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The Jeep crashes through the wall, directly into Jackson, who is partially shifted into his Kanima form, and Lydia rushes out the door before the vehicle fully stops. Stiles barely manages to stay on his feet after exiting the Jeep by leaning on Roscoe for support. He watches as she, then Derek and Peter, transform Jackson into a real wolf. While the reunited couple holds each other, Stiles surveys the scene. Chris is holding Allison across the room, and Stiles leans his head toward Chris in an unspoken question. At a nod from the older hunter, Stiles quickly springs into action.

“Derek, you and Isaac need to go find Erica and Boyd.” Stiles is looking at Derek.

A deep growl from Derek, “Why should I do what you say? You betrayed my pack.”

Stiles shakes his head, “No. Scott betrayed this pack. I was being used as a punching bag while Erica and Boyd were strung up in the Argent basement.” Stiles glares at Allison, who buries her head in Chris’s chest. “Wasn’t I, Allison?”

Scott scoffs, “Allison would never do that.”

Ignoring Scott for the moment, Stiles looks at Derek. “They were released from the basement; neither of them was in any type of shape to run far. Take Isaac and go find your Pack, Alpha. We will deal with this.”

Derek is about to interrupt again when Peter steps out of the shadows. “He is not lying, nephew. Go find your pack. I will make sure everything is dealt with here.” Derek glares at Peter. “I promise, Alpha, I will take care of this.”

Peter leans slightly to expose his neck, and Derek sucks in a breath in response to Peter’s willing submission. He simply nods. “Isaac, let’s go.” Isaac follows Derek out of the warehouse to track Boyd and Erica.

Allison begins screaming that Derek killed her mother. Stiles interrupts, “No, Allison, your mother killed herself because she was accidentally bitten while Derek was saving your boyfriend.”

Chris turns Allison toward him. “Stiles isn’t lying, sweetheart.” He sighs and continues, “Your mother chose to follow the Code, suicide over being a wolf. I am ashamed to say I assisted her. Stiles is right that Victoria was trying to kill Scott with an aerosol form of wolfbane.”

“Stiles!” Scott screams. “You weren’t supposed to tell her. I was protecting her.”

Allison looks stunned at Scott. “WHAT?”

“Shut up, both of you. Chris, take your daughter and go,” Stiles said, gasping slightly as Lydia and Jackson got up off the floor. “Explain everything. You made me a promise, Chris. Will you keep it?”

Chris nodded. “It has been done. Come along, Allison. We are going to have some hard words.” Dragging a protesting Allison out of the warehouse, Scott goes to follow them, and Chris glares at him. “Do not follow us, wolf. Tonight was your fault.”

Scott sputters, “This is all Peter and the Hale’s fault.” Chris doesn’t engage and guides Allison away. Turning, Scott glowers at Stiles. “I can’t believe you told them. You made a promise to me.”

A quiet grunt from Stiles makes Peter concerned as he moves toward the younger man. “No, Scott, I never promised to keep your secret. And you knew that because you did everything you could to keep Allison and me apart so we wouldn’t talk. So don’t accuse me of your lies. That’s all on you. And so is everything you did tonight.”

“I HAD A PLAN!!!” he roars and heads toward Stiles, but Peter, Jackson, and Lydia step in between them. He pauses at the wall of people. “Lydia, why are you siding with Peter? You’re Allison’s best friend?”

“I am siding with Stiles. You lied about how Mrs. Argent died. Allison has been devastated by her mother’s death, but you kept the truth from her.” She glanced to the left at Peter. “He is protecting an innocent person. If I have to side with someone to protect Stiles, I will do it.” She glared at Scott.

Jackson smirked. “Face it, McCall, whatever plan you had was a major screw-up. Just like you have always been.” Scott advanced on Jackson so quickly that he was barely visible.

Peter intercepted him and pushed Scott away from Jackson. “Stand down, McCall. Or I will put you down.” Peter’s eyes flashed, and his fangs elongated at the prospect of killing his mistake of a beta.

Before anyone could react further, Stiles gasped deeply. He began coughing and dropped to his knees. Lydia and Jackson quickly moved to his side, holding him back from hitting the ground face-first. Spitting out blood, Stiles took a deep breath. “Go home, Scott. You will find no absolution or understanding here. If you don’t leave, I’ll make sure your mother knows everything you’ve been doing.” Stiles looked sharply at his friend. At this point, was Scott still Stiles’ friend?

Peter stood between them. If Scott attacked now, Peter would make sure Scott did not survive. “Stiles. You’re supposed to be on my side!” he screamed, stomping like a kindergartener.

“You raped someone tonight, Scott. I would never be friends with someone who rapes another.” Spitting more blood onto the concrete.

Lydia watched as Stiles grew paler. “Stiles,” she said gently. He simply shook his head at her.

“I didn’t rape anyone!” Scott scoffed.

“That, my ex-friend, is where you are wrong.” Another coughing fit caused Peter to move next to the trio by the Jeep. “Go home, Scott, and pray that Gerard dies from your plan. Because you will not like the outcome if he survives your betrayal.”

Scott takes a step toward the group, and Peter is across the room in seconds. Then Scott flies out of the warehouse, creating a huge hole in the wall Peter threw him at. He won’t kill Scott, yet. Turning to Lydia’s cry of “Stiles!”

“I think I need a hospital.” Stiles lets out a bitter chuckle before he finally passes out.

“Hospital it is.” Peter is across the room, lifting Stiles up. “Lydia, can you and Jackson get into the back of the Jeep? We are taking him to the hospital. I think tonight was more than what happened here in the warehouse.”

The couple crawled into the back of the Jeep while Lydia searched Stiles’ lacrosse bag for some sweats, which she handed to Jackson. Jackson took the sweats and struggled to put them on in the backseat. Peter buckled Stiles into the passenger seat before driving them out of the warehouse through the new hole he made by throwing Scott away from the group.

*************************************************

“What hit me?” Stiles slurs out as he wakes up. “Ugggg beeping. Stoopid hospital sounds,” he grumbles.

A chuckle and a hand run through his hair. “You back with us, kiddo?”

“If I say no, can I go back to sleep?” There’s a smirk on his lips as Stiles opens his eyes. “Ugggggg, who turned on the sun?” He closes his eyes to the chuckles from Noah and Melissa.

“Better?” Melissa asks.

Squinting as he opens his eyes, “Uhh, yeah. What happened?”

The door opens, and Peter Hale walks into his hospital room. “Gerard Argent.” Suddenly, Stiles tries to sit up, crying out in pain. “Settle down, Stiles. Your father and Melissa will not be killing me.” Helping Noah lower Stiles back onto the bed. Melissa grabs the controller and raises the bed up so Stiles can sit up a little. “May I?” Peter has his hand raised near Stiles’s shoulder.

“May you what?” Noah looks like he sucked a lemon at the thought of the older man touching his injured son. Peter had been given begrudging permission to be in Stiles’ hospital room after everything the man had told them.

“Werewolves have the ability to take pain.” Peter smiled softly at Stiles, who nodded back at him. Peter touched Stiles’s shoulder, and black lines traced his hand before vanishing under the sleeve of his V-neck sweater.

“What is that?” Melissa asked cautiously as she approached Peter. She was still very wary of the man. Everything Scott had told her painted him as a monster.

Nodding to the black veins on his hand, Peter said, “That is Stiles’ pain. I am just taking the edge off so he can breathe a bit better.” Releasing Stiles’s shoulder, Peter looks at Melissa. “Werewolves can take pain, a lot of pain, but we do not want him to fall asleep or become intoxicated by the euphoria of the pain drain. There are things we need to discuss now that you are awake, Stiles.” Now, looking at Noah.

“Yes, Stiles. Werewolves are something I feel I should know about.” Noah tried to glare, but the night before had been a pretty close call.

“Let me get my bearings first.” Stiles took a breath, feeling his lungs fill better. “Melissa. What is my official medical diagnosis?”

“You went into surgery almost immediately after Lydia, Jackson, and Peter brought you into the ER. You had a collapsed lung, some internal bleeding, and several cracked or broken ribs. One of those ribs punctured your lung.” She shook her head at him. “Young man, you should have come here and not run your Jeep through a warehouse wall.” Chastising him.

Nodding, he first looked at Peter with a raised eyebrow. “Stiles, why are you looking at Peter like that?” Noah’s voice brought his son back to attention.

“Not my secret, Poppo. Some I can tell, but some are not my stories since I refuse to share other people’s secrets.”

“Go ahead, Stiles,” Peter spoke softly to the brunette in the bed. “I will fill in where I can.”

A nod at Peter. “If I can’t breathe, will you take some pain so I can get this all out?”

Melissa huffs. “Stiles, you are on morphine.”

A laugh with a cough, “But Mama McCall, I need to stay awake and not laugh at the cockroaches riding ants.” Noah and Melissa burst into laughter, breaking the tension. Meanwhile, Peter looked confused. “I have a bad habit of having some pretty wild hallucinations when I am on morphine. We want reality, not dancing bugs or anything else.”

“Werewolves aren’t real, son.” Noah rubbed his face, glancing at Peter. He remembered what Melissa had said about Peter carrying Stiles into the ER. “They are, though, aren’t they? Real, I mean.”

Stiles nodded and quickly summarized the last few months, including a brief backstory on the Hale Fire. He provided key facts, such as an underage boy being raped and manipulated by Kate, the fire leaving Peter in what was likely a waking coma, since human medications went right through wolves due to their metabolism. Peter woke up feral and killed those involved in the fire, accidentally biting Scott because Peter was a feral Alpha and needed a pack after attacking Laura in a fit of rage at an invading wolf in his territory.

Peter interjected where he could. Stiles told them what happened after they killed Peter, apologizing to Peter for how they did it. Noah asked Stiles if he was involved in murder. Stiles, wiggling his fingers, said, “Is it really murder if the dead person was resurrected?” Bringing Peter’s resurrection into it the other night, just before the warehouse confrontation. The Kanima, Lydia’s bite, Scott working with Gerard, Allison going nuts, and kidnapping two classmates. Peter let him know Derek and Isaac had found the wayward betas and brought them home. Erica and Boyd were worried about him, but they had been told to stay away from the hospital since Gerard was still in the wind.

Stiles explains that he was kidnapped from the lacrosse pitch and thrown down into the Argent basement, where Gerard had beaten him. His worry about Erica and Boyd still being strung up in the basement when Gerard’s thugs had dumped Stiles back at the school.

How Chris had walked up to Stiles and helped him into the Jeep. That Chris had confronted Stiles and Stiles had told him off. How Allison had kidnapped Boyd and Erica at Gerard’s behest. How the couple had told Stiles she had filled them with arrows and dragged them to the basement. That Allison had been there when Stiles was thrown down the stairs. Not in the basement, but in the kitchen when he was dragged through to the basement.

Informed Chris that Allison went off the rails because he and Scott were lying about Derek attacking Victoria on purpose. That Chris needed to set the record straight, or Stiles would. No one wanted that because Stiles was done. He was pissed and tired of being used by the Argents for target practice. Chris told him he would inform Allison and take her to France for retraining because, apparently, she was too easily manipulated by others. Stiles also pointed out, once again, that Kate was behind the Hale fire. To which Chris replied that he would contact the proper authorities.

Lydia showing up wanting to see Jackson, the multiple texts and calls from Scott, and then the ride to the warehouse. Where he shared with Lydia what he could about the Hales, Argents, and the last few months. Peter informed them that Scott had a plan regarding Gerard and used Derek to bite the older Argent without consent.

Stiles told Melissa that this wasn’t the first time Scott betrayed them. He explained how Scott was collaborating with Gerard Argent and suspected that Deaton was involved in Scott’s plan. Additionally, he revealed that Allison didn’t know the real reason her mother died—that Derek was saving Scott’s life the night of the rave. Victoria had been using an aerosol version of wolfsbane to mimic an asthma attack, and he would have died before anyone realized. During the confrontation, Derek bit Victoria, who chose to commit suicide rather than become a werewolf. Later, Stiles confronted Scott about not telling Allison the truth about that night, and Scott did everything he could to keep Allison and Stiles apart.

Before any clarifying questions can be asked, Scott bursts into the room. “You had Gerard arrested? He didn’t do anything, Stiles.” As Scott approaches the bed, Peter stands guard over Stiles, keeping Scott away. Causing Scott to focus his ire on Peter. “Peter, what lies are you spreading now!”

Melissa slapped her son upside the head. He hadn’t even seen her in the room. “Lies? Scott Rafael McCall. You want to talk about lies?”

“Mom, whatever they told you isn’t true. Peter must have manipulated Stiles.” A pointed glare at Peter.

A bitter laugh escaped from the bed. “Scott, do not try to lay the blame on Peter for last night. You are a rapist. That puts you well above Peter in my book. He, at least, was seeking vengeance for his family’s murders. You know I don’t condone anyone who takes someone’s bodily autonomy from them.” Shifting his weight to try to lessen his pain.

Scoffing, Scott scowls at Stiles. “Don’t compare me to Peter! And I am not a rapist. I don’t know where you got that, but I had a plan. Derek never would have cooperated. So I used him. Just like he used me!” Growling at Stiles, he says, “I don’t know why you are lying about Gerard to get him arrested and letting Peter manipulate my mother, but this ends now.” He began to advance when the door opened to reveal a short brunette woman in her mid-fifties.

She shut the door and waved a hand at Scott, which kept him in place, though no one in the room was aware of that little magical trick. “Please, do continue, Mr. McCall. You are already in enough trouble in the Supernatural world. This will only add to it. Attacking an injured human will not make you look good.”

“What the fuck!” Stiles was now glaring at the woman who had entered the room.

Noah moved to stand between the group and the woman who had just entered the room. “Marjorie, I told you never to come back here. After your crazy ideas when Claudia was sick.” He was angrier than anyone had seen him in a long time.

“I was called in by Christopher Argent.” The air vanished from the room. “Now, Mr. McCall, you need to leave.”

Melissa looked at the woman, and she seemed familiar. Noticing the anger on the Stilinskis’ faces, she decided to send Scott out. “Go home, Scott.”

“Mom!”

“I spoke to Coach after the team’s victory. He told me he was waiting until Monday to turn in your grades so you could play in the championship game.” She was pissed and shoving Scott toward the door. “Told me that you are this close to failing two classes. Go home, Scott.”

“Mom!!”

“You’re grounded. I’ll talk to you when I get home.” Melissa left no room for argument.

“Fine, I’ll go, but if Stiles is to blame for the Argents, I get to say I told you so!” He stormed out of the room.

Once the door closed, everyone turned to the newest person in the room. “Marjorie?” There was deep anger in the word, and when Peter sniffed, he smelt hurt, anger, betrayal, and sadness from the Stilinski men.

A nod. “Christopher and Allison Argent have left town. I am sure your son will not be happy, Mrs. McCall, but Christopher was taking Allison to France. Apparently, she has been a problem, and it is time she is properly trained.”

“He’s training her to be a hunter?” Stiles exclaimed in anger, wincing in pain.

Marjorie shook her head, “No, Mischief.” A growl worthy of a wolf came from Stiles. “Sorry, Stiles. No Argent is taking her to be taught about the Supernatural and the proper Code the Argents live by. It is only the North American branch under Gerard where the Code was corrupted.”

“As nice as this is, who are you?” Peter asked cautiously because this woman was an unknown who knew about the Supernatural and had a hint of magic in her scent. She was also someone that the Stilinskis were not too happy to see.

“That’s my Aunt Marjorie.” Stiles sounded hostile. There was a story there Peter knew, and he had smelled the combined chemosignals from the men.

“I think he means my full name, Mischief.”

Stiles grumbled, “You have no right to call me Mischief. I’m Stiles.”

She ignored her nephew and turned to Peter, extending her hand. “Peter Hale, left hand of the Hale Pack, I am Małgorzata Gajos. Alpha Mate and head of the Gajos Hunting Clan. Please call me Marjorie.”

Peter hesitated to touch the woman. The Gajos Hunting Clan was essentially the police force for the Supernatural world. Taking a breath, he shook her hand. “Pleasure is not mine, Alpha Mate Gajos. Please call me Peter.”

*************************************************

The room is silent. Of course, it was Stiles who broke the awkward, sour silence. “Zombiewolf, I will need a little more pain drain to deal with this, please.”

“Zombiewolf? Stiles, you’re better than that!” But Peter absorbed a bit more of his pain. Marjorie watched the scene carefully. Once the pain eased, Peter looked at Marjorie. “May I ask? Why is the Gajos Hunting Clan here now?”

Scrubbing her face, she smiled wearily. “We are here because Christopher Argent called, saying his father had obliterated the Argent Hunting Code and Beacon Hills needed the Gajos’s.”

Melissa finally realized why she looked familiar. “That’s for the town. What about Noah and Stiles?” She was angry on behalf of the Stilinskis.

Noah spoke up. “This is Claudia’s older sister.” He turned to Peter as he gestured to Marjorie. “The last time we saw her was when Claudia told us she was spouting all these weird medical cures that would save my wife. That honestly sounded like they were in a cult of some sort. I told her and River to never darken our doorstep again.” He looked from Stiles to his sister-in-law. “I am now beginning to think that Claudia was not telling me the full truth.”

Sighing, she nodded at Noah. “Yes, Claudia left our Clan and did not want to have anything to do with the Supernatural. When she was accepted at Berkeley, she never looked back. Although we kept in touch as sisters, we spoke of nothing related to the Supernatural world at her request. Which I honored until she got sick.” She motioned to the chair, “May I?”

Melissa and Noah moved so she could drag the chair to the end of Stiles’ bed so he could see her. “Since Christopher’s phone call last night, we have been on the move. I am a bit tired. I am sorry for that. It is not an excuse, just a fact.” Sitting down, she looked at Stiles. “Christopher called and informed me that Stiles was kidnapped by his father, that his daughter had helped hunt down two of her classmates, and they’d all been tortured by his father in his basement. Calling them Code breakers. Since that moment, we have been gathering people and getting here. I am thankful that after Claudia passed, we relocated a good portion of our Clan to New York, while the rest stayed in Poland.”

“You’ve been in New York since Mom died? Why didn’t you come when I called you?” Stiles said sullenly. He had called his aunt and uncle multiple times after his mom died. Noah had been heavily drinking, and he needed help. They had promised to always be there for him.

“I am so sorry, Mischief. Noah threatened to have us arrested if we had any contact with you.”

Noah lowered his head in shame. The scent of his shame was so intense that Peter winced at its potency. “I am sorry, Stiles. For so many things. I failed you so much after your mother died.”

“Dad!” he protested.

Shaking his head. “No, Stiles, your mother and I promised you could always rely on your Aunt and Uncle, and I took that away from you.” Marjorie looked confused, glancing back and forth between the two. “He tried to call you when I was drinking heavily, but I had deleted your numbers and burned your information. My deputies threatened to take Stiles away if I didn’t get my act together. That’s all on me. Banning you and River was the wrong thing to do. I will apologize to River, too, but Marjorie, I am sorry. I was just so angry. Not just at you, but also at Claudia, myself, the doctors, and the world. Just everyone.”

Peter turned to look at Stiles as he muttered so quietly only wolf ears could hear, “and at me for looking like my mom.”

“Water under the bridge, Noah. We all made mistakes when it came to Claudia.” She stood up to hug her brother-in-law. “We will fix this rift between us and move forward.” They hugged, and she looked at Stiles, who shook his head at the unspoken option of a hug.

He didn’t think his ribs could handle it. “Peter?” He reached out to the older man, who took his hand and took a little more pain. “Thank you.” Peter squeezed his hand in support before letting go.

“So, Christopher finally put on his big boy pants and called you in. Why did you not come after the Hale Fire?” Peter’s sardonic words had the effect he wanted.

“There are several reasons. First, the fire was classified as an electrical fire, which prevented us from opening a formal investigation. Second, we contacted the Hale Emissary, who confirmed it was an electrical fire. Third, Laura Hale declined our help and disappeared after we initially reached out. After that, she must have thrown her phone away; we had no way of contacting her.”

“So?” Noah looked confused.

“They are the Supernatural police, Noah,” Melissa remembered from earlier in the discussion. Noah sighed deeply, understanding there were rules regarding the police. “If I remember the timing of the fire, it was a few months after Claudia died.”

“Gówno,” Noah muttered. Peter snorted at Noah’s outburst.

“Noah!”

“Sorry, Marjorie. But I effectively prevented the Hale fire from being reclassified as a hate crime because you wouldn’t break your word to me.” Noah was shattered. His drinking had caused so much damage.

“No, Noah,” Marjorie shook her head. “Do not take this on. We are the police, yes, but you were not even a blip on the radar in regards to the inquiry. The three ways we had open to legally investigate the Hale fire prevented us from doing so. Your edict did nothing to prevent us from coming here. The laws did.”

Stiles sputtered from the bed, “But Peter would have healed so much sooner if you had come and taken him away.”

Peter’s head snapped toward Stiles. “What!”

“You were feral, Peter. FERAL! Everything Kate did to Derek doesn’t compare to what happened to you.” His indignant squawks from the bed made Noah look from Stiles to Peter.

“Peter?” Then he turned to Marjorie. “Marjorie?”

She looked at Peter he nodded. But Stiles broke in. “Dad, it means that Peter spent six years reliving the fire and probably being tortured because Laura left him under his own name at the hospital. He probably woke up when he sensed a foreign Alpha in his territory. Peter’s the left hand. The wolf, already at the surface, probably took over and defended their territory against a threat. Was it enough, Peter? To bring some part of your human mind back to the surface.”

A chuckle. “I have always called you clever, dear boy. You are correct.” He turned to the adults in the room. “While I do not know if I was tortured as Stiles said, I did spend the six years I was in a coma reliving the fire. I honestly did not know the wolf I killed was Laura. When I did, I embraced my anger at her for leaving me behind. For taking Derek and running away. That was not what Talia taught her.” The others looked at Peter, confused. “She was the Alpha heir. Talia had been training her for almost a year at that point.”

Peter scrubs his face. “Yes, she was almost eighteen, just a few months shy of it, and Derek was barely fifteen when the fire happened, but she never should have run. I know Talia did not teach her that. Nor did she teach her to leave vulnerable wolves behind.”

There was silence. Then Stiles spoke softly. “The Hale Emissary backed up the electrical fire. That’s what you said, Aunt Marjorie.” At her nod, Stiles looked at Peter. “That wouldn’t be our shady Druid, would it?”

Nodding, Peter looked at Marjorie. “So Scott said Gerard was arrested? Why was that?” The rest of the faces showed confusion at the shift in topic. Peter waved at Marjorie.

“Yes, he has been declared an oath breaker to and by the Hunters Council,” Marjorie began. “The legal channels involve the buying and selling of illegal weapons and substances, as well as murder, arson, kidnapping, assault, and many other crimes. Why?”

An evil smile crossed the face of the Hale Pack’s left hand. “You might want to check if the previous Hale Emissary was involved.”

A laugh from the bed drew all eyes to Stiles. “The shady fucker was selling to Hunters, wasn’t he, Peter!!!”

“As shrewd as always, Stiles,” Peter said in a formal tone. “Małgorzata Gajos, as the left hand of the current Hale Pack, even if Derek has not officially offered me the position in the current pack, but as the previous left hand, I request you arrest Dr. Alan Deaton for colluding with hunters regarding the fire that killed the Hale Pack.”

*************************************************

“Stiles, would you please go sit down. I’ve got this,” Lydia said, frustration clear in her voice as she again saw Stiles in the kitchen at the Stilinski house instead of resting on the couch. The rest of the Pack was sitting in the living room of the Stilinski house, except for Peter, Stiles, Jackson, and Lydia, who were in the kitchen.

“Lydia…” he whined.

“Go sit, Stiles. I promise I have this. You need to rest.” Lydia was trying to soften her words. She understood the need to be in control, and Stiles was not used to having his home invaded. It should have been a moot point, but Derek was still living in the abandoned train station. When Noah found out, he dragged Isaac to the Stilinski home up and set him up in the guest room. Then told Derek to find a better place to live. Peter had offered his penthouse, but Derek was acting like a martyr and still didn’t trust Peter. The process of building trust between nephew and uncle was slow.

Before Stiles could protest, Erica appeared at his shoulder, “Come on, Batman. The couch isn’t the same without you.” Carefully dragging Stiles out of the kitchen, a lot had changed since their time in the basement. The Pack had been cautioned to tone down their strength around the humans.

Stiles allowed himself to be led back into the living room. They were waiting for his Aunt, Uncle, Noah, and Derek, who was grabbing real food with Noah. The four of them would be there soon. Lydia was collecting drinks and snacks that they currently had at the house. Stiles figured his dad was using the time to try to convince Derek to find a better place to live, especially since Isaac was his foster son. Noah had shaken his head at that. He would never understand how Derek could be a foster father when he didn’t even have a permanent address.

Erica placed Stiles between herself and Boyd. The three of them might not have spoken much in the basement, but their shared trauma created a real bond. Not a healthy one at all, but the three understood the depravity of hunters as well as Peter and Derek did at this point. Torture by hunter was not a club anyone wanted to join.

Lydia, Peter, and Jackson had just handed out drinks and placed snacks on the coffee table when Peter asked, “Isaac, please open the door?”

Isaac hopped up from the floor, where he had been curled into Boyd, to open the door. Lydia and Jackson sat on the loveseat, leaving the recliner for Noah. Peter chose to stand at the bottom of the stairs, with his back to the wall. He watched over the room, ready to protect, with a clear view of the kitchen and the front door. Derek had brought out a few chairs from the dining room so everyone had a seat before he left with Noah to get food.

“Peter, come help us,” Noah called from the kitchen. Marjorie and River had stopped near the front door, taking off their jackets. The Gajos Alpha Mates went into the living room while the three older men spent some time setting up the kitchen table with food, plates, and silverware. “Humans first, followed by wolves. And humans mean Lydia and Marjorie. Stiles, Peter will bring you food.”

Stiles huffed and sat back down. Erica patted him on the arm in comfort. “Hey, at least they are feeding the humans first. I hear wolves eat like animals.” The room chuckled.

“Stiles, do you want pizza or Chinese?” the Sheriff called out.

“Chinese. Orange chicken with low mien please.”

“Got it.” The murmurs reach the group in the living room. “Here you go, Stiles.” Peter hands Stiles silverware, a napkin, and then a bowl with his food. Stiles is still moving slowly from the surgery and his injuries. Peter, Derek, and River have been teaching the bitten wolves how to moderate their taking of Stiles’ pain.

“Thanks, Peter.” He placed the bowl in his lap. He understood wolf culture better now, so he would wait for Derek and Uncle River to eat first. Peter had been giving the pack some basic lessons on wolf etiquette while Stiles was recuperating from surgery at the hospital and later at home.

River smiled and, with a slight accent, said, “Eat Mischief. Derek and I will not hold it against you, pup.” There was genuine warmth in River’s voice. Unlike his wife, who was five feet four inches of brunette sass, he was well over six feet tall and made Derek look like a short beanpole.

Stiles let out a huff. His uncle kept refusing to call him Stiles, despite his insistence that it was his name. River had told him that Claudia loved her Mischief, and he would honor her by using the name she gave him. At least he managed to get his aunt to call him Stiles. He figured it wasn’t a battle he could win with Uncle River. And from the smile on River’s face, he knew it too.

Lydia and Noah entered the room and sat down. Marjorie sat on one of the dining room chairs. “The rest of you can grab food now.” The young wolves did as their Alpha instructed. He went to get his food, passing Peter as he entered the kitchen. Peter leaned against the wall again and waited.

“Come eat, Peter.” Derek huffed from the kitchen. He was embarrassed to be following a protocol for eating after all this time. It took a while for them to eat their food, some shared small talk, while others ate in silence.

Once most of the food was finished, the dishes were cleared, and the drinks were refilled, Marjorie and River started asking direct questions. They clarified some of what people had known over the past few years. They and Derek had already discussed Kate Argent and her involvement in the fire. Not wanting to bring it up in front of the pack, they decided to handle it privately.

After their discussion, they used legal channels to exhume Kate Argent’s body. It was quickly cremated once they discovered she was turning. When their Clan went to exhume her, they found members of the Calaveras Hunting Clan in the process of digging her up. The men had been arrested for desecrating a body, and the Hunter Council was in negotiations with the Calaveras Matriarch for their release or punishment.

River began with a soft accent, “We have spoken to all of you over the last several days.” He stood up. The newly reformed Hale Pack understood that River and Marjorie were an Alpha Pair and that they were both leaders of the Gajos Hunting Clan. Unlike other Clans, which were either patriarchal or matriarchal, their Clan was always led by an Alpha Pair. “Since then, I am sure there are things you have questions about,” he nodded to Lydia and then Stiles, “and we will address those later with in-depth discussions with both of you.” The group laughed because, in the five days since the basement and the showdown at the warehouse, Lydia and Stiles had been making lists—many lists—of questions that Derek, Peter, Marjorie, and River had told them they would answer soon.

A grin to ease his words, River continued. “Since your kidnapping,” looking at the three who had been in the basement, “Gerard has been sent to New York to stand trial before the Druid, Magic, and Hunter Councils. Well, there is just one Council, but those are three of the four sides of the full Council. The fourth is the Supernatural Council.”

Peter smirks, “he’s already a dead man walking, why prolong his pain. Unless we can?” He asked smarmily, like a used-car salesman. “If you need to prolong his pain, I would be willing to take on the task.”

Marjorie laughed, “Thank you, Peter, for your kind offer. Sadly, you would not be the top of the list of those wanting to exact their pound of flesh.”

“Speaking of flesh.” River and Marjorie sobered up. “One of those harmed by Gerard was Deucalion Blackwood.” Both Derek and Peter straightened at his words. “The kids,” he added, noticing their confused looks. “Ahh, forgive me, our kids—Stiles’ cousins—found an Alpha Pack heading this direction.” Rubbing his bald head, River sighed, “There is no easy way to say this. They were holding a captive with them when they were captured. Your niece and sister, Cora, was being held by them.” Both men stood and growled as they moved toward the door. “Stop, pups!” An Alpha’s order usually didn’t work with wolves not in the Alpha’s Pack, but the authority in his voice made both stop. “She is fine, but the kids are keeping her out of the territory until we have dealt with all the stuff happening here.”

“Guys, stop,” Stiles snapped. Both men shot him a look. “If she’s with the cousins, she’s safe—safer than here. So please just wait. I’m sure Uncle River or Aunt Marjorie will take you to her once this is over.”

The men growled at Stiles, then stopped. They knew Stiles was right, but the thought that Cora had survived the fire, and they didn’t know, put them on the defensive. “Gentlemen, I do understand the need to be with family, but my nephew is right. Let us deal with this first.” His accent was a little thicker because of the gruffness in his voice.

Both men nodded and returned to their previous spots. “Thank you.” Marjorie stood up and continued with a slight Polish accent. Hers was much less pronounced than Rivers’ Russian accent. “The Supernatural Council will handle the Alpha Pack that was just caught. Deucalion was leading four other Alphas in this direction. The other three Councils will manage the Argent problem and the Druid issue.”

“Druid issue?” Erica asked, confused. She knew there were wolves and people with magic. “Who’s the Druid?”

Lydia smirked. “Deaton?” she said, looking proud of herself.

Marjorie nodded at the redhead. “Yes, it seems that the local Emissary was selling supplies to Hunters and apparently was not taking care of the local Nemeton.”

Derek blanched. Peter looked at the Gajos couple. “What did Deaton do to the Nemeton?” A growl in his voice.

“More of what he did NOT do,” River growled. The others looked confused. “As the Hale Emissary, Deaton was responsible for and obligated to protect and care for the local Nemeton and his Pack. There were no wards around the Hale house, the Nemeton, or the territory itself. Our magic worker felt no wards anywhere in the territory except on his vet clinic and his home.”

A snarl escaped from Peter that caused most of the room to shudder in fear. Stiles turned to the older Hale. “Peter. Please stop. If you act like you want to kill everything or everyone that my aunt and uncle mention, we will be here all day. Please. Keep the kill them all to yourself for now. Please?” It was not asked politely, but firmly, and Peter took a moment to rein in his anger. Once he nodded at the request, “Thank you, Peter.” Stiles looked at River and nodded for him to continue.

“Thank you both. Deaton was also taken to New York in a separate caravan from Gerard. Christopher and Allison will be attending the trial with Gerard and have their own trial. Allison may not look too good after all the facts are presented.” Marjorie nodded at Lydia. “I know you care deeply for her, Lydia. While she may be your friend, she wronged several people in this room.” Lydia sniffled but nodded.

“All of you have completed the papers we asked you to fill out and to let us know about any and all details regarding the Argents. We have also reached out and spoken to the McCall family.” Several growls at that. “Stop acting like children,” River growled. The room quieted, and you could smell the shame that came from the younger pack members. “Thank you.”

“What happened with Melissa?” Noah asked. He wasn’t very concerned about Scott right now because, based on what Chris and Allison already told the Hunters Council, Scott knew that Stiles or Melissa could be kidnapped if he didn’t follow Gerard’s plan. That’s Gerard’s usual MO when it comes to threats he makes to people he wants to do his bidding.

With a sigh, Marjorie looked at her husband. “Melissa is extremely unhappy with Scott. How does he not see that he did anything wrong? We reached out to Alpha Satomi Ito, who is from the nearby territory, to take Scott in.” Peter and Derek nodded. The Hales provided the names of nearby Alphas, and the Supernatural Council arranged some introductions. “Scott did not wish to go. However, his mother forced his hand. As of dinner time last evening, Scott is living with Alpha Ito to learn how to be a werewolf. Let us just say that Alpha Ito will be making sure he follows the rules that were laid down for him, and Scott signed the agreement.”

Shaking her head, Marjorie continued, “Noah, you, Melissa, and we will be having a sit-down sometime in the next few days to figure out how to deal with Scott beyond this. Melissa knows that Scott’s actions—lying to the pack, betraying them, taking Derek’s bodily autonomy, and helping Deaton poison a man after he became a wolf—were illegal. That Scott had broken several Supernatural laws. If he did not go and learn from Alpha Ito, he was facing some major repercussions for his actions.”

“Wait,” Jackson popped up. “What he did was illegal?”

“Poisoning a man, fully aware it might kill him, is against all the laws, Jackson,” Noah said. “And he knew that the mountain ash could kill Gerard because Deaton told him it was one of the possible outcomes. Scott chose to believe it would just stop the bite from taking.” He shook his head at Scott’s stupidity. Some testimony had already been taken regarding Chris, Allison, and Deaton’s actions, which had been shared with the Gajos’s Alphas and Noah.

“Wow. I always knew he wasn’t the smartest cracker in the box, but wow,” Erica laughed.

“Yes. Scott is paying for his crimes, but if he does not show any improvement or do what Alpha Ito requires, Scott will not have a very bright future,” Marjorie said quietly.

The group took a moment to absorb all that. Scott was in serious trouble. “Okay, so far we have an Alpha Pack–which we will come back to later–Cora Hale is not dead—which, yay for the Hales,” it was not said sarcastically. Stiles was genuinely happy for them. “Scott is just being Scott, and Deaton and the Argents are on trial. What else is going on?” Stiles counted off on his fingers.

“There are still two major things we need to discuss, Mischief,” River said, glancing between Peter and Derek, then at the younger kids. “First, who we are. I know we gave a quick overview to some of you, but not all. The Gajos Hunting Clan is a bit of a misnomer to some. We do hunt, but not in the way the Argent Hunting Clan does. Our hunting is directed by the Councils. Whether you are a Hunter, Magical, Druid, Supernatural, or even a mundane, our Clan enforces the laws. If someone or a group crosses the line, we have the authority from the Councils to take action or bring them to trial. Usually, we manage disputes between groups or deliver offenders to justice.”

“Like the Argents?” Erica asked brightly.

River nodded. “Yes, Erica. Exactly. We also seek justice. For example, Scott was handed over to Alpha Satomi Ito at the request of his mother and myself.” There were some sputters at that. “Wait. While some of you may believe Scott is not a good person, even someone who is manipulated deserves a second chance. We hope Scott did not willfully and knowingly cause the harm he did. Alpha Ito will be working to uncover what Scott McCall is truly guilty of. Think of Alpha Ito as a mediator between our Clan and McCall. She is to find out what Scott knew or did not know, and whether his actions were his own or influenced by others.”

Marjorie continues. “If the justice is of a more permanent kind. For example, finding that Kate Argent was slowly turning from Peter’s claws and that the Calaveras Hunting Clan was there at Gerard’s request to take his daughter away to ensure her safety, so she could finish her transformation. We took the Calaveras Hunters into custody and killed Kate Argent. There were two legal reasons for killing her. First, she was already dead from all mundane legal standpoints. Second, and the actual reason, was that she was already on all of the Council’s kill lists for atrocities we now know she committed with and without her father’s help.”

“Was she a Kanima?” Jackson asked softly. The Alpha pair had already spoken with Jackson and his parents to explain the events of the past few months. Additionally, they offered help because his turning was traumatic.

He shook his head. “No, Jackson. She was turning, yes, we suspect she was becoming a Nagual or werejaguar.”

“There are other types of shifters?” Isaac asked quickly, then looked ashamed at his question.

“Yes, there are many, many other shifter types. One of the things, going forward, we will all be learning,” Marjorie said. They also spoke privately to Isaac and Derek about seeing a therapist who was knowledgeable about the Supernatural to help with their trauma. Jackson was given similar information.

In sync, “What kinds?” Stiles and Lydia piped up.

Laughter spread throughout the room at their excitement and curiosity. “We will be learning that later.” River smiled at the two, who huffed at his words. “Because she already had a kill-on-site order and was dead in the mundane world. Kate Argent was killed and cremated immediately upon being found.”

“So when you say police, you really aren’t?” Noah sounded concerned.

“Think of us as the left hand for the otherworld and hunters. We can be lenient, but we can also be cruel. However, at the end of the day, we follow the laws that govern that world,” Marjorie said.

“The other reason we are here today, besides getting you all used to being together since you are all Pack.” That was the first time some of them heard that.

“I’m Pack?” Noah spoke up first. It was evident in that moment that Stiles’ impulsivity was not solely from his mother.

Derek nodded. “If you want to be. Stiles is already Pack, but you can be as well.” His voice was rough, but he was following the Alpha pair’s instructions. To use his words, because he was not just dealing with heightened senses but humans as well.

“Oh.” Noah looked poleaxed. He hadn’t expected to be part of the pack. Peter and he had a long conversation about what Pack was and what it wasn’t, but Noah never thought he was included.

“So we are here to bond as a Pack,” Boyd said. He could tell the Sheriff was shaken by being called Pack.

A fond smile from Marjorie, “in part. But the actual second reason we are here is for Peter.” Peter growled. He knew this was coming, but he still didn’t want to deal with it. “Peter. You know this is important. You were feral when you woke up and hurt several people in this room. You need to explain or let us explain some of what was going on.”

Most eyes were on Peter. Stiles turned and grimaced. Derek quickly placed his hand on Stiles’ neck to ease the pain. A sigh escaped from the younger Stilinski. “Okay, fine. But I will not sugarcoat anything.” Peter grumbled.

Stiles smiled at Derek but smirked at Peter. “Why don’t you let us share what we know and you correct us where we have gone wrong? I believe you might be what some call an unreliable narrator.”

Peter coughed and glared at Stiles, but the younger man knew he’d won. “So we know the aftereffects, but let us share a hunter’s perspective on what happened to Peter.” River took over.

Peter nodded, and Marjorie started. “One of the younger male members of the Hale Pack became a blue-eyed wolf because Peter was a shit.” The group chuckled, and Peter just shrugged. “Anyway, due to this, the newly blue-eyed wolf distanced himself from his Pack. That’s somewhat normal, but the Alpha has the authority to tell the pack why the wolf now has blue eyes. I gather Alpha Hale did not tell the pack?”

Derek and Peter nodded their heads at her assessment. “According to Talia, it was private, and if the wolf wanted to share, he would.”

“But that is not how it should be,” Stiles sputtered. “The wolf is subordinate to their Alpha. Without Alpha support, the young wolf would be shunned.”

“Exactly, Mischief. Alpha Hale did a disservice to this wolf. What she did was send Peter, her left hand, away. This left the territory vulnerable because the job of the left hand is to watch the territory for issues,” River continued, his accent slightly stronger as he growled softly. “I do not agree with what your Alpha did, gentlemen. Had the wolf been in our Pack, the pack would have understood that blue eyes only mean guilt. Blue eyes do not mean that they killed an innocent.” Derek ducked his head, and Peter shuddered at River’s words. “For the rest of you. Our Clan has seen wolves who got off on killing innocents who kept their golden eyes. We have also seen wolves with blue eyes who felt guilt over the death they were part of. In this case, the young wolf felt guilty for easing his girlfriend’s pain from bite rejection. Easing the suffering of another is never a dishonorable thing.”

“However,” Peter interjected. “Talia made it worse by not sharing that the wolf did not kill an innocent, which caused the pack to shun the wolf. But I was otherwise sent to Florida for further ‘training’ per my Alpha’s brilliant orders.” He said mockingly.

“Which left the door open for Kate Argent,” Erica quickly understood.

Lydia followed, “and she used the shunned wolf to find out family secrets.”

“Very good, but there is a bit more to that. Deaton, we have since learned, sold the pink wolfsbane to the Argents, which she used on the young wolf.” Seeing the confusion on most faces, only Peter looked horrified and ill. “Pink wolfsbane makes wolves more obedient and malleable. They are more easily swayed into thinking they are not giving up secrets, but rather sharing with someone who wishes to ease their burden.” Every eye turned toward the kitchen as the back door slammed open when Derek left.

River chased after Derek out of the house. He was the only one quick enough to catch him. It took just seconds for the rest of the pack to look as horror-struck as Peter. “Derek?” Isaac whined in question.

“Yes, pup. Kate Argent used pink wolfbane to coerce Derek into what we believe was a possible sexual relationship, all the while learning Pack secrets from him. The result of his mother, Alpha Hale, not telling her Pack about the mercy killing and sending her left hand away.” Marjorie stopped at Peter’s whine. “Your Alpha is to blame, Peter. You didn’t help yourself by interfering in young love, but at the end of the day, your Alpha is to blame.”

“Kate set the fire after learning their secrets from Derek?” Noah asked quietly.

A nod from the Alpha Mate. “Yes, and then Peter was trapped in the house during the fire. From what Cora told us, Peter got her out through a hole in a collapsed wall that apparently broke the mountain ash, and when he realized she was safe, he told her he was going back for the children. Unfortunately, that was the moment when the whole side of the house collapsed on Peter. Cora ran, thinking her whole Pack was dead. That’s where the firemen found him and pulled him out of the fire.”

“But I thought wolves couldn’t cross mountain ash?” Erica asked. Boyd, Isaac, Stiles, and she had been hanging out and talking about what happened the past few days, and everything they thought they knew about the Supernatural.

“That is true, but as I said, the collapse broke the line. Peter would have been free if he had not gone back to get the other children.”

A soft sniffle came from Lydia. “Which means when you bit us, you were what?”

“Feral. It is what happens when a werewolf is overwhelmed by everything. The wolf part of us comes to the forefront, stopping all rational thought.” Peter started.

Marjorie interrupted to prevent Peter from hurting himself emotionally. “Peter, wait.” She turned to the teens. “What he means is...” she paused, searching for a past experience to relate, “have you ever been delirious?”

Most nodded, especially Erica. “During severe seizures, reality sometimes felt strange, like I was detached from my body, some panic, and occasionally I saw or smelled things. Later, I realized they weren’t real, but at the time, it all seemed so real. During that period, everything I did felt normal and correct, but in truth, it wasn’t.”

“Yes, and Peter suffered more than just delirium. His delirium was caused by the mountain ash and wolfsbane inside the Hale house, which were burning during the fire. Wolfsbane that was embedded in his scars as he tried to heal. In those intervening years, Peter relived the fire thousands, if not millions, of times.”

The back door opened, and River and Derek reentered the living room. Derek moved to stand near the hallway that led to the front door, while River moved back up front. “When a wolf has no anchor and cannot distinguish reality from illusion—especially after reliving the trauma of losing Pack—Peter would be the perfect example of someone truly insane,” River continued for Marjorie. “We are still investigating hospital records to determine if his torture was extended to the staff or external individuals.”

“Both,” Peter and Stiles said at the same time. Stiles remembered Peter’s nurse. “She may not have tortured me the entire six years, but I know that my nurse knew I was a werewolf. I do not know whether Jennifer was a Hunter or was paid by Hunters. All I know is that she had a list of people I was to kill for her if she helped me.”

“She was a Hunter.” Stiles chimed in. “After the parking garage, I looked into her file. I may have had some help from Danny.” A huff from Jackson. “We also may want to bring Danny into the fold. I know that Scott and I were never quiet talking about the Supernatural, and he may have overheard. Also, he is Jackson’s best friend; we all saw how worried Danny was when Jackson was the Kanima.”

River and Marjorie filed that name away for later. “So when Peter attacked Laura,” Derek said softly. Some of the pack looked at him with sadness, while others glanced at the Alpha Pair.

“He was feral, pup. Peter defended his territory because he had no Pack bonds. At the time, Peter’s wolf likely believed he was the only protector of the territory. As the left hand of the Hale Pack, his wolf did what it was supposed to. Defend the innocents. It was a no-win situation,” River said. He looked at Peter. “Not that some of the things he did afterward are justifiable, but all the Councils agree that Peter being killed is the punishment they would have set for his behavior when he began to recognize that some of his choices were made with malicious intent rather than ferally.”

Peter nodded. “Yes, when I offered Stiles the bite and accepted his negative response.” There were a few growls directed at him about his offering Stiles the bite; the loudest was Noah, which surprised some in the room. “But worse was when I bit Miss Martin, and I am dreadfully sorry I did, because I knew your grandmother. Lorraine Martin is a banshee who lived here before she died. The rational part of me bit you as a backup plan in case I was killed before I finished my revenge.”

“You haunted me!” Lydia said, with steel in her voice, though a tremor of terror shook her body. “Why did you haunt me?”

“When I died, I had not completed my revenge. I know I cannot justify my actions. There is no defense.” He hung his head.

“But you had!” Stiles spoke up.

“Had I Stiles? Think, clever boy. What does a left hand do once they have killed?”

It was Boyd who responded. “You clean up your mess.” Peter pointed at the stoic young man.

“Exactly. I killed Kate, but I had not burned her body, so she could not come back to haunt the Hale Pack.” Looking at Lydia. “Because I failed in my duties, I manipulated you through your dreams and in your waking world. I will forever be sorry I did that to you.” Peter sighed. “While I was somewhat rational when I died, I was still more wolf than man. That is what you had to put up with during my haunting of you. For that, I am truly sorry.”

The wolves could all hear his sincerity. Noah, Stiles, Marjorie, and Lydia couldn’t, but they also saw that Peter was apologetic. “I will make you pay, Peter Hale,” Lydia said firmly.

Marjorie cleared her throat. “He has already died for his sins, Miss Martin. I suggest making him pay another way.” Lydia nodded at her suggestion. Peter sighed, knowing his wallet was about to be much lighter.

“You didn’t mean to kill Laura?” Derek asked as he stepped further back into the room.

“No, Derek. Yes, I am incensed at both of you for leaving me in the hospital. I am furious that Laura cut all Pack bonds and ran with you. I also understand fear. I cannot judge the fear that drove a barely fifteen-year-old and an almost eighteen-year-old to ditch me and run.” Peter looked at Derek with sadness. “Unfortunately, I know that forgiveness will be a long time coming from you. But you also need to know Cora survived. She got out. At ten, she probably did what she was supposed to and went to the secondary site to wait for anyone from the pack. Laura cut all the bonds.” A subtle reminder that Laura failed as an Alpha for the pack that died, and for those who weren’t at the house the night of the fire. The Hale Pack had always been more than just a family pack.

Derek drew in a breath at that. “Cora.” Shaking his head. “That is a bridge we will come to. I am sorry we left you, Peter. Laura said everyone died. That you were never going to wake up. I felt her break the bonds, but I thought it was so you could die peacefully.”

River interjected. “Thought of like a true child. Derek breaking bonds only deepens the trauma when a wolf is as traumatized as Peter was. With any Pack bonds, Peter would not have lived in his head reliving the fire for six years. Laura’s breaking of those bonds drove his wolf further to the surface to protect themselves.” Softly, he said, “Laura knew this. It is one of the first things we teach Alpha heirs. That breaking of bonds should never be done unless you are breaking a single bond for a wolf being exiled. Or if the Alpha finds themselves on the death door, they pass on the spark and break their own bond to save the pack from the trauma of their death.”

Peter walked over to Derek. “Nephew, Laura made mistakes. She was young and had less than a year of training. While I am furious with her, I can forgive her for making mistakes. Hunters had just burned her Pack alive. She only had, I hope, what she thought were just a few Pack bonds: you, me, hers, and those not in the house that night. Breaking mine and running was probably more for her own sanity. You know, strong emotions can be felt by the Alpha. I am sure I was setting off some very strong emotions.”

Derek looked at his uncle. For the first time since he learned that Peter killed Laura, he feels he understands Peter. “I am sorry we ran, Uncle Peter.” It was the first time since Derek’s return to Beacon Hills that he called him that. “I am sorry for Kate.”

“Kate is NOT your fault, Sourwolf,” Stiles growled and groaned. “She was a psycho who burned more than your Pack.”

Every head turned toward Stiles. “What?” Noah exclaimed.

“Ummm, yeah.” Stiles looked around. “Come on, you three are literal police officers. Tell me how she would have successfully surrounded an entire house with mountain ash, set fire to a house that contained werewolves, and walked away. This can’t be her first fire. It probably isn’t even her fifth fire.” He looked at River. “Right?”

The room fell silent at that statement. “Mischief, you are a wonder pup.” Marjorie was on her phone, leaving the room, while River smiled at his nephew. “You will make a great police officer.”

*************************************************

The group split up to get more food and drinks. Peter, River, and Derek went into Noah’s office for a private conversation. River reminded the pups that everyone was allowed privacy and they should not try to eavesdrop on them. Little did the teens know that River had a magical way to prevent them from overhearing their words.

“Did you know that Derek had been, well, you know?” Lydia asked Stiles quietly.

He shook his head. “I suspected, but I wasn’t sure. The only way for Kate to trap the Hales was to use one of the children. The adults in the pack would have spotted her from a mile away. Laura was too old to be fooled and was in Alpha training; Spencer and Cora were too young.”

“Whose Spencer?” Jackson grabbed a few more slices of pizza.

“The youngest Hale. He was six when the fire happened. Most of the Hale children were three to four years apart in age.”

“How do you know all this, Batman?” Erica questioned, taking a sip of her soda.

“It’s what I’m good at. Research.” He didn’t tell them that Scott had once said humans can’t be Pack, but Deaton said they could do research. Nobody needed to know that. “Once I realized those being killed were part of the Hale fire, I kept digging.” Nonchalantly shrugging. “Not that it did any good. Scott stood at Peter’s bedside and told Derek the Hales must have deserved to be killed.”

A sharp breath came from Marjorie as she entered the kitchen. “He did what?” She said angrily!

Rubbing his neck, Stiles said, “Derek and Scott were with Peter when Derek told him about hunters burning their Pack alive. That was when Scott informed Derek that the Hales must have done something to deserve the Argents setting them on fire. I was out in the hall.”

There were several growls at that. Margorie shook her head. “I will wait until everything is done before I make another call.” Sounding frustrated and done with Scott’s actions.

“I get that Scott can be an asshat, but who says things like that?” Jackson asked. “I mean, I know I can be a bitch, and I own it. But I would never say anyone’s family deserved to die.” Something like that hit way too close to home for the young man. There was agreement from those in the kitchen.

“Scott can be obtuse on a lot of things, but he sees the world in black and white. Which means he tends to ignore what doesn’t fit his view of life.” At Stiles words, a few people nodded.

Isaac spoke softly; he was still uncertain about where he belonged. “What’s going to happen to us?” He was looking at his food when he asked.

River entered the room and said, “Nothing, pup. You have not done anything that normal bitten wolves would not do. Mistakes were made all the way around, and we will all be learning from here on how not to make those mistakes.” He grabbed a water and wandered into the living room. “Come on, pups, let us finish this.”

The Pack, which is what they are, followed him into the living room. Peter, Noah, Derek, Marjorie, and Boyd were already there. People retook their seats. Derek took some of Stiles’ pain so he could function. They had to be careful not to let Stiles become addicted to having the slightest pain drawn from him, but the less pain he was in, the better his breathing became. That’s why only Peter or Derek took his pain, so they could control how much pain was taken. The new wolves were still learning moderation.

“Okay. So we know who the Gajos Hunting Clan is in relation to the Supernatural world and what happened to Peter and Derek. Where were we?” Marjorie asked from her seat next to River.

Boyd said, “I don’t know who he is, but Deaton?”

Nods from others. Peter spoke up. “He was the Hale Emissary under Talia. An Emissary is someone who works with the pack and their allies. As a general rule, an Emissary is a magic user who helps protect the pack and territory.” Looking at Stiles, though not that Stiles noticed, as he mentioned Emissary. The Alpha Pair and Lydia did notice, though. “Deaton was supposed to place wards around the pack house, territory, and the Nemeton. The Nemeton attracts dangerous creatures when it is active. While ours is not active, Deaton should have put wards around the tree and the house at least.” Peter looked up at Marjorie. “You said there are now nor were there any wards on either location?”

She shook her head. “No, our magic user was very sure there had been no wards in a decade or more because there was not even an aura of a ward.” Looking toward Lydia. “Lydia, one of the things you will be learning is magic in relation to your Banshee side. Some Banshees can use magical items and even perform rituals. Our magic user will teach you what they can and reach out to find you a mentor.”

Lydia was smiling at the prospect of learning. “What about our Stiles?” Peter smirked.

Stiles squealed at Peter. “What?”

“Well, you did ring an entire warehouse with mountain ash when Jackson was the Kanima.”

“How did you find out about that?” Stiles asked, looking curiously at the older wolf.

Isaac smirked. “I was telling Jackson how we had him trapped at the rave.”

“Then Erica told me the plan was to have you use mountain ash to surround the warehouse,” Jackson chimed in.

“And I merely eavesdropped on the conversation,” Peter smirked. Stiles tried to smack Peter, but he couldn’t reach him.

“Wait, Mischief,” River stopped the young man’s attempt to hit Peter, “you manipulated mountain ash?”

Huffing, Stiles nodded. “Yeah. Deaton didn’t give me enough, but I made it work anyway.”

Derek interrupted. “Then I heard Scott howling for help, and I made Stiles break it.”

“Which is when Jackson escaped,” Erica added.

“That was when you accidentally bit the Argent Matriarch?” Derek nodded at River’s question. “Hmmm, who else knew about the plan concerning the rave?”

Derek leaned his head in question. “Why”

“You cannot just grab a can of aerosol wolfbane. It has to be created, as Christopher Argent told us. The Argents had made several varieties. But he also told the Council that the aerosol needs to be stable. It cannot be used like a smoke grenade. The canister must be set up,” River shared with the group.

“Well, the room was filled with wolfsbane when I entered the warehouse near the rave. I think she was wearing a mask, but I was more concerned with Scott,” Derek said. The younger members of the pack were still surprised that Derek was talking. Not in grunts or growls, but actually talking.

“Then her plan was premeditated to murder Scott,” Marjorie noted in her phone. “Which means she knew beforehand about your plan at the rave.” The pack looked around the room. “It means Scott either knew or someone told Scott, and he probably told Allison.”

“Which means Allison probably told her parents,” Lydia said. She felt sad that her friend had been betraying them for so long.

Nods all around. River side eyed Peter. “Peter, you have a point with this observation?”

The elder Hale smirked. “Well, the clever boy manipulated mountain ash. Not even enough mountain ash to ring an entire warehouse.”

Margorie growled almost as deeply as a wolf and stalked out of the room to make yet another phone call. “What?” Noah was confused.

“Our little Mischief will be joining Lydia in her magic lessons,” River smiled. “Anything else, Peter?”

“Well, the way I see it, the Alpha of this Pack listens to very few people, but he listens to Stiles.” The man just shrugged at his own words.

Marjorie was just about to enter when she turned to walk back out. “What the hell is going on, Peter?” Noah glared at Peter.

“He is implying that I have magic and that I have the ability to be the Hale Pack Emissary Dad. Keep up.” Stiles turns to Peter. “Isn’t that right, Creeperwolf?” A smile and a nod. “Okay, so Deaton screwed the Hale Pack over as an Emissary. He’s heading to New York to stand trial. What else?”

“The Nemeton is probably without a guardian, which means we will need the Magic Council to send some magical members to help manage the territory and the Nemeton,” River started.

“Wait, what the hell is the Nemeton? You keep talking about it?” Jackson spoke up.

“Sorry, Jackson, you are correct. The Nemeton is a magical tree or node that serves as a convergence point for the leylines and magic in the area.” Looking at the Pack. “Derek, tell me you know about the Beacon Hills Nemeton?”

“I did. That was where I took Paige when she was rejecting the bite.” Peter placed a comforting hand on Derek’s shoulder. Derek allowed it. “But other than that, I don’t know much about the tree.” His words were soft.

“There are only so many Nemetons in the world. Maybe about two dozen in total.” Leaning forward, River looked up at Peter. “Tell me about yours, Peter.”

“It was cut down sometime when I was young because it was sick. Beyond that, I only know that my mother, who was my father’s Emissary, protected our territory, the pack, and the tree with wards, tokens, and rituals. Mom was a Druid, but she put the pack first. Unlike Deaton.” He growled out the name.

“Merde! Cut down. What the hell has been going on here!” Marjorie didn’t bother leaving the room this time; she just dialed her phone again. “I am just leaving you on speaker.” She put her phone on the coffee table as she plopped into the chair next to River. “Pack, meet our daughter, Stiles’ cousin, Justinia. Justinia meets the Hale Pack.”

“Hey y’all,” Justinia said seriously. “Call me Tina. I’ll just listen and take notes.”

The pack greeted Tina in various ways. “Okay, the Nemeton was cut down. Deaton never protected the territory. Stiles manipulated mountain ash, and Lydia is a banshee. We will need the Magic Council to send a few members here for the tree and to assess Lydia and Stiles. Anything else?”

“Well, Deaton told me to be the spark,” Stiles said. Everyone looked at him, and there was dead silence.

A laugh came from the phone. “Oh, Auntie Claudia, what did you do?” Several people stared at the phone. “Dad? Mom?”

“Marjorie? River?” Noah asked his in-laws. “What does Tina mean?”

The Gajos pair looked at each other and then at Stiles. Finally, Marjorie looked at Noah. “The women of the Gajos Hunting Clan are known for their magical abilities.” She said warily.

“Wait!” Stiles waved his arms and immediately regretted it. A growl from most of the room, as Peter’s hand was on his neck in an instant, draining his pain. “Thanks, Peter. Mom had magic!” He was looking at his family.

Noah held up his hand. “Wait. Before we get sidetracked. Why didn’t you just tell me that when she was sick?” His voice was filled with anguish. The wolves in the room could smell the grief coming off the four family members at the loss of Claudia. “And if she had magic, why did no one tell us that Stiles might be magical too?” The anguish quickly turned to anger.

“Noah, it is not that easy.” River began, but Marjorie placed her hand on his arm, stopping him.

“It is through the women of the family,” she stated firmly. “No one could have known or suspected that Mischief would be magic. Absolutely none.” She emphasized, “The fact that he IS somewhat magical is entirely new to our family. Our records show that no male in our lineage has ever inherited magic before.”

“Spark,” Stiles piped up. All heads turned to him. “Deaton, when he gave me the mountain ash, he said,” deepening his voice to imitate Deaton, “in his usual and deadpan way of speaking, ‘to be the spark.’ Whatever the hell that means.”

Peter and River let out a bitter laugh. Marjorie looked sad, and Tina chimed in. “It means exactly that, cousin. You are a Spark with a capital S. You have the power to be a volcano because every eruption starts with a spark.” She laughed giddily.

Stiles curled into himself. “I could kill someone? I could’ve killed someone that night?” Fear radiated from the young man. Several people reached out to comfort him.

“No.” The word was clear. “Tina is correct that you are a Spark with a capital S, but the only way you are dangerous is if you choose to be dangerous.” Marjorie sat on the coffee table in front of him, touching his knee. “Every fire for warmth starts with a spark. Every interest, belief, emotion, or thought begins with a spark. Mischief, your Spark is only dangerous if you choose it to be.”

Peter cleared his throat. “Stiles.” The young man turned his head to see Peter kneeling beside him by the couch. “Every Alpha starts with a spark. Everything in nature begins with a spark. Life starts with a spark. Death is the end of that spark.” A small smile was directed at the young man. “Yes, you can remove the spark of life, but you are like me. You would only extinguish that spark in defense of or to protect your people. Your Pack.”

Noah leaned closer to Stiles. “I’m not exactly sure what any of this Spark stuff means, but Stiles, in my line of work, I’ve encountered ruthless killers, and you’re nothing like them, son. Could you be? Yes, since everyone has that capacity. But you haven’t shown it.”

Listening to their words, Stiles relaxed a little. “So, what do I do?”

“It’s more about what the Pack does,” Derek said gruffly from behind them. His worry was evident in his tone. “How does the Pack protect a Spark?”

Lydia spoke confidently. “Well, obviously, Stiles and I train together in magic. And the pack trains together. Then we all train together, physically and magically, as a Pack. It is the only way to protect the Pack.” She had been unsure about being in a Pack with Peter, but over the last few days with Stiles in the hospital, she had been talking with Marjorie and River. She also had a few awkward conversations with Peter, during which he kept apologizing. In the end, a Pack would help Jackson and her with their abilities. “We will take care of each other and the territory. This is our home, and we will fight for it.”

A few heads nodded, but Noah shook his head. “No, you are still young. The adults will protect the territory. You all deserve to be children for now.”

“But I haven’t been a child since Mom died, Dad.” These were soft words because Stiles didn’t want to hurt his father, but it was the truth. “Mom was sick for a long time before she died, and then you were sick afterward. I grew up quickly. She said her little star would shine the day she died. But after her death, I didn’t feel like her star.”

Marjorie looked curious. “Mischief, what do you mean?”

“I remember that. She would call him Mischief when he was up to mischief and Iskra the rest of the time,” Noah smiled fondly, not that Stiles wasn’t causing mischief more often than not.

“Stiles Iskra does not mean star,” River said softly. “Basically Iskra is the word ‘spark’ in Polish. She was calling you a Spark. We know,” he nodded toward Marjorie, Noah, and himself, “that you were her spark of life. When she learned she was pregnant, Claudia called us, and said she carried a spark of life in her.”

The group smiled fondly. “I think Claudia knew something more than the rest of us knew.” Marjorie smiled.

“Mischief,” Tina said on the phone. “What exactly did Auntie say when she told you that her star would shine?”

The scent of sadness and grief filled the wolves’ noses. “She was lucid those last few hours, and we talked about so many things. Nothing about the future, I think we were both scared to talk about that.” A wry smile touched his lips. “How I was her mischievous little Iskra. Her Mischief and that she was so proud of me. Would always be proud of me. That she wanted to give me everything I would need. I never understood that.” He shrugged and shook his head.

“Anything else?”

Looking at Marjorie. “Near the end, she hugged me tightly. Soo tightly.” He closed his eyes at the memory. Taking a breath, he opened his eyes to look back at his aunt. “I was so warm and comfortable during those moments. She was muttering in Polish, but I couldn’t tell you exactly what she said. When we let go, she lay back down, and Mom touched my cheek. Then she said, ‘Her Iskra would burn brightly, and she would always be with me.’ Then she smiled and fell asleep.” His words stuttered to a stop.

No one needed to hear what happened next. It was clear that Claudia had passed in her sleep while Stiles was there. “For the longest time, I thought I killed her.” Several of the wolves whined, and others gasped. “She was so, so normal right there at the end. I assumed she did that just for me. That final act of being the Mom I knew was what killed her.”

Noah hugged Stiles roughly, and Derek grabbed the boy’s neck to ease his pain while the pair embraced.

“Well, it’s obvious we need to find a mentor for both Lydia and Stiles,” Peter looked at River since Marjorie had joined the hug, then afterward as they composed themselves. “Will the Magic Council have someone who can train Stiles?”

“A Spark? Maybe not, but since their magics are different, I think having several mentors for both Lydia and Mischief would be a wise idea.”

“On it.” Tina’s voice sounded from the phone. “Ummmm, just one more thing.” She sounded hesitant.

“What is up, pup?” River looked down at the phone.

“Was Mischief born with magic? Did Auntie jumpstart it? Or did Auntie give her magic to Mischief?

Marjorie leaned back and looked at her nephew. “Not that it matters now, but that would be an interesting thing to know.”

*************************************************

Over the next several weeks and months, the Hale Pack trained their wolves and their magic. Both together and separately. Jackson was assigned a second mentor to train with after it was discovered that he still retained some of the Kanima’s traits. Isaac and Boyd were paralyzed for several hours after that accident.

The entire Pack, at the adults’ insistence, was in therapy. Although both Derek and Peter were adults, they agreed to participate. Over the previous years, every member of the pack had been traumatized, with some more than others. Issac and Derek also attended therapy together to learn to trust each other and others, as their trust had been damaged in deeply intimate ways.

Peter and Lydia also participated in therapy together. Over the months, they had already built a foundation of trust. Their sessions primarily aimed at discovering ways to compromise their beliefs, as both believed they were right and stubbornly refused to yield to each other. This caused tension within the pack. It resembled more of a mediation process than typical therapy, with an experienced therapist facilitating the interactions between the two hard-headed pack members.

Noah and Stiles also attended therapy together to deal with their grief and the aftermath of Claudia’s death. They went to individual sessions to learn healthier ways to manage their emotions. Both men recognized that they needed to take better care of themselves because they both struggled with a savior complex that was affecting their mental health.

Tina arrived in town to support the pack as one of the Clan’s magic users. Several Gajos Hunting Clan members remained in the Hale Pack territory to assist in its defense after River and Marjorie returned to New York. As a magical member of the Clan, Tina, along with Marjorie before her departure, Stiles, Lydia, and their mentors, worked together to facilitate the healing of the Nemeton. Lydia and Stiles shared responsibilities for casting wards that bolstered the protective spells around the tree, the territory, and the pack houses. River Junior, better known as RJ, came to town to train with the wolves.

Cora arrived a week after everything had been settled, and her reunion with the Hale men did not go well. The Hale family was stubborn beyond words. She stayed, although it took her a long time to accept what had happened. At first, she refused to have anything to do with the pack and stayed with Tina and RJ, but eventually, she broke down and beat the hell out of her brother and uncle. In the end, the three of them disappeared for two days, and when they came back, things were better. Not perfect, but improved. She agreed to go to therapy and school. The Pack did their best to bring her into the fold. Strangely enough, she felt most comfortable with Stiles. Erica and her shared a weird friendship; everyone was convinced it would either blow up completely or they would take over the world. Their Pack was healing.

The Gajos Hunting Clan became the protectors of Beacon Hills, and the Argents were barred from the area. Chris reached out to the pack through Noah to apologize on behalf of the Argent Hunting Clan. According to Chris, there would no longer be an Argent Hunting Clan in North America. Under the laws of the Hunters Council, their Clan was on probation, meaning they were closely monitored and only permitted to operate in France. They had lost many hunters in North America due to Code violations. Many were imprisoned, and quite a few were killed. Allison would never assume the role of Matriarch because she demonstrated an unwillingness to change her views. Despite extensive training and therapy, she continued to believe that Derek intentionally killed her mother. Chris had retired as a Hunter and was the liaison between his Clan and the Councils.

Per the rulings of the Councils, Gerard was executed for his crimes. Argent Arms’ North American division was dissolved, and the proceeds from its sale were distributed to as many victims as possible. Sadly, Gerard and his Hunters wiped out many creatures, packs, kisses, covens, and similar groups. There will never be a complete account of their destruction. He was also found guilty of poisoning his wife, Augustine Michelle Argent. The only reason the Argent Hunting Clan was not wiped out was because Gerard was married into the family, and the European branch had not violated the Code. Gerard’s North American contingent was the main violator of the Code. A few European Argents lost their lives, but less than a handful.

Melissa McCall chose to stay pack-adjacent, where she was offered friendship and protection. After discovering the truth about Scott and his actions, she felt uncomfortable being around them. She thought she was imposing because she was Scott’s mother. Although the Hale Pack told her otherwise, she still kept to the edges. Peter offered to compensate her for biting Scott, but Melissa declined, understanding that Peter’s actions were driven by his feral state, not malice. The next time Melissa checked her mortgage, she found it had been mysteriously paid off. For the first time in his life, Peter Hale received a beautiful bouquet of roses. It wouldn’t be the last.

After several months with Alpha Ito, Scott was deemed unfit to be a wolf. He refused to listen to those who were born wolves. Scott refused every opportunity to be Pack, believing he was better as a bitten wolf—more human than the monster that had been forced on him when Peter bit him in his feral state. No matter who Scott was working with, he acted as if he knew everything. When a feral omega wolf entered Ito territory, Scott tried to defend the wolf, who had previously killed several people before entering Ito territory. The omega attacked Scott and nearly killed him.

After he recovered, Scott was taken to the Councils in New York. Several rituals and what amounted to curses were used to keep his wolf in check until he was mostly human. Removing a wolf from a person without causing their death was impossible, as the wolf DNA fused with human DNA, creating a werewolf. Scott also stayed in custody because he had repeatedly endangered the secrecy of the Supernatural community. The latest update Melissa provided Noah was that Scott was living and working on a farm in Wyoming.

It took months of trials and wolf claws to understand the full extent of Deaton’s influence in sentencing the man. He had spent years using magical means to sway people around him, which allowed him to go unchecked by the Druid and Magical Councils. His influence caused people to do his dirty work, and he never truly got his hands dirty. They identified some of the spells Deaton had placed on Scott and removed them, but even after doing so, Scott’s behavior remained unchanged. Melissa was heartbroken when she learned about Deaton’s influence over her son. Deaton’s influence on Scott was mostly about making the boy trust him or look the other way when Deaton needed privacy. Finding out that everything Scott had done was his own actions was what truly devastated her.

The Druid Council labeled Deaton a Darach because he was using his gift for dark purposes. Through his dealings and collaborations with hunters, the Hunters Council uncovered a pipeline he had been involved in for supplying illegal magic to hunters and shut it down. Now, any ingredients, spells, tokens, etc., required by hunters are only obtainable through the Hunters Council. New laws were enacted as a result of Deaton’s interactions with hunters.

Regarding the Nemeton, three issues were identified. First, a Nogitsune was buried in the roots. Alpha Ito was reprimanded for failing to report the Nogitsune to the Supernatural and Magical Councils, and the kitsune responsible for not only summoning the Void kitsune but also hiding the creature at the Nemeton was disciplined. The kitsune lost two tails for hiding the Nogitsune. The Void kitsune was found to be feral and was taken to Japan for healing.

The second problem with the Nemeton was that two leeches were stealing the tree’s magic. The first was an Emissary who used the tree to stay alive while she healed. The second was Deaton, who was stealing the magic to pursue his own agenda regarding the people and territory. Both of those bonds were broken. The backlash might have killed the Emissary, as they could not identify her, but it definitely killed Deaton. Some believed that Deaton had been fortunate to escape so easily.

The third and final problem was that Deaton’s bond with the Nemeton resulted in Claudia Stilinski’s death. Although she kept her magic suppressed, she used it in small ways to prevent it from accumulating and overwhelming her. When she and Noah moved to Beacon Hills, Claudia couldn’t sense the tree extending its reach because the Nemeton had chosen her as its guardian. Deaton’s bond and his magic suppression prevented anyone the tree tried to connect with. He couldn’t break the initial connection with the Emissary because it was already established, but he could weaken the Nemeton’s connection to Claudia. This, in turn, drained her magic, as both the Nemeton and her magic continued to reach out to each other.

The strain of that unfulfilled bond drained Claudia and led to a diagnosis of Frontotemporal Dementia by the medical community. Even the strange cures that Noah believed Marjorie and River were offering wouldn’t have saved Claudia. Her magic was fading and consuming her. In her final act, she gathered every bit of magic she could sense and passed it on to her Iskra. See, her Mischief had been born with magic, breaking the female line of magic in the Gajos Hunting Clan. So Claudia made sure he would indeed burn bright.

On Stiles’s eighteenth birthday, he bonded with the Nemeton along with Lydia as the trees’ guardians. They formed a powerful magical team when working together. The Nemeton was more stable with two guardians rather than just one. Also, after getting Noah’s permission, Peter Hale officially started courting Stiles as his mate. Most of the pack saw it coming, but Stiles was shocked and refused to believe that Peter could want him. Surprisingly, it was Boyd who told him to shut up and enjoy the ride. After all, Boyd had been asked by Erica to be her mate on her eighteenth birthday, and he had enjoyed being courted by his own mate.

Over the years, the territory experienced problems, but nothing compared to the months after Peter woke from his coma. Lydia and Jackson went to school on the East Coast with Danny, who was found to have Fae blood and already knew about the Supernatural. When the couple married, their ceremony and the party afterward were one of the biggest events in Beacon Hills. Their mating ceremony was a quiet, intimate affair with their Pack and their families.

Erica and Cora skipped college altogether and became sheriff deputies. Both of them channel their ruthlessness into legally protecting the people of Beacon County. Also, Peter trained both of them to be his heirs as the left hands of the Hale Pack.

Boyd attended culinary school in San Francisco with Stiles, who went to Berkeley for mythological studies and the hidden Supernatural school. Boyd was chosen as Derek’s right hand, and Stiles was the co-Emissary to the Hale Pack, which meant both men had classes at the hidden school. Lydia also attended the hidden school at Harvard, where Jackson and Danny were enrolled. She worked around her MIT schedule, but no one was surprised that she managed to do both without any issues.

Isaac decided to stay in town and attend community college, telling the pack he never planned to go to college, but since the Hale Pack had money to send them, he decided to go. Derek quietly finished his architectural degree and had the Hale house rebuilt. After Noah had forced him to find a place to live in those early days, Derek’s passion for his degree returned.

Peter went with Boyd and Stiles to San Francisco, where they shared a house. Peter and Stiles’ relationship continued to blossom, and by the time graduation arrived, Peter and Stiles had been mated for almost a year.

Noah retired after several years. A few of the adult members of the previous Hale Pack had returned once the territory was stable, and two of them had been former deputies. This meant that Noah was leaving the station and the county under excellent protection. As one of the elders of the Pack, Noah was able to retire and still find things to keep him busy. He often worked with Derek and Peter on matters of the territory. What surprised everyone was that he and Natalie Martin secretly got married in Oregon. No one had even known they were dating.

The Reyes and Boyd families had been brought into the fold regarding the Supernatural before Erica and Boyd’s mating slash wedding ceremony. They became part of the elder pack and helped where they could.

Over the years, marriages, babies, deaths, and living happened. Life moved on for everyone, but one thing was certain: Claudia’s little Iskra burned brightly and warmed the pack through it all.

Fin…