Rekindle The Flame || Stilinski || Book Four || WATTY's 2022

Thirty

TIME WITH EVELYN FLEW BY.

Soon, the sun started to fade and darkened the room Stiles and the others had been in for a few hours. Stiles and Lydia talked to Evelyn the most, since the older woman seemed comfortable with them at the table. Malia stayed back to stand guard, and Scott remained close by to help Evelyn remember his name.

No matter how many times Stiles tried to convince her, Evelyn believed Scott was her son. Explanations about Michael flew right over her head and she started to blur dates. Moments would pass where she'd claim to still be in the WAAC, then there'd be others when she'd remark on raising her children.

The teenagers felt their frustration brew from the lack of answers, but not all of them hid it well. Malia nudged the true alpha, out of patience. "Use your claws, Scott," she stated.

Scott turned his head towards her in alarm. "No, it could kill her," he replied under his breath, so Evelyn wouldn't hear.

"I get that, but we're running out of time," Malia pointed out. In a way, the others knew she was right. An entire afternoon passed without any new information regarding Sierra. Doubts began to creep in, thoughts stirring about whether the trip was a waste.

Though, Scott refused to use his claws to read Evelyn's memories. It was an ability he had used scarcely in the past and for good reason. The potential harm outweighed any good, meaning they needed to find another way. If Scott knew a safer way to read memories, he'd definitely use it. But Evelyn was Jemma's grandmother. Scott didn't want to hurt her.

"I can't."

Malia huffed and reacted on her own. Her claws sprung from her fingertips when she sprung her hand down. However, Scott caught her wrist before she even took a step.

Evelyn scooted her chair back at the sight, towards Stiles. He exchanged wary glances with Lydia, both of them wondering if Malia would lose control like she did at the school.

Scott kept his voice low, his tone sharp. "No, Lia. We're not hurting her."

Malia glared at him, but slowly let her hand fall back to her side. He let her go, but stayed by her side just in case.

"Young lady," Evelyn spoke up from her seat, her eyebrows raised in judgement toward the werecoyote. "You need to clip those nails. How can you expect to get a husband if you act unkempt?"

Malia shot her a confused look. "A husband?" she echoed with a scrunch of her nose. "Who said I wanted a husband?"

"Well, you're eighteen," Evelyn reasoned. "That's the time to settle down and start a family. I mean, what else are you going to do with your life?"

Surprise flitted across Malia's face, making Stiles suppress a groan.

The last thing they needed was a debate about how women chose to live their lives. Evelyn was a woman of the past, and even though her beliefs weren't necessarily wrong, they were outdated--despite her being in the WAAC. Now, women held more opportunities and were able to uphold themselves in a better way. And that's how Malia was introduced into the world when she turned human again.

Never had she faced someone who thought the woman's place was only the household. Yet, Malia didn't answer Evelyn in the way the others expected. She didn't lash out, considering her earlier outburst, or pick a fight.

She simply straightened her back and replied, "I don't know, but it's no one else's choice but my own. I have a voice and a purpose to help people, and I know my value. No one can take that away from me."

Scott wore a proud smile and crossed his arms over his chest. Stiles leaned over to Lydia, impressed as he whispered, "Did you teach her that?"

Lydia softly chuckled yet shook her head. "I didn't," she replied, "but I'm glad someone did."