Freya & Derek: Scene 1 Awkward Hellos

[luckyescape]

Life was a series of unexplained events. That was how Freya saw it anyway and while a part of her begged, wished and prayed to know the more rational part of her told her to stay away from it. Nothing good could come of diving into the past. The dark shadow still haunted her dreams and she remembered the scent of the blood and rain as she clung to her mother’s side. She’d been running since however things grew more tenuous as word of a werewolf began to spread through whispers and murmurs. She’d done so well but now, whatever it was that tried to kill her family, knew she wasn’t dead.

It was a scary thought and one that kept Freya moving faster than ever. She was used to being alone at this point, always looking over her shoulder, sleeping at most a few hours at a time. She used to spend months in a single place before moving on but now she felt as if she was always running, always on edge. She didn’t even know what she was running from. It was just a shadow and it’d been years ago. If she was lucky they’d lost interest in her pack now that it was a pack of one.

When she entered Beacon Hills she paused. It was easy to tell when she'd wandered into someone else's territory, it's a smell thing. She kept moving forward, her backpack slung over her shoulder. If she got to a crowded area it wouldn’t matter whose territory this was, there were still laws and werewolves usually had to be discreet. Freya didn’t actually know what she’d find or perhaps she'd pass by completely unnoticed. The streets were more deserted than she liked and she quickly rerouted though she had no idea where she actually was. She had a map but she'd consult that later.

Her fingers tightened around the straps of her ratty backpack while the breeze gathered and pushed at her long wheat colored hair. Summery gray eyes flicked at any sign of motion. She wore a tight black tank top that had ACDC in white letters across the front. Her pants were also black with an array of zippers and pockets to keep the most ADD child entertained. They clung to her hips while falling in straight lines down to her boots. She didn’t ever bother with a underwear, if only because it was faster to shift without it.


[ooc note: Freya has a lot of tattoos'... she got them by asking someone to imbed silver ink into her skin with a silver needle. Just cuz. It's all HERE. As well as what she smells like. Also let me know if this is okay.]

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[thesourwolf]

Derek had a love/hate relationship with crowded streets. After his family had died he and Laura had lost themselves in neutral territories, which meant busy and congested cities. It was necessity, but his inner wolf disliked it. The running from the hunters which murdered his family, yet it hadn't kept Laura safe. No, it'd been Peter who killed her, driven insane from the fire. Thankfully when he resurrected he had his sanity returned, but Derek couldn't forget, couldn't forgive. So Peter was gone.

But Derek remained. He was done running. Done hiding. There was a pack of teenagers he had to keep in line and keep safe. A town to bring order back to that had a penchant for pulling in the supernatural. So he stayed. He rebuilt the Hale House, restoring it like his mother and Laura would have wanted.

He had just finished ordering furniture for the house and was out on the sidewalk, frowning at the world around him. unsure of what he was doing, really. He'd never been meant to be an Alpha. Laura was the oldest, the better suited. He'd never been a really good werewolf, and now here he was in charge of a pack. He was lost in these thoughts when a scent caught his attention.

He paused and looked around until he saw a young blonde walking his way, tattooed and looking like a goth. Wolf, she smelled of wolf and one he didn't know. Walking right for him. She crossed his arms and waited until she was close enough to scent him despite the wind being on his side.

"Who are you?" He asked, eyes flashing red to show her he was an Alpha while no one else was looking or paying attention.

[luckyescape]

Freya hadn’t noticed Derek, except that he was tall and she had the tendency to take note of tall people. He also looked like he didn’t smile a lot which made her think of an array of nicknames that had the word ‘grump’ in them. She hadn’t realized he was the wolf in charge of this area.

As she approached his smell filled her nose causing her to stop mid step. She looked up at him and for a few seconds, was a deer in headlights. "Um…." That wasn’t an answer and while taking a small step back Freya quickly followed up her blank expression with a smile and something close to an explanation. "No one important, just passing through and you know picking up a snack on the way. I was thinking a Slurpee."

She’d forgotten to give him her name; smooth Freya.

"Freya, is my name." She moved her hand through the air as she spoke. "I forgot to add that part."

[thesourwolf]

An eyebrow rose up as the girl rambled on, her tone bringing to mind a mixture of Kira and Stiles. AKA, harmless. It was easy to pick out really. There was no lingering sense of blood in her scent, and she had the look of someone on the move. Way too chipper for her own good.

"I'm Derek Hale. The Hale Pack controls Beacon Hills. Do not cause trouble here. We have a family of Hunters in residence, but they stick to a strict code; they will not touch you if you do not harm an innocent. If you do... they will not be the only ones you will have to worry about." He said in warning, and threat.

"If you decide to stay, contact me and let me or someone in my pack know. Ask around for the Hale House, anyone in town can direct you to me." Derek was going to leave it at that and move on, but... he paused before doing so and pointed toward a local creamery. "Go there, they have slushies that are flavored with real fruit."

[luckyescape]

Freya worked very hard at appearing harmless, blending in and appearing happy. Blending didn't work when the person you were trying to hide from was a werewolf. It's a funny thing about noses but she was able to pull off the others well enough. He didn't seem to recognize her name, of course she hadn't mentioned her last name. She did know his last name but only through whispers around the grape vine.

"I actually figured that out. Sorry I didn't write first." It was a bad joke. "I was just passing through. I was going to shift and sleep in the woods too so no worries about me being around to much or anything." She figured it was just better to tell him her plans lest he find out later and there suddenly be problems.

"I also don't hurt people." She would have sounded offended but she just sounded tired. When did wolf become synonymous with killer. Did she look like a killer? A shiver ran down her spine as a memory quickly flashed through her thoughts. It was a quick reaction and a second later it was gone and Freya was smiling.

"Oh really? Want to come with? Wait, is it under 3 dollars because that's literally all I have and it's in quarters." She paused. "Maybe a few dimes too."

[thesourwolf]

Derek gave a nod of his head, approving of her response. At first, at least. A wolf just passing through. However, the longer she spoke the more he frowned. His mother and Laura in his head speaking up, lecturing him. He knew either of them would have jumped on offering this lone girl a place for the night and food.

Still, Derek was wary. Trusting came hard for him. However, upon mentioning how little money she had his decision was made up. Didn;t mean he did frown quite hard at himself and the nagging voices of the dead women of his family in his head. He swore that the gothed up chick being cute as hell under the black and tattoos had nothing to do with it.

"I cannot in good conscious leave you to sleep in the woods and go hungry," he said, frown disappearing, mind made up. He turned and headed for his Camaro. "I have a spare room and feeding an extra mouth won't break me. Get in." He said as he unlocked it and opened the driver door. He then paused to give her a look that clearly read impatience as he waited on her.

[luckyescape]

Freya watched Derek, her expression both surprised and confused. He'll come to find that she's a terrible liar. When your parents are werewolves and have the heightened senses to tell when you're lying, you just give up trying and get very good at telling partial truths. Freya was very good at partial truths.

"Wait, wait wait wait." She ran after him holding up her palms. "I mean, thank you. Really. I can't remember the last time I slept in a bed but I don't mind outside and I can hunt like a rabbit or something and I just wanted a sweet drink and I don't know how that turned into food and a bed and I'm running out of things to say and running very low on excuses and you're just staring at him and I'll get in the car." Freya exhaled a slow breath and moved to the passenger side door.

She didn't really think this was a good idea but this wasn't her space and she'd leave tomorrow so it wasn't a big deal. Right?

[thesourwolf]

Derek stood with the door opened, looking back at her. Waiting for her to finish talking. Once he made up his mind, it didn't change. As she said, she was passing through. It wasn't like this would be permanent.

"Good, because I'm not above tossing you into the backseat myself." And he wasn't. He would do it, with her kicking and screaming. Thankfully, she got in. So he did as well and started the car up. "My home is the pack home. I'm not sure who will be present, but most of my pack are young. You should fit in well enough for the night." He then put the car in gear and pulled away from the curb. Heading for the rebuilt Hale House.

[luckyescape]

"Nice to know." At least about the throwing part, Freya was small and would most likely offer little resistance to his efforts.

Freya kept her backpack on and close to her. She didn't bother with a seat belt and as they drove her fingers lightly drummed against the seat. She kept her head straight though her eyes would occasionally follow something as it passed by her window.

"Do I look that young?" She asked in a curious tone.

[thesourwolf]

"You look young enough to be in High School. Which happens to be the age range of most of my pack." It was the sad truth. Looking back now, turning mostly teens hadn't been the best idea. Still, it was getting there.

[luckyescape]

Freya looked over at him and frown. "I'm twenty six. Despite being incredibly short I'm adorable." She turned her head back towards the front window wondering if she should be insulted or not. It was hard to guess her age and the way she dressed or acted didn't help.

Still, it upset her for some reason.

[thesourwolf]

Derek paused a moment and glanced back over to her before putting his eyes back on the road. Twenty-six? She did not look that age. Or perhaps the teens in his pack just looked that young. Well, Liam and his friend did look rather young in comparison to the others.

"Well, you don't look like it." He wouldn't admit that the prospect of having another werewolf adult around not his previously psychotic uncle was rather pleasing. No use saying as much when she wouldn't be lingering around. "What's your last name, Freya?"

[luckyescape]

Freya kept her gaze pointedly on the road as it disappeared beneath the car. She felt his gaze, even if it was momentary. She knew she looked young and a lot of it had to do with the way she dressed and acted. She didn't really grow up for the last ten years, she'd been running from everything that would change her, that could hurt her. Somewhere she knew that it was a dumb idea but it didn't matter because in the end she'd be safe. You can't feel pain without happiness and as odd of a concept as it was, she was happy being content.

"I know." She replied quickly, in a soft voice. At his question she felt the muscles in her shoulder knot. She felt nervous about sharing her last name. "My last name? That's not really important is it?" She glanced over at him and got the impression that, like the car, he wasn't going to let this go. She was quiet for a long time and when she finally answer she'd turned her head towards the window, watching as the shops flew by.

"Vaughn." She didn't feel comfortable being connected to her last name lately.

[thesourwolf]

Derek didn't respond to her, just sat silently and waited for her to ware down and answer his question. Knowing she would eventually. He of course was eventually rewarded with the answer he had asked for. An answer that left him a bit startled as a result. Packs being destroyed by hunters was common enough, but not among the larger and more firmly entrenched packs like the Hales, and like the Vaughns.

"I'm sorry." He knew that his mother had ties tot he Vaughan pack until its destruction a few years before the fire decimated his own. "I'm glad not all of you were lost." He was quiet for a bit after that, lips pursing a bit. "Where are you heading to?" That nagging that sounded so like his mother and sister popping up in the back of his mind, pushing him in ways he knew they would do themselves. But not yet, he wouldn't offer yet.

[luckyescape]

"Not your fault. There really isn't any reason for you to sorry. Stuff happens." Her voice was very soft but she knew that he'd hear her.

Freya kept her gaze cast out the window and away from Derek. She didn't really want sympathy or empathy. It was awkward having people know. For a long time she'd have convinced the world that she had died with her family, having word get out that she was alive was only starting to cause problems. She'd made herself a target, as if flaunting that she's alive when the hunters had wanted to kill all of her family.

"Somewhere. I'll figure it out when I get there." She didn't want to stay in one place. It felt like trouble followed her and she wouldn't want to wish that on anyone else. Added to the fact that she didn't really want to lose anyone else. It was easier not to care. "It's not really a happy topic." She began, her voice a little bit lighter as she finally turned to look over at Derek. "What's for dinner?" She didn't want to talk about herself at all. She'd leave and she'd be forgotten, that was her plan.

[thesourwolf]

"It does, but I'm still sorry you had to endure that pain. I know very well how it feels to have your family taken away and be left alone." Despite Peter still living as well as his little sister, they were not here. HE was doing this whole pack thing on his own. Building a life and picking up pieces.

Derek stayed silent on where she was heading. Deciding to mull it over before he said anything further. Which meant he would battle with himself and then act like it was all a plan of some sort later on when he made the final decision.

"Beef stew with corn bread."

[luckyescape]

Freya didn't reply to his comment. She didn't want to continue the conversation about her family. It sucked losing people and nothing made it better. Some days were easier than others but the void was always there. Freya was okay with having no one, no pack, no family because it meant that there was no way she could possibly feel that loss again.

"Cool. Who cooks?" Freya was an awful cook though she suspected someone in the pack probably liked to cook, at least considering how often Werewolves ate.

Her eyes pulled away from the window to look at a spot on her pants. The black material was worn and frayed in places. She didn't exactly have the money to constantly purchase new clothes. She dragged a finger down one of the frayed edges feeling the threads prickle against her fingertip.

Forgive the shortness.

[thesourwolf]

"I do," Derek said. It was the truth. Derek enjoyed cooking, always had. It'd been an easy way to draw away from the sadness and the pain. And he liked food. So now he cooked for the whole pack often. Though they did take turns, but Derek cooked more than the rest did.

Its all good :D sorry for the rambling.... lol

[luckyescape]

Freya pulled her eyes away from the passing streets and looked over at Derek. She took a moment to size him up. He looked strong, he was very tall and apparently a cook. It was curious and something that she wasn't familiar with. Her fingers began to idly play with the seem of her backpack while her eyes moved from his jaw, down to his shoulder and the a little lower to his waist.

Staring probably wasn't the smartest idea but he was driving. He probably didn't know what she was looking at; maybe. Freya's summery gray eyes look back up at his face and for the first time since their car ride her expression was more open and curious.

"You cook? Really? What sorts of things do you like cooking?" She was awful at cooking but it was mostly due to lack of practice. She never had the chance to learn with the death of her family. Her mother cooked constantly, it was a thing in most werewolf families, there was always food somewhere and someone was always cooking something. "Also how far are we? Do I need to help you cook? Will you tell me when I've reached to many questions because the whole lack of a facial expression is making it very hard to read." A light smile tugged at Freya's lip. She wasn't completely relaxed but her questions where more herself and less the wolf that wanted to run away from everything. Besides, it was just for a few days, there was no reason she couldn't have fun or make it her mission to see Derek actually smile.

[thesourwolf]

Derek knew he didn't look the type. Instead, he looked the type that was a bad boy and a hardass. Not someone who would roll up their sleeves in a kitchen and take time to make a meal for others. He didn't care, though. He learned long ago to just let people think what they wanted.

"Anything that tastes good and holds some kind of nutritional value. Also typically high in calories since we metabolize food at a faster rate." Derek said simply, having looked over at her with a raised eyebrow for a moment before his eyes returned to the road.

[luckyescape]

Freya knew a thing or two about letting people think what they wanted. She was going into her late twenties but continued to dress and sometimes act like a punk kid. It was easier than being anything else, she didn't have anything to ground her or keep her still so she leaned towards the eccentric. That and she liked the way she looked in black clothing.

"You sound like a mom and you should keep your eyes on the road." Which made Freya sound like a mom but she didn't really want him watching her while she looked him over. He was different and she found it curious. He was also hot and Freya wanted to take a few moments to appreciate that fact.

"Okay, so what's for dinner tonight?" If she was going to eat there.

[thesourwolf]

"No, I sound like an Alpha who is taking care of a pack of teenagers," he grumbled. It was his own fault. Well, with some of them. Scott wasn't his fault. That Scott came with non-wolf packmates was also out of his control. It was just a thing he had to adapt to.

"Dinner will be pasta with garlic bread and possible marinated chicken if Erica remembered to marinate the chicken." He was, of course, aware of her eyes on him. She was a strange wolf in a tight enclosed space with him. So his senses were on high alert. He did not mind if she was sizing him up, and frankly couldn't blame her. It never crossed his mind she might be looking him over for other reasons. Not that he wasn't confident in his looks, but more that his cockiness and arrogance had been tempered as his romantic endeavors were shoved aside. He didn't have the best track record with relationships and the pack deserved his undivided attention.

[luckyescape]

Freya kept her eyes on him as they continued the drive. In part to make sure that he was paying attention to what he was doing and also because she enjoyed watching him. His expression was interesting, did he always look that grumpy? Maybe that's how he looked when he was focused? Bit by bit she felt herself drawn in and perhaps a little too curious.

"Erica. Got it." She repeated. "I can't imagine taking care of teenagers." Freya hadn't been a teenager for over 8 years despite how young her features looked. Her teenaged years can hardly be classified as normal since she became a vagabond halfway through them.

She clicked her tongue restlessly and leaned back in her chair, looking out the window to see if she could spot where they were going.

"Anything I can do to help? Not with cooking but in general?" She wanted to say thank you since he was giving her a place to stay. "I'm good at fixing things. It's sort of the jelly of my jam."

[thesourwolf]

Derek was quite for a long moment as he thought back on the ones he had turned and the circumstances surrounding it. It had been a horrible situation all around, but no matter how much of an asshole he had been acting then he couldn't hide from himself and the fact that he had changed them because they had needed him. And he had needed them. "They have their good moments."

He turned away from the city proper heading more toward the preserve and where the Hale House sat. "Not right noe, but if you stick around we'll see what we can come up with," he said, leaving it open that she might be able to linger around if she wanted. So long as she didn't clash too much with the pack. Not that he thought she would. Surely Erica and Cora would be happy to no longer be the only two female wolves.

[luckyescape]

Freya wondered how long she'd stay. It wasn't safe for her and as much as she wished to find a home, a place that she belonged, she would never put another pack at risk because of her. She was the last of her family's line and she knew that someone out there wanted that line to end. The only future allowed to her now was that of a vagabond. It's worked fairly well, until it became known that she was alive.

Her fingers drummed softly against her knee as she turned her gaze towards the fleeing world outside the car window. She wondered if they were almost there. What was the house like? She was used to large werewolf families but it's been years. A painful tug pulled at her chest when she thought about her family. She'd been on her own for a very long time.

She kept her voice even and light despite the depressing direction of her thoughts. "Let me know. I can tune up cars too, if you want me to take a look at yours." Being a mechanic came in handy, despite the fact that Freya never owned a car. "I'm going to assume we're almost there." Only because they've been driving for a while. "Anything I should do when I get there or should I stick to you like a little lost puppy." She was only half joking. She'll probably stick close to him, if only because it's not her home but then, Freya's been known to wander off if something really interesting catches her eye.

[thesourwolf]

"Yeah," he said as he slowed down the car before pulling onto a dirt driveway that would lead back to the house. A three story plantation mansion type of home, large with plenty of room inside for a small pack to have residence of. After all, Isaac and Cora lived with him, and the others all had their own beds and rooms to call theirs, each teen paired up and sharing a room with another.

Scott and Stiles were arguing and practicing lacrosse in the backyard with Jackson. They paused as he pulled in and the two more friendly of the three waved toward them, but then the three continued in what equaled their form of practice.

"I'll keep that in mind, but I mostly do the work myself." He was protective of his Camaro. He then got out of the car expecting her to follow. Various cars in varying conditions were parked in the stone lot at the end of the drive off to the side of the house. "Tonight you can just settle in. The first night you're a guest. Tomorrow we'll figure out the rest." He then motioned for her to follow him inside.

Isaac, Boyd and erica were milling about in the kitchen area talking when they came in and looked curiously at Freya. "We have a guest. This is Freya, she'll be staying with a bit." Isaac asked how long and Derek just shrugged. then introduced them to Freya.

"Isaac, show her to one of the free rooms and give her a tour of the place." His eyes then narrowed at Erica. "Did you remember the chicken?"

Erica rolled her eyes and leaned against Boyd. "I only forgot once. .. Yes, I did. Your dinner plans will not be ruined."

Walking in toward the kitchen he patted her head along the way, getting a small smile and a huff from the girl.

[luckyescape]

Freya rolled her eyes at him. She was awesome with cars but she knew guys were protective of their vehicles and she wasn't really planning to argue with him about it. He was putting her up for at least the night after all.

It was a very big house and she suddenly felt very small. She pulled herself from the car and looked over at the boys playing outside. It really did feel like a family home. It was a little uncomfortable but Freya swallowed the feeling and walked forward.

It was surprising how readily they accepted a guest. Though Freya wasn't really going to question it. Unless this was some weird cult.

"Hi." She waved a hand at those in the kitchen before looking up at Derek. "You have a long passionate relationship with chicken?" She asked before glancing around the kitchen. It looked like a pretty standard kitchen with a lot of food. It hurt a little, to see how everyone interacted. They were a family and Freya realized that she missed that. She was happy that Derek didn't mention her last name, she really didn't want to go threw being seen as the last of her family again.

"I'll follow you then." She gestured towards Isaac. "After you." She had no idea where she was going.