Chapter 6/12 (+epilogue)

Stiles' suggestion hadn't exactly been welcomed by Derek. Even with Chris helping them, and Allison being part of the pack, the alpha didn't think it was possible for the hunter to be in the pack as well. There weren't exactly a lot of evidence pointing in that way, especially since Stiles refused to talk about the details, but the teenager was pretty sure he was right. Still, he couldn't do anything about it for the moment and would have to wait for a more opportune moment.

Derek hadn't stayed very long after that, mostly because the Sheriff was to come back not too long afterwards and he didn't want to get caught. He left quietly, unseen, by the window and Stiles went to bed, too wired up to sleep, but wanting to be at his best the next day, as they would have to continue looking for indication of what the task they needed to accomplish was.

The night dragged on as the teen tossed and turned in bed, unable to find sleep until the very early hours of the morning. If only he could use his summer vacations to actually rest…


A few days later, after hours of unfruitful research, Derek and Stiles were spending one of their rare moments together, at the Hale house which, for once, was devoid of any other visitor. They were lounging on the couch, a light chitchat coming from Stiles, when the calm was shattered and Derek straightened up, frowning slightly.

"Derek?" Stiles asked, worried.

However, he shouldn't have bothered as Derek immediately shook his head, giving him a shadow of a smile to tell him it wasn't anything dangerous.

"It's Danny," he explained. "I'm just not sure what he's doing here."

That was a very good question, as Danny wasn't supposed to have anything to report to Derek today. He had done all he could when he had looked for information on the member of the visiting pack and as long as they didn't have any particular place they needed to look into, his skills as hacker would be completely useless so he had been given a few vacation days, so to speak. Hence why the fact he was there was particularly puzzling.

Danny knocked on the door. Usually, pack members came in without that kind of courtesy but, as he was perfectly aware of Stiles and Derek spending the afternoon together and not wanting to walk on them at the wrong time – he had had his fair share of awkward moments like this with Jackson and Lydia, thank you very much – he preferred to wait until Derek invited him in.

When he did, Stiles was gratified to see he didn't look particularly freaked out and didn't seem in any hurry either, which would have been the case should anything have happened that could be considered problematic or dangerous. No, he just seemed a little bit disconcerted.

"Hey, Danny boy!" Stiles exclaimed and Danny rolled his eyes but stayed quiet, having worked out a long time ago that there was no point in telling Stiles, once again, to stop using that nickname. "What brings you here?"

The raised eyebrow Derek sported told the young man that he too wished to have the answer to that inquiry and it wasn't as if he would have waited before telling them anyway. He was the kind of person who liked to get straight to the point, unlike Stiles who took pleasure in getting the conversation going in all direction before actually coming to the important point.

"I'm not sure how relevant it is and that's why I waited before saying anything or bringing it up at a pack meeting but… I'm having some very strange dreams recently, always about the pack," he said and Stiles startled almost imperceptibly.

Derek glanced at him, much more aware of his reactions than Danny and the pieces clicked together in his mind. He filled the information in a corner of his mind and resolved to think about it later on as, for now, it was Danny who was more important.

"Why is that strange?"

Because, yes, if several people had dreams like these, they could find it strange but, as far as Danny knew, he was the only one so Derek had to know why he would find that occurrence strange.

"It always comes back to the day I agreed to join the pack and some of the events afterwards. They are more like memories than dreams, really, but always the same kind, night after night. I mean, a few night, I didn't see anything wrong. It seemed pretty normal but it has been way more than a few nights now and nothing has changed…"

Derek nodded, understanding the trouble, but not certain where it was going. There was really only one possibility, the one that Stiles had advanced a few days earlier, but it had seemed pretty farfetched then and, if he was honest, it still did.

"We really need to know more about that spell," he said, indicating that he would be looking into Danny's problems. "Stiles…"

The young man nodded, knowing that he was the one who would be taking care of that. And he had a pretty good idea on where to go looking.

"I'll talk to Deaton," he said, knowing that if anyone would be able to shed some light on it, it would be him.

He may have not known too much about the alphas pack up to know, but maybe if he stopped thinking about them and just concentrated on the spell, it would be different. After all, he had seemed pretty knowledgeable about magic so there was a good chance he would at least know what kind of spell may have been used.

Danny didn't stay very long after that, as he had apparently something planned with Isaac, but he hadn't wanted to wait any longer before warning them about that. Derek and Stiles stayed alone and Danny had barely closed the door after him that Derek whirled around to face Stiles.

"Argent is having the same kind of dreams," Derek said and it wasn't a question, not really.

He was just asking for confirmation, as Stiles' reaction during Danny's account had already betrayed him. The young man, knowing there was no point in lying, just nodded.

"Yeah. Look, I'm not… I'm not going to tell you what exactly but, yes, it's the same kind of things, memories more than dreams…"

"Of the pack?" Derek asked skeptically, because really, he just couldn't see it.

Stiles hesitated for a second but, quite frankly, he couldn't just leave it at that. He wouldn't give any details, but he could at least provide Derek with a clue.

"He was friend with Peter…," Stiles reminded him and Derek stayed silent for a second, taking in consideration what he had just learnt.

Eventually, he nodded.

"We need to find out what kind of spell it is, what exactly it does but… maybe you were right," Derek admitted even if it cost him because he had problems seeing it.

However, if all the clues pointed in the same direction, he wouldn't go on thinking it was wrong. He refused to bury his head in the sand, not in this situation, not when the entirety of the pack was at stake. He would face things as they come, even if he really couldn't understand them.

Stiles nodded, glad to see that Derek saw things his way finally, but a bit stunned that Danny was having these same dreams. If the spell was to tighten the bonds of the pack, why would it target Danny? None of the other pack members had reported anything and Stiles most certainly hadn't been the recipient of a series of dreams like that so why Danny? He wasn't any less involved than the others, he had certainly participated as much as any of them since he had joined them.

Since he had joined them, in the middle of their troubles with Gerard and the kanima, when they really didn't have time to think…

"Derek?" Stiles asked, not wanting to believe they could have overlooked something like that but pretty sure he had the answer of that question.

The alpha looked at him, a questioning frown on his handsome face.

"You have welcomed officially Danny in the pack, right?"

The way Derek's eyes immediately widened and the sheepish look that followed suit was answer enough.

"Shit," the man swore under his breath. "We were so busy…. I need to do it," he said.

"Yeah," Stiles approved. "You really do. Well, I should go to Deaton. We probably know how to stop Danny's dream, but…"

He didn't follow with the end of his sentence but the intent was there and Derek approved, letting Stiles go and do his thing while he immediately phoned Danny, explaining the problem they had realized. They, of course, weren't sure it would be the end of Danny's dreams, but they had to do it anyway so the sooner the better.


Stiles called Lydia on his way to the veterinarian clinic. It may not have been a discussion he needed her here for, not at this point in time, as it was more about talking to Deaton and convince him to tell him all he knew about the kind of magic spell used by the alphas, rather than a research session, but he knew she would appreciate being her for the explanation. Besides, it really wasn't all that fair on the young woman to only call her when they needed her; it was beginning to feel too much as if they were using her.

They both met in front of the clinic, leaving their respective vehicles on the small parking lot in front of it. There was, luckily for them, no client in the practice when they entered the building. Deaton looked up and Stiles chose to think he was just imagining the resigned look he took on for an instant before welcoming them warmly.

"What can I do for you, today? I've been looking for some more information on the alphas pack, as Scott asked me to, but unfortunately, it's not a very well-documented subject."

Stiles nodded, because it had to be expected but, at the moment, he quite frankly couldn't care less about it. They had stopped looking into that direction for the time being, choosing to prioritize as, apparently, they wouldn't have a lot to do with them on a personal level and the challenge they issues tended to change from pack to pack.

"Actually, we were wondering if you knew anything about the spell they use. Well, at least, any idea on what kind of spell it could be and what the effects we could expect are? I mean, we know it's something that's put on the whole town but should only affect people to help getting the pack closer."

Deaton looked at him intently, without saying a word, and Stiles would have hurried him, pestering him for an actual answer, but the glare Lydia threw him told him not to. He had been so focused on the verbal answer he had missed the clue that the man didn't seem to hesitate about telling him, but appeared deep in thought. He apparently was going to answer the question but needed to talk about it first.

Eventually, he nodded, as if finally reaching a decision on how to tell what he had to say. He first made sure to go and turn the sign on the door, warning any potential client that the clinic was closed for the moment, and took them in a room behind the main place. The man didn't seem to be in a hurry or want to get a particular book from the shelves but, apparently, it was better if the public couldn't see them if they had wanted to drop a pet or something while he was talking to them.

"I cannot answer with absolute certainty," he began slowly, not wanting to give them false hope. "As the spell used would depend on the users and what they want to accomplish, as well as the kind of magic they are more suited to. However, from what you have told me about Kali and the information she gave you, I assume it must be some kind of mind magic, affecting mostly the subconscious."

"Dreams, for example?" Stiles cut off before looking a bit sheepish at his interruption but Deaton didn't seem to be too put out.

On the contrary, he looked proud.

"That's a possibility, yes," he said and Lydia looked at Stiles with piercing eyes.

Apparently, Danny hadn't told her anything about his dreams, which wasn't all that surprising if he hadn't thought them to be anything strange up to now. Since Chris wouldn't have told anyone else either, Lydia had no way of knowing someone had problems of this sort.

"And the only people of the pack are affected?" Lydia asked. "Because neither I, nor Jackson, have been affected."

She didn't mention anyone else, probably more than aware that, apparently, someone had been since Stiles had jumped to that particular conclusion. Still, it was strange to see that some pack members had been spared.

Deaton had apparently thought about this possibility when he was thinking before, as he was able to formulate at theory on the spot.

"If the spell is to guide your pack to become a more cohesive unit, the people affected may not be those who are the best inducted in your group," he explained. "It may be to help those who are on the fringe to get more included…"

Stiles swallowed as he had a pretty good idea of the message Deaton was trying to pass on, or at least he hoped so as it would help him some.

"For example, if someone was acting as if they were part of the pack, helping protecting us or… I don't know, helping us in any way, but not actually having been formally inducted in or, really, not even thinking themselves as part of the pack?" Stiles asked and Deaton nodded.

"It's a definite possibility. Even if someone's not thinking they are part of the pack, but the magic thing they are… the dreams may help them realize they should be. You should also look into the hierarchy and construction of a pack," Deaton added. "You kids have done great up to now, but none of you know how an old pack is supposed to work. Derek is the one who has the more experience but even he doesn't know everything as he hasn't been told before the fire. If the alphas pack has been judging others for centuries, they may want to see a more old-fashioned hierarchy."

Stiles hadn't thought about it but, apparently, Lydia already had as she just nodded.

"Yes, I've been trying to find what I could on the subject. I don't have a lot of information just yet, but I did retrieve some that looked pretty interesting. We will have to make sure all the important roles are filled."

Deaton gave the young girl a sincere smile and it seemed that the conversation was over. Still, he asked for Stiles to remain behind for a while. He had apparently told them all he knew, though, and Lydia decided to leave immediately and see Stiles at a later date, instead of waiting for him. They would have to talk to the whole pack about what little they had found out anyway, so they would see each other the day after.

"So, what's up, Doc?" he joked and was rewarded by a raised eyebrow.

The man looked into one of his drawers, without answering, and took something out, before handing it to Stiles, who studied it. It was a little cylindrical container, which seemed filled with a kind of powder. Deaton also handed him a book, a magic book by the look of it.

"Does it have anything to do with the alphas pack?" he asked as he had no idea why these objects were handed to him and couldn't see another reason for it.

Deaton shook his head.

"No, though it could help you out in the long run. Just read the book and try. If you have any question afterwards, you can come to me. Now, I've got some work to do."

Stiles didn't think he actually had any work to do at the moment, but didn't bother contradicting him and left with a last thank you, heading straight home, curiosity burning.

The curiosity was only exacerbated as he opened the book and read the first few paragraphs, talking about people having a spark, people who could use magic present in the environment to help them out. Stiles couldn't help the flicker or hope that mounted into him, because he would love to have something more than just his intellect and gun prowess at his disposition.

When he began reading the first chapter, which talked about mountain ash and the various ways it could be used, he smiled because he knew what Deaton wanted to tell him and it was a challenge he was more than ready to take on.


Derek began the meeting by telling everyone that Danny had been formally inducted in the pack the night before and, when incredulous glance were sent his way, he couldn't help the slight blush as he explained that, with everything that had been going on at the time, he had completely forgotten about it before now.

"I didn't dream last night," Danny said when the inquiring look from Stiles gathered questions from all around.

Lydia appeared to understand.

"So this is why Stiles knew that the spell could manifest itself in dreams," she stated, a bit put out that Danny hadn't come to her and Jackson but glad to have the answer to the question she had never had the occasion to ask the day before.

Both Derek and Stiles looked at each other, knowing what it meant. They had been right, the dreams were there to bring people together into the pack. Of course, the others didn't have the hindsight of that particular conversation.

"Why are we talking about dreams?" Jackson asked and the others also looked at the pair with various degree of curiosity.

It was Stiles who decided to explain, as Deaton had explained it to him.

"Apparently, the spell the alphas pack put on the town doesn't only affect member of the pack but also people that magic itself think should be part of the pack. It guides them to us, so to speak."

It was crudely explained but it did give all the information they needed to so it was sufficient. It wasn't as if they actually needed a whole lecture on it, they just wanted to know the most important details.

"What kind of dreams?" Allison asked, a nagging feeling at the back of her mind, and she looked straight at Stiles, who just smiled at her as he could see the hope in her eyes.

It was Danny who answered, though.

"Dreams about memories involving pack members, some of the bad things that happened also. It was strange, as if they wanted to make sure I remembered both the good and the bad."

"To let go of the past," Lydia cut, thinking about it. "The good points to make sure you understand you have a place among us, but the bad times to make sure you can let go of it first."

It did make sense, Stiles though, and it explained why Chris would dream about the Hale fire, as it was most likely more a hindrance to his accepting a place in the pack than the ordeal with his father would be.

"My mom is having strange dreams like that," Scott said out loud, making all eyes turn on him.

Stiles felt Derek, who was sitting right behind him, stiffen completely which, in turn, made him frown because, seriously, what the hell? It would be a damn good thing if Melissa was part of the pack. For one, there would be another adult, which they desperately needed, and Derek sure as hell would be more at ease with Melissa than Chris.

"She's dreaming about the pack?" Derek insisted, as if he didn't really believe it.

Scott nodded, apparently unaware of the turmoil his alpha was in and, to be fair, Stiles seemed to be the only one to notice, probably because they were close enough to be touching at the moment.

"Mostly about me and her, then interrupted by what happened at the station. Allison, Isaac and Stiles also feature a lot."

"Make sense," Stiles interjected. "Since she doesn't really have a lot go memories with the rest of the pack. But, hey, it would be cool if she was one of us!"

The others seemed to agree with him, at least those who knew Melissa a bit more personally because Jackson seemed perfectly unaffected by the news. At least he wasn't objecting to it, which was already a good thing.

"We could go to her more," Isaac said, as he had taken quite a liking to the woman, mostly because she had taken to mothering him whenever he was at her home.

"Yes," Derek said and if Stiles hadn't felt him go stiff before, he wouldn't have known he wasn't being entirely truthful. "You should talk to her, Scott, see if she could handle being a part of the pack and all that the consequences it entails."

Yes, Stiles supposed it could be a problem with some people. She needed to be okay with acknowledging Derek as her alpha, as her leader and, as he had explained to Chris back when Isaac had been changed, an adult could have some problem with accepting that. He just hoped Melissa wouldn't be part of those because he really wanted her to be okay with that.

"We have another thing to talk about," Lydia said, taking command now that this part of the discussion was over. "Deaton has given us the advice that we should find out the normal hierarchy and roles of the pack members."

There were questions all around, all except for Derek and Allison, Stiles noticed. Apparently, the hunters also knew all about the old ways. He really shouldn't have been that surprised about the kind of information they were privy of anymore.

Derek took the stage, once again.

"Yes, it's something I know a little about. My parents let the kids grow up without worrying about that, as it's normally something only the adults need to be concerned with, since they are the ones who take on the roles they are needed for. As they were a lot of adults in our pack, the teenagers weren't told either. I don't have a lot to go on with, but I suppose we should make sure to find what we can."

Everyone nodded and the meeting dwindled down, little by little. Stiles would have wanted to stay but Derek seemed seriously preoccupied and, even after he asked him, didn't appear to want any company so he went back home on his own.


Allison and Scott arrived in front of the young woman's house and Scott stopped dead in his tracks a few feet away from the entrance, appearing to be listening to something. Allison turned to him, worried.

"Is there something wrong?" she asked, concerned.

Scott seemed to hesitate.

"I should go. I think it would be better if you went home alone. And Alli', you can call me if you need to talk."

The huntress looked absolutely stricken but Scott just kissed her on the forehead and disappeared. She didn't want to get home, she was certain she knew exactly why Scott didn't want to get there and it hurt too much. She wasn't ready for what she would find inside.

Of course, stalling wouldn't change anything so she took her courage in hand and opened the door to find her mother in the living room. That, in itself, wasn't all that unusual, except for the fact she hadn't been home for quite a few days now. The main problem, though, was her suitcases at her feet.

"You're leaving," Allison said before her mother had even time to talk to her. "You're leaving."

Repeating it didn't help any but Victoria just stood up and looked at her daughter with sad eyes. She didn't want to leave her there, but she knew that Allison would never forgive her if she made her leave the town. She, on the other hand, couldn't stay here.

"I'm sorry, Allison," she said with sincerity. "But I can't stay here. It goes against everything I believe in to be allied with the pack. I'm not leaving your life, Allison. I'll always be a phone call away if you need me."

Allison had tears streaming down her face as she allowed her mother to take her in her arms. She was numb. She should be angry, she should be screaming at her mother, but she couldn't feel anything except grief. When Victoria let her go, her face was also wet but it didn't stop her and there wasn't anything Allison could do except watch her take her suitcases and go to the door.

"Mom!" she called, needing to know why her dad wasn't there in that moment. "Does dad know…?"

Victoria looked at her for a second before answering.

"He's known for a while it was coming," she told her daughter. "But I knew he wouldn't be there. It's easier that way."

She left the apartment after that, telling Allison she loved her one last time and Allison let herself fall down on the couch, crying, all the while wondering how she would tell her dad that Victoria had decided to leave for good.