Episode 4: Who is hunting Whom? Part 3

"Parrish?"

Stiles didn't need to squint to know he was right. What the hell? Okay maybe that was a poor choice of words. This was nuts. He had to say it a loud to make it real.

"Why is Parrish a Hellhound?"

Stiles was sure it said something about everyone who stood by him. They had no issue and hadn't blinked at the body pinned to a tree. A body which had ten ceremonial Fae swords sticking into it. The body even still had blood dripping from said wounds. Whilst they had no issue with the body - Parrish being aflame freaked them out. It was pretty righteous to watch if Stiles was being honest.

His Grandpa snorted not as impressed. "What is one more to your menagerie?"

"Hey that's my pack you're talking about!" Stiles didn't bother to hide his indignation at the comment.

Carl0s did not know what to say. For once he was taking the smarter path and chose not to say a word. How could he? He is in front of the Fae King and his heir and the Wild Hunt. Oh, and they were all staring at the mangled body of the hunter who had pursued him across states. It was odd to see her reduced to this.

A new voice entered the fray. "What the hell?"

Stiles just rolled his eyes and slumped. He looked for all the world like a teen who knew there was a 'telling off' in their near future. It was apt but it was so not his fault. He wouldn't whine but he was not above saying it.

His Dad looked mad so Stiles found himself saying. "Not my fault."

His Dad was looking at the tree. It was stunning from a distance he had seen a body and soon as he announced his presence. The body had disappeared. He would make a sarcastic comment about magic but he knew that was the truth of it. Still it made his life a lot easier if there was no body then there was not a lot he could investigate.

In all honesty the focus of his attention was the flaming man. John wanted to check that he knew the facts. "Why is Parrish aflame?"

Stiles shrugged, "He is a human hellhound. It's a thing."

John found himself pinching his nose. "Since when?"

Edward looked at his son-in-law and wanted to laugh at the expression on his face. "Since hellhounds came to live in the Fae realm."

John regretted saying it before he even did. "Aren't they suppose to be in Hell?"

He was not too sure if Hell was real but his life was full of werewolves, Fae and other supernatural creatures. It seemed stupid to dismiss the notion.

Edward smirked, "It is not my fault that Luci' played a game of poker and leveraged a crap hand."

Stiles could see his Dad was trying to wrap his mind around the fact he'd played poker with the devil. It was a thing. It was hysterical but he thought it best not to mention the fact that he'd met the guy. The Devil was all that the bible advertised and more. The last Stiles heard Lucifer was rebelling again and taking a vacation in Los Angeles. Yep the jokes were so easy even Stiles refused to make them.

"Hey Dad. How did your date go?" Stiles was not ashamed by a blatant attempt to distract.

The deadpan response said it all, "A call-out interrupted it."

Stiles wanted his Dad's focus on the culprit of confusion. He knew if Derek hears about this, his mate would give him so much shit what he was about to do.

He didn't care.

Stiles whistled like he was summoning a dog. "Hey Parrish! Knock it off."

It did the trick. Parrish lost the flamey look. His eyes focussed, "Where am I?"

Stiles wondered if his whole evening would be dealing with stupid questions. If it was, then screw this he was getting out of here and finding Derek. They deserved some alone time. He needed some as this day was giving him a headache.

"The Preserve. Look around you Deputy."

Jordan whirled around to check the claim. If Stiles was being unkind he would make a comment about a dog chasing its tail. He didn't. "Why am I naked? Hello Sir."

The Sheriff sighed as Edward took pity on the young hellhound. It was quite something the way he'd come into his powers. He held his hands out and some leather pants appeared. He was not human and he hated the way they dressed in stupid synthetics.

Parrish blushed, "Thank you sir."

The Sheriff groaned, "Well you've just fuelled the housewives fantasies for years."

Stiles snorted knowing what his Dad was referring too. When Derek and Jordan had first qualified they would deal with nonsense call outs. All so the bored housewives could coo . It had stopped when his Dad had threatened to lock up anyone wasting police time.

Wodan shrugged, "Puppy is cute."

Stiles looked at how the Captain was staring at Jordan and wanted to groan even louder than before. "Oh no you break him and I will break you. I like him."

The Captain nodded and understood the message. He was well aware that despite what persona Stiles may chose to show - He was a Fae at heart. One who had learned their ways from the Winter King and Queen. It was a solemn vow that should any harm come to Jordan then there would be hell to pay. It was not deterring him so he knew he was in trouble.

"I will bid you all good day."

Stiles wondered why there were all still standing in the Preserve. It was not like they needed to. Justice had been served Fae style. Stiles wanted to get back to the House and find out who had inherited the Alpha mantle for the Cortez pack. The only trouble was there was his Dad, his Grandpa, Jordan and the ex-lousy Alpha to transport.

Stiles looked at his Grandpa and his suspicious nature was on high alert. "You're happy."

"Some would think that is a positive thing Gen'."

Stiles snorted, "true. This grandson knows when you're this happy ... Chaos is on its way."

Edward knew there would be no way he could placate his grandson with anything less than a perfect truth. "Carlos here helped me win a bet against your grandmother."

Stiles got it now. "Well once she has calmed down enjoy your fun."

That was all it took for his grandpa to disappear. It was typical. Grandpa got to cause chaos and then disappeared. His Dad was looking bemused so Stiles was taking that for the win. "Okay so I'm sorry your date got interrupted. Derek and I totally sympathise by the way. If you can take Carlos. I will get Parrish back and then we can have an excruciatingly painful Q and A. It will be fun."

Parrish was just about shaking off his confusion. "How are we travelling?"

Stiles smirked, "You're hopping on the Fae express."

Parrish's mind was racing. He was trying to keep up with everything he'd just learnt. It seems there was a little more to his absentee Dad than his mom had ever let on. He was aware of the supernatural, well since the Oni had come to town. He just never thought he would be one of the supernatural. Jordan was beginning to wonder just why he picked Beacon Hills to settle in once he left the army.

Stiles had grabbed a hold of Parrish and transported them back to his house. It was not easy to do unless you were of Fae origin. He was not a wizard like Harry Potter so he couldn't side-along apparate people with ease.

Derek let out a sigh of relief upon seeing his mate, "Are you hurt?"

Stiles didn't actually get a chance to confirm or deny before Derek pulled him into a wolfy hug. It was obvious Derek was using his senses to check for any injuries. He wanted to reassure his mate, "I'm good Sourwolf. Grandpa wanted answers."

Derek's nose wrinkled in confusion. "About what?"

"Me."

Derek hadn't ignored the fact Jordan was there. It was just to his instincts Stiles was more important. He looked over his partner. "Leather pants are new," was all he said.

Stiles smirked, "Well they were a gift from Grandpa. Jordan ended up naked and he made the pants to spare my Dad and Carlos."

So that answered a question. Derek had to check before he let a message go to the Cortez pack. "So he survived?"

Stiles nodded, "He did indeed. He did the only thing he could. He had to give up his power and it be his own idea."

A few of the pack were filtering into the living room. They had heard Stiles return and wanted to check on the Alpha's mate themselves. "Hubba hubba."

The blonde bombshell that was Erica was circling Parrish with an appreciative eye. The pack members didn't blink at Erica's attitude. Jordan blushed not so use to her comments. He tried to say something. "What would your partner say?"

Boyd for once answered, "She is not wrong."

Stiles could see the look of shock at hearing Boyd speak. It was the way Jordan's eyes bugged out in shock. It was just too funny or he was just way too tired. It didn't matter. He was finding it too funny. He collapsed back into Derek and giggled.

"What is wrong with Stiles?"

Derek answered his beta's question. "I suspect the day is catching up with him."

He didn't let Stiles move out of his lap. He was happy to be cuddled up with Stiles. The last few days had grated on his nerves. He was glad to have some time where he could settle his instincts even if they were not alone.

They wouldn't be wrong. Stiles took a deep breath and aimed to calm down. He knew what Derek was doing and was only too happy to enable him. He burrowed closer. "It has been an odd day. The Hunter is dead."

Erica smiled at the news. She was never going to be sorry about it. These were the people that would hunt her down and shoot her in the back if they got the chance.

Cora couldn't help but feel relieved. "Can we tell the Cortez pack?"

Stiles pulled himself off his mate. "Let's go."

Cora frowned, "I can go on my own."

Stiles didn't even blink. "You can but you're not so end of discusion."

Cora looked at her brother but she could see his approval of the plan in his eyes. She rolled her eyes, "Let's go then."

Stiles grinned, "Won't be long and by that time Dad and his guest should be here."

Cora waited to speak. It was a futile gesture as there was nowhere on the property that Derek couldn't here.

"I'm a big girl you know."

Stiles snorted, "It has nothing to do with you and everything to do with Derek and I."

Croa could admit that stopped her short. She had assumed it was because they didn't trust her not to get in trouble. "What do you mean?"

Stiles tried to be patient. "You are his sister returned to us and both of our instincts are running high. It didn't help that your reintroduction only managed to happen thanks to grandma. It was traumatic and neither one of us will be able to stop protecting you for the near future so suck it up."

Cora could argue. She was independent a product of the way she survived. Still there was a small part of her that could admit she liked that someone cared. It was nice. She wanted to let the Cortez pack know that Carlos was safe. She owed them that much at least for them having taken her in.

She stepped into the guest house. She noticed that none of the other pack rushed her. It was stupid but obvious. She now was a Hale. "Hey."

"Is he dead?"

Cora's heart went out. "Why?"

The pregnant mate laughed but it was so full of bitter irony. "This is why."

Huh.

Stiles snickered. Well maybe the pack had a chance. He couldn't wait for Carlos to find out.

Carlos' mate was now the Alpha.

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