Just Breathe

Chapter 20

Emma dropped to the ground, everyone's attention snapping towards her. She put one hand out on the ground to steady herself, screaming as her other hand flew to her leg. She fell onto her back, letting out a groan as she grabbed her abdomen. 

Tears began to stream down her face as she whimpered and moaned. The pack rushed over to her, kneeling around her with cautious eyes. Her eyes opened, emerald light exploding through the night. Isaac was the first to move, lifting Emma before sitting her down on the bench. 

He watched as her jaw clenched, her hands pulling at her hair as her mouth opened, more screams escaping. The pack stood, clueless as to what triggered this. No one new had made physical contact and there was no visible wounds which meant they didn't know a way to stop the pain. 

"Call Derek!" Scott ordered Isaac, who was already dialing him, instructing him to come here. Mr. Stilinski and Melissa stood back, their forces tensed in horror as they watched the teenage girl being tortured.

"What's happening to her?" Mr. Stilinski asked, another scream cutting him off. Scott shook his head, running his hands through his hair as he stared at her with watery eyes. 

"I-I don't k-know!" Scott stuttered, his heart racing as he continued to watch her suffer. Emma rolled off the bench, falling onto the ground. She curled up into a ball, howling in pain as Derek ran out of the woods to join his pack. He came to a halt, his eyes going wide as he stared at her. 

"What the hell happened?" Derek breathed, looking around at the pack, the reason suddenly coming to him.  "Stiles" he whispered as Emma's body contorted into weird shapes as she moaned. He watched as the green orbs flickered around her clenched fist, Derek instantly instructing everyone to get back. 

"Emma!" he roared, kneeling down in front of her. She continued seizing, the green light shimmering in her tears. Derek pulled her into his arms, holding her down as she continued to thrash. She tried to break free from his grip, shouting as she jerked her elbows around. Derek panted, having a hard time holding her down. Just because she wasn't a werewolf didn't mean she wasn't strong. 

Emma slowed, taking a deep, shaky breath. Then her breathing hitched, one last scream ripping its way up her throat. Then she went still as her eyes faded back to brown, her head resting against Derek's chest as she gave into his arms. He leaned his cheek on the top of her head, relieved that she had stopped screaming.

"W-What was that?" Emma whimpered, Derek looking up to Scott and Isaac who stared at her with worried eyes. "I-I felt so much pain. It hurt...a lot" Emma breathed, staring down at her body which lacked blood and lacked bruises. 

Derek straightened as he realized what it was, a sick feeling overcoming him. "It was your mate powers" he admitted as Emma jumped to her feet, taking a moment to steady herself. Derek sighed sadly, rising to his feet. "You feel what he feels" Derek told her as another tear streamed down her cheek. 

"Well, what did you see? Maybe he is trying to tell you where he is" Scott offered, trying to find some positive in what looked to be a very negative situation. 

"I feel what he feels?" Emma asked softly, her eyes meeting Derek's. She bit her lower lip as it began to wobble, trying hard to suppress her tears. Mr. Stilinski stiffened as he came to the conclusion she did. Stiles was hurt, bad. 

He looked away as he let a tear run down his cheek, quickly wiping it away with the back of his hand. Emma took a deep breath, rolling back her shoulders as she wiped the tears away. She was going to be tough, for Stiles. She ran her hand through her hair, thinking for a moment back on the feeling Stiles had given her. "What's taking so long?" Lydia whispered, Emma sighing.