Night had fallen over Beacon Hills, covering the forest in an unsettling mix of shadows and mist.
The wet ground creaked under Grey and Cora's feet as they moved silently between the trees. The air smelled of pine and wet earth, but also something else… something metallic, heavy, almost familiar.
"They're close," Cora whispered, her ears alert.
Grey nodded, pausing for a moment to observe. In the distance, through the fog, the faint flash of two flashlights appeared. The same ones they had overheard hours ago at school: Scott and Stiles.
They followed silently, keeping their distance. The boys' voices mixed with the whisper of the wind.
"I can't believe you convinced me to come," Scott muttered, nervous.
"Come on, you have to come with me," Stiles insisted urgently. "I can't go alone."
"Don't you want to know…?" Scott hesitated.
"Yeah, but it sounds dangerous," Stiles whispered.
Grey rolled his eyes. "Great, a couple of curious kids playing detectives in the middle of the forest," he murmured with irony.
Cora shot him a glance. "We're here too."
He gave a small smile. "Yes, but we know what we're looking for."
Suddenly, a stronger beam of light cut through the darkness. From the other end of the path, red and blue lights began to reflect among the trees.
"It's the police!" Stiles whispered, alarmed.
Grey and Cora crouched behind a fallen log, watching as a group of officers entered the forest. Among them, Sheriff Stilinski.
"Stiles," the man called firmly. "I know you're here."
The boy froze.
Scott looked at him in panic. "I told you…"
"Get out from wherever you are, now!" the sheriff insisted.
Stiles sighed, turning off the flashlight and stepping out from between the trees.
"Hi, Dad," he said with an awkward smile.
The sheriff crossed his arms. "Do you have any idea what time it is? What are you doing out in the forest?"
"Uh… night exercise," he tried to joke.
The sheriff didn't even look at him. "Are you alone?"
"Yes," he lied without hesitation.
The man sighed. "We're leaving. Now."
Stiles gave one last look at Scott, who remained hidden in the bushes. Then he walked away with his father as the patrol lights vanished among the trees.
Cora exhaled in relief. "Well, that was close."
"Yeah, but one stayed behind," Grey said, looking toward Scott.
The boy advanced carefully along the path, his flashlight trembling. The forest felt denser now, the air heavier. Then he stopped abruptly.
"Oh, God…" he whispered.
In front of him, among the underbrush, lay the lower half of a human body. Pale skin, dried blood. Only from the waist down.
Scott stepped back, his stomach turning, until he finally vomited into the bushes.
"This can't be happening…" he stammered, his breath uneven.
Grey and Cora watched from the shadows, tense.
"Is it…?" she whispered.
"I don't know…" he replied, frowning. "But someone died here."
Scott tried to calm himself, wiping his mouth. He stepped back, another step… and then a snap echoed behind him.
He turned sharply, pointing the flashlight. Nothing. Just silence. His breathing became erratic. Another step… and suddenly, a figure emerged from the trees, fast, inhuman.
A deep growl broke the calm.
Scott screamed.
The alpha leapt at him. A moment of chaos: a swift attack, teeth sinking into his side. Scott's scream echoed through the trees, piercing.
Grey and Cora reacted instantly, running toward him.
"Scott! Run! Get out of here!" Grey shouted, pushing Scott to stand.
"I can't!" Scott gasped, staggering.
Cora grabbed his arm. "Trust us! Just run!"
Scott nodded, trembling, and finally moved, leaving the sound of the alpha's paws on the earth behind.
Grey and Cora stayed for a moment, breathing heavily, watching as the figure vanished into the trees.
"It'll come back," Cora said, her voice shaky. "It won't let him go that easily."
"I know," Grey replied. "But this time, we'll be ready."
"Ready for what?" Cora asked, lowering her guard slightly.
"For its new beta," he said with a smirk. "And when it comes back, it won't catch us off guard."
"Do you think Scott will be okay?" Cora asked, worried.
"Scott… yes," Grey replied softly. "But nothing will be the same for him again."
"This… is… too much," she whispered, looking around.
"I know," he nodded. "But together, we can handle it. Always."
The forest fell silent again, and the two exchanged a glance. No words were needed. They knew tonight had marked a before and after. And although they didn't know it yet, their path had just become far more dangerous than they could have imagined.