Chapter Text
It was all Scott’s fault. That’s a good way to put it. Stiles would never be in this situation if Scott hadn’t gotten bitten by a freaking werewolf. Although, the reason he got bit in the first place was because Stiles dragged him out in the middle of the night. Stiles guessed, then, that it wasn’t all Scott’s fault.
Stiles couldn’t very well blame himself. No, that wouldn’t do. Then it was Peter’s fault… Yeah! Peter bit Scott then decided to go on a crazy murder spree. Albeit, he was getting revenge for his family’s death; it still didn’t give him the right to bite Scott without his consent. Plus, Peter then terrorized Scott for weeks.
While locating Derek through Scott’s phone, Peter proceeded to tell Stiles he would be a great addition to the pack. Stiles thought Peter was going to ask him right here in this parking lot, (which Stiles would have considered, don’t get him wrong), but he kind of likes the fact that he is human. Peter instead just gave him a hard look with that smirk . Before Stiles could answer, Peter growled, fangs coming out, and Stiles saw darkness.
When Stiles came to, he was still in the parking lot. Getting up from the floor, he looked around to see if anyone was around, but no one was. Stiles could tell something was wrong though; for one, the constant buzzing that was Stiles' brain seemed to be ten times worse than anything he had ever felt. Stiles couldn’t explain it, but he could swear he felt a tight pull in his chest towards the nearby woods.
Stiles quickly looked for his phone but was unable to find it. Knowing that Peter was going to the Hale House to get Derek, he decided that was probably going to be his best bet. He quickly got into his jeep, Roscoe, and drove off.
The pull in his chest got tighter the closer he got to the Hale House but Stiles didn’t have time to think about it, no matter how intense the feeling was. Scott was probably already at the house to carry out his stupid plan of killing the Alpha in order to become human. As soon as Derek said it was a possibility, Stiles knew it was a lie. Derek probably just needed help tracking the Alpha, and what better way than using someone with the right motivation.
That was another problem Stiles had. Derek Hale.
He just came back in all his angry broodiness with no explanation, no matter how much Stiles begged him to help Scott. Derek was just a jackass who wanted to get the man that killed his sister.
Stiles thought Derek was getting better for a bit after he saved him from the wolfsbane bullet. Scott said that Derek taught him a few tricks to not overwhelm his senses. He even came to Stiles' window one night, which scared the shit out of him. Derek had apologized for the way he was acting, saying that his sister was the only thing he had left, so his mission to find the alpha who killed her was the only thing keeping him going. Stiles had never seen Derek so vulnerable before, but then Stiles got word Derek had just gone and ghosted Scott and Stiles until he needed help again. So he was back to being a grade-A jackass.
Stiles was jolted from his thoughts as he approached the Hale house. The tightness in his chest got to an overwhelming degree to the point he was having trouble breathing. Stiles couldn’t think about it though, he needed to get to Scott, to Peter, to Derek.
Stiles looked around his Jeep to see if he could get anything to fight with. He really should’ve invested time in putting his baseball bat in his car. He found one of the molotovs that Lydia made when they were locked in the school. Not seeing many other options, Stiles grabbed one and quickly made his way to the house on foot.
As he was approaching, he could hear the voices of the others. He saw Peter with his claws around Kate Argent’s neck. Stiles was still hidden in the shadows but Peter turned his vision to directly look at Stiles like he could sense where he was. Stiles felt a chill go down his spine and his chest getting tighter.
There seemed to be a shift in the scene before him. Peter’s eyes never left Stiles' own but everyone else across from him: Allison, Scott, Chris, and Derek all seemed confused and started to look where Stiles was hiding.
“Come out my little wolf.” Peter's voice seemed to whisper, but to Stiles he felt like he was being shouted at.
Before Stiles knew what he was doing his feet started to move. He walked out from behind the trees. Stiles couldn’t see the others' reactions but he could hear them loud and clear. He heard Alison soft gasp, Chris intake of breath, Scotts whimper, and a deep growl from Derek. Stiles however was too preoccupied staring right past Kate’s wide eyes into Peter's own, his eyes glowing a deep crimson that seemed to make Stiles' skin feel aflame.
Stiles didn’t like the way the attention seemed to go towards him. He didn’t like the way that Peter called him little wolf. But he also didn’t like how he could feel something inside him swell with pride at the same time at the nickname.
Stiles felt disgusted with himself and his body. The anger inside of him of everything that has happened the past couple weeks rising within him. Stiles heard a loud defiant roar call out, probably Derek (that dramatic Sourwolf), before he threw the molotov straight at Peter and Kate. Peter's eyes widened before bringing his claws across Kate's throat causing a shout from Allison before blood splattered everywhere. That was definitely going to haunt Stiles' dreams for years to come.
Peter threw Kate's body to the ground before catching the molotov but it never went off. Instead Peter just stood there with it in his hand for a second, everyone holding their breath. Suddenly an arrow whizzed by breaking the glass and Peter went up in flames.
His body thrashed and Stiles could hear the mixture of screaming and roaring, but what was worse was that his eyes never seemed to leave Stiles or change from the deep crimson. All Stiles could do was watch those eyes as Peter’s body burned.
When he finally fell to the ground and the flames died out Stiles could still see and hear that Peter was breathing. Stiles saw Derek slowly walk towards Peter, his body directly over him.
“Please…” the telltale whisper of Peter's usual rough voice in a pleading tone. Derek raised his hand, his claws coming out but before he could swipe and make the madness end.
“Wait! You can’t kill him! I need to do it so I can be human again!” Scott shouted at Derek.
Derek looked at Scott, whose eyes were now glowing golden, but what shocked Stiles the most was when Derek looked at Stiles. Derek’s eyes were blazing blue and he was staring so intently at Stiles that it started to cause that thing inside him to shift around. Stiles heard a whine before realizing the noise came from himself.
Derek looked away at that before whispering. “There is no cure.” Derek’s arm moved in a fluid motion causing Peter’s life to finally end and end his madness once and for all.
Derek then looked back, his eyes changing from the brilliant blue to the telltale deep crimson of an Alpha. “I’m the Alpha now.”
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Stiles woke up the next day to his body aching and skin feeling aflame. He didn’t know what was wrong but with everything that had happened the night before he just considered the equivalent to an adrenaline hangover.
After Derek very dramatically declared he was the Alpha he just left, not even a proper goodbye or anything. Stiles was still in such shock that he didn’t realize he was starting to follow in Derek’s direction. Stiles snapped out of it when Scott grabbed his arm effectively stopping him in his place.
Stiles must have given Scott a good look, because when their eyes met Scott quickly let go and bared his neck a little bit. Stiles now more aware of his bearings but still not really present with all the buzzing still going on in his head.
He saw Scott trying to talk to him, but Stiles couldn’t really hear him. Scott looked concerned when Stiles didn’t give him an answer before hesitantly grabbing his arm again leading him to his jeep. Scott took the keys from Stiles' coat that he was wearing and drove Stiles home for the night.
Scott must have run home because Stiles didn’t see him around his room when he woke up. Stiles didn’t really care though as he stumbled out of bed towards the restroom. He needed some medicine, not wanting to risk the chance of him getting a fever and being out of commission for the next few days.
Stiles opened a bottle of Advil before popping some of the pills in his mouth. He looked at himself in the mirror before being taken aback. His eyes had deep black bags under them, making it look like he hadn’t slept for days.
That wasn’t good. Maybe Stiles was more sick than he thought he was. Deciding that he needed to cool down his still overheating skin he turned on the shower and set it to the coldest setting. While taking his shower, Stiles thought about the events of the previous night, trying to wash away the dirt and what he hoped wasn’t any ash from his body.
Stiles still thought it was weird that Peter decided to knock him out after going for the attack. He thought it was even weirder on what Peter's actions were moments before his death. Those crimson eyes were going to haunt him for a long time to come.
Stiles got out of the shower, his body feeling slightly better after cooling down. What he didn’t expect was when he wiped away the steam for a pair of golden eyes to be glowing back at him.
Stiles was secure enough in his masculinity to say he let out a screech.
The golden eyes continued to stare back at him. This couldn’t be happening. Stiles could not be a werewolf, he was human. He wanted to be human. No. He needed to be human. But the golden glare was otherwise telling.
What didn’t help was when Stiles went to touch his eyes with his finger he could feel the pricks of his nails which seemed to be much longer than he was used to. He quickly looked at his hands or he should say claws. The long black nails in each of his fingers further confirmed that he was no longer the human best friend. He was a werewolf.
Stiles didn’t know what to do. He needed to get this under control before his dad saw anything. Oh God! His dad. No, he couldn’t think of that right now. He needed answers, needed to talk to someone. He needed help.
Stiles quickly got dressed. His claws still out making it difficult to not completely shred his clothes in the process. He then ran to his jeep and before he knew it he was flying down the road. He didn’t really have a care for any speed limits at the moment, only caring for his destination. When he finally got there Stiles felt like he could take a true breath.
He looked at the Hale house, well what was left of it. Stiles remembered how it was supposed to look. The grand house with tons of bedrooms that he used to play in. Always sneaking around and always being found quickly no matter how hard he tried to hide. Now just a barren wasteland of ash and rubble.
Stiles shook the memories from his head. He didn’t need to think of those days and all the emotions that came with them.
“Derek!” Stiles shouted.
Stiles really hoped Derek was still hanging out here but wouldn’t be surprised if Derek had moved on, especially after the events of last night. Stiles heard movement behind him before quickly turning around coming face to face with one Derek Hale.
“What are you doing here?” He asked, raising his notorious eyebrows that all Hales seemed to have. Stiles didn’t answer but he looked down at his hands where his claws were still out. When he looked up to Derek he could feel his own eyes flaring most likely to the golden hues as Derek's own eyes flared back red.
“Help,” Stiles said in a small whisper. If Stiles didn’t know of Derek's werewolf hearing he would wonder if he actually heard Stiles' plea. Derek’s eyes went back to their normal green color before his face seemed to soften just a little. He took a step towards Stiles' direction before stopping himself and going back to where he was.
“You need to breathe Stiles.” He said as if Stiles hadn’t been doing that since he got out of the shower that morning.
“Focus on one thing. Zero in on that. Make it all you hear.” He continued.
Stiles tried to focus but he never could do that properly with his ADHD. When he would focus on one sound, another one would pop up and take Stiles attention.
“Focus Stiles. Focus and breathe.”
That's when Stiles heard it. The telltale thump of a heartbeat. Before Stiles could question how he was in fact hearing someone's heartbeat at the moment, he zeroed in on it. He steadied himself as the thumping continued in an almost soothing pattern and before he knew it, he was matching his own breathing to the heartbeats rhythm.
“That’s it. Now come back.”
When Stiles looked back Derek still seemed to have a blank face not giving away anything. But when Stiles looked back at his hands they were normal again. Stiles let out a breath of relief before saying.
“How did this happen?”
“Peter must have bitten you sometime last night.”
That's when Stiles realized. The attack, the fangs coming at him and waking up in an empty parking lot.
“He attacked me last night. I didn’t realize he had bitten me. I thought he just had knocked me out to not let me follow him. I didn’t give it much thought.”
“Well you certainly made a show of it last night.” Derek scoffed putting his arms across his chest that just screamed of Derek.
“What do you mean? I didn’t do anything last night.”
Stiles was confused. He knew he was the one that threw the molotov but other than that he didn’t do anything but get caught by Peter. Telling Derek's surprise that Stiles could read in his raised eyebrows, he knew Derek must have thought him crazy.
“Nothing? You come stalking out of the woods glowing your eyes at everyone. Then proceed to let out a howl before lighting Peter on fire. Not to mention he was your Alpha which is a feat in itself.”
Stiles couldn’t believe what he was hearing. That explained the reactions of everyone when he walked out of the woods.
“If he was my Alpha, wouldn't I be ordered to obey his every command? I know Scott didn’t really, but he struggled with it a lot from what I heard.”
“Like I said it was a feat in itself.” Derek shrugged his shoulders, seeming to lose interest in the conversation.
“So, what now?” Stiles asked.
“Now. Now you go home and leave me alone and try not to expose the entire supernatural world while you're at it.”
“What! Aren’t you an Alpha isn’t that your whole thing. Leading other wolves. Well looky here, I need some leading. I may have helped Scott a bit in controlling himself, but I can’t very well do that for myself. So you need to help me get this under control!”
“You aren’t my beta Stiles. I have no obligation to do anything for you.” Derek replied calmly, as if Stiles was just another nuisance in his life.
Stiles was shocked. Derek didn’t want to help him. Derek who always helped him as a kid whenever Stiles had questions, who was always there for Stiles. Derek who now was refusing to help him in probably his biggest time of need.
“You're right! You don’t have any obligation to be my werewolf guide! I guess that promise of always being there for me was another lie to add to my growing list from you.”
“I have no idea what you're talking about. I never promised you that Stiles. Hell, I didn’t even know you before Scott got bitten.”
Stiles just stared at Derek as if he was joking. It must be a joke. Of course Derek knew him before Scott got bitten. He was one of the few people in town who was friends with Cora Hale, Derek’s younger sister.
Cora was always a bit more temperamental and filled with sarcasm that few people could handle, one of those being Stiles. Cora and he were always hanging out in elementary and beginning of middle school. That’s why he was allowed at the Hale house, how he met Derek.
Although Stiles was friends with Cora and they were always together. Stiles was a curious child with many questions and Cora would get annoyed at him sometimes when he would ask too many. She would always tell him to just go ask someone else in her family so she could focus on something, so Stiles would do that. He sometimes would ask Laura when she was around, but that wasn’t all the time. However, Derek was around a lot so Stiles would bother him.
Derek never seemed to mind his constant nagging of questions, and seemed more amused than anything else. When he wouldn’t have the answer he would always tell Stiles that he would find the answer for him and update the next time he came over. He was one of the few people Stiles felt comfortable with, so when Cora was lost in the fire, and Derek and Laura left, Stiles was left with no one. Sure he had Scott but he knew Scott could not take his constant nagging of questions that Stiles was known for.
“What do you mean you don’t know me? I was practically part of your family. Heck, I was probably one of the only people in town allowed at your house!”
Derek looked confused and shocked at that before letting out a hushed whisper.
“Mischief?”
“Surprise!” Stiles said sarcastically, raising his arms in a wide motion for added effect.
“Then why do you go by Stiles?”
“Stiles has always been my nickname. Mischief was only used by the Hales because that’s what Cora called me.”
Derek continued to just stare at Stiles as if he was something foreign that needed to be studied. In Stiles' own stubbornness he just stared back in challenge. Daring him to just say something. Derek finally broke the contact before turning away from Stiles so that his back was towards him.
“I’m sorry Mischief. I can’t help you. No, matter what I promised you all those years ago.”
Derek started to walk away, making Stiles growl towards him. He could feel that thing he felt last night swirling inside him. It must be his wolf, and like Stiles, it was filled with rage at the moment. He was angered. Angered for being left to fend for himself as a newly bitten werewolf. Angered that Derek forgot who he was. But most of all, he was furious at the broken promise between them.
Derek was one of the few people in his life that he thought would never betray him. Sure, he was being an asshole when he first came back. He understood though, after everything that happened. Stiles could barely contain his own anger at the Argents when he found out they were responsible for the Hale fire. Responsible for killing one of his best friends and practically a second family to him.
“Fine leave Derek! It's what you're good at!” Stiles yelled at him. Derek took no signs of stopping either so in a last ditch effort he added,
“And don’t call me Mischief! That was reserved for the Hales who cared for me, and obviously that isn’t you!”
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Derek entered the abandoned train car that he currently resided in. He was still thinking of his conversation with Mischief.
Mischief the cute little kid that Cora always brought over who had so many questions all the time that he bothered Derek with. Derek never minded though. The kid was cute and although only
a couple years younger than Derek himself he felt like he was talking to someone as old as himself.
Mischief always wanted to hang out when Cora was busy and Derek could never really say no to him. He was there when Mischief’s mother died and comforted him when he decided he needed to hide at the Hale house when his dads drinking became too much.
That is when he made the promise to him. The promise he never would have thought he broke but shattered earlier that day to always be there when Mischief needed it. No, Stiles.
Mischief and Stiles may be the same person but they were very different people. While it had been around five years now there was a drastic difference. Mischief had been a short kid with medium length brown hair and a face that still had some baby fat in it but only made his dimples pop out more.
But Stiles was different. He had a growth spurt; it seemed to be almost if not taller than Derek now. His hair now has a buzzcut, and he must have outgrown that baby fat. Stiles stood with a lean figure that Derek assumed must have some muscle definition under it from his lacrosse playing. His lanky body stood with what Derek could smell was anxiety and the sharp antiseptic smell of medicine. Probably taken daily from the natural blend of Stiles' own smell and the meds.
Derek wasn’t blind, he knew Stiles was attractive. If he didn’t know that he was already a bisexual, Derek would probably have found out when he first saw Stiles in the woods. Stiles was his type exactly from the talking that never seemed to end causing Derek to not have to say more words than necessary. To the lanky body that clearly was hiding some form of definition from everyone else.
However, Derek knew no matter how attractive he immediately thought of Stiles he didn’t feel anything towards the man. Attraction meant nothing and after everything that happened between him and Kate, he didn’t feel like he needed anything in his love life whatsoever.
Derek also didn’t need the added pressure of Stiles being one of his betas. Training Scott was already difficult enough with his obsession over Allison and his refusal to accept his wolf in any way. If Stiles was going to be as stubborn as Scott was then training him and accepting him as his beta would be too much trouble for Stiles. Plus, with Stiles already defying his previous Alpha after being freshly bitten, it didn’t paint the picture of someone willing to take the responsibility of being in a pack.
That is what Derek wanted, he wanted a pack. Sure it's in every instinct as an Alpha, even a new one like Derek. He could feel the tingling sensation where his fangs should be to go and build his own pack. Derek, though, wanted to be able to help people who were as lost as him. Derek was never one who was overly affectionate with people even with his original pack but Derek always was there to support them if needed. His need to help others outweighs his awkwardness of conversation, so building a new pack would help alleviate his instincts but also help him provide for others the way he wanted. To be there for his betas. Derek wanted betas who were like him, finding and struggling to fit into society but still wanting to be a part of it all the same.
Although Derek didn’t want Stiles or Scott to become omegas. Derek didn’t need that on his conscience of knowing he could have helped Stiles and Scott to not become feral werewolves. However, it was not unheard of for beta werewolves who were close to be able to not go feral if they formed a close enough bond with each other, even without an Alpha. Derek could only hope that would be the case for the two freshly bitten werewolves.
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Stiles was beyond mad. How dare Derek refuse to teach him how to deal with being a werewolf. How dare Derek not even recognize Stiles and then when he finally does continue to not help Stiles.
When Stiles got home after his talk with Derek he immediately went to his room and slammed it shut. He was grateful that his dad had a shift at the station to not question Stiles anger. Stiles continued his conquest of anger by proceeding to destroy his room, taking things off his walls, and getting anything that had become too much for Stiles' new werewolf sense of smell.
By the time Stiles was done he checked the clock and it was already late in the afternoon. He decided that he should probably call Scott to discuss the new development with Derek not willing to take them as betas. He grabbed his phone and dialed Scotts number, ringing it twice before Scott picked.
“Stiles?” Scott said hesitantly as if he was scared of what Stiles would say.
“Hey buddy! What’s up?” Stiles said, trying to add a little more enthusiasm than what was needed.
“Umm- good I guess. I was about to head over to Allison's, she wanted to talk about everything that happened. How are you man? How are you dealing with, you know, everything?”
“You know man I am just peachy. Peachy as one can be from waking up this morning to being a freaking werewolf then getting rejected from the only Alpha that is in town even though you knew each other since early childhood!”
“Wait a minute. You mean Derek? You’ve known him since childhood?”
“Wow Scott. Out of everything I just said that’s what you focus on.” Stiles said annoyed before continuing, “yes, I’ve known Derek since I was little. You should know that. I was always over Coras house when I wasn’t with you.”
“What does Cora have to do with Derek?” Stiles couldn’t believe sometimes of the stupidity and his best friend's own obliviousness in things that weren’t about himself.
“Cora. As in Cora Hale. Younger sister to Derek Hale. Scotty you can't be serious that you didn’t know this.” Scott was silent on the phone for a couple of moments.
“I guess I just never put the pieces together.”
“Well it doesn’t matter anyway because Derek refuses to let us be part of his pack.” Stiles voice raising slightly as the telltale sign of his anger coming up once again.
“Well I never wanted to be part of Derek's pack. He never wanted me to be with Allison with her being an Argent and all, so I could care less if I am part of some pack with him.”
“Scott. I get you like Allison and all but even I can’t get past the whole hunter thing her family does. I mean her aunt killed Cora, I shouldn’t have to explain to you why the Argents are bad news.”
“Whatever man. I need to go talk to Allison about everything that happened. I'll see you at school tomorrow.” Scott promptly hung up the phone, leaving Stiles once again alone.
Stiles' anger only seemed to get worse to the point where he could feel his fingers start to tingle, most likely his claws coming out. He could also feel the pinch in his gums as his fangs seemed to grow in and a low grumbling that was starting from deep within Stiles' chest.
Of course Scott wouldn’t be any help. He only cared about Allison, following her around like a lovesick puppy. He never even truly got an update on Stiles on his new status as a werewolf. Lord knows how Scott struggled with the transformation and he didn’t even truly want to see how his best friend was doing with it now.
Stiles had felt anger before, but being a werewolf must have made it much worse. Stiles knew to calm down he needed to slow down his heartbeat and he tried to remember what Derek had said. But Stiles couldn’t hear the heartbeat that grounded him in the woods and he couldn’t focus enough to do anything about his breathing. Leaving Stiles with nothing but his anger and his want to just yell.
Stiles considered it, it wasn’t the first time that he wanted to scream into the void. This however felt more primal, the wolf inside him needed some type of release and Stiles didn’t know what to give it. So, Stiles did. He screamed.
Stiles screamed for his humanity. He screamed for his anger towards Scott and Derek. Screamed at the Argents and the death of one of his best friends. Screamed for the lost Hales and screamed for his family. His mom who died years ago and his dad who was never the same after.
Stiles' scream shook the foundation of his house. He could feel his body shaking the longer it went on. Hearing the faint sounds of animals retreating and a few cars honking down the street. When Stiles' scream finally died down, he collapsed against the wall curling himself so his head was on the top of his knees.
Stiles' body finally felt relaxed for once. The constant buzzing that had been in the back of his since he was bitten had finally died down to a dull ache. The wolf deeply seated in his chest next to his heart finally seemed contempt to let Stiles be. When Stiles looked at his once again they were finally back to his normal nails. With his energy finally spent Stiles fell asleep with his body still against the wall.
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The following day Stiles returned to school mainly keeping to himself, ignoring the looks he seemed to get from Allison and Scott. He did notice how they didn’t seem to be with each other besides when absolutely necessary. Although from the looks they were giving each other when nobody was looking seemed to tell a different story of them being together.
Being at school gave Stiles the opportunity to do something mindless and not have to worry about anything else for a bit. He didn’t have anymore spurts of anger or claws coming out randomly but there was still lacrosse practice at the end of the day. Stiles thought of just completely quitting lacrosse based on how Scott handled that transition poorly, plus Stiles never seemed to get any field time anyway. Deciding to just go to practice for the day and then deciding to talk to Coach after about anything.
When practice finally started, Stiles was still ignoring Scott’s attempts at talking to him and the angry glares Jackson kept giving him. Seeing Jackson did remind that Stiles should visit Lydia at the hospital to see how she was doing after Peter attacked her.
Stiles took his spot on the bench getting prepared for another day, what he didn’t expect was a scent to pass by that made Stiles whole body tense. The smell seemed to smell like one of the lacrosse players, Stiles couldn’t pinpoint who it was, he still wasn’t able to tell the difference between people. The difference of this smell was what lies underneath the normal scent of someone, it smelled of nature; of trees and wet leaves. Stiles could only identify two other times he had smelled that scent before, when Stiles had gone to see Derek the day before and the night Peter had died. It was the smell of a werewolf.
Stiles immediately looked at Scott but the smell wasn’t coming from him. If Stiles concentrated he could still smell the same scent but it was much more muted by Scott’s own scent. This new one seemed fresh, more potent. He looked around trying to see which way the scent was coming from but it seemed to be coming from everywhere, overflowing Stiles' new sensitive nose.
Stiles took a deep breath, closing his eyes trying to take in the scent and move his head to where it seemed the most potent. When he opened his eyes he saw two figures in the distance talking softly in a small huddle. Stiles recognized the two as Jackson and Isaac Lahey.
Isaac was taller than Stiles with the same lean body as Stiles. His head was light brown with curly hair, his skin a much paler shade than Stiles' own. Isaac was in the same grade as Stiles but he seemed to be much more quiet and reserved. He never hung out with anyone but Stiles always thought it was due to his social awkwardness more than anything. Stiles knew that Isaac’s dad had worked at the school before but now his family owned the cemetery in town.
Like Isaac knew that Stiles was thinking of him, Isaac looked up at him from his huddle with Jackson. What Stiles did not expect to see was Isaac give him a small smirk before his eyes glowed a bright gold.
Stiles was so startled by it he fell off the bunch causing a bunch of looks to head his way and a couple of small laughs. When Stiles looked back up at Isaac who was already back in his huddle with Jackson as if nothing had happened. How did this happen? Was Isaac always a werewolf? No, he couldn’t have. He was sure that Derek or even Scott would have been able to tell and they never said anything to Stiles. Did Peter bite him? He already bit Stiles and Scott, what was stopping Peter from biting another person. No, that also couldn’t be right because Stiles was sure that Peter would have called on him the night he confronted Kate.
That only left one option left. Isaac was freshly bitten, and the only person able to create a new werewolf was an Alpha. There was only one Alpha in town that Stiles knew of and that was one Derek Hale.
Stiles was up and walking off the field towards the exit before he could finally process that final thought. Stiles heard some calls after him, even Coach yelling at him.
“Bilinski! Where do you think you're going!” Coach yelled.
“I quit!” Stiles said before heading towards the lockers gathering all his stuff and putting it in his bag before heading to his jeep. What he didn’t expect was for Derek to be leaning against Stiles’ jeep when he got there.
“What do you want!” Stiles growled at him. Derek, ever the asshole, just looked at him for a few seconds before replying.
“You need to get your act together, Misch- Stiles.” Stiles caught the slip of his past nickname before Derek corrected himself.
“Get my act together! Tell that to your new beta who was flashing his eyes at me earlier!” Stiles could not believe the audacity that Derek had right now. It was one thing for Derek to not accept him as a beta and another for Derek to immediately go and bite Isaac. What Stiles did not need was vague warnings from Derek right now.
“Isaac knows what he is doing. I already told him about you and Scott so it's not like he was flashing them at a stranger.” Derek replied calmly before continuing. “What I mean is you need to be more careful about exposing us. Kate just died and with her death the whole family is coming. That means the whole Argent clan, and trust me Kate might have been one of the worst ones but the Argents will show you no mercy.”
“So, that's it, you came here even though you made it perfectly clear that I was no one to you in this new life.”
“I came here to warn you because of the stunt you pulled yesterday.” Derek's voice started to raise.
“And what pray tell did I do yesterday?!” Stiles screamed back at him. Derek gave a huff in response looking at Stiles like he had his head screwed on backwards.
“Stiles, you can’t go around town howling or roaring or whatever you want to call it. You are gonna alert every hunter and werewolf in the county with how loud it was yesterday!” Stiles was stunned. He knew that his scream was pretty loud yesterday but he just thought maybe he bothered his neighbors not the entire town. However, Stiles wasn’t going to let Derek know any of that, not wanting to admit how unprepared Stiles was in his transition as a werewolf.
“Fine, it was a mistake but you can’t just come here and order me around then turn around again and disregard me.”
“I am the Alpha here.” Derek’s eyes started to glow a deep crimson. “I can do whatever I want. I may not be your Alpha but you are living in my territory and have to abide by my rules! And I am telling you to not be so careless to everyone around.”
Stiles could feel the order that Derek had just said, inside him. The wolf in his chest wanted to comply with the orders of the Alpha but Stiles was a stubborn person. He wrestled as his thoughts kept going back and forth on trying to comply and bare his neck in submission, while the other part of him wanted to stand his ground and roar in defiance.
Stiles had never been one to follow someone else. Providing many arguments between his dad and him on Stiles behavior. Stiles didn’t consider himself a leader by any point but he could not just follow someone blindly. Even if the person was Derek and Stiles knew he was just trying to keep the existence of the supernatural safe.
Stiles didn’t really care for Derek’s reasoning. He had no right to order Stiles around after Derek's rejection. That thought seemed to shift something in Stiles. The wolf inside him wanting to comply seemed to also realize that the Alpha had rejected them first. When Stiles' wolf and subconscious finally came to the same conclusion of not following someone who had blatantly disrespected and rejected them, the turmoil in Stiles seemed to subside. Stiles took in a deep breath before finally responding to Derek.
“You may be the Alpha of this territory Derek but you do not get to order me around.” Stiles replied calmly. From the look that Derek had on his face that was the last thing Derek had expected Stiles to say.
“How are you doing that?” Derek’s voice was quiet when he spoke. “How are you defying an Alpha’s order? That shouldn’t be possible.”
Stiles just smirked in response. He didn’t know how he was defying the orders but at the moment he didn’t care and it's not like Derek needed to know that. When Derek didn’t say anything again, Stiles took that as the conversation was over. Stiles got in his jeep and drove off leaving Derek in the parking lot of the school.
-------------------
Over the next two months things were relatively calm. Stiles still had his moments when his anger got the best of him or things got too overwhelming with his senses but with having no guidance Stiles was doing well.
Stiles hadn’t spoken to Scott since they argued on the phone but it's not like Scott seemed to notice, too busy hanging out with Allison and now Isaac who had also started to hang out with the duo.
Stiles had visited Lydia in the hospital and all things considered of being attacked and bitten nothing seemed to change. The bite Peter had given her didn’t seem to take effect, which Stiles was eternally grateful for.
After a long winded conversation of Lydia demanding to know what happened because there was no way she was going to believe the doctors that she was just attacked by some animal's. Stiles decided to tell her. Lydia probably would have figured it out anyways being the smartest in the class but it's not like anyone other than Stiles knew about that.
Lydia took Stiles being a werewolf with stride. Since then Lydia had also started to hang out with Stiles, coming over to his house to help him research and see if they can get Stiles more control with his shift. Stiles didn’t know how Lydia felt about everything else that Stiles told her of hunters and other werewolves but from the looks she was giving Scott, Issac, and even Derek, when he came to pick Isaac up a couple times, Stiles would say she was not happy with them.
Stiles' popularity seemed to go up as well but Stiles attributed that to being in proximity with Lydia Martin. Stiles heard the rumors of how people thought Lydia and him were dating but since Lydia had never made a comment about it neither did Stiles.
Everyone thought Stiles was over the moon with Lydia. Not like Stiles ever gave them any doubt with how much he told people he liked Lydia over the years. What everyone else didn’t know was that Stiles was not that interested in girls and pretending to be in love with the popular girl in school just made it easier for people to not question Stiles.
Stiles wasn’t gay but he was sure he wasn’t straight either. After many late night research binges Stiles found himself identifying with pansexuality. Stiles didn't really care about people's gender but he knew he had a strong sway towards men, that doesn’t mean he couldn’t admire girls like Lydia.
With Lydia now hanging out with Stiles came the surprise of a lifetime with it. That was one Jackson Whittemore.
Jackson had been an asshole to Stiles for a long time and when Lydia had broken up with Jackson, Stiles was sure that would cause more drama. What Stiles was not expecting was for Jackson to mellow down after the breakup. Lydia and Jackson were still friends, probably bonding with Jackson being the one to call 911 for Lydia when she was attacked by Peter.
What surprised Stiles more was how Jackson didn’t care about Stiles' relationship with Lydia. Even becoming more friendly with Stiles and joining Lydia in coming to Stiles house every once in a while. Stiles found out that Jackson wasn’t actually that bad, yeah he bullied Stiles for a bit but it wasn’t like Stiles had made it easy with his sarcasm and stubbornness either. Jackson even went as far as apologizing to Stiles about everything he did over the years.
Jackson had come one night when Lydia and Stiles were researching omegas and Stiles almost freaked out. Jackson instead just picked up a book called Stiles an idiot and started helping with the research. After that Jackson had started to help with getting Stiles more comfortable with his werewolf senses.
Since then Stiles had felt a lot more comfortable with Lydia and Jackson, yeah Stiles missed Scott a lot but this was different. Whenever Stiles had a problem or something happened Scott wasn’t very reliable in helping and when he did it was always accompanied with a lecture. But with Jackson and Lydia they always responded especially with his werewolf freakouts. Helping Stiles to try and calm down and focus on his breathing to get his shift under control. Stiles had never felt support from people like this. So yeah he missed Scott and their friendship but in the back of Stiles mind he wondered if this was probably for the best.
It all started to go down hill one day when Stiles was at school eating lunch with Jackson and Lydia. Everything was fine, Lydia and Stiles were arguing on what to watch that night with Stiles not wanting to watch the Notebook for the third time this week, when a certain smell hit him. The earthy tone that Stiles had attributed to another werewolf hit Stiles like a ton of bricks making him stop talking mid sentence.
“Stiles what's wrong?” Lydia sounded worried.
“That smell. It smells like a wolf.”
“Well duh idiot. Scott and Isaac are literally across the room.” Jackson replied sarcastically, earning him a smack in the head by Lydia.
“No, that's not it. I can smell them, as well but this is new. Someone here has been turned.” As soon as Stiles said that the doors to the cafeteria opened. In walking Erica Reyes and Vernon Boyd, both of them wearing leather jackets holding each other's hand. The cafeteria seemed to stop and take a breath.
Erica looked well, good. Before today she had some frizzy blond curls and was known for her seizures that happened randomly due to her epilepsy. Now she sported some killer makeup and what looked like a new hairstyle that made her look like a biker's wet dream.
Boyd had always been quiet and usually by himself. Now he looked confident as he strode in with Erica and while everyone held their breath they didn’t even bat an eye before heading over to Isaac’s table with Scott and Allison.
“Well I guess that answers the question of who.” Lydia commented, turning back to Stiles and Jackson as if nothing had just happened.
“He’s turned three people now and probably added Scott to his ranks as well.” Jackson commented.
“No, that can’t be right. He rejected both Scott and I. He wouldn’t add Scott and not even approach me.” Stiles didn’t want to believe it. Scott had so many problems with Derek in the beginning making Stiles beg him to go to Derek for help at any time. Stiles didn’t want to think the moment Scott stopped hanging out with Stiles that he was accepted into Derek’s pack.
“Well considering the rumors and what I’ve seen I wouldn’t be surprised if Isaac had anything to do with it, maybe Allison as well.” Stiles had heard about those rumors and wasn’t really surprised by the trio's developing new relationship.
“Stiles.” Jackson said seriously for a moment, causing Stiles to stop his staring and look Jackson in his eyes. “Derek may be turning all these people for whatever he wants but he doesn’t know them. He thinks he knows you but like you said it's been five years since you saw each other. He probably still thinks of you as that little kid who hung out with his sister.”
“Jackson’s right Stiles.” Lydia continued, “Derek doesn’t know you anymore. Hell you’ve changed a lot these past two months that Scott probably doesn’t know you that well anymore. You don’t need Derek or his pack because you have us now. We are your pack.”
Stiles felt comforted by the words his friends were saying. Even causing the wolf inside of him growl in content almost like a purring in his chest at the aspect of his own pack. Stiles continued the day feeling high off the world. It seemed like he finally found a place where he was supported and loved, where he didn’t have to constantly worry about being ditched for someone else.
Of course Stiles' mood could only be good for so long. When school was over Lydia and Stiles had finished their study session in the library while waiting for Jackson lacrosse practice to finish before they all started to head together for Stiles house. What the three of them were not expecting was for the entourage of people in the parking lot. Stiles could see Scott, Allison and Isaac standing together to one side, Boyd and Erica on the other and finally Derek in the middle.
“What do you all want? Besides trying to look like a shitty gang in the parking lot of a high school.” Jackson said with as much disdain in his voice as any.
“Stiles, we need to talk.” Derek said clearly ignoring Jackson and his taunts.
“I have nothing that I need to say to you and you made it abundantly clear that I should stay away from you and your little band of misfits.” Stiles heard a small growl come from Erica before Derek gave her a look that stopped her.
“Maybe we should have this discussion away from prying ears.” Derek said, looking at Lydia and then Jackson.
“Don’t bother Hale. We already know what you all are. Guess who has been helping Stiles after everyone else abandoned him.” Lydia responded to Derek. Derek's features seemed to darken at that though.
“You told them! What did I tell you about keeping your head low!” Derek growled.
“I seem to remember telling you that you can’t control what I do.”
“Stiles, this isn’t funny. If you submit to me I’ll let you in the pack on the condition that you follow what I say.”
“Yeah that's a hard no from me.” Derek growled again this time much louder as if he was about to start yelling at Stiles before Scott stepped in.
“Come on Stiles, you need to be in a pack to survive. If Derek accepts you in his pack we can hang out again and go back to the way things were before.”
“Go back to what things were before. Is that why you think I've been ignoring you Scott?”
“I mean yeah dude. What other reason is there?”
“Scott, you are such an idiot. If you think that’s the reason Stiles stopped hanging out with you then you never knew Stiles at all.” Lydia replied. Scott turned to Lydia almost in outrage.
“And what do you know of Stiles? You might be dating him now but I have known him for years!” Scott’s eyes started to turn to a bright gold color in his frustrations.
“Scott stand down. Now !” Stiles growled, stepping in front of Lydia, his eyes glowing in a challenge to Scott. Scott's eyes got wide for a second before he took a step back, his eye color changing to normal before baring his neck to Stiles for a second. Then as if nothing had happened Lydia continued.
“I may not have known Stiles as long as you Scott but I can assure you I have proven to him that I will be there for him unlike you abandoning him for Allison the moment she came into town.”
‘Enough!” Derek shouted before he looked at Stiles again. “Stiles, you need to join this pack. I am not letting an omega go feral in Beacon Hills especially when there is a way for me to stop it.”
“That didn’t seem to be the problem a month ago.” Derek just sighed before responding.
“You're right. I didn’t want you in the pack. But I thought you would have Scott, it's not uncommon for werewolves to create a pack amongst themselves with no Alpha. But once Scott came to my pack I knew you were alone. You are probably already feeling the effects of being without a pack. Losing time, mood swings, unexplainable anger, restlessness of your wolf. I could go on Stiles, so for the safety of everyone just join the pack.”
“No.”
“What do you mean no. Stiles you don’t have a choice it's either that or I put you down when you become feral.” Derek said before his tone got much softer. “Please, Mischief, don't make me do that.”
“Stop. Stop right there. I don’t care if you think I am going feral or anything else you do not get to call me that. That was what the Hales who cared for me used to say. That was for Derek Hale who used to answer my questions, tutor me and was there for me when my mother died. Derek Hale died the night the other Hales died. So do not call me that for you have no right to that name.” Derek looked shocked, his eyes wide at Stiles, but Stiles just ignored it before continuing.
“So no, I will not be joining your pack. Also, you're wrong. I haven't felt any of those things you mentioned so I am not in any risk of going feral anytime soon. You know why. I have my own pack. They are my pack.” Stiles gestured towards Lydia and Jackson. “So how about you all leave me alone and get away from my car because it's movie night and we should already be watching the Notebook at my house.”
Stiles started stalking forward Lydia and Jackson following closely behind. When he got towards Derek’s pack they parted to let them through letting Stiles and his own pack get into his jeep leaving Derek once again in the parking lot of the school.
-------------------
When the three of them got home not a word was said. They all headed straight to Stiles' room before turning on the tv and putting on the Notebook. They sat there together for a bit before Stiles softly fell asleep in the middle of the movie.
When Stiles opened his eyes he was in the middle of the forest. Large expanses of trees surrounded him but right in front of his vision was a giant stump of a tree. On top of the stump sat a single figure, their back turned to Stiles.
Stiles knew he should be scared. Knew that he should be questioning what was going on but he just felt warm. Stiles felt safe.
“Hello,” Stiles called out. The figure in front of him started to stand before facing Stiles. Stiles let out a small gasp.
“Laura?”
“Hey Mischief.” Laura responded. “It’s been awhile.” Before she could finish her sentence Stiles was in her arms. Stiles couldn’t believe it was her, Laura Hale.
“This can’t be right. How are you here? You died, Peter killed you.” Stiles said, still holding onto Laura as if his life depended on it.
“I’m not really here Mischief.” Laura replied calmly. “I did die but the Hales have always been connected to the land here. Always been the protector of the Nemeton.”
“Nemeton?”
“The tree stump. Mischief. It was once a grand tree filled with magic that kept this town safe along with the people who lived here. The Hales long ago swore to protect the people of this town and worked with the Nemeton in obtaining balance.”
“Then what happened to it?” Stiles questioned.
“That’s not important right now. What is important is the message I have for you, that the Nemeton has for you.”
“Why me? I am not a Hale. Get Derek he is the only Hale left shouldn’t he be the one protecting it?”
“The Hales have failed the Nemeton. We have not been its protector in a very long time.” Laura sounded sad at that as if she held a lot of regret in the moment.
“Why me? I can barely handle being a werewolf now. I can’t even control myself and the full moon is less than a week away.”
“Stiles, you are more special than you realize. The Nemeton recognizes that and it chooses you. It doesn’t expect you to become the protector overnight but it has chosen you. But that's not why you're here. We have a message for you.”
Stiles wanted to press more but by the shift of tone Stiles knew that now was not the time.
“What's the message?”
“There is a danger coming. A dark cloud approaches and with it brings the potential for death and destruction. You will be presented with two choices and depending on what you choose you will either unleash a terrible evil to the world or someone close to you will die. In the end the choice will be yours.” Laura’s voice seemed to carry as if she was speaking from every direction.
“So I either unleash terrible evil or I let someone I love die. That’s my options! What kind of options are those? Why me? Why do I have to make this decision?” Stiles shouted.
“It may not be fair to put this on you Mischief but that is what happens. You are going to be beyond what anyone has seen and you will have the support of a Nemeton before you. It may be an impossible decision but we will support you no matter the outcome because in the end we know the choice will come from the heart as well as the mind and that is what the Nemeton needs in a protector.”
Stiles didn’t want this. He didn’t want the burden being placed on him. Two months ago his biggest worry was what video game Scott and him were going to play that day and now they are making him choose which lesser evil to pick. In the next moment Stiles could feel a hand on his shoulder before he looked up meeting the eyes of Laura and all he could see was the warmth in her eyes.
“We believe in you Mischief. We all do and soon more people will have that belief in you as well.”
Stiles woke up out of breath. He immediately stood up panting as if he had just ran a marathon. When he felt another hand on his shoulder Stiles gave a shout before he fell out of the bed.
“Stiles!” Lydia and Jackson both said in unison.
“I’m ok. I’m ok. Just forgot you two were in here. Not used to having someone in my bed.” Jackson just scoffed at that earning him a smack in the head from Lydia.
“Are you alright?” Lydia asked.
“Yeah, just a bad dream.” Stiles answered. He tried to remember what his dream was about but he couldn’t really remember what had happened, the dream already fading from Stiles mind.
Stiles crawled back into the bed, settling in the spot between Lydia and Jackson once again. He got comfortable before feeling Lydia’s head on his shoulder and Jackson's arm across his stomach before Stiles let sleep overtake him again.
When Stiles woke up the next day all he could feel was warmth. Stiles just wanted to go back to sleep in the warmth before he heard the sound of someone clearing their throat. When Stiles opened his eyes he saw his dad, Noah, standing in the middle of Stiles' room with his arms crossed across his body still in his full uniform.
“Hey daddio.” Stiles greeted before sitting up making sure to try and not disturb Jackson and Lydia who were still in a deep sleep.
“Kitchen. Now.” His dad didn’t wait for Stiles before heading out the door. As Stiles got out of bed he changed really quickly into some sweats and his red hoodie before heading downstairs. Ignoring his dad at first he went straight for the coffee maker before deciding it was probably better to be on his dad’s good side right now and grabbed another mug for his dad. When both mugs were in front of them his dad finally spoke.
“You want to explain to me why you not only have Lydia Martin, the girl that I have heard you talking about for the past six years, and Jackson Whittemore, Lydia’s boyfriend, in your bed?”
“Well first of all they aren’t dating anymore.” Stiles' dad just gave another look at Stiles that made it seem like he didn’t really believe that. “Two it's nothing like that dad. We were watching a movie last night and must have fallen asleep.”
“Stiles, you can’t be serious. The only reason that sounds remotely true is because Jackson is also there unless there is something that you wanted to tell me.” Noah just raised his eyebrows at Stiles.
“Well dad what can I say, nothing happened. And isn’t a little overrated by now to do the whole coming out thing it's not like you care who I end up in bed with. Not that anything happened last night mind you. We are all just friends.”
“Yeah, sir. It’s not like we haven’t tried but Stiles doesn’t seem to be interested in anything like that with us.” Jackson's voice said from behind Stiles. When Stiles turned around he saw Jackson and Lydia both standing there each in a pair of Stiles sweats and one of his shirts. Stiles had to admit they both did look really attractive in Stiles' clothes and his wolf inside him started to shift around before Stiles had to try and focus back on the conversation at hand.
“What does that mean?” Stiles replied looking at Jackson as if he said something in gibberish.
“It means Stiles.” Lydia smiled at him before walking towards the coffee maker and making herself and Jackson a mug. “That we both have been flirting with you for weeks now and you haven’t even noticed.” Noah let out a small laugh at that.
“What? No you haven’t! Right?”
“Well it looks like I don’t have to actually worry about anything then.” Stiles' dad just patted his back before starting to head towards the door. “I’m heading to work, Stiles. Probably going to have to work another double so I won’t be home for dinner.”
When Stiles' dad finally left, Stiles turned to Jackson and Lydia before saying.
“What the fuck was that shit?!”
“I don’t know what you could possibly mean.” Lydia responded, taking a long sip of her coffee.
“Cut the shit Lyds, why would you say something like that to my dad?”
“All I told was the truth. Jacks and I have been flirting with you the past couple weeks but you never seemed to actually notice.” Stiles then turned to Jackson
“Is that true?”
“Yeah Stiles. We even almost took bets to see which one of us would kiss you first but you never noticed. Even the whole school thinks you're dating one of us with how much we have been hanging out with you.” Jackson replied.
Stiles didn’t know how to respond. It was one thing for Lydia Martin to be flirting with Stiles but another one entirely for Jackson to be as well. Stiles felt self conscious in that moment. How could he be so dense and not realize that two people had been flirting with him.
“It's ok Stiles,” Lydia said “after yesterday we both realized why you never took interest in either of us. Not with the crush you have now.”
“I don’t have a crush right now. I don’t know what you're talking about.” Stiles replied quickly, almost a little too quickly.
“Sure we will go with that and not how easy it was for Derek to get under your skin. Even if it wasn’t that, with the way you looked at him, you can obviously see the connection there.” Stiles just sighed before responding.
“I’ve had a crush on Derek since I was a kid. Cora used to make fun of me for it all the time.” Stiles smiled sadly thinking of his old best friend. “I knew nothing would ever happen with it. Derek is straight and he will always see me as that little kid. Even now that’s all he sees me as, it's not like I am anything special anyways.”
That had earned him a smack on both of his arms coming from the pair in front of him.
“Stiles, you can’t possibly believe that.” Jackson said, “I don’t flirt with just anyone and for you to catch my eye is something in itself. But even then with your crush on Derek he would be the one lucky to have you. You're smart, caring, compassionate, always making sure we are doing ok and doing everything in your power to keep us safe. You're a protector Stilinski you always have been.”
Stiles was stunned. He didn’t know how to respond to that so instead he just picked up his coffee again, which was already cold, and took another sip. The trio sat in silence for a bit before it was decided that Lydia and Jackson needed to head home to get some homework done.
Stiles spent the rest of the day researching and trying to figure out how to bring his claws out on demand before finally giving up to lay in his bed. He must have laid there for a while just in thought before he heard his window pry open and was overwhelmed with the intoxicating scent of pine and smoke from a campfire. The smell filled Stiles with warmth reminding him of those long nights with the Hales where he roasted marshmallows in the forest. When Stiles looked up to see what was going on he was greeted by Derek crawling through his window.
Stiles immediately sat up and let out a loud growl, his eyes glowing in the darkness. Derek just put his hands up in a surrender position.
“I’m not here to cause any trouble. I just came here to talk.” Derek said, relaxing his arms to his side before leaning on Stiles' desk.
“You know normal people use this thing called the front door.” Stiles replied sarcastically before settling back on his bed, sitting facing Derek.
“You wouldn’t have opened the door if you saw it was me.” Stiles didn’t respond to that knowing that Derek was probably right.
“What do you want Derek?”
“I came to apologize.” Stiles was shocked, looking up to meet Derek’s eyes to see if there was any hint of a lie, there wasn’t. “I wanted to say I’m sorry for rejecting you when you first turned. It wasn’t right of me, having more betas has made me realize what it means to take charge and what I did to you was the opposite of ok. So I’m sorry Mis- Stiles.”
“Saying sorry doesn’t change the fact of what you did Der. It doesn’t change how I was left alone and forced to figure this out on my own. It doesn’t change how you just abandoned me to go and make new betas as soon as possible and reject me.”
Derek's eyes looked sullen at that as if every word that Stiles said was another stab in Derek’s chest.
“I can’t change what I’ve done but I want to do better. There are threats against us and we need all the help we can get, we can’t afford to be split up right now.”
Stiles' anger rose at that. Of course that's what Derek was here for, he needed more bodies against the threat of hunters and Stiles was the only one he didn’t have. Derek probably didn’t care about what he put Stiles through the past two months.
“Get out!” Stiles yelled standing up in the middle of the room.
“Stiles, please.”
“Out now! I am not your soldier Derek. You may think Alpha means getting ready for war but that’s not what it means to be in a pack. Pack means family and love which clearly you don’t have. Laura would be so disappointed in you.”
Derek growled at his eyes glowing red. He stood up his body inches from Stiles own in challenge,
“Don’t you dare bring Laura into this. You have no idea about anything. You don’t even know what it's like to be in a proper pack. You think Lydia and Jackson are your pack but your wrong Stiles. They may be keeping you from going feral by whatever fucked up relationship is happening between you is not pack. Just because you're sleeping with them doesn’t make them your family.”
Stiles just roared as his claws extended and before he knew what he was doing he swiped at Derek's chest. Stiles felt warm liquid on his fingers and could hear the tear of Derek's shirt. Derek growled in return before shifting into his beta form and shoved Stiles across the room. Stiles hit the wall with a resounding thud before falling to the floor the wind knocked out of him.
Derek walked towards him before grabbing Stiles by his shirt and holding him up. Derek’s eyes stared intently at Stiles and roared in his face. Stiles could feel his wolf stirring inside but it wasn’t in anger but pleasure and from the problem forming in Stiles pants his body agreed with the wolf.
Stiles looked down at Derek’s chest where he saw the tears that his claws had made but the skin had already looked as if it had healed. When Stiles' eyes went back to Derek’s face he did a quick glance at Derek’s lips before meeting the Alphas eyes. Derek didn’t look angry anymore but his eyes were still glowing red and Stiles would bet his own eyes were glowing gold. No, Derek looked hungry and the feeling in Stiles' chest he was too. Before Stiles could talk himself out of it he surged forward and kissed Derek.
Derek’s lips were softer than Stiles thought. The kiss was quick and nothing to talk about and before Stiles knew it he was backing up into the wall. Stiles however before he could speak and apologize for his actions felt the soft lips press back against him.
Derek kissed Stiles like it was the last kiss he would ever have. Stiles in return melted into the kiss and therefore in Derek’s grasp. Stiles moaned and Derek took that as an invitation to put his tongue in Stiles mouth. Stiles and Derek fought for dominance in the kiss but for once Stiles let Derek win. Stiles could feel a growl rumble through Derek’s chest as Stiles gave him control, Derek’s tongue seeming to go deeper in Stiles mouth.
When Stiles and Derek finally parted they were both panting. Stiles saw that Derek's lips were slightly swollen but Derek’s eyes looked at Stiles as if he held the answers to the universe.
Stiles didn’t know what to do. One part of him, the wolf side, wanted to just surge forward and kiss Derek again and keep kissing him for as long as possible. Stiles knew he had been dreaming of kissing Derek since he was eleven years old, but this felt wrong. Stiles didn’t want his kiss with Derek to be filled with anger and hate and all this tension. Stiles didn’t want to feel used for a simple release for Derek, that's never how Stiles imagined this to go.
“You should go.” Stiles whispered. He didn’t meet Derek’s eyes, instead focusing on his own feet. Stiles felt the hands that were in his shirt slowly let go and when Stiles looked back up Derek was gone, Stiles' window open letting the breeze in being the only thing to show Derek’s presence.
-------------------
Stiles went through the rest of the week in a daze. He never told Lydia and Jackson what had happened between Derek and him, but it didn’t take much thought on who had made Stiles feel down all week.
Stiles hadn’t seen Derek at all in the week and Stiles was relieved. He didn’t know what he would do or how to face Derek again. Derek’s pack however must have known that something had happened because they just kept glaring at Stiles at any given moment. It was near the end of the day when Stiles saw Erica staring at him that he decided he finally had enough. Stiles got his stuff up from the library table and approached Erica.
“It’s rude to stare you know? I know I’m attractive but that doesn’t mean I like to be ogled at.” Erica just scoffed but Stiles caught the small smile that crept on her lips before her face became neutral again.
“What did you do to Derek?” Erica demanded in a soft whisper.
“I didn’t do anything.”
“Really? Because he went to visit you one night to get you to join the pack and now he has barely interacted with anyone since then. So I ask again, "What did you do to Derek?”
“What happens between Derek and I is between us.” Stiles really hoped the conversation would steer in a different direction soon because he really didn’t want to think of how the kiss affected Derek.
“Whatever. Just lay off him. He may have not been the best in the beginning but he is really trying to be a better Alpha, so cut him some slack.” Stiles didn’t respond, instead just continuing to look at Erica before she continued. “I may not know whatever past you two may have but he does care for you in some way. I mean he’s constantly asking us for updates on you, which to be honest is pretty annoying considering there's nothing to update him on. Well except who you keep in your bed as company, and let me tell you Derek is very intrigued on that one.”
“Why does everyone think that I am sleeping with someone?” Stiles said exasperated that this was about the third or fourth time he had been accused of sleeping with Lydia or Jackson.
“You honestly don’t know?” Erica's eyebrows were bunched in confusion, “when you said you were left in the dark I didn’t know how much you actually meant. Stiles you reek of them two.”
Stiles scrunched up his nose in disgust but Erica just continued on.
“It’s as if they are constantly on you and the only other time someone smells this much like a person is when they are dating or sleeping together. Plus, from the way those two flirt with you it wasn’t a far leap. So, your really not with them even for a good fuck every once in awhile?”
“Ew no. I am not sleeping with Lydia or Jackson, we are just friends. I still have trouble with my shift and we found out that being physically close to one another helps calm down my wolf. Soon we just became comfortable to be in each other's presence like that.”
Erica just hummed in response before turning to leave the library. But before she left she called from over her shoulder.
“Oh, Stiles. You should really talk to Derek. You would be surprised at how much he actually values you.” Then she was gone leaving Stiles to be once again alone with his thoughts.
Stiles didn’t know what to do. Sure Derek had been an asshole since the very beginning but he did try to apologize to Stiles. In return Stiles thought it was a trick and threw Laura’s name at Derek knowing it would hurt him.
Plus, Stiles did still need help in getting his shift finally under control. It had been two months with virtually no progress so it may be time for a change of pace, and if that meant connecting with Derek then so be it. It wasn’t like Stiles didn’t miss Derek or even Scott but Stiles didn’t very much feel appreciated since every time they saw him they saw how he used to be and not who he was now. Maybe it was finally time to give them a chance to show them who Stiles really was. The only problem that was stopping Stiles was the kiss.
That stupid kiss. Stiles wasn’t stupid he knew that Derek kissed him back but he never imagined that would ever happen so Stiles didn’t really know what his next steps were. Did he ignore it and pretend it didn’t happen? Or does he go and talk to Derek about it?
Before Stiles could talk himself out of it he found Derek’s pack at one of the tables in the cafeteria. When he approached them they all seemed to stop talking before staring at him. Some of them were happy to see him like Scott and Erica while others like Boyd and Isaac looked like they wanted Stiles to stay as far away as possible.
“I need to know where to find Derek.” Stiles said, trying to keep his voice calm and his erratic heartbeat under control.
“And why should we tell you that? It’s not like-” Erica smacked Isaac in the head before he could finish talking but it didn’t seem to stop him.
“What the hell Erica! It’s not like I’m wrong. He thinks he is too good for us and our pack and now that the full moon is tomorrow he comes crawling to us. Plus, it's not like he respected Derek in the first place when he knows nothing about him!”
Stiles slammed his hand down on the table, his claws now coming out and poking holes in the wood. He looked at Isaac who now had wide eyes in fear.
“Listen here, you have no idea what I know of Derek Hale. I know more than any of you combined. I know he likes his cookies a little more crispy, I know he likes his coffee more sweet even though he refuses to tell anyone and will order the bitterest thing in front of anyone. I know when he is angry, confused and happy by the twitch of his eyebrows because somehow they have a language of their own. So don’t for a second ever think that I do not know Derek Hale, it may be five years since I saw him and he may have changed but that doesn’t mean I don’t understand him and he doesn’t understand me. So put away your stupidity so I can go talk to your Alpha, now !”
Suddenly all the wolves at the table's eyes lit up for a second. Stiles didn’t know what to think of it but before he could question it further Boyd spoke up.
“He lives in a loft in the industrial district. I’ll text you the address. Derek made us have your number just in case so don’t worry about that.”
Stiles just nodded before leaving. He headed to his jeep feeling his phone ping and sure enough a random number gave him an address. He texted Lydia and Jackson to say he would be out and that their study session would have to be later tonight. Jackson sent back a thumbs up with a middle finger emoji and Lydia sent an eyeroll emoji in response.
When Stiles got to the address that Boyd sent him he found a tall apartment building that seemed to be abandoned. Stiles climbed out of his jeep thinking he got the wrong place but then was filled with that same scent of pine and campfire smoke, the scent of Derek.
Stiles followed the scent till he got to a janky elevator that led him to the top floor. When the doors opened the scent was overwhelming. Stiles let out a breath and relaxed his shoulders just reveling in the scent of the air. When he looked around the room he saw a small couch near the windows, a small table that could easily fit about four people and a decent kitching. To the right side of the room there was a spiral staircase that must have led to the actual rooms of the loft.
“Derek!” Stiles called out.
“What are you doing here Stiles?” Derek said coming out of one of the rooms of the second floor before walking down the spiral staircase.
“I wanted to say sorry,” Derek opened his mouth to speak but Stiles interrupted him. “No, I need to apologize. I shouldn’t have said what I did about Laura and assumed you wanted to just use me as a soldier. It's just that Derek you had always been my protector in life. When my mother died you were the one there for me or when someone bullied me and Cora would tell you, I know it was you who went and talked to them. So when I first turned and you left me, it broke something inside me. Then suddenly you made new betas and accepted Scott but you left me alone, and I just knew that you had chosen them over me.”
“Stiles, that's not what I-” Derek tried to say, his expression looked pained not realizing the damage he had done to Stiles.
“Derek please just let me finish.” Derek stopped talking so Stiles continued, “I found Lydia and Jackson and they wanted to help me for once someone wanted to help me. Everyone always believes I can just figure it out on my own or have other things to worry about. No one has tried to help me, since you.”
“So my wolf accepted them and rejected everyone else easily because we decided to look after each other. I still struggle more than I would like to say but I am trying. When you and your pack came it felt like you just wanted me to join so I wasn't a nuisance to you, not because you wanted me to actually join you, not like you chose me.” Stiles looked down at that.
“I know this has been hard for you. Erica even said so. I know why you have so much anger for everything, I have that same anger from mourning their deaths as well.” Stiles looked up and Derek looked close to tears at the mention of his family. “I’m sorry for my role in making this harder. I know you were just keeping me safe. I am not saying what you did was ok but I forgive you. I can’t promise to be a full fledged member of the pack but I’ll help if I can.”
“Can I speak now?” Derek’s voice was soft and unsteady. When Stiles nodded Derek continued.
“Stiles, you shouldn’t have to apologize for anything. I should be the one apologizing to you. I haven’t been fair to you due to my own selfish reasons. You don’t know how hard I wanted to claim you as my own beta that day you visited me. But I was afraid. I was scared Stiles that if I was responsible for you that you would die and I could never handle it if you died. Even before I found out you are Mischief you still were the one who helped me the most.”
“But I also thought you were too good for my pack. Stiles I’m broken. I have been since the night of the fire and I felt the bonds to my family shatter from my own selfish decisions. I wanted to find a pack that I could help who were broken as well and maybe while I helped them I could fix myself. But Stiles you have to understand I was scared, you were always the smart one and I know if you were in my pack you would take one look at me and deem me unworthy. I couldn’t face that so I left you on your own. By the time I added Scott to my ranks I realized my mistake.” Derek sighed, sitting down on the couch and putting his hands to his face.
“I realized that you were what I needed. You're right in what you told Boyd, you do know me, you understand who I am. They are learning but I needed someone who could keep me in check while also understanding where I was coming from and see past my anger. By the time I realized my mistake I knew I had already lost you. I made the betas check on you all the time and give me updates to make sure you were doing ok. When the rest of the pack finally told me to just talk to you I messed everything up, again! So Stiles you have nothing to be sorry about. I’m sorry for everything I have done.”
“Guess we make quite the pair then.” Derek let out a small laugh while looking up at Stiles who had settled next to Derek on the couch, their knees brushing against each other.
“I guess we do.”
“You may think you're the only one broken Derek but we are all broken in some way. It's who we allow to pick up the pieces that really matters.” Stiles' voice was barely a whisper, he could feel the heat of Derek radiating off of him. It took all of Stiles' power to resist to just grab Derek and be in the warmth.
Stiles and Derek just sat like that for a while. Just being in each other's company without talking, it didn’t feel awkward but oddly satisfying to just be in someone else’s presence. Stiles didn’t want to move but his phone gave out a ring and when Stiles looked at his phone he saw that he was getting texts from Lydia about their study session for the night.
“I should go. Lydia and Jackson are expecting me.” Derek’s face turned dark at that and for a moment Stiles would guess Derek was jealous but he just shook his head at the thought.
“Right of course.” Derek said his voice was oddly monotone.
“I’ll see you soon, Sourwolf.” Stiles said.
“Bye, Mischief.” replied Derek as Stiles walked out the door not seeing Stiles’ small smile.
-------------------
When Stiles returned to his own house he saw that Jacksons Porsche was already parked near his driveway. When he went through his front door he was greeted to the smell of chinese food and could hear Jackson and Lydia talking in the other room.
“Lyds, you need to tell him.” He heard Jackson whisper harshly. The perk of having werewolf senses was that Stiles could hear them perfectly.
“No. He has too much on his plate already. The full moon is tomorrow night so we don't need to add more to his stress, especially after what happened with Derek’s pack the other day.” Before Lydia could continue or Jackson could answer a loud cough was heard from behind them.
Stiles was leaning against the wall looking at the two of them. He kept his face as monotone as possible before saying.
“Why don’t you just tell me and let me decide how to run my own life.” Lydia just sighed in defeat before proceeding to talk.
“I didn’t want to worry you Stiles. It seems so trivial compared to everything that has been happening.”
“What is it Lydia?” Stiles' voice was softer and his expression was filled with concern. It took a lot to faze Lydia so even if it was something trivial it was obvious enough to bother her.
“I have been having dreams lately. Not just ordinary dreams. I can never remember what happened but I know it has something to do with you Stiles.” She looked up and met Stiles' eyes, her eyes watery. “I wake up screaming your name and I would just put it up to the stress of everything but something has changed. Lately I’ve been waking up and I’m not in my bed anymore. I'm in the preserve searching for something. But as soon as I wake up I can’t remember what I was searching for but I can feel it in me that I need to find whatever it is.”
Stiles' mind quickly flashed: a stump of a tree, Laura’s green eyes, her warm hug surrounding him, a choice and finally a name. Nemeton.
Find me
“Stiles!” Lydia screamed, her voice seemed to carry. He could feel the voice seem to rattle his bones and create a ringing in his ears. When he looked at Lydia she looked panicked as if she didn’t expect that to happen. Jackson was next to her his hands to his ears from Lydia’s scream. Stiles reached to his own ears as the ringing finally stopped but he felt a warmth on his fingers, when he brought them forward he saw his fingers were covered in blood.
“What are you?” Stiles said in shock.
“I don’t know. We know Peter bit me but we thought nothing happened. I am not sure about that anymore.” Her voice was small as if she was finally admitting something to herself for the first time.
“We’ll figure it out.” Stiles moved forward putting his hand on Lydia's shoulder, he could feel her relax under his touch. “I promise.”
“Until then though we should make a plan.” Jackson spoke up, getting up from his chair to stand next to them.
“Any ideas?” Stiles questioned.
“Simple. We follow her to see if we can figure out where she is going.”
“It’s not a bad idea.”
Lydia decided that Jackson and Stiles would be taking shifts as Lydia would go to sleep. That way they would wake each other up and be able to follow Lydia out to the preserve hopefully to figure out where she was going. They set up in Stiles' room with Stiles taking the first shift.
Stiles was nervous, not only for what Lydia’s dreams would mean but also for the full moon. Stiles could already feel the pull to the moon affecting him and he had to constantly focus on his breathing or his claws would come out. Stiles could only hope he figures out something to do for the full moon before he loses all control.
Stiles was deep in thought when he heard a shift from his bed. He looked over and saw Lydia slowly getting up, her eyes were open but there was a blank look in her eyes. She made eye contact with Stiles and stared for a second before she got out of the bed and left the room.
Stiles looked at the time and saw that it was already two in the morning and woke up Jackson quickly and started following Lydia outside. Lydia was already halfway out Stiles' backyard heading straight to the woods in the preserve. Jackson and Stiles followed closely behind trying to keep quiet just in case any noise they made would wake Lydia up.
As they followed Lydia showed no signs of stopping but also seemed like she knew where she was going. She was going around trees and logs and passing by ditches to not fall over, if it weren’t for the fact that Stiles knew Lydia had never been to the preserve Stiles would have guessed that she knew this place by heart.
As they got deeper in the preserve Lydia finally came to a stop before standing in front of the stump of the tree from Stiles' dream. Lydia then let out a scream of a name that shook the very foundation of the ground and the leaves of the trees. This time Lydia screamed sent a sense of dread through Stiles, it seemed to be a warning but it felt much deeper than that but a prediction of something to come.
And it was coming for Stiles .
Stiles' vision swam as Lydia continued to scream. Stiles could feel himself losing his control but it was as if he didn’t have the energy to fight it. So Stiles gave in, he gave into his wolf and the world went dark.
Stiles could feel everything around him but he didn’t feel present in his own body as if he was contained somehow. He could feel Jackson and Lydia as if there was a bright string that attached himself to them. Stiles could see Jackson’s dark green string in the darkness and Lydia’s beautiful white string as well. Both the strings were near each other which brought Stiles comfort knowing wherever they were they were together.
Stiles knew he was somewhere in the preserve and could feel the burn in his body as he was running but didn’t have enough energy to know where he was going or where his wolf was taking him.
Stiles then focused back on the strings attached to him. He could see more chords around him with four golden ones, a single silver one, and one brilliantly bright red one. The gold and silver chords were muted as if the connection was not very strong. Not as strong as Lydia’s and Jackson’s who were glowing a steady light but the red one glowed so bright that it almost hurt Stiles eyes.
He seemed to reach out to brush the red chord in wonder and felt a brilliant shock go up his spine.
Derek
Feeling more confident he tugged the chord and heard his wolf roar in response. He suddenly felt his body turn and run into a different direction. His wolf was running with the red chord, running towards Derek.
Stiles lost himself again in the darkness letting his wolf take complete control. When Stiles finally regained consciousness he felt a warmth around him that Stiles just wanted to bury himself deeper. He knew he should probably get up and see what had happened but Stiles felt for once at peace and he wanted to stay in that. His body felt safe and less tense than it had been in a long time.
Stiles finally opened his eyes and found himself in someone else's bed and in clothes that were not his own. When he looked around he didn’t recognize whose room he was in but from the deep smell of pine he knew that he must be at Derek’s place. In Derek’s bed. In Derek’s clothes. That was enough to make Stiles blush at the thought of Derek having to put Stiles in clothes.
He got up slowly, his body stiff from the movement. He headed out the door and down Derek’s spiral staircase where he could hear the voices of Derek and his pack and surprisingly Jackson and Lydia as well. When Stiles finally entered the room that seemed to be a dining room with a large table and many chairs he was met with everyone staring at him.
“Hello?” Stiles said not really knowing what to do in the situation.
“Hello? That’s all you've got to say. You scared the crap out of us Stilinski!” Lydia shouted with an angry looking Jackson next to her.
Stiles didn’t know how to respond, not really remembering what happened besides the bright colored chords and the last thing he heard being Lydia’s scream.
“What happened?” He whispered.
“After Lydia woke up at that godforsaken tree stump” Derek looked up almost startled at that but Jackson paid him no mind, “you just shifted and ran. We tried to run after you but you were too fast. That was yesterday. We had to call Derek because you were missing and the full moon was last night.”
“When they called me I started to look for you in the preserve. I couldn’t find you, couldn't even locate your scent.” Derek said, “then suddenly I felt this sharp tug and I heard you howl. I followed the sound and you were passed out in the woods. You were naked just in the middle of the preserve so I brought you back here and called the pack and informed Lydia and Jackson who then just showed up.”
“So I’ve been missing an entire day? What about my dad? How did you explain this to him?” Stiles asked, now worried that he made his dad who he still hadn’t told about the supernatural.
“I called him. Told him we were catching up after everything. He seemed to believe me and was surprised that we were on speaking terms but still accepted it.” Derek responded calmly.
“Well now that you're up we can get out of here?” Lydia said standing from her chair, grabbing Jackson’s arm to make him do the same. She gave Derek a cross look that showed her disdain towards the man but Derek paid her no mind.
“Actually Stiles, I needed to talk to you about something. Do you mind staying for a minute?” Derek asked. Lydia opened her mouth to say something but Stiles interrupted her.
“Sure. I’ll meet you two in the car soon.” Stiles gestured to Lydia and Jackson who both looked like they wanted to do anything but leave Stiles with Derek and his pack. All the same they still both ended up leaving after a reassuring look from Stiles, when they both left Stiles turned to Derek and his pack.
“So what did you need Der-ber?” He heard a snicker come from Erica and Isaac but what they didn’t see was the blush coming up on Derek’s face.
“I haven’t been called that in years.” Derek responded.
“Well I would hope not.” Stiles placed a hand on his chest dramatically, “that was my personal nickname for you.” Derek was smiling now at Stiles.
“Wow, you two really were close.” He heard Scott speak up, he sounded almost shocked.
“I mean yeah. You of all people should know that Scott. I was always at the Hales house since I was friends with Cora and my dad worked long shifts so Derek’s family used to watch over me.”
“I mean, I knew you were close to Cora but you never talked about it. About her or the Hales.” Scott said solemnly.
“Kind of hard to talk about how one of your best friends died when you were younger along with their family. While the last few remaining members were either in a coma or left without a word to anyone else.” Stiles' voice was now more monotone trying to control his emotions from breaking through.
“Anyways I’m sure you didn’t want me to stay to talk about the past so I ask again, what's up?”
“After we talked a couple days ago I thought it would be beneficial for us to catch each other up, especially with the pack.”
“Does that mean Stiles is pack!” Scott said excitedly.
“Pack adjacent.” Stiles clarified which Scott responded with a frown. Stiles saw that both Allison and Isaac put a hand on his shoulder.
“Anyways, Stiles, before I tell you anything, why don’t you tell us how far you have advanced in your abilities.”
“Well that's easy. I haven’t.”
“What do you mean you haven’t. You've been a wolf for about two months and you don’t know how to do anything yet.” Derek questioned.
“I mean I can identify when someone is a werewolf by smell but that is pretty much it. I just try to keep my emotions in check because whenever I get mad my claws come out and my eyes go all glowey. So no, I don't have any control. The only thing that has worked for me so far is being around Lydia and Jackson hence why they are always with me.”
“I mean that makes sense. Derek said something about being with a partner you trust can help calm down the wolf.” Boyd said, giving a small smile as he looked at Erica.
“Seriously what is with everyone thinking that I am dating those two. I mean I know they are both good looking but they aren’t really my type.” Stiles said exasperated he was seriously getting annoyed with this topic always coming up.
“Weren’t you the one who has been crushing on Lydia for years now. I mean that’s what everyone told me that's why I made her go to the dance with you.” Allison said.
“Yeah thanks for the pity invite.” Allison blushed at that, seeming to realize what she said to Stiles. “But that's what I wanted everyone to believe. If everyone thought I was into Lydia, who I knew I did not have a chance with, then no one would know the truth.” When the pack just looked at him in confusion he just sighed not believing he was having a conversation about his sexuality at the moment.
“I am pansexual meaning I don’t care about what gender I date but I definitely have a preference for guys. Not like it's any of your guys' business.”
“Then why didn’t you say anything? I mean Danny is gay and the whole school knows it.” Isaac asked.
“Yeah and when Danny first came out he was called slurs practically everyday before Jackson threatened the whole school. So yeah I wasn’t going to go through with that. Anyways, back to the subject at hand. I don’t know much about control, I have done some research but it's hard to read about anything without knowing how to practice the results.”
“Well we can fix that now. Everyday after school one of the pack will work on something with you on your control and if they can’t then I will. I’ll instruct them on what to teach you but it might help getting to know how different people experience and handle the shift. However, the first thing you should know about is probably anchors.” Derek said, seeming to already come up with plans in order to help Stiles.
“Anchors?” Stiles asked, confused.
“It's what grounds you and your wolf, reminds you of your humanity. It can be anything, an emotion.” Derek replied.
“A person.” Scott said, smiling at Allison then at Isaac.
“A memory.” Isaac said his eyes sullen.
“It just needs to be something that you can focus on to bring you back.” Derek continued.
“Well what if I don’t know what to focus on?” Stiles asked.
“What brought you back then last night? You were shifted back when Derek found you so you must have found something to bring you back.” Allison asked him.
“I am not sure. I don’t remember much to be honest. All I remember is the feeling of running in the preserve and the bright strings.” Stiles replied.
“Strings?”
“I could see these strings that were attached to me and seemed to go somewhere else. But they felt weird like I knew they were connected to someone. I remember tugging on one of them and next thing I knew I was waking up here.”
“You could see the pack bonds? How many were there? What did they look like?” Derek said quickly, his eyes now bright.
“Pack bonds, is that what it was? I researched those but you have to be in a pack for that I’m not. Well although I could feel Lydia and Jackson so I guess that makes sense but I don’t know about the rest of them. Plus I thought the bonds were more a feeling not something you can actually see.”
“Normally you can’t see them but it's rare that some wolves can. I’ve heard of it happening before and they said the brighter it was the stronger the connection.”
“Well that makes sense some of them were muted, at least all the golden ones and the silver one was. But the others were pretty bright.”
“How many were there?” Derek asked again.
“I think four gold ones, a silver one. A white one for Lydia, a dark green for Jackson and then a red one.”
“Do you know who the other strings were attached to?”
Stiles thought back but couldn’t remember much. He remembered then about the bright red one and how it screamed Derek in his mind.
“No, I don’t know who they all were?” Stiles lied hoping the half truth was enough to get Derek off his back.
“I think you need to have a talk with Deaton about this.” Derek responded not seeming to realize the lie in Stiles words or choosing to ignore it.
“Whatever, is there anything else you need me for or can I go back home now?”
“There is one last thing we need to warn you about.” Stiles sat up for this one, his posture straightening as he tried to focus on what Derek was going to say.
“It’s the hunters. Specifically Gerard. Gerard Argent.” Stiles let out a growl at that in the name of the hunter family. He still hadn’t forgiven them for what they did to the Hales.
“Luckily Allison here has been getting information for us so we are better equipped.” Scott spoke up.
“And you trust her. She's an Argent.” Stiles said, now looking at Derek whose face was neutral.
“Of course we can trust her.” Scott said in defense. “It’s Allison!”
“That may work for you Scott but to me she is just another member of the family that murdered my best friend. So I don’t trust her no matter what's happened.” Scott looked broken at that and Allison just looked at her shoes.
“We can trust her until proven otherwise but her information has proven useful so far.” Derek finally said. Stiles just nodded at him knowing that if Derek could trust the information then so can Stiles.
“So, what information do we have on Gerard?” Allison then stopped looking at the ground and started to talk.
“He is currently hunting Derek because he is the Alpha but he doesn’t know where to find him. He has been hunting every night in the preserve but since Derek lives here we have been avoiding the preserve until we figure out our next move.”
“That's it. Sit and wait.”
“That's all we can do. What else are we supposed to do?” Allison questioned.
“Easy go and kill him. Find dirt on him and get him arrested. Do anything besides sitting on your asses!” Stiles' anger started to rise and he could feel the telltale signs of his claws coming out.
“We can’t take next steps until we know more. Gerard has been doing this for years; he knows how to hide his tracks.” Derek said, “and we can’t just go and kill him. He probably is expecting an ambush and to be fair no one here is trained enough to take him on and the rest of his hunters.”
Stiles just huffed in response. He knew Derek was right but that didn’t mean he had to like it. He took a steady breath and felt his claws retracting.
“Fine then I’ll wait.” With that Stiles got up from his chair and headed for the door. No one said anything on his way out so Stiles assumed they said all they had to.
When Stiles got back to Jackson’s car he could see an angry looking Lydia and an annoyed Jackson waiting for him. Stiles climbed in the car and they started to head to Stiles house for the night.
“What did they want?” Lydia questioned him.
“They wanted to warn me about the hunters in the area and said they would start training me on my control.” Stiles replied knowing that Lydia wasn’t going to be a fan of the plan.
“Why would you want their help? They haven’t done anything for you!”
“Lydia, it's ok. Derek and I talked the other day. We are not best friends but we made an agreement. He helps me with control and keeps me informed and I help him with the pack when needed.”
Lydia had an angry pout on her face showing her obvious disdain. While Jackson just continued to stay quiet throughout the rest of the car ride. They dropped Stiles off at his house and told him they would see him at class the next day.
--------- ----------
For the next couple of weeks things started to look up with Stiles and his new routine. Stiles would go to school then end the day training with one of the pack on some form of control, it started off small with some breathing techniques but quickly grew into shifting on command. Stiles would then end with hanging out with Lydia and Jackson either at Stiles’ own house or their house before heading back to his home for the day.
Stiles was still struggling with finding an anchor for his shift, he thought it would be his dad since he was the constant in Stiles life but this proved quickly that wasn’t the case. Stiles felt like he tried everything he even went as far as thinking of his mom but there was still nothing. It wasn’t until one of his sessions with Isaac that something finally clicked for him.
“It’s still not working.” Stiles said exasperated. He was on the lacrosse field with Isaac laying on the grass after Isaac thought that attacking Stiles and him trying to keep calm would be the best bet to control the shift.
“You're not focused enough. You need to be able to focus on a single thing and not let your mind wander.” Isaac replied.
“Yesh, kind of hard when you have ADHD.” Stiles huffed, before sitting up in the grass. “How did you figure out yours?” Isaac studied him for a second before sighing and taking a seat on the ground so they were facing one another.
“It was the night of the full moon. I accidently started to attack Derek and he tried to get me to focus but it wasn’t working. I tried to think of anything that connected me to my humanity when finally a memory came up. I was with my dad and my older brother before they both died, my brother was killed in action and my dad passed away recently. He wasn’t a good man by any means but he wasn’t always bad. But what grounded me was a memory of the time we were together and happy when I was younger, it was one of the only times that I had felt truly safe and that I belonged.”
Stiles thought for a minute. He could tell that Isaac was telling the truth by the sound of his heartbeat which just made Stiles more sad. He had heard the rumors that went around and remembered often seeing bruises on Isaac in the locker room but Stiles just assumed they were from lacrosse. He didn’t want to seem like he was giving Isaac his pity so he kept his expression neutral and focused on the point of the story.
A sense of safety was what connected Isaac to his humanity. When Stiles thought about it he never felt safe himself always feeling like something was out to get him. Even before Scott got bit Stiles was always worried about his dad and his job and the thought of losing him which only increased when his mom had died. There had to be a time when he felt safe enough, Jackson had called Stiles a protector of others but who was the protector of Stiles?
Stiles then smelled the scent of pine and felt his shoulders relax. That smell? It always calmed Stiles down and before he could think more on it he looked up and saw Derek approaching. The smell of pine growing stronger.
Derek.
Stiles thought back to when he first shifted and lost control and the sound of a heartbeat calmed him down. Derek’s heartbeat. Stiles thought it was his own but it must have been Derek’s since he was the only one there. Plus when Stiles tried to focus on it again later by himself he couldn't hear it anymore.
Stiles then remembered the red string that he knew connected him to Derek. It was bright red brighter than any other string that he was connected to meaning their bond was stronger even after all these years. He remembered tugging on it and Derek saying how he felt it and when he found Stiles he was already shifted back, his wolf must have known that Derek was coming for him.
Stiles could feel his wolf inside him shifting in his chest and almost speaking in his mind.
Derek safe. Derek protect. Derek pack.
Stiles was shocked. His wolf wanted Derek. Wanted to be near him knowing that Derek was the one to protect him. He must have had terrible control because he was fighting with Derek. Now that Stiles thought about it he had a lot less control issues after making up with Derek. Stiles' wolf seemed to growl at that thought of being separated from Derek.
Derek was his anchor.
Derek who even after all these years had Stiles' trust. The only person that saw Stiles for who he is and not who they want him to be.
Before Stiles could think more on his realization he heard someone calling his name.
“Stiles!” Isaac said. Derek and Isaac who were now looking at Stiles in worry.
“Huh, what? What did you say?” Stiles said getting up from the ground to stand next to Isaac and Derek.
“I asked how the training was going? Isaac was telling me that you were still struggling.” Derek answered, still looking at Stiles with worry.
“Yeah going good. I think I want to give it one more go before ending the day.”
Stiles breathed for a second giving into his wolf and could feel his claws start to come out and his shift taking over. Well here goes nothing Stiles thought. He started to think of the times when Derek and him were together. He could feel his wolf whine as he thought of Derek and Stiles hanging out when they were young when a particular memory came through.
“I’ll always be there to protect you, Mischief. Even if the world is going down in flames I promise that I will keep you safe.” A young Derek said holding Stiles particularly tighter as Stiles was crying into Derek’s shoulder from his mothers loss.
Stiles felt his claws retract and himself shifting back, he heard a small gasp to his side before a warm hand touched his shoulder. When Stiles opened his eyes and saw Isaac and Derek with smiles on their faces and Derek’s hand on his shoulder.
“You did it! You found your anchor!” Isaac shouted, almost seeming to bounce on his feet. “What was it?”
“It was like you said Isaac. I just had to remind myself of what made me feel safe.” Stiles replied feeling his face get red trying to avoid looking anywhere near Derek.
“Well whatever it is I am glad you finally figured it out. Now we can move onto our next steps of control for the full moon.” Derek said.
Isaac soon left, promising to see Stiles at their next training session leaving Stiles alone with Derek.
“Can you come with me, Stiles?” Derek asked, he looked apprehensive as if he was scared of Stiles reaction.
“Depends on where? If you are asking me out on a date I think I would want to change out of these dingy clothes into something more comfortable.” Derek’s face flushed for a second at Stiles words.
“That’s not- No I mean-”
“I’m just kidding man.” Stiles hit Derek’s arm hoping Derek didn’t see the sadness in Stiles own eyes. “Where are we going?” Derek cleared out his throat before speaking again.
“Deaton’s.” Derek said simply before turning around and walking away. Stiles just rolled his eyes at Derek being so dramatic.
Stiles followed Derek to Deaton in his own car, his jeep parking next to Derek’s camaro. When they entered, Stiles followed Derek into the back where Deaton seemed to be waiting for them.
“Mr. Stilinski and Mr. Hale, welcome in.” Deaton greeted them. Stiles felt uneasy being in the vet's office, he never liked to visit Scott when he was here, always feeling uncomfortable in the presence of the vet when he was around.
“I hear that you may have some questions on Mr. Stilinski's new found shift.” Stiles didn’t respond but Derek did.
“He says he can see the bonds. I’ve never heard of a wolf being able to see them this early into a shift.”
“Is this true, Stiles?” Stiles just nodded still feeling as if a weight was pressed against his tongue making him unable to speak. Deaton just nodded in response with a small hum.
“Although I have never heard of a wolf being able to see the bonds this quickly it may have to do with the nature of Mr. Stilinski's himself.”
“My nature?” Stiles questioned the growing unease in his stomach getting much stronger.
“What is your mother’s maiden name Mr. Stilinski?” Stiles growled at the mention of his mother but Deaton didn’t react.
“Gajos.” Derek spoke up knowing this was a sensitive subject for Stiles.
“The Gajos family was a well known family in the supernatural community. Not as known as the Hales of course but still recognizable on their own. The Gajos were known for being one of the stronger magic wielding families.” Stiles just laughed at that, the absurdity that Stiles own family was some hot shot witch family.
“You see, Mr. Stilinski magic is a finicky thing. Every person is born with a spark which connects them to the world, some call this the soul but for our purposes we call it the spark. But certain families have a stronger connection to the world and their sparks changed, this is what the supernatural world is.
Werewolves have their own types of sparks with their own system of having alpha sparks and normal werewolf sparks. However, their connection is to the wolf rather than to the earth itself. But pure sparks are much different, that's what the Gajos family was known for.
Pure sparks have a much more natural affinity in their connection with the earth. Allowing them to practice magic but like I said magic is a finicky thing especially spark magic. It's different from that of druids and witches who rely more on the energies and herbs of the things around them. A spark however is based on the belief and the power of their own mind.”
“So what you're saying is that I should have been able to wield magic based on what? The power of confidence.” Stiles thought this was a load of bull. He was so sure that he was never connected to the supernatural world before Scott got bitten but his mind started to wonder about the many times he saw his mom go to Talia Hales' office after coming to pick Stiles up.
“My mom knew about everything in this town didn‘t she? Does my dad know?”
“Your mother Claudia was good friends with Talia. You weren't the only spark connected to the Hales. But Claudia’s specialty was always with healing and children. But her spark was not fully activated so her abilities were limited to protection charms and such. As for your father that is a conversation you should have with him yourself”
“Activated?” Stiles took note of what was said about his father for later information to question for later.
“A spark like I said already has a strong connection to the earth but until their spark is activated they can never reach their full potential. To activate a spark is a dangerous thing, the spark must go through what can only be described as a traumatic event.
Because of the nature of activating a spark they are incredibly rare to find but certain families are known for having sparks and considered highly respected.”
Stiles was reeling from all the information that Deaton had given. His mom knew about the supernatural. His father most likely does too. And here Stiles was torturing himself in not telling his dad that he is now a werewolf and everything else that has been going on in town.
Stiles didn’t realize that he was on the verge of a panic attack and was practically hyperventilating until Stiles heard Derek screaming his name. Stiles' vision slowly came back into focus not even realizing that he had them closed and could see Derek inches from Stiles’ own face.
With Stiles now back to the present Derek seemed to back off but stayed close to Stiles just in case. Deaton looked between them, seeming to be studying them before moving on.
“What does it have to do with the bonds?” Derek said finally bringing them back to the topic they originally were there for. Stiles was silent once again but could feel the heat of Derek next to him. His wolf wanted to jump into it to make a safe space.
“Since Stiles is a natural spark who was bitten he may have a better handle on how to connect to his wolf which is another extension of a spark.”
“Can I still practice magic like my mother?” Stiles asked in a quiet voice, quite desperate to know if he can have one last connection to Claudia.
“Unfortunately not. A spark can not be two things at once and because of the nature of the bite your spark is forever changed.” Deaton walked to the back of his office before taking a book off of his shelf and handing it to Stiles. “Read this, it goes over different types of sparks and the nature of them. Is that all I can help you both with today?”
Stiles looked at Derek for an answer as he was the one who brought Stiles here in the first place.
“One more thing. Is Stiles being a spark why he is able to resist Alpha commands?” Deaton looked shocked at Derek's words before looking at Stiles, seeming to study him more closely.
“I have heard of wolves going against an Alpha and their commands but it takes a strong will. It could be possible with the nature of your spark Mr. Stilinski that this is the case.” Derek just nodded at Deaton before grabbing Stiles arm and tugging him to the parking lot.
“Are you ok?” Derek asked, he looked worried about his hand never leaving Stiles arm.
“I think I need to have a conversation with my dad.” Derek just nodded at Stiles. Derek looked like he wanted to say something else but he never did.
“Do you need me to go with you?” Stiles shook his head.
“I think I need to do this on my own.” Stiles said he knew his dad would be home tonight so better to have it as soon as possible.
Stiles headed home not even knowing if he gave Derek a proper goodbye but still just reeling from all the information Deaton had given him. The fact that his mom had been part of the supernatural community started to put pieces together of a puzzle Stiles didn’t even know he had. It made sense why he was always at the Hale house with his mother, Stiles always just put it up to his close friendship with Cora. But what does Deaton mean that he was not the only spark connected to the Hales? How was he connected to them, other than friendship, how was his mother connected to them? Was this some type of supernatural connection or something? Stiles didn’t know but he was determined to get answers.
Stiles pulled up to his driveway quickly getting out of his jeep and before he knew it he was slamming the front door behind him.
“Hey kiddo! Watch the door-” Noah stopped when he saw Stiles coming in. “What’s wrong Stiles?” Noah’s face etched in worry for his son.
“Why didn’t you tell me about mom?”
“I don’t know what you're talking about son.”
“Stop lying to me!” Stiles could feel his shift coming on and his nails coming out and his eyes glowing. His father gasped at Stiles' appearance.
“Stiles,” Noah’s voice was soft, “you're a werewolf.” He said it as a statement rather than a question.
“So you do know about the supernatural. Here I was stressed about telling you and I had to find out from Deaton that not only did you know but mom was some type of witch!” Stiles' dad just sighed in response, he motioned to the chair at the dining table before moving to the chair across from it and sitting down.
“Before I tell you anything, how long have you been a wolf?”
“Close to about two months now. Since the night of the dance.” Stiles stated, even though it had felt like a lifetime ago.
“Who bit you?”
“Peter. Don’t worry he’s dead now. Derek’s Alpha now.”
“I knew I should have suspected something when you were hanging out with Derek again. I just hoped you were blinded by your crush on him.” Stiles blushed at that.
“How did you-?” Noah just gave Stiles a look at that.
“I’m your father. Plus, you followed him around like a lost puppy when you were younger. Once I found out you were not actually interested in Lydia and I got a call from Derek it wasn’t hard to put together.”
“Right. Why did you never tell me?”
“Your mom and I always planned to do so. Your mom wanted to teach you when you showed signs of your power. Then your mother got sick. After that Talia agreed to help out but then the fire happened and it was just the two of us. You never showed any signs of any powers so I just assumed you didn’t have any and since the Hales had gone I wasn’t concerned about the supernatural life affecting you. I guess I was wrong for that.”
“I had the right to know.” Noah let out another sigh knowing that Stiles was right.
“I know. But it was just so hard to think about it after your mother died.”
“What about me huh? What if it helped me feel more connected to mom! The only thing I had left of mom besides the memory of the worst day of my life!” Stiles could feel the wetness on his face as it was growing hot from crying. He just couldn’t understand why his father kept something so big from him that could have connected him to his mother.
“I know, son.” Noah put his hand over Stiles' own, “I shouldn’t have let my own pain cause you anymore and for that I will forever be sorry. If you want to know anything I’ll answer anything I can.”
“Deaton mentioned something about me not being the only spark connected to Hales, what did he mean?”
“Your mother spark although had not been activated yet she still had a strong power connection. She always used to describe to me as this pull leading her somewhere and she had to just give in and follow it. She discovered the Hales when Talia was young and just became Alpha and just gave birth to Laura. Your mother became Talia’s confidant, plus with your mothers specialty with children and protection she was the best option in protecting Laura and then Derek and Cora.”
“Some job she did. The Hales are all dead except for Derek?”
“Stiles did you ever wonder why the Hale fire happened so close to your mothers death?” Stiles shook his head in no motion.
“I may not know exactly what led to the Hale fire but it's not hard to tell it was a hunter who had done it. Knowing the best way to get close to the pack while being undetected was going through one of the kids. Since Laura and Derek were the only ones not there it must have been through one of them.”
“It was the Argents. Specifically Kate Argent.” Stiles said, Noah nodded at that.
“That makes sense. Anyways, it was well known that Talia had major protection with her children but no one knew who it was protecting them. Kate must have figured out it was your mother and waited until she passed to enact her plan.”
Stiles was shocked. His mother was the protector of the Hale children, which made sense. Cora always described Claudia to be like a second mother to her and Stiles even remembers his mother talking to Laura and Derek on many occasions.
The fact though that when Claudia died it left the Hales vulnerable to the manipulation of the Argents. The thought caused anger to boil into Stiles and Stiles knew he would be losing control soon. Stiles took a deep breath having to remind himself that Derek was alive and safe for now before he got his wolf under control.
“You said before mom activated her spark but Deaton said that mom’s spark was never activated.” Noah looked sad at that before speaking again.
“Your mom didn’t activate her spark until the day she died. Although your mothers family was known for their sparks and having more power even before they were activated when they were activated they were much more powerful. However, to activate a spark something close to them must happen that can only be described by others as a “traumatic event” can activate a spark. Your mother described it differently, it was when a spark loses so much control that the earth deems it that they need to be pulled back.”
The explanation didn’t really make sense to Stiles but it was going to probably take years for Stiles to understand everything that his parents never told him. So in much Stiles fashion he nodded and pretended to know what was going on and decided to do research on it later.
“So mom lost control? From what?”
“From you Stiles. From what happened that night.”
Stiles felt like the air had left his lungs images flashing through his mind. His mother, a knife in hand screaming that Stiles was a monster. Stiles saw red on his shirt before he saw his mother collapsed on the floor. Stiles hiding in the Hale house after running there hiding under the covers of Cora's room. Derek had to come get him out before Stiles started crying and Derek promised to protect Stiles. His father came to the Hale house only to find out his mother had died shortly after Stiles had left.
Stiles had never fully recovered from that night. Knowing that if he had just stayed his mother may have had a chance at surviving and not dying so soon into her illness. Stiles had lived with the guilt of his mothers death for the past five years.
“After you left that night your mother was distraught. She remembered attacking you and couldn’t believe she had done it. The idea of attacking you destroyed her Stiles, she broke down. She just constantly was begging that you stay safe that magic wouldn’t bother you and destroy your life. Even I could feel the magic rolling off of her, she collapsed after that. The energy must have been too much because she never woke up, all I know was that her last wish was for you to stay safe Stiles.”
Stiles didn’t know what to say. He always blamed himself for his moms death thinking that she must have had a heart attack after attacking him but knowing the truth Stiles didn’t know what to believe. All she wanted was to keep Stiles safe and his dad said that was her final wish to stay out of magic but that didn’t happen. Sure, Stiles magic never developed but Scott was still bitten then Stiles was as well. So did his mother’s magic really protect him at all? No, his dad must have felt something else; it was still Stiles actions that caused Claudia’s death.
Stiles got up ignoring his father's cries and went to his room. He locked his door and climbed into his bed trying to process the day. So much had happened and Stiles didn’t know how to take everything, there was so much that was kept from him. Stiles could have been part of the supernatural for years now but his parents had kept him in the dark. He thought of his mother’s connection to the Hales and Deaton's words of Stiles connection as well.
Was Stiles connected to Derek? They had been in and out of odds for so long but Stiles still had the feeling that he could trust the man, maybe that was still the hope from when he was a child. He thought of his fathers words of the tug that his mother had felt and Stiles had felt that before but it didn’t lead him to the Hales.
Could it be that Stiles' connection wasn’t the Hales but the Nemeton? Stiles' head was too cloudy to think he just needed to focus, focus on the connection to the earth, to his wolf, to the Nemeton.
Stiles tried to clear his mind and he quickly found the connection to the wolf who seemed to yip at him in enjoyment to be reacquainted. It caused a laugh to come out of Stiles at the wolf’s antics. Stiles let himself go with the wolf giving himself over to the connection hoping to find the bond between him and the Nemeton. He was met with a howl before Stiles' vision exploded.
Stiles was met with the strings once again this time he could physically see them. Each cord connected to the chest of Stiles leading into different directions the shine of them brighter than ever. Stiles had no trouble identifying each and every one of them.
The green and white were easy for Jackson and Lydia but what Stiles didn’t expect was the emotion coming from them. He could feel Jackson’s pride and Lydia’s confidence through the cords and it made Stiles' chest glow with the emotion.
The next set of strings was two gold ones and the silver one and Stiles could feel that it was Scott, Isaac, and Allison. Although he could tell who it was, the emotions seemed more strained to feel but he could still feel their contempt. Those cords were soon followed by the red one for Derek.
Stiles could feel Derek in distress as if something was happening. Derek was searching it seemed for something but Stiles couldn’t pinpoint what but from what Derek was feeling he needed it quick. It was the last two cords which were the problem.
They were both gold and Stiles easily identified them with Erica and Boyd but what concerned him was the feelings that were coming from them. They were in pain. Every couple of seconds Stiles could feel the pain and it was terrible like an electrical shock. Something was wrong Erica and Boyd shouldn’t have been in pain, only one thing could have happened, the hunters.
Stiles quickly abandoned his connection before grabbing his phone and dialing Derek.
“What is it Stiles?” Derek practically growled over the phone.
“Derek, it's the bonds. I figured them out.” Stiles tried to explain before Derek interrupted him.
“I don’t have time for this right now Stiles!”
“No wait I-” Stiles heard the beep of the phone call ending signaling that Derek hung up on him. Stiles took a deep breath, it looked like Stiles was on his own again. He needed to get to Erica and Boyd before anything more happened to them. Stiles couldn’t explain it but he just had the overwhelming need to keep the betas safe.
Stiles closed his eyes again trying to find the connection to the two. He found it quickly and focused on them. Once Stiles opened his eyes he could see the bonds again, this time the two golden cords of Boyd and Erica glowed brightly and were connecting from Stile chest to the outside world.
Without thinking Stiles climbed out his window and followed the bonds. He followed them down the neighborhood still every once in a while feeling the buzz of electricity and then the feeling of pain before he stopped to a house where the cords were leading. Stiles quickly got to the bushes near the house trying to be stealthy in any way possible.
The house was a simple two story house but what surprised Stiles was the smell. He could smell Allison here with the taint of steel and smoke. Argents.
Stiles growled forgetting that he needed to stay quiet. He tried to circle around the house to find where the bonds were leading him and they seemed to be leading to a lower level but there was no entrance from the outside. Stiles needed to find a way inside, when he was leaving one of the bushes he turned and was met with the figure of Allison’s mom, Victoria.
Before Stiles was able to say anything Victoria pulled a gun from her side and shot Stiles, he felt the pinprick of a dart in his chest. It must have been a tranquilizer of some kind probably laced with wolfsbane because Stiles found himself falling into darkness.
-------------------
Stiles woke up with a raging headache and the feeling of his hands bound. When he opened his eyes he was on the floor of what looked to be the basement both his hands chained to the wall behind him. In front of him stood an older man who was smiling down at Stiles. Behind the man was Erica and Boyd strung up like cattle to be slaughtered, causing Stiles to growl at the sight.
“Ah, it looks like our company has finally woken up,” the man said. Stiles knew this must have been the infamous Gerard Argent.
“Sorry to disappoint. I would have woken up sooner but some bitch seemed to think that shooting me was the best answer.” Stiles' face was hit by the end of his remark.
“You will speak only when spoken to, mutt!” Gerard said, looking at Stiles with a fury in his eyes.
Stiles could feel the burn of his wounds on his face but he couldn’t feel them healing. He looked at Gerard’s hand and saw that there were brass knuckles attached to them and from what Stiles was smelling they were laced with wolfsbane.
Stiles quickly looked over to Boyd and Erica, they seemed to be in pain from hanging but they were doing alright. He saw some wires attached to them leading to a generator on the floor, well that explained the electrical shocks that Stiles was feeling.
“Now that we have more to add to the party I have a couple questions.” Stiles was hit once again and he could feel another cut open on his face. “Where’s the Alpha?”
Stiles just huffed in response, not willing to give anything to the man. This time the blow hit Stiles in the stomach, he could hear Erica and Boyd cries in response but they didn’t matter to Stiles. Their yelling meant that they weren’t the object of Gerard’s desire and Stiles would take any blow before he saw them hurt.
“Oh, don't like to see pack hurt huh?” Gerard walked over to Erica, his finger tracing her jawline.
“You're wasting your time!” Stiles shouted at Gerard who turned away from Erica. “They don’t know where he is. You think the Alpha trusts them enough to keep their secrets?”
Stiles met Erica’s eyes who seemed to be pleading for him to shut up. Stiles then turned to Gerard with steely determination.
“And I suppose you know where he is then?” Gerard sneered.
“I do. I’ve known him for years, he trusts me more than anyone. I can tell you now he isn’t concerned about the likes of them, they are just extra manpower for him so you're wasting your time.” Stiles was glad that Gerard wasn’t a wolf to hear the lies in his heartbeat at the moment.
Gerard seem to think for a moment before approaching Stiles again.
“And why should I believe you mutt?”
“Because unlike them. I am not in the pack and I know what you want from him and I am willing to make a deal to get you what you want.” Stiles took a breath hoping that his gamble would pay off. “You want the bite, don't you. I can smell that you are dying, you hide it well but I know that stench. The stench of someone close to death.”
It wasn’t a lie. The smell of Gerard, although only a faint hint made Stiles think of the times in his mother’s hospital room. The smell would be overlooked by anyone else but it was forever stitched into Stiles mind.
Gerard regarded him slightly, seeming to look impressed at the boy. What Stiles didn’t expect was the punch to follow. The blows didn’t stop there, they just kept coming again and again. They hit Stiles face, his arms, his stomach until Stiles was gasping for breath,
“You think I make deals with mutts like you! I am an Argent and I don’t make deals with wolves, I only exterminate them.” Gerard stopped his barrage of assaults leaving Stiles a bloody mess before he pulled something from behind him.
Stiles was now face to face with a pistol. Stiles growing up in a household with a police father never thought he would see the end of a gun in such a way, his dad always warning him how to take care of himself. Gerard just smiled at him before pointing the gun to Stiles' stomach and firing.
“Maybe, when you're closer to death you’ll be more willing to talk.” Gerard turned and walked up the stairs before leaving the room leaving the three betas alone.
Stiles could feel the bullet inside him. It was like a hot fire burning inside him, with every second the burning spreading in him. He knew it was the wolfsbane entering his system, he remembered how quickly it affected Derek all that time ago.
Stiles could hear shouting coming from somewhere but he couldn’t focus, the pain was just too great. Stiles' breath was laboring when he felt a cold hand grabbing him undoing his chains where his arms just slumped to his side. He felt more hands then trying to bring him back up and Stiles tried to focus on what was going on.
Stiles was met with the faces of Erica, Boyd and Allison all with varying degrees of worry.
“Allison… What are you doing here?” Stile said, his voice coming in gasps with every word.
“We need to get him out now!” Erica grabbed Stiles to try and pull him from the ground but Stiles screamed in pain causing the blonde to stop.
“You need to go.” Stiles whispered his voice barely audible.
“We aren’t leaving you batman. Pack sticks together.” Erica looked to be practically crying now and when Stiles looked over at Allison and Boyd were in similar states. Guess that answers the question Stiles had on how bad he looked.
“The longer you stay the more at risk you will be. Get out, get Derek, warn him about Gerard.”
“I can stay and get him out later. My grandfather still thinks I am on his side.” Allison spoke up, wiping her nose and eyes trying to collect her emotions.
“No.”
“What do you mean no! We aren’t leaving you Stiles. You may not think of your pack but you are to us.” Allison was begging Stiles at this point trying to get him to see reason. “Plus, Derek would probably kill us if we left with you hurt like this.” Stiles laughed at that causing him to groan in pain at the movement.
“As much as I would love to, I can't. I can feel the wolfsbane in my system and I won’t be any help anytime soon. Allison you have to go with them, make sure they get out safely, also Gerard will probably suspect your involvement after Boyd and Erica are gone. You aren’t safe anymore.”
The three looked pained at Stiles’ words. They knew he was right but Stiles wasn’t doing well and needed medical help as soon as possible. Stiles was pale, seeming to go in and out of reality but his eyes were focused on the three figures showing his strength in getting them to safety.
Allison was told about Stiles' stubbornness from Scott but he never mentioned how Stiles cared for others. Allison honestly didn’t have a high opinion of the boy after he seemed to abandon Scott but she was mistaken, seeing him fight for the three of them even though he barely knew them. Especially with his concern for Allison after Stiles had made it evidently clear that he did not like her because of her lineage. Allison couldn’t blame him for that; she could barely understand how Derek could look at her most days.
But after Gerard had left the basement knowing he had something down there Allison had run down there hoping to help in whatever way possible. Seeing Stiles on the floor a bloody mess who wasn’t healing made her sick to her stomach and made the fire in her stomach towards her grandfather grow even more. Based on how Erica and Boyd barely had any scratches on them it didn’t take a genius for someone to put together that Stiles took the beating for the two.
Allison had a newfound respect for the man. He could see how Stiles' compassion seemed to be his biggest strength but also his weakness, no wonder why Derek was always worried about him. If Stiles was so willing to give himself over for the sake of others it was a wonder that Derek just didn’t lock him in a room for the rest of time. Well, knowing Stiles he just would escape.
“Go, you're running out of time.” Stiles spoke and it caused Allison to flinch. His voice was hoarse and there was a small trail of blood coming out of his mouth now. Allison could see the lines of the wolfsbane climbing up Stiles neck already showing how far the poison had progressed.
“We aren’t leaving you. We either all leave together or not at all.” Erica said with a steely determination that had both Boyd and Allison nodding in response.
“I said Go !” Stiles' voice got low at that and Allison felt a wave go over her to the words. She looked at the other two and saw that their eyes were glowing a bright gold. When Allison looked back at Stiles he was unconscious, leaving Allison the overwhelming feeling that she needed to get out of there.
“What was that?” Allison asked, seeing the other two start to stand up. They looked just as shocked as Allison herself felt.
“He gave an order. An Alpha order.” Boyd said in disbelief. “That shouldn’t be possible.”
“But I could even feel it and all I want to do is leave. I’m not a wolf, it shouldn't work like that.”
“Whatever it is. We don’t have a choice anymore. We have to go.” The three looked at Stiles one last time before they made their trek outside. Allison wasn’t sure what was going on but whatever Stiles was he wasn’t an ordinary wolf.
-------------------
When Stiles woke up again it was the feeling of cold water being splashed onto him. However, with how bad Stiles felt he barely budged, not even opening his eyes until he was once again punched in the face.
“Get up mutt!” Two men grabbed Stiles and followed Gerard out of the room, putting Stiles into a car roughly before driving off.
Stiles didn’t know what was really going on just that he was able to get Erica, Boyd, and Allison to safety which put him at ease. Sure, he didn’t want to be tortured and if Stiles survived this his dad was going to freak out and probably lock him in the house for a long time but at this point that kind of sounded nice.
Stiles thought about the rest of the pack and how Stiles was finally realizing that he may be more adjacent than he realized. Yeah, he wasn’t truly in the pack but that didn’t stop him from bonding to the others and quickly becoming friends. Even Jackson and Lydia stopped giving them heated looks and instead started to engage in conversation
When the car finally stopped Gerard along with the two other men led Stiles to an abandoned warehouse. The men threw Stiles to the floor before making him sit back up on his knees. Stiles felt something cool press against the back of his head before the cock of a gun was heard.
“Reveal yourselves or this one's brains will be splattered across the floor!” Gerard yelled seemingly into the void.
Stiles looked up at the empty warehouse to find pairs of glowing eyes starting to light up around the room. A large growl was heard directly in front of Stiles and a pair of red glowing eyes met Stiles whiskey colored ones. Derek walked out of the shadows behind him and the rest of the pack soon followed, including Jackson and Lydia.
Each of the pack had varying degrees of either worry or anger rolling off of them, the smell almost intoxicating to Stiles senses at the moment. Stiles saw Erica and Boyd looking safe which caused a breath of relief to go through Stiles.
Derek keep safe. Derek protect.
Stiles' wolf was screaming begging to get close to the Alpha but the pressure of the gun to his head kept Stiles' humanity grounded. Plus, with the bullet still in Stiles stomach Stiles didn’t think he would make it very far anyways. The growl from Derek only increased as he finally saw Stiles.
Derek was beyond worried after finding Erica, Boyd and Allison who told him what had happened in the Argent household. Derek's wolf had been screaming to run and get him especially when he saw the blood on his betas hands which carried the strong smell of Stiles scent. The only thing stopping him was that somehow Stiles had given an Alpha order to his betas that even affected the human.
Derek had called the rest of the pack and followed the scent of Stiles from the Argent house to an abandoned warehouse in the industrial district. He found Lydia and Jackson there as well, when Derek questioned them Lydia just said that she could feel Stiles was on the brink of death and needed to be here.
Seeing Stiles now with his pale body, way too pale for Derek’s liking. Stiles' face was covered in bruises and cuts that weren’t healing showing the effects of wolfsbane. Along Stiles neck were the black and purple lines of the poison coursing through the boy's system. Derek saw Stiles covering up his midsection probably from another wound.
Derek just wanted to grab the boy and never let go but Derek knew that couldn’t happen. Derek had failed once again, he failed on his promise to Stiles after trying so hard to be a man that Stiles would be proud of, now the boy laid in front of Derek on the brink of death because Derek wasn’t strong enough to protect him.
“You know what I want Hale.” Gerard finally spoke to Derek and the pack. His pack growled at that knowing that Gerard had wanted the bite and how Derek viewed the bite as a gift and not a power trip.
“Don’t do it Der. He doesn’t deserve it.” Stiles said softly before Gerard hit Stiles in the head with the back of his gun, causing many of the wolves and humans to almost take a step forward but Gerard just pointed the gun back to Stiles head.
“Quiet mutt! Now Hale give me what I want or he dies?”
Derek didn’t know what to do, he knew that he shouldn’t give the bite to Gerard. That Gerard just wanted the bite for power and then probably kill Derek to be Alpha himself. Derek didn’t want to unleash that into the world but seeing Stiles so pale and bloody and Derek knew there wasn’t a price he wouldn’t pay for the boy.
Stiles was always the one who cared for others. It's why he fit so well with his little sister, Cora, she would be the brawn and he was the brains and compassion. But what not a lot of people knew was the length that Stiles would go to in order to protect his friends. He remembered many late nights when Cora would come in talking about how Stiles was taking down bullies for Cora but being ridiculed instead. Derek always held Stiles to a high regard after that and promised himself that he would do what was in his power to keep the kid safe.
Just another promise Derek had broken. But here in this moment at this time Derek knew that he could keep his promise. He didn’t want to fail Stiles again and if that meant giving Gerard the bite and dealing with the consequences then so be it.
“I’ll do it.” Gerard had just smiled before motioning for Derek to come over to him. Derek ignored the screaming from his wolf but he went to stand next to the man.
Gerard had pulled up his sleeve of the arm that wasn’t holding up the gun pointed at Stiles and held it out for Derek to bite. Derek had let the shift take over him knowing there was no going back after this and bit Gerard’s arm.
Derek was soon back at the side of his pack, his fangs tasting like poison almost causing Derek to throw up in disgust. Gerard had just smiled, still holding up the gun to Stiles' head. Stiles wasn’t looking good at this point, the lines now on his face and the boy looked to be on the verge of passing out.
“You got what you want! Now let him go!” Allison spoke up, her anger spoke wonders on the side she had finally taken against her grandfather and the very lineage her family stood for.
“No.” At that all hell broke loose. Derek heard the gunshot then Lydia screamed.
The scream had Derek falling to his knees in pain covering up his ears. The scream seemed to last forever and when it finally stopped the only person left standing was Lydia herself. She was pale but she didn’t hesitate to run towards Stiles' now limp form.
When the others started to get up that's when the fighting broke loose. The hunters that came with Gerard started firing at the wolves. Gerard himself was clutching his shoulder where a large red stain was starting to form. The wolves had let loose once the shots had been fired.
Derek let out a loud growl going straight to the hunter nearest to Gerard and Stiles before ripping his throat out. Derek looked to the other hunter before seeing Boyd and Erica quickly taking the man down with ease and a viscousness that caused Derek's wolf to preen at the betas.
Derek then saw some shots aimed towards the hunters and when Derek followed the line of sight he saw the sheriff. Noah had a determined look on his face trying to get closer to Stiles body and that's when it clicked for Derek. The sheriff is the one who shot Gerard in the shoulder, probably seeing the gun placed to his son's head. Derek knew that meant that Stiles was still alive but he was still hurt and Derek needed the fight to end soon.
Soon all that was left was Gerard but the man was backed up on the warehouse door, his wound on his shoulder seemed to be seeping black blood. Derek sniffed the air and it seemed to be full of something that caused Derek’s senses to be on edge. It smelt of death but an underlying familiar scent… mountain ash.
Gerard started coughing at the moment, each cough causing his form to convulse as if it took everything out of him. The smell of mountain ash only growing stronger with every cough, Derek could see specks of black blood coming out of Gerard’s mouth and that's when Derek understood.
Gerard was rejecting the bite.
Derek looked over at the others, all of them except Lydia were looking at Gerard. Only it seemed that two didn’t look as surprised as the rest.
“What did you do?” Derek questioned Scott and Allison.
“I knew he wanted the bite. I found out earlier this week after he admitted he was dying it was the only explanation for his rampage. So, I replaced his medicine with mountain ash pills. That way no matter the outcome he wouldn’t get the choice in becoming a wolf.” Allison spoke her voice seemed steady even though she was explaining how she poisoned her grandfather. Once again it reminded Derek of the stark difference between her and Kate.
“Guys?” Lydia spoke still next to what looked like a limp Stiles. “He’s… He’s barely breathing.” Stiles' head was in Lydia's lap, the sheriff next to her clutching his son's hand. The lines on his face seemed to be spreading much too quickly for Derek's liking.
“Quick grab a bullet, we need to get the wolfsbane out of his system!” Derek ordered and he could tell he didn’t even have to Alpha order anyone to get them to start moving. The betas started looking for an intact bullet they could use but it was Erica who came to the rescue. She had a gun before taking out a bullet and handing it to Derek.
“It’s from Gerard’s gun. He was the one who shot Stiles in the first place.” Derek didn’t even acknowledge that before grabbing the bullet and pulling the capsule off and pouring the gunpowder out. Derek made quick work of getting the lighter from his pocket he kept for emergencies like this and lighting the powder and putting it under Stiles nose.
Nothing happened for a second but Derek saw the smoke from the powder go into Stiles nose. After a minute of everyone holding their breath the lines started to disappear on Stiles face and the cuts started to slowly start to close. The pack let out a collective breath of relief.
Stiles eyes started to flutter open and Derek was met with whiskey brown eyes that Derek just wanted to stare into forever.
“Hey Sourwolf.” Stiles' voice was hoarse but he had a smile on his face now. “I missed all the action, didn't I?” Stiles' arm was hit not only by Erica but also Lydia and Allison.
“Hey! What the hell! Still recovering here!”
“Don’t you ever do that again. I could feel how close you were to death Stiles. I never want to feel like that again!” Lydia spoke up, her eyes starting to water.
Stiles' eyes softened at that before reaching out and putting a hand over Lydia’s own. It caused a pang in Derek’s chest seeing them like that. Derek looked away not wanting to confront the overwhelming emotions he was feeling towards Stiles.
“Thank you for saving me. You shouldn’t have bitten him.” Stiles spoke, causing Derek to look at him again. Derek just gave a soft smile at Stiles.
“I had a promise to keep.” Stiles' smile brightened at that which caused Derek’s heart to jump for a second. “Plus we are pack, we stick together, all of us.”
Stiles looked around at everyone and was met with various glances of people smiling at him. For once Stiles felt like he could maybe give people a chance and maybe this was gonna last.
“Yeah, I guess we are.”
-------------------
The next couple weeks were the last weeks before summer break causing the pack to get ready for finals and testing. Things had gotten better for Stiles; he started to hang out with the pack more and not just Jackson and Lydia.
Although they weren’t best of buds Stiles soon became closer to the rest of the pack and Derek started to come around more to hang out with Stiles. Stiles could honestly say that this was much better than what had been his life in a long time. Stiles felt like he finally had people that maybe we're looking out for him as much as he was looking out for them.
Erica, Boyd and Allison even kept close to Stiles for a while even after Stiles was fully healed. Stiles knew they were just worried but he kind of liked the attention because it showed that they actually cared for him.
It wasn’t till one day when Lydia and Jackson were in Stiles' jeep when they got to Stiles' room when they walked about to his door a large symbol was etched into it. Stiles didn’t recognize the symbol itself but he knew that symbols like these were symbols of other packs. Stiles learned from all his research that bigger packs had well known symbols such as the Hale triskelion.
“What is it? What does it mean?” Lydia asked. Stiles looked to the symbol before bringing out his phone to call Derek to warn the rest of the pack.
“It’s a warning from another pack. A warning that they are on their way and want to take land for their own. A declaration of war.”