After Allison, Lydia, and Malia had lunch with Jacob in Serendell, they teleported back to the school's bathroom and made their way to the library to wait for their next class.
The library was empty. The three girls sat together, chatting quietly.
Then Jackson walked in.
He moved with purpose, ignoring Lydia and Malia completely as he sat down across from Allison. His eyes locked onto her with an unsettling intensity.
Allison's frown deepened. "What do you want, Jackson?"
Jackson leaned forward. "Why are you with him?"
Allison's expression hardened. "Excuse me?"
"Why are you in a relationship with that rich, pretty boy Alexander?" Jackson's voice dripped with contempt. "He's dating other bitches. He doesn't deserve you."
Malia's eyes flashed, and Allison's hands clenched into fists—but Lydia's telepathic voice cut through their anger.
[Girls, don't do anything yet. I don't think Jackson is the one talking. I think it's his master. And I think he has a crush on you, Allison. Which means we know him. Let him keep talking. We might figure out his identity.]
Allison forced herself to relax. She smiled. "Even though it's none of your business, I'll answer your question. I'm with Jay because I love him."
Jackson's face twisted with anger. "He's a monster. One day he'll turn on you."
Allison tilted her head innocently. "What do you mean he's a monster?"
"Don't act dumb." Jackson's voice rose. "I know all about your little furry secrets."
"Furry secrets?"
Jackson sneered. "That's right. I've learned a few secrets lately. Werewolves. Hunters. Scaly monsters." He laughed bitterly. "It's like a freaking Halloween party every full moon."
Allison's eyes narrowed slightly. "What do you mean you learned lately? Didn't you pay Scott and Stiles to help you get the bite from Peter? Haven't you known about werewolves for a long time?" She paused. "And you know Jay isn't a werewolf, don't you?"
Jackson's confidence wavered. He cleared his throat awkwardly. "O-of course I know about werewolves for a long time, and I know Alexander isn't a werewolf. He's a different kind of monster."
Allison shrugged. "Anyway, you don't have to worry about me, Jackson. And you're right—Jay is a monster. The ruthless kind. And he doesn't like it when people get too close to us." She smiled sweetly. "So you're in deep trouble. I'm going to tell him you were trying to hit on me. And that you called Lydia and Malia bitches."
Jackson glared at her. "I'm not scared of him. I'm not scared of anyone." He leaned closer, his voice dropping to a venomous whisper. "I'll kill those who killed me before. And I'll make you mine, Allison. I'll make that arrogant pretty boy pay for the pain he caused me." His breathing grew ragged. "I'll paralyze him and make him watch while I play with you three." His voice rose to a shout. "Then I'll crush his balls and cut off his dick and feed it to him! I'll make him wish he was dead!"
Lydia suddenly spoke, her voice calm and certain. "That's it."
Allison and Malia looked at her.
Malia cracked her knuckles. "Did you figure out who he is? Because I really want to kill him now."
Lydia stared into Jackson's eyes. "I know you're not Jackson. Jackson is dumb, but he's not dumb enough to provoke Jay. He's terrified of him."
Jackson's face flickered with panic. "I don't know what you're talking about, you crazy bitch! I am Jackson!"
Lydia smiled. "No, you're not. And I know who you really are." Her smile widened. "I think Jay would love to have a word with you."
Jackson's hand shifted—scales rippling across his skin, claws extending as it transformed into a Kanima's claw. He lunged at Lydia, aiming for her throat.
Before his hand could reach her, Malia caught his wrist.
Electricity surged from her palm. Jackson convulsed, screamed, and collapsed—unconscious.
Lydia pouted. "Hey! I could have protected myself."
Malia shrugged, unapologetic. "I know. I just really wanted to beat him."
Allison looked at Lydia. "So? Who's the Kanima's master?"
Lydia said, "Pretty sure it's Matt. You know, The creep Jay introduced to the joys of telekinetic ball-crushing a couple weeks back?" She raised an eyebrow. "He's obsessed with you, Allison. And he seemed really angry when he said he'll make Jay pay for the pain he caused him. He said he'll crush Jay's balls. That's too specific to be a coincidence."
Allison nodded slowly. "That makes sense." She pulled out her phone. "You tell Jay. I'll ask Cogman to find Matt."
While Lydia spoke to Jacob telepathically, Allison dialed Cogman.
Cogman answered immediately. "Good afternoon, my lady. What can I do for you?"
"Find a guy named Matt Daehler. And tell Jay his location."
Cogman's voice brightened. "Did he offend you, my lady? Shall I deal with him? There's no need to trouble sir..."
Allison cut him off. "Just tell Jay. And remember, you're still not allowed to fight or kill."
Cogman's sigh was audible even through the phone. "Fine. I'll find him and inform sir. Will that be all, my lady?"
"Yes." Allison ended the call and looked at Lydia. "Did you tell Jay?"
Lydia nodded. "Just did."
Allison dialed again. "Scott? Come to the library."
They waited. Soon, Scott and Tracy arrived, both staring at Jackson's unconscious form.
Scott looked up, confused. "What happened?"
Allison explained quickly, then left with Lydia and Malia for their next class.
Scott turned to Tracy. "Help me get him to my car."
Tracy's eyes widened. "What if someone sees us?"
"Then we wait until everyone's back in class. I'll take him out the back way—through the lacrosse field, into the woods." He handed her the keys. "Drive my car and meet me there."
Tracy took the keys. "Okay."
---
Meanwhile, Matt paced frantically in his room.
"Damn it!" He ran his hands through his hair. "Those bitches knew someone was controlling Jackson! They were just playing with me, trying to figure out who I am!" He punched the wall. "And they probably did!"
He paced faster. "That Malia Tate is a monster too! I don't know what she did to Jackson when she caught his arm, but I can't control him anymore!" His breathing grew ragged. "Damn it, damn it, damn it! What should I do?"
Matt started destroying things in his room—throwing books, punching walls, kicking furniture. The chaos echoed through the house.
A knock came at the door.
"Matt?" His mother's worried voice filtered through. "What's wrong? Open the door!"
Matt screamed, "Go away, Mom!"
She didn't leave. The knocking continued, accompanied by desperate pleas.
Matt yanked open the door, fury twisting his features. He tried to push past her, but she caught his arm.
"Matt, please—talk to me! What's happening?"
"I'm fine! Let me go!"
"Please, honey, just tell me what's wrong..."
In a burst of rage, he shoved her hard against the wall. The back of her head slammed into it, and she crumpled to the floor, unconscious.
Matt didn't even look back.
He stormed into his parents' room, grabbed a gun from the nightstand, and headed downstairs. He snatched his mother's car keys from the hook by the door and left.
As he drove, his mind raced. 'I need a hostage. Someone to bargain with. Lydia's mother? No—I don't know where she is.' He gripped the wheel tighter. 'The hospital—I'll go to the hospital and grab Scott's mother. If I remember correctly, she's a nurse. Then I'll wait until I can control Jackson again, and with his help, I'll catch the sheriff too. With both their parents in my hands, Stiles and Scott will have to help me deal with Alexander.'
He pressed the accelerator and sped toward Beacon Hills Memorial Hospital.
---
In the living room of the mansion, Jacob sat with Cogman, waiting.
Cogman's eyes were closed, his systems scanning every camera, every phone signal, every digital footprint in Beacon Hills. After a long moment, he opened them.
"Sir, I've found him. He appears to be heading toward Beacon Hills Memorial Hospital."
Jacob stood. "Alright. You stay here. I'll handle it."
Before Cogman could respond, Jacob teleported.
---
He appeared in Melissa's office on the top floor of the hospital. Empty. He followed their connection through the building, sensing her presence, and found her at the main entrance.
She was talking to Rafael McCall.
Jacob stepped into an empty room nearby, put on his nano mask, and adjusted his appearance to look older. Then he walked out and approached Melissa, wrapping his arms around her and kissing her.
Melissa rolled her eyes but kissed him back.
Jacob glanced at Rafael. "Who's this?"
Melissa sighed. "My ex-husband. Scott's father."
Jacob's eyebrows rose. "I thought he already left Beacon Hills. What does he want?"
"He says he wants to meet Scott. But what he really wants is to know where I got the money to buy the hospital."
Jacob smirked. "Is that so?"
Rafael studied Jacob with narrow eyes. "Was it you? Did you buy it for her?"
"Yes. Do you have a problem with that?"
Rafael's jaw tightened. "No. But I'd like to know who you are. Where you got that kind of money. Melissa may be my ex-wife, but she's still the mother of my son. I worry about her safety. About Scott's safety."
Jacob's smile didn't waver. "I'm her man. As for where I got my money? That's none of your business. And from now on, you don't need to worry about Melissa. She's happy with me. She's safe." He tilted his head. "If you want to talk to your son, find him yourself. Or call him."
Melissa stepped in. "Alright, Rafael. You can leave now. I'll let Scott know you want to see him. Whether he wants to see you or not? That's up to him. From now on, don't come to me. Call Scott directly if you want to meet." She took Jacob's hand and pulled him inside the hospital.
Rafael watched them go, then sighed and walked away.
---
Inside, Melissa handed Jacob the Memory Neuralyzer. "I already erased the pregnant woman's memories. Cogman gave her the money—I asked him to add another two hundred thousand. I hope you don't mind."
Jacob shook his head. "I don't mind at all."
Melissa studied him. "You said you weren't coming until evening. What are you doing here early? Just visiting, or is something else going on?"
Jacob's expression turned serious. "We figured out who the Kanima's master is."
Melissa's eyes widened. "Who?"
Jacob filled her in quickly. Then they positioned themselves near the entrance, waiting.
They didn't wait long.
Ten minutes later, Matt walked in. He approached the front desk and asked a nurse, "Excuse me, do you know a nurse named McCall?"
The nurse pointed directly at Melissa, who was standing nearby in her lady suit. "That's her. But she's no longer a—"
Matt cut her off with a quick, "Thank you." He walked straight to Melissa, not even glancing at Jacob, whose appearance was completely disguised.
He put on a scared, anxious expression. "Ma'am? Are you Scott's mother? He said you could help me."
Melissa played along. "Calm down. What kind of help do you need?"
"My mom—she's in the car. She needs help."
Melissa nodded. "Okay. Take me to her."
Matt turned and led her toward the parking lot. He noticed Jacob following and frowned. "Who's he?"
Melissa smiled. "My husband."
Matt's eyes flickered with satisfaction. 'Perfect. Now I can catch both of Scott's parents.'
He led them to the underground parking lot. When they reached his car, he checked that no one was watching, then pulled out his gun and aimed it at them.
"Get in the car. Drive to the Beacon Hills Preserve."
Jacob had been about to end things right there—but Matt's destination caught his interest. He held up his hands. "Okay. Just don't shoot."
Melissa raised an eyebrow at him. Jacob winked.
They got into the car. Matt climbed into the back seat, gun still aimed. "Drive."
Jacob started the engine and pulled out of the parking lot, heading toward the preserve.
Melissa's voice echoed in his mind. [Jay, why are you playing along? I thought you were going to deal with him in the parking lot.]
Jacob's telepathic response was calm, almost amused. [He called Allison and the others bitches. He said he wanted to crush my balls and cut off my dick. And now he tried to kidnap you. Since he asked us to drive to the preserve, I'm going to show him a really good time there.]
[As fun as that sounds, I don't want to watch.]
[Don't worry. I'll teleport you back to the hospital as soon as we arrive.]
Melissa settled into her seat, a small smile playing on her lips as she looked at the anxious Matt in the rear-view mirror. 'Poor bastard has no idea what he got himself into.'
To be continued… 😊