Chapter Text
The moonlight shimmered on small ripples in the lake. Theo watched from the edge as the surface stilled and became a mirror image of the sky once more. One would almost believe it were the real thing.
But it's not.
It's fake. Like me.
Theo threw his last stone at the water, shattering the calm image of the sky reflected there.
Theo huffed and settled on the riverbank, then laid flat on his back. The cold and wetness was seeping through his clothing, making his back shiver. He didn't mind, he was entirely focused on the stars in the clear night sky.
That right there, is real. Real, like Liam.
Theo didn't even register that he was thinking about the blue eyed beta, he was too tired. Too hollow.
Too dead to even be alive.
He made sure not to fall asleep. If he felt himself dip or get pulled under he'd snap his neck sharply to one side to wake himself. He'd claw at himself, blood trailing in thin lines down his pale forearms.
Eventually he waded into the lake, the cold knocked the breath from him a few moments. The heart in his chest beating wildly. When he was neck deep he took a deep breath and submerged himself completely.
BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BE-
Liam threw his alarm blindly over his shoulder, hearing it break as it came in contact with the wall.
He started to drift off when the smell of bacon, toast and coffee flooded his senses.
He sat up and rubbed at his face, his hair was in all directions. He sighed and cracked open first one eye, then the other.
He lazily looked at the broken alarm clock on the floor and rolled is eyes.
"Great, just great, another one I have to replace," he grumbled, picking up the pieces of what could easily be the 26th clock he'd broken and replaced in the last two months.
Tossing the pieces into the bin he went to shower the last traces of sleep off of himself. He massaged his scalp with shampoo and thought of how weird things are going to be now, with the older members of Scott's pack gone. Since the War things have been quiet at least. Liam knew Scott was only a call away, but he still felt like he wasn't ready for his Alpha to not be there. He missed the older pack members, but mostly he was stressed. He was Scott's first bitten beta, with Scott out of town he was in charge. He didn't feel in charge, or in control for that matter... ever since the War Liam had been struggling with his anger more than usual. After his anchor Hayden left, none other than Theo Raeken helped him, kept him grounded. And Liam hadn't heard from the chimera ever since.
He shook his head sharply when he caught himself getting stuck on the thought of the chimera.
He dressed in record time, slung his backpack over his shoulder and bounded down the stairs.
"Morning Honey! Did you sleep well?" Jenna greeted her son brightly and put his plate on the table, loaded with bacon, eggs and toast.
"Morning Mom, yeah thanks," he grumbled as he sat down for breakfast.
"Someone's grumpy, here eat up. You'll feel better then," she stroked his hair kindly, "I'm glad you let me cut your hair again, it looks neat this way," she continued while Liam wolved down his food, "David went out early."
As if Liam didn't hear him leave at night to go to the hospital. Liam swallod the last of his coffee and flew out of his chair to the door.
"Thanks for breakfast, Mom! Love ya!"
He didn't wait to hear her reply as he closed the door and jogged to Mason's car. The passanger window rolled down, "Morning Liam!" Corey politely greeted him.
"Sup guys," he opened the backdoor and got in, "you guys ready for this?"
Mason drove off with a scoff, "You mean ready for caffeteria lunch, dumb jocks, boring classes and a-"
"Hey, I'm a jock!" Both Liam and Corey defended at once. Corey smiled sheepishly at Liam.
"Yeah but you're my dumb jocks. Totally different thing," Corey laughed and leaned over to kiss Mason's cheek.
Liam looked out the window as they chatted about who knows what on their way to school.
When they arrived the school was already swarming with teens. Some faces they knew, others were completely new.
A low whistle sounded from behind them as Alec aprouched putting an arm on Liam's shoulder and tilting his head in the direction of a few freshmen girls.
"Fresh meat!" Alec grinned.
"What do you mean fresh meat? You're also new here?" Mason pointed out, Liam and Corey laughed at Alec's face.
"Dude," Alec whined, "I was having a cool moment, why'd you blow it?"
They burst out laughing even louder.
"Uhm. Hi guys..." Nolan greeted uncertianly. The kid remained shy and timid sometimes. Even after becoming good friends with the Puppy Pack over the summer.
The bell rang and the hallway started to empty.
"Liam, you coming man?" Mason called at him, heading to their first class.
"Yeah, be right there," he called back over his shoulder as he struggled with his locker, trying really hard not to lose it and break it.
His senses flared as he caught the scent of pine and leather, his scent.
No way.
The second bell rang, the hallway completely empty now except for Liam himself and him.
Liam's grip on his locker tightened, he forced himself to release it before he caused damage. He turned around slowly to see him standing there at the end of the hall with that stupid smirk of his.
Theo's smirk grew as he took a few steps closer, "You're gonna miss your class, Little Wolf."
Liam stomped down the hall and grabbed the collar of Theo's black T-shirt. The chimera didn't even protest as he dragged him outside to the parking area. Once they were a safe distance away Liam shoved him.
"What are you doing here?" He demanded.
"Wow, hello to you too Liam", the chimera rolled his eyes and crossed his arms.
"I'm serious Theo, what are you do-" Liam cut himself of when he finally saw the backback that hung lazily from one shoulder, "Oh. You... you're coming back to school?"
Theo shrugged, "Yeah I guess. Never got to graduate. You know, with being dead and all."
Liam chose to ignore that statement.
"Where have you been this entire time?"
"Here," Theo shrugged again, eyes wandering a bit. He looked bored with the conversation already, which only annoyed the beta even more.
"Why didn't you tell me you were coming back to school?"
"Why would I?" Theo glared at him.
Liam growled and punched the chimera, breaking his nose. Theo stumbled a bit and took a while to regain his balance, placing a hand on a nearby car to steady himself. He cupped his nose and set it in place, glaring at Liam.
Before Liam could feel satisfied, Theo shoved him back.
"Get off my back Liam!" He warned in a low voice and tried to sidestep the beta.
"Hey! We're not done here!" Liam grabbed his shoulder.
Theo spun around, "Yes we are! We are so done here," his chest rumbled.
Liam was surprised for a moment at this reaction, he never got Theo riled up this quick. Thr older boy usually had more control of his emotions. He felt his back press into the car Theo had leaned on as the chimera got in his face, chests almost touching. They glared at each other, neither backing down.
Liam swallowed thickly, "What's your problem?"
Theo scrunched his nose and backed up, picking up his discarded backpack as he walked back to the main building. Liam hoped he felt his glare burning into his back.
"Dude, its the first day and you already missed class," Mason shook his head in mock disapproval as he took a seat next to Liam in English. He saw Liam's face wearing a look he recognized instantly and groaned, "Oh no, what happened?"
Answering the question for him, Theo strolled into the classroom.
"Holy shit," Mason choked out.
The Chimera glanced at them, met with Mason's shocked look and Liam's angry one. He smirked at their reaction and winked before taking a seat of his own in the back of the classroom.
"What the hell?" Mason's voice was a high pitched whisper.
"He's back at school," the beta grumbled. He felt annoyed that he couldn't see Theo from where he sat.
"I can see that, but why is he back? Where has he been this whole time? You think he's up to something?"
Liam risked a glance over his shoulder and was surprised to see that Theo wasn't even paying attention to them. The older boy was leaning against the wall with his shoulder and absentmindedly playing with his fingers.
"What does he want?" Mason hissed in his ear.
"I don't know," Liam answered uneasily.
Liam continued to be hyper aware of Theo's presence the rest of the day. Despite his tension the chimera had kept a low profile so far, looking bored and taking little interest in any of his surroundings, including Liam. That infuriated him even more. Currently he was sitting at the opposite side of the caffeteria with his feet on the table, chair tilted back on its hind legs as he sipped a bottle of water.
Liam wished the chair would break.
"Who is the hot guy we are all staring at?" Alec asked when he joined them at their table.
"Alec!" Liam hissed at his friend but he saw Theo's mouth quirk, proving he was listening to them.
"That's Theo Raeken," Mason supplied.
Nolan watched the chimera warily, but with a little interest. He was no doubt thinking about the time Theo relieved Gabe of his suffering.
"Wait, the Theo Raeken?" Alec raised his eyebrows in interest.
Liam's plastic fork snapped in his grip.
"He's an asshole," Corey said plainly having also noticed that they were being listened to.
"He's dangerous," Liam watched as Theo's small smile slipped from his lips, his expression darkening. Liam felt satisfaction for a second followed closely by a pang of guilt as the older boy adruptly got up from his table and left.
"Intense..." Mason blew out a breath and flung an arm around Corey's shoulders, feeling more relaxed now.
"He doesn't look very dangerous," Alec mumbled, picking at his fries, "he looks kinda-"
"He's a master manipulator, of course he doesn't look dangerous. He's a liar," Mason dismissed him.
And a murderer...
Liam knew that part went unspoken. He clenched his jaw, digging his claws into his palms.
The sun...
The moon...
The truth...
Corey caught the scent of blood, "Liam?"
"I'm fine, I'm fine. Really. Just struggling with my anger a bit, but I'm in control, don't worry." He tried to reasure his friends.
"Man I can only imagine how having him back isn't helping with your anger at all," Corey muttered.
"Maybe we should call Scott?" Mason suggested but was immediatly shot down.
"No! I - I mean no, just give me some time to figure out what this means for us. Maybe he's just back at school, you know?" Liam argued.
"Yeah well, I wouldn't give him the benefit of the doubt," Mason grumbled, picking at his lunch.
"I know, I know. I wouldn't either. Just let me get to the bottom of this," Liam pressed.
"And why is he your problem?" Alec raised a brow.
Because he's my responsibility.
"Because... Because I'm the one in charge now," the words felt unreal and heavy on his tongue.
Mason scoffed and playfully punched him on the arm, "Ohhh Mr Boss Man."
"Shut up, that sounds so lame!"
The rest of the day Theo was nowhere to be seen. He must've skipped the remainder of the school day. It made Liam anxious but he also felt a little guilty because he might've been the reason he'd left. He'd called the older boy dangerous, knowing it would get a reaction out of him.
He IS dangerous.
Unpredictable.
Bad?
Something in his gut told him that might not be the case.