Episode 4: Who is hunting Whom? Part 2
John was well aware of what was going on with regard the Hunt. He also knew that despite his powers as Sheriff there was nothing that he could do to interfere. He had learnt long ago to go with the flow and focus on what he could change. He was on his way to pick up Melissa for a late meal/date.
Stiles had given him a lunch with cold meats and other goodies. He was going to take the cheat day and run with it. He was contemplating going up to make out point. It had two advantages - one it was the prettiest spot in town. The second advantage was the minute he rocked up in his Sheriff cruiser. He was ninety-nine percent certain all the teens would scram giving him some alone time with Mel'.
Melissa smirked seeing him come down the hospital corridor. He was looking around wondering where the 'skank' was. They were not his words, they were Mel's. There was one recent start nurse who wanted to get her mitts on him. Again not his words. Melissa had not warned her off as she was classier than that. Sort of.
The last time he'd been at the hospital she had snogged him senseless - in full view of the skank. Message served.
John was smart enough not to say a word on the matter. He just made sure he put all his attention on Melissa whenever he was near the hospital. There was no way he was angering his girlfriend - she was the one with the access to big needles.
"Hey darlin." He greeted her.
She narrowed her eyes, "The kids are not in trouble?"
He chuckled hearing the suspicion, "Not so much. There are a few people who have angered Mab. The pack is safe in their den whilst it all gets squared away."
There was a delightful advantage to double speak. You could talk about things with truth and people would assume you were being sarcastic. It was not like he would be the only person to describe a group of teens like a pack of wolves. The only difference being John wasn't talking in the metaphorical sense.
"Does that mean we will get an uninterrupted date?"
John got the hope in her voice. It had been about a month since they'd managed a date without any interruptions. By this point, they were giving up hope. He was glad that they were old enough and mature enough not to need them. They would often end up at each other's houses stealing time wherever possible. If John was being honest - it was those time he adored most. "We can hope?"
It was not a firm answer but it was the only one he could offer.
They had made it to the makeout point. John had picked up the picnic blanket and walked to the viewpoint. He settled down, grinning as Melissa lay down snuggling into him.
Melissa watched the night as well as the man next to her. Her Ex had done a number on her and John was the only one who had managed to worm his way beyond her defenses. She gave into her impulse and kissed him.
Any surprise disappeared as he got with the programme. John kissed Melissa straight back like he did every time. He didn't think he'd ever love again after his wife had passed. He'd admired Melissa from the beginning. He would time it right from when she'd sent her bastard husband packing. He moaned into the kiss, she was dangerous. He had to remember he was in public. It would not do for the County Sheriff to get arrested by one of his deputies for lewd behaviour.
He broke off the kiss with great reluctance when oxygen became an issue. "You're dangerous."
The throaty chuckle did nothing to abate his arousal. "But more fun."
"Life needs a little fun." He agreed because she was so right.
Melissa snorted, "We have teenage sons who run with a wolf pack. That is all the fun you will ever need."
He liked the way she made no mention of the fact they were a werewolf and a Fae. John grinned because he wouldn't change Stiles for the world. "Yeah but they're ours."
Just as he leant back over for another kiss there was a loud squawk on his radio. Damn it. He knew before he got any details that his night was over.
"Sheriff you need to get the ravine."
Huh. John was guessing the hunt was over for one of the individuals. Couldn't they have least waited until his date was over?
Jordan Parrish was patrolling with a new deputy tonight. It sucked. He much prefered to hunt with Derek. Wait, no, that was the wrong word. He would patrol. Why was he even thinking like that?
It was a strange night and it felt like there was something in the air. He knew it sounded strange hence why he hadn't say anything. He growled under his breath and continued to give the newbie the tour.
Deputy Haigh was getting on Jordan's last nerve. He wanted to keep partnering with Derek in fact he was going to beg the Sheriff. It made the most sense too as they were the ones in the know about the spooky cases. As long as no one started calling them the X-Files they would get along just fine.
"So what is with this place?" The newbie asked.
Jordan shrugged his shoulders as a response. It was not like he could explain there were things that went bump in the night were real. "It's Beacon Hills."
"Yeah but the death rate is like an inner city." Haigh said with a small snort of amusement.
Jordan wondered what the guy was trying to say. He had no real patience for double speak. It annoyed the hell out of him. He looked at his watch. Damn it. There was still three hours on his watch. He was crawling out of his skin and there was no escape! This sucked. He hated being an adult right now.
A howl ricocheted around the street it was difficult to pinpoint from where. It was spooky as it was like it was in surround sound. Haigh was freaking out and Jordan just rolled his eyes. He walked in a particular direction somehow knowing this was where he needed to go.
He heard Haigh shouting, "Hey where are you going?"
Jordan brushed him off and carried on walking. A trance would be a better description. Jordan didn't care what you called it. He wanted to hunt and the night was wild.
The howls were deafening in the preserve. Carlos never thought there would be a time he would find one threatening. He was a wolf by the moon's sake. He knew instinctively that these were not members of his pack. They were hunting prey and he was at the top of the list.
It was discomforting. He was an Alpha and right now he felt like a rabbit. What were the hunt using to catch him? The howls were not of a wolf but something just as big. He felt like the hounds of hell were chasing him down.
Why an earth had he thought this was a good plan? The Hale's had defeated the Alpha pack. It was clear that their ranks were no less depleted than when they started. It seemed like the Alpha pack had misjudged them too. He should have sought their friendship to ensure his pack would be safe. There was no other way he could see how to achieve his goals.
He wished he had never sought alpha-Dom. He was a terrible Alpha and now as a result he would leave his pregnant mate alone. He would give up his power in a second for the chance to see his pup. He prayed to whatever deity was willing to listen for their continued well-being.
The second he thought it a Fae stood before him. He knew the man was Fae, the magic was so thick in the air he could taste it on his tongue. His heavy gaze seared into Carlos' soul, or, at least that is what it felt like.
"Do you mean it?"
Carlos didn't play coy. "Yes my mate doesn't deserve it ... It was my arrogance."
Edward was grinning inside. He had just won a lovely bet for himself against his delightful wife. "Are you sure because once I do this there is no going back?"
Carlos sighed, "If it is a choice between being an Alpha and losing my family. There is no choice."
Edward nodded in agreement, "As you like."
The pain was unimaginable. This was the Alpha in him being torn away from his body. It was like losing a limb but he gritted his teeth and bared it. It was his punishment. He collapsed to the ground as the pain became even worse. Just as the pain subsided they saw a man walk past, he looked like he was aflame and in a trance. Carlos thought there were no clothes on his body either. He might be wrong and it all be a pain induced hallucination.
Carlos whispered a soft Spanish curse. It was fitting something about hellfire and damnation. The man next to him just said one word, "Huh! Stiles!"
There was a shimmering in front of his eyes and it was still taking time for Carlos to get used to magic. He was just starting to adjust to being a beta as he saw the Alpha's mate materialise. There was a bright grin,
"Grandpa!"
Oh jesus, was he ever to escape this family? He would be happy to go far far away and never come anywhere near California again. What was this about now?
The King huffed, "Why is there a hellhound running around your territory?"
Stiles scowled, not liking the reprimand. It was not like he'd done anything wrong this time. "What? Since when!"
Edward was getting annoyed by the whimpering mutt. He didn't have a thing against werewolves after all he let Stiles bond with Derek. He couldn't abide weak snivelling people. If you had no backbone then you should not stand in his presence. It was that simple.
"You tell me. He went that way."
The teen rolled his eyes, "So we should follow him then?"
Edward snorted, "You think?"
Stiles grinned, "Hey don't sass me Grandpa. It is not my fault but I will help you track them down."
Edward didn't think it would take them long to find the person. It was what happened when they found them. It was intriguing for their to be a human hellhound. He was going to be finding the person responsible and having many words. Nah. He would let his beloved wife know instead. She would be sore about losing the bet so this could be a healthy distraction.
Stiles heard what many would call a blood-curdling scream. He grinned all happy cheer. "Found them."
Edward was guessing Wodan had caught up to his hunt. He must have gotten bored with playing with his prey. It didn't take too long so the Captain must hate his target. When Wodan disliked his prey he spent more time and their ending and less on the hunt. It was like it got his creative juices flowing.
Stiles was no longer bothered by traipsing through the preserve. It helped that he had magic so could glide across the messier places. It also helped when it came to evading people trying to hunt him. He wondered who the hellhound was. It was rare for them to be two natured. Stiles could admit to curiosity at the identity.
The growls were all centered around the clearing up ahead. The scene would not have been out of place on a horror set. Stiles saw the place and tilted his head to the side. He was not sure just how many knives could be thrown into one body.
"You guys know it is meant to be a firing squad, right?"
Wodan grinned, all bright cheer at the success of his hunt. "Yes my prince but none of us had projectiles."
Well you couldn't fault that logic. Stiles was smart enough not to even try. A flaming figure took his eyes from the body. He squinted and it couldn't be, could it.
"Parrish?"
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