Maybe it was the tone, or the hand at his hip, but Laura tensed, folding her arms over her chest. She stared down the length of the steps at him, wishing anyone but Chris Argent had come. She knew hunters would hear of it, but why him?

"Take your hand off the weapon, Chris. There's nothing left here but memories and death."

Taking a breath, forcing herself to move, she started slowly down the stairs.

"And you're here because there's been signs of an alpha poaching in Beacon Hills. Trust me. They'll move on. This is Hale territory." She smiled tightly at him. "How long did you know about my family? I didn't know about yours until after Victoria died," she admitted.