CHAPTER 22

The Hale family were easily the oldest family in Beacon Hills and even one of the lasting ancient ones across the continent, and it wasn't just their longevity that made them renowned and respected across the neighboring communities.

Unlike other werewolf families, most of the Hale descendants, of those who were born werewolves, had the special ability to completely turn into wolves irrespective of their hierarchical status. 

There was once a time, before the fire, where Beacon Hills used to be a beacon to all supernatural races with the Hale family at the top. Back then, they were synonymous with the spiritual leaders of Beacon Hills and their family matriarch and Alpha, Talia Hale, oversaw all Alphas in Beacon Hills and its environs. 

No major decisions were made without her knowledge or input and she was also the one who put stops to the numerous squabbles between prideful Alphas. 

Though they were an ancient werewolf family, not all of their children were born werewolves, and those who didn't had the choice to either decide to become one or stay human, producing a very harmonious settlement that permeated outside of the Hale family to all of Beacon Hills supernaturals, even the Hunters. 

Derek was one of Talia's children and among one of the very few lucky ones who survived the fire that burned the rest of their family to death, save for one whose condition was no different than death after having 3rd degree burns over 75% of his body and has been in a coma ever since. 

The remaining Hales fled Beacon Hills ever since, along with most of the Alphas of that time while the others kept away from the community to avoid being targets. 

"So you think the killings are why Derek is back? It'll have to be connected to his family if he indeed is the one slashing and hacking at people, but I feel like something is lacking in that picture." Tristan said out loud while working on their dinner with the phone on loudspeaker. 

Elias replied. "True. If it is indeed Derek then I don't think it was at random, and given that it was a public announcement of vendetta then we can safely assume that it's personal."

"The Hale fire?"

"Quite possibly, because I don't see a reason why he'd want to come back to the place he lost his entire family."

Tristan thought for a bit and asked with caution. "The fire… Do you have any idea who caused it?"

The call went quiet, making Tristan pause his motion and waited patiently for Elias' response. He knew exactly what he was asking because he was sure that he wasn't the only one who's had this type of question in their head after listening to the story behind the Hale family's arson. Whether they voiced the question or not depended on why they wanted to know. 

Elias released a deep sigh while his voice went a tone lower. "There was no evidence, nothing to tie the fire to any suspect, but we all had a suspicion of who did it…"

Tristan hummed, coming to the same conclusion he did when Elias first mentioned the Hale fire. "The Hunters."

"Hmm. You might be wondering why an ancient family like the Hales would share the same territory with hunting wolves when they very well knew the history between werewolves and Hunters, right?" Tristan didn't say anything but nodded as that question did cross his mind as he felt that was a very stupid decision on the Alpha's part but also kept quiet because he knew it should have been something more complicated than a simple acceptance. 

"Just like werewolves and other supernaturals that move in circles, the Hunters had a code of their own; Nous chassons ceux qui nous chassent."

"French?"

"Yes. While there are many other Hunting Families, the ones that resided in Beacon Hills then and now could be said to be the oldest in existence. It means 'We Hunt Those Who Hunt Us'." He revealed. "Just like us, they too followed their code, only hunting packs and other stray supernatural creatures who enjoy feasting on humans. It was also for this reason why Talia and the other Alphas were able to coexist, for however long that lasted."

Elias, though old, remembered what Beacon Hills had been like in the past and how it had been a haven for countless species of supernaturals, all living along the guidelines set by the Alphas of the territories and the Hale Family. Alas, nothing can forever be hidden under the eternal gaze of the sun. 

The hunters struck and the packs bore their fangs. Fortunately or unfortunately, their pack had been away from Beacon Hills during that period. 

"Elias, I don't understand something." Tristan called out. "If the Hunting Families have their own code, why would they want to kill the Hale Family when they were the ones keeping Beacon Hills together?"

At this point, Elias' voice had croaked a bit, showing his extreme distaste of the subject and how tired he was, but none of that prevented him from answering Tristan's curious questions. 

"Different from us werewolves packs, the code, when in regards to the Hunters, were less of a way of life and more of a guideline. They just had to know it was there so as to always be responsible for their actions. They decide if they want to skirt their own code…"

Tristan fell silent afterwards and tried seeing what such a code meant for the supernatural community. While he would agree that the code was moral and upright, and even something that was necessary to be set in place, at least to a certain extent, he also knew fully well that not everybody would be happy with such a code as traditions seem to lack importance with every new generation. 

Just like in the rare case that a Beta would betray their pack and become branded as an Omega, so also, and more easily, can a few Hunters disagree with their code and go off on their own, or commit some heinous deeds in secret without the knowledge of their Family. 

"Before I forget, you mentioned the Hunting Family that had been in Beacon Hills and just moved back, what's their name?"

"They are called Argent, a French word for silver, mimicking and taking on the weakness of a werewolf for their name. They've been around since forever. I'll advise you to keep your distance should you meet anyone with that name." Elias' words suddenly seemed to have gained weight as they entered Tristan's ears, making him almost curse out loud. 

He clearly remembered what she said about the origin of her family name but there was no way he could have known what it meant in a more literal sense. 

"Tristan?" Elias' inquisitive voice carried a worried edge to it which reminded the young boy that he was still on the phone. 

"I think we might have fucked up big time, Elias." A groan escaped his throat. 

"What happened, son?"

"A girl, Malia's friend. She transferred in the same time we did…  Her name is Argent." He felt as if a bile was stuck in his throat.

"…"

"…" 

Only the steady breathing of two people could be heard between the lines as unknown thoughts went through their heads. 

"Malia. Was she hurt in ANY way at all?" Tristan shivered as he heard the growl coming from Elias that indicated that depending on his answers, a lot of things could go wrong really really fast. 

"No. I haven't smelled anything wrong from Allison either. They've been hanging out with each other for the past few days, just normal girl fun." Tristan said slowly and in his mind played all the memories from the past few days since he met the girl on that very first day. 

"It doesn't matter. An Argent is an Argent. They are trained that way from young, especially their women. I'll have to talk to Satomi after this. If Derek is the Alpha then his aim is probably to wipe out the Argents or die trying. If it were someone else, I wouldn't have bothered so much with their feud, but Satomi had been good friends with Talia. I don't know what her decision will be but I reckon she wouldn't want to get involved. Derek is no longer a little child, if he truly is going to war with the Argents then he should at least know how fierce their retaliation will be." Elias managed to calm himself down as his voice once again lost its edge and went back to that of a neighborhood grandpa. 

"I'll keep an eye on Allison. That'll be way easier since I'm sure she doesn't know my affiliation. But Elias… if she so much as raise a hand against Malia…" He didn't finish his sentence but the intensity of his eyes and his deformed voice gave away his intention. 

"… Hmm. Do try to exercise caution, Tristan, and try reaching Satomi as soon as you can." He didn't affirm Tristan's intentions nor did he deny them, only suggesting that he talked with Satomi. 

"You shouldn't have to worry as much though. As far as I know, it is only the immediate Argent Family that are in Beacon Hills, and I haven't heard any news about him being back." Elias said. 

"Who's that?" Tristan asked. 

Elias exhaled from tiredness and continued. "Gerard. He's from the older generation so he doesn't move around that much and he is pretty extreme in his hate for werewolves."

After exchanging a few less important talks, he hung up and absentmindedly worked on the croquettes he decided to make as sides for the Oyakodon he was making. Satomi definitely had an influence on the type of meals he enjoyed. 

He'll just have to wait until Malia comes back before breaking it to her. 

Sigh. 

Who knows how she will react?... Probably violently... Maybe a little hurt. Well if that happened he'll just have another reason for wanting to rip out the pale girl's heart. 

… 

[Derek Hale POV] 

Derek Hale drove his car to the ruins of where their family house once proudly stood, casting its shadow all over Beacon Hills. How quickly things had changed. 

First his family had burned to death in a fire save for his uncle and closest confidante, Peter, leaving only him and his elder sister Laura who were fortunate to be at school during the incident to move away from Beacon Hills and hide. 

They had been doing that for years until a few months ago when they saw the picture of the spiral that was sent to Laura's mail. Despite not wanting to, she had left to investigate it only for them to lose contact. 

Fearing the worst, Derek came back to Beacon Hills and was welcomed with the dead body of his last family member killed by an unknown werewolf who was presumably the new Alpha and as if that wasn't enough, she was cut in half post-mortum by Argent Hunters.

At that point, he no longer knew what to do. He didn't cry because the guilt from the death of his family had dried up any tears he could shed. What he needed to do now was get in contact with the Alpha and find out why he was going around and killing people, drawing even more focus from the Argents. 

Maybe by a stroke of pity the world had on him, he was able to find the new Alpha's Beta the day after he buried his sister's other half and had been keeping an eye on him since, hoping to catch on to any trail that the Alpha left behind but so far no luck, and worst of all he had to babysit the self-important and stupidly naïve Beta. 

He's seen the Argent girl on one of his visits to keep an eye on Scott and if his nose didn't lie to him, her friend was definitely a were-type supernatural while the boy was probably something else. Unfortunately for them, the Argent girl already had them in their targets and he can't risk himself further by being out in the sights of Argents. 

One thing Derek knew for sure was that when this was over, one way or the other, he would surely get his revenge. 

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