I love you, Im sorry - Derek Hale

4

The full moon hung high in the sky, casting its silvery glow over the quiet streets of Beacon Hills. The peace was deceptive—beneath the surface, a storm was brewing. The Kanima was out there, hunting, its master pulling its strings from the shadows. Derek Hale's pack had already felt the repercussions of the creature's presence: unexpected attacks, unexplained deaths, and a growing tension in the air.

Vivian McCall had never wanted to be involved in any of this. Her life had already been complicated enough—raising Alexis as a single mother, navigating the murky waters of her weird relationship with Derek, the pack, and her estranged family. But the Kanima was a threat she couldn't ignore. The creature's ability to transform into a lizard-like monster and its unpredictability had made it a menace, one that could easily tear apart the very people she cared about.

"I love Viv as much as the next person, but are you sure we can bring her into this?" Scott McCall's voice echoed through the quiet of the McCall house. He stood near the window, his brow furrowed as he looked out into the night, the tension in his posture palpable. The question wasn't aimed at Derek, though; it was meant for Vivian.

Vivian stood in the kitchen, her back turned to the group, staring at the countertop as if she could will herself to disappear. The conversation had shifted to her involvement with the pack. While she had once kept a distance, the growing threats made her participation necessary. She could feel Scott's mistrust, could sense his hesitation even as he tried to mask it with concern.

"She's part of this now," Derek said, his voice low but steady. He leaned against the doorway, arms crossed. "She's been part of it for years."

Vivian wasn't sure whether it was the weight of Derek's words or the reality of the situation, but she felt the sharp sting of resentment crawl up her spine. The past had never truly been behind them—especially not now, with their paths intertwined once more.

"I know what I'm doing," Vivian finally spoke, her voice thick with unspoken emotion. She turned slightly, catching Derek's gaze. It wasn't easy, confronting him after all that had happened, but she couldn't let herself be weak now. Not with the pack's safety at stake.

Derek held her gaze for a moment longer than necessary, the tension between them almost tangible. His eyes softened, just slightly, but there was no apology there—no acknowledgment of the past.

"Just be careful," Scott warned, his voice tinged with a protective edge. "You can't pretend you're not part of this."

Vivian didn't respond immediately. She turned back to the counter, her fingers tracing the edge of the countertop as memories of the past, and of Derek, swirled in her mind.