The Boy Who Ran With Wolves ch 01

It was supposed to be a routing night training exercise: patrol the perimeter of the Hale house and try not to get tackled by Derek.  Seems simple, sure, but being the only born werewolf in the Pack gave Derek the upper hand.  

The Pack lounged in front of the house while waiting for Derek to give the order to head out.  The training exercise allowed for partners and for once Derek let them pick and choose.

Scott and Stiles were paired up because Lydia had claimed Allison as her partner.  Scott sulked, Stiles told him to man up.  Boyd and Erica teamed up so that left Isaac with Jackson.  After being turned into a werewolf you'd think Jackson would be less of a douche. You'd be wrong.

"Why do I have to be partnered with Isaac?  Stiles, switch partners with me!"

"What, no!  You may be captain of the lacrosse team--"

"Co-captain!" shouts Scott.

"-- but here you can't tell me what to do!  Besides, I'm pretty sure Isaac has more experience at this so HE should be the one complaining at being partnered up with YOU."  Stiles grins, receiving a smirk from Isaac.

Jackson growls and takes a step towards Stiles when Derek decides to finally step in.

"Enough!  Jackson, shut up.  Stiles, you know better than to rile up a werewolf. Now listen up!  Rules are the same as always.  You'll be patrolling the perimeter while keeping an eye out for any intruders.  If I manage to sneak up and take you down then you're in for extra training exercises tomorrow.  You have one hour."

With that he steps off the porch and heads out towards the woods.  

Everyone scatters, having already decided which directions they'd take.  Scott and Stiles head North, trying to be as quiet as possible while listening for anything that would give Derek away.

After patrolling for twenty minutes Scott stops and starts sniffing the air intently.  Stiles just looks at him both annoyed and confused.

"Dude, what are you doing?" he whispers, looking around for any signs of Derek. Somehow they always get caught, and Stiles is tired of extra training exercises.  He'd rather run suicides for Coach than whatever Derek thinks up for them.  

"I don't know, I smell something… weird.  I've never smelled anything like this before."  Scott starts walking off, sniffing the air every now and then to make sure he still has the scent.

"Dude, what, no, stop!" Stiles follows after him, thoughts of the training exercise gone and replaced with excitement and apprehension.  "You can't just go roaming off, what is wrong with you!  And could you BE any more cryptic?  What does it smell like?"

Scott stops, closes his eyes, and takes a big breath in through his nostrils.  He waits a moment before opening his eyes and turning to Stiles.

"I don't know how to explain it.  It smells old… and earthy?"

"Old and earthy, got it.  What else?"  

Scott doesn't reply. Instead he just continues walking, ignoring all the remarks Stiles makes about stupid werewolves and their stupid not answering questions.

After a short distance they find a small stream.  Stiles goes to check out the area a bit since they've never come across the area before.  When he turns around to ask Scott if whatever he's smelling is nearby he finds himself alone.

"Oh, you have got to be kidding me!  Scott!  Where the hell did you go?" he mutters to himself.  He looks around and picks a random direction to keep walking in.  He tries calling Scott's phone while walking but there's no answer.  After getting caught once because of a phone going off they had decided to make sure their phones were on silent during these exercises.  

After what feels like forever Stiles finds a small clearing with Scott standing in the middle.

"Oh thank God!" shouts Stiles as he starts walking towards Scott.  "I thought I was going to have to call Derek to try to find your werewolf ass.  What the hell were you thinking?!"  As he gets closer to Scott he can sense something is off.  Scott is standing way too still and isn't responding.  Stiles stops a few feet away, feeling uneasy about the situation.  "Scott?"

"It seems the little wolf has a friend", a voice says from behind.  Stiles jumps and turns around, finding himself face to face with a beautiful woman.  She's wearing a cloak so he can't see what's underneath, but he can see her face perfectly fine.  She has brown eyes, light olive skin, and dark brown hair.  Her eyes flash purple for a moment and Stiles knows she isn't human.

"What do you want? What did you do to him?  I'll have you know we're not alone. We have friends, strong and powerful friends, that will come after you if you do anything funny!"

The woman laughs and looks at Stiles with a mischievous look in her eyes.

"I can see why the young wolf would choose you as a friend.  I have not harmed him, little one.  My kind have had a peaceful relationship with wolves for centuries.  What peaks my curiosity is why a human such as yourself would associate himself with werewolves."  She circles Stiles, looking him up and down, smiling to herself.

"Look lady, I don't know what 'your kind are'" he air quotes with his fingers.  "but I'd appreciate it if you let us on our way."  

By this time the woman has circled her way to Scott.  With them standing side by side Stiles can see that she is only a few inches taller than Scott.  She pets Scott's head and smiles before looking at Stiles.

"I do not plan to harm either of you, but please humor me by answering a few questions."  She grabs Scotts chin and turns him around to face Stiles.  His eyes have gone wolf gold and he doesn't seem to recognize Stiles.

"What did you do to him?" Stiles shouts at the woman.  Scott doesn't react to anything, just stands there and lets the woman run her fingers through his hair.

"Nothing that cannot be undone.  The sooner you answer my questions, the sooner you two can be on your way."  She smiles at Stiles, knowing she won and has giving him no choice in the matter.

"Fine," he growls at her.  "Ask your questions.  But if I feel it'll endanger me or my friends then I won't answer."

"That seems reasonable.  We'll start with one I have already asked: Why does a human such as yourself associate himself with werewolves?"

"Well that's easy, because my best friend Scott," he points at the oblivious werewolf, "was turned and I wasn't going to abandon him.  Just because he's a werewolf doesn't mean I can't hang out with the dude."

"Even if he has a Pack? I'm sure you are welcomed, but being human does limit you in what you can or cannot do."

"What does that mean? I can pull my own weight, and no one can do research like I can!" he laughs, because it's true.  He can't even imagine what the Pack would do if he wasn't there to help their werewolf butts.  

"Is that all that keeps you in the Pack?  I'm sure you want more than just being their expert in research.  Your heart is holding a secret…." she tilts her head, studying his face as if it held all the answers.  "What is it?"  

Stiles starts to fidget.  He doesn't know what this woman wants, or what the hell she's talking about, but he doesn't like it.

"Look, lady, I've been answering your questions like you've asked, can we go?"

"Don't you wish to be like them?"

"What?"

"Have you ever wondered what it would be like to have all that strength, the heightened abilities, and the fast healing?  I know you've thought about it before.  Don't you wish you had it?"

"No."  The woman's eyes grow large, surprised at Stiles' answer.  "I've been offered the bite once, and I turned it down. I don't regret it, I'm happy being the way I am."

"Interesting," the woman purrs.  She begins to circle Stiles once again, keeping eye contact.  "A human who runs with wolves.  What of your alpha?  He cares not of your vulnerability?"  

Stiles' heartbeat increases at the mention of Derek.  The woman's eyebrows go up.

"He doesn't care much about me, and as long as I stay out of his way he doesn't care if I hang around."  

The woman stops and claps her hands together, startling Stiles.

"I have decided I like you child.  And I will give you a present."

"Um… okay?" he replies.  What the hell was wrong with this lady? First she puts some sort of spell on Scott then she wants to give him a present-- oh my God. "You're a witch!"

"But of course, what else can entrap a young wolf such as your friend here."  she gestures to Scott, who has not moved from his spot.  "And I've taken a liking to you young child.  Your relationship with the werewolves has fascinated me."  She walks towards Stiles, eyes flashing purple.  "You wish to run with the wolves?  I will help you.  This gift is meant to open not only your eyes, but the eyes of those in your Pack."  She smiles and lightly touches Stiles' forehead.

"What do you mea--" the next thing he knows everything is white.  Everything hurts, there's no sound, and he feels dizzy.  When he opens his eyes the woman is gone and Scott is shaking his head, trying to clear his mind of whatever spell the witch had cast on him.  When Scott looks up his eyes grow large in shock.

"Stiles?…" he asks.  

Stiles tries to reply with a witty remark but all that comes out is a light growl.  What the hell?  He looks down and sees his clothes laying around him on the ground, next to his paws.  Wait, PAWS?  He jumps up and starts circling, trying to see every inch of himself.  Oh my God that bitch turned him into a wolf!