Stiles face went blank as he simply stared at Allison growing numb. The earth shattering news that Scott had been caught and heading towards what might be possibly be the worst place with the worst people was something he hoped to never hear. The thought that if Allison hadn't found and told him was almost too much to bear.

That he would have just gone on living not knowing and still hoping that Scott was still out there was horrible.

"Stiles, are you still with me?" Her voice was uncharacteristically soft.

Stiles eyes slowly lifted off the ground to meet hers. He had to keep it together. Scott was still alive, he would have felt it if his best friend had died.

Wouldn't he?

"Yeah, I am." He quietly murmured as he went to stand. "C'mon, you can tell me on the way. Let's go save his ass together." His voice grew steadier with his resolve tightening up.

Now was not the time to grow weak, not when his friend needed him the most.

"I was hoping you would say that. I stowed my horse outside the city, let's go." Her face slipped easily into one that showed pure determination. Brown eyes steeled over as if she was on just another hunt that needed her undivided attention.

Allison began to lead the way and Stiles dutifully followed after trusting her to know the best way to get out of the city. While they quickly jogged through the corridors of alleys, careful to stay out of the way of any watchful eyes, they struggled to get one another caught up on what transpired on their separate journeys.

"After your little fireworks display in the woods, I was able to pull loose of my father's grasp and run after Scott."

"That was your Dad?!" Stiles couldn't help but exclaim in surprise, his eyes widening as the revelation washed over him. He had his suspicions but to have it confirmed was somewhat of a shock.

"Yes, he had followed me with his friends to our meeting wanting to catch us in the act. I had already known Scott was a werewolf and he must have suspected something as well." Allison explained as she held out a hand signally Stiles to stop while she peeked around a corner.

"So you did know he was a werewolf. How did you figure it out?" Stiles asked as he waited for her to give the sign that it was all clear.

"Really Stiles? I'm a Hunter not a moron. I was taught the signs." She glanced back at him with a raised eyebrow with just the slightest upturn to the corners of her mouth.

"Point taken, glad Beacon Hills is stupid in that department. You would not believe how stressful it was keeping his furry butt covered." Stiles rattled on thinking back to what was now considered the good ole days.

He reminisced silently until Allison waved him on and they were once more traveling forward.

"I can only imagine." Allison remarked sounding wistful for a moment. "After I got away I was able to grab my horse and get away from the others but in the process I lost Scotts trail." Her voice was filled with frustration as if she blamed herself. "Though you managed to distract the main entourage the remainder were the elite of the elite and kept me busy the rest of the night. They were…relentless."

She paused in her recall of the event and gave him a curious momentary look back.

"How did you get away from the Hunters that chased after you? I'm not going to lie Stiles, I thought you were dead the second you appeared in the forest like you did." There was no dancing around the question.

Stiles didn't answer right away and instead mulled over how and if he should tell her the truth. She noticed his hesitation but let him take his time and answer.

"I had help from someone but you probably won't believe me if I tell you." Stiles trailed his fingers against the wall they were following.

"Try me."

Stiles sighed letting his fingers drop. Maybe it was best just to be honest. If she didn't believe him she would see the truth soon enough.

"I ran and ended up getting surrounded on all sides. They managed to injure me and what you thought would have happened probably would have but then someone came to help me."

"Who was it?"

"It was the Alpha. I thought I was having a brain aneurysm but there it was like a legend come to life. It killed them right before my eyes and has been helping me since." Even to him it sounded like some kind of fairy tale that you tell kids to help them sleep at night.

Don't worry kids, the Alpha is out there protecting you.

"The Alpha." Disbelief coated her words.

"Yep."

"It helped and is helping you instead of killing you?" Her voice sounded incredulous and Stiles didn't blame her in the least. A lot of his world views had been shaken to the core these past few days.

He would have probably reacted the same way as her in her position.

"Yeah, you were right, I don't really believe you." She at least had the courtesy to admit that.

"He's waiting for me outside in the woods right now. I'm going to go find him after we get out of here so if you stick around you will probably meet him." Stiles told her as they continued a convoluted path down the alleyways.

"Right…" Allison remarked sending him a fleeting look as if she was slightly concerned about his mental state after the trauma he had gone through. She let the subject drop.

"Told you so." His head dropped as he passed a hand over it feeling a headache build up.

"Yeah I know what you told me." She waved a hand at him indicating they needed to be quiet as they approached the busy main street that wove its way throughout the entirety of the city. This meant that it was the widest by far and even though the day was winding down it was still severely busy. "Okay, this will probably be the easiest way of getting out, let's just keep our hoods drawn up and not draw any unneeded attention to ourselves. Be one with the crowd alright?"

"And if we get caught?" Stiles whispered somewhat harshly needing some sort of plan in case things went to shit and let's be honest, a lot of plans he was a part of went down the crapper. Some sort of security would be nice.

"We try and stick together but if needed split up and try and meet up in the forest." She said it so matter of factly that her confidence began to rub off on him. That was soon drained away when he got his first look out on the street they were to enter. Though there were masses of people to blend into, the tell tale sign of multiple Hunters milling around waiting for shift change were all to present.

"Right, if I don't get shot in the back first." He muttered more to himself than as an actual response.

Allison ignored him and focused on scanning the crowd for the best time to drift inwards. She put up her black hood in one slick movement and motioned him to do the same. Stiles followed suit as they waited a bit more. Just when he thought they were never going to venture forth, she was tugging him into the fray.

Stiles knew there was a reason he had avoided this path when he had entered the city and it was more than apparent now than ever.

People were shoving into him without a second glance from all sides. If Allison wasn't keeping a death grip on his arm they would have been separated in a blink of an eye. The smell was overwhelming with this many people compacted together. How this many people could stand each other in such a small space was beyond him. He barely could put up with all the people from his hometown packed together for town meetings.

Allison was displaying her skills as a qualified Hunter as she helped weave their way through the throngs of people. They seemed to glide around her with nary a touch but for him there was no such luck. They ending up straying not five feet away from an alert Hunter and yet they didn't catch his eye when he swept his gaze over them.

The gate loomed in front of them and soon they were passing through it. Allison waved the guard posted a piece of paper and no questions were asked of them. They kept their pace slow and steady even though both of them buzzed with the energy to break out into a sprint. Allison kept them in check with a steady hand and led him towards one of the side paddocks.

They walked into the back and attempted to look like they belonged there. It seemed to work as the one stable hand working there didn't give them a second glance as Allison geared up her black horse. It snorted its impatience as she methodically strapped all the straps and latches looking like it wanted to be off as much as they did.

Soon they were leading it outside. Allison hiked herself up on its back with practiced ease. She looked down at him expectantly. He gave her a deadpan look in return.

"Some of us weren't graced with many chances of riding horses, give me a sec." He rubbed his hands together before gripping the saddle tightly and pulling himself up a little less elegantly. At least he didn't fall off.

"You did fine now where did you plan to meet up with the Alpha?" She tried to sound serious but came off like she was being sarcastic.

Stiles wouldn't put it past her to think he made it all up like some kind of psychosis to protect his mind from the horrors he's had seen. Great now he was questioning himself.

"Over there, a bit into the woods." He pointed off into the distance where he could see the landmarks that hailed it as being the correct spot. She turned her horse obediently and took off into a gallop. Stiles gripped her tightly to avoid falling off earning him an amused look.

It wasn't long after they had entered the looming forest that he was telling her to stop.

"Why do you need to get off now?" Allison asked as she watched him do his best to climb off the animal.

"I don't want you to scare him, you see, he's not totally fond of Hunters. Just let me go a bit ahead and you can follow after." He walked a bit forward before looking back and added, "At a safe distance."

Allison stared back down at him with a raised eyebrow but shrugged in apparent agreement of the terms. She sat on her saddle and gave him a moment to walk a ways forward before resuming a steady trot.

Stiles crept forward into the darkening woods and kept his eyes open for any kind of sign. A black mass, red eyes, or something running at him were what he looked for in the mass of trees. He hesitated calling out to the wolf. Fortunately for both him and Allison that soon he saw a familiar sight padding up to him through the trees.

Stifling a full on grin, he broke into a jog and yelled out a greeting.

"Der-Wolfy!" He caught himself from saying the wolfs supposed true name. He didn't want to compromise anything right now with Allison being here and he wasn't sure how the wolf would react. Probably better to wait until Scott was safe to breach the subject and discuss it with the wolf.

Wolfy stood patiently for him but was practically vibrating with the urge to dash forward. It probably would have but the invisible barrier prevented that display from taking place. Its impatience grew with each step Stiles took in getting closer.

The second Stiles stepped across the barrier, the wolf was shoving his nose near him.

Stiles pushed under the searching wet nose to wrap his arms around the wolfs neck to give him a giant hug. The wolf practically crooned under him as Stiles stood there enjoying the somewhat intimate exchange. His hands made soothing motions in the fur and continued to do so even when he pulled away.

"Man did I miss you. This whole alone thing just doesn't work for me right now. Looks like you didn't like it either did you." The wolf seemed to agree with a small whuff as it butted his head. The wolf was in the middle of rubbing his head against Stiles body when he suddenly stilled and his fur began to ever so slowly rise.

A second later Stiles didn't have to guess as to why.

"Stiles, step slowly away from the Alpha." Allison's voice was steady as any seasoned Hunters would be but there was a slight lilt to it indicating somewhat the level of fear she must be experiencing. "Don't do it suddenly, just step backwards making no sudden movements."

Stiles kept his hands where they were trying to soothe his friend from making any rash decisions. He slowly turned his head to see Allison was currently still on her horse with a bow raised and armed. His eyes widened as the situation suddenly escalated. Keeping his head on straight the best he could, he kept his body between Allison and Wolfy, trying to defuse the scene before it became something worse.

Wolfy behind him began a low growl that only rose in intensity as Stiles watched Allison tightened her hold on the bow. Her eyes narrowing while her brows furrowed.

"Hey, no, we do not need that right now." Stiles demanded needing Allison to listen to him like the rational adult he was. To her credit she stilled her hand but gave him a look that said he was crazy. "No you do not get to judge me. I told you he helped me."

"Stiles, this beast has killed countless men and women. How it hasn't killed you is beyond me." She sounded as if she was explaining a simple lesson to a petulant child.

"What I know right now is that he has saved my ass more times than anyone else. He has earned my respect and trust so please, just for now, let's ignore this fight and go save Scott. I'm sure we will be laughing about this after this is all over."

Allison flinched at that but a second later gave him a curt nod. Her resolve to save Scott outweighing her prejudices. "I can do that. Is it coming with us?"

"Yes, he is." Stiles stressed the pronoun. It hit him that after he had learned about this mysterious Derek that he had unconsciously started using the proper describer. He had to watch out he didn't let the name slip.

She didn't shoot him anymore judgmental looks. "Okay then, come on over here and let's get going. We will have to travel through the night if we want to make it time."

"In time for what?"

"In time to save Scott before they kill him." She spoke with such certainty and strain it seemed to shake the air. That or it was his lungs seizing up.

"Wait, no, I thought since they captured him they weren't going to kill him for awhile." Stiles tried to rationalize gripping Wolfy's fur tightly, his petting stopped. Wolfy nuzzled into him as he stepped in closer never letting his eyes leave the Hunters.

"What do you think they were going to do with the werewolf that 'stole' me away, one of the leaders daughter, keep him around for study or tea parties?" Allison bitterly explained putting bow back onto her back with practiced ease.

"I don't know, I've never really known specifics of Hunters politics." Stiles snapped back and for a moment blaming Allison for the trouble that had befallen them. Wolfy growled thickly in response to his anger.

"This is why we don't have any more time. We have to go now."

Stiles nodded knowing she was ultimately right. He began to step forward when he was practically yanked backwards. He turned the best he could to see Wolfy gripping his hood and attempting to pull him 'gently' back away from the Hunter.

Stiles took a step back from Allison and settled on compromising.

"I'm going to have to follow you." Stiles explained gesturing at Wolfy.

"You won't be able to keep up on foot Stiles." Allison sounded more strained and antsy then before. Even her horse was stomping its foot occasionally.

That was true but just because he was following didn't mean he was walking. He pulled his hood gently out from the jaw and tenderly reached up to smooth the fur down on the wolfs face.

"What do you say Wolfy, you want to give me another ride?" Stiles asked giving the wolf a grin. The wolf didn't hesitate to gently lean down to give the young adult just enough vantage to pull himself up which is exactly what he did.

Once he was seated without the hazard of falling off, he turned to see Alison staring at him slightly agape. He couldn't resist shooting her a cocky grin. Yeah, he was only on the back of a powerful supernatural creature, no big deal.

"What, you don't see this every day?" Stiles remarked the picture of innocence.

She rolled her eyes and regained her composure in an instance. "C'mon, I know the way. Just have that thing follow after me."

Her horse began to trot forward picking up speed gradually. Wolfy didn't need to be told twice as he padded after sending Stiles a look over his shoulder. The wolfs body language radiated 'what the hell man, I thought we had a two man group thing going on?'

Stiles only shrugged to indicate that it was out of his hands at this point but scratched behind Wolfy's ears in an attempt at appeasement.

Allison's horse must have been trained vigorously in the art of galloping through the woods because it did so with ease. Wolfy of course had no difficulty in following after if not a bit more gracefully. Allison didn't say a word to him the rest of the trip and he didn't attempt to talk to her in return.

They journeyed all together at a much quicker pace that made Stiles regret never asking the wolf to let him use him as a makeshift mount before. Probably for the best, if they had traveled faster who knows if Allison would have been able to save his ass in Dunsmuir. Better not to even to think about it at this point.

Would just drive him crazy and he had way too much on his mind already in that category.

Something along the lines of saving his best friend from untimely death with his said friend's sort of girlfriend just made him a bit off kilter. Not many people can say that thought occupies their mind. It also didn't help that he was privy now to the information about Wolfy or Derek now really. The name Derek did seem to resonate somewhere inside of him signally that it probably was the Alphas true name.

He still was having a hard time piecing that together. After Scott was safely in their care he was going to have to have a one on one with this 'Derek' and try to figure this all out. He'd probably just stick to Wolfy for now and save himself the brainpower.

That is if they survive whatever Allison was planning for them to do when they reached the fort.

Time passed like the trees on both sides of him until Allison and her horse came to a gentle stop. Wolfy followed suit but his steps were a bit more agitated than the calm mares. Something must be in the air because he kept sniffing the air as if something was on the tip of his nose.

Stiles shot him a look of confusion but the wolf didn't acknowledge it. Allison dismounted so Stiles followed suit but kept close to his companion. He shot him a look once in a while trying to figure out what the wolf knew that he didn't.

"Through this small patch of woods is the home base of the Hunters, Sonoma. On my way to Dunsmuir I noted that a lot of Hunters were heading back this way. That probably means that ultimately that there are more Hunters located there currently than usual." Allison explained to him crouching on the dirt and grabbing a stick. With the said stick she began to etch out something.

"Just our luck right?" Stiles added crouching down as well trying to figure out exactly what she was working on.

"It does seem to be screwing us these past few days but I digress. Here-" She stabbed a finger down in the finished dirt drawing which he now figured was the base she had mentioned earlier. "There are four main watch towers, I don't know if you know but we often have raids on us so they are manned at all times."

"Is it even possible to sneak in with all those?" Stiles asked peering around trying to distinguish what the lines were representing.

"I believe it is but I've never had to try and sneak into my own home before." Allison shot back sounding bitter. "I know the lay out and the guard changes so we have a shot."

"Some chance is better than no chance." Stiles attempted some optimism meeting Allison's eyes, albeit strained optimism but damnit he was trying.

Allison seemed to appreciate the sentiment and gave him a small smile. He was struck once again how fortunate it was for him to meet up with her. Maybe with both of them they could do it.

Wolfy paused in his restless sniffing and gave a growl at the proposed plan. Stiles looked over at him and saw clear as day his thoughts on the matter.

'You are going to get yourself killed' was radiating off the wolf not being coy in its displeasure at the idea of Stiles going off by himself.

"I get it man, but this is my friend. He's right there, right freaking there." Stiles implored trying get across the importance, "He's basically my brother."

Wolfy snorted but the growling stopped. He proceeded to pad over to the two of them and while he still was occasionally sniffing the air, seemed to be focused on the upcoming plan. Stiles gave him a couple of reassuring pats before motioning the confused Allison to continue.

"Right, if you follow my lead, my hope is that we can find Scott in the holding cells and get him out before anyone realizes what happens." She gestured to another part of the dirt drawing.

"Doesn't sound too hard." Stiles mentioned trying to wrap his head completely around what she was proposing.

"Say that again when you get a chance to look at the base." Allison retorted.

"I don't know your drawing is like looking at a painting." Stiles assured her. She raised her eyebrows at that but continued on.

"I do have something for your friend to do though if it's willing." Stiles stopped smiling at that glancing involuntarily at Wolfy.

"What because you know he isn't a part of this. I can't and won't make him do anything." Stiles leveled plainly needed to get that fact across. He had way too much respect for the wolf to let him get hurt because of him. The thought of that happening made his guts twist.

"We need him to be the distraction. If he can get the Hunters at the towers to focus on him and not the two of us then entering will be a lot easier and faster with a much higher chance of success. I wouldn't ask this if I didn't think it was what we needed especially considering what he will probably do. I do not know how much time Scott has left and the other option could take days." Allison's eyes implored to him and surprisingly Wolfy who she glanced at as well.

Stiles was about to retort back when Wolfy stepped forward and stared directly at Allison who met his gaze with a fervor. Words were exchanged silently until slowly Wolfy gave his reply in a very evident nod.

Stiles shut his mouth and struggled to not put up more of a fight. He would never forgive himself if anything happened to Wolfy especially if it was because of him. That was when he remembered one key fact.

"But around all the other towns and city we visited Wolfy couldn't get close to them. There was some sort of magical barrier around the whole area." Stiles tried to explain as Allison gave him a dumbfounded look before it resolved into understanding.

"It's called mountain ash and we use it to surround places that are at a danger of attacks. It prevents certain supernatural's from crossing. I guess the Alpha is one of them." She glanced at Wolfy in curiosity before continuing, "We won't have to worry about that here. We don't surround this place with anything due to the fact we bring in so many different creatures for…reasons."

"Oh, okay." Stiles muttered feeling like his way out was gone. He felt a bump on his shoulder and without thinking his hand reached up to pat the furry head that was ultimately there. "Thanks bud, just watch yourself out there."

"Gather yourself together for we are on foot from here. We have to head out now." Allison instructed tying her horse to a nearby tree and leaving all its gear on. "Hopefully we will be in and out before we know it."

Stiles hoped so to as he stood up next to Wolfy. Looking into the forest he prepared himself for whatever they were going to face because let's face it, it probably wasn't going to be good.