chapter fifty-eight
❝that voice which calls to me and speaks my name❞
monstrous

━━━━༺❀༻━━━━

Kennedy in the hallway of the hospital. Malia looked at her, "I heard you almost got killed."

"I heard you almost got killed." Kennedy followed.

Malia purses her lips, "You okay?" She asks.

"Brunski injected me with Mountain Ash, and I had to injest Wolfsbane. Turns out he's a serial killer." Kennedy commented. Malia hums, nodding her head in thought.

"Makes sense."

Kennedy scoffs, nodding. "Yeah. What about you?"

Malia looked at her newly discovered half sister. "We almost got set on fire." She told her.

"Everyone okay?"

Malia nods, "Basically." She retorts.

Kennedy smiles, "Have you talked to the others?" She asks Malia.

"Yeah," Malia said slowly. "Have you?"

Kennedy shrugs, "Kinda," She chimes. Malia frowns. "Stiles and I haven't really talked about it itself," Kennedy explained. The Hale looked up, seeing Melissa walk down the hall.

Malia leaned over, "Maybe now would be a good
time for that?"

Meanwhile, Stiles turns his head as Melissa McCall knocks on his door. "You find a tape player?"

Melissa shook her head, "No. But I found someone looking for you." She says. Stiles rose a brow as Kennedy walks in. Stiles smiled softly, as did the Hale. Melissa crept out of the room, leaving the two to it.

"Hey," Stiles says, looking Kennedy over. She had gotten better since the night before. She looked herself again.

"Hi," Kennedy whispers, walking over.

Stiles sighed as he played with his hands. "Last night, I realized something." Kennedy rose a brow. "I could've lost you, and I never got to say Im sorry." Kennedy opened her mouth, going to speak. However, Stiles cuts her off. "I'm sorry for lying. We should have told you everything the minute we found out. I just, I thought you'd be safer."

The Hale girl tilts her head. "I know," She whispers, stepping closer. "And I thank you for thinking of me, but we promised we would never lie to each other."

"I know," Stiles says, taking her hands in his. "I just, I didn't think it through. I'm sorry," Kennedy smiled softly.

She rose a brow, "Say it one more time?" She asks quietly.

"I'm sorry," Stiles says again, frowning. Kennedy smiled, leaning to Stiles. Their lips pressed together softly. Kennedy felt Stiles wrap his arms around her face. She looked at him for a moment, smiling.

The door slowly opens, Malia standing there. "Um, sorry to interrupt but, Kennedy got a 911 message from Scott. He said they found Satomi's pack."

༺❀༻

Chris Argent aimed his gun, a teenage werewolf roaring at his face. Scott McCall ran out, followed by Kira and Kennedy. "Wait! Wait! Brett! This is his place. It's his."

Kennedy slowly came to a halt. "Chris," She said slowly. The Hale knew Chris was back, but she hadn't gotten a chance to see him this entire time. The Argent looked over. When she was in France, Kennedy spent lots of her time with Chris, making sure he wasn't lonely. Chris had always seen Kennedy as another child, but it only became more apparent when she left, and he missed her too. The man opened his arms, letting the young girl hug him tightly. Kennedy looked at him, now glad she had seen him.

"Scott," Chris began, looking at the other Alpha. "If you bring in guests, you could have called."

"I didn't have anywhere else to take them." Scott confessed. Chris looked around, seeing the group around them.

Satomi steps towards, "know this man. He may not remember, but we've met before."

"You can trust him." Scott says, looking at Chris. "I trust him."

Satomi stared at Chris, "How do we know he's not like the others?" She asks. Chris frowns.

"What others?"

"Last night, there was a whole team after them." Kira explains, "And they used crossbows." Chris takes the silver arrow from Kira's hand, studying it closely.

Kennedy speaks up, "They're hunters, aren't they?"

Chris looked down at the girl, "Not if they're killing for profit. Not anymore."

Brett Talbolt stood behind Satomi, "Can they find us?" He asks.

"They might already know you're here." Chris told him, "Maybe they're waiting for dark."

Kira looks at Scott, "So we're not safe here?"

Satomi speaks up, "We're not safe anywhere. We've been trying to get out for days. Everywhere we turn, we find someone new trying to kill us." She explained. Chris stepped closer to the two Alphas.

"If they're coming, Scott, they're coming for you too. You're still number one on the dead pool."

"I know." Scott said finally. Kennedy pressed her lips together. "I know Lydia can get the answer from Meredith. She just needs more time."

Chris looked at the group, "Then that's what she'll get." He says finally.

༺❀༻

It was like an action movie. Chris began setting up devices Kennedy didn't understand, while Braeden loaded her gun and Kira prepared her sword.

Chris looked up at Kennedy, "Take this," Kennedy watched as Chris handed her two daggers. Kennedy frowned, recognizing it.

"These were-"

"Allison's, I know," Chris finished. Kennedy looked down at them as Chris stood. "I know that you're a werewolf, and probably one of the strongest alive. You've survived mountain ash and wolfsbane, but these people think you're human." He explains. "Take them by surprise, and protect those-"

"Who cannot protect themselves," Kennedy finished, a glossy look in her eye. Chris purses his lips together, nodding slowly. Kennedy felt a smile draw onto her face.

The Hale walked up to Derek and Scott. The McCall sighed, "They'll be okay." He reassured.

Derek walked by, "They've got claws and fangs. But they're not fighters."

"That's why I called you." Scott said. The two Alphas stood with Kira as Derek stood next to Braeden.

"Well, try to remember I don't have claws and fangs anymore either."

Braeden nods her head, "That's why he called me."

Kira looks between them, "Am I the only one still hoping this is all just a false alarm? I mean, it's possible we could wait here all night and nothing happens. Right?" She sheepishly looks between Derek and Scott. Kennedy puckered her lips, shaking her head.

"Scott, you heard anything from Stiles or Lydia yet?" Braeden asks.

"Lydia's still talking to Meredith." Scott says.

"Stiles and Malia are headed to the lake house." Kennedy followed, "They're trying to stop it."

"What if there is no stopping it?" Scott and Kennedy turn around to see Brett. "What if it doesn't end until we're all dead?"

Kennedy crossed her arms. "Well someone's awfully positive," She muttered under her breath.

Derek spoke up, "Then let's send a message." Kennedy looks at her cousin. "Let's make something perfectly clear to anyone with a copy of that list. It doesn't matter if they're professional assassins, hunters, or an amateur who just picked up a gun." Derek picks up the hand gun off the table. Kennedy rose a brow, not thinking she'd see that. "Anyone who thinks they can hunt and kill us for money, is gonna be put on another list. Our list. They get to be a name on our dead pool." Kennedy smirked, letting out a low growl in reply as Braeden cocked her gun.

༺❀༻

Peter Hale sat across from Meredith in the interrogation room. "Okay," He clasped his hands together, "Meredith, where's my daughter and I's money? Or more correctly, what's left of it." Meredith furrowed her brows, studying the Hale's face in shock. Meredith slowly reached up her hand. Her finger tips drag along his face. Until suddenly, Peter grabbed her wrist.

Deputy Parrish stepped forward. "Let her go." Outside of the room, Lydia observed with Noah Stilinski. "Let her go." Peter slowly released Meredith from his grip, placing her on the table.

"Why did you do that?" He asked slowly.

"They're all gone." Meredith whispered.

Lydia crossed her arms over her chest, "Oh, my God. They have met before."

"The burns." Meredith spoke. Peter tilted his head slowly. "They're all, gone."

Back at the Sheriff's station, Peter looks at the banshee. "Meredith, you put everyone, including my nephew and one of my daughters on a death list. Don't you think you owe us the slightest explanation of why?"

"You said it had to be kept secret." Meredith told him.

Peter smiled in disbelief, "I said? I said that to you?"

Meredith slowly nods "You said it." She replied.

"Meredith. Allow me to remind you yet again, we have never met, ever."

The Banshee looked at him with wide eyes, "You don't remember?" She asks.

"No," Peter said, developing an idea. "But maybe you do."

Lydia screams at the glass, "No, don't!"

Peter rips the table out of his way, shoving Jordan Parrish to the ground, unconscious. Peter gripped Meredith's throat, digging his claws into
the back of her neck. Meredith screams in pain.

Lydia ran into the room as Jordan reaches over. "Don't touch them. If you break the bond you could kill them. Both of them."

Sheriff Stilinski lowered his weapon, "What are we supposed to do?"

"I don't know."

Deputy Parrish watched as Peter and Meredith stood there. "What the hell is he doing to her?" The three watched as Meredith's eyes opened.

Noah frowned as he saw Meredith, her lips moving slowly. "Do you hear that? She's saying something." Lydia tilted her headz

"Can you understand that?" Jordan asks the Martin.

Lydia nods, "I can. I can hear perfectly." Meredith continues to murmur, and Lydia spoke. "She was in the hospital. The same hospital."

Jordan frowns, "Same as who?"

"Peter and Kennedy." Lydia answered. "It was right after the fire. Meredith could hear him."

"Hear what?" Noah Stilinski asks.

Lydia looks up, "Everything. She was hearing every thought in his head, like they'd somehow found the same wavelength. And now everything going through his mind was also going right into hers."

Noah looks over, "For how long?"

"Weeks. Maybe even months." Lydia shrugs, "Kennedy lost her memories a week after the fire. It must have drove him over the edge. It was almost like he was standing right over her bed talking about the fire. About getting revenge for Sloane and Kennedy." Lydia explained.

Suddenly, Peter pulled away from Meredith. The teenage banshee fell to the side. Jordan moved to catch her as Peter to the ground. Noah Stilinski aimed his gun at Peter, who slowly looked up.

Lydia looks at the Hale, "It was your idea and you don't even remember."

Peter looked up tiredly at the sheriff, "Are you kidding me?"

"Hands where I can see them."

Peter slowly sat up, "How the hell was I supposed to remember any of that?" He asks in annoyance.

"She got it from you." Lydia says pointedly.

Peter breathed as he eyeballed the fun. "I was out of my mind. My wife was murdered and my daughter was taken from my hands! Do you know what it's like for one of us to be in a coma? Paralyzed but cognizant? You try not going crazy."

"She was listening to you."

"She was listening to the ranting and raving of a lunatic." Peter snapped, "A former lunatic. I'm much healthier now. I had nothing to do with this."

Sheriff gestures with his gun, "If she was following your lead on this, then how do we know there isn't more?" He asked the Hale.

Peter threw his hand up, "Stealing my own money? Really?" He scoffed in disbelief.

"You were going to use it anyway."

Lydia shakes her head, "Stop. Stop it. This is what she wants. It's why she's here." The Martin snaps. "Look around, Sheriff. There's three people in here right now. Three people still on the dead pool. Me, Parrish, and Meredith."

Deputy Parrish looks at Peter, "But not him."

"Lydia's right. We don't want to kill each other."

"The only person I'm pointing a gun at is you." Noah says.

Peter smirked, "Then you better make it a perfect shot, Sheriff, because I don't go down easy. Especially when I got my daughter to look out for." He crooned.

"I'm willing to bet that a bullet between the eyes doesn't heal real fast," Noah snaps, "Not even for your kind."

"Stop. Please, stop." Lydia pleads.

Peter ignored the redhead, "This department's getting more corrupted by the second." He begins. He tilts his head to the side, "What are you going to charge me with, Sheriff? How are you going to explain this to a judge? Telepathic girl overhears thoughts of comatose werewolf and decides to enact his plans for retribution?" Noah said nothing. Peter clicked his tongue, "They're gonna be pointing a gun at your head and asking you to go quietly."

Lydia speaks up, "Let him go. You have to let him go."

"I'd take the word of a Banshee, Sheriff." Peter stated,
"I leave. No triggers pulled. No blood shed."

Sheriff Stilinski struggled with himself. Finally, he
pulled the gun away. The eldest Hale began walking away. "That's twice, Peter." Peter stopped at Noah's voice. "There's not gonna be a third." Peter wickedly
smirked, walking out the door.

Meredith sprang forward. "No. It's not finished. No, it's not finished!" She screamed, fighting against Jordan's grip. "It's not finished!"

༺❀༻

Meanwhile, Kennedy stood with Scott and Kira, waiting for the sun to go down. "So, you're going to fight as a human?" Scott asks.

"At first, yeah. Luckily I trained with Allison and Chris a few times, and my dad and Derek liked to try and fight me every now and again. I think I can do this without eating anyone," Kennedy explained, sighing. She twirled the dagger in her hand, catching it swiftly.

An alarm begins to blare loudly, catching everyone's attention. Chris turned away from Satomi. "They're coming." He calls out.

Smoke grenades begin flying into the space. "Get back!" Braeden calls out. Kennedy is grabbed by Chris as they hide behind a wall. Kennedy holds the daggers close to her chest.

"How exactly am I going to block off bullets with these?" Kennedy asks, holding up the weapons.

Chris looks at her, "You're Kennedy Hale," He answered vaguely. Kennedy looked back ad Chris began firing his gun. She looked around in shock, unsure what to do. Chris fell back with her, the two sharing a look. They didn't know if they would make it out alive, but they had to try.

The fight sprang into action. Kennedy ran into the scene, kicking back a hunter. She kicked his gun out of his hand, elbowing the side of his head. Kennedy's werewolf senses heard a bullet flying towards her. She waved up the dagger, watching the bullet bounce off of it. Her eyes widened in surprise. She jumped in the air as she wrapped her legs around a guys neck, knocking him unconscious. She swung a dagger, hitting a man in the arm before knocking him to the ground.

A werewolf Scott fought off a man. Kennedy ran to Kira, the girl standing back to back. "Kenny?" Kira called out. "Now would be a good time to pull werewolf stuff!" Kennedy looked over at Satomi, who was hiding behind Chris as the Argent fired his gun. Kennedy looked over at Braeden and Derek, then Scott. Her eyes turned red as she ran out of sight.

Four men walked through a portion of the space. A loud roar filled their ears, causing them to look around. They had yet to identify the creatures location. Two men scream as they are taken into the shadows. The remaining two aim their guns. Suddenly, one more is taken.

The last remaining man spins around in circles, unable to see where his friends went. The sound of something behind him causes him to turn back. Kennedy stood there, wiping blood off her cheek as she poked her head up, "You could've knocked," She deadpanned, slashing her claws through the man. She grabs his gun, kicking him to the ground. Kennedy sprints towards Scott.

Brett runs over to the two Alphas. Scott is shot in the shoulder, but keeps moving. "Get the others back. Tell them to hide." Kennedy tosses Brett the gun she stole, turning back with Scott. Another bullet flies into the McCall. "Kira!" Scott calls out. Kennedy looks around. She jumps at the hunters running at her. She roars as she swings the daggers, slashing his arm. She shoves his face into her knee, knocking him unconscious. "Kennedy!" Both teens look at young Lori, who was standing there fearfully as one of the hunters aim their gun.

Scott runs first, tackling the man to the ground Kennedy runs over, grabbing the blond. "Hey, you're okay," Kennedy assures. Lori nods, holding onto the Hale i worry. Kennedy watches as Scott begins mercilessly attacking the hunter, blood spoiling out of the mans chest. Scotts face was changing. Kennedy and Lori watch as Scott's inner monster had taken over. Scott rips off the mans mask, freezing in mid air. "Scott?"

The McCall slowly looked up, his face not his own. He stared at Kennedy. He remembered freshman year for a moment.

Kennedy walks into Scott's bedroom, wearing a short dress and heels. They were going to Lydia's party together, as Melissa had to drive them both. The McCall, oblivious to the fact Kennedy had entered, walks out of his bathroom, naked.

"Oh my god!" Fourteen year old Kennedy gasped out, spinning to face the wall. Scott nearly falls to
the floor, not expecting her there at all.

"Kenny! You can't knock!?"

Kennedy closed her eyes tight, "Sorry!" She yelped out. Scott urgently put on underwear and pants, letting Kennedy turn back around to look at him. The two young teens stared at each other, before bursting out in laughter.

Scott blushed as he looked at the girl. "I'm never living this down, am I?"

"Nope!"

The thing that happened in ninth grade. Scott slowly looked up, his face changing to his normal werewolf appearance. Kennedy exhaled sharply, the sound of something ringing causes her to look up. It was sudden. All the bullets stopped firing. The hunters had just stopped. Chris Argent slowly poked his head out from where he had been hiding. Cell phones chiming is all that could be heard as the hunters began to retreat. Kennedy slowly crawled over to an unconscious man, pulling his phone out of his pocket.

THE BENEFACTOR: ALL CONTRACTS TERMINATED

Kennedy looked up at Scott, who's face turned human. The pair walked through the space, Kira rushing over. The McCall hugged his girlfriend. Lori held on to Kennedy's sleeve as they began to meet Satomi's pack, Derek and Braeden, and Chris in the middle. Lori ran to Brett, who hugged the girl tightly. Brett glanced at Kennedy, mouthing a thank you. Kennedy half smiled, not needing the recognition.

Kira stood in between Scott and Kennedy, looking at the McCall. "Is it over?" She asks. She glances at Kennedy, the Hale covered in cuts and blood. "Really over?" Kennedy slowly looks around again. They were all alive. No more dead pool. Lydia, Malia, and Stiles had found a solution. Her friends were saved.

She just didn't know that it was Peter who caused all of this yet.

༺❀༻

Lydia slowly sat with Meredith, "Are you okay?" She asks. Meredith nods, wrapped in one of the Deputy jackets. Lydia rested her hands on her knees, "I guess you are, aren't you?" The Martin sighed in disbelief. "For someone who'd put their own name on a hit list."

Meredith looked at the Martin with sad eyes. "I had to." She states. Lydia glances up.

"Why?" The red headed girl asked.

"Because I heard you. I heard you scream in the tunnels at Oak Creek." Meredith answered. Lydia looks at the ground, remembering the night Allison Argent died. It was one of the worst nights of Lydia's life. It was one of the worst nights of so many of their friends lives. "That's why I knew it was the right time, to start over."

Lydia inhaled sharply, looking up, "But with Peter?"

Meredith smiled, "He's the alpha. He's always been the alpha. And Kennedy is his Partenaire Lycan." She says. Lydia tilted her head in confusion. "They'll make it right. It never was with us. Too many people died because of us." The two Banshee's looked at one another. "We're the monsters." Meredith whispered. "Even Banshees. Even me."

Lydia Martin shook her head. "I don't believe that." She stated finally. The Martin had teary eyes as she looked at Meredith Walker. "Not all monsters do monstrous things."

"Like who?" Asked Meredith.

A soft, sad smile etched onto Lydia's face. "Like Scott." She shrugged. Lydia laughed under her breath, "Like Kennedy, the farthest thing from a monster,"

Meredith glanced up, a smile spreading on her face. She reached her hand up, cupping Lydia's cheek. "Like you." She said finally. Lydia sat there in silence, looking at Meredith. The Walker's smile fell, realization hitting her like a bus. "Oh, God." Meredith slowly pulled her hand away, tears welling up in her eyes. "What have I done?"