Chapter Text
Teen Wolf || Stetaliopher || Teen Wolf || After the End || Teen Wolf || Stetaliopher || Teen Wolf
Title: After the End – Stiles Summer Stories 2025
TW Disclaimer: All rights reserved to Jeff Davis and MTV. This fanfiction on the other hand is entirely mine. No money is made with this, though reviews are more than welcomed.
Tags: m/m/m/m, polyamory, alpha/beta/omega dynamics, post apocalypse, Pack Alpha Peter, Spark Stiles, Pack Mom Stiles, Pack Feels, PTSD, hurt/comfort, fluff, explicit intercourse, anal, oral, knotting, f/f, m/f
Main Pairing: Deucalion/Chris/Peter/Stiles
Side Pairings: Liam/Hayden, Boyd/Erica, Malia/Allison/Kira, Scott/Lydia, Jackson/Danny/Ethan, Derek/Jordan, Braeden/Marin, Ennis/Kali, Sheriff/Melissa
Teen Wolf Characters:
Stilinski Pack: Mieczysław 'Stiles' Stilinski, Liam Dunbar, Hayden Romero, Mason Hewitt
Blackwood Pack: Deucalion Blackwood, Chris Argent, Peter Hale, Malia Tate, Derek Hale, Cora Hale, Erica Reyes, Vernon Boyd, Isaac Lahey, Jackson Whittemore, Ethan Steiner, Aiden Steiner, Kali, Ennis, Marin Morrell
Human Resistance: Noah Stilinski, Melissa McCall, Braeden, Bobby Finstock, Danny Mahealani, Scott McCall, Lydia Martin, Allison Argent, Kira Yukimura, Jordan Parrish
Villains: Gerard Argent, Kate Argent, Victoria Argent, Theo Raeken
Writer's Month 2025 Prompt: hat + bedroom
Summary: In a world torn apart by the war between humans and supernaturals, Stiles is seeking shelter for himself and his pups. A Pack Mom without a pack, who made himself their Alpha. There are rumors of a place, safe for humans and supernatural alike, under the protection of the widely feared Demon Wolf. Stiles is willing to do anything to keep his little pack safe.
After the End
Stiles Summer Stories 2025
Chapter 1: The Evil King in His Idiot Hat
"...The prince and the princess kissed and they knew everything would be alright. The end."
"What. No. It can't be over! What happens next, dad?"
"Nothing. It's the end, nothing comes after the end, kiddo," Noah huffed amused and looked at his son. "They defeated the evil king in his idiot hat, they kissed and lived happily ever after, the end."
His son stared up at him with large, wide eyes. "No. That can't be it! The kingdom is torn apart, the evil king burned down the fields so now the people have nothing to eat and what about all the people who have no home and nobody now? Just because the prince and princess kiss, the story isn't over! There is still so—o much more to tell!"
"But that's not this story," Noah chuckled. "This story is about the prince and princess finding love and defeating the evil king with the power of their love."
Stiles huffed and crossed his arms over his chest, his chubby cheeks puffed out. "That's stupid. It only just started getting interesting. There is so much more to do."
"You're asking a lot from a children's book, kiddo," Noah pointed out with a smile.
"Well, then don't read me children's books!" Stiles argued. "I am wise beyond my years!"
"He got you there, dear," Claudia laughed, leaning against the doorway. "You do always say that."
Noah heaved an exasperated sigh and let himself fall back onto the pillow of Stiles' bed when Stiles gave a triumphant noise because he got his mom's support. Smiling at them both, Claudia climbed into the already crammed police car shaped children's bed and leaned over to kiss her husband. Stiles squeaked in childish protest as he got squished between his parents, until it turned into bright laughter when his mother started tickling his belly.
/break\
Stiles bolted upright with a silent scream dying in the back of his throat and the feeling of cold tears running down his cheeks. His hands were shaking badly as he reached up to rub his face and wipe the tears away. It had been a long time since he'd last dreamed about his dad, even longer since he dreamed about his mom and when things had still been good. Normal.
"Y… You okay, Stiles?" Mason asked in a small voice. "You had another nightmare?"
Folding his shaking hands in his lap, Stiles sat up so he could look at the pups. Mason and Hayden were huddled together next to the fire, alert and on watch. Both stared at him in worry.
"Worse," Stiles whispered roughly. "Had a good dream and woke up in the nightmare…"
He dragged his eyes away from Mason and Hayden. They were camping out in an abandoned warehouse, far enough from any main roads or lived in buildings to allow them to feel relatively safe for the night. Stiles' gaze settled on the faded propaganda poster on the wall opposite him. Gerard Argent, chest puffed out, pointing at the viewer. We need you to report suspicious behavior. Keep humanity safe. Stiles got up and walked over with quick, hard steps, tearing the poster down and balling it up before throwing it into the fire with a sneer.
"The evil king in his idiot hat," Stiles whispered lowly, voice filled with hatred.
"He wasn't even wearing a hat," Hayden pointed out confused.
"And he's by title president but by technicality a dictator. Not a king," Mason added. "Though he would probably love bringing the monarchy to the states to declare himself king."
Running his hands over his face again, Stiles tilted his head back into his neck and took a deep breath. "It's nothing, forget it, kids. Just… Just something my… my dad used to say."
Both Hayden and Mason got real quiet at that. Sighing, Stiles headed back to his own nest of a thin blanket, crawling under it again. He rarely brought his dad up. Losing him still hurt too much. It had been years, but he would never get used to living in a world without Noah Stilinski.
"Why don't you guys sleep some? I'm not gonna get any more rest, might as well keep watch."
"We watch in teams of two, not alone," Mason argued with a mild glare.
Stiles' eyes landed on Liam, who was still deep asleep next to Stiles. "It's fine, let him sleep. You guys will need the energy. We got a long hike ahead of us tomorrow."
"You need your sleep too," Hayden argued. "Liam and I are wolves, we have more stamina."
Sighing, Stiles wrapped the blanket tighter around himself. "I'm the adult, you listen to me. Sleep."
"You are literally only three years older than us," Mason pointed out, eyebrows raised.
"Yes. An eighteen year old adult, while you are fifteen year old babies," Stiles agreed.
"Teenagers," Hayden grumbled, flashing her eyes golden at him.
"Might as well be a whole baby," Stiles stuck his tongue out at her.
Three years made such a difference. Stiles had been eight when the world was still intact, he had some good, safe memories of a better time. Three years younger than him, they had been five when things started to slip, seven when the war started. Three years, which was nearly as long as they had been with Stiles now. Mason and Liam had been twelve year old children when he met them and a part of him would always see those frightened kids, marked by war, when he looked at them.
"Do you… Do you really think this safe haven is real?" Hayden asked softly.
Her and Mason were slowly settling in, wrapped up in their own blankets. In the end, Stiles always won their arguments, Pack Mom privilege. He wasn't a were, he couldn't be their Alpha in a proper way, but he did his best. The four of them, Stiles and his three Betas, worked as a pack, enough to keep Liam and Hayden from going feral. It was mutually beneficial too. He was an unmated omega, he may not need pack the same way as weres did but he still needed social contact. Caretaking was inherent to omegas, having been all alone for too long before he had found Liam and Mason, he had latched onto them just as much. A year later, they had found Hayden. Now, they were pack, family.
"I have to believe it," Stiles whispered, staring at the flame in front of them.
There were rumors about a safe haven in California. Ironically, just one town over from Stiles' hometown of Beacon Hills, leveled to the ground years ago now. But Silver Lake had held out. Surrounded by the mountains from one side and walled up on the other, with fresh water thanks to the waterfall and creek leading into the namesake lake. They had farms, generators with electricity. Or so the rumors said, anyway. Stiles remained skeptical for a long time. So close to the leveled ruins of Ground Zero of this war between humankind and the supernatural world.
Supposedly, the town was safe because it was protected by the so-called Demon Wolf. The only werewolf even Gerard feared. Stiles didn't believe there was anyone or anything that Gerard Argent feared. He was also doubtful about this safe haven. He wanted to believe it, needed to believe it, but it sounded too good to be true. A place where humans and supernaturals lived peacefully together. That was a dream from a past life, not a reality anymore. The war had drawn a line in the sand. Humans on one side, supernaturals on the other. And Stiles in the middle of it, with his little pack.
But at this point in his life, Stiles didn't just want a safe haven. He needed it. He was eighteen now. So far, Stiles had been able to fly under the radar as a minor. Now he was an off-age unmated omega. Things were getting more dangerous for him. Plus, the pups were fifteen now. At age twelve, they got sympathy points when begging. At fifteen, they were perceived as potential criminals, chased away instead of helped. They needed safety, protection. He prayed it was real.
/break\
Stiles took a shaky breath as he stared up the tall, imposing walls. Sigils and runes were carved into the wall, so nobody could break them, climb them, or even touch them. It must have taken years to put the layers of wards onto them, Stiles could feel that with his Spark. It sure was safe.
"Okay, pups," Stiles turned toward the three teens behind him with serious looks. "I do all the talking. You stay together, you don't talk to anyone, don't let your guard down and listen to what I say. I need you to follow orders in there, you hear me?"
Liam, Hayden and Mason exchanged a doubtful look, but in the end they nodded. Taking a deep breath, Stiles turned toward the door and stared into the camera. He squared up and mentally prepared himself. He could do this, he was Noah Stilinski's son.
"I'm here to talk to Alpha Blackwood. I have an… offer to make to him."
He'd spent the past year researching Silver Lake as it was now. Alpha Deucalion Blackwood, his personal history with Gerard – he used to be a peaceful man who wanted peace between hunters and werewolves, until Gerard had blinded him and decimated his pack. Deucalion had clawed his way back, became the Demon Wolf, gathering respect and fear from people around. A born werewolf who had already lost his pack. Stiles hoped he had something to offer that Deucalion may want.
The door opened and a huge mountain of a man stood before them. "An offer?"
Stiles tilted his head to look up at the man. "I heard this is a safe place for humans and wolves."
"Mh," the huge alpha looked down at him curiously. "And what do you bring to the community?"
"Let me talk to to your Alpha. The offer is only for him. Let's see if he can see my value."
The man seemed mostly amused and Stiles grew nervous. But then he nodded, shrugged and waved them to follow him. Stiles' heart leapt into his throat as he followed, his pups right behind him. They were led up a staircase until they reached the top of the wall. Hayden behind him gasped when they had a view onto Silver Lake. The lake itself laid large and clean at the center, a harbor and the town nestled along its shore. Fields and orchards of trees spread out around the town. Stiles stumbled a little when he saw it. It seemed untouched by the war. He knew that wasn't true, he'd passed through Silver Lake when he first fled Beacon Hills, it had been half destroyed, in ruins. They had rebuilt it, had recreated what the world used to look like. Determination swelled in his chest as his steps grew more certain. He would do anything to allow his pups to stay here.
They walked along the walls to a tall, sturdy building. A fortress, really. Inside, they followed the tall alpha into a large, high-ceiling room with pillars and a big, sturdy, u-shaped table at the center, with high chairs. At the center of the table, in the highest chair, sat Deucalion Blackwood. Dirty-blonde hair, lines on his face, sharp blue eyes staring intensely at him the moment he entered. Again, Stiles stumbled a little. The man was supposed to be blind. Either his intel was wrong, or the man had done some heavy forbidden magic to fix his sight. Either way, the Alpha was as imposing and intimidating as he had been described. Even with half a dozen other alphas in the room, among as many betas, he stood out. Demanded submission. Stiles swallowed hard.
"Alpha Blackwood," Stiles bowed slightly. "I'm here to ask for asylum for me and my pups."
"You understand that many people come to me asking for shelter," Deucalion spoke and slowly rounded the table to instead lean in front of it, with less distance between them. "We are a closed community and rely on each other. So what do you bring to this community, that you think I will take you and the three children in? Don't try the 'children are our future and a resource on their own' route, too many do. Children are, first and foremost, an investment of food, money and time. Resources spent on someone for years before we can determine what they will bring to the table. That may sound harsh, but we're in times of war and resources are limited."
Stiles nodded slowly, a bit steamrolled by the pragmatism. He was, of course, right. Kids, especially young weres, needed a lot of resources without being able to contribute much. It was what had gotten Stiles chased out of multiple human settlements where Liam and Hayden had been able to pass off as human. On the flip side were the people who only saw kids as resources, to be indoctrinated as early as possible, trained to be future soldiers for the cause. Stiles vaguely remembered a time when children were allowed to just be children.
"You three, wait outside," Stiles ordered, turning toward his pups.
"But-" Liam started and stepped forward, always too protective.
"No," Stiles growled, maybe not as intimidating as a wolf's, but with his pups, it did the job. "You go outside, you wait, you talk to no one, you behave. Am I clear?"
"Yes, mom," Liam, Hayden and Mason chorused near immediately.
Stiles cupped Liam's neck, giving it a squeeze and scent-marking the wolf. Deucalion raised an intrigued eyebrow and motioned for one of the other alphas, a grumpy looking guy with scruff, to escort the three betas out of the hall. Stiles hated leaving them out of his sight, but he also couldn't make his pitch in front of them. Facing Deucalion again, he straightened up.
"You're a very powerful man, Alpha Blackwood," Stiles started slowly. "You are also an alpha of a certain age, with no heir to the Blackwood name. Let's be real, there is only one thing I have to offer you. I'm not physically strong, I'm not a wolf, so I can't join your forces, I was eight when the world ended so I don't have a school or college education that will be beneficial for you, I'm… nobody. The one thing I am is an unmated, young omega. The only thing I can offer you is an heir."
There, he said it. Even pretty eloquently. He'd rehearsed it so many times in his head. It was the only thing he had to offer to a man like Deucalion Blackwood. He knew he wasn't unattractive, it was part of his problem, really. Hopefully, Deucalion found him attractive enough. Swallowing hard, Stiles braced himself when Deucalion pushed off the table and headed toward him.
"I can see why you would make that proposal," Deucalion started, his eyes intense. "Don't think me ignorant of what is going on in the world outside. I know of the… breeding camps. Omegas are seen as a resource themselves by the government."
Stiles' jaw set and he breathed deep to keep his heart-rate low. To not show his fear. The breeding camps were one of the reasons he was so desperate to find shelter and safety. It was also what had given him this idea. Deucalion came to stand in front of him, grasping his chin to tilt Stiles' head.
"Your gamble isn't bad, I am an Alpha of a certain age who never sired an heir," Deucalion agreed lightly. "However, what your research didn't show you is that I very much do have heirs. I have my mate's daughter, and his niece and nephew whom I adopted and helped raise. I don't need a blood heir to uphold my family and pack's legacy."
Deucalion motioned with his free hand to two brunette girls about Stiles' age and a very handsome alpha with a goatee, who smiled charmingly and waved a hand. Mate. No, a mate had not come up in Stiles' research. Stiles raised his eyebrows, growing nervous.
"That aside," Deucalion's voice sharpened as his nostrils flared. "I make it a point not to sleep with unwilling partners. If I ever do have a blood heir, it will be with someone who is eager to join me in bed and who will love that child as much as I will."
Stiles' heart sped up as he was hit in the face with an option he hadn't considered before. Had he just offended Deucalion? Was he even going to make it out alive of this meeting? He was acutely aware of the grip on his chin, so close to his throat. Breathing deep, Stiles raised his chin and held the Alpha's gaze. He was not going to beg or cower, even to the end.
"You're impressive," Deucalion noted, voice softer. "It takes guts to come here, with that offer. It takes guts to face me, most people cower before me. But even in the face of… danger, you are holding your head high. Not to mention, it's incredibly rare to see a human Alpha."
"I'm not…" Stiles trailed off confused. "I just take care of them because they don't have anyone else. Parent-wise or Alpha-wise. I… I just need them to be safe and… and in a real pack."
Stiles' voice wavered. He didn't fear death, but he feared what would happen to his pups. The grip on his chin gentled, but those piercing blue eyes didn't turn away from him. He had never felt more like prey than he did when he had the Demon Wolf's full focus. And suddenly, Deucalion stepped away from him. Stiles felt like a puppet whose strings got cut, knees buckling nervously.
"Marin, be a dear and bring them to empty bedrooms in the fortress for now," Deucalion ordered.
What. Stiles blinked slowly, watching the pretty omega woman approach him. He stared in confusion as Deucalion went to stand next to the handsome alpha with the goatee.
"What," Stiles asked out loud. "But I don't… I don't have anything to offer to you."
"And you shouldn't have to," Deucalion faced him with a smile. "You shouldn't have to prove your usefulness to be deserving of safety, food and shelter."
Stiles sagged a little and a near hysterical laugh escaped him. "It was a test. Of course it was."
Deucalion tilted his head at that, regarding him intensely again. "It was. What for?"
Oh, further testing. Interesting. Stiles grew more intrigued by the man with every minute.
"You can't just accept anyone into your safe haven. You have to see what people are willing to do to come here and you have to make sure they have good intentions. Also that they're not full of shit when it comes to their stance on this war. This is a place where humans and supernaturals live together, if you let one of Gerard's spies in because they pretend they need shelter, it could all come toppling down around you. You have to protect your people."
"Clever," the handsome alpha with a goatee commented, his voice a pleased purr. "I do think you are underselling yourself. Being an omega is certainly not all you have to offer. You are clearly smart, loyal, protective and willing to do whatever it takes to protect yours."
Stiles regarded the alpha – Deucalion's mate – curiously. But then he was approached by the omega lady Deucalion had called forth, Marin. She smiled charmingly at him.
"Any new resident to Silver Lake remains within the fortress, supervised by the pack until we can be sure that we can trust you," Deucalion explained. "Marin will show you available rooms."
"Room," Stiles corrected. "If this is a temporary trial period, one will be enough. I need to make sure I can trust you too and until I do, I will not let my pups out of my sight."
"Understandable," Deucalion seemed strangely pleased by that. "Ennis, please arrange that there be three more beds brought into the room."
Stiles just stood rooted to the floor, staring at the Alpha of Alphas in bafflement. Beds. Stiles couldn't remember the last time he slept in an actual bed. The labor camp had cots, and even that had been three years ago now. They were glad when they could sleep under an actual roof. Now they were getting not just a room but enough beds for them all?
"Three is… Three is enough," Stiles corrected softly. "I doubt you have that many beds to spare."
Deucalion regarded him thoughtfully for a moment before nodding and motioning at the mountain of a man who had led Stiles and the pups in. Ennis. Stiles let his eyes trail over every face in the room, memorizing them. He was going to learn all their names, their relationships among each other. Every piece of intel that could be useful to him. This was the Blackwood Pack. They were in charge here, what they said was law. He needed to know everything he could about them and he needed to be on their good side. He needed to make this work.
/break\
"This is the most comfortable thing I have ever laid on."
Stiles smiled thinly, watching Hayden roll around on the big bed in the room for a moment, before his focus went back to the two betas setting up a bunk bed against the wall. The room wasn't huge but it wasn't small either, it was… enough. Opposite the door was a window, overseeing the valley of Silver Lake. There was one double bed against the right wall, a small table between the bed and the wall with the window, a nightstand on the bed's other side. Opposite the bed was the door leading to a small bathroom. The two betas, identical twins, were putting together a bunk bed next to the bathroom door, after having moved the closet that stood there before over next to the nightstand. It was a bit crowded now, but it would be enough.
"Thank you for your help," Stiles offered the twins. "I didn't catch your names."
"We didn't catch yours either," one of the twins noted amused. "I'm Aiden, that's Ethan."
Stiles nodded slowly. "Stiles. These are Liam, Hayden and Mason."
Mason was sitting behind Stiles, while Liam had put himself in front of Hayden and Stiles. Always protective, even though he was a beta and not an alpha. It was cute. Stiles reached out to pat Liam's shoulder to calm him some. Strangers made the wolf nervous. History taught them all that lesson.
"How freely can we move?" Stiles asked once the twins were nearly finished.
"Our pack is close by at all times, you won't move unseen," Ethan offered. "Wolves have sharp ears, so be aware that we are listening too. But you are free to go anywhere in the fortress but the West wing, that's where our pack's living and where our offices are. It's locked, if you try to sneak in, you are out. This is the only warning you get in these regards, because Deucalion is a leader in this war and there are things in this building that can not be seen by others without consequences."
"Noted," Stiles nodded and looked out. "What about the outside?"
"You will not go into town without an escort," Aiden replied. "There is a limited private garden within the fortress' walls. You're free to access it whenever you like."
"Marin showed you where the dining hall is?" Ethan asked, earning another nod from Stiles. "Good. There's fixed meal times, I assume she gave you those too. Don't miss them."
Stiles nodded again. "Thank you."
"No problem," Ethan smiled and got up. "Okay, you are all set. Why don't you settle in for now, you can go downstairs to room 304 to get yourselves outfitted once you're ready."
"Outfitted?" Stiles furrowed his brows in confusion.
"Clothes," Aiden explained, looking at the four of them. "No judgment, but your stuff has seen better days and considering the light luggage, you probably don't have a lot of changes of clothes. You'll get sets of new clothes as a welcoming gift, just some basics."
Stiles looked down himself. His shirt was faded, the material worn thin, his jeans torn. Both dirty. He'd never felt self-conscious about his clothes before. Everyone looked like that where they came from. But looking at Ethan and Aiden, in clean jeans and shirts that looked new, remembering Deucalion and his mate in their well-fitted suits made of fine-looking materials…
"Okay, pups," Stiles got up. "Go and take showers, one by one. We are not going to be getting outfitted with layers of dirt on us. Enjoy it, mh?"
"What about you?" Mason asked while Hayden already rushed toward the bathroom.
"You go first," Stiles smiled a little. "I'll take a look around. Don't leave this room without me, don't let anyone in while I'm gone. Just… get cleaned up and put on the cleanest clothes we have."
"Yes, mom," the three chorused and then raced to the bathroom.
Stiles' smile grew and he headed outside. He found the door out to the garden that was surrounded by walls. It allowed the new people staying at the fortress air and nature, without the opportunity to sneak out and get to the town. Stiles looked around and saw he was alone. The terror and relief he had been holding in overcame him now that he was alone. His knees buckled and he went down with a sob before doubling over and throwing up what little food he had in him. He was dry-heaving and crying, completely overwhelmed. This had been such a high-risk gamble, but he had done it. He had gotten this, for himself and his pups. But this could have gone so badly.
When Deucalion had held his chin in that hall, pointing out that he had a mate and wouldn't sleep with an unwilling partner. The Demon Wolf could have taken Stiles' offer as an insult, could have torn his throat out then and there. But he hadn't. Stiles had gotten what he wanted. He was safe.
"Hey, you alright? Do you need medical attention?"
Stiles froze and looked up, wiping his chin off of snot, tears and throw-up. In front of him stood a silver fox alpha with worried steel-blue eyes. He must be quite the pathetic sight right now. The man reached a tentative hand out to touch his shoulder.
"I… I'm fine…" Stiles gasped, struggling for breath. "Just a panic-attack, I'm good."
"Panic-attack doesn't sound like you're fine," the alpha countered. "I'm Chris. What do you need?"
Slowly, Stiles allowed the alpha to manhandle him into a proper sitting position. The man offered him a metallic bottle of water and gently brushed Stiles' hair out of his face. The touch was so soft. Stiles wasn't used to that anymore, outside of his pups.
"You're the new one," Chris noted softly. "The omega who offered himself up to Deuc."
Stiles gave a shaky laugh at that, using some of the water from the bottle to clean up his face. "Yeah. That's me. The guy who made a fool of himself in front of the Demon Wolf's pack. They must think I'm some kind of desperate slut or something."
"None of us think that," Chris corrected him in a firm voice. "We all know where your offer came from and the wolves could smell the fear and anxiety on you. You weren't offering yourself to get a foot in the door. There were others, believe me, we've had horny omegas throwing themselves at Deuc, eager to make themselves the Alpha Mate. You didn't do that, didn't want that. You just… want a safe place for yourself and your kids. Deuc respects that. So do we."
Breathing deep, Stiles leaned back against the wall. He tilted his head so he could look up at the blue sky. It was so… peaceful here. Chris came to sit next to him, watching him concerned.
"I didn't know about the daughter," Stiles muttered frustrated. "Or the mate. I did my best research on him, but clearly it was… incomplete. Hell, I thought he was blind."
Chris next to him tensed and raised his eyebrows in surprise. "Your research was… more fruitful than most others who come here. But yeah, Deuc makes sure nobody outside Silver Lake knows about me and Peter, or our kids."
Stiles' eyes widened as he turned toward Chris. The second Alpha Mate, apparently. Well, now he felt like even more of a fool. Of course did Deucalion not have an omega and heirs, if his taste laid in hot alphas. Groaning softly, Stiles rubbed his face, partially to hide from Chris.
"You don't have anything to be embarrassed about, Stiles," Chris reached out tentatively to brush Stiles' sweat-soaked hair out of his face. "If I had to make a guess, I'd say you're recently eighteen. Unmated omega on the run, no family to protect you. We do know of the camps. You took the chance, choosing one pregnancy that'd bring you protection over the camps or… being auctioned off to the rich and powerful. It wasn't a bad gamble, you are right that most born wolves put a lot of value into bloodlines and family. But this place? This is Deuc's vision. Where humans and supernaturals live peacefully, where alphas, betas and omegas live together as equals."
Stiles' eyelids fluttered shut as Chris kept gently brushing his fingers through Stiles' hair. Soft, gentle touch. How was that enough to put tears in the corners of his eyes? Gentle wasn't something they could afford in this world and he hadn't realized how much he'd missed it.
"It's funny," Stiles whispered softly. "Gerard will have humans believe that werewolves are monsters for their claws and fangs. But his people are over there, putting fellow humans into labor camps and breeding camps, seeing them as nothing more than resources to further their own gain. In all my years on the run, I've seen wolves look out for each other, even for those that weren't theirs. Only one of these seem monstrous to me, and it's not the ones with claws and fangs."
There was a beat of silence, before Chris sighed. "You're right. You're… very right. C'mon, let me bring you back inside. You haven't gotten fresh clothes yet. After that, dinner."
"Wanted to… shower… first," Stiles muttered and ducked his head.
"Okay, then I'll escort you back to your room," Chris offered with a smile. "Once you and your pups are outfitted, you can come to the dining hall, we always offer a meal outside of meal time for first arrivals, since we don't know how long you haven't gotten to eat."
"I make sure my pups get at least one meal a day," Stiles said defensively and with a glare.
Chris gave a soft sigh and rested a hand between Stiles' shoulder-blades. "That wasn't meant as possible criticism of your ability to provide for your pups. You deserve regular meals too."
Stiles blinked doe-eyed at the man. It had been a long time since someone else tried to watch out for him. He was very used to putting his pups first and he wasn't going to stop. But maybe now, he could… also watch out for himself. He offered Chris a small smile when they reached the room.
"Thank you," Stiles whispered. "For listening. And not… judging."
"Of course, Stiles," Chris smiled at him. "I'll see you later tonight at dinner."
Nodding, Stiles watched Chris leave and only then entered the bedroom again. Each bedroom had a lock with a code, so nobody could go into someone else's bedroom. Stiles was aware that it was an illusion of privacy because the pack had all pass-codes and could get into every room.
"Hey, you three," Stiles smiled a little when he found the pups all entangled on the big bed.
They were wearing fluffy bathrobes. Stiles remembered his mom used to have one of those. The kids all looked comfortable and happy, properly clean – they cleaned in every creek they came across, but actual showers and soap were harder to come by.
"How was your walk?" Mason asked, lifting his head off Hayden's shoulder.
"Good," Stiles nodded. "The garden is nice. We should go there together after food. I ran into a member of the pack out there and he said that, once we get our new clothes, there will be a meal waiting for us. So, I'll hit the shower and then we get going."
Liam reached out for his wrist and tugged him onto the bed when he tried to pass. "Just take a beat, Stiles. You are always checking off items of your to-do-list. We can rest now."
Stiles blinked when he landed on the big, comfortable bed in their own bedroom. Relaxing against the mattress, he stared up at the ceiling and settled in. He allowed himself to take a slow, deep breath. They could rest now. They had a safe place now.