Alpha, Beta, Omega

“NO! Please no!” I cried out, trying to get out of Aiden’s grasp.

“Shut it, jeez,” Aiden said throwing me into the freezer.

I sat there dazed for a moment, grasping at anything. My fingers danced across the cold, plastic and metal of the large freezer. My fingers curled around the edge of the freezer as I tried to pull my weakened body out of my confines. Deucalion walked over to me and slapped his cane against my knuckles, causing me to draw my hand back and hold it against my chest, wincing in pain.

“You have two options, turn into an Astley wolf or die.” Deucalion’s cold voice said standing over me.

“Why in here?!” I asked, my voice quivering as I searched the room for anything that could help me out of here, but all I was met with was Kali’s and Aiden’s eyes staring back at me.

“Because you have no hope of escaping, no hope of anyone hearing you. No hope of comfort.” Deucalion stepped back and waved his hand slightly in my direction. Aiden walked over to me and looked into my eyes briefly.

“Please,” I mouthed through tears streaming down my face. His eyes darted up to the lid as his hand pushed my shoulder down and he shut the top on me. I closed my eyes tightly trying to forget what was happening. I sobbed loudly as I listened to their muffled voices and chain clanking against the top of the freezer. I opened my eyes and was met with complete darkness. I cried my heart out that night, stuck in a freezer. I knew how Isaac felt, I knew that I was going to die in here. I would never get to say goodbye to Scott, never get to kiss Isaac again or tell my mom how grateful I was for her.

That is when the panic set in and I beat the sides of the freezer. I kicked the top as hard as I could but all I could hear was the sound of shifting chains. I screamed out in agony and fear, screaming at the top of my lungs, hoping for a miracle.

___________________

ISAAC POV

I laid there on her bed, staring at the ceiling. I was guilty and confused. I knew she was gone, she had been missing for more than a week and by usual statistics that wasn’t a positive sign. I was trying to cope with the fact that all we might find is her body, and I wasn’t ashamed to let a few tears fall down my face. I could hear Melissa crying in the room over, sobbing her eyes out. Scott had told me that she often held a picture of her baby girl and would cry herself to sleep. I would often find Scott standing outside her door with his back pressed against the wall.

At times I would find her sitting on Harper’s bed, taking in her scent and her room. But at night, this was my sanctuary. We had shared so many intimate moments here, that the only way for me to stay sane was to close my eyes and imagine her breath against my neck as I soaked in her scent. I sighed opening my eyes and staring back at the dark ceiling.

On the other hand I had these conflicting feelings for Allison. I felt something for her, I’m not sure if it was because she had just lost someone and I had too. But when I looked at her, I longed to hold her hand or embrace her. But when I looked at her face all I could see was Harper ; they were so similar. Maybe that is the reason I latched onto Allison, was because she reminded me of my Harper. I needed to feel whole because this black hole was eating me alive and sadness consumed my every thought. I needed a distraction, and with Scott’s constant optimism that we would find Harper, I was drained.

“We’re not going to find Harper, are we?” I heard Scott’s voice, barely above a whisper from the door of Harper’s room. I sat up and looked at him.

“I don’t know,” I said rubbing the back of my neck.

“What happens if I have to burry my baby sister?” he asked.

I looked up to him, the same question in my head. “We have to keep fighting for her,” was my answer.

“I’m losing the fight,” Scott said looking up at me. Tears started rolling down his face. “This isn’t just someone I know from school, this is my best friend, my confidant.”

I stood up my Harper’s bed and walked over to Scott. I placed my hand on his shoulder, reassuring him that I knew his pain.

“You can have her room tonight,” I said giving him a half smile. He nodded his head and gave me the slightest of smiles back as I stepped out of her room and he stepped in. Falling onto her bed I heard his muffled sobs as I made my way back to the guest bedroom.

_______________________

I didn’t know how much time had passed since I was in the freezer. I had evidently exhausted myself and felt into a fitful sleep that I woke up too in a freezer. I had plenty of time to think about my family, my friends and everything that I was missing.

“Has anything happened?” I heard one of the twins say, although it was muffled.

“I haven’t heard anything in awhile,” the other replied. I was unable to tell them apart.

“Do you think she’s dead?” I could hear one of the boys say, barely above a whisper.

“No, not yet.” Kali’s distinct voice came in.

“She’s becoming accustomed to the freezer, it doesn’t scare her anymore.” I heard someone say.

I rolled my eyes, knowing fully well that they couldn’t see me but it brought me some peace.

“Well, the full moon is coming up. Derek will be dead and we will have our Astley.” I could hear Deucalion’s voice. He slammed his cane on the top of the freezer and I jumped, startled by the sudden outburst.

“Don’t give her anymore water,” Deucalion ordered. “Let’s see if death brings us our Astley.”

___________________

ISAAC POV

“So wait, the five circles represent Virgins, Warriors, Healers, Philosophers and...”

“Guardians.” Allison said.

Isaac looked over to her, the fear in her eyes was heavy and prevalent. He felt his heart skip in his chest as she stood close. If he closed his eyes he could imagine that it was Harper next to him.

“Isaac, do you know what the last name of the Astley means?” Allison asked, looking over to him.

Isaac shook his head indicating that he didn’t have a clue.

“Well, it’s an old english name, dating back thousands of years. They first showed up in the United States when Custos Astley started working with the Native Americans to educate them in the ways of the settlers. To better protect themselves, he also taught them English. One of the chiefs of his tribe asked him to become a member and such he did, mating with a woman who happened to be half human, half wolf. What we know today as a werewolf.”

“Look Allison, this is interesting and all but I don’t see how this is important to the Darach’s plan.” Isaac interjected.

“The important part to know is that Custos means guardian in latin. Custos Astley created one of the first ongoing lines of werewolves, and was tasked with protecting those who could not protect themselves. The Astley name was created by a man whose literal name was Guardian.”

Isaac’s eyes went wide. “So what you’re trying to tell me is, is that Harper is a guardian.”

“The ultimate for any creature. Human, werewolf or Darach. It’s some process when the shift for the first time who their allegiance falls to. Since she has no direct family her allegiance can fall anywhere. “ Allison informed him.

Isaac ran a hand through his hair, pacing the length of the room back and forth. “So Deucalion wants her, Jennifer wants her! And we need her!” He said his voice filled with panic.

“We need to get the school, lets go!” Allison said grabbing Isaac’s hand and yanking him out the door.

_____________

The performance for those who had been murdered was organized by Ms. Blake. Everyone who was attending could feel the weird tension that hung in the room, as a mysterious air of uncertainty twirled around Scott, Stiles and Lydia. Scott shot a questioning glance at Allison and Isaac as they entered.

“Astley’s are guardians Scott,” Isaac said whispering to his friend in the middle of the performance.

“What does that mean in the context of everything?” He asked back.

“That the Darach wants her...”

“To sacrifice?” Scott sharply said.

“We don’t know yet,” Isaac said.

“What do you mean you don’t know. Pretty freaking important information to find out don’t you think?” Stiles said popping his head into the conversation.

Scott nodded his head agreeing as Isaac glared at Stiles. “This isn’t your concern.”

“Really Isaac?” Stiles snapped. “Last time I checked I had known Harper her entire life and you for two years so really don’t play this game against me!”

“Stop it both of you!” Scott said interjecting. But everyone’s attention was turned to the stage as the pianist was banging on keys. In a split second one of the wires snapped and sliced her throat causing her to fall back from the seat into a pool of her own blood.
They heard a screaming in the distance, but trying to navigate your way through a crowd rushing out in panic wasn’t easy. Isaac rounded the corner and saw no sign of anyone but he had noticed the screaming stop abruptly.

He searched classrooms and empty hallways but found nothing until he came to Ms. Blakes classroom.

“She took my dad,” Stiles said staring blankly at the broken window as Lydia sat stunned in a chair her hand holding onto her neck.

“Who?” Isaac asked.

“The Darach.” Stiles replied.

“Yeah but who is it?”

“It’s Ms. Blake,” Lydia said choking on her own words as he rubbed her tender neck.

“The guardians...” Isaac trailed off saying.

“She screamed the Harper was next. In order to beat the Alphas, she needs one of her own.” Scott said to Isaac watching as his eyes widened with fear.

“We need Derek’s help.”

“We need more than Derek’s help, we need a miracle.” Scott whispered.