Two days had passed since the pack discovered the existence of the Kumiho, but so far, they hadn't been able to track her down.
That morning, they were gathered around the big table in the pack house, eating breakfast together.
Noah set down his mug and said. "We found surveillance footage of the three victims before they disappeared. And the three of them were not with the same Asian woman when they disappeared."
Stiles, mid-bite, blinked. "What do you mean, different women?"
"I mean there were two different women." Noah explained. "In the footage we found, the first two victims were with an older woman, and the third was last seen with much younger woman."
Victoria leaned back in her chair. "It could be the same woman just in disguise. Maybe that's one of the Kumiho's abilities."
Scott said. "We only picked up the scent of one woman at the crime scene."
"That's what's confusing." Noah nodded slowly. "Same for me. I only smelled one distinct female scent at crime scene."
Allison suggested. "Maybe it is just like my mom said, or maybe only one of them dumped the bodies—that's why we only got her scent."
"Maybe." Noah muttered, still thinking.
Chris asked. "Were the victims picked up from the same place?"
"No." Noah said. "The first two were picked up at a bar, the third at a diner. But both locations are near the preserve."
"Then you need to monitor both locations." Chris said. "In case either of those two women appears again."
"Already done." Noah replied. "Parrish and Braeden are watching both spots."
Lydia added. "I already ordered my seven crows and a whole flock of normal crows to keep watch over the preserve and let me know if anyone suspicious appears in the woods."
"Good." Noah said with a nod. "Let's just hope we catch her—or them—before someone else dies."
After finishing breakfast, everyone split up and went about their day.
---
Later that day, after the school day ended, Stiles suddenly heard his father's voice in his head via telepathy.
[Stiles, we've got a problem. A prison transport was attacked—driver, lawyer, and two guards badly hurt. The kid they were transporting vanished.]
A few minutes later, Scott, Stiles, Boyd, Aiden, and Isaac arrived at the crash site, where Noah was already waiting.
Stiles looked around and asked. "Where are Parrish and Braeden?"
"They're busy." Noah said. "We've had multiple deaths tonight. Not sure if they're supernatural-related yet, so I sent them to check different scenes."
Scott asked. "What can we do for you?"
"I want you to find Donovan." Noah said. "The kid who escaped. He's the one they were transporting—and possibly the one who caused this."
Stiles frowned. "Dad, did you try to imprison a shapeshifter? I told you before, you can't do that because a lot of people are going to get hurt."
He pointed at the bloodied transport van. "This is what happens when you try to lock up someone supernatural."
Noah sighed. "And what was I supposed to do? Kill him? The kid was arrested for illegal weapon possession, that's all."
Isaac asked. "What was he, anyway?"
"Pretty sure he was a Chimera." Noah said. "But he wasn't even aware of it yet. And there's another scent, you kids see if you can tell what it belongs to.'"
Scott nodded. "So he wasn't awakened. That means he probably didn't do all this." He turned to the group. "Alright, let's sniff around."
Scott, Stiles, Aiden, Isaac, and Boyd approached the wrecked van and examined the area, carefully tracking the scents.
After a few minutes, they regrouped.
Stiles said. "It wasn't Donovan. His scent's here, yeah, but there's another one like you said, Dad. Something different… something familiar, but I can't place it."
Scott turned to Noah. "How are the victims?"
"I just got the update." Noah said. "The lawyer's dead. The other three are badly wounded. One of the guards regained consciousness and said the driver had a heart attack—but that's not true. The guy's just paralyzed."
Isaac's eyes narrowed. "Then we're dealing with a kanima. I felt that the scent was familiar, and now I remember—it reminds me of Jackson in his kanima form."
Scott said. "Alright. Stiles, Boyd, Aiden—follow Donovan's trail and try to find him."
He turned to Isaac. "You're with me. We're tracking the Kanima."
And with that, the team split up—one group went looking for Donovan, the other hunting the kanima.
---
Scott and Isaac followed the Kanima's scent trail all the way back to Beacon Hills High School. Just as they were about to enter, they spotted a teenager wandering near the edge of the parking lot, dazed and slow-moving.
Isaac narrowed his eyes. "Is that him?"
Scott nodded. "Well, the lizard tail kind of gives it away, don't you think?"
Isaac winced. "Right… Can't argue with that. So what are we going to do with him?"
Scott said. "Let's grab him first. Then we figure out what to do."
The two bolted forward in a blur of supernatural speed and caught the boy easily. He didn't resist, didn't even flinch—just stood there, eyes unfocused and face slack.
"He's out of it." Isaac muttered. "Totally unaware."
Scott nodded. "Read his memories and absorb whatever powers he has. Let's make sure he doesn't hurt anyone else."
Isaac pierced the back of the Chimera's neck with his claws, accessing his memories and draining his unstable abilities. But just as the process neared completion, a sudden sound cut through the air.
Scott caught the incoming arrow just inches from the Chimera's chest—its tip aimed straight for the heart. A thin metal wire trailed from the shaft. Scott followed it with his eyes.
At the far end of the line stood three masked figures.
The Dread Doctors.
Scott smirked. "So… you finally decided to show up, freaks."
Isaac was done. He took his claws out of the chimera's neck and looked at the Dread Doctors, saying. "Oh, it's you clowns."
The three Dread Doctors stepped forward in eerie unison. and activated some kind of device. A pulsing hum rippled outward.
Isaac groaned and rubbed his temples. "What's happening? This is really annoying. And why do those guys look blurry now?"
Scott looked at his hands, then clenched them into fists. "This is vibration. They're trying to disorient us—screw with our senses and even stop us from using our powers."
Then Scott looked at the Dread Doctors and said. "Those vibrations of yours are annoying me and making me very angry. Come here, freak—let's start with you!"
Without warning, Scott yanked hard on the wire still attached to the arrow in his hand, which was also connected to what looked like a crossbow on the arm of one of the doctors. The sudden pull caught the Doctor off guard and yanked him off his feet, sending him flying straight at Scott.
As the Doctor flew through the air, Scott met him with a brutal punch that launched him backward like a cannonball, crashing into the other two.
But the trio didn't fall.
The Dread Doctors caught their teammate midair, stabilizing him. The one Scott hit stood again—both arms now clearly broken but otherwise still functioning.
Isaac blinked. "Is he that strong? Your punch only broke his arms—I thought he was going to die, or at least most of his bones would be broken."
Scott shook his head. "It didn't land fully. Right before I hit him, he crossed his arms and projected some kind of barrier. Absorbed most of the impact. Anyway, let's get them before they escape."
But just then, a car pulled up suddenly, its headlights casting across the scene. A familiar voice called out from the driver's window.
"McCall?" Coach Finstock's eyes squinted at the group. "Who are these losers?"
Scott's mind screamed: 'Damn it, why is this idiot here?'
He forced a casual shrug. "I dunno, Coach. Weird cosplayers, maybe?"
The Dread Doctors took the opportunity and fled.
Isaac cursed. "Scott, they're gone!"
Scott sighed. "Yeah. Figures."
Coach stepped out of the car and looked down at the Chimera lying on the ground. "What's wrong with him?"
Scott replied. "We found him here, Coach. Not sure what happened."
Coach crouched slightly, eyeing the boy. "Is he okay? He doesn't look too good."
Scott said. "I think… he might be dying."
Coach's brows furrowed. "Is he a student?"
Isaac answered. "Pretty sure he is."
Coach squinted. "He isn't on the team, is he?"
Scott quickly said. "No, Coach."
Coach let out a dramatic sigh of relief. "Phew. You had me worried for a second."
Then he looked at the two of them. "Please tell me you idiots called an ambulance."
Scott nodded. "We did. And the cops. We're waiting on both."
Coach waved them off. "Well, good luck with that. I'm not getting stuck here answering police questions all night."
Isaac raised a brow. "Coach, you can't just leave. You have to stay with us—you're technically a witness!"
Coach was already turning back to his car. "Nope. I was never here. You didn't see me. I didn't see you. Enjoy your night, losers."
He hopped back into his car and drove off without another word.
Scott and Isaac stood in silence for a beat… then looked at each other and shook their heads, laughing.
Scott nodded toward the unconscious Chimera. "Alright, let's take him to Deaton. Maybe he can stabilize him."
Isaac stepped forward to lift the body—then froze. "Wait… Scott… he's dead."
Scott turned to him, surprised. "What? Are you sure?"
Isaac checked again and nodded grimly. "Yeah. No heartbeat. He must've died after I absorbed his powers."
Scott sighed. "Then let's call Uncle Noah and have him deal with the body. This guy still has the blood of those people from the prison transport all over him."
Scott closed his eyes for a moment and sent a telepathic message to Noah. A few minutes later, the Sheriff pulled up in his cruiser.
As Noah stepped out, Scott gestured to the body. "He's the one who attacked the prison transport."
Noah raised an eyebrow. "Did you two kill him?"
Isaac shook his head. "No, after I absorbed his powers, he died."
Scott added. "We also ran into the three guys in gas masks."
Noah's expression sharpened. "The ones turning people into Chimeras? Please tell me you caught them."
Scott exhaled. "Unfortunately we didn't. Stupid Coach got in the way."
Noah sighed. "That's too bad."
Scott asked. "Any word from Stiles and the others? Did they find Donovan?"
Noah shook his head. "Not yet. They're still tracking him."
Scott nodded. "Alright. You handle things here—we're heading back to the ranch. See you later."
Noah said. "Alright, take care kids."
Scott raised his hand, summoning a swirling shadow portal. He and Isaac stepped through together, vanishing into the darkness.
To be continued… 😊