Derek was scenting the air. If the situation hadn't been so fraught quite a few would make dog jokes. Now, was not the time. Derek and Chris both knew that they were fighting a losing battle against the worst enemy - time.

The young teenagers didn't know what was going on. They couldn't be in a worst position. Brett was trapped on a field with no cover and hunters on his tail. The rain was beating down hard on them, sapping their strength. He didn't know what to do!

It was a horrible realisation to have. He and his sister were going to die and there was nothing he could do. He was trying not to show any fear but it was hard. "Lori grab my hand."

He felt her hand and tried to squeeze it. He hated this rain. It was so slick because of the rain that her hand was slipping out of his. He felt like it was a metaphor for life. There was no way they could outrun a bullet. All he could so was zig and zag and hope for the best. The sad thing was... He'd long since stopped believing in a happy ending.

He hated the way he was having to run. He'd never felt this weak as a werewolf. It wasn't right. He could see the red dot on his clothes a few times but the distance meant the shot wasn't easy. He wouldn't make it easy either!

"Get down!" It was an Alpha's command and he obeyed it without thinking.

He hit the deck without any care for his limbs. He did his best to cradle his sister. He closed his eyes and made sure Lori couldn't see either. He flinched feeling the impact of the first bullet smack into the ground way too near to them. The explosion of wolfsbane in the air told him just how deadly the bullets were.

Having finished the call to the other Alpha Derek and Chris had raced to the football field. He just hoped they were in time. The sad thing was that neither Chris nor Derek tended towards optimism. Their lives until recently had not encouraged them to think in such ways.

Derek hadn't even got out of the car before Chris pulled him back. He quirked an eyebrow wondering why the holdup. They could both agree that time was of the essence in this situation. Chris said nothing but chose to hand him an extra gun and a knife to his service weapon.

"I don't get it." Derek was strong enough now to admit it.

Chris chuckled, "You can't go into this thinking just like a wolf hunting its prey. Your foe is human and the Sheriff should arrest them."

There was some irony to Chris's statement. He brought up the law as he cradled a rather mean looking semi-automatic. There was nothing about the weapon that said 'legal' plus Derek knew it was a perfect weapon for sniping.

Derek scowled knowing Chris had a point. When this all blew over. He would so be giving Chris shit for counselling restraint. Chris was a good pack member, even for a hunter. Derek would think that if only for the way he worshipped his Uncle Peter. Chris helped keep Peter's megalomaniac tendencies under control. Derek didn't need to know how he did it.

Derek did promise, "I will behave."

Chris smirked at the snark, "I never said behave did I?" Before adding, "But we wouldn't want John to use his disappointed face, would we?"

Derek sighed because goddamn it, he was right. He was a grown-ass Alpha with a kickass mate and pack. He shouldn't have to worry about anything. The trouble was John was both his father-in-law and boss. John had long ago mastered the crippling 'i'm disappointed in you' look. It was a thing of beauty and not even Derek was immune to the damn look. He gave in with an aggrieved, "Let's go."

The conversation they'd had occurred in seconds. They were now racing across the field. Derek may deal with this as a human but that didn't mean he wouldn't use his wolf. Derek understood what Chris was trying to say to him in the car. Chris hadn't quite grasped for him, the wolf and man were one.

Derek could use his ability to track scents like two missing betas. It wouldn't be perfect thanks to the rain but being an Alpha was not without its perks. He pointed across the stadium, "This way."

The goalpost on the far side of the field. He could see two figures crouched beside it. So the kids were running from someone but where were the chasers?

It was better to run and fight another day but only if you could reach covered ground. Derek heard the first shot and shouted, "Get Down."

They needed to play this smart. Chris had brought the big gun so it was time to use it. "Chris, do something about that would you?" He growled.

It may have been dark and soaking wet but there was a slightly demented grin on his uncle's mates face. You couldn't miss it. Hell, he was starting to see why he and Peter were so good together.

All Chris said was, "Dream bigger Derek."

Derek was never letting Stiles pick the movie for movie night again. The gun exploded in a burst of fire and gunpowder. It lit the night sky up like a firework. It could have been majestic if you didn't know it was a weapon. He dived over the smaller betas, trusting the hunter's aim to be better. He heard the yelp in the distance and grinned at the abrupt landing.

Derek shrugged seeing Chris' weird look towards him. "The assassin is not so badass that gravity won't win in a fall."

They stalked forward, guns trained on their supposed assassins. Derek was going to make sure they didn't escape. He wanted this whole affair wrapped up sooner, rather than later.

"I ... They dead Alpha?"

It was the beta asking, knowing with his hearing Derek would still hear.

Derek snorted, "No but they failed which is better. They have to live with the shame of the failure."

Chris agreed but saw how young their assassin was, "Christ you could be at school with my daughter."

Derek agreed with him knew who she was, "It is why they call you the orphans isn't it?"

The girl was spunky he'd give her that, "I ain't telling you shit!"

Derek shrugged not caring about her. The brother was a concern but he wouldn't be too far away. They'd hit the alarm for back-up so he knew they were about to be overrun by his teammates. Sure enough, he could hear the sirens.

It would be John's problem soon enough and they could go and sleep. Sleep sounded so good right now.

The members of the Hale pack in the school just wanted to go home and celebrate with the rest of their pack. It was too early to celebrate not that they would know it. It was true that they had managed to arrest many of the assassins but they did mean they had them all.

In fact, they didn't have all the assassins, as one more remained in the area. He was a more specialist hunter and didn't care for werewolves as they were not exotic enough for him. He liked to trade in the rare stuff. You wouldn't believe what you could get on the black market for Fae skin, hair and blood.

It was a lot.

There were three high-value targets all in this one little town. When he got to town he found to his delight that his targets were all friends and travelled together. It made things useful for him at least. If only they would move away from the Sheriff's office. He liked money but he wasn't stupid.

As all good hunters did, he tracked and observed his prey. He needed to find the right time to strike. In a great piece of fortune, the two younger targets rolled together. He was naive enough to think they would be less dangerous due to not carrying gun.

He was fortunate enough to find some high ground near the school. It was far enough away to make a quick exit possible but close enough to mean he'd make the shot.

It was a good thing that patience was a learnt skill. The group had entered the school alongside the Sheriff and another Deputy who was also on his list. The day was looking better and better! He'd waited an hour, he could wait another hour he could make over 150 million from three bullets.

The door opened and his scope was pointed right at the entrance. He breathed in and out, did all the mental calculations needed; the wind, rain etc. He would be successful.

He took the shot.

Across the way from the cranky assassin. The pack were revelling in the fact they were all alive and one of the crazy twins was in custody.

Stiles was leaning into Derek. He was using their link to whisper all the filthy things he wanted to do. All he wanted to do was sleep as he was way past exhausted. He was definitely going to take a trip to his grandparents this weekend to replenish his magicks. He wouldn't have a choice.

"Are you two off duty now?" Stiles asked, not wanting to part from his mate just yet.

Parrish snorted, knowing that Stiles may not have the most altruistic reasons. He didn't care too much if he could get off duty. "Yeah, something about an arrest reward."

Stiles grinned at the news. "All good. Let's go I just wanna sleep the weekend away."

All the pack quirked an eyebrow at him, suggesting they knew he was lying. Okay so maybe the plan was to only sleep for the first part. He could not be accountable for the hotness that was his mate. His mind drifted to all the things that he loved about Derek.

It was then it happened.

The sickening noise that they all recognised.

The short, sharp spit of a gun firing.

Stiles rocked backwards with the impact, landing on the ground hard. There was something wrong. He knew it as soon as he dropped. The bullet was doing too much damage. He wasn't like his wolves but he could heal quite fast. There was only one explanation there must be iron in it. He needed help fast. He spluttered as his lungs tried to take in more oxygen. A cough was wet and Stiles was smart enough to know what was the cause. He didn't look to confirm the blood.

He was fading fast and his brain was focussing on keeping him alive. He heard Derek growl, he heard the scream.

Did this mean he was going to die? He hoped not. He had too much to do.

There was fur under his fingers and it was getting darker. His eyes were still open at least he thinks they were. Why had Derek changed?

Chaos and pandemonium reigned supreme. No one was handling Stiles gunshot too well. Derek was going out of his mind. This was his mate that someone had dared attack. No one could begrudge him changing into his Alpha form.

He knew he couldn't fix a bullet wound but his Alpha form was big enough to prevent a barrier. Derek had only smelled iron in the bullet and they wouldn't harm him. In all honesty, Derek would have put himself in front a wolfsbane bullet for Stiles.

Jordan and Lydia had extreme reactions also, they were lucky. The services had gone from the entrance. As a result, they didn't need to explain why Parrish was standing aflame in front of his Alpha's.

Lydia screamed as harsh as she could manage. It was not a death scream but rather an attempt to damage an enemy. She was tapping into her powers in a primal way she couldn't explain. All she knew was someone had dared to harm her Alphas and they would pay.

Edward had felt the distress of his grandson and appeared to see what was going on. He didn't think, just reacted.

It happened too quick. All the pack knew was that when the dust settled, there was no Derek, Stiles or Jordan.

Just a too large crimson stain left behind.

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