Instinct || Derek Hale.

nineteen.

Warnings: Strong language, violence, smut.

***

Alex.

The blue light from the barrier was almost blinding, but Alex didn't stop. All she had to do was hold on long enough for Scott to realise that he didn't need her help. And, as Scott grew stronger, Alex felt herself getting weaker.

"Oh, please." Jennifer taunted. "As I recall, this didn't end well for Alex last time she attempted this."

It was true. It hadn't gone well, but this time would be different. She'd made sure of it. She just had to wait for the right moment. And that moment came when Jennifer's face morphed from cocky confidence to shocked panic.

Alex let go, dropping to the floor as Scott's hand began to push through the barrier. Strong arms wrapped around her, and Alex looked up to see Derek above her. But she couldn't focus on him yet.

"Keep going, Scott!" Alex yelled.

Scott's brow creased with concentration. Alex gripped the arm wrapped tightly around her, staring wide-eyed at her brother as he began to break through the barrier. Jennifer's confidence wavered further as Scott took a step forward. His eyes glowed a vibrant yellow, the muscles in his back strained from the resistance of the mountain ash.

"Come on, Scott." Alex whispered.

Suddenly, Scott's eyes were no longer yellow. They were changing. They were turning red. Alex was right, Scott was the alpha. She felt Derek gasp behind her. Jennifer's eyes almost doubled in size as Scott breached the barriers of her protection. And then, Jennifer was thrown to the floor by a blast of energy as Scott destroyed the barrier.

"How?" Jennifer gasped.

"I'm an alpha now." Scott said, his shoulders squared. "Now, end the storm and let the parents go."

"Or what?" Jennifer sneered.

"I'll kill you myself." Scott said calmly. "I don't care what it does to the colour of my eyes."

Before Alex could move a muscle, Deucalion was on his feet. "It won't do a thing to my eyes."

With a malicious swipe of his claws, Deucalion slashed Jennifer's throat. She slumped to the floor, and Alex buried her face in Derek's arm, closing her eyes. He pressed a firm kiss to the top of her head, holding onto her tightly.

"It's over." Derek mumbled into her hair.

She looked up at him. "Not yet. Not until I know my mom and the others are still alive."

"I'll call Styles." Scott said, pulling out his phone.

Alex nodded as Scott moved to the other side of the room, his phone against his ear. Alex practically collapsed against Derek, closing her eyes to inhale a deep breath into her lungs. But shuffling from nearby made her remember one more important factor.

"What about him?" Alex nodded towards Deucalion as Scott returned.

Derek stood up, pulling Alex up with him. The two of them turned to Deucalion, who was standing proud over Jennifer's body.

"You were once a man of vision." Derek said. "Maybe you could be that man again."

"You're letting him go?" Alex looked up at Derek.

But it was Scott who answered her. "Yes. But make no mistake, Deucalion. If you don't stop your evil ways, I will kill you myself. And it won't matter that you've got your eyesight back because you won't see us coming."

A chill ran down Alex's spine as she watched her brother fall into the role of alpha werewolf. Deucalion merely smirked before turning and walking away from the distillery. They watched his back until he disappeared into the night. Then, releasing a long sigh, Alex turned towards Derek, tucking herself into him. His arms wrapped around her, one hand on the back of her head and the other on the centre of her back.