Chapter Twenty

I woke up to bright lights beaming down at me. I could feel myself being in a lying position, and I realised that I must be in the hospital. What happened? Why am I in the hospital? Why am I wearing an ugly hospital gown?

I looked around me, feeling rather panicked. I couldn't remember what had happened, and everything seemed overbearing for some reason. The lights are too bright; I could hear doctors out in the hallway, everything.

"Mom." I breathed; she had entered before I even saw her coming. It's like I knew she was coming somehow.

"Oh, thank God, you're awake." Mom rushed over to me in her doctor's uniform, looking at me with full of concern. "How are you feeling, sweetie?"

"Confused," I admitted. "W—What happened?"

"You—" She stutters out; I could sense that she was feeling overwhelmed. It felt like I was overwhelmed, too. "Someone attacked you. Along with Lydia Martin."

"I was?" I asked quietly. "I don't remember."

She looked at me softly. I felt her pity. "Thank God Jackson was there to save you both... You almost died, Paige."

I was Gobsmacked. "What?"

"It's okay, love, you're here now. So, just rest." Mom strokes my hair softly, smiling. "Do you need anything?"

"No... I don't think so," I frowned.

"Oh, by the way, your friends are here." Mom informed, and I nodded.

"Is Allison here?" I asked quietly.

"She is, I can get her for you if you want?" Mom questioned.

"Yeah—Wait, what about Lydia, is she okay?" I asked.

Mom frowned sadly. "She's fine... Yeah. She's okay. Woke up yesterday."

I nodded. "Okay, please send Allison in." Mom agreed and kissed my forehead before leaving. I fiddle with my hands nervously and felt a bandage on my right hip. I frowned and lifted up my hospital gown, exposing my side. I checked the bandage, ripping it slowly.

I was completely fine. There was no mark or anything. No blood, nothing. I ripped the bandage off completely, there were blood stains on the bandage, however, but no mark on my skin.

Weird.

The door opens, and Allison was there, looking worried. "Hey, Paige." She greets me, closing the door behind her and walking over to the side of my bed, sitting down carefully. "How are you feeling?"

"Um, slightly confused. I don't remember what happened." I tell her. "Do you know what happened?"

"I..." Allison's mouth closed. She seemed conflicted. "You were bitten, Paige."

"Bitten? What?" I asked, growing more confused. "Bitten...? Did a cannibal—"

"No, Peter bit you." Allison cuts me off, and that's when it all came back to me in one hit. It was Peter Hale who had attacked Lydia on the field that night. We were looking for Jackson. "It's okay, I know about the Supernatural now."

"You do?" I asked, surprised. "What? How?"

"Uh... I found out on the night of the school dance." She admits. "Scott's a werewolf. It kind of makes sense now."

"Are you okay with it?" I questioned.

She shrugged. "I mean, I'm fine with it, but my Dad is not. He's forbidden us from dating, but we're secretly dating now. Um... We killed Peter. Well, Derek did; he's an Alpha now. A—And Peter killed my Aunt, Kate."

"I'm so sorry," I spoke, my tone dropping a little.

She looked away from me. "I'm conflicted about her death. I'm not sure if I should be sad, mad, or even happy. She's killed lots of innocent people. She even kidnapped and tortured Derek. I'm sorry if this is all a little too much information, by the way."

"No, it's fine, I need to know what happened. I feel totally out of the loop." I admitted. "And wait—If I'm bitten, doesn't that make me, you know... A werewolf too?"

"I—I think so." Allison breathed out. "How do you feel?"

"Um, everything's kind of overwhelming. I can hear a lot clearer, my heart's beating really fast, I feel... Different." I tried to explain my feelings.

"Paige, I promise I'm going to do the best I can to help you through this," Allison promised me and I smiled a little. "We all will. Me, Scott, and Stiles. I'm beginning to train to be a hunter, but I don't want to be. You're my best friend, and Scott's my boyfriend, I can't kill either of you."

"It's okay," I assured her. "I'll help you through this, too." She smiled at me. I let out a shaky breath. "Does this mean I'm going to wolf out on the full moon?"

Her face pales. "I'm not sure, you're gonna have to ask Derek. He's the Alpha now."

"I guess I might have to," I murmured. "If he's helped Scott, he can help me, too."

Allison's phone rings. "It's Stiles; I've got to go. But I'll see you soon, okay?" I nodded helplessly. "Bye, Paige."

"Bye, Allie," I whispered as she left the room, answering her phone, and I never felt more alone. Every single sense I have feels stronger. I can smell the french fries from the cafeteria, and my mouth is watering. I can hear the doctors talking about patients. It's all new and scary.

I don't want to become a monster on a full moon. That's too scary. I felt my jaw clench tightly. I felt scared. I can't be by myself any longer.

I called for the nurse on my little button beside the bed, just to not be alone and asked when I could be free.

Melissa enters. "Hello, Paige. How are you?"

"Overwhelmed." I breathed out, staring at Scott's mother.

"That's completely understandable." Melissa nodded. "Did you need anything?"

"Um, how long do I have to stay here?" I asked.

"You seem to be okay, so we're going to keep you here overnight to monitor you. You can leave first thing in the morning." Melissa informed me, and I sighed with relief.

"Thank you," I said. "Is Scott here?"

"No, he isn't. But, I think Stiles is." Melissa told me. "Do you want me to get him?" I nodded. "Okay, I'll be right back." She leaves for a moment, and then a few minutes later, Stiles enters.

"Hey, how are you?" Stiles asked, closing the door behind him.

"If someone asks me that one more time, I might throw a tantrum." I joked, and he cracked a small smile. "Stiles, what's happening to me?"

He sighed. "You were bitten, Paige. Which means you're probably gonna be a werewolf. Like Scott."

"Stiles, I can't be a werewolf." I begin to panic. "I don't want to be one. Watching Scott go through all that, seems hard."

"Yeah." Stiles agreed. "But, that's the great thing about us. We're gonna help you control the wolf inside you, I promise."

I cringed. "Please don't start throwing lacrosse balls at me."

Stiles chuckled. "Don't worry, and we'll learn some new tactics for you. How does chained by a tree sound?"

My mouth widens. "You're kidding?"

Stiles cracked another smile. "Or would you rather it be in your room?"

I rolled my eyes. "I don't want to think about any of that right now. But I was thinking about going to Derek to ask for help."

"I mean, it's your choice, but I think it'd be best for me and Scott to help you," Stiles informed me lightly. Suddenly, a loud scream was heard throughout the hospital, and my eyes widened.

"Lydia?" I asked, suddenly having a feeling that it was her.

Stiles nodded. "Lydia." He and I both jumped up, exiting my hospital room, and Stiles led me to Lydia's room. Melissa, my Mom, and Mr Martin were with us.

"What the hell was that?" Melissa asked. We gather at the open bathroom door to find the empty shower still running, water flowing off the side of the tub.​​ Window up, the curtains flutter. But there's no sign of Lydia. She was gone.

⇉

Two days had passed since being out of the hospital, and Lydia was still missing. I could feel the full moon rising, and I was growing very anxious. I was pacing around in my room nervously. I was all alone since my Dad was working, and so was my Mom.

Everything had gone back to normal between the three of us. They would check up on how I was feeling every day, but that was only once a day.

I was getting extremely anxious that Stiles wouldn't help me on time, that I would wolf out and do something crazy, like kill someone. I was sitting on my bed now, bringing out my piano, and started playing some chords to keep me sane.

It worked for the most part, but now and then, I could feel myself twitching, wanting to change. I let out a whimper as my fingers touched the piano chords; my fingernails had begun to grow inhumanly. Every sense felt overpowered, and I could hear almost everything. Especially the streets and neighbours. I could sense Stiles wasn't home, so I prayed to God he was being somewhere else useful.

I walked over to the mirror and stared at myself. I grew a little facial hair that caused me to panic, which caused me to change quicker. My eyes are glowing bright yellow, Beta eyes. I raised my lip using my hand, trying to see the growing fangs—it hurt a lot.

I winced in pain and walked back over to my bed, jumping on it. "I'm sorry, I know I'm late, but I'm here." Stiles had rushed in, and his eyes widened upon starring at me. "Jesus."

I flopped on the bed, feeling insecure and ugly, and I could feel the wolf within wanting to kill Stiles for saying that. "Stiles, don't look at me."

I heard him drop the duffle bag I saw him bring with him and heard him walking towards me. "Paige, look at me." I shifted my eyes up to him. They were glossing over with tears, and I hated that I felt like I needed to cry. "You're gonna be okay, right? I'm here now, and I'm so sorry I'm late; I had to deal with the new Beta—You know what? I'll explain everything later. When you'll remember."

I blocked out what he was mostly saying because I felt like I couldn't hear him. "Stiles." I flashed my yellow at him, gripping my hand tightly; I was bleeding as I felt some liquid spill out. "I'm trying so hard not to kill you right now."

His eyes widen. "Believe it or not, that's not the first time I've heard that. Okay, so I bought you some hand chains, right?" Stiles questioned, and I watched as he bought out some hand chains form the duffle bag. "I figured we'd chain you to your bed."

I rolled my eyes at how that sounded. "Okay, be quick about it, please." Stiles nodded. Within the next five minutes, I barely remembered what he had done. But I knew for one thing I was propped against my bed, being handcuffed to the side. "Are you sure this will be strong enough? I feel like I could rip it out any second." I admitted quietly as Stiles sat by my bay window, keeping his distance from me, which was fair enough. The urge to kill him was too strong, and I felt myself going into panic mode.

I didn't want to kill Stiles. I can't kill Stiles. But this wolf, it's taking over me, and I wouldn't say I liked it. I don't like not being in control of my body. But I'm trying to fight it off.

"I'm not sure," Stiles admitted. "It didn't work with Scott with just handcuffs, so I thought chains might be a better solution for you. But, I guess we'll have to see."

"Stiles, if anything goes wrong..." My voice trembles. "I need you to run, get the hell away from me. I'm scared to hurt you."

Stiles' face hardens. "You're not going to hurt me, Paige."

"But—"

"Paige," Stiles cuts me off. "I am staying here whether or not you go crazy. I promised you I would help you through this, and I'm keeping that promise."

I felt my heartbeat slow down a little, but then, it intensified quickly and I let out a low growl, and I saw Stiles shift uncomfortably. "Maybe you should grab Derek?" I growled out.

"No, I can do this, Paige. We can do this together." Stiles promised me once again. I felt myself pull on the chain, wanting to grab his neck and squeeze it tightly. It freaked me out having that intrusive thought. I felt the chain break the wooden frame of my bed, and Stiles' eyes widen. "Shit."

"Stiles, you should run." I pleaded, the human side coming out of me a little bit. "Please. Please, leave."

Stiles sucked in a breath. "No, I'm not leaving you, Paige." I let out another growl, feeling the wolf trying to take over. By now, I had broken the chain out of the wooden frame with my odd strength. I stared at my free hand.

Stiles inhaled sharply again. I was making him nervous, and for some odd reason, I liked it. "Stiles." I moaned, closing my eyes. "I want to kill you! Can't you see that? Why aren't you running?"

"Because we're in this together." Stiles continued to tell me. "You'll never be alone when you go through this. I promise."

"Stop saying that!" I snapped. "Stop saying I promise!" I felt myself pull harder again on the other chain, trying to get out. "Go! I'm not asking; I'm demanding!" The other chain snapped off successfully, and my hands were free but still chained. I growled, staring directly at Stiles. He gulped.

I was about to leap for him, finally getting my hands around his neck, but a figure stood in front of me, holding me back. I looked and saw it was Derek, his hands gripping my shoulders I let out a snarl, trying to claw at him, but he grabbed both of my arms before I could lay a hand on him.

His eyes began to glow bright red, and I felt myself submit. The wolf inside me whimpered, causing me to let out a whimper and scramble back to my bed. His eyes dim back to his normally green eyes. "Werewolf," Derek muttered to himself, and he turned to Stiles. "Why didn't you tell me she was transforming?"

"Well, you were busy with Isaac; I thought I could handle this one." Stiles quickly told Derek. I wasn't sure what they were saying; it didn't make sense. I was too focused on being afraid of Derek. He is the Alpha now, anyways.

"She could've killed you." Derek glared. "I'll be able to handle her. Go home, Stiles."

"But, I—"

"Now, Stiles." Derek snapped, and Stiles rolled his eyes before standing up and giving me a sorry look. I didn't recognise the look immediately, as I felt completely out of it. Stiles doesn't say anything before leaving me alone with Derek. Derek turned to me slowly and walked over to me. "Paige, can you hear me?"

I slowly nodded, blinking once as I stared at him. "What's happening to me?" I whispered, despite knowing the truth. I trusted Derek; I wanted his opinion on it.

"Peter bit you, Paige. You're just in the stages of transforming, but I will help you through that, okay?" Derek asked me kindly, and I nodded numbly. "Okay, now think of an anchor."

"What's that?" I breathed out, glancing at Derek.

"Something that makes you feel grounded feel human." Derek tried his best to explain. "Like, Scott, for example. His anchor is Allison; she makes him feel calm and happy. Try and think of one for yourself."

I tried to rack my brain for something, anything. "I—I can't think; there's too much going on."

Derek walked over, closed my bedroom window, and shut the blind; he then turned off the main light and turned on the side light. He sat on the bed beside me. "Okay, look at me. Now try and focus, have a clear mind—"

"Music," I mumbled and glanced over at the piano. "Music makes me happy; what about that?"

"Uh, yeah, that could work." Derek nodded. I pointed to the piano next to him, and he grabbed it.

"Do you... Do you know any songs?" I asked him quietly. I felt myself grit my teeth together.

"Um..." Derek shakes his head. "I was more of a Jock when I was younger."

I smiled a little. "Huh, that makes a lot of sense."

Derek raised an eyebrow. "Does it now?" I rolled my eyes, grabbed the piano from him, and began to play some notes to my new song, the sound of music instantly calming me. My heartbeat was beginning ot steady, and I watched as my claws subtracted into it's normal size. "Well, look at that; there's your Anchor. Music. What song is that?"

I blushed a little. "It's an original piece."

Derek smirked. "Really? I didn't realise you're that good. Does it have lyrics?"

"Yeah, it does." I shrugged. "But it's not finished yet."

"Hey, look, you've transformed back," Derek told me. "You're one of the quickest I've taught to control their wolf so fast. Especially considering you're a bitten wolf."

I beamed. "Really? Does that make me special?"

"I don't know," Derek mumbled.

Well, I felt pretty damn special.