The pack arrived at Beacon Hills Memorial Hospital, their mood tense as a nurse led them toward Sheriff Stilinski's room. When they entered, they found Noah awake, sitting up slightly in bed with a look of mild annoyance at being confined.
"Dad." Stiles said, rushing to his side. "You're awake!"
Noah gave his son a weak smile. "I'm awake. Don't worry, son, I'm fine."
Stiles frowned, his worry evident. "You're not fine, Dad. You've got broken ribs and a dislocated shoulder, and you were in a coma!"
Noah saw the concern in his son's eyes and softened his tone. "I'm alright now, Stiles. Sure, my ribs and shoulder hurt, but nothing that won't heal with a little time."
Scott and the pack gathered around the bed, each offering their support. Once they were sure Noah was okay, Stiles leaned forward, his usual humor replaced by determination. "What happened, Dad? What got you in here?"
Noah's face darkened as he recounted the events. "We were investigating a murder case, me and Deputy Howards. The scene was... strange. The bodies were covered in mud." He paused, taking a shaky breath. "We split up to cover more ground. That's when I saw it. A humanoid monster made of mud."
"Mud?" Stiles asked, frowning.
"Yeah, mud or clay, or whatever you want to call it. No matter how much I shot at it, nothing happened. Then it hit me hard with a punch to my chest, and sent me flying into a wall. That's how I ended up with these broken ribs. But just before I passed out, I managed to get in one lucky shot to its head. The thing dissolved, turned back into mud. That's the last thing I remember before waking up here."
Chris, who had been listening carefully, spoke up. "What you're describing sounds like a Golem. They're humanoid creatures made from clay and are usually controlled by someone else. They're nearly indestructible unless you destroy their core. Once the core is gone, the Golem crumbled into harmless mud. The core can be anywhere in its body, though. You were lucky it was in its head."
Scott frowned. "So, you think someone was controlling the one that attacked Uncle Noah?"
Chris nodded. "It's highly likely. Golems are like puppets, they don't act on their own."
Scott turned back to Noah. "Where did this happen?"
Noah gave them the address of an abandoned warehouse downtown. After making sure Noah was comfortable and ensuring Melissa, Victoria, and Chris would stay behind to protect him, Scott turned to his pack. "Let's hunt the one controlling this thing."
---
Arriving at the warehouse, the pack immediately picked up the intertwined scents of Noah, the deputy, and the Golem. But there was another unfamiliar scent, leading away from the scene. They followed it through the city until it led them into the dense woods of the Beacon Hills Preserve.
Their search ended at the entrance of a dark cave. Scott motioned for silence, and they moved cautiously inside. As they stepped further into the cave, the ground trembled. Without warning, the entrance collapsed behind them, trapping them in darkness.
"Everyone okay?" Scott called out.
After confirming no one was hurt, the pack used their combined strength to break through the debris, emerging into the open air.
Waiting for them outside were four towering Golems. Perched high on a tree branch above them sat a short figure, grinning wickedly. The creature, barely three feet tall, had a large nose and an unkempt beard that reached his waist.
Scott narrowed his eyes. "Are you the one killing people in town with mud?"
The small figure cackled and jumped down. "Yes! They laughed at my size, so I made sure they never laughed again."
Stiles stepped forward, anger burning in his eyes. "Did you attack the Sheriff?"
The short man snorted but said nothing.
Allison tilted her head, her tone curious. "You wouldn't happen to be a gnome, would you?"
The small figure smirked, puffing out his chest. "Yes, I am a gnome! Are you fascinated by how handsome I am? Do you want to be my wife?"
Lydia smiled and said. "Scott, it looks like you have some competition."
The pack burst into laughter. Even Scott chuckled, unable to even get angry as the gnome flirted with Allison.
The gnome's face twisted in fury at their laughter. "You'll regret mocking me, you little shit-heads!"
With a wave of his hand, the gnome commanded the Golems to attack. But Boyd and Isaac were ready. Using their enhanced strength and speed, they located the cores of the Golems and destroyed them one by one. The clay creatures crumbled into harmless mud at their feet.
Stiles stepped forward, his eyes glowing red. "This one's mine. He attacked my dad. So, I'll handle him myself."
The pack nodded and stepped back, giving Stiles room.
Stiles charged forward, and the gnome sneered, raising a wall of earth between them in an attempt to defend himself, but Stiles' punch shattered it effortlessly. The small creature retaliated with sharp arrows of stone, but Stiles dodged them with ease, his movements a blur of speed.
"Damn it!" The gnome cursed, preparing another attack.
"Too slow." Stiles said, appearing in front of him in an instant. Before the gnome could react, Stiles delivered a powerful punch to his face, sending him flying into a tree. The gnome slumped unconscious at its base.
Walking over to his defeated foe, Stiles smirked. "Too weak. But I'll admit, your powers are kind of cool."
Scott approached, thoughtful. "Do you want his abilities, Stiles?"
Stiles paused for a moment, then shook his head. "Nah. I've got my sights set on fire or thunder. Someone else can take this one."
Scott turned to the pack. "Alright. Isaac, Erica, and Malia, it's your choice. His powers won't make you Alphas, but you'll gain earth-based abilities."
Erica shrugged. "Earth powers are cool, but not really my thing."
Malia shook her head. "I'll pass."
Isaac thought for a moment before glancing at Boyd. "Earth isn't really my favorite element, but Boyd's been talking about it since the day we learned we could absorb abilities. Let him have it."
Scott nodded. "In that case, Boyd, it's yours."
Boyd grinned, stepping forward. "Thanks, guys." He knelt beside the unconscious gnome, extending his claws. As Boyd began absorbing the gnome's powers, the creature stirred briefly, struggling, but Boyd's strength was too much. When the process was complete, the gnome's body went limp.
Scott ended the gnome's life with a decisive blow, then used his fire ability to burn the body to ash.
Stiles turned to Boyd. "So, can you do what he did? The Golems, the earth magic tricks?"
Boyd said. "Let me try." After concentrating for a moment, he placed his hand on the ground. A small golem, barely a foot tall, emerged from the earth. Boyd's face lit up with a wide smile as he admired his new ability. "I need to practice more to create bigger golems that can actually fight." He said, clearly excited.
Scott clapped him on the shoulder. "Good. Let's head back."
As they made their way through the woods, Stiles walked beside Scott. "Hey, Scott. I think it's time to give my dad the Bite. He almost died today."
Scott nodded. "I think so too. Let's talk to him."
---
Back at the hospital, they told Melissa and the others about the gnome. Then Stiles turned to his father. "Dad, I think it's time you take the Bite from Scott. I almost lost you today. I can't let that happen again."
Noah frowned. "Are you sure, Stiles? What if I lose control and hurt someone?"
Scott stepped forward, his tone reassuring. "Uncle Noah, I promise you won't lose control. You'll be stronger, faster, and able to do your job better. It's your choice, but I think it's the right one."
Noah sighed, his expression conflicted. Finally, he nodded. "Alright, Scott. Go ahead."
Scott's eyes glowed red as he approached. He bit Noah, then stepped back. "You should probably discharge yourself from the hospital tonight. Your body will start changing soon, and by tomorrow, all your injuries will be healed."
Stiles added. "Yeah, Dad. We should go home before the doctors notice anything weird."
Noah nodded, his expression calm. "I see. Let's do that."
Scott turned to Stiles. "Take care of your dad. We'll head out now. Goodnight."
Stiles smiled faintly. "Goodnight, guys."
With that, Scott and the pack left the hospital, leaving Stiles and Noah behind.
To be continued...