The light of the moon reflected off the shiny black Impala as the car doors opened. The Winchester brothers climbed out and made their way to the back of the vehicle, Sam illuminating his flashlight as Dean opened the trunk. He began rummaging through their weapons when suddenly a bright light came from behind them. They turned around, shading their eyes from the headlights of the familiar blue Jeep as it jostled it's way to a stop, followed by the Sheriff's squad car.
"Son of a bitch…" Dean murmured under his breath as the pack of teenagers began to climb out of both cars. Among them were Scott, Stiles, Malia, Liam and the Sheriff.
"What are you guys doing here?" Dean asked, "Shouldn't you be at home, studying for math tests or something?"
"We're here to take down the rogue Omega." Scott replied, "Because whether you like it or not this is our town and we have to protect it. And if we don't do this, people will die."
Sam turned to the Sheriff. "Are you really okay with this?" he asked empathetically. The Sheriff shook his head.
"I can't believe I'm saying this but… Yes." The Sheriff set his jaw. "Yes, because I've been through enough shit in this town to know that I can trust Scott and his pack. And…" He looked at Stiles, "I can most definitely trust my son."
Stiles let the side of his mouth curl into a small smile. The Sheriff did the same.
"And," Scott continued, "We trust you." Scott looked at Sam and Dean in turn. "If we work together I know for a fact that no one…" He glanced at Stiles, "no one will get hurt tonight."
Sam and Dean shared a look, making their decision.
"All right then," Sam started.
"Let's get this son of a bitch" Dean finished.
It only took about fifteen minutes to get everyone into position with the right weapons in hand. They found a nice clearing with good coverage and an easy escape route if necessary, and stationed themselves around it. Scott covered the North side, while Malia and the Sheriff covered the West. Sam and Liam took care of the East, leaving Dean to cover the South. Everyone was ready, including the most important piece of their plan: the bait.
Stiles sat patiently on a tree stump warming his hands over a small fire. They figured if his scent wasn't strong enough to attract the Omega a bright light in the middle of the murky dark woods sure was. And there they stayed, waiting anxiously for any sign of movement that would threaten Stiles. They were not expecting what came next.
An ear piercing howl tore through the cool night, followed by another and another until a whole chorus of wolves could be heard coming from every direction. Stiles jumped up from his stump and whipped his head around the clearing, heart pounding. He could hear the growls and barks, and then the grunts and shouting and finally the gunshots.
Not good. he thought.
He began to make a break for the escape route, as previously, discussed but was stopped dead in his tracks. A woman stood between him and his safety and she did not look friendly. Burn scars covered her arms, chest and half of her face. Her black, stringy hair hung in matted clumps around her shoulder and her eyes shone bright blue. Jagged claws jutted from her fingertips, caked with dirt. She smiled slyly at Stiles.
"Hello, little boy… didn't mommy ever tell you not to go to the woods alone at night?" She tilted her head slightly. "The big bad wolves might get you."
"What did you do?" Stiles asked cautiously. Valerie Hale looked at him with a sly smile.
"What did you think Stiles, that I wouldn't have backup?" She laughed slightly, "You wouldn't believe how easy it is to enchant a pack of grey wolves… especially with help of a forbidden magical scroll."
"How do you know my name?" Stiles asked, slowly backing away from Valerie.
"Oh, I know all about you and your little pack. I've been watching you for quite some time now. Even before my pathetic nephew left…" Valerie paused, eyeing Stiles from head to toe, "Yes, he seemed to like you for some reason…"
Stiles continued to make his slow escape, listening through the cacophony of shouts and growls for a way out of the clearing.
"Oh I know, maybe he liked you for your vulnerability and weakness!" Valerie said as if to herself. "I mean, who can resist a helpless boy who destroyed his own friends and family?"
Stiles stopped dead in his tracks. Valerie could see she hit a sore spot.
"I really did enjoy the Nogitsune's spectacle Stiles," She continued, "What a great team you made. You two could've really cleaned up… what a shame he had to go… I guess I'll just have to finish where he left off." Valerie stared at Stiles, licking her lips. Without hesitation she lunged at Stiles, grabbing him by the arm, claws digging into his flesh. Stiles cried out in pain as Valerie tugged him closer.
"You know I was having some trouble…" She continued, face so close to Stiles he could smell her rotten breath. "getting Betas for my sacrifices. Either one wouldn't survive the bite, or another would go out and kill another stupid human. I was getting sooo frustrated."
She dug her claws in deeper causing Stiles to cry out again, falling to his knees.
"But then you! You came right to me!" She shouted maniacally, spittle flying from her lips. "The last piece I needed!"
Stiles struggled in her grip, trying to break free and ease his pain.
"Oooh! I guess you are strong... and resilient. You survived the Nogistune after all; surely you can survive the Bite."
"Arrrgh!" Stiles cried, the pain becoming almost too much to bear.
"And who knows maybe it was meant to be? Maybe, one way or another, Stiles Stilinski was meant to be the downfall of Beacon Hills... and of all his family and friends."
"Go to hell!" Stiles shouted, shaking with anger and pain.
"Oh don't worry sweetie," Valerie said, running her filthy claws gently down his cheek yet still tearing his skin. "you'll only be in excruciating pain until you turn... then I'll kill you!"
With that she bared her fangs, ready to plunge them into Stiles' arm.
"HEY!" a deep shout came from across the clearing, behind Stiles. Both the wolf and the boy turned to look. Dean stood defiantly, pointing his gun at the pair.
"Try turning my friend with no head," he said.
Valerie tilted her head in confusion. Dean readied his gun.
"Stiles! Get down!"
Stiles dove to the ground as a shot rang through the clearing catching Valerie Hale straight between the eyes. She fell to the ground, releasing Stiles as she fell. The wolves in the surrounding woods fell silent, retreating now that they were free of the spell.
Dean rushed over to Stiles.
"Are you okay?" He asked.
"Yeah…" Stiles said, as if still in shock. He turned to the Omega lying dead beside him. "Try eating out someone's heart with that in your brain."
Stiles smiled mischievously at Dean who shook his head and chuckled.
Suddenly two figures crashed through the trees into the clearing, drawing the duo's attention. Malia rushed straight to Stiles and gathered him in a bone-crushing hug, with the sheriff joining in right behind her. Scott crashed into the clearing next, followed by Liam and Sam. All unharmed... well, only a few minor scrapes. They took turns hugging each other: Sam checking Stiles' wound, the Sheriff pulling Dean into his embrace.
They won this battle… for now.
