The door slammed shut behind Derek's retreating form, leaving Stiles naked and trembling on the floor. The instant his footsteps faded, Lydia crashed into her, small hands clutching at her marked shoulders. "Mom—I'm s-so sorry—" Her tears burned against Stiles's collarbone where Derek's teeth had broken skin hours earlier.

Noah moved like a sleepwalker, stripping off his dress shirt to wrap around his wife's ruined body. The fabric caught on her swollen nipples, making her whimper—but he merely lifted her into his arms with a shuddering breath, carrying her past their weeping daughter. The bedroom door clicked shut behind them with finality.