Six weeks later
Allison squealed in protest, beating her fists playfully against Scott's shoulder as he hoisted her above his head and tossed her into the river. She popped back up, laughing and cursing him mirthfully. The boy grinned crookedly and splashed her before charging towards the bank. Erica lay out on the rocks trying-vainly- to get a tan going. Boyd lounged against a tree nearby, a wrinkled paperback novel in his hands. His nose was buried deep in it, as if at any minute he hoped to be pulled into the pages. Isaac was walking hand in hand with Iris along the edges of the trees, grinning like a love sick puppy. It was clear that he was putty in her hands, her smile her ultimate weapon. Lydia was sitting on the porch watching the others with a faraway look in her eyes. She'd taken to sitting by herself pensively since Jackson had left only days ago; it was hard to be separated from him so soon after…things had settled down. Peter stood just in the shadows of the porch, watching her curiously as if unsure what to make of her. They'd all noticed the stunning between Lisa and Lydia and had chosen to keep a closer eye on the man since then…just to be safe.
The sun stood center in the sky, warming them. There was not a white blemish in the sky, but a light breeze carried the rich smell of autumn with it. Little woodland animals scampered about and birds arched through the sky overhead. From his perch on the hood of a sleek black Camaro, Stiles watched them all fondly.
They'd somewhat slipped back into their normal lives; well as normal as things would ever be. They still bickered constantly and more often than not pissed off a certain alpha from their antics. Strangely though, they'd all-except Peter-taken to sneaking into his room at night and snuggling down with him. He didn't particularly mind, but having to explain to his father why he woke up with several different strands of hair on his bare chest was complicated. The sheriff was the only sour note to the whole thing. He openly blamed Derek for what had transpired six weeks ago as well as grew distrustful of the wolves entirely. Stiles wasn't so sure he'd appreciate having his son sleep with lethal creatures of the night.
He sighed and lay back, carefully cradling his broken arm against his chest. His doctor had assured him he'd have to only wear a small brace once school started in a few weeks, but that didn't stop the inconvenience of having a broken limb. The pack already coddled him enough as it was and they seemed to be dying for any reason to pamper him more. He was flattered they cared, but seriously it was time to move on. He still had nightmares, but there was nothing they could do to help; hell all of them had nightmares, but they were stronger together.
A light wind tickled his neck and he looked up at the Hale house. Derek had decided to start rebuilding the structure, building a home for the family. It hadn't been easy for him, but after Scott had suggested they do it together he'd softened some. At the moment he was conversing with a private contractor about God knows what. Stiles just hoped he knew that they weren't going to ask him to change anything he didn't want to. In all reality the house was beautiful in its' own creepy- burnt out shell kind of way. Stiles was sure Derek could see it too if he could ever look beyond the gloom.
Stiles closed his eyes and let the peace settle over him. His thoughts drifted to his mother and a sad smile kissed his lips. He'd been unable to lock away or erase the image he had of her now. In some ways it gave him closure. Maybe it was because he knew that she really wasn't suffering anymore; or maybe it was knowing that she had never left him, even in death. It was something unexpected, eliminating the loneliness he'd harbored for years.
He yawned and stretched. Things were different with everyone now. Scott and Allison had broken up, but on good and consenting terms. He wasn't sure what that was about, but they both still acted like a couple so it wasn't a big deal. Erica and Boyd…well nothing had changed there except Erica dressed more modestly and refrained from acting like a bitch twenty-five percent of the time. Jackson was still the die-hard handsome, cocky bastard he'd always been; at least now he wasn't trying to maul him every chance he got. Isaac was obviously the sweet puppy of the group, easily replacing Scott in the adorable category. Seriously, no one- except Derek and Peter- could say no to him. Allison had warmed up to them, basically becoming the line her father and other hunters were not allowed to cross. It had been hard for her to choose sides considering her entire family revolved around the practice of exterminating wolves; yet here she was as much a part of the pack as the others. Lydia had asked for the Bite again after they were positive Stiles would make a full recovery. She'd taken to it well, seeming to skip over the crazed uncontrollable phase the others went through; it suited her quiet confidence.
Derek was different all together. He still brooded and frowned, but every now and again he'd make a crack and have them rolling and clutching their sides. He was trying to be more than a hard ass dictator and more like a friend to them…at least Stiles thought so anyway. Even after they first got together he was touchy and possessive, but not really affectionate. It pleased Stiles to see him try; to just hold him for no reason at all and kiss him. He hadn't said 'I love you' but he'd allured to it. Stiles was fine with that; he could take his time as long as he didn't try to leave him again. I mean come on this wasn't some real-life-Twilight-thing. He wasn't going to push nonetheless. The man did his best to control his temper, but that was a lost battle from the start. Seriously one man could not control eight teenagers and Stiles; it was physically impossible. Though it had been hilarious to watch him literally bust a blood vessel yelling at them when they'd decided to "test drive" his car; naturally after being caught they'd ratted out the mastermind-Stiles of course- and let him get growled at for nearly an hour.
And Stiles noticed a change in himself. He'd lost much of the insecurities that had held him like a vice only a month ago. He'd become slightly more assertive- okay not really- and had a long chat with Scott. That predictably ended in the two not talking for about an hour. But he realized how much he depended on the wolves, not for protection, but for a family. It was true that in some form or another they all came from a broken home, he just never counted himself in that category before. After that night he'd reexamined his life. He loved his father to death; but had never really understood that there had been a wedge in between them since before Peter, but after his mother died. He'd been blind to see it at first and now that he knew the truth he felt compelled to change it. But that wasn't what had changed the most. He had been forced to finally accept his own humanity as it was and embrace it. He still had no desire to be a wolf, despite Derek's halfhearted attempts to persuade him. The alphas had broken him, and while Derek was clueless as to what really happened in those short hours before the showdown, Stiles knew he would never recover until his mate knew the truth. It would kill him to have to relive every moment again, but they needed it, needed to finally seal the coffin.
He inhaled and smelled sweet roses, pulling his lids back to look at Lydia's beautiful eyes. He offered a smile and adjusted so that she could cuddle next to him. She rested her head on his chest and he began entangling his fingers in the red locks. There was no needs for words to be exchanged between them anymore; just the simple touches were enough. While he didn't feel romantically for her anymore he knew without a doubt that she was honestly the most beautiful and self conscious girl in California. While others couldn't see past the bitchy exterior he could break through to the scared girl underneath. That was why she chose him to be her friend…and he knew deep down that's all she ever wanted from him in the first place. She didn't want a lover or boyfriend, but someone who was willing to break her to help her. They'd grown closer and he felt protective of her, despite the fact that she was stronger of the two.
They sat in comfortable silence, him playing in her hair, her tracing lines on his chest. It was how they'd come to communicate sometimes when words failed to touch them. The others didn't understand but that was okay, it was their secret language. From just her friendly caresses he could feel her loneliness. Yeah she had the pack, but they all knew what it felt like to have your other half missing; you simply weren't incomplete. He continued to listen as she non verbally told her story, every now and then squeezing her shoulder for reassurance.
She eventually drifted off to sleep on his chest and he yawned deeply. Overhead the sun looked as if it was going to set. He turned his head to see the betas making their way towards him and Lydia. Iris had apparently left, oblivious that her boyfriend was a werewolf. He gently nudged Lydia until she looked up at him sleepily. "Stiles…." She whined softly, bottom lip protruding.
He flashed his signature smirk and raised an eyebrow. "Move over a little babe, the pups are coming."
"Hey!" Scott cried indignantly. It probably would have worked if Boyd had protested, but as it was Scott merely resembled a puppy with his ears drawn back and everything.
Lydia cut them a glare and possessively wound her arms around him, getting comfortable again. "First come first serve." She mumbled into his shirt.
He chuckled as the others managed to squeeze their way onto the crowded hood, each trying to find a perch on his body. Isaac lay directly parallel to Lydia; Scott had taken the left leg and Allison the right; Boyd had not gotten on the car at all, rather sat on the dusty ground by his feet; and Erica was curled around his head. He loved the warmth of them pressed together. The wolves snuggled closer, purring at the proximity of their brothers and sisters. He may not have been a wolf, but he felt the sensations they felt without inhibition. They pressed their noses into him; that was also common considering he still had faint traces of alpha on him. They were trying to help.
"You smell good." Erica sighed. There were murmurings of agreement as they nuzzled slightly closer. Stiles wasn't sure exactly how that was possible, but they manages, even leaving space for his arm.
Isaac pierced him with those puppy dog eyes. "Do you mind?" Stiles rolled his eyes at the ridiculous question. The teen asked the same question during every puppy pile, as if one day Stiles would say "No Isaac I want all of you to leave me alone."
"Isaac it's one thing to look like Scott, but we already have one retard in the group we don't need another."
Scott squawked and the group laughed. Scott was easy to pick on because he was….well clueless is a nice way of putting it. He knew it was all good naturedly anyway and often joined in on the jibes. After a few more insults were thrown they settled down. One by one the betas fell asleep, until Stiles felt his own eyelids drooping. What a peaceful afternoon….
"Just what the Hell do you think you guys are doing?! Get off my car!" Derek roared. The teens instantaneously popped up, scrambling frantically like…well puppies.
"It was Stiles' idea!" Lydia called as she darted after her friends who'd retreated to the river.
"Thanks guys…such great pack mates we are!" he called after them irritably. Great now he was in trouble. Derek sauntered over, signature scowl in place. Stiles pouted. "Are you going to rip my throat out with your teeth?"
The wolf blinked at him. Stiles cheeks flushed. What had he done embarrassing now? Slowly Derek leaned into him and ran his nose along the side of his neck. "You smell like pack now." he purred, arms wounding around his waist. Stiles flushed deeper, knowing that nay second his arousal would become evident to every werewolf in the state of California.
Derek pulled back and hungrily attacked his lips, careful to avoid his side or broken arm. "Is that a good thing?" he gasped when the man pulled back. Much to his pleasure the man was trailing kisses up his neck to that special spot behind his ear. He gripped his shoulders in anticipation. Then he pulled away again and Stiles felt cold. Derek cupped his face in his hands. "I love you Stiles Stilinski." He never got the chance to reply, the man's mouth crushing onto his. In the distance he heard the mix of catcalls (Lydia), disgust (Scott and Boyd), and collective awws (Isaac and Allison).
He ignored it as his love held him closer to his heated body. This was what family was like, what love was like. And he would rather die a thousand times than lose this moment.
Author's Notes: So it looks like this is the end…for now! I'm really happy to have been able to write this for you guys, because really it wasn't easy. I want to give special thanks to Bethisafan77 and Ayres Kelle who have been reading and reviewing since the beginning. They've both kept me on my toes the entire way, so some credit goes to them as well. Anyway, I'm already working on the sequel but in the meantime I may compile a little "insider's" look at some of the things in the story. For example, how did that alpha break Jackson's arm? There was just too many things to include, so hopefully this makes up for it. Who knows I might even do a short story on Isabella's background. Only if you're interested of course! So again, thanks for reading and keep an eye open for anything else.