The Bravest of the Pack (Sterek)

Part seven

Sticks snapped and leaves crunched as Derek followed the metallic smell of blood through the mass of trees. It was getting stronger... he must be close now. His mind raced as he twisted and turned around each tree, hoping that what he would find had a reasonable explanation. Maybe it was just a rabbit? Teared apart by a stray dog or fox.

Suddenly an ear-piercing roar erupted in the air. The ground quaked, the branches in the trees bent away from the sound and the sky shook. The rich noise was so powerful it knocked Derek off of his feet, throwing him carelessly into a near by rock. Pure terror filled Derek as the roar became increasingly louder. What ever it was, it was on the move...and making its way to Derek. He scrambled at the ground, trying to haul himself up and run at the same time. He knew that if whatever was after him actually caught him, he would be dead. There was no fighting in this battle.

Derek finally was on his feet, and sprinting fast. He turned his head, trying to get at least a glimpse at what was hunting him. He didn't need to look far, the creature was next to him, concealed by shadows. It was huge, as big as a rhino, but with the flexibility of a cat. Derek couldn't make out what it was, all he knew was he had to get away some how.

The creature turned its monstrous head, showing its beaming golden eyes. Then it was gone.

Derek stopped suddenly. In a panic he twisted in every direction, looking for a sign that the beast was still lurking. Waiting. Watching.

There was nothing, Derek was well and truly alone. What was that thing? It had to have been something supernatural, how else could it's eyes glow like that? He had to warn the others. Something new was in Beacon Hills, and it wasn't willing to play nice with others.

~~~~~

"Well, what was it?"

"Surely if I knew the answer to that question I would have told you, Scott" Derek said through gritted teeth. The kid might know how to lead a pack but he can be the biggest idiot around if he tried hard enough.

"How the hell are we meant to fight the thing if we don't even know what it is?" Derek shrugged, shaking his head in a manner which suggested he had already given up. To him, Beacon Hills was a lost cause. Scott held his head in his hands, he had no idea what to do.

In any other situation there was always a clue as to what they were up against, but this time round there were none. He had already called Deaton, although there wasn't much to go on. The list of 'Big scary things with glowing eyes that lurk in shadows' was surprisingly long.

He would have asked Stiles but he wasn't picking up his phone. Probably just asleep, it was around 2 in the morning. Scott and Derek had even gone back out into the woods looking for a fresh scent, but there was nothing.

"How is that even possible? It was just here"

"I don't know, Derek," any hope of finding the thing had drained from Scott, it was clear in his voice "let's just leave"

The journey back was silent. Both Scott and Derek listened for something, anything. But all stayed quiet.

"Wait," Derek whispered while reaching out and placing his hand on Scott's shoulder, stopping him from walking "do you hear that?"

"No"

"Exactly. It's too quiet. Surely we would hear something? Like bugs or squirrels?" Derek asked, he didn't have to be a werewolf to know how fast and loud his heart was beating. He looked Scott in the eyes, both shared the same look of horror.

The beast never left.