The morning sun rose over Beacon Hills, casting long shadows across the McCall house. Inside, the pack was already awake, gathering in the living room to regroup after the previous night's failed attempt to bring Stiles back. The energy in the room was tense but focused, the weight of their mission settling heavily on everyone.

Lila sat on the couch, clutching her charm bracelet like a lifeline. Her eyes were bloodshot from a restless night, but her resolve was stronger than ever. Derek stood near the doorway, his arms crossed as he watched her. Scott paced by the coffee table, his alpha instincts clearly driving him to keep moving.

"We're running out of time," Scott said, his voice steady but edged with urgency. "The Ghost Riders aren't just taking people—they're erasing entire parts of Beacon Hills. If we don't stop them soon, there might not be anything left to save."

Lydia leaned forward, flipping through a battered book of supernatural lore. "The Nemeton is still our best shot. Last night proved we can reach Stiles—it just wasn't enough."

"What went wrong?" Malia asked, her claws tapping against the arm of the chair. "We had everything in place. Why didn't it work?"

"It's not about what we did wrong," Derek said, his deep voice cutting through the tension. "It's about what we're missing. The Ghost Riders are powerful, and the connection to the train station isn't just physical—it's emotional. Lila's the only one who remembers Stiles. That connection is the key."

Everyone's eyes turned to Lila, who looked up from the bracelet in her hand. "I'll do whatever it takes," she said firmly, her voice steady despite the exhaustion. "Whatever it takes to bring him back."

A New Plan

Scott sat on the edge of the coffee table, addressing the group. "Deaton said there's another way to strengthen the connection to the train station. We can amplify Lila's connection to Stiles by using her memories of him. If we can tie those memories to the Nemeton, it might be enough to pull him back."

"But that means digging deep," Lydia added, her voice cautious. "It won't be easy. The Ghost Riders' magic is designed to erase memories completely. Pulling them back will take everything we've got."

"I don't care," Lila said, her jaw tightening. "I'll do it."

Derek stepped closer, his expression serious. "You don't have to do this alone, Lila. We'll all be there with you."

She nodded, the weight of their support giving her strength. "Thank you. All of you."

The Ritual Preparation

That evening, the pack prepared for another attempt at the Nemeton. This time, the focus was on Lila's memories of Stiles. Lydia had gathered items tied to him: an old lacrosse jersey, a notebook filled with his messy handwriting, and even his battered baseball bat. Each item was meant to anchor his presence and strengthen Lila's connection to him.

"This is everything?" Lila asked, her fingers brushing over the jersey.

"It's what we could find," Lydia said gently. "It'll be enough."

Scott handed Lila a small vial of herbs Deaton had given them. "These are supposed to help you focus. The connection has to come from you, Lila. We'll guide you, but you're the one who can reach him."

Lila swallowed hard, her heart pounding. "I can do this."

"You can," Scott said, his alpha glow flickering in his eyes. "And we'll be right there with you."

At the Nemeton

The clearing around the Nemeton was eerily quiet, the ancient tree looming in the moonlight. The pack formed a circle around it, their faces lit by the faint glow of candles they'd placed at each corner of the ritual site.

Lila stepped forward, the items tied to Stiles cradled in her arms. She knelt at the base of the tree, her fingers brushing against its rough bark as the hum in her head grew louder.

"Focus on him," Lydia said softly, kneeling beside her. "Think about everything that makes Stiles… Stiles."

Lila closed her eyes, the memories rushing forward like a flood. Stiles' crooked grin as he teased her. The way he always carried a bat, ready to face any danger. The sound of his voice calling her name. The warmth of his arms around her the last time they'd been together.

The Nemeton began to glow faintly, its energy pulsing in time with Lila's heartbeat. The pack watched in tense silence, their breaths visible in the cold night air.

"I can feel him," Lila whispered, her voice trembling. "He's close."

"Keep going," Scott urged, his alpha eyes glowing. "Don't let go."

The glow around the Nemeton intensified, and for a brief moment, Lila saw him again—Stiles, standing in the middle of the train station, his face pale but determined.

"Stiles!" she screamed, tears streaming down her face. "I'm here! I'm not letting you go!"

The Breakthrough

Stiles turned, his eyes widening as he saw her. "Lila!" he shouted, his voice raw with emotion. "You found me!"

The connection wavered, the image flickering like a fading signal. Lila gripped the Nemeton tighter, pouring everything she had into the connection. "Hold on, Stiles! Don't let go!"

The pack surged forward, their combined energy stabilizing the glow around the Nemeton. Scott's alpha roar filled the clearing, and Lydia's banshee hum resonated in the air. Derek placed a steadying hand on Lila's shoulder, his presence grounding her.

Finally, the glow reached its peak, and with a blinding flash of light, the connection solidified.

When the light faded, Stiles was there—collapsed at the base of the Nemeton, his chest heaving as he gasped for breath.

"Stiles!" Lila cried, rushing to his side. She fell to her knees, pulling him into a tight embrace as tears streamed down her face. "You're back."

He clung to her, his voice hoarse. "I knew you'd find me."

The pack surrounded them, their relief palpable as they helped Stiles to his feet. For the first time in weeks, the air felt lighter, the weight of the Ghost Riders' magic finally lifted.

Lila looked at him, her heart swelling with emotion. "I told you I wouldn't let go."

Stiles smiled, his eyes shining with gratitude. "You saved me, Lila. You always do."