"Holy shit look at it go!" Scott yells enthusiastically.
If Stiles had a moment to spare from the disaster that is his life he would assume Scott's referring to the triskelion tattoo currently making itself at home on his back. Although he couldn't care less of the commotion happening behind him as he braces himself on the edge of his bed. His hands tremble and fangs dig into the silk sheets trying to keep himself from shouting out in pain.
The worst of the pain had thankfully only lasted the journey to the second floor up to his bedroom Scott and Derek using their magic werewolf mojo had sucked out the worst of it but the skin on his back still felt like it was being stitched together with a thousand burning needles. Every black inked line could be felt stretching and splintering away from the next, crawling its way to the distinct swirling symbol of the triskelion. The area on his back so tight and raw it felt like it could split open at the slightest movement.
So excuse him if he didn't feel grateful for Derek tearing apart the back of his hunter's gear even if it did manage to relieve some of the pain.
Derek grunts in acknowledgment as the two wolves stand there, watching him struggling to keep the rest of his shredded hunters gear from falling the rest of the way down his legs.
"Derek, if you'd had asked nicely I'd have happily taken off the offensive piece of clothing without you needing to rip it open and leaving me here all bare and exposed with my ass hanging out!" Stiles says grumpily. He can practically feel the alphas gaze drilling into him from behind.
"It's nothing we haven't all seen before…" Derek says with amusement.
"Dude you're officially one of us now! Sorry about the lame ass tattoo but this is so great! Welcome to the club!" Stiles could always count on Scott to try and make light of the situation, it's one of his many talents though Stiles would really appreciate it if he'd just shut up and do the magical werewolf mojo thing on him again.
So he just groans in response, gripping the front of his pants and crawling into bed before dramatically face planting into his pillows, hoping the werewolves would get the hint and put him out of his misery.
He hears Derek clear his throat and shift on his feet, Stiles turning to watch the alpha in self satisfaction fully aware that his hunter's pants just slipped dangerously low on his hips, the top of his ass peeking out teasingly. He arches his back just slightly on the bed, hoping the sweat on his back and ass catch the light in perfect display.
Derek watches the movement, eyes flashing red when their eyes meet again before tearing his eyes away and growling in clear sexual frustration. Stiles tries but fails at hiding his smirk against his pillow.
"Uh oh, someone has a crush!" Scott teased, laughing out loud, pushing Derek's shoulder jokingly. The alpha snaps, growling at him and grabbing the collar of his shirt in a threatening manner.
"Wow hey now, dude the feeling is clearly mutual…" Scott pointed out and winced away while holding his hands up in surrender.
"Hey!" Stiles whines in protest, making a note in his mind to get Scott back for that comment.
"Scott get lost," Derek growls out, pushing the true alpha away and walking up to Stiles on the bed. Placing his hand on the back of his neck, he instantly takes the pain with his magic werewolf powers. Stiles moans in thanks, happily consoled under the alpha's hands.
"Oh! Ok then…" Scott says, taking backward steps towards the door.
"I get the hint. Highly recommend washing up and applying vaseline which shouldn't be hard with a little skin to skin contact. Also, a bandage for you know …protection that's very important too…alright I'll let Derek take it from here. Gotta go!"
The sound of the door clicking closed has warm fingers finding their way up through Stiles hair, scratching at his scalp in slow soothing movements.
Stiles whimpers, the pain on his back having dulled down to a sunburn, numbing, sensation that could hardly be considered painful anymore. He sighs in relief, wanting to bask in this moment of peace and quiet with Derek by his side.
"Please don't stop," he begs breathlessly. Derek huffs out a laugh.
"There's more of this waiting for you once we get you undressed and in the shower." The alpha removes his hand, getting ready to stand before Stiles stops him in his tracks to return his hand onto the side of his face.
"Ugh, no more pets please." The werewolf runs his thumb against the set of moles on the side of his cheek. Something in his eyes resembling an emotion the vampire hadn't seen in a while. What was the word? Admiration? But he couldn't be sure. Human emotions still hard to deceiver in his mind.
"Nuh uh, not until I see you strip." Stiles snorts out a laugh, falling back onto the bed in defeat.
"Here, grab my hands, I'll help you up." Stiles does as he's told. Grabbing onto the alpha's hands and letting him guide him into his master bathroom.
Suddenly self conscious of his appearance Stiles looks himself over in the mirror and oh boy does he look rough. However, to his surprise, the fox tattoo he had thought would be there is nowhere to be found but he quickly concludes that it was probably for the best.
This would allow him a window of time to come up with an explanation about his new hybrid form, both to his vampire clan and the Hale pack, which to be honest, was exactly what he was dreading the most. The sight of his new Hale body art would undoubtedly spark scandalous rumors amongst his vampire clan and he'd rather have a say in the matter before they decided to have a violent intervention with him.
His oddly flushed cheeks were alarming even to him and now coupled with the wild look he was sporting with bits of leaves stuck in his hair and dried blood under his fingernails. He might as well have traitor tattooed across his forehead. So he knew he'd better come up with a good explanation and fast.
He even says so out loud as Derek's turning on the shower and not paying much attention to him while setting the water to the right temperature. He turns around to look at his back, the triskelion especially dark on his pale, mole dotted skin.
"Oh my god. If my dad were to see me now! He'd totally freak!'
"Why? Was he against tattoos or something?" Derek asks, clearly having had ignored his earlier comment about his appearance.
He turns, "Well not necessarily. I mean he uh…umm…" Stiles thoughts stray away at that moment as fast as they came.
The movements of unblemished, tan skin with muscles flexing instantly grab his attention without warning before Derek's stripping out of his pants. It all happens so fast Stiles couldn't help but gape in amazement as the alpha lifts an unimpressed eyebrow in response as if silently asking him why he wasn't doing the same.
Derek honestly and truly was in a league of his own. His body chiseled but filled out as if every muscle had been individually bulked up and made perfectly for his hands to squeeze. Stiles swallows hard, eyes traveling down to watch the gloriously thick, gluteus maximus walk past him, causing his brain to short circuit.
He definitely had a type. Derek. Derek was his type. Yup, sexual preference changed forever and permanently sealed into his mind as having a Derek type over others…
"Aren't you coming in?" The alpha asks while stepping into the steam of the shower, the glass door left open for him to follow.
"Oh my god. How did I become the luckiest man in the world?" Stiles says under his breath as he rips off his pants and joins the werewolf.
Stepping into the waterfall shower he makes sure to lather up his head with shampoo quickly, not wanting to miss any moment of the beautiful sight before him. Squinted eyes watching the alpha closely whilst he glistens under the rivers of water and soap running along his body.
"So as you were saying?"
"Hmm? Oh uh, my dad yeah uh he wasn't necessarily against tattoos but I can remember him saying how they wouldn't suit me. Whatever that means? I think he was more concerned about me getting a grotesque tattoo as an act of some sort of teen rebellion, especially with him being the sheriff and all. Huh, now that I think about it. Sounds like something I'd do…"
Stiles thinks back fondly of those days where Beacon Hills summers were unbearably boring and Scott and himself were considered the town's most wanted juvenile delinquents. Pretending to get matching tattoos with Scott had been one of the many amateur pranks they had pulled on his dad over the years.
To think back now of how his mother's arms were covered in them almost makes him go into a tailspin about his prior human life, which he seriously wasn't ready for but thankfully Derek stops him before he can do so.
"Derek..." He says with little protest.
The alpha had silently moved on to washing him using his mint scented body wash and loofa. Stiles smiles shyly, leaning into it and moaning in pleasure. The werewolf moves closer, caressing his face and nosing at his cheek. He huffs out a laugh feeling slightly ticklish, wrapping his arms around the werewolf's waist and cuddling closer to him.
"Stiles I love-you smell amazing. You know that?"
Stiles nods even though his heart skips a beat, catching onto the slip but discarding it quickly.
"I've been meaning to tell you since we got back but I… I remember it. Your scent brought back memories that I had written off many times in my mind as vivid dreams but now I know for sure that they were real…" Derek runs his nose up against his neck, stopping at the crook of his neck and scenting him there.
"When we met at your party you had smelled of blood and whiskey but now it's here… The scent you were born with. The scent from the human boy that only appeared in my dreams. It's crazy how it hadn't occurred to me sooner but your scent has been seared into my mind ever since. The night we first met happened years before the fire. Wearing a red raincoat and yellow rain boots, you couldn't have been more than 4 or 5 years old then and you were alone, simply walking through our territory as if you'd known the preserve like the back of your hand. You frightened me, showing no fear of me in my wolf form but it was really your scent that drew me in..." Derek's words were languid and breathy, causing Stiles to shiver as his breath continued to ghost across his ear. The intimacy of his words palpable in the space between them. Stiles couldn't help but wonder if this was the only dream the alpha has had with him or if there were others.
"It was your comforting, tender…" Stiles gasps at Derek's tongue licking him under his jaw as he continues, "almond scent that made me decide that you weren't a threat despite not being from my pack. Not sure if you realize how big of a deal that is for a pack of werewolves but it usually signifies a mating pair…A soulmate." Stiles shudders out a breath so turned on, he has to restrain himself from arching up and thrusting into him with desperate need.
Derek the tease pulls back letting his eyes roam up and down the length of his body before meeting their eyes in a heated gaze, "to think how I could've gone my whole life without finding out that boy had been you…" The werewolf huffs out a heavy sigh, "I don't want to imagine it. Despite everything, I knew my instincts were right. I knew from the moment I saw you that you were different. You are perfect. From the way our scents complemented each other that day to the night we reunited here, in your home. Your golden eyes had haunted me, flashing under the moonlight like an omega's… That night I had forced myself to ignore it remembering what you were and deciding to go against my instincts. But even as I stand here now, they remain flashing back at me as if to mock me for my foolishness…"
Stiles huffs out a laugh, still in disbelief from the alpha's confession. "Yeah like a match made out of heaven or should I say hell?" He can feel Derek smile against his neck continuing to run the loofa up and down his sides. "You know it's true…"
Earning a laugh from the werewolf would've ended the night perfectly for him but the next thing he knew he felt plush lips pressing a kiss against his neck and he practically melts right there into a gooey puddle down the drain. The alpha continues to shower him with long, sensual kisses down his neck, pressing their hips together and rubbing his length against his own with shallow thrusts. Stiles can't help but smile, loving the attention and sliding his arms around the alphas back, rubbing his hands against the smooth skin there.
After a moment Derek asks, "Do you trust me?"
"Hmm?" Derek turn's his chin in his hands, eyes giving him that same look from earlier although now with shifted red alpha eyes.
"Do you trust me?"
"Yes," Stiles says automatically, the words falling out of his lips. The automatic response has him silently wondering when his mind had decided this.
"Good. Now please show me your fox." Stiles stills, a weird sense of panic rushes through his body so fast he swore something had taken over. It was there, the presence, the intruder has been lying in wait this whole time, and if it wanted it could take over right this very instant.
"No. Derek! Don't do this! I don't have control over it!" He's shaking, grabbing onto the alpha for support. Derek's hold onto him tightens.
"I promise I won't allow it to harm you, You have my word. I can help you tame it but you have to allow me to help you. It's the only way…" Stiles looks into the werewolf's steady gaze. The sincerity reflecting at him has him nodding his head albeit a little hesitantly.
"I can help you let go and relax. Here." Derek takes his hand and places it over his heart. "Close your eyes and listen to it. Copy my breaths. Breathe in deep and out… That's it….Good…"
Stiles feels his body jolt but remains upright, his sight visibly changing as if a slide had been placed over his eyes that allowed him to see more clearly. His sight now narrowed into Derek's face, to all the crevasses and dark hair follicles that make up his beard. Even this close the alpha's supernatural beauty remains.
"Look at me fox." Stiles golden slitted eyes meet crimson ones. The alpha's red eyes so bright they appear to glow even under the steam of the shower.
"Let me go. Where am I?" Stiles hears himself say although his voice had changed now growly and strained. Speaking made him feel like his consciousness had split in two, his own trying to hold on to any ounce of control he had left as every fiber of his being told him he needed to run away and hide from under Derek's gaze.
"And let you go? This is what you deserve for wandering into my pack's territory. What kind of alpha would I be if I let that behavior go unpunished? We have laid claim on these lands as our own until the world's end. One warning. That's all you shall get. Do not test my generosity. Do we understand each other?" Stiles feels himself nod, still confused if he had nodded or the Fox spirit did.
"Good. Behave yourself and if you're lucky you might get out of this in one piece. But to answer your question you're in our pack's territory located in Beacon Hills. The place we call home. Do you remember how you got here?"
"I…I have always been here. In this boy. Wolf." Stiles gulps, goosebumps breaking across his skin. The realization that he'd just spoken without a second thought confirming that the fox spirit was officially in control now. He wanted to tell Derek that he was aware of what was going on but his body just wasn't responding to him.
"I am as much a part of him as your wolf is a part of you and that cursed, burnt pack of yours. Tell me, do they still fear hellfire? "
'No this isn't me!' Stiles thinks in panic.
Derek snarls in anger shifting to his half wolf form, grabbing onto Stiles with a stronger hold that made his arm throb but call it animal instincts, he knew Derek wouldn't hurt him.
"They survived…barely. I would choose my words carefully unless you want to test me again. You aren't a threat. There are Hale markings on your back. Guess you got lucky, I would've had to gut you where you stand."
"Ah yes, I know of all your desires to make this boy your mate and a part of your worthless pack. I can't say I'm opposed to it though. After all, I'd have inside information about the Hale bloodline and how to destroy you werewolves once and for all…" Derek bares his teeth, pulling him close.
"Then tell me fox, where is your pack. I can hear your heartbeat. I will know when you're lying to me." Stiles can feel himself wanting to retreat but quiets his thoughts when he realizes it's adjusting his footing, cracking his neck from side to side as if revving up for a fight.
"Oh right. You have no pack. No cubs. Yet…" Stiles instantly pulls back as if he'd been slapped. He feels the snarl travel from out his stomach, through his chest, and out of his throat like he'd just ejected acid.
"I will decimate everyone who gets in my path Hale, you're pack included. That's a promise" The alpha laughs.
"I heard your heartbeat quicken but I suspect it was for very different reasons. But don't you worry. You will submit to me. You're freshly turned. Your sire bond must be very strong to me to be able to decimate people in your path with no control over your transformation. You are strong, not as strong as me, but it's impressive."
Stiles can feel the Fox wanting to spark the energy between them and prove him wrong, forcing Derek on his knees. The air became heavy as if charged with an invisible force that was open for the taking. If only he'd so much as willed it to be so… but Stiles resisted. The thought of hurting Derek felt wrong down to his core.
Derek ignores his growling, walking up to him until his back hits the glass door of the shower. "Let me make you an offer, I can throw you to the wolves, I'm sure there are many here that can't wait to get their claws on you after all foxes aren't very popular amongst our kind. Or I can mark you as mine and make you one of my pack. No one would dare lay a finger on you if they knew you were mine. But once your mine, I'll never let you go…"
Stiles and the Fox instinctively knew Derek was offering something that they couldn't refuse. It was the only feeling they both agreed on as the alpha stood there; standing his ground. Stiles searched his mind, trying to gain any connection to the Fox that he could manage. Thinking of how the Fox had felt hurt at the mention of having no pack allowed the connection he'd been looking for. Derek's emphasis he put on having no cubs locks both their consciousness into place.
Stiles could feel the emptiness within the Fox and the ache his body felt when those words left Derek's lips like they had spoken to the Foxes instincts. The longing for a safe place to exist and raise a family had come to him suddenly as if it had once been something he could do and fully embrace with Derek by his side.
It left him stunned in shock, understanding now that Derek had implied it as an actual threat and the Fox hated him for it. Knowing now that it was possible in the body he was in left Stiles mind reeling at how little he knew about the supernatural world. A male fox can bear children. Noted. Stiles knew what he needed to do, tuning back into Derek's voice laughing.
"I'll even teach you and make you the hunter you were born to be. There's so much to learn. you have your options. Be mine or be thrown to the wolves…" Stiles still shifted continued to hold onto the Fox's consciousness with all his might. Letting Derek hold onto his gaze in an intense moment as he strains to lift his head, baring his neck in an act of submission.
"Good choice," Derek says, voice graveling from letting his alpha form take over before latching onto the foxes neck in a vice like hold. Stiles grunts in pain but instantly feels the union of both his and the fox spirits connecting as one and submitting to Derek's wolf.
"You must learn to shed your vampire skin and love the beast within. But I think we can take our time, I look forward to seeing the beast you become…" Derek declared through their telepathic connection. Stiles sighs in relief feeling nothing but acceptance and warmth. The feralness of the Fox has settled down now with an Alpha to rely on. It meant Stiles could control it. The fox's submission to Derek had been the final step to getting himself back to normal again and hopefully figuring out how to fix this mess he's gotten himself into.
He slumps back onto the glass from exhaustion.
"Woah there, I got you. You're ok. It's done now." Derek says, holding him in his arms.
"That was so awful! Oh my god." Stiles gasps out, his head and heart pounding from the aftermath.
"Take as much time as you need. I can take you to bed if you'd like?"
"No, let's go together." He remarks quickly, grabbing onto Derek's shoulder to help himself up. Insisting to help him walk, Stiles is silently thankful for the alpha by his side.
The air between them was tense. They dry off and get into bed in silence.
"Lie face down so I can apply the healing salve."
Stiles does so automatically, his mind deep in thought about what had just happened as Derek applies the vaseline. The itch to ask Derek a hundred and one questions unrelenting as his mind wonders with all the information he'd just learned about his past and to the implications of where his future was headed.
The feeling of guilt was nagging at him in the back of his mind though, forcing him to act out impulsively.
"Derek…I…I want to apologize for taking the pendant. It was wrong of me and I should've known better than to snoop around other people's things. I was just trying to find a way to protect my clan…and now the council wants us dead."
"No, don't apologize for trying to protect your family. I understand. I would've done the same. After all, I'm the one who forced us into a blood bond and I don't regret it. We are supposed to be on opposing sides. That being said I think we can both agree that we will need to trust each other more, going forward… The Fairies told me you'd save me, convincing me to wait for you and when you arrived I had never felt so relieved in my entire life. So if anyone deserves an apology it's you. I should have trusted you more."
"But aren't you afraid the council knows about your pack? About our alliance? There's no way those demons hadn't mentioned that bit of information to the council when my clan intervened during their spell." Derek shakes his head, laying his arm across his back and moving closer to him on the bed.
"No. Luckily for us, the Demons here don't bother to conspire with other supernatural beings. They don't need to, death happens often enough to keep them satisfied, luring in the shadows of this damn town."
"Yeah but I doubt we're out of the woods yet…"
"I agree. But as long as we hide our true form as werewolves I highly doubt they'd try to attack us again. If they hadn't learned their lesson by now my pack will swiftly take them out. Besides, we both know who the true threat is here. None of that matters if we don't restore a balance here in Beacon Hills…"
Stiles shivers. Derek repeating Death's commands makes him want to bury himself alive. Sighing deeply he says,
"Right. Almost forgot how our immortal lives have been condemned to death itself. Fortunately, I've managed to create a pact of sorts with it. If I stay as the foxes vessel, balance and order in Beacon Hills can be restored. As for the triskelion on my back, I'm sure you'd have more insight into its significance than I would and I'd hate to find out that you know more than you're letting on…" It was Derek's turn to sigh deeply as he shifted under Stiles assessment.
"If the legends are true, anyone cursed with the triskelion mark can use magic, and now you have it too. So who knows? You might just be our key out of this after all…" Derek's amused smirk has Stiles rolling his eyes and smiling wide, not convinced in the slightest.
"Yeah right, the next thing you'll tell me is how I can shoot rainbows and unicorns out of my ass." Derek laughs,
"No, I'm being serious. Since the fire, my family has avoided this town like the plague. I did too until rumors started circulating of this infamous royal family of vampires moving in of course. They're leader's beauty spoken in high regard of his soft skin and beautiful eyes, the kind that with one look could knock a man dead, or tear out his heart…" Stiles smiles but keeps quiet. Glad for once rumors of his habit of ripping out the hearts of the desperate fools who threw themselves at him made it across the realm.
If anything, it means less work for him and, despite the warnings, Derek's persistence was not for the faint of heart.
"Didn't think you were the type of person to believe in such rumors."
Derek's hand had made its way onto his back tracing the black swirls of the triskelion.
"I'd hardly believe them to be rumors anymore when I've seen their leaders beauty with my own eyes but I suppose I'm in over my head…" It's Stiles turn to laugh at the werewolf's quick wit having walked into that one. With sarcasm dripping from every word he responds with,
"I can see your point. The Nemetons magic running through my veins is pre-t-ty intimidating. Hmm luckily for me I have an entire werewolf pack ready to put me down at any moment. Oh, and an alpha brought back from the dead, bigger and badder than ever, who is hell bent on making me his mate." Derek meets his gaze, green eyes wicked in the soft, warm ambient light of his bedroom.
"And I assume you think because of all that has happened in the past, because I claimed you as my mate, that it means everything's going to be easy for you?" Derek says with amusement. "Well, I have news for you. Just because I am an alpha wolf and the head of its pack doesn't mean you're going to be respected like me. You will have to become someone who I can hold, someone who I can treasure for the pack to follow. Although it's hard to deny their loyalty to you already…"
Stiles sits up on his elbows in excitement, choosing to focus on this new development than the werewolf's not so subtle jabs, "Seriously? Since when? I suppose knowing Scott helps, with him being my brother from another mother and all but like what! Can I have Erica and Cora too? They're so cool! Boyd's good looks and size could come in handy and I'm assuming Laura will be included as well! This is so awesome!"
Derek sits up and tickles him on his sides, "Oh and I suppose you think they'll just obey your every demand huh?" Stiles laughs out loud, scooting back and grabbing at Derek's hands, refusing to be teased any further for the sake of his dignity. But using his quick reflexes Derek straddles his back, holding his hands with one hand and tickling his sides with the other. Stiles can't help his giggling, writhing, and wriggling from Derek's fingers, secretly loving this childish side of him, crushing harder on the alpha as if that was even possible.
"Oh god. Ok. Ok! Mercy!" He laughs out. Derek nuzzles into his ear and nips at it earning a very undignified yelp from him and an instant boner. The alpha growls in his ear in pleasure and presses into his ass with his own hard on in response.
"It's so cute how you react when I hold you close, when I growl and grab your ear, when I bite you and leave a mark. You love that don't you? So fucking cute." Stiles licks his lips, groaning as he thrusts into the tight constraint of the mattress and back into Derek's dick.
"Yeah, I do…" Earning a groan from the alpha from above Derek lays fully against him, thrusting deeply into him so Stiles can feel every inch of his length.
"Even if I have to tame you myself. I'll take my time with it. Have you screaming my name. Don't forget. I want you to love me…" Stiles already out of breath can feel the heat instantly forming on his cheeks, his heart skipping a beat at Derek's official declaration.
Love.
Stunned into silence Stiles tries to identify the feeling within, knowing that word had meant something to him in the past and how significant it was for humans. He had felt it once in the way he felt towards his family but he hadn't been able to conceptualize how it would affect him in the romantic sense and for once in his 500 years of vampirism damn it, he wishes he could.
The sudden realization of this overwhelmed him with a longing so strong it makes him hungry, fangs shooting out and veins pulsing to sink his teeth into the fleshy meat of Derek's neck.
"Be careful what you wish for, I just might make you regret it."
Kneeling up and twisting he has Derek pinned down in seconds with his hands around his throat. He growls, the sound surprising not only the werewolf from underneath him but himself as well, noticing the flickering of his tail waving behind him in excitement before he pounces. He groans and relishes in the feeling of his throat gulping down the alpha's blood in rapid succession.
He grows conscious of Derek's heartbeat after a few minutes, Derek's hands are rubbing his fox ears in soothing circles making his blood lust calm down enough to listen to his heartbeats growing slower and longer apart. Acutely aware of how much blood was circulating through every one of his heart valves and how many heartbeats it took to return the blood once it was drained. It was a fascinating experience that he's never had before, wanting to memorize every sensation with his tongue. So focused on it that when Derek starts talking after a few minutes, it awakes his other senses causing him to shift back to his original form. Listening in to him saying,
"My instincts are on fire when I see you. I know you're the one. The one I've always meant to be with and my wolf yearns for more time with you. I guess you can say I'm kind of possessive. I can't help it. But it doesn't mean I don't know how to hold back or let go…" Stiles unlatches his fangs from the alphas neck, licking the wound clean and leaning back to meet his sincere gaze, needing to hear his sincerity without a skip in his heartbeat. Derek gives him a knowing look, grabbing onto his waist,
"Doesn't mean I don't know how to cater to those dark desires deep inside. I know full well how it is. You don't have to hide from me. I'm your alpha. Your feralness is what I crave, what I need. We can keep going and going like animals… '' Derek's quick recovery has Stiles heart beating rapidly. Acknowledging that Derek could never be replaced and would be the only creature in existence who could control his bloodlust both terrified him and felt incredibly reassuring. Stiles felt it then, the flickering of his eyes flashing gold back down at the alpha's red eyes out of acknowledgment and respect, having finally found a worthy opponent to submit to.
Derek growls pushing them both up in a sitting position with one hand in Stiles hair and the other grabbing at his ass. The pull on his hair tilting his head back enough to allow the werewolf's fangs to run along the vulnerable tendons of his neck. Stiles waits obediently in anticipation.
"You feel these teeth trailing up that neck of yours. I can't stop there can I?" Stiles whines in protest. "I know you want me. But I also know you feel conflicted with your desires, wants, and needs. I can't help but wonder what it is. What could be holding you back from expressing the emotions inside that pretty little head of yours? But I guess we'll have all the time in the world to figure things out. Just you and me and this damned town. I want to know who my mate is, inside and out so spill it. What do you need me to do?"
Stiles growls out in sexual frustration, needing the alpha's fangs in his neck like ages ago, "My clan, Scott I need their protection. We'll need to make choices these upcoming months, and if we don't make the right ones those demons are going to be on our backs or worse." Derek nips at his shoulder causing him to jump but deflate when he realizes they haven't pierced his skin yet.
Bumping his forehead against his shoulder Derek says sarcastically, "You're right. I've got to keep you safe which will be hard to do for someone as wild as you…" Stiles huffs out a laugh at Derek's implication that he needed protecting.
Derek gives him a boyish smirk, "Well you need to be tamed, don't you? At least until you don't get yourself in trouble or worse captured. But I'm not going to let this alliance fall through. Do you hear me? You can trust me, vampire. Oh wait…I guess that doesn't suit you anymore, funny how you came in here a vampire and you're a fox hybrid now. How does it feel? Does it feel so different?"
"Mhm, the tail and ears are going to need time getting used to but other than that I've always had a foxy side, now it's just being reflected on the outside… How about you? Do you feel any different?"
Derek gives him another funny look Stiles can't quite explain, looking him over and wiping at the corner of his mouth at undoubtedly some blood there,
"What feels different is this whole situation where I don't have to face things alone. I feel comfortable just sitting here with you, holding you close, and despite me being at war with my instincts to keep you all to myself it's not too much. I can handle it. After all, I've always been a bit feral, aggressive and relentless in pursuing what I desire. And I get the feeling you're the same…With Just a bit more spunk than I anticipated."
Stiles laughs, biting his blood stained lip to stop himself from saying something along the lines of like oh boy you have no idea but stops himself. Choosing to hum in agreement while running his hands through the alphas chest hair absentmindedly. Grabbing his chin to meet his dark green ones with a dangerous look Derek adds,
"But I sometimes get the feeling that you've put other people's well being before your own which is more than admirable but enough of that. I want you to be selfish. I want you to be selfish with me…" Stiles watches his eyes become filled with longing that nearly takes his breath away,
"And maybe I just don't care for anyone else. It's in my nature. I'm an animal just as much as I am a man and you are my mate. My blood belongs to you if you so accept it. I plan on leaving my mark, my claiming bite all over your body under the full moon." Stiles gulps, a bad idea crossing his mind knowing he shouldn't ask, but too tempted at the thought not to.
"If I asked you to make it hurt would you?" Derek scoffs but Stiles grabs his face in his hands. "Your bite… if I begged and pleaded with you to make it hurt me, to tear and rip me apart, would you? If I asked you to be selfless in return for me could you do it?…" Derek forwards his brows, looking at him with concern, the hesitation loud and clear in the silence between them but Stiles needed to know more than he needed air in that moment.
Love was a vampire's greatest weakness, not because they didn't experience it but because it was always temporary. The fleeting lives of loved ones the hardest lesson to learn in vampirism. It either drove you insane or utterly desperate, endlessly searching for someone to give you something you could feel that could even come close. This is why Stiles chose to forget how to feel, to forget about the others that claimed to love him and in turn forget himself, of the boy who naively wore his heart on his sleeve.
"Stiles…" Derek brings him in for a tight hug, huffing out a heavy sigh. The vampire hugs back and waits impatiently for his reply. "If that's what you want. Yes, because I know you can take it. But I refuse to be used as some self harming, brainless tool. My bite means more than that and you should do your best to remember it," the alpha warns, his hot hands squeezing his ass and earning a squeak from the vampire hybrid on his lap.
"And on that note…" Derek picks him up, turning them around and laying him back on the bed, making sure to intertwine their fingers together.
"We should get some rest." Stiles nods, watching the alpha nuzzle his face against the pillows and closing his eyes, breathing already slowed down enough to have his own eyes blinking slowly and fighting off sleep. His brain settling down and focusing on what their lives could be. No longer worried about the fear of losing his mind and wasting time avoiding the inevitable pull towards one another. Stiles falls asleep gripping Derek's hands with newfound hope.
After some time, Stiles wakes up startled at the loud yelling coming from the hallways outside his bedroom. Having star fished across Derek's body as he slept it takes him a moment to comprehend what's happening, but with the siren blaring and red light strobing across his bedroom it isn't long until he's putting two and two together and figures Peter must have set off Leia's death star feature. Peter fucking Hale. He was seriously going to kick his ass for this.
"Christ…Derek wake up! Your psychotic uncles at it again!" Stiles shakes his arm, assuming Derek would be a heavy sleeper. The alpha pursed his lips in protest as his head lulls to its side, looking like the epitome of a sleeping beauty that he is. It almost makes Stiles hesitate to wake him up, but as another death star alarm blares out he settles on waking the prince up with a true loves kiss and hard nudge with his foot, pushing the alpha nearly off the bed.
"Huh? Ok, I'm up," Derek announces, voice rough from sleep. Stiles smiles, cataloging it into the back of his mind to reminisce over.
"Good morning sleeping beauty, I'm afraid your evil uncle just found out he isn't the fairest of them all." Derek sits up smiling,
"Afraid that's snow white…"
"Hm?" Derek laughs again his dimples on full display.
"Nevermind. Let's go." The werewolf grabs his hand, pulling him out of bed and into the hall.
"Uhh…" Derek says, voice echoing off the walls while looking right to left, unsure of which direction to go.
"Oh come on, this place isn't that big. Follow me." Stiles says, leading the way towards the left and down the twin staircases. The Vampire walks them straight down the hall catching the flurry of Erica's blonde curls disappearing into the kitchen to undoubtedly the butler's pantry where the door to the basement is. But Stiles decides to take the shortcut and beat Erica down by pushing the inconspicuous wall open and flashing them downstairs in seconds.
"Geez, couldn't you give a guy a warning…" Derek says breathlessly with his hands on his knees. Stiles grins back at him,
"Sorry didn't mean to take your breath away. I tend to have that effect on people…"
Erica appears after a couple of minutes, the shock evident in her face as she forwards her brows in suspicion.
"Wait... how did you?…weren't you guys just…How did you guys get here before me? Stiles laughs, unable to resist teasing her,
"Maybe you were just too slow."
"No way! I demand a rematch!" Derek makes a show of rolling his eyes.
"Erica, he's lying. We just came from a secret passageway."
"Hey! You're supposed to be on my team!" He pouts, crossing his arms.
"Huh, I knew it. Nice try. We both know I'd kick your old man butt in a race any day!"
"Excuse me? Who are you calling an old man I'll have you know…"
"Children behave or I'll put you both on time out." Derek grabs his arm, pulling Stiles into his chest.
"But she started it…" The vampire protests as Erica sticks her tongue out at him and disappears in a flurry of curls and vanilla perfume.
Derek bites his lip, trying and failing at hiding his smirk before intertwining their hands again. Stiles can't help the shy smile that spreads across his face in return, feeling like a schoolgirl with a crush.
"Let's go," Derek says, both of them entering supernaturally fast into the glass A. I Chamber conveniently across from Stiles wine cellar. The vampire himself has found solace in his whiskey collection on too many occasions to count before entering the A. I chamber and getting a rib or two repositioned.
So Stiles doesn't bother to greet the group like Derek does and instead runs over to type in his password into the panel on the wall, disengaging death star's lockdown before Leia can start her self destruct count down.
Turning back, he's surprised to find only a handful of visitors from their respective groups. Talia, Erica, Deaton, and Derek himself make up the majority while Lydia and Danny are the only ones who bothered to show up from his clan.
"So what did we miss?" Stiles asks. Derek joins him, walking up to Talia and Deaton.
Deaton sighs, crossing his arms having been woken up just as they were from the alarm.
"To summarize quickly, Lydia and Danny have been administering measured amounts of tranquilizer through Peter's arm to keep him sedated but his healing abilities have built up a tolerance and it's become progressively less effective. I'm afraid they won't be able to keep him here much longer…"
Stiles nods, looking at the two through the soundproof glass doors and watching them analyzing Peter's vital signs amongst the numerous holographic charts, DNA strands, and drug prescriptions displayed through Leia's A. I programming.
"Rest assured he's in great hands, those two are more than capable of keeping him sedated. I'm certain we'll be able to find a solution to combat the fragile mental state that he's in." Talia nods, her concerned gaze landing on the pitiful heap of Peter, already in an induced sleep from whatever magic Lydia and Danny have concocted.
"Yes, so we have been told…" Talia replied sadly before turning to look at him,
"I just can't help but feel worried that he's gone off the deep end for good this time. Losing his husband and daughter during the fire had broken him in more ways than one. While we fled from Beacon Hills, he chose to stay back on this hopeless attempt to look for his husband Chris whose remains were never found. No matter what we did to persuade him to stop looking for him, he continued until the hunters eventually captured and tortured him. They left him for dead, beating him into a coma. When he finally woke he was completely insane with delusions, convinced his infant daughter and husband were alive. So we made the tough decision to magically suppress his memory of them, hoping he'd find some peace of mind but we've never imagined that those memories would come back like this…." Talia wipes the silent tears off her cheeks with reserved sadness and guilt that Stiles was all too familiar with. He can feel it too, the memory of the frozen girl just as vivid in his mind as the faces standing around him.
"He will blame me once I return him to his senses. Even if I have to break him and tame his wolf, I won't let him hurt anyone."
Stiles and Talia both turn to look at Derek with concern as he continues,
"He chose me as his alpha so he is my burden to bear. He trusted me to keep his family safe and I took it for granted, allowing that hunter into our home. I can't allow you guys to keep trying to protect him. It's time for a clean slate and do what I should've done a long time ago…"
"Um absolutely not! I just saved your ah…."
"Mom, give us a moment please." Derek interrupts with forced pleasantries as he drags Stiles off to the side to talk in private.
"Stiles would you just…"
"No! Are you crazy? I don't know what this hunter has to do with anything but considering how you're already risking your life makes me regret not burying you 6ft under myself!"
"If you would just let me finish talking then you would understand. After all, I thought you out of anyone would want to know about my homicidal, shedevil of an ex who turned out to be a hunter and led the arson attack on my family…" Derek growls. Crossing his arms he waits for Stiles to shut up. Stiles gapes. The alpha smirks, knowing he's got him.
"Fine."
Derek sighs deeply, the slump in his shoulders the telltale sign Stiles wasn't going to like his plan one bit. "Look he's too far gone, my mother is still holding out hope for him but we are running out of time. I need to force his wolf to submit to me and erase his memories before he goes off the rails. If his wolf spirit takes over, he will become rogue, killing everything in his path and a slave to his madness..." Stiles shakes his head,
"Yeah well that plan still sounds a bit too hasty for me, we should be making the most of the time we have left and weigh out all our options. Leia back there is one of the best A. I quantum mechanic computers in the world and with some DNA mutation and a little tweaking here and there we might be able to stabilize his emotional processing. Now, before you ask me how I'll avoid getting ripped apart in the process, follow me and let me demonstrate…"
Derek's nose flares in frustration but Stiles simply ignores him and grabs his arm leading him over and inside the glass chamber where Lydia and Danny are.
"Stiles…" Lydia's voice sounds tired as she brings him in for a hug.
"Hey Lyd's, thank you for everything. We can take it from here."
Pulling apart, Stiles tries to convey his gratitude through his eyes. Lydia returns a small smile at him, the promise to talk later silently communicating between them.
"Ok. I'll head back now, Danny you coming?" Lydia asks, to the A. I engineer. Danny nods,
"Just one sec…" Currently resetting Leia's programming, he swipes through the holographic folder he'd been looking at and brings up Peter's medical report for Stiles to look through.
"Done. She's all yours now. Had to fix one of her restraining harnesses but she's as good as new." Danny relaid, patting his shoulder. Stiles sighs,
"Ah yes! You're a lifesaver, my man!" He hugs Danny in thanks.
"You can thank us with donuts in the morning." Danny jokes, knowing Stiles will dutifully get his favorites.
"Yes, thank you both for looking after him," Derek added.
"No problem babe. We're just glad to have both of you back." Lydia replies, hugging the alpha. Danny nods, grabbing his coffee mug and patting Derek's shoulder as he follows Lydia out.
"Alright!" Stiles exclaims clapping his hands together, "Time to get to work! You might want to move back for this…" Derek nods, moving a few steps back as Stiles holds his hand up letting Leia scan his palmar flexion creases.
"Welcome back commander," Leia answered.
"Wow." The alpha from behind him says in surprise. Stiles smiles, looking back to see him looking around in wonder, trying to figure out how she could sound so close.
"Start physical exam and mental report."
"Commencing medical system diagnosis, system scan, and operation, system scan complete, all systems functioning as intended, no faults detected. Scanning patient for irregularities, organ scan in progress, organ process complete. No irregularities were found. Proceeding with vital scan, vital scan in process, vital scan complete. Commander, I am detecting increased stress levels in patients bloodstream and heightened mental activity, sedative administered."
"Proceed with mental analysis and conscious tap."
"Commencing mental analysis and conscious tap. My AI protocols instruct me that patient requires immediate counseling. Providing emotional aid and assistance. The patient feels alone. I can offer the patient my support as a companion if you would like."
"Proceed."
"Commander my sensors are detecting patient is still feeling depressed. I will attempt to soothe their minds. Activating empathy protocol. My senses indicate that patient mental state has improved."
"Thank you. That'll be all."
"Good night Commander."
"See? Not a scratch." Stiles declares, smiling back at the alpha who gives him a hesitant smile in return.
"Are you done messing with my mind?" He jumps, taking several steps away from the werewolf currently sitting up in his restraints.
"Peter...but how?" With his arms bound and head hanging from the medication, Stiles watches the werewolf meet his gaze with what he assumes is pure shear of will.
"I've been waiting for you…both of you…" Stiles looks over to Derek. His jaw was clenched but his eyes were focused on looking him over. Both of them on alert to see if he'd have enough energy to make a move and attack.
Stiles sighs deeply, "Well guess it's your lucky day. We got back from hell a couple of hours ago. Care to let us in on the whole looney act you've got going on?"
"Huh, of course, you'd take their side. Luckily for you Stiles, your heat will never let you live it down. It's a shame I won't be here to witness it…" Stiles gulps, wondering how the hell he found out about his new hybrid form.
"Peter…" Derek warns, "If you plan on escaping I'll have no choice…"
"Oh please. Do you honestly think erasing my memories will override my instincts to find him? Derek, you can't be that naive. Chris was…is my mate. And he is alive. The connection will draw us together. There is nothing more instinctual than that."
"He is dead Peter! For crying out loud, I watched him with my own eyes run back into the fire. He never came out! If you have any love left for your daughter and the memories you shared, you will not force my hand in this!" Derek yells, transformed into his half shifted form, Stiles can visibly see how shaken up the idea of making this decision has on him.
The werewolf had flinched at Derek's words but he's never seen eyes so empty before and it honestly makes him beyond pissed off.
"Peter don't be fucking stupid." He adds unable to keep his mouth shut. "Dragging this out is pointless. No one cares about your sob story! We have all lost someone but you don't see us losing our minds and risking the lives of those around us because of it! Oh and trust me, any attempts to escape will not be worth the torture I will inflict on you if you ever dare to cross me or this pack."
Peter huffs out a laugh,
"I have to admit it's cute how you stand up for one another. But don't underestimate me. I have power here in this town and you guys will need my help soon enough. All I have is time."
"Yeah well, your time is ticking away the longer you choose to defy your alpha," Stiles smirks as Peter snarls in anger, eyes flashing electric blue in response. Happy his words finally seemed to have some effect on him.
"Alpha! What Alpha? All I see is a coward who's too afraid to admit he's too weak for the role." Stiles grits his teeth ready to respond when Derek growls and flashes by him, holding Peter by the scruff of his neck.
"I've heard enough. Submit now." Derek growls out in his half shifted form. Peter laughs,
"You'll have to kill me first!" Dropping him down in his restraints Derek crouches down to his eye level.
"Is that what you truly want? Is that what this is all about?" Stiles knows he means it, the steady beat of his heart loud and clear in the room.
"Derek, stop it!" Erica yells, having run in already teary eyed. Stiles stands there unsure of what to do. The tension between the werewolves already high enough for a fight to break out at any minute. The alpha sighs deeply,
"I didn't want things to come to this Peter…" Derek says with remorse before he's got Erica by the throat and crushing the air out of her esophagus.
"No!" Peter yells. Stiles gasps in shock, never thinking Derek was capable of such cruel power plays.
"Derek…" Stiles says in warning. "Let her go." Derek turns his gaze from Erica to him with a glare.
"Don't interfere." Stiles can see his shaky hold on her and hear the air in Erica's lungs still circulating but the fear in Erica's eyes makes him second guess himself. The changes in the alpha were still unknown. Other than the muscles he's gained the alpha hasn't shown any outward signs of new powers or underlying conditions. But what if he was wrong and has been too distracted with his own changes to have noticed?
"What will it take then? Huh? Will you let her die for you?" Derek asks his question directed at Peter who finally looks to be in contemplation.
Erica gasps for air, her face quickly turning from a sickly red to a deep purple faster than Stiles would have hoped.
"Derek! Enough of this!" Stiles warns again, his eyes flashing at the alpha in anger.
"Put her down!" Peter demands as he stands quickly. Transformed to his half shift, Stiles watches the werewolf in amazement, surprised he'd have the strength to stand despite the volume of sedative running through his veins.
Derek releases Erica without a second glance in her direction. Erica coughs and gags for air, eyes gold in anger as the sudden realization that both wolves were omegas alerts his mind to the true extent of their camaraderie towards one another.
"Derek! Leave him alone!" Erica yells. Stiles watches Derek shake his head. His features now morphing into a wolf and bones breaking and growing has Stiles senses telling him he'd better get Erica out of there. He pushes Erica away, throwing her out through the glass doors.
"Run!" Stiles yells as Erica's stricken eyes meet his own.
Derek's new wolf form stands about 8 feet tall, his wolf no longer standing on all fours the first indication of death's true gift to the alpha. A light coat of black fur covers the valley of muscles that covers every inch of his body, Derek's claws more human than wolf have Stiles taking several steps back.
"You're an abomination!" Peter yells in disgust, his eyes wild as he takes in Derek's new form. A sort of inhuman chuckle comes from the alpha before he has the other werewolf's head under his foot. The crushing of bone blending into the sound of Derek's deep growl.
For a moment the vampire hybrid panics, the sound too familiar with the wolf spirit he had met in the forest. Worrying the wolf spirit had taken over residence in Derek's body Stiles transforms, ready to defend himself.
Peters screaming out in pain, the bulge of his electric blue eyes a telling sign of the pressure the alpha was emitting through his foot. Then the screaming stops abruptly as there's a sickly crack.
Derek tilts his head at the sight of him. Stiles holds his breath as the alpha lifts his foot, lifting the werewolf to his eyesight to view Peter's broken neck. Despite the werewolf being unconscious, the alpha growls in frustration still unsatisfied. The wet welching sound of his fangs sinking into Peter's neck makes Stiles want to gag.
Shaking Peter's body like a rag doll from what he assumes is the animal's behavior of making sure its prey's spine is broken and dead. Stiles stays quiet, fully aware any sudden movement might come off as a challenge. Once satisfied that Peter was no longer fighting back the alpha releases him from his fangs.
Stiles gulps, his heaving breaths too loud for him to deny the fact that he was scared. Derek's ears slightly tilting towards his direction was not a welcoming sight. His entire body felt frozen in place. Unable to look away from Derek's huge form turning to look at him and scenting the air.
Stiles felt it then, his vampiric veins retreat and replaced with his golden slitted eyes and revealing themselves to their Alpha. Derek still wolfed out licks his lips, tongue coming out panting like he knew Stiles wasn't a threat. The display makes him relax slightly before the sudden feeling of heat rushes over him.
The adrenaline he's feeling rushes the blood to his face and before he knows it a whimper escapes his lips as he feels his head tilt up in submission. Derek comes over, licking the side of his neck and shifting back right in front of him. His human nose sniffing into his neck has Stiles letting out a breath of relief he didn't know he was holding in.
"You smell so good." Is all Derek says.
"Derek..." Deaton's voice says suddenly. His presence in the chamber going unnoticed makes Stiles startle back in surprise. Shocked how much the experience of submitting to Derek had managed to distract him.
"Come now. We have a lot to discuss…" Derek takes a step back from him as well, the expression on his face unreadable.
"Yeah ok…I'll be right there." Deaton nods, giving Stiles a grateful look before walking back to Talia.
"Are you ok?" Derek asks, his tone lined with guilt.
"Yeah, I'm fine just go. I've got things from here…" Derek nods and walks out with his head down.
Stiles sighs deeply, unsure if he should've been the one to ask that question.
Once alone he rearranges everything back in order. Leia helps him crack Peter's neck back into place and with an extra dose of sedative has him sleeping peacefully in his restraints on the white medical recliner.
Watching the werewolf sleep Stiles can't imagine the guy as a family man, let alone pregnant and in love but he's sure his hormonal mood swings were a sight to behold. Erica's protectiveness over him is even more puzzling to think about and now that he's reflecting on it, he definitely owes her one.
Already up the stairs and searching for the wolf in question, the strong arms that grab him and pull him into the library have him almost wishing he'd stay away.
Isaac releases him from his hold.
"Oh hey…" Stiles remarks, returning Issac's smirk.
"Damn it, Stiles! Why couldn't you just stay out of it?" Jackson yells, already pacing around the fireplace. Lydia, Danny, and Allison are sitting in the red reading chairs.
Stiles sighs, mentally preparing himself for the discussion he'd been dreading since he got back. "Well, you see things are a lot more complicated than they appear. But where should I start? The pact I made with death itself or the new friend I acquired along the way?"
Jackson groans.