Derek Hale's Story

As they entered into the building, all eyes rested on them, conversation stilled, curiosity aroused. It made him feel claustrophobic. It was not unexpected, this town didn't see too many strangers, and the wolf's penchant for privacy, living out on the edge of the forest, alone, sparked excited whispers and theories ranging from psychotic woodsman to deep and misunderstood poet striking muse from a solitary nature experience. Derek was grateful for the little table placed in the back window, blanketed in a dark quiet, enshrouding them both in a private air.

His muscles coiled tightly, tensing, as the waitress rested her hand on his shoulder. He really did not like being touched. He was bred to be a loner, and sometimes even kind or flirty chatter tended to grow annoying quickly and got under his skin. He didn't pay much mind to anything she was prattling on about, or even what she looked like, it was of little consequence anyway. "You know what you want to eat yet? I can't decide." He asked conversationally after the woman took her leave.

When Derek glanced up, he hadn't expected the thunderhead that crossed over Sara's face, darkening and sharpening her features even if her words seemed pleasant enough...but it didn't stop the small muscle near his lip twitching upward into a partial smirk. Her expression screamed "My lips are moving and words are coming out, but I am not saying what I mean." And though he was not particularly well versed in reading expressions, he could guess as to what it could mean.


"Oh? I hadn't noticed..." He replied with an arrogant smirk, eyes colder than the winter sky lighting up happily. He was used to getting female attention, but it hadn't occurred to him that it would bother Sara. Now it delighted him.

Sara kept her eyes downcast on the menu, "You know what you want to eat yet? I can't decide" She heard him ask. It caused yet another feeling of slight inadequacy towards 'normal' girls. She wanted to seem feminine, and get something small; a salad or something, but her stomach was churning, and her wolf was scratching at the surface for steak. Sara swallowed dryly, "Y-yeah.. The ah.. the steak." she said quietly, before setting her menu down and picking up her drink instead. She couldn't even bear the thought of having to see Derek's reaction to the woman, and hated the feeling of competition, even if it wasn't real. Ever since that fanger woman had threatened her about Derek, she felt a sense of unease towards the similar sex.

Her eyes roamed the dusky sky, the trees silhouetted against the dark grey backdrop of the quickly darkening sky. Though the town was small and homely, it was nice, and it was home to her. She couldn't imagine going any place else, especially now that the mere thought of leaving Derek had her wolf growling and whining in the background.

Upon hearing Derek's response to her earlier comment, Sara finally looked up to meet his eyes, and almost immediately, the irritation and frost she had felt melted away. That little shit eating grin he wore made her heart flutter and a small giggle bubble up from her own throat, "You little shit." she muttered gently in a teasing manner under her breath, "it's not kind to take pleasure in a jealous girl." she admonished gently, before slowly reaching forward to place her hand above his, giving a gently smile, feeling slightly more relaxed and at ease now.

As they conversed a bit more, Sara slowly felt more and more confident, until the waitress returned, asking them what they wanted, turning to Sara first as if to get her out of the way, "What can I get for you? A salad maybe?" she asked, eyeing Sara up and down, to which Sara flinched slightly, but returned nonetheless, "Ah no.. A steak actually.. rare please." she said, earning a look of disdain from the waitress, who turned to Derek, but not before glancing down and frowning at their intertwined hands, "And for you Sir? What would you like?" she asked gently, eyeing him closely, like a predator would it's prey.

A blazing white grin, that would make even the most doleful person smile, flashed across his face, splitting across his countenance like a nail pounded into glass. "No...maybe it's not kind, but it sure is fun." He teased, failing horribly at trying to conceal his amusement.

Sara's silky hand migrated to rest atop his and Derek's heart nearly leapt from his chest, figuratively speaking of course, but it felt almost literal in that moment. He kept his eyes locked on the menu, words blurring before his steel blue eyes. The waitress, in record time, made her way back to their table to collect their orders, erroneously assuming Sara was going to eat a measly salad. He had to restrain a chuckle, wolves made terrible vegetarians. "I'll have the same as my lady, thanks." He replied coolly, giving Sara's hand a gentle squeeze, and tossing her a quick wink. The woman waiting on them gave him a distasteful look and Sara a contemptuous one, obviously not pleased with his disinterest. Honestly, humans could be worse than animals in heat at times. "Oh, and could you bring the table a bread basket? Thanks." He asked and responded curtly.

"I'll have the same as my lady, thanks." Sara bit her lip and flushed, looking down and away, trying to conceal a small smile and giggle as the woman stomped off to get the bread Derek requested. She looked up at him, shaking her head and chuckling softly, reassured by the small squeeze he gave her hand, "You sure did crush her spirits." she teased, finally letting out a soft giggle.

She, gently, almost reassuringly ribbed her thumb over the rough, over-worked backing of his, as her eyes traced over his veined and muscled hand and arms, slowly raking up his arm to his chest, and then to his face. She truly never had taken the time to truly appreciate his true attractiveness, and now it was hitting her full force. His sun-kissed tan and dark hair and stubble contrasted beautifully with his ice chip eyes, as well as his chiseled, pointed features brought of two horribly conflicting emotions from within her.

The timid part of her wanted to clam up, stammer out an excuse about how she had to go, and go hide in the bathroom until he left, but then a second, more dominant thought popped into her head. He called her His lady. She could see how he swallowed nervously when she put her hand on top of his. He was putty in her hand, and something about that-knowing that someone like him could be wrapped around her finger so easily- made her feel both empowered, and a bit intimidated by the mere power.

As the food was brought back, Sara gave a sly smirk to the waitress, "Thanks hon. We'll wave you down when we're ready for the check." she said before the woman could get a work in, and gave a wide, almost too cheery smile as the woman looked down at her irritably, before walking away in a slight huff.


She then turned to Derek and grinned slightly, "Finally some peace from the broom rider." she said under her breath, laughing softly, before looking down at her steak, she began to cut it into bite-sized morsels, before slipping them into her mouth one at a time, letting out a small moan at the delicious taste. It had been months since she's had a proper steak.

Derek was grinning so much, his cheeks were beginning to grow sore. He had forgotten what it felt like to smile after all these years cloaked in the darkness that was mourning. It was like being lost in a tunnel, pitch black all around you, too dead set in the middle to see light at either end. But, what was remarkable was that after all this time stumbling through the dark he finally saw a light. Not the light of day, but the light of Sara. She, like him, had been lost in the same tunnel but instead of searching for a light, she created her own and now it shone bright for others to follow. It made him happy.

Despite that, nothing would be able to completely dispel the shadow of misfortune from around Derek. He could see it still, in the deep divots in his cheeks, the crease in his brow, the wild and darting look in his eyes when he absentmindedly took in his reflection in the window glass. As joyful as she made him, he was still scarred with his grief. But...maybe with time...that would change. He remained hopeful for the first time in a long time.

"Is it good?" He asked rhetorically, eyes that were as gray as underfeathers with a line between white and iris that was none to distinct brightening with amusement. He cut a piece as big as her fist from his steak and fit it into his mouth with ease. It was a reminder how much smaller she was than he. After a bit of chewing and a swallow he spoke again, his voice a bare whisper, as if he had forgotten how to speak. "So..." Even if his words and his teasing had been confident, his voice in the restaurant was hushed. Like anything they might share with one another should remain private, even the simplest things, and they continued on like that now. "You like working at a bar? I can't imagine being around intoxicated people everyday, it would get grating..." He fiddled with the edge of a card propped up against the window that advertised various cocktails and desserts. "That's why I like being a mechanic...no people to deal with unless they are dropping off or picking up their car. Just me and the machine." A sardonic smile ghosted over his lips. "Arguably two machines." His lips twitched and heaved and, as if by great effort, formed into different watery smile.

The waitress came back around to their table to top off their drinks and ask if they needed anything else. Derek quickly dismissed her, pulling at his shirt collar and eventually shrugging off his overcoat. It suddenly seemed so hot that Derek felt stifled, as though he couldn't breathe, and the press of all the people around him, the sea of tables that seemed to go on too, too long made him feel faint, as if the ceiling could just reach down and crush him. God, he hated being in public.

Sara gave a small, gentle nod as he asked her how her food was. It sated the slight grumbling of her stomach complaining for food, that had been causing her to squirm in embarrassment for the beginning of dinner. She watched him eat, following suit as she finished off half of her steak relatively quickly. She looked up at Derek as he asked her about her work, giving a wry grin.



"I suppose so, but the customers tend to keep to themselves, and if not, speak their troubles and move on. It's a quiet bar, and thus it's pretty low key. Not like the bars in town." she shuddered at the mere thought, before giving a small smile at his comment about being a machine. She gave a gently teasing shove of his arm across the table, "I don't like a machine thank you very much." she said, narrowing her eyes playfully.

She watched him and he pulled off his jacket, and pulled at his shirt slightly, she could see the uncomfortable vibes rushing off of him in waves, causing her to crease her eyebrows, "Did you want to head out? Take the rest to go?" she offered quietly, her voice hushed as she reached over to sportively place a hand on his arm, her thumb rubbing his skin gently.

Derek's gaze locked with hers, a small half smile creeping up his face. She read him like an open book, it was endearing and unnerving in the same breath. "I didn't want to rush our first date..." He mumbled, eyes falling back down to the table. "But I can't stand being around all of these people."

He pulled his arm out from under her grip and took her hand in his own. "I'll suffer through just a bit more if you want to stay though, I'd hate for you to be able say your boyfriend won't take you out anywhere." His grin took on a roguish element, almost smug at the prospect of calling her his own.

Sara smiled gently, "You didn't rush it, I had a great time." she assured, giving him a warm grin, squeezing his hand gently, before using her free hand to wave down the waitress to ask for a to-go box and the bill. As the woman brought the bill back, Sara and Derek got into a small spat over who would pay the bill. After insisting repeatedly, Derek convinced her to let him pay the bill, and Sara stood, pulling at her skirt to make sure it didn't ride up too far, before walking outside, with him, and standing by the car, she waited for him to unlock the muscle car, she leaned her back against it slightly,

As he unlocked the car, she smiled, sitting in the passenger seat, as he drove, she gently, almost hesitantly took his hand, looking at his face to gauge his reaction slowly, she bit her lip gently. Throughout the entire car ride back to her place, the held hands. She couldn't help but think how right her hand felt in his. Encased completely in his calloused hand, she literally couldn't wipe the large smile off her if she wanted to.

Once they reached her house, he opened the door for her and led her to her door. The exchanged pleasantries, before she gently, almost bashfully gave him a gentle kiss goodnight before waving and entering her small home.

When the first ring of Derek's alarm clock sounded, he cursed—and he might well have gone on cursing until the final ring, had not he possessed a grinding forbearance. As it were, he collected himself and was silent; but his frustration still betrayed itself in the hard lines of his face, and he found he could not summon the earnestness to will it to change.

Last night had been an utter and complete success, all and all. He and Sara had eaten dinner, she looked so lovely in her dress, and he hardly minded that she didn't correct him when he called himself her boyfriend or the fact the the entire car ride back to her house, they had held hands. Despite the fact he had nearly stroked out from a public induced panic attack and they had to leave early, Sara seemed to have throughly enjoyed herself. He couldn't have been happier or more elated, so why was he lying in his bed now the next morning, brow furrowed to the point of scowling and bags under his eyes from a sleepless night?

He rose from his prison of damp sheets and paced the cold floor, trying to will an answer from thin air to his internal crisis. The taut threads of his patience were wearing thin, and his pajama bottoms, be it said, were in a similar condition. He uttered no more curses, but he breathed out a prolonged and ragged sigh such as to put all The boy who cried wolf's bitter wailing to shame. He ran his hands roughly through his obsidian hair and interlocked his hands behind his head before asking the darkness, "What the fHell am I supposed to do?" But the room was perfectly still. Even the faintly dancing shadows that played against the walls seemed subdued and indifferent, and the only sound to be heard was the soft panting of Derek Hale's quickened breath.

The question that a plagued him all night, that had turned a beautiful morning sour, that had his mind reeling and heart pounding was not an unfounded one...What sort of future did he and Sara have in Bellingstone?

Anyone else, anyone human, might of said: Isn't it too early to be thinking on that? That is a trouble for down the road. Wasn't your first date last night? But they were humans and humans couldn't concieve the complexities that came with being a lone wolf in another packs territory. It was one thing for Derek, so obviously not a threat on his own, to live on the fringes of the city; but it was another entirely for him to take interest in taking a mate--a former of their pack no less--and to appear to be forming a pack of his own. If this pack were like his--his old one--he amended, they'd see to it that the pair of loners either submitted, left, or died...as was pack law. Sure, it was an ancient law that most were loose on, but none the less, it was a possibility that the Alpha, the wolf who hadn't bothered to speak with Derek when he came into his own diner, practiced such principles.

He finally halted in his pacing and looked over his shoulder to the window blanketed in heavy black drapes. Sara saw this place as her home, and if she didn't want to leave then by God, Derek would take on every single wolf in that pack so that she could stay. Let it not be said that Derek Hale was not adversarial, that he was no fighter. He was an Alpha by rights, and whether or not he had a pack or didn't, his strength did not wane. He was a wolf, a wolf hopelessly in love.

Love always makes you do stupid things right?

That morning, Sara woke up with a new feeling she hadn't felt in months. A sense of well being, of renewed hope, and above all, a sense of nervous butterflies, fluttering away in her stomach. She sat up slowly, rubbing her eyes as she brought up her knees to her chest, a large grin on her face. The date the previous night had gone wonderfully, and she couldn't have asked for a better evening. She stood, trudging out of her room to the bathroom, to take a quick hot shower, before wrapping a towel around herself and head back to her room to check the time. 9:45. Perfect. She had just enough time to get ready and get to work by at 11. She returned to the bathroom, setting out her makeup, she artfully put on her makeup, taking the time to make sure she looked presentable.
Before Derek she would have not cared so much about her appearance, and only would have made herself presentable, but not as if she had put an effort into her appearance, but now she had a reason to look nice and freshen up. After finishing her make up, she changed out of her pajamas, and slipped into a new outfit, http://ak2.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-set/cid/97358066/id/TmD5DQId4xGGdXKq6xSULw/size/y.jpg, wearing something both casual, yet sexy enough to wear at work and for Derek, if she decided to see him later.

After getting ready, she promptly hopped into her car, and headed down towards the bar. She just made it when her car spluttered, and a rather large puff of black smoke appeared from beneath the hood of her car. "Shit.. just what I need... I don't have time for this." she muttered irritably, knowing she wouldn't be able to make it home with her car, she pulled her cellphone out of her pocked, while slowly walking towards the bar. She dialed for Derek, waiting for him to pick up, she couldn't help the small smile forming one her lips upon hearing his voice, "Derek.. I.. I don't mean to inconvenience any plans you might have had tonight... but I just got to work, and right as I was parking, my car took a crap and blew out something, and I just know it wont get me back home.. do you think you could pick me up after work?" she asked, biting her lip as she waited for his response. Upon hearing a positive response, she smiled softly, "Thanks Derek, you're the best. It's the small bar on the outskirts of town, called The Truth. I get off at about 5." she said, before exchanging thanks yous and pleasantries, she hung up, heading quickly into the bar, so as not to be late, she headed behind the counter, and served customers as they entered.

Sara gave a warm smile and a nod, "Sure thing." she said lightly before turning her back to him to reach and grab a glass, tilting it against the nozzle of the tap, giving it just the right amount of foam at the top as the cold, light gold liquid filled the glass. She turned back around and placed it in front of him, "Guinness on the tap." she smiled, before picking up a rag and cleaning of the bar, as well as a few glasses, her eyes darting to his every once in a while. Something about him was very familiar, but she couldn't quite place what. She shrugged off the feeling when he asked about her car, "Yeah.. it's usually pretty faithful, but I've been needing to take it in for a tune-up for a while now." she said, giving a sheepish grin and a light chuckle, before, biting her lip at his offer. Usually she wouldn't hesitate to say, 'No, my boyfriend is coming to pick me up. He's a mechanic', but something about the way Derek reacted last night on their date with them in public made her feel as if he wouldn't want her talking about them as a couple to the prying eyes of the public.

"I ah.. I suppose that would be alright.. my shift'll be done in a half an hour." she said gently, looking to the clock, before leaning against the bar. She had a half an hour, she might as well try to be friendly with the man who intended on fixing her car, "So are you new around here? Most of the people that come here are pretty regular, and I can't say I've seen you here before."

Leighton whirled around at the sound of a second voice in the yard, pale hair whipping with so sudden and sharp a movement; this was not a voice she knew. There, in her line of vison stood a pallid, thin man with deep-seemingly bottomless eyes, and a shy smile. In his hands, he clutched her pink tricycle.

"Is this what you're looking for, dear? Your chariot, I presume? I don't want to scare you, I was just passing through the woods and...thought I'd help you find your chariot. You could call me Mr. Pearce, if you'd like."

The little girl flashed him a grateful and affable smile, trudging through the snow to stand before him. "Mr. Pearce? Bleh. That's really formal. You don't have a first name? A nickname? Mine's Leighton, but you can call me Leigh...." She put a tiny finger to her cheek, as if pondering. "Or prefferably Princess Leigh of the winter lands." Her smile grew, cheeky and almost teasing. Warning bells sang their haulting tune in the back of her mind-years of STRANGER DANGER and Sebby's warnings about persons of unknown intent screaming their remonstrance, but she couldn't be made to care. No one had ever tried to harm her, which only produced a certain naitivity, and that, coupled with Sterlings meek and meager appearance and tone...and she never stood a chance.

Leighton gingerly reached up and took the trike from his cold grasp and set it on the ground before clammering atop the seat to stand eye to eye with him and extending her hand to shake. "What do you have there, books?" She asked, leaning forward ever so slightly on the seat to try to catch a glimpse of the thick texts tucked beneath his arm. Her curious doll-like features were reminescent of a Rembrandt painting, light-in-the-darkness, all-present glow juxtaposed against the washed out colors of winter. "Is that wher eyou learned such big words like Chariot?"

---

Derek climbed into his car and sat heavily in the driver’s seat as he sucked in a breath and wilted, resting his forehead against the steering wheel. He still wasn't one hundred percent sure where their relationship stood and what staying with her ment for his survival in Bellingstone, but regardless, he couldn't help being what ever she needed, molding himself to fit her desideratum. In fact, Sara had needed him in that very moment, called him to pick her up-[i]wanted[i/] him to pick her up he amended as she could have called anyone, and dammit if he wouldn't come running.

Derek Hale was a confined individual, locked up in a steel box. When he let a little vulnerability or emotion show, it was carefully measured and then delivered. He was self aware in a way that was both admirable but damaging to himself. It was also safe; and safe was what worked. Safe was what kept him functioning even when everything bottomed out and he had nothing left to lose.

And then Sara waltzed right into his life, housing Derek's soul like she had a right to, like she had no idea she'd instantly become home for this man.

Just over the course of the couple of days he had come to know her, when Derek wan't paying attention, Sara would brush her fingertips along top of his hand and take his tension away and Derek would just smile, none the wiser. Later he was always annoyed with himself because he was in such a damn good mood and he couldn't figure out how it had happened. He was being childish but he didn't care. He wanted to mope and he was good at brooding. He was always good at guilt and ugly things...

The drive to her work was a long and tedious one, the lone wolf not so much as touching the radio dial. They had been salting the roads in the town which put Derek directly behind a big, painfully slow salt-truck as it spilt its contents on the street and placed him a good ten minutes behind his designated time of pick up. It was all he could do to stiffle and anxious growl. He didn't like leaving her out there waitng and alone.

At last, as he whipped into the bar parkinglot-the place a flurry with activity as patrons staggered out into the streets to vehicles they were not really in a state to operate- Derek spotted Sara's car, hood propped up, smoke billowing out. Not a good sign. He quickly parked and lopped out, coming just a few feet away before it hit him. The scent. Like a wall of musk and ferality. Sara's own wolfy smell-warm and inviting-and a strangers; another wolf's, and not just any wolf-an alpha wolf. There was always a way to tell, if you were particularly versed in scenting, you'd notice all sorts of tiny details that added up to a sum of rank. And if you weren't then catching sight of the man was more than enough to glean that surmation. It was enough to have the hairs on the back of Derek's neck standing on end, bristling at the challenge.

"If you need a ride back home or something, I could always give you one. Not to sound creepy or anything, y'know, just being neighborly. I'd be willing to offer any other help you need, really."

Derek could feel his fangs grow in his mouth, involuntarily, threatened. He choked them back, running his tongue over the sharp edges until the returned to blunt and dull human teeth before he closed the final few feet of space. "She doesn't. Sara." He growled, alerting the pair to his presence. His voice was hard, guttural, matching the skyrocketing of his pulse. And though he had wrangled control over his fangs, he couldn't manage the eyes--so blown, there was only a rim of ice around pools of black.

"I answer for her because she is mine." He growled, voice growing lower and lower with each word until it was little more than a rumble like the rolling thunder. "She's not going to run off with some senior citizen who's idea of a good time is to get her alone in his car." Derek took a step forward, wishing Sara would just catch on and come and stand behind him. She couldn't possibly be interested in this wolf, could she? The nagging insecurities that were running rampant in his mind only furthered his agitation and aggression toward Albrecht, never mind the fact that the testosterone in the air was palpable enough to be cut with a knife.

He came nearly nose to nose with the stranger, using the slight height difference to his advantage as he pushed the wolf back with his chest--hands remaining clenched by his side. "First and only warning Champ, Back. Off." Derek was doing his best to remain a man, but his bestial nature was betrayed by his cobalt eyes-lit from within until they nearly glowed, sharpened incisors, and claw like fingernails digging into the palms of his fists leaving little angry red crescent shaped marks in his skin.

Sara swallowed hard, watching the confrontation in front of her unfold. She knew the second Derek approached, the shit would hit the fan, but she didn't realize he'd get this bad about it. Her head turned between the two men as she watched them argue, her mouth opening one in a while like a fish out of water to interject, only to be cut off by one of the men.

She took a small step back, taking her place behind Derek on his right, her head down as the men argued, "Derek... he.. he was just helping me." she said, her voice quiet, almost afraid. Of course, she knew he wouldn't hurt her, but regardless, he was still the slightest bit intimidating when he was like this. Though somewhere in the back of her mind, she couldn't shake the slight, trace feeling of arousal. A man of Derek's stature, fighting another alpha for dominance over her? If it wasn't for the possible danger, she might have given reign to the inkling of the feeling.

"Well, do you want me to leave you with him...?" Sara blinked, being brought from her senses, a slight blush on her face from her thoughts as she faced the man, before looking to Derek, "He... he was only helping me Derek.." she tried to reason, though she knew he wouldn't listen, "I... I'm okay." she said, her voice, quiet, faint sounding, much more submissive that the intimidating man in front of her. She gave a small smile, though there was evident slight fear behind it, though what Al wouldn't know is that the fear was for him, not her.

..Make me back off... Were the only words Derek had heard, the rest of the conversation fading out into the static of white noise that sounded when he 'saw red.' The lone Alpha roughly shoved Albrecht backward, practically punching the other wolf with the palms of his hands, a ferocious growl ripping it's way from his throat. He was passed the taunting phase, passed the sizing up stage; he was in fight mode now.

Derek rolled his shoulders and drew himself to full height-seeming almost not human at all as he did. He had become a pure predator, as only a beast can be a predator, and yet he was a man facing another man. Onlookers gawked at the pair of them, unsure of what was happening and entranced at the same time. In the back of his mind, Derek knew species preservation should have been his top priority; keeping werewolves a secret, but that was just it. He wasn't thinking.

Derek stood looking down at Al-challenging him, his blood reddening his neck due to the excessive angry beating of his heat, heating him and deepening his color. His eyes were a flash of black and ice, almost exactly the color the sky had been that morning.

"Come on, let us see who's more dominant shall we?!" He roared, voice unrecognizable to anyone who had not been raise around wolves enough to pick up the human speech in a growl.

Later he might look back and see just how ridiculous he had been. He might realize this wolf was just trying to do another, female, wolf a favor; but right here in the now? Derek saw another alpha male challenging him for not only his status but his mate. If only Axel had taken the time to talk with him in the diner the other day, he mightn't have been so on edge around other wolves then...

As Derek's back hit asphalt from a blow to the gut, somewhere in the vicinity of his kidney—and he didn't have time to appreciate the fact that he had a spare because he was distracted by the sudden and agonizing pain that accompanied it, there was a verbal barrage with Sara's name on it sitting on his tongue like fire. Damn her naivety about other rogue wolves, they weren't all good intentions and she had to of known Derek was coming to get her...He had said he would, why couldn't she have just waited in the bar? If she had, then he wouldn't be laying flat on his back right now, engaged in some fight with an older alpha. He pushed Sara out of his mind as he kipped up--swinging his legs up to his chest before arching his back so that he popped up on both feet. His jaw was going hurt like a mother fucker tomorrow, but he wasn't going to cry about it now, besides, his adrenaline was pumping so furiously he couldn't feel the sting just yet.

If Derek Hale had been an ordinary werewolf, be would probably have backed down at this point--held out his hands and said something placating in an attempt to avoid exposing werewolves to mankind...but Derek Hale was not ordinary. He was a hot headed, alphic, testosterone driven male with his mate on the line(Supposedly). His eyes had gone feral, he was breathing heavily, and he was fighting for control. Werewolves could smell subtle differences in different emotions, and to a born werewolf who'd had his entire life to memorize the distinct flavors of the olfactory-emotional spectrum, he knew exactly just how enraged Albrecht was...but it hardly rivaled his own temper. This older alpha was fighting because Derek was fighting, Derek was fighting for his lover-for his claim.

A truly ferocious growl that rattled his bones ripped its way from his throat as he swung on Albrecht with enough force to send the man flying backward into Sara's vehicle, signaling the car alarm. The dent in the frame cast by Albrecht's body was no small thing. His sensitive canine ears picked up a sickening squelch and the crunching of bone. Nothing dire, barely a scratch by Were standards but still. He moved to advance on the downed dog before the flash of a camera phone lit up his face. His pupils contracted, trying to adjust to the light, giving him enough time to register just was what happening. He paused mid-stride to look out over a formed crowd with the cell phones whipped out, taking video, gawking like the spectators they were.

After Axel dismissed the pack meeting and left for the diner, she presumed, though he rarely consulted her on anything he did, so truly he could be anywhere, Leanna returned home. Usually, when she had some spare time, she headed down to the diner. Her shift didn't start 'til early evening, but there was always something to do there, be it sorting the books, ordering supplies or even a little help with customers. She even tried to use being there for work as an excuse to spend a little time with Axel, in the hopes of improving their always slightly precarious relationship. However, following recent events, the last thing Leanna wanted to do was spend time with her mate, especially if that new waitress he'd been flirting with the previous day was working. Besides, she was far too stubborn to go and see him. It would feel too much like she was trying to please him. This morning at the pack meeting she'd allowed her anger towards Albrecht to get the better of her and she'd agreed with Axel with so much vigour that some may have even deemed her behaviour sycophantic. But she wanted Axel to know she was angry at him for what had happened with Cat at the diner yesterday, so going to work wasn't an option.

However, Leanna could not just spend the day sitting around the house wasting time simply to spite him. She set about cleaning the kitchen in an attempt to fill her time. But the inane task was not enough to keep her mind off all the things that were troubling her. Albrecht was back. Was he really going to try and reclaim his position as Alpha? How could she bear to look at him every single day and have all those memories flood back to her? With him gone she was only just able to banish him from her mind, but now he was back, she could hardly manage to avoid seeing him, let alone thinking about him. And Axel. Their relationship had always always given Leanna cause for concern, but over time she had simply come to terms with the truth and tried to make the best of it. But between the new waitress, Cat and Axel's apparent utter lack of concern for flirting with her right in front of Leanna and Albrecht and all the feelings seeing him had dragged to the surface, her issues with Axel were weighing even more heavily on her mind than usual.

Eventually, Leanna hurled the cloth onto the surface, no longer able to continue the menial task. She immediately went to her bedroom and changed into a pair of black leggings and a tight fitting white t-shirt. She pulled on a pair of sneakers, scraped her hair into a high ponytail and left the house, locking the door behind her. She launched in to a jog the moment the key was in her pocket, her feet pounding against the side walk. Leanna had always found running helped take her mind off things, and it still proved to be correct. The moment the wind was whipping past her face, tousling a few loose strands of hair, she felt better. She was not as naive as to say her worries simply evaporated, but at least she could cast her mind elsewhere.

That was, until she reached the bar. She paused at the edge of the road opposite it in preparation to cross the road, when suddenly, she saw Al. Leanna froze. Albrecht was stood beside a car at the curbside. Directly in front of him was a man Leanna didn't recognise, but who obviously wasn't pleased with Al. His stance was aggressive, as though he was squaring up for a fight. Near the pair stood Sara, looking a little more than nervous. Leanna stood and watched their exchange, rooted to the spot. Even when the 'walk' sign showed and everyone else crossed, she didn't move, not wanting to stay, but unable to walk on by. She watched Al respond aggressively to the man before turning to Sara and asking her something. Sarah kept her eyes fixed to the floor in such a reticent way that Leanna wouldn't have known she'd responded, was it not for the slight movement of her lips. Then, in horror, Leanna watched the man stand up over Al in a predatory fashion, and it was then that she realised he was in fact a wolf. In one swift movement, he shoved her former fiancé in a gesture that more resembled a punch.

Oh shit, Leanna realised, people were beginning to stop and stare warily. The unfamiliar wolf growled viciously and his eyes flashed angrily, his features becoming more animalistic by the second. Albrecht recovered himself and responded sharply to his assailant. Then, out of nowhere, he threw a punch at the man's face before kneeing him in the stomach. What an idiot! Leanna thought angrily. He'd been back in town not one full day and he was already fighting with strangers in public places, attracting attention to his hidden identity. Leanna knew she couldn't leave it a moment longer, she had to intervene, as much as she hadn't wanted to go anywhere near Albrecht, his stupidity was about to expose them all. She crossed the street as the other wolf pulled himself back on to his feet. He growled in a way no human could before landing a blow to Albrecht that sent him flying back into the car, leaving a dent in the body of the vehicle and God only knows what damage to Albrecht. Immediately, the car alarm went off, and any remaining person in the area who had still, somehow, been oblivious to the events instantly turned towards the source of the noise. Leanna was nearly at Al's side when the man took a step towards him, but he paused, turning to look at a crowd that had gathered, filming him.

Leanna's hand closed around Albrecht's wrist. He hadn't hit the ground, but his body was pressed against the car. She grabbed him, her grasp surprisingly strong for her small stature, dragging him sharply to his feet.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?!" she shouted at him, her brown eyes flashing with anger towards him. She began to march away from the scene, her hand clasped around his wrist, nails digging into the skin leaving tiny, red crescent moons in his flesh. Suddenly, she stopped, doubling back on herself so she was at the unknown wolf's side.

"And I don't care who the hell you are, but I am the Alpha Female in this town and there will be no public fighting between wolves!" Her voice was low enough not to be heard by the spectators, but her tone still conveyed her biting fury. She then turned to Sara, eyeing her. She didn't say anything to the woman but simply fixed her with a look of disapproval mixed with pity, before turning on her heel and beginning to march away, hand still holding onto Albrecht tightly, like an errant child who was expected to run away at any moment.