The Guardians

Two weeks pass and I find myself back in my hometown. My welcoming isn’t the most amazing. I can’t walk into the local store without hearing whispers. Then again, I did move back into my family house; there was bound to be whispers.

After much debate -an internal one at that- I walk into the Beacon Hills Hospital to pay a visit to my aunt Melissa; someone who I haven’t spoken to in over six years.. Nervously I make my way to the nurses station where Melissa is feverishly typing away on the computer. With a clearing of my throat, she looks up and her eyes nearly pop out of her head. Slowly she begins to rise out of her chair and before I know it, I’m being pulled into a hug. Faintly I can hear her whispers the words, I thought I was never going to see you again, which makes me feel guiltier than before.

**

“What brings you back?” She asks as we sit in the hospital cafeteria on her lunch break. “It’s been six years.”

“Six years too long,” I say, forcing a smile onto my lips. “I tried to get in touch with you and Scott, but things got in the way. I’m sorry about not telling you about my mother’s death; it was in her suicide note that I wouldn’t tell anyone.”

“I knew your mother wasn’t mentally stable, but I didn’t think she’d kill herself.” I frown forms on my lips as Melissa talks about her ex-sister-in-law. “It must be hard; losing both of your parents.”

“I’ve learned to manage it.” A forceful smile comes back onto my lips, “besides Aunt Gwen kept me busy. She’s really into archery and mixed martial arts; so she’s been training me and also clueing me in on some family history.”

“That’s great to hear. I’m sure both of your parents are looking down on you; both extremely proud.”

“Thanks Aunt Melissa.” I smile.

She’s about to say something when her name is being called over the intercom, “looks like I’m needed.” She gets up out of the car, prompting me to do the same. A smile appears on her lips before giving me a hug, “don’t be a stranger, ok? Scott and I will always be there for you.”

“I know,” I smile, “and thank you.”

“Scott should be getting out of school soon, you should stop by the house and see him,” she begins to back away from me, “I’m sure he’d love to see his favorite cousin again.”

“I think I will.” I smile as she turns around and walks away. A sigh escapes my lips as I gather up our trash and throw it away before walking away to leave.

**

I lean up against my Mustang as I await the final bell to ring at Beacon Hills. As soon as the bell sounds, a flood of kids come out of the building. Some of which start whispering when they see me. I should have known news would hit the school, I bitterly think to myself as two kids walk up towards me; two very familiar kids.

“Two you have grown up nicely,” I smile as my cousin and his best friend walk over to me. “I remember you two as snot nosed brats I had to baby sit now and again.”

“What are you doing here, Stacy?” Scotts asks, getting straight to the point with a smile on his face. “It’s not like I’m not happy to see you, but it’s been six years; you must be here for something.”

“I heard about the weird things happening here,” I admit, “I got worried. Despite me not talking to you or your mom, I still care about you guys.”

“You heard about the killings around here?” Stiles asks, “I didn’t think they were national news worthy.”

‘I have Beacon Hills set up as a Google alert,” I explain, “if something happens, I’m going to find out. I can’t allow myself to continue down the path my mom set up for me. I was clueless what was going on here when I left.

“Besides, it gives me a reason to get back in the lives of the people I left without a goodbye six years ago. Admit that you’re happy I’m back.” I chuckle.

“I wish you didn’t come back,” Scott admits, “especially with everything happening. The killings aren’t just random, they might be--”

“Sacrificial.” I cut him off, earning a shocked look from both of them. “I didn’t come here to simply catch up with my cousin. We need to have a talk.”

“About?”

“You being a werewolf…”

**

“How did you know?” Scott asks as he sits on my leather couch, “my mom didn’t tell you, did she?”

“No, I knew the moment you walked up to me.” I reply, “I sensed it.”

“You’re not a werewolf to, are you?” Stiles asks, “because that would be an unexpected plot twist.”

“I’m not werewolf exactly.” I reply, “what I am is what I need to talk to you guys about. It’ll help explain why I’ve returned.”

“Who, Stacy, what are you?” Stiles asks.

“First I’ve got to explain my dad’s side of the family. Our family has centuries of different types of legends dating all the way back to the Knights of Templar,” I begin, “our legacy is to protect. Our last name even means protection in German. Set aside the Knights, we protected a certain type of people from others that hunted them like animals.”

Scott looks at me and I can almost hear the gears in his head turning, “Scott, my family protects werewolves. We keep wolves safe from hunters; that’s my families job. We protect and lay our necks on the line for them.”

“That’s how you knew I was one, wasn’t it?”

“Five years of practice.” I smile, “my father didn’t die in a hunting accident, you know. My Uncle Silas was in that night, the night the Hale Fire; the night my father was killed.”

“Your father knew the Hales?” Stiles asks, “like what they were too.”

“My dad was sworn to protect Talia.” I reply, “Every pack as an emissary or a guardian; it’s rare to have both but the Hales were the exception to so many rules. My father was on his way to warn the Hales when Gerard Argent killed him.”

“How long have you known about this?” Scott asks, “is this why you guys left?”

“I didn’t find out about any of this until I got sent to live with my Aunt Gwen after my mother killed herself,” I reply. “But yea, I think this is why we left. My mom knew something was up and didn’t want me to get involved; she didn’t want me to get wrapped up in the life of a guardian. She took me away before I could establish a guardian bond with another Hale.”

“Why didn’t she just tell you what’s going on?” Scott asks, “you guys never had this talk.”

“Scott this isn’t like the “birds and the bees” kind of talk,” I explain, “she didn’t want me in this life so she kept my father from having this talk. By the age of 18, we become full fledged guardians. I would have had to fight that day; and my mom didn’t want that to happen.”

“So she kidnaps you,” Stiles scoffs, “she was definitely mother of the year.”

“She was crazy but she was looking out for me.” I defend her in a softy voice. “Now I’m going against everything she begged me not to do.”

“Which would be?” Scott asks.

“I’ve come back to help the alpha of the Beacon Hills pack.” I reply, “And I’m 100 percent sure you could help me find him.”

Both of them share a look before Stiles speaks up, “you’re looking for Derek?”

My heart stops at the mention of Derek’s name, “Derek’s an alpha?” Both of them nod their heads in response. “Oh shit…”