Scott struggled against his chains, but it was no use. Even an alpha wouldn't be able to break these, he'd made sure of that when he'd bought them for Derek. Scott mustered all his strength, roaring as he pulled in vain. They were in the burned out old basement of the Hale house. Jackson and Danny were chained not far away. The door open and Derek descended the stairs, looking amused. That smug bastard!
"Its no use Scott," he said with a smirk. "You can't broke those. You know I should kill you, but Stiles won't let me."
Scott snarled at him and pulled against the chains again. It was no use.
"Get comfy," Derek told him. "You'll be here awhile. Until I can decide what to do with you."
Derek closed the door behind him, using the old basement key to lock it. He had the only key. Stiles approached him, his expression a little confused and sad. Derek got it immediately. He was concerned about Scott, in spite of everything.
"Do you want to see him?" Derek asked, looking a little irritated at the prospect.
"No," Stiles said gently. "I just want to make sure they have food and water Derek. We can't starve them."
Derek felt shock at Stiles' ever amazing goodness. The boy would probably care about his own worst enemy. Derek knew that's just how he was.
"Can I go fix them something?" he asked carefully.
Derek stepped forward and cupped his mate's cheek, looking into those worried brown eyes.
"You can do anything you want," he whispered. "Its your house too."
Stiles smiled and hugged him. He pulled back, smile widening at the gold chain bearing his name around Derek's neck.
"Love you," he told Derek.
Derek gave him a small peck on the lips, placing the key in his hand.
"Here," he said. "Don't let anyone else have it."
"I won't," Stiles assured him, pocketing it.
He went off to the kitchen to fix Scott and the pack some sandwiches. He wasn't so heartless as to give them only bread to. Stiles wasn't heartless at all, not even toward Scott. He should be, but all he could think about now was his friend down there in that cold basement. Stiles felt guilt and conflict surge through him. He'd chosen Derek. He loved Derek. Food. That was it...
ooOoo
Scott pulled against his chains. Jackson eyed him with a slightly amused look in spite of their circumstances.
"Give it up Scott," he said. "We're not going anywhere. Derek's got us."
"I feel so useless," Scott told him angrily. "I feel like I've failed at everything."
"Scott come on," Jackson said, expression surprisingly soft. "That's not like you at all. You never give up. Don't say you failed. There will always be a next time."
Scott eyed Jackson with slight surprise. Here was this boy who used to be so mean to him, so arrogant and cocky. What had happened?
"Jackson can I ask you something?" Scott asked him. "Why are you suddenly so different toward me? You used to hate my guts."
"I never hated you," Jackson muttered. "I... I was envious of you. I used to be the best at everything. Then you came along and knocked me off my pedastal."
Danny smirked at him.
"Well Jackson, no offense. Maybe someone needed to. You were getting a little big-headed."
"Watch it Mahaelani," Jackson replied, but it was playful. "Yes I suppose I was. I actually get that now. I used to think it meant so much to be the most popular boy in school. All this supernatural stuff has taught me something though. That stuff doesn't matter."
Jackson eyed Scott strangely. His alpha looked back, expression curious and questioning.
"What matters is that you're you," Jackson said in a low voice, eyes never leaving Scott's. "Scott the truth is... I find myself... "
Jackson cut off, eyes wide with nervousness. He turned to glance sidelong at Danny, managing to slip a confident smile back into place.
"Danny help me out here," he said. "You remember summer camp when we were 13? That thing we said we'd never tell anybody."
Danny blushed a little.
"Yeah," he laughed a little.
"Well I think its time I started being more honest," Jackson told him, eyes serious. "I wouldn't have done it if I didn't find guys attractive on some level, and you are attractive Danny don't get me wrong, but you know we're just friends."
"Wait a minute Jackson. Wait a minute. Are you saying you're bi?"
Jackson bit at his bottom lip a little, unusual for him.
"Yeah I think I am actually. I'm not sure why I wanted to get that out now."
His eyes turned to Scott, giving him a meaningful glance.
"Now do you get it?" he questioned him.
Scott thought that maybe he did. He wasn't exactly oblivious to advances from other men. Stiles had certainly attempted to flirt with him often enough. Scott wasn't entirely closed minded to the prospect either, if he were truthful. Is that what Jackson was offering?
"Jackson are you trying to say... "
Scott smirked at him a little, his eyes bright with that McCall mischief.
"You like me dude?" he finished.
"Maybe," Jackson shrugged, smiling a little. "Yeah I think its a possibility."
Scott wasn't sure why that didn't freak him out more. Maybe because of the fact that Jackson was gorgeous, and even most of the guys at their school could admit that.
"What about you?" Jackson asked, noticing the look Scott was giving him.
Scott thought about it.
"I find you attractive," he admitted, blushing a little again. "Who wouldn't Jackson? You're like the perfect male speciman."
Oh did that ever do wonders for Jackson's ego, hearing Scott say that. He felt a little inflated, but managed to keep his smirk bearable.
"Pity we're chained up right now," Jackson said in a low voice. "I think I might would kiss you."
"Um... " Scott replied nervously, not sure what to think of that.
Kissing Jackson probably wouldn't be so bad. Scott kept hoping that maybe Allison and her dad would come back, but that didn't seem likely. Allison had said they wanted to go hunt in other places with less emotional ties. Allison could never be free, never be the hunter and leader she was meant to be in Beacon Hills. She'd also warned of something else, he remembered.
"Scott with my family gone," she'd told him, expression slightly worried. "Other hunters will probably come eventually. What keeps them at bay is us being here. A lot of hunters long for the chance of hunting the Hales. Derek's family is famous among hunters everywhere."
"Because he's the descendent of the Beast of Gevaudan?" Scott remembered.
"Right," Allison had nodded. "The Beast of Gevaudan was the greatest werewolf to ever live, some say. My family's fame as hunters is built on the legend. We pride ourselves in having slain the beast, I won't deny."
Allison's warning had suddenly come back to him. He wasn't sure why. Would other hunters come? It definitely seemed like a possibility. Jackson had gone silent again, not saying anything more. Scott looked up at the basement door opening. His chest tightened in emotional pain at the sight of Stiles holding a tray. Probably food. Stiles eyed him strangely, mouth opening.
"I made you something," he said quietly. "You need to eat."
"I don't want it," Scott insisted stubbornly. "Nothing of Derek's."
"Scott please," Stiles spoke, voice still low.
Scott sighed. Stiles carried the tray over. Scott's chains just barely permitted him to reach up and grab a sandwich. Their eyes met.
"Thank you," Scott said gently.
Stiles gave him a sad little smile. He turned his back to him, walking over to Jackson and Danny.
"Its not turkey is it?" Jackson asked with disgust.
"Sorry," Stiles shrugged apologetically. "You know all I really eat is turkey."
Jackson sighed and grabbed one of the sandwiches. It was better than nothing. Danny grabbed his sandwich without complaint, thanking Stiles in a low voice.
"You're welcome," Stiles said. "I'm sorry it has to be like this, but Derek wants to keep you here."
"You do whatever Derek says now?" Scott asked him, frown in place.
"Look Scott," Stiles replied a little defensive. "You attacked us... tried to twist my arm off. Forgive me for not feeling too sympathetic."
Stiles walked up the stairs. He was angry again. It was true, Scott realized. He had tried to twist Stiles' arm off. What was he turning into? Was Stiles right? Even if he was, Scott doubted his best friend would ever forgive him...