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No more talking. Enjoy the chapter.

Chapter 14

"Derek, we're running out of time!" Isaac yelled, hitting the column next to him with the side of his fist.

"And, what would you have me do!"

"Do something, anything! Do you even care!?"

Derek sighed. His hands dropped to his side and hung limply. All day he'd been imagining the many different ways that Melanie was being tortured or murdered. Cora had remained quiet and calm since she found out. He knew that she was raving underneath the surface though. It was the way she refused to make any eye contact. She and Melanie had gotten pretty close though the relationship was an unspoken one. They shared the same opinions about people: they're morons. Cora still talked to Melanie after the huge fight too and helped her get back into training. He'd kept an eye on both of them though they said very little to him during that moment in time.

"Isaac stop. This isn't his fault," Scott said.

Just then Peter entered the loft. He waved a piece of paper between his two fingers, a smug look across his face. All four wolves turned and looked at him. Each of their eyes glowed, threatened by his presence. He was faced with a mixture of vicious primary colors.

"I see I'm welcome," he said and handed the paper to Derek.

"Deep in the woods under the blue moon five will enter and four will exit. This is the way," Derek read aloud.

"The way?" Scott said confused.

"Sounds like the alphas are holding a party and you're invited," Peter said.

"No," Derek said.

"What does it mean?" Isaac said aloud.

"We're all in trouble. We have to go, now," Derek said gravely. He made his way for the door, grabbing his jacket from the coat hanger nearby. He could barely smell Melanie's scent on it now. He thought about their fight. He didn't want his last words to her to be that he wanted her gone.

Isaac glanced at Scott then followed his alpha as did Cora.

"Aren't you coming?" Scott asked Peter.

Peter leaned casually against a column. A smirk spread across his face.

"I'm not a part of the pack," he replied, shrugging carelessly.

"They could die."

"So? Melanie wants to kill me and if she has it her way, she'll succeed. Stiles is annoying. I don't even know who Danny is. I'll be happy when Allison joins her mother and aunt. Lydia…" he paused. It was tragic to think that she could end up dead after what she'd done for him. "Well, she did her job."

Scott scoffed incredulously and rushed from the loft to catch up to the others. Peter scowled after the boy, regretting that he'd given him the bite.

The evening sun glowed on the sidewalk as Scott made it down to the streets. Isaac, Cora and Derek had gone into the parking garage below the building. Scott waited for them to pull up next to him to get in the car. He had so many questions and Derek was being too vague. He did that when he was nervous and/or scared. On rare occasions he really didn't know the answer.

"Derek, what's going on?" Scott asked.

"It's only a story my mom used to tell us about," Derek mumbled, keeping his eyes ahead. He went over the speed limit. Time was limited which meant that some laws had to be bent. Gravel flew up behind the SUV in its wake.

Scott and Isaac exchanged glances. Scott tried to catch Cora's eye, but she kept her eyes on the town as its scenery changed from various buildings into vast green trees. Scott became hypnotized by the passing green and the twilight blues that filtered through it.

"Derek, look out!" Cora exclaimed grabbing the dashboard as he hit the brake.

The SUV skidded to a stop, inches from hitting a woman. She didn't flinch or move from the vehicle's path. She smirked, large canines showing, and beckoned them seductively with a wave of her fingers. Derek and Cora got out immediately and followed with no hesitation or thought. Within seconds each of them had changed. Derek's red eyes faced those of the woman's, skipping the 'being friendly' part of this.

Scott and Isaac got out and came to their side, following suit. Scott decided to not be a part of Derek's pack, but wasn't against working with him and getting his friends back.

"Where are they?" Derek growled.

"Try to kill me and you'll never find out," the woman said.

She walked off into the woods. They followed, leaving the car on the road. Isaac wasn't sure how long they'd walked, but it was completely dark by the time they reached the alpha pack. There were five fighting bodies with burlap sacks over their heads and their hands tied behind their backs. They were shoved down to their knees.

Cora stepped forward, surely to free them, but she knew. There was no freeing them.

"Not so fast," said the one who wore sun glasses, standing off to the side. Cora stopped. He stepped in front of the hostages. Her breaths were shallow. The muscles in her arms and legs tightened. For the first time in a long while she was terrified. She hadn't felt this since the fire.

"Why are you doing this?" Derek snapped.

"It's a blue moon Derek." The man said. "It calls for a special tradition. After all, there is a raving psycho out there performing sacrifices, gaining power. We have to defend ourselves. The moon will enjoy our sacrifice and help us."

"Just let them go!" Scott exclaimed, readying himself to attack. His fists clenched tightly and the ferocity inside built and built.

"Scott, don't." Derek said.

"Of course, Scott. We were just waiting for you to come and get them. Now, Cora," the man turned to the sole fem-wolf. "You understand don't you? Why don't you tell your friends about this ordeal?"

Cora's gut tightened as Scott and Isaac looked her. Derek kept forward, his eyes darting to each of the covered hostages as they struggled.

"It's a blue moon. They occur every two to three years," she turned to the alpha. "I don't understand. It's just a legend that parents told their kids. One of pack tradition."

"Your tradition is old just like you dumbasses!" came a yell from one of the sacks. Melanie.

The large giant man near her slapped her, knocking her to the side. Isaac took a step forward, his eyes glowing angrily.

"There is nothing wrong with tradition little protégé,"

"Screw you, Deucalion," she breathed, being put back on her knees by Ethan.

"On with the story Miss Hale," Deucalion said, tipping his chin up. Cora continued.

"On the blue moon there is a ceremony held between two packs. The humans that are most valued amongst the packs are set loose into the forest. The wolves of one pack would find the ones most valued and the last would be sacrificed by the other pack for the good of the many. It's supposed to be a blessing because the human willingly chose to die for the wolves."

"That's bullshit!" Scott yelled.

"Now, the rules are simple like she said. There are five of them, four of you. They get a three minute head start. You each can save one. There will be dire consequences if you try to save more than one," Deucalion said.

One by one, the sacks were ripped off their friends' heads, revealing each of them. Stiles, Melanie and Allison were beaten up the most. They shared in bruises and aches. Aiden froze up at seeing Lydia. His jaw slackened and he looked at Ethan then at Deucalion. He didn't expect it to be her. He glanced back down at her as she stared out at the night afraid. He knew she wouldn't make it. She didn't have any skills that would keep her alive.

"Don't be so hostile Derek. This gives you a chance to find out who really cares about who," Deucalion said. "Kali, Ennis, cut their bindings. Ethan and Aiden, cut ahead."

Aiden hesitated. Ethan shoved him and they ran off into the darkness. The only thing that lit their surroundings was the full moon. The shadows were still stronger than the light.

Melanie wriggled her bindings, loosening them. Allison was doing the same. Her wrist were tender and raw from how tight the rope was.

"Just let them go," Scott said.

They were no match for the alphas. Not with their friends' lives at stake like this. The emotional tie would kill all of them.

Danny and Lydia's bindings were already undone. Ennis came up behind Melanie to undo her wrists. Already undone, she spun and punched him hard. A loud crack resounded from two of her fingers breaking on impact. Ennis stumbled back. Grabbing Stiles, she darted down the center of both groups into the dark, keeping her tight grip on him. Shouts echoed behind her, making her run even faster. The trees blurred past her. Random rocks and branches stabbed at the soles of her feet. Though it hurt like hell, she kept on. It was either rock and branches or sharp teeth in her throat.

"Melanie stop. I need to catch my breath," Stiles pled.

"No time!" she called back wheezily.

"Melanie…please," he breathed, slowing down.

She could feel his weight get heavy in her hand. He collapsed behind her. Spinning, she fell to his side. He keeled forward, breathing heavily and swaying.

"Stiles, you can't do this. You can't have a panic attack right now," she said, rubbing the center of his back in wide circular motions and her eyes peeled to their dark surroundings. "We have to keep going."

She untied the rope around his wrists. They were as red as hers, bleeding in some spots. Stiles nodded and stood.

"We have to go," she said again and offered her hand out to him. "Don't let go. We're each other's lifeline right now."

He nodded and they both took off again. Melanie was glad that she wasn't wearing shoes actually. They only would've slowed her down. Without them, she could feel herself push off of the earth without that unneeded material that would only get caught on roots or rocks. She was ahead of Stiles, darting between the trees and slicing through the wind. She could hear Laura's voice in her head—you have to be faster, fast like wolves.

"There something out there!" Stiles called. He pulled ahead of her.

"Run faster!" Melanie shouted.

It could've been them, but why would they break the rules? The three minutes wasn't up yet.

A deep burning was starting to creep up her legs from her ankles, but she didn't stop. She couldn't. Every second counted. Whoever or whatever that was out there wasn't going away, but following them. Melanie counted to five in her head then spun around, jumping in front of Stiles to protect him. The ones chasing them skidded to a stop. The moonlight revealed Allison and Danny.

"I thought you guys were them," Melanie whispered, letting out a long breath. "Where's the ginger?"

"I don't know," Allison whispered. "I saw her run right after you guys did. I thought she'd be with you."

Melanie shook her head.

"What the hell is going on," Danny demanded aloud.

"Shhhhhh," the other three said simultaneously. Melanie put a hand to his mouth.

"They have really good hearing," she whispered, pointing to her ear.

She looked at Allison. Dirt smudges ran across her feet and forehead and tendrils of hair hung in her face.

"How long has it been?"

"A minute and a half?" Allison whispered.

"Believe it or not, we're not far enough. How long do these woods go on for?" Melanie asked.

"Miles," Danny breathed. "Jackson and I used to camp out here every summer. Can somebody stop avoiding my question?"

"We're in deep shit," Melanie said.

"We'll be okay. Scott—" Allison said, but was cut off by Melanie.

"One of us isn't surviving the night!" she snapped. "It doesn't matter what Scott or any of them try to do."

Melanie stared down at the ground. She had a mission. They had to get out of here, but where was the exit? Trees surrounded them from every direction seeming endless.

"You guys, we have to find the road," she said. She wiped her forehead and hissed. Her fingers swiped across a cut. "Let's go."

She took Stiles's hand again and Allison took Danny's. Melanie wasn't sure how far they'd gotten, but if she could guess, she figured maybe a mile. It still wasn't far enough. In the distance, howls pierced the darkness. Three minutes was up too soon.

Melanie felt her heart thump harder. Her chest ached, making her throat burn. She ignored the fire burning sensations that were blazing everywhere. The only thought that didn't make this seem so bad was actually a picture in her mind of Kali ripping her apart alive.

She skidded to a stop suddenly as somebody crossed in front of their path. Lydia. Her dress was torn at the shoulder and up the side. Her bindings dangled off of one of her wrists.

"I didn't know where you went?" she whispered, coming toward them. "They're after us,"

"They'll catch us for sure if we're all together," Melanie said as she looked back at Allison.

The snap of a twig nearby made all of them freeze. Melanie spun around. A large figure crept toward them through the shadows. It was three times bigger than Ennis. As it did, it split, pulling apart down the middle. Melanie's stomach churned at the sight.

Ethan and Aiden stepped into the pale light of the moon. Melanie slowly backed away, crouching for an attack. If they attacked, she'd fight until her last breath. The death would be instantaneous for her, but the others would have a chance to get away.

"Take it easy," Aiden said, holding his hands up in surrender.

"Easy? Yeah right," Stiles hissed. "You're going to kill us."

"No we're not. We came to help you get out of here," Ethan said.

"You're lying," Melanie said quickly.

"We're not. We didn't know it'd be them," Aiden said, looking past her at Lydia. She was glancing around, holding herself as she shivered.

"I can't trust you," Melanie said.

Growling came from behind suddenly. Stiles grabbed her by the wrist and yanked her to the side. With a hiss, she stumbled and nearly fell face first onto the ground. More red eyes and yellow. It was Derek and Scott.

"We're not here to hurt you!" Ethan yelled at them.

"Wait," Melanie stepped in Derek's path. He stood erect, his chest pressed against hers. His head craned down to meet her eyes. If this hadn't been life or death, the stance would've been misconstrued for something other than defiance. Melanie looked back over her shoulder. The twins didn't go away.

"I think they may be telling the truth. Go with them. Take Danny and Lydia," Melanie said.

"No," he growled.

"You have to. They won't survive out here on their own," she said.

"No." It was more forceful.

"Derek, please. We can handle this. Cora and Isaac are still out there. Take them." She wasn't backing down. She heard him huff.

Turning, he grabbed Danny by the arm tightly, his claws digging into his skin. Danny fought to yank himself loose, horrified by the sight that was Derek Hale. A horrified look came over his face.

"Melanie, don't let them take me," Danny said, planting his feet in the ground. The struggle attempt was futile against the alpha's strength.

"You'll be safe," she said, taking his face into her hands, following a small distance. "You're safe now."

Scott took Lydia's hand. Her shivers dwindled. She clutched his hand tightly, never having been so happy to see the lowly lacrosse player that had broken her best friend's heart.

"We have to go," he told her.

He looked at his other three friends. His eyes softened. It wasn't fair that they could only take one, but there was no choice. They couldn't win a fight against the alpha pack. Not right now. He met Stiles's eyes. He nodded at Scott, hiding his fear well.

"Go," Stiles said. He took Melanie's hand again. Allison held Melanie's other hand. The comfort was small, but nice.

They were alone again, surrounded by the chirps of crickets, as the wolves took their friends. Stiles took the lead this time as they ran through the blaze of trees. A howl resounded to the sky. It was close by.

Oh god, Melanie thought. Shadows were all around them and it was hard to tell what was real and what was only a shadow puppet. She held her chest.

She hoped that the others out there were okay.

Isaac watched as Cora shove the tree branch through Kali's stomach. The small tip of it poked through her back. Ennis roared and came to her aid, grabbing at Cora. She danced out of his way, his claws swiping through her brown locks.

"Go!" Cora shouted.

Not arguing, he ran. He could hear her light steps behind him. As he pushed himself harder, he didn't hear her steps anymore. He could smell Allison. Her scent was strong. He followed it, allowing for the scent to wrap around him like a blanket. It wouldn't be long before Kali and Ennis were on their feet and coming after them, seconds probably.

Three shadows ran across his path not far ahead of him. Weaving around a tree, he blocked them off. Allison and Melanie's chests rose and fell quickly in short breaths. All three of them sported their fair share of injuries. He could hear Stiles's heartbeat. It beat faster than the others'.

"Take Allison," Melanie said quickly and pushed tall, yet beautiful amazon forward. Melanie didn't have time to question it now, but it was a curious question. How was it that she made scrapes and bruises all hot-like in a fucked up situation. Melanie couldn't if she tried. She looked like shit.

"What? No," Isaac blurted, catching the hunter in his arms.

Allison was taken aback. Melanie's eyebrows furrowed and Stiles just stared at him like he was a dumbass, his eyes squinting together. He looked around.

"Take your girlfriend and get out of here. We probably have them on our asses right now. There's no time to argue."

"We're all getting out of here," Isaac said, determined. Nobody had to die. This game was stupid.

"You will get all four us killed that way," Stiles said angrily, motioning at all of them.

Isaac huffed, turning from him so he didn't punch him. He so badly wanted to right now.

"Shut up. I'm not letting you guys get yourself killed."

"We're not as stupid as we look," Melanie snapped. Why was he being like this?

She pushed Allison into Isaac, not allowing her sudden starburst of happiness that he wanted to save her over the hunter get the best of her. She couldn't let this cloud of confusion they were in to distract her, not right now. Cora was still out there.

"I don't care," Isaac said. He reached for her. She backed away, shaking her head.

"I do. You're risking more than just her life here. Save the girl you love," Melanie turned and took Stiles's hand. She couldn't bear not having it in her hand. It kept her from freaking out. It kept her calm in knowing that he was there with her, experiencing all of this too.

Saving Allison should've been at the top of Isaac's list. What was he thinking? He watched Melanie delve into the black woods. His heart accelerated and his breathing quickened at her disappearance. Allison wasn't the one he wanted to take. She should've been, but wasn't. If he could've taken two it would've been her. Isaac rubbed his chest. There was a pinching like he'd swallowed something the wrong way.

Once she felt she was far enough away that Isaac couldn't get to them, Melanie stopped.

"What's his problem?" Stiles whispered, leaning on his knees to catch his breath.

"I don't know. We don't have time to figure it out," Melanie said, which was true, but she also didn't want to figure it out. There's been a tension between them. She didn't want to admit it, but that one moment back there made it real.

She glanced around.

"We're going to get stupid," she said right then.

Stiles snapped up straight.

"Wait, you just said we weren't stupid."

"Okay, how about crazy?"

"That doesn't sound any better. Actually, it sounds bad, like really really bad."

Melanie searched the ground then picked up a small rock sitting close to a tree nearby. She pressed it into her palm. Stiles's mouth opened in protest, but Melanie shook her head quickly, trying to keep him shushed. The rock pinched the skin of her palm. She pressed a little harder and blood pooled out around the rock. She smeared it onto a tree close by.

"We're going to have to split up."

There were more howls. They were closer. Stiles flinched from them as if he'd been smacked on the back of his head. Small droplets fell from Melanie's palm. He shook his head in disbelief.

"That is a really really REALLY bad plan,"

"Don't care. They'll follow me because I have the stronger scent. You have to get as far as you can," she said, holding up her hand. The blood trickled down to her elbow. "Ready?"

"No. This is a bad idea. You're going to get yourself killed."

I know, she thought, but didn't say aloud. Everyone would be safe though. It's not like she'd made such an impact on their lives anyway. If anything, she made life more difficult. It was her fault Seth hurt Stiles. Derek didn't even want her here. In some ways, this was her best plan yet.

Time to play decoy, and who knows, maybe she'd get away from all of them. A possible fresh start. Thinking about it made her want to laugh and cry at the same time. She wouldn't get away.

"Go!" she said and ran.

The adrenaline and exhaustion mixed with the cold turned her cheeks a deep blush. There would be blisters to go along with the collection cuts and bruises on her body after all of this. She slapped her cut hand along trunks, putting her scent on it. The alphas were closing in.

"Melanie!" Stiles yelled.

Damn it. She thought he'd be smart for a change. Turning around, she saw him trying to catch up. Somebody was behind him and closing in. With the way its hair whipped, it looked like Kali.

"Run!" she yelled. No need to be quiet now. The blood trail was meant for the alphas so they could find her, but now that Stiles followed it was pointless.

She spun back around and pushed harder. Up ahead she could see a bright light just beyond the trees. She smiled. The ache in chest lessened. Breaking through the foliage, she skidded to a stop, yelling in fright. Three feet further and she would've plunged right over a cliff.

She crept to the edge and peeked over it. Waves crashed against the cliff side. The moon made the blackish water shimmer eerily.

"Melanie!" Stiles burst from the tree line.

Cora came through several feet down from them. A panicked look came over her face. She met Melanie's eyes. Melanie knew that she was being chased. Cora looked at Stiles then past him. Kali came through the woods. Branches snapped and broke off smaller trees she came through, leaving a gaping hole behind her. A malicious grin spread across her lips.

Melanie had never seen such an evil look. Cora and Kali ran for Stiles. He stared between both of them. There was no way he'd move in time. Cora got to him first and yanked him back behind her. She gripped his wrist tightly, nearly breaking it.

"Hey!" Melanie yelled at Kali. Kali's head jerked to her. She eyed Melanie's hand. "You want this right?"

Kali crept toward Melanie, licking her lips. Melanie gulped. Her throat was painfully dry. The trees spun and she swayed, trying to gain balance from the run.

"Look at this."

Cora backed up toward the tree line, lingering halfway in the dark and halfway under the moon.

Deucalion walked out from the woods. His lips pressed together in a thin line. Melanie jumped at his sudden presence. She didn't know where he came from.

"This isn't what I expected. I thought for sure Derek would save you. When you forced poor Danny upon him I thought it would be Isaac. He was really determined to save you. It's peculiar," he said. Ennis stood at his side also eyeing Melanie's hand.

Melanie shook now from the blood loss. It would make anybody shake. That's what she told herself.

"Don't let them do this," Stiles told Cora. He tried to yank free of her cobra hold on his arm.

"If I try to save her, all three of us die," she snapped. She held him around the waist as he started to fight her restraining hold.

"Keep a good hold on Mr. Stilinski," Deucalion said sternly. He turned back towards Melanie.

"What's even more interesting is how two of my alphas have suddenly left my pack. Scott McCall has quite the influence over people," he said.

He crept forward a few more steps. Melanie looked back at the cliffs.

"You are quite the martyr little protégé. So willing to die."

Deucalion's nails extended and beneath the sunglasses she could see his red eyes. Her breath hitched. He was the one who was going to do it, not Kali, not Ennis , him.

Her feet hurt so badly. So did her back. Hell, everything hurt. Sleeping for a few days sounded so nice. A nice cleansing shower would come after to wash this horror movie away. Too bad she wouldn't get any of that.

Looking up from her tortured feet, she glared at the bastard with a brave face. Who was he to think he would kill her?

"Nobody decides my fate, but me," she ground out darkly. A deadly smirk spread across her face as she backed up toward the edge of the cliff. The roaring of the water sounded welcoming.

In three fast steps she jumped off the cliff.