The Run/Hunt

Chapter Three

A/N Been ages since I've updated, but I'm finally picking up on where I'm slacking, which is this story. 

Enjoy! 

-Stiles-

The horn blares and there's a few howls to add on and I know they've been released. The Run has officially begun. I definitely feel like throwing up. But I shouldn't stop running. I want to keep as far ahead as I can. I don't want my mate to think I'm weak and slow. I have to keep the pace up if I'm ever going to earn their respect.

I stumble over the occasional root, but I keep going not slowing down. Panic swells when I hear footsteps behind me. I turn my head to see Isaac running a few feet across from me. "Isaac!" I yell out, his head flicks towards me and relief floods through his face.

"Thank god it's you, Stiles!" Isaac breathes out. "I thought it was a werewolf, I'm not ready!"

"Neither!" I reply. "I'm freaking out right now."

"Me t –" That very second Isaac gets tackled by a werewolf, he screams.

"Isaac!" I yell in shock, but I have to continue running, when a werewolf finds their mate they get very territorial and will attack anything or anyone around them. I can't risk it.

That and I can hear footsteps and growls from behind me. I can't be being chased now, right?

The panic of that thought makes me go even faster, I do not want to get tackled to the ground as brutally as Isaac was. His mate better apologise to him, when I see Isaac next I'll make sure they do, Isaac of all people does not deserve to be manhandled like that.

I trip and fall painfully onto my face. I stop, giving in, but nothing happens. Relief floods through me, but I'm still in a state of panic, causing me to actually throw up.

Shit! I feel a panic attack coming, this isn't good! I need to slow my heart beat. But I'm panicking about the thought of having a panic attack. This isn't helping! I NEED TO CALM DOWN RIGHT FRIGGING NOW!

It doesn't work, I lose all my breath and I feel pain through my head and chest, panic flooding through me. I start to involuntarily choke on air that for the life of me, can't find, and I clutch my chest.

"Hey!" a deep voice growls from beside me says. "Calm down! This isn't good for you!" Their hands wrap around my wrists and I struggle against their hold. "It's okay baby, I'm your mate! I'm going to protect you. I promise."

My vision is blurry from loss of oxygen and I continue to gasp for air. Pulling against the grip, kicking my legs about.

"Stop struggling!" they growl. It's gotta be a guy, hands down. "I'm protecting you, I'm your mate! Are you even listening?!"

I try to focus, but can't, still freaking about having no air reaching my lungs.

"A-are you having a panic attack?" he whispers and I nod slightly. "Shit!" My eyes slip shut as tears stream down my face. His hands leave my wrists and I feel him wrap his arms around my waist, pulling me back against his muscly chest. Trust me on this, I can feel his muscles.

His hands are resting against my pounding heart and his breath is against my neck. "Follow my breathing baby," he whispers, kissing my neck. "In." I breathe in, still unable to get air. "Out." I exhale, feeling more air leaving my chest, raising my fear. "Don't panic anymore baby. The air is leaving your lungs, it means that you have room for more, so breathe in with me." I do as he says and I feel air flood my lungs and I'm immediately less tense and getting more air each breath I take. "Good," he whispers over and over. "You're doing so good baby."

I cough a bit as I keep inhaling oxygen. Taking great comfort in his words. I relax against his warm chest, my breath returning to the normal rate, same as my heart. "Thank you," I whisper. "No one else knows what to do when I have a panic attack."

"So I'm the first?" he asks and I nod, he chuckles. "Good. Because I don't want anyone else to be this close to you. I'm a very territorial person."

My vision finally focuses and I see a passed out person to the left of me. "What happened to them?"

-Derek-

I sprint into the forest, letting my instincts take over. Pleading to whoever will listen for my mate to be here. I run further into the forest, and see a friend of mine, Scott Mcall, sprint right past me, and I can tell he's caught on to his mates scent.

That's when I smell the most magnificent smell I have ever experienced. I can't pinpoint on what it smells like, but all I know is that it smells like home and I can't ignore that.

This scent must be my mate! I sprint off in the same direction as Scott, following the amazing scent.

I hear a scream and someone yelling out 'Isaac'. I'm getting close, I can practically feel their presence from here.

They must have heard my growls because their running has sped up and they're running quite fast for a human. But, just as I spot him in a small clearing he trips and falls face first into the ground. I freeze my movements, worry filling me as he throws up before choking.

I hurry over and see him clutching at his chest, tears brimming his eyes. This is my mate and he is in clear pain, and I have absolutely no idea what to say or do to help ease his pain. But I need to figure it out and quick. I'm about to say something when another werewolf steps into the clearing, I can see the realisation cross his face that he just stepped into mine and my mates territory and he's gonna get it.

I throw him against a tree, causing him to fall back to the ground completely out of it. I then direct my full attention to my mate.

-Stiles-

"Uh... he stepped into our territory," my mate says. Oh... so he attacked the person because he was getting too close to me. A warm feeling floods through my chest when I realise that. He was protecting me when I was at my most vulnerable.

"Thank you." I lean my head back against his shoulder and he kisses my temple. "I'm Stiles by the way."

"I'm Derek." I freeze. Could this be Derek Hale? I crane my neck to look up and see Prince Derek staring down at me with his beautiful eyes. "You took your time."

I gulp, not knowing how to respond, I just blurt out the first thing in my head. "I feel like bacon."

He chuckles at my response. "Let's get you out of this forest first, then I'll get you some bacon."

I just blankly nod as he scoops me up, bridal style, making me wrap my arms around his neck. I bury my face in his chest, being calmed by his smell and heartbeat. I like this. Surprisingly.