CHAPTER 4

Scott balled his free hand into a fist to keep from losing it. Allison wouldn't want him to give up.

"She'd want me to keep fighting until I got the answer," he whispered to himself.

"I can't give in," he thought, "I have to keep going."

Scott closed his eyes and felt his mind merge with Deaton's as he continued his search.

"You don't seem too happy about Peter Hales return from the dead."

Cedric munched on a jelly filled donut as he conversed with the veterinarian.

"You know my feelings about it. We don't need Peter Hale...we have our true alpha."

The small brown puppy Deaton was attending looked up at the two men, a quizzical expression crossing his face. His ears flicked back as though he was straining to hear their every word.

"And yet your protegé has shown no signs of being an alpha of any kind...Hale may be needed yet," Cedric answered.

Deaton cut a curious look at the short balding man.

"Peter Hale is unpredictable and uncontrollable. Do you really think if Scott fails to reach his full potential that Hale will help us? Even if he were to become an alpha again, he'd never let us near his betas, especially if he knew they could potentially become true alphas.

"He helped us before, albeit, unwillingly. With the proper plan, I'm sure we could get the results that we wanted. Surely you can see that his resurrection is for the best."

Cedric gave an almost comical wave of his hand and for a moment, Scott thought the round little man was going to fall over. Quickly, he steadied himself against the edge of the table and looked earnestly to Deaton for his response.

"If that's what the council thinks, I won't argue with them," Deaton replied, ignoring his visitor's failed attempt at dramatics.

"Well it is what the council thinks," Cedric answered, striding towards the exit, "I guess we're in agreement then. You might try extending the olive branch towards Mr. Hale, Deaton. Try being nice to him. You know like the old saying...more flies with honey."

Deaton let out a loud sigh as Cedric left.

Scott could see the wheels turning.

Deaton couldn't extend an olive branch to Peter. His information...the false information that he had given to Scott about the picture of the deer was the reason Peter had been killed by Derek in the first place. Deaton knew what Scott knew...Peter could smell deception on people. He couldn't take the chance that the former alpha would piece everything together.

Deaton reached down to the puppy that was resting on the table and ruffled it's fur.

"Are you feeling better?" he asked the pup.

Barking happily, the puppy thumped it's stubby little tail on the table.

Deaton gave a weak smile.

"Wish I was. See, little pup, I've got a problem. I have a lot I can teach Scott and as long as he needs teaching...he needs me, but I'm no werewolf. Peter Hale is...he can teach Scott things I can't and even some that I can. I can't allow that...I can't allow Scott to be influenced by someone else...by someone else that may lead him down a different path. Plus there are things I can't allow Hale to find out about...No, I've got to keep him away from Scott."

Deaton paused deep in thought. Whimpering, the puppy looked up hopefully waiting for attention.

"Scott would never let him into his life if it was just him...but if Derek was with him...that might be another story. No...my best bet is to ensure that Derek doesn't trust Peter...that they keep their distance from one another. That way when Derek finally joins Scott it will be without Peter."

Deaton ran his hand over the puppy's back and was rewarded with a little high pitched yelp.

Deaton laughed.

"I guess we're in agreement then," he replied.

Scott searched his own memory looking for a connection and with a little effort he found one.

"He said he promised my mother he'd look after me," Derek said.

"And that bothers you?" Scott replied.

"He hasn't looked after me before...why now?"

Derek's words had stuck with Scott. A red flag had gone up and he had ignored it, but not now...not this time.

Scott's mind recalled the rest of the conversation.

"He said that Peter would claim he was the only one that could stop Gerard, but that I wasn't to trust him."

"And that bothers you...you don't trust Peter anyway."

"But his offer wasn't to help stop Gerard...it was to save Jackson...and he actually came through," Derek replied.

"So now you trust him?" Scott asked incredulously.

Derek shook his head, "No, but it doesn't mean he isn't right...that we need each other."

This had been Deaton's attempt to keep the Hale's seperated...a way to keep Scott dependent on Deaton for guidance and keep Peter from finding out the truth about the druids plan.

He had evidently underestimated the Hale family bond...despite his attempt and the mistrust that already existed between the uncle and his nephew Deaton's plan had failed. Regardless of the tension, the two continued to grow closer in their dysfunctional bond.

That had not proven to be the case for the some of Scott's friends and their families. Separation came much more easily and much more frequently.

"Mom, why are you crying?"

Scott sat down next to her and put his arm around her.

"He's gone...he's really gone, and he's not coming back."

Scott flinched as he remembered his mom's pain.

After Stiles death, the sheriff had tried to remain in Beacon Hills. He did his best to have a good relationship with Scott's mom but old demons resurfaced. Finding more solace in the bottle than in Melissa's arms, he deteriorated. Scott found himself comforting his mom almost nightly, as she cried herself to sleep.

After three months, the sheriff finally left Beacon Hills. Two years later and no one had heard anything more from him. He had simply disappeared.

Chirs Argent had been the next to leave. After Allison's death he didn't waste any time. Scott couldn't blame him...he's lost almost his entire family in Beacon Hills. Occasionally, Scott would get a postcard letting him know that he was still among the living. Scott wondered why he bothered, but he justified it in is mind that Chris Argent was simply reaching out to the only person left alive that cared about Allison as much as he did.

Isaac also left shortly after Allison's death. Scott believed her passing had affected him more than he was willing to admit and that perhaps he still carried a torch for her. Regretfully, Scott had not heard from him since his departure.

Separation from friends...from family...and continual deaths..the Nemeton had left its mark...everything had gone to hell.

Scott's mind began to drift further away from his goal...the dark place beckoned. He attempted to pull back, but it's pull was too strong and overwrought, Scott followed.

Scott felt the strength of his pack...Ethan, Aiden, Lydia, Derek, and Peter.

They were moving on the edge of the preserve towards the last place the Puechen had been sighted.

"Drat, I think I broke a nail," Lydia said breaking the silence.

"Did we have to bring her?" asked Peter, rolling his eyes.

"Did we have to bring you?" asked Aiden.

Peter leered at Aiden.

"Enough..." Scott half whispered, half shouted, "The Puechen will hear us and we'll lose the element of surprise."

"If it hasn't already heard us, it's deaf," offered Derek.

Scott looked over at him.

"What?...it's sounds like we're on a stampede," he explained.

"Does a flying snake have ears?" asked Ethan.

"Oh God...are we actually having this conversation?" asked Peter.

"It's an honest question," Aiden chimed in.

Aiden took a step towards Peter and Scott realized he was going to have to intervene.

"Okay, that's enough...everybody...let's just keep looking and keep quiet."

The group again began to move forward.

Scott realized that keeping Aiden and Peter from going after each others throats would be as big of a concern for him as finding and killing the Puechen.

Aiden wasn't blind. Despite the fact that Lydia and Peter usually exchanged nothing but insults, it was obvious there was something more there. Scott wasn't convinced that it was of a romantic nature, but he wasn't convinced that it wasn't either. He was also sure that Aiden felt threatened by whatever it was.

"Wait did someone say this was a flying snake?" Lydia asked suddenly.

Peter stopped dead in his tracks.

"Why me?" he muttered under his breath.

Aiden was in his face in an instant baring his fangs. Peter's eyes glowed blue as he glared at the younger werewolf.

Scott pushed his way back to them and pressed in between the two.

"If you two want to tear each other to pieces do it on your own time. We're here to get a job done!"

Scott didn't bother keeping it down. Derek was right. If the Puechen could hear, it already knew they were here.

"I don't like snakes," Lydia offered.

It was though she was completely unaware that two werewolves had almost come to blows over her.

Aiden and Peter looked at Lydia dumbfounded.

"Lydia, you can handle this...you've handled worse," Scott encouraged.

Lydia looked up and thought for a moment.

Confidently, she said, " You're right...I can."

Shaking his head, Aiden backed off and moved to the front of the group with Derek leaving Peter in the rear with Lydia and Ethan.

Scott looked at Peter, "Just try and get along...okay."

Peter shrugged and motioned for Scott to lead the way and again the group moved forward.

Scott heard a commotion and all hell broke loose.

The Puechen was fast...faster than Scott had imagined.

Derek ducked as the snake flew overhead. It barely missed him. Aiden dodged to the left and rolled through the heavy brush.

"Scott, get down!" Ethan yelled.

Scott ducked as the creature took a second pass at the group. It missed him by mere inches.

The snake swung to the back of the group making a bee line for Lydia. Scott saw her mouth open but the scream never came...Peter knocked her and himself out of the way causing the snake to miss it's prey.

Derek came up next to Scott.

"Gerard's sword...where is it?" he asked.

"Here...I've got it," Ethan said as he came up on Scott's other side.

Taking the sword, Derek flung it towards the snake as it made it's next pass.

Scott was shocked when it actually hit it's target cutting off the tip of it's tail. The creature hissed and turned on the three.

Baring down, it flew straight for them. There was no way they could all escape. Scott held his breath in preparation for what was coming and then...nothing. The creature stopped mid air and fell to the ground...one half to the right...the other to the left. Only Aiden was left in it's path with Gerard's sword in hand.

"Never stood a chance," Aiden said as he broke out in a silly grin.

Ethan laughed in relief.

Scott let out his breath as he relaxed.

Derek patted him on the back and smiled.

Lost in the thrill of their quick victory, they didn't hear the hiss until Aiden's body had been yanked from the ground.

"Aiden!" Ethan yelled as he ran after his brother.

But Scott knew it was too late...he could hear the scream...the scream of the banshee...Lydia's scream...someone was about to die.

When they found Ethan he was hovering over his brother's body sword in hand. The second Puechen lay dead at his feet but his brother wasn't breathing.

"Maybe he'll heal," Ethan said.

Scott's eyes filled with tears. He could already feel Aiden's power fading from his own. He knew Ethan sensed it too.

Scott shook his head as Derek looked away.

"Wishful thinking," Ethan said. He lowered his head and wept.

Lydia approached cautiously. The banshee was now silent. So much loss...first Stiles, then Allison. Scott saw his own expression reflected in her face...one of shock, numbness, and an incredible sense of emptiness.

In the weight of her grief, she began to collapse only to be caught be Peter as he rushed from behind. Sobbing, she welcomed his embrace as he tried his best to comfort her.

Except for the sound of Lydia and Ethan's weeping the woods were silent. Scott didn't know how long they stayed. Time seemed to slow down. He wasn't even aware that the sun was setting until he heard Peter whispering to Lydia.

"Lydia...it's time to go...let me take you home."

His voice was uncharacteristically soft and Scott knew he would do his best to take care of her.

Gently, Peter led Lydia away, leaving the rest of the pack alone.

Scott pulled Ethan back from his brother.

The werewolf let out a howl for his twin and Scott nodded to Derek for help.

"We need to move him out of the preserve, Ethan," Scott said softly.

Ethan looked back to Scott and then to Derek and nodded.

"Okay," he said hoarsely.

Gathering up Aiden's remains the group walked solemnly out of the forest.

The funeral was simple. The twins had no relatives...just friends and the pack, so Scott had said a few words for Aiden. Ethan had clung to Danny for most of the service. It reminded Scott of how Allison had looked after him when Stiles had died. After the funeral, Ethan announced that the two of them were leaving Beacon Hills for good. Scott was not surprised. He hadn't heard from them since.

Although Lydia's swollen, pale face told the story of several tear filled nights, she shed few tears during the service. Scott caught her searching the crowd several times and correctly surmised she was looking for Peter. It was only when she spotted him that she seemed to relax. Whatever it was that was between them Scott had a feeling that it was providing an anchor for Lydia.