Dad drops his ring of keys on the kitchen table. "She never…she never told me about…why didn't she tell me?" He stutters.
"Probably to keep you safe from," I flail my hands around, "all of this. The supernatural." He was safe and I ruined it.
"She was never dangerous, Stiles. Nothing was out of the ordinary." He wipes his face with both hands and sighs. "Does that mean you'll be like her? You won't be…lethal?" He gestures with his fingers, making claws to illustrate the vicious creature I could become.
"Actually, that's what I'm going to find out. Tonight. If I can control it."
"What do you mean?" Dad asks, looking up at me through his fingers.
"Lydia's picking me up to go to Derek's. He can teach me. Deaton will be there too." I slip my jacket back on.
He sucks in a breath. "Just… be home in time for breakfast tomorrow."
Lydia pulls into the driveway slowly, her tires crushing the small rocks that scatter on the pavement. I get in the passenger's seat and wrap my seatbelt around my chest. On the drive, Lydia tries to make small talk with me. "So…" She purses her painted red lips and taps the steering wheel. "You and Malia seem well." I nod.
"We are. She's really making a lot of progress." Lydia acknowledges it with a raise of her eyebrows. She's wearing jeans today; a rarity but it looks just as nice as a skirt.
"Have you guys been…? I mean I'm just concerned." She waves her hand, a dismissive look on her face.
"Yeah. Yeah. But don't worry. I have all of that covered.
"Good," is all she says and opens her eyes wide and thins her lips Before long, we're pulling into the large parking lot outside of Derek's building. Scott's dirt bike is parked on the small ramp that leads into a close-door loading dock, his kickstand down and two helmets hanging on the handlebars.
Lydia's wedges are quieter than her usual heels when we embark on the long journey that is the angular staircase. The wide metal door slides open to reveal the pack inside. Kira and Scott, Derek, and even Peter. Malia is at home with Mr. Tate, learning the ropes of Calculus.
"Normally, to teach you control, I'd use this. But you know it's a placebo. It'd have no effect on you." Derek shows me the Triskellion; the object the Hales used to teach their natural born to maintain control over themselves. "The Alpha Beta Omega mantra doesn't really apply to you anyway." This brings me back to Scott practicing control without an object, but with a person. Allison.
"You'll have to find an anchor. And be quick. We don't know when any of this is going to kick in." I look at Deaton and remember his words not long ago: "someone who can pull you back." That would have been Lydia. But I'm not who pulls Lydia back. It should be mutual. Malia. Malia is my anchor.
"Should we…see if you can do anything?" Kira asks, looking innocent with her hands wringing together.
Kira begins showing me how she uses her powers, but from what I've read about Spirit Kitsune, they don't have the same abilities as Thunder Kitsune. But I let her teach me in case I can use the techniques.
I was upset at first, finding out that I am indeed something, but now that I know I hold a part of my mother, I'm almost glad.
After about an hour, there's nothing happening. Kira's not as frustrated as I am, but I can tell she's aggravated her tips aren't working for me. My energy is at a low. Concentrating harder than I ever had is talking a toll on my brain and giving me a splitting headache. "What the hell…" I sigh. "How am I supposed to control something that I can't predict?" I see Lydia nod in the corner of my eye. She understands how I feel. "How am I supposed to know I won't sleepwalk and I don't know, slaughter my dad and entire neighborhood?!" I'm raising my voice a little too much.
"Dude, I promise we'll get it figured out. We always do." Scott puts his hand out, trying to calm me.
"No, Scott, we don't. We really don't." My breathing is becoming difficult. It almost feels like a hand on my throat, tears coming up into my eyes. A panic attack.
Derek's industrial windows shake with a sound that infects the building. Sparks pinch outside at the building's ledges visible through the glass. I'm breathing more heavily than before. The thunder outside grows louder, rumbling the floor of the room. "Stiles, try to focus on your heartbeat." Scott places my hand on my chest.
"I can't, Scott… I ca-I can't." My head pounds and the corners of my vision are becoming darker.
"Stiles." Scott speaks in a more demanding tone. His alpha voice. "Breathe." I feel his hand squeeze my shoulder. The warmth from his body goes through mine. I hold my breath for a second and then blow it out. I take a few more deep breathes but it's not rushed. Scott removes himself from my space. The pack stands back from me. I see Derek glance out the window at the storm. But…it's dry. The last roll of thunder comes with my final deep breath.
Kira helps me from the floor. I don't really want anyone to touch me, but I let her. Kira looks up at Scott and he nods. I ask him the question with my eyes. Did I make that happen? I'm finally standing back on my feet. I didn't notice dropping to the floor.
Scott drives me home and helps me up to my bedroom. I'm still shaken. Scott grabs both of my shoulders and pulls me in. His tight embrace gives me nostalgia of my time in the hospital before my M.R.I. Scott and I don't hug often, but when we do, it's important. His arms wrap around me like a father figure, protecting me. You're my best friend; my brother.
"I'll see you tomorrow. Try to get some sleep." I shut my light off behind him and lie down in my bed. I roll around, not being able to shut my mind off. A chilly breeze comes in the room and tickles my back. It's not unpleasant but I snuggle down in my blankets more. The window beside my head snaps shut and the breeze cuts off. I know who it is; I don't have to turn and look. My back and stomach warms up with an arm and slim body cradling me.
"Bad day?" Malia asks, whispering in my hair. I grab her hand that rests on my belly. We scoot to the middle of the bed, our bodies sinking into the mattress. I shimmy my body to press my back into her front, her soft chest hugs my shoulder blades, pilowy and smooth. Malia kisses my cheek. She leaves a little damp spot there, warm and sweet. Her face tucks in my neck and I anchor myself down, slowing my brain in a numb sleep.