EPILOGUE ── promises

Quinn and Isaac Marino-Lahey had never really expected to find themselves back in Beacon Hills. After they had made the bold decision to leave and start fresh in London, the town had felt like a distant, haunting memory they never wanted to revisit. Beacon Hills had never been a place where they could truly feel at peace; it was a town that had been scarred by constant supernatural chaos, loss, and the weight of so many dark memories. They had left it behind, not with bitterness, but with a deep sense of relief, hoping that London would offer them the chance to heal, to build a future far from the shadows of their past.

Once they had settled in London, the thought of returning to Beacon Hills never crossed their minds. The city provided a sense of normalcy, a kind of calm they hadn't known in years. They were surrounded by new friends, a new life, and the peaceful anonymity that came with living in a bustling metropolis. For the first time in a long while, Quinn and Isaac felt like they could breathe, like they were no longer defined by their past battles and heartache.

However, as time passed, life had a way of pulling them back into the very chaos they had tried to escape. The situation with the Hunters—an ever-present danger to their kind—loomed large over everything. The Hunters were a constant threat, and both Quinn and Isaac understood the gravity of the situation. They knew better than anyone how dangerous it could be to even think about returning to the town that had once been their home. The risks were too high. Yet, when Ethan and Jackson, two of their closest friends who had also found refuge in London, were unexpectedly dragged back to Beacon Hills, they knew it was only a matter of time before they'd have to return. There was no avoiding the inevitable, no matter how much they wished to stay hidden away from the mess that seemed to follow them wherever they went.

Despite the overwhelming pressure to join the fight, Quinn and Isaac chose to stay away from the battle itself. Quinn, pregnant with their child, was in no condition to fight, and Isaac refused to leave her side for even a moment. They knew their place was together, supporting their friends in other ways, and offering help from the sidelines. The pack understood, and no one tried to force them into any role other than what they felt was right. Still, the weight of the situation was undeniable. Quinn and Isaac were acutely aware that even though they were not directly involved in the fight, their lives, their future, and the safety of their growing family were deeply intertwined with the outcome.

One afternoon, Quinn found herself standing alone with Scott, her gaze drifting to the horizon as she pondered the future. It had been a while since she had had a heart-to-heart conversation with him, and she needed to hear his perspective on things. As she turned to him, her voice barely more than a whisper, she asked, "It's still not going to be safe, is it?"

Scott glanced at her, his expression heavy with the same understanding she had come to accept. "It's never safe, no matter if there are hunters or not," he replied, his voice laced with the hard-earned wisdom of someone who had fought his entire life to protect those he loved.

Quinn sighed, placing her hand gently over her belly, feeling the life growing inside her. She had hoped for a time when they could live without constantly looking over their shoulders when the fear of danger would no longer be a part of their everyday existence. "I guess that's true," she said quietly, the exhaustion of their constant battle seeping into her words. "I just want to have some hope that there won't be danger lurking around every corner."

Scott nodded, his eyes softening as he looked at her, noticing her growing belly. He understood the desire for peace, especially for someone like Quinn, who had already faced so much loss. "I know, Quinn," he said. "It's the way of life, though. But let's face it..." He chuckled, a lightness in his tone that didn't quite match the gravity of the situation. "I think it's better off for us to always be prepared—and to have fear. It only makes us stronger."

Quinn couldn't help but smile at his attempt to lighten the mood, even if she knew deep down that his words were true. "Well, Dr. Phil," she teased, the tension in her shoulders easing slightly as she spoke. "Isaac and I will always be just a call away, but maybe you should try and live a little for yourself. I've heard from Stiles that you and a lady friend haven't even tied the knot yet—Lainey was her name?"

Scott let out a sigh, his face growing more serious. "It's just..." He trailed off, clearly struggling to articulate the fears and doubts that had been holding him back.

"Scott," Quinn interrupted gently but firmly. "Tell me, do you love her?"

Scott didn't hesitate. "Of course, I do," he replied, his voice filled with sincerity. Quinn smiled, a knowing look crossing her face.

"Then suck it up," she said with a grin. "Marry the girl."

Scott hesitated, looking unsure for a moment before speaking again. "I want to, more than anything, but I'm just scared that—"

"Shut up, Scott McCall," Quinn cut him off, her voice firm but affectionate. "Honestly, grow a pair, and get on your knees before you end up missing your chance."

Isaac, who had been eavesdropping from another room with a few other members of the pack, couldn't help but laugh quietly at Quinn's bluntness. He was used to her fiery spirit, but hearing her give Scott such a straightforward push made him laugh out loud. It was moments like these that made Isaac fall even more in love with her—her unapologetic honesty, her fierceness, and her unwavering loyalty to the people she cared about.

As the conversation between Quinn and Scott came to an end, they both made their way back to the main room where the rest of the pack was gathered. Isaac quickly made his way to Quinn's side, guiding her gently to the couch. He leaned down and whispered in her ear, his voice low and teasing. "Is it bad that I found you getting all angry and bothered... hot?"

Quinn shot him a playful glare, but the warmth in her cheeks betrayed her. "Isaac Marino-Lahey!" she exclaimed, smacking his chest lightly. He laughed, leaning over to place a gentle kiss on her head, one of his hands resting softly on her stomach.

"I love you," Isaac whispered, his voice filled with affection. "But please stop being so hot and sexy—it's not good for my heart."

Quinn huffed, trying to battle the smile that was threatening to form on her lips. "I love you too, you idiot," she said with a grin, "but if you keep trying to seduce me, I'll only make it harder for you to handle."

Isaac groaned in mock exasperation, pulling her closer. "You are so evil," he whimpered playfully, and she snickered, resting her head on his shoulder.

Together, they sat in the warmth of the room, surrounded by their family. No longer just a pack, they were a family—a unit bound by love, trust, and shared experiences. Quinn and Isaac had finally found the thing they had been searching for all their lives: a place to belong, a place to heal, and a place where they could build a future together.

As they looked around at the faces of the people they considered family, Quinn realized that it was all worth it. Every hardship, every battle, every tear shed—it had all led them here, to this moment. And as she rested her head against Isaac's shoulder, she thought back to the promises they had made to each other, promises that had brought them this far.

It all started with promises, and those promises had carried them through the darkest of times. Now, they were looking ahead to the future, a future they would build together, no matter what challenges came their way. They had a family now, and no matter where life took them, they knew they would always have each other.

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