Chapter 8

Melanie had stayed with Derek for the last two weeks. Derek preferred that she was there at the loft until the house was cleaned. He didn't want her to have to look at it. Seeing her now, she'd grown since he'd last seen her and he'd changed since she'd last seen him. There was a darkness that had developed in both of them. She wasn't that happy, playful, hopeful girl. She couldn't quite place what had changed in him. He was lost though. She did know that. She could see it every time they made eye contact. Like when she was that child in the woods, scared and confused; he was lost. Now that they were reunited—she, Cora and him—he wouldn't be so lost.

She could hear Cora doing her morning workout as she spread cover-up over her cheeks smoothly with her middle and ring finger. The once deeps cuts in her cheeks were now two thin lines that easily disappeared beneath the make-up. Her black eyes were nearly gone. Only a blackish tint remained on each side of the bridge of her nose. The swelling was minor now. Her lips were fine and her nose wasn't swollen anymore, but still tender to the touch. Constant heat and ice at night helped majorly.

Melanie pulled the collar of her shirt, revealing her chest to the mirror. Her chest was almost completely healed too.

"Doing better today?"

In the mirror, Cora stood behind Melanie. She leaned against the doorway in a grey sports bra with matching Under Armour capri-leggings. She flipped her ponytail off of her shoulder.

"Yeah," Melanie said, covering her chest back up.

"How are your ribs?"

"Not much change. They still hurt with every breath. I'm going to see Miss McCall in two weeks."

Cora nodded. Her facial expression hadn't changed in the slightest from her expressionless enamor. She wasn't as intimidating as she made herself out to be though. Quiet, ice chip on her shoulder, but that was the Hale family. The only exception was Laura.

Today was the day though. Melanie was going home. That was a weird word. Home. Derek said that the 'problem' had been dealt with. The 'problem' had plagued her dreams, turning them into nightmares, but it was time to face it: him. Seth was still here, in the dark depths of her mind where other memories tended to flush to the surface from time to time. And, he wasn't going to go away for good until she forced him to. There was no avoiding it. Laura had taught her better than that.

"Derek said to give you these," Cora held out a set of keys with a key pad attached to the keyring.

Melanie turned and stared at them for several seconds. He was giving her a car. He'd never really given her anything before. That school in Paris was not a gift. It was hell. Cora waved them at her and huffed.

"You should feel lucky. He's giving you the Camaro. Said he bought a new car." Cora said flatly.

Melanie took the keys cautiously and looked down at them. They shimmered under the dull lighting like hope at the bottom of Pandora's Box. A smile spread across her face.

"Also, he needs to talk to you after you get back from school. He knows you're ready to head home, but he said you have something to tell him?"

The smile that had slowly crept across her face fell in horror. Crap. The time in the hospital was still a little fuzzy, but she remembered telling him that. That was crystal clear, unfortunately. She didn't die then, but there was no guarantee she wouldn't now. The core of her stomach churned grossly.

She looked up from the delightful sparkle of the car keys and at Cora who now quirked an eyebrow of curiosity at her. She saw the look. Melanie laughed nervously.

"Yep. I do," Melanie replied dryly.

"Right, I'll see you later," Cora snickered.

She turned and walked off, sure enough to train some more. A few days ago Melanie had been informed that she'd start training as soon as she was allowed which meant that Miss McCall would have to give the okay. Derek got huffy every time they went to the hospital and she said no.

Melanie looked once more at her reflection then down at the keys in her hand. Her attire was not going to work with this hot, muscled car. She rushed back to Cora's room where she'd started sleeping after a few days out of the hospital. Privacy was important and Cora didn't pry.

Switching her flip-flops out for her combat boots that had a studded leather strap across the front and her plain green-t for her white Thirty Seconds to Mars-T, she grabbed her messenger bag and left the loft, the keys swinging around her finger. Thank god Cora didn't hate her at first sight. Otherwise she would've been wearing Derek's clothes instead of getting her to go grab some clothes from the murder sight since he wouldn't have—his leather jacket and sunglasses would look good on top of this. Melanie picked those up too.

Danny texted her, asking if he needed to pick her up. He texted every morning since Seth's departure. He felt guilty for not seeing the trouble sooner. He didn't express it verbally, but she knew from the way he would take an extra second to stare at her bruising. Nobody saw the attack coming and she didn't want them to. Stiles was the example of why. He had been coming by the loft to drive her and keep up pretenses that she was home. She texted Danny back saying that she had a ride.

She smirked pulling into the parking lot of the school. The stares from lingering people standing by their cars, chatting before class wasn't lost on her. In the rearview mirror she could see Stiles in his blue jeep, pulling into the parking lot behind her. She found a spot in front of the main building next to the twins' motorcycles. She snorted with a thought as she remembered back to her first time on the back of a motorcycle. The safest that's been between my legs, she thought.

Turning off the ignition, she grabbed her bag from the passenger's seat and got out of the car, slipping the strap over her head and on her shoulder. The sleeves on the jacket were a bit longer and larger than her arms and it stopped halfway past her buttocks, but it was comfortable. Secretly, it made her feel as strong as Derek.

She took off the shades upon entering the building and perched them on top of her head, pushing back her bangs.

"Good morning sunshine," Danny said, grinning. He gave her a once over. "You seem happy and badass-like."

"I do, don't I?" She played coy, opening her locker. Badass was a word that could be used. Happy was definitely a way to describe her mood. There was no point in denying it.

"It wouldn't have anything to do with the car out in the parking lot would it? Where'd you get it?" he asked.

"A friend…family…" she paused. Which was Derek? "He's a friend-family."

She stopped again. Danny chuckled and shook his head, at her fumble.

"He's close, but not blood?"

"Yes, that. He might as well be blood since he's always been there for me. He gave me the car since he didn't want it," she replied. She didn't tell him who 'he' was.

"I don't get why anybody wouldn't want that car anymore."

"I'm not complaining. It feels good to have a car again," she said with a straight face. The last car she owned, Marvin as she called it, had been totaled thanks to coyotes in the middle of the road.

"Nice car."

Ethan stopped beside Danny. The two smiled at each other as if in their own private bubble. Aidan and Lydia were in tow muttering to one another. Melanie met his eyes. Coldness swept through her as she did. She looked away quickly.

"I know," she said flatly, closing her locker with a little more force than usual. "I'll see you after class. Hey ginger," she said as she passed by Lydia. Melanie walked quickly, avoiding the twins, afraid that they'd see right through her.

"What is up with her?" Lydia asked snottily while tucked under Aidan's arm.

"No idea," Danny replied. His eyes narrowed, confused as he watched Melanie hurry off. He was beginning to wonder if she was bipolar. One minute was happy with her attitude in full swing and the next it was as if a flip had switched. She went cold and hard like glass, going dark and defensive. It was strange.

Stiles and Scott flanked both sides of her, followed by Allison and Isaac behind them. It was strange. Melanie looked back and saw the lost look on Danny's face. He didn't understand and he would never understand. That's what she hoped. It was better not to know about the certain things that surrounded them. Not knowing was safer.

"Is there a reason you look like Derek Hale?" Stiles asked, his curiosity piqued.

"It's easier to make you do what I want," Melanie replied flatly, waving her eyebrows cockily.

Stiles snorted,

"Yeah, right."

Melanie spun around, her eyes sharp with ferocity, directed at Stiles. Stiles's eyes widened suddenly. Her lips twitched with a smirk at how easily he cowered. Over the years she'd mastered the art of intimidation. It made her fearless. How was he still breathing again?

"Yeah, right," she said just like Stiles had only with more certainty. "See you later."

She walked into class, grinning from ear to ear; confidence oozed from her gut making her feel giddy. She hadn't felt this good in nearly a year. Dare she think it; she felt normal.

"It's like she's one of them," Allison mumbled.

"She's not." Scott said. "She's been through a lot is all."

"Don't defend her Scott. She was raised by werewolves." Stiles said.

Before Scott could argue, Stiles had ducked into the same class.

Isaac stood there, Melanie's picture fresh in his mind. That was Derek's jacket. She was still living with him. Thinking about it pissed him off. Couldn't she go back home yet? She's acting all tough and fine. Most of her injuries were healed too. Send her home, he thought.

Melanie took out the small case in her bag and slid her glasses on that were inside it. Mr. Harris gave her a once over and said nothing as he started class. It was the first time he'd kept his universal insults to himself. Taking the seat beside her was Stiles, not Danny this time. Melanie clicked her tongue confused. Why did he think it was okay to sit there? Danny stopped at the lab table and gave the same flummoxed look.

"Dude, move," Danny ordered with a head nod.

"Danny, I would love to, but I can't."

"Move," Danny said again, but more forcefully. His eyebrows knitted together with annoyance toward his fellow lacrosse teammate.

Stiles sighed, begging for help from Melanie. She stared at him blankly.

Huffing, Stiles moved and sat down beside Scott at his usual table. Melanie perched her chin on her elbow and stared ahead, ignoring the occasional glances that Stiles and Scott gave her, looking back over their shoulders. It was nice to be able to relax without fear. Melanie's knee bounced up and down happily.

"You're in a good mood," Danny said again as the two left class at the bell. The class had been long and Mr. Harris had to separate Stiles and Scott. Stiles tried to argue, but it was pointless in the end and he ended up getting detention.

"The swelling is completely gone and the bruising almost too, so yes. I am happy," Melanie replied.

Each word had its own level of joy as she bounced with every step, her boots clomping.

"I see."

Danny shook his head, licking his dry lips. He was unfazed and still had that frown line of deep concern on his forehead. Melanie nudged him in the arm, trying to lighten his mood.

"Would you rather I act unhappy?"

"No. I just feel like I'm missing something. You were terrified and now you're…different."

"I'm not living in constant fear. That's pretty damn amazing." She said incredulously. "I am happy that an asshole that's been after me for nearly a year is gone. I can get a life back. I'm not going to be that recluse anymore. I thought people wanted to get to know me."

Danny flinched at the word 'people'. She stopped and looked at him hurt. Of all people, she didn't expect him to be frazzled about this. He'd accepted her the moment she sat down at his lab table. He made the effort to know her and now he was acting like it wasn't he wanted.

"We do-"

"Good, because I'm still that sarcastic, cold hearted bitch," she laughed and started walking again.

"Cold hearted is a strong word. I'd go with indifferent," he said, winking.

"Really now?" her voice came out sardonic with a grin on the side.

At the end of the hallway, she spotted Isaac and her smile faded as he walked off in the opposite direction.

"Hey, I'll see you at lunch," she said. The two parted ways.

Isaac was scarce for most of the day, even to Allison. She'd asked Melanie between economics and lunch if she knew anything. The two were clueless as to why he was being strange.

"Do you think it's because Derek is back?" Allison asked.

"Could be, but Stiles and Scott aren't being awkward. What's his connection to Derek?" Melanie inquired as she took off Derek's jacket and put it in her locker.

"He's the one who changed Isaac into a you-know. It saved him from his Dad."

"Saved him?"

"Yeah, his Dad…well, his Dad wasn't exactly nice," Allison said, her eyes averting to the ground.

"Oh God, that's why—" Melanie cut herself off midsentence.

She ran her fingers through her hair real quick. How could she have known if he didn't tell her? Why didn't he tell her? Friends were supposed to talk to each other. He knew about her parents. He could've told her then. That's why he'd been so angry with the Seth issue though. It wasn't the same; his Dad and Seth, but it had the same result. Two people who had been beaten down. He didn't talk about any of it. Melanie's stomach twisted making her feel sick.

"Melanie?" Allison said, her face muddled with confusion.

"I'm going to be late. Later."

All of that weird protectiveness made sense now. He knew what it was like to be abused by somebody you thought loved you. More and more, the two were becoming quite similar. Class passed by and Melanie tried to put it out of her mind, but even Finstock's voice wasn't doing the trick.

"Melanie!" Finstock yelled.

"What?" she droned.

"Well?" His eyes threatened to jump out of his head at her they were so wide and expectant.

Melanie sighed, her face blank, with no idea what the topic was. She could feel the stares of other students on her. Opening her mouth to speak, she spilled out an answer with unfaltering confidence. At least if the subject was wrong she could spin it and make it sound correct as if she was tying it in to the main subject. Though she'd only been in private school for a year, she learned how to be much better at manipulation.

"The whole idea is to bring about the idea of supply and demand. In order to keep the supply flow continuous the demand has to be high enough that the supply will be purchased, but low enough that it can be continually bought and therefore will create a business that will remain intact. Otherwise, it explodes or implodes. It's a balancing act that is strangling our country very slowly. Look at gas prices for example," she said.

Finstock stared at her blankly. She suppressed the smirk from hearing Stiles and Scott behind her mumbling that she'd really pulled that one out of her ass.

"Exactly," he said then moved onto the guy beside her after shooting down Greenberg.

By the end of the day, she was tired and ready for a nap. In her pocket her phone buzzed. Derek was calling.

"Hello?" she answered.

"You have my jacket don't you," he said.

A mischievous, Cheshire grin spread across her face. Took him long enough to notice it was missing. She tapped her fingers against the back of the phone as she spoke.

"I have no idea what you're talking about." She feigned innocence, looking at the jacket hanging off her arm.

Looking up, she saw Isaac talking to Allison at the end of the hallway. The worry that had been masked over Allison's face earlier today was gone and replaced by a glowing joy. Walking past them out to the parking lot, he met Melanie's eyes as if seeking them out. She looked away quickly.

"Get over here quickly. There are a few things we need to discuss before you head home, and bring my jacket," Derek grumbled in her ear.

"Okay fearless leader," she said sarcastically.

"Melanie," he growled.

She hung up, cutting him off from whatever he was going to say next. She could picture his face perfectly. The grumpiness that caused a smile to be nonexistent and his eyes to seem icy cold rather than like the warm waters of Mexico was all she could picture. Eventually, he'd be who he used to be. She didn't know who that was, but Laura had told her about those younger days. Hell, if the day ever came that he did crack a smile the world would probably end.

"Here's your jacket," Melanie drawled out, rolling her eyes.

Cora, leaning against a column a couple of feet away, smirked and glanced back at the alpha. She'd changed from her workout clothes into skinny jeans, a white t-shirt and combat boots. Her dark hair fell around her face, framing its delicately stern features. Melanie set it on the table beside the map he was staring at intensely.

"What's going on?" she asked.

"Nothing you need to concern yourself with right now."

"Why not now?"

"You need to start your training again and finishing healing. You're not up to your full strength. That's why," he said.

"Derek—"

"Don't argue with me," he growled out, his eyes glowing ominously.

"Derek, that doesn't work on me. I'm not one of your wolves."

The light joking atmosphere she'd brought into the loft was swept away with hostility. Did he honestly think he could control her? He must've forgotten who she was while they were apart.

"Just trust me." His voice softened and so did his eyes. "I don't want to see you hurt again. I don't want you dealing with any of this. At least if you're training you can protect yourself."

"Seth was terrifying, but you know that if it were anything else, I can take it."

"Seth also reminded me that you can die a lot easier than us."

"At least tell me what has you so wound up all of the sudden? Everything seemed fine last week. Hell, life was better than fine. It is starting to seem normal."

"I can't tell you…" he sighed. "I need you to be safe and that means—"

"Keeping me in the dark?" Melanie said in disbelief. He wasn't serious? "Where in your thick skinned brain does that make sense? You know I'll find out if you don't tell me."

"Just tell her Derek. She's right. She'll dig around until she finds out and probably drag Scott into it in the process."

Derek sighed heavily. Cora was right. Melanie wasn't one to give up. If she wanted to know something she'd figure it out one way or another and get involved. She wasn't one to sit back and watch those she cared about it danger.

Suddenly, the loft's sliding door opened making Melanie jump, breaking the staring contest between her and Derek. Scott walked in and stopped quickly, feeling the high tension between the two. He shared the same look that Melanie had. Confusion.

"There's another pack here, an alpha pack." Derek explained with a defeated look.

"Are they the ones killing people?" Melanie asked.

"I don't know."

"What do you expect us to do?" Scott asked just as intensely. His eyebrows furrowed at the news. It was good that Derek stuck to his word about giving him a normal life. He appreciated it. Not telling him about a potential threat to his friend and family was dangerous though.

"I don't know!" Derek exclaimed. His lips pursed together as he wracked his brain. "What are you even doing here Scott? I thought you wanted a normal life."

"Melanie wasn't answering her phone. I figured that she'd be here," he said.

Melanie pulled out her phone. He had called four times and left two texts.

"Derek, now would be a good time to come up with a plan," Cora piped up.

"And what do you suggest? That we search the woods and try to hold hands with them? That'll get us all killed," Derek snapped.

"That pack came to the wrong place. We know this town, these woods better than anybody else. We grew up here," Scott said, crossing his arms over his chest, affirming his position. Derek watched him closely. He was a beta, but he never acted like one. "We have the advantage."

Derek walked back to the desk and took his previous stance over it. He stared at the map laid out across it long and hard. This was his home. Scott was right, this pack came to the wrong place.

"Melanie stays out of it." he said.

"What!" she exclaimed. "Derek!"

"You can't train yet which means you can't fight. You're useless."

"I bet Stiles is going to be a part of this though, isn't he? Plus, you just said that you want me training again. I can start as soon as next week." She looked at Scott.

"Mel-" he started.

"You aren't getting involved and that's the end of it!" Derek bellowed. His shoulders shook angrily.

"I can't believe you."

"Derek, there might be something she can do, something out of the way." Scott suggested. Melanie admired him for trying to find even ground, but this argument wasn't just about her not being well though. This was about Derek trying to protect her. To him she was still a child. All the training and knowledge in the world wouldn't make him see anything different.

"'She', is standing right and can speak for herself," Melanie spoke harshly to both young men.

"She's never set foot in Beacon Hills. She won't have any idea what to do. She hasn't been here long enough. The most that would happen is she'd get herself killed." Derek said.

Melanie closed her mouth, biting her cheek. She caught Cora's eye and shifted from one foot to the other uncomfortably. That was a lie. Beacon Hills wasn't a foreign place. She didn't die from Seth, but was going to because of Derek within the next twenty minutes.

"Melanie?" Cora said, tilting her head a little.

Melanie looked up at Derek who hadn't looked up from his search. He held a red marker in his hand and was marking small x's on the map.

Derek, remind me to talk to you. I have things to tell you.

This wasn't the subject she wanted to address first. The plan was to start out easy. Tell him about Paris first then explain the whole Seth situation and then this. Her vision got blurry just thinking about it. She could still hear Laura screaming. She blinked away the tears.

"That's not completely true." Melanie croaked, fighting to keep her voice from quivering.

Derek looked up right then. She looked away from the intensity of his eyes. They were enough to smite her right where she stood. She sighed shakily. This wasn't her first time in Beacon Hills.

"No it's not," came a husky, sweet, malice filled voice in agreement.

All four of them followed the voice to the broad figure leaning against a column. He stood only ten feet or so from Melanie with an ominous grin among the scruffiness of his chiseled features. Peter.

Melanie's inner instinct took over and she leapt at the man. An eruption of laughter filled the room as he landed backwards on the ground with her straddling him. Balling up her fist, she hit him across the face. She ignored the sharp, burning sensation up her hand through her wrist from the hard hit and clobbered him again. The fury only heightened with each hit, his laughter growing more and more maddening.

She could see the bloodied abrasions dealt by her small fists heal before her eyes with every punch. His grey eyes lit up at seeing her in the rage. Pulling her fist back, she reached into her boot and pulled out a jagged edged knife and plunged it down fast on the man. The tip skimmed his Adam's apple.

The laughing died instantly as he caught her wrists just barely.

"Oh Melanie. I've missed you," he sung in a low purr. "You're more beautiful than before. Even with your battle wounds."

Melanie pressed down on the hilt of the knife harder, but was no match for his strength. A small cut bled from where she pressed the blade. Her hands turned white, she was putting so much force into the attempt.

"Still hateful." Peter pushed her back effortlessly and she skidded along the floor on her back, the blade flying from her hand.

She jumped to her feet and ran at him, ignoring the throbbing of her ribs. Scott jumped in the way, but was but a small obstacle. Melanie slid down on her knees stealthily, going under his arms that were meant to be a blockade. Jumping back up, her leg flew up roundhouse kicking him.

Peter caught it flawlessly and flung her against the same column he had been leaning against. The concrete cracked, spiderwebbing around her tiny frame. He grabbed her throat with his free hand and choked the life out of her. Redness spread from her cheeks to the rest of her face turning her redder than an apple.

"You still think you can fight. How cute."

"Eat shit asshole," she spat. Her ribs were on fire, but it only kept her adrenaline pumping.

"Still fiery," he sighed contently. His fingers tightened on her throat. She coughed. A pinching made the side of her throat itch painfully, his claws. They'd extended into her skin. He let go of her leg and brushed her bangs from her eyes.

Each breath grew more and more raspy as she tried to breathe. The room grew fuzzy. Black splotches started to mess with her vision, seconds after, the vision loss. Her lungs burned trying to grasp at straws of air.

"Get off of her," Derek and Scott grabbed Peter by the shoulders and pulled him off of Melanie and she landed hard on her knees. The throbbing everywhere would surely result in heavy bruising later. She gasped, a large gulp of hair making it to her lungs. Her legs prickled painfully like they'd been asleep.

Peter stood up from the aggressive break up and brushed himself. Melanie glared, holding her throat. There wasn't a lot of blood. Cover-up would easily hide the nail incisions.

"She started it," Peter stated calmly.

"I don't care," Derek said forcefully.

As the world finally stopped spinning, Melanie stood, rubbing her throat, and made her way to the door. Her head felt like it was expanding as air made it to her brain. She made it halfway before Derek stepped in her path, his chest grazing hers.

Scott looked back at Cora nervously. His nails elongated. The defensive mechanism of his wilder side laid just beneath the surface wondering if Derek would strike her. Part of him didn't want to wait to find out, but he did. Melanie stared up at Derek fearless, holding her ground. Scott took one cautious step towards her. Neither of them acknowledged him.

"We're not done," Derek growled.

"I am done. I am so done! How can you work with him!?" she cried out, still hold her neck. "He killed Laura! Laura, Derek!"

His expression cracked telling her enough. He already knew. Melanie took a step back and stumbled over her own feet, nearly falling. She shook her head angrily.

"Family doesn't kill family. Does that mean nothing!?" she said low, her voice trembling.

She pounded on his chest angrily with clenched fists. Her chest ached painfully with each breath. Derek was a traitor. Allowing Peter to live, how could he?

"He killed her," she sobbed. "How can you…"

Derek remained quiet with nothing, but a moot expression on his face. He wasn't going to budge. Melanie's hands fell to her sides limply. How can he do this, she thought.

He was siding with a traitor. Derek looked at her stunned.

"He killed Laura…then he almost killed me." She said, sniffling. Tears brimmed the chocolate oasis of her eyes.

She looked back at the monster. He winked with a toothy grin. Her stomach churned unpleasantly. Bastard, she thought.

"Laura had called me. It was about a week after I had gotten expelled. She told me she was going home; something had come up. Something was wrong. I could hear the nervousness in her voice from how it quivered. I can still hear it. So, I came here. I went looking around town and nobody had seen her. It had gotten dark by the time I'd found out where your house was. I guess he knew I had come to town because she came running out like her tail was on fire…"

"What are you doing here?!" Laura whispered harshly. "You have to go. Now!"

"What? I came to find you. You sounded scared."

"You can't be here, Melanie."

She grabbed Melanie's hand, the finger nail polish on Melanie's hands, chipping away.

Laura dragged her into the woods. The fast pace turned into running within a few steps.

"What's wrong?" Melanie asked, glancing back over her shoulder. The blackness encroached in on them.

"I thought I knew. Just keep running. If he catches us, we're worse than dead." Laura breathed.

Her lungs burning and legs aching, Melanie didn't let go of Laura's hand. She gripped it so tight that it was perspiring, making their hold on each other slippery. They dodged trees and ditches. Twigs and leaves crunched beneath their feet. They sped into the blackness of the woods allowing for it to engulf them. How long did the woods go on?

Then suddenly, Laura stopped. She tilted her face up articulately. She could feel it in the way the air changed. Melanie stared at her confused and scared. Dirt was smudged on her cheek. She shivered, but not from the cold. Laura was more terrified than she was. Something really bad was out here with them, but what?

"Okay, now," Laura said, breathing in and out heavily, "remember a few years ago when we did hide and seek and Derek thought he actually lost you, but you were just hiding in that big hole at the base of that one tree?"

"Uh-huh," Melanie breathed, nodding. She looked from one side to the other.

"I need you to go hide that well again."

"What? Laura I don't understand."

"I know, just go okay? I'll come find you, promise."

She took Melanie's face into her slender hands. She stared her for a moment. The look in her eyes was unsure. Kissing the top of the young teenager's head, Laura's pushed her. Melanie started running again, leaving Laura there alone. Leaves flew up behind her. She looked back over her shoulder, nearly stopping.

"Go!" Laura yelled.

Melanie dashed sideways, watching as Laura got sucked into the blackness of the night. Her heart pounded like a jackhammer, mixing with sound of cicadas.

"Ahh!" she yelped, falling and landing on her hands and knees.

Blinking, she saw barely anything in front of her except for a few twigs. Stupid eyesight. Why couldn't she have 20/20 vision? She looked down where she fell. Her left ankle throbbed. Her legs were wet up to the knee. A ditch…awesome, she thought as she crawled out of the muddy puddle she had fallen into.

In the distance, she could hear a howl. It was deep and had pierced the night. The flapping of wings covered her overhead, escaping to the skies. Her clothes were splotched in mud and a smile played on her lips. A light bulb flickered to life in her mind from something Laura had told her once. She could mask her scent enough to hide herself and this mud would help. It wouldn't mask her scent completely, but it would help. Digging her hands into it, she rubbed it onto her chest and arms. She untied her shoes, sliding them off, followed by her socks. Shoes only slowed her down and confined her feet making life slightly uncomfortable. Without them, she could run faster and be able to grip the earth below. It was one of the things that was strange about her.

For what felt like hours, she stared around, holding herself as she shook. It had only been minutes probably. Why did it have to drizzle? She jumped at every sound, a twig crack, rustling of leaves. She wanted to hope it was Laura and not whatever was out there, but each sound was just a small animal. She hugged her back to the nearest tree. The bark pushed through her sweatshirt, scraping her skin

After a little longer there was rustling. It was louder than any small animal. It was a person. The steps were too heavy to be anything else. Voices broke the silence that she hid in, making her flinch. Make that people. There were two of them.

Standing up a little from her crouched position, the stiffness aches from sitting for so long move up her legs. She couldn't make out their silhouette. They faced away from her, but were male.

Moving slowly, Melanie backed up, watching them as they started walking in the opposite direction as her. Their voices grew fainter until she didn't hear them. She took off running again. She had to get as far away as possible from them. The ground pulsated beneath her feet, leaves flying up behind her and sticking to her feet. She flew between tree trunks.

The blurring of trees halted instantly as she was snatched and pulled sideways. She fell over her feet and would've landed on her ass if it hadn't been for a strong set of hands.

"Melanie!" Laura whispered, her fingers digging into her arms. "It's not safe."

"I heard voices. What's going on? I can help. What is it," Melanie asked, not bothering to wonder how it was that Laura caught up with her.

"You can't help with this. It's bad."

"I'm not a kid."

"You're not a wolf."

"What is it?" Melanie asked again.

"My uncle."

"That's bad…" Melanie didn't understand.

"I didn't think it was and then he tried to kill me. You have to go."

"We'll go together. I can't leave you."

"Together then," Laura said, taking Melanie's hand again. She squeezed it briefly, giving her hope.

Seeing, Laura's eyes light up a deep, vibrant red, Melanie knew this meant business. She felt nervous every time her eyes changed to that color. They had no power over her, but the power Laura had as top dog was deadly.

"Keep up," Laura growled. Melanie couldn't help but feel like this was a challenge. A challenge from her alpha. She gladly accepted it.

"You know I can," Melanie retorted.

Both girls took off running. Melanie ignored the burning sensation in her side that threatened her downfall. She wasn't about to get beaten by her.

Telling herself that this was a race was better than the reality. That there was a wolf out there and he wanted Laura dead. She'd faced danger before, but not like this. Laura was shaken by this. That wasn't something that happened often. Even when hunters were nearby she wasn't this scared. We could outwit them, but this was different.

An echoing howl disturbed the sky.

"Faster!" Laura yelled.

Melanie pushed harder, the ability to breathe becoming more and more difficult. She could hear Derek's voice nagging at her, telling her how human she was and that she'd never be able to compare to them no matter how hard she tried. That was what he said while training. He knew it pissed her off.

Out of the darkness, Melanie saw a large, black mass leap out and tackle Laura to the ground.

"Laura!"

Laura kicked it off, her eyes threatening the beast and showing him who's boss. This was him, the uncle.

"Why Peter!?" Laura yelled as he circled her. He growled and snapped at her, drool dripping from his sharp teeth.

Laura didn't wait for him to attack again; her joints popped as she began to shift. Melanie loved watching her shift into her wolf form. It was so beautiful, but at the moment it was too terrifying to conceptualize its beauty.

Her dark brown fur bristled. Peter leapt and landed on her. Yelps sounded from beneath him as he ripped at her fur with his teeth.

"No!" Melanie screamed. She struggled to stay upright. Her knees threatened to cave as Laura bled out onto the ground. Dirt stuck to her around where she'd been torn open.

Peter turned and growled at her. Blood covered his muzzle. Her blood. The split second distraction was enough and Laura was able to get out from under him and bite him in the neck. Knocking him down, Laura stared at her. Melanie could see it in her eyes. She wanted her to run, to save herself.

Melanie hesitated. Laura snapping at her, made the hesitation disappear immediately, and she was gone. She looked back, praying that Laura would follow her any moment. She was sure that she'd see brown fur on her tail. Laura was strong. She could beat him.

Melanie halted suddenly at a howl. Laura's howl. It died, gurgling.

"Oh god," Melanie breathed.

She stared in the direction she came from. Any second now Laura would come and they'd escape. She didn't. Minutes passed and there was nothing. Tears welled up against her will. Growling cut through the darkness. Spinning around, a pair of red, eyes watched her unblinkingly, stalking closer to her. These eyes didn't belong to Laura, not anymore

"You killed her!" Melanie screamed.

The large animal stared at her. He licked his chops hungrily. She was next.

Melanie inched backwards cautiously, counting down in her head. Five…four…three…two…one. Turning she bolted. She could hear the hard pounding of his paws close behind her. She knew it was futile to try and run. She wouldn't get far. There was no surviving this. Her hair whipped viciously behind her. She ignored the blistering pain shooting up her legs.

After a while the thumping stopped. Through blurred eyes, she looked back. It was a rule, to never look back, but she always did it.

Peter was gone. Vanished.

Melanie's chest rose up and down quickly as she struggled to breathe. Shaking from the cold, she wiped away the sweat dripping down her temple. In the distance, she could hear something. It wasn't animals. There were two voices. Two other people were out here…

"It's comforting to know that you've planned this out with your usual attention to detail."

"I knooooow."

"Maybe the severe asthmatic should be the one holding the flashlight, huh?"

"That was such a memorable night. I turned Scott that night," Peter said, a light grin on his face. He crossed his arms over his chest.

"You were there…" Scott trailed off. His face had paled.

Melanie's eyes sparkled with tears as she nodded. She looked at Derek. His expression remained the same, but he had moved to the window and was staring out it. He stood like a statue, very still. It was hard to tell if he was even breathing.

"I was in Venice for two weeks then in Australia after that," she said. Her lips quivered. Australia; she met Seth there. Her stomach churned remembering when they first met. She had walked into a bar—worst punchline ever. She walked into a bar and he was playing pool with a few buddies. He saw her instantly. The feeling of his stare had made her shudder.

"It's not your fault," Scott finally said.

"It is. If I would've died that night, you'd be fine. You'd be normal. If I hadn't come here…Laura could still be alive." Melanie said, flinging her hands up helplessly.

"I doubt that," Peter spoke up. "You were a target too, but I would've got her either way. She had something I wanted."

"She was an alpha and she was so much better at it than you. You should be the one dead."

"Been there. Done that." he smirked cockily.

"You should've stayed dead then," Melanie growled.

She looked back at Derek, the argument halting. His head hung off his shoulders. He hadn't said anything. He looked as if he'd fall apart at the seams.

"Derek-this wasn't how I wanted to tell you. I'm sorry," she hiccupped.

"You were expelled?" he growled low. His head rose slowly. Melanie and Scott took cautious steps backward as Derek glowered fiercely at her, his eyes dangerously red. He's going to kill me, she thought with a whimper.

"I can explain?"

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