chapter three.

"WHAT?" STILES BARKED. Arthur flickered his hazel browns between the two noticing the longing look on Scott's face, he fought the urge to groan out loud knowing the beta has something on his mind restraining him from focusing on having fun tonight.

Scott glimpsed at the two realizing they're both looking at him, he pinched his eyebrows together. "What, what do you mean, "what"?"

"He means 'what', you know what 'what' means." Arthur piped up walking on Scott's other side down the pavement to a house party Stiles bragged about being invited to because they invited him not them first.

His features twisted clueless. "'What' what?"

"You've lost me now." The hazel brown countered glimpsing at the two, hands in his pockets.

Stiles leaned forward looking at Arthur pointing at Scott. "You didn't see that look he was giving?"

Arthur nodded passing the werewolf a side glance. "I saw the look."

"I didn't give a look." Scott complained with a small groan looking at the two. The only time Stiles and Arthur could get along is when they're taunting Scott, something they never fail to do.

"Oh, there was a distinct look, Scott." Stiles retorted walking sideways now.

The werewolf avoided their eyes. "What look?"

"The look that says; the last thing you want to do is not worry about our bizarre town for one night." The hazel brown noted. He wanted to dance until he couldn't stand anymore, he wanted to feel as free as a butterfly without thinking about Beacon Hill's newest threat breathing down his neck. Is it too much to ask?

Scott huffed giving in. "It's not that. It just seems weird going to a different high school's party." Arthur groaned along with Stiles, this isn't the first time he's attended parties with different high schools. He's done plenty with Lydia before she met Jackson, Arthur wouldn't say they're enemies but they're closer than classmates.

"What? Would you..." The freckled boy groans slouching his shoulders. "God, one drink, all right? You'll be fine. I went to nursery school with this girl, okay? She promised to introduce us to all of her friends. So tonight, no Allison, no Lydia," Stiles eyes Scott and Arthur, his voice raises finishing his speech. "Tonight, we're moving on."

Scott pulled out his phone noticing the missed call from Allison. He shoved it away with a firm nod. "You're right." Arthur grinned glad he's done with being tethered by Allison.

"That's right I'm right." Stiles agreed grinning stopping in front of him with a firm nod.

Arthur clasped a hand on their shoulders beaming staring at the house containing booming music and new memories he hopes the create on his free night. "To not looking back!"

"Moving on." Scott cheered hopping into party spirit shaking off the jitters hanging on his shoulders.

"Onward and upward." Scott raised both hands; Stiles slapped his right and Arthur hit his left meeting once again at the bottom feeling energized. "Let's do this."

They trudged towards the house knowing nothing could ruin their determination to having a great night.

"That's what I'm talking about." Stiles grinned.

"How's my breath smell?" Scott wondered breathing out towards Arthur.

Arthur clamped his hand over Scott's mouth. "Dude, we're not smelling your breath."

"Do you have any gum?" The werewolf inquired when the hazel brown removed his hand ⏤ searching his pockets.

Stiles quickly stopped his search shaking his head staring him in the eye. "No. No gum. You're fine."

"Can you at least tell me what kind of party this is?" Scott questioned in a whiny tone. Arthur rolled his eyes.

Though before any could reply a preppy blonde carrying a blue sole cup ⏤ he guessed contained alcohol by her sloppy movements. Arthur never tried alcohol and doesn't want too, he's studied what they can do to their bodies and he doesn't want to become infected by it.

"Stiles, Hi!" The blonde cheered nearly tripped over her feet giggling.

Stiles beamed awkwardly holding her up straight. "Hey. There's the birthday gir ⏤" He's cut off by a pair of lips meeting hers own eagerly, Arthur whistled lowly sharing a look with Scott who looked amused.

She pulled back breathless ignoring the pair behind him, Stiles wore a goofy smile. "So glad that you made it."

"Me too." He breathed out.

"Come downstairs with me and help me pick out a bottle of wine." She tugged his collar.

Stiles followed behind the blonde turning back to the once more time with a fist pump, "Yes."

Arthur rubbed his hand together stepping inside; the floor vibrate with music, teens spreed around the room dancing, kissing and drinking, blue solo cups littered the floor and the lingering stench of sweat in the air.

His shoulders bounced along with the thumping of music peeking at Scott standing besides a dark skinned woman with an upper cut looking him up and down before strutting away rejecting him leaving him offended. Laughter bubbles past Arthur's lips nudging Scott who rolled his eyes.

"Dance, you're making me feel awkward." Arthur complained frowning at Scott who rocked on his heels with his hands in his pockets.

"I don't dance." He retorted shrugging lightly pressing his lips together surveying the place.

"Neither can they." He gestured to some doing robotics dance moves missing the musics' beats, looking back at him with a pleading look. "I doubt you can worse."

Scott sighed but compelled; he flicked his wrist snapping his fingers moving his feet back and forth in rhythm besides Arthur who covered his face groaning. It made sense why Scott didn't want to go partying, with moves like his ⏤ he wouldn't want to go either.

"What?" Scott wondered cluelessly a goofy smile planted on his lips. Arthur couldn't help but return it.

"Your dancing skills remind me of those dad dances on YouTube." The hazel brown teased biting his bottom lip restraining a smile.

"Where do you think I learned how to dance?" Scott revealed grinning raiding his hands in question.

Arthur pointed a finger at him both eyebrows raised. "No freaking way!"

Scott smiled shrugging. "It pays off, I can moonwalk."

Arthur scoffed giving him a dead look, his head bopping slightly unable to resist the musical temptation. "Yeah. And I can dance without tripping."

The werewolf flashed him a wink tapping his shoulder. "Werewolf perks."

"More like cheater perks." Arthur mumbled shooting him a playful glare knowing Scott could hear with his heightened hearing.

There are days when Arthur wished he had been bitten; than he could be great at many things he's imperfect at ⏤ and there are a lot. He would be able to hear thing Scott and Derek could hear forcing his depend on them urging them to fill him in, not being fast enough to save people or deal with his agonizingly slow healing. He could do a lot of great things if he had accepted Derek's offer.

But observing them go through their full moons, the bloodlust wouldn't be profit him in future. He sees the bite more like a way around life instead of running for it, supernatural beings could do shit the easy way. You don't learn thing through the easy way.

Scott pulled his phone from his pocket knitting his eyebrows together scanning over it.

Arthur could only assume ⏤ "Allison?" pressing his lips together. Once again; tugging her lish she has wrapped around him ruining their night. He wants a drink but he worried it may be spiked, and coming home drunk ⏤ he doesn't even want to think about it.

The werewolf nodded looking hesitant flicking his gaze towards the front door. "Yeah, they're outside."

"They?" Arthur picked out arching his eyebrow pausing in his step towards the food table.

"Allison and Lydia."

Arthur groaned rubbing the back of his neck scrunching his features. "We made a commitment, dude."

"We did, and Stiles is the only one going through with it." Scott sighed stuffing his hands in his pockets.

"But damn, Stiles works fast." Scott chuckled rocking back on his heels. Arthur knew if they tracked them all the way down here it had to with something supernatural related but he wanted to enjoy a night with the boys which means ⏤ no girls mentioned or around, and no supernatural business. But for some reason they couldn't have this.

Arthur kicked an invisible rock heading for the door mumbling to himself besides Scott. "This is what happens when you get too comfortable."

* * *

ARTHUR SAT BACK against a table in the empty ⏤ aside from the gang and Derek ⏤ classroom wall as Allison and Lydia shows Derek a matching bruise they revived from a woman searching for Scott. It doesn't make sense how a person could hand out identical markings on two different wrists?

Though Derek refused to acknowledge it. He huffed looking away from the two who brought nothing but rotten memories. "I don't see anything."

"Look again." Scott urges meeting the alpha's hard gaze.

His eyes bore into the girls lacking interest, his broad arms crossed. "How is a bruise gonna tell me where Boyd and Erica are?"

"Do you not notice they're identical on both sides?" Arthur insisted weighing in pointing at the bruises his thumb resting on his bottom lip. "It seems too unnatural to be natural."

Derek shoots him a look. "It's nothing." The smoky eyed tilts his head, Derek could be right. However Arthur understands he'd think it's a waste of his time especially when his betas' have been captured by the enemy ⏤ and it could also be because of their history. He couldn't blame for holding a grudge against them he would to if it was the other way round. Arthur just wished he'd put it aside and focus on the task at hand. A task that could be a waste of their time or their triumph.

"Pareidolia." Lydia speaks up rubbing her wrist. Arthur glances at her knitting his brows, she puckers her lips realizing she captivated their attention. "Seeing patterns that aren't there. It's a subset of apophenia."

A small smile curved on his lips. He recalled the olden days when she'd play her lousy dumb act, it was tiring and he hated it. He liked this version of Lydia Martin, the one who isn't afraid to show off her 'hidden' talents.

"They're trying to help." Scott murmured staring up at Derek, his doe brown pleading.

The alpha looked back at him with a sarcastic look, "These two." He pointed at Lydia, "This one, who used me to resurrect my psychotic Uncle. Thank you." Arthur rolled his eyes; it wasn't like she did it willingly. He nodded at Allison who's eyes narrowed challenging. "And this one, who shot about 30 arrows into me and my pack."

The tension in the room rose. No wanted to relives those memories.

"Okay, all right, now, come on. No one died, all right?" Stiles rambled perched on a table. "Look, there may have been a little maiming, okay, a little mangling, but no death. That's what I call an important distinction." He flashed then a thumbs up.

"You're not helping." Arthur complained removing his thumb from his lips recalling the tragic death of Allison's mother. Lydia shifted to his side touching shoulders, he swallowed trying to ignore his spiking heartbeat in hopes if he didn't the werewolves didn't.

"My mother died." Allison muttered rubbing her wrist.

Isn't this is just getting better and better. Arthur chewed the inside of his cheek crossing his arms.

Derek eyes narrowed into skits stepping in her direction and accused bitterly, "Your family's little honor code killed your mother. Not me."

He shared a look with Stiles. It's pretty hard to forget your best friend's girlfriend's mother trying to murder your best friend only to kill herself because of a hunter's code. Arthur thought it didn't feel right to keep this from her, she deserves to know no matter how bad it is but Scott would rather keep the pure facade Allison has of her so, he let him. It wasn't his place to tell what truly happened that night.

Allison clutched her wrist raising her chin, she sneered. "That girl was looking for Scott. I'm here to help him, not you."

"You wanna help?" Derek inquired mockingly whirling back to her. "Find something real."

* * *

"OKAY, WHAT WOULD a pack of alphas want with Erica and Boyd?" Stiles wondered walking out in the rain to their next class; Economics.

"I'm not sure it's them they want." Scott replies a hand holding his backpack strap.

"Okay, could they be recruiting?" Arthur inquired glancing at Scott, his hands stuffed in his pockets. But wouldn't it take time for them to find an Alpha and kill it, maybe they're going make them take Derek's title? Arthur shook his head destroying the idea, No that doesn't make sense. They could be replacing another but ⏤ no.

Is there a possibility they have no purpose? If they did, than what would they be doing with Boyd and Erica?

"Hey, Scott, Arthur." Stiles trailed off glancing back at his friends who seemed memorized by something but snapped out of it. "You guys coming?"

Arthur sighed. What could an alpha pack want with two betas?

* * *

ARTHUR FLINCHES WHEN a book slams on Coach's desk alarming half the class awake. A smile curves on his lips walking to the front realizing he's accomplished his task. Arthur could never understand why he flinches or overreacts at loud sounds.

"The stock market is based on two principles. What are they?" Coach Finstock questioned holding up two fingers. Scott raised his hand surprising Arthur along with the coach who waved him off. "Yes, McCall, you can go to the bathroom. Anybody else?"

Scott pouted slightly dropping his hand deflected. "Uh, no, coach, I know the answer." A smile bloomed on Arthur's lips proud Scott's taking his pledge seriously.

Laughter flooded the classroom ⏤ the source; Coach Finstock slowly coming to a stop at Scott's rather unamused look. "Oh, you're serious."

"Yes. Risk and reward." His timid gaze fell to the table.

Coach's eyes widen, a beam bloomed on his lips walking to his desk. "Wow! Who are you? And what have you done to McCall? Don't answer that. I like you better. I like you better." He tapped his desk grinning. A proud gleam reflected in Scott's eye revealing a dimple on his cheek. "Does anybody have a quarter? A quarter."

Arthur reached into his pockets stopping at Stiles' voice. The boy jerks a quarter from his pocket along with a... condom? Arthur's eyes widen, swallowing back his laughter sharing a look with it Scott, looks like he didn't get lucky.

Coach Finstock kneeled down and picked up the packaged condom dropping it on Stiles table unable to hide his amusement at his beat red face. "Stilinski, I think you, uh... you t dropped this. And congratulations. Risk and reward. Put the quarter in the mug, win the reward. Okay, watch coach." He placed his coffee mug on the ground and stepped back; his eyes narrowed targeting the mug and flicked the coin landing inside. Claps rounded the classroom at his victory. "That's how you do it. Okay. Danny. Risk, reward?"

Danny caught the coin Coach threw at him. "What's the reward?"

"You don't have to take the pop quiz tomorrow." Coach replied almost instantly. Arthur stopped himself from correcting Coach's mistake.

Danny chucked meeting their Coach's gaze. "Coach, it's not a pop quiz if you tell us about it."

Coach sighed dramatically backing away from him. "Danny, you know, I really expect more from you at this point. Really. McCall. Risk, reward." He blew out air revealing nothing in his palm, "The risk: If you don't put that quarter in the mug, you have to take the pop ⏤ the ⏤ the quiz. And... and you have to write an essay. Risk, more work. Reward... no work at all. Or choose not to play."

"But isn't this just chance?" Scott wonders, tapping the coin on the table obviously thinking deeply about the subject.

"No. You know your abilities, your coordination, your focus, past experience... all factors affecting the outcome." Coach explained. "So what's it gonna be, McCall? More work, no work, or choose not to play?"

He dropped the coin on his book. "No play. Okay. Who's next? Who wants the quarter?" Stiles drums the table sitting up making coach beam cheering him. "There ya go! There's a gamblin' man! Come on! Step up, step up." His claps booms around the room. "All right."

Stiles stands before the mug, his narrowed eyes focused on the mug solely, Arthur grinned leaning forward prepared for him to loose. The door opened catching the boy's attention making his smile disappeared when Sheriff Stilinski entered with a deputy behind him.

"Stiles." He called, his voice sounding heavy.

"Yeah, coach, I got it."

"Stiles." His voice sounded more urgent catching his attention. Sheriff and deputy followed Stiles out the door.

"Okay. Who's next!" Arthur grinned stepping out of his seat. "Atta boy!" He took the quart and walked in position, he bounced on his toes before flicking the coin.

He threw his hands in the air as it landed in the cup. They cheered, Coach clapped his back on his way down beaming. "Yes, reward! who's next? Greenberg put your hand down you don't stand a chance."

* * *

"SO YOU THINK they kidnapped Heather to turn her?" Scott clarified walking down the school hall, his friends besides him.

Stiles briefed them on the chat with his father; the girl he was with still hadn't returned making him believe the aloha pack has something to do with it but, then having her would be extra baggage.

"Derek says it's easier to turn teenagers." Stiles reasoned cuffing his sleeves.

"But that doesn't give any hints on what a pack of alphas would want with a new beta?" Arthur snipped biting his thumbnail. The alpha pack situation is frustrating him the more he tries to find an answer to their methods, his head feels like it's going to explode.

"Arthur, I don't know. I don't care. All right?" Stiles dismissed carelessly.

Arthur found it idiotic, he comprehended a friend of his is missing but, he shouldn't jump on the first possibility without over what they'd gain if such.

"⏤ This girl... our moms were best friends before mine died, all right? We used to take frickin' bubble baths together when we were three. I gotta find her."

Scott nodded firmly gripping his bag strap. "Then we need Isaac to remember."

"How? Peter and Derek couldn't do it. You know any other werewolves with a better trick?" Stiles stressed waving his hands around.

"Maybe not a werewolf." Arthur mumbled thoughtfully chewing the inside of his cheek, the boys looked over at him. Deaton has been a great help when it comes to supernatural situations, it's worth a try. "But someone who knows a lot about them."

* * *

"OBVIOUSLY, IT'S NOT going to be particularly... comfortable." Deaton explained to Isaac leaning against the door while the boys filled the silver tub with ice.

Arthur shook out a bag of ice into the silver tub, he dipped a finger inside ⏤ instantly retracting shivering meeting Derek's forest greens. "Damn, that's colder than the other side of my pillow." The alpha rolled his eyes.

"But if we can slow your heart rate down enough, you'll slip into a trance-like state." Deaton continued to brief Isaac loud enough for humans to hear the plan.

"Like being hypnotized." Isaac suggested walking towards the icy tub. Arthur crossed his arms stepping back, he wasn't okay with Isaac doing this but, he knows he can't control him.

"Exactly," The veteran nodded. "You'll be half transformed. It'll let us access your subconscious mind."

"How slow does his heart rate need to be?" Scott inquired finished with the last bag.

"Very slow." Deaton replied glimpsing at the four.

Arthur rubbed his chin remarking the lack of detail on his answer. "Okay, em, are we talking slower than Christmas coming or..." He trailed off.

"Nearly dead." Deaton deadpanned. Arthur sucked in a breath glancing down at Isaac who's eyes widen.

The blue eyed beta reached inside the tub and hissed at the frosty temperature. His fist clenched tapping it looking up at Deaton, "It's safe, though, right?"

"Do you want me to answer honestly?"

Isaac faced the tub shaking his head. "No. No, not really." The sound of gloves snapping boomed behind them, Arthur turned around sighing at Stiles who wore a wide grin staring at his left arm occupying an elbow length beige glove.

His smile disappears noticing their round of looks. "What?"

Derek says nothing but turns to his beta concerned. "Look, if it feels too risky, you don't have to do this." Instead of replying Issac yanks off his shirt off, puffing his cheeks preparing himself.

He's slowly dived into the tub shivering, the ice and water splashed on to the floors. Isaac's teeth clattering when fully submerged clutching the edges tightly. Scott tossed off his jacket positioning himself on Isaac's right and Derek on his left, and shoved him down.

Arthur crossed his arms, Isaac dived back up eyes shining gold and his mouth opened roaring. The boys fought back to shove him back down.

"Get him back under." Arthur cuffed his sweater before rushing forward along with Stiles and clutched his ankle, Isaac refused to go down without a fight. The humans struggled underneath his hold. "Hold him."

Derek shot him a glare, "We're trying!" They forced him back down; he started struggling less before stopping although. Arthur stepped back watching Issac's body slowly float to the surface.

Deaton stepped forward raising his finger staring at the four, "Now, remember, only I talk to him. Too many voices will confuse him and draw him out." His voice soften shifting his attention to the beta. "Isaac? Can you hear me?"

Five heartbeats later, Isaac replied his voice wavering. "Yes. I can hear you."

"This is Dr.Deaton. I'd like to ask you a few questions. Is that all right?" Lightening struck outsides, Arthur flinched tightening his jaw.

"Yes." His robotic voice made Arthur uncomfortable.

"I want to ask you about the night you found Erica and Boyd. I want you to remember it for me in as vivid detail as possible, like you're actually there again."

"I, I don't wanna do that. I don't..." Isaac stuttered repeatedly shaking his head. The lights began to flicker. "I don't wanna do that. I don't wanna do that."

"Isaac, it's all right. Just relax." He tries to calm him. "They're just memories. You can't be hurt by a memory."

He starts shaking. "I don't wanna do that."

"It's all right." Deaton reassures delicately.

"I don't wanna do that." Isaac stuttered his body starting to shake in protest. Scott and Derek's grips tightened on his shoulders.

"Relax. Relax. Good." Deaton cooed, his body relaxing once again. "Now let's go backib to that night. To the place you found Erica and Boyd. Can you tell me what you see? Is there some kind of building? A house?"

"It's not... it's not a house." Isaac mumbles his bottom lip quivering. "It's stone. I think marble."

"That's perfect. Can you give me any other descriptors?" Deaton inquires hopefully.

"It's dusty, so empty. Like an abandoned building?" Isaac said although it sounded more like a question.

"Isaac? Isaac?"

"Someone's here." Isaac answers his voice raising in panic, his pulled dilating. The lights flickered above him. "Someone's here."

Arthur stepped back. The scene before him reminded him of some sort of possession horror movie, he hates horror though his life is filled with them.

"Isaac, relax." Deaton murmured to him softly leaning over the tub.

"No, no, no, they see me, they see me!" The blue eyed beta panicked. Arthur checked on his cheek, he could go into shock if his heartbeat continues to spike out of fright. But nobody else seemed worried about it, should he?

"Just memories. You won't be hurt by your memories. Just relax. Relax." The veteran calms Isaac's breathing. "Good. Now tell us what you see. Tell us everything."

"I hear him. He's talking about the full moon, about being out of control when the moon rises." Isaac summarized, his clattering teeth echoing around the quite area.

"Is he talking to Erica?" Deaton wonders.

He moves slightly, his head bobs in the water. "I think so, I can't... I can't see her, I ca... I can't... I can't see either of them."

"Can you hear anything else?" Deaton inquired.

"They're worried. They're worried what they'll do during the moon." The words escaped the beta's lips softly. "They're... worried that they're gonna hurt each other."

"If they're locked in together on the full moon, they're gonna tear each other apart." Derek muttered meeting both Arthur's and Scott's concern gaze. Arthur sucks in a breath.

"Isaac, we need to find them right now." Deaton informed taking an urgent but soft tone. "Can you see them?"

"No."

"Do you know what kind of room it is? Is there any kind of a marker? A number on a door? A sign?" Deaton suggests hoping for a clue like the rest sitting on the edge of their seat.

Isaac's body jerked upwards his pale blue irises staring at nothing. Arthur couldn't deny how creep it looked, he couldn't tell if he was still in the rapture. "They're here. They... they..."

"It's all right." Deaton encouraged.

Isaac shook his head, his eyes darted around and his lips parted. "No." The hazel brown glanced at the flickering lights.

"Just tell us ⏤" Arthur's eyes widen watching Isaac struggle in the icy tub, fear lacing his loud tone.

"They see me. They found me. They're here!" The beta gurgled and splashed in the tub.

"This isn't working." Derek growled shoving Scott to the side stood before his beta and demanding. "Isaac, where are you?"

"I can't see them. It's too dark!" He stressed.

"Just tell me where you are." Derek growled gripping the edge of the tub.

"You are confusing him." Deaton cut in on the other side observing Isaac lose control.

"I can't see!" Isaac roared, his eyes wide with panic.

"Isaac, where are you? Just tell me where you are." The alpha ordered ignoring their warnings.

"Derek, he could go into shock if you don't calm down!" Arthur warned stepping besides Deaton keeping on eye on the beta.

"Derek, let him go!" Scott shouted glaring at the alpha.

But he brushed off the two like dust focusing on his beta. "Isaac, where are you? What did you see?"

"A vault! It's a bank vault! I saw it! I saw the name." Isaac rushed out snapping out of his rapture. He tried to stand up Arthur rushed to his friend's side helping him up to where Deaton held a towel and wrapped him it. He body continued to shake and his lips quivered as he spoke shaky not noticing the tension in the air. "It's, uh... B ⏤ beacon hills first national bank. It's, um... it's an abandoned bank, and they're keeping them locked inside, inside the vault." Arthur chewed on his lip, the words Isaac had uttered replying in his mind shocking him into silence and Isaac noticed. "What?"

Arthur locked his jaw glimpsing at Derek who held the floor's stare.

"You don't remember what you said right before you came out of it, do you?" Stiles questioned when nobody dared to speak.

Isaac shook his head knitted his eyebrows together. "No."

"You said when they captured you that they dragged you into a room and that there was a body in it."

"What body?" Isaac wondered looking at Arthur.

"Erica." He taps his hand against his fists, saying it out loud felt like a punch to the gut. "You said it was Erica."