Chapter 22

Stiles pulls into the parking lot at the Beacon Hills Animal Hospital and turns off the engine as he gets out and spots Scott's bike in the parking lot next to Deaton's car. Stepping inside he makes his way towards the back and is surprised when he senses both Derek and Peter there along with Scott, Isaac, and Deaton plus the kid. Opening the door he notices a tenseness in the air that doesn't make a lot of sense. Derek and Peter are both, for lack of a better word, prickly. Isaac looks overwhelmed, and Scott is surprisingly angry. Deaton is Deaton, of course.

"Uh, hello?" Stiles says and notices the young omega look up at him in surprise. The kid didn't look old enough to be in high school!

"Stiles!" Scott sounds relieved.

"We have a problem" Peter says looking at the young Scott and Isaac, who looks like he wants to slink away.

Stiles stares for a moment at the eldest Hale before deciding nope. "Derek?" he asks instead.

"This is Eddie Henderson, from Montana" Derek introduces the kid.

"Uh, hi" Stiles says to Eddie before looking back at Derek. "How did a kid get all the way here from Montana?"

"I'm not a kid!" Eddie yelled, his eyes flashing golden.

"Sorry! No offense dude. Um, but how old are you?" Stiles asks him directly.

"Thirteen" Eddie mutters but everyone still hears.

Stiles stares for a second. "Eddie, where is your pack?"

There is a moment of silence before Stiles feels the boy close up and then the emotions hits him from all four of the wolves in the room from his pack bonds. Peter is furious, Derek is guilt ridden and angry, Scott is guilty and feeling pity for the kid, and Isaac feels terrified. He wants to push, he really does, but Stiles isn't stupid. He has been in the Sheriff's station too many times not to recognize this. He moves to sit down next to Eddie. "I'm so sorry. Can you tell us what happened?"

Eddie is desperately trying not to cry. To be brave, even when surrounded by these strange wolves. He woke up only a half hour or so ago and he had given the vet his name and his home when the other wolves had come in. The two alphas had argued but then the man, Deaton, had informed them that it was believed that the entire Henderson Pack was wiped out. A fight with Hunters he said!

But he didn't know these people or where he was. He didn't trust them. "You're human. Who are you?" he asks instead.

"My name's Stiles. This is my mate Derek" he introduces the Alpha. "His uncle Peter, my best bro Scott, and our packmate Isaac. You met Doc Deaton I guess?" The kid nods. "See? Now you know all of us, well, all of us here."

"Where is here? And why do you have two Alphas?"

"Oh, that. Well Derek is the official Alpha of the territory. Scotty here is what's called a True Alpha. He became one kinda on his own. But they get along. Derek is actually the High Alpha for this territory" Stiles explains.

Eddie looks confused. He doesn't know what either of those things are. He has only heard of an Alpha, like his Aunt.

"Oh, and this is Beacon Hills" Stiles adds sheepishly.

Eddie suddenly looks very interested. "Beacon Hills? I made it?" he asks desperately.

"Uh yeah" Stiles answers. "You were looking to come here?"

"My mom. She had heard that the Hale family was back. That they were alive?" he asks looking around.

"They are" Stiles tells him and he is surprised by the look of hope on the boy's face. "That's Derek Hale and Peter Hale. Cora, Derek's sister, is around here somewhere."

Eddie was listening carefully to the guy's heart but it didn't trip up or indicate he was lying. But he had been running for so long. "How do I know you are telling the truth?"

Stiles looked at Derek and Peter who both nodded in agreement. "Smart boy" Peter agrees and the rest of them all look at the elder with various expressions of annoyance. "What? He doesn't know any of us, why should he believe that we are who we say we are."

"Can't he hear heartbeats?" Scott asks looking uncertain. Maybe he was too young?

"Oh I am sure he can" Peter says with a snort. "But Emissaries are known to be able to control themselves and Stiles has already told him that he is Derek's Mate. An Alpha Mate usually learns how to control themselves." He looks at the teen with a thoughtful expression. "Do you know the family emblems by chance?"

Eddie shakes his head. He knows his family's of course, and those of a couple of the packs that visited, but not anyone else's. "Sorry. I was supposed to be learning but I wasn't very attentive."

Derek sighed and reached into his pants and pulled out his wallet. Pulling out his driver's license he handed it to the kid who looked confused for a second before he looked at it really closely. Derek Hale.

"You are really the Hale Pack? The one that died out. The fire?" he whispers the last question but Derek nods and flashes his eyes.

"Will you tell us what happened to your pack?" Derek asks and the boy, looking like he is barely holding on, struggles. He wants to believe so much but hunters are cruel. This wouldn't be the first time they tried something.

"Are you worried about those guys chasing you, the hunters?" Stiles asks shrewdly and Eddie looks frightened. "Scott and Isaac took care of them. They were sent to the Hunter's Council with a formal complaint."

"A complaint!? They killed my family! My Pack!" Eddie yells, his eyes streaming tears and getting flush while Peter and Derek both stiffened, anger clear on their faces. Scott and Isaac both looked sick. "They killed everyone! For no reason!"

Stiles suddenly was furious. Eyes glowing that bright white he looked at the kid who suddenly looked overwhelmed. "Hunters are not welcome in my territory. I will not allow anyone to kill like that here!" he swears.

Eddie spent some time with his Pack's emissary, everyone did, but she never made him feel like this. This man was scary! "What are you?" he asks in a whisper.

"He is also the High Alpha. My Mate. And a very powerful mage. You are safe here" Derek tells him, his eyes flashing and his heartbeat steady. He looks at Stiles who 'powers down' but Derek can tell it's all on the surface. He can feel his mate's fury at the hunters. "I, Alpha Hale, offer unto you, Eddie Henderson, sanctuary within my territory for one moon. We will offer you safety and care as our guest. Will you accept our hospitality?" The words were formal, but he remembered his mother using them before.

Luckily, apparently Eddie did too. "Thank you Alpha Hale. I, Eddie Henderson, of the Henderson pack, do accept your offer of sanctuary. I will do honor to you and your lands and will not violate your hospitality."

Peter smiled. "Wonderful. How about we get a late breakfast and then maybe reconvene at the loft with the whole pack so everyone can meet our new guest?"

Everyone nodded at that idea and Deaton, of course, declined. He did remind Scott to be back before lunch for his shift. Stiles noticed that Eddie had suddenly gotten a lot closer to Derek, gravitating to the Alpha almost unconsciously. Heading to the parking lot he spotted Peter's car but Derek and Eddie rode with him while Scott and Isaac joined Peter instead of taking the bike. Stiles managed to send off a quick text to the pack to meet at the loft in an hour so they could all talk. But first? Food!

"You can't be serious Clar!" Amelia Parsons said, not yelled. She might be angry and worked up, but she didn't yell.

"I am serious Amelia. Beacon Hills must be placed under formal Interdict. The Council must act before things get out of our control" Clarissant Argent replied calmly. The families had been arguing over her proposal for nearly two hours and things had barely moved.

Silberer had started the meeting easily enough. As the current host, the leader of the German Hunters had set the agenda and they had managed to get through quite a bit before finally coming to her proposal. Rolph had not been in favor, but not even he was willing to ignore her motion.

"Perhaps there is another issue concerning you?" Aadesh asked. The patriarch of the Chakrabati family of hunters asked. Clarissant smiled at the Indian hunter. He was one of the three still on the fence. The break down had happened fairly quickly in the discussion into three sides. Rolph had aligned with the Araya Calaveras of Mexico and Amelia Parsons from Boston all against the idea of any restrictions, let alone an Interdict. She had pretty much anticipated that. The Germans were too practical for her tastes. The Silberer's made their money in heavy industry and currency exchange and he liked to use his money to move things his way. While practical, he didn't like to buck tradition and the idea of closing off a large territory of werewolves to hunters was not something he was keen on.

She figured that was the lever he used on Araya. Despite her dedication to hunting, she was also quite willing to accept compensation for her help. Clarissant wouldn't have put it past the man to have outright bought her vote. The problem was that Araya was neither a fool nor a patsy. She would have agreed carefully. If Clarissant could find the loophole, she was certain that Araya would be happy to switch sides, or at least be more open to discussion.

"I do not like the idea of a wolf pack setting such terms. Dictating whether hunters were allowed to operate in part of the United States? You are suggesting all of California be placed outside our jurisdiction! The others are only cities and you wish to declare such an area off limits?"

Amelia Parsons was not as open to compromise in comparison to the others. The woman was way too enamored with her position as the oldest American Hunting family. The fact that she also was related to most of the most renowned families in New England didn't give her any humility either. She wore her lineage like a badge or privilege and status. Sure, the Argents enjoyed the perks that came with their name and status, but the fact was she drove home responsibility in equal measure, no matter the failure of Gerard and his daughter. The Parsons' Matriarchs had managed to attract at least a dozen lesser families under their banner and that had made the woman determined to be first among the families. It was only the Argent name that prevented an outright move. That, and the fact that she wasn't one of the three founding families of the Council, which Clarissant knew rankled the other woman to no end. The only redeeming trait was that she wasn't stupid or reckless. Amelia Parsons was practical to the extreme. The Parsons had been Hunters for centuries, but it wasn't until Amelia's great-grandmother that they applied that focus and determination to economic growth as well. Now Amelia oversaw a multi-billion dollar empire as well as her Hunters and she often paid more attention to her business interests than Hunting. Clarissant was fairly certain that was the cause of much of the problems with the American Hunters. The Parsons were supposed to be controlling them, but more often than not they simply got training and were then sent off to kill with little oversight or control.

Clarissant's vassal families were not much better she had to admit, but at least they had seen reason and mostly agreed due to the involvement and suggestion by their allies. Marie-Amable Boutin was firmly in the Argent camp, but that was hardly a surprise. Founded in New Orleans, the Boutin family was established by the Argents when one of set of twin sisters decided that she wasn't willing to submit to her sister's rule. Leaving France, Louvillea Argent had arrived in New Orleans with a small team and set about making it her home. She married Claude Boutin and, in a surprise move, took her husband's name. But surprisingly, her sister was actually happy for her. Francesca Argent had sent a wedding gift of immense value to her sister and new husband. A dozen hunters, well trained and willing to serve. A collection of books to start her own library and a dowry that made the new couple one of the wealthy elite of New Orleans. Claude Boutin was a trader and invested heavily in shipping, alcohol, and later on the family was one of the earliest to join the new oil industry. The Boutins were newer money compared to the Parsons, but in New Orleans they were old money with those highly appreciated European roots. Preferring to focus on their part of the country, the family had much closer ties to the witches and necromancers of the American South and while she often wrote off excess violence of her hunters as a minor issue, the Boutin Matriarch had always worked with the more reasonable members of the supernatural community. And of course, the close kinship with the Argents usually meant that the two were on the same side during debates in the Council.

"But chérie, our sister Matriarch has made clear that this is a different situation from those. The situation in Beacon Hills is much different, no?" Marie reminds them.

"Agreed" Julianna says quickly before Amelia can reply. "And let us not forget that there are other powers involved."

Julianna Takeda Quintara, the youngest Matriarch on the Council, led the Brazilian Hunters and had quickly agreed with Clarissant's argument. Julianna was one of the most progressive members of the Council and her family had fairly solid relations with several wolf packs in South America as well as a large number of druids and witches. She and Araya occasionally clashed, but nothing major in the last decade or so. Amelia despised the younger woman much to Clarissant's amusement so that they often were on opposite sides even when it was unnecessary. The Boston Matriarch had been heard more than once referring to the South American hunters as 'seasonal workers' and to a certain extent it was true. The Quintara did hunt, but it wasn't their primary job. They were heavily involved in banking, logging, and mining, but most recently in eco-tourism. Julianna had started buying up massive tracts of land, stripped by other logging companies, and started reseeding with more profitable trees and plants. Her 'reforestation' system of sustainable harvesting had garnered her much attention, as did her changes to the family's approach to logging and mining and that had helped gather many allies as her family became a leader in 'green' economics around the hemisphere. She also had established good ties to some of the indigenous tribes which helped both with business, and with hunting. The young Matriarch was smart and savvy in her dealings, so she was a good ally.

The problem was the holdouts. When the three founding families had first come together to form the Hunters' Council, it had been simple. Argents from France, Silberers from Germany, and the Campbell's from England. Over time it had expanded and changed until Nine Families now held permanent seats on the Council. Occasionally one of the other families would be invited to a meeting, if necessary, but mostly it was the core nine. The other families all aligned with one of the Nine, so it made work much easier.

Aadesh Chakrabarti of India had been the newest family until the Quintaras had been added and they had a love hate relationship with the Campbell's of England, one of the other holdouts. Half the time they were as tight as the Argents and Boutin, other times they were adamantly opposed. Luckily Aadesh was significantly more reasonable than his predecessor, so he rarely was an issue, but the man was too hesitant to be an effective leader. The other fact was that his family and their vassals rarely ventured too far away from their territory nor did they particularly care what was going on elsewhere. The one real benefit was he had an Interdicted area in his territory, so she was hoping to use that to push him towards her side. But so far, he was happy instead to wait and contemplate his decision.

The last holdout, or at least the one who hadn't committed was Kaneshiro. Kaneshiro Amaya was the Matriarch of the Japanese hunters and her business interests were a little too close to the illegal for Clarissant's comfort. Her family may have danced close as well, but the Amaya family had direct ties to several crime syndicates both in Japan and around Asia, which did help her get information. The family, though acknowledging werewolves, generally dealt with other creatures that the other families tended to avoid. The Argents and the Amaya had dealt with some Oni some years back, in fact she was fairly certain that Christopher was involved with that incident, but they hadn't really managed many collaborations since then. Kaneshiro had also managed to get her family connected to a number of technology firms and was making a significant impact there. In fact, the Amaya had developed the ultrasonic emitters that all of the families now used in their hunts. Kaneshiro had been mostly quiet so far, but Clarissant could tell that she woman was definitely taking it all in.

"Did not your family end the Hale pack Clarissant?" Kaneshiro asks looking as inscrutable as ever. Amelia snorted in amusement at the question.

"Unfortunately, they nearly did" she acknowledged. "Gerard Argent became unhinged and he, and his daughter Kate, and his daughter-in-law Victoria broke the family code. They targeted peaceful and stable packs for no reason, the Hales were only one harmed."

"No reason?" Amelia says looking doubtful. "Surely hunters as experienced and reputable as Kate and Gerard must have had reason for their actions?"

Clarissant narrowed her eyes at the woman. She had suspicions that the other Matriarch had some connection to her wayward family members, but no real proof. "Kate and Gerard have been declared Anathema" she snarled! The elder woman enjoyed the looks of shock on the faces around the table, not to mention several of the secretaries seated behind their leaders. "Kate murdered human children and is guilty of statutory rape as well. She has been expunged along with her pitiful excuse for a father!"

Amelia and Penelope both looked stunned by the venom in her words. "But Gerard has been dealing with rogue wolves for decades. Doing the work of the council" Penelope protested.

"No" Clarissant answers with forceful determination, "he didn't. My former family member was a murdering bastard who targeted innocent creatures, attacked them, and when they fought back, declared them rogues and exterminated them. I have found proof that he killed hundreds for no other crime than fighting to free themselves from his torture. He killed a half dozen totally human children in your backyard Amelia, in Pittsburgh, back in 2002" she tells the woman.

"What? Do you mean the she wolf who attacked a family and murdered everyone there? That attack?" she demanded remembering Gerard's account of the she-wolf who went feral and attacked the group of children visiting their grandparents. Gerard and Kate had been unable to rescue the children, but had put the wolf down.

Clarissant's snort of derision cuts off the other woman's thoughts. "That she-wolf was the mother of two of those children and was visiting her human parents. She brought the pack's children to be safe while the pack tried to figure out who was attacking them. Gerard and Kate killed the wolf but not before murdering her parents. Since they were children of the pack, Gerard and Kate decided to use them to justify their rampage and killed all six of the totally innocent children!"

Aadesh leaned forward "Did you know of this Matriarch Parsons?" he asks looking quite disturbed.

"Of course not!" Amelia protests but based on the looks the rest of the Council looked less than assured. "Gerard of course told me of the situation, but not how you described it. How do you even know what happened?"

"We found Kate's journal. She wrote down a great number of her atrocities, trophies of her kills I suppose. Her own words condemn her."

There was quiet for a few minutes after that. "But that doesn't justify such an extreme action by this council" Rolph says carefully into the quiet. "You have initiated rightful punishment to your family, as is your right, but this is much more."

Clarissant nodded. "Agreed. And if it was only guilt for my family's actions, I would not be pursuing this course of action. But the fact is that there is more happening there and we cannot afford to be on the wrong side of this."

"You speak of the boy, the magic user?" Penelope states. "You said that he is something special, and that he is a power not seen in centuries. If he is so dangerous, then perhaps we should be considering a more permanent solution?"

Clarissant stared at the British Matriarch before chuckling. "Your funeral" she says flippantly and enjoys the tick in the woman's face at the barb.

"Excuse me?" Penelope says at her most haughty. "Do you think this boy is truly such a threat? If so, then you argue for my suggestion most powerfully."

"Let me make something perfectly clear" she says looking at each leader, catching their eyes, before moving on. "The Argent family will take no action there, nor will we allow any hunter affiliated with us to do so. If the Council chooses to act, they will act without us."

There is a moment of silence before the room erupts in yelling. "You dare!" Araya yells at her. "The Council has always acted together once a decision has been reached! You would refuse to abide by our decision?"

"I will not put my family into a war we cannot win" Clarissant says firmly.

"Sister, your words trouble us" Kaneshiro says looking at the Frenchwoman. "You highlight a danger but refuse to address it. Was it not your own family who truly began this Council?"

Clarissant looks at the Japanese Matriarch for a second before leaning back into her chair. "Tell me Kaneshiro, have you ever fought a Nogitsune?"

The other matriarch looked surprised at the question. "Me? Not personally. My family has had a few encounters over the years" she admits.

"And in any of those encounters, did you ever defeat the creature?" she asks again.

Kaneshiro frowns. "Defeat is not the word I would use. We managed to drive it away once, another time it was bribed and given a different target, and once it left before we could act directly" she admits ruefully. "They are powerful spirits and dark. Direct conflict is unwise."

Clarissant nods. "And did you know that a Nogitsune was recently imprisoned in Beacon Hills?"

The other woman looks surprised and shakes her head. "No. Since when?"

"During the second world war."

Kaneshiro looks unhappy. That was the same time the one her family had been tracking had disappeared. "The void came to this Beacon Hills?" she says trying to align her memory of the family's records. "Wait!" she looks up "you said recently? It is free?"

"No. It escaped it's prison, but it came into conflict with the Hale Pack and the young magic user" she explains simply.

"Then what happened?" Marie-Amable asks leaning forward. She loves a good story.

"It lost. It was imprisoned again and the young mage arranged to utterly destroy it."

"That's impossible!" Kaneshiro whispers. "No mortal would have that kind of power!"

"Oh, he didn't do it" she agrees easily. "I said he arranged to destroy it. He gave it to one of his friends and allies as a present. I don't see it surviving that experience."

"What kind of ally would accept such a present? Giving a demon spirit is a curse, it would destroy the one who received it" Aadesh says sadly.

"Oh no, she was apparently quite happy with it. Though it technically wasn't a gift, the boy wasn't that stupid, it was more a demonstration of his friendship and affection."

"Friendship and affection?" Penelope exclaims. "To who?"

Clarissant smiles happily. She had been waiting to drop this bomb. "Queen Mab."

It was like throwing a hand grenade. One second of stunned quiet, two of certainty that they heard wrong, and then an explosion of demands for clarification, not to mention several of the representatives looking very wide eyed and nervous.

"ORDER!" Rolph finally manages to be heard and brings the group to order. "Matriarch Argent. I think you need to provide more information to this Council!" he demanded with the proper blend of authority and respect for her position.

"I cannot believe it" Kaneshiro says quietly looking at the French Matriarch. They had called a break after Clarissant had given a very rough accounting of the destruction of the Nogitsune and the fact that Queen Mab had spoken with Mr. Stilinski on more than one occasion and was apparently rather fond of the boy. At the break, Kaneshiro had sought out Clarissant as she spoke with Julianna. Rolph and Amelia were speaking with Araya while Marie-Amable had pulled Penelope and Aadesh aside.

"It is true. I have Christopher's report and apparently the demon had attacked a hospital but was quickly defeated. The boy had given it to Mab in front of another Alpha and a Celestial Kitsune. I believe you know Noshiko?" she asks her counterpart.

Kaneshiro's eyes widen. "I met her once when I was a child, but…did you speak with her?"

"I did. I spoke with both her and Alpha Ito about it and both, though cautious, were willing to speak with my agents. They confirmed the incident and the boy's actions. Noshiko also shared that she felt that Queen Mab appeared to have a personal liking for the boy."

"Dangerous to be liked by one of the Queens" Julianna warns.

Clarissant laughs. "Hardly. Apparently the boy, isn't friends with just the Winter Queen."

"What do you mean?" Penelope demands walking up to the group leaving the others behind still taking.

Clarissant nods in polite welcome. "The boy is also mentored by the Merlin and the Morgaine as well as the Sorcerer Supreme" she says clearly and notices the sudden silence in the room. The others all heard that as well.

Penelope pales. "What? That's not possible."

"Oh it is. And that's not all. It seems that when he took up his new title and powers, he had three other visitors as well."

"And who was that?" Aadesh asks.

"Titianna, Arethusa, and Orliath. It seems all of them came to visit him in Beacon Hills."

The blood drained from Penelope's face and Julianna and Kaneshiro both looked shocked. Aadesh opened his mouth several times, but no words came out. She glanced over and say that all of the others were equally stunned.

Unsurprisingly, Amelia was the first to recover. "All four of the Queens?!?" she screeched! "That's impossible. No Queen has been spotted in centuries and there hasn't been an incident where more than one were seen together in millennia!"

"Yet all four came to this boy's aid. Not to mention the Sorcerer Supreme and the Merlin and Morgaine. Do you see my concern" she asks them pressing her advantage. "This boy is nothing we have ever seen or dealt with and he has friends that we stand no chance against." She looks at Rolph "Are your families ready to face the Wild Hunt? You know how Mab loves to set them on the tail of those who displease her. Do you think you can run fast enough to escape them?"

She turns to Penelope "And are you willing to have every Druid in the world turn against your family? Not to mention the witches."

"Wait, what about the Witches?" Marie-Amable says in surprise. She hadn't heard anything about witches.

"Do you remember the Comeau Coven?" she asks her distant cousin.

Marie-Amable looks confused. The Comeau? They were wiped out when they attacked some sorcerer in California. And good riddance, but what did that have to do with… "The boy was the one? His pack destroyed them?" she demands.

"Oh no. His pack didn't even know they were there. The boy destroyed the coven all on his own. I found out about things when the High Witch Dionne contacted me about problems and I sent hunters to help Christopher and Allison out. They helped destroy a Darach and Deucalion's Alpha Pack."

"Wait! Hale and the boy destroyed Deucalion's abominations?" Amelia looks flabbergasted. "I thought the Argents were responsible for that. Gerard?"

Clarissant shook her head sadly. "No. Gerard created Deucalion's monsters."

That led to a discussion of Gerard's peace summit, the blinding of Deucalion, and the rise and fall of the Alpha Pack at the hands of Hale and his mage. By the time the story was done, no one was ready for more and Rolph called to extend the break until dinner and reconvene afterwards. Though the Council had a rule of no business at meals, Clarissant was certain that things were definitely going to be discussed. She signaled to Philippe who nodded. He had prepared a nice packet of information about what they had learned about Beacon Hills, suitably edited of course. She wasn't going to tell them everything after all, knowledge is power and she was also rather certain that Christopher and Allison were limiting what they told her but she understood that and realized that the boy was probably censoring their reports to her. She would do the same. She was also serious that after speaking again with Dionne and the Morgaine, the Argents were not going anywhere near that boy, nor would she help the Council in any way. If it came to war, she would choose her side wisely.

Nodding to the others she headed to her rooms knowing that Philippe would follow shortly after he passed out his information to the other secretaries before letting her know how they reacted. With any luck, they would have the Interdict by morning.

"Derek?" Stiles asks quietly, hesitant to disturb the Alpha but it had been nearly an hour of quiet since everyone had left after they had come back to the loft after eating with the pack and then hearing Eddie's story. Stiles had been on his computer trying to give Derek some space but they needed to talk about this.

"Sorry Stiles. It's just…" Derek's voice trails off, but Stiles understands. Eddie had told them the story of the hunters' attack on the Henderson Pack and it had hit the Hale members particularly hard though none of the pack had really managed very well hearing the story.

Eddie's pack, much like the Hales, had lived fairly peacefully in Montana near the northern border of Yellowstone and had for nearly sixty years. They hadn't turned anyone in over a decade nor had there been any attacks on humans anywhere near their territory. But that didn't matter to the hunters who had killed Eddie's older brother without cause. They had attacked the teen, he was barely 16, when he was out with friends. The two humans with him hadn't even known about werewolves but that didn't matter to the hunters who slaughtered all three of them.

The Hendersons had reacted and tracked down the four hunters and struck hard, but still had managed to avoid any killing. Eddie's Aunt, the Alpha at the time, had not allowed lethal force, but she definitely made a point. The hunter who had killed her nephew had every bone in both of his hands broken so he could never fire another weapon. The others were beaten severely with multiple broken bones and one of the hunters, who had apparently enjoying killing the 'sympathizers', lost an eye in the fight before getting knocked out.

The pack had thought it was over with, but the hunters had friends and they decided that the wolves 'attack' on the hunters justified a full-on assault. Over three days the hunters had killed eleven members of the family, only seven of which were wolves. Eddie and his older sister, who was only 18 at the time, had been ordered to hide by their parents as the wolves were no longer holding back. But even fighting fully, it only took another two days before the rest of the pack had been killed and Theresa had made the decision that they needed to run. For some reason that Eddie didn't know, the alpha power had not come to either of them, but she wasn't willing to wait and figure out why. The whole town was in an uproar over the deaths but she managed to get them out.

They had run, heading for Beacon Hills on their mother's orders. They had made it to Medford, Oregon when the hunters had caught up to them. Teresa had gotten him to a safe hiding spot and tried to draw them off, but it was barely an hour later when he felt the final pack bonds snap telling him that his sister and last relative was gone. Eddie had managed to catch a bus to Sacramento and then was going through the woods towards Beacon Hills when they finally found him. He didn't even know he had made it when he was shot by the two scouts. It was only luck that Scott and Isaac had been there and managed to save him.

"He's safe now" Stiles reminds him knowing that it didn't mean much. This was too familiar to the Alpha. Stiles could tell how much it had impacted all three of the Hales and even now Cora and Peter were with the boy in Cora's apartment. Too many families had been destroyed like this.

"And the hunters?" Derek asks.

Stiles pushed down his fury with Scott and Isaac. Both teens had apologized to both Derek and Stiles for how they handled things after hearing the story. Scott was still struggling with the decision, a part of him holding on that giving them to Mr. Argent was the right choice somehow but Isaac had seemed to really get it. Stiles had called Chris to update him and he was coming over any minute for a formal discussion. "Chris will be explaining everything soon. He should be here any minute."

"And what do we do? You know they are already out of your jurisdiction" Derek reminds him.

Stiles nods. He knows that but he has been thinking ever since hearing the story and he remembers Mab's words. He is going to have to make a pretty serious statement. He is about to reply when he sees Derek tense up and look back out the window. Stretching out his own magical senses he feels Chris and Allison nearing. It is harder with humans but Stiles knows both of them really well, so he has been practicing locating them along with several others.

It is only a few minutes more and Stiles is opening the door as both Argents walk in. "Scott called us to tell us what happened" Allison starts off and Stiles can hear anger in her voice. "Derek, Stiles, we had no idea what they had done."

"Would it have mattered?" Derek asks softly.

Allison looks horrified. "Of course it would have!"

Derek however is looking at Chris who hasn't replied yet. "Chris?"

Chris Argent looks determined, but also like he is having to swallow down something unpleasant. "Policing the hunters is the duty of the Council. I am not sure what other option there was" he tells them.

Allison looks conflicted looking between her father and Derek but doesn't add anything.

"Who were they?" Stiles asks. "The ones here and the ones who murdered the Henderson Pack."

Chris looked very unhappy. "Stiles" he starts "it's complicated."

"No, it really isn't Chris" Stiles replies.

"The report we got was that the brother attacked some schoolmates during a full moon. Lost control and killed them. The hunters tried to intervene but were to late to save the kids. They ended up putting him down. Then the pack attacked and maimed the hunters. They were out of control."

Stiles stared at the elder Argent and saw the unhappiness there. He glanced at Allison who also looked rather distraught. "So we don't know the real truth. They are both saying different things" she says sounding miserable.

"Except we do" Stiles replies, surprising all three of them. "I was able to do my own research and my dad also helped. Did you know that Mark Henderson, the kid you said started all this, was best friends with the other two victims? That they had been best friends since they were all eight years old? That they all played together on several sports teams in high school? That the Alpha of the Henderson Pack was the principal of the school and one of the leaders of their community? That the Sheriff in town said that the loss of the family had devastated their community which hadn't had a single violent death there in over sixteen years?"

Chris had paled and Allison had shifted from uncertain to angry. "They said he lost control" she snarled. "But if he had been friends with them for that long…"

"The odds of him losing it was pretty low. Not to mention that they were killed a good three hours before moonrise."

"What!?" Chris was startled. "The report said it was at 11:45, nearly two hours after."

"They lied. The sheriff confirmed that the boys were killed just before 7pm. And they had been together all day hiking and fishing. Something they did just about every weekend" Stiles informed him. "Did your report mention that one of the boys was the sheriff's nephew?" he asks.

Chris collapses on the seat and closes his eyes and Stiles can feel the defeat. He finally looks up. "Stiles, I didn't know that, but I will inform the Council. I promise this won't be ignored."

Stiles looks at Derek and then Allison, both who are angry, but that anger is unfocused. "You will not tell me who they were?" Stiles asks again, his voice calm and professional. Allison looks up in concern, she hears something that worries her, but her father misses it.

"I don't think I should Stiles. At least not without permission."

"I understand. Then I need to make this official. Christopher Argent, regent of the Argent Family in the United States" Stiles begins formally and Chris suddenly is paying attention. Derek and Allison are also both staring at Stiles in surprise. "As Arcanist and High Alpha of this territory, I am formally notifying you as representative of the Hunter's Council in my territory of a change in circumstances."

"Stiles" Allison whispers but she stops herself. Derek's eyes narrow.

"You have twenty-four hours to notify all hunters within the states of California, Nevada, and Oregon that their permission to be in my territory is officially revoked. Yourself, Allison, and those men and women who directly answer to you and for whom you are responsible, may remain as representatives. All other hunters must immediately leave."

"Stiles" Chris looks very worried "you can't make that kind of decision. There are hunters from many families here. This could be seen as a provocation" he warns.

Stiles nods. "Good. Then you understand. I expect you to notify your Grand Matriarch immediately and she can send word to the rest. Any hunter found in California after the deadline" he looks directly at Chris "will be considered an enemy combatant and will be treated as such. There will be no repercussions for killing them by anyone in my territory."

"Stiles!" Allison gasps and even Derek looks shocked.

"Furthermore. If I become aware of their presence" he continues "then I will deal with them. Permanently."

Chris stares at the teen in disbelief. "You can't mean that."

Stiles shakes his head sadly. "I do Chris. The hunters have lost their original purpose and instead have become twisted into bullies, thugs, and killers. Your Council has failed to keep the code, but I will no longer accept that dereliction of responsibility by those in my territory. You and Allie are proven allies and I believe you both have realized what happens when Hunters are not checked. But I am done with giving the benefit of the doubt to the Council. Since you will not identify the guilty party for justice, then all Hunters will share their punishment. Get them out Chris. Come tomorrow, it is the hunters who will be hunted."

Stiles turns and walks to the stairs and heads up without another word or even a glance at the three stunned people in the loft. He is gone before Allison finally looks at Derek. "Is he serious?" she asks knowing that he is.

"Derek, you have to talk to him. This is crazy" Chris warns.

Derek turns to Chris with a blank expression. "He is the Arcanist. I will not challenge him on this Chris. As High Alpha I will notify all who look to us of his word. As of tomorrow, every pack and being will know that hunters are not welcome here except you. If any are found, they will be reported to us and dealt with. I would warn the others to leave. There are a lot of beings who will be more than happy to pay back the tender mercy of hunters knowing that Stiles will protect them." Derek walks back to the window without further word.

Allison shakes off her shock and pulls her father out of the loft. "We need to call Clarissant immediately dad. We need to get the hunters out."

"Allie, you have to talk to him. Get him to change his mind."

She shakes her head. "Dad, that won't happen. He looked like Lizzie and Mab just then. I think he is throwing down the gauntlet. If the Council doesn't act, he will. And the hunters won't win. You know he isn't wrong about some of the hunters, There are a lot more like Kate and Gerard and if we are being honest, I think I am on his side on this one. Those bastards not only murdered innocents but lied and covered up their crimes. That whole group should be killed as an example to others, but you know they won't be. The Council never actually punishes hunters." Allison saw the determination in Stiles' eyes. They had to convince the Council to step back!

Philippe rushed to the suite's door to knock politely. The door opened easily. "Yes?"

"Matriarch. Regent Christopher Argent is on the phone. He says it is urgent" Philippe hands her the phone and she takes it with a frown and shuts the doors.

Philippe is beyond stressed. Dinner had been a nightmare for him. They honored the rules not to discuss business but the tension in the room was thick with stress and arguments left unspoken. The other secretaries had taken his packet of information but as near as he can tell, only two, maybe three of the other leaders had even glanced at it before dinner. They would reconvene in an hour and he knew that his Matriarch was going to push hard to make things happen.

He spent the next twenty minutes gathering his materials together when the door to the suit opened suddenly. "Philippe! Get Matriarchs Amaya, Boutin, and Quintara here immediately!"

"Before the meeting?" he asks in shock.

"Now!" she yelled. She actually yelled(!) before turning to go back into her room. He was moving almost before he realized it. He didn't know how he was going to convince the other Matriarchs but at least she had only asked for the three most close to her cause.

"I think that perhaps this situation requires more thought. Perhaps we should gather some additional information on this new development" Rolph began almost immediately when they reconvened. Clarissant, Juliana, Kaneshiro, and Marie-Amable had arrived just as the meeting began after their quick huddle thanks to Philippe's efforts but now they were back.

"It does feel rather rushed" Amelia added looking at the four latecomers with disappointment for their manners.

"It would appear that delay is no longer an option" Clarissant replies looking around the table. "It appears that the situation has changed rather dramatically. I received a formal notice from the High Alphas."

That statement set off quite the reaction. "What do you mean?" Penelope demanded. She hadn't heard anything about High Alphas, not even in that rather alarming packet of information the Argents had provided.

"My apologies" Clarissant acknowledges but also makes it clear she wasn't the slightest bit sorry. "It appears that the Hale Alpha and his mate, the mage, have been declared High Alphas by a number of other packs in the area. Six so far to my knowledge."

"Six packs are impressive I suppose" Araya admits "but that is not sufficient to be true High Alphas."

"Agreed" Juliana agrees "however it appears that that is only the wolves. There are also several other groups who have also recognized their authority. And I believe that you are familiar with the Delgado Pack?" she asks the Calaveras Matriarch.

Araya is surprised. "Yes" she admits. Her family has had a rather tentative agreement with the pack in Los Angeles. The Alpha was rather civilized all things considered and he had allies across the American Southwest not to mention a large portion of Mexico. He may not be in charge, but he was definitely well informed and connected. "So what?"

"Well it appears that the Delgado Alpha has been speaking with a number of other packs and has managed to convince nearly a dozen of his allies to visit Beacon Hills for the purpose of meeting the High Alphas. In a few weeks those six might be nearly twenty."

Araya looks intrigued. She knows León fairly well and knows that he is very influential with many packs. The man has never been an issue mainly because his pack has been more interested in working with movies and television, but he has also managed to make strong connections to a number of allies in LA. She has her own people there, but they have an understanding and stay out of each other's way. The Calavares rarely go into LA simply because it is not worth her time to deal with everything there and she has enough on her plate. The fact that he is not only supporting the Hales but bringing others changes things.

"We may need to deal with that situation agreed but" Amelia starts but Marie-Amable cuts her off.

"It also appears that your hunters have facilitated a crisis."

Amelia looks confused. "What do you mean?"

"William Parker. He answers to you, yes?" she clarifies.

"William?" Amelia pauses for a second. She knows some Parkers, but William? "Oh. Yes, he is the eldest son of David Parker. They are from New Hampshire. Why?"

"It seems that William recently led a group to Montana where he murdered an innocent pack along with several humans" Juliana replies angrily.

Amelia blinks. "I am afraid you have bad information. I received that report and shared it with the Council. The pack had gone feral and attacked several humans and then when the Parkers eliminated the feral wolf, the pack attacked and maimed the hunters. They were out of control. Killers."

"It would appear that your hunter lied" Clarissant said icily and signaled Philippe who handed out another packet. This one with Christopher's report of the boy's testimony along with several supporting documents that the young mage had discovered. "Your hunters not only broke the code, they lied to cover it up and chased a 13 year old child and attempted to kill him."

"Amelia?" Kaneshiro looks at the American Matriarch with a deeply concerned expression. "This is most disturbing."

"I will of course investigate" Amelia promises looking at the other leaders who are all staring at her. "The Parkers have been valued Hunters however. I think it unlikely that they would do this. And based on the boy's testimony who wasn't even there?"

"It seems it was enough for the High Alphas to decree that all hunters were banished from his territory" Clarissant informed the group.

"He did what?" Penelope was shocked. "By what right does he think he may demand no hunters enter his town?"

"By right of power" Clarissant replies. "And his territory is not the town of Beacon Hills. It is all of California, Oregon, and Nevada."

"Are you insane?" Araya demands in shock. She has been listening to all of this, but this boy declaring entire states as his domain?

"I am serious. His power is substantial. With his allies, he is rather formidable and he is very unhappy with us. In fact, he has informed me, and asked that I share with all of you, that any hunters remaining in California in" she pauses to look at the clock on the wall "twenty hours, will be considered enemies and eliminated by any who finds them if he doesn't find them first. We are to remove our hunters immediately or else risk war."

Everyone starts arguing but surprisingly it is Aadesh who asks the key question. "Can he back up such a demand?"

The room quiets when the soft spoken Indian Patriarch asks Clarissant that question. They all turn to her. "He can. I did leave out a fact from your packet of information that is relevant." She looks at them with a smile "why have none of you asked about the nature of his magic?"

Rolph, Penelope, Amelia, Aadesh, and Araya are all caught off-guard at the question. Marie-Amable laughs loudly. "Oh, they don't know!"

"And you do?" Araya asks looking at the New Orleans Matriarch.

"Oh yes. I did my own investigating when Clarissant first informed us of the boy. Unlike the rest of you, I don't disdain to talk to magic users. We have good relations with the witches and necromancers in our territory. And I received notice from one of the voodoo mages that I have known for many, many years. She told me of a power rising in the west. The spirits are all talking about him. The one who is six."

"The one who is six?" Amelia snorts but Marie notices the look of panic on Penelope's face.

"Ah sister, you know" she croons.

"That's impossible. It has been centuries" Penelope almost pleads.

"Not anymore. The Arcanist, the boy, is a mage who can wield all six domains of magic" Clarissant tells the rest.

"What?" Kaneshiro whispers and the rest look impressed.

"That is an abomination!" Rolph yells looking at the others. "We cannot permit this to stand!"

"No" Penelope cuts him off with a look of fear. "I will not commit my family to such a conflict. I will order all hunters aligned with my family to leave immediately and will vote with the Argents to Interdict the boy's territory." Her words may show her fear, but there is determination in her voice and her eyes that the rest of the Council sees.

"Penelope!" Amelia looks shocked. She was certain the British Matriarch was on their side.

"The last Arcanist, the one who could wield all the domains of magic? That was the original Merlin! He reshaped all of Britain with his power and raised up Kings and magics like no other. If the boy is that powerful, he could destroy us easily." She gasps and looks to Clarissant. "The land?" she whispers.

"Healing and growing powerful. I have reports of mermaids, brownies, centaurs, sprites, elves, dwarves, and fae all converging to name a few. The boy's presence is reshaping that part of the world" Clarissant confirms.

"I too have heard whispers from some of our witches of a new power in the north. I did not realize what it was but after Clarissant's words I reached out and discovered that in addition to the wolf packs, there are at least four covens of witches who have accepted his authority and there are a number of druids, sorcerers, enchanters, and even alchemists who have petitioned to move there" Juliana informs them.

Aadesh and Kaneshiro both whisper together for a few moments before breaking apart. "We do not have any hunters in that place" Aadesh says easily "nor do we plan to. Based on what we have learned we support the Argent proposal." Kaneshiro nods in agreement.

"That makes six" Clarissant says looking at the final three. Amelia and Rolph both look furious. She knows that the German has more than a few hunters in America and any limits on Amelia rankles the woman.

"Seven" Araya corrects causing all eyes to shift to her.

"But California is your territory!" Amelia is shocked. There have been a few clashes between their hunters before over who has final say, but to give that up?

"No. It has been our responsibility, but not one we particularly sought or cared about. Besides, did you read the Argent's information? The boy has indicated that he will not tolerate killing or unwilling bites as well. We may not like any newly bitten wolves, but we admit that giving the curse to those who are willing is not a crime. He has been rather clear on that rule to the wolf packs and others that, like his sheriff father, he protects all within his territory. And the destruction of Deucalion and his filth? That shows his intent and determination not to allow the wolves to act without consequence rather clearly. I will withdraw my hunters for now. Give him space to show himself for who and what he truly is. If he is false, then we may choose to act. But for now, I vote we leave."

"Seven out of nine is binding on the Council" Clarissant says looking at the other two "within the rules of the Council, but it would be better to be unanimous so all hunters, great family or small, knows how serious we are."

Amelia and Rolph didn't like this. "He did destroy the Alpha Pack" Rolph finally admitted. His family had funneled quite a bit of money to Davies and his group for that hunt and he definitely appreciated the end of that particular problem. "Very well. I will support you Clarissant, but like Araya, if circumstances show otherwise, we may have to act."

"Sister?" Marie-Amable prompted her northern counterpart. "Will you stand alone in this or with the Council?"

The Louisiana Matriarch already knew the answer. There was absolutely no way that Amelia Parsons would be the lone hold out of a Council Edict. She could not afford to be seen as weak or incapable and being the only vote against wouldn't be a badge of honor like it would be for Araya or Juliana. No, for Amelia it would be proof that she couldn't sway even one family to her side.

"Unanimous" Amelia agreed with a resigned look. "But what about your family Clarissant? Are the Argents not currently present in Beacon Hills?"

Clarissant smiled happily. "Christopher and his daughter have been invited to remain as representatives of the Council and to keep communication lines open between us."

Amelia visible struggled to restrain herself at that snub.

"Wise choice" Kaneshiro agreed and smiled when the others looked at her. "They fought the Alpha Pack and that Darach alongside the Hale Pack. They are battle allies at the least, a rather considerable concession considering the crimes of other Argents against the Hale Pack. That they could forgive and separate the innocent from the guilty suggests a rather more thoughtful consideration than the Parkers demonstrated. Not to mention, according to Clarissant's report, the future Matriarch of the American Argents is a close ally of them which gives us eyes on this pack."

Clarissant did not smile though she was very impressed. Kaneshiro had been furious when she learned of the attack in Montana and the lies used to cover it up. She had asked the others whether Amelia knew the truth or not, but either way, the Parsons Matriarch took a rather significant loss of political power today which was a dangerous thing she knew. But with Kaneshiro and Aadesh firmly on her side and Penelope unwilling to risk a battle, things had shifted significantly in the Council. Oh, she loved this!

"Davies!" the voice over the phone calls out. Randolph wasn't expecting to hear back from Jonas after their last call.

"Jäger. Must say I am surprised to hear from you" he replies.

"Well I wanted to talk with about a potential problem in Ukraine and make sure you had gotten the word about the new Interdict that the Council just announced."

Randolph freezes at that word. Certainly it was too quick for such a serious decision. "What Interdict?"

There is a pause on the line for a few moments before Jonas' voice comes back. "Davies, the Council unanimously decreed a total Interdict on California, Nevada, and Oregon. It's effective in 12 hours. All hunters are ordered out of the territory immediately and not to return under penalty of exile."

Davies can't believe this shit! Exile?! That means that the persons would not only be cut off from all hunter resources, they would be disavowed completely. As far as the Council is concerned, they could be killed in the streets, murdered in cold blood, and there would not only be no response, but there would not even be an acknowledgement. "You said unanimous?" he asks in disbelief.

"Yes. Even the Calaveras and Parsons both supported the edict. Tell me you are not still there Davies. The Alpha Pack is gone. What are you doing?" he demands.

"We are not in the territory Jäger. We are actually in Idaho tracking a potential feral" he assures the man.

Randolph can hear the man's sigh of relief. "That's good, but still too close. Do you think you could bring your team back to handle the issue in Ukraine?"

Davies thinks for a moment. "How time critical is it? We are right on the edge of something."

"Not seriously time. I can give you a few weeks if you need them" Jonas says easily. "Will that work?"

"Yes. Send me the info and I will have my team start looking at everything" he promises and they quickly hang up.

Randolph looks up slowly and around his office. "Trager!" he calls out. Seconds later the man enters.

"We need to move. I want us in another location within six hours, one that bastard Argent doesn't know about!"

Trager pauses for a second before nodding. No need to ask which Argent was the bastard. Randolph has been raging about Chris Argent for days. "Any place you want us to go?" he clarifies.

"Move us a town or two over. I want to make sure we aren't too far from Hale and his pack so we are in position when its time."

Trager nods and leaves to get things going. He doesn't mention the Interdict though he knows about it. He got notice from several hunter colleagues who knew he was in the area, but Davies isn't telling the others about the edict. If they stay, as Davies is obviously planning to do, then they are totally on their own. He would rather leave but he won't abandon his leader. He's come too far to run now.

"Agent McCall" Deputy Graeme said with an obviously insincere smile. "Welcome back to Beacon Hills. How can I help you?" Tara had replaced the front desk person because she definitely wanted to be the one when McCall finally showed up and based on the man's body language, he was going to try and bulldoze his way through anyone and everyone.

"Where's Stilinski?" he demanded abruptly and reached for the barricade blocking entrance to the main part of the station, but he slammed into it when it didn't open like he thought it would. Tara manages to contain her smile at that. Seems the new renovations were already paying off and they hadn't had any boogeymen even try them yet.

"I'm sorry Agent McCall but there are new security protocols in place. No unauthorized individuals allowed in the work area unless accompanied by a deputy or staff member. Do you have an appointment with the Sheriff?" she asks with a saccharine sweet smile.

Raphael McCall grinds his teeth at the locked barricade. "I am investigating the death of William Barrows" he says while failing to control his anger.

Tara looks totally confused. "Oh really? I thought that issue was closed. All of the relevant reports and evidence was sent to the Bureau's office in Sacramento. Did they not share that information with you?" Her smile showed pity for how he was being treated so unfairly by the other agents. "We did tell them to share it with you."

"I prefer to do my own investigation" he says looking determined.

"Of course. A very smart decision Agent McCall. Always good to make sure you follow up when you set things in motion." Though innocent, the reprimand is clearly there and they both know it. "Unfortunately, the Sheriff is out on a call but he should be back in an hour or so. Would you like to come back or would you like to wait?"

"I'll wait" McCall growls.

"Certainly. Please have a seat." Tara points to the rather uncomfortable looking chairs in the little waiting room, making no move to open the barricade. Seeing the look of confusion on the agent's face, she smiles. "If you are thirsty, the vending machines are right around the corner" she points to the little alcove nearby before going back to the computer.

Out of the corner of her eye she watches the man stand for a second. She knows he wants to demand entrance, but she has already cut him off once and he knows that she, of all the deputies there, isn't intimidated by him and would love to shut him down if he tries. And the fact was, he didn't have the Bureau's full backing to be here even though he had gotten permission to come. Moving over he sat down and glared at the deputy typing happily away at her computer. She hoped that the Sheriff would remember to pick her up one of Celeste's muffins when he decides his coffee break is over.