The next morning in Serendell, the golden light of the magical realm filtered through the windows of the Argent family's private residence. Allison had come to check on her father, half-expecting to find him brooding after the events of the warehouse.
Instead, she found Chris in the kitchen, humming softly as he made coffee.
Allison blinked. "Dad? You're… in a good mood?"
Chris glanced up, a small smile on his face. "Good morning to you too, sweetheart."
She hesitated, then asked carefully, "Aren't you sad? About Gerard?"
Chris's expression didn't falter. He poured himself a cup of coffee and leaned against the counter. "Gerard was going to die from cancer anyway, Allison. It was just a matter of time." He took a sip. "Stanisław gave him a fight. A real fight. Gerard went out as a hunter, not as a monster." He shrugged. "For someone as evil as him, that's more than he deserved."
Allison studied him for a long moment, then nodded. "Okay. If you're alright, then that's all that matters to me."
Chris smiled again, warmer this time. "I'm alright, sweetheart. Let's go join the others for breakfast."
---
The main dining room of the palace was enormous, but it felt warm and full. The long table was crowded with family: Jacob, Allison, Lydia, Malia, Melissa, Chris, Victoria, Noah, Natalie, Scott, and even Kitty and Saphira had their own high chairs.
Only one person was missing.
Jacob raised an eyebrow as he looked around. "Where's Stiles?"
Scott shrugged. "No idea. He wasn't in his room."
Cogman bustled in, pushing a cart laden with Jacob's favorite foods—perfectly cooked steaks, exotic fruits from Serendell's gardens, fresh bread, and an array of pastries. He served Jacob first, with exaggerated care, then moved to the others.
Jacob noticed. He noticed the way Cogman hovered near him, the hopeful glances, the way he refilled Jacob's glass before it was even half empty.
He said nothing.
Breakfast was lively—laughter, conversation, the clink of silverware. When everyone finished, Cogman began clearing the table, but not before approaching Jacob with a tentative expression.
"Sir," Cogman began, his voice uncharacteristically meek, "I was wondering… given my heroic assistance last night, and my sincere apology… might you consider pardoning me from my punishment?"
Jacob took a slow sip of his coffee. "No."
Cogman's face fell. "But sir…"
"No means no."
Cogman sighed dramatically and began sulking as he cleared the dishes, muttering under his breath about ungrateful masters and wasted heroism.
---
After breakfast, everyone drifted to the palace gardens. The air was warm and fragrant, thick with the scent of blossoms. The flowers themselves were impossibly vibrant, their colors almost too rich to be real. Benches and shaded seating areas dotted the landscape.
Noah offered Natalie his arm with a small smile. "Care for a walk?"
Natalie smiled and took his arm. "I'd love that."
They wandered off together, disappearing down a path lined with blooming roses.
Allison nudged Lydia. "Hey. What's going on with your mom and Noah?"
Lydia watched them go, a thoughtful expression on her face. "I don't know, but they've been spending a lot of time together. And they keep… staring at each other." She shrugged. "I think they're probably dating."
"Well, Noah's a good man," Allison said. "I think he'll make her happy."
Lydia nodded. "I really hope so."
Nearby, Melissa and Victoria sat on a bench, deep in conversation. Melissa was talking about her plans for the hospital. Victoria listened intently, offering advice and nodding along.
Malia had shifted into her giant coyote form and was sprawled on a sunny patch of grass, dozing. Saphira curled up on her back, and Kitty lay stretched across Malia's head, using her like a very warm, very furry pillow.
Jacob sat at a stone chess table with Chris, the board between them. Scott watched from the side, waiting for his turn to challenge the winner.
Jacob moved a knight. "Check."
Chris studied the board, then moved his rook. "You're aggressive today."
Jacob smirked. "I'm always aggressive."
---
A flash of light interrupted their game.
Stiles appeared, looking half asleep. He was dragging something behind him—a long, scaly, twitching lizard tail.
Scott stared. "Stiles. What is that?"
Stiles dropped the tail on the grass and flopped down beside them. "That's the Kanima's tail."
Chris raised an eyebrow. "How did you get it?"
Stiles yawned. "Last night, when Erica and I went to pick up my Jeep from the mechanic, Jackson showed up in Kanima form and tried to kill the guy. I saved him—grabbed the Kanima by the tail and started beating it." He demonstrated with a half-hearted swinging motion. "Then I heard Erica scream."
Allison and Lydia had walked over. Allison asked worriedly. "Is Erica okay?"
"Yeah, she's fine. Turns out the Kanima's venom was on the door handle. She touched it and got paralyzed. She panicked because at first she thought her epilepsy was back." Stiles rubbed his eyes. "I saw the sticky stuff on her hand and figured out what happened. By the time I calmed her down, I realized the Kanima had escaped—after ripping off its own tail and leaving it in my hand like some kind of disgusting parting gift."
Lydia pointed at the tail on the ground—still twitching slightly—and asked, "Why bring that thing with you?"
Stiles shrugged. "I thought it might be useful." He looked at Jacob hopefully. "Is it useful?"
Jacob studied the tail for a moment. "Not really. But you could take it to Deaton. Maybe he'll buy it from you."
Stiles's eyes lit up. "How much?"
"I don't know. Bargain with him."
A slow, evil smile spread across Stiles's face. "If it fetches a good price… I might just have to cut Jackson's tail off a few times."
Scott frowned. "He only has one tail."
Stiles waved a dismissive hand. "He's a lizard, Scott—and a supernatural one at that. I think his tail will grow back." He stood, stretching. "Anyway, I need to grab some breakfast from the kitchen and get back to Erica. I'll see you guys at school."
Allison said, "Wait—what about the mechanic? Did he see the Kanima?"
Stiles shook his head. "No, he didn't. The Kanima bashed his head against a steel beam, so he was unconscious. And he doesn't have surveillance cameras in his garage—only out front. I called 911 and stayed until he woke up, then Erica and I left."
Lydia said, "Don't forget to take your lizard tail with you when you leave."
Stiles said, "I won't." Then he teleported to the kitchen.
Jacob looked at Scott. "Jackson is attacking people again. If you're going to save him, do it soon."
Scott nodded slowly. "Just give me a few days. I need to think."
He stood and followed Stiles, leaving Jacob and Chris to their game.
---
Four days passed peacefully.
Scott and Stiles kept a close watch on Jackson, but he never transformed into a kanima again. Maybe it was healing. Maybe Jackson was fighting it.
Either way, Beacon Hills was quiet.
---
On the fourth evening, Jacob and Allison were having dinner with Chris and Victoria at the Argent house. The meal was pleasant—good food, easy conversation—and they'd just moved to the living room when the doorbell rang.
Victoria frowned. "Are you expecting someone?"
Chris shook his head. "No." He stood. "Let me see who it is."
He walked to the security monitor and peered at the screen. His expression shifted—surprise, then wariness. He returned to the living room.
"It's Araya Calavera. And her son, Severo."
Victoria's eyebrows rose. "What does she want?"
Chris shrugged. "I don't know. But we're about to find out."
Allison tilted her head. "Who's Araya?"
"Araya is the matriarch of the Calavera family," Chris explained. "A Mexican hunter family."
Victoria said, "Let her in. Let's hear what she has to say."
Chris went to the door. Moments later, he returned with two guests.
Araya Calavera was an old woman—dark hair, sharp eyes that missed nothing, and the kind of posture that spoke of decades of authority. Her son, Severo, was younger, mid-thirties, with a guarded expression and the wary stance of someone always ready for a fight.
They sat on the couch across from Jacob and Allison.
Araya's gaze swept the room, lingering on Jacob and Allison. She looked at Victoria. "Who are these two?"
Victoria's voice was calm. "They are my children."
Araya's eyes narrowed slightly. "As far as I know, you only have one daughter."
Chris interrupted. "Don't worry about how many children I have, Araya. Just tell us why you're here."
Jacob and Allison watched in curious silence. Allison wondered what Araya wanted. Jacob, however, recognized her. 'I didn't think Araya would come to Beacon Hills. But she was the one who took Kate when Peter slashed her throat, so for her to be here makes sense if she heard that Kate was turned.'
Araya leaned forward slightly. "I heard that Kate is now a shapeshifter."
Chris's expression didn't change. "I won't ask how you know. But what do you want from my sister?"
Araya's voice was cold. "I want her to follow the Code. Do the honorable thing as a hunter. Or I will do it for her."
The temperature in the room plummeted.
Allison's eyes blazed green. Ice crept across the window behind her. Wind arrows materialized around Araya and Severo's heads, hovering inches from their temples.
"You want to kill my aunt?" Allison's voice was cold. "Is that what you just said?"
Chris held up a hand. "Allison. Calm down."
Allison dismissed the arrows with a flick of her wrist, but her eyes remained glowing. "If I hear you say you want to kill Kate again, you won't leave this house alive."
Araya stared at Allison, then turned to Chris. "Your daughter is a shapeshifter."
Chris nodded calmly. "Yes. And a piece of advice? Don't even think about harming her. Or your entire Calavera family will be wiped out."
Allison's eyes flicked to her father. "Why are you even talking to her?"
Chris met her gaze. "Because Araya is one of the few hunters who strictly follows the Hunter's Code. She focuses on killing supernatural creatures that threaten humans, not mindless slaughter. And I'm sure that if she were bitten, she'd kill herself. If her son were bitten, she'd kill him too." He looked back at Araya. "She's one of the good ones."
Allison's expression didn't soften. "She just said she wants to kill Kate."
Chris turned to Araya. "If you want to live longer—and if you don't want your family wiped out—I advise you to stay away from my sister. I'm sure by now you've heard what happened to the Zima family. And the Laurents."
Araya's eyes flickered—just for a moment. She had heard. Everyone in the hunter community had heard.
"I know they came to Beacon Hills for revenge on someone who killed members of their families," she said slowly. "But a few days ago, the Laurents and the Zimas went silent. I even heard the rest of their families were wiped out in Europe yesterday by their old enemies." Her gaze sharpened. "Could it be that you are the one who killed them? Because I don't believe it. Sure, you could kill the Laurents—they're just a bunch of idiots. But the Zimas are Bogatyrs. You can't expect me to believe you killed them."
Chris shook his head. "It wasn't me. They were killed by a very dangerous family living here in this town. They're not evil, but they do not spare anyone who provokes them. And if you go after Kate, you will definitely provoke them."
Araya glanced at the still-glaring Allison, then at Jacob, who was watching the exchange with an amused smirk. "Does your daughter and this boy belong to that family too?" She tilted her head. "I also heard no one has heard from Gerard in days. Did your daughter kill him? Or did you kill your own father, Chris?"
Chris's expression remained calm. "It wasn't me who killed Gerard, and it wasn't my daughter. It was Stanisław." He leaned forward slightly. "Now hear what I'm about to say. Kate is a shapeshifter, and she chose to live. That's her choice, and I support it. She already knows how to control herself, and if she ever kills innocent people, I will deal with her myself. So forget about Kate. Leave Beacon Hills if you value your family."
Araya considered this for a long moment. Then she nodded slowly. "Alright. I'm not stupid. I know that something capable of killing an entire family of Bogatyrs is capable of killing mine too." She looked at Allison. "I just hope that if Kate turns evil and starts hurting innocent people… you will deal with her."
Allison's voice was cold but steady. "Don't worry about Kate. Just worry about the evil shapeshifters in your own country."
Araya nodded at Chris and Victoria. "Severo. Let's go."
She stood to leave.
Jacob's voice stopped her. "Hey, old woman."
Araya turned, one eyebrow raised.
Jacob studied her with an unreadable expression. "I don't know why, but I think we'll see each other soon. And I hope that when we do, you won't do anything stupid."
Allison looked at him, confused. "Why would you see her?"
Jacob shrugged, his gaze distant. "I don't know. I just have this feeling. Like déjà vu. Or a vision." He frowned. "Me and one of you girls will meet her in Mexico. In her own territory."
Allison's eyes narrowed. "Which one of us? And why would we meet the old woman?"
Jacob's gaze grew distant, a dreamy smile playing on his lips. "I don't know the girl who was with me—I haven't even met her yet. But we went to Mexico to retrieve something that old woman took. Something that doesn't belong to her."
Allison's smile turned sweet—too sweet. "So this unknown girl is one of us, huh?" She tilted her head. "Is she beautiful?"
Jacob's expression shifted. A perverted, longing smile spread across his face as his mind conjured the image of Cora—someone he hadn't even met yet, but knew he would meet soon. "Oh, yes. She's gorgeous. A bit grumpy, but gorgeous." He sighed, completely lost in thought. "I can't wait to meet her, whoever she is."
The temperature in the room dropped again.
Ice crept across the windows, frost spider-webbing along the glass.
Jacob's dreamy expression snapped into panic. He looked at Allison's furious green eyes and realized his mistake. "Oops. I said too much."
He spun to Araya and Severo, pointing accusingly. "Hey! What are you two trying to do?!"
Allison and her parents whipped around, alarmed—but Araya and Severo just stood there, looking puzzled.
When they turned back, Jacob was gone.
Allison stamped her foot. "Damn it! He escaped!" She whirled on Araya, her eyes blazing. "Get lost."
Araya said nothing. She and Severo walked out of the house without another word.
---
Outside, they found Jacob walking toward the front door, holding a bouquet of flowers he'd just picked from Serendell's gardens. He smiled pleasantly at them.
Araya stared at him for a long moment. Then she got into her car and drove away without a word.
Jacob knocked on the door.
An angry Allison opened it. "So. You came back, you pervert."
Jacob cleared his throat and held out the flowers with his most charming smile. "Hello, my beautiful fairy. I know we were apart for only a few seconds, but it felt like an eternity to me. I missed you so much." He stepped closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. "Don't tell Lydia and the others, but you're my most beautiful wife. The one I love the most."
Allison's anger vanished, replaced by an amused raise of her brow. Before she could respond, he pulled her into a deep, lingering kiss.
When he finally released her, she was slightly breathless, her cheeks flushed.
"Let's go watch a movie," he murmured against her ear. "You pick. And when we get home tonight, I'm all yours. I'll love you until you pass out."
Allison's blush deepened. She glanced back at her parents, who were watching with poorly concealed amusement.
"Goodnight, Mom. Goodnight, Dad." She took the flowers from Jacob and grabbed his hand. "Let's go, you shameless pervert." She dragged him toward the Aston Martin.
Chris and Victoria watched them drive away.
Victoria turned to Chris, arms crossed. "How come you never flirt with me like that anymore? Or take me on dates?"
Chris blinked. "We go on a date once a month."
"Once a month isn't enough." She walked inside. "And I want flowers."
Chris followed, closing the door behind him. "Okay. I'll take you on more dates. And bring you flowers. In fact… why don't we go watch a movie right now?"
Victoria's lips twitched into a small smile. "That's a start."
To be continued… 😊