Chapter Two: New Dawn

Brian awoke and he took a huge breath; he figured he could be forgiven for his excitement. Yesterday he wasn't too sure that he would ever see another day; only when he took another breath - his senses exploded. He could smell his mate, and as he came back to full awareness he realised his senses were awash in the scent of his mate. He burrowed next to a strong broad chest, and for the first time in a long while, since LA, he felt safe.

Peter had barely drifted off to sleep determined to keep a watchful eye over his injured mate. His instinct wouldn't let him truly rest, and even now the smallest movement jostled him, making him wake up. And he was so fucking relieved to see the bluest eyes he had ever seen. He hadn't smiled so wide in a long time, but feeling his mate burrow into his warmth and seek protection - healed a few of the shards inside of him that he didn't know existed.

Peter pulled him closer knowing that the greater the skin to skin contact, the more he could help his mate heal. He knew that the pack would need information from his mate but they could wait. Stiles knocked the door; it was ironic to Peter that his wolf viewed perhaps, unwittingly the strongest member of the pack as a non-threat. He saw Stiles smile softly at his entwined position; he growled not wanting to be teased whilst he felt so vulnerable.

Stiles put his hands up in mock surrender, "Hey Creeperwolf. Non-judging, me and Der have done the same thing on more than one occasion."

Peter wanted to roll his eyes, ever since the Kanima incident Derek and Stiles had been sickeningly in love. He had made many comments that would no doubt be thrown back in his face now he was in the same position. He didn't care, Stiles moved slowly and carefully up to the bed in full view of Peter. He was grateful that the pack had a human run with them, as he was aware of all the pack instincts. It was a case of even more so now that he was the Hale pack's Alpha mate.

A day later and Brian managed to open his eyes for more than a minute. He looked at the wolf next to him and his eyes roved. Damn he was sexy, and a born-wolf. Brian could tell as Born-wolves tended to be more comfortable in their own skin. He could get lost in those eyes, and feeling the gentle touch of a hand to his cheek had him wanting to purr in contentment. He felt like more like a cat right now than a wolf, but if the analogy fit.

Peter chuckled softly at the waves of contentment and safety that were rolling off his mate. It was a feeling that he hoped his mate would always feel when with him, "You gave me quite the scare."

He spoke and Brian could hear the truth of the matter in his voice. Brian whimpered feeling bad for scaring his mate like that, even if it wasn't his fault that he had incurred the attentions of a psycho wolf like Carter Verone, and his fucked up troop of Alpha Musketeers. Brian shifted, trying to test the healing factor and how well he'd healed. He was pleasantly surprised as he knew that he should be feeling way more like he got put through a blender. "Yeah scared me too, I'm Brian O'Conner by the way."

Peter grinned, "Peter Hale."

Brian's eyes went wild, he had no idea he had travelled that far, or, whose lands he'd wandered into. He was really fucking lucky that the pack hadn't slaughtered all of them and then asked questions later. "I waited so long to find you."

Peter placed the gentlest, softest of kisses onto his mate's lips and the bond hummed. He felt the Alpha pair send a query asking if everything was okay. He was in too good a mood to even annoy his nephew. He sent back an okay and translated through feelings that Stiles was the only one welcome in his room for now. He would admit that he was more than relieved that Derek was willing to let it stay at just Stiles entering his room for now.

Speaking of the devil, Stiles entered the room, "Hey Uncle Creeper, how's it going?"

Clearly caring only went so far, and besides Stiles wouldn't be Stiles without the overly sarcastic comments it was how they practically communicated.

Peter looked down at the sleeping form with such infinite adoration it was hard for Stiles to reconcile what he knew to be true with the wolf in front of him. It was yet another reason for Stiles to curse Kate Argent to the ninth gate of hell. The damage that she inflicted on the Hale pack was still in evidence long after the fire, "He is called Brian O'Conner."

Stiles nodded and asked tentatively, "Are you ready for me to share that with the pack?"

Peter shook his head, and was glad that they had invested in soundproofing that was up to Werewolf standards, "No but your mate should know, and I need to know who is gunning for him."

Even just the thought of someone trying to hurt his mate had him pulling Brian closer, as if just by being wrapping Brian in his arms he could protect him. He was not a nice wolf and had proved how far he would go for revenge against his family. He would have to live with the consequences of those actions, but he knew that no matter what the consequences - anyone who came for Brian he would tear apart.

Stiles didn't say anything, already well versed in over protective mates, and even with his flourishing magic Derek still got scared and caveman protective. He chose to reassure the older wolf, "He is pack Peter. We look after our own."

Peter sometimes wished he'd bitten Stiles but then again realised that the pack was stronger by having him as a human Alpha mate. "My thanks Alpha."

Stiles was startled by the formal salutation, it told him just how rattled Peter was. He must be especially rattled if he was willing to show just how vulnerable he was in front of Stiles. Still for all of Peter's new found adorableness he had done his duty to the pack with giving him information that meant he could track down a potential threat to the pack. And now Stiles would do what he did best for the pack - research.

Heading back to his room which had his best laptop in it - was for the best. He wanted to do something that would be constructive and channel his ADHD, but at the same time he needed somewhere safe. He might not be a wolf but there side-effects to mating, he'd found. For example, whenever the pack was threatened they would demand that the whole pack whole up at the Hale House, and they would seek their own comfort in their own den.

Derek was still there pacing restlessly; Stiles would shake his head but he knows futile when he sees it. Derek would pace, and continue pacing until he had the information he needed to protect the pack.

"Well?" Derek had to ask not too long after Stiles went silent. Derek knowing his mate knew that actually Stiles did have silent periods but only when he was absorbed in researching vital information.

Stiles shrugged, "I have a name, which means give me 15 minutes and you will have a dossier."

Derek's pacing resumed and as much as Stiles loved his man, wolf, whatever - he needed to be able to concentrate. "Hey Der. Why not take the Pups on a run and when you're back you'll have the information."

Derek shook his head, "Can't leave you unprotected."

Stiles just gave him a patented 'please bitch' look, "Der, you haven't had to worry about me in a fight with an ALPHA since I trained with Deaton."

Stiles could see that he was doing his best to come up with an argument but was failing. "Babe, go. I will have answers."

Derek seeing the stubborn look on his mate's face, sighed, "Fine."

He placed a tender kiss to his forehead before leaving, all the while yelling for the pups to meet him in the front yard.

Derek seeing how eager the betas were couldn't help but bite back a smile. At the moment they were the picture perfect definition of pups; all jostling for their Alpha's attention, it was cute in a way. Derek wanting to stop the mile a minute questions raised his hand imperiously demanding silence. "Peter has found his mate. His name is Brian and thanks to Peter and Stiles he is healing slowly."

Erica was eager to find out more, "Can we visit?"

Derek shook his head, "Uncle is working on pure instincts right now and until Brian is recovered the only one getting close is Stiles, and I won't begrudge him that."

Whilst the betas wanted to protest at that, they couldn't. They remembered the time when Stiles had been left bruised and bloodied thanks to psych grandpa Argent. Instead they went on the long run ordered by their Alpha. It was not like running was a real hardship for a werewolf.

Meanwhile in the master bedroom Stiles was reading up on the life of their newest pack member, and his heart went out to the battered wolf. He had been dealt a shitty hand by life, which probably meant that he was perfect for the pack. So O'Conner? huh. He knew of that pack it was over Arizona way - only the Alpha male was a douche who left his mate, and no one was ever sure why. The pack had imploded as a result, he remembered Peter telling him the tale not too long ago. He'd been asking about pack, and their dynamics wondering if they were any out there that they could form an alliance with. It also meant that Peter's mate was wolf-born which was probably for the best.

Shit people had used him, and then dumped him for most of his life. Stiles was a firm believer that he would make sure that that never happened again. He did a bit more digging and found the UC file; LA was a clusterfrak, and Miami was worse. It was either that the authorities knew that he was a wolf and he'd been asked to go under with an Alpha pack or they just didn't give a shit. He was betting the later, but it stopped. He sent a text to Danny asking for an identity to be wiped. He knew that it would be done quickly enough, and when Brian was back on his feet they would set up an expensive, holds up under scrutiny identity. He was sure that Peter would get a kick out of Brian becoming a Hale.

So at least now he had a name - Alpha Verone. Well if he decided to come to Beacon Hills - he would find that the hills were not welcoming. Also, the pack would tear apart anyone who came close to Brian or any of them.

Okay so thanks for all those who have read and reviewed – next update by the weekend!