章節 43: Chapter 43: The Spoils of the Hunt

After dealing with the vampire Eric, Scott wasted no time putting his plan into motion. He arrived at Stiles' house late in the evening, parking his Camaro just outside. Stiles was already waiting on the porch, dressed in a black hoodie and holding a pair of gloves.

As Scott rolled down the window, he called out, "Let's go! Hop in."

Stiles jogged over and slid into the passenger seat, his curiosity written all over his face. "Alright, spill it. What's going on? You sounded all mysterious over the phone."

Scott chuckled, putting the car in gear as they drove off. "Okay, so first things first—I found the vampire and killed him."

Stiles' eyes widened. "Wait, what? You killed him?"

"Yep," Scott said with a smug grin. "But before I finished him off, I read his memories."

"You did what?" Stiles asked, leaning closer like Scott just dropped the juiciest gossip of the year.

Scott smirked. "Yeah, I dug through all 200 years of his twisted life. Trust me, it was disgusting, but totally worth it."

"What did you see?" Stiles asked.

Scott recounted everything he had learned from Eric's memories—the chaos, the bloodshed, and the vampiric carnage spanning centuries. He spared no detail about the atrocities Eric committed, from his role as a Nazi to his trail of death across America.

By the time Scott finished, Stiles was staring at him, mouth slightly agape. "That's... insane. I mean, a Nazi vampire? really?"

Scott smirked. "Oh, I'm not done yet. I haven't told you the best part."

Stiles leaned forward eagerly. "Then what are you waiting for?"

Scott laughed, enjoying the moment. "Alright, so here's the kicker: Eric was loaded. The guy has a bank account under a fake name with a hundred million dollars in it. And now, it's mine."

Stiles froze, his jaw dropping. "Did I hear you right? One hundred... million dollars?"

Scott nodded.

Stiles blinked a few times before shouting, "Are you serious?!"

"Completely serious," Scott replied.

"What are you going to do with it?" Stiles asked, still processing the information.

Scott leaned back in his seat, tapping the steering wheel. "First, I need to figure out how to make it legally mine. Maybe Deaton can help with that. After that, we're getting a pack house—a place for everyone to gather. I'll help my mom if she wants to quit her job and start a business. And then... whatever we want. You can take some of it too, of course."

Stiles grinned, his excitement bubbling over. "Man, I don't even know what to say. Thanks!"

Scott chuckled. "You don't have to say anything. Just don't blow it all on comic books."

Stiles laughed. "Fair enough. By the way, how did you even find this guy?"

Scott's face darkened slightly. "That bastard bit my mom yesterday. He compelled her to forget, but I saw the bite when she got home. And I read her memories, so I figured out what happened."

"Wait," Stiles said, his brows furrowed. "Why didn't you tell me at school today?"

Scott glanced at him with a raised eyebrow. "Because I knew you'd want to come with me, and let's be real, Stiles—a vampire could snap your neck before you even blink. I wasn't going to take you with me and risk getting your weak ass killed."

Stiles gasped, clutching his chest dramatically. "Dude! I mean, you're not wrong, but still... that hurts."

Scott smirked. "Hey, I offered you the bite, remember? But you said, 'Wait until summer break.'"

"Okay, fair point," Stiles muttered, crossing his arms.

Scott pulled the car to a stop at the edge of the forest. "Alright, we're here. Eric's house is close, but we're going on foot from here."

They stepped out, both putting on gloves and pulling their hoodies tighter as they trudged through the woods. Scott led the way to Eric's house. Within minutes, they arrived at a large, ominous-looking home surrounded by thick trees.

Scott pulled a key from his pocket. "Got this off Eric before I dusted him. Let's go."

The door creaked open as they stepped inside, their faces covered to avoid leaving any evidence.

"This place gives me the creeps," Stiles whispered, looking around.

Scott gestured for him to follow. "Come on, the library's this way."

They reached a spacious room lined with dark wooden shelves. Scott's eyes lit up as he spotted a large wooden chest tucked into the corner.

"This is it," he said, pointing to the chest. "Eric kept all his supernatural-related stuff in here."

Stiles knelt beside him as Scott opened the chest. Inside, they found several ancient-looking books, jars filled with mysterious herbs, silver daggers, and bottles containing strange liquids.

"Whoa," Stiles said, picking up one of the jars. "What even is this stuff?"

"No idea," Scott admitted. "But we're taking all of it."

Then Scott's gaze fell on a painting hanging on the wall. He moved it aside to reveal a safe.

"What do you think is in there?" Stiles asked, peering over his shoulder. "Bottles of blood?"

Scott laughed. "Nope." He entered the combination, which he knew from Eric's memories, and the safe clicked open.

Inside, they found a stack of cash, a bank card, and documents related to Eric's hidden fortune.

Scott grabbed the bank card and papers, handing the cash to Stiles. "Count it. How much is there?"

Stiles Counted the cash quickly. "Thirty grand."

"Not bad," Scott said with a grin. "Alright, let's get out of here."

Scott lifted the wooden chest with ease, carrying it out of the house as they made their way back to the car. When they reached the Camaro, they realized the chest wouldn't fit in the trunk.

Scott handed the car keys to Stiles. "Drive my car back home. I'll carry this thing myself."

"You sure?" Stiles asked, eyeing the heavy chest.

Scott smirked. "Please, this is nothing."

With that, Scott shifted into his werewolf form, his muscles rippling as he hoisted the chest onto his shoulder. Stiles hopped into the car and drove off, leaving Scott to sprint through the woods with the chest.

Scott reached home first, the wooden chest balanced easily on his shoulder. He placed it down near the living room and stretched, his muscles relaxing after the run. Just as he was about to grab a drink, the sound of something large approaching caught his attention.

Turning to the door, he grinned. Melissa, still in her wolf form, entered gracefully. Her silver-grey fur glistened under the soft light, and her glowing red eyes scanned the room.

"Welcome back, Mom," Scott said, holding the door open for her.

Melissa huffed in acknowledgment and walked inside, her size making the furniture around her seem almost miniature.

A few moments later, Stiles arrived, parking Scott's Camaro in the driveway. He stepped out, looking around nervously. "Man, this neighborhood is way too quiet at night. Feels like something's about to jump out at me."

Scott opened the door for him, smirking. "Relax, Stiles. You're safe. Come on in."

Stiles walked inside, pulling off his gloves. "Okay, but first, I need water. I'm parched after all that running around."

Scott waved him toward the kitchen. "Help yourself."

Moments later, a loud scream echoed from the kitchen.

"AAAAHHHHH! SCOTT! HELP! AHHHHH!"

Scott immediately knew what had happened. His lips curled into a mischievous grin as he walked toward the kitchen. Stiles stumbled out, tripping over his own feet and falling onto the floor.

Scott crossed his arms, barely suppressing a laugh. "What's wrong, Stiles? You look like you've seen a ghost."

"A ghost? No, it's worse! There's a freaking beast in your house!" Stiles yelled, scrambling to his feet and hiding behind Scott. "There's a huge wolf in your kitchen! I think it's an alpha! It has glowing red eyes!"

At that moment, Melissa stepped out of the kitchen in her full wolf form. Her red eyes glowed softly, and her voice, deep yet elegant, resonated through the room. "Hello, Stiles. I didn't mean to scare you."

Stiles' jaw dropped as he peeked from behind Scott. "Who are you, and what are you doing here? And how do you know my name?"

Before Scott could respond, Stiles gasped dramatically and turned to him. "Scott, are you cheating on Allison with a werewolf?!"

Scott smacked the back of Stiles' head, causing him to yelp. "Gross! That's my mom, you idiot."

Stiles froze, his eyes darting between Scott and the massive wolf. "Your mom? You mean… Melissa?"

"Of course, it's Melissa," Scott said, rolling his eyes. "Who else would it be? My long-lost wolf mother?"

Melissa snorted, her wolfish laugh sounding surprisingly natural. She turned and headed upstairs, her large paws thudding softly on the steps.

Once she was out of sight, Stiles whispered, "When did you turn her into a werewolf?"

Scott leaned against the wall casually. "Yesterday."

"Yesterday?! Then why is she an alpha?! Is she a true alpha like you? And isn't tonight a full moon? Why isn't she losing control?"

Scott raised a hand to calm Stiles' barrage of questions. "She's not a true alpha. She became an alpha after absorbing that vampire's powers. And she inherited my control ability. That's why she's fine."

Stiles' eyes widened. "Wait… does that mean all werewolves can absorb powers from other creatures?"

Scott shrugged. "No idea about other werewolves, but me and my mom can. Probably anyone I turn will have the same ability."

Stiles looked thoughtful for a moment. "So, you're telling me every werewolf you turn will have this power and full control over themselves?"

"Exactly," Scott replied with a confident nod.

Stiles punched Scott lightly on the arm. "Why didn't you tell me this sooner? Okay, I've changed my mind. You're giving me the bite after the Winter Formal in a few days."

"Whenever you're ready, man." Scott said with a grin.

Just then, Melissa returned, now in her human form. Her skin glowed with vitality, and her features looked younger and sharper than before. She smiled warmly at the two boys.

Stiles gasped, pointing dramatically. "Scott, you liar! That is definitely not your mom. Do you have a secret sister I don't know about?"

Scott groaned and stepped away. "You idiot."

Before Stiles could say more, Melissa grabbed his ear, giving it a playful but firm tug. "So, you think I was old before, Stiles?"

"Ow, ow! That hurts! Please spare me! I was wrong!" Stiles whined, trying to wriggle free.

Melissa laughed, letting him go.

Rubbing his ear, Stiles stared at her. "You're really Melissa? You look so… young. How?"

Scott smirked. "Didn't I just tell you? She absorbed the powers of that vampire. Keep up, Stiles."

After that, the three of them gathered around the chest Scott had brought. And opened it, Stiles picked up one of the books, flipping through its pages. "This is incredible. It's like a supernatural encyclopedia! Weaknesses, rituals, creatures—it's all here."

Melissa nodded, her expression serious. "These books are valuable. They'll be a great resource for us."

Scott then told Melissa about the hundred million dollars they found in Eric's account. Her eyes widened in concern.

"Scott, you'll get in trouble if you use that money," she warned.

"Don't worry, Mom," Scott reassured her. "I'll make sure it's in my name and completely safe before we touch it."

Scott then pulled out the thirty thousand dollars in cash they found and handed ten thousand to Stiles.

"What's this for?" Stiles asked, stunned.

"Take it. Buy whatever you want." Scott said.

Stiles hesitated, then grinned. "Thanks, man. You're the best."

Scott turned to Melissa, handing her fifteen thousand. "Here, Mom. Use this and stop working double shifts. You can even quit if you want. Once I handle the hundred million, you can start your own business—or just relax."

Melissa's eyes softened as she accepted the money. "Okay, I'll stop working night shifts. But I still want to work during the day. But for now, I'll take a vacation… and maybe go shopping for some new clothes."

Scott smiled. "You deserve a vacation, Mom."

Melissa hugged him tightly. "Thank you, Scott. By the way, when are you bringing your little girlfriend over to meet me?"

Scott chuckled awkwardly. "Maybe in a few days. She's still dealing with the fact that her lovely aunt is a murderer."

Melissa winced. "Oh, right. Poor girl."

She glanced at Stiles. "How about you, Stiles? Do you have a girlfriend?"

Stiles flopped dramatically onto the couch, covering his face with a pillow.

Melissa laughed. "I see."

She clapped her hands. "Alright, let's have some dinner. And you two need to get to bed—tomorrow's a school day. Stiles, does your dad know you're staying here?"

Stiles lifted the pillow slightly. "Yeah, I told him I'd crash here tonight."

"Good," Melissa said with a smile.

As the night wound down, the three of them shared a meal, with their laughter echoing through the house.