Reversing scars chapter 17
A/N: Hello everyone, as I've said in previous authors notes I have taken some liberties to try and piece together a coherent and fitting timeline, while also including as much of the canon facts as possible. I obviously love the show but my god their timeline is the bane of my existence. The canon timeline is impossible to use simply because it contradicts itself far to often and sometimes just doesn't make sense when it comes to order of events.
Example of such a weird timeline choice of the show:
It's said that the Hale fire was about 6 years prior to the pilot episode which is most commonly regarded as 2011/2012ish, so say 2005 maybe 06 is the barbeque year. But it is also stated that the Tate crash took place in 2004, a year before the Hales demise… this could mean a few of the following things none of which are good btw;
1. Talia didn't give a shit about the Tate's or Malia.
2. She was too dumb to put two and two together like Stiles did in season 3 at like seventeen years old?
3. She didn't realize for a full year that a baby were-coyote was running around the reserve, which they live on...
4. She tried to find her but the baby were-coyote could somehow outsmart her grown ass.
I mean these are small details but put together they paint quite the ugly picture of a character we are supposed to believe is well respected and revered to the point that other alpha's seek her out for guidance and advice. A person who has taken the time and care to protect her niece from every possible danger, going as far as to erase her existence from her own fathers mind.
So what I'm trying to say is the official timeline of teen wolf can bite me, I'm rearranging it as I see fit in order to maintain every characters morality and principles.
Words are more powerful than you'd think, they can start and end wars.
Every war begins with a whisper, a whisper filling the air with fright.
Fright that seeps into the people and begets violence.
Violence that soaks into their bones and drenches the land in blood.
Blood of the innocent and misled, full of life and hope douse it first.
At last the land is stained with the blood of the broken and downtrodden, embracing the bittersweet release of death.
-M&S-
…
Walking into the Adelaide house had felt strange ever since she rented the house but walking in with Aiden and Ethan in tow was a new level of strange.
''So this is the living room, here's the kitchen, over there is the downstairs bathroom.'' She explained softly as the boys trail behind her mutely. Scaling the stairs she casually slows her stride as she notices the boys' slow pace.
The boys' eyes linger a bit on one downstairs door she hasn't mentioned.
Bypassing the first three doors she proceeds to the very last, opening it she showcases her room. ''This is my room, if you need me during the night you can come here or just call out and I'll come to you.''
The room next to her is mostly empty, safe for an old bed and dresser. ''I recently moved here so I haven't gotten around to this room yet but I thought it could become a guest room for now.''
Ethan's eyes narrowed at that, mouthing 'for now?' at Aiden when her back was turned to them. Aiden shrugged, not really paying attention to anything other than purposely putting himself between this Miss Stitch and his brother.
''This is your bathroom, I have my own adjacent to my room so his one's all yours.'' She continues, showing off the bath towels, soaps, bath toys and other toiletries she'd bought for them, purposefully ignoring the nervousness and fear radiating from both boys.
Arriving at their bedroom changed the atmosphere slightly, it went from a nervous quiet to a stunned silence.
Aiden's eyes widened almost comically as he and Ethan observed the personalized room. A brand new bunk bed with blue covers, an individualized stuffed motorcycle with their names knitted on each pillow. The room was covered in soft carpet, perfect to play on. In one corner stood a play table with pencils and coloring books and in another stood a storage dresser filled with several cubbies displaying all kinds of toys.
Aiden turned to face Miss Stitch, looking for the cruel smile that was sure to appear when she'd tell them this room was off limits and to hurry to the guest room. But when he turned and made eye contact with her she did the opposite, she smiled kindly not demanding anything from them.
''This is your room, if there is anything you want to change or would like just tell me and we'll go to the store. Now I'll leave you guys to it, I'll call you when lunch is ready.'' She said before quietly walking out of the room, closing the door behind her.
Ethan turned to his brother in shock, hugging the pillow with his name on it tightly to his body. ''She seems nice.'' he whispers so quietly, as if saying it any louder would break the spell.
Aiden simply nods equally shocked by her seemingly kind nature, maybe she really was dad's sister…
…
Downstairs Malia is rummaging through the cupboards, completely calm obviously. She thought this through to the T… Well the rescue part anyways, the part where they live with her and she's raising the twins not so much. In theory yeah, it was simple, except now they're here and they're six year old's. Scared and grieving six year old's, while she's barely a functioning woman. Not exactly someone capable of helping them through their problems and feelings let alone raising them.
She knew how to take care of children, of course she did, she'd done so before but then she'd had her pack with her. Everyone contributed and it was so different then, incomparable to now. Children stayed with their parents or pack members the entire time, no school, no friends, no people outside the pack. They knew nothing outside of pack life and their safe houses.
They were never left alone but now she's all alone and she can't hunt and be with them. She can't keep them inside for the duration of their lives, can't isolate them from the rest of society. Maybe if she had Lydia's brain she'd be able to homeschool them but she doesn't so she can't. And even if she could, then what? She raises the twins and abandons her mission? Not an option.
Frustration bubbles to the surface as she finds next to nothing appetizing in the cabinets. ''What do six year old's eat anyways?''
Mumbling she tries to calm herself, planning out her next course of action. She'll keep them at the house for a few days, at least until they start to explore the house and surroundings a bit. She'll have to enroll them in school sooner than later, they'll probably end up in the pack's class seeing as there's only one first grade at Beacon Hills Elementary currently.
She's no good with feelings so maybe she should look for a shrink for the twins. Maybe Morrel, she could ask Deaton or perhaps Deucalion for a reference. Otherwise she'll need to find another shrink who's in the know.
She'll have to contact the Hale pack soon too… No doubt Deucalion implanted the whole sister thing into their heads, which poses a problem of its own. She can't lie to them nor is telling the truth an option. How does one explain they are in fact a time traveling family member, come to change their and the world's fates? Add to that the awkwardness of having to explain that no she isn't their half-sister or aunt but instead their niece, daughter and younger cousin respectfully.
No, maybe letting them run with the assumption she's Leroy Hales bastard daughter would be the lesser of two evils. Sorry Leroy. And when the time is right she could always reveal the truth.
Back to the problem at hand. There's no food in the house, meaning she needs to either do grocery shopping or take the boys to a diner. Both bad options. The change of location, house and caretaker are jarring enough without exposing them to the town.
Her musings are interrupted by a knock on the door, she hears the boys freeze in place upstairs in response to the noise.
Slowly she makes her way to the door where she is faced by two little rule breakers well one rule breaker, the other more of an accomplice. An accomplice she's more than happy to see up and about.
''You're alive…'' She breathes out, she'd been so busy she hadn't even thought to ask about Paige assuming she had died.
Nodding nervously Paige responds, ''Thanks to you.''
Derek looks between Paige and his mysterious aunt before hoisting the grocery bags up as if to showcase them. ''Uhm, we know you want to be left alone for a while but we realized that we all kinda ate everything in your kitchen while we were watching over you. So we thought you might not mind if we brought you some things, we'll just leave them here and be out of your way.''
Paige nods nervously at Derek's side, showing off her own bags.
She doesn't know what changed but when she looked at the two before her she felt different than she had when she saw them together a week ago. Back then it had felt like a betrayal that Derek was with Paige instead of Breaden but now…
Now it didn't seem to matter, now Paige belonged. Maybe it was because of the bite, because of what she did to save Paige or maybe her body and mind were finally adjusting to this new reality where things were just different. Whatever it was, it changed her feelings towards the pair considerably.
Either way she felt bad about sending the hopeful teens off like that and that's how she ended up at the dining table with the teens and the twins.
''So you're Miss Stitch's nephews?'' Paige asks kindly.
The twins don't answer, instead looking towards Malia for confirmation on the matter.
Malia nodded from her place at the table, ''Yeah, they're the sons of my late half-brother.'' Digging into her pancakes she observes the children at the table. Her gamble paid off, the twins seem somewhat more at ease seeing the teens here too.
''So how come we didn't know about you?'' Aiden asks pointedly, consequences be damned.
Derek and Paige seem to be just as interested to know the answer as the twins.
Malia paused her chewing as she mulled over how she should explain it. ''Well that's because we didn't actually know each other, I don't think he even knew I existed. We grew up separately, maybe your dad explained it once? That he grew up without a mom or dad in foster care.''
Aiden and Ethan nodded at this. Their mother had spoken of that before, when they were mapping out their family tree for a school project earlier this year. Remembering dad was hard let alone anything he'd told them but mom did tell them things about him.
''Mom told us.'' Ethan supplies. ''Did you grow up in foster care too?''
''Sweethearts dinners ready!'' their dad called from the kitchen.
''Come on Lia, daddy made deer steaks!'' Kylie says, tugging her away from their tea party. Both girls trip over their long, glittery princess dresses. Quite the picture with the crooked tiara's tangled up into their hair, resembling more a birds nest than a queens hairstyle.
Their mother laughs from her spot in the door opening, ''Oh my princesses, in this castle we call deer meat: venison.''
Kylie pouts as they walk into the dining room where their father is already placing the food on the table, stubbornly refusing to acknowledge her mother's claims that the deer meat was called venison.
''It's deer not venison.'' She said grumpily as she sat down at the table. Daddy called it deer meat and daddy was always right.
Her mother looked towards her father with a small smile at their daughter's stubbornness.
He smiled in amusement, clearly trying to keep his laugh in, ''Well… Technically deer meat is called venison sweetheart.''
Kylie looks at their father, shock filling her young face; the betrayal is real. Turning away from the apparent traitor she turns to her sister for support.
Straightening haughtily Malia proclaims, ''As queen of the castle I say it's deer steak.''
Her mother and father burst out laughing and soon they joined them in their joyful laughter.
But then the laughter gets distorted, screams fill the air, tires screeching over the pavement as gunshots echo through the air.
''Miss Stitch?'' Ethan asks quietly as she doesn't respond.
Shaking her head she answers, ''Malia, call me Malia. Uhm, no I didn't. It's uhm…''
''Complicated?'' Paige supplies.
''Hard to explain.'' Malia nods. To her surprise the kids seem to be fine with that explanation, well all except maybe Aiden who seems to be yearning for more information.
She sighs in defeat when she sees his distrustful eyes leave her own and his walls thrown back up again. She has to be careful with information but maybe if she keeps it vague without names she can tell them a little more.
''I was adopted,''
All heads popped back to her at this statement.
''By a very nice couple who later had another daughter, my sister. But uhm, when I was still young we got into an accident because of me and they died as a result. From that point on I pretty much lived by myself until I met my husband and his family.'' she said more than she had meant to, lost in the novelty of being able to tell someone about her family.
Derek frowns in concern, he was only fifteen and his skills as a werewolf were at best sub-par but he could smell the sadness very clearly. ''And they became your family?''
Nodding she smiles sadly, ''Yeah, until death parted us. We're still family death doesn't change that.''
Aiden nods in agreement, maybe this lady wasn't bad at all.
Ethan looks down at his plate as his voice cautiously rings through the kitchen, ''Do you think they're together?''
Aiden's face whips to face his brother so quick he might get whiplash.
''My family? Yeah I believe so.'' Imagining the pack house filled with warmth and laughter, she smiles thinking about it.
She never believed in the afterlife before but at the end Stiles convinced her of it somewhat. After all, if werewolves and banshees were real, why not some form of a life after death? Then again maybe it was simply the wishful thinking of two desperate people, needing it to be true.
''No, I mean our parents. Do you think they're with your family too? Cuz we- dad was sort off your family too right?'' He asks, sounding very unsure of himself yet at the same time very hopeful. Hopeful that in the afterlife his parents are surrounded by kind people like Malia described.
Malia blinked before smiling. Nodding at the young boy before her, a boy she'd only known briefly as a man. ''Yes, I do believe that people find those they belong with even after death.'' she says.
She doubted that Katherine and Andre Moore were anywhere other than with their sons. And their sons were more than welcome in their pack, it took some time and for one it cost him his life but they were a part of the pack at the end of the day.
…
At the park a whirlwind of strawberry blonde hair swishes past Scott and Stiles, a mother in clear pursuit behind the so-called whirlwind.
''Lydia be careful!'' Said mother calls after the girl in vain. Turning to another mother a little ways behind her she sighs, ''It's driving me crazy… she won't respond to anything but Ariel these days. Lorraine says it'll pass and to just indulge her for now but I don't know, maybe we should see someone about it.''
''I'm sure it'll pass soon, kids go through fazes like that all the time. Don't you remember Jackson's Batman faze?'' The other mom puts tilts her head down, lowering her voice ''I'm batman.''
Chuckling Natalie nods, ''Oh I remember, let's hope she grows out of this faze quicker than Jackson did his…''
Julie laughs before turning to her son and his playmate, ''Go ahead boys, we'll be right over here if you need us.'' she says pointing at one of the park benches overseeing the play area.
Sitting down they observe the playing children for a bit, enjoying the quiet between themselves as the children are free to roam.
The other mom looks at Natalie, ''Trust me I get it, it's hard to know if you're doing the right thing by your child. Me and David have been discussing me going back to work, I want to but I don't know if Jackson will take it well. David already travels so much for work and if I go back then I'd also be out of the house for a significant amount of time.''
Nodding sympathetically Natalie sighs. ''I thought about it as well since Lydia is at school for most of the day now but Micheal won't hear about it. He's adamant to raise Lydia without any outside assistance.''
Her companion sweeps her eyes over the park before refocusing on Natalie, ''Any particular reason he's against getting a nanny or a sitter? I've heard of quite a few excellent ones.'' Julie says before frowning as she remembers something, ''Wait, doesn't Lorraine live in Beacon? Why not ask her to watch Lydia some days of the week, I thought you said she was retired awhile back?''
''Well yes she is retired and does live in Beacon Hills but David is against letting Lydia stay with Lorraine too much.''
''Isn't that the beauty of grandparents though? Free child care?'' Julie laughs. ''If he's afraid to burden her, he shouldn't be. You just ask and see if she's willing, and if she isn't then you could always look for other options. But I know my mother used to love having Jackson on Saturdays and Danny's grandparents take him every other weekend. ''
Natalie gives her friend a strained smile, ''You'd think so but no. Lorraine and David have always had a bit of a strained relationship which has yet to really be mended. He doesn't like to leave Lydia with her for a prolonged amount of time, at least that's his excuse… I think he fears our own relationship with Lydia will become similar to that of him and his mother.''
Julie looks at her friend with mild concern, ''Is their relationship so bad? I've never noticed any bad blood between them.''
Nodding Natalie answers, ''She was a working mom, always busy, rarely home. So they didn't really build a bond and after his father died it was like two strangers living in the same house. I don't think he realizes it but I think he's just afraid, afraid of turning into her. And maybe a little jealous that she seems to make time for Lydia when she didn't used to for him.''
''It's hard to accept and forgive someone's faults, but it's bearable if you tell yourself they're incapable of change. But to see them change for someone else, seeing that they are able and willing to change yet never did for you must be incredibly difficult.'' Julie says, seeming to have a deep understanding of the subject.
Natalie nods thoughtfully before forcing a laugh to diffuse the serious atmosphere, ''Watch out Jules, your shrink is showing.''
Julie laughs good-naturedly, ''See I need to go back to work or I'll start psychoanalyzing everyone around me!''
Natalie giggles, ''Like you have ever not done so.''
''Mom?! Mom?!''
Turning around the moms are faced by three mud covered children.
A beet red Lydia, angrily pointing her finger at Jackson, ''He started it!''
…
Hiding behind the playground equipment Scott looks at Stiles shocked, ''Why'd you do that? I thought you liked Lydia?''
Stiles' own shocked eyes tear away from the love of his life, currently wrestling Jackson face first into the mud. ''She prefers Ariel now and as for the mud thing, well I wasn't really aiming for her…''
Raising his eyebrows, Scott blinks in annoyance as it dawns on him. ''You meant to hit Jackson.''
Shrugging Stiles throws his hands up in the air, ''The wind must've changed.''
''The wind, changed the direction of your mud ball…'' Scott deadpans, raising one eyebrow in disbelief.
''Tragic I know.'' Stiles nods.
Raising an eyebrow at his very best friend in the whole world Scott asks, ''Shouldn't you tell Lydia you're sorry then?''
Poking their heads around the slide the boys watch as Lydia practically waterboards Jackson in the mud as Danny tries in vain to diffuse the situation. Moving back into their hiding spot they look at each other before nodding.
The unspoken promise was clear; they would never tell Lydia about any of this ever.
Theo ran up on them, skidding to a stop as he saw a mud covered Lydia, Jackson and Danny march off. ''What happened to them?'' he asks.
Scott and Stiles make eye contact before nodding once more, ''No clue.'' they answered in unison.
…
Sitting at the kitchen table she observed how the kids played, she'd been doing it for an hour at least probably much longer if the old wall clock was to be believed. They were surprisingly relaxed around Derek and Paige, and the teens in turn were surprisingly patient and gentle. It truly was a sight for sore eyes, being surrounded by such innocence and simple happiness.
Tearing her eyes away from the living room, she looks down at the notebook open before her on the dining table. Where to start? Should she write down everything or simply the highlights? Record the changes she's already made or how it would've gone originally, or perhaps both?
Putting pen to paper she started with the cliff notes. Scribbling down the biggest events with the exception of the many, many deaths. She only writes down a few for now things that come to mind.
Pack events
2002:
• Failed peace summit - the blinding of Deucalion
• The death of Paige Krasikeva (bite rejection) - her death gives some power back to the dormant Nematon.
• Dread doctors first set foot into Beacon Hills, drawn in by the Nematon - targeting Theo Raeken.
• Alicia Boyd disappears.
2003:
• Kate Argent targets Derek Hale - vulnerable due the Paige's death, manipulates and grooms him. Planning to decimate the Hale family.
2004:
• The Hale fire - killing all Hales with the exception of Peter, Laura, Derek and Cora.
• Deucalion forms the alpha pack with Ennis and Kali. Killing all former packs.
• Lorraine becomes obsessed - predicting the deadpool.
• Claudia Stilinski dies of frontotemporal dementia.
2005:
• Corrin causes the Tate car crash, killing Evelyn and Kylie Tate.
2010:
• The alpha pack recruit the 14 year old twins into their pack. The twins kill their pack, the Jones pack.
2012:
• Scott and Lydia get turned.
• Kate and Peter face the consequences of their actions. Kate should never be killed by an alpha.
• Jackson, Isaac, Erica, Boyd get turned.
• Lizard boy Jackson wreaks havoc with Matt Daehler and Gerard Argent.
2013:
• Alpha pack and the Darach; Julia Baccari or Jennifer Blake - human sacrifices + supernatural ones reactivate the Nematon.
• The Nogitsune or Void breaks free from the Nematon. He can't be two things at once.
• The supernatural deadpool - Lorraine Martins lake house, hollow wall in the study contains the benefactors machine, reishi mushrooms = cure to weaponized yellow fever.
2014:
• Dread doctors and chimera's - people with two sets of DNA.
• The beast of Gevaudan - the Argent Kane and a powerful Banshee.
• The wild hunt - Canaan the lost town.
• The Anuk-ite and the hunters.
2015/2016:
• Covert war - A new age of hunters that hunt everyone without any code of conduct. The resistance is unofficially forming.
2017:
• News broadcasts - inciting worldwide panic dividing the world in hunters and those who stood with them and supernatural's and those who stood with us.
2018-2021:
• Full scale war - Supernatural's are openly hunted no matter their status, guilty or innocent. Orders are out to report, capture or kill any and all.
• Bounty's are set on members of the resistance no matter the species human and supernatural alike. The McCall pack are proclaimed as terrorists and wanted dead or alive, heavy bounties are laid on each members heads.
• In 2019 the hunters get bored of simply hunting and killing us. The first prison camps are created to hold our kind as well as auction houses, colosseums and underground markets.
2021:
• Nuclear war - killing anything within the blast radius. Very few survivors are left to roam the fallen city's.
Important facts
• Tamora Monroe must die - leader of the hunters faction, hunts anyone regardless of status.
• Kate Argent is not to be trusted - must never be killed by an alpha. Minds been poisoned by Gerard, might need to kill her too just to be save.
Changes I've caused so far
November 2002
Prevented: the creation of the Alpha pack, the blinding of Deucalion Edevane, the kidnapping of Alicia Boyd and the death of Paige Krasikeva.
Changed: took the twins from the Jones pack, killed Gerard Argent resulting in the death of Juliana Argent.
My name is Malia McCall born Malia Tate Hale of the McCall pack and The supernatural resistance. I go by the alias Malia Stitch in this time. If you're reading this and the events listed above still came to fruition then I have failed. One thing you must know is that the world must never come to know of the supernatural by the word of hunters or we'll all be doomed once more. Just in case I die I feel like I should write down as much as I can remember from my time so even in death I might prevent history from repeating itself.
Looking down at the things she's written down so far Malia sighs, there is so much yet to be written. A Lot of things she didn't even witness herself and only heard second hand. The things she had witnessed were hard to put down on paper, how do you describe the wild hunt? Or the dread doctors' practices?
And those were the easy things… The cliff notes of their high school years were fairly easy to write down but after that, from the war times it became more difficult. The only things that kept jumping up at her when she looked at the wars progressing were the casualties.
Covert war, ''Rafael McCall and Jordan Parrish''
News broadcasts, ''Jackson, -''
Shaking off her thoughts, she swallows back the bile climbing up her throat. It's hard to think of how young most of her pack members were when they died. The war started when she was just eighteen and the covert war ended when she was twenty, that's when the real warfare began… When the entire world began to weigh in and by twenty-five it was all over, no one truly left to fight over the burned husk of the world.
She abruptly closes the notebook when she hears Paige and Derek approach her.
''Everything alright?'' she asks the two quickly, maybe a little too fast.
Paige looks a bit uncomfortable as she takes a seat at the table once more, ''I- We were wondering how you saved me.''
Derek takes the seat next to Paige, looking quite pale at the thought of that night. ''We'd also like to know what this means for Paige.''
''But mostly your mother wants to know what to tell Ennis when word gets out Paige is very much alive.'' Malia deduces correctly. ''It's not a coyote thing if that's what you're thinking.''
''So how were you able to do it?'' Paige leans forward seemingly less perturbed to speak of her near death experience than her boyfriend.
Heaving a sigh Malia explains, ''It's dangerous and only possible if you have power to spare, an extra spark so to say. With this, you in theory, are able to save a sickly or even dying supernatural by sacrificing that extra spark of power. You draw the sickness into yourself and the extra power allows you to survive while another would have died, though you do lose that extra spark as payment.''
''An extra spark… like that of an alpha- but Alex said you had blue eyes not red.'' Derek says, wracking his brain for an answer.
Smiling Malia nods, ''True, I wasn't an alpha but I did have extra power, apparently enough to save Paige.''
''Apparently?'' Paige asks, getting a bit nauseous.
Tapping the now closed notebook, Malia nods at the two expectant teens. ''Like I said it's very dangerous and even when done by an alpha the results are no guarantee.''
''What happens if it goes wrong?'' Paige asks at the same time as Derek asks, ''So how'd you know it would work if it's so dangerous for an alpha since you're a beta?''
Malia tilts her head a little, ''I didn't, but the alternative would've been letting you die. There was a chance it would work without killing me so I took it. As for what this means for Paige, I honestly don't know. I've never seen it done with a bite rejection, with supernaturals it's pretty standard if it's successful they live and if not they die.''
Paige turns a ghostly white, ''So it could have killed you and you still did it anyways? Why, I'm no one to you…''
It's true that Paige's death didn't necessarily have to be saved, as long as she wasn't killed in the Nematon and Derek was closely monitored thereafter. Her living wasn't a must for rectifying the timeline but it was for keeping her family's legacy alive:
''Nous protègons ceux qui ne peuvent pas se protèger eux-měmes'' She says, giving the teens a small smile.
…
Chris felt numb ever since that night, right up until the funeral where he felt utter rage having to pretend he didn't despise Gerard for what he'd done. And then having to act like he was in any way an honorable man, worthy of such a grandiose send off.
His poor mother, struck down by her own husband. Executed like some animal… No, there was no love left for his father if there had ever been any.
Kate has been unreachable ever since he told her the news, she didn't even show up for the funeral. He'd be concerned if he hadn't heard the intel from other hunters that she was currently drowning her sorrows at every bar in Spain. They will have to intercept her the moment she decides to step foot state side though, knowing her temper.
The only remotely good things coming out of this is that this tragedy truly brought himself and Victoria closer together. And the fact that this may have created a bridge between them and the wolves. Even Victoria herself had stopped referring to them as filthy beasts ever since that night, which is saying a lot knowing her history.
Perhaps the worst thing was having to explain to Allison that both her grandparents had died, she simply didn't understand it. She only truly began to understand at the funeral where she bawled her eyes out next to her grandmother's coffin.
He packs another box, wondering if moving right now is the best thing for Allison. He and Victoria had discussed it at length but he can't help but worry.
''Daddy?'' Allison calls as she walks into the now almost empty living room.
''Yeah munchkin?'' He answers, squatting down to her height.
She shifts her weight from one side to the other, ''Can we go visit grandma and grandpa?''
He clenches his jaw at the mention of his father but schools his features for Allison's sake. She couldn't understand his pain nor did he want her to, but it's excruciating to act like Gerard deserves to be missed.
He can't imagine Allison dedicating her life to hunting only to be struck down by her significant other. And if he were truly honest with himself he'd admit that he couldn't imagine her in the hunting life at all but that simply wouldn't do, not in the Argent family or any other prominent hunting family.
Noticing her fathers prolonged silence, she grabs his big hand. He must be very sad that grandma and grandpa died, ''We could bring grandma her favorite flowers?''
He smiles through his warring emotions and nods at his daughter. ''Yes, I think grandma would like that very much.''
Smiling Allison skips away to grab her coat.
…
''Anyone wanna tell me why we're having a family meeting and pack summit all at once?'' Peter asks, looking at Talia clearly annoyed. The other packs had finally left their territory and now she's summoned them back again? They're a security risk and as shown before, an incredible liability.
Sitting at the head of a big dining table, Talia eyes her younger brother who knows better than to question her in front of other packs. She knows it's bad timing with Caroline's pregnancy but he should know that she wouldn't call a meeting with the surrounding packs for nothing, especially with Satomi present.
Though his behavior turns no heads, everyone knows of his wild behavior and even of his wife's condition. It wasn't considered odd in the least that a wolf was more protective and obstinate during the pregnancy of one of their pack members, let alone if it was the protector's spouse. It's literally their job to be protective and advise the alpha about any incoming risks and dangers.
Ignoring her brother's question she turns to the other wolves present. The entire house is filled up with pack members, the highest ranking sitting at the table while lower ranks stood to the side. The ones too young or too new were left to listen in from the living room or outside on the porch.
Talia's eyes glide over the alpha's present, finally settling on Ennis.
Ennis was already clenching his fists, he knew what was going to be said. ''I had every right.'' He says staring into her eyes.
Tilting her head back, Talia holds his stare. ''You had every right to bite an unwilling, underaged girl in my territory. Who just so happens to be my fifteen year old son's girlfriend?''
''He asked me to do it, because he knew you wouldn't.'' Ennis responds strongly.
Nodding minutely she eyes him, he wasn't a bad alpha per se but he still had a lot to learn. ''He asked you to abandon his scared fifteen year old girlfriend as she lay dying of the bite you gave her?…''
Disapproval swirls through the air. Although it wasn't uncommon to abandon bite rejecters, it was cruel in any case to leave a child to die in the arms of another child, both of whom knew little of what was happening.
Growling Ennis stands up, banging his hand on the table. ''I couldn't have known she'd reject the bite! She was young and healthy! A perfect candidate!'' And though his actions spoke of anger no one in the room was fooled, for the pain and regret was more than clear in his voice.
He might be a brute but he cared for his own, he knows he shouldn't have done it. Fifteen is young, younger than he'd ever bitten and had he thought about it clearly for even a second he wouldn't have done it. But with Emory's death clouding his judgment, the young Hale's offer seemed all too tempting. A new pack member wouldn't heal the wound of losing another but it might just sooth it a little, give them something else to focus on. Another young wolf to care for, to do better with.
''Ennis.'' Kali says, touching his arm.
Clearly something had changed between those two in the last week. Kali somehow seemed kinder to Ennis than she's ever been to anyone outside her own pack.
Sitting back down Ennis clenches his jaw as the guilt leaves a bitter taste in his mouth.
''We are not here to judge you Ennis, I however retain the right to hear and speak the truth on the matter. And you leaving my fifteen year old son to deal with his dying girlfriend, all alone in the high school does not reflect well on you and yours.'' Talia states coldly.
''However I did not call you all here to discuss Ennis' role in all this, though it does involve that incident as well.'' Talia says. Waiting for every alpha to nod for her to continue.
''I have called you all here to discuss the following points: the new Hale, the Argents, the biting incident and the Jones'.''
Kali's protector steps forward, no longer leaning against the wall. ''These all seem important for the Hale pack but I fail to see the importance of it for ours'' she says in a respectful tone.
A few murmurs of agreement float through the air.
Stirring her tea, Satomi speaks without looking up, silencing the murmurs without so much as raising her voice. ''Before you assume, learn the facts. We have yet to hear any facts yet you've already dismissed them as unimportant for the Gonzalo pack.''
It was rare to see Satomi at pack summits, her pack mainly steered clear of any others. And though her positive relationship with the Hale pack was known it was still odd to see her at a gathering like this one.
''Where would you like to start Talia?'' Deucalion asks.
''Seeing as she is in the middle of most of these events I'll start with the new Hale you all must be aware of by now. It has come to our attention that a lost blood relative has recently moved into our territory, her name is Malia Stitch and she is officially under the Hale packs protection.'' Talia states with confidence and no space for any possible opposition on the matter.
''Lost blood relative?'' a younger beta mutters in confusion.
Talia looks at Peter, she's kept it vague and it's obvious that most wolves aren't appreciating her vagueness. He nods at her, it was after all a secret of their family not just hers.
Taking the nod as permission she goes on, ''Though she herself has yet to confirm it, we are certain she is our half-sister through our father Leroy Hale and an unknown human or were-coyote.''
Murmurs erupt from all corners of the house but quickly quiet down again.
Ennis shakes his head, he'd called it a mere week or two ago… a Hale bastard.
Kali merely looks at her nails wondering if she should sharpen them some more, bored at the conversation.
Not caring about the reaction she continuous, ''As you've probably seen or heard by now, both Juliana and Gerard Argent have died at the old distillery.''
''Told you they didn't want peace…'' Ennis says and is surprised when both Deucalion and Talia nod slightly in response.
Deucalion weighs in, ''Malia thought much the same when I met her after our summit at the distillery.''
''Some meeting was that.'' Peter says eying Marco from across the room.
''Gerard did not come to the peace meeting in good faith, he gassed the distillery incapacitating us intending to kill us all, including his own men.'' Deucalion explains, everyone listening with rapt attention.
'''Why his own men too?'' A seventeen year old beta from the Kali's pack questions quietly from the living room.
Kali, ever so quietly responds. ''Because they wanted what he didn't, peace.''
''Malia like others distrusted Gerard and came to our rescue, Talia and the Argent matriarch close behind.''
Satomi looks up from her tea, ''She killed the Argents?'' Her voice steady though there was worry swirling through her eyes, this would mean war.
Talia interrupts as she feels the panic rising in the room, ''No, listen to the full story with a calm heart there is no threat of war.''
The relief in the room was palpable but so was the disappointment of some.
''She seemed to have a history with Gerard and as a were-coyote I think we all know it isn't a happy one, at the end of the night she killed Gerard Argent as sanctioned by both Juliana Argent and Christopher Argent. Unfortunately Gerard managed to fire his gun one last time, ending the life of Juliana Argent.'' Deucalion explains, leaving some room for everyone to process.
Ennis' eyes spark at the news and his aren't the only ones. To kill such a prominent hunter took skill and guts, it meant a great protector or enforcer.
''Is Malia Stitch a member of your pack Talia or simply under your protection?'' Ennis questions trying to sound casual but everyone knew the motive. Hell it seemed he had only asked what every other alpha in the room wanted to.
Talia remains stoic even as she smells the excitement and sees the blatant desire to recruit her kin into their own packs. ''From all that we were able to piece together about her it seems she already had a pack, a pack that was most likely eradicated by Gerard.''
This dampened the mood considerably. To lose your entire pack was unfathomable, it also made for difficult recruitment because the wolf or in this case coyote would still be bonded and loyal to another pack, unable to really connect to another.
''Moving on,'' Talia says firmly. ''On that same night Ennis bit Paige which her body rejected, we found my son holding the dying girl in his arms.''
Ennis closed his eyes.
''We separated the two, Malia and Deucalion took Paige with them. Malia then proceeded to absorb all the pain or as she has explained to my son this afternoon, all the sickness into herself. This put Malia into a coma for a week and resulted in her losing the extra spark of power she possessed. In doing so she risked her life but she also saved Paige's.''
Ennis' head shot up, ''She's alive? How can that be? I don't feel any bond.''
''Ennis this might be hard to hear but she isn't your beta, that extra bit of power that Malia gave up to save her has changed her yes but it didn't make the bite take…''
Nodding Ennis let that news sink in, ''But she's alive?''
''They both are.'' Deucalion answers reassuringly.
''I have to warn everyone though, Malia has testified to the fact that this is extremely dangerous and that there is no guarantee of success. If successful an alpha becomes a beta, a beta can only perform this successfully if, and only if they possess the powers of more than one wolf. Regular beta's and omega's will die if they attempt this.'' Talia folds her hands over each other as the others take in the given information.
''If everyone is ready I'd like to move onto the last topic, the Jones pack. Malia-''
Kali laughs, ''Does that girl ever take a break?''
''Malia- '' Talia reiterates, ''has recently had a run in with them along with Deucalion and Laura. They were at the Jones' to collect Malia's nephews, the children of Andre and Katherine Moore.''
''Oh shit…''
''Damn..''
''Oof that's rough.''
Similar murmurs fill the relatively quiet Hale house, confusing the younger and more inexperienced pack members.
''Yes, as you can imagine the Jones' did not take kindly to our intervention on the matter. And while this doesn't concern most of your packs I thought you ought to know that the Jones' violence might pick up in the upcoming days and to steer clear of their territory.'' Talia finishes. ''Does anyone have anything to add or lingering questions?''
…