Authors Note: HEYO! XD Please tell me what you think; I would love to know XD I own nothing and no one, apart from the following: Sam Campbell, Charlie Jones, Zane, Chase, Gabriel, Ben, Mia, Harlequin (Harley),Stiles' fox = Melrakki (Rak), Stiles' wolf = Okami (Oki), Derek's wolf = Cana, Diego, Serena, Nikki, Mike, Jesse.
JUST SO YOU KNOW: like everyone else, I have no idea what Stiles' real name is, so I'm going along with what everyone else puts :) and I've made his middle name up XD
Please, please review XD
You guys are all so amazing and I love you all! In a non-creepy non-psycho kind of way XD
HAPPY 3RD BIRTHDAY TO CHANGE, HAPPY 3RD BIRTHDAY TO CHANGE, HAPPY 3RD BIRTHDAY TO CHANGE, HAPPY 3RD BIRTHDAY TO CHANGE!
Chapter 49 - Part 2
P.S. I know it's been a while, but I've been having a lot of issues with family, University, my anxiety, etc. It's kind of knocked me off of my writing. Trust me when I say I'm trying to write for my fics as fast as I can.
Stiles
I woke up the next morning with a wall of warmth against my back. Even though I was barely awake, it still registered in my mind just exactly who it was. I shuffled back further into the warmth, trying to burry against it as much as I could. It was easier to do once one of his arms managed to coil around me, dragging me further towards the heat.
I rolled towards the heat, pressing my face against warm skin and soft fabric. I tried to shuffle closer, just so I could cling to that last bit of sleep. I had never felt that warm on a morning before. I had never felt that well rested before.
If I could, I would have stayed in that moment for hours.
I felt his palm rest in the middle of my back, the heat seeping through my t-shirt; I felt his chin rest lightly on top of my head.
"Now this I like." Okami yawned, stretching himself out. "We should sleep like this more often."
I couldn't agree more.
I hadn't slept properly since my Mom first got ill. I was up at all hours, making sure she was alright. I was scared to go to sleep, because I had no idea what would happen to her in the end. I was terrified, every second of the day. After Dad started beating me, I slept even less. I was petrified that he would come into my room in the middle of the night, just so he had the element of surprise on his side and he could do more damage. After Zane turned into the monster he was, my sleep decreased again. I kept thinking he would come to the house, and do something to me whilst I was sleeping. Then, after arriving in Beacon Hills, I was living in my car. I didn't know who was outside the door, I didn't know if Dad or Zane would find me... I was lucky if I slept more than three or four hours a night. Sleep hadn't come easily to me in years.
It had been a long time since I had had a decent night's sleep.
"Morning." Derek whispered, his voice slightly hoarse from sleep.
I just hummed, my face pressed to his chest.
"We need to get up." he told me.
Shaking my head, I curled my hands into Derek's shirt. As if that would be enough to actually keep him where he was.
"You're acting like a cub." Derek chuckled. "But we really do need to get up. Or we're going to have hungry wolves come crashing through the door."
I hated just how right he was.
Everyone was tired. We hadn't had a lot of sleep, but we had all had enough that we should have been able to make it until, at least, nine that evening. Well, hopefully, anyway... We would probably have to down any and all caffeinated drinks we could get our hands on!
We all gathered in the living room for breakfast. When there was so many of us and when we were all tired, it was easier to congregate somewhere we could feel comfortable. Besides, it gave me an excuse to get a little closer to Derek... In my mind, that was a huge plus!
We were on the floor, sitting on pillows and leaning back against furniture, plates laying beside us or on our laps. It gave us more room to stretch out, as opposed to sitting on the couches or armchairs. It was nice, you know? Just being able to lounge around with the people I cared about...
I was leaning back against Derek's armchair, sitting next to the Alpha wolf. I rested my head on his shoulder, trying hard to keep my eyes open as we sat there. I tried to focus on the voices as people spoke about this, that and the other. I tried to keep my mind occupied, so I didn't end up falling asleep like I knew I would.
I thought that feeling well rested would mean I didn't feel as tired as I usually did... Obviously I was wrong.
Derek carefully moved his arm until it was propped up onto the cushion of the armchair, his hand softly carding through my hair. I never really let people touch my hair, it usually got to the point where it got uncomfortable. My Mom was the only person I could remember that I was able to let touch my hair for a long period of time... It turned out Derek was the second person that was able to as well.
I could feel my entire body relaxing. I could feel every knot unwinding. I could feel my mind slowing down. I could feel my eyes getting heavier as the voices of my friends started to drown out.
That was when the hand slowed down to a near stop.
Blinking heavily, I lifted my head slightly, enough for me to turn and look up at Derek. He was smiling, watching me, his hand resting on the back of my head.
"You can't go to sleep, Cub." Derek chuckled, keeping his voice quiet so only I could hear him.
"Cub?" I smiled, raising an eyebrow.
"I thought it was a fitting name for you."
I refused to admit that I actually kind of liked it... It was a name that didn't creep me out, that didn't make my skin crawl or make me want to scratch my eyes out. Hearing Derek call me Cub was like him calling me Gen. It felt natural, like he had always done it.
It made me feel warm.
"It's been twenty four hours and, already, you two are sickening." Erica sighed. "Seriously, what's with the goo-goo eyes?"
"Oh, give them a break, Rica." Isaac smirked. "They can't help their young love."
"Call me 'Rica' again and I'll rip you apart."
"Danny's already ripped him apart." Jackson snorted.
Erica, Isaac, Jackson and Danny ended up having three separate arguments - Erica against Isaac; Danny against Jackson; Danny against Erica. They yelled over each other, each one of them trying to be heard over. The noise was rather grating...
"Children, stop fighting." I sighed, raising my voice, not feeling as tired as before.
As soon as they heard my voice, the noise cut off. The four of them turned to look at me, sheepishly, to the point where their little wolfy ears would be pressed down on their heads.
"Sorry, Mom." they chorused.
"Again with the 'Mom'..." I muttered.
It was, around, eleven that morning when Deaton came to the house. Peter had been the one to open the door the man, the rest of us still huddled in the living room. The first thing Deaton saw when he walked into the living room was Derek and I. He stopped for a second, staring at the two of us, before grinning smugly.
"I knew this was coming." Deaton chuckled. "From the moment the two of you turned up at my home, I knew this was coming."
"You knew since September?" Derek frowned.
"Oh, I knew since you were children. I just knew it would happen soon, since September."
Of course he did. Deaton always seemed to know... He never liked telling people though, he allowed them to figure it out for themselves. There were times, when I was younger, that he was like that. Only about little things - presents and small surprises - but he had always been that way.
Deaton sat on the arm of one of the couches, his hands resting on his knees. The grin seemed to be a permanent fixture on his face, the smug look not wavering for a second. He looked like the cat that got the cream... Just like Peter had looked.
Rolling my eyes, I clambered off of Derek with a little difficulty, trying to untangle the Alpha's arms from around me. I walked over to the Druid Emissary, folding my arms over my chest once I was standing in front of him.
"You spent way too much on me." I told him.
"I have no idea what you mean." Deaton shrugged.
"You know exactly what I mean. All those books? Some of them aren't exactly your run of the mill, book store find."
"I'm allowed to spoil my Godson."
Peter called out in agreement from the kitchen.
Sighing, I walked a little closer to Deaton. I stepped until there was only a small amount of space between us, reaching out to hug the man. For a moment, he seemed a little shocked, not expecting the sudden contact. It didn't take long for him to hug me back.
"Thank you." I whispered. "For the photos too."
"The three of us thought you would like them." Deaton grinned.
"I love them."
I honestly did. And I couldn't wait to add to them.
Deaton stayed with us for, about, two hours, before he had to leave. He said something about a sick German Sheppard, not too many details. Even Sam and Charlie left, since Charlie had to head out of town for a day or two, and they wanted to spend as much time together as possible before Charlie left.
So the rest of us headed out.
We had spoken about it at breakfast, thinking it would be a good idea to go out and have some fresh air, hopefully without any assholes interrupting our fun. Whether that would happen or not, I didn't know, but it was worth the try. Well, that was what we told ourselves, otherwise we would probably never go outside again. Sometimes, that didn't sound like such a bad idea...
Not that we had any idea where we were going to go.
We were out the front of the house, gathered near the cars as we tried to figure out where we were going. We wanted to be somewhere nearby; go somewhere we could easily get home if we were out for too long. We wanted to go somewhere we all knew, that way no one would get lost. The only place to go would be town, but that would make it harder to have a nice afternoon out.
Red Bluff was a bit too far away - we'd have to come back as soon as we got there.
Redding was out of the question.
"I'm telling you, going into town is the only way this'll work, guys." I sighed. "As much as I hate to say it..."
"It really isn't that bad." Jackson sighed, rolling his eyes.
"Not for you, maybe."
Folding my arms, I leant back against the front of my Jeep. Even after, almost, a year, people around town still didn't take to me all that kindly. Some had backed off, disinterested with the gossip going around, considering I hadn't done anything to prove the rumours... Others held fast to what they had heard, using it against me whenever they could, whether it was true or not. It was frustrating! There were only a few in the Pack that understood what it was like - Derek, Peter, Isaac - and Sam knew too. Jackson and the rest had no clue how it felt.
"Why don't we go to the mall?" Allison suggested. "A lot of people will be on holiday or sleeping."
"A lot of people will, also, be at the mall." Derek muttered.
Snickering slightly, I ran a hand threw my hair. I still hadn't buzzed it off like I used to. I actually kind of liked it with a bit of length... Plus, I looked less like someone on a wanted list!
"Well if we're going to the mall, I'd like to get there before it closes." I smiled, pushing off of my Jeep. "Everyone ready to go?"
We didn't really shop, going around the mall. It was more window shopping and pissing about, really. Just having fun. We didn't care about who was watching us. We didn't care about what we looked like. We were just having a laugh.
Derek was walking around with Harley on his shoulders, something that had become far more common as the days went on, the kid playing with Derek's hair. I stuck close to Derek's side, liking the feeling of being beside him. It was strange. I had never felt that way with anyone before... I always thought the same thing, over and over, just like a broken record, but I couldn't help it. It just felt so strange to me, still felt so new.
I couldn't help it.
All of us ended up going to Starbucks. It was one of those things we didn't think about getting until we saw it. Allison had coffee with cream; Boyd had coffee black, with sugar; Danny had just black coffee; Erica had coffee with cream and sugar; Harley, Isaac, Jackson and Scott had hot chocolate; Lydia had a non fat half caf-triple Grande quarter sweet sugar free vanilla extra hot extra foamy caramel macchiato; Peter had coffee with a shot of hazelnut and caramel; Derek and me had the same coffee – a white chocolate mocha. Of course, my coffee had to have a shit tone of sugar put in it, Derek's didn't.
"How have your teeth not rotted?" Danny frowned, watching as I poured sugar into my takeaway cup.
"Good brushing and good genetics." I grinned. "It's a perfect combination."
"How did you even brush your teeth before? You were living in your car."
"A little something I like to call University toilets. And, you know, the ones at the library aren't too shabby."
I always got the same feeling from them all, whenever I spoke about my previous living conditions before I moved in with them. Every time, it felt like a stab through the heart... I never understood why they always felt so bad. I mean, it wasn't like it was their fault. They were the ones that saved me. They were the ones that kept bugging me until I caved, giving me a place I could actually call home.
Why did they feel so bad when they were the ones that had helped me?
"Living in Roscoe wasn't as bad as people would think?" I shrugged.
Now, that got me some strange looks.
"You named that rust bucket?" Jackson snorted.
"He is a blue and black, nineteen eighty Jeep CJ-Five, and his name is Roscoe." I glared. "Roscoe is not a rust bucket."
Jackson just held his hands up in surrender.
No one was allowed to talk bad about Roscoe, no one but me.
Derek
It was nice being able to walk around, in a public place, and actually be close to Stiles, without having to worry if I was overstepping some sort of boundary. I could easily be next to him, my arm around him, and I wouldn't have to correct anyone if they said anything about us being together. I could hug him and I wouldn't have to pretend it was just a friendly gesture...
I could finally relax.
Even Stiles seemed a little more laid back than usual. Well, he was... See, as we went around the mall, we kept passing these two guys - a redhead and a brunet. We had no idea what the hell they were talking about but, every time, the only thing anyone would hear them say was 'No homo, dude'. Constantly, whenever we walked past them, that was all we would hear them say.
Nothing could describe the frustration coming off of Stiles.
His hands were clenched into fists, his jaw tight and locked. There was a small part of me that thought he was going to change, right in the middle of the mall. We were still working on his control, something he had become a lot better at over the months. But even those with the best of control could slip up.
Taking one hand off of Harley, I placed it in the middle of Stiles' back. I didn't push, I didn't make it seem like some sort of a warning. It was just a reassuring touch, to remind him that we were there, that I was there. To remind him to breathe, to try and not to get worked up over some immature children. Stiles glanced towards me when he felt the contact, stepping a little closer into my side. I could feel Cana's answering rumble of approval vibrate through me, flowing through my blood and along my bones. I suppose it was the same for Stiles, with Okami and Melrakki.
The more we walked, the more Stiles relaxed. The more Stiles relaxed, the closer he moved into my side. It was a perfect situation, in my books. Harley seemed to enjoy Stiles being a little closer as well, chatting happily from where he sat on my shoulders. It was kind of hard to keep up with what he was saying at times, the kid getting so excited that every word he said seemed to string into one. Not that I was complaining. I thought it was rather sweet. It reminded me a little of Cora, when she was a toddler. I like being around that again.
Of course, it wasn't even five minutes before we ran into the 'No Homo Bros'. Again. I didn't even try to listen to their conversation, I just tried to keep Stiles moving away from them, taking Harley off of my shoulder to make movement a little easier. The kid just latched on to Peter as I took hold of Stiles' hand as gently as I could, trying to tug him along.
Stiles just pulled out of my grip, almost running up to the two. We could do nothing but follow him.
"Dude, you're the best - no homo." the redhead grinned, patting his friend on the shoulder.
We didn't get the hear the response before Stiles linked his arm through the redheads, the fakest grin plastered on his face. His body took on a completely different stance, almost feminine, practically leaning against the redhead he had attached himself to.
"I love your shirt!" Stiles giggled, his voice coming out high. "I mean, that colour really just makes your eyes pop. And those pants! Honey, your better watch that ass of yours; you never know who is lurking behind you."
At that moment Stiles pulled away from the guy, staring straight at him with a smirk.
"All the homo." he winked, before strutting away from them, picking Harley up and walked away.
No one could move. We just stood there, staring after him, trying not to laugh.
I never expected him to ever be so bold, especially with a stranger, out in public. He was the biggest mystery I had ever been faced with - whenever I felt like I had solved him, he proved me wrong.
He was amazing.
Of course, one of the guys just had to ruin it all by speaking.
"He's so hot." redhead breathed, staring after Stiles. "I'm going to get his number."
Now, that, wasn't allowed.
Slowly, I turned towards the redhead, stepping in front of him to block his view. Before I could do or even say anything, the brunet intervened. He grabbed the redhead's hand, pulling him around to face him.
"No." was all the brunet said.
Before the redhead could say anything, the brunet occupied his mouth... With his own. The only thing I heard was Stiles' small whisper of 'I did it... I brought out the homo!'
He was an idiot.
But he was my idiot.
Back home, after dinner, we all gathered in the living room again, everyone in their pyjamas. We didn't want to do much, just waste a little time before we went to sleep. Just so we could get back into some sort of a normal routine.
No one really said anything. We just sat there, content to just be around each other. That was what it was like when my family had still been alive. We could all sit in the same room, say nothing, but feel this connection between us all. We could feel the familial bond, our Pack bond, grow stronger the longer we were together. When I was younger, I never knew what it felt like as an Alpha, only ever as a Beta... Now I knew. Now I knew the rush of strength my Mom would have gotten. I now understood why our protective instinct for each other grew.
It was an amazing feeling.
Whilst Harley sat with Peter, Stiles sat with me. He was curled into my side, one of the blankets off the back of one of the couches wrapped around him. When he had first wrapped it around himself, he had declared he was a 'Sleepy Burrito'...
He's such a dork.
Stiles lay his head on my shoulder, pushing closer until I wrapped my arms around him. He seemed to fit perfectly against me. It sounded stupid, I knew that. It sounded cliché and weird. But it was true. Whatever position we sat or lay in, our bodies fit together with ease. It was never uncomfortable. I had never had that experience before.
Reaching up, I lightly ran my hand through Stiles' hair. It was just as soft as it looked, even with the little bit of gel he used on it. It always seemed to be a bit fluffy, almost like fur. It was strange, yet, in a weird way, it suited him. I could feel him sag against me, little by little, the weight of his exhaustion starting to take a toll on him. I rested my head against his, slowly enough so I didn't startle him. It seemed to make him snuggle down further...
At that moment, I didn't care about anything. I felt more than content; I was beyond the point of feeling ecstatic. I felt as if I had gone past the limit of what a normal person could feel. I felt absolutely and fully complete.
Glancing over to Peter, I found Harley had already sank into unconsciousness. Peter looked at the boy with the eyes of a Father; there was so much tenderness in them. Losing a child was something I would never wish upon anyone. The pain I felt losing my parents, my sisters, my Aunts and Uncles, my cousins... I didn't think I would be able to handle the pain of losing a child on top of that. Peter, however, he had gone through losing his parents, his sister, his wife, his children, his nieces and nephews... We were the only Hales left. I knew Peter wished to have that bond again, to have someone he could look after and cherish. He never had much of a change with his girls... But he could never replace his wife. She had been his Mate, no one could replace her. No one could replace any of his girls, either. But, surely, there was someone, somewhere out there, who needed him, just like I had needed him when I was a boy. I could only hope.
"We'll sleep down here tonight." I said, softly, not wanting to startle my Pack. "Could a few or you go upstairs and grab some blankets and pillows?"
"On it, Boss."
It didn't take long for a nest of blankets and pillows to be formed in the living room. Within seconds, everyone started to pile onto it, Peter carrying Harley and me carrying Stiles. Automatically, we went to the same places; it had become a habit for us all.
The moment my back touched the duvet on the floor, I could feel some of my muscles start to ache slightly. It was that good ache you get when you finally lay down after a long day, when you finally allowed yourself to rest. That feeling, after defending my territory, was always what let me know I had done well.
As soon as everyone had situated themselves on the nest, the majority were asleep instantly. The only ones awake were Peter and me. I looked around, as best as I could, at my Pack. I looked at their relaxed, sleeping faces. Never would I have believed that my Pack, once dysfunctional and full of misfits, would become what we were at that moment. We were a real Pack. I felt complete with my Pack together. I felt whole.
"It's nice to see you happy." Peter whispered, just loud enough for me to hear as Harley nuzzled his face into my side.
"What're you talking about?" I frowned. "I've been happy before."
"Yes, but not like this. After everything that's happened, I rarely saw you smile. You've only started being happy again when Stiles came along."
Looking down to my right, I watched as the wolf-fox in question snuffled in his sleep, turning his face into my chest as his hand loosely grabbed hold of my t-shirt. Curling my arm around him a little more securely, I pulled him a little closer, as carefully as I possibly could.
"I love him." was the only answer I could think of.
Stiles
Waking up the next morning, the first thing I noticed was the sound of many heartbeats. The next thing I noticed was the heat. Blearily, I blinked my eyes open, coming face to face with black material. I felt so lethargic; I just wanted to stay where I was. I didn't want to get up.
Raising my head slightly, I found Derek's sleeping face. His head was tilted to his right, his chin touching his chest. His right arm was curled loosely around me, his face completely relaxed and contented. Reaching up, I lightly traced the tips of my fingers over his forehead. I could never get over how he looked when he we asleep. He looked so much younger, less stressed. I couldn't get enough of it... His skin was soft to the touch, warmer than any human. He was wrinkle free, his slight tanned skin blemish free. To me, he looked perfect. My fingertips ran gently down his cheek and along the length of his barred neck. I could feel the beating of his pulse as he lay there, the rhythm falling out of sync every now and then.
Reluctantly, I tried to get up. Tried being the operative word. The moment I shifted, Derek's arm tightened around me, pulling me further towards him. In his sleep, he frowned slightly, his head moving until it was inches away from my own. As soon as Derek felt my chest against his, his expression evened out.
"Fucking teddy bear." I chuckled, quietly, nestling back down into the warmth.
Laying there, I just listened to the sound of everyone breathing, listened to their hearts beating together. It was a comforting sound. It was a sound that I never thought would draw out such a calming aura. Heartbeats used to be something I used to use as a warning system, just in case someone started to get too close to me. It was one of the ways I knew if my Dad or Zane were making their way towards me. It would give me time to prepare, not that it ever worked... But now? Now heartbeats meant security. It meant family, friends. It meant that everyone was safe and well. It gave me such a rush of...well, I didn't know what it gave me a rush of. Hope, maybe? I wasn't sure. All I knew was that I liked it; that I wanted more of it. It was a good feeling and it was addictive.
Shifting slightly, I managed to rest my head on the centre of Derek's chest. His heart beat strongly in my ear, the small movements of his chest lifting my head as if I was floating. I had never felt so at peace in my life. Not that I could remember, anyway. I felt so serene. It was as if nothing could reach me. As if nothing bad could even get close to touching me. And that was just from laying my head on Derek... With everyone else around us, I felt invincible. More than, even.
Every now and then, I would hear a small shuffle or a soft snuffle. Little sounds that I had grown to love hearing over the months I had lived in the house. I could hear Peter whispering in his sleep. I could hear a small flutter come from Harley's direction. I could hear Isaac whine softly. They were just little sounds that made me feel so at home.
Burying my face into Derek's chest, I couldn't help but smile. I never would have guessed that things would have gotten better. I never would have believed that I would be where I was at that moment. I thought I was doomed to live a life of hell. I thought I would never find a place to call home.
I hadn't noticed Derek had woken up. Not until I felt his fingers running through my hair.
"Two mornings in a row." Derek chuckled, sleepily, his voice rough and croaky. "I thought you would have slipped away by now."
"Well, I was going to start breakfast, but you seemed to have other ideas." I huffed.
"Good. This is the best way to wake up."
Turning my face up, resting my chin on his chest, I looked up at Derek. His eyes were heavily lidded, sleepily blinking as he tried to wake up a little more. He had a small, content smile on his face, the side of his face slightly red from the imprint of the pillow. It was a little strange seeing a newly-woken-up Derek. A good strange, but still strange. He was very similar to the fast-asleep Derek - relaxed, younger looking, but had a different air about him. I just couldn't put my finger on it though.
"Is it now?" I smirked.
"Of course." Derek whispered. "The added fluffiness to your hair, this morning, makes it even better."
Asshole...
"Bed head sucks." I muttered, glaring down at Derek's chest, plucking at the fabric. "Should just buzz it off again..."
"Don't." Derek answered quickly. "Don't buzz it off."
"And why not?"
Derek started carding his fingers through my hair again, his fingernails lightly scratching against my scalp. It was a barely their pressure, an almost relaxing and reassuring feeling, the movement a consistent distraction from everything else around me. It made me feel weightless as I pushed my head into his hand.
"Because then I couldn't do this." Derek chuckled, smugly. "Silly, Cub."
The morning passed us all easily. Everyone stayed in their pyjamas and, after breakfast, we just lazed on the nest that was made the night before. We all just huddled together, just enjoying some quite talk with each other. No one yelling or shouting, no loud jokes. Just simple, peaceful talking.
Harley had taken the opportunity to slide over from his original position the night before, to attach himself to me. He sat on my lap, leaning against my chest with his head under my chin, his little hands clutching the elephant toy. Not that I minded. I held the Fairy child close to me, leaning into Derek as I did. There had been a few comments suggesting how we looked like 'a little family', but I just pretended it was my imagination. Besides, it seemed like Derek's warning growl was incentive enough for them to whisper their comments. Not that I disliked the idea...
I mean, there had been many a time, when I was younger, that I had thought about growing up and having a kid with someone I loved. It was a weird thing to think about I suppose but, after the way my Dad treated me, for a while, it was the only thing that gave me a little bit of hope. Just thinking of how I would treat my child differently to how he had started treating me. Thinking how I would protect them, instead of attacking them. How I would accept them, not reject them. It didn't take long thought for the thoughts of my future to disappear from my mind, with the things Dad did and said to me. They were replaced by thoughts of how long I had left to be alive. Thoughts of who would end me and how. Thoughts that scared me to think about anymore...
I felt Derek's arm around tug me in a little closer, Harley snuggling into my chest a little more. I could just feel everyone moving in a little bit closer. I still forgot that I lived with people who could, literally, tell how I was feeling. I was so used to being the only one that it was easy for it to slip my mind.
"You alright?" Derek whispered into my ear, loud enough for only me to hear as the others continued to talk.
"Yeah, just thinking." I sighed, resting my head on his shoulder. "They're right, you know."
I felt Derek slide down a little, making our position a little comfortable. He rested the side of his head on mine, his hand in my hair again. I all but melted into his side, having to hold Harley a little tighter to me, in case I let go of him.
"About what?" Derek frowned.
"We are a family. Every single one of us." I explained. "It's...nice."
I could feel Derek's shoulder shake as he chuckled lowly. He turned his face into my hair, grinning. I could feel this weird sensation in my stomach. Nice, but weird. I couldn't help but smile. Laughing quietly, I reached up and moved Harley's fringe out of his eyes.
It was nice to have a family again.
Sam had texted not long before twelve, asking if we wanted to go for lunch. Since Charlie was working, we had expected the call - I was surprised that she hadn't just come over, though. Not that that had mattered, I was just thankful she wasn't going to have one of those nasty microwavable dinners!
We had met her at the usual diner in town, all of us cramming around a booth. As usual, the wolves stuffed their faces, whilst Sam, Allison, Harley and I ate a reasonable amount that was considered acceptable in the outside world. Though, I would admit, the reactions they all received were worth it. Elderly people tutting about manners; a few of the local stoners nodding approvingly; parents trying to keep their kids from seeing and copying... It was just too much fun to tell them all to wait until we got home to eat like pigs.
We didn't stay in the diner long, though. It was a nice day, not too hot and not too cloudy. For once, I actually wanted to go outside and walk around for a little. Harley was on Derek's shoulders, something that seemed to have become a habit every time we went somewhere, the Alpha's hand, however, holding gently onto mine this time. Sam was still having a blast with the whole 'I helped make Sterek a thing' business. She even used that name for us and I was ashamed that I understood it... Derek, however, did not. And Sam had no problem explaining it to him.
"Shipping?" Derek said, slowly. "As in what you two do with that show."
"You'll have to be way more specific with which show, Teddy." Sam grinned, walking backwards to keep her eyes on Derek. "There are quite a few."
Sam had been calling him that all afternoon. Just, constantly, Teddy. Why? Well, the others had taken far too long to get ready so I decided to continue texting Sam, whilst I waited. And, well, one thing led to another and I may, or may not, have divulged Derek's cuddly, teddy bear like nature to Sam... In hindsight, I should have realised it would have been a mistake.
At least no one knew why, not even Derek.
"Don't call me that." Derek glared, a slight growl seeping into his voice.
"Children, behave." I sighed, rolling my eyes as I tried to suppress a giggle.
"You're literally younger than me!" Sam protested.
"It was her fault." Derek muttered.
The moment I saw Sam open her mouth to argue, she walked into someone. Sam stumbled slightly, apologising as she turned around to face the person. No one expected this person to recognise Sam.
Drugs. That's what hit me first. It was the most overwhelming scent, everything else being covered by it. It reminded me of Dallas... I huddled closer to Derek's side, grabbing his hand a little tighter as I felt breathing become a little more difficult.
It was a girl. Somewhere around nineteen, maybe. Her skin was ashen; she was practically skin and bones, her clothes hanging off of her body, as if she was a skeleton. She was smiling softly as she greeted Sam, waving shyly as one arm curled around her stomach, looking as if she would break from just one touch.
"Nikki?" Sam whispered.
"Hiya, Sammy. 'Nikki' said, shakily.
Sam had the her in a bear hug within seconds. She was rattling off questions left, right and centre. Asking what was going on, how she was, if she was still using, what was happing to 'The Turf'... It didn't take a genius to realise Sam used to sell drugs with the girl. But the girl just shook her head.
"I'm getting clean." Nikki told her. "I didn't wanna be on the stuff anyway. And I wanna be a good Momma."
"You're pregnant?!" Sam shrieked. "Since when?! Who's the dad?!"
"Calm down, Sammy, I'm only a few weeks along. And Mike is an amazing guy. I met him a little while after you left, he was helping me. He's a really sweet guy, Sammy; treats me like a Queen. You'd like him."
Sam smiled slightly at that, her posture relaxing. Until she asked her next question.
"And The Turf?" Sam asked, hesitantly. "What happened? Was everyone alright when you left?"
That was when Nikki got quiet.
"It was taken over by Jesse." she whispered.
"What?! I left it to fucking Jones, he was supposed to keep you guys safe!" Sam seethed. "What happened?"
"After you left, Jesse raided us. Stole everything. He shot Scooter, had Mason beat and stabbed... I think most everyone is gone, Sammy. A few joined Jesse, some got caught, others are dead... I don't know about the rest."
It was strange seeing a different side to the whole drug gang thing. I knew the darker side, Zane's side. I suppose Sam would class him as the 'Jesse' side of it all. But, now, I was being shown Sam's side. The side that cared about its people, the side where a lot of them were doing it because they had to, not because they wanted to. I just couldn't wrap my head around the idea of it all. If I hadn't know Sam before I found out about her drug past, I would have stayed as far away from her as possible. That I knew for sure. I wouldn't have wanted to be anywhere near her, whatsoever. But Sam was nothing like what I knew. She wasn't a junkie. She wasn't cruel, or trying to get people hooked. She was a survivor of something terrible, just like I was, and she had gotten into a lot of shit because of it. It had made her stronger, better. And it wasn't like she used anymore. She wouldn't. It was easy to tell.
"I gotta go." Nikki sighed after a few more minutes. "Mike gets worried if I'm out too late. It was good seeing you Sam."
She left with only one look back, a smile on her face. Sam didn't move until the girl had disappeared around the corner.
Instead of going to our place, we all followed Sam home. We had been thinking of doing that anyway, that way Sam wouldn't have to rush home to be with Charlie, because she'd already be there. After the little talk with Nikki, it was definitely a good call.
Sam was acting like nothing happened, when we arrived at her place. It was like a switch had flipped and she had started to bury whatever she had been thinking of before. The fact she thought any of us would let it go was just plain stupid.
"Sam, you can't just brush all that off." I sighed.
"Brush what off?" she frowned, feigning ignorance.
"You need to explain."
"Actually, I really don't."
"I think you do." Peter glared.
I could feel the static in the air, could feel the waves coming off of everyone. Well, apart from one person. Harley, of course, the little Cinnamon Bun that he was, had absolutely no idea as to what was going on. He just kept looking back and forth, trying to make sense of it all. Sure, he could have looked into someone's mind, but he had been trying hard to control his ability fully... I guess he didn't want to ruin that and invade on Sam's privacy, or something. Honestly, I was just happy he didn't know what was happening. I didn't want him to. It was stupid, but I didn't want him to know anything about drugs or the like. He was already so sheltered before he came to us and, honestly, opening so many things up to him may just make him implode.
"Harley, Sweetheart?" I sighed. "Can you go into the living room for a little bit?"
"Is Sam in trouble?" he whispered to me.
"No, Sweetheart, she's not in trouble."
"So it's just an adult conversation?"
Nodding to the kid, I ran my hand down the back of his head, smoothing down his hair. Sometimes it frightened me just how much like a child he was. He was fourteen, had a mental age of seven, yet there were times he could seem younger. He could seem older as well, don't get me wrong, but it always scared me just how young he could be, mentally.
"Can I draw?" he asked, cuddling Phantasia to his chest.
Whenever he could, that's what he wanted to do. Just draw. He was a very creative child with a big imagination... We had started taking him a backpack whenever we went out, putting in a pad of paper and some pencils for when he got bored, just in case.
"Yeah, you can draw, Sweetheart." I smiled. "Your bag's by the door, ok?"
With that, he was off.
The conversation didn't start until he ran back past the door though, just so we knew he wouldn't overhear anything as he went by.
"Samantha, you need to tell us something. People approach you in the streets about drugs. Do you think that's good for young Harley?" Peter sighed, using the best example of the 'Disappointed Dad' voice I had ever heard, crossing his arms over his chest. "We just want to know why, even if it's only a little. Please..."
Perching on the edge of one of the kitchen chairs, for a moment, Sam just stared down at the table. Her eyes stayed trained on a single spot, her entire body still. I could understand the debate she was having...
"We won't think any less of you, Sammy." I told her. "None of you did when you found out about Zane. Or my Dad. Or when you found out that some of my scars were self inflicted... You'll still be Sammy... We'll just know you better."
She glanced up. Only for a moment, but she glanced up. I took a seat on the chair nearest to her, reaching out to place my hand on hers. I could feel her shaking.
"We're still going to be here, Sammy." I muttered.
Rubbing a hand over her face, Sam looked at me through her bangs. I could already see her eyes starting to go a little red and watery.
"I got into some fucked up stuff. I'm not going into the nitty gritty shit, but I ran one of the biggest drug circles in the state." Sam said, hesitantly. "I'd pray on women like Erica and Allison, then have them transport it where I needed it to go. I wasn't into that little shit, I was a full blown Drug Lord... When I left, I let a lot of people down..."
None of us expected Sam to say that much.
No one knew what to say after Sam had made her reveal. Everyone just, kind of, stayed quiet. I think we were all thankful when Harley shouted out to all of us, asking if we had finished with the grown up only talk.
We were in the living room within seconds.
It was easy for us all to migrate to seats. Everyone seemed to know where to sit, without waiting to see where anyone else went. It was almost instinctual. I sat on the couch, Harley leaning against my legs as he concentrated on his picture, whilst I leant partially against Derek and tucked Sam into my side. I knew how hard it was for Sam to divulge even that much information on her past. I knew how hard it was to trust one person, let alone eleven, with knowing something about yourself that you had worked to get away from. She was vulnerable and, in that moment, it was obvious. My inner Papa Bear was leaking out and I was not about to stop it. I didn't care if Sam was older than me. I didn't care. No matter how old you were, sometimes, you just needed a good hug and for someone else to hold you up. Though, to be honest, I felt like I was invading on Peter's territory, just a little bit. But, hey, the girl was like a sister to me, so he could deal with it for a day.
As we sat in the living room, a quiet conversation started up. It was mainly between Derek, Peter and the Betas, whilst Harley drew away and Sam and I observed, but it felt comfortable. Every now and then, Harley would lean his head back onto my knees, his angelic little face smiling up at Sam and me... It was hard not to smile when he seemed just so happy. He was leaps and bounds away from the scared little boy we had found in the Preserve, begging me not to leave him alone. He was this bubbly little personality that could just light up a room. It made no sense to me how anyone could abandon him... Running my hand through his hair, I tried not to think about it too much.
When Charlie walked in, only two hours later, that was how she found all of us. She could tell something had happened, she could smell the faintest scent of drugs that were still attached to our clothes. One look at Sam, I knew she had some idea of what could have happened, just like I knew she would ask Sam about it after we had all left. For the time being, Charlie just sat on the floor next to Harley, leaning against Sam's legs as she hugged the Fairy child, kissing his cheek and making him giggle.
We didn't stay long after Charlie got back. It was starting to get late, we had to do dinner and I could tell Sam just wanted some quiet time. So after another quarter of an hour to an hour, we were all getting ready to leave, Harley clutching the picture he had made.
"Hey, that looks good, Bud." Derek smiled, ruffling Harley's hair. "Where you going to put that one?"
"I drew it for Aunty Sam." Harley grinned. "So she'd feel better!"
We all heard Sam's heart stutter, he face breaking out this little smile. Gingerly, she took the picture that Harley held out to her, scanning it over as her eyes started to well up a little.
"Thanks, Little Buddy." she whispered, wrapping an arm around Harley. "I love it.
"Does it make you feel better?" he asked, hopefully.
"Yeah... Yeah, it makes me feel better."
At home, a little while after Harley had gone to bed, the Pack and I were all gathered in the living room. Somehow we had ended up talking about how Danny had realised he was gay. Which included him dating this bitchy as hell girl, when he was in the seventh grade.
"My parents didn't believe we were going out, though." Danny laughed.
"That happened with me once." I mused. "Not even her parents believed us..."
I could feel Derek shift next to me. I could feel him frowning at me.
"I thought you were gay." he said.
"Oh, trust me, I am." I chuckled.
Of course, that just got me confused looked waiting for me to continue.
"After I first told my Dad I was gay, after he started beating me, I tried to take it all back. I tried getting and girlfriend and telling him it was just a phase." I explained. "The girl was using me like I was using her, but her parents didn't believe it and figured it out. And, judging by the scar on my side, he didn't believe me."
It didn't bother me anymore. I couldn't understand why, but I just couldn't bring myself to care about any of that anymore. Sure, it still hurt, but I just couldn't give a shit. And, to be honest, it felt good. It felt like this huge weight had been lifted off of me and shot dead.
It was the biggest relief of my life.
I still had Derek wrap his arms around me, resting his chin on my shoulder, though. Not that I minded.
Sunday, August 31st, was a Pack Day. Just the twelve of us, before our second year at University started.
It was going to be weird having to leave Harley behind, even if he would be with Derek and Peter. I wasn't too sure if I wanted to... I wasn't too sure I could. I sounded like an overly attached, over protective parent! It wasn't like Harley was going to be in danger. He was going to be with two people I trusted the most. He wasn't going to leave their sides or sight. Yet I still didn't want to leave him behind. It wasn't healthy.
As usual, we were all in the living room. A nest had been made in the middle of the floor, the TV playing quietly in the background. Everyone was scattered, some on the floor whilst some in their usual seats. Isaac had tied a thin blanket around Harley's neck, the kid running around, weaving around the furniture.
"If I got to be a Superhero, I'd want to be Superman." Derek mused, leaning his head back onto the seat of his armchair.
"If I woke up as Superman, I'd go back to sleep and hope to wake up as Batman." Scott muttered.
"Yes, because if I wake up as an alien demigod, who can fly at supersonic speeds and lift an aircraft carrier above his head, the first think I'd think is 'I wish I were an unstable orphan in a bat costume'." I scoffed. "Don't get me wrong, I love Batman! But, between Batman and Superman? I'd wanna be Superman."
I basked in the laughter I drew from my Pack. Before meeting them, it had been so long since I had been able to make anyone laugh, because I had never had anything to find humour in. It was one of those feelings I had missed.
It was at that point that Harley 'flew' into me, wrapping his arms around my neck, grinning widely. He was just giggling, the most innocent sound I had ever heard.
"So I can't call you Batman anymore?" Erica pouted.
"Hey, I never said that." I grinned. "Let's not get crazy now."
"Good, just wanted to be clear, Batman."
Wrapping my closest arm around Harley, I dragged him down into my lap, pulling him in tight against my chest. Harley struggled, knowing what was coming next. I mean, tickle attacks were always fun.
September 1st, the beginning of a new academic year. It was strange being back. After everything that had happened during the summer, with Harley coming into our lives... It felt like a lifetime we had been away.
I met Sam in the parking lot, the two of us making our way to our Art class together. We were both on autopilot as we navigated the halls.
We were in our seats within five minutes, if that.
As soon as class started, it felt like we had never left. All I could think of was getting home to Harley. I was ready for the year to be over, for it to be the summer again. Was that bad? Was that wrong?
"Why do they give us an assignment on the first day?" Sam complained, tapping her pencil against her sketchbook.
We had to start coming up with ideas from our first assignment of the year - a piece that invoked empathy and feeling in the viewer. Instead of being eased back into the life of a student, we were just thrown into the deep, icy water.
Yeah, that was fun...
"Hell if I know." I sighed.
"And it's ten per cent of our grade? Who the hell comes up with this shit?" Sam moaned.
"Ask our teachers."
I felt more than saw Sam turn to stare at me. Out of the side of my eye, I could see her own fall into slits, her arms folding as she leaned back in her chair.
"What's up with you, Sti?" she asked. "You're not acting right."
Breathing out, I turned my head to look at my friend. To anyone else Sam looked annoyed but, to me, she just looked worried. I mean, the last time I wasn't 'myself' was when we had to go to Dallas for Zane's trial.
"I'm just not feeling this year." I admitted. "I don't want to be here."
"That's not exactly surprising after all the shit that's happened." she told me, relaxing slightly. "It's not like we're here that long every day and, in the end, it'll be worth staying."
"I know, I know. I just want to be home right now."
"You and me both, dude. You and me both."
It was the longest day of my life, made worse with us running into Chase. Apparently, the time off didn't give him a chance to mature. He came at us with the same insults, the same attacks...
It was all just so boring.
My day was only made better when Derek and Harley turned up, during my break.
See, Mondays and Fridays, I had found out, were my short days. On Monday I had Art and English, whilst Fridays I had Chemistry and Music, so I started at eleven on both days, the other three days of the week I had all four and started at ten. On Mondays I had an hour of Art, an hour break, before finishing my day with an hour of English. It was a nice day to start the week I suppose.
I had gotten a text from Derek as soon as Art had finished, telling me to come to the parking lot. The moment I stepped out of the doors, I was charged at by a flash of white.
"Hi!" Harley yelled into my stomach, his arms wrapping around me.
It took me a moment for my brain to actually catch up with my eyes, grinning as I lifted the kid up to hug him properly.
"Hey, Sweetheart." I chuckled. "What are you doing here?"
"It's lunch time!" he giggled. "Der said we're kidnapping you."
Looking up, I found said Alpha wolf leaning against the hood of his car. I could see his smug little smile from where I stood.
"Then what are we standing around for, hey?" I grinned, setting him back down. "Come on, I'll race you."
Before I could blink, Harley had sped off back towards the car, jumping into the back the moment he reached it. I hadn't even walked a metre.
When I reached the car, I stood in front of Derek, waiting for an explanation. All he did was remind me that we were linked.
"Besides, he was missing you too." Derek smiled. "Didn't think it would hurt if we did this every now and then."
"Or every day?" I teased.
"Sounds like a plan."
"That it does. So, we going or what, Superman?"
To say seeing Harley and Derek, even only for an hour, cheered me up was an understatement. Sam was confused by my sudden change in mood when I ran into her, but she didn't say anything about it.
Whilst I was in my English class with Allison and Lydia, Derek and Harley were spending some time in town, waiting the last hour until I finished so the three of us could make our way home together. It was an idea I could get behind.
Throughout our lunch together, I kept dropping in Superman, throwing Derek off every now and then. His cheeks would light up this barely-there shade of red, he would fumble over his words and almost drop whatever he was holding. It had started off as a joke, but I had actually started liking the little nickname... And it was obvious he did too.
I barely paid attention to my class, texting Derek instead. I mean, I didn't need to pay attention, since we were only going over what we had done the year before, blah, blah, so it's wasn't like I was missing anything important. Besides, texting Derek seemed to make the time go faster and, before I knew it, I was running out of the building to meet Derek and Harley in the parking lot.
Of course, not everything was sunshine and sparkles.
As soon as we pulled up to the house, we knew something was off. Even Harley could sense that something just wasn't right. The moment Harley stepped out of the car, I lifted him up and onto my side, Derek walking in front of us as we made our way to the house.
The first thing we noticed was the door was open just a crack.
Pushing the door open, slowly, a scent hit my nose. I recognised it, I just couldn't remember it.
Then we heard a methodical tapping coming from the living room.
Before we had even rounded the corner, we spotted Peter, wolfed out, growling at something we couldn't yet see. His heckles were raised, teeth bared and hunched down, ready to strike.
I understood why as soon as we walked in.
Mia was back.
She was lounging on the couch, grinning, playing with the edge of the dress she seemed to have painted on. She was all over Derek in an instant, dancing out of the way of claws and teeth.
"Hm, you look happy to see me." Mia grinned.
"Get out of my house." Derek snarled.
Pouting, she shook her finger at Derek, tutting.
"Is that any way to treat a lady?" she mocked. "And to think, I was going to give you another chance, Derek."
"Get out." Derek seethed.
"Oh, come on. Are you saying you don't want me? That you don't want me in your bed, every night?"
"Does she not know you and Derek are dating?" Harley whispered to me.
Yeah, he didn't get that whispering around werewolves didn't exactly work...
The second Harley had stopped speaking, Mia lunged for me. Derek blocked her path, but she didn't get too close. A strange force was stopping her from moving towards us. A force that was quickly explained when we looked to Harley, his hand extended, just like it had been during training, when he had gone up against Allison.
"I don't like you." Harley frowned. "Go away."
"Piss off, you little brat." Mia spat.
Before any of us could understand what had happened, Mia was no longer in the living room and Harley wasn't in my arms. Harley was standing at the front door, holding onto the door itself and scowling out of it, which was where Mia had, somehow, landed.
"You wait until I get my hand on you, Brat." Mia hissed.
"Go away." Harley demanded, still holding up a barrier between her and us.
"I will be back. You can trust me on that."
Just like that, Mia was gone, just like the first time.
"Can someone please explain what just happened?" I asked.
The next day was far less exciting, though I still got to meet Derek and Harley for lunch. I had realised, at lunch with them, that it had been exactly a year since I had started at Beacon Hills University. Exactly a year since I had my first encounter with my Pack. It was a strange yet exhilarating thought.
It was when we were all back home, just after three that afternoon, that Sam and I were trying to find some inspiration for our Art projects. Neither of us could figure out what we wanted to do. I gave up after five minutes, heading to the kitchen to grab Sam and I a drink, only to stop in the doorway on the way back, when I saw Sam talking to Harley.
"You're awesome, just like Stiles." Harley said.
"So are you, Little Buddy." Sam laughed. "But who couldn't love you?"
Of course, that's when Harley got a little stiff.
"The others like me didn't..." he whispered.
"I understand, Little Buddy. But, hey, you got me, you got Stiles, you got all these guys." Sam smiled. "You don't need those other guys when you have us."
Glancing up at Sam, Harley held out his pinkie finger, waving it slightly when she didn't make her move. As soon as she had curled her finger around his, Harley moved in for the hug, ignoring Sam's few seconds of surprise. It didn't take Sam long to hug him back, though.
"Hey, what do you say Sti and I take a break and we all do something fun?" Sam whispered to the kid.
I didn't even have to look to know Harley's answer.
She practically jumped up, lifting Harley with her and threw him over her shoulder, walking out of the house, as if she just expected the rest of us to follow her. Of course we would, but it seemed funny how she knew we would.
We watched as Sam placed Harley onto the ground again, opening her car door and turning her radio on, blasting the music as loud as should could without hurting us wolves. Before anyone could even ask what was going on, she just started singing and dancing and jumping around, Harley following her lead like a little puppy.
"What. Are. You. Doing?" I laughed, watching the two of them.
"We need to not think so hard, have a little fun." Sam grinned. "Come on!"
I should have seen it coming, Sam grabbing me and pulling me in all different directions until I joined in. I felt like an absolute idiot, but the moment I saw Harley's face, I just couldn't care.
Before I even knew it, we were all making fools of ourselves, dancing along with whatever song came on.
I should have known.
We had gone too long without something going wrong, so I should have known.
It was Thursday morning - September 4th - and Sam and I were walking through the hallway, heading to Art. Everything was fine, just laughing and talking like we always did, telling each other what had happened the night before, or about one show or another...
When it happened.
I completely froze.
I stopped breathing.
I didn't know what to do.
I couldn't move.
I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me, that I was seeing things, but Sam was seeing the same as me.
I couldn't stop staring.
"What? What's wrong?" she asked, panicked. "Who are they? Do you know them?"
"That's Ben and Gabriel." I breathed. "They tried to rape me."
HAPPY 3RD BIRTHDAY TO CHANGE, HAPPY 3RD BIRTHDAY TO CHANGE, HAPPY 3RD BIRTHDAY TO CHANGE, HAPPY 3RD BIRTHDAY TO CHANGE!
P.S. I know it's been a while, but I've been having a lot of issues with family, University, my anxiety, etc. It's kind of knocked me off of my writing. Trust me when I say I'm trying to write for my fics as fast as I can.
Please, please, please review XD
Thank you a lot guys XD