Peter wanted to grumble but he couldn't disagree with Stiles' assessment. It was at times like this that he wished that Derek bite someone who was only pretty and not smart too.

Brian couldn't believe that he was standing on his own two feet. He looked in the mirror; he was wearing jeans and nothing on top yet but he looked good. He looked way better than he thought he would. He smiled and his hand drifted to the claiming bite on his neck. It was loud and proud on his neck; he relaxed into the body that moulded to his back. He soaked up his mates scent and strength. He snickered at his mates overwhelming smugness at the feeling of pride at having claimed him. "You're it."

"I know, time to meet the crazy family." Brian said amusement loud and clear.

Stiles clear his throat, but was still grinning in the doorway, "You love us really Peter."

Peter shrugged, but did acknowledge graciously, "You are smarter and you are good with the pups."

Stiles smirked, "Now you are in a relationship, careful we might ask you to babysit the kids so that mom and dad can have some alone time."

Brian laughed at the banter and he truly couldn't wait to meet the rest of the pack. He had been sequestered away while he healed and the bond stabilised; whilst he couldn't deny that he was glad at the time. That was then, but now that he was healed - all he wanted to do was run, fight and play.

Stiles pretended to be exasperated, "Well I'm about to start breakfast so I can introduce you to the kids if you're ready."

Brian looked at Peter as if to ask, should he follow the crazy human?

Peter shrugged, "He makes the best food, and as he has class it is for the best to get their quickly. The pups would eat Derek out of house and home if we weren't rich."

Brian finally ventured out of the room and took in his surroundings. He moved forward entwining his hands with Peter as he went. He entered what was a large modern kitchen with two large breakfast bars and a massive dining table. Brian guessed that that was where the pack held their dinners. He grinned seeing the Alpha come into the kitchen and head straight for his mate.

Derek moved over to Stiles dropping a kiss to his head and gratefully accepting the mug of coffee placed in his hands. Stiles grinned fondly as his mate said nothing as he inhaled his caffeine. He really wasn't a morning wolf without coffee. "This is our Alpha. Hey Sourwolf greet Brian, Peter's mate."

Derek looked up a little sheepishly. He did move forward though and did the formal welcome to the pack - Brian almost whimpered as the Alpha nuzzled his neck and scented him showing him that he was pack. He nuzzled and inhaled the scent of his Alpha in return. He felt Peter's contentment and as Derek released him, he leant back against Peter. After all, his mate had a chest that deserved acknowledgement - anytime Brian saw it naked he wanted to lick, bite and kiss all over it.

Peter sent a bolt of arousal through the bond. Brian glared bastard knew exactly what he was doing to Brian. It was not fair to tease a wolf!

Derek wisely said nothing - as a werewolf, families had little privacy and the less he thought about his Uncles sex life the better. He decided to risk the betas as Brian seemed calm - no time like the present. "Pups time for breakfast get a move on!"

Stiles rolled his eyes, "If they start scrapping over the best food I'm rolling up a newspaper."

Derek grinned sweetly, "Yes dear."

The first pup to make it there was Isaac and Stiles would admit that he was Stiles' favourite. The others sometimes teased Isaac that he was the Golden Pup. It was more that Stiles knew what Isaac suffered at home and therefore wanted to shower him with plenty of affection to make up for his shitty home life. Stiles had platted up Isaac's food, "Here you go Pup."

Isaac grinned and it was easy and affectionate, and wow Brian just knew that the kid would be trouble. He watched as he soaked up the casual touch and it showed a teen who was severely touch starved. He immediately hated the parents - even if there was nothing he could do as he was sure that the pack had already taken their revenge. The pup consumed his food in only a way that a ravenous teen pup could.

Stiles rolled his eyes, "Pup, introduce yourself to Brian. He is Peter's mate and I think you might have competition for cutest pup in the pack."

He slunk over to Brian, looking cautious and Brian guessed that having remembered the injuries he was scared. He grinned softly, "Come here!"

Isaac flung himself at Brian who braced himself for the impact and let Isaac hug him. He inhaled his scent making sure to scent him for pack purposes, and also so that if the pup was ever in trouble - he would be able to track him. Brian was just learning that Isaac brought those feelings out in everyone – not just him.

Brian was content to let the hug last a little longer, "Who else?"

Stiles grinned but for once it was not reassuring, "Oh they need to be met on their own terms and all the kids stopped over last night so it will be interesting."

Just as he said that, Jackson and Scott came barrelling through the door in a tangle of limbs and claws. They always fought to be first for Stiles' food. It was ridiculous and Stiles was now prepared for it.

Derek could feel his mate's annoyance, "Shall I?"

Stiles snorted, it was not so bad that he wanted Derek to pick them both up by the scruff of the neck and throw them outside like naughty puppies. Although he had let Derek do that when he was just not in the mood. Today though he was prepared for the pups to scrap - he took the New Street Journal and calmly rolled it up.

Brian was wide eyed as the human walked over to the pair, and smacked them on the nose. "No! Hell no. And great impression you made on Brian."

The boys had stood up erect at the scolding from Stiles, they hated when he went all 'mom' on their asses, but they never learned. And then their mates walked in and added to their embarrassment, "Stiles you know they can't act civilised before food." Allison added with an exasperated air that let Brian know that this was a fairly old argument.

Stiles looked at Derek with big eyes, "You said when they found their mates that I would worry less."

Derek pulled him into a hug, "No such luck we have high maintenance pups."

Stiles shrugged, it was kind of the truth, "Yeah but we wouldn't change them. Brian, this is Scott, my best friend forever, and his mate Allison. She may be human but her family are hunters - she makes Legolas look like a pansy."

Brian's eyes widened at that little tidbit of information. He couldn't help but think this was the strangest yet perhaps best pack he'd seen, as they were not related by blood but clearly cared for one another. "It's good to see happy mates even if it is very Shakespearean."

Stiles, who was still wrapped up in Derek's arms, started laughing, "I knew I liked you. Peter and I made so many Romeo and Juliet comments last year."

Scott looked like a kicked puppy but figured he should try and distract people from this conversation before Stiles found anyone else that could join him in ganging up on the others. "Can we introduce ourselves?"

Stiles shook with mirth, "This is Scott and behind him is Jackson. He is a Kanima as well as a werewolf... We adopted him."

Lydia who had strolled in behind the scrapping teens, "Erica and Boyd will be down they just need to put each other down first."

Stiles laughed, he was so glad that his crush was now a close friend. He was also glad that he and Derek had a stable mate bond so that Derek couldn't get jealous. "I guessed that Lyds."

Lydia looked the new pack member over, and she'd heard the whole story from Stiles. "So you are cute and keep Peter in check. I like you, which is why we are going to mall so I can buy you clothes."

Jackson broke off from scenting Brian as protocol demanded to whine, "Lyds no more shopping this week."

Stiles shuddered, not wanting to have to replace the windows if a domestic broke out. He adopted his best mom voice, not giving a shit if got teased. "Oh no Lydia Martin and Jackson Whittlemore if you wanna fight do it away from my sensitive ears."

They looked sheepish and Lydia took pity on an obviously confused Brian, pointing at herself, "Banshee."

"Ahh." He said as if that explained everything and didn't need to know anything else.

He wondered who else would be part of the pack, he wasn't ruling out fairies or elves. Peter could sense that his mate was amused but he would have to wait until later to ask what. It was too bad that while mates could share dreams and feelings they couldn't share thoughts.

Erica came barrelling through the door dragging Boyd behind him. Stiles greeted his Catwoman, "Hey Missy. Go and greet our new member and I will plate your food."

She grinned, and bounded over to Brian. She looked him over and smirked, "Wow. Peter you batted way above your average."

Peter pouted but he was glad that the pack was now introduced as that meant he could pull Brian back against him. "It's true but hey I'm selfish enough not to take it."

Brian rolled his eyes, "We all have a past. It's what we do in the future that counts."

Derek and Stiles shared a look, it was one of approval. They couldn't help but think that Brian would be a good fit for the pack, and for Peter.

The teens in the pack went off to school while Peter, Derek and Brian headed into the living area. Derek hadn't said it to anyone but Stiles yet but he was so very glad that his uncle had found his mate for more than one reason. His guilt over the fire and all that Peter had lost was lessened just a little.

Brian settled back into Peter happy and content, "So what do you need to know?"

Derek froze and Peter stiffened, surprised by the blunt question. Brian just snorted, "I've never been the type of wolf to run away."

Peter sighed, "Yes although when it is a pack of Alpha I would prefer that you do."

Brian rolled his eyes as he burrowed closer feeling the tension through the bond. He didn't want Peter thinking more about his attack. He was alive, with all his limbs and mated - he was counting this as a win.

"The authorities caught up to me, and they needed someone to go under in Carter Verone's team. It was that or prison."

Derek inhaled a deep breath, understanding the very real dilemma, as Stiles had put it; Brian was way too pretty for prison. "So Verone made a play for you?"

Brian choked back a laugh at that phrasing; he still shuddered thinking just how close he'd come to a forced mating on that boat. "He tried to forcibly mate with me."

Peter squeezed his leg, reminding him that it didn't happen. That through sheer tenacity his beta-self had escaped Miami and ran into a pack which included his mate. For once, Brian felt like his luck might be turning. "He won't get to you again. We'll kill him before he gets you again."

Brian felt warm through at the idea that he was protected and cared about. It was a nice feeling, "So how did the pack fall together?"

Derek laughed at the phrasing, "It's a long story one that we will share but needs nearly the whole pack together to be told right. I will say this that the pack is all Stiles."

Peter snorted at his nephew's propensity for understatement; sometimes even now he wished that he had bit Stiles and not Scott. It was for the best, Stiles served the pack best as a human mage and no one could ever argue that he wasn't a badass. "He is so right! I'm just glad that Sheriff hasn't arrested you."

Derek had a toothy grin, "I have never sat through a more scary dinner than the one I had at Casa Stilinski."

Brian started, "Wait Stiles is the Sheriff's son and he hasn't arrested you."

Derek shook his head but could tell that on that first meeting John Stilinski had wanted to arrest his ass, and make him disappear but something had stopped him. Ironically it had been his mate, "You know what I was waiting for it. It didn't because of Stiles, according to John Stiles looked at me like his wife had looked at him."

Brian smiled softly knowing that if they were true mates than that would be more than likely the case. "That is good considering the potential issues you could have."

Derek snorted wondering how to explain to Brian that he'd been already accused of murder twice. He had no wish to add statutory rape. "The rule is that Stiles has to stay at his Dad's for at least half of the week and check in every night, and while we are around him or the town we are to act as pure as snow until he turns eighteen."

Brian laughed knowing that they were both doing exactly that and he had to admire both mates' control. He knew that if that had been him then his control would be severely tested. He knew that he wouldn't want to part with Peter, especially like a distance across a town for any length of time - including one night. Still, the dad was being as accommodating as he could be considering his position - no wonder the Alpha couple took the deal.

It had been a week with no movement and there was an air of unease. The restlessness was obvious to the Alpha pair and none of them wanted yappy pups underfoot.

Derek couldn't stand the restless pacing and uneasy energy in the room any longer. "Hell no. Come on Pups we are going for a run."

Peter and Brian shared a look wondering if they could argue against the Alpha's command as no one in the pack considered them pups, even if Stiles was a little more affectionate to Brian. Derek though was wise to whatever they were about to say, "No all betas' are coming on the run."

Brian pouted, he really wanted to slope off with Peter - they were still new to their mating so it was not like anyone could really blame them. It didn't matter though as Brian was only too happy to follow the orders of a sane Alpha - It made such a refreshing change from having been under in the pack in Miami with Carter.

He wasn't sure that Carter wouldn't do something stupid, but hoped that with news of their mating having been carried through the wolf community that he would back off. It was one of their worst crimes to interfere in a mate bond, but it happened. Still he shook off these dark thoughts - and set off running over the preserve. It was the best bit of the Hale-land, the fact that they could run and be free.

Brian listened to the pups strip down and run into the forest howling at the night sky - it was too bad that there wasn't a full moon. It would have just completed the picture. The training was based around, "Hide and Seek, me and Stiles will find you."

Brian knew how to run and hide which all the others would soon learn. He shook his head as the pups ran into the forest - they were loud as they aimed for speed and they had no chance to be stealthy. He and Peter were moving in similar directions, using the creek as a way to mask scents. They were running parallel paths that meant that they would be able to come to the others aid fairly quickly.

The leaves and forest smelled rich and alive and Brian was happy that he could take the chance to enjoy himself. He was moving with speed and purpose but not too quickly, as to be breaking plants and trees. It was stupid and naive - plus you made it just that much easier to track you.

He froze catching the foreign scent. It was one he knew - the only question was -what was he doing here?

"Are you insane?" Brian asked incredulously. He had already sent an SOS through the bond to Peter. It was taking all he could not to freak out with his tormentor right across his path.

Carter shook his head, he hated the stinking forest. He may be a werewolf but that didn't mean that they had to live like wolves - there was nothing wrong with creature comforts. "You did well to hide from me for this long but it is time to come home."

Brian shook his head in defiance; his hand went to the bite at his neck. It was a mark that he wore proudly, Peter's mating bite. "I'm mated."

Carter shook his head in bemusement, "Oh Pup. I'm an Alpha - I bite your wrist and you'll think only of me."

Now that did spark fear in Brian, he didn't want to forget Peter, or, become a mindless beta. Carter was a horrifying Alpha - a complete nightmare compared to Derek. Brian could see what was about to happen in his mind's eye. Carter would lunge and pin him. He would fight, as he could do no less but he would be bitten and be dragged away.

His panic almost went into free-fall except he felt a warm body at his back. It was maybe not the smartest thing to do when there was an obsessed Alpha after your ass but he sank back against Peter.

Carter snarled, "I'll rip your mate apart and claim you over his body."

Peter had had his fill of the insane Alpha within a minute. He upset Brian which was enough to make him want to rip him apart. Peter baited him, "You have to work on your proposals that was tasteless."

Peter could and would fight Carter but he had a betas power now, and he really didn't fancy an alpha power trip just yet. He had no intention of being like the insane shell he had been not too long ago. Even if he wanted the power, and he wouldn't deny that a part of him would always seek power - he wouldn't do it to Brian. It was why he had text Stiles the minute he had felt Brian's alarm. His mate wasn't the type to freak easily so he knew it wasn't good whatever Brian had seen.

Derek came out of the shadows, red eyes flashing in the dark. The pack made a statement as they all came in force. Peter was choked as he wasn't sure that the whole pack would come to support him. Stiles was by Derek's side, eyes flashing, not red, but a bright green showing his strong affinity to magic, and after them fanning out in an arc were the other betas.

Derek took over, letting Peter keep Brian behind him and out of the fray. "This is my land and you are distressing my Uncle, and trespassing on my land."

"He has my mate," Carter argued.

Stiles snorted not really believing that that was what the Alpha was going for as an argument, "My apologies but you cannot interfere between their soulbond."

"You're just a human pet." Carter sneered with contempt, and he watched as the whole pack bristled at the comment. A while ago that would have plagued Stiles and fed right into his insecurities - now, it just made him laugh. Oh and he may have blasted the psycho Alpha off his ass.

Brian felt that Carter could never plague his nightmares again seeing him land unceremoniously in a puddle at the bottom of the tree.

"Hey I resent that, he is my mate." Derek smirked as Alpha Verone had handed him all the excuse needed to dispose of him without any repercussions. "And as long as Brian's mate has no objections I will fight for the dishonour you caused my mate."

Peter shrugged, "Make sure you slash his throat open extra wide."

Stiles was glad that the pack had gotten over things in the past to the point where they could joke about things like murdering one and another.

Stiles felt Brian and Peter stand by him as Derek went to fight. Stiles shivered seeing the power and strength in his pure Alpha form. Derek was fucking gorgeous in any form but his pure wolf form was big, strong, sleek black wolf.

Derek had changed mid-air and clamped his jaws into Carter's leg. This was clearly going to be an unequal fight; you could sense it even this early on. It was to be expected since the Hale pack had settled and the bonds strengthened Derek's power as Alpha had increased. He wasn't going to lose to this Alpha.

Carter made the mistake of ripping his leg from Derek's jaw. It was stupid move as it ripped a huge chunk of muscle and sinew away with Derek's teeth. Carter was banking in healing - and as rapid as werewolves healed, muscles took the longest. Derek had no intention of letting this fight last any longer than it had to. His claws were slashing across the meat of the stomach, and his opponent was a little too slow evading him.

The anguished howl told the pack all they needed to know. Peter was never more grateful to his nephew as he slowly took apart Brian's nightmare in front of Brian. Stiles kept a careful watch on the pack, making sure that Verone was a lone wolf and no one was following him.

Peter growled in satisfaction watching the blood spill from the gut wound. Derek really was his favourite right now, and there wasn't even the slightest regret that he wouldn't be the one pulling the trigger so to speak. And right there was it - Derek had slashed Verone's throat. The wolf gargled, "You might kill me but one is coming for retribution."

"Who?" Stiles asked.

"Deucalion."

Erica scoffed, "What sort of name is that?"

The rest of the pack was unconcerned, not recognising the name and trusting in the strength of their pack bond. It was not wrong; the pack was stronger now than it had been in years. The others didn't know the name but Peter and Derek did. It seemed the Alpha pack was heading to the Hills.

This had the potential to go very wrong, and therefore in the recent traditions dictated that they probably would go wrong.