The Der-Bear-Est of Them All

Story of Her Past

"Jennifer and I were born thirteen years ago to our mother Auralie Evans. We grew up thick as thieves and did everything together but then when we were five years old, Jennifer learned about our family's spark power and well, she wanted it for herself. I didn't think much of it at first, but when the games she wanted to play became more dangerous I was scared. So, I started spending more time in the library," Julia begins. She takes a deep breath and glances at Aylward who nods.

"That's where I was the day our grandmother died. I was curled up in the window seat when I heard mom scream. I hurried downstairs to see grandmother slumped over. Her lips were black-ish and she wasn't breathing. Mom was hysterical but grandfather looked at me and I saw him make a decision."

Aylward looks at Noah. "That night I received a phone call from Mr. Evans. He explained what had happened and asked me to take Juliana in. I of course immediately accepted and made my way to where I'd find her."

Julia nods. "See mom and grandfather were frightened of Jennifer. After all, when grandmother was found dead Jennifer was just staring into the fireplace with a smirk on her face. Mom knew what grandfather was planning and before I left in the dark of night, she asked me to take their memories of me."

Noah looks at the letter with understanding. "That's why she doesn't mention you at all in the letter. Oh hell. I should've been there."

Julia shakes her head. "No dad. Stiles was already born by then."

Noah snaps his gaze to her questioningly, but Aylward is the one to respond. "She learned of you from me. We've kept our distance never wanting to draw Jennifer's attention, but I should've known that somehow, she'd make her way here."

"Yes. She's the reason my son's mate is weakening their bond."

"She's moving up her timeline then. Derek is not yet thirteen, so we have time," Aylward says.

Noah takes a deep breath and slowly lets it out. "What happened next?"

Julia clears her throat. "A week after I was safely with Aylward I learned that my grandfather was dead. Supposedly he left a letter and committed suicide, but I don't believe that for a second. I know it was Jennifer. We got ahold of the crime scene photos, and he also had black lips."

"Why didn't the cops notice this?"

Julia gives a wry smile. "They aren't sparks. The poison wasn't visible to them. Jennifer believed that grandmother had the spark. So, she killed her, but the spark didn't go to Jennifer. So, she killed grandfather but again the spark didn't go to her. She then wondered if perhaps it skipped a generation. Hence the car accident but I don't think Jennifer meant to be in the car when it happened."

Aylward takes over, sensing Julia's emotional state. "What Jennifer didn't understand was that Juliana was born with the spark. Jennifer has also never understood that you cannot steal a spark. A Spark is born, never made. Jennifer was born with no abilities whatsoever. She is neither a shifter nor a spark."

Noah's brow furrows. "She's just human?" Julia and Aylward nod. "Okay. Then what exactly is she trying to do with Derek and my son?"

"We don't believe she has any knowledge of Juliana's existence which will be to our advantage. From what we've been able to figure out, she was unable to steal Claudia's spark as she intended. Stiles prevented it although we don't think he realized what he did. He was just protecting his mother."

Julia nods. "Yes, and without access to Mrs. Stilinski, Jennifer had to figure out another source of magic to steal from. So, she accessed Derek's memories with a bit of mind manipulation and a whole lot of mating pheromones."

"What is she doing with the memories?" Noah asks apprehensively.

"She's siphoning the magic from them and then replacing them with false memories. She's removing Stiles and–"

"Putting herself in," Noah says softly. "We have to stop her. Derek is everything to Stiles. My son is strong, but this is breaking him."

Julia looks at Aylward and then back at Noah. "I have a plan, but I need your permission."

"My permission for what?"

"There is a place here in Beacon Hills where a Nemeton resides. As Sparks, Stiles and I can access it if it will grant us an audience and I believe with its help we can stop Jennifer. However, I need your permission to speak to Stiles and we can't tell anyone."

Aylward nods and looks at Noah. "Derek is already compromised. It's possible she's gotten to the other Hales but also possible she hasn't. We can't take any chances. She killed Kate Argent who she got to help her assimilate herself into the community. Stiles is in danger and so is Derek. However, if we can get Juliana and Stiles to the Nemeton to ask for its help Jennifer won't stand a chance."

Noah steeples his fingers and closes his eyes. "What about Derek?"

Julia and Aylward exchange a look. Then Julia speaks. "I'm not going to lie and say everything will be hunky dory dad. Jennifer has done some serious damage to his memories. It will take time to restore them. But in time I am certain that Stiles will have his mate back. I refuse to let my little brother suffer."

Noah smiles. "You and Stiles are so alike."

"Really?" Julia asks excitedly.

"Really," Noah says and then sobers up. "All right. We need to stop Jennifer and the first step is getting Stiles here and then getting the two of you to the Nemeton?"

"Correct. Aylward will come with since he is a guardian. Mrs. Stilinski can come too since she is also a Spark."

Noah nods. "Perfect. I will get them here. I think I have the perfect way to do so." He picks up the letter and scribbles a note.

Aylward and Julia lean in to see what he penned.

Claudia. Please give this letter to Stiles. I would like to see you and my son after you read it. There's a place we go, where nobody knows and that's where I'd like to meet, just us three.

He slips the letter back into the envelope and stands. "I'll give this to Claudia, and she'll get it to Stiles. Then we'll meet her and Stiles."

"Where?" Julia asks.

Noah smiles. "Claudia meets with the Nemeton bi-weekly. She told me she was needed soon. Looks like that need has made itself known." He gestures to the door. "Will you be safe to wait here?"

Julia nods. "Yes. No one can see us when we have our hoods up. Let us know when you are ready, and we'll go. Do not tell them who we are yet. It's important that my presence remains a secret for as long as possible."

Aylward and Noah nod at each other and Julia hugs her dad before the office door closes with Noah on one side and them on the other. Julia and Aylward pull their hoods up and slip into a state of invisibility until it's time.