Chapter Eight

Banshee Training

"From all the poems written on the subject of unrequited love, there are so few on the pain of being the object of that affection. The truth is, it's not love on which the strongest foundations are built. It's the decency of merciful lies."
~Niklaus Mikaelson

Stiles had just got back from a small trip away from New Orleans, for a couple of days. In the two days he'd been gone; his siblings had jumped into more problems. He was sitting in the Palace Royale Hotel, where the Pack was staying at, relying most of everything that had happened in the last couple of days with his siblings.

Stiles thought about how the last two days had turned out to his siblings, without him to help them. The only Elder witch left in New Orleans, Agnes had kidnapped Sophie Deveraux, injected her with a cursed needle called the Needle of Sorrows, which was meant for killing a child in the uterus. Since, Hayley was linked to Sophie, the curse took effect in her and she fell sick. Elijah, who had made a deal with Davina, promising to help her with her uncontrollable magic, gave her the Spell of Unknotting, from their mother's Grimoire, which had helped them delink Hayley from Sophie, at the very last minute, almost killing Hayley and her child in the process. Rebekah had left after they'd saved Hayley and the baby from danger.

Father Kieran had held a Faction meeting with all the human leaders, which got interrupted by Klaus, who was bent on finding the witch Agnes, to kill her for endangering Hayley and the baby. But, in the end Elijah ended up killing Agnes and three other witches with her.

At the moment Stiles was waiting for the Pack to get ready, so that they could go train, in the bayou. Stiles had a faint idea that there might be other wolves, of the Type A kind, in the bayou. So, he knew it was safe to take the Pack there. Scott, Malia and Liam would be running in the woods to keep up their shape, while Stiles was thinking about teaching Lydia a few things about being a banshee.

"Guys, let's move." shouted Stiles, when Scott came out of his room. "Let's get to the woods, by today please."

Scott gave Stiles a side grin at his sarcasm, even though it wasn't up to his standards. Scott knew Stiles was grieving, he'd found out his daughter had survived, but was sad that he hadn't had a chance to get to know her. Scott could sense Stiles sadness, even though he tried to hide it, it seeped through his armor occasionally.

The Pack left for the bayou in Stiles' Jeep, which had just come from Beacon Hills, with Lydia's car and Scott's dirt-bike. They reached the bayou, and got out, looking at the woods.

"Ah, finally some fresh air," said Malia, stretching her legs and taking deep breaths, "and wolves? I can smell wolves."

"Yeah. Me too." said Scott and Liam, together after sniffing the air.

"Yeah. You guys remember, I told you about another type of werewolves that existed?" when they all nodded at him he continued, "Well, Marcel had a witch curse all the wolves in the bayou, so that they can only turn to a human on the full moon. The opposite of a typical werewolf. So, yes. There are wolves running around the bayou. But I think they are hiding, if you look at all this mess." he said pointing to the mess. There were dusty clothes, hanging on rusted clothesline, and tents that looked as if a tornado had been through it, and various vessels strewn around.

"So, why are there two types of werewolves?" asked Lydia, ever the curious one, at which Stiles scratched his temple, awkwardly. "I mean, how did they come into existence? Or were there already two types during your time?"

Stiles looked at them awkwardly, as they turned to him for an answer. He cleared his throat before he said, "I...I, kind of created them?" Stiles said softly, unsure how he wanted to tell them.

"What?" asked Liam, curiously.

Stiles looked at them all once more and sighed, shaking his head, "Right. Ah. I created the Type B species of werewolves." he said slowly, ducking his head in embarrassment as they gave him questioning looks. "A century after I was turned, you know, into a Hybrid, I met a girl, a wolf, to be exact, Lucinda. She hadn't broken her curse yet, when I met her. But she was from a very prominent werewolf family, in that region. That was the first time I fell in love with someone. She understood me, even though she was vary initially, she wasn't repulsed by me either. My brother, Nik, never knew about us. None of my siblings knew about us. One day we had to leave that town, hearing news that our father was close. But I didn't want to leave, because she was already carrying our child. I couldn't put them in danger, so I left her when my siblings and I had to run. I regret that even now. But I went back a few years later, alone. I saw her there with my son, Haven, playing with her. When I finally had found happiness, I couldn't stay because I knew my father was hunting us down and that Nik would try something. I knew I had to leave, so I stayed for a month with them, being a family. On the day I had to leave was a full moon, Lucinda had already broken the curse, so I had to take care of Haven. One minute he was playing with me and the next he was shouting about a pain in his head, which continued to his gums and then his fingers, like how it was for you guys," Stiles said pointing to Scott and Liam, who nodded in understanding, "I tried to help, he was only 12, and he had to go through so much pain." Stiles had tears running down his face as he remembered what his son had to go through. "I didn't know what was happening, so I just held him till he started to turn. I couldn't understand how, why or what was happening, because I knew he hadn't killed anyone, I was there with him every minute of the month. Since I couldn't do anything, I just sat there, looking at my son, without knowing how I could help. After sometime, I realized that he'd stopped his shouting, so I looked up. What I saw had shocked me, he hadn't looked like the typical wolves that I'd come to know of. He had fur on his deformed face, and claws. Just like you guys. That's when Haven spoke to me. He hadn't turned into a full wolf; he was part wolf, part human, who could control his shifting, which I'd realized later. After that I'd stayed for a few more days to figure out what had been different. The other weres' were vary about him, so I took them far away from that town, to start new lives. I had created a new species of werewolves. In the later years, I searched far and wide for answers that I couldn't find anywhere. But, I always went back to them, every few years. Even after Haven's death, I went there to take care of his family, from far, of course. Haven had passed down the Type B werewolf gene, into his bloodline. And so was born a new kind of werewolf. The family was still there, till a few months ago, but not many."

"Wow, you created us!" exclaimed Liam, with a grin on his face.

Stiles gave him a pained smile, which Lydia noticed, and quickly said, "Okay, enough story time, let's get to what we wanted to do today."

Stiles smiled at her thankfully, and turned to the shape shifters, "Okay, you guys keep close, if you see any vampires; I don't think any would be crazy enough to wander into the bayou, but if you do, avoid them. Well, let's get on with it."

The wolves and the coyote got up and started running away from them. As soon as they were out of earshot, Lydia put a hand on Stiles' shoulder, "Are you alright?" she asked in a gentle voice, concerned about him. He had told her about Augustine and their daughter, Alex. Lydia was worried about how he was suppressing his emotions and putting others before dealing with his own problems.

Stiles looked at her, with small reassuring smile, and nodded. "It's just these few days have been a crazy emotional roller-coaster ride. But, yes. I'm fine."

Lydia noticed the dismissal in his tone, and didn't pry. They walked down towards the lake, when Lydia asked, "Why were you embarrassed about the story?"

Without looking at her Stiles said, distantly, "Because, her name was Lucinda Hale. The first Type B werewolf was her son, Haven Hale, my first child."

Lydia tripped on a root in shock, but just before she fell, Stiles was next to her holding her steady, looking at her, and she blushed slightly, as he let go.

Lydia laughed, "So, Derek, Peter and Cora are related to you. You are their, great times something grandfather."

"Right," Stiles cleared his throat, and changed the subject. "Okay, you know how radar works, right?" Lydia smiled at him and then nodded. "Using the exact theory, you have to scream. Your scream should be like a bullet."

Stiles and Lydia stayed there, Lydia screaming at him, without much progress, for almost an hour, when Stiles got a call. Nik had called to tell him that Hayley had been missing and that they were tracking her down in the bayou.

"Well, we'll stop and continue later or tomorrow, I don't think it's good for your throat, if you keep screaming," said Stiles, "Or for my ears." He muttered under his breath.

"I heard that, and I'm sorry!" said Lydia, at which Stiles smiled and shrugged at her.

"Let's go find that wolf." said Stiles, sighing at his new predicament. They walked down the lake, and stopped when they heard voices.

Klaus looked around at the battered shack on the banks of the lake, where he found a dead Hybrid, when he noticed Elijah and Hayley walking towards him.

"There you are. I see you found our wandering stray. Perhaps she could shed some light on the situation." Klaus said pointing to the dead Hybrid; he kicks at it, which tumbles down from the shack. "This would appear to be the body of a Hybrid."

"His name was Dwayne." said Hayley annoyed at Klaus.

"Well, whoever he was, I didn't sire him. Any idea how that's possible?" asked Klaus, curious about who could sire a hybrid other than him.

"As if you don't know." exclaimed Hayley angrily walking towards him, but Elijah pulls her back and walks towards Klaus.

"Ah. Aren't you two fast friends?" said Klaus, amused. "Well, come on, then. What horrible accusation have you conspired to levy against me?"

"Tyler Lockwood brought Hayley here to test a theory." said Elijah, at which Klaus looked at him with a questioning. "That the blood of her child could be used to sire Hybrids." Klaus looked shocked, but hides it quickly. "He claims you knew that. Furthermore, you intend to you this knowledge to build an army."

"And of course, you assume it's true. I mean, why else would I show any interest in my own flesh and blood? A heartbroken, little crybaby points his finger at me, and my own brother falls in line, eager to believe it. How quickly you assume the worst... Especially when it comes from her." said Klaus pointing at Hayley, who glares at him.

"Spare me your indignation." accused Elijah. "When have you ever demonstrated any kind of concern towards Hayley or her child beyond your own selfish pursuits? And what was it you once said to me? 'Every king needs an heir.'"

Klaus looks at Elijah, a hurt look clear on his face. "My big brother... So, you doubt my intentions. Well, I can't say I'm surprised. Standing beside the noble Elijah, how can I be anything but the lesser brother? A liar, a manipulator... A bastard?"

Klaus walks towards Elijah, "That's all I am to you, isn't it? And to Rebekah. And to Sti-"

"Not to me brother." Stiles said as he and Lydia walked towards them. "You may have done a lot of horrible things, but I do not believe you'd use your own, flesh and blood, as you put it, to your own selfishness. What I do believe is that you are paranoid and narcissistic about someone you don't like. So you kill them. But, I know that you care about the child Hayley is carrying. I can see it in your eyes. And Elijah, I didn't know why you'd believe something, a hurt Hybrid, with a vengeance against Nik, would tell you."

Klaus just looked at Stiles, annoyed, but then jumped towards Elijah, and bites him on his neck.

Lydia lets out a shriek, "Oh, God." she exclaimed, when Klaus bit Elijah, clutching at her heart.

"Who is this, dear brother?" asked Klaus, walking towards them, wiping the blood from his face on his already bloody shirt.

Stiles looks at him annoyed, "Really? You had to bite him, didn't you?" Stiles sighed shaking his head. "And this is Lydia Martin, my friend."

Klaus just gave him a wide smile and turned towards Lydia, "Ah. It's nice to meet you, Miss. Martin. I am, Klaus Mikaelson, the Hybrid."

Lydia gave him a tight smile, and looked at Stiles, beckoning him to get out of there.

"Well, you found the wolf, so we'll be leaving." said Stiles.

Stiles and Lydia left, walking back towards the other side of the lake. As they reached the spot, they saw a figure sitting, hunched, and shaking with sobs. Lydia seemed to recognize the figure.

"Tyler?"

Tyler looked up at the familiar voice; he hadn't heard that voice in a few years, not since he had activated his curse.

"Lydia?"

"Tyler!" exclaimed Lydia happily, running forward to hug him. "What are you doing here? I thought you were in Mystic Falls."

"I was. I just came to finish some business. What are you doing here, aren't you supposed to be in Beacon Hills?"

"Yeah, I moved here, for college, with some of my friends. You know how mom never stays much at home after her divorce with my dad."

Tyler tensed at the mention of their mother. "Lydia, there's something you have to know about mom. She died a few months ago, someone killed her. I came here to kill him." said Tyler bitterly.

"What?" Lydia asked in a small voice, and then laughed, Tyler looked at her oddly. "I spoke to mom a few days back, she's perfectly fine, Tyler. I believe she's in France now."

"No. I saw her body. Klaus Mikaelson killed her, drowned her." said Tyler, not believing Lydia.

Stiles cleared his throat, letting them know he was still there.

Tyler and Lydia looked up at him.

"Who are you?" growled Tyler, pulling his step-sister closer towards his side.

"Tyler. Behave. This is Stiles, one of my best friends. Stiles, this is my step-brother, Tyler Lockwood." said Lydia, trying to diffuse the tension between them.

"And the person who knows what happened to your mother." Stiles said, as Tyler looked at him suspiciously. "Natalie Carol Lockwood is still alive. I met her a couple of days ago, in, as Lydia mentioned, France. Yes, my brother might have tried to drown her, but I got to her before she died. I gave her my blood and saved her, and she told me to fake her death. I obliged. And then two days later, I took her to France. She gave me this," Stiles pulled out an envelope from an inside pocket and handed it over to Tyler, who took it hesitantly. "To give you when I could."

"Your brother tried to kill my mother?" exclaimed Lydia, "Why didn't you ever tell me?"

"I'm sorry, Lydia, but your mother asked me not to." Stiles shrugged, awkwardly.

"Wait. Your brother, as in you are a Mikaelson?" asked Tyler, pulling Lydia behind him.

"Yes. Younger bother to Elijah and Klaus, and elder to Rebekah. I believe you know her?"

Tyler threw him a dirty look and turned towards Lydia, "How the hell did you get caught up in the supernatural business?"

"When a psychotic werewolf bit me." said Lydia, sarcastically. "When did you?"

"I'm a werewolf. I broke the curse, when I accidentally killed my classmate."

"Right. I'll let you two catch up." said Stiles, "I'll be by the Jeep, Lydia."

Lydia just nodded at him as she punched Tyler, "You killed someone?"

Stiles walked away, towards the Jeep, where he saw Scott, Liam and Malia, running towards him.
"Where's Lydia?" asked Scott looking around, as he bent down to catch his breath.

"She's, out there, speaking to her, step-brother."

"Step-brother?" asked Malia, raising a perfectly sculpted brow.

Stiles nodded at her, and told them about how he'd gone to France to talk to Natalie about something. She was staying near where Chris Argent and Isaac were. Lydia came back a few hours later, and they went back to town to have a hearty lunch. The Pack went around town, enjoying their time away from the supernatural. Stiles left them to go see his family, when he walked into Rebekah.

"Becks? I thought you left."

"I did, but I guess I came back to stay for some time." Rebekah hesitated, before saying, "Marcel and I are trying to take down Niklaus. I know he trusts you, so can you help us?"

Stiles looked at her unbelievably, "You really think you can take him down? No. I won't stand with you in this, but I won't tell Nik either. But this attempt is futile, I'm warning you. You will only bring his wrath down on you."

Rebekah gives him a betrayed look, but Stiles just shakes his head, and walks away.

29 April 2k17
~aag