THAT NIGHT, SELENA found herself draped across Peter's hospital bed ranting. At the moment it appeared he was her only friend. Funny how things turned out so drastically different so quickly.

"—ya know? That stupid bitch had no right to run her fuckin' mouth," she was rambling belly up. Her eyes lazily traced the ceiling while one of her hands played with the moon pendant around her neck. The other was carefully tracing the scratches across her shoulder.

Peter was trying to reel in his irritants. He was sat in his wheelchair with his elbow on the arm rest, cheek plopped against his hand. Peter knew this was necessary to keep their bond alive and flourishing, but that didn't make it fun.

"I just hope I can talk to Lydia," Selena's voice quieted slightly with her sadness, "I don't know what I'd do without her. She's my best friend."

Peter decided that was enough teenage talk for one day. He stood up, approaching the bed. His sudden appearance made Selena shuffle over, propping up on her own hand to see what he wanted.

"What if I had an idea for revenge?" he offered vaguely, lips pursing. Selena's brows cinched together in mild confusion.

"I don't want to, like, kill her or something," Selena countered uncertainly. Peter caught her concern and adjusted his approach accordingly.

"No, heavens, of course not," he huffed, shaking his head, "Do you really think that of me? That I'd kill a teenage girl for no reason?"

Selena sat up, wrapping her arms around her knees, "No, I didn't mean it like that. What did you mean?"

Peter smiled softly, patting her knee twice, "Just a little scare. Nothing serious, just a spook."

"How?" Selena's curiosity was peaked.

"Well, I have to meet Scott at the school," Peter began divulging only a sliver of the whole truth.

"But I thought he couldn't know who you are. . ," Selena trailed, not following.

"No, he can't," Peter agreed, "I'll shift to meet him. I need to throw him off, stop him from meddling," he was alarmingly good at lying, "Maybe I could give this Allison a little scare too."

Selena thought for a few moments. It felt wrong for reasons she couldn't explain. She trusted Peter, but she wasn't sure about this little plan. What exactly was he doing? Was Scott in some sort of trouble?

"I'm sorry," Peter sighed, "I just, I wanted to take your mind off of it. You know I hate seeing you upset, sweetheart."

He was preaching to the choir.

"No, you're right," Selena bobbed her head in agreement, "Let's do it."

"I don't want you to get in trouble for this, I just need you to do one little piece and then I'll do the rest," Peter instructed meticulously.

It only took a minute or so for him to describe exactly what she was to do. Then, Selena stood and went out to one of the computers behind the desk.

"Hi Ms McCall," Selena flashed a sweet smile.

Melissa turned at the voice, beaming when she recognized the blonde girl, "Oh, Selena!" she gushed, "How are you? I haven't seen you in forever!"

"I'm fine," Selena assured, leaning against the counter, "School's been good. I've actually been talking to Scott a little."

"Really? That's great," Melissa chimed. She'd known Selena since she was a kid, always finding her around the hospital, those big blue eyes sparkling with curiously.

"Yeah, he's a good kid," Selena nodded.

"I'm glad to hear that," Melissa chuckled, before shifting topics a little, "Can I get you anything?"

"Oh, actually, my mom asked me to check her emails real quick," Selena lied, this new expertise perfected by none other than Peter, "She's busy running around, you know how it is."

"Of course," Melissa agreed, moving aside, "You go ahead and use my computer, I've gotta take care of these charts," she held up the thick clipboard in her hands.

"Thank you!" Selena went to sit on the wheeled chair, "Nice seeing you."

"You too," Melissa waved before she was off, dark curls bouncing with her quick steps.

Now before the screen, Selena typed away. It wasn't difficult to structure a text to Allison's phone, her number already saved to Selena's phone.

Message to: 1+ (949) 725-8361
Meet me at the school. URGENT. - Scott

Selena was satisfied once she had sent it. She still felt the aftermath of her anxieties, but she put her faith in Peter. Selena was aware that the Argent's were hunters, adding to Peter's motivation.

After clearing the search history and whatnot, Selena went back to Peter's room. He was tugging a jacket on when he arrived.

"All done?" he asked, approaching the doorway. Selena nodded, prompting a side smile out of him, "Perfect. Thank you, sweetheart, I knew I could count on you."

As he went to exit the room, Selena slid over, blocking him. Peter was intrigued as he peered down at her expectantly. He wasn't so sure he liked the glint in her eyes.

"You're not gonna hurt her, right?" she double checked, "Just scare her, no actual harm?"

Peter chuckled, tucking a strand of her blonde hair behind her ear, "Yes, just a little scare. Nothing bad."

"Same goes for Scott?" she added on, surprising Peter. He didn't realize she even knew the boy apart from their night with the bus driver. Now, if Peter thought back, he could faintly catch the beta's scent on his phoenix. It was light, almost undetectable, but it was there.

"Where's this coming from?" he asked, arms crossing.

"I don't know," she shrugged with a slight pout, "I just. . . I want to trust you, and I don't want anyone hurt who doesn't deserve it."

"Have I not earned your trust already?" Peter pointedly avoided what she was actually asking of him. He didn't understand where this sudden shift came from. Maybe it was because of her chat with Melissa, or maybe her true morals were finally coming into play.

"No, you have, a hundred percent," she was quick to right her wrongs, "I just want to make sure we're on the same page. I don't want you to think you have to hurt her for me, or something."

Peter studied her a little longer than usual. He analyzed the stare looking right back at him. After a while, he determined she was still with him. She still thumbed the necklace around her neck like it was the only thing keeping her grounded. Selena was still wrapped around his finger so perfectly.

"I understand," he muttered, "I won't hurt her or little Scott. I promise you that."

"Thank you," Selena pulled him in for a hug. Peter instantly returned the gesture, his arms wrapping around her back, "I'm sorry I doubted you."

"No need to apologize," Peter denied, both of them leaning out of the embrace. Adding a playful flare, he bopped her on the tip of her nose. At last came that giggly smile, ensuring everything was fine.

The plan was still in motion.

While Peter went to the school to torture some high schoolers, the unbeknownst Selena headed home. The house was empty as she entered, locking the door behind her.

It'd been a long day. Selena let out a stressed sigh as she forced herself upstairs and into the shower. It felt good to scrub any lingering sweat off of her tan skin, brushing her soapy fingers through blonde curls.

Satisfied, Selena exited and towel dried. She frowned as she pulled on a silk slip dress, one Lydia got her. The ginger insisted night gowns were the only acceptable form of pajamas. Everything about her was lavish, even her sleepwear.

Selena stared at herself in the mirror, dressed in a soft lilac. Her hands felt across her stomach, scrutinizing for any sign of a bump. To her, there was one. It was small, barely noticeable, but she saw it in the outline of silk.

She wondered how long it'd be before she actually started showing. The weight gain was something Selena was dreading, along with inevitably coming out to her peers about the ordeal. They'd see the baby eventually in her protruding stomach.

Desperate to put her thoughts elsewhere, Selena did her nails and put on a movie. By the time the Clueless credits were rolling, Selena was fast asleep with orange nails. The color reminded her of her fire, something she was slowly taking great pride in.

Selena couldn't have been out long when the tapping began. It caused her to shuffle in her sleep, but not yet awake. Then, it became more feverish and harsh. Selena jerked awake, spinning to check her window with bleary eyes.

At first, nothing.

Then another rock hit her window with such urgency she was surprised the glass didn't break. Selena flinched, one hand cupping her racing heart. Her tired legs slipped out of the covers and she quickly approached the windowsill.

One hand pulled the string to her lamp, allowing a yellow tinted light to illuminate the room. Squinting down outside, she spotted a familiar figure.

With a huff, Selena pried open her window, allowing the cool night breeze to float in and the coos of nocturnal birds to become more audible, "Scott, what the hell do you want?" she whispered angrily.

"Back up," he ordered in a tone darker than Selena was familiar with.

Brows still pursed in disbelief, Selena did as told. The back of her legs hit the plush of her bed. Finally, Scott was hurling himself through her open window. Selena flinched slightly, albeit she was expecting this.

"Jesus, what do you want, McCall?" Selena crossed her arms, feeling a little exposed in her skimpy dress. It barely hit her mid thigh, and showed the outline of her underwear prominently.

"Were you there?" Scott got right to business, somewhat advancing on Selena. An angry expression scrunched his soft features. Clearly he was mad at her for an unknown reason, "Were you helping it?"

Selena could only back up another inch before she had nowhere else to go. She was startled by this side of the werewolf before her, looking back and forth between his coffee colored irises, "What do you mean?"

"The alpha!" his shout of a reply made Selena flinch again, "At the school with the others. Were you helping it?"

Something made Selena worry Peter did more than just meet up with Scott or scare Allison. Something was wrong, very wrong.

"Okay, first of all—" she placed a finger against the center of Scott's chest, pushing him back a good foot, "—don't get up on my face like that, please," she ordered sardonically, eyes narrowing, "And second, what the hell happened?"

Scott huffed, annoyed that he had to explain, "Derek thought my boss was the alpha, so me and Stiles had to prove him wrong."

"The vet?" Selena echoed, "Derek thought he's the alpha?"

"That's not the point," Scott snippily cut her off, "We went to the school to lure the real alpha out. And-And when it showed up, it killed Derek!"

Selena gasped a breath of air in at the revelation. It didn't make sense, why would Peter kill his nephew? In fact, none of it made sense. Peter never said anything about that, it was in no part of his plan.

"Then it somehow got Allison to come to the school with Lydia and Jackson, and the freaking thing chased us around all night!" again Scott was dropping a bomb of information upon Selena. Her lips parted, thoughts going haywire.

"What?" both of her hands grasped the collar to Scott's jacket, forcing him down to eye level, "What do you mean Lydia was there? Did he hurt her?"

"No," Scott shoved her hands off. He wasn't sure rather to believe this act or not, "He wanted me to do it. He wanted me to kill all of them and join his pack—your pack, I guess."

Selena shook her head a bit frantically, one hand raking through her slightly damp tendrils, "No, you're lying. Why would he do that? Why would he do any of that?"

So many thoughts consumed her. First, Derek Hale was dead. Peter's only known living relative wasn't so living anymore. But, Peter was only doing this to avenge himself and his family, wasn't he? How did killing his nephew advance that goal?

Then there was the others. Peter knew how important Lydia was to Selena. He should've known not to threaten a single hair on her pretty little head. Selena made it clear she didn't want Allison or any of them hurt.

Lastly, the matter of Scott joining him. Why would Peter need Scott? Some random beta that couldn't even control his own urges. Could this be a replacement? Was Selena not as crucial as he made her feel? So much betrayal made her throat feel tight and her head spin. Her palms burned uncomfortably.

Scott saw her change in mood, eyes glossy with tears. Selena was genuinely out of the loop.

"You didn't know, did you?" Scott questioned slowly.

"You're lying," Selena shoved him back by his shoulders, making Scott stumble, "He wouldn't do that, it doesn't make sense," again she pushed at him. This time, Scott grabbed her wrists to end the assault.

"He did, Selena," he softened his voice, not wanting to hurt her feelings. It wasn't like when Peter gently cooed to her, Scott actually cared, "Why are you working with him to begin with? He's a bad guy."

Selena sniffled, shaking her head. Her cheeks were dampened by tears that didn't seem to be done flowing, "He helps me, Scott. He taught me how to control my fire, he told me what I am. Without him I'd be clueless, I need him."

"No you don't," Scott countered, carefully releasing his hold on her, "He's using you to kill for him."

"No, you don't understand," it was an endless back and forth. No real progress was being made, "These people we're killing—the ones I'm killing—they deserve it. I can't tell you why, I can't!"

"Okay," Scott's hands returned, this time on either of her shoulders. They didn't last long, however, as he felt like he was being burnt and yanked them off with a wince.

"I'm sorry," Selena whispered, willing herself to calm down.

"It's alright. I'm just trying to understand you," Scott copied her by lowering his tone. The duo stood in silence for a few moments aside from Selena's sniffling and wiping at her cheeks.

"He found me right after I found out I was pregnant," Selena began to retell the story, sitting on the edge of her bed. Scott carefully sat beside her, watching as she fiddled with the shimmering moon hanging against her chest, "I was close to setting the whole damn forest on fire and he stopped me. He taught me how to control my fire.

"He's the only one who understands me, Scott," she glanced over at him through her wet lashes, "He gets everything about me, and he always knows how to comfort me. He's like—He's like the dad I never had."

Scott didn't know what to say. How was it possible that a demonic, murdering wolf could corrupt the fiery angel beside him, making her believe he was pure and innocent?

"I don't understand why he'd kill Derek, and I am sorry if that's true."

"It is," Scott insisted, "I watched it, me and Stiles both did. We had to blame the break in at the school on him to try and explain it to the others, like Allison and Stiles' dad."

Selena hummed to say she understood. Scott continued with a dejected frown, "Allison's upset with me. We're taking a break."

"I'm sorry to hear that," Selena placed a hand on his leg, trying to provide comfort to the near stranger, "You don't deserve that, Scott. I'll figure this out, I promise."

"What will you do?" Scott asked, somewhat hopeful. For a moment, a dark thought crossed his mind. He wondered if he could use Selena to take down the alpha. She could either lead him straight to it or defeat it herself. Both were incredibly plausible and fairly easy.

But he wouldn't. Scott wouldn't sink to Peter's level of immorality. Selena was a human being, not a weapon of mass destruction.

"I need to talk to him," Selena replied, "I want to believe you, Scott, but I need to hear it from him. I'll figure this out, and then we'll decide what happens next. But I swear to you, I'll make this right," she sounded so sure of herself, Scott had to believe it, "I don't want to be a killer, I just want to do what's right."

"I trust you."

Those were three words Selena needed to hear. Scott believed she wasn't a bad person, she was just a little lost. And she appreciated it.

With nothing else to say, Scott jumped back out her window. Selena moved to watch him run off into the tree line.

Moving swiftly, Selena hopped into a pair of jeans. She tucked the bottom of her nightgown in, using it as a shirt and tugging a jacket on over. Selena didn't particularly care about her bedhead as she jogged downstairs and out the front door.

Two cars in the driveway suggested her mom was home, asleep. Selena paid that no mind as she got behind the wheel, ignoring how late at night it was.

The drive to the hospital was speedy. Her sneakers slapped against the pavement as Selena stormed her way through the pristine hallways. It was silent enough to hear a pin drop, visiting hours way past over.

Still, Selena found herself at the door to Peter's room. She required a deep breath to calm down, and then she was pushing it open.

The sound of cries hit her ears instantly. Her shoulder slumped in worry, shutting the door and venturing farther.

Peter was found in his wheelchair, facing the opposite wall as he shook with sobs. Selena rushed to his side, kneeling in front of him. Both of his hands were covering his tearstricken features.

"Peter?" she called, cupping overtop his hands, "What's wrong? What happened?"

Peter lowered his hands, revealing his red waterlines, "It all went wrong, Selena. All of it."

Her lower lip jut out in a worried frown, "Hey, it's alright," she soothingly rubbed his arm up and down a few times, "Talk to me."

"You're going to hate me," Peter exhaled, pushing her hands off in mocking self hatred, "I'm a monster, Selena."

"No you're not," Selena was going directly against her better judgement. Scott portrayed the scarred man as a villainous monster, and she believed him. Scott gained nothing in the long run from lying. So why was it so easy to believe him?

One of them was lying. One of them was manipulating her for her own self benefit—they couldn't both be telling the truth.

And Scott was too late. Peter already had her in his grasp.

"They would've killed me," he blubbered, looking down at her with the upmost sorrow. Peter impressed himself more and more every day with his terrific acting skills, honestly, "Scott and Derek, my own nephew!"

"What'd you do, Peter?" Selena wasn't mad. She just wanted answers.

"They attacked me," Peter shook his head frightfully, "I barely got away. I had to defend myself. I didn't want to hurt Derek, but I had no other choice."

"Is he dead?" Selena asked. Scott was sure of it, now she wanted the other perspective.

Peter sniffed his tears, dabbing his cheeks, "No. He's injured, but he'll survive. I could never kill him, Selena, he's my own nephew."

Selena whimpered quietly, ashamed in herself, "I'm so sorry," she grasped both of his hands in hers, "You have to forgive me. It's Scott, he. . ."

"What is it?" Peter urged, his tears no longer dripping.

Selena sighed, avoiding his inquisitive gaze, "Scott showed up at my house. He said you killed Derek, and tried to have Scott kill all of his friends," she shook her head, growing slightly annoyed, "He even said Lydia was there with Allison and Jackson."

Peter weighed his options, and decided to sprinkle some truth in order to make his lies more believable, "The redhead was there, but I promise I didn't go near her. I didn't go near any of them. It was all Scott, he was out of control and trying to kill me."

Selena swallowed the heavy lump in the back of her throat, "You promise you wouldn't hurt her?"

"Yes, of course," Peter squeezed her hands, "I promise I will never hurt your friends, any of them. Especially not Lydia."

A promise he was already planning to break, all in due time.

Peter had his crocodile tears ready to win her over all again.

"Why would you believe Scott instead of me?" Peter pushed blame onto her. He made her feel like she was in the wrong for trusting the truth rather than his sick lies. He fed off of her gullibility, and desire for a paternal figure.

"I'm so sorry," Selena was pleading with him, oh so very fucking stupid, "Please forgive me, I'm sorry. He sounded so certain, and I let him get into my head."

"He wants to use you," Peter sighed, stroking his hand along the side of her pretty face, "Scott wants you to kill me. People like him will use your powers for evil. You can't let them, sweetheart."

Logically, Scott hadn't even asked her to do anything. He went to her seeking answers, not more bloodshed. Selena should've been able to see it clearly, but alas she was too deep under his spell. Peter was too goddamn good at this.

Years of plotting his revenge meant he wasn't about to let some pathetic little boy ruin this for him. Peter had a phoenix, he was unstoppable.

"I won't let him," Selena made a promise of her own that night.

With a faint smile, Peter pulled her into a hug.

Behind her back, that ghost of an expression morphed into a malicious smirk.

Peter Hale was triumphant again.

author's note
HI I'M SO SORRY I HAVEN'T UPDATED IN FOREVER I PROMISE I DIDN'T FORGET ABT YOU ALL

i've literally had this pre-written but didn't publish it bc i wanted to wait & update my book "surviving" at the same time but then i got serious writer's block for that book & i still haven't but i promise i will

i know most of you are here from that book & i'm gonna try to update it later today but i need to get the login for my amazon prime so i can watch the episode in order to write the next chapter (if that makes sense??) but i'm so sorry it's taken forever

i hope you all had a great holidays, happy new year i love you all even though i've been neglecting y'all lately. plz comment what you got for christmas❤️

anyways, again i'm SO SORRY i won't do it again,, and plz comment what you guys thought of the new chapters, if you have any questions i will answer them

stay happy healthy and hydrated please<3