I don't own Teen Wolf

Married to Darkness- Chapter 13

Liam, Mason, Corey, and Nolan stepped out the Mason's car just outside of the Hale property. The sun had begun to set but they would have some time to explore the area before it was too dark to find anything. Mason opened the trunk and grabbed his backpack. Nolan looked at the other human weird but Mason said, "In case we find something we need to take back. Plus, I packed some flashlights since it would be dark soon." Liam looked to Corey, "Did Theo said where they found it?"

The chimera shook his head and said, "No, but I couldn't have been that far away."

The alpha in training nodded as he led his pack into the woods. When they reached the compound they noticed the police tape around the building. Nolan walked near the building and pointed to a pile of disarmed traps next to the structure, "It looks like they were pretty thorough. Do you think we will find anything?"

Corey smiled, "Nothing ventured, nothing gained." Liam nodded to the chimera and began to search for the scent. The air was full of the scent of death and rotting. They clouded the wolf's ability to separate and find a particular scent. Mason pointed to the police markings on the ground, "Let's find the marking for the watch and we should have more of a clue where."

Liam searched around the outside of the facility and eventually found the marking. The sun had finally set and Mason reached into his bag and handed a flashlight to Corey and Nolan and used one himself. Liam flashed his eyes yellow and continued to search. After looking for well over an hour, Nolan whined, "It's getting cold and we aren't finding anything, can we leave?"

Liam growled at the teen which caused him to nervously jump back. The wolf caught a faint scent not far from where the watch was found. He moved the leaves aside and found a small piece of cloth with a smatter of dried blood soaked on it. He picked it up and smelled the unmistakable scent of death, but not fresh. It smelled of the slow rotting of someone who would die soon, not of a rotting dead body. He grinned and held up the cloth, "I found something." The pack circled the alpha in training and Mason commented, "Well, we are a step closer right?"

Liam smiled and he heard the snap of a branch and the crunch of a leaf. He looked out beyond the pack and the smell of fresh munitions caught his nose. He yelled, "Ambush!" just before something metal flew between them. Liam watched it go off and the bright flash and deafening blast knocked the werewolf backwards and completely shut out his senses.

When Liam shouted, Mason grabbed Nolan and darted towards the building for cover. Corey managed to get a few steps away before the flashbang went off and the first round fired. Liam was sent flying into a large tree. Corey darted for cover behind the trees as more flashes appeared from the forest to the front side of the compound. He felt the rounds rip into his right forearm and left thigh respectively. When he reached the tree, he disappeared and began to move to Liam.

Mason and Nolan heard the gunfire and continued to dart to the building. Several bursts of rounds were discharged but the human noticed their focus was back towards Liam and Corey. When they reached the side of the building. Mase pulled Nolan down to make him a small silhouette then looked to the nervous teen, "Are you alright?"

Nolan nodded and pointed in the direction they ran from. Red lights danced as the men moved towards Liam's position. He stood up and pointed, "I can see them moving towards Liam." Mason's eyes widened as he turned off his flashlight and grabbed Nolan's. The younger teen looked to him in confusion when a loud, singular discharge was made. Mason turned off the flashlight and looked up at the other boy. Nolan's face shifted from confusion to pain and back as Mason felt the warm splash of droplets of blood on his face and the dusting from the concrete spraying them from the rounds impact into the building.

The nervous teen slumped down against the building and Mason quickly hooked an arm around him and drug them both to the side entrance and inside the facility. The teens heard screams outside and the roar of Liam as more rounds were fired. Mason thought to leave Nolan and go to Liam but the confused and serious words of the boy stopped him, "Mase, I can't feel my legs."

Mason rubbed Nolan's back and found where the round had entered the boy's side and exited out of his back. It looked like it might've cut the teen's spine almost in half. Mason asked, "Does it hurt?"

Nolan shook his head slowly, "No, but my chest feels heavy." Mason took a deep breath to try to focus and he heard the whistling sound. He leaned close to Nolan's chest and heard the unmistakable whistle of a gunshot lung. Mason realized that if he couldn't get Nolan to medical care soon, his friend would die.

His heart threatened to beat out of his chest and he heard the fight raging outside. The teen racked his mind to how he would get Nolan to safety.

Nolan slowly moved his right arm and rubbed the wound site with his hand. He swallowed deeply and looked to his worried pack mate. He said, "Mason, go save Corey and Liam. I can try and hold on."

Mason panicked, "Nolan, I can't. We've got to get you to the car now and the hospital yesterday."

Nolan sighed as he fought to breathe, "Mase, I can't move my legs. I'm not going to be able to make it to your car. Go save Corey and Liam. It's okay. It'll be alright. Thank you for trying."

Mason looked at Nolan, and didn't see the paranoid teen who once threatened his friend's life or the almost larger than lift teen who danced with reckless abandon with Theo but he saw this frail tiny boy, fraught with self-doubt and guilt. He saw Nolan's face and how the young man just resigned himself to die to try to save his friends. Mason wanted to scream as the fear and pressure threatened to crush his sanity. In the moment before it overwhelmed him, the teen remembered, he had the purple vials in his backpack. He quickly reached in and removed the syringe and loaded the vial in it.

He looked to Nolan and said, "Please, don't die. Just please, Nolan, don't die" before he injected the solution into the nervous teen's arm.

Almost immediately, Nolan's eyes flashed purple and the whistling stopped. Nolan, wide eyed, looked to Mason before he stood up, "Mase, we've got to save Corey and Liam."

Mason bit his lip nervously before loading the syringe with another dose and throwing the closed bag back on his shoulder. Nolan charged out the door and seemed to stumble as another round flew and clipped his shoulder. He looked back to Mason, "Stay low, I'm going to distract them."

Nolan darted to where he was shot and picked up the discarded flashlight and turned it on. He yelled, "Come and get me!" as he ran away from the compound.

Mason slunk out of the entrance and moved into the darkness to the largest tree near him. When he reached it, he saw the haze of his boyfriend. Mason whispered, "Corey, are you alright?"

Corey materialized and coughed up some blood, "Mason, they got me a couple of times but they are closing in on Liam. He's trying to fight but they are wolfsbane rounds."

Mason nodded and said, "I'm going to give you the purple vial, alright?"

Corey nodded and Mason injected the solution into his boyfriend. Corey's eyes flashed purple and his wounds closed up. He said, "We've got to reach Liam. He won't last long."

Nolan circled back around, without his flashlight and said, "Where's Liam?"

Corey pointed further in the forest and said, "Mason, stay here at the compound, we'll get Liam back here."

Mason acknowledged and moved back inside the compound. Corey and Nolan made eye contact, noticed that both of their eyes still glowed purple and grinned. Corey grabbed Nolan's wrist and they both turned invisible.

Mason pulled himself back inside the compound and, with shaky hands, reloaded the syringe with another vial. He tried to control his breathing as his heart threatened to beat out of his chest. He heard the howl of Liam as the wolf screamed out in pain. Mason whispered, "He's got to be alright. He's got to be alright."

After whispering his mantra for a few moments he heard the sound of a body drop near him and looked over to see Liam. Corey and Nolan rematerialized next to Liam. Mason looked over the body of his friend and even in the dim lighting saw the multitude of gunshot wounds. He barely heard the alpha's breathing and didn't hesitate when he injected the wolf with the solution.

Liam bolted upright and let out a gasp for air as purple smoke bled from his wounds. Mason smiled even though he heard screams from outside. The teen looked to the door and almost jumped out of his skin when he saw the outline of a figure standing at the entrance. The only thing illuminated on the figure were his glowing, electric blue eyes.

He stepped into the dim light and said, "Do I want to know why you are here?"

Liam looked up at the figure, "Derek?"

Derek responded, "Yeah. What are you doing here and who were those hunters?"

Liam tried to stand but quickly stumbled backwards. Mason looked to his friend and back to Derek, "Monroe's hunters. They have made moves in Beacon Hills and we were looking for signs of the alpha that's been killing them."

Derek looked at Liam and back to Mason, "Why are his eyes purple?"

Mason replied, "A solution the dread doctors created to accelerate healing."

Nolan commented, "Yeah it just saved my life." Corey nodded. Derek shook his head, "We should probably leave before they call for more backup."

Liam slowly stood up and weakly slapped Derek on the back, his hand remaining against the older wolf's back, "Thanks for the assist, Derek."

Derek turned around and Liam barely maintained his balance. The older wolf said, "Don't mention it. I just happened to be at the Hale house when I heard gunfire. Are you alright Liam?"

Liam slowly nodded before he fell face first onto the floor of the compound.

Mason slowly shook Liam and the wolf didn't respond.

Derek stated, "Alright. Let's get him to the hospital. I didn't smell any residual wolfsbane on him but something isn't right."

Mason chewed his lip as he and Corey carried their alpha in training and he worried about what the purple vial did to the wolf. When they loaded him in the car, they saw Derek pull his Camaro around, "I'm going to follow you there in case there is another ambush."

Mason said, "Thank you Derek" before he got into his car and drove towards the hospital. Corey pulled out his phone and texted Theo: Get to the hospital. Liam is hurt.

Theo ran through two stop signs on his way to the preserve, towards the howl of his alpha. He barely dodged hitting a car as he swerved on the road and his phone lit up. He glanced briefly as it sat on the base.

Get to the hospital. Liam is hurt.

As Theo approached the stop light, which was thankfully green, he turned a harsh left as he executed a U-turn through the multilane stoplight. The chimera didn't think, he only reacted as he drove towards the hospital.

When the chimera reached the hospital he slammed the truck into a parking space and ran through the entrance. When he approached the desk, he saw Melissa standing at the entrance. With his face bleeding desperation and fear Theo begged, "Mrs. McCall, Where's Liam? Is he alright?"

Melissa glanced away and answered, "He's on the fourth floor. I'll take you to his room."

Theo followed Mama McCall into the elevator and asked, "What happened?"

She shook her head, "I don't know. They were ambushed in the preserve but that's not the problem."

Theo asked with more fear than he liked, "What's the problem?"

Melissa took a deep breath as the elevator door opened, "Theo, I think it would be best if you saw."

Theo followed the nurse down the hallway towards the end and saw Derek sitting in a chair outside of the room. He stood up as the chimera approached, "Theo. Your pack is inside."

Theo eyed the elder wolf and gave a nod of respect before stepping into the hospital room. Mason sat in a chair next to the bed near the entrance. Corey sat next to Mason, his hand firmly holding his boyfriend's. Nolan seemed curled up on the small couch towards the edge of the room. Theo's eyes were fixated on Liam. The young wolf looked perfectly fine, not a mark on him, as the heart monitor beeped and the IV slowly dripped.

Theo stepped toward Liam and whispered, "What happened?"

Mason stood up and faced the chimera, "We were ambushed. Nolan was shot, Corey was shot multiple times and they did a number on Liam."

Theo looked at the pack and asked, "Alright, but why does everyone look alright?"

Nolan looked to Theo, his eyes still glowing purple, "Liam is in a coma. Mason used the vials."

Theo looked to Nolan and his eyes widened. He looked back to Mason, "That wasn't meant for supernaturals to use."

Mason gasped in surprise, "What?" Melissa excused herself from the room as she said, "I should let Dr. Geyer know that Liam is here."

Theo shook his head, "The Dread Doctors made us chimera to effectively be human plus. Becoming a supernatural, through birth or the bite, rewrites part of someone's genetic code. The solutions aren't compatible."

Mason pleaded as Corey stood up and grabbed his boyfriend's hand with a firmer hold, "But he healed. It burned off the wolfsbane and the gunshots closed up."

Theo slowly nodded, "I know Mason. You probably saved his life from the hunters but now we don't know. The solution probably induced the coma."

Corey looked to the older chimera, "But we can pull him out of it, right?"

Theo bit his lip and looked at the face of the man that he just recently realized he is in love with. His coy wolf whimpered and the chimera could bring himself to give the answer he knew to be true. A single tear slid down the older chimera's face.

Mason's eyes widened and the teen said, "Alright. We aren't giving up. We still have the texts, there has to be an answer." Theo felt the rage and desperation flow off Mason as the teen broke free of his boyfriend's grip and ran out of the room.

Corey looked to the older chimera, "Do you mind staying with Liam while I try to help Mason?"

Theo looked to Corey and nodded, "I'll stay with Liam. I wanted to talk to him anyway. Look after Mason, he couldn't have known that it would cause this."

Corey slowly nodded and stepped out of the room.

Theo sat down next to Liam, in the seat that Mason occupied just moments before. He took Liam's hand and felt the electricity that flowed between them. He sighed and listened to Liam's heartbeat and watched his breathing.

Derek opened the door and stepped in. He addressed Theo, "Your pack isn't doing well right now. As Beta, looking out for them falls on you now."

Devoid of emotion, Theo responded, "I'm not Scott's Beta."

Derek took a step and placed his hand on the chimera's back, "No. You aren't. You are Liam's beta."

Theo slowly turned his head and looked up to the elder wolf, "But Liam is Scott's beta."

Derek smirked, "Liam is your pack's alpha. But you already knew that." Derek glanced to Nolan, who was already fast asleep on the couch before he looked back to Theo, "They are in your hands now. Protect your pack. Give Liam something worth coming back."

Theo slowly nodded, "I think I understand."

Derek smiled softly, "Good. I know they are in good hands. Take care Theo."

"You too, Derek."

The elder wolf stepped out of the room and closed the door behind himself.

Theo turned and looked to Liam, "I was going to wait to talk tomorrow but I think now is as good of a time as any." He fought back against his body as it threatened to close up his throat, "I can't believe I stand to lose you before I ever thought I wanted to be with you. I only just realized that you are the one my wolf wants, the one my heart wants. I've been a fool in ignoring it and a fool for not listening to you. I will do whatever it takes to protect you, to protect your pack, our pack. I love you Liam, so please do me this one favor and wake up. Please."

The chimera sighed as he squeezed Liam's hand. Dr. Geyer stepped into the room and walked over to Liam's side. He looked at Theo and then back to Liam, "What do you think his chances are?"

Theo looked up to the doctor, "Isn't that usually what others ask you?"

Dr. Geyer nodded, "Yes, but this isn't a normal situation. Physically, he is perfectly well. We don't know why he is in a coma though."

Theo sighed deeply, "Until his body can process the solution, he won't wake up."

Dr. Geyer asked, "How long will that take?"

Theo shook his head, "Maybe a day, a week, a month, or maybe never. There's no way to know."

Dr. Geyer thought about what Theo said and responded slowly, "You aren't good at keeping hope, are you Theo?"

Theo looked to Liam, "I guess not. I only just realized that hope really exists. Thanks to Liam."

Dr. Geyer nodded slowly, "You're the one, aren't you?"

Theo mumbled, "The one?"

Dr. Geyer smiled a little, "The one that brings a smile to his face when he talks about the future. The one that makes him want to do better and strive for more. The one that actually has him waking up early so we can have family breakfasts again."

Theo glanced to the doctor, "I don't know about that. I think you give me too much credit."

Dr. Geyer shook his head, "Theodore, you don't give yourself enough. I am going to finish my shift and come back."

Theo nodded, "We'll be waiting for you."

Dr. Geyer smiled a little more, "I know you will. Take care of my son."

The chimera almost whispered as he fought to say the words, "Don't worry sir, I will."

Dr. Geyer rubbed Theo's shoulder and stepped out of the room. Theo returned his gaze to Liam and the world seemed to fade away around him. As the lights in the room dimmed and eventually cut off for the night, Theo held Liam's hand and counted his breaths until fatigue took over.