One

DEREK HALE HAD BEEN DECLARED MISSING.

Even though he became known to be distant and brooding, this disappearance was different. It's not that he was ignoring Scott's messages or even Sierra's. That wasn't out of the ordinary. What alerted everyone is that Derek was ignoring Jemma— something the werewolf never did.

If someone had asked Sierra over a year and half ago about Derek Hale, she'd probably curse the sour wolf under her breath and brush off the concern. But Derek was becoming part of her family, her pack, and he meant everything to her older sister. Which is why finding him quickly became a top priority.

Searching his loft brought little clues, like empty bullet casings with symbols Scott didn't recognize. The most of a deduction he could make is that it definitely was not Argent's work, more or less because the man decided to take another trip to Europe. Staying in Beacon Hills would've worsened the painful memories of losing his only daughter. He needed time to mend his heart, as did Isaac, who joined Argent's side.

Unfortunately for everyone else, no one knew another hunting family. Jemma had a theory but didn't give much information—claiming she didn't want to get her hopes up if she was wrong.

No one could really blame her. After Allison's and the rest of their friends' deaths, reality wasn't as bright for the remaining teenagers. The destruction Mizuki and the Nogitsune had brought into their lives was something they were still trying to recover from—especially Sierra.

She had time to mourn, keeping her promise to Allison by going to the cemetery when she could. Yet there were still days she never left Scott's side and clung to Stiles a little tighter at night, thanking the stars they hadn't been taken from her as well. Sierra wasn't the same as before; she had grown from the heartache and was more conscious of her decisions.

When Scott revealed they needed to go to Mexico, she was the main person he needed to win over. She pointed out valuable information, such as them walking in almost blind to the situation. Lydia couldn't determine for sure if Derek was even completely alive, and Sierra knew overall it could be a wild good chase. They only had had a few weeks of the remaining spring to focus on school before the whole situation arose, leading Sierra to argue that their futures can't suffer from continuously leaving school.

Every point she made was valid.

And Scott listened to her, he really did, because to him her opinion mattered. He would never make a decision without her input; their bond was too strong. But when he argued that Derek was worth it, giving his signature speech about saving everyone and mentioning Jemma, Sierra caved.

Jemma had been through enough. Derek made Jemma happy, and Sierra loved seeing her sister happy. Jemma deserved happiness more than anyone.

So they were going to Mexico the next morning, sparring the sheriff the details of the journey. He believed it was a simple camping trip, no harm and no foul. And Stiles was dead set on keeping his mind that way. He had always been protective over his father, but nearly losing him to the Darach opened his eyes a little wider. Stiles couldn't lose his dad. Not after he already lost his mom.

Watching over Sierra became even more critical than before. Stiles was well aware the girl could perfectly take care of herself, but that didn't mean his worry for her suddenly faded. Seeing her nearly die once again and going through the same mental fight he did, made him never want to let her go.

And at night, Stiles was reminded often why he was so overprotective of Sierra. That is when he saw her in her most vulnerable state; tears running down flushed cheeks, her chest heaving up and down from the fright of a nightmare. He held her when she needed that reminder she was okay, just as she held him when he scared himself awake.

Even after two months, the teenagers had yet to sleep by themselves.

Jemma and Noah didn't blame the couple; they trusted them wholeheartedly and realized they were safer together rather than apart.

When Malia was turned back into a human, she sensed the bond between the pair at once. Since then, she noticed how it had grown. Sierra was the one she was closest to in the pack, because Malia knew her before.

Stiles was right behind Sierra, tutoring Malia alongside his girlfriend. The couple quickly became close to the werecoyote and her desire to be protective over loved ones transitioned to those two.

It was a sense of normalcy Malia craved, because she still felt lost in the world. Her bed didn't feel like home. Her dad wouldn't understand what she had been through. Sierra and Stiles knew more about her true life, but they responded in nothing but support and kindness. She felt safer with them.

So that is why on rough nights, Malia snuck into Stiles's room so often. A peace consumed her when she curled herself on the edge of the bed and rested her head on her arm. Sierra and Stiles were safe right behind her and she could watch over them like they did for her at school.

But tonight, the couple had passed out early at Sierra's, wanting to get a good night's rest before they left for Mexico.

Sierra had started to leave the windows open for Malia to climb in, but since she had been so exhausted, it slipped her mind. Malia wasn't bothered by this, using her claws to twist underneath the window panel.

The sound is what made Sierra shoot up, her hand flinging out for immediate self-defense. A small shout escaped Malia from flying into the bedroom wall, awaking Stiles immediately.

Sierra's blue eyes widened in surprise and her jaw dropped. "Oh my gosh, Malia!" she exclaimed, throwing the blankets off of herself so she could rush over to her friend. "I am so sorry!"

Still in a daze, Stiles rubbed his eyes and mumbled confusingly, "What's going on, string bean?"

"I forgot to leave the window unlocked," Sierra explained and kneeled down beside Malia, who rubbed a sore spot on her head. "Are you okay?"

"I'll be okay," Malia assured her with a small laugh.

"I still feel bad," Sierra's lips tugged downwards. "I was so tired I didn't even think about it. And with everything that's happened, I just go into instant attack mode at night-"

Malia cut her off, "Sierra, I'm fine. I promise."

Sierra helped Malia stand up before she questioned, "Okay, different topic but same question. Are you okay? Did you have another nightmare?"

Immediately, Malia's eyes fell to the ground. Her arms crossed over her chest, showing Sierra she was hesitant about explaining her appearance.

Sierra's face softened. "You don't have to tell me anything you're not comfortable with."

"No, I know," Malia nodded. "It's just- I wanna be. More open, I mean. It's just different. I'm not used to it. Actually depending on someone."

"It is," Stiles agreed, climbing out of the bed to stand by Sierra. He pulled her into his side, placing a kiss on her forehead before looking at Malia in assurance. "But you'll get the hang of it, okay? It'll just take some time. No one said you had to get everything right away."

"I wish someone would tell my teachers that," Malia mumbled, embarrassed. "They think I'm stupid."

"No, they don't," Sierra disagreed with a shake of her head. "I'll tell you right now, all teachers are either a hit or miss. Just be glad you never had to take chemistry with us and Mr. Harris. He hated Stiles."

"For no reason," Stiles pouted in remembrance of his teacher. "But Sierra's right. Teachers can be rough, but you have us. We'll help you through it. And so will Scott, Kira and Lydia. We're all here for you."

Stiles rested a hand on her shoulder for comfort, but Sierra took the opportunity to fully hug Malia instead, dragging him into it. "I can tell you are getting better at the human contact thing," Sierra giggled. "You didn't growl at me this time."

"Well, that's because it's you two," Malia shrugged as they broke apart. "The other three are still growing on me. You guys are different."

"And as much I can't wait to rub that into Scott's face tomorrow," Stiles started, Sierra rolling her eyes, "We have to be up pretty early, so let's get to sleep, yeah?"

"My bed is smaller than Stiles's, so I don't think you can sleep on the end," Sierra explained, seeing Malia frown. She quickly added, "But I have a chair we can pull up and you can stretch your legs across onto the bed."

Malia's face lit up.

"That'll be perfect."

*^*^*^*

"This is a terrible plan."

The phrase had probably fallen from Sierra's lips more times than she could count.

But she only spoke the truth. It was a really bad plan.

"Come on, Sierra, it's not that bad," Stiles tried to convince her, casting his eyes around where they were.

A small Mexican town surrounded them, full of life and a new culture. People hustled around, laughing and focusing on getting to their next destination. The buildings themselves were centuries old, but it wasn't the city Sierra had a problem with. It was what the teenagers were going to try and do inside the city.

"This is quite possibly the stupidest plan we have ever had," Lydia agreed with the empath from beside the pair. Her gaze flickered to the boy. "You're aware of that, right?"

"Only because you and Sierra have reminded me about a hundred times," Stiles rolled his eyes. "You two need to calm down. We're gonna be fine, as long as we stick to the script."

"Stop acting like this is a TV show," Sierra replied sharply, crossing her arms over her chest. "There isn't a script, Stiles. We're going in blind to a country we snuck into to find a werewolf from a hunting family. No TV show would come up with something like that."

"Yep, we're going to die," Lydia nodded, pursing her mouth to keep herself from biting on her lower lip.

Stiles looked at Lydia in concern, raising his eyebrows as they started to slowly walk through the town. "Now, are you saying that as a banshee or are you just being pessimistic?"

"I'm saying it as someone who doesn't want to die," Lydia retorted, her feet in sync with Sierra's.

"Well, how about we restrict any talks of death to actual banshee predictions?" He suggested wittily.

"How about an empath prediction?" Annoyance seeped into Sierra's words. "This plan is stupid and we're going to die."

"Wow, thank you," Stiles sarcastically replied, running a hand through his hair.

The trio stayed close together as they navigated through the Mexican streets, Sierra keeping one hand with Stiles and the other attached to Lydia's wrist.

Even as they approached their destination, Sierra stayed in the middle, her face falling into seriousness at the sight of two guards in front of the door.

"¿Es aquí donde está la fiesta?" Sierra spoke clearly.

One barely shook his head, the other shrugging his shoulders. Lydia and Sierra exchanged knowing glances, Stiles digging a certain card from his pocket. Holding it up to the two men didn't do much; they merely turned their heads to the right.

Following their gaze, Sierra noticed a security camera hidden underneath some wood focused towards them. Stepping forward, she took the card from Stiles and held it towards the lens.

And then, they were let in.

Sierra went inside the hallway first, since she was the only one with actual powers while Stiles stayed behind Lydia so no one could sneak up behind them. Lydia held her breath at the sound of the door slamming shut behind them, casting a fearful look towards her friends.

"We're okay," Sierra assured her quietly, grabbing the banshee's hand to ease her nerves.

Stiles nodded in agreement, motioning for them to continue walking.

That was the only way they could go, and at the end of the hallway there was another heavy door that matched the entrance. Sierra hesitated in front of it, focusing her ears to hear what was on the other side.

She relaxed slightly at the sound of multiple heartbeats and it allowed her to confidently swing it open, Stiles and Lydia right behind her.

The walls practically shook with the techno music blasting from the speakers, young adults from all origins grinding with cups in their hands.

Just like they did in the city, the trio kept their hands locked together to move through the crowd. Stiles locked his jaw, holding back his tongue at the sight of a guy stumbling into his girlfriend but was pleasantly amused as Sierra strongly pushed him back and continued on, unbothered.

They were able to push their way towards the bar, all of their eyes scanning the crowd for familiar faces. Sierra knew Scott, Malia and Kira were somewhere among the drunk teenagers, waiting for the next step, and felt more at peace knowing they were close by.

Especially as a burly man placed his hands on her and Stiles's shoulders, shot glasses appearing in front of the three. He stopped Stiles before he could get out his wallet. "No, no," he brushed it away, a smirk on his face. "On the house. Most American teenagers don't come across the border to refuse a drink."

"Well we're not most American teenagers," Sierra shot back.

"And we didn't come to drink," Lydia said, more calmly, before discreetly slipping a familiar bullet into the shot glass.

It didn't take them long to be escorted away, to a more private room where they were instructed to sit at a desk. At it, was a woman crocheting with a firm look on her face and a knife in her hand. Based on the way Stiles and Sierra exchanged knowing glances, Lydia guessed that this was the leader of the Calavera family, Araya.

Sierra could still here the techno music without even using her heightened hearing and even though Araya showed no emotion, Sierra felt her determination. "Severo hates this music," Araya finally spoke once the kids sat in silence for a minute. "But me? I've always loved the music of the youth."

Stiles was in between the two girls, his fingers slightly fidgeting in his lap from not being able to hold Sierra's hand for comfort. All three stared at her, waiting for the woman to go on.

"This kind especially. It has a kind of savage energy," her Spanish accent enunciated thickly, causing Lydia to uncomfortably straighten her back. The only one that didn't seem bothered was Sierra, whose eyes were slightly narrowed as she studied Araya.

"We're here for Derek Hale," Sierra got to the point, not seeing a need to beat around the bush.

"Is that so?"

Sierra retorted wittily, "We know you have him."

"You know?" Araya echoed her words, not even meeting her gaze. "Or do you just have a feeling?"

Sierra wasn't shocked at the vague reference to her abilities; Jemma informed her she had crossed paths with the Calaveras before. Except, Jemma had told Sierra that Araya promised to never bother them because their parents had helped her with missions in the past. Lydia and Stiles had been informed, but could immediately tell Sierra was bothered by the woman, even though she held herself well.

So, Lydia interceded. "We heard you can be bought," she stated carefully.

Without waiting any further, Stiles opened the pockets of his dark denim jacket. Araya's eyebrows raised in surprise at the stacks of hundreds of dollars he placed on the desk. Once it was laid out, he said, "That's fifty thousand for Derek."

This caught Araya's attention.

She gently placed her knife and fabric on the table, questioning, "Now, where does a teenage boy get money like this?" However, she didn't wait for his answer. She already knew. "Japanese mafia?"

Without warning, Severo and another henchman cocked their guns while Araya remained seated, unbothered. Sierra kept her hands at her sides as Stiles and Lydia wearily looked around the room, ready to use her powers if need be.

The old hunter rested her forearms on the table and smirked, "Not smart to come alone."

Sierra bit back a develish grin while Stiles leaned forward, his head tilting as he asked, "What makes you think we came alone?"

Araya searched his face for any kind of deception, but Stiles held his ground and that is when her face fell in realization. "You brought a wolf into my home?" she spat in disgust.

"We brought an alpha."

"A true alpha," Sierra added with an innocent smile. "He's more of a field fighter. Me? I'm the negotiator." Her silver eyes swirled towards Araya, letting the older woman know exactly which pack she was dealing with.

Araya had heard about the teen duo, but as soon as she saw Sierra's eyes, all the pieces fell in place. "You're Geneveive's daughter," she realized, making the girl blink back to her blue irises quickly. "You know, she always spoke highly of you and her sister, believed in you more than you could ever believe in yourself."

Araya raised to her feet and walked around her chair towards the window, knowing Sierra and the other two were listening intently. "But my friends, I do not think you are aware of your poor timing. Do you know what the dark moon is?"

Lydia spoke clearly, "A part of the lunar phase when the moon is least visible in the sky."

"But do you know its meaning?" Araya questioned.

Confused, Lydia turned towards the couple, hoping maybe they knew what to say. "Some people say it's a time of reflection," Sierra had Lydia's back but her last words got caught in her throat. "Or grief."

"Grief," Araya repeated, her eyes lighting up as she nodded. That had been the key word she had been ooking for. "And loss, mija." Her gaze flickered between the teenagers, seeing how they had tensed up. "I wonder why when you and your friends have suffered so much loss, you would risk it again for someone like Derek Hale?"

"Because he was there when my sister and I needed him," Sierra replied honestly. "Now we save him."

Before anyone could say anything more, sounds came upon Araya's radio to show which entrances were clear. Except, one didn't respond. Even as Severo repeated his questions.

It was quiet for a moment, until a familiar voice crackled through the device. "Stiles," Scott instructed, "Take ten off the table."

Araya watched Stiles do as he was told, not saying a word as he put it back in his jacket pocket. "Maybe you should just take the deal," Lydia suggested.

"While I am keen to follow the warning of a banshee, I'm going to have to decline," Araya responded, her voice hard as stone.

"Oh come on, just give us Derek," Stiles tried to persuade. "You don't want him anyway."

"Haven't you noticed how much of a downer he is? No sense of humor, poor conversationalist, just come on and take the money."

Even though she couldn't disagree with what Stiles said, Sierra knew it wouldn't convince Araya- especially as the woman picked up her walkie talkie.

"Severo? Show them how the Calaveras negotiate."

Only a minute or two passed before a sharp sensation burned Sierra's chest. Before she could even scream, the agonizing pain sent her back into her seat. Her body started to convulse as Stiles didn't hesitate to be by her side in worry. Araya knew what was happening, but kept her mouth shut while the boy demanded to know what she had done.

Lydia looked scared, yet she couldn't even move before a henchman locked Stiles's arms behind his back and forced him to stand. Stiles fought but the sight of a gun pointed towards Sierra made his mouth instantly snap shut. Severo lowered his weapon only as Araya calmly motioned to him and Sierra with her hand.

By now, her eyelids had fallen shut, not even her fingertips twitching at her sides.

Lydia got up to follow her friends but the woman stepped in front of her as Severo, following the other man that held Stiles, walked out with Sierra in his arms.

"Not you," Araya told her. "I need to speak with you, banshee. Privately."

*^*^*^*

Sierra's eyelids felt like a thousand weights as she forced them open, wincing immediately at the harsh lights. A groan escaped her lips from the feeling of her back being pressed against a hard surface, catching the attention of Stiles.

He immediately sighed in relief from seeing her blue eyes staring up at him, "Oh, thank god."

"Where are we?" Sierra mumbled as he helped her sit up properly, resting her eyes for a moment more as Stiles pressed their foreheads together.

"Definitely in trouble," Stiles whispered to her, one hand supporting holding her cheek. He placed a gentle kiss between her eyebrows. "Are you okay, string bean? You scared me."

"I'm sorry," Sierra apologized, guilt eating at her insides. "I didn't know what was happening."

Stiles recognized the habit she had picked up since Allison's passing, the one where she hated making him worry about her. She felt like she had put him through enough. Hence why she held him so close to her at night.

"It's not your fault," he assured her, pulling away slightly to look in her eyes. Stiles brushed a piece of her hair behind her ear, "I'm just glad you're still here with me."

"Guys, he's awake!" Kira's voice drew them out of their bubble, both of their heads turning towards her.

Spotting Scott on the ground like she had been, Sierra rushed over, fighting the faint pain she still felt from before. "What happened to him?" she demanded in her protective nature.

"They surprised us in a hall with wolfsbane," Malia answered her. "Kira wasn't affected by it, but they snuck up on her before they zapped Scott with some kind of electric thing."

Sierra sighed, "Well, that explains the pain in my chest."

Sctt blinked from the ground before his memories caught up to him. "They don't have him," he rushed out in a gasp. "They don't have Derek."

"We know," Kira nodded from his side. "But right now, they have Lydia."

"What?" Scott and Sierra yelled in sync.

"Why do they have Lydia?" Sierra questioned, whipping her head around to Stiles.

"I'm not sure," he told her calmly, knowing how worried she was. "Severo carried you out with me in front; I thought Lydia was behind us with another guard, but she wasn't. I think Araya is talking to her."

Scott and Sierra were not okay with waiting around in the filthy room they had been forced in. After Stiles helped Scott stand, the true alpha joined Sierra's side in trying to escape.

The door wouldn't budge and everyone could see the wheels turning in Sierra's head as she glanced around the top of the room.

"We already looked for a way out," Kira told them quietly, not wanting to add to their frustration.

"I think a lot of people have," Sierra muttered under her breath, her eyes staring at claw marks on the walls.

Malia, not afraid to speak her mind, proclaimed, "I say when that door opens again we take out whoever is standing in the way and make a run for it."

"What about Lydia?"

"What about her?"

"We're not leaving without her," Scott told her sternly.

But Malia didn't understand why. That is, until Stiles and Sierra approached her with gentle voices. "Because we don't leave people behind," Sierra said first. "Especially our friends."

"Remember?" Stiles asked. "We talked about how the rules of the wild kingdom don't apply to us."

Disappointed in herself, Malia cast her gaze to the floor. Sierra rested her hand on the girl's elbow for comfort. "Don't worry," she whispered encouragement. "You'll get the hang of it, okay?"

"Is that what you would do as a coyote?" Kira questioned in curiosity. "Leave her for dead?"

Malia fidgeted under their stares but answered, "If she was weak and injured, yeah. If hunting had been bad that season, I would eat her. Then, I'd leave."

Scott glanced at Sierra in bewilderment, not believing his ears. "It's progress," she assured her best friend. "Malia will adjust, I promise."

He nodded, accepting and trusting her word. He knew Malia was risky, but if Stiles and Sierra believed in her, so did he. "We're not dead yet, that means Araya wants something," Scott got them back on track.

"But the Calaveras don't know where Derek is, so that means they couldn't have taken him from the loft," Kira pieced together, looking at the leaders to double check herself. "Right?"

"It's possible he left on his own," Stiles suggested, rubbing his chin in thought.

"Good thought, but that can't be it," Sierra disagreed. "If he did, he would've contacted Jemma."

"Maybe someone else got to him."

No one could move, thinking about what Derek had possibly gotten himself into. But the second smoke once again started to seep inside the room, Sierra and Scott yelled for everyone to cover their noses.

But even as they breathed through their shirts, the wolfsbane and crushed mountain ash seeped into their systems. Sierra's vision blurred as the door opened, Stiles shouting at her to stay awake before someone attacked him from behind. He crumbled instantly, Scott passed out beside her.

And since she was outnumbered and weakened, Sierra gave into the darkness and felt her body being dragged away.

*^*^*^*^*

Severo did not hide his distaste for the supernatural, pushing Lydia with a grunt into the room where Sierra and Scott had been placed.

"Oh god," Lydia whispered in shock, her eyes locked on Scott.

He sat slouched backwards in a metal chair, his hands chained. His overshirt had been tossed aside, his grey tanktop coated in sweat from the strength he gave off to stay alive. Scott fought to keep his eyes open, but he felt too drained.

Sierra had been forced to the back of the room, a guard gripping onto her elbow.

The sight of their friend made both Scott and Sierra fight their restraints, Scott pulling on the chains attached to his wrists.

"You have me and Scott," Sierra spoke up, her protective nature over Lydia shining through. "Alright? You got us; you don't need her or the others."

The guards and Severo did not react, ignoring her attempts while they forced Lydia to sit in a chair resembling Scott's and chained her legs.

Scott's head fell in disappointment while Araya walked behind him, observing the pair while Severo shoved Sierra closer to a machine. She was tempted to fling him off of her, but knew it would only worsen the situation.

"This hand goes here," he thrusted her fingers towards a dial and with a smirk on his lips, he raised his head to gleam at the other two teenagers. "So, let me explain what's about to happen. This one?" Severo pointed to Sierra. "The empath? She is connected to both of you, so she is going to turn the dial on the alpha."

"We would've had the fox do it, but we figured having the girl bonded to you would be more effective," Araya articulated from where she stood.

Severo concluded, "If she doesn't, I turn the dial on the banshee."

"You're insane," Sierra spat in disgust, trying to step back from the machine. However, Severo tightened the hold on her wrist.

"I'd watch your mouth," he replied. "You see, one of your friends has the power to heal. The other? Not so much."

Terrified, Lydia looked at Scott with her green eyes rimmed red. That's all it took for Scott to glance back up at Sierra. To him, there wasn't a choice to be made. Sierra had to turn the dial on him.

"Is this a game to you?" Scott asked Araya, knowing what was about to happen.

Araya answered, moving in front of the teenagers as she said, "This is a test, lobito. Let's see if you pass. We're going to ask some questions, you and the empath answer them, nobody gets hurt. You don't answer, we turn on the dial."

Once again, Scott looked to Sierra to confirm their plan. Even though neither of them spoke, they knew they would listen to Araya. As long as Lydia did not get hurt.

Araya caught the glances and raised her eyebrows. "I take it you both agree? Bueno." She positioned herself to stand between the two teenagers and asked, "So, we don't know where Derek is; we want to find him as well. You know who took him."

"What?" Sierra exclaimed before she could properly think, causing Araya to face her. "How would we know that?"

"You see, mija, that doesn't sound like an answer," Araya stated instead.

"We don't know where Derek is," Scott told the huntress. "Why do you think we came here?"

Araya pretended to contemplate their responses, but ended up shaking her head. "Sierra?"

"What, no!" Sierra forced herself away from Severo. "That's not fair! You know we don't know where he is."

"I guess I'll just turn the dial on the banshee then," Severo moved his hand just as Scott shouted in interruption.

"No!" Scott cast his eyes to Sierra in fear. "Sierra, do it. You know I'll be fine, just do it."

Sierra inhaled sharply, but nodded her head. With reluctance and shaking fingers, Sierra held the dial and obeyed as Araya intructed her to start at level one. Within seconds, sparks of electricity flooded through Scott's veins and he bit down on his lip to keep himself from shouting.

Sierra had to turn away, hearing it was painful enough.

"Tell me!" Araya barked. "Who actually has Derek? Who had a reason, a vendetta particular to the Hales?"

Panting, Scott replied, "I said I don't know."

"Oh, you don't know because you haven't figured it out yet," she snapped, moving closer to him. "So think! Who could've taken him?"

To Scott, it felt like the room was spinning, but he knew he wasn't anywhere near to being freed. So, when Severo nudged Sierra and told her to move the dial to three, he inhaled deeply and gave Sierra a firm nod.

His fingers curled around the chair as more volts shocked him, while Araya raised her voice. "Who had the power? The power of a shapeshifter?!"

"I don't know," Scott grunted, making Lydia's face fall.

Sierra was keeping her mouth shut, thought she felt like crying from seeing him in so much pain. It burned her insides, and Sierra knew is he wasn't released soon she would feel everything he felt.

"Someone who could have turned without you knowing," Araya was stating in aggravation. "Turned, but not by a bite!"

"I don't know!"

Araya's words echoed in Sierra's head. Turned, but not by a bite. That's how her own powers had been activated and the same went for Lydia. But who else?

Her eyebrows furrowed and she was concentrating too hard to hear Araya ordering her to turn the dial to ten. Scott was screaming, the lights flickering around him while he was electrocuted.

Then, everything clicked.

In Sierra's mind, and Scott's.

The true alpha let out a roar that shook the ground, his eyes gleaming the familiar bright shade of red as he broke the chains from the floor.

Sierra fell to her knees through his pain, his memory playing in her head like a broken record.

Sierra heard the familiar voice. "Can you get turned by scratch?" it echoed.

"Only if the claws go deep enough," Argent replied.

If the claws go deep enough.

Deep enough.

"Say the name," Araya demanded the pair. "Say it!"

"Kate."

*^*^*^

Hey lovelies! Welcome to the first chapter of Gather the Ashes:)

This isn't going to become a normal updated story just yet, but I wanted to post this chapter so you guys can get a feel for Sierra. Thank you for reading!