Prologue

"Scott!"

Derek growled, grasping the Nogitsune tightly. He shifted his focus to his son, Eli, before turning to face Scott McCall.

"What?" Scott snarled back, unsure of the elder werewolf's plan.

Teeth bared, Derek's eyes glowing from blue to red, now showcasing his Alpha status. At that moment, he knew that this was the only solution. One more glance at his son before returning his gaze to Scott.

"You're the Alpha!" He said without hesitation. "He's part of your pack now!"

One more roar and he leapt behind the Nogitsune, holding him down in a bear hug so that the Hellhound Parrish finally ignited his hellflame, incinerating both their dark enemy and Derek's final sacrifice saving the world and his friends…

"DEREK NO!"

Stiles woke up in his bed. Sweat drenched his t-shirt as he kicked up the covers, rubbed his eyes awake and glared at the alarm clock by his nightstand.

3:30 AM.

Fuck, Stiles! You need to get some sleep! You got work in a few hours! He yawned again, stretched his arms, and got up as he meandered to the bathroom in the dark.

Turning the light on, he stared at the mirror, looking at himself as he sighed at the small beard he was growing. He really needed a shave. Pulling out the razor and shaving cream, he applied the foam to his face and began removing every bit of hair but his thoughts kept returning to him.

Derek Hale.

It had been six months since his death and the shock still had not worn off. When Scott and his dad texted him of the sad news, it hit him hard. Then, there is the fact that Allison was resurrected from the Nemeton and now living in L. A. with Scott, it was just too much too process. He knew he had to stay away for his own sanity and well-being. Work offered him that relief.

Being an agent for the F. B. I. kept him away and busy. More importantly, it gave him an excuse not to reach out. Out of sight. Out of mind. It helped him not deal with things. That is how he liked it. Feelings and emotions were a distraction and in his line of work, he couldn't afford to be distracted. He finished the last of his shave before washing his face and wiping the remaining excess with a towel before his thoughts drifted back to Derek.

He remembered their parting words.

"You know I can't be what you want me to be," Derek exhaled. "I'm not built that way."

Stiles sighed as well. "I know. I guess I'm trying to figure myself out too. Look, Derek, I don't regret anything we did. I'm glad it happened."

Looking down, the werewolf lifted his face to take one more look at him. "I don't either but I'm not ready for this. Besides, I got a kid now and he's my priority."

Stiles sadly nodded. "Yeah, I agree with you. He needs you. Just promise me something, Mr. Sourwolf."

"What?" Derek managed to grin.

"You be a great dad to your son this kid," Stiles smiled. "Even if he turns out to be a sarcastic dumbass like me!"

Derek snickered, pulled him close and kissed him hard before releasing him. "Always, dumbass."

One more kiss; passionate and meaningful, and then it was all gone.

Putting away the shaving cream and razor, Stiles turned off the light to the bathroom and headed back to bed.

This was his life now. Alone and single.

The world turns, time passes, and with it humanity's greatest frailties. Vice, sin, and temptation. These are faults of mortals but with it lies their greatest strengths.

I should know. I am immortal and have lived with them for centuries.

I am legend. I am folklore. I am myth.

I go by many names but the one that sticks out the most is Kuzunoha, the Kitsune.

You have heard of me stories, songs, and books but the tales have changed depending on the interpretation and who is telling it.

I am merely the guide.

The storyteller of this Once Upon a Time and you the reader will bear witness to this story.

A story of tribulation and trials.

A story of redemption.

A story of love.

And this is how it begins…