Choosing Sides

The rumble of Jasper's Mustang fades into the night, leaving Scott, Derek, and Stiles standing in silence outside the Hale house. The air feels heavy, thick with everything Jasper just revealed. Stiles shifts uncomfortably and finally clears his throat, breaking the tense quiet.

"Well," he says, trying for a casual tone, "anyone else feel like we just got hit by an info-dump straight out of a supernatural thriller?"

Scott gives a weak smile, but his expression remains serious. Derek, on the other hand, seems lost in thought, his gaze fixed on the burnt remnants of his family's home. Scott catches Stiles' eye and then glances away, still processing Jasper's words. The idea of becoming a "True Alpha" felt distant, almost unreal, but Jasper had spoken about it like it was a certainty—as long as Scott could accept who he was.

"Is it true? About the True Alpha thing?" Scott finally asks, turning to Derek.

Derek's eyes narrow, as if dredging up old memories. "My mom used to say there were legends... stories of Alphas who earned their power, not by taking it but by sheer will and strength of character." He hesitates, casting Scott a sidelong glance. "Most of us thought it was a myth."

"But Jasper doesn't think it is," Stiles says, crossing his arms. "And honestly, I trust the guy, but it seems like there's a lot more he's not telling us."

Derek gives a short nod. "Jasper… he's different. I don't know if he's just an Alpha." He pauses, his jaw tightening. "If he's a progenitor like he claims, then he's on a level we've never even heard of. That kind of power doesn't come around often—if ever."

Scott's shoulders slump a bit. He runs a hand through his hair, looking frustrated. "It's just… all of this, the power, the responsibility. I never asked for it. It's like... like I'm trapped. Every time I turn, I'm scared of hurting someone."

Derek softens, his usual sternness giving way to understanding. "I get it, Scott. The change is overwhelming. But fighting it, rejecting it—it just makes things harder. You don't have to give in to the wolf. You learn to guide it, control it. Trust me, there's strength in accepting who you are."

Scott considers this, the idea of accepting the wolf within him. Could he really do that? He glances at Stiles, who nods encouragingly. "We're here with you, man. Whatever you decide."

Scott's eyes linger on his friend before turning back to Derek. "Maybe I need to start seeing this differently. Jasper seems to think there's something more in me. I guess... I could at least try."

Derek's expression hardens, a grim resolve taking hold. "There's more than that, Scott. Jasper wasn't wrong about the Alpha being a real threat. If he's building a pack, he won't stop with you."

"And you think he killed your sister?" Stiles asks, the question heavy in the air.

Derek nods, a muscle ticking in his jaw. "Laura… she was the best of us. If he killed her, it wasn't just about power. He's after something bigger."

Scott swallows, his hands clenching. "So… what do we do?"

Derek glances toward the forest, his voice low. "We stop him. If Jasper's right, and we're facing a rogue Alpha with a stolen spark, then we need to act fast. But we'll need Jasper's help."

Stiles sighs. "Guess we're team Jasper now, huh?"

Scott looks over at Derek, then at Stiles. "We're doing this together. But first, I have to figure out what kind of Alpha I want to be. Jasper's right about one thing—I can't just keep pretending this isn't happening."

As they discuss the danger, Stiles suddenly remembers Jasper's other suggestion: rebuilding the Hale pack.

"Hey, Derek," he starts, "Jasper mentioned something about bringing the Hale pack back together. And… he's apparently thinking of buying this place?"

Derek looks over at the crumbling house, his face unreadable. "It was my family's legacy, yes. But now… I don't know if I could ever use it again."

"Maybe it's a chance for something new," Scott says gently, surprising Derek. "A way to keep what your family stood for."

Derek considers this, his gaze drifting over the scorched beams and broken windows. "Maybe… it's time to build something new. But Jasper should keep it. There are too many memories here—for better and worse."

Stiles nods. "You know, if Jasper's right, this place needs someone who understands what it means to protect Beacon Hills. Maybe he's the person for that."

Scott glances between Stiles and Derek, something Jasper said earlier nagging at him. "He called himself a progenitor. What… what exactly does that mean?"

Derek's face darkens, his eyes fixed on the ground. "Progenitors… they're the originals. The first of their kind. Every species, every race, traces back to a progenitor. For us, it was Lycaon, the first werewolf. If Jasper's a progenitor, he's more than just a werewolf. He's something new."

Stiles whistles low, looking between Scott and Derek. "So, basically, Jasper's a walking supernatural origin story?"

Derek nods, eyes narrowing. "It means he has power beyond what we can imagine. If he says he can help Scott, he might actually be able to do it."

Scott's expression is pensive as he absorbs all of this. The idea of Jasper helping him become a True Alpha suddenly seems real, but with it comes a weight he's not sure he's ready for.

"Guess if we're going to work together, we need a little honesty," Scott says with a grin, as the three friends share a look of determination.

Without a word, he begins to shift, letting his eyes turn gold, the strength coursing through him. He feels Stiles' and Derek's gazes on him, watching as he struggles to control the transformation, the wolf inside fighting against his will.

But as Scott breathes, he steadies himself. Slowly, the gold fades from his eyes, and he shifts back, panting but stable.

Derek nods in approval. "You're getting there, Scott."

Stiles claps Scott on the shoulder, a proud grin on his face. "Guess you've got a little wolf in you after all."

Scott manages a small smile. "Guess I'm not as hopeless as I thought."

The three stand in silence for a moment, the weight of Jasper's revelations settling over them like a shadow. Whatever happens next, they know they'll face it together.