After another week of bedrest, Alice returned to work, making do with her limited ability to move around the clinic. Scott was working with her that evening, helping her calm down a golden retriever that needed some annual vaccinations, when he casually asked, "So, you and Peter?"
Alice quickly looked at him, trying to gauge if he was mad. His eyebrows were furrowed, and he wouldn't meet her gaze.
"There's not much to tell, Scottie," Alice said slowly. "Why do you ask?"
She could see a blush forming on Scott's cheeks as he finally looked up at her, "Because I saw him at Derek's the other day, and your scent was all over him. And it- it smelled like-" Scott trailed off, unable to say what Alice knew would scar both of them for life.
"Oh Jesus," Alice sighed, putting the shot down and running a hand over her face. "I'm so sorry your senses were assaulted with that, Scottie. That's gross," Alice grimaced.
"Yeah… It wasn't a pleasant discovery," he tried to smile, but it looked more pained than anything.
"Did- did he say anything?" Alice inquired. She hadn't heard from Peter since their, ahem, date, and she was starting to doubt herself.
Did he decide he didn't want to wait anymore and find someone else to satisfy his needs? What if he didn't enjoy their time together and was just lying to end the night without awkwardness?
Those thoughts had been attacking her inner peace, and the radio silence from Peter only made them worse.
"No, he didn't," Scott studied her face for a moment and offered her a sympathetic smile.
"Well then there's definitely nothing to discuss," Alice determined, as she gestured for Scott to hold the dog's back legs while she delivered the final shot.
When they were done, and the dog was delivered back to its owner, Scott pulled Alice into a side hug and said, "You know I love you, and you're like a big sister to me," he paused to look down at her, "I just don't want to see you get hurt with Peter. He has his helpful moments, but most things he does are for selfish reasons, and he doesn't care about others. And you're one of the most selfless people I know," he finished, giving her a tender look.
"I love you too, Scottie. You and Stiles mean the world to me, and I appreciate you looking out for me," Alice gently squeezed his side and extracted herself from the hug. "And at this point, I don't foresee anything continuing with Peter, so consider your warning heeded," she mumbled dejectedly.
Scott gave her a pat on the head and walked to the back room to do a final check on the animals before they closed for the night. They locked up the clinic, and Scott walked her to her car before heading over to his.
"Oh, by the way, Al, be careful tomorrow night. It's a full moon," Scott called over his shoulder.
"Oh great, now I can't even enjoy a nice Saturday evening on my front porch," Alice grumbled to herself as she threw her crutches in the back seat.
The next day passed quickly as Alice spent the afternoon at her family's home playing board games and making pizzas. She was happy to see Billie and spend time with her dad and brother since she had been away from them for so long.
Stiles walked out with her, carrying her leftover pizza and a bottle of wine she brought.
"Hey, you're staying in tonight, right?"
"No, Stiles, I was thinking about hitting the club and then hitchhiking home," she deadpanned, turning to him with a 'do you think I'm stupid' look.
"Okayy," he raised his hands in surrender, "I was just making sure. There are a lot of werewolves running around Beacon Hills right now, and even the most in control wolves can still be affected by a full moon."
"Alright, I hear you," Alice saluted him before throwing her crutches in the back seat and sliding into her car. "Love you."
"Love ya, sis," Stiles closed her door for her and waved as she drove off.
It was already dark when Alice got home. She got her crutches from the back seat, leaning them against the car, and bent over to grab her pizza when she felt a body push into hers from behind. One hand pulled her hips into his (from what she was feeling down there, he was definitely a he) while the other grabbed her throat and hauled her up against his chest. Alice's survival instinct kicked in, and she screamed while trying to throw her elbow back into the assailant's stomach. The hand holding her neck moved to cover her mouth, and she heard a low growl.
"It's me," Peter whispered in her ear. He spun her around and pressed her up against her car, briefly making her think of their last encounter. Alice opened her mouth to yell at him for scaring the shit out of her, but she stopped short when she saw his face, which was illuminated by the streetlamp nearby.
His eyes were that electric blue, but this time his handsome features had completely transformed into what she guessed was full-on wolf mode. They stared at each other for some time, and she took in every little detail of his new face.
She gasped as Peter reached a clawed hand toward her, pushing her hair off her shoulder and lowering his face to her neck, nuzzling it and inhaling deeply.
"Mine," he growled, scraping her collarbone with his now elongated canines.
"Peter, please," she whispered. What she was asking for, she didn't really know, but she knew he wasn't in control of himself at the moment, and it scared her. And, okay, maybe turned her on. Just a little bit.
"You're not afraid of me, are you?" he asked mockingly, cocking his head and looking down at her. "It sure doesn't smell that way." A predatory grin spread across his face, making Alice shiver.
"Where have you been?" she demanded, grabbing onto the lapels of his jacket.
"Taking care of some things for my nephew," he returned to nuzzling her neck, darting his tongue out to taste her skin.
"Sure," she scoffed, turning her head away to stare at the street beyond them.
"What is that supposed to mean?" he mumbled, looking up at her with hooded eyes.
"It means," she pushed against his chest, creating some space for herself, "I don't want you pawing all over me if you've been shacking up with other women."
His head snapped up at that.
"You think I'm seeing other women?" he snarled.
"What else am I supposed to think? You leave the other night telling me you don't know how much longer you can wait, and then I don't hear anything from you! Not a peep!" her voice rose with each word.
He grabbed her chin, forcing her to meet his furious gaze, "You silly, little girl. If you only knew how I felt about you," his fingers tightened their hold, "you wouldn't dare think that."
He crashed his lips to hers in a possessive kiss, and the hand holding her chin moved to tangle in her hair. He yanked her head back, making her gasp in surprise, and he took the opportunity to slide his tongue against hers. Alice lost herself in the kiss, and before she knew it, she was tentatively stroking her tongue against one of Peter's canines, causing him to moan into her mouth. He lightly kissed her swollen lips and rested his forehead against hers, closing his eyes in concentration. Alice watched as his human face returned.
She hesitantly cupped his cheek, and Peter leaned into her touch, continuing to take deep breaths. He pulled back, and they gazed at each other for a moment before Peter broke the silence.
"Are you okay?" he scanned her from top to bottom, relaxing when he found her unscathed.
"Yeah… what was that?" she asked cautiously. "I thought born werewolves had better control during a full moon."
He sighed, looking up at the very thing that put him in this position. "We do, but there are certain variables that can cause certain reactions," he said vaguely.
"Okay…" Alice trailed off, not knowing what else to say. Her body was still trying to process all the emotions coursing through her, and her mind was trying to process all he'd said.
"I'm sorry I didn't call," Peter said. "Derek was in trouble, and I got wrapped up in trying to help him. But contrary to your belief," he dipped his head to catch her gaze, "I thought about you every day," he brushed her chin with his thumb.
"I believe you," she whispered.
He dropped his hand and stepped back. "I should probably get going," he said, glancing up at the sky.
"No," she grabbed his sleeve, "stay, please."
He opened his mouth to protest, but she cut him off. "You're in control again, and I trust that you won't hurt me," she said, eyes wide with sincerity.
"I would never hurt you," he vowed vehemently.
"So, it's settled. You'll stay here tonight," she stated, throwing her arms around his neck. "I'm taking you up on your offer to carry me, FYI."
Peter rolled his eyes playfully and scooped her up, walking them to the front door.
"Wait, my pizza!"
"Yeah, yeah, I'll get it in a minute," he muttered, breathing in the scent of her hair while she unlocked the door.
Peter threw her on the bed and went to get her things from the car. Alice took the opportunity to grab her short, silk nightgown and limp into the bathroom to get ready for bed. She had just finished brushing her teeth when he walked in, coat and shoes off, stopping to blatantly check her out.
"You little tease," he narrowed his gaze, taking in her exposed skin.
"I don't know what you're talking about," she quipped, smiling coyly as she pulled out a spare toothbrush for him.
She handed him the toothbrush, making sure to brush her chest against his as she turned, and headed to her bed, ready to sleep soundly knowing she had a big, bad werewolf to keep her safe. Peter walked into the room and stopped at the empty side of the bed. She watched as he lifted the comforter and started to get in the bed fully clothed.
"You don't have to wear all that. I don't mind."
"Alright," he shrugged, tugging his shirt over his head and unbuttoning his jeans.
Dear sweet lord, he was even better looking than she imagined. And she had imagined. Many, many times. Her eyes traced the hard planes of his stomach and his muscular chest and biceps. They continued down and lingered on the bulge contained by his grey boxer briefs. She bit her lip thinking about dragging those briefs down his toned thighs and watching his erection spring free.
She lazily moved her gaze back up his body and met his amused expression.
"See something you like, darling?"
"And you say I'm the tease?" she rolled her eyes and fell back into her pillows, feeling the bed dip next to her.
Alice turned her bedside lamp off and shifted onto her side, facing away from Peter. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her flush against him. Alice let out a groan when she felt his erection nestle in between her ass cheeks.
"Peter," she whined, feeling her body heat with his touch.
"It's not easy for me either, baby, but I don't want to hurt you. Go to sleep," he soothed, nuzzling her neck, which seemed to be his new favorite pastime.
Alice huffed and focused on his steady breath, letting her eyelids droop as she faded into a deep sleep.