Chapter Thirteen
SOLSTICE
Stiles got home tired. Hanging out with the pack is really tiring sometimes but not as much tiring as beating the hell out of Isaac, and Scott in almost every game they played. Blame it on their werewolf reflexes they have for nearly beating Stiles in the games. Eventually though, Stiles always comes out as the champion.
At the front door of the house, three gifts loom large. Stiles opened the door and dragged the gifts inside.
"Good Day Stiles. I've heard so much about you. I like to meet you one day and be your mate." —Alex Alpha Kennedy. Cambridge, Massachusetts." Said the note attached to the gift.
It is the largest gift and the other two didn't belong to Alpha Kennedy. Stiles hesitated to open it. He knew it might be another dead animal. With a quick ripping of the wrapper he opened it. He took off the lid of the box and took a peek inside. There is another note.
"Even if you didn't pick me as your mate, I still want to give this you and kept it. It would be an insult if you return it back."
It's a new set of clothes for Stiles, from underwear to jackets and everything in between. He sniffed it. There is no scent of the Alpha, or any other werewolf for that matter, who gave it to him. It is straight from the store and package delicately so their scents were not mingled with it. In the middle of it all is another small card. When Stiles opened it, there is $1,000 cash inside of it.
Stiles considered on giving it to Scott since he needs to get some new clothes and he and Stiles share the same size. He shook his head.
"Technically, Stiles, they're free gifts to you, so you can keep them." Stiles said to himself. He mentally noted to send a thank you letter to him and explain that he is not interested.
The second gift is smaller but heavier and it seems compact. Stiles tore off the wrapper and it was a book—a grimoire.
"I'm sure you need this." The note says. "It is a copy of one of many other grimoires I've collected over the past years. I would like you to have it." The Alpha who gave this to him is from Mystic Falls, Virginia. He likes the gift but he didn't like the Alpha in question. There is something eerie where the Alpha is situated.
The third gift is the smallest and like the first one he received it was a dead animal. It's another dead rabbit and squirrel magically preserved. He didn't even bother to read the note from where it was sent. He quickly grabbed it and threw it in his neighbor's trash bin. Again.
Back at his bedroom, with the grimoire and the new clothes, he got to his laptop and turned it on. Like what he has always done, he's going to check his emails before going to bed.
30 unread emails. There are thirty emails from people he didn't even know. He checked a few of the emails people have sent to him.
"I heard so many things about you and the things I'll do with you. I'll have the pleasure to knot you and carry our pups. I happen to have an 8 in…." (—Alpha Martin. Belgium)
"Oh God!" Stiles didn't even finish the email. It's a little too disturbing and it has photos attached to it. Stiles shook his head. He doesn't even want to read the rest of it. So far, there thirteen different countries had emailed him who are from Europe and seven from Asia. Seven emails came from seven different states and there are three from California.
Of course after a few minutes of panicking and debating on his mind, Stiles has skimmed to the other emails. All they want is a piece of Stiles and how they wanted to knot him.
Oh God. It is a little disturbing how they tried to out match each other on how big their dick is and how they rich they are. It's not just the messages there are photos as well. Photos of their pack, of their property and God forbid, their well toned naked body.
They don't even know what Stiles wants. He just wants a simple life. But Stiles has to admit, it is a little impressive. It did impress him a little but that's not what he actually wants.
He decided to put it a folder just to save it. He doesn't know why he wanted to but he did it anyway.
Stiles groaned in annoyance. Why does this have to be his life? He had enough problems as it is. He doesn't even want more problems especially in dealing this particular situation. He would choose any other kanima problems than this or any typical high school problems like passing a class or having their first sex with someone. But NO, somehow Derek spilled that there is a winter wolf roaming around Beacon Hills, California. Naturally, (now that his dad had explained other winter wolf related topics) almost every wolf—Alpha or not, will try to get his attention.
Stiles sighed. "Gifts—yes! Nude pics—no."
The next day on the 21st, Erica, Boyd, Isaac, and Danny were all hanging out at the loft. As much as comfortable it is now, Derek, Scott, and Peter still hasn't mentioned the newly renovated Hale House to them. Derek will tell them after the Alpha Pack leaves town or till they finally killed them.
Derek is at the kitchen and talking to Peter or rather Peter trying to teach Derek to bake. It was only until recently that the whole pack learned Peter can be a 5-star chef if he wanted to. They did not know that Peter and Derek own one of the prime restaurants in Beacon Hills.
Isaac had been teasing Derek as "The Good Alpha" since there is something that changed in Derek. It is as if he is putting a good face to himself. He is financially secure and they don't know how much money Derek has. After all, Derek is Isaac's guardian and Derek being The Good Alpha actually asked Peter to help him buy a car for Isaac so he doesn't have to keep in borrowing Peter or Derek's car. Isaac still doesn't know about it.
The other three werewolves didn't bother listening to the two Hales, whatever they'll talk about.
The door quickly flung open. A girl was standing there and walking in to the room as if she lives in the place. The other three betas quickly growled angrily at her while Danny just looked up at her with a curious look. Peter and Derek walked into the living and seeing the girl in front of them made the two Hales smiled.
"Cora." Derek said sweetly. He approached her and gave her the tightest hug he could give. Peter gave her a hug as well.
"How are you? I thought you're coming here on the 24th?" Derek asked his sister.
"I'm good but…" Cora paused. "What is this I'm hearing about you declaring a winter wolf as your mate? Have you actually seen him or her in person? And Derek, your wolf form does not count."
Ah. This is the sister Derek all know and love. Cora is a mini version of Derek Hale with much sweeter and nice look than Derek. However, Cora can be as tough and strong as Derek.
"Ah." Derek gets why his sister is here. "So that's why you're here. And no I haven't met the wolf in human form."
"Good" Cora said firmly. "You need to impress him or her. We have to make you look good and not just the adorable face."
From the background, Erica coughed very loudly. The four of them are waiting for some recognition and answers that there is another Hale living after the fire. As far as they are concerned, Peter and Derek were the last Hales.
"Oh right" Derek said quickly. "This is my pack, well, part of the pack. That's Erica, Boyd, Isaac, and Danny."
The four waved at her happily and she smiled at them. Cora looked back again at Derek with her serious look.
"And Der…" Cora said. "I found this with your mail." Cora handed the mail to him. There was this invitation for him and the pack.
"Hale-McCall Pack" It read on the back. Derek turned it over and opened it.
"You are cordially invited to our family's annual Winter Solstice Feast this evening at seven o'clock."
Derek read it out loud. He and Peter didn't know from who it came from but there is an address at the bottom of the invitation. It's on Hill Valley. At least, Derek thought, it wouldn't be far away. Instinctively, Derek turned the invitation over to see if there is more to the invite.
"Derek, I think it's time to meet you and your pack.—Ladislaus."
"This must be the winter wolf's family." Derek said, staring at the note.
"So… the competition for the winter wolf's affection begins." Peter commented after Derek read the note.
"Why is it that important anyway?" Erica asked them. It's not that she doesn't like the winter wolf or something. It's because they're all fussing about it when there is an Alpha Pack in their territory. To her the Alpha Pack is much more important.
"Because Erica, winter werewolves are magical beings. They're like… like everything to a pack, like a mother, or a friend, and it's just… everything." Derek said in annoyance. He can't really explain why a wolf really wants a winter wolf to be one's mate.
"So you mean like Stiles?" Isaac said sarcastically. Derek's eyebrows rose to high heavens while Peter smirked from the back. Derek didn't see the smirk on Peter's face. Derek glared at Isaac.
"I mean why would we have another Stiles around. Stiles is the best for us." Isaac said.
"The best" Danny cut in.
"And besides, we don't know that winter wolf you and Scott kept looking." Isaac explained.
The other three nodded in agreement.
"Because, it's important to your Alpha, that's why." Derek said sternly. "So just stop and do as what I say."
They knew they just annoyed Derek by not wanting a new member in the pack that they don't actually know. There was a moment of silence before Derek turned to Cora again.
"Why are you here again besides visiting for the holidays?" Derek asked, trying to change the subject. He and Isaac have been at odds with the winter wolf every now and then.
"I decided to leave the pack in New York and be with you and Uncle Peter." Cora said plainly.
"And they were okay with it?" Peter asked curiously. He knew that werewolf packs don't take it seriously when its members just decided to leave. He knew there is something in Cora leaving the pack in New York.
"Totally. And this letter is from them." Cora said. She handed a letter to Derek and he decided to read it later.
"So when is this stupid feast anyway?" Erica piped up. She decided to change the topic before she annoyed Derek even more since Isaac is siding up with her against their mutual dislike of the winter wolf.
"Tonight." Derek said firmly with a little bit of shock.
Derek sent a massive group message to the rest of the pack. He called it an urgent and emergency meeting. He added in the message that they're going to attend a formal semi-werewolf party that night and bring anything from dresses to suits to make ups and anything that they need to prepare for that night since they're going to leave at the loft on the same time.
When everyone arrived at the loft, the hoard of dresses from Erica, Allison, and Lydia beaconed them. Derek felt bad for Boyd, Scott and Jackson who were carrying all of their dresses. Danny helped the three boys and carried their suits since they can't carry anymore.
Derek made quick introductions about her sister and instantly the four girls quickly became the best of friends. After an hour and a half deliberation of choosing what dress color they should where, they choose the boys' ties with Peter and Isaac deciding whether it would be a bow tie or a neck tie. Since Lydia wanted to show in the party that they're one pack, she decided only one color. They're all wearing something purple with different tones and shades.
"Why is Stiles still isn't here?" Lydia piped up while waiting for Erica to finish taking a shower at Peter's room.
A little bit earlier…
"Hey Derek, what's up?" Stiles answered his phone.
"There is party tonight and the whole pack is invited." Derek said to him first even before he sends the group message to the rest of them. Clearly, Stiles is special to him in some way that he is the one first to know.
"Tonight?" Stiles asked.
"Yeah tonight." Derek reiterated.
"I can't Derek. It's my grandfather's birthday tonight." Stiles lied. This is a good thing about talking in the phone. Werewolves cannot detect the sound of their lying voice.
"Oh." Derek sounded disappointed. Stiles hates it when Derek sound disappointed. If he is with Derek right now, he would be doing the puppy dog eyes that he exquisitely learned from Isaac and Scott. Stiles made a mental note to separate the three of them from time to time. Their mannerisms are rubbing off to each other.
"It is fine, Stiles. I'm sure it's important." Derek said with a hint of disappointment. Since, if he plans to have and to add a new member to the pack, Stiles would be the best candidate to judge whether he is worthy or not. Derek never realized early on that he valued Stiles opinion on things supernatural. It's something that Scott rubbed on Derek.
As the whole pack gets ready, four of them are texting each other silently so the others, particularly their Alpha-in-question, wouldn't know what they're talking about. It is a good timing that a sister of his came back to town; at least she grabbed the Alpha's attention fully.
JACKSON:: We're running out of time guys. Any progress with the truth potion? I am not willing to lose the bet against the other team.
DANNY:: No, Lydia's translation of the procedure is spot on but we still need time though.
ISAAC:: I got most of the ingredients back in my old house.
LYDIA:: How did you even get those ingredients some of it is outside the country.
ISAAC:: I got my ways, Lydia.
JACKSON:: So how are we going to start?
DANNY:: It has to be made under the full moon to do it and the next full moon is until January. And we missed the December full moon.
ISAAC:: SORRY! The package took that long to arrive.
LYDIA:: We just have to make Grumpy don't like Winter.
JACKSON:: How do we suppose to do that? Grumpy is straight on getting Winter.
ISAAC:: And the party is tonight and Geeky isn't even here.
DANNY:: Or we can try pushing Grumpy to Geeky till they get their heads out of their ass.
JACKSON:: Let's just stall till this night is over. Winter could not be that great.
ISAAC:: Why are we doing this again?
LYDIA:: Because we are frustrated about the sexual tension between the two. And beside both of them need to get laid real bad.
DANNY:: Like REAL bad.
JACKSON:: And we are not losing against Team Erica.
It's not only Team Jackson who wants the two stupid people to get over with their sexual attraction to each other, there is also Team Erica. They both love the two. It is just frustrating to see that they don't see each other that way. And with the issue Derek planning to mate with the Winter Wolf, they were not really welcoming for a new pack member as of the moment considering there is a threat for the whole pack. They're just being cautious right now.
The whole two team thing started with Jackson and Erica betting on how long Stiles and Derek will fall in love with each other after the whole Derek-declaring-the-winter-wolf-is-his-mate. Truthfully, both Erica and Jackson don't like the sound of the winter wolf as they much prefer Stiles over it. They have betted on how long Derek will realize that Stiles is for him. Erica said on the next year on January but Jackson said it will be December and he'll try as hell to get the two together.
They did not know that there is another team in playing this matchmaker.