This is my first Teen Wolf fic! Love reviews, who doesn't? Constructive criticism always appreciated.

Thanks to Rae, Schelz and B for pushing me to give this idea life and for encouraging me to post!

Disclaimer: Characters are not mine, but so awesome how could I not borrow them for a bit?

Chapter 1

Dust drifted from the rafters of the charred remains of the Hale family home with every punch Derek landed on his newly acquired punching bag. After his uncle, Peter's return from the dead, Derek decided he needed some way to take out his growing frustrations. And there was nothing better to block out Peter's presence and cryptic comments than blasting some music and punching the bag, pretending it was him. Not that the music could completely block Peter out any more than it could the ringing of his cell phone from across the room. Once his ears were tuned to something it was always there.

Sweeping up the towel from the chair beside the radio and wiping the sweat from his face in one movement, he reached out with his free hand and switched off the music.

"Are you gonna get that?" Peter called from the other room.

Derek ignored him and pulled the phone from his jacket pocket. Checking the caller ID, he let the unknown caller go to voicemail and threw the phone onto the chair. He turned back to the punching bag, but before he could wind up for his next jab his phone chimed, announcing a text message. What now? He snatched the phone back up.

It's time to pay your debt. R

He pulled on his shirt and grabbed his jacket, pocketing his phone as he headed for the door. He was out the door and in his Camaro as Peter called after him, wondering where he was going. He sped off, kicking up dirt and gravel. His phone rang again and this time he answered it.

"What do you want from me," he growled, turning onto the road leading into town.

"Is that any way to greet an old friend?"

"We're not friends, never were." Derek pulled into the deserted lot next to a long-closed service station. "Now, what do you want from me?"

Derek's Camaro rumbled to a stop in front of the gate and newly built brick wall surrounding a house similar to Lydia Martin's in size and style. He rolled his eyes, staring up at the seven or eight foot high gate and wall, when he noticed strange symbols etched into some of the bricks. Stepping out of the car, he moved in for a closer look, his fingers grazing what he now recognized as some kind of sigils carved into each brick.

"You like them? I carved each one myself."

Derek spun on his heel, not liking that he hadn't heard the man's approach. "Guess you've had some time on your hands."

"Well worth every moment I spent on it," the man chuckled heartily. "You might want to invest a little more time at honing your wolf senses instead of turning every wayward teenager you find."

Derek's fists clenched at his sides, his jaw tightening. Had he been watching him this whole time, sitting back while people were killed? "Why am I here, Rowan?" Derek growled, jamming his hands in his pockets.

"Ever the patient one," Rowan smiled, sliding into the driver's seat of Derek's Camaro and pushing open the passenger door. "There's someone I want you to meet."

Derek followed Rowan through the house, glancing around at the richly furnished rooms and immaculate white walls. It was a stark contrast to the sparsely furnished shell the Hale house had become after the fire. Rowan led him upstairs, stopping at the last door at the end of the hall and giving a soft knock.

"Becs." Rowan's voice and whole demeanor seemed to shift as he pushed open the door and entered the bedroom. "I want you to meet someone."

"I don't want to meet another doctor, Rowan."

Derek's gaze shifted searching the dimly lit room for the voice's owner. He found her curled up on a large armchair in the dark corner, looking out the window. Her red hair shimmered like fire in the dim lighting as she continued to stare out the window into the darkness beyond.

"No, not another doctor," Rowan assured though she showed little interest in his presence. "He's a friend of mine." This got her attention. Derek felt a smile tug at his lips as she glanced up, looking almost surprised at the thought of Rowan having a friend. Her gaze met Derek's briefly before returning to window. "This is Derek Hale," Rowan continued undeterred and Derek was left trying to understand who this girl was to Rowan that he was so changed around her. "He's going to be staying with you while I'm away for a few days."

Derek frowned at him questioningly. Babysitting, that's what Rowan was calling in his favour for? He heard the redhead sigh and could feel the frustration pouring from her. She gave a defeated shrug and pulled the blanket closer around her sagging shoulders. "Was that all you wanted?" she asked her voice flat, her gaze never wavering from the night's inky depths.

Rowan's eyes narrowed slightly. "Yeah," he replied, recovering with a tight smile. "We'll let you get some rest." With that he led Derek out of the room, gently closing the door behind him and quietly making his way downstairs again.

They entered the living room, Rowan motioning for Derek to take a seat on the black leather couch. Derek remained standing, arms folded across his chest, watching Rowan pour a glass of what looked and smelled like whiskey holding up the glass in offer to him. Derek shook his head, deciding to break the silence. "So, in return for saving my life you want me to babysit your—" Derek wasn't sure who the girl was to Rowan and he wasn't sure he wanted to know. "Isn't that like asking the big bad wolf to watch over Red Riding Hood?"

"Big bad wolf, huh?" Rowan chuckled arrogantly. "Someone's head has gotten a little inflated since becoming The Alpha."

A low rumble at the base of his throat was the only thing that betrayed Derek's stoic exterior. Rowan moved to the couch, sinking into the plush leather, glass hanging lazily from his hand.

"Now, now, don't let your pride get the best of you," Rowan teased, obviously enjoying pushing Derek's buttons. "All you need to do is protect Becca as though she were one of your precious pack for as long as I ask you to and your debt will be paid in full."

"She's dying." It wasn't a question, it was a statement. Derek could hear the faltering rhythm of her heart. "And you actually expect me to believe you care?" His hand gestured at the ceiling. "That you can't bear to watch her waste away so you'd have me do it for you?"

"No, I expect you to pay your debt." Rowan set down his glass and pushed up from the couch. Squaring his shoulders, he narrowed his gaze at Derek. "The girl's use to me is none of your concern. She's owes me a debt, like you and so many others. Your job is to make sure she stays alive long enough to see it paid."

"You need to find someone else to babysit your investment." Derek turned toward the door, pausing to add, "I have my own problems to deal with."

"You know, Derek, an Alpha is only as strong as his pack. I'd hate to see you lose your last Beta. So eager to please, isn't he?"

A loud growl erupted from Derek's throat, his eyes flashing red at Rowan's threat as he spun around to face him. "You stay away from Isaac."

Rowan laid his head back against his shoulders and Derek smelt the blood as the vampire's teeth descended. "Who's gonna stop me, the big bad wolf?" Rowan snarled, his green eyes burning with deadly intensity. Rowan's features shifted back to human and he picked up his glass. "We both know you can't beat me, Derek," he paused, taking a long drink. "Don't make me kill everyone you care about trying to prove yourself an Alpha."

"When this is done, we are even and you never set foot in Beacon Hill again." Derek's eyes faded back to their natural colour and he glared at Rowan, hands clenched at his sides, waiting for Rowan to accept his terms.

"I don't know, that might be the deal breaker." Rowan flashed a toothy smile as Derek's fists tightened at his sides. "This place is kind of growing one me." Derek's nostrils flared and he took a deep breath, knowing the vampire was trying to get a rise from him. Rowan waved his hand dismissively. "Of course, this quaint little piece of…heaven, is all yours when we're done," Rowan replied, sounding bored. He dropped back onto the couch. "You can see yourself out, can't you?"