Chapter 32
Theo:
Monday morning, I dragged Liam out of bed with the promise of candy. He is so easy to please even if he is a nightmare to wake up. After we were dressed and on our way to school I delivered on my promise but told him he had to wait until lunch to eat it. he pouted but agreed. Doc would kill me if he knew I gave him candy so early in the morning, I figured this was a balance.
When his dad came over last night, after work, he not only brought him a change of clothes but pajama's, toiletries, and some clothes for tomorrow as well. he said he had a feeling that Liam wouldn't fair well if he had to go home that night. we were both relieved to hear that. he drove Liam's car over and was riding back home with Mason. Doc hugged me before he left, relieved that I was okay but also scolded me for doing something so dangerous while simultaneously thanking me for saving his son.
This morning was hard leaving. Having spent months away from my brother worried about his safety and fearing I would never see him again, Corey, Liam and Parrish reassured me that he would be fine. Parrish said he would be with him all day. He was off today and was taking Corey shopping and I think he also wanted to spend time with him, making him more comfortable and getting to know him better. Corey shoved me out the door saying he would see me later at the meeting.
Not wanting to wait much longer, especially since Satomi's pack needed to head back home, Scott scheduled the meeting for today after school. as much as we all wanted to get it over with, I know we were dreading what new problems had arisen from taking care of the old problem.
Liam mostly drove one handed, keeping mine clasped in his for the majority of the way to school. he wasn't kidding when he said he was going to be clingy. He was wrapped around me for most of the night. it's a wonder I was able to get out of bed without him knowing earlier this morning. He must have been really dead tired.
When Liam pulled into the parking lot I could see our friends outside waiting for as usual. Malia was practically vibrating in place. I think it was only the fact that Stiles had both arms wrapped around her that she didn't meet us at the car as soon as Liam parked. But as soon as I was out she broke free and shot over to me, hugging me tightly.
"I am so glad you're okay. Don't you ever scare me like that again. Do you understand?" she said, tightening her grip.
"If you let me breath, I promise." I told her, wheezing and patting her back. She let me go and stepped back.
"Sorry. But you scared me. I hate being scared. It makes me itchy." She said, squirming. Stiles wrapped an arm around her, and she settled down.
"I'm sorry for scaring you. But it was necessary." I said looking over at Liam who was being hugged by Allison. She nodded and went to join them, squishing Liam between them.
"How are you doing?" Scott asked.
"I'm okay. I mean I think I'm starting to feel it a bit. Liam said it's because the full moon is coming. But he's been teaching me some tips to stay calm." I told him. he nodded. "I did kind of wake up in the woods early this morning." I admitted, feeling a bit of heat in my face.
"Yeah, that happens. I did the same thing after I was changed." Scott admitted.
"Same." Isaac said.
"Same what? And why is he blushing? Can someone show me how to do that?" Liam asked. I rolled my eyes, and everyone snickered. the girls had technically let him go but had him by the arms as they all joined our conversation.
"Wake up in the woods." Isaac told him. Liam nodded.
"Yeah, me too." he shrugged.
"I used to live in the woods." Malia said, raising a hand. Stiles chuckled taking her hand and pulling her to his side.
"Wait, you were there this morning when I woke up. How did I miss that?" Liam asked.
"Because you slept like the dead last night, and it was like two or three in the morning. I just snuck back in and went back to sleep." I told him. he rolled his eyes. Isaac turned to Liam with a contemplative look.
"Did you ever say why you were naked?" He asked him.
"Wait, what?" I asked looking at my blushing boyfriend. In fact, everyone but Mason, Stiles, and Scott looked at him.
"You never did say why you were naked." Stile said.
"It was hot that night." he exclaimed.
"It's a good thing I saw him running down the street so I could call Scott." Mason added with a snicker.
"We should get inside. Class is starting soon." Liam said, grabbing my hand and tugging me towards the doors. Leaving behind our laughing friends.
"Theo, Liam." We stopped hearing our names and saw Hayden heading towards us. Our friends waited by the door for us as she approached.
"Hey. I'm sorry I should have checked on you. Are you okay?" Liam asked her.
"Me? I'm fine. I wanted to make sure you were okay. You were hurt and…taken." She said lowering her voice. "I wanted to help but I don't know what I could do."
"I'm good. My friends were able to find me that night. And there was nothing you could do. You wouldn't have been able to stop them." He told her shaking his head. She glanced nervously at our watching friends.
"I wanted to thank you for trying to keep me safe. I did try to get to Mason and Theo but-"
"It's okay. Theo explained what happened. And I should thank you as well. I heard how you stayed with Mason and Theo and gave Scott some information that helped, a lot."
"I'm surprised I was able to tell him anything, I was so freaked out and confused." She snorted. "But listen. I also wanted to let you guys know that I won't say anything about anything that I saw or heard. I'm still confused about a lot of it, but I won't say a word to anyone about it or any of you. I didn't want you to worry about that."
"That is really appreciated, thank you." I told her. I hadn't really thought about the fact that she saw and heard too much.
"It is and look, the things you saw and what's been going on. I hope you never really find out because… it would just be safer if you didn't. but if you ever do see something 'weird' or that you think is weird, keep my number handy, okay? Just in case."
"Are you sure? I mean I don't want you to think…"
"Well, as long as you're not just calling to chitchat, we are fine. Besides, we may not be friends, but I don't hate you remember?"
"Yeah. Thanks. Anyway, I should get going. But I am glad you are okay. You too Theo. The way you were after Liam was taken… I'm happy everything worked out."
"Me too. and thanks."
"See you in class. Oh, do you have our project?" she asked.
"Yeah, it's in my car. I'll grab it at lunch and bring it to class."
"Good." She smiled and took another look at our waiting group. "Oh, and can you tell Isaac thank you for me, for making sure I was safe at home. I would tell him myself but…"
I fought a smile as I glanced at Isaac, who was grinning, and Allison who was clinging to him but watching Hayden. Not that she was glaring or anything like that, but Hayden really was scared of her.
"I'll give him the message." I told her. she nodded and gave Allison, who was the closest to the door, a wide birth and headed inside. Liam was shaking his head as we joined our snickering friends.
"So, Hayden says thank you for-." I started.
"Yeah, I heard." Isaac snorted as Allison rolled her eyes with a muted smile.
"Alright Mafia family, are we ready?" Stiles asked.
Scott sighed and opened the door. As if following some unknown command, everyone walked surrounding me. Stiles and Malia behind me, Isaac and Allison on my left, Scott Lydia in front of me and mason on the other side of Liam who had a tight grip on my hand. I found it funny until I was five steps in and flinched.
"You okay?" Liam asked and everyone stopped and turned to me.
"Yeah, just…" a locker slammed, and I flinched again. "it's suddenly really loud in here." another flinch. "A lot going on, lockers, people talking and laughing, chalk on chalkboards, phones buzzing. It's a lot to process at once."
"You're too tuned in. You need to find a focal point. Concentrate on one thing and let it drown out everything else. Take a deep breath and focus on only one thing." He instructed. I nodded and did as he said, finding one thing. It would always be him though. I chose to focus on his heartbeat. I let it mask everything else. Soon the rest of the noise was background sounds.
"Okay." I said, relaxing as the sounds no longer echoed in my head. "I think I'm good now."
"You sure?" Scott asked.
"I think so. It doesn't sound so loud right now." I told him. "The smells though…"
"Yeah, that's gonna take practice. Just try to ignore it the best you can." Scott said. "we'll meet in the courtyard at lunch to give you a break."
"Yeah, okay."
The bell rang and I grimaced, it was still loud but not as harrowing as it would have been just a few minutes ago. Everyone dispersed to get to their own classes.
"I'll keep an ear out for you, so will Scott and Isaac. just remember to find one thing to focus on. usually in class I make it the teacher talking to make it easier." He shrugged.
"I'll be fine, mini wolf. go to class, I'll see you after." I grinned as he glared at me before giving me a kiss then dragged Mason to class. Bracing myself I headed to my own. This was going to be a long day, I think.
Liam:
School was over and I could hear the audible sigh of relief from Theo as he got in the car. I know today was hard for him. I was the same way right after I was changed. It was why I made it a point to meet him after every class, just to check on him. I think he found it amusing that I was still so protective of him, even now. I don't think that would ever change.
Now it was time to get this meeting over with. I really wasn't looking forward to it, I don't think any of us really were. Well maybe Stiles was but that's kind of his thing. Even though I wanted to know what happened with the group that went for Corey, I was not relishing reliving and retelling what happened at the church. But it was necessary. At least afterwards Mason and I were heading to Parrish's to hang out with Corey and Theo.
"How are you doing? I know how tough the first day in a crowd can be after changing." I told him. he was resting his head against the window with his eyes closed.
"Yeah, I mean I knew it would be hard but that was not what I expected. I know it gets easier. It has to or else you guys would not ever be able to do anything. I just have to ride it out."
"True. Are you still feeling antsy? If you want, after the meeting we can go for a run."
"Maybe. Though I don't think I'm feeling as antsy as yesterday, or at least not right now. I think I'll be okay just not having to be in that school for the rest of the day."
"Definitely. I still struggle sometimes with it. especially if emotions are heightened. Just let me know. Or we could just make out back at your place." I shrugged but I could see his grin form.
"Now that's definitely a plan."
Snorting, I shook my head.
When we got to the house it was packed, Satomi's pack, our pack, Derek, Braeden, Argent, Parrish, Stiles' dad, and Peter who had two people with him a woman and a teen. The only ones that weren't here were Ms. M and my dad since they had to work. As soon as we entered Brett and Lori came over to us.
"So happy you're both okay." Lori said with a hug for both of us.
"Yeah, it wouldn't have been as much fun kicking BH's ass in lacrosse if you weren't there." Brett joked, giving me and Theo a fist bump.
"Yeah, it's nice to have a dream, even an unrealistic one."
Theo and I found a seat with Corey and Mason on the floor by the stairs. It was an automatic thing when everyone turned their attention to Scott.
"Okay, so first I want to thank everyone for their help with this. I really don't know if we would have succeeded if it had not been for everyone being there." He sighed, looking like he had the weight of the world on his shoulders. I couldn't be easy being an alpha with so many people depending on you all the time and being a teenager. Lydia laid her head against his chest, clinging to him in comfort. "Satomi, thank you and your pack so much for taking on the facility. I heard it was difficult, but everyone came out okay for the most part."
"It was our pleasure. It was not without its issues but there was no permanent damage done on our end and I believe no deaths on their end."
"It was close though." Stiles said.
"No kidding." Corey laughed. "I was still kind of out of it, but I was aware enough to see Malia pick up that one hunter like a pro wrestler and throw him."
Malia huffed, crossing her arms, her eyes glowing neon blue and she let out a low growl. Stiles just kissed the side of her head and hugged her tighter.
"With Malia around, maybe I won't have to wrap Stiles in bubble wrap and put him in the highest tower." Mr. S said. Making Stiles roll his eyes and everyone else laugh.
"So where is this tower located?" I asked. Theo sighed.
"You are not putting me in a tower or wrapping me in bubble wrap… or getting me a Kevlar suit." He told me.
"Wait, Kevlar suits? They make those?" Malia asked.
"No… just no." Stiles said shaking his head.
"Okay, before," Scott said, interrupting whatever argument Malia and I were about to have with our partners. "This conversation continues let's go over everything that happened on both ends."
Still laughing everyone nodded. Satomi started explaining what happened on their end at the facility. Before Mr. S took over describing what they found when they looked for Corey. I squeezed Theo's hand hearing how they had him.
"Mason was the one that was able to get him down from the fence they had him on. He somehow disabled the electrical box they had hooked up to the fence." Mr. S said looking at Mason, who looked embarrassed at the attention.
"I'm just good with electronics. It wasn't a hard setup. But I tried to hurry since they had it set up to deliver a shock every few minutes."
Theo growled and gripped my hand tighter. I turned him to look at me. I could see him start to lose control.
"Calm down. Corey is fine. He's right here. He's not hurt, and he's fully recovered now. Just breathe." I told him.
"Right. Okay." He took a deep breath and relaxed. I watched him closely to make sure he was okay before letting go.
"Sorry. I'm okay." Theo said noticing everyone waiting for us. Corey gave his shoulder a squeeze.
"New wolf?" Satomi asked and he nodded. "It's understandable then. Emotions tend to be all over the place in the beginning. Seems like you have a good support system to help you though."
'I really do." He smiled at me. "Mason, thank you so much for getting him out. All of you really. I've been terrified for months that I would never see my brother again."
Everyone nodded and smiled.
"I would also like to thank everyone for saving us. The last few months have been horrible. I appreciate finally being free." The woman standing next to Peter said with an accent, holding on to a teen who was shyly staring at the floor.
"This is Madeline and her nephew Alec. They were two of the twenty-three others we were able to save." Peter explained, smiling at her with a hand on her back.
"Wait, did you say there were twenty-three others there? All supernatural?" Isaac asked. Peter nodded.
"They were in the closed off unit. The one I couldn't get to in order to help them. I tried but it was heavily guarded. It's how I got caught, trying to follow Kate into it." Corey explained.
"That was not your fault. From what I have been told you did the best you could under the circumstances." Madeline told him with a soft smile.
"What happened to the rest?" Derek asked.
"I called the local police department there. We brought some back with us, but the rest were locals, so we handed them over to that department to take care of." Mr. S told us. "A good thing on that note is that the ones we brought back recognized Hardgrove as one of their abductors. So, we are bringing up charges for kidnapping if nothing else."
There were sighs of relief all around. At least that's one headache that we didn't have to worry about. I had to remember to let Hayden know she wouldn't have to worry about him, tomorrow.
"What about Gerard and Simon?" Argent asked.
"Unfortunately, we lost them in all the chaos. The place was swimming with hunters. They slipped away somehow between everything that was happening." Peter sighed.
"Sounds like something Gerard would do. Every man for themselves when things get hard. But it also sounds like you guys did enough damage to his group that he will need time to regroup. I will keep an eye out for any signs of him and let the Calaveras know."
"Speaking of the Calaveras…" Scott started and then launched into the story of what happened at the church. Theo had filled me in last night on the meeting that led up to them coming for me. My hand tightened around Theo's, and I couldn't look at anyone when Scott went over how Theo saved me even though he glossed over what I did.
"Not your fault." Theo whispered to me.
"How did you know what to do?" Brett asked him. That question peaked everyone's interest.
"I didn't, not really. But When Scott said that he could feel his connection again and described what Liam was feeling I knew he was still in there, he wasn't completely gone. And I remembered some of the research Argent and Mason did on berserkers. It seemed to be all in the mask, or at least mostly. I just figured if I could get that off of him then it would break the spell or whatever it was."
"That was a very brave risk to take." Satomi said.
"It was a risk I was willing to take. I couldn't lose him." He shrugged. It was hard to keep from kissing him just then, but it didn't stop him from lifting our joined hands and kissing the back of mine. Which just brought on a round of 'awws' from every girl in attendance.
"Stop that." I sighed; it was just an automatic response now.
"Are they always that mushy?" Corey whispered to Mason.
"Not always but sometimes. If Theo does anything sweet Liam gets heart eyes and let's not even get started on Theo. If Liam gives him puppy eyes, he's a goner." He told him. Theo and I looked at each other and shrugged. It was true.
"Yeah, I can see that." Corey said with a nod. "So, what happened with Kate?"
I heard a sharp intake from Allison who had been clinging to Isaac all day. She hadn't been herself, quieter and more reserved then normal and that was worrying. Isaac whispered something too low in her ear that not even we wolves could hear.
"Kate is gone. She is no longer an issue. Calaveras sent me confirmation on that yesterday." Argent said. Even though his voice never wavered you could see the pain he was in.
"I know… this might be odd coming from me given our history, but I do want to offer my condolences. I, my family, may have had our issues with Kate but she was still your family regardless of what she did, so I am sorry for your lose." Peter said, Derek nodded in agreement but stayed quiet.
"Thank you. That is appreciated. It's still hard to reconcile the woman she became to the one I knew growing up. But what's done is done. She was no longer my sister as soon as she set that fire." Argent said. "If you would like I can send you the proof and confirmation that was sent to me. It might help your family get some closure."
"I… yes thank you. That would be appreciated." Peter told him.
"Did anyone else need confirmation?"
Corey raised his hand, and I understood why.
"Just send it to me until we can get Corey and Theo new phones." Parrish said. Argent nodded.
"Okay, now that we know what happened at both places, I think Corey and Liam have some new information." Scott said.
"Corey, did you want to tell them?" I asked.
"Nope. I'm just fine sitting here looking pretty. You can tell them." he said with a smile which his brother echoed.
"God, you two have the same smile." I sighed making everyone snicker and agree.
I launched into what happened when I was taken and had to keep a tight hold on Theo when I went over what happened when I met Simon, taking a few breaks to calm him down. I got a kiss on the head when I mentioned helping take some of Corey's pain so he could heal. I explained the conversation I had with Simon and how he slipped up and then went on to explain mine and Corey's conversation about Simon. When I revealed the fact that Simon, the one we know of now, is actually Valack there were growls all around and Madeline looked feral cursing in a different language.
"Ese pedazo de mierda. Sabía que había algo familiar en él."
"¿Has oído hablar de Valack?" Peter asked her.
"Sí. él era mi hermana y mis hermanos, los padres de Alec, médicos hace años."
"¿Sabes mucho de él?"
"¿Estarías dispuesto a contarnos lo que sabes? ¿No ahora mismo, sino en otro momento?" Scott asked.
I blinked at him as did most everyone else, except Stiles. I don't think any of us knew he could speak another language. Even Madeline looked shocked as she nodded.
"Claro. Cualquier cosa para ayudar. No sabía que hablabas español."
"Solo un poco. Mi madre me enseñó cuando era pequeña. No lo hablo con fluidez, pero recuerdo mucho." He shrugged.
"Just when I didn't think you could get any hotter." Lydia whispered staring in a daze at her boyfriend before shaking her head. "Even though I'm not as fluent as my boyfriend here I understood some of that. But I don't think everyone else did. Maybe Argent. You might want to switch back to English."
"Disculpas. Apologies, I sometimes slip back into Spanish when I get upset. I was saying that I know who Valack is. He was the doctor that worked on Alec's parents before they died."
"I was asking if she would be willing to share what she knows at a later date."
"I will do what I can to help you find that monster." She said her eyes glowing gold.
"Thank you. Okay, go on Liam." Scott said.
I continued on telling him what else was said and again I was stopped when I got to the dread doctors.
"So, they are still around, and Simon and Gerard are working with them? But why?" Stiles asked.
"Gerard would have played that close to the vest, only sharing with those that needed to know. it seems only Simon or Valack was the only one that really knew. Corey did you happen to catch any information on that?" Argent asked.
"No. I didn't see them together very often, at least not in the facility." Corey told him.
"They probably didn't meet in the facility to discuss it so they wouldn't be overheard. Something else to look into."
"So, we are still looking for Simon and Gerard, researching what it is he could possibly up to that he needs a mad scientist for and needing to figure out why the Dread Doctors are involved." Stiles said.
"Yes." Argent answered.
"So just a typical day in Beacon Hills then." Stiles nodded.
"I'll start searching from my end, call some contacts and see what I can find out." Argent said.
"I'll do the same. I know a few people that can at least keep a look out." Peter volunteered.
"Anything else we need to do?" Derek asked.
"Yeah, Theo, you need to finish that book. Those lost years that Scott couldn't get too… it was because you were with the Dread Doctors. There's a reason they erased those years from your mind." I said turning to him.
"I was with the Dread Doctors? Why?"
"Simon sent you off with them. But I don't know why, just that you were gone for 2 years and when you came back it was like you weren't you. it took months for me to get you back to yourself." Corey told him.
"I… okay. Okay, I'll finish it once school is out." he promised.
"But not without me." I told him. there's that grin again.
"Still overprotective I see."
"That's not going away just because you're a wolf." I told him.
"Was there anything else Liam?" Scott asked, getting us back on track, again.
"Not really. Gerard showed up while I was talking to Corey and asked me to do something. I told him to go to hell and they left us alone until I was taken to the church."
"Did Kate say anything on the ride to the church?"
"Uh…" I glanced at Allison and Argent.
"It's okay. you can tell us." Argent said with a sad smile. Sighing I went into the ride in the van and the discussion I had with Kate. Everyone tried to be respectful and not laugh but Argent broke, chuckling and shaking his head.
"You turned the tables on her." he said.
"Kind of. I remembered what Stiles said happened when he talked to her, so I gave it a shot. I really just wanted to stop her talking. That seemed to do the trick."
"It was smart. She was trying to provoke a reaction out of you. it's what she does."
"I'm sorry if I said-."
"You didn't. what you said was all true."
"I would have done the same thing." Allison said offering a small smile.
"But that's basically it. after that I was in the mask. I… I tried to fight it, but it felt like I was pushed to the back of my own mind, and I couldn't get out. I only really started to come out when I heard Scott and then I felt like I was in and out of consciousness. I could hear Theo, but it was more like a… dream or something."
"If you were strong enough to even become that coherent then you did an amazing job." Scott said with a proud nod. I shrugged, cause as coherent as I was I still hurt Theo.
'Stop, I'm fine." Theo said, knowing me all too well. taking a deep breath, I nodded.
"Okay, any other information that we need to share?" Scott asked. Everyone shook their heads. "Then should we end this meeting now?"
"Good idea. There's a lot to process and start on." Mr. S said. "Peter, Argent let's join forces. I think between the three of us, with your connections and my influence legally, we can make things a bit harder for Gerard. Make it more difficult for him to start over."
"That's a good idea." Argent said and Peter nodded.
"So, I guess we are done. I think we have all earned a rest after this." Scott said. there was agreement all around.
"Scott, make sure you contact us if you need any help. Gerard and Simon are a threat to us all. We will do what we can to help end it." Satomi said.
"I will. Thank you."
The meeting broke up, everyone falling into smaller groups to talk. Isaac pulled Allison into the kitchen away from everyone and I could scent her distress, but I wouldn't ask. I hope she is okay. Satomi's pack were starting to leave, and hugs and handshakes were offered all around. Brett said he would keep in touch and Lori gave each of us one last hug. She really liked to hug it seemed.
We snuck out not long after they left, ready to just relax for a while before Mason and I had to go home. After saying bye to everyone and telling our friends we would see them at school we raced to my car and were on the road in less than five minutes.
"So, quick question, out of curiosity. At the beginning of the meeting everyone automatically looked to Scott to start it. Was that because he's an alpha?" Corey asked.
"Probably yes and no. I think him being an alpha was part of it and the other part was because it had to do with members of his pack, so it was his call I guess." I answered.
"That makes sense. Are all meetings like that?"
"Seems to be lately. But usually, it's just the core group and we usually meet in the SS room at school." Mason answered.
"SS room?"
"it's a name Liam came up with a few months ago. Stands for Supernatural Summit. It's really a chem lab that the school never uses. It's always empty so we kind of adopted it." Theo explained with a laugh. Corey laughed even louder.
"I can so see why you like him, Theo. Besides the Zach Morris thing."
"What the… Zach Morris?" I asked almost swerving then glanced at my boyfriend who was turning red.
"Damn it, Corey."
Translation:
Ese pedazo de mierda. Sabía que había algo familiar en él. - That piece of shit. I knew there was something familiar about him.
¿Has oído hablar de Valack? - Have you heard of Valack?
Sí. él era el médico de mi hermana y mi cuñado, los padres de Alec, hace años. - "Yes. he was my sister and brother in law's, Alec's parents, doctors years ago."
¿Sabes mucho de él? - Do you know much about him?
¿Estarías dispuesto a contarnos lo que sabes? ¿No ahora mismo, sino en otro momento? - Would you be willing to tell us what you know? Not right now, but at another time?
Claro. Cualquier cosa para ayudar. No sabía que hablabas español. - Sure. Anything to help. I didn't know you spoke Spanish.
Solo un poco. Mi madre me enseñó cuando era pequeña. No lo hablo con fluidez, pero recuerdo mucho. - Just a little bit. My mother taught me when I was little. I don't speak it fluently, but I remember a lot.
Disculpas - Apologies
