Fight Till We Die

Blood Ties

Conflict is inevitable, but combat is optional.

- Max Lucado

Libby had been MIA the rest of the day. She'd left during second period in a burst of emotion that was desperate for release and she'd been completely and utterly checked out. Lydia and Scott had texted her after class. Stiles a few minutes later. Then Allison.

She didn't answer any of them.

The call she'd been most expecting, however, didn't arrive until what was supposed to be fourth period. Derek's name popped up on her screen as she stood in the middle of a Macy's. Libby sent him a text that said, 

I'm fine

Then she shut her phone off. Despite the lack of responses to her friends, Libby felt much better than she did before. It was like a fresh palate when she allowed herself that kind of release. All her anger and pain and grief was still there but dulled. It was easier to bear.

Libby flicked through a rack of colorful tops, finally tired of Lydia's complaining, she thought she should buy more clothes than she currently had. It looked like they'd be in Beacon Hills longer than anticipated anyway, and she'd run out of quarters for the laundromat. This was simpler.

She'd ended up buying three new pairs of jeans, a pair of leggings, a dress that Lydia would've been proud of, and more undergarments. She considered another shirt, but Derek had extras she could take when she needed to alternate her clothes. 

Libby left the Macy's with a handful of bags, and a much better mood. It would've been sixth period if she were still in school, but Libby decided to make her way home and face Derek's wrath.

Trudging through the woods of the preserve, Libby was silent. Listening. She found a small slice of peace when she was in the woods like that. It was a reminder of what life used to be. Quiet. Calm. She thrived in those small moments. The moments where she could remember playing with her cousins and sister clearly, untouched by the fire.

Libby was halfway to the house when she heard a noise that filled her with dread. A loud growl penetrated her ears with such force that she dropped her bags and winced away from the noise. Drawing out her teeth and claws, Libby's eyes flared as she searched for the threat.

For the alpha.

She bent down, preparing for the attack, but she couldn't trace the noise. Spinning in circles, Libby felt a panic crawl up her spine. She couldn't find the alpha, but she knew he was circling her. He was trapping her. 

Libby reared up to howl, to call for Derek for help when a force slammed into her from behind. In a whip of pain, Libby sent her arms backward, desperate to catch a claw on anything. A guttural growl came from above the back of her head as four claws dug deep in her back. Libby released a cry of pain and felt the alpha still from behind her.

The claws didn't retract, but he didn't move either. Libby took that opportunity to throw him off of her, using her unnatural strength to force herself upward. Libby whipped toward the alpha. Every inch of her stilled when she came face to face with a demon wolf. A fully shifted alpha. 

A wolf overcome by revenge.

The alpha stared back at her, unmoving. Tense. As if he was as shocked as she was. Libby crouched in a growl, challenging the alpha, but he remained unmoved. Watching her.