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The forest surrounding the Hale territory had become a battlefield.
Gunshots echoed between the trees.
Branches snapped.
The metallic scent of blood filled the night air.
The hunters had returned.
From the edges of the forest, armed figures moved carefully through the darkness. Flashlights cut through the trees as rifles tracked every movement.
The Argent family hunters had surrounded the territory.
But they were not alone anymore.
From the shadows, wolves moved like ghosts.
Claws flashed. then one unlucky hunter het his back neck hollowed out by the claws.
A hunter screamed as something tackled him from the darkness.
Another fired wildly into the trees.
"Watch the flanks!"
But the wolves already knew the forest better than any hunter ever could.
Near the center of the territory, the surviving members of the Hale pack gathered.
The younger children stayed behind fallen logs and natural cover while the older wolves formed a protective line.
Standing at the front was Talia Hale.
Even weakened from the wolfsbane poisoning earlier that night, her eyes burned with Alpha authority.
Beside her stood Laura Hale.
Her eyes glowed red. a sign of being an alpha.
(AN: Yup crimson eyes)
The wolves nearby could feel it now.
Alpha power.
Arthur swallowed as he felt the pressure in the air.
"Yeah… that's definitely new."
Next to him, Derek Hale crouched low, watching the forest.
More gunshots echoed in the distance.
Derek growled softly.
"They're trying to push deeper."
Arthur frowned.
"they sure to come back after what just happened, persisting bastards "
Before Derek could answer, Alan Deaton spoke quietly from behind them.
"Because hunters finish what they start."
Another gunshot rang out—much closer this time.
One of the wolves guarding the perimeter rushed into the clearing.
"They're moving through the eastern ridge!"
Talia stepped forward immediately.
"How many?"
"Ten… maybe more."
Laura's eyes narrowed.
"They're not leaving until they're sure we're dead."
Arthur muttered,
"Yeah… that sounds like butchers not hunters."
Talia looked toward the forest where the fighting was intensifying.
Her voice remained calm.
"We cannot let them reach the children."
Several wolves immediately shifted into their wolf forms, preparing to intercept.
Laura stepped forward.
"I'll handle the eastern side."
Talia glanced at her daughter.
There was no hesitation in Laura's voice.
Only certainty.
After a moment, Talia nodded.
"Derek goes with you Laura."
Derek stood instantly.
Arthur raised a hand.
"Uh… what about me?"
Talia's eyes shifted toward him.
"You stay here."
Arthur blinked.
"Wait, why! I can fight you know?"
Derek smirked slightly.
"Because you're still half-burned and can barely stand."
Arthur looked down at his bandaged arms.
"…fair point. but i don't wanna die without trying"
Laura stepped toward the treeline.
"no ones Gonna die tonight, not while I'm fighting"
The wolves nearby instinctively moved aside.
Alpha instinct commanded their respect.
But before she left, Laura turned toward Talia.
"Mom, the pack in this side is yours to protect. we will go first."
Talia gave a small nod.
"I know."
Then Laura and Derek disappeared into the forest.
Almost immediately, the sounds of fighting intensified.
Gunshots.
Growls.
Crashing branches.
Arthur winced.
"Yeah… that sounds painful."
Deaton glanced toward the forest calmly.
"The hunters underestimate wolves in their own territory."
Another howl echoed through the night.
Deep.
Powerful.
Alpha.
Arthur slowly turned toward Deaton.
"That was Laura… wasn't it? she's really angry."
Deaton nodded.
"Yes."
Arthur exhaled slowly.
"Well… good luck to those hunters."
At the edge of the forest—
Several hunters moved carefully between the trees.
"Spread out!"
One of them raised his rifle.
"We push through here—"
Something moved behind him.
Too fast to see.
The hunter barely had time to turn before a massive wolf slammed into him.
Claws tore through his rifle as he hit the ground.
Nearby hunters raised their weapons.
"Fire!"
Gunshots exploded into the darkness.
But another wolf burst from the trees.
This one larger.
Stronger.
Eyes glowing red.
The hunters froze for a split second.
"the Alpha—!"
The word never finished.
Because Laura Hale was already among them.
And the hunters suddenly realized—
They had walked straight into a wolf pack's territory.
Back in the clearing, Arthur listened to the distant sounds of battle.
He sighed.
"Well…"
"This story is definitely not following the original timeline anymore."
Deaton glanced at him curiously.
Arthur quickly waved it off.
"Nothing."
Another distant howl echoed through the forest.
Arthur leaned back against the log.
"…those hunters are having a very bad night."