Chapter Text
“This better be quick, I have a manicure appointment at six.” Lydia entered Deaton’s clinic with her usual flourish, clicking high heels and faint notes of perfume. She pursed her lips and sat down on a chair that her boyfriend Jackson hurriedly pulled out of thin air.
The pair seemed to be the last one to arrive since the whole pack was already inside with Scott and Allison whispering to each other while leaning against one of the tables, and Isaac picking at the wall in the far corner with his back turned to them.
“This is pack business,” Scott argued, frowning slightly. “Your manicure can wait.”
Lydia clicked her tongue and lifted a thin eyebrow, which made Jackson immediately growl at their Alpha.
“We have better things to do than listen to his fucking lectures.”
“I'm sure Deaton wouldn’t make it sound so urgent if it wasn’t important.” Allison gave him a reprimanding look.
Jackson huffed and rolled his eyes.
“Unfortunately, Miss Argent is right.” The voice was so quiet and the arrival of the man so sudden, that it made even the pack’s Alpha jump. Deaton was always like that — quiet and unassuming, a silent observer. Scott always thought the vet secretly enjoyed scaring them. “The matter is of the utmost emergency.”
The pack members looked at each other. Jackson immediately stepped closer to Lydia’s chair; Allison tensed and frowned; Isaac started biting his nails and glanced at Scott as if seeking reassurance. The Alpha squared his shoulders and looked at Deaton.
“Is this about that Alpha?”
“Yes.”
“Hold on a minute.” Jackson stepped forward and squinted at the pair. “What Alpha?”
Scott stole a quick glance at Allison. Lydia lifted both of her eyebrows.
“You mean to tell us,” she started, her voice stone cold, “that there’s an Alpha in Beacon Hills and you didn’t tell us?”
Isaac whined.
“He didn’t approach me,” said Scott. “So he probably doesn’t mean any harm and is just passing through.”
Deaton stayed silent and observed the crowd.
Jackson huffed a disbelieving laugh. “How long?”
“How long wha—”
“Two weeks,” Alisson interrupted Scott.
Jackson’s eyes glinted with bright yellow color and his pupils turned into slits.
“And you didn’t think to tell us?!” he roared, ignoring Isaac’s flinch. “You piece of shit, he could have killed us a hundred times—”
“Calm down.” Lydia put a dainty hand on the inside of his elbow. Jackson’s eyes turned back to human blue almost instantly.
“Do you have any idea how many times I left Lyds alone this week? What if —”
“I’m perfectly capable of defending myself.” Lydia glared at the back of his head.
“That doesn’t mean it’s not fucking dangerous, and… Would you stop fucking whining?” Jackson suddenly turned to Isaac, who, upon seeing his flaming eyes, shut his mouth with his hand.
“Don’t talk to him like that,” Allison threatened quietly.
“Children, if you please,” sighed Deaton. “We, as it turns out, found ourselves in a dangerous situation.”
Everybody quieted, though the glares continued their murderous spree.
“I discovered that this Alpha is not of the regular kind. He is one of, if not the most dangerous one.”
“I fucking told you—”
Scott snarled at Jackson, making him shut up and bow his head.
Deaton waited for a couple of seconds, then continued.
“He is several hundred years old. In fact, he is the son of one of the first werewolves to ever roam the Earth. His power is immeasurable, infinite.”
“Can you speak like a normal person for once?” Jackson apparently couldn’t keep his mouth shut.
“Just to clarify, what exactly makes him so dangerous for us?” Lydia asked, rubbing her hand on her boyfriend’s meaty arm.
“His target.”
“We are his target?” the redhead clarified with a healthy amount of skepticism. “We are a small pack of just two wolves, a kanima, a huntress, and a banshee,” she pointed at each of them. “What use does he have of us?”
“Is he going to kill us?” Isaac asked tentatively from his corner.
“He doesn’t touch those who don’t stand in his way.”
When all he received was blank stares and annoyed huffs, Deaton sighed once again.
“Guess, I ought to elaborate further.”
“Please, do,” Lydia grit her teeth.
“Thousands of years ago, this Alpha received an ultimate gift of power and mightiness from one of the rarest magical creatures of this world — a Spark. It is a divine being encompassing the essence of magic. One could say they are magic. Everything they believe in is possible.
“The Spark in question granted this man an infinite life. With it, came the strength, the greatness, and the inability to lose the Alpha status. But this wasn’t enough for the Alpha. The great power, once tasted, yearns for more. He demanded more power from the Spark, which the creature refused to give. After seeing the rage and ferociousness boiling in the wolf, the Spark fled. The Alpha went insane from greed and hunger for more power. He vowed to catch the Spark no matter what. He has been chasing the Spark all this time, destroying everything in his way.”
“He’s here for the Spark, then,” Lydia said, staring at the floor.
“There’s a Spark in Beacon Hills?” Isaac murmured.
“Everything leads me to that conclusion, yes,” Deaton answered. “It is our duty to protect the Spark and help it escape once more.”
“Why should we risk our lives,” Allison asked tentatively, “for someone we don’t even know?”
Scott opened his mouth, but Jackson was quicker. “Argent’s right. This Spark dude has evaded the Alpha this whole time. He’s fine on his own.”
“The Spark is in constant need of guardians,” said Deaton. “To protect and give him the opportunity to run. It is considered the highest honor to help such a sacred being. Creatures of night and day, of storm and fire had always aided him and in turn, were gifted with unimaginable treasures.”
That made everyone perk up.
“Like money or something?” Jackson smirked.
“Like you need more,” Allison sneered.
“The Spark gives what the heart desires.”
“That’s vague,” said Lydia, inspecting her nails.
Scott looked at each member of his pack, then turned to Deaton with a determined frown.
“We will do it,” he said. “Regardless of the gifts, we will protect him.”
“I didn’t doubt you, Scott,” Deaton smiled faintly. “You must find the Spark first and inform him of the Alpha’s presence. Allow him to escape, distract the Alpha.”
With that, the meeting was over. Scott had taken Allison to his house for some planning and Isaac had disappeared somewhere. The only one who decided to stay was Lydia who seemed to completely forget about her appointment. After sending her boyfriend to wait for her in his Porsche, she turned to Deaton.
“If this Spark is so mighty, why didn’t he kill the Alpha already? It’s been centuries. Isn't he tired?”
Deaton busied himself with cleaning his instruments but glanced over at the girl.
“Sparks are creatures of light,” he said. “They are inherently good. They were created to protect the supernatural, not to destroy it.”
“He can’t kill the wolf.”
“No. Sparks can’t do harm with their magic. He can’t do anything but flee.”
Lydia narrowed her eyes. “How do we find the Spark? Do you know what he looks like?”
Deaton’s lips tightened.
“I do not have that knowledge.” He saw the frown on Lydia’s face and sighed. “However, one can imagine the divine creature to be quite unique, don’t you think? There must be something that will distinguish him from the others.”
“We’ll see,” said Lydia and left Deaton to his cleaning.