The unspoken reconciliation between Isaac and Quinn was a subtle but significant shift in their relationship. It was a silent understanding, the kind of connection that only two people who had been through the storm together could share.

At school, the sight of them sitting side by side again was something that caught the attention of their peers. Isaac and Quinn had been known for their dramatic transformations over the past few months—both physically and emotionally—and it wasn't long before their reunion became the topic of gossip. Their renewed connection was a welcome surprise to those who had known them both in their earlier years, and the buzz around them was palpable.

Despite the outward appearance of things returning to normal, there was still an invisible wall between them, one that neither was willing to fully tear down just yet. Both of them were aware that trust, once broken, was a difficult thing to rebuild, and the time it would take to get back to a place where they were truly comfortable with each other again was uncertain. However, they were both determined to try, understanding that it wasn't just about mending the broken pieces but also about moving forward, even if at a slower pace.

Quinn found herself feeling oddly out of place when she sat with the group at lunch. It wasn't because she didn't care for the company, but because the last time she had spoken to most of them had been during the tense confrontation with Ethan. Stiles and Lydia were easy to talk to, as always—Stiles with his quirky humour and Lydia with her sharp wit and effortless charm. But Scott and Allison were a different story. They were the ones who made Quinn's nerves fray just a little.

Her breakup with Scott was still fresh in her mind. Although neither of them had wanted to continue their relationship, the way they had ended things left something to be desired. They hadn't been able to part on good terms, and that lingering discomfort hung between them like a thick cloud. It wasn't just awkward between them—it was heavy. Scott had always been an important part of Quinn's life, and the unresolved tension between them was almost palpable.

Isaac, of course, was not helping matters. His jealousy was clear to Quinn, even though he never said anything outright. Every time her eyes met Scott's across the room, she could feel Isaac's discomfort, a quiet tension in the way he shifted in his seat or the way his gaze darkened. Despite Quinn's reassurances to him about her feelings toward Scott, Isaac couldn't seem to let go of his unease. And Quinn couldn't figure out why Isaac was acting this way, either. It wasn't like him to be possessive or jealous, and it only served to confuse her further.

The awkwardness was also compounded by the fact that Isaac and Allison were no longer involved in their "complicated relationship," as Lydia so aptly put it. They had gone back to being just friends, but it was clear that Isaac still had some unresolved feelings regarding their past. He was quick to get defensive whenever another male, aside from Stiles, interacted with Quinn. She noticed it, of course, but all she could do was try to make sense of it. Isaac had never acted like this before, and it was starting to make her feel both confused and a little uncomfortable.

Lydia, being as perceptive as ever, noticed the unspoken tension between Isaac and Quinn. The subtle looks, the lingering moments, the way they both seemed to dance around the truth—Lydia could see it all. She wasn't surprised. The attraction between the two of them had been brewing for months now, maybe even longer, and they were both wearing their feelings like a badge of honour—though neither one of them seemed to realize it. Lydia shared her observations with Allison one afternoon, and to her surprise, Allison agreed. It was so obvious to them, but not to Isaac or Quinn.

The question that lingered in Lydia's mind, however, was when exactly those feelings began. Was it something that had always been there, buried beneath the surface, or was it a more recent development? Was their connection something that had been there since they were kids, or was it only now that their feelings had bloomed into something more? Neither Isaac nor Quinn had the answers, and perhaps, they were the only ones who could truly figure it out.

As Quinn sat with the group, her mind wandered to the twins. She had heard from Lydia that they were trying to join Scott's pack, and the thought made her heart ache. She knew it wouldn't be an easy transition, especially given their past. The rules of the pack were clear: "Don't kill anyone." But the twins had broken that rule multiple times, and it wasn't likely that they would hesitate to do so again, especially if it meant protecting themselves or their interests. Quinn didn't know how to feel about them being part of the pack, especially when things with Scott were still so fragile.

The pack itself was struggling in other ways too. Scott's troubles with transforming were worsening, Allison's hallucinations were becoming more frequent, and Stiles was lost in his own mind, unsure of whether he was awake or not. Quinn had heard from Scott's boss that their actions, particularly the sacrifice they had made to save their parents, had opened some sort of gateway—something that would attract dark forces. It was only the beginning of something far greater than they could all imagine, and no matter what they had been through with Ms Blake and her former pack, they all knew that things were about to get much, much worse.

Amidst all this uncertainty, Isaac's voice broke through Quinn's thoughts. "Do you still talk to them?" he asked, pulling the attention of the entire group toward her.

Quinn shifted uncomfortably under their gazes. She hated being the centre of attention, but she answered anyway. "No," she said softly. "I haven't spoken to them since..." Her voice trailed off, and she didn't need to finish her sentence. Everyone knew exactly what she was referring to—the confrontation with Ethan that had marked the end of that chapter in her life.

Isaac's gaze softened, but he pressed on. "Do you want to?"

Quinn looked down at her hands, which were resting on the table. The nervousness that had been bubbling inside her finally came to the surface. "I should... but maybe I shouldn't," she admitted, unsure of how to proceed.

Lydia, always the one to cut through the tension, spoke up. "I don't see why you shouldn't," she said, her voice calm but firm. Isaac looked at her, confused by her stance, but Lydia's words only made sense once she continued. "No one controls your choices in this matter, Quinn," she explained, her eyes flickering briefly to the twins. "From what I've seen, they were pretty protective of you during your time with Ms. Blake."

Isaac opened his mouth to protest, but was quickly silenced by the glare Quinn shot him. "No offence, Isaac, but you are the last person who gets a say in this," she said, her tone sharp, though she knew she wasn't being entirely fair. Isaac recoiled slightly, his expression one of surprise, but Quinn could see that he wasn't entirely upset.

She reached out to pat his back gently, offering a soft sigh. "I'll speak with them," she said, locking eyes with Isaac. "You can be with me if it worries you so much."

A small smile tugged at Isaac's lips at her words. "Thanks," he said, though his voice still held a trace of concern.

Quinn's smile took on a more mischievous edge as she added, "Though I expect you to be on your best behaviour, or else."

Her words hung in the air like a quiet challenge, but there was a sense of humour in them that softened the intensity. Isaac couldn't help but smile back, knowing that whatever lay ahead, they would face it together—just as they always had.