Archive of Our Own ^beta

Isabella hummed to herself as she checked the setup for the Pack meeting. There were hot and cold beverages, a variety of cookies, and a huge bowl of freshly cut fruit. While the cookies were from the bakery the restaurant regularly dealt with, her people had cut fresh fruit for the event.

"Ooohhh... looking good!" Stiles said as he came into the room. "I love the fresh fruit! That was a good idea."

"We were lucky there was a delivery yesterday," Isabella admitted. "My usual source had some problems getting melons, for some reason. So I was able to get those elsewhere."

"I'm going to admit that the old-fashioned canned fruit cocktail, the one with the extra cherries, is a comfort food," Stiles admitted with a lowered voice. "But this is a nice treat."

"Good," she nodded. If Stiles was happy, then his partners would be happy. Something Isabella had realized as soon as she had met Stiles. Peter and Chris had been easy to deal with when they first got to town a week before Stiles. But seeing the three together made her realize there was a true partnership among the three men.

"The others coming?" Isabella asked.

Stiles nodded. "Peter thought it might be more effective if I was here early. I can get an idea of how things may go and, frankly, to know if they should bring the kids or not."

Ah! Charlie and Gerry had the three men wrapped around their little fingers. But protecting children came first among many supernaturals.

At that point, some of the 'wolves that Isabella knew came slowly into the room.

"There are drinks and snacks," Isabella said, waving a hand at the table. "Please, help yourself."

They nodded and made their way to the beverages. There was a definitely happy noise when the cookies were spotted.

Isabella hung back, keeping an eye on the food and drink. Some of the 'wolves would greet her as they came in. The restaurant was popular, and she knew many of the townspeople.

Isabella knew most of the 'wolves that came in, at least by sight. She knew many of those present, especially the older adults, had never been part of the McCall Pack. She was glad to see the good attendance.

Stiles worked the room like a pro. He introduced himself, asked names, asked what people did, asked about what they might need from a Pack. He put off any questions about Scott. "The Alpha will be here for that discussion," he would say.

Silence descended immediately as Peter and Chris entered the room, with Charlie and Gerry. Chris carried Gerry and Peter held Charlie's hand. Peter was dressed in a soft-looking but impeccable sweater. Chris was in jeans and a button-down shirt.

"Perfect timing!" Stiles said in the silence. He faced the group. "You likely have seen my partners around town" -- clever way to announce the two good-looking men were already taken -- "but have not met them. This is Peter Hale, and Chris Argent. If I have not met you, I am Stiles Stilinski." He shrugged. "Yeah. Some of you knew my dad, John Stilinski, who was the Sheriff for a long time before he retired."

There was an intake of breath in the room.

"We are now the guardians for Charlie and Gerry," Stiles went on. Charlie gamely waved and Gerry looked shyly out at the group. "Their family died recently and we ask that you don't crowd them."

Isabella knew the kids had fled something but losing their family made her want to snuggle them. But, well, Chris and Peter seemed to have that well in hand.

"For reasons that include Charlie and Gerry, we -- Peter, Chris, and I - have decided to resign from our administrative positions with the Supernatural Council. You likely know that we came to Beacon Hills to investigate complaints against the McCall Pack. I can tell you that Scott McCall and Theo Raekin have been sanctioned by the Council and will not return to Beacon Hills."

"Fuck, yeah," a 'wolf near Isabella muttered.

From the wrinkle of Peter's nose, he had heard it also but let Stiles continue.

"With the removal of the Alpha, and circumstances that are currently a Pack Secret, we have decided to remain in Beacon Hills. The Hale Pack has returned to Beacon Hills," Stiles announced.

The crown murmured.

"What happened to Scott?" Isabella knew that was one of Scott's betas.

"Scott has been sanctioned by the Council," Stiles said. "It was determined that he should not be the Alpha of Beacon Hills and has been sent for training."

"Will he ever come back?"

"Never." Stiles' answer was flat and firm.

"Can we go to him?"

"No."

The 'wolf was surprised at that.

"So what happens now?" That was one of the adults who had not been part of the McCall Pack.

"Any 'wolf in town that wants to be part of the Hale Pack can apply to be a member," Stiles replied. "We know you don't know us, and we don't know you. Everyone in Beacon Hills is considered a provisional member of the Hale Pack, as of right now. We'd like to see a firm commitment to join or not join in the next year. There are a lot of you and we don't want to push anyone into making a hasty decision."

""What if we don't join?" Another adult 'wolf who had stayed away from the McCall Pack.

Stiles shrugged. "Honestly? It depends on why. You've likely been in Beacon Hills for a while and you have enough immediate family to serve as your anchor, even if you don't have an Alpha. We'd like to make everyone at least Pack adjacent. But we will certainly talk to you and discuss your options on a case-by-case basis."

"Some of my family aren't 'wolves," another man asked. "What about them?"

"The Hale Pack welcomes family, no matter their supernatural status," Stiles said. "I'm a magic user and Chris is human, but we are Pack. Again, we'll be glad to talk about it with you and see what might work for you."

"What about the Bite?" one of the McCall betas asked.

"Only for someone who is over sixteen, although we would prefer eighteen, and only with discussion," Stiles said. "That said, if there is an emergency, we would prefer to have preferences known. If someone does not want to be Bit, and we know that, we will honor that decision."

"What if there are no 'wolves in your family?" Isabella asked. "Can they join the Pack?"

"We can make someone like yourself Pack adjacent," Stiles said with a smile. "We have a lot of work ahead of us and can use all the help we can get."

Isabella laughed and nodded.

"What if we want to challenge for leadership?" the same McCall beta asked.

Stiles shrugged. "You can try, but you have to get through me and Chris in the process." Stiles' smile was fierce. "Remember, we were the troubleshooters for the Council for a reason. We can take care of ourselves, and we take care of each other."

And Charlie and Gerry... Isabella suddenly found herself thinking. She'd keep that thought to herself for the moment.

Two people Isabella had seen with Peter and Chris came into the room. The new people moved behind Peter and Chris and the two men handed the kids to the others.

"You'll be seeing Charlie and Gerry about town," Stiles said. "We wanted you to meet them and they wanted to be here. But some of the conversation we'll be having will be with individuals and will be more... adult, shall we say, than they are ready for."

Charlie waved as he walked out. Isabella was amused to see a good number of the 'wolves in the room wave back.

As the door closed behind the kids, Stiles looked hard at the small group that was from the McCall pack.

"I'll say this now and keep saying it," Stiles said. "Scott McCall fucked up. Big time. Being an Alpha never means you are entitled to anything. Being the Alpha is a responsibility to your Pack and your Lands. Scott is in the process of finding out what that means. He was offered help over the years and never took it."

"What happened to Dr. Deaton?" the beta asked.

"Oops? Didn't we tell you?" Stiles grinned. "I guess Beacon Hills needs a new veterinarian. Alan Deaton was a Druid who had turned into a Darach. For that, he has been punished. No, you don't get more than that."

"What if we don't want to join the Hale Pack?" The beta was persistent.

"Leave town." Isabella was startled. That had come from Peter. "With that attitude, you are not likely to be accepted into the Pack."

"This is my home!" the beta protested.

"Too bad."

"I'm not going to suck up to you!" the beta growled. Isabella could see a girl about the same age tugging on the beta's arm and hissing at him.

"Only Stiles and Christopher get to do that," Peter leered. There was a titter of embarrassment from the group. "But you have a lot to learn about being respectful. I'm giving you some leeway because you have been living with a poor Alpha. But you are going to have to show some serious improvement if you want to stay in Hale territory."

The beta snorted in disgust and made his way out of the room.

Stiles stepped forward. "I know there will be a lot of questions," he said. "We're in the process of looking for someplace to live, set up offices, and hire some help. I have business cards with a phone number and email. Do everyone a favor and use the email unless it's an emergency."

"If you want to meet on more-or-less neutral territory, you're welcome to use the restaurant," Isabella offered to the group. "You can meet in the front or a private room, depending on what you think you need."

Peter smiled and said, "Thank you!"

"There's cookies and coffee," Stiles said. "Help yourself. We're here to answer questions."