I didn't have any weapons, and the pain of my injuries still remained in my body. I had to think quickly as the splash of footsteps behind me drew near, shutting down any part of my brain that questioned my chances of facing the approaching threat.

I slid off of my bike's seat and turned rapidly to face the figure, knowing I had to use speed to my advantage. I had no idea what they had in their own arsenal, and I didn't feel like getting shot or stabbed tonight. Without another thought, I'm driving my arm outwards and swinging it at the figure. My eyes widen soon after, as I recognize the figure a split-second too late. 

Brett falls backward as my arm makes direct contact with his throat. The hit throws off his momentum, and a hefty gust of air leaves him as he lands into a puddle at my feet.

He groans, clutching his neck as he coughs to adjust.

"Ow," he winces.

"Why the hell were you sneaking up on me?" I fume, not feeling entirely guilty. He could've at least called out to me or walked at a reasonable pace, not sprinted at me in the dead of night.

Catching onto my annoyed tone, Brett glares at me, offended.

"I didn't think you were gonna clothesline me!" he yells heatedly, moving to stand up. 

"It's past midnight in an empty parking lot," I argue back hotly. 

Brett pauses, gaping at me. 

"You suck at apologies," he mutters, practically pouting. 

"Why are you here?" I ask, ignoring his words. 

His demeanor swiftly shifts, and his eyes leave mine to go to the area around us. He's on edge, and that puts me on edge.

"There were assassins after my pack, they found out where we were hiding. We split up, so I came here to look for Scott to get help. I thought tonight was the bonfire?" 

I sigh, the problems of this night seeming endless. 

We had just dealt with one threat and here was another. The Dead Pool had begun to ramp up trouble in Beacon Hills, and it was becoming dangerous territory for anyone supernatural, and anyone who helped them.

"It got canceled because of the storm, and the fact that there were assassins here, too," I explain.

"Yeah, I figured something big went down when I didn't see anyone here but you, and you know, over a dozen hunters," he replies sarcastically. 

"Person business," I smirk coyly. 

Brett scoffs in return, though, there's a hint of amusement in it.

"Can your pack help us or not?" 

He doesn't care to banter, he only wants his pack safe. That's something I completely understand, but it's not like my pack was in the best place to assist anyone. 

Scott, Malia, and Liam were out of commission after almost being burned alive, Stiles had yet to return my calls which meant he was busy, and Braeden and Derek were more than preoccupied with helping me clean up the mess of the bonfire. Kira wasn't even in town, and there was no way I was putting Lydia of all people in the middle of this. She couldn't sass an assassin to death. 

"Not right now, but we still need to get you out of the open anyway. We can go to the clinic and your pack can meet us there, then we can figure out a plan," I tell Brett, deciding that was our best course of action. 

Deaton already had a rapport with Brett's pack. They would feel safe at the clinic, and the populated environment could give us an advantage. No assassins would come in guns blazing, because the moment they did, the businesses around Deaton's clinic would have the cops on the phone in a second. It wasn't the best idea, but it was a necessary preventive measure for the time being. 

I take a step back from Brett, moving toward my bike. 

"Come on, you can ride with me."  

Brett hesitates, remaining in place. I silently question his actions, making him sigh. He turns around and lifts his fingers, letting out a loud whistle. Another figure appears through the streams of rain, this one much smaller and far less threatening than Brett's silhouette.

Lori shows herself, her cheeks rosy as damp hair clings to her face. She looks completely disheveled, letting me know they'd been running for quite some time. I feel my frustrations grow over the fact that there were people out there willing to kill her. She was only a year or two younger than us, but she looked so frail. The closest thing I could relate her to was a delicate bird, drenched and flightless in the eye of a storm. 

"I kept trying to tell her to stay with the others but she's stubborn," Brett rants. His tone is only partially annoyed, as I could still hear the adoration he had for his younger sister.

"Well, someone has to watch your back." I send a wink to Lori. She smiles up at me in response.

"I'll take her on my bike. You can meet us at the clinic," I tell Brett. 

He gives me a grateful nod, as I understand he'd prefer to run for miles rather than leave his sister to fend for herself.

"But first, tell me about the assassins that came after you guys. Anything you can remember," I instruct the wolves in my company.

If there was a chance we'd encounter trouble on the way to the clinic, I wanted to be prepared with Lori by my side. I had barely spoken to the girl but I already felt protective of her, knowing all too well how easy it is for someone her age to lose their innocence in a world like ours.

"These guys were good, Jac. We didn't even know they were on us until they took their first shot. They had military gear and crossbows," Brett replies.

Lori takes a step closer to me, rifling in the pocket of her oversized jacket. I could assume it was actually Brett's and he bundled her up in it.

"I picked this up." She holds her hand out to me, revealing a bolt from a crossbow.

I take it gently from her, spinning the shaft between my fingers to get a better look at the titanium arrowhead. The angle reveals a sigil pressed into the side of it, and I stiffen as I realize what that means.

Brett notices my reaction and reaches for Lori protectively out of instinct. Brett and I hadn't known each other for long, but we both knew the other didn't scare easily. If one of us looked spooked, it was for a good reason.

"They aren't just assassins, they're hunters," I breathe out. 

Brett's face drops, unable to hide his anxiety.

This meant weren't up against amateurs. That's not to say the assassins we had been dealing with before were easy, but here and now, it was clear that we were grossly outmatched.

Hunters are taught how to harm the supernatural before we even know how to walk. It's as essential to us as the alphabet. We learn their weaknesses and efficient ways to incapacitate them outside of only killing them. The code was meant to keep hunters in check, but it was clear to me now that Miles hadn't been the only one of us to abandon it. 

Lori's head suddenly whips to the side, getting the attention of Brett and I.

"Did you hear that?" she trembled, her eyes wide as they stared into the night.

"Hear what?" I ask. 

The answer to my question comes in the form of dozens of red laser sights breaking through the curtains of rain, training themselves on Lori and Brett.

They're frozen in shock until I yank them by the fabric of their jackets, pulling them with me in the opposite direction of where our attackers were positioned. Dozens of bolts fly as we run further into the vacant campus, narrowly dodging them. Brett forces Lori in front of us, keeping his body as a barricade between her and the hunter-turned-assassins that were now out for their blood.

"What do we do?" Brett pants wildly, our eyes searching the area for anywhere to take cover.

I try to think of a viable solution in the heat of the moment, knowing we didn't have many options.

I couldn't carry both of them on my bike, and it would take too much time to get it started anyway. We could break a window to a random classroom and lose them in the school, but the chance of them using the enclosed building to their advantage was too high. We didn't have any backup, and between the three of us, I was positive I was the only one who actually knew how to fight. Brett had his enhanced abilities, but that wouldn't get him far once they filled him up with a hundred titanium arrowheads. Lori's speed could also prove an advantage, but I wasn't willing to put her in harm's way like that.

Our best option was to get the hell out of here, not stay and fight.

"We can lose them in the woods. We just have to make it to the field," I rush out in response.

The field wasn't far from where we were now, and the open treeline was right beside it. Derek had lurked there multiple times before as he broodingly watched teenagers play lacrosse, able to go to and from campus without being noticed. The trees could provide coverage and become a maze for the hunters. Plus, Lori and Brett probably knew these woods better than any of the ex-hunters after us, and we could use their knowledge to our advantage.

Brett nods, and Lori guides us in the direction of the field.

The familiar high-pitched whine of bolts cutting through the air continues to sound. We duck while sprinting, unable to see the assassins in the pitch-black night, or even know how many of them there were.

If it was an entire family of hunters that betrayed the code, there could be dozens of them out there.

My side is practically on fire as my wound begs for me to stop running. Despite the layers of gauze, I can feel the waistband of my jeans continuously digging into the healing flesh. I start to worry I'm reopening it with every step.

When we turn a corner, Brett yanks Lori and I behind him. 

Two men had gone through the campus to cut us off, and now waited on the other side. 

I take a split-second to analyze their wardrobe, seeing that they're decked out from head to toe in all-black combat gear, perfect for blending in with the shadows. They have infrared headsets that they were currently using to track our heat signatures, making it almost impossible for us to hide. Their crossbows are aimed right at us, repeating models. 

A lot of hunters used them because of their speed and the fact that the bolts were directly dropped out of the top magazine once one was fired, so it made things easy when you were chasing a target. In my opinion, it was a weapon that was all about quantity over quality. That's why they had laser sights mounted onto the crossbows. The accuracy was crap. 

However, the .44 Magnum Handgun that the man on the left has in his thigh holster was a damn good piece of weaponry.

Brett takes two bolts in his shoulder. He bares his fangs and growls at the assassins, needing to shift in order to force his healing and most likely attempt to intimidate them. It doesn't work, and it won't be long before he's on his knees. 

I rush out from behind him as the men fire two more bolts, one aimed at Brett and the other at me. I feel the edge of the blade slice my upper arm but I don't allow it to slow me down. I crouch below the arms of the man on the left and hug his waist, rushing into his body to tackle him. The two of us land on a heap on the slippery ground. He drops his crossbow and drives his fist into the side of my face, pushing me off of him by the sheer force of his punch. I land on my back, and his partner aims his crossbow at me.

"Stay down, kid. We aren't after you," he warns. 

Taking him by surprise, I laugh. 

Through his facial coverings, I can see the edges of the man's judgemental expression. I'm not insulted and simply raise my hand, revealing the handgun I slipped out of his partner's holster.

Before the man can pull his trigger, I pull mine.

The shot is directed at his shoulder, where the straps of his kevlar vest no longer protect him. He stumbles back and isn't allowed the time to recuperate as Brett comes at him. He uses his strength and knocks the man out with one punch, allowing him to drop. The other man moves for his abandoned crossbow, but Brett kicks him in the face before he reaches him, rendering him unconscious, too. 

I smirk at the wolf, holding up the handgun in my possession. 

"I'm totally keeping this," I announce, and despite the situation, he and I share a laugh.

He extends his hand to me, and I willingly accept, allowing him to pull me to my feet. We aren't allowed the time to celebrate our minor victory, though. The sound of footsteps closing in on our position is growing, the shot I fired most likely giving away our location. 

I pick up one of the discarded crossbows from the ground, wrapping its sling across my chest. It may not have been my preferred weapon, but it felt better than running around empty-handed. 

"Let's go," I tell Lori and Brett, the three of us once again moving toward the field. All we had to do now was get past the security fence that lined the front of it and make the short dash into the trees. 

Although, that was easier said than done, as the two assassins we just encountered weren't the only ones smart enough to cut us off. 

Multiple men come out from behind one of the long buses parked near the field entrance pathway. They use the vehicle as cover, that way we practically ran right at them. We attempt to dodge their fire, but it's almost impossible. 

Brett covers Lori and I as we stumble towards a dumpster, our only viable option for protection. He grunts as he pulls the bolts enter various parts of his back and leg. He snaps the shafts off once we're covered, but the arrowheads remain in his body. It's a waste of time to perform minor surgery on himself right now, so he's doing the best he can.

"They're gonna kill us," Lori whimpers, and the lack of hope in her voice stings. I look at her and remember a time when that was me. Too young to know there was more out there, but old enough to know that it could all end in an instant. She didn't deserve to feel that.

I turn to Brett, speaking lowly. 

"I'll hold them off as best as I can. Get her out of here."

His eyes snap to meet mine, and I continue before he can vocalize his obvious refusal.

"I'm not on the Dead Pool, my chances of survival are better than yours. Just go," I insist, and he slowly nods.

"Thank you," he whispers, and I stiffly nod in return. 

"Run on my signal," I order the two of them. They reach to grab each other's hands tightly and prepare themselves.

I peek out from behind the dumpster and see the group of assassins moving in on our position. I place the handgun I'm holding on the ground next to me, saving the five rounds I have left for later. I bring the crossbow that hangs from the sling on my body into my hands, and aim it in the direction of the approaching men.

Without giving myself time to overthink, I fire a bolt into one of their knees.

He lets out a painful shriek and his fellow assassins quickly go back to the bus for cover.

"Go," I grunt, and Brett and Lori sprint out from behind the dumpster. 

They head for the path to the field, and I can see shadows shift from under the bus as a few of the assassins try to follow them. I instantly pick up the handgun from the ground, and fire a round in their direction to keep them in place. It goes through the metal of the bus, but doesn't actually hit any of them. 

Two men, who were already out of my range, continue to chase after Brett and Lori. The rest of them remain hidden, not wanting to risk getting shot.

My focus goes to the man I hit in the knee as he awkwardly attempts to crawl to his companions. When he gets closer, someone's hand peeks out from the bus to help him. I drop my handgun and go for my crossbow again, pulling the lever back to string up a new bolt that I send to penetrate their wrist.

They exclaim a crude string of curses in return. 

"Don't do this, kid! We want them, not you," one of them shouts over the sound of rain. A distant crash of thunder follows his words, but it doesn't help to make him seem intimidating to me.

Someone steps out from the corner for a second and fires a bolt in my direction and then goes back into hiding. It nicks the side of the dumpster and misses me only by a few inches.

"That was a warning shot!" they yell arrogantly.

I drop to the ground next to the dumpster with my handgun. It's disgusting, but worth it as I now see five pairs of feet under the bus, not including the man who I shot in the knee earlier. I send another shot their way, this time the bullet embedding itself into the ankle of one unlucky assassin. They cry out in agony, a sweet song for my ears. 

"So was that," I mumble. 

The other men shuffle to huddle behind the wide tires of the bus. They use that as a way to stay out of my line of sight, and keep their limbs intact. 

Another silence falls around us, but this one feels far more dreadful than the other.

I realize I've pushed my luck as I see the multiple pairs of feet begin to charge out all at once. My eyes widen as they all begin to shoot bolts while approaching the dumpster, keeping me from peeking out to return fire. I get up off the ground and try to prepare myself for the fight that will come once we're face-to-face.

The heavy revving of an engine breaking through the storm saves me from that. 

I peer out from behind my cover, witnessing a familiar red Toyota barreling toward the assassins. They're completely wiped out in a second. The speed of the car wasn't fatal, but they sure as hell weren't walking away from this without a few broken bones. Three of the men are launched across the area, while two get stuck on the hood and leave a solid dent in it. 

A squeak sounds from the passenger window as the car's driver reveals themselves as all of the threats are promptly dealt with. 

"You're alive!" Kira exclaims cheerfully.

I chuckle as I step out from my cover fully, finding it amusing that Kira was okay with having a normal conversation two seconds after running a bunch of people over. I go to the passenger window, bending over slightly to see her better.

"I missed you, too," I smile.

"How'd you know we were in trouble?" I added, knowing her timing was too perfect to be a coincidence.

"Satomi called my mom, she asked for her help, but since she's still healing she sent me. I figured I'd start at the bonfire to find everyone. I didn't miss much, did I?" Kira replies, and I try not to let my apprehension over the events that occurred earlier show too much.

"You might've missed a few things," I responded vaguely.

Sudden rhythmic electronic thudding echoes from the field and the dark campus is illuminated by bright floodlights.

"Brett and Lori are in trouble," I quickly update Kira.

She doesn't say another word as she grabs her katana from the back seat. She slides out of her car and sprints for the fence of the field, climbing over it. I give her an impressed look for her desire not to waste time running around it. 

I jump into action, too, pulling the unconscious assassins off of her hood before sliding into the driver's seat. After placing my collection of weapons onto the floor, I speed for the entrance of the fence. 

When I get there, I can see Lori and Brett pressed together in the middle of the field. He holds her behind his frame as several laser sights come out from the bleachers, multiple assassins hidden in the darkness, ready to fill them with bolts. Kira stands in front of the two wolves, her katana slicing the shaft of the bolts that are fired their way.

"Run!" she orders as the assassins continue to shoot at them upon their retreat.

Lori spots the car first and rushes the climb in the back. Brett follows her, and Kira rounds the car to the passenger side. I don't wait for them to close their doors before taking off. A few bolts hit the retreating car, but none of the shots landed anywhere troublesome. Soon enough, we're on the main road, driving further toward freedom. 

I glance in the rearview mirror, eyeing Brett and Lori. They're covered in sweat, dirt, rain, and blood. It would be an understatement to say they looked worse for wear. 

"You guys okay?" I ask. 

Brett looks down at his sister, the two of them exchanging a relieved smile. Their appearance meant nothing in comparison to their lives. 

"Yeah," he says. "We're okay." 

My attention goes to Kira after, continuously peering over at the kitsune as I drive. She feels me watching her and raises her dark brows, silently conveying her confusion. 

"I was right," I say lightly. "You always come through for us."

Kira pauses, then lets out a breathy laugh as she understands where my words are a reflection from the other day in Scott's kitchen. They confirmed my belief in her had yet to falter, and the shy grin on her face tells me that it means a lot for me to still say it.

Her hand comes to rest on my shoulder, a friendly and meaningful touch that I don't find myself needing to pull away from anymore.

---

It had been a few hours since our encounter with the assassins.

We'd hid in a random parking garage, blending in with the surrounding cars as we waited for the coast to clear. Once the sun had begun to rise, we figured it was safe to venture out and used the growing daylight to our advantage. We went back to the school to see if the assassins were still there but there wasn't any sign of them. They cleared out any stray bolts, bodies, and bullet casings to make it seem like nothing had happened there.

One perk of their ominous clean-up job was that they left my bike unscathed. I feared they would slash the tries in retaliation or key the tank, but they didn't. Though, their lack of action still left me on edge, because if they didn't give in to petty acts like that, it meant they still weren't finished with us.

Brett was able to contact Satomi and told her to meet us at the clinic with the rest of their pack. We kept contact to a minimum after that since I knew with the right connections, those ex-hunters could easily tap our phones. I didn't want to risk bringing danger to Deaton's door without us there as backup.

Soon enough, we finally arrived at the clinic. 

Kira and I park in the backlot with our respective vehicles. I leave my bike off to the side before heading over to her car. As I get closer, I notice Lori napping in the backseat. Her head is on her brother's shoulder, and he gives Kira and I a subtle nod, silently saying he'll take care of his sister.

Kira and I leave them be, our focus going on the clinic. 

I grab the crossbow I picked up last night from Kira's car, while the kitsune holds her katana tightly. We approach the doors to the building, cautious of what may come. I signal for Kira to hold back, an unspoken way to tell her I would open the door first. I do so slowly, creeping inside with my crossbow poised. 

Instantly, I feel the warmth of another person rushing toward me as I pass through the threshold. 

The crossbow in my hands is aimed at their skull, while they press the edge of a steel spike into my side, both of our actions mere warning. I don't feel any fear over it, though, and an amused smile takes over my face as I stare down at a familiar Alpha. 

"Satomi, always a pleasure," I breathe out to the elder wolf. 

She smiles playfully before pulling away. Elegantly, she slides her spike back into the sleeve of her coat, while I lower my crossbow, neither of us deeming the other as a threat. 

"Jacqueline, it's nice to see you again," she says warmly, greeting me with a delicate nod. It's a sign of respect that flatters me. 

Her eyes pass from me, to over my shoulder. They widen a fraction as she takes in the sight of the kitsune in our company. Her face was surely one she recognized, despite the two of them never having met. 

I take a step back, holding my hand out for Kira to join us. She comes to my side, nervously smiling at Satomi. 

"Satomi, this is Kira," I introduce them. 

"You look just like her," Satomi mutters. 

She and Kira share in a burst of knowledge and delicate laughter at her words, seeming like old friends. The sound dies down as the door to the clinic opens again, Lori and Brett stepping through this time. The two of them pause at the sight of their Alpha, but Lori quickly rushes forward to embrace the woman tightly. 

Satomi doesn't hesitate to return the gesture, and glances up only momentarily to open her other arm for Brett. He smiles and joins his fellow wolves, allowing Satomi to squeeze his arm in a nurturing fashion. 

"Thank you," Satomi says to Kira and I. 

Kira nods in return, while I duck my head to hide my smile. 

Deaton joins us, too, coming through the doorway from the observation room. His eyes immediately scan Kira and I, taking in our disheveled appearances from a night of being on the run. His gaze lingers on my upper arm, the slice from the assassin's arrowhead residing there. 

"Are you alright?" he asks urgently. 

"I'm fine, doc. Don't worry," I say dismissively. 

I move closer to him, reaching to shake his hand in greeting. The new position allows me to see the rest of Satomi's pack, all of them huddled in the adjacent room, crowded around Deaton's veterinary equipment. They're all damp from the storm last night, and their wide eyes zero in on me, narrowing. 

"What's she doing here?" Richard snaps, always the one to vocalize his distaste. 

I return his scowl, too tired to hide my annoyance after the frustrating night we just had. I was even half-tempted to return a fraction of his hateful loathing, but Satomi takes a step forward to keep all of us silent. 

"Jacqueline has more than proven herself to be an ally, Richard. That's enough." 

Richard hands his head. It's not because he's ashamed of his actions, it's simply him being peeved he couldn't lash out further. He doesn't fight his Alpha, though, and turns away to keep to himself. I give Satomi a thankful nod because of it, and she provides a polite gesture of her own before rejoining her Betas. 

Kira comes to my side after, her voice hushed. 

"We should call Scott, and tell him what's going on," she says. 

I internally cringe at the mention of the McCall boy. I wasn't pissed at him, not completely, but I also didn't feel like jumping and skipping arm-in-arm through a field of flowers with him. His words last night weren't something I could forget or forgive, not yet. 

"Could you do it?" I ask lightly, trying not to seem too obvious. It doesn't work. 

Kira frowns, eyeing me closely. 

"I missed a lot, didn't I?" she wonders gently. 

Unable to say anything else, I nod. Kira gives me a sympathetic smile before stepping away, her way of confirming she'd be the one to contact Scott. 

My attention falls to Deaton after, noticing him shrugging on his coat. There are also two duffel bags at his feet, both of them packed with medical supplies. 

"You're heading out?" I ask, approaching him. 

He sighs tiredly, nodding at my words. 

"Not every name on that Dead Pool is someone who belongs to a pack. They need help, too," he tells me. 

I smile at Deaton's nature, his true desire always being to help people, no matter what creature they were. There was a part of me that wanted to urge him to stay here; to stay safe, but I knew better than to ask that of him, just like he knew it wasn't something he could ask me. Sitting on the sidelines wasn't in the question for people like us.

Deaton picks up his bags off the floor, then flashes me his usual comforting and subtle grin. 

"Be careful," I order him. 

He bows slightly before backing away. 

"And you," he says as his goodbye. I watch as he goes, silently hoping he would be okay. 

In his absence, my eyes drift to Satomi's pack. 

They share meaningful glances and hold each other close. They're all glad to be safe, and be surrounded by the people they thought of as family, especially after everything they'd lost. Selfishly, I couldn't help but wish that was me and my pack. 

I wanted nothing more than to be with everyone I cared for without anger or guilt holding me back, whether it was mine, or theirs.

~

||| A/N |||

SEASON FIVE DISCUSSION

So I plan to take Jac's story into S5, but I wanted to know if you guys are cool if I publish that here? Like I won't make a separate book, I'd just update the story details for this book to fit S4 & S5, and then I'd make another book for S6 if I cant fit it in here.

It'll just save time that way I don't have to make a cover, do the title, etc. I can just keep posting for yall!

EDIT : I am going to keep publishing to this book lol, so stay tuned for S5!! 

<3