Iván found himself in a bit of a pickle. Arms folded, he leaned against the wall just outside the bathroom door while Malia showered. He closed his eyes, trying not to focus on the sound of the water splashing behind the door.
He was on unofficial watch duty now—keeping an eye on the mystery girl. He'd already told the others about her and sent a message to Derek about the little encounter. Whatever happens next… it's on him.
Then the water shut off. As he turned, he spotted his sister rounding the corner, curious as ever. She gave him a sly grin—the kind that told him she was already jumping to conclusions.
And of course, there was another issue. He didn't have any proper clothes for Malia, so when she stepped out of the bathroom, she was wearing a worn Mexico jersey and a pair of shorts that belonged to his mom.
Honestly? She pulled it off.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" she asked, narrowing her eyes at him.
Well, at least she could speak—even if not perfectly.
"You pull off that shirt pretty well." He gave her a thumbs up.
Then he heard a giggle behind him—his sister had crept up and was suddenly standing beside Malia.
"Hi! My name's Sofia, but you can call me Sofi," she said with a bright smile. "And you are?"
"I'm Malia… ," Malia replied
"Right… Malia, this is my little sister," Iván said, giving Sofi a pointed look. "Who surely has other things to do right now."
Sofi caught the hint, rolling her eyes dramatically. "Yeah, yeah, I got it." She turned and dashed back to her room, but not before peeking back with one eye, giving Iván a mischievous grin as she slowly shut the door.
Iván sighed. "That's my sister for you. Come on, we've got people waiting downstairs."
Slowly, they made their way into the living room. There, sitting on the couch, were Sheriff Stilinski, Scott, and—of course—Stiles. And leaning casually against the kitchen wall was Rowan.
"Alright, everyone," Iván began, gesturing toward the girl beside him. "I want to introduce you to the mysterious girl I found on my run. Her name is Malia."
Stilinski's eyes widened slightly as he opened an old file, one long since closed.
"Malia Tate," he said, scanning the documents. "You were part of that car accident several years ago. The moment Iván showed me what he could do, I started thinking about old cases worth reopening… and this was one of them. Looks like I was right. But if she's supernatural…"
"Then she needs a place to stay," Daniela chimed in. "I read that report you lend me. Her adopted family… they're gone."
At that, Malia shifted uncomfortably, guilt flickering across her face.
Iván noticed. He hadn't read the report, but her reaction—and the pieces falling into place—told him she may have had something to do with it.
"Mom, I think the best option is for her to stay here with me," Iván said. "I don't think Scott or Stilinski can really take her in, and maybe Derek could, but… he seems busy doing whatever it is he does."
"I don't think that's a good idea," Stilinski said, arms crossed. "Honestly, I think the best place for her is Eichen House."
"You really think locking up a supernatural being in Eichen is a smart move?" Stiles cut in. "Come on, Dad."
"Your son's right," Rowan said with a scoff. "But I agree—Iván might be the best choice, or Derek. They're both Alphas, which tends to help. She clearly thinks he's protecting her from us."
Iván turned slightly. Sure enough, Malia was still hiding behind him.
"She's going to need time to adjust to society again," Rowan continued. "Too bad none of us have the patience for that."
"What about Lydia?" Stiles offered. "She's smart. You know after everything that's happened."
"You mean one of two girls who was there when Scott did the dumbest thing in school history?" Iván shot Scott a look, but then sighed. And continued.
"I found her," Iván said, his voice firm now. "So I'll make the decision. She's staying here. We have an extra room. And as for explaining who she is…" He looked over at Stilinski. "I'll leave that to you. Or maybe my mom has a better plan?"
"Nope," his mom said, folding her arms. "I don't have those kinds of family connections anymore. That was your father's side. But… the Argents do."
The room went silent.
"Let me talk to them," Scott offered.
Rowan stepped away from the wall. "Why are we dodging the truth? She killed her parents… and her little sister."
His eyes locked on Malia.
"They died in a car crash," Stilinski said firmly. "It wasn't her fault."
"It was her fault," Rowan said coldly. "I can see it in her eyes. Actually… let's check her eyes right now."
"Rowan," Iván warned, stepping between him and Malia, "Leave her alone."
Rowan muttered a curse under his breath and backed off.
Iván turned to Malia again.
"If I can get in touch with my father's side," Iván said, "maybe they can help."
"Iván!" his mother snapped. "You can't trust them. Have you forgotten what I told you?"
"I haven't, Mom. I'm just saying—it's an option."
"Don't worry, kid," Stilinski said, stepping in to ease the tension. "I'll handle it. I'll take her to the station. We'll say a group of kids found her in the woods."
"Alright," Iván said, turning to Malia. "You can go with him—he'll help you."
She hesitated but eventually nodded and followed Stilinski to his police car. Slowly, the car pulled away down the street.
With that done, Iván turned to Scott. "So, what else did you want to talk about?"
Scott scratched the back of his head. "We've got a… sticky situation. Jackson knows about me."
"That sounds like your problem," Iván said, raising an eyebrow."
Scott sighed. "He said he won't tell her—if I bite him."
Rowan, who had been leaning on the wall, stood up straighter. "Jackson's an asshole, but I'm more afraid of what he'd do if he was turned. Iván, don't give in to his request. I know he's about to ask you to turn him."
Iván flopped onto the couch. "Scott, just save yourself the trouble and tell Allison the truth. I doubt she'll shoot an arrow at you."
Scott visibly shuddered. "You might be right… but I'm scared."
"You shouldn't be," Iván said. "My mom didn't shoot my dad, right, Mom?"
They all turned toward Daniela, who was quietly eating a bowl of cereal at the kitchen counter. She looked up, deadpan.
"I'm not getting involved in your teenage drama," she said, picking up her bowl and walking upstairs.
Iván watched her disappear, then glanced back at Scott. "Well, I guess that doesn't help calm your nerves."
"Fine," Scott muttered. "If anyone's going to bite Jackson, let it be Derek. He's been talking about building a new pack anyway."
"Speaking of Derek," Rowan said, "where is he?"
Iván shrugged. "Ah, I'm sure he's fine."