Chapter Thirty

A couple of days had gone by since Derek saved Scott from Victoria, Allison's Mom, and it now the full moon which I'm very anxious for. I'm not only anxious because its the full moon, but it's also Lydia's birthday. I haven't had very much training for the full moon, I haven't fully learnt to control it, but Lydia is presuring me to go, no matter how many times I've said I couldn't go.

Lydia would always play the guilty card, claiming that I would be a bad friend if I didn't go. I sit in Allison's room, trying to play it cool.

"Paige... Are you sure you're gonna be okay?" Allison asked, frowning. "'Cause your eyes are glowing, just a little bit."

I blinked rapidly, having one headphone in, looking at her. "I'm sorry," I tell her.

She gives me a small, sympathy smile. "You can just leave, I'll tell Lydia that you aren't coming, and there's nothing she can do expect be mad."

"I—I can't keep blowing her off, Allie." I informed her. "The music will help. I promise."

"Alright, just... Don't let Mom or Dad catch you. They don't know you're like Scott yet." Allison reassured me and I nodded. "And try to focus on my heartbeat, to be in rhythm, you know? I know that help Scott." I focused in on her heartbeat, it was calming.

"I think I'll be fine." I tried to tell her. "Besides, there'll be music there. To help me."

"But, there'll be lots of people there, too." Allison reminded me. "I don't want that to freak you out."

"Allison, it's going to be fine." I promised, starring at my best friend. "It's not nighttime now, so, I'll be fine."

The door to Allison's room suddenly swings open to reveal an unusually perky Lydia raising two handfuls of bags from Macy's. Lydia almost gave me a fright. I sent Allison a look and she looked just as surprised.

"Clear your schedule. This could take a while." Lydia glanced at us. She brushes past Allison and drops the bags full of clothes on the bed.

"How many outfits do you plan on wearing tonight?" Allison asked her.

"It's my birthday party. I'm thinking host dress, evening wear, then after hours casual." Lydia explained to us.

While she begins laying out clothes on the bed, Allison gently broaches a worrisome subject. "I noticed you didn't send out any invites." Allison informed her and I noticed that, too.

"It's the biggest party of the year, Allison. Everyone knows." Lydia rolled her eyes.

"We know." I begin. "We're just wondering if maybe this year things might be... different."

"Why would anything be different?" Lydia asked, bewildered.

"You know, things have been a little off lately. Things and people. Especially people. Like Jackson." Allison tried to explain our reasonings.

"What do you care about Jackson?" Lydia shoots her a look.

"Do you know if he's coming?" I asked.

"Everyone's coming." Lydia assured us. Allison and I sneak each other a glance. I bite my lower lip, feeling a little anxious. I glanced at the full moon still rising. Breaking into a smile again, Lydia models a dress in front of a mirror. "This one's Material Girl. I love it. On me. Not on either of you. This is for you. And this one's for you."

She yanks two dresses out of the bags, handing them to both me and Allison. "No one's seen him since last night and I heard his parents are getting really worried. So if you know where he is—" Allison tried to intervene as I take a pretty purple dress.

"This is definitely your color. Although, honestly, Allison, you have to start spray-tanning. You're starting to look goth and I don't even know if it's called goth anymore. It's just pale and pasty and not good. And you, Paige. Purple is 100% your colour." Lydia had completely ignored Allison's intentions.

A knock comes at the door and Victoria stands at the threshold. I almost immedtaly glanced down at my hands.

"Mrs. Argent, what do you think of this one?" Lydia asked her.

"It's lovely. Allison, can I grab you for a moment to talk? Just the two of us." Victoria requested.

"Can we do it later?" Allison asked. She gestures to the mountain of clothes unloaded on the bed.

"To be honest, sooner is better." Victoria informed her.

"Party starts at 10." Lydia chimed in.

"You'll be around before then?" Victoria asked hopefully.

"I think so." Allison nodded.

"You think so?" Victoria raised an eyebrow.

"I don't know." Allison gives her Mom a hard look. Victoria gives a nod as Allison returns her attention to Lydia. Allison pulls on a jacket, eliciting a nod of approval from Lydia.

I inhaled deeply, smelling some fresh blood. I glanced at Victoria quickly, then adverted my gaze elsewhere. Is Victoria bleeding? Victoria backs out of the doorway, leaving us alone.

"Paige, I need you to try that on." Lydia requested, pointing to the purple dress I held in my hands. I nodded.

"I'll go to the bathroom." I tell them. Lydia shrugs and turns her attention back to Allison as I walked out of the hallway and dipped into their bathroom.

I stare at the mirror at myself, thankful no new hair has grown, or my fangs. How am I doing this so well? But, I wasn't complaining.

My phone started to ring and I answered, pausing my music. "Hello?" I asked, not bothering to check the ID.

"Hey, Paige." Stiles spoke and I felt myself smile a little. "How are you doing? Where are you right now?"

"I'm at Allison's. And before you yell at me, I think I'm doing fine, I'm not... Ya know..." I didn't want to say the word just in case one of the Argent's is listening.

"Really? That's great." I could hear the smile in Stiles' voice. "But are you sure it's a good idea to hang around them?"

"I think I'm doing fine." I tell him. "And I'm going to Lydia's party,"

"Paige..."

"Don't give me that tone," I stressed. "I'm doing fine now, I'll be fine at the party. And if I do happen to go a bit crazy, I'll let you know... Okay?"

"Fine." Stiles huffed. "But I am sticking beside you like glue."

"Fine by me." I shrugged. "I gotta go, I'm getting ready,"

"Okay, I'll see you at Lydia's." Stiles spoke, before hanging up and I instantly played the music again. I got changed quickly, liking the new dress. It was a purple babydoll dress, and it was very short. I'm wearing a five-inch dark pink heels to match with it. It's very pretty.

I walked back out with my old clothes in my hand and into Allison's room. Allison was wearing the new dress, too. Lydia turned to me, grinning. "You look like a fashion model."

⇉

Parked by the curb and feeling completely in control of myself, thank God, I stepped out of the car. The moon has risen, and I feel calm and relaxed. I was ready to have a good night, I'm not going to let my wolf ruin my socialisng. On my hand, I had bought myself a cute charm bracelet, like the one I gave Allison at the beginning of last year. And, in my present for Lydia, I bought her a charm bracelet so the three of us have matching charms.

I thought it was a nice thought. I hope she likes it. Lydia is extremely hard to buy for.

"For Lydia." I tried to psych myself up, hearing the music playing loudly at her house. I got out of my car, noticing Allison walking up the driveway. "Allie." I called out and she turns around.

She gives me a smile. "Hey. Look at you, you're learing really quickly, aren't you?"

I grinned. "Yeah, I am."

"How are you feeling, though?" Allison asked as I gain closer to her.

"Honestly... I can feel it, strongly, but other than that I'm fine. I'm calm. I'm relaxed. I'm ready to have a good time."

She smiled. "Great. Let's go."

We both walked up to the house, ringing the doorbell. "Happy birthday!" We both chimed in, with big smile.

Lydia stands there, smiling. "Thanks! Presents are over there," she points the present pile. "And don't forget to try the punch." She winks at us, following us to the table as we placed them down.

"You're gonna love my present." I tell her, and noticed it was a bit... Empty. "Is Jackson here?"

Lydia shrugs. "I don't think so." That's when I spotted Scott and Stiles outside by the pool. "I'll be right back." Lydia informed us. Allison and I glanced. We both walked over there in silences.

"Hey," I greeted them both.

"Hey, how are you feeling?" Scott asked me, looking at me worriedly.

"I feel... Okay." I tell him, nodding. "But, uh, Jackson's not here."

"No one's here." Stiles pointed out. Stiles motions to the four other party guests milling about.

"Maybe it's just early?" Scott suggested.

"Or maybe no one's coming because Lydia's turned into the town whack job." Stiles informed us and I shoot Stiles a look.

"Should you even be here?" Allison asked Scott. She nods to the sky and the moon rising behind the clouds.

"I'll be okay." Scott tells her. "And I've got to keep an eye on Paige, too."

"I'm concerned about both of you." She glanced at us worried.

"We'll be okay, we've got each others backs." Scott assured her which made my heart warm. I gave Scott a small smile. He nods back at me.

"Yeah, I feel fine." I tell her honestly. "And, we have to do something, because we've completely ignored her for the past two weeks."

"She completely ignored Stiles for the past ten years." Scott harshly said. I winced.

"I prefer to think of it as me not being on her radar yet." Stiles added.

Scott shakes her head. "We don't owe her a party."

"What about the chance to get back to normal?" Allison asked.

"Normal?" Scott frowned.

"She wouldn't be the town wack job if it wasn't for us." Allison pointed out and I completely agreed with her and looked over to see Lydia standing by herself with a trey of punch, waiting for people. My heart sinks for her.

"I guess I could use my co-captain status to get the lacrosse team here." Scott suggested.

"Yeah, I also know some people who can get this thing going." Stiles added. "Like, really going."

I frowned and looked at Stiles. "Who?"

"I met them the other night." Stiles informed. "Let's just say they know how to party." I glanced at Scott, feeling his calmness and being in his presents make we not want to wolf out, which is a good thing. Maybe this is all part of being an empathic werewolf, it might be easier for me to control it.

Not even 15 minutes later, the party was all full blast. Music was playing, teenagers are dancing, and talking to each other, and Lydia seemed happy. Which was great. I feel slightly better

Lydia walked over to me and Allison who stood aside, giving us a punch each. She gave us a smile before walking away. I inhaled sharply, feeling my wolf stir within me for a moment. "You okay?" Allison asked.

"Um... I probably shouldn't have this..." I gestured towards the punch. "Espically..."

"Yeah." Allison agreed. "But if it makes you feel any better, Scott said that you guys' don't get any of the effects of alcohol."

"I'd rather not take my chances." I placed the cup down and turned back to her.

"I mean, fair enough." Allison nodded. "Hey," she touches my arm lightly. "If you feel anything, just let me know, okay? We can leave."

I pressed a smile. "Okay. I'm fine. Oh... But he's not." I nodded otwards Jackson who had entered, starring at Scott who was across the room.

I sat up slightly, starring as Lydia and Jackson interacted. "Glad you could make it." She spoke calmly, handing him a punch, then she walked off.

My phone began ringing, and I flinched at how loud it was. "Hello?" I picked it up, not bothering to check the ID.

"Paige, it's me." Derek had spoken on the other side of the phone. "Are you okay? Do you need me to come and control you?"

"Uh..." I glanced around at the party, knowing that Derek would be pissed if I was here. I shuffled uncomfrtably.

"Are you at a party?" Derek questioned, a little bit of anger in his voice. "Are you crazy? A party is the last thing you need right now. I'm coming to pick you up."

"No, Derek, I'm fine." I insisted. "There's music here keeping me calm, Scott's here and I'm bouncing off his emotions right now so I'm fine."

Derek sighed heavily. "If anything goes wrong at all, don't hesitate to call me and I'll come as quick as I can."

"Okay, thanks, Der." I replied. "I'll keep you updated." Then, I hung up on him.

"That Derek?" Allison asked, smirking a little bit.

"Yes, but he's just checking up on me." I give her a look. "Don't do that—it's weird, he's 24 and I'm 17."

"Soon to be 18." Allison shrugged. "Once you're 18, doesn't matter."

"Yeah... But, I'm conflicted." My eyes glanced over to Stiles.

"Ohh..." Allison smiles. "So you're admitting you like Stiles?"

My eyes widen. "I never said that. Don't put words into my mouth, Allie." The music got louder and I could feel myself wince at just how loud it was.

"Okay, okay, I'm sorry," Allison chuckled. "I'm going to go explore, meet new people, are you down?"

I shook my head, beginning to feel my head pound. "N—No, I'm good."

"Are you sure you're okay? Do you need me to talk to Derek?" Allison asked seriously, inching closer to me to examine me.

"I'm fine." The world turned red for a minute, and I blink rapidly, trying to fix my vision.

Allison's eyes widened. "Your eyes just glowed, you're not okay," Allison lowly said. "Paige."

"Okay, maybe I'm feeling it a little." I admitted, not wanting to argue with her any more. "Just... I need to be somewhere else. Anywhere else."

"Do you want me to come with you?" Allison asked, worried.

Just then, Matt approaches Allison. "Hey, can I talk to you?" He asked Allison.

Allison looked at me. "Actually—"

"She's free." I excused myself. "I'll catch you later, Al." I walked off, brushing past her and towards the entrance of the house before Scott stopped me.

"Paige, are you okay?" He asked, turning me around. "I can feel your emotions. They're going heywire."

I nodded, clenching my teeth. "Yeah... I'm fine, I need fresh air."

"Okay..." Scott spoke unsurely. I nodded and made my way out into streets, getting as far away from the house as possible. I looked up at the full moon and my eyes shine a bright yellow. I could feel my fangs wanting to come out and my claws.

I grabbed my phone out of my purse, letting out a few whimpers. I shouldn't have came. This was a bad idea. I'm so stupid.

I called Derek. "Paige?"

"Der—" I growled lowly, facing towards the back of the road so that no one can see me. "It's happening, and it hurts."

"Okay, I... I can't exactly... Be there." Derek sounded guilty. "Not right now, I'm struggling to contain Erica, Isaac, and Boyd."

"Erica, Isaac, and Boyd?" I asked. "Well, what do I... What do I do..." I begin to panic, which causes me to growl.

"Look, can you drive?"

"Yes," I answered lowly. "I think so. I'm not completely insane yet."

"Drive to the abandoned subway, you know where that is?" Derek asked me. I nodded and hung up, forgetting he couldn't see me. I tried to stay calm and walked towards my car.

⇉

"Derek!" I called out, my heart pounding through my ears as I rushed through the abandoned subway station. There was a whole lot of growls from werewolves inside the subway train and my heart beats widely. I hadn't completely lost my mind, which surprised me.

"Isaac!" I heard Derek call and Isaac had literally smashed into glass head first, soaring through to the ground. Isaac was growling, snarling at me as he makes eye contact with me.

"Isaac..." I spoke unsurely, taking a few steps back. "Isaac...!" He runs towards me and tried to tackle me, but, I growled, getting to him first. Gripping onto his t-shirt with one hand, I slammed him to the ground, snarling at him.

I began to see some human in him. "Paige?" He grunts out, his voice slightly cracking. I let go of him reluctantly, standing up. I helped him up. His eyes widen before he rushed into the subway station and my breath hitched as after five minutes of growling and sarling, it went quiet. Erica and Boyd were contained.

I paced around anxiously, feeling myself beginning to transform and it scared me. I'm still not used to this feeling of anger, power, and even killing. What scared me the most was not being able to be in control of myself and my actions. Who knows what I can do.

Derek walked out and my eyes widen at the sight of him. He had deep red claw marks on abs and blood spots almost everywhere else. "You okay?" Derek asked slowly.

I inhaled deeply as I stared at Derek. "I—I don't know. Derek, I don't want to lose my insanity like them. I'm too scared too."

"You don't have to." Derek reminded me, walking towards me slowly. "I know music is your anchor, but try find something else. Something that is more meaningful to you." A picture of Stiles, Scott, Allison, Lydia, and even Derek goes through my head and it almost made me immediately calm down. "Have you found it?"

I nodded, closing my eyes, trying to remember of all the good times we've had together. Which is rare, considering most of the time we're trying to save people from dying. I opened my eyes to see Derek was standing right in front of me. He grabbed my hand and place it on his beating heart which was steady and calm.

"And focus on my heartbeat. Feel how steady and calm it is right now? Try copy it, it will help." Derek informed me and I tried to and it helped. I could feel my wolf being contained inside of me. It isn't stirring, it's simply alerted.

I stared into Derek's emerald green eyes and exhaled. "I don't feel it." I whispered.

Derek gave me a smirk, nodding. "Good."

"Thank you." I was anxious now that he was this close to me, and with Allison's conversation earlier, I forgot how to act around Derek. God, why can't my stupid mind leave me alone. I'm giving myself mixed feelings. I barely know Derek.

But, I guess that's what I like. He's unpredictable, and Stiles' is. But, I'm not sure if I like unpredictable. I sighed, running a hand through my hair and turning away.

Fuck life.