Stiles and Scott were talking about Derek's method of teaching and found it lacking. "He tried telling me that the control I have will slip and I'll end up killing someone. This was after he chased me into my house like a mad dog," Stiles tells Scott. "Derek doesn't think I should see Allison. He says she's distracting me." "Well, what exactly did he say? When he caught you, what gave you away?" Stiles asked. Scott huffs, "My heartbeat at first. But then I hid that using car alarms but then Allison called my phone." Stiles was lost in thought. Scott stopped them from walking any further, "I know that look. What are you planning?"
Stiles grips Scott's shoulders, "Your heartbeat? Derek said the shift is triggered through anger and things that elevate our heartbeats. What if you learn not to let your heartbeat rise? That would help you control your shift and you're less likely to hurt anyone." Scott gained a hopeful look, "So? What's the plan?" "When are you meeting with Derek again?" Stiles answered the question with a question. "Today after school," Scott shrugs. Stiles starts walking towards their next class, "Ok, that gives us a few hours." "A few hours for what?" Scott didn't get a verbal answer, just a smirk.
During their free period Stiles dragged Scott onto the Lacrosse field with some gear and several lacrosse balls. Stiles sets everything done then pulls out one of the heart monitors that the track team uses. Scott is confused, "Isn't that one of the heart monitors for track? Is that Coach's cell phone?! Stiles! You stole Coach's phone!" Stiles had Coach's cell phone in his hand, "I didn't steal it. I temporarily misappropriated it." Scott yelled, "That's the same thing!"
"This is not how I wanted to spend my free period," Scott had on his Lacrosse gear with his hands duct taped behind his back. Stiles smirked as he turned on and calibrated the heart monitor, "All you have to do is not get angry, so your heart rate doesn't spike, and you shift. So, keep calm." Scott takes a deep breath, "I don't like this." Stiles is still smirking, "Oh, I know. Ready?"
Scott braced himself for the first hit. Stiles was a little smug as he launched the first ball at Scott's torso. He could tell the ball winded his best friend as he took aim with the next. Which hit Scott in the chest, the next bounced off Scott's helmet. All the while, Stiles listened to the heart monitor as the beeps came closer together showing Scott's rising heart rate. "You need to stay calm, Scott," Stiles launched another ball hitting Scott in the shin. Scott was trying his best to stay calm, but it seemed each hit was harder than the last.
The heart monitor was screaming with how fast Scott's heart was beating. Scott had dropped to the ground after tearing the duct tape and was mid shift. "Scott, you need to calm down. You're shifting." Stiles dropped his stick and picked up Coach's phone to watch the heart monitor. Scott's heart rate was lower, but the new beta was still shifted. Stiles got closer, "Dude, take deep breaths and shift back. You got this." Scott shut his eyes and concentrated on his breathing, eventually slowing down his heartbeat. Stiles exhaled a sigh of relief, "You did it."
Stiles stood up to go return the heart monitor, "I better put this back before the coach finds out." "Too late, Stilinski!" Both betas stood up straight as Coach Finstock walked over to them. "What are you two delinquents doing?!" "Um, experimenting with the effects of Lacrosse training on the heart rate and how to efficiently lower it before the heart could explode from exertion." Stiles made up an excuse hoping it was good enough. Coach Finstock stood there silently for a moment before gesturing for Stiles to give his phone back.
The man didn't have much to say since he really wanted their team to win this year but, "As good of an excuse as that was. It doesn't excuse stealing my phone and one of the heart monitors, which is school property. Both of you have a month of detention where you'll be running suicides until your hearts explode. Now get to class!" Stiles and Scott grab their stuff and rush by the angry coach, "Yes, coach!" The betas missed the slight smile as Coach thought to himself, "Silly pups."
Detention was hell for Scott and Stiles. Coach was not kidding about running suicides and one-on-ones during the hour he had the betas. By the end, both boys were sweating and trying not to puke. But detention was better than getting in trouble with their parents. That would have been disastrous. Coach dismissed them, "See you two first thing Monday morning." Stiles pats Scott on the back as they leave the field, "Dinner at yours. Noah is doing a double." Scott nods, "Yeah, I'm going to shower then call Allison." Stiles rolls his eyes at his lovesick friend but deep down he knew he'd be no better if he was with Lydia. Neither noticed an irritated Jackson speeding out of the school parking lot after spying on them during detention.
Allison wanted to ask her parents if she could invite Scott over when she overheard her dad and aunt talking. Chris was frustrated with his sister, "I'll say this one last time, Kate. My daughter is not ready for this life. She will start her training when I feel she is. Until then, do not drag her into this life." Kate smirked, "She's going to have to learn sooner than later with a rabid wolf on the loose. I may have shot one, but they weren't alone. Either she learns now, or she gets herself hurt." "Then I will train her. Teach her the code without any outside influence," Chris' expression left no room for argument. But Kate didn't care. She was going to get her niece to see things her way.
The young girl took this opportunity to come into the living room, pretending she didn't hear their conversation. "Hey dad? I was wondering if Scott could come over tomorrow." Chris sighed, "Not tomorrow. You and I have plans." "What kind of plans?" Allison asked. "Hand to hand combat training and brush up on your bow," Chris glared at a smug Kate. Allison grew uncomfortable and wanted to leave the room, "Oh, ok. Maybe Sunday then." Chris forced a smile, "Maybe." Allison went to her room when she heard her phone ring, she smiled when the caller ID showed "Scott".
Throughout the week, Stiles and Scott felt like they were being watched. They both would catch glimpses of Derek, a nosy Jackson, and occasionally a pair of red eyes at night. Scott thought the red eyes belonged to Derek, but Stiles knew better. Stiles had his suspicions that Peter Hale was the alpha wolf that bit him and his best friend. Stiles planned to visit Peter and see if he's right. He was going to drag Scott, but the boy had a date with Allison. Stiles shook his head at his best friend. Scott had talked non-stop about Allison to the point Stiles realized how much he annoyed Scott when he talked about Lydia.
Stiles drove to the long-term care facility on a Saturday afternoon. He told Noah he was visiting a friend. Stiles couldn't exactly say he was visiting a comatose werewolf who might be the wolf that bit him. Noah would think Stiles was crazy…Well, crazier than Stiles' normal. Stiles had noticed Noah was drifting further away as his parental figure. Even getting short with Stiles for the littlest thing. Stiles felt like he was walking on eggshells around Noah now. He shook his head of those thoughts as he parked.
After signing in as a visitor, Stiles headed to Peter's room. As he got closer, Stiles could hear a woman talking, "You think I don't know who or what you are? You won't get away with anything unless you give me what I want." Stiles quietly approached the slightly open door, his eyes widening when he saw Peter's nurse jab a syringe into the comatose wolf's arm. Stiles' keen sense of smell could tell the syringe was filled with Wolfsbane. The not so quiet grunt coming from Peter proved it.
Stiles made a rash decision. He quickly pushed open the door and made his presence known, "Hey, Uncle Pete. Your favorite nephew is here." The nurse hid the syringe behind her back, scoffing at the teen, "Visiting hours will be over soon." Stiles knew she was lying because it was the middle of the afternoon and visiting hours don't end until 9pm. Stiles put on a fake smile and nodded his head as nurse Jennifer left the room.
Stiles moved to stand in front of Peter, facing the door, so he could see if anyone was coming. He bent down and looked Peter over, "I know you're the alpha. Either you're faking it or your wolf had complete control during the full moons?" Stiles to a whiff of the werewolf, "You reek of Wolfsbane. Can't heal if that nurse of yours keeps dosing you." Stiles listened to the noises outside of the room and could hear someone approaching. Stiles recognized Derek's scent, "Hey Derek."
Standing up straight, Stiles looks to the ever-brooding wolf. Derek seemed aggravated as he came into the room, "What are you doing here?" Stiles smirks, "I figured out who the alpha is." Derek snorts, "Who? My uncle? Yeah, right. Peter hasn't moved for the past six years. He can't be the alpha. That would mean he killed his own niece to become alpha." Derek didn't want to believe his uncle killed Laura. Both betas were staring at each other, so they missed Peter's sight change of expression showing sadness and regret.
Derek could smell the pheromones from Peter's emotions and yet he still denied them. Derek did, however, smell the massive dose of Wolfsbane wafting off his uncle. He came closer to his uncle and sniffed. Derek had to take a step back, the scent was so strong. "Wolfsbane," Derek growled. Stiles whispered, "I think his nurse has been dosing him with it. I overheard her saying she knew what he was." "It's so strong that she must've been doing this for a while," Derek now felt guilty for not recognizing the smell sooner.
Between Stiles and Derek, Peter's nurse was not going to get away with hurting Peter. Nurse Jennifer was already warned by the hospital for getting a different patient's medication mixed up. With Derek complaining about Nurse Jennifer giving his uncle the wrong medication, she was suspended and now being investigated. Stiles went back to Peter's room after watching Jennifer being escorted out by security. Derek had followed security out to make sure the woman left.
The beta walked up to his alpha, "She's gone. Hopefully, the Wolfsbane won't take that long to flush out of your system. Then you can wake up and leave this place." Stiles didn't know what came over him as he gave Peter a 'bro hug' before walking out of the room. Peter relaxed a bit, and whispered, "My beta." Of course, Stiles was still close enough to hear him and felt proud of himself for figuring Peter was the alpha. He would tell Scott, but his best friend is still not accepting his wolf. Stiles went home and once again cleaned up the empty bottles and put the sheriff to bed.
The night before the full moon was parent/teacher conferences where students with anything below C average had to attend. During the day, Stiles had noticed Scott and Allison missing from school. He continued to call and text Scott, "Where are you, dude? Call me back, text, something so I know you're not dead." He put his phone away and saw movement from his peripherals. Stiles had noticed Jackson watching him all day and wondered what crawled up his ass. He knew Jackson was an asshole, but Stiles never took him for a stalker.
Jackson rubbed the back of his neck where the scabbed over claw marks were trying not to itch at the slowly healing wounds. He had felt different since he was attacked at the video store. Noises seemed louder, the lights were brighter, and he had a constant headache. Jackson flinched when a locker was slammed down the hall. The pounding in his head felt worse. He just wanted to crawl into bed and curl up in a ball until the pain went away. But he couldn't, he couldn't afford to blemish his perfect attendance record over a headache.
What Jackson didn't know was the Alpha dug his claws in far enough to slightly infect him. This was his body trying to fight off the effects. Jackson is essentially rejecting the "bite".
When Stiles had finally reached Scott, he was told Scott and Allison ditched school to spend her birthday together. Stiles was upset his best friend couldn't even respond to any of his calls or texts. A short, "I'm fine." Or something would have been enough, but instead Scott ditched his brother for a girl. A girl whose father is a hunter. Stiles hung up the phone right before a disgruntled Noah entered his bedroom, "Am I going to hear good things tonight?" "Well, I don't have to be there, so that's something," Stiles responded. Noah shook his head and sighed.
Stiles had turned back to his laptop as he heard Noah leave the house. A little over an hour later, Stiles' cell phone rang. It was Melissa, "Hey momma McCall." "Stiles, you need to get down to the hospital. Noah was hit by a car," Melissa told him. Stiles wasted no time jumping into Roscoe and speeding to the hospital. It was then he learned that an actual Mountain Lion had run onto the school property and frightened everyone. A car was not paying attention as they backed out and hit the sheriff. Noah sustained a sprained hip with some bruising and minor tissue damage. Stiles was relieved that the injuries weren't too severe. Noah will need some pain medications, and rest. Stiles took Noah home in the early hours of the day then took a short nap before school.
During school, Scott tried to talk to Stiles but had no luck. Stiles was hurt that Scott had ignored him the day before. Stiles had wanted to tell Scott that he had found out who bit them, but Scott wouldn't answer him. From what Stiles could see, Scott is acting like his wolf doesn't exist until he loses control. Stiles thought about what Derek said about accepting the wolf, and he was right. Stiles has taken to his new status as a werewolf with ease. A few slip ups but nothing too bad. Like when he had to repair something on Roscoe and grew frustrated thereby kicking his precious jeep and leaving a dent. He shook his head to clear it. His mind running a million miles per second with no signs of slowing down.
That is until lunch time when Jackson was heard being mean to Lydia. She had only asked how he was doing when he snapped at her. Stiles gripped the table in an effort to not walk over and punch Jackson as he watched Lydia speed walk away hiding her tear-streaked face with her hair. Scott observed the damage Stiles had done to the table, "Dude, you okay?" Stiles pried his hands off the table, gathered his things, "I'm fine. Just Jackass being his normal self. I'll see you in class."
Later that night, Stiles and Scott went to what remains of the Hale house looking for Derek. Scott still believes Derek is the Alpha while Stiles knows better. "I'm telling you, Scott. It's not Derek," Stiles tells the back of Scott's head. "Will just listen to me for once?!" Stiles grabbed Scott stopping the betas from walking up to Derek's front door. "Why are you so sure? He's the only other werewolf around here. Who else could it be?" Scott brushed Stiles off him and knocked on the door. A shirtless, sweaty Derek answered.
Derek let the betas in, "You know I can hear you? Right?" Stiles nods. Scott just glares at Derek, "Then admit it. You're the one who bit me?" Derek growls flashing his blue eyes, "It wasn't me. But you do need me to help you find him." At this point, Stiles threw his hands up in the air, "Unbelievable. Neither one of you are listening."
Derek turns to Stiles, "You seriously think my uncle is the Alpha? My comatose, badly burned uncle is the one who bit you two?" Stiles growls, "Yes! His scent is the same as the Alpha's. Once you get past the stench of Wolfsbane." Scott looks at Stiles, "You knew. You knew and you didn't say anything?!" Stiles didn't get to respond before Derek shoved the two betas further into the house, "Stay down and keep quiet, and when I tell you to run. Run." Derek had heard hunters approaching the house.
Scott and Stiles stayed in their hiding spots listening to what was happening. Heavy footfalls could be heard coming into the Hale house. One pair lighter than the other two indicating it was a woman. One of the two men was taunting the werewolf with horrible dog jokes, "Maybe he's outside burying a bone." The woman scoffed, "Is that the best you got? How about…" Kate raised her voice, "It's a shame the bitch died before she could pop out her first litter!" Derek struggled to hold back a growl.
Kate slowly walked through what was left of the living room, "The mutt got what she deserved when we cut her in half!" The hunters listened for any sign of movement as they split up. Kate smirked as she continued, "She died just like the rest of the mutts!" The three hunters aimed their firearms in the direction of Derek's roar. The werewolf couldn't listen anymore and wanted to tear them apart.
Derek used the exposed rafter to swing his body into one of the hunters, knocking him into the wall. The second man ran towards his partner and was kicked to the floor. Kate stayed where she was. She didn't care about her partners, she just wanted to "play" with Derek…again. Kate heard the hunters fighting with Derek as she brought out the taser rod she carried. Derek's reflexes weren't fast enough to stop Kate from tazing him.
Kate stood over Derek and leered at him, "You grew up in all the right places." The hiding betas cringed in disgust at what she implied. Their faces turned green with what Kate said next, "I don't know whether to kill it or lick it." Kate tazed Derek again causing him to cry out. She laughed at him, "80 million volts running through you can be quite painful." The two men were standing on either side of Kate now. She tazed him again. Derek roared, "RUN!"
Derek pushed Kate away from him and turned to run out the open back door that Stiles and Scott had run through. The hunters followed them outside and opened fire. The three betas felt the bullets whizzed by them but kept running. But they weren't fast enough. Scott was shot twice in the lower back and left leg, Stiles was shot in the shoulder, mid back, and a bullet grazed his ear. Derek was shot the most since he left the house last. Two to the back, once in the leg, and he stupidly looked back and got shot in the abdomen. Despite their injuries, the betas ran as far as they could away from the hunters.
When Derek felt they were far enough away from the hunters they stopped running and dropped to the ground. Panting and in pain from their bullet wounds. Derek was relieved when he didn't feel the burning sensation of Wolfsbane. Derek sat on the ground and painfully fished the bullets out with his fingers. He told them, "You won't heal until the bullets are out." He looked up to see neither boy had moved.
Scott had gone even more pale at the thought of digging the bullets out of his body and fainted. Stiles just couldn't reach, "I can't reach them." Derek huffed as he stood to help Stiles then they could help Scott. "This is going to hurt," Derek brings out his claws and digs into Stiles' shoulder. Stiles gave an impressive roar from the pain. Derek flinched wanting to cover his ears, and Scott shot up then groaned from moving so quickly. After getting the second bullet out, Derek watched the wounds start to heal. He soon moved to Scott, "You'd think with a mom who's a nurse and a vet tech would be able to handle a little blood." Scott scowled weakly at Derek but prepared himself.
The three betas took their time walking back to the Hale house making sure to pay attention to their surroundings. They didn't want to get shot again. The walk was silent and tense. Scott broke the silence with what Stiles thought was a stupid question, "Is there a cure?" Derek lifted an eyebrow, "Cure?" "For being a werewolf?" Scott clarified. Derek sighed and shook his head, "There's not." Scott's shoulders slumped. He didn't want to be a werewolf. How can Scott be with Allison if he's the very thing her family hunts.
AN: Coach Finstock knew the whole time, can't change my mind. One more chapter before Tig and Stiles meet. Some events may be out of order since I have changed the plot and timeline a bit.