Author's note :

Yeah! Sorry it was so late! Thank you to all of those who continue to read my story, I'm so happy! Thanks to those who took the time to write a review, you made my day!

I hope you'll love this chapter!

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/!\ I REALLY wanted to put the chapter online today. Errors will be corrected in the week./!\

*Sorry for the mistakes, I try to improve my English!*

Isabel Ashford

Exhaustion.

It was the word which could best explain what I felt following the past two weeks since my return to Beacon Hills. Eyes fixed on the ceiling of my room, a smile stretched my lips when I thought again about my reunion with Melissa. Despite my efforts, I hadn't been able to contain my tears when she embraced me and started crying on my shoulder. My tears were quickly turned into ones of laughter when she learned that I hadn't slept in my room, but on the couch. Poor little Scott, I think he's still afraid of his mother ... At this simple idea, I'd burst out laughing before throwing a glance at the small clock on my nightstand. Shit... I mumbled before quickly get up from my bed.

I had less than forty minutes to get myself ready and be at the High School in order to be on time for Scott's last match. Groaning a little, I grabbed the first pair of jeans that seemed clean and glanced at my window. Why did I say yes? I wondered inwardly while I finished buttoning my pants. Oh yes... Because Scott, once again, had forgotten to tell me something about his life.

Scott McCall was now captain of the Lacrosse team.

Yes, Scott the asthmatic was now in a sports team and according to his mother, he was more than good. I still remember that moment when Melissa had told me this surprising news with a big smile on her face while I couldn't believe my ears. According to her, it sometimes happened that some teenages lose their asthma during the hormonal development of their body, also called puberty.

Was I supposed to believe that?

Quickly, I took the first dark t-shirt in my dresser and left my room before heading to the bathroom. Since I had learned for the sport, I felt nervous. As if a part of me knew that the story was more complicated than what I was told. After all, Scott hadn't stopped to avoid any questions I might have about the topic and Stiles had played the guy who knew nothing. After three days without response from them, I stopped the questions.

Clearing my throat, I quickly brushed my hair before making a high ponytail. This may seem strange, but a part of me was afraid to see Scott play. I was afraid of what I might find out tonight. Taking a deep breath, I put my t-shirt before going out of the room. It was now or never. Once at the bottom of staircases, I looked quickly that everything was in order in the house before putting on my shoes and grab my flannel jacket. If I continued like that, I was going to be late.

I hadn't set a foot in Beacon Hill's High School for almost three years, and honestly, it didn't bother me at all. I had hated the place, much like all teenagers, but still. I think what I hated the most about school was the need to be in a category, which I thought was still stupid today. Why did we so much need to belong to a group? Even today, I had no answer to that.

When the school finally appeared at the end of the street, I passed a hand on my face. The first but also the last time that I had attended to a LaCrosse game, was because my best friend at the time, Jessica Stuart, had forced me to be there in solidarity with her boyfriend.

I had hated that evening.

Once my old Pickup parked, I lock the door's car before heading to the high school. It took me a while to finally reach the ground where they were going to play the match and when I finally got there, a groan escaped my lips when I saw the number of people in the stands. You've got to be kidding me. I growled when I noticed that there was no place available.

''Isabel Ashford?'' At the sound of my name I turned to face a tall man wearing a police uniform. When I saw who it was, a huge smile stretched my face.

''Mister Stilinski!'' I exclaimed before giving him a little hug. ''It's nice to see you here!'' The man had not changed, except for a few wrinkles at the corners of his eyes.

''Stiles told me that you were back.'' He began, beckoning me to follow him. ''I was almost annoyed not to see you at the police station.'' A small smile tugged at my lips when I think back to all the nights I spent to the post while he was doing his best to avoid me problems. I never really knew if it was by respect for Melissa or out of pity that he made so much effort to put me back on track. In any case, I was grateful.

''I think I'm too old for that now.'' I replied, laughing at myself. This man arrested me in all the possible situations. I believe that the construction site was still an awkward moment between us...

''I believe it's because you know what kind of person doesn't deserve your attention.'' He simply said, raising an eyebrow. He wasn't wrong about that. Come to live in Beacon Hills hadn't been easy for me and my ''friends'' at that time was the sad result of it...

When we finally found a place in the stands, a feeling of nervousness invades me. I was so afraid to see Scott play. Honestly, a part of me was certain that he had to take some kind of drugs to be able to play in the team. Hell, the last time I had seen this boy, he didn't even manage to hit a ball with his mother's bat.

''So.'' Began the John, what put a stop to my thoughts. ''This is the first time you'll see Scott play isn't it?''

''Yes'' I said before rubbing my arms. I hated this time of the year when the days were hot and the evenings cold. ''In fact, I didn't even know he had joined the team. Saying that I was surprised would be an euphemism.''

''Stiles was shocked about it too.'' Chuckled Stiles's father, his blue eyes shining. It was always nice to see his face when he was speaking about his son, because it was at this moment that you can see how proud he was of him. ''But you'll see, this boy is full of surprises once on the field.''

''Yeah, I'm sure he is...'' I answered before turning my attention on the match which was soon going to begin. It was out of the question that I miss a moment of his performance.

To my surprise, I didn't see the time passing and I kind of got carried away by the joyful mood of the crowd. Between the cheerful cries of John and the beat of the drums in the crowd, I too, let out a few cheers when a certain number eleven had scored a point. A huge smile appeared on my lips when a loud whistle was heard, indicating the end of the match. While I was going to applaud, a gasp escaped me when two arms raised me in the air.

''We won !'' The sheriff exclaimed, squeezing me against him so hard that I felt four of my ribs breaking. ''We won the game Isabel!''

''Yes it's amazing, but I can't breathe!''

''Oh God, I'm sorry.'' He muttered before releasing me and giving me a gentle tap on the top of the head. I had to make an effort not to laugh in front of his guilty face. At that very moment he was so much like Stiles that my heart squeezed a little.

When handed the trophy to the winning team, I wasn't able to refrain from clapping. I was proud of Scott. Really, and when I saw him looking at me, I gave him the greatest smile possible. I was so focused about what was happening on the field that I jumped when I felt a hand on my shoulder.

''I have an emergency.'' The Sheriff began, launching an apologetic look to the team who was showing the trophy to the crowd. ''I really have to go. Can you tell Stiles that I'm proud of him?''

''Of course!'' I felt a little bad for this kind man who now had to be divided into four to answer all the needs, whether those of the city or those of his son. When my gaze turned back to the crowd, a smile lit up my face when I saw Scott who seemed to be ecstatic. I was happy for him, truly.

It took me a few minutes before being able to work my way through all the people in the stands. People was one of the things that I hated most about sports events. Too. Much. People. A sigh escaped my mouth when someone crushed my foot for the fifth time while I finally reached the field. Thank you Lord it was the last game of the season... I thought, trying to look for my two teenagers. I frowned when I noticed Stiles, who began to quietly put away his equipment in his bag, alone.

''Hey! Congratulations!'' I said once near to him, before giving him a little punch on the shoulder.

''Thanks.'' He answered simply. ''Do you know where my dad is?''

''He received a last minute call, but he told me to tell you that he was very proud of you.''

While I was going to add something to cheer him up, a small group behind Stiles caught my attention.

''Can you tell me who they are?'' I asked to Stiles, looking at the the group who was talking with a boy I knew very well. ''And why Scott speaks to them?'' Seeing the movements Scott was making, he didn't seem happy to see them.

At the name of his friend, Stiles turned around before pushing a growl. ''You've got to be kidding me.'' He groaned before dropping his bag on the bench.

''What is wrong?'' I asked, still looking at the group. Despite the distance, I could see the tension rising and I didn't like it.

''Nothing. Just stay there okay?'' He asked, before starting to walk towards the small gathering.

Was he serious? I had to stay here and let him, Stiles Stilinski, resolve this? Like hell! I thought before running to join him. I could not help a smile when he realizes that I had followed him.

''I told you to stay there!'' He said, before raising his arms in the air in exasperation while I raised an eyebrow at him. ''Of course you didn't listen. Nobody listens to me in your family...''

It took us less than a minute to reach them, but before we had time to do anything, a man dressed in black pushed Scott so hard that he fell to the ground.

''Hey! BACK OFF!'' I screamed before placing myself between him and Scott. If he wanted to lay a hand on him again, he would have to go through me.

''Isabel?'' Asked Scott more than surprised. ''Stiles, what is she doing here?''

I had no idea what Stiles replied to him and I didn't care one bit. I was too busy looking at the man who, honestly, was too old to be a friend of Scott. A small part of myself wanted to yell at the unknow man while the other, the more intelligent part of me, wanted to observe him. Knowing very well that yelling wasn't going to help the situation, I decided to be smart.

The stranger was tall, at least a head taller than me and his eyes were cold, icy. While I thought he was going to drop the thing, he took a step in my direction. Not knowing what to do, I threw him a dark look, but that didn't stop him at all. Having no alternative, I put my hands against his chest, trying to keep him away from Scott, and something inside of me just... Exploded.

It was like I was burning from the inside.

For a moment I thought I was going to fall apart... The sensation... It was so powerful. Without knowing why, my gaze looked for his and for a split second, I believed to see in it some surprise mixed with something that I wasn't able to named. As I was about to open my mouth to say something, a low growl in the forest made us jump.

''I said back off.'' I snarled. I had the impression that a cloud had taken the place of my thoughts and I didn't like it. I had the sensation that I had lost control of my head...

''You.'' He began, pointing a finger in my direction. ''Stay out of this.'' His voice was so low that a shiver runs through me and I found myself wanting to obey him. What the fuck?

''No.'' I honestly don't know if it was to me or to him whom I had answered, but a thing however was clear : I was getting tired of being put aside. As soon as Scott got angry he left the house, Melissa refused to talk about her new boyfriend and Stiles kept telling me that there was no problem with Scott. Since my return, I had the feeling that they hid things from me and now that I knew Scott was in trouble, there was no way that I stay in my corner.

''Derek...'' Scott's voice behind me was so timorous that I had to make an effort to not to show my surprise. ''She doesn't know...''

The guy named Derek turned his gaze to Scott and Stiles who were behind me. I didn't need to look at them to know that they were uncomfortable. Hell, I could almost hear their heart beat so the tension was high. As I was about to add something, two figures emerged from the edge of the wood before starting to walk towards us. When I recognized one of both, a dull rage came over me.

''Look who's here.'' I scolded, watching Samuel whose face expressed absolutely nothing. ''So, This is why you said no to Europe? A group of bullies?'' I didn't even know if I should laugh or cry so much the situation was crazy...

''Isabel, it's not what you think it is...'' He replied, glancing between me and Derek who still had not moved.

''And what am I supposed to think? Oh you know what? I don't care!'' I exclaimed, before turning myself to the two teens who looked terrified. I could feel the migraine coming. ''Stiles, Scott, I want you to pack your things. NOW!'' And for the first time in a long, long time, the two boys did exactly what I asked them.

''The conversation was not finished.'' Derek replied before crossing his arms over his chest.

''Oh yes it is!'' I said, starting to walk in the same direction that had taken the two teens. ''And if you know what's good for you, you'll leave Scott alone!'' And without one last look for the small group, I began to run towards my family.

Strangely, none of the two boys looked at me while they finished putting their equipment in their bag. I think that they were able to smell how angry I was and honestly, it was impossible for me to say between which of the two I was the most angry. Maybe Scott, because he lied in my face or Stiles, because he didn't told me anything? A groan escaped me when I felt the first effects of the migraine. Perfect... This is just so fucking perfect...

When they finally finished, Stiles wish us a good night while Scott and I join my car.

''How do you know Samuel?'' Growled Scott, closing the car's door.

''Don't you dare change the subject Scott McCall! What the fuck was that?'' I exclaimed while I was starting the car. If he thought for a moment that I was going to allow him to yell at me because I knew Samuel, he was going to be disappointed.

''It's nothing for you to care.'' Scott muttered as he watched the road scroll through the window. It had to be a joke, he couldn't be serious ...

''For fuck's sake Scott! Are you serious? They were going to hurt you! And I can't be worried? Oh God... Melissa knows?'' At his mother's name Scott turned so quickly that I jumped a little.

''No, and you will not say anything to her Isabel. They are MY problems, not yours!'' He quickly ran a hand over his face and sighed.''Stay out of this. I'm serious.''

Thus I was right. He really had problems. At that moment I wanted to hit him so much that I had to bite my cheek to calm myself. Why hadn't he spoken to me about it? Was he ashamed? Was he in a dangerous situation? Ideas buzzed so much in my head that I didn't even know what to say. I was completely lost and I hated it.

This was never supposed to happen.

Once the car parked in the driveway, I cut the engine before turning my head to Scott. ''Are you in a gang?'' I asked in a small voice. All of a sudden, I really was not sure I wanted to know the truth, but the facts were still there. Scott had changed. ''I'm serious Scott. You come home late, you got a tattoo and I always feel like if you're going to explode. And I will not even talk about what had just happened!''

''I'm not in a gang. Don't be stupid.'' He replied before leaving the car. He was angry and I didn't care. I was tired of his shit.

''So what's the problem?'' I asked while I joined him on the steps of the house. ''And stop acting like everything is fine! It's not and I want to help you!'' Was that so hard to understand?

''You wanna know what's my problem?'' Scott began looking me straight in the eyes, an angry glint in his eyes. ''My problem is that you're always on my back, ALWAYS. I understand that you want to make up for lost time, really. Just... Just leave me alone for Christ's sake! STAY. OUT. OF. MY LIFE!'' And without I have time to add anything else, he turned his back and walked toward the street, leaving me alone with my mouth wide open.

For the first time in six years, Scott McCall had yelled at me ...

•••

I could feel the wet grass under my feet and despite the darkness of the night, I was able to see the trees around me. Strangely, even with the feeling of the wind on my skin, I wasn't cold. While I was looking for a way to go out of these wood, a noise behind me made me jump.

''Who's there?'' I asked, before turning my gaze where I had heard the noise. Nothing. There was no one, and yet, I couldn't help but feel observed.

Taking a deep breath, I stepped in the direction of the noise. Even before having made two steps, a low growl echoed through the trees, making me stop all motion.

''I found you.'' A voice whispered in my ear, making me shiver. As I was turning to see who it was, I felt a burning sensation on my neck, plunging me into darkness..

When I opened my eyes, I was surprised to see that the sun illuminated the room. This was to be the first time since I had set foot in this city that I had slept later than sunrise and it was truly amazing. Without thinking, I found myself putting a hand where I felt a burn on my neck.

Nothing.

When I realized that there was nothing on my skin, I let out a breath that I didn't know I was holding. The dream was so real that, for a short time, I had been certain to have been burned. Letting out a yawn, I decided it was time for a good breakfast. If there was one thing that I really needed today, it was a good cup of coffee or perhaps a bottle of alcohol ... Maybe both.

Once the coffee in hand, I quickly walked around the house before I realized that it was completely deserted. Scott hadn't come home to sleep. I understand that Scott could get tired of my questions, but honestly, he could have tried to understand me too... It's been two weeks since I tolerate his behavior, his jumps of moods and his blatant lack of patience when we were discussing. For two weeks, he told me that I didn't have to get involved in his problems, that he had everything under control... Control my ass ...

I wasn't stupid. I could see he was starting to get overwhelmed by the situation. Stiles watched him whenever they were together. He never left his eyes. Why would Stiles have as much need to monitor his best friend if he knew that everything was okay? And that's not counting his performance at the game yesterday... Wow.

Un-Fucking-believable.

Scott was fast, very fast, perhaps too fast for a boy, less than two years ago, couldn't climb stairscases in full speeds without having an asthma attack. I hated having this feeling that deep down, I knew something was wrong, but I couldn't put a finger on the problem ...

Taking a deep breath, I closed my eyes and counted to ten. It was useless to get angry alone, he had fled like a coward, he was going to return home alone and it was out of the question that I go get him wherever he was. After all, he was the one who had so kindly said that I was making his life a misery.

''I need to do something...'' I sighed outloud before heading to the living room. Today, Scott McCall wasn't my concern.

After a few minutes sitting on the sofa looking at the window, I decided that I wasn't going to spend the day doing nothing. I had no clean clothes to put on and I hadn't finished to empty the boxes in my room. Today I was going to ensure that everything is completed before the end of the day.

Once in my room, I closed my eyes... If my mother was still alive, she would have removed me from her will or worse, killed me. There were literally clothes everywhere and the cardboard boxes containing my last belongings were still stacked like a pyramid in the right corner of the bedroom. A psychologist had once told me that our room was a reflection of our state of mind. She may be right because at that very moment I just felt like this room, crushed under my problems ...

As I began to do some washing, something heavy fell from a dark pair of pants. I have always believed in fate. Hell, for me our life was written in the stars even before our birth, but to see this little piece of metal, that I had totally forgotten about, on the ground made me feel strange. I knew that was going to sound silly, but at that very moment, I had the impression that it was a sign. A sign from who? Don't care. It was a sign.

At daylight, the object didn't look like what I had imagined. Unlike a capsule of beer, the item in question had the appearance of an arrow, but not like an ordinary one. Why the tip is missing? I thought, before turning the thing in every angles possible. While I was examining the missing tip, I was surprised to notice that it was not broken, but in fact made this way... It was the very first time that I saw something like that in my entire life. Leaving my curiosity take over myself, I left aside my piles of clothes and headed to Melissa's office. Maybe internet was going to help me for once ...

After two hours of intensive research, I wanted to pull my hair out. I found nothing, absolutely nothing, about this object and it drove me crazy. I had done all online shopping sites selling this kind of design and after verification, that thing was not been made in China and no logo or mark was engraved on the surface.

''The fuck are you!'' I growled, squeezing the object in my hand before closing my eyes. How I had been able to think that it was going to be simple. I needed to think. If it was neither an industrial object or an antique object what it could be? We didn't nail things like that in the middle of nowhere without a reason. ''Nail... Nail on a tree ..?''

Why do we marked a tree or a particular location? Was it not normally with the aim of indicated to other people that we had been in this place before them? The lovers engraved hearts so why someone... Oh God... I thought before I got up abruptly and return as quickly as possible in my room. It was completely crazy and yet ...

Once in my bedroom, I bent at the level of my bed to bring out an old wooden box. Maybe it was nothing after all, simply a stupid idea from my imagination. Maybe this really was a trinket of no importance, but a little voice in my head kept telling me that I was on the right path. Seeing that there was really no other option, I opened the box and got out of it a small leather notebook. Anthony Ashford. I read on the cover, before taking my bottom lip between my teeth and biting it with all my strength. A groan escaped me when I felt some blood escaping from the bite.

''Familia in aeternum.'' I whispered while words slowly starting to appear on the yellowed pages.

When I saw my father's writing on the pages, I knew the spell had worked. He wasn't, perhaps, the most perfect man on the planet, but he had had the intelligence to make a note of several of his discoveries in this little notebook.

It was strange to read it. I felt like I was in his secret garden. Although basically it was a collection of knowledge, the book was covered with annotation and memories. Reading this little book was both intimate and painful. Despite the time spent in my possession, I had never really had the impression that this book was mine. I was an Ashford, but I was not Anthony Ashford.

Still tasting the blood on my lips, I closed my eyes and put my hand over the notebook. I didn't want to spend my day reading this thing, hell, I didn't even think to open it one day. Taking a deep breath, I slowly began to turn my hand over the notebook before thinking about the strange object that I had placed next to me.

I could feel the pages turned under my hand and it took me a lot of concentration to not open my eyes. It was always strange to feel the energy leaving the body to move an object. When they stop moving, I took a deep breath before opening my eyes.

Hunters.

It was impossible, there was no reason for the hunters to be at Beacon Hills, but at the same time, what did I know? I didn't even remember the last time there had been "animal" attacks in the city and nevertheless, now we had a curfew... I continued to read until a small sketch in the margin draws my attention. It was the exact replica of what I had found on the tree.

''The mark.'' I read aloud, taking back the small piece of metal that I had placed next to my thigh. According to the findings of my father, it was a mark that was used to indicate the hunters where a wolf had been killed or injured. It was usually in silver, what prevents the wolves from touching it... If the tip of the mark was missing, it meant that a wolf had been killed there. If the mark was complete, a wolf was wounded at this place. I had set foot in the place where a beast was killed and then... It struck me. The three men weren't any normal men, they were hunters and I had stopped their hunt ...

It took me some time to digest the news while I continued to fix the object in my hand. I had to think ... I needed to think. Now there was a curfew in the city. Hunters showed to other hunters where they killed werewolves, which meant they were ...

''Oh my God...'' I whispered, squeezing the object in my hand. The hunters hunted! There was a pack of werewolves in the town and they were hunted... That mean that... Fuck fuck's sake... The town was a fucking war zone...

While I closed my father's notebook, hard knocks against the front door startled me. Taking good care to put away the little book in its box, I quickly passed a hand over my face before going to the door. When I finally opened it, my body froze.

''What are you doing here?'' I asked, looking at the man in front of me. Unlike yesterday, he changed his dark clothes for a pair of jeans and a forest green shirt. A shiver runs through me when I noticed that he was staring intently at the bite on my lip.

''We should talk.'' He replied in a deep voice, still looking at my lip.

I continued to stare at him for a while before weighing the pros and cons. If Scott didn't want to tell me anything, maybe he would. Moistening my lips, I moved away from the door frame and sighed.

''Well.. Just come inside Derek.''

Author's note :

Yes Derek is finally in! Thank you for reading until the end! As always, I'd like to have your reviews on this chapter!

See you next chapter.

A.