Part 17
Derek had been tracking the Helhound ever since he had returned with Paige a couple of weeks ago. As if nothing had happened at all, Jordan had returned with an unconscious but unharmed Paige in his arms.
Jordan had been met with relief and gratitude by Derek and the rest of the pack. Things started to go back to normal then but Derek could not shake off a nagging feeling of suspicion. Peter would never renegade on his promises, and if the older Hale had promised payback, they wouldn't have made it out with barely a scratch. So, Derek had kept an eye out on the Helhound.
Nothing out of the ordinary happened until a few days ago.
Parrish started disappearing for hours at a time with no recollection of what had happened.
Today, Derek had followed Parrish who led him to the Nemeton. It was there that he encountered the pale man who smelt like death. The man had an air of authority to him and Parrish acted subservient towards him.
Jordan led the man away and Derek followed from a distance. With Jordan trailblazing ahead, it wasn't difficult to follow. With each step the Helhound took, he left a foot mark of fire which lit up the way. Still, Derek did not venture too close so as not to alert them of his presence.
He followed them day and night. They forged on through the elements, neither creature resting. They took to the back roads, away from public eye. Derek followed them even when they cross state and national borders. He followed but always at a distance.
Finally, they reached a familiar looking lodge. Derek was trying to recall where he had seen the place when he noticed the two men go in.
He snuck closer and focused his senses on what was happening inside. From the outside, he could make out snippets of a conversation indicating the man's name was Hades. He couldn't see their faces, but the girl's voice sounded very familiar.
They seemed to be arguing and soon the situation escalated. Derek peeked through the windows and saw Parrish fighting against the stranger.
Deeming the man to be an enemy, Derek resolved to help his friend. He shielded his face and broke through the window causing shattered glass to fly in all directions. He landed on the floor and rolled to break the fall.
His sudden entrance caused Jordan and Hades to glance at his direction. He stood up and shook off the debris from his clothing. Then he immediately phased to his werewolf form causing a whiff of applewood and cedar to enter his nostrils as he did.
No wonder the lodge looked familiar from the outside, it was his uncle's! He could practically smell Peter's scent imbued in the house.
Growling, he rushed towards Hades and Jordan. He drew his claws out and attempted to slash Hades but was pushed back. Undaunted, he hurled himself at the enemy again. This time managing to get a few punches in before being thrown by Hades.
He landed a few feet away from another person on the floor.
The person examined him with recognition. The man looked like the other man in the photo, the man in the photo with Peter.
Derek glanced at the girl who was studying him and his eyes widened in surprise which quickly turned into a confused expression.
"Ashley?"