"I know what you are. I know what you all are." Stiles blurted out before he could stop himself.
Carlisle tensed a bit but his smile stayed perfectly in place. "I'm sorry?"
"You...your family. Beautiful, rich, mysterious. Too good to be human...because you're not." Stiles said in a slightly accusatory tone. They hadn't done anything, and he hated the thought of sounding like a hunter, but the words came out without much of his control.
Whatever Carlisle was going to tell Stiles, whether a practiced lie or a confirmation of some sort, they were interrupted by Charlie. "Everything okay?"
"Everything is perfectly fine." Dr. Carlisle reassured Charlie. His smile was back in perfect place as he nodded to Stiles. "He was just very worried about Bella. I told him that other than a scare and some scratches, she's going to be fine. Maybe stay off of her foot for the rest of the day, but she'll be fine."
Stiles and the doctor had a brief intense silent conversation that promised a meeting sooner rather than later before Stiles turned to Charlie and apologized. "I'm sorry. I should have been out there..."
"Stiles, don't. I couldn't bear the thought of either of you getting hurt. Let's just count our blessings. And I hear your son was the true hero here, doc. Thank him for us, yeah?" Charlie told Carlisle.
Carlisle nodded, "I'll be sure to tell him. Or, maybe you can tell him yourself. Here he comes. Edward? Come say hello."
Stiles finally remembered where he saw him before. When he was fueling up at the gas station, Edward had parked across from him and reminded Stiles of Derek. Considering the situation he was in, the resemblance didn't help him at all. He could feel his heart speed up, and the similar frown on the doctor and the other teen only reinforced what he already knew.
"Stiles, you okay?" It was Charlie who asked that.
"Uh...yeah. Um, I just...we met. Sort of. Uh, I sort of ran from Edward at the gas station." Stiles commented.
Edward seemed to have inherited his father's charming smile because it decorated his face. "I don't blame you. We didn't know each other and it was a bit late and dark. You did the smart thing."
Charlie smiled at that and hugged Stiles with one arm. "His father's a sheriff and has taught him how to be safe."
Stiles huddled more into Charlie's hold. Part of him wanted to show that he wasn't scared, but another part of him told him to be sensible. He remembered his promise to his father about fitting in and being safe. Challenging an Alpha and his possible second or at least one of his betas wasn't doing that at all. Submitting into Charlie for protection would send a message that Stiles wasn't there to challenge them. Or so he hoped.
According to many like Derek, Peter, Isaac, Jackson and many others more...Stiles had a certain effect on people. The in-your-face kind that resulted in him being in detention a lot as a child.
"Anyway, we should get going. Bella's been released and we should get her home." Charlie said.
"May I wish her well?" Edward asked.
Stiles saw the slight tick in Charlie's eye and he couldn't help but smirk.
"I'll go too. I have to make sure she's alright." Stiles offered.
Charlie shot him an appreciative grin that Stiles tried to match, but he felt very tense walking next to Edward.
"We're not going to hurt you," Edward whispered.
Stiles didn't get a chance to reply because they were in Bella's room now. He zoned out so horribly, he didn't remember a word that was said. He kept his focus on Charlie and Carlisle speaking. Nurses kept passing by and their angles weren't the best, so he couldn't even try to read their lips.
"Where is young Stiles from?" Carlise asked Charlie. The blond was sure that the sheriff would think that he was distracting him to help his son, but he was far more curious about the boy.
Edward had mentioned that he had trouble reading both of the children under Sheriff Swan's care. It was...interesting enough, to say the least.
"Beacon Hills, California," Charlie replied.
"That's not too far, I suppose," Carlisle commented.
Charlie knew snooping when he saw it. In a small town, it was hard to ignore it, but he didn't like baring part of it. So he wouldn't be answering anything about why Stiles was here other than the general information given. "Sheriff Stilinski's an old friend who asked me for a favor. Here we are. I need to get going. Thanks again, doc."
"Of course. It's my pleasure. Make sure she rests properly."
"So he knows what we are and he and his sister are affecting both of your powers?" Rosalie asked.
They were in the living room for a family meeting after Carlisle and Edward arrived.
"They're not related," Edward commented before explaining. "Bella is the Sheriff's daughter and Stiles is the son of a friend. According to Sheriff Swan Stiles was involved in some bad situations."
"What sort of bad situations?" Esme asked.
"I got small flashes. There was a lot of crime, a murder...Sheriff Swan is very protective of Stiles. Like the son he never had." Edward replied.
"He's from Beacon Hills, California," Carlisle added.
"Does that mean something to you?" Jasper inquired.
"Not personally, but I am aware that Beacon Hills was a huge supernatural traffic zone," Carlisle responded.
Emmett frowned, "How come we've never been near there then?"
"If it's high traffic for supernatural creatures, us also being there might be too much noise. Which would defeat the low-profile thing we're going for." Jasper replied with an eye roll.
Emmett grabbed a close enough figurine and threw it at his brother even though the Empath easily caught it.
"Boys." Emse chided lightly.
"Sorry."
"Sorry."
"He thinks we're wolves?" Edward brought everyone's attention back to the topic at hand.
"What?" Rosalie demanded, slightly insulted.
"I'm not the mind reader, but I think it's a safe assumption," Carlisle said.
"How, dear?" Esme asked her mate.
"Beacon Hills is high in the supernatural community...but for werewolves. They're very secretive but they interact with humans...a pack became well established there. But I believe something happened a few years ago and they were killed. LEaving it a free territory. I wouldn't be surprised if whoever or whatever that's tried to claim it has anything to do with Stiles moving." Carlisle explained.
"Okay sure. But why does he think we're wolves?" Emmett echoed his mate's question.
"The Family of werewolves that were well established there for many generations. Their names were Hale." Edward answered. Seeing all the information Carlisle was thinking of right now, and back to the flashes he got from Stiles, he realized that his pseudo-father was right.
"That was the name that he perked up at when at lunch," Jasper commented. "So he was close to some wolves and got too close and got hurt."
"How could you possibly know that if Edward and Alice aren't working properly around them?" Rosalie asked him.
"Because my powers still work. What I felt was intense. That sort of pain and sorrow only comes after years, at least a full century's worth of misery. And the panic? It took a lot of effort to keep him from having a full on attack." Jasper explained.
"And I can see Bella just fine when she's not around him. And when it comes to him...he's...fuzzy." Alice said with a pout. "He fades in and out."
"Same with me. Bella is completely silent for me, and most of the time he is too. Except when he feels something very strongly. When I met him at the gas station and he panicked, I got an image of a young man in a Camaro. Black leather jacket, sunglasses...real douche vibe." Edward said.
Rosalie scoffed, "Typical wolf."
Emmett smirked, "Who shares your last name."
She glared at him for that.
"The question remains...what do we do?" Esme stated. "Do we tell him the truth?"
"We may have to. If anything to help him remain calm and know we don't mean any harm to anyone." Carlisle said.
"He'll be getting a lot of attention," Rosalie said knowingly.
"What do you mean?" Emmett asked with a confused expression.
"Well, those humans won't get much out of us. And now they have two new students. The girl I don't see what's so special. She's so plain." Rosalie said, scoffing at the idea of Bella. "But he? He's handsome, and interesting, and clever..."
"And you're taken remember?" Emmett asked with a bit of jealousy coming through.
"Despite her teasing, Rosalie has a point. If he knows about the supernatural and is close to the humans, it does put us a bit at risk. So speaking with him will be necessary at some point. But we don't want to scare him. We'll send him a formal invitation. We'll do this right." Carlisle said.
"Hey, can I borrow your truck? I promise I'll refuel on my way back."
Bella looked up from her homework before reaching for her jacket where the keys were. "Where are you heading off to?"
"Jake texted. He wants me to swing by and help him out with some chores." Stiles replied.
"Jake? Jacob Black?" Bella asked. She remembered him from some summers and her dad's and Stiles' stories. But it's been a while since she's seen him personally.
"Yeah. His dad is an elder of his tribe and they're having a special night soon, and Jake wants some help. His group of friends is getting smaller cos ya know...teenagers, and his two closest friends are busy with their own duties. He's also fixing up his car and I'm helping with that too." Stiles said as he put on his jacket. He scratched the back of his head, "I'd invite you but...it's not for me to invite people. And it's mostly manual labor. He has said before if we're free for some beach parties later, we're totally invited."
Bella smiled at him, "Go. But be back before dinner. Dad says you cook a mean pasta, and I want to try. I'll make dessert."
Stiles smiled back and leaned in to kiss her cheek, in a brotherly way before dashing out. "You're the best!"
"You're not as scrawny as you first seem. You should try not wearing baggy clothes. Get yourself a girlfriend faster." Billy told Stiles.
Stiles started helping Jacob with some chores around the house before they went off and did work in the garage and the woods. Stiles chuckled though he felt a bit flustered. "I haven't had much luck in love before." Was his response. Before Scott was bitten they were both on the scrawnier side. But running for your lives, chasing after beasts and friends, trying to save people...it adds some muscle for your legs. Trying to keep doors shut so the monster of the weak doesn't get into to kill you does wonders for the arms.
"Leave him alone dad. He's helping out with chores, let's not scare him off." Jacob said with an eye-roll to his dad's teasing.
"I'm only looking out for his best interest," Billy said in defense.
"Well, if you have someone for met to date, give them my number. Maybe I do need to put myself out there." Stiles smiled on. He didn't really mean it, but he liked Billy. He didn't want to upset him.
"See? Why can't you be more like him?" Billy asked Jacob playfully.
"See Stiles, now look what you've done," Jacob commented.
They continued to do their chores. Small talk happened with Stiles telling them about his first day at Forks High. They also talked about football and made plans to have a gathering for the next big game. Jacob insisted that Stiles make snacks with Billy seconding. Stiles also got to hear about the big traditional event that was happening soon that they were preparing for.
It was later that they needed to head into the woods.
"Try not to get lost this time." Jacob teased, but there was a real concern in his eyes for his friend.
"I'll try my best," Stiles promised.
Naturally, he got lost.
Like seriously lost.
He spent about ten minutes calling out to Jake but only got more lost it seemed. The forest was rather thick with no hiker's path he could follow. He was in unfamiliar territory and maybe only one person looking for him. Ugh, if Jake went to get help and Charlie had to organize a search party, not only was he never going to live it down, he might not be allowed to visit Jake anymore!
Stiles tried to climb a tree to get a signal maybe so he could either call or use the GPS, but no luck.
Scratch that, he had luck. It was just all bad!
Whatever branch he had used to climb up suddenly wasn't there anymore and he fell a few feet to the ground. It ached but he was used to harsh landings and walked it off. He did his best to retrace his footsteps but that only worked to a certain point.
He was going to start yelling Jacob's name again when he felt something. Then he heard something.
This time it wasn't his imagination playing tricks on him. He was sure that growl was real. Despite knowing that he had very little chances of escaping a wolf on food in the forest, it wasn't going to stop him from trying. He had no weapons on him, no idea of the area, and no one really knowing the dangers that lurked in this forest.
So he ran.
He ran as fast as his feet could carry him, ducking under branches, and jumping over bushes. Tripping, naturally, because he was as graceful as a baby gazel learning how to walk. But he stumbled back to his feet and kept running.
Unfortunately the one time he looked back to see if he was still being chased, he didn't see the steep hill and began his descent. He fell, rolled, was bruised, scratched, and hurt all over.
When he finally landed at the bottom everything hurt and his vision was blurry. Or it was getting late. Or he was just in a really dark part of the forest. He wasn't sure and it hurt too much to think about.
He heard a howl and closed his eyes. He prayed to a God he didn't really believe in and hoped he would either be spared or that it happened quickly.
Stiles also prays he's not bitten. Or if he is, that he doesn't survive it.
After being ignored by the pack like he was...he doesn't want to be like them.
Stiles heard voices before his eyes could open. The words were too quiet and muddled for him to really make anything out. He felt a cool cloth on his forehead and he let out a sigh of relief.
"There you are...you're safe now." The voice was soothing and calm. It made Stiles feel safe.
Safe enough to open his eyes. He saw a pretty face, but with claw marks. Still being somewhat out of it he asked, "Did the werewolf attack you too?"
"Werewolf? Are you sure?"
"Sam, please! He's still out of it." The young woman scolded the other speaker.
"We need to know what's out there. It's not a leech, but it's not one of us either." This 'Sam' guy said. His voice sounded strong and fierce.
"He's only just woken up. Let him get his bearings together." The woman told him calmly.
"We may not have time. Swan will be here soon." Someone else spoke up. Someone familiar.
"Charlie? Wait...Billy?" Stiles sat up more when he heard the familiar voice that he could up a face to.
It was indeed Billy. He came over to Stiles and patted his shoulder. "I am glad you're safe. We will need to speak soon. But for now...Charlie is here to pick you up."
"But-"
"Later Sam," Billy said with finality.
Sam looked like he wanted to argue, but held his tongue.
Stiles' mind was still too fuzzy to really grasp the situation, so he too agreed with later. Charlie burst into the room and when his eyes landed on Stiles he stormed over and pulled him into a hug.
"You okay kid? When Jacob called panicked that he lost you, I got so worried!"
"I...I got lost. Got chased by an animal. An angry stag or something...I ran and didn't look and tripped down a steep hill." Stiles lied, and has he mentioned he was getting really good at that? Cos he was.
Sam, the girl, and Billy all looked at him with some impressed features, as well as some gratitude that he apparently kept the wolf out of the story.
"Well, they say nothing's broken, but I to stop by the hospital just in case," Charlie said.
Now Stiles wanted to argue, but the look on Charlie's face told him there was no point.
"Does Bella know?" He didn't want her to be worried too.
"No, but we can call her once we're at the hospital. Billy...I hope you don't take offense if Stiles stops helping out for a while."
"I understand. And I am sorry. We didn't mean for him to come to any harm." Billy was sincere in his apologies.
"Wait, I can't come by the Black's house?" Stiles asked in a panic.
"I..."
"What if I promise no more woods? Just at the house. I help Jake study and I help him with Billy and his Rabbit. Please, Charlie!" Stiles begged.
Charlie sighed, "We'll talk about it later. Your dad's coming this weekend, remember? Let's get you to the hospital to make sure you're okay before his visit."
Stiles had actually forgotten about that. He had been counting the days before his dad was bringing over his Jeep with some of his stuff, he can't believe he forgot. But his mind was racing with the Cullen-Hale pack and now this...he wondered if it was part of their pack or a rogue? And what did Billy and this Sam and girl know?
Ugh, his head hurt too much to think about it now.
"Back again..." Carlisle commented as he entered Stiles' room.
"Hey, doc." Charlie greeted. "How is he?"
"Like Bella just mostly scratches...though his a bit more than what Bella got. They aren't a threat and so long as he keeps them clean and rests, he'll be fine." Carlisle said. "Mind if I ask what happened?"
"I was helping a friend with chores in the woods. I got lost. Came across an animal that I startled or something and it chased me. I then tumbled down a steep hill." Stiles retold the story. It was more so he got used to the story himself, more than anything.
"I see. Well, Sheriff Swan if you'll follow the nurse to sign the needed paperwork, Stiles can be on his way home." Carlisle said with a smile that might have fooled Charlie but Stiles knew he wanted something.
When Charlie was gone to fill out some paperwork, Stiles turned to Carlisle and asked, "Was it one of yours?"
"One of mine?" Carlisle asked.
"One of your wolves. I saw the blue eyes...just before I fell."
Carlisle offered him a much kinder smile before he said, "I think there are some things we need to properly discuss...about my family. Why not come over for dinner?"
"My father will be coming this weekend. He knows about the supernatural. It'll be the only way I can get enough alone time without Bella and Charlie...and like hell, I'm going into the wolf's den alone."
Carlisle's smile turned into a small smirk. "How about Saturday?"
Stiles nodded. "I'm guessing you can get my number from the medical files. Send me a text with the address."
Chapter End Notes
It feels like I'm mixing in New Moon with Twilight. I sort of kinda am. I am writing this instead of sleeping so please excuse any errors. To clear some things up, Billy knows about the supernatural...Sam has his pack and Emily. They haven't really started going towards Jacob's friends yet. So Jacob, Embry, and Quil don't know about the supernatural yet. They think Sam's like...in a gang or something. Words are failing me so I don't think that's the right term...but whatever they thought before they each had their own shifts. Stiles still thinks the Cullen-Hales are a pack of werewolves as explained why and also cos the TW people never dealt with vamps. Uh...please leave some kudos and a comment. Thank you.
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