Chapter Forty-Three

Unspoken Truths

... or lies?

I took a bite from my bagel, trying to ignore the commotion in the living room and stay calm. I've been way too stressed lately, and it's not good for the babies, like at all. I hate the thought of being sidelined for everything that's to come, it sucks. I want to help so desperately but, I can't risk it. Just 16 more weeks and then some healing time and I'll be able to help more, well as much as one can help with two babies.

Oh god, I'm going to be raising not one, but two babies throughout my senior year. I let out a breath at the realization that I probably won't get to go to college like I planned, I won't be able to get an apartment with my brother and go to school together... my entire life is derailed. And without college, how in the world will I afford to take care of two children? A minimum wage job isn't enough for that.

I mean, yeah, Scott will help, obviously but, he has to go to school. Maybe we could take turns? He goes to school first and then I'll go after he's got his degree in Veterinarian studies. Maybe I'll get a certificate in something, that way I'll only have to go to school for two years. I could be like an EMT or something.

Shaking my head, I took another bite, this was all too much to think about. Stiles was back... or at least the nogitsune controlling my brother's body was back and in the living room right now with Lydia, Scott, Deaton, and Melissa. Aiden left earlier to search for Ethan... and I think Kira was with Allison somewhere.

This fox really freaks me out if I'm being honest. The way he talks, the way he moves... it just isn't my brother. But, it looks like my brother. It's confusing and terrifying, I just can't wait to have my brother back. I need him to be okay, above anything else. He's my rock.

I let out a breath, throwing away my trash before walking out to there they were. The Nogitsune was on the couch, paralyzed by the looks of it. No one else was in the living room when I walked in, just Stiles.

Tape was covering his mouth, keeping him quiet. I rolled my lip into my mouth and crossed my arms as I looked at him. He looked so scared, his eyes got big and a tear rolled down his cheek. "Stiles?" I questioned, my heart beating quicker.

He nodded and I hesitantly moved forwards to take the tape off his mouth. Stiles stretched his mouth a couple of times before smirking, "really, Victoria? I shed one tear and you break." Okay, great... not Stiles.

I frowned, moving to sit on the chair across from him, "you're not Stiles..." I sighed. The nogitsune smiled, "no. But I know what Stiles thinks about you... about your relationship, your babies." He rose a brow.

"I don't care what Stiles thinks. At the end of the day, he supports me no matter what. I'm not gonna fall for your stupid little mind game," I leaned forward on my knees, my palms supporting my upper body weight. What is this thing playing at? Trying to get me to fall into his hands like putty. Well, news flash, not gonna happen.

The nogitsune pulled a face, tilting his head to the side slightly. "You're not even a little curious about what he thinks?" Of course I am, "no." It doesn't matter what the nogitsune says, he's not Stiles, not really.

"I'm gonna tell you anyway. He worries you'll end up jobless, living with daddy forever. He thinks Scott will leave, just like his dad did. And he thinks those kids will end up with werewolf teeth, and he worries you won't be able to--" I slap the piece of tape over his mouth.

A smile makes it's way to my face, "say what you want. I know you're just trying to get a rise out of me, but it's not going to work." And with that, I stood up and left the room, not wanting to deal with the nogitsune, and not wanting him to see that he did get a reaction.

Stray tears fell from my eyes, of which I quickly wiped away. I shouldn't be crying. Stiles doesn't really think that... does he?

I walked into the kitchen where Scott, Deaton, and Lydia were talking. "But, the scroll said to 'change his body.'" My heart picked up, not this again. Deaton sighed, "that's if I translated it correctly. We're looking for a cure in something that might actually be nothing more than a proverb or a metaphor."

"And what if he doesn't want it? He's never asked to be a werewolf!" Scott worried, his eyes slightly wide. I put a hand on his arm and sighed, "if it saved his life, he'll be grateful. He won't care that he's a werewolf if it means he survived."

Scott frowned down at me, "what if it kills him? I've never done this before." He looked back at Deaton and Lydia, "I mean, what if I bite him and accidentally hit an artery or something?" I bit my lip, turning to look back at Stiles.

He was watching us with his dark eyes. "The venom is not going to last long. Something needs to be done sooner than later." Deaton spoke, his eyes also on Stiles. Scott sighed, pulling out his phone, "I can try calling Derek again?"

Lydia bit her lip, "maybe we should call someone else..." I rose a brow, "like who?" Lydia gave me a sheepish smile, "Peter Hale." I let out a groan, oh great.