The Clever One Chapter 3: Congratulations, It's Puppies! (1), a teen wolf fanfic

Teen Wolf Steter Teen Wolf Steter The Clever One Steter Teen Wolf Steter Teen Wolf

Title: The Clever One – How Stiles Beauty-and-the-Beast-ed Peter Hale

Tags: m/m, Alpha Peter, Erica Lives, Boyd Lives, Jackson Doesn't Leave, Pack Mom Stiles, Pack Feels, True Mates, Spark Stiles, magic, fluff, hurt/comfort, slow-burn, m/f

Main Pairing: Peter/Stiles

Side Pairings: Scott/Allison, Boyd/Erica, Jackson/Lydia, Chris/Sheriff

Teen Wolf Characters: Peter Hale, Mieczysław 'Stiles' Stilinski, Derek Hale, Erica Reyes, Vernon Boyd III, Isaac Lahey, Jackson Whittemore, Lydia Martin, Scott McCall, Allison Argent, Danny Mahealani, Sheriff Stilinski, Chris Argent

Summary: A rewrite of season 2 with Alpha Peter. Peter had called Stiles the clever one but Stiles wasn't sure if Peter realized how true that was, because that was the day Stiles figured out that he was Peter's mate. The reason why Peter never harmed him when he had no qualms maiming and killing others. Stiles decides to use his new position as Alpha Mate to his advantage, to shape the new Hale Pack and to make Peter work hard to earn Stiles as his mate.

The Clever One

How Stiles Beauty-and-the-Beast-ed Peter Hale

Chapter 3: Congratulations, It's Puppies! (1)

Peter was still sitting in Talia's chair, in Talia's old office – their father's old office – when someone else came visit. He arched an eyebrow as a familiar scent filled his nose. The boy who'd driven Stiles to the Hale House earlier. The peculiar thing was that Peter didn't remember Stiles mentioning any other boy. The only ones whose safety Stiles had asked for, well demanded really, had been Scott, Allison, Lydia, Melissa and, naturally, his father. Yet this boy, his scent was also always vaguely around Stiles, he was the one Stiles had called to take care of Lydia, had trusted to take care of Lydia. So Peter remained seated and waited, curious.

It didn't take long for Derek to drag the blonde, freckled boy into the office, a scowl on his dear nephew's face. Peter didn't let that bother him, he simply smiled, bemused and patient. Derek gave the boy a last shove into Peter's direction, then crossed his arms and leaned against the door-frame.

"I want what Scott has," the boy spoke after a moment, after gathering his courage.

"You will have to be more precise," Peter furrowed his brows. "Failing grades? Stiles' loyalty? A tendency to complain? Daddy and authority issues due to an absent father?"

A snort came from Derek in the background and the boy glared at Peter. "I want to be a werewolf. I asked Derek, but he said you are the Alpha. Which means you can turn me."

Cocking an eyebrow, Peter glared at his nephew, who offered a carefree 'not my problem' kind of shrug. Oh no. Derek was turning back into the little shit he used to be before the fire. How insufferable (how achingly nostalgic). Snorting, Peter regarded the boy more closely. Strong, athletic, cock-sure. He could make a strong beta, perhaps. And the entanglement with Stiles made him all the more appealing. The best course of action to ensure Stiles would stay at his side, with this pack, was to build a pack around the people in Stiles' life.

"I am the one who can turn you," Peter confirmed, flashing his eyes red and offering a smile full of fangs. "However, I am not the one who decides who gets turned."

The boy frowned at him, then instinctively turned toward Derek. But Derek just barked out a laugh. A real laugh, sarcastic as it may be, it was the first time Peter heard his nephew laugh since before the fire. The way he laughed, at someone else's expense, reminded him of times when Derek would do anything to annoy his sister and if he got Laura in trouble, he'd gloat. There was an ugly, twisted feeling in Peter's chest at the memory of carefree times, of Derek and Laura.

"Oh, you're going to absolutely hate what he says next, Jackson," Derek declared amused.

/break\

Stiles watched warily how Jackson sat down opposite him. At this point in his life, Jackson Whittemore had become a fixed part of Stiles' lunch. But that was on account of Scott dating Allison who had befriended Lydia who was still unfortunately dating Jackson (hey, just because Stiles was over his infatuation with Lydia didn't mean he didn't want her to develop better taste). Considering that Lydia was still in the hospital and Allison had taken a leave of absence with her aunt's death (Stiles' mind was still working angles on how to smooth that one over), Jackson had no reason to sit with Stiles and Scott right now. He should be with Danny, or literally anyone else. Not to mention the very constipated look on Jackson's face as he stared directly at Stiles.

After a minute, Stiles caved and sighed. "Okay, what do you want."

"I went to see the Alpha," Jackson growled softly.

Oh, crap. Stiles' face scrunched up. Jackson hadn't exactly made a secret about wanting the Bite and considering the way Stiles had used Jackson as his personal Uber to Kate Argent's execution, there was no hiding where the Hales were or who was in charge. Stiles sighed and leaned back.

"So, what. Now you want to join Scotty's Werewolf 101 classes?"

The constipated look on Jackson's face intensified. "No. He didn't turn me."

Stiles cocked an eyebrow. Peculiar. Even Stiles thought Jackson would make the perfect werewolf.

"He said I needed your…" Jackson made a disgruntled sound. "Permission first."

Scott next to Stiles nearly died from swallowing his drink the wrong way, wheezing and coughing. Stiles clapped him half-heartedly on the back while a wicked grin spread over his lips. Okay. Sure, he'd asked Peter to get a heads up, but he hadn't expected Peter to want his permission. Taking a slow, deep breath, Stiles tuned down the smirk and offered a more serious expression.

"Did he explain it to you?" Stiles asked. "What the bite really means? That it may not take? That being a werewolf is dangerous, risky? The full moon, the hunters roaming our territory?"

Jackson seemed startled by this down-to-business side of Stiles, heck, even Scott looked surprised. Well, Stiles couldn't snark his way through being Alpha Mate if he wanted to be taken seriously.

"Yeah," Jackson answered after a moment. "After he told me that he'd only turn me if you… allowed… it, he gave me the whole spiel. I still want it."

Stiles raised an eyebrow at the determination in Jackson's voice. "Why? Give me a good reason. And don't make it your pissing contest with Scott, because that's not a reason to trade safety for being hunted, for losing control of yourself during the full moon, for potentially dying if it doesn't take. Beating Scott at Lacrosse isn't worth any of that."

There was a stretch of silence and Jackson looked so uncomfortable. "Well, out with it. You need my permission? Convince me why you want the bite."

"Pack," Jackson growled out with a frown. "Peter… Peter said pack means family. Trust, loyalty, relying on each other, having each other's backs. I want that. That's… That's what I really want."

Stiles wasn't sure if Jackson even noticed just how vulnerable his voice sounded with that statement. How genuine. It startled Stiles. This was a side of Jackson he'd never seen before, a side maybe only Lydia knew. A side the jock might be covering up with the asshole attitude.

"Okay," Stiles agreed after a moment, earning a startled whine from Scott. "You heard him, Scotty. He knows what he's signing up for. If he really wants it, and if he understands what pack means – and that it will mean he'll have to bring that same trust and loyalty to you and me – then okay."

Jackson still looked wary, as though he didn't fully believe Stiles. "Just like that. After-"

"Yeah," Stiles cut him off, waving a dismissive hand in a near playful manner, before offering Jackson the sharpest, coldest look he could muster. "But don't think you will ever get away with any of that bullshit again. I will not be pushed around or bullied in my own pack. If you sign up for this, you aren't just signing up for us being pack-mates. I'm the Alpha Mate. In this pack, I'm the co-captain. There is no debate about it, whatever you do, you are not the leader here, you are a follower, a beta, and I outrank you. Think carefully on that. And if you still want in, then meet Scott and me in the parking lot after school, we're driving out to the Hales anyway."

With a sharp nod did Jackson get up, leaving Scott and Stiles alone. As soon as Jackson was out of earshot did Scott slap Stiles on the chest, staring at him with the largest eyes.

"What the fuck, dude, you want Jackson in the pack? Why and how and why?"

"Three excellent questions, Scotty boy," Stiles grinned for a second before sobering up. "Because there was something to the look in his eyes when he said why he wants to be pack that I… believe."

Recognize. It was the haunted, lonely look he'd seen in his own mirror after his mother's death. Desperate to belong somewhere, to get a sense of family while his dad was drinking too much, his mom was six feet under and all of her family had left for Poland again. A bone-deep loneliness. That, that was a reason Stiles could understand, could relate to. Could accept.

/break\

Peter was sitting behind his father's desk, having given it a more or less thorough cleaning after his conversation with Stiles yesterday. His mate was right. The Hale House, as was, was not a place to be lived in and certainly not a place to build a pack. So Peter sat at the desk, with his laptop open, browsing apartment listings. He was not going to give up his land, but it would take time to rebuild. He'd already contacted contractors to tear down the old house and had commissioned an architect, with the original blue-prints of the house, but giving his notes on what he wanted to change.

Derek was downstairs, training. As most of the time. At one point, Peter needed to get that boy a hobby. Or a job. Or a lover. Possibly all three.

The door opened downstairs and three sets of steps walked in, voices arguing softly among themselves. Not that Peter hadn't heard the Jeep a mile out – that thing sounded like it was taking its dying breath, he had no idea why his mate bothered driving it around. Money, possibly. Mh. He opened another tab to look for a fitting car for Stiles. Perhaps a worthy first courting gift. Nothing too fancy, Stiles didn't strike him as the kind of person who would appreciate too fancy or expensive things. Something Peter might be able to change with time, at least a little. After all, he himself reveled in high quality and luxury and he would like to offer his mate the same standard.

Derek was the one to open the office door, glare etched into his features as he led Stiles, Scott and Jackson in. Intense, whiskey-honey eyes scanned the room, landing on the cleaner desk. No longer covered in sod. A bemused look spread over his lips but he didn't comment.

"Scotty, you go first," Stiles instructed as he walked around the desk to once again sit on it.

This time, with it being cleaner, Stiles didn't just perch at the edge though, he hopped up onto it, planting himself comfortably on the surface. His eyes were on Peter. There was something so thrilling to be the focus of these calculating, clever eyes. Peter raised a curious eyebrow, just to earn a grin in return. After a moment, Stiles gave Scott a pointed look, urging him on. With a displeased grunt did Scott step forward, looking at Peter in a frustrated manner.

"This is not... permanent," Scott stated, frowning. "I still don't trust you. But I trust Stiles. You have a month to convince me that I can or should trust you too."

"Fair enough," Peter paused for a moment, before flashing his eyes red. "The same goes for you too, pup. You've shown that you are more loyal to the hunters than to your fellow wolves, because of your mate. I need to see that you're being reasonable about it too. I can't have a beta in my pack who will choose to side with hunters over his own pack."

"Yes, yes, everyone has trust-issues, we'll book a team-building retreat at one point," Stiles made a dismissive gesture before motioning for Scott to go on. "Scotty."

Scott gave a last glare, then turned to Peter and baring his throat. "I want to join your pack, Alpha."

Peter's eyes glowed red again, darker and more vibrant, a fire burning in them as he was offered a new beta. Getting up from his chair, he walked around the desk – brushing his hand gently over Stiles' arm in passing – before he came to stand in front of Scott. He gave a gentle bite with blunt, human teeth to the base of Scott's neck and though he could feel the beta tense nervously, he didn't try to squirm away. Stiles must have worked hard on convincing Scott of this. When Peter let go, Scott gasped, his knees buckling a little under him.

"What the fuck," Scott grabbed onto the desk, staring at Peter, Derek and Stiles.

"Pack-bonds," Stiles offered, aiming a soft smile at his best friend. "I told you that being pack isn't just about being a ragtag group of people who band together. It's much more primal."

For a moment, Stiles closed his eyes in concentration and then Scott gave a small whine. It made Peter raise his eyebrow curiously, waiting for his mate to look at him again.

When Stiles did, he simply shrugged. "Tugged on the pack-bond."

"You... can do that?" Derek looked surprised, his face softening some.

Ah. It was something dear Damon used to do to comfort the pups. The human Alpha Mate of the late Hale Pack. Derek's father. A classic Pack Mom thing to do, if Peter was being honest, not something he would have expected Stiles to do so casually. Something he thought he would have to ease his mate into to see just how far Stiles wanted to embrace the Alpha Mate role.

"Apparently," Stiles shrugged. "I mean, I figured I should be able to. Since I can feel the bonds as... well, as literal bonds, inside my mind. It's like a string, you can pull strings."

"Not everyone can," Peter offered, unable to hide the smallest smile. "For most wolves, the pack-bonds are simply a... presence, in the back of their mind. The bonds are more refined and stronger for Alphas though. But even to us, they're only present. It's an Alpha Mate thing to pull."

Stiles' grin sharpened, showing he knew that. "Enough about me. You have a beta to turn."

Jackson, who had stood aside with his arms crossed and silently watched all of this, now stepped forward. "I... want to join your pack, Alpha."

The boy's heart was hammering in his chest and he smelt nervous, betraying the cool exterior and near bored look on his face. Peter had a feeling that this one could be interesting. Showing his claws, fangs and red eyes, Peter approached Jackson. After a moment, the boy bared his throat to Peter and this time, Peter sank his fangs into the junction between neck and shoulder. Jackson screamed and instinctively held onto Peter, but he didn't try to tear away either. Peter's chest swelled as he felt a second pack-bond snap into place in such a short time. He felt stronger than ever before as he looked at his mate and their three betas. Good. A proper pack. He wasn't done yet, he needed more, wanted more, but it was a good start. Grabbing Jackson by the arm, Peter maneuvered him toward the couch in the corner of the room to sit down and catch his breath. Stiles was right, they really needed a... cleaner and more presentable headquarters.

"What… now?" Jackson asked warily as he settled onto the couch.

"Now, we wait," Stiles threw his back-pack at Scott, who caught it with an oof. "There's sandwiches and juice boxes in there. Scotty, your mom thinks you're staying at my place, my dad thinks I'm staying at yours. Jackson, text your parents whatever excuse you usually come up with for sneaking out at night. We're all staying here."

Scott sat down next to Jackson, opening the back-pack. "Wait, we're staying here?"

"Juice boxes?" Jackson asked stunned, fishing a box out of the back-pack.

"Yes, juice boxes. Your body is going through changes, it'll need energy. Sugar," Stiles answered, though he sounded like his focus had wandered elsewhere. "And yes, staying here. Jackson shouldn't be alone. Remember how your change went? And how you woke up naked and alone with rabbit blood all over you? We're watching Jackson, make sure he doesn't run off to kill Thumper."

Peter pursed his lips amused as he watched his betas, before he turned back toward his mate and, ah. Stiles had kicked off his shoes and was fully sitting on the desk, legs crossed beneath his body. He'd also pulled Peter's laptop onto his lap and was scrolling. A small smile tugged on Peter's lips as he approached Stiles and came to stand behind him. Subtly, he rested his chin on Stiles' shoulder, wanting to be close to his mate, touch him. The small smile turned pleased when Stiles near instinctively leaned his head back against Peter's chest. Stiles had said he felt the pull too, after all.

"What do you think?" Peter asked, watching Stiles scroll.

"Depends," Stiles tilted his head so he could half-way look at Peter's face. "What are we looking for? Something permanent, or something temporary?"

And Peter couldn't express how much that meant to him. Yes, he was fascinated and delighted by the fact that Stiles claimed his role as Alpha Mate and demanded to be treated as an equal. But right now, Stiles was showing that he also looked at Peter as an equal and not as the Alpha he could boss around because of the mate-bond. Because Stiles understood that the decision whether or not their pack would be located at the preserve, whether Peter wanted to give up this place or rebuild it, was a decision that Peter needed to make, not as the Alpha but as one of only two living Hales.

And it wasn't just that. It was the we. Six years in hell, isolated and without pack. Even before that, as the shunned Left Hand, kept at the fringe of his sister's pack. After all this pain, he was rewarded with the greatest gift a werewolf could have. His True Mate. A we.

"Temporary," Peter replied after a moment. "I already contacted the contractors, they will be by tomorrow at noon, to start construction. Or, deconstruction first, I suppose."

Stiles gave a hum, non-judgmental, and closed a couple tabs. "These are too ridiculous for something temporary. But tomorrow means we'll have to find something that's ready to move in right away. Considering the prices on the ones I closed, I'm assuming money won't be an issue, which will make a very quick move-in easier to find."

It was Stiles' mind that Peter was fully enraptured by. He could listen to the boy deduce and put pieces together for hours. Especially like this, with Stiles leaning against his chest. His warmth and scent radiating off of him, mingling with Peter's.

"These five," Stiles declared after not too long, handing the laptop to Peter.

Once Peter took it, Stiles hopped off the desk and put on his shoes. "Okay, change of plans. Derek, Scott, you're on Jackson watch duty while Peter and I are gone. Don't worry, we'll be back before moon-rise. Stop glaring at me, Sourwolf. You can call us if anything happens."

Derek narrowed his eyes and turned toward his uncle. "You're the Alpha. You should stay."

"Oh, please. I can't spend the next twelve hours babysitting the new pup," Peter glared at his nephew. "You heard Stiles, we have places to be. Nothing will happen for now anyway."

"Where are you going," Jackson asked warily, holding a by now empty juice box.

"Considering the state of this house, we're going house hunting. So this pack has a proper place to stay without ash and misery covering every surface. Maybe even already tonight. Sound good?"

To prove his point, Stiles ran a finger over the still sod covered couch Jackson was laying on. Peter offered a pleased smile and wrapped a casual arm around Stiles' waist, resting his hand on the smaller of his mate's back. Gently guiding and not so subtly scent-marking.

Peter smirked, before turning to the betas. "Call, if there is any change in his condition."

"Yes," Derek sighed defeated, still leaning against the wall.

Scott made a last sound of protest before he got a sandwich out and took a bite, near spitefully, while Stiles fixed him with a glare. A pleased smile spread over Stiles' lips and he nodded. Before they left, Stiles fished his phone out and sent a text. Peter raised a curious eyebrow as his phone buzzed, together with Derek's, Scott's and even Jackson's. When the betas checked their phones, Peter assumed they found the same as he did. A message in a group-chat named Hale Pack.

"Call Peter if something serious happens, text if anything mildly confusing or concerning happens," Stiles instructed. "Also, this will make things easier in the future. And don't worry how I got your numbers. Just accept it and move on, you're not going to get an answer."

"This is like your key-collection all over again," Scott muttered dismayed.

Peter also raised his second eyebrow, intrigued by what key-collection Scott may be referring to, but the only reply his mate gave him was a mischievous grin and a wink. His inner wolf was purring with delight. How had he gotten lucky enough to get a tricky, cunning mate like that?

"I'll text when we find something and are on our way back," Stiles promised.

With that, the Alpha Mates headed out of the office, leaving the house. Peter paused curiously in front of the Jeep, still wondering why his mate bothered with this monstrosity, before steering Stiles rather pointedly toward his own car. Stiles snorted softly as he looked at the Cobra.

"Oh, you and your… car… do not get to judge," Peter shushed him.

"Oh, I am absolutely judging, I am judging you so hard for this midlife crisis of a car."

The withering glare on Stiles' face made Peter growl and flash his eyes at the boy, which only got him the sweet scent of arousal. Peter breathed deeply for a moment, before focusing on the task at hand, getting into the driver's seat and putting his laptop onto Stiles' lap again, for the boy to look up the directions to the first apartment they were going to look at.

Author's note: Good, and entirely not surprising, news for everyone! I, once again, suck at reigning a Teen Wolf fic in - what else is new? This was supposed to be Jacks _and Isaac_, and the next chapter was then supposed to be Boyd and Erica, however now Peter and Stiles are going house hunting next chapter and our beloved beta trio will be moved further, whiiich means this fic is getting more chapters than originally intended; it was supposed to be five but I am seeing it at more like 10 chapters now

But yeah! Next chapter, Steter go house hunting! And to answer the question that definitely will arise in the comments: No, Jackson does not turn into the kanima here. Yes, the kanima plot still happens. I have... plans. I do so need certain scenes that only happen because of the kanima ;D