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Octavia, Scott, and Stiles pressed their bodies against the door, fighting to keep the Alpha out. Every tremor, every noise around them seemed amplified, each sound reverberating in Ocativa's mind. The memory of what had just happened- how the Alpha's claws had sunk deep into the back of Derek's neck, the sickening spurt of blood from his mouth before he'd been tossed against the brick exterior- played over and over, almost like an echo she couldn't silence.
"Lock it! Lock it!" Her brother's voice broke through her panic.
"Do I look like I have a key?" Stiles shot back, his sarcasm cracking through the fear.
"Grab something!" Scott's voice was sharper, teetering on the edge of a shout.
"Like what?" Octavia's voice shook as she held onto the door handle with every ounce of strength.
"Anything!" Scott's desperation seeped into her, only increasing her sense of urgency.
Octavia's instincts, those unexplainable senses she didn't fully understand, kicked in. She could feel an intense, predatory presence just beyond the door, but oddly, there was no movement. "If the Alpha wanted in, he'd already be here," she said, feeling a strange certainty settle over her, even as her heartbeat pounded.
Stilles, suddenly still, seemed to realize it, too. He stood slowly, peering through the narrow window. His gaze landed on the bolt cutters left outside. For a beat, he stared, then moved toward the door, purpose sharpening his movements.
"What are you doing?" Octavia hissed, panic rising in her tone. She and Scott had already followed his gaze, knowing precisely what Stiles was about to do. "No," they both pleaded.
"Yes." He replied, shoving the flashlight into Scott's arms.
"Stiles Stilinski, I swear, if you get yourself killed-" Her words died as he slipped through the door, and her heart jumped to her throat.
Outside, Stiles moved quickly, his eyes darting through the dark parking lot. The Alpha emerged from the shadows on all fours, a low growl rumbling as it fixed its gaze on Stiles. Scott saw it first, pounding on the glass as a warning. Heart racing, Octavia stood frozen, her senses overwhelmed by the proximity of something so dark, so predatory- it was almost like she could feel the Alpha's intent, and its total weight crashed into her.
Stiles grabbed the bolt cutters, and the Alpha charged; he slipped back inside, bolting the doors with the cutters just as the creature slammed into them, rattling the hinges.
Octavia could barely breathe. Anger simmered in her chest as she stood beside her brother, eyes still darting to Stiles, safe but flushed with terror. A cold, creeping sensation swept over her- unsure if it was her fear or the Alpha's lurking presence.
