When Allison comes home the whole pack is happy to have her back. We all spend the night at the loft and stay up way too late talking about everything. From her trip to what has been going on around here. She even starts running with me in the mornings. She used to do it by herself, but now she doesn't need to and the company is nice. We don't usually talk, but the silent companionship is more than welcome. It doesn't take more than a few days for Isaac to join us as well. He has to slow his pace considerably for us though. I don't think he does it for the exercise so much as not wanting us to go out alone.
This also might be influenced by the fact that Allison is avoiding Scott. She told me that he comes by the house almost every day to try and talk to her. But her dad makes sure that he doesn't really bother her. When she is out and about, she tends to have at least one other member of the pack with her at all times. Lately it has been Erica. I think Allison noticed that Scott won't even try to approach them if she is there, and Erica is all too happy to oblige Allison that one courtesy.
But she can't avoid him for forever. In fact, it is one such morning that we are running that he catches us. Isaac warns us that he is close, but there really isn't anything we can do to evade him. So when he comes running out of the woods and stops in front of us, the three of us stop as well. "Hi, I was hoping that I could talk to you." He is looking at Allison and she refuses to meet his eyes.
"Can't this wait for another time?"
"Allison, you have been avoiding me for weeks now. I really need to talk to you. It's important." It almost comes out a whine. And I am not really that impressed with his methods. The fact that he tracked her down, and is trying to talk to her now, well, it is almost desperate.
It takes her a while to respond. She can't really deny that, and she sounds defeated when she answers. "Fine."
"Could we talk in private?"
"No." She says it almost too fast. Then calms her breath and finally looks up. "Whatever you have to say, you can say in front of them."
"Allison, I-"
"No, Scott. It's either talk to me with them here, or not at all." She isn't backing down on this, and I can see Scott start to cave in. Isaac has been stiff and tense ever since he picked up Scott's scent. I lay a hand on his forearm and try to calm him down. It works a little, but he is still on edge, and I don't think he will relax until Scott is gone.
"…okay." He takes a breath and musters up the courage to continue. "I wanted to apologize for my actions. I was trying to do what I thought was best, and it ended up hurting a lot of people. I know that not everyone understands why I did what I did, but my mom was in danger, and I didn't see any other options. I should have trusted you and Stiles to help me. I know that you two worked together through all of the things I put you through, and I'm sorry that I wasn't there when you needed me most. I have been selfish and haven't thought about how my actions affected everyone else." I would be almost impressed if I didn't think this speech was somewhat rehearsed. It sounds too practiced. "I know that I don't deserve your forgiveness, and that I shouldn't even ask for it. But I am truly sorry for the way I have acted. I had a lot of time to think about it, and now I can see how I hurt all of you. And to be quite honest, I haven't even been able to forgive myself. The last few months have been quite a wakeup call to me, and I miss you guys. I miss my friends. I miss talking to you guys every day. I want to make things better, and I am willing to do almost anything to make it up to you. All of you."
The last part of his apology is actually more Scott. I don't think he planned that part out. And I can tell that he is being completely honest when he said it. He truly means what he says. I just hope that he won't let old rivalries and ways of thinking to change or hinder his new outlook on things.
"Scott, I… I want to forgive you, I do forgive you, but…"
"But what?"
"But I can't forget, Scott. I can't forget how you betrayed us. You sided with Gerard. A man I could never stand. You knew how I felt about him. How we all felt about him. You knew that we all wanted you to join Derek's pack, I know Stiles talked to you about it. I talked to you about it." She did? When? Even Isaac looks a little shocked. "You knew that we would have protected your mother, we could have worked together. Just like we did before. Why didn't you let us help you?" She is almost in tears and Scott reaches forward to hold her, but she flinches back. I place one arm around her waist and let her rest against me, while Isaac places and arm around her shoulders.
"I didn't think." He looks so sad. "I couldn't look beyond what was happening right in front of me. I'm sorry Allison, I really am." He is pulling out his puppy dog eyes. Once upon a time, those eyes would have made me forgive him anything, Allison too by the sounds of her shuttered breathing. But now, they only bring sadness.
"Scott…" She takes a deep breath and looks him in the eyes one last time. "I forgive you, but I just can't be around you right now. I really wish I could, but seeing you just reminds me of all the bad things that have happened. It makes me feel terrible, and I can't deal with all of it right now." She is still dealing with her mother's death. We had a couple of Skype chats, and a few more one-on-one chats since she's been back. She is still dealing with Kate's lies, and then her mother's death on top of it all, well she isn't doing so well. She hides it about as well as I do though.
Scott just nods sadly, "I'll wait, Allison. I promise."
"Don't." she sounds so broken. I don't think they will ever recover from this.
"Allison." Scott is on the verge of tears and I can see the hurt in his eyes and hear it in his voice.
"I'm sorry Scott." There are tears openly falling from her face. "I don' think I can do that again. Maybe friends, but I think we're over. For good." Then she turns and barriers herself in my shoulder and I wrap my arms around her in a tight hug.
"Allison." He starts to move forward. But is stopped by Isaac with a hand on his chest.
"I think you should go Scott." There is a hint of a growl in his words and an underlying threat if he doesn't leave. Scott hears it too, but still looks reluctant to go. He waits a few more minutes, but then does make his way back the way him came. It takes about ten more minutes until Allison is able to move and we slowly make our way back to my jeep, and then head for the loft. Isaac looks like he doesn't know what to think. I am not all that surprised about what Allison said, but it is apparent that Isaac is. I guess we all thought that Scott and Allison were a forever thing. I mean I know that they never mated, and when I finally got around to asking her about knotting, she said that it never happened. That was an awkward conversation to say the least. But Isaac's silent contemplation is making me want to see how he is feeling right now, but that would be an invasion of privacy, and I promised the pack that I wouldn't do anything like that unless it was absolutely necessary.
When we get there, Derek looks concerned. Isaac leads Allison to the couch and starts to try and sooth her while I take Derek to the kitchen and fill him in on what just happened. I take a cup of tea out to Allison and then go back to the kitchen. I know Derek will want to talk about what to do now. "So that was the last pack member. He will be coming to you next."
"And what do you think I should do when he comes?"
"Have you forgiven him yet?" His expression stays stony, but the emotions under the surface are rolling like the sea in a storm. "No, you haven't. You need to be able to do that before you let him in the pack. If you as the Alpha don't want him here, neither will any of the others. I know they have all talked you about their decisions as well." He gives me a surprised look. "What? I don't have to be an empath to know that. I figured they would tell you at least. The ultimate choice is yours, Derek. It is all up to you." He leans in and wraps his arms around me holding me tight.
"What do you want?"
"I've told you all, already. If all of you can believe that he is sorry, then I want him in the pack."
"But?"
I roll my eyes. Of course he can sense there is more. "I am worried about him, but I am more worried about the pack and how his joining it will affect the others. He is going to be at the bottom of the pecking order. I don't know how well he will deal with that. He thinks that his opinion is the only one that counts most times, and his voice, while heard, won't carry much weight. I don't think he will like that. He always thought the way you did things as Alpha weren't the best. And while I agree on some of them, the reasons are different. I know you were trying your best, and you have become so much better. All the Betas trust you implicitly, and even the humans in the pack know when to step down. Lydia included. And I never thought I would see that happen. If he starts causing too much trouble, I think that we should be prepared. Maybe he should join on a probationary period. See how he does, and then make a final decision after that."
"That actually sounds like a good idea."
"Of course it does, I came up with it. But you still have to forgive him yourself before he can join. So you have some thinking to do on your own." We drift back to the living room only to find Allison asleep on Isaac's shoulder and his head resting on top of hers with his eyes closed. Quickly, I shift my vision to see the pack bonds, and I see a wisp of color connecting the two of them. I don't know what it means, but I think it can only be good.
…
In the weeks after Allison's return the new Hale house has been in the final stages of completion. Everyone was asked what colors they wanted their rooms to be, and were told that they would be able to fill their own room and decorate it however they saw fit. Allison and Danny were both surprised that they each had their own room at the house. So I made Derek sit them down and tell them once again that they are pack. Sometimes I think they still feel like outsiders, but since their talk with Derek they have stopped acting like that. Lydia was very adamant about helping to decorate the common areas, and Derek gave in with a few requirements on his and my part.
I told her that I had total veto power on the kitchen, mostly because I am about the only one who cooks, so therefore it is mine to do with what I want. I told her I wanted it to be bright without being colorful. So we went with white cabinets and a charcoal granite countertops with stainless steel appliances. We had to have a huge dining room table to make sure that when we do have sit down meals, that everyone would fit. As for the living room, I really didn't care about the furniture, I just made sure to tell her no leather. While I love it on Derek, it isn't the most comfortable thing to sit on. So she got a large, and I mean large sectional sofa that can probably fit most of the pack, along with a matching couch and overstuffed chair. (Derek's request.)
The rooms that I made sure were off limits to her were the master bedroom and bathroom, Isaac's room, and the library/study. Since that would be used mostly by me, I want to make it something I am going to be not only comfortable in but a place I will love. I made most of it with darker woods, and got a giant desk for it. Most of the room will be covered in built-in bookshelves, but I made sure to put a couch in there as well.
As for the master bedroom, Derek and I decided on mostly earthy tones. I basically wanted to bring the forest inside our room. So it's all dark browns, greens, and small touches of blue. We got a California King sized bed, and a great bedroom set to tie everything together. Normally, I don't care about this stuff. My bedroom at Dad's is a hodge-podge of mismatched furniture. Normally my style. But for Derek's and my new bedroom, I wanted to be a bit more adult. Then there is the master bathroom. I just about died when Derek told me how big it was going to be. I think it's almost the same size as most of the bedrooms. He bought a large Jacuzzi tub that we can both fit into, double sinks, and the shower… I can't wait to use this shower! He got the one that has like fifteen different jets, and there is a rain shower option. It will be so luxurious. Isaac's bathroom will be a slightly smaller version of our own. He let Isaac choose, but after talking up the merits of all the things we are going to have, he couldn't say no.
Isaac was a bit overwhelmed with the fact that not only was he getting his own room, and that it will be larger than the others, but the fact that he was getting his own bathroom too. Derek told him that he is the only one of the pack that will be living at the house full time, and that he is family. I knew Derek considered him a younger brother, most of us do. But this means more coming from Derek than it would anyone else. It means that he has family again. And that is a major thing.
After everyone got the things for their rooms picked out, and all the shopping was done, Derek hired people to paint and get the furniture moved in. A few of us tried to offer to do this, but he insisted that we relax and let someone else worry about it. Of course Lydia didn't listen, and was there when the moving guys came to deliver. She directed everyone to make sure that everything got into the right rooms.
Now we are all waiting for the final touches to be put on the house. Derek won't let anyone close to the house until it is finished, and if anyone of us should try and sneak in to get a peek, we were threatened with triple training and extra chores to do once the house was set up. Lydia and he are the only two allowed on premises, and they are both so tight lipped that they let nothing slip. It is sort of infuriating but I get why he wants it to be that way. We haven't exactly had the best few months, and this is something exciting for everyone to look forward to.
…
While we wait for the house to be finished our training has been a constant. The wolves are so in sync now that they are trying to find new ways to keep each other on their toes. Everyone still has room for improvement but for the most part no one is falling behind. Where one pack member is lacking, another one excels. They have become such a tight unit that I am certain if we should ever face another threat we will be more than prepared to handle it.
Even us humans have been doing great. Since Allison got back, she has been training Lydia and Danny. Lydia mostly with the bow, she isn't a perfect shot but she is doing really well. She has also gotten most of the bestiary translated. I have poured over a lot of it, but there is so much information, that I am holding off on it until the time comes where I might need it. As it is between Derek and Peter, there are so many other books that I want to read. The one Peter brought me about the ritual he talked about was very interesting. What drew my interest more was about the bonding ceremonies. I still have to talk to Derek about that, I just haven't been able to find the right time.
Danny doesn't like the bow so much. He is a better shot with the crossbow, but he prefers the more hand to hand methods due to his time on the lacrosse team. I was able to devise a charm that will help protect him from harm, and he has split his training with Allison and the pack. He learns not only how to fight, but how to fight wolves. The charm isn't as good as my shield is, but it is at least a layer of protection he didn't have before. I gave two more out to Allison and Lydia, but I hope they will never have the need to use them. I hope that none of us will have the need to use any of the training we have been doing.
My studies with Deaton have become fewer and fewer as well. He says that there isn't much more he can teach me. I still haven't figured out the telekinesis thing, and maybe I never will. I just hope I will have use of it when I will need it. But my other powers have grown considerably. My empathy is easy to control. It is more like a subconscious thought now, rather than an ever pressing issue. The shielding magic has gotten much better. I am able to shield two other people with me when I throw it out, but it doesn't last long. The other bonus is the creation of charms and more physical barriers like the mountain ash line. I don't need to use my focus for any of my powers now, but I still keep them close at hand just in case. I have also started to carry a handful of mountain ash. Peter seems to be wary about something coming our way, but is unsure of what that might be. Or is at least unwilling to share what he thinks it might be. I think he is just trying to make sure we don't worry unnecessarily.
When I asked Deaton, he said that the future is foggy and unclear. I think he knows what is coming, but is either unable or unwilling to tell us. If this turns out to be another one of his tests, or a withholding of truths, then I might just strangle him. He still talks in riddles and leaves me with more questions than answers. And that drives me up the wall.
The only other thing of note is that Derek's and my relationship has been getting progressively more intense. There are times when we are together that I can feel the want and lust roll off of him, and there have been a few times when I have had to get a new shirt because he shredded the one I was wearing in order to get to my skin faster. At first I didn't mind so much, but it is becoming more and more of a problem. I have tried to back off, but it doesn't seem to help any. Not even the pack is able to do anything about it. My threat of having different pack member sleep over is actually becoming a real thing now.
I feel bad about it. I feel like I am punishing him or something, but I know that he needs me to do it. There is a grateful look on his face when he slips in through my window at night and Erica or Isaac are there with me already. He is still trying to come to terms with what his body is so willing to accept. His knot has made a few more appearances since our time in the shower and each time, I can't help but wonder what it will feel like when he finally takes me.
I made another trip to the store where I got my first toys, but this time Derek went with me. He helped me pick out another dildo a bit closer to his size, and then after we got back to his loft, he helped me break it in. That was something we have repeated many times. I think it helps him a little with the urge to claim me, when he can do it in other ways. Scent marking has taken on a whole new meaning for me. Each time we are together it is always so intense, but it's the cuddling and snuggling after that I look forward to the most. It is when Derek is the most open and talkative. And he is unashamed to want the cuddling to happen.
Dad still isn't too thrilled with the whole thing, but one night Derek sat him down to talk about it. I wasn't there and I thank God I wasn't. He told Dad that we are Mates, and that this thing between us is forever. He pretty much asked for my father's blessing, and my father actually gave it. He told me afterward that it wasn't the words Derek said that convinced him, it was the look in his eyes when he talked about me. He said it was the same look he had when he talked about mom. Dad is still a little uncomfortable with the whole thing, but I think he will come around soon enough. At least I hope he will.
…
After one of our more intense training sessions we are sitting around my house and relaxing. But everyone is still pretty tense. We all have been to some degree ever since the Kanima. And none of us have been really acting like teens this summer. Something my dad made a point of to tell me about recently. So an idea pops in my head. "How about we skip training tomorrow?" The whole pack looks at me, but Derek gives me a questioning look. "I was just thinking that none of us have really done anything fun this summer. It's been all training and hanging out at the loft here. Maybe we should do something fun."
"What were you thinking?" Derek looks at me cautiously.
"I was thinking maybe we should go to the beach tomorrow." This is met with a round of yeses and a chorus of cheers. I glance at Derek asking him if it would be okay with my eyes. And he answers me with a smile. "So I take that as a yes?"
"YES!" Everyone responds with enthusiasm.
"Okay, so I guess we are going to the beach." We start making plans and for tomorrow. This is exactly what the pack needs. A chance to get away for a little bit, and time to just be teens for a day. I am so smart.
So the next day we all meet up at my house, and start piling into vehicles. Allison is driving her car with Danny, Lydia, and Jackson. Erica, Boyd and Isaac are in Derek's Camaro, and Derek, Peter and I are in my jeep. We have all the trunks and free space packed with things we will need for our day out. Blankets, coolers, towels, and food. It's early when we get our start, mostly because it will take about an hour or so to drive to the beach, and we wanted to scope out a good spot. The drive is quiet, but not uncomfortable.
When we get there, everyone seems to revert to the age of ten, even Peter. Derek, Isaac, Allison, and I end up getting the vehicles unloaded and start setting up blankets on the sand to save our spot. I have noticed that over the last week Isaac and Allison have been growing a bit closer. They can often be found in each other's company. It is completely platonic, but I can see the potential for more between the two. I'm not sure if they do, but maybe in time.
Derek makes the final trek back from the jeep with the small grill we brought with us to make lunch on, and Isaac and Allison have joined the others in the surf. Peter is sitting under one of the large umbrellas we brought reading a book, and I am applying a generous amount of sunscreen too all the exposed areas of skin on my body. Sunburn is a bitch, and with my pale skin, it is going to happen. So I hold out the bottle to Derek, "Get my back?" Of course I give him my signature cheeky grin. He just smiles and rolls his eyes, but does take the bottle and gently rubs the lotion into my skin. Then turns into more of a massage than just putting on sunscreen. And I can't say I don't appreciate it.
"If you boys are going to go any further, might I suggest going where no one else can see you." Uhg, Peter. Derek laughs, he actually laughs at something his uncle says. That is a true show that things have changed. He leans back and I stand pulling him to his feet and off into the water where the others are.
Jackson and Danny go and get the surfboards they attached to the top of my jeep and start teaching the others. I manage to stand once and then make a complete fool of myself and fall off. Everyone is surprised when Derek snags one and paddles out into the incoming waves and shows us how good he is. I mean, He really knows how to surf. He even does a few fancy tricks and then comes in. We are all applauding him when he gets there.
"Dude! I had no idea you knew how to do that!" I launch myself into his arms and tackle him to the sand.
"It's just something I picked up."
"Just some- really? That isn't something you just pick up."
"Well, before Laura and I settled in New York we lived on the southeastern coast. You tend to learn a few things when you live next to the ocean."
The others move off to keep trying their hand, but I settle myself on top of him. "I love that I get to learn new things about you. You keep surprising me. Don't ever stop, okay?" he give me a warm chuckle and barriers his head in my neck. We end up in a small wrestling match, and he lets me win putting myself on top of him again. Then he blushes something fierce and I look up to see Erica grinning at us with a happy glint in her eyes, and she is talking low enough that I can't hear, but Derek obviously can. "Oh, that's it Erica, you're gonna get it now. Isaac, grab her!" Isaac who was lurking just behind her grabs her and I rush towards them and pull them both into the water. From there it dissolves into dunking each other in the water.
We spend all morning in the water and by lunch we are all starving. So Derek sets up the grill and starts up the hot dogs while I set out the chips and the cookies I baked the night before. Everyone is getting themselves comfortable on the blankets we laid out at we take up easy conversation. Everyone is relaxed and calm. It is shaping up for a perfect day.
After lunch everyone takes off on their own. Danny is laying out working on his tan, Lydia and Jackson are lying next to each other in the shade napping, Boyd and Erica are off playing in the water, Peter is still reading his book, and I am not sure where Isaac and Allison got off too. But I take Derek's hand in mine and pull us off to start walking down the beach away from everyone.
I've been wanting to have a moment alone with him since we got here, and I still want to talk to him about the bonding ceremony. "You having fun?"
"Yeah, I am. I haven't been to the beach in a while. Not for years."
"Good, I'm glad. I was actually worried you wouldn't like my idea."
"Why's that?" He laces his fingers in mine as we walk, our shoulders brushing each other.
"I know that the training is important, and well this is just goofing off. We get a lot of pack bonding without taking a whole day off, and I just wasn't sure how you would react."
"You guys are all young still. You should be having fun. I'm sorry if I've been pushing everyone too hard."
"No! You haven't been. And you're young too you know."
"Not as young as you."
"No, but still young enough. You need to learn to let loose and break free every once in a while Derek. It's good for you."
"Oh, really?" He picks me up and starts running will me over his shoulder towards an outcropping of rocks that will give us some privacy from onlookers. Then he lays me out on the sand and starts kissing me like today is our last day on earth. It takes my breath away, and I think I actually forget my name at one point. It's Stiles right? Yeah, that's it. Then the kisses take on another tone, and it becomes softer, but not any less insistent. He pulls back a bit and stares at me. One of those soul piercing gazes.
"Derek?"
"I'm ready Stiles. I think I've been ready."
"What?!"
He chuckles. "I'm ready." His eyes flash violet and silver.
"You are? Are you sure? I mean I don't mind waiting. I don't want to push you into anything."
"You're not, and I am. I'm very sure." He leans down and places another kiss searing his answer into my lips. "I love you so much. And I want to spend the rest of my life with you, waking up next to you, hearing your heartbeat." God he is so cheesy! I love it!
"I want that too. So much." So maybe I am too. When he says things like that… I just can't. "There was something I actually wanted to talk to you about. About the bonding."
"Oh?" He settles himself over me licking and kissing up my neck and scenting me a bit more heavily than normal. It makes it hard to get out my next words, but they need to be said. He won't ask for it, so I will.
"Yeah, I've been reading a few of Peter's books, and he sort of mentioned something that I think we should do. If you want to I mean. If you don't it's okay, I just thought it would be nice for us to share it with the pack."
He doesn't even pull back, just speaks into my neck. "What do you want to do Stiles?"
"I want to have a Bonding Ceremony." He stills but then goes back to kissing every inch of my neck finally meeting my eyes.
"You want that?"
"Yes. I know it what it means to you, and I want to be able to share that with our pack."
"I want that too. So much Stiles, I just didn't know how to ask."
"I know. I just don't know what your family did. In most of the stuff I've read, every pack has their own way of doing things. And although I want to honor your family's traditions, I was also thinking of adding a few of our own. If that's okay?"
"I would be more than happy with that. This is the new Hale pack, and we should make our own traditions and do things the way we want them." If it's possible his eyes flash brighter and the smile on his face is lighting it up so much. I can't help but think back to the dream I had so long ago, that is the smile I wanted to see on his face every day. But this smile, this smile makes that other one pale in comparison. I want to keep it for myself and never share it with anyone. So I pull him down to me and steal a rather passionate kiss that goes on far longer than any of our others. I don't even know what time it is anymore, and by the time we make it back to the others the sun is setting that they have most of our things packed up and ready to go.
"Where have you two love birds been?" I can't even muster up the fake annoyance to roll my eyes at Jackson.
"We were talking about how we are going to make things official and finish the bond." Everyone stares at us and then there are loud cheers and shouts of glee as the pack descends on us in a massive group hug. Everyone congratulates us and I can hear Lydia above everyone already trying to plan things out. For now I'll let her talk, but later I am going to rein her in. She will probably want to plan something opulent and way over the top. That is not Derek, or myself. But for now I am going to fall into the embrace of the man I love and just be happy. No, happy doesn't begin to describe it. It is joy, exuberance, excitement, and bliss. Everything I could ever want to happen, and it is all finally coming true. Good God I feel like a girl.
So Allison's forgiveness, the start to Isaac/Allison, and fun pack times! Through this whole story they never really had any time to just be the kids they are. So I wanted to give them that, especially before the drama that is season three. I think I may have taken Stiles and Derek a little OC, and for that I apologize. I want to keep this fic as close to cannon as possible and that includes the character's personalities, but with the effect of being mates and having the connection they do, I think it leaves some room for change. Stiles is calmer and not as spastic as I may like him normally, and Derek is much more open with his feelings and expressing himself. But at the same time I feel the way I have written this the bond they share helps to balance the other out. So Stiles calms down and Derek breaks out. I have gotten so much love from all of you and I really appreciate the support you all have shown! Thank you so much! And please let me know what you think of what I have done with this story! Only one more chapter to go for this part of the fic, and let me tell you, it is a doosy!