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"You have got to be fucking kidding me! Doesn't anyone in this town stay dead?!" Peter's booming voice crashed over me. I jolted awake with a start. I looked up and saw a confused looking Stiles.

"What the hell?" He asked. He sounded groggy, despite being alert. He was holding me, protectively. I tried to wiggle out of his grip, but it only tightened.

"I'm okay." I promised him. He didn't look convinced, but he reluctantly let me go. I eased out of his arms and stumbled to my feet. I'm definitely not awake yet. I tried to pinpoint Peter and the cause of the ruckus. I walked blindly down Stiles' stairs and into the living room. I knew that Stiles wasn't far behind me. Peter was growling to an open door. It's still pitch black outside. We couldn't have been asleep for very long.

"What's the matter? Are you still butthurt about that fire?" A woman sneered at Peter. Claws protruded from his fingertips and he started to wolf out. I looked from him to the woman, to him, again. "Where's your nephew? I'd love to see him." She continued to taunt him. Peter looked like he was about to lunge at her, so I decided it was time for me to step in. She wouldn't be baiting him, unless she had an ulterior motive. This smells trap. Peter isn't stupid. He's letting her get in his head. She must be a bad bitch.

I placed a hand on Peter's arm and I felt Stiles tense up next to me. The mystery bitch in question finally noticed me. Her eyes flew to me and I stepped in front of Peter. He stiffened, but didn't try to move me. I kept my hand on his arm and he relaxed, just slightly.

"Who are you?" I asked her, quietly.

"Kate," Stiles breathed. Hearing her name made something click. I've heard about her and the damage she's done to the Hales and to Chris. My gaze turned cold and she smirked.

"Well, well, look who finally got laid." She sneered to Stiles. My resolve snapped. I blinked and sent her flying backwards. She looked at me in surprise as her ass met the concrete. "Ooh, touchy," she mused as she stood up and brushed herself off. I glared at her and I felt Peter stand up taller behind me and Stiles move closer to both of us.

"Why are you here? Do you have more kids to prey on?" I asked her. She glowered at me and I knew that I had hit a nerve.

"Haven't you heard? There's a hit out on all of you. Just imagine what I could get for a Bennett witch." Her words hung heavily in the air. I did my best not to react. "Maybe I came to collect," she shrugged.

"Even you aren't that stupid." Peter shot at her. Her sneer grew.

"What makes you think that there isn't a hit out on your name, too?" I asked her, evenly. For the first time, she looked uneasy. "You can't possibly be that naïve." I let out a wry laugh. She studied me, to see if I was bluffing. I kept my poker face strong. "Looks like you don't know as much as you think you do." I let my voice get a little louder. Kate took a step back and started to walk away. Peter kept watching, until she was out of sight. He closed and locked the door behind her.

"Careful, sweetheart, I might start to think that you care." Peter teased. I rolled my eyes.

"You're pack, Peter." I shrugged, like it explained everything, and it did. Peter's gaze softened and a ghost of a smile flickered on his lips.

"I need to speak to Derek and Scott." Peter excused himself and I was left alone with Stiles.

"What just happened?" I asked him. He looked like he was at a loss for words. Something else was nagging at me. I could almost hear Stiles' brain working on overdrive.

"When do you think Lydia will be able to crack the rest of the dead pool?" He asked me. I shrugged. I honestly don't know. "I think I should try and help her." He told me. I nodded.

"I think that's a good idea." I told him, honestly. Lydia and Stiles are two of the smartest people I've ever met. Adding them in with Peter and Deaton on the same team and I wouldn't want to cross them. Deaton and Peter seem to have a way of always seeing the bigger picture, even when everyone else is still struggling to see the next move. It's almost unnerving. Stiles looked at me, like he had expected me to object. I laced my fingers with his and gave his hand a gentle squeeze. "I don't think it could hurt." I added. He nodded and ran a hand over his face. He looks exhausted. We couldn't have been asleep for that long. "Do you think that she'll come back tonight?" I asked Peter. He shook his head.

"Kate is unpredictable, but stupidity was never one of her strong suits." He sighed. I nodded.

"I can add a few protection runes to the house. Just in case." I offered. He did his best to look impassive, but his eyes betrayed him. I could tell that my offer had taken him off guard and whether he wanted to admit it or not, he would feel safer with the added protection.

"I'll help." Stiles offered. I nodded and gave him a soft smile in thanks. "Then we should try to get some sleep. Things aren't going to slow down, just because everyone's exhausted." He sighed. We stood in silent agreement. He's right. The world stops for no one and trouble is definitely no exception.