Hey, I'm back again (already). Two chapters in one day because I'm bored and having nothing else to do today. So lucky you guys! Hope you all enjoy and sorry for any mistakes.
3
"Tell me one of you has found something," Derek growled, surveying his pack. They were at the loft, darkness having set several hours ago. He had called them all to the loft in hopes of some good news. While Stiles had been munching happily on his curly fries, Derek had sent a text out to the group, telling them about his encounter with the witch. He had hoped that at least one of them had found something.
"We can't find her anywhere," Jackson answered. "And we have looked everywhere."
"Obviously not hard enough," Derek snapped. "It shouldn't be this hard."
"She could be cloaking her scent," Lydia suggested. "Stiles has a book on it in his room. We were researching not long ago."
"Where is the book now?" Derek asked.
"Still in his room, I suppose," Lydia said. "There may be something in there about de-cloaking her scent and we can track her from there."
"Get the book and bring it back here," Derek said, nodding to Scott.
Scott nodded back and walked backwards a few paces before turning on his heel and jogging to the door.
"Where is Stiles?" Allison asked.
"Asleep," Derek muttered. Above them, in his room, he could hear Stiles steady heartbeat.
"How's he doing?" Allison asked quietly.
Derek stared at her. "He's a toddler, what do you think?"
Allison gave him a hard look back. "I mean, how is he handling being confused and staying with you? You haven't exactly shown that you know what you're doing."
Derek roared at her, eyes flashing a deep red. "He's. Fine," he snapped at her when his roar had faded out. "Yes I have made mistakes but I won't let anything happen to my mate."
There was silence.
"Mate?" Isaac piped up cautiously.
Derek closed his eyes and breathed deeply out of his nose.
"When Stiles is back, he's going to be so pleased," Lydia grinned.
Snapping his eyes open, Derek stared at Lydia who gave a smug grin back.
All the werewolves stopped when they heard a thump of two feet landing on the floor above them. Their eyes tracked the movement above them before it rested on the stairs. Stiles came into view, slowly moving down the stairs, clinging to the railing. He was dressed in the pyjama's Erica had gotten him and he looked extremely tired.
He yawned and jumped off the last step, waddling to Derek.
"Why are you growling, puppy?" Stiles yawned at him when he reached the alpha.
There was a snort from Jackson but a quick flash of red and he fell silent.
"Never mind," Derek said. "You're supposed to be asleep."
"Not tired," Stiles protested. His yawn proved otherwise. "I need my warm milk."
Derek eyebrows furrowed. "Huh?"
"Mum always makes me warm milk before bed," Stiles said, pouting. "You didn't make me it."
Allison and Lydia gasped softly at this, giving Stiles a sympathetic look.
Derek's heart clenched. "Sorry, Stiles."
Nobody said anything as they heard their alpha apologize for the first time.
"I'll make it for you," Lydia said, coming around to the two of them. She held out her hand for Stiles to take. "Want to help."
Stiles looked up at Derek and blinked at him. Derek nodded once and Stiles took Lydia's hand and led him to the kitchen.
"Do you think puppy wants some too?" they heard Stiles ask. Jackson, Erica and Isaac ducked their heads to hide their smiles.
"He thinks he's four?" Boyd asked.
"He can't tell the years apart," Derek confirmed. "He recognises those he has a strong bond with but not with those he doesn't. He didn't remember Deaton."
The werewolves nodded.
Derek pointed back at the map he had spread across the table. "We'll need to split up into groups."
When Scott returned, Stiles was on the couch with Lydia, chugging down the rest of his milk. Scott gave them both a smile and handed the book to an eager Derek.
"What's he doing up?" Scott asked.
"He needed his milk," Erica answered him.
"Oh," Scott breathed. "Right, his mum used to make it for him."
"That would have been useful to know," Derek growled.
"Hey! It's been a long time since Stiles and I were four and his mum has been gone for a long time," Scott snapped back. "Forgive me for not realising."
"Snapping at one another isn't going to help Stiles," Allison said, ceasing the fight. "We need to find what we are looking for and get the witch."
Derek said nothing but started flipping through the book. He stopped thought and glanced up when he heard Lydia and Stiles standing from the couch. Stiles went to Derek and clutched his jeans in his small hands.
"Tired?" Derek asked.
Stiles tried to protest but he yawned to hard that he almost fell over.
"Bed," Derek said.
"Tuck me in," Stiles said.
Derek lifted Stiles up, his head immediately tucking against Derek's neck. His hot breath fanned across his neck and Derek's wolf purred.
Turning to the pack, he tossed the book at Boyd who caught it easily. "Find it." He turned and went to the steps and carried Stiles back to bed. He laid him down, pulling the covers over him.
Stiles blinked tiredly at him and in a small voice asked, "Am I in trouble?"
Frowning, Derek sat on the edge of the bed. "Why do you ask?"
"I asked Lydia if you were having a party," Stiles said. "But she said they were there to help me. I don't know why you're helping me. What did I do?"
"Nothing," Derek said, smoothing his hair back. "You're not in trouble. I promise."
"Okay," Stiles said quietly. He let his eyes droop and it didn't take long before he was fast asleep.
Derek didn't leave straight away. He watched Stiles sleep, watching him spread out across the mattress, his mouth falling open. Stiles murmured in his sleep and Derek gave a fond smile when he said 'puppy'. His wolf was feeling particularly content.
He wondered what would happen once Stiles was back. Everyone now knew he was his mate, except Stiles. He wondered what Stiles would think. Did he even want Derek? He could often smell arousal on the boy but he was a teenager, they all smelt like that. It was eating him up and he desperately wanted Stiles back.
He heard footsteps on the stairs and he stood. He switched the light off and stepped out, closing the door behind him. Scott appeared at the top of the stairs, the book in his hand.
"We found it."
It was easy once the witches scent was revealed to find her. She had found herself a little den in an abandoned building near the middle of the Beacon Hills. Derek was surprised his pack hadn't found her on their scouts and wondered just how powerful she was.
The pack had surrounded the building (minus Lydia who stayed behind to watch Stiles) and they were ready to storm. Derek gave the order and they ran in. Wolfed out, Derek was pleased to see the witches surprise as he charged at her and tackled her to the ground.
He pinned her to the ground, her wrists above his head. He roared in her face and was pleased to see her flinch. The pack secured the building and then created a circle around Derek and the witch.
"Well, I didn't think you would find me," The witch said with a cackle. "Especially since your pack walked straight passed me only hours ago."
Isaac and Scott shifted.
"Turn Stiles back," Derek growled, eyes glowing red.
The Witch laughed. "But why? You are lost without him and so vulnerable."
Derek snarled ferociously and his claws dug into her skin, drawing blood. "Do it."
She winced with pain and her lips thinned. "You are not the superior species in the world," she spat. "Beacon Hills has so much power running through her. A territory worth taking."
"Change him back or I will rip your throat out," Derek snarled.
"Why would I do that? Look at the tension it causing you? All I need is a moment and then I can have Beacon Hills to myself," she laughed.
Derek lunged at her throat, his teeth sinking deep in to her flesh and he ripped her throat out with his teeth.
Her eyes widened as blood spewed from her body before they became lifeless. Her body stilled and Derek spat out a mouthful of blood.
"Derek," Scott whispered as his pack looked at him with shock and some fear. "She was-"
"No," Derek snapped. "Deaton said her magic would fade from Stiles."
"And if it doesn't?" Erica asked quietly.
He didn't answer. He picked up the witches body, throwing it over his shoulder. "Clean up the blood. Isaac, your with me."
The blonde obeyed and followed his alpha out to the car. He watched Derek open the boot and throw the body in, slamming it shut when she was in.
"What are we doing?" Isaac asked.
"Burying the body," Derek said, wiping his mouth and spitting once again on the ground.
"Right, of course," Isaac bobbed his head, going to the passenger side. "Bury the body, in the woods, in the middle of the night." He opened the door. "Is this how a serial killer feels?"
"Isaac," Derek snapped.
Yes, probably, Isaac thought as he slid into the car.
As always, please review and happy reading :)