Chapter Text
I opened my eyes, my thigh throbbing in pain. Wolfsbane. Fuck, it’s not my leg only. It’s also my arm, my shoulder — that’s when I remembered what happened last night. I was out with Malia last night; we were looking into a tip Scott got from a pack near his college — normally, the were-coyote wouldn’t even think about me, but with her friends away, her cousin looking into a lead on Kate Argent, I was her only option. I know that she cares about Liam having a better senior year than she did, that’s why I ended up with a text from Malia yesterday.
I remember that we were fighting hunters. Malia, as always, threw herself into the fight. I joined her, but there were too many of them. It could only mean one thing — Monroe was nearby. We fought, gave our best, and that was when I saw her. That smug face, her gun focused on Malia. I pushed the woman away, all the shots hitting me. That’s how I probably ended up here. I tried to find Malia’s scent, but couldn’t find any. Is she dead? Maybe she got out? I hope she got out.
I know that I betrayed her. I betrayed all of them. Scott, Stiles, Liam… Especially Liam. He trusted me with things that even Scott didn’t know. He was the only one I was thinking about when I worked for the Dread Doctors. Sometimes, I wanted to tell Scott everything just to protect Liam, but I couldn’t get the courage to stand against the Dread Psychos. The look in his eyes when he found out… That was why I was surprised when he got me out, and trusted me enough to destroy the sword.
Did he trust me, though? Liam thought that I could be their lightning thingy for capturing a Ghost Rider — but I came back as a regular chimera. He still hasn’t sent me back. But, I don’t think that he trusted me. I don’t think he trusts me now. Back then, I was still useful — I remembered Stiles, all of him, not just bits and pieces. Now, I’m useful with the hunters — I won’t hesitate to kill. That was the only reason he talked to me. He still controls where I’m going — I pick him up from school, from practices. I drive him wherever he wants. The reason why is simple — he gets to see that I’m not planning anything evil, and I get to repay him in some way. It’s not like driving him around will make up for killing his Alpha, for betraying Liam’s trust, but, trying to save his life constantly could maybe make up for it. But, deep down, I know that nothing will make up for it. No amount of saving his life, no amount of lifts that I would give the Beta — nothing will ever fix it. The worst thing is that I’m stupid enough to fall in love with Liam.
How could I not? Liam is an angel incarnate — he was sweet, kind, and he had this something about himself that made people around Liam trust him. And, yeah, sure, he had IED. So what? No one’s perfect. I love all of him. Too bad I’m too much of a failure. He will never love me. He won’t trust me. He only talks to me, because he has to. Liam said it himself — I’m his responsibility. Sure, he’s kind to me, he cracks jokes, and invites me to hangouts (I always turn him down). But that’s just because he’s Liam.
“Oh, you’re awake,” I was driven away from my thoughts by a hunter who came into the room. “Not for long, though. That wolfsbane works magic, even for science freaks like you,” the man laughed. I growled, not wanting him to know that it hurts. That I’m scared. You’re a failure. If you were a success, you wouldn’t be scared. You’re supposed to be a machine. “Calm down, dog,” he turned the electricity on. I screamed in pain. “Now, tell me… Where’s the other dog, huh? When you went down, she turned into a fucking monster, and ran. Where is she?!” More electricity. More pain.
“If you think—“ I laughed. “—that she would trust me with this information…” I kept laughing. “…then you’re dead wrong, asshole. She’s not coming back. You failed,” my laugh turned into a scream when he turned the electricity back on.
“Bullshit. You dogs don’t leave each other. She will be back. And then, I will kill you in front of her. Don’t worry, though. She’ll join you not so long after,” the man spat.
“Me? Part of the McCall pack? That’s a good one,” I spat blood. “They hate me. The only reason Malia was with me last night was because they hate Monroe more. They hate her so badly that they cooperate with me. Someone who killed Scott McCall. So, tell me. Why would she come back for me? She wants me dead, you idiot!” I laughed again. “Maybe, if Scott wasn’t away, he would come, because, you know, his morals. But no one else will come. I will die from wolfsbane poisoning, and you won’t have shit!” That earned me a cut to my cheek.
“What about that Beta? Liam Dunbar? He will come. I know he will. And all he’ll find will be your very dead body,” the asshole spat in my face. I growled, wanting to attack him despite the restrains.
“Maybe. But he doesn’t care. If he comes, he won’t care that I’m dead.”
“For a dog, you’re quite blind,” he hit me a couple of times. It hurt like hell — it’s not like I could heal. That wolfsbane worked slowly, but fast. It’s a really weird feeling. My whole body felt like it was on fire, but in places, it felt cold. Freezing. I tried my best not to show any emotion. However, I know that I fucked up. Just like I fuck up everything. Because I’m a failure.
How long have I been here? I kept passing out, losing time… That wolfsbane was killing me — at first I thought it would be quick and full of pain. But no. It was slow. I guess I deserve a slow, painful death. It wasn’t worse than Tara, though. Nothing would be worse than Tara. However, I deserve all the pain that’s coming my way. I don’t deserve good things. It’s a good thing that they got me, not Malia. She had people that cared about her. She had a family. If I have to be honest, I don’t think that her father could take it twice. I’m glad that she didn’t come back.
“Hm, I guess they really don’t care,” the asshole shrugged. “How does it feel, huh? How does it feel, dog?!” He slapped me. “Answer me!” He yelled.
“F… Fuck… yo… u…” I grinned, showing my bloody teeth. That earned me another beating. Good. I deserve it. I provoked him some more, until I passed out again.
I opened my eyes, slowly. I could hear… Growls? Derek? What the hell? Am I dead? Why is my neck wet? Who’s sobbing?
“Theo?” Liam? What is he doing here? I must be dead. “Oh, god, Theo,” the Beta hugged me tight. I groaned in pain.
It was real. I did hear Derek. It is Liam. Why would they come for me? I’m not worth it. Why are they here? I looked at the werewolf, those beautiful baby blues looking at me, “L… Liam?” I whispered, my voice hoarse. He nodded quickly, pressing his hand to one of many wounds.
“Derek! Scott! Hurry!” I heard him scream. Everything around me felt weird. Wait. Liam’s crying, holding me… Am I dying? I am dying. It feels good to die in Liam’s arms. I don’t want him to cry for me, though.
“Don’t… Don’t cry, l… Little Beta,” I gasped out. I tried to lift my arm to touch him, but I couldn’t. I was in too much pain despite Liam taking most of it.
“D—don’t talk, okay? Save your strength,” he cried out. “Just... Stay awake, okay? Stay with me. Scott and Derek are going to help me get you out of here, okay? Stiles is waiting in his jeep, ready to go as soon as we get you out. Please… Don’t fall asleep.”
“I’ll… I’ll try,” I lied. I can feel it. My eyes were heavy. The wolfsbane slowly reaching my heart. “Liam… I don’t think—“
“Don’t say that,” he growled, interrupting me. “You’re going to be fine.”
“Liam…”
“Theo, no. You’re not dying. Even if I have to force Scott to bite you, okay? I don’t care. I just want you to live, okay? I have so much to show you and tell you. God, there are so many things I wanna tell you, Theo,” he clung to me.
“Li…” before I could finish, I closed my eyes. They were too heavy.
“—eo?!” that was all I heard before I fell asleep. But I won’t wake up this time.
It’s nice — dying in his arms. I couldn’t imagine a better death.