Tethered // Teen Wolf // Isaac Lahey

FIFTY-SIX

☽◯☾

KOREY

☽◯☾

I winced softly as the boom of music from Lydia's lake house echoed down the hill towards the jeep that was hidden amongst the trees.

Isaac's hand reached out to rub my back wordlessly even as he rolled his neck, his own annoyance fluttering off him at the sound.

"How are you feeling?" I whispered, my legs swinging back and forth as we both sat in the open boot of the car.

It was his idea, a midnight picnic. He'd brought a tartan blanket for the boot, two pillows for us to lean against, snacks and sandwiches, his laptop with a bunch of illegally downloaded movies on it, and a few games.

"Considering the hordes of freshman shrieking, the terrible music and the overpowering stench of sweat coming from the house..." Isaac turned to me, his eyes heavily lidded and somewhat tired. "I'm doing better than I expected. How are you holding up?" He dropped his hand from my back, moving it to hold onto my hand that was sat in my lap. He focused on it with a sharp intensity for a minute before he let out a soft breath, nodding curtly. "You're not in pain, at least."

My lips twitched up, my skin prickling with heat, "No. I'm actually doing fine. It's not overwhelming or painful... it's almost nice."

This full moon wasn't like any other. I felt strong and alert, the usual haze of violent anger replaced by a clear minded focus on everything else around me. I could smell the earth, down the most recently frosted over specs of grass, and I could smell the air so cleanly it almost hurt my lungs. I could hear animals in the woods, the lake moving with the rhythm of the wind and a hundred heartbeats, which were all dulled by the one that was right beside me.

"That's good," Isaac nodded, dropping his head into his hand and rubbing his temple as the music boomed louder, if possible. It seemed as though Allison and Lydia were trying really hard to make sure Malia wouldn't be heard. Their efforts made it harder for Isaac to keep his control, though; he was a young werewolf still, less experienced than me, and without any real training.

"Can you close your eyes for me?" I mumbled, deciding that although it was slightly risky, I could help him.

"That's going to make me focus on the noise," Isaac complained lightly, his eyes snapping shut anyway.

I hated my heart for betraying me because under the glow of the moonlight, he looked ethereal: his skin smooth and pale, his eyelashes long and dark, covering his eyes that were beyond enthralling, his hair falling over his eyes because he'd started growing it out. I knew I had a problem. I'd known since the moment I evolved, I'd known because there was no way it was just trust that helped me find him. Except he was my best friend. I wasn't going to let my traitor of a heart ruin something so good.

I took in a deep breath, and it was a little too shaky, too nervous, and it made Isaac tense. I shuffled slightly closer to him, raising my arms slowly before I wrapped them around him, turning my head so I could press it into his back.

His hand shot up to hold onto my arm, surprise coursing through him, the smell soft like a bunch of grapes. "Kore?"

I closed my eyes as warmth drifted off him, seeping past my jacket and pressing against my skin. I swallowed down the nerves in my stomach, letting the familiar buzz sound in my ears, a single bumblebee going from one ear to the next. I didn't need a physical tether line anymore. My evolution meant I just needed to touch someone to be able to push power or take it. I took from him, just enough of his werewolf abilities, so that he would feel like he usually did, no added pressure from the full moon.