Chapter Text
We’ll Descend Through Judgement Valley
After the Nogitsune took over Stiles, after she had been abandoned by the people who should have been there to help her pick up the pieces of her now shattered life. Stiles packed up what was left of her life, sold the house and the belongings in it, and moved out of California. She was tired of being used by her so-called best friend, the pack of teenagers, and one broody semi-adult. Without a word to anyone, she transferred to an online high school and left Beacon Hills and all things supernatural behind her, and moved to Montana.
Her dad had a cousin who owned a medium-sized ranch in Montana and had told Stiles that she would be welcome anytime. Dirk Hurdstram was the only person Stiles knew on her father’s side of the family. He was the only person, besides her dad, who had broken free of the family trade, and were both considered black sheep of the family. Stiles wasn’t sure what the family trade had been, but she was pretty sure she didn’t want to know.
The only thing that Stiles regretted selling the most was her jeep, it had been her mother’s and it had been one of the few things that the sheriff had kept of hers. Everything else had gone to goodwill, to the trash, or had been given away. The photos had been made into a shrine that Stiles hadn’t wanted to take apart, but had and stored them safely in her luggage. All of her worldly possessions were narrowed down to 2 large suitcases and a backpack.
She brought her laptop, all the clothes she owned, all of the paperwork that her dad kept in the safe in the house. She made sure that anything of importance was sorted, filed, and carefully put away into one of the suitcases. Last but not least, Stiles decided that she was going to change her name, that way it would make it harder for any of the pack to find her if they were ever inclined to look for her.
In the week it took her to pack what she was taking, sell everything, and turn in her paperwork to transfer to online schooling, no one had said a thing to her. They didn’t even look in her direction; it was like she no longer existed, so she didn’t tell them goodbye, didn’t leave a forwarding address, and quietly left town. When she got to Montana the first thing she did was change her name from Bronya Stilinski to Casimira Szymanowski, from her father’s surname to her mother’s maiden name. She was hoping that if anyone went looking for her that they wouldn’t think to look for someone with the surname Szymanowski.
~.~.~.~
It was a Monday where she started work on the farm at the ass crack of dawn. Cousin Dirk was showing her the ropes of the farm, and he had conscripted a couple of guys from the Yellowstone ranch to show her a few different things. Though Dirk didn’t have many cows or horses the guys showed her how to wrangle as best as they could in a week.
The work was labor-intensive and draining but at the same time rewarding in its way. By the end of the week, Stiles had not only caught up on the week of school work but had gotten into the rhythm of life on the farm. Though she was a bit confused about why Jimmy, Dirk’s grandson worked at the Yellowstone Ranch instead of on his grandfather’s ranch. She wasn’t curious enough to ask and possibly alienate the only family she had left; however, she was glad to see that Jimmy was no longer strung out on drugs. Although from what Stiles could see, Jimmy was shit at ranching, although most of that she gleaned from watching the other ranch hands try to correct Jimmy while also helping Stiles.
Shaking her head, Stiles woke up at 5 AM to the rooster crowing and rolled out of bed to start the day. She got up, did her morning ablutions, got dressed, started the coffee pot, and walked outside to start gathering the eggs from the hens. She didn’t realize that she was being watched by a pair of bright blue beta eyes and that the wolf knew exactly who she was. Seeing as they had met when the other had been a crazed alpha.
Stiles had no clue that Peter had moved to Montana and worked at the Yellowstone ranch, and had worked there before the Hale fire had burned everything he knew and loved to the ground. He didn’t know Peter went by the name Ryan Hale, especially seeing as Peter Hale was well known in the supernatural world. Mostly because for years he had been Talia’s left hand and enforcer, and this was the only way that he could find peace away from the chaos of that life.
So he changed who he was, changed his demeanor, and became Ryan Hale, ranch hand at Yellowstone Dutton Ranch. Then he smelled something familiar coming from the other ranch hands, the ones that came back from the Hurdstrom ranch. So one day he woke up earlier than normal, asked Rip for a day off to take care of some personal matters, and made his way over to the Hurdstrom Ranch and that strangely familiar smell. What he saw made his eyes widen and his heart started to thud uncomfortably in his chest, wondering how the girl had found him and if the others were there and if they were here to kill him.
Though from what it seemed, Stiles had no idea he was in the area and continued to work finding the eggs that the hens laid before walking back inside. As far as Peter could tell something had changed the girl, she didn’t seem talkative, or spastic like the few encounters Peter had with her before Peter packed up and left Beacon hills. However, it seemed weird that Stiles was here instead of with her father, from all that Peter observed was that Stiles was very dedicated to her dad.
‘Maybe the Sheriff is around here somewhere,’ Peter thought to himself before he turned and went to find a better vantage point to watch the young girl and see what she was up to. He watched Stiles work throughout the day, he saw that the only person that she talked to was Dirk and that she spent at least three hours on her laptop surrounded by what looked like text books. He didn’t see any sign of the Sheriff but from what he remembered the sheriff had worked a lot of hours.
He watched Stiles throughout the week, and how she handled everything, how she didn’t seem to be as carefree as she had when Peter first met her. She seemed to be learning how to run the ranch on the off chance that she took it over, especially seeing as Jimmy was marked as a Yellowstone Dutton ranch employee. He noticed that Stiles seemed to be on the computer a bit after she stopped going through the books laid out beside her. Peter was very curious about what she was doing, but not enough to stop watching from afar.
Peter had noticed that none of the pack from Beacon Hills seemed to be around, or if they were they were very good at staying out of sight. Which from what he remembered of the motley crew stealth was the opposite of what they were, and he doubted that changed in the year and a half he had been gone.
`.`.`.`.`
Stiles had been in Montana for about a week and so far she had adjusted to her new life, though there were moments where she felt like he was being watched, but she shrugged it off. No one from her past should know she’s here, though she knows Danny would be the first to find her if he even wanted to find her. Not that Stiles was particularly close to the lacrosse goalie, especially with all of the questions she had asked over the years.
So she continued to work on the farm, from before dawn to well after dusk, she was thinking about maybe investing in some sheep and harvesting wool, she had done some research on it and though the return might not be the best, she could learn to shear sheep and maybe make some extra cash for the ranch. Maybe a sheep to start out with and eventually expand into getting an alpaca, though she would have to do some research on that. However, even if the wool didn’t sell she could maybe dye it and spin it into yarn, though she wasn’t sure what she would do with yarn.
She also thought that they may need at least another hand on the ranch, Dirk was getting older, not that she would say anything to him about it. However, maybe finding another hand to help out would make life a bit easier. It’s not like the two of them can’t handle what they have now, but if expansion is going to happen like Stiles would like then an extra set of hands can’t hurt.
She would talk to Dirk tomorrow about maybe getting a ranch hand, and if he agreed she’d go over to the Dutton Ranch and talk to Rip and see if he knew anyone that would be a good fit, for a long time job. So she made a note to herself and then got ready for bed to start the day again tomorrow, with a trip to the ranch to hopefully find Rip.
`/`/`/`/`/`/`
The talk with Rip leads her to a strip joint near town, and to a woman named Avery. She isn’t quite what Stiles expected and maybe that’s for the best. So she hires her on, even though she says that she can’t pay much, but she’ll have free board and food to kind of make up for it. As Stiles drives back to Hurdstrom Ranch she thinks about how she’s going to pitch the addition to Dirk.
When she arrives back on the Ranch she sees an unfamiliar car and two men kicking at something on the ground. Getting a sinking feeling she pulls a bat out of the backseat of her truck, sticks an earbud in and dials 911 before getting out and as sneakily as she can getting behind both of the people. As the operator answers Stiles swings the bat with not so surprising accuracy considering that she’s aiming for a stationary human and cracks him upside the skull.
“911, what’s your emergency?”
“I’d like to report aggravated assault on my cousin Dirk Hurdstrom, from 2 unknown assailants, one ran, and the other is currently incapacitated and will be tied up as soon as I check on my cousin. Send uni’s and a bus to Hurdstrom ranch ASAP.”
It wasn’t too much longer that Avery pulled up followed by the Sheriff, and an ambulance. She told Avery to wait for her inside the house and to make herself comfortable in one of the two available rooms on the second floor while she gave her statement and went to make sure that everything was fine with Dirk.
Avery cautiously made her way inside, though she was a bit confused considering she thought that she would be bunking in a bunk house. Then she remembered that the girl, “please, call me Stiles” had said that it was a smaller ranch and that some things would be different than that of places as large as the Dutton Ranch. She found an empty but clean room facing the front of the house with a wonderful view of the mountains and started to unpack.
She didn’t have much, so she went back outside and waited while Stiles finished up with the police. Though she did hear the girl say to wait on informing Jimmy, because she would do so herself in a little bit. Avery heard the sheriff agree, so long as she informed him afterwards so that he could swing by after and ask Jimmy some questions, as a follow up.
After everyone left Stiles rubbed her hands through her hair, before remembering that there was now a ranch hand that she had to help settle in. Tugging her hair a bit, she spun around and jumped a bit to see her sitting on the porch, before she stood and walked over. “So today seems a bit abnormal?” Avery asked seemingly nonchalantly.
“Yea you could say that,” Stiles sighed. “Look uh, seeing as today has gone to shit already and I have to inform Jimmy that his grandda is in the hospital how about you wander around a bit, and get a feel for the place. Most everything has been done already. If you want to go for a ride the horses are grazing in that field over there,” Stiles pointed to a large fenced area, where there were three horses currently roaming. Two were chestnut mares and the third was an American paint horse, with beautiful dark chocolate spotting on a pristine white backdrop.
“Uh.. Just if you do decide you want to ride, be warned that the American paint horse is a bit of a wild one, she likes to rear up randomly and throw her riders.” Stiles continued, and Avery looked at her with a raised eyebrow.
“Is there a reason for that?” Avery asked, pretty curious about the answer.
“I’m new to ranching, I moved here because this Dirk is the only family I have and I’m not sure what I’m doing eighty percent of the time. So I’m probably going to ask a lot of questions while we work together. That was another reason I asked Rip to give me the name of someone experienced, I need help, and as much as I love Dirk, he’s getting on in years and doesn’t really like all of my questions.” Stiles replied, somewhat embarrassed. “Just, if I ever get annoying tell me to shut up, I’ve gotten better at not filling silences, but I like to know every reason behind an action because that’s how I learn.”
Avery shook her head, if she had known that she would be hired by a new rancher, even if they were related to a rancher she wouldn’t have taken the job, but the younger girl looked like she was in over her head and could use a hand. So Avery sighed and patted Stiles on the shoulder, “Alright, you go talk to Jimmy, and I’ll take on of the mares for a ride around to see what’s up and tomorrow I’ll show you how to train a horse to not throw you when you ride it, how’s that sound?”
Stiles looked at Avery with a little bit of suspicion, but she was always suspicious now-a-days, and said “Alright, while I’m out I’ll also get you keys made in case you need them. Want anything in particular for dinner?”
“I’m not particular but no brussel sprouts, or tomatoes please.” Avery said and looked searchingly at the girl, she could tell that she was hiding from something but Avery knew not to push and maybe it wouldn’t be so bad here. Time would tell, plus anything was better than the strip club.
`.`.`.`.`.`
When Stiles arrived at Dutton Ranch, she was terrified of what Jimmy’s reaction would be; however, she knew she had to tell him. She remembered all of the lies she had told her dad and wished she could take them back now and tell him the truth. She promised herself that she would no longer lie to those that she cared about. So she took a deep breath and stepped out of the truck, before walking towards the pens where she could see most of the ranch hands gathered.
Walking up to one of them, who looked strangely familiar from behind, she asked “Excuse me, but I’m looking for Jimmy Hurdstrom?”
When Peter heard her voice he flinched minutely and wondered how well this was going to go over, “He’s over in the barn,” he stated before turning slightly to look at her out of the corner of his eye, he noticed that she was a bit paler than normal.
She knew that voice, she’d had nightmares about that voice biting her to turn her against those she loved. She gasped as she stumbled back, unable to hide the reaction, “Peter?!” Stiles’ exclaimed, she remembered that at the end he’d been somewhat helpful if not antagonizing but never as terrifying as that night in the field or parking garage. “What the fuck Peter!” She exclaimed.
“Ah Stiles, I had been wondering how long it would take before we ran into each other, I had hoped for a few more months at least. However, I guess there isn’t much that can be done about it,” Peter sighed before turning to face her, he noticed the dark blush that slowly spread across her cheeks as she stared at him in his button down plaid shirt and tight jeans with his customary boots. He preened a little in satisfaction that she took notice of how he looked.
“You know what? I’m going to find Jimmy and I’m not coming back here ever again. Fuck Peter, I thought I’d finally gotten rid of the Hale’s in my life, just to find you here. Fuck this,” Stiles’ said as she stormed away, straight to the barn where Jimmy was just coming out. The other ranch hands had pretended to work while listening to the conversation after Stiles’ exclamation, though they were confused on why the Stiles kept calling him Peter.
Rip narrowed his eyes as he overheard the conversation happening between Stiles and Ryan and wasn’t as confused as the others, he had an idea as to what they were talking about. Being a born wolf, even if his father was a bastard, came with lessons on other packs, and the Hale pack had been well known, even in Montana. He’d known about Peter Hale and his role in the Hale pack, known about the fire that had killed almost the whole pack but he hadn’t known that Stiles knew about werewolves.
He would talk to her later and find out all she knew, but first, he had to talk to Ryan and figure out what the hell was going on. He didn’t want to get in a pack war, even though he had known Ryan was a wolf, he hadn’t two and two together to get the Hale pack. He hadn’t realized that Peter Hale, the Hale’s pack infamous left hand and enforcer, was Ryan Hale, goofball and funny guy. Then again, he didn’t know his men’s complete history, he knew that they all worked hard, he knew that they were loyal and that was all that mattered to him. However, now he understood the six years where Ryan was gone. It made more sense now, it coincided with the fire, and what he had found out about Peter Hale being in a coma.
Rip wasn’t in a traditional pack like most wolves, his wolf recognized John Dutton as his alpha even though the man was human. Rip acted like the left hand of a traditional wolf pack, but there wasn’t a wolf alpha. He knew that it wasn’t normal, the way his pack was run, but it worked for him and he wasn’t feral. He supposed that it was working for Ryan the same way, seeing as he wasn’t feral either, though he had some moments closer to the full moon. Rip had made sure early on that on the nights of the full moon Ryan had plenty of space to roam, and didn’t harm the cattle.
Honestly, the only problem that Rip had with Ryan was that sometimes he had to disappear at random times, and now Rip finally understood why, it was because his alpha had called him back to take care of a problem. Now though, since he had been back Ryan hadn’t left, and Rip knew that sometimes it would take months if not a year before Ryan had to leave again. Now he knew that Ryan wouldn’t be leaving again and it brought a bit of relief to Rip. He hadn’t been fond of letting one of his back out of his sight for long periods of time.
Rip observed Stiles and Jimmy talking a ways off, he could smell the shifts in emotions; however, he wasn’t going to be nosy and listen in on the conversation, even if he did stare at them directly. He thought he could feel the tension rolling off of Stiles as she talked to Jimmy. She was slowly becoming more and more animated as she talked.
He watched as eventually Jimmy seemed to cave and give her the information that she had been looking for, because she took a deep breath and gave him a hug before saying one last thing and walking off to her vehicle and pulling out her phone. She was on her phone as she pulled out onto the driveway and back out onto the main road in the direction that would lead to town.
`.`.`.`
“Avery, I’m sorry I’m not going to be able to show you around the ranch, if you want, pick a horse and explore on your own. I was gonna show you around the fence line while I checked on it, if you wouldn’t mind doing that without me that would be awesome. I have a few things that need tending to and probably won’t be home until late tonight.” Stiles said into the voicemail she left. She hoped that Avery was settling in alright. “If you just want to relax, that is fine as well, and we can get started tomorrow. Anyway, I have to go. I'll see you in the morning at the latest.”
She hung up, put her phone in the cupholder and made her way to where she vaguely remembered the hardware store was located. She needed to get some supplies for what she needed to do. Hopefully, she could pull this off in a way where it would look like an accident. Jimmy did tell her that they cooked meth where they were located and she was hoping that she could make it look like a mishap. Jimmy had told her that Ray and Blake, the ones most likely to have done this, cooked their own meth now that Jimmy no longer used. She would use the information to its fullest.
She knew from her dad that meth was very volatile and if one wasn’t careful enough then it could explode. She didn’t need much, it would also seem like she was starting to stock up early for winter. She grabbed a few unscented candles, some cleaning supplies, gloves, and quite a few other things that could be used around the ranch as well. She also wandered around the lumber area and started pricing wood for a few structures for some other animals, maybe a couple sheep, an alpaca or two, she would talk that over with Dirk, but it would be good to know how much lumber cost.
She would also look into lumber yards in the area, to see if it would be cheaper to buy in bulk. She was pretty sure she could use it for something. Maybe she would make a more diverse garden so that they wouldn’t have to buy vegetables and fruits as often. She’d think more on that later. She walked toward check out, paid and left planning her next steps. First she would go to the hospital and find out how Dirk was doing. Then, well the nogistune wasn't the only one capable of murder, she had just had Scott to base things on whether or not they were good or bad. Now she didn't have to worry about that so much.