Metanoia | 𝑻𝒆𝒆𝒏 𝒘𝒐𝒍𝒇

Three things cannot be long hidden

Grace snorted and demonstratively held her cuffed hand up a bit. "Oh can't you tell I'm having So. much. fun. right now?"

"We're just trying to help you," he murmured, at which she lowered her gaze. She knew she was being unfair again, yet she wanted to take advantage of the second chance life had given her and not fall back into old patterns. She sighed, "I'm sorry."

In fact, she wasn't sorry for anything. Stiles should be sorry, and her dad. After all, they had both kept an entire world from her. A world they apparently didn't want her in. The tiredness faded and was replaced by anger, which made her chest swell. A silver beam of light fell through the window, illuminating the basement room as Liam's human screams crossed with an animalistic growl.

Loud roars echoed off the walls, giving only a hint of what was going on in the next room. Again and again, Malia's eyes began to glow uncontrollably, but as soon as Stiles reached for her hand, they went out again. Grace had not seen this color before, it was of such intense blue, like the dark sea on which the full moon shone. They could have been pretty if she didn't know their back story.

Through all the commotion, Grace was still sitting, downright bored. She hadn't moved from the spot and the iron around her wrist had warmed up by now due to her body heat. Her legs were bent and she clutched her knees with both hands, digging her fingertips into her jeans. She just wanted to get home.

Stiles had stepped up beside her and settled down next to her. Because nothing had happened. Nothing at all. Gently, he put his hand on her wrist, where the handcuffs were. "Do you feel anything now?"

"I'm just tired," she mumbled, looking at her brother with her blue eyes. They were alone now, as Malia had gone over to help Liam, who, judging by his sounds, wasn't exactly in control of himself. "Can we please go home?"

Stiles hesitated. Suddenly, he lashed out with his other arm as if he was going to punch her in the face with his bare fist. Just before the tip of her nose, he stopped and nothing but a breeze brushed her skin.

"Stop that," she growled a little startled and merely scowled at him, but she hadn't turned into a monstrous beast because of that provocation.

"All right, all right," he muttered, and actually began to unlock the cuffs. Relieved, Grace rubbed her wrist, into whose flesh the iron had pressed, leaving red marks.

"So you're not a werewolf," Stiles finally stated with the hint of relief in his expression, scratching the back of his neck sheepishly. "So, uh... Congratulations?"

Rolling her eyes, Grace turned away. "But does that make it any easier?"

"No," her brother confirmed thoughtfully, and fell silent. It went on like that for a while. The two siblings merely listened to the growls, the roars, and the insults Liam kept hurling at the others. Again, Grace began to roll the pebble. "I'm sorry I wasn't there for you.... I just... I guess I just couldn't stand losing you, too."

"It's all right," he murmured, though he didn't look like he actually felt that way. She was surprised when he looked up and gave her the hint of a tiny smile. "It's not like I go to your yearly check-ups. But believe me when I say I'm always glad when everything is okay."

Grace swallowed down the lump forming in her throat. A tugging sensation in her nose and the burning of her eyes told her that tears were coming. She averted her eyes,. "What did you actually have then? It has something to do with everything you couldn't tell me, doesn't it?"