Chapter Eight.
AN: Alright, bros, I have decided that when I'm finished with this story, I'm going to go over it again with a super edit pen and fix it, since this is mostly a beta, and repost it. I thought it would be a good idea to warn you guys, um. Kay, here's the next chapter~~
I was relatively surprised when Stiles name came across my screen with an incoming call. Allison and I were cuddling in the back of the Lacrosse field at lunch when he called and I thought I was seeing things. It wasn't until Allison asked me who it was, the worry in her voice bringing me back from my cloud of confusion. We exchanged bewildered looks before I accepted the call and brought the phone to my ear, my eyes never leaving Allison's shimmering chocolate ones. "Stiles?"
"Yeah, Scott, it's me. Meet me at my place tonight." Stiles instructs promptly. I don't know why but I assumed his voice would have changed in the last three weeks. I was unprepared to hear my best friend Stiles on the other end of the line. Though, I never thought I would be able to talk to him again and I never had the faintest notion that he would speak to me at all. Allison touches the back of my hand and smiles. I shake my head slightly and look down at our hands in the grass.
"How can I be sure I won't be killed by your new friends?" I ask softly with a sad frown. Allison senses my discomfort, like she always does, and slowly turns my hand over and slides her hand into my palm, interlocking our fingers. I smile at her but I know it doesn't reach my eyes.
"Just trust me, okay? Meet me." I frown again.
"I'll think about it," I blurt out barely after he finishes his sentence. I take a deep breath to try and calm my heart.
"What is it?" Allison whispers. I cover the mouthpiece with my hand but keep my ear to the speaker in case Stiles says anything else.
"Stiles asked me to meet him at his house later. Well, asked is the wrong word, I mean he commanded me to meet him at his house later." Her cute, brown eyes brows push together on her forehead.
"Why would he want to meet you?" I shrug.
"And his friends?"
I shake my head, "I dunno." She frowns again while bringing our conjoined hands onto her lap, stroking the back of my hand lightly with her free fingers.
Deucalion knew just where to find us, knew when to strike. Yesterday when the pack and I were in the back yard of the Hale residence, Deucalion's pack showed up before we even had time to react to their scent. They roughed us up a bit but nothing serious, until Kali said she's surprised she hasn't killed Stiles already because he was so annoying. Derek was in her face in a flash, teeth snapping. I'll never forget the smile on her face as Deucalion and she dragged Derek off, the rest of their pack fought us off so we couldn't follow.
He came back to us the next morning, only partially damaged. We all smelt the earthy spice scent of Stiles on him but didn't say anything.
"I think you should go. We need to take any chance we get to try and win him back." She murmurs with her gaze plastered to the ground. I nod.
"Be alone," I end the call and pocket my phone in my jeans and groan. "I hate this."
"I know you do, we all do. Come on, we have to tell the others," She stands up and pulls me up with her by our joined hands. We walk the field hand in hand but a silence between us that isn't normal but has become so for the past three weeks.
Our first thought to go is to the parking lot as Derek sometimes comes to visit the others during lunch. When we round the corner, and to our luck, I catch sight the expensive black Camaro about a hundred yards away. Derek is leaning against the door with Erica and Boyd standing in front of him with grins spread across their faces. I smile a bit when I see both of them beaming. Smiling as been a rarity since Stiles left, it feels good seeing the pack actually have a good time for once.
For three weeks the entire packs' lives' have been just one giant vortex of feelings no one understands. The tension when we're together is unhealthy for a group of people that are suppose to be family. A family that lost one of its leading members. Everyone is snippy, angry but also guilty, and confused all at once. Erica even broke down last week in tears after Jackson teased her, when Derek wasn't around, for being a girl. She was the first one to break from the stress. Lydia and Jackson broke up a few days ago over a pity fight that escalated into Isaac holding Lydia back as she screamed death threats to Jackson's face. They made up yesterday but not without me and Isaac having to sit them down and convince them it was just because of the stress everyone has been going through.
Stiles leaving was a huge blow to all of us including Derek. He has been trying to help everyone through the sudden chances, Stiles being gone and the new pack, but if you look closely you can see that his usual poker face as morphed into something a wounded dog would wear, one that denies feeling any sort of sadness since the hyperactive kid's departure. Erica once asked him how he felt about leaving and he simply replied with, 'I'm glad he's gone, I've hadn't had any headaches since.' No one questioned the flutter to Derek's heart at the obvious lie.
The last few days have been the worst, ever since our last pack meeting. Isaac complained that Derek had no good movies, Jackson bitched about having no food to snack on, Lydia talked about research she had been doing and needing someone to compare it with, then went on a rant about how stupid everyone was and how its cruel to make her do all the book work on top of all the magic stuff we ask from her. Derek bit the head off anyone who even looked at him the wrong way. Boyd was his standard quiet self, but got into a tiff with Allison over seats. There was no comic relief or distractions like there would have been if Stiles was there. He relaxes people, makes them mellow when all they want to do is yell. Hell, he has made Derek back down and sit when he was about to explode.
All humans and supernatural creatures need an anchor. They need someone or something to keep them grounded when they're lives is a tornado storm around them. Stiles is our anchor. All of ours. It's true that I have Allison and she is my anchor, and I am hers, but Stiles was just someone that everyone just needs around, but very few get the privilege to know.
Erica and Boyd turns to us when Allison and I approach them. "Hey, guys!" Erica greets, bounding the last few steps to us with the biggest toothy grin on her face.
I look to Allison with raised eyebrows and she shrugs back then lets out an "umf," When Erica assaults her with a out-of-character hug. Allison awkwardly pats her back until Erica lets go and beams at me.
"What's with her?" I look at Boyd while pointing to Erica who is now talking the ear off of Allison.
"She's excited." Thanks for stating the obvious Boyd. Good job.
"Over...?"
"Stiles, of course!" Erica squeals, bouncing over to stand beside Boyd, linking her arm with his. "He wants to meet you, yes?"
"How did you know? Were you listening in on us?" Erica's smile widens, I didn't think it was possible but okay.
"No, no. I heard Stiles call you. Finally, we can get him back." Derek crosses his arms uncomfortably, probably due to Erica's pitch. She's practically yelling in his ear.
"You eavesdrop on Stiles?" Allison asks suddenly.
"Oh course, we have to make sure he's okay, don't tell me you haven't looked for him in the halls to be sure he's still there. We all watch him, he's one of us."
"But he's not." Derek's head snaps up from previously being angled to look at his shoes like they are the most fascinating thing in the world. He pushes himself off his car by his back.
I shudder, "I mean, he doesn't think he is... I didn't mean it like that." I blurt out quickly, trying to smother the flames that are growing in Derek's eyes with a quick cover up. "That's why I agreed to the meeting; I want to show him how much he means to all of us, including you Derek." Everyone looks at Derek who shrinks away from their gazes. "I can't believe I'm saying this, but I have been his best friend since we have been in diapers and I don't even think I took it has bad as you did." I continue, shoving my hands into my pockets midway through. Allison hums in agreement and Erica nods.
"He's right, you're denying it but we can all see the impact this has had on you. I've noticed those unflattering bags under your eyes and you mope twice as much as before," Lydia chimes in when her and Jackson walk towards us. Lydia and Allison hug the way in their usual way of greeting one-another. Lydia then steps up to Derek and gives him an understanding, sympathy smile. "We know you caved and went to see him after the attack, and we don't blame you, we want him back with us as much as you do."
"What if he doesn't want back? This meeting could very well be an ambush." Derek says. He doesn't meet Lydia's eyes but instead looks to the side. I have had my fair share of dealing with denial in every way. I've dealt with Danny's denial on his sexuality back in seventh grade, I've went through Allison's denial when she found out about her families 'hobbies', and even Stile's denial after the loss of his mother, but none of these come close to Derek's denial. It is like pulling teeth out of a shark with only a pair of tweezers, a werewolf shark with bushy eyebrows and a beard.
Ever since the attack Derek has been completely different. The mere mention of Stile's name affects Derek in a whole new way. Something had happened when Deucalion took Derek away. Whether it be just a whole lot of hitting, I did spot a bruise on his arm when we were training, and talking or not, but Derek needs to get his shit together, he needs to finally accept his feelings.
People think I'm dumb and oblivious to things around me but I've caught Derek watching Stiles when he thinks everyone's' heads are turned. I have heard the way his heart jumps when the teen is near him or when Stiles addresses him at all. He has been this way for months prior to the blowout, so I know Derek has fallen for my best friend in a way only wolves can, like me to Allison, but I also am absolutely certain he will never do anything about his feelings because he is, and always will be, in denial. Deep, dark denial.
"Then we'll all go, we can wait in the woods or something." Isaac suggests and I think we all smirk in triumph when Derek hangs his head in defeat.
"Fine." He mumbles.
The lunch bell blares across the school grounds signalling the start of the next class. I grab hold of Allison's hand and we break off towards the school after saying our quick goodbyes.
" My place, seven!" Derek shouts at us which gets a thumbs up in return.
Derek parks his car around the corner from Stile's house and everyone piles out.
It's around nine so it has just begun to get dark, just enough for the street lights to turn on and cast the shadows of our dark figures onto the pavement. Derek insisted on staying in his loft for hours until Jackson, Isaac and I literally pushed him into the car. He said he wanted to make sure we all knew what we were doing and how much of a risk this is, pointing out that last time we made contact with the other pack. Personally, I think he was full of shit and was just nervous about being around Stiles again. Denial Derek.
When we got close to the Stilinski house the others tip-toed around to the side and crouched on the grass. Jackson makes a pointing gesture up at Stile's window. I nod before turning away and nervously jog away from the house a few meters then take a deep breath, wipe my clammy palms on my jeans, then beeline for the house. I bound over the group, climb up the siding of the house to window then slide inside.
He is waiting for me with a pleasant smile.
Fuck.
"Oh my, you've grown!" Stiles chuckles out. My lips twitch but I quickly recover. Derek said not to be soft, 'don't mess this up, Scott.' His voice echoes through my mind. 'This could be our only chance'
Stile's smile gets bigger, but only for a few short moments then it disappears. "We need to talk. Look, I heard about the fight and I want you to know that I'm sorry for being a part of it. I never meant to tell them where you guys were or anything, it just came out, you know..." I hear someone's breathing hitch outside and a few scattered gasps. No one wanted to believe he had anything to do with the ambush. I had hoped that one of the twins had overheard one of us give away our base location during a conversation during school. Or that Lydia had given away the information during one of Aiden and her 'talks' before the mutual ending of the relationship when the both packs get head to head.
"We're fine, no one was hurt anyway." Because Derek took all the blows for us.
"Derek came in here and bled all over my floor so don't give me that shit." Stile half shouts at me. He drops his head into his hands and sighs, then lifts it out and runs one of his hands over his face and continues in a slower, more careful voice, "I'm worried, okay? Deucalion is scarishly strong and so are the rest of them. I just don't want any deaths to be on my conscious, you get me?"
"Scarishly?" Oh, Stiles. My lips twitch again.
"It's a word."
"Sure it is." There is giggling outside, then shuffling in the grass. "Sh!" Someone hisses. Thankfully Stiles doesn't hear anything. "Anyway, its okay. Don't worry about it, alright?" I turn around to leave as I assume the talk is over.
"Why is it okay?"
I freeze. I suddenly wish Stiles had called someone else to meet with, but only momentarily. This is an honour that he would call me, his best friend who had abandoned him so many times.
"Because I trust you. I know you wouldn't hurt us like that on purpose." I say, my back still turned to him.
"And the others?"
What do I say? If I tell Stiles how they're doing or what they think about over all this in any way they don't like they might actually kill me. Or Derek would, and maybe Jackson. Erica would defiantly rip me a new one if I say the right words. I sigh and slowly turn around to face Stiles, who had stood up.
"They miss you, we all do. And we're sorry fo- for pushing you away like we did." I breathe out all at once.
Stile's eyes widen a fraction but his heartbeat stays even.
"How can you not mean too?"
Stiles is always moving. I've been his best friend for almost fifteen years and besides sleeping, I have only ever seen him stay absolutely still twice. Once when he lost his mother; he didn't move for hours, just sat in the small waiting room while doctors, family and friends filtered through. It took him weeks before he could even function properly, it was the worst I've ever seen him. The second time was three weeks ago when he thought he officially lost all of his friends, he didn't twitch, shift or play with something like Stiles usually does.
When someone is rampaging at you in complete anger you expect them to stomp around, throw things like Derek does. It's never seems as dire when they do for some unknown reason.
That's why seeing Stiles perfectly still is the most nerve-raking experience I have ever witnessed.
I wipe my hands on my jeans again.
"What I mean is... That, um," I bite my lip. I have to tell him the truth, I can't lose him again. "What I mean is that I didn't mean to forget about you, Stiles. Really, Allison... I've never been in love before, you know that, and going through my... transformation has made everything I feel more intense, including love. It kills me to say this, Stiles, but I just... forgot about you for a while." I huff out in one breath. I feel his gaze on my head but refuse to look at him. "And you know Jackson, I mean... He didn't think you would actually leave, you know? He's sorry too, for what he said. Everyone misses you so much, Stiles. We need you with us. We've all been a mess since you left, like there hasn't been anyone to keep us grounded or make us laugh. Don't get me started on pack night..." I chuckle nervously. I can feel my face get redder and redder for every excruciatingly slow second that goes by and want to say something, anything, to get rid of the intense pressure. "I miss my best friend Stiles. I need him back."
"What about Derek?" Stiles whispers, a second or so later, in such a low tone that I'm sure if I didn't have wolf senses I wouldn't have been able to hear him.
Someone curses from outside and there is some scrapping along the house. "Derek!" Isaac cries out, more than loud enough for Stiles to hear.
"You brought them? You said come alone!" Stiles shouts, running over to the window to peer out into the darkness. "Jackson? Erica?" He shouts out.
He is answered with a loud warning howl. One Derek uses to signal us of impending danger.
Stiles must know what it means too because he quickly turns away from the window and grabs my hand, pulls me face flush to the window and then jumps on my back.
"What the hell, Stiles?!" I try to shake him off but the kid has an iron grip of my neck and waist.
"Go! Jump!" He points at the window and tightens his legs around my waist, like you would do to a horse.
I'm a motherfucking horse.
I overlook the comment and I jump from the window with Stiles clinging to my back like a monkey. When we land intact on the grass the only thing I spot left of the pack is Lydia's ugly pink purse abandoned beside the house.
"Where'd they go?" Stiles asks.
"Quiet." I hiss. I hold my breath then let my advanced hearing reach out. I hear Stile's rapid breathing behind me and ignore it. I hear the sirens of a police car a few blocks away and disregard that. Finally I catch the struggles of our pack somewhere in the woods beside Stile's house. I exhale the held breath and then, without wasting any more time, I floor it to the path in the woods, Stiles grunting from the sudden pull but still keeps a strong grip on my back.
"It's the Alphas! Scott!" Erica hollers from someplace deep in the woods. I change my course slightly to follow where I heard Erica's voice.
"Keep Stiles back, don't bring him." Derek yells out after her. His voice comes from the general direction Erica's does. I keep on course, not once thinking about following Derek's instructions. He should know more than anyone that if I drop Stiles off, he will come on his own. It's safer this way.
"Derek?" Stiles calls out, his heart rate speeds up considerably and he shifts on my back. "Derek!" without warning Stile's hand snake into my pocket for a second and then his hand returns back around my neck.
"What did you do?" I ask quietly. I then feel Stile's breathe in my ear as he whispers.
"Mountain Ash."
I nod. I can hear them more clearly now, and am surprised to find that we're actually almost out of the woods. I had no idea how fast these fiends were, and with six extra wolves they're carrying? Oh god.
Stiles and I enter a glade in the woods, close enough to the outside that I can make out a white building behind the thin layer of trees on the other side of the clearing. In front of the boarder of trees, a few yards away, are our pack lined up on their knees with Deucalion's pack stationed behind them. Stiles plummets off my back and lands ungracefully on his butt, but quickly picks himself up and takes a step to stand beside me. We ignore his hilarious entrance, as it's not the time to be laughing; I see a few of our packs' mouth's twitch, though. We then carry on to suspiciously make our way over to the large group.
Stile and I both simultaneously stop a foot or two away from our pack, and all eyes are on us or Deucalion could be staring at the moon, who knows. But it is Deucalion who breaks the silence with a clap of his hands with an unsettling wolfish grin on his face. I clench the small, but lethal, pouch in my pocket.
"So we all meet again."
Another AN: ALRIGHTY. I edited as much as I could, but I have been so busy the past two days with... Minecraft. Sorry! I know how much you guys want this chapter and I'm sorry I couldn't post it sooner, don't hate me! C: ~~ Shy.
Disclaimer: I do not own Teen Wolf in any way, shape or form.