More Than Just A New Beginning

Chapter 22

"The cub joined them of her own accord," came the voice of a male that sounded a little apprehensive, bear paws out the rest of him entirely human. Watching over the group with worried brown eyes, not advancing towards his cubs in case they took it as a threat. He knew how protective families were of youngsters – cubs as he called them – and he had been surprised when one was unaccompanied but presumed with permission. Seeing the people before him, he was beginning to worry that it wasn't true.

This might be what could be described as sanctuary but it didn't mean anything when family was threatened.

"I know," Harry said, giving the Werebear a smile, "I'm Harry, it's good to meet you." Inclining his head, not making any move or effort to shake hands.

"Neil Carney, Alpha Werebear," Neil explained, "These are Amelia and Betty," giving his daughter adoring looks, he was smitten with how well they were doing with the changes. They'd done so well to keep their shift under control, and this was the holiday he had promised them if they could keep their shift under control.

"My second in command, Peter Hale, Cora Hale, and my mate Derek Hale," Harry proceeded to reveal who they were, observing necessities, ignoring the look of astonishment that Peter gave his back. It was one thing discussing it, but to reveal it so blasely was another. It was dawning on Peter that Harry was basically giving him control over the pack. "And Peter's daughter, Malia, I hope you will forgive the lack of manners." He made no effort to explain why, and wouldn't do so either, they weren't allies, or friends, not yet. So, this Werebear wouldn't get to know information about the pack.

"No, not at all, kids will be kids," Neil immediately brushing off any concern they had that Malia had been impolite. Simple curiosity that was all, although he was grateful that it had been them that the girl bumped into and not someone far more…malicious. He doubted anyone like that would be welcomed here, but still.

Peter just stared unabashed at his daughter, it had taken people her own age and water to get her out of her self-imposed isolation. Considering how she was playing, perhaps some of his chats had gotten through to her after all. They were rough, playing, if someone entirely normal had seen them they'd think they were fighting but they weren't.

"She's the youngest Coyote I've seen able to change so well," Neil complimented her as he offered them a seat and a drink. "Considering she's a Hale I shouldn't be surprised. Your reputations precede you." Werewolves only have a beta shift, nobody quite understood why, except a few of the Hale bloodline had been said to be able to change into a full shift.

"My Mom could do the full shift, so can my…sister," Cora said, pride and pained at the same time.

"My condolences," Neil murmured, a pained look on his own face, nearly everyone here had lost or nearly lost someone to the hunters. Naturally unaware of the subtle nuances that runs through a pack. His pain wasn't entirely for her long family lost to her, but for Laura's treason and abandonment of her and Uncle Peter. If not for Harry…by the moon, she might never have known her family survived at all. Not to mention what would have become of Uncle Peter, he would have hunted every Argent down he could until he was killed. She knew her uncle well, probably better than Laura and Derek. She had that pragmatic approach to life now too.

"Auror Potter?" a child's voice asked, low and surprised.

Harry turned around and recognized the young girls face in a nano-second. "Sara," he murmured, noticing she was on her own, which genuinely surprised him. He didn't think Sally would have ever let her daughter out of her sight.

Peter shifted just slightly, well aware if whom Sara was, he'd read the entire case file. Part of him regretted seeing the information filed away within. He'd always known hunters were the most despicable beings on earth…but to purposely target children – innocent children – who haven't even shifted and torture them for what? He'd never know, and he doubted they did, it sickened him, it truly did. Every single surviving child held a core of steel within them, and he was in awe of their fortitude.

"Hi!" she chirped, entirely at ease, although a little shy.

Harry smiled, but noticed that she had two watchers, good, she wasn't on her own. He was pleased to see that; this must be her father's pack. He hadn't met them, only Sally, he rather hoped they hadn't given up on Sara, although hope was one of the worst things to give someone. It stopped them moving on, kept everyone tenterhooks as the world went on by. "Hello, little one," before an oomph left him when the girl barrelled into him, he needed no further confirmation to know she took after her father. She was a Were'.

"Sara," the watcher was quick to reprimand and approach, clearly worried and suspicious.

"It's okay, Jack, he's safe, he's fine," Sally said, coming…no prowling towards her daughter.

"I see you made the decision to become a Were'," Harry said smiling at her.

"You've never mentioned him before," Jack said, leery, disliking Sara being so close to a stranger, knowing all too well just how quickly things could change.

"This is Harry, Auror Potter, he took on the case that saved my daughter," Sally reminded him. "I never got to really thank you for that."

"No thanks needed, seeing you reunited was enough," Harry said warmly, "Do you still have magic?"

Peter glanced in curiosity at the woman, now realizing she'd been a witch and had accepted the bite. He was genuinely interested in her answer, but not willing to take his gaze off his daughter. So, he shifted slightly, just angling right so he could see both his daughter and the woman that had caught his fascination. He didn't know enough about magic – Harry's kind – and he'd love to know more. Had she given up her magic to be a Were'?

"Still have magic?" Derek murmured, quietly alarmed. If he turned his mate, he would lose his magic? Not that he wanted to actually turn him. Once bitten twice shy, as the saying goes, and Derek was definitely shy and wary of giving the bite – if he could – and it wasn't something he would ever do. Not unless it was a life-or-death situation anyway. He didn't want to think on that at all.

"Is it common for wizards and witches to lose their magic if they're bitten?" Peter murmured, deeply curious.

"Depends on the magic levels," Harry told him, "There's been a few that accepted the bite and became a shape-shifter and retained magic. Then there has been a few that accepted the bite and became a shifter and did not. They deduced that it had something to do with power levels."

"The shift burns through your core," Sally said as they all got situated, letting Sara play with Malia, Amelia and Betty. "I could feel it, it was the most horrendous feeling in the world, worse than the bite."

Harry winced, Merlin, he had definitely decided to ask the wrong question. "I am sorry,"

"Don't be, it's only natural to be curious," Sally said glancing briefly at the two at either side of him, they were all Werewolves, and he was dating one of them, although she couldn't deduce who. Harry smelt of them all really, well more the males than the females. "It was the reason for my initial reluctance to being changed, my husbands too." She still missed him so much, and it was a good thing she was still human otherwise she may have been driven mad. At the loss of her husband and her daughter missing presumed dead.

Harry blinked, before inclining his head, making no attempt to correct her error in her thinking. He didn't want to know because he might take the bite one day. He had simply wanted to know whether she'd kept her magic, it would give her an added bonus.

"Are you taking on the position as Emissary?" Peter queried, that was usually the role that magical folk took on, at least from what he was used to. "Peter Hale," he inclined his head, before going on to introduce the rest of the pack, she hadn't been there when they introduced themselves to Neil.

"Lovely to meet you all, and no, the pack already has a wonderful Emissary," Sally explained, "I will simply remain a Beta."

Harry smiled, judging by the way the Alpha was staring at her she may end up Alpha mate. However, it wasn't his business so he said nothing. "I'm glad you haven't regretted your choice."

"Most assuredly not," Sally said, positively beaming in delight, "It's a weight off, and I feel decades younger."

"You will live a far longer life," Cora agreed, "It's a good thing, for your daughter's sake." No child should have to bury their mother before their time, or see them die. Unfortunately, that wasn't how life worked, as she had learned at a very young age.

"I'll look and feel younger, but there is every chance that I'd live just as an elongated life as a witch," Sally confessed, pleased she had bumped into this pack. The Alpha cleared his throat, but said nothing further, "Would you like to join us for lunch?"

"What cabin are you all in?" Harry asked, glancing briefly at the Alpha but he seemed content to let her lead.

"Four," Sally said, waiting patiently for a reply.

"That's too close to a firepit, but please know you're more than welcome to come to ours for lunch, in fact, I insist." Harry said, they'd came here to relax, be open about their abilities, for a holiday and Peter had most assuredly come here to make connections for the Hale pack.

The Alpha's eyes gleamed with understanding, clearly, he was aware of the Hales and what had happened to the majority of the pack. Sally was about to open her mouth clearly communicating – and scent wise broadcasting confusion – when the Alpha squeezed her shoulder, it was time to go. "We will be there, thank you for the invitation." The Alpha spoke his voice gruff but polite.

Harry inclined his head, "I look forward to it," he said, before recalling he hadn't given them the cabin number and quickly called out to the departing group.

"Sara, it's time to go, you can play later," and with that Sara was waving goodbye to Malia, Amelia and Betty.

"She never did ask if she lost her magic," Peter said watching her go with speculation, "I wonder…"

"If she's deliberately being obtuse? Can't say I blame her, it's a good trick to have up your sleeve in an emergency." Harry said, "We wouldn't betray each other…but the pain the hunters put people through…information slips."

"Indeed," Peter said darkly, frowning in sheer bitterness. Still seething over the fact, they had forced him from his home, his territory just to survive.

"I think I would do the same thing," Harry commented idly.

"You can't take the bite," Derek blurted out, eyes wide, even the thought of losing Harry was enough to make terror choke him.

"Derek and I are going to go for a walk," Harry informed Cora and Peter, standing up, he squeezed their shoulders as he passed. Then he would need to discuss a few things with Peter, he wasn't unhappy per se, but he wasn't happy. Perhaps he needed someone to talk to or something else entirely. Harry would find out; it doesn't help he couldn't scent anything. He had only the visual clues to help him along in that regard.

Well, only if you didn't include Legilmens and Occlumens at any rate, which he would never do without permission. He was not Dumbledore thank you very much, or Severus.

Derek looked like he was going to pout, ignore and duck down like a petulant teenager. Like he believed he was going to get a row or that Harry was going to break up with him. Eventually though, he stood up and both Harry and Derek begun walking bypassing the cabins entirely and walking through the forest at a leisurely pace.

Up until Derek couldn't cope with the quietness any longer. "What are we doing?"

"Having a walk while we talk in privacy," Harry said simply enough, the Muffliato cast around them. It would prevent anyone from reading their lips and better still, hear anything at all.

"About what?" Derek asked, hunched shoulders, hands fisted in his jacket.

"I am happy as I am, Derek," Harry said softly, "I don't particularly care to change my species, if that does change at any time, I'd let you know."

Derek practically deflated at that. "I don't want to see you die." Voicing his obvious reason for his comment earlier.

"I know," Harry said with sympathy, his first girlfriend had been lost to him through the violence of another pack and the rejection of the bite. Honestly, it was as if tragedy followed the Hales everywhere, but it was just a recent thing, because they were targeted for being a peaceful pack. He'd get Kate Argent and she would suffer untold pain and pay for her actions.

"I might not be a werewolf, but I am more than capable of looking after myself and everyone else in the pack." He promised, "Believe you me, nothing will happen to your family." And it was a vow he could quite happily keep.

"Shouldn't make promises you can't keep," Derek murmured, loving that Harry was trying to protect him and put him at ease.

"Oh, but I can keep it, Der, if anything happens, anything at all, I've got the means to travel back in time to stop it." Harry said determinedly, turning to face his mate. He would not lose Derek, not for anything, not after losing so much of himself already. If it landed him in prison? Well, fair enough, he'd do it if it saved them. "You'd never be aware of anything having happened. I always keep my word. I will look after all of us, and I have the means to do it." Wrapping his arms about him, kissing his cheek, always trying to remain stoic and strong.

Derek closed his eyes and fully relaxed, he'd fight for his pack, keep them safe, but it felt good that it meant they would be safe whether he failed or succeeded. Although, judging by his usual attempts he'd fail, he'd been nothing but a screw up since he turned fifteen. Hearing the whispered words from Harry, "There is nothing I would not do for you." And Derek was desperate to feel worthy of that reverence, of his love.

"You used to play a sport in High school, what did you play?" Harry asked.

"Basketball," Derek said, lips quirking, knowing Harry was just trying to distract him, stepping alongside him, as they continued walking. The smell of lavender, lilies, and an abundance of fragrances tickled his nose, the air was so clear here. He wasn't sure how he'd be able to tolerate New York after this. Even Beacon Hills air wasn't so clear.

"Did you ever want to play professionally?" Harry questioned, breathing deeply, mesmerised by how clean the air was, how woodsy it smelt. There was no traffic here, no cars, this might be one the few remaining places on earth were it's not soiled by modern amenities except the smattering of magical towns across the earth.

"No, I was lucky to be allowed to play Basketball," Derek admitted, "My control was on shaky grounds at the time." His Alpha had warned him if he didn't get himself under control, she'd pull him out. He hadn't wanted that; it was one of the last things he and Peter had worked on together before the fire.

"Hormones," Harry said wryly, smirking a little, "I would love to have seen younger you." With the adorable bunny teeth.

Derek ducked down, honestly? He wished he'd met Harry before too, he'd have loved to have introduced him to his family. If he'd met his mate, nothing Kate would have done or said would have made a dent in him. Nobody would consider cheating on their mate, not even the most cold-hearted of werewolves. "Me too," he confessed.

"Are you happy?" Harry asked Derek quietly, aware that there would always be a part of Derek mourning his family. Unlike him, Derek would always remember them. It was different for him in a way, the only memory he had of his parents, the ones Severus gave him and his parents deaths.

Derek didn't answer right away, as they continue to walk slowly around the very beaten path content to spend some time alone together away from the rest of the pack.

It would do him good since he was going to 'socialise' later.

"I am now," Derek replied.

"Do you get anxious in social situations?" Harry asked, he'd noticed he was that way in MACUSA except when he felt he had a purpose. Was it not because of the subject matter? He'd assumed it was because of that.

"More awkward than anxious," Derek said thoughtfully, actually thinking on the question. "Or at least it used to be that way." He'd been a very awkward teen, that's not to say he didn't feel superior, smug, better than everyone else because he did. He was constantly hiding part of himself, and that was awkward. He knew it was for his own good, but he'd felt a little bitter about that. Especially when it cost him Paige, and made him a target of Kate.

"And now?" Harry asked, sitting down on the wooden bench situated between trees with a canopy. His gaze watching Derek closely, sometimes trying to talk to him was like pulling teeth. He wouldn't be surprised if it was anxiety, after all he'd been through.

Derek shrugged, "I…don't trust anyone, being around so many people I just worry constantly." Were they after his pack? Was it genuine kindness? Were they planning something? The thoughts that constantly went through his mind when he met people hurt his head. This was coming from him who can sense other people and get a feel for them. Could tell when they were lying, but the thing was, Kate had successfully lied to him so he no longer trusted himself.

"What about?" Harry asked curiously.

"Their motives," relaxing more and more just talking about it, and the fact Harry didn't deride his actions, or act as if they were redundant meant more than he knew.

"It's understandable," Harry fully agreed, after the trauma Derek had been through. Although it was no surprise, after all he'd had a terrible time getting through to Derek earlier in their courtship. He just wished he had been able to give Derek his sister back, but that didn't sound like it was going to happen any time soon.

"How's Laura?" hoping she'd made progress but not raising the bar very high.

"I think…I think she's making progress," Derek said quietly, staring at the other end of the field, "Just a little, she was very calm when I visited this time." It made him feel even worse that he hadn't noticed just how much Laura changed, but they were both mourning, both lost without their mom, the rest of their family. Of course, they were going to change. Who would think otherwise? But Laura's hadn't been a good change.

"Is that good?" Harry asked, he didn't have siblings, and the ones he'd considered as close to siblings as he could get betrayed him. Or sided with the betrayer against him, and he lost everything in one fell swoop. Worth it he hoped, if things worked out well here.

"I'm not sure," Derek confessed, glancing briefly at Harry with a soft look on his face.

"Oh?" Harry prompted hoping Derek would continue.

"I love my sister, don't get me wrong, but Cora and Uncle Peter will never forgive her, and they will never exist in the same pack." Derek confessed, "And I…" here Derek trailed off afraid to finish it.

"You don't want to give up the pack we're creating?" Harry deduced.

Derek nodded wordlessly grateful for Harry's understanding.

Harry hummed quietly, leaning against Derek who wrapped his arm around him contently. "Change is inevitable, Der, and it isn't always a bad change."

"Uncle Peter?" Derek murmured, a sort of resigned twist to his face.

"Correct," Harry said giving a quiet laugh, his hand caressing up and down his chest, as it rose and fell mythically. "I'll talk to him later."

That afternoon the Reed pack – apparently the Alpha was Sara's uncle – and the bear clan joined the Hale pack. The lunch ended up turning into an all-day thing. It was a good thing Harry had brought more than enough meat to go around, it was a large rancorous party, and Peter was in his element. Somehow Peter was able to put even Derek at ease amongst a large group – it was really Harry refusing to leave him on his own – even if Derek himself didn't talk much other than to Harry, Malia the rest of the cubs running about and Cora.

"This place is good for them," Neil admitted, chuffing at the sight of his daughters, sleeping half on and half off a log, Malia wasn't fairing any better. "I'm glad I found out about it."

"It's good to see them let off some steam," Sally fully agreed, "I hate having to tell my daughter she has to watch what she is doing." Especially considering her daughter knew intimately how dangerous it really was.

Harry nodded he got that.

"Especially now I know exactly what I am asking of her." Sally added.

"Now long since the bite?" Peter queried, he had been born into it, he hadn't been around people who had been bitten except in passing.

"Three moons," Sally said, with a smile, she'd meant what she told Harry.

"Was it difficult hiding your magic? or easier?" Neil asked, before he found out about MACUSA he hadn't known the existence of wizards and witches, just sparks, mages and druids.

"Easier, I never had difficulty," Sally said.

Harry twitched, but remained silent, Derek squeezed his hand in silent support.

"Never?" Cora asked, glancing briefly at Harry, "All the books said wizards and witches have signs of accidental magic, right?" Peter nodded, as everyone remained silent, watching and listening.

"Most do, it depends on how much magic they have and your emotions naturally, I had a very loving and calm upbringing on a farm." Sally admitted, "I didn't have a sibling to irritate me and my parents allowed me to do as I pleased. I was given far too much allowance; I know that now or perhaps it was just considered a safer time."

"Likely both," Neil commented, "I know I was given far more leeway than I'd give my daughters."

"So, you didn't know about magic?" Peter queried.

"I didn't, my father didn't but my mom did, she explained everything when the letter came. She was quite astonished really, since I had never 'shown any magical attributes' and my mom decided not to say anything." Sally said in amusement.

"Can your daughter end up with magic?" Peter asked, "Genetically speaking, I cannot see why not, even if consciously I'm aware that our magical people cannot be both a Were as well as magical, two things at once, one cancels the other." He was well aware that this kind of magic was very different to all he knew.

"It's possible but not probable." Sally commented, "She's a Were' which means she's far more emotional. Sara feeds from her Were and loops back to her. If she had magic, its likely it would have caused a backlash of some sort."

"Could she go even if she got a letter?" Harry mused, three months away from her pack consecutively until summer holidays for seven years. Especially with the trauma her and her mother had been through? There was such a thing as independent study, and it wasn't as if she'd be isolated, she would still learn to be independent from her mother with her pack. "Then again, is Ilvermorny steeped in prejudice as Hogwarts was?"

"Magical schools," Sally explained for those slightly lost, "And no they aren't many magical creatures attend the schools, was it not the case for Hogwarts?" befuddled, "Where did the creatures get educated?"

Harry laughed, but it was bitter, disgusted, "Creatures aren't tolerated in the UK, people shy away from them. They cannot find work, since nobody is willing to take on any creature. They're considered second class citizens, and they trust these second-class citizens with their money, idiots." He did not hold the British magical world in very high regard.

"If they keep that up, they'll have another war on their hands," Sally said aghast by what she was hearing.

Harry huffed, "Yeah, too right, and it's me they'll come begging to help them." Lip curled up in disgust. Oh, the magical world in the UK was stagnant, prejudice and a place filled with Nepotism, leaving others to do the work and getting paid for nothing. "There was one exception made, and this particular werewolf felt indebted to the headmaster to the point of dying for a cause."

"That sounds…dreadful," Neil admitted. "How long has it been since you moved?"

"Nowhere near long enough," Harry said, shrugging "Few years, I'm glad I made the move, I doubt life would have been comfortable there."

"If it's that bad I'm surprised more people haven't moved," Luis confessed, a member of the Reed pack.

"They don't know any better, it's why so many Muggle-born or Muggle-raised wizards and witches leave, the rampant prejudice is disgusting." Harry shrugged, "Here's to Ilvermorny and a lack of prejudice!" raising his butterbeer glass in toast.

Clinks went around, as they tipped their glass in agreement.

"It isn't always the way, Sally had a tough time getting anyone to help Sara," Alpha Reed declared grimly.

"Nah, that was just shitty Auror work," Harry said, shaking his head, "It wasn't prejudice." He had him checked out. "The thing is you spend long enough on this job…you see everything and it changes you, twists you into someone else. It's needed really, to keep yourself centred. Objective. He took one look at it and decided that certain things had been done on purpose." Shaking his head hoping he didn't end up like him. If he did, he hoped someone woke him the fuck up like he had done to the Auror in charge of the case.

"Are there going to be more of these bolt holes springing up elsewhere?" Neil asked, it had taken them days to get here, not that he minded, but it was days they weren't being able to holiday. "It takes two days there and back from here to home." He explained further.

"I could make a portkey; it's easily done so when you come back in future, you'll have the means to get here." Harry said, "In fact, I'm surprised you weren't given one. I'll let the guys know to include it in the packages."

"Portkey?" Alpha Reed queried.

"It's an instantaneous means of travel from anywhere in the world with a single word." Sally said, "I'm not sure Were's would welcome that kind of travel."

"There's also Floo too," Harry pointed out, "The Auror at the entrance should be handing them out, but considering we both came with magical's, did you get any leaflets Neil?"

"You know what, I think I was offered something but my daughters had been cooped up too long, and I had to keep up with them." Neil realised, "Perhaps I should meander down tomorrow morning." Tonight, he couldn't do anything but put his daughters to bed, they were totally exhausted.

Shifting took a lot out of you.

"Agree with you there," Alpha Reed said, curious about these other aspects of magic he was missing out on, and it was his own fault. No, the packs own fault, they'd made her feel welcome yes, but they hadn't exactly welcomed her magic. She hadn't brought it up, and they just assumed it was only a little thing like a Druid. Well, until her daughter went missing and she lost her husband – his brother – then he saw a new side to it. They were learning something they should have known long ago.

Sally glanced at him in surprise, a pleased rumble catching all of them off-guard.

"Thank you for your hospitality and the meal, it truly was magnificent, and I hope that an alliance may be built between our packs." Alpha Reed explained, standing and scooping the sleeping soundly Sara into his arms, Sally at his side immediately, unconsciously pressing against him.

It was inevitable they were drawn together. Sally and Alpha Reed.

Which was something Peter brought up the second the two different packs began to say their goodbyes. Making promises to meet up, if only for the sake of their children, but they did seem keen on an alliance.

"It must have been the worst torture to watch your brother with your mate," Peter said once Harry silenced the area around them. Derek was putting Malia to bed, Cora following. "Never mind having a child together."

Harry's gaze sharpened, "You believe they're mates?"

"I do," Peter replied.

"She was a witch; she would have known." Harry said, "It's immediate, you can feel it in every iota of your being."

"Clearly not," Peter pointed out, "Not everyone has your power levels, perhaps that had a part to play?"

Harry stared off into the distance, "Perhaps," he murmured, "You want to be Alpha, don't you? You cannot abide being told what to do by anyone." He likely tolerated it from his sister when he was younger, but Harry reckoned Peter would always have wanted the Alpha powers, but not enough to give up his family? It was difficult to tell, but he could see that Peter was chafing.

A/n – so will Peter ultimately leave the pack to form his own or will it end up an odd pack with two Alpha's and ultimately two Alpha-mates? Not that Peter's mate will be in this one though at least not until the epilogue I've got planned 😉 how will Derek cope with the changes? Will he be happy to let Peter be Alpha and live with his mate? Will Peter want to go to Beacon Hills? Will do so with a pack that will help protect the citizens of Beacon Hills? Or perhaps starting over in an island belonging to the Potters? R&R please