Regan is sitting cross-legged in the middle of her unmade bed, boxes open and half-empty around her. An organized sort of chaos. Her eyes are closed.

"Box near the window. You left it on the kitchen table."

Allison retrieves her drawing tablet. She eyes the room speculatively. Mom would never let her keep her room like this.

"Do you need help unpacking? I'm almost finished, and you could use the help."

"It's happening. I just -- that stupid plaster we made when we were kids got smashed in the move. It's stupid, I just got really annoyed. Needed to sit."

Allison sits next to her.

"Do you still have a picture?"

"Don't really need one. We could glue it back together. Might even improve it. But... it's never going to be the same."

...yeah, she's really putting much thought into this. It's just a piece of junk. Not worth whatever this is. But.

"We can't replace it. But just because we're not kids anymore doesn't mean we can't still make something together."

She doesn't know where she's going with this. She's not an artist like Regan.

She nudges Allison's shoulder with her own.

"Thought we were too cool for that now," she teases.

"Speak for yourself! I'm the goody-two-shoes who spends all her time at the gun range."

She laughs. "Yeah, that's super not cool. People are going to think you're such a loser. The hot new girl that knows her way around a gun. Definitely not cool. They don't write books about those type of girls at all."

"What, you think some charming acne-ridden teenager is going to sweep me off my feet?"

"Let's aim a little higher. Maybe some sort of bad-boy type. Has a motorcycle. Tattoos. Mom will love him."

"She would. 'You know what really matters, girls. If he can have your back on the battlefield, find a way to keep him.' Honestly, I'm not sure which way my teenage rebellion is supposed to go. Maybe I'll just find a boy that abhors violence and loves puppies."

"A pacifist. Oh, god. That would go over so well. She'd run him out of the house with a broom. Or even better, a machete."

"What about you? Any ideas to disappoint her with?"

"I could have a look through the bestiary."

"Don't joke like that in front of dad. We don't need another lecture."

"I dunno. They can be kinda fun. See how many times he mentions 'family' and 'responsibilities' and 'caution'. Could make a game out of it."

"I just hope this school has a club I can join. We don't need a repeat of last spring."

"Probably for the best. Inanimate targets only."

“Are you sure you won’t be joining? We could always use someone who knows their way around a bow.”

They both know Regan has never had the patience for bows when she has better options, but it would be an excuse to spend time together.

"We would probably make everyone sad with our combined greatness," she replies, though she doesn't sound put-off about that at all.

"That's inevitable. We'll have this town talking about us for years after we're gone."

"Our legacy. Though maybe this year will be different. Mom and dad will finally put down roots, join the PTA, maybe a book club or two."

"I wish. It would be good to build a network on our own merits, instead of just relying on the Argent name."

She laughs and falls back on her bed. "Sounds like a lot of work. Nepotism requires so much less effort."

"Fine, we'll do it their way. For now. Just don't expect it to last forever. I'd rather be aunt Kate than dad."

"Why? I mean, she is a badass. But that isn't uncommon in this family."

"All of this playing around in suburbia, it just feels like a waste of time. Kate has hunter friends."

"Would you rather be homeschooled and living on the road?" It would be an interesting life. Maybe better than what they have now.

"Not really. But I'd rather be her when I grow up. Can you imagine raising hunters while pretending to be a vice principal?"

"I think you might. And I'll be the cool, childless aunt that they aspire to be."

"We'll see."

She stands up, twirling around.

"You're sure you don't need any help?"

"Nah. The sooner we both finish, the sooner we can bail and go rent a movie or something. And take our time getting lost and checking out the town."

"Alright. Just knock on the door when you're done."

"Will do. Take your time and don't show me up. I gotta keep the Best Daughter title somehow," she says as she jumps up to continue unpacking.

It doesn't take them long, they're very practiced at unpacking their lives. The night goes on normally. Very exciting. Dinner, action movies, and dessert. The classic traditional Argent night. Not including the hunting werewolves part, that is.

The hunting happens well into the night. After Victoria has gone to bed, they break into their usual teams: Regan on identifying threats, and Chris and Allison on marking their territory.

Regan catches the scent of two werewolves. They've been on their feet for a while. They're tired and will be easy to catch. She stalks them and herds them in the direction of the rest of her team.

They try to escape, but where the hunters have coordination and training, their quarry have confusion and desperation.

The first warning shot rings out. One of the werewolves yelps, a pitiful canine sound.

"Someone looks lost. I think you could use our help with that."

Allison keeps to the treeline; they'll have heard her if they're any good, but omegas never are. She prepares to strike.

She stands firmly in their way of escape, eyes red and dangerous.

"You are not welcome here. Way out of town is the other direction."

"We didn't know you were here, swear! Thought nobody would mind."

She averts her eyes as she speaks, and the other omega shrinks into herself.

"Skip town now and we might just let you live."

He shoves one of the omegas, and she flinches, her face a mask of rage and fear. Neither of them have shifted back since the Argents arrived.

The omegas begin to walk away, whispering about how lucky they were.

(Allison's arrow strikes true: the omega whips her head to look at the tree next to her, and they begin to pick up their pace).

"Want me to follow them out of town?"

"Be subtle. Be safe."

"Always," she says as she starts off on a run. It's such a lie because she is the least subtle person ever. But she can try. And has been trying.

The omegas do as promised.

Her dad wants her to see them out. He wouldn't approve of anything but subtlety.

Her grandfather might. Kill one, and let the other live to speak their name with fear.

Her mother would want her home. Not every fight you can win is a fight worth having.

Regan goes with the compromise. Of a sort. Shifting into her wolf form and running them down. Hunting them. Taunting Making sure they're scared. On the edge of town she catches one of them, ripping into their ankle. Giving them something to remember her by. She leaves them bleeding, and lurks just out of sight and watches as the other carries them beyond the border of the town.

She shifts back and washes the blood from her skin from a nearby stream. Doesn't want her parents to worry. They don't need to know about this. Ignorance is bliss. Hopefully.

It doesn't take her long to catch up with her dad and sister. Ready to head back to their new home. The first day of school is tomorrow. Gotta make a good impression.

They spent the morning going through the usual post-hunt assessment. When Victoria finally decides she's satisfied, their dad drops them off.

They're a bit late for homeroom, so they'll have to make it to their first class instead.

"You know where we're going?"

"Not really. We should go to the office. Usually someone gives us our schedule, even if we start late."

When they do, the vice principal eagerly leads the sisters to their first class. They've been placed in mostly the same classes, naturally, so they can look forward to having at least one friend. Allison keeps him occupied with idle chit-chat. He asks them entry-level questions about their background on the way there; Allison fields them.

"So you were saying San Francisco isn't where you grew up?"

"No, but we lived there for more than a year, which is unusual for the Argents."

They arrive, interrupting the class. The teacher turns to them, and the vice principal walks in.

"Well, hopefully Beacon Hills will be your last stop for a while. Class, these are our new students, Allison and Regan Argent. Please do your best to make them feel welcome."

Regan stands and waves politely. The picture of innocence. Look at her. Very Innocent. Not a bloodthirsty alpha werewolf and hunter at all.

 "Thanks," she demurs, and takes a seat.

She looks for a seat somewhere not next to her sister. Not that she has anything against Allison, they usually try to take somewhat of an individual approach to this whole school thing. At least for a little while.

The teacher notices the problem before anyone else does.

"Could some of you help Regan grab a desk from the next room? Mr. Boyd?"

Mr. Boyd, thus volunteered, rises to the occasion. He gives Regan a brief glance.

"Do you think you can help carry a desk, or should I ask someone else?"

"I think I can handle a desk. Unless you think I'm somehow unfit for such a daunting task?"

"It's a two-person lifting job, and girls usually avoid those."

The desk is easy enough to lift. If she wanted to show off, she could probably carry it herself.

She doesn't especially find herself wanting to show off, at least not for this occasion.

"We have many hidden depths, us girls."

"I'll make a note of that."

They carry the desk into the classroom, where the teacher has already begun asking bored and reluctant students to analyze The Metamorphosis.

Regan can decide where to put the desk.

She has a number of options, but the student looking at her with undisguised interest might be a good choice.

She could also sit next to any number of other students, including Mr. Boyd.

Pass on the vaguely sexist tall guy. Staring guy seems fine for now.

"You mind?" She asks him, even though she knows that he very likely will not mind. She was raised with some manners. Despite evidence to the contrary.

"Not at all."

(With her desk delivered, Mr. Boyd returns to his seat.)

Regan thanks Mr. Boyd and sits down, dumping her bag on the table and - with a quick check of a few other desks - takes out the right textbook.

"Such a kindness."

"So you and your sister are new around here. See anything you like?"

"Lots of trees. Woods. I saw a video store. Bowling alley? Nothing I'd say I especially like or look forward to. Not yet, anyway."

"Remind me to change that. The name's Jackson Whittemore. Best lacrosse player this side of the Mississippi- which is the only sport that matters in Beacon."

"Mighty claim. Think I'm gonna have to see some solid evidence to support it."

"Practices are open to spectators. Just promise you'll cheer when I put my money where my mouth is."

"You don't think it'll ruin my Mysterious New Girl vibe?"

He snorts.

"Mysterious? Yeah, it might. Would you rather be mysterious, or popular? The window on that one closes faster."

"Being popular sounds like a lot of work with very little interesting pay off. Unless things work differently around here?"

"Being popular is its own reward. If you don't know someone, you'll never get anywhere in life."

"I believe you. About the second part. Nepotism is the highway to success. But I'm not sure high school popularity matters much on that scale."

"Your loss. I still want to know if I can expect your to cheer me on."

"Sure. If you're truly the best player this side of the Mississippi. Best impress me."

"Oh, I will."

(She overhears a small exchange between Allison and the boy in front of her; she's forgotten her eraser at home, but he gives her one.)

(The boy already sounds smitten.)

Adorable. Time for recon. "Who's the guy in front of Allison?"

Jackson looks.

"Oh, that's McCall. Dorky kid on the bench, always hangs out with Stilinski."

"So not someone you know the intimate character of. Got it."

"Just vague impressions. Dorky, way too earnest, asthmatic. Decent in class, terrible on the field."

"Could be a fun way to pass the time. For Allison. Light teenage rebellion for the shy and serious."

"Is that her type? Really? I can probably point her to something more fun, if you give me a hint."

She thinks about it. "Someone fun but not too fun that she feels left behind. Good looking, but low key about it. She's not about that Extra life. At least not in public."

"Not too fun? What kind of lame rebellion is that? I'd try giving her Daehler or Lahey. I'll point them out and you can take your pick"

"Oh? Why them in particular?"

"Daehler is good-looking but doesn't know it. He's artistic or something, very quiet. When I've seen him talk, though, he's not boring. Lahey is good-looking but spends most of his time frowning or glaring. Kind of a sad, feral puppy. He might make for a good fixer-upper."

"She'd love a project. Very much a do-gooder type. But maybe I should look into both of them. Especially if they're as good-looking as you say. Research, you know. Gotta keep on top of that."

"Obviously. You wouldn't want to settle for anything less than the best."

Does Mr. Whittemore have something to say about the themes of The Metamorphosis?

He has plenty of well-rehearsed comments on the story he actually, definitely, truly read, yes.

apparently his name is McCall. no first name yet. dorky, yet earnest. just your type.

I feel like I should be insulted. Anyway, forget about boys. The popular girl is trying to make friends. Y/N on putting up with her?

you can always ditch her if she turns out to be the devil, so why not?

Think I can pull off 'cute, dorky, earnest boyfriend' and 'best friends with the popular girl' at the same time?

you're an Argent, of course you can. but if you crash and burn you'll have a fresh start when we move again.

That's enough texting for Allison, who proceeds to befriend the popular girl. Apparently, her boyfriend is some kind of big man on campus, which is very impressive, Allison agrees, even though this is a high school in the middle of nowhere. She's even less impressed to learn that he's a lacrosse player, but she supposes things are different in this state. Apparently that's the sport du jour.

During lunch, Allison sits with Lydia and her boyfriend, Jackson, who flirts with her shamelessly. Lydia barely seems to mind.

Regan leaves her to it and spends her time exploring the school and its grounds for interesting places and things. Mostly places to take pictures, but barring that, someplace quiet she can get away to if she loses control. Which she won't, but she always has to be prepared.

The high school lacks interesting things and places to photograph. There are the usual sorts of paraphernalia: lockers, the cafeteria, classrooms, a swimming pool, the counselor's office which smells faintly of mountain ash...

Which nearly brings her to a complete stop. But she keeps with her stride, walks a little closer and lifts up her camera to take a photo. Which is not unusual, she's been doing it all afternoon. Nothing suspicious about it now.

Is there anyone inside?

The guidance counselor is inside, as one might expect. She is speaking with a student, something about planning the schedule for next year.

Regan takes a picture of them both and then turns slightly to take another of the hallway and the row of lockers. She's just a slightly intrusive and artistic student taking photos. Don't mind her.

No one minds her.

Eventually, students filter out, except those that are wandering off towards the locker rooms.

Well then. Regan takes a deep breath and tries to catch her sister's trail. She could text and ask where she is, but this is more fun.

She'll find Allison watching the first lacrosse practice of the season. She has eyes only for McCall.

It's obvious to everyone watching that McCall's performance is impressive. It's obvious to every Argent watching that it's unnaturally so.

Another werewolf? A very stupid werewolf? She sets her camera to record.

Others are less impressed. Each player is getting a turn to try scoring against McCall. Jackson takes multiple shots.

With how fast he’s moving, not a single one makes it into the goal.

Allison claps, but she’s scanning the crowd for Regan.

stay there. has anyone else noticed?

Lydia (popular girl) is upset, so is her boyfriend, Jackson (star player). The players look more impressed than suspicious and no one in the stands knows he’s asthmatic and hasn’t been off the bench.

does he have any friends?

Sheriff’s son. We need to find out if he’s an omega, first- if there’s an alpha here, everyone needs to know, even granddad and Kate.

he was giving you eyes this morning in class.

Aunt Kate did it. Do you remember the story she would tell about the Hales? She brought them down.

He seemed so sweet.

he could still be sweet. he's just also a werewolf that we need to get information out of. I could do it instead, maybe.

No, I can handle it. This might be the one thing I’m going to be better at than you. He already likes me. Do you think it’s better if I start noticing and asking questions, or just play the damsel?

follow his lead. asking questions too early might scare him off. though boys really do like their damsels. usually.

Wish me luck.

She makes her apologies to Lydia and catches Scott as he and his friend are preparing to leave the field.

”Hey. Scott? You were great out there today.”

He nearly drops his lacrosse stick in surprise, but manages to regain his composure.

”Yeah! It was cool finally getting off the bench. Were you watching?”

Allison giggles, touching her hair- her signal for Regan to mind her own business and stop listening.

Fine. Regan switches her attention and all her senses back to herself. She looks around the field and decides to do a little more recon. Pictures! Of the whole lacrosse team and whoever is left in the stands. If there are any more werewolves around, this has a pretty good chance of catching them. A lot of them don't know how to control the reflection of their eyes in a picture.

McCall's friend, the Sheriff's son, stands awkwardly to the side as he and Allison flirt poorly.

Jackson has stalked off to the bleachers, where he and his girlfriend are making out.

The other lacrosse players have begun to head back to the locker rooms to change-

-although one does pause to look at the girl taking pictures. He waves before heading inside.

Her camera does capture a man standing just past the edge of the lacrosse field, standing and staring at the proceedings. His eyes are blue.

He's gone by the time she's finished taking the picture.

So many witnesses, and so many suspects. McCall can't be alone. He seems too recently changed for that to be true.

She stares at the place the blue-eyed man was and looks down at her camera. That disappearing act was too smooth to be natural. She walks over to where he was standing and takes in the smells around her. She also starts taking pictures again to cover up her sudden change in position.

Detecting a werewolf by scent alone would be more difficult if she was untrained, but there’s no mistaking it. There are two more werewolves in Beacon Hills than the Argents can allow.

(Allison wanders off the field with McCall. Regan needs time to follow her hunch, so they’ll meet up at the car. Their dad will understand.)

And she has been trained for this. Exactly this. So she tucks her camera into her messenger back and begins her hunt.

Her quarry is slower than she is, but when he notices he’s being followed, he starts trying to lose her. Speed won’t work in his favor. No traps, no drunk idiots with shotguns that she won’t hear coming, no ravines to lead her off-

He jumps into the river, hoping to throw her off his scent. It’s not a very fun experience.

-- which stops her short at the watery edge. Her frustration and the sharp edge of losing her prey leaves her angry and the wolf rising to the surface. She's stronger than him, she's faster. She will not lose him to this.

She takes in her surroundings and the smells around her. She has his scent now. She will be able to recognise him if they ever cross paths again. But she has so many unanswered questions and she does not like giving up. She's an Argent.

She takes off alongside the river. If he's using it to obscure his scent, there is really only one direction he can go.

His predator is still faster them him. If this is someone else’s territory- he finds a tree he likes and climbs it. He doesn’t have to wait long for her to find him.

Finally. She stops at the base of the tree and looks up at him. Smug and happy and baring her teeth.

"That's not really a good deterrent, you realise."

“Did you let loose a completely new omega on my town?”

"I was going to ask you the same question. Or rather, if your Alpha did."

“No. Are we done?”

"Hardly. Tell me who you are and why you're hanging around high school lacrosse games. Who is your alpha?"

“The murder victim. How many in your pack?”

This nearly stops her short. But she carries on, keeping to her training. "We're new in town and only just establishing our territory. Who killed your alpha?"

She knows it wasn't him, anyone who kills an alpha becomes one themself. And this man was definitely not an alpha. She's not quite sure what he is, she's never heard of someone with blue wolf eyes before.

“If it’s not you, my money’s on whoever made that beta.“

"Where are the other members of your pack?"

Perhaps this was a case of a beta getting too ambitious.

“I came here to investigate my alpha’s murder, not get in your way. If you think you can handle this alpha without me, I’ll stay out of your way.”

"What you can do is leave town. That's about as out of the way as one can be. If I see you again... I will not be as accommodating as I am now."

She’s an alpha. She’s an alpha, and he can’t win this fight, and Laura is dead.

”Find out who killed her, and make them pay. You won’t see me again.”

"You can count on it. Now run."

He’s not very fast about it by her standards, but he runs.

She gives him a head start and starts off after him. Not quite catching up to him, but hounding his heels and pushing him forward.

As fast as he possibly can is still too slow.

Her prey will only escape if she chooses that. 

She chooses that. By her family's code she can't kill him. She can't prove he's done anything wrong. But that doesn't mean she can't make him fear her. Fear is the only thing that wolves understand. She herds him to the edge of town, hounding his every step.

He leaves. It was a mistake coming back, anyway.

She watches him go from the edge of town to make sure he doesn't have second thoughts.

He doesn’t look back.

Good.

She pulls out her phone and calls her sister.

“Everything okay?”

She has no idea who is on the other end listening in, so she keeps it tight. "Yup. Just finished my run. Met some creepy guy on the path, but I'm pretty sure I scared him off. I'll tell you more about it later. Where are you?"

"With mom and dad. I didn't want to give Scott too many ideas this early, but we have a date tomorrow night. Mom approves. Dad thinks it's risky."

"Bit of both, probably. You guys at home? I'm on the southern edge of town, it'll take me a sec to get back. I don't super want to talk here."

"Get home safe."

"Always do," she says as she hangs up.

Her family is waiting for her when she gets home. Dinner is ready, and Victoria immediately busies herself with reheating. Her husband assists.

"So, Regan, Allison tells us you met someone interesting. Care to fill us in?"

She fetches her messenger back and sits down.

"Werewolf. Mentioned his alpha was the 'murder victim' and he was looking for the person responsible. And that they turned McCall. Even asked if I had done it." She pulls out her camera, flicks through the pictures until she finds one of the werewolf and hands it to him. "He has blue eyes? I've never seen that before. He definitely wasn't an alpha."

"Blue eyes aren't uncommon."

He looks to Victoria.

She nods. Chris takes over preparing dinner. She sits at the table.

"Most werewolves start with yellow eyes, but sometimes, they change. Those who become alphas have red eyes. Those who have taken innocent lives have blue eyes."

"Innocent, meaning unable to fight back. Werewolves who kill people just trying to defend themselves get to keep their yellow eyes."

"... I let him go. Chased him out of town. I thought -- I didn't know. Didn't have any proof that he'd ever hurt anyone."

"Was he an omega?"

"A beta. He mentioned that his alpha was the one that was murdered. But I suppose now they're dead..." she trails off. "He didn't mention anyone else. And he had no one else's scent on him."

"A beta with a murdered alpha, but still no red eyes?"

"He's an omega now, then. Well done, Regan. You did the best you could without having full knowledge."

She says this only somewhat pointedly as she looks across the table at Chris.

"If his alpha was the one to turn the McCall boy, then we don't have much of a choice. If there's another alpha out there, Allison's plan is the best we have."

"Hopefully we're able to use him to find the alpha before they hurt someone else. Do you think they're trying to build a pack?"

"Build a pack and a territory. Why else kill the other alpha? Werewolf packs may come into conflict with each other as often as they kill us, but they do forge alliances when there are so few competing over a town. This alpha has ambition."

"Scott seems like a sweet kid whose asthma mysteriously cleared up. If the alpha bothered to convince him to accept the bite, I can see why he took it."

"At what cost? Tossing in with a murderer is a steep price. Not so sweet."

"I'm not saying we should let him go. I'm saying, a smart, ambitious alpha might go after sick kids by promising them a cure."

"We're not established enough to start patrolling hospitals, but I'll try to make inroads. What else?"

"I don't know how much Scott knows. If he doesn't know everything...we can probably end things without a fight. If he does...I can start carrying wolfsbane."

"Which reminds me. I caught the scent of mountain ash today in the school. Followed it to the Guidance Counselor's office. Also with photographic evidence." She flicks through the pictures again and shows them to her mother.

"Another hunter, a supernatural, or a druid. We can only trust one of those. Regan, do you think you can learn more if you go inside?"

"We could always implant you within the school again. It tends to work, when you're not busy intimidating the students. And faculty."

"I don't mind doing more recon. And please give us at least a month before ruining any chance of us having a social life, please."

"I promise not to scare off your principal again."

"How many dates do you think we should go out on before I try to dig for information?"

"By date three you should have everything you need, Allison."

"Victoria, perhaps we're not the best people to give advice on this one."

"Do you know where you're going?"

"The plan right now is to get pizza, why?"

"Just wondering if we should make it a double. Not that I have any idea about who I would be paired with."

"What, you're not a fan of Jackson? He sure seemed to be a fan of yours."

Regan laughs. "We had one conversation. And we mostly talked about you."

"We could go double with Scott and Stiles, the sheriff's son. He's a little weird, but maybe your kind of weird."

"Sounds like a time and it would make me feel better. I don't really like the idea of you being alone with a freshly turned werewolf. Not that you wouldn't kick his ass."

"Fine, you win. Are we allowed to start eating now that the strategizing is over?"

Sigh.

"I wouldn't dare stop you, Allison. Dig in."

Food! She sure is hungry from all that planning and intimidating lying omegas.

Dinner!

Chris tells everyone about exciting developments in barely-legal weapons dealing, which here stands for networking with hunters. And also supplying them with guns.

Exciting stuff. Regan pays the required amount of attention and then excuses herself. Which is not unusual. Gerard prefers she calls him before the evening really sets in. For whatever reason.

He picks up after just long enough that she's had to wait, as usual.

"My favorite grandchild. How was your first day at that godawful institution we call public school?"

"Same, same. Discovered a teenage baby werewolf, chased an omega out of town and probably the guidance counselor is something mysterious. Oh, also, they play lacrosse. What has the world come to?"

"Pansy waste of perfectly good time, if you ask me. Is the guidance counselor interested in you, or do you still have the upper hand?"

"They haven't expressed any interest. Yet. I have their picture if you want me to send it to you."

"I'd like that. I could always use more data. What have you noticed about your father? Is he adapting well to Beacon Hills?"

"He's been progressively giving me more give on my leash. Which is different. I don't know if it's the town, or if he's decided I'm ready. He's endorsed Allison's plan of seducing the new beta, rather than the alternative."

"That's one way of doing it. I prefer drawing them out through a campaign of fear, but Allison takes after your aunt that way. Did you chase the omega out, Regan? Your wolf had nothing to do with it?"

She hesitates. "I was frustrated. He nearly got away from me at one point -- jumped into the river. My wolf came to the surface then. It was frustrated, wanted to hunt him down, make him it's prey. But I had it under control."

"When the wolf and the hunter agree, you're unstoppable. Just be careful to recognize when they're not."

"Yes, sir. I've been working on those control exercises you taught me. Every night."

"Good. It's a shame I only have theoretical expertise, and not practical. Then I might be of more use to you."

"I think a lifetime of hunting werewolves gives you a pretty good insight into the practical side of things. It'll help." When she turns him.

"I'll have a chance to advise you more soon enough. I think I'm going to be visiting Beacon Hills for a few months."

"Family reunion? Maybe we can even convince Kate to show up."

"I was planning to send her as soon as I heard about the recent news. Did you know the murder victim was Laura Hale?"

The name 'Hale' might sound familiar to her.

She pauses and tries to remember what she knows. "Daughter of... Talia Hale?"

"One of five children, I believe. Laura, Jack, Dorothy, Nadia, and Cora. More importantly, the last surviving alpha of the Hale pack. Beacon Hills used to be their territory, until Kate ended their reign of terror."

"The omega mentioned that their alpha was the murder victim. Laura Hale."

"Really. I suppose Jack survived, then. It's not a major priority, if you've scared him off properly. Packless, he'll die like the rest of the omegas do."

Alone.

"I'm glad you understand, Regan. So many werewolves treat their power like a divine mandate, but you know how to turn it into true strength. I'm proud of how much progress you've made."

She smiles and does not quite blush. "Pretty sure I couldn't have done it without you. Well. We both know that's true."

"I hope you keep that in mind. The coming months will be hard on the Argent family. They'll need us to keep them together."

"You can trust me. Family is important. Our family is important."

"Indeed it is. Walk me through today's hunt."

She walks him through it. Starting with the lacrosse practice, spotting the wolf, how his eyes were blue, and the chase through the forest. She does mention the fact that she nearly lost him, how frustrated and angry she was, and what she did to find him again. Relays the conversation word by word, previously having committed it to memory for this exact purpose. She goes through her decision making the process, why she decided to let him go, and how she ran him down to make sure he left and stayed gone.

And he congratulates her on her control, her awareness of the line between the human and the monster, and her ability to protect her neighbors, kept safe and unaware.

He wishes her a good night, and prepares for the next step.

The next day is as boring as any school day can be, but Allison cozies up to Lydia and flirts with the beta and manages to make it to lunch without any problems. She sits with Lydia, Jackson, and their other friends, Danny and Brian. She's not sure how long she can stand them, but since a breakup should happen any day now, she might luck out. She waits impatiently for her date after school.

Regan appears next to her, seemingly out of nowhere. Though really she just semi-used her werewolf powers to sneak up on her. Like Batman.

"All ready for our hot date?"

"Regan, you- ugh!"

Regan watches the instinctive move into combat stance. Allison stops herself from actually trying to sweep the leg. She starts trying to compose herself.

Regan hears the boys coming well before they arrive. She can smell the beta.

The Sheriff's son is the one making more noise, though.

"-is that she's hot, Scotty, she's the hottest girl who's ever been interested in you. You gotta see that, you have to tell me you get that."

"She's the only girl who's ever been into me, Stiles. And yeah, I've noticed. Did you see the way she smiles?"

"Oh, c'mon, now what is it."

"I don't know. I smelled something...weird."

"Probably Greenberg. Wait, look, there she is. Who's the other one? Scott..."

"Oh, uh, didn't I tell you?"

They approach.

"Oh, okay, they're coming. Act natural."

"You act natural. Chill. This is a totally normal teenage girl thing."

"Scott! I'm glad you could make it."

What. No. Ugh!

"Yeah, I'm glad too!"

"Yeah, no, we're not letting you two embarrass yourselves. I'm Stiles, this is Scott, you're Allison. Who's my date?"

"Regan. More 'sacrifice' than date. Though who you sacrifice me to is your call, I suppose."

"I don't know any pagan rituals off the top of my head. Okay, that's a lie, I can think of a few, but not so many with the human sacrifice. I can look them up after pizza."

"Yeah, we should probably get going. Is everyone okay with taking Stiles' jeep?"

"He's a great ride. Doesn't even have any stains I can't identify."

"Oh, that sounds way better than asking my dad for a ride. Lead the way."

"This skirt is at the end of its life anyway. It laughs in the face of creepy stains. As I throw it in the rubbish later tonight. Lead on."

Stiles leads everyone to his jeep. It's not a very new jeep. It's the kind of jeep for which someone might use the phrase "it has character".

"Everyone, say hi to Roscoe."

Scott rolls his eyes and makes to sit in the passenger seat-

"Hey, sacrifice, come sit up front with me. Let's give Allison and Scott some time to talk."

"No problem, Cetus. I see through your ruse," she says as she hops into the passenger seat.

"Uh, sure, my ruse. What kind of nickname is Cetus?"

Allison and Scott sit in the back seat.

"So...what kind of pizza do you like?"

"Oh, all kinds really."

"Oh, cool. So do I."

Regan ignores the painful banter in the backseat.

"He was the great sea monster that the god Poseidon sent to eat the sacrifice, Andromeda. It was a whole thing. Very exciting."

"I feel like I'm being typecast just because we're going out for pizza and you know nothing else about me. Can't I be some cool death god or something instead of a sea monster? I don't want to eat a sacrifice."

"Hades? He did the whole stealing Persephone from Earth thing. Less sacrifice and more kidnapping though. Less topical."

"How about I look it up later, and I just admit that I kind of zoned out when you were introducing yourself. I'm Stiles, and you're- Raven?"

"Regan. I'm Allison's sister and designated chaperone. I'm glad for the company. Being the third wheel is kind of the worst."

"Four wheels and we're almost as effective as Roscoe here," he says, patting the machine which is sputtering along admirably.

"Do you have any hobbies? What do you like to do?"

"I like to read when I have time. I like lacrosse, although yesterday was kind of my first day out on the field. Um, I like animals, but I guess that's my job so it doesn't count."

"Oh, do you work in a..."

Bomb-sniffing dog training school? Service dog training school? What do normal people use animals for?

"zoo?"

"I work in the Beacon Hills Animal Clinic. We take care of people's pets, mostly. It's nice, especially after a bad day."

"Would you like to go through the boring gambit of getting-to-know-you questions, or should we pass on that and pretend we're long lost childhood friends and start making fun of everything around us?"

"Well, looks like mine is busy," he says, eye on the rearview mirror.

"What would be your ideal way to die?"

"Preferably doing something dramatic, heroic or romantic. And in a blinding blaze of fire. Very aesthetic. You?"

"I don't want to sully Scott and Allison's virgin ears."

She side-eyes this comment but keeps her retort to herself.

They arrive at the pizza place without much further conversation, then.

At least, in the front. The backseat seems to have picked up the conversation torch.

And then they can enjoy their pizza!

Regan doesn't really endorse Allison's definition of 'enjoy'. But she eats the gross pizza, crusts and all.

"So. Scott. Tell me about yourself."

He starts trying to answer while eating his pizza, and regrets this.

After a short pause, he tries again.

"I don't think there's that much to know. I'm a decent lacrosse player, although I couldn't really play because of my asthma. I work with animals after school, and I like my job. I like reading, I get decent grades, I like video games and comic books."

"Our Scott, always humble. If you're looking for an actual personality, get him talking about animal welfare or nurses' salaries."

"You tore up the field yesterday. Caught it on camera and everything. 'Decent' doesn't really cut that."

"Yeah, you looked amazing out there. I would never have guessed it was your first time."

"My asthma started clearing up recently, so I thought I should try. Coach said it was okay, and I guess I'm better than I thought."

"Lucky. Though you really pissed off the captain. And I heard you hired someone to train you. At least, people have seen you hanging around with someone new. Says the rumor mill."

Blink.

"Um. Not really? I- what did you hear?"

"It's okay if you're getting some extra help, Scott, we're not going to tell anyone."

It's not her best save.

"I'm not cheating, if that's what you're saying. I just- I'm a little healthier lately. Sometimes asthma goes away when you get older."

"You know," he says, waving a slice in the air as he does, "accusing a guy of doping on the first date is probably a bad way to get a second one."

"Okay, fair. Not our best moment. I guess we were just kinda caught up with all the rumors. They can get in your head, you know? Also, I don't super want my sister to be around that sort of stuff..."

"Yeah. Maybe we should just finish the pizza and talk about something else. Regan, are you two liking the town so far?"

Regan accepts the turn in the conversation. "There's not much town? But everyone has been really nice. It's smaller than the places we usually stay."

"What, you're not satisfied with our bumping nightlife?"

"We could go bowling next time, if you guys are up for it."

"Oh. That would be great, Scott. All four of us, bowling, together."

She ignores her sister's desperate 'do-not-leave-me' eyes. "You wouldn't rather ditch the third and fourth wheel and have a nice romantic and alone time?"

"Maybe we'll just watch a movie. Sorry, Stiles."

"Not even a little bit disappointed, Scott. Don't do anything I wouldn't do."

Regan rolls her eyes. "Does this town even have a cinema?"

"I'll have you know we have two. The second one showed up three years back."

"What kind of movies do you like?"

"Action, adventure, romcom...you pick."

"Okay."

Pizza!

Pizza.

Yup. Pizza. This is not really going anywhere useful.

"Do we have plans after food, or?"

"Stiles could drop you off at home, and me and Scott can just walk around town for a while."

"That would be nice."

Regan notices Scott's state immediately. His heart is beating fast and loud in her ears. He's struggling for breath. The wood beneath his hands strains, creaking. He's gripping it too hard. It's going to split. He's losing control.

She could do a great many things right now. She has power to calm him, or she could even reach out to him as a person. But they're not people. And she has a job to do.

"I wouldn't mind staying out a little later."

"Right. Well, I'm gonna head out. Scott, I'll see you tonight?"

"...Scott?"

This was not the plan. He was supposed to trust her. Is he still in control? She doesn't have all of her weapons. They're in public, close quarters, she's at a table with no room to manuever-

"Scott? Are you okay?"

Regan waits. She has all the weapons she needs and getting between Allison and the wolf will be her first move.

"I'm fine."

And he is. His breathing is calmer, his heartrate has returned to normal, and if his eyes flashed gold briefly, well, almost no one else noticed.

-- that's her cue. She puts on her best surprised/confused/muggle look.

"What was that? Your eyes. They flashed gold. You changed." She looks down at the table. "What did you do to the table?"

"Oh...oh my gosh."

She doesn't need to pretend to look around in concern that someone else saw that.

"Okay, I changed my mind, everyone is getting in the Jeep."

He runs his fingers over the scratches.

"...yeah. That might be a good idea."

Regan looks at her sister. Look at how freaked out they are!

"Will you explain what the hell just happened?"

"Well-"

"In. The. Car."

He grabs Scott by the arm-

"-sorry. I- we should go."

He stands.

Regan stands too and puts herself between him and the still seated Allison.

Allison has a hand on her hip where her knife is but she can't draw it here if it won't show its face- and Regan is here. She's not alone with a monster. They're Argents.

"Scott, please let me help. You're clearly- going through something. You need someone to guide you."

Because she knows what this is now. He needs an anchor, and it's so desperate and driven by hormones that he's latching onto her. She can use this.

She steps in front of Regan, hand brushing against her sister's, as much to comfort her as to signal- I know what I'm doing.

Regan acknowledges her sister's signal and crosses her arms. She doesn't like it. But if she can't trust her sister to know what she's doing, then she -- doesn't really want to think about that.

Then Allison will go help Scott with this very difficult time. She's very supportive, for a total stranger.

Scott doesn't take his eyes off Allison.

She's left alone. With her keen senses, she can still hear them until the car starts moving, with some difficulty.

Allison wouldn't want her to listen in.

Regan is mad about it, but does have a lot of respect for her sister. So she will not be listening. This was her mission, what Allison wants Allison gets.

She debates calling one of her parents to come to pick her up and instead decides to just walk home. She has a lot of energy that she needs to burn before she has any hope of sleeping tonight.

The night is quiet. The full moon is still a few days away, but her wolf can tell that it's close.

She decides to go for a run and texts her mom to tell her the plan. A totally normal human activity, though she keeps at it for longer than any normal human would be able to. After many hours she finally arrives back home a little worse for wear and feeling a lot better.

Her mother texts her back:

Be safe. Prepare for the worst.

When she arrives home, the lights in the kitchen are on.

Regan kicks off her dirty shoes, contemplates running upstairs to quickly wash up and change, but discards that plan and heads into the kitchen.

Victoria is sitting at the table. The tray of cookies sits there, along with the usual mugs. One for her, one for Regan.

"They've cooled off by now. I hope you don't mind."

"Have I ever?"

She smiles at her mom, sits down next to her and munches down on one of her delicious, homebaked cookies. Best mom.

Victoria would prefer something a bit stronger than milk, but the ritual has always been deeply important to her. She has always hated lying to her children.

"Your sister texted. She's staying the night with the beta. Apparently, he's expecting this to result in her strict parents grounding her."