Alpha Hale

Derek’s brow furrowed at the change of scent coming from Cora, lips pressing together, her words making it clear what was the matter–she felt lonely. For both Cora and Derek, all they had was each other, and though Derek was sure neither of them wouldn’t want it any other way, there had to be moments it wasn’t enough for them. There were people that knew them, or at least people who had known the old them, some even having been close to the Hale siblings before the tragedy. They weren’t friends though, no one was, Derek learning people were only interested in using one another or destroying all those they believed to be competition. That’s was the world of Alphas, the world as a whole really–the people who could be trusted weren’t even enough to count on one hand.

“Guards?” Cora’s eyes widen for a split second. “Absolutely not. I don’t need a babysitter. Or a spy of yours to be up in my business. I can take care of myself and fight my own battles if need be.” She huffed, squaring her shoulders ready for a fight with her brother. “Plus, I’d just look extra lonely taking a guard to go shopping with him.” Sighing she stepped forward, giving Derek a small smile. “I can handle myself. If something crazy happens and I begin to feel unsafe then maybe I’ll consider a guard. So you and I can go shopping and I can max out all of your credit cards.” 

“All right. If you insist,” she told her with a smile. She then nodded at the suggestion. “Sounds like a great plan,” she agreed as she stretched her arms above her head unnecessarily. She’d already stretched beforehand, but she felt silly just standing there. Then, since she had no real reason to listen to it anymore, she wrapped up her headphones around her phone and shoved it into her pocket. They wouldn’t be talking the entire time they ran, of course, but it just seemed like the polite thing to do. She then chuckled at her response. “They’re sneaky, I tell you!” she shot back before grinning yet again. She then took off into the woods, waiting to hear the telltale sound of Cora following. 

Cora hesitated a moment taking in the sight before her. There was no shame in looking, as long as she didn’t get caught. “Get it together, Hale. You aren’t one to follow, even if the view is great.” She picked up her feet, chasing after the girl. The sound of their footsteps fell into an even pace, relaxing Cora with her surroundings. “This place can be so relaxing. I feel so at home when I run.” Cora tried to speak when her feet were on the ground so her words didn’t jumble around and she could keep her breath even. “Sometimes it makes me want to run barefoot.”

“I mean, as far as I know. I haven’t seen anything on the news? But I could’ve missed it,” she replied, biting her lip. She hated being the bearer of bad news, but it had come up, so she felt an obligation to talk about it now. She hoped she wouldn’t ask too many questions about it, though, because honestly for once in her life, Kira had no idea what to say. She was at a total loss for words. 

“Unnecessary or not, I’ve already made up my mind.” Cora returned the girls grin. She lifted up right leg, stretching out some before they began to run. “What do you say we cut through the woods? Then come back on the other side of town and go from there for some delicious milkshakes?” The Hale secretly hoped that they’d run past the old Hale house, the memories of it gave the girl a sort of infinite feeling, it pushed her to better herself and keep moving forward no matter how bad things seem to end up. And with the recent news of some madman shooting up an election, Cora could use a quick glimpse at her old home. 

“It’s hard not to be happy these days. I never thought I’d be a good dad and I’m not sure I still believe it, but I love those gross little spawns more than anything.” He was the typical besotted dad, it was only self control that kept him from whipping out his phone and showing off pictures. “What about you? What have you been up to?”

“Spawns? Scott you shouldn’t call them spawns!” Though, they were part Stiles.. “I take it back, you probably should.” She teased, laughing at her inner thoughts. “I’ve been having my midlife crisis early. I went South America to visit people there, sat under waterfalls and meditated in the desert- trying to figure out what it is I want to do with my life. Whether its settle down and have spawns of my own, or rise up the Hale name and gain more power. Although, I’m sure it’ll eventually end up with someone wanting the Hale line to continue.” 

Derek chuckled as Cora hurried around the room, the fact she seemed to like the work done to the lofts quite satisfying for the older Alpha. Not just because it meant four years of planning and building had paid off, but because she’d been one of the main reasons Derek even put any effort in remodeling, his sister and his son’s comfort his priority when discussing the blue prints. Derek wanted both of them to have a place they could truly call their own, a place where they felt safe and at home. They had lost so much, many things they would never be able to get back, what money could afford not nearly enough to mend the wounds but at least serving some kind of security.

“I’ll try not to knock down any books, but no promises there.” Cora shrugged at the older male, turning her back on him to take in the room once more. “Though, I only have like a backpack full of clothes, and I’m not really into shopping..” She sighed. “Plus I don’t really have any friends to ask to go with me to endure the annoyance of shopping.” As she spoke more to the open, a sudden sadness fell over her at the thought of how alone she really was here in Beacon Hills. Yes, she had her brother. But that was it. And she was pretty sure Derek wasn’t going to spend every waking moment with her. He had his own life to deal with. Shaking away her negative thoughts, she turned putting on a big girl smile, pretending that she didn’t just have a mental breakdown.

Derek’s gaze followed his sister’s movements, unable to erase the smile from his lips. No matter how grim things seemed, how bad matters were going, Cora never failed to bring light along with her presence. She also never failed to pick things up right where they were left off, not hesitating to make herself at home and start changing things up. The loft might have been Derek’s, but there was apparently no stopping Cora from making it her own.

Cora was slowly up the steps taking in every detail, she let out a low whistle once they made it the second floor. "At least somebody in our family knows how to spend money wisely." She quickly followed behind her brothers pace by this point, eager to see what else had been remodeled. When he opened the door up, she quickly ducked around his arm and made a beeline towards the door leading out onto the balcony. Opening it quickly she inhaled deeply, the scent of the forest sending goosebumps down her arms. She took a few more steps out only to turn just as quick to set eyes on her brother.

“Or you could jump off a building, if that’s what you’re trying to accomplish here. It’s a lot faster.” Stiles sneered, rolling down his window to glare. Only his brows shot to his hairline when he recognized who he was dealing with, and he did an honest-to-God double-take.

"Well if it isn't Mrs. Scott McCall." Cora returned the boys sneer once she realized who was on the opposite end of the sass. "And yeah, but I figured if I wanted to deal with unruly animals and idiotic clowns, why not just move back home. So here I am." 

Kira bit her lip as Cora asked her question. “Oh, I didn’t realize you didn’t know. Then again, with you just getting back, why would you know?” she asked before actually replying to the question. “I don’t really know. As far as I know, the shooter got away. Not before they killed one of the candidates, though. I think that was the extent of the fatalities, but I’m not sure. It all happened so fast,” she explained. It had all been horrible, something she hoped she’d never experience again. Just the fear of not knowing if she was going to live or die, if those around her would die while she was powerless to protect them. Her katana belt was pretty damned useless against a person with a gun. 

"So, just to be clear with what you are saying is that there is still a killer on the loose?" Cora rolled eyes. "Home sweet home." She wasn't entirely shocked by this information, but still a shooting? What in the hell was going on with this town. She looked at the girl. 

“Sounds good to me, you have no idea how many fries I can eat!” The answer was a lot, but the last time he’d tested that theory, he’d thrown up all over Stiles. “Things are…well, they’re different. Good, I think? Good most of the time. You know I’m married, we’ve got two kids now. I’m still a pariah and I get that, but most I think things are getting better?”

Cora couldn’t help but laugh. “Things don’t get better here, something is always lurking around the corner. But I love that you still have your high spirits.” She began making her way to the local diner. 

It bothered him that Cora wouldn’t explain, worried him because he had no way of knowing how to help if she was in danger, because he feared her keeping secrets meant she didn’t trust him. However, Derek understood better than anyone how somethings were better left unsaid, that sometimes it was best not to involve those one loved in certain matters, and that trusting someone didn’t always mean everything needed to be shared. If it was important, Derek knew Cora would eventually speak to him about it, and he would trust and respect her enough to allow her to take her time or keep whatever she’d been to herself.

"This is amazing news. It really is.” Cora’s smile grew a little wider. If Peter was out of the picture, Cora didn’t see any worry of her being back in town. Family wise that is. Derek would never force Cora into doing anything she didn’t want to do. As he stepped back, she looked around the loft some more, he really did change it up a lot. She wasn’t even sure if she should refer to it as a loft. It was looking much nicer than when she had last seen it. 

“Greasy food gives you energy, right? Cars burn oil, why not you? Plus, if you’re happy, then you’re more willing to actually work out. If you you get french fries, then you can share.

“How about I treat you to as many fries as you want and you can fill me in on everything I’ve missed?” Cora smiled brightly at the Alpha in front of her. “How have you been, Scott?”

“Daredevil? Blind superhero ‘o is a lawyer by day or some shite. Tha’ ‘andsome bloke Ben somethin’ played him.” Art explained to the girl before sighing in defeat. “’m not drunk jus’…a madman lookin’ fer purpose.”

“Riiight, yeah, sure.” Cora’s took on the signature Hale eye roll. “And do you have a hint of what said purpose is? Or are you just going to stand around and talk about some blind guy who fights crime?”

Kira nodded at the predicament. “Greasy food does sound good, and moving back here isn’t necessarily an easy feat. Like, I really like it here because of the people I’ve met. But also there’s like a disaster at every turn it seems like. The shooting happened literally the day I got back, and just… Things like that, they just seem almost commonplace in Beacon Hills which is alarming, frankly, but yeah. I’d go for the rewarding thing, but also the woods are really pretty to run through. You just gotta look out for pesky tree roots that’ll try to trip you,” she said, finally managing to get to a good stopping point in her thought process. It seemed to be going a mile a minute at this point, and she honestly wished she would’ve stopped sooner. The brunette would’ve cut her off if she didn’t have time for it, right? 

Cora grinned at the girl, the thought of her getting tripped up in roots cause a bubble of laughter that threaten to escaped her lips. Sadly, the moment of joy didn’t last long as Kira’s words began to settle over her. “Whoa. Wait a second, what do you mean a shooting?” Her eyes were wide. It wasn’t a shock to the young Hale that Beacon Hills was facing a disaster of some sort. But a shooting? That was just... crazy. “Do you know who was behind it?”

“Dude, I think you always deserve greasy food. There’s time enough to work out later, treat yourself to a burger. You’ve earned it!”

"You’re right about that, we only get one life, so why should I waste mine away trying to have the perfect body. I’ll never have a great butt like my brother anyways.” She gasped quickly. “Unless the greasy food can help me out in that department!”

“Why not just do both? Eat the greasy food and then work out. Simple as that.” Aiden shrugged, holding his ear buds in his hands. He’d been out for a run his self when he’d come across the other.

“If I did that, I know it would become a bad habit. Which means I should pick just one for the day.” She returned his shrug. “You ever just want to eat like two burgers and have a basket of endless fries and think to yourself ‘Yeah, I deserve every ounce of this.’ Because that is whats going through my mind.”