"UGH, MY STOMACH won't stop hurting," Selena Koury was talking into her phone, sprawled out on her back atop her bed. Her blonde hair dangled over the edge while her free hand rubbed at the pained area.

"I feel you," came Lydia's reply from the other end. It was the Sunday after the back to school party, "I fucking hate periods. At least ours is almost over."

At this, Selena's brows tugged together and she pulled up into a sitting position. Her and Lydia's period had been synced for as long as they could remember.

But Selena wasn't on her period.

She hadn't even started it yet and Lydia was already wrapping it up. This was highly abnormal for their situation.

"Selena?"

"Yeah, sorry," Selena shook her head, "I've gotta go."

"Ugh, skank."

Normally Selena would giggle over the jestful farewell, but at the moment she was far too paranoid. She leapt to her feet and made her way to her bathroom out in the hall.

Locking herself in, Selena stared at her reflection. She lifted up her shirt, almost expecting to find a bump. Her mind was racing, always seeming to return to that night. Vision becoming blurry with tears, Selena pondered long and hard.

"Shit," she whispered, sniffling and rubbing at her cheeks. She realized that not only was her period strangely late, but something had felt off for a few weeks—Selena thought it was normal.

Now, she wasn't so sure.

Selena tried to keep calm as she crossed the hall into her mother's room. From there she entered the connecting bathroom and rummaged through the cupboards. It didn't take her long to find a small stack of pregnancy tests. Selena's hands shook as she sat at the toilet, pants dropped to her ankles.

She had to know.

Several minutes passed as Selena paced back and forth. By then she had pissed on four different pregnancy tests and she was terrified to see the results. Already Selena could feel her face and hands growing warm.

Taking a deep breath, Selena looked at the results.

Four plus signs. Four positive tests. Selena Koury was pregnant.

A gasp fell out of her mouth, one hand raising to cup her face in shock. Tears slid down her face instantly. Selena carefully reached out to pick one up and examine it, make sure she hadn't read wrong.

As she confirmed over and over that she was pregnant, the plastic beneath her fingertips began to melt. Her hands were so fiery hot that the test was becoming soft and drippy.

Selena quickly grabbed the tests and stuffed them into her pockets before darting downstairs. She didn't even stop to put on shoes before she had ran outside and towards the tree line behind her house.

As she sprinted through the woods, the leaves and twigs beneath her feat sizzled with little sparks. It was like her whole body was a flame, heat encompassing the air around her.

Eventually Selena tripped and fell, collapsing onto the floor. Cries were heard as she cradled her head in her hands. Her tears were blisteringly hot where they traced her cheeks. Selena's clothes were starting to feel the effects of her heat as well, turning a charcoal black color where it was tight against her skin.

Aside from that, the leaves and twigs were no longer just singed, but burning. Fire surrounded her, eating away at the nearby trees and shrubbery. It was Selena's own personal inferno. It also didn't look like it'd be calming down soon.

How would people react? Lydia, her mother? She was only sixteen, how could she have a child? Selena didn't want an abortion. She only just discovered the news of her baby, but Selena was certain that this angel would be the only thing good to come out of that horrific night.

It felt like Selena's whole life just derailed. She couldn't even control her powers, she had no say over where her deadly flames erupted. Just look at her! Crying in the middle of a fire she created against her will.

Selena remained there for several minutes, trying to control her emotions. They always seemed to dictate her powers. Yet, at the moment, asking her to steady herself was a lot.

Footsteps were heard. Selena whirled around, eyes wide with nerves over who it could be. Nobody could find her like this.

Instead of a person, Selena was met with a large wolf. In fact, she was barely able to tell what it was. It was so large and had ragged, matted black fur and eyes glowing a vivacious red. It remained on the edge of the line of fire, seemingly scoping the place out. Selena felt her heart thump with fear and the flames grew higher.

The feral creature flinched back, lips curling in a brief snarl.

Then, suddenly, it wasn't an animal. It's large and hideous form bent and morphed unnaturally. It was a disgusting sight, the sound of bones cracking audible. At last, it was a human standing there.

A man. He was naked with pale skin and a sculpted figure. Shaggy, light brown hair cupped either side of his face in a tangle. A bit of dirt was smeared onto him.

Selena's eyes widened, and this time it was her scampering back. What was he?

"Easy does it," he called out in an almost sultry tone. He found a weak spot in the circle of fire and slipped in, advancing closer to her. He appeared to have no shame over being naked in front of a stranger, "I'm not going to hurt you."

"What the hell was that?!" Selena called loudly, one hand gesturing to where he had just transformed.

"Hmm, that?" he asked sarcastically, coming to squat down in front of her, "Look at what you've done," he nodded to the fire, "Clearly you're used to things being out of the ordinary."

Selena gulped, her brows furrowed, "I don't shapeshift into a rabid animal."

"No, you just start forest fires at the blink of an eye," he chastised. Selena was silent for a few moments before she took off the jacket she was wearing. It was practically ruined now, but she held it out to the man. He chuckled as he took it, tying it around his waist as to cover his junk.

"Who are you?" Selena asked finally, "What are you?"

"Peter Hale," he addressed, holding out a hand, "Alpha werewolf."

"I'll burn you," she shook her head, dismissing the handshake, "but how is that possible? What's an alpha?"

"How is any of this possible?" Peter challenged, "And wolves travel in packs. Alphas are the leaders, betas are the followers, and omegas are the lone wolves."

Selena mulled over the information, trying to process it all. Obviously she had to believe him after what she'd just seen. His explanation was outlandish but somehow more than believable. It was the only truly plausible answer.

"Now what's your name?" Peter asked. There was a certain glint in his eyes as he peered down at her. His lips curved on either end, forming a malicious sort of smirk.

"Selena," she introduced. By now the fires had significantly gone down. Selena was no longer drowning in her emotions.

"Selena," he repeated, allowing it to roll of his tongue, "You're a phoenix, aren't you, Selena?"

She hesitantly nodded. She didn't understand how he knew. At the same time, this sparked a curiosity inside of her. If Peter knew what she was, he might be able to help her in some way.

"But you don't know how to control it?" Peter interrogated, one brow raising.

Selena's gaze dropped to where her hands fiddled with one another in her lap. That was enough of a response for Peter to understand.

"Awe," he cooed, reached out to swipe away a few stray tears with his thumb. It hurt only mildly from how warm her face still was, "What's got you so upset?"

It was like Selena's head was shoved back under water. Another wave of cries washed over her, her shoulders trembling. The flames were also rejuvenated, stretching higher to lick at more, untouched nature.

"It's alright," Peter spoke in a soothing voice, something he only used manipulatively. He stroked at her soft blonde hair, the only part of her keeping cool, "Deep breaths, sweetheart."

Selena struggled but managed to sniffle through her weeps. She wiped hastily at her cheeks, shaking her head, "I'm sorry, I promise I'm not this emotional all the time."

"Don't worry about it," Peter waved it off, lowering her hand from her face. Based on the sound of her heartbeat, he could tell she was comforted by his gentle tone. He couldn't smell her chemo-signals, though. They were too fried.

"I just," Selena paused, debating if she should tell a stranger this. She figured she already knew his deepest secret and he already knew what she was. Maybe he could even help her somehow, "I found out I'm pregnant."

Peter swallowed any surprise well, humming, "How old are you?"

"Sixteen," she whispered. Peter noticed her lips start to quiver and was quick to swoop in.

"No need to cry," he pacified, "It'll be alright. Are you gonna keep it?"

Selena nodded, only just then realizing that she'd made her choice, "But how am I supposed to raise a baby when I can't even control myself?"

Bingo. Peter found his opening and latched onto it.

"Well, I could teach you control," Peter shrugged, as if he didn't have this all meticulously planned.

Selena looked up again, naive hope shining in her eyes, "You could? How do you know how to help?"

"As werewolves we struggle with control too," Peter began to explain, "We're filled with rage very similar as to what you feel. We don't start fires, but we grow claws and fangs, our eyes glow. It's especially bad on the full moon. It's, like, this uncontrollable need for blood. To just dig into some flesh."

Selena was hanging onto his every word—and he knew it, too. She'd never met anybody who felt the same way. It was like she felt a rush of relief, grateful that she wasn't the only one. Selena wasn't a psycho or monster.

She was just like him.

"Please," she begged, placing a hand on his knee, "Teach me. I've got no other options."

Peter grinned, "Of course I'll help you. . . But, I'm gonna need something in return."

Selena quickly removed her hand, face scrunching in slight confusion and worry, "What is it?"

"Take a walk with me," Peter nodded his head before standing up. Selena reluctantly followed. The flames were nothing but relaxed embers.

The unlikely pair began to walk through the woods, Peter leading the way.

"I come from a family of strong werewolves," Peter started his monologue, "I grew up right here in Beacon Hills, tucked away in the woods. We lived in peace for most of our lives, until the threat of hunters grew more prominent."

"Hunters?" Serena had to look up to meet his eyes, although he was only a few short inches taller than her.

Peter nodded, "Hunters. They track and kill all supernatural creatures. Werewolves, phoenixes, all of it. That's why you've got to be careful and not tell anybody about what you are, not even other werewolves."

"What about you?" she quipped, a small smile making it's appearance. She felt comfortable around Peter, something she'd eventually realize to be a terrible mistake.

"I'm nothing to worry about," he jokingly winked before continuing his story, "Anyways, one day they showed up to our home. There were multiple of them, and they set my home on fire while most of us were inside.

"So many lives were taken that day," his brows creased in mock sorrow, "Werewolves and innocent humans. My whole family, all aside from my niece and nephew. I was inside when it happened, burning all of my body."

Selena frowned sympathetically.

"I barely made it out alive," Peter forced a sniffle, "I was in a coma the past seven years or so."

"Oh jeez," Selena uttered, placing a hand on his bare shoulder, "That's awful. What about your niece and nephew? What happened to them?"

"Laura and Derek," he named them, "Right after I recovered, hunters murdered Laura. They cut her right in half."

Selena covered her mouth with a slight gasp. She was realizing now just how brutal these hunters were. First they barbecued an entire innocent family and when that failed, they cut the poor woman in half. Or so she thought.

"Derek doesn't know I'm alright," he added, peeking over to gage her reaction, "I just can't let anybody know. I fear the hunters will come for me next, I'm still so weak."

"What about Derek? Will he be able to protect himself?" Selena inquired.

"I can only hope," Peter sighed, "He's strong, I know he'll make it. I'm just," he paused, mirroring exactly what she'd done earlier when struggling to confess, "I'm still so filled with rage. I want everybody who aided in my family's death to perish."

"They deserve it," Selena was surprisingly very easy to persuade, "Every last one of them deserves to rot in hell—they deserve a fiery death."

"Really?" he mused, "I'll admit I'm glad to hear you say that, I was worried I'd gone crazy," he let out a light laugh. Peter didn't even realize how deeply that falsified statement hit home with Selena. He was tricking her right into the palm of his hand flawlessly. It was all too perfect.

"You're not crazy," it wasn't clear if Selena was saying that just for him, or finally allowing it to resonate with herself, "But why are you telling me this?"

Peter came to a stop, letting out an 'uncertain' huff as he dodged her eyes, "I don't know, it might be too much to ask of you."

"You have no idea how much you're helping me out," this time it was Selena comforting him, not realizing how little he needed it, "I've struggled with control for as long as I can remember. If you can help me out, I'd practically owe you my life."

Success. He had her wrapped around his grimy, conniving finger.

"Would you. . . help me?" Peter popped the big question.

"Help you?" she needed to be certain she understood.

"Help me find and kill the bastards that did this to me," he clarified, bitterness soaking his words of disdain.

Selena didn't need longer than a few seconds to decide.

"Yes."

author's note
so this is still just more introductions,, that's why i'm updating so soon but it'll get more interesting soon

also i know selena agreed really quick but it's because she's never met anybody anything like her,, she's also really scared and desperate for guidance so she's jumping at the first chance she gets. also she's a very vengeful person as you'll see later,, meaning she understands peter is only killing those who attacked his family

anyways i hope that makes sense,, i'll see you all next time <33