Is This The World We Created

Chapter 29

"Uncle Peter?" Laura spoke, a vulnerable note in her voice, a subvocal whine stuck behind her throat. Of all the things she could say to the werewolf, it was one of the things guaranteed to get a reaction. Laura didn't understand why her Uncle Peter flinched, she'd never seen him flinch, her uncle was strong not as strong as her mother and father of course.

Peter froze, feeling like he was about to jump out of his own skin. It was the most dreadful feeling in the entire world. Swallowing thickly, mouth dry, goosebumps crawling up his arms and the back of his neck. The last time she'd called him that, in his memory, she hadn't sounded so vulnerable. Shocked, confused, surprised yes, but not quite that vulnerable. Then again, it should be no surprise, since she'd been without much of a pack for six years. It would have been enough to harden anyone.

"Laura…" Jasper cautioned his granddaughter, who naturally had no idea of the havoc she was wreaking on Peter, on her own uncle.

"What?" Laura asked, turning to her grandfather. He hadn't really been part of their lives for years. They saw him once a year. Hell, sometimes even twice if they were lucky. Her mother said that he was a hairs breadth away from becoming Omega. Omegas were dangerous feral things that need to be killed. There was no redeeming them. For the safety of the pack, Omegas that have gone feral need to be put out of their misery.

Its why she never let herself get close to her grandfather.

"Do you want me to handle this?" Harry asked, observing Peter's stance. It was one he was familiar with; one he had adopted once upon a time. Derek was upstairs with Stiles, Noah (Stiles' father) was sleeping deeply, no surprise there given the mental trauma. And while MACUSA healers had done their best to be careful and delicate, he'd still undergone some seriously trauma.

"Handle?" Laura bit out, "You're not even part of this pack!" she lashed out, aiming to hurt and maim the only way she could. She didn't need handled, she'd show them, her mother would show them just wait.

Peter snarled loud and long enough to shake the very foundations of Noah's house.

Derek was down the stairs and between Laura and Peter in a nanosecond. In the drama Laura cringed back, even she knew better than to start something with her uncle. Her mom was still training her, and she knew she wasn't good enough to take on Uncle Peter, especially when he was an Alpha.

Stiles was watching the scene from the top of the staircase. "What did you say to piss off Peter?" Stiles asked, staring at Laura.

Laura blinked bewildered, "What made you think it was me?" she protested. She hated this pack within a pack. It felt as if she was being edged out almost entirely. She wanted to know why, completely ignoring everything she'd learned already. She would never do that to pack, unless they were Omega of course, which any Alpha would.

Stiles stared at her expectantly, knowing without a doubt he was quite correct. Jasper and Sebastian, he'd already spoken to, they'd know better than to enrage their Alpha. Plus, he'd spent the day with them, and they hadn't pissed Peter off once, its unlikely to happen now. There was only two who could really piss him off, Laura and Talia. Even his other sister seemed to be so proud and happy for Peter. Which reminded him, he mentally made a note to remember the entire pack's names. Derek and Peter had so rarely spoken of anyone that wasn't Talia that he didn't know any of the others.

"Enough," Derek commanded quiet but firm, backed up by the Alpha power. "Where's mother?"

The smell of deception wafting from Laura alarmed all the adults including one of the two de-aged ones. Stiles couldn't smell what they did but his intuition made up for that. He could see the way they tensed that something more was up. There were only a few things Stiles reckoned could be wrong. Now he might not understand fully, but he knew enough to be cautious.

"Laura, where is your mother?" Jasper demanded to know, suddenly getting a bad feeling about this. He'd thought he'd known his daughter well, but it turned out he definitely didn't. Everything he now knew and experienced…he never wished for it to become reality. It wouldn't he knew his son would never let it.

Laura didn't even attempt to lie; it was a foolish thing to do in a room full of werewolves. Laura may be many things, but an idiot she was not. She had a 3.0, if it wasn't all the days when she had to stay away from the public, she'd have a 4.0. Instead, all she did was shrug, chin jutting out stubbornly.

"Laura, I know you think you're doing what's best, but believe me you're not, sweetie." Sebastian said quietly, trying to get through to his daughter. Unfortunately, ever since Tali had begun giving her 'Alpha lessons' her daughter didn't seem to pay him the slightest bit of attention. Hurt suffused him, when once again, as usual, his daughter jerked away from him as if his touch repulsed her. Swallowing thickly, wondering what it was about him…that his own wife and daughter and lately son (before the time-travel) couldn't stand his touch.

"Stiles?" Peter's voice was filled with determination. If he thought using the alpha voice on Laura would work, he would have done it. Unfortunately, Laura was rather strong mentally when it came to the Alpha voice. Her mother had taught her that much, from what he accidentally stumbled upon. Kept pushing and pushing until she could defy her mother and Alpha cold.

"Done it," Stiles knew what Peter wanted without him having to say anything. So many years they'd spent together, trusting only one another.

Derek sighed, resigned, clenching his hands into fists, the bite of his nails sinking into his vulnerable flesh. For a moment…just a moment he'd thought he could have his family back without recrimination. He'd forgotten…he'd forgotten the underly tension that had always been present most of the time.

"Laura, where is Talia?" Peter asked, there was no hint of Alpha behind his question, which confused everyone there. Of course, they'd forget they had a powerful spark in their midst but Peter never forgot. Stiles was impossible to forget, whether he was magical or not.

"She's getting the bonds from the vault," Laura told him, before clasping her hand over her traitorous mouth. She had no idea how that had happened, she never meant to tell any of them this. Then she turned to glare at Stiles, eyes flashing gold, furious.

Stiles snorted, before slapping his hand over his mouth, "Sorry but it's funny!" he did have to confess that it was odd seeing werewolves with gold eyes. He was more used to that smouldering icy blue hue. He would always prefer the blue actually, but that's only because the people he cared for most had blue eyes.

Peter just glanced at Stiles with a dry look on his face, "I'm sure," it wasn't his money that was going missing. Then again, the bonds weren't entirely his either, Hale's had saved up for eons. "At least it isn't an assassination attempt, unless it's my death she wants." He muttered to himself.

Sonya kept her children close, as tempers brewed dangerously close. As werewolves, they were far easier to anger than humans were. Or it would be more accurate to say that they caused a lot more damage than she could.

Stiles snorted again, erupting into laugh, and oh, it surprisingly felt so good.

"Peter, go get your daughter, Sebastian and I will get Talia," Jasper said, but it was not an order, far from it, merely a suggestion that would see all situations dealt with.

Peter opened his mouth, but whatever he was going nobody knew.

"Trust me," Jasper stated, he'd more than learned his lesson. "We'll get her set to right. Go get the lost member of our pack. Bring my granddaughter to me I want to bless her." Selfishly using Peter's desire to be a good Alpha first and foremost and an even better father.

Peter swallowed thickly, suddenly absolutely terrified giving a determined nod. Jasper and Sebastian immediately sought out to find their daughter and wife respectively. Honestly, what was Talia thinking? Running away with the Hale fortune? She surely wasn't thinking of such a thing?

Before he left Jasper watched the interaction; once again panging with the realisation that Stiles knew his own son better than he did. It's something he'd come to reluctant terms with while they worked. Had it been days already since the fire? There had only been a few seconds hesitation, which apparently were enough for Stiles. He was rather envious really, of that close relationship they shared. He glanced at Derek to find him entirely unperturbed as per usual. He nodded at Sebastian who tapped his shoulder, it was time to go.

"She's only eight, Peter," Stiles said quietly, reverentially. "She's not a teenager, she's not spent years in her Coyote form. She needs her father, it doesn't matter that she thinks it's Tate, you're her father now come on, bring her home where she belongs. Where she should always have been. Where she doesn't have to hide." His eyes following the others to the door, as the door closed behind them and took of into the night.

"Scott won't get his claws into her," Derek stated, nudging Peter, being the Alpha when Peter was unable. Perhaps there was a reason the Nemeton had made both of them Alpha's.

Peter inhaled, "Agreed, but we likely will need something to entice her out of her den if it's the same one I remember." Gathering his courage, he wasn't sure he could deal with Malia denying him again. Her desire to go back to her adopted (illegally might he add) father than stay with him had hurt. He hadn't let anyone think he was hurting, not at all.

"Don't worry, I've got enough food to feed a hundred wizards and witches," Harry declared, patting his pocket as if it made sense. Not to the werewolves that had yet to see more than just parlour tricks when it came to magic. it was admittedly an exaggeration, but when they woke up? They'd need food and a lot of it.

Peter merely nodded, anxiety bubbling in his stomach, he was so nervous. "Where on earth did you get the food?" he asked belatedly.

"I got prepped while I used the time-turner." Harry told him, "You have no idea how many extra families we've had to take care of. The council leaders? They were doing off the books hunts with families that were neither hunter or married in. It's a good job there was enough Veritaserum to go around."

"How many extra families?" Peter enquired at the same time Stiles spoke, "How many extra families are we talking about?" as inquisitive as ever.

"You'll find out later," Harry said, glancing at the time, "In about an hour the last of the hunters will actually be put down. When we're done with this last task and got some sleep, I'll give you all the details." He promised, "That's if I can stay awake for the next part."

"How many days did you go back?" Stiles asked, peering over the banister.

"The Time-turner goes back hours at a time," Harry corrected, "But seventy-two hours and I wasn't the only one. We had a few hiccups with word getting out to other families." And his fingers still ached from turning that damn turner seventy-two times. He never wanted to have to do that again.

"Did you lose anyone?" Derek asked with sympathy.

"forty-nine before I went back, plans never go smoothly but what happened was causing a lot of chaos so we stepped in, stopped it." Harry sighed, "However, we got it right, even if we required a little nudge and knowledge in the end." That many Auror loses would have been catastrophic, and in this time of change? They needed all the Aurors they had. They weren't under the illusion that it was going to be an easy process.

"It's insane though," Stiles said enthusiastically, "I mean a worldwide attack, simultaneously, all made to look like different things. Its' mad, bloody awesome though, but mad."

"He's quite right," Sonya said, her husband Ian agreeing with her, his worry wrinkles fading leaving happy amusement on his face. "I don't even understand half of it."

"Once everything has settled, I'll explain everything to you," Harry promised, "It might take a few more days though."

"That's okay, we've got time," Ian said, "Time we all owe to you all it seems." He was still coming to terms that his family should have, no would have, died in that fire. All because they hadn't been watching the cubs closely. Derek had still been a cub, a very vulnerable one.

"You're welcome," Stiles chirped immediately before Derek could even think of refuting it and taking the blame on his own shoulders. "Should I come? Someone near her age might help?"

"No, you and Derek need some rest, we'll be back before you know it anyway." At least he and Harry were in 'adult' bodies, whereas Derek and Stiles were not. They needed more food, more sleep and got tired far easier. Especially since Stiles was still recovering and Derek himself was using Alpha powers at a young age which will tire him out more. "You should probably stay as well." He'd just admitted to being up for four or five days on the trot without sleep? Hell, likely more, since they hadn't slept much.

"Ever been that exhausted you no longer feel tired?" Harry asked.

"Yes," Stiles exclaimed immediately. "I do!"

Derek laughed softly as he left his sisters side, re-joining Stiles, picking his side whether he realized it or not. Not that he'd ever side with anyone else other than Stiles, if he had to choose a side. "Better listen to him, nothing could convince him to stop until he had his answers." Although, Stiles had confided in him that his sleeping schedule had always been a little screwed up due to his medication. What he hadn't confessed to was taking too many of them, but Derek knew he did that too.

"It's like that." Harry said wryly, "Too wired and tired at the same time."

"What did you take?" Stiles asked curiously.

Derek groaned, honestly, a filter was what Stiles really needed.

Harry smirked, "Wouldn't you like to know."

Peter sniffed, trying to discern whether he had taken something but he couldn't smell anything other than sweat, ozone and the other cocktail of scents that just screamed magic at least Harry's kind.

"Relax it's just a potion," Harry laughed, shaking his head ruefully, "Nothing illegal." But when he crashed he really would crash, he'd liable to sleep for days not hours.

"In both worlds?" Peter interrogated casually, well aware of his mates' sneaky ways.

Harry chuffed, "Yes," he somehow doubted the herbs or potion ingredients were illegal in the Mundane world.

Peter hummed before conceding it as the truth.

"Time to go," Harry said, yawning widely as he and Peter nodded wordlessly at the pack (who were still awake) gave a nod, feeling a little guilty that the kids were awake. They were bound to be feeling a little anxious, Peter wouldn't settle until the pack on a whole settled including his daughter.

It took them a frustrating far longer time than either had anticipated. The terrain was nothing like they remembered, naturally. The entirety of Beacon Hills had been had been a desolate burnt-out husk, when they last saw it. That and the terrain had changed in the six years after Peter ended up comatose and when the world went to hell.

"It's harder than you thought being back here, isn't it?" Harry asked Peter quietly, barely a murmur trying to remain quiet as possible.

"I didn't expect it to be," Peter confessed, "I thought I wouldn't feel so…bitter and angry, but it's there, in fact, its' worse." He hated the fact he wasn't fully in control of himself, of his wolf.

"It will fade," Harry soothed his mate, "The anger feels so strong right now I think because you're faced with people who you were angry at but didn't feel like you could be because they were dead."

Peter sighed, tension uncoiling a little, "Maybe," he replied thoughtfully. He'd been trying to do everything at once, and he didn't want to think on his emotions if he was honest. He would need to come and meditate though, calm himself and his wolf. It also hadn't sat well with him that his daughter had come third in his to-do list. That isn't how it should be, she should always come first.

How long had it been his Malia had come first to anyone? Since before her sister was born? Or had been as the case may be, no child deserved what happened to her, another thing they could lay at Talia's feet. Sending a supernatural creature to Hunt…Ordinary people. He'd gotten so used to calling them all hunters that it would take some time to get used to not doing so anymore.

"We're almost there," Peter suddenly said, "That's her den." Pointing in the distance to Malia's chosen den. It was very distinctive the area, it had a smashed-up car, rusted with blood and clawed up with Malia's first transformation, in her terrified state. "Don't approach it, she's very…territorial over it from what I was told." Noticing Harry was looking over the car with saddened eyes.

"Stiles?" Harry deduced.

Peter nodded once, yes, Stiles, Malia never spoke of what happened, not to anyone as far as he knew.

"I'll follow your lead," Harry informed Peter, as he approached closer, there was no doubt she knew they were there. Not only able to hear them but smell them, and he couldn't help but wonder if her form was a cub or if she was middle sized definitely couldn't be an adult.

Peter approached the entrance of the den, tamping down his emotions as best as he was able. Sitting down, crossing his legs he leaned back against a tree. Harry shrugged and followed his example, but both of them remained within sight of the opening. Not to stop her, but to let her see them. To see that they weren't going to try anything.

"I can put a silencing spell up if you desire privacy." Harry suggested, getting comfortable, rummaging in his pocket with his entire arm ensconced within.

Peter watched the sight, fascinated, even the short time (the reprieve from war) they'd been with Harry in the Black ranch hadn't been enough to quench the newness. Then again, he might never get used to it, he thought as he watched lunch box after lunch box emerge from the never-ending pocket.

The smell made his stomach rumble, but he turned his focus onto the darkness of the cave. He swore he saw two eyes blinking for just a second. "Hello Malia," he murmured, and for a second more those eyes gazed into his own. The sound of scraping as the coyote presumably moved forward to hear a little more, to see perhaps. Then again, the food did smell wonderful, as his daughter had been surviving on whatever she could get. This smell was probably very enticing indeed.

"Yes, I know who you are, I know what you are," he murmured accepting the lunch box filled to the brim with roast beef. "Shall I tell you a story? Your story?" opening the container he plucked a few pieces to eat for himself, before he placed the container on the floor and kicked it across as delicately as he could while giving it the momentum it needed to skid across uneven ground.

He smiled; it was a little pained the way the cub pounced on the food as if it hadn't had any for days. Which could very likely be possible, it didn't look like she'd joined a pack of Coyotes yet. Luckily it wasn't too hot that it would burn her mouth.

"You were born to Corrine and Peter Hale, nobody knows your mothers name, and all I know of your mother was that she was nicknamed the Dessert wolf my sister Talia …"

Harry cleared his throat, "Keep it simple, she's eight, and has spent a significant time here on her own, without gaining more understanding of the world around her."

Peter paused, lips pursed before conceding the point, he wouldn't dump all this on Cora, so he couldn't do it to Malia. He could give her a simplified version of it until she was older. When she asked again, he would tell her, and leave nothing out. How did he reveal what he needed without overwhelming her? Especially considering she hadn't a clue she was adopted. She thought the Tate's were her biological parents.

"Your mom wasn't ready to be a mom when you were born," Peter said, the entire attention of the coyote was on him, the food devoured. "I didn't know about you, Malia, not for a long time."

Harry nodded in encouragement, eating the food in front of him. He was starving and he didn't need to ration the food to ensure everyone got their fair share. He'd eaten that much in the container that his stomach felt like it was distended.

"Your Aunt Talia knew," Peter continued, finding it easier than he thought to keep it simple for his daughter. If she was anything like him – she was! – she'd understand. "She gave you away without my consent. Please know that I would have kept you, Malia, and you were wanted." Desperate for her to understand that he wasn't a bad man.

"If I knew Talia wouldn't have had the chance to take you away," Peter swore vehemently, "She is to blame for what happened, Malia, not you. Never you. Do you understand? She knew you could be either a werewolf or a Werecoyote but said nothing and still gave you to ordinary people."

A hiss was drawn from the coyote, which made Peter smile at her loyalty. He didn't need to wonder what she meant; he knew. "I know, the Tate's were very loving, and I owe them everything for taking care of you so well."

"You belong with us, with me," Peter murmured quietly, a rumbling purr leaving his chest. "With people who can understand you. You are special, Malia, so very special, too special for people like the Tate's to understand. Come to me, Malia, I'll take care of you, I promise."

There was no movement from within the cave.

"You weren't to blame for the accident," Peter stated, "Listen to my heartbeat, you aren't to blame." And he believed that wholeheartedly that his heart didn't stutter or blip on that statement.

"Your mom, Evelyn, she knows you're not at fault, she's in the afterlife looking after your little sister Kylie. Your mom wanted to name you Elizabeth, but the one request in the adoption was that you be named Malia. It was your adopted grandmother's name, wasn't it?" Harry spoke. "Your mom says you loved Dr Suisse's books particularly I am Sam-I-am and Green Eggs and Ham…you loved your mom to read you the Grinch even when it wasn't near Christmas time."

Bit by bit the coyote edged its way out, eyes fixated upon Harry, listening avidly. It was almost as if she was remembering herself as Harry spoke.

It was rather spellbinding.

Peter was finally learning information about his daughter; he hadn't expected it to be this way.

"She always gave in and read it to you, but after your sister was born not so much. She's so sorry for not spending as much time with you when Kylie was born. She thought she'd have forever to do that, and she was so proud of how close you two were." Harry said, swallowing thickly, as Evelyn Tate continued to speak out. "Kylie's favourite was a book called Popcorn, and her favourite song was Itsy bitsy spider. Shall we sing it together for her?"

"The itsy bitsy spider climbed up the waterspout. Down came the rain and washed the spider out!" Harry spoke, using his fingers to imitate spider climbing to encourage Malia to change her form and join him.

Peter felt his breath catch as he noticed his daughter changing for the first time. He'd never gotten to see that, hadn't gotten to see a lot actually. This time it wouldn't happen like that, he and Harry would make sure of it. She'd grow up alongside Cora, Teddy and all the other Hale children.

"Out came the sun and dried up all the rain!" Harry continued, not reacting at all to the change from cub to human child.

"So the itsy-bitsy spider climbed up the spout again!" both Malia and Harry sang the end of it, Malia's voice was hoarse from disuse. Her hair was matted and very long, which Harry didn't expect, he'd thought it would remain the exact same way before her transformation. Then again, she'd been fully a Coyote for a long time.

"Well done, sweetheart," Harry said smiling, "You did so well, Kylie and your mom have to go now, but they'll be back to see you once you're grown up. You'll always be their little Melly."

Peter watched his mate with his daughter, admiration seeding deep in his gut.

Then Malia slumped forward, completely unconscious.

Harry easily caught her; she weighed practically nothing. "Losing the house right now is probably the worst of all this. She needs stability, especially for now." He said scooping her up before easing her into her father's arms.

Peter swallowed thickly, lowering his face to take in her scent, it was all woodsy, dirt and a scent that was intricately Malia. It eased him considerably just smelling that scent. It made him remember her all grown up, she was strong, stubborn and determined.

"She looks like Talia and my mom," Peter confessed, wondering how his father would deal with that blow. But also, uniquely Malia, it was the hair colour and features, they screamed Hale blood to anyone that looked.

"Makes you wonder how she thought she was going to get away with it," Harry said staring at the pair of them as he put all the food (and used containers) back into his pocket. "I mean she's still in Beacon Hills, the kids would have eventually smelt 'home' in her."

Peter nodded, easily and swiftly standing, his daughter snug in his arms. Not even the slightest bit cold despite the weather. "She was raised in a ranch in Beacon Hills, by the Tate's yes, and I never noticed." More bitter than he wanted to be that he hadn't noticed the missing memories. Hadn't magically realized he had a daughter, and that Talia's interference had cost him his life.

"And then she joined Scott's pack." Harry summarised, flicking his wand and material fluttered out and wrapped itself around Malia "And likely heard just how 'evil' you were from Scott McCall I presume?" he'd heard enough from everyone to deduce what had happened.

"Actually, she met Stiles first," Peter said dryly, "We Hales have a propensity to be drawn to him." his daughter and nephew as well as himself. Although, Talia seems to be the exception, she had gone for him the first night they returned.

"It's definitely not because of magic, unless, she was sensing the family bond, the alpha bond before it came to completion." Harry mused thoughtfully, as he too stood up.

"That could happen?" Peter enquired.

"One might argue, Peter, that what's meant to happen, will happen." Harry said, shrugging, "But honestly…I get it, Stiles…has a rather endearing quality you don't often see anymore."

"Tell that to Stiles, he didn't believe himself to be a very likeable person." Peter said grimly, he'd made him see anyone who thought so wasn't worthy of his time. Stiles was confident in a way he hadn't been as a teenager, and it would remain so, and Stiles would continue on as he had brimming with that confidence gained through sheer willpower on the Hale's part. Although, with his magic flourishing so too did his confidence.

What a sight they made, both men striding powerfully through the forest. Prowling more than anything, sticking to the treeline to avoid anyone seeing them. Just because it was night, didn't mean they were safe. The police were patrolling far more regularly, stricken by the blatant arson against a good family. Children had nearly been killed, that most of all infuriated them.

Regardless of what the Hales had just been through, Peter walking through the town with a little girl in his arms was bound to be suspect.

"Just one more member," Peter stated.

Harry glanced at him, brow quirking a bit not understanding.

"Teddy," Peter prompted when it was clear Harry wasn't going to get it.

Harry softened entirely, a fond smile on his face, "Yes, Teddy." He agreed, leaning tiredly against Peter, at least Malia would likely sleep as long as they would. Changing back always sapped up energy, and the little one likely didn't have much to spare.

"Back there…it was almost like you were…" Peter paused, it seemed ludicrous despite all he'd learned about magic.

"Communicating with her? Yes, I was." Harry agreed, gauging Peter's reaction.

Peter himself was just left reeling, wondering if he'd ever know Harry if they spent a million years in one another's company.

Well, he'd say this, it wouldn't be boring that's for certain.

A/N – There we go! Quite late (or early) in posting this one 😊 twice I had to re-read the story lol in order to ensure there were no mistakes. I've lost the Hale family tree I made, so I had to re-read until I had everyone's ages right (although I do still think I'm wrong about Malia's age in this one) and then to see if Harry ever mentions being MOD since I don't have anything about that particular thing written in my document (I can't put everything down 😉 lol) I had intended to make another story but my goodness I do go on a little in this one and A Life Worth Living don't I? 😊 at least there wasn't as much to go through when it came to this one though 😊 I hope you're enjoying it and thank you for reading! And what will happen to Talia after this little incident? Take care everyone and stay safe R&R please xx