Chapter Text
He emerges from the hut to greet the agreeably brisk morning and inhales deeply, letting the damp air soothe his unused vocal chords. He rubs absentmindedly at the callouses across his arms and torso; his weathered face is protected by a long scraggly beard. He squints in the morning sun and lets the serene beauty of his mountain surroundings maintain the calm it's claimed in him. He's been there for a year, and now it's time to go back to his pack.
Following the incident, he'd made the decision to leave. He'd called it a sabbatical, said he needed to adjust to his duties as alpha and understand how to run his family's affairs. A week turned into a month, and a month into several months. His pack - yes, it's his pack now- were extremely understanding. His second and third - Boyd and Scott respectively - were more than capable of attending to the needs of their pack. Boyd handled pack specific business, wisely managing the money provided by his alpha; while Scott made sure all of the social requirements were met. He could turn any inquiries about their alpha's absence into such a fantastic story that the inquirer would forget what they'd asked in the first place.
Derek was disappointed in himself that they had to resort to these measures, but he needed every bit of time allowed to him to become a new man. To become the alpha.
He exhales into the air and stretches before shifting for his morning run. He thinks for once, not of the events that led him there, but about finally returning home. To Boyd and Scott, both of whom he'd been a beta with, and Erica and Isaac. Erica and Isaac were his first betas and he treasured them as one would their first born.
During the year away they wrote each other constantly. Cheeky quips from Erica about how he must be getting sick of laying himself (he couldn't disagree), actual inspirational quotes from Boyd, pictures of every event with charming commentary from Scott, and thinly veiled pleas to come home from Isaac.
He knew they were sustaining themselves in his absence, but now it was time for them to flourish and grow. It was time. He'd go back, find a suitable mate and care for his family.
***
The house his pack is living in was secluded enough that they didn't need soundproofing outside of the bedrooms, but close enough to still socialize with the neighbors. Scott decided it was the perfect placement as soon as he saw it, and Derek sent the down payment immediately.
He walks timidly towards the house, but decides to take the scenic route around the other buildings in the development. He's more anxious than nervous and wants a little more time to release some pent up energy and to get his bearings back. He’s only been gone a year, but it was amazing how life seemed to move on. His family owned… owns … no, owned -this is his now- several dwelling communities in the area. Derek secured one that was private, but close to the office for Boyd and school for Scott. It was also near Erica’s studio and Isaac’s job. When he’d left they were just finishing construction, and now the buildings were sprawling with neighbors and life. His father would have been happy. Providing housing was his pet project.
Finally arriving at his new home, Derek places his key in the lock and pauses briefly before turning it. He exhales and lets the door open to the welcoming scent of his pack who also smelled him coming and huddled patiently near the door. Isaac and Erica launch themselves to their alpha’s sides, while Boyd laughs and scratches his fingers through Derek's long, scruffy beard. Scott burrows himself headfirst into Derek's chest and they all stand there holding one another; the betas chanting "alpha", and the alpha chanting "pack".
They're a good pack, and he's a good alpha. The first night they clean him up (after Boyd shaves the forest from his face and neck, Erica comments "Now there's our bangable alpha!"), and feed him (Scott cooked pasta, he's getting good) and at the end of the night they show him to his room.
It's at the end of a long hall and the door has a Yale lock. They all have a key. He opens the door and there is a bay window with a lounger next to it. Close by is a desk and a bookshelf full of his favorites. The bed is a monstrosity that could fit an army, or at least a pack. He turns and looks at his expectant betas. He gives a small nod and they all dive bomb on the bed, each claiming a spot and leaving room right in the middle for their alpha. Derek laughs and shakes his head at his rag tag group. They beckon for him and he rolls his eyes before cannon balling into the welcoming heap of betas. They sleep together in an impressive tangle of arms and legs and snores and drool and sweat and sighs and the happiest of tears.
The next week he spends time with each of them individually, scenting and re-meeting them. They luxuriate in the attention and go out of their way to make their alpha feel like he never left.
He meets with Boyd and gets caught up on the business side of running his family. He gives Boyd the opportunity to continue handling their pack affairs in addition to taking over some aspects of the Hale Pack businesses. He tells Boyd that he’s proud of the way he's stepped up and that he sees a bright future for him. Boyd beams in his polite, bashful way and accepts the promotion.
He wants to make Scott their official ambassador after he finishes school, travelling the world in the socially shy alpha's place. Scott's eyes go wide as saucers.
"Oh my god, I can't wait to say ‘I'M STARVING!’ when I get off the plane in Hungary!” then Scott falls over his alpha, dissolving into giggles. Derek just looks at him, he never did understand Scott's humor, but bless the kid, he was naturally charming. Scott reaches up and smoothes one of Derek's forever aggressively bushy eyebrows.
"I've missed this, man. I'm so glad you’re back." They share a look and Derek feels his peace.
For Erica he goes to her welding studio and talks to her about running their construction companies. She declines.
"I don't have a great need to hang around misogynist dicks all day," she says, perched in his lap, her head resting back against his shoulder. "Besides, I'm going to be an artist, and I'm going to travel the world installing my exhibits at famous museums." Derek nuzzles her and agrees with every word she says.
Isaac is managing one of their coffee shops where Derek stops by to pick him up after an early shift. Someone called in so they have a few minutes to wait for the next person to show up.
"It gets pretty slow before the next shift, but the morning sales almost always make up for it." Isaac explains unnecessarily to his alpha. Derek trusts Isaac with the business, and Isaac runs it well. He’s kind, but resolute and wouldn't allow any loose ends. He runs a tight ship, and Derek thinks maybe he can benefit from business school. Isaac isn’t ready to make that decision yet though, he’s just happy his alpha is back.
"I hated you being gone. I mean, I know why you left, and I know everyone missed you, but I missed you so fucking much." Derek wraps himself around the boy and inhales the unique scent behind his ear. Isaac is intersex, meaning he was born with parts beta and omega. He can't bear children, but he has heats and can create slick. Before being bitten, he was abused for being a "freak of nature”. His father didn’t realize that the mere presence of alpha would help Isaac through his heats, nor did he particularly care. After receiving the bite and moving Isaac into their pack, Derek assisted with Isaac’s heats. It probably was hardest for Isaac when Derek left. Yes, he’s strong, with a quiet gentility, and on the finest suppressants money could buy, but he still missed his alpha.
"It was mostly okay, but my heat was a fucking bitch. Scott and Boyd helped as much as they could, and the shirt you sent helped so thank you for that, but it wasn't the same, it wasn't you." Derek strokes broad circles into Isaac's back, while Isaac presses little dry kisses into Derek’s slightly bristled jaw. Derek once again inhales the scent of his sweetest beta and holds him close.
"I know, pup. I can't promise that I'll never leave again, but I'll never be gone for that long ever. It was painful to be away from you. And until I find a mate I'll be here for your heats too, okay?" Isaac nods into his alpha's chest and chases the scent there, no longer afraid to let it become familiar to him.
He and Derek discuss transferring the coffee shop into his name and if he desires, to try managing two locations. They head home to meet the rest of the pack who are getting things ready for dinner. Derek beams at the well-oiled machine they've become and sighs in relief when he sees a place setting for him at the head of the table.
"We'd never forget about you, Boss!" Boyd says before clasping a hand on Derek's shoulder. Derek shines a wondrous smile that takes them all back a bit. Boyd and Scott remember, but Erica and Isaac stare at him in awe.
"Damn, Derek, tell us what we gotta do to keep that on your face." Erica says, reaching out to cup his jaw as though trying to hold on to the expression. The alpha kisses her palm lightly and takes his seat. After everyone settles, he raises his glass in a toast and a promise.
"I couldn't have asked for a better and more supportive pack. You knew why I left and why I had to, but it was still wrong of me as the Alpha." Scott starts to protest, but Derek gently silences him and continues. "I'm learning, and you already know that this isn't the most conventional pack-” Erica snorts, "-but I'm dedicated to delivering the ideals that matter. I'll be democratic, but at the end of the day I'll need you to defer to my decisions; and I promise I'll never leave for that long again." At this he squeezes Isaac's thigh.
"I do still have some business to attend to, but the most it should ever take me out is three weeks in the fall and up to a week every couple of months. Basically, I'll be here, to lead and guide you and provide for you like a good alpha should." The pack smiles and drinks.
"So Boss, during these weeks away, the business you'll be handling wouldn't have anything to do with finding a mate, would it?" Boyd raises an eyebrow at the steadily blushing alpha. Scott sputters and both Erica and Isaac light up.
"Boss Man gonna get some lovin!" Erica sing-songs while Derek ignores them in favor of the steak in front of him. Isaac shrugs, still grinning.
"It'd be nice to have a mom here, for when you're gone." Isaac fiddles with his green beans, but both Scott and Boyd nod. Scott wags an eyebrow and rubs his hands together,
"Alright dude, we're your pack so you should let us help, what's your type? Tall and handsome, short and busty?" Boyd chuckles at Scott's lack of filter while Derek shakes his head.
"First off, don't call me dude. Secondly, you don't need to worry about finding me a mate, I'll take care of it and when I do meet someone, I'll make sure you like them." Scott pouts slightly,
"First off du- bro," Derek rolls his eyes, but Scott continues undeterred, "in order to meet people you actually have to talk to them; which, this is the most I've ever heard you talk and it's kind of freaking me out.” Everyone, even the normally diplomatic Boyd, nods in agreement. Derek scowls causing Erica to giggle. “Secondly, it's a pack mom! It's so much more than us liking them, we have to be compatible; and no offense, but you have a tendency to think with little Derek too much when it comes to relationships. Remember that hippy brunette that always made shrimp fried rice regardless of the fact that Isaac’s allergic? Or that hot guy who was literally and figuratively way too in love with your car?” Derek lets out a small growl at the memory of the detailing bill and Boyd laughs, holding up his hands to soothe the table.
"What Scott means is that you finding a mate impacts all of us and we want the best for you. You take good care of us Derek, and we want to do the same for you. We're not asking to take the reins, just that if we find someone you'll consider them." Derek exhales slowly before nodding and grinning at an exasperated Scott who throws his hands up.
"That's literally what I just said!" He gapes at Erica who laughs and throws a piece of dinner roll at him
"Maybe it's because you referred to his dick as Lil Derek?" Scott ponders his options.
"What else do I call it? Big Lil Derek? Le grande Derek?" Derek feels like if he were human he would have definitely pulled a muscle with all of this eye rolling.
"How about we stop talking about my cock at the dinner table and I'll promise to keep you updated on my mating progress?" Scott actually has the indecency to look torn about the decision but eventually agrees. After a few comfortably silent moments, Scott leans in as though sharing a secret.
"You guys, we got our alpha back and now we're gonna get a pack mom!"
"The Hale pack rides again!" Erica yells and the table erupts with laughs, cheers and whoops. Even Derek can't resist joining in as he ruffles Isaac's hair and punches Boyd playfully on the shoulder. Erica feigns offense,
"Hey now, Boss Man, easy on the goods! I need him in full shape to get all up on this tonight!” She throws Boyd a wink and grabs Scott by his shirt sleeve. “Here, go beat up on Scott!"
"Hey!" Scott yelps as Boyd and Erica share a kiss over him. He can't even pretend not to be enamored by the two.
"The Hale pack rides again.” Derek murmurs to himself as he watches his pack excitedly interact. His mother would be happy he thinks, but he was going to make them proud.