Around an hour into their resumed hike the terrain took a turn for the worse, uphill. The Wolves didn't really seem to mind, of course they didn't they are freaking werewolves with freaking werewolf stamina.
Isaac was at least kind enough to slow down so that stiles could fallow behind him.
That couldn't be the end of it though, of course it couldn't. about 2 hours into their uphill trek, and 3 breaks later Stiles body decided that it had not met its daily quota for clumsy.
Of course.
So naturally, when opportunity presents it's self in the form of a large tree root covered by leaves, stiles foot takes the bait and it sends him hurtling to the ground face first.
The pack was on him in mere seconds, Isaac helping him up and gently dislodging his foot from the root "Son of bitch!"
Both Scott and Boyd simultaneously asking him if he was alright, Jackson trying to hide a smirk while Erica didn't even make an attempt to hide hers. Derek just stared at him, a look of concern hiding his amusement.
The concern turned to worry as Stiles took a step forward and outwardly winced, his ankle very obviously strained.
Great, just what he needed, to be stuck in the middle of the forest, going uphill with a bunch of werewolves and a strained ankle. What is his life. Stiles isn't getting an answer to that question though because for the 2nd time that day he finds himself being lifted into the air by the Alpha
"Uh excuse me, I'm not your bride" Stiles protests.
"Shut up Stiles" Derek growls out, handing his and stiles packs of to Jackson and Boyd. He Swings Stiles around to his back, Stiles getting the memo, wraps his arm around the Alphas shoulders and his legs around his waist. The pain in his ankle not even letting him think about the compromising situation he was in.
"Erm. thanks" is all Stiles can really think of saying. So they continue on their accent. Stiles on Dereks back, Derek still leading the group, as if Stiles weight is nothing.
Soon the ground seemed to even out and the trees started to thin, large rocks were become a common fixture in the landscape. And then, finally, at 8 o'clock just as the sun was setting they reached their destination. The peak of a cliff, overlooking the entire forest.
It was amazing, Stiles could just start making it out as they came into the small clearing that preempted the edge.
He hopped of Dereks back, ankle feeling much better, a little sore, but not bad. Immediately everyone was drawn to the edge of the cliff, looking out over the entire forest, it was huge. Trees going on all the way to the horizon. Visible open areas of field every here and there, it was all so peaceful, the edge of the sun just touching past the top edge of the trees, a magnificent mix of orange, pink and purple painting the sky and clouds. Even Derek couldn't take his eyes off the view. They must have all stood there for 10 minutes just staring at the spectacle, but the sun began to fade and the sky took on a darker hue.
Dereks voice snapped them all from their thoughts, "Scott, Boyd, go hunt down some food for tonight, preferably a small deer, clean it at least 6 miles from camp and downwind. Bring back the meat. Erica, you and Jackson go search the surrounding area for any potential threats. Stiles, you and Isaac start collecting wood to build a fire." Everyone snapped to attention just like that, Scott and Boyd both took off without further notice, Erica and Jackson doing the same, noses to the wind.
Stiles started collecting firewood, taking time to show Isaac the right type of wood to grab and how to check if it was dry enough. Once they had a good enough pile he set to work getting the actual fire going with the box of matches in his pack. Isaac went ahead and started lining the fire pit with stones.
Derek was busy clearing the area of large sticks, rocks and leaves that might trip them up(ok, Stiles) during the night or bother the tents.
About an hour later Stiles had a nice large blaze going, tending to it with a large branch that Isaac broke of the tree for him. Jackson and Erica returned a few minutes later giving the area an all clear. Then Scott and Boyd retuned carrying what looked to be 2 legs of venison, the shoulder meat and the ribs, the deer must have been small based of the size of the portions, either way it would suffice the pack(of hormonal teenage werewolves, who, he knew from movie night at his house, would easily finish off the meat).
Derek, who had been witling away at a very large stick with his claws skewered the meat and set it on two Y shaped branches to roast over the side of the fire so the flames didn't actually touch it. He then sent Boyd and Scott to wash up in a near by stream.