season one, episode one

- wolf moon -

.𖥔 ݁ ˖ִ ࣪⚝₊ ⊹˚

Stiles' old blue Jeep bumped into the preserve, its headlights lighting up a sign that said "No entry after dark." Stiles hopped out, flashlight in hand, acting like they were on some big mission. Scott followed, annoyed with his best friend for dragging him out of the house so late, especially since tomorrow would be an important day.

"We're seriously doing this?" Scott asked, shaking his head.

"You're the one always bitching that nothing happens here." Stiles said, marching into the woods.

"I was trying to get a good night's sleep before practice tomorrow." Scott grumbled.

Stiles snorted. "Right, because sitting on the bench is such a grueling effort."

"I'm not sitting on the bench this year. I'm playing. In fact, I'm making first line." Scott shot back, determined. He had been practicing all summer. He just had to make the team this year.

Stiles turned and stared at him, looking like he didn't believe a word. "Hey, that's the spirit! Everyone should have a dream, even a pathetically unrealistic one."

"Like you're dream of dating Aurora Finstock?" Scott inquired, making Stiles glare at him before continuing their way further into the woods.

Stiles whipped his head around to glare at Scott, his face a mix of annoyance and embarrassment. "First of all, it's not a dream—it's a goal. Secondly, shut up."

Scott snickered, but Stiles ignored him, stomping off further into the woods, flashlight bouncing with each step. But after a few seconds, Scott spoke up again. "Just out of curiosity, which half of the body are we looking for?"

Stiles froze, looking caught off guard. "Huh. Didn't think about that."

"And what if whoever killed the body is still here?" Scott added, not hiding his sarcasm.

"Also something I didn't think about." Stiles admitted, looking sheepish.

Scott groaned. "It's comforting to know you've planned this out with your usual attention to detail."

"I know." Stiles said with a shrug, completely unbothered by the fact that the killer could still be out here or that his father and the entire sheriffs department was here, searching for the same body.

As they hiked up a hill, Scott started wheezing like crazy, struggling to keep up. "Maybe the severe asthmatic should be the one holding the flashlight, huh?" He said, leaning against a tree to catch his breath and use his inhaler.

But Stiles kept going, forcing Scott to follow. Up ahead, they saw flashlights from the search party. Both of them ducked behind a big fallen branch, turning off their flashlight so they wouldn't get caught.

But of course, Stiles couldn't sit still. "Come on." He whispered, getting up again.

"Wait!" Scott hissed, grabbing at him. "Stiles, stop!"

"Stiles!" He called again, trying to be as quiet as possible, but his best friend wasn't looking back. The sound of his voice made a search dog start barking. Stiles froze as a flashlight beam hit him, and Scott dove back behind a tree, heart pounding.

"Hold it right there!" A deputy called out. Stiles threw his hands up, looking totally busted.

Then a familiar voice groaned. "Hang on, hang on." Said Sheriff Stilinski, stepping into view. He sighed, already looking fed up. "This little delinquent belongs to me."

"Hey, Dad, how are you doing?" Stiles asked, trying to play it off cool, greeting his dad with a smile.

The sheriff glared at him. "So, do you, uh, listen in to all of my phone calls?"

"No, heh." Stiles denied but when his dad shot his a look, he admitted. "Not the boring ones." Stiles said with a nervous laugh.

The sheriff rolled his eyes. "Now, where's your usual partner in crime?"

"Who, Scott?, Scott's home. He said he wanted to get a good night's sleep for first day back at school tomorrow." Stiles said way too quickly. " It's just me... In the woods... All alone."

The sheriff clearly didn't believe him, shining his flashlight around. "Scott, you out there?" He asked, but didn't receive an answer from the boy who was still hiding the behind the tree, holding his breath like his life depended on it. "Scott?" Noah repeated, but again no response came from anywhere.

The sheriff sighed and grabbed Stiles by the back of the neck. "Come on. Let's go to your car, and then we're having a long talk about privacy."

As Sheriff Stilinski started dragging Stiles back toward the Jeep, a loud scream suddenly echoed through the woods.

"Help!"

It was faint but clear enough to stop them both in their tracks.

"Did you hear that?" Stiles asked, his usual joking tone completely gone as he recognized the voice. Or at least he thought he did.

The sheriff frowned, already looking around, one hand on his radio. "Stay here," he said firmly, but Stiles didn't even think about listening and took off.

"Stiles! Stop!" His dad yelled, but Stiles was gone, running toward the voice like his life depended on it.

The sheriff groaned and followed, muttering something under his breath while calling for backup on his radio. Aurora's voice echoed through the trees again, but it seemed to be closer than it did before.

Aurora's voice echoed through the woods again, louder and more panicked this time. "Help! Please!"

Noah Stilinski picked up his pace, trying to keep up with his son. "Stiles! Get back here!" He yelled, but it was no use. Stiles didn't even look back, his feet pounding the ground as he followed the sound of the screams.

The sheriff cursed under his breath and pushed through the brush, his flashlight catching glimpses of Stiles ahead. Then, suddenly, Stiles collided with something solid. He yelped, dropping his flashlight as he stumbled backward, but kept his balance.

"I'm sorry." A weak voice spoke as Stiles fumbled for his flashlight, aiming it at the figure in front of him. His heart leapt. "Aurora?"

She looked at him, her face pale and confused. "Who—how do you know my name?" she asked, clutching her side, where blood seeped through her torn shirt. Her voice was shaky, her breathing uneven.

Stiles froze for a moment, not sure what to say. "Uh, it's... it's complicated," he said, stepping closer. "Are you okay? You're bleeding."

Aurora's eyes darted around wildly, as if she were still trying to make sense of what had just happened. "I-I don't know," she stammered. "There was a wolf... and a body. Oh my God. There was a body."

Stiles' eyes widened, his heart racing. "A wolf? Are you sure?"

She nodded frantically, her breath hitching. "It was huge, and it—it came out of nowhere and bit me. And it's eyes! I ran, and then I tripped... and the body—it was just lying there." Her voice broke, panic rising in her tone.

"Okay, okay, just breathe," Stiles said quickly, holding up his hands as if to calm her down. "You're safe now, alright? We'll figure this out."

Aurora's legs started to wobble, and she leaned back against the tree for support, her face losing even more color. Stiles stepped closer without thinking, offering his arm. "Here, let me help you."

She hesitated, her eyes flicking to his, searching for any sign of danger. Finally, she nodded weakly, letting him take some of her weight.

Aurora's legs wobbled, her grip tightening on Stiles' arm as she leaned against him. "I feel... so dizzy," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.

"It's okay, I've got you," Stiles said, his tone steady despite the panic bubbling under the surface. He glanced over his shoulder, wishing his dad would hurry up and catch up with them.

"Stiles!" Sheriff Stilinski's voice echoed through the trees, followed by the beam of a flashlight cutting through the darkness.

"Dad! Over here!" Stiles called back, relief flooding his voice.

Noah emerged from the trees, his face tense as he took in the sight of Aurora leaning heavily against his son. "What the hell is going on?" He asked, striding over. His eyes immediately landed on the blood staining Aurora's side.

"She's hurt." Stiles said quickly and worriedly. "She says she was attacked by a wolf."

"A wolf?" Noah repeated, his brow furrowing as he took in Aurora's pale face. "Alright, let's not stand around. We need to get her out of here."

Aurora blinked up at him, her legs trembling. "The body. There was a body."

"We'll deal with that after we make sure you're okay." Noah said firmly, his tone leaving no room for argument. Without hesitation, Noah stepped closer, taking Aurora's other arm and giving her the support she needed to stay upright.

Stiles stuck close, glancing at Aurora every few seconds. "You're gonna be okay." He muttered, more to himself than to her.

Aurora gave a faint nod, her breathing shallow but steady. "Thank you." She said softly, her voice filled with exhaustion, wishing that she hadn't gone running tonight.

"Don't mention it." Stiles said, his grip tightening protectively on her arm as they made their way back to the car.

.𖥔 ݁ ˖ִ ࣪⚝₊ ⊹˚

Words: 1500

Posted: December 18, 2024

Thank you so much for reading again! Be sure to comment. I love reading them and it keeps me motivated! I love you guys!!

xoxo Katherine