XLI. CODOMINANCE

Shortly after Liam's visit, Madison had buried herself into her covers. The apartment was still eerily empty, and for once Madison missed Isaac speaking loudly over the phone to his friends at the late hours of the night.

Madison missed her Isaac. She missed her father.

Madison missed her family. Her weird, little messed up family.

Hesitantly, Madison reached for her phone. Her finger lingered over the contact that belonged to Christopher Argent, the werewitch feeling her heart hammer violently in her chest every time she hovered closer to the call button.

Madison was too afraid. She couldn't do it. She couldn't stand the way her heart lurched every time the thought of her father swarmed her mind. The betrayal she felt when she thought of him.

Madison had been clutching the shirt Liam left at her apartment a few weeks ago, his comforting scent still on it. Madison had never been more grateful for enhanced smell, because the scent was so strong it was almost like he was right there.

But of course, he wasn't.

The werewitch sat up from her bed, untangling herself from her sheets as she walked towards her bedroom's vanity mirror. She sat in her fluffy chair, staring into her reflection.

Madison didn't feel like herself. She had deep, purple eye bags, lips chapped, and dull eyes. The spark of life she always had seemed like it was going out, the flame of happiness coming to an end.

And Madison knew exactly why.

The werewitch had always known she had problems with codependency. Whether it was her attaching herself to Allison, then to Derek, and now to Liam.

Liam hadn't left Madison, not yet, at least. The werewitch knew that at some point Liam wouldn't wait for her anymore, and Madison had no idea how she would cope with that.

She knew her loved ones were slipping away, each passing day caring less and less about her. Soon enough, Madison would have no one.

Maybe she should just give in and be the monster everyone says she's meant to be after all.

***

Madison stood at her locker, the locker next to hers snapping shut as she jumped slightly. Hayden stood a few feet away, a radiant smile on her face as she greeted the werewitch.

"Morning, Madi." Hayden greeted. Madison smiled.

"Hey, Hayden." Madison smiled, her own locker slamming shut as Madison leaned against it. Hayden watched Madison's smile contort into an expression of pain, Madison grabbing at her hair that had gotten caught between the lockers.

"Ow—ow. Dammit, that really hurt." Madison stammered, opening her locker as she freed the lock of her auburn hair. Madison saw Hayden watching with an amused smile, causing the werewitch to let out a small giggle.

Hayden laughed along too, the chimera desperately trying to cover up the chemosignals she was letting off as butterflies swarmed her stomach at the sight of Madison.

"Hayden? Hello, earth to Hayden?" Madison asked, waving a hand in Hayden's face. The werewitch had asked Hayden a question, and received no response, even after calling her name twice.

Hayden blinked, snapping out of her stare as she looked to Madison, flustered.

"Sorry, what'd you say?" Asked Hayden.

"Did you do the homework? I kind of forgot last night..." Madison trailed off, cheeks pink in the embarrassment of coming unprepared.

Usually missing homework was no big deal for Madison, but she promised Scott and Stiles that for once she would get through the school day and actually do the work.

Not to mention, Madison had spent too much time sulking in her bedroom and feeling sorry for herself instead of actually being productive.

"Uh—yeah. Yeah, I have it. Do you need it?" The brunette questioned, and Madison nodded sheepishly.

"Yeah, if that's okay."

"Perfectly fine." Hayden replied, opening her locker as she pulled out a slim, navy blue binder.

Hayden handed the paper to Madison, but before the witch could thank her, the school's speakers began to ring out.

"Attention all students. Mr. Quinn's classes are cancelled for today. If anyone knows his whereabouts, please let the office know immediately."

Madison sighed out, her English class with Mr. Quinn now cancelled, making the paper useless. The werewitch sighed, thanking Hayden anyway.

The chimera grinned as Madison handed back the paper. Though a hand came out and swiped the paper away before it could reach Hayden's grip.

Both sophomores looked besides them, Theo standing with a smirk on his face.

"Goodmorning." He said. Madison groaned.

"Would be better if you weren't here." The werewitch snarked.

Madison watched a sarcastic chuckle expel from Theo's lips, arms crossing over his chest as he looked to Madison and Hayden.

Madison had been spending more time with Theo lately. She knew he was planning something—and with enough prying she was able to find out what.

He was looking for a blind alpha.

Madison would know the title anywhere, Theo was looking for Deucalion.

After the werewitch found out, she wanted to tell Scott. He wanted to warn him, because Deucalion was powerful and sneaky. He had experience, he knew what he was doing, unlike Theo.

The second Theo found out, he warned her not to say anything. He told her that it would only put the pack in danger, and of course that was enough to shut Madison up.

The only other people who knew were the Chimeras, and it seemed like Theo had been trying to keep his plan a secret from Madison.

Madison looked away from Theo, glancing behind her. The werewitch felt like she was being watched—and sure enough when she turned around, both Liam and Mason were eyeing the group of three.

Liam's jaw was clenched angrily, steam practically fuming from him as his eyes trailed from Madison to Theo and back.

Madison's lips tied up into a thin smile, awkwardly waving at the two. Madison wanted to walk up to them, but not after the way she left things with Liam.

He was giving her time, just like she asked. Madison couldn't even be mad if she wanted to. The werewitch was regretting her words from the night before, because if anything she needed Liam more than ever.

Madison didn't believe she could just erase what she said. She wouldn't even know where to start for things to get back to normal, or whatever the couple's new normal would be.

Madison was pulled out of her self pity when Hayden latched her arm with hers, the chimeras dragging her away to wherever they planned to go next. They were gone so quickly Liam barely had another chance to spare a glance at his girlfriend.

Madison hadn't been the only one unable to sleep that night, Liam coming to school with deep eye bags. The beta had tried to sleep, but found it difficult without Madison hogging up more than half of his bed.

He couldn't sleep without his arm around her waist, watching the moonlight illuminate her skin as he watched her sleep. The occasional times when she'd softly snore, or drool. Most would find it gross, but Liam found it adorable.

That was Madison he saw leave with Theo. His Madison. Liam was giving the werewitch the time she requested, and he'd be willing to wait as long as it takes, even if he had to wait forever.

***

"Co-dominance, a relationship among alleles where both alleles contribute to the phenotype of the heterozygote," Ms. Finch began, Madison blinking in perplexion, "quite a mouthful, I know. But it's exactly what we'll be learning in today's lab. Students in the first and third row, look behind you, these are your partners."

Madison sighed. She hadn't quite been able to move her focus from the back of Liam's head, groaning when the beta turned around.

Madison looked to Hayden in desperation. The chimera and the werewitch had planned to be partners for their lab in biology. Instead, Madison was met with the bright blue eyes of Liam Dunbar.

Madison looked away before Liam could say anything, her line of focus shifting to Mason and Corey. She watched as Mason moved the girl who sat behind Corey, replacing the seat with himself as he smiled widely.

Madison met Corey's eyes, the werewitch sending him a thumbs up and an encouraging grin. She knew Corey had found Mason very attractive, both inside and out.

However, when Madison turned back to Liam, he simply received a glare instead.

With a sigh, Liam and Hayden switched seats. Hayden's scent filled with roses was replaced by Liam's comforting scent, and Madison had to look away so she wouldn't get caught staring.

Liam cleared his throat awkwardly, fingers drumming against the desk, both teenagers listening to their teacher drone on about the lesson.

"Remember that in co-dominance, neither allele is recessive. The phenotypes of both alleles are expressed,' she explained, eyes scanning the room until they reached a familiar face, "Corey, in human blood, what is a good example of co-dominance?"

"Type AB," Corey replied.

"Very good." She praised. Madison watched Ms. Finch turn away from the class, looking to the board.

"So today, you're going to solve a little mystery. Two couples had two babies on the same day in the same hospital. Were the babies switched? Open your packets and read the instructions." The teacher instructed, Madison nodding as she opened her packet and began to flip through.

When the class began to group off into small conversations, Liam quit his sulking and turned to the werewitch besides him.

"Madison," Liam whispered, though Madison didn't look up, continuing to flip through her packet.

"Madison," Liam whispered again, voice slightly sharper and louder.

"What do you want? I'm reading." She huffed, turning towards Liam with a glare. When Madison saw Liam's frustrated expression, she immediately felt bad.

Madison hoped Liam wasn't able to see through her act. She hoped he didn't care enough to see past her attitude, because whenever she felt anxious or vulnerable, the werewitch would snap at anyone and everyone.

"Yeah, I know. I know you said you needed time, but I wasn't aware that meant not speaking entirely..." Liam trailed off, looking down at the table in front of them. Madison sighed, trying to stop her hammering heart. She wanted to talk to him, she wanted to tell him she was sorry—because time wasn't really what she needed.

Madison needed Liam. She just didn't want to put him in any danger. Liam wasn't something Madison simply wanted, he was a necessity to her. He was her anchor.

"Fine. We'll talk," Madison agreed, flipping Liam's packet to the same page she was on, "read it. Then we can finish the project, and then I can leave."

"But school's not over?" Liam probed.

"I know. I need to get back to Theo, I need to help him prepare."

"Prepare for what?"

"What's coming," Madison replied swiftly. She had heard about the beast. The beast that was beginning to terrorize Beacon Hills, the creature nearly the size of a horse and deadly to anyone that tried to come near it.

The Dread Doctor's final creation. Madison wanted to help. She wanted to tell Liam, she wanted to tell Scott and Stiles so they would be ready too.

Theo advised her not too, however, since he explained that would only put them in danger. For the meantime, Madison just had to trust him. As hard as it was, she was trying.

Anything to keep the ones she loved safe.

Before Liam could question her more, Ms. Finch slowly came up to the two.

"Seems to be a lot of discussion over here. Cant imagine you've already solved the mystery, have you?"

Madison rolled her eyes, expelling an annoyed sigh as her eyes trailed over to Liam. He glanced at her briefly, before looking over to the teacher.

"No."

"Get to it." She demanded, turning on her heels as Madison flipped her off. The werewitch looked to Liam, who was trying to hide his smile.

When Ms. Finch had turned away, Madison looked to Liam with a suggestive smirk.

"Wanna get out of here?" She asked. Liam raised an eyebrow.

"I thought you were mad at me."

"Nope, just desperate to get out of this class. You coming?" Madison asked again, extending her hand out to Liam, waving it in his face.

Liam grabbed it without hesitation, the two teenagers sneaking out through the back door, giggling quietly as they slipped out.

***

Madison and Liam walked around campus for a bit, pinkies laced with one another. The two walked until they reached a familiar area, Madison leaning against a tree.

Madison was resting her head against Liam's shoulder, the golden Liam shining upon their faces.

Madison watched the sun through the fluffy clouds, before she felt Liam shift against her and look down.

"What are we doing? You say you need space, the next minute it's like nothings wrong. What do you want me to do?"

"I don't know," Madison admitted, words coming sharply off of her tongue as she looked downwards, eyes tracing the numerous pebbles scattering the ground.

"I don't know what I want, Liam. I'm not even sure who I am, who I want to be. I want...I want to be good. I want to protect everyone that I possibly can."

"Madison. You—you are good. You're the most selfless and the strongest person I've ever met."

"But nothing feels right, Liam. Everything I do, everyone I'm with, it feels different. Like everyone's afraid of me."

It grew silent, the sound of the river flowing drowning out the awkward breaths being taken before Liam finally spoke up.

"I'm not afraid." He said confidently, Madison removing her head from his shoulder as her eyes met his.

"You're not?"

"I could never be afraid. Not of you." He confirmed with a soft smile, Madison feeling her lips twitch upwards.

"But why not?" The werewitch asked.

Liam shifted closer to her, his hand moving the stray hairs out of her face.

"Because..." Liam seemed to she struggling to find the right words, and Madison could hear his rapid heartbeat as he sighed, "because I love you."

Madison felt her throat run dry. She could still hear Liam's rapid heartbeat, awaiting her reply as his eyes scanned her face.

Madison blinked in surprise, mouth slightly open in awe. Liam loved her. He was here. And he was here to stay.

"I love you too." Madison replied, her voice no lower than a whisper.

Madison and Liam's faces were inches apart, and the werewitch was sure their noses would touch if she shifted forwards the smallest bit.

She could feel Liam's cool breath against her skin and her eyes trailed down to his lips, soft and plump as she desperately missed his lips on hers.

It seemed Liam was able to read Madison's wants, leaning forward as his lips connected with hers.

Madison felt the missing puzzle piece connect, the piece she'd been missing for days finally making her whole again.

When the two pulled away, Madison stayed close to Liam. Her head rested once again Liam's chest, his fingers playing with her auburn hair as the golden sun casted upon them.

***

When Madison and Liam had gone their separate ways, Madison had gone to Scott's house. When she had gotten the call from Scott that Kira was back, the werewitch was practically vibrating with excitement as she made her way over.

Upon knocking on the front door, she came face to face with Kira, who welcomed her in and engulfed her into a warm hug.

The werewitch and kitsune spent hours catching up, making sure to be quiet as possible as Scott slept a few feet away from them, exhausted from the day.

However, the fun and lightheartedness came to an end when there was a knock at the front door.

Madison decided to answer, and soon recognized the two figures in front of her to be Liam and Mason.

She looked to Kira, not sure if she should let them in or not. Madison wasn't sure if Scott had forgiven Liam yet, but Kira quickly let the two inside with a warm smile.

The three sophomores waited for Kira to wake up Scott, while Madison looked at her friends as to why they were there.

All Madison got in response was Liam mouthing, 'Corey.'

When Scott finally woke up, he was quick to notice the uneasy atmosphere in the room.

"What's wrong?" Asked the alpha, sitting up in the chair, looking to Liam and Mason.

"I found out something from Corey. We know what Theo's doing." Mason began, Madison feeling her heart begin to race as she concentrated on slowing it down.

"He's looking for an alpha. A blind alpha." Liam finished. Madison watched as Scott's eyes met hers, the werewitch and the alpha being the only ones who had ever seen for man in real life.

Madison swallowed thickly, looking down at her shoes.

"Deucalion."

— argentsires
this is not proofread sorry but i wanted to get a chapter out :)
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