The next morning Maia walked downstairs to find Josh missing, but he wasn't the only one. Donovan, Hayden, Corey, Beth, Zach and Gretta were all missing from the dining room table. The only ones who were eating were Tracy and Theo.
"Where is everyone?" Maia asks.
Tracy noticed her standing at the bottom of the steps, and stares at Theo.
"Do you want to tell her, or should I?" She asks.
"No, I'll do it." Theo said.
He stood up and walked over to Maia.
"I told everyone to go back home to their families."
"What? Why would you…"
"Because Josh was spotted by his parents."
"He mentioned that last night."
"It would be suspicious if he didn't return home."
"Yeah, but I thought they kicked him out after they found his stash of drugs."
Theo sighed.
"They did, but when he went missing…"
Maia watched the confused expression across Theo's face.
"I don't know. It doesn't matter."
He walks back over to the table and sits down.
"Only you and Tracy can stay here."
"Because her dad is dead."
Tracy glared over at Maia warningly. Usually no one was allowed to mention her father's name including Theo, but luckily Tracy was in a good mood and didn't paralyze her on the spot. Maia sat down across from Tracy and started eating her breakfast.
"What about your mom?"
Tracy sighed.
"She's still in Eichen House."
"I never knew that."
"She went crazy due to her night terrors."
Tracy shifted in her seat uncomfortably, and Maia noticed this.
"Guess that's genetic, too."
"I'm sorry."
"Don't worry. I have them less now."
Tracy took a sip of her coffee, and stood up to toss her empty plate in the sink. Once everyone was done with breakfast, they had to get ready for the day. Most of them were still in high school, and unfortunately Maia was still known as the new girl who transferred over last semester from out of state.
While Theo, Tracy and Beth were seniors along with most of the McCall pack members, Maia was stuck being a junior with Josh. Donovan would've been a senior, too, but he graduated early last year in hopes of becoming a deputy like his dad only to be declined due to a stupid anger assessment test. Maia could feel the violent chimera's presence just before she entered the school building, and looks out to find Donovan standing across the street staring at her.
"You can hear me?" She asks, whispering.
Maia saw him nod in response. Due to being a chimera, they all had heightened senses.
"You're not suppose to be here, remember!"
"I know," Donovan spoke.
"If the Sheriff catches you here…"
"I don't care."
"What do you want?"
"I… I wanted to apologize to you."
Maia was surprised.
"Apologize?"
"I didn't mean to upset you."
Donovan placed his hands in his jacket.
"So… Have a good day, okay?"
"Uh. Thanks."
Donovan nods, and disappears into an alley.
Besides the strange non-encounter with Donovan, the rest of the day was pretty normal given the circumstances. Boring classes, boring assignments, preventing a full out war between the Chimera and McCall pack that almost seemed to happen during lunch every week, etc. Maia was placing her text books back inside her locker when she was suddenly met with a shock to her behind.
"Eek!" She yelped, and jumps in the air.
Josh laughed.
"That was too funny!" He replied, leaning over her.
"You are such a…"
"What?"
Josh's eyes glowed purple, and he smirks.
"Nothing. Forget it."
Maia slams her locker door shut only to notice Theo waiting at the end of the hall for them. She and Josh walk together towards him, and the other chimeras soon followed suit and eventually found themselves on the empty lacrosse field.
"Since Maia's new," Theo began explaining, "I figured we'd move our next training session to tonight. She needs to learn to control her emotions and heal without having a freaking meltdown that causes a explosive fire afterwards... which also causes more attention on us."
Theo turned to stare at Maia.
"Is that fair?"
Maia quickly nods.
"Good. We'll meet in the woods after dinner."
"What about Donovan?"
Theo didn't respond, and walks away.
"Geez. What's his deal?"
"He's upset about the living arrangements."
Maia turned to face Tracy.
"Listen, Theo's not as much of an asshole that Scott thinks." She continued, "he did still manage to bring us back to life. Even when Deucalion suggested him to kill us in order to gain more power in order to steal the Beast's. That's because Theo truly cares about us, and sees us as the family he lost."
"Didn't he kill his sister to steal her heart?"
"Yeah, but he was nine!"
Tracy placed her hands on Maia's shoulders, and stared at her.
"He didn't know what was going on."
"How can you be sure?"
"Trust me."
Tracy gave Maia a soft smile, and left the field too.
"Someone should go over to Devenford Prep," Corey explains, "Zach and Gretta should know what Theo's planned for tonight. He's a stickler for the rules."
"Josh? You look bored," Hayden stated, "why not take Maia with you over to the prep school?"
"Uh, okay. Are you sure?"
"Corey and I have a study group."
"Beth?"
"Sorry," says Beth, "I have to work tonight."
"Okay, well… Is that cool with you?"
Maia nodded, and started making her way toward Josh's car until she noticed Donovan listening from afar. He was hidden carefully, making sure that none of the other chimeras could sense that he was there which was a skill he quickly picked up after being resurrected.
"What's wrong?"
Maia turned back to look at Josh.
"Nothing. Let's go."
Josh opened the passenger's car door for Maia to climb inside, and watches him slide into the driver's seat and give her a grin. Before she could blush, Donovan managed to run across the field and parking lot to hop into the back seat of Josh's car. They both jumped, shouting in surprise at Donovan's sudden appearance.
"DUDE! What the hell?!"
"What?" He asks, "Theo texted me."
"To what?" Maia accused, "scare the living shit out of me?!"
"I wish, but no. It's about my living condition."
"What about it?"
"Don't you have an apartment?"
"I did, yeah."
"Wait. You were evicted?"
"No thanks to Sheriff Stilinski and his lanky son."
Donovan rubbed his hands together, clearly angered by the news.
"I can't even go back to get my stuff!"
"You didn't have much, right?"
"No, but…"
Donovan shook his head.
"It doesn't matter. Most of it is in your room."
Maia didn't dare look back at Josh when he turned to see her reaction.
"Right, um… So, you're moving in?"
Donovan nodded.
"Isn't that great, babe?"
"Babe?"
Donovan noticed the confused look on her face.
"What is it?"
"You never call me that."
"Yeah I do."
"No you don't!" Josh replied.
He scoffed at Donovan while driving out of the parking lot, and began heading towards Devenford Prep.
"You've only ever called her by her name."
"So? What's it to you?"
"Nothing."
Josh kept quiet while keeping his eyes on the road.
"So Theo wants to train you to control your fiery temper tantrums?"
"They're not temper tantrums!"
"No, you're right."
Donovan wraps his hand around Maia's.
"More like anxiety attacks."
"You're annoying!"
Maia slapped Donovan's arm, and he laughs.
"What? Am I wrong?"
Maia didn't respond to him.
"Hey, I'm sorry."
"Whatever."
"Alright, guys. We're here."
Josh came pulling up to Devenford Prep's front entrance. Zach and Gretta strutted over to the car, and Josh gazes down at Gretta's uniform's short skirt with much delight. This slightly annoyed Maia, and she got out of the car to allow the long red-haired chimera to sit next to Josh while she sat in the back between Zach and Donovan.
"Hey, why change seats?"
Maia didn't answer, and Donovan grinned.
"Finally, you see reason."
"Shut up."
Donovan smirks, and takes her hand again.
"You didn't have to pick us up," Zach says, "what's the deal?"
"Theo has plans for tonight."
"He does?" Gretta asked, curiously.
"You're going to help me train to control my fire."
Gretta rolled her eyes.
"Great. What time are we talking?"
"Sometime after dinner, and it's in the woods."
"I'll be there, but fashionably late."
Gretta flirtatiously stares over at Josh and steps out of his car. Zach agreed he'd be able to sneak out of his house to meet them in the woods. Then Josh drove out of the parking lot and away from Devenford Prep.
"You guys want me to drop you off?"
"Nah. We'll walk."
"Seriously?"
Josh pulls over to the side of the road.
"I feel sorry for you, Maia."
Donovan rolled his eyes while Maia laughs.
"See ya around!"
Then the teenager took off speeding, and left the couple in a cloud of smoke.
"Ack! Ack! ASSHOLE!"
"Leave him alone."
"Not when he acts like a douchebag."
Donovan noticed Maia's hand slip away from his.
"He's nicer than you think."
"Oh is he? Sorry to disappoint you, but I don't trust that little weasel."
"You don't trust anyone."
Maia turned to look up at Donovan.
"Especially me."
"That's not true!"
Maia scoffs causing Donovan to stop walking down the street.
"I said it's not true!"
"…"
"Maia, it's not!"
She continued to ignore Donovan's pleas.
"What's it going to take to get you to believe me?"
"You can start by explaining what happened."
"I don't know what you mean."
"While you were paralyzed, you panicked–"
"No. Not that."
"Then I guess we're done."
Donovan made a guttural sound in his throat.
"Fine. I'll talk."
He sat down on a nearby bench.
"I was panicking because… because I couldn't feel my legs."
"I know that! I meant why."
"Because I… I thought I was…"
Donovan felt it was hard to breathe, and Maia sat down next to him.
"It's okay. Your legs are fine."
Maia placed a hand on top of his thigh.
"You can feel that."
"Yeah, but my dad can't."
Maia's face contorted into a confused one. Donovan never talked about his family or his life before the Dread Doctors abducted him and Theo sent him to his death.
"What happened?"
"He was shot in the spine. He can't feel anything."
Donovan's hands turned into fists.
"So you were afraid you would end up like him?"
"Yeah."
"Have you talked to him?
"No. Not since…"
Donovan stops talking, and Maia leans into him.
"Come on. Not since what?"
"Since he was forced to quit his job."
"He was a deputy, right?"
Donovan nodded.
"Maybe you'll feel better if you talked?"
"I can't do that."
"Of course you can."
"No, I can't. You don't understand!"
Donovan noticed the scared look across Maia's face after yelling, and sighs.
"I-I'm sorry, I…"
He placed a hand on her cheek.
"I didn't mean to yell."
"It's fine."
"I just… I can't talk to him because he's dead."
"Really? When?"
"Not too long before I got arrested."
"How?"
"He killed himself."
"Donovan, why didn't you say anything?"
"Say what? He hated his life."
Maia stared at a saddened Donovan.
"I even think he hated me."
"That's not true."
"Yeah? Well… I'll never get to know now."
Maia stares at Donovan and plants a kiss on his lips. Donovan returned the kiss and forgot all about his dad and his panic attack. He placed his hand on top of Maia's leg now, and could feel a small mouth opening up on his palm and tasting her skin.
"Donovan, it's back."
"Ugh."
He checked his hand, and found a fanged mouth.
"I didn't ask for you."
A thin slimy tongue pokes out.
"…or your opinion."
"You've been eating, haven't you?"
Donovan didn't reply, and stared at her guiltily.
"I've been busy."
"Donovan!"
"It's not my fault! Blame Theo."
Maia sighs, and they both stood up from the bench.
"Lets get you home and eating."
"I'm part wendigo, so make it a raw steak."
"If we have any, I'll cook it."
Donovan shook his head, and his eyes faded into a silvery color.
"We better hurry!"
Maia nodded, and they both took off running.
Once they both entered the home, Maia rushes into the kitchen to search the fridge for any kind of meat to hold back the wendigo half of Donovan's chimera makeup. The lamprey mouths started appearing all over his body against his control, and his dark brown eyes turned completely white. His normal human teeth sucked back into his gums, and thousands of razor sharp fangs pierced through to replace them.
"HURRY!" Donovan howls, his voice deepening.
Maia finally found a raw slabs of chicken, and opened it from its package.
"Just eat it like this!"
Maia threw the meat into the air.
"ARGH!"
Donovan snatches the meat before falling to the ground, and Maia watched while sitting on top of the kitchen island as he devoured it. She knew that wouldn't satisfy the wendigo's hunger for long, and that Donovan needed fresh meat from a living creature. Luckily for her, he was created with only half of a wendigo's nature so Donovan was fine as long as he continued to eat enough nutrition to satisfy the cannibalistic urges inside of him.
"Not… enough."
Donovan bolted out the back door.
"No, don't!"
Maia chases him outside, and finds him hunched over something.
"I'm sorry…"
She watched helplessly as he attacked and started devouring a deer that had wandered into Theo's backyard. Maia didn't say a word, and turns around and walks back inside the house to prepare a real dinner for the two of them. Fifteen minutes later, Donovan came stumbling back inside the house with blood slathered across his face, hands, arms, and chest.
"Maia?"
She turned around to face him.
"What happened?"
Donovan stares down at his hands, horrified.
"Who is this?"
"No one."
Donovan looks up at her.
"Don't lie. Please..."
Maia knew she wasn't, but Donovan tended to black out whenever his wendigo side appeared. She took him upstairs to her room, and told him to take a warm shower to wash away the blood while she took care of the body which was easy considering no one would question why a mutilated corpse of a deer was found near a coyote's den.
Once Donovan had gotten out of the shower, he noticed the blood stains created a ring around the bath tub. He made a mental note to clean that up later, and struts back into Maia's bedroom to find a clean pair of clothes for him on the corner of her bed. He changed into a comfortable t-shirt and sweatpants, and stumbled downstairs to find the table set for two people.
"Are Theo and Tracy gone?" He asked.
Maia was struggling to cook, and she groaned.
"Stupid! Stupid!" She shouts.
Donovan walks over to find she burnt something in a frying pan.
"What was that suppose to be?"
"The rest of the chicken you spat out."
Donovan laughed.
"You really suck at this!"
"Whatever. I'll just order take-out."
Maia was about to pick up her cell phone when she noticed Donovan's eyes wander. She knew he was thinking about what happened, and to ease his nerves she placed a warm hand over his chest where his scar was. He usually was calmer when she did that.
"No one's dead. You're fine."
"But… I killed–"
"A deer that wandered into the backyard."
Donovan's eyes grew wide.
"Really?"
Maia nodded.
"It had a broken leg, so it would've died anyways."
"Now I know you're lying…"
"I'm not. Listen."
Donovan tuned into Maia's heartbeat, and found that it was steady.
"Okay. I believe you."
"Now can you sit down, please?"
"Not until we figure out what we're eating."
"Take-out."
"What kind though?"
"Italian?"
Donovan shook his head, sighing.
"I've had too much."
"Since when?"
"Like my entire life! My mom..."
Donovan stops talking.
"Your mom what?"
"She use to cook for us all the time."
"For you and your dad?"
"Yeah."
Donovan sadly stares down at the ground.
"Okay. No Italian."
"Chinese?"
Maia's face twisted into disgust.
"Right, I forgot. You got food poisoning the last two times."
Maia giggled causing him to stare.
"What's so funny about that?"
"It's not funny for me. It's funny because of you."
Donovan was confused.
"The way you reacted to me getting sick twice in a row."
"Oh, uh… It was whatever."
"No it wasn't!"
They both sat down at the table.
"You tried to set fire to the restaurant after the health inspector didn't shut it down."
"I apologized for that! You can ask Theo."
"I'm not accusing you."
Donovan bashfully looks away.
"Oh. Good."
Maia smiled. She couldn't help it this time.
"Anyway, what else is there?"
"We could order from Beth's diner?"
"Do they even deliver?"
"No. One of us would have to go pick it up."
"That's fine. I'll do it."
Donovan went back upstairs to collect his keys and put on some shoes. He traveled back downstairs to find Maia had moved over to the couch, and began flipping through the channels to find something to keep her entertained.
"I'll be back in a sec."
"Whoa, wait! I haven't called it in yet!"
Maia sat up from laying across the couch, and sighs.
"You're always in a rush."
She pulls Donovan's hand towards her.
"Come sit down and tell me what you want from their online menu."
Donovan nods, and sits down next to her.
"I'm gonna want a burger."
"The works?"
Donovan nodded.
"Good. You need the nutrition to keep the wendigo spirit at bay."
"Make sure it has a side of curly fries."
"Got it!"
"Ketchup, no mustard."
"I remember!"
Donovan caught Maia giggling at him.
"What about you?"
Maia scrolls through the menu, thinking carefully.
"Hm. I don't know."
"Come on."
"I can't eat too much."
"Why not? Go all out, babe!"
"No. I'm just going to have chicken strips."
"Are you five?"
"They're really good!"
Donovan laughed. A real genuine laugh, and Maia stares at him.
"What? What's with that look?"
"Nothing."
After Maia pressed the send order button on the screen, a message popped up stating that it would take around an hour before the order was ready and that it may be late due to the diner being busy with other orders. Maia was prepared to watch Donovan leave the house when he surprised her.
"You said an hour?"
"At least, or more than that."
"Can I ask?"
"What is it this time?"
"How do you feel about being spit-roasted?"
Maia's eyes grew wide.
"What?"
A lamprey mouth appears on Donovan's neck, and he licks his lips. At first Maia thought that his wendigo side was coming back, and forcing Donovan to try human flesh… and his first attempt would be to taste her. Maia's legs began to shake, but Donovan was slightly faster than her and could tell she was about to run away. He pounced on top of her, and slams her down on the couch.
She sat up to look into his dark brown eyes that stared heavily into her own hazel-orange ones which reminded Donovan of fresh Autumn leaves. He grabbed her thighs and roughly pulls her closer into him, forcibly pressing his lips against her neck. He nibbled at her skin causing Maia to gasp and quiver at his touch.
"Wait, Donovan…" Maia tried interrupting.
"No. Not now." Donovan says, and places his hands on her butt.
"I'm… I'm just confused."
"What's so confusing? It's sex."
Donovan smiled. Maia noticed his normal teeth were still present.
"I just… I just thought that…"
The mouth on Donovan's palm stuck its tongue out, and he placed it on the nape of her neck where he knew she usually liked him to suck on. Maia let out a moan, and found Donovan slamming his mouth against her own and their tongues intertwining. However, the comment about Donovan eating her was still haunting her, and Maia pulls his arms down to his side.
"Stop! I need answers about what you said!"
Donovan became confused.
"What I said?"
"Yeah! About eating me?"
"Eating you…?"
Donovan let out a laugh.
"What? You thought I meant literally?!"
Maia didn't appreciate Donovan laughing at her.
"It's not funny!"
"Maia, I was never going to eat you."
Donovan seductively looks Maia up and down, and his hands return to her thighs.
"At least not in any way that counts."
That's when it clicked.
"Wait. You..."
"You're so cute when you're gullible."
"No I'm not! I was scared!"
"I'm sorry. I thought you were just playing."
Donovan placed his hands around Maia's waist and holds her.
"I didn't think you were that naive."
Maia made a pouty face which Donovan adored.
"You should go now."
"What? No! We just started…"
"Our food will get cold if you don't beat traffic."
Donovan groans.
"Fine, but you owe me!"
"I know."
Donovan noticed Maia's cheeks getting flushed, and he grinned. He grabbed his keys and his jacket, and headed outside towards his car. Suddenly, he felt a chill run down his spine and quickly looks around.
"What the fuck was that?" He asks.
"Donovan! What's wrong?"
He looked back up at the front door, and Maia was there. She seemed just as worried as Donovan felt after feeling that chill.
"It's nothing, Maia! I'm fine."
Maia was unsure, but nodded. She closes the door to the house behind her while thinking about how she sensed something happening outside, and worried Donovan was in danger. Not that he couldn't hold his own in a fight, but Maia couldn't help but worry for the former juvenile delinquent.
"I'm just being paranoid. Everything's fine."
Maia returns to the couch to continue flipping through the TV channels.
When Donovan arrived at the diner he found Theo and Tracy near the front of a long line with Beth running around the restaurant. He expected the Yeti chimera to be there, but wasn't expecting their leader to be on a date with Tracy Stewart. She was a well-known murderer, but to be fair most of her victims were killed while she was sleep walking (and he knew this because Donovan was there to witness it while in handcuffs in the back seat of a prison transport).
Donovan was waiting in line, hoping that neither of the chimeras would notice him but unfortunately that wasn't the case.
"Donovan?" Beth calls, "is that you?"
"SH! Keep your voice down," He whispers.
"Why are you in town?"
"Maia ordered food from the diner."
"I'll see if I can bump up your order and get you back to your girlfriend."
Donovan looks up at Beth's cheeky smirk.
"She's not."
"Uh-huh. Sure."
"Maia Kent is not my girlfriend."
Beth ignored him, and left around the counter of the diner into the kitchen.
"Well, well, look who it is." Tracy's voice spoke.
Donovan cursed at himself.
"Aren't you and Maia usually at it by now?" Theo asks, walking up as well.
"I could say the same about you two."
"Oh, please. He wishes."
"I do need to talk to you, Donovan."
"I've already heard. After dinner we're helping Maia–"
"It's more than that."
"What else?"
Beth came walking back carrying two large brown take-out bags.
"A burger with the works, and chicken strips?"
Donovan nods, and takes the bag.
"So the chef's salad and the extra spicy tuna melt is yours?"
Tracy nodded, and took the other bag.
"All that's for yourself?"
"No. Theo ordered the salad."
"Listen, I don't want you having sex with Maia anymore."
The entire group went silent.
"Who are you to say that she can't?"
"Tell me. Does she have to stop when she heats up?"
"It's none of your business."
Donovan's fangs started creeping to the surface.
"Maybe let's talk about this at home?"
"You're right."
"Wait. I thought…"
Tracy looks back at a confused Donovan.
"What? You thought we were on a date or something?"
"I definitely did." Beth replies.
"No. We were here on an assignment."
"What kind?"
"None of your business." Tracy mockingly says.
Donovan rolls his eyes at her.
"Funny."
"Hey! Wait for me!"
They all turn back around to watch Beth chase after them with a jacket over her arm.
"I thought you had a shift?"
"I did, but I convinced my boss to let me off early!"
"Why? Don't you need the money?"
"Yes, but we have training."
Beth stared up Theo.
"If Maia burns up, I wanna be there to use my ice to cool her down."
"That's a good point, Beth."
"Thank you."
"At least someone cares about Maia."
Donovan ignored Theo.
"I'll meet you guys back at home."
"See ya soon!"
Donovan quickly exits the diner and back into his car. He wanted to try and get back as fast as he could so he and Maia could have their way with each other privately. Unfortunately, he would soon find that wouldn't be the case.
"Maia?" Donovan calls.
No response.
"Did you fall asleep?"
Donovan checks the couch, but she wasn't there.
"Oh. Maybe upstairs?"
Donovan placed the bag on the dining room table, and travels upstairs.
"Hey, babe. Are you up here?"
Donovan opens the door to her bedroom.
"Maia?"
The window was wide open.
"Maia!" Donovan shouts out the window, and he looks outside. There was no one in the backyard.
"Huh."
Suddenly, Maia's phone buzzed. Donovan quickly searched around the room for it only to find the iPhone underneath her bed notifying her of his text. He also noticed there was a small droplet of blood on the screen.
"THEO!"
Donovan came running down the stairs.
"What's wrong?" Theo asked after just walking in from through the front door.
"Something's happened to her!"
Theo smelled blood, and looks down at the phone.
"Was this in her room?"
Theo handed the phone over to Tracy.
"I can barely catch a scent."
"That's cause there's other blood blocking your senses."
Donovan froze after hearing this.
"Isn't there?"
"Theo, I can explain…"
Donovan watched helplessly as the leader of their pack stormed into the backyard and knelt down on the grass. Theo could tell the grass was recently drenched in hose water, but concentrated on the odor that was soaked within the dirt underneath. He stood up and turned to face Donovan.
"That's a lot of deer's blood."
"Where?" Beth asks, "I don't see any..."
"That's because someone washed it away earlier."
Theo was glaring at Donovan.
"Forget to eat again?"
Both girls turned to face Donovan now.
"It wasn't like that."
"What have I said about forgetting to eat?"
Theo's eyes glowed yellow, and Donovan noticed the look of irritation on his face.
"What if you had eaten her instead?"
"She was fine when I left!"
"Are you sure, or is that what the wendigo wants you to remember?"
"I ate a deer, and then came back inside."
"Are you certain of that?"
"Yes! That's all that happened!"
"What's going on?" A familiar voice called.
Josh came walking back outside after traveling through the house.
"What did Donovan do this time?"
"Maia is missing."
Josh's smile quickly faded.
"What?"
"Text everybody."
Tracy nodded, and she and Beth quickly rush back inside the house.
"Looks like we're skipping training tonight."
"You're damn right we are."
Theo gave Donovan one last glare, and storms off into the house.
"What did you do?"
"I didn't do anything! I swear!"
Donovan sadly looks away from Josh, and stares off into the woods.
"Someone must've taken her."
"Why say that?"
"I felt this strange chill…"
Donovan rubs the back of his neck.
"I felt it just before I left. Maia must have felt it, too."
"What makes you say that?"
"She came out to check on me when it happened."
"So you were outside, and she was inside?"
Donovan stares at Josh.
"Yes! Are you high again, idiot?"
Josh crossed his arms and shook his head.
"You know what? I am so sick and tired of your attitude, Donati."
"Well I'm sick of your arrogant ass!"
"So you've been looking at my ass, huh?"
Donovan growls causing Josh to chuckle at him.
"Josh!"
Both turned back to find Theo.
"You're coming with me to look for Maia," He instructed, "Donovan will stay here with Tracy and Beth in case this is all a misunderstanding and she comes home."
"Why do I have to stay?!"
Theo sped over to Donovan and slashes his face.
"AH! What the fuck!?"
"That's for lying to me, Donovan."
Josh silently watched.
"Let's go."
Josh gave Donovan a look of pity before following Theo into the woods.
Somewhere inside of an abandoned industrial basement, Maia's wrists were fastened together by a metal chain which hung her above the ground. She had wires placed onto her chest and abdomen which were connected to an electrical box, and a fireman's hose lay across the floor beneath her feet. She was badly bruised and beaten, but that wasn't her main concern as she could feel the heat inside her chest grow the more her anxiety did.
"M-must… stay calm." She stammers.
"Why's that?" A voice spoke.
Maia gazes up at the mysterious figure in the dark.
"W-who's there?"
The man places his hand on the box, turning the dial until the electricity had reached a high voltage and started shocking Maia. She screamed at the top of her lungs, her body shaking due to the sudden jolt of pain running through her body.
"STOP!"
"No."
The person steps out of the shadows.
"Not until I get answers."
The older man picks up the fireman's hose.
Suddenly, the powerful hose shot out a large gush of water into Maia's face. It felt like she had just gotten hit by a truck, and she couldn't breathe as the water entered her throat. The older man stops spraying her, walking back over to the box and continuing to shock Maia while he watched her scream in agony.
"AAAAH!"
"Answer me, chimera."
"I… I won't!"
"Then you'll die."
The older man steps closer to Maia, placing a hand under her chin to force her to look him in the eyes.
"You're not a werewolf."
Maia gasps for any source of air.
"Or a coyote or jaguar."
The man walks over to another table.
"You're different."
The older man turns back around towards Maia to reveal himself holding a branding iron with the letter 'A' burning so hot that it glowed and steam came off of it. Maia began to panic and her breathing became erratic.
"Not even a mention in the Argent's bestiary."
He steps closer to Maia.
"N-no! Please!"
"Hold still."
"NO! NO, STOP! PLEASE!"
The man held on to Maia's jaw with a tight grip, and presses the iron into her forehead.
"AAAAAAAAH!"
Suddenly, the door to the basement broke open.
"MAIA!" Theo's voice roared.
The man turns around to face Theo with a sinister smile.
"Hello there, Theo."
"Gerard."
"Come to retrieve your prize?"
"She's a friend."
"You expect me to believe that coming from you?"
Josh came running down after Theo, and his eyes grew wide at the sight of Maia. Without warning Josh roared, his fangs sticking out and his eyes glowing purple. Electricity surged through the air causing everyone's hairs to stick on end.
"No, but I don't need you to."
"Who is this now?"
Gerard was now interested in Josh.
"He kind of reminds me of–"
Josh shot a bolt of lightning at Gerard, and he went flying.
"Grab Maia, hurry!"
Theo noticed a few more hunters coming.
"I'll handle them. Go!"
Josh nodded and ran towards Maia. She was half unconscious with a serious burn across her forehead scaring into a letter A for Argent possibly. Josh used his strength to break the chains apart, and absorb the electricity coming off the wires so he wouldn't hurt her when he tugged them off. He placed Maia in his arms close to his chest, and once he had her he wasn't going to let her go until they both got back to Theo's house safe and sound.
"Theo! I got her!"
"Go! I'll meet you back!"
"But…"
"GO!"
Josh didn't disagree, and ran away from the building.
"Ugh… Donovan…"
Josh looks down at Maia.
"No. It's Josh."
"Josh?"
Maia gave a small smile.
"Yeah. Don't worry, we're almost home."
"Oh… Good idea…"
Maia went back to sleep much to his concern.
When Josh came bursting through the front door of the house carrying an unconscious and badly beaten Maia, all the other chimeras were concerned. However, none of them were more concerned as Donovan who hops over the couch and runs up to Maia. He noticed the branded letter on her face which was slowly healing, and gently rubs his fingers across it.
"What did they do to you?" He sadly stated.
"It was hunters," Josh answered.
Suddenly, Donovan's body began shaking and he clenched his fists tightly.
"Where?"
"Theo's still with them, so…"
"I said where?!"
"They were working for Gerard Argent."
Tracy rolls her eyes.
"Figures."
"Should we tell Scott about this?"
"Don't. Theo will."
Tracy stood up from her chair and started walking outside.
"Wait! Where are you going?"
"To make sure our leader isn't in trouble."
"Then I'm going with you!"
Donovan was about to leave until he noticed Maia whimpering.
"Hey, you awake?"
"D... Donovan?"
Maia opens her eyes, staring up at him.
"Are you okay?"
Donovan let out a laugh.
"Am I okay?"
"I know you were hungry, but…"
Maia winced.
"…the food's probably cold by now."
Donovan placed his forehead down against hers, and took Maia in his arms. Josh was reluctant at first but allowed him to do so. Then the two of them traveled upstairs to their bedroom with Josh looking on almost longingly.
"Aren't they cute?" Beth asks.
Josh rolled his eyes.
"Oh, please! It won't last long, trust me."
"Why do you think that?" Gretta asks, giving Josh a suspicious look.
"Because it's Donovan!"
"Uh-huh."
"He's an asshole, and only wants one thing."
"To kill the sheriff?" Zach asks.
"To have sex?" Hayden replies.
Everyone turned their heads toward her.
"What? Am I wrong?"
"Nope. I'm just saying he's jealous."
Josh scoffed at Gretta.
"Jealous? Me? ...of them?!"
Josh went strutting over to Gretta, and slams his lips against hers.
"Would I have done that if I was jealous?"
"Yes, but…"
Gretta licked her lips seductively.
"I don't mind."
"Good."
Josh took her hand and guided her upstairs to one of the vacant bedrooms.
"They're not seriously going to have sex right now?"
"Who cares. You all coming?"
The rest of the chimeras nodded, and joined Tracy in searching for Theo.
Meanwhile upstairs, Donovan had helped Maia change into a comfortable pair of clothes and wraps himself around her in bed. They were enjoying the peace and quiet until the moans and groans of Josh and Gretta having rough sex in a nearby room interrupted their silence. Donovan growled, and left an exhausted Maia in bed to go disturb the horny teenagers (much to his displeasure).
"HEY!" Donovan shouted, kicking the door wide open with his foot, "hands up! It's the police!"
Josh jumped, and Gretta continued to suck on his neck hungrily.
"Can you two take this somewhere else?"
"Why do you care?" Josh asks.
"I care because Maia is trying to sleep!"
Josh began to feel terrible until Gretta rubs her breast against his arm.
"Ignore him," She replied. "Don't you want me?"
"Yeah. I do, I just…"
"Who cares? I thought you didn't?"
"I don't!"
Josh began sucking on Gretta's nipples, and she moans.
"Seriously, you two need to stop."
"Wait!"
Gretta pushes Josh slightly back, and stares heavily into Donovan's eyes.
"Maybe you'd like to join us?"
Josh turned back to Donovan whose cheeks grow red.
"No! Just keep the noise down!"
"Aw, come on."
Gretta flirtatiously eyes Donovan while placing Josh's hand on one of her boobs.
"Don't you want a little taste?"
"He's not like me."
Gretta looked at Josh, and chuckles.
"Trust me. I know what most guys want even if they're gay."
"Gretta, stop. This isn't right."
"It is to me…"
Gretta was about to continue, but Josh lets go of her.
"No. I'm done."
"So you are jealous?"
Donovan looks between the two of them.
"Jealous? What's she saying?"
"It's nothing."
"He's jealous of you–"
"Gretchen, go home. Now."
Gretta angrily puts her shirt back on, and pushes past Donovan out the door. Once the two boys heard her slam the front door, they were awkwardly standing in the empty room replaying the events in their heads.
"I'm sorry about her."
"I don't care."
Donovan was about to leave, but Josh stops him.
"Wait! I need to say something."
"What?"
Josh nervously sighs.
"Just promise you'll take care of her."
Josh shared a look with Donovan before he nods. Then he left the room, and quietly closes their bedroom door to find Maia sitting up in the bed wide awake. He quickly jumps back on to the bed next to her, worried that something happened.
"What's wrong?"
"I woke up."
Maia turns to stare at Donovan.
"It was a bad dream."
"Come here."
Donovan wrapped his arms around Maia, and they both crawled back under the bed's blankets. Donovan's touch and warm breath was enough to bring Maia back into a comfortable slumber, and soon he found himself doing the same thing.