Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Honestly he doesn't even know why he's surprised, given the last year and a half that he had he shouldn't be. Given the rogue Peter incident that started all this, and then the Kanima, then the alpha pack Darach combo, and worse of all by far the Nogitsune. Supernatural happenings shouldn't really surprise him much anymore but yet he can't get over the fact that no he indeed had not fallen asleep at the roots of the ancient sacrificial tree that looms above him, and would like a reasonable explanation as to why then he finds himself waking up under it a distant buzz echoing through his very bones. 

As he takes in his surroundings he thinks offhandedly if this could possibly be another attempt by the nogitsune to break him. Maybe their victory had all been a sick trick giving him the false notion maybe things could get back to a beacon hills standard of normal.

Yet the thought didn't linger for long, replaced then by a faint voice in his head that oddly calms him, it's words seeming ancient and unknowable at the moment. And for a brief moment he basks in the peaceful feeling that works it's way through his being but all good things must come to an end.

Panic started building in his ribcage taking the little air and awareness he had right out of him as he could more feel than hear his breath start to quicken. The world seemed to spin in the opposite direction, a swirl of colors swimming past his vision as he took a strenuous breath, feeling his lungs burn in protest, he could feel his hearts rapid beat resonating through his ears. In hindsight maybe he should have just stayed at Scott's like he asked, but things between them seemed a little tense after everything went down, and even though the thought stabbed into his chest leaving him gasping for air he decided to let it slide and just take the night off. Never would he listen to his gut again.

"Stiles?" A voice called out, one all too familiar, a voice that brought to mind a glowing piercing blue.

Stiles whipped his head around his eyes locking with Derek who for the situation at hand looked annoyingly calm. Stiles' eyes widen even more as he suddenly realized he was wearing nothing but his batman boxers (they're comfortable sue him).

"Stiles are you alright? Your heart is beating a mile a minute." Derek says, his voice concerned as he takes a step forward. 

Stiles' first reaction was to play it off. "Oh I'm fine just going for an early morning run." 

"Well first it's 3PM and second you don't run." Derek snorts, his previous concern seemingly gone.

"I run." Stiles muttered.

"Stiles, what the hell are you doing out here and why aren't you wearing clothes?" Derek sniffed the air. "And why do you smell like that?"

"Smell like what?" Stiles asked genuinely confused.

"Like nature but electrified. To be honest you smell a bit like Deaton." Derek supplied

Stiles stared back completely dumbfounded. "I don't know dude I just work here." Stiles replied lamely.

Derek didn't respond the only change being how high his eyebrows were set. (Seriously did this man get a surgery to make his eyebrows that expressive and if so how much was it).

"Well, as lovely as this conversation has been it's actually quite cold out here and I'd like to get some clothes on." Stiles said as he started in the direction he assumed his house was in.

"Stop right there." Derek spoke his voice sending a shiver down Stiles' back. Stiles turned on his heel so that he was facing Derek again. "Where do you think you're going? Certainly not through town I hope." Derek rolled his eyes crossing his arms.

Stiles looked down at his barren chest and barely covered legs and lack of socks (because if you sleep with socks you are the spawn of the devil). He looked back up to Derek his cheeks slightly flushed. "You wouldn't happen to maybe possibly please want to bring me home so my dad doesn't have to arrest me for walking through downtown half naked?" Stiles basically begged.

Derek just rolled his eyes walking back from the direction he seemingly came from. Stiles just watched him walk away for a moment wondering if the former alpha was really about to make him walk half naked like a mile back to his house.

"What are you waiting for my cars parked this way." Derek called over his shoulder sounding just ever so pleased to be offering his services.

It took a second for the words to get from Stiles' brain to his legs but after that moment of just awkwardly standing there he was hot on Derek's trail.

Soon they came upon Derek's car and Stiles eyes shoot open cause that's not the camero instead he's being lead to a 1967 Chevy impala, which Stiles to his credit had seen around town but never really connected it to Derek of all people then again Derek does like exclusively wear leather jackets so the sleek black vehicle matched him in a way.

"Jesus Der, when did you get this beauty and can you get me one for my birthday preferably in red?" Stiles said taking his time admiring the car as if it was a precious treasure that should be preserved and not driven around as a simple vehicle.

"I got it back when I was on my way back up here from South America after helping Cora adapt to her new pack." Derek's voice faltered a bit at that last part Stiles decided not to push any further.

"And?" Stiles questioned.

"And what?" Derek said opening the door and stepping into the car. (It should be illegal to look that cool while having the same wardrobe as the fonz).

Stiles opened the passenger side door sitting down feeling the leather seats conform to his back the knot in his back from apparently sleeping on the forest floor letting out a crack as he sunk back into it. "Annnd are you going to get me one?" Stiles clarified, maybe Derek hadn't understood what he had said.

"No Stiles I'm not spending my money to buy you a car you already have your jeep you don't need another car." Derek snorted as he pulled off heading towards a main road.

"Hey, I love Roscoe as much as the next guy but let's be honest she's a relic more a decoration for the driveway than an actual road ready vehicle." Stiles retorted 

"Stiles, I'm.Not.Buying.You.A.Car." Derek said punctuating every word leaving Stiles feeling like a dismissed toddler.

Stiles huffed looking out the window disgruntled. (Yes he's aware he's not being mature but come on it's a 67 impala). As they hit the main road Stiles shrunk down in the seat hoping nobody would see his lack of clothes and proximity to Derek Hale and think the two had anything to do with eachother no nuance here.

"So are you going to tell me what you were doing out in the preserve?" Derek questioned startling stiles into his patented flail.

Stiles' eyes fell on Derek suddenly the thought of this is all a trick hit him again like a brick. "Um, well to be totally honest I don't know I don't remember leaving my bed." Stiles said his frame smaller still than his voice.

Derek's eyebrows shot up in concern. "You don't think this has anything to do with the fox that shall not be named do you?" Derek asked gently.

"I mean it has crossed my mind a couple of times but for some reason I just feel like this is something different I dont know it's like there is no sinister feeling of existential dread that comes along with the nogitsune." Stiles explained feeling a bit more confident in not being possessed.

"So what you just go on late night walks in the preserve that you just don't remember now?" Derek asked sounding confused as all hell. 

"Well I'm not saying this is normal or even a reoccurring thing I just don't feel like this is a nogitsune type thing." Stiles responded thoughtfully.

"Ok so if not the nogitsune what? Cause don't think I'm not aware of where it was I found you." Derek responded sounding serious but concerned.

"That's what I want to figure out. My best guess is it has something to do with the bond Scott Allison and me formed with the fuck ass tree." Stiles responded sounding irritated the longer he spoke. "So that means I have to go ask Deaton if he has any clue as to what could be happening. Which im not excited for I hate asking Dumbledore for anything he always has to make everything a riddle." Stiles rolled his eyes.

Derek sniffed the air again seeming to be off put by whatever it is he can smell. "Stiles you need to figure out where that smell is coming from its the most distracting thing ever." Derek said pulling a face so human and distraught that Stiles wonders if he is infact dreaming.

"Yeah sure I'll add it to my list of shit I have to do." Stiles said with fake cheeriness.

The rest of the ride was silent but comfortable as Derek pulled up to the Stilinski household Stiles' face paled. Is that yep that definitely is his father's squad car stationed outside of the house. And with that Stiles is screwed because 'oh hey dad no don't mind the fact that I have no clothes on and just walked in the house at 3PM after being gone for however long without saying anything it's nothing really' isn't going to cut it.

Stiles let out a sigh that would blow away a small family of elephants given the chance and bows his head stepping out of the car. Turning back to Derek with a small forced smile. "Thanks Derbear I'll text you later with any updates. If I'm not dead that is." Stiles laughed humorouslessly.

Derek ever the conversationalist simply nodded waiting for Stiles to close the car door which he did with a eye roll and a scoff. As the door closed Derek gave him a curt wave before speeding of into the afternoon wind. And Stiles was left there at the curb still with nothing covering him save for the bat signal he sighed embracing the freedom while he still had it and walked up to the door knocking on it with one last exhale.

Chapter Text

When the door opened Stiles put on his best nonchalant this is normal face. "Hey daddy-o great weather we've been having this week huh?" Stiles said, as he stepped in the house letting the door close behind him. "You seem like you were enjoying your afternoon so I'm just going to leave you to it, and I'll go put some clothes on and finish my econ homework for tomorrow." Stiles says, as he tries to slip past his dad up the stairs.

"Not so fast. Here now." His father said calmly but his tone suggested murder.

Stiles fumbled his way to his father giving him an awkward smile. "Whatcha need pop?" Stiles asked, trying his best to act as if nothing is strange about this situation.

"Would you like to explain yourself? I've been calling all around looking for you. Where the hell were you?" Noah asked, his voice portraying his limited control in the moment. 

"Well interesting thing is I actually have no idea how I got out the house, I swear I went to sleep in my bed but when I woke up I was well not." Stiles supplied hoping that would be enough. (It of course wasn't.)

"Oh is that so? And where pray tell where you when you woke up?" Noah asked, sounding just about at his wits end.

"Oh nowhere special, just our favorite local sacrificial hub of supernatural weirdness." Stiles said nonchalantly, an air of stupidity clouding his tone.

"You've got to be kidding me this isn't a Kanima thing is it?" The sheriff groaned.

"No, well I'm not sure what it is but it doesn't fit the Kanima MO usually a Kanima would kill someone, not drag them from their beds into the forest to the literal beacon of supernatural shenanigans in this accursed town." Stiles explained like it was a normal Sunday, seriously wondering when this became a normal conversation.

"So no Kanima?" Noah said his eyes landing back on Stiles seeming worried, the wrinkles across his forehead swimming through tides of concern.

"No Kanima no , but potentially something much worse but also possibly nothing at all." Stiles supplied.

"I'm too old for this." Noah sighed, his age laid bare against the sun weathered background of his skin. "Go put some clothes on, and you better hope none of the neighbors decide to complain about a spastic teenager running around half naked. That would not be a great start to my shift if I'm being honest." 

"Well that shouldn't be a problem Derek gave me a ride from the preserve." Stiles said before thinking, instantly regretting it as his father's face takes on a serious and bewildered expression.

"Derek? What does Derek ex-suspect in a murder investigation Hale have to do with this?" Noah asked motioning vaguely to Stiles' state of undress, looking ready to fill a certain moody werewolf full of righteous lead infused with wolfsbane.

"What? Nothing he was patrolling the preserve and found me after I woke up and thankfully was generous enough to give me a ride." Stiles answered flailing, seriously considering getting a lobotomy. Vaguely he wonders if Eichen still does them or if his golden opportunity was dashed before he was born.

Noah looked unconvinced but resigned. "Just go get dressed Stiles." He sighed heavily, turning on his heel heading towards the door.

"Ok, but really this has nothing to do with Derek." He calls out to his father's retreating form who promptly ignored him. "Dad?" He questioned before resigning himself to his room pulling on a pair of jeans and a t-shirt.

With the silence the distant buzz in his bones returned but this time it was much more apparent, more at the forefront than it had been before. He for a moment wondered if he forgot to take his Adderall and maybe that's what this feeling was, he'd been on his medication for so long he can't quite remember what it's like to be off them. But the thought was cut off by the once faint whisper in his mind suppling him with another reason to panic.

It's words curled around his mind a serpentine feeling of awareness demanding his attention.

'Mieczyslaw dlaczego mieszasz' the strangely familiar voice called. (Why do you stir Mieczyslaw)

Ok so that's not normal right? He doesn't hear voices that's Lydia's thing and she can keep it as far as this 147 pounds of pale skin is concerned. It's bad enough he's traipsing through the woods at night he doesn't need the full banshee experience, finding bodies doesn't sound too sexy to him.

'wygladasz na zmartwionego psote.' the words seemed to form themselves in his mind, gripping his attention as if annoyed with his rogue thoughts. (You seem troubled mischief).

That's it he's officially crazy.

'Nie jestes szalony pstoy, rzeczy byly przed toba ukryte, ale teraz wszystko zoatanie ujawnioñe.' the voice responded, it's sweet tone off put by it's general intrusion.(You aren't crazy mischief things were hidden from you but now all will be revealed).

What the hell does that mean? What does this voice mean things were hidden from him? And what does it mean things will be revealed? And why the hell is it speaking in polish? And why does it keep calling him mischief it's been far too long since anyone has called him that.

But the voice was silent apparently direct answers were a no go lovely, just his luck a strange Polish man pillow talking him in his mind is just what he needed on top of the sleepless nights and bi-weekly panic attacks coupled with crippling dissociation that would send a psychiatrist into a coma.

Given the increasingly distressing events of today Stiles is going to need someone to brainstorm with. Because he'll be damned if he's just going to except having a strange Polish voice in his head calling him a name that leaves his chest achingly hollow. With that he shot a text to the pack group chat he had insisted they have after the past year of ridiculous supernatural shenanigans, Scott had tried to fight him on it but the rest of the pack convinced him it was a good idea. Which in and of itself felt yet another casam between the two since the Nogitsune had gone on a Stiles centric revenge binge on people who had nothing to do with his entrapment. Stiles puts it to the back of his mind for later catastrophizing as he hears the ding of his notifications.

Yeti

'Ok so 9-1-1 on the supernatural front something is happening'

True Puppy

'What happened is someone hurt!?'

Yeti

'Not exactly, I'll explain at Deaton's clinic all hands on deck'

Captn. Eyebrows

'I'll be there, don't take too long 

He didn't even wait for a response throwing on some shoes and a red button up flannel and grabbed his car keys. Heading out the door like a bat out of hell. As he got into his car he found his phone lighting up with messages from the pack chat ignoring it and driving to the clinic not minding speed suggestions.

Chapter Text

As he pulled up he was surprised to see the beautiful 67 impala already sitting outside the clinic. Almost as surprised as he was to see Derek casually leaning against it seemingly waiting for the others to arrive before heading in.

Stiles pulled up next to Derek's car, giving it enough space to fit a tractor trailer. He stumbled out of his Jeep walking over to Derek who looked wholly uninterested.

"Wow you got here fast I sent out that text like 10 minutes ago." Stiles started.

"Yeah you said it was an emergency and then stopped answering I wanted to get here as soon as I could." Derek responded like it wasn't the single most caring thing he's ever said.

"Yeah well why are you waiting out here isn't it more comfortable to sit in the clinic. It's probably gonna be another 10 minutes before anyone actually gets here." Stiles inquired.

"Deaton wigs me out. He has this air about him like everything he says is some kind of grandiose revelation." Derek rolled his eyes.

"Oh my God I've been saying that for years but Scott insist that I'm too 'untrusting' and need to 'give him a chance'." Stiles scoffed his eyes setting on their own rotation.

"Yeah well Scott could use with a little less blatant trust it's dangerous not only for him but for his pack." Derek said sounding like he had already brought this up multiple times.

"I hear you there the only one who should be making decisions is me since I'm always right." Stiles stated bluntly.

"I'll hand it to you, your crackpot theories usually end up having more weight in reality than we give you credit for." Derek admitted and though genuine still felt pained.

"Glad to see that someone else can see my impeccable genius." Stiles says proudly.

"Now let's not get ahead of ourselves there you're still a spastic dunce just one that happens to have better intuition than the rest of your ragtag group of strays." Derek snorted. 

This is something Stiles has noticed since, Boyd and Erica died. It's easier for him to get Derek to open up almost like seeing the former alpha at such a low point in his life second only to the Hale fire had cemented a bond between the two. Along with Derek's openness comes Derek's sense of humor which surprisingly isn't hot dog shit. (Who knew?)

Stiles found himself snorting along with Derek, all his disembodied Polish voice worries melting away. As he sobered from one of his bouts of hysteria Scott's dirt bike came swerving into the parking lot as if the road behind it was on fire poor Allison throwing herself to solid ground as soon as the bike stopped. Following closely were the Former alpha twins Aiden having Lydia on the back of his bike and Ethan having Danny on his. And slowly but surely the whole pack had arrived everyone talking over and to each other before Scott stood in front of the clinic door and walked in. Slowly the pack followed after their alpha conversation dying down.

Scott stood in the examination room his face set Allison looking supportive by his side. "So Stiles what's going on?" Scott spoke his voice serious and demanding respect.

"Ok so when I say this I don't want anyone getting weird about it there's a small chance this is nothing and I'm overreacting but let's be honest when do I ever actually overreact and not end up being right." Stiles ranted shortly.

"Whatever it is Stiles spit it out some of us have actually important things to do." Scott barked and wow that hurt but Stiles just gave Scott a semi-hurt semi-confused look before continuing.

"Well ok, um. So I woke up this afternoon at the nemeton with no memory of how I got there and since then I've had this strange buzzing feeling in my rib cage and there's this random voice speaking Polish in my head and I'm a little concerned." Stiles finished feeling dejected.

Scott's face warped from one of annoyance to fear. "But we defeated the nogitsune." 

"Yeah I know. And I don't think this a nogitsune thing." Stiles responded not making eye contact.

"Then what is it?" Lydia piped up.

"Well that's why we're here I was hoping Deaton would have some ideas." Stiles responded his eyes falling on said 'vet'.

Deaton's expression was one of total indifference. "Well I'm not too sure on what to make of this Mr. Stilinski." Deaton replied his words feeling elusive.

"Mr. Stilinski is my father. I'm Stiles." He replied instinctually.

"My apologies Mr. Stiles." Deaton responded and if Stiles didn't know any better he'd think it was an attempt at humor.

Stiles rolled his eyes. "So you have no idea why any of this could be happening? Like this couldn't be one of those binding your eternal soul to a sacrifice tree side effects you were oh so forthcoming about?" Stiles snarked.

"As I've stated before the nemeton ritual you Scott and Allison performed had some effects on your psyche leaving you open to mental and spiritual attacks. And while it could definitely be connected I'm unsure whether they are as connected as it may first appear." Deaton responded vague as ever.

"And what does that mean?" Stiles asked disgruntled. 

"To put it simply the nemeton is a beacon for the supernatural it pulls supernatural creatures towards it. So either your bound with the nemeton has had some fuge state like effects or you Mr. Stiles are a supernatural being." Deaton smirked. (What's so funny about this to smirk)

Chapter Text

Maybe if he kept staring at Deaton he'll start laughing and explain what is actually happening. Because there is no way the Vet had meant what he had just said, surely he'd misunderstood.

"Um I'm sorta new here but isn't Stiles like one of the only three humans in the pack I thought that was like his thing well that and neurodivergence." Liam, Scott's first (and hopefully last) bitten Beta questioned seeming more lost than usual.

"Yeah what the time bomb of wolfy rage said." Stiles reiterated. Liam glared at him darkly. "What? I agreed with you." Stiles shrugged as Liam rolled his eyes.

"Yes, while as to our knowledge Stiles is still human. But I have a bit of a theory looking over recent events." Deaton smiled (seriously can this man read a room?) 

"Care to share Capitan chuckles?" Stiles asked irritated.

"Well there is president to think that perhaps when Scott gave the Nogitsune the bite while he was still connected to you the bites power transferred to you through that connection." Deaton responded sounding proud of himself. (What the hell was he so giddy for?)

"So I'm a werewolf?" Stiles said his breath hitching.

"Not necessarily there's a chance you are something else like Ms. Martin." Deaton responded.

Stiles eyes bulged as he looked around the room for anyone to say anything. As he looked around he noted that about half the pack was looking at him with pity and the other fear. And it punched him in the stomach that they were afraid not for him but of him.

The revelation must've reached his face because suddenly half his friends were looking away from him as if not looking at him erased what he just saw.

"Wow. So that's how it is?" Stiles scoffed feeling betrayed, a small part of his mind laughing at how obvious this had been.

"Look Stiles it's nothing about you in particular it's just the last time you were connected to the supernatural you- you almost killed a lot of the pack not to mention the people who did die." Scott tried to reassure his words feeling like knives stabbing at his chest.

Stiles looked up at his 'best friend' and he saw nothing but a stranger he's been ignoring it for weeks ever since even before the nogitsune. And he'll if he's being honest since that day they went to find that stupid body Scott has been different beyond just lycanthropy. It's like he feels like Stiles is just an obstacle someone he had to protect and not his friend for over a decade. But now in this moment he can see it clear as day this isn't the kid he'd grown up with this was an alpha who all of a sudden didn't feel like his.

Stiles couldn't even find words the whole room seemed to be absent of air as he felt his eyes start to well up. He wanted to die wanted the earth to open up and swallow him whole. It was like all of a sudden he was in a room full of strangers a room full of eyes boring into his soul. 

"I-I-I-" He started but the lump that had formed in his throat choked out any words that might have made it past his lips.

"Look Stiles it isn't that we don't trust you it's just we can't be sure it's you." Scott tried again looking semi-remorseful.

"Scott!" Derek growled his booming voice taking the silence and murdering it.

"What you know I'm right!" Scott barked back.

"You are the dullest tool in the shed truly. That is supposed to be your best friend. Don't you think maybe he might want his friends support right now instead of whatever bullshit this is." Derek looked around the room at everyone looking at Stiles like he's a threat. "Look at all of you. Stiles has done more for you guys than you can ever know and this is how you treat him when he needs you? You should all be embarrassed to call yourselves a pack. You never turn your back on pack no matter the risk." Derek's voice was raw with dark emotions as if he himself was possessed.

As Stiles looked around the room he noticed that Isaac, Danny, Lydia, and surprisingly Jackson were all looking at each other having a mini conversation between themselves nodding seemingly having made a decision.

"Hey, you can't talk to me like that I'm the alpha and I have to worry about my whole pack and their safety. You are in no position to being telling me anything especially about my best friend who I've known most of my life." Scott said his eyes burning crimson, and his voice thick with the authority of an alpha.

"You may be an alpha but you aren't a good one and you are certainly not mine." Derek said his eyes flaring their icy blue. Stiles was completely flabbergasted.

A) Scott just looked at him as a threat to the pack.

B) So had half the pack.

C) Derek had defended his honor.

D) Scott just tired to pull the I'm the Alpha card on the poster child of the phrase.

E) Derek had stood his ground and declared Scott not to be his Alpha.

"Um guys I think things are getting a bit out of hand." Liam tried meekly.

Scott whipped his head around his eyes burning even brighter at his Beta who's entire demeanor had changed from meek to horrified. "Are you questioning me Liam?" Scott questioned his voice taking on a darker tone empty of any warmth the teen once had. "And you." He said turning back to Derek. "If you aren't a part of my pack you can't be in my packs territory." Scott boomed his eyes never dulling.

"Scott, what the hell? You can't just kick him out of beacon hills this is his home and it was his family's territory. It would just be cruel to make him leave." Danny spoke up.

"Wanna bet it might have been Hale territory before but it's mine now I'm the alpha what I says goes if you don't like it there's the door. See if I stop you." Scott huffed, his glare sending shivers down Danny's back who turned away.

"I'm not going anywhere." Derek said his eyes glazing with primordial frost, his voice stern and threatening.

"Are you challenging me?" Scott growled, taking a threatening step forward.

Derek stood his ground a low growl forming in his throat. "Trust me it wouldn't be much of a challenge seeing as though you can barely accept your wolf let alone use its abilities to their fullest potential. I'm warning you Scott I'm not going anywhere." Derek said his voice wavering between a growl and a snarl.

"Oh my God enough!" Lydia hollered. "You are both so ridiculous picking fights over things that shouldn't even be in question it's Stiles for fuck sake it's not as if he would hurt any of us. And as for your whole 'last time you were connected to the supernatural' bullshit McCall, he was possessed its not as if he woke and decided you know what I want an evil fox spirit to Inhabit my body and kill a bunch of people. So don't put that on him just because one of those almost murdered people was your girlfriend, cause if we're being honest that's the only reason you even cared to begin with. I'm tired of pretending that I can't see it, you're a shit friend McCall and apparently a shit person trying to throw a werewolf out of the territory that is rightfully his absolutely ridiculous." Lydia rattled off as if she's been saving it up. "And Allison I can't even look at you right now. How can you stand by and watch this happen? Do you not see what this is? It's not just some dispute. It's an ultimatum, get in line or get out. He's actively letting us know if we don't follow what he deems is right we are out of the pack." Allison looks conflicted before her face takes on a determination that would cut through steel, as she takes another step towards Scott looking down at the ground. Lydia scoffs flipping her hair.

Jackson looked conflicted before he too spoke up. "Look McCall as much as I despise Stilinski I think it's a bit much to treat him as the newest beacon hills monster of the minute. Even if he is supernatural why does that automatically make him a threat if you haven't noticed everyone in this room besides Allison and Danny are supernatural and I don't see you treating them any different than usual. And don't give me that bullshit about him being dangerous, I was a homicidal lizard for months and you still let me in the pack knowing I still had some Kanima traits." 

"You know what I don't have to deal with this anyone who wants to go against my word as alpha can consider themselves excused from the pack I don't need any of you to build a pack. So don't feel like you have to stay." Scott growled.

Everyone stood still for a moment first to leave was Stiles followed by Derek, Lydia, Danny, Jackson, and Isaac. Leaving Scott, Allison,Ethan, Liam and Aiden standing in the clinic alone.

Scott's breathing was heavy. "Good riddance."

Chapter Text

Well that was a week ago and since then Stiles has effectively avoided the remaining McCall pack somehow. And that small disembodied Polish man running around his mind has been inconsistent to put it lightly. Mostly providing encouraging speeches about things coming forth in due time or whatever the hell he said. He has woken up at the nemeton 3 times since the first and each time has left him more and more concerned.

Derek has even started making the nemeton one of his daily check for Stiles spots even before trying to call him. In all that, all that has really changed besides half of his old pack mates avoiding him like the plague is him wearing clothes to bed. 

He hasn't been back to Deaton's for further insight given the high chance the crooked jawed 'alpha' would be there, and while Stiles can appreciate being skittish about this. He simply can't get his mind around the fact that his best friend is no longer his best friend. That the stupid kid with asthma who had seen some sad kid and decided to make him his best friend, was no longer that kid. In hindsight he really should've seen this coming, but that's the funny thing hindsight doesn't do shit till it's too late.

He sighs at this very moment he sits at his desk the digital alarm clock set on his desk tells him it's 1:30AM and just his luck it's a school night. He sighs again deeper this time, leaning back in his chair letting his head fall back. As he stretched out he suddenly halted feeling a static awareness against the side of his head turning towards it just to lock eyes with a certain icy blue eyed Beta currently sitting outside his window. He was getting tired of this supernatural Spidey sense he seems to have acquired. But he says nothing simply walking over and opening the window letting Derek slide his way into the room. He's pretty used to it at this point, Derek had brought him back home each time he woke up entangled with the twisted roots, and apparently that meant Derek would also creep in his window whenever he felt like giving Stiles a mini heart attack.

"What's up Sourwolf?" Stiles asked his voice tired.

"You look a mess." Derek answered, straightening his leather jacket.

"Jeez, you sure do know how to make a lady feel special, look at me I'm blushing." Stiles deadpanned, giving Derek an unimpressed look.

"You need to sleep." Derek responded, instead of acknowledging Stiles' colorful expression.

"Why are you here? Is something happening?" Stiles deflected, not wanting to get into the whole I'd rather die of exhaustion than keep waking up at an ancient sacrifice tree everyday speal.

"I don't know how to put this lightly so I'm just going to say it. Stiles we have to help Jackson and Isaac they need a pack." Derek stated quickly, if Stiles didn't know any better he might think Derek was even being bashful, must be a trick of the light.

"Lovely and I'd truly love to help you with that but I'm having a bit of a supernatural identity crisis, I don't have the patients to add Alpha hunt to the list of shit I have to figure out." Stiles retorted defiantly.

Derek huffed looking like a disgruntled Labrador. "Stiles this isn't something that can wait they are already Omegas soon they'll be feral on top of that and then they'll have to be killed." 

"What about you aren't you an Omega?" Stiles asked curiously.

"It's different for me I'm a born wolf my wolf and my human halves were born together one has never existed without the other my wolf isn't going to lose control so easily." Derek responded, leaving Stiles baffled.(When did werewolves get so complicated?)

"So what do we do? We can't exactly summon an Alpha." Stiles pondered out loud, resigning himself to the miserable existence the world so obviously wanted him to have during his time on this lovely bit of celestial dust we do lovingly call Earth.

"The lack of an Alpha isn't the biggest problem here. You see in traditional packs, the bond between betas is mostly forged by them submitting to the same Alpha. They become one under the Alphas pack. Lack of those bonds is what causes an Omega to go feral, their wolf takes over they survive off instinct and instinct alone. There's no reasoning with a truly feral Omega. In some cases even the howl of an Alpha won't even have an effect on such an Omega." Derek explains, leaning against Stiles' bookcase.

"Ok, so I'm not seeing how that changes out situation. I mean you need an Alpha to form pack bonds right? Plus two wolves do not a pack make right?" Stiles questioned, taking a seat in his chair facing the brooding wolf.

"No but three wolves a banshee a Stiles and a human a pack does make." Derek snorted."And to answer your question the thing that forms a pack under an Alpha is the pack bonds Betas make with said Alpha tying all the Betas together under that Alpha." Derek elaborates, apparently not getting how Stiles is so lost.

"So how exactly are we planning on bonding the pups with no Alpha? I'm confused." Stiles says exasperated, giving the former Alpha a pleading look.

Derek sighed and rolled his eyes. "That's traditionally how Betas become pack by submitting to the same Alpha cementing pack bonds between them despite how likely they were to make them on their own. To put it another way there's two kinds of pack bonds those forged by the Betas to the Alpha and vice versa and the ones forged by Betas to other Betas. And while it is virtually unheard of to form pack bonds as Betas without an Alpha it isn't infact impossible. Actually that is usually how wolves from different packs realize they're mates pack bonds form between them even though they're in different packs under different Alphas." Derek replied, trying to really explain the difference the best he could.

"Oh, so basically pack bonds are what forms a pack. A Beta forms a bond with an Alpha and that bond also bonds the Beta to the other Betas bound to the Alpha, even if the Betas otherwise wouldn't have bonds. But when Betas bond with other Betas it's the same kind of bond just forged differently." Stiles summarizes, applying his own understanding to the man's words.

"Yes, in essence." Derek shrugged, seemingly pleased with Stiles' level of understanding.

"Ok wow I need to brush up on my pack dynamics." Stiles said breathlessly. "So where do we start?" 

The corner of Derek's mouth twitched upwards a look in his eye Stiles had never seen before, a look that given the right circumstances would have him on his knees begging for more. (Where the fuck did that come from?) Stiles could feel the blood rushing to all the wrong places and was morbidly aware of his heart speeding up slightly. Derek raised his eyebrows lightly scenting the air giving Stiles a dumbfounded look.

"Hello earth to Derek." Stiles teased ignoring the obvious display of Derek smelling his slight arousal. (He's had a rough week that's all yeah that's all)

Derek cleared throat. "Well first we need to get our rogue band of Omegas together wolf and otherwise preferably before somebody gets maimed." Derek said noticably more removed from the conversation than he previously had been. (Seriously why can't anybody ever just pretend not to notice things?)

"Ok so to recap we need to somehow get Jackson,Isaac,Danny, Lydia, you, and me all in a room after not speaking for a week. Somehow get us all to bond together all pack like and then what just not acknowledge Scott and the rest of his merry band of bastards? And what about Kira she wasn't at the pack meeting. Last I heard she went off for the week, she should be back tomorrow though." Stiles explained, feeling like this was going to be a bit less straight forward than he'd have imagined.

"Pretty much right now is about keeping the wolves in control. Leave Kira to her own devices I'm sure she'll stick by Scott through this she seems to have a bit of a crush on him and I'm pretty sure her and Scott had a fling while him and Allison weren't talking. It's best to not do anything that could be seen as trying to poach his pack that's not something we are ready to deal with right now." Derek responded seriously, noticably more upset.

"Ok um quick question how does on form pack bonds?" Stiles asked. "Like I get it has something to do with spending time with each other and whatever but like is there some custom for it? Like an official we're pack ceremony under the light of the full moon as we run through the woods or something?"

"You're not too far off about the running on a full moon but that's more of a full moon celebration than an binding ritual. What forms pack bonds is mutual trust and respect, and a willingness to put your life on the line for each other no matter what, to put each other before yourselves and knowing that the other is doing the same." Derek answered as if it was the simplest thing to do.

"Yeah alright sounds simple enough just one problem are you forgetting that these are high schoolers we are talking about not really the poster children for mutual devotion and commitment here." Stiles said, his voice raising a couple octaves.

Derek growled lowly sending electricity shooting down Stiles' back. "I never said it was easy that's why I need your help, you seem to understand people in a way I don't maybe that's due to you overly extroverted nature or some kind of extra perceptiveness that comes with being an overreactive spaz or what but I think that will be key to helping these Betas bond." Derek bit out his voice becoming softer as the sentence went on.

"Um thanks?" Stiles responded dumbly. "Ok so if we are going to do this it's going to need to be strategic starting with the people most likely to form bonds right now that's sadly all in Jackson's favor due to Danny and Lydia both having strong emotional connections to him. Which I'm inferring is like the first step build emotional connection then comes trust and eventually pack bonds?" Stiles offered.

"It's definitely a starting point." Derek smiled." Ok, so we know where to start but how about from there? And what about Isaac?" Derek inquired, seeming more and more excited. It was almost euphoric to watch him being excited about building a pack. Not like before out of a need for power against an outside enemy but a want, a desire to help two fellow Omegas in need, and for a moment Stiles can actually picture it. Them a pack of their own probably living in a rebuilt Hale house.he can see them living everyday with each other, all of them an integral part of each other none ever fully whole without the others. A true family one tested by time and struggle but stand strong in the face of it all.

"Well on the Isaac front that's up to you. To start with you're going to have to break down some of those 'I'm Derek and I don't have emotions' walls around your heart, and let the little runt get close." Stiles said raising his eyebrow when Derek looks like he's about to argue. "Nope you asked for my help this is me helping and obviously it's not going to be one on one of this ragtag group of banished Omegas is going to become a pack it's going to have to be together. I'll take charge on assigning each wolf their pack bond forming buddies. You get Isaac. He was your second Beta there's already that binding you to each other. You're actually going to have to bond with both Jackson and Isaac much for the same reason. I guess you're going to have to be pseudo Alpha in this, meaning you'll fill the role of Alpha and all that entails even if you still only have those icy blue beauties, and because this is going to take time I'll have you start bonding with Isaac first, and once Jackson bonds with either Lydia or Danny you'll start to build a bond with him as well. I'd suggest you also get close to whoever Jackson doesn't bond with get a different view of Jackson than what you've experienced. It'll make it easier for you to open up to him if you have more of a connection to him. And once you Isaac and Jackson are officially pack mates Jackson and Isaac can form bonds between them. After that we don't have to really worry and bonds will form between all of us eventually. Cause I'm assuming wolves can form bonds with humans as well as supernaturals that aren't wolves, given the fact that the OG Hale pack was both wolf and human." Stiles decides as he thinks things over.

"I knew I was right to come to you with this. See you're already acting as Denmaker and you don't even know what that is. If I didn't know you I would think you were a born wolf." Derek said his smile making stiles feel like he was floating. (Seriously what is going on does he need to beat it that bad?)

Stiles cleared his throat again feeling awkward. "Yeah well I am myself a gift Mr. Hale." Stiles grins, the awkwardness fading.

"Sure a gift." Derek said sarcastically though there was an air of affection behind his words. "Get some sleep Stiles you need it don't worry about the whole supernatural thing too much, whatever you are will be great Stiles because it's you." He finished with a smile, before climbing back out the window as if he was never there to begin with.

Chapter Text

School since the nogitsune has been weird, and that was before the pack split down the middle. Now it was ground zero for awkwardness and pointed stares, like the one being tossed at him by one seriously pissed off looking Scott. Stiles refuses to acknowledge Scott and his evil glare especially since the only reason Scott is glaring is because he expects Stiles to apologize, like he was the one who ruined things which he isn't.

Lydia is giving him an annoyed look from across the table. "I thought we were ignoring Benedict alpha." She said, her voice heavy with distain.

"I'm trying to! He won't stop glaring at me, it's freaking me out!" Stiles exclaims, his eyes falling back to the beautiful strawberry blonde goddess.

"Then stop looking at him. I did not get alphaed out of the clinic just for you to go crawling back to McCall cause you can't resist his dog like ways." Lydia basically hissed.

Stiles sighed giving Lydia his full attention.

"So tell me have you figured out what you are yet?" Lydia prompted after gaining his attention.

"No not yet. Derek has had some dumbass theories but none have panned out so far." Stiles sighs, sinking into his seat.

"So you and Derek huh?" Lydia asks, her eyebrow climbing her forehead.

"Me and Derek what?" Stiles questions, confusion racking him.

"Oh nevermind. So you and Derek have been researching together?" Lydia chuckles lightly, her tone carrying a tone that let Stiles know whatever she was getting at went directly over his head.

"Yeah. Well together is pushing it. More like Derek sneaks in my window whenever he feels like it and then demands I look into whatever obscure creature he's decided I might be." Stiles says rolling his eyes. "Of course I appreciate his 'help' but jeez you'd think the born werewolf would I don't know, maybe know something about the supernatural."

Isaac flops unceremoniously into the seat next to Stiles' dropping his lunch tray in the table like it had personally offended him. Ever since Scott had kicked them out of the pack Isaac has been taking it the worst, his control was slipping he was more irritable more dangerous. He had even almost maimed a freshman during a lacrosse game, and had been benched for the season good thing Jackson was there to stop him cause Scott just watched from the other end of the field.

"God this place fucking reeks." Isaac seethed.

"Hey do you kiss your-" Stiles started but stopped himself remembering just who he was talking to.

"Save it Stilinski I'm really not up for you and your mouth today." Isaac said, his voice leaving no room for debate.

"Well obviously somebody's been eating pissed soaked Cheerios." Stiles huffs, honestly feeling a bit insulted.

"Yeah well you try having all your packages bonds snapped in a single instant and tell me how you like it." Isaac snaps, his eyes illuminating giving his glare a dangerous edge.

"Ok, sorry. I get it this sucks but me and Derek have a plan, we're all going to meet at the loft after school. Once we're there I'll explain it all and we can get on to fixing up the puppies." Stiles reassures, placing a hand on Isaac's shoulder.

At the contact Isaac seems to relax a bit. Stiles gives him a once over noting how he looks drained. His eyes have an emptiness to them that you'd expect to find at a funeral, the way his shoulders were raised as if he was ready for an attack at any moment. As he took in the state Isaac was in he felt a protectiveness wrap itself around his heart, and suddenly the thought that Scott had done this to him for no other reason than him disagreeing with him made a fury he'd never felt etch it's way to the surface. "We're going to fix this Isaac I swear." He says his voice unfamiliar with the intensity of his intention.

Soon after they fell into a lull. Scott was still staring at stiles with a look of hatred and it made Stiles' stomach turn with disgust. The bell rang signaling the end of the fine dining experience that is high school lunch, Stiles could feel the irritation building as Scott got up from his seat. He decided to ignore the alpha as he got out of his own seat rushing out the cafeteria like a bat out of hell. He had better things to do than placate Scott's feelings right now.

He was on his way to his next class, which thankfully had Jackson and Danny as fellow classmates. But as he rounded the last corner he was greeted with the last face he expected. Standing between him and one less headache was Liam Dunbar. Stiles had to admit sending the puppy eyed time bomb was probably better than cornering him into talking but still dick move. 

"Stiles, Scott wants to talk to you in the locker room." Liam let out, looking pissed. Honestly if it wasn't for his role as messenger he would've found the whole thing hilarious.

"I've actually gotta get to class but raincheck." Stiles says, stepping around the mini wolf rushing to his class. Just as he thought he was in the clear he heard a growl, right before he was yanked by his collar to the locker room.

If you would've told Stiles that at his grown age of 17 he would be kidnapped by an especially angry 15 year old werewolf, even a week ago he would've laughed in your face but now it's not so funny as it is embarrassing. He watches as waves of classmates watch him get manhandled by what by his standards is a child, and all his hopes for future popularity die a slow agonizing death. Figures he'd become the laughing stock once again it was really only a matter of time the gods were being far to kind.

When they finally make it to the locker room Stiles is reasonably pissed. Even moreso when his eyes fall on the crooked jawed alpha standing in the corner with his arms crossed. 

"Heya Scott, thanks for the escort he did beautifully seriously you should give him a raise." Stiles scoffed, giving Scott a look that would send a Victorian child into a coma.

"Cut the shit Stiles, what are you and Derek up to?" Scott demands his eyes flaring red. Stiles can feel his face morph into one of rage.

"Are you fucking serious?" Stiles snarled standing up straight, his eyes burning holes into Scott's eyes. "That's what you wanted to talk about? Are you really that fucking dense?" Stiles snapped, the words falling from his lips a hot vile spew.

"Yes that's what I want to talk about. This is my territory you are outsiders in it. I need to know what you're up to so that I know my pack is safe, what else would there be to talk about." Scott spoke, his voice calm and infuriating.

"I don't know maybe how you left your betas without an alpha knowing exactly what that would do to them." Stiles spat, the disgust and anger seeping into every syllable dripping with distain and venom.

"I'm the alpha I gave them a choice they chose. What happens to them now is on you." Scott responded simply, not reacting even in the slightest.

"Exactly, it's on me what happens to them. So that means that what me and Derek do with them has nothing to do with you I suggest you try teaching your betas common decency instead of worrying about mine." Stiles snaps back, his stare daring Scott to challenge him. He can see Scott's jaw clench and the embers of power flickering in his eyes as he held onto control.

"You are making this more difficult than it has to be. Stop acting like a fucking toddler and grow up. This isn't some game you get to play or some puzzle you have to solve. This is real life, and whether you and Derek want to admit that or not doesn't change a thing. I'm the alpha this is my territory and I will protect it, don't become something I have to protect it from. You were my brother once, that should mean something to you." Scott finished, walking out of the room followed by his beta, who threw him a empathetic glance as he left. 

He sat there for a minute letting it sink in that yes that did just happen, no it isn't a dream, and yes this is entirely out of his league. The ring of the bell shook him out of his daze. Great now he's late to class.

He makes his way to class getting scolded by the teacher, not that he hears it something about 'if you're going to fail my class might as well at least be on time' he just nods and sits in his seat behind Danny.

"Yo, Stilinski what's your problem?" Jackson asks from next to Danny. "You smell like despair and desperation." 

"Be at Derek's after school both of you it's not optional." Stiles answered not even giving him a glance.

The rest of the school day came and went. Stiles found himself at Derek's loft with Derek,Lydia, Jackson, and Danny. 

"So we've gathered all you here today, to commence pack bonding goodness." Stiles announced, trying for optimistic but failing miserably.

"Are we seriously about to waste our time with this?" Isaac scoffs. "Cause as I remember it neither of you are alphas, and the last time that one." He points at Derek. "Was an alpha damn near his whole pack died. So really I'd love to see how you two morons have turned this into some delusion of a pack." 

"Damn Lahey, laying it on a bit thick aren't we?" Jackson smiled."Buy no what he said. No offense, well actually I don't care how you take this. Neither of you scream true alpha to me so I'm listening for some explanation as to why I'm standing here instead of going and finding Satome and begging her to enlighten me or whatever they do." 

"Well one, Satome would sooner invite the nogitsune into her pack than you, and two we don't need an alpha geniuses. Now if you wouldn't mind shutting he fuck up and listening instead of pointing out perceived faults in something you have no information on we'd like to explain everything to you m'kay." Stiles said condescendingly. 

They spent the next few hours explaining everything, answering everyone's questions and all in all things went better after that. Isaac had let it slip that he had kinda hoped he wouldn't have to go back to Scott with his tail between his legs. Apparently he had been sick of Scott's self righteous bullshit when he had worked with Deucalion even after everything with Erica and Boyd. 

They settled into stories about the fallen betas, and by the end of it were all snuggled in the living room. After a few hours of soaking in the peaceful embrace of their penguin huddle, Lydia had proclaimed it late enough that she refused to stay any later everyone left after that Isaac sticking around the latest. But he too left in a mutter of thanks and sorry, leaving Stiles and Derek the only two in the suddenly huge loft.

"So that went well you think it'll work out?" Stiles asked Derek, returning to the couch with two coffees.

"I think we have to try." Derek responded taking the offered mug.

"I just really hope this whole rag-tag pack thing works out because Scott is starting to get paranoid or something." Stiles sighs he sits on the couch next to the hulking werewolf.

Derek's eyebrows do their signature tango and he looks at Stiles. "Did something happen?" He asked placing his mug on the coffee table, turning to face Stiles.

"Nothing too worrying just Scott had the angry one kidnap me to have a 'talk'." Stiles rolls his eyes at the memory. "Spouting some bullshit about 'im the alpha rawr don't become a problem growl's really the whole thing was fucking ridiculous. And then he had the audacity to say 'we were brothers once, that should mean something to you' and fucking walk out! Like was I the one that decided my dick just had to be the biggest in some weird werewolf act of dominance thing because things aren't all sunshine and rainbows!" Stiles growled exacerbated.

Derek raised his eyebrows at that a small smirk playing at his lips, And as stiles looked into Derek's eyes he felt an indescribable surge of energy run through his entire body, he felt something slip out of its hold, a damn breaking letting out a flood. As this feeling inched it's way through his whole body he felt Derek's energy shift. He was no longer annoyed and slightly amused he was concerned? What was he so concerned about?

"Sti, your eyes they're-" Derek started but the words died on his tongue.

"What?" Stiles questioned a slight feeling of panic washing over him an unpleasant undercurrent to the power he felt raging through his veins.

"They're glowing purple." Derek said in awe. 

Stiles isn't too sure what happened next but what he does know for sure is hitting the floor that fast should be a world record. As the world faded from his perception he heard the Polish man again and he said only one thing.

'Mój narzeczony' it whispered as the world faded away. (My betrothed)

Chapter Text

The first thing that he notices is that his head feels like it's been in a vice for about three hours, the second was the smell of deep earth something so ingrained with the forest it might as well be called it, and third and most startling was he wasn't in his room he was in Deaton's clinic laying on a examination table.

"What happened?" Stiles wheezed as his throat resisted usage. Sitting up holding his temple letting his eyes adjust. Sadly he wasn't greeted with anything too special, just Derek sitting on a chair staring at him. "So, I'm assuming this is somehow connected to the weirdness that's been invading my life thus far." 

"Welp it surely looks like that. So do you want the good news or bad news?" Derek asked his tone unreadable, but his eyebrows told Stiles that somehow there was no good news.

"Dealers choice?" Stiles supplied, shrugging wincing slightly at the movement.

"Bad news is-" Derek started, glaring as Stiles interrupts him.

"Whoa what? Why are you starting with bad news?" Stiles interrupted flailing, his head instantly protesting.

"Rip off the bandaid give you a lollipop." Derek said seriously his eyebrows seemingly doing the Dougie, as he shrugged.

"What? You know what keep it to yourself you were saying?" Stiles prompted, seemingly satisfied with the brooding heap of leather's explanation.

"Ok so bad news this is connected implicitly to the Nemeton. Good news Deaton knows what you are he seems excited or constipated either or really." Derek spoke leaving Stiles wondering if it was too late to drop out of school and live in the preserve as a wild man of the wood who people tell urban legends about decades down the line.

"Oh how lovely Deaton either ate something he shouldn't have or Deaton is excited either possibility horrifies me." Stiles said shivering. Before he could add onto the thought he felt an ancient presence something old and wise beyond it's years as he turned towards it he was greeted by the 'vet'.

"I'm sorry Stiles, but you must understand for me to be able to be a part of this process is unfortunately something I'm much too excited for to hide behind my usually removed demeanor." Deaton says and as the words slipped from his mouth Stiles could feel a laten power behind them as if his words had been practiced for a millennium.

"What are you talking about you strange strange man?" Stiles questioned his mouth agape.

"May we begin?" Deaton responded his face not changing a single millimeter.

"Wait begin? Begin what?" Stiles flailed to his feet.

"Your ascension of course Mr. Stiles. There is no higher honor than to assist a budding Spark in his ascension to the status he may choose when he is ready." Deaton smirked waves of excitement radiating from him.

"Huh!?" Stiles gaped.

"We have much to discuss. Follow me." Deaton smirks, as he leads Stiles into the backroom of the clinic. The shelves cluttered with strangely labeled jars, old books, and seemingly endless candles.

"What's all this?" Stiles asks, waving towards the disheveled shelves.

"Knowledge Stiles, things long since forgotten by the common folk but for a select few, these are tools for sacred rituals and practices that stretch through the ages." Deaton flourished.

"Ok so, that's great and all. No really sounds absolutely infatuating, just one quick thing. What does this have to do with anything?" Stiles questions, his voice thick with exacerbation.

"You Stiles, have seemed to stumble your way into a world that was never meant for you." Deaton answers. "But things are not always what they seem. The supernatural world is a delicate balance, every action has a reaction, every cause an effect. You are the physical embodiment of that balance the shaper of it. There are many names for what you are Stiles, some you may have heard in passing Mage, Nephilim, or Spark for example all different interpretation of the same being. You are the demiurge the balance between the natural and supernatural shaper of both. Something that hasn't been seen in generations." Deaton finishes his smile achingly large.

"Hold on, what does that mean for me? You say I'm some kind of balance right a shaper, what does that entail?" Stiles asked, pushing down the part of his mind that wanted to jump for joy. (Cause seriously that sounded cool as fuck.)

"Well that's the thing, as the Demiurge you not only Inhabit the world but shape it. All things material are your domain." Deaton says, like it isn't the most horrifying thing ever.

"What does that mean?" Derek says, from behind Stiles startling him.

"Well as we know the nemeton isn't simply a tree. It's roots mark where tulric currents intersect, giving it immense control over the ambient magic of nature. Much like the nemeton Stiles is irreparably tied to the tulric currents to the deeper workings of the natural and supernatural worlds, he too can now harness the power of nature, but where the tree is of nature therefore limited to it Stiles has a human soul and consciousness his boundaries are yet to be known and even then he must also follow The Path Of The Arcana." Deaton responded as if that clarified Jack nor shit.

"Path? What path?" Stiles asked, immediately regretting it when Deaton smiles even wider if even possible.

"I'm glad you asked Mr. Stiles." Deaton responded leaving Stiles anxious.

Chapter Text

Sometimes Stiles really wonders what he did in a past life to deserve this shit. Like honestly if this was anyone else he'd feel sorry for them. So much shit just piled on and it didn't even start with the supernatural no. What started the Icurian fall of Mieczyslaw Genium Stilinski, was his mother's diagnosis then it was her death, his father's struggle with alcohol, Jackson's bullying, Lydia's indifference, Scott's transformation, Peter, the Kanima, Heather's death,his father getting kidnapped by the Darach, the Alpha pack, the sacrifice to the nemeton, Bardo, Barrow, the Nogitsune, now this a title that holds so much weight that it's crushing him as the vet explains.

"The Path Of The Arcana was discovered by the Gnostics when the first recorded demiurge was born. He was originally a Druid named Ialdabaoth, to begin with his powers far exceeded those of his peers and even some of his mentors. He finished his practices long before any other acolyte of the Druids had before, the mastery he had over natural magics was unheard of at the time, and people started to distrust him as his power grew beyond that of nature, after years of defending his place as a Druid he was pushed past his limits when a rogue group of Druids decided to take things into their own hands and killed his entire Grove. He denounced the path of the Druids after that, proclaiming he would destroy the balance the Druids held so dear. Once he had mourned his Grove things in the world started changing subtlety at first just small things that's could've changed on their own, but as Ialdabaoth's power grew so did the changes until the world was unrecognizable from the one before, the balance the Druids had fought to protect was thrown out of whack. Before his alterations magical creatures roamed this plain uninhibited, but after most creatures were chained to realms created by the grief and anger of Ialdabaoth. He changed the very fabric of reality on a whim, and when all was said and done the laws of nature became the ones we know, and the supernatural forces that you and your pack have encountered were put in place." Deaton explains. "But after his Genesis he still needed to go onto the path which he discovered throughout his life and recorded his journey as a guide to those who he knew would come after him. As he went along the path he learned forgiveness, and while he didn't return the world to as it was he made a new balance that the Druids were then sworn to uphold. Since his death there have been only two demiurges neither of which grew to his level of raw power, the most recent Demiurge was the one who gave the Rowan tree it's supernatural properties." Deaton finished, waiting for the questions he knew were coming.

"So this Ialdabaoth guy was the first demisurge or whatever and I'm supposed to follow in his footsteps in this mystical path with little to no assistance and barely any guidance lest the world falls into ruin?" Stiles asked, bordering on hysterical, faintly the whispers of his mother's stories returned.

"Essentially yes. But there are writings that I can give you from Ialdabaoth and those that came after him that should help in your endeavors." Deaton assures.

"Wait Ialdabaoth, I've heard that before. My mother used to tell me stories about him before she died. She said that he had blessed our family and that one day someone of our bloodline would be his reincarnation and would bring peace to the world. I completely forgot about it until just now, I always thought they were just stories like Santa Claus or the tooth fairy." Stiles explains, as the stories play in his mind with scary amounts of detail.

"That's extremely interesting. There are stories of Ialdabaoth having a sort of acolyte of his who he trusted above all else, a survivor of his original Grove. The sources are unverified but it could be that your ancestor was that acolyte." Deaton suggest. 

"Wouldn't that mean that Stiles is a Druid, since his ancestors were Druids?" Derek questioned, looking surprisingly interested.

"I do believe so, even before the Nogitsune Stiles had a lot of traits that made me consider the possibility." Deaton responds, as if that wouldn't have been something to mention. "But given that I believe that he must start The Path Of The Arcana as soon as possible. Now that his Demiurge nature has fully revealed itself it's best he learns control before something irreparable happens." Deaton finishes, looking serious.

"Wait what?" Stiles squeaks, embarrassingly.

"Unchecked you could undo the very fabric of reality, you must learn how to control your abilities before that happens." Deaton reiterates.

"But why now Scott bit me like a month ago?" Stiles questioned.

"Something must've happened last night that activated it. Did something happen that could've been the catalyst?" Deaton questioned back.

"Not that I can think of besides the whole eyes glowing and passing out thing. Derek, can you think of anything?" Stiles asked over his shoulder, as he leaned forward on the cluttered desk.

"Now that you mention it right before your eyes started glowing the energy in the room changed. It almost felt like when I formed my pack bond with my uncle Nicky. He was human so it was a completely different experience than the bonds I had already formed." Derek explains thoughtfully, a bittersweet gleam in his eyes that had a pit solidly forming in Stiles stomach.

"Ah, that could explain it. Pack bonds are a powerful connection, they connect the essence between the bound to each other strengthening each from the strength of the other. It could be that you and Stiles formed a bond in that moment and the surge expedited the laten power Stiles was just beginning to unlock in his own." Deaton supplied, seemingly more proud of himself by the revelation.

"If it expedited it how long do we have for Stiles to learn control?" Derek asked, the collected time he put on nearly fooling Stiles almost.

"It's a matter of days before he ascends and while he could start The Path whenever I suggest starting before that. So to give you a set number I give it another week before he loses the option to ascend gracefully." Deaton responds.

"Ok, so I'm a nuke is what you're saying." Stiles states not even questioning it.

"If you'd like to put it that way a nuke would pale in comparison to the destruction you could bring." Deaton supplies ever so helpful.

"What about the pack?" Stiles asked turning towards Derek. "None of them have formed any pack bonds, like yeah we ended up not killing each other but that doesn't exactly constitute a functioning pack."

"You've already set a framework for the pack, I can take the reigns you focus on controlling this." Derek responds, a tender tone in his voice that has Stiles wondering what a summer wedding in the preserve would be like.(Seriously what is going on with this whole Derek thing it was funny at first but now it's starting to feel more serious.)

"Are you sure? I'm not calling into question your people skills but actually that's exactly what I'm doing." Stiles questions, ignoring the extremely loud non supernatural voice in his head telling him to jump Derek's bones.

"Goodbye Stiles I'll text you with updates." Derek says, rolling his eyes as he walks out the back door.

Stiles is staring at his retreating form, startled out of it by Deaton slamming 14 ancient looking books on the desk with a wide smile.

"I think you're going to enjoy this part." Deaton says, as he hands Stiles one of the ancient tomes, across it's cover is the image of a man hanging by his foot.