Coming out of the latest missing person's home, I couldn't shake the sinking feeling that things were spiralling even further out of control. Since I arrived, three more people had vanished without a trace. Now, it was mid-February, and I still had no solid lead on where they were or who had taken them. But I was sure of one thing — A Wedigo was behind this. There were werewolves running loose, and the stupid hunters hadn't been able to stop the killings. I mean, I told them not to start fights, but I expected them to finish the job — stop the chaos — rather than let it escalate further.
As I walked down the narrow path back toward my bike, a sudden movement caught my eye. A sleek car pulled over just ahead, and instinct prickled at the back of my neck. I sensed a familiar, unwelcome scent — one I'd been avoiding. And what I was sure of now was that it was a werewolf. My eyes narrowed. Why is Melissa with a werewolf?
Deciding to listen in, I slowed my pace and pressed my back against the rough bark of a nearby tree, blending into the shadows. The hum of distant cars, leaves rustling in the breeze, faint footsteps approaching... I shake my head and focus
Melissa looked beautiful, her laughter tinkling softly. "What?" she giggled, her voice light but tinged with curiosity.
"I was just noticing," the man replied, his voice smooth yet unsettling, "that you have the most incredible skin." His words hung in the air, unsettling. He wasn't worried — his tone was confident, almost predatory. Her frown deepened as she looked at him, sensing his creepiness. 'I mean he isn't wrong its flawless, but dude you don't say that to a person that's creepy'
"'It's flawless,'" he continued, Okay stop stealing my thoughts creep. I catch melissa frown she replies "that's a new one on me"
He raises a hand to stroke her skin, and I can't see anything but red and rage how dare this wolf touch her. Reaching out to stroke her Face. I saw red — pure, furious red. How dare this wolf touch her?
Melissa dropped her phone, looking creeped out. "Sorry," she mumbled, eyes flicking away as she picked it up.
Suddenly, a loud crash echoed through the street as a blue, old Jeep rammed into the back of the car she was with. My lips curled into a grin. Good — that guy's a creep, and any distraction works.
I considered moving toward her when I heard her slam the door, voice sharp. "Argh, are you kidding me?" Then, "Stiles!" Her tone was annoyed but relieved — Scott's friend.
Stiles jumped out of the Jeep, eyes wide. "Misses McCall," he asked, voice questioning.
"Yes," Melissa replied, annoyance clear.
"Wow, this is just crazy. What a coincidence," Stiles said, glancing between the two.
At that moment, I caught the scent again — another wolf arriving. My instincts flared. Two wolves around Melissa? That wasn't good. Especially since I recognized the faint, charred smell on the man from earlier — he was the one who left Melissa's badge for me to find.
That's when I heard a voice, calm but loaded with menace. "Nicely done, Scott."
My eyes darted around, trying to pinpoint the source. Could that mean the other wolf was Scott? I saw him several cars back, crouched low behind a vehicle, trying not to be seen.
I kept listening to Melissa, using the chaos around me to quietly slip forward, approaching Scott without being noticed.
"How crazy is that?" I heard her say, voice strained.
"We should properly call the cops, you know, do an accident report," Stiles added, voice uncertain.
The man cut him off. "I don't think that's necessary," he said dismissively.
"Are you sure…? I'm most definitely feeling a little whiplash," stiles added, rubbing his neck, trying to sound casual but failing to hide his discomfort.
Melissa's voice cut through the tension. "Whiplash? You hit us!"
I smirked.
Then, the man spoke again, voice low and menacing: "I know you're there, Scott. I'm impressed. Too bad most teenagers aren't that smart — like that one on the lacrosse team, Jackson. Thinks he knows it all about us. You know how they say knowledge is power? Not in his case."
He started walking away from Melissa, but I stayed rooted behind the cover of a nearby car, listening.
"Jackson," Scott said, stunned.
"Oh no," Scott muttered to Himself, tense.
Without hesitation, I placed a firm hand on Scott's shoulder as he crouched behind the vehicle, ready to bolt.
"Hello, Scott," I said with confidence.
He looked up, startled. "Err, hello. Do I know you?" he stammered.
I raised a hand, steady and commanding. "Your mother never told you about me? Guess that's understandable."
He opened his mouth to speak, but I held up a hand. "Don't interrupt. Just listen. I'm going to get her away from the wolf. I need you to take her home. I'll explain everything to her. Then, you, me, and Melissa are going to talk in the morning. Understood?"
He hesitated, voice uncertain. "But who are you? I don't know you."
I exhaled sharply, sighing. "I am Ross. Now, I need you to focus. Be prepared to leave with your mother. I'll deal with Peter, then I'll go to Jackson. Do you have any idea where he might be?"
Scott nodded, and I straightened to my full height, a grin spreading across my face as he stared up at me in awe.
"Where will he be?" I asked.
"Hale House," he replied.
"The burnt-down one?" I confirmed.
I stepped back, winking down at Scott.
"Hello, Melissa," I said as I strolled past the six cars separating us, flashing my biggest smile.
Melissa, still talking to Stiles, suddenly went slack jawed.
"Ross, what are you doing here? I thought — after we decided — I decided not to continue with the dates — you'd take the job elsewhere?" she stammered, visibly flustered.
Stiles cut in quickly. "Hi, I'm Stiles. And what dates? You and this guy? You don't look much older…" He looked between me and Melissa.
Melissa lowered her head, tension evident.
"Not right now, Stiles. I need you to let me talk to Melissa," I state firmly. "I know why you're here, and I'm going to end things. Now, Melissa."
"But…"
"Stiles, shush. Melissa, I know we agreed to go separate ways, but I couldn't just leave, I intended to give you space, however I need your trust now. Every bit of trust, every remaining feeling — I'm cashing them in. I need you to go with Scott and Stiles. Leave right now. I promise answers tomorrow morning. I'll be over with breakfast and coffee, but I need that trust now — please."
Melissa hesitated, then, noticing my frown and the intense stare I directed at the man she was on a date with, she nodded. She stepped backward, grabbed Stiles, and they hurried into the jeep. Scott ran to the car and jumped into the backseat.
The man stepped forward, eyes narrowing. I put a hand on his shoulder.
"Hello," I said calmly.
He looked at me with suspicion. "Now, why would you go and do that?" he asked, trying to brush off my hand with brute strength, but I held firm.
The jeep roared past, and Scott was questioning his mom, "Date? You went on dates with the giant?"
I simply turned my gaze down at the man.
A slow grin spread across my face as I looked into his eyes.
"Now, my name's Ross. Let's have a conversation." I flashed my alpha eyes at him. He returned the gesture, eyes narrowing.
"Want to tell me what you were doing with Melissa? From the way her son and Stiles stopped this, they didn't want you anywhere near her," I demanded, my voice low and steady.
He glared back, defiant. "Who do you think you are, demanding from me?"
I chuckled, stepping closer. "Again, I'm Ross. And your name is?"
He hesitated before answering. "Peter. Peter Hale."
I chuckled again, a dark edge to my voice. "Meet your nephew, Derek. A few weeks back, I helped him out of a spot of trouble." The cars around us Honking.
I let go of his shoulder and take a few steps back "Look you stay away from melissa, and I can let that go, though we do have other business, Like the murders of retired hunters around town? That you?"
He grins at me "And what if it is? What are you going to do about it. Matter of fact what are you going to do if I don't stay away from Melissa"
Chuckling again 'Haohiko would laugh and enjoy this' I cover the distance between us grab his right arm, spin him and as his arm goes up his back and smash him straight into the floor in front of people, As he struggles I bring a knee and place it on the small of his back, reach for my badge and put it on the floor to the side of his face which is bloodied up from how hard I dropped him but already healing, I can feel the fight in him stop as he looks at the badge
I lean forward taking a small amount of pressure of his back and say in his ear "I'm a Fed, I can just arrest you, ship you off to a special facility after taking that Alpha spark of yours. As for melissa I could just beat your ass. I've proven I'm stronger" Easing up of him grabbing my badge and pulling myself up in one fluid motion I raise my badge to the crowd and state "Don't worry I'm with the FBI we will be out of here in a few moments and you lot can get on with your day"
Peter slowly gets up off the floor fully healed and straightens himself up before reply "I'm leaving, stop me if you want" I grin and step back letting him leave knowing ill catch up with him soon enough not wanting to expose our strengths with all these witnesses.
Ross straightened, breathing hard as Peter stalked away, tension still thick in the street. Cars were stopped in both directions, drivers and bystanders staring, some with fear, some with confusion.
Ross took a moment, raising his hands in a gesture of calm. His voice was steady, but urgent.
"I'm sorry for scaring anyone," he called out, meeting the eyes of a few shaken onlookers. "This was a personal matter between me and the gentleman leaving. I never meant for any of you to get caught up in it, or to hold up your day."
A middle-aged man near the curb, clutching his shopping bag, called out, voice trembling, "Is it really over? Are we safe to leave now?"
Ross nodded, stepping closer just enough to be heard. "You're safe to leave now. The conflict is finished. I'm truly sorry you had to witness any of this, and for the delay. If anyone needs help, please let someone know."
The man managed a shaky nod, and Ross offered a brief, reassuring smile. "Thank you for your patience."
Without another word, Ross turned and sprinted down the street to his bike, urgency in every stride — already focused on saving Jackson but leaving behind a sense of reassurance and responsibility.