The forest outside Beacon Hills grew quieter as the afternoon sun began to fade behind the trees.
In the clearing, Scott McCall bent over with his hands on his knees, breathing heavily.
Training with Derek Hale had turned out to be far more brutal than he expected.
"Okay… I think I'm dying," Scott groaned.
Derek stood a few feet away, completely calm.
"You're not even close."
Scott pointed accusingly.
"You threw me into a tree!"
Derek shrugged.
"You'll heal."
Scott muttered something under his breath.
Nearby, Aiden Blackwell leaned casually against a tree, watching the training session with mild amusement.
Scott had improved slightly during the past hour, but compared to experienced supernatural fighters, he was still incredibly inexperienced.
That wasn't surprising.
Scott had only been a werewolf for a few days.
Derek crossed his arms.
"Again."
Scott groaned.
"Seriously?"
"Again."
Scott sighed dramatically before stepping forward.
This time, his attack was faster.
He aimed a punch toward Derek's chest.
Derek caught his wrist instantly and twisted slightly, forcing Scott off balance.
But before Derek could counter—
Scott suddenly used his other hand to shove Derek backward.
Derek stepped back once.
Then smiled faintly.
"Better."
Scott looked shocked.
"Wait… that worked?"
Aiden chuckled from the side.
"Barely."
Scott pointed at him.
"Hey, I'm improving!"
Aiden raised his hands in mock surrender.
"I didn't say you weren't."
Derek looked toward Aiden briefly.
"You're enjoying this too much."
Aiden smirked.
"Watching someone else suffer is always entertaining."
Scott rolled his eyes.
"Thanks for the support."
The small moment of humor eased the tension in the clearing.
But only for a second.
Because suddenly—
Aiden's expression changed.
His head tilted slightly.
His Hellhound senses had caught something.
A scent.
Faint.
But unmistakable.
Burnt ash…
Blood…
And madness.
Aiden's eyes narrowed.
"Alpha."
Derek immediately became alert.
"You smell him?"
Aiden nodded slowly.
"Yes."
Scott's face turned pale.
"The thing that bit me?"
Derek looked toward the deeper part of the forest.
"He's close."
The atmosphere instantly became tense.
The forest felt darker.
More dangerous.
Aiden pushed himself off the tree.
"He's been watching."
Scott blinked nervously.
"Watching us?"
Aiden nodded.
"For a while."
Scott swallowed.
"That's extremely creepy."
Derek stepped forward slowly.
"Stay behind us."
Scott frowned.
"Behind you? Why?"
Derek looked at him seriously.
"Because you're not ready to face him."
Scott wanted to argue.
But deep down—
He knew Derek was right.
Aiden suddenly looked toward the trees.
His eyes flickered with faint orange flames.
"He's moving."
The wind shifted.
Leaves rustled quietly.
Then—
A dark figure appeared among the trees.
Tall.
Unsteady.
Predatory.
Glowing red eyes pierced through the shadows.
Peter Hale slowly stepped into the clearing.
Scott's heartbeat skyrocketed.
"That's him…"
Peter's grin widened.
His voice was low and amused.
"Well… this is an interesting gathering."
His gaze moved between them.
First Derek.
Then Scott.
Finally—
Aiden.
Peter tilted his head slightly.
"The Hellhound again."
Aiden's expression remained calm.
"You really should stop stalking teenagers."
Peter chuckled.
"I prefer the word hunting."
Scott stepped back nervously.
Derek moved slightly in front of him.
Peter's eyes gleamed with excitement.
"My Beta seems confused."
Scott frowned.
"Your what?"
Peter gestured toward him casually.
"You."
Scott blinked.
"You bit me!"
Peter's grin widened.
"Of course I did."
Scott clenched his fists.
"Why?!"
Peter stepped closer.
"Because every Alpha needs a pack."
Scott shook his head.
"I'm not joining you."
Peter laughed softly.
"That's adorable."
The tension in the clearing rose rapidly.
Aiden watched Peter carefully.
The Alpha was powerful.
Far stronger than Scott.
Even stronger than Derek.
But against a Hellhound—
The outcome wasn't so certain.
Peter's gaze returned to Aiden.
"You're interfering with my plans."
Aiden shrugged.
"You're killing innocent people."
Peter tilted his head.
"They're not innocent."
Scott looked horrified.
"You murdered them!"
Peter's eyes darkened.
"They were responsible for the fire that destroyed my family."
Derek's expression hardened.
"Not all of them."
Peter ignored him.
His attention returned to Scott.
"You're stronger now because of me."
Scott shook his head again.
"You turned me into a monster!"
Peter's grin faded slightly.
"No."
His voice became colder.
"I turned you into a predator."
Scott looked uncertain.
For a moment—
His wolf instincts reacted to Peter's Alpha presence.
Aiden noticed immediately.
Scott's eyes briefly flickered yellow.
Peter saw it too.
"See?"
He spread his arms slightly.
"You belong with me."
Before Scott could respond—
Aiden stepped forward.
"That's enough."
The air suddenly became hotter.
Faint flames flickered around Aiden's eyes.
Peter's grin slowly returned.
"There it is."
He pointed toward Aiden.
"That power…"
Peter's red eyes gleamed with curiosity.
"I wonder what would happen if I killed a Hellhound."
Derek immediately tensed.
Aiden smiled faintly.
"You're welcome to try."
For a moment—
No one moved.
The clearing became silent except for the wind moving through the trees.
Then Peter stepped backward slowly.
"Not today."
His grin remained dangerous.
"But soon."
He looked at Scott one last time.
"Think about my offer."
Then Peter disappeared into the forest.
Just like that.
Scott exhaled shakily.
"That guy is insane."
Derek stared into the trees.
"He's planning something."
Aiden crossed his arms.
"Yes."
His eyes flickered with hellfire again.
"And next time…"
His voice became colder.
"He won't just be watching."