The sun filtered gently through the curtains of the lake house, casting soft golden light across the bedroom. Scott stirred awake, still tangled in the sheets, a sleepy smile on his face as he turned to look beside him.
Allison lay curled up against him, her breathing slow and peaceful. Her hair was a beautiful mess, and her arm rested across his chest. Scott grinned and leaned in, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead.
’Last night was great.’ He thought with a warm chuckle, careful not to wake her.
He slipped out of bed quietly, stretched, and headed to the bathroom for a quick shower, grinning the whole time.
Downstairs, the scent of freshly cooked eggs and toast began to fill the air as Scott moved around the kitchen with practiced ease. He plated the food just as soft footsteps padded in behind him.
A familiar hand smacked his ass.
"Good morning, handsome." Allison said with a playful bite to his ear.
Scott jumped, eyes wide, and covered his ass with his hands. "Aaaahhh, I feel violated." He said in a mock high-pitched voice.
Allison laughed and rolled her eyes. "What? I can’t slap your ass from time to time?"
"No, you can’t." Scott said, pointing dramatically at her. "Ass-slapping is my right as a man. You can’t just take that away from me."
Allison pouted, arms crossed. "That’s sexist and totally unfair."
Scott pulled her into a hug. "But if you keep giving me nights like last night, maybe I’ll let you slap me... occasionally."
She smirked and whispered. "Deal."
They kissed softly, their morning rhythm as natural and comfortable as the sunlight pouring in.
Allison helped set the table, and the two sat down to eat together, trading small smiles and playful glances. Once breakfast was done and the dishes were cleared, they each grabbed a chair and strolled outside to the lake.
The calm water reflected the blue sky, and birds chirped in the trees. Scott cast a fishing line out as Allison settled beside him with her feet in the water.
They sat in silence for a while, simply enjoying the quiet and the breeze.
Allison leaned against Scott’s arm, her eyes on the gentle ripples of the lake. "My life has changed so much since I met you."
Scott glanced down at her, smiling. "For the better, I hope?"
"Of course." She said softly. "Before you, my life was... kind of boring. Just me and my parents, always moving from place to place. I didn’t even know what their real job was."
She gave a small laugh. "But after I met you, everything changed. We’ve saved a lot of lives... and yeah, we’ve taken a few too. But I wouldn’t trade the life I have now for anything."
Scott kissed the top of her head. "Me too, love. Me too."
Allison smiled and said. "I still remember the day you took me to the woods and told me about the supernatural. When you shifted in front of me for the first time... that was the best day of my life."
"It was?" Scott asked with a soft laugh.
Allison nodded. "That day, I found out that you loved me. But more than that—you trusted me. Trusted me enough to tell me your secret, even though I came from a hunter family. You told me about your world, and about my family’s history. I was so excited, I didn’t sleep that night."
Scott chuckled. "You know, I wanted to tell you sooner. I was just afraid your psychotic aunt would find out about me and do something stupid."
"I wouldn’t have let her hurt you."
"I wasn’t worried about that." Scott said. "I was worried I’d get angry and kill her... and then you’d hate me for it."
Allison was quiet for a moment. "I want to say I wouldn’t have cared... but back then, I didn’t know what Kate really was. I loved her. She was fun. Mom was strict, and Dad was always busy, but Kate—she was like the cool older sister who spoiled me. I thought she was the best... until I learned the truth. I blame that monster Gerard for what she became."
Scott reached over and took her hand. "Let’s not talk about sad things anymore. Now you’ve got a real sister in Malia, a big family... and in a few months, you’ll have a baby brother or sister too."
Allison’s eyes lit up. "I can’t wait to meet the baby."
"What are you hoping for? A sister or a brother?"
"It doesn’t matter." Allison said. "Either way, I’ll love them with everything I have."
Scott smiled. "I think the whole pack will."
Just then, Scott’s fishing rod jerked. He grabbed it with quick reflexes and reeled it in.
"Oh! Looks like I got one!" He said with a grin. "It’s a trout—and a big one at that. Should I keep it for lunch, or toss it back?"
Allison leaned closer to take a look. "Keep it. Catch one more and we’ll have a proper meal. We haven’t had fish in a while."
Scott nodded. "Alright then."
He dropped the fish into a bucket, cast his line out again, and settled back beside Allison. They sat in peaceful silence for a while, exchanging soft words and enjoying the stillness of the lake.
Soon, they heard footsteps approaching. Derek and Braeden arrived at the lake house and walked over to them.
After greeting each other, Derek got straight to the point. "Scott, can you give Braeden the Bite now?"
Scott looked at Braeden seriously. "Are you sure? You know that if I give you the Bite, it’s for life. No going back. You’ll be one of us forever."
Braeden nodded without hesitation. "I’m sure. I’ve got nowhere else to go, and my obsession with the Desert Wolf is finally over. I want to stay here. I want to belong somewhere. So please, give me the Bite."
Scott stood and extended his hand. "Alright. Give me your arm."
Braeden rolled up her sleeve, and Scott bit down gently but firmly, his eyes glowing red for a brief second. When it was done, Braeden winced, but quickly steadied herself.
"Welcome to the pack." Scott said with a smile. "Tomorrow’s a full moon, so we’ll see what you turn into."
Braeden smirked. "I hope it’s something badass."
Allison looked at her. "So, what’s your plan now?"
"Noah already helped me get a job at the Sheriff’s station." Braeden said. "So I guess I’ll be a deputy now. Feels... right."
Derek looked at Scott. "You have another fishing rod? I feel like fishing too."
"Yeah." Scott said, pointing toward the porch. "There are a few out there. Stiles, Isaac, Boyd, and Chris like to fish here, so they always leave their rods behind."
Derek grabbed a rod and two chairs, handing one to Braeden. Then he set up beside Scott, casting his line into the lake.
Not long after, Stiles and the others arrived too.
"Morning!" Stiles called out. "Are you fishing? Let’s have a competition then—the loser will have to take us to a fancy restaurant for dinner tonight!"
Isaac, Boyd, Aiden, and Liam all agreed enthusiastically. "We’re in!"
Lydia walked up and gave Allison a pointed look. "You didn’t show up for breakfast this morning."
Allison smiled casually. "Scott and I decided to sleep in and stay home today."
Lydia raised a brow. "Makes sense. Considering how loud you two were last night, I’m surprised you’re even awake."
Allison rolled her eyes. "Lydia, I told you to stop eavesdropping."
Then she turned to the others. "Anyway, girls—let’s go inside and talk. Let the boys have their little fishing contest."
Malia shook her head. "You girls go ahead. I want to fish too. I’m not in the mood for girl talk."
Allison laughed. "Alright, suit yourself."
She headed into the house with Lydia, Braeden, Cora, Erica, and Kira, leaving Malia outside with the boys—fishing, relaxing, and talking about everything and nothing. For a moment, it felt like all was right in Beacon Hills.
To be continued... 😊