Chapter 20
The loud, thundering music echoes into the night. I stand at the loft door and drag it open. A smile takes over my lips at the sight before me. The whole loft is packed with people. Everyone has paint over their bodies which glows in the light.
Derek can never know about this...
"Welcome!" I shout over the music to Scott, Stiles, and Kira behind me. Kira has an overwhelmed look on her face as she looks at the crowd of people dancing. I give her a reassuring smile and motion for her to follow me into the crowd. I glance down at my white converse to see them glowing in the light. My shoes have never looked so cool.
Stiles begins explaining to Scott about the strange key on his key ring. "It just showed up there on my key ring this morning. I asked my dad if he put it there but he said he didn't know anything about it."
"It's just a key, right?" Scott asks over the loud music.
"It looked like a plain old key to me," I add, glancing at everyone at the party.
"Yeah, but it's not mine. And I don't know how it got there or what it's for."
"You want to leave so we can figure it out?" Scott asks. Stiles is about to respond when a girl with a neon orange wig walks up to him and kisses him on the cheek, leaving a bright neon mark.
"Happy Halloween." She beams, before taking off into the crowd of dancing teens. I raise my brows as a laugh escaped my lips. Stiles stares after her with a dazed look on his face.
"It can wait." He pats Scott on the shoulder before taking off after her.
"Wow." I laugh as I turn and look around the room. I groan as I spot two people going up the stairs. "I'll be right back." I make my way through the sea of dancing bodies and finally reach the stairs. "Hey," I say getting their attention. "You can't go up there. The party's down here."
"But we have to... go to the bathroom." The guy with a blue scorpion painted on his chest says.
"Well, there should be one down here somewhere, okay." They let out a huff of air before walking off. I roll my eyes and begin towards Scott when someone stops me.
"Nina!" I turn around and spot Danny. He has blue paint on his face and body that glows brightly in this light.
"Hey, Danny. That art looks amazing." I beam.
"Oh thanks, the girl over there did it." He points to a girl with fluorescent orange in her hair who is busy painting someone else.
"I'll keep that in mind for later." I smile as I look back at him.
"So how's the party?"
"It's great. You did such a good job getting the place set up."
"Hey, you played a crucial part in setting this up too, you know. Thanks again for letting us use the place."
"I'm glad I did. I think this is the most life this place has had in a long time." He chuckles as he starts glancing around the room.
"Have you seen Ethan anyway? He went to get some more ice, but I haven't seen him since."
"No I haven't actually, but I'll keep a lookout for you."
"Thanks, I'll see you around." He smiles and walks away. I face the crowd and turn around to find Scott. My heart drops as I see him and Allison staring at each other from across the room.
maybe it all means nothing... maybe I'm just a rebound.
I shake my head and walk over to him as he looks away from Allison but begins to dart his eyes around. "Hey what's wrong-" I then notice that Kira is nowhere to be seen. "Did you lose Kira?"
"Maybe. She just slipped away." His eyes start to glow their bright red color. His gaze stops behind a group of people. "There she is- whoa. Glow your eyes and look over there." I do as he says and find Kira standing within the crowd. She has the same fiery aura around her as there was in the photo. Only this time it moves with her. I squint my eyes as the aura begins to take form.
It's a fox.
It doesn't seem like it wants to harm her at all. It follows her around and looks like it's trying to protect her. Like a shield.
I walk over to her and grab her hand, "Come on." I lead her back to the center of the party. "Let's dance the night away." I smile as I begin dancing to the music. She starts moving awkwardly to the beat but after a few minutes she loosens up to the music. My body sways to the music as I feel all my worries drift away. That is until a hand is placed onto my waist. A smile overtakes my lips but falls immediately as I turn around. A random guy with a neon baseball cap stands behind me.
"Wanna dance?" He slurs out. I take a step away from him with my eyebrows raised.
"Not with you." I move closer towards Kira but he places his hand on my waist again.
"Come on-ow!" I turn around to see Scott gripping the guy's arm tightly. His red eyes glow brightly into the guy's face.
I'm sure he's so drunk he won't even remember it.
The guy yanks his arm out of Scott's grip before scurrying off into the crowd. "Thank you." I smile. "But I could've handled it."
"I know you could've. I just wanted an excuse to talk to you."
"Talk?" I quirk a brow.
A smile overtakes his lips. "Maybe."
I grab ahold of his hand. "Then let's talk." I giggle before relaxing into the music. I sway to the thumping beat of the bass as my head swirls with so many emotions. He pulls me closer and wraps an arm around my waist. I look up into his eyes as he brings his face closer to mine. His breath fans against my neck sending shivers up my spine as the world around us melts away.
After a while longer, we decide to get a breath of air. Scott suggests we go to the rooftop area as it's the only place with no people. I spot Kira in the crowd of people talking to another person.
I don't think she'll mind if we step out for a bit...
As we make our way towards the stairs, I spot the guy from before. He has an annoyed look on his face as he glares at me. "So you guys get to go upstairs, but we can't?"
"Well, when you're brother owns the place, then maybe you can." I send a fake smile his way before turning around and walking up the stairs with Scott.
"That guy was getting on my last nerve" I laugh as we take a seat on the concrete block.
I stare out at the stars. It's really a beautiful night out. I haven't really had time to acknowledge the stars since I was younger. It's nice to be able to relax and be a normal teen once in a while.
The pounding music from inside still beats against my ears. I can't believe I actually allowed them to have a party here. Derek would freak out if he knew. I want him to come back home... just not tonight.
"So..." I try to think of something to say. It's funny how you can think of a thousand things to say to someone when they're not there. But as soon as they are, your mind just goes blank.
I turn to him and try to hide my laugh, as I spot a smear of paint on his cheek. "You got some paint on your face." I point to the spot on my own face, like it would actually help.
His eyes widen as he attempts to get rid of it, but he misses it completely. "Gone?"
"Nope," I say still seeing the yellow paint smear. "It's right there." I point to his face this time touching the spot. He tries to rub it off again, but he only spreads it around. I can't help but laugh. "Still there." I lift my hand and place it on his cheek. I attempt to remove the paint, but I end up making it worse.
"What's in this stuff?" I mutter. His cheek moves against my hand as he smiles. I bring up the sleeve of my jacket and wipe the paint. To my surprise, it actually comes off. I smile in triumph, but my smile drops when I see the paint stain now on my jacket. "Great."
"Thanks." He says rubbing his cheek subconsciously.
"Anytime." I smile as he stares into my eyes. I stare back into his beautiful brown ones. I feel like I could get lost in them. A thought crosses my mind as I look away, back to the stars. "What are we?" I turn back to him to see him furrowing his brows in confusion.
"Werewolves..." He says slowly.
"No, I mean us...you and me."
"Oh...um-"
"I just need to know what you what us to be. I don't like not knowing. If it's nothing and you're okay with that then so am I. But if that kiss meant anything to you, I wanna know cause maybe it meant something to me. And maybe I wanna be something more. I know you were with Allison and if you still like her I get it but-" My rambling is cut short when I feel his lips on mine. It ends just as quickly as it started. I look up into his soft eyes. "What was that for?" I ask in a daze.
"To get you to stop rambling." He tucks a strand of hair behind my ear. "But also because I wanted to." I look down as I feel my cheeks heat up. I've never felt like this before. No one has ever made me blush like this. And here Scott does it by saying one sentence.
I look back into his eyes with a playful smirk, "So tell me, Mr. McCall, what does that mean?"
"Well, It means that maybe I happen to like you, Ms. Hale."
A smile overtakes my lips. "Oh, does it."
"And I was wondering if you happen to like me too?"
I move toward him. "And what would you do if I said no?" He leans closer towards me so that our lips are almost touching.
"I would do this." He brings his lips towards mine for a few moments before pulling apart slowly. "Until you said yes."
"And what if I say yes?"
"I'll do this." He kisses my lips for longer for this time. His hand cups my cheek and brings me closer to him as he deepens the kiss. He pulls away slowly with his lips lingering near mine.
"Well, I better say yes then." I wrap my hand around his neck and bring his lips back to mine. My stomach begins to swirl with so many emotions I can't even think straight.
it did mean something to him after all... he does actually like me
He suddenly pulls apart and looks me in the eyes. "That was a yes, right?"
"Yes, Scott." I laugh. "That was definitely a yes." He smiles and is about to kiss me again when a sudden loud roar breaks through the night. I jump apart from him and stand up. "Derek?"
I spin around as I race down the steps back to the party with Scott following close behind. I stop at the bottom of the stairs and spot Derek talking to a tall and buff man standing by the DJ table.
The sight of him is almost like a punch to the stomach. I haven't seen him for so long and there he is...alive. Perfectly fine.
The guy puts his hand on Derek's chest to stop him from walking any further. "Bro, sorry, The Bloody Beetroot doesn't take requests." Derek nods and continues walking forward, not even slightly fazed.
"Bro, seriously." Derek looks down at the hand, the man roughly placed on his chest. He looks back up to him and I know exactly what he's going to do next. I've seen that look before. "I said the DJ doesn't take-"
Derek grips the buff man around the neck and lifts him up in the air. "He'll take mine." Derek throws him to the side and walks towards the DJ's table. He turns the table over with a big crash. The music stops playing and everyone stops what they're doing. Derek takes a step forward. "Get out!" He roars. Everyone freezes for a second before they start taking off towards the door. Derek turns around and looks at the DJ frozen to his spot. The guy quickly follows the crowd. I roll my eyes at my brother and make my way through the fleeing people.
I take a few steps forward until I'm standing directly in front of him. He turns around and looks me in the eyes. I stare at him for what feels like an eternity before bringing my fists up to his chest.
"Derek you son of a-" He catches my fists and looks down into my eyes.
"Nice to see you too, Nina." I wrap my arms around him tightly. "I didn't know if you were even alive," I mutter. A lump forms in my throat as I pull away. "I thought I lost you."
"Nina, I-" His eyes move around the abandoned room. I follow his gaze and spot black-masked figures standing in the room in what appears to be samurai gear? I spot Kira standing awkwardly by the wall as she stares at the figures with wide eyes. I rush over to her and grab her hand, taking a step in front of her.
Suddenly all the figures turn simultaneously to face Aiden. "Guys. They're all looking at me." His eyes dart to all the figures in the room, staring straight at him. They suddenly take a simultaneous step towards him. "Why are they all looking at me?" His voice is more panicked. They take another step towards him, then another. "Guys?"
Scott makes the first move and charges at one of the figures. Derek follows after him. "Great," I mutter, going to attack the figure closest to me.
I lash out using my claws. I attempt to slash at its chest, but it dodges. I try again, but it grabs my arm and twists it behind my back. I cry out in pain as I hear a bone crack. It releases me and tosses me to the floor.
I stand up, cracking my arm back into place. I charge at it again. But it jumps out the way and grabs my arm. This time it throws me back. I hit my head against a wooden post. t begins charging forward but Scott intervenes and stops it. But he doesn't stand a chance, as the figure pushes him back and he hits the wall. I spot Derek snap the neck of one of them. But to my surprise, and his, it just moves its head back into place before tossing Derek into the wall.
Isaac steps up and approaches a figure with his claws out. It reaches into its chest of black smoke and pulls out a long straight sword. It swings the sword around, taunting Isaac who steps away from it without hesitation.
The figures turn back towards Aiden. "Somebody do something." Allison tries, but it's too late. Two figures grab each of Aiden's arms. Aiden doesn't fight back as one of the figures stands in front of him.
It puts a hand on the side of Aiden's head and stares into his eyes. Aiden seems mesmerized. After a couple of seconds, it drags its hand down his head leaving a burning sound in its wake. Aiden suddenly falls to the floor, unconscious. I stand up from the floor and lean against the post. The figures turn around and face our direction. Scott in front of me and Kira. Scott glances behind him at Kira, who steps back when she sees his werewolf side. I attempt to walk towards her, but she moves away from me too. I don't blame her.
The sunlight pours into the room. Just as quickly as they appeared, they disappeared. All trace that they were here is gone. Ethan rushes over to his brother, as everyone else stands still.
"What were those things?" Scott asks, looking around at us. Everyone shares the same confused look.
"Your dad's 24 hours are up," Isaac says to Allison.
I turn to her with wide eyes, "Is that what happened the other night?"
"I can't believe you're back," I say for the millionth time.
"I get it, Nina." Derek breathes out. "You missed me."
Everyone left the loft after Isaac and Allison explained what happened. These figures attacked Isaac at Allison's house. Argent asked them to keep it a secret for 24 hours, so he could have time to figure it out. The figures leave a mark behind your ear that looks like a backward '5'. That's pretty much all they know about them.
"You didn't answer my calls... why didn't you answer my calls? Actually, where the hell were you?"
"Peter and I were captured by hunters."
I freeze. "What happened?"
"I wanted to get something and I heard they had it. We planned to sneak in and steal it, but they caught us."
"What is it?" I furrow my brows.
He looks down before meeting my eyes. "Our mother's claws. Talia's claws" I feel a pang in my heart at the mention of her name. I miss her so much.
"D-did you get it?" I mutter. My voice comes out small.
"We found the claws in a cylindrical box, surrounded by mountain ash after we were saved by a mercenary, Braedon."
"Why didn't you tell me?" I breathe out. "I could've helped you get it."
"You would've just been captured and tortured like us. And that wouldn't do us any good, would it?"
"At least I would know that you were still alive." I raise my voice slightly.
"At least I knew you were safe." His voice raises too. He lets out a breath. "They were looking for the she-wolf. You and Cora are the only she-wolves we would know."
Why are the hunters after us? Why would they be looking for me and Cora? Maybe they heard about what's been happening to me?
"If you were there, they would've killed you." He states, looking down. It's silent for a moment before I decide to change the subject.
"What did you want them for?" He looks up at me. "The claws."
"Mom was a very powerful werewolf. She was able to take memories away from us. We think that maybe something happened when you were younger that's affecting you now. Something she wanted to keep from you." I don't say anything.
The fact that my mother could have taken away a memory of mine haunts me. I don't like people messing with my memories, but then again who does?
"And I want to ask her something."
I look up at him. My eyes widen slightly. "You can do that?"
"I did do that." He states, a snug smile forming over his lips.
"When did you do it? You only got back a few hours ago. Unless..." I trail off noticing the guilty look appearing on his face. "Unless you came back already."
"Nina, I-"
"You came back already, didn't you? And you didn't tell me?" My voice raises at the last part.
"I can explain-"
"I didn't know where you were. I didn't know if you were even alive."
"Nina." He grips my shoulders. "I didn't tell you that we came back, cause I knew you would've wanted to talk to mom."
"I do, Derek."
"It's dangerous. One wrong move and you're paralyzed. Maybe even dead."
"Then why did you do it? Why did you risk your life?"
"I needed to." He turns away from me. I don't question it further. I let out a breath and sit down on the sofa.
"Where is it?"
"Peter has it. Why?" He gives me a look, already knowing the answer to his own question.
"I need to talk to her. About everything."
"No." He walks towards me and sits down next to me. "It's painful, worse than anything you've ever experienced."
"I'm a big girl, Derek. I can handle it." I cross my arms across my chest.
"Nina-"
"Derek..." He gives me a glare. I smile back in return, knowing that I'm getting to him. He lets out a huff.
"Fine. But you have to ask Peter."
"Thank you." I smile gratefully, but he doesn't return it.
"Don't say I didn't warn you." He pauses for a moment before looking me straight on. "How are things with you?"
"That's a long story..."
I begin explaining everything that has happened to me from my nightmares to my strange werewolf form which he already knew about. His expression changes from worry to confusion. "So you weren't a werewolf?"
"I was human, Derek. Completely human."
"But you're all good now?"
"Except I almost lost control the other night... well I did lose control."
"Well, now that I'm back I can keep an eye on you."
"So does that mean I can come back here now?"
He shrugs. "If you have to."
Season 3B
Episode 4 (Illuminated)
Part 2/2
State: edited
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Until next time my fellow wolfies!! :D
-Nicole ^.^