While Jacob and his family enjoyed a peaceful evening in Serendell, across town, a different kind of darkness was gathering.
---
Gerard sat in a hotel room, his missing arm a constant, throbbing reminder of his humiliation. Across from him sat Stanisław Zima, the head of the Zima hunter family—a broad-shouldered old man with cold eyes and a scar on his face that never faded, even though he has supernatural healing. The scar ran from his temple to his jaw.
Stanisław's fingers drummed slowly on the table. "Henri Laurent and his people were supposed to meet us tonight. They're not answering their phones."
Gerard's jaw tightened. "They're probably dead."
"You don't know that."
"I saw that boy kill a black shuck and two hunters from your family like he was swatting flies," Gerard said flatly. "I saw his butler get hit with a rain of bullets, and there wasn't even a scratch on him. If Henri went after them like he said he would yesterday, then he and his entire group of hunters are dead. The only question is how long it took."
Stanisław was silent for a long moment. "Did you figure out what the kid and his butler are yet?"
"Not yet," Gerard admitted. "But I've gathered a list of his family and friends. Maybe we can use them against him."
"Then what are we waiting for?" Stanisław leaned forward. "Let's grab a few of his family, torture them, kill them, and send him the heads. I want him to feel the pain of losing someone he loves—just like he killed my brother and his sons."
"Not yet," Gerard countered. "Aside from their names, we don't know anything about his family and friends. What if they're as strong as him?"
Stanisław smirked. "What about your granddaughter? I heard she's his wife. He must love her very much. So how about we start with her? She's just human."
"If you're confident you can catch her, be my guest."
"Why don't you lure her somewhere and leave the rest to me?" Stanisław suggested. "As her grandfather, she'd be willing to meet you if you called."
Gerard shook his head. "That's not true. I haven't seen her since she was three. And if I'm right, she was there the night I asked Kate to kill herself. She's probably not human. I think she's the one who severed my arm."
Stanisław looked at Gerard with disgust. "What a wonderful family you have, old friend."
"I'll clean my own house soon enough." Gerard leaned forward. "Anyway, I'm here because I need two of your best hunters for something else. Tomorrow. There's an Alpha werewolf I have unfinished business with. Once he's dealt with, I'll have what I need to handle the rest."
Stanisław studied him. "Last time you borrowed my hunters, they all died. So, although we're friends, you'll have to pay this time."
"How much?"
"A million dollars."
Gerard didn't flinch. "Done."
He stood, adjusted his coat over his empty sleeve, and walked out without another word.
---
Later that night, Gerard gathered a small group of Argent hunters in a private room at the safe house. These were his men—not Chris's. Hunters who shared his extreme views.
"I want you to catch Derek Hale's betas—Boyd and Isaac—tonight," Gerard ordered. "Where are they right now?"
A hunter stepped forward. "We've been monitoring them these past few days like you said, sir. Both Isaac and Boyd are probably still with Derek at the abandoned railway depot in the warehouse district, where they usually meet." He glanced at his watch. "But Boyd will be heading home soon."
"Go. Follow him and take him quietly."
Gerard turned to another hunter. "Once you have Boyd, use his phone to text Isaac. Lure him somewhere isolated and take him too. I want them both delivered to the warehouse on the outskirts of town alive. Understood?"
The hunters nodded and moved out.
---
Boyd left the abandoned railway depot alone, as he usually did, and walked home through the dark streets. His mind churned with the afternoon's humiliation. The memory of Stiles crushing his wrist with effortless strength made his blood boil. He had thought that after becoming a werewolf, he'd be strong—that except for Derek, no one could harm him. Yet that scrawny human had made him feel like a weakling. And the worst part was that Stiles hadn't even seemed to try. When Boyd had told Derek, the Alpha had simply said, "Don't mess with Jacob and his friends if you want to live longer."
Boyd was so lost in thought that he didn't notice the van pull up beside him until the doors slid open.
Hands grabbed him—gloved, efficient, fast. Before he could shift or fight back, a taser was jammed into his ribs. Electricity coursed through his body. He felt something stab his neck, and a liquid entered his bloodstream. Then the world went black.
---
When Boyd woke, he found himself chained to a metal support beam in an abandoned warehouse. Thick electrical cables were wrapped around his wrists and ankles, humming with a low, menacing current. Beside him, still unconscious, Isaac hung from similar restraints.
Boyd's head throbbed painfully. He tested his bonds cautiously. The moment he moved, a jolt of electricity shot through him, making his muscles seize uncontrollably. He gasped and went still.
A door creaked open somewhere in the darkness.
Gerard walked in, his footsteps slow and deliberate on the concrete floor. Behind him, two hunters stood guard, their expressions blank.
"Ah. You're awake." Gerard smiled—a thin, cruel expression that didn't reach his eyes. "Good. We have a lot to talk about."
Isaac stirred, groaning. His eyes fluttered open, then widened in horror as he took in his surroundings.
"What the..." Isaac started, but another jolt of electricity cut him off mid-sentence.
"Quiet," Gerard said pleasantly. "I'll ask the questions."
He walked to a small table covered in equipment—IV bags filled with purple liquid, electrical controls with multiple switches, and an array of surgical tools laid out like a silver nightmare. He picked up a remote and pressed a button without hesitation.
Both Boyd and Isaac screamed as electricity coursed through them, their bodies arching against the restraints.
When he finally released the button, they hung limply, panting, their skin slick with sweat.
"Now then," Gerard said, setting the remote down and picking up a tablet. "Let's start. Tell me everything you know about your alpha, Derek Hale. And does he know a kid named Jacob Alexander? How close are they?"
Boyd mustered what strength he had and spat on the floor at Gerard's feet.
Gerard's eyes hardened. He pressed the button again. Longer this time. The warehouse filled with the sound of their screams, echoing off the walls.
When it stopped, Isaac's head hung low, drool dripping from his lips. Boyd's muscles twitched uncontrollably, his breath coming in ragged gasps.
Gerard repeated this three more times, but Boyd and Isaac didn't say a word. Through the pain, through the electricity, they remained silent.
"Not talkers," Gerard mused, almost admiringly. "Pity." He gestured to one of the hunters. "Hook them up to the wolfsbane drips. Diluted—I don't want them dead. Yet."
The hunters moved efficiently, inserting IV lines into Boyd and Isaac's arms. The moment the wolfsbane entered their bloodstreams, both werewolves convulsed violently. Their eyes rolled back, and soon they lost consciousness as the poison weakened their already exhausted bodies.
Gerard watched for a moment, his expression unreadable, then turned and walked toward the door.
He paused, pulling out his phone. He dialed.
Derek answered on the second ring. "Hello?"
"Hello, Derek." Gerard said with a chuckle. "Gerard Argent here. I have two of your betas—Boyd and Isaac. They're alive. For now."
Derek's voice went cold. "If you hurt them..."
"I'll hurt them as much as I want," Gerard interrupted smoothly. "But if you want them to stay alive, you'll do exactly as I say. Tomorrow. Alone. No pack. No friends. And especially—" his voice dropped to a venomous whisper, "—no Jacob. You tell that boy about this, and I'll kill them both. Slowly."
A long pause. Then Derek said, his voice tight with restrained fury, "Where?"
"I'll send you the location tomorrow. Be ready." Gerard hung up without waiting for a response.
He looked back at the unconscious Boyd and Isaac one last time, his eyes cold and satisfied, before leaving the warehouse and walking out into the night.
---
The next morning in Serendell, Jacob trained with his wives as usual, pushing their abilities to new heights in the endless fields behind the palace. After a satisfying session and a relaxing bath, they all gathered in the grand dining room for breakfast.
The table was full—Jacob, Allison, Lydia, Malia, Melissa, Kitty, Stiles, Scott, Noah, Chris, Victoria, and Natalie all seated together. Laughter and conversation flowed as freely as the food, creating a warm atmosphere that felt like home.
The topic inevitably turned to Matt.
Victoria looked at Jacob with undisguised approval. "I love what you did to Matt. That was a fitting punishment for that creepy little stalker."
Jacob smiled. "Thanks. I thought so too."
Melissa added, "They had to remove his testicles yesterday. The doctors and nurses were completely baffled—both testicles had been completely crushed. Turned into mush, basically." She shook her head. "They kept wondering what could possibly make someone crush their own testicles like that."
Noah, however, fixed Jacob with a disapproving stare across the table. "You can't just hurt people like that, Jacob. Yes, he was a stalker, but that..."
"Dad." Stiles cut him off firmly. "Don't. Jacob will tolerate a lot of things, but not someone stalking one of his wives. I've seen him deal with idiots who were brave enough to hit on Allison, Lydia, or Malia."
Scott added, "But he doesn't really hurt them."
Noah frowned, clearly unconvinced. "Then why hurt Matt like that?"
Jacob shrugged, his expression neutral. "I just don't like him. He feels evil to me." He shifted the subject smoothly, turning to Melissa. "Anyway, let's not waste more time on that idiot. Did you finish buying the hospital?"
Melissa brightened. "Yes, we agreed on the price. Now I just need to finalize the paperwork and transfer the funds. It should be officially mine within the week."
Natalie leaned in, curiosity gleaming in her eyes. "How much did you pay for it?"
Melissa smiled, still seeming slightly amazed by the whole ordeal. "They wanted 400 million at first. But Cogman—" she glanced at the butler, who stood silently nearby, "—he knew exactly what he was doing. He pointed out all the hospital's debts, the outdated equipment, the need for new doctors, the building repairs. He kept bargaining until we got it for 250 million."
Natalie's eyebrows shot up. "He lowered it by 150 million? That's incredible."
Cogman allowed himself a small, satisfied smile. "I am proficient in negotiation, madame."
Noah raised his coffee cup in a toast. "Congratulations, Melissa."
Melissa said, "Thanks, but honestly? I'm way out of my league here."
Jacob took her hand and squeezed gently. "Don't worry. Cogman will help you hire a great medical director. We'll make the hospital profitable and do all the charity work you want. You'll be fine."
Melissa's expression softened as she looked at him. "Thanks, Jay."
---
Breakfast wound down, and since it was still too early for school or work, everyone scattered to their own activities.
Stiles and Scott retreated to their rooms to catch up on sleep—they'd spent all night monitoring Jackson, and exhaustion had finally caught up with them.
Noah and Natalie took a leisurely walk through the palace gardens, marveling at the impossible beauty of Serendell.
Allison accompanied her parents to their private residence within the palace, eager to spend some quality time with them.
Lydia, Malia, and Melissa headed out to check on the animals, with little Saphira—now more active and curious than ever—perched happily on Lydia's shoulder.
Jacob retreated to his gaming room, Kitty lounging beside him on the couch as they dove into an intense co-op session. The screen flashed with explosions as they coordinated attacks, Kitty's focus absolute despite her relaxed posture.
They were mid-boss fight when the door opened.
Cogman entered, his expression serious. "Sir, we need to talk."
Jacob paused the game, ignoring Kitty's protests. He patted her head absently, a silent promise to return to the fight, and turned to Cogman. "What's up?"
"Gerard met with the Zimas yesterday," Cogman reported. "Then he kidnapped Vernon Boyd and Isaac Lahey. They're being held captive in a warehouse on the outskirts of town. He called Derek and instructed him to come alone to save them. Today."
"Do you know what time?"
"Gerard hasn't given Derek the location or time yet. He's keeping him waiting."
Jacob nodded slowly, "I see."
Cogman tilted his head. "Are we going to intervene, sir?"
"Not yet." Jacob's voice was calm, "Keep monitoring Gerard and Derek. I want to be there when they finally face each other."
Cogman gave a slight bow. "As you wish, sir." He turned and left the room silently.
Kitty looked up at Jacob, her tail flicking with impatience. "Can we finish our game now?"
Jacob smirked and grabbed his controller. "Sure."
They resumed their game, the looming confrontation pushed aside—for now.
To be continued… 😊