It had been a few days since he had seen his daughter, and he was beginning to question whether it had really happened or if that had been just a figment of his imagination. However, at the moment he had very little time to contemplate whether it was real or not. He had been summoned into the kitsune territory further west. They had sent word to them about an offer the clan leader had for them concerning trade.
'You have to go, if they are voluntarily reaching out to make an offer of trade than you should take it. After all they were friends of your parents. Maybe they're taking pity on you.' Peter had said after he had read the long letter the Yukimura Clan had sent. Derek had to admit the offer was tempting but he still had to ask, Why?
He had nothing to trade. His pack was barely making it through with the little their crops brought up and little game there was left in their territory.
That was how Scott and him had ended up in the kitsunes territories. Both he and Scott where being carefully escorted inside the Japanese estate of the Yukimura Clan. The estate was traditional just like the village homes, but the estate had it's own personal touch and built far larger than anything else. "Wow…" He heard Scott let out as he eyed the place in awe. The inside was a mixture of shoji doors, marble walls, and tile floors. Compared to the Hale estate, the Yukimura estate had a peaceful and calming aura to it, but even so, Derek knew better than to let his guard down in unknown territory.
When they turned yet another corridor they soon found themselves coming to a halt in front of twin maple wooden doors, perhaps the only doors made of wood he had seen since they arrived. The two guards leading them took a stance on either side of the door as they pushed the large things open to let the alpha and Scott inside. "Ah, glad you two have made it safe." Lord Ken Yukimura, head of the Yukimura Clan, said as he raised a cup to his lips. "Come in and have a seat," He continued only after having his sip at the steaming drink.
From where they stood both werewolves could smell the herbs inside the cup in the Yukimura's hand. Scott turned his head to give Derek a wary look before letting the alpha lead. It wasn't the Clan members or the number of guards he could sense guarding the place that made Scott feel uneasy. It was the fact that Peter had tried to teach him etiquette for when he was within the Yukimura estate, since it was a formal business meeting and no matter what creature you where you had to behave under proper etiquette in front of other Clans/Packs, or else it would make the alpha look weak and incapable.
Derek practically hearing Scott's silent plea just began to take the lead from there. He was the first to walk up towards the obvious offered seats, knowing Scott would follow behind him. From the little Derek knew about the head of the Yukimura clan was that, he had no sons, only a daughter. Which explained their absence, but besides him on his right side where two other men who were unknown to him and an empty seat to Derek's left.
The room fell into a silent, the only thing that was heard was the sounds of fresh tea being poured in the cups of the men sitting across from them. It wasn't until a large parchment paper was set on the table that Yukimura spoke up, "We've read over terms of the trade you wish to do with our clan, and we've agreed to them. However, we have added one more thing to it. Besides providing your aid and soldiers to Yukimura territory we would like to have passage through Beacon Territory whenever we please without there being problems between our people. I understand Beacon Territory has large grounds perfect for Kistunes to use as training grounds and hunting." Even though he was listening to what the Clan leader was saying, he couldn't bring himself to furrow his brows at what was staring back at him.
There perfectly placed in the official wax stamp on the bottom right corner was the Hale seal. Which was completely impossible since the seal was the cylinder container of his mother's claws and that had been lost to them years ago.
"Only if the kitsunes agree to respecting the laws of Beacon Territoy. One specific law which I will enforce, and that is the equal treatment of every woman, man, and child whether they are human or not." Came the familiar voice as the young dark haired woman stepped into the room unannounced. The men all turned their attention towards the young woman who had dared to meddle in the men's business. "I'm sure my father will agree with me," She said as beautiful honey orbs turned to look at her father.
Derek couldn't help but look at her a bit confused yet a little angry. What the hell was she doing here anyways? "Hm, I find that fair," Yukimura said as he turned his gaze away from the young woman and back to the alpha as he added, "What do you say?" Derek looked back at the Clan leader before looking down at the parchment paper that Scott was looking over with a look that read amazement and bewilderment. "I will not sign it unless you have done the necessary addition to the document," Derek said as he took the parchment paper and slide it back towards the Clan leader who just gave him a smile. "Of course," Yukimura said as he snapped his finger's and as soon as the echo of it had dispersed someone was at his side with ink and pen.
Derek watched Yukimura carefully as he wrote down the addition of the law his daughter had pushed and easily had gotten agreed despite her the lack of knowledge of her place that he had almost missed her make her way around the table towards the empty seat beside him. "Alright, here we are," Yukimaru said as he finished the statement and initialed it before passing it back to the alpha. Derek took the pen that was being offered to him by Yukimura before signing the document, "I would like a copy of this document for my own personal reference." He said as he finished signing it. "And you shall have it, Alpha Derek," he said as he nodded his head silently giving command to the men besides him before looking back at Derek with a grin, "But first we must celebrate!"
Scott looked towards Derek before looking over at the woman beside him. In all honesty, Scott didn't trust her but he had no doubt she was the one who had made this trade possible, yet his wariness of her still lingered. "I will have the maids show you to your rooms so you two can get some rest before the celebration," Yukimura said as he rose to his feet, having everyone else who remained at the table rise with him. "Thank you for your hospitality," Derek said with a slight bow, knowing this was something proper to do.
As they were once again being escorted out of the council room, but this time by woman maids, Derek turned his head to look at his daughter who was following beside him. None of them spoke a word until they were shown to their rooms. Derek, being the alpha got the largest room in the East wing that was enclosed behind large silver painted doors to represent that he was an honor guest. His daughter had already been given a room, which happened to be beside his just to his left as appropriate for any of his children. Scott, being neither son nor mate to Derek got a room a few doors down on the opposite side of the hall.
"Would you like me to get anything for you before I go Alpha?" The young maid asked Derek, but Derek only promptly shook his head. The only thing the alpha wanted to do was talk to his daughter. "You can go," He said giving her a verbal response before looking at Scott who was standing beside his daughter.
When they were left alone Derek turned to face the two, "Come inside." He ordered before pushing the door to his room open. As large and well decorated the room was, he couldn't focus his thoughts on exploring but rather getting answers out of his daughter just like Scott was silently trying to figure out on his own. But he did eye the couch on the small of the living space within his room and that's were exactly Scott and his daughter sat down. He closed the door behind them before joining them as he addressed his daughter, "Do you want to explain what you just did?"
Scarlett who was giving him a small pout much like Stiles used to wear every now and then, had quickly frowned at the question. "I call it helping," Scarlett said with an indifferent tone. "That is not what I meant," Derek said with a small sigh leaving his lips. "Then what did you mean Father?" Scarlett asked as she crossed her legs and folded her arms against her chest. "I don't doubt you were the one who brought that trade suggestion to them, but why? And how did you manage to get the Hale Seal?" Scott said clarifying what Derek was trying to say.
"Oh…" Scarlett said as she shifted a little in her seat in obvious discomfort at the subject. "Oh?" Derek repeated as he narrowed his eyes at her before adding, "Where did you get it?" Scarlett let her slender feminine finger's caress through her hair in attempt to comb it, "I temporarily borrowed it from my god father." "You stole it from Deucalion?" Scott said a little surprised and before he could even suggest for her to give it back as proof that she really meant well. Scarlett gave him a frown before looking at her dad, "Look, I borrowed it because I knew the moment I stood in Beacon Territory that mother would have been disappointed in what it had become. She's told me stories of what it was like and how beautiful it was, and if she could see it's state right now she would have wanted to help. Despite it being the place that still haunts her darkest memories." She said sounding a little bitter towards the end before adding, "And I won't give back the seal. So don't even ask."
The sound of his daughter's words stung both of them. One thing was for sure, she was right on that. Stiles loved living in the Beacon Territory, there was a certain place he remembered being his most favorite place in the whole world. He had even gone as far as calling it his 'safe haven'. That place had been a nice meadow of flowers that had been his mother's own back yard when growing up. It was the place she had taken Stiles as he grew up and the place she had given her last breath, but even so Stiles loved it because it made him feel like she was with him. If only Stiles seen how dry and dead that same field had gotten over the ears, Derek was sure it would crush him. But what ate at both Scott and Derek was the fact that it was his very home that they had driven him away from because of their inconsiderate instincts.
"But that seal, it doesn't belong to Deucalion. It belongs to the Hales, to Derek." Scott said trying to reason with the young woman. He didn't trust her despite her help today, he couldn't help but feel uneasy about trusting her. Maybe it was because of who her god father was, the same man who murdered his best friend. 'It belongs to the Hales' those words made her stomach twist uncomfortably. She might not be his legitimate daughter but she still is his daughter, "I am a Hale, despite what you try to convince yourself of." Scarlett said sounding like a child just wanting to be acknowledged. "We don't know that for sure, for all we know Deucalion could just be trying to trick us," Scott said as he leaned back on the couch.
Derek couldn't help but notice the hurt in his daughter's eyes at Scott's insinuating words. "Scott," Derek said trying to gain his friends attention before adding, "Scarlett is my daughter, despite what we try to think. The proof is there." "Derek, you're kidding right?" Scott said as he leaned off the couch before looking at Scarlett, "She shares features similar to yours but, there's no way that's possible. Unless you and Stiles…" Scott said before his jaw gapped open in disbelief. Derek eyed his daughter before nodding his head giving him a silent response as he said, "She has the Hale birth mark on her back. I have no doubt she is mine and Stiles daughter." Scott looked at the young woman before looking at Derek with disbelief that slowly turned into anger, "If Stiles was pregnant why didn't you protect him better?!"
Derek wasn't upset that his beta was angry with him, heck even he was. Stiles had to be pregnant sometime before he disappeared and it had been his fault for not noticing or sensing their child. "It wasn't his fault," Scarlett said rather quickly to defend her father from the beta. "What?" They both said a bit surprised by her outburst. "There was no way for father to have known, one of mother's mate's explained it was because mother's soul had hidden me out of defense from all and even the soul that bounded itself to hers. It's also why mother was able to mate, because father never 'branded' mother as his, only bounded his soul with hers." Scarlet explained the best she remembered her mother's second mate saying once.
"You can do that?" Scott asked, his mind completely tossing aside the fact that Stiles had mated another, and far too fascinated with being able to just bound a person's soul to yours yet not be committed to them like a mate. Derek, however, started to clench his fists in anger as he tried to contain the angry growl that was trying to explain. "What do you mean 'One of mother's mates'?! Just how many mates did Stiles have?" Derek couldn't help but let his curiosity and anger take over him.
Now that Derek was so kindly pointing it out, Scott couldn't help but frown and look at the young girl with curious eyes that also demanded to know Stile's past. Neither of them seemed to look like it would do their temper any good to hear a part of her mother's past so she simply shook her head and said, "I can't." Derek's eyes narrowed further at his daughter's answer, "You can't or you won't?"
"I won't," Scarlett corrected herself as she turned her head away from her father and the beta she knew as Scott. "Forgive me for disobeying, but if I tell you it will only serve to anger you even more than you already are and I can't have you two doing anything to mess up this agreement we have just signed with the Kistue Clan." She said trying to remind them both of where they were and that they were under strict orders from her Uncle Peter to maintain a professional behavior.
She was right, as much as he hated to admit it and as much as he wished to know about Stiles, he was in a different territory. His daughter had done a generous thing for Beacon Territory as it was. He couldn't let anything jeopardize this for anything. "Fine," Scott said letting it go for now, before getting up, "I think I'll catch a few 'z's while we wait for the celebration." When only father and daughter remain in each other's company Scarlett shifted on her place on the couch to get more comfortable.
"Three," Scarlett said after a while when she was sure there was no one in earing range of them. "What?" Derek asked a bit confused at what she had just said. "Three," Scarlett repeated as she focused her gaze out the window, "Mom had three other mates besides you." Derek didn't know what to say. He was obviously angry that his mate had been with three other men besides him but he wasn't going to make the mistake of letting his anger cloud his mind, not when his daughter was trying to tell him about it.
~FLASHBACK~
It had been a few months since he had said goodbye to Deucalion after aiding him to get what he had wanted from Derek. It had been in those short few months that he had shared with Deucalion that he had grown fond of the alpha and befriended him. Being with Deucalion was a whole lot different than it was with being with his former pack and maybe have just been because Deucalion needed him, but Stiles felt like he belonged. Deucalion and his betas treated him with most utter respect and attention that he never had gotten from his former pack.
Stiles looked down at his bulging stomach and couldn't help but caress it lightly. One thing good had come out from being with the Hale pack and she would need him. The little baby growing within him was what kept him going and gave him the strength to go forth with his betrayal. He couldn't allow his baby to grow up being surrounded by harshness he had to endure.
He was nearly five months pregnant, and from Deucalion had said, he should be giving birth at six or seven months depending on the baby's rank and that it would have been shorter had he been a werewolf. It truly scared him to give birth, especially when he was now alone miles and miles out in the middle of nowhere all by himself. Not that he was complaining, he actually loved the small cabin he was provided with. A flower meadow had surrounded them along with the forest. Stiles couldn't help but smile to himself as he closed his eyes and took in a deep breath. The gently breeze felt good on his skin and the smell of wild flowers dancing around him only brought him more ease. "I don't know how we will do it sweetheart but we will find a place in this world where we won't be judge by strength," He whispered to his baby bump as he softly caressed his roundness.
Since arriving there, Stiles had fallen into a normal routine. In the morning he would take a walk through the small path in the forest until he arrived at the hidden meadow and worked to make a garden. In the afternoon after his walk and meal he would sit in the small porch, listening to the sounds of birds singing around him and let the breeze ease him to sleep. In the evenings, not being able to fight sleep he would just lay in bed talking to his baby until sleep consumed him.
Life felt so right and although he couldn't help but feel guilty for running away even from his father, he felt at peace. Stiles was already just imagining spending the rest of his days I this little peaceful place along with his little girl. He wasn't sure it was going to be a girl but something in his gut just told him, the baby was a girl. Of course, the more he thought about her the more he worried about things for her he would eventually need to go out of his comfort zone to get. Deucalion wouldn't always be there for him, no matter if the man had given his worth he would. Stiles just couldn't afford to believe it entirely.
/A Week Later/
Stiles was out in the forest trying to plant the little seeds Deucalion had gotten him before he had left him. It wasn't an easy task when you had a giant belly covering your view of where you were walking or preventing you from crouching down enough to plant the seeds properly into the ground, but he was managing. He had managed to use a small shovel to help him kneel down on the ground. His clothes had quickly become dirtied since he had crawled around in the dirt not having the strength to get up and move and then kneel again.
If he had been werewolf he would have sensed the other werewolf that had appeared into the small clearing. But unfortunately he wasn't, he was human and human meant he was oblivious to the man watching him go on about his gardening. "If you keep on it will only bring hard to the child," A very monotonous voice said as he watched the small human struggle with a bit of amusement. Hearing the sudden voice startled Stiles and almost made him loose his balance.
Stiles turned his head towards where the voice had come from only to see a man, no a werewolf leaning against a tree. "W-Who are you?" Stiles said as he struggled to get up to his feet in case he needed to run from the man. A hand wrapped around his forearm and helped lift him up to his feet. Stiles eyes couldn't help but quickly follow the hand up to the face he had seen just moments ago. A light brown hair fell around the man's pale face while grey eyes looked at him with concern. A slight blush crept onto Stiles face at the close proximity the man was holding him with. He wasn't sure whether he should thank the man or not, but the moment he parted his lips to talk the man spoke up, "What is a Hale's mate doing in Jordan Valley without his mate?"
"I am not a Hale's mate!" Stiles yelled out angrily at the man, forgetting that he was a werewolf and if he annoyed him it could possibly end in his early dismiss. "Oh, really then why do else do you carry a Hale's pup?" The man asked as he let his hand slide off the boy's arm. Stiles couldn't help but frown at the question. He wanted to say it was a mistake, but that would mean that his baby was a mistake as well and she wasn't one. It was a mistake that he had allowed himself to delude himself that the alpha had loved him that he had mattered to them. When in reality it wasn't like that. "It's complicated…" Stiles said honestly not wanting to tell a strange alpha of how it was he had come here.
Alexander, the blonde grey-eyed werewolf, didn't miss the look in the boy's eyes when he asked him about his child. It was hard not to miss, that look just screamed hurt, pain, and loss. Something he knew all too well, and for some reason the alpha inside him urged him to comfort the boy that called to it. Alexander couldn't really understand it fully but he knew that to see those beautiful honey eyes smiling at him. So he didn't push the topic further, instead he walked over to the small garden that was beginning to sprout. "I don't know much about gardening, but if you show me I can help you raise it." Alexander said unsure whether 'raising it' was only meant for the garden.
Besides his baby bump Stiles hadn't had company in a few months and after being assured that the strange alpha meant no harm he was all too eager to teach him about gardening. It took a few minutes for Alexander to get the boy to drop his defenses and get comfortable with him but once he was he found the boy to be all the more interesting. Who knew a human could be so smart and out spoken.
As the weeks went by, Alexander couldn't help but take notice all these little things that made the boy, he knew as Genim, so unique and desirable. He couldn't nor would he deny his attraction for the boy.
They had just finished tending to the guarded, well Alexander had, mostly because Genim easily tired due to his baby weight. Genim had been sitting down with his back against a tree and a cup of tea in his hands as he watched Alexander tend to the garden without him. Occasionally he would correct the man he had grown to consider a friend, since he was pretty much useless when it came to gardening despite how hard he had tried to teach him. It just wasn't his strongest point.
"Don't drown my tree," Genim called out to him as he watched him focus the water on the small little apple tree growing. Alexander couldn't help but scoff before moving towards the tomatoes, "I'm not." He said before deciding he had watered enough for one day. It hadn't been long but the plant were starting to grow, giving some live back to the dug up ground. Alexander went over to join Genim beside the tree. Sitting down beside him, he let their sides touch with his other hand reached over to caress the swell of his stomach. He didn't move away when Genim's weight shifted to rest against him. "Thank you, for doing this on your own today," Genim said softly.
In the little time they had known each other, Alexander and he had shared so much about one another that it almost felt as if they had known each other all their lives. Genim knew that Alexander was the eldest son in his family and had just become the Alpha and ruler of Jordon Valley through a horrible battle forced onto him and his two other brothers. He knew that the battle for the lands and for their life still haunted the alpha's memory but he was growing to cope with it. He knew that Alexander was unlike any other werewolf he had met before, yet he almost reminded him of Derek. Alexander had grown up in a detached environment, and reason was generation after generation of Jordan Valley rulers were cold hearted men. It was tradition to have sons and daughters fight for their right to live and rule the lands, so emotions was something that had to be beaten out of them so it would not stand in there way during the fight. A very horrible tradition, which Alexander was currently trying to change. He knew that despite being the victor of said battle, all the alpha wanted was to be free of it and have a normal life. Not that Genim could blame him, he had also felt trapped once… But it made him happy to know that he could provide Alexander with a little sense of normalcy that he so desperately desired.
"How much longer until she is born?" Alexander found himself asking as he raised his eyes from Genim's belly and came up to meet his eyes. "Any day now," Genim said as his gaze softened and his heart leaped in happiness. Alexander couldn't help but smile at the pure happiness and excitement that shown in the boy's face. He had gained his trust in a matter of days and been confined in with his misfortune. Although Alexander didn't know the Hale alpha, he couldn't help the anger that rose in him when he thought of him and what he had done to Genim. But he couldn't say he was all that angry, Genim was with him now after all.
"I have some business in a different territory that I need to tend to," Alexander said as moved the arm that was pressed against Genim's arm and wrapped it around him, "but while I'm gone, you should stay in the cabin." He couldn't help the panic that started to consume him, "H-How long will you be gone?" He had grown so accustomed to having the man with him, and now that he was going to need someone when his daughter was born he was going to leave him. "For a few days, I promise I will return as soon as I can," Alexander said as he pressed his lips against Genim's forehead in attempt to ease the boy's mind. He knew how scared he was at the idea of being alone while birth. He didn't blame him, it was the most vulnerable time for a mother and her pups. If he hadn't been requested personally by the leader of the other territory he would have sent someone else in his place.
"I made you a promise, Genim, and I plan to see it through," Alexander said softly as he slowly leaned down to capture his lips in a kiss. The kiss was tender and sweet, but it did a lot to shock Genim. He didn't know what to do, if he should return it or not, but instinct slowly took over and he found himself returning the kiss with the same tenderness he was being given. Hands slowly found their way around Alexander's neck, pulling him as close to Genim as they could with a baby bump. When they finally pulled away neither of them could avoid the awkward silence that fell around them.
He probably shouldn't have done it, but his control was slipping. He had been keeping his attraction for the boy to himself and it was driving him crazy to have him so close yet pretend these feelings, these urges, weren't there. Even his wolf cried out for the little human that had grown on him in the matter of weeks. Alexander knew that Genim would never fully be his, for his soul had already been claimed by another, but yet no proof claimed that his body or his mind had been fully claimed by one and that was more than good enough for him. He didn't care that he would forever share him, he still wanted to share his life with him. "Genim…" Alexander said breaking the silence between them, "When I come back, there is something I want to ask you."
He didn't tell him what it about nor hinted anything, he had just wanted to make sure the boy knew he had something of great importance to ask him. Genim had escorted back to his house before Alexander had left him for who knows how long it would be.
When morning came Genim tried to go on about his normal routine before he had met Alexander, except for tending to the garden. Instead he spent the morning sitting on the porch swing listening to the birds singing and enjoying the tranquility the forest could bring. But that peace was cut short when his baby started to kick him like her little life depended on it. He thought he was going to pee himself if he didn't get up from the swing, but the moment he did he felt an immense pain come from his lower region. "O-Oh no…!" Genim cried out as he felt himself between his legs. "N-No, no, no it's too soon… Alexander just left yesterday…" He cried as he tried to suppress the pain that was coming every few minutes. He slowly made his way inside were he could lay down.
He barely made it back into his room when he felt the urge to push come. Sweat was quickly forming on his forehead, making his hair stick to his face. "Ahhh!" Stiles cried out as he struggled to fight the urge long enough to free his lower half free of the pants. Getting his pants and underwear yanked off surprised him, but when he saw Alexander sitting between his legs brought some ease to him. "Y-You came back…" Genim said with a half-smile before gripping tightly to the sheets as the urge returned making him scream out in pain as he pushed. "I had a feeling I had to come back," Alexander said when Genim's cry subsided before looking between his legs. It wasn't a lie, he had just gotten up and left in the middle of signing the agreement with the other territory saying his mate was calling for him. He knew that with coming here he was jeopardizing and possibly lost his chance with making the trade with them but he hadn't cared. All that mattered was coming back to Genim.
The sounds of Genim's cries seemed to have gone for hours without end before he could really make out anything coming out of him. He wasn't sure what he was looking at and it scared him…a little bit. Childbirth was not something men usually tended too, especially not men of his rank. It was guided by woman if not a man specialized in child birth. But he was no specialist, all he could do was encourage him and be there for him through this so called miracle that was childbirth. Incoherent curses slipped out of Genim's mouth, but all that slowly faded and was replaced by the cry of the child that had literally slipped into his hands.
A dark fuzz covered her hair, little hands flailed around as her legs kicked around with little force. She was absolutely beautiful to him and he almost hated handing her over to her mother. When she was placed into his hands Genim couldn't help but let out a small cry of joy. She was finally here with him, the little company he had along waited to meet. "I've waited so long to finally meet you little Scarlett," Genim said speaking softly as he pulled the child closer to his chest almost out of instinct to try and comfort the crying child. As Alexander cut the cord with his claws he noticed the little mark on the child's back peeking out from under Genim's arm. The symbol of Hale linage was clearly placed in her back, as if reminding him that this little girl was not his and Genim wasn't either.
"Thank you, for keeping your word," Genim said as he stretched out a hand to take hold of Alexander's, and unknowingly easing his mind. "Be my mate, Genim," Alexander said all too suddenly, making Genim's eyes go wide in shock. "In the last few weeks you've made me the happiest man alive, and I want to do that for you as well. I want to continue to there for you and Scarlett for the rest of our lives because I love you."
Genim didn't know what to say. He cared for him so deeply and knew that he could trust Alexander with their lives. But the fear of falling into this only to have it turn out like it had with Derek made him feel uncertain. "Yes," Genim said before letting a smile settle onto his face, "Yes, I'll your mate." A smile crept on Alexander's lips before he placed a gentle kiss to his soon to be mate's lips.
He deserved to be happy, to move on like everyone mostly like had, and if Alexander could give him that than he was more than willing to let him. He just wanted to be loved and respected like he knew he deserved.
/Two Years Later/
Genim didn't think he could grow to love his mate, but he had. Perhaps not as deep as Alexander felt towards him but yet it was enough to have mated with him and given birth to their own babies. They had mated as soon as Genim had felt well enough to go on about his business after giving birth to Scarlett. Of course, Alexander had loved the little girl like if it was his own. Although it had taken a time for Scarlett to warm up to the man that would soon be her father, that hadn't stopped Alexander from holding her whenever he got the chance too.
Three months after Genim had given birth to Scarlett, he and Alexander had started going through the mating ceremony and the memory of it still made him blush. After their mating, they moved into the alpha's home. While he wasn't fully accepted by the pack, they had never once harmed him nor threaten him or his daughter. It didn't change the fact that he felt a little out of place, however, Alexander's parents were the most accepting of him. The kindness and quick acceptance by both had made him feel suspicious of them and wondered if it was just a show. But as time went on, neither did anything to make him feel threatened and his defenses slowly dropped.
What made him love the man even more how great he had turned out to be with Scarlett. Even though it wasn't his daughter, he had made it clear that despite being the daughter of a different man, she was his. Yet, everyone knew very well who's daughter she really was, the mark embedded in her back made it impossible to hide her true parentage. But slowly people of Jordan Valley accepted both Genim and Scarlett.
It was only when Scarlett had turned one that Alexander brought up the subject of children. Genim was a bit skeptical about having more children, it wasn't that he didn't want to have more and give his husband more. He had already proved to be a great father to Scarlett but there was just something eating away from at him. A nagging feeling deep within him was telling him not to. However, three months later he was holding twin boys in his arms. Vladimir and Logan, were very much like their father. Dark blonde hair covered the infants head, grey eyes were a little glazed with sleep, and skin almost as pale as their moms. Vladimir was the eldest of the twins and the only one who demanded most of his father's attention, unlike Logan who didn't care who gave him attention he just wanted attention. When the twins turned 4 months old, Genim found himself to be pregnant once again with Damion.
He was happy, he really was. His family had grown by three and yet despite being happy to have little balls of joy to love and give his attention too. He couldn't help but feel there was something missing. Perhaps that void within him was what prevented him from fully loving his mate the way he wanted him too. Scarlett was the only one of his children whom could relieve some of the pain of that aching void within. It didn't mean he loved his other children any less, it just meant Scarlett was his anchor. Especially after accepting the bite from his husband, Scarlett had proven to be that for him.
Things had changed after that, Alexander had started to act weird. His attentions towards Scarlett had reverted to Vladimir, Logan, and Damion. He didn't know why he hadn't noticed it sooner, but he was starting to see it.
It was one afternoon when he had taken the children out to get some fresh air. Damion had been kidnapped by his mother-in-law, who was sitting on a blanket within the garden. Alexander was playing with Vladimir and Logan, trying to urge the two boys to walk on their own. "Alpha," the sweet little voice that belonged to Scarlett said as she tried to get Alexander's attention but it hadn't come. Alexander had ignored her and focused on his boys, "Come on you can do it." He cooed at the boys. His daughter had taken the hint and walked off with a little frown on her lips. Why had 'daddy' suddenly become 'alpha'? How long had this been happening?
He got up from his place on the porch and walked over towards the small pond where Scarlett was digging her dull nails into the grass. He had never seen his daughter cry, well not since she was a baby. She had been his first baby so he had been extremely attentive towards her to make sure that happy smile never left her face for anything in the world. "Oh sweetheart come here," He said as he lifted her up in his arms and kissed her head. Little hands wrapped around his neck as silent sobs left her. And it just kept getting worse.
"She isn't my daughter," Alexander had growled out at Genim one time when he had confronted him about what was up with his sudden change. "You knew she wasn't when you asked me to be your mate!" Genim couldn't help but retort, "That didn't bother you then, so why now?" "You love her and give her more attention than you do to our kids," Alexander said narrowing his eyes at the toddler in his mate's arms. "That is not true! I love all of my kids the same," Genim said sounding a little hurt at the accusation. "Then prove it!" Alexander said pushing past his mate and returning to his study room.
He didn't know why the change happened or why he had accused him of loving Scarlett more than he did the rest of his kids. The twins slept with them and so did Damion. And since Damion was the baby and still he smothered him with attention like he had with the rest of his kids when they were this cute and little. Heck he still did it.
"There is no way I am going to sit here and let that child become the heir to my family lands! She doesn't belong here," Alexander growled growing bitter and bitter by the day. His accusations didn't stop there he even went as far as almost hitting Scarlett but Genim had always put him in his place. But one night, he was abruptly woken up by the screams of his little girl, "Mama!" "Scarlett?" He said as he jolted up from his bed. He looked around the room only to see Alexander missing from bed. It was the sound of a loud crashing sound that made him rush to his feet and race towards his daughter's room. When he opened the door he saw his daughter's dressed knocked over while a red-eyed Alexander clawed at the small door that lead to his daughter's play room. He didn't have to question the intent in his mate's mind nor could he stop the amber glow in his eyes as fangs replaced dull teeth and a feral growl escaped him.
Genim jumped at his mate and dug his claws into his back, at the moment his mind couldn't register the alpha as his mate nor did he care. All he knew was that if he didn't kill this alpha he would surely end the life of his child. Sharp claws dug right through the body of the alpha forcing the alpha to fall to his knees. Alexander put up a fight trying to push his mate off him but an enrage mother is close to impossible to stop when the life of their child is threaten. The sounds of growls and agonizing cries attracted unwanted attention throughout the estate. Numerous of guards and even Alexander's parents crowded into the room. The surprised look in their eyes at finding their son dead and Genim standing in the room glaring daggers at them drenched in Alexander's blood made the parents growl. It had become a blood bath and none of it was coming from Genim.
~END OF FLASHBACK~
"Alexander's parent's tried to kill her but she had become strong enough and easily killed them. The people in Jordon Valley were torn about the loss of the Clan's leader's but they were all quick to accept her as their new alpha." Scarlett said as she looked away from the window and to her father who had an unreadable look on his face. It was a mix of anger and hurt.
Derek wanted to comfort his daughter but he wasn't sure they were quite there to where he could do something as hug her without it being slightly odd. "This is my fault, I shouldn't have let your mother leave." Derek said as he laced his fingers together and let them rest over his mouth. He shouldn't have ever left without telling Stiles that night before he disappeared. The truth was he couldn't bring himself to wake him from his peaceful slumber. He had left with the pretense of returning home before morning, but the task had taken him more the just a couple of hours to settle and because of it he had hurt Stiles and his daughter had suffered the consequences. He couldn't help but fall deeper in this painful guilt feeling inside of him that he should have done more to protect Stiles like he should have when he first welcomed him into the pack.
"It wasn't your fault father," Scarlett said giving her father a sympathetic smile as she reached over to hold his hand before adding, "It was the packs instinctual behavior since she was indeed an omega." Derek returned the smile with one of his own while his hand gave a gentle squeeze to hers. Despite everything, Scarlett was somewhat happy her mother had left Beacon Territory, she wouldn't have been able to forgive herself had she treated her mother with that primal instinct about omega treatment embedded with her being. "Mom's not an omega anymore, she's the strongest alpha I've ever known," Scarlett continued.
Derek couldn't help but smile a bit at that, from what his daughter had told him it was obvious his mate was an alpha, and strong considering this 'Alexander' guy had indeed killed two of his own siblings and not to mention he had taken down some of the pack just to protect their daughter. It pained him just to think about it. He had missed so much time of their live while another man (men) had gotten a taste of what it was like to be a father to his daughter. Which reminded him, "What happened with the other two mates your mother mated with?"
Scarlett couldn't help but let go of her father's hand as she backed away from him just a bit. "Ah, well," Scarlett began as she brought a hand up to gently comb her fingers through her hair. "I'm listening," Derek simply said as he motioned for his daughter to continue. "It's kind of hard to explain since mother hardly spoke about what she did on her free time." She said half lying. What could she say? Her mother went on a killing spree?
"What do you mean?" Derek asked a little confused by his daughter's hesitation and obvious lie. "Mom did some very bad things ever since Alexander died," She said with a small sigh as she brought her feet up to her chest.
~FLASHBACK~
A year later after the death of Alexander, word got out of his sudden death and soon, the surrounding territory that had once been loyal to Jordan turned their back on it and claimed they would not let the widowed mate of Alexander take control of such fruitful lands. So they declared war on Jordan Valley. Since Genim had killed quite a number of werewolves in his blind rage to protect his daughter he had to get creative for if they attacked his children and the people of Jordon Valley would be in danger. So he decided to raise an army of werewolves, and turned all that wished to join him in protecting Jordan Valley. He had not expect a lot of people to actually join, but they had. Men and Woman were all willing to die to protect their families and homes.
"Mama," Scarlett cried as she clinged to Genim's chest. Ever since her near death experience she had been so traumatized that she hardly like being away from him. "I know sweetheart, but mommy has to go. I have to protect you and your brothers from all harm." Genim said speaking softly as he wrapped his arms tightly around her little frame. The sudden whimpers of his boys made him pull them into the hug and kiss their little heads. "You four have to take care of each other while I'm gone," He said as he pulled his children away from him before looking at the maid who had proven her loyalty to him. "I trust you will take care of them," Genim said with a small smile before giving his kids one last hug before leaving, despite his little girl's cry calling to him. He had to do this in order to secure their safety but that didn't mean he was prepared for it. He had never been mentally prepared for the brutality that was a war.
When word had reached them of the war being declared to them by the seven former allies of Jordon Valley, Genim had quickly sent the volunteer soldiers to train for it. He wanted them to be prepared for what was to come. Of course, with how beautiful their leader, Genim was, a powerful wizard was quickly attracted to him. However, with just losing a mate, Genim's head was not willing to accept another man in his life but what the wizard had offered him I return for Genim's hand was hard to reject.
"Marry me, and I will train your soldiers to use magic. The war will be an easy victory for your people." The wizard had said with a sly smile as he bowed to him showing his respect for the one who was in charge of the lands. "Magic?" Genim repeated almost if considering it. "Yes, and I will grant you immortality and your children as well." The wizard said as he rose his gaze up to meet his. The mention of his children had Genim's eyes turning a blood red in anger as if the man, no the wizard, had threatened his children. But the quick reassurance that he would not harm them made him ease. "Is marriage enough for you?" Genim asked wondering if the wizard had another motive for offering his help. "Yes, that and the wonderful company of such a beautiful creature such as yourself." The wizard said giving him a wide grin. Unlike Alexander who was very emotionless the wizard was the complete opposite, and that was something Genim was soon to find out.
Genim thought about it for a while before looking at the werewolves who had been present, none of them looked kin on using or being taught how to use magic. 'It's not a werewolf thing' one had whispered to another. Of course it wasn't a werewolf thing, and that's exactly why they would expect it. Genim had accepted and easily convinced his people that this a good choice, they would win without having to sacrifice a majority part of their people.
It took nearly a 9 months for the wizard to have thousands of werewolves well skilled in magic, he said it was easier for them to learn since being a creature gave them a natural born talent which only needed to be trained to use. And in those 9 months Genim and the wizard had become acquainted with one another. If Genim was honest, the wizard's honesty and lack of discretion was very…distracting. The groping and stolen kisses were making his blood boil and made his heart skip beats. He fell in love to easily, was his conclusion. No, he lusted too easily, nice words and small touches was enough to trick his heart.
One night as they marched towards the first territory, Genim and the wizard had a heart to heart. "Are you happy?" The wizard had asked being ever so serious, the most he had ever seen him, "with the way your life has turned out? With me?" Genim was a bit surprised at the question, he knew the wizard was wise but the answer to that question he already knew it… "I don't know," Genim said with a small sigh as he balled his fist against his chest. So much had happened and he had forced himself not to think about it to much so he could be able to forget and try and move on. But there was times he allowed himself of how much, dare he say it, missed them. "It's alright to be honest, I know your answer anyways." The wizard said with a sad smile before adding, "I am a wizard after all, I knew you before I even met you. I know you won't ever be able to let go, not as long as that void in your soul remains unfilled."
He couldn't help but widen his eyes as he gapped his mouth open and closed. How the hell had he known about that? He didn't remember ever telling him about that, or anyone else for that matter. "I feel it, unlike everyone else," the wizard said as he looked away from Genim and looked forward, "That void is because an alpha already claimed the most important part of you….your soul. A bond like that can't be easily filled with no matter what other male you decide to give your body and mind to. Whoever it was, he was extremely lucky to have it. I have to say I am a little jealous." The wizard said trying to give Genim a small smirk.
He hadn't even had time to fully process that or give a reply when one of his beta's had yelled out "Mistress!" A panther demon had jumped down from the trees, initiating the war between the Panther tribe. Claws were quickly drawn and began to slash at every panther demon. A war that had quickly ended within a three a day's time. Genim had once again killed the rulers of the Panther tribe and anyone who had dared to challenge him. With each death he felt like he was sucking their strength and growing stronger than before.
Slowly territory after territory fell under the hands of Genim and his werewolves. It wasn't until they reached the land of the Kanimas did they receive help from a smaller pack of werewolves. No one had cared that they had to share their victory with another pack, until the Kanimas had fallen and like before Genim had claimed the lands as his own and the people spared had willingly joined his ever growing pack. "Who would have thought, little defenseless Stiles would become a great alpha?" the familiar voice of Deucalion said as he emerged from the crowed. Genim's pack growled at the strange wolf who had dared to talk to their alpha so casually, but when they saw their alpha jump towards the other alpha and wrap him I an embrace did the growls stop. "Deucalion!" Genim greeted with a huge grin. "Nice to see you too Stiles," Deucalion said with a grin before looking around them "Is there anywhere we can talk more privately?"
It wasn't long since they found themselves in Genim's private tent, just Deucalion, Genim, and The wizard. "When I heard rumors about a widowed avenger, I never imagine you'd be it." Deucalion said as he took a seat on the piles of blankets. "Huh? What do you mean?" Genim said honestly confused. "Well, people call you by different names you know. Widow Avenger, Black Knight, Dark Mistress, but my favorite has to be The Immortal Queen. Has a nice ring to it doesn't it, Stiles?" Deucalion said before grinning. "Don't call me Stiles, I go by Genim now." He said as he glared at Deucalion before adding, "Why did you come anyways? I thought you said you were going to claim other territories or whatever." "Yeah, it's kind of hard when the Hale pack has an obsession with finding you. That's why I came here, I need your help." Deucalion said as he poured himself a glass of water.
It took less than a minute for Genim to realize just what that meant to him, "You'll lead them right to me! How could you be so reckless?" The wizard who had been silent finally found his voice, "Then should I suggest something?" Both alphas looked towards the wizard with questioning eyes. "Since it'll be easy to track you down with all this technology, why don't we blow the towers and force them back to their primal instincts." The wizard, Artemis, said as he looked at both. Deucalion's face cringed in obviously against it while Genim grinned. "We'll do that, and if they are still like I remember them. It'll take time for them to adjust." He said before telling the wizard to gather somewhere wolves and head out to destroy them.
It had taken them another year for the victory to be won by Jordan Valley, and rumors of the queen had spread even more like wild fire. It was because of his growing pack that Genim was being referred to as 'her'.
She had after all been the figurative woman of the late ruler of Jordan Valley, Alexander. And now she was to be the figurative 'woman' to the wizard, Artemis. Deucalion had returned to Jordan Valley with Genim and her pack, as honored guest, and now addition to her pack. "How the little girl?" Deucalion couldn't help but voice his thoughts. "She's doing well, you'll love her," Genim said as her smile softened at the thought of her little girl. "Actually, I was hoping I got to see you again," Genim confessed as she looked at Deucalion, "I wanted to ask you to be her god father. After all, if it weren't for you I probably wouldn't have had the chance to give birth to her." Deucalion couldn't help but smile, he had a grown to have a soft spot for Stiles, as he said "I'd be honored too."
It took them about a month to return to Jordan Valley, but when they did she wasted no time in seeking out her children. Two years was longer than she had expected to be away from them, but she was glad it had not been longer. When found them Scarlett, who was now nearing 6 years old, was playing by the pond poking her little finger in its waters to scare off the koi fish. While Vladimir and Logan, who were now 4 years old, were having a semi-nice game of tag. Her youngest Damion, who was now nearly 4 years old, was sitting on a blanket eating away at a banana. It was Scarlett who had first recognized her and a huge smile had slipped onto her face as she ran towards her screaming in joy, "Mommy!" Genim couldn't help but let tears roll down as she caught her little girl in an embrace. After her Vladimir and Logan shortly followed screaming out their own varies of cries for their mommy. Damion, however, cried in his place unwilling to get up but still wanting to be near his mommy, just held his hands out for her. "Oh I missed you four so much," Genim cried out as she went to pick up Damion in her arms before pulling the rest of her kids into a group hug.
It wasn't until Deucalion walked into the gardens that the small family pulled away. "Mommy who's that?" Scarlett asked as she looked warily at Deucalion, almost in distrust. "It's alright sweetheart, Deucalion is your god father." Genim explained to her little girl when she saw Scarlett push closer to her in attempt to feel the security a mother could provide. "God father?" Scarlett repeated as she looked towards her mother, who just nodded at her with a gentle smile. After their small introduction, it didn't take long for Scarlett to warm up to Deucalion. Genim often found her little girl following Deucalion everywhere he went asking him questions and begging to be trained to be a good fighter like her mommy.
Even when Artemis returned with his mission fulfilled as asked by Genim, things were at peace once again. But that peace wasn't to last. Much like Alexander, Artemis had vowed to protect Genim and his kids. He trained them all to use magic and helped them perfect it. Their marriage had followed in the next spring, and the intimacy that they had to share to finalize their mating had resulted in Amaya. A cute little girl with dark eyes and beautiful brown hair much like her father's, born half wizard and half werewolf.
Amaya was barely starting to walk when Artemis had gone mad. Some said it was a vision that drove him over the edge but Genim new better. Like Alexander, who could not stand to play father to a daughter of a Hale, had also attempted to kill the four children that were not of his flesh and blood because he wanted to ensure his daughter with the great Queen would be the heiress of power and lands. In the time he had stayed in Genim's home as her husband, he convinced a hand full of werewolves to be his followers. And just like last time, Genim's motherly instincts and desire to protect her young resulted in Artemis' death. His followers were captured and executed before the public, as a reminder of what would happen if they ever betrayed him or had thoughts of harming her children. Of course none of her children had been present for any of this. That she had made sure of.
~END OF FLASHBACK~
That war sounded so familiar to Derek. He knew he had heard it somewhere before, but he couldn't place his finger on it until his daughter had went on with her story. That's when he knew just where he had heard it. During the time they had chased down Deucalion, rumors of a powerful woman was being whispered around. No one had dared to say it out loud in fear of what speaking her name would do, but never had it occurred to him that it would ever be Stiles they had spoken off.
"I know all of the bad things they say about my mother. That she's a cold-blooded murderer, heartless, and power-hungry," Scarlett said with a sadden tone in her voice, "But it was all to protect us." Her mother was the greatest person in the world in her eyes. She was caring, kind-hearted, loving, and compassionate, just like every mother should be. She was her hero. But just like her mother, she too felt a void in her chest. Her father, the one man she had been denied the chance to meet was missing from her life. While her brothers and sister had their time with their fathers, they didn't long for them anymore. They understood their fathers were bad men, and didn't blame their mother for killing them (much to Stiles relief). But she, she couldn't be at peace with what was given to her about hers.
'Your father was just as bad as your brothers and sister's fathers.' Deucalion had said when she had asked him one day about hers.
'What did my father do to mother? Is he dead too?' A 11 year old Scarlett had asked her god father while they rested under a tree after a long day of training.
'No, he's not dead, but he might as well be.' Deucalion had said as he crossed his arms against his chest.
'What did he do?' She repeated as she inched closer to her god father curious to know what her the story of her father's betrayal was.
'Your mother never told me much, but from what I know your father never loved her. He just hurt him out of pleasure and let his pack do the same. So, your escaped him,' Deucalion said letting the silence settle between them.
Scarlett had been angry for a while, when she had heard that, but the urge to see the man didn't stop her curiosity leave things there. She had questioned her mother as well but she had never gave her answers only a very clear warning to never seek the man out for he was a bad man. It wasn't until she turned 13 years old did her mother truly trust her with the truth, sparing her the details of how she was conceived. She was left confused why her father had allowed such harsh treatment towards her mother. But in the world she had grown up with, where every man, child, woman, and creature were considered equals under her mother's rule she would never understand. It wasn't until she decided it was time she met the man she had longed to meet, that she truly learned the reason.
Victor, her recently deceased mate and werewolf, had kept to usual werewolf customs. It was with him that she learned that her father and his pack had done what was instinctual to them. Her mother was an omega, the treatment in a traditional werewolf pack was as her mother had the misfortune of having. While she disapproved of it, she couldn't help but understand her father and feel guilty for once hating the man.
But now she was here, in front of him and he was everything she had imaged her father to be. Strong and Kind, despite being silent and always scowling. He wasn't a bad man, he was a good man.
"That sounds like him," Derek couldn't help but smile even though it pained him internally to even think about everything Stiles had to go through. "I know he wouldn't harm anyone, but he loves you all too much to risk losing you. You and your siblings are all he has left so I can understand why he took extreme measures to assure your safety," Derek said honestly. His mother had been the same way with them whenever a threat was near.
He didn't even dare to ask about Stiles third mate, now knowing the name which had been given to him by the people who feared him. He knew the story of the last man in Stiles life. He had heard the story countless of times, he didn't need his daughter to confirm it to him since it would only further pain him.
From what he remembered Peter telling him, the last mate of the Queen had been a human. But unlike the last two mates of the Queen, this human had not betrayed her like they had. He had truly loved her kids and him, and unlike the other two, he had been the one who had actually been able to provide some relief to the Queen's aching heart. She had truly fallen in love with the man. They spent three lovely years in each other's company taking their marriage life slow and doing things right. A child, a human child, had been born to them. It was a strange happening, which was how word spread even faster. That child had been the target of many smaller packs to try and fight the Queen but of course, none had succeeded yet. Because of her instinct to protect her young, her husband grew wary of her. The numerous of threats to the youngest child of the Queen had resulted in the Queen expanding her domain even further, but of course she never traveled towards Beacon territory but that didn't stop the Territories around them to be on alert at all times. So, one night the man had tried to kill her because she was far too powerful and too far of treat to people. The man never stood a chance, but word has it, the man had gotten a proper burial.
The Queen was Stiles… He had managed to forget him. That knowledge made Derek's heart painfully sink. Whatever hope he had of reuniting with his mate and making things wrongs was close to impossible, he was almost certain of that.
As if reading his thoughts Scarlett let a small frown slip onto her lips, "Now do you understand why I have to leave before mother sends for me?"
A/N: I made this one long since I haven't updated in a while, I hope it makes up for making you all wait :)
