More Than Just A New Beginning
Chapter 10
Derek all but shut down after seeing his Uncle Peter, so much so that he barely responded to Harry much at all. In the end, Harry eased the young shape-shifter out of the room. They couldn't be here while Peter underwent the surgery to get the deadly wolfsbane out of his system. In the end Harry Apparated them both to MACUSA. He needed to get answers from Derek about the fire, it wasn't going to be easy, but he had to. Derek needed to learn that he was as much a victim as his family, and heal, to do that, making those who were behind the fire pay, would be a good start.
Harry ignored the curious looks he got from everyone, as he guided Derek towards his private office, which was just at the side of the main room. He preferred sitting beside his men, so the room was largely unused. It had a computer and everything, all set up in sync with his personal laptop, the other computers in the other room and his phone so that if any messages came he'd get them even while in there. The only time he used it was during interview processes with very nervous person or persons. Putting them in an interview room would just stress them farther.
Everyone knew he wasn't to be interrupted in there.
Moving to the other side of the desk, Harry automatically begun running a search on Kate Argent, and the fake name she'd used, targeting California first in order to try and speed up the search on the woman. He also synced it up to Zane's computer and sent him a message.
Instead of pulling out his seat, Harry brought it round so that he was next to Derek. Finding out his sister had left behind his youngest sister and cousin as well as seeing the state of Peter had left Derek reeling.
"Derek? Look at me," Harry said softly, cupping his hands around Derek's and giving a reassuring squeeze.
Derek's eyes flickered up, surprise prominently displayed on his features…had he just felt…? No, it wasn't possible, he must have imagined it.
"I know this is going to be very difficult for you, but if you would prefer someone else to do the interview I will bring in someone I trust implacably to do it. I really shouldn't do it anyway, I'm too emotionally involved." With you, Harry thought. He wasn't going to give up the Hale case though, not for anything.
"No," Derek snapped, gripping Harry's hands tightly, but not enough to hurt. He had grown up with human family members, he had learned very quickly how delicate they could be. He didn't want to talk to strangers, didn't even want to discuss this with Harry.
Harry was already nodding, having suspected as much. "Alright, Derek, then we'll do the interview here." giving him the reassurance he sought, and with that the tight grip Derek had on his hands loosened somewhat.
Derek relaxed a bit, gratitude filling him, grateful for the understanding.
"Now, I'm going to be asking some very difficult questions, but you take your time, answer when you can. I promise you this, Derek, I'm going to make who took your family away pay for the rest of their lives." He swore, starting with Kate Argent.
Derek felt his wolf rear up, feral satisfaction and the desire of revenge filling him. It overpowered the fear he had spent the last two years enduring. Watching paperwork fly onto the desk, and a quill poised to write, looking as if someone invisible was controlling it.
The date time and people present begun to write itself on the parchment when Harry spoke. It was like some sort of dictation, instead of needing someone to write it down…the quill was doing it for him. It was odd, nobody used quills anymore, they were archaic, from the olden days.
"Tell me about the first time you met Kate Argent, known to you at the time as Katie Negart." Harry started, it was the best to begin from the start in his book.
Derek shifted, clearly uncomfortable, staring at the floor as if hoping it would open up and swallow him hole.
"For your pack, Derek," Harry whispered softly, stroking his hand soothingly. "Do it for them," he should have felt bad for that, but he knew it would make him stronger in the long run.
Swallowing thickly, "She was my teacher," he blurted out, causing Harry to blink rapidly at the unexpectedness of it, before a sick look began to replace it.
"Your teacher…" Harry said, it was his turn to swallow thickly, "You were…fifteen-years-old…" and he doubted very much that the woman had been under twenty-one at the time, even then it would have been a crime. "The age of consent in California if I recall correctly is eighteen…" three years underage, with a teacher…how the hell had his pack let that happen? It was statutory rape whether Derek was willing or not.
Derek just stared away, shame shrivelling him up to the core.
"Derek…you were targeted by what sounds like a sexual predator, there is no blame in that." Harry stated sternly, green eyes flaring lividly. "A fifteen-year-old would have no chance against it, no chance at all. Everyone would have reacted the same way." He said quietly, sympathy and fury coursing through him in equal measures.
The truth in Harry's heartbeat made him wonder about that, he genuinely believed what he was saying…but surely not. He was smart, he knew he was, but how could he be smart and end up falling for what Kate did?
"What age were you when she first propositioned you?" Harry asked, yes, he was using propositioned, it wasn't a relationship, she had entered herself into Derek's life with ulterior motives.
Derek swallowed thickly, "Fifteen, she was our substitute French teacher, she knew how to get to me, to my wolf." he choked out, went straight for his weak spots, touching him constantly, scenting him, praising him, like a fool he'd lapped it up. He'd been so full of heartache, grieving for Paige, and his family, his pack…had been distant from him since he got his blue eyes…he'd just wanted someone to see him, to care.
Harry made a mental note to find out what had happened to the original French teacher…but Harry had a feeling she or he probably hadn't been seen or heard from since. Either that or they had been paid off…he would find out.
Harry noticed a flurry of activity outside, arching a brow, he focused on Derek again. He would know soon enough what it was all about, he'd receive updates.
"Is the Argent family a hunter one?" Harry asked, still stroking Derek's hand, hoping to give him some form of comfort.
Derek chuckled, it was a horrible bitter sound, "For centuries, they're one of the most known hunter clans around."
"Did you and Kate Argent have penetrative sex?" Harry asked, and boy did he feel awkward asking these questions, and Derek recoiled as if he had just shot him in the chest a dozen times.
Harry remained exactly where he was, staring at Derek with a mostly impassive look on his face.
"Yes," Derek rasped out, looking sick to his stomach.
"Did she ever force or coerce you into it?" Harry asked, he knew the answer was probably no, since Derek wouldn't tell her anything if she'd forced him.
Derek shook his head once, it was weak but discernible.
"Okay," Harry breathed out, "You said you told her about the tunnels, can you tell me more about that?" taking the focus off the sexual aspect of their sordid 'relationship' as it were. She wouldn't just be arrested for the murders but having sex with a minor as well. Not to forget she was in the position of authority, but considering everything else it wasn't really big on the grand scheme of things. He was going to throw the book at her and charge her with everything he possibly could though.
Derek almost bowled over in relief that he wasn't having to discuss anything more with his mate about his biggest regret. It was bad enough living with the knowledge he had given Kate Argent his virginity and allowed himself to be used to reduce his family to ashes.
"There were…escape tunnels under our house, to get away if anything happened." Derek confessed, a pained look marring his features. "I was always told never to tell anyone outside the pack…but she wanted to visit, I told her she could use them and I'd meet her, she was curious…and I revealed everything including the Hale vaults." His tone bitter and disgusted. He'd been besotted with her, and he'd betrayed his entire pack for her.
"I see," Harry murmured, "How long after you told her did the fire happen?"
"A month, I…I told her about the family getting together, that I couldn't meet up with her." Derek said resignedly, he was so out of tears that he couldn't cry anymore. "I had a basketball game, Laura came with me, she wanted to see her boyfriend, then we felt it…the pack bonds breaking one by one." He choked out, the tears catching him unawares. "Then Laura became the Alpha…we knew, we knew something terrible had happened and when we got there…the house was in flames the fire brigade was trying to put it out we didn't think anyone had…I didn't think anyone had survived."
Harry clutched at Derek's hands again, uncaring at the tightness in which Derek held them.
"The sheriff…he got us into the police car, took us to the station, questioned us, and when it became clear we didn't have anything to do with it…he let us go, I…thought, Laura she…just told us we were leaving, I thought we would get Peter before we left, but she just started driving towards New York the second she got in the Camaro." He hadn't protested, hadn't said anything much, reeling over the scent of Kate around his home, and the realisation that he'd been played and after seeing the voice message from her…he understood what she'd meant by 'surprise' and the added horror of the name 'Argent' being called in the background and the pieces had slotted together. A normal human wouldn't have heard it, but he wasn't normal.
Harry pursed his lips, that, that actually sickened him, hell he wouldn't do what they had done to an enemy let alone family. Fortunately, he was beginning to understand just how big a hold an Alpha has on a Beta, and how little choice Derek had…living with a completely domineering Alpha like Laura Hale and believing it was deserved.
"How did you come to the realisation that your teacher…was Kate Argent all along?" Harry asked finally gaining control of his emotions. He refused to call her his girlfriend, partner or lover, that's not what she had been.
Derek swallowed thickly, "I got a voicemail from her, saying she had a surprise for me. It was before the game, I didn't hear it until after, but I already knew she'd helped set the fire her scent was all around my home…" shell of a home, "I heard the name Argent being mentioned along with the talk of wolfsbane solution, it didn't take much for me to realise it was Kate Argent."
"Do you still have it?" Harry asked immediately, that would be considered evidence.
Derek shook his head, "I broke it," he confessed, shattered it irreparably.
"Did you keep the sim card?" Harry asked, not really holding out hope.
"No," Derek answered suddenly feeling very, very tired.
"I see," Harry murmured, no matter, he wouldn't need it at the end of the day. He would try summoning it, to see if that worked, but if it didn't it wouldn't matter. "It's fine, Derek, we don't need it." he reassured the worried werewolf.
The door was suddenly wrenched open, Zane tense and exuding rage appeared at the door.
Harry stood up, "You better have a good reason for this," Harry stated, but without reprimanding him until he knew more. Tense and alert himself, noticing all the tells that Zane had due to working with him.
"It's to do with your case, Will noticed something," Zane stated, not insulted by Harry's words, he was very honest about never wanting to be disturbed when dealing with things in his office, he'd never had to before. Unfortunately, this was just too big to ignore.
Harry frowned, "Show me," Harry stated firmly, already in boss mode.
"He cross-referenced both names with incidents involving arson, in each town that has so far been confirmed to be a location she was in." Zane explained, "So far, the computer has spat out five individual locations and Will cross-referenced it and found four that have…"
"Five," Will looked up for a second to confirm it.
"We have another location coming, Ohio, Columbus," Jerry called out across the room, from where he was situated in Zane's chair watching the results come up, already hooking it to the projector so that everyone could see what was coming up on the screen.
"She was twenty-nine, six years ago," Harry muttered seeing her date of birth, a grimace on his face. A twenty-nine year old with an unhealthy interest in adolescent boys.
Shaking off his disgust, he narrowed his eyes on the information that was coming thick and fast.
"Merlin," Will muttered, "Three fires, two accidents with no fatalities…one fire that somehow killed an entire family…written off as accidental and during the evening of the full moon yet again. Barely a mile from her location."
"They're hardly being subtle are they?" Zane said, staring at the information coming in.
"Nebraska, Omaha," Jerry informed Will, as he typed hastily away at his station.
"Give me a minute!" Will huffed, going as fast as he could.
"California, Sacramento," Jerry continued regardless.
"I'll get that one," John informed them, eating from his station, as he to begun to type one handed, helping Will along, working as a team as they always did.
Eight cases, "Adam boards," Harry ordered, "Daniel individual cases," he didn't need to say more to be understood. Within minutes, the wall was covered in white boards just waiting to be used.
"Los Angeles, California," Jerry confirmed the next piece of information being spat out by the computer.
"John?" Harry called out.
"Got it!" John confirmed, "And I can confirm she was there and there are four cases of arson only one on the full moon…with ten fatalities, once again written off as an accident."
Harry inhaled sharply, this was getting out of hand very, very quickly. The printer was spitting out information a mile a minute, and the guys were putting it up on the boards. Doing it by individual cases, not that there was much, after all they were accidental.
"Phoenix Arizona," Jerry called out.
"Zane, focus on survivors," Harry ordered, rubbing his temples, shit, he'd expected one case…bloody hell, this was turning into a shit show.
"It's already hit the hundred," Will's shocked whisper broke Harry out of his thoughts.
"Don't dwell on it, Will," Harry said clasping his hand on his shoulder, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "Just get everything you can to help us catch those sons of bitches so they can't hurt anyone else and get those who suffered justice." It was the only thing he could say to help Will, who had never dealt with such a massive scale investigation before. A serial killer.
"She doesn't even look like she could do shit like this," Will admitted staring at Kate Argent who looked like innocence personified. There was no denying that she was a very attractive woman, definitely didn't look her age.
"Looks can be the most deceptive part of the job," Harry informed him, "You alright?" making sure he could continue, "Need a break?"
"No, no I'm fine," Will stated, stiffening his shoulders and immediately getting back to work, determination written all over his features.
"Boss? You might want to see this," Zane informed him from Harry's computer. Jerry was still using his so it wasn't as if he could use it too.
"What is it?" Harry asked, making his way over, peering over Zane's shoulder to get a look.
"Witness statements, claims that the fire wasn't an accident, that it was murder, that he'd been in a sexual relationship and she was responsible for it." Zane stated, looking through it all, "It's barely investigated, even when they realized that the name wasn't coming up in the system. Written off as grief, the boy was…fourteen-years-old."
"Where is he now?" Harry wanted to know.
"He was orphaned, no family survived the fire, he was supposed to go into care but he ran, he was declared a runaway, he used a debit card close to California, but there's been no record trail since then." Zane informed him, already digging into more. "It was a bus ticket he bought, from Sacramento to close to Beacon County."
"Are we familiar with any packs in that part of the country?" Harry pondered, mind reeling.
"Satomi," Derek whispered at his back, causing Harry to nearly jump in fright. "She's known for taking in Omega's and she wasn't far from our pack…she was friends with my Alpha, my mom." His mom, how he missed her so much he wanted to feel her strong, resolute presence beside him. The safety
"Shit," Harry said, looking around the room, Derek shouldn't be seeing this. Shouldn't be hearing it, he'd forgotten to shut the door, how could he have been so damn stupid as to forget Derek's superior hearing?
"There's a Satomi Ito, barely half a mile from the last bus stop available for that bus route." Zane asked, craning his neck for confirmation. He was aware that Derek Hale was a born wolf, and probably knew the surrounding packs as well as his own, at least he assumed so.
"That's her, yes," Derek confirmed.
"We've got an address, should I go and investigate?" Zane asked Harry, already writing out the name and address that was on his computer onto a yellow pad.
"Yes, take John with you," Harry confirmed, "You'll be in charge of that specific case, see it through to its resolution." They would all be focusing on individual cases despite it being one massive investigation it will just require more collaboration. They were all connected, but until they actually had the evidence, they would be considered individual cases. "If you need help, Roger, Rose, Tracey, Mike, Jordan and Drew are all already in Beacon Hills, I'll update them soon."
They wouldn't need help, but it was always a good thing to know where the Aurors were located in case of emergency.
"John," Zane called out already up and walking towards his desk to get ready, just as Jerry called out another location, Will had yet to stop typing even for a minute. Zane worked around Jerry, until he had everything.
"I heard," John confirmed, getting everything he'd need for the outing. "Ready to go,"
"Let's head out," Zane stated, sliding his notebook into his pocket, ready to collect statements if he succeeded in locating the werewolf. If that is what he was of course, there was no guarantee.
"Jerry call Amber Rose, Mason Meyers, Lawrence Peterson and Judi in, we're going to need them, call them off their current detail this is more important." Harry informed Jerry, the feeling of Derek at his back watching them at work, was quite…invigorating, he wanted Derek to see what he was capable of, that he was able to keep him safe and use the law to his advantage.
"Anchorage, Alaska," Jerry said, "There's a three year hiatus there, where she was in France? Do we pass our suspicions on to the French Ministry for Magic?" they would need to do their own investigating since they didn't have jurisdiction.
"I think it's safe to say we're on to something, but I want a solid full proof case to present to them," Harry informed him, "Plus, if she is in France I don't want them getting all the credit, I want to be the one that arrests her." He didn't care for disputes normally, or taking credit, but he definitely did want to be the one to bring her in. He had nothing to prove, he was running his own department, he couldn't get any higher up.
"No current address, but there's been no flights out of the USA from her or the alias she uses." Jerry mused, "But it's not unheard of for her to go under after an arson until she finds another pack to target, she's quite methodical." Which made her very dangerous and probably going to make her damn near impossible to catch.
"Can I send it out to my contacts?" Will asked, aware that they needed permission to do so, unless it was going to be a very DL case.
"All of you, yes, I'll be doing the same thing," Harry said with his mouth in a tight lipped frown. He knew it wasn't going to be easy to catch her either. She hadn't gotten to where she was and the body count she amassed by being stupid. Jerry was right she was methodical. With a little luck their contacts would come through for them. "Put out a quarter of a million on her capture alive." That would guarantee someone would look hard for her, that sort of bounty didn't come around every day.
Stunned silence followed that statement, the guys glancing at each other before silently doing as bid. Sure, they offered money as incentive, but that much? It was unheard of.
"Um…I've been looking into her immediate family…" Adam muttered, "It looks like they leave a hell of a lot of destruction in their wake."
"They're hunters," Harry explained, "It might be Omega's but write down every single area they've visited and go to the police stations and get every single case file that was opened for the duration of their stay or directly afterwards to be on the safe side. Take Roger with you when he gets here. We'll find out whether it's all an Omega or not pretty damn quickly," they had magic at their beck and call, they would know whether it was a werewolf or not or made to look like one.
"Samara is going to kick our asses," Will muttered loud enough for everyone to hear as he focused on his work.
Harry laughed, "Nah, she's got a few apprentices close to gaining their masteries right now, it will ease the burden of the case loads significantly." She'd definitely put up a fuss for the sake of it though, probably because she had the tendency to actually check their work sometimes to ensure it was indeed correct. "Will, you inform the others what to do when they come in." it was time to see what he was made off.
"Yes, boss!" Will murmured, before sitting back, fingers finally ceasing their incessant clicking. "That the lot?"
"Yep," Jerry confirmed, sitting back himself, "She started this shit when she was sixteen-years-old." He was aghast, how the hell had she gotten away with it so long?
"Come on," Harry said, gesturing for Derek to follow him, a quick glance at the time confirmed the first of the procedures were done.
"Your department has that much money to spend on finding one person?" Derek asked, still shocked to the core over what was happening and what he had heard. His mind reeled over the implications of it, that Kate Argent had been killing this way since she was sixteen-years-old. How was it that no rumours had been spread?
Harry laughed, "No, we aren't bounty hunters, that's a whole different department, we usually give money to our contacts for finding someone and it's usually a couple of hundred bucks. Also it's always our own money we part with." Harry informed him.
"You shouldn't have…" Derek trailed off unable to finish that statement. Quarter of a million dollars was a lot of money to spend, what was he thinking?
"It's nothing," Harry said sincerely, he wanted Derek to be able to heal, recover and rest without wondering if she was going to show up back in his life to kill him. Harry wanted Derek to know the peace he felt when he finally avenged his own parents and killed Voldemort.
"But that amount…" Derek protested again, only to be cut off, feeling he didn't deserve that kind of money spent on him.
"You do realize where I live?" Harry said amused.
"Well, yes," Derek frowned, failing to see what he was trying to say. Sure, it spoke of having a lot of money, but spending a quarter of a million was too much. Especially on the likes of him.
"I bought the building a few years ago, I have tenants on the bottom floor, the rest is mine, I didn't just move into that place and knock down an entire wall and turn two penthouse suites into my own place without permission." Harry said wryly, "A quarter of a million is a spit in the ocean compared to what I'm worth." He would have preferred not giving out just how much he was worth if it had been anyone else…he wouldn't have done it.
Derek's jaw dropped open a little, if he honestly could say a quarter of a million was a spit in the ocean, how much was Harry worth? The Hales were…well off compared to Harry if he could just drop that kind of money and not to forget just how much the building had cost…he could only imagine it was in the double digit millions maybe even three. New York real estate was absolutely, horrifically overpriced.
"For your peace of mind…I'd spend a lot more, you're my mate, Derek," Harry told him, and the door knocked, interrupting their conversation. Flicking out his wand, there was no use to calling out, they wouldn't hear, he had privacy wards set up in his office. "Come in," he added once the door was open a bit.
"I'm here to update you on Laura Hale?" Jace said, moving forward, his gait confident and poised.
"I'm listening," Harry informed him, letting Jace get situated, before he prompted, "So?"
"What about her?" Derek demanded to know, staring at Harry his green eyes fading into icy blue.
"You're quite correct, she needs three Beta's and until she gets them…there is an imbalance there, she's quite stubborn, but I do not believe she's lost any of her faculties, at least not really. She's very easy to anger, possessive to the extreme, she could do with joining a programme for Omega Alpha's and seeing a mind healer." Jace explained, "She refuses to face reality though, and is suspicious of every little thing. She seems to refuse to believe that her little sister is alive and well, despite the fact Derek called her out on her lie. She knows she's alive but refuses to believe it, it's rather concerning."
"She's not an Omega, she has me and Uncle Peter," Derek protested.
"Mr. Hale…there is no pack bond tying your sister to Peter, otherwise Peter would have steadily improved despite the Aconitum in him. He's an omega at the moment, that's how they were able to so easily subdue him. She cut him from the pack utterly when she got to New York, and considering he ended up in a coma at that time…it's safe to say being cut off was the straw that broke the camel's back on your Uncle's psyche." Jace informed Derek solemnly, he had everything he needed medically for both Peter and Laura all of it updated when he'd received Harry's orders earlier. "Her one to you is frayed and weakened, brittle to the point that I fear if you weren't related it would have snapped by this. Do you spend any time together at all? Talk to each other?" it was like they spent every single day off at the other side of the world without a drop of contact.
Derek just looked the other way, unable to articulate his relationship with Laura and worse…how to feel about what he'd just discovered. His little sister, his cousin.
"A familial bond will be a great comfort to Peter right now," Jace commented almost as an afterthought, but nothing was ever an 'afterthought' to him. He honestly believed Laura needed help, that they both did, and leaning on each other after all they'd been through – tragically – wasn't helping them. They weren't even coping with the loss, one was clearly drowning in guilt and the other…was ignoring it completely.
"What about Laura?" Derek asked subdued.
"The camp as we call it, is there to help Alpha's grow into their own, to pick out Beta's they feel more connected to, in order to become stable and capable." Jace explained, even Harry was listening curiously. "The first month they are there by judge's ruling, afterwards if there is improvement they can leave if they wish, but some stay in order to expand their knowledge, become more comfortable before deciding where to settle down roots." It wasn't a prison regardless of how it sounded, it was for their own good and they were allowed to come and go, but magic would compel their return.
"When can I see her?" Derek asked, Circe he was so tired, he just wanted to sleep, to forget today had ever happened. Had it really just been a day? It felt like so much longer, and he honestly didn't know what to do with himself.
"Sunday is visiting day, so five days, you're welcome to join the festivities that's the full moon when it's time, acres and acres of trees and land to run free without fear of being spotted." Jace explained.
"Where is it?" Derek asked, gaping, there was no such place in New York.
"Half a mile away, magically concealed," Jace informed him, grinning widely, "All shape-shifters that know about it come nearly every month. They love it, the freedom, the security, running with the others, the games, they say that they'd never had such a wonderful time during the full moon before. The body count I would say is somewhere between ninety on average but on a good night…one hundred and twenty at least."
"How is it that we don't know about it?" Derek asked, utterly bewildered.
"Not a lot of the supernatural world knows about MACUSA, only those who we've aided knows and their families of course," Jace explained, "In fact less than a decade ago nobody knew, we have to explain what MACUSA means to everyone and even then we face doubt and disbelief."
Harry hummed in acknowledgement, "The magical world split from the supernatural world, both keeping the secret and one largely unaware of each other. It is a little ironic really, but it's also given the hunters the upper hand on supernatural's." green eyes gleaming with malice.
Jace quirked a brow at Harry, wondering at that statement.
"Well, I've given my report, I'll be giving one to Donovan, and my suggestion will probably go through, having an out of control Alpha isn't something anyone wants." Jace informed them, there were enough Beta's and Omega's in the world without adding more.
Harry nodded, "Thank you, Jace," and with that the healer nodded and vacated the room.
"Would you prefer to return to your apartment, come to mine or spend time with Peter?" Harry asked the clearly overwhelmed Derek.
"I want Cora back," Derek ground out, he wanted to see his sister.
"She's currently in a pack in South America, we have an Auror approaching the pack to speak to her, give her the heads up that her family isn't as gone as she believed. Now, legally Peter has custody of her, Laura will not gain custody even if she fought for it, she abandoned her and that puts her immediately out of the running. If Peter doesn't want custody of her, then you would have a chance of gaining custody yourself." Family was everything, MACUSA would do all it could to see that she was placed with immediate family.
"It should be one of us talking to her," Derek argued, the urge to go to Cora was so strong.
"Yes, it should be, she shouldn't have had to find her own way in the world at such a young age, but it is what it is." Harry said sympathetically, "All we can do is correct it, they will be calling me when they succeed, you can talk to her…it's all I can offer you."
Derek's breath hitched and hope overwhelmed him…he'd be able to talk to her? "Tonight?" unable to help the hope consuming him, whining softly.
"I'm not sure, I can't say with any degree of certainty," Harry admitted, "There are too many factors, finding the pack, talking to them, talking to Cora, it might not happen until tomorrow…" he wasn't going to promise Derek something he couldn't see through. "So, what's it to be?"
"I'd like to visit my Uncle Peter," Derek decided, knowing Harry was going to be spending his night there, he was going to be there for that phone call. Plus, he didn't want to be on his own in that damn smelly disgusting apartment. Being on his own right now would be the worst thing possible. It was the worst apartment yet, but the only one Laura could get on such short notice after she decided to run. "Will you tell me about this…Malia?" there was no denying it sounded like a Hale had named her, after his mom.
Derek roused from his sleep, blinking blearily wondering what the hell was going on, the smells alerted him to where he was and everything that had happened. Harry was no longer beside him, glancing over at the hospital bed he found his uncle missing too. He didn't panic too badly, as his hearing picked up the soft soothing tone of Harry's voice and the sound of a shower. The bed was remaking itself, they'd been told Peter would sweat a lot, Harry must have taken Peter to get a shower. Peter would like that, nobody would want to lie in their own sweat.
Stretching out languidly, tonight had probably been the best rest he'd had in a long time. Harry had brought him here, and spent time telling him about what they'd found out about Malia Hale aka Tate. It had been hesitant, as if Harry didn't want to reveal it all but he had in the end when he pushed.
The evidence was irrefutable, his cousin had been adopted illegally, the signatures didn't match his uncle and even he could see that. The signature matched his mom, and it had been a kick in the gut, why would she do that? He didn't understand and worse…the Tate's were ordinary…what would they do when and if his cousin manifested her abilities? Contrary to popular belief, you never knew whether they were going to be human or a Were until they got older. He had met Corrine a few times, she'd been Peter's lover, he remembered asking about her and Peter had just looked at him blankly, but he'd just thought they'd broken up and he didn't want to talk about it.
He knew there was only one other explanation, his mom had taken all of Peter's memories of her. Had she abused her alpha powers? Or was it something Peter had asked her to do? It didn't seem likely, nobody wanted someone scrambling with their memories…it was a very dangerous procedure. His mom had risked changing Peter forever by doing that…and Peter will have been connected to his daughter but unable to understand why…or how.
He had a cousin that was only a few years younger than Cora, and he'd soon get to meet her.
"Okay, Peter, I'm going to shampoo your hair, lean your head back a little," Harry said, "Or forward, whichever you're more comfortable with." Peter was able to follow directions, even if he wasn't aware enough to talk yet. The horrific burns had already disappeared, leaving red irritated skin behind, this time tomorrow evening, all the wolfsbane would be out of his system, which should bring him out of the drowsy state he was constantly in.
Derek smiled, his mate was amazing, kind and generous, he didn't deserve him really. He heard Harry laugh softly at the sound of Peter's purring, "Like that do you? Have you had an itch you couldn't scratch huh?" before, "Okay, keep your eyes closed, I'm going to switch the showerhead back on and clean you off," with that, the splatter of water met his ears, as Harry finished up.
So focused on Harry and his Uncle Peter that he almost jumped as if he'd just been electrocuted when Harry's cell phone began ringing.
"Derek? Can you get that for me?" Harry called out, "Okay, Peter, I'm going to spell you dry including your boxers and get you back into bed."
Derek snatched the phone and answered it, "Harry Potter's phone, can I ask who's calling?"
"Um…" the person on the phone was clearly taken aback. "Eric Carlton,"
"Just a minute," Derek replied, apparently Harry wasn't one for having someone else answering his calls. "It's Eric Carlton," he told Harry as he came out of the bathroom with Peter leaning heavily against him but taking his own slow steps. A flick of Harry's wand, and Peter was dressed in a pair of hospital pyjamas and being tucked into bed. Derek didn't miss the blatant scent marking or the broken sound that passed Peter's lips.
Guilt once again lurched through him, as he stood handing the phone over, he slid into the bed beside Peter and proceeded to almost aggressively scent mark him too. Giving into his wolf, the need for Peter to smell like pack was so strong that it bowled Derek over.
Harry smiled at the sight, clearly not disgusted by the closeness as most ordinary people would be. Harry wasn't ordinary though, he seemed to know and understand the cues that came with being a Werewolf. "Eric, report," Harry said, ear to the phone.
"I've found their pack house," Eric stated firmly, well aware of Harry's voice to know it was him. He couldn't deny he was curious about who picked up the phone. In all the years he'd known Harry he had never had a significant other or allowed anyone to pick up his phone. "Considering the size of it there could be upwards to twenty in the pack potentially double that. How do I proceed?"
"Did you being what I suggested?" Harry asked, his tone indicating that he had better have.
"Yes," Eric confirmed.
"Okay, take the sprig of the holly and put it on the doorstep and retreat. Wait at the gates or driveway, don't remain at the doorway. They will send out their Emissary and probably more than likely assume you are one too. Explain you aren't an Emissary for a pack immediately and that your there as a representative of MACUSA on behalf of the remaining members of the Hale pack." Harry explained simply, "You might end up waiting a while, it depends on whether their Emissary stays with them or if he or she is farther away. If the Emissary is away on business the second-in-command will see you. If they allow you to go on, bare your neck as a sign of respect do not take their hands." Scent was for pack only.
"Of course, a sign of peace," Eric murmured, barely heard over the call.
"That's right, call me after," Harry commanded.
"I should ask for hazard pay," Eric grumbled.
Harry barked out a humorous sound out laughter, "I very seriously doubt you're in any danger," they'd taken in a ten-year-old girl, who they believed to be an orphan, someone who couldn't bring in any money or value, there was no way they were a bad pack…at least he hoped not.
"Here goes nothing," and with that Eric hung up.
"We'll know soon enough," Harry said reassuring Derek who was staring at Harry with blue eyes, filled with nothing but hope and fear.
Eric walked slowly towards the door, watching it as if he expected it to open and have the pack barge down and give him what for. Instead he was able to put the holly on the doorstep and back away slowly and deliberately. He wasn't used to dealing with shape-shifters of any kind, he was a tracker, one of the best, and he usually hunted down witches and wizards.
He was only doing this as a favour to Harry, who he owed his life to. It had been one hell of a hairy situation he'd gotten himself into back in the day, and Harry had not only helped him out of a sticky situation, he'd saved his life until healers could get to him.
He remained as Harry suggested at the gates of the property, despite the chill until eventually someone came out. It was most definitely NOT the Emissary, judging by the gold eyes that flashed at the sight of the Holly on the step before staring at him, his nostrils flaring as he inhaled.
"Who are you? What pack do you belong to Emissary?" the presumed Second-in-command asked, his eyes now back to their normal brown colour. Stalking forward so that the human could hear him, his eyes had not flashed back ergo he was not a werewolf.
"I am not an Emissary for any pack," Eric dutifully repeated what had been suggested, "I am a representative of MACUSA and here on behalf of the remaining members of the Hale pack."
That startled a reaction out of the werewolf, who's eyes flashed golden again and he half transformed. "The Hale pack was decimated," he refuted, wincing a little glancing back at the mansion almost as in an apology. "Nobody survived!" they would protect Cora to the best of their abilities as he stepped closer protective fury clouding his judgement.
"I'm sorry, you've heard wrong, Peter Hale, Laura Hale and Derek Hale survived the massacre of their pack. I've been asked on behalf of Harry Potter to help find Cora Hale on behalf of the remaining members of the Hale pack." Eric explained, calmly.
"Potter?" the second-in-command asked, his shift fading away, "Auror Harry Potter?" the guy was telling the truth, or thought he was, Harry Potter, if it was the same person, was a honourable wizard.
"Yes, Sir," Eric said politely.
"He saved our Emissaries brother two years ago," the guy offered up, "My name is Miguel Sosa, Second-in-command, you're welcome into the pack house, just this once."
Eric swallowed thickly before baring his neck, "Thank you for the trust you're showing me, I shall endeavour not to break it."
Miguel smiled in genuine appreciation, it wasn't often humans understood their ways. Especially a human that wasn't pack. "Come this way,"
And with that Eric walked into the literal wolf den.
Harry's phone didn't ring again for over an hour, Derek hadn't gone back to sleep, he had too much energy just knowing that he would know if Cora was alive for himself or not. The second it begun ringing Derek was off the bed like a shot, standing directly in front of Harry waiting impatiently.
"Hello Eric, were you successful in getting in contact with the pack?" Harry asked, staring at Derek in amusement and fondness.
"I'm with them right now, Cora is with them and is demanding proof," his voice sounding amused.
"Then put it on speakerphone, I have someone here who is almost vibrating out of his skin in order to talk to her." Harry said wryly, Derek's eyes had widened impossibly upon hearing Eric saying that Cora was with them, evidently until now he'd barely been clinging to hope.
Both phones were put on speakerphone.
"Cora?" Derek's voice was hoarse with wonder and pain.
"Derek!" Cora shrieked, "I…what…why didn't you come?" her wonder leaving quickly now anger and confusion was taking it's place. "Nobody came to the safe house, I thought you were all gone! I couldn't feel any pack bonds!" something of a desperate strangled sob left Cora's mouth.
Tears ran down Derek's face, as he stared at the phone, mouth opening and closing. "I…I didn't know…I didn't know you'd survived I swear," he said brokenly.
"But…but Laura…" Cora whined her voice muffled as if she was being comforted, by a pack that Derek didn't know.
Derek just swallowed thickly, whining in pain, how did he say anything? How could he?
"Cora? Harry Potter here, I'm an Auror, which is the magical police. Your pack's case was considered an accidental fire by the Mundane society, I reopened it after I met Derek and Laura. We dug into everyone and found that your uncle Peter was in Beacon Hills, there was attempts made to kill him, he's safe now, but we also found traces that you hadn't passed in the fire as originally believed." Harry explained, taking over from Derek who was clearly struggling. "When I went to inform your sister, Laura, she became belligerent, she's going to go to a camp specifically for Alpha's in order to try and get her better. She's obviously not been quite right since the fire…and she was evidently not ready for the Alpha powers. She took Derek and ran, leaving you and your Uncle behind. Now Derek has only just found out about this…maybe in time you'll get answers from your sister…but I do not believe they will be good ones." He said sympathetically.
Cora just sniffled over the phone.
"Originally Laura would have gained custody of you, as your Alpha and eldest sister, but due to her actions custody will be granted to your Uncle Peter once he's fully healed. Which will be sometime tomorrow, physically at least we aren't sure about mentally he has been locked in a coma and been imbibed with seriously harmful amounts of Aconitum for the past two years. It's currently being flushed from his system."
He was silent for a few seconds before continuing, "I understand if you've made a life in New Mexico and have no desire to return…if that is the case then I'm sure you can discuss that with your brother and Uncle Peter."
Derek whined, he didn't like the thought of Cora remaining in New Mexico and so far away from him. He'd already lost out in two years of her life, he didn't even contemplate on the idea he still wouldn't know if Harry wasn't his mate and so diligent at his job. Vividly reminded of all the locations that had been spit out with Kate Argent's name.
"Would you like to talk to Derek in private?" now that the blame had been placed where it should, hopefully they could begin repairing their relationship.
"Yes please," she managed to say politely.
"Okay, I'll hand it over," removing the speakerphone and handing it to Derek, now he wouldn't hear the conversation, although if Peter was aware, then he most definitely would. After Derek left the room, Harry helped Peter drink some water, keeping him well hydrated, it was important given the amount he was sweating out.
Harry could only hope that Cora didn't blame Derek for something beyond his control.
"It sounds to me like they all ran away," Harry sighed, "I just don't get it, I sort of understand why Cora would, getting put into the Mundane system is definitely not something you'd want if she thought everyone had died. I just don't understand why Laura ran." He stressed out. He'd yet to ask Derek but he wasn't sure the guy would have an answer.
He would have done anything to avenge his family, in fact he had, yet no, she ran. It was inconceivable to him.
There we go! So Will Peter be the one to reveal the very thing that's perplexing Harry or will Derek and Harry talk some more and the truth be revealed that way? it's getting surprisingly easier to write these chapters as the story progresses! It wasn't the same for Predators Of The Moon :) goes to show first or second attempt isn't always all that :D anyway there you go! R&R please!
