Stella stood in Derek's loft, her arms crossed as she watched Alex nervously pace the room. The boy was visibly shaken, his hands trembling as he glanced around like a cornered animal. He had barely said a word since they brought him here the night before. Derek stood nearby, his usual stoic expression masking whatever thoughts churned beneath the surface.
Scott leaned against the wall, watching Alex with quiet empathy. "He's scared," Scott said softly. "I remember how that felt."
"Fear is normal," Derek replied, his tone sharp. "But fear makes him a threat. Until he gets control, he's a danger to everyone."
Stella bristled at Derek's words but held her tongue. She understood his pragmatism, but it grated on her nerves to hear Alex dismissed as little more than a problem to solve. She stepped forward, catching Alex's gaze.
"Hey," she said gently. "It's going to be okay. We've all been where you are."
Alex shook his head, his voice cracking when he finally spoke. "I don't even know what's happening to me. One day, I was normal, and then… this. I didn't ask for it."
Neither did I, Stella thought bitterly, but she pushed the thought away. "None of us did," she said. "But you're not alone. We'll help you figure this out."
Alex hesitated, his shoulders slumping. "What if I can't control it?"
"You will," Scott said firmly, stepping beside Stella. "It's not easy, but you'll learn. And until then, we'll make sure you're safe."
Derek sighed, clearly less optimistic. "We don't have time to coddle him. The full moon is in two nights. If he loses control, the whole town's at risk."
Stiles, who had been quietly observing from the doorway, chimed in. "Wow, Derek. You really know how to make people feel better. Ever considered a career in motivational speaking?"
Derek shot him a withering glare, but Stiles only smirked. Stella bit back a laugh, grateful for the tension-breaking quip.
Later that day, Stella and Stiles sat on the steps outside the loft while Scott stayed behind to talk to Alex. The late afternoon sun cast a faint glow over the surrounding buildings, though the air still held the chill of impending rain.
"You were good in there," Stiles said, breaking the silence. "With Alex. You're, like, the werewolf whisperer now."
Stella shrugged, her gaze fixed on the cracked pavement. "I just said what I wish someone had told me when I was freaking out. It's not that hard."
Stiles tilted his head, studying her. "It's not just that. You have this… I don't know, calming thing. You made him trust you."
"Yeah, well, someone has to balance out Derek's doom-and-gloom routine," she said with a faint smile. "And Scott can't do everything."
"And you think you can't either?" Stiles asked, his voice quieter now.
Stella glanced at him, surprised by the seriousness in his tone. She opened her mouth to respond but stopped when she saw the look in his eyes—earnest and unyielding.
"I'm just trying to keep it together," she admitted. "I barely feel like I'm in control most of the time. I'm not exactly leadership material."
"That's where you're wrong," Stiles said, leaning closer. "You've been through hell, and you're still standing. You're stronger than you think, Stella. You just don't see it yet."
Her chest tightened at his words, and she quickly looked away, afraid he might see the emotions threatening to spill over. "Thanks, Stiles," she murmured, her voice barely audible.
"Anytime," he said softly, his hand brushing hers for just a moment. She didn't pull away.
That evening, Stella sat at the kitchen table at home, picking at a bowl of soup while Scott scrolled through his phone. Their mom had left for another night shift at the hospital, leaving the house quiet except for the hum of the refrigerator.
"You seemed good with Alex today," Scott said without looking up. "I think he's starting to trust you."
"I hope so," Stella said. "He's terrified, Scott. And I get it. I know what that feels like. But what if Derek's right? What if he can't control it?"
Scott set his phone down, his expression serious. "Then we help him until he can. That's what we do, Stella. We don't give up on people."
His words hung in the air, and Stella nodded, though a lingering doubt remained. She couldn't shake the feeling that something was coming—something bigger than any of them were prepared for.
The next day at school, Stella tried to focus on her classes, but her mind kept drifting back to Alex and the looming full moon. By lunch, her nerves were frayed, and the cafeteria's chaotic noise felt overwhelming.
Stiles found her sitting outside on the bleachers, her head in her hands. "You okay?" he asked, sitting beside her.
"Not really," she admitted. "I can't stop thinking about Alex. About everything."
"Well, bad news: Derek texted," Stiles said, holding up his phone. "He wants everyone at the loft tonight. Something about 'preparing for the worst.' Which, you know, is super encouraging."
Stella groaned. "Of course he does. Why am I not surprised?"
Stiles nudged her shoulder gently. "Hey, we'll get through this. You're not alone in this mess, remember?"
She smiled faintly, grateful for his unshakable presence. "Thanks, Stiles."
"Don't thank me yet," he said, his tone lighter. "You still owe me for sitting through Derek's motivational speeches."
That night, the loft was a hive of activity. Derek barked orders as Scott and Stella prepared restraints to secure Alex if things went wrong. Stiles hovered nearby, keeping a running commentary on the absurdity of their situation.
"Let me get this straight," he said, holding up a chain. "We're locking up a teenage werewolf under the light of the full moon and hoping for the best. Great plan, guys. Really solid."
"Do you ever stop talking?" Derek snapped.
"Not when I'm terrified, no," Stiles shot back.
Stella couldn't help but laugh, the sound cutting through the tension. Even Derek looked like he might smirk for half a second.
As they finished the preparations, Stella looked at Alex, who sat quietly in the corner. His eyes were full of fear but also a glimmer of hope. She crouched beside him, her voice soft but firm. "We've got you, Alex. No matter what happens, you're not alone."
He nodded, his hands still shaking. "Thanks."
Stella's heart ached for him, but she pushed the feeling aside. The full moon was just a day away, and the real battle was only beginning.