The cabin was heavy with an eerie silence, broken only by the faint sound of the injured man's shallow breathing. Stella stood by the window, her arms crossed, watching Derek pace the room. His jaw was tight, his fists clenched, and the tension radiating off him filled the air like a storm about to break.
Scott sat at the table, his brow furrowed as he processed what the rogue wolf had revealed. Stiles leaned against the counter, his usual quips absent as he watched the scene unfold.
"Say it again," Derek demanded, his voice low but sharp, cutting through the room like a blade.
The injured wolf, still weak but conscious, flinched at Derek's tone. He sat propped up on the couch, his bandaged arms trembling. "The Alpha… it's Peter," he said, his voice hoarse. "Peter Hale."
Derek froze, his shoulders stiffening. The words hung in the air, heavy and undeniable. Stella felt her stomach drop as she glanced between Derek and the rogue wolf, the pieces of the puzzle beginning to fall into place.
"That's impossible," Derek said, his voice barely above a whisper. "Peter died in the fire. I saw the house burn."
The wolf shook his head. "He didn't die. He survived, barely. But he's… different now. He's not the Peter you knew."
Scott stood, his hands resting on the table. "How do you know it's him? Are you sure?"
The rogue nodded. "He made it clear to all of us. He's been hiding, waiting for the right moment to take control. The Alpha attacks, the rogue wolves, the hunters—it's all him."
Derek turned away, his hands gripping the back of a chair so tightly that the wood creaked. Stella stepped forward, her voice soft. "Derek… are you okay?"
He didn't respond at first, his shoulders rising and falling with deep, measured breaths. Finally, he turned, his expression hard. "If Peter's alive, then everything changes. He knows how we fight, how we think. And if he's the one pulling the strings, we're in more danger than we realized."
The group sat around the table, the weight of the revelation pressing down on them. Derek spoke in short, clipped sentences, recounting what he knew about Peter. "Before the fire, Peter was strong, but he wasn't cruel. He cared about our family. But if he's been alive this whole time… if the fire twisted him—"
"It did," the rogue interrupted, his voice shaking. "He's not the same. He's obsessed with revenge. He wants to rebuild the Hale pack, but only under his control. Anyone who resists him… they don't survive."
Stiles broke the silence, his voice uncertain. "So, let me get this straight. Your psychotic uncle faked his death, built a secret army of rogue wolves, and now he's coming for us? Awesome. Just awesome."
"Stiles," Stella said, shooting him a look.
"What? I'm just saying what we're all thinking," he muttered.
Scott leaned forward, his expression serious. "If Peter's alive, we need to stop him. For good this time."
Derek nodded, his jaw set. "Agreed. But it won't be easy. He's an Alpha, and he knows how to use fear to control people. We'll need to be smarter, faster, and stronger than him."
The conversation shifted to strategy, but Stella's mind kept drifting to Derek's reaction. She couldn't imagine what it must feel like to learn that someone you thought was dead—a family member, no less—was not only alive but also the source of so much destruction.
Later, when the others were busy preparing supplies, Stella found Derek outside, staring into the forest. He didn't acknowledge her at first, but she stepped closer, her voice gentle. "Derek… are you okay?"
"No," he said bluntly, his eyes fixed on the horizon. "How could I be?"
Stella hesitated, unsure of what to say. "I can't imagine what this must feel like. But we'll figure it out. Together."
Derek finally looked at her, his expression softening just slightly. "Peter was my family. I trusted him. And now… I have to be the one to stop him."
"You're not alone in this," Stella said. "We've got your back."
Derek nodded, though the weight in his eyes didn't lift. "Thanks, Stella. But this fight… it's personal."
That night, the group prepared to track Peter's movements. Derek marked locations on the map where Peter had been sighted, each one forming a rough circle around the cabin. "He's closing in," Derek said. "Testing us. We need to move fast before he regains his full strength."
As they finalized their plans, Stella caught Stiles watching her. She raised an eyebrow. "What?"
"Just making sure you're okay," he said, his tone light but his eyes serious.
"I'm fine," she said, though her voice wavered. "It's just… a lot."
"Yeah, no kidding," Stiles said, leaning closer. "But hey, you've got this. You're stronger than you think. And if you need a break, you know where to find me."
Her lips curved into a small smile. "Thanks, Stiles."
"Always," he said, his grin returning.
As the group set out into the night, the forest felt darker than usual, the weight of Peter's presence pressing in on them. Stella's senses were sharp, every sound and movement amplified as they moved silently through the trees.
"This is just the beginning," Derek said quietly, his voice low but steady. "But when it's over, Peter won't hurt anyone else."
Stella nodded, her resolve hardening. The fight ahead would be the hardest one yet, but they were ready. Together, they would face Peter Hale—and this time, they wouldn't stop until he was truly defeated.
The forest was eerily quiet as Stella and the group moved deeper into the trees, their steps cautious and deliberate. Derek led the way, his sharp eyes scanning the shadows, every sense tuned to the possibility of an ambush. Scott walked just behind him, his jaw tight with focus, while Stella stayed close to Stiles, her claws itching to extend as the weight of the night pressed in on her.
It was Stiles who broke the silence, his voice low. "So, we're just walking into the big bad Alpha's playground? Great plan, guys. Really solid."
"Stiles," Derek snapped, not even looking back, "shut up."
Stiles raised his hands in mock surrender, but Stella could see the tension in his posture. "Just saying, maybe we could've done this in broad daylight. Or with a tank."
Derek stopped suddenly, his head tilting to the side. Stella froze, her heart pounding as the stillness of the forest pressed down on them like a weight.
"He's here," Derek said, his voice low and steady.
Before anyone could respond, a low, menacing laugh echoed through the trees. Stella's breath hitched as the sound sent a shiver down her spine. It was deep and guttural, filled with a confidence that spoke of someone who knew he was in control.
"Derek," the voice drawled, smooth and venomous. "I always knew you were persistent. But this? Bringing your little friends into my woods? Bold."
Peter Hale stepped out of the shadows, his figure illuminated by the faint light of the moon. He looked every bit the predator, his glowing red eyes fixed on the group, his smile twisted into something that was more sneer than grin.
"Peter," Derek said, his voice cold. "It's over. You've lost."
Peter chuckled, the sound almost amused. "Oh, Derek. Always so dramatic. You think you've won because you pushed me into hiding? Because you found my little pack of rogues?" He shook his head, his gaze shifting to Stella and Scott. "You haven't even begun to understand the game."
Stella stepped forward, her claws extending as her instincts took over. "You've hurt too many people," she said, her voice steady despite the fear coursing through her veins. "This ends now."
Peter's eyes flicked to her, and his smile widened. "Ah, Stella. Brave, strong, and oh so naive. Do you even know what you're fighting for?"
"I know enough," she snapped.
"Do you?" Peter said, his tone turning sharp. "Do you know who gave you this gift? Who turned you into what you are?"
Stella's heart stopped. She glanced at Scott, who was staring at Peter with the same mixture of confusion and dread.
"What are you talking about?" Scott asked, stepping forward.
Peter spread his arms wide, his grin wolfish. "Oh, come on. You haven't figured it out yet? Who bit you? Who gave you the strength you have now? Who set everything in motion?"
Scott's jaw tightened, and Stella's stomach twisted as the truth began to dawn on her.
"It was you," she whispered, her voice barely audible.
Peter's smile turned cruel. "Now you're catching on. Yes, Stella. Yes, Scott. I was the one who turned you both. You should be thanking me. Without me, you'd still be weak, ordinary, and oh so forgettable."
Scott's fists clenched, his claws extending as his rage built. "You ruined our lives."
"I saved your lives," Peter said, his tone dripping with mock sincerity. "You were going nowhere, living mediocre existences. Now, look at you—strong, powerful, important. You're welcome."
Stella felt a surge of anger unlike anything she'd ever experienced. "You call this a gift? You've made us into monsters. You've hurt people—killed people. And for what? Your twisted sense of power?"
Peter's grin faded, his eyes narrowing. "I did what I had to do. The Hale family was destroyed, and I was left to pick up the pieces. I turned you because I needed you. Because this world doesn't respect weakness."
Derek stepped between Stella and Peter, his claws out and his voice like ice. "You're done, Peter. You're not a leader. You're not even family anymore. You're just a monster."
Peter's expression hardened, his red eyes glowing brighter. "Careful, Derek. You're not as strong as you think."
Scott moved beside Derek, his claws extended, his voice steady despite the fire in his eyes. "We're stronger together. You can't win this."
Peter tilted his head, his twisted smile returning. "You're so sure of that, aren't you? But you're forgetting something. I made you. And I can break you."
With a sudden roar, Peter lunged forward, moving faster than Stella could process. Derek intercepted him, their claws clashing with a sound that echoed through the forest. The battle had begun.
Stella didn't hesitate. She moved instinctively, her claws slashing toward Peter as Scott joined the fight. The forest erupted into chaos, the sounds of snarls, growls, and clashing claws filling the air. Stiles stayed back, his flashlight swinging wildly as he tried to keep track of the action.
Peter was fast, stronger than any of them had anticipated. He moved with precision, his strikes calculated and brutal. But Stella and Scott worked in sync, their bond as siblings giving them an edge. Every time Peter lunged at one of them, the other was there to block or counter.
"You've improved," Peter taunted, his voice breathless but still mocking. "But it won't be enough."
"We'll see about that," Stella shot back, her claws grazing his side as she dodged his strike.
As the fight raged on, Derek delivered a brutal strike to Peter's chest, sending him stumbling back. Blood dripped from his wounds, but his red eyes burned brighter, his determination undiminished.
"This isn't over," Peter growled, his voice filled with venom. "You can't kill me. I'm the Alpha."
Stella stepped forward, her claws extended, her voice steady. "We'll see about that."
The battle wasn't over, but for the first time, Stella felt the strength of her pack behind her. Together, they would finish what Peter had started—and this time, there would be no coming back for him.
The forest was alive with chaos. Peter lunged again, his red eyes glowing like embers in the dark, his movements a blur of speed and precision. Stella barely ducked his claws, her heart pounding as she countered with a strike of her own. Scott was beside her, their movements in sync as they worked to force Peter back.
Derek and Peter clashed violently, their snarls echoing through the trees. Each strike from Derek carried years of betrayal and pain, but Peter was stronger than they'd anticipated. His attacks were vicious, and despite their combined strength, he held his ground.
"You think you're strong enough to stop me?" Peter snarled, his voice dripping with venom. "You're nothing without me. I made you!"
"We're stronger than you'll ever be," Scott shot back, his claws slashing across Peter's chest. "Because we fight for each other—not for power."
Peter roared, his body surging with energy. He swiped at Scott, forcing him to stumble back, then turned his attention to Stella. "And you, little wolf," Peter sneered, his grin twisted. "You've barely scratched the surface of your potential. You could have been so much more under my guidance."
"I don't need you," Stella growled, her voice steady despite the fear thrumming in her chest. "I've made it this far without you, and I'm not stopping now."
The fight grew more brutal with every passing second. Stella and Scott coordinated their attacks, striking from opposite sides while Derek kept Peter occupied with relentless blows. But Peter was relentless, his strength seemingly endless.
"Stiles!" Stella shouted, glancing over her shoulder. "We need that wolfsbane now!"
"I'm working on it!" Stiles yelled back, fumbling with the small vial in his hand. He'd been tasked with bringing the wolfsbane-laced blade they'd prepared, but the chaos of the fight made it nearly impossible to focus.
Peter noticed the exchange and turned his gaze to Stiles, a cruel smile spreading across his face. "The human," he said mockingly. "Always the weakest link."
Before Stella could react, Peter surged toward Stiles with terrifying speed. "No!" she screamed, throwing herself in his path. She collided with Peter, their bodies hitting the ground hard. Pain shot through her side, but she didn't let go, her claws digging into his arms as she fought to hold him back.
Stiles scrambled to his feet, clutching the blade tightly. "Stella, get out of the way!" he shouted.
"I've got him!" she yelled, her voice strained. "Do it!"
Scott joined her, slamming into Peter and pinning him against a tree. Peter snarled, his claws slashing wildly, but Scott held firm. "Now, Stiles!" Scott shouted.
Stiles hesitated for a split second, his hands trembling as he raised the blade. Then, with a burst of determination, he lunged forward, driving the wolfsbane-coated blade into Peter's side.
Peter let out a bloodcurdling roar, his body convulsing as the wolfsbane spread through his veins. His red eyes flickered, his strength faltering as he staggered back. Stella and Scott stepped away, breathing heavily as they watched Peter collapse to his knees.
"You think this is over?" Peter growled, his voice weak but defiant. "You'll never escape what I've given you. The wolf inside you… it's mine."
"No," Stella said, her voice firm. "It's mine. It always has been."
Peter's eyes met hers, a flicker of something—pride, or perhaps regret—crossing his face before the glow faded entirely. His body slumped forward, the fight finally draining from him. Derek stepped closer, his claws extended, his face a mask of pain and resolve.
"This ends now," Derek said, his voice heavy with finality. With a swift motion, he dealt the final blow, severing Peter's connection to the Alpha power once and for all.
The forest grew quiet, the oppressive weight of Peter's presence lifting like a fog dissipating in the sun. Stella stood frozen, her chest heaving as she processed what had just happened. Stiles was beside her in an instant, his hand on her arm.
"You okay?" he asked, his voice soft.
She nodded slowly, her gaze fixed on Peter's lifeless form. "Yeah. I think so."
Scott approached, his hand resting on her shoulder. "It's over," he said, his voice filled with both relief and exhaustion. "We did it."
Derek stood over Peter's body, his expression unreadable. After a long moment, he turned to the group, his voice steady. "Burn it. We can't leave any trace of him behind."
They worked in silence, gathering wood and creating a pyre in the clearing. The flames roared to life, consuming Peter's body and the remnants of his twisted legacy. Stella watched the fire, the warmth on her face a stark contrast to the cold knot in her chest.
As the flames died down, Derek spoke, his voice quieter now. "Thank you. All of you. For standing with me."
"We're a pack," Scott said simply. "We stand together."
Stella glanced at Stiles, his face illuminated by the dying embers. He met her gaze, his expression soft. "You okay?" he asked again, his concern unwavering.
"I will be," she said, her voice steady. "Thanks to you."
"Always," he replied, his small grin finally returning.
As they made their way back to the cabin, the air felt lighter, the forest no longer oppressive. For the first time in weeks, Stella felt a sense of peace. The Alpha was gone, and with him, the shadow that had loomed over them since the beginning.
They weren't out of the woods yet—there was still healing to be done, questions to answer. But for now, they were safe. And that was enough.
The cabin was unusually still, the kind of quiet that only came after a hard-fought battle. Derek had retreated to his room without a word, his exhaustion evident. Scott was sprawled on the floor near the fire, his soft snores the only sound in the room. The faint glow of the embers bathed the cabin in a warm, flickering light.
Stella sat on the couch, her legs tucked beneath her, staring at the flames. Her body ached from the fight, but it was her mind that felt the most tired. The weight of everything—Peter's revelation, the fight, the constant danger—pressed heavily on her chest. For the first time in what felt like days, she let herself breathe.
Stiles shuffled over from the kitchen, holding two mugs of tea. He handed one to her with a small smile before sitting down beside her. "Figured you could use this," he said, his voice soft.
"Thanks," she said, wrapping her hands around the warm mug. She took a sip, the soothing heat calming her nerves. They sat in comfortable silence for a moment, the crackling of the fire filling the space between them.
"You okay?" Stiles finally asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
Stella nodded, though her gaze remained fixed on the flames. "I think so. It's just… a lot to take in."
He leaned back, his eyes searching her face. "You've been through hell, Stell. Anyone would feel that way."
She turned to him, her lips twitching into a faint smile. "You've been through it too, you know. You don't have to keep pretending like you're invincible."
"Me? Invincible?" Stiles scoffed, his grin widening. "Please, I'm a human disaster. The fact that I'm still alive after all this is a minor miracle."
She chuckled softly, the sound easing some of the tension in her chest. "You're more than that, Stiles. You've been my anchor through all of this. I don't think I could've done it without you."
His grin faded, replaced by a softer, more serious expression. "You don't give yourself enough credit. You've been amazing, Stella. Stronger than I ever thought possible."
Her cheeks warmed under his steady gaze, and she looked away, her voice barely audible. "You always know what to say."
"I mean every word," he said, his voice unwavering. "You've come so far. And… I'm really proud of you."
The air between them shifted, the warmth of the fire and the quiet of the room wrapping around them like a cocoon. Stella turned to him, her heart racing as she met his gaze. His brown eyes were soft but intense, filled with a mixture of admiration and something else—something unspoken but undeniable.
"Stiles…" she started, her voice catching in her throat.
He leaned closer, his movements slow and uncertain, giving her plenty of time to pull away. But she didn't. Her breath hitched as he reached up, his fingers brushing a strand of hair from her face.
"I've been wanting to do this for a while," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper.
Her heart felt like it might burst as she whispered, "Then don't stop now."
That was all the encouragement he needed. Slowly, he closed the distance between them, his lips capturing hers in a kiss that was soft and hesitant at first, as if he couldn't quite believe this was happening. But as she kissed him back, her hands resting lightly on his chest, the hesitation melted away.
The kiss deepened, the weight of the world falling away as they lost themselves in the moment. For the first time in what felt like forever, Stella felt safe, grounded, and completely present.
When they finally broke apart, their foreheads rested together, their breaths mingling in the quiet. Stiles's eyes searched hers, a small, boyish grin spreading across his face. "Wow," he said, his voice slightly breathless. "That was… wow."
Stella laughed softly, her own smile widening. "Yeah. It was."
They stayed like that for a while, the fire crackling softly in the background, the rest of the world fading away. Whatever challenges lay ahead, whatever uncertainties still lingered, Stella knew one thing for sure: she wasn't alone. And with Stiles by her side, she felt like she could face anything.