Well, today is the big day; the day that Chris and Allison return from their trip. After everything that happened last year with the alpha pack, Darach, human sacrifices and Chris, Melissa and my dad being kidnapped; Chris decided that he and Allison needed some bonding time away from Beacon Hills. Allison wasn't all that excited about leaving Isaac, considering how new their relationship was, but in the end she decided that it would be a good idea to get to make sure that she wasn't just trying to use Isaac to get over Scott. With that in mind, Isaac has been incredibly nervous about them coming back. The last thing that Isaac wants is for Allison to come back and decide that she still wants to be with Scott. And to be quite honest, Chris doesn't like that idea any more than Isaac does.
The whole thing with Chris and Isaac is very strange; initially I thought that Chris didn't want Scott and Allison to be together because of the fact that Scott is a werewolf. And while that may have been the reasoning behind it in the beginning, it wasn't the reason that he held that position later on in their relationship. After a while I decided to just ask Chris about the reasoning behind his dating preference for Allison; and his reasons were honestly easy to understand. It seems as though Peter, Jackson, Isaac and I weren't the only ones that were having trouble trusting Scott after everything that happened.
However, for Chris, the mistrust went all the way back to when Derek bit Victoria. Scott never told Allison or Chris the reasoning behind Derek biting her. Apparently, after the whole Gerard incident Derek ran into Chris while searching for Erica and Boyd and Chris asked him about it. After finding out that Scott was pretty much the reason behind his wife's death, Chris really didn't trust Scott. But, to be completely honest, I think that Chris trusts Isaac more because they can relate to each other more; if you know what I mean.
Sometimes Chris lets Allison come over to my house to spend time with Isaac, and there have been a few times that they've come over early in the morning after Isaac has had a particularly bad night. I've noticed Chris giving Isaac these looks when he thinks no one is watching; looks like he knows what Isaac has been through and understands the pain he feels. Chris never talks about his childhood other than the fact that Gerard trained him to be a hunter, but he never explained how he trained him; and while he's never said anything about it, I do have my suspicions.
So, while I'm not exactly worried about Chris and Isaac having problems getting along, and Derek has sworn to me that he doesn't hold a grudge against Allison and Chris, there is still one last issue to resolve. Erica, Boyd and Allison. To be honest, I don't think that there will be a huge blow out between the three of them since so much time has passed; that and the fact that all three of them has gone through so many changes in their mindsets and mannerisms. However, the fact still remains that the last time they all were in the same room together, Erica, Boyd and I were being beaten and tortured by Allison and her crazy ass grandfather. I'm hoping that they will take a leaf out of Derek's book and leave the past in the past. With all of them coming back and all of us forming the new Hale pack we're going to have enough trouble as it is, undoubtedly most of it with Scott.
I'm currently standing in the kitchen at home making snacks for the meeting with Chris and Allison. Isaac, the golden pup that he is, offered to help me while the others prepared for the meeting. While being able to have everyone under one roof is great, my house is kind of limited on space. So, the rest of the pack is rearranging the living room to make sure that there's enough places for everyone to sit.
Thanks to the help of Boyd's dad's construction company, Jackson and his family's connections, and the money that Derek and Peter have from their family, the construction of the house should be completed months ahead of schedule, but for now we're all still hanging out, and partially living, at my house; it's surprisingly turned out well. Erica and Boyd's parents are happy that they're back home and more than likely believe that hanging out at the Sheriff's house with his kid will keep them out of trouble and in town; considering the fact that they both turned eighteen while they were gone. Even Derek and Peter seemed to be more liked in town due their closeness to my father.
Peter, who come to find out was actual a lawyer before the fire, has started sending out résumés to law offices in and around Beacon Hills and has received some decent feedback. It seems that as long as you have decent references no one really cares that you were in a semi-comatose state for almost six years. And Derek? Well, Derek has been sending off copies of his portfolio to various companies hiring for architectures, provided that he can work from home and keep his travels to a minimum. He's already going to have to travel for pack business when everything gets sorted out with the Argents and Scott, and he said that he doesn't want to have to spend any more time away from his pack than necessary.
Isaac and I were just finishing bringing everything into the living room when there was a knock on the door. Derek went over and opened and in stepped Chris and Allison. After a quick greeting and a handshake between Chris and Derek, he motioned for them to come inside. Allison, who all but ran into the living room, practically threw herself into Isaac's arms, telling him that she missed him. From the look on Isaac's face he definitely wasn't expecting her to still want to be with him, but he quickly recovered, hugging her back and telling her the same. As sad as it is to say, I can understand why Isaac was surprised. When you've spent the latter part of your childhood being treated the way he was, it's hard to expect that things will ever workout in your favor. I hope that Derek, the pack, and I will be able to help Isaac feel better about himself.
Once we were all seated in various places in the living room. Peter, Jackson, Erica, and Boyd on one couch; Derek, Isaac and myself on the other, and Allison and Chris in the two lounge chairs across from us. Chris started the conversation.
"Well, Derek, I can honestly say that it's good to see you back in Beacon Hills; the same goes for you two as well." Chris said directing his attention to Erica and Boyd. I noticed that when Chris mentioned them, Allison immediately looked down at her hands. Clearly she feels bad about what happened the last time that they say each other. But before anything could be mentioned about that Chris continued speaking.
"Just out of curiosity, why did you call this meeting? I mean it was my understanding that Scott is alpha and he isn't due back until tomorrow." He said looking from Derek to me, noticing our closeness to each other.
"Well, Chris, that's what we wanted to talk to you about." I said timidly.
Chris raised an eyebrow in a way of saying, "please continue".
"For the most part you're correct Chris; Scott is the alpha. However, Scott is only the alpha of the McCall pack; the pack that he has formed. Everyone in this room though, is a part of the Hale pack. Always have been, always will be." I said looking over the faces and smiles of my pack members and the proud smile on Derek's face. Like just the knowledge that we would all gladly follow him through hell, which I'm pretty sure that we have at least twice by now, is the greatest thing to him.
Chris looked a little shocked before he recovered. "Hale pack?" he asked and we all nodded. At that point I didn't know what to expect from Chris. I figured that he wouldn't be happy that there would two different alphas and packs in Beacon Hills, but other than that his personal reaction is going to be a complete surprise.
"Who's the alpha?" Chris asked.
Derek sat up a little straighter. "I am." He said as he flashed his eyes for emphasis.
"If you don't mind me asking, how did all this come about?" Chris asked, which then led us into an hour and a half long discussion, once again, about Derek and Cora's travels, the alpha attack, and Derek's courses in "Alpha Werewolf 101" (Stiles, please stop calling it that). Besides asking a couple of questions here and there Chris was mainly quiet during Derek's recalling of what has happened in the past few months. Once Derek was finished Chris turned towards me and asked about what I meant about all of us being Hale pack.
"I mean, I know that while Derek was gone that you guys had Scott as your alpha. So, what has changed?" Chris asked.
"It's not really that simple Chris. Peter, Jackson, Isaac and I may have attended the pack meetings and even help them out when needed, but none of us were actually a part of Scott's pack." I said.
"What do you mean?" Chris asked looking honestly confused.
"Well, for Jackson, Peter, and Isaac, there wolves could never accept Scott as their alpha. Not when their alliance was with Derek. Not to mention the fact that neither Peter nor Jackson really care that much for Scott. It's hard to look to someone for leadership when you don't trust them. And Isaac has always been loyal to Derek, ever since he turned him." I told him honestly, and it surprised me how true it was.
For the better part of three years, Scott has done nothing but isolate himself and me from everyone that knows anything about actually being a werewolf in favor of listening to Deaton, who can never actually give anyone a straight answer. And now, although at this point I'm not shocked, he's continuing to do it again. The only difference is that now, he's the alpha, and the decisions that he does or does not make affect and entire group of people and not just him. That's the one thing that I can say about Derek when he was an alpha the last time. No matter how misguided or wrong the things he did were, he always did them because he thought it was the right move for the pack as a whole and not just himself. Derek has done some messed up things in the past, but not once since I've met him have I felt like that he put his well-being before mine or anyone else's that he deemed pack.
Chris took a minute to think over everything I said. He raised his head and looked towards me.
"And what about you Stiles? You've told me why everyone else here is a part of the Hale pack, but what about you? Because, no offense, it would seem more likely that you would want Scott to be your alpha than Derek considering how close you two are."
And, damn he had a point.
"You're right, Chris. Scott and I are close; he's like my brother and it's for that fact and some other things that have happened in the past that I don't want him to be my alpha. It's hard to take someone seriously as an alpha when they ate glue all the way up until second grade because, and I quote, "It taste like marshmallows". Not to mention, how many times he's gone off on his own because he "thought he was doing the right thing". That's not someone that I want making decisions for me in a life or death situation. I want someone that I can trust to help me when things get rough and for me, that person is Derek."
Chris nodded and gave a small chuckle. "Well, I can't say that overly thrilled that Beacon Hills is now going to have two packs in it, but at least one of them actually knows what they're doing." He stated before looking directly at Derek.
"I'm going to tell you the exact same thing that I'm going to tell Scott. Allison and I aren't hunters, not anymore, the Argent Clan is officially retired. We will still keep in contact with others so that they know that werewolves here are not to be hunted provided that no one has been harmed. As for us being a part of a pack, Allison can do what she pleases, but I'm going to choose to stay neutral and not pick a side. Anyone from either pack is more than willing to come to me for anything, provided that it doesn't involve harming or betraying the trust of the other pack. If this is going to work then we all have to be willing to work together and put or personal feelings aside. Is that something you think you can do Derek?"
"That won't be an issue Chris. I don't harbor any feelings towards Scott; neither good nor bad. As long as he doesn't try anything and is respectful, then there won't be any issues from us." Derek answered honestly.
"Ok, so, is there anything else I should know about?" Chris asked as he gathered his things to head out.
"Yes, Stiles is my mate and Peter and I are rebuilding the house." Derek said bluntly. And, wow, way to go on delivering news dude.
Chris stopped and looked up at us.
"I'm sorry. Can you repeat that?" He asked.
"Derek and I are mates. My dad already knows and is fine with it. Derek and Peter are rebuilding the house and we'll all be moving in there when it's finished; again my dad knows and is fine with it." I assured Chris.
"Yes, and there will be room for you and Allison to stay if need be, but that's entirely up to you." Derek added.
"Is this what you want Stiles?" Chris inquired tentatively. At my nod that yes this is what I wanted, he stood.
"Then I think congratulations are in order to the two of you and your pack. A mated alpha makes for a stronger, more stable pack." Chris shook both mine and Derek's hands before heading towards the front door.
"If there's anything you all need you know how to reach me. I'm going to head home and prepare a new treaty and decompress from the trip. Allison are you staying?"
Allison looked towards Derek to see if it would be alright. With his approval she decided to stay. After Chris left Allison took her turn to speak.
"I first want to apologize for what I've done in the past. I know that I already have, but I didn't get the chance to apologize to you three." She mentioned looking towards Derek, Erica and Boyd.
"And if it's alright with you guys, I'd like to be a part of the Hale pack."
She continued before locking eyes with Isaac. We all knew what she meant though; Allison was staking her claim. She was not only letting us know that she was choosing Derek over Scott, but that she was also choosing Isaac over Scott. Looking around the room, everyone else understood what was going on as well.
Derek looked at everyone as to gauge their reaction to Allison joining and everyone seemed ok with it. With this knowledge Derek walked over to Allison, who bared her throat to allow Derek to scent her, welcoming her to the pack.
We all decided to have a pack bonding night and just watch old Disney movies and order pizzas for dinner. Everyone was pretty much just piled together surrounding Derek and myself. It was sitting there that I remembered something that I read in Talia's books.
"A pack isn't just a group of werewolves and humans with a common interest or bond. A pack should always be a group of people, werewolves and humans alike that share a bond, but also a love for one another and a willingness to protect each other no matter what. A pack should be like a family."
Looking around the room at everyone I realized that's what we had; a family. I only wish Cora could be here to share in the new life that her uncle and brother have in their hometown. It was at this time that Derek's phone began to ring and he stepped out of the room to answer it. When he came back he was in a considerably good mood. I looked towards him questionably. He just smiled, kissed me and said, "Cora's coming home." I returned his smile.
Well, looks like I'm getting my wish.