Wolfsbane | Teen Wolf

Chapter 17: I Love You

"What is it?" Ashley asked curiously.

"There..." Deaton hesitated before continuing. "There is one way. A ritual."

"What is it?"

"It–it requires a sacrifice."

Derek paled as he overheard the last part of Ashley and Deaton's conversation. It's been so long since he thought of Paige but it never erased the guilt he held towards his first love.

He continued waiting in the shadows as he listened in to the rest of Deaton's explanation. According to the druid, someone had to trade places with Paige. That person would have to give up their life and go to Hel willingly. This would transfer Hades' mark onto the sacrifice and allow Paige to come back to life.

It was a permanent situation with no turning back. It would have to be, to avoid the gate's condition worsening.

As soon as Deaton had finished and Ashley had left, Derek stepped into the veterinarian's office with a grim expression. He had made up his mind. He was determined to save Paige whatever the cost.

xXx

Ashley had just heard the worst news of her life.

Derek had found out about Paige. The truth that she had been trying to hide from him, the truth she knew would hurt him, had been revealed. And as she feared, Derek planned to replace Paige and sacrifice himself. He would endure eternal torment to bring Paige back.

This could not happen. She had to stop him.

She drove to his apartment where she found him packing.

It was awkward meeting each other again. They had unresolved issues that were never address and here they were weeks later.

After exchanging greetings and small talk, Ashley swallowed nervously then spoke outright: "I know about Paige. I know what you're planning to do. Don't do it."

Derek looked at her with a sad gaze.

"Ash, you know I have to do this. It's Paige."

Ashley stepped towards him and grabbed his arm.

"Please, don't do this." By now, her eyes were starting to water as she pleaded with him. "The pack needs you. Scott needs you "

I need you. She thought the last line instead of saying it.

"They'll be fine." Derek pulled away defeatedly.

Ashley's sadness turned to anger at his stubbornness.

"This is why you should never have known!" She muttered under her breath.

Derek looked at her in confusion.

"Were you planning to hide it from me?"

Ashley hesitated before answering with the truth: "Yes."

Derek could feel the anger rising in him.

"Why?"

"I was trying to protect you!"

"I DON'T NEED YOUR PROTECTION!" He growled, half phased into a werewolf. "GET OUT!"

Seeing that his mind would not be changed, Ashley left.

xXx

Ashley went straight to Deaton from Derek's place.

She found him sitting at his desk finishing some paperwork. She rushed to his side and knelt beside him.

The startled Deaton found himself face to face with a sobbing Ashley pleading to use her as the sacrifice instead.

She told him in between sobs, "It's always been Derek. Always. I would do anything for him. Please Deaton, use me instead. Please."

Deaton looked at her with pity, "You would sacrifice yourself child?"

"Yes. This is Paige we're talking about. Derek's first and true love. All the others were just flings, lust. But with Paige it was different. He truly loved her. And it was his love for her that made me fall for him."

"Oh child." Deaton pulled her to her feet and hugged her. He could do nothing else but agree.

xXx

Peter had learned what Ashley was planning to do. The girl had come to him asking for his help.

His help in her death. She wanted him to stop Derek from interfering with the ritual. As if he could stop himself from doing the same.

"No." He refused seriously. Enough was enough. He had given her space. He didn't interfere when she pursued Derek. He didn't push her feelings on her. But he would not take part in this suicide mission.

"Please Peter, I need you to do this for me."

"No," Peter repeated. "I will have no part in your death."

There was silence for a time then Peter placed his hands on her arms and made the girl look him in the eye. He lifted his hand to her face and caressed the side of her face.

For a moment, Ashley felt intimidated by the intensity and longing she saw in his eyes.

"I love you, Ashley Hale." He finally confessed the feelings he had been hiding for so long.

Ashley shivered as the warm breath from his words touched her skin. His words were filled with gentleness and love. It was so unlike the Peter she knew.

Unable to take the weight of his feelings, she pulled away from him only for him to grab her wrist.

"Don't do this, I love you..."

"I'm-I'm sorry."

"Tell me," Peter slowly released her. "Did you ever love me? Ever see me as a man?"

Ashley glanced at him sadly.

"Forget it. Your face says it all." He turned away from her as she left.

The moment she was out of earshot, Peter side-punched the wall with his fist. He knew there was no changing Ashley's mind. There was nothing else he could do but lose her. And that helplessness weighed heavy upon him.