Chapter 6
The bus was just like the cops left it.
“Keep watch,” Derek growled to Stiles, who glared right back.
“Not on your life Hale. Honk if someone comes.” Stiles swung out of the jeep and Scott threw a cheeky grin toward Derek. He watched Scott easily scale the fence, but narrowed his eyes as Stiles expertly climbed the fence and flipped over it. Derek took him in, remembering the boy he used to be. He was nowhere close to him now. Stiles was normally a clumsy ADHD teenager, but when he needed to be, he could be as agile as a cat. Derek watched as he silently landed on the ground, not even he could hear him. He had grown tall and angular, and he had a certain beauty Derek just couldn’t place. He had always been drawn to Stiles, but seeing how he had grown, the feeling was much stronger. He knows they should have checked in, even with a phone call, but remembering Beacon Hills had been too painful, not to mention what they left behind.
Derek listened as Scott’s heartbeat elevated and tensed, ready to go to Stiles’ aid, but then he heard the car. He slammed the horn and Stiles looked up.
“Scott, out now!” The two boys sprinted for the jeep, Scott literarily jumping the fence, but Stiles not far behind. He leapt grabbed the top bar and flung himself over, but he overshot. Thank god Derek was a werewolf or he wouldn’t have caught him. They both scrambled for the car and once they were all in, Stiles slammed on the gas.
“Are you trying to get yourself killed,” Derek yelled from the backseat. “Lydia would kill me if you so much as broke your arm.” Stiles slammed on the breaks. They were on a stretch of rode in front of the preserve.
“Like you would fucking care!” Stiles screamed, turning in his seat to face Derek.
“I’m going to run back to the house. See you guys later.” Scott slid out of the car and took off. Derek jumped into the front seat and scowled at Stiles.
“You wouldn’t give two shits if I hurt myself. You up and left without so much as a glance back, and let me tell you, as soon as we find the Alpha, feel free to scurry off to New York, because Scott is my responsibility, not yours. You don’t need to feel obligated to stay, when you obviously don’t want to.” Derek felt his insides twist with each word.
“Of course I care Stiles! Ever think I was trying to find a god damn excuse to stay?!” Derek tried to keep the growl out of his voice.
“Yes I really see how you care,” Stiles sneered. “You really cared last year when I hit a really low point, or the year before when I was hit by a car and went into a coma for a few days, but I truly see how you care by your reaction to when we lost our family. Because Derek, no matter what you and Laura were thinking, we were family. It wasn’t just the Hales. It was the Stilinski-Hale pack you jackass.” Tears where streaming down Stiles face, and Derek’s heart might have broken.
“We didn’t. I mean I didn’t-”
“No you two didn’t think. Lydia and I lost our family too, but then we lost you too. So fuck you Derek Hale.” Derek didn’t say anything. He couldn’t say anything. Stiles was right one hundred percent right. Not hearing any counter argument, Stiles started the car and began to drive home.
*Back at the Stilinski house*
Scott opened the door quietly, so as to not wake anyone, but Cora heard. “Scott come upstairs.” She whispered. He took the stairs two at a time and found them in Stiles’ room.
“Where is Stiles?” Lydia asked immediately.
“Last I heard they were parked outside of the preserve, screaming at each other.”
“Is he hurt,” Lydia pressed.
“Almost, but Derek caught him.” Lydia nodded, satisfied with that answer.
“So they were yelling at each other?” Cora said with a grin.
“Yea. Stiles slammed on the breaks when Derek asked if Stiles was trying to get himself killed. I bailed after that.”
“Good, maybe there will be less tension.” Cora said with a smirk.
“What’s up with them?” Lydia and Cora exchanged a glance, and Cora shrugged.
“Well there are such thing as Mates. Like you get one Mate and all that. Stiles and Derek are Mates, but neither will admit it.” Cora explained. Scott’s eyes narrowed.
“I don’t trust Derek.” He growled.
“You better. There’s a reason I told Derek to watch out for Stiles, not you. Derek would protect Stiles with his life, no matter what. Even if he doesn’t really understand why.” Lydia said with an eye roll. “So get your head out of your ass and get used to Derek being here, because he’s beginning to realize Stiles is his Mate.”
“Which yay for Stiles. He needs some serious good things in his life.” Cora added. “Join us Scott, while we wait for our lovebirds.” Scott slumped into the desk chair and waited.
It wasn’t long before they heard the distinct roar of the Jeep’s engine. They all shared a glance as they heard the pair walk into the house. Stiles looked in and grinned.
“Hello my lovely ladies.” They both smiled and made room for him on the bed. He took off his shoes and slid in between them. “If you weren’t my sister and you weren’t a mated Werewolf, this would be totally awesome.”
“Yea and if you weren’t 120% gay.” Cora scoffed. Derek and Scott both looked up surprised.
“Hey I’m bisexual, but yea that too.”
“Dude you didn’t tell me that either.” Stiles just shrugged.
“I didn’t really think it needed to be said. Why do you think I always ask Danny if I’m attractive? And on the same note, what possible explanation would there be having a drag queen on speed dial?”
“Please, Ginger rocks.” Lydia said. Stiles nodded in agreement.
“Wait you’re into Danny?” Scott asked surprised. Derek’s eyes narrowed on Stiles.
“No but Danny is really attractive dumb ass. Now share what you learned.” Scott processed the information for a minute
“I didn’t kill him. The alpha wanted me to, but I was trying to protect him.” Stiles nodded.
“Okay good. We passed the three days where he’ll try to initiate you. Now we have a month to do my initiation.”
“Do I have to kill anyone?”
“Nah I’m thinking you have to buy me a pizza. Maybe the new Grand Theft Auto.” Scott rolled his eyes.
“Pizza it is.” Stiles stuck his tongue out.
“Cheapskate. So I’m absolutely beat. Shall we all go to bed?”
“Where is everyone going to sleep?” Scott asked.
“Here of course,” Cora said with a grin. “Being in a pack makes you want the connection, plus it totally strengthens our bonds. Cuddle up with us Scotty.” Lydia folded into Stiles in the middle of the bed. “Humans in the middle of course. You go on the other side of Lydia.”
“I don’t think I could cuddle Lydia.” Scott mumbled.
“Well you’re going to. Now hurry up.” Scott slipped his shoes off and scuttled over. Everyone watched as he took a minute to get comfortable, throwing his arm over Lydia and resting his hand on Stiles’ stomach. “Already letting some instincts take over. Good.” Derek turned around and opened the door.
“You’re leaving?” Stiles asked incredulously. “Now?!” Derek shifted from foot to foot.
“I… yeah?” He formed it like a question. Lydia and Cora both scoffed and rolled their eyes.
“Derek Hale take your stupid leather jacket off and get your broody ass over here.” Stiles growled. Stiles watched Derek’s lip twitch but he complied, taking off his shoes and jacket. Cora slid out of the bed and he raised an eyebrow.
“We piled last night. You haven’t in six years. Now scooch in.” Derek sighed but slipped under the covers. He froze about two inches from Stiles, not touching him, until Cora half jumped on him, effectively shoving him right up next to Stiles. Cora draped herself over Derek’s chest in order lace her fingers with Lydia’s. Derek took a deep breath and tried not to relax too much. He smelled home. He smelled family, mixed with a hint of cinnamon.
“Relax Derek.” Stiles whispered. The effect was immediate. All the tension was released from Derek’s shoulders and he felt himself ease into sleep.