Beacon Hills 1983

Chapter 40: Hello Brother

(Teen wolf + The Originals)

"Who are you?" I ask, eyeing the older girl carefully. She has the same scent as the wolf, Christopher- unknown and confusing.

Taylan pops through the doorway- unexpectedly- bare chested, and wrapped in a blanket.
Before I have time to wonder why he's shirtless, the dingus pulls me into a hug, "Nes!"
He looks behind me for second and says "That thing didn't get you- did it?"
Lost for words, I stutter, "Um- I-"

He shakes his head, "What the heck were you thinking?!"
"Do you have any idea how worried I was?!"

Usually when we fight, it's a huge argument with a lot of yelling.
But this time, we're both surprised as I become overwhelmed with relief at just the sight of a face from home, and pull him closer.
No longer bothered as to why or how he's here, in New Orleans. With me.

I'm just glad he is.

Startled by my unpredicted reaction, Taylan gives in to the embrace.

"Sorry I lied to you."

And sorry I told Billy you make me claustrophobic.

I push the thought to the back of my mind, and lock it there.
He never has to know I felt that way, and I never have to feel that way again. Quite frankly, my reaction to him being here only proves how much more I need him, than he does me.

Ironically, I'm the one holding on.

"Next time you wanna run off and do something reckless, just tell me."
He sounds annoyed- but at least, not angry.
"You don't allow me to be reckless."

He chuckles, "Exactly."

The girl with the strange scent clears her throat, "Well this seems cute."
It suddenly becomes awkward, and we pull away.
With annoyance, I ask, "Taylan, who is she?"
"Heather." He replies nonchalantly.
"Heather... who?"
The girl smirks, and Taylan sighs,
"We need to talk."

▪️ ▪️ ▪️

Before entering the cottage, I remembered Lucy, and told them she'd been attacked. So Taylan and I went back for her.

On the way, I briefly explained that the thing (as Taylan called it) is a werewolf mutant, called the kanima, with lizard-like features and paralytic claws. From that he gathered it was the same creature who appeared at the party, and therefore, the omega.
I told him the trip was my golden opportunity to identify it. Of course, me wanting to do this without the pack didn't settle well with him, but if I mentioned Att being involved, (as well as knowing where I was the whole time) he'd be totally infuriated.

Taylan said he knew Talia was lying because she made up a story on how I was bothered with everyone for not caring about Emel, and went looking for her myself.
I suppose, that story is partially true, because now that I know Emel hasn't been home in nearly a week, it actually worries me.

We came to the spot Lucy should've been, but she was gone.
Her scent trail lead all the way back to the Quater. We figured she wasn't cut deep, and the venom must've worn off faster than usual.

Assuming she made it to the hotel safely, the two of us head back to Heather's cottage.
As we step inside, the warm air cuddles us, and Heather comes to take my jacket.

"Where's your friend?" She asks.
I open my mouth to answer but Taylan beats me to it-
"Back at the hotel."

As we sit by the fireplace and sip hot chocolate, I talk about my supernatural discoveries- but leave out Lucy being part of it, knowing that's her secret to tell.

"So vampires are real? You're sure?" Taylan pesters.
"For the hundredth time, yes. I've seen one. Two actually."
Apparently, Taylan knew about witches. When I told them they were real he said, "Seriously Nes? You didn't know that?"
Either way, I was glad he didn't know about vampires or kanima's. It made me feel like less of an idiot.

Heather adds more wood to the fire.

I look at her the way I would at garbage.

I don't know what it is, but she provokes me.

"So," Ignoring Heather, I speak, "How did you know where I was?"
Taylan shrugs, "Lucy told me about the trip. With the timing you disappeared, pieces fell into place. I could've been wrong, but in that moment, I was really pissed off and no other theories came to mind."
"Oh." I raise my eyebrows, "And how did you get to New Orleans so fast?"
"Train." He pauses.
Then adds, "And a ride."
"With who?"
"A nice guy from the train station."
"That was quick thinking." I say, impressed.

"What did you think Nes? I faked my AP classes and straight A's? For being the leader and soul supporter of every group project during my entire schooling career, all that quick thinking had to come in handy at some point."
I lightheartedly punch him in the gut, as we laugh.

It's easy to forget Taylan was secretly a nerd in school; hiding brains behind a flirtatious, charming character.

A character Heather is clearly drawn to.

She leans against the wall, admiring his abs as if we aren't noticing.
I snap her out of it by asking,
"Who are you?"
Taylan still hasn't told me.

Her hazel eyes shoot at me, "Tell her what I told you, Taylan."
I turn to him and see that he's-
wait, no he can't be- blushing?
I've never seen him blush like that in a while.

"Heather's from an evolved pack, called the Crescent Wolves, who trigger their werewolf gene by killing someone."

I'm speechless.
Murder isn't something supernatural laws take lightly. When us, normal werewolves, take an innocent life our wolf eyes change from warm gold to ice blue, exposing our true nature.

"Heather's the only one in her pack who hasn't triggered the gene."

"So that wolf out there," I realize he's killed someone, "Christopher... He's in your pack?"

She nods, "Yes. They're stuck in wolf form because a witch cursed them. Now they only turn human every full moon."
Her eyes look sad, but I'm not sympathizing.
Taylan on the other hand, gets up and puts his arms around her.
"Don't worry Heather. It will be okay."

The sight of them together makes me uncomfortable. Especially when I know he's got a thing with my best friend...
Unable to see this anymore, I stand up to leave, "I'm going back to the hotel."
Just before getting my jacket and opening the door, I state, "We're leaving for Hawkins tomorrow morning."

Taylan let's go and walks to me now, "I'll stay in New Orleans for a while. But if u need me,"
He slips his hand into his jean pocket and pulls out a piece of paper.
"Call this number."
I take the crumbly paper (it probably got wet in the rain- and I have a light bulb moment, realizing his shirt was by the fireplace because it was probably soaked as well; hence the bare chest) and frown.
"Who's number is this?"
"The guy who gave me a ride's sister's house phone."
I blink, too tired to comprehend what he just said. It's probably a simple sentence, but I'm not focusing.

"Okay."
Is all I say, then leave.