Episode 4: Who is hunting whom? Part 1
It was like that was the signal that Rosa and Carlos were looking for. As soon as Stiles had given the warning - they tore off into the preserve. Stiles just cleared the plates from the tables as if there was nothing different. What would be, would be in Stiles' mind.
Peter had to ask, "So what will the Hunt do this evening?"
Stiles chuckled thinking of all the fun and games he had with the hunt. It wasn't so much a question, of what would they do. It was more a question of what wouldn't they do. He shrugged not sure of the parameters his Nana would have set. It would depend on her mercurial whims. "You will soon see that they are a law ..."
"Unto themselves?" Chris finished his sentence.
Stiles smirked, "More like to their King and Queen."
Derek could understand the logic. He was an Alpha and strong in his own right. He could admit the Fae King and Queen scared him and he was 'married' into the family. He had no idea what to expect of the Hunt coming to town. He had heard a few tales from Melissa about the last time Stiles had ordered the Hunt to Beacon Hills. John's vein in his head had just about burst hearing her describe how pretty the Fae Captain was.
Her teasing had served its purpose as John had gotten off his ass and they had gone on a date. All in the pack were glad to see that they were still going strong. In all honesty as far as the whole town it was a long time coming.
Derek only thought about it as John looked at his watch. "Well Mel's shift is about to end so I will go and get her. I want to take her out for late dinner."
Stiles grinned and hugged his Dad goodbye. He was glad that his Dad was moving on. It didn't hurt that he thought Mama McCall was one hell of a woman.
As soon as everyone departed the pack filtered back into the dining room. Malia was the one to voice what everyone was thinking. "So the bitch is getting what she deserves?"
Stiles snorted, "Yeah Mal'. Rosa has some of the nastiest Fae warriors hunting her down."
Danny was curious about something. He was a researcher and little things would bug him. "How do you know they are so badass ... Is there a test?"
Stiles grin was full of mischief. "Sure there is a test but it is no Pop-Quiz."
He could see the curious look on most of the beta's faces. He could be nice but that just wasn't him. He rolled his eyes as he added, "Look you have to impress Nana if you want to join the Hunt."
"Huh. She doesn't strike me as easy to impress." Lydia said. She was silent as she tried to comprehend what impressing Queen Mab would entail. Mab was a level of badass that Lydia aspired to gain.
Stiles grinned as he was proud of what his Nan had accomplished. She had taken the Winter Court and turned it into something else. "Yeah she is. I wonder what the plan of attack will be?"
Derek growled, "I just want the hunter gone."
A chuckle that sounded like it was coming out of thin air startled all but Stiles. "Oh she will be dead before the end of the night. That is a solemn promise."
Stiles snorted at the Fae Captain's theatrics, "Show yourself Wodan."
Derek would have gone on high alert but seeing how relaxed his mate was. He assumed all was okay and this was just one of his mate's kind. He was right. The command seemed to be enough to get the Fae to show himself.
Show himself he did indeed. He was an interesting being and even though most of the group had mates. All would be blind not to acknowledge how sexy the man was. He was comfortable in his own skin and exudes a raw sexuality. Dark, sexy and broody it was a lethal combination.
"My prince you have a hunt for me."
Stiles grinned because boy did he have a hunt. He wanted the bitch Rosa dead. She was dead and cold inside in a way that Stiles hated. He knew Wodan would deal with it in a unique and satisfying way. His honour as the Fae Captain would demand it.
Wodan bowed because he always liked to use formality around Stiles. He did it for the simple reason he knew it bothered Stiles. "You want me to lead the hunt my prince?"
Stiles nodded, "Nana wants a hunter dealt with ... She is an oathbreaker."
The man swore under his breath. The pack guessed it was swearing but it was difficult to tell as none of them spoke the Fae language. The Fae could be mischievous and adored turning wishes back on arrogant folk. It was there way. What they hated more than anything was an oathbreaker.
"I will have her head on a spike." Wodan promised.
With that he was gone.
Rosa didn't like being the hunted. She raced ahead. She needed to get to higher ground or at least something she could defend. She remembered the rules so she would play by them. She wasn't stupid she'd angered the Fae enough for the evening. If she broke the rules - she would only wish for a death. A death that Rosa knew she would never see as it would not suit Mab's revenge.
She hadn't asked for help per the rules but did get straight to a weapons cache. She was never more thankful for the clan operating procedures. One of her own rules is when the clan started a new hunt there would be safe zones with weapons available. It had come in handy a few times, she was hoping that today it would save her life.
With a gun in her and she felt safer and the knife strapped to her thigh provided comfort too. It was not enough. She could feel eyes watching her. She sucked in a breath and counted backwards from five. What she needed was a plan.
There was no plan. Not a good one anyway.
She could gain no support from family. She hadn't realised how much she relied on family until this evening.
The Preserve would give her higher ground but was not the type of terrain humans traversed with ease. She would fight until her end as her pride would allow nothing less. It was clear the Fae Queen wanted her dead. She was not going to go down without taking a swing back. It may be a hollow victory and could result in the quickening of her death.
What choice did she have?
She sent the message. Start the deadpool - all sups in the area.
She knew her son would do right by her. He would hunt down all records about any supernaturals living in the area. There was a howl in the not so far distant. It was no ordinary dog. She picked up the pace. This dog sounded so wild she wasn't sure she had enough firepower.
She would be right in her assumption. Hellhounds had the frustrating ability to eat fire. It dampened down on people's abilities to defend themselves against the creatures. It was why the Fae chose to hunt with the creatures.
The next howl was in the opposite direction. Then another. The Hunt had boxed her in and they were closing in from all sides. There was no way they wouldn't catch her. She was going to make her stand right here. She put her back to the tree so it could offer some protection.
She would die on her feet. A morbid thought crossed her mind. She wondered how they would kill her. She doubted it would be as quick as her clan member's death had been. There was something she could do. She could take the vindictive Fae's entertainment away. If she was not alive then there was no way to torture her.
This was a zero sum game if ever there was one. She looked at the gun and as she started to raise it, it got blistering hot. She hissed as threw it away.
Message received.
This would only end when the Queen was good and ready.
Back in the living room, all were listening to the tale Cora weaved. Derek listened pained to hear how Cora had lived. He wanted to hate Carlos Cortez with every fibre of his being. He really did.
He couldn't though because as spineless as he was he had kept Cora safe. He hated his sigh, "Can we keep him alive?"
Stiles shrugged, "The Alpha had had an epiphany before he raced off. I know Nana. There is one choice that would see him survive."
Isaac scowled, pushing his curls out of his face. "Well that wasn't cryptic."
Cora was curious about Derek's mate. She knew he was powerful and it was because of him she was still alive. What little she had seen it was obvious that he loved her big brother. If for no other reason she would like him. "What would it take?"
Stiles shrugged, "Does he have it in him to give up his power as Alpha?"
She thought about it and it was a good question. "Does he know it is an option?"
Stiles didn't know for sure but he could make an educated guess. "Nana wanted him dead because his abuse of power saw you put in harm's way."
Cora just snuggled closer, "I'm home."
It was just sinking in that she was home and safe. It was the best feeling in the world. She accepted the hot chocolate given to her by Uncle Peter. There was so much for her to assimilate.
Her brother was the Alpha. Uncle Peter was now with his true mate, a hunter. Her Uncle knew about his daughter and his step-daughter was an Argent. The pack was full of betas and mated pairs. They had beat the Alpha pack and due to Derek's mate being a Fae had a strong alliance with the Winter Court Fae.
She took a deep breath trying to vocalise her confusion. "Don't get me wrong I'm glad you and Uncle Chris are together. Mom was sure it wouldn't happen again I remember her saying."
Peter cocked his head to the side. Was this a clue about his missing memories? He had had managed to get his relationship back on track with Chris. He would not give it up for the world but he would love to know how Malia came to be. He loved his daughters because Ally was now as much his as Malia. He just wanted to know why he didn't remember. He was guessing he knew why.
He shook his head sadness coming to the fore. "So she did do it."
Scott was the one who's confusion was the most obvious. "I'm not getting it."
There were a few unkind comments one could make at this point. Stiles could see that Lydia and Jackson were debating saying something. It seemed being mates and pack had mellowed them a little bit. Not much, mind but it tended to focus their bitchiness towards people out of their pack.
Derek cut them off before it could become an issue. "One of the Alpha's powers is the ability to take a person's memories away. It can help to protect the pack when used right."
Chris hated it knowing that someone manipulated his memories. He more than hated it he loathed it. He could do nothing about it now but hug Peter close and make sure nothing else happened.
Cora sighed in frustration. The memory was so old she couldn't be sure. She was a little kid who had been eavesdropping on her conversation. "She spoke to Dad about it once ... I just can't remember why."
Peter could see the stress lining his niece's face. It was obvious she was trying to remember for his sake. He wouldn't let her. He may not be too fond of Talia right now but he wouldn't let Cora ruin any memories of her mother. "Don't fret about it. We will find out in time."
Chris squeezed his hand knowing what the admission cost his mate. He also saw the look of gratitude on Derek's face. It did give them an avenue to explore when it came to recovering the memories.
Hope was the most dangerous thing of all.
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