Chapter 53

Scott followed Derek into the dark recesses of the Hale home, the shadows dancing ominously around them. The air was thick with the scent of decay and the eerie silence was only broken by their footsteps.

"You know, I have a life too," Scott groaned, his voice echoing through the cavernous space.

Derek didn't break stride. "No, you don't."

Scott's annoyance was palpable. "Yes, I do. I don't care what you say about him making me his pet."

Derek stopped abruptly and turned, his intense gaze piercing through Scott. "Part of his pack."

Scott frowned, frustration evident in his voice. "Whatever. I have homework. I have to be at a parent/teacher conference tomorrow because I'm failing Chemistry."

Derek rolled his eyes, barely concealing his exasperation. "You want to do homework? Or do you want to not die? You have less than a week until the full moon. You don't kill with him? He kills you."

Scott threw his hands up in frustration. "Seriously, who made up these rules?"

Derek sighed, his patience wearing thin. "It's a rite of passage into his pack."

Scott's voice grew more defiant. "You know what else is a rite of passage? Graduating high school. And you don't have to kill anyone to do it."

A new voice cut through the tension, sharp and authoritative. "Are you an idiot? The beast will kill not only you but people close to you. Also, from what I understand, there's your mother and Alison, who is an Argent." It was Alexander, stepping into the dim light of the Hale Mansion.

Scott grimaced, the gravity of the situation sinking in. This werewolf was a murderer, and there was no guarantee his mother or Alison would be spared.

"How come you can't find him?" Scott questioned, desperation creeping into his voice.

Alexander's expression was grave. "He is very careful, so tracking him is harder than usual." He paused, a flicker of insight crossing his face anf thought. "But I have an idea who this might be. I'm 60% sure it's Peter Hale."

Derek added, "Also, his human scent could be entirely different. It has to be you. You have a connection with him, a link you can't understand."

Derek's voice grew more intense. "If I can teach you to control your abilities, you can find him."

Scott nodded, determination hardening his features. "If I help find him, can you stop him?"

Derek's reply was resolute. "Not alone. We're stronger in numbers. A pack makes the individual more powerful."

Derek knew Alexander could defeat the werewolf alone, but he talked with Alexander about his plans. So they need Scott here to find the Alpha, so they need to make him believe he is the integral part of the plan for now.

Scott's uncertainty was clear. "How am I supposed to help when I don't have a clue what I'm doing?"

Derek's voice was calm but firm. "I'm going to teach you. Remember what happened that first night you were shot in the arm? Right after you were hit?"

Scott nodded, the memory vivid in his mind. "I changed back."

Derek pressed on. "And when you were hit by his car? The same thing, right? What's the common denominator?"

Scott shook his head, confused. Derek grabbed his hand, closing his fist over Scott's. The sound of bones breaking sent Scott screaming and crumbling to his knees.

"What the hell's your problem?" Scott yelled, pain radiating through his body.

Derek's voice was steady. "It'll heal."

Scott glared at him. "It still hurt!"

Derek's eyes were intense, unwavering. "And that's what keeps you human. Pain."

Scott opened his hand, fingers straightening out with the sound of bones snapping back into place.

Derek's tone softened, a hint of respect in his voice. "Maybe you will survive."

Alexander sighed and with slight annoyance said,"Kid, this is kill or be killed world. If you do things half assed thinking about school work and stuff, everyone around you will die."

Scott grimaced and nodded. l

As the intense conversation with Scott ended, Alexander followed Derek upstairs to a secluded room in the Hale mansion.

Derek sighed, rubbing his temples. "Scott doesn't understand the big picture. He's too focused on the immediate threats, not the long-term consequences."

Alexander nodded, his expression serious. "He's young and inexperienced. But he has potential. With proper guidance, he can be an asset."

Derek's eyes darkened as he glanced out the window, the moonlight casting a pale glow on his face. "It's not just Scott. Laura is still in a coma.