Stiles had a rough day after Derek left earlier. He couldn't go back to sleep but he didn't want to deal with this whole "an entire alpha pack wanna hunt down my pack" thing. It was like 6 am. Way too early to think about stuffs like this. He grabbed his laptop and started to read. He found some really interesting information in celtic myths but he wasn't really into praying to some ancient gods and goddesses and sacrificing sheeps. After two hours he started to bore so he went to the basement and took some old stuff to his room. He found mistletoe too which he read was good against bad spirits. It kept them away. So he gave it a shot. And he scratched a celtic symbol on his door, thinking that it could be helpful at some point too. He started to read again and after a little while he just fell asleep.
- Stiles, are you here? – shouted Derek. – Stiles, where are you?
- I'm right here – the boy murmured. He heard the older one running upstairs. Derek tried to open the door but he failed.
- You locked the door? – he asked but he wasn't angry as Stiles first thought. At least not with the boy. He was kind of relieved. – Can you please open it?
Stiles yawned, stood up and walked to the door. It wasn't locked, he could open it easily. Derek looked at him and he seemed frustrated.
- Hey, sourwolf! What's up? – the werewolf stepped into his room, walked through it and went straight to the window. Stiles didn't see his face but after a few seconds he realized that Derek tried to calm himself down. He didn't answer, just stared out the window. – What's wrong? Something happened?
- You left the house without permission? – Derek turned to the boy.
- No… - Stiles said. – But it's not like I'm grounded or something. I could leave if I wanted to.
- Don't lie to me. It's okay if you did – Derek replied. – I just want to know when that happened.
- When did what happen? I can't follow you, Derek! What are you talking about? – Stiles asked and started to get more and more confused.
- Tell me what happened! I won't be angry with you – the werewolf said. Why didn't you call immediately?
- Let's play that you tell me what you want to know because I'm kinda lost here. And I'm really bad at guessing but it's pretty obvious – Stiles closed the door and sat down on his chair.
- When did that symbol appear on the door? – Derek asked slowly.
- Oh, that one! I scratched it earlier this day. I know you think it's silly but…
- You scratched that? – the werewolf walked to him and grabbed him. – Why would you do that?
- Oh my God! Easy, sourwolf – Stiles raised his arms to protect himself. – And put your fangs back to your gum, for God's sake! I didn't think it was such a big deal. I mean it's barely even visible.
- Barely…? – Derek let him go. – What are you talking about?
- It's the question of the week, I guess – Stiles raised his eyebrows. – I'm talking about the tiny celtic symbol on my door. What are you talking about?
- About the huge celtic symbol on the front door – Derek was confused. – It wasn't you – he didn't ask.
- Wait! – Stiles opened the door of his room. – I'm talking about this! Where's yours?
Derek walked to the door and watched every detail of it. Then he shook his head and went downstairs, straight to the front door.
- I'm talking about this! – he opened the door and there was a huge triskele on it. – The alphas made it. After I left today.
- It's not possible – Stiles took a step back. – I was here all day.
- Well… I didn't do it, you didn't do it and it's a life threat so I'm pretty sure it was them – Derek closed the door. – I just don't understand why didn't they kill you.
- Thank a lot, man – Stiles grabbed his phone and dialed. – I'm glad you're alive too!
- What are you doing? – Derek asked.
- Calling Scott! I convene a pack meeting – he answered and left the room.
The both sat in the living room, kept quiet and they were thinking about what the actual hell happened. Half an hour later Scott arrived with the other members of their pack.
- What happened? – Scott stepped in the living room. – Is that symbol on the door is what I think it is?
- If you think of a life threat from the alpha pack then yes. It is actually what you think it is – Derek said. He was upset.
- And Stiles has been here all along? – Erica asked. – It makes me wonder. Whether he's underrated or the alphas are overrated.
- It's not funny, Erica – Isaac said. – Where have you been, Stiles?
- I've been here – he answered but didn't look at them.
- The how are you not dead? Or kidnapped? – Isaac asked and Stiles blinked at him with his "I can't decide to hug you or to punch you in the face" look. – Not that I'm not happy you're alright. It's just weird.
- We have no clue – Derek answered impatiently.
- I actually have – Stiles replied. Everyone waited for him to explain. – I read a lot last night. Mostly about celtic myths and superstitions because apparently they have something to do with werewolves. And I found some interesting things that may be able to help us protect ourselves.
- Things like what? – Scott asked.
- There are these symbols like the one on the front door and on my room's door. I scratched mine today, it's a five fold. It can collect the good power and keep it together. And I know it probably sounds pretty lame but I guess it worked – they all looked really confused. – And there are magical trees and plants too. Everything from nature has its own meaning. Most of them have more than one. It depends on the user's purpose. I put mistletoe over my door because it keeps the harmful spirits away. And there are some magical trees too. Like aspen, for example. It can help you dream because it has something to do with visions – Stiles explained and turned to Derek. – And it also helps you get what you want. Because it means victory. What wood are the doors made of?
- Most of them are oak. Why? – the alpha asked but he didn't get an answer because Stiles ran upstairs. After a few minutes he returned with his laptop in his hands.
- You said oak? Great choice! – Stiles nodded and started to read. – It means strength, stability and nobility. – Perfect choice. And the others?
- What about them? – Derek looked surprised.
- What are they made of? – Stiles asked. – Ash, willow, birch, rowan? Those are good ones, I can tell!
- Rowan, I guess. Not sure – the human started to make him mad.
- Which doors? – the boy stopped. Everybody caught their breath and waited for Derek to answer the question. Although they had no idea what was going on.
- The door of my old room. Which is yours now – Derek said. – And maybe all the windows I didn't throw away. My mother liked rowan.
- I know why they let me live – Stiles turned to them. – It was the wood. It made me imperceptible for them.
- This is getting truly ridiculous – Erica stood up but Boyd pulled her back. She was really mad, maybe even shaking.
- I want to see this – Isaac said sceptical.
They all went upstairs to Stiles' room and stood before the door.
- I'm quite sure nothing's happening – Isaac said.
- I'm quite sure it's not working like this – Scott replied.
- I'll figure it out – Stiles promised but he had no idea what to do.
- I'm done with this – Erica took a step back. – I had a long day and I'm tired. And if it's not enough a pack of bloodthirsty alphas wants to kill us. I'm just so done with all of this! Thanks for the show, Batman! You made my day.
- I'll walk her home – said Boyd and ran after her.
- You should leave too – Derek turned to Isaac. – We can't do anything else today and we'll start earlier tomorrow morning.
- No – Stiles shook his head. He walked into the room and closed the door. – I just don't get it. It doesn't work.
- Open the door, Stiles – Derek said.
- Alright, alright. I didn't mean to be rude – the boy apologized. - I just really don't understand why it didn't work.
- It did – Isaac smiled.
- Yeah, make fun of me – Stiles nodded.
- He meant it – the alpha smirked. – It actually worked.
- How is that possible? – Scott asked amazed.
- I don't know, dude. I'm just a bookworm, not a wizard – Stiles answered but he felt really proud.
- Whether it works or not we're not staying here anymore – Derek shook his head. – I won't be hiding in a teenager boy's room. Waiting for the alphas to leave.
They all walked inside the room. Stiles and Scott sat on the boy's bed, Isaac on the chair and Derek went to the window again. They didn't say a word for about ten minutes.
- I want to know how it worked – Stiles sighed.
- We couldn't hear you heartbeats and we lost your smell. It was like you disappeared after you closed the door – Scott answered.
- Isaac, call Boyd and tell him to bring Erica back here – Derek requested. – We all stay here tonight and find out what to do tomorrow.
- Maybe it avoided your attention but this room isn't big enough for six people – Stiles resisted. – And it's a real pack thing. I should go.
- Maybe it avoided your attention but this is my pack and you're a part of it. And I'd do anything to protect you. All of you. So you won't go – Derek replied and then turned to Scott. – Get some mattresses from the other rooms. Isaac, call Boyd again and Stiles… don't be in our way.
Two hours and thirty-five voice messages later Isaac gave up on calling Boyd or Erica. They both were switched off.
- We should go and get them – Derek suggested.
- Erica is probably sulking and Boyd's trying to calm her down. It's okay till they're together – Scott yawned. – Now let's sleep. I'm really tired and I'll need my power romorrow.
- Night guys! – Isaac replied and fell asleep.
Stiles was just lying on his bed and thinking about what if Scott was wrong. He noticed Erica's reaction when she saw the symbol on the front door. She totally freaked out. She will get herself in trouble and take Boyd with herself. At least he'll take care of her.
Maybe he should try to do something too. It's just really weird that both of them switched their phones off. Erica maybe sulked sometimes when things didn't go the way she wanted them but she never left it. She picked up the fight no matter who hushed her.
- I know you're up, Derek! – Stiles whispered. – You were thinking about Erica. I don't think she will come back tomorrow like nothing happened. Do you?
- No – Derek cleared his throat. – I don't. I guess you were right again. She left and took Boyd with herself.
- They didn't leave because of you – Stiles continued. – They left because they were afraid of the alphas.
- They left because they thought I wouldn't be able to protect them – Derek answered. He sounded really desperate. – They might have been right.
- Don't say that, sourwolf! – Stiles shook his head. – I will deny if someone asks but you make a pretty good alpha to this pack.
Derek didn't give an answer, just sighed and turned his back to Stiles. He felt guilty for letting Erica go, although he knew he wouldn't be able to stop her. Not even as her alpha. She was just really strong and independent. That's why he had turned her on the first place. She had needed some help to open and dare to be herself and when she had got that help, she had become unstoppable. She reminded him to his little sister, Cora. She had always been stubborn and persistent if she'd wanted something. She was like a natural disaster. Great to watch but hell to be near.
- I'm gonna look for a new place tomorrow – Derek whispered and he knew that Stiles was still listening. – We'll leave as soon as possible. Take care of stuffs! I want us to be ready to move when I find the right flat.
- If you want me to do the laundry, clean the house and pack everything in boxes, I'll need that maid uniform we talked about before – Stiles smirked and he would be sure Derek did too.
