recovered. He looked back to see Mason attempting to pull Liam off the hunter in the wood line. Theo howled for them to leave. Liam looked back and ran with Mason towards the Hale House.

Theo followed, making sure to keep an ear out for the hunters but no pursuit came. They reached the house and ran to the far side where Mason's car was parked. Theo shifted back to human as he reached the car. He spit out some residual dirt and glared at Liam. Mason looked to Theo and quickly looked away, "Theo, you are naked."

Theo smirked, "I know. My clothes are back at my truck. It happens when I shift."

Mason laughed nervously as he hopped into his car and started the vehicle.

The truck pulled up shortly after and Nolan jumped out of the driver's seat and brought Theo his clothes. The chimera pulled on his sweat pants and once again glared at Liam. He said, "We will talk about this back at the den." Liam shook his head and didn't meet the chimera's gaze.

Theo walked back to the truck and hopped in the driver's seat as Nolan jumped into the back seat. The ride back to the den was quiet as Theo knew his frustration and rage bled over and filled the cab with anxiety. They made it back to the den and Theo let the pack in. He paced near the entrance as Corey set down a stack of papers on the desk and Nolan placed a separate hunter uniform and handgun on Theo's cot. Liam sat in the computer chair and stared at the floor. Mason, Corey, and Nolan sat on the cot and looked to Theo.

Theo rubbed the bridge of his nose as he looked to Corey and Nolan and asked, "What happened in there?"

Nolan bounced like a giddy child while Corey just smiled. Nolan began, "Well, we got inside. You pulled most of the guards away. We found a couple of maps and a list of names. While we were in there we realized that the facility we were at was their armory."

Corey continued, "They had a room filled with explosives. So, in order to stop them from using them, I blew up that part of the facility."

Theo thought for a moment and smiled. He looked to Liam, who was still staring at the floor. "What do you think alpha? Sounds pretty good for a simple recon mission."

Mason looked to Corey, "You guys blew up their armory?"

Corey blushed and looked away, "Yeah, are you mad?"

Mason embraced Corey and pulled him in for a kiss. "No, I think that might've been one of the sexiest things you have said."

Liam looked to Theo, a look of hurt on his face, "Yeah. I think they did well."

Theo looked to the bounty and said, "If you guys want, you can use the map and computer to start sorting through information." He looked back to Liam and met his eye contact, "Can I speak with you outside?"

Liam stood up and walked to the entrances as Theo opened the door and let them out. The rage that filled Theo at the forest quickly evaporated. He smelled the doubt, worry and dread pouring off Liam. He asked softly, "What happened out there?"

Liam sighed, "I heard your first howl. It put me on edge but I could tell you were taunting them."

Theo grinned, "Yeah. I got their attention."

Liam looked to the floor and said, "It was quiet for a while. Mason said everything was going to plan but that's when I heard the gun shots."

Theo smirked, "Yeah, it's the downside with being the distraction."

Liam quietly said, "Then I heard you scream in pain."

Theo raised an eyebrow in confusion, "I yelped sure but that was more of a reaction than intentional. Getting shot hurts last time I checked."

Liam smiled a little, "Yeah I know, but I can't quite place it. It sounded like you, now, how we are talking, not how you communicate through a howl. It doesn't make sense but I know I heard you cry out. So I ran towards you."

Theo took a deep breath and said, "And that's when you ran into the barrier,"

Liam nodded slowly, "Yeah, smooth move for the alpha in training."

Theo laughed, "Yeah. Not the shining moment. Still, it worked out in the end."

Liam continued, "Then I saw the hunter shoot you. After that happened, I was seeing red."

Theo light heartedly joked, "I didn't know you cared. Everyone made it back in one piece."

Liam looked to Theo, his voice filled with concern, "But I lost it out there. I couldn't think straight. I almost killed that hunter."

Theo interjected, "But you didn't."

Liam glanced away, "Yeah, thanks to Mason. But what happens next time."

Theo smirked, "We figure it out like this time."

Liam looked to Theo, "Maybe you should lead this missions until I can get my head straight."

Theo laughed heartily, "Not a chance little wolf. They are your pack. Yeah, I can do well in a fight and maybe I can put together a plan but make no mistake, I went alone so it was easy for me to look after myself."

Liam growled, "Stop calling me little wolf."

Theo rolled his eyes and began to say something but the door opened and Mason stuck his head out, "Guys, you might want to see this."

Liam and Theo stepped back into the den and looked to Corey who held the list. The young chimera said, "They have a list of targets here. Liam, you are on it. So am I."

Nolan asked, his exuberance replaced with concern, "How much of the pack is on it?"

Corey read the list, "Just the two of us, out of the pack remaining in Beacon Hills, but there are plenty of names here. Quite a few are crossed out."

Mason continued, "That's not all. I think we know why they had explosives. One of their maps shows the ley lines and the structures at those locations. I think they planned on blowing them up."

Theo shook his head, "Why hunt down a specific list or blow up targets using the ley lines?"

Liam looked to Theo, "I think that's what we need to figure out."

Corey asked, as he read the list, "What's a Lobo de Sombra?"

Liam, still looking at Theo asked, "Isn't that what the hunter called you before he shot you?"

Theo laughed, "Yeah, looks like I made the cut."

Mason commented, "Theo, they nicknamed you shadow wolf. It's official. You are the Batman of Beacon Hills."

Theo rolled his eyes, "I think if anyone should be getting a nickname it should be Corey and Nolan for destroying their facility."

Corey seemed to ignore the comment as Nolan rubbed the back of his head smiling as his face reddened.

Corey shook his head, "It looks like they have already wiped out an entire family. Anyone know the Mulcahys?"

Everyone shook their heads and Corey continued, "There are five on the list and four are marked through."

The joy of the success was cut short as Corey's somber revelation hit the pack.

Nolan shook his head, "But why is this continuing?"

Mason commented, "You mean after the Anuk-Ite was killed?"

Nolan nodded and Liam answered, "Some people don't need an excuse to continue with hatred and violence."

Theo looked to the floor, as he calmly, but firmly said, "We have an idea what they have planned, at least some. Figure out the plan and let me know what you need."

Corey looked to Theo and tried to read the older chimera but noticed his stonewall mask had reappeared. He sighed and looked to Mason, "Can you take me home? It's kind of late and my parents are probably pissed I am still out on a school night."

Mason smiled and picked up the files, "No problem. Later guys." Mason and Corey left the den with Nolan following not too far behind.

Liam stood up and walked over to the chimera, he began, "I'm glad you helped us with this. Actually, that's not true." The beta stopped as he thought over the words. He placed his hand on the chimera's shoulder, "I am glad you chose to watch over us. To help us since the rest of the pack left. I know you don't consider us your pack but can you at least accept us as your friend?"

Theo looked to Liam and smiled a tiny but genuine smile, "Yeah, whatever, but where is this coming from little wolf?"

Liam stared off as he looked lost in thought. Theo could smell the anxiety roll off the teen. Liam continued, "I don't know. I guess I just had someone point out that maybe I should stop seeing you as just an ally to lean on in combat but maybe see the person you are."

Confused by Liam's confession, Theo responded, "Are you alright little wolf? You sound like you hit your head pretty bad out there. Maybe you check in with your dad to see if you have a concussion."

Liam growled a little as his anger rose and Theo just laughed and said, "There's the Liam I know."

Liam smirked, "You're a jerk."

Theo nodded and grinned, "Yeah, never claimed to be anything else. Go on alpha, head home, get ready for school and plan the next operation. Just don't crash my den to have a pack meeting."

Liam smacked Theo on the shoulder before he stepped out of the den. "Thanks Theo."

Parrish slowly moved through the entrance of the abandoned bank. Tiny slivers of light passed through the building from the cracks in the walls and ceiling. The streetlights blazed outside but only the ring towards the entrance was lit up with enough of their glow to allow someone to see. He thought back to the complaint of noise and lights that caused the call to be made. He said, "Beacon Hills Sheriff's department. Is anyone here?" Besides the scurrying of mice, he didn't hear a sound. He stepped in further, using his Maglite to illuminate the rooms. The building had a thick layer of dust but it appeared to part leading from the main entrance to the vault. He carefully looked around the building as he moved to the vault. When he reached the vault the smell hit him.

A pile of rotting bodies laid in the center of the vault. They looked to be tossed carelessly into the middle of the stone and metal room. Parrish slowly approached them as he got on the radio, "Dispatch, this is Deputy Parrish, I am on site at the abandon bank with several 10-54s. Request back up."

Dispatch responded but was cut off by the Sheriff, "Parrish, did you say multiple?"

Parrish moved around them and began looking for separate faces. The one common expression they carried was the look of fear.

"Yes Sheriff it looks like 6 individuals. 4 adults, 2 children."

Parrish stepped closer and examined the pile of bodies. They appeared to have been shot repeatedly. That alone didn't bother the deputy. He noticed that their nails had been removed and due to the lack of blood, most likely after the time of death. He looked at the hands of the children and noticed their nails were removed as well. If it weren't for the blood blotches and wound marks, the group looked like they were dressed to get their pictures taken.

Dispatch responded, "Deputy, Backup is on the way with EMT support."

Parrish responded, "10-4 dispatch."

Parrish's cell rang and the deputy answered it, he spoke before the other line could, "Yes Sheriff. This looks like another incident for the files."

Stilinski asked, "Do you think the victims are due to the same perp?"

Parrish continued to look over the bodies as he spoke to the Stilinski, "Negative. I think the victims were supernatural. We might have another group of hunters in town. The way the bodies were placed, it looks similar to the Mulcahy case."

Stilinski responded, "Keep me posted." As he hung up the phone.