Chapter 1
I don’t know what it is but I saw it as my job to look after Liam. He’s the youngest in the pack and was thrown into the supernatural world so suddenly and being the Alpha female and Derek's mate I did my best to look after him and keep him safe. Over time he attached himself to me growing more confident in coming to me if he ever needed help with anything, was sad, upset or just needed some motherly advice. However the last few weeks things for Derek and I had been rough. We recently lost our first child due to complications. It had been hard for us both but we were stronger and vowed to get through anything together. As hard as it was for us both we couldn't ignore Scott's cry for help when were told about a new threat terrorizing Beacon Hills which called for an emergency pack meeting.
My other baby was Liam, the McCall pack's youngest beta. I knew that he was 15 years old and perfectly capable of taking care of him but I knew that he craved a mother's love and that's exactly what I intended to give him. From being there with him when Scott and Stiles had him tied up in duct tape in the McCall's bathroom absolutely terrified to having him stay at loft here with me and Derek so we could keep an eye on him once the full moon came to me sleeping beside him when he had night terrors. I knew Liam had had trouble sleeping the past few nights after the Beserker incident but both Derek and I had noticed that Liam had become clingier always wanting to be around me and he even started to call me "mommy" rather than just mom. As adorable as it was, I knew something wasn't right. Liam was a tough little cookie and even though he was the youngest pack member he would always insist that he was grown up enough and capable of going out with the pack into dangerous situations regardless of how many times I protested but I knew he wouldn't voluntarily let himself be treated like a child even though when it did, it resulted in him folding his arms and pouting like a toddler.
I hardly noticed that the pack had flooded into the loft as I was in the kitchen preparing a few snacks but suddenly I felt arms wrap around my waist and I looked down to see Liam nuzzle into my side. "Mommy", he smiled.
"Hi baby, are you doing ok?", I replied returning the hug and placing a kiss on his forehead. "Why don't you go save us a seat, sweetie. I'll be right there ok?", I told him finishing preparing the last bowl of snacks as he nodded and went into the living room joining the rest of the pack.
"Did he just call you mommy?", asked Derek slightly confused as he saw the exchange from leaning against the doorframe of the kitchen.
"It's not the first time, he's been doing it a lot lately", I shrugged at him after scanning his face as he had his eyebrows scrunched up.
"Did this happen after the Beserker incident?" he continued and I nodded but before I could ask another question Derek disappeared out the kitchen and into the living room. I shook my head and walked back with the bowls of snacks that Stiles took from me and began digging in. That boy was always eating.
We sat down on the sofa and to my surprise Liam sat on my lap. I didn't mind, I loved having him close so I wrapped my arms around him and he nuzzled into me and I placed a kiss to his forehead making him giggle adorably. He was clearly loving all the attention he was getting.
He leaned forward and kissed my cheek before sinking back into my lap and relaxing in my arms.
"What was that for?" I asked a little surprised. He smiled shyly and shrugged looking down into his lap. "I just love you, you're my mommy," he blushed.
I smiled gently lifting his chin so he'd look at me and brushed my thumb against his cheek.
"I love you too, cutie", I replied and kissed his nose making him blush deeper.
The pack meeting had started. Liam had his head rest on my shoulder and I was rocking him gently. I didn’t really pay much attention to what Derek and Scott were saying. I got a little side tracked watching Liam as he was slowly falling asleep his eyes drooping every so often but he was trying to fight it. He looked so adorable. I positioned him more comfortably in my lap so he could get some rest and even managed to nab the blanket on the end of the couch putting it over Liam as he was falling asleep. I kissed his cheek and continued to rock him. I was cradling Liam in my arms when I felt his lips brush the fabric of my shirt against my nipple as he continued to mouth it gently.
"Liam, what are you doing?", I looked down at him burying his face into my chest.
N...nothing", he quickly replied blushing and sat up in my lap trying to pay attention. It didn't last long as he sunk into my lap and closed his eyes falling asleep resting comfortably against my chest.
Every few minutes I'd hear a soft whimper as if he was having a bad dream so I hushed him and rubbed his back until he calmed down again.
"Is he ok?", asked Scott concern masking his face as he watched Liam in my arms.
"Bad dreams, he'll be ok", I reassured him and leaned down to place a kiss to Liam's forehead as he calmed down but it wasn't until much later when he was crying and whimpering in his sleep which caused the meeting to stop and the rest of the pack members to look over at the upset beta in the pack mother's lap.
"It's ok, baby. It's ok, you're safe" I repeated to him trying to calm him down.
"What's going on?" asked Stiles confused as he raised an eyebrow us but everyone ignored him and focused on Liam. Derek walked over to me holding Liam in my arms and brushed his thumb against Liam's forehead hushing him.
"Hey it's ok, pup. We're here. You're safe." He soothed gently.
Finally Liam's eyes opened and tears escaped and he buried his head into my shoulder wrapping his arms around my neck and sobbed which broke my heart. My poor baby had a nightmare again.
"You're ok, you're safe. We're right here", Derek and I reassured him.
Liam gripped on to me tighter and just whimpered. I kissed his forehead and hushed him in my arms.
"I'll take him upstairs, you guys continue and fill me in later". I told them still rocking Liam. Derek nodded and continued talking.
I carried Liam upstairs to mine and Derek's shared bedroom and sat down on the bed with him on my lap.
"Baby, I know it's scary but you're safe. Nothing can hurt you", I reassured him running my fingers through his soft sand coloured hair. He turned and rubbed his lips against the fabric of my shirt over my nipples whimpering.
"Liam...", I began but was cut off from his looking up at me with tired tear glazed blue eyes and his bottom lip trembling slightly.
"Is everything ok in here?", interrupted Derek as he walked in checking in on Liam and sat beside me looking at the tired pup resting in his wife's arms.
"Pup, can I speak to your mommy for a second?", he asked softly nodding at me. I looked at him slightly surprised at the childish tone he was using. I set Liam on the bed kissed his forehead and followed Derek out of the bedroom.
"I know why Liam's acting the way he is", he began as he lowered his voice so Liam couldn't hear us.
"Good because honestly, I'm slightly confused. I mean I love him but this isn't Liam", I replied peering into the room to see Liam scrunched up almost in the a fetal position on the bed. Derek continued to tell me his findings which honestly didn't surprise me in the end. It actually broke my heart and I couldn't help but feel guilty knowing that I should have picked up the signs.
"Ever since the Beserker incident, Liam has been scared to sleep that's why he stays here most of the time but I think he's starting to regress to an age where he needs someone to take care of him make him feel loved and safe", he told me.
"That's why he's clinging to me more than usual?", I asked to which he nodded.
"Whatever form of comfort he needs, you need to provide it since he feels the safest with you even addressing you as his "mommy", he finished.
"So what happens if I do this?", I considered curiously.
"We hope that once he realizes that he's safe and has nothing to be scared off, he'll feel more confident in himself and around the pack knowing that they will protect him no matter what then everything should go back to the way it was. It's just a phase that he needs help getting through and we're all going to help him do that. I'll fill the pack in and we'll just take it from there", he finally stated giving me a confident nod.
"Ok", I simply sighed.
"I have total faith in you. If anyone can help him, it's you", he spoke encouragingly before kissing my cheek lovingly and heading back to the living room to the rest of the pack.
I walked back into the bedroom and saw Liam still fighting sleep with his eyes drooping. The poor thing was so tired and I couldn't remember the last time he actually fell asleep peacefully. I walked over to the side of the bed and scooped him up in my arms pressing a kiss to his forehead to which he turned and began whimpering and rubbing his lips on my shirt over my nipple again.
"Ok sweetheart, you win", I told him sighing. It felt rather odd doing this especially when I knew I was still lactating from when I lost the baby not long ago but if this was something that Liam needed then I'd do anything to help him. I positioned myself more comfortably and started to unbutton my shirt and unclipped my bra. I looked down at Liam who had his eyes wide in awe. As soon as I exposed my breast, he latched on immediately catching the white beads of milk and he began to nurse humming with content as his body started to relax as he closed his eyes and focused on the flow. I was surprised as to how well he was taking it. I leaned down and pressed a light kiss to his forehead and brushed my thumb gently across his eyebrow. I soon noticed Derek standing at the door with a small smile curled up on his lips.
"Derek Hale, are you smiling?", I teased. He chuckled and shook his head walking over to me on the bed with the pack's pup resting peacefully in my arms.
"I'm just surprised. I didn't think you'd still be lactating and I wouldn't have guessed he'd have regressed this much", he stated gently sitting on the bed so he wouldn't disturb Liam. He knew about the beta's nightmares and how he would fight sleeping but now he had found something that helped him to relax and he wasn't about to disturb the poor pup who was practically begging for sleep.
"I know, me either but he's been nuzzling at my chest all evening I didn't think it'd come to this", I replied gently stroking Liam's cheek. He was busy concentrating embraced by the warmth of my chest that he had not notice Derek's presence.
"You're providing for the youngest pup who needs you the most right now. Are you comfortable with this?", he asked looking at me concerned.
"It feels natural even if my baby is a 15 year old werewolf beta with IED who has night terrors", I simply shrugged.
"He'll be ok", replied Derek who kissed my cheek made himself comfortable beside us on the bed as he wrapped an arm around me keeping a watchful eye on the little wolf pup gently ruffling his hair every so often. It wasn't long until he stopped nursing and had fallen into a peaceful sleep causing me to breathe a sigh of relief. I gently watched him sleep in my arms stroking his cheek every so often as he stayed nuzzled to my chest.
"I told the pack they could stay a while so I'm going to order pizza", he remembered getting up and picking up his phone from the bedside table.
"Mmm that sounds good, we'll join you later", I smiled.
"Ok, take as long as you need", he replied and pressed a sweet kiss to my lips.
I managed to detangle myself from Liam leaving him to rest for a few hours before I made my way back down to the living room to the rest of the pack who were probably wondering where I had snuck off too. But I was wrong, I took a seat on the couch joining everyone who were all concentrating on some sort of interesting thriller movie that was playing. Seeing that it wasn't capturing my attention, I wondered into the kitchen and made myself busy taking out plates, glasses, a choice of condiments and cans of soda putting them on the counter as once the pizzas had arrived everyone could just help themselves.
"Is Liam ok?", asked Scott concerned about his beta as he walked into the kitchen followed by Stiles and Lydia.
"Where is he?", Stiles questioned.
"Yeah is he ok? I mean he seemed pretty upset earlier", chimed Lydia.
"He's just tired. He hasn't been sleeping well lately especially after his last outburst so right now I'm doing what I can so he gets some rest", I updated them. Scott and Stiles nodded and headed back to the living room so it was just me and Lydia in the kitchen.
"Including that", She replied softly pointing to my chest that was leaking through my shirt.
"Shit!" I cursed hurrying myself out the kitchen and up the stairs with Lydia following swiftly behind me as I quietly entered the bedroom grabbing a new shirt and changing quickly. Lydia took my hand and lead me out the room and into one of the spare bedrooms.
"When did that happen?" She asked curiously.
"It didn't, it's still happening from when we.." my voice trailing off unable to finish the sentence. I know I was trying to move on but still hurt like hell talking about it.
"From when you lost the baby", she finished softly as she got up to give me a hug.
"Is this why Liam's sleeping peacefully for once, after one feeding?" She asked smiling. I nodded waiting for her remark.
"Look at you the pack mommy providing for her little wolf pup", she smiled almost squealing.
"Ssh", I hushed and smiled at her. "You don't find it weird?" I asked slightly nervous but we were interrupted as Derek walked through the door and pulled me into a big hug.
"Absolutely not and it's what Lydia said you're the pack mom who's providing for her pup who happens to be Liam. You'd have to be blind not see the love you have for him. He even calls you mommy and don't worry we'll explain everything to the rest of the pack so they don't give Liam a hard time. I know he finds it comforting but if someone teases him he'll be reluctant to give in again", replied Derek reassuring me.
"Agreed, especially if you're saying he's finding it difficult to sleep and this is something that's helping him. You're the Alpha female, Derek's mate, the pack mom and Liam's mommy. You're doing your job", she smiled and hugged me again.
"Thank you", I simply replied and returned the hug.
"Mommy"... came a soft whimper from the bedroom.
"You see to Liam and Lydia will help me with dinner and update the rest of the pack", Derek stated confidently as he kissed my forehead and went back down to the living room to see the rest of the pack with Lydia following behind him leaving me to go see my pup.
I walked into the bedroom to check on Liam who was now awake and calling out for me.
"Mommy?..." he asked rubbing his eyes tiredly. My heart melted at how cute he looked with sleepy eyes as he was still slightly dazed from his well needed nap and adorable bed head as his sandy coloured locks stuck up in all directions. He looks so young, so innocent and so precious.
"I'm here, baby. You're ok. How are you feeling?" I asked him as I sat beside him on the bed and brushed his hair away from his face.
"Good, I got some rest" he simply replied yawning obviously he was still tired.
"I know, sweetheart. I'm so glad you did and you woke up just in time for dinner too. Derek ordered pizza and everyone's just about to dig in so let's go join them", I told him getting up. He shuffled around on the bed and looked up at me raising him arms to be picked up. I happily scooped him up and pressed a kiss to the side of his temple as he laid his head on my shoulder and relaxed. I made my way down to the living room and nabbed an empty seat on the end of the couch close to the fire.
"Has everyone been filled in?" I asked gently rubbing Liam's back. They all nodded far too interested in their food.
"Ok, so like Derek said no one says anything negative to my baby", I told them causing them all to nod again and mumble "ok" with mouths filled with food.
"Liam, baby. Wake up, it's dinner time", I spoke softly. He sat up and rubbed his eyes letting his vision come into focus.
"Pizza?" He asked. I couldn't help but giggle at how adorable he sounded and kissed his cheek.
"Yes baby, sit here and I'll go put some in a plate for you ok?", I told him and he nodded. I handed him a plate of pizza with his favourite sauce and he thanked me before tucking in. I also tucked in and Lydia brought us some drinks and napkins put them in front of us and gave Liam a kiss on his forehead causing him to blush and look up at me slightly confused but I shrugged and simply smile at him as he then went back to digging into his food again.
Everyone was enjoying the food when we all finished I looked over at Liam beside me who had sauce around his mouth. I grabbed one of the napkins and wiped his mouth for him smiling at how adorably childlike he was.
"You really enjoyed that didn't you, cutie? Look at you with sauce everywhere", I giggled gently holding his face and cleaning him up as he smacked his lips together and smiled up at me.
“Aww how cute is little baby Liam always needing his mommy to help” Stiles laughed teasing him.
"Stiles, stop", Lydia replied glaring at him.
“I’m not a baby!” Liam shouted his voice trembling.
"Yes you are, look at you!" Stiles yelled back with a hint of jealousy in his voice.
"STILES", I glared at him.
"What did we just talk about in the pack meeting like 10 mins ago?!" roared Derek causing Stiles to go pale and look at me pleading with his eyes and Liam to whimper at the Alpha's roar.
"You should have listened", I simply told him.
"Sssh, Come here honey", I hushed and picked him up as he clung to me wrapping his arms around my neck and hiding his face on my shoulder as I took him into the kitchen to calm down.
It didn't take long for Liam to calm down as Derek and Lydia soon joined us helping to clean up the dishes from dinner and informed us that everyone was leaving now. I rocked Liam in my arms and swayed side to side as I knew the gesture would calm him.
"I love you", I told him lovingly as he was wrapped up in my arms.
"Love you too, mommy", he mumbled into my shoulder.
"Let's go change into our pjs and you can pick a film to watch before going to bed, does that sound good?", I asked him hoping it'd lift his mood.
"Any movie?", He asked looking up at me with his beautiful baby blue eyes.
"Within reason, nothing scary or inappropriate", I told him.
"Deal", he replied before jumping down from my arms and racing up to the stairs. I could see Derek and Lydia smile at his adorable childlike behaviour before he disappeared out of the kitchen. I giggled at how adorable he was. I knew at 15 he was still a child but I felt like him being thrown into the supernatural world so early meant that he had to grow up far too quickly.
"Well he seems a lot more happier, you really are quite a miracle worker", stated Lydia putting the dish towel on the radiator as she leaned against the wall smiling at me.
"Nope, just the pack mom", I said smiling at my accomplishment.
"Only the best", replied Derek as wrapped his arms around me pulling me close and placing a sweet kiss to my lips.
"I'm so proud of you", he smiled and placed a kiss to my forehead.
"Me too!" squealed Lydia as she sandwiched me into a big group hug.
We broke away from the group hug when he heard a little shuffle and cough come from the doorway and saw a little Liam blushing and playing with his fingers.
"Come on, pup", called Derek as he had Liam join the group hug hoping it would reassure him that the pack was there for him no matter what.
"Mom?", he asked looking at me.
"Yes honey, is everything ok?", I asked running my fingers through his soft locks. He hugged me tight wrapping his arms around me.
"Does everyone know?", he mumbled into my stomach hiding his face from everyone.
"Liam, it's ok to need your mommy you know that right?", Lydia reassured him smiling at him softly showing him that it was ok. He looked up at me with his big blue eyes that sparkled and blushed rose cheeks with his arms still wrapped around me. I pressed a light kiss to his forehead smiling down at him and gently ruffling the hair on the back of his head.
"It's ok, we understand besides she's a pretty great mommy to you and we all know she'd do anything for you. If this is something you find comforting then we all support you. No one is going to laugh or make fun of you anymore. I promise you that", she stated confidently nodding at him. Liam rest his head against my stomach and I could feel him relax in my arms.
"Thanks Lydia", he replied shyly. She smiled at him and opened her arms out to welcome him into a hug which he happily accepted. I nodded at her silently mouthing a "thank you" smiling at how Liam's mood had improved drastically hearing such kind and supportive words from his pack members.