So if it seems like I am throwing updates at y'all left and right, I apologize. I start school again in two weeks and with it means literally 15-20 hour days of practice, school, and work. I'm basically trying to get as much out to you all if not finish the story by the end of the summer. Thanks! Love you! Please continue to review/rate/comment/favorite/follow!
Derek continued into the night in the direction of Deaton's office. The first step to gathering his pack was to check on Jackson, and make sure he was alright. Jackson would be in no condition to fight, however he was entitled to the knowledge of what the next twenty four hours held in store. There was a good chance none of them would make it back.
Derek breathed into the night air. The rain had all but ceased to a drizzle. Derek thought that fitting—how it should be raining at a time like this. His mother used to tell him that every time it rained, someone in heaven was crying for the sake of a loved one down on earth. What a turn of events for you little boy, eh mom? He offered up to the sky. Something to pity right? Derek sighed and trudged on.
With the storm around him, the air smelled fresh. The rain smelled sweet. Everything around him…smelled like Stiles. Derek's chest clenched in agony—the thought of Stiles and his porcelain skin, bottomless eyes, angelic smile—ripped him apart. If there by the grace of God had been any other way to keep Stiles in his life while keeping him safe, Derek would gladly pay whatever price—but no such option existed. So, as long as the knowledge that Stiles was alive and well stayed with him, Derek could live on.
Deaton's office broke through the mists, the front door stood propped against the door frame. I should probably pay for that…If I'm still alive after tomorrow. He stepped through the threshold, and carefully placed the door where it was. The fluorescent lights of the exam room sifted into the waiting room.
"Derek." Deaton appeared in the doorway.
"How is he?" Derek's eyes met the vet's.
"He's alive…surprisingly. He suffered quite a bit of trauma tonight." Deaton replied monotonously.
"Is he awake?"
"Barely."
"I need to speak with him." Derek stepped forward.
"Let him rest Derek…" Deaton cautioned sternly. "The boy needs to sleep."
"Deaton, we're going after the alpha pack tomorrow. This can't go on anymore. I'm not making Jackson come with us…he'd be dead in a second."
"You've come to say goodbye then." It wasn't a question.
"Hopefully not for forever." Derek bit his lip.
"Do it quickly." Deaton nodded and stepped inside.
xXxXxXxXxXx
Erika and Boyd trudged further into the trees. They had been walking for days stopping here and there while on the way, though they only made it a hundred or so miles from Beacon Hills. They made do with what they had, and they did so without complaining. In lieu of their past actions, they knew they had no right to complain about their current predicament. With everything they had done for the alpha pack against their own, they had put innocent people in danger. Guilt weighed their shoulders down, yet they trudged on still.
"Erika wait…" Boyd grasped her hand firmly. "Listen…do you hear that?"
Erika strained her ears. Ever so faintly, even with her amplified hearing, she could barely make out the echoing sound.
"It's Derek…" She turned to face Boyd. "He's calling to the pack…they're going to do it…"
"The alpha pack…" Boyd continued.
"They're preparing to fight." Erika nodded.
xXxXxXxXxXx
Stiles sat up in his bed. Sleep had left him lonely through the night. Derek was not there to chase the darkness away, and in his absence a riot of nightmares left Stiles enfeebled and sleepless. Stiles had tried to call Derek on his cell, but got no response. He even went so far as to wish for his mate out of his window, hoping somehow Derek would hear it. But no one ever came.
Stiles turned to gaze at his alarm clock.
5:30am.
Shit. He cursed to the cloudy heavens. He needed to sleep but it would not come. Not without Derek. Please let him be alright.
Stiles' stomach rumbled. When was the last time I had something to eat? Stiles thought hard. It had to have been lunch the day before. He hadn't had time to eat when he got home…the alpha pack had made sure of that.
He through the covers back, pulled pants and a baggy shirt on, and trudged downstairs. There was a noise by the front door, and Stiles' breath hitched in his throat. He slowly turned.
The sheriff was buckling his gun holster around his waist, a sign he was leaving for the station.
"Hey dad…" Stiles whispered, guilt evident in his tone.
The sheriff didn't turn around. "I'm sorry for not saying goodbye. I'm going into the station today. You're right you know…I'm never here." The sheriff let a sigh out. "But given the circumstances between us…maybe that's the best for right now."
"Dad I didn't mean—" Stiles stammered.
"It's okay son. I just need to come up with a plan. I refuse to be one of those fathers who completely ignores their kid anymore. But for the next few days, that is going to be a reality…until we both sort things out." For a brief moment, the sheriff turned to look at his son.
For that brief moment, when Stiles saw his father's eyes, he felt yet another piece of his heart rip itself to shreds. The sadness behind those brown eyes seemed endless, and Stiles knew he was the cause of it. Dad…
"Goodbye, son. I'll be back later. Stay safe."
With that, the sheriff turned, and was out the door, leaving Stiles petrified behind him.
xXxXxXxXxXx
Derek looked at everyone around him. Scott, Isaac, uncle peter, and by the grace of Scott's persuasion, Allison and her father, all stared back at him. With everything Derek regretted in his life, nothing stood out more prominent than two things. One: that he didn't have his mate to say goodbye too. And two: the pack was not whole. He wished he had never sent Erika and Boyd away. Even though they all had the same slim chance of living as he did, there was comfort in the pack—comfort in his family. The only family he had left.
"I'm sorry this is such short notice." Derek began gravely. "But last night, Stiles was taken and Jackson was badly hurt. I'm quite shocked he is still alive, actually."
"Is Stiles okay?" Scott interrupted.
"He's fine. I got their just in time." Derek assured him. "But if the alpha pack remains in Beacon Hills, his, or anyone else's safety is in jeopardy. Which is why—"
"Which is why we need to take them out." Chris Argent cut him off.
"Right." Derek nodded. "Thank you for deciding to help." He said in earnest in the direction of Allison's father.
"Cut to the battle plan." Peter piped up. "We need to think tactically."
"I'm not exactly sure tactics are going to be of much good," Derek said grimly. "When I saved Stiles, I killed one of theirs. They will be prepared for a fight."
"Do they know we're coming?" Isaac asked.
"No. I don't think so, but the surprise will only give us an advantage for a few moments."
"So how is this going to work then?" Peter scoffed.
"I killed one of the males, which means there are two more, a woman, and their prime."
"Well I'd say that puts you at a further advantage," Peter appraised. "You have one of the alpha's powers now."
"Which leads me to my next point." Derek replied. "I've only thought about how we take them on. Isaac, Peter, and Allison…you will attack one of the males. Scott and Chris, you will take the other."
"I'm not leaving Scott." Allison demanded.
Oh for Christ's sake.
"Scott will need more help than just me." Chris said. "Allison and I should help him. If Scott can keep him at bay, Allison and I will have no problem taking him out. Then we'll all handle the other one." He turned to Isaac and Peter. "You think you can hang on that long?"
"Not entirely no." Peter said matter-of-factly. "I'm not at full strength anymore."
"Thanks for the vote of confidence…"Isaac muttered.
"Enough!" Derek roared. "Chris, if you guys can take your alpha out quickly then do it. I'm not anticipating an easy fight here so we are all going to have it rough. As for me, I'll take the prime and the woman."
"That's suicide!" Scott cried.
"Not entirely." Derek muttered. He knew what he was planning was a gamble. "The female, Vivian," He spat her name out. "Seems to want the prime dead. I don't care how or why, all I care about is that she might switch sides."
"Or she might rip your throat out." Peter said.
"It's worth a shot." Derek shrugged. He had long given up hope for making it past today alive.
"So that's it then." Scott whispered.
"Yes Scott, that's all I have."
"Everyone start praying." Peter muttered.
xXxXxXxXxXx
They stood in a semi-circle around the clearing where Stiles had been held captive. Derek, Isaac, Scott, and Peter sniffed the air.
"Where are they?" Chris whispered, holding two .45 hand guns poised and at the ready.
"They're here." Peter growled. "So much for the surprise."
As if on cue, four figures stepped form the trees in the morning sunrise.
"Derek. So good of you to come." The man in the middle said nonchalantly. "I do regret that I have a bit of unfinished business with you, seeing as you killed one of my own." He must have been the prime.
"They took my mate." Derek growled back.
"They were only supposed to threaten him." The prime gave a sideways glare to Vivian. "That's the problem with having a pack of alphas. They do what they wish…even if it is against orders."
"It doesn't change the fact that they did!" Derek roared.
"Easy my friend." Johnathan chuckled. "If you join our pack, then you everyone can leave. No one has to get hurt today, and all past transgressions can be…resolved."
"You know that's not happening."
"I do say, it's a shame. But it was worth a shot." The prime shook his head.
"I've heard enough." Derek burst forward charging for the prime.
The alpha pack responded, the two males going to meet him. Feral growls and roars filled the clearing.
The instant Derek took off, Peter and Isaac took for their target. Scott and Chris did the same. With the two males occupied, there was a clear path for Derek.
"Close your eyes!" Allison shouted from behind.
A split second after she let a cascade of arrows fly from her bow. Upon impact, the heads burst into flares of white light. Derek's pack, being prepared for the visual assault, kept their eyes closed and followed their senses of smell to their targets. The alpha pack was not as prepared.
The alpha male Scott had been fighting had Scott trapped in a vicious headlock, his fangs aimed at Scott's exposed neck. When the flares assaulted his eyes, he dropped his claws in reflex, allowing Scott to drop to the ground and roll deftly away.
The deafening bangs of Chris's hand guns rattled the air as a flurry of wolf's bane bullets flew towards the distracted target.
Isaac and peter weren't fairing as well. In the first few bursts of light, the alpha had become distracted as well. Isaac had taken the lack of guard to jump onto his back clawing viciously at any flesh visible and Peter attacked the front. The alpha responded by closing his eyes, rendering the bursts of light ineffective. Now in control of the situation, the alpha reached back and sunk his claws into Isaac's shoulder.
Isaac howled in agony as the claws tore through his flesh like tissue paper, and suddenly he was airborne, being deftly hurled several yards away.
The alpha then set his focus on Peter, who was ducking this way and that, landing minor swipes on the alpha's thighs, chest, and sides. They did little to deter his course.
Derek was in a fierce brawl with Vivian who stepped forward to protect Johnathan. The two whirled around this way in that in a furious dance of claws. That was when he heard it.
Peter's cry rang throughout the clearing as the alpha male impaled his fist into Peter's chest. Derek could hear the flesh tearing as the alpha's claws sliced through the muscle of his heart. He was gone in a second, dropping to the ground in an instantly lifeless heap.
"NO!" Derek roared as a rage so terrible swept through his limbs. He turned his crimson gaze back to Vivian, who too was distracted by the Peter's death. Suddenly his anger overwhelmed him, and his blows fell faster and faster. Vivian only twisted out of a few before Derek caught her in the shoulder. Her cries only seemed to anger him more and he sliced again at the small of her back. With a third blow Derek, sent her flying a few feet back in a bloody heap on the ground.
"Very good Derek." Johnathan smiled. He stepped forward.
Meanwhile, Isaac cried out in fury as he saw Peter's lifeless form drop to the ground. He staggered to his feet and charged the smiling alpha. His movements were weak and slow, and the alpha flattened him with an upper-cut to the chin.
The wind left his body as he saw the alpha loom over him.
The other alpha was gasping for breath as Chris emptied his clip into the flesh of his chest, yet still he staggered forward.
The whistle of Allison's arrow sounded just before it impaled itself into his left shoulder, and then again in his abdomen and he howled in fury. Scott then picked himself up from the ground and took the opportunity to tackle the alpha to the ground.
Shocked by the sudden assault, the alpha sank to his knees just before Scott flattened him. He brought his claws up to defend himself, but the poisonous herb now flowing in his veins dulled his strength and slowed his movements.
Scott then let loose with a flurry of claws, swiping at every inch of flesh visible. The alpha's flesh of his face, chest, and shoulders seemed to melt under the rapid assault of Scott's claws. With one final swipe, Scott sliced the middle of the alpha's jugular, silencing the ragged breathing the alpha had labored into. It was quickly replaced by a slow gargle as blood flowed freely from the wound.
Scott looked into the eyes of the alpha, witnessing the crimson red slowly fade as the life left his body. As the lights in those cold eyes faded, Scott slowly stood. There was an incredible surge of power within him as he realized what he had just done. He had slain an alpha.
Scott then turned his now burning eyes to where he heard Isaac cry. The alpha had Isaac pinned, and he was raising his claws for the final blow. Scott roared and charged forth, feeling the all new strength within him propel him forward. The alpha looked up in surprise just as Scott slammed into him, effectively knocking him off of Isaac and tackling him to the ground. Isaac was on his feet in an instant and he sauntered forth to help Scott.
Derek, who was now in a death match with the prime, was making no headway. The blood rage that fueled him to get through Vivian seemed to be nullified at the strength of the prime. Every blow Derek sent was parried and sent back. Nothing Derek did was effective, yet on he fought.
There was a gleeful twinkle in Johnathan's eyes. He's toying with me. Derek thought. I can't do it. He sent another swipe, which the prime easily outstepped.
Neither of them noticed Vivian slowly getting to her feet, eyes ablaze. In seconds, she leapt forward, her claws slicing the flesh of Johnathan's back. Johnathan threw his head back in agony, and Derek leapt back in shock.
Johnathan whirled around, catching Vivian's second attempt in his hand. "You insolent little bitch." He growled at her, He threw her back, and her body hit the trunk of a nearby tree with a thudding crack. She crumpled to the ground, and Johnathan was on her in an instant.
Now that his back was turned, Derek took the chance to lung forward, hoping to land some type of blow. Johnathan only whirled around, bringing Vivian's weak body with him like a ragdoll. He used his free hand to swipe at Derek, and as his blow landed, Derek's mouth filled with blood. He collapsed.
"Now for you." Johnathan turned his gaze to Vivian who glared at him with her own crimson eyes.
"Go to hell." She spat at him.
"I'll see you there." He whispered, and sunk his fangs into her throat, ripping out the flesh there with ease. She was gone in an instant.
Johnathan let her limp body fall, and he spat the red contents of his mouth into the weeds next to her corpse. He turned slowly, his gaze setting on Derek.
The alpha Scott and Isaac had been fighting had now gained his footing, and the three were circling each other. Chris and Allison then sent a flurry of bullets and arrows towards him. The alpha roared as the assault tore his flesh apart. Scott and Isaac took the opportunity to charge. Scott's claws sunk into the alpha's chest, and Isaac shoved his claws into the throat, taking a firm grasp of the spinal cord at the back. With a roar, Isaac pulled sharply, and heard a faint crack as the head of the alpha ripped sickeningly form his shoulders. The body crumpled to the ground, and Isaac felt the surge of power in his veins.
"Derek you really are more trouble than your worth." Johnathan spat, all cockiness aside. "I should have killed your pack when I had the chance. But I'll settle for you." He smiled and pulled his claws back.
Derek closed his eyes in defeat. There were multiple growls and then a large thud. Derek's eyes shot open, only to see two figures on top of Johnathan raining blows upon his ever increasingly bleeding face. These two figures weren't Scott or Isaac. Derek noted the blond curls.
"Erika! Boyd!" Derek leapt forward to help his betas, but was too late. Boyd's hulking body flew several yards back.
Erika's cry rang through the trees as Johnathan kicked her back as well, but clung to her black jacket, keeping her in range.
"Welcome back." Johnathan sneered, and shoved his claws into her abdomen.
"NO!" Derek yelled.
Johnathan tossed Erika aside and turned to face Derek who was on him in an instant. Derek saw nothing but red. He threw out wild blows, some hitting their mark, others not. Johnathan, now enfeebled, put effort into the brawl, struggling to keep the upper hand.
The Argents soon opened fire on him as well, while Isaac and Scott ran to Boyd's aid. Boyd, now regaining composure, saw Erika's figure on the ground.
"Erika!"
His wolf burst forth as he charged for the prime alpha that killed her. Derek had landed a few successful blows, and now had Johnathan pressed against a tree where he fought for his life. Boyd joined his alpha in raining blows on the degrading creature before them, and ultimately tipped the tables.
In unison, Derek and Boyd pulled their clawed hands back and shoved them forward, impaling Johnathan to the tree behind him. Boyd could feel the prime's heart stop in his and Derek's clawed hands. Then, just before the life faded from Johnathan's eyes, Boyd felt the rush of power.
It was over.
Derek let the body fall to the ground. Boyd immediately left his side, rushing to the aid of his companion. The pack gathered around.
Erika grasped at the grass around her bleeding figure, trying desperately to pull a solid breath of air in.
"Erika! Erika please stay with me. Please Please stay with me." Boyd begged. He cupped her face with his bloodied hand. "Erika look at me!"
Erika did her best to comply, seeming to take an immense amount of effort to merely keep her eyes focused on her companion's tear streaked face.
Derek stepped into view, kneeling by the pair's side. "We need to get her to Deaton. She still has a chance."
Derek prepared to push off of the ground; however Erika's hand grasped his ankle. Derek shifted his gaze to hers.
"Will…will you..f-f-forgive m-me?" Erika's eyes pleaded what her voice could not.
Derek's jaw tightened.
"This pack is all we have left." Boyd turned to Derek. "It's all she has."
Derek looked at her. "Welcome home."
Erika's eyes seemed to smile as the words left Derek's mouth. She could die happily.
"We need to get her to Deaton." Derek repeated.
Everyone nodded in agreement.Boyd picked her up into his arms, though she screamed in pain. Derek left the circle, stopping at his uncle's silent body. He bent slowly, and Peter up in his arms as well, though no sounds left those cold lips.
Derek didn't turn around to face his pack when he spoke. "Go. Get Erika to Deaton. I'll meet you all there." His jaw remained clenched, and he heard silent whispers fly and dead leaves crunch beneath feet as everyone left.
"I'm sorry Uncle." His voice choked.
It was true. Though Peter had his evil ways, and though Derek had always thought him unwelcome, there was no changing the fact that Peter was family—the only family he had left—and that too was now taken from him.
Derek slowly left the clearing with his uncle's body in his arms, heading in the direction of his burnt home—the home which housed so many of the Hale family in life and in death. It was here where Peter would be buried. Peter Hale would finally be able to rest…at home…
xXxXxXxXxXx
Stiles sat at his bedroom desk staring at nothing. His mind was wandering in and out of daydreams—he thought about his father. The look his father gave him just before he walked out the door impaled him in the chest with the force of a flame reddened pike. Hope was vacant in the brown irises so much like his own. Stile had done it. He had pushed the last family member he had away.
To make matters worse, he couldn't get ahold of anyone all day—not Scott or Lydia or Jackson… Derek didn't even return his calls, nor did he show at any point during the day. Something was wrong…
Stiles had tried to keep calm throughout the day. He had originally thought they were at the Hale house or the train depot… Each destination added to his anxiety as no trace of anybody was found.
It was now 10:00pm. His father was officially not coming home until late tonight, though Stiles held him in no sort of blame. He yawned. Maybe some sleep would help. Stiles thought, hoping he would pass out and sleep the night through. He opened the drawer on his desk, and pulled out the bottle of sleeping pills he had bought a week or so ago. He poured one pill into the palm of his hand, and walked to the bathroom for water after he stowed the bottle away.
Once the pill was down, he wet his toothbrush and doused it in toothpaste. Stiles stared at himself in the mirror while he brushed, silently scolding himself for the way he treated his father both last night and early this morning. It is all my fault…
Stiles rinsed his mouth and left the bathroom without a second glance at himself. He didn't think he could bare it. He turned to close his bedroom door behind him, knowing his father wouldn't come in when he got home…not tonight.
"Stiles…" Derek's voice floated heavily from his window.
Stiles whirled around with accusations in his eyes, but it all halted when he took the sight of his mate in. Derek's face was not like it was yesterday or the day before. His cheeks were pale, his eyes were red and swollen, and his shoulders stooped as if he had been beaten.
"Derek, what happened to you!?" Stile rushed forward, throwing his arms around Derek's shoulders and pulling him close.
"The alpha pack is gone." Derek whispered against the top of Stiles' head.
"What…?" Stiles' breath caught in his throat. "How…?"
"The pack fought them today. They're gone."
"You didn't tell me?!" Stiles' worry immediately transformed into outrage. Derek could have died today and he hadn't even bothered to tell him. Stiles could have at least been there with him.
"I didn't want you to get hurt." Derek stepped back from his mate. Guilt and darkness dulled his hazel eyes.
"Is everyone alright?" Stiles questioned furiously. "Did anyone get hurt?"
"Erika is badly injured, but Deaton is taking care of her. He thinks she will make it."
"They're back? WHEN?!" Stiles' voice rose again.
"They surprised all of us when they showed up and saved me." Derek looked at the ground. "I would have been dead had it not been for them."
"Is Scott okay?" The worry for his best friend broke his voice.
"Yeah… he's fine. I'm actually really proud of him and Isaac. They really held their own today." Derek murmured sadly.
"You say that like it's a bad thing…"
"Well, they each killed an alpha…" Derek paused.
"So that means—"
"They're all alphas now." Derek whispered. "They have no obligation to stay with me."
"They wouldn't abandon you." Stiles said assuredly.
"I wouldn't blame them if they did." Derek replied gravely. "I've risked their lives enough. I've risked all of your lives enough."
"You protect us!"
"Stiles just yesterday what happened to you?" Derek growled.
"That's different…"
"How?" Derek challenged.
Stiles stuttered for a bit, trying to find the right thing to say.
"I thought so…" Derek concluded.
"You always rescue me though!" Stiles stepped forward, but Derek retreated closer to the windows. Stiles' heart pounded at Derek's reaction.
"Stiles…when I'm with you, you're in danger. If something were to ever happen to you like almost happened last night…"
"Derek look at me." Stiles took Derek's pale face in his hands. "I'm safe. And it's all because of you."
"I can't trust myself to keep you safe." Derek's eyes fell to the floor.
Stiles felt his breath hitch again and again. He suddenly realized where this was going.
"Derek…"He whispered, but the alpha would not look at him. "Derek…Please don't leave me." Stiles begged.
"I don't know what else to do Stiles. It's the only way you'll be safe. That is all I care about. If I can't have you, so be it. As long as I know you're alive and safe I can live on."
"What makes you think that I can move on?" Stiles cried, a tear slipping from his grasp.
"Because you're strong Stiles. You are strong and have so many people who care about you. You will forget about me in time, and move on."
"We're mates Derek. We're mates for life. That's what you said! You can't deny that we are. Nothing can break that."
"I'm going to try." Derek whispered.
"W-w-what?" Stiles stammered, on the verge of sobs.
"I don't want you anymore Stiles. I can't be your mate. I'm sorry this ever happened."
"Derek…please…"Stiles begged, not knowing what else to do. "Please don't leave me… I need you."
"No you don't." Derek said. "I'm sorry Stiles. I should have never acted on my feelings, but this is it."
Stiles just stared at Derek, looking for any signs of a lie. He found none.
"I'm sorry." Were Derek's last words, and then he was gone.
In his absence, Stiles crumpled to the floor as what was left of his heart shattered into splinters.
xXxXxXxXxXx
Derek stared out over the city lights at the Beacon Hills overlook. He hadn't meant a word of what he said to his mate…former…that is. But if he hadn't said what he had, Stiles would have never believed him.
Derek thought back to Stiles' tear streaked face. Derek's heart burst with agony at the sight of his lover in such a state. His first instinct was to comfort away the pain he had caused, and Derek was surprised he was able to control the wolf inside of him long enough to get out. Had he given in, Stiles would be in danger for the rest of his life. Derek couldn't have that.
Stiles was safe now. He might be hurting now, but eventually he would heal. Time healed all for the bleeding human heart. Stiles would move on, find someone else to love, and live a safe and happy life far away from Beacon Hills—far away from Derek.
Derek bit his lip and clenched his fists. He grimaced as his claws dug into the skin of his palms. Stiles was safe…Stiles was gone…
A single tear slipped from his eye as he roared in agony to the heavens above.
I'm so sorry this chapter is so long. I just couldn't find a good place to end it. Also, I apologize at the extremely shitty and confusing fight scene…I really suck at them.