I don't own Teen Wolf.
A/N: This story is from a request from Orionastro. I hope you enjoy this AU of what could've happened during Season 1. All reviews and messages cherished. Enjoy!
A Garden for Claudia- Chapter 1- Rogue Alpha
The midday sun shined over Beacon Hills. A 6 year old Stiles Stilinski ran around in the wooden fenced-in backyard of his home. His mother, Claudia, tended to the many different plants that she grew in their backyard. As she finished checking on the tomatoes she looked at her son, who was covered in dirt and even had a few leaves in his hair. She couldn't help but laugh as she said, "How do you manage to get so dirty even when you aren't doing anything?"
Stiles smiled proudly as he looked at his mother, "I'm special mommy. That's what you and daddy always tell me." Stiles loved being in his mother's presence. Her long, curly dirty blonde hair framed her loving face. Her caramel colored eyes, the same as his own, twinkled whenever she smiled at him. He knew he was a momma's boy, his grandparents always said that about him, but it always confused him. How could he not be a momma's boy, who's boy would he be if he wasn't?
The young boy asked, "Mommy, what are you doing?"
Claudia smiled, "I am tending to my garden. If I don't take care of these plants then we won't have delicious vegetables for dinner."
Stiles made a gag face and said, "Can you stop then? I don't like vegetables."
Claudia laughed lightly. She knew Stiles had the same sense of humor that John had, before the long hours at the Sheriff's station began to wear on him. She said, "No dear, this garden, and these vegetable plants are special to me. They are all living and growing, just like you." As she finished saying "you" she gently grabbed Stiles and tickled his stomach. He laughed uncontrollably.
After laughing he asked, "What makes them special mommy?" Stiles kneeled next to some of her plants and looked at them as she responded. "This is my garden. Whenever I feel a little sad or worried, I come out here and take care of them. Taking care of them makes me feel better. It's so peaceful out here, don't you think?"
Stiles sniffed one of her flowers and smiled, "Yeah, it is peace-ful." Stiles looked at his mother, "So is that like when you take care of daddy or me when we are sick and you feel better when we get better?"
Claudia nodded, "It's similar honey. The plants aren't sick but they could get that way if I ignored them."
Young Stiles looked shocked and fearful as he said, "Don't let them get sick mommy. They look so pretty and I don't want them to get sick."
Claudia leaned towards her son and hugged him as she said, "I won't. Do you want to learn how to take care of them?"
Stiles vigorously nodded his head, "Yeah! That way I can feel good about taking care of them too!"
Claudia began to talk about the different plants to Stiles.
Stiles stared at the garden in the backyard as his memory of his mother faded from his mind. He couldn't help but smile and shed a single tear as he remembered when his mother first began teaching him about plants and her garden. While she was sick and after she passed away, Stiles tended to the garden. He always found himself here whenever he felt lonely or scared or stressed out. He felt connected to the memory of his mother every time he took care of the garden. In his mind, this would always be his mother's garden.
It was the first week of January and, with the exception of a few winter growing plants, the garden looked bare. He checked on the plants and began to prepare the soil for the next growing season. Even though it was early in the year, he knew that the temperatures would warm up sooner than most expected. Stiles could hear the coffee pot brewing his dad's coffee before work as he continued working. Stiles stood up when he finished, just in time for his dad to step out into the backyard, cup of coffee in hand.
Sheriff Stilinski said, "Isn't it a little early to be in the garden?"
Stiles rubbed the dirt from his hands against his jeans as he turned to face his dad. He half-smiled, "Yeah, just had to do some thinking."
John narrowed his eyes slightly and after he took a sip of coffee asked, "Did you and Scott have an argument?"
Stiles laughed a little, "I guess it's that obvious huh? Yeah, we argued over something last night, I don't even remember what but we did. I didn't sleep all that well so I figured the garden might need me a little more than I might need to stare at the ceiling."
John nodded and looked at the area of soil Stiles just finished preparing, "What are you going to plant there?"
Stiles grinned like a Cheshire cat, "More vegetables."
John groaned, "More vegetables. Last year we had enough left over to sell."
Stiles nodded, "And this year we won't. New Year's resolutions about eating healthier and living better."
John smirked at Stiles, "I didn't make that resolution."
Stiles continued grinning, "Don't worry Dad, I made it for you."
John rolled his eyes, "Why can't you be like other teenage boys and get into trouble and leave me to my cheeseburgers and fries."
Stiles shook his head, "Nope. Why do that when I can still do teenage troublemaking AND grow healthy vegetables so we can enjoy vegetarian omelets just about every day."
John hugged his son and shook his head after he pulled away, "In some ways, you really are your mother's son."
Stiles laughed, "Yeah. Do you want me to cook you breakfast before you leave?"
John shook his head, "No, I'm just going to grab something before I head in."
Stiles smirked, "No donuts. You are the Sheriff, not a cop. It takes leadership to stop bad stereotypes."
John laughed and said as he stepped back inside, "Thanks son. I'm glad I have your vote of confidence. I'll see you when I get home this evening."
Stiles waved, "Later Dad. Don't worry, I'm going to make a vegetarian lasagna for dinner."
Stiles could've sworn he heard another groan as he turned around and surveyed his work.
After getting cleaned up, Stiles made his way to the cross country track that led through the preserve. With a print out in hand, he began to walk the route, looking for any herbs he could transplant into his garden. Stiles always considered this an enjoyable challenge, like putting together a puzzle when you have to hunt down the pieces. He carried a small satchel to store any he found. He enjoyed his time away from the hustle and bustle of life.
His phone vibrated as he received a message. He looked at his phone:
Ex-Friend who argued Star Wars as Unimportant- Hey. What's up?
Nothing. Just at the trails.
Ex-Friend who argued Star Wars as Unimportant- Do you want to come over later? I'm sorry about the argument.
I could do that. I want to see if I can find anything to transplant into the garden first though.
Misunderstood Friend who doesn't understand Star Wars- That's cool.
Later.
As Stiles lifted his head after he finished texting Scott, he saw Danny and Jackson running his way. He quickly stepped off the trail.
Danny said, "Thanks Stiles."
Jackson shouted, "You could try running sometime Stilinski. But you might have to set down your purse first."
Stiles yelled back, "Thanks Jackson and it's a satchel."
Stiles could see Jackson shake his head as he was obviously laughing at his bad joke.
After a few unsuccessful hours of searching, Stiles called it quits on finding anything. As he walked back towards his jeep he was stopped by an intimidating young woman. She was just a hair shorter than him but gave off a vibe of danger. Her long dark hair was pulled back and her face gave the impression that she had a permanent scowl.
She said, "You shouldn't be here."
Stiles rolled his eyes and sarcastically said, "You're right. I shouldn't be on the public trails. How-ever could I make SUCH a mistake?"
She narrowed her eyes menacingly and said, "It would be in your best interest to leave."
Stiles laughed a hollow laugh and said, "That's awfully convenient since I was already leaving. I would hate to upset." He made a flailing hand gesture towards her as he finished, "an angry park ranger maybe? Or what? A lost meter maid?"
The rage bled over her face and Stiles could've sworn he heard her growl. She pushed past him, shoulder checking him, as she left. He yelled, "Nice to meet you too. I look forward to such riveting conversation."
As Stiles made it back to his jeep, the identity of the young woman dawned on him. He muttered, "She was Laura Hale. What is she doing back here?" He shrugged and tossed his empty satchel into the jeep and drove to Scott's house.
After unceremoniously using the spare key under the doormat to open the front door, Stiles ran up the stairs to Scott's room. Scott was practicing playing the guitar, using YouTube videos, when Stiles walked in.
Stiles said, "Hey Scotty, you are getting better."
Scott broke away from the video and blushed a little as a goofy smile crept across his face, "Thanks dude. I've been practicing more over break."
Stiles, almost bouncing off the walls said, "Guess who I ran in to on the trails today?"
Scott shook his head, "Jackson and Danny?"
Stiles smirked, "Well, yeah but besides them."
Scott shrugged, "Lydia maybe?"
Stiles rolled his eyes, "Unless the trails had a new killer fashion show for teenage girls, that would be doubtful. No, I ran into Laura Hale."
Scott looked confused, "Laura Hale?"
Stiles vigorously nodded, "Yes Laura Hale. You know, the Hale family. Their house burned down years ago. Only Laura, her brother and younger sister lived from the fire."
Scott shrugged as he said, "I thought they left town. I wonder what she was doing back?"
Stiles smiled darkly, "Looking for vengeance."
Scott rolled his eyes and laughed, "Is everything a nefarious plot to you?"
Stiles smiled, "Not everything. And good use of nefarious. Are the SAT flash cards helping?"
Scott laughed, "Shut up dude. I am trying to do better this year."
Stiles nodded, "So Scott, want to go to the trails after dinner? I have to head home and cook lasagna for my dad but I totally want to see what she was doing out there."
Scott shrugged, "I don't see why not. It could be fun. Oh and dude, lasagna? I could go for some lasagna."
Stiles raised an eyebrow, "Vegetarian lasagna?"
Scott smirked, "I'll pass."
Stiles laughed, "I thought so. Even though I grew all of the vegetables from my garden and I will be hand preparing the meal, you will still insult me by not partaking in a wonderful dinner."
Scott nodded, "That sounds about right."
Stiles laughed, "You suck dude. Like a lot."
Scott shrugged as he laughed at Stiles' joke, "What can I say? I like meat."
Stiles slyly smiled, "I don't doubt you like." Stiles purposefully paused and said, with great emphasis, "Meat."
Scott grabbed a pillow from his bed and threw it at Stiles. Stiles quickly stepped out of the way and laughed. After the pillow tumbled into the hallway, Stiles grabbed it and threw it back at Scott. Scott deflected the pillow with his left hand as he laughed.
Stiles said, "I'm going to head out. Meet me at the trails in a couple of hours. I'll text you when I am on my way."
Scott smiled and nodded, "Will do. Enjoy your lasagna."
Stiles laughed at he walked out of the room and said, "Enjoy your meat." Stiles scurried down the stairs and out of the house before Scott could chase after him. He drove home and began to cook dinner for his dad.
After he practiced playing guitar for another hour, Scott decided he should head out so he would be at the trails in time. He knew he lived closer to the preserve than Stiles but his best friend had a Jeep while he only had his two feet. Scott ran to the kitchen and scribbled a note to his mother;
"Out with Stiles. Be Back Later. Scott."
Scott grabbed his inhaler and ran out the door towards the preserve. After he made it to the trails, Scott checked his cell. It was already dark and he confirmed that he had made it on time or at least to the vague timeframe that Stiles stated. Scott wandered down the trails as he waited to hear from his best friend. After 20 minutes of wandering around he received a text.
Stiles-anator- Dude, sorry I'm late on messaging but I might not make it.
What?! I am already here.
Stiles-anator- I know and I feel like shit for it. My dad had a crummy day and I think he might need me here.
Dude that sucks.
Stiles-anator- I know. Will you forgive me? Or at least let me make it up to you?
Yeah. You know I can't be mad at you over this. You can make it up by cooking a good dinner for your dad and inviting me and my mom over.
Stiles-anator- Sounds like a plan. Let me know when you get back.
Alright.
Scott looked up from his cell and looked around. He didn't realize he had continued to walk as he texted Stiles and hated to admit he was a little lost. He used his cell to illuminate the forest and look for the trail itself. When he thought he found it, he heard some rustling nearby. Several large bushes seemed to move and as he stepped towards them he heard the snap of a branch. Scott's heart rate skyrocketed and he felt the stress on his lungs. He quickly took out his inhaler and inhaled deeply as he puffed on it. When his breathing returned to normal he stepped towards the large bushes. A small fox darted out and ran past him. Scott kneeled to check on the animal as it ran past. He said, "Sorry to scare you little guy but you scared me."
As Scott sighed in relief he felt an incredible amount of pain on his right shoulder. He instinctively looked back to see fangs biting into his shoulder and red eyes staring him down. As he began to scream he felt a third figure knock both him, and the one biting him, over. Scott's cell went flying and he heard the scuffle between the other two figures. The darkness overwhelmed him and as he grabbed his shoulder, and felt the warm fresh blood, he looked for his cell. He knew that without the light from it, he wouldn't be able to navigate to get out of the woods.
He heard the fight, the groans and growls as well as the claws slashing and fists striking. He frantically searched and eventually found his phone. He grabbed it and rushed to a nearby tree. He leaned against it and turned towards the direction of the sounds. Scott realized that the sounds had died down. He turned on his cell's flashlight app and pointed it in the direction of where the last sounds were heard.
The light illuminated a figure with glowing blue eyes. As the figure walked towards Scott and slowly came into view, the eyes shifted to a deep red. The muscular, imposing man stepped into the light. His dark hair only made his pale skin seem scarier. His eyebrows were bunched together as he narrowed his eyes and appeared to be assessing Scott. Scott slowly said, "Please don't hurt me. I didn't see anything or do anything."
The leather jacket clad figure said, "Are you alright?"
Scott almost yelled, "No, I'm not alright. I think I need to go to a doctor."
The man smirked, "No, you don't need to do that. What's your name?"
Scott bit his lip out of nervousness as the man suggested that he ignore the fact that he was just bitten by something. He meekly said, "My name is Scott."
The man nodded and extended his hand, "My name is Derek. And Scott, we have a lot to talk about."
