Chapter 51

A majestic mansion looms against the fading light. Parked alongside the gravel driveway, Alexander's sleek BMW R nineT Scrambler and a gleaming Chevrolet Mustang GT catch the last rays of the setting sun.

Scott and Chris Argent step out of their vehicle, tension palpable. Across the expanse of the front yard, Derek and Kate stand, their postures rigid, anticipation etched on their faces.

Suddenly, the distinct rumble of an engine breaks the stillness. Stile pulls up in his 1980 robin's egg blue CJ5 Jeep, its nostalgic charm contrasting sharply with the luxury vehicles.

Stiles out, eyes wide with urgency, and bolts towards Scott panting and questioned,"

Scott, what happened?:

Scott quickly explained,"Derek was chasing the Alpha. He got shot. It's a mess."

Stiles under his breath muttered,"That's insane."

Lydia and Isabelle appear, their presence commanding attention. Scott and Stiles's gaze lingers on Isabelle, momentarily captivated by her beauty, a faint recollection of her from Lydia's party flickering in their minds.

Isabelle with welcoming smile,"Come, Alexander is waiting inside."

Chris, Kate, and Derek exchange knowing glances and nod. Scott and Stiles , a bit hesitant, follows closely behind.

A grand study lined with bookshelves and dimly lit by an ornate chandelier. Alexanded stands at the center, clutching a folder marked "Hale Fire Incident." His eyes scan the room as Scott, Stiles, Derek, Chris, Kate, Isabelle, and Lydia enter.

Derek scowled and said,"We almost had the Alpha, but some rogue Argents interfered. The Alpha got away."

Kate nodding added,"We were so close."

Alexander calmly questioned,"Do you have any idea who these Argents are?"

Chris shaking his head answered,"No, but it could be Marcus, Henry, or James. " then frowning added,"Gerard was in the area too. He spoke with Allison before."

Kate grimacing looking at Chris said,"He's trying to sway Allison to his side."

Chris nods, a silent agreement reflecting his own fears.

Alexander's eyes narrow.

The room is thick with tension as Scott nervously fidgets at the mention of Allison's name. Confusion crosses his face."Who is Gerard?"

Kate flatly answers,"Our father and Allison's grandfather. A total lunatic. He wants to kill everything supernatural. And now, it seems, he wants Allison to follow in his footsteps."

Stiles picks up on the phrase "everything supernatural," his mind racing. It dawns on him that there are more supernatural beings out there, and that the Argents, along with Alexander, are well aware of them. Excitement flickers in his eyes, intrigued by the hidden world. Unbeknownst to him, Alexander is considering recruiting him into the Shadow Hunters.

Isabelle leans in to mutter to Lydia,"Yeah, he's a fanatic of the Circle."

Lydia nods knowingly, having absorbed all the information from Alexander's extensive library, understanding the current issues in the supernatural world.

Kate's expression darkens at the mention of Gerard. A scowl forms as old memories resurface—memories of manipulation and betrayal. She glares, her hatred for Gerard evident and venomously thought,"The bastard brainwashed me and used me to get information on the Hales."

Scott catches a muttered reference to "the Circle" from Isabelle, confusion mounting and thought"What's the Circle?"

Before he could ask, Derek lets out a low growl and said,"If he's here, the Alpha will definitely be on his trail."

Scott frowning, confused questioned,"What connection does the Alpha have to the Argents?"

Kate and Chris exchange guilty looks. Derek steps closer to Kate, offering a silent gesture of comfort by holding her hand.

Alexander steps forward to explain,"The Hale house fire was caused by Gerard and his cronies. One of them was Garrison Myers."

Shock spreads across Scott and Stiles' faces. Derek added, his voice heavy with the weight of old wounds."This Alpha has a close connection to the Hale family. It's hunting down everyone involved in the fire."

Stiles spoke up,"My dad mentioned the Hale fire case had many inconsistencies. It was covered up so well that it was hard to find any clues."

ALEXANDER nods thoughtfully, addressing the group."Yes, it was done quite cleanly, unless you have the right skills and know where to look."

Stiles nods in understanding, while Scott's curiosity gets the better of him."So, does anyone have a clue about the Alpha?"

Alexander hums in contemplation before responding."I have a couple of suspects. One of them is lying inside the hospital right now."

Derek frowns and questioned,"Uncle Peter?"

Alexander nodding answered,"Yes, I have doubts about him."

Chris frowning asked,"Peter Hale? I remember he's comatose in the hospital with severe burns."

Alexander nodded and replied,"Yes, either he's really comatose or he's acting."

Stiles, piecing things together, speaks up."Then how is he getting in and out of the hospital without anyone noticing his absence... unless..."

Isabelle interjects."Unless he has someone covering for him."

Alexander muttering,"Possible."

Derek didn't fully want to belive it and questioned,"What if you're wrong?"

Alexander shrugged and answered,"It is a possibility that I am wrong, but we have to confirm it."

Everyone in the room agrees, the gravity of the situation sinking in.

While Scott mutters,"I have to meet Allison. She invited me to meet her parents for dinner."

Chris and Kate exchange wary glances, their eyes narrowing.They didn't fully approve of Scott being with Allison, but they let it go for now.

With Chris saying,"Come, I'll drive you. Since we're going to the same place."

Stiles gives Scott a look of encouragement, knowing how awkward the drive is likely to be."Best of luck, man."

Just as Scott turns to leave, Derek steps forward, his tone serious."Also, Scott, you need more training. Meet me at Hale Mansion."

Scott nods, understanding the urgency and the need to be prepared for whatever comes next.

While at Argent House Allison was waiting for her father,Kate and Scott to arrive, Allison frowned and muttered,"Where are they?"

That's when the door bell rang, Allison ran and opened it. But it was not the people she expected, it was an elderly man in his late sixties or early seventies with pale white skin, short white hair that is starting to thin and go bald, and hazel eyes. He is slightly above average height, being six feet tall, and he is often shown to wear neat wearing khaki, navy blue, or black slacks, long-sleeved button-up shirts with stripes or plaid patterns, and occasionally a sweater or a dark jacket over top of it.

This was Gerard Argent grandfather of Allison, who gave complete fake smile and said,"Allison, how are you?."

Allison smiled and hugged her grandfather saying,"Grandpa."

They hugged and Allison questioned,"Grandpa, I didn't know you where coming?."

Gerard smiled and answered,"Eventhough, I am not welcomed in this house. I still want to meet with my granddaughter."

Allison knew her father, aunt had huge fight with grandfather before and they were not on speaking terms now, but Allison saw her Grandfather meet her from time to time teach her how to hunt and stuff. She had a very good relationship with her grandfather.

Gerard knew before coming that neither Kate nor Chris was here, he made sure to meet Allicent when neither of them were present. Then he fakely questioned,"So where is everybody?"

Allison shrugged and answered,"I don't know everybody went out saying they have something important to do."

Gerard didn't show any emotions, but he guessed it was about the Alpha. Since he got call from Marcus, about how he shot down a beta wolf.

But Gerard soon changed subject and after talking about trivial stuff, he then questioned,"So how is training going?"

Allison smiled and answered,"Still very good with the bow."

Gerard pulling out a burner phone and giving to Allison said,"Keep this and contact me every week, we have to catch up more. Don't tell your father or aunt about this?"Allison got the phone was confused, Gerard seeing this continues,"You know how strained our relationship is, I don't want them cut of my relationship with my granddaughter."

Allison frowned,but nodded. While Gerard cryptically added,"Allison, look into our family history there are many things you don't know?"

Allison was confused,but Gerard did explain further, he holds out a wrapped present box.

Allison opens it to find a necklace inside with a strange pendant at the end of it. It was silver pendant with depiction of wolf.

Allison was excited and said,"I love it."

Gerard with a fake smile replied,"It is a Family heirloom. I hate to be all sentimental, but this... Well, see the symbol in the middle of the pendant? Look it up if you want to learn a little something about your family."

Allison looked at her grandfather and questioned,"You're going to make me work for it?"

Gerard smiled and answered,"Some mysteries are worth the effort."he watches his granddaughter bring the necklace closer to her eyes, studying the intricate wolf symbol at the center of the pendant.

Gerard then getiing up from the couch said,"I am going now, don't tell you father and aunt about our meeting."

Allison hesitated,but nodded after all this was her grandfather no one else.