Chapter 40: Chapter 40: Inherited Abilities
Melissa woke to the warm rays of the morning sun filtering through her curtains. Her body felt different, energized, alive in a way she had never experienced. Sitting up, she realized she was drenched in sweat. 'A shower is definitely the first thing I need,' she thought.
As she swung her legs over the side of the bed, a curious sound reached her ears—a familiar humming. For a moment, she thought Scott was still in her room, but when she focused, she realized the sound was coming from downstairs. 'Wait, I can hear him so clearly!'
Intrigued, Melissa concentrated, and the humming grew sharper, along with the faint clatter of pans and the sizzle of food in the kitchen. She could even smell the aroma of bacon and eggs wafting through the house as if she were standing right next to the stove.
Standing up, Melissa stretched, her muscles feeling lighter, stronger, as if a weight had been lifted. "This is amazing," she whispered, running her hands down her arms, marveling at the strength coursing through her veins.
Then her nose wrinkled. A sour smell caught her attention. Confused, she sniffed the air and realized it was coming from herself. "Oh, gross," she muttered. The sweat from last night was the culprit. With a grimace, she hurried to the bathroom for a much-needed shower.
After cleaning up, Melissa dressed and headed downstairs, the mouthwatering smell of breakfast drawing her in like a magnet. She found Scott at the stove, expertly flipping pancakes onto a plate piled high with bacon and eggs.
"Good morning, Scott," Melissa said, smiling warmly. "When did you leave my room? I didn't even hear you."
Scott turned and grinned at her. "Good morning, Mom! I woke up about an hour ago. You seemed fine, so I didn't want to wake you. How are you feeling?"
Melissa's face lit up with excitement. "I feel incredible! If I focus, I can hear the neighbors talking, I can smell everything, and my vision is so sharp it's like I have new eyes. And my body—" She flexed her arms playfully. "I feel like I could lift a car. This is amazing!"
Scott chuckled. "That's just the beginning, Mom. You haven't even fully transformed yet."
Melissa tilted her head. "What do you mean?"
"In order to truly become a werewolf, you need to experience your first full moon," Scott explained, flipping the last pancake onto the stack. "And lucky for you, tonight's the night."
Melissa nodded thoughtfully. "I see. So, what happens then?"
Scott set the plate on the table and gestured for her to sit. "We'll get to that later. Right now, I want to see if you've inherited my abilities or if you're more like a regular werewolf."
Melissa raised an eyebrow. "How do we figure that out?"
"It's simple," Scott said with a mischievous grin. "Just try leaving the house."
Melissa looked at him, confused. "Leave the house? Why?"
"Trust me," Scott said, crossing his arms. "I'll explain after you try."
With a shrug, Melissa walked to the front door, opened it, and stepped outside. Nothing happened. She stood there for a moment, looking around before stepping back inside.
Scott's face lit up with excitement. Without warning, he rushed forward and hugged her tightly. "Yes!"
Melissa blinked in surprise. "Okay, what's going on, Scott? Why are you so excited?"
Pulling back, Scott grinned. "Remember what I told you about mountain ash last night?"
Melissa nodded slowly. "Yes, it can create a barrier that traps supernatural creatures or keeps them out. Why?"
"I asked Deaton to place a mountain ash barrier around our house," Scott said.
Melissa's eyes widened. "And it doesn't work on us?"
Scott nodded. "Exactly! Not only that, but we're immune to all typical werewolf weaknesses. No wolfsbane, no losing control, nothing. Plus, we have the ability to take powers from other creatures and make them our own."
Melissa stared at him, processing what he'd said. "Wow. That's… incredible." Then, as if a thought struck her, her expression darkened. "Wait, Scott. Does that mean anyone you turn will also have these abilities?"
Scott nodded again. "Yes. Why?"
Melissa stepped closer, her tone serious. "Scott, promise me you won't turn anyone else."
Scott frowned. "Why not?"
"I'm your mother," Melissa said firmly. "Even with these abilities, I'd never hurt you. But what if you turn someone else, and they become stronger than you by stealing other creatures' powers? What if they hurt you—or worse, kill you?"
Realizing her concern, Scott smiled softly. "Have I ever told you how much I love you, Mom?"
Melissa softened, but her voice remained firm. "I love you too, but I'm serious. This is dangerous."
Scott chuckled. "Mom, remember what I told you about pack dynamics? The stronger the pack, the stronger the alpha becomes. So, you don't need to worry. Besides, I'll only turn people I trust completely."
Melissa let out a relieved sigh. "So, you mean now that I'm your beta, the stronger I get, the stronger you get? And I can never surpass you?"
Scott nodded. "Exactly."
Melissa smiled. "That's a relief. I just don't want anyone to take advantage of you, my little dork."
Scott groaned. "Not cool, Mom."
They both laughed, the tension easing.
After breakfast, Scott pushed his chair back and stood. "Alright, let's figure out who the bastard was that dared to lay his hands on you yesterday."
Melissa watched as Scott came up behind her. Before she could ask what he meant, she felt a sharp pain at the back of her neck. Scott had inserted his claws, and a flood of images filled her mind.
Together, they relived her memories from the hospital, following her routine until they reached the blood bank. There, the face of her attacker became clear—a man with sharp features, pale skin, and piercing eyes.
Scott pulled his claws back, the wounds on Melissa's neck healing instantly. His jaw tightened as he asked, "Who is he, Mom?"
Melissa's voice trembled slightly. "His name is Eric Müller. He came to Beacon Hills about a month ago from Germany. He's the new hematologist at the hospital."
Scott's lips curled into a smirk. "A hematologist? As one would expect from a Bloodsucker. Alright, Mom, call in sick today and stay home. I've got to head to school, but after you go through your first full moon tonight, we'll hunt him down."
Melissa nodded. "Alright. Go on, then. Don't be late."
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That evening, Scott returned home after a long day at school and his shift at the clinic. Melissa was waiting for him, her nerves evident in her tight smile.
"How are you feeling, Mom?" Scott asked, setting his bag down. "Do you feel like you're about to lose control now that the moon's out?"
Melissa shook her head. "No, but… I feel something deep inside me. Like it's waiting to break free."
Scott grinned. "That's your inner she-wolf. Let's head to the preserve. You'll need some space, and don't forget to bring a change of clothes."
They drove to the Beacon Hills Preserve, finding a secluded area away from prying eyes. The full moon hung high in the sky, casting an ethereal glow over the forest.
Scott turned to Melissa, his voice calm but encouraging. "Alright, Mom. Let it out. Let your inner she-wolf take over."
Melissa hesitated, glancing at her son. His confidence and warmth reassured her. With a deep breath, she stepped forward, ready to embrace the transformation awaiting her.
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