| CHAPTER THREE, Wolfton Falls |

Despite the number of convincing arguments from several members of the convoy, Scott directed his pack—or rather those in Isaac's car—to break when they reached the exit to Wolfton Heights. After passing through numerous parked and somewhat destroyed cars, as well as running over at least two dozen zombies, the small trip into Wolfton Heights was no different.

When Isaac's BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo closed in on downtown Wolfton Heights, they found the town was deserted. Mostly. Other than the small number of scattered zombies, which seemed to turn alive every time the car approached, the McCall Pack found a family of four—three adults and a younger teenager?—and Derek's car. His almost-Hummer Toyota.

"Isaac, Gage, and I will head upstairs and find Derek," Scott directed. He looked at Isaac and posed, "Who do you want in the driver's seat? Just in case?"

Isaac frowned, not liking the thought of anyone but him behind the steering wheel of (find Spanish version of Scott?). He looked in the back and finally settled on the blonde. "We'll only be a minute, but take care of him." Allison nodded and hopped out to switch seats. "And don't touch anything but the wheel." She smirked evilly and the three werewolves made their way through the open door and slowly up the stairs, Isaac taking point as he was the stealthiest.

When they finally found Derek's front door, Isaac tapped once with his claw and Scott announced their presence. "Derek," he began, whispering, "are you in there?"

Silence.

"Derek, it's Scott and Isaac. Open up."

Suddenly, the door slowly opened up, creaking only once thankfully. Standing there was Cora Hale, Derek's younger sister and only remaining relative since Peter's betrayal. "Scott?" she whispered. "What're you doing here?"

"We came to make sure you're alive. We should stick together, given what's going on."

"We actually came for Deaton," Isaac spoke truthfully, his arms crossed, still holding a grudge against the Hale alpha.

"We came for both reasons," Scott corrected, glaring at his boyfriend next to him. "Where's Derek?"

"Not here," she said, yanking her head to the side, motioning the three inside. "He's out looking for his girlfriend. With Van."

"New member?" Scott asked. She nodded.

"This is Barrett," she said as a tall bulky black man came out from the back, claws out. "Barrett, this is Scott McCall and two of his pack members, Isaac and…?"

"Gage," the red head answered.

"Is Deaton here?" Isaac asked, pushing the point he made seconds ago.

"Upstairs," she said, looking at the spiral staircase in the far corner next to the window; the loft looked much like Derek's former loft in Beacon Hills, but more homey with the pictures, carpet, and painted dry-wall. "He's doing research, as best he can. The power's been flicking in and out."

Scott nodded and looked at Isaac; they had a silent conversation entailing Isaac 'giving' Scott permission to leave him and Gage alone with Cora and Barrett. Scott made for the stairs and walked up into a small upstairs: one narrow hallway and two rooms, both on the right. He peered into the first one and found his former boss and father-figure, Dr. Alan Deaton, hunched over a white keyboard linked to an iMac. "I must say, Scott," he began, not having once turned around, "I'm glad you came."

"Of course," Scott said, smiling his classic grin. "I had to make sure you were alright."

Deaton stood and embraced his otherwise-godson. "It's good to see you. The last several hours have been…troubling…to say the least."

"Did you find anything useful?"

Deaton shook his head. "There's not much out there. Just videos. Though, from what I've been able to make out from one of them, it takes about twelve seconds for whatever this thing is to transmit. Twelve seconds when bitten."

"Is it supernatural?"

Deaton shrugged, his face dawning his look of worry. "I'm not sure. I've never heard of anything like this…in all my time. I've even looked through the copy of the Argent's bestiary. Nothing."

"Damn. Well, I want you coming with us. Even if Derek doesn't decide to come along."

Deaton smiled. "I appreciate the sentiment, Scott. I really do. But my place has always been beside the Hale family. Until one of us goes. I made a promise to a dying woman."

"Talia?" Deaton nodded. "Then I guess I have to do my best to convince Derek to join us. How long has he been gone?"

"Six hours. He's looking for Danielle."

"Are things going better for him?"

Deaton nodded. "Van and Barrett are quite the additions. I must say," he said, lowering his voice to a mouse's whisper, "they cast a great shadow over Isaac and Boyd's memory. Abilities-wise."

"Don't let Isaac hear you say that," Scott said, grinning again. Deaton nodded and the pair descended the stairs to find Isaac and Gage looking at Scott as the lowered to their level.

"How long do you wanna' wait, Scott?" Gage asked.

Their alpha looked from Gage, to Deaton, to Isaac. "Let's give him 20 minutes. If we can. I don't wanna' leave the others alone for too long, even with Reid down there."

"Again, do I need to be worried?" Isaac asked, smirking.

"What?" Scott began defensively, "I just know he and Tyler are really powerful. It's intimidating and awestriking at the same time."

Isaac only looked at him, saving his comment for later. Scott shook his head, as if able to read his mind. Suddenly, Cora, Barrett, and Gage's claws formed, all three of them facing the door. "Footsteps. Hurried ones," Gage said.

Scott's eyes glowed red and Isaac stepped in front him, his protectiveness kicking in. The footsteps got louder and louder until the door swung open. The one likely named Van entered first, followed by a blonde woman, and then Derek. Everyone's wolfish features reverted and Derek looked at Scott, clearly surprised to see him. "Scott?" he began, his tone indicating both confusion and slight annoyance, "What're you doing here?"

"We came for Deaton," Isaac answered.

Scott glared at him again and turned back to Derek. "I wanted to make sure he was alright. And I wanted to ask you to come with us."

"Us?" Derek asked, his eyebrow raising, his arms crossed.

"My pack. My mom. Stiles' dad." He stopped.

"The Argents," Isaac completed. Scott huffed, not turning back this time.

"The Argents, too, eh?" Derek more stated than asked.

"They'll be useful. And they're gonna' give us more security."

"How so?"

"Argent has a friend at Camp Greenhorn. We're supposed to rendezvous with them there. Stiles and all are with them."

"I see." He looked from Scott, to Deaton, and finally to his sister. "What do you think?"

"He has a point about the Argents," Cora reluctantly said. "Despite what we feel about them, maybe this is a time to call a temporary truce. Until this blows over."

"And what if it doesn't blow over?" Deaton asked, doing his job.

Derek looked to Scott. "I can handle it," he began, challenging Scott. "Can you? Given your history with one particular Argent?"

Isaac stepped forward, ready to say something when Scott grabbed his forearm. "I can handle it just as well," Scott said assertively, his heartbeat flowing steadily as he said so. "Besides, she's the one that stopped talking to me." Isaac wiggled out of Scott's grip and intertwined their fingers, squeezing once.

Derek looked down at the subtle motions and smirked. He looked back up at Isaac, and then to Scott. "Fair enough. But if I even smell threat to my pack, there's gonna' be a problem."

Scott nodded and Derek's pack members quickly gathered what little things they had. The nine quietly made their way down the same flight of stairs Scott and company had recently taken. They emerged in the lobby/mailroom and a zombie popped out from a room to the side. Derek reacted first, driving a straightened clawed hand through its throat before any real sound could come out. He flung as much of the blood off as possible while they clambered into their respective cars, Isaac retaking the driver's seat.

"What the hell is this?" Isaac asked, noting the odd music coming out of the 'CD' set stereo system; it was on low enough as to not attract any unwanted attention.

"Just a change of atmosphere," Allison said, proud of her more peppy music than Isaac's.

"End of this," Isaac said, changing it back to his iPod. He started the car fully and within seconds he was driving out of Wolfton Heights, Derek's ATV-like SUV following close behind.

Author's Note: Here are the visualizers for the Hale Pack extras:

Barrett James: Collins Pennie; Boyd-like addition to the pack

Danielle Carter: Odette Annable; Derek's human girlfriend

Evan "Van" Traverse: Drew Roy; Isaac-like addition to the pack