Scott jumped from the tree, landing with a thud against Claire, knocking her to the ground. Isaac had charged to pin her down, but this blood thirsty and full of rage, Claire knocked them both aside.

"Claire!"

The Alpha spun around to face Derek, growling deep in her chest.

"I know, somewhere, deep down that the Claire I once knew is still in there."

Claire growled at him.

"Deep down, there's still my best friend. Deep down -" He stepped a few inches forward toward her. "- there's still that girl when we were kids that got picked on because of the way she dressed. Remember Claire? Remember the bullies that threw rocks at you when we were in second grade?" He took another two steps toward her. "Because I do. I remember you and I were inseparable. Our mothers were the best of friends. Do you remember her? Your mother? She was killed, murdered in cold blood, by him-" Derek inclined his head toward Deucalion and Claire followed his gaze. "This is not you, Claire."

Claire turned her face to him again, snarling this time.

"Remember those martial arts lessons I gave you so that you could stand up to those bullies and the last time they threw rocks at you, you threw them on a the rock and got suspended?"

Claire held her head, trying to shake the memories.

"Remember when we were teenagers and our parents thought we were dating? We snuck behind their backs for months, Claire."

"Stop!" Claire yelled, charging after Derek. He side-stepped her and knocked her down, pinning her with his weight, his hands restraining her arms.

"Stop struggling! I'm not letting you go."

The red in her irises receded and she stopped struggling, laying still, her gaze looking up at him. "Claire? It's me." After a pause, he added, "Derek."

Like she could mistake that deep rumble for anyone else, like she could mistake that little part of her that perked up like an eager puppy saying, It's him. Quick! Go see what he wants.

"Derek."

She looked up at him. His green eyes glittered in the dark, reflecting the moonlight like a cat's. His scowl had vanished. The defiance was gone, too, replaced by a tightness around his mouth, a worry that clouded his eyes; and seeing that quicksilver change, She wanted to... She didn't know what she wanted to do. Kick him in the shins seemed like a good option. Unfortunately, bursting into tears seemed more likely, because here lay the root of the problem, the contradiction in Derek that she couldn't seem to work out, no matter how hard she tried.

One second he was in her face, making her feel stupid and useless, pinning her down so she wouldn't kill anyone. The next he was like this: hovering, concerned, worried. She told herself it was just his wolf instinct, that he had to protect her whether he wanted to or not, but when he looked like this, like he'd pushed her too far and regretted it - that look said he genuinely cared.

And it terrified her to the core.

Derek had gotten off her, leaving her on the ground, unsure if he'd gotten through to her or not. Truthfully, Derek was exhausted and didn't know if anything would be normal again. Not that was it was normal to begin with.

"No!" Deucalion yelled and when Derek turned around, he plunged the serrated blade into Derek's chest. Blood poured out of Derek's mouth and when Deucalion pulled the knife out, Claire saw those green eyes dim and his body crumpled to the ground.

Claire watched in horror as Derek didn't get up. "Well, seeing as you wouldn't kill him, I figured I'd do it myself."

One part of her brain, soaring on adrenaline, insisted she could take Deucalion, whatever the size difference. Another part wondered where the hell Isaac and Scott were. The loudest part just shouted: Run, you idiot, run!

She chose the first option.

The blood boiled in her body, her claws elongating, the blue in her eyes turning a vicious mixture of red and black.

She wanted to walk over there. She wanted to curl up beside him, lean against him, talk to him. She wanted to know what he was thinking. She wanted to tell him everything would be okay. And she wanted him to tell her the same thing. She didn't care if it was true or not - she just wanted to say it. To hear it, to feel his arms around her, hear the rumble of his words, that deep chuckle that made her pulse race.

But she wouldn't get her chance, because Derek still refused to move.

Something snapped in her. Like the-last-of-her-humanity-had-just-flown-out-the-wi ndow kind of snapped and she lunged for Deucalion, her claws digging into his neck. Once she felt as though she had a good grip, she twisted, snapping the Alpha's neck.

She might be half Derek's size, but she was the one who sounded like a two-hundred-pound beast plowing through the woods after Deucalion. It wasn't about wanting to die or having nothing left to live for; it was about letting go. You live your life doing what you're supposed to do, following the rules, following your conscience no matter what your gut tells you - and most times, that's okay. Control is good. It allows you to believe in certainty and absolutes, like lining up the perfect shot. But when you hold on for so long, and hold on so tight, every once in a while you have to close your eyes and jump.

Isaac and Scott watched in shock near Derek's body.

In a very horrifying, straight-out-of-a-horror-movie kind of thing, Deucalion's decapitated head landed by a nearby tree, his body falling to the ground. Breathing heavy, Claire stood, looking down at his dead body. "This time, stay dead motherfucker."

Both Isaac and Scott exchanged glances

It was official, they were never going to piss her off.

Ever.

Claire had stepped toward Derek's body, the sobs uncontrollable now, her chest aching, adrenaline worn off from the satisfaction. She fell to her knees and cried. There was no way in hell did she ever think she'd see the day when Derek Hale was defeated. But here it was.

And it was all her fault.

The smallest decisions made had such profound repercussions. One ten-minute wait could save a life… Or end it… One wrong turn down the right street or one seemingly unimportant conversation, and everything was changed. It wasn't right that each lifetime was defined, ruined, ended, and made by such seemingly innocuous details. A major life-threatening event should come with a flashing warning sign that either said ABANDON ALL HOPE or SAFETY AHEAD. It was the cruelest joke of all that no one could see the most vicious curves until they were over the edge, falling into the abyss below.

Claire had fallen into that abyss.

Scott pulled Isaac aside, leaving Claire with Derek's body, her hand hovering over his chest, shaking violently. "Can you take her back to your house?"

"Yeah." Isaac nodded. "What are you going to - uh, do with Derek's body?"

"I'm taking him to my boss."

"The vet? Why?"

Scott leaned in closer to Isaac. "Because he'll know what to do with his body."

Isaac nodded and left Scott's side, gently picking up the emotionally exhausted Claire in his arms. He disappeared deep into the forest not a moment later.

Scott exhaled a deep breath and took out his cellphone, calling his boss.

It only took one ring before there was a voice on the other end.

"Hello?"

"I need your help."

Author's Note: ...I love cliffhangers. What are your guys thoughts on what Scott's plan is? Reviews are the best. :) And thanks again to those that have followed, favorited and reviewed this story!