Is This The World We Created

Chapter 14

Jasper breathed in the crisp fresh air of the winter chill still clinging to everything. He was supposed to have died tonight, he thought without a single feeling consuming him. He was…numb, he felt nothing but numbness, shock, which werewolves could suffer from, just not as badly. He wished he could say that was the worst of it all.

How did he live with the knowledge that his daughter – someone he had handed over the Alpha powers to trusting her to keep the pack safe – and she not only led the pack to be decimated but the end of the world? How could Talia have borne allowing hunters into her territory without telling everyone? Without watching them? How could she have let hunters get so close? A shudder wracked his frame, Circe help them, Cory was just a baby. Just a little baby.

Jasper gagged and clutched over, puking his guts up into the abandoned plastic container – that had been used by Claudia to collect withered flowers by the look of it – the sick was mixed in with blackness, no surprise he had inhaled a hell of a lot of wolfsbane trying to get his family out of the burning building but failing spectacularly.

Inhaling sharply, the air feeling crisper and clearer after that, it seemed he'd gotten the last of the wolfsbane out of his system. His mind less muddled, not realizing naturally, until the wolfbane was no longer affecting him.

Everything these people – strangers! Non-pack – said whirling around in his mind. By the moon he was devasted right to the bone. Slumping down onto the bench that had definitely seen better days. He swallowed thickly, they would have all died tonight, they would have been killed by hunters…when they'd done absolutely nothing wrong. They were a peaceful pack; they protected the humans in their territory.

But were they? The thought creeped into his mind, clearly, he didn't know much about his own damn pack…he'd spent way too long meandering on his own. Grieving even now over the loss of his mate, his beautiful, beautiful mate. Who he wished so desperately was at his side right now. She could calm him down and make everything okay without even trying. Circe what would she have thought of the mess their daughter had created? He had another grandchild; Peter had had a child. It was time he spent most time with his pack, a pack Elder, although judging by how everyone – the newcomers – had reacted they seemed to have plan and perhaps didn't need him.

What if Talia had been up to something that had caught the attention of hunters? She'd taken her own niece away and put her into the Ordinary world for the moon's sake. Regardless of the inevitable consequences. The idea wasn't an incredulous one as it would have been an hour earlier…and it made his stomach churn again. It was becoming very clear that he did not know Talia at all.

Straightening his spine, the old Alpha in him coming out, eyes flashing orange, which was odd, considering everyone in the pack knew he'd killed. Jasper Hale felt no guilt in taking any lives that had been a danger to his pack…and thus his eyes had never changed colour to reflect that guilt. It was funny how the world worked, how a simple single emotion and action could change their eyes, their magic to that extent.

Only to jump and lurch up defensively, wincing at the loudness of the 'pop' that accompanied it. for an old werewolf, he still had strength and stamina, and was in defensive crouch within seconds, claws out, eyes flaring.

Harry didn't even startle faced with the werewolf, he blinked, before nodding as if it was a common occurrence. "My apologies, I'm used to everyone being aware of my abilities." His voice smooth and impassive but the apology genuine.

Jasper straightened up, embarrassed by his reaction.

Harry gave him a shrewd look, "Don't be embarrassed, you and your family have been through a severe trauma tonight. The knowledge you should have died probably more shocking than the event itself."

Jasper nodded; it was very true.

"How did it go?" Peter emerged from the doorway, staring at his mate in enquiry.

"Five hours, the emergency meeting will be called in five hours," Harry explained, inhaling sharply, "The air is so clear…I hadn't realised how difficult it was to breathe and how…spoiled the air was until we returned." Well, clear compared to how they were used to it anyway. It had been very difficult to be away from Peter, even if only for an hour while he got the ball rolling at MACUSA.

"Yes," Peter murmured pensively, "It is odd not having to breathe through my mouth, the stench was always prevalent regardless of all measures taken." Although it wasn't quite so bad in sanctuary, they'd cleaned everything constantly, but they couldn't stop the very poisoned air getting in.

Jasper cringed at the matter-of-factly way they spoke, "How long have you lived in a war-ravaged world?" he knew that was all it could have been, especially if the supernatural world had been outed…and judging from Harry's comment 'Used to everyone knowing' revealed a great deal, whether it was more than the young man intended to remained to be seen. He'd sounded and scented earnest though.

"Seven years," Harry informed him, eyes and face tight and tense. No need to quibble over a few months left that it would have taken to reach the seventh year. Hell, it could have already passed with all the time turning travelling and everything. Honestly, he was so very tired, and that's with the MOD powers at his beck and call again. Powers don't make up for the physical drain they all felt travelling through time. "I'm going to need all three of you to come with me to MACUSA." He wouldn't be able to go the entire meeting – which was going to be extremely lengthily he felt – without focusing entirely. Plus, having back up to confirm everything he was saying couldn't hurt.

"Did you find out anything about my father?" Stiles asked, coming out, and Jasper couldn't help but startle a little. This young boy looked wise beyond his years, so solemn and sombre. Of course, he was older than he looked, but it wasn't a good fit on such a young boy.

Harry's face slowly and leisurely transformed into a smirk, "I did indeed," Jasper gaped at Harry's whole arm suddenly disappearing into his cloak pocket and emerging with a file much too large to have fitted in that small pocket. "Let's just say your father was quite the badass." Harry leaned against Peter who had fully joined him outside, sighing softly, perhaps they'd remain like his until the bond was complete again? Not that it would be a hardship…but there was no doubt neither were in the mood for sex. They had too much to do to be idle.

"You read it? What does it say?" Stiles was already making grabby hands for the folder, wide eyed, as he stared up at Harry and Peter in silent demand. Regretting already in getting down off Peter's back. He rather disliked how short he was, even compared to Derek. Speak of the devil, Derek drawn as ever to Stiles' orbit.

"Are they feeling what we are?" Harry asked, rather praying that they wouldn't at least until Stiles' was of legal age.

"Derek will be, yes, we mature faster and he's at a mating age," Peter replied, and judging by Derek's grimace, then it was an affirmative. "Stiles won't feel that pull I don't think for a few years yet." Even with magic and his soul older than his body…the magic will know Stiles is much too young to cope with a mating bond yet or the actual mating.

Harry slowly nodded, "In Scotland it's legal to have sex when you're sixteen, you can even get married although it won't be allowed for another five years in the Mundane world…the magical world it's seventeen." He said thoughtfully. Basically, informing they could go on holiday there and elope the second they were old enough. Instead of having to wait until it was eighteen and legal here in the states.

Jasper frowned, five years? It takes the rest of the world another five years to catch up with them in terms of same sex marriages? Not that it helped the werewolves overly much. There had been a fair share of bonded mates unable to marry in the Hale line, none of them had been eligible to become Alpha unfortunately, since they couldn't have children to pass on the Alpha spark to, and to continue the Hale line. This was long before the likes of IVF and mated werewolves would never conceive taking on mistresses or having a child outside of their mates anyway. At least he'd never come across anyone with the control to try it at any rate.

"Don't let my dad hear that!" Stiles muttered half-heartedly his nose buried in his father's past, his history amber eyes agog. Most of it was redacted, but what he did see was fascinating. "Why did he want to have all this wiped from his mind?"

"All Mundane's have their minds wiped when they leave the department, he knew that from before he sighed up. He chose to retire after he met your mom I believe, since she married him within a year of his retirement date. Ironically enough, he had met the criteria in which he could have kept his memories if he retired after marrying your mother."

Grief soured Stiles good mood, a year, if that, since his mom died. He couldn't endure going through what his younger self had done with his father. Not again, it had been so very difficult, and having one friend who was self-absorbed hadn't helped him at all. His dad was going to have to find a new way to cope…because he couldn't do it again.

"He's not alone," Derek murmured quietly, turning his little mate around to see the Hale pack and Noah talking quietly, in fact, Noah had a small smile on his face, and he was laughing!

"What's being said?" Stiles asked awed, it was a very rare sight to see his father that way… and with everything that's happened he hadn't expected to see it for a while.

"My dad is telling him about what it's like to bring up werewolf pups," Derek admitted, face flushing an adorable red. His dad, Circe help him! It was so odd to be thinking of them like that without a big gaping hole of emptiness in his chest. His mom on the other hand was sitting next to him silent which was a strange sight in and on itself. His father was usually the quiet one of the two, he'd always taken after his dad.

Stiles gaped; how can they be discussing that instead of strategy? They needed to begin building anew. Plans to make, a world to right after all the wrongs done to it? No hunting down the culprits responsible for the fire? No demand for retribution? Were they really that peaceful that they wouldn't fight for their own? Stiles glanced at Peter, seeking his reaction he'd always been the more vocal about revenge and hunting down enemies so they don't strike again. He'd been quietly taking care of what enemies he could after he returned, like Jennifer Blake…he hadn't been in time to get Gerard Argent unfortunately, which had haunted him years and years later.

"They're decompressing," Harry sighed, "The shock they've had they need it."

"I need to tell them why it really happened," Derek whispered, his usual constipated look, which by the way didn't look right on his younger face, it made him look…well constipated instead of brooding in that way he did.

"And why did it happen?" Jasper asked his voice becoming strained, staring at his grandchild. "If Laura ran…how long did it take for revenge to be had on our pack?" eyes gleaming viciously, claws out in agitation, the urge to hunt everyone down strong.

Derek's lips pursed, he was ashamed, of a lot of things he'd done, or rather the lack of things he'd done. He'd allowed his guilt and shame to sour him, to stop himself from arguing wit Laura. Although, he didn't think it would have mattered long term. Laura wouldn't have acted, at least not then, he wasn't even sure why she'd suddenly decided six years later to find out answers without even telling him.

"Derek?" Jasper's voice was demanding, despite no longer having the Alpha powers or the voice…It was effective all the same.

"We do have five hours to kill…" Stiles sighed, "Might as well get it over with, although you aren't all going to be given every detail of our lives but we will answer what we can." This was a fresh start for them, not just the Hales. They were going to make the most of it, and make sure the past wasn't relived.

Jasper bit his tongue, saying nothing, realizing he had no say on what this young man decided. He was most certainly higher up the hierarchy than him in terms when it came to the pack. If Peter and Derek even welcomed him into the pack. He was the Emissary and the Alpha mate, there would be no questioning him. What he decided would go, of course, they weren't a dictatorship, they could argue the point, but when a decision had been made…it was mostly made and Peter and Derek's firm nods clinched it, they might be Alphas but Stiles…Stiles word was respected within this little pack they'd made up.

"How long have you known about the supernatural world?" Jasper asked, he could wait for answers…thanks to his son and grandson and their mates…he had that time. His claws retracted he would have his revenge though.

"Uh-oh, I know that look," Stiles said, staring at Jasper, "Don't even think about it…actually, no, you can think about it…but no enacting anything," he told Jasper emphatically.

Derek turned away hiding his grin at his granddads perturbed look.

"Stiles is very good at Hale 'speak' so to say," Peter laughed wryly, "It gets less annoying." He informed his father.

"Hey!" Stiles complained, as they all piled back into the house. Not at all offended, he'd had to get used to Hale speak, those brows could do a lot of talking for things without a damn mouth. It wasn't like Derek was a big speaker, Peter did more than enough for both of them though. When they got in, his dad was on the phone talking.

"I have to go to the station," Noah informed them when he was done.

"Do you want the names of arsonists?" Stiles asked calmly.

"Their prints have already been taken; they are being run through the system…no doubt they'll have the names soon enough." Noah said, "A few deputies are going to sit outside to make sure nobody gets near the house." Everyone knew this was attempted murder now, and it was expected of the Sheriff to send some guys down to protect the citizens of Beacon Country. Especially a big family like the Hales who were well respected. "Don't stay up too late…" he added, before deflating slightly, closing his eyes he hugged his son tightly, not even out of his soot stained uniform yet.

"I won't," Stiles said his voice muffled by his father's shirt.

"Be careful," Noah murmured into his sons' ear, before he grabbed his keys and made for the car that had been given to him in place of his own which was now written off. Swallowing thickly as he got to the cruiser.

His son wasn't his young son anymore, Noah didn't know how to deal with that. Yet on the other hand…he was so very proud of everything he'd heard this far about his son and what his life had been like. He'd saved people without a single hesitation, of course he had. His son said he wanted to be just like him…and wondered if he had. From what he'd heard the future hadn't been a good one.

Starting up the car, he glanced just once back at the house, to see his son watching him go. A look of utter relief, happiness and sadness clouding him all at once. He waved at him before driving off, his son might be a little different…but he was still his son. What was a few years older when it came down to the entire world as they knew it being gone? God help them, he thought as he digested the supernatural world.

Worst thing about it was he didn't even feel slightly surprised.

There was something in him that believed them without question…but his son being some sort of magical did surprise him. His eyes had changed! He had cleaned up the kitchen without saying anything! Then commented on it not being difficult! The drive to the station was easy, he could do it in his sleep, but he forced himself to focus entirely on the drive. He didn't want another car wrecked, or to cause an accident.

He would think on this new information when he got back home.

He almost wished he was still there…knowing they were getting answers he didn't have didn't sit well with him.

-0

"He'll be fine," Derek said, watching his mate watch his father drive away, it was obsessive in its observation. He didn't blame Stiles for it, he'd already watched his father die once, no doubt he'd be extremely protective this time around. He knew that Stiles was probably thinking of a million protective spells and protections he could get on his father to safeguard his life.

"Are you sure you want to tell them?" Stiles asked, only once his father and the car were gone. Derek never really spoke of it, hell, he'd found out more information by piecing stuff together…yes, after they mated and the world ended, he spoke a little more about it but not by much. Now he was proposing actually telling his entire family? Perhaps it was what Derek needed to truly move on? Not that there was anything to move on from…his family was alive, the biggest mistake he'd ever made – accidental as it was – had been corrected.

"Yes," Derek said, a pained look on his face. There would be a continuous demand for answers… and eventually they'd need told. He couldn't let his mother take the blame for something that was his fault.

"Tell us what?" Laura demanded, her headstrong personality peeking through despite everything that had happened.

"You'll find out soon enough," Stiles sighed, his worry for his father gnawing at his gut. The hunters weren't against killing humans for simply being in their way or if they were under suspicion. They had no idea what Kate Argent would do considering her plans had been so utterly thwarted. Would she still flee the scene? Pay off everyone she'd tried to pay off again? Go underground or try and clean up her mess?

"Why not now?" Laura asked, staring at Stiles with a wide-eyed look on her face, it worked with her cousins. "What's going on?"

Stiles however, wasn't paying any attention to her, as his mind whirled with a hundred different possibilities and scenarios. His mind could be a chaotic place to be and overwhelming for others…but for Stiles it was all par of the course.

"Hey!" Laura protested at being ignored, poking him in the arm.

"Laura," Peter warned, flashing his red eyes, "Leave him," Peter and Derek were well used to Stiles' habits by now. They weren't concerned by his pensive state, he would come out of it soon enough and with deliberation and determination will have decided a course of action. Turning back to Harry, "I'm not sure I can wait until they're ready to listen." Peter told Harry cautiously, the urge to hunt down and kill Kate Argent was so very strong.

"The wait will be worth it, trust me," Harry said sincerely, "We can't alert anyone to something going down. Not that any of them going under will help. The hunter families all around the world are going to be rounded up Peter. Every single one of them."

Peter relaxed marginally at that, "So, they will be found even if they go into hiding?"

"Our spells will find them, nothing they have no magical amulet will save them. Our magic has been hidden for so long they don't have a defence against them." Harry explained, short of them having a wizard onside – unlikely – who would cast a Fidelius Charm on all of them…they would be found.

"Are you really going to kill them all?" Peter questioned, entirely pensive as he thought on that. Why shouldn't they die for what they'd done? His gaze going to Cory, a baby, the hunters had killed children so why not repay that favour? Yet, he knew they were better than the hunters who killed because they could. He would have no qualms about killing hunters but the kids? He freely acknowledged he would freeze at that. Even knowing what they would turn out to be…yes, he'd pause and probably not cast the killing blow.

"They'll want to," Harry sighed, "What we tell them will open up every nightmare they had regarding magical exposure. Everything they'd worked so hard to prevent, to curtail, yeah, they'll do absolutely anything to prevent it." their people came first…before hunters who actually terrified wizards and witches even still. The mere mention of them could strike fear into the hearts of wizards. It wasn't as bad in Britain, or at least not for the Muggle raised and Muggle born folk, they weren't raised fearing exposure and having it drummed into them the danger that was hunters. Here though? It was spoken about often and in great detail, it was little wonder with such a greater pool of supernatural creatures here.

Peter however, nodded, he understood with the same vehemence as they did. He had like them, been raised to fear exposure and hunters.

"Quit it!" Stiles shouted in annoyance, sharply shoving out his arm to stop Laura from poking him again, only for his eyes to glow and magic to slam out of his hand and send Laura careening into the wall. Scowling at Laura he rubbed at his arm, Christ, if she'd prodded any harder, she would have inevitably drawn blood. He wasn't at all surprised to find he had small round bruises where she'd been prodding at him.

"What the hell was that for?" Laura whined, rubbing at her head, but the wound on the back of her head was already rapidly healing.

"It hurts doesn't it? She doesn't really mean it though," Dominic said in sympathy, "They don't know their own strength sometimes." Patting at Stiles shoulder in shared compassion. He was human, and while his cousins were rough his sister was always very careful. Britta was younger than them too, but was always extra careful with him. Not to the extent that he felt as though he was made of glass or anything…he just noticed that he never got her with her like he did with his cousin, Laura was the worst for it.

Stiles stared at the boy, who was physically around the same age as him he reckoned. Dominic, he thinks Peter called him, human, he could tell that without remembering what Peter said. "She should know better," Stiles eventually spoke, glaring at Laura in sheer malevolence. "That sort of shit should only be happening with newly turned wolves." Recalling how many times his life had been put in danger by new werewolves who just couldn't learn to contain their damn strengths.

Laura gasped and stared at Stiles in indignation.

"Oh, you swore!" Britta said, staring at Stiles agog, giggling when Stiles slapped his hand to his mouth in mock horror. The four-year-old laughed even louder when Stiles winked at her, as ever, children were very resilient, although the chances of her knowing exactly what went down was slim to nothing.

"Enough, it's time to sleep," Jasper stated firmly, "Go on," urging the children into the massive mattress.

"He's the same age as me! I should get to listen!" Dominic protested at the thought of Stiles getting to hear what was going on and not him. "Uncle Peter!" he whined wanting to listen in.

"That isn't going to help your case," Stiles whispered, "You'll need to use logic."

Dominic glanced at Stiles before a scheming look crossed his face, "What if something happens because we don't know what to look out for?" he eventually said, utterly serious despite his scheming look.

Stiles grinned looking extremely pleased with himself.

Peter's Uncle Dom, the child's grandfather laughed, "Are you sure he's not your mate Peter?" he teased him good naturally.

"Ew! He's more like a father thank you," Stiles said in mock indignation. "And he makes a good one," he added to Talia, protective but not to the extreme that he smothered them, urged them into independence, to do things for themselves, but there if they couldn't find what they were looking for. Once you get past Peter's prickly nature – and his sense of humour stops offending not that it had ever offended him – you'd see that. He'd never gotten to do that with Malia, but this time he would. He wasn't sure he would have been able to cope, to survive if not for Peter and Derek after his father passed…not with the betrayal of his best friend.

Peter was still staring at Dominic intently, "Very well, anyone over the age of ten can participate in this discussion." His alpha voice present, eyes glowing red, booking no arguments from his pack. They were his pack; he'd welcomed them all except for his father who had been outside. He ignored the dramatic groans of those under ten-years of age.

Britta, Cora, Bastian, Dorea and Corey were left to pout in the living room.

"I'll tell you everything that's being said," Dorea mouthed to them as the adults left the room for the kitchen.

That's what she thought, but the moment they entered the kitchen all noise broke off, causing her to frown. "Damn! They've put some sort of spell up!" grumbled the seven-year-old pouting.

-0

"I'm sure you all have more questions," Peter stated, feeling Stiles magic wash over them, it was a comfort, security, despite not in dire need for it at the moment.

"What happened, Peter? What does Derek need to tell us?" Peter wasn't really surprised that his father wanted answers, it had been dropped in like a perfect piece of bait, although that hadn't been the intention.

"The fire was my fault," Derek blurted out, which caused everyone to straighten in shock.

Stiles who had made coffee for everyone cleared his throat, glaring at Derek. "No, it wasn't." he gritting his teeth deliberately, causing Derek to cringe, that noise was irritating to the point of physically wanting to strike out at someone. That someone being Stiles, who naturally knew everyone's weaknesses and used it when required. Crossing his arms, staring up at Derek refusing to budge.

"Derek, why would you think for a second it was your fault?" Sebastian looked so utterly bewildered.

Rapid and urgent knocking on the door interrupted them before Derek could open his mouth.

Stiles got up, wary to the bone, moving towards the front door, not able to sense any wrongness…and the door swung open, Derek and Peter behind him, ready to go on the defensive.

There were three people at the door, one smelt of blood, two children clutching at him.

Christopher Argent closed his eyes in relief when he saw the Hales, "Thank god!" he sighed his body sagging in relief.

Clutching him was one very bewildered Allison Argent and even more bewildered and awe struck Isaac Leachy.

Dun, dun dun dun dun! :) haha I didn't expect to be doing that let me tell you ;) damn dirty muses! LOL R&R