Chapter 24:
"Why?" Derek demanded, making me send him a small scowl. I know they're not on the best of terms, but Chris had helped out on more than one occasion, he didn't need to be rude to him. I threw a small pebble at the side of his head, making him narrow his eyes at me before I motioned for him to hear out what Chris wanted to say.
"I follow the code, and as long as you and your pack stay within the lines of the code as well; nothing will be done to harm any of you. I can give you my word that I will do my best to stray any unknown hunter away from you."
"Your word isn't good enough; you need proof that you won't betray us." Derek stated, turning his back to the older man and making me glare at the Alpha who I considered my brother. I ignored Isaac's protesting arm as I got up from the ground and made my way over; sending a matching glare back to Derek as his gaze switched over to me.
"Ignore grumpy." I said, seeing the hint of an amused smile on Chris' lips before he looked down at me as I stopped a couple feet in front of him. "I know that you follow the code, you've proved that on more than one occasion by helping us defeat mutual enemies and threats that came here to Beacon Hills; your father being one of them which has proved your trustworthiness in my eyes no matter what anyone else says." I said, seeing a new light flicker on in the hunter's eyes as he continued to look at me. "I know this wasn't the easiest thing that you have done, but in a way I'm proud of you for coming out here on your own to propose this, and if I were the Alpha I would wholly accept the offer." I glanced pointedly over at Derek who huffed in what seemed like annoyance while Isaac looked on at me with a proud smile curling his lips up at the corners ever so slightly.
"It appears that you have the leading streak in you Stephanie, and I agree with you. It would be wise listening to you, you have a good head on your shoulders; one that can avoid you getting killed." Chris smiled, switching his attention to behind me as I felt someone walking over; sniffing discretely to find out it was Derek.
"You're annoying sometimes, you know that?" he grumbled, shoving me gently away by my head and making me blow a raspberry at him despite being twenty one. Derek rolled his eyes and prodded me in the ribs, making me squirm away as he hit my ticklish spot before he smirked slightly. "Only because I trust my little sister's judgement on you, the truce will be in place; but do one thing that breaches it and I have no control in what actions I'll take to keep my pack safe."
"I understand that." Chis nodded, holding his hand out towards Derek and making him look down at it with an eyebrow quirked. I punched him in the base of the spine, making him growl before locking his hand tightly around Chris', shaking it lightly before immediately letting go after a mere few seconds. "I hope we can learn to accept each other in the future Derek, you have a good family and pack behind you now."
I poked my head around Derek's large frame and watched as Allison's dad got back into his car and drove away from the house, soon disappearing from view as he turned round a bend. Derek turned round and looked down at me with his eyebrows raised, making me grin up at him, flashing my teeth before ducking as he tried to tackle me into a headlock.
"No!" I squealed, just managing to elude his strong grasp and seek refuge behind my boyfriend who had now stood up and hid me behind him protectively, making Derek roll his eyes.
"You I would never hurt her Isaac, I'm just playing." I bounded out from behind him and full on tackled Derek by jumping on him and actually taking him down to the ground as I'd caught him off guard, making me cheer once I landed on him.
"Use your senses more." I had my hands on my hips as I mocked him, attempting to do his deep voice as well before laughing as he tickled me off him.
"Cute." He remarked, ruffling my hair before letting me go back and cuddle with my mate as the sun began to set on the horizon.