Stiles stepped into the basement shutting the door behind him. His eyes fell on Scott, expression somewhere between interested and ticked off.
"Look Stiles," Scott began carefully. "You have every right to be angry at me... "
"You said a mouthful buddy," Stiles said sarcastically, folding his arms and scowling.
"I'm really sorry," Scott told him, eyes sad and imploring.
Stiles sighed, looking away a few moments. When his gaze turned back to Scott it was a little fallen and sad.
"I'm sorry too Scott. This has all gotten way out of control. I was angry, and I've been venting. I should have listened. I should have accepted your apology. I mean yeah, I'm part of Derek's pack. Does that mean we really have to be enemies Scott?"
Stiles' sad eyes burned into him. Scott didn't know how he should answer without saying the wrong thing.
"Of course not Stiles. I was being kinda a butthead. You were mad. I was too. Some part of me had made it like a stupid contest. In my mind it was Derek or me. If you chose Derek you weren't choosing our friendship. I'm really sorry man. That wasn't fair."
"It really wasn't Scott," Stiles agreed, his expression angry again. "Do you even know why he gave me the bite? No of course not. You just jumped to one of your dumb conclusions."
Scott looked at the floor in shame. Stiles felt his chest tighten in guilt. He knew he was being a little hard, letting his anger get to him again.
"How many times Stiles?"
Was Scott crying? He lifted his head and tears were running down his face. Oh shit...
"How many times do I have to say how sorry I am? Is this your way of punishing me? I admitted I was wrong. I'm really really sorry Stiles. Will it ever be enough?"
Stiles felt tears escape from his own eyes falling down his face.
"I want our friendship back Stiles," Scott pleaded. "I am so sorry that I was a lousy friend, that I brushed you off for Allison. I was stupid. You're like my big brother Stiles."
Stiles smiled a little in spite of himself, choking out a sob and wrapping his arms around Scott in an embrace.
"I'm sorry too Scott."
The two of them pulled apart. Stiles wiped his eyes with his hand and laughed a little. Scott gave him a very watery smile that contained every ounce of his happiness.
"Now about Derek," Stiles began, clearing his throat.
"I'm willing to work out a truce," Scott said. "I realize how stupid I've really been. I'm new at being an alpha. I guess it went to my head. I wanted to be better than Derek."
Stiles ran his hand over his chin thoughtfully, thinking about what could be done here. He supposed he was kinda like the negotiator now.
"When you say a truce Scott... you still want to be alpha? You want an alliance?"
Scott nodded. Stiles seemed deep in thought again.
"Well I don't know how Derek will take that honestly. Beacon Hills is Hale territory. Having two packs here would be kinda unorthodox. I wonder if its the first time this has happened though. Let me talk to Derek okay?"
Scott nodded and gave him a small smile.
"Thanks. I'm glad we've forgiven each other."
Stiles smiled a little.
"Me too Scott," he said gently.
ooOoo
"He wants a truce?" Derek asked skeptically.
He paced across the living room, scowl in place. Peter stood in a nearby corner, arms folded over his chest.
"I'm not sure I like this idea," his uncle interjected. "This would be most unusual."
"I'm not sure I do either," Derek admitted. "What choice do we really have though? I don't want our packs to fight each other forever, and I certainly don't want to keep Scott my prisoner for life."
Peter shrugged, his own frown in place.
"By all means Derek, do as you see fit."
The alphas really couldn't blame him for this one, could they?
"Thank you uncle," Derek replied nodding. "I'm glad you all have confidence in me. You too Peter. I know I don't always show it, but we are family."
"Yes," Peter smiled a little. "We are."
Damn Derek, knowing what to say to play on his emotions. Still he'd better just play along until he could figure out what to do next. He supposed he'd have to come up with another way to incite them against one another.
"We'll do it," Derek spoke authoratively, giving Isaac and Stiles a glance. "We'll make a truce. Isaac go free our guests."
A sudden sound of the front door slamming shut made them all jump. There stood the three alphas in front of them. Xaiu raised his hands and lowered his hood, revealing a rough and scarred old face with gray hair.
"No Derek," he spoke calmly yet sternly. "I really don't think you will. Not just yet. You need to hear what I have to say."
He gave a rather arrogant smile. Tanya and Eni followed his example, lowering their hoods. Tanya had red hair and a rather hard-looking face. Her lips were a blood red. Eni was very pale and fair-skinned with long blond hair framing his shoulders. They were all smirking, making Derek and his pack feel very uncomfortable. The alpha couldn't keep the look of worry off of his face.
"You failed the test Derek," Xaiu told him. "A good alpha never shows mercy to his enemies."
Peter smirked from where he was standing in the corner. Now they were talking his language.
ooOoo
Next chapter: Derek loses his alpha status, Peter's treachery is revealed, and Scott and his pack are still chained up and powerless to help. Also this may not be thirty chapters after all. I went forward with it a little faster than I thought.
Catch the next installment for the beginning of the end.