I M P U L S E | Jackson Whittemore [2]

10: Destiny

SOTC: come back for me — jaymes young

The four teenagers whom had previously been drowned in ice water as surrogate sacrifices for their families, sat close together huddled in thick blankets and basking in one another's bodily warmth. After Jackson had left, Aiden left too, claiming he had responsibilities to attend to. Annie tried to make reason of his actions, but could only come up with the simple truth of the situation—Aiden was working for Deucalion, just as much as he was working for her pack... and that hurt.

Scott stood suddenly, unwrapping the now partially soaked towel and making his way towards the exit before Stiles caught his arm. "Where are you going?" he asked.

Scott looked back at Annie, before meeting Stiles eyes again and guiltily admitting, "I have to go back."

It didn't take a genius to realize he was taking about his small, mutual agreement with Deucalion. Yet, no matter how small, it felt like a huge betrayal to the pack, in itself. It felt like he was breaking some kind of time-honored code. Scott met Annie's eyes, as she looked best friend as if he had just broken her heart.

Stiles broke through the tension, punching Scott lightly on the shoulder, as he demanded, "No, dude, you are not going back with them."

Scott sighed, "I made a deal with Deucalion."

"Does anyone else think that sounds a lot like a deal with the devil?" Annie shrugged, sarcastically.

"Why does it matter, anyway?" Isaac asked, indifferent to the deal between Scott and Deucalion. He should trust his pack enough to understand they would protect him in time of need. He may be their unspoken leader, but they would still take a bullet for him.

Scott sighed, shaking his head, "Because I still don't think that we can beat Jennifer without his help."

Allison looked over at Deaton, hoping for some backup to get Scott to do what they say. "He trusts you more than anyone. Tell him he's wrong."

"I'm not so sure he is," Deaton explained. "Circumstances like this sometimes require that you align yourself with people you'd normally consider enemies."

Annie did a doubletake, making sure to make her discomfort with Deaton's and Scott's plan known, "So we're gonna trust him, the guy that calls himself death, destroyer of worlds?" she raised her eyebrows, amused yet frightened at the same time. "We're gonna trust that guy?"

Deaton shook his head, "I wouldn't trust him, no... but you could use him to your advantage. Deucalion may be the enemy, but he could also be the bait."

Annie took in Deaton's words, and for someone of their thinking, they could already envision a beautiful plan that took down both their problems with one solution. Allow them to fight each other. The Darach, a force Annie's yet witness for herself, is inevitably strong, but maybe not as strong as Deucalion. However, she has to give the Darach a little more credit. Not just anyone can take on an Argent (let alone two), and win unless...