Little Wolf (The Youngest Sequel)

Chapter Dix-Sept

"What if we break free?" Boyd asked, his voice holding an edge of uncertainty. The air was tense, as Derek prepared for what was to come with the rising full moon.

"Then you'll do anything you can to get out of here," Derek replied evenly, without missing a beat. His movements were precise, securing the metal collar. "Probably try to kill me, then kill each other, and kill anything else with a heartbeat."

Derek's tone was calm but firm, as if stating a fact. He moved to stand in front of Erica, holding the heavy, metal collar in his hands. "I need you to hold her," he said, nodding towards Isaac.

Isaac stepped behind Erica, his hands firmly gripping her arms, and a nervous look flickered across his face. Erica, on the other hand, stared straight ahead, determination in her eyes. She knew what was coming, and she wasn't about to let anyone see her falter.

Kylie watched all of this, her eyes wide as she stood beside Derek, trying to understand the seriousness that seemed to hang over them like a cloud.

"So how come she gets to wear the headband?" Isaac questioned, glancing at the ominous-looking device. There was an uneasy humor in his voice, an attempt to make light of what was about to happen.

Derek didn't flinch. "Because she'll be able to withstand more pain than the two of you," he replied, glancing at Isaac and Boyd, whose eyes widened in response. Erica smirked, her lips curving upward for just a moment before tightening in anticipation.

Derek held up another collar. "I've got an extra one if you really want it," he said with a slight raise of his eyebrow, his voice completely void of humor.

Isaac stared at the device for a moment, a flicker of hesitation visible in his eyes, before he looked away. "I'll pass," he finally said, his voice lower now, almost resigned.

Derek then turned his full attention to Erica, lowering himself to meet her eyes. He could see the determination there, but also the fear she tried to hide.

"You ready?" he asked, his voice a little softer now.

Erica nodded, her gaze unwavering. "Yeah," she said, her voice small, but steady. She closed her eyes and braced herself, taking a deep breath.

Derek wasted no time. He placed the metal collar on her head, and Kylie flinched at the sharp click of the screws beginning to tighten. The sound seemed to echo through the empty train car. Erica's breathing quickened, her eyes squeezing shut as the pain shot through her head.

Then, the scream came.

It was raw and loud, filled with agony as the screws began to dig deeper into her skin. The sound reverberated through the space, a chilling reminder of just how real this was. Kylie's small frame shook as she clamped her hands over her ears, whimpering. Her eyes welled up with tears, and she watched helplessly as Erica's body trembled against Isaac's grip.

Isaac's face twisted in discomfort, and Boyd looked away, unable to watch for too long. They had all seen pain, but this was something different. This was pain inflicted by their Alpha—necessary, but brutal, a reminder of the cost of control under the full moon.

Derek's expression remained unreadable, his eyes locked on Erica, his hands steady as he adjusted the collar to keep her from hurting herself. But deep inside, Derek felt a pang of guilt. He knew it was necessary, but that didn't make it any easier.

Kylie, still covering her ears, slowly lowered her hands. She watched Derek's face, trying to understand what he was thinking. She didn't know if she could ever fully understand why Derek did the things he did. She only knew that he was trying to protect them, even if it meant doing things like this.