"Are you sure it was him? There is no way that's possible, he's the same as the rest of them, weak and incompetent. No one has seen or heard from him in weeks and you expect me to believe that it was Jackson who did this?" none of the alphas said anything, choosing to eye the boxes scattered across the warehouse they were taking cover in, tense and poised as if ready to fight despite merely just meeting around the table.

"None of us were there, but that's what the twins claimed when I came to confront them," Kali shrugged, replying but not making eye contact with the head Alpha. The rest of the pack aside from Ethan and Aiden were also in attendance, spread out around the rectangular table facing Deucalion, stiffly shifting in place, feeling the lead Alpha's anger and frustration.

"Go check it out, I don't want any more problems if he can be dealt with, I came here for one thing and I will get it. Nothing will stand in my way," Deucalion spat before spinning on his heel, dismissing the rest as he exited.

.

"I'm home," Stiles called out despite knowing the only one home wasn't able to verbally reply, instead he heard the pit-pattering of paws hitting the floor as Jackson raced down the stairs to greet Stiles. "Hey Jax, how was your day?"

Stiles wasn't dumb, he knew Jackson couldn't respond, but it made him feel better having established a routine to come home to after being alone for so long without his father or Scott, "I was thinking we could go to the preserve today again if you want. I mean, I'm still spooked about what happened last time, but it's been a while since I let you roam after being cooped up in here with just the backyard to run in."

Stiles felt guilty for keeping Jackson confined in such a small area, but he was scared. Stiles wasn't sure what exactly he was scared of though. The day he took Jackson home, the werewolf had remained in his unresponsive state, following Stiles around throughout the rest of the night, but not making a single sound. The wolf hadn't even eaten, Jackson had flat out refused and had forced Stiles to eat instead, helping Stiles climb up the stairs when he stumbled, and helping him into bed at night. Stiles didn't know why Jackson was behaving that way, but when they woke up the next morning, Jackson seemed to return to normal, or whatever was considered normal for a werewolf in their full-shift. Stiles couldn't confront Jackson about this in his current state, but Stiles knew it had something to do with him considering it was Stiles Jackson had followed around.

However, Stiles didn't know what to do after the incident regarding Ethan and Aiden. Sure Scott came to talk to him, but Stiles had lied and Scott had noticed, or maybe he was too distracted with Stiles screaming at him at the time. Stiles mentally shrugged in response, whatever, he'd deal with it when it came up. For now, Stiles had more important things to deal with like his wolf.

Speaking of, when did Jackson become his wolf? Sure the werewolf had been by his side since the day Stiles found him in the preserve, but Jax wasn't his. He wasn't an object, he was a person; his friend, and his only companion besides his father. But calling Jackson his friend still didn't seem right. Jax has been here since the beginning of Scott and Stiles's dispute, he's seen Stiles at his worst in tears, screaming and struggling to breathe through his panic attacks, and yet he was still by Stiles's side. Then what was Jackson to Stiles? His best friend? Maybe, but that didn't seem right either.

Before Stiles could dive further into his train of thought, a wet nose bumped into his thigh softly and yet firm. Stiles jumped in response to the cold temperature of Jackson's nose, and pushed his thoughts away, turning to give Jackson his full attention who had been whining at him for the past minutes he spaced out.

"Sorry, I just have a lot on my mind right now. Maybe this run will do us both some good." Jackson barked in response and started to push Stiles forward and out the door, urging him to lock the door faster and hopping in the passenger seat as soon as Stiles unlocked his Jeep. "Excited are we?" Stiles asked amused, Jackson barking nonsense in response as he started the engine.

.

"I'm dead tired. This was a good idea, we should do these weekly or even every other day. Sorry for keeping you indoors these past few days, hell it's probably been a week, to be honest," Stiles apologized as he carded his hands through Jackson's fur. The two lay on the grass underneath the shade in silence, enjoying the calm surrounding them, feeling at ease for once.

"Hey Jax," Stiles finally broke the silence, rolling onto his side from his back to look at the werewolf. "Will you ever change back? I know I haven't said anything because I didn't want to push you, but don't you think you'd be happier as a human? I mean, you could talk, feed yourself, see Danny; I know you miss him… I guess a lot of things you can't do as a werewolf.

"Don't get me wrong, I love your company, having you around makes me feel a lot better than if I was alone, but sometimes I wonder if you're unhappy like this. Like, are you stuck in this form, or do you just not want to change back?" Jackson didn't make a noise for a bit as he processed Stiles's questions, remembering when Stiles had brought up the topic the first time.

Was he happy as a werewolf, could he be happier as a human? Not if his human life didn't involve Stiles, Jackson decided, there was nothing to live for if he didn't have Stiles.

The one who took Jackson in even though he nearly mistook him for an enemy, even when Stiles was scared of Jackson when he first found him in the preserve. Stiles, the one who was open and honest to him when he couldn't be with anyone else besides his father. Stiles, who cares for him unconditionally and didn't dump him into Scott's claws after the incident with the Alpha twins, an act which Stiles would have been justified in doing so, and yet he hadn't. Instead, he stopped Jackson, told him it'd be okay, and took him home to care for him. Nothing was worth losing Stiles.

But maybe Stiles would rather he be human. Conversation was very hard as a wolf, but Jackson worried that if he could talk, Stiles would no longer let him listen. Things might go back to the way they were before, and Jackson didn't want that. He was scared of that happening and he wasn't ashamed to admit it. Stiles was important to him, probably the most important person if he was being honest. And Jackson cared not only because they were mates, but also because they both had no one else to rely on; no one to fall back onto when things got rough. Of course, Jackson had Danny, but the other still had no clue about the supernatural and Jackson would rather Danny stay in the dark than get involved in the disaster that is Beacon Hills.

Before Jackson could make a choice between shifting back, something jumped out from the shrubs and tackled him, causing Jackson to roll onto his feet, snarling at whoever interrupted his time with Stiles. It was Kali. And she wasn't alone, when Jackson pulled his gaze away from her to look at his surroundings, Jackson found himself surrounded by the rest of the alpha pack. He cursed to himself, how could he have not noticed, and now Stiles was left alone, defenseless and Jackson couldn't do anything to help.

Four on one and Stiles was stuck smack dab in the middle, trapped with no way to escape or defend himself. The two hadn't the foresight to carry weapons, thinking it'd be a normal day, but look at them now.

"Look at what we have here, a fully-shifted wolf and a human. Won't Scott enjoy the gift we'll leave him on his doorstep?" Kali cackled, claws twitching as if she was itching to rip his limbs apart. "Don't worry human, your wolf will remain in one piece, I can't guarantee the same for you though."

And though Jackson wanted to fight and show his worth to his mate, he wasn't delusional. It'd be suicidal to go up against four Alpha werewolves while he was distracted by the thought of getting his mate to safety. He growled, jaws snapping viciously in agitation as he couldn't figure out what to do. To fight, or run? Running might not even be an option with the four surrounding them.

"Jax, just leave me, they won't be able to catch you if you make a run for it," Stiles spoke, his voice unwavering, but Jackson could feel his fear, scent his uncertainty. Not a chance was Jackson going to abandon his mate. Not with how far their bond has grown, leaving Stiles behind was not an option. No matter how much Stiles pleaded, Jackson wasn't going to give in, this was his mate's life on the line. These past months have been the best months of Jackson's life, they had gained each other's trust and bonded through Stiles's worries and struggles, Jackson would give up his life if it meant saving Stiles's.

"Come on wolfy, you heard him, go run, see how long of a chase we could play," Ennis grinned maliciously, mouth full of sharp teeth, gleaming in the sunlight. The twins were on the other side, quiet, but watching Jackson with an intense stare, their eyes screamed for vengeance, bloodshed.

They started closing in the circle, Stiles beginning to feel confined, breaths getting ragged as the beginnings of a panic attack started, hands reaching out to grip Jackson's fur to steady himself. It was useless, Stiles knew that even if he ran, they would catch him. Jackson may have saved him last time, but he could feel it in his bones that the same wasn't going to happen today, they weren't getting out of here alive, not without a miracle. And Stiles doubted that even a miracle could save them, not when he had no backup, no pack, no Scott.

Stiles held his breath, heart racing as Jackson let out growl after growl, snarling at them to keep their distance, but they just continued until they were merely a foot or so away, close enough to lunge at.

Fuck, they were so screwed.

.

"What do you mean they're in the preserve?"

Derek sighed, tired from having to repeat everything when they should be out scoping the area, "Exactly what I said. I caught their scents and they were all together… and I think Stiles is in the preserve too."

"What?!" that had Scott's head shooting up from where he was hunched over the table looking at the maps of Beacon Hills. "Stiles? Why is he in the preserve, it's not safe. He should have known about the Alpha pack running around. We have to go check it out, Derek."

The two agreed and ended up calling the rest of the pack to rendezvous at the treeline before taking off for Stiles. Despite their bad falling out, Scott was still concerned. Stiles was like his brother and even though Stiles didn't see him in the same light anymore, Scott would protect him with his life if he had to.

"Let's go."

.

"Can't we work this out, I mean, if you want money, you can have Jackson's Porsche, that thing's a beauty. Or maybe some food, you guys look hungry, I can make a mean steak, or so my dad says—" Stiles flinched, burrowing closer to Jackson when his comments only ignited growls in response. "No steak, eh maybe lasagna, yeah that sounds good. Yummy past–"

"Stiles!" Both Jackson and Stiles jolted at the shout of Stiles's name, turning in the direction of the voice, watching in astonishment as the pack came running from the trees.

"Oh thank god, never have I ever been happy to see you Scottie. Yeah, consider us a-okay, just get me and Jax out of here! Oh god, I'm going to fucking puke," Stiles rasped as he clutched Jackson to his chest closer.

Review! Till Next Time! :)

Word Count: 2106

Updated: 11.03.18 || 12.28.20

Edited: 10.30.18 || 12.28.20