Chapter 17:  Embracing the Beast

The moon was still high in the night sky, casting its pale glow over the Beacon Hills Preserve as Stiles finally stopped running, panting heavily, hands on his knees. His breath came in ragged gasps, and his heart was still racing from the chase. 

Scott, still in his towering werewolf form, came to a halt a few paces ahead, the amusement in his glowing red eyes clear as day.

"That was funny," Scott rumbled, his voice deep and resonant in his transformed state.

Stiles, still catching his breath, shot Scott a glare. "That was disgusting," he gasped, wiping some of the residual wolf drool from his face. "And I thought I was dead. I almost peed myself!"

Scott's wolfish grin grew wider, revealing rows of sharp teeth. "Don't you like pranks?" His tone was teasing, still dripping with amusement.

"Pranks? That wasn't a prank, dude! That was attempted murder by heart attack!" Stiles exclaimed, but then he paused, a smirk creeping across his face. "But I gotta admit… that was a *great* prank."

Scott let out a low, growling laugh, which sounded both strange and oddly natural coming from his werewolf form. He shifted his weight, standing more upright as the two of them shared the moment.

They stood in the cool night air for a moment, just catching their breath. Stiles, now feeling more relaxed, looked up at Scott's massive, wolfish form and shook his head in disbelief. "You know, I've always wondered what it would be like to have a werewolf as my best friend. But this? This is next-level insanity, man."

Scott grinned wider. "You get used to it," he said, his voice still rough with the primal growl of his wolf form. "But… I think I can go further. There's something else… something more inside me."

Stiles's eyebrows shot up. "Further? Dude, are you sure that's a good idea? Like, I'm all for science experiments and stuff, but maybe not on the night of the full moon in the middle of the creepy woods."

Scott's glowing red eyes flickered with confidence. "Trust me, Stiles. I've got this." His voice was steady, full of certainty, and in that moment, Stiles couldn't help but believe him.

Stiles threw his hands up in mock surrender. "Fine, fine. Just… whatever you turn into next, *please* don't scare me again. I barely survived your first prank without needing a hospital visit."

Scott's laughter came out in a rumbling growl as he turned his attention inward. He closed his eyes, centering himself, feeling for the primal force deep within his chest. There was something else in him—something even more powerful, more ancient, than the werewolf he had become.

For a few moments, the air around them seemed to grow still, as if the forest itself was holding its breath. Stiles watched nervously as Scott's body began to shift and contort again, his human-werewolf hybrid form changing. His fur thickened, black as the night sky, and his limbs grew longer, his frame stretching and expanding until he towered over Stiles.

The transformation was slower this time, more deliberate, as Scott embraced the raw power flowing through him. His body expanded, becoming larger, more monstrous—but not in a grotesque way. The wolf he was becoming was majestic, a creature of pure, untamed strength. His snout elongated, sharp teeth gleaming in the moonlight. His fur grew thicker, forming a powerful mane around his neck, and his eyes burned with a primal, glowing intensity.

When the transformation was complete, Scott stood before Stiles, a giant black wolf, bigger than a horse, his body rippling with muscle and power. His thick fur shimmered under the moonlight, and his presence exuded dominance and control.

Stiles's mouth hung open, his eyes wide in shock. But this time, he wasn't afraid.

"How do I look?" Scott's deep, guttural voice rumbled from his lupine throat, though it was still unmistakably his.

Stiles blinked, taking a moment to process what he was seeing. He wasn't sure whether to be terrified or impressed. Finally, he shook his head in amazement. "Dude… you look majestic. Like something out of a fantasy movie. A real… alpha wolf."

Scott's beastly form seemed to nod, acknowledging the compliment. For a moment, he simply reveled in the feeling of his new form. It felt natural, powerful.

He moved back and forth, testing his body, feeling the strength coursing through his limbs. This was more than he'd ever expected, more than he'd ever hoped to become.

Satisfied with his exploration of this new form, Scott began to focus on returning to his human shape. It took a bit of concentration, but within moments, his body began to shrink back, the black fur receding, muscles retracting, bones shifting and cracking. Finally, he stood in front of Stiles, fully human again—though completely naked.

Scott looked down at himself, then back at Stiles with an exasperated expression. "I need Hulk pants," he complained.

Stiles doubled over with laughter. "Oh man, you're like every werewolf cliché in the book. Werewolf transformation? Check. Pants getting torn to shreds? Double check. Lucky for you, buddy, I have some spare clothes in the car."

As they approached the edge of the woods, Stiles's Jeep came into view, parked under the trees.

Scott grabbed the spare clothes from Stiles, shaking his head. "I swear, being a werewolf is a lot more high-maintenance than I expected."

After quickly changing into the fresh set of clothes, Scott stretched his arms and legs, rolling his shoulders. He felt different—stronger, even in his human form. He felt more in tune with his wolf side.

Stiles stared at him for a moment, clearly still processing everything that had happened. "So… after you shifted for the first time. You're, like, stronger now, right? Even when you're not all wolfed out?"

Scott nodded, flexing his hands. "Yeah, I can feel it. I'm stronger, faster… even in human form. It's like… everything's been enhanced."

"Great. Just what we need. Super Scott," Stiles muttered, though his grin betrayed the teasing tone in his voice.

Scott clapped him on the shoulder, chuckling. "Come on, let's head home."

Stiles looked at Scott with an exaggerated expression of exhaustion. "Next time, warn me if you're gonna turn into a giant wolf and prank me to death, okay?"

Scott grinned, his mischievous glint returning. "No promises."

Stiles groaned dramatically. "I'm serious, though, dude. That whole… prank thing? Never again. *Never*. Got it?"

Scott chuckled as they both climbed into the car. "Yeah, yeah. But you gotta admit, you'll never forget tonight."

Stiles grinned as he started the engine. "You're right about that. This is going straight into the history books of Stiles and Scott." 

As they drove toward Scott's house, the night felt calmer, more settled. Scott glanced out the window, he felt a sense of accomplishment. He was growing into his powers, understanding more about what he could do.

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Stiles dropped Scott off at home, both of them sharing a knowing smile about the night's events. The full moon had passed, and with it, another step in Scott's journey toward mastering his powers.

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