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The forest was quiet when Arthur and Alan Deaton returned.
The blackened skeleton of the Hale house still stood in the distance like a scar across the land. Even after hours had passed, the smell of smoke lingered in the air.
Arthur slowed his steps.
"We're here."
Beside him, Alan Deaton paused, studying the burned territory.
His expression darkened slightly.
"The land remembers."
Arthur blinked.
"That sounds ominous."
Deaton did not answer.
Instead, he continued walking toward the clearing.
The moment they stepped into Hale territory, movement appeared in the trees.
Eyes glowed from the shadows.
Wolves.
Protective.
Alert.
"Relax, it's just me."
One of the wolves stepped out from behind a tree and shifted back into human form.
It was Derek Hale.
His gaze immediately landed on Deaton.
"Emissary, its been i while."
Deaton nodded respectfully.
"Derek."
Arthur looked between them.
"You two definitely know each other."
Derek crossed his arms.
"He used to advise my mother."
Arthur nodded.
"Right. Former pack druid."
Derek raised an eyebrow.
"You know a lot for someone who's human recently being adopted."
Arthur coughed lightly.
"Duh, Pack education."
Derek annoyed by the response, but he turned toward the clearing.
"Come on."
The survivors were gathered near the fire pit.
Several of the younger children sat wrapped in blankets while others helped move small pieces of debris from the ruined house.
Standing nearby like a silent guard was Laura Hale.
She noticed Deaton immediately.
"Deaton."
Her tone held cautious respect.
Deaton inclined his head.
"Laura, glad you're still holding on"
Arthur whispered to Derek,
"Is it just me or does everyone in this pack know him?"
Derek answered quietly,
"He helped raise us."
Arthur nodded slowly.
"Yeah… that tracks."
Then the crowd shifted.
And the Alpha stepped forward.
Even weakened, Talia Hale carried an aura that made the air feel heavier.
Deaton bowed his head slightly.
"Talia."
Talia gave a small nod.
Arthur leaned against a tree nearby, watching the interaction like someone observing two ancient chess masters.
Deaton studied her carefully.
"let us remove the poison, the wolfsbane is still affecting you."
Talia nodded.
Deaton's gaze shifted toward the burned ruins of the house.
"The Argents are getting arrogant"
Talia's expression hardened.
"yes they are getting arrogant, they broke the code. but only Gerald and Kate."
(AN: i know, the word is being mentioned too much.. but the word is being said of a different person to another different person not a single one. so please understand)
Laura stepped forward.
"They tried to wipe out our entire pack."
Deaton's voice became colder.
"That is not the hunter's way."
Arthur crossed his arms.
"its different when argent is what we are talking about. specially Kate Argent and her father. they didn't seem too concerned about tradition."
Talia looked at Arthur, same as Deaton. this child seems to know information that is not for his age.
Arthur looked back with innocent and confused face, but deep inside he is troubled. Sooner or later i'm gonna get killed with my mouth. is Tom holland possessing me? no, maybe Mark Ruffalo.
Derek growled softly.
"She came back this morning."
Deaton's eyes sharpened.
"She attacked again?"
Laura shook her head.
"She was watching."
Arthur added,
"With a rifle and a creepy smile."
Deaton sighed. amazed by the child's mouth.
"Then the situation is worse than I feared."
Deaton stepped into the center of the clearing.
From his coat he removed a small pouch.
Arthur immediately recognized the gray powder.
"Mountain ash."
Deaton sprinkled the powder slowly across the ground, forming a wide circle around the survivors.
The moment the line connected—
The air shifted.
Arthur felt a faint pressure ripple through the clearing.
"Whoa."
He crouched slightly, examining the barrier.
"That's actually pretty cool."
Deaton spoke calmly.
"This will prevent most supernatural creatures from crossing."
Arthur raised a finger.
"Except humans."
Deaton nodded.
"Yes."
Arthur sighed. this idiot, their enemies now are hunters, HUMANS! why would he sprinkle a fairy dust to us? peter pan go get this bald head. instead of protection it will become a prison. those pups can't get out if things gets troublesome.
"Guess who that makes the pack's delivery boy."
Derek smirked slightly.
"You volunteered."
Arthur groaned.
"I really should learn to keep my mouth shut."
Several of the younger children began to relax now that the barrier was complete.
One of them tugged on Arthur's sleeve.
"Arthur?"
He looked down.
"Yeah?"
The child pointed toward the forest.
"There's something out there."
Arthur frowned.
At first he heard nothing.
Then every werewolf in the clearing lifted their heads at the same time.
The wind shifted.
And the scent reached them.
Metal.
Gun oil.
Wolfsbane.
Derek's eyes flashed gold.
"They're here."
Laura's claws extended instantly.
"Hunters."
Arthur looked toward the trees.
"Oh come on."
He spread his arms in frustration.
"I literally just got back."
Talia stepped forward slowly.
Her eyes burned with Alpha power.
"Everyone stay inside the circle."
Arthur muttered under his breath,
"This day is getting way too repetitive."
Deep in the forest, hidden among the trees—
A blonde woman lowered her binoculars.
Her smile was sharp and amused.
Kate Argent pressed a button on her radio.
"Visual confirmed."
Her voice was calm.
"The Alpha is alive."
Behind her, several hunters prepared their weapons.
Kate lifted her rifle again.
"Let's see how long that ash circle lasts."
Back in the clearing—
Arthur suddenly felt the hairs on the back of his neck rise.
Something bad was about to happen.