Sterek: Abandoned Stiles

Chapter Eight

"Hale. Talia's kids, then... what are you doing back here, the both of you? What do you have to do with Stiles?" He asked, sounding a bit sharper than intended, irritated.

Laura knew that the Sheriff would probably be a little upset about what happened. Who wouldn't be after being attacked by something unknown to you?

She looks to Stiles to see if she should explain everything that happened to Stiles or just about the creature. She didn't want to tell something of that importance without permission.

The boy caught up on her glance, his lips forming a quick, soundless 'just the manticore' before turning back to his father. He had so hoped he could keep the Sheriff out of it, and now... how much of a failure was he? Feeling guilty once more, the boy's gaze fell, Stiles being at a loss. If he'd had just been able to catch it back then... then now the Sheriff wouldn't be involved in all this. Stiles was scared telling him, afraid the man wouldn't believe, in the worst case getting him grounded, throwing Derek and Laura out, or filing a file so that they couldn't come around anymore. "...listen then... they... it's going to sound unbelievable, Dad.

But just please... i... I swear it's the truth what they are going to tell you..."

Laura saw what Stiles was trying to tell her; she took a deep breath before turning back to the sheriff.

"We know what attacked you, sir. I know it seems unbelievable and like a joke. But what you saw was a real creature. It's called a Manticore, and they are very dangerous to humans." She starts, letting that sink in for the sheriff before she continues.

"I know you are wondering how we know this, and I will tell you. But first, I'm curious. Did you ever wonder if the Hale fire all those years ago was an accident or something else?" She finally asks.

"...Could have been anything. A gas leak, blowout, anything." He stopped a few moments, eyeing her sharply, attentive. "You say that like there is more to it. Laura, right? Also, for the.. this.. whatever attacking me, what does my kid have to do with it? With this.. what did you call it? A Mantra Core?"

"The fire wasn't an accident, sir. Our family has a secret that we hide to keep us safe, and someone found out. The majority of the Hale's were werewolves, my brother and I are ones as well. The person that started the fire was a werewolf hunter." She explains. She takes a moment to ground herself before continuing. It was still a sore topic, the fire that is.

"Us and Stiles ran into each about a month ago when he came through Santa Ana. We didn't realize who each other was until we started talking more. At one point, I invited Stiles to stay with us, so he wouldn't have to worry about spending money every day on a motel room. We have become friends over time now, so when we heard that something happened to you, we all made the drive here." She said. She looks down for a moment before looking back up at the sheriff.

"All those years ago, you were the only person that even cared about our wellbeing after the fire. We can't let something happen to you, especially something you can fight. As for how Stiles has come to find out about all this, I feel like that is a conversation you and he will need to have. At the moment, we need to find a way to stop this thing before it can hurt anyone else." She finally finished.

The man was silent, a while actually, just looking at her. Had he just heard Laura, right? Logically, he believed her somewhat about the fire no being an accident. Still, on purpose instead- just the reason the young woman claimed responsibly, was a bit.... absurd—fantasys' tale, to be honest. Still saying nothing, he looked, slowly, disbelief over his face, from her to his son, then to Derek. Werewolves. And whatever the hell this thing was that had tried to kill him. "...Tell me now about how he's in it. As for your ridiculous statement, I do not believe it. The fire may have been on purpose; that far, I follow. But werewolves? Not a chance until I see proof. Which I don't think you can give, neither of you."

Laura and Derek give each other a look before facing the sheriff. They shift into their beta forms to convince him that they are telling the truth.

Laura speaks back up once they have shifted. "Do you believe us now, sheriff? We weren't lying to you." She tells him. Her red eyes were almost looking like they were glowing.

"That... you... h.. him-" More on reflex, the Sheriff took a step back, eyeing them both, trying to grasp what he saw there. Claws. Fangs. Faces not looking normal anymore, suddenly different colored eyes and the sudden noise of clicking shows startled the man just as it did with Stiles, the boy almost jerking a bit together for a second, his gaze flickering to the rooms' still open door. Where just a pretty teenaged blonde had appeared, long curly hair, leather jacket, white top, short skirt, and she was familiar, to him at least. Erica. One... of his former... or nonexistent friends. The hurt welled up in him, making Stiles step closer to Derek, though unconscious, but he still did. He didn't know that the siblings considered him as theirs. "Stiles. Good, you're finally back from wherever you were; there's still a monster running around. Are you coming? We need to catch it." She said, although there seemed to be no joy overseeing the boy again. She didn't seem to care too much.

Derek and Laura could both recognize the scent of the wolf in front of them. It was one of the scents on Stiles when they first met, so this girl must be part of Scott's pack. Neither of the siblings was happy to see one of the people that hurt their packmate.

Derek unconsciously took a step closer to Stiles once he realized who this person was. He wanted to protect his mate from any more pain. He may have started to growl slightly without realizing it.

Laura noticed her brother start to growl and decided to ask a question before her brother had a chance to do anything stupid. "If you don't mind me asking, but who are you, and what do you want with Stiles?" She asks the newcomer.

"Me? I think the question is, who are you guys?" She asked back, letting her eyes flash yellow for just a second(though she made sure the Sheriff couldn't see) before continuing to talk. "I think that's none of your concern. He ran off a month ago for god knows what reason, now he's finally back. So we can make a new plan to catch this thing. So, Stiles, are you coming now? It is chasing your Dad for all we know, ...so.." She stopped, knew she just had gotten the boy's weak spot. Stiles glanced downwards a moment, knowing he'd had probably no other chance. No other option. But to be so near to face the others. Scott, too. And.. he wouldn't be able to do that alone. Was too weak, pathetic. He hated himself. "...Just if they're coming too."

Laura flashes her alpha eyes at the stupid beta wolf, letting her know she crossed a line before turning her normal gaze to Stiles. "We will be going with you. We are not letting what happened last time happen again." She tells him.

By this point, Derek had made his way to his mate's side. There was no way he was letting Stiles do this alone. He could feel the emotions coming off the younger now; they were not good.

"..Thanks... don't ...get hurt. Or... or injured..." He mumbled, reaching without noticing himself for Derek's hand, needing something to hold onto before he gave his father an apologizing glance, the Sheriff still at a loss for words. Then he followed her, as did Laura and Derek, to Erica's evident dismay. Stiles drove them, following the girl's instructions to her place, since 'her parents weren't there, anyway.' But Boyd, Isaac, and Scott would be there. The last called.. the most significant problems. Parking, Stiles hesitated, not knowing how to react when he would see them. Scott. Had they ever been friends?