"C'mon Scott, concentrate! Think harder," Derek commands in a stern tone. Scott sends him a wild glare, infuriated. Derek has been pushing him like this for a month now, after narrowly avoiding death from Deucalion and his pack. Scott understands his frustration and paranoia, but blaming Scott just isn't fair. He can't help it that he can't control his alpha powers! They just turn on randomly, and luckily they switched on right when Isaac entered the vault at the bank as they were fighting, and they all escaped.
"I'm trying, Derek! It's not that easy, you know," he growls, but does as he's told. He crouches and stares intently at the now turned Derek, and puts up his claws. He focuses all of his energy into one thought, his anchor: his mom. He imagines her soft face, and that one time she saved Danny from death by mistletoe. He had never been prouder of his mother than in that one moment. She is one of the only people he would give his life for with no regrets or hesitation. He would kill for her and die for her. He nods when he's fully invested in the thought as a signal for Derek to charge. Derek runs at him full speed, and Scott anxiously awaits the attack for a couple of seconds and begins to run at him. He pounces, so sure he got it right this time, but is knocked into the old brick wall of the Hale residence. Derek returns to his human form and sighs angrily.
"Scott, whatever you're thinking about is not good enough," he shouts, kicking an empty bucket to the side. "What are you thinking about, anyway?"
"My mom," Scott huffs, head hanging low as he sits on the floor. Derek crosses his arms and squats to Scott's level.
"Try something else," he says in a slightly softer tone, "maybe Allison, for instance?" Scott turns away. Allison is a bitter subject to him. Seeing her everyday is a curse, yet he can't get enough of her. He often went over to her house after school, making excuses such as: "I think I found a way to beat Deucalion," even though he's nowhere close to finding a way. She always seems to buy it, and although hearing her talk strategy wasn't exactly the way he wants to spend time with her, she's still there. He still gets to see her beautiful smile. Sometimes he thinks he can handle being just friends, but when he sees her hanging out with Isaac, a fire rages in his belly and he feels sick to the core. He hates not being able to be with her, but what he hates even more is that she seems to be over it.
Apparently his feelings are evident on his face, because Derek grins and pats his shoulder.
"There we go. Get up, buddy, we've got more training to do." He rises and drags Scott up with him, who groans.
"Can't we be done for today? I mean, I'm exhausted and I have exams to study for. I'm still a teenager, you know?" He whines.
"Yes, but you're also a werewolf. You're an alpha now Scott, you have to take on more responsibility."
Scott looks up at him with a "pity me" expression. Derek sighs and checks the time: 7:45.
"Fine. You're late to dinner, anyway. I suggest running home," he says wearily.
Scott grins. "Thanks Derek. And I swear, tomorrow I'll bring my A-game." He bolts out the door into the chilly mid-October air. The breeze feels nice after spending hours in Derek's musty basement. He starts to sprint as he dances around the trees. He smiles, because for a moment, he feels free. But of course, his second of peace doesn't last long, and is interrupted by an incoming phone call. He answers, only to hear his mother's angry voice.
"Scott McCall, where are you? And why haven't you been answering my calls? I've been worried sick," she says. She's been a little paranoid after the incident last month too, and has been calling him more frequently.
"I know, I'm sorry mom. I was training at Derek's, and he held me back longer. I'm almost home," he reassures her breathlessly as he starts to run again.
"Well, it's too late now. I've got to head down to the hospital. And they said the ER is extra busy tonight, so I probably won't be home until tomorrow. Your dinner's in the microwave, finish your homework, do the dishes, and save the werewolf stuff for later. You have exams tomorrow," she rambles. He can hear her putting the keys into ignition and sighs.
"Okay. I'm sorry for letting you down again. I promise, next time I'll be home on time," he apologizes.
His mom stops momentarily and sighs into the phone. "Honey, you didn't let me down. I know you have this big, extremely important wolf battle to win. You're brave and strong, and you'll always be my hero, even if you're late for dinner," Scott smiles, "okay, I've really got to get going. Don't burn the house down, remind Isaac to take out the garbage, and remember Mommy loves you. Bye sweetie," she concludes, barely giving him time to say "I love you too" before hanging up. He runs his fingers through his dark brown hair and lets out a deep breath. He feels guilty. He's been so busy lately, what with school, lacrosse, work, and being a teen wolf, that he hasn't been able to hang out with his mom. He sees her briefly in the morning, and when he's lucky he gets to eat dinner with her. He's glad that at least Isaac's there when he isn't able to.
Isaac used to be a nuisance when he first moved into the McCall residence, what with his arrogance and indiscreetness and idiocy, but Scott has come around to admire him. He only wants what's best for other people, and his arrogance is all an act because he's honestly one of the most insecure people Scott's ever met. He's also funny, sweet, and loyal. Scott knows he can trust Isaac with anything. Isaac is probably his second best friend, Stiles being his first.
Scott is so lost in thought that he runs face-first into a tree and falls down. He chuckles at his air-headedness. He slowly rises to his feet when he sees a figure running at him at an incredible speed. He takes precaution by changing, and crouches with his claws up. He growls, as if to warn the figure chasing him. The silhouette slows down, and Scott notes the scarf and curly hair. It's Isaac. Scott relaxes and changes into a human again, straightening himself out.
"Jeez, calm down dude. You're almost acting like Derek," Isaac says, his hands up, a smirk plastered on his face. Scott lets out a laugh and shakes his head.
"I.. I know, man. The guy's rubbing off on me. I swear, his paranoia's at an all time high," he replies, his head in his hand.
"Right? The man's insane," Isaac agrees. They turn and begin to walk back to the house. They both stuff their hands in their pockets and stare at the ground as they walk.
"You only have to train with him Tuesdays and Thursdays. I see him everyday," Scott scoffs.
"Well, that's on you now, isn't it, Mr. Alpha?" Isaac jokes, patting Scott on the shoulder. Scott brushes his hand off playfully and shakes his head with a smile on his face.
"Whatever man," he says, "I'll race you to the house, loser has to do the dishes."
Isaac smiles and looks down at Scott. "Alright," he pauses, as if to say more, but begins to run ahead. Scott curses and chases after him.
Isaac wins, but only because Scott lets him.
