Well, Crap…That was not what I expected.
Stubborn, pig-headed, defiant, and unreasonable. Apparently his mate was all that attached to a mouth that wouldn't shut up and wrapped in a body he just wanted to lick Derek thought as he watched Stiles cross the length of their room his arms creating elegant patterns as he talked and talked and talked.
"So if you think for one second that I am staying behind because I need to be protected, you can just find me another room to sleep in." Stiles finished his tirade with a huff and turned to stare at Derek waiting for his reply.
"Are you threatening to withhold sex if I don't allow you to endanger yourself?"
"Fuck no. We'll still have sex but I won't be sleeping with you afterwards. No cuddling, no scenting me in the middle of the night, or anything else. I'm not some damsel that needs protecting Derek. I lived there for four years. You can't leave me here because I'm not staying!"
Derek tilted his head as he tried to work out exactly what his mate meant. "Stop that," hissed Stiles. "Looking all cute and sexy will not make me forgive you. I'm going with you and that's final."
"Fine."
"And if you try to stop me I will find a way to get there on my own. I'm… wait…did you just agree?"
Derek rumbled deep in his throat, letting his eyes flash briefly to show his displeasure but Stiles stood his ground and even curled his lip in a small smile. "Yes, I agreed with you. I'm not happy about it but you have the right to come along and I shouldn't stand in your way. Just please listen to me. You don't heal like the rest of the pack and you don't have our strength. Will you at least promise me that you will listen for your own safety?"
Stiles bit the inside of his lip in thought as his eyes narrowed on Derek. "I can do that. I promise to listen to you when it comes to my safety as long as you don't try to make me sit out in the car with the windows cracked or something. I want to be there and see that assholes face when our pack comes to make him pay for all the lives his ruined. Watching you tear him a new one shouldn't put me in any danger."
Derek curled his arms around his mate's back and over his shoulders, pulling them closer until their foreheads rested together, breathing in the younger man's scent before kissing him. It started out gentle, a soft peck, almost chaste but as soon as Stiles let out a little moan of pleasure Derek deepened it. Nips to slightly parted lips gave way to a sparring of their tongues until Stiles grabbed a fist full of Derek's dark hair and forced his head back, taking control of the kiss as he pushed Derek into a nearby chair.
By the time they broke apart, both men were breathless and panting. "Okay. Not that I am complaining or anything but what brought that on? I mean besides my shear hotness."
Derek huffed holding back the chuckle that curled in his belly and let his teeth scrape along Stiles' jaw line before answering. "You said 'our pack'. It's nice that you are starting to feel like you are one of us. I was afraid that you would try to keep the rest of the pack separate, not let the bond settle fully."
Stiles ran his hands through Derek's hair making it spike in the front before brushing it back down. "There's a lot you and I are going to talk about after we deal with the Pack Home. We are going to sit down and you are going to explain this bond thing to me fully."
"Most of it is just instinct," Derek whispered as he leaned into Stiles' touch.
"Which I'm sure works for werewolves but I'm human so I will need a little more explanation. As much as you can give me." Stiles cupped Derek's chin and looked into his eyes before adding, "I'm going to need you to talk about werewolf things with me and not just expect me to know what is going on inside your head. Okay?"
Derek nodded and barely held back the whine as Stiles stood up. He could still feel the heat from where Stiles had touched him resting his own hand over the area as if he would hold onto the warm just a little longer.
"So how much longer until the rest of the pack is ready to …" A howl cut Stiles off making him shiver. Derek immediately stepped forward and rested his hand against the small of his mate's back to reassure him. "I'm guessing that means we are all ready to go?"
"Yes," Derek's wolf pushed its way to the front of his mind responding to his father's call. "It's time to hunt."
Stiles grinned, wide and bright, into the red blaze of his mate's eyes. Derek expected to smell a trace of fear from the young man but was surprised to find him smelling of eager anticipation and satisfaction. "Then let's go corner our prey."
Turning Stiles strode out of the room looking confident. The borrowed clothing was still baggy on his too thin frame but he held himself with a self possessed poise that made Derek smile. His mate was one to be reckoned with and the Argents had made a poor choice of enemies.
Derek followed Stiles out onto the front porch. The sun blinded him momentarily before he slipped on his dark glasses to protect his eyes. Stiles stood with his hand shading his face, watching as the cavalcade of dark vehicles pulled up to the front of the house.
Each car bore the pack standard, a dark blue flag with the wolf courant proudly displayed. All twelve cars pulled to a stop and their drivers jumped out to open the doors almost simultaneously.
Derek moved toward the first car with Stiles falling in step behind him. His father reached the door just before him and turned with a confused look on his face. "I doubt there will be danger because they are not expecting us, especially not in force, but don't you think Stiles would be safer staying behind with your mother and Max."
"Stiles has just as much right to face the Argents as Laura, even more so. He wants to be there." Derek squared his shoulders ready to stand his ground for his mate.
"Stiles can speak for himself," grumbled his mate from behind his shoulder before he pushed his way passed to face Derek's father. "I need to be there, to stand in front of Gerard Argent and make sure he faces the consequences of his actions. I'm not staying behind and I don't need to be treated like I'm helpless. I can take care of myself. I've been doing it for years and just because Derek decided to bite the hell out of my shoulder, thanks for that by the way," he half snarled over his shoulder at Derek. "Doesn't mean I'm suddenly helpless and fragile."
Derek made a choked sound in the back of his throat, waging a war with himself on whether he was proud of his mate for standing up for his rights and beliefs or dying of embarrassment as his lover back-talked the most influential Alpha in the region.
Darren Hale nodded eyes serious as he looked at his son's mate before breaking out into a full smile that took years off his appearance. "My apologies Stiles. It is your right to be there." He motioned for Stiles to enter the car first, holding the door open and waving him in with a flourish. Turning to his son and taking note of his reddened ears his smile became even wider. "You have your hands full with that one son. I don't know if I feel envy or pity."
"Hey," called Stiles from inside the car. "I may not be a werewolf but I'm not deaf."
"Pity." Smirked Derek's father as he slid into the car.
The front gates of the Pack Home opened slowly as the cavalcade of cars approached as if trying to delay the pack with their slow creaking swing. Stiles' leg continued to bounce up and down, increasing speed as they came closer to their destination. Derek rested his palm on Stiles' knee, not applying pressure or trying to stop its movement but just so his mate knew that he was there to lend his support. He could feel the wave of relief and acknowledgement flow down the link.
"This is the first time I've seen those gates and not been afraid. I want to make sure that no child is ever afraid here again." Stiles' knee stilled and he covered Derek's hand with his own, linking their fingers together as he leaned into Derek's warmth.
The car came to a stop in front of the ornate front doors. They were all helped out of their cars and starting up the wide steps before one of the staff, a young man that Stiles remembered seeing work the front desk came scurrying out the door to greet them.
"Alpha Hale! This is a surprise. I'm afraid that Director Argent was not aware of your visit and has been called away on another matter. The children are at the school house but they should be heading back soon. Would you like to wait?"
"No," Alpha Hales voice was low, commanding, and made even Derek want to lower his head in submission. "We want to look around at everything. I've heard some disturbing news and I want answers. Now." The last word rumbled out sending the human stumbling back before turning and fleeing into the building.
The pack followed. Derek, Stiles and Laura stayed with Alpha Hale in the main hall as the rest of the pack split in different directions to investigate the premises thoroughly.
Stiles moved toward the back of the entry way to where the clinic was located. They were half way down the large showy room, flanked by smiling pictures of children, when a flustered Nurse Kelly stumbled out from the clinic as if pushed. Having three sets of angry alpha eyes focused on you was enough to make an innocent person sweat and Nurse Kelly wasn't anywhere near innocent.
Stiles smiled as he sped up his steps to reach the frightened nurse first. "Hello, Nurse Kelly. Do you remember me? I was here a couple of months ago for a check-up with Director Argent and Dr. Marren. I was telling my mate how nicely they treated me here and he insisted on thanking them both in person."
Derek let himself smile at the satisfaction that rolled off Stiles in waves assaulted his senses. He's mate was proving to be stronger than he could ever hope. Derek had worried briefly that Stiles would charge in, railing about the injustice of it all, wanting them to snap and snarl without the benefit of proof against the staff of the Pack Home but instead Stiles had been calm and patient, if not just a bit gleeful at the evident discomfort of the employees he had run into so far.
"Dr. Marren will be with you shortly. I'm afraid Director Argent is not in today." The nurse was becoming paler every second, her nervous swallows clear to his heightened hearing as was the frantic beat of her heart.
"Pity." Sighed Stiles. "Is Mrs. Argent in today? I'm sure Alpha Hale, Alpha Laura Hale that is, would love to speak to her about the running of the Pack Home."
Nurse Kelly started to visibly tremble, her hands blurring with tension as they pressed against her chest. "She didn't come in today either. I will go check on Dr. Marren." She turned and practically ran back through the door. Stiles followed at a slower pace with the rest of the alphas following him into the clinic.
"So, is there a way to make a distinction between you three? Are you just Alpha Hale, Alpha Hale, and Alpha Hale or is there like an Alpha Junior or something." Derek shook his head lightly but was starting to understand Stiles' need to ramble when he was nervous. His extra energy had to go somewhere and apparently his mouth was directly connected to his nervous system.
Derek was saved from having to try to explain by the entrance of an older man, hair graying at his temples but still rich and thick, who calmly walked toward the three alphas.
"Madam Alpha Hale, it is such a pleasure to see you again. I wasn't expecting you so soon after your last visit. To what do I owe the honor of your presence?"
Derek could feel the wave of disgust from his mate as well as the scent of distrust and anger that thickened his scent. "I guess you owe me the honor of her presence. I've told them how you treat the kids here. They know everything now."
Dr. Marren turned bland eyes toward Derek's mate and extended his hand. "I don't believe I've had the pleasure of meeting your acquaintance young man. What brings you to the Pack Home for Humans?"
"I think you should rename it 'Home for the Abused and Abandoned Humans.'" Stiles growled. Derek wondered briefly if it was a side effect of their bond or if his young mate had always growled and snarled so convincingly.
"I'm sorry young man. I don't know what you are talking about. I have worked here for over ten years and all our charges here at the Pack Home are taken care of with the highest standards."
Derek, along with his father and sister, tilted their heads as they listened to the beat of the doctor's heart. There was no up-tick, no stutter that indicated a lie. "He's telling the truth." Laura said looking at Stiles.
Derek immediately stepped forward, eye flashing at his older sister for even the slightest hint that she might be doubting Stiles' word. He could feet the churning mix of emotions roll down the link from Stiles; anger, fear, confusion, and a hopelessness that Derek wanted to make sure his mate never felt again.
"You were here. When I was brought here a few months ago, you were in the clinic with Nurse Kelly. You left as soon when Argent came in with the syringe. I saw you!"
Dr. Marren turned sad eyes toward Stiles. "I've never seen you before in my life young man. I don't know why you would bring charges like this against my clinic and the Pack Home but whatever compensation you are trying to cheat the Hales' out of you will find you will not receive a penny of it."
"He was there!" Stiles turned to Derek, eyes pleading for him to believe. "I swear, he was there. I've told you the truth."
"I believe you." Derek pulled Stiles in close resting his head against his mate's shoulder. "I can hear and feel the truth of your words. I don't doubt you but Dr. Marren's heartbeat isn't changing. He's telling the truth too."
Stiles pushed away, slamming his fists into Derek's chest in his fury. "Then he's figured some way to trick you. They've figured some way to lie to you and you don't even know it. You are all so sure of your senses that you will never look or smell beyond them."
Eyes bright with un-shed tears Stiles turned back to the doctor. "The rest of the Hale Pack is taking an unsupervised tour of the grounds. Maybe you can lie to what the pack hears but I bet you can't lie to what they can see and touch."
Paling, for the first time since he walked into the room, the doctor looked uncertain and almost afraid. Derek noticed his scent changing, the cloying scent of fear and panic filling the air. Laura stepped forward into the doctor's personal space, her eyes tracking the beads of sweat that had appeared on his upper lip and brow.
"Strange. You smell of fear and your body, cold sweat and pale skin, scream of it and yet your heart beat has not changed. It remained steady this whole time. I think that's really strange, don't you Derek?"
"You would listen to a street rat's lies over my word?" The doctor's words held a note of distain and arrogance that made Derek see red. No one would speak about his mate in that manner. Reaching out he grabbed the doctor's shirt to pull him closer to growl a warning about respecting an alpha's mate. His hands closed around fabric and thin wires that snaked beneath his shirt.
"Father, take a look at this." The older alpha stepped forward and looked over his son's shoulder as he pulled apart the doctor's shirt to reveal a set of wires that connected to a metal clamp above the man's chest and down to a small pack worn at the back of his waist. The entire system was so compact that no one would have known it was there if Derek had not grabbed the man.
"What is this?" Pulling it away, the wires snapping off and the pack falling to the ground to bounce and clatter until it stopped at Stiles' feet, Derek's father leaned in close as he voice deepened with command. "You used this to shape your lies into truths?"
Dr. Marren hung limply in the alpha's grip the whites of his eyes showing and his fear and cowardice evident in the sudden wetness and ammonia smell coming from his pants.
Tossing the wretched man away from him, Derek's father turned to Stiles with eyes full of regret and sorrow. "They've lied to us. Stiles, oh son, I'm sorry." With a gentle hand he pulled Derek's mate to his chest in a tight embrace. "I swear, we will make this right."
"Good to know. Can't breathe here." Stiles' words sounded flippant but Derek could feel the confusion coming from his mate; the need for acceptance and hunger for family conflicting with his anger at how he had been treated while under the Pack's care.
"You blame us." Derek didn't speak it but the thought was strong enough that his mate picked up on it. Stiles eyes widened with shock. He took a step closer and linked his fingers with Derek's.
"No. Well, yes. You didn't do this but if we were under your protection you should have done a better job. Dropping by once a year is pretty shitty protection if you ask me, which you kinda just did."
Laura's head was down, tears evident on her cheeks. "I'll make this right, Stiles. I promise."
The rest of the pack started to file back in from their various directions, all tense and agitated. In whispered voices they reported their findings to Laura and her father while Derek pulled Stiles off to the side a bit.
"You don't need to shelter me. I lived here, I know what they found." Derek rubbed his mates back in small circles, offering what little comfort he thought Stiles would accept at this point. "So. Is reading each other's mind part of this whole true mate thing? Because I'm not too thrilled about the idea of you knowing every little thought that crosses my mind."
"Truthfully, I've never heard of a bond being strong enough for that to happen but there haven't been any true mate bonds in the last decade. They were rare in my father's time but these days they are practically legend."
"But they weren't always so rare? What changed?"
"I don't know. None of us do."
Stiles hummed, he's eyes taking on that far away look that Derek was beginning to associate with his mate's deep thinking. Derek immediately took the extra weight as his mate leaned back into his arms, wrapping his arms around the thin human as his pack laid out their evidence of mistreatment that had gone on beneath their noses for years.
Pressing closer to Stiles, Derek promised himself that he would do whatever was in his power to make this better, to heal the chasm of distrust that Stiles felt for werewolves. The Hale Pack had failed these children but Derek would be damned if he failed Stiles.