31 Chapter XIII: Cora Hale

Tenko and his pack had quickly picked Malia up and stormed the apartment complex that Deucalion was staying in. Tenko was surprised to see that the Alpha pack had already fled.

Cora growled at the empty apartment. "I thought you said Deucalion wouldn't run," said Cora.

"I didn't expect him to. Who knew that demon wolf would pussy out." Tenko spoke as he sniffed around the apartment.

"You don't smell anything, do you?" asked Malia.

"Nothing at all," Melissa replied while sniffing the kitchen air with a full trash can to her left.

Jack Arlo sneered as he threw a shirt to the floor. "We trained with Forest Kitsune. How the fuck don't we smell anything?"

Tenko took another breath, and his eyes went wide with horror. He immediately stopped breathing, then shouted, "Q31! Hold your breath and get out now!"

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Sometime later, Tenko's pack stood in the parking lot as he explained what Q31 was.

Q31 is a substance that didn't eliminate odor but affects canids. It is a chemical agent that, when inhaled, inflames the nerves, destroys the sense of smell, then hearing, and finally sight. It was a canid nerve agent developed by the Gilbert Family -the most ancient werewolf hunter family.

Cora was disturbed by the explanation. "How the fuck do you know this?"

"Because he destroyed a supernatural Blackmarket in Minnesota. Led by a sick fuck that dealt in death." Mareth explained. "Q31 was his way of getting rid of enemy shifters."

"How'd you survive?" asked Jack Arlo.

"He couldn't use the agent if I was in the same room with him. It would have killed him too. Q31 is what he pumped into his stash houses. Even if a wolf found the stash house, they wouldn't make it out. The agent is scentless and tasteless. The only downside is the fatal dosage. With our abilities, we need a large dose."

With the pack's level of exposure, their healing was enough to save them. But Tenko knew that Deucalion would return.

"Does that mean it's over?" Jack Arlo asked

"Of course not, Jack Arlo." Malia rolled her eyes, "He wanted to kill us in that room. At the very least, keep us from catching a scent."

"He could be hiding and waiting to strike," Cora added.

"Whatever it is, I need to get to work." Melissa shrugged her shoulder as she went for her car door. " Oh, and Tenko, tell your dad I said thank you. He'll know why."

"I have to go to. Gotta thing with Deaton." Mareth spoke. Malia then asked for a ride home.

"Hey..." Tenko reached out and stopped them both. He then pulled them near and took them by their waist.

"I feel a little neglected." Tenko feigned sadness.

Malia put on a warm smile. " Are you still coming tomorrow?" she asked.

"Of course, I am. "

"Good, because my father is smothering me, and we need to talk about school." Malia quickly kissed him to muffle a reply. Her lips then trailed to his cheek for another loving kiss.

She then whispered, "I love you."

"Love you, too." he tittered.

Tenko lightly squeezed Mareth's waist. Mareth sharply inhaled, causing Malia to giggle.

"No way," Malia spoke as she looked between Tenko and Mareth as she picked up on something a little more than their usually teasing and thoughtless intimacy, " When? You know what? It doesn't even matter, but you are definitely cooking for us because we all need to talk."

Mareth's cheeks were rosy, and she was a bit coy as she finally realized what being with Tenko meant and the kind of relationship they would have. Though, when she looked up at Malia, the wild werecoyote, all she saw were gentle eyes and an endearing little grin.

Mareth cheeks lost their pinkish hue, and her feelings changed from coy to a refreshing joy, then a pleasant calm. She knew that everyone in their group hug wanted to be there, but most importantly, Mareth now knew she was welcomed.

Mareth exhaled every worry, then said, "How about I cook. We can do it at the Manor in a few days. "

"That sounds like a date," Tenko replied, and Malia gave a subtle but happy nod.

Mareth then rose to the tips of her toes as Tenko met her halfway for a kiss that didn't say 'goodbye' but 'happy to be here.' Deep and heart-stirring, Mareth and Tenko marked the begging of a new chapter.

When they finally parted, Malia caressed both of their cheeks, then surprised them both when she crossed the distance to give Mareth a steamy kiss. Tenko watched in awe as Malia held Mareth by the jaw as she made sexy wet love to Mareth's mouth.

"Yeah, that feels right." Malia sang, "Come on, my dad's waiting."

Tenko watched them leave. When they were out of sight, he exhaled to calm himself and purge the fantasies of his two gorgeous women.

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Later that day, Tenko hung a 300-pound punching bag then called out to Cora, "Come one. Square up,"

Cora took her stance and began to throw poorly formed punches. Tenko made a few adjustments as she worked the heavy bag. The two had been training in silence since they returned from the raid on the Deucalion's apartment.

"I think I should go."

"What are you talking about?" Tenko asked as he stepped in front of the heavy bag.

"I think I should stay at Derek's loft and wait for Derek. I joined you to finish the Alpha Pack. Well, they're in the wind for now, and I suddenly feel out of place being here." Cora explained as she ungloved her hands.

"Okay," Tenko replied, mildly confused.

"Okay. Good." Cora's voice became high pitched. She then turned around and grabbed her towel from the rack.

Tenko watched as she went for the stairs, then she suddenly stopped.

"You're confused. We can both smell it." Cora turned back around and admitted, "It's because of Malia and Mareth, not you. Also, because of Jack Arlo and Melissa and how you kicked Scott and his friends out this morning. Scott is Melissa's son, and Allison, who, well even a human, can smell those chemosignals."

"I'm still not getting it." Tenko chuckled.

"Malia and Mareth. I am not their friend. I'm not your friend. I saw and heard the three of you together. I don't want to mess with that. The arrangement seems pretty new."

"It is. But it seems you want to say more." Tenko referred to her still tensed shoulders.

"Well, Jack Arlo and Melissa are your packmates. I'm just here, and it feels like this place was made for all of them. You also seem to not really like non-packmates in your house. Even when they're the child of your packmate. So, me, whose brother is the reason for a murderous Alpha Pack being in Beacon Hills, staying here while he is MIA seems a bit odd. I'm a stranger. You should be offering me up."

Tenko wore a hint of a smile as he brushed past her. "come on." he called out but never stopped climbing the stairs.

When Cora and Tenko walked into the kitchen, Tenko immediately started pulling out cookware and ingredients --handing them all to Cora.

Cora began to place them on the island in the middle of the kitchen. She then began to organize them as she had to make space. When Tenko was finished pulling out what he needed, he started to prepare.

All the while, he didn't say a word. He simply handed things to Cora, and she washed them, peeled them, or cut them. No talking was need between them as they coordinated the partnership.

Midway through preparations, Tenko said, "We spared briefly last night. Today we trained together from eleven o'clock to... four-thirty five in the afternoon. I dropped Kali, and you killed her. Do you trust me?"

Cora stared at Tenko, but he didn't even glance at her as he waited for a reply. He simply continued to prepare his ingredients.

"I trust you enough to sleep in your house far away from town and risk you killing me in my sleep. " Cora replied.

"Mix those herbs into the starch," Tenko instructed. He then continued. "That was the first thing I told you to do since we entered the kitchen. Wolves, like foxes, yearn for family. Strong animals, but they love feeling safe. Family makes them feel safe, a pack."

Cora squinted at Tenko as she tried to understand him.

"You see, Supernatural Canids, if they're open, can flawlessly meld together with the purpose of making a family. We overcome the variant species differences that our animal counterparts can't in the wild. Like the grudge between the fox and the wolf," Tenko handed Cora two whole veal shanks as he continued to speak.

"Cora, what we've been doing, is melding together. Scott and I have our differences. I really don't like his whole save the world attitude, but when it comes down to it, he will be safe next to me, and every one of our friends will be welcomed in this Manor." Tenko moved next to Cora and helped prepare the shanks.

When Tenko finally started to cook, he opened a bottle from the shelf and poured two classes. He warned Cora about the drunkness the drink could cause then began to finish his previous thoughts.

"You came to Derek the same reason everyone came to this Manor despite our disagreements and different packs, family. At the very least, lasting connections allow us to be open enough to speak our minds and be willing to protect each other when shit hits the fan...

At some point, you took a step with me that you need to take with everyone else. We began to connect, then you saw my various relationships, and now you're wondering where you fit. Is that why you never joined your brother's pack?"

Cora's jaw clenched. She took a hard swig of the peach wine from the Village of Forests and Rivers. "When I first got here, I didn't want to replace Erica. I wanted my brother to get over it, then invite me into his pack. I was his missing sister, gone for six years, a stranger. But being there had unintended consequences."

"Isaac," said Tenko.

"Yes. Derek kicked Isaac out. He put me above the pack, so how could I ever join his pack and look at Isaac as an equal. Ever since then, I felt like a leftover puzzle piece that's trying so hard to fit in. Now, with Boyd dead, Derek gone, I don't even feel like a leftover piece. I feel missed placed." Cora spoke fluently as her inner thoughts spewed forth.

"And that's how you feel here?" Tenko referred to her place in the Manor.

"Not until this morning, when I realized that you have a life as an Alpha with responsibilities more important than looking after me. Not to mention the two beautiful women I would be stealing attention from if Derek decides not to come back. But now, I think I should try harder as Cora Hale and not Derek's Sister. Create my own identity and make a place for myself."

Tenko smiled happily. He was glad that she was willing to try. Cora was born a werewolf with blood in Beacon Hills soil. She deserved to be there. But since she arrived, she had been on autopilot for everything Derek while trying to be seen as just Cora. Part of the reason was her own unwillingness to be the teenager she forgot she was and bring down the hostile wall constructed to protect her from the wild world.

She had a nice personality, but she would never be able to make friends with everyone if all they knew was Derek's werewolf Sister and not who Cora was when she was living for her own interests. So, when she told Tenko that she wanted to isolate herself and wait for Derek, he couldn't allow it.

"That sounds good. Numbers make us stronger. Nobody wants to be your enemy. But if you open up a bit, you'll find that they want to connect more than anything—our aggression and fight steam from the need to protect our own. In this group of people, you'll find friends with whom you want them. So, do you still want to put yourself in isolation and wait for Derek?"

"No." Cora cooed as she swayed. " You sure Malia and Mareth won't get all territorial and shit?"

"Nah. Have you ever been in love, Cora?" Tenko asked as he stirred the sauce.

While Tenko continued to cook, Cora sat on the counter and sipped Peach Wine as they talked. Tenko explained the wonders of love and the various effects it had on people. Mainly, its impact on his relationship with Malia and Mareth.

Tenko wasn't overly emotional, though he had his moments. With a little of the Forset and River Kitsune's Peach Wine and the right setting, Tenko spoke of love like a Shakespearian. And Cora enjoyed every moment because she had had relations and experienced deep intimacy, but she had never experienced love. At least not in the way that Tenko had spoken of it.

When the meal was ready, Cora unknowingly matched Tenko's appetite as they cleared four main dishes of braised veal, beggers chicken, roasted lamb, and potted elk along with two sides and another bottle of peach wine.

Cora was shocked when she realized how much she had eaten, but Tenko knew power increased the appetite. And it was all the easier to stomach as they casually conversed.

As their night together ended, Cora washed the dishes while Tenko dried them. Then together, they wiped down the large soapstone countertops.

The night ended well as they went to their separate rooms. Tenko was the first to drift away. However, he was awakened when Cora's scent became too strong, and her footsteps stopped at his door.

Tenko raised his head to make sure it was actually Cora, then laid back down. Once she climbed into his bed, Tenko told her drunk, horny ass to go to sleep.

When Tenko didn't respond to her, Cora fell asleep herself. But the peace only lasted a few hours until Tenko woke up to use the bathroom. Climbing back into bed, Cora had retaken her spot on Tenko's chest. Only this time, the two Alphas were no longer as drunk as they started.

Together, they tried to sleep but could no longer enter the dream state. Cora figured she would just go back to her room. But she also reasoned that Tenko had two women and was open to more, all of which Malia and Mareth accepted. Not that she planned to become his woman, but she saw no fault in having a single tryst with whited haired Kitsune.

This line of reasoning only served to excite Cora, and her chemosignals incited Tenko to act. Though Cora had an Alpha Spark, Tenko moved first, and the Beta in her put up no fight --only sought pleasure and ways to further Tenko's.

After a few hours of their carnal entanglement, Cora and Tenko laid under the sheets as the sun rays bleed into the room. Both Alphas were relaxed, satisfied, and entirely spent.

Cora then explains that the night they spent together was something she needed but didn't plan to make it a habit. Tenko understood and didn't make a big deal of it. But both oddly had similar thoughts as they rested together.

'Why is his body so hot?'

'She's a lot warmer than Malia.'

Cora suddenly asked Tenko if Malia had any morning-after pills. She was worried about getting pregnant after the mess that Tenko made during their time together.

Tenko told her how hard it was for Kitsune to have children. Every child was divined by Inari Okami, the Goddess of Kitsune. Add on the fact that he and Malia had been together for months, and Malia hasn't even gotten a false positive.

Cora and Tenko's conversation was cut short when Cora's phone vibrated, and she read a text from Stiles.

"Hey, it's Stiles. He wants me to meet him at Derek's," said Cora.

Tenko watches her wrap herself in the sheet as she collects her nightwear.

"Do what you have to. I need to get ready myself. Just let me know if you plan on coming back."

Cora pauses with a smirk. "And if Derek shows up today?" she asks.

"That's up to you," Tenko replies nonchalantly as he starts to respond to unanswered text messages.