Thanks for reading and *hugs* to my reviewer! Some action this chapter hope you enjoy!

Chapter 6

Derek studied the gate a long moment after locking it. He moved his hand to a space between the bars trying to pass it through and came up against the invisible barrier. He could feel it the moment the circuit was closed and the protective perimeter was activated. It was like the air around the wall and gate was vibrating.

Satisfied that his charge was safely ensconced within this barrier, protected from everything but herself, he moved to along the wall until he picked up the scent from earlier. Crossing the deserted road, he moved into the woods. He focused on the scent, moving through the trees with the ease of someone who'd grown up wandering them. About twenty feet in he heard a twig snap. He halted his step, listening intently to his surroundings. He groaned at the now familiar sound of Becca's stuttering heartbeat.

She gasped and held her breath when she was about fifteen feet away and he knew he was in her view again. He imagined her hand over her mouth to quiet her breathing even as her frantic heartbeat betrayed her presence. Derek hesitated. He should drag her back to the house and lock her in her bedroom. Maybe even tie her to a chair so she would stay put. But the scent was already fading as the evening wind picked up and he couldn't afford to lose it completely. He would just have to keep an ear out for her until he was done.

He started walking again, pausing every now and then to look at the ground or a broken twig or branch and allowing her to catch up again so she remained close enough that he could intervene if there was danger but far enough that she wouldn't realize he wasn't following a physical trail. The scent faded at the edge of the woods that flanked Scott's yard.

Derek surveyed the house. All the lights were out except the one on the porch and the driveway was empty. Scott and his mom were both at work. He didn't like the idea that the werewolf after Becca had ended up here, it couldn't be a coincidence. He didn't have long to consider what it meant as Becca had caught up again. While earlier she'd been making her way quietly behind him, she now sounded winded, her fatigue making her less cautious in her step and clearly announcing her presence. Doubling back he found her leaning against a tree, catching her breath.

"What are you doing out here?"

She startled at his voice, swinging her gun around at him. "W-what the hell's your problem?" she demanded in a hushed whisper. "I could've shot you."

"Before or after I came up behind you and snapped your neck?" Becca glared at him, squaring her shoulders. Her gun still pointed at him as though she were considering whether to shoot him after all. The hunter obviously didn't like her skills being questioned. He had no doubt that before her injuries she'd been a formidable hunter. He could still see the determination in her eyes and in the commanding way she held her weapon.

"So, what did you find?" Becca lowered her gun, looking expectantly at him.

"Nothing," Derek replied simply, staring through the trees at Scott's house. What was the other werewolf up to? Had he picked up Scott's scent in the woods?

"Nothing?" Becca repeated, pulling his attention back to her. "You expect me to believe that you wandered all the way out here and found nothing?"

"I thought whoever set the fire might've come through the woods after."

"But they didn't?"

"They might have."

"Well, that's helpful," Becca drawled, crossing her arms over her chest and leaning back against a tree. Derek stiffened. He could hear someone else in the woods. Concentrating on the sound he picked up two heart beats moving toward them. "What is it?" Becca asked in a hushed whisper. She pushed away from the tree her gun at the ready. Derek put himself between Becca and the threat. With his back turned to her, his eyes glowed feral red and he felt his teeth descend, readying himself for a fight. "Right, shove the person with the gun to the back."

He could feel the tension pouring from Becca when the sound of someone approaching grew louder. "Stay behind me," he ordered in a low growl through clenched teeth.

Before she could refuse, Stiles stumbled forward through the trees into the small clearing. He back pedaled his eyes wide, hands flying up defensively. "Jesus, Dude, put those away. You nearly gave me a heart attack!"

"What the hell are you doing here, Stiles?" Derek demanded, his eyes shifting back and his teeth retracting.

"What am I doing here?" Stiles' repeated, his voice rising. "I'm out here with Scott." Scott emerged behind him as if on cue. "What are you," Stiles motioned between Derek and Becca, "doing in the woods by Scott's house?"

"Derek, what're you doing here?" Scott asked, the question sounding more like an accusation. He eyed Becca over Derek's shoulder with wary curiosity.

Derek glanced back at Becca. She was leaning against a tree, her gun at her side, glancing up at the sky. Though she was feigning disinterest he knew she was listening to every word. He ushered Scott further away from the redhead, worried the younger wolf might give himself and Derek away to the hunter. "I followed someone's scent, someone who set a fire this morning," Derek's gaze settled accusingly on Stiles. "What are you and boy wonder doing out here?"

"I picked up a scent I didn't recognize outside my house. We were checking it out."

"You should have called me."

"Called you?" Scott scoffed. "Why would I do that? I don't need your permission and I definitely don't need your help." Scott squared his shoulders and puffed his chest as though daring Derek to contradict him.

"So you think because your plan with Gerard didn't blow up in your face," Derek growled, leaning in closer and exerting his dominance over the young Beta. "That your next half-assed plan won't get someone killed?"

"There was no half-assed plan I was just following a scent."

"No, this time there was no plan at all, except to put your friend in danger," Derek challenged. Sometimes he thought Scott forgot that Stiles was human and breakable.

"I can protect me and Stiles just fine."

"You don't even know what you're following—"

"Uh, guys," Stiles called from behind them.

"—What you're up against—"

"Seriously, I don't want to interrupt all the posturing going on, but—" Stiles' words were cut short by the sound of a gunshot.

Both Derek and Scott spun around, following Stiles' wide-eyed stare to Becca who was pointing her gun at the darkness beyond. Derek could hear the frantic beating of her heart and understood her panic at the sight of glowing red eyes in the darkness, barely making out the werewolf's crouched outline. He sprang as the wolf did, but it was closer.

He watched it knock her down, pinning her to the ground. Derek froze, the other wolf bearing its teeth, clawed fingers poised around her neck. The message was clear. Stay back or it would use those claws. Derek held out his arm to keep Scott from rushing in. Satisfied that they were complying, the wolf bent close to Becca's face and to her credit she didn't whimper or even squirm. She stared it down.

The wolf's form shifted, not enough to give away his human identity, but just enough to lean in and whisper in Becca's ear. "I'm gonna tear you apart," the gravelly voice promised, grazing his claws along the size of her neck, down her chest and along her stomach. His hand settled on her side above her hip. Becca's chin lifted a defiant challenge to his threat. "Slowly." He inhaled her, saliva dripping from the edge of his mouth, hunger visible in his features. "You're not ready. You're not scared enough, yet." His hand against her side jerked upwards and she gasped her breath quickening.

Derek caught the scent of blood, but before he could react the wolf was gone, taking full wolf form and racing off into the night. Derek moved to pursue the wolf, feeling Scott at his side and knowing the younger wolf had the same intention.

"Guys," Stiles' agitated voice gave them pause. "Becca, hey, you alright?" Derek heard the teenager ask in a hushed whisper. Inhaling the other wolf's scent to commit it to memory, he turned back to his charge.

He leaned in to survey her. Her breath was shallow, her face ashen while her heart beat laboured to steady itself. She was shaking when he picked her up, shock and fear at what had just happened kicking in so that she didn't argue or demand he put her down as he'd expected. Instead she pulled in closer, hugging her side with one hand while holding tightly to her gun in the other.