Eight

"HEY, LIAM!"

Sierra greeted the freshman happily, a kind smile on her lips as she approached him at his locker. Turning at the sound of her voice, Liam's face instantly brightened. "Hey, Sierra! How's your day going?"

"It's going," Sierra chuckled, holding her books against her chest. "What about you? Up to anything interesting?"

Liam glanced down at his left forearm, thinking about how the bite had completely healed within a few hours. Should he tell her about Scott and Stiles?

He blinked, remembering Sierra was waiting for him to answer. "N-No," he lied, Sierra hearing his heart jump and sensing his anxiety. "I'm not doing anything."

Sierra didn't hesitate, seeing a way in. "Would you like to do something? Tonight?"

"What?" Surely Liam heard her wrong and his surprised expression made her laugh.

"My friend, Lydia Martin, is having a party tonight," she explained, adjusting her bag on her shoulder. "I want you to come."

"A-Are you sure?" Liam stuttered. "I'm pretty sure Lydia Martin doesn't know I exist; I'm just a freshman."

"Everybody goes to her parties," Sierra assured him. "They're tons of fun, I promise. Are you in or what?"

Liam thought for a moment, doubting the opportunity but the second Sierra sent him another smile, he decided to just go for it. "Yeah, yeah, I'm in."

"Perfect," she grinned. "I'll text you later with the details!"

Before he could even comprehend what was happening, Sierra pecked his cheek. He froze as she stepped back, waving her hand before heading to her next class.

When Mason walked over, he noticed Liam's wide eyes and tilted his head. "Dude, what's wrong with you?"

Liam snapped out of his trance, swallowing hard. "N-Nothing. I'm fine."

"You look like you just got hit by a truck."

*^*^*^*^*

Ever since Mizuki, Sierra had developed of habit of burying her nerves. She never did it intentionally, but facing a demon that wore her face changed the way she viewed her emotions. Anger, anxiety and fear were only a few feelings Sierra didn't like to face anymore, because those were what Mizuki used to get inside her head to begin with. She focused more time looking towards the good, attempting to constantly surround herself with love and joy.

But just because she had a grip on her emotions didn't keep her from feeling everyone else's.

Especially as she drove Liam to Lydia's lake house.

Sensing his tension, she slyly turned on the radio so he'd hopefully relax. Having been best friends with Scott since he was bitten, Sierra recognized certain signs in Liam that made her slightly press down harder on the gas pedal.

"Thank God," she muttered under her breath once she saw the lake house, quickly parking Jemma's car next to the jeep.

Noticing the lack of cars in the driveway when he climbed out, Liam spoke up. "Where is everyone?"

"I always arrive early to help Lydia set up," Sierra lied swiftly, holding out her hand for him to grab. "Come on, let's go inside."

Liam looked unsure, but followed her nonetheless. Sierra allowed him to walk in first, closing the door once she was inside. As soon as Liam laid eyes on Scott, he knew what was going on and quickly turned around, wanting to leave.

Sierra gave him an apologetic look as she blocked the door, frowning. "I'm sorry, Liam," she stated genuinely, "I'm doing this because I care about you."

Liam shook his head, "If you cared about me, you'd let me go home." He faced the other teenagers in the room, all of them lined up in a row. "What the hell is this?" he demanded.

"Think of it like an intervention," Stiles spoke up first from beside Malia. "You have a problem, Liam."

"And we're the only ones that can help," Scott stepped forward seriously, ready to explain everything.

And he did.

For the next twenty minutes, Scott and Sierra took turns sharing who or what everybody was and what their abilities allowed them to accomplish. Now wasn't the time for Liam to learn about Peter, Gerard or the nogitsunes. They just needed to explain the basics.

"Let me get this straight," Liam interrupted Sierra, folding his arms over his white shirt. "You're a true empath? What even is that?"

"In simpler terms, it means I'm an expert in emotions," Sierra explained calmly, knowing he was more than confused about everything. "I can manipulate energy and produce sonic blasts with uh, with my hands."

"Sonic blasts?" Liam echoed, scrunching his nose. "Like seismic waves?"

"Yeah, exactly."

Liam looked to Scott next, barely believing the words he was about to say. "True alpha werewolf?" Scott nodded once, letting Liam move on to Malia and Lydia. "Werecoyote and banshee." The girls repeated Scott's action and Liam's blue eyes drifted to Kira. "Fox?"

"Kitsune," Kira corrected, and then shrugged. "But fox works."

"And what are you?" Liam questioned Stiles with distaste, raising his eyebrows.

Stiles cleared his throat from where he had moved beside Sierra, answering, "Uh, for a little while I was possessed by half of an evil spirit. Very, very evil."

"Half?"

"We'll get into all those details later," Sierra stopped Stiles from saying anything else, elbowing his side lightly.

"So what are you now?" Liam at least wanted to know how he turned out.

"Um, better?" Stiles really didn't know how to answer, exchanging glances with Scott across the room.

"I guess."

Liam caught sight of the chains on the coffee table, making him scowl as he looked back at Scott. "Are those for me?"

"No," Malia replied, stepping forward and making Liam face her. "They're for me."

Liam blinked multiple times, thinking his sight was playing tricks on him at Malia's irises swirling an illuminating blue. They returned to normal in a flash, freaking him out. "How did you do that?"

"You'll learn," Scott informed him. "But first, you need to get through the full moon."

Liam spat a reply, "The moon is already out."

Sierra picked up on his heartbeat, nodding to Scott, who continued softly, "And you're starting to feel something, aren't you?"

"I feel like I'm surrounded by a bunch of psychotic nut jobs," he expressed angrily, his hands balling into fists at his side. "You guys are out of your freakin' minds!"

Nobody flinched, nobody moved. They were used to lashing out, the screams and yells; it didn't bother them in the slightest once he raised his voice. "I don't know how you did that eye thing, and I don't care. I'm walking out that door right now! If any of you try to stop me, I swear to God, I'm gonna--"

Liam cut himself off, falling to his knees as he screamed at the noises piercing his ears. His vision blurred as his breaths became rapid and short, Sierra and Scott rushing to his side. "What's wrong?" Scott asked, trying to get him focus.

"Liam," Sierra called out his name, "honey, talk to us. What do you hear?"

"How do you not hear that?" Liam asked loudly, wincing and pulling on his hair. Every supernatural creature in the room with super senses focused, trying to find the noise that was making Liam go berserk. However, the moment car lights flashed through the window, they got their answer.

"Did you tell someone about this?" Lydia asked calmly, eyes locked on outside.

"My friend, Mason," Liam answered, breathing heavily as his eyes darted to Sierra. "You said, you said it was a party."

"And who did Mason invite?"

Kira, who was standing by the window, turned to look at them in a panic. "Everyone."

"The floors!" Lydia quickly noticed Liam's new claws on the hardwood. "Get him off the floors!"

Liam growled once she tried to move closer, Lydia stumbling back with wide eyes. "We need to get him to the boathouse," Scott rushed out to Sierra, already throwing Liam's arm around his shoulder. "Now!"

Just then, Malia fell forward, bracing her arms on the coffee table. "Sierra!" she called out in fear, knowing she was losing control. "Stiles!"

"Kira, go with Scott and help get Liam to the boathouse," Sierra instructed sternly, raising to her feet so she could get to her other friend. "Stiles, take Malia to the basement and use the chains! I'll be right behind you."

"What am I supposed to do with the hordes gathering outside the door?" Lydia asked, frozen in the middle of the room.

"Lyd, who throws the best parties in Beacon Hills?" Sierra asked her.

"What?" Lydia replied, offended. "Me, obviously!"

"Okay, then throw a party!"

*^*^*^*

Jemma and Derek were on a mission.

Someone attacked Peter while they had been out with the sheriff investigating Scott's run-in with Sean, a well-hidden wendigo. After they discovered Peter on the floor of the loft, bruised and bloody, Derek burned out the wolfsbane that had been poisoning him.

Now, they were back at the sheriff station to track down whomever the killer was.

Noah picked up the mechanical glove they had brought in, more than confused by the description he had been given. "I still don't get how this guy has no mouth," he expressed to the pair in front of his desk. "I mean, h-how can he eat?"

Derek replied, "Peter didn't get a chance to ask."

"Yeah," Jemma chimed in from beside him, snorting, "He was too busy fighting him off with a tomahawk buried in his chest."

"That's exactly my point!" Noah exclaimed, not paying attention to Deputy Parrish, who opened the office door quietly. "Who runs around with a tomahawk?"

Parrish spoke up, even though he technically wasn't apart of the conversation. "I carried one for IED removal in Afghanistan. It's military." His eyes fell to the glove the sheriff was holding. "And so is that."

Derek and Jemma exchanged knowing looks. "Do you know what it's used for?" Jemma asked curiously, motioning for him to get a closer look at it.

"Well, this one looks like it's been modified," Parrish observed.

Derek nodded discretely at Noah, who then went behind his deputy to quietly shut the door to his office. Turning around, he stated, "Show us."

After setting up Noah's laptop, Parrish got to work while Derek, Jemma and Noah sat back behind him to watch. Derek kept his hand intertwined with Jemma's to help calm his nerves that were starting to build. He still hadn't told her that he felt weaker ever since changing back, not wanting her to worry. But now, he had to worry about another guy trying to kill him and Peter. He just didn't want her to get in the way and end up injured.

"Okay," Parrish spoke up about half an hour later, the three adults perking their ears. "I think I got an IP address."

"That means we can find him, right?" Noah clarified and Parrish nodded.

"Definitely," he confirmed. "Especially if..." He stopped talking as the glove's fingers twitched, Jemma raising her eyebrows.

"What was that?" Derek questioned, alarmed.

"I think I found a message," Parrish announced, looking at the computer screen intently. "Does anyone recognize the handle, Benefactor?"

"Money transferred," Jemma read the screen with squinted eyes.

"What does that mean?"

"That means this guy isn't just a killer," Noah answered with a heavy sigh, moving his gaze to look at the other three.

"He's an assassin."

*^*^*^*^*

"Malia!"

Sierra called out to her friend worriedly, recognizing her anger and fear. "You've got to let us chain you, okay? It's for your own good."

She maintained distance from the werecoyote, beside Stiles, who was holding onto the chains tightly. They had managed to get her to the basement, but before they could lock her against the wall, she shifted. Malia barred her teeth, her eyes glowing steel blue. "No way," she snapped.

"Then I'm sorry I have to do this," Sierra apologized in advance, confusing her.

"What--"

She was cut off as Sierra flung her hand out, a tremor throwing Malia back into the wall. She collapsed instantly, the impact knocking her out as soon as her head hit the brick.

"Oh my god," Sierra widened her eyes, pulling back quickly as Stiles rushed to where Malia had fallen. "Please tell me I didn't hurt her!"

"Malia's going to be fine," Stiles assured her. "Okay? She's just unconscious."

"Thank God," Sierra exhaled in relief, walking over to assist him in chaining Malia up.

After making sure she was secure, Sierra took a seat across from her, her back against another wall. Stiles watched Sierra for a moment, tilting his head at the way she closed her eyes and let out a deep breath.

"Please tell me you're not going to beat yourself up about that," he commented, moving to sit beside her. He copied her position, resting his arms on his knees while he stared at her. "You had to do it, otherwise she would've torn us to shreds."

"I know."

He knew she was still angry with him for keeping Liam being bitten secret, but held hope as he spotted the ring around her neck. "Are you mad at me?" he eventually asked, his voice soft.

"No."

Stiles sighed, muttering under his breath, "Yeah, you are."

"I'm not mad, Stiles," Sierra reiterated, opening her eyes. Turning to meet his gaze, she said, "I just wanna know why you thought you couldn't trust me."

Stiles furrowed his eyebrows, not understanding. "Sierra, I trust you more than anyone."

"Then why didn't you get me as soon as Scott called you?" she asked, Stiles's face falling at the hurt swimming in her blue eyes. "You know damn well I wasn't getting any sleep anyways so the excuse you gave me earlier is complete crap. I could've helped! Why didn't you want me there?"

"Sierra, you are one of the toughest people I know," Stiles started off, Sierra scoffing at his words. "Would you listen to me, please? I'm being honest."

Sierra let out a sigh, but motioned for him to continue. "Since the day that I met you, you have been so strong and you kept proving yourself way before you got your powers," Stiles recalled, pride swelling in his chest once he thought about everything she had been through. "But ever since Allison...ever since Mizuki, it's like you've been trying to carry the weight of the world on your shoulders. I've noticed it, and so has Scott. We're just worried about you."

"Out of everyone, you deserve a night off the most. And we had so much fun, going on our drive and just relaxing, that I didn't want to burden you with another problem," Stiles expressed, leaning over to grasp her hand. "I thought I could handle Liam with Scott, I did, and that's on me. I take full responsibility. But it's not that I didn't want you there, string bean, I always want you beside me. Please tell me that you believe me when I say that."

"Of course I believe you," Sierra replied, squeezing his hand as tears gathered in the corner of her eyes.

His face softened, "Come'er, sweetheart." He held his arms open and she shuffled closer to him, sniffling as she buried her head in his shoulder, one of her arms wrapping around his stomach. Stiles pressed a kiss into her hair, holding her tightly as he rested his head on hers.

"I'm sorry I got mad," Sierra mumbled.

Stiles whispered quietly in return, "Don't be. You had every right."

"It's just," Sierra paused to brush her hair out of her face, readjusting in his embrace so she could talk properly. "When we were fighting Mizuki and the Nogitsune...Stiles, I had never felt so lost. She used every person I cared about against me to get inside my head, and I know you went through the same thing."

"She took so much from us and after we lost Aiden and...and Allison,  I didn't know how to continue. All I realized is that I didn't want to lose anyone else. That's why I was so angry to you and Scott, because the lives we live are dangerous. And the thought of bringing another kid into it, especially Liam...it scared me. It scared me because I feel like it's another person I have to protect."

"No one ever told you you had to do this on your own," Stiles reminded her, running his fingers up and down her arm. "You have bonds with all of us for a reason, Sierra. You're the glue that keeps us together and we're always going to be by your side, okay? Especially me."

"I'm so scared I'm going to lose you," Sierra confessed, a tear dripping down her cheek as she held onto him tightly.

"You're not going to," Stiles promised wholeheartedly. "Okay? Ever. I gave you that ring for a reason. I'm one hundred percent in and nothing you do can ever change that."

The pair stayed like that for a moment, in a tight hug before Sierra spoke up quietly, "I never gave you your present."

Stiles chuckled at the random comment, but answered, "Don't worry about that right now. Our anniversary isn't even until two weeks from now."

"Still, I feel bad," Sierra pouted, her head still resting on his chest. Her hand reached up to fiddle with the chain around her neck. "The ring is beautiful, Stiles."

"One of the best decisions I've ever made," Stiles agreed in a whisper, turning his head to press a kiss to her temple. "The first was you."

"You two make me sick."

Sierra and Stiles whipped their heads towards the voice, recognizing it as Malia as she regained consciousness. They scrambled to stand, moving closer to her to see if they could get her to pull back. Malia was still transformed, her claws and teeth razor sharp, but her eyes flickered between blue and brown, giving Sierra the courage to start talking with her.

"Just breathe, Malia," she soothed. "We're not leaving, okay? We're here for you."

"But what if I hurt you?" Malia asked, wincing from the pain striking her head. A whimper escaped her mouth, "I don't want to hurt anyone again."

"You're not going to," Stiles agreed with Sierra calmly. "We're not leaving you by yourself."

Malia lunged towards them, fighting with the chains that kept her against the wall. Her growls filled the room and she screamed when one hand broke free, swiping her claws at Sierra, who stepped back just in time.

"We need to get her to focus," Sierra told Stiles seriously. "Get her to find an anchor."

Stiles's eyes lit up. "I have an idea."

"Then go ahead, 'cause I got nothing," Sierra said, holding her hands up.

"Malia, I know you can hear me, so just listen to my voice," Stiles instructed her, raising his voice to be heard over her growls and constant yanking of the chains. "Sierra and I aren't going to run. You know why? Because we don't think you're going to hurt us. And I think that maybe you're so afraid of hurting us, because of what you did to your family?"

Stiles cautiously took a step forward, noticing how he grabbed Malia's attention.

Sierra held her breath, biting on her thumb nail as she watched him move closer.

"We know what that's like," Stiles spoke truthfully, thinking back to the conversation he just had with Sierra. "Malia, we remember everything we did and the worst part is that we remember liking it. Because we felt powerful and, and fearless. Most of all, we felt like we were in control. But when Sierra and I came through it, do you know what we realized?"

By this time he was only a foot away from as Malia stared at him, her eyes still shining blue. "Control?" Stiles scoffed. "Control is overrated."

Looking into her eyes, Stiles didn't feel scared. He knew Malia could do it. That's why he carefully grabbed hold of her chained wrist, and unlocked it.

With a fierce growl, Malia fell forward into Stiles, making Sierra quickly approach her side. But when Malia raised her head, panting heavily, her chestnut eyes greeted them. Her body trembled as Stiles held her forearms, Sierra placing a supportive hand on her back before she smiled. "You did it, Mal."

Malia couldn't believe it.

She threw her arms around the two, wanting to hug them while her heart rate slowed.

Stiles exchanged a glance full of relief with Sierra over Malia's head, Sierra fighting back a smile as they hugged her back tightly.

They knew she could do it, and she finally did.

*^*^*^*

"Why does every murderer like to hang out at the high school?"

It was a valid question, considering Peter chased Sierra, Scott, Allison, Lydia, Stiles and Jackson way back when he was alpha. Then there was Gerard, who somehow became principal, and Jennifer, who acted as an innocent English teacher. Deucalion had even made a visit once or twice along with the Nogitsune and Mizuki. No one could explain way, but the second the students left the buildings, the school became a war zone.

Derek rolled his eyes at Jemma's whisper, trying to focus on his senses to stay alert as they walked down the dark hallway. "You know, just because the guy connected to the school's WIFI, doesn't mean he's still here."

Noah was at their side, gun in hand above a flashlight, ready to fire if need be. "That's true," he replied, but didn't lower his weapon. "But like Jemma said, we've seen enough at this school for me to keep my gun in my hand walking down a hallway after dark." He paused, catching something in the light. "Like blood."

Sure enough, when Jemma and Derek followed his gaze, there was a puddle pooling right outside a classroom door. Jemma scrunched her nose and whispered, "That's not possible."

"Well, I'm staring right at it," Noah retorted.

Derek shook his head, "That's not what she meant." He turned around, looking back where they came from. "I should've been able to catch the scent before we walked in."

Alarmed, Noah raised his gun again and glanced around while Derek went straight for the door handle. "Woah," Noah stopped him before he opened it. "You nervous makes me nervous." The sheriff shined his flashlight through the small window, checking if he could see anything on the other side.

He nodded once to Jemma, who then slowly turned the handle and cracked it open. The sight of a string made her freeze and Derek crouched down to see what it lead to. "It's an explosive," he observed quietly. "Claymore."

Before Noah could say anything, Derek's ears perked from a small sound behind them.

"Get down!" he yelled, grabbing Jemma and pulling her to the floor, just as a tomahawk slammed into the bricks--right where her head had been. Noah fell back, his body falling into the lockers as the Mute jumped down from where he had been hiding on the stairs, revealing himself.

The assassin didn't hesitate to attack Derek, swinging another tomahawk as hard as he could. Derek dodged every attempt, even landing a swift kick into his chest. Jemma regained her footing, throwing out her hand right before the Mute stood up again. She kept him pressed into the lockers, only stopping when Derek got right next to him. The Mute fell forward, allowing the werewolf to pin his arms behind his back.

Noah pointed a gun right at his face, stating angrily, "You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in the court of law." He moved behind him, ready to attach handcuffs to his wrists.

But at that moment, Derek spotted a familiar face that appeared around the corner. "Wait, no!"

Jemma's head shot up just as Peter charged straight towards the Mute. "No, Peter, don't!"

Derek quickly pushed Jemma and Noah out of the way, recognizing the rage in his uncle's steel blue eyes just as he tackled the assassin.

Within seconds, Peter's claws were coated in blood and the Mute laid motionless at his feet as he stood up.

Noah pointed his gun at Peter, who calmly took out a towel and started to wipe his hands clean, not even caring he had just stolen someone's life. He just shook his head, warning the sheriff to not even try.

"We learned a better way," Derek states firmly, holding Jemma close to him as he glared at Peter.

"I'm a creature of habit."

*^*^*^*^*

Scott couldn't believe he lost Liam.

He had been so distracted by Kira that he hadn't even been paying attention to the boy after they chained him to the support beam. He completely underestimated Liam's strength; Liam broke through the chains with anger in his eyes as if it was nothing. Then, he shattered the glass window and sprinted off into the woods.

That's where Scott was, trying to catch Liam before he hurt himself or someone else. He caught his breath as he leaned against a tree, perking his ears and smelling the air to catch his scent.

Which gave Liam the perfect opportunity to surprise Scott from behind, pushing him into the dirt. Scott let out a shout as he fell, both boys tumbling down the hill through the leaves.

"What did you do to me?!" Liam screamed as he tackled Scott into another tree, pinning him against the wood.

"Liam—" Scott tried to stay calm, only using his strength to keep Liam's claws from scratching him.

Liam's anger clouded his common sense, his eyes swirling amber gold as he snapped, wrestling, "This is all your fault! THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT!"

Just then, sudden bright flashes caused him to stumble back with yells falling from his mouth, Scott shielding his eyes. Liam took off again, wanting to create more distance between himself and whatever shot at him.

Scott slowly lifted his head, his heart pounding against his chest as he spotted who shot the arrow above him.

Argent.

Relief flooded through Scott from seeing the man, and he quickly accepted the hand he held out after he walked over. "How did you know?" Scott couldn't help but ask.

"Sierra called me."

Scott exhaled deeply, fighting back a smile as he nodded. Chris looked around the woods, stating, "There's a clearing just north of here. All you have to do is corral him there; the rest is taken care of."

Scott looked at him, puzzled. "What're you going to do?"

"He's your beta, Scott," Chris answered seriously. "The better question is what are you going to do?"

"He won't listen to me," Scott sighed, casting his gaze to the leaves.

"He will if you start using your own words," the former hunter replied wisely. "And, you have a bond with Sierra for a reason. You don't have to do this alone."

Scott didn't respond, though he understood what Chris was telling him. He turned his head as Liam's cries pierced the air, Chris nudging his shoulder to hand him the button that controlled the emitters. "Go."

So Scott started running, coming to a slow stop once he found the clearing Argent mentioned. There, surrounded by emitters, was Liam.

His knees had given out beneath him, pleas escaping his lips at the sharp sounds while he clutched his head in pain. With a simple push of a button, Scott shut them off. He smelled Liam's frustration, the boy breathing heavily as he kept his eyes on the ground.

When Scott reached him, he finally looked up, his pupils dilated in fear while his fingers trembled. Scott's face softened as Liam whimpered, "What's happening to me?"

"The same thing that happened to me."

Scott knelt down before him to be at his eye-level as he started to cry. "They can't, they can't know about this," Liam shook his head, blinking back tears. "My mom...my stepdad. I can't, I can't do this to them again."

Scott listened intently, asking, "What do you mean, again?"

"I got kicked out of school," Liam confessed, ashamed as he sniffled. "A-And I deserved it. But, but the way they looked at me, when they saw what I did to that car?"

"Liam," Scott soothed, "it's okay."

Liam shook his head, "They can't see me like this. Like...Like a..."

"Like a monster?" Scott finished, empathizing with him instantly. He knew exactly what Liam was going through.

Liam squeezed his eyes shut and barely nodded, giving Scott his answer.

Scott rose to his feet, stating firmly, "You're not a monster. You're a werewolf."

Liam shakily raised his head, watching Scott flicker his eyes red.

"Like me."

*^*^*^*^*

Hey everyone! I hope you enjoyed the little early update :)

But there's a reason behind it. I needed to update because I am leaving the country tomorrow for 10 days for a mission trip—meaning I won't be able to update this Saturday or the next. So I wanted you all to be able to read this and as soon as I get home I'll upload another to get back on track.

I hope you all enjoyed it!!

(Y'all I am so excited for what's in store for Sierra😄)