Chapter Three:
"If you flee the darkness, it will forever stay dark." - Unknown
The scent of Pancakes and coffee wafted through the house, enveloping me in a welcoming embrace. The two Hales were gone, leaving me wrapped tightly among blankets. The scars burned and ached as I moved, but the scent was too intoxicating. Staggering my way down the stairs, my gaze skimmed over the multitude of boxes and the scent of Axe and Rain pushed all thoughts of food from my mind. Derek. A grin split my face as I bounced into the kitchen where sure enough, the Alpha was placing a plate of pancakes on the table in my spot. Emerald eyes, hard as ever, skimmed over my body briefly before a grunt of approval and a nod of his head sent me to the table.
If there's one thing that everyone should know about Derek, it's that he can cook. I always thought I was a cook, but holy mother of god. One bite of Derek's pancakes, and you're in heaven. If I were to die, I'd want Heaven to be filled with his pancakes. Maybe even made out of his pancakes. "Are they cold?" His voice cut through my thoughts and I glanced up to see his brows cocked and arms folded over his chest, spatula in hand.
"Wha.. oh! No. They're great! Awesome, delicious, yenno," I coughed slightly and turned my attention to the stack before me, not failing to miss the slight chuckle I received in response, I attacked the food with a renewed vigor. Okay, so yeah. Awesome pancakes plus Derek Hale equals great morning. Not to mention I got coffee, because coffee is awesome and whoever invented it should have never died because he's that awesome. So awesome that even his eyebrows must have been awesome and eyebrows are so never awesome.
"... Moving in with us."
"Wha?" I grumbled cluelessly, mouth stuffed with the deliciousness that was Derek Hale's Cooking. I could feel the glare before I could see it. Derek's patience with me was nothing short of well... short. He secretly loved me because well, I'm me, but inside there was still the stressed out Alpha who found relief in beating things up. In the past, those things were a one Genim 'Stiles' Stilinski. It's when his brows furrow and his lips pull back in a sinister scowl that I'm reminded that he isn't always the cuddly Alpha who always seemed to find his way into my bed at some point in the night - even though he didn't know I knew about that - but a vicious beast who could easily rip me in two. HA! Who am I kidding? Derek loved me, he wouldn't kill me. From the low growls emitting from his throat, however, one truly begins to wonder.
"I said," he snapped, "you're moving in with us." My fork clattered to the table halfway to my mouth, the gathered pancakes flopping to the ground as I stared wide eyed at him. "Don't give me that look. Until that stops," he motioned to my chest, "you're under constant surveillance. Only Peter and I know, but Jackson and Isaac will be watching after you too. They're being told that you're having nightmares, which also isn't far from the truth." For a moment I simply gaped at him, mouth opening and closing like a floundering fish out of water.
"But... this is my home. I mean, yeah sure, your home is my home and my home is your home, but this is MY home! I can't leave, what about my father? My father will be here and see me gone and think I just up and le-"
"Peter called your father last night, explained that because of your 'nightmares' and an Omega being in town, we felt that you'd be safer with us. Your father agreed." Derek interrupted, arms folded firmly over his broad chest. My lips jutted out into a pout and I huffed indignantly.
"What if I pro-"
"No." And that was that. After finishing my pancakes, semi-reluctantly, Derek had me packing. My clothes, my bedding, my laptop - everything went into separate boxes before being sealed and packed away into the sleek ebony Camaro parked in the drive. Derek helped here and there but mostly left me to my own vices, opting to stay downstairs to watch TV.
After sealing the final box, I flopped onto my bed with a sigh. Truth was, this was probably a good thing - but, Peter and Derek knew. With them knowing, it would mean constant surveillance. I wouldn't be left alone for more than a few minutes, probably, and at school Jackson and Isaac would probably be told to watch over me though neither knew the real reason apparently. With another sigh, I pushed myself to my feet and gripped the box tightly in my arms. I'd be back, of course, eventually, but even then - Derek and Peter would be by constantly to make sure I was okay. Mumbling and grumbling, I stalked down the stairs and loaded the box away.
As we drove away, I couldn't help another sigh. This was so going to be stressful.