AN: Hey, sorry it took me a bit to get this chapter out. The prologue comes after this and wraps up this story (as prologues do). After which I can give some more specifics about the future, but I do plan to finish writing at least until 1 story past 6B. I'll hopefully be posting the prologue and the update along with it before the end of the year, or the very start of the new year.
Until then, I hope you're all having a great holiday season and I'll see you all soon.
Connected
Liam pried the elevator door open and Jay followed him into the hallway. The pair looked around as the emergency lights flickered in the completely empty hallway. They walked to the front desk before turning back to where Theo fought the Riders.
"That's new," Jay whispered, turning back to the desk and spotting a train station schedule.
The top arrival flipped through different locations before stopping on Beacon Hills. The canceled notification flipped to on time and the two stared at each other briefly before running out of the hospital.
"Out of time," August muttered as the cancelation notification next to Beacon Hills flipped to on time. Stiles stared up at the board silently next to the hunter. The two looked down as the wind blew a ticket past their feet.
"Stiles," they heard Lydia's voice whisper.
"August," they heard Steve's voice echo through the station at the same time. The two looked at each other before turning to the back of the station where the voices came from as they repeated their call.
"Lydia?" Stiles asked as they took a step forward.
"Attention all passengers. The train will be arriving in twenty-five minutes," the PA announcer's voice echoed. The two paused, looking up to the speakers. The voice they had heard previously changed, now sounding like two voices echoing each other. The rest of the passengers got to their feet and moved toward the tunnel behind August and Stiles. The pair barely heard Steve and Lydia's voice repeat the call over the rumble of the crowd.
"Steve!" August shouted as he and Stiles tried to push their way through the oncoming crowd.
"Lydia!" Stiles called out as the voices became stronger.
The two froze when they heard a gunfire behind them. The crowd shuffled away from the gunshot as the two turned around. "Give the boys some room," Stilinski ordered, lowering his gun.
"Dad?" Stiles asked moving back toward his father. "Dad?" he repeated, running to hug Stilinski.
"Oh, I found you," Stilinski sighed as he embraced his son.
"Wish I could say I'm happy to see you, Sheriff, but—" August started.
"I know," the sheriff sighed, letting go of Stiles. "But I can't believe I found you."
"Dad, I can hear Lydia," Stiles told him. "I think—I think we can get to her. I think she can get us out of here."
Thunder clapped from down the tunnel and the sound of horses whinnying echoed throughout the station. The three of them looked at the tunnel as they heard the horses gallop toward them. "You need to get out of here," Stilinski said, turning back to the boys. "Don't worry about me."
"What you're kidding right?" Stiles asked, following after his dad as the sheriff pulled out his gun and headed for the tunnel.
"Go," Stilinski ordered, stopping Stiles. "Get help. Find your friends."
"Yeah, what about you?" Stiles asked.
Stilinski turned back around, smiling at Stiles. "We'll find each other again."
"Dad," Stiles called out.
"Stiles, I'll hold them back. Now get the hell out of here. Go. Go!"
"We need to hurry," August whispered, pulling Stiles back. They watched as the sheriff disappeared into the tunnel before sprinting down the tracks toward the portal Peter crossed through. The portal burst open as they neared, blinding them and causing them to come to a stop.
"When I kissed you—" the heard Lydia mutter.
"Protegimus—" Steve's voice echoed.
The two shielded their eyes and continued walking toward the portal.
"Stiles! Keep going!" Lydia called out to them.
"You're almost there!" Steve shouted as they stepped through the portal.
"You're almost there!" Steve shouted as the silhouettes grew larger. Lydia reached out toward the two as the light faded away. "No," Steve gasped, as he watched the silhouettes disappear.
"Stiles?" Lydia asked, her arm falling to her side.
"No, no, no, no," Steve muttered, walking forward.
"Lydia?" Scott asked as the other alpha continued muttering to himself.
"Where is he?" Lydia sobbed.
Fiona moved past the other banshee, grabbing Steve. "It was working," Steve whispered as Fiona turned him around. Tears started to fall down the alphas cheek as the Fiona, Malia, and Scott looked between each other before turning back to Lydia and Steve.
"You saw them, right?" Lydia asked.
"We didn't see anyone," Malia told her.
"It could have been a residual effect from the hypnosis," Fiona added.
"No, they were here," Lydia whispered and her eyes filled with tears. "I know it. Stiles was here."
August pushed himself off the pavement, rubbing his head as he looked around. His eyes narrowed when he spotted the school, but jumped when a light came on behind him and he heard Stiles gasp. The hunter turned and saw Stiles sitting in his Jeep. August ran to the passenger side door and hopped.
Stiles nodded at the hunter before turning to the backseat. He paused noticing the sword sticking out between them. "Why the hell is my sword in your Jeep?" August asked, sliding it out of the way.
"Who cares?" Stiles said, shifting the Jeep's gears. "Let's go find the others."
"Head to the pack house first," August stated. "I still don't have the link. I think I need to be reconnected."
"Not really sure what that means, but okay," Stiles muttered as he peeled out of the parking lot.
"I know they were there," Steve protested as Malia, Scott, and Fiona pulled him and Lydia back into the bunker.
A hand reached out and pulled the door open as Scott was about to close it. "Liam?" Scott asked, turning to the panting beta.
"What is it?" Steve asked, turning to Jay.
"You're gonna want to see this," Jay panted.
"You're still here?" Scott asked, surprised.
"But everyone else is gone," Liam stated. "All of them. They're all gone."
"You guys have to come with us," Jay repeated.
"What? Why?" Steve asked.
"I can't explain it. I have to show you," Liam stated.
"Uh—alright," Scott stuttered before turning back to Malia and the banshees. "You guys stay here. Just in case."
"In case Stiles and August come back?" Malia asked.
"If there's any hope, you need to keep trying," Scott stated.
"Stay with them," Steve said, looking to Jay. The werecheetah nodded and moved in toward the others. "Let me know as soon as he turns up," Steve said before he and Scott ran after Liam, closing the door behind them.
"Steve!" August shouted as he and Stiles ran into the dark pack house. "Steve!"
"Doesn't look like anyone's home," Stiles muttered.
"Doesn't matter," August said, running up the stairs.
"Doesn't matter?" Stiles asked running after him. "What the hell do you mean it doesn't matter?"
"We know they're still here," August replied, as he got to the top of the stairs. "They brought us back through the portal, so they're somewhere. What the—?" August muttered as he opened his door and found bullets scattered across the ground.
"Scott's house next," Stiles stated, nodding toward the stairs.
August nodded, opening his closet and grabbing his pistol and staff. "Here," he shouted, tossing a bat to Stiles. Stiles nodded and the two ran down the stairs and hopped back into the Jeep before speeding off down the road.
They jumped out as soon as Stiles pulled up to Scott's house, running inside. "Scott!" Stiles called out, running to the stairs before calling for Scott again. The two of them turned to each other, shaking their heads before running back to the Jeep.
They drove the sheriff's station and ran inside, stopping when they noticed no one was there and the ground was covered in leaves. They walked further in, looking at the bare desks, the usual contents strewn across the floor. They paused when they noticed the shattered window leading into the sheriff's office. They turned to leave, but Stiles paused, looking at the radio.
"What is it?" August asked.
"Maybe we are all that's left," Stiles muttered.
"Not even the Ghost Riders could take out Steve and Scott," August assured him. Stiles looked back with a frown on his face. "We just have to keep looking." Stiles nodded slowly before they ran out of the station.
"What're you doing?" Lydia muttered as Malia opened the door.
"We're going to go find Stiles and August."
"Scott told us to stay here in case they showed up," Lydia stated.
"They aren't coming here. If they were, they would've, so they aren't. You still think it worked, right?"
"I know I saw them," Lydia said.
"And you're never wrong about these things," Malia said.
"But Fiona didn't—" Lydia muttered.
"But Steve did," Fiona interrupted. "So, they must be somewhere."
"See, you're never wrong," Malia repeated.
"I wouldn't say never."
"So, you're wrong now?" Jay asked.
"No, I'm not wrong," Lydia stated, pointing to the ground. "Stiles is out there. I can feel it."
"Then let's go find them," Fiona said, following after Malia with Jay right behind her. Lydia sighed before running after the others.
Steve stepped into the hospital behind Scott and the others. They made their way to the front desk before stopping and staring at the tracks leading down the hallway. The two alphas followed the tracks before looking at each other. "This is happening everywhere?" Scott asked.
"Here, the school, the lacrosse field," Liam listed.
"But how?" Steve asked, turning to Scott. "This didn't happen at Canaan."
Scott shook his head as they took a few steps down the tracks. "What does this mean?" Scott asked, turning back to the board behind the front desk.
"It means it's working," Mr. Douglas stated from the other side of the hall. The four of them slowly turned to face the former German soldier.
"This looks fresh," Lydia said, feeling the tire marks left on the ground in the school parking lot.
Fiona looked around the parking lot, searching for any sign of the Jeep. "How'd they get the Jeep started without the keys?" Fiona asked.
"Half the time he got it started with a screwdriver," Malia explained.
"Then they're here. We have to tell Scott and Steve," Lydia said.
"They've got something else to worry about," Fiona said. "We'll have to find them ourselves."
"Well, they can't have gotten far," Jay said.
"We should probably tell them about that," Malia muttered, pulling Fiona and Lydia toward the school and toward a set of railroad tracks.
"That's what Liam and I were coming to show them. It's happening all over the place," Jay explained.
Fiona stared at the tracks before turning to Jay. "Steve and the others are in trouble. Go help them." Jay nodded before sprinting toward the hospital. "This didn't happen in Canaan," Fiona muttered.
"It's probably that freak Nazi doing this," Malia spat, stepping on the tracks.
"What're you doing?" Fiona asked.
"Figuring out where these leads," the werecoyote replied before heading down the track toward the school.
Mr. Douglas roared at the werewolves as he shifted. The three werewolves shifted and roared back.
"He can't take on all three of us," Liam said.
"No way," Scott replied.
"Hollenhund!" Mr. Douglas called.
They turned as they heard a roar behind them. Parrish started walking toward them, his body covered in green embers. "Parrish. Parrish, you don't wanna do this. Stop!" Scott said, trying to reach out to the hellhound with no effect.
"The train is coming, boys," Douglas stated, as he stalked toward them. "There's no stopping the Wild Hunt. You'll make a fine Ghost Rider, Scott. And I'll have a true alpha by my side."
"Parrish! Stop!" Scott ordered.
"Why am I always overlooked," Steve growled, turning back to face Douglas.
"Oh, your pack wasn't," Douglas replied with a smile. "Your pack link, two banshees, a kitsune, a werelion, a werecheetah, a werecoyote—"
"A Stiles?" a voice said from one another hall.
"What?" Douglas asked as the door next to him swung open. Stiles stepped forward, swinging the bat at Mr. Douglas's head and knocking him to the ground.
"Bad guy, right? I didn't misread that?" Stiles asked
"Why is it always the cute ones?" August asked stepping out behind Stiles. The two jumped back as Mr. Douglas returned to his feet.
Steve ducked as Liam and Scott threw Parrish over him and into Mr. Douglas. "Cute one?" Steve asked, narrowing his eyes at August.
August smirked before running forward and kissing Steve. Stiles ran behind him, hugging Scott. "Oh, it's so good to see," Stiles grunted as Scott squeezed him. "And Steve," Stiles said, turning to greet the other alpha, but stopped when he noticed him and August still kissing. "I'll get ya later."
"Hey, Hey!" Liam shouted, tapping Stiles's shoulder.
"Big Liam," Stiles shouted, hugging the beta. "It's so good to see you too."
"Hey, it's great to see you Stiles, but—" Liam started before the hallway illuminated with a green light.
Steve pulled away from August and saw Parrish engulfed in green flame standing next to Mr. Douglas. "Okay, yeah. We should go," Stiles stated. The five of them ran toward the exit as Jay came running toward them.
"Running!" August shouted, flicking out his staff as a wave of fire burst out from the hallway. Jay grabbed the staff, and August helped swing him around just before the werecheetah ran straight into the fire. The pair resumed sprinting after the others.
Fiona, Lydia, and Malia followed the tracks through the dark courtyard before stopping at the library doors. Dim light filtered through the smoke glass windows contrasting against the rest of the pitch-black school. They opened the doors and found the room filled with benches and people instead of books and tables. Old street lamps filled the room with a dull yellow light as the people on the benches stared straight ahead or at their magazines.
"Why's there a train station in the middle of the library?" Malia asked as they stood in the entryway.
"There's also a train station in the Wild Hunt," Lydia muttered.
"Any chance they're connected?"
"Probably a pretty good chance," Fiona replied.
"Like one hundred percent," Lydia added walking past the benches.
"If there's a train station, then there probably a train," Malia said.
"And if there's a train—" Lydia started.
"It's going to the Wild Hunt," Fiona finished, staring at all the people.
"They're all gonna be taken."
"They can't get on that train," Lydia stated.
"Um—" Malia gasped, looking around the station before moving to the center of the room. "Listen up everybody. We've all gotta get out of here. We've gotta go right now. It's bad! We have to go!" she shouted when none of the passengers moved.
"Hello?" Lydia shouted in the face of one of the women sitting on the bench, snapping her fingers in her face.
Fiona watched as Malia waved her hand in front of one of the men. "Uh, hello? Sir?"
"They can't hear you," Fiona mumbled. "It's like their bodies are here, but their minds are somewhere else."
"Somewhere in the Hunt," Lydia realized, standing and looking around the room.
"How do we get them to leave if they can't hear us?" Malia asked.
"Maybe there is someone who can," Lydia muttered staring at a man on the bench.
Malia walked up and stared at him. "Peter?" she whispered.
Kaia ran through the station, searching for the rest of the pack. Every time she stepped through the doors, she appeared to be in a different station, almost exactly like the last one, but with different people. "Charlie! Zach!" she called out as she stepped into a new station. "Where are you?" she mumbled, searching for the next door.
She froze when she heard a screech coming from a closet door on the other side of the station. She ran forward, before flinging the door open. Zach sat on the ground, shielding his eyes from the light as he looked at the kitsune. "Boy, am I glad to see you," Zach stated, cracking a smile after his eyes adjusted to the light.
"What happened to you?" she asked as she approached him. She noticed chains attached to his arms, keeping him pinned to the ground. "Why would they chain you up?"
"Probably 'cause I can still do this," Zach replied as Kaia jumped out of the way of his sprouting wings.
Kaia held up her hand and tried to summon a flame. A spark shot out from her hand, but nothing else happened. "How?"
"Doesn't matter, hold the door open."
Dust blew through the doorway with a gust of wind fly as Kaia held the door and Zach started to flap his wings. The thud of Zach's wings grew louder as she heard the chains tighten before hearing the metal and concrete strain against the force. "Come on!" Zach shouted as the thud of his wings grew louder. Kaia heard a snap as Zach came barreling out of the closet. "Oh, that feels good!" Zack shouted, rubbing his wrists as he hovered near the ceiling.
"Corey?" Mason called out as he stepped through the doors and into the station with Zach and Kaia. Kaia ran over to Mason as Hayden ran out behind him, Zach landing beside them. "Have you seen Corey?" Mason asked, grabbing Kaia.
Kaia shook her head at the boy. "But you two were taken the same night," Hayden stated.
"I know, but I was alone when I got here."
"Maybe they put him in a closet," Zach suggested, causing Hayden and Mason to narrow their eyes at him.
"Why would they do that?" Hayden asked.
"Zach still has access to his abilities. I bet Corey does too," Kaia stated. "Since they were made by the Dread Doctors, they don't follow the same rules as the rest of us."
"Worth a shot," Hayden muttered as the two moved to check the closets in this station.
"Does the link still work?" Zach asked, turning to Kaia. "I think they did something to mine, but we should be able to find Charlie faster with it."
Kaia shook her head at him. "The link was severed between all of us when the Ghost Riders took Charlie."
"I didn't even think even the Ghost Riders could get Charlie," Zach sighed, closing a closet door.
"It's a long story," Kaia sighed.
Mason and Hayden rejoined the two, panting. "We've searched fifty-seven rooms before this, and who knows how many more we'll have to check. Not to mention the closets," Mason sighed. "We're never going to find him."
"We'll help you," Kaia stated. "We're still looking for Charlie. We'll find them together." Zach spread his wings and prepared to fly through the tunnel, but Kaia grabbed him. "We should probably stick together.
"Attention, all passengers," an echoed voice called out from the PA system. "The train will be arriving in nineteen minutes."
"Okay, we're running out of time," Mason muttered, moving through the rows of benches.
"Mason, you always know where he is," Hayden assured him.
"Yeah, except for right now," Mason scoffed.
"But you'll find him eventually," Hayden told him. "Just clear your mind and focus."
Mason shook his head as the PA voice came back. "Attention, all passengers. The train will be arriving in nineteen minutes."
Mason paused and looked up at the speaker as the voice finished. "It's him," Mason stated.
"Charlie," Zach gasped, staring at the speaker as well. "How the hell did I miss that after all this time?"
Stiles ran ahead as the others followed him. He ducked into one of the hospital rooms as they rounded a corner, digging through the mess. "I can't believe I'm gone a couple days and the whole place falls apart," Stiles stated.
"No, you were gone for three months," Scott explained.
"Wait, what?" August and Stiles said in unison, stopping and turning back to the others.
"Yeah, it's been an interesting time," Jay told them.
"Not the word I would choose," Steve commented.
"Okay, if they don't let me graduate—I swear to God," Stiles muttered before running into another room and digging around.
"What're you looking for?" Liam asked.
"Ah, this!" Stiles shouted, bringing out of a tank of liquid nitrogen with a nozzle attached to the end and setting it on the ground. "And him," Stiles added, looking up as Parrish. The hellhound was still covered in green fire and growled as he approached the group. "Grab him," Stiles ordered, looking back to Scott and Steve. The two alphas hesitated, looking at each other. "Grab him, now," Stiles repeated.
The two alphas nodded at each other before running toward Parrish, shifting. They grabbed his burning body and slammed him against the wall while Stiles doused them with the liquid nitrogen.
"You okay?" August asked, running up to Steve as the fire surrounding Parrish went out and the hellhound collapsed to the ground.
"Oh God," Stiles muttered, rolling his eyes. "He's fine."
"Stiles, what're you doing here?" Parrish asked, looking up to the boy.
"Buddy, love you, but we're way past that, okay? You gotta fill us in on what's going on."
"Douglas—He's merging the worlds so the Ghost Riders can cross over," Parrish explained.
"Yeah, he wants his supernatural army in our world," Liam added.
"Army?" August asked.
"For Der Fuehr," Jay commented.
August and Stiles started at the werecheetah for a moment. "How do we stop him?" Scott asked.
"The train—It's coming," Parrish stated, looking to the boarding schedule on the wall.
"Okay, and how do we stop that?" Steve asked.
"You can't stop it," Parrish told them. "But you can divert it."
"What? And make it someone else's problem?" Steve asked.
"At least buy us some time to stop it down the road," August told him.
"How do we divert the train?" Stiles asked.
"Follow the tracks, there'll be a switch," Parrish explained.
Steve sighed, looking at the tracks in the hospital. "These don't seem to be going anywhere, where did you say there were more?" he asked, turning to Jay and Liam.
"The school, the—"
"It's always the school," August groaned before running toward the exit.
"Place to start at least," Stiles muttered before following after him. The others ran after the two. August and Stiles hopped in the Jeep while the others ran behind them. They regrouped in the school parking lot and headed toward the tracks.
"Okay, how the hell do you merge worlds?" Stiles asked once they reached the tracks and headed toward the school. "Okay, nowhere in the manual does it say werewolves can do that. And Scott and I pretty much wrote the manual."
"Well, from my understanding of our manual, just about anything is possible," August commented.
"But the point is, we can't even move between them. Look at how hard it was to break you two out," Scott added.
"Yeah, but Douglas isn't exactly like us," Steve stated. "He ate a Ghost Rider's brain."
"That's disgusting," Stiles grimaced, turning back to face Steve.
"We can't move between worlds, but Corey can," Liam muttered in realization. "He can exist in both worlds."
"And he can take people with him," Scott added.
"Yeah, but he'd have to touch them first," Jay commented.
"Or let them see the other world at the very least," Steve stated.
"He's using both Corey and Charlie to bring the world here," Jay realized.
"Which explains why we lost the link. It didn't go away, it had just been repurposed," Steve added.
"So, Corey and Charlie are the key," Liam stated.
"Interesting theory, okay," Stiles said gesturing at the beta. "Solid logic. It is, but he's in there and we're out here. So, the only way to save everyone now is to just divert the train."
"We have to find them," Liam said.
"How?" Stiles asked.
"I'm going into the Hunt," Liam responded.
"No, Liam, I think you're confused," Stiles said, stepping toward the beta. "We're trying to get people out of the Hunt."
"But what if the best way to do that is from the inside?" Steve asked.
"He could get taken by a Ghost Rider," Scott said.
"But what if we need everyone we can muster out here?" August asked.
Jay turned and noticed Liam looking at green smoke emanating from a set of hoofprints in the grass as the others continued to argue. "Being taken isn't even a pleasant option. I'm speaking from experience," Stiles said.
"You thinking what I'm thinking?" Jay whispered as Liam turned to face the werecheetah.
"I don't have to get taken to get into the Hunt," Liam exclaimed.
"Okay, seems like you two have an idea. Let's disc—" Stiles started before Jay and Liam ran off toward the school. "Where are you going?"
"We'll be back," Liam shouted over his shoulder as he sprinted after Jay.
"Were we like that?" Stiles asked looking after the two.
"Worse," Scott replied.
"Think he'll ever grow out of his impulsiveness?" August asked as they watched the two disappear around a corner.
"Jay? Never," Steve chuckled. "Might be hope for Liam."
"Well, Parrish said to follow the tracks," Scott sighed.
"Yeah, well those lead into the woods," Stiles said, pointing away from the school, before turning back to the school. "This way back to the school."
"You wanna split up?" Scott asked.
"Never again," Stiles replied.
"Thank god," Scott sighed. Stiles clapped the alpha's shoulder as the two headed toward the woods.
"Should we go the other way?" August asked, looking to Steve.
"If Jay finds the switch that way, I'm sure he'll press it for us," Steve replied before the two headed after Scott and Stiles.
Jay ran up the balcony stairs and waited for Liam at the top. "There she is," the werecheetah said, pointing at the horse grazing on the lacrosse field.
"I hate horses," Liam sighed, looking down at it.
"Think it will work?" Jay asked.
"Yeah," Liam sighed as he started to climb over the rail. "Nice horse," Liam called out before a Ghost Rider grabbed him by the neck and pulled him back.
Jay spun around as another Rider reached for him. The werecheetah ducked before kicking the Rider back and over the railing. He turned to help Liam, but Theo ran up, stabbing the Ghost Rider in the back with his claws, causing it to shriek. It released Liam and Theo grabbed it by its neck, holding it back as Liam crawled away.
"You look like hell," Jay muttered, looking at Theo's torn, bloody shirt and the soot covering his body.
"Yeah, just got back from there," Theo grunted. "What's the plan?"
"Steal the horse and get to the Hunt," Liam explained.
"You're kidding, right?" Theo asked. Jay turned when he heard the Rider he kicked down early moving for the stairs. "I went through all of this to keep you from being taken."
"You need a hand?" Liam asked as Theo continued to struggle against the Rider. Jay shifted as he stepped past Theo and toward the stairs.
"I'm good," Theo grunted, spinning and pinning the Rider to the railing.
"You better hurry," Jay said, looking to Liam as the Ghost Rider's spurs clanged up the stairs.
Liam nodded before running for the railing and leaping off. Theo struck the Rider's face and kicked it to the ground as Jay ran after the Rider on the stairs, who had turned to go after Liam. Jay leapt after it, it's body crumpling beneath him as he slammed his fists into its head. Jay looked up and watched Liam try to guide the horse.
"You know how to ride a horse?" Theo called down to the beta.
"Not really," Liam shouted back, spinning in circles before galloping away.
"Aren't you going with?" Theo shouted down to Jay.
"Only one horse," Jay called back, returning to his feet. "Besides, fighting Ghost Riders is kind of fun."
"You're in a better mood," Theo commented.
"My friends are coming back."
"Peter!" Malia shouted in the man's face.
"Malia," Lydia sighed.
"What?" Malia asked waving her hand in front of Peter's face before snapping her fingers at him.
"The only way we were able to break through the Hunt is with an emotional connection," Lydia explained.
"Dang. I wish I could help," Malia sighed. Lydia's face tightened as she looked at Malia. "I'm not saying it. I'm not saying it," Malia whined.
"Okay," Lydia said, turning from the werecoyote. "Well, I guess everyone dies."
"Actually worse," Fiona reminded her.
Malia stomped her foot, growling lightly at the banshees and causing them to turn toward her. Malia grimaced and turned back to Peter. "Dad," she said flatly, repeating herself a couple times, louder, but still flat.
"Say it like you mean it," Lydia told her.
Malia looked at her, about to protest, before her mouth closed and she turned to Peter. She knelt next to him and took a breath. "Dad, please wake up," she begged. "Dad," she whispered.
Peter looked up, opening his hands and dropping the newspaper he was holding before getting to his feet and smiling at Malia.
"The train will be arriving in seventeen minutes," Corey and Charlie said in unison over the PA system.
"You're sure it's them?" Hayden asked.
"I know his smile," Mason said. "I know his touch. And I know that's his voice," he told her, pointing to the speaker.
"I've been beat down then told what I did wrong by that voice too many times to forget it," Zach added, causing Hayden to look at him.
"Okay, we just have to figure out where their voices are coming from," Kaia sighed.
Mason's head turned as he looked up to the ceiling. Kaia followed his gaze and traced the wire leading away from the speaker. They paused when they heard a horse whinny from down the tunnel. "We have to go," Hayden warned them.
"Just give me a minute, I have to find—" Mason started.
"We don't have a minute they're coming," Hayden said, interrupting him.
"Then I'll fight them while you look," Zach hissed, before launching himself into the air toward the approaching horse.
"Whoa!" Liam shouted, bringing the horse to a halt as Zach approached. Zach recognized the voice and swooped out of the way, just being colliding with the beta.
The crowd of passengers screamed and scattered as Liam dismounted. "Liam?" Hayden asked. Liam ran toward her before kissing her. "When'd you learn how to ride a horse?"
"Just now," Liam chuckled, looking back to the horse.
"So, what exactly are we looking for?" Steve asked as they continued walking through the woods.
"That," Stiles sighed, pointing to a lever on the side of the track.
"Wait, down," Scott ordered, grabbing Stiles and pulling him behind a forked tree.
"What'd you see?" Steve asked as he and August ran up to join them.
"Nothing, but it can't be this easy."
"Yes, it can, Scott," Stiles stated. "It can be this easy. For once, let's do easy."
"I'm down for easy," August added, stepping out from behind the tree. Stiles squeezed between the trees and ran, with his arm out, to grab the lever. The two alphas shrugged and followed after the others.
"Oh, god," Stiles gasped as a whip wrapped around his wrist before flinging him back. The others turned as Stiles hit the ground, seeing Douglas, holding his whip. "Or not," Stiles gasped before Douglas pulled on the rope, causing Stiles to disappear in a cloud of green smoke.
"Go," Steve growled nodding to August as the two alphas shifted and faced Douglas. August turned back toward the lever as Douglas's whip flung back around and grabbed his ankle, dropping him to the ground before vanishing.
Steve and Scott charged forward as Douglas raised his revolver, firing at both alphas and causing them to vanish.
August slammed into a set of lockers before landing on something soft. "Get off," Stiles grunted beneath the hunter as he pushed August off him.
August lifted himself up, staring around the locker room he and Stiles were in. "So, much for easy," August sighed.
"Attention, all passengers," the PA voice echoed in the library after Lydia asked for Peter's help in stopping the passengers. The passengers got to their feet and headed for the tunnel as Peter watched, sitting on the back of the bench. "The train will be arriving in twelve minutes."
"Charlie?" Fiona gasped, looking around the ceiling for the speaker.
"You want me to stop them?" Peter asked. "You know how many there are?"
"Yeah, a lot of them," Malia replied, pulling him to his feet. "So, get going."
"There are hundreds of waiting room in this train station, which apparently now also serves as a high school library," he added, gesturing at the room. "It's impossible."
"We can try," Malia said pulling Peter toward the tunnel
"Where do you get this implausible optimism?"
"Definitely not from my father," Malia commented as they walked.
"Nor your mother," Fiona added, joining the others.
"We don't have time for this. We just need someone to hear us," Lydia said, interrupting them all.
"I think we already did," Peter mentioned as a Ghost Riders stepped through the tunnel. The passengers moved back as Fiona and Lydia moved in front of Malia and Peter. The Ghost Rider flicked out his coat, revealing his revolver, and waiting for their move.
Scott and Steve slid across the floor as they were thrown through a portal. "We can't get taken, cause the Hunt's already here," Steve panted as he and Scott got to their feet.
"Then where are Stiles and August?" Scott asked.
Steve's eyes widened before he and Scott ran into the hallway, calling for the others. They rounded the corner and nearly collided with Stiles and August.
"Are you okay?" Scott asked as Steve hugged August.
"I think so. I finally saw the girl's locker room," Stiles commented. "It's not that different. It's kind of disappointing."
"I could have told you that," Steve commented.
"What happened? Why weren't we taken into the Hunt?" August asked.
"The worlds are merging, we're both in the Hunt and out of it," Stiles explained as they moved down the hall.
"Like Schrodinger's Cat," August muttered.
"Sure," Stiles nodded. "I think they're collapsing in on each other."
"Attention, all passengers, the train will be arriving in eleven minutes," a voice echoed through the halls.
"We gotta get back to that diverter," Scott said as they ran toward the door. A flash of green light blinded them briefly and Steve felt his back arch as he fell to the floor, landing on something round. He heard Scott grunt in pain next to him. The light vanished and Steve looked around. The two alphas were in a closet. Steve sat up and realized he had landed on a tank of nitrogen that was stolen from the hospital. The two got to their feet and exited the closet, stepping into the physics classroom.
They turned toward the window as they heard the Ghost Riders shrieking outside before hearing a horse whinny in the hallway.
Malia roared as she stepped past Lydia and Fiona, her blue eyes glowing as she flicked out her claws.
"Stay behind me," Lydia said as she and Fiona pushed Malia back. "They won't take a banshee."
"You sure about that?" Peter asked as the Rider snapped his whip at them. Peter ran forward, slashing at the Rider, but passing right through as if the Rider were made of air. Peter tried again before stepping back. The passengers screamed as they ran out of the library and Peter resumed his attempted attack on the Ghost Rider.
Fiona, Lydia, and Malia ran to the back of the library, but they came to a stop when another Rider cracked his whip at Lydia. Malia shoved the banshee aside, knocking her into Fiona, and the whip connected with the werecoyote's arm. Malia cried out in pain, grabbing her arm. "Malia!" Peter shouted, rushing over to his daughter. "Lydia," he called, guiding Malia toward the banshees.
The two Riders moved to either side of Peter. He growled, looking between the two before running at the one that struck Malia. Fiona and the others watched as he pushed off the bench, jumping forward, and kicking the Rider in the chest. For a moment, it looked like Peter's legs would go through the Rider, but the air around the Rider rippled before knocking it back and up the stairs.
"He did it," Malia gasped, still holding her arm. Peter ran forward to strike the Rider again, but was kicked away. The Rider returned to its feet and stepped toward Peter, preparing to strike. Peter grabbed the Rider and threw it toward the other Rider, who stepped out of the way and continued to close in on Peter. The Rider tried to punch Peter, but the werewolf blocked the attack, kneeing the Rider in the chest before moving behind to choke it. The Rider stepped forward, launching Peter over it and slamming him onto the ground.
Peter shook his head and moved to stand, but was grabbed by the other Rider and lifted into the air by his throat. The Rider slammed the werewolf into the wall and began choking him. "Malia, go," Peter grunted. Malia, Lydia, and Fiona headed for the door as Peter kicked his assailant away. He was thrown onto the bench by the other Rider. As it neared, Peter kicked it way. The first Rider returned to his feet, grabbing Peter by the throat as he tried to roll off the bench and lifting the werewolf into the air again.
The three girls glanced back as they fled. Fiona and Lydia continued on, but Malia roared and charged the Ghost Riders attacking her dad.
"Malia!" Lydia called out, sliding to a stop.
"We have to go," Fiona said, pulling Lydia with her. "We have to help the others."
Lydia looked back toward the library before following after Fiona.
Scott and Steve ran around the corner of the hallway. They came to a stop midway through the hall when they heard a Ghost Rider shriek behind them. They turned to face it, but turned back when they heard another Rider approach from behind. The two alphas looked at each other as the Riders drew their guns.
Scott and Steve split as the Riders opened fire, slowly walking closer to the alphas. Steve flipped over a bullet before slamming into the wall. He looked across and saw Scott pinned down against the other wall.
"We have to get past them," Scott thought to Steve.
"Follow my lead," Steve thought with a nod and the two alphas ran at each other through the gunfire. They passed each other and curved toward the exit, running up the wall before flipping past the Ghost Rider blocking their path. The two continued running toward the exit as the Rider fired behind them.
They slammed into the doors, pushing them open and ran to the tracks, sliding as they turned to run into the woods.
"Attention, all passengers, the train will be arriving in nine minutes," Corey and Charlie stated as Mason followed the wire through the station. They pushed past the other passengers as they made their way to a door in the back. Kaia gasped as they opened it and found Corey and Charlie with their backs against the desk. Cables ran in and out of their bodies, connecting to the communication panel behind them and to each other. The veins on their faces were black and bulging. A microphone stuck out of each of their chests, pointed to their faces.
The two leaned forward in unison. "Attention, all passengers, the train will be arriving in eight minutes," they said, the echo from the speakers gone and each of their voices coming through clearly.
August slammed into the same lockers before falling to the ground. He yelped in pain as Stiles landed on top of him. "Damnit," Stiles groaned, pushing himself off of August and standing up.
"At least you got a soft landing," August commented.
"Well, karma's a bitch," Stiles commented, moving to the door. He opened the door and a Ghost Rider pointed its gun at his face. Stiles grabbed the Rider's arm and held it aside as it fired. The Rider pushed the boy back toward August. "Scott, I can't fight this guy!" Stiles shouted.
"I can," August stated, pushing the Rider's arm aside as it fired at Stiles. Stiles ducked behind the lockers and August came to a stop as a second Rider stepped into the locker room, his gun trained on August. The hunter backed away as the two Riders approached, putting their guns to the two boys' heads.
August and Stiles closed their eyes, accepting their fate before they heard two screams from the doorway. A massive shockwave sent the two Riders flying into the lockers, pinning them against them, they're feet kicking for solid ground as the two banshee's screams continued. The Riders' legs still and the screams stopped allowing the Riders to collapse on the floor.
Lydia ran forward, rounding the corner and spotting Stiles. "I didn't say it back," she panted, staring at the boy.
"You don't have to," Stiles said, stepping forward, grabbing Lydia, and pulling her toward him as he kissed her.
Fiona ran and hugged August. "Attaboy," August whispered, looking to Stiles with a smile.
"Did you see Charlie in there?" Fiona asked, causing the smile to fade from the hunter's face.
"No," August sighed, shaking his head.
"I heard his voice earlier—at least—I think I did."
"Liam and Jay went in to find him," August assured her. "We need to find Steve though."
"He was heading for the diverter," Fiona stated. August looked at her surprised. "We made a new pack link with the others, but it's starting to fade."
"We should get going," August said. He turned back to Lydia and Stiles as the hugged. "We'll be back," August told them. The two nodded, not breaking their embrace as August and Fiona ran out of the locker room.
The two had nearly reached the doors when they heard a growl behind them, stopping them. "Go get help," August ordered Fiona, without turning around.
Fiona stared back at him for a minute before running down another hall. August spun around to face Blake as he flicked out his staff.
Chris pulled on the chain after Leonard tried to pull them apart. The hunter grunted in frustration as the chain didn't budge. "They're all sealed shut," Melissa stated. "Bet you wouldn't mind having a werewolf right now," Melissa continued, walking away from the door. "To rip them off their hinges."
"All of my abilities are gone. I don't think a werewolf would fair much better." Leonard sighed, following after her. The two froze when they saw a Ghost Rider step through the tunnel toward them.
The passengers in the station scattered as Chris pushed ahead of the pair and pointed Melissa to one of the pillars. "I'd like to have one around for another reason right now," he stated. The held his hand out, pushing Leonard away. "Stay back," he added before walking toward the Rider.
The two sprinted toward each other and Chris was grabbed by his jacket. The Rider wrenched the jacket in its hand, choking Chris. The hunter gasped for breath as he reached for the Rider's gun, pulling it out and firing into the Rider's chest. The Rider flew back, bouncing on the ground as it landed in the tunnel. Chris turned back to the others, holding up his new gun. "I've gotta get me one of these."
Melissa and Leonard chuckled before they noticed another Rider stepping out through the tunnel behind Chris. "Argent!" Melissa warned.
Chris turned, lining up across from the Rider and holstering his gun. The hunter stared down the Rider. Both of their hands twitched as they hovered just above their guns. After staring at each other for another moment, the two drew their guns. A shot went off, and Leonard watched as the Ghost Rider collapsed to the ground.
Melissa ran up to Chris, turning him toward her and kissing him. "What was that for?" Chris asked as the two pulled away from each other.
"That was so hot," Melissa gasped before the two kissed again.
"I hate to break this up, but we should figure a way out of here," Leonard stated, walking past the two and staring down the tunnel.
Steve and Scott slowed to a walk as they neared the diverter. "I'd almost say you enjoy this," Douglas said his back turned to them. "The pursuit of utterly futile endeavors."
"Step back from the diverter," Scott warned.
"Or we'll make you step back," Steve growled.
Douglas chuckled as he turned to the two. "Now that's the German way of doing things. You would've made an excellent Nazi Youth."
"Don't think they'd jive with me," Steve commented.
"I wasn't talking to you, schwul," Douglas replied, glaring at Steve.
"Maybe you didn't hear me," Scott growled. "I said step back."
Douglas growled as he shifted. "And maybe you didn't hear me," he said before roaring at the alphas.
Scott and Steve shifted, crouching as they roared back at Douglas. The two straightened as they saw a mass of Ghost Riders appear from the tree line, walking toward the two alphas and surrounding them.
"Weapons are for the weak," Blake growled before rushing toward August.
The hunter stepped aside, sweeping Blake's legs out from under him. The alpha flipped in the air, landing on his feet and growling as he turned back to face August. "If my memory's correct. Those were your last words," August stated, glaring at the alpha.
"And those will be yours," Blake growled before charging at August again. The hunter blocked the alpha's attacks as he backed away. The hunter hesitated when he noticed the skin on Blake's face change to a rotting green color before grunting in pain as Blake's fist slammed into his side, knocking him into the wall.
Blake moved to close the gap, but the hunter kicked him away. August pushed himself off the wall, spinning his staff as he and Blake circled each other.
Mason ran toward Corey while Kaia ran to Charlie. They looked around at the cords and wires coming from their bodies and Mason reached to pull out one of the cords, causing Corey to cry out in pain. The kitsune looked over at the boy, shaking her head. "So, how do we unhook them?" Zach asked.
"We just need to unplug them and get them out of this thing," Mason stammered.
"I'll start with the big one," Hayden said. "I'll pull it quick. It'll hurt, but Corey can heal."
"This would be a good time for the pack link," Zach muttered, reaching for one of the larger cords coming out of Charlie.
"We can't!" Liam shouted, running to stop the two. Not until Scott diverts the train.
The others looked to Liam, confused. "What are you talking about?" Zach asked.
"If we stop the merging of worlds, Scott won't be able to find the diverter," Liam explained.
"You want us just to leave him like this?" Mason protested, pointing to Corey.
"We have to give the others more time," Liam told him.
"Look at him. We—We need to do something!"
"Not yet," Corey gasped. "You have to try to save everyone."
"How do we save you?" Mason asked.
"It doesn't matter," Charlie grunted. "This is the only way."
Zach shook his head as he looked to Kaia. She turned away from the chimera and wiped the sweat from the beta's forehead, smiling slightly at him.
Scott and Steve stepped toward Douglas, neither willing to back down. "Unbelievable," Douglas said, shaking his head as her eyes glowed green. "Even in the face of insurmountable odds. I don't know if it's suicide or stupidity."
"Maybe both," Scott said, smirking. "Either way, we're getting to that diverter."
"Even if I have to tear my way through you," Steve whispered, leaning in toward Douglas.
"You and what army?" Douglas mocked.
Steve and Scott growled at him, ready to strike. "Not an army, but a pack," Theo called out from behind them.
The two alphas turned, surprised. "And Theo's not in it," Malia shouted, moving beside the chimera. "But I am."
"Technically it's two packs," Jay commented as he slid to a stop next to Malia.
"I'm not in either pack," Peter mentioned, stepping out from behind the others. "But, no one likes a Nazi."
"Quality over quantity," Steve commented, turning back to Douglas before he and Scott roared at him again. Douglas raised his clawed hand to the sky for a moment before dropping it. The Ghost Riders rushed forward as Steve, Scott, and the others behind them roared and ran toward the Riders.
Gunfire echoed behind Steve as he fought off the Ghost Riders that moved between him and Douglas. He felt one of their skulls collapse as he kneed its face. Glancing behind him, he saw Malia and Theo flip over the Riders as they knocked them down. The alpha shoved his fist through another Rider's chest, seeing Jay run past behind it. The werecheetah grabbed a branch, bending it as he ran by, before releasing it on the Riders chasing after him.
Scott pushed through the opening Steve made and ran at Douglas. The two locked arms, trying to push the other back. Douglas lifted his leg and kicked Scott in the chest, knocking the true alpha back. Douglas leapt into the air and spun as he kicked Scott to the ground. Douglas brought his leg up, preparing to stomp on Scott, but Steve barreled into the former teacher, knocking him to the ground. Scott rolled back and hopped back to his feet.
The pair ran forward, but Steve felt the air leave his lungs as a Rider form the side kicked him in his chest. Jay ran over to help, but was tripped by another Rider's whip. The werecheetah flipped in the air before crashing into the ground. Malia grunted as a fist connected with her chest. Steve tried to rise, but was kicked on his side, knocking him away from the Riders. Theo was tackled by a Ghost Rider, slamming him into the tree next to Steve.
Steve looked back and watched Scott get punched in the face by Douglas, knocking him back and to the ground. "Your little friends are no match for the Wild Hunt," Douglas proclaimed as he stood over Scott. "There are too many of us, and too few of you."
"Steve will never be the alpha he is meant to be with you around," Blake growled.
"Steve's a far better alpha than you've ever been," August spat. "Not that you set a high bar."
"You think he's better, but without you, he's as much of a monster as I am," Blake stated, the green, rotting flesh reappearing. "He'd kill all of your friends at my request."
"You're going to need a better lie than that," August grunted, swinging his staff at Blake. The alpha dodged out of the way. August moved to strike again, but Blake rushed forward, grabbing the staff and pinning it against August's chest. August felt tried to stabilize himself, but felt his feet drag as the alpha pushed him backward.
Steve jumped back to his feet as Jay ran to his side. "Get to Scott, I'll distract the Riders," Jay panted.
Steve nodded and sprinted past the Ghost Riders. Jay ran behind him, lunging forward and knocking any Riders away that approached. Steve was almost to Scott when he heard Jay grunt in pain as one of the Riders clotheslined the werecheetah. Steve slid to a stop as Scott slashed Douglas's back, sending him into a tree. The alphas nodded at each other and Steve ran back, leaping in the air and kicking a Ghost Rider to the ground before it could kick Jay.
Jay returned to his feet and stood back to back with Steve, the two spun, looking at the Ghost Riders surrounding them. They lunged forward, fending off the Rider's attack as best they could. Steve spat out blood as one of the Rider's fists connected with his jaw. The alpha felt Jay fall behind after being kicked in the chest. Steve backed up, roaring as he covered the fallen werecheetah.
A train whistle filled the air and the two looked to see the lights of the train speeding toward them. More Riders ran down the track toward them and Malia rushed forward, flipping over the Riders. She kicked one to the ground, stealing its whip before tossing it to Scott. Scott caught the whip and brought his arm back in one motion, letting the whip unravel, before bringing it forward and wrapping it around the diverter.
Scott pulled back as Douglas ran to stop him. The physics teacher fell short, collapsing to the ground as the train turned away and headed off into the woods, away from Beacon Hills. Douglas grunted in disbelief as the lights and whistle faded away.
"You missed your train," Malia panted.
Steve wiped the blood from his mouth as Scott roared into the air.
"Now!" Liam shouted as Scott's roar echoed through the station.
Zach and Kaia pulled the cords out of Charlie while Mason and Hayden got to work on Corey. The beta and chimera screamed in pain as the cords were ripped from their skin.
August tried to find his footing as he struggled to keep the staff from his throat. He heard a gunfire around the corner and glanced down at his own. "Once you're gone, Steve will be the perfect beta he was always meant to be," Blake growled, still pushing the hunter back. "And with the strength of two alpha's we'll be unstoppable."
August dropped one of his hands from the staff, causing Blake to smirk. He shoved the staff against August's throat with one hand and pulled the hunters head forward with the other. August gagged as he reached for his holster. He pulled out his pistol and started to bring it up to Blake's chest until his back collided with the hall.
Lydia's scream muted the clatter of his gun as it fell to the floor and slid down the hall. August rushed his hand back to the staff, trying to desperately push the alpha away as Blake lifted the hunter off the ground. August's legs flailed as he gasped for any breath he could get through.
"Now, Steve is all mine," Blake chuckled as August's face started to turn blue.
"Oh my god," Fiona gasped as she rounded the corner and saw Stiles being choked by a malformed Claudia.
"Your bullets can't hurt me," Claudia said to someone around the corner as Fiona rushed toward them.
She heard Lydia scream as another shot went off, causing Claudia to vanish in a cloud of green smoke, just as Fiona reached them.
She looked up and saw August be slammed against the wall by Blake as Stiles wheezed for breath beside her. "Shoot him!" Fiona ordered the sheriff.
The gun clicked behind her. "Damnit," Stilinski swore as Fiona turned to him. The sheriff ejected the clip and searched his pockets for another.
"Fiona, scream," Stiles wheezed beside her. She turned back toward Blake and August as Stiles aimed the hunter's dropped gun at him. "Hey, asshole!" Stiles shouted, causing Blake to turn to them. "This is for Steve."
Fiona screamed as Stiles fired, propelling the bullet down the hall and into Blake's head. The alpha exploded in a cloud of green smoke. August dropped to the ground clutching his through and gasping for air.
The others started to run toward him when the building started to shake, forcing them to lean against the wall for support.
Steve and Jay ran to join the others after the Riders froze. Once they were all together, the Riders, turned, surrounding the group and aiming their guns as Douglas smiled at them. Lighting flashed overhead and the group looked up to the see the storm clouds dissipating.
The Ghost Riders holstered their guns and started moving down the track, following the train. "Where are you going?" Douglas asked. "Stop! Zuruckkommen," Douglas ordered as the Riders continued to walk past him. The Riders paid him no mind and continued on. Douglas moved toward the retreating Riders. "Come back and kill them! Tote sie!"
"Yeah, call your army back," Theo mocked, causing Douglas to turn back to them.
"He can't," Jay commented. "He's got performance issues."
Douglas glared at the werecheetah before turning back to the Riders and marching after them. "I am your leader. Ich bin dein Anfuhrer! Obey me. Gehorcht mir!" Douglas shouted after them. The Riders stopped and turned around. "Kill them." Steve's eyes widened as he and the others stepped back from the oncoming Riders. He looked down and saw Scott shaking slightly as he prepared to fight. "All of them. Tote sie. Tote sie."
As the Ghost Riders neared the group, they turned and surrounded Douglas. "Riders don't bow," Peter told Douglas. "They have no leader."
They watched as Douglas's hands turned black. The skin on his face wrinkled and cracked as it was stretched. His eyes vanished, replaced with black holes while his lips fused and the area where his mouth was became wrinkled and crackled like the rest of his skin. His blond hair grew long and brown as a cowboy hat formed out of his head. His clothes turned into the black jacket of the Riders. Douglas was now indistinguishable from the other Riders, excepted for the Nazi armband on his left arm.
The Rider that was once Douglas shrieked into the air before a lightning bolt struck the ground, sending them all back into the storm. The tracks disappeared and Steve's nose twitched when he smelled blood.
Scott followed after the other alpha when Steve sprinted away. He slid into the ground next to Charlie who was covered in holes that were leaking blood and green ooze.
"Hey, Steve," Charlie grunted, smirking at the alpha.
"Get him to the hospital. Melissa and I are on our way with a cure," Leonard's voice sounded in their heads.
"I have Corey, but I'm going to need some help moving him," Kaia called out.
"I'm on my way," Jay said.
Steve cradled the beta in his arms as the others joined him. Zach landed in front of Steve, holding out his arms. "I'll be faster. I'll grab Corey once I bring Charlie to the hospital."
Steve nodded and handed the beta over, watching as Zach took off with Charlie.
Leonard, Melissa, Chris, Mason, and Zach wheeled Corey and Charlie through the hospital doors. They paused when the noticed the people milling about as if nothing had ever happened. "Let's go," Melissa muttered. They pushed the beta and chimera into one of the rooms, closing the door behind them.
"Can you fix this?" Mason asked.
"Oh, they know what they're doing," Chris assured him.
"Have you ever heard of the nine herbs?" Melissa asked as she and Leonard each filled a syringe with an amber liquid.
"The nine sacred herbs of the Saxons used to cure poison and infection? Yeah, of course," Mason stated. The others paused to stare at him.
"What the—" Leonard muttered, tilting his head at the boy.
"Did you need to know what they are?" Mason asked.
"No. I think we've got it," Melissa replied.
"This isn't going to feel great," Leonard warned as he inserted the needle into Charlie's arm.
"Nothing is worse than this," Charlie chuckled softly.
"Well, hopefully, the link can help alleviate some of the pain from this at least," Leonard sighed, pushing the liquid into the beta's body.
Charlie grunted in pain but fell quiet as black tendrils crawled up Leonard's arm. The werelion turned back to Zach and nodded as Melissa pushed the liquid into Corey's arm. Zach grabbed the chimera's arm as Corey gasped, sending another wave of black tendrils up the pack's arms.
"So, we saved everyone?" Corey asked, the holes that had covered his body vanishing as the black tendrils started to recede from the pack's arms.
"Even you," Mason replied, smiling down at Corey.
They turned as the door flung open and Fiona and Kaia ran into the room. Fiona ran to join Charlie in bed, embracing him before kissing him softly. "You're becoming a better doctor already," Kaia chuckled before pulling Leonard in for a kiss.