Inked Wrists - A Theo Raeken Series

Chapter One: Soulmates and Spells

A/N: D/N means different last name, you'll need a fake last name for the story.

Soulmates. What a concept.

Isn't it wonderful to think that somewhere out there is the person who's perfect for you? Someone who was born to love you and only you. You wonder when you will meet your other half, and who they will be. Have you already met them? Are they just down the street from you, or a few feet away, or do they live in a different county halfway across the globe?

Luckily, everyone is given one shot at finding their soulmate- their name. Once you turn eighteen, a name will appear, written across your wrist in a plain black font. Then, it is up to you to begin the search for your soulmate, or to cover up the name and look for love in other forms.

As a werewolf, though, soulmates had other drawbacks. What if your soulmate was a hunter? What if your soulmate found out you weren't human and tried to kill you for it? When Scott turned eighteen, he and the rest of his pack decided on a rule: fake names. Every supernatural in the McCall pack had a fake last name that could be used if their soulmate was dangerous. The pack would do its best to search for a supernatural's soulmate, and if they found out that the soulmate was a hunter, they would only refer to the supernatural as their fake name so the hunter wouldn't try to kill them. Even without the supernatural side of things, hunters were known for killing or ignoring their soulmates- love was said to be just another complication, and the hunters wanted nothing, not even a soulmate, to stand in between themselves and the hunt.

Thus, the fake names were created: Scott went by Scott Moore, Lydia became Lydia Miller, Liam was Liam Daniels, and so on. You went by Y/N D/N. Lydia's ended up not being used at all- the second Stiles' names showed up on her arm she knew she was safe, and Stiles' scream of excitement was loud enough to be heard several neighbourhoods over. Each time one of the members of the McCall pack had their eighteenth birthday, everyone gathered around to see what name they got and to promise to use the fake name if asked or if necessary. And each time, you were there to laugh with glee over familiar names or look on in confusion with names you'd never heard of. Then, before you knew it, it was your turn.

"3, 2, 1- now! Check your wrist!" Stiles' voice rang out from next to you. He'd been one of your closest friends since forever, and he felt like he could have been your older brother. This meant that he was very excited to find out who your soulmate was, and to give the first verdict on whether or not they were good enough for you. With bated breath, you flipped over your wrist and read out the name inked onto your arm: "Theodore Raeken." Instantly, Stiles lets out a sigh, and you look concernedly over at him. "Do you know him? Is he a hunter?" Stiles shakes his head. "No, he's just an asshole. Last saw him in fourth grade." At that, you let out a laugh. "Well, if the worst thing about this guy is that he was an asshole when he was eight, I think I'll be fine." As the buzz of friendly conversation fills the room again, you smile to yourself. Theo Raeken. When would you finally meet him?

Almost one year later, the McCall pack finds itself fighting a new enemy. Deaton refers to them as the Wayward Souls, spirits of past peoples that were trapped by spells to remain in a half-life forever. They were drawn to Beacon Hills because they needed to sacrifice a True Alpha to perform one last spell that would give them stronger physical bodies, and allow them to gain power beyond anyone's control. With Scott in danger, the pack prepared itself to take on the Wayward Souls in a final battle deep in the woods.

As you and the pack drew closer to the Beacon Hills preserve, you began to see strange lights hovering in the air. Using your werewolf abilities, you could see that the souls were carving runes into trees surrounding the Nemeton. Beside you, Stiles grumbles to himself. "Whenever something happens, why is it always the Nemeton? Can't we have something that doesn't involve that sadistic tree stump?" You choke back a laugh as Scott rolls his eyes. "It is a tremendous source of power. It doesn't surprise me that they'd plan my sacrifice around it." And it's true- most of the spirits seem to be focused on the Nemeton, and there are chains on either side of a sacrificial altar, as if they're ready to hold something. Or someone.

Before you can do anything more, one of the phantoms sees you and your friends gathered at the edge of the woods and shrieks in anger. The rest of the spirits turn towards you as well. "So this is how the fight begins." Scott sighs, and one by one, you all extend your claws and allow your eyes to glow their true color. Stiles merely grips his baseball bat, and goes with Lydia to try to dismantle the sacrificial runes. Scott's hoping that if you can prevent the sacrifice, the Wayward Souls will run out of the little energy they already have and he will be safe.

You soon discover that although the Wayward Souls don't have that much energy, they're still a tough enemy to face. It takes all of your focus to match the force of the spirit you're fighting. Your claws seem to have a minimal effect on them, as if they're just passing through the spirit. All you can do is grit your teeth and stall the ghosts until they fade away.

But even this strategy isn't working. There are too many spirits, and you all know that. Most of them are congregating around Scott, and despite his best efforts at fighting them off, the phantoms are slowly but surely moving Scott towards the Nemeton, where he will be sacrificed. Speaking of which, the sacrificial platform is now glowing. The runes seem charged with energy, and it doesn't seem like waiting it out is going to stop the spirits from sacrificing Scott and gaining his power. Lydia and Stiles are doing their best to damage the runes and destroy the sacrificial altar, but even more of the Wayward Souls are forcing them away from it.

Finally, you look up to see Scott mere feet away from the Nemeton. The second his feet touch the sacrificial altar, the sacrifice will take place and his powers will be taken from him. You have to do something! You're looking at the Nemeton and the runes, desperately thinking of anything you can do to stop this, and then it hits you. The sacrifice will only work if a True Alpha is placed on the Nemeton. You are an omega- your alpha and pack died years ago at the hands of the hunters. A lone wolf is the least powerful of the werewolves, and so you will be the best bet at stopping what is to come. Across the clearing, Lydia looks at you through panicked eyes, as if she knows what you're about to do. Banshees can sense a death before it comes. You try not to think about that, and about the way her desperate scream hangs in the air around you as you sprint over to the Nemeton before Scott is forced onto it. Your last sight is of Lydia, and you manage to mouth a few words to her- "It's okay. This is the only way." - and then you step onto the Nemeton.

You instantly crumple to your knees. You're surrounded by light and sound, and it blinds you. It's too much to bear, even with your werewolf healing. It's like you can see anything that ever happened and will happen, all at the same time. A thousand memories play in your head - children running in the garden, a werewolf baring its fangs, a hundred doors opening and closing, words in languages you can't understand. You let out a scream as the memories flood your mind. The Wayward Souls were spirits out of time, and these are all the lifetimes they lived. At last, you are able to focus on one series of events- your own life.

You can see yourself as a young child, taking your first steps. Your first day of school. The day you met Scott and Stiles. The moment you were given the bite. The first full moon, when you were chained to a wall and fighting back the need to shift. You can even see yourself crumpled on the Nemeton. Stiles and the others are running towards you, but they're moving in slow motion. Then, your attention is shifted to a new scene, one you've never seen before. You see an attractive boy with dark hair and blue-grey eyes walking the halls of Beacon Hills High School. He appears to be a werewolf, but something about him is wrong. Suddenly, images of this boy flash before you, one after another. He works with tall, monstrous doctors - He draws Stiles away from Scott - He kills members of his own pack - He tries to convince Liam to kill Scott, and then does so himself - He tries to capture Lydia - He shoots Malia and betrays her to the Desert Wolf - He tries to kill a monstrous Beast to gain its powers - Time after time, this boy betrays the McCall pack, your friends. Before the images fade from your eyes, you hear one last thing. His name, Theo Raeken. Your soulmate.

When you open your eyes again, you find yourself lying on the ground in Stiles' arms. He looks terrified for you. "Y/N, can you hear me? Are you alright?" You only manage to make out one sentence before collapsing into the darkness - "When I'm in the hospital, put my name down as Y/N D/N." Distantly, Stiles's voice rings out louder and louder, begging you to open your eyes again as your pulse slows to a stop.

Somewhere far from you, a boy named Theo Raeken stares at the name inked onto his wrist. He's surprised it even showed up- he expected that the Dread Doctors would have made sure he wouldn't have a soulmate so they wouldn't distract him from their task. Wherever his soulmate is, he hopes they are nowhere near him so they won't get hurt by the Dread Doctors when they finally come to poison Beacon Hills.