Chapter 75

“They’re not actually going to arrest him, are they?” Ren asked under his breath.

He stood beside Kira in Stilinski’s office, the air heavy with the scent of stale coffee and paper that had been sitting too long in metal cabinets.

“They don’t really have a choice,” Kira said. She sounded calm, but it was the kind of calm that felt stretched too tight. “Dad practically confessed.”

Ren glanced at her, searching her face. “And you don’t remember any of it?”

She shook her head immediately. “Nothing. It’s like I blacked out. One second I was at home, and the next I was standing in the middle of the road.” Her throat worked as she swallowed, eyes dropping to the scuffed floor.

Ren exhaled slowly, rubbing a hand over the back of his neck. “Okay,” he said after a beat, forcing steadiness into his voice. “We’ll figure it out.”

Kira looked up at him then, something fragile in her expression. “What about Liam and Hayden?”

“They’re at Scott’s,” Ren replied. “Trying to come up with a plan.”

“You’re not with them?”

Ren’s jaw tightened. “Kira, Dad just admitted to murder.”

“And what are you going to do here?” she shot back softly. Not angry – just honest.

He didn’t have an answer.

Kira held his gaze. “Go with them,” she said. “You need to find out what’s really happening.”

Ren frowned. “Ki – “

“Mom’s taking me home,” she continued. “We’re calling a lawyer. That’s all we can do right now.” Her voice was gentle. “You should go.”

He hesitated, torn, then finally nodded.

Ren stepped toward the door but paused before opening it. He turned back to her, eyes dark and fierce.

“You didn’t do this,” he said quietly. “You’re not a killer, Ki.”

Kira’s breath hitched, but she nodded once.

Ren left the office with that certainty burning in his chest – even if everything else was falling apart.

🎭

“Hey –  is Kira okay?” Silver asked as Ren stepped into the house, the door clicking shut behind him.

Ren didn’t look up right away. He kicked his shoes off harder than necessary. “For thinking she killed a guy?” he said finally. “Yeah. She’s… doing better than I thought.”

That wasn’t reassurance.

He crossed the room and dropped onto Scott’s couch, elbows braced on his knees. After a second, he dragged both hands down his face and let his head fall forward, fingers laced in his hair.

Ren glanced around, irritation flickering across his features. “So,” he said, straightening slightly, “what’s the plan?”

No one answered right away.

“What about Liam and Hayden?” Ren pressed, unable to keep the edge out of his voice. “Have we tried anything? Any visions or screams?”

Scott’s jaw tightened. He felt Ren was targeting Silver.

“That’s not fair,” Scott said, sharp.

Ren scoffed, more tired than cruel. “Nothing is fair, Scott.”

The words landed wrong. Harder than Ren meant them to.

Scott took a step forward. “You think I don’t know that?”

Silver moved immediately, instinct kicking in. “Scott – “

“I’m just saying,” Ren continued, frustration bleeding through now, “This is getting out of control. Someone should’ve stopped it before it got this far.”

The room went still.

Scott’s eyes flashed. “And who exactly was supposed to do that?”

Silver stepped fully between them, hands out in a calming gesture. “He’s not blaming you. He’s worried. We all are.”

For a moment, it looked like Scott might say something.

Instead, his expression closed off entirely.

He turned and walked straight past them, heading for the stairs.

Silver frowned. “Scott?” he called after him.

No response.

He shot a quick look back at Stiles, Theo, Ren and Malia – confused, uneasy – then turned and ran up the stairs after him.

They burst into Scott’s room and froze.

Scott had his claws sunk into the back of Corey’s neck.

“Don’t get too close,” Silver said immediately, his voice sharp as he took in the scene.

Theo’s eyes widened. “What is he doing?”

“Tapping into Corey’s memories,” Lydia said, stepping closer but keeping her distance. “It’s usually something only Alphas can do.”

Theo edged nearer, curiosity overriding caution. “Is it as dangerous as it looks?”

Silver didn’t look away from Scott. “More,” he said.

“Does anyone know if it’s working?” Mason asked.

As if on cue, Scott suddenly gasped and yanked his claws free, stumbling back.

Stiles and Silver lunged forward, catching Scott before he could fall, while Lydia and Mason grabbed Corey as he sagged.

“Is he okay?” Mason asked urgently.

Corey groaned. “What the hell did you do to me?”

“You’ll be all right,” Scott said, breathless.

“There’s blood – “

“You’ll heal.”

“Scott – ” Stiles started.

“He’ll be fine!” Scott snapped, shrugging them off as he grabbed a piece of paper and started sketching frantically. “I think it worked. I saw something.”

He didn’t slow down as he drew. “There were tunnels. Concrete walls. Pipes running along the sides. And at the entrance – huge blue pipes. Two on each side.”

Stiles, Silver, and Lydia leaned in, watching the rough lines begin to form something recognizable.

“Wait a second…” Stiles muttered, squinting at the page. “I know this. I’ve seen this before. That’s one of the tunnels I used to skateboard in. Remember? My dad caught me once and told me never to go back.”

Lydia’s eyes sharpened. “It’s the water treatment plant.”

Scott dropped the pen, breathing hard. “That’s where they are. That’s where we’ll find Liam and Hayden.”

He was already moving toward the stairs.

“Scott – Scott, slow down,” Stiles said, hurrying after him. “Just think for a second, okay? Mason shouldn’t be going.”

“Liam’s my best friend. I’m going,” Mason said firmly.

Stiles raised his eyebrows. “Oh, did you suddenly get super-wolf powers? I wasn’t aware of that development.”

“Well, if you’re not going, I could use the help,” Scott shot back.

“I am going,” Stiles said quickly. “As soon as I talk to my dad. They’re moving the body, and he wants to make sure no one steals it this time.”

Ren frowned. “How’s he gonna do that?”

“I don’t know,” Stiles admitted. “But whoever took the last one was strong enough to flip my Jeep.”

“We can take Theo,” Malia suggested.

Theo lifted his hands slightly. “Maybe I should stay here. You know, in case the Doctors decide to make a house call for Corey.”

Scott hesitated, then looked toward Silver. “Silver?”

Silver had been quiet, watching Scott unravel. He stepped forward slowly.

“It’s not safe to rush in without a solid plan,” he said, voice steady but firmer than before. “Stiles is right. We need to slow down and think.”

Scott’s jaw tightened. “We don’t have time.”

“We never think we do,” Silver replied. “And every time we don’t, someone gets hurt.”

His hand lifted unconsciously to his bandaged eye.

“And Theo’s right,” Silver continued, glancing toward him briefly. “If the Dread Doctors come for Corey, and we’re all gone, we lose him too.”

“I’m not leaving Liam there,” Scott shot back.

Silver closed the distance between them.

“Look at me,” he said quietly.

Scott didn’t at first.

“Scott.”

Scott finally met his eyes.

“Look at what no plan did to me, baby.”

Silver gestured to his face – to the bandages, the bruises, the healing cuts that hadn’t faded yet.

“You think I regret going with you?” he continued, softer now. “I don’t. I never will. But I walked in blind. And I paid for it.”

“I am thinking,” Scott said, frustration bleeding through. “I’m thinking about how Liam and Hayden could already be dead.”

Silver’s expression sharpened. “You could’ve hurt Corey, Scott. Really hurt him.”

A beat of silence stretched between them.

“I have to find Liam,” Scott said, voice rough.

Scott leaned down and kissed him quickly, almost desperately, before pulling away.

Then he was heading for the door. Mason followed immediately. Malia was right behind him.

“Hey, text me!” Stiles called out. “For anything.”

“I got it,” Malia said.

“Anything at all, okay?” Stiles pressed as the door shut behind them.

🎭

Scott’s door clicked shut behind them, the sound sharper than it should’ve been in the quiet room.

Silver didn’t stay in the middle of it. He went straight to the dresser, posture tight, movements automatic, like his body knew what it needed before he did. Lydia leaned against the opposite wall, watching him without saying anything. Ren paced once across the room, then back again, jaw set.

“What was that?” Ren said finally. “Why would Scott do that?”

Lydia answered after a beat. “Because he’s desperate. And because it worked.”

“That doesn’t make it okay,” Ren snapped. “You saw him. He could’ve hurt Corey. He could’ve lost control.”

Silver pulled open the top drawer and started rummaging without really looking. “He’s an Alpha,” he said quietly. “He thought he could handle it.”

Ren turned toward him. “It was stupid.”

Silver didn’t argue.

His fingers brushed fabric, then plastic – the spare glasses case shoved to the back. He pulled it forward, The drawer stuck before sliding open. Inside were folded shirts, socks – and a small velvet box tucked into the back corner, almost hidden.

“It’s not how Scott thinks,” Lydia said carefully. “Not normally.”

Silver didn’t argue.

The room narrowed to that one object. He stared at it longer than he meant to before picking it up. It was lighter than he expected.

The room noise dulled. Ren’s pacing, Lydia’s steady breathing – everything felt distant for a second. Slowly, carefully, he picked it up.

It was lighter than he expected.

He didn’t look over his shoulder. He didn’t want to draw attention. Ren was still pacing. Lydia hadn’t shifted.

Silver opened it just enough to see.

The ring caught the faint light from the window – simple. Clean. Silver band. Understated in the most Scott way possible.

His throat tightened.

He closed the box quickly – gently – and slid it back exactly where it had been, adjusting the shirt over it so it looked untouched.

When he straightened, his face was composed. Too composed.

“Silver?” Lydia asked softly.

He didn’t turn around immediately. He just rested his hand flat against the dresser for a second, grounding himself.

“Yeah,” he said, voice steady enough.

Ren stopped pacing. “You good?”

Silver nodded once and finally faced them.

The room was quiet.

Ren shifted his weight. “Look, I’m not saying I like the idea,” he said slowly. “But if we’re stuck – if this keeps escalating – maybe there’s a safer way to get answers.”

Silver turned sharply. “No.”

Ren held up a hand. “I’m just saying – seeing Michael might be easier. Less risky than Scott tearing into someone’s memories.”

“No,” Silver repeated, firmer now.

Lydia watched him closely. “Silver – “

“You were the ones mad at me for going to him in the first place.” Silver said. “Not for advice. Not for information. Not for anything.” His voice was calm, but tight. “I’m constantly being pulled between what’s right and him. He had nothing to help us before.”

Silence stretched between them.

Silver glanced once toward the dresser. “Scott crossed a line tonight,” he said. “I know that. But Michael doesn’t just cross lines. He erases them.”

Ren exhaled, frustrated, but didn’t push it further. “Fine.”

A floorboard creaked in the hallway. Ren opened the door to see Theo mid-step, hand raised like he’d been about to knock.

“Oh,” Ren said. “It’s just you.”

Theo glanced past him. “Everything okay?”

Ren looked back toward Silver and Lydia.

“Yeah,” Silver said, already moving away from the dresser. “We’re coming.”

Theo stepped aside as they headed downstairs.

🎭

Corey sat at the table while Lydia leaned in to examine the back of his neck.

“It healed, didn’t it?” Corey asked Lydia, “Yeah… Completely.” Theo said as Silver and Lydia looked at each other with small sighs.

“Okay, then. It’s been fun. Especially the part where a Werewolf forced his way into my brain with his claws.” Corey said as he stood up, making them raise their eyebrows at him.

“I don’t think leaving is such a good idea, Corey. You know, Lydia’s a Banshee. It means she can tell when someone’s close to death. Lydia, what happens if he walks out that door?” Theo asked and Lydia awkwardly nodded, “…It’s bad… Very bad.” Lydia said and Corey scoffed. “I’ll take my chances.” He says before walking away making them follow.

“Then give us a better chance at finding our friends. What else did you see?” Theo asked making Corey stop, “Come on, Corey, there had to be something else.” He said and Corey sighed. “There was the hospital, and… they took me outta my room…”

“And then where?” Silver asked and Corey thought for a moment, “The tunnels… Like I already told you. That’s it.” Corey said and Theo took a step forward. “Yeah, nothing after that?” He asked and Corey shook his head after a second, “No.”

“Well, there has to be more. Think. Corey, for one minute, just think. It’s not that hard,” Ren said.

Corey squeezed his eyes shut, brow furrowing. He took a slow breath.

“…There was a basement,” he said.

Silver straightened slightly. “Where? In a building?”

“A house,” Corey replied. “Old. Covered in dust. And… there was a broken stone wall with a huge hole in it. Like a bomb went off.”

Theo looked immediately to Lydia, then Ren, then Silver. “Guys – the werewolf with the talons. The one who attacked Scott. Didn’t Parrish say he smashed through a basement wall?”

Lydia nodded slowly. “He did.”

“No,” Silver said quietly. “He said it looked exactly like that.”

The room went still as the pieces slid into place.

Silver exhaled once through his nose, already moving. He grabbed the car keys off the counter and tossed them to Theo.

“Come on.”

Theo caught them automatically. Everyone else stared at Silver like he’d just skipped five steps ahead of the rest of them.

Lydia stepped forward. “Silver, are you sure you should be going?”

Silver’s hands clenched together for a second before he forced them still. His jaw was tight, but his voice was steady.

“Someone has to,” he said.

🎭

Silver barely bothered waiting for Theo to kill the engine before he was out of the car.

They tore down the stairs two at a time. The smell hit first – dust, old concrete, something metallic underneath it. Then they saw it.

A massive hole blown clean through the stone wall, jagged edges spider-webbed outward like something had exploded from the inside. Beyond it stood a chain-link fence, humming faintly, wires threaded through it like veins.

“Liam! Hayden!” Silver shouted, running forward.

“Silver!” Liam’s voice echoed back, sharp with relief.

Liam and Theo rushed up on the other side of the fence, hands gripping the metal. Hayden was just behind him, pale, unsteady, but on her feet.

Theo stepped up without thinking and reached for the fence.

“Theo, wait – don’t!” Liam yelled.

Too late.

The second Theo’s fingers wrapped around the metal, electricity surged through it. He cried out, body locking up before he was thrown backward onto the concrete with a dull thud.

Silver didn’t even flinch. “Thank you, Theo,” he said dryly. “For proving that you are utterly useless.”

Theo groaned, rolling onto his side. “I’m okay,” he muttered. “Thanks for asking.”

Silver crouched and hauled him up by the arm. The moment he did, a sharp tingle crawled up Silver’s own skin, settling behind his eye. A dull headache bloomed, pressure building fast.

“You think you can get help?” Liam asked, gripping the fence again, panic creeping into his voice.

Theo sighed. “We are the help.”

His eyes flicked to Silver. “You okay?”

Silver opened his mouth to answer – and froze.

Heat flushed up his neck, his face burning red. His vision blurred slightly, the world taking on a hazy, fog-edged quality. His injured eye throbbed, pulsing in time with his heartbeat.

“Yeah,” Silver said quickly. “Yeah, I’m fine.”

He wasn’t.

Whispers crept in at the edges of his hearing – indistinct at first, then layered, overlapping. His stomach dropped.

No. Not now.

The basement seemed to tilt, shadows stretching too long across the walls.

A psychometric echo.

Silver clenched his jaw, forcing himself to stay upright. He dragged his focus back to the fence, back to the present.

He turned to Theo. “Can you rip this open?”

Theo stared at him. “I was just electrocuted.”

Silver rolled his eyes, even as pain flared sharper behind them. “I know. But I don’t have werewolf strength.”

Theo hesitated, then planted his feet and grabbed the fence again – this time bracing himself properly. Silver stepped in beside him without warning and grabbed the metal too.

“Silver – ” someone shouted.

The electricity surged instantly.

Silver screamed.

White-hot pain ripped through him as the vision slammed into place – flashes of stone, blood, talons tearing through flesh, a roar that shook the walls. The sound of bone cracking. Fear that wasn’t his.

He gritted his teeth and held on anyway.

Theo shouted, muscles straining as he tore the fence apart inch by inch. The metal shrieked as it gave way, wires snapping, sparks flying.

The moment there was enough space, Silver let go and staggered back, gasping. The pain lingered, buzzing under his skin, but he didn’t stop.

He forced the fence the rest of the way open and ran through.

“Liam,” he said breathlessly, grabbing him by the shoulders. “Hayden – are you okay?”

Hayden shook her head slightly. Silver’s eyes dropped instantly to her side.

Black blood soaked through her shirt, thick and wrong.

Silver exhaled hard, already reaching for her. “Okay. Okay. We’re getting you out of here.”

He glanced back at the others. “We better get them home. Now.”

🎭

They pulled up outside Scott’s house, the engine cutting off with a quiet click.

Liam was already helping Hayden out of the back seat, one arm firm around her waist. Silver watched long enough to make sure she was steady before opening his own door.

The night air hit him immediately – cool, sharp, grounding.

Theo shut his door but didn’t move toward the house.

“Hey,” he called quietly.

Silver paused near the hood of the car, flexing his hand again. It still tingled from the fence, nerves buzzing under his skin. His injured eye pulsed behind the bandage.

Theo stepped around the front of the car. “Why did you grab it?”

Silver didn’t look at him at first. He stared up at Scott’s porch light instead.

“The fence,” Theo clarified. “You didn’t have to. I had it.”

A faint, tired smirk tugged at Silver’s mouth. “Yeah. I know.”

Theo crossed his arms. Waiting.

Silver exhaled slowly. “I needed to see it.”

“See what?”

“What happened there.”

Theo’s expression sharpened. “You got something?”

“Flashes,” Silver admitted. “Stone. Noise. Fear that wasn’t mine.” He swallowed. “Same thing that always happens.”

Theo stared at him. “So you just decided to electrocute yourself.”

Silver huffed softly. “When you say it like that – “

“It’s exactly what you did.”

Silence stretched between them. Crickets filled the space. Somewhere down the street, a dog barked once and went quiet again.

“What happened to you?” Theo asked, quieter now.

Silver hesitated.

“I don’t know,” he said finally. “It just started one day. Voices when no one was there. Shadows in the corner of my eye that didn’t match the light. Feeling hands grab me when no one was close enough.” His jaw tightened. “Sometimes it’s random. Sometimes it’s tied to places. Objects. Residual energy.”

“And pain makes it stronger,” Theo said carefully.

“Clearer,” Silver corrected. “It sharpens the signal.”

Silver glanced toward the house. Through the living room window, he could see Liam easing Hayden down onto the couch, staying close like he was afraid she might disappear if he stepped away.

“Ren is my best friend,” Silver said quietly.

“I know.”

“I don’t want him making the same mistakes I did. Trusting the wrong people.”

Theo’s eyes flicked back to him. “What mistakes?”

Silver didn’t answer.

Theo tilted his head slightly. “Does that have something to do with Michael?”

That did it.

Silver went completely still.

“How do you know that name?” His voice wasn’t loud – but it turned sharp enough to cut.

“I overheard you,” Theo said evenly. “In Scott’s room.”

For a split second, something dangerous flashed in Silver’s expression. Then it faded.

He looked back toward the house again.

“You don’t understand,” Silver said.

“Then explain it,” Theo replied. “Who is he?”

Silver hesitated  –  then slowly held out his hand.

He pulled back the edge of his sleeve, turning his palm so Theo could see the faint, scarred marking etched near his wrist. An eye. Not cleanly inked  –  burned in.

“He’s my ex,” Silver said flatly. “He’s the one who caused this.”

Theo’s gaze dropped to the mark.

Silver continued before he could ask.

“He grew up in this life. Supernatural politics. Hunters. Monsters. All of it.” His voice hardened slightly. “He used to be on our side.”

“Used to be?” Theo asked.

Silver let out a humorless breath. “Michael’s good at surviving. And survival, for him, means playing both sides.” His eyes hardened slightly. “He can stand next to you like he’s protecting you… and sell you out in the same breath if it keeps him alive.”

Theo didn’t interrupt.

Silver’s jaw flexed. “I trusted him. I thought I was strong enough to handle it. To handle him.”

“And?”

Silver’s injured eye throbbed again  –  sharper this time.

“And I wasn’t.”

“I won’t let Ren fall for someone like that,” he said. “I won’t let him think he can fix someone who doesn’t want to be fixed.”

Theo didn’t look away this time.

“And if Ren doesn’t listen?” he asked carefully.

Silver’s expression went distant  –  not angry. Not soft.

“I’m afraid he won’t make it out this time.”

🎭

Scott, Malia and Mason walked in. They instantly noticed Liam and Hayden sleeping together on the couch making them sigh in relief.

Scott hugged Theo. before going upstairs to find Silver.

Upstairs, the bedroom light was on.

Silver stood near the dresser, the mirror tilted awkwardly toward him. Gauze, tape, and loose bandages were scattered across the surface. He was trying to rewrap the bandage around his eye, one hand bracing against his face while the other fumbled with the roll.

It wasn’t going well.

His movements were off – too sharp, then too hesitant. The gauze slipped. His depth perception betrayed him again. He muttered something under his breath and tried once more.

Scott stopped in the doorway.

“Silver…” he said softly.

Silver reacted instantly.

He spun too fast, breath catching, body snapping into a defensive stance before his mind caught up. His hand shot out blindly, fingers scraping the edge of the dresser to steady himself. For a split second, panic flashed across his face  –  raw, feral, unguarded.

” –  Don’t  – ” he started, sharp and instinctive.

Then he focused.

Scott.

Recognition replaced fear just as quickly.

Silver’s shoulders dropped. The fight drained out of him all at once. The bandage slipped from his fingers and hit the floor.

Scott froze where he stood.

“What you did,” Silver said flatly, “was stupid.”

Scott nodded once. He didn’t argue. Didn’t deflect.

Silver swallowed, jaw tight enough to ache. “People die doing stupid things, Scott.”

Scott bent slowly and picked up the gauze.

“I know,” he said quietly.

“Do you?” Silver shot back. He turned toward the mirror again, even though the reflection was useless now  –  depth warped, vision halved. “Because you didn’t look like you knew.”

Scott stepped closer, careful. He could see it  –  the way Silver was holding himself together by force. The rigid line of his spine. The shallow breaths. The faint tremor in the hand braced against the dresser.

“You didn’t talk to me,” Silver continued. “You didn’t even look at me. You just decided.”

“I thought there wasn’t time.”

“That’s not an excuse.” Silver’s voice cracked despite himself, frustration bleeding into something deeper. “That’s how it starts. You think you can handle it. You think you’re the only one who can fix it.”

Michael.

Scott heard it even before Silver said the name.

Scott lifted the bandage gently. “Let me,” he murmured.

Silver hesitated.

The instinct to pull away was still there. To stay upright. In control.

But he let him.

Scott stepped closer, wrapping the gauze carefully around Silver’s head. His hands were steady, deliberate. He adjusted the tension so it sat secure over the injured eye without pulling too tight.

The quiet in the room grew heavy.

“You scared me,” Silver said finally.

Scott’s fingers stilled for half a second before continuing.

“I’m sorry,” he said. “I thought I could control it.”

Silver let out a tired, bitter breath. “Michael thought that too.”

Scott’s eyes flicked to his in the mirror. “I’m not him.”

“I know you’re not,” Silver replied immediately, sharper than he meant to. “That’s not the point.”

Scott finished securing the bandage and stepped around so they were face to face.

Silver’s visible eye was bright  –  not with anger now, but something far more dangerous.

“You’re a true alpha,” Silver said, voice lower. “You carry everyone. You think that’s your job.”

Scott swallowed.

“I wasn’t trying to be reckless.”

“You were,” Silver answered softly.

The anger drained from his expression entirely, leaving only fear.

“What about our future?” Silver asked quietly. “We won’t have one if you keep pushing yourself like that. I can’t keep watching you almost die because you think you’re supposed to.”

Scott didn’t argue this time.

He stepped closer, slow enough to give Silver time to pull away  –  and when Silver didn’t, Scott rested his forehead carefully against his, mindful of the bandage.

“I love you,” Scott whispered.

Silver’s hands hovered for a moment before gripping the front of Scott’s shirt, not pulling him closer  –  just anchoring himself.

“That’s why I’m terrified.” he breathed.