Nine

ALLISON.

The name of one of Sierra's best friends. The name of the warrior who fought to protect the people she cared about. The name of the girl who didn't go down without a fight.

The name that broke Lydia's code.

After Sierra found out, she almost broke down on the spot. But Stiles helped her calm down and go with him and Scott to the police station in order to inform his dad about everything.

"The Walcott's were the first," Stiles informed Noah, standing beside his girlfriend and keeping his hand interlocked with hers. "At least the first that we know about. The formers: Sean, his brother, and their parents. They were killed by the professional assassin called the Mute."

Noah sat at his desk, listening intently as Sierra continued. "His weapon of choice was a military tomahawk. But the Mute, as you know, was then killed by Peter after he tried to blow up Jemma and Derek with a claymore mine."

Stiles nodded, moving on to the next victim. "Demarco delivered a keg to Lydia's party at the lake house and then got decapitated right next to his car."

"And then that brings us to last night," Sierra sighed, making Stiles squeeze her hand in reassurance. "Twenty-three year old, Carrie Hudson."

"It's a dead pool," Scott explained, trying to contain his frustration. "A hit list of supernatural creatures." He pulled out the list Lydia printed off for them, and set it on the desk for Noah to see. "This is only part of it. The rest still needs to be decoded."

Noah scanned the names, his breath hitching when he saw Sierra's and Scott's together underneath Lydia's. "Who found this list?" he questioned.

"Lydia," Stiles answered.

"How?"

Sierra exchanged a look with Scott before she replied, "She wrote it. Actually, she, uh, transcribed it without realizing it."

"Banshee?"

"Banshee."

Noah let out a sigh, but glanced back down at the list, pointing to the numbers by the names. "What do these mean?"

"We're getting to that," Stiles spoke up with a nod, noticing Sierra fidget. "But first, you need to know the code was broken with a cipher key."

"What do you mean?" Noah squinted. "Like a keyword?"

"Um," Stiles gulped, nervously glancing at his best friends. "It was actually a name."

"Allison," Scott said quietly, his heart heavy. He stared off into space as Noah processed what that meant for them, allowing Stiles to nod in agreement.

"Her name broke a third of the list."

Scott blinked, realizing he had to stay focused. "We, uh, think there's two other cipher keys."

"Which would give us the rest of the names," Noah caught on. He believed everything they told him. "How do we get these cipher keys?"

"Same way we got the code," Stiles told him.

"Lydia," Sierra reiterated. "She's been at the lake house all weekend with Malia and Kira to find the other key words. But, um, nothing's come up yet."

Noah nodded, casting his eyes back to the multiple files open on his desk. He tilted his head once he spotted crime scene photos, causing him to ask, "You guys didn't know about Demarco or Carrie. Right?"

All three of them exchanged glances; no one knew of those two being supernatural. Recognizing this, Noah continued by pointing to the two names that surrounded Kira's. "What about these? Kayleen Bettcher and Elias Town...are they werewolves too?"

"We don't know," Scott replied honestly. "But Deaton said that the Nemeton would draw supernatural creatures here."

"Here, being Beacon Hills or Beacon County?" Noah stood up from his chair, explaining, "The population of Beacon Hills is just under thirty thousand."

"And dropping," Stiles commented, casting his dad to glare at him.

Noah focused on Sierra and Scott. "If we're talking Beacon County, then you're looking at closer to five hundred thousand," he told them, starting to feel overwhelmed. "I mean, how many werewolves, empaths, banshees, kitsunes...whatever the hell else is out there are we talking about?"

Noah glanced back at the list, another idea popping into his head. "And what if the next cipher key unlocks not twelve names, but a hundred?"

"We don't think there will be that many," Stiles told him. "There's a limit."

"Because of the numbers," Scott pointed to the dead pool. "We think once we decode the names, the numbers will add up to one hundred and seventeen."

"One hundred and seventeen what?"

"Million."

Taking out a pen, Stiles flipped the list around to face him. His dad watched as he started going down the names, marking them with either a K or an M. "One hundred and seventeen million dollars, Dad," he declared, dropping the pen onto the desk when he was finished. "Stolen from the Hale vault and being used by someone to finance all these murders."

Sierra chimed in seriously, "Someone who wants every supernatural creature in Beacon Hills dead. You helped Parrish discover the handle; he's calling himself the Benefactor."

"So, a coded list goes out," Noah started, clarifying the problem. "And somehow these professional assassins get that list and decipher it. Then they go after the names on the list, they being killers with no mouths...tomahawks and thermo-cutting wires that can take your head off."

"But Carrie was also stabbed," Stiles spoke up, having been staring at the crime scene photos as they talked. He pointed to a geometric imprint around the wound. "What's this mark?"

"We're not sure yet. We're still waiting on the ME's report," Noah unfortunately replied. He squinted his eyes, moving the photos away as he asked, "There's something I still don't understand. How did the new assassin know that Demarco was going to be at the lake house?"

Scott answered this one, glancing at Stiles and Sierra. "Everyone knows he delivers kegs to teenagers for a little extra cash."

Noah moved his gaze over to his son. "Do I need to ask if you all ever participated?"

Stiles scoffed, rolling his eyes. "Dad, we're not stupid. We know not to trust that kind of stuff."

"And Sierra and I can't exactly get drunk," Scott reminded the sheriff. "So it'd be pointless for us to ever drink."

"But whoever ordered this keg, killed Demarco," Noah got back on track. "They knew he would show up and killed him then."

Stiles nodded in agreement, "It was someone at the party."

"A student."

*^*^*^*

"What the hell?"

Liam already felt slightly nervous about his first scrimmage that would take place later that night, and it turned into frustration once Mason explained that they were playing against his old school, Devenford Prep.

But now, after he threw down his lacrosse bag and noticed his stick missing, he tried to keep himself from lashing out. "Where is it?" he grumbled, scanning the locker room quickly.

His ears then perked, his body freezing from hearing something dragging across the cement. Liam gulped, but didn't utter a sound as he slowly started walking towards it.

He didn't know what to expect as he reached the end of the lockers, but seeing a random man appear spooked him.

He was tall, his built form hidden under a dark grey T-shirt and a black leather jacket. His hazel eyes feigned innocence once Liam looked at him suspiciously. "Oh, I'm sorry," Derek apologized, holding up the lacrosse stick. "Is this yours?"

Before Liam could even nod, Derek snapped the stick in half swiftly, making Liam wince. Then, he merely tossed the two halves over and waited to see Liam's reaction.

And it didn't take long.

When the freshman looked back up, he growled under his breath while his eyes gleamed yellow. His breathing got heavier the longer he looked at Derek, who didn't even blink at the transformation. Liam charged, but Derek was faster as he picked him up by the shirt and slammed him into the lockers, all the way Liam wrestled and barred his fangs.

"Liam."

A calm voice called out, echoing through his ears. His eyes flickered back to blue from seeing Scott and Sierra step forward, both of them looking at him in concern. Realizing they must know the man holding him, Liam tried to lower his heart rate back to normal.

"You're right," Derek commented, glancing at the pair. "He is angry."

Derek stepped back, letting Liam back on his feet. Liam's face was still curled into a snarl but it quickly fell once he made eye-contact with Sierra. "This one is yours," she pointed to the stick Scott held out.

Scott offered him a small smile, Liam catching the lacrosse stick once he tossed it to him. Not saying anything, Liam then turned to glare at Derek as the bell rang. "Get to class, Liam," Scott instructed firmly, so he wouldn't think about doing anything.

The freshman bowed his head, casting his eyes to the floor as he walked past Sierra to exit the locker room. Both teens exhaled in relief, exchanging nervous glances while Derek stared at them with a small smile on his lips, proud.

Noticing the look, Scott squinted his eyes. "What're you smiling about?"

"Yeah," Sierra agreed, crossing her arms. "You're a sour wolf. You don't ever smile."

"You two are going to be good at this," Derek chuckled.

Scott widened his eyes, not bothering to hide his exasperation. "Are you kidding? I am...totally unprepared."

"Which is why you have her," Derek told him, his eyes on Sierra, who raised her eyebrows.

"What?"

"The bond between you two," Derek pointed at them. "The bond between a true alpha and a true empath? It only gets stronger when you add a beta, especially with one as young as Liam."

"What does that mean exactly?" Sierra asked, still not understanding.

"Usually if it was an ordinary alpha, the beta would bond strictly with them and the other members of the pack," Derek explained. "But because you guys are connected, that leadership role is split into two parts. That's why you guys work best together. And now that Scott has a beta, Liam is going to be looking to both of you for guidance."

"Oh, god," Sierra closed her eyes and placed a hand on her forehead. "I'm too young to be a mom."

"Remember when you said you would give me a few tips?" Scott asked, feeling the same way Sierra was. "I think now is a pretty great time for you to start. I'm, I'm going to need a whole freaking manual on how to do this."

Derek looked between the pair, amused, but responded, "I'll tell you one thing. That anger he's got? It's going to make him strong."

"And dangerous," Sierra added with a sigh, glancing up at her best friend.

"Very," Derek agreed with a nod.

Scott took a seat on the bench, resting his eyes for a moment as he thought. Sierra remained standing beside him, resting a comforting hand on his shoulder. "This was supposed to be the semester we could focus on school again," Scott said quietly, looking up at Derek. "But Kate's back. And Sierra and I have a beta? And there's a dead pool full of our friends?"

"If all of our names are on that list," Derek started, giving his honest opinion, "then that's what we should be focused on. Do you two think Lydia can get that second key?"

"She's working on it," Scott told him.

"Then all we can do until then is watch out for one another," Derek told them. "Sierra, Jemma is at work but I know you told her everything, right?"

"I did," Sierra confirmed, nodding once. "While this is going on, I think she'd be safer with you at your loft. I'm going to be staying with Stiles and Malia will be over a lot, so we can protect each other. I know you'd do anything to keep her safe."

"Then I'll pick her up later and help her pack a bag."

Sierra stepped forward, pulling Derek into a thankful hug. "Promise me if anything happens you'll tell me?"

"Of course," Derek swore, hugging her back gently. After breaking apart, Derek pat Scott on the shoulder. "Everything is going to be fine," he assured. "Okay? We'll figure it out."

Sierra smiled, adding, "Just like we always do."

"That's right. Now go to class, you're losing IQ points standing in here."

*^*^*^*

Economics; a class Sierra didn't understand why she had to take multiple years in a row. Surely, one year would've taught her everything she needed to know. But unfortunately, fourth period was still being spent in Coach Finstock's classroom as she listened to him ramble yet again.

She rested her head in the palm of her hand, fighting to keep her eyes open while Stiles, sitting behind her, continuously flipped through crime scene photos he swiped from his dad's office. There was something not sitting right with him about the stab wound on Carrie, and he wanted to figure it out.

Scott for once was being the responsible student, taking notes in his notebook as he kept glancing at his friends to make sure they were alright. Stiles told him earlier Sierra had been having trouble sleeping and if he was honest with himself, Scott was experiencing the same problem. Their worry kept them awake, wide-eyed and staring at the ceiling. Scott wished they could all take a night off, but it wasn't possible with their first lacrosse scrimmage being later that night.

"Economic disparity!" Coach shouted, making Sierra jump slightly in surprise. "It exists in all forms! Let's take sports for example." He started to pace back and forth in front of his desk. "Some teams have better training facilities, some have better equipment," he listed, moving to walk between the rows of desks. "Unlike Beacon Hills, who can barely afford to keep our equipment together!"

Reaching Stiles's desk, Coach came to a stop, noticing the lack of attention he was receiving. Hitting the end of the stick on the wood caused Stiles to spaz; he had been completely zoned out, not paying attention in the slightest. "Stilinski," Finstock sighed once he saw the pictures, shaking his head. "If I were to grade you on how profoundly you disturb me, you would be an A plus student."

Stiles forcefully chuckled, "Thanks, Coach."

Finstock hit his desk again, "Put those pictures away."

Stiles nodded, about to do as he was told until he suddenly reached out, grabbing the end of the lacrosse stick on Coach's hand. "Stilinski!" Coach pulled back, but Stiles didn't let go, casting his eyes between the pictures and the equipment. "What the hell is wrong with you?"

Curious, Sierra sat up in her seat and turned to face her boyfriend just as he popped the end cap off. A light bulb went off as Stiles finally released the lacrosse stick, Coach looking at him in bewilderment. "Don't answer that," the adult shook his head, stepping away to go back to the front of the room.

Scott and Sierra exchanged glances before studying Stiles, waiting for him to speak up about what he discovered. Feeling their stares, he looked up with a sigh, forcing the pictures back into his folder. "It's a lacrosse player," he mumbled, but the two heard him perfectly.

"The killer is on the team?"

*^*^*^*^

Since Malia was helping Lydia get the cipher keys, Sierra texted Kira right away for her to meet in Coach's office during free period. Scott came up with the idea to search the lacrosse gear, but he didn't expect the process to take so long.

"This is pointless," he exclaimed after twenty minutes, throwing another lacrosse stick to the ground with about thirty others. "Most of the team plays with their own gear."

Sierra looked up from where she had been pulling the caps off beside Stiles and agreed. "He's right. We're wasting time."

"Maybe instead of searching for a stick with a hidden dagger in it," Kira spoke up, motioning to the sticks, "we should be trying to get the game cancelled."

"As much as I would love that, the game is the best way to catch him red handed," Scott told her.

Stiles took Kira's side. "But what if he's red handed because his hands are covered in the blood from the person he just stabbed to death?" His eyes drifted to Sierra, remembering the number that had been next to her name. "Which, by the way, could be any of you three. Or Liam. Or Malia."

"They weren't on the list we have," Scott pointed out.

"Here's the thing, we don't know anything about that list," Stiles stated truthfully, raising his arms. "How it's made, how it's updated?! I mean, who has been out taking a supernatural census anyway?"

Kira looked at Scott, fearful. "How do they even know about me?"

"They know about everyone," Sierra told her, folding her arms over her stomach.

"Kira's right, we need to stop the game."

Scott wasn't convinced by Stiles's words. He felt like this would be their one perfect chance at catching one of the killers. That's one less person they would have to worry about. "I'm not afraid."

Seeing his determination, Kira changed her mind, stating, "Neither am I."

"Well, I'm terrified!" Stiles announced dramatically, raising his voice. "And I'm not even on the list! Guys, these are professional killers-- it's their profession!"

"One of them has a thermo-cut wire that cuts heads off. Who knows what else they have?"

Scott studied Sierra, watching her bite down on her lower lip while she thought. "It's your call," he decided, making her look up instantly.

"What?"

"I trust you, Sierra, more than anyone," Scott told her seriously. "We're in this thing together no matter what. Whatever decision you make, I will stand right behind you."

Sierra stared at him, unsure, but believed every word he said. Stiles, desperate for her to take his side, turned her to face him, resting his hand on her cheek. "Are you actually considering this?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Stiles--"

"No," he interrupted sternly. "Listen to me. Sierra, you are on that list, okay? A hit-list that is being used by professional assassins. To them, you are just a number. Whoever made it decided your head on a platter is worth thirty million dollars, and Scott is right up there with you. And the rest of our friends, and Jemma. The people coming after you are ruthless."

"They don't care who you are, they just want the money," Stiles looked into her blue eyes that were watching him intently. "To me, you are priceless. To me...Sierra, I just want you safe. Remember when we were in the lake house? You said you were scared you were going to lose me."

"I remember," Sierra whispered, while Scott watched the interaction with a heavy heart.

Stiles nodded, brushing her hair behind her ear. "Well guess what? I'm scared I'm going to lose you too. In the past year, I've watched you get clawed and attacked so many times I can't even count anymore. Sierra, you died right beside me. You, you were gone. The only reason you're even standing here right now is because Kira brought you back."

He leaned their foreheads together with a sigh, not caring that Kira and Scott were watching. "I don't want to go through that again."

Sierra closed her eyes at his touch, but she knew in her heart what she needed to do. "You're not going to,"she promised, making him look up.

"What?"

Sierra stepped back with a sniffle, facing Scott. "We're not getting the game cancelled."

"Sierra," Stiles tried to fight her decision. It was pointless; she already made up her mind.

"We're not cancelling the game because this is our chance to catch a killer," Sierra explained her reasoning, glancing between her friends. "These...assassins? They think they can just pick us off for some cash, but they're wrong. They don't know what game they just started and they don't know who they're up against. No one attacks my family and gets away with it."

"Are you sure?" Scott questioned, needing her to be all in.

Sierra glanced at Stiles, who noticeably wasn't happy with her decision.  Grabbing his hand, she intertwined their fingers and sent him an assuring smile. Focusing back on Scott, she nodded her head. "I am."

"Uh, guys?" Kira's nervous voice made everyone turn to her. "I'm happy we're like, uniting and everything, but I just saw Liam go down the hallway and he looks angry."

Sierra's eyes widened.

"How angry?"

*^*^*^*

Scott and Sierra scrambled to go after Liam, abandoning the mess they had created in Coach's office. Stiles stayed right on their heels, Scott bursting the double doors open that led to outside. "There!" he pointed out the freshman standing in front of the Devenford Prep bus, Mason standing a few feet away.

"Woah, woah, woah," Sierra grabbed Scott's arm, stopping him from getting Liam. "Hold on."

"What, why?"

"Let's just, see how Liam does," Sierra suggested, motioning to the conversation taking place. "I wanna hear this."

"You demolished Coach's car," Devenford Prep's captain, Brett, glared at Liam.

Even though his back was to her, Sierra heard Liam reply through gritted teeth, "I paid for it."

"Yeah, you're gonna pay for it," Brett threatened, his voice hard. "We're going to break you in half out there. And it's going to be all your fault."

Scott widened his eyes, noticing Liam's clenched fists at his sides, blood dripping from his knuckles. "I've heard enough, how about you?" he asked Sierra sarcastically, already moving towards the beta.

Sierra pursed her lips, nodding, "Yep, me too. Let's go!"

They appeared on Liam's sides with fake smiles, pulling him back while Stiles distracted the lacrosse players. "Hey, what's going on prep students?" Stiles greeted them, forcing a laugh to ease the tension that had been built. "Welcome to our little public high school! How are you doing?"

He held out his hand for Brett to shake, retorting when Brett didn't even blink, "I'm Stiles, and that is a firm handshake you got there." He glanced at the other players, racking his brain for more words. "We're, uh, we're very excited for the scrimmage tonight. Uh, but let's keep it clean, alright? No rough stuff out there. Alright, see you on the field."

Stiles turned to face Sierra, motioning for them to leave, "Go, go."

By the time they got Liam into the locker room, his eyes were back to being golden and his fangs sprouted from his teeth. Remembering an old trick, Scott flicked on one of the showers and with Stiles's help, was able to push Liam into it.

The water soaked through his clothes, but he still wrestled with the boys. Sierra watched anxiously in front of them, biting on her thumbnail. "Hey, you calm yet?!" Stiles asked, seeing his eyes flicker out.

But then Liam growled.

Scott and Stiles exchanged knowing glances and then together, pushed him back under the water against the tile. Liam started shaking his head, his mind becoming clearer and his heart rate decelerating.

"Okay, okay," he shouted at Scott. "I'm okay!"

Stiles turned off the shower, Scott releasing Liam, who slid down the wall and took a seat to get his breathing back to normal. Sierra handed him a towel, offering him a small smile. Returning the gesture, Liam wiped his face before he let out a sigh, unable to believe he let his anger control him again.

"That car you smashed," Scott spoke first, "I thought it was your teacher's."

Liam pulled his knees closer to his chest, replying, "He was also my coach; he benched me for the entire season."

"What did you do?"

Instantly, Liam's eyes shifted to the floor. "Got a couple red cards," he mumbled.

Stiles quirked up an eyebrow, not believing him. "Just a couple?"

Sierra's face softened and she knelt down in front of him. "Liam," she called his name so he would look at her. "You have to be honest with us. What else happened?"

"Nothing."

Sierra glanced up at Scott, shaking her head slightly. Scott sighed, copying her position. "Come on, Liam. You gotta talk to us."

"I got kicked out of school," Liam told them, even though they already knew that. But what he said next, put them on alert. "They sent me to a psychologist for evaluation."

"And what did they say?"

Liam closed his eyes; he didn't want to say it out loud. That just made it more real. "Intermittent Explosive Disorder," he confessed under his breath, but they heard him perfectly fine.

"I.E.D?" Stiles recognized it immediately, bewildered. "You're literally an I.E.D? Great, that's just great." Liam fidgeted uncomfortably while Stiles sarcastically congratulated Scott. "You gave powers to a walking time bomb!"

Sierra rolled her eyes, focusing on the boy in front of her. "Don't listen to, Stiles, okay? You're fine. Did they give you anything to help you with it?"

Liam nodded, answering quietly, "Risperdal...it's an anti-psychotic."

"Oh, this just gets better," Stiles commented wittily.

"But I don't take it."

Stiles scoffed, "Obviously."

"Stiles!" Sierra snapped, looking at him in exasperation. "Are you serious, right now?"

"What?"

Scott shook his head, getting them back on track. "Why don't you take it?"

"I can't play lacrosse on it," Liam admitted. "It makes me too tired."

"Okay." Scott gave a certain look to Sierra, who automatically knew what was going through his head. She sighed, "Liam, we don't think you should play tonight. Just sit this one out, you know, tell Coach your leg is still hurting."

"No," Liam disagreed, raising back to his feet in protest. "No, I can do this!" He looked at the two juniors, ignoring Stiles who buried his face in his hands at Liam's words. "Especially if both of you are there."

"Liam, I won't be on the field with you," Sierra reminded him seriously. "The closest I can get is the bench."

"Great, that works for me!"

Scott shook his head at the boy, "Look, Liam. It's not just about the game. We think whoever killed Demarco might be on our team."

"Who's Demarco?" Liam didn't understand.

"The one who brought the beer to the party," Stiles answered him. "The one who was beheaded? Remember?"

"We think the person who ordered the keg killed Demarco," Sierra explained, twisting her fingers.

Recollection flashed through Liam's eyes, the wheels in his head turning. Scott noticed immediately. "Liam, do you know something?"

"I don't know who ordered the keg," Liam started off truthfully, "but I know who paid for it."

"Who?"

"Garrett."

*^*^*^*^*

Hey everyone:)

I am now home from my mission trip—I would love to share everything I saw but it's actually kind of hard to talk about.

But I still wanted to update for you guys, so I hope you enjoy!

Also, I made an edit of Sierra to preview what's to come! Hope you like it :)