"Hey baby girl," I murmured to the sweet dog who payed across the counter," it's going to be okay."

I ignored the smell of death that was slowly taking away her warm scent. She was dying m, that much was apparent and it wasn't an easy breezy trip for her but I was determined to help her through it. Deaton and Scott worked around me, while I waited for Scotts shift to finish and drive him back home. They were just injecting the sweet little dog with something to help with her pain and I was trying to keep her attention from it.

"Your doing great with the dog," Scott says to me, handing Deaton the injection.

"Yeah well I'm trying to be hopeful like you," I answered him just as the front doorbells chimed and the dogs barked.

"Scott can you go see who it is?" Deaton asked, not liking away from cleaning the injecting spot. The dogs barked louder then, like there was an intruder.

We all knew exactly what that meant, all of us looking at each other while I straightened up and walked behind Scott towards the front.

The tall form of Isaac Lahey stood in front of the door, looking awkward and a tad tired," uhm... hey."

----

"He's not getting better, is he?" Isaac questioned quietly, watching as slowly pet the little dogs head. Deaton didn't answer, merely looking at the animal in silence, "Like cancer?"

"Osteosarcoma. It has a very distinct scent, doesn't it?," Deaton finally confirmed, walking over towards Isaac, "Come here. I know you're well aware of what your new abilities can do for you. Improved strength, speed, and healing. You ever wonder what it could do for others? Give me your hand. Go on."

Softly Isaac grabbed onto the dogs hair, combing his fingers gently into it. I knew exactly where this was going, Scot had once told us about this. Isaac Lahey was taken the dying dogs pain away. It was not a healing process like I could do but instead just a helping mechanism, something equally as important.

"What did I do?" Isaac asks stunned.

"You took some of his pain away." Scott answered him in joy. I mirrored his proud expression.

"Only a little bit. But sometimes a little can make quite a difference." Deaton adds, in the most gentle tone.

Isaac quickly uses the sleeve of his shirt to wipe away the tears running down his face, looking at us with a boyish grin.

"It's okay. First time he showed me, I cried too," Scott reassured him.

-------

"They're leaving tonight, during the game," Isaac informed of his fellow betas.

"So, why are you telling us?" I asked.

"I'm not telling you. I'm asking you. I'm asking for both your advice." Isaac explained.

I raised my eyebrows, looking at Scott who answered, "From us? Why?"

"Because I trust the both of us," he says, looking at us with nothing but truth.

Wait? Why would he trust me? I've given him nothing but shit the last couple of weeks.

"Why?l" I quickly asked.

"Because you both always seem to want to do the right thing," he explains.

"I usually have no idea what I'm doing," Scott said with humor, "Actually I always have no idea what I'm doing."

"And I usually do whatever the fuck doesn't get us killed which is a type of decision that doesn't get fully made until we are neck deep into the situation. Or as of late, gunfire," I continued.

"Hmm. Do you want to let me know what you're doing right now?" Isaac asked us.

"I'm not going anywhere if that's what you mean. I have too many people here who need me." Scott answered, looking at me to go next.

"I'm staying by my friends, I'm going to fight with them no matter what happens," I added, nodding my head.

"Well, I guess that makes me lucky 'cause uh - 'cause I don't have anyone, so," Isaac tries saying with humor but it only ends with my heart going out for the boy.

"Are you gonna go with them?" Scott questions.

"Yeah. Yeah, I think I will," he nods, looking at Scott, "Good luck with the game though."

"Well, thanks, but I'm not - I'm not going either. Can't even think about playing some meaningless game right now." Scott says, deflated.

"You weren't at practice last week, were you?" Isaac asks him, interested.

"No, I skipped it. Why?"

"Then you didn't hear?" Isaac presses.

"Hear what?" I asks, nosily.

"Jackson was there." Isaac explained.

"What?" I practically shout

"What do you mean "there"? Like, he was-" Scott asks much calmer then my outbursts.

"As if nothing had happened." Isaac finished for him.

"Really? That means - the game tonight?" Scott went on.

"Yeah. He's playing." Isaac confirmed.

"Kay, I'm so fucking done now. Why can't Gerard stop being a little fucker," I groaned.

-----------

"You aren't going with me," Charlie says, shaking his head and standing up from the long couch.

I groan," come on! I can handle myself! You being there will just complicate thing."

"I don't give a shit if the joker from batman is after you! You're not going without me and Lola, be ready in 10 " he yells at me, already walking down the hall.

Sigh I stop fighting him and head over to the pantry, searching for cookies or chips; anything really to get rid of these nerves in my stomach.

Charlie being there complicated things, I couldn't necessarily run off without him and even having him near me would be a distraction. Sure Charlie would be able to hand himself, I mean the guy had been working out like crazy lately and even before he was pretty buff. Even so though, I don't know how well he would be able to fight against a Kanima and hunters.

My head had been packed with a constant array of stress lately, I hadn't had a moment to breathe since everything started and now it was becoming worse. I honestly don't know how much drama I can take anymore. I hadn't seen Derek in days, it seems like he was concentrated on his pack, which was totally fine but it was driving me crazy not to vent to someone.

I sighed, my phone vibrating from my butt pocket.

Furrowing my brows I pulled it out, it can't be Lydia because she wouldn't make her presence known like that. The women would just stroll inside my house and reach for the tv controller.

From Jackson;

Come outside for a moment. Please?

I halted for a moment, the air completely leaving my body at the slim chance that this might actually be my best friend.

My ears stretched to hear for Charlie, hearing the hot water running. Biting my lip I threw care to the wind and walked straight towards the front door, unlocking it and stepping outside.

Jackson was standing on the grass, watching the door. When he saw me open the door his smile almost stretched into a grin, before being replaced with concern.

"Imelda," he murmurs, the sound of relief all throughout his voice.

"Stop right there," I yelled out," how do I know this is you."

"Mel..." he mumbles, hurt in his eyes," it's me! It's Jackson! Please believe me."

"I've seen lots of Jacksons lately," I warned," most of them not too nice."

"Please! It's me!" He says coming closer.

I knew I should have turned and ran, the alarmed in my head were yelling at me to lock myself inside and never open them not matter how much he pleaded.

I was stuck to the ground, determined to know wether this was real, wether he was real.

"How do I know this is you?" I questions, my voice faltering.

He sighed, thinking for a moment and then rushing forward, catching me off guard.

His arms enveloped me, squeezing me against his firm chest as my back softly hit against the front door. Warm, firm lips covered my own as a gasp in surprise escaped my mouth. My eyelids fluttered shut when the warmth overtook my numb state.

I quickly grasped onto his grey sweatshirt, joy suddenly clouding my head. This was Jackson. This was my Jackson.

He pulled away, taking a few steps away from so I could take in a breath.

"Do you believe me now?" He questioned me.

I bit my lip, remembering how it felt the exact same way the first time we had kissed. Nothing had changed, in fact, it had grown more. The feeling of loosing Jackson had only intensified those emotions

Fuck.

Quickly gaining my voice back I nodded, sitting down on the bench next to me so he could see my frazzled look.

"I can't stay long, I don't know how long I'll be here but I need to tell you something," he seriously states, crouching in front of me. His blue eyes intensified, the small specks of gold in them becoming fully pronounced as he spoke.

"Jackson what..." I begin to question.

"No no no," he cuts me off and grasps my hands into his own, finger intertwining. His hands were shaken as bad as mine," you have to listen to me okay. Whatever happens, I want you to run. Runaway from me, grab Lydia or Danny and run, do not turn to look back. If you see me coming after you I need you to go, do not try and fight me."

"Jackson I can take care of my-"

"No, no. I know you can," he says, pressing tightly," but I don't want you too. I don't want to know I've hurt you further. When this is over I'll tell you things but not like this."

"Okay," I agreed," I'll do it."

He kissed my forehead and walked away.

--------

"Seriously; we look like fucking team badass," I laughed, looking between Charlie and I as he drove towards the school. I was trying to distract him from asking me anything about what was going on, praying he didn't know what had happened minutes before even if my cheeks were bright pink.

I had chosen an entire black outfit, a long sleeve with rectangular cut outs at my wrists straight across the top of my arms and underneath my collarbone, black jeans with rips at my knees, and combat boots. My hair was in a high ponytail on top of my head and out of my way. Cuff earrings on each side of my face, really this was all Lydia.

"More like trained killers, although I doubt trained killers would ever look so obvious," Lydia answers from the back of the car.

Charlie looked downwards, laughing at our comments as he notices his black ripped jeans, black sweatshirt, and black sneakers.

"I didn't mean too," he says with a laugh, "it just happened okay. No sense in changing when we are already running so late. "

"Don't sit next to me," I laugh, "in fact don't walk near me."

He flipped me off, getting out of the car and purposely throwing an arm over my shoulders. Although that seemed more of a protective thing then anything.

"Let's get this shit fest over with," I mumbled in frustration.

"Relax," Charlie mumbles into my ear," it's gonna be okay. I won't let anything hurt you."

I looked over at Lydia who was taping away on her phone," it's not me I'm worried about. It's about you two and everyone else."

----

We took our seas next to Melissa and Sheriff Stilinski, all of us greeting each other warmly. Lydia sat next to Momma McCall while I was between her and Charlie. I watched, thinking my leg up and down as smelly the boys came out.

"I'll be right back," I announced lowly, Charlie stopped me. He looked like I wasn't going anywhere until I answered," it's okay, I'm going to go see the boys."

They were already talking, sitting close near enough so no one else noticed.

"know what's going on?" Stiles asked when I say next to Scott.

Scott glances at me, "Not yet."

"It's going to be bad, isn't it? I mean, like people screaming, running for their lives, blood, killing, maiming kind of bad?" Stiles question causally, tying his lacrosse stick.

"Looks like it." I mumble, eyes searching the crowds.

"Guys, the other night seeing my dad get hit over the head by Matt, you know, while I'm just lying there and I can't even move, it just - I want to help, you know, but I can't do the things that you both can do. I can't-" he starts saying, panicking a little.

"It's okay." Scott tries to remind him

"Stiles, we will be alright," I reassure him.

"We're losing, guys." Stiles mumbles, defeated.

"The hell are you talking about? Game hasn't even started." Coach voice suddenly butts in, "Now put on your helmet and get out there. You're in for Greenberg."

"What? What happened to Greenberg?" Stiles questions him, confused and not making any moves to get up towards the goal.

"What happened to Greenberg? He sucks. You suck slightly less." Coach explains, demonstrating with his hands.

"I'm playing?" Stiles begins to repeat, "On the field? With the team?

"Yes, unless you'd rather play with yourself." Coach says as a joke.

"I already did that today, twice." Stiles answers honestly. I only stare at him when he reveals that while Scott burst out into laughter.

"Oh my god, you did not just say that," I groan, shuddering.

"Get the hell out there!" Coach ignored him and pushes him towards the field.

Stiles scurries off, excited beyond belief.

"Drake! Keep sitting on these benches and ongoing to put you in the game next season!" Coach yelled at me.

I snorted and rolled my eyes," yeah okay coach. Aggression and I do not end well so unless you want me to break the other team I suggest not too."

He narrows his eyes but walks away, huffing about how he's so glad he doesn't have a girlfriend.

I look over, seeing that Scott has made no move towards the field.

"Hey," I nudge him," hurry up and get out there! The team needs its one same co-captain."

He shakes his head," coach benched me, well actually Gerard did but either way I can't play tonight."

"That son of a bitch," I growl out," okay look something will come up and we will figure it out... for now just keep your eyes on Stiles and make sure this bastard doesn't touch him."

He nods, "I'm worried now."

I gulp, looking him in the eyes," that makes both of us."

------

"Excuse me," I mumbled to the strangers as I passed them to get back to my seat. Smiling at my uncle and best friend I plopped myself between them, Charlie giving me a concerned look that I tried not too pay attention too.

"Imelda, Why is my son running out to the field?" Sheriff Stilinski asked, watching as Stiles got into position.

"Because he's on the team?" I answered back, coming out more of a question then an answer.

"He is." Sheriff said slightly stunned. I didn't understand though, handy Stiles been on it for the last year as well?

"Mm - hmm." Melissa mumbled, looking equally as confused.

"He's on the team. He's - he's on the field.My son is on the field!" Sheriff finally realized, jumping up and screaming. So I see where Stiles gets his little quirk from.

I smiled, Lydia and I equally laughing at the sheriff who awkwardly sat down but still looked far more excited then anyone on the bleachers. It quickly diminished however, when Gerard's voice came to my ears, "Scott, Imelda, can you hear me? Ah, you can. Good. Then listen closely because the game is about to get interesting."

My fingers automatically went to grab tightly at Charlie arm, squeezing as my jaw tightened and eyes locked where he was.

"What's going on?" Charlie whispered to me, but I wasn't answering him until I found out just what in the hell this old bastard wanted.

"Let's put a real clock on this game. I'll give you until the last 30 seconds. When that scoreboard clock begins counting down from 30, if you haven't given me Derek, then Jackson is gonna kill someone. So tell me, who's gonna die tonight? Should it be your mother Scott , who so bravely came out to support you? Or should it be the valiant Charlie Drake, Imelda? Or the sheriff, your best friend's father? Or how about the pretty little redhead who managed to survive the bite of an Alpha and holds a great part in your life, Imelda ? Or maybe one of these innocent teenagers with their whole life ahead of them?" Hey threatened, forcing me to hold back growl. My left hand subconsciously reaching out to grab onto Lydia in a much more gentle manner. He would go nowhere near anyone I loved.

"Or should I do everyone a favor and kill that ridiculous coach? It's up to you both. But you are going to help me take Derek down, no matter how much love gets in the way. Because if you both don't - I'll have Jackson rip someone's head off right in the middle of the field and drench everyone you love and care about in blood." He finished off, the last part of it sending chills down my spine at the image of anyone I loved being dead.

Not again. Not ever.

----

The entirety of the game my eyes were trained on Gerard and Jackson, my breath hitching every time he went near Stiles or Isaac. It was terrifying watching that, even with all the extra noise going around me. Stiles wasn't doing very well, that much I had gathered although it was vague. Every once in awhile I would catch Lydia wincing and attempting to sound optimistic.

The curly haired, blue eyed beta had thankfully show up which meant we had one more person on our side. Isaac and Scott had concocted the plan to eliminate many of our own players until Scott was only left to play. It was working out well, much to coaches annoyance.

That is until Isaac was slammed by Jackson.

"Shit!" I yelped can jumping up and running down the bleachers.

Scott had already neared Isaac when I arrived, his leg twisted slightly.

"Isaac what's happened," I mumbled, gently grabbing his limb.

"It's not broken. But I can't move it. I think Jackson nicked me 'cause I can feel it spreading." He answer me through gritted teeth. I suppress a growl when the paramedics come in too take him away.

"I don't like this Scott," I said to the beta once we had watched Isaac get taken away.

He nods," Gerard is playing-"

"You want to play chess? Then you better be willing to sacrifice your own pawns." Gerard's voice came in, taunting us as he walked away.

"Fuck him, I don't even like chess. I broke the board the one time I played, " I growl out, then look at a city quickly as Melissa walks up to us," I'm gonna go check on Isaac, make sure that these fuckers don't kill him."

He nods," be careful."

Walking quickly I try not to let Gerard see me as I duck behind the bleachers and quickly head inside the locker room. I'm pretty sure he's watching the game and not me, although I'm
slightly worried Charlie might come after me.

Maybe he will stay with Lydia...

"Where the fuck do you think you're going," Charlie says.

Spoke too soon damn...

"Keep your voice down," I harshly whispered and grabbed onto his forearm, dragging him into the locker room," I'm checking on Isaac. Gerard might want to kill him and I can't let that happen."

He nods, opening the locker room door for me and slipping inside after I do.

"Isaac," I gasped, seeing him strapped to the makeshift gurney.

"I can't..." he says in pain.

"Charlie hurry up and help me pull these off," I order my uncle, ripping away the straps to his arms and legs.

"What the fuck is going on here, is that crazy grandpa coming," he question, unbuckling Isaacs legs.

"Yeah with 5 other guys and a sword Merlin probably used," I answered and then looking at Isaacs leg," shit Isaac it's not healing fast enough."

"What a way to go huh?" He tries to joke.

I shake my head," no you're not dying right now. Dying in school is not the way to go."

My fingers stop quickly, ears straining perfectly to hear 4 different sets of feet walking down this hall.

"Charlie get around the corner!" I whispered.

"What!"

"No what's! Just do it hurry! I'm right behind you!" I pushed him before turning to Isaac," okay I can't fix the paralysis but I might be able to help seeing as how your leg is semi broken. You have to trust me though when I say you won't die."

He nods," I trust you."

I nod, looking over my shoulder at he incoming footsteps and realizing that it was now or never. Sucking in a breath I leaned downwards and kissed Isaac, letting my ability connect and quickly begin to heal him.

Isaac relaxed against my lips, breathing slowly at the pain in his healing before I pulled back slightly dizzy.

"Good?" I questioned.

He nodded," yeah... I can feel my legs a little."

My answer was cut short when the door began to open and I swept across the room. Towards the Charlie.

"Trust me Isaac," I whispered once more just as the hunters walked in.

Isaac managed to drop from the bench he sat on and crawled backwards as Gerard walked in, the metal sword clicking behind him.

"It was a good effort, Isaac. It was. This would be so much more poetic if it were halftime," he says almost like it was a positive thing, lifting the damn sword.

Isaac stood, using the bathroom sink as leverage. I took the time, stepping behind all of the hunters just as Scott came in, smiling as we had somehow outsmarted the damn hunter at least this one time.

Isaac smirked, nothing us behind him for the first time just as Gerard did from the mirror.

"Peek a boo," I taunted the old prick.

One hunter turned, a long knife in his hand, swinging it at me. I ducked under it, going to his left and lifting my elbow upwards. It connected with the bottom of his jaw, also causing him to tilt slightly. With that time I grasped onto him arm, sinking my nails into it so he would drop the blade before twisting it backwards at an awkward angle. With him still reeling back from the pain my feet connected with the back of his knees and he sunk to the ground. Charlie came out then, smiling at my handiwork as I nodded towards the guy who tried to hurt me, without a word Charlie swung his fist out and sucked punched the gun. The hunter fell unconscious then, dropping easily to the ground as Scott threw his own hunter towards the wall.

"Where is he!" Scott yelled out, eyes glowing gold just as we both looked around in search of Gerard.

"No! No!" I panicked, already heading back towards where the sounds of excited screams was overheard.

"YEAH!" I heard Lydia's loud screech of happiness followed by Stiles jumps of not over all other screams.

I felt like this was my constants life, running to save my friends just as time ran out. It was getting old very quickly.

Elbowing and pushing my way through the crowd I made it to the field just a a the whistle blew, Scott bumped into my back. Charlie was right behind him as time went out.

"Nothing happened... nothing," Scott said in surprise relief.

I held my breath, ready to blow it out when the lights went out and a scream was heard.

---

Chaos erupted, people fell to the ground and some were yelling at their loved ones.

It felt like the wind was knocked out of me, like everything that had kept me together and standing had suddenly deflated and I was left with nothing but the broken pieces.

"I'm okay! I'm okay but someone is down on the field! Someone's hurt!" Scotts mom yelled aloud.

It didn't take long for me to locate the body, or the smell.

And I ran forward, throwing people out of my way. Some of the guys on the lacrosse team attempted to hold me back, they knew who it was and assumed I didn't.

But I knew, the pain inside me knew exactly who it was and when I dropped to the ground only to have the lights turn on; confirming the reveal I screamed.

"No! Jackson! No!" I yelled out, cradling his face in my arms as I patted his cheeks slowly.

"Imelda! Jackson!" Lydia's voice came through to me, dropping to the ground and also breaking at the sight.

"Imelda," Charlie began saying.

Melissa came in then, dropping next to me.

"He's not breathing! There's no pulse or heartbeat," I managed to say through my chocked sobs.

She lifted his jersey, revealing what other might think were stab wounds but I knew different and that hurt much more.

"He did it to himself," Isaac murmured.

"Okay," Melissa began pressing against his heart rapidly," Imelda tilt his head upwards and start breathing into it. Lydia keep checking for a pulse! Now!"

I sprung into action, holding back the tears as best as I could and touching his cold lips to my own.

Please let this work. I don't care if everyone finds out, just please let this work.

There was nothing. I felt nothing, there was no use.

We had lost.

"Stiles! Where's my son! Stiles!" Sheriff began yelling out.

-----

Damn son, that too forever to write lol. These last 3 chapters are probably gonna be super long!

Hopefully this season will be done before October so that means the next book will hopefully begin in less then 2 weeks!

So did you guys like it? Would you all like a sneak peek to the new book?

-Ashley.💜