Chapter Text
You heard about the janitor that died in the basement from the news and you heard that the police were looking for Derek. You stayed under the radar when you started to see less and less of everyone in those few days since the incident at the school. Well, everyone except for Stiles. You stayed home the two days the school gave everyone off but that didn’t stop Stiles from calling you. You had also gotten numerous calls from the school to inform you of the meeting to be had the first day back.
As the next couple of workless days dragged on, Scott didn’t reach out to you and you saw no sign of Derek. You also hadn’t seen Peter since he attacked you at the school and things started to become normal for you. The normal routine you wanted when you first arrived was finally becoming a reality, but you were still without an official pack.
The first morning back to school in two days, you heard the hunters in the parking lot. You tried to block them out when they started talking about what they were going to do with yourself and the rest of your “almost” pack. You could hear them planning something, but they weren’t specific as to what and when but the full moon was soon and you had a feeling that was when they would make their move.
It was during class that Stiles decided it was a good time to get more information, so he grilled you. While the other students used the day as a free period, since you didn’t have anything planned, he used it as a day to gather as much information from you as possible. As soon as he walked into class he sat by your desk. Scott watched him, but made no move to stop him.
“Stiles.” You greeted him.
“Miss. L/N.” He mimicked your tone. Then pulled out a notebook and flipped to a blank page. You watched him with some astonishment and you could admit you were slightly amused.
“Stiles, what can I help you with?” You asked, looking at the notebook, then at him, trying to keep from smiling at how professional he was being. You didn’t want to bring up that you had heard his father in the school this morning, and that he brought in state detectives, and that they still hadn’t found Derek. You thought that would ruin the vibe he created.
“Tell me everything.” He pulled out a pen and set it to the blank page.
“From what I gather, you already know more than Scott does.” You watched him carefully. He looked back at you with the same intensity. Both of you had been painfully aware Scott could hear your exchange, but you stood by your statement. Stiles was more read up on werewolves than his friend who actually was one.
“You shifted into an actual wolf. Scott can’t do that. And the body Derek buried was a wolf at first, but then shifted back to human when we dug up the plants. What does it mean? What are you?” He asked, keeping his voice low so the other students couldn’t hear your conversation.
“I’m a werewolf, Stiles. I was born one, like Derek. But I have the rare ability to look like an actual wolf. My mother knew of only one other person who had the same ability and it was Derek’s mother. I still have all of the same abilities Scott or Derek have, except I can sense illness. I can still show some aspects of my shift, like change my eye color or bare my fangs, but in order to be completely effective, I must shift completely.” You explained and took notice that he was writing everything you said down, word for word. He looked at you when he had finished writing, giving you the signal to continue. “I’m not sure what else you want me to say.” You shrugged.
“You’re an Alpha. I read that you can only become an Alpha after you kill the previous one.” He looked at you as though he was looking at a completely different person, coming to the wrong conclusion. You looked back at him with sadness in your eyes.
“I didn’t kill my Alpha. He was my father and he was murdered by a hunter. My whole family was. It was the same hunter who killed Derek’s family. But after it happened I became what is known as a True Alpha. It’s not a common occurrence, Stiles. It takes extreme will power and strength of character. And in my case, should be impossible since I was not made, but rather born a wolf. Paired with my rare ability to shift into an actual wolf, I’m told that it makes for a powerful Alpha. My mate back in Washington, did not have the same shifting ability as I do, but was also a True Alpha. We ran the pack together after my parents were killed. I made him before, the hunters came. We had been together for almost ten years and he knew of my abilities. He wanted the bite, I informed him of the pros and the cons and he decided that he wanted it all the more. He was my Beta, but after everything our pack had gone through, he became an Alpha and we worked even better together.” You opened up to him. You hadn’t even done so with Derek, since the subject of family was still tough for him.
“What happened to him?” Stiles asked, he had stopped writing.
“He’s back home, running the pack on his own. He told me there would only be one Alpha unless I decided to return. Then we would run it together again. I’m going to be honest with you, he wasn’t happy about me moving, but he accepted it.” You thought back to the arguments briefly before realizing you were telling all of this to one of your students.
You started to apologize but Stiles stopped you. “It’s okay, Miss. L/N. You needed someone to talk to and we were already talking.” Stiles seemed sincere in knowing and understanding, and though he was still your student, you trusted him as a friend. He asked you a few more questions about wolves in general and you happily answered him. He hadn’t asked you to repeat anything, but continued to write. When he was finished he looked up at you with now a different gaze. Respect. Then you thought to yourself, maybe you had a pack here after all. But as soon as that thought entered your mind, he gave you a saddened look. “The Alpha wants Scott to kill his old pack.” He was worried. But you placed a hand on his shoulder, saying that you already had a feeling that was the case.
“Stiles, make sure Scott is safe tonight. Being a full moon, and since he is so new, it will be difficult. He might not act like himself today, so be careful. And try not to let him out of your sight, it’s not safe.” You whispered as he got up. Stiles looked back at you with some concern, but he understood. Before he left your classroom he mumbled something under his breath, and you heard him perfectly. “They brought in a state Detective. Be careful.” And then he was out of the room.
After school all of the staff was told to gather in the auditorium for a mandatory meeting. You sat yourself as far away from the other teachers as possible without being questioned. But that didn’t stop Coach Finstock from sitting as close to you as possible. “It’s probably about the janitor. How are you holding up?” He mumbled from the seat next to you. “I’m fine.” You answered shortly. Your mind was elsewhere, thinking about what the hunters were planning since tonight was a full moon. But Finstock kept talking, even well after the meeting had started. “How about I walk you to your car after? Just want to be careful we don’t lose another valued member of our staff.” He gave you a sleazy grin.
“I’m aware there is a police presence on the grounds. I’ll be just fine.” You forced yourself to smile in his direction and then tried to pay attention to the superintendent.
“Sheriff Stilinski will have cars patrolling for the safety of our students and our staff. The police department is planning on setting up a curfew. And we will be escorting students in in the mornings and afterschool. We don’t want to take any chances here people.” The burly man spoke from the podium. You let out a soft sigh and quickly left after the meeting was over in hopes you weren’t stopped by Finstock.
Once you were out of the auditorium you pulled out your phone and called Derek. It went straight to voicemail so you left him a message. “Hey it’s me. Just wanted to let you know I just got out of a meeting about the safety of the students and teachers. Our superintendent said the police department is setting up a curfew and you’ll be happy to know you name wasn’t mentioned once. Miss you. Hope to hear from you soon. I’d like to know if you’re alive or not.” You sighed and then hung up and headed to your car. It had been a long day and you felt drained. You just wanted to get in bed with a glass of wine as soon as you possibly could and just sleep the full moon away.
You had fallen asleep almost as soon as you had finished your glass of wine and had been started awake when you got a call from Stiles in a panic. “I had him handcuffed to the radiator but he escaped.” His voice was frantic and you could barely make out the words he was saying.
“Stiles, calm down. You go out in your car and look. I’ll go out and look myself. We’ll find him before he hurts anyone.” You reassured the teen, making your voice as soft as possible to try and calm him down. “I’m leaving my house now, okay? We’ll find him. Will you be alright if I hang up the phone?” You asked, unsure what he would say.
“Yeah. Yeah I think so. I’ll go look.” He started to calm down and you could understand him more this time.
“Okay Stiles. I’ll let you know if I find him.” You said, making sure he heard you before hanging up. After that you shoved your phone in your pocket and ran out the front door, still in your nightshirt and sleep shorts. You had told yourself you wouldn’t go out tonight since you were sure the hunters were planning something and you had been worn down by the events in the past couple days, but you had to find Scott before he hurt someone or got hurt himself.
Honing in every sense you had, with the full moon heightening them it helped. You focused on Scott’s scent and sound and you moved as quickly as possible. You opted for running since it would be easier on foot finding him than in your car which added more interference than you couldn’t afford. You had been heading in the direction of the school when you picked up on him. He was moving fast, and acting like he had a set destination in mind. As you ran you picked up on another scent as well. Derek. You could feel him following Scott as well, but stayed out of your way. By the time you had closed in on him you noticed he was perched on a car in a parking lot. You felt Derek slow to a stop beside you and the two of you watched to see what Scott would do.
You wanted to talk to him, but knew that would give you away. Scott seemed more focused on one particular car that two kids his age were in instead of focusing on his surroundings and noticing that you and Derek were there. Derek shot you a look, it seemed like an apology but you couldn’t be certain. Before you could question it, Scott was moving fast towards the occupied vehicle. Derek jumped to action and tackled Scott, dragging him off the car.
The three of you wound up in the woods just past the parking lot. Scott and Derek were fighting it out, Derek winning easily and tiring out the young wolf. Scott tried to make another move towards you but you let out a loud, authoritative howl that had him on the ground cowering below you. Derek looked at you with some animosity and Scott acted on that, lunging at Derek once more. Derek mimicked you and let out an even louder howl, which left Scott on the ground cowering again. Scott seemingly came too then and looked at you and Derek with grief and defeat. After the altercation Derek and yourself helped Scott get back home and the journey there was a silent one. You kept your ears open for any sign of the hunters and Derek focused on helping Scott. Once the two of you helped the boy to his room, he sat on his bed and looked up at the two of you.
“I can’t do this. I can’t be like this and be with Allison.” He was more worried about the girl than his gift. “Is there a cure?” He asked, either of you, hopeful that one of you could say yes. You hadn’t known of any cures but Derek spoke up.
“I’ve only heard of one. You have to kill the one who made you.” He said and Scott went white.
“You mean I have to kill the Alpha?” He asked, terrified.
“If you help me find him, I can help you kill him.” Derek said it which made you think something else was at play with him but you weren’t sure what yet.