Chapter Ten: The Lies We Tell

It only took a few days for the others to arrive and gather together at the Hale house. The last of their recruments were coming in later that day with Cora, who had left Beacon Hills the day prior.

Lyra went to Chris first, who took one look at her and lifted a brow slightly in question. She knew he was noting the tired look in her eyes and the tension in her shoulders. But she shook her head, promising herself that she would take some time later to sit down with the older hunter.

Instead, she left Derek in charge while she went into town. She claimed she was going to speak to Deaton about what was happening. It wasn't a complete lie on her end.

The vet was working in the back when she walked in. He looked up when he heard her approach and gave her a kind look. In his arms were two Syberian husky puppies, who yipped when they saw her before whimpering.

Deaton calmly placed the two puppies inside their kennel, where they watched Lyra warily with their ears pinned back and tails between their legs.

"It's been a while since you've come to visit," he commented calmly. Then he motioned for her to follow him into his office. "Would you like anything?"

"No, thank you," Lyra said, sitting down across from him.

Deaton folded his hands in front of him. "What's on your mind, Lyra?"

Lyra smiled just a little. "Still acting as my shrink, huh?"

Deaton's eyes gleamed, amused. "You still treat me like one," he reminded her.

Lyra leaned back in her seat, blowing out a breath. "Fair enough. But I'm going to say it's safe to assume you know what's going on."

"Braedon and I have been keeping tabs on things," Deaton replied. Then he leaned forward. "But that's not really why you're here, is it?"

Lyra's expression grew serious. "No," she admitted.

She began telling him about her recent change, her acceptance of the past and her acceptance of who and what she was. She told him about changing into a full wolf like Talia Hale could and she told him about her recent nightmares. She said how she was feeling dizzy and ill more recently and wondered if that was a side effect to all the power swimming in her system. She wondered if that was why she would nearly black out and shift, attacking whoever was near. She asked if that was why her wolf was even harder to control lately than usual.

Deaton listened to her quietly, only interjecting to ask a question or two. His expression gave nothing away unail she was done talking.

Lyra slouched in her seat when she finished, hesitantly meeting Deaton's gaze with anxious, pale violet eyes.

Deaton exhaled deeply. "Lyra, I do not believe that your being ill correlates to your power," he stated. "I believe that your fear has a way of manifesting itself in many ways, whether it's a dream or sickness."

"So my fear of losing control... is why I'm losing control?" Lyra said slowly, her brows pushing together.

Deaton spread his hands. "I cannot know for certain. I don't have access to your mind. But I do know what fear is powerful, and if you let it control you, you will not like where it leads."

"I'll be like Deaucalion," Lyra whispered.

Deaton shook his head. "No, not like him. You'll be alone. Utterly and completely alone."

Ooo0ooO

Derek sat on the front porch, ears trained for the sound of a car approaching. He barely noticed when his sister came outside to join him.

Cora had returned only an hour after Lyra left, followed by a small band of werewolves, including a girl who introduced herself as Max.

"My... girlfriend," Cora reinterated, nervously taking Max's hand in front of Derek.

It was then he noticed the matching gold bracelets encircling both of their right wrists.

Derek hadn't gasped in shock or yelled out, "I knew it!". He had merely kissed his sister's forehead and shook hands with Max. Then he had excused himself to sit outside.

"You know, some would think you're hiding out here," Cora commented.

Derek glanced at her. "I'm worried about Lyra."

"You're always worried about Lyra," Cora reminded him.

"I know," he sighed. Then he glanced at his sister curiously. "Max seems nice."

Cora's ears turned pink. "Are you gonna make some sort of comment about me dating a girl?"

"No."

Cora lifted a brow, giving her brother a narrow eyed glance.

Derek shrugged. "Am I supposed to say something negative about someone who obviously makes you happy?"

"No."

"Then I won't. It's not my place to say who you are and aren't supposed to date."

Cora looked out towards the forest. "I thought I was into Isaac for a bit," she admitted. "But I could tell he was all googly eyed over Lyra's sister. And Max... I don't know. She's so sure of herself and when you're around her, you're sure of yourself. I don't know how to explain it." Cora's brow furrowed and she met Derek's gaze. "Is it wrong though?"

"To be attracted to another girl?"

"To be attracted to guys, giris, and everyone else."

"No."

Cora gave her brother a curious look. "And you're just what?"

Derek gave her a dry look, but his eyes gleamed. "I guess I didn't tell you about my old college boyfriend."

Cora all but choked, her eyes wide. "Does Lyra know about this?"

That gleam intensified. "And you think she's just what?"

Cora narrowed her eyes dangerously. "Are you fucking with me?"

Derek smiled, the teasing light leaving his eyes. "No," he repeated. "All I'm saying is, Cora, we don't really have control over who we're attached to or who we fall in love with. There's nothing shameful or wrong about that either."

Cora looked away again, a small smile pulling at her lips.

After a moment, she turned back to him. "So what was his name?"

Derek laughed.

Ooo0ooO

"Alone?" Lyra repeated, frowning.

Deaton nodded. "We have a tendency to isolate ourselves when we are afraid."

Lyra considered that. Wasn't that the reason she spent years on her own? Fear? Wasn't that the reason she pulled away from the others after becoming a part of things in Beacon Hills?

Wasn't that why she was here now, instead of with Derek?

Lyra twisted her engagement ring unconciously. "But this random sickness... can it really just be fear?"

"Nothing is ever just," Deaton said.

Lyra caught onto his meaning. "So what else could it be?"

Deaton's eyes were calm when they met hers. "What else do you think it could be?"

Lyra felt a flash of irritation shoot down her spine. She didn't like it when people answered a question with another question. So she folded her arms across her chest and glared at the vet.

Deaton stared back, unfazed by her heated gaze. He had been around Alphas for most of his life and only one had struck fear into his heart, and Lyra wasn't him. No, this was stemmed from her stubbornness which hid away the fear under the surface.

Lyra's hands trembled slightly before she moved to clench them into fists. She looked as though she wanted to beat away the possible truth. Her jaw clenched.

"Have you considered-," Deaton began softly, but was swiftly interrupted by Lyra.

"No," she snapped. Then her expression contorted, pain and uncertainty shining through for a moment. "No," she repeated but with less force.

"And Derek?"

"I..." Color drained out of Lyra's cheeks.

Deaton stood. "There's only one way to be certain."

Ooo0ooO

When Lyra returned, it was Stiles who noticed her pale complexion and wide eyes. He didn't mind not being in the spotlight like the others were, being supernatural and all. It gave him the chance to see everything and everyone.

"Scott," he said softly, so only his best friend would hear him.

Scott, who had been standing a few feet away, turned and followed Stiles' gaze. He frowned when he saw Lyra slip inside, moving as though she wanted to blend into the far wall.

Stiles and Scott exchanged a look. Then Stiles nodded and approached her, trying to keep his expression neutral. "Hey, Ly. How's the good doctor?"

Lyra blinked. "W-what?" she stammered.

Stiles stepped closer. "You okay?" he asked gently.

"Fine. I'm fine."

"Then why do you look like you just got told some bad news?"

Lyra flinched.

They were interrupted by Cora and Max, who came over to make introductions. Lyra's expression shifted and she smiled, but Stiles could tell it was forced.

Max smiled at the Alpha. "I've heard a lot about you."

"Good things, I hope," Lyra said on a wobbly chuckle.

Max's dark eyes gleamed. "Mostly," she said good naturedly.

Stiled cleared his throat loudly. "Oh man, Lyra, I totally forgot I had to tell you about that thing!" he exclaimed before grabbing her hand and dragging her away.

"What's his deal?" Max asked.

Cora rolled her eyes. "Don't ask."

Stiles took Lyra into the kitchen and all but shoved her into a chair. Scott came in, looking concerned. When Lyra's breathing hitched, she leaned forward and buried her face into her hands.

Scott kneeled down in front of her, hesitantly reaching out to touch her knee. When she flinched, he drew his hand back. "Lyra?"

"I can't- I can't!" she exclaimed softly, her fingers digging into her hair. "I can't do this."

"Do what, Lyra?" Scott asked softly.

Lyra exhaled, pulling her hands away from her face. Her eyes were dark with misery and fear, and Stiles thought, some hope and shock. "I can't," she repeated. "I never..."

"Lyra?"

Lyra jumped at the sound of Derek's voice.

Derek frowned when he saw her surrounded by Scott and Stiles. Scott unconsciously moved to stand in front of her.

"Derek," he began. "She's all right."

Derek tried to move towards her, but both Stiles and Scott blocked his path. Derek's eyes widened in disbelief. "Get out of my way," he growled.

"It's okay," Lyra said, suddenly standing behind the two younger boys. She rested a hand on Scott's shoulder to reassure him.

"Lyra?" Derek repeated, obviously confused.

Lyra met his gaze briefly before taking his hand like Scott had taken hers, and pulled him outside onto the back porch silently.

"Lyra, what's going on?"

Lyra turned to look up towards the sky. It was twilight and the moon was already out, a smudge of white against the lavender sky. She took a deep breath. "I saw Deaton."

"I know-,"

"I saw him because of what's happening. With Peter. With me."

Derek's brow furrowed. "Because of you?"

"Because of everything that's been happening to me lately. The sickness. The loss of control."

"And?" Derek asked, stepping closers to her.

"I..." Lyra faltered, her chest constricting. "He doesn't know. Not yet."

Derek eyed her. "But you're okay?"

Lyra smiled, trying to be brave. She slipped her hands in her back pockets so they wouldn't shake. "I'm..." Then she laughed a little, looking down before meeting Derek's gaze. "I have no idea."

Derek smiled. "I know what you mean," he chuckled, before reaching out to pull her against his chest.

Lyra squeezed her eyes shut. The lie sat on her tongue like an old penny, leaving an odd, coppery taste in her mouth.

Soon, she promised herself. I'll tell him soon.

Ooo0ooO

Disclaimer: I do not own Teen Wolf.

Author's Note: Please review!