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Liam turned his head at him, werewolf-yellow eyes incredibly bright. The fear radiating off him was overwhelming, it made Scott want to growl and fight whoever and whatever was making his Beta feel like this. “I should have never said that.”
“Great observation, Liam,” Stiles snapped, clutching a bat closer to his chest, his grip on the weapon almost constrained.
“You couldn’t have known,” Scott soothed the young boy, shooting a reprimanding look at Stiles. His friend threw his hands in the air, shaking his head, but didn’t utter another word. He understood Stiles’s irritation but they were, unlike Liam, experienced. Not counting the whole shitshow with Kate and Berserkers, Liam didn’t know how easily things could go downhill.
He didn’t know that asking “What could go wrong?” always meant that every single thing that could go wrong will indeed go wrong.
Scott and Stiles knew, though. They just hope that for once luck would be on their side.
Scott should have known it was an absurd wish.
There was a new creature in Beacon Hills. A rogue vodník, or vodjanoj, as Deaton called him. Until now, they had never encountered a supernatural creature with Slavic origin, and Scott had to admit that he would love to never repeat that.
That man killed people even faster than Peter and Darach combined. At first he stayed close to the lake where the drownings could be written off as accidents, but then he moved closer to the city and suddenly, people started drowning on water or in their baths. At that point they knew that something was off with these killings and this was what gave the vodjanoj away.
That was how they ended up here, trying to catch and render harmless a creature that could change its form and whose weapon was water.
Until now, Scott hadn’t really had a problem with water. Apprently it seemed that the universe had a knack of making him be afraid of literally everything because he doubted he’d ever step into any body of water again.
The vodník became aware of their presence all too quickly. Scott had to admit he wasn’t surprised; they made a few mistakes on their hunt and, no matter how many times he’d shushed them, they did talk a lot. It was underestable – they were teenagers. Nervous teenagers. They should be partying or studying, not walking around a forest at night trying to hunt down a supernatural serial killer.
Their plan, which was to get the vodjanoj out of water and into the deep, dry land failed quickly. It begun great; Lydia managed to lure him out of his hiding under the water surface and then into the forest, where they started their hunt. Scott, Malia and Liam stalked the duo while Lydia led the vodník, who was masked as an attractive young man with green eyes and short hair the same color, to the trap point where was waiting Stiles.
They were nearly there. The trap, a net that was made out of rope smeared with a mixture of mountain ash, wolfsbane and black henbane, was only about ten yards from the vodjanoj. They were far enough from the lake – or from some watersource in general – that the vodjanoj would be sufficiently weak to trap him.
But then, just then did he stop Lydia halfway through a sentence, waving his hand lazily: “This has been quite enjoyable, but I think I’d rather kill you all than get tied up.”
And, look. Scott knew this wasn’t his greatest plan, not by far, but according to both Deaton and Argent, vodjanojs got their strength from water and they lured people, especially beautiful girls, to themselves. Time was pressing them because too many people had died already, and they had to act swiftly. Getting him on dry land, far away from other people to eliminate the number of casualties, made sense.
He just. Didn’t take into account that he’d realize the rest of the pack was watching them.
Scott made a mistake by underestimating him. A huge one.
But that didn’t mean they couldn’t win.
Be an Alpha. Try diplomacy and bargaining.
Scott gave away his hiding point in the surrounding darkness and stepped into the moonlight closer to him. “We don’t want any trouble,” he started, firmly but not offensively, hands slightly raised.
The vodník raised his eyebrow. “Is that why was this děvka leading me into a trap? Wanting to kill me sounds like trouble,” he mocked, a slight Slavic accent in his voice.
Lydia huffed and crossed the short distance to Scott. They didn’t understand the meaning of the word, but Scott doubted it was something kind. “We want to get you out of our city,” Scott corrected him. “Not kill you.”
The vodjanoj squinted his eyes. “Yet you’re still hiding.”
Slowly, Scott nodded. The others, who’s been watching them, came out of their hidings. Malia and Liam stood behind Scott while Stiles was on the other side, behind the vodník, with hit bat in one hand and the net in the other.
The man tilted his head to one side, rotating a little so he would see them all. “Much better.” He shot a look towards Stiles, scoffing. “A human in a group of supernatural creatures. Interesting.” He turned his head back to the others. “Pretty thing like you, I ain’t surprised you’re a banshee.”
Malia growled, her eyes flashing angry blue as she bared her teeth.
“A were, of course,” the man muttered. “I hate wolves. Wet fur smells.” He looked Scott in the eyes, frowning. “There’s something off with you.”
He lit up his eyes, the crimson Alpha red shining in the night. “My pack protects Beacon Hills and its people. Leave the city and we won’t come after you.”
“That’s very un-alphy of you.” He scanned them with his eyes, false consideration written on his face. “But,” his voice deepened as his skin covered with dark green scales, membranes formed between fingers, nails turned into claws and his face morphed, resembling a frog, “I’d much rather have some fun.”
“Stiles!” Scott yelled, shifting on instant. He shot out with the intention to tackle the vodník onto the ground and secure the net Stiles had thrown at him.
It never landed.
The sudden raindrops falling from the sky made him shiver and for a milisecond, Scott froze. It wasn’t supposed to rain tonight – he’d triple checked – and he didn’t even notice that the sky was clouding over. But it had been, apparently, for the starting rain got intense immediately.
No. Please, no. This isn’t happening.
It was. And the freaking pike that was flipping around on the forest ground was clear evidence.
The net fall onto the ground uselessly and Stiles and Lydia scrambled after it. The vodjanoj changed again, into a big frog this time, and then again until he was in his true form just like before he transformed for the first time.
“Still too far,” he howled. His eyes flashed angrily as he flashed his eyes at the were. “Nevermind. I’ll kill you like this.”
He slid past Scott, going for the youngest member of the pack. Liam who had already shifted roared as the vodník attacked him, slashing his claws at the werewolf.
Never in a million years would Scott had thought that he’d ever be afraid of a fish-like creature, but here he was, with Malia rushing to help Liam only to realize that the vodjanoj could dodge their attack as swiftly as an eel. And the creature just laughed at their attempts, delivering one scratch after other. There was a half-mad spark in his eyes, obvious also in his face.
Stiles and Lydia used the vodník’s distraction to try to capture him again, but he turned into a small fish to get out of the grip Scott and Malia had on him.
He changed back and laughed at them, running into the forest. “Come catch me, if you can!”
“It’s a bait,” Malia growled.
“But we can’t let him get away, right?” Liam asked, uncertain. It was evident he wanted to chase after him, but something was stopping him.
“We can’t,” Scott agreed. “He’ll just kill more people.”
And when Liam turned his head at him, golden eyes bright and widened, Scott understood that it was fear that was holding him down from going after him. And that led him to this situation, to his Beta confessing that he should have never ask what could go wrong, because the answer was always “Instantly.”.
He truly couldn’t have known but now he did and Scott knew he will never say it again.
“Let’s go before we lose him.” He then remembered that some of them didn’t have super-speed. He turned to the duo. “Will you –”
“We’ll be alright,” Lydia interrupted. “Just go! We’ll catch up with you.”
He nodded and they broke into a run. Tracking down the vodjanoj wasn’t hard. Now that they’d picked up his scent, they couldn’t miss the fishy odor.
They found him rather easily. They nearly had him a few times, but he always managed to slip past them and run away, maniacally laughing. He was playing with them, mocking their failed attempt to catch him. Once or twice Malia was quick enough to actually sink her claws into his arm but he always turned into something else to get away, and that found Scott growling at the rain. Although it was no lake, it was still water and evidently it was giving the vodník enough power to transform.
Scott was getting frustrated. And angry.
Eventually, the creature led them back to the lake, completely ruining their previous effort. Scott had to grab Liam’s arm and pull him to himself to stop him from going into the water. “Stay on the shore!” he commanded. “It’s too dangerous.”
The vodjanoj stood on the water surface few feet from them, swaying with the waves, sniggering. “Come to me, little wolf. Come so me and my pets can feast on your body.”
Liam backed away and Scott moved to stand between his Betas and the creature. “Why are you doing this?”
The vodník’s eyes snapped to the Alpha. “Because humans lost all respect towards us,” he hissed. “They used to be afraid of water. They used to worship me. They used to worship water. They don’t anymore, so I won’t respect them.” He paused. “And because it’s fun. It’s fun to make them realize they’re powerless against my powers.”
“Scott!”
Stiles and Lydia rushed out of the forest, Lydia carrying the net. Scott didn’t ask how they figured out they were here. Either they were smart enough to realize where the vodník would take them, or the supernatural forces helped. One way of the other, they were here and that was all that mattered. “I’m getting sick of this,” Stiles muttered.
“And I’m getting bored,” the vodjanoj announced, clearly annoyed. “You won’t like me when I’m bored. I’ll give you last chance. Come to me willingly, or I’ll just take you.”
“Like hell you will,” Stiles snapped. “You’re in the water and we’re on dry land. We have the high ground, fishy.”
Scott stayed silent. They needed to catch him because he wouldn’t stop killing otherwise, that much was obvious. Just like it was obvious that it was fighting, or having to avoid water for the rest of their lives. Scott didn’t like any option, but he had to choose.
It was his plan that failed. The city depended on the pack to keep it safe, and the pack relied on him to protect them. That involved knowing what he was doing and having a plan that would work.
A plan formed in his mind. It was insane but, in theory, it could work. After all, he had done quite the number of insane and unbeliavable things in the past.
Maybe being a True Alpha could bring him at least some advantage. He didn’t know for sure but then again, he ever did until he managed to do it.
“Lydia,” he told her quietly. “Give me the net.”
She gripped it tighter instead, a serious expression on her face. “No.”
“Lydia –”
“I feel death from all around me, Scott,” she retorted. “Especially from you. So no.”
The vodník let out a harsh laugh. “Oh, you will feel it, alright.”
He waved his hands and before anyone could say or do anything, long, strong algae wrapped around Stiles and Liam’s ankles. They both yelped as the makeshift ropes tugged, making them fall, and then they begun to pull them into the lake.
Scott was in the water on instant, once again throwing himself on the vodjanoj. He succeeded this time, tackling him down, wolfed out and growling.
Red colored the water as his claws sank into the scales and found meat. The creature yelled in pain and surprise, changing his shape into some fish and disappearing away.
Scott emerged, frantically looking at the shore. Stiles and Liam were standing now and there were no algae in the sight. In contrast to the relief he felt, there was absolute horror on their faces. “Get out of the water!” they screamed. “Scott, get out!”
“Stay there!” he yelled right back at them. “Get further away! Don’t come –”
Sharp pain went through his leg and Scott was dragged under the water.
He had half a mind to close his mouth before he was surrounded by darkness and overwhelming silence.
Scott’s eyes lighted up red, his wolf side taking over as his vision adjusted for him to see better. He recognized the fish as a pike. It had sunk its teeth into his leg and used the grip to pull him deeper into the water.
The pike shone like a beacon. The vodník’s signature was so cold it was nearly burning his eyes. He had to shut his eyes for a second just to tone it down and adjust.
Scott needed to break free. He was starting to feel the water pressure. It was just a matter of time before he runs out of breath. And the pain in his shin wasn’t all that pleasant too.
Scott turned and kicked his free leg. The movement made the vodjanoj halt. The Alpha used his distraction to draw his leg to his chest so he could reach the pike. He grasped its snout and forced the jaws open, yanking the pointed teeth out of his flesh.
The pike disappeared suddenly and in its place was a huge catfish. Shocked, Scott pawed at the water around him, trying to get as far from the fish as he could but the vodník didn’t give him much time for a recoil. Satisfied with the wolf’s distraction, he changed again, back to his true vodjanoj form, and went for the attack.
Fighting him in this form was actually more preferable. Although Scott had to look out for the claws, it was better if he had at least some chance of hitting him.
The vodjanoj was incredibly fast, way faster than on the dry land. He circled around the Alpha, floating here and there so quickly he became a smudge in Scott’s vision, landing one cut after another all over Scott’s body. His arms, torso and legs were bleeding, the wounds stinging thanks to the lake’s dirty water.
Use your brain, Scott, he reminded himself. Use your skill.
And he did use it. When the vodjanoj went past him once again, he moved after him, trying and managing to catch his arm, pulling fiercely. The unexpected move made the vodník slam into Scott and he wasted no time in digging his claws in his arm and side, burying them deeper and deeper.
He couldn’t hear the vodjanoj scream, but he saw his mouth open. Trying to escape, he changed his form into the pike again, but Scott held on tight. He couldn’t let him get away and this was the only chance he’d ever get.
He was running out of breath. He felt the strain in his lungs. It won’t be long before he gives up and tries to take a breath and at that moment, everything will be lost.
So when he felt the creature change, he sank the claws even deeper, strengthening his grip. He’d already figured out how the transformation works and so he wrapped his legs around the fish to secure him a little more. The scales chafed against his clothes and he felt them dug into his skin, but he didn’t loosen the grasp.
Come on, come on, give up already.
Slowly but surely, the vodník’s trashing slowed down. Scott instantly started to head for the surface, swimming as fast as he could. His lungs protested and burnt. Using the last energy he had in himself, the pike turned his head and bit into his forearm, finally making Scott scream.
He was so close. So, so close. But he will never make it in time. It will be for nothing, the vodjanoj will just swim away and heal and then come back, unless –
Unless.
He pried the vodník’s teeth from his forearm again, which wasn’t hard because the vodjanoj was on the edge of consciousness. Scott gathered all the strength that was left in his body, counting on his Alphaness to help him, and threw the fish.
Scott gasped and coughed, which only caused more water to flow into his mouth, his throat and his lungs. It quickly replaced the remains of the precious oxygen, and then he was drowning.
He trashed and turned, unable to continue heading straight forward as panic overtook his mind. Distantly, he registered that the vodjanoj did fly out of the water, and he knew that the pack will take care of the killer and secure him in the net.
The city is safe. The pack is safe.
The vodník got what he wanted – but so did Scott. They won and the fight wasn’t for nothing. No more deaths.
Except one.
Scott’s blurry vision went black.