Wolfsbane II | Teen Wolf

Part 8

Beacon High was packed with students and families who have gathered for the annual winter concert hosted by the high school's music department. At the center of all the chaos, was Paige who was the teacher in charge of the school band and choir. It had taken months of preparation and still there were things that needed to be fixed or re-arranged the night of the event.

In the midst of all the busyness, her boyfriend appeared holding a bouquet of her favorite sunflowers.

"Break a leg?" Derek extended the flowers to her with a smile.

She mirrored his smile and smelled the flowers she received.

"Thank you."

The two had been on high alert ever since Peter's phone call to Derek. Every shadow seemed dangerous. Every sound seemed threatening. They were rattled – Derek more so than Paige – and it had put a strained on their daily lives.

Derek showing up with flowers was a simple gesture but it allowed her to put her worries to rest momentarily and enjoy the moment.

"Paige!" Someone shouted causing the couple to turn towards the voice.

Derek paled immediately as he saw Sandra, the vice-principle lead a man towards them. Paige noticed his reaction and examined the man beside Sandra.

"This is Simon," The vice-principle introduced the man. "He has been a generous sponsor of our music department and is looking forward to tonight's concert."

The man extended his hand towards Paige who took it expecting a handshake. Instead, the man took her hands and kissed the back of it.

"Lovely to meet you at last." He said in a deep, husky voice.

Derek quivered as he held back his anger.

That was when it clicked for Paige. She didn't recognize him at first because it had been years since they last saw each other but she finally realized who it was. This man was Peter Hale.

xXx

Peter laughed as he saw the couple hurried away from him the moment the introduction was over.

It was worth it to come in person. To see Derek's stare daggers at him unable to do anything in the crowded room. To see Paige uncomfortable at his touch and proximity.

Like a cat with a mouse, he found it entertaining to taunt his prey before seeing their demise. Besides, he had time to spare. He was still gathering the materials for the ritual. The ritual that will bring her back.

He had searched long and hard and had finally found a way to bring Ashley back. A witch he had encountered in New Orleans had been key in finding the spell to free Ashley from Hel.

That's why he was back in Beacon Hills; gathering the things needed. Already, he had something of Ashley's, the bracelet. The next thing he needed was the blood of the bloodhound which he had traced back to the deputy, Jordan Parrish. Soon, Peter will have the rest of the things he needed and in time for the next full moon.

"That wasn't very nice."

Peter stiffened at the voice.

Ashley Hale stood in the corner of the room, arms folded, an eyebrow lifted up in a reprimanding manner.

It had been a while since he saw her ghost. And a ghost it was since she was no longer in their realm.

It had started when he had lost her. He had indulged in many vices and violence in an attempt to forget her. One morning, he had woken up after passing out drunk and there she was. Just as he had remembered.

At the start he thought he had been dreaming, hallucinating even, but it soon became clear that it was his inner voice. His conscience had taken the form of Ashley Hale.

"Is this really worth it?"

"How can you say that?!" He snapped at her causing the people around him to give him weird looks for shouting at apparently nothing.

Ashley didn't answer but gave him a sorrowful look.

He frowned at the expression on her face. He was doing all this for her. Everything was for her.

But why did she look so sad?