the ropes have been unbound

     He’d always feared the extent to which Gerard had WARPED his sister’s mind, but it’s only recently that he’s seen all of the damage. Their age gap allowed him to escape their father first, any and all influence from the man by far drowned out by a much SOFTER voice  ( their mother, with all her strength and grace, a woman who died before Kate could truly feel the warmth and light that radiated from her; before Kate had absorbed enough LOVE to be saved ).  He’s been beating himself up since his sister’s death, wishing for a way to make up for such despicable actions or find some far-fetched method of time travel that’ll let him go back and fix the mess Gerard made in Kate’s head. But perhaps only he himself is to blame. He should’ve been there all along. Abandoning his little sister was a bad call.

“Alison Argent. Went in for the alliteration, did you?” She’s curious about the girl, strangely. The way her father’s voice lingers on her name, the code she has chosen, this new turn of the Argent phrase. A long time ago there had been another life, another pack, hunters who could not discern between them. But the wolves knew - the wolves always knew. Knew Argent from Calavera, from every other group. Just more packs to remember, more words, more codes. She’d taken French in high-school just to keep up with the Argent lore, the history, as she knew she’d have to. Yet for all of her studying, she hadn’t learned to expect what his sister would do (hadn’t learned to expect what her uncle would do.) 

Her lip had lifted in a snarl at mention of Peter’s name, blood still bitter on her tongue. He had force-fed her death to her, she had not forgiven him. Had not spoken to him. Wanted to sink her claws into him more than she wanted nearly anything else. It was for Derek’s sake that she restrained herself. “My uncle killed me. Not sure there’s a bigger dividing line that that.” But the rest she will grudgingly admit - Chris and his daughter have proven themselves to Derek, she won’t judge them guilty for the crimes of their family.

            His name served only to confuse Derek. Until that bell was rung– but, it couldn’t be. There was no way… Laura? He was almost too scared to say her name out loud. Like it was some kind of cruel joke. But, before he even had a chance to reel himself in Derek felt the name tumbling from his lips. ❝Laura?❞ It had to be– but, it couldn’t be. There was no way for her to be back. Was there? 

          Taking a few more hesitant steps forward Derek narrowed his eyes until they adjusted to the dark. Turning on the lights seemed unnecessary at the moment and honestly he didn’t know that he would see OR how ready to face life Laura actually was. ❝Is it really— how did you— when— Laura what happened?❞

A bark of a laugh, hoarse and low. “Of course it’s me, stupid, who else would it be?” But she’s closer to crying than to laughing, keeping it in check as best she can.

Hesitant steps closer, trying not to startle him, knowing she must look more ghost than wolf. She wants to pull him into her arms but she won’t - can’t - not yet. (Doesn’t want to surprise him more than she has already, doesn’t want to leave the scent of death on his clothes.)

“I don’t know. Dont’ know how and I don’t really know when - a couple nights ago, I guess, I just...woke up.” And though she’s trying for a casual note, there’s something tense and straining in her voice, confused and lost as she has never been before, not even after the fire. Then, at least, she had known what to do: protect Derek, get him out of Beacon Hills, heal and wait. Now? Now, she has no clue at all. “I caught your scent, followed it here, but you were gone.”

“I can’t tell if the demented gleam in your eye is nostalgia or the thought of viciously maiming our enemies.”

“Live a little, Der, who says it’s not both?”

The thanks didn’t go unnoticed even a small smile tugged at the corner of his lips as a chuckle fell from lips. “Well it seems who ever my parents were they thought naming me after the gurdian of the Underworld was a good idea. None the less that’s my name Cer sits well with me as well.’” he teased, moving to stand after the wolf shook hands. “Laura? Well let me get a bag so I can strap it to my bike. Which way ya headed?” He asked, glancing up towards the ever so darkening clouds above. 

Who ever they were. That’s not a phrasing she could miss, but it’s none of her business. She doesn’t have time for stories, either - Derek’s going to be missing her soon enough, it’s going to start raining, there’s no use in asking questions like that of someone she’d just met. “The motel just off the highway. Just south of here.”