The Tigress | Teen Wolf | Derek Hale

Chapter Four- Joining a Pack

Tala grinned that toothy grin as she walked through the halls. Her best friend rolled her eyes. She couldn't remember the last time she saw Tala with a look other than that toothy grin.

"Why are you so smiley?" Kelly asked, chuckling.

Tala hopped on the balls of her feet as she pushed open the door, leading her friend outside.

"I'm gonna join a pack!" Tala announced, grinning at her friend.

Kelly's expression shifted. "What?"

"I'm gonna be in a pack," Tala said.

"Yeah, I heard you the first time," Kelly sighed. "But how? Cats don't have packs... especially not your kind."

Tala rolled her eyes. "I met someone." she giggled.

Kelly looked at her, waiting for more. "And...?"

"Well," Tala continued. "He's an alpha."

"Like... wolf alpha?" Kelly asked.

Tala nodded. "Mhmmm. And he agreed to let me in his pack–so long as I can prove myself."

"Prove yourself?" Kelly repeated.

"Yup!"

"What does that mean?"

Tala rolled her eyes. "It means I'm in!"

"I mean, you can't know that for sure," Kelly argued.

"Stop being such a debbie downer!" Tala groaned. "I'm gonna be in a pack!"

Kelly stopped, watching as her friend continued down the sidewalk to a car. Derek Hale's car. She rolled her eyes. She never liked Derek Hale. But neither did her whole family.

"Bye, Kel!" Tala called out to her friend, waving as she climbed into the car.

Kelly sighed, turning to go back into the school, only to find her older siblings standing right there.

"Oh," she said. "I was gonna go wait in the library for you guys."

Kate rolled her eyes. "You have got to drop that nut. Especially because she hangs out with the Hales so much."

"Don't be so cruel, Kate," Chris scolded. He placed a hand on his little sisters shoulder. "Just be careful." he turned her around, pulling her as they went to their car.

It didn't take long for the Argents to be on their way home. On their way to another hunter meeting.

"Yeah, my mom knows him," Derek said. "I hear he's ruthless."

"Yeah, yeah," Tala said, brushing him off. "Just drop me off at the abandoned distillery. That's where I'm supposed to complete my trial."

Derek rolled his eyes. "I dunno if this is such a great idea, Tal."

"Derek!" she scolded. "Just let me do this, okay? You know how much I want to be in a pack." She sighed. "And if your mom won't let me in yours, then I'll go find the next best thing."

"But Deucalion?" Derek sighed.

"Yes, Deucalion," Tala said, crossing her arms. "No more arguing with me."

"Whatever," Derek mumbled.

Not long after, they arrived at the abandoned distillery. Derek warned Tala one last time, but she simply shook her head, instructing him to leave. He reluctantly did so, and Tala turned to the distillery with a determined look on her face.

She stepped forward, making her way inside. There, in the middle of the room was Deucalion and several of his betas.

"Hi," Tala said in a cheery tone.

"There she is," Deucalion said with a grin. "The star of the hour."

She stepped forward with that grin, approaching him with no fear. She never had fear. It was a trait even the Hales admired.

"Little Tiger," Deucalion said. "So you want to join my werewolf pack?"

"That I do," Tala said, making her face a lot more serious. "And I think I would be a valuable asset to you."

"Oh, I'm sure," Deucalion said. "Are you ready for your trial?"

"Born ready," Tala said, a determined look crossing her face. She was a strong fighter–she was confident–and she knew she could handle whatever Deucalion threw her way.

"Okay, Tigress," Deucalion said, gesturing to the side. "Bring her in!"

Tala faltered, her eyebrows twitching for a moment. It was an odd thing to say. She figured she would be facing off against his pack, but apparently not. It didn't matter, though, because Tala was ready for whatever was about to walk through those doors.

One of Deucalion's missing betas walked into the room, dragging a body along with him. The body's head shot up, looking straight to Tala.

"Help!" she yelled.

Tala was frozen.

She thought she had recognized the mop of blonde hair on the person, but as the head lifted up to face her, her stomach dropped.

"Kelly?" her voice shook.

"Tala?" Kelly asked, looking around the room.

The beta approached, standing to the side of Tala and holding Kelly up to face her.

The teenage girls looked desperately at Deucalion.

"What is this?" Tala asked, suddenly missing that toothy grin.

Deucalion smiled. "Your trial, Tigress, is to kill your friend... Kelly, was it?"

Kelly whimpered.

"The Argent," Deucalion finished.

Tears welled in Tala's eyes. She looked at Kelly, then back at Deucalion.

"Well?" Deucalion asked, a sickening grin on his face. "Do it!"