I do not own Teen Wolf
Chapter Six
(trigger warning! implied rape at END of chapter, skip the last three sentences)
River couldn't track him. The spell wasn't working and River was pissed about it. Lydia had even tried helping and it still didn't work. All of the wolves were outside, trying to find Stiles by scent. River tried Stiles' phone again and still couldn't reach him.
"Damn it, Stiles, if this is some kind of prank, I'm going to kill you," she said to the voicemail, her voice broken. "Please, call me back. Please."
She stood in his room, staring at the red strings that connected to scissors that were stabbed into his bed. Lydia was doing something with the strings, tapping them and listening. River left the room, unable to stare at it any longer.
When Stiles had called her and told her not to tell his dad, she had immediately woken Scott, who received a call right when she ran into his room. They immediately woke the entire house, his dad included. The wolves caught his scent and took off, River grabbing his pillow and trying the locator spell over and over again. Lydia helped a few times but gave up and went to the strings instead.
River went to her own room, shutting the door before letting out an angry yell. She left her room and ran outside, her eyes glowing as she tried to find Stiles' steps. She found barefoot prints that were almost completely faded. She ran along the steps, knowing that they matched the only bond she had left, glowing red with gold. She uses her magic as she reaches Beacon Hills preserve. She tried to use her bond but it's so muted, River fears Stiles is dying.
Finally, River find Stiles, screaming in Melissa's arms. She rides to the hospital with Rafe, Melissa Stiles, ignoring the agents questions as she holds Stiles in her arms as Melissa sends a text to the group chat, letting them know where they were heading. When they arrive at the hospital, Noah is waiting outside. He pulls Stiles into his arms when he gets there, holding him before they all head inside. Melissa gives Stiles a sedative and River sits in the chair beside his bed, holding his hand and refusing to speak.
When they take Stiles to get a brain scan, the doctor stumbles over Stiles' name, everyone except Stiles turning in surprise when River says it correctly. River watched on as Stiles explained to Scott what they were looking for and feels tears staining her cheeks when Scott tells Stiles that he'll do something if he has to and they hug. Stiles holds an arm out and River rushes forward, Scott and Stiles bringing her into the hug.
Standing next to Noah and staring at Stiles' brain deteriorating is the most heartbroken she has ever felt. Noah pulls River to his side, both of them crying as they continue staring. River stands up straight, feeling distress through the bond just as a power surge hits and the lights go out. River runs from the room, finding Stiles walking down the hall. She follows him to his room, watching from the doorway as he puts his shoes on.
Stiles smiles before taking River's hand and leading her towards the elevators. Kira's mother is waiting for them. She looks at River confused before looking to Stiles.
"You know me."
Stiles nods.
"Then you remember I won't be deterred by your choice of host," she says. "Even if it is an innocent boy. Using her as a shield won't work either."
"Host," River whispers, the pieces falling into place.
"Are you threatening us?" Stiles' voice is different, harder, more dangerous.
Two Oni appeared behind Kira's mom.
"Now, I'm threatening you."
"We're not really afraid of your fireflies," Stiles stated, turning to walk away, still holding River's hand gently.
"If the Oni can't defeat you, I know someone who will."
Stiles turned his head, looking over his shoulder. He smiled before looking to River, giving her hand a gentle squeeze before pulling her along. They went to the parking lot, Not-Stiles holding the door open for her. River climbed in and the door closed. He got behind the wheel, pulling out of the lot and driving off.
"Where are we going?" River asked, her voice shaking.
"I like you," he said. "You're smart, pretty, powerful. It helps that you're this ones mate. It means you'll protect us."
"Where are we going?' River asked again, her voice firmer this time.
"Text the sheriff," he instructed. "Tell him not to look for us and that we're fine."
River took her phone out and debated what to type.
"Don't tell him anything else."
'We're fine. Don't look for us. I love you, Noah.'
"And you listen," he smiled.
"What do I call you?" River asked.
"You could call me Stiles," he offered.
"You aren't Stiles," River argued. "You're what the Oni hunt. The demon fox?"
"Trickster," he corrected. "Some would probably call me a demon though. I feed off of chaos."
"I read that," River nodded. "Do I call you trickster then?"
"Void. I am Void. Turn your phone off."
River switched the phone off before putting it in the glove compartment in front of her. They pulled into the abandoned train depot, parking the Jeep in the trees so it wouldn't be seen. River followed Void into the depot, him holding her hand again.
"I almost had you fooled," Void smiled. "You knew something was wrong. You thought it had been from the coma and maybe things had changed while you were gone. You were right though. You used to tell them not to argue with you. That you're always right. They never listened though. Well, Stiles did. He always did.
"He is in love with you, by the way. Too afraid to say it so he pushes you away with words that he knows will hurt. He's in here still, screaming for you to run, to get help. You won't though. You want to make sure I don't hurt him. You can feel him panicking through your bond."
"Why him?" River asked in a whisper.
"I would say because it's fun or because he was an easy target but the truth is that he's just as clever as you are. He's more protected though. He has you and you would kill and die for him. You have already on multiple occasions. You have a darkness in you from all the death that you don't tell anyone about. I have it as well. Stiles, he had a glimpse of it, got a taste."
"Why are we here?" River asked as they sat in a train cart.
"As I said, he's still in here," Void explained, pointing at his head. "I'll let you speak to him if you want. I'll let him out for extended periods of time. This place has a few fond memories for the both of you. I knew it would be quiet here, out of the way. I also know that there are chains here that could even hold a werewolf, so if you don't behave, I can chain you up."
"I'll behave," River said softly. "Don't hurt him."
"I won't."
"You're a trickster."
"Yes."
"How do I trust you?"
"You don't."
River let out a shaky breath, holding back a yawn as she rubbed her face.
"Lay down," Void told her. "I have a few things to do but I need you well rested in order to protect us."
River nodded, lying on the mattress that once belonged to Boyd. Void covered River with multiple blankets, fighting off the biting cold. He brushed her hair from her face before standing and walking to the table outside the train cart. River's eyes blurred, too tired to watch what Void was doing.
"Where are you going?" River asked as Void chained her to the train bench.
"I have to go set something up at the school."
"Are you going to hurt people?"
"Probably."
"Why?"
"Someone upset me and I am a master at holding a grudge. Is that too tight? Not tight enough?"
"It's fine," River said, pulling on the chains to show that she couldn't get out.
"Good. I drew a rune on you so that you can't use your magic. When I come back, I'll take it off. I want to teach you a few things."
"Okay," River nodded. "Can I talk to Stiles today?"
"We'll see," Void gave her a soft smile. "I'll be back."
Void kissed her head like Stiles would and left, taking a bag with him. River sighed once he was gone. She noticed that he had left a few lights on for her after her nightmare the night before, not wanting the shadows to scare her.
River wasn't completely sure how many days had passed but she was pretty sure it had been three. Her favorite brand of peanut butter crackers and bottled water that were in the bag left beside her were running low. She let out an annoyed sigh before her chest began to hurt, burning a bit. She rubbed her chest where the mate bond was.
"What the hell are you doing?" she asked, growing uncomfortable.
She moved as much as she could, trying to sit different ways to ease the pain. Nothing she did helped though and the pain kept getting worse. River gasped in pain and her eyes glowed as she looked towards the sky. She could see Stiles as he was kissing someone, his lips on her neck, his hands traveling her body. She saw them undressing, their bodies moving together. The pain exploded and Stiles grabbed his head, gasping as he could see the train cart, could see the cracker packets on the floor.
River whimpered as the pain began receding, Stiles' vision turning back to her own. She blinked wearily a few times before passing out. When she woke again, Void was kneeling in front of her. He gave her what could be described as a sympathetic look before he unlocked her cuffs.
"Was that you or him?" River asked.
"Him," Void said. "Feel the bond. When it's him, you can feel it more strongly. When it's me, it's more of a buzz under the skin, muted."
River nodded, felling the bond and trying to find Stiles under it. She found his panic and gripped onto it, gripped onto Stiles. Void watched her, feeling her holding the part of the bond that wasn't muted.
"I won't lock you up again," Void said. "I'll make a barrier that will fall if I need you. I don't want you locked up again. I don't like you being caged like an animal. Give me your wrist."
River held her sore wrist out and Void rubbed it gently.
"I'm sorry," Void said, looking at her wrist. "I'm sure you need to use a restroom. I got the water working if you want a shower as well. We're going to get some fresh air later."
"Okay," River nodded, heading towards the shower.
River shut the door behind herself, using the restroom and then turning on the water to the shower. Once it was warm, River stripped down and climbed into the shower, cutting her eyes at her shampoo and conditioner sitting in the corner. She washed her hair before looking around for body wash.
"Looking for this?" Void asked, holding up her body wash and staring at her body. "I could help if you want."
"I'm good, actually," River said, covering herself.
"So many scars," Void said, still staring at her. "How much do you need to give before he—"
Void choked on his words, bending at his waist. He breathed out heavily and River could feel her bond to Stiles strengthen.
"Sti?" River asked hopefully, staring at him.
Stiles looked up, his eyes watering. He ran forward, pulling River against him and just holding her, his clothes getting soaked from the spray of the water. River cried in relief at finally being able to feel the bond again and at having Stiles in front of her.
"Riv," Stiles breathed out.
He pulled away enough to look into her eyes. He took her face in his hands and kissed her hard, pressing her against the wall. River moaned, pushing her body against his.
"I don't know how long I have," Stiles told her, his voice shaking.
"We're okay," she told him. "I'm here. We'll figure something out. I'll figure it out."
"I know," Stiles nodded. "That's why you're the only one actually allowed to make the plans."
They both laughed lightly at that before Stiles kissed her again.
"I'm sorry," Stiles said. "I'm sorry for not telling you how I felt and I'm sorry for trying to break the bond by being with someone else. I didn't want you to be stuck with me. You can do so much better."
"Shut up and kiss me," River told him, pulling him forward.
Stiles began kissing her again, their bodies pressing against each other. River pushed Stiles' sweatshirt off of his shoulders and then pulled his shirt over his head. Stiles went to River's neck, sucking and biting at her skin gently. Feeling his bare chest against her own and feeling his lips on her, River let out a needy moan. Stiles lifted River and she wrapped her legs around his waist and her arms around his shoulders.
Stiles carried River to a mattress, laying her down and pressing his weight against her. She pulled on his pants, pushing them down with his boxers. He kicked them off fluidly and River felt strange for a moment before Stiles was kissing her again.
"Are you ready?" Stiles asked, breathless.
"Yes," River nodded.
"Are you sure you want to?"
"Stiles, please," River begged, pressing her body against his.
Stiles nodded, kissing her again and slowly pushing into her. He stilled once he was completely in her, letting River get used to the feeling. She nodded and kissed him again and Stiles began to move. They were both sweating, breathing heavily. River moaned Stiles name, feeling herself getting close when Stiles let out a pained groan and she felt the bond change.
She froze and looked to Stiles. Slowly, his eyes raised from her body to her face. *Void smirked and began moving.
"No," River tried pushing him away.
Void held her down and River screamed.