Thanksgiving.

I had to get my mind off of him. Thankfully I had a lot of stuff to do before Thanksgiving. Ha ha thankful for Thanksgiving.

Knock. Knock. Knock. This was going to be so much fun! Tyler stood beside me rolling his eyes. Mr. Argent opened the door and I popped open the little bottle of confetti in my hands. He looked totally confused.

"The Argents are cordially invited to the Thanksgiving feast hosted by the Lunaires!" I announced grinning like an idiot.

Allison came racing down the hall at the top of the stairs with her crossbow pointed at us.

"Well that's not the response I was looking for," I faked a pout.

"Damnit, Brooke, you scared the shit out of me!" Allison yelled.

"Language young lady!" Mr. Argent snapped.

"Um, hello? Will you guys come, please?" I whined. "I promise all the food will be edible! I've been practicing!" I gave them a winning smile hoping it would soften them up.

"Of course we'll be there," Allison agreed.

"Perfect! We'll have food, football and family!" I waved goodbye and I could see they were giving me a sweet 'this girl is crazy' smile.

We went to the McCall's next. I was more than excited to find out Melissa was off that night. And of course Scott seemed pleased to know Allison would be there.

As we arrived at the Hale house the pack was clearly training. The whole pack. I've never met Boyd or Erica, otherwise known as the slut bitch by Allison and Lydia, before.

Derek was already walking towards me, shirtless, leaving his pack behind. My heart stuttered and picked up double time.

"Hey," Derek greeted us.

"Hi," I blushed. Dumbass, why are you blushing? He's just a guy. A fucking hot guy whose face was in between your legs, hussy. Yeah then he rejected your ass.

He cocked his eyebrow. Crap. He can smell me. Don't let him get to you. Just act like everything is normal. My life? Normal? Keep Dreaming little girl.

"We came over here to invite you to Thanksgiving dinner next Thursday. All of you," I said glancing at the others that stopped to watch us.

"I don't know," looking at me like he was confused.

"Look," I whispered as low as I could. "I don't know what's going on here," I said gesturing to myself and him, "but it would be nice to have you there. It's our first big holiday without our parents. And I know you guys could use a home cooked meal."

"C'mon, Derek!" Isaac whined.

Derek held up his hand at the beta. "We'll be there," Derek said accepting our invitation.

"Great, well I have a lot of stuff to do. I guess I'll see you then?"

Our last stop was the Stilinski's. The Sheriff was just stepping out of the house in full uniform. Stiles was home alone, and it was getting dark, this may be too easy. I looked over at Tyler with a wicked smile on my face.

"Whatever you're planning I'm not getting involved," he said wide eyed holding his hands in the air.

"Fine, punk. Wait here."

"Hey uncle! We're doing Thanksgiving at our house this year. No buts! If you have to work you'll come over right after."

"Whatever you say, Brooke," he laughed. "Hey what's with the poppers?" he asked as I grabbed a few out of my pockets.

"Do you really want to know?" I asked.

"Nope. Just don't kill him," he laughed shaking his head.

"No promises!" I sang before I kissed him on the cheek and bid him goodbye.

I snuck into the house without being heard. He was talking to someone. The door of his room was cracked so I crawled onto the floor and peeked in. He was Skyping with Scott. One of them must be grounded. Propping up onto my hands and feet I shook my hair in my face to give it an extra scary affect. Placing poppers in each hand on the ground, I can only hope they'll go off with the desired noise once I start going. I burst through the door and started making gurgling noises as I crawled on my hands and feet. I got the most priceless girly screams I could ever wish for. The poppers went off and I twisted my neck from side to side letting out a screech with hair still completely masking my face. Stiles fell backwards out of his chair and started reaching for something to hit me with. I couldn't help but laugh at their freaked out faces.

"BROOKE?!" Stiles wailed.

"Bro, what the hell?" Scott yelled into the screen.

"Oh…God…you…two…sounded…like…GIRLS!" I was trying to catch my breath enough to talk, but the laughter just kept coming.

"Damnit! I could have had a heart attack!" Stiles said flailing his arms.

"Serves you both right! Now, who is the Queen of Pranks?" I asked with my hands at my hips.

"You are," they both groaned in unison.

"Good, so you remember this when you try to scare the shit out of me again," I glared at Stiles then Scott through the laptop.

"Oh and we're having thanksgiving this year at our house, your parents already know," I added cheerily skipping down the stairs.

"I think she definitely has signs of bipolar disorder," I heard Stiles tell Scott.

"I can still hear you!" I yelled before shutting the front door behind me.

Grocery shopping.

I made Tyler stay home to deep clean the house while I went to the grocery store. First things first, I needed a turkey. I needed the biggest one. As I pushed the cart down the aisles a flash of platinum blonde caught my eye.

"I really don't understand what he sees in you," Erica scoffed.

"Well, Erica, I guess you'll just have to ask him yourself then won't you," I replied indifferently.

"Yea, you're right. Maybe I will. After all he might want a round two. Don't want to disappoint my Alpha," she purred.

"Aren't you with Boyd? Or are you the pack slut?" I asked with a face of mock horror.

"Look, I don't know what you're playing at, but don't for one second think that you can come into this pack and become the Alpha bitch," she threated trying to push me up against the freezers.

"No, you look sweetheart, you can't fucking scare me. I have seen things that would fuck up your head so bad they'd throw you in a loony bin before you could blink those pretty fake eyelashes. So I suggest you back up, Blondie." I retorted glaring at her.

She opened her mouth, but didn't have enough time to uncover her angry rant before Isaac yelled her name.

"Get out of here now," he commanded trying to stand between the two of us.

She flipped her hair with an arrogant smirk on her face and sauntered out of the store.

"I'm sorry about her. She can be a grade A bitch," Isaac apologized.

"Don't be sorry, Isaac. I can handle myself." I soothed him patting him on the shoulder.

"Want some help?" he offered.

"Sure, you don't mind? I don't want to keep you from anything,"

He looked a little sheepish.

"Why are you giving me that look?"

"Well, Derek actually asked me and Erica to find you," Isaac mumbled.

"Why?" This was weird.

"Because he's going to be gone the rest of the night, he wanted me to make sure you were okay."

"Why does he care?" I asked pursing my lips.

"He cares, Brooke. Really. But he's not a very expressive person. Only anger and fury really," he told me sadly.

"That's really annoying," I seethed. I'm a grown up. Not some child that needs a babysitter.

"So what do you plan on making?" Isaac asking attempting to change the subject. Since I didn't really feel like talking about a man that didn't love me that I was completely in love with and he had a thing with the slut bitch, I obliged.

"Everything. Turkey, a small ham, pies…" I trailed off remembering I needed to get eggs.

I finished up my shopping with Isaac in tow being extra helpful. Even offering to help me unload the groceries at the house.

"Why are you being so nice, Isaac?"

"You think I have an ulterior motive," he smiled. Obviously not taking it offensively.

"No, I just don't get why."

He shrugged his shoulders. "I don't have many friends. Tyler's a good kid. And you're a good person."

"I think you are perfect for Derek." He stated boldly. "He needs someone like you."

I've been cooking over this hot stove for hours! The turkey has been in the oven since last night. I let Tyler shower and dress first so I could finish cooking the stuffing and green bean casserole.

The door bell rang. Shit!

"Tyler! Get the door I'm not ready yet!" I screamed as I ran up the stairs to the bathroom.

I scrubbed and shaved thoroughly before hopping out of the shower to dry off. I rushed to my room and I could hear chatter coming from downstairs. My hair was still dripping wet. I was about to use my towel to dry it off when a figure in the corner of my room caught my eye. I jumped.

"Damnit, Derek! Can't you announce yourself or something?" I gasped placing my hand over my heart.

"I just wanted to talk to you really quick." His voice was rough.

"Can it wait till I have clothes on?" I asked exasperated.

"No," he smirked.

"Fine, then what?" I rolled my eyes.

He pulled his hands from behind his back revealing flowers. My eyes widened in surprise. Derek Hale doesn't give girls flowers.

"I didn't mean to be such a dick before. I'm not used to trusting people. Or having feelings for anyone. So I'm just asking, if you could have some patience with me. If you still want to see where this," he gestured to the both of us, "goes."

"What about the blonde Barbie?" I asked crossing my arms over my towel.

"Who?"

"Erica? She said you guys had a thing…"

"We do not have anything," He seethed.

"So you guys have never, done anything?" I was hoping he'd get the suggestive tone.

"No." he shook his head. "She kissed me once during training when I first changed her. I tossed her away and told her she'd never do that again. I don't think of her that way. She's a part of my pack that's all."

I sighed in relief.

"Well I'll be downstairs so you can finish getting ready."

My clothes were already on the bed awaiting to be worn. I noticed the black laced panties and bra. I didn't put those out. Then it occurred to me. That kinky bastard. I smiled to myself. If he wants to play. I'll play.

"Hey I thought we were watching football?" Isaac mentioned when he noticed the TV wasn't on.

"We don't watch football in this house buddy," I pursed my lips at him. He looked at me questionably. I dug in the hall closet and found the ball I was looking for.

"Let's hope you know how to play," I said pushing the football against his chest.

"I outlined the field with yellow spray paint. If you go past the lines on the ends between the trees, that's a touchdown. No tackling. Two hand touch only," Tyler announced.

"So how are we splitting the teams?" Scott asked.

"I'll be captain, unless someone else wants to volunteer…" I looked around seeing if anyone was going to object.

"Derek, you can be captain of the opposing team, unless you have a problem with that."

"None at all," he smirked.

"Good, you can even have first pick," I smiled sweetly back at him.

"Tyler," he said and I pouted.

"I'll take…Scott and Stiles…" I said.

"Isaac, Boyd and Erica," he countered.

"Perfect, Peter and Allison, you're with me."

"Game on!" Announced Ms. McCall.

"Same positions as always boys?" I grinned to Scott and Stiles.

"Man, they aren't going to know what hit them." Scott grinned back.

"Peter I need you to cover Derek, he's too big for anyone else to handle." He nodded.

"Allison, stay close in case I have to pass you the ball," I said.

"Are you sure you know what you're doing?" She asked.

"I've been surrounded by these guys all my life, believe me I know a thing or two," I winked at her.

"Let's keep this game friendly. Not everyone will heal the next morning," Mr. Argent warned.

I went over to Isaac and snatched the ball from his hands.

"We get the ball first," I said in a singsong voice.

"Not fair!" They all whined.

"Hey, you guys got to pick your players first," I countered.

"You played me," Derek realized.

"Don't pout." I said playfully winking at him.

"Brooke, your shoes untied," Boyd said as I walked to the opposite side of the field.

"Thanks, Boyd," I said before bending over. My rear facing Derek. I could feel the bottom of my sweater pull up just enough to give him a little sneak peak. A low rumble caught my attention.

Still bent over, I glanced behind my legs to see Derek's eyes flash red. I bit my lip before turning my attention back to my shoes.

I tossed the ball to Stiles and we all set up in our positions.

"You're kidding right? Stiles the QB?" Eric scoffed.

Stiles was visibly irritated by her assumption that he couldn't play.

"Hey, chill. We'll shut her up, don't worry," I said patting his shoulder.

"Ready….set….hike!" Stiles yelled as Scott sprinted off to the end zone. The opposing team went straight for him while I ran as fast as I could to the opposite side of the end zone from Scott. Stiles released the ball and finally when they noticed it wasn't spiraling towards Scott, they scanned the field until their eyes set on me. Just in time for them to watch me catch it.

"Sooo, that makes it 6 nothing. Right, Stiles?" I asked innocently.

"Damn right it does!" He yelled throwing his arms out to the sides and doing a little Michael Jackson move.

"Alright Dan Marino! Settle down," I said trying to contain my laughter.

We had to switch it up after that. Sometimes I would catch, other times it would be Scott. Even Allison made a few good plays, those years of gymnastics really paid off. But of course Scott would be no less than a foot away from her, guarding like she was a precious jewel. Once Derek's team got the ball it got a little more interesting.

"Peter, I'm going to take Derek," I whispered as low as I could. Trying not to let the wolfy ears hear me on the other team.

"You sure about that?" He asked cocking his eyebrows.

"Absolutely, they'll never expect it," I whispered conspiratorially.

"Whatever you say, Captain," he agreed shaking his head.

We lined up in formation parallel to the other pack.

"Come on Derek, show me what you got," I whispered teasingly.

A smug little grin twisted on his face. Game time!

"HIKE," he yelled grabbing the ball from Boyd. Isaac and Erica ran past him while Tyler stayed behind. He tried to fake like he was the one still with the ball. Fortunately with my keen little eye, I saw the swift past to Tyler behind him. I took off ready to tackle my brother when Derek's mountainous form wrapped around me and we dove out of bounds, opposite of the porch. Conveniently I was now laying on his chest.

"You know, this is kinda cheating." I pursed my lips at him.

"And how do you come to that conclusion?" he asked feigning innocence.

"Two hand touch, Derek. Not tackle and molest." I responded smacking him on the chest.

"Molesting you would mean that you don't want it," he breathed into my ear sending a chill down my spine.

"Come on love birds! We won. And I'm staaaarving!" Stiles groaned heading inside the house.

I blushed and moved to get up offering my hand to Derek. He took it and once he righted himself I gave him a nice little love tap on that firm ass of his. The look on his face was priceless.

"Good game, Captain," I praised with a sweet smile on my face and walked away with a little bit more hip sway that normal.

Once I got to the porch I turned around to see Derek and Peter still outside having a private conversation. The rest of our group had already entered the house, greeting Uncle Stilinski and washing up for dinner. I'd let them have their moment, but as I was about to turn around their topic caught my ears.

"I can see why you're so captivated by her, Derek." I saw Derek tense at Peter's words. "It's like she was made just for you," he continued.

Derek was taken aback. He didn't even respond until Peter gave him a genuine smile. Derek's eyes met mine when he spoke. "She is perfect." The smile that graced his face could make a million women's panties combust. And it was just for me.

The table was set and everyone sat around in their seats awaiting the meal I had cooked up. Tyler and I chose both ends of the table, where our mom and dad would usually sit. They were all having little conversations with each other smiling and laughing. This is what I missed most. Having an actual family around. No worrying about full moons or our bloody pasts that haunted us in our sleep. Just the comforting presence of our loved ones.

I stood up clinking my fork to my glass. I've always wanted to do that. Smirking to myself, my brothers rolled their eyes at the gesture.

"Before we eat I'd like to say something," I announced. "I've known most of you all my life. Some of you I'm just getting to know. This is Tyler and I's first Thanksgiving without our parents." I tried hard not to cringe or break down. "Unfortunately, it won't be our only first holiday without them, but I have to say that I'm happy you all have chosen to share this day with us. I used to think that all me and Tyler had left was each other until we came back to Beacon Hills. Finally we permanently got our other brothers back," I smiled looking at Scott and Stiles. "And we seemed to have added more to the family. So thank you all for showing us that we aren't alone. I'm thankful for each and every one of you." I lifted my glass and they all did the same. The older men seemed to have wistful smiles on their faces.

After the meal when everyone was stuffed and practically falling asleep I gathered up the dishes and made my way back to the kitchen to wash. The sounds of boots shifted my attention from the sink to the person approaching.

"That was probably the best Thanksgiving dinner I've had in years," my uncle commented while setting his plate on the sink.

"I'm glad you liked it. I was worried I'd burn the house down." I gave him a small smile.

"You know, you remind me so much of your father the way you talk," he commented out of the blue. I tensed a bit.

"You're strong just like him. He was a big softy though once you got to know him," he continued. "But you have the trait from your mother that just won't take any bull."

"I get so obsessed sometimes. Trying to make everything perfect. Wondering whether or not I'm doing something right. I don't want to screw Tyler up you know?" I mumbled getting a little too sentimental.

He placed me in a sideways hug with his arm draped on my shoulder.

"First rule of parenting, kid. Nothing is ever perfect. Tyler seems happy, despite the circumstances. He's doing great in school. You're doing good. Don't doubt yourself," he said giving my arm a squeeze. "I'd never thought you'd be so great at this to be honest. The way you were with Stiles and Scott when you all were younger. You guys drove this town crazy." He shook his head with a smile on his face obviously recalling distant memories. "Your parents would be proud."

Pulling me into a real hug, I mumbled a thanks in his ear. Before I forgot I picked up the already wrapped pie on the counter and handed it to him.

"It's the famous cherry pie," I mumbled after he gave me a questioning look. His furrowed brows softened out as he held the foil wrapped pie made of his late wife's recipe.

After coughing and nodding his head he left the kitchen. Just goes to show you that no matter how long it is since the people you love have been gone, the pain will always knock the wind of you.

By this time most of the group was gone. The pack stayed behind with Derek. Tyler was passed out on the couch in an awkward position with his mouth slightly open.

"Dinner was awesome, Brooke," Isaac complimented.

"Thanks, Isaac. I hope you had a good time," I replied.

Erica and Boyd were already out on the front porch. Erica looked like a little puppy that just got kicked. Wonder what's up with her. Derek nodded his head, gesturing the other to go on without him.

Once they were gone he surprised me by taking my hand.

"Thank you for dinner," he said.

"You're welcome. Anytime you want to come over and have a nice home cooked meal you can…"

"I might take you up on that." He smirked.

"What about this weekend? We still have a few days off from school," I blurted. Don't be too pushy, Brooke. Damn.

"Maybe," he said.

"Well I guess I'll see you around then," I replied staring at my feet. Why did I always get so nervous around him?

"Sweet dreams, Brooke," he breathed into my hair before kissing my temple. The contact made me shiver. By the time I looked up he was gone.

"Sweet dreams, Wolfman," I whispered into the wind.

"Someone's in looooove," Tyler sang from behind me.

"And someone's gonna help cleaaaan uuuup," I sang right back to him. Little punk.