Pack Wars

Summary: Kinda based on some of the spoilers about Scott turning against Derek in the next season, and his friendship with Stiles becoming more rocky, as Stiles and Derek become closer. That's all I'll give away for now.

Chapter One

Peter Hale crept quietly out the front door of his family's burned out old house into the night. He had to be careful not to wake Derek. His nephew could know nothing of his designs. How foolish of Derek to think that he would actually submit to him. Peter wasn't some dysfunctional teen in need of a second family like almost all the unworthy betas of his nephew. What a disgrace of an alpha Derek was! Didn't he know his nephew would never hand the pack back over into his hands willingly? Of course he knew that. That's why he had to play his cards very carefully. If Peter did this right he could get Derek to yield his alpha status willingly without having to kill him. The older Hale did actually feel something for his nephew. What Derek didn't know was that Peter had called the alpha pack to town. He'd never forgive him if he found out. He would probably rip Peter's throat out. Keeping that in mind, the older Hale was wary to keep his footsteps slow and quiet until he was well away from the house. Derek was still the alpha at the moment. He might not be the strongest alpha, but he could still kick Peter's ass up and down Beacon Hills. The memory of Derek pounding him to a pulp after his ressurection filled him with anger. He would teach his nephew his place when he was alpha again, arrogant little pup. However, to regain his alpha status Peter would have to make Derek completely and utterly alone. That's how you break an alpha's power, take away everyone close to them. Could he destroy his nephew's life a second time? It was for the best is how he justified it to himself. Derek was weak, unworthy to be the Hale alpha. His nephew had always been weak for a werewolf. Even Laura was stronger than he ever was. Peter emerged into the clearing. He'd played his hand very well so far. Three other figures were waiting for him, their faces hidden beneath cloak hoods.

"Welcome Peter Hale," one of them greeted, female. "It has been a long time. Why have you brought us here?"

Peter drew in a breath to collect his thoughts. He needed to word this carefully or the alphas probably wouldn't think it worth their time.

"I'm concerned with the pack," Peter began. "My nephew Derek recently became alpha, as you well know. It is my concern that he isn't able to fulfill his duties."

"I see," the female spoke. "You think we should remove his alpha status. You know that is not our way. As I recall he bested you in combat. He won it from you fair and square."

"With all due respect," Peter said, his voice suddenly bitter. "He cheated me. He enlisted the help of one of my own betas, and his human best friend to top it all off."

"You're calling into question the lawfulness of the transfer," the female finished for him. "You know, this is quite an unusual case. We're not exactly used to former alphas coming back from the dead to contest their successor. Does he have a case Xaiu?"

One of the cloaked figures turned toward the female voice.

"If he questions the alpha's ability he may," the one called Xaiu answered, a deep male voice. "Weak alphas are not unheard of. We would need to determine if his concern is legitimate. A test."

"My Lord," Peter spoke carefully. "If I may... "

Xaiu turned his eyes on him, his green eyes barely visible within the hood.

"You have a suggestion?" he pressed him.

"Yes my Lord," Peter answered respectfully. "Is not the best test of an alpha's strength his ability to perform in a dire situation? Say, without his betas... "

"That is so," Xaiu conceeded. "A strong alpha can still pull off a moderate conflict by himself. We will go with your suggestion. Expect us to call tomorrow afternoon. Oh, and by the way... it would be convenient if you could find a way to have his whole pack present."

ooOoo

Stiles found it odd that Peter had sent out the text and not Derek. Pack meeting at 1 pm? What could be so urgent? It wasn't Gerard again was it? Stiles briefly recalled the shameful beating he'd taken from the old man, hoping that wasn't the case. He parked in front of the old house. Jackson's Porsche was already there. Scott must have caught a ride with someone else because he handn't asked him. Stiles thought about that with a brief glimmer of sadness. He and his best friend had grown apart. At first he'd wanted to believe it was the werewolf stuff, but even Derek spent more time with him these days. There was another depressing thought. Even Derek Hale could find more time for him than his best friend. He wondered why he was even here. Wasn't he human? Peter had texted him, so obviously he wanted him there. Stiles sighed and began his walk toward the old house. Sure enough, Jackson was already inside, and so was Isaac. Then again, Isaac did live there now. Both wolves eyed him strangely.

"What?" he asked, mouth hanging open slightly. "I'm pack... "

Jackson smirked a little. Isaac continued to eye him strangely, before shrugging and looking away. He and Isaac never had been the best of friends.

"Ah Stiles," Peter said plesantly, coming down the stairs. "Glad you could make it!"

"Derek here?" Stiles questioned him.

Something just didn't feel like the alpha. He suspected rightly.

"Derek stepped out," Peter replied calmly. "He went ah... grocery shopping."

Stiles nodded, accepting the explination. Fine by him. He was sure he'd live without Derek's death glares. Where was Scott? As though answering his thought, his best friend entered the living room from the kitchen. He was clutching a glass of ice water.

"Oh hi Stiles," he greeted.

"Hey," the boy replied a little coldly.

Scott frowned a little, but didn't say anything else. Served him right. Stiles folded his arms and looked away briefly. Just ignore your best friend!

"Is Derek supposed to be coming back?" Jackson questioned Peter with an irritated look. "I do have things to do this evening."

"Should be along any minute," Peter said with a strange hunger in his smile.

Stiles noticed and didn't like it. Something didn't feel right here. Peter could be decieving. Behind that seemingly uncle-like figure was a cunning old wolf with a grudge. Stiles wasn't stupid enough to believe Peter had forgiven Derek just like that for taking away his position as alpha. He remembered Peter's offer on one occassion to make him a wolf, but he'd seen through the old man's seemingly kind demeanor. Stiles would have been just another pawn to him. Peter was cunning and manipulated people, just like he'd manipulated Lydia into ressurecting him. Stiles thought of that with a surge of anger and protectiveness. He doubted Derek was dense enough to fall for his uncle's act either, but they were much alike in some ways. Derek tended to see people as how useful they were to him. That wasn't true to the same extent for Derek though. The Sourwolf did have a heart behind all that bitterness. His choosing to turn Erica had proven that. It had been a goodwill act of kindness to a girl whose life had been hell. How had Erica repaid Derek? By she and Boyd ditching. A sudden sound of foot falls on the porch broke his thoughts. It sounded like more than one. The door flung open and it took Stiles a minute to process what he was seeing. Derek was being held in the air by his neck by another figure in a cloak. The alpha had bruises and scratches everywhere. He suddenly felt an unexplainable urge to run forward, but thought better of it. The cloaked figure threw Derek a few feet, and the alpha hit the floor with a groan of pain.

"Behold your alpha," the cloaked man said in a deep voice. "Unworthy to be called your alpha. He put up a very poor fight, but how rude of me. I am Xaiu. I am an alpha of a little higher rank than Derek here."

None of them said anything. Stiles knew the stranger was dangerous. The hooded eyes seemed to turn on him as though sensing his thoughts.

"How interesting," the man muttered. "A human... "

Stiles said nothing. Anxiety rose in him.

"You must be the one who helped take down Peter," he went on. "Yes boy, we have our sources. What is your name, may I ask?"

The words got hung up in the boy's throat. His bottom lips open and closed nervously.

"Speak boy!"

There was an impatience to it, though it wasn't exactly hostile. Stiles didn't dare test the alpha's patience.

"S-Stiles sir," he managed.

"Stiles?" Xaiu mused. "Interesting name. Yes, this one has a powerful spirit. Tell me Derek, why wouldn't you want such an addition to your pack? It doesn't matter. You may not have a pack after we're finished here. Your fate lies with me. Stand up!"

Derek struggled to his knees, pressing up on his hand. His frame shook a little from weakness. He gave Xaiu a death glare.

"Careful Derek," the alpha warned him. "Don't glare it me like you're anything other than my inferior."

The Sourwolf's expression did become a little cowed under his senior, and he merely scowled, looking at the floor in shame. He'd lost. He hadn't been a match...

"That's right Derek," Xaiu said somewhat snidely. "Now you've learned your place. I am not taking away your alpha status today."

Stiles didn't miss Peter giving the alpha a significant look. What did that coniving bastard have to do with all this?

"However," Xaiu went on, looking almost directly at Peter, then back to Derek. "You must prove yourself. We cannot tolerate weakness in an alpha. Your father was a great alpha Derek. The Hales are an old family. Do not shame your heritage young one. To prove yourself I am going to appoint a second alpha, a rival."

Derek looked at him in disbelief. Peter smirked slightly, and Stiles didn't miss that either. He was the only one who didn't. He totally got it. Peter wanted the pack. He wanted to be alpha again. He'd somehow set this all into motion. The sneaky old bastard! Why did that make Stiles feel angry? Why did he suddenly feel a need to protect Derek? Xaiu spoke again.

"Your pack members may follow the one I appoint, if they choose, or they may continue to follow you. I watch both your progresses. If at the end of the time appointed your rival outmatches you Derek, you will be stripped of your alpha status and revert to a beta."

"What?" Derek asked him in disbelief and anger.

Jackson's expression angered Stiles most of all. He too was watching this development with slight amusement. He almost bet Jackson wished it'd be him made alpha.

"Now who to appoint?" Xaiu pondered, his eyes turning to Stiles again. "By the way, Derek... while I'm thinking about it. Are you going to turn this boy, or should I do it myself? Humans really don't belong in a pack, and its obvious he's loyal to you."

"I," Derek muttered quietly, looking at Stiles with wide eyes.

Stiles felt his stomach clench at those eyes. Derek had never looked at him like that before, almost like he'd regret having to give him something he didn't want. Except that part of him did. Part of him had wanted to become like they were for almost a year now. Stiles was starting to realize his weakness, how useless he was in a fight. He felt guilty. His words in the school counselor's office came back to him. How much longer could he keep doing this? Derek was still eying him thoughtfully.

"I'll do it," Derek said. "I'll turn him, just please... give me time. He isn't sure he wants it yet."

Xaiu considered and nodded in agreement.

"You can give him time, or the alpha I'm appointing today can change him. It really makes no difference to me, but when he hears who I'm choosing I'm sure he'll reconsider. I am choosing Scott as the second alpha."

Scott's mouth dropped open in shock. Stiles' face mirrored his best friend's. Holy shit! Derek's eyes flashed and Peter tried to contain his glee at the irony of it all.

"M-me?" Scott asked in disbelief.

"Yes you," Xaiu confirmed with a nod. "You're powerful. I believe you could be a much more powerful alpha than Derek."

Derek felt a sudden rush of hatred for Scott at Xaiu's words. He had thought that himself. Scott could make a good alpha, but against him? Xaiu stretched out his hand toward Scott, seeming to focus. Scott felt new power swell within him and his eyes suddenly flashed red. He was an alpha now.

Author's Note: Well let me know how you like it.