AN: Thanks to the Guest Reviewer who inspired me to finish this chapter! I was kind of feeling down and thinking I lost all my readers over my long hiatus…so thanks for kicking me out of that depression!
As for the story:
A) an updated Hale Pack List (haven't had a new one since chap 2) at the end of this chap.
B) POVS In this chapter: Erica, Isaac and Jackson
C)10 B should be up soon, and Erica POV's will return in Chap 11.
D) my homepage and my tumblr have a diagram of the Hale Pack Hierarchy and a diagram/sketch of Wolf's Run, if that is helpful while reading this story.
I hope you enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own TW or the characters, just my AU/AR. (and MY OCs). Also FYI, this is un-betaed, so all the mistakes are mine
Alpha She-Wolf
Chapter 10
Part A
She woke the next morning and reached for Derek only to grab onto a mass that was not her mate.
"I expect to be wooed before going to second base." Cora stated, rolling over and facing Erica with a sad smile. "How are you feeling?"
"Pissed." Erica said, looking around her and noting that the whole pack (besides her mate) was cuddled up together on the floor of the theater room in one large puppy-pile. Erica sensed that most everyone was awake, and that no one had slept much, the uncertainty of Derek's situation driving everyone mad. They were all seeking comfort of one another and fighting back pathetic whines.
Their home had been invaded and a pack member had been taken from them, none of them were happy at all, especially not Erica. How dare that rat McCall come storming into her home, accuse her mate of being a creepy cult leader and insinuate him committing heinous crimes against them then take him away? Didn't they have to have proof anymore?
Before Cora could respond the TV (which she had hooked into the security system) sprang to life.
Movement Detected: Main Gate
After clicking the appropriate buttons, Erica was able to get the security feed to show on the TV, and what she saw made even angrier then she had been. The Argents where at their front gate, unloading weapons from their trunk. The audio kicked in to catch Chris Argent mid-speech "Remember when Bitten wolves are alpha-less they tend to go rabid. You heard the howls last night; they are complete animals. I'd be surprised if they haven't started killing the humans and each other by now. Our goal is extermination."
Erica started growling, beginning to see red. They dare try to exterminate her pack? Those imbeciles had another thing coming; she was not going to let that stand. The alpha in her demanded her human instincts take the backseat and let the wolf take care of the pack. She wasn't about to let human morals hold her back from doing what had to be done.
Isaac watched the security feed stunned. He looked to his mates. Allison was seething; her eyes were glowing yellow as she walked away from him and Scott towards their alpha. Scott, still a mess from seeing his father for the first time in more than a decade was glaring at the screen as if the power of his thoughts could change the Argent's minds.
"That's not true! Bitten wolves have control! Do we look uncontrolled?" Stiles yelled, as everyone abruptly stood up.
"He's not completely wrong. If our pack was alpha-less and only Bitten, there is a chance of going rabid, depending how untrained..." Peter said. "But all you Bitten wolves are trained, this pack has Born wolves, and other creatures to anchor you and we are not alpha-less… we have Erica."
Everyone looked to Erica, waiting for orders.
Erica turned to face them, her eyes glowing red. "We're all taking a ride to the front gate. It's time they see that this pack has no time for their bigoted games." She said as she led the pack out to the cars, ordering them all to drive to the front gate.
Most of the pack was able to ride in Erica's truck (the cab and the truck bed) and the rest of them took Stiles' jeep and the Sheriff's cruiser. The arrangement had Isaac once again separated from his mates. Reason one for the separation; Allison was now a Second, and all the highest ranked pack members were riding in the cab of Erica's truck listening to Erica's growled instructions. The larger reason for the separation is that during confrontations wolves tend to stand away from their mates so they can focus on the fight; if he were standing next to Scotty and Al while trying to face a threat, he'd be more focused on how to keep them safe, not following his alpha's orders and protecting the whole pack.
They exited the vehicles and all lined up according to approximate rank behind Erica. Every wolf had glowing eyes, and most of the guys had their claws out. He didn't have to turn around to know that Kira's eyes were glowing, and sparks were coming from her hands, or that The Druids eyes were glowing white as they drew on their power, thickening the air around them with magic, or that Lydia had fallen back…he felt all of it. But he did a quick check to confirm everyone was here.
Everyone was doing exactly as predicted, while watching Erica and Victoria size each other up. Lydia was standing farther back than she needed too, in a protective stance her hands at the ready and her mouth ready to scream, Sarah was at her left in a similar position and Peter was at her right fully shifted; they were standing guard of the packs most vulnerable: the pups and the humans. Erica didn't need to give that order, as Elders Peter and Sarah knew their duty, and as an older sister without a high werewolf rank to keep her from standing guard over them, Lydia was not letting the Argents get near her brothers, or Isaac's favorite in-laws*.
"Another Alpha…" Victoria gasped her eyes trained on Erica.
Good, they heard how dangerous mated alphas were…especially if separated. Isaac thought, as the hunters behind Chris and Victoria stepped back, looking terrified.
"Allison." Chris gasped looking sick, noting that Allison stood next to Erica, and her eyes were beta yellow.
Isaac expected his female-mate to react to her former-father's disgust, but he felt nothing but disinterest through the bond. Isaac knew that being cast away hurt his mate more than anything, causing her to feel hatred for her former family. Now, Al was seeing them as an enemy of her true family, not the people that raised her.
"What have you done to my daughter?" Victoria raged, drawing her weapon and firing at Erica. The bullet was immediately deflected by the magic that Marin and Bray had performed and Victoria was left stunned as Erica simply laughed and approached the gate.
"Stay where you are. They can't hurt us. Control your shifts." Erica ordered, addressing the pack as her own claws appeared and she grasped Chris and Victoria Argent through the gate by their necks.
Isaac watched as everyone's shift reversed, aside from the glowing eyes, and took a deep breath as he heard Erica whisper in the Argents' ears menacingly. She spoke so low that even Isaac couldn't hear what she said, but he did smell their fear.
"We're sorry." Chris pleaded, gasping for air. "We thought…"
"I know what you thought!" Erica yelled releasing the couple and letting them fall to the ground. "You thought that since my mate was gone my pack would be easy to kill. That they'd be rabid so your code would allow you to WIPE US OUT!"
Erica shook her head, and Isaac couldn't see her face but he knew he did not want to be on the receiving end of that face. He'd seen Derek when the alpha in him had full control; it wasn't a pretty sight. He could only imagine how sweet little Erica looked when the beast had full control.
In the past they all had teased Erica for being the least threatening alpha ever, simply because Erica was downright adorable and playful; the little sister to them all…their Puppy. But in a situation that threatened the pack…for example their impending extermination via his least favorite in-laws… she turned vicious, protective alpha. Frankly Isaac was terrified, and would be running for the hills if he didn't know she was his alpha too. Something similar would come over Derek when the pack was threatened, especially back when he was their only alpha, he'd be their loving Sour Wolf up until the point when someone made a whisper of a threat against them then he'd turn menacing.
"Stay clear of my pack." Erica ordered. "I'm a predator not a killer. But I will eliminate you if you come near me and mine again. You find Maxwell, you end him so I don't have to and then you all leave town for good. I am not my mate; I do not give second chances." She warned.
The Argents were at a loss for words, and they all backed away, loading into their vehicles. He had never smelt so much fear from a group of hunters in his life.
Once they left Erica retracted her claws and ordered everyone back to the house to get ready for the day. She had Braeden drive the truck back because Erica wanted to conference with her Seconds and Thirds before she gave everyone orders for the day. Isaac hopped in the truck bed and watched as the five women formed a circle and started talking about the problems the pack had to tackle that day.
Last year, as part of his vet training, Scott needed to take an animal behavior class so Isaac joined him. He remembered one lecture vividly; the professor was talking about how, in nature, the female of a species was far more deadly than the male. He remembered most of the class scoffing initially, needing further proof, their human socialization telling them that human women were weaker than males so it must be true for all of the animal kingdom. But Isaac and his male mate knew better than to scoff. They witnessed this fact in their own pack.
Female wolves (Born or Bitten) could endure far more pain, were better in combat, were more vicious and protective of their packs and were better strategists than male wolves. Yes, it took longer for a Bitten female's transformation to settle due to their reproductive systems, but in all other aspects Bitten females embraced being a wolf more quickly than males.
There was a reason that the female wolves were higher ranked than males in his pack, they were stronger and more deadly. In his pack the males gladly followed their females; Cora, Malia, Erica, and now Allison and Rose, were the strongest, and most controlled of the pack. Even now during this turmoil with the hunters and FBI, and Derek's arrest, the only sign of anger they showed was their glowing eyes, while the rest of the wolves had struggled to keep their claws and fangs from appearing until Erica alpha-ordered them to keep control. Derek didn't chose Cora and Malia to be his Second and Third because they were his family, he chose them because they were the strongest. And Erica didn't have to make Allison and Rose her Second and Third, she could have asked any of the males and they would have said yes, but it was clear to Isaac that his alphas had made the best choice when choosing their Seconds and Thirds.
Isaac almost pitied the fools that tried to take down the Hale Pack. His Alphas would not allow it, their Seconds and Thirds would not allow it, and even the betas and non-wolves would fight tooth and nail to protect this pack. This was the only family most of them knew, and they would fight to keep it.
Isaac truly believed that against hunters, the FBI, other packs and god knows what else, the Hale Pack would always come out on top. They were a family, and they had the best leadership a lowly Beta like him could ask for.
They were all given their marching orders and whoever needed to leave to complete their task was out the gate by 8 a.m., like it was any normal day. But it wasn't a normal day. Derek was in jail, none of them had slept, and they had a face off with hunters at five in the morning. Nothing about this day was normal.
Yet they had to continue on, Blondie had ordered it. So Peter went to Hale Holdings to make sure nothing was going badly because of the CEO's recent arrest. The Sheriff had to go into work and pack up his office because he had been suspended until his hearing date. Marin, Rosalyn and Sarah all had to go to their jobs despite the upheaval. And Jackson and his mate were on their way to pick up his parents.
Everyone else was at the Den, with Erica, deciding that skipping class was better than dealing with the gossips. Personally Jackson wanted to stay at Wolf's Run with them, as he felt like he was about to explode, but Almighty Alpha Blonde had insisted he pick up his parents.
When he found out he was adopted, he was a little shit to his parents. He resented them for not being his real mom and dad, and blamed them for the feeling of not belonging that he felt. He never understood how they could claim to love him if he wasn't their blood. He never understood the love of family until he became apart of a pack.
The day he was Bitten and became a part of a pack, is the day he stopped being that selfish little shit who was horrible to the people that raised him. He finally understood that family wasn't just blood, family was people who loved you unconditionally. His pack and the Whittemore's were his family. In the days after joining the "Hale Cult" he picked up the phone and called his folks. That day was the first time they talked since he started college. It had nearly been a year, his mother had cried, his father had cried, he apologized and they forgave him.
Since then they had been rebuilding their relationship as a family. His parents had moved from Beacon Hills once he was out of high school, choosing to run their law firm in Los Angeles and visit his mother's family in London when they could. Once he made that phone call they tried to get together once a month and catch up. He didn't see a point in lying to them about what changed his mind, so he explained that being a werewolf had given him a unique perspective on family.
They didn't really believe him until he shifted, but after he shifted they surprised him. They embraced him, asked him questions, and asked him about his pack, if they treated him right and more. They were genuinely interested in his new life, and happy that he had found the belonging he had always wanted. They continued with the monthly visits (with rescheduling around the times the Alpha-Pack and Thorne Pack were attacking) and sometimes they even would stay at Wolf's Run getting to know the pack. He explained that humans could join as well, and they saw how respected John and Melissa were, but pack life was not for them, Beacon Hills was not their town anymore. He understood, but also was a little jealous that Lydia, Malia, Stilinksi and McCall could have their parents with the pack 24/7, it would have been nice.
Months ago, when the rumors of the "Hale Cult" started getting worse, one of his parents old friends called them and informed them of their sons involvement with a dangerous and deadly cult. At the time he and Kira were visiting his parents in LA and were floored that the gossip had reached them this far from home. Jackson had been upfront with his parents about any potential danger they faced, and told them that his pack was only dangerous to beings that meant to harm them.
"The town just doesn't understand Mom. The pack is a family…its more than family, its hurts to not be close." He had said.
"Jackson, we know because you have explained, but how are the humans supposed to interpret this? I don't see this ending well if the rumors get bad. Sometimes rumors become fact, which become anonymous tips." His father said.
"Sweetie, we know Derek isn't harming any of you. We know you aren't a cult. But sooner or later someone is going to start a witch-hunt out of fear and ignorance. Just try to prepare." Mom told him.
Jackson had told them he'd relay the message, but he really didn't believe what they said would happen would actually happen. He ended the conversation laughing their concern off, calling them typical over-protective parents and they continued about their day together.
Last night, when his parents were proved right, Jackson felt sick. He was angry he was wrong, angry that he laughed off their concern and angry that he would have to swallow his pride and ask for their help. He swore to himself when he finished high school that he would make it on his own in the world, never using his parents influence and money to get him out of a situation. He wasn't the same person he was when he was eighteen but he was still stubborn on this one subject, he accepted their love and a relationship with them, but he didn't want their help. They were his parents, he loved them but he had always been too stubborn to ask for help.
But they were the best lawyers, and his pack needed the best. He simply texted them "Witch-hunt in progress. Derek arrested." And within seconds they texted they would be in Beacon Hills in the morning, and would take care of it. No questions asked, they took a red-eye in from London to Sacramento and were taking the train to Beacon Hills.
His parents had spoken at length with Erica and John this morning, asking about the search and the papers served and if they knew what the charges were. Jackson had fought back a smile; Agent McCall would be losing his badge for sure if Mom's groans about "conflicts of interest", "searches and seizures without sufficient evidence" and "who gave this man a badge? A cereal box?" were anything to go by.
When they got to the train station Kira squealed and jumped out of the car, "Jackson hurry! They are already here!" his mate said. "I haven't seen them in forever!"
"It's been less than a month Kira. Do you not remember us all flying to New York so your parents and my parents could meet? Or was that just a nightmare?" He said, following his mate and shaking off thoughts of her mother, who was not his biggest fan.
Kira was much faster than he was, due to her kitsune heritage, so by the time he caught up with her, she was already embracing his parents on the train platform.
"Thanks for coming so quickly!" She said, letting them go so he could greet them.
"Yeah. Thanks for taking this case Mom, Dad." He said embracing them both tightly.
"Of course we came Jax." His dad said.
Jackson smiled, and let them go, making a grab for their bags. "Let's get you back so you can sleep, then get to work."
"Jax and I have our own house now, and I prepared the guest room for you this morning!" Kira informed them, swatting his father's hand away from the bags Jackson had not picked up, and picking them up herself.
"That's lovely, I'm sure we'll enjoy that tonight, but I wish to get to work as soon as possible." His dad said, wresting the bags back from Kira with a smile as Kira pouted in defeat.
"Yes, there's no time to waste!" His mom said. "That's why we slept on the plane! I just need some coffee for this jet lag and then we can get to work."
They all made their way to the car and got in, his parents already talking strategy, and who from their firm in Los Angeles they would need to bring in for this case.
Jackson looked to Kira and they both grinned as he drove to Wolf's Run. Everything was going to be fine, Mom and Dad were here and they would fix it. Damn him and his stupid pride, his parents were the best lawyers in the state.
David and Joanna Whittemore** were going to kick some ass.
AN: Thoughts? Questions? Leave a review below or and ask on my tumblr.
Check out my tumblr (hailhaleswriting) Or visit allhailhales DOT webs DOT com / teen-wolf for bonus info and updates on this fic and others.
Footnotes:
*Reminder: Isaac is in a relationship with both Allison and Scott. When he says his "favorite in-laws" he means Melissa, John, Juliet and Connor (AKA the McCall Stilinski's) and when he says "least favorite in-laws" he means The Argents.
** the Teen Wolf Wikia say that Jackson's dad is named David, but give no name for his mom, so I gave her one.
The Hale Pack
The Hale Family
Derek Hale (28 y/o): CEO Of Hale Holdings, Board Member Of Hale College, Alpha (Born) Wolf, Hale Wolf, Mate OfErica Reyes, Brother Of Cora Hale, Cousin Of Malia Tate, Adoptive Cousin of Raul and Diego Hale, Nephew Of Peter Hale
Peter Hale (45 y/o): CFO Of Hale Holdings, Beta (Born) Wolf, Husband/Mate Of Sarah Martin-Hale, Father Of Malia Tate, Step-Father Of Lydia Martin, Adoptive Father of Raul and Diego Hale, Uncle Of Derek Hale and Cora Hale
Cora Hale (21 y/o): Junior At Hale College, Beta (Born) Wolf, Hale Wolf, Mate Of "Stiles" Stilinski, Sister Of Derek Hale, Cousin Of Malia Tate, Adoptive Cousin of Raul and Diego Hale, Niece Of Peter Hale
Malia Tate (20 y/o): Sophomore At Hale College, Beta (Born) Wolf, Hale Wolf, Mate Of Vernon Boyd, Daughter Of Peter Hale, Cousin Of Derek and Cora Hale, Step-Daughter Of Sarah Martin-Hale, Step-Sister Of Lydia Martin, Adoptive Sister of Raul and Diego Hale
Sarah Martin-Hale (45 y/o): History Teacher At BHHS,Banshee, Wife/Mate Of Peter Hale, Mother Of Lydia Martin, Step-Mother Of Malia Tate, Adoptive Mother of Raul and Diego Hale
Lydia Martin (22 y/o): Junior At Hale College, Banshee, Mate Of Aiden Jones, Daughter Of Sarah Martin-Hale, Step-Daughter Of Peter Hale, Step-Sister Of Malia Tate, Adoptive Sister of Raul and Diego Hale
Diego Hale (8 y/o): Student at Beacon Hills Elementary, Beta (Born) Wolf, Brother of Raul Hale, Adopted Son of Peter Hale and Sarah Martin-Hale, Adopted Brother of Lydia Martin and Malia Tate
Raul Hale (10 y/o): Student at Beacon Hills Elementary, Beta (Born) Wolf, Brother of Diego Hale, Adopted Son of Peter Hale and Sarah Martin-Hale, Adopted Brother of Lydia Martin and Malia Tate
The McCall-Stilinski Family
Melissa McCall (46 y/o): Nurse, Human, Wife Of John Stilinksi, Mother Of Scott McCall, Step-Mother Of "Stiles" Stilinski, Adoptive Mother of Juliet and Connor McCall-Stilinski
John Stilinksi (48 y/o): Sheriff, Human, Husband Of Mellissa McCall, Father Of "Stiles" Stilinski, Step-Father Of Scott McCall, Adoptive Father of Juliet and Connor McCall-Stilinski
Scott McCall (21 y/o): Junior At Hale College, Beta (Bitten) Wolf, Mate Of Allison McCall-Lahey and Isaac Lahey, Son Of Mellissa McCall, Step-Son Of John Stilinksi, Step-Brother Of "Stiles" Stilinski, Adoptive Brother of Juliet and Connor McCall-Stilinski
? "Stiles" Stlinski (21 y/o): Junior At Hale College, Beta (Bitten) Wolf, Mate Of Cora Hale, Son Of John Stilinski, Step-Son Of Mellissa McCall, Step-Brother Of Scott McCall, Adoptive Brother of Juliet and Connor McCall-Stilinski
Juliet McCall-Stilinski (5 y/o): Kindergarten Student at Beacon Hills Elementary, Beta (Born) Wolf (unable to shift to wolf form), Seer, Half-Sister of Connor McCall- Stilinski, Adopted Daughter of John Stilinski and Melissa McCall, Adopted Sister of Stiles Stilinski and Scott McCall
Connor McCall-Stilinski (2.5 y/o): Preschool Student at Beacon Hills Elementary, Beta (Born) Wolf (unable to shift to wolf form). Half-Brother of Juliet McCall- Stilinski, Adopted Son of John Stilinski and Melissa McCall, Adopted Brother of Stiles Stilinski and Scott McCall
Other Hale Pack Members
Vernon Boyd (21 y/o): Junior At Hale College, Beta (Bitten) Wolf, Mate Of Malia Tate
Braeden Deaton (18 y/o): First Year At Hale College, Druid, Emissary To The Hale Pack, Mate Of Rosalyn Perez, Daughter Of Dr. Alan Deaton, Niece Of Marin Morell
Aiden Jones (21 y/o): Junior At Hale College, Beta (Born) Wolf, Mate Of Lydia Martin, Brother Of Ethan Jones
Ethan Jones (21 y/o): Junior At Hale College, Beta (Born) Wolf, Mate Of Daniel Mahealani, Brother Of Aiden Jones
Isaac Lahey (21 y/o): Junior At Hale College, Beta (Bitten) Wolf, Mate Of Scott McCall and Allison McCall-Lahey
Daniel "Danny" Mahealani (20 y/o): Junior At Hale College, Beta (Bitten) Wolf, Mate Of Ethan Jones
Marin Morell (34 y/o): Guidance Counselor at Beacon Hills Elementary, Druid, Emissary To The Hale Pack, Sister Of Dr. Alan Deaton, Aunt Of Braeden Deaton
Allison McCall-Lahey (22 y/o): Junior At Hale College, Beta (Bitten) Wolf, Former Argent Hunter, Mate Of Scott McCall and Isaac Lahey
Rosalyn Perez (22 y/o): Pre-K Teacher at Beacon Hills Elementary, Beta (Born) Wolf, Former Omega, Mate Of Braeden Deaton
Erica Reyes (18 y/o): First Year At Hale College, Alpha (Bitten) Wolf, Mate Of Derek Hale
Jackson Whittemore (21 y/o): Junior At Hale College, Beta (Bitten) Wolf, Mate Of Kira Yukimura
Kira Yukimura (19 y/o): Sophomore At Hale College, Half-Kitsune (Thunder), Mate Of Jackson Whittemore