Chapter Six
"What are we doing?"
Noah looked up from where he'd been cleaning up the remains of breakfast.
He hadn't even heard the wolf move.
He wanted to have an answer, wanted to say he knew what he was doing but honestly, he didn't. He had only ever been with his wife, having focused on his military career before he met her. They'd met a year after he'd officially left the military, his PTSD from the war leading to him being honorably discharged. He'd been at the Pit drinking, anything to escape the emptiness of his apartment, and she'd taken a seat beside him. She didn't say a word to him at first, sipping her own drink peacefully and waiting him out.
For an entire hour, they'd drank in silence, then he introduced himself. Her heavy polish accent had taken him by surprise and she admitted she'd only been in America for a few months. He'd replied she might find better company in someone closer to her own age, her nineteen years much younger compared to his thirty, but she'd been adamant about staying beside him. They'd met for two weeks before she grew tired of waiting and asked him to take her on a date.
One date became two, two became three and suddenly, a year later she agreed to marry him.
Stiles came along only a short while later.
Losing her, had nearly shattered him, because she was his best friend and the love of his life all wrapped in one person. He'd thought any notions of romance had followed her into the grave or been drowned by his descent into the bottom of the bottle.
Then Peter happened.
He'd known Peter before the fire, a cocky but not arrogant man willing to do anything for his family. He'd never known they were werewolves, but with Claudia being somewhat friendly with Talia and her husband, he'd become very well acquainted with the entire family. Peter had been the one he was closest to, however, despite being almost eight years younger than him and three years older than Claudia. He'd even helped the other study for the exams to be a deputy, even if he eventually changed his mind to become the CEO of Talia's company instead. He'd taught him how to shoot and some of the martial arts he'd learned during his military career. They'd been as close as they could be without him knowing the Hale's secret. Hell, the man had named his godparent of a son they'd named after him.
Then the fire happened.
He'd tried to visit him while he was in the hospital but then Claudia had gotten sick and he was taking more hours trying to make ends meet, and get the medical bills paid. Stiles was diagnosed with anxiety and ADHD, which led to more medical bills and prescriptions. His visits had dwindled, vanishing into nothing when Claudia died. He'd buried himself in work and alcohol, neglecting everything around him, including, to his everlasting shame, Stiles.
Stiles, who had been forced to become an adult in the months following his mother's death balancing his anxiety, grief, and ADHD, while trying to take care of his depressed father and the household necessities. Who still, with everything going on, had managed to continue visiting Peter, despite hating hospitals in general.
When he'd finally stopped drinking they'd rebuilt their relationship, but he'd been unable to bring himself to visit the man who had looked up to him with all his failures weighing him down. He'd told himself, "maybe tomorrow" or, "Maybe next week", but it seemed tomorrow never came because he still never managed to visit.
Next thing he knew, Stiles was in high school and acting out. Lies rolled off his tongue like water, he was sneaking out reappearing bruised and bloody. Derek Hale, Peter's nephew had come back to town only to find his sister dead. Werewolves were a thing and his son was married with a child. Peter was becoming a near permanent fixture in their house, coming over even when Stiles wasn't there. They'd sit in companionable silence at times, him working on paperwork from the office while the wolf read one obscure tome or another. Others, the wolf would make dinner to save Stiles the trouble, and they'd eat in peace, talking quietly about one topic or another. The conversations would go on late into the night, stories about Stiles and the Pack, about Claudia, about the Hales, about themselves and their experiences.
They weren't in love, not yet, but he could feel himself falling and he couldn't stop himself.
He didn't know if he wanted to.
His mother had always told him that Stilinskis fell hard and they fell fast, and it had been proven with Claudia, and was being proven true again with him and Peter. Hell, even Stiles and Ares, were an example of it, the result of their love having just left a few hours before with his father.
He felt as if he were betraying Claudia, betraying the memory of Peter's wife, Irena and it made his stomach roil at the thought. Both had been wonderful women, and he didn't know what to do.
Glancing at the slightly shorter male, he sighed.
"I don't know."
Peter stared back stubbornly. "And if I wanted us to be together?"
Noah swallowed. "But Claudia, and Irena,"
"Would want us to move forward. I've already talked to Stiles, Noah. He wants you to be happy, us to be happy. Hell, he made me ask permission to date you."
Despite himself, the sheriff snorted. That sounded like Stiles. His son was too much like his mother. Staring into determined blue eyes, he felt his resolve waver, especially when he saw the small sliver of fear behind his gaze.
"Okay."
The Beta blinked, then a true smile crossed his face transforming his features into an almost boyish expression only off set by his neat goatee.
"Great. Dinner at my place tomorrow?"
"Only if you're making Italian."
Smirking, the younger man leaned in and gave him a chaste kiss.
"It's like you don't know me at all."
He went to respond but a text alert from Peter's phone interrupted him. Pulling it out, the wolf frown then rolled his eyes.
"Time to go help the puppies with the latest Monster of the Week."
Noah chuckled. "Stiles named it, didn't he?"
"Of course."
He shook his head. "See you at dinner tomorrow?"
"You're working late tonight?"
"Yeah. Won't be home til morning."
"Be careful?"
"Shouldn't I be telling you that?"
Peter snorted and they shared a brief kiss before parting ways.
It was only after that they'd realized how domestic they'd been…and how right it had felt.
*/*
Peter had always known that Derek wasn't the smartest wolf in the pack, but as he entered the loft, he found himself doubting that the boy even had a brain in that big head of his.
He'd been on cloud nine upon leaving the Stilinski house, having spent the night caring for his grandcub with Noah, and having finally gotten the stubborn man to take a hint and go on a date with him. He hadn't thought anything could break his mood.
He was wrong.
Ares was in their living room, tied to a chair, his face marred by a vivid bruise that explained why he was unconscious. His long hair was tied back in a messy tail, and he was still in his pajamas, probably having just taken Baz to daycare.
Baz!
Ares was set to pick him up at one when daycare ended, and it was already 12:30. He knew Derek didn't trust him, and he knew nothing he could say would get Ares free from the Alpha, he could only hope that Stiles would be able to keep a level enough head when he found out.
He groaned inwardly, watching as the young musician stirred, Derek walking down the stairs wearing a scowl.
Stiles was going to kill them.
Worse, Noah would probably help.
How the hell had Derek convinced himself this was a clever idea?
…And how did he find out about Ares?
*/*
He was tied up.
Ares' eyes flew open as the thought registered in his mind, his muscles bulging as he tried to get free.
For a moment, he thought Stiles' worries had come true and his heart began to race.
Bazyli!
Where was his son?
Where the hell were they?
He didn't even notice he was slipping into a panic attack until he felt warm hands rubbing his back.
"Sh, kid. It's alright. He's fine. Everyone's fine."
"P-Peter?" He rasped, looking up at his husband's surrogate father (soon-to-be step father). The wolf stared back with sadness and exasperation in his eyes, a scowling man standing at his back.
The man, was tall, only few inches shorter than him, but smaller in size. His muscles, while large compared to others, were leaner than Ares' own, his hazel-green eyes cold as they met his. They flashed red.
So, this was Derek Hale.
This was his husband's first love, the man that had shattered his heart leaving it to Ares to piece it back together.
This was the alpha of the wolves his husband continuously sacrificed for.
He didn't like him.
Relaxing in his chair, he closed his eyes, confident in the fact that Stiles was coming and that Peter would protect him until then.
He could only hope his husband wouldn't go so far as to kill the arrogant wolf. He didn't think the other would forgive himself if he did.
"Why am I here?" He rumbled.
Peter sighed. "Because my nephew is an idiot." He replied candidly and the Alpha growled.
A slight tendril of fear raced down his spine at the inhuman sound, but he forced himself to remain relaxed.
Stiles was coming.
He had to believe that.
"Who are you? Why have you been around my emissary."
Ares narrowed his eyes at the vaguely possessive tone in the Alpha's voice, bristling at the implications of it. He trusted his husband fully, but he also knew how oblivious the other could be. The alpha still thought Stiles was his, even after so thoroughly shattering his heart. He was in for a huge surprise.
"My name is Ares."
"What do you want with my pack? With Stiles?"
Peter rolled his eyes, but remained silent and Ares raised his eyebrow.
"My business with Stiles is none of your business. As for your pack, I don't care for any of you. I don't like you, or Stiles' supposed best friend. I hate how you all treat him and if I had my way he'd have better friends. But, unfortunately, mi cariño is just so damn loyal. He loves this pack, almost more than he loves his own life. I just don't see why you all seem to think you're worth the effort, when you don't seem to give him the same care."
The younger hale snarled at him but he merely glared at him, then looked away willing his husband to appear with all his might. Otherwise, something bad was gonna happen and he knew if anything happened to him or Baz, nothing on earth would stop his beloved from self-destructing.
Peter stared between the two, obviously thinking the same thing.
"Derek," He called drawing his nephews attention.
"What."
"I hope you know what you're doing."
Derek scowled at him but there was an uncertain gleam in his eyes.
'So do I.'
*/*
'Urgent Pack meeting, after school. Come immediately.'-Sourwolf
Stiles frowned down at his phone, wondering if the pack meeting had anything to do with the dread pooling in his stomach.
All morning, his magic had been fritzing, restless beneath his skin in a way that warned him that something was wrong and yet he couldn't find any reason for it.
Baz and Ares were safe, the former having been dropped off at daycare when he'd spoken to his husband last, while the latter was running errands, since it was his day off. The wards on the house were still strong, as were the wards on his dad's house so he knew both his dad and Peter were fine.
So, what was going on?
Why did he feel like he was on the edge of an anxiety attack?
He glanced around the library, glad it was nearing the last two classes of the day. Two more hours after hi current free period. Just two more hours.
His phone rang, snapping him out of his thoughts and he swallowed thickly at the name across the screen.
First Step Daycare Center
Why was the daycare calling him?
It was almost 2'o clock, so Baz should already be home…unless Ares had never picked him up.
Ares never forgot to pick Baz up.
Hand trembling, he accepted the call, fighting to keep his voice even as he spoke.
"Miranda, is everything alright?"
"Hey, Stiles. I have Baz here still, is everything alright? Ares missed the one o'clock pick-up for infants and I can't keep him here much longer. I called your dad but he can't come because he's out on call."
His heart leapt into his throat.
No.
No!
Not Ares, god please.
He couldn't lose his husband, his rock.
He couldn't.
"I'll be there." He breathed out trying to control his panic in his rush to gather his things.
"Thank you, Stiles. See you soon, dear. Drive safe."
"Yes ma'am."
Hanging up the phone, he dialed his husband's number panic heightening as it went to voicemail.
He tried again.
Voicemail.
Again.
Voicemail.
And again.
Voicemail.
His breathing wouldn't slow down, his heart was racing in his ears and he wanted to scream. He wanted cry, fall to his knees and pray, anything to deny the horrible thought that something had gotten past his wards and taken the man holding his heart.
"-iles!" Tear-filled amber eyed looked up to meet worried chocolate ones.
Danny.
The Hawaiian lacrosse player was staring at him concerned, rubbing his back gently.
"Are you okay?"
"I have to go." He gasped out but his legs wouldn't move.
He couldn't calm down; his heart was still racing and he knew his breathing was still shallow. Danny tried to slow it down, having him match his, and he pulled away.
"I have to go, Danny. I have to go."
"Okay," the older boy soothed, helping him stand. "C'mon, I'll take you wherever it is you have to go. Calm down, alright."
"He won't pick up."
"Your dad?"
"No, Ares. He always answers, Danny. Always."
Obviously confused, the other nodded slowly and held out his hand.
"Give me your keys."
"Why?"
"You can't drive like this, Stiles. You'll crash."
Slowly, he handed over his keys.
"Now, where are we going?"
"Yellow view."
"Nodding, Danny helped him to his jeep, inwardly noting it had been fixed up better than usual. Once they were situated, he pulled out the parking lot, glancing at his companion worriedly.
"Now, wanna tell me what's going on?"
"Baz's daycare called. Ares never picked him up?"
"Baz? Daycare?"
Stiles looked up from fiddling with his phone, intense amber eyes pinning him in place. Something had changed in the sheriff's son and he couldn't help but notice how much more confident the other was. Unlike McCall and the others in Jackson and Lydia's new group of friends, he'd noticed that Stiles was drifting away. Noticed that the other was changing from a hyperactive spazz into…something else.
Someone else.
It wasn't a terrible thing, mind, but he couldn't help but wonder what perpetuated the change.
Seemingly finding what he was looking for Stiles sighed.
"Ares is my husband."
Danny almost swerved off the road.
"What?!"
His companion smiled, although there was some of the lingering pain and worry edging it.
"We celebrated our one-year anniversary yesterday."
"Does your dad know? McCall and the others?"
"My…friends don't know. Dad does though. He found out a few months after the wedding."
Noting the pause, but choosing to ignore it Danny shook his head.
"Wow, congrats Stiles. How'd you manage to hide it if all of your friends are werewolves?"
A rueful chuckle left the smaller teen.
"I'm not even surprised you know. I told Jackson and Lydia you would find out even if they didn't tell you." He paused then shook his head. "I have magic. My magic, or spark, as it were, hides Baz and Ares' scents. I don't want them involved in this, not while Baz is so young."
"Baz?"
"Our son. Apparently magic allows me to get pregnant. He's nine months old."
A slight tinge of jealousy hit him but he quickly squashed it.
"Lucky bastard." He teased and Stiles gave another, more genuine laugh.
"Trust me, you wouldn't be saying that if you went through ten hours of feeling like your pelvis was trying to implode."
Danny shuddered.
Stiles' laugh was worth it.
Arriving at the daycare, he waited in the car as Stiles went inside, his heart melting when he returned with a car seat holding one of the most adorable babies he'd ever seen.
Warm caramel skin with Stiles' moles, curious topaz eyes looking up at him, dark curls framing his chubby face and falling to his shoulders. One fist was holding a stuffed wolf, the other shoved in his mouth and he smiled. This so made up for the lecture his parents were gonna give him for missing the last two periods of the day, and the lecture coach would give him for missing practice.
"He's beautiful, Stiles."
"Thank you. Say hi, Baz."
The child took his fist from his mouth and smiled.
"'Ewo."
"Hi, Baz. I'm Danny."
Shoving his fist back in his mouth the babe only smiled again, frowning when he looked around.
"Papa?"
Pure anguish crossed Stiles' features and Danny felt his heart ache for the other boy and for the friendship they could've had.
"He's…He's working right now, Kochanie." He lied.
The baby whimpered. "Papa,"
"I'm sorry, Baz. Papa's at work."
Settling in his seat the baby sniffle, a massive pout on his lips. Stiles buckled him into the jeep, then got back in, emotional exhaustion lining his features.
"Where to now?"
"Time to meet the pack."
*/*
"What the fuck do you think you're doing?!"
Stiles screamed as he entered the loft to find his husband tied up, the rest of the pack seated in the living room around him. The younger wolves barring Scott were watching his lover curiously, while Scott only looked guilty and slightly afraid.
Gently handing Baz to Danny, he rushed over to the man, rage sparking in his blood at the vivid bruise marring otherwise perfect skin.
"Ares? Baby, are you okay?" He asked, scanning him with his magic, anything to slow the rage overtaking the panic he'd felt upon receiving Miranda's call.
He couldn't believe they'd do this to him. Granted they had no idea who Ares was to him, but the fact that they'd harmed his lover, after everything he'd sacrificed for them, was disheartening. It was a betrayal he'd never thought he'd face, the one thing he'd always thought his pack would never do. It hurt, and more so he was pissed.
It was only Bazyli's presence that helped him keep a tight rein on his magic.
Tired Hazel, green eyes met his, softening in the face of his concern.
"Sh, cariño. I'm fine. Your wolves have been nothing but hospitable."
"Look at your face! That doesn't look hospitable to me! And I thought- I- Miranda called and Baz was still at the day care…I thought something had happened to you."
"I'm fine." He repeated, sighing in relief as his arms were released. Gentle hands massaged them to return the feeling in them before their owner stood. Moving over to the young man that had accompanied his husband, he calmly took their son, who gave him a gummy smile.
"Papa!"
"Hello, mijito. C'mon let's go with Grandpa and…" He glanced at his husband's companion who blinked then smiled.
"Danny."
"And Uncle Danny. Mama has wolves to take care of."
The baby just grinned and Ares led Peter and Danny from the room, just in time for his little husband to punch the alpha wolf in the face.
"What the hell are you playing at, Derek?! Why the fuck did you kidnap my husband?!"
The pack choked. "H-Husband?!" They Exclaimed but Stiles wasn't in the mood to deal with their shock. He just wanted to know why the hell the Alpha werewolf thought it was a good idea to harm what was his.
"Well?"
"You were hiding him for a reason, Stiles. Either he was a danger to the pack or you didn't think we'd approve. I wanted answers."
"Did it ever occur to you to ask?! That maybe I kept it a secret so that my son wasn't in danger?! Bazyli is only nine months old, damnit! With the number of monsters drawn to Beacon Hills, I didn't want them mixed up in this! Not when Baz isn't old enough to protect himself! But you can't fucking think, can you? Not past your fucking ego! You hit him, Derek! His jaw was bruised internally from how hard you hit him, and he didn't even do anything to you! I had a panic attack because I thought some monster had taken him or worse. Goddamnit!"
The younger wolves were quiet, unsure of what to say in the face of the normally happy teen's anger. There was so much hurt and betrayal in his voice that they wanted to cringe.
"Stiles-"
"How did you even find out?" The emissary asked warily, wavering on his feet. The panic attack at the school and the situation he'd stumbled upon had left him exhausted. Just more shit to add to the stuff he had to deal with.
How much more could he take?
"Me and Scott followed Peter to your house last night and saw you two together. We thought he was a threat or something which was the only reason we could think of as to why you'd gone through such lengths to hide him. We took him this morning outside of from a house, we assume was his."
A quiet sob left Stiles, as the emotion and stress welled to critical levels.
He had to get out of here.
"Fuck you, Derek. It not my fault you all don't pay attention. If you'd asked I would've told you, even if I wasn't happy about it. This, this just shows you don't trust me." He shook his head, wrapping his arms around himself.
"If this ever happens again, if you ever hurt him or my son again," His voice grew cold, "this pack will need a new emissary. And a new Alpha."
He turned to go collect his husband and his son.
"I will continue being your emissary, but if it's not an emergency, don't expect me to answer. I'm done."
TBC…