After returning to the ranch, Isaac and Scott went straight to the pack house and found the rest of the pack already there. As everyone gathered for dinner, they shared what had happened—their encounter with the Kanima, and more importantly, the three masked freaks behind it.
Not long after, Stiles and his group returned to the ranch empty-handed, having failed to track down Donovan. They joined the others at the table.
The next morning, over breakfast, Lydia spoke up.
"This morning, I had a dream—or more like a banshee trance." She said. "There was a book. It's called 'The Dread Doctors', and I think it's about the three guys in gas masks who are turning people into chimeras. We probably need to read it."
Erica leaned in, curious. "Do you know who wrote it? Maybe we should talk to the author too."
Lydia nodded. "The book is credited to T.R. McCammon, but his real name is Gabriel Valack. That's all I got from the vision."
Deaton said. "I know Valack. He is a crazy doctor who performed trephination on his own head at some point in his life..."
Isaac cut him off and asked. "What's trephination?"
Melissa answered. "A surgical procedure that involves creating a hole in the skull."
Deaton nodded. "Exactly, he drilled a hole in his forehead to expose his third eye. The eye gave him a powerful form of extrasensory perception. This allowed him to see events as they happened in the past, present, and future, even if he wasn't physically present at the time and place where the event occurred."
Deaton continued. "Valack also has the ability to share his visions with others when they make eye contact with his third eye."
Derek frowned. "Wait, Doc. Was the eye... his? Like, always inside his head? Or did he take it from another human or supernatural creature and implant it inside his head?"
Stiles, chewing his food, said. "Yeah, Doc. Where did the third eye come from?"
Deaton shrugged. "No idea. Maybe he stole it from another creature, or maybe... it's his and it was always there."
Stiles raised an eyebrow. "So... if it was his, does that mean we all have a hidden third eye in our skulls?"
Everyone gave Stiles a weird look.
Allison grimaced. "Stiles, we're eating, so stop saying disgusting things. Having a third eye inside my head is something I don't want to ever think about."
Scott looked at Stiles and said. "Well, if you're really that curious, I'm sure Deaton and his sister would love to drill into your head to find out. And don't worry—you'll heal after they're done with you."
Deaton chuckled. "Scott is right. Marin and I would welcome you anytime in our lab back at the company. I'm actually curious myself, so how about you come with me to the lab this morning?"
Stiles choked on his food. "No thanks. I'm good."
Deaton leaned in. "Are you sure? If you're busy this morning, I can wait until tonight. Or whenever you're free."
"I will never be free for that." Stiles said firmly. "If you need a guinea pig, use Peter."
Peter narrowed his eyes. "Don't drag me into this, you little shit. If you want to fight, just say it."
Stiles smirked. "Then let's fight. Whoever loses has to get his skull drilled."
Peter snorted. "I'm not an idiot. You've absorbed more powers than I have. Let me catch up first. But even if I lose, there's no way anyone's drilling my head."
"Coward." Stiles said with a grin.
Lydia groaned. "Enough, both of you. Doc, do you know where Valack is now?"
Deaton nodded. "Like I said, he's crazy, so he's in Eichen House."
Lydia said. "Then I'll go talk to him after school."
"I'm coming with you." Stiles said. "I really want to see that third eye."
With that, they all finished their breakfast and went about their day.
---
After school, Scott and Allison headed to the animal clinic. Lydia and Stiles went to Eichen House to talk to Valack, while the rest of the pack returned to the ranch. Liam stayed behind at school.
He made his way to the lacrosse field and waited there for Hayden. He had decided it was time to tell her about the supernatural world—so he could protect her properly. But as the sky darkened, Liam began to think she wasn't going to show up.
Just as he turned to leave, Hayden arrived.
She crossed her arms and said. "So what do you want to tell me that's so important? And if it's not important and you made me miss my shift at work for nothing, I swear I'll kick your ass."
Liam, suddenly nervous, said. "Believe me, it's important. Like, life-and-death important. So… please hear me out."
"I'm listening."
Liam muttered. "How do I even say this… it's… it's about…"
"Will you hurry up?" She interrupted. "I don't have all night."
He sighed. "Okay. Here goes nothing. What if I told you the supernatural is real?"
Hayden frowned. "Are you kidding me? That's what you called me out here for? I'm leaving."
"No, wait!" Liam said. "I'm serious. I can prove it to you!"
But Hayden had already started walking away. "I don't want you to prove anything. And stay away from me from now on."
But when Liam was still hesitating and Hayden walked away from him, a black wolf suddenly appeared in front of Hayden, growling at her.
She screamed and ran back toward Liam.
Liam heard her scream and saw the wolf chasing her. His eyes glowed bright yellow, and a low growl rumbled from his chest.
Hayden stumbled to a stop, staring in shock. Liam's eyes were glowing, his fangs were bared, and fur had appeared along the sides of his face. He didn't look human anymore.
Terrified, she froze.
"Don't be afraid." Liam said, stepping toward her. "I won't hurt you. Just get behind me—I'll handle this bastard. Then I'll explain everything."
He gently took her hand and pulled her behind him. Then he turned back to the black wolf, baring his fangs.
"I don't know who you are." Liam growled. "But you just made a big mistake coming after her. And you're going to pay for it."
The wolf stopped and stared at Liam for a moment before turning to leave.
But Liam moved in a blur, appearing beside the wolf and grabbing its tail.
"Where do you think you're going?"
With a roar, he slammed the wolf into the ground, then swung it left and right like a ragdoll until it started coughing up blood.
After one final slam, Liam let go. The wolf hit the ground hard—and shifted back into human form.
It was Theo.
Liam got even angrier. "It's you, bastard!"
He straddled Theo's chest and began punching him in the face.
Hayden rushed over. "Liam, stop! You're going to kill him!"
When he didn't respond, she grabbed his shoulder. "Stop! He's dying!"
Liam wasn't losing control—just overwhelmed by anger. But her touch snapped him out of it. He stopped, stood up, and kicked Theo aside.
"I'll deal with you later." He growled.
Then he turned to Hayden. "Don't worry. He won't die. He's a werewolf—like me. We have supernatural healing. Look, he's already healing."
Hayden looked at the bruised, naked Theo and noticed his bloody face slowly beginning to heal.
"He's really healing…" She whispered.
Liam turned to Theo. "Why did you attack her?"
Theo groaned as he sat up and spat blood. His face was still a mess despite the healing. "Damn it... I was just trying to help you."
Liam narrowed his eyes. "What do you mean?"
"I overheard you talking to her earlier. I saw her walk off after you told her about the supernatural. I thought I'd help you prove it to her." Theo muttered.
"Mind your own business." Liam snapped. "I was going to handle it myself. Now get lost before I lose control and do something I'll regret."
Theo stood up with difficulty. He opened his mouth to say something else, but Liam growled at him.
Theo wisely backed off in silence, thinking. 'How is he that strong? I didn't even get the chance to fight back. Is everyone in Scott's pack this powerful—or is Liam something special? Damn it.'
Once Theo was gone, Liam—still in werewolf form—turned to Hayden.
Hayden took a step back, panicked. "Are you going to lose control… like you just said?"
Liam shook his head and gently took her hand. "No, I was just scaring him."
He guided her hand to his cheek. "I don't bite, I promise."
Hayden slowly traced the fur along his jaw, then curiously pressed her finger to his bottom lip and pulled it down to look at his fangs.
"Okay." Liam said, chuckling. "I think you've seen enough."
He shifted back to his normal form and asked. "Do you believe me now?"
Hayden blinked. "Yes… or maybe this is all just a dream."
Liam smirked and pinched her cheek. She swatted his hand away. "Hey! What do you think you're doing?"
"Proving this isn't a dream." He grinned. "Now come on—let's go somewhere to talk. I'll tell you everything you want to know."
"Where should we go?" She asked.
Liam scratched the back of his head. "We could go to my place, but my mom's home and she definitely won't let us talk in peace."
"Then come to my house." Hayden offered. "My sister's working a night shift and probably won't come home until morning."
"Alright." Liam said, stepping a little closer. "But before that…"
He leaned in and hugged her waist, about to kiss her—when Hayden suddenly punched him in the face.
She said. "What do you think you're doing?"
Liam yelped. "Ouch! I was trying to kiss you, obviously. I like you, and I know you like me even though it's hard to tell."
Hayden smiled and kissed him. He was surprised but gladly returned the kiss.
After they separated, he asked. "So, what was the punch for?"
"What do you think?" She snapped. "I came here thinking you would ask me out, but you started talking about supernatural stuff. I thought you were making fun of me, I felt embarrassed and heartbroken. You deserved that punch!"
Liam rubbed his cheek and gave a sheepish smile. "Okay… I guess I deserved that."
He slipped his arms around her waist again. "Can we kiss again? But please don't punch me this time."
Hayden smiled and kissed him.
When they finally separated, he smiled. "So… are we good?"
Hayden nodded. "We're good. Now let's go. I want to know everything."
They walked off toward her house, hand in hand, ready to talk about the supernatural. And Liam was hoping… they might do a little more than just talk.
To be continued... 😊