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Title<\/b>: Intangible, Untamed, and Wild Something was coming.<\/i> Someone was coming. They were coming.<\/i><\/p>\n Stiles heard the whispers on the wind and had tasted anticipation in the rain earlier. Walking the paths in the preserve, trailing fingers over the trunks of trees that had long become his friends, he worried at his lip with sharp teeth.<\/p>\n \u201cHave you heard, little Stormbringer?\u201d Hisashi, more smoke and shadow than substance, danced across his path before spinning shadows into the air and settling across Stiles\u2019 shoulders in his fox form. Shadows continuing to drift off him like vapor from a winter grave.<\/p>\n Stiles hummed, acknowledging the void kitsune without answering as he continued down the path. Hisashi would either tell him what was going on, or he wouldn\u2019t. Stiles had learned very little that could make Hisashi talk when he didn\u2019t want to.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re about to have guests,<\/i>\u201d Hisashi said, slipping down Stiles\u2019 arm and taking human form to walk beside him, the hems of his robe brushing the ground with a soft swishing sound. \u201cOr rather, intruders.<\/i>\u201d Hisashi tilted his head into Stiles\u2019 line of sight, grinning, full of sharp teeth with chaos swirling in his dark eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cThose are two very different things, Hisashi,\u201d Stiles said, glancing at him before continuing on. \u201cOne means we set out the welcome mat and open the door. The other means we set out traps, wards and bury them beneath the floor.\u201d<\/p>\n Hisashi threw back his head and cackled, birds bursting from cover as his laughter echoed around them, touched with the chaos he fed upon. \u201cPerhaps I had too large a hand in your upbringing.\u201d<\/p>\n Stiles felt his lips curve, and he bumped his shoulder against Hisashi\u2019s. \u201cSo, door or floor?\u201d He didn\u2019t want to talk about who had more of a hand in his raising now.<\/p>\n \u201cWell,\u201d Hisashi said contemplatively, running slender fingers through his dark hair before flicking it over his shoulders. \u201cIf the rumors flying about are true, we should be cautious but not hostile.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWho is coming?\u201d Stiles leaned down and slipped off his shoes, setting them next to a tree outside the nemeton\u2019s clearing.<\/p>\n \u201cMy informants tell me that the Hales are returning.\u201d Hisashi tucked his hands in the sleeves of his robe. His sandals already next to Stiles\u2019 shoes. \u201cOr just the new alpha and his infant pack.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNew alpha?\u201d Stiles ducked under the branches and entered into the clearing. He crossed to the small fountain and washed his hands and feet before stepping aside for Hisashi.<\/p>\n \u201cIt seems that one of Talia\u2019s children accidentally became an alpha and needs his own territory because he wasn\u2019t the heir, and he still isn\u2019t meant to take the family spark.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHuh,\u201d Stiles said, raising a brow. He didn\u2019t ask where Hisashi got his information. The fox was always well informed about most of what was going on in the supernatural world. \u201cWhy here, though? The Hales abandoned Beacon Hills ten years ago and none of them have looked back, as far as we\u2019ve been able to tell.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s probably why.\u201d Hisashi shrugged; shadows trailing him as he stood looking around the clearing. \u201cThey disappeared after you saved them from that fire.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not sure they knew I saved them\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIf they\u2019d done more than wring their hands and run away\u2026\u201d Hisashi sniffed, his disgust clear on his face. \u201cI\u2019d only been out of the nemeton a week and I knew what was happening.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOnly because I told you,\u201d Stiles said, amused despite himself. Memories of that night when he was fourteen, and the forest had pulled at him, when the wind had begged him, and the storms had hummed under his skin until he couldn\u2019t stop himself from going into the forest and following where it all led. \u201cAnd then you followed me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI couldn\u2019t let you go find chaos without me,\u201d Hisashi said, grinning with his hands tucked into the sleeves of his robe. \u201cI was starving.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOf course, you were,\u201d Stiles said, smiling back at his friend. \u201cI\u2019m glad I was able to release you from the nemeton,\u201d He paused, smirking. \u201cEven if it was an accident.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot an accident,\u201d Hisashi corrected, pointing a long finger at Stiles. \u201cA minor chaotic event.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, whatever you want to call it,\u201d Stiles laughed, \u201cI\u2019m still glad. You\u2019re my best friend, Hisashi.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFriend, bah!\u201d Hisashi made a face. \u201cI\u2019m a thousand-year-old kitsune, the closest thing to a god you\u2019re ever likely to meet, and you call me friend?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAren\u2019t you?\u201d Stiles hid a smile by turning to the nemeton. He\u2019d had this discussion with Hisashi just as often as the argument about the Hales before it. He preferred this one.<\/p>\n \u201cI suppose you could label it as such,\u201d He replied after a few moments of silence. \u201cI can\u2019t call you a servant and you refused to be my priest,\u201d There was the distinct sound of a pout in Hisashi\u2019s voice, \u201cso friend will have to do.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI think friend is better than any of those other options,\u201d Stiles said dryly. He held up a hand before Hisashi could get started on the perks involved with being a priest of chaos. \u201cBesides, we both know I have too many other responsibilities here in Beacon Hills.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, that is a good point,\u201d Hisashi agreed. \u201cI wonder what the Hales are going to think of the changes around here.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI guess we\u2019ll find out soon,\u201d Stiles said, shrugging as he stepped under the branches of the nemeton, letting his feet settle in the earth over the roots. \u201cIt doesn\u2019t matter what they think in the end though. What\u2019s done is done.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt could get messy.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019ll get fat.\u201d Stiles leaned in and gently set his forehead against the broad trunk, his hands pressed flat on either side of him. \u201cNow, shush, I need to concentrate.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll just stand over here and look pretty then, why don\u2019t I?\u201d Hisashi huffed.<\/p>\n Stiles felt it again, the storms brewing beneath his skin. The wind swirled around him, whispering secrets of the territory; all the things he\u2019d felt on that night a decade ago. Back then, he\u2019d been mourning the death of not just his mom but the closest thing he’d had to a teacher as well. He\u2019d gone into the preserve half-trained and, if he was being honest, half-mad, following the pull of his magic, unable to deny it and not wanting to. Hisashi had trailed after him. He\u2019d been another one of Stiles\u2019 impulsive decisions regarding his magic during that time. Stiles couldn\u2019t regret it, but looking back, he knew how badly releasing the imprisoned kitsune could have gone.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re sparking.\u201d Hisashi\u2019s hand pressed against Stiles\u2019 back.<\/p>\n \u201cMemories,\u201d Stiles murmured without opening his eyes. \u201cEverything is feeling a little too familiar.\u201d<\/p>\n Beware. He comes. He returns.<\/i><\/p>\n Stiles coughed, tasting ash and poison in the back of his throat: the flavor of the Argents. He\u2019d tasted it a few times over the years, never so strong as the night of the Hale fire, but it often skirted the edges of his territory. Stiles knew the hunter family had questions about the death of their princess. No one outside of the mundane world believed that she died of an opportune lightning strike before she could do more damage to the Hales that night.<\/p>\n It seemed that the Argents had grown tired of circling Beacon Hills. Stiles wasn\u2019t sure if this was because they\u2019d discovered something or if they were following this accidental Hale alpha. He decided it didn\u2019t matter. The Hales and the Argents, both back in the territory again, would bring nothing but trouble. The Hales and the Argents had drawn their lines long before Stiles had ever stepped onto the field. Stiles wondered how it would play out here now that this was his<\/i> territory.<\/p>\n \u201cOh, this is going to be lovely. I can tell,\u201d Hisashi said, the weight of his hand disappearing only to be replaced by the feeling of him settling his fox form across Stiles\u2019 shoulders once again. \u201cI don\u2019t know what you\u2019re thinking, but from the look on your face? This will be a feast indeed.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know about that,\u201d Stiles said, standing straight and opening his eyes. \u201cThis could devolve into war between the Argents and the rest of us.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThose assholes?\u201d Hisashi twitched around Stiles\u2019 shoulders, his face coming around until they were nose-to-nose. \u201cI despise the Argents only slightly less than I do the kin-betrayer.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m aware,\u201d Stiles replied, turning from the nemeton. He dusted his hands off against his jeans. \u201cIt seems as though they\u2019ve come to town, though. I\u2019m surprised that you didn\u2019t notice them.\u201d Reaching the edge of the clearing, Stiles bent and picked up his shoes.<\/p>\n Hisashi\u2019s sandals dissolved into smoke before he could ask the fox if he wanted them. Shrugging, he let his shoes hang from his fingers as he began to walk home, ignoring the detritus on the forest floor. He\u2019d walked about barefoot often enough that it didn\u2019t bother him, and he preferred it when he could get away with it. If he hadn\u2019t met with his dad earlier, he wouldn\u2019t have bothered with them today.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll be having words with a few individuals if the Argents have managed to settle here beneath our noses without my being aware,\u201d Hisashi said, teeth snapping in the air. \u201cThat is entirely unacceptable.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTry and keep the mayhem to a minimum,\u201d Stiles said, brushing his free hand through Hisashi\u2019s smoky fur. \u201cIf you\u2019re right about the Hales coming back, and the Argents are already here we\u2019ll have chaos enough without adding our own to it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cActions have consequences, Stormbringer,\u201d Hisashi grumbled, pushing into Stiles\u2019 hand as he scratched at his ears. \u201cAnd in this case, not informing us about the Argents could have had dire consequences.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDo what you have to Hisashi, just try and keep it down. That\u2019s all I\u2019m asking.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI suppose I can do that,\u201d Hisashi said, nuzzling into Stiles\u2019 neck. \u201cOnly because you\u2019re my favorite almost-human.\u201d<\/p>\n Stiles smiled, scritched Hisashi just under his chin, and kept his silence on the subject.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll be out tonight,\u201d Hisashi said when they exited the forest into the backyard of the house, his nose still in Stiles\u2019 neck.<\/p>\n \u201cAre you leaving now?\u201d Stiles tilted his head back, gazing at the overcast sky. \u201cOr after dinner?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAfter dinner,\u201d Hisashi said after a moment. \u201cWhat I need to do will be better done in the dark anyway.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTry not to leave anything that we have to explain to Dad later,\u201d Stiles replied, sighing. He tossed his shoes just inside the door to the mudroom and grabbed a towel to wipe his feet clean. \u201cHe\u2019s done pretty well with all this over the years, but we don\u2019t need to make things difficult for him with the department. Especially if the Argents and the Hales have returned.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019ll always choose you,\u201d Hisashi said, jumping off Stiles onto the washer. \u201cHe\u2019s proven that many times over the years.\u201d Cocking his head, he amended, \u201cOnce he managed to drag himself out of the depths of mourning and realized he still had something to live for.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s enough Hisashi.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI said he\u2019s proven himself,\u201d Hisashi defended.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m aware, but he never needed to prove himself,\u201d Stiles said, tossing the towel into the hamper and leaving the mudroom, Hisashi trailing behind. \u201cHe\u2019s my dad. Mom died not long before I found you and she was-\u201d Stiles trailed, his eyes losing focus. \u201cShe was sunlight and effervescence. To lose her made our world so dark and quiet in all the worst ways. She was the love of his life; I\u2019ve always understood why it hit him as hard as it did, and he needed to deal with it in his own way.\u201d<\/p>\n Hisashi hummed behind him but kept any comments he might have had to himself, so Stiles let it go.<\/p>\n \u201cAnyway,\u201d Stiles said before turning to stare down at the fox. \u201cI was serious before, try not to do anything that he\u2019s going to have to be creative about if there\u2019s a report to write, okay? Please.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou have so little faith in me,\u201d Hisashi said, grinning. His sharp little teeth glinting in the kitchen light. \u201cWhat\u2019s for dinner?\u201d Hisashi changed the subject, leaping onto a counter.<\/p>\n \u201cI mean it, Hisashi.\u201d Pointing a finger at him, Stiles narrowed his eyes before turning, and opening the fridge to pull out ingredients for dinner. \u201cI\u2019m making lemon chicken.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWith the pasta or the rice?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMixed veg,\u201d Stiles replied, moving about the kitchen. \u201cDad\u2019s been to the diner three times this week. I plan to have him over for dinner.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy does that mean I<\/i> have to suffer?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re family. Feel free to lecture him at dinner,\u201d Stiles said, laying the chicken in the dish.<\/p>\n \u201cWill he be off on time?\u201d Hisashi was lying down on the table, watching Stiles with his head on his paws, when Stiles glanced up.<\/p>\n \u201cI think so. There isn\u2019t anything ongoing that should keep him late,\u201d Stiles said, shrugging. \u201cIf he misses dinner, you can lecture him later. Besides, a healthy meal won\u2019t hurt either of us.\u201d He\u2019d pack up a plate and take it down the block to his dad\u2019s house if that was the case.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re twenty-four,\u201d Hisashi said, the pout evident in his voice. \u201cI\u2019m pretty sure you shouldn\u2019t be worried about healthy meals at this age.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThere are a lot of things I shouldn\u2019t be worried about at this age,\u201d Stiles said, tossing the vegetables with some oil and herbs. \u201cDoesn\u2019t change the facts of my life.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe need to get you laid.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe?\u201d Stiles shot an arch look at Hisashi.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, it\u2019s not like you\u2019re making an effort,\u201d Hisashi said, lifting his head to stare at Stiles.<\/p>\n Stiles curled his lips into a smirk, meeting Hisashi\u2019s gaze. \u201cI don\u2019t need to make an effort. Just because I don\u2019t bring my hook-ups around doesn\u2019t mean I\u2019m celibate.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHuh.\u201d Hisashi stared, looking as flabbergasted as a fox could look.<\/p>\n Stiles slid the chicken and vegetables into the oven and set the timer. Hisashi wasn\u2019t exactly wrong. Stiles didn\u2019t have a problem finding someone when he wanted to get a leg over, but he\u2019d yet to find anyone that he was able to maintain a committed relationship with. Stiles just had too many secrets – and too many trust issues. He\u2019d like to find someone he could spend the night with, and not just the time it took to get off before going home to a cold bed.<\/p>\n \u201cYour head is in the clouds, little Stormbringer,\u201d Hisashi said, his hands on Stiles\u2019 shoulders, startling him out of his thoughts.<\/p>\n \u201cJust thinking,\u201d Stiles said, shrugging it off. \u201cMaybe when this latest business is over, I\u2019ll take some time away.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe last time you said that, I had to extract you from a pod of selkies,\u201d Hisashi said, staring down into Stiles\u2019 eyes. \u201cYou can\u2019t keep avoiding it forever.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not,\u201d Stiles huffed, stepping back. \u201cI just don\u2019t see why I should have to have some mystical bond with someone. Why can\u2019t what we have be enough?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMieczys\u0142aw,\u201d Hisashi reprimanded, and Stiles slumped, \u201cmy magic is too chaotic, even if you wanted to pursue an intimate relationship, which I don\u2019t believe that you do,\u201d He raised a brow at Stiles.<\/p>\n \u201cNo,\u201d Stiles replied sulkily. They\u2019d had similar discussions before. \u201cYou\u2019re too much like family, Hisashi. The supernatural beings that I\u2019ve come in contact with that would be appropriate, I just don\u2019t feel the right connection to. You\u2019ve done well enough grounding my magic when it\u2019s been necessary.\u201d He shrugged. \u201cI don\u2019t see why we can\u2019t continue on that way.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe can,\u201d Hisashi said, sighing. \u201cBut you\u2019ll never be able to safely use your spark to its fullest potential without risking burnout – without risking your mind.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m aware of that.\u201d Stiles sighed, falling forward, letting his head rest on Hisashi\u2019s silk-covered chest. \u201cI just don\u2019t know how I\u2019m supposed to find someone who can ground me, and that I can do more than tolerate, and that will be good for Beacon Hills. It\u2019s a tall order.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThere is nothing wrong with being discerning,\u201d Hisashi said, his fingers brushing through Stiles\u2019 hair, soothing him just as he\u2019d done during those difficult first years after the Hales had abandoned the territory and Stiles\u2019 magic had been wild without even a temporary ground with his mother gone and his dad – grieving.<\/p>\n Things had evened out when they\u2019d discovered that Hisashi could ground the storms that brewed beneath Stiles\u2019 skin, and channel the fires that burned in his blood. Hisashi couldn\u2019t do a complete ground, his chaos magic made that impossible, but that very chaos is what made it possible for him to bleed off enough to ground Stiles when necessary. It was a delicate balance.<\/p>\n \u201cBut perhaps it\u2019s time to stop ignoring the necessity of a bond altogether, hmm?\u201d Hisashi rested his cheek against Stiles\u2019.<\/p>\n \u201cI feel like I\u2019m planning my own arranged marriage,\u201d Stiles grumbled.<\/p>\n \u201cI think you need an actual spousal candidate for it to get that far.\u201d<\/p>\n Stiles grumbled wordlessly a bit more before pulling away and beginning to clean up the kitchen.<\/p>\n \u201cCome on,\u201d Hisashi said when he\u2019d finished loading the dishwasher. He dragged Stiles out of the kitchen and down the hall, practically throwing him through the doorway into the room they\u2019d turned into a training space. \u201cWe\u2019ll go through some forms and then meditate before dinner. Maybe that will calm your spark enough that you can sleep tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cKeep an ear out for the timer then,\u201d Stiles said, already exchanging his jeans for clothes he kept in the chest by the door.<\/p>\n \u201cOf course.\u201d<\/p>\n As Stiles settled into his first form, he hoped that Hisashi was wrong about the Hales returning to Beacon Hills, or that he\u2019d misinterpreted what he\u2019d felt earlier about the Argents. Stiles hadn\u2019t told Hisashi, but he\u2019d been finding it more difficult lately to control his spark and the storms. The last thing he needed was the complications inherent in either of those families settling down in Beacon Hills, let alone both of them.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 ************<\/p>\n Derek lifted his muzzle, mouth open, tasting the air as well as scenting. It had been over a decade since he\u2019d last seen this place. It had been night then too, but the flames from the fire had lit the area until it was bright as day.<\/p>\n \u201cIs this it, Alpha? I barely recognize this place,\u201d Erica snapped her gum from where she was leaning against Boyd. \u201cIt\u2019s going to take some time to rebuild, even with my firm giving you priority booking. I can tell that even in the dark.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe have a place in town,\u201d Derek said once he\u2019d shifted back. \u201cI just wanted to see it and run the territory. No one has been here in the last few years, we needed to make sure that nothing needed to be taken care of before we settled in.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe didn\u2019t leave anyone behind at all?\u201d Isaac slid out of the shadows to stare at the house from next to Derek.<\/p>\n \u201cNo one,\u201d Peter replied, coming behind him. \u201cI tried to tell Talia it was a mistake, but-\u201d Peter shrugged, slipping his hands into the pockets of his slacks.<\/p>\n \u201cWhere\u2019s Cora?\u201d Derek scented the air for his sister but couldn\u2019t find her. \u201cAnd Malia?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCora isn\u2019t ready to come out here if you don\u2019t need her. Malia stayed back with her and Aunt Melody,\u201d Peter replied, letting Derek know where the other members of their small pack were as well. \u201cWe\u2019ll have to pick up groceries tomorrow, according to Aunt Mel: she\u2019s already declared she isn\u2019t going to survive off take out. I can\u2019t say I disagree with her, the two of us are much too old to be playing our teenage selves and I\u2019m too young to be playing at a midlife crisis.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy did the two of you come with us anyway?\u201d Erica had moved closer to the Hale house ruins and was poking at something in the dark. \u201cI figured the two of you would want to stay with your sister – with the rest of your family – not come back here with us to this place out in the middle of nowhere. You\u2019ve even technically left the Hale pack.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDerek is family,\u201d Peter replied, his teeth a shock of white in the dark. Derek wasn\u2019t sure if he should interfere, but he\u2019d been wondering the same thing since his aunt and uncle had come to him after he\u2019d accidentally become an alpha a few months ago. \u201cDerek has a lot of potential, and this place is hardly the middle of nowhere. Talia and I have been grating along for years, and when Derek became an alpha, it was the perfect opportunity to get away from her without having to abandon the pack completely. Plus, all my favorite people are here.\u201d<\/p>\n Derek knew there was more to it than that, but he couldn\u2019t deny the benefit of having someone with Peter\u2019s skills and knowledge in his pack and on his side. When his great aunt had stepped up beside him, Derek had felt the weight of his new responsibilities settle much easier. He also couldn\u2019t deny the smug feeling he\u2019d felt slide through him when Peter had been one of the first to step up to be in his pack after it had become evident that Derek was going to stay an alpha. The look on his mother\u2019s face had only added to that feeling. Derek loved his mother, but he didn\u2019t like her very much most of the time.<\/p>\n \u201cIt doesn\u2019t look like another pack has settled in Beacon Hills,\u201d Derek said, turning the conversation away from Peter and back to their reasons for being at the ruins.<\/p>\n \u201cI doubt they\u2019d take up residence here if they had,\u201d Boyd said, finally breaking his silence. \u201cBut I didn\u2019t notice anyone around town either. Nothing in our preliminary research has shown a pack presence in the area.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhich means we should be cautious,\u201d Peter said, meeting Derek\u2019s eyes. \u201cI find it unlikely that someone or something hasn\u2019t tried to settle a territory as ripe as Beacon Hills in the last decade. I doubt they\u2019ve been kept away by just the Hale reputation, as much as my sister might like to think so.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI agree,\u201d Derek said, nodding. \u201cBut I don\u2019t think there is any immediate danger. We\u2019ll head back to the townhouse and figure out our next steps tomorrow. Erica!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, yeah,\u201d She said, dropping whatever she\u2019d been poking at and walking back over to join them. \u201cI\u2019m not kidding Derek. I\u2019ll give you priority, you know I will, but I\u2019m not sure how much of this place is going to be salvageable, for one thing it smells like ash and wolfsbane, and for another, I don\u2019t think the foundation is completely sound \u2013 though that\u2019s hard to tell in the dark, even with my sight. It\u2019s going to take me some time to get it livable once I figure out how to fix all of that.\u201d<\/p>\n Derek looked back over the shadow of the ruins, lit only by moonlight, and thought of what might have happened in the house if it hadn\u2019t been for some boy wandering around in the wrong place at the right time. Shaking away the memories of that night, he turned to Peter.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s your decision, Derek,\u201d Peter said. \u201cI don\u2019t have any great desire to live someplace that smells of rowan ash and wolfsbane though, if you want my vote on it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe never spent much time in the house outside of official pack gatherings,\u201d Isaac said quietly from the side. \u201cSo only you Hales would have any real connection to the house itself.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll talk with Cora and Aunt Mel,\u201d Derek said, turning back to Erica. \u201cBut let\u2019s plan to demolish the place and start fresh. That\u2019s what this whole thing is about right? Coming back here – separating from the main Hale pack – we\u2019re starting fresh and we\u2019re on our own now. So, let\u2019s build something new, not try and revitalize the memory of the previous pack, especially a pack that all but forced us out. Family or not.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSounds good to me,\u201d Erica said, dusting her hands and grinning. \u201cRace you back home.\u201d She was shifting before she\u2019d finished the sentence.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t look at me,\u201d Boyd said, his teeth a flash in the moonlight.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019d better catch up with her,\u201d Derek said, sighing but not otherwise bothering to hide his fondness for his betas. These were the people who had stood by him when everyone else had either turned away or remained quiet. Derek would do just about anything for them.<\/p>\n \u201cShe and Mel will have the whole house planned if we leave them alone too long,\u201d Peter said, stalking towards the tree line.<\/p>\n \u201cOur Aunt?\u201d Derek called, laughing. \u201cCora will be in the thick of it too. Don\u2019t worry Peter, you know they\u2019ll want you for your opinions when they get to the interior.\u201d<\/p>\n Peter lifted a hand over his head, giving Derek a visual of his opinion before he shifted and disappeared into the trees.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not sure whether I\u2019m grateful he came with us or not,\u201d Isaac said, slipping by Derek, all coiled grace and silent movement. He shifted mid-leap, taking off after the others.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sure,\u201d Boyd replied. \u201cI\u2019d much rather have Peter with us than against us.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou think the others are against us?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMaybe, maybe not,\u201d Boyd said after a moment of silence. \u201cBut no one was happy when you killed that alpha and your eyes flashed red, and they were especially put out when the power transfer failed later on. So, while I don\u2019t think that Talia\u2019s pack is going to be coming for us, I\u2019m also positive that they won\u2019t have our backs should anything go wrong here.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s-\u201d Derek heaved out a breath, nodding. \u201cThat\u2019s an excellent read on the situation. Talia signed over all the properties in the Beacon Hills territory and basically washed her hands of us. We sink or swim on our own here. It\u2019s part of what we\u2019ll talk about tomorrow, now that I know we aren\u2019t facing another pack on our doorstep.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe have your back, Alpha,\u201d Boyd said, clapping a large hand onto Derek\u2019s shoulder and squeezing before he headed into the woods at a lumbering walk.<\/p>\n Derek turned to give the ruins one last look; he\u2019d buried a lot of himself here when they\u2019d left ten years ago. It had taken the help of those close to him for him to learn to breathe again. He\u2019d just been getting his life going in the direction he\u2019d wanted when the most recent attack had come. He\u2019d never understand his mother\u2013 what was he supposed to have done, let that crazy alpha kill Laura? She\u2019d been heavily pregnant and protecting her toddler, for fuck\u2019s sake.<\/p>\n \u201cFuck,\u201d Derek sighed, running his hand down his face.<\/p>\n He knew that Laura didn\u2019t blame him, and she was grateful. And yet, even she didn\u2019t understand why he hadn\u2019t been able to give the alpha power to Talia when the time came. Peter had his own theories, but Derek figured it came down to the fact that subconsciously he hadn’t trusted her as his mother or his alpha. He’d been unable to see his way to giving her more power than she already had.<\/p>\n Now here he was, back in Beacon Hills\u2013 back in the place where his innocence had been burned to ashes. He was determined to make something great of it for his fledgling pack, something his ancestors would be proud of. Something that he<\/i> could be proud of.<\/p>\n \u201cAre you going to stand there brooding all night or are you going to come home?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI thought you were avoiding this place?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI was,\u201d Cora said, wrapping an arm around his waist and laying her head on his shoulder. \u201cBut your brooding drew me away from our cozy townhouse to this den of depression.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not that bad,\u201d Derek said, his lips tilting upward. \u201cIt\u2019s just been a lot these last couple of months.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo shit.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI told Erica to demolish it,\u201d Derek said, squeezing his arm around her. \u201cI figured that we should make something new here, or as new as we can, as Hales in Beacon Hills.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSomething new,\u201d Cora said, leaning into him. \u201cI\u2019m here for that. I can still be pissed off about everything though, right?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou can be whatever you want to be, Cora Flora Dora,\u201d Derek said, chuckling when Cora jabbed him in the ribs. \u201cI\u2019m angry when I let myself think about everything too much.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLucky we got Uncle Peter and Auntie Mel, then,\u201d Cora said as they turned towards the trees. \u201cThey always had the best booze recipes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBecause that\u2019s<\/i> why we\u2019re lucky to have them,\u201d Derek said, poking her in the ribs as he stepped back to shift.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, watching them bicker is entertaining,\u201d Cora said, rolling her shoulders. \u201cYou know that Aunt Mel has already signed Peter up for this meet and greet dating thing?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAre you serious?\u201d Derek threw his head back, laughing. \u201cShe hasn\u2019t given up getting him paired off, then?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cA married wolf is a happy wolf,\u201d Cora quoted. \u201cJust you wait, she\u2019ll be after the rest of us next. We\u2019ll all be married off by next year if we\u2019re not careful.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMaybe we should get her on one of those dating sites, then?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cRight, one batshit crazy senior with attitude looking to boss around someone for life,\u201d Cora replied.<\/p>\n \u201cShe isn\u2019t that bad,\u201d Derek said. \u201cShe came with us, didn\u2019t she?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah,\u201d Cora said, sighing. \u201cShe did. I guess I can give her a couple of passes before I start hiding rainbow colors in her shampoo.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou know she\u2019d just get you back, right?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s half the fun,\u201d Cora said over her shoulder before shifting and darting into the woods towards the townhouse they were renting only a block away from the preserve.<\/p>\n \u201cFun?\u201d Derek shook his head and shifted. His pack were all odd characters, and he was related to half of them\u2013he purposely didn\u2019t think about what that said about his own personality. He lifted his muzzle to the moon before all four of his paws were on the ground. Howling, he took off into the trees, listening to the returning calls of his pack.<\/p>\n Boyd fell out of the shadows on his right, Isaac not far behind him, and they ran. The calls of the rest of the pack had placed them closer to the townhouse, and tugging on their pack bonds affirmed that supposition. Derek hadn\u2019t had an opportunity to run in a wooded area like the preserve since they\u2019d left Beacon Hills.<\/p>\n His mother preferred to stick with more metropolitan areas, and cultivated parks and wooded areas these days – areas that could be controlled both during the moon and outside it. Derek had almost forgotten about how the wildness in places like the preserve seemed to bleed out over everything it touched.<\/p>\n The scent of pine tingled through his senses, even as the trail gave way under their paws. Derek didn\u2019t know where he was going, giving himself over to his wolf. Just under the scent of pine, earth, and various wildlife scents, Derek picked up the sharp scent of cardamom and clove. It was tempered by honey and something floral he couldn\u2019t quite put a name to.<\/p>\n Isaac whined, nudging Derek\u2019s shoulder when they came to a sudden stop. Derek shook him off and lifted his muzzle up to taste the air before lowering his nose to the ground, trying to follow the scent trail of honey and spice. Derek took off after the scent trail ignoring the barks behind him. He didn\u2019t know where the path would lead, but the scent was intriguing enough that he wanted to see what was at the end of it.<\/p>\n Derek flowed out of his shift, scenting the air as he entered a clearing that was saturated in the scent he\u2019d been following. He froze when his gaze fell on the tree in the center of the area.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat the hell?\u201d Isaac growled, rolling out of his shift with an almost audible snap. \u201cDerek!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI think this is the nemeton,\u201d Derek said, ignoring Isaac\u2019s anger for the moment. \u201cSomeone\u2019s been coming out here regularly.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe nemeton?\u201d Boyd fell in beside Derek, frowning. \u201cThe magic tree that your uncle was talking about on the trip out from Chicago?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI thought it was going to be impossible to find without some kind of voodoo,\u201d Isaac said, crossing his arms and glaring at the tree when Derek glanced over at him.<\/p>\n \u201cSomething like that,\u201d Derek agreed, \u201cthough I don\u2019t think he mentioned voodoo.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMystical magic man,\u201d Isaac said, waving a hand around before crossing his arms again. \u201cI wasn\u2019t really listening after he started talking about a magic tree that could hide itself.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou said someone has been here?\u201d Boyd interrupted, gripping Isaac\u2019s shoulder and pulling him around, so they were now on either side of Derek. \u201cHow can you tell?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI followed a unique scent trail here,\u201d Derek said, and he ignored the look that the other men shot his way by turning towards the tree.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m pretty sure Peter said that Deaton had the nemeton cut down,\u201d Boyd said quietly.<\/p>\n \u201cNo,\u201d Derek replied, frowning at the tree in the middle of the clearing they\u2019d discovered. \u201cIt was supposed to have been cut down a couple of years before we left, but they couldn\u2019t find it. Deaton was supposed to take care of it before we left.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTrespassing is rude.\u201d<\/p>\n A man stepped from behind the nemeton, wearing robes that spoke of not only another culture but another era. His hair, inky black in the moonlight, fell past his shoulders swinging as he walked closer to them. He was tall and lithe, he was power coiled and ready to strike, or Derek had lost his ability to read a threat. The man smelled of ice and snow – of things found in the dark and best left there. He smelled like a warning, and Derek\u2019s instincts screamed caution.<\/p>\n \u201cI think you\u2019re the one who is trespassing,\u201d Derek said, pulling his shoulders back; he felt more than saw Boyd and Isaac fall into place at his back. \u201cThis is Hale property and you\u2019re no Hale.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, little one,\u201d The man tsked, smiling mockingly. \u201cThis hasn\u2019t been Hale territory for the last ten years – the last eight years – if you want to get legal about it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat are you talking about?\u201d Derek stepped forward, chin lifting. \u201cThis has been Hale territory for over two hundred years.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe land was abandoned ten years ago, and a large portion of the area was bought out eight years ago from the Hale family.\u201d A sly smile curved wide, thin lips.<\/p>\n \u201cWho are you?\u201d Isaac stepped up to Derek\u2019s left shoulder.<\/p>\n \u201cThe polite thing to do is usually to introduce one\u2019s self first,\u201d He said, tucking his hands into the oversized sleeves of his robe. \u201cBut I suppose I can\u2019t expect much from wolves.\u201d He sniffed disdainfully. \u201cYou may address me as Hisashi.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAre you the owner of the territory now?\u201d Isaac blurted out before Derek could introduce himself and try to get more information on his own.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, I\u2019m not,\u201d Hisashi sighed, shaking his head at them.<\/p>\n \u201cIsaac enough,\u201d Derek said, quelling the beta with a look. \u201cI apologize, it\u2019s been a rough few months and this is a shock. I\u2019m Derek Hale, these are two of my Betas Vernon Boyd and Isaac Lahey. I plan to settle and rebuild here with my pack\u2013do you think that I can meet with the one who holds ownership of the territory?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sure you can.\u201d Hisashi cocked his head to the side, studying Derek.<\/p>\n For the first time, Derek noticed how the shadows seemed to dance around the other man, moving unnaturally around the space he stood in. He might have been raised by a woman who believed in a certain kind of etiquette, but he\u2019d also been left in the care of Peter more often than not.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat are you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cRude, so very rude,\u201d Hisashi cackled, head thrown back. \u201cBut smart. You might just make it here in Beacon Hills.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou didn\u2019t answer my question,\u201d Derek said, rumbling in his chest, teeth aching in his gums.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, I didn\u2019t,\u201d Hisashi agreed, still grinning. \u201cI was right, you\u2019re going to make things very interesting around here.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe didn\u2019t come here to make things interesting, we came here to settle our pack and make a home,\u201d Derek said, the growl a steady rumble now.<\/p>\n \u201cMaybe you did,\u201d Hisashi said, shrugging and combing his fingers through the shadows near him. \u201cBut it doesn\u2019t really matter what you came here for now does it? What will be, will be. I\u2019ll let the guardian know that you want a meeting.\u201d He turned to go. \u201cI\u2019d advise you to keep away from the nemeton until then though, he\u2019s very protective of it after it was nearly destroyed by your pack.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot my pack,\u201d Derek said adamantly.<\/p>\n Hisashi turned back at the opposite edge of the clearing, \u201cNo?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve separated from the mainline of the Hale pack. We\u2019re now an offshoot that is not affiliated with them by anything other than the circumstance of accidental heritage,\u201d Derek recited the words that had sundered him from his mother\u2019s pack line, not showing the pain that they had inflicted at the time.<\/p>\n \u201cAhh.\u201d Hisashi lifted his head, opening his mouth, almost as if he was tasting the air. \u201cMy friend would say that he was sorry, and I suppose I should say the same, but honestly you are better off without them. The territory will be more forgiving to you, if what you say is true. I\u2019ll set up that meeting.\u201d He turned to leave again.<\/p>\n \u201cHow will we know when the meeting is?\u201d Isaac called after him.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ll find you,\u201d Hisashi\u2019s voice floated out of the darkness.<\/p>\n \u201cLet\u2019s go home,\u201d Boyd said quietly. \u201cIf you smell anything else, don\u2019t follow it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re not actual dogs,\u201d Derek reminded his beta, bumping shoulders with him.<\/p>\n \u201cI know that, but I didn\u2019t need to see the impossible magic tree or the creepy shadow guy tonight.\u201d Boyd shifted before Derek could reply.<\/p>\n Derek looked at Isaac, who shrugged, \u201cI\u2019m kind of with him\u2013we got some decent information, but this was pretty creepy, and I\u2019m still mad about you running off without warning.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIsaac,\u201d Derek started, but Isaac shifted before he could continue. Sighing, Derek shifted, and they headed towards the townhouse. Derek glanced back at the nemeton one last time before they left the clearing, and wondered if he\u2019d be able to find it again anytime soon.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHeard I missed some excitement last night.\u201d<\/p>\n Derek woke to the click-clacking of his aunt\u2019s knitting needles and bit back a groan. Peter had insisted that they let her and Malia sleep when they’d returned last night. Derek should have known better.<\/p>\n \u201cYou didn\u2019t miss much,\u201d Derek said, his voice rough with sleep. He rolled over, slinging his arm over his eyes to keep the light out. \u201cJust a lot of questions we don\u2019t have any answers for yet.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cExcept the fact that we own a lot less of this area than we thought we did, and that Beacon Hills territory isn\u2019t Hale territory anymore?\u201d Aunt Melody\u2019s voice was soft even as her needles picked up speed. \u201cYour mother has a lot to answer for if this is true.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cA lot she\u2019ll never answer for,\u201d Derek corrected, lifting his arm to squint at his aunt. \u201cIt would explain why she gave over Beacon Hills without an argument. She practically threw the territory at us, happily signing everything over, signing the treaties and everything in what amounts to record time, not a single protest about a territory that has been in the main line\u2019s hands since the Hale pack\u2019s origins.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShe\u2019s going to regret this one day,\u201d Melody Hale replied sharply, the clack of her needles emphasizing her words. \u201cI\u2019ll make sure of that.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWill you?\u201d Derek gave up on going back to sleep. He sat up and grabbed his phone, wincing at the time. It wasn\u2019t even seven yet.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve been making a list,\u201d Mel said, looking up, her ageless eyes sparkling behind her glasses as she smiled. \u201cYour mother made the top of it after the way she behaved when you became an alpha.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy?\u201d Derek scratched his chest and stretched as he woke up some more.<\/p>\n Aunt Mel hadn\u2019t talked much about what was behind her choice to side with Derek and join the pack. Derek had a feeling he was about to hear some of what was behind her choice now.<\/p>\n \u201cBecause up until then, Gerard Argent was at the top of my list. Now he shares the spot with your mother. She used to be in second place, beating out Deucalion and his little bully squad when she decided to not only leave this territory but to salt and burn it behind us.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s interesting to know,\u201d Derek said, staring at his aunt, who hadn\u2019t stopped knitting. \u201cBut it wasn\u2019t what I meant. Why was how she treated me so bad? It was only what\u2019s done when someone other than the heir ends up with alpha power from an outside source. My spark just wouldn\u2019t transfer to Talia.\u201d He shrugged off the memories of the multiple attempts they\u2019d made him undergo. \u201cEveryone had theories about why, but no one really knows.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, honey.\u201d She looked over the top of her glasses, tutting at him. \u201cSome of us know why it wouldn\u2019t transfer.\u201d She nodded at him. \u201cYou never asked why I came with you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI didn\u2019t – it wasn\u2019t-\u201d Derek trailed off because saying it wasn\u2019t his place would be false, but that\u2019s precisely what he wanted to say. \u201cI had no reason to ask you, you\u2019re always welcome wherever I am, Aunt Mel.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re sweet,\u201d She said, smirking at him, her expression eerily similar to one he\u2019d seen on Peter\u2019s face before. \u201cWe\u2019ll have to keep that to the pack, though. I came with you because the spark didn\u2019t go to Talia, which means there is much more to you than can be seen at first glance. Part of that is the strength to hold on to an alpha spark against that kind of attack, but part of it is the strength of character to recognize in the deepest part of you that your mother was not worthy of your spark.\u201d She paused her knitting to bap him on the nose. \u201cAnd it was your<\/i> spark: you won it in combat protecting your sister and the alpha heir of your pack. That is a mighty thing, Derek. You didn\u2019t go looking for power, you weren\u2019t hungering for it, and you were willing to give it away. You just weren\u2019t willing to give your mother more power because she was<\/i> hungering for it, when push came to shove, and you can\u2019t deny that.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShe\u2019s your niece.\u201d Derek rubbed his nose, eyeing his aunt cautiously. \u201cYou were one of the pack\u2019s elders. I know you saw more than the rest of us. I guess I wondered why you came with my pack, and the rest just turned their backs on us. No one spoke up for us in council during the final separation negotiations.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBecause they\u2019re all idiots and perhaps more set in their ways than they should be.\u201d Mel shrugged, looking her age briefly before she shook herself and picked up her knitting again. \u201cFear is powerful, it can freeze you in place, and that\u2019s what has happened to your mother\u2019s pack. The attack here all those years ago, and the other events perpetuated by the Argents going on around that time drove your mother into action that was fueled more by fear than anything else, and now that she\u2019s found herself some semblance of safety-\u201d Mel shrugged. \u201cTalia doesn\u2019t like anything that upsets her applecart. She\u2019s been riding the coattails of my brother\u2019s reputation, and while in the beginning she did well enough\u2026 it’s been a long while since she\u2019s lived up to what a Hale alpha is supposed to be.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd what is that?\u201d Derek slid out of the blankets and grabbed a pair of jeans from the end of the bed. Glancing around at the boxes in his room, he made a note to unpack soon as he yanked the jeans up and buttoned them, listening while Mel continued talking.<\/p>\n \u201cA Hale alpha puts the pack and the territory first,\u201d Mel said, tucking her knitting away in its bag and standing. \u201cSometimes that means doing the obvious. A retreat ten years ago wasn\u2019t wrong. Attempting to destroy the nemeton and cutting ties with the territory? That was against every oath your mother took when she rose to her role as our pack alpha. If we\u2019d known at the time, we\u2019d never have condoned it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat seems easy enough, if simplistic,\u201d Derek said, sitting on the edge of his bed and looking up at her.<\/p>\n \u201cYou would think so, but many alphas begin to think that a pack relies on an alpha instead of the other way round.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe learn that as cubs in the nursery, though.\u201d Derek frowned, thinking of the tattoo on his back. \u201cAlpha, beta, omega. A beta can rise to an alpha, an alpha can fall to beta and a beta can fall to omega-\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd even an omega can become an alpha,\u201d Mel finished, nodding. \u201cYes, we all learn these things, but it seems some of us have forgotten the lessons of the cradle.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell,\u201d Derek said, standing. \u201cThere isn\u2019t anything I can do about Talia or the main line right now, and I don\u2019t really want to tackle it in the future either. We have enough of a mess to clear up here, it seems.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou might be right.\u201d She nodded. \u00a0\u201cBut I\u2019m keeping my list and my plans; it’s always good to be prepared.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI wouldn\u2019t dare stop you,\u201d Derek said as she opened the door. \u201cAunt Mel, thanks for coming with me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOf course, dear boy.\u201d She smiled and left him alone in his room.<\/p>\n Derek closed his eyes and wondered how long it would take Hisashi to get the meeting with whoever held the territory so that they could get some things cleared up. He didn\u2019t think it would be as easy as buying back the land, but he hoped he’d be able to establish exclusive pack rights to Beacon Hills. That would be a good start. He knew a few solitary shifters were in the area, but their research hadn\u2019t shown any packs within the territory lines.<\/p>\n \u201cDerek?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHmm?\u201d He looked over as his door opened, revealing the wild curls of his younger cousin.<\/p>\n Malia was Peter\u2019s surprise baby, who\u2019d appeared one day out of the blue about a couple of years after they\u2019d settled in Chicago. Derek had still been dealing with his own issues from the fire, but he remembered that it had involved a knock-down, drag-out argument between Peter and Talia that had almost ended with Peter taking the then-infant and leaving the pack. It was one of the only times Derek had ever seen his mother back down.<\/p>\n \u201cDad wants to know if you\u2019re going to come down for breakfast. He went out and got pastries.\u201d She wrinkled her nose. \u201cI saved you a raspberry danish, but they ate all the cheese already.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThis is why you\u2019re my favorite.\u201d Derek grabbed a shirt out of his duffle and pulled it on.<\/p>\n \u201cI got you a coconut one too,\u201d She said, coming into his room, setting the pastries on the nightstand. \u201cNo one but you and me like those ones anyway.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s because the rest of them don\u2019t know what a good thing they\u2019re missing.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd we aren\u2019t going to tell them either,\u201d She grinned at him, her nose twitching as she giggled.<\/p>\n \u201cOf course not,\u201d Derek held up his pinky, waiting for her to do the same. He hooked his around hers and shook. \u201cHow are you holding up, kitten?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s okay,\u201d She said, shrugging, all knees and elbows at eight years old. She flung herself at Derek. \u201cI like it better than Chicago, but it\u2019s different too. I\u2019m glad you didn\u2019t leave me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI couldn\u2019t,\u201d Derek said, sitting on his bed once more, surprising himself with the truth of his words. \u201cI don\u2019t think Peter would have let me leave without him for one, and he wasn\u2019t going to leave you. And you\u2019re my best girl, you know that. There was always room in my pack for you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know, but what if Dad hadn\u2019t come with you?\u201d Malia sniffled, raising red-rimmed eyes to his.<\/p>\n \u201cThen I would have had to break you out on my own,\u201d Derek said. \u201cMalia, if you had wanted to join my pack, there was always a place for you. You might have had to wait until you were sixteen to get here, but you just had to let me know and I\u2019d have made sure that we had a place ready for you.\u201d He grinned down at the girl. \u201cFortunately, we never had to make those plans because Peter knew what you both wanted and here you are, right?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah.\u201d She sniffled a few more times. \u201cDad\u2019s pretty smart sometimes.\u201d She glanced at Derek, glaring sternly. \u201cDon\u2019t tell him though or he\u2019ll think he can get away with stuff.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll be sure to keep it to myself,\u201d Derek said, ruffling her hair. \u201cFeel better?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI think so.\u201d She dove back in, burrowing into Derek\u2019s chest again.<\/p>\n \u201cThis has been bothering you for a while, huh?\u201d Derek felt her nod against his chest and sighed. \u201cI know I\u2019m pretty new to this alpha stuff and I didn\u2019t get training the way that Laura did. So, I\u2019m probably going to make a mess of some of it while I’m figuring out the big things, but if you ever need to talk to me or if anything is bothering you-\u201d He brushed a hand over her unruly curls, he leaned down to press a kiss to them. \u201cYou come and tell me. I\u2019ll always make time for you. Not just as your alpha, but as your best big brother-cousin, remember?\u201d He poked her when she giggled at the moniker she\u2019d given him years ago, when she\u2019d confused their relationship.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, okay.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCome on, let\u2019s eat these pastries before someone comes in and snatches them away from us.\u201d He picked her up and set her beside him on the bed. Then he grabbed the chair Mel had been sitting in earlier, spinning it around to place directly in front of her. Sitting down, he grabbed the pastries and held one out to Malia with a flourish. \u201cM\u2019lady.\u201d<\/p>\n Malia giggled again and took the coconut pastry when he handed it to her.<\/p>\n After breakfast, Derek sent Malia out with Mel and Isaac to check out the town. They planned to pick up groceries on the way back to supply the townhomes the pack was renting.<\/p>\n Derek sent Peter out to find out more about the sale of the Hale territory-based properties that they hadn\u2019t been made aware of. Hopefully, Peter would find something out because Derek didn\u2019t even know where to start. He\u2019d never expected to be anything other than a beta. Derek had never expected to even sit on the council. Not even as the alpha’s son and brother of the heir.<\/p>\n \u201cYou think he\u2019ll find anything?\u201d<\/p>\n Derek glanced over at Erica. She\u2019d spread out on the breakfast bar with her laptop and papers as she made arrangements to take care of the old Hale property and their rebuild.<\/p>\n \u201cI hope so,\u201d He said, shrugging into his leather jacket. \u201cAt least something that will give us a place to start unraveling whatever went wrong here.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou think it\u2019s more than the fire and all that?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou mean Kate?\u201d Derek raised his brow at her. He knew that his betas were dancing around the subject of Kate Argent and the fallout of the fire. He appreciated it but now wasn\u2019t the time.<\/p>\n \u201cShe who will not be named.\u201d Erica nodded before sticking her pen back in her mouth.<\/p>\n \u201cShe wasn\u2019t Voldemort,\u201d Derek said, pinching his nose.<\/p>\n \u201cEvil enough,\u201d Boyd\u2019s voice rumbled beside him.<\/p>\n \u201cAnyway,\u201d Derek said, waving them both off. \u201cBack on topic, I don\u2019t know what was going on back then. That\u2019s kind of the point of having Peter look into it. I was barely sixteen when the fire happened, you guys were, what, fourteen – fifteen? We aren\u2019t exactly the best resources for the time period.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo,\u201d Erica said, tapping the pen against red lips as she thought. \u201cI remember going to bed at the main house because it was a pack gathering, so we all had to be there. We woke up to smoke and yelling. Next thing I knew we were in a van and moving to Chicago. We didn\u2019t even go back to school and get our things.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe were gone before the week was out,\u201d Boyd agreed. \u201cTalia moved fast once the decision was made. Almost like they were ready to go if something happened.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s what we\u2019re thinking,\u201d Derek said, nodding. \u201cWe don\u2019t think that anyone in the pack knew about the fire, but someone knew that something was coming for us, and they were ready to run, but no one was watching out for us – just waiting for the hit.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s messed up, man,\u201d Boyd said.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah,\u201d Derek said, scratching at his cheek as he thought. \u201cWe don\u2019t know any of this for sure, but it makes sense. If it hadn\u2019t been for that kid coming by when he did – the pack would have been destroyed. Kate would have gotten almost all of us and she\u2019d have gotten away before the storm came up.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou really believe a freak lightning strike took her out?\u201d Erica shot him a look, communicating her feelings on the subject.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not sure what else to believe,\u201d Derek said, shaking his head. \u201cDeaton always said that there wasn\u2019t any magic involved, I know that much.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat ever happened to that guy?\u201d Erica picked up her phone when it vibrated. She grimaced at the message before typing something quickly and tossing it back onto the counter. \u201cHe wasn\u2019t around when we left, but I figured he\u2019d be there to give us his whole \u2018keep the balance\u2019 speech one last time.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know.\u201d Derek grabbed his keys, checking his pocket for his phone. \u201cThey didn\u2019t exactly keep me up to date on what was going on before I became an alpha, and afterwards they shut me out completely.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTrue.\u201d Erica nodded. \u201cWhere are you going?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI want to see if I can get a feel for where the territory boundaries shifted.\u201d Derek grimaced at the thought. \u201cWe know that someone else has claimed them, but I\u2019m hoping that there is something available to us here, especially since we weren\u2019t blocked from the nemeton last night.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe were led right to it,\u201d Boyd said, shrugging into his own jacket and leaning down to kiss Erica. \u201cThat Hisashi guy said we were trespassing though.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cExactly, we were led right to it,\u201d Derek said, pointing at Boyd. \u201cHisashi might have accused us of trespassing, but if we had no claim to Beacon Hills, I don\u2019t think we would have been able to be there at all. Not without some kind of effort on our part anyway. Peter agrees with me. He\u2019s got some calls in to a few contacts while he\u2019s out looking into the territory sale.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo, we\u2019re just going to drive around and-\u201d Boyd opened the door and gestured Derek ahead of him.<\/p>\n \u201cHave fun storming the castle boys,\u201d Erica called after them.<\/p>\n \u201cThere is no castle or storm,\u201d Boyd replied, shutting the door. \u201cYou don\u2019t even know where we\u2019re going do you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI want to take the road to the old place today and check a few things out,\u201d Derek said, opening the gate out of the yard.<\/p>\n \u201cYou think that guy is going to come through with a meeting?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI hope so, but if not that\u2019s part of what Peter is doing,\u201d Derek said, unlocking the Camaro and sliding into the driver’s seat.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s the plan if they want us to leave?\u201d Boyd folded himself down into his seat, shutting the door and turning to look at Derek.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ll climb that hill when we get to it,\u201d Derek said, starting the car. \u201cI don\u2019t plan on leaving Beacon Hills, though.\u201d He glanced over at the other man.<\/p>\n \u201cOkay then.\u201d Boyd nodded, facing forward as they pulled out of the drive. \u201cLet\u2019s go see what we can find then.\u201d<\/p>\n ************<\/p>\n Sipping coffee gone cold hours before, Stiles grimaced and set the cup aside on the porch railing.<\/p>\n \u201cJust meet with them,\u201d Hisashi said from where he lounged as a fox in the hammock. \u201cYou don\u2019t have to commit to anything.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019ll know who I am,\u201d Stiles muttered, laying his head on his knees. They\u2019d been treading the same ground since breakfast when Hisashi had finally told Stiles what he\u2019d discovered last night. \u201cI can\u2019t believe they found the nemeton.\u201d He lifted his head to glare at Hisashi.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s a Hale.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe Hales tried to destroy it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTalia Hale and her pet druid tried to destroy it,\u201d Hisashi corrected. \u201cDerek was a sixteen year old traumatized boy at the time and from what my contacts have been able to put together, he\u2019s been completely cut off from the main Hale pack.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat exactly does that mean?\u201d<\/p>\n Hisashi sat up, leaping out of the hammock, and switching forms mid-air to cross the yard and sit next to Stiles.<\/p>\n \u201cHe, and presumably all those with him, have been sundered from the main pack. They\u2019re considered Hales only through accidental heritage. The little alpha told me himself last night. They\u2019re considered an offshoot <\/i>of the main Hale pack at best. I asked around after I ran into them at the nemeton, and so far, what the little alpha said is true. I didn\u2019t read any falsehoods from him when I spoke to him either, just some pain and subdued anger.\u201d Hisashi licked his lower lip, shooting Stiles a grin. \u201cI didn\u2019t even take a bite\u2013you should be proud.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, immensely.\u201d Stiles rolled his eyes, bumping shoulders with the taller man. \u201cYou think they\u2019ll be good for Beacon Hills?\u201d He finally asked, running a hand over the bare skin on his arm.<\/p>\n \u201cI think that having an official pack settled here wouldn\u2019t be a bad thing,\u201d Hisashi replied, wrapping a silk-covered arm around Stiles\u2019 shoulders. \u201cWe\u2019ve done well over the last few years with the territory, but having a pack we can trust settle here would help stabilize the area even more. It being led by a Hale, even if they\u2019ve been sundered.\u201d Hisashi rolled his eyes, to show what he thought of that. \u201cWill still mean something. It means something to the magic of the nemeton, obviously.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah,\u201d Stiles murmured, looking at the sky, and watching as a few dark clouds rolled in to bring an afternoon rain. \u201cI\u2019ll meet with him, then. Set it up. He\u2019ll need to be told how we do things around here, anyway.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAre you going to give him the \u2018be nice to the sheriff\u2019s department\u2019 speech?\u201d Hisashi\u2019s grin was vulpine in his delight.<\/p>\n \u201cI suppose you think that\u2019s going to be useless,\u201d Stiles said, shrugging off Hisashi\u2019s arm and standing up, stretching his arms over his head.<\/p>\n \u201cActually.\u201d Hisashi tilted his head, resting his cheek in his hand as he considered the question. \u201cI think the little alpha might appreciate it, once he gets over your identity and the fact that you aren\u2019t going to hand over the territory to his pack.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAre you going to keep calling him \u2018little alpha\u2019 when we meet with him?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOf course I am.\u201d Hisashi grinned. \u201cYou\u2019re all little children to me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re just trying to get a reaction out of him,\u201d Stiles said, poking Hisashi in the forehead before he turned back to the yard. \u201cI\u2019m going for a walk.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIf you head into the preserve, you\u2019re likely to run into one of them.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll keep an ear out and avoid the occupied areas,\u201d Stiles shrugged, walking towards the trees.<\/p>\n \u201cWant company?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, I need to think about things and you\u2019re never a quiet companion.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cRude.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHonest,\u201d Stiles said over his shoulder, slipping past the first trees, his toes digging into the dirt of the forest floor briefly before he picked a direction to walk. \u201cI have my phone with me. Set up your meeting and let Dad know. Don\u2019t think I haven\u2019t noticed that you\u2019ve avoided mentioning the Argents; we\u2019ll talk about them when I get back.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFuck,\u201d Hisashi said, his voice carrying through the trees.<\/p>\n Stiles smiled briefly before tucking his hands into his pockets and beginning to wander as he thought over what would change in Beacon Hills if Derek Hale and his pack did stay. Hisashi wasn\u2019t wrong in saying it would bring added stability to the territory. Stiles, the nemeton, and those that lived here did well enough maintaining everything, but there were reasons that supernatural communities sought out stable packs to settle within their borders.<\/p>\n Reaching down, Stiles plucked a branch off the ground, swishing it in the air a few times before pulling it back to peel some bark off. Having his hands busy with something helped him think, and he settled down on an overturned tree some distance from the house, pulling out his pocket knife. He dug his toes into the earth again to ground himself a bit more and began to carve as he let his mind drift.<\/p>\n \u201cAre you sure that we should be out here? That creepy guy called us trespassers last night.\u201d<\/p>\n Stiles didn\u2019t recognize the voice carried to him by the wind, but he tilted his head in the direction of the voice as he listened.<\/p>\n \u201cChill,\u201d A woman replied, laughter edging her words. \u201cI doubt he\u2019s hiding behind the trees, waiting to jump out at you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI wouldn\u2019t put it past him,\u201d He replied. \u201cYou weren\u2019t there, that guy was weird, and he wasn\u2019t human, Cora. So maybe we shouldn\u2019t be wandering around the preserve with your little cousin and aunt.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI can take care of myself!\u201d<\/p>\n Stiles shook his head, smiling slightly. He folded up the knife and put it away, tossing the branch away with a sigh. It seemed that he was about to have company, and if he wasn\u2019t mistaken, they were members of the newly arrived Hale pack. He wondered exactly who he was about to meet and if they\u2019d recognize him.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re simply taking a walk in the woods,\u201d Another woman put in, older than the others. \u201cI know you weren\u2019t implying that I\u2019m incapable simply because I\u2019m a few years older than you, dear.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFuck. Of course not Aunt Mel,\u201d He said. \u201cI wouldn\u2019t dare.\u201d<\/p>\n Stiles muffled his laughter, beyond amused. He hadn\u2019t had much to do with the Hale pack when they\u2019d been in Beacon Hills before. After everything back then, he\u2019d made it a point to know who had originally been in the pack. Still, he was almost entirely in the dark about who had returned with Derek Hale. Stiles wasn\u2019t sure if he had any preferences about who he wanted to be in this new Hale pack. He did know who he\u2019d have to ban from Beacon Hills if they appeared, though.<\/p>\n \u201cWho are you?\u201d<\/p>\n Stiles looked up. The group had made their way to him while he\u2019d been momentarily lost in thought.<\/p>\n \u201cMalia!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHello,\u201d Stiles said, dusting his hands off as he stood. \u201cAre you lost? This is private property.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTold you,\u201d The man muttered to the brunette, who couldn\u2019t be anything but a Hale with her coloring.<\/p>\n \u201cShut up, Isaac.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re just out for a walk. I lived here some years ago, and I don\u2019t remember this belonging to someone else,\u201d The older woman replied, smiling. \u201cOh, I\u2019m Melody Hale. This is my niece Cora,\u201d Melody said, gesturing to the brunette and then the man. \u201cIsaac, and the firecracker there is Malia.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh,\u201d Stiles said, nodding. \u201cI\u2019m Stiles. It\u2019s been a while since there\u2019s been a Hale in Beacon Hills. Are you back for a visit?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re going to live here now,\u201d Malia piped up, frowning at him. \u201cI like it here.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a good place to live,\u201d Stiles agreed. \u201cI wouldn\u2019t recommend wandering the woods though, we do still have the occasional animal attack. If you want to walk through, stick with the trails. The sheriff\u2019s department and the park\u2019s service work together to keep them marked pretty well.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou seem to know quite a bit about all of this,\u201d Cora narrowed her eyes at him.<\/p>\n \u201cMy dad is the sheriff,\u201d Stiles said, smiling at her. \u201cHas been for over a decade now.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIf this is private property,\u201d Isaac said, staring at Stiles with his head tilted and eyes narrowed. \u201cWhat are you doing out here?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know the owner,\u201d Stiles replied. \u201cDo you know how to get back out?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe can manage,\u201d Melody said, smiling, her eyes crinkling. \u201cIt was nice to meet you, Stiles. Please give our apologies for trespassing.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, I\u2019m sure they won\u2019t mind,\u201d Stiles said, running his hand through his hair. \u201cBut I\u2019ll let them know.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou smell nice,\u201d Malia said, stepping into Stiles\u2019 space. \u201cI like you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThank you?\u201d Stiles smiled down at the girl, bemused. \u201cYou<\/i> have butterflies in your hair.\u201d He carefully reached his hand out, using a finger to lift one of them out of her hair to show her.<\/p>\n \u201cI do?\u201d Malia snapped her eyes to his hand. \u201cI do!\u201d She said in hushed awe.<\/p>\n \u201cYou must have seemed a confusing sort of flower to them,\u201d Stiles laughed. He leaned down just a little and sniffed. \u201cYou do smell pretty, I suppose.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not a flower.\u201d Malia wrinkled her nose. \u201cDerek says I\u2019m a kitten now, but I\u2019m going to be ferocious tiger when I get older.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI have no doubt,\u201d Stiles said nodding, and he stepped back after gently transferring over the butterfly to one of Malia\u2019s little fingers. \u201cYou should all hurry back home or to some cover though.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy is that?\u201d Isaac wrapped his arm around Malia and drew her gently back into their group.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s going to storm soon,\u201d Stiles looked up at the canopy of the woods. \u201cIf you hurry, you should have time to find cover before it hits, though.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cStorm?\u201d Cora frowned, pulling out her phone. \u201cI don\u2019t remember anything about that in the forecast.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt might not have been,\u201d Stiles shrugged. \u201cBut it\u2019s going to storm the rest of the afternoon into the evening. It should clear up by morning, though.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou are remarkably well informed.\u201d<\/p>\n Stiles smiled at Melody, \u201cNot really, I\u2019ve just lived here my whole life. You learn to read the weather systems and the area after a while. If you stay around, you\u2019ll learn them – or relearn them, I suppose.\u201d He nodded at them all. \u201cI didn\u2019t bring my jacket with me, so I\u2019m going to head back myself. I\u2019ll see you around.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe doesn\u2019t have any shoes on either,\u201d Malia said to Cora.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, I don\u2019t like shoes,\u201d Stiles agreed. \u201cI only wear them when I have to, or my dad makes me.\u201d<\/p>\n Malia nodded seriously. \u201cI don\u2019t like shoes either, but everyone makes me wear them anyway. They keep saying that I\u2019ll learn to like them.\u201d She looked to the side at Cora and Isaac. \u201cI didn\u2019t believe them either.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, when you\u2019re an adult and live in your own place, you can leave your shoes there all you want,\u201d Stiles said grinning, and ignoring the glares he was getting from the other three adults. He thought that Malia Hale might possibly be his favorite person in the world right then. \u201cYou do have to realize though, that you\u2019ll have to wear them if you want to go into certain stores and restaurants. It\u2019s part of the rules of the world.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah.\u201d Malia heaved a breath, sounding very put upon. \u201cI know I\u2019ll still have to follow some stupid rules when I grow up, but-\u201d She grinned mischievously up at Stiles. \u201cAt least now I know I can choose <\/i>when to wear shoes and nobody can tell me that I have to because everyone else does. Not anymore.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHappy to help with your rebellion.\u201d Stiles chuckled. \u201cBut now I really have to go and so should you guys, or we\u2019re all going to be drenched before long.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt was nice to meet you,\u201d Malia called over her shoulder as she bounced away with Cora and Isaac, who tossed a wave as he hurried after her.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, it was nice to meet you,\u201d Melody said again. Her gaze assessing before she turned with the rest, and they disappeared back into the trees.<\/p>\n Stiles watched them go, huffing out a breath. It had been an interesting meeting, and he didn\u2019t regret it, but he had lost his opportunity to just sit and think before the storm rolled in. Stiles eyed the bits of sky he could make out through the trees and considered staying out in the storm. There was nothing quite like dancing with lightning when the storm raged through you and around you. He decided not to, as there were too many unknowns running around his territory at the moment, and as much as it galled, he couldn\u2019t afford to let his guard down.<\/p>\n Sticking his hands in his pockets, he hunched his shoulders as he turned for home. It was only the warning rush of the wind and the burn of the lightning under his skin that had him twist aside in time to miss being impaled by an arrow as it whipped by him, cutting a slice across his arm as it went.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t move!\u201d<\/p>\n Stiles held his hands out, watching as a hunting party came out of the trees. Seeing that they were armed with guns as well as bows, he grimaced internally. The cut on his arm burned, blood dripped down his arm, and thunder cracked overhead.<\/p>\n \u201cWho are you and what are you doing out here?\u201d A man, older but fit with only a slight paunch, stepped forward. A hunter\u2019s cap on his head and a gun in his hand pointed at Stiles.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is private property,\u201d Stiles said, dragging the bottom of his shirt up. He wiped at the wound while keeping his eyes on the group in front of him. \u201cThere isn\u2019t any hunting allowed in the preserve without a permit either, and I\u2019m fairly sure that you don\u2019t have one. You also shouldn\u2019t be shooting at people<\/i> in the woods, that\u2019s going to get you in all kinds of trouble.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe must have gotten turned around,\u201d He said, eyeing Stiles\u2019 still bleeding arm and lowering his gun. He gestured to the others, and they lowered their weapons as well. \u201cOscar got a little twitchy. He apologizes for the stray arrow.\u201d He gestured over at an unfortunate stocky blond with a face like bread dough and two round cherries plunked down for eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m so sorry,\u201d He said blandly before stepping back behind the older man.<\/p>\n \u201cHmm.\u201d Stiles let his eyes slide over the group, taking in the rest of them, five in total. So, these were the Argents come to his territory. He doubted they could be anyone else. Thunder rumbled above them again. \u201cLike I said, this is private property, and you\u2019ll have to leave. I don\u2019t recommend hunting without a license either. The park service and the sheriff\u2019s department are very strict about that.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ll take that under advisement Mr.-\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cStiles, just Stiles,\u201d Stiles replied, nodding at them. \u201cYou are?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGerard Argent,\u201d Gerard said. He didn\u2019t bother to introduce anyone other than the unfortunate Oscar from earlier. \u201cWe just moved to the area and could use someone to show us around the preserve. You wouldn\u2019t know anyone familiar with the area?\u201d He smiled silkily. \u201cThe public areas, that is, we don\u2019t want to get lost again.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not sure there is anyone around that can help you Mr. Argent,\u201d Stiles said. He could feel the storm building in the air and under his skin. \u201cYour name isn\u2019t very well liked around here.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo?\u201d Gerard\u2019s hand tightened on his weapon, and his eyes went ice cold.<\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d Stiles met his gaze without flinching. \u201cA Kate Argent tried to murder an entire family and some of their friends during a get together about ten years ago. She was also suspected of some less than savory activities with a minor, though that was never proven, and she died before it could go any further.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat does that have to do with us?\u201d Gerard spoke between gritted teeth, obviously trying to sound congenial and failing.<\/p>\n \u201cLike I said, Argent is a name that isn\u2019t well liked around here for a variety of reasons,\u201d Stiles said, shrugging. \u201cShooting at the sheriff\u2019s son out in the preserve when you don\u2019t have permit to do so isn\u2019t going to help ingratiate you to the town.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSheriff\u2019s son?\u201d another voice muttered behind Gerard, coming out of the tree line.<\/p>\n Stiles\u2019 smiled and waved at the brunette who\u2019d spoken. \u201cThat\u2019s me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGrandfather?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAllison,\u201d Gerard turned to her. \u201cIt was an honest mistake, a slip of the finger. Oscar has apologized and we were about to go on our way.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI was just letting your grandfather know that this is private property,\u201d Stiles said helpfully, watching the byplay between the two with interest. \u201cI was also letting him know that there is no hunting in the preserve without a permit, which I\u2019m fairly sure none of you have.\u201d<\/p>\n Allison turned and smiled, dimples and all. \u201cI\u2019m really sorry. I\u2019m sure my grandfather told you that we\u2019re new here.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe mentioned something like that,\u201d Stiles agreed, raising a brow at her. \u201cI told him that Argents aren\u2019t going to be very welcome here after what happened ten years ago.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh.\u201d Allison frowned. \u201cWe\u2019d hoped to settle in here and be a part of the community.\u201d<\/p>\n Thunder rolled above them, and Stiles felt more than saw the lightning crack. He felt the rain leaving the sky moments before it hit the trees and then finally those underneath.<\/p>\n \u201cFuck.\u201d The hunters cursed as a group before they began pulling up the hoods of their jackets or hoodies.<\/p>\n Stiles didn\u2019t take his eyes off Allison or Gerard. She quickly lifted the hood of her jacket over her dark hair, but Gerard didn\u2019t move beyond, tightening his grip on the weapon in his hand.<\/p>\n \u201cDo you think we could meet someplace out of the rain?\u201d Allison stepped closer to Stiles, ignoring her grandfather\u2019s hushed admonishment. \u201cMaybe you could tell me how to fit in here? Make people realize that we aren\u2019t as bad as my Aunt Kate.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAunt<\/i> Kate huh?\u201d Stiles shook his head, rain flying. \u201cI don\u2019t think I\u2019m your best option for that. If you decide to stay, then you should try sticking to the law and not trying to murder people. That should help.\u201d He gave her a sharp grin when she stepped back. \u201cI need to head home, this rain isn\u2019t going to let up anytime soon. I wasn\u2019t kidding about this being private property or those permits though.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe should head back to the rental anyway,\u201d Allison said, glancing at Gerard. \u201cThis storm doesn\u2019t seem safe to be traveling the preserve in, even with a permit.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cProbably not,\u201d Stiles agreed. \u201cIf you head back the way you came and turn west, you\u2019ll hit the road, it shouldn\u2019t be a long out. I\u2019m assuming you came in that way?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, thank you,\u201d Allison said, dimpling at him again. \u201cCome on.\u201d She gathered up the hunters, and they made their way back the way they\u2019d come.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s more to you than meets the eye young man,\u201d Gerard said, narrowing his eyes, raising the gun in his hand a little.<\/p>\n \u201cThat might be true Mr. Argent,\u201d Stiles said. \u201cBut do you really want to risk shooting the sheriff\u2019s son right now?\u201d He smiled, showing his teeth, even while his gut tightened, and he gathered his spark for whatever defense he could manage.<\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d Gerard lowered the weapon once again. \u201cNot yet anyway.\u201d He turned and went in the direction the others had.<\/p>\n Stiles let out-breath, releasing the hold on his spark slowly.<\/p>\n \u201cCourting danger and chaos without me,\u201d Hisashi said, coming out from behind a tree, twirling an arrow in his hand. \u201cNow that is definitely rude and unkind.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt was supposed to be an uneventful walk,\u201d Stiles said, grimacing when Hisashi slung a jacket over his shoulders. Hisashi pressed a brief hand to his uninjured right arm, bleeding off some of the overflow of magic and grounding Stiles enough to cause the buzz in his blood to even out. \u201cI should\u2019ve known better with both the Hales and the Argents taking up residence in town.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLooks like the new Argent Princess is taking tricks from her Aunt\u2019s tool chest,\u201d Hisashi said as they began the walk home. \u201cThat was a bit more subtle than Kate was known for, but it was still fairly heavy handed for a first meeting.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAs long as she doesn\u2019t start trawling the schools or murdering people, she can flirt with whoever she wants.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo, we\u2019re keeping an eye on them.\u201d<\/p>\n Stiles rolled his eyes before he could stop himself. He glanced at Hisashi incredulously. \u201cSeriously?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve already got the hags keeping an eye on them and I\u2019ve informed a few of the others that they\u2019re in town,\u201d Hisashi shrugged when Stiles frowned. \u201cIt\u2019s not like we can keep it a secret and it\u2019s better to recruit them to keep a watch on them for us, than for them to watch and plan on their own.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe need to put word out.\u201d Stiles sighed, running a hand over his face in a futile attempt to wipe the water away. \u201cMost of the others won\u2019t attack them unprovoked, but there are a few that might and then there are a few that might get some false courage.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re going to put an order of protection out on the Argents<\/i>?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFuck no.\u201d Stiles laughed humorlessly. \u201cBut they\u2019ll have to leave them to me unless it\u2019s in direct self-defense.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019ll work in the short term,\u201d Hisashi conceded. \u201cWhat about a permanent solution?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t plan to have the Argents here long term,\u201d Stiles said darkly.<\/p>\n Thunder rolled above them again, drowning out anything Hisashi might have said. Lightning followed almost immediately as they emerged from the trees at the edge of Stiles\u2019 yard. They stopped at the tree line under the meagre protection of the trees.<\/p>\n Stiles leaned back against one of the trees and watched the sky. \u201cHow did you know to come find me?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhen did you realize I was there?\u201d Hisashi countered.<\/p>\n \u201cThe touch of chaos magic hitting the arrow,\u201d Stiles said, rolling his head against the trunk of the tree to look at Hisashi. \u201cI was already moving, but it still would have ended up in my arm if you hadn\u2019t added that little push.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCan\u2019t have my friend <\/i>getting impaled by a hunter\u2019s arrow,\u201d Hisashi growled, glaring back the way they\u2019d come. \u201cIt\u2019s bad form. I figured you didn\u2019t want me to destroy them though.\u201d He frowned at Stiles.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t say friend like it\u2019s a bad word,\u201d Stiles said, huffing, closing his eyes, and pressing his head back against the tree. \u201cI appreciate you holding back though, anything more would have been messy, and we don\u2019t need to look like the bad guys to the town at large.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sure we could have come up with something,\u201d Hisashi shrugged when Stiles glanced at him, shoving wet hair over his shoulder with a look of distaste. He didn\u2019t move to go into the house, though. \u201cAnimal attack maybe?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAgainst a party that size? With all those weapons?\u201d Stiles shook his head. \u201cYou have a tremendous amount of faith either in my ability to pull something like that off. Or the stupidity of the humans in the area.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSix of one half a dozen of another,\u201d Hisashi replied.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy were you out there?\u201d Stiles decided to change the subject back to his original question.<\/p>\n \u201cI found your little alpha and set up a meeting for this evening,\u201d Hisashi answered. \u201cJust good timing that I was there to keep you from imitating a kebab.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat could of waited until I got back.\u201d Stiles braced his foot on the trunk and folded his arms over his chest, leveling a look at Hisashi. \u201cCome on man, what\u2019s going on?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou shouldn\u2019t be wandering out there on your own,\u201d Hisashi threaded his fingers from scalp to root, his magic crackling as it dried his hair. A barrier snapped up. He\u2019d obviously tired of the rain. His robes shifted into shadow briefly before reforming into dry garments of the same black silk he tended to favor for every day. \u201cEspecially with the turmoil settling over the area. It\u2019s affecting your magic – No!\u201d He slashed a hand through the air when Stiles opened his mouth to speak. \u201cNo,\u201d He repeated softly. \u201cI\u2019m not so blind to your troubles as you seem to think little Stormbringer. You\u2019re becoming less of a controlled storm, but more of a wild thing.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cA wild thing?\u201d Stiles mused, gaze drawn away from Hisashi and back to the lightning dancing across the sky.<\/p>\n \u201cYou can\u2019t afford to write the Argents off as a normal threat,\u201d Hisashi added heatedly. \u201cThese Hales might not be so bad, for all that I find them delicious, their pain and chaos is mostly in echoes and future possibilities. The Argents bring not only all of that, but they bring death and destruction. What they bring is not echoes, it\u2019s an absolute.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou know I can take care of myself Hisashi,\u201d Stiles pushed off the tree to lay a hand on his friend\u2019s arm. \u201cI won\u2019t deny that you\u2019ve had my back in some bad situations, but I\u2019ve handled myself in each one of those and others without you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know that.\u201d Frustration edged Hisashi\u2019s words. Shadows like vapor sprung up around him, dancing in a rhythm all their own. \u201cWhat you fail to understand is that you pulled me weak and wounded from my prison. Vulnerable all the way to my very essence and instead of fearing me, instead of looking for ways to destroy me you wrapped me in your clothes – opened your home to me – fed me from your table and gave me your bed. Mieczys\u0142aw, as capable as you are, I will forever be at your side.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou owe no debt to me Hisashi,\u201d Stiles replied, his voice hushed, the words mixing in among the fall of the rain. \u201cYou never did.\u201d<\/p>\n Hisashi bowed his head to acknowledge Stiles\u2019 words, even as the set of his mouth denied them.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m serious.\u201d Stiles gripped Hisashi\u2019s biceps through the silk cloth, his rain-soaked hands leaving dark prints on the dried fabric. Hisashi had protected himself from the elements but not from Stiles. Typical.<\/p>\n \u201cNot in your eyes,\u201d Hisashi turned his face from Stiles glare. \u201cAnd you are perhaps correct that after all this time any debt that was owed has been mitigated, but my little Stormbringer, curse breaker, spark of mischief – you are the only being I would willing lay my life aside for, even now.\u201d<\/p>\n Stiles caught his breath to argue, wanting to shake this man who had become his best friend – his brother, over the years.<\/p>\n \u201cGive me a bit of credit, little one. I know better than to throw myself away.\u201d Hisashi grinned slightly, shaking off Stiles\u2019 grip and patting him on the head. \u201cBesides, I can\u2019t very well keep you save if I\u2019m not here.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAs long as you do know I can take care of myself.\u201d Stiles sighed, pushing his hair off his forehead and finally heading towards the house. He peeled his shirt off before he was halfway across the yard and sat on the covered steps to wipe the worst of the mud off his feet before attempting to go inside.<\/p>\n \u201cI have no doubt about your capabilities,\u201d Hisashi acknowledged, gliding across the yard and up the steps without getting another drop of water on him, barring the dark splotches where Stiles had gripped his robes. \u201cJust your inability to be omniscient.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell,\u201d Stiles conceded, heaving himself off the steps and turning to head into the house. He swiped his coffee mug on the way, dumping the contents off the porch first. \u201cThat\u2019ll have to do I suppose.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou should get cleaned up and something to eat. I\u2019ll fill you in on what I know about the Hales for your meeting later.\u201d Hisashi tossed Stiles a towel.<\/p>\n \u201cI met some of the pack in the woods. At least I assume they were from the pack, and we don\u2019t have multiple Hale family branches returning. I can\u2019t deal with that kind of a headache right now.\u201d He dumped the shirt in the washer, followed by the towel after a cursory wipe down. \u201cI\u2019ll grab a shower, but I need information on the Argents more than the Hales right now.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPerhaps.\u201d Hisashi nodded briefly, pulling at his lips with his fingers. \u201cI\u2019ll make a few phone calls while you\u2019re in the shower, see what I can find out to add to last night\u2019s information.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhere am I meeting Alpha Hale? And does he know who he\u2019s meeting?\u201d Stiles stripped his jeans off, tossing them in the washer with his shirt, and headed out of the mudroom in only his boxer briefs. He headed straight through the kitchen and up the backstairs to the upstairs bathroom.<\/p>\n \u201cHe knows he\u2019s meeting with the Guardian of the territory.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo, he knows I\u2019m not a shifter, but he doesn\u2019t know who I am?\u201d Stiles turned the shower on, waiting for the water to heat.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019ve changed in the last ten years, and he may not even recognize your name, why confuse matters.\u201d The mischievous tilt to his mouth belied the casual tone.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sure,\u201d Stiles replied, rolling his eyes. \u201cGo make your phone calls, I don\u2019t need you to scrub my back.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll order lunch as well,\u201d Hisashi said, heading for the door as the shower began to billow steam. \u201cTake your time. It\u2019ll be at least an hour before it gets here.\u201d He shut the door behind him, leaving Stiles alone.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSo, want to start with the Hales or the Argents?\u201d Hisashi lounged in the armchair<\/p>\n Stiles gave the mangled straw of his drink one last pull before he set the cup on the coffee table and sat back on the sofa. \u201cI should probably be concentrating on the Argents, but I can tell you\u2019re just dying to tell me about the Hales. Why? I thought you disliked them?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou know how I feel about kin slayers,\u201d Hisashi began tilting his head in acknowledgment when Stiles nodded and waved him on. \u201cPerhaps Talia Hale didn\u2019t attempt to kill her kin in the most direct way, but she broke faith with their ancestral territory for newer pastures and tried to destroy the heart of the magic here. All out of some combination of fear and thirst for power. This sundering of Alpha Derek Hale and his pack from the main line of the Hale\u2019s is as akin it kin slaying as she could have done without putting her claws into his neck or his heart.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAhh.\u201d Stiles felt his lips curve into a smile as realization flooded him. \u201cHe reminds you of yourself a little bit.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s nowhere near as powerful as I am,\u201d Hisashi sniffed, plucking at the sleeves of his robe. \u201cBut perhaps the thought had crossed my mind. At least he isn\u2019t alone in his banishment.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNeither are you,\u201d Stiles reminded him gently, kicking Hisashi\u2019s calf.<\/p>\n \u201cNot anymore, no.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe might now see it as banishment either,\u201d Stiles mused, laying his head on the back of the couch to look at the ceiling. \u201cIf his mother really is a power hungry as we\u2019re thinking-\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMy sources say that she\u2019s been making some questionable choices. She\u2019s refused to allow pure humans to stay in her pack, to the point that everyone is asked at sixteen, eighteen and twenty-one if they turn it down the final time, they have their memories wiped and are sent from the pack.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat!\u201d Stiles shot up straight. \u201cWhy haven\u2019t we heard anything about this.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBecause they only had to do it to a couple of individuals, most pack members took the bit when they first moved away from here because it was put as a protection method.\u201d Hisashi spread his hands, but his face displayed his anger and disgust.<\/p>\n \u201cStill.\u201d Stiles pressed his lips together for a moment as he thought of the horror the venerated Hale pack had become. \u201cI would have thought something like that would have been more well known.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s known enough,\u201d Hisashi replied, shrugging. \u201cShe isn\u2019t aware of it, but she\u2019s under watch by the packs around her. No one wants her deciding to encroach on their territory. She hasn\u2019t noticed because she\u2019s become so insular in the past decade.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat happened to those that refused the bite?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s rumored that Peter Hale got them out.\u201d Hisashi smile, sharp teeth glinting in the light. \u201cNow there\u2019s a man I wouldn\u2019t mind getting to know, he carries such lovely chaos in his blood.\u201d He drew his finger over his teeth, eyes almost glazing over.<\/p>\n \u201cOkay,\u201d Stiles drew the word out, grimacing. \u201cThat was a bit more than I needed to know about the Hale pack. Back on topic, do I need to worry about Talia\u2019s pack showing up here?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, not right now.\u201d Hisashi focused back on him. \u201cAnd Peter Hale is on topic, he\u2019s joined your little alpha\u2019s pack, brought his daughter along. She\u2019s the only child among the small group.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMalia.\u201d Stiles nodded. He\u2019d assumed the girl was a Hale. He hadn\u2019t<\/i> realized that she was the infamous left-hand\u2019s daughter. \u201cHaving a cub with them will make them more sensitive to the territory issues. Especially with this sundering, I imagine.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes,\u201d Hisashi said simply. \u201cMelody Hale is among those that returned, so she\u2019ll count as an elder. That gives them a fair balance for a pack their size, all things considered.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI recognized Isaac and Cora in the woods, who else came back or was there anyone new?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAll of them our returnees, except perhaps the child – Malia?\u201d He glanced at Stiles before continuing at his nod. \u201cHer origin is a true mystery, there is no mother of record. Only Peter Hale is listed on her birth certificate, mother is listed as unknown.\u201d He nodded when Stiles hummed in interest. \u201cThe other two that returned are Erica Reyes and Vernon Boyd. The two of them own a renovation firm and I imagine they\u2019ll be the ones in charge of rehabbing the old house if they go in that direction. At least Talia left the house and the land immediately surrounded it in the family, so that is still theirs.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes.\u201d Stiles sat back. He rubbed his hand over his mouth, contemplating the coming meeting. \u201cThey\u2019re all wolves then.\u201d He nodded to himself, not really asking. \u201cHopefully they don\u2019t follow Talia\u2019s path in that regard when they decide to add to their pack.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou think they\u2019ll expand soon?\u201d Hisashi reached forward to pluck the last eggroll out of the carton, dipping it into the pink sweet and sour sauce before biting into it with sharp white teeth.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d He said, shaking his head. \u201cI won\u2019t know until I meet and can get a feel for him. The wind likes to gossip about everything, but it\u2019s pretty vague about things and as good as I\u2019ve gotten at interpreting the warnings, other things are still better dealt with in person.\u201d<\/p>\n Hisashi finished chewing. \u201cYour father is probably already aware of our new inhabitants, but you should call him.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI called him right after my shower while you were talking with your informants. He\u2019s uneasy with all this, but grateful to be informed.\u201d Stiles shrugged at Hisashi\u2019s look. His dad did his best with the supernatural world. Still, he had difficulty with the grey area that Stiles existed in because mundane law couldn\u2019t encompass the intricacies of the supernatural world and let them remain in the dark.<\/p>\n \u201cYour father is much better acclimated to us now than he was in the beginning,\u201d Hisashi said, wiping his fingers fastidiously with a napkin. \u201cI thought I was going to have to find someone to wipe his memories eventually.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019d always known I was different. It was a little hard to hide the lightning that sparked when I was an infant or the way I tended to glow, among other things.\u201d Stiles didn\u2019t think about his childhood much, colored as it was with his mom\u2019s laughter. \u201cIt helped that my mom was around to temper his fear of it. She didn\u2019t has a drop of active magic, as you know, but she was aware of it. She couldn\u2019t train me much, but mom knew enough to teach me how to hide when I was old enough to listen.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd anything your mother declared for, your father would accept.\u201d Hisashi nodded. They\u2019d been through this conversation before. Stiles knew that Hisashi liked to retread the ground though, he seemed to find his parent\u2019s relationship dynamics fascinating and revolting in turns. \u201cI find your father a good<\/i> man, but I don\u2019t exactly like<\/i> him sometimes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know that,\u201d Stiles said bemusedly. \u201cI don\u2019t know why you have such an issue with him, but as long as you keep on as you are I don\u2019t really have a problem with it. You\u2019re entitled to your feelings about him.\u201d Stiles shrugged at Hisashi’s grimace. \u201cYou don\u2019t have to like him just because he\u2019s my dad.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, I suppose that\u2019s a good thing.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo now that I know who is here in this Hale pack,\u201d Stiles said, turning the conversation back to the matter at hand. \u201cWhat else can you tell me.\u201d<\/p>\n Hisashi explained what he knew about how Derek came into his power and the failure of the ritual to pass the alpha spark to his mother. Stiles raised an eyebrow at that but waved Hisashi off when he\u2019d finished talking.<\/p>\n Stiles began to clean up from lunch. Keeping his hands busy while he thought over what Hisashi had told him. It did explain one reason why Talia had sent Derek back to Beacon Hills and sundered him completely from the mainline of the Hales. Stiles dumped the trash into the bin before moving to the sink. He washed his hands absently, staring out the window blindly. He shook himself out of his thoughts before drying his hands and returning to the living room.<\/p>\n \u201cYou have a plan then?\u201d Hisashi lounged across the sofa now, an unlit cigarette in his fingers.<\/p>\n \u201cI plan to kick your ass if you light that thing in here,\u201d Stiles replied, plucking it out of his fingers and waving it in front of Hisashi\u2019s face. \u201cWe had a deal.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not lighting it,\u201d He protested, taking it back. \u201cIt isn\u2019t even real.\u201d Hisashi frowned sadly as he snapped his fingers, and the cigarette disappeared in a wisp of dark shadow.<\/p>\n \u201cNo smoking anything in here.\u201d Stiles pressed his lips together, narrowing his eyes at Hisashi. \u201cThere\u2019s the porch if you must do it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI wasn\u2019t going to light it,\u201d Hisashi repeated, rolling his eyes. \u201cI promised not to smoke in the house, and I haven\u2019t, you know that.\u201d<\/p>\n Stiles fell back into the recliner with a huff, \u201cI know. I know!\u201d He scrubbed his hands through his hair before looking at Hisashi again. \u201cI guess I\u2019m just more on edge about the next topic of conversation that I thought I was.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHmph.\u201d Hisashi rolled on his back but turned his head to look at Stiles. \u201cThe Argents aren\u2019t going to go away with a smile and a bit of misdirection. Not this time.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d Stiles slumped forward, his elbows on his knees as he put his head in his hands, staring at the floor. \u201cNo, they aren\u2019t. No matter how well things go with the Hales, things with the Argents are going to be messy. This could – no-\u201d Stiles lifted his head and met Hisashi\u2019s gaze. \u201cThis will spill over into the town, it\u2019s just a matter of how much of it we can contain.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPretty much. We already know they were out in the preserve hunting. Whether they were actually on the trail of the Hales or were out there looking for someone else.\u201d Hisashi shrugged. Gathering a thick lock of hair, he brushed the ends over his lips, humming.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat are you thinking?\u201d Stiles smiled darkly when Hisashi raised a brow at him and stopped humming. \u201cDon\u2019t give me that, I recognize that expression.\u201d Stiles gestured at Hisashi.<\/p>\n \u201cI think you\u2019re right,\u201d Hisashi said, adjusting his body until he was lying half reclined against the arm of the sofa. \u201cThis is going to be messy. I\u2019m going to feed well, but I don\u2019t think I\u2019m going to like it much if it doesn\u2019t end with you hale and hearty.\u201d<\/p>\n Stiles sat back, he lifted his foot to balance his ankle across his knee, and just stared at Hisashi. \u201cNo pun intended?\u201d<\/p>\n Hisashi grinned, \u201cPerhaps, perhaps not.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhen I talked with dad, we agreed that this fell into my jurisdiction. He\u2019s going to stay out of it as much as he can. We\u2019ll keep him as up to date as we can, but-\u201d Stiles spread his hands, feeling the corner of his mouth kicking up as he shrugged.<\/p>\n \u201cPlausible deniability.\u201d Hisashi nodded, chewing on the ends of his hair again. \u201cThe faster we get the Argent\u2019s dealt with, the less paperwork and other issues,<\/i> he\u2019ll have to worry about.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s my thought as well,\u201d Stiles agreed. He clasped his fingers together and draped them over his knee. \u201cI know you wanted to take them earlier in the preserve, but we couldn\u2019t be sure that we\u2019d have been able to get them all or that we wouldn\u2019t have taken out someone innocent with that approach. We weren\u2019t prepared for them.\u201d He shook his head when Hisashi sat up, eyes blazing. \u201cDefending myself was something I was prepared to do, but I wasn\u2019t in a position to attack even with you at my back and a storm overhead. I might be powerful, but as you\u2019ve reminded me, I\u2019m not invincible.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t like that they\u2019re out there in our town,\u201d Hisashi grumbled, flipping the sleeves of his robe out his way as he let black foxfire dance along his fingertips. \u201cThe Hale\u2019s are going to like it about as much as I do.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not exactly ecstatic myself,\u201d Stiles said blandly. \u201cNow are you going to stop complaining about it and help me neutralize them?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOf course, I am,\u201d Hisashi said, closing his hand around the foxfire to extinguish it. \u201cKnowing you, there is more to it than simply leading them into the woods and having them never come out.\u201d He frowned, obviously disappointed by that.<\/p>\n \u201cIf we want to keep them out of Beacon Hills and send a warning to any future hunter clans that decide we might be a territory to settle in, then we have to crush them. We need to take away their funding as well as their ability to function in the mundane world so easily. That\u2019s how they\u2019ve been able to get away with what they do, and it stops here in Beacon Hills. That\u2019s the message we want to send. We stopped Kate Argent and brought the eyes of the mundane law onto what she was doing-\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cEven if it made everyone uneasy and it wasn\u2019t entirely by design,\u201d Hisashi said, but he was leaning forward now, his eyes shining, and mouth curved in a smirk. \u201cYou\u2019re correct that the best way to destroy them will be to cut them off from their ability to hide what they\u2019re doing in the mundane world so easily.\u201d He frowned. \u201cYou know that this isn\u2019t going to be as bloodless as that though.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI can hope.\u201d Stiles smiled sardonically. \u201cBut I\u2019m not naive. I figure that at the least Gerard is going to have to go, I\u2019m not sure about Allison, but she is the matriarch for this branch, and they\u2019re supposed to be following her orders.\u201d He shrugged, sighing and letting his footfall to the floor with a thud before standing. \u201cI need to update the program and start it running, but the Argent\u2019s should find themselves insolvent before the week is out.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMy, my, my, little Stormbringer,\u201d Hisashi stood as well and looked down as Stiles, a delighted smile lighting up his face. \u201cYou\u2019ve been keeping things from me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI keep a lot of things from you Hisashi,\u201d Stiles said seriously. \u201cYou know I make this territory my first priority below dad and you. Sometimes I need to make plans to keep in reserve. You know I don\u2019t share everything with you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m aware, but usually, I can guess at some of what you\u2019re working on.\u201d Hisashi smiled, reaching over and ruffling Stiles\u2019 hair. \u201cI didn\u2019t realize that you\u2019d already taken steps against the hunters, and I should have. You have grown into your role more than I knew, little Stormbringer.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThere are more ways to unleash storms than what is happening outside,\u201d Stiles acknowledged what Hisashi didn\u2019t say. \u201cYou did teach me that much, and so did dad.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSometimes the quiet storms do the most damage?\u201d Hisashi’s skepticism was written across his features.<\/p>\n \u201cThis one will,\u201d Stiles replied, turning away. \u201cIt\u2019ll crumble the foundation of the family if they move against anyone in our territory.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot a preemptive strike then?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI can\u2019t risk making it look like we\u2019re the aggressors here,\u201d Stiles spoke over his shoulder as he headed to the door at the end of the hall. Stiles kept his office next to the meditation and training room, not so much out of convenience, but it was better for him to keep it on another floor from his bedroom, or his sleep would be more interrupted than it already was by the ease of access. \u201cYou know that.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll send the warnings around, hopefully we\u2019ll be able to keep their attack minimal before we can act.\u201d Hisashi followed him through the door, standing in the doorway as Stiles threw himself into a chair near his desk and woke his computer up.<\/p>\n \u201cAfter what we saw in the woods, I don\u2019t think it will take long for us to have a reason.\u201d Stiles made eye contact with his friend. \u201cI\u2019ll let the Hales know unless they turn out to be completely anathema to the territory. I\u2019m betting the Argent\u2019s will make their move that way. They\u2019ve managed to stay under the radar, but the Argent\u2019s are not subtle. When they choose their target, we\u2019ll know as long as we\u2019re paying attention.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou have a bug in their system already.\u201d Hisashi smiled his lupine grin that had caused more than one of his acquaintances to make a quick retreat but only made Stiles meet it with one of his own.<\/p>\n \u201cYou should go do what you need to do if you\u2019re going to make this meeting with me. Especially since you haven\u2019t told me exactly where it is yet.\u201d He quirked his brows at Hisashi to let him know that he hadn\u2019t gotten away with that omission of details.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll be back in time,\u201d Hisashi deflected. \u201cMake sure you\u2019re ready in-\u201d He glanced at the ornate grandfather clock that Stiles kept in the corner of the office. \u201cfour hours. The meeting is at six, that\u2019ll give us time to get into place before they get there. Make sure no one else is lurking around.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOf course.\u201d Stiles grimaced at the thought of this meeting being interrupted by the Argents. As much as they needed them to make a move, this meeting would not be the place for it. \u201cDerek Hale may regret choosing Beacon Hills to settle in, despite the rudimentary claim he has here.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPerhaps,\u201d Hisashi said without inflection. \u201cMake sure you\u2019re dressed appropriately and for the sake of my dignity, where some shoes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI hate shoes.\u201d Stiles glared at him, huffing a breath. He just resisted crossing his arms. Because he wasn\u2019t a child.<\/p>\n \u201cPay attention to the time.\u201d Hisashi said over his shoulder as he glided out of the door, disappearing half into his shadows.<\/p>\n Stiles sighed and turned back to his computer to get to work updating his protocols against an Argent incursion so that he could start the implementation of everything with a few clicks here at his keyboard or the correct sequence from his phone. He had no intention of letting them get away with running roughshod over his territory again, not now that it was his to protect. It had been Talia Hale\u2019s right and duty to take measures last time, and she\u2019d failed. Stiles wasn\u2019t going fail, come flood and lightning. He\u2019d take them all down.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Title: Intangible, Untamed, and Wild Author: Sibyl Moon Fandom: Teen Wolf Genre: AU, Romance, Supernatural Relationship: Stiles\/Derek Word Count: 50K Beta: keldjinfae\u00a0 Warnings\/Rating: NC17, Canon-Typical-Violence, Discussion-Torture, Torture, Murder, Explicit Sex Summary: Stiles is a wild thing born of storms and lightning, he\u2019s been the guardian of Beacon Hills since Talia… Continue reading<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[57,42,9],"tags":[11,60,39,58,62,24,61,59,46,30,31],"class_list":["post-575","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-efrb","category-sterek","category-teen-wolf","tag-au","tag-canon-typical-violence","tag-derek-hale","tag-efrb","tag-explicit-sex","tag-magic-stiles","tag-murder","tag-romance","tag-sterek","tag-stiles-stilinski","tag-teen-wolf"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sibylmoon.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/575","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sibylmoon.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sibylmoon.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sibylmoon.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sibylmoon.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=575"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sibylmoon.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/575\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sibylmoon.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=575"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sibylmoon.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=575"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sibylmoon.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=575"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
\nAuthor: <\/b>Sibyl Moon
\nFandom<\/b>: Teen Wolf
\nGenre:<\/b> AU, Romance, Supernatural
\nRelationship<\/b>: Stiles\/Derek
\nWord Count: <\/b>50K
\nBeta: <\/b>keldjinfae<\/b><\/a>\u00a0<\/b>
\nWarnings\/Rating<\/b>: NC17, Canon-Typical-Violence, Discussion-Torture, Torture, Murder, Explicit Sex
\nSummary<\/b>: Stiles is a wild thing born of storms and lightning, he\u2019s been the guardian of Beacon Hills since Talia Hale abandoned it with her pack a decade ago. Derek is a newly made alpha returning to Beacon Hills with only the few that chose to follow him and he\u2019s determined to make a home for his small pack.
\nAuthor’s Note:<\/strong> Halestrom is a fantastic and lovely artist who created such a wonderful piece of art that inspired me so much. I just adore it.
\nArtist: Halestrom<\/a>
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sibylmoon.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Chapter-Breaks.jpg?resize=515%2C67&ssl=1\")
<\/p>\nChapter One<\/b><\/h1>\n
<\/p>\nChapter Two<\/b><\/h1>\n
<\/p>\nChapter Three<\/b><\/h1>\n
Intangible, Untamed, and Wild – 2\/3<\/em><\/a><\/h1>\n
Intangible, Untamed, and Wild – 3\/3<\/em><\/a><\/h1>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"