The Bite [Luke Hemmings AU]

Chapter Seven

Claire's POV

While on the phone with Cooper, he said he and Zack were looking outside of town with Tara and Cam. I decided to look in the one place only I knew he'd be: his dad's house. When I get there I know he'll be sitting in the exact spot where his dad's chair sat on the floor.

I drove down towards the hospital and turned at the corner before I got to the woods. The house was just outside the woods. I pulled into the driveway and ran up to the house. There wasn't a car parked but Saunders could easily walk from his house. I opened the door and walked inside shouting his name a couple times. I heard a rumble coming from the living room. I walked to room and he sat in his usual spot on the floor with a bottle of whiskey. I sighed and sat down next to him. I took the bottle from his hands and set it beside me.

"You know, that shit doesn't really help when you're a werewolf," I said as I rested my arms on my knees.

"Seven years ago today. September 7. I killed him. I killed my own dad," he said looking at the plain wall in front of us. I sighed and shook my head.

"It wasn't your fault. It was the anger," I looked over at him and he just had an emotionless look on his face.

"I should have just gone to Cooper's house. I knew in the back if my mind that he hadn't gotten better. I knew it," he said and put his head in his hands.

I scooted closer and put my hand on his back. I rubbed soothing circles on his back and rest my head on his shoulder.

"Saunders, I love you. You're the brother I never wanted. You're one of the best human beings on this planet. I know I don't appreciate the things you do for me. I know I act like I hate you, but I don't. You are so important to me and I love you. You're my brother," I said and wrapped my arms around him as he did the same to me.

"You are so much like your mother. I loved your mom. She saved my life multiple times. You're like a sister to me too. I know you don't hate me. And that Luke is a nice boy. I approve," he said the last part with a chuckle.

I chuckled and let go of him. I still kept my head on his shoulder. I snaked my arms around his arms and sighed. "The weirdest thing about all of this is that I hang out with my chemistry teacher outside of school," I said with chuckle.

Saunders stood up, dragging me with him and pulled me into a hug. "That's because I'm the coolest chemistry teacher ever...and I have no real teaching license," he said as I rested my head on his chest. He pulled back and looked at me. "Is anything wrong?"

I sighed heavily and stepped back. I close my eyes in concentration. I had to show him what happened. Once I knew my anger was channeled, I opened my eyes. His eyes widened, his jaw clenched along with his fists, and his eyebrows came together. I closed my eyes again and then opened them soon after.

"What happened?" His tone was gentle but stern.

"The hunter in the basement. It had to be him. It just took him long to die," I said, picking up the bottle of whiskey and putting the lid on it.

He sighed, "Let's go find the boys and Tara. We need to show Coop how fun it is in that vault," he said, trying to be humorous.

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We finally met up with Cooper and the other two after Saunders and I called them multiple times. Here comes the moment I dreaded since I looked at Cooper's glowing yellow eyes.

I held a harness in my hands and Saunders held the 'headband'. The 'headband' was a steel band that had nails on each side of it. It was a bloody, rusted mess. Saunders only pulled it out when he knew he truly needed it for something. And we had to keep Cooper in that vault no matter what.