During the drive back to my house I sent a text to Jackson letting him know that I was bringing Derek back to the house and for everyone to stay inside until we got there. I didn't want to overwhelm Derek by having the three of them running out of the house towards him. I also didn't tell them about Erica and Boyd because I wanted that to be a surprise for Isaac. I know that them leaving was the hardest for him; so I'm hoping that this will be good for him.
We pulled up to the house and headed inside to see everyone. Thankfully my dad wasn't home yet; he wouldn't have a problem with them being there but we still have to figure out how to explain how and why Erica and Boyd are back. As soon as the front door closes Isaac comes barreling down the stairs; I'm guessing he must have smelled them. When he got to the bottom he stopped and gave the biggest smile I've seen on him in a long time. Erica screamed his name and ran towards him sweeping him up into a hug; Boyd soon went over to join in on the hug. I stood there watching the three of them embracing each other I couldn't help but tear up a little. I was so glad that Isaac had his family back. I felt Derek reach over and grab me by my shoulders and give me a small squeeze. He leaned over and whispered in my ear, "Thanks for looking out for him." I was so shocked that Derek was thanking me I couldn't speak so, I just looked at him and nodded.
By this time Peter and Jackson made their way down the stairs and were saying their hellos and even received hugs from Erica and Boyd. Isaac made his way over to Derek but was standing a few feet away from him without looking him in the eyes; Jackson soon joined him. I guessed that they could sense that Derek was an alpha again and they were submitting to him. Derek looked them over before embracing them and nuzzling and nipping at their throats letting them know that they were pack. After they were fully scented they stepped back and let Peter walk towards Derek. They locked eyes for a while before Peter offered Derek his hand to shake. Derek looked at for a minute before pushing it away and pulling Peter into a hug scenting him as well. It was like everyone in the room let out a breath of relief and just like that Derek had his pack back.
Scenting complete we all sat down in the living room and let Derek, Erica and Boyd tell where they had been. Erica started. After what happened with the Argents we ran towards the woods to get away. We were scared and we didn't understand what pack meant then so we ran." She looked towards Isaac before continuing. "And we're so sorry. We joined up with a pack in Arizona and it was good for a while but we missed you guys. We ran into Derek and Cora and decided to tag along with them for a while and we've been with Derek ever since." Boyd spoke up next. "We traveled for a while then Derek became an alpha again and decided to come back and he let us join his pack and come back with him. We're glad to be home." He finished with a small smile. "I'm glad you guys are back." I said. "After what the Argents did to you guys, to us, I didn't think you'd ever come back." This statement was met with four different growls aimed at me. I couldn't figure out why they were upset until I realized what I said. No one else besides Erica and Boyd knew that Gerard had kidnapped me too. Oh boy.
"What do you mean what Gerard did to you? What happened Stiles?" Derek growled, eyes flashing red. "Umm…it's not really important. I mean it was so long ago. Let's just forget I said anything. Ok?" I really didn't want to talk about it and I knew that if I did Derek and Jackson would feel bad about what happened and that's the last thing I wanted but unfortunately I wasn't going to get off that easily. "Stiles, please tell us what happened." Isaac said quietly and giving me the puppy eyes he knows I can't say no to. With a sigh I started talking; I explained how I was taken off the field and tortured in the Argents basement with Erica and Boyd and how I didn't mention anything because I didn't want anyone to worry. The entire time I was talking about what happened I was looking at the floor but when I finished I looked up towards everyone. Derek, Peter and Jackson looked livid that that happened to me and Isaac looked on the verge of tears. "See? This is why I didn't bring it up. We had bigger things to deal with like helping Jackson. So what I got a few bruises? They healed and I'm fine so can we please just talk about something else?" No one said anything but Derek spoke up. "Ok, I'll leave this alone. For now. But we're having a conversation later on." He said the last part in his alpha voice and gave me a look that let me know no matter of arguing would get me out of that conversation so I just nodded my head.
"So, I guess it's my turn then." Derek said with a sigh. "After everything that happened and finding Cora, we needed to leave for a while; we had to figure some things out and if we even wanted to come back. We were in Seattle when we were attacked by a rogue alpha; we were lucky that the full moon had already past and we were able to get the upper hand. Cora felt guilty that I lost my alpha abilities when I saved her so she let me kill him. After that we meet up with a pack there and stayed for a few weeks; their alpha was kindly enough to give some tips and lessons in being a better alpha. After we left there we just started traveling, we met up with Erica and Boyd and they joined us. Cora knew that I missed being here and they Erica and Boyd wanted to come home as well but she didn't want to come back. So, she decided to go back to the pack she was with after the fire and we came home."
We all sat in silence for a minute absorbing everything that had been said in the past hour. Derek looked around and sniffed the air. "It doesn't smell like too much in here." He said, and oh boy I knew this was coming. "Umm, Scott and I haven't really been hanging out that much here lately. He's been busy with the whole true alpha thing and I've been dealing with the spark training with Deaton. It's pretty much just us four mainly." I replied gesturing to the four of us. "So who's all supposed to be in the pack?" Derek asked, looking surprisingly concerned and a little annoyed. "Umm, well it's supposed to be me, Isaac, Peter, Lydia, Aiden, Ethan, Danny, Jackson and Scott. But like I said we've pretty much just been on our own. I mean sure we get together for meetings but they….I don't know." And to honest I didn't know. For months now we've been having "pack meetings" but they've felt like anything but that. Derek didn't say anything for a minute, his ever expressive eyebrows seemed as though he was in deep thought. Finally he spoke. "Maybe they don't seem like pack meetings, because you've been meeting with the wrong alpha."