Chapter 77: Ambush at the Argent Warehouse

The next morning, following the battle with the one-eyed Alpha's pack, Scott and Allison woke up to a calm breakfast with Melissa and Isaac. The smell of fresh pancakes filled the kitchen, the clatter of forks against plates blending with lighthearted chatter. It was a moment of normalcy in their otherwise chaotic lives. Soon after, they headed to school, hoping for a typical day.

Upon arriving at school, Scott parked his car, and the pack gathered at the entrance, and went to their classes. 

The first surprise came during their English class. As the students settled into their seats, a familiar figure walked into the classroom, Victoria Argent, her presence commanding attention. 

Lydia leaned over to Allison, whispering with curiosity. "What is she doing here?" 

Allison's expression was a blend of shock and unease. "I don't know." She murmured. "But I need to find out. My family has already pushed Scott too far. I don't think he'll tolerate much more, even for my sake." 

Scott, seated nearby, caught her words. Without turning his head, he reached out telepathically to Allison and Lydia. [Let's talk to her after class.]

Allison nodded subtly. [Okay.] 

The class passed in a blur. Victoria's sharp gaze occasionally flitted toward Scott. When the bell rang, signaling the end of class, students left, leaving only Scott, his pack, and Victoria behind. 

Allison approached her mother wrapping her arms around her in a brief hug before stepping back. "Mom, what are you doing here?" She asked, her voice tinged with both warmth and suspicion. 

Victoria smiled faintly. "I'm here teaching, sweetheart. Why? Can't I work here?" 

Before Allison could respond, Scott stood up. "Cut the act, Victoria. We both know you're not here for just a job. Tell us the truth." 

Victoria's smile faltered. She folded her arms, meeting Scott's gaze head-on. "Fine. I'm here to monitor the growth of the supernatural. Derek is building his pack, and as hunters, it's our job to keep them in check." 

Scott nodded slowly. "I see. You can do that, but let me be clear, you're not hunting anyone without proof they're evil. No more attacking shapeshifters just because you think they're a threat or because they have blue eyes." 

Victoria said, her voice sharp. "Blue-eyed werewolves are killers, Scott. You're asking me to ignore years of training and instinct!" 

Scott said. "Don't play dumb. We both know guilt can change a werewolf's eyes to blue. Not all of them are killers. I won't let you hunt out of paranoia." 

Victoria hesitated, her lips pressing into a thin line. "We better be safe than sorry." 

Scott's gaze hardened, his patience wearing thin. "Don't push me into doing something I'll regret, Victoria. I love your daughter, more than you can imagine. But my patience has its limits. If you're going to hunt supernatural creatures, make sure they're truly evil, like the wendigos. Monsters like that? Hunt them, kill them as soon as you find them. But for others? You better be damn sure they're killers before you decide to play executioner. Understand?"

Victoria sighed, relenting slightly. "Fine. But we still have unfinished business with Peter and Derek. We can't ignore what they've done." 

Scott tilted his head, his voice cold. "Is that your grudge, or Gerard's?" 

The room tensed as Scott turned toward the door. "Gerard, I know you're there. Come in and face me." 

The door creaked open, and Gerard Argent stepped inside, his face twisted in a smug grin. "Well, well. Is this your pack, Scott?" 

Scott smiled. "It is. And if you want to die, go ahead and try to attack them. One more thing..." 

Before anyone could react, Scott vanished into the shadows, leaving behind only a faint ripple of darkness.

Victoria's eyes widened in shock as Scott materialized behind Gerard, stepping out of his shadow with his crimson-red eyes glowing ominously.

Gerard froze, his confusion evident. He looked around, trying to process what just happened. When his gaze followed Victoria's stunned expression, he slowly turned, only to come face-to-face with Scott's piercing red eyes and a wicked smile.

"If I see your wrinkly old ass in school again." Scott said, his voice low and laced with menace. "I'll make sure you don't leave alive." 

Gerard instinctively stepped back, fear creeping into his voice. "Wh...what are you? You're not just a werewolf, I've never seen a werewolf do what you just did."

Scott said. "What I am doesn't concern you. Leave the school, Gerard. I spared Kate's life, but if you cross me, I promise you won't get the same mercy." 

Just then, Lydia's eyes glowed golden. "Scott, he's dying. The old man in front of you, he's dying."

Scott looked at Lydia. "I know. I can smell it on him. Cancer." 

Gerard's face twisted in fury and humiliation as Scott turned back to him with an unsettling smile. "Is that what this is about, Gerard? Is that why you're so hell-bent on fighting Derek?" 

Gerard's face twisted in fury, his voice rising. "Yes! I have cancer. And before I die, I'll make sure to wipe out the Hales and avenge my daughter, even if it kills me!"

Scott shook his head, his expression almost pitying. "You're lying, Gerard. I saw what you did to Kate. This isn't about her. You want something from Derek, don't you?"

Gerard's composure faltered, and his voice wavered. "I... I want his life."

Scott smirked. "Truth. But that's not all, is it? You want more than just his life. You want him to give you the Bite, maybe even his Alpha spark. You think it'll cure your cancer, don't you?"

"Lies!" Gerard spat, his face a mask of denial. "I'm an Argent. I would never stoop to becoming a beast!"

Stiles chuckled from behind Scott. "Oh, he's lying again."

Scott smiled. "You old hypocrite. You tried to kill your daughter because she was bitten, but deep down, you were just jealous. She got what you wanted, didn't she? What a twisted family." 

Gerard's face darkened, his hatred palpable, but he said nothing.

Scott stepped toward the door. "Victoria, get this old monster out of here. Let's go, guys. We're late for our next class." 

As the group was leaving, Gerard's voice cut through the air. "Allison, aren't you going to say hello to your dear grandfather?" 

Allison froze mid-step, and she looked at him with disgust. "I don't want anything to do with a monster like you." She snapped. 

Feigning innocence, Gerard responded. "You can't really believe all that nonsense Scott just said, can you?" 

Allison's eyes narrowed. "Even if Scott lied—which he didn't—what about Kate? You shot her. You tried to kill your own daughter!" 

"We are Argents." Gerard said with a cold detachment. "Her being a werewolf would only bring shame to us." 

Allison snorted. "Yeah, right." She turned away from him, fixing her mother with a softer look. "I'll see you later, Mom." Without another word, she followed Scott and the pack. 

Back in the classroom, Gerard's mask of control cracked. His face darkened as he turned to Victoria. "We're going after the Hales tonight. And we should bring Alli..." 

"Don't you dare finish that sentence." Victoria interrupted. "Stay away from my daughter, Gerard, or I'll kill you myself before Scott gets the chance." Her eyes glinted with warning. "As for the Hales, I'll go with you and Chris tonight. I'm still a hunter. Now, you'd better leave the school. You can't become the principal anymore." 

Gerard huffed, storming out of the classroom. His thoughts churned darkly. 'Damn Scott and his mutts for exposing my plan. I need Derek's Bite. His Alpha spark will cure me, and then I'll deal with Scott. He's strong, but everyone has a weakness. His mother, Allison... I'll find a way to make him kneel. I was fighting werewolves before his parents were even born. He'll learn who Gerard Argent really is.' 

---

Later that afternoon, Gerard and a group of hunters tailed two of Derek's betas, Josh and Matt. They moved through a quiet, secluded part of Beacon Hills. 

Gerard gestured toward one of the hunters. "Are you sure they're part of Derek's pack?" 

The hunter nodded confidently. "Absolutely. The kid talks too much. After I noticed him shifting two days ago, I told him I know the Hales, and I asked about Derek. He spilled everything, how many are in the pack, where they gather, all of it." 

Gerard smirked coldly. "Good. Go capture them." 

The hunter, flanked by two others, approached Josh and Matt, who were walking ahead. "Hey, Josh, wait up!" 

Josh turned, recognizing the man. "Oh, hey! What's up? By the way, what did you say your name was again?" 

The hunter stepped closer, smirking. "I didn't. But you can call me Hunter." 

Before Josh could react, the man whipped out a taser wand and jammed it into his side. Josh collapsed to the ground, convulsing. 

"Josh!" Matt shouted, instinctively turning to run. 

But the other two hunters were already on him, shocking him into submission with their own taser wands. 

Gerard approached with deliberate steps, looking down at the incapacitated Josh. "Bind this one. Take him." Then he glanced at Matt. "You, boy. Go to Derek and give him this." He handed Matt a folded paper with an address. "Tell him if he wants his beta back, he'll have to come here. Now go." 

Matt scrambled to his feet, his heart pounding as he ran. 

---

At the Argent home, Victoria relayed the day's events to Chris. 

Chris leaned against the kitchen counter, his brow furrowed. "If Gerard takes the Bite tonight, I'll shoot him myself, just like he shot Kate." 

Victoria nodded. "I'll go with you tonight. Let's see what he has planned." 

They drove to one of the Argent warehouses, where Gerard had gathered a small army of ten hunters. They were loading weapons and preparing for an ambush. 

Chris approached Gerard. "So, what's the plan?" 

Gerard grinned. "We've captured one of Derek's betas. Soon Derek will come, and we'll capture him and his pack." 

Chris's eyes narrowed. "Capture them? Aren't we going to kill them?" 

Gerard's voice boomed in response. "No! They don't deserve an easy death!" 

Chris raised a brow, his tone flat. "I'm right here. You don't have to yell." 

---

Meanwhile, at Derek's place, he gathered his pack and shared the news. 

"We've got trouble." Derek announced. "Josh has been taken. Matt delivered a message from Gerard, an ambush is waiting for us. Jackson, you can't shift, so you're sitting this one out. Tracy, stay behind too. The rest of you, let's move." 

Peter crossed his arms. "We're walking into a trap, and I'm not an Alpha anymore. I need weapons." 

Derek frowned. "Weapons? Where are they?" 

Peter smirked. "At my apartment, of course." 

"Fine." Derek grumbled. "We'll stop there first. Then we save Josh."

---

That night, Derek and his pack entered the Argents' dimly lit warehouse. The air reeked of gun oil and fear. In the center of the room sat Josh, tied to a chair, his head slumped forward but visibly breathing. Across from him stood Gerard, flanked by Chris and Victoria.

Derek's crimson eyes flared as he stepped forward, his voice a low growl. "Gerard, let him go." 

Gerard responded with a cold, calculated laugh. "If you want the boy, Derek, you'll give yourself up in exchange. One life for another. Fair trade, don't you think?" 

"That's not happening." Derek replied.

"Then we have nothing more to discuss." Gerard said, gesturing to his hunters. "Take them down!" 

Gunfire erupted, shattering the silence. Derek and Peter moved with inhuman speed, weaving through the chaos. Bullets ricocheted off metal beams as the hunters struggled to hit their targets. Peter, armed with two pistols, fired back with deadly precision, taking out two hunters in quick succession. 

Matt let out a cry as a stray bullet grazed his arm, realizing the danger, he bolted for the exit, but he was hit by another bullet, collapsing with a pained grunt. He dragged himself behind a stack of crates, his breath ragged as he hid. 

As the fight raged on, Derek and Peter managed to take down four more hunters. Watching his forces dwindle, Gerard realized he was losing. Desperate, he grabbed a gun and pressed it against Josh's temple. 

"Derek, if you don't stop, I'll shoot him." Gerard threatened. 

But Derek didn't stop. Frustrated, Gerard fired a shot into Josh's thigh. The boy screamed in agony.

Derek froze, his chest heaving as his glowing eyes locked on Josh.

"Derek!" Peter shouted. "This is suicide! We can't save him. But we can avenge him later! Let's go!" 

Derek glanced at Peter. "I brought this on him." Derek replied, his voice heavy with guilt. "I can't let him die, Peter." 

Peter shook his head. "Then you'll die too." 

Just as Gerard smirked, thinking victory was his, a hunter screamed, his body flung through the air like a ragdoll. He landed in a heap at Gerard's feet, his back marked with deep claw wounds. Blood pooled beneath him, he was already dead.

"Who?" Victoria whispered, looking around. 

A low, menacing hiss echoed through the warehouse. All eyes turned upward to see a lizard-like creature perched on the rafters, its glowing eyes surveying them. 

Gerard's face twisted in recognition. "That's a Kanima! Derek, call it off, or I'll kill your beta!" 

Derek shook his head. "I don't even know what that thing is. How could I call it off?" 

The Kanima hissed again before darting through the room with blinding speed. It slashed another hunter, who fell lifeless to the ground. Its tail lashed out, sending another hunter flying into the warehouse wall with a sickening crunch. 

Chris, Victoria, and Gerard opened fire, but the Kanima was too fast. It dodged their bullets effortlessly before escaping through a broken window. 

In the chaos, Derek seized Victoria, his claws pressed against her neck. "Chris!" He barked. "Release Josh, or I'll kill her!" 

Chris froze, his gun still raised. His eyes darted between Derek and Victoria, torn. "Fine." He finally said, lowering his weapon and walking toward Josh. 

Before he could release him, Gerard turned his gun on Chris. "Don't you dare release him!" 

Chris's expression hardened. "Or what, Gerard? Are you going to shoot me too?" 

Victoria's voice was cold and resolute. "Chris, don't release him. Just make sure to kill them all after they kill me." 

"Shut up." Derek growled at her, tightening his grip. Then he looked back at Chris. "Is it worth it, Chris? Losing your wife just so you can kill an innocent kid? What would Allison think of you?" 

Chris hesitated for only a moment before kneeling to free Josh. 

Gerard's face twisted with rage. "Chris, don't...!" 

But it was too late. Chris had already released Josh, who scrambled to Derek's side. 

"Go." Derek ordered Josh. "Take Matt with you, he's hit. I'll hold them off. Peter, go with them and make sure they're safe." 

Josh nodded and ran toward Matt, who was bleeding and hiding nearby. Together, they fled, with Peter following close behind. 

Once they were safely away, Derek dragged Victoria toward the warehouse door, still holding her by the neck. At the exit, he released her, But as he turned to leave, she spun around, a dagger glinting in her hand. The blade found its mark, sinking into Derek's neck. 

Gasping, Derek instinctively bit her arm before fleeing, clutching his bleeding neck as he disappeared into the night. 

Chris ran to Victoria, catching her as she slumped to the ground. "Why did you do that, Victoria? Why? Now you've been bitten by an Alpha!" 

Victoria's voice trembled with regret. "I'm sorry, Chris. I... I couldn't resist." 

Chris pulled her into a tight embrace, his voice breaking. "Damn it!" 

Meanwhile, Gerard stood nearby, his eyes filled with jealousy and hatred as he watched the scene unfold. 'Why her? Why is she the one who got the Bite?' he seethed internally. 'That bitch threatened me earlier about her mutt-loving daughter. I'll make sure she kills herself tonight.' 

--- 

Far from the chaos, Derek stopped, his neck already healed. He leaned against a tree, catching his breath. "Damn it." he muttered. "Now I need to tell Scott what happened. Otherwise, I'm screwed." 

With that, he disappeared into the night.