Chapter 21

Theo:

I was waiting across from the SS room for the others, got a text from Stiles during second period that he had an idea and to meet for lunch, sending Liam a silly text to make him laugh. I had been since his mom left, 2 weeks ago. He was doing better but this was still hard for him. I was just hitting send when someone bumped into me hard enough for me to almost drop my phone. Thank God for quick reflexes.

I looked up to see someone who looked familiar, but I couldn't place him, sneering. I didn't need super senses to know he hated me for some reason.

"Sorry about that, fag." He grunted. Now I know who he is.

"No problem." I chuckled, going back to my phone.

It was a vain hope that he would just leave it at that and move on. Liam would be here in a matter of seconds. As much as I love my overprotective wolf, he's been on edge lately and this guy could really set him off. I have heard that he hasn't attempted to get in Liam's face anymore, but he still mutters stuff under his breath. Liam usually just ignores him, but he won't ignore this.

Jones? Jackson? Jetson? Something… was in my face before I could blink, and he was way too close and in my space.

"Unless you're trying to kiss me, you are way too close dude." I told him.

"Bet you would like that, wouldn't you?"

"Sorry, you're not my type." I said, putting my phone away. "But I'm starting to wonder if I'm your type because you are seriously too close. By the way, do you want a piece of gum? You really need it."

"Screw you." He snapped, taking a step back. I could see the others slowing their approach and Isaac physically yanking Liam back. His eyes flashed minutely. I winked at him letting him know I was okay.

"Didn't we already establish you're not my type? I'm sure you will meet the right guy at some point." I told him with a smile and moved around him to get to Liam.

"I'm not done talking to you." Jetson said, grabbing my arm, trying to tug me back. I groaned hearing Liam growl.

Scott and Isaac lock their arms around him to keep him back. Mason was close by whispering something to him that, I know, wasn't getting through. I really need to handle this before he does. Grabbing his wrist, I twisted it behind his back, shoving him against the opposite wall. Bending it until he squealed.

"You are under the impression that since you couldn't intimidate Liam that I was an easier target. I can assure you that is not the case. Since you weren't smart enough to listen to his warning, then listen to mine. I am just as capable of breaking every bone in your body if you ever come near me or him again." I stepped away, releasing him. He turned to look at me, holding his wrist then glanced down the hall and flinched seeing not only Liam but everyone else as well, watching.

"Good luck in finding a boyfriend. I'm sure he's out there somewhere." I grinned at him before heading for my still enraged boyfriend.

Scott and Isaac released him when they saw me walking towards them. Liam headed in my direction but started to veer, looking at Jetson. I hooked an arm around his waist and headed for the SS room.

"Give us a minute?" I asked Scott. He nodded. I tugged Liam into the room and closed the door. Liam was still growling but at least his eyes were still blue. I smiled at my cute little wolf.

"Calm down for me mini wolf. I'm fine."

"He touched you." he growled.

"Yes he did. But I made sure he knew how much of a mistake that was. Told you, I'm not helpless."

"I know. But… can't I just snap one little bone? It will heal." He asked, giving me the puppy eyes. I huffed a laugh.

"No bone snapping. He's not worth it." I told him. He pouted. "Stop that. No bone snapping." I laughed.

"Fine." He muttered, taking a deep breath. I took that opportunity to kiss him because at least then I know he won't be plotting his demise. Groaning, I pressed further into him, his hands gripping my hair.

"Guys, we still need to meet." Stiles voice came from the other side. Snorting we broke apart and stepped away from the door. I opened it to let the others in.

"We good now? No more homicidal tendencies?" Isaac asked as everyone piled in and shut the door.

"Theo won't let me." Liam whined. I rolled my eyes at him.

"What are we meeting about?" I asked, pulling Liam over to our usual spot.

"Stiles." Scott said.

"Uh… yeah. Before I get to that. Let me just make some adjustments." Stiles said. He moved Scott to stand in front of the teacher's desk and positioned Isaac next to him. Then positioned Malia closer to the door but on par with Scott and Isaac and guided Allison, Lydia, and Mason to a corner away from the others.

"Theo if you could just move you and Liam back a few rows that would be great." He smiled brightly. Confused, I moved us back to the fourth row.

"Stiles, what are you doing?" Scott sighed, watching his best friend.

"Just taking precautions, Scotty. And now that everyone is in place, I can tell you my thought." He said taking a spot behind the teacher's desk and behind Scott and Isaac.

"You need bodyguards to do that?" Liam asked narrowing his eyes.

"Yes I do. Everyone just remember that I wouldn't suggest this if I didn't think it could help."

"Just say it." Malia told him.

"Okay so I was thinking about everything Theo told me about what he remembered from being taken and what he went through. I'm sure he's told me everything, but I am also sure there are holes in his memory. Either things he doesn't really remember or got confused or something. I mean he was about ten when it happened and drugged so things were fuzzy then."

"True. I'm sure I was confused on a lot of what was done, said or what I went through."

"Right. However, after finding out that Scott has the ability to read a person's memory and even find out things that the person has forgotten or forgotten to mention…" he said, hesitating as Liam started to growl, again. I held tight to him. "I mean it could be a long shot. But maybe Theo saw something and didn't know what it meant or in his young mind didn't know what was important. If Scott could tap into-."

"No." Liam snarled trying to step forward. I grunted trying to keep him back.

"And that's why I need bodyguards. If I had known Johnson would choose today to be stupid, again, I would have asked to meet tomorrow or something." Stiles said, waving a hand in our direction.

"Johnson?" I asked.

"Uh, the guy who's wrist you almost broke a few minutes ago." Isaac answered.

"Oh… I've been calling him Jetson in my head." I shrugged. "So, you're thinking that Scott could read my memories like he did with those guys and possibly find some new information." I grunted, tightening my arms around his chest.

"Yes, exactly. And please don't let him get loose. Being maimed doesn't sound like a good time." Stiles said.

"Stiles, I love you, but even I knew that idea wouldn't go over well regardless of Johnson." Malia told her boyfriend, shaking her head.

"I know. I hate to even suggest it really. But it could help us find this place and maybe even help us stop Kate, Gerard, and Theo's dad. At this point we have been searching for them for so long and it doesn't seem like we are getting any closer to putting a stop to them and their plans. Are we just going to sit around and wait for their next attack?"

Everyone was silent as they thought about this. Liam was still glaring at Stiles but had stopped struggling. I wasn't letting go though. I didn't think he could get past Scott, Isaac, and Malia, but I wasn't taking that chance either.

"He's right." I said. Everyone turned to me.

"No, he's not." Liam snapped, switching his glare to me.

"Yes he is. I don't even know what I actually remember. I wrote down as much as I could recall and told Stiles everything I think I know. but it was so long ago, and a lot has happened. I could have seen something or heard something and just didn't really know it then. But if its locked in my subconscious and we have a way of unlocking it, then it's worth a shot."

"Theo." He growled out.

"Liam. I can't keep hiding and we can't keep looking around every corner waiting to see what they do next. We need to find a way to end this. If this helps with that then I am all for it."

He was shaking his head, his eyes flashing gold, again.

"Scott." Liam said turning to him. Scott looked between us and then around at everyone else in the room. You could see everyone agreed with Stiles' assessment but weren't going to speak up on it. Especially with Liam being so on edge.

"I can see where Stiles is coming from. If we uncover new to us information then I do think it could help. But I also understand how you feel and why you would be against doing it. I'm going to leave this up to you two. Whatever you decide we will do. I am willing to try it if Theo is. But if you decide not to go through with it we will keep looking like we have been." Scott decided. Liam deflated. He trusted Scott implicitly, but he was not happy about this. At least he stopped glaring at Stiles.

"I know you don't like this. I know how much you struggle when I'm in pain, but it will be worth it if we can find out more information. What if whatever we find out can save more kids like Brett, Lori and the others Corey managed to save?" I whispered to him.

With a growl, he extracted himself from me and started pacing, his hands balled at his sides. We all watched him, nervous. I looked at Scott who was following Liam's path across the room. After his third trek, Liam stopped and looked at me, golden eyes staring at me.

"If you do this, you are not doing it without me." he said, his voice hard.

"Of course not."

"Is that a good idea? I mean the last-." Stiles started but stopped when Liam looked at him and growled. Malia was looking at him as if he were crazy for hinting otherwise. "Yup. It's an awesome idea. Liam should definitely be there." He nodded.

"Liam has to be there. Theo's his mate. He wouldn't be able to stay away." Scott informed everyone. Everyone except Lydia and Isaac looked surprised.

"When?" Liam asked.

"Tonight? The sooner the better." I said. Liam closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

"Where?"

"My house. Everyone be there at 8 pm." Scott offered.

"Why you're house and not mine?" Lydia asked.

"My house has the woods right behind it, just in case."

Everyone nodded in understanding.

"I'll see if I can get Derek at least to be there." Scott said.

"Why Derek?" I asked.

"he could be useful." He shrugged, looking down at Liam. He meant he could be useful in keeping Liam from hurting someone. Liam was back to growling and pacing.

"Uh, why don't we wrap this up." I said keeping an eye on my wolf who was losing the battle to stay in control.

"We're done. I'll call Derek. Let's get out of here guys." Scott said to everyone, keeping an eye on Liam. Everyone filed out leaving just me and him.

"Liam."

He stopped and looked at me.

"I hate this, Theo. I really, really hate this."

"I know. I'm sorry. But if it helps…"

"I know. This could help. But just thinking about what Argent said, that its painful… I don't know how I will stay in control."

"Come here." I said pulling him to me. "This is gonna suck, I know that. I know you hate me in any kind of pain, but it will be temporary and it's a small price to pay to end all of this."

"Yeah." he sighed wrapping his arms around me.

"Do you need to get some air?"

"No, I'm fine. I'm just… too much has been going on. With mom and then all this and I swear if Johnson touches you again…"

"No bone breaking." I told him, laughing.

"Just a little one. I promise it won't put him in traction. Maybe a cast for a few weeks." He shrugged. I laughed harder.

"God, I love you."

"I love you too." he said, finally smiling. I leaned down to kiss him just as the bell rang to end lunch.

Liam:

We were all sitting around Scott's living room waiting for Derek and Parrish. Not sure why Parrish was coming but its whatever. My instincts were already warring to stop this and to just be there to help him through it. Tense wasn't a strong enough word to describe what I was right now.

Scott and Isaac took me running after school so I could run off some of my feelings about this. Scott promised he would do everything he could to be as gentle as possible. I knew he would, and I really didn't blame him or anyone for what was going to happen. Like Theo said it was a small price to pay to finally be free of all of this.

We all heard cars pull up and Scott went to open the door before they knocked. His face, even from the side, showed shock as he opened it wider to let Derek, Braeden, Parrish, and Peter in. while the rest of us stood around gaping, Malia went up to Peter to hug him.

"I'm here to help, I promise. No incentive, blackmail, or anything else. I've had more experience in doing this then Derek." Peter explained. he sounded sincere but most of us were still wary. It was for Malia's sake that we gave him the benefit of the doubt.

"Okay. Are we ready to do this?" Scott asked. My hand gripped Theo's tighter. I was nowhere near ready.

"It's going to be okay." Theo whispered to me. I nodded as we got up and headed for the dining room. Theo took a seat, and I went to sit next to him but was stopped.

"Wait." Peter said with a hand on my shoulder.

"Are you two mates?" he asked looking between Theo and me. We nodded. He sighed. "Okay, this just got a little more complicated."

"Why?" I asked.

"You're instincts are going to go haywire, even more so then usual." Peter explained.

"This is going to be painful, there is no way around it. Peter can show Scott how to do it more gently but he's still going to feel it throughout the entire process." Derek cut in to explain.

"How exactly does this work?" Theo asked. Scott looked at me as he explained.

"In order to access the memories, I have to use my claws to pierce the back of the head and they have to go deep. Once it starts it can't be stopped until I detach."

My wolf was going crazy, and I had to let go of Theo's hand so I wouldn't crush it.

"Is there any way to take some of that pain away from him?" I asked. Peter actually looked sympathetic when he answered.

"No. you can't touch him. your connection to your mate could deter the process. He has to do this on his own."

"How… how long…"

"There's no telling. Depends on how many memories he has and how far back they go." He answered.

How far back they go. if, and that's only if, this started back when he was 9 or 10 then that's about 6 years of memories to uncover. I can't imagine this will be short which means he will be in pain for a long time. I couldn't not be here for it; my instincts wouldn't allow it.

"I need a minute." I said, rushing for the back door. My wolf was urging me to grab my mate and run or protect my mate and fight. Fight or flight, the usual responses to danger. But this wasn't dangerous. Well, it was but it's with people I trust. But he truly didn't like the idea of our mate being in pain for an extended period of time.

The door opened and I caught the scent of the person coming out. It was no one I expected. I expected Theo or Scott, maybe even Derek trying to reassure me. Turning, I knew my eyes were glowing.

"I don't know if I can do this. I know it needs to be done and I know it could help but…" I shook my head.

"I felt the exact same way last year." Braeden said, smiling.

"You did?"

She nodded.

"Peter did this to Derek last summer. Derek wanted to talk to his mother and in order to do that Peter had to use her claws to access that part of his brain. Kind of like a vision quest of sorts."

"How did you handle it? Because I love Scott like a brother but right now…"

"You see a threat to your mate." She finished nodding. "Yeah I thought the same of Peter, the threat part at least. It's not easy, it won't be easy. This is going to test every level of control you have. I may not be a wolf, but I still wanted to hurt Peter for putting Derek through that, even though it was his idea. I imagined using every weapon I have on him, in detail."

"From what I heard, that's not new for you." I snorted. She laughed. I heard snickers, and Peter's scoff from inside.

"True. He's not so bad when you get to know him, the real him. But he still is and always will be an ass, sometimes." She shrugged, I chuckled. "For this, you are going to have to dig deep and find that control. You are going to need to remember that no matter how long this takes it is still temporary. That at the end of this he will be fine."

"Will there be any residual affects?"

"He'll have a headache for a few days afterwards and he'll be extremely tired after it's over, but nothing else really. Once this is over, if we get information that can help we will finally be able to rid ourselves of that bitch and her sidekicks. You just have to be strong."

I nodded.

"Scott talks about you a lot you know. He's always telling us how strong you are and how amazing you have been doing with this wolf thing and that's all seconded by Theo. They are both so damn proud of how you have been able to cope with everything." She said and I ducked my head, smiling. It made me feel happy that Scott and Theo felt that way, thought those things. "I don't know the details of everything you have been through in the last few months, but I have heard enough to know that you can handle this, you're strong enough to do this. And you're not doing it alone, you have a room full of people that care about you and Theo."

"Yeah." I sighed knowing she was right. I didn't have to like it and I know I will struggle with it, but we needed to do this.

"Come on, let's get this over with. Just think about after this is over. you can take your boyfriend home, rid him of that shirt and put him to bed." She smirked, waggling her eyebrows. More laughter from inside.

"Not you too." I huffed a laugh. "I already have my hands full with Allison and Malia drooling over his abs."

"I don't blame them. They are yummy to look at. Between those abs and Scott's-."

"Braeden." Derek barked. We both laughed as we walked back into the house. Derek was glaring at her. Lydia, Malia, and Allison all giggled. Scott was red and Theo was smirking.

"Okay." Scott said, uncomfortably. "We need to clear the room as much as possible. Girls and Mason in the living room. Liam, you stay in the kitchen with Isaac, Stiles, Parrish, and Braeden. If you start to lose control-."

"I'll let Isaac know, so he can take me outside." I told him. he nodded. Theo winked at me. he was smiling but I could see the nerves.

"Let's do this." Scott said moving to stand behind Theo. My hands balled into fists as Peter positioned Scott's claws at the back of Theo's head.

"Theo, take a deep breath and relax. You need to be as relaxed as possible for this." Derek instructed.

Theo did as he said, closing his eyes. Scott's eyes switched to red. I knew the second he did it. Theo's eyes snapped open, gold, he sucked in a breath and let out a shout of pain. I automatically moved forward but was grabbed by Parrish and Isaac to keep me in place.

My claws extended into my palms. From the moment of impact, I could feel… everything. I could feel his pain and the hint of fear. I could scent it. Hell, I could practically taste it and my wolf was not happy at all.

"Liam, breathe." I heard Stiles say close by, but I couldn't really focus.

"Too much pain." I gritted out.

"Remember it's only temporary. He's going to be fine." Braeden reminded me.

"Do you need to go outside for a minute?" Isaac asked.

"I can't." I said shaking my head. I physically couldn't.

"His instincts won't let him leave if his mate is suffering." Peter said.

"Damn, his claws. someone get a couple of towels." Stiles said. Two sets of hands grabbed mine and wrap towels around them.

10 minutes, 20, 30 minutes past and they were still going. Theo was still in pain, and I was hanging on by a thread. Braeden, Stiles and even Mason, from the living room, were keeping up the encouragement for me to hang in there. Isaac and Parrish were keeping a hold of me tightly so I couldn't break away and I tried too, multiple times.

"How much longer?" I growled.

No one could answer. The front door opened and mixed laughter and voices met my ears. I didn't look to see who it was. I let out a snarl when Theo started to list to the side and Derek and Peter braced him.

"Mine." I growled.

"Keep hold of him." Peter called out.

"What's going on?" Ms. M. asked. I heard a whispered explanation from Allison.

"Liam." Argent said. "Right now, your focusing on the pain you feel from him. Try to change your focus. Find another emotion from Theo. Close your eyes and try to find his feelings for you. They are there, just underneath the pain. Try to focus on that."

I tried to push past the pain, searching. It was hard because that was most prominent right now, but I was able to find another emotion. Love. I focused on that. It was strong, really strong. I tried to take comfort from that and felt my claws retract and the growling recede. My wolf was still there but he wasn't clawing at me to get out.

"That's it. Just stay with that feeling." Argent said. Isaac and Parrish's hold slacked a bit, but they still held me back. I took deep breaths and concentrated on that one feeling.

More time passed before I heard both Scott and Theo gasp. I saw Scott stagger backwards. Argent and Derek caught him. I broke free from Isaac and Parrish and rushed to Theo. Peter let him go as soon as I was close enough, backing away.

"Theo." I said grabbing his face. His eyes were still closed, his head trying to lull. "Open your eyes."

His eyes slowly blinked open, green. He looked at me and tried to smile but winced.

"You're okay." I told him.

"I'm okay." he whispered.

"Liam, let's get that cleaned up." Ms. M. said gently. I looked up at her and nodded.

"Please."

She smiled and grabbed a kit from a cupboard in the kitchen. I took a seat next to Theo and held his hand.

"You did good kid." Braeden said, patting my shoulder on her way pass. I chuckled, shaking my head. Everyone crowded back into the dining room. Lydia standing behind a tired looking Scott.

"Are you okay, Scott?" I asked.

"Yeah, I'm fine." He said, leaning his head back against his girlfriend looking as tired as Theo.

"Did you get anything?" Stiles asked, giving my shoulder a squeeze on his way by.

"Yes. A lot." Scott said, his voice turning hard.

"We should meet tomorrow to talk about it. I don't think anyone is up for this tonight." Lydia said.

"That's probably a good idea. Here or the house?" Mr. Argent asked.

"Here." Ms. M. said. "I'm off tomorrow. I want to monitor both Scott and Theo overnight and I don't think either of them are up for school tomorrow. No point in traveling to another location if they are both already here."

"Are you sure mom?" Scott asked.

"Yes, I know you have been keeping me up to date on everything and Chris has been filling in blanks. But I want to be a part of this. Everyone back here tomorrow afternoon, when school lets out." she said, cleaning and bandaging Theo up.

"Theo can have my bed. I'll take the couch tonight." Isaac offered.

"Isaac just pack some clothes; you can come stay with me tonight. I'll take you to school in the morning on my way to work." Parrish said.

Isaac nodded and headed upstairs to pack a bag.

"I know we are going to talk tomorrow, but did you at least learn anything we didn't already know?" Stiles asked.

"Yes and I should have killed Gerard when I had the chance." Scott said in a too calm tone. No one had words for that.

Derek and Isaac helped Scott up the stairs to his room with Lydia following behind. Parrish helped me get Theo upstairs.

"Okay, I will see you tomorrow. Get some rest Theo, no making out." Parrish told him.

"Killjoy." Theo muttered flopping onto the bed. Parrish smirked and left.

I helped Theo undress and crawl into the sheets, which looked crisp.

"How are you really feeling?" I asked.

"Tired and I have a headache."

"Yeah, Braeden said that would happen. Should last a couple of days."

"How are you doing?" he asked grabbing my hands. The towels were off, and the wounds were closing.

"I'm fine now that I know you are okay."

"Did you lose control?"

"I started to, especially when Peter and Derek touched you. But Argent helped. He told me to focus on other emotions coming from you."

"Oh, what did you find?" he grinned. I blushed.

"You love me."

"I do. But you already knew that."

"Yeah, but I didn't realize how much until I focused on it."

"Now you know. you mean everything to me."

"And you mean everything to me too." I leaned in to kiss him. Pulling back, I saw him fight a yawn. "Get some sleep. I'll text you in the morning."

"Yeah okay. I won't argue." His eyes started drooping.

"Love you." I said with one more kiss.

"Love you." he murmured drifting off to sleep.