Instinct || Derek Hale.

twenty-one.

Warnings: Strong language.

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A/N - I had to go back and edit the first few chapters because I'd added Malia, completely forgetting that she didn't enter the show until the second half of S3. So, pretend there was no mention of her before this point if you've been reading from the start! Hope you're enjoying it so far!!

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Alex.

The next day, Alex did her usual rounds of feeding the animals. She stopped to give Jasper a little extra love, scratching his favourite spot behind his ear. She'd quickly come to love Jasper, who always seemed delighted to see her when she walked into the kennels. As she reached Luca's crate, she took a deep breath.

"Okay, Luca. I know a thing or two about not trusting people." Alex said, opening the door. "I'm trusting you not to bite my hand off when I reach for your bowl. Can you return the favour by trusting me to take it?"

Luca's head tilted to the side, his dark gaze fixed firmly on her face. She reached forward slowly, making sure not to make any sudden movements that may startle him.

"Good boy." Alex said calmly.

A low growl echoed around the metal cage, and Alex paused. "See, now this is what I'm talking about. I just want to help you."

The growling stopped, and Alex took the bowl. She quickly filled it with food before sliding it back towards Luca. He remained statue still until Alex closed the cage door again. Once the lock slid closed, Luca sniffed the food warily. Then, when he was satisfied that the food was safe, Luca started eating. Alex smiled to herself.

"I will get you to trust me, Luca, I promise." Alex grinned. "If I can gain an alphas trust, I can gain yours."

Since Luca was the last animal to feed, Alex closed the lid of the biscuit tub and put it away in the food cupboard. She walked into the examination room where Deaton was inspecting an injured dalmatian.

"What happened?" Alex asked, stroking the dog's head.

"She fell down the stairs." Deaton said. "The good news is I don't think anything is broken."

"That's good." Alex smiled.

Deaton lifted the dog into his arms and carried her through to the kennels. He placed her into an empty crate with blankets, food, and water. As he walked back into the examination room, he pulled out a file to write down his diagnoses.

"Deaton!"

Alex looked up at her boss with furrowed brows. "That's Scott."

Sure enough, seconds later, Scott ran into the clinic, closely followed by Stiles. The two looked frantic and nervous. Something Alex had quickly learnt could only mean one thing. Something was seriously wrong.

"What the hell are you two doing here?" Alex asked, looking between the two teens.

"We need Deaton's help." Scott said, breathless from running.

"What can I do for you, fellas." Deaton said with a friendly smile.

"It's Stiles." Scott said, looking towards his best friend.

"I've been having these weird... hallucinations, I guess." Stiles said, stepping forward.

"What have you been seeing?" Deaton asked, his brows furrowed with curiosity.

"Letters are jumbled, I can't read. It's like I'm awake, but I'm dreaming at the same time." Stiles sighed. "Like this morning, I walked into class, and everyone started talking to me in sign language."