Building a Pack

by 1wannah0wl

Summary:

The Argents may be gone but that doesnt mean the pack is safe. While Peter tries to rebuild the pack a new threat emerges. Caught between two waring factions, can the pack survive?

Chapter 1

Chapter 1

 

"YES!" I crow, wriggling happily in my seat. The high score blinks vibrantly yellow across the screen. Once again, I win by a landslide.

"I could've won that time," Derek grumbles back.

The doctor says I'm not supposed to do anything strenuous for the next two weeks but if they think I'm going to just lay in bed then they're all crazy. Dad said we could setup in the living room so thats what we've done. We've amassed a vast number of blankets, pillows, and cushions, turning the living room into one big comfy nest. Which, of course, means movie marathons and gaming wars!

Derek, who has hovered over me since I woke up, agreed to play so I wont get bored but for some reason he hasn't played video games before. Who hasnt played video games before? Mario kart is a classic!

"You're just jealous that I won again!" I tease.

He huffs, glaring down at the controller but there's no real anger in the bond, "Only because you've played this a million times."

I crawl behind him to drape over his back and nuzzle against his cheek, "I'm just Aaaawesome... say it!"

He sighs in such a put upon manner that I would worry if I didnt feel his contentment thrumming through the bond. He leans forward slightly, taking more of my weight. I rub my nose against his neck and blow a rasberry against his jaw.

He twists, grabbing my ankle and yanking. I squeal, my arms pinwheeling as I fall back on the pillow. He leaps on top of me, his fingers finding all of my most ticklish spots.

We're laughing loud, rolling around over the pillows and blankets. I think I kicked him in the face at one point but he just shakes it off and keeps playing. Its a little bit of a rough tussle with an epic tickle fight.

Scott and I used to do this. Whoever lost would tackle the winner. It never lasted long because he would always need his inhaler but it was fun.

Derek doesnt have to stop to catch his breath, the heathen! He's still somehow careful, tickling more than hitting. I tried tickling him but he just bats me away.

"I Give!" I shout through laughter, "You Heathen!, I give!"

Derek chuckles, rubbing his scruffy beard against my cheek. I push him away but he's still stronger. He blows rasberries against my cheek, leaving spit just because it makes me squeal out that it's gross.

A throat clears loudly. I tilt my head back to see Peter smiling down at us. With a wiggle flip I get to my knees and scramble up to grab him in a hug.

He laughs as he catches me, hugging me back tightly. Our pack bond hums with warm affection. He's the best alpha!

When I lean back he drops me back down to the floor. I squeeze him in another tight hug, smothering him in as much affection as I can. He tries to act unaffected but I know how much it means to him, knowing that he matters to someone.

Being left alone left deep scars in him. Losing his pack, getting left behind injured, hes still healing from that. So I try to smother him in attention every chance I get.

A burst of pride shines through the bond as he stands tall, "Allow me to introduce you to your new packmate, Issac."

"What?!" I squeal at the same time Derek scrambles closer.

Sure enough, a nervously shy boy steps around from behind Peter. Soft curly blonde hair and blue eyes look up from a boyishly sweet face. Its Issac Lahey!

Now that I see him I can feel him. Its there, the pack bond, as thin as a mist of perfume but it is there. I leap forward, wrapping him in an excited hug.

He flinches at first, an icy stab of fear within the barely there bond. I hold the hug, pouring as much joy and welcome into the bond as I can. Then a cautious warmth moves into a hesitant joy.

Derek feels hesitant but he too welcomes Issac with a careful hug. Peter is radiating joy so much that I cant help but be giddy with it. It's like some strange endless loop of happiness basking within the pack bonds.

"How did this happen?" Derek hedges softly.

A hint of red infuses Peter's eyes as he answers, "Whether fate or chance, we met and after a bit of talking he agreed to accept the bite."

"His family?" Derek presses cautiously.

Peter hums dismissively, "Alive for the moment but I'll take care of him."

I throw him a warning look at that. He smiles sadly, reaching out to squeeze at the back of my neck. He doesnt have to say it, I understand. I dont like it but I understand.

Chapter 2

Sheriff Stilinski

 

Chapter 2

 

I get home early. That camaro of Hale's is still parked behind the jeep so I doubt they went anywhere today. Now there's also a silver BMW parked in my spot. With a sigh, I park on the street.

Peter did say he was going to get a car for himself. He's been trying to get back on his feet which is a good thing. I just wish they werent taking over my house. They're not bad guests.

Derek is a good kid. He keeps Stiles out of trouble and he can cook like you wouldnt believe. He even talked Stiles into allowing one night a week for something unhealthy like pizza or burgers. I had to promise not to cheet on my diet anymore but it was well worth it. Those ribs that boy barbequed just fell all to pieces.

I would prefer if he wasnt so... well, you know. He's a good looking kid and Stiles is about due for that burst of teenage rebellion everyone warns me about. I really hope he doesnt get up to anything with her that he shouldn't. Because I will totally shoot him! Buckshot straight to the chest and let him heal that!

Peter isnt a bad guest either. He's neat and tidy and he mostly stays quiet. I just dont like how much he touches Stiles.

Its not sexual, I know that. Its a werewolf thing, a pack thing. I also know that he was a bit wild, feral is what he called it, when he bit her. He did save her, I know. But why did he have to bite her? Why did he have to drag her into this mess?

They're not bad guests. But I dont like how much has changed. Or, I guess, I dont like how much I've been replaced.

Stiles wont complain but I know she was lonely. I know because now she isnt. Now she's all smiles and childish delight. Now she gets hugs and affection that I didnt realise she needed. I watch how easily they touch her, hug her, and I wonder when did I stop doing that?

I know the answer and it sucks. I've messed up. I let my kid fend for herself, flounder in uncertainty, all because I chose to cling to my grief.

She was hurting too, grieving too, but all I could see was my own pain. I let her take over the chores, the cooking, the shopping. I made her be the adult because I was too weak, too selfish.

I can see the judgement in Peter's eyes. He hasnt said anything, but he judges me all the same. Like when he pointedly came back with Stiles and Derek so I would see them bringing in the groceries. He made a point of helping her put up the supplies.

Or the time at dinner when he told Stiles that he would take her shopping for shoes since her's are old and worn. I dont know the last time I bought her clothes or shoes. I usually just give her money and she gets what she needs.

Or even the time Stiles was sitting quietly on the couch and when he hugged her she cried. I'm her father! I should've know that she was upset. I should've know that she needed to be held. But like a selfish bastard, I didnt notice. I guess I just expected her to come to me if she needed something.

It was different when it was Scott. That boy was a good kid, sweet and obedient. He may have followed along with Stiles ideas but he also was around to help her out if she got into trouble. They took care of each other.

He was never the smart one, the clever one. That was Stiles. She was the mastermind, the planner, while he was the support. He kept her from some of her crazier stunts and she kept him safe.

I feel so bad for Melissa. She was a good mother. She didnt deserve to lose her boy. But he mustve lost his inhaler again. And without Stiles there to give him his extra one, he died.

Not that its her fault. No, she was still unconscious. Hell, now she has to take heart meds because of what that asshole gave her. Peter says she will heal but it will still take some time.

I dont know why Scott chose to help the Argents. The official report lists him as an innocent bystander. The boys already dead, no use dragging his name through the mud.

I lock up the cruiser and head inside. There's no use staying outside. If I want to be a part of my daughters life then I have to accept that other people will be there too.

The movie is loud enough to hear before I open the door. They're not in the livingroom though. There is a heavy aroma on the air, something just a bit spicy.

I turn the corner into the kitchen to find Stiles sitting on the counter while Derek pulls a tray from the stove. There's also a new face. A kid with curly blonde hair drapped over Stiles' lap while she pets his hair.

"New friend?" I ask, nodding to the boy.

"Packmate," Peter calls from where he's sitting at the table.

Great, now he's bitten another kid. What in the hell am I supposed to do now?

Chapter 3

Notes:

Thank you all for the kudos and comments, I'm glad you're enjoying my story and I hope you enjoy where we go with it next.

Chapter 3

 

Issac is waiting by my usual spot this morning. I throw the jeep into park and leap out to tackle him in a hug. He chuckles, hesitant in his hug but welcoming in the bond. Its okay, I'll get him used to hugs.

School isn't so bad. The more things change the more they stay the same. Not much has changed for me even if it feels like everything should have.

People know what happened, because of course everyone knows, it's a small town. There's rumors going around, theories and conspiracies, but no one comes out and asks. I wish that they would. It would make school a little less awkward.

They know that for some reason the Argents tried to kill me. They know that my dad had to kill them. They know that Allison was killed by a cop because she tried to kill another cop.

Dad got his gun back pretty quickly. They just had to do their investigation, make sure everything was above board. So for a couple of days he got to stay home with us and then he got back to work.

Instead of spending my days with Scott, which was rare towards the end, I spend my days with Isaac. Mr. Harris is still a jerk. The other students still think I'm just weird. Coach is still all kinds of crazy.

The only thing at school that has really changed has been a slight shift in the social structure. Lydia and Jackson, the Queen and king, are no longer the ultimate power couple. They're both still well regarded. They're both still nearly worshipped by the other students. They're just not unquestionably obeyed anymore.

Lydia has taken the biggest hit. She was the one that supported Allison. She was the one that pulled Allison into the higher echelon of our school and because of that, her judgement is now questioned.

Of course, no one blames Lydia. Why would they? Allison fooled us all. Sometimes I think Lydia is more upset about losing even the slightest bit of power then she is about how crazy Allison really was.

Peter asked Isaac and me to keep an eye out for anyone else we might want to make pack. He says we need to be stronger and that the younger you are when bitten, the better you're able to survive the bite. Peter says the older you are, the higher the risk. It's why he hasn't really offered dad the bite. He would do it if dad asked but he told dad that he doesn't have to be a wolf to be pack. So Peter wants Isaac and me to look around at the school to see if there's any other classmates that we might want to welcome into the pack.

Neither Isaac or I have discussed it yet. We've agreed to look but we haven't really thought of anyone yet. Both of us kept to ourselves for different reasons so neither of us really know enough about our classmates. I mean, we know them but we don't KNOW them, you know.

I have Isaac which is better than nothing and to be honest better than before. Scott had been pulling away for a while. I hadn't realized it, not till he was gone and not until I gained the pack. I finally feel welcomed, embraced, accepted.

As we're walking down the hall there's a small crowd gathered at one of the classroom doorways. Isaac nearly snarls, a hint of gold flashing in his eyes. I cant hear whats happening but his senses are way stronger than mine. He wouldnt react that way without a damn good reason. I trust him to have my back so I push forward loudly and annoyingly, shoving and wiggling until I'm through. The sight before me is not a good one.

A girl on the ground twitching and shaking, boys from the swim team circle around her. Several of them with phones out. They're laughing. They're filming this! Those ASSHOLES!

I slap phones out of their hands knocking them down and throwing them. I watch as a few crack because apparently they were not smart enough to buy the phone case. They yell, puff up like peacocks ready to fight and I nearly snarled back at them, angry and offended and calling them out on this abuse.

I glanced back to see Isaac hovering over the girl, doing his best to hold her still. Not that it helps. She shakes so badly, a seizure, and I recognize her now as Erica, Erica Reyes.

The boys that had surrounded her push forward. Not that I'll back down. I stand toe to toe with them, snapping and yelling, calling them out on this shit. I'm not gonna let them get away with this! I tell them as much

They puff up for a fight but I'm ready. I'll take them all on, I don't care. I may not win this fight but I'm damn sure gonna cause some damage. Plus I have my pack! I have Isaac at my back, even if he is focused on the girl, I know he'll help me.

One of the boys is a little weasel of a creature who's been constantly trying to climb the social ladder only to fall back into the slump at the bottom of it. His name's David, a boring old name for a useless little boy. He steps up to me, trying to frighten me away but I won't back down. I'm not afraid of him or his friends!

He only barely touches me, only barely pushes me, but it's enough. I haul back and punch him with every ounce of my strength, twisting my body first back and then forward. I know how to throw a punch and I know that you should never be the first one to make a move.

I can defend but I cannot attack first. That's dad's first rule to stay out of jail. David pushed me first. He's the one that made this physical so I have every right to fight back and I do.

One punch is all it takes to knock him down. He stumbles back, falling to his knees, hands clutching over his face as his nose burst with blood. One of the others grabs my arm while another tries to swing at me. I dodge the swing and kick him. That brings the others into it.

It's a mess at that point, a constant fight of fists and feet, a tangle of limbs. There's six of us now, somehow all rolling and mangled together like two octopus fighting. There's too many limbs swinging, no one is quite sure who's hitting who.

We end up on the ground. I only know that because my backs to the floor and one of them is over me. Then Isaac is there, grabbing the boy off of me and throwing him clear across the room with a snarl that is honestly damn impressive. That's my puppy!

There's more voices now. Teachers are shouting. Harris I recognize, as well as miss Jenkins.

They pushed their way through the crowd and start snapping orders. Isaac manages to get me against the wall, himself in front of me, shielding me from the boys that try for at least a second to pursue us. Harris is there, snapping orders out in a military fashion as if we are the soldiers to his commander.

It works. The boys listen, they back down. To continue the fight now would just make it worse.

Miss Jenkins has gone to Erica. At least she's stopped siezing. She hasn't moved, doesn't seem to be awake, and there's a puddle of liquid around her legs.

One of the boys tries to move forward and grab his phone. I run forward to intercep him, taking it and slinging it with all my strength at the brick wall. Harris snaps at me angry but I don't back down. I snarl at the boy, daring him, daring them.

To the principal's office we go and of course our parents are contacted. Dad is unsurprisingly the first to arrive. He doesn't look surprised, not even really tired, just annoyed. He asks for an update and I tell him, loud and proud, what they were doing to her, what we witness, how the crowd was surrounding them. I tell him about the fight that the boy started. He made the first move but me and Isaac finished it!

Dad turns a severe glare on the boys. It works to cow them. He mentions aloud how illegal their actions were, how what they had done to Erica was assault, how they could go to jail for it. He had them nearly in tears by the time their parents arrived.

Issac and I just sat back, cuddling and watching as all of the parents turned on the collective group of boys. Pride and concern thrum through the bonds. I grin over at Issac. We did good. I'm so proud of us!

Notes:

These chapters are a little slow paced so I can introduce erica and next boyd. Then it will get back to more action.

Chapter 4

Peter Hale

 

Chapter 4

 

An alpha's work is never done.

I took care of Isaac's father tonight. It will look like he tripped down the stairs and snapped his neck. The sheriff will be Isaac's alibi, even if he doesnt know it, so this will just be another foolish accident.

I wanted something more bloody, I wanted him to really hurt, but Stile's father already told me not to touch the man. He wanted to arrest the man, send him to jail. As if that would work. All that would do is upset Issac even more.

No, an alpha protects their pack. An alpha takes care of any threat so that their betas are safe. Its a job I embrace with pleasure.

My next stop will be equally as beneficial. I know about the girl, Erica. Stiles and Issac protected her from others at that school. She's still at the hospital, still weak from her seizure.

I hate hospitals. I hate the smell. Chemicals, blood, pain, weakness, infection, death, it all converges into a chokingly thick fog that even humans pick up on. Its an ich under my skin, a sludge at the back of my throat, that I struggle to ignore. It will be worth it though, to add another wolf to our pack.

It helps that I've always been able to look if not innocent then at least not dangerous. A simple grey button up and khaki slacks lets me pass unnoticed. The night shift is never all that alert, always tired and somewhat mechanical at two in the morning.

Its easy to find the girls room. Its easy to slip in unnoticed. Really, they should be ashamed of their security.

She's a pretty girl with a soft round face and long black lashes. Her dry brittle hair may be washed out, as is her skin, but it has a bit of curl to it that will look gorgeous once healthy. She almost has a good figure, if only her body wasnt so weak. Well, its an easy fix.

"Erica, sweatheart, wake up," I speak softly, stroking her hair back from her head.

She frowns, wrinkling her nose a little and turning to press up against my hand. She's like a sweet pup just wanting to be soothed. She will love cuddling with Issac and Stiles.

She wake up slowly, blinking big pretty brown eyes up at me. Her forehead wrinkles in confusion as her eyes focus. Her body tenses up. Good girl, dont trust any stranger.

"Its alright, Erica, sweetheart, I'm a friend of Stiles," I tell her gently, "I've come by to help you, my dear."

"Stiles?" She mumbles confused but growing more alert, "Help me?"

I stroke her hair again, "Yes, sweetheart, she and Issac told me what happened."

Shame burns her cheeks but I stroke her head again, "No, sweetheart, its alright. I'm here to help."

"Help how?" She asks somewhat bitterly.

I smile, "I can cure you."

She blinks back disbelieving, "You can cure my siezures."

I let my eyes burn red, letting just a hint of the wolf come forward. Although that isnt an accurate statement. The wolf isnt a seperate entity. I am the wolf and the wolf is me, we are one and the same. I may be a bit wilder than some but the only wolves that think there are two seperate beings are the bitten ones. Thats only because they dont know any better.

She sucks in a breath, fear souring her scent. I dont want her to fear me. Pack should not fear pack.

"Dont be afraid, sweetheart, I'm not here to hurt you," I soothe her, "I only want to help."

Her fear lessens a little and a touch of hope springs to life, "You can really cure me?"

I nod, "Yes, sweetheart, I can make you healthy again. I can make you stronger, beautiful."

"What do I have to do?" She asks with a slightly desperate edge.

I stroke her head again, "All you need to do is consent to the Bite."

"Bite?"

"Yes, sweetheart," I lower the armrail of her bed to sit beside her, "It would make you a werewolf. It would make you Pack."

"Who all is pack?" She asks almost eagerly.

"Stiles, Issac, Derek," I list off calmly, "and I am the Alpha."

"What would I have to do?" She asks again nervous, "What would I have to do in a pack?"

"Oh, sweetheart, nothing bad. Pack is family. Pack is safety and comfort. Pack is bonding, cuddles, running wild on the full moons and always having someone at your side."

Its not the same as what I told Issac. I warned him about the dangers, about the darker side of things as well as the benefits. He would've felt betrayed later if he learned the hard way. She wont care. She just needs the comfort to say yes. Which she does, softly, eagerly, and only a touch of nerves in her 'yes, please'.

I move her blankets, telling her softly about how this will go. I will bite her side where the body is soft and tender but nothing vital is at risk. I dont take the pain from her though. It isnt a lot of pain, just a moment when teeth pierce flesh, and she was already given medicine that numbs her somewhat.

I press a small towel to the wound to catch any blood that leaks out. There shouldnt be much and I doubt it would raise eyebrows at a hospital but better safe. Then I move the blankets back up to cover her.

"Did it work?" She asks nervously.

I hum softly, "We will have to wait and see but I think it will. You may get a bit dizzy, perhaps a small fever, and feel weak for a short while. In a few hours we will know for sure and if it takes then you will grow stronger."

"Will you stay?"

I smile down at her, "Of course, sweetheart. Would you like me to tell you about your packmates?"

Notes:

I think we all agree that Derek went about turning his betas the wrong way. There was a bit too much unnecessary flirting with Erica. Peter is still taking advantage of their situation to turn them but he will be a good alpha, a bit more of a father figure or a fun uncle even if he is still a bit feral.

Chapter 5

Derek Hale

 

Chapter 5

 

I'm not sure what woke me. If it was a sound then it was no louder than the quietest whimper. Perhaps it was Issac shifting in his sleep or the feel of the blanket being pulled away as he cacooned himself.

Mr. Stilinski, Jonh as he keeps reminding me, agreed to let us all stay as long as Stiles didnt sleep in the bed with us. We've all tried to explain that touch isnt sexual but we also understand his concerns. So Peter, Issac, and I share the guest room while Stiles stays in her bed.

Its not a bad arrangement. Issac sleeps in the middle, usually half clinging to Peter. I sleep with my back to Issac since he isnt comfortable with people holding him from behind.

Stiles will still sneak into the bed. She usually wiggles between me and Issac. She moves around so much that between her and Issac, I have ended up on the floor more than once. Its worth it though, getting to be close to pack again.

A soft cry sounds muffled by the walls. Fear trickles through the bond from Stiles. Oh, right, she's having another nightmare. This happens nearly every night.

During the day, she's fine. She will be happy and playful and laughing. She will cuddle and tease and roll around playing.

Nights are different. Nights are cold sweats and muffled cries. Nights are gasping awake only to scramble to the bathroom to thow up. Nights are when she cant pretend that everything is okay.

I slip from the bed and tiptoe over to her room. I dont want her father to wake up. She doesnt want him to know even though I'm sure he suspects.

She's curled up tight, head pressing against her knees and her arms wrapped around her legs tight. Her back is quivering with tension, her shoulders raised and stiff. Her eyes are still closed though, still caught in the dream.

I'm quick to touch her shoulders and jump back. Immediately, she throws out her arm and kicks both of her feet. Her eyes open wide, a scream frozen in her chest. It takes a few seconds for her to breath, sucking in a lung full only to wheeze it back out.

I reach for her again, slow so that she can see me move. Its best not to scare her any more than she already is. She still hesitates, her mind still waking up, before she lunges forward to cling to me.

Its okay. I understand. I was the same way after... well, after.

I understand the fear, the way you feel trapped in that moment, reliving the horror of it. I understand how it can seem so real, too real. I understand the desire to push it all down, to wish it all away, because its just too big to face alone.

She's quiet as she cries. You would think that she would be loud because she's always so loud, so full of life and energy. But no, she's quiet when she cries, when she hurts. I hate it when she's quiet. All I can do is hold her and offer what comfort I can give.

I scoop her up, holding her as her legs tangle around my waist. I carry her like a small child which she is, isnt she. For all that she looks womanly, she is only a child. I should remember that fact.

Not that its difficult. She can be very childish most of the time. There's just some reason that I like to hold her. I like pinning her down while she wiggles and laughs. I like her scent when she all cuddled close, feeling safe and happy. I like being close to her, having her smile at me. Its almost maddening.

I shake away the thoughts. I cant think of that when she's like this. She's hurting right now. She needs comfort. She needs pack.

Issas is already awake, spreading the blankets back out with a sheepish look. Stiles almost doesnt let go, eyes squeezed shut and body too tense. Issac sits up, stroking a hand down her back. With a loud exhale, she relaxes her grip and I can lay her down.

"Where's Peter?" Issac asks softly.

"He had something to take care of."

I dont tell Issac what Peter plans. Theres the faint whiff of copper through the bond, bloodlust. He's hunting tonight even if it wont be bloody. It will look like an accident, just like that boy, Scott, and just like Peter's nurse. Issac doesnt need to know.

He's quick to focus on Stiles. She's still tense, still trembling with that sour edge of fear clinging to her. So we both press close, cuddling her between us.

Notes:

You cant face an attack like Stiles faced and not be affected. She's bottling it all up so its hitting her at night. And since Stiles isnt one to want to burden others, she keeps quiet.

Also, Derek acknowledges an attraction to Stiles growing but he wont act on it because she's still young.

Chapter 6

Chapter 6

Derek whips up a batch of fluffy pancakes with fruit and powdered sugar that is perfect. There are halved strawberries, plump grapes, orange and grapefruit wedges, sliced kiwi, and little cantaloupe balls. He has this little smile that lights up his whole face, the bond thrumming with pleasure as we nearly shout our thanks.

Issac and I eat, still riding high from yesterday. Even if we did get a three day suspension for fighting, it was totally worth it. We get out of school for a few days while the boys that harrassed Erica have a three month suspension. I bet they wont try that stunt again.

Dad grumbles into his coffee. Something about feeding us too much sugar and gremlins. He's just upset that he doesnt get pancakes. He gets fruit and yogurt instead.

The front door opens. Peter's voice calls out a pleased, "Good morning, puppies."

"Morning," we chorus back.

"Where've you been?" Dad asks, eyes following Peter as he takes the seat across from him.

Peter smiles back, "I spent the night with a lovely young lady."

"She better be of age," dad grumbles back.

"No," Peter replies, turning to me and Issac, "but as I was with Erica all night and I am proud to say that the bite took wonderfully. You now have another packmate."

Dad snaps his newspaper closed, "Are you just going to run around and bite all the kids you find?"

Peter scoffs, "I already told you that I would expand our pack a little."

"A little!" Dad snaps back, "First Issac and now Erica! How many more?"

Peter raises a sculpted eyebrow, "Perhaps one or two more, maybe three."

Dad grumbles back, "Cant you just stop?"

Peter shrugs, "A territory is only as safe as the pack guarding it. A pack is only as strong as its alpha who gains his strength from his betas."

"We did just fine without a pack for six years," dad snaps.

Peter goes still, "Perhaps, but this territory had a large strong stable pack for a few hundred years before that."

I stand up, moving around the table to hug Peter. He wraps an arm around me, offering a sad smile. The bond is tense with pain.

Dad shouldnt have said that, not like that. Peter has been hurt enough and its not like he's running around biting indiscriminately. And he has been upfront about it so its not like dad should be surprised.

Derek sets a plate in front of Peter and sits next to him with his own plate. His hand brushes Peters shoulder before he starts eating. Issac slips from his seat to press against me and Peter.

Dad sighs loudly, "I'm sorry, that was a low blow. I'm just worried that this is going to just cause trouble."

"Has Issac caused trouble?" Derek asks softly, meeting dad's gaze steadily.

Issac tenses, tucking himself down tighter against us. He's still afraid, still hesitant. As if we would let anything happen to him.

"No, of course not," dad answers.

"Would you rather he still be with his father?" Derek presses, reaching out a comforting hand to touch Issac as the sour tang of his fear rises.

"No, that's not what I'm saying," dad argues.

"Then what are you saying?" Derek challenges, still calm and steady.

Dad looks at me. What does he expect me to day? I love our pack. I love being a part of this weird family. I love knowing that I'm not alone, that I will never be alone again.

Dad sighs in defeat, "I just dont want any of you to get hurt."

Peter pats me and Issac on our sides, offering a stronger smile. The bond warms with affection. He barely nudges us but its enough to get us to go back to our seats.

Chapter 7

Notes:

For the time frame, we are still in the first season. Its almost time for the dance. Peter bit Erica the night after Stiles and Issac saved her. Derek pulls Stiles into the bed since she has a nightmare the same night. This chapter is set in the following week.

Issac Lahey

 

Chapter 7

 

The principal sits stiffly behind his desk. His mouth pulls down in a disapproving frown, his eyebrows furrowed. Nervous sweat beads along his hairline as a pen is twirled and rolled between his fingers. This isnt the first time I've been to the principal's office and I doubt it will be the last.

"I just dont understand what's going on with you now, Issac," he says in that disappointed tone that all adults seem to have. "Perhaps if your father was around..."

"He's dead," I snap back, interrupting him.

His lips press into a thin line, "Yes, I heard about his accident. I'm very sorry for your loss."

"I'm not," I respond flippantly.

If anything, I'm grateful. I used to pray, wish, and beg any higher being to save me from that bastard. I used to look in the eyes of teachers and will them to realize what was happening. The one time... the one time I told...

I push away the memory. Its nothing but darkness and fear. It's bleeding fingers and that god-aweful stench of the old freezer for an eternity. Its my heart pounding so loud I feel like I'm surrounded by war drums as my chest is tied in steel bands that feel like they will shatter my ribs.

Theres a tug in my chest, a curious poke. I let the fear go. It has no place in my life now. I'm safe now. I have a pack. And for as weird as the bonds are, I cling to them like a damn leach. Now that I have this, come hell or high water, I wont ever lose it! I cant lose this.

Stiles tugs again, concern bleeding through. She's the most active with the bonds. She is always poking us for attention or pushing through comfort or welcome. She is the one I think of when I think of pack.

The link to Peter is a calm and steady branch. There is some movement, some bleed over, but rarely does anything come through besides the constant awareness that it exists. The link with Derek is less solid. Its more like a rope-swing, loose and moving but distant and reserved. Stiles though, the bond with her is always active, always welcoming.

"Mr. Lahey!" The principal snaps waspishly, "Are you even paying attention?!"

"No," I answer back calmly, leaning back in the chair and proping my feet on his desk.

His face goes white with anger. The muscle in his jaw twitches and I can hear the crackling of his teeth grinding. If looks could kill... but he takes a breath and visibly tries to reign in his temper.

I dont care if he gets angry. I'm not afraid of him, the pathetic jackass. I've seen real monsters and I dont mean werewolves. I know what kind of person I should fear and its not this asshole.

"Our school has a very strict no fighting policy," he says it again as if it will mean more now than it did the last five times.

"Whats your policy about sexual harrassment?" I sass back.

He leans forward, clasping one hand around the other fist. Again he levels his most severe look at me. Again it just doesnt measure up.

"I have been reasured that no such thing occured..."

I snort loudly, interrupting him again. Turning my head to look over my shoulder I see Stiles just outside the door. Erica is pressed against her side, face hiden against her neck.

He sighs loudly, "I understand that you felt your friends were in trouble but..."

"The assholes that attacked Erica," I cut in scathingly, "the ones you swore were going to be suspended, cornered her and Stiles in the locker room after practice."

"They were suspended, Mr. Lahey, as were you," he talks over me.

"They were there to attack Stiles!" I bite out, "you know, the Sheriff's daughter!"

"They went to apologize," he says louder, trying to drown out my words.

So I get louder, "Because they were embarrassed that Stiles kicked their asses!"

"She misunderstood the situation!"

"So they planned to jump her when she was alone and vulnerable!" I shout back.

"She panicked! They weren't trying to hurt her!"

"BULLSHIT!" I slam my hands down on the desk, glaring down at this dumb asshole, "They went there to hurt her and you damn well know it! They just happened to find Erica there too. They cornered them! They threatened them!"

"That doesnt give you the right to attack them!" He shouts back angrily, "You should've gotten a teacher!"

"A teacher?!" I laugh. Of course this asshole thinks that would've been possible. "Yeah, that would've worked well. 'Hey guys, halt the attempted rape-slash-beating while I run and find a FUCKING ADULT!"

The door opening has me spin around with a snarl. Stiles rushes past her father, throwing her arms around my neck and tugging me down. The bond with her has warmth rushing out like the tide washing over the shore. It soothes back the rage, the ache in my gums and the burning of my eyes.

"Easy, puppy," she whispers against my hair, the bond flooded with affection.

I would kill for her. Some may judge me for that but its the truth. I would kill for her without hesitation. And if the look on the sheriff's face is anything to go by, I'm not the only one who feels that way.

Notes:

I didnt like how the show mentioned in a throw away way that Erica was cornered by boys who forced her to have a seizure and filmed, laughing because she peed on herself. If they were willing to do that then they would be pissed when Stiles and Issac stopped them. The school would want to hush it up because they certainly didnt care about Erica in the show. So I went ahead and had them attack once they got back because they totally would have and Issac kicked their asses. This has the pack bond closer since the Argents are out of the picture.

Chapter 8

Sheriff Stilinski

 

Chapter 8

 

The coach called it in. An attack at the school, a fight that left several injured. I knew before Doyle called it out that my Stiles was involved somehow.

The coach met us at the doors, running his hands through his hair repeatedly leaving his head looking like he was electrocuted. He blathered on, telling me how Stiles was attacked. He also suggested we send a few ambulances for the dumb bastards that attacked her. He may be a spastic shit but he's honest.

Stiles is curled up on a bench with the girl, Erica. Neither looks much injured which I'm thankful for. But I dont see the boys that jumped them.

"BULLSHIT!" Issacs voice booms from within the principal's office.

I snap my fingers, dragging Stiles' attention to me. She jumps, wide eyes startled. Within seconds she's leaped up and jumped into my arms.

Damn. This must've been a bad one. Stiles jokes, she talks and sasses. She doesnt cling like this. Or at least she didnt before.

I dont want to blame the Hales but damn it, it is their fault. Sure, Stiles got up to michief but never like this. She didnt get into fights. She didn't get attacked.

I dont want to blame their pack. I get it, I do. They're lost and lonely and need someone to cling to. But why did they have to drag my baby into it?

All I've ever wanted was what any father wants. I want my daughter to be happy. I want her to be safe.

I dont want her to be beaten and tortured. I dont want her to be almost raped. I dont want to fear that the damn phone ringing will be to lead me to her corpse.

I hold her tight. She doesnt pull away so neither will I. If a child hugs you, you should never be the first to pull away. For her to hold on this tight, still be this shaken, its not good.

Issac's voice rises again. I push into the office while Stiles slips past me. The principal looks equal parts angry and nervous. I motion for the kids to leave the room.

He tries to bullshit me. He talks about how it was a misunderstanding. He says the boys didnt attack. He says he knows these boys, good christian boys.

"Just to be clear," I cut in, "these are the same boys that attacked miss Reyes just last week?"

He looks like he bit a lemon but nods. He goes back to how Issac overreacted. He says Issac is a troubled and violent boy that he has no choice but to expel. He cant even properly look sad when he tells me what a lost cause young Issac is now that his father isnt around to keep him in line.

"Are you aware that obstruction of justice is illegal?" He blinks back dumbly so I add, "Are you aware that, by law, you are required to report any and all harrassment and/or attacks on the students?"

"But, this wasnt an attack!" He sputters.

"Well, lets find out, shall we?"

Again his face is pinched. I open the door, waving over the two deputies that arrived, Doyle and Owens. I tell them to take statements from the coach and the kids, I'll take Stiles'. I set up the recorder and bring Stiles in. She curls agaisnt my side, playing with the sleeves of her shirt.

"What happened?"

She takes in a deep shaky breath, "It was after practice. I split from the team, as usual, to hit the showers. Erica had stayed to watch our practice and she followed me into the locker room.

"We were just talking, laughing about how stupid some of the guys looked when I ran by them. You should've seen me, dad. I was awesome!"

Her smile is a brittle thing, her eyes still a little unfocused. She ducks her head again, pressing her forehead against my chest. I cup the back of her head, pressing a kiss to her crown.

"Erica and I were playing around. I was stripping off my jersey and she started whistling and clapping so I started dancing. We were just being stupid, ya know."

I hum agreement. Kids are stupid and they do stupid things. Its just something kids do. They dare each other to jump off the roof or climb a tree or play like they're stripping. Its no different than a million other kids have done.

She lets out a shaky breath, "Next thing I know, someone grabs me from behind. We didnt know they were in the locker room. They shouldn't have been in there. We thought we were alone."

I glance out of the window next to the door to see Erica looking back with tear stained cheeks and red eyes. She sniffles, pressing the crumpled tissue in her hand against her nose. Her hands tremble slightly.

"They were shoving us around, me and Erica. Saying if we liked to strip then they were gonna watch."

Stiles goes quiet, clinging tighter. So I prompt her, "So you shouted?"

She shakes her head, "They were covering our mouths. We both tried to scream but..."

"They pushed her shirt up," she says after a minute. "Issac must've heard something because he was just there, rushing in and tackling two of the guys."

"Two of those boys were severly injured," the principal cuts in with that judgmental tone.

Stiles glares at him, "Yeah, Issac threw David Dodson into the lockers. That asshole was the one that shoved Erica's shurt up so they could stare at her breasts!"

My glare is the only thing that stops the idiot from commenting. I pat Stiles back to get her attention and nod for her to continue. She takes another deep breath.

"It was a huge fight at that point. Jackson and Danny came in but I think they freaked out when Issac chunked that lanky dipshit, whats his name?, Cory?"

I dont know and she doesnt care really. She shakes her head and continues.

"Well, Issac chunked him at the sinks because he grabbed my ass. He busted all of the mirrors too. It was pretty awesome."

Damn, now I owe the kid. I guess at least if she's going to get into trouble she will have a solid protector.

Chapter 9

Derek Hale

 

Chapter 9

 

"Its okay," I tell her, stroking my fingers through her hair.

"No its not!" She snaps back indignantly, "I shouldnt be afraid! I've used the locker rooms a million times."

"Stiles, you are allowed to be afraid," I remind her gently. "You were attacked, more than once. You are allowed to be afraid. You are allowed to feel what you feel."

"But I dont want to be afraid," she whispers, pressing her face tighter against my throat.

"What happened to you was bad," I offer softly. "Anyone would be afraid. Anyone would be upset. You dont have to pretend that everything is fine."

She lets out a huff of warm breath, almost pleading, "I dont want to be afraid."

I stroke her hair again, running my fingers through the much shorter strands. She was bound to break. It was inevitable. Too much bad has happened in too short a time. At least she cut her hair and not her body like I did.

"You wont be alone," I remind her.

She shakes her head, "It will be me and Erica alone just like when they attacked."

We knew that Issac being expelled would hit the girls badly. The sheriff will help Peter appeal to the school board. They may get him back in class after a few days but it wont be soon enough.

Of the boys that attacked them, only four are back at school with no more than bruises. Three are home with either a broken arm or leg. Two are still at the hospital, one with hairline fractures to his spine while the other has a broken jaw and mutiple lacerations from several broken mirrors.

Their parents are screaming for Issac to be arrested. John, the Sheriff, argues back that he want all of the boys involved to be charged as adults for assault and attempted rape. Its a big dramatic mess.

John told Stiles that there would be a deputy at school in case of further issue. Peter scoffed, saying that we should just hunt them. Issac and Erica are both vocal and eager to get their claws bloody.

So far, Stiles has tried to maintain an unaffected air. It doesnt help that the pack argues with her father every time they're in the same room about what should be done. She was bound to snap from the pressure.

Peter slips through the door, eyeing the soft brown locks littering the bathroom floor. The large black handled scissors shine from where they landed in the sink. For a moment he looks lost, hesitant, but it passes quickly.

"Sweetheart," he calls softly, reaching for her as she turns at his voice, "Come along, Sweetheart, lets get you cleaned up and ready for school."

She tenses, hesitating. Her eyes dart around as if looking for escape. The sour stench of her fear rises.

"I'll go with you," I hurry to reassure her, "I'll go to the school with you. I'll stay close and after practice I'll stay in the locker room with you."

Peter goes still, "You shouldnt fear those boys, Sweetheart. We will take care of them all, I swear."

"Dad says that they will go to jail," she mumbles back, refusing to meet his eyes.

Issac leans against the doorway behind Peter, "Because that worked so well with the Argents?"

"We will take care of it!" Peter snaps out, alpha command rumbling in his tone, "We will handle this like pack!"

Issac drops his shoulders, tilting his head to bare his throat. I do the same. Peter is right. We have to handle this as pack.

"You stick with Erica," Peter continues softer. "Skip practise and Derek will pick you both up at last bell. No one will question it today."

Its still not easy to get her to school after that. She lets Peter pull her from the room. He takes her downstairs to shower and change with Issac hovering nearby.

I make several breakfast burritos. I never thought I would be the denmaker, it was always a momish type of job but now I can see the appeal. Being able to provide for your pack, to feed them when they're hungry, soothes a primal part of my soul that has ached and burned in pain for far too long.

Stiles only picks at her breakfast. It is shocking to see her reserved when she is usually so eager for anything I fix. It just highlights how badly this situation has affected her.

I pack an extra sandwich in her lunch since she didnt eat much breakfast. I also include plenty of snacks, various fruits and pretzels. I fill two lunchbags and offer them with a sheepish smile that manages to lift her spirits just the faintest bit.

Peter pulls Issac away without either finishing their food. Bloodlust simmers through the bond from both of them. Its still a trial of herding Stiles into the camaro.

Erica is still in her parents car so I pull up beside them. Her parents are trying to convince her to come back home with them. I roll down the windows and call out softly for them to do the same.

Erica's mother looks back with red rimmed eyes, "Yes?"

"Stiles and Erica could use a break," I offer impulsively, "How about we take them out of town for the day?"

Hope floods Mrs. Reyes eyes as she eagerly turns around to face her daughter, "Honey? I can call out of work."

"Dad says I have to go," Stiles speaks up hesitantly.

"All kids skip school at some point," I point out. "You and Erica could go have a girls day."

"Like..."

Shit!, I forgot. The girls days were with the Argent girl. I open my mouth to backtrack but Erica is already shouting her agreement, turning pleading eyes to Stiles.

"You and Erica can go with her mother," I offer. "I'll explain to your dad. Or I can go too, if you want."

Mr. Reyes glances back to his daughter then, tearing his glare away from the front doors of the school, "Yes, you girls should go. Your mother can take you wherever you want to go."

"We could get our hair and nails done?" Erica's mother offers, looking between the girls.

"Should I join you?" I ask Stiles who has so far stayed quiet.

She chews her lips, looking from Erica's eager face to me and fearfully up at the school. She tugs at her short hair, only just reaching her jaw since she cut it.

"Okay, lets go," she offers up with a shaky smile.

Notes:

Going the legal route is never quick. Its a lengthy process that a lot of victims dont feel is worth the battle. Those that do fight for their attacker to be punished are forced to deal with the judgemnts of public opinion almost worse than their attacker. A lot of the time there will be a lot of he said she said because there isnt 'proof' of what happened.
This is my opinion and it feels realistic for this world and these characters.

Chapter 10

Peter Hale

 

Chapter 10

 

I slam the metal bars closed with a clawed hand. Issac grins a toothy smile, his golden eyes burning as he watches the seventh boy rush to huddle in the corner with the other six. The theatrics may be unnecessary but their fear sends a greedy thrill through my little black heart.

The four boys at the school were too easy to get. They were huddled on the far side of the building, whispering nervously to each other. They were trying to justify their actions, assure themselves of innocence, and pass the blame onto the others.

I raced through, knocking them out with a few carefully judged punches. One lost a tooth and another has a fractured jaw but I held back as much as I could. I didnt want to kill them right then, oh no. That would be too easy of a kill.

Issac helped me lug their bodies back to the car. We tossed them in the trunk and drove off to the old house. The basement still has the cages behind the false wall. It was incase we ever had a feral, omega, or newly bitten that we didnt want to kill right away.

They were starting to come around when we moved them to the basement. Transforming made one faint dead away and the others tried to scatter. Issac helped me herd them into the house. It was almost pathetic.

The ones still at home were a little more difficult. One was with his parents getting the verbal lashing of his life. He was crying and upset but Issac threw a rock through their kitchen window and when the boy bolted for his room I snatched him.

This last one was still in bed, sleeping without a care in the world. His house had cameras, one of which would catch me if we approached from under the window. So I jumped from a neighbors roof to theirs and dropped down to his window.

Then it was a matter of ducktapping his mouth, wrists, and ankles. He tried to fight but once I snarled, half shifted, he fell frozen in fear. Honestly, they're all so utterly pathetic.

They never should've attacked my pack. I tried it John's way with the Argents. It almost cost us Stiles! I wont make the same mistake again.

They attacked my pack so they will face my pack. I'm the alpha. Its my job, my duty, to keep my pack safe. I wont pass it to another.

I was Talia's left hand. I did the dirty work for her so she could keep her claws clean. She would say that an alpha should be trusted, not feared.

Why I thought she was right, I dont know. An alpha should be willing to bloody their claws for their pack. An alpha should be a safe haven for their pack, someone who their betas know will protect and avenge them as necessary. My betas trust me and I wont lose that for some imagined respectability.

We still need to get the two from the hospital. We could wait for them to be discharged. It would be safer. But I've been patient enough. My claws ache for blood.

The full moon is tomorrow night. If we get the last two then we can hunt. Not only will we hunt but if we can find the Nematon, the central point of power, we can make an offering. I just wish I knew where the damn thing is but that has always been an alpha only thing so my dearly departed sister never bothered to tell me its location.

Talia was a good alpha. She was a peaceful alpha. But she was arrogant in her position and lazy about the territory. She didnt follow the old ways just like our parents didnt follow them. Thats a mistake I dont plan to repeat.

But to do that, I need the damn location for the Nematon! That way I can officially claim the territory. It will give me a power boost, sure, but thats not the reason. It will give me a stronger awareness of the territory. It will warn me of threats and help me oust interlopers. Its a boost, an edge that we cant afford to ignore.

There is nothing I can do about the nematon yet. I'll get the pack out tonight to look for it. Mother Moon help us, maybe we will find it.

But first, I need to get the other two boys. The hospital has increased security since the mess with the Argents and the McCall boy. They have more security personnel, more cameras installed and monitored.

Derek joins us at the house. With a guilty slump to his shoulders he confesses to letting Stiles leave town. She and Erica needed to be away, at least for a little while.

No, thats good. I can feel the relief through the bonds. They needed to be away for a little while.

I've tried to let John have the final say because its his house and Stiles is his daughter. I've tried to respect his opinions. But he isnt a wolf. He isnt the alpha, I am.

"We need to get the last two," I tell Derek.

"You already got the others?" He asks startled.

Issac lopes down from the house, "We got all but the last two since they're at the hospital."

"I have a plan," I tell them, waving them over to my BMW.

Chapter 11

Chapter 11

 

I'll admit I am more nervous than I expected. Its not that I'm worried about skipping school. I dont think dad will care today, not really. But for some reason there is still a bundle of nerves clenching my stomach.

Its not that I dont want to go to school. Yeah, all teens hate school but thats not the reason. Its just... this was the second attack.

I've used the locker rooms a million times. I've showered alone and with others. I've stripped by the locker and walked nude through the room without hesitation or fear. It just... isnt the same anymore.

I'm not stupid or naive. I know that I'm not at fault. I know that my behavior, when I thought Erica and I were alone, has no bearing on their actions. It doesnt feel that way though.

One minute, I'm wiggling my hips and slowly pulling off my shirt to twirl it above my head. Erica is whistling and laughing. The bond is glowing with amusement, joy, fun. The next, hands are pinning me in place, covering my mouth, squeezing my breast and butt.

Its the second time I've been attacked in the school locker room. With the Argents, it wasn't the same. They were after me for what I saw. They wanted to stop me from talking, to shut me up. That I could handle. That, while scary and unnerving, wasnt really as traumatic as the boys attack.

You see, the Argents were professional. They were killers, hunters. They were the type of people to kill you quickly if they couldnt bribe you into silence.

This was different. This wasnt to keep us quiet. We had already filed our statements with the deputies. This had already gone beyond us.

"You like to strip, huh? How about you both strip for us?"

"Yeah, lets see what you got."

"I think they like the attention."

"Oh yeah, bet they're already wet for us, huh guys."

"You like this, don'cha Reyes?"

"You're gonna love what we do with you two"

This was purely to hurt us. This was a power move. This was an attack by our classmates... kids our age.

If Issac hadnt shown up...

My shirt and bra were off. Erica's shirt was shoved up to her neck. Hands were on us both and we couldnt scream. We couldnt scream.

Then Issac was there, golden eyes glowing and a snarl on his face. He grabbed two off of Erica and tossed them to the floor behind him. Then he grabbed the one squeezing her breast and threw him into the lockers, knocking the whole thing down. The noise from that alone must've been heard clear across the school.

I should've only felt relief but honestly, I felt ashamed. I should've fought back. I should've been able to fight back. Or at least, I should've known they were there. I should've known they would retaliate. I should've been prepared.

How many times has dad warned me to be aware of my surroundings? How many times has he gone over how to break a hold? Where to hit when they grab me? What to do when you're outnumbered?

I should've reacted better. I should've at least got some hits in. Hell, I fought back against the Argents when they attacked me.

Why didnt I fight back against the boys? Why did I freeze? Why did I panic?

When dad left for work this morning, he looks frustrated. I couldnt help but feel even more ashamed. I'm the sheriff's daughter. I should've known what to do. I should've gotten away. I should've fought back.

I ducked into the bathroom to get ready but I... It was just too much. My hands wouldn't stop shaking. Nausea churned my stomach into knots. It was all too much.

I dont know why I cut my hair. The scissors were just in my hands and I had to cut something. If I didn't then... I dont know what but I know I had to.

Derek was right though. There was really no reason for us to be at school today. Not after what happened yesterday, neither of us were ready.

Mrs. Reyes- 'Call me Anita'- is really trying to make today relaxing. I think she was more upset about us going to school than we were. She drove us two hours out where we got a nice seaside brunch of veggie omelets and fruit salad.

Next, we walked the pier, a sprawling wooden structure with several small branches at uneven points. Its all dark natural wood that rises high enough over the water to only rarely get hit with spray at high tide. There are a few souvenir shops and some food trucks stationed around.

"Funnel cake!" Erica nearly squeals, bouncing up to one of the trucks.

Hell yeah! Funnel cakes are awesome! They're the best little fried bits of sugary goodness.

The two women in the truck have wide sweet smiles. Both have dark hair pulled up into high ponytails and bright blue shirts to match their bright blue truck.

We walk the pier from one end to another. The cool salty breeze is a soothing balm. It relaxes the twisted knot in my stomach.

Mrs. Reyes suggests the museums next. There are a few in the area. The first has a lot of bright artwork. I dont know the style but there are a lot of odd shapes, disproportionate features, and most of it isnt the color it would be in life. Like the bright pink elephant made of triangles with splashes of yellow, orange, and green background.

"I want to color my hair."

I didnt realize that it was me until I had spoken. But yes, I want to color my hair. I already chopped more than half of it off. I want something colorful. I need something colorful.

I glance over at Erica who is already throwing a pleading look at her mother. Mrs. Anita smiles a watery smile but quickly agrees. We dont even finish the museum before we're off to find a salon.

I just need something pretty, something colorful. I just need something... I dont know... happy, I guess.

Chapter 12

Peter Hale

 

Chapter 12

 

The woman waiting is your average bottle blonde cut in that angled bob. You know, the one that Stiles calls 'the Karen'. The woman wears greed and arrogance like a cheap perfume.

"Mr. Hale," she bares a vapid smile, "Hello, I'm Angela Hamblin."

"Of course," who else would I think she is? I only made this appointment ten minutes ago, after all. Its not as if the reality offices around here are busy.

She offers her hand palm down as if expecting a kiss or something. I shake her hand dismissively and take a seat without waiting for her prompting. The sooner we get this over with, the better.

She sits down, back tense in a pridefully professional way, "Now, you said on the phone that you are in a hurry to buy?"

"For health reasons, I havent had a solid address in a while," I grudgingly admit. "I would like to rectify that since I am now better."

"Addiction can cause so many setbacks," She offers with a judgemental smile.

"So can a coma," I snap back. "Now, lets get to work, shall we?"

She clears her throat and turns to her computer, clicking keys too fast to really mean anything. She asks me without looking away from the screen, "You did request several bedrooms, yes?"

"Yes, at least four."

She hums, clicking and typing slower, "That does narrow things down quite a bit. Now, what is your price range again?"

"Half a million," I answer grudgingly.

Its not that I dont want to spend the money. I know a home, a true pack home, will be more than worth it. It will be a long term investment. I just dont care for the burst of greed and lust that the woman gives off.

"Do you have an area of town in mind?"

I do, in fact. I tell her what we need. We want something near the preserve. We want something a little secluded, a little bit of privacy. I tell her that I can always add on to any house we get but it needs to be in a quiet area.

She finds seven possible choices which is honestly more than I expected. She offers to drive but I cant bring myself to trust her that much so I follow behind her. Its not like the roads are busy enough that I risk losing her in traffic.

The first two I dont even get out of the car. I am not settling my pack in the dead center of fucking suburbia! Hell, this is just around the corner from the damn Argents house. No, just, no.

She takes it with more grace than I expected. These were the largest homes, both four bedrooms with a den that could be turned into a fifth. The others are three bedrooms with a few that have a den or loft area available.

I demand her list and cut off the third and forth options. The third is on the other side of the city and the forth is a whole building down by the old warehouse district. Neither one is what I want for our pack.

So we head off to the fifth house on the list. Its a two story red brick face townhouse. Or rather, its three townhouses, each selling seperately or together, built a few miles down the highway. The lot touches the preserve and is back from the road by half an acre.

Its a strange place to build. Most townhouses are built in the heart of a city, especially larger cities. This one was built when the city thought the area was going to be built up with shopping centers, restaurants, and a new movie theatre. It was supposed to be a little city square within a city, if I remember correctly.

Only, from what I've heard, they never got the zoning permits. It was going to eat up several acres of the preserve. The townhouses went up fast, before plans were approved. When the permits were denied, investers pulled out fast. It left these townhouses with five acres of cleared land around it and the preserve at its back.

On paper, its perfect. Each of the three sections have two bedrooms upstairs with a kitchen and livingroom down. They are being sold with the five acres as is which isnt necessarily a bad thing.

It would offer us privacy as well as room to grow. We could build the area up. Hell, we could set up a garden or orchard or even subsell some of the acres. It certainly has its appeal.

There are drawbacks that must be considered. The townhouses were never finished. They certainly arent move in ready but it does mean that we can remodel easier. It will just take longer for us to move in.

So the question is, should we extend our stay at the Stilinski home or opt for a rushed move?

I spend an hour going over the property and details. I have her walk me through the seperate townhouses and verify twice where the property lines are drawn. I want to say yes but at the same time, I worry.

I ask and confirm the emergency response time. Obviously we will have better security. We will have cameras and a panic room and hopefully several secured wells so hunters cant get to them. I wont take any chances with my pack!

"Lets look at the others," I reluctantly admit, "just in case one of them better fits our needs."

Her scent sours with indignation but she gives a curt nod and settles back in her car. She's probably angry that her shoes are a mud-caked mess right now. Its her own fault for wearing them. Besides, they're totally knockoffs so its not like shes out hundreds of dollars or something.

A burst of pride swells through the bond from Issac and Derek. I check on the girls. Both of them are content, a little excited but not overly so. For a moment I simply bask in the bonds, letting myself float in the comfort of pack

My phone dings a second later with a simple, "Finished cleaning up."

So the guys got the last of them. Good! I text back, telling them both to meet us at the next address. This way, we all will have an alibi should the police ask.

My paln was a simple one. With the girls safe out of town, we just need an excuse for our whereabouts. So I sent Issac to the store near the Stilinski home to get snacks and complain to anyone there about being stuck inside all day. We already had the first seven by that point but it allows somewhat of an alibi for him.

Derek was seen driving to the school and then to the gas station after so he couldnt have taken the first seven. Issac had emptied the pockets of the other boys and got a few sets of car keys. Issac would get one car from the school lot and pickup Derek from the house where he stopped to order a movie on pay-per-view and leave the camaro visible in front of the house.

My alibi is simple. Several hastily grabbed retail brochures and a few calls, being sure to lament a morning overwhelmed by choice, helps me. Now the realtor, Ms. Hamblin, will be my alibi for the afternoon while Issac and Derek grab the last two.

I was worried for a while. Derek isnt the smartest but he does follow orders well when he wants to. Issac is, honestly, a wonderfully obedient beta. With clear instructions, and a few unspoken prayers, I sent them off.

Now they will meet us. They will be seen leaving the Stilinski home in the camero. It isnt airtight but it offers just enough protection to protect us.

Will the Sheriff suspect? Probably. But he wont find the bodies. My pack will destroy our own enemies and clean up our own messes.

Chapter 13

Issac Lahey

 

Chapter 13

 

Derek pulls up into the round-about driveway of a cubed two story. The front is a vibrant white molding and pale grey brick with deep green grass thick and short spilling down a slight incline. There are no flowers and only four short stubby bushes sitting lonely beneath four large windows.

"Looks fancy," I drawl, glancing back at a typically quiet Derek.

He hums, "Close to the neighbors."

I can see what he means. The house may be large and overstated but the yard is small. There is perhaps six feet between each house with a tall metal fence standing halfway between each.

"Still, we may as well look," I slip from the car.

Peter is already inside, upstairs if I'm hearing correctly. Theres a woman's voice that I dont recognize. It must be the realtor he said would be with him.

The door, a glass and black wooden thing, is still unlocked so I let myself in. Its nearly blindingly white; carpet, walls, crystal and white metal chandelier. The staircase curling up one side is the palest wood I've ever seen with a white wooden railing.

"Damn," now I dont want to enter. What if I get it dirty or something? Will we have to pay for the cleanup?

Heavy footfalls thump down the steps. Peter moves quickly with a mischievous smile that reminds me a little too much of Stiles. The woman follows with a pinched expression, glaring at the stairs.

Oh, so thats why...

Thick muddy footprints shadow behind Peter. The woman is in grey flats although there is some mud splattered on her legs. How much mud did he track through this place and are we going to get in trouble for it?

"Issac!" Peter nearly bounces off the last step and onto the thick carpet. Even I wince at that. The woman is biting her tongue so hard I'm surprised that I cant smell the blood yet.

Peter throws an arm around my shoulders, "Do you want to see the pool they have here? It takes up the entire backyard."

"Not really," because I'm not stupid. That woman is a hair's breath away from blowing a gasket right now and Peter isnt helping. Besides, this definitely isnt for us.

"You're right," he sighs, turning to pull me along outside, "I guess we're on to the next one."

Derek is leaning against the camaro, glaring that murder glare up at the house. Peter smirks, poking at me through the bond as he calls to Derek, "What do you think of our new place, nephew?"

If anything, Derek's glare gets worse. His lips twist in almost as much displeasure as the womans. With a huff he slides back into the car, ignoring Peters amusement.

"Shall we look at the last house," the woman asks with a bitterly brittle smile. Clearly Peter has worn on her last nerve.

He smiles, pulling me over to his car with a cheerful agreement. I follow along. Its not like I have anywhere else to be. But I do wonder...

"What happens when you get a house?"

"We will move in, obviously," he answers without looking over.

"Just you and Derek or..."

The look he throws me tells me just how stulid he found that question. He does explain, "Pack houses are meant for pack. So while Derek and I will have a room, so will you and Erica and Stiles. How we settle the rooms depends a lot on who we add to the pack and what their situation is but the pack house is for the Whole pack."

I try not to let on how relieved I am. Its not that I thought they would leave me behind its just... Peter has Derek and Stiles has her dad and Erica has her parents and...

A hand grips the back of my neck. Warm affection floods the packbonds. The car rumbles to a stop at a stoplight, the engine idling low and quiet.

"Issac," Peter calls softly, squeezing my neck until I look up at him, "I chose you. Stiles I bit first, then you. You have fought for our pack. You will kill for our pack. Never doubt your place with us."

I scrub at my cheeks. I'm not crying. I'm NOT! My eyes are just itching and my cheeks are hot. I'm not crying.

Peter pulls me closer, rubbing his cheek against my forehead and rumbling a wolfish growl. I close my eyes, letting myself feel the bonds. The bond to Peter is warm and affectionate. The bond to Derek is steady if distant. Erica and Stiles, the bonds to them are alight with happiness, joy, and amusement.

A car horn honks loudly. Peter pulls away slowly, his eyes still glowing red. I smile back at him, tilting my head to bare my throat.

I dont care what anyone says, this pack is the best thing that has ever happened to me. I'm safe, I'm never alone. Belonging, the fact that now I matter if even to one person, is all I ever wanted. This is better that I ever thought possible.

I wont let anyone take this from me!

"When do we hunt?" Because I am ready. I'll go out there now and tear out their throats. I'll dig my claws into their bellies and strangle them with their own entrails!

"Tomorrow," he answers with a toothy grin.

Chapter 14: Release noggie

Chapter 14

 

"Did you know the Australians lost a war to the emus?" I ask to break the boredom of our walk.

Peter has us all out here looking for some huge ass tree thing. He called it a Nematon. He says we have to visit it or something on the full moon tomorrow so we have to find it tonight.

I'm not completely sure what we are looking for but Peter says we will know it when we see it. He says it will solidify his claim, make our pack stronger and the territory safer. It still might've just been an excuse to get us all out of the house.

When Erica and I got back late there was a big fight. Dad had his gun drawn on Peter. Issac was in beta shift, snarling at dad while Derek tried to calm everyone down.

Dad says the boys who attacked us went missing and he blames Peter. He wanted to arrest him but Peter has an alibi for when the guys went missing. Peter was a bit smug telling dad about his alibi and dad definitely doesnt believe him. He snapped back that being a werewolf doesnt make Peter above the law. Then he stormed out the door. I dont think he even noticed that I cut and colored my hair.

Thankfully Erica's parents dropped us off and drove away as we entered the house. I know we're not ready to explain the werewolf thing to them yet. She and I were just planning a lazy night binging silly eighties movies while having a big pack cuddle.

Peter came over, cooing at us both. Erica had her hair cut to just below her shoulders and added vibrant red streaks into her curls. Mine was trimmed a little more even with multiple streaks of different colors making a rainbow of twists when curled. We were both excited to show everyone how cute our hair is but it just isnt a good day.

Everyone was a little too anxious to sit and enjoy the greek chicken Derek cooked so Peter gathered us up for a trip through the woods. Derek passed out pitas stuffed with chicken and vegetables for us to eat on our way. It was good, all of the food he makes is, but there was a bit too much tension to really enjoy it.

We all started at the old Hale house as the sun was setting. Peter had us all split up to search more area so we dont spend the whole night out here. We can still hear each other somewhat but we're spread out enough to cover more ground. Derek showed up after I tripped the third time. I guess my night vision doesnt work as well as everyone else's.

Derek looks back at me with such a sufferingly disbelieving look that I stop walking. He sighs with a disgruntled, "What?"

I nod, sweeping my flashlight more to our right, "Yeah, Australia had a problem with emus destroying local farms back in the thirties. They sent troops and everything and they still lost."

"How?" He asks incredulously, his eyes glowing blue allowing him to see better in the dark.

I grin back, "Have you ever seen an emu?"

"Isnt it like an ostrich or something?" He asks, turning to continue walking.

I shrug, turning my flashlight ahead again, "Kinda, only a whole lot meaner."

He hums, shaking his head and walking a little faster. I stumble twice to catch up to him. I'm not usually this clumsy but I swear that every step has me slipping or hitting a branch, vines, or a dip in the ground.

"There were like 20,000 emus running around screwing up farms, destroyimg crops, so the Australian government sent in troups with machine guns," I tell him because I know he's curious even if he's pretending he isnt. "They killed a couple thousand but still lost the war to the emus."

He shakes his head, "That's not true."

"It totally is!" I protest, tripping again only for his hand to catch me, tucking me against his side.

"The soldiers would've just bombed them or something," he argues back, unimpressed.

"They had machine guns and they were out there for a while," I tell him matter-of-factly. "They killed a few thousand but there were just too many emus. So after that they offered a bounty for any emus and left them to the locals."

The trees clear up a little ahead of us. Derek frowns, sniffing the air and edging forward cautiously. Theres nothing here though, just a great big stump.

Derek doesnt seem to want to go further. Theres a touch of confusion and shame in his scent. He must be picking up on something but I'm not sure if he know what it is.

I look over the area again, the flashlight's beam jumping over the area. Theres the large wide stump with bushes and grasses growing up to it. There are a few thick roots that peak up from the ground as they spiral out from the stump.

Something catches the light. I make another slower sweep of the flashlight. I know I saw something. I move closer in slow shuffling steps until the light shines back again.

Derek has moved a bit further away. He's still sniffing, obviously trying to track or trace something. He doesnt look like he's going to run off any time soon.

I keep my flashlight on the same spot. Its looks like something metal buried beneath a wide root. It doesnt look recent, the ground a bit too thickly grass covered.

Derek is crouched down a bit away staring at something on the ground. Whatever it is has his emotions churning painfully. Concern bleeds over from our packmates.

It must be something from his past. His family used to live here. Perhaps this was where he and his siblings played. Maybe they had a fort here or maybe they came this way on the full moons.

I look back at the hint of metal visible through the dirt. Maybe its something from his family, a necklase or something. It may be something he will want.

I toe at the area first. I really dont want to reach down there just to get bitten by a snake. Thankfully nothing moves. The grass grows thick up to the root and the dirt is compact around it. I use a stick to break up the dirt. Its round, the metal top of a jar lid.

Maybe its like a time capsule. We did one in kindergarten class that is supposed to be dug up at our graduation. Our teachers had us write a letter to our future self. I dont remember what I wrote but I remember being proud of how clever I thought I was at the time.

I glance back at Derek. He's still kneeling in the grass but the others have gathered around him now. Erica strides over, no doubt curious about what I found.

It takes a few minutes of digging and tugging to get it free. It's an old mason jar, completely dark from how thickly the mud is caked on it. It's a struggle to twist off the top but I finally manage.

Something darts out. Grey wings burst into motion, startling us.

I slap at the air. Erica jumps back and Issac transforms into his beta shift. The moth, I think its a moth, flies away quickly.

"What happened?" Peter snaps out, hurrying over to us with Derek behind him.

"Bug flew at us," Erica says at the same time Issac answers, "Stiles found a jar."

I hold up the jar with an apologetic smile, "I thought it might be something but its just an old jar."

Peter looks past us at the wide stump, "No, you've found the Nematon."

Chapter 15

Notes:

I though for a while about including the fool moon hunt but no matter how I wrote it, it just felt too dry. So this is the morning after

Stiles

Chapter 15

 

My body aches. Thats the first thing I noticed. My body aches, my mouth is cotton dry, and I feel sticky all over as if I fell asleep with maple syrup smeared on me.

Not that I'm speaking from experience or anything. I've never painted myself in maple syrup! Honest, I didn't!

I have fallen asleep with icecream smeared on my cheek. I've had paint dry and flake away too. I wont even mention the time Scott and I woke up covered in grape jelly and peanut butter.

Actually, it is a funny story. Not that dad or Melissa thought so. They were horrified when they saw the mess we had made. Their expressions were hilarious but the spankings we got were nothing to laugh at.

In our defense, we were trying to get gum out of my hair. We just couldnt remember if it was peanut butter or jelly that works so we tried both. I wouldnt have smushed a handful of jelly in his face if he didnt smear a thick streak of it on my cheek. Then it desolved into seeing who could smear the most on who. There was even pickle juice that I poured on him after he tossed applesauce at me.

Grief rushes forward. I miss Scott. I miss the goofy friend who was forever at my side. I miss our food fights and our epic game nights. I miss the adventures we would go on and the trouble we always got into. I miss my brother...

But... he wasn't a very good brother.

The moment someone else paid him attention, he forgot all about me. He barely knew Allison. She was just a pretty girl that smiled at him and he was hers without a second thought. He chose her over me... and it hurts.

I would've put him first. I wouldve made room for him in our pack. Hell, I told him about what really happened right after it happened! I included him in everything!

So... why did he turn on me?

An arm tightens around my waist. A cheek nuzzles against my stomach while a hand tangles in my hair. Warm bodies press tighter, cuddling closer to comfort me even as they're all still asleep.

My pack. I don't know what I would do without them. Even asleep after the full moon, the bonds we share are alive with warm affection.

Peter is... Peter is home. Peter is strong and protective, intelligent and witty, proud and affectionate. He's our alpha, in a way he's our father. He's a little bit broken but so are we and we take care of each other. We fit together, we make a good family, a good pack.

Derek is such a mother hen, or perhaps mom-friend is the better term. He cooks and cuddles and fusses over us worriedly all while grumbling like the biggest emo baby ever. No joke! He grumbles like a grumpy old man, glares like a serial killer, and fusses over us like the worlds sweetest mom. Its awesome and hilarious and he's just the Best!

Issac is so fiercely loyal. He never once hesitated about our pack. If anything, he has flourished. He still has nightmares, we all do, but he has us now.

Erica is smart and sarcastic. She's loyal and honest and a bit scathing at times. I wish I had tried to get to know her before. She's becoming an amazing friend.

Erica grumples against my stomach and there is the slightest twinkle of irritation overwhelmed by affection. She turns her face just enough to grouch, "Its too early, go back alseep."

A strong chest rumbles against my side, a nose nuzzling my shoulder. There are other huffs and grumbles and even a tired kitten growl from Issac, I think. They are all still content and sleepy and I'm really not.

I blink against the bright sunshine. Man, when did the sun come up?! I didnt even realize it was so bright until I opened my eyes only to slam them back shut.

The more I wake up, the more aware I become. I feel the cold air, moist with morning frost. I feel the rough scratchiness of wood beneath us and stickiness covering nearly every ince of me. What did we get into last night?

I blink awake again, more carefully this time. Derek is stretched out beside me, one strong arm thrown over my waist. Erica is lower, curled against my other side with Issac wrapped around her. Peter is an almost purring mutant wolf curled over our heads.

"I feel hungover," Erica grumbles, pressing her face against the softness of my stomach.

"I've had a hangover before," Issac rumbles back as he blinks up angrily at the sky, "this feels like after a week in that damn freezer."

"What happened last night?" I ask, still only barely looking around.

Erica huffs annoyed, leaning back to glare over us all, "Better question is, why are we covered in blood?"

"What?!" I nearly jump up.

She's right! We're all covered in dry flakey blood. What happened?!

"Is okay," Issac sooths, reaching out to stroke my arm before I can bolt away, "maybe we caught a deer."

"And ate it raw?" Erica spits out in disgust while turning over to face him.

"No, we stopped to bake it in our little werewolf oven," Issac snaps back deadpan.

I laugh because that was a good one. I wouldve said the same thing if my brain wasn't hyper focused on the blood. Its all over us and the gigantic tree stump, the Nematon. Maybe we killed a deer and fed it to the tree?

"Go back to sleep," Derek growls, pulling and tugging me back down beside him.

"Did you know, the term hangover comes from these ropes that drunken sailors would pay a penny to sleep drapped over," I tell them because it is a cool fact.

Derek leans back with such an afronted glare.

"Its true!" I defend, "Sailors would come ashore and drink and gamble all of their money away. So inns would put up these ropes that for a penny a night, the drunks could sleep somewhere relatively safe. I think bars offered them too."

"You have such a wierd brain," Derek huffs, snuggling back against me.

Well, that wasnt very nice. The only reason I'm not offended is because of the warm thrumming of affection and amusement coming through the bonds. Yeah, I'm wierd, but my pack loves me.

Peter sits up, shaking through the transformation back to human form. Its fascinating to watch but its a bit jerky,less smooth than how the others shift to beta form. Maybe the more you transform the harder it is. Or it could be because he's was so badly hurt and he's still healing somewhat.

"The blood was from our hunt," Peter says oh so matter of factly, "we offered our kills to the Nematon and it accepted. You should all be able to feel it, at least a little."

Now that he mentions it, I do feel something. Its a bit glowy, if something you feel can be glowy. Its also warm and sleepy content. Its almost like a pack bond but different at the same time.

"What did we see who could bag the biggest deer?" Erica snorts.

Peter gives her such a confused look, "Of course not, my dear, we offered up enemies of our pack."

Enemies of our...

I shove up, scrambling to my knees as Erica and Issac do the same. Issac lets out a soft, "Oh, yeah." Erica wilts with a mixture of horror, relief, and gratitude.

I dont know what to feel. Because we...

The enemies of our pack...

My gaze locks on to the cloudy eyes of a severed head. There are intestine tossed in the tree branches like some kind of monsterous garland. Everything is red, the trees, the grass, the various lumps and chunks of meat.

Damn.

Chapter 16

Erica

 

Chapter 16

 

"Peter!" Stiles whirls around with such a kittenish snarl I cant help but snort. "What did we do?! We cant do this!"

Peter rolls his shoulders, not even looking the least bit worried, "We had to offer the Nematon a worthy sacrifice..."

"Sacrifice?!" Stiles squeals angrily, "We murdered People!"

"They deserved it," Issac grumbles sleepily.

"Thats not our place to say!" Stiles snaps at him before turning back on Peter, "Do you realise what we've done?! Do you realize how incredibly Screwed we are now?!"

Peter sits up with a warning growl. His eyes flashing red. Stiles tenses but doesnt back down.

"The Nematon needed a sacrifice," Peter repeats warningly.

"So you had to pick Them! We're all screwed now!" She snaps back.

Derek reaches up to stroke Stiles back to calm her. Her panic rumbles louder through the bonds. She shifts up further, exposing a large red handprint on her butt.

I laugh. I cant help it. I laugh, perhaps a bit hysterically, and a second later Issac starts cackling too.

The blood is tacky and the mess around us smells like wet pennies and sewage. I feel oddly full, or at least no longer hungry. Which is worrisome because now I think we might've eaten some of the bodies.

But its just too funny, seeing a handprint in blood on her ass. Because that handprint is totally Derek's. Which means at some point last night he grabbed her ass! I knew he was into her!

"What is so funny!" Stiles screeches, clearly well on the way to a panic attack. "Do you realise what we've done?! There is no way we wont be the prime suspects!"

"Easy, Stiles, we wont get caught," Derek tries to sooth, throwing us a half-hearted glare.

She turns to snap at him, "We will be the prime suspects! Everyone will know we did this!"

"They will think the boys ran away," Peter soothes, calmer now.

"Do you honestly think no one will see this?!" She waves around us at the obscene amount of carnage, "There is no possible way we can clean this mess up!"

"No one will find this place," Peter soothes only for her to interupt with a screeched, "My Dad! will know that it was US!"

"We will take care of it," Derek soothes, curling around Stiles and nuzzling her cheek.

I let out another burst of giggles. Stiles turns a glare on me, "What about this can possible so funny?"

"You... have a bloody handprint on your... on your ass!" I mumble back.

Stiles freezes in shock, wide eyes narrow as she twists around to see it. With a small squeak she curls to cover herself. The panic fizzles out of the bond, quickly replaced with embarrassment and a little spicy tint of lust.

Derek leaps away from her, dropping off of the stump and popping back up with his bloody leather jacket. He hurries to wrap it around Stiles. Really? As if we havent all seen her strip to transform a dozen times by now.

Peter sighs, "Stiles, sweetheart, it's going to be okay."

She glares pack mutinously, "How are we supposed to hide this?!"

"We got some of them to write notes," Issac answers softly. "Everyone will think they all ran."

Peter pulls Stiles close, tucking her face against his neck, "I promise, no one will have reason to accuse us."

"What do I tell my dad?" Stiles asks, her voice small and soft.

Peter smiles, stroking her hair, "I wont ask you to lie to him, sweetheart. If he asks, I'll tell him myself."

That assurance seems to take the wind out of her sails. She releases a deep breath, relaxing into his hold. The bond settles, humming soothing with affection.

We get up soon after to start cleanup. Derek and Issac get shovels and start digging several shallow holes. Peter gathers up the larger pieces, mostly bones and cracked skulls, tucking them into garbage bags. Stiles and I get rakes to try to move as much of the mess into the holes.

Its gross work. The grass squishes slimily with each step. No matter how much we pick up and move the ground still seems caked thickly with gelatinous blood.

Issac and Derek cover the holes back up. Then we follow Peter out to a pond nearby. Its not very big or deep, barely the size of a footbal field and maybe waist deep at a few spots, but it works to let us clean up. Issac and Stiles clean the shovels and rake while Peter and Derek swim under the water with the garbage bags.

"What if the bags float?" I ask, nodding to the men currently underwater.

"Theres a rotten tree in the center," Issac glances up as he answers, "they will bury the bags within it and tear the bags so animals can get to it."

We leave once they're done. Its a quick walk back to the old Hale house. Derek passes out towels so we can dry off before getting dressed. Then we split off into Derek and Peters car.

The Sheriff is waiting for us when we get back to his house. He smiles as we troupe through, pointing us to a late lunch. A large bowl of spaghetti sits in the center of the table.

Stiles pales. Her breathing picks up, and she rushes off to the downstairs bathroom. The sound of vomiting comes a second later.

"What happened?" The Sheriff demands, already moving to check on Stiles.

"She's fine," Peter waves him off, "She's just upset that we ate a deer last night."

The Sheriff blinks back surprised, "Do you mean that She ate a raw wild animal?"

"Well we didnt stop to cook it so, yeah," Peter answers flippantly.

Disgust and amusement glitter through the Sheriff's scent. We hear him enter the bathroom, soothing Stiles. He doesnt mention the raw meat, instead offering to bring her a salad if she wants to rest in her room. Her voice is a little shaky when she agrees.

Chapter 17

Issac Lahey

 

Chapter 17

 

For all that Stiles worried about it, no one actually blamed us. The Sheriff doesnt ask. I think he's more relieved than he wants to admit.

The letters we had some of the boys write make it look like they ran. They wrote about how much they regret their actions and they know they did wrong. At the time, we told them we would release them if they wrote the letters. We did release them but it was to hunt them down so we didnt exactly lie. We couldnt use all of them but we used a few.

It helps that we were able to get rid of their cars. Peter knew a pack that runs an auto salvage a few towns over. They took the cars, stripping them quickly and crushing what they couldnt keep. No one will ever know.

Stiles is still nervous about it. She's a bit more twitchy but most people put it down to her being scared. Erica and I stay with her most of the time. The school even has a female teacher staying late to check the locker room for her and stand guard until she's done for the day.

What we need are a few more wolves. Peter did ask us to look around. We need someone who will be a good fit, loyal and trustworthy.

I considered Matt for half a second. He's a loner like us but something about him is off. I dont know why but when I think about him as pack, my wolf recoils. So he is a firm no.

Erica suggests Boyd. Hes a big guy, calm and quiet. He smells sad and lonely but not bad.

Erica and I lead Stiles to Boyd's table at lunch. He blinks at us surprised but doesnt comment. We keep the conversation on easy topics even if Stiles goes off on a tangent about gender equality in early cinema.

"I'm just saying," she adds as if anyone is arguing, "that the black and white movies were primarily written, directed, and edited by women. But the moment men decided they like movies, they took over and shoved the women aside."

"I didnt know women directed old movies," Erica says, grinning when Stiles gives a triumphant, "Exactly my point!"

"Take Lois Weber for example. Her 1915 film 'Hypocrites' was a very controversial examination of religion. She tackled issues like social justice, directing over a hundred films and staring or editing a few hundred."

"Ida May Parks wrote about fifty films that tackled social issues like the struggles of the poor."

Then she adds excitedly, "And you cant forget Alice Guy-Blanche! She was involved in like a thousand films. She's often credited as the first female filmmaker."

"She did that movie, 'A Fool and His Money', the first film with an all black cast," Boyd adds softly, nervousness edging his scent.

"Yes!" Stiles nearly crows in triumpth, "She also make this adorable french silent film called, 'The fairy of the cabbages', about a french fairy tale where baby boys are born from cabbages and girls are born from roses!"

"Really?" Erica asks surprised.

Stiles nods emphatically, "Yes, it really is amazing for its time and its still kinda cute!"

Erica throws Boyd a raised eyebrow in question. He shrugs, a touch of embarrassment in his scent as he answers, "My grandma likes her movies."

"That settles it, we have to have a classic film night," Erica dictates before asking, "What about Thursday? Boyd, any plans?"

Boyd blinks over surprised, cautious hope in his scent. Stiles repeats the offer, "Yeah, Boyd, what about Thursday? We have to educate these two goobers."

With a shy grin he agrees. Triumpth sparks in the pack bonds. Hopefully we will soon have a new packmate.

Chapter 18

Derek Hale

 

Chapter 18

 

The timer rings shrilly. Stiles leaps up from arranging the cakes and pies on the table, rushing over to hover at my back. I pull the small turkey from the oven, placing it on the stove to cool. It is the only meat we have for this meal but it should be enough.

This is the only kitchen finished of the three townhouses so its where I've spent the last day and a half cooking. Its a smallish kitchen as you would expect of a two bedroom. The countertop is a mostly white marble top while the stove and fridge are stainless steel.

The plan is to tear out the wall where the cabinets sit to open this kitchen to the next door one. The small dining area in this one will gain a built in breakfast booth. The wall seperating the other two townhouses will get torn down to give us a large diningroom where the second dining area meets the third's kitchen.

There are also plans to tear out the walls between the living rooms of the three homes. We will reconstruct the second floor so that a hallway stretches the length of the front wall. The two staircases will bracket the hallway on each end of the wall.

Much of the construction will be done by us. Peter has a team coming next week to renovate the bathrooms and another coming to double check the wiring but most of the work will be done by us. Its a bit of a pack thing, needing to build your own home with your own hands. It makes us feel safer, not having too many strangers coming through.

For this dinner, we will be eating outside. The three townhouses have a concrete patio area connecting to all three patio doors. So we bought two long tables and several folding chairs to setup our first official pack meal at our new pack house.

Thanksgiving is still painful. I hear phantom laughter in the walls. I can feel my old pack bonds like phantom limbs, throbbing in pain. I cant stomach the smell of roasting ham and Peter cant stand to be inside if any type of meat is cooking.

It hurts. It hurts to remember what we lost. It hurts to have something like family once more.

Laura and I didnt celebrate holidays after the fire. For us, there was nothing to be thankful for. There were no birthdays, no presents, no decorations or treats. It was only her and me hiding from the world and pretending that we werent screaming in agony every second.

"It looks Awesome!" Stiles nearly screeches at my shoulder.

"Did you know there wasn't any actual turkey at the first Thanksgiving dinner?" Erica pipes up, hiding the fact that she snuck another sugared pecan from the bowl.

Stiles twirls around excitedly to face her, "Yeah, and did you know that the first Thanksgiving was really a three day harvest festival? The first official Thanksgiving was in 1777 but by 1815 it had fallen way out of practice. It wasnt declared a holliday until, like, 1860 and even then most people didnt celebrate it."

"Why'd they make it a holiday then?" Issac asks, not even pretending he isnt stealing another buttered yeast roll.

"Because the same chick that wrote 'mary had a little lamb' kept bugging the presidents until he relented," Stiles shrugs indifferently. "But did you know that it was more like Halloween? Like people would dress up in costumes and masks."

"They picked that date as a marketing scheme," Peter offers dryly, stepping through the open patio door with a barely concealed wince. "Roosevelt was trying to boost the economy by encouraging holiday spending."

"Did it work?" Issac asks, turning to where Peter is surveying the table overloaded with vegetable dishes.

"Somewhat," Peter answers absently, "People didnt like it at first but they got with it once it was more commercialized. Now 'black friday' sales can start a whole week early."

"People just dont like change," Erica snickers.

"People dont like being told what to do," Peter corrects.

"I got one!" Stiles leaps up, nearly bouncing over to drape herself against Peter's side. "In 1774, Frederick the Great ordered Prussians to grow potatoes to fight famine, right, only people got really pissed and were basically snapping back that they would rather starve than eat a worthless dirty root, right! So he built 'royal gardens' where potatoes were grown and hired guards and everything. So then people were like, 'hold up, we want that too!' So he built the walls really weak and short and trained the guards to be really bad guards. They let people in and took bribes and everything."

"He tricked them into stealing food so they wouldnt starve?" Erica laughs.

Stiles nods excitedly, "Yeah and they were proud as peacocks thinking they got one over on him!"

"If that isnt peak human nature then I dont know what is," Issac tisks.

An engine rumbles closer, a slight ticking and hissing sound with it. All of us freeze at the sound, senses stretching out to the three approaching heartbeats. One is pack so the other two must be his grandmother and sister.

Erica leaps up with an excited shout, "Boyd!"

Peter and I both let out a breath. Now we just have to wait for Erica's parents and brother to show up. The Sheriff isnt coming today but I already have a couple plates waiting to be filled and set aside for him.

Chapter 19

Peter Hale

 

Chapter 19

 

Erica laughs where she's watching Stiles swing a sledgehammer at the wall. So far, her third hit has only dented the wall. With a huff, she pulls back for a forth swing and nearly misses the wall completely.

Warmth blooms within our bonds. It aches, the wounds from my family's pack bonds. There are times that I still get lost in my own head remembering the fire. There are times that it feels impossible to move past, as if I'm still trapped within the flames.

The only thing keeping me sane at times are my pack bonds. They keep me focused on the here and now. The warmth, the security and acceptance, mostly from Stiles, are enough to drown out the screams... the horrible smell of burning meat and hair... the deep sense of betrayal and rage...

I shake away the lingering scent of ashes in my nose. Now isnt the time to be lost in that hell. Now is the time to move forward, to heal. Our enemies are dead. Our pack is strong.

The pack has worked hard to renovate our home. Derek and Issac are nailing up the frames for the new second floor hallway. Boyd has been helping me replace the cabinets in the kitchen. Erica and Stiles are trying, with some amusing difficulty, to open the walls between the seperate living rooms.

The three professionals I hired finished the first bathroom yesterday. Today has them switching out the sinks and cabinets in all of the other bathrooms. Tomorrow they will return with the new clawfoot tubs and tile the walk-in showers.

My skin itches, having strangers in our home, but I know it cant be helped. Some things we need to pass to professionals. Better to get them in and out quickly so we dont have to bring them in later.

I push away the stress of strangers scents. 'It will be alright,' I reasure myself, 'they are not hunters'. And if they are, we will end them because my pack is strong... amazingly, shockingly strong.

Boyd was a good choice. He's strong and steady, a good friend for the other pups. He has fallen into the packbonds with arms open and accepting, revealing in no longer being alone and outcast.

The full moon was good for us and came with a few surprises.

Boyd played with the pups so easily, rushing eagerly to play and chase. Stiles transformed as she so often does, into a creature of exquisite grace and speed with the softest fur. Only this time, she wasnt the only one.

Issac, after watching her transformation with a sharp intensity, removed his own clothes and crouched low to the ground. His eyes were squeezed closed, forehead drawn in concentration. His beta transformation came and still he pushed himself while Stiles drowned him in encouragement.

Derek was amused, believing that Issac was attempting the impossible. Erica and Boyd were curious and hopeful. I myself didnt think he could do it but I held back, watching and hiding my doubts.

Somehow, he managed the transformation. Bones cracked, shifting their position as muscles stretched and fur pushed past skin. It was slow and clearly painful but with so much encouragement and praise heaped on him through the bonds he was able to push through.

A reddish-golden brown wolf stood on shaky limbs, glowing gold eyes blinking around in surprise. The pups rush him, howling and yipping their excitement to the moon. He is slightly larger than a natural wolf but not so much so as to be something alien.

I nose at him, checking him over for injuries but there is no lingering pain. He's clumsy in this form with unsteady steps. Still, he and the other pups play, repeatedly howling their victory for all to hear.

I stayed back some to keep watch for dangers. I wont allow a threat to find us unaware again. I wont lose my pack again! I wont allow it!

The full moon also brought one problem to my attention. Derek has been growing increasingly possessive of Stiles. He stalks near her, repeatedly sniffing and touching her fur. That wouldnt be unusual if he was as tactile with the others but he isnt.

Stiles is obvious. She doesnt notice how his hands linger. She doesnt notice the traces of aggression in his scent when she rolls around with the others. Since she isnt actually a wolf, her senses arent as sharp, she doesnt notice his interest.

I'm not jealous, I'm concerned. The last thing I want is any of my pack getting hurt, especially her. She deserves so much better than him. She is bright, joyful, loyal, and fierce. She deserves a mate just as wonderful as she is and Derek just isn't.

It may be cruel to speak of my nephew in such a way but it is true. He is dark and moody, cloaking himself in his sorrow and pain. He's weak, easily submitting at the slightest challenge. He isnt loyal, too easily lead by a pretty face. He just is not good enough for her, its that simple.

So I did what any good alpha would do. I pulled him aside after the pups had nodded off, exhausted from their playing. I told him to stop. I told him that she was too good for him and I wouldnt allow it.

He didnt argue, even if he tightened his hold on her nude body. He didnt even flinch when I brought up how unreliable his loyalty is. He just nodded, face set in a scowl and slipped from the pack pile to patrol the area.

Some may think me cruel. I suppose I can be at times. But I am no fool. I will protect my pack and like it or not, there is a hierarchy.

Stiles is my second, the heart and joy of our pack. After her comes Issac, my most unquestionably loyal beta, then Erica and now Boyd. Derek is only pack because we share blood but he... he's a theta. Hes the least of us.

Erica cheers as Stiles fifth swing takes out a chunk of drywall. Stiles leaps around in triumpth. Issac sarcastically claps. Stiles responds with blowing a rasberry at him.

Chapter 20

Peter Hale

 

Chapter 20

 

"Did you know, while cotton is the most used fiber in clothing, its also the dirtiest due to fertilizers and pesticides," Stiles says from within the changing room.

"Well, I'm sure they wash it before we try it on," Erica replies unconcerned.

The mall is busy, as usual on a Saturday. With the school's upcoming dance, the dress shops are especially crowded. Another harrassed looking mother rushes past with three dresses drapped over her arm to pass them into another stall where her whiney daughter is struggling into another glittery abomination.

I try to stay out of the way of the harried shoppers but it is difficult to find a place to stand that isnt in someone's way. There are still many that pass too close or crowd nearby while shopping. Its a bit overwelming to the senses but if I focus on pack, on my girls, then it isnt so bad.

I had promised both girls that I would buy them a dress for their dance. Erica doesnt really need me to, her parents do well financially, but I know that the Sheriff doesnt have much money to spare. He didnt argue when I offered although there was a tinge of jealousy in his scent.

Erica steps out in a backless dark blue knee length gown. It has a deep V neck and a long flowing A line. She looks quite pleased with her choice, smiling brightly.

"Did you know that every year, 300,000 tons of clothing end up in landfills? I think that stuff like this is to blame."

Stiles steps out in a lighter blue gown cut more in a Grecian style with the fabric loose and flowing down her form. I move close, smoothing over the fabric draping down her back from both shoulders. There is something like pride warming my chest at being able to provide this for her.

"How so?" Erica winks at me, always amused by the random facts Stiles tends to spout.

"Because there is a social pressure to buy a dress for an occasian that you will only wear once," she answers with a bit of fire. "Its the same with bridesmaids dresses! Why spend loads of money on a dress that you will literally only wear once? Why are dresses for these occasions always outrageously glittery to the point you cant wear them for any other occasion? Why are the fabrics always so damn fragile? I swear, its all a conspiracy!"

"Perhaps, but we do look beautiful," Erica answers without argument, moving up to join Stiles at the mirror.

"I am sure you can wear these at other events," I offer peacefully.

Stiles huffs, "Its just, society has us so messed up about clothes. Why cant we wear whatever we want? Why cant we wear a wedding dress to go bowling or wear a pirate outfit to work or..."

She's cut off by laughter from three girls hovering nearby. Embarrassment floods her scent which sets Erica off. She struts forward, calling out the girls on their dry unwashed hair (that they dont have) and their hideous feet (that is an exaggeration) not made better by their cheap pedicures. The girls scoff, stomping off in a huff.

I step up to Stiles, pushing affection through the bond. She smiles back, a little self-deprecating, "Its okay, I know my brain is super weird."

"I quite adore your mind," I reasure her, tucking her in close to my side. "You are extremely intelligent with a fiercely loyal soul and compassionate heart. Never let others make you feel less."

"Yeah, they're just jealous that they have to settle for clearance rack fashion," Erica teases, stalking back to do a slow spin before the mirror.

"You look Amazing!" Stiles hurries to compliment,the bond thrumming with affection.

Erica turns to her with a commanding tilt of the head, "Well, give us a twirl and lets see if we like it."

Stiles steps up to the mirror again, turning this way and that, examining herself with a thoughtful look. There is a touch of sorrowful longing in her scent when she glances over at the woman cooing at her daughter in a short red dress. No doubt she is missing her own mother.

"Perhaps a belt," I offer, "something jeweled or beaded would look lovely."

Erica quickly pulls Stiles through the store. I stay back a moment to collect the girls clothes. With how crowded it is here, I dont trust that someone wont move them if we leave them in the stall. Better to be safe than sorry, I always say.

Its a bit of a struggle, getting through the crowded shop to the front counter. The line is already long, winding down the far wall and blocking some of the displays. The poor cashiers, both young ladies, are doing their best to keep up.

A baby coos...

Her scent floods my senses. That soft powdery smell of newborns, the wild rush of wolf in her veins, the barely there pack bond twirling tightly around my heart. I was never prepared for the love that overwhelms me.

I look down at the nearly weightless bundle in my arms. She's so very tiny, all long thin limbs and an angry pouty mouth currently crying her frustration to us all. Her small head is covered with thick dark downy soft hair. One tiny hand with long fragile fingers stretches out only to curl back into a fist.

I catch those tiny fingers, feeling then tighten around my thumb. She tugs, far stronger than you would expect from something so small. I lift her up, tucking her face against my neck and rumbling soothingly for her.

My ears pop as noise returns. There is no weight in my arms. There is no baby tucked against my neck. She's gone. They're all gone. They're all gone!

Smoke fills my lungs. The horrid stench of burning flesh and hair clogs the back of my throat. A small body is cupped to my chest, terrified eyes meet mine as flames devour us.

Its too hot! We're burning! We're burning!

Stiles is there, pulling me down to hide my face against her neck. Erica is pressing to my other side. Both are pushing comfort through the bonds. Both are speaking, cooing soothingly.

We're kneeling on the floor. When did we fall? Did we fall?

The room seems to spin. The noise is too loud. Too many people are crowding too close. Its too dangerous!

I'm holding my sweet baby girl in my arms. She's getting chubby, not fat but finally no longer so thin. Her legs have little fat rolls and her arms and hands are pudgy. She still smells baby soft and wolf wild but now there is an edge of something new, something uniquely her.

Hunters prowl outside the house, calling taunts and laughing loud. Children cry, my nephews and nieces, looking around for someone to save them. Talia stands frozen, red eyes wide with fear, trapped by indecision.

Erica is arguing with someone. Everything is caught in a red haze, my clawed hands fist in soft fabric. Stiles has a tight grip on the back of my neck, keeping my face hidden against her throat.

It takes a while to get control again, a bit too long. Sounds come and go, sometimes echoing distantly as if underwater and sometimes deafeningly loud. Stiles somehow manages to keep me hidden enough and Erica draws enough attention away from us that no one seems to notice the transformation.

My temples throb, my throat is cottony dry. I feel lethargic and shaky all over. I dont know when Issac and Boyd arrived but they both crowd close. I hear Derek speaking softly to someone but I dont care enough to see who.

My pups help me up, guiding me out. They act as a good buffer, shielding me from the nosey humans hovering nearby. Each step is steadier than the last. The first breath of fresh air outside is almost enlightening... reawakening...

I'm too tired to argue when Issac takes the keys from my pocket. Boyd and Stiles bracket me in the backseat, pressing themselves close on either side.

We are nearly home when embarrassment hits like a bucket of ice cold water, "I'm sorry about that."

"It happens," Boyd shrugs it off.

Stiles leans back, glaring somewhat challengingly, "You have nothing to be ashamed of! You had a panic attack. It was not intentional and you had no control over it. You are Not to blame!"

Chapter 21

Issac Lahey

 

Chapter 21

 

The music is obnoxiously loud. The punch is just fruit punch in a bowl with small plastic cups. There is a plate of store bought cookies and a couple bowls of chips for snacks.

A photographer is set up against one end of the room. There are cheap string lights and some tablecloths tapped to the ceiling and walls to make it look less like the school gym. There are balloons and streamers everywhere as well as a fog machine with different colored lights. It doesnt seem worth it to me but hey, what do I know.

The metal folding chairs are uncomfortable and the floor is sticky. The plastic tablecloths are a shimmering mess, leaving glitter on anyone that touches them. I do my best to not get anymore of that crap on my clothes but its probably a lost cause.

Lydia throws her drink which misses Jackson by an inch and splashes against the coach who had the unfortunate luck of walking past them at the time. He probably would've punised them if Lydia wasnt hissing like an angry cat at Jackson. Instead he just noped out of that one which is odd for the coach.

There's vomit behind the snack table, from someone who came already hammered. The reek of a bad shit is wafting from the bathroom and its noticable even where I'm sitting across the room. The janitors are going to have their work cut out for them, cleaning up this mess.

The school dance is too crowded to really be any fun. Too much lust, desperation, jealousy, and anger filling the air. I wouldn't have bothered coming if my pack wasnt here.

Erica and Boyd are dancing close together. They've been circling each other for the past week or so. They have both been showing interest and staking their claim.

Boyd has been more shy about it than Erica but no less interested. She'll shake her tail at him, wink and flirt unashamed during class. During our pack runs, she will taunt him to chase her and rub her scent all over him.

They've been pawing at each other for the last half hour, both flushed with excitement. Their scents are thick with lust that seems to only urge each other on further. Boyd's eyes have flashed golden a couple times already at her teasing. It wont be long before they slip away because they're both far too worked up now to back down.

Peter says its a good thing, natural. He says thats how packs grow strong, mating and breeding healthy pups. He actually seems excited for them to pair off and start popping out babies.

Its a little wierd but also not. As a wolf, I know that he's not being perverse about it. He just wants the pact to grow and this is a natural way to go about it. As a person, I understand that he longs for a family again. Its not that he wants to replace his family but he longs for what he had before.

I turn to track Stiles instead. After Peter clawed her dress during his panic attack, she and Erica modified it. It was a simple design before but they cut it up the side and a part off the bottom to make some stylized draping thing go around her waist.

Peter was embarrassed about it. I dont think he was worried about the dress so much as he was worried about his betas. I think he was more upset at losing it and leaving them vulnerable in a crowd. He's a good alpha, really supportive and protective of us all.

Stiles is easy to find since there is a good five feet clear all around her. She is twirling around enthusiasticly, more of a hazard than a dancer. At least she looks like she's having fun. Some of the girls here are sulking miserably at tables.

Derek is here as a chaperone and he looks like the most miserablely angry thundercloud. He's mostly been hovering in a corner and ignoring the superficial idiots posturing to get his attention. Lydia has flicked her hair while strutting past him and I dont think he even noticed. Even Danny walked past him a few times to see if he would look but he didnt.

They're all wasting their time. For one, they're a bunch of dumb kids and there's no way Derek would be attracted to them. For another, I'm pretty sure he's head over heels for Stiles.

One of our teachers, a new sub, edges up to him shyly. She has the whole cute teacher look with her brown hair pinned up and a pink sweater with a black skirt and shoes. She offers the whole awkward small talk that he mostly just grunts in reply. I doubt he will pay her any mind but whatever.

Scanning the dance floor again shows Erica and Boyd are missing. I touch the packbonds just to check but they're okay. The amout of lust and excitement thrumming through their end is nauseating.

Stiles collapses into my lap with a triumphant grin, "Why dontch come dance for a bit?"

"I dont dance."

She blows a rasberry back, "What hogwash. Come on now! I dont want to dance alone."

"Who says hogwash?" I tease.

"I do," she answers with mock posturing, "Wouldith thou dance with me."

"If you promise not to knock me unconscious with your uncoordinated flailing."

She huffs back in mock offense, "Such insult! I know you're just jealous of my awesome moves."

"Awesome dangerous," I deadpan, earning a laugh from her.

I let her pull me up. I know if I actually protested then she would back off. She probably felt my boredom and wanted to help.

Thankfully, the next song is a slow one. She snuggles against my shoulder, scenting me. I rub my cheek against hers, rumbling back happily.

Lydia shrieks something at Jackson that manages to echo rage and indignation through the gym. We all glance over to see Lydia stomping off in a dramatic huff. Jackson follows her while loudly grouching about her overreacting.

Those two are the wierdest match. On the surface, they seem like a good match. They're both gorgeous and popular. Both are envied and adored by the masses. But I'm eighty percent certain that she's just his beard.

Not that he doesnt seem to genuinely be attracted to her because I think he is but I also think he's attracted to Danny. Whats even wierder is that Danny is clearly interested but Jackson is too busy playing straight to go for it.

Oh well, its not my business. Its not like this isnt a regular occurrence for them. Our pack is more important than whatever stupid drama those two have worked up.

Alarm burst through the bonds startling us. Boyd and Erica are in trouble! Stiles and I are hurrying to the exit.

A wolf's roar sounds from outside but its not pack. I feel my eyes burn and I know that they've gone golden. The humans dont seem to even notice.

Chapter 22

Erica Reyes

 

Chapter 22

 

He slams me back against the brick wall. The golden glow of his eyes hold mine as he growls a challenge. With a grin, I leap up to wrap my legs around his waist, letting him easily take my weight.

He kisses as if he could devour me, teeth and tongue and claiming. His claws prick at my sides where he grips me through the dress. I rock my hips forward, earning a harsh thrust from him in return.

I break the kiss to lunge forward, catching his throat in my teeth. The books all have it wrong. You don't bite down to claim, thats not the point. Its the power, the trust, thats the point. My fangs press against his skin without ever drawing blood. His pulse hammers against my tongue as he growls in excitement.

His right hand leaves my waist to grip my hair. I release his throat, letting him pull my head back to bare my own to him. His teeth clamp down, I roll my hips, his hands flex and he thrusts forward. Not once does he draw blood.

There is strength in his body. Not just the wolf but the man too. He's calm and steady, strong and sexy. My wolf has howled for him since the moment he was bitten!

The loud sound of the door just feet from us slamming open startles us both. Music errupts, no longer muffled by walls. Voices arguing, Lydia and Jackson step out into the night.

But its not just them here now...

Over Boyd's shoulder I see a man just out of arms reach. He's tall, already beta shifted with red alpha eyes and far too close to be unintentional. A snarl rips itself from my throat.

What happens next happens simultaneously.

Boyd drops me to the ground. He turns with a snarl, facing the other wolf. His arm stops me from lunging at the other.

The door slams back closed.

Lydia screams, wide eyes locked onto the three of us.

Jackson trips, grabbing Lydia's arm and pulling her back only to stumble into a woman.

The woman shifts to beta form, red eyes malicious. With one hand she slaps Lydia, knocking the girl to the ground. Jackson throws a punch at the woman but she kicks out, throwing him against the closed door.

Another man wearing sunglasses and holding a blind man's stick steps out from past the woman. He's flanked by two guys, twins, on either side. The twins are both beta shifted with red eyes as well but they seem to defer to the blind man.

The blind man speaks with a strong brittish accent, "I do so hate when a plan is unnecessaryly complicated by the foolishness of others."

"You're on Hale pack land!" I tell them, just like Peter told us to if we ever meet other wolves challenging us. "Submit or die!"

Of course, I didnt know alphas could or would ban together. Wouldnt their instincts cause issues? Are they even able to share pack bonds?

"The Hale pack is long since burnt to dust," the blind man waves away dismissively. "Perhaps it is you who should submit."

Lydia scrambles to Jackson's side. There's a bloody scrape on her leg and a dark red bruise blooming on her cheek. She'll definitely have a mark by morning if she survives this mess.

Jackson pushes himself to his feet, false bravado in every inch of him, "Whatever you assholes are involved in, it doesnt concern us! We're going to walk away now."

"Why would we let you do that?" The woman teases through fanged teeth.

Jackson recoils, tugging Lydia behind him, "Trust me when I say you dont want to mess with us."

The woman stalks forward a step but her eyes are on the blind man.

Lydia throws up a hand with something in it.

Theres a hiss... a stream of something hits the woman in the face... the air fills with such a burning spice that we all recoil.

The woman leaps back with a snarl.

The man that was snarling at us roars a challenge that echoes, then rushes them.

Boyd and I both leap to stop him but the twins leap at us.

One slams me against the wall while Boyd manages to dodge the other. I claw the one that grabbed me across the face. He hisses back, slamming me harder against the brick wall.

The man smacks Lydia hard, throwing her back against a parked car nearby. Jackson leaps on the man's back only for the man to bite down savagely on his arm.

Boyd throws himself against the one holding me only for the other to throw him across the parking lot.

The door bursts open.

Issac is there, clawing at the guy holding me.

Derek tackles the big guy away from Jackson.

A blur of dark fur that I know is Stiles leaps at the other twin as he tries to grab Issac.

The fight is a chaotic mess.

Issac and I claw and strike at the one twin who is clawing and striking at us.

Boyd rushes to tackle the woman who clawed up Derek's back.

Stiles is thrown hard against the brick wall, her body shuddering back to nude human form.

The one twin shakes off me and Issac, leaping to his brother's side.

Lydia is screaming hysterically while trying to hold pressure on Jackson's arm.

Issac and I face off against both twins only for them to somehow merge, morphing into some kind of monster.

The blind guy strikes out, hitting Stiles in the stomach with his walking stick.

Derek lunges at the blind man, knocking his glasses off and revealing alpha red eyes.

An enraged howl echoes both through the bonds and into the night. Peter rushes forward in his viscous wolf form. Boyd catches the door as several people slam into it, no doubt drawn by Lydia's screams.

The other wolves back off, snarling and snapping. Stiles transforms, stalking up to Peter's side. Issac transforms next, tearing his clothes as he takes his place beside our alpha.

I glance back at Boyd who is holding the door closed. Voices inside are shouting that they are coming through the other door and will only be a minute. Police sirens wail from across the parking lot where the cruiser has been parked for the dance.

"We will finish our conversation later," the blind man says.

The pack of alphas are gone in the blink of an eye but I doubt they will stay gone. Still, now its a different danger that we're in. I force my shift back, knowing that I will need to do damage control.

Derek moves to slump against the door. Boyd doesn't have the control to reverse his shift at will yet. He gathers up the shredded clothes that were once Isaac's as well as the torn blue fabric that was Stiles. With that done he barely has time to duck out of sight before a crowd surges around the corner.

Chapter 23

Stiles

 

Chapter 23

 

Jackson managed to avoid us for the entire christmas break. Derek tried to see him at the hospital but he was always surrounded by friends. I even went by his house but he just shut the door in my face. We did our best to watch over him from a distance.

Its not like we spent the entire time stalking him. We had much bigger problems than him. Namely, a whole pack of alphas that are squatting somewhere in our territory.

We traded nights, running the territory in pairs. We've checked warehouses, abandoned houses, cheep motels. The alpha wolves are nowhere to be found.

Peter doesnt think they left town. He knows them, remembers them from before the fire. He warned us about them all.

He told us about Ennis. He told us how the Argents tortured one of Ennis's betas and he declared revenge. He told us how Talia tried to temper his bloodlust but that he baulked at the callous disregard for his pack.

He told us about Deucalion. He told us how he was once peaceful and wise. That he thought they could meet with the hunters, resolve the conflict without bloodshed.

Gerard Argent set a trap. He murdered the wolves that came for peace as well as his own men, making it look like the wolves attacked first. Deucalion lost his sight that day, his eyes pierced by the claws of wolves Argent murdered.

Argent was a monster and he created a monster.

Deucalion's second challenged him, blaming him for the massacre that occured. Deucalion had no choice but to kill his second in self defense. Just like the next one was also self defense. The third was paranoia. The others fell to his madness.

Deucalion then convinced the other alphas to join him. He convinced them to slaughter their packs; every man, woman, and child. They did it too. They destroyed their packs and all for what? Power?

We were all left a bit shaken after that. The bonds we share are so intense, so wonderfully intimate. I cant imagine how much it would hurt to lose one of them. I know I couldn't kill them... I just couldn't.

So what kind of monster are they that they were able to slaughter their pack?

We spent the first week of Christmas break cuddling on mattresses piled with blankets in the livingroom. Our bonds stayed open, warm and comforting after such a harsh story. We laughed and played and joked and teased until the horror faded.

Our first day of the new semester is also the full moon. That means Jackson is out of time. Whether he wants to go or not, we need to isolate him tonight.

Harris keeps me late in detention. I was just trying to talk to Jackson, reason with him, but it was during class. So while the others get him I'm stuck. At least Derek waited for me so I wouldnt be alone.

By the time we get to the pack's house the others are already there. Erica is lounging on the hood of Jackson's porche. Boyd and Issac are sitting on either side of her, grinning proudly. Repeated thumping and muffled yelling echoes from the trunk.

"Really?" Derek asks with no real scolding in his voice.

Issac throws us an innocent smile, ruined completely by the mischievous amusement flooding the bonds, "He wouldn't come with us so we improvised."

"Peter did ask us to bring him," Boyd adds helpfully.

"And of course we cant disobey our alpha," Issac adds with such a wide innocent grin, I cant help but laugh.

Its a good prank and its not like it was unreasonable. We have been trying to get Jackson to meet with us for weeks. Its his own fault for digging his heels in like a stubborn mule.

A silver bmw turns smoothly onto the driveway. We all turn, knowing its him even without looking. Peter is already smiling, no doubt caught up in the amusement flooding our bonds.

I run up, leaping to hug him before he's even out of the car. Erica crashes against my back seconds before Issac and Boyd join the hug. Peter hugs us back just as tight, warm affection wafting off of him.

There's a click and a muffled curse. We glance back to see Derek dragging a bound and muffled Jackson from the trunk of his car. He throws him over a shoulder and stalks up to the packhouse.

Chapter 24

Notes:

Thank you all for the likes and comments. Writing helps me so I'm glad that you all are enjoying it.

I wish you all a safe and healthy holiday season

Peter Hale

 

Chapter 24

 

I'm almost ready to wash my hands of this spoilt brat. For the last few hours he has been nothing but rude and posturing. He has glared at me in the eyes, even after we warned him not to challenge me. He has insulted my pups. He is definitely not someone I want in my pack but I cant ignore him tonight.

If I wasn't certain that I could sense a touch of other in him the I would kick him to the curb in a heartbeat. But, whether I like it or not, he must be monitored. I cant let the boy run loose tonight. If he hurts anyone it will endanger my pack.

He was bitten by an alpha. We all saw Ennis bite him. He's not dead so he will turn and when he turns he will be a danger to himself and others. As the alpha of this territory, I am responsible for everyone within my domain. Which makes him my problem, unfortunately.

I do wish I had ordered the pups to take him to the old Hale house instead. We could've chained him up, caged him for the full moon. The basement there hasnt been cleaned since it held those pests so I know there is some blood and mess still there. It would serve him right to be locked in the dark, surrounded by the scent of death and shit.

I rub my temple to stave off the growing headache he is causing. Its like the boy is being deliberately offensive. My eyes have burned red since Derek threw him on the couch earlier. My betas were never so troublesome!

"Sun's down," Derek calls from the kitchen where he, Erica, and Issac ran off to after the first hour.

Stiles presses to my side the moment I stand. Warm affection and concern pour through the bond. I hug her, rubbing my cheek against hers. My wonderful Stiles, my most precious pup!

"I'm just saying, how do I know that those guys weren't just on like PCP or something?" Jackson asks for the dozenth time.

"For fucks sake!" Issac snarls out, irritation pouring through the bond as he stomps into the room, throwing off his clothes as he walks. He lets the beta shift come and once he's nude he pushes the transformation further. Within a moment there is a blonde wolf where he stood.

Stiles shucks her clothes while Jackson is still sputtering in shock. Her transformation is smoother, quicker, less physical but more magical in a way. Issac leaps on her the moment she has turned, rolling playfully across the floor.

Erica pulls her own clothes off, stripping nude without a care. Boyd leaves the couch to join Erica, stripping as he goes. I warn him that he may not complete the transformation so he shouldnt be disappointed if he is not ready yet.

Boyd pushes through the transformation first. Through the bond, I can feel him force himself to meet the challenge. His bones crack loudly and he howls in pain but he does shift completely. His fur is a sleeker black, his body more bulky than Issac but no less spectacular.

Erica transforms next in a smooth rush. Reddish blonde fur pours over her form as her bones realign with only the faintest pop. All four wolves howl out triumphantly.

The sheer amount of pride I feel is nearly overwhelming. It has always been said that bitten wolves cant fully transform. Hell, even born wolves cant. Its why Talia was so respected and revered. There are probably only a handful of wolves in the world that can achieve a full transformation and my pack, my wonderful betas, now double that number.

All four pups leap on me joyfully. I laugh, too caught up in pride and happiness to care who sees. My betas, my wonderful pups, I couldnt be more in awe.

"Holy Shit!" Jackson exclaims wide eyed, "Am I going to do that too?"

"If you're strong enough," I tell him, putting doubt in my voice.

He scowls back challengingly, "If they can do it then so can I!"

He starts to strip eagerly, more childishly excited than anything else. I go ahead and transform. He flinches back, terror flooding the room as he wilts back away from us. My pups dont even hesitate to greet me in my towering form.

"What the Hell!" Jackson stutters out fearfully.

"Hes the alpha," Derek answers nonchalantly.

Jackson peers back at us, curiosity winning over fear. The excitement comes back, tempered by fear but hopeful again. He shucks off the rest of his clothes more slowly but quite determined.

Derek transforms to his beta shift, removing his clothes down to his pants. He joins us, carefull to keep his eyes down so as not to challenge. Stiles turns to greet him, her tail swishing happily as he strokes down her back.

We wait a few minutes but Jackson shows no sign of transforming. He's getting discouraged and twitchy. Derek tells him to put his pants back on and try to relax.

I lead the pups through the kitchen to the back patio. We wont go far tonight but they need more room to run and play. We will be staying closer to home as it is safer, especially with this being Jackson's first full moon.

The pups run and play, tackling each other while Derek guards Jackson and I patrol the edge of the woods. They growl and howl, yip and snap playfully beneath the silver glow of the moon. It is a cold night, breath fogging in the air but its clear and peaceful.

Which, of course, means something will go wrong.

Its Derek's gasp that we notice first. I hurry back in time to see Jackson writhing on the ground. Scales bloom like a bruise up his neck and across his chest. His eyes glow yellow, pupils slitted reptilian-like.

Shit!, he's a Kanima!

Notes:

Hey, I realized that I havent answered questions yet and I'm sorry about that.

Lydia will have to grow up some and apologize to Stiles before she can become pack which is still a bit away.

Lydia sprayed pepper spray at Kali. She seems the type to have the really strong expensive one so I went with that.

Jackson is a decent person but he has issues that makes him a kanima to begin with. Peter wont put up with his attitude long and will instead work with Jackson to become a werewolf while using the kanima to track the alpha pack.

Chapter 25

Derek Hale

 

Chapter 25

 

Jackson collapses slowly. Its less like his strings are cut and more like his center of gravity shifts. Its a slow fall, a slide down and a soft thump that should've been louder.

He doesnt smell like a wolf. He hasnt as long as I've been tracking him. But Peter says he senses something and we have to watch him. We cant let a risk run loose in our territory.

He still doesnt smell like a wolf when he falls. He doesnt have much of a scent at all. Yet his eyes glow golden beneath half closed lids as a transformation begins.

Its not a beta shift. It isnt anything I've witnessed before. Its almost more violent, somehow more primal. It feels dangerous.

His skin gets blotchy in places as scales push up, growing and spreading. He twitches violently, baring a mouth full of sharp jagged teeth. His back bows as his skin seems to burst in places.

His hands claw, fingers cracking and twisting as the scales grow to envelope him completely. A whip like tail appears, flailing beneath him as he writhes through the pain. His scent is gone, not even a trace left to show he is here.

He rolls up to all fours, snarling hisses spewing from his jagged mouth. His tail raises high, swaying like a cobra preparing to strike. His eyes, slitten golden, watch us threateningly.

Stiles, of course, ignores the danger. She bounds up, darting past Peter's swipping arm to pounce happily around the lizard thing. It hisses warningly but she just wags her tail.

"Stiles," I try to remain calm although I know my panic is obvious through the bond, "Come away from the creature."

She tilts her head, curiosity sparking through the bond. She doesnt realize the danger she is in. She doesnt know that he is too feral to communicate with. He has no control and we have no control over him.

He hisses threateningly with his tail whipping back and forth like a live wire sparking. Her ears drop back as she seems to finally realize that he's dangerous. Or I thought she realized it but no, she doesnt, because she growls playfully, bouncing closer and away with her tail wagging high.

His tail lashes towards her. He's attacking her! He'll Kill her!

I grab her tail and pull, hard enough to get a pained yowl from her. I release my hold, letting her momentum take her further from him. She tumbles into Erica and Boyd, where they've stayed back to watch.

Pain cuts at my neck. I try to turn but my body doesnt obey. I fall, collapsing face first on the patio with the creature moving closer. I cant move!

I CANT MOVE!

Peter roars, lunging at the creature. He swips it, blood spraying free but then he falls and I cant see the creature anymore. I hear it hiss, I hear an odd clicking sound, but I cant turn my head to see it.

Its not just my fear. Peter's fear sours the bonds, quickly turning to some sort of feral maddness. His body doesnt move, doesnt even twitch, but the bond explodes with raw rage, fear, and helplessness.

The betas snarl, wanting to defend their pack but afraid to get closer. Stiles doesnt hesitate. Her foolish bravery shines like a beacon through the bonds.

She darts at the creature, growling and snapping back as it hisses. It swipes at her but she darts away. She leaps back over us and the thing follows her.

She's leading it away!

Peter roars, his fear now for her more than himself. I'm no better, trapped as we are by whatever the creature did to us. If only I could kickstart my transformation.

"Issac," I gasp out desperately, "break my arm!"

Issac doesnt question the order or that it comes from me. He transforms back to beta form and snaps my arm. The rush of pain comes through, kicking a warmth to spread. Its still slow, too slow, but it is working now. My fingers flex, my right foot twitches.

The betas have raced off, persuing Stiles and the creature. I can still hear the hisses and growls, the bark like sounds as she leads him in circles. Erica is soon growling and howling too, adding her voice to confuse the creature.

Chapter 26

Stiles

 

Chapter 26

 

It kinda hilarious, isnt it. Jackson turning into some kind of lizard monster after the scathing comments he made earlier. Its wierd and kinda ugly but somehow fitting.

Of course he's hissing and disoriented. Isnt everyone when they first turn? This may not be normal normal but its surely not not normal... right?

I try to get him to play. Maybe if he knows we dont mean any harm he will call down. He just needs a few minutes to get his instincts under control. Then Peter can claim him and the pack bonds should help him settle.

I dont sense any rage from him so his hissing is probably for show. Only there is fear in the pack bonds that doesnt make sense. What do they know that I dont?

I yowl when Derek yanks my tail. It hurt, a pulling sensation all the way up my spine. My paws fought for purchase but he tossed me away like a ragdoll.

I get up growling but Derek is already on the ground. Peter lunges at Jackson but for some reason he falls as well. Jackson hurt them. He attacked them!

Maybe he's just confused. Peter isnt the one who bit him so maybe he doesnt understand that Peter is his alpha. Maybe he just needs a minute to calm down.

Getting him to playfight me is easy. I bark and growl and leap, barely staying away from his tail as it strikes. He hisses and jumps, moving swiftly in an oddly skittering motion.

I lead him into the trees and for the most part, we make big circles. He follows, oftentimes leaving my eyesight all together just to leap down from a tree or jump up from a bush. He moves silently and quickly, reminding me more of a crocodile than a snake or lizard.

Erica and Boyd come bounding through the trees, growling and howling. He lashes at them but it still seems playful. Or at least it doesnt seem angry. Come to think of it, I cant really sense what he's feeling.

Peter pulls at the bond, urging me to return. I race past Jackson, bursting out into the yard only to duck and roll at the last second. Just like I thought, he sails right over me. With a wip of the tail, he turns around, grinning with shark like teeth.

He skitters at me, low to the ground and teeth bared. I wait until he's close and leap onto his back and past him. His tail catches me, a tight vice around my waist that tosses me onto the ground in front of him.

I shake it off, standing back on all fours and yip/snap at him. I dont mind playing but just because he can sling me around, it doesnt make him dominate to me. He moves lower, his tail lashing with a loud whip like sound.

Well, if he's going to be a sensitive baby about it...

I lick at his cheek in apology. His tail slows, now waving almost lazily. He tilts his head, baring his neck so I nuzzle him affectionately.

Thats what he wanted! He wanted to know we are safe! He wanted us to greet him! He's all instincts right now. Thats what the problem was.

Derek shakes off whatever Jackson did to him. It leaves him stumbling with heavy steps but he manages to stomp over to us. He half collapses on top of me, his fists catching my fur to hold me close as he growls a warning for me to not run off.

Peter stumbles over next. He's a bit shaken still. I guess whatever Jackson did to him scared him.

I break away from Derek to nuzzle and livk at Peter's muzzle. I flood the bonds with affection, imagining that I can wrap him completely in my arms and make him feel safe. He's my alpha! I wont let anything happen to him!

Jackson edges closer cautiously. His movements are still a bit jerky, a bit skittery in a very unnatural way. It vlearly unnerves Peter, all of the pack really, but he allows it close and scents it.

The tiniest wisp of a bond flickers to life. Its not warm like the other pack bonds. Its cold and dry in a way reminiscent of snakes. It also feels chaotic, uneven in mind and movements.

Its a lot of work to get everyone to relax. I bounce back and forth, nuzzling and licking and pouring affection on each packmates to help them relax. I get them to play but again, Jackson's movements are strange enough to unnerve them so its not as fun as it normally is.

The night passes with tense play. Issac wont go anywhere near Jackson. Boyd snarls any time he gets too close to Erica. Its exhausting but slowly they get used to him.

Usually, we stay out until the sun chases us inside. This time, we give it up early, somewhere around three in the morning. No one bothers to transform back, still unnerved by the lizard creature tailing us. Everyone piles on the blankets left out on the floor.

Jackson, still a lizard, curls around my legs and hisses when Derek tries to curl close. It doesnt stop Derek which has Jackson grumble unhappily. At least Jackson isnt hurting anyone.

The bond with him still feels wierd though. It doesnt feel solid like the others do. It feels whispy, more like a whiff of perfume than the solid tendrils we all share.

Sleep is a long way coming. I let myself transform back to human. As much as I like being a wolf, I cant sleep as one.

Derek presses closer, his breath warm at the back of my neck as he tucks me beneath him. Its such a territorial thing to do that I laugh, easing the tension.

Everyone is tense, eyes watching as the lizard curls up and falls asleep around my lower legs. His tail winds around my ankle in a tight but not painful hold. He settles down comfortably but keeps his reptilian gaze on Derek challengingly.

I dont think the others actually relax until he shudders through the transformation back to human. Derek uses his feet to push Jackson off of my legs. He doesnt even wake up, just rolls over asleep.

Chapter 27

Notes:

Warning: may be triggering

Peter Hale

 

Chapter 27: misunderstandings and understanding

 

That annoying little ass isn't a wolf. Oh no, that would be too easy. No, he's a damn Kanima! Which means that he's got issues. Not 'mad I didnt get the winning goal' but a borderline split personality kinda thing. That shit isnt easy to fix!

On the one hand, it can be a good thing. Kanima are completely obedient to their master. They will do anything, kill anyone as long as its not an innocent. Kanima are weapons, incredibly strong and resistant to nearly everything. Having him under our control is really the best thing that could've happened. We can use him to protect our pack, our territory. He can sniff out the alpha pack and kill them for us. He may even survive it.

Unfortunately, I'm fairly positive he bonded Stiles as his master and there is no way she will let us use him like that. Oh no, she will want to integrate him into the pack bonds properly. And when she learns that his form is a result of his staggering mental issues, she will have us try to help him. For such a practical girl, she can really be childishly idealistic at times.

I glance over Isaac's shoulder to see Stiles nearly smothered in Derek's hold. He has his body draped over hers, arm around her waist to trap her beneath. You would think it would be uncomfortable but she has the most peaceful smile upon her face.

I breath in the scent of pack. There is the warmth of Erica and Boyd's mating like an aura surrounding them. Isaac smells of oatmeal cookies and some sort of oak and spice that is unnatural but with less chemical than most bodywashes out there.

Derek shifts in his sleep, somehow tightening his hold on her.

I dont know whether to hate him or not. He's family. He's my nephew. Yet I cant bring myself to trust him.

Its not that he left me behind. Derek has always been a follower. From his first toddling steps, he has followed the older wolves. His mother was too busy homeschooling Laura, pregnant with Cora, or later pregnant with James, so he usually followed me.

I have to admit, it was nice. It was nice to be important to someone. It was nice to know I mattered, that I was respected, even if it was by a kid.

We were two peas in a pod back then. Everywhere I went, his little paws followed. He mimicked my howls, raced to keep up with my longer stride. At times, it felt like we were our own little pack.

Then the incident with Paige happened and he... he never forgave me for that.

I dont blame him. I knew he was completely head over heels for her. I knew that he wanted her to be his first everything. He wanted forever with her. He wanted to tell her the truth before they were intimate and he wouldnt be persuaded otherwise.

I only meant to help.

At the time, I was too arrogant. My wife was pregnant, ready to give birth any day. I thought Paige would be too much of a risk as a human. I thought, the only way to ensure she didnt endanger our pack, my mate and child, was if she was turned.

Talia refused. She wouldnt even hear me out! I tried to explain why it was important. Derek was Going to Tell her! Surely we should turn her first!

I screwed up. I know that, I can admit it. I never shouldve approached Ennis. He was still riding his thirst for revenge. He was too violent with her, too enraged. His wolf rejected any chance of a bond before his teeth broke her skin. She was doomed from the start and it was my fault.

So no, I dont blame Derek for drifting away from me. I dont blame him for keeping secrets, keeping a female secret. I thought it was just another girl at school and he didnt want me to put her at risk. I thought Talia knew... or Laura... or someone... anyone...

I should've remembered that he was always closest to me. I should've remembered that Talia and Laura became even more distant as her training became more intensive. I should've remembered that without me, there was no one that he would confide in.

Hell, I dont even blame him for getting fooled by that Bitch. He wasnt the first dumb kid to follow a pretty face. She was a conniving pedophilic bitch that preyed on young wolves in order to get to the pack. Hell, she kept a book that she obviously took a lot of pleasure in reliving her crimes if the smears of cunt juice on the pages were any indication.

She was a monster, far worse than most. She was a monster raised by monsters. There was no way he could've seen through her lies, I understand that.

But why... why would he bring her to our home? Why would he put our pack, our family, at risk? It just doesnt make any damn sense!

"Peter?" Stiles tugs gently at the bond, "Whats going on, bug guy? You're kinda growly-sad right now."

I hadnt meant to wake her or the others. Isaac keeps his breath even, keeping his eyes low even if he's more tense than usual. Erica and Boyd are curled tightly together, neither turning to face me but both obviously aware.

Stiles is all doe brown eyes, calm and accepting. She is my sanity. She is my pack, before and above all others.

Derek eyes me warily. His body as tense as a bowstring. His shoulders up by his ears, head tilted submissively while not exposing his throat.

Why isnt he ashamed! He knows what he did! He knows what He Did!

"Peter?"

Burning flesh smells like some kind of potting meat cooking too long on the stove.

Zoe's hair was the softest blonde. In the photographs her hair looked strawberry golden but in my arms, those downy curls were the palest blonde.

They say babies look the same but that isnt true. My Zoe has always looked like my dearest, Claire. Her nose flared out wide for a baby, her cheeks puff out like the most adorable squirrel. She had the tiniest milk teeth visible every time she smiled and my goodness, she drooled so very much.

"Peter?"

Burning hair has a sour bitter smell. It clings to the back of your throat for days. Its almost worse than the smell of burning flesh.

Nothing can drown out the screams. Nothing can make you forget the horror of watching the face of the one you love twist and melt away like heated wax.

"Peter?"

Pack bonds rattle like chains in the wind, caught in the maelstrom too strong to fight.

I see a hand stretched out, reaching for me.

Doe brown eyes look back fearfully.

Snarling, I leap to attack.

Arms wrap around my shoulders, pulling me down. A throat is bare beneath my teeth. Snarls vibrate out of my chest.

One bond steadies like a beacon in the storm. Warmth and welcome flood into me and I race to meet it. Shuddering, my fur gives way to flesh as my body slups heavily down.

"Its okay, Peter," Stiles voice whispers like a lullaby in my ear, "We are safe. We are here. Its okay, Peter. We are safe. We are here. Its okay, Peter..."

My entire body trembles. I feel caught still, being pulled into feral rage and being soothed into calm. I see my hands gripping her shoulder, her hair, but I cant feel my fingers.

"Why?" The cry escapes my scream ravaged throat, "Why did you bring that monster into our home? Why did you let her into our home?"

If there is an answer, I dont hear it. Stiles runs her fingers in my hair and down my back. She is the only thing holding me together... the only solid grip of sanity that I have left.

"Why?"

"I never brought her to the house?"

"How did she get in our house?" I bit out the words, "Why did you let her in?"

He's shaking his head before I even finish, "But I didnt! We..."

He swallows loudly, looking around at the others, clearly desperate for help. Stiles keeps shushing me, trying to calm us both through the bonds. I need to know. I need to know!

"In the classroom and in the locker room and at her motel once," Derek answers ashamed, face turned away and voice choked. "She liked to order me around. She liked to take risks, liked the idea that we may be caught. She said I made her feel wild..."

Suddenly, I'm looking at that baby faced boy who would race after me in the woods on paws too big for his wolf. The boy that snuck an injured bird into the shed so it wouldnt get eaten and actually cried when it was well enough to fly away. The boy... who was only a boy.

"Derek..."

Chapter 28

Isaac

 

Chapter 28

 

After Peter had his breakdown, they actually talked things out.

Peter told Derek his reasoning for trying to have Ennis turn Paige. Not that he explained to us who she was but we could understand enough.

Derek admitted, haltingly and reeking of shame, to the things the hunter woman did with him and where. It didnt explain how Peter caught her scent in the house before the fire.

Until Stiles mouthed off, "Could she have used like, the shirt she had him come on or the blanket she raped him on?"

At Derek's stricken face she hurries to apologize, having spoken without thought, but Peter waves it off with a snarled, "Of course she did! The more you sweat, the more scent is transfered and what teenage boy doesnt smell like come."

I swear, we all need therapy.

Erica and Boyd escape to the kitchen where Jackson was already hiding. I joined them, leaving Stiles to sort out the Hales. They both prefer her help anyways.

Boyd cooks breakfast while Erica grills Jackson about what he remembers. The asshole doesnt remember Anything! He mouths off about us tricking him and stomps off in a huff. Peter sends Stiles to warn him not to tell.

After whatever therapy session from hell finishes up for Peter and Derek, we eat and plan.

Peter explains about Kanima. Its fucking karma if you ask me. If anyone deserves to be a crazy lizard thing, its definitely Jackson. Unfortunately, its not a quick fix so its on the backburner for now.

The more pressing issue is the alpha pack. They've kept quiet but no one believes they are gone. We need to find them but first, we need to train. Which leads to this headache of a day.

I gasp in another breath, clutching my broken arm and glaring back at Derek as he scowls down at me.

"Again!" He barks out without even sounding winded.

Peter left with Stiles to run patrol, leaving Derek to train us. Which, ok, sure, not a bad idea. Except all he does is bark at us to attack him and beat our asses.

Glass shatters as Boyd is thrown through the patio door. Peter is going to be pissed about that. We only just finished the last of the renovations.

Erica leaps at Derek's face, beta shifted and furious. He punches her in the face, starling her long enough to slam her hard into the ground. His foot slams into her stomach.

I ram his legs, hoping to tackle him down. Claws pierce low on my back, gouging up to my shoulderblades. Howling, I bite into his calve.

"What are you doing?" Stiles shouts incredulously, fists on her bare hips as our alpha snarls beside her.

"He told me to train them," Derek sputters out defensively.

"Train them!" She snaps back, "not Beat them!"

Peter transforms back, grabs Derek by the back of his neck, and shoves him off. We can all hear the scathing lecture as he's dragged away. Stiles huffs and sighs and grumbles about idiots.

"Okay," she motions us forward, "you will not be able to win against one of these alphas alone right now. Its okay, thats why we have a pack."

Boyd shakes off the glass clinging to him as he steps back outside. Erica rushes up to him, nuzzling his cheek affectionately. His hands hover over her, worrying even as her injuries are healed.

"Okay, so heres the deal. We cant win with brute strength so lets think outside the box. What do we know about these alphas?"

"They're crazy," Erica answers immediately.

Stiles motions for us to continue so Boyd adds, "They murdered their packs."

"The blind guy is in charge."

"So he's the one we really need to be careful of," Stiles nods encouragingly, "If a blind man is the lead alpha then He is the most dangerous! Never face him alone! We only fight him with backup."

"The twins can Frankenstein into a mega alpha," I throw out sarcastically.

"Yes," she holds up her hands to stop us, "which gives us an advantage. We keep the twins apart at all costs so they cant do the Frankenstein thing. Then they're just a little stronger than you and You can win against Them."

"Our pack cant take theirs," I hate to bring it up but its true.

Stiles nods sadly, "True, if we wanted to march at each other like this is a game of war. But we're going with gorilla tactics here so any advantage is acceptable."

"What advantages do we have?" Erica grumbles.

"Home advantage, womens ingenuity, and a willingness to fight dirty."

"You got a plan," Boyd almost accuses.

Stiles smirks, "When you go fishing, you dont throw down a dozen lines at once. We draw them out, one by one."

"How?"

"That Is a good question."

Chapter 29

Stiles

 

Chapter 29: Time jump

 

For all of our hard work and planning, the alphas were still nowhere to be found. Peter thinks they are using a druid to cover their tracks. Theres no other way we wouldnt have found them if they werent being shielded somehow.

January faded into February which dragged its heels into March.

In January, we set up patrols for the territory. We were beyond cautious at first. They had already attacked once so surely they would again, right? Only, no matter where we looked, we couldnt find any evidence of them having been around.

Jackson tried to deny his transformation. He accused us of drugging him and threatened to have us arrested. He reeked of bitter shame and did his damn best to avoid all of us.

It was Lydia that dragged him to the pack house one night, demanding an explaination. She and Peter traded quips for most of the night but by the end, she and Jackson both submitted to Peter as their alpha. Which honestly shocked us more than Jackson's creepy lizard man form.

February started with another full moon. Derek still hasnt fully transformed but I think its plain old stubbornness at this point. Everyone else has the full shift under control. He claims he had to remain in human form to protect Lydia since she wasnt bitten. She did well, not freaking out at either our transformations or Jackson's.

In March, well... honestly, we didnt do much. We focused on school. We started to relax, even if it is foolish to do so. We just needed something normal, you know.

The only wierd thing is our new teacher, Ms. Blake, keeps trying to flirt with Derek who looks more and more constipated at each attempt. Its a little sad really. You would think the woman would get a hint already.

We met wolves of another pack. The week after the full moon, a car pulled up in front of the pack house. In it was a boy our age named Brett and an older Asian woman named Satomi.

She took one look at Peter, shook her head and said, "And to think, the Hale troublemaker is now the alpha."

Peter laughed in reply, welcoming her with a hug and a smile. Even Derek smiles at her arrival, if a sad smile. She was good friends with Talia and would often visit before the fire.

We warned her about the alpha pack and she warned us about a darach. The dark druid has already killed twice that she knows of and she fears that their will be more. She warns us to be cautious while Peter offers her aid should she need it.

Peter was less polite when he confronted dad. As the sheriff, dad had known about the ritual murders but hadnt said anything. There was a huge blow up because of that where dad forbid me from staying at the pack house. I ignored the order, of course, but it was way more drama than any of us needed.

We got a bit lucky with our hunt. We spotted the twins walking down the street downtown. They had bags of takeout and we trailed them for a few streets before we lost them.

It was raining and muddy and constantly felt like we were on the edge of a storm but at least we had proof they were still around. It didnt help that Peter and dad were constantly snapping at each other. I did my best to avoid the arguments but more often than not, I would get dragged into the middle of it.

April was warm enough that we all went swimming in the lake. We splashed and played and otherwise acted like a bunch of dumb kids. It was Awesome!

Unfortunately, the month ended on a sour note. Three bitten wolves were found dead outside of town. They werent our pack, or any pack Peter or Derek recognized, but they were all wolves and all killed by their alpha.

Peter worried that the alpha pack was building its ranks. Or he did think that, until the alpha's body showed up two days later without his head. Our best guess is the alpha pack convinced this one to join them, then the blind guy killed him.

Why go to that much trouble for a power boost? We dont know. Hes obviously crazy, no arguing that. But maybe, and its a big maybe, he likes being bonded to the other alphas. Maybe he didnt want to kill them but still wanted a power boost.

May comes with finals, summer vacation, and a whole lot of trouble.

An entire pack is missing. Peter says they are wilder wolves, more in tune with their wolves and so have less control. Their territory borders ours and with what happened with the other one... we kinda knew the alpha pack had struck again.

Two boys from that pack, younger than me, are found in the preserve. Dad brings it up with Peter which leads to one hell of a fight. Dad agrees to show him the evidence but Only if I am kept out of it. Peter actually agreed!

So I've spent the last few hours monitoring the packbonds from my bedroom. Dad's downstairs with some guys from work, playing cards and making sure I dont run off. The pack bonds have been frazzled with anxiety and spiking with fear and pain for the last hour.

I can feel our wolves running. Our bonds are tightening as they move closer. Or one does. Peter!

The window is already open when he collapses inside. I kick away the covers but hes already shoving something warm/sticky/squishy in my hands. He's gone in a blink and the something moves.

I didnt mean to scream.

Chapter 30

Sheriff Stilinski 

 

Chapter 30: gambling and grey hairs

 

I needed the distraction.  Probably needed the alibi too.  Because security footage showed two identical young men carrying out those boys bodies.  Security footage allowed us to backtrack them to an abandoned bank.  And I gave a copy to Peter.

 

Stiles is angry but at this point, I'm too worried to care.  She has drifted further and further from me to the point we are no better than strangers in the same house.  Worse, I know she has ignored every rule I've given when it comes to the pack.

 

Why cant she just understand?  Why cant she see that everything I do now, I do for her!  I love my daughter, wierd quirks and all, but she is still my child and I Have to keep her safe.  I just wish she didnt fight me every step of the way.

 

I told the guys I needed a break, a game night like we used to do.  Henry and Doyle as well as a couple others crowd around my too small kitchen with burgers and chips.  The card games keep going, the laughter is frequent, and the beer is good.

 

Then Stiles Screams!

 

All of us are grabbing our guns and scrambling to the staircase, the fuzzy drink fading with the rush of adrenaline.  One of the younger guys who was closer anyways slams into the door.  It doesnt budge.

 

"Stiles!"

 

"Go'way!" She nearly screeches, "I'm fine! Don'tcome in!".

"What happened?!"

"Shit! SHIT! What the Fuck!" She hisses nearly too quiet to hear.

"Stiles!" I try to will her to obey, "Either tell me what is happening or I AM coming in!"

"Fuck! Shit! No, NO! NO! I'm fine! Dont come in!"

Theres a noise now, a soft cry. Stiles curses and I can hear her fumbling with something. I yell again for her to open her door and again I hear the soft almost cry.

 

"Kick it!" I order the deputies.

 

Two deputies, Andy and Marcus, move together and kick the door hard enough to slam it open.  I rush in, gun drawn.  Someone behind me hits the light switch and the room brightens in a flash.

 

The first thing I notice is she's alone.

 

The second thing I notice is the blood.

 

Its a lot of blood.

 

Her room looks normal.  The window is open, the dark curtains pulled back on each side.  Her comforter is on the floor in a heap and the sheets are twisted and bundled by her feet.  Her computer is showing a video of some guy making a mud sculpture or a mud house or something.  God only knows what sort of stuff this girl finds online.

 

But what catches my attention... what shocks the rest of the alcohol out of my system... is the baby in her arms. The baby small enough to be held in her cupped hands.

 

"I didnt Do Anything, I Swear!" Her eyes are too wide, her face too pale. Her shoulders are hunched over, almost shielding over the bloody wiggling baby in her hands.

 

"Shit!" One of the deputies curses out as the new guy, Parrish, pushes past me.  Stiles flinches back from him, curling more over the baby.  Parrish drops to his knees beside the bed, hands out as he whispers soothingly to her.

 

She keeps looking everywhere but at the baby in her hands.  There's blood splattered up to her elbows.  There's blood on the bed and her nightshirt.  

 

She's breathing too fast.  She's going to pass out!

 

Thats what snaps me out of it.  I start barking orders.  Henry is already back with towels.

 

Stiles is talking now.  Stuttering and vomiting words at such a speed I cant really understand her.  I'm not even sure if she's aware she's talking.

 

"I didnt Steal it!" "I dont know how..." "Its Not Mine!" "Its just here... just showed up...here..."

 

Parrish is still trying to calm her but I dont think she even hears him.  I scoop the baby up, such a tiny thing, a little girl.  She gives a soft choked cry, unhappy but alive, Thank God!

Henry has a towel ready so I pass her to him, carefull of the umbilical cord stretching between her and Stiles. Andy ties off the umbilical with dental floss while Marcus cuts the cord with the switchblade he likes to carry everywhere.

 

She's in shock and it takes a few minutes to get her to respond.  I end up behind her, helping her regulate her breathing.  Its been a while since she had a panic attack.  I had almost forgotton how useless they make me feel.

 

Parrish keeps talking soothing nonsense that I'm sure she doesnt hear.  I try humming her mothers lullaby.  I'm probably mangling the hell out of it but I know she will recognize it regardless.

 

"John," Doyle calls quietly from the doorway, "Bus is here.  Do you want the medics sent up?"

 

"Might be a good idea if they can give her something to keep her calm," I wish I didnt have to ask for such a thing but she will need something so she doesnt spiral into another panic attack.

 

"Do we know who the father is?" Parrish asks in that soothing voice.

 

Stiles tenses, her heart rabbiting away as her face pales once more.  Her too wide eyes meet mine and theres nothing but fear and shock.  She's shaking her head, mumbling too jumbled to understand.

She leaps up,nearly screaming that the baby isnt her's. Theres a loud squelch that makes her scream and hop back, staring horrified at the placenta on the floor. She slumps against the computer chair, still looking a bit too shell shocked.

 

"It's okay," I tell her.  Its a lie, this isnt okay, but its what she needs me to say.  

 

"We'll figure it out," I promise her with every ounce of certainty that I can muster.

 

Its not her fault, I know that.  I can do the math and I see the moment Doyle realizes it too.  

Chapter 31

Notes:

Hey, thank you all for the kudos. Also, the sheriff thinks the baby is from when the Argents kidnapped her which would make it about six weeks premature. He also noted that she is always running off and they have grown distant so he thinks she was hiding this from him.

Stiles 

 

Chapter 31: Not Mine

 

This has got to be the craziest night of my life.  And I run with Werewolves!  You would think there wouldnt be much that can phase me but... yeah... tonight has been a dozie.

 

I spent hours in a half daze, my mind focused on the packbonds.  My pack had gone to fight the alphas while I was left behind to worry.  I could almost feel the shadow of wounds if I focused enough.

 

Then Peter, my alpha, comes leaping into my bedroom window.  He shoves a bloody squishy thing in my arms and leaps back out without a hint of explaination.  For a second there, I had thought that he gave me a heart or something.  I almost wish it had been a heart.

 

But no... it was a baby.  A real live, honest to god Baby!  It was bloody and floppy and there was a nasty squishy bag thingy with it that got blood and juice(?) all over me and my bed.  

 

So of course, I screamed.  Who wouldn't when something blood soaked and wriggling was shoved at them!  

 

I also, sorta dropped it on the bed.  I didnt mean to!  I just panicked!  Its not like I was expecting a baby to show up.  

 

Where in the Hell did he even get a baby?

 

Like, Seriously!, where did the baby come from?  They were supposed to be after the alpha pack and the darach(if it is even working with the alphas).  There wasnt supposed to be any babies!

 

To make matters worse, My Dad is convinced that its mine.  Like, How?  Wouldn't someone have noticed?  Its not like I could've kept that hidden, right!

 

But between a bunch of cops bursting into my room and me trying to pull Anyone from the pack while having a panic attack, yeah... it was a mess.

 

I even asked dad where he thought a baby came from because Its... Not!... Mine!  He said since I was unconscious at the Argents its possible I just dont remember.

 

I'm fairly certain I would remember That!

 

The paramedics thought I was having a nervous breakdown so they gave me something that made my words slur and my feet stumble.  Its worn off some but I can still feel that tingling drunk feeling.

 

The door opens for a middle aged woman with brown hair pulled back in a low bun.  Her glasses are perched low on her nose and she doesn't look up from the clipboard in her hands until shes right next to the bed.  Dad follows her into the room, throwing a poorly attempted encouraging smile at me.

 

Her voice is almost dismissive as she mostly addresses dad, "We will, of course, monitor her closely.  The amount of blood you described is a bit excessive but we will get her checked out to be sure there was no tearing."

 

"Checked out?" I interupt, "And what tearing?  I told you, Its Not Mine!"

 

The woman throws me a reprimanding look, sniffs, then turns back to addressing dad, "The baby will need to remain in the NICU.  Three pounds is a bit too small to be healthy, although that is large if you are right about conception."

 

"There was No conception!" I snap out even as she ignores me, "Its Not Mine!"

 

"Thats enough Stiles."

 

"But Dad!"

 

"Mieczyslawa!"

 

The doctor lady blinks startled at dad's shout.  Stupid woman probably doesnt know what he said.  As if she's never heard a foreign name before.

 

She clears her throat, pointedly not looking at me as she continues, "Yes, well, as I said, we will get her checked out next if you would like to step outside."

 

Dad moves to stand up but I wave him to stop, "Check out what?  I dont need to be here!  I want to go home!"

 

Dad sighs tiredly, "Stiles, you just had a baby..."

 

"Its... Not... Mine!" 

 

"Then prove it!" He challenges, "Let the doctor check you out and if they say you didnt have a baby then I will listen to whatever explanation you have for how a premature newborn showed up, With Placenta!, in your room, Alone."

 

"Stiles?" Erica slips in the doorway, eyeing the doctor with a suspicious glare, "How are you feeling?"

 

"Annoyed!"

 

Dad snorts, "Same."

 

"Well, we need a family meeting so, shoo," she waves away the doctor who looks one breath away from snapling back.

 

Dad huffs out a heavy sigh, asking the woman more politely to step out for a few.  Isaac slips through the door as the woman tries to shut it.  She glares but doesnt comment when he pointedly closes the door.

 

"Who pissed in her cheerios?" Erica snarks.

 

"Stiles is being difficult."

 

"No, I'm Not!"

 

"You cant keep arguing that the baby isnt yours."

 

"It's NOT!"

 

"Mei..."

 

"Whoa, whoa, hold on," Erica throws her hands up helplessly.  "Can someone tell me what happened?"

 

Dad tells her, with interruption from me denying it.  Isaac slips onto the bed, tapping my shoulder and shaking his head.  At my glare, he whispers, "Peter says to claim it and he'll take custody."

 

"Where did he even get a baby?" I hiss back.

 

"Later," Isaac whispers, barely moving his lips.

 

"... and when she had a panic attack, she kicked the placenta onto the floor.  The doctor says it looks ruptured so they think that something tramatic happened to trigger labor.  Thats why they want to check her for injuries."

 

"Wolves heal in seconds," Erica tells him pointedly in a very soft voice.  "If they look at her now, it wont look like she gave birth because her body will have already healed."

 

"Shit!"

 

Isaac nudges my shoulder, giving me a pointed look.  How am I supposed to get through this without getting caught?  There better be one hell of a good explaination for this!

 

"Dad... can I get away with not being checked?"

 

He rubs his face tiredly, "Yeah, I'll talk to the doctor.  Maybe I can get Melissa to sign off that she checked you."

 

"Would Melissa lie for us?"

 

He shakes his head, "She's been lost since Scott... well, she's not the same.  She may, but she may not."

 

"If I stop arguing and just claim the baby, will that work?"

 

"Yeah, I'll figure something out."

 

"Thanks, dad."

 

He leaves the room looking more stressed than before.  I glance between Erica and Isaac.  

 

"Okay, spill!  What in the Hell is going on?"

Chapter 32: Mrs. Mccall helps us out

Issac

 

Chapter 32: mrs. Mccall helps us out

 

"Do you know how we found evidence that the alpha pack was targeting other packs?" Erica asks, crawling up on Stiles other side and nudging her to lay down.

"Well, yeah..."

"They had grabbed another pack, the alpha and his pregnant mate were the last two and the alpha was going power crazy."

"Shit!" Stiles breathes out horrified.

I press closer to her other side, nuzzling against her neck, "The alpha had already badly injured her. We found them after we killed the woman guarding them and..."

"She was a feral bitch," Erica snarks from Stiles other side.

"And," I continue pointedly, "we had to kill him. She was bleeding out and the other alphas came back. There wasnt much time, you see."

"But why am I claiming it?" Stiles hisses back, pouting, "Why did he bring it to me?"

Erica throws me a warning glance that I ignore. Honestly, if Stiles were to check the bonds instead of just pulling on them frantically then she would've already realized. Its not like we can keep it a secret from her.

"Like I said, the rest of the alpha pack showed up and they were pissed."

"We killed that tall ugly guy," Erica smirks.

I shush her because that was loud, "Yeah but it wasnt easy. Boyd and Derek are both down."

"What!" Stiles nearly leaps from the bed if Erica and I hadnt grabbed her and held her down between us.

"They're ok! I hiss to her, "Injured, yes, but they will live! Peter is guarding them or he would've come here instead."

She only barely settles. With a frustrated huff she nearly growls back, "That still doesnt explain why I have to claim a baby."

"Well, I would've but my parents would've freaked out and made me keep it," Erica shrugs. "Peter cant claim it without getting blood tests. We need a girl to claim it. Your dad is in the know. It makes sense for it to be yours."

"How does that make sense?" Stiles snaps back.

"Honestly, I think you were the only one he trusted to guard it while half our pack is injured," I offer but it doesnt help much.

She tenses up, clearly preparing for a good argument but the door opens. The woman from earlier comes stomping back in, a snear barely hidden on her face. Another woman follows, this one pale with dark shadowed eyes.

It honestly takes a long minute to recognize her. Damn, Mrs. Mccall looks rough. Its only when she sees Stiles in the bed that some life returns to her eyes.

Stiles looks back at Scott's mom with wide nervous eyes. You can almost see her flinch, something like shame burning in her scent as the woman reaches for her. The sudden sobbing from both Stiles and Mrs. Mccall startles Erica and me to scramble out of the bed.

"Whats wrong with them?" I whisper/hiss to Erica.

"Scott died, dipshit," she hisses back.

I want to say, 'So?' because he was a traitor but now isnt the time. It'll just cause an argument. Hell, Stiles still smells of grief sometimes. She still misses that asshole even after he betrayed her.

The sheriff clears his throat pointedly, "I hate to interupt but we really do need to check on Stiles."

The woman pulls back, scrubbing at her face and offering apologies without letting go of Stiles who clings back. The doctor woman huffs annoyed, laying out something wrapped onto a rolling tray and throwing an unimpressed look at the bed.

It takes a few minutes before Mrs. Mccall pushes her hair back and offers to get started. The doctor woman hovers, looking very put out but at least she isnt touching Stiles. Erica steps up beside her with a toothy challenging grin that makes the woman almost sneer back.

"Lets get started," Mrs. Mccall offers with a shaky smile.

Stiles doesnt argue or fuss. She moves down a little and lets the woman press on her stomach. The sheriff steps close at mrs. Mccall's questioning glance but she offers up a verbal, "Good, good."

The doctor hovers at mrs. Mccall's shoulder, glaring at her hands as she settles herself lower on the bed. Mrs. Mccall speaks up, describing what she's doing. Erica drags me over to the couch with a snappish, "No teasing!"

"As if I would!"

It doesnt sound pleasant, that's for sure. Stiles hisses painfully a few times, grimacing more than not but she doesnt argue. Mrs. Mccall humms a bit, mutters to the doctor and congratulates Stiles when she's finished. I guess women get congratulated for not tearing? Whatever that is, it sounds painful.

"So she's good?" I cant help but ask, "Can she go home?"

I really dont think I deserved the disgruntled looks thrown my way by Everyone. Surely a woman can go home if she's not injured, right? So cant we take Stiles home? She isnt exactly hurt right now.

"She will need to stay a couple days," Mrs. Mccall explains, "Its just a precaution we take with all mothers."

The doctor huffs, leaving with a few little jars and swabs. Erica sniffs as the door closes, "That woman has a broomstick up her ass about something!"

Mrs. Mccall smiles, "Some doctors dont like to be undermined."

"She's still a bitch," Erica dismisses.

Mrs. Mccall shrugs, turning back to the sheriff with an arched brow, "So... you promised an explaination."

"Would you believe werewolves were involved?" He asks tiredly.

Mrs. Mccall laughs in clear disbelief, "I know we've joked about a full moon bringing crazies but really?"

He shrugs back, "You always said there were nights where a werewolf would be the least wierd thing coming through the er."

She huffs back another laugh, "Yeah but really, whats going on?"

The sheriff throws Erica and me a glare, "They can prove it."

Erica flips her hair with a huff but when the woman looks over, she shifts into beta form. Mrs. Mccall tenses but doesnt scream or panic. I shift as well, getting a soft whooshing breath from her in reply.

"We always said, Stiles could find trouble anywhere... remember?" The sheriff offers quietly.

Her scent cycles through a mangled mess that churns away too quickly to catalog. It only takes her a moment to visibly shake it off, "So... I'm a grandma?"

"If you want to be?" Stiles offers up quietly, almost shyly.

Mrs. Mccall smiles gently back, "Well, I'm a little young for grandma so how about Nana?"

Stiles smiles back, her shoulders finally dropping as the deffensive nervousness finally eases fr her scent. "I'd like that."

Chapter 33

Jackson

 

Chapter 33

 

"... pink and gold, Not lavender and mint!" Lydia sniffs haughtily, her heels clicking loudly on the linoleum floor of the hospital hall.

I hum noncommittal, not really caring. Why should it matter what color Peter paints the nursery? Its his kid, sorta, so let him paint it whatever color he wants. Its not like he even cares what we think. We're barely pack to him.

Lydia turns sharply, barging into the room without bothering to knock. I follow, pulling the door closed behind me. Better have a bit of privacy because people are too damn nosey.

Stilinski sits hunched over on the bed, her legs folded and her face buried in her hands. The sheriff sits in the chair, holding a pink bundle and frowning over at us. Stilinski looks up miserably, somehow looking pale and green at the same time.

"Damn, Stink-linski, you look a mess," I drawl, smirking at the annoyance that flits across her face.

"What are you? Five years old?" She scoffs.

I shrug, "You just look a little green around the gills, is all."

Stilinski blows out a breath, scraping her fingers through her hair and muttering, "Its been a long night."

Lydia sniffs, shifting her weight nervously before snapping her fingers and stalking forward, "Jackson! Bag!"

I pass her the big pink bag full of pink and white tissue paper. The first dress, a bright pink gown, is flourished proudly with its matching headband. Stiles' eyes widen in something aproaching horror as Lydia reveals each new outfit. All twelve of them complete outfits with matching heatbands because apparently newborns need to accessorize.

"Just wait until you see the nursery!" Lydia gushes, gearing up to launch into another rant about how it should be decorated.

"Nursery?" The sheriff questions loudly, "We havent started a nursery?"

"Oh, its at Peter's, of course," Lydia waves him off.

The heat of anger flushes his scent, "In case you forgot, Stiles lives with me. So naturally, her daughter will live with us too."

Stiles rubs at her forehead, throwing her dad a nervously look. Does he... does he really think its hers? Doesnt he know how Peter found it? I thought saying she had it was just a cover.

"The baby is Peter's," Lydia begins, trailing off uncertainly.

"My granddaughter is Not! Peter's!" The sheriff snaps back, holding tighter to the bink bundle on his chest.

Lydia turns to Stiles because, seriously, 'what the hell?!' But all Stiles does is shrug helplessly. Is she really letting her dad believe...

"I tried to tell him that she's not mine," she offers in a small voice.

"I may have been born at night but it wasnt last night!" He huffs, bouncing the baby gently and speaking softer, "I just dont understand why you want to lie about it."

Stiles squares her shoulders, barely able to meet her dads disappointed gaze, "I told you, Peter found her..."

He scoffs, "You could've picked a better story, Stiles. I literally witnessed you give birth."

"No, no!" Stiles waves her hands, "You saw me nearly trip over the placenta bag... thing. I didnt give birth to anything! It wasnt mine!"

"Do you realize how ridiculous you sound right now?"

"But the baby is Peter's!" Lydia interfers which is definitely not something I would do. "He's already got paperwork ready and the design for the nursery..."

"What!" The sheriff leaps to his feet, startling us to jump and the baby to cry, "He's NOT! taking her! I wont allow it!"

"Dad..."

"No! No, Stiles! Is this why you've been lying? Is this why you're always over there?"

Before Stiles can stutter out an answer, he pales in horror then flushes angrily, "Has he taken advantage of you? Are you having sex with him? Is THAT why he hovers over you like that?"

Well, shit, this is some drama that I want no part of.

Stiles is trying to stutter out a denial. The sheriff starts hurling worse accusations, clearly on a roll. I almost feel sorry for her.

I tug on Lydia's arm but she shakes me off. This isnt our business! But of course, Lydia wants to get involved. This is probably like one of her soap operas come to life or something.

"Dad! Nothing happened!" Stiles pleads desperately, "Nothing has or will! I swear!"

He shakes his head, his face splotchy and a few fat tears escaping, "How could I have been so blind? I just let him take advantage..."

Stiles pales, "No! No one took advantage!"

His expression changes, going from heartbroken to murderous in an instant. He passes the baby, still mostly gently, into Stiles' fumbling hold and stalks towards the door. Stiles panicks, shoving the baby at Lydia who thankfully manages to catch and calm it.

"Dad! Dont!"

He doesnt even slow down as Stiles flails off the bed, stumbling and crashing painfully to the floor before scrambling up. Damn, thats going to bruise. I can practically taste her panic on my tongue.

She gives a desperate shout of my name, her hand outstretched towards her dad.

Everything tilts, slipping into darkness...

Chapter 34

Peter Hale

 

Chapter 34

 

"The bandages will need to be changed again tomorrow, which I'm sure you can manage without me at this point," Deaton's monotone voice calls softly as he steps out of the room. There are flecks of blood just past his wrist where the gloves didnt cover and the sharp scent of antiseptic clings to his hands and clothes.

I didnt want to call Deaton but I didnt have a choice when two of my betas were so badly injured. I had to make a call and for all that I dont trust him, he was the only option. Derek had lost too much blood, the wounds clawed too deep as Ennis had tried to claw out his heart. Even now, he's pale and bruised, weak and sleeping still.

"But he will live," I prompt him, needing to hear him say it.

"He may, although his wounds are deep," he responds blandly, rolling down his sleeves and gathering his stuff to leave.

"Should I take him to a hospital?" I snap angrily.

He hums, "It is the choice of the alpha, whether or not the beta seeks medical aid."

I breath deeply through my nose, counting to ten before releasing the breath. I hate his bland tone. I hate how cold and uncaring he is when my beta, my Nephew!, may be dying.

"In your professional opinion," I prompt him through gritted teeth, "do I risk him dying by not taking him to the hospital?"

Again he hums noncommittal, "There are risks to either choice, alpha Hale, I could not possibly make such a choice for you."

Boyd lunges at the druid with a snarl. He nearly lost an arm to Deucalion's claws during the fight. Deaton had to stitch him back together but it seems the druid has tried his patience as well.

"There are risks to either choice," Deaton frowns back at Boyd as if he's no more than an unruly pup. "A hospital could assist with his injuries but it would also bring far too much attention as well as questions that you will not be able to answer."

"Just go," I wave the druid away.

He's too much of a headache even when I'm at full strength. My temple throbs, the skin burns and pulls where claws tore at my face and cheek. The patch over my left eye is annoying but the fear that I may actually be blinded there stops me from removing it.

My instincts are stressed to the point the red hasnt left my eyes. Two of my pack are wounded. Two more are away, surrounded by humans and therefore vulnerable to the threat that is still within my territory.

I need to bring Stiles and the baby home, where I can keep them safe, but I cant. As premature as the baby is, the hospital will want to keep a close eye on her. Being a werewolf with help her strengthen and survive her early birth but humans dont know that. They will want to keep her until she weighs more. Which means the fragile pack bond we share is at risk of fading.

Issac waits patiently, watching me pace the room. His eyes have glowed golden since he came back from visiting Stiles. He didnt like leaving her alone at the hospital either but I need him here. I need Issac and Erica just incase the alphas attack again. They wont be able to just forget that they lost an alpha to us.

We made it to the bank undetected. The building was full of dust and litter. We found their prisioners trapped in the vault. Kali went down easy, in all honesty. We had her surrounded and headless in only a few minutes with barely any injuries. Derek and Boyd held her as I tore out her throat, welcoming the rush of power.

The wild alpha had gone feral. He was attacking both female wolves trapped in there with him. One wolf was his mate but the other...

I had no idea that Cora survived. I dont know how she got away or where she's been this whole time. All I know, is that for a second there, I had my niece back.

I killed the wild alpha. He had already gone feral, had already murdered his pack. His claws had punctured his mates belly and throat, dooming her as well. Cora was panicked, demanding I help the woman. The woman had already given up, not even willing to fight for her pup. So with careful claws I carved out the babe.

Unfortunately, the alpha pack returned then.

Cora attacked, throwing herself at them in a blind rage. Derek and I rushed to save her but Deucalion was too quick. Cora fell limply to the ground, her head twisted at an odd angle.

The baby was crying, a weak, wet sound. Once I held her, tucking her and all the bloody bits with her close to my chest, a wispy pack bond sprang to life. Stiles was the only one I could leave the baby with. She would protect our pup. They, at least, would be safe.

I dont know why the alpha's stopped chasing us. The twins tossed my betas around for a minute, then they were gone. So I ordered the pups to grab Derek and get home while I took the baby to Stiles.

We need Stiles. I need my pack together and safe. My instincts wont settle so long as they're away.

"Go get Stiles," I order Issac who leaps immediately to obey.

Chapter 35

Sheriff Stilinski

 

Chapter 35

 

"What have you done, Mischief?" Claudia breathes out. Her voice is a soft scolding, no real anger behind the words.

"What's your plan now, Stilinski?" The Martin girl asks with a mocking tilt.

"I dont know," Stiles nearly whines, her voice a high whisper. "I just panicked."

A strong hand grips my shoulder, pulling me to turn over. Yellow slitted eyes in a green reptilian face looms over me. He blinks up, head tilting curiously as Claudia kneels down by my head. Her blue skirt is smoothed beneath her knees as the beige shawl is draped over her shoulders.

"You cant leave your father like this," Claudia chides, fingers hovering over me as if worried she will cause more harm. "I know that we taught you better than this, Mieczyslawa."

"I just dont think it appropriate to command Jackson to paralyze your dad," Ms. Martin snaps out with some bite to the words, my granddaughter whinning softly against her chest.

"I couldnt let him run off pissed like that!" Stiles hisses back defensively. "I didnt mean to make Jackson attack him. It was an accident."

Claudia clicks her tongue, "You never do think things through, do you, mischief?"

"Do you even have a plan for how to hide this from the nurses when they come check on you?"

"I'll think of something."

The Martin girl clicks her tongue, turning back to the bed. With confident movements, she dresses our sweet malenka in one of the pretty pink dresses. When she turns her around, a large purple and pink flower headband nearly covers her entire head while the dress is almost twice her size.

Claudia throws me a mischievous smile, "I did promise you that we would never be bored."

"Well, are you going to at least get him off the floor?" Ms. Martin asks, bouncing our sweet grandbaby.

"Oh, yeah, Jackson..."

The boy lifts me easily. My stomach flips as he carries me to the couch. Goodness, I havent been carried since I was a small child. How strong is this brat?

Claudia sits down beside me, one hand cupping my cheek, "I am sorry, moj misio, but our mischief may be in over her head. I know she's nervous about our little ksiezniczko but I just know she will regret giving her away."

"Stiles," I struggle to call through numb lips.

Stiles hurries over, worried brown eyes meet mine. She does what she always does, she talks. Her words stumble over each other in a confusing jumble. She repeats that nonsense story about Hale finding a baby and giving it to her. I just dont understand why she wants to lie about this.

She doesnt even reply when Claudia calls her on it, "Do you really expect us to believe that nonsense, Mieczyslawa?"

I remember that night, rushing to the Argents house. I remember going down into the basement. I remember how hot the basement was, like a damn sauna. I remember that bastard with his body wrapped around her. I remember hitting him just to get him away. I remember the sight of her hanging there. Her hair was slick with blood and sweat. Her clothes were torn, buttons missing and only barely covering her.

She was so limp, almost dead.

It had to be him. It had to be.

Derek wouldnt touch her like that. He knows better. Especially after what that Argent bitch did to him. It couldn't be Issac's baby. Sure, he started hovering over Stiles right after that but she never flirted with him. Hell, if anything, she mothered the hell out of him. So the baby isnt his.

"Maybe Jackson can sneak him home," Stiles offers uncertainly, hovering beside the couch while chewing her nails bloody.

"We're keeping the baby," I try to say although I'm not sure how much is understandable.

"You will regret giving her up," Claudia warns her, running her fingers through my hair. "I dont know how Hale talked you into agreeing to give her up but I assure you, you will regret it."

Jackson's tail sways threateningly, moving just a little closer to Claudia. His eyes are flicking back and forth between her and me, something jerking in his movements. Claudia smiles back as if she doesnt realize the threat that boy is to her.

I try to glare at him, growling through gritted teeth, "Don't you dare..."

Ms. Martin stalks over, her heels clicking loudly. She passes the baby back to Stiles, snapping her fingers and ordering the boy to follow her. He doesnt. Instead he stays there, watching Claudia for some reason.

I look beseeching to Claudia. Surely she can talk our Mischief out of this. Surely Stiles will listen to her mother.

Chapter 36

Stiles

 

Chapter 36

 

Jackson does sneak dad out of the hospital, taking him straight to Peter's. Its probably a bad idea, especially with how angry dad is right now, but its the only plan I have. I cant leave dad vulnerable while the alpha pack is still running around. Not to mention, the ritual murders that have popped up. No, I wont risk dad being left paralyzed and alone.

Issac shows up as Jackson is sneaking dad out the back stairwell. He tells me that we need to get back to Peter's. "Derek is hurt bad," he warns me quietly. "We need the pack together."

The nurses weren't very accommodating.

I get it, I do, but surely three days in the hospital is more than enough. I'm obviously not hurt and the baby isnt yellow or limp. She's jusy small, just needs to bulk up. I beg and bribe Melissa until she gets the AMA sheets so we can be discharged. After another check of the baby and a warning to name the thing soon, they finally let us leave.

Issac brings up a carseat. Melissa shows us how to strap the baby in, how to carry her, and how to attach it to the base in the car. She rattles off warning after warning, stressing that any change in the baby's behavior means I have to Bring Her Back!

I get it. I do! But I need to be with my pack right now. They need me! Besides, the baby is Peter's so he will name her.

Issac drives like a little old lady the whole way but we do eventually make it back to the pack house. The little runt is asleep for most of the ride, squished into her seat tight enough that she couldnt move if she wanted. I fight with the buckles, careful to pull her out because she is both floppy and curled up like a turtle in its shell. Issac doesnt even offer to help, going so far as to step away from the car and pretend he doesnt see me struggle, the brat!

Peter opens the door before we reach the steps and I trip, hurrying to launch myself into his arm. There is a bandage over one eye with the edge of scars peaking out along his cheek. His other eye is bruised, exhausted, and glowing alpha red.

Questions tumble over themselves, spewing from my mouth as he pulls the baby to his own chest and guides us inside. He answers calmly, slowly, tucking me against his side. Peter leads us to his room, dark and quiet except for the soft breaths.

Derek lays in the center of the bed, pale and sweating with a slight rattle/rasp to his breaths. Peter explains how Derek tried to buy them time, taking harder hits to give them a chance. The alpha tried to dig Derek's heart out and nearly succeeded. It was touch and go for a while but he's stable-ish.

"Wounds from an alpha heal human slow," Peter warns softly, "We think he will survive but honestly... his injuries are severe."

"What can I do?" I whisper back, afraid of waking him or Erica and Boyd where they sleep curled on his other side.

"Touch him," he nudges me towards the bed, "pack heal through touch. If nothing else, being close will encourage his wolf to keep fighting."

I crawl into the bed, careful to lay as close to Derek as I can without putting weight on his injuries. His head turns, just the slightest bit, a pained huff escapes his chapped lips. When I press my palm against his arm I nearly pull back, his skin is clammy and feverish.

"I cant feel him!" I blurt out, turning to Peter who looks back evenly while nuzzling the baby.

"I'm blocking the pack bonds, mostly so it wouldnt cause issues while you were at the hospital."

"Well, stop!"

The words are barely out when I'm hit with a surge of pain. I feel freezing, like ice is burning my skin. There's a heavy weight on my chest, a bone deep ache that leaves a hollow numbness down the entire side of my body.

Hands on my face and a burning red eye brings me back. I'm vaguely aware of the screaming, someone is screaming. My throat chokes, the screams cut off abruptly.

Peter's voice breaks through the chaos, the bonds dulling to a shadow of what they were. Holy Shit! Thats what Derek feels? He's in that much pain?!

"We have to help him!" I whine desperately. "It hurts SO much..."

Peter mutters something, glancing nervously to where the baby lay on the chair in the corner. He must've put her down when I started screaming. She's snuffling, edging towards a cry.

"We can try to heal him..."

"We WILL!" I snap out, pulling at Peter's arms as if I need to convince him. "Just tell me what to do!"

He nods, warning Erica and Issac to keep watch. He slips into the bed, pressing against my back and pushing me against Derek. He whispers instructions, warning me that the pain will return. The only way to heal him is to give him our strength through the bonds.

I tell him I’m ready.

I still cant stop the scream that tears through me as the burning cold rushes through.

Chapter 37

Derek Hale

 

Chapter 37

 

"Did you know that pirates were super accepting of society's outcasts?" Stiles asks quietly, continuing without waiting for an answer, "For the time, they had really good Healthcare, concessions for disabilities, and spouse support for gays."

"What?" Slips from my lips before I can halt the word.

She tilts her head back to look up at me from where she lay lower on the bed. A wide grin brightens her face, the bonds thrumming with excitement as she twist to her side, nearly shaking with energy. Her tongue darts out, wetting dry lips as she wiggles closer, careful not to touch but getting as close as she possibly can.

"Pirates had a really good system for injuries and disabilities," she states matter-of-factly. "They had a set amount that the injured pirate would receive for like, a blinded eye or a lost leg or arm. Like, seven gold pieces for a lost finger, twenty for a whole hand, like that."

I hum when it becomes apparent that she's waiting for a reply. She nods back, gaze intent as she carries on, "Pirates had this thing called Mateloy, which was a recognized partnership between two Pirates where they would share their wealth, one could take the punishment for another, and if one dies then the other would get what was theirs AND support to grieve."

Laying her head on her bent arm she sighs softly, "They also held theater shows where they would have rap battles or act out comedy sketches."

I turn my head a bit, catching the amused grin tugging at her lips, "Yeah, and their favorite comedy sketch was to put each other on trial for piracy."

I nearly laugh only to flinch at the sharp pain that stabs lightening fast through my chest. She notices, touching my arm gently and a rush of warmth eases through, washing the pain away. I throw her an appreciative look that she smiles back at.

She wiggles a bit more to lay closer, huffing almost indignantly, "Like, we don't have that NOW but they had it THEN. It's no wonder so many people became Pirates. You get to be gay, party nonstop with friends, and irritate some rich assholes. It's a win win."

"So, you want to be a pirate?" Uncle Peter asks wryly, slipping into the room from the dark hallway with a small purple bundle in his arms. Scars scrape over one eye and dig deep into his cheek but both eyes look back evenly as he looks me over, nodding in satisfaction before turning back to her.

Stiles tenses, discomfort edging through her scent. She shrugs indifferently, strangely silent. Peter hums thoughtfully, clearly unconvinced.

Peter moves to sit by my side, careful to settle his weight slowly so I wont be jarred by the movement. Stiles slides away, pushing herself to sit back against the headboard. Her gaze flickers everywhere BUT at Peter.

Peter stares at Stiles challengingly, "Would you like to hold her, Stiles? You havent held her since you got here."

Stiles is already shaking her head, mumbling some excuse about not wanting to drop her. Peter clicks his tongue, "I very much doubt you will drop her. Besides, she's asleep right now so it's a perfect time to practice."

"She'll cry, wake up and cry, if I hold her," Stiles shifts an inch further away, shoulders tense and hands constantly moving.

"Was wrong,"I slur, trying to ask but too weak to speak properly.

"Nothing!" Stiles blurts out at the same time Peter calmly accuses, "Stiles is rejecting the baby."

"Am not!" She grumbles, crossing her arms and curling her shoulders while glaring at the bedspread at her feet. "Just don't wanna hold her, is all. I'm no good with kids anyways."

"I don't believe that," Peter snaps back. "But I would like to know why you are blocking your pack mate's bond. Or why you refuse to scentmark her."

Stiles rambles out several excuses, one after another. Either she will drop the baby or squish her. Either she hasn't had a bath or she didn't want the baby to smell like blood. Either she was shielding the baby from MY pain or avoiding distractions.

It's odd to be sure. Stiles who grabbed at the packbonds with both hands suddenly blocks them? Stiles who leaps and coddles each of us suddenly won't tough a pack mate? The discomfort and faint fear in her scent? It doesn't make sense!

"What are you so afraid of?" Peter accuses acidly.

Stiles sputters out a jumble of words that don't really form a complete thought. Peter waves away her excuses, "You didn't hesitate with me or Derek or Isaac so why is this baby so different?"

Stiles huffs, sliding across the bed to stand on the other side, discomfort thick in her scent. Peter stand facing her, red tinged eyes almost daring her. She shakes her head, stomping towards the door but Peter moves to block her path.

She shifts from foot to foot, looking anywhere but at them. Peter snarls, red burning in his gaze as he demands an answer. She mumbles excuses that make even less sense than the previous ones. Peter snaps back, ordering her to answer truthfully only for her to snap back defensively.

I try to ignore the words and focus instead on the bonds. They're the most closed off that they've ever been which even knowing it doesn't make it any less shocking to feel. Even closed off as she is, I feel fear, discomfort, and shame.

But, why?

Peter feels worried, stressed, and at the end of his patience. The worry and stress is echoed in the other bonds; Isaac, Erica, and Boyd, as well as the fragile new bond coming from the newborn pup.

"Damn it, Stiles!" Peter snaps out, interrupting her heated rambling. "What are you afraid of? What is it about a baby, THIS baby, that bothers you so much?"

"She's NOT MINE!" Stiles snaps back only to flinch away, scent flooding with shame, when the baby jumps in Peter's arms.

Peter frowns back, "I know that, Stiles, but that doesn't explain..."

"She's not mine!" Stiles hisses through clenched teeth. "Everyone THINKS that she's mine but she ISNT!"

The perplexed look doesn't leave Peter's face. Stiles steps back her shoulders slumping in defeat, "Dad thinks she's mine. So does Mrs. McCall. So does everyone."

"What does it matter?" Peter asks incredulously. "It's not like you're the first teenager to have a baby."

She steps back again, as if shying away from some horrible accusation. Her head is shaking, arms holding herself tight, "You don't understand!"

"Then explain it to me," Peter pleads softly.

She shakes her head again, looking anywhere but at them. For someone normally so full of words, it takes her several long minutes to find the right ones and even then, they seem disjointed.

"Dad thinks she's mine even though I TOLD him that she isn't. Everyone thinks I was..."

She stands, pacing beside the bed, farthest from Peter, "They think it happened when the Argents kidnapped me. They think..."

She shakes her head, "But it's more than that. Because I almost believed it too. You know, that she could be mine. But she's not mine! She's yours! Only she isn't yours either because regardless of the reason or situation, you literally STOLE a BABY!"

She presses her back against the wall, rubbing at her arms, "You STOLE a baby and that's immoral as Hell even if you had a good reason. So what do we do if her family comes for her? What do we do then?!"

"Her family is dead," Peter begins only for Stiles to interrupt, "She ISNT OURS! Her mother and father may be dead but what about grandparents? What about aunts and uncles and cousins? What do we do when they come for her?!"

"Are you afraid that she will leave?" Peter asks incredulously.

"SHE ISNT OURS!" Stiles nearly screams, startling the baby to cry. A tear slips down Stiles cheek but she shakily brushes it away, "She isn't MINE and she isn't YOURS and her family will take her away. Don't you understand?"

Peter bounces the baby gently, cooing softly to comfort her. Minutes stretch out with no noise but his soft humming and the tangy bitterness of her fear and shame.

"She has no family that COULD claim her even if they thought to LOOK," Peter says at last, voice still cooing soft. "She is ours, for now and forever."

He looks steadily at Stiles, "She is mine, because I will be her alpha and father."

He steps slowly around the bed, walking closer to her, "She does need a mother. It would be alright if you decide to be that for her."

Stiles tenses up and Peter hurries to coo, "You don't have to, of course. But it IS alright if you WANT to."

She gulps loudly, scrubbing angrily at her face and nearly pleading, "What if she hates us?"

Peter coos gently, "Why would she? We won't lie to her. Family doesn't have to be blood, remember? We are PACK, and that's stronger than any simple blood ties."

"How do we raise a baby?"

"Together, as a pack, of course."

"But... if she hates us..."

"What if she loves us? What then," Peter counters gently.

Stiles still looks so lost her sent still a war of emotions. Regardless, she doesn't flee when Peter steps closer to her. She doesn't shy away when he carefully passes the baby to her.

Her scent is still an emotional mess that will soon disturb the baby but barely noticeable is a soft hint of affection blooming. She still throws Peter a pleading, "What if we screw this up?"

Peter pulls her close, tucking her and the baby against his chest and rumbling protectively.

Series this work belongs to:

• Part 2 of Wolf heart