This is a fun, fluffy one. We need some mood uplifting after the emotional rollarcoaster last time, right? Enjoy!
Chapter 7: Part of Something
Something was not right. Before he even opened his eyes, Derek knew he wasn't in his bedroom back at the loft. Everything smelt different, the sheets felt different and the noises outside were different as well; not the usual distant chirping he heard from his loft. He focused his senses for a second and a familiar smell hit him. Coffee and lemongrass.
Stiles.
Derek snapped his eyes open and everything from last night flashed in his head. Stiles having a nightmare, Gerard beating him up, them talking about Paige.. the hug.
Derek looked to his side and saw Stiles fast asleep. He was lying on his side, facing Derek. His mouth was partially open, breaths falling from his petal-shaped lips and hair messed up on his forehead.
His hair looks good grown out.
Derek blinked a few times as soon as the thought crossed his mind. This wasn't the first time he was appreciating the changes Stiles's body had gone through over the summer. He noticed it the first time when Stiles and Scott came over at the Hale house and he gave Scott the tattoo.
This is dangerous territory. I need to be careful.
Apparently they fell asleep sometime after their talk and the hug. Derek remembers lying side by side with Stiles and them talking about the pack before dozing off. He sat up on the bed and looked at the sleeping teen again. Stiles looks peaceful. No hint of the nightmares from the previous night on his face. He looks younger with his rosy cheeks flushing from the heat of the comforters. The moles look more prominent in the flushed face and Derek had to force himself to look away from his face. He checked the time on the bedside table. The sheriff would be up soon. He had to leave before the older Stilinski decided to pop in and shoot Derek for sleeping with his underage son.
Not sleeping sleeping. He might shoot for literal sleeping, who knows! And normal bullets may not do much damage on a werewolf, especially an Alpha. But they do hurt like a bitch.
Derek got up and put his shoes on. When he moved to pick up his jacket, he could detect some changes in Stiles's breathing. He was waking up. He put on the jacket and turned towards the teen to see him looking back at him with adorable sleepy eyes.
Not adorable! Snap out of it!
Stiles looked confused, but it was only for a second. Realization dawned on his features as he looked at Derek standing on the side of his bed.
"Hey." Derek decided to break the silence first. "I was just leaving. Guess we both fell asleep."
Stiles sat up on the bed and rubbed his eyes with his palms. "Yeah, I guess so." His voice was a little hoarse from sleep and it was not making Derek uncomfortable. At all.
"Thanks for staying with me last night," Stiles smiled at him. "It's been a while since I've had a good night's sleep. Guess the big bad wolf keeps the nightmares away." He ended in a teasing tone but Derek could detect the underlying sadness coming from the boy. He frowned.
"Do you always have nightmares?" Stiles nodded his head a little.
"Almost every night. I tried taking some sleeping pills but it didn't help. I'd have nightmares before waking up and be drowsy for the rest of the day."
"Have you tried talking to anyone else about it?" Derek stepped a little closer to the teen, concern etched in his features.
"Nah. I can't tell my dad since I'd have to explain the reasons behind said nightmares which I'd rather not at the moment. I think Scott knows something's up with me but we haven't talked about it. I didn't wanna add to his plate. He already has a lot going on in his head with Allison, the Alpha pack and until last night, your missing betas."
"Stiles, you cannot ignore your health like that. You need to consult someone. You say you want to help us. How will you help us if you are not at a hundred percent?" Derek decided to walk on the guilt route a little since that would probably be the best way to convince Stiles to get some help.
"I know, I know. I'll do something. And thank you for really trusting me. I know it wasn't easy talking about what happened. But know that I'm here. Whether you want to talk or just sit in silence and need company, I'll always be here." Looking at the earnest whiskey-brown eyes, something fluttered inside Derek's chest. He couldn't look away even if he tried. Derek could feel his wolf rumbling. He couldn't risk mulling over his feelings right now. It's too dangerous.
I need to get out of here.
"Thanks for listening." Derek tried to pour as much sincerity as he could behind his words.
Stiles's phone vibrated on the nightstand. He grabbed his phone and quickly looked over the contents, his face turning horrified after a few seconds.
"What's wrong?" Stiles looked up with a pale face.
"Lydia found a body last night."
Heather was dead. Stiles looked at her lifeless face as Melissa explained her injuries and the similarities with the body they found last night. Derek was standing on one side, listening quietly.
They were lucky that Melissa was still at the hospital from her night shift. Stiles left his house before the Sheriff woke up, leaving a note that said he had to meet Scott before going to school and they would go to class later together. It was pin-drop silence in the jeep as Stiles and Derek drove over to the hospital in Stiles's jeep.
Stiles had no idea they had found Heather as well. His eyes welled up with tears after seeing Heather's body. He remembered her bright and happy face on the eve of her birthday. He thought of Heather's mother and how she would feel after seeing her daughter like this. None of them deserved this.
Melissa looked horrified as soon as she saw Stiles's face. "Oh my god. She was your friend, right? Scott told me, it completely slipped my mind. I'm so sorry, honey." She brushed Stiles's arm with her hand and moved to cover the bodies with the sheets.
Stiles felt a large, warm hand grasp his smaller one and squeeze. He didn't have to look to know it was the Alpha trying to comfort him. He smiled a little through his tears and squeezed back. As he stared at the bodies, his mind started to work on overdrive.
The cut on the throat, bash to the head and strangulation. Three types of death. Three bodies?
"Any other bodies have been here lately? Or anyone that have gone missing?" Derek straightened at Stiles's question. He felt his chest swell with pride for the younger boy. He was devastated at seeing his childhood friend's body. But even then, his brain was finding a way to solve this riddle.
"Yeah, two girls. One of them went missing. The other one, her girlfriend reported-"
"Is she here?" Stiles was too impatient to wait. He had to confirm his theory.
"Yeah, she just regained consciousness. I can take you to her if you want."
"Let's go." Melissa moved to get out of the room, Stiles quickly moving to follow behind her. The hand grasping his gave him a little tug to stop him in his tracks.
"Stiles, calm down. What's going on? How are these deaths related?" Derek couldn't help being curious. None of the missing people knew each other. How was the killer picking them?
"I need to talk to the girl first. If I'm right about this, we have a huge problem."
"Human sacrifices?" Scott asked incredulously as Stiles finished explaining his theory regarding the three deaths. Yes, three. The police found the missing girl that afternoon. Stiles nodded his head. "Yeah. And I have a feeling it's not gonna stop anytime soon." He looked around the room at the faces.
They were all at Derek's loft. Erica and Boyd were sitting on the couch, Isaac was sitting on the carpet in front of the couch with his legs folded up to his chest. Jackson was standing by the window, with his arms folded across his chest. Cora, Scott and Stiles were standing in the middle of the room and Derek was leaning back at the table on the other side. He had a cup of coffee in his hand.
"So, it means that guy might die as well." Scott said to himself as realization dawned on him.
"What guy?" Cora asked, a frown on her face.
"This guy came to Deaton's with his dog. He just.. vanished. Just like that."
"Was he a virgin?" Stiles asked quickly. Derek looked up at that. He was a little amused at Stiles's question but he didn't let it show on his face. He opted for taking a small sip of his coffee.
"No, Deaton makes us have sex with all the clients." Scott said with a straight face. Isaac, Erica and Boyd all snickered. Cora and Jackson just rolled their eyes. Stiles made his best bitch-face at his best friend. Scott let out a small laugh.
"Dude, I'm kidding. How the hell would I know!"
"Well, it's important, okay? If he's a virgin too, that means all the virgins in Beacon Hills are in danger. I never thought my lack of sexual experience would get me killed one day! I need to have sex, like today! Right now!" Derek choked on his coffee a little but he recovered quickly. Jackson snickered as Stiles flailed his arms around in his glorious Stiles way.
"I'll do it, Batman." Erica said with a wink. Boyd just shook his head slightly. Derek kept taking sips of his coffee, praying not having to choke again.
"I appreciate that but I'd rather not get torn apart by Mr. tall, dark and vicious over there." Stiles pointed at Boyd. Erica just laughed. "But I'm the only girl here who's willing. Cora wouldn't do it, would you?" Derek's prayers almost failed. Almost.
"Not even when hell turns into a giant glacier." Cora said deadpanned. Stiles just pouted a little.
"That's alright. Who said it has to be a girl? I swing both ways. Any handsome chap would do too." He clapped his hands and rubbed them together as he looked around the room.
Derek's prayers did fail. He choked on his coffee again. He just put the coffee down on the table and turned around, his back facing the others. Jackson was straight on laughing quietly now and so was Isaac. Erica's mouth was open slightly as she processed that Stiles just came out to them so blatantly.
"Oh thanks for the vote of confidence, Sourwolf!" Stiles said loudly to Derek's back. Derek refused to turn around because he knew his face was as red as Lydia's hair. "You think I can't land a guy with this face?" Stiles pointed towards him while looking at Derek. Jackson looked at his Alpha. He focused his pack bond to Derek, trying to gauge his emotions. He could detect embarrassment and a little whiff of lilacs hit his senses again.
What the hell does lilacs mean? I need to ask Lydia.
Stiles was still looking around the room and his eyes stopped on Scott. The crooked-jaw beta stared at him horrified. "No! You're like my brother!"
"So help your brother out!" Stiles exclaimed loudly. Scott covered his face with his hands and just groaned.
"Okay. That is an elaborate way to fulfill your fantasies regarding McCall, Stiles." Jackson said with a smirk. "Also, if you want a wingman to go to the Jungle, I would be cool with that. As long as you focus your sexual energy on the other dudes and stay the fuck away from me."
"Thanks, man." Stiles snapped his fingers towards Jackson. "I might have to take up on your offer soon."
Jackson detected a hint of anger through the pack bond but it was gone too quickly for him to be sure.
Derek decides to finally turn around and move the conversation towards other topics. They discussed about the Alpha twins joining the school. Derek told his betas to stay out of trouble with them.
"Also, I have something to ask to the both of you." Derek looked at Scott and Stiles. He had already discussed it with his betas and he knew it's what they all wanted.
"What?" Stiles asked with a curious expression on his face. His eyebrows were a little scrunched up along with his nose. Derek tried not to focus on Stiles's facial expressions and looked at Scott instead.
Dangerous territory, remember?
"I want to officially ask you both to be a part of the Hale pack."
Erica, Boyd and Isaac all got up from their seats and walked towards their Alpha. Jackson moved to stand closer to them as well. They formed a semi-circle with Derek standing in the middle. Stiles and Scott stared at the pack for a few minutes, neither of them saying anything.
Then Stiles's face broke into a huge grin. "Really? That's awesome!"
Derek focused on keeping his heart steady. He was not affected by Stiles's joy. He wasn't, okay?
Stiles rushed towards the betas and threw his arms around Erica and Boyd who were standing close together. Erica laughed loudly and hugged him back. Boyd just grunted a little and patted Stiles on the shoulder.
"Wow, Sourwolf. Didn't think you'd want to add more kids to your little fam here." Stiles grinned at the Alpha who just rolled his eyes. Jackson scoffed at Stiles. "Oh, Scott might be the kid, but you're definitely not." Stiles frowned at that.
"What am I then? The hyperactive uncle?"
"Nope. You, are the mom." Isaac said while folding his arms over his chest. His eyes were glinting with mirth. Stiles gaped and sputtered. "Wh-what? What do you mean mom?"
"'Cause you're always looking out for us." Erica smiled and shrugged her shoulders like it was the most natural thing in the world. "Remember when we tried to sedate the Kanima and he broke out? You tried to protect me and Isaac even though you were the human." Stiles looked around all of them incredulously. Derek looked thoughtful. Everyone else looked like they agree with Erica. Cora was standing a bit behind the pack, just observing everything.
Stiles looked at his best friend for confirmation who just smiled his crooked smile and shrugged. "They're not wrong, you know? You do have a knack for looking out for everyone. You were always tagging along for my checkups, you make your dad eat healthy. You take care of everyone but yourself. That's like, the most mom thing." Stiles's face changed with Scott's words, realization slowly dawning on him.
"Right. So if I'm the mom, who's the dad then?"
"Derek." Everyone except the Hale siblings stated at once. Derek just closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
"Wow." Stiles cleared his throat, trying not to think too much about the pack dynamics. He was trying not to look at the Alpha directly, afraid of what his heart might do. "Never thought I'd be a teen mom to like half a dozen puppies, co-parenting with the big, bad Alpha."
"Yeah, yeah. Just don't start making out in front of the kids." Jackson said while walking away from the group, leaving Stiles spluttering and gaping like a fish. Derek glared at his beta's back.
The next morning, Stiles was getting ready for school. His side had been aching ever since he woke up but he noticed it had started healing already. That was a good sign, right?
He was woken up around half an hour before his alarm because of another nightmare. In this one, Gerard had his father bound to a chair as he cut up Stiles with a knife and made the older man watch. His dad was screaming his lungs out just when Stiles woke up gasping for breath. It took him a while to get his breathing under control. When he went to check on his father, he saw that the sheriff had already left for work. With the recent killings in Beacon Hills, the police department was under a lot of pressure. And now they had the FBI breathing down their neck as well.
Stiles thought about telling his father everything. But every time he thought about bringing it up, all he can think about is his mom. He would freeze thinking about what he would do if something happened to his father as well. He was not sure he could live with that.
Stiles fixed some toast, eggs and coffee for himself before leaving the house. As soon as he stepped out, he noticed a sleek, black Camaro on his driveway. He frowned in confusion before climbing down the porch and approaching the car. As he got closer, the driver's door opened and Derek stepped out.
Stiles had to brace himself before approaching the werewolf with an air of indifference. It didn't help his matter that the werewolf looked amazing in his dark blue Henley with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows and a pair of dark jeans.
Stiles was kind of missing the leather jacket though. Well, maybe it'll make a reappearance in winter.
"What're you doing here?" Stiles slung his backpack on his shoulder as the Alpha walked closer to him. He prayed that his heartbeat would remain steady enough to not let the other man know he was affecting Stiles in any way. Easier said than done.
"Giving you a ride to school." Stiles's frown deepened at that.
"Why? I do have a jeep."
"I know," Derek nodded. "But you're still healing. You shouldn't drive around, especially in that disaster-prone heap of metal."
"Hey!" Stiles pointed a finger at the werewolf's chest and mock-glared at him. "Don't you dare insult my girl! Roscoe and I have been through some serious shit." Derek raised his hands in mock surrender but he still took a step closer, Stiles's finger brushing his chest.
"My apologies." Stiles was sure Derek could hear the somersaults inside his chest. Hell, it was probably audible even without werewolf hearing. He pulled his finger back and cleared his throat a little. "Will you still listen to me and let me drive you today? I'd feel better knowing you're safe."
Damn it! This is not good for my heart. He's just looking out for you. Stop making a big deal out of it!
"How am I supposed to get home if I don't take my jeep? I am not getting in Scott's motorcycle. Not even if your creepy-ass uncle threatens me with bodily harm." Derek's lips quirked a little at that.
"I've already told Jackson to give you a ride back." Stiles had no argument to make with that. He just nodded his head and moved to get into the Camaro.
They stayed in comfortable silence for a while. Stiles's mind was filled with too much stuff to even turn on the radio. But he wouldn't be Stiles if he manages to stay silent for an entire car ride.
"Thank you." Derek glanced at him for a second, to let him know he had his attention. "For making me and Scott a part of your pack."
"You were already a part of it, especially you. You've been helping my betas for so long, their wolves had accepted you long before I decided to make it official." Stiles felt himself start to blush a little at that. Derek could feel Stiles's scent fill with embarrassment. He stole a glance at the boy to see his ears reddening. He hid a little smile of his own.
"You know me. Always trying to poke my nose in everything. Although it was fairly uneventful. I thought adding new members to the pack would include some elaborate ritual, like with a bonfire, submitting to the Alpha or something." Derek huffed slightly.
"It's nothing like that. A pack is all about instincts. Our wolves let us know who is pack and who is not. Once a bond is formed, the wolves can feel the others in the pack.. including humans. It takes a little longer when you add an Omega or a Beta that wasn't turned by the Alpha of that pack. But I had started to feel you as pack, right after the pool." Stiles's head whipped to the side, his eyes widened in disbelief.
"You serious? That was months ago!"
"I know."
"Why didn't you ask sooner then?" Derek hesitated a little before answering.
"Cause I didn't want to make you choose between.. between me and Scott. You may have been accepted by my wolf after that, but Scott wasn't. His own instincts were fighting too hard to not accept the bond with my wolf."
"What changed?" Derek's grip tightened on the steering wheel, his knuckles turned a pale white. Stiles noticed the Alpha becoming tensed at his question and saw his death grip on the steering. He instinctively reached out and put his left hand over Derek's right one. Derek looked at him in surprise but he didn't pull back. His grip loosened and the knuckles returned to their normal color.
"That night after Boyd attacked you and after I.. you know, I felt Scott's wolf submit to me as well. Something got through that night and I knew that he finally stopped fighting his instincts. So I decided to make it official."
"That was some roar." Stiles said absentmindedly.
"You remember? I thought you were unconscious."
"I didn't lose conscious until we were in the car. I heard it.. the Alpha roar. It was something. I don't think I've ever heard any wolf roar like that."
"Yeah, I've never felt like that before."
"Thank you. For saving my life. You brought the betas back from the Jack Ripper state. If it hadn't been for you, I probably would've-"
"I'd never let anything happen to you." Derek instantly turned towards him and almost growled out. Stiles felt something unfamiliar settling in his stomach. He could swear the Alpha's eyes flashed red for a split second. Derek turned his gaze back on the road. Get a grip! "I mean, you're pack now. It's my responsibility to keep you all safe." Stiles felt a little disappointed at that. But he didn't let it damper his mood. At least they weren't being assholes to each other now. Progress.
"About the whole me being a mom to your betas," He started slowly. "You don't mind, right? They'll probably tease us a lot more now that I'm officially a part of the whole shebang."
"It's all right, Stiles. I'm glad they have you to look out for them." Derek offered him one of his rare smiles, making Stiles lose his breath for a moment. He became aware of his hand still being on top of Derek's and immediately pulled it back like it was a burning piece of coal. Just because he wouldn't bang my head on the steering anymore doesn't mean I should push it so much!
"You should probably give me an allowance or something. Since you're like my husband now and I'll be taking care of the kids. I'm all for supporting the family but since I'm still in school, it's a long way to go. You can be my sugar daddy in the meantime-" Stiles stopped abruptly, finally being aware of his mouth making a fool him in front of the Alpha. The car came to a stop as Derek pulled over in the school parking lot. Stiles quickly grabbed his backpack. He had to get out of there before his mouth decided to embarrass him further and force him to dig a hole with his bare hands just to hide.
"Thanks for the ride!" He quickly scrambled out of the car and shut the door. Before he could walk away though, he heard the Alpha call out.
"No problem, Wifey."
Stiles turned around like a drawstring being released but the Camaro was already pulling out of the lot. He just stared at the retreating car with his mouth hanging open.
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