Scott ran his fingers through his hair, thinking back on the day's events. What a day! He'd become an alpha, managed to piss off Derek again, wrecked the friendship he'd had with Stiles since pre-school, and none of this was bringing Allison back. Why was the universe against him? Isaac had left when he'd kept bringing up Stiles. Predictably the Hale beta hadn't wanted to discuss his best friend. A knock at his front door broke his thoughts. He hoped that was Stiles. Instead it was Jackson, one of his least favorite people, wearing that cool smile as usual.

"Jackson?" Scott asked in mild shock. "Since when do you ever come to my house?"

"Oh don't look like that McCall," Jackson chided. "I know we're not always the best of buddies, but I do consider you a friend you know?"

He did? Scott found himself wondering who this was, and what they'd done with Jackson Whittemore.

"You wanna come in?"

Jackson stepped past him, smirk in place, and something about that look always irked him.

"So," Scott said, closing the front door. "What's the occasion?"

"Well I've been giving some thought to what happened today. I'm sure you have as well."

"More than you know dude," Scott gave him a small smile.

If Jackson was making an effort to be nice than he could too.

"Well Scott I've been thinking, if its okay with you, that I'd like to switch packs. How about it?"

Jackson wanted to be his beta? Well Scott couldn't deny that he was strong, and he'd need that to compete with Derek. He actually couldn't see a downside to this since it might also make he and Jackson a little closer.

"Well I guess so," Scott shrugged. "Is that what you want?"

Jackson nodded, not sure he could give a convincing verbal answer to that. Of course he didn't actually want it, but it was all part of he and Peter's plan. He fixed his faux smile back in place.

"You know I think we've been on bad terms in the past. I'd really like to try being friends too."

Scott grinned at him.

"I'd like that too," he said, and he meant it.

Jackson stepped closer to him, raising his shirt sleeve and holding out his arm.

"Well go ahead Scott," he said. "Mark me as one of your pack. That's how I become your beta."

Scott grabbed his arm, his chest tightening in nervousness. He was actually about to do this, about to mark another alpha's beta as his own. He'd actually have his own pack. He'd be a real alpha. He looked into Jackson's face a long moment and his eyes shifted to red, his fangs elongating. He clamped down into the flesh. Jackson hissed in pain and noticed the bite heal immediately, the skin around it seeming to bubble strangely. His eyes changed to their werewolf blue, and he released a howl, feeling that his loyalty had somehow changed. Could he still betray Scott like he'd promised Peter? With this feeling of loyalty for his new alpha he wasn't sure. He felt a commitment to Scott he'd never felt before. He wanted to serve, wanted to obey him. This wasn't like Derek being his alpha. This felt right, like Scott actually was above him. Surely this was the wolf and not himself right?

ooOoo

Peter walked through the front door of he and Derek's house with a few bags. His nephew folded his arms, scowling at him slightly.

"You took a long time to get those few little things," he said suspiciously.

"I had to go to the bank," Peter lied. "My bank card declined."

Derek's look became a little sarcastic.

"You went to the bank at nine o'clock at night?"

"Well the card worked at the bank ATM," Peter covered. "For some weird reason... "

Something told Derek that wasn't the whole truth, but he didn't push it. He couldn't read Peter well enough to tell if he was lying, and honestly that sometimes worried him. If his uncle was truly on his side what would he have to hide from him? Wasn't he the alpha?

"Question," Derek spoke a little roughly. "Do you think of me as your alpha?"

Peter's expression was unreadable.

"Well Derek," he said a little nervously. "Of course. Why would you even ask me that?"

"You're lying now," Derek smirked. "You let your walls down."

He stepped forward and grabbed Peter's arm in an iron grip, twisting it slightly.

"Listen to me UNCLE," he hissed. "If I had even the smallest suspicion that you were planning on turning on me, I might just rip your heart out with my claws. Got it?"

Peter's gaze wasn't amused anymore. It was fearful. Derek didn't trust him right now, and he could overpower him. He was still a beta, and his nephew the alpha.

"Now tell me the truth," Derek spat at him, twisting his beta's arm a little harder. "I already told you I won't tolerate disloyalty. We're family, you show me loyalty! Or do you need another beating to remind you who's in charge?"

"D-Derek you're hurting me!" Peter gasped in pain. "Please... "

The alpha felt a twinge of guilt and released his uncle's arm, his eyes wide at his loss of control over his anger. Peter scowled at him.

"I can't help you Derek if you don't trust me. I thought we were over this. I consider you my alpha, its just an uncle isn't exactly used to taking rank under his nephew. My mind is still adjusting to that fact. I'm your beta. Derek we're family. If we can't trust each other who can we trust?"

Peter was secretly reveling in his almost effortless manipulation of his nephew. Derek looked a little more guilty and turned away.

"You're right," he muttered in a low growl. "I lost control. I shouldn't have done that Uncle Peter. I'm... "

He stopped himself, setting his cold mask back in place. No he wasn't apologizing! Derek never apologized to anyone. Peter filled in for him, smiling a little now.

"You're forgiven Derek," he whispered. "You are my nephew after all."

If only Derek could know what his uncle was really thinking about him behind the act...

ooOoo

Author's Note: Yep, I decided that maybe I don't want Jackson turning on Scott after all. He's at least going to feel conflicted about it. I'm not yet sure where I'll take it. Do you all like the story so far?