new york wolves } { of forced hands and hard choices

[hereditare]

Derek: [is helping Flack teaching basketball to a few younger kids, and probably the first time Laura's caught him smiling and laughing since the fire]

Laura: [which is good. She also told Peter there was probably something good going on, and if he's smiling then she'll take it. So she'll just sit there and watch]

Flack: [blows the whistle] Alright, that's time. Let's get all the balls back in and I'll let you have one to play with while you're waiting for your parents to get here.

Derek: [and he will help, being all encouraging and totally a big brother type with high fives and stuff until he notices Laura and he sighs, standing up to look at her a moment before turning to Flack] I guess I need to go. My sister's here.

Laura: [meets his eyes and shakes her head. He can take his time. She's not in a rush]

Flack: [follows his eyes to the woman in the stands and he gives her a wave which she returns] She's younger than I expected. [thinking that she can't hear him]

Derek: Yeah, we have good genes like that. Same time Friday?

Flack: [nods with a small smile] Yeah, see you then. [and with that he goes back to the kids]

Derek: [and he will go over to grab his hoodie before walking to Laura] What are you doing here?

Laura: Cora's new friend lives around here. You don't have to go if you're not done. She was just doing well there, and I figured I'd leave her alone with them for a bit and see how you were doing, that's all.

Derek: I was finishing up here anyway. Cora's got a friend?

Laura: [nods] Her name's Alexis. She offered to help her catch up at school, and I went to try and scope out her dad, who turned out to be a famous mystery writer. Go figure.

Derek: That's cool. At least she's making friends.

Laura: Yeah. She's going to hang out there after school for a bit, so you think you could pick her up on your way home from the Y?

Derek: Yeah, I can do that.

Laura: Awesome. [and she will get up, slipping her hands into her pockets to walk with him, before tipping her head back towards Flack and the kids] This looks good though. You like it?

Derek: Yeah. It lets me play basketball without really making myself know. But I'm Dylan here, not Derek.

Laura: [nods a bit. she can get how that would feel safer] Good, then. Peter and I were talking about how the girls were starting to settle and expand their interests a bit. I'm glad you have something too.

Derek: [he just shrugs. all broody teenager once more]

Laura: [sigh.] Please don't do one of those dumb teenager things where you downplay your interest because someone says it's good for you.

Derek: [he licks his lips and sighs] It's not like it's going to last.

Laura: Why do you say that?

Derek: Forget it.

Laura: [SIGH] Derek. You need to talk to someone at some point. Bottling isn't good for you and I'm here for you to talk to.

Derek: I don't want to talk, alright? Just stop asking! [and he's going to walk off into the men's room because he just wants a moment alone and he has to do stuff in there anyway]

Laura: [sighs and rolls her eyes, just leaning back against a wall nearby to wait]

Teen 1: [and wouldn't you know it, there are two teenage Ivanovs in the bathroom, almost like they were waiting.] Look who it is - the mangy wolf. Having fun playing with the humans again, Dylan? Seeing that you like acting like you're one of them.

Derek: Fuck off, alright. I just want to wash my hands.

Teen 2: Okay, we'll help. [and the fight starts, them trying to shove Derek into a toilet and force him to shift and fight back]

Laura: [and sounds of a squabble get her attention and she's moving, glancing down the hallway to make sure no one was watching. It's not hard to pick out the wolves beating up on her brother and it doesn't take long to grab the one who's back is to her by the shoulders, pulling him off Derek and slamming him into the nearest wall, hard, followed by her eyes flashing red] There a problem here, boys?

Derek: [pushing the other teen off him now that the odds are even, pushing the wet hair out of his face and trying to catch his breath]

Teen 2: Da, there's a problem. You're on our turf. We don't like rogues.

Laura: That's too bad. Here I thought we could all play nice. But if your alpha has a problem with my being here, he can come and talk to me like the civilized people I hope we all are. And until that happens, I guess I'll just take any harm that comes down on my brother out of your ass. How does that sound? [she glances back to the other one, still holding the pinned wolf in place easily] You guys really don't want to piss off the Hale alpha, do you?

Teen 1: [snorts] You do that, you start war.

Derek: Laura, let's just go.

Laura: As far as I'm concerned, you boys started this when you started taking pieces out of my brother just because he existed. [but she'll take Derek's cue and drop her wolf hard, before taking a step back and dusting off her hands] As I said, if your alpha has a problem with my being here, he can reach out to me. Otherwise? I'm not just going to sit here passively and take shit from a pair of smartass betas when we didn't do anything to warrant it.

Teens: [Just laugh, speaking Russian to each other. They aren't afraid, and it's an air of knowing something they aren't sharing]

Derek: [and he's just going to leave with his sister, taking off his wet hoodie and tossing it in the trash since it stinks now.]

Laura: [watches them over her shoulder and just leaving with Derek, glancing over at him, worried] Are those the kids who have been beating you up?

Derek: Yeah. Two others as well. All Ivanovs.

Laura: Why didn't you say something?

Derek: Because I didn't want you getting involved!

Laura: Yeah, well, tough shit, Derek. This isn't like Beacon Hills! Because they weren't hurting you just to hurt you, they were hurting you to prove a point to me.

Derek: I know, that's why I didn't want you getting involved! I don't want you to get hurt too!

Laura: No, it wouldn't have been me! It would have been the girls next. This wasn't one of those situations where you keep your mouth shut, Derek, this is one of the ones where you have to tell me so I can go over their heads and do something about it. [huffs as she turns and starts walking] Because now, I'm out of time.

Derek: What do you mean?

Laura: [sighs, running a hand through her hair] I was trying to wait it out, see how long I could get so I could feel out the packs in the area and see what alliances I could make. But if the Ivanovs already know we're here and are ready to come at us, then I'm out of time and they're forcing my hand.

Derek: So what are we going to do?

Laura: I don't know. I have to talk to Peter when we get home, but ... most likely, we make a deal.

Derek: [thinks] Mr. Flack is with the police. Maybe he could help?

Laura: With what? Getting the betas arrested for assault? Maybe, but that won't solve the larger problem.

Derek: [sighs, and he's going to just fall silent]

Laura: [sighs as she looks back at him, before reaching over and placing a hand on his shoulder gently] Let's just ... go get Cora and Peter and I will figure this out, okay?

Derek: Yeah. [just nods, and he's going to just be quiet as they go back to the Castles]

Laura: [and she'll have texted in advance so that Cora is ready to go and after that they will head back to the apartment where Laura will head straight for Peter, wherever he is]

Peter: [and he is watching Lilo & Stitch with Malia. Or more that he is reading while she watches the movie on the couch with him. He's seen it at least a few dozen times at this point]

Laura: [sighs when she sees them] Malia, would you mind going to hang out in your room for a bit? I have to talk to Peter.

Malia: [wants to protest because it's her favorite movie, but she also knows that Laura wouldn't ask if it weren't important] Okay.

Laura: [nods as she scampers off] Shut the door. [and once that's done and the door is closed with both her sisters side, she'll drop down onto the couch next to Peter, burying her face in her hands]

Derek: [is hanging back, not sure if he's needed or being dismissed as well]

Peter: [looks between them, seeing Derek wet and ragged and not looking directly at either of them] Do I want to know what happened?

Laura: [he can stay if he wants, but sticking around might make him a target, depending on how Peter's feeling about him today] Those fights that Derek's been getting into on his way home? Ivanov werewolves.

Peter: [looks at Derek] Really?

Derek: They started it.

Laura: They did start it. But that nice time cushion I thought I had with choosing a side? Pretty much gone now.

Peter: So we have to make a choice.

Laura: Yep. And I'm not sure there really is one to make. I don't think the Kirsanovs are going to want to work with the alpha who just picked a fight with their neighbors.

Derek: But they started it!

Peter: It doesn't matter. Laura stepped in, and made the first move as alpha.

Laura: Do you know anything about the Ivanov alpha?

Peter: The Ivanovs... started in Brooklyn, which that alone tells you something. Their structure is similar to a mafia and rumors are they are thugs for hire. But, they take care of those in their pack and under their protection. It just comes with a cost.

Laura: How much of my soul do you think I'll be selling?

Peter: It may not be yours. They are a patriarchal structure. [looks at Derek]

Laura: [follows his eye line before shaking her head] Close enough.

Peter: [he's about to speak when his eyes narrow and he looks at the door] Time's up. [and then there is knocking]

Laura: [deep breath, before she gets to her feet. When she gets close enough to Derek, she points out of the main living area and towards his room, wanting him out of sight in case this goes bad]

Derek: [nods and goes to his room. But he's going to stay against his door so that he could listen since the place isn't soundproof]

Grigory: [and standing outside is a very tall, broad, and powerful Russian alpha. Behind him is a wiry man and teen 2]

Laura: [glances over them and then smirks slightly] So they were listening. Good to know. [takes a step back] Please. Come in.

Grigory: [walks in, and the teen takes the alpha's leather jacket and hat respectfully as the man looks around the loft, his eyes and nose wrinkling at the condition of the warehouse apartment] Da. My wolves know when to tell me what is happening in the city.

Peter: [standing up, watching them carefully. He's mustering all his strength he has, not prepared to show weakness in the moment]

Laura: Ah. They just didn't seem as well trained when we met earlier. [she's trying not to sound glib, but it's clear she's not pleased at how this had to happen]

Grigory: They are teenage boys. Boys fight. You, however, stepped in to intimidate them.

Laura: I was protecting my brother. Especially considering I don't exactly remember us agreeing to be friends.

Grigory: No, but you came into my territory unannounced, golubushka. You did not announce yourself, nor come to pay respects and ask my blessing. You bring risk of hunters to finish what they started in your own territory, and your pack have been seen with the Kirsanovs. And now, you personally threaten two of mine... how am I to accept this behavior?

Laura: I intended to. But I wanted to make sure I had something to offer before I did. We have only been here a couple weeks - I wasn't expecting your betas to push the issue.

Grigory: [he turns to face Laura, folding his hands in front of him] You felt you needed to offer something as a way of hello?

Laura: You said it yourself. We came here running, possibly putting the packs here in danger. I wasn't going to come looking for protection and come empty handed.

Grigory: Perhaps. Or perhaps you have other plans in mind.

Laura: What plans? [she holds her hands out to the side] I came here with two betas. It's not even a pack. What the hell am I gonna do when my pack was just gutted? [exposing herself like this isn't ideal, but she has a feeling she's not going to get out of this one without showing her belly a bit]

Grigory: You came here with four. And your family has been using their human members to claim pieces of land here for the last few years. Under the name of a Michael Hale, da?

Laura: If you think an eleven year-old is a threat to you, then I don't know what to tell you, dude. That's kind of sad. [she couldn't keep the sass back on that one] And Michael is dead. The only things we have left of him are this apartment and his warehouse where he housed his art. It was convenient in the moment.

Grigory: [and he will go to backhand Laura for that sass] Remember who you speak to, child. Our betas are trained from the day after their first shift to be a member of the pack. Their strength is mine, and I do not tolerate weakness no matter the age.

Laura: [catches that hand before it can touch her, her eyes glowing red in response as her fingers tighten their grip around his wrist. She may look like an inexperienced college student but her mother taught her well, and there's still power in her stance] You ever try to lay a hand on me in my own house again, and we will have a problem. A real one.

Peter: [moving to stand behind Laura, ready]

Grigory: [he watches her a moment, his eyes flashing in return, and then smirks] You have spirit, that is true. [wrenches his hand away] You have a choice: you will either come under my protection, or you will be out of my territory by midnight. As for the price - one of your pack will work for me. Since you have not trained your sisters to survive in a pack, I will spare them from your choices.

Laura: [lets his arm go, before taking a step back] Fine. I'll let you know our decision.

Grigory: My second, Roman [his hand barely gesturing to the wiry man] will return at midnight for your answer. Dos vidaniya Laura Hale.

Laura: [thin smile as she takes in his face before nodding] Adios.

Peter: [and the Russians will go, and Peter will go to lock up the door] Their territory ends at Grand Central Station. I can find us a room at a hotel near the park.

Laura: [runs a hand through her hair] And then what? Make a deal with the Kirsanovs instead?

Peter: If they are even in town. But I don't think they are going to let us leave tonight peacefully.

Laura: We should at least get the girls out. [turns and starts to walk towards the bedrooms] Derek!

Derek: [yup, he's right around the corner since the door closed] Yeah?

Laura: [knocks lightly on the girls' door, before turning back to him] I need you to take Malia and Cora to Verity's. I'll text her and let her know you're coming.

Derek: [nods] Alright. But I'm coming back after.

Laura: You come back when I figure out what we're doing. I will text you and let you know, okay? [she's not shutting him down] I doubt they're going to fuck with a Price, but just in case.

Cora: [pulls open the door and looks at them] What's going on?

Laura: [turns back to the girls] I need you to pack a bag. You guys are going to sleep at Very's tonight, okay?

Peter: [sees Derek is going to talk back and just gives him a look, and the teen shuts up] I'll even leave her money for you guys to go out and have pancakes in the morning without the mice trying to worship you for them.

Cora: [glances between the three of them for a moment before nodding] Okay. [and she disappears behind the door again to get her and Malia packed]

Laura: [waits until the door is closed before she turns to look at Derek again. Because she sees the instinct to talk back too] I need you to make sure they are safe. That is the important thing right now.

Derek: I'll take a cab then. [because the subway obviously wasn't safe then]

Laura: I'll get you the cash. [and she'll step away to go text Verity and gets him what he needs]

Peter: [and he is going to walk Derek aside, giving him instructions on how to keep himself safe and to check for a tail]

Cora: [and she'll come out a minute later with a duffel bag for her and Malia] We're ready.

Derek: [breaks away from Peter and sighs] Alright, let's go. [looks to Laura for the money]

Laura: [hands over the money] Verity's expecting you, and she'll have Istas there too. Be careful okay.

Malia: Are we in trouble?

Laura: [glances over and crouches down in front of her] A little bit. But we'll figure it out, okay.

Malia: [nods a bit, before inching over and leaning into Derek's arm a bit]

Derek: [one arm per sister] Trust me, no one's going to hurt you while you're with me. I've got this.

Malia: [that's not what she's worried about. she's worried about Laura and Peter, but she'll go wherever Derek's going to take her]

Peter: You two just listen to Verity. We'll collect you in the morning.

Derek: Come on, girls. Let's go.

Malia: [and off they go!]

Laura: [watches from the window as they get in a cab, before running a hand over her face]

Peter: [goes over to rub her back]

Laura: [leans back into him] I don't know what to do.

Peter: You have three options. Fight, Run, or Join.

Laura: [she nods as she considers] I can't put either you or Derek in that position. I can't ... choose that for you. And I don't know if I can handle it.

Peter: [he leaned against the wall] You know if we run, they will just hunt us until we form another alliance. And we are in no position to fight a pack their size.

Laura: [she closes her eyes] Fuck.

Peter: And no pack in New York is going to want to help us if they know the Ivanovs will be at their door to start problems. So even if we asked the Kirsanovs, they have more reason to say no than yes to us.

Laura: So we don't have a choice. We have to join.

Peter: Perhaps we can make some good of it? Work with them, but gather information we can sell to another pack when we figure out who we would rather align with? Then we will have something good to offer.

Laura: That still leaves putting someone in a place to do their dirty work. [shifts as she turns to face him]

Peter: [nods] It will be me.

Laura: [eyes him critically for a moment] Are you in any shape to?

Peter: I will be. Derek's barely begun to live, and he's dealt with too many of his own tragedies in the last three years. He still has a chance to make a life as an adult. And I promised your mother I would protect all of you, so consider this my continued efforts.

Laura: [she hates this. she hates putting him in this position, even though she knows they don't have a choice. but she's grateful that he's volunteering instead of her having to ask] They make you do anything that crosses a line, tell me, and we'll figure something else out. [not a human line, but a line enough to make things complicated. but if anything else, this buys them time]

Peter: [takes a deep breath, and then nods] I will. I'm used to walking that line. I can do it again until we figure out something more permanent.

Laura: Okay. [she nods a bit, before moving closer and resting a hand on his good arm] Thank you, Peter.

Peter: [and he will wrap it around her a bit to keep her close] Think nothing of it. Just forgive me for anything I may do with them.

Laura: Of course.

Peter: You should also be prepared for them to take me tonight then to seal the deal.

Laura: [she nods a bit, running a hand through her hair] Be careful. Is there anything I can do before you go?

Peter: [nods] Yes, Let's look at the condo listings I've printed out and find a new home for us. [because it will distract her]

Laura: [there's a look that says "really? now?" but she'll take he distraction for now if that's really what he wants to do] Alexis's dad said he'd recommend a realtor for us.

Peter: Good. Oh, and I got the letter today from the lawyer with the cashier check from the insurance... [and off he will go to distract both himself and Laura for a little while]

Laura: [yes and Laura will go through the properties with him to see what's good for them and what isn't.]

Derek: [and eventually there will be a text letting them know they were at Verity's and the girls were settled]

Laura: [says good and she will be buy in the morning to take them to breakfast. she wants Derek to stay there just in case]

Peter: [and finally, midnight hits and there is a knock on the door] Right on time.

Laura: [nods as she gets up to go answer it]

Roman: [and he is there with two other men - neither Girgory or the teens] I have been sent for your answer.

Laura: [swallows and nods] We're staying. If you need someone, my uncle Peter will do what needs to be done.

Roman: You made a smart choice. [looks at Peter] You are also the second, da?

Peter: Yes.

Roman: Good. You will come with me.

Laura: [grits her teeth but steps to the side so that Peter has room to go out]

Peter: [grabs his jacket, and then turns to look at Laura] I'll call you when I'm on my way home so you can make breakfast.

Roman: [snorts]

Laura: [gives him a small smile in return and nods] Be careful.

Peter: I always am. [and off he will go with his Russian escort, standing tall like he was perfectly fine]

Laura: [yeah, well, don't mind her if she worries anyway. And she will go and turn on the TV to try and relax but that's not going to happen. She probably won't sleep]

Peter: [and he's not going to be back for a few days]

Laura: [and she will worry the entire time. But she will be there on time to have breakfast with her siblings in the morning]

Derek: [and he will be worried too, but trying not to show it because damnit he couldn't let the girls worry]