Chapter 13

As he had expected the story the book told was equal parts fascinating and horrifying making Stiles want to continue reading past the chapter that Anna had directed him to. In fact he planned to continue reading. As he reached out to turn the page for a second time a small hand whipped out and smacked his hand away. Whilst the boy was temporarily shocked in to silence Anna closed the book and placed it on the top of the nearest, yet possibly the most unsteady, pile. The stack of books swayed dangerously before settling back in to place. Stiles didn't notice the almost avalanche of books as he was too lost in his own thoughts.

The chapter gave him answers to many of his questions but the answers it had given couldn't possibly be right, could they? Stiles had always been pretty easy going, often choosing to trust the information he was given (unless he had a solid reason not to) and asking questions where needed but there was no way anyone in their right mind would believe this. Were the Hales hunters? Is that what they did, go around hunting down mythical creatures? And if there are werewolves living in Beacon Hills surely he would know. Surely his father, the sheriff, would know; there is no way something like this could be hidden from a town full of gossips.

The proof he needed came stumbling through the door; the noise of its arrival snapping Stiles out of his thoughts. Standing in the entrance to the room was a werewolf. There was no way he could deny it. Albeit it was a beaten and bloody werewolf but there was no way anyone with working eyes could call it anything else.

The wolf eyed Stiles unblinkingly, its nose raised slightly as it scented the air around them, and slowly looked him up and down. Mistaking the wolf's gaze for one a hunter gave its pray Stiles took an automatic step backwoods. For once his basic survival skills were choosing to protect him rather than lead him closer to danger. It was only Anna's small but comforting hand on his lower back that made him take a second look at the wolf.

He noticed that although the wolf looked ready to attack its eyes were calm and Stiles could tell it meant no harm to him or the small girl standing next to him. Rather than preparing for attack, as Stiles had first thought , the wolf seemed to be searching the pair in front of it for any signs of injury.

After thoroughly searching the pair in front of it the wolf visibly relaxed. Within seconds the wolf shifted leaving a very human, very naked, Derek standing where the creature had been.

Well that cleared that up. The Hales aren't the hunters, they're the hunted.

Once Derek was no longer fury and sporting a matching set of fangs he wasted no time in closing the distance between himself, Stiles and Anna. Reaching out he swiftly dragged the duo closer until he could easily bury his face in their necks, moving back and forth between his sister and the younger boy.

After a minute of silence Stiles cleared his throat awkwardly.

"Erm Derek? I hate to ruin the moment and all but two quick things." Stiles spoke against the side of Derek's head. "One, you're naked and two…" he paused as he tried to get some space between the two of them. "You're a werewolf?! What the hell dude?" Stiles felt the werewolf's arm tense against his side where he was still being held tightly. Not wanting to risk Derek going all wolf-man on him he quickly continued with a hasty "Not that it matters, 'cause I mean werewolves? Totally awesome, but you could have told me before I slept in your bed."

As Derek relaxed he removed his arm and Stiles found himself instantly missing the warmth and comfort that it had been providing him. He was tempted to reach out for it but, again, he didn't want to risk irritating the wolf and ending up with his throat ripped out and thrown across the room.

Choosing to remain silent and complete still, as to not risk bodily harm, Stiles waited for Derek to speak. The wolf paced silently as he tried to come up with a way to explain everything quickly.

"I wish I could explain everything now but there's no time, I guess I have about 60 seconds before I'm needed back out there so the basics will just have to do for now. Stay quiet and just let me do the talking for once." Talking a deep breath Derek stopped pacing and came to stand in front of the hyperactive boy. "Yes I am a werewolf, I've been one all my life, and so are the rest of my family. Normally we are left alone and the hunters don't bother us but for some reason they've decided to go against our treaty and attack us. Anna can't control her transformations yet and she isn't strong enough to fight so the two of you need to stay in here. Really Stiles DO NOT leave this room until someone comes and gets you. You're safe here. No one can find you and nothing bad is going to happen to you." Turning his head towards the door so sharply that Stiles was surprised his neck didn't click Derek stopped talking for a heartbeat before turning back to the younger boy.

"Please just stay here." The wolf finished desperately, taking a step towards the door before turning around just a quickly and pulling Stiles to his chest a final time. "Everything is going to be fine." Stiles wasn't sure who Derek was talking to but it sounded as though he was trying to convince himself more than anything.

"I'll be fine Derek, I promise." Stiles reassured him, raising his head an inch so they were face to face. They stood in silence for a moment; a pained look in Derek's eyes whilst Stiles simply looked shocked as he tried to take everything in.

With what could only be described as a roar Derek closed the small gap between them and pressed their lips together with a grace that could only come from a werewolf. The kiss could only have lasted a couple of seconds before Derek was ripping himself away and running out of the room without so much as a fleeting glance goodbye.

If it wasn't for the barely there tingle where Derek's stubble and grazed his chin and the slight look of disgust on Anna's face Stiles would seriously be doubting whether or not the brief kiss had actually happened at all.

End of Chapter

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