3. Rule #1: Don't Piss Off the Witch

Come away little loss come away to the waterTo the ones that are waiting only for youCome away little loss come away to the waterAway from the life that you always knewWe are calling to youCome away little light come away to the darkness ~ Come Away to the Water ~ Maroon 5

Well I've got thick skin and an elastic heartBut your blade it might be too sharpI'm like a rubber band until you pull too hardBut I may snap when I move close ~ Elastic Heart ~ Sia

"So...dad kidnapped you? And tied you up in the Hale house? And made you cut your way out with nothing but an arrowhead?" Cody asked her sister skeptically.

"Yes," said Allison, collapsing in a heap on Cody's bed. "It was terrifying and it took me two and half hours. He said it was the start of my training."

"Hmm," Cody hummed, unsure what to say. She went back to reading her chemistry book.

"Why isn't dad training you?" asked Allison.

"I'm a witch," said Cody without looking up from her homework. "Hunting is not in my blood."

"I guess..." said Allison. "You just set werewolves on fire with your mind."

"Why does everyone keep throwing that in my face?" Cody mumbled. "It's not like it was a crime against humanity. Besides, the one who killed him was Derek." Allison opened her mouth to speak but Cody talked over her. "Who I still don't want to talk about, by the way."

Cody hadn't talked to her sister about her magic, at least not in full detail. Allison had no idea what Cody was capable of.

"Has mom or dad said anything else about it?" asked Cody. "My magic, I mean."

"No," said Allison.

"It's like their just hoping it will go away," grumbled Cody.

Allison shrugged. "I guess they just didn't think you'd be so powerful."

"They didn't think I'd ever find out," said Cody. "Now they don't know what to do with me." Allison didn't have anything else to say.

The next morning Cody woke up to a note on her desk.

Meet me at my house at noon. I have something for you.-Der

She narrowed her eyes at the note, then glanced at her window, which was still open just a crack. Why hadn't he just woken her up? She found it rather creepy that he had just let himself into her room in the middle of the night. She shook her head, telling herself she wouldn't go. She needed distance.

***

Cody watched as Stiles climbed up the rock wall in gym. He wasn't bad, which was saying something considering it was Stiles. He climbed pretty quickly, as opposed to Erica Reyes who got ten feet off the ground and froze. She was struggling, her breathing quickening as she tried not to cry. Cody could feel her pulse rising, the panic radiating off of her.

"Hey, you can do it, Erica," she encouraged from her spot on the ground. Erica continued to panic.

"She's freaking out," said Lydia.

Cody snapped at her, "That is not helpful, Lydia."

"Erica!" coach called up.

"I'm fine!" called Erica, her voice shaking. She still didn't move.

"Coach," said Allison. "Maybe it's not safe. You know she's epileptic."

"Why doesn't anyone tell me this stuff?" Coach scoffed. "Erica, it's okay. Just push off the wall. There's a mat to catch you."

Cody tried to channel a calm feeling towards Erica, but it didn't seem to be working. She was still panicking, on the verge of tears. Slowly, she kicked off, landing on the mat. She looked down at the ground as she began to walk away, kids laughing behind her.

"Hey," said Cody, trying to grab her attention. "Are you okay?" Erica didn't answer, just walked past.

Cody was in the locker room when she felt, a tremor in her fingers. She took off running into the gym, her sneakers slipping against the slick floor. She reached her hands to help Erica, who was shaking on the wall, but Scott was there to catch her first.

"How did you know?" asked Stiles.

"I just felt it," said Scott, looking at Cody with questioning eyes.

"Me too," she said.

***

Cody was pretty irritated she was not invited to go ice skating with Stiles, Scott, Allison, and Lydia.

"It's a double date," said Stiles.

"No it's not," Cody scoffed. "It's Allison and Scott going on a date and you and Lydia going with them so it doesn't look like they're dating."

"Whatever," said Stiles, shutting his locker. "You'd still be a fifth wheel."

Cody rolled her eyes. "Well, why can't I bring someone?"

Stiles fixed her with a skeptical look. "And which one of your suitors were you planning to bring? The murdering alpha werewolf? Or the murdering beta fugitive werewolf?"

"I know other guys," snapped Cody. Stiles raised his eyebrows. "Okay, fine, I don't. But it would be nice if I was included anyway."

"Well, you're not going," said Stiles. "Come on, I gotta go get something from Boyd."

The two walked into the cafeteria and sat down at Boyd's table.

"Hey, Boyd," she greeted with a smile. He smiled back.

"You got the keys?" asked Stiles.

Boyd held them out and Stiles grabbed them, but Boyd didn't let go.

"This isn't a favor," he said. "This is a transaction."

"Oh, right," said Stiles. He pulled a twenty out of his pocket and put it on the table.

Boyd looked at it, then back up at Stiles. "I said fifty."

"R-really?" said Stiles. "I remember twenty." Even Cody gave him a look. "I have a very good memory and I distinctly remember twenty. I remember the tw sound."

Boyd glared. "I said fifty. The fu sound. Hear the difference? I could demonstrate some other words with the fu sound." Cody chuckled.

"No, no," said Stiles, scratching his buzzcut head. "I remember it now. Maybe I just got it confused with forty." He slapped another twenty down on the table.

Cody narrowed her eyes. "Seriously, Stiles? You're really that cheap?"

Boyd continued to eat his chips until Stiles put the full amount on the table. He smiled wide and Stiles got up with a huff, dragging Cody with him.

"Bye, Boyd," she said with another smile.

They sat down at Scott's table.

"Got 'em," said Stiles, putting the keys down on the table. "Right after you get off work tonight we'll meet at the rink, cool?" Scott nodded.

"I still find it very rude I wasn't invited," said Cody. "Don't forget I could kill you all with my mind."

"Yeah," said Stiles. "And considering you don't like Lydia that's why I'm not letting you anywhere near her. She'd end up cursed or some shit."

Cody rolled her eyes. "Come on Stiles. I'm a passive aggressive creature. I wouldn't curse Lydia. I would just bless everyone around her."

Scott stopped their conversation by nodding to the doorway to get a view of what was coming towards them. It was Erica, but it didn't look like Erica. Cody knew what happened immediately, just from her senses. She had the bite. Erica had on a pair of trashy leopard print heels, a tiny black skirt, and a leather jacket that Cody was relieved to see was too small to be Derek's.

Jealousy bubbled in Cody's stomach as she suddenly felt inadequate in her ripped jeans and ratty t-shirt. She had to remind herself that she was the one that shot Derek's pack offer down. If he wanted to replace her with a tacky blonde in bad red lipstick he could. It wasn't Cody's problem.

"What the holy hell is that?" Lydia asked.

Scott continued to stare. "It's Erica."

Erica strutted in, walking over to a helpless boy, grabbing the apple off his lunch tray, and taking a huge bite. She made sure everyone's eyes were on her as she strutted out. They got up and followed her out the front doors. She pulled the door to Derek's Camaro open and got in, a smug smile on her face the whole time. Derek grinned at them, then sped away.

Cody tried to control herself, tried to stem the flow of anger, jealousy and hurt that was coursing through her. She tried. A window next to her shattered.

"Oh, 'doesn't like him,' she says. Not in love with him at all. But he's suddenly turning other girls hot and she's breaking windows," said Stiles.

Cody turned to him sharply, a harsh gust of wind hitting only him. He cringed. "Shut up, Stiles," she all but growled.

***

Cody was walking home, her headphones plugged into her ears. She turned down an alleyway, a shortcut home. Before she could even blink the headphones were pulled out of her ears and she was pushed up against the brick wall. She glared, then recognized the chiseled face smirking down at her.

"Derek!" she snapped. "I was about to kill you!"

He chuckled, still keeping her pinned to the wall and in such close proximity. "You didn't get my note?"

"No, just ignored it," she said, trying to keep her breath even as his hands got closer and closer to her hips.

His smile widened. "Your heartbeat is rising." His hands landed firmly on her hips. "Making you nervous?"

She glared. "No."

"You're not a good liar." He was so close, practically whispering in her ear. "You didn't want my present?"

"And what did I do to deserve a present from you?" She asked, her breathlessness betraying her. "Shouldn't you be giving presents to Erica, or was the bite all she gets?"

He was still smiling, much to Cody's dismay. His nose skimmed along her cheek, his fingers still resting firmly on her hips. "Oh, so you're jealous."

She pushed him away then, getting several much needed feet between them. "I am not," snapped Cody.

Derek sighed. "Come on, Power-trip. When are you going to stop trying to lie to me? You're jealous ."

"You mean like how you're jealous of Isaac?" she snapped back.

"Why would I be jealous of Isaac?" asked Derek. "He's a beta. I'm the alpha." He smiled again.

"That's not what it's about. It's about me," she threw back. His smile faded.

"Fine," snapped Derek. "Maybe I don't want my beta looking at you like that. I was here first."

"I'm not the last piece of candy you can just call dibs on, Derek! Besides," Cody challenged. "What if it's Isaac I want, and not you?"

He cracked a grin again. "Well, if that were true I'd back off. But you and I both know it's not." They stared at each other for a minute more. "Besides, I know this present is something you'll want."

She watched as he reached in to his jacket pocket and pulled out a frayed, leather bound book. He held it out to her. She stared at him.

"What is it?" she asked, her interest piqued.

"Why don't you take it and find out." His voice was so smooth, so convincing.

Slowly, tentatively, she reached out and took hold of it. She could tell this wasn't an ordinary book. She could feel its power shaking her hand.

"Is this a-a spell book?" she asked, examining the intricate symbols on the cover.

"The proper name is a grimoire," said Derek. "I thought it would be useful."

Cody gripped the book tightly in her hand. "Where did you get this?"

"You know, it's rude to question a gift," he said, taking several steps towards her.

"Why are you giving this to me?"

He chuckled. "Didn't I just say it was rude to question a gift?" He reached out to stroke her cheek, and she let him. "Just say 'thank you.'"

She sighed, involuntarily leaning into his touch. "Thanks, Der."

He tucked her hair behind her ear. "You're welcome, little witch." He turned to leave and she watched him go.

***

Cody caught up with Stiles and Scott as they were racing down the aisle. She didn't get half of her question out before Scott was answering it.

"It's Boyd," he said in a rush. "That's Derek's third beta. I'm going to go to the ice rink and see if he's there." He turned to Stiles. "And if he's not at home you call me."

Stiles paused. "Well...maybe we should let him." Scott gaped at his friend. "You said Derek's giving them a choice. He asked you right Cody? And you gotta admit Erica looks pretty good."

"No she doesn't," snapped Cody. The boys ignored her.

"Well, she won't look good with a wolfs bane bullet in her head," snapped Scott. "I can't let this get out of control."

"Alright," said Stiles. "But take Cody. If you need any help she can unleash her witchy voodoo and set everything on fire." Cody rolled her eyes and smacked him on the chest. He continued talking to Scott. "By the way, this new found heroism is making me very attracted to you. You wanna try making out? Just to see how it feels?"

Scott pushed him towards the door.

"How come no one's attracted to my heroism?" Cody scoffed.

***

Boyd was on the ice when they got there.

"Boyd!" Scott called. "I just want to talk." Boyd ignored him, so Scott and Cody moved closer. "Come on Boyd, please. Did Derek tell you everything? And I don't just mean going out of control on the full moon. I mean everything!"

Boyd stopped working. "He told me about the hunters," said Boyd, his eyes flashing to Cody.

"And that's not enough for you to say no?" Boyd looked away. "Whatever you want, there's other ways to get it."

"I just want to not eat lunch alone every day," said Boyd.

"Well," said Cody. "You could have tried 'hey Cody, you're weird and nerdy and your only friends are Scott and Stiles. Want to hang out?'"

"Come on, Boyd," said Scott. "If you're looking for friends you can do a lot better than Derek."

"That really hurts, Scott," said a voice. They whipped around and there was Derek, Erica and Isaac on his heels. Cody refused to meet Isaac's eyes. this was way too weird. "I mean, if you're going to review me," Derek continued. "At least take a consensus." He gestured to his betas. "Erica? How has life been for you since we met?"

Erica twirled her hair. "In a word, transformative." She growled.

Cody rolled her eyes. "Damn, give a girl a slutty outfit and she thinks she's hot shit." She knew that was crossing the line, but she couldn't help it. She needed that dig.

"Aw," cooed Erica. "Don't be jealous. You missed your chance, Codykins."

Cody eyes blazed. "Don't call me that." 

"What about you, Isaac?" asked Derek.

"Well," said Isaac. "I'm a little bummed about being a fugitive. But other than that, I'm great."

"Come on, guys," said Cody. "He turned you into a bunch of guard dogs. And he'll leave you out in the street when things start to get tough."

Erica smirked. "Maybe he just likes us better than you."

"Please, honey. You think he doesn't still want me? You're a real downgrade compared to me."

Erica charged, her fangs bared as she growled. She threw Cody across the rink and she hit the ice with a thud.

"Guys," said Scott. "This isn't exactly a fair fight."

Derek smirked. "Then go home."

Cody looked up, and when her fiery eyes landed on Erica the ice cracked, forming a deep, menacing looking line between the two girls. "He meant for them," sneered Cody.

At Derek's nod the two betas started coming towards Scott and Cody.

Cody stood, glaring. She could feel the power rushing through her. "Come on, Erica," she said. "Didn't anyone ever teach you supernatural etiquette? Rule number one," she raised her hands. "Don't piss off the witch."

Erica flew back all the way across the rink, hitting the opposite wall. She stood, continuing to come at Cody. Cody raised her hand again and a spark ignited on Erica's shirt. Erica screamed.

Cody smiled, her eyes trailing to Derek, who was watching the fight unfold. Her gaze seemed to say look how easy that was. Look how simple it was for me to take down your beta. She stopped the flame, then through Erica at Derek's feet.

"He's just doing this to get more power!" yelled Scott, throwing Isaac down next to Erica.

"You're right," said Derek. He made his way towards Scott, his claws extending and eyes turning red. "It is about power."

He slashed at Scott, cutting open his stomach. Punches flew, blood ran. Derek slammed Scott onto the ice, then raised his hand to deliver another blow.

"Stop it, both of you!" shouted Cody, her hands raised as she grabbed them, stopping their movements. "Go," she said, pushing Derek away. "Go!"

He turned and walked away. Boyd went to follow.

"Don't," said Scott, spitting out blood. "You don't want to be like them."

"You're right," said Boyd, lifting up his shirt to reveal his bite. "I want to be like you."

When Derek got to the door he turned back, his eyes locking with Cody's. "Come on, little witch. I know you want to." She didn't move. "It'll be everything you think it will. Everything you want." Cody tried not to look too much into his words, otherwise she would question if she would get him too. Did he come with the package? Part of her wanted to go and find out. But she stood her ground.

She shook her head. "I told you. I don't belong in a pack. I belong to myself."

Derek smiled. "I like a girl who knows what she wants." Cody caught the double meaning in his words. "If you change your mind, you know where to find me." He turned and left, his betas right behind him.

(^ Cody beating the crap out of Erica)