It had been a week since Scott and his pack had dealt with Jennifer and rescued Satomi. Life in Beacon Hills had finally settled into a semblance of normalcy.
Scott walked through the hallways of Beacon Hills High, his fingers absentmindedly spinning the dial on his locker when a familiar scent wrapped around him like a warm embrace.
A moment later, Allison's arms wrapped around his waist from behind, pulling him into a brief but affectionate hug. She leaned up and pressed a quick kiss against his cheek before stepping back and leaning against the locker next to his. Her lips curled into a playful smile.
"You seem… at peace." She observed, tilting her head slightly as she watched him.
Scott chuckled, shutting his locker and turning to face her. "Yeah, well, it's been a whole week without some crazy psychopath showing up in town. It's nice to have a normal life for once… or at least, as normal as life can be for a pack of werewolves."
Allison smirked. "Yeah, it is nice to be normal sometimes."
Scott wrapped his arms around her and pulled her into another quick hug. "I missed you yesterday. Did you have to go back to your parents' house?"
Allison rolled her eyes. "It was just one night, Scott. If I don't go back every now and then, my dad will probably come after you with a rifle." She smirked. "Even if he knows he can't actually hurt you."
Scott chuckled. "Yeah, he's taking out all his anger on poor Stiles."
Allison grinned. "And Malia is actually enjoying watching my dad bully him."
Scott's smile faded slightly. "How is your dad, by the way?"
Allison's expression softened into concern. "I talked to him this morning. He's still… struggling. I mean, he hated Kate and Gerard for what they did, but they were still his family. Especially Kate. He just feels lost."
Scott nodded, listening attentively.
"He was raised to believe in the hunter's code." Allison continued. "But now he realizes that the man who taught him that code was a monster with no code, and no honor. I told him Kate and Gerard didn't deserve his sadness, but…" She sighed. "He still can't shake the grief."
Scott placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "We'll keep an eye on him."
Allison nodded, but the worry in her eyes didn't fade.
After that, Scott and Allison went to class. Just as the first-period bell rang, Scott received a telepathic message from Melissa.
[Scott, Alan and I are back. Meet us at the clinic after school.]
Scott mentally replied. [Okay, see you after school.]
As the final bell rang, Scott said goodbye to his pack before driving with Allison to the animal clinic.
Scott pushed the door open. Deaton stood behind the counter, flipping through a thick folder of documents, while Melissa sat on a stool, sipping coffee.
As soon as Scott entered, he smiled and wrapped his arms around Melissa in a warm hug. "Hey, Mom. I missed you."
Melissa smiled, rubbing his back. "I missed you too, sweetheart. How were things in Beacon Hills while we were gone?"
"Chaotic, as usual." Allison answered with a smirk, stepping forward to hug Melissa as well.
Melissa chuckled. "Yeah, I heard."
Scott turned his gaze toward Deaton. "So? How did things go with the siren?"
Deaton closed the folder and smiled. "Everything is going as planned. Melina assured us that in one month, all of Deucalion's assets will legally be yours, minus her fee, of course."
Scott nodded. "Of course."
Allison arched an eyebrow, a teasing smile playing on her lips as she turned to Melissa. "So… how are things going between you and Deaton?"
Before Melissa could respond, Scott immediately cut in. "Allison, why are you asking stupid questions?"
Allison turned and glared at him. "Are you saying I'm stupid?"
Scott quickly said. "No, I'm saying don't ask about their stupid relationship, okay? Are you trying to hurt me on purpose? And here I thought you loved me."
Allison rolled her eyes. "Grow up."
Melissa smirked and ignored her son, turning to Allison. "Things are actually going really well. In fact, let me tell you about where Alan took me when we were out of town..."
Scott groaned. "No! No! Let's talk about the weather, okay? Or literally anything else."
Melissa smirked. "Speaking of the weather, Alan took me to the beach..."
Scott cut her off. "I don't want to hear about that!"
Then, turning to Deaton with his eyes glowing red, he flashed a creepy smile. "Hey, Doc, how about you and I go to the woods? I'll help you train your new powers."
Deaton chuckled. "Thanks, Scott, but I think I'm good."
Melissa shot Scott a glare. "That's enough."
Scott raised his hands in surrender. "Relax, Mom. I just want to help him."
Melissa rolled her eyes. "I might believe that if your eyes weren't glowing. Now leave Alan alone."
Scott sighed dramatically. "Fine. Allison, let's go home."
Allison shook her head. "I want to stay with Melissa for a while. I missed her."
Scott nodded. "Alright. I'm heading out first."
Allison raised an eyebrow. "Where are you going?"
Scott said. "Patrolling the town. Gotta see if there's any evil creature that needs a good beating."
Allison chuckled. "Well, don't be late. I'll be waiting for you at home."
Scott waved as he walked out of the clinic.
As soon as the door closed behind him, Melissa turned to Allison with a smirk. "We don't need to worry about that idiot. Come on, let's sit and talk."
---
As Scott was driving around town, Stiles's voice echoed in his head through their telepathic link.
[Dude, you need to come to the sheriff's station.]
Scott frowned. [What's going on?]
[Frozen corpses. Three of them. Dad says they were found near the Preserve.]
Scott frowned. [I'll be there in ten.]
When Scott arrived at the sheriff's station, he found Stiles sitting at Noah's desk, flipping through crime scene photos, while Noah stood nearby, rubbing his temples.
Scott walked up to them. "Tell me everything."
The sheriff sighed and handed him a photo.
The image showed a man, eyes wide open in horror, his body encased in a thin layer of ice. His skin was pale blue, lips frozen mid-scream.
Scott exhaled sharply. "Here we go again… another crazy monster in town."
Stiles handed him two more pictures, each showing men who had died the same way, completely frozen.
Scott narrowed his eyes. "It looks like it only targets men."
Noah nodded. "We don't know for sure, but it's a possibility."
Stiles leaned forward. "We need to figure out what it is fast and deal with it, or more people are going to die."
Noah sighed. "The FBI is investigating me, too."
Stiles's eyes widened. "Why?"
Noah ran a hand down his face. "Because of my 'inability' to close cases and solve the constant stream of violent crimes plaguing the town."
Stiles scoffed. "But we have solved them!"
Noah shook his head. "Yeah? And how exactly do you expect me to explain to the FBI that a gnome killed people by summoning golems? Or that a coven of dark witches kidnapped over thirty people and sacrificed seven of them? What do you think they'll do to me if I start saying that?"
Scott smirked. "Probably send you to a mental hospital."
Noah sighed. "Exactly." Then, after a brief pause, he added. "Oh, and by the way, your dad is in town."
Scott barely reacted. "Oh. I see." Shrugging it off, he turned to Stiles. "Anyway, let's head to the ranch and tell the pack what's going on. We need to figure out what we're dealing with."
Stiles stood up. "Alright, let's go."
Noah gave them a serious look. "Let me know if you find anything."
Stiles nodded. "We will, Dad."
As they left the station, Scott glanced at Stiles. "Don't worry. Your dad's not going to lose his job."
Stiles sighed. "I hope you're right. His job means everything to him."
They both got into their cars and drove toward the ranch.
To be continued... 😊