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Title:<\/strong> Alpha Peter <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n The last word Stiles said was \u201cMom.\u201d<\/p>\n The first word Stiles said was \u201cFire.\u201d<\/p>\n Peter hated it when his sister made him play chauffeur for her kids like he hadn\u2019t earned his place as her left hand. It was demeaning and things like this were happening more and more in the last few years.<\/p>\n The monumental clusterfuck that had happened with Derek\u2019s girlfriend was a file best left closed, although why she thought that it had been his fault he didn\u2019t know. He\u2019d simply told the kid that she should be brought in on the secret and offered the bite, not to go offering her to the nearest strange alpha.<\/p>\n He sighed, \u201cLet it go, Peter, let it go.\u201d If this kept up, he was going to take his friend’s offer and travel overseas, to visit some distant relatives. Get away from whatever Talia was up to with her displays of dominance lately. He\u2019d miss his family here, some of them anyway.<\/p>\n Despite their distance this last year, he had always been fairly close with Derek and young Cora was a firecracker that seemed to have been born to challenge Talia at every turn. He\u2019d gotten along with Laura until the last few years when she\u2019d entered into what Talia had labeled Alpha lessons.<\/p>\n Which Peter found secretly hilarious since he had no memory of their parent\u2019s giving Talia any special alpha lessons, and with their emissary nonetheless.<\/p>\n It was why he was off to pick Derek up from practice and the other from the station. Talia had some last-minute Alpha things to discuss with Laura before the full moon tonight.<\/p>\n Everyone would be gathered in the basement so they could take to the tunnels for ease of access to the woods to run when the moon was high and for a more subtle return than a bunch of half-naked Hales tromping through the front yard. There were already enough rumors about them in town.<\/p>\n Peter sighed, at twenty-eight he thought that maybe, just maybe he\u2019d be closer to Talia at this point.<\/p>\n Derek was sitting at the curb bouncing his basketball with his usually grumpy expression, Peter made a mental note to pull him aside and talk to him after the rest of their visiting family left. Talia had told him to leave the boy alone, but the last few months had been worrying. Derek had flitted between flights of happiness and misery so fast it made Peter\u2019s head spin and his senses ache.<\/p>\n He\u2019d scented the floral perfume of a girl on him more than once and made it point to let the kid know that he should try to let his girlfriend know that she didn\u2019t need to bathe in the stuff. Derek had gotten a bit upset with him about that, but Peter just shrugged, teenagers.<\/p>\n \u201cGet in, loser,\u201d He called out through the window.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you tell me we\u2019re going shopping I\u2019m staying right here,\u201d Peter swore he saw a little thundercloud take root over Derek\u2019s fluffy little head.<\/p>\n \u201cHa, you\u2019re hilarious, no,\u201d Peter jerked a thumb toward the trunk, \u201cPut your stuff in there, we have to pick up Nic and Landon at the bus station before we head home. Luckily we\u2019ve all got enough control that being out isn\u2019t a worry.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI thought they were driving up from Berkley together?\u201d Derek stowed his gear and took the passenger seat.<\/p>\n \u201cThey were until they managed to somehow blow two tires on the way here.\u201d Peter said with a smirk, \u201cNow we are picking them up from the bus station and their car is at a repair shop waiting for the return trip.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI guess it explains why mom has you picking me up instead of Laura then,\u201d Derek said staring out his window.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat is that supposed to mean?\u201d Peter feigned insult, \u201cIt\u2019s an honor to be in my presence.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sure,\u201d but there was a small smile flirting with the corner of his mouth, \u201cno really, we\u2019ve all noticed. If it’s just going to be simple and quick errands mom will send Laura, make it look like she\u2019s doing something I guess. Anything more elaborate than \u2018pick Derek up from practice\u2019 or \u2018Grab a gallon of milk while you\u2019re out\u2019 and that\u2019s you, Uncle Peter.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou are a lot more observant than I thought little bunny.\u201d Peter grinned when he got a glare in response.<\/p>\n \u201cShut up,\u201d He grumbled, going back to stare out the window, the perfect image of an affronted teenager.<\/p>\n \u201cI didn\u2019t say it was a bad thing,\u201d Peter said, reaching over and adding insult to injury, he ruffled Derek\u2019s hair, pulling his hand back before the kid could smack him. \u201cI don\u2019t know what is going on, but I plan to talk with your mother after the moon.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShe knows I\u2019m sorry about Paige, right?\u201d Derek asked suddenly, as Peter navigated the car through town towards the bus station.<\/p>\n \u201cShe does Derek,\u201d Peter said, \u201cWe all know that and you heard your mother then, you\u2019re not to blame or not completely. Maybe you should have come to one of us about it, but I definitely should have been clearer about what I meant instead of teasing you the way I did.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t want to talk about it anymore,\u201d Derek\u2019s shoulders hunched up towards his ears, his eyes flashed blue for a second in the reflection of the window and he flinched back.<\/p>\n \u201cThen we won\u2019t,\u201d Peter felt his hands tighten on the steering wheel before he forced himself to relax. \u201cWhen and if you do want to talk about it, there are plenty of us around who would be willing to listen if you don\u2019t want to talk with your mother.\u201d<\/p>\n They drove in silence for a few minutes before Peter heard Derek sigh and saw his shoulders slump out of the corner of his eye. \u201cThanks, Uncle Peter, things are better now.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, your new secret girlfriend.\u201d Peter teased, \u201cI don\u2019t know why you think nobody knows about her, her perfume hangs around you like a cloud whenever you\u2019ve seen her.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShe isn\u2019t my girlfriend,\u201d Derek mumbled, \u201cShe\u2019s just really nice and we talk sometimes. She understands things is all.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cUh-huh,\u201d Peter felt the first niggling of worry take root in the pit of his stomach. \u201cYou know her from school then?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah,\u201d Derek shrugged, still looking out the window. \u201cShe was working at the rental store in town for a bit, she\u2019s working down at the library now. I usually see her there.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAn older woman, you Casanova,\u201d Peter said with a chuckle, carefully controlling the dread that was chilling his blood, he kept his chemo signals level by training alone.\u201dTell me about her, I imagine she is why you\u2019re at the library so much lately.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cKinda,\u201d Derek said, glancing at Peter as if he were checking to make sure that Peter wasn\u2019t going to make fun of him. \u201cShe helped me when I was researching my history paper a couple months ago. I don\u2019t know, she\u2019s just nice and she helps when I need to find something for school and she lets me talk about anything.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell,\u201d Peter\u2019s suave tongue deserted him for once as he searched for something to say. \u201cYou know that you can come talk to me anytime you need Derek.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know,\u201d Derek mumbled, back to frowning at his reflection in the window. \u201cBut it’s kinda nice to have someone who isn\u2019t family ya know?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, I know,\u201d Peter left it at that, though he was determined to check out this woman who was spending so much time with his nephew unsupervised. He pulled the car into the parking lot of the bus station, turning it off he got out and headed towards the terminal. He didn\u2019t scent Nic or Landon, so he assumed the bus hadn\u2019t come in yet.<\/p>\n \u201cThey aren\u2019t here yet?\u201d Derek sounded a little disgruntled from beside him as he looked around.<\/p>\n \u201cYou know how the bus is,\u201d Peter sighed, shoving his hands into his pockets. The air was cool, but it wasn\u2019t cold out. He decided he\u2019d wait outside for the bus, they\u2019d have a better chance of getting out of there quickly if he did.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah,\u201d Derek agreed, following Peter out. They both leaned against the car while they waited. \u201cPeter, how do you put up with mom and Laura all the time?\u201d<\/p>\n Surprised at the question, after having the conversation in the car he thought they were done with the subject for now.<\/p>\n \u201cYour mom is my alpha,\u201d Peter said with a shrug. \u201cI don\u2019t necessarily like the way she behaves, especially in the last year or so, but she is my alpha. As for your sister, well,\u201d He smiled at the boy. \u201cI ignore Laura as much as possible right now, I\u2019ll probably pay for that when she ascends if I\u2019m still around, but I changed her diapers. It’s a little hard to take her posturing seriously after that.\u201d<\/p>\n Derek was still chuckling at that when they heard the bus coming down the road. They both stood up from the car and headed to the side of the building where the bus would offload.<\/p>\n \u201cDerry!\u201d The name echoed around the bus terminal and sent Derek from a chuckling teen to a glowering sulking one. \u201cCome give your big brother a hug.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo,\u201d Derek scowled, his eyebrows furrowing as he refused to look at Nic.<\/p>\n \u201cCome on baby brother, I\u2019ve been gone for months. Haven\u2019t you missed me at all?\u201d Nic came over to them, his duffle slung over his shoulder. He was the same height as Peter, but as skinny as a blade of grass. Everything about him was long and thin.<\/p>\n His dark hair had grown long while he was away and would drive his mother insane, was Peter\u2019s first thought after he got over laughing at his greeting.<\/p>\n \u201cHey Uncle Pete,\u201d Nic greeted him, green eyes full of mirth at the disgruntled look that Peter could feel flash across his face.<\/p>\n \u201cHello Little Nicky,\u201d Peter responded dryly, reaching out to take his nephew\u2019s bag. He looked at the blond young man following him. \u201cHello Landon, I don\u2019t know how you survived your trip up without smothering your cousin. Congratulations on making it through.\u201d<\/p>\n Landon threw his head back and laughed, for such a handsome young man he had a laugh that reminded Peter of a chortling donkey. From what he\u2019d heard though, it hadn\u2019t hampered Landon\u2019s ability to attract anyone to his bed. He was taller than the Hales, and he was built more like a football player than the swimmer’s builds that seemed to be the thing for Talia\u2019s children.<\/p>\n \u201cAre we ready to go?\u201d Derek said, scowling at the lot of them.<\/p>\n \u201cYes Derek, we\u2019re ready to go,\u201d Peter said, smiling at the boy and fighting back a chuckle when Derek hurried to the car to get into the front seat again, so he wouldn\u2019t be stuck next to Nic or Landon all the way home.<\/p>\n \u201cHow\u2019re things, Uncle Peter?\u201d Nic asked following Peter at a more leisurely pace, Landon fell in silently on Peter\u2019s other side.<\/p>\n \u201cAbout the same as they\u2019ve been,\u201d Peter said, not trying to hide the issue from the young men. \u201cYour mother isn\u2019t one to change in a few months kid.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cKid,\u201d Nic laughed at Peter. \u201cI\u2019m not that much younger than you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cA decade is a decade baby wolf,\u201d Peter smirked at the snort of laughter that got from Landon, who was a few years older than Nic.<\/p>\n \u201cCome on,\u201d Derek called from the car, obviously impatient to get home now.<\/p>\n \u201cComing your majesty,\u201d Nic said as they got to the car. He and Landon threw their bags into the trunk before getting into the back seat, both complaining about the lack of legroom to rile Derek up.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re not that much taller than me, so just shut up,\u201d Derek snapped with another of his famous scowls.<\/p>\n \u201cBaby cuz has his bite back,\u201d Landon murmured from behind Peter, his voice too low to be heard over Derek and Nic\u2019s sniping at each other.<\/p>\n \u201cSome of it, we\u2019ll need to talk after I drop you off,\u201d Peter murmured right back. Nic was human and he had a touch of magic that he was training up, but Landon was a wolf and Peter\u2019s successor at the moment.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah?\u201d Landon\u2019s voice was barely a whisper.<\/p>\n \u201cYes,\u201d Peter replied before turning to the siblings who had taken their verbal sniping into a slap fight. \u201cReally you two, I thought that the both of you were out of elementary school.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe started it,\u201d They both said at the same time, Derek\u2019s eyes flickered blue for a minute and then he hid his head.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t do that!\u201d Landon said smacking Nic on the back of the head lightly. He reached an arm over the seat and tilted Derek\u2019s head up. \u201cYou have nothing to be ashamed of with your eyes Derek.\u201d Landon flashed his own blue eyes back at him. \u201cSometimes the best thing you can do is offer someone death. Peter nor I wanted you to ever have that burden, but how you came by your eyes is nothing to be ashamed of.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI like green better,\u201d Nic said, pooling his magic until his eyes glowed bright green for a minute, \u201cbut blue isn\u2019t so bad.\u201d He smiled and ruffled Derek\u2019s hair.<\/p>\n \u201cStop it,\u201d Derek muttered, but the acrid scent of shame that had flooded the car began to dissipate.<\/p>\n \u201cNow that we\u2019re all filled with these fluffy bunny feelings,\u201d Peter drawled, \u201cWe should be home in about ten minutes, do I need to stop by the store before we are in for the night?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou are such an ass Uncle,\u201d Nic laughed, leaning back in his seat. \u201cAnd no, I don\u2019t need anything that can\u2019t be picked up tomorrow during the day while you all recover from your full moon hangovers.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cStop calling it that,\u201d Landon said, flicking Nic in the ear. \u201cIt\u2019s exhausting dealing with the pull of the moon and helping the others to stay in control at the same time.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWah wah wah,\u201d Nic snarked back at him with a fond smile on his face. \u201cIt\u2019s the same every month. \u2018I\u2019m a werewolf, hear me roar\u2019 on the full moon, and then it\u2019s \u2018oh I\u2019m so tired and life is hard because I\u2019m a werewolf\u2019 never happy are you?\u201d<\/p>\n Peter content that nobody needed him to stop, turned the car towards the preserve and the house. He listened to the three of them snark back and forth, enjoying the atmosphere brought on by some of his favorite pack members.<\/p>\n \u201cDerek you need\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n SNAP!<\/p>\n SNAP!<\/p>\n SNAP!<\/p>\n Peter\u2019s mind blanked. The searing pain of pack bonds shattering ripped through him. Vaguely he heard Derek and Landon howling next to him.<\/p>\n He came aware slowly. The car was stopped at an angle on the side of the road. Nic was puking out the door.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat happened?\u201d Landon asked his eyes wide, he was shivering in what could only be shock.<\/p>\n Derek\u2019s eyes were open. He stared out the windshield. He didn\u2019t move, was barely breathing.<\/p>\n \u201cWe need to get to the house,\u201d Peter ground out around the pain and shock. \u201cNic get in the car. We have to go.\u201d<\/p>\n Landon reached over and jerked Nic back into the car. Peter was driving before the door was shut. He didn\u2019t pay attention to the speed. They saw it before they turned into the drive.<\/p>\n Smoke billowed out. The wolves heard the screams of those trapped inside. Peter spun the car into the drive. He barely remembered to put it in park before he was out the door.<\/p>\n \u201cMom, Dad,\u201d Derek and Landon were right beside him, Nic not far behind.<\/p>\n The wolves all came to a halt as they hit a barrier.<\/p>\n \u201cMountain Ash,\u201d Landon hissed.<\/p>\n Peter growled and tried to push past it. No one saw the small figure come out of the woods. Peter felt a tug at his sleeve. He looked down and saw a young boy. He was gangly and hollowed eyed. He looked at Peter and at the house.<\/p>\n \u201cFire,\u201d He said, walking forward towards the house. He was obviously ignoring the fact that they were halfway to beta form. He leaned down and looked at the line of ash. He looked back at them.<\/p>\n \u201cI can\u2019t break the line, they\u2019ve added something to the ash,\u201d Nic cried out, panic flooding his scent.<\/p>\n The boy reached out with a sneakered foot and scuffed out the ash line. He looked back up at Derek this time. He tugged at his arm and pointed.<\/p>\n \u201cFire,\u201d His voice had that croaky quality of someone who hadn\u2019t spoken in a long time. He headed towards the fire.<\/p>\n \u201cCome on!\u201d Peter yelled and rushed towards the front door. Flames licked out the shattered windows. He got three steps before he crashed to his knees. Power swept over him. It swept through him. He felt the change of status and fought for control.<\/p>\n He felt raw and ruined by the loss of the pack bonds. The alpha power rushed over him leaving him feeling abraded. He pulsed with power and pain.<\/p>\n He felt Landon and Derek go down next to him. Nic cried out for them. Then he ran past them towards the door.<\/p>\n Nic kicked at the door. Peter staggered to his feet to follow. He was stopped by the boy.<\/p>\n \u201cI need to get in there and help,\u201d He snarled at him.<\/p>\n The boy shook his head. He pointed to the side of the house. Peter tilted his head listening. He heard the whines of a pup in distress. Staring at the boy for a minute, he took off at a run towards the sounds.<\/p>\n When he rounded the house he saw little Cora curled up near the basement window.<\/p>\n \u201cCora,\u201d Peter had her in his arms before he processed the movement. \u201cOh little pup, I\u2019m here.\u201d<\/p>\n He came back around the house. That boy was still there. He was trying to get Landon up on his feet. He looked at Peter and pointed at the woods this time. Peter stopped.<\/p>\n Pop!<\/p>\n Pop!<\/p>\n Pop!<\/p>\n The scent of gunsmoke was in the air. The sound of the sirens were coming closer. Peter set Cora down. He positioned himself in front of the boy and Cora.<\/p>\n \u201cLandon,\u201d He called a thread of alpha power in his voice. \u201cWe have company.\u201d<\/p>\n Landon was on his feet, dragging Derek up when three figures in dark clothing came out of the woods.<\/p>\n \u201cOh this is precious,\u201d The woman\u2019s voice was husky and cruel.<\/p>\n Derek whimpered, his head snapping up, \u201cWhat\u2026 Katie?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh puppy, you are too pathetic,\u201d She laughed, cold and cruel, \u201cIt\u2019s Kate, Kate Argent.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy did you do this?\u201d Peter snarled, \u201cWe haven\u2019t broken any of your silly codes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t need a reason to put down animals like you,\u201d She hissed at them, raising her gun. \u201cIt\u2019s a shame we missed a few of you, but we can take care of that now.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut, I don\u2019t understand,\u201d Derek’s voice was so bewildered and heartbroken that Peter wanted to rend the Argent woman apart one joint at a time.<\/p>\n \u201cOh honey,\u201d Kate said in a syrupy drawl. \u201cWhat is there to understand? It\u2019s a shame I didn\u2019t have more time though, I bet you\u2019d be an animal to ride.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t be disgusting Kate,\u201d the man to her left snarled at her. \u201cNot everyone wants to hear about your perversions.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh shut up Ben,\u201d Kate shot back. \u201cYou\u2019d have fucked the older girl given half a chance. Look at the boy, I bet he fucks like a machine.\u201d<\/p>\n Peter growled, it came deep from his chest. It reverberated throughout the clearing around the still-burning house that had become the pyre of their pack. He felt a tugging at his hand and looked down to see the boy there looking up at him, with his buzzed hair and wide eyes, his mouth pinched.<\/p>\n \u201cWe need to finish this before the authorities get here,\u201d The unnamed man said, glance toward the road where the sound of sirens came ever closer. \u201cWe never got an in with them here.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ll take care of that later, don\u2019t you worry,\u201d Kate said with a smile slashed across her face. She raised her gun taking aim.<\/p>\n A shot went off.<\/p>\n The unnamed hunter fell back with a shout of surprise.<\/p>\n It took Peter a minute to realize what he was seeing.<\/p>\n The boy was holding a gun in a two-handed grip now that he\u2019d let go of Peter, the barrel pointed at the hunters. He glanced up at Peter and his eyes were solemn before going back to staring at the hunters.<\/p>\n \u201cHe shot him,\u201d Ben shouted, he went to open fire but was too late. Landon was already on him tearing his throat out before he could make another sound. Peter approved, while they deserved a long drawn out death, it wouldn\u2019t do to get caught or allow them to do any more damage to their vastly diminished pack.<\/p>\n \u201cFuck,\u201d Kate wasn\u2019t looking so smug now. \u201cYou can\u2019t hurt me, my father and the council will come down on you if you do.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI think we\u2019ll risk it,\u201d Nic said while bringing a large chunk of wood down on her head. She crumpled to the ground and he kicked the gun away from her.<\/p>\n \u201cGet him out of here Landon, we won\u2019t be able to explain an animal attack right now,\u201d Peter said. \u201cGet back before we have to come up with a reason for your absence though.\u201d Peter rubbed a hand over the center of his chest. He knew the ache from the loss of his pack bonds was psychic and not actually physical, but it was agonizing all the same.<\/p>\n He turned to the boy who was still holding the gun that he\u2019d acquired seemingly out of thin air.<\/p>\n \u201cYou,\u201d He pointed at the boy, who just blinked up at him before turning back to watching Kate\u2019s still form and keeping the gun trained on her. \u201cWell I can\u2019t blame you for your diligence I suppose.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cUncle Peter,\u201d Derek interrupted his conversation with the boy. \u201cI don\u2019t know what happened, but she…she was the girl from the library.\u201d He sucked in a shuddering breath. \u201cThis is all my fault Uncle Peter, I told her everyone was home. I told her that\u2019s why I couldn\u2019t come to her house this weekend. Uncle Peter.\u201d Derek said his name on something near a wail.<\/p>\n Peter suddenly had an arm full of a nearly grown teen werewolf, \u201cDerek, I don\u2019t know the whole story, but I am positive of one thing. This is not your fault in any way shape or form.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut, I told her Uncle Peter, I told her,\u201d Derek sobbed.<\/p>\n \u201cDid you tell her our secrets little wolf?\u201d Peter asked softly, cupping Derek\u2019s head and bringing him in to give him his new alpha\u2019s scent to try and calm the boy before the authorities arrived.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, no I didn\u2019t tell her about that. I told her about the family being here though and the party. I told her that we\u2019d all be here all weekend.\u201d Derek said, his voice quiet towards the end.<\/p>\n \u201cShe\u2019s a hunter Derek,\u201d Peter said softly. \u201cYou didn\u2019t do anything wrong. We are going to have some very hard days ahead little wolf. I need you to try and be strong for me. Can you do that for the next little bit while the human authorities are here?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes Uncle Peter, I can do that,\u201d Derek said, stepping back. He paused, \u201cUncle Peter?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Derek,\u201d Peter replied.<\/p>\n \u201cWho is the little kid? And why does he have a gun?\u201d Derek\u2019s head tilted as he looked at the boy standing next to them.<\/p>\n \u201cHonestly Derek?\u201d Peter said. \u201cI have no idea, he got here when we did.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIs he some kind of creature?\u201d Landon asked coming up beside them, his disposal task obviously taken care of. Right on time too as the first of the emergency vehicles were pulling into the drive as they spoke.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll take that,\u201d Nic came up to the boy and plucked the gun right out of his hands. \u201cIt wouldn\u2019t look very good if we let an infant hold a gun on the culprit now, would it. Derek, pick up Cora. She hasn\u2019t moved since Kate showed up.\u201d<\/p>\n Cora whimpered when they turned to where she was still hiding behind Peter for the most part. Derek picked her up, scenting her and allowing her to scent him back.<\/p>\n They all turned to stare at the house as it continued to burn. Emergency workers made their way over to them and they began the work of telling their tale.<\/p>\n Firefighters fought to put the fire out, those that braved entry told them what they already knew. There were no survivors that they could locate.<\/p>\n Cops came to take their statements once it was made aware that they had two individuals believed to be responsible for the fire on the property, once unconscious and another shot. Peter was a little surprised to find that the boy hadn\u2019t killed him and told the boy so, he got a glare for the comment.<\/p>\n \u201cStiles!\u201d A man in a deputy\u2019s uniform came running over, scooping the boy up into his arms. \u201cWhat in god\u2019s name are you doing here.\u201d<\/p>\n The boy, Stiles, shrugged. Pointed at the house. \u201cFire.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh,\u201d The deputy set Stiles down gently. \u201cYou spoke. Can you tell me anything else son?\u201d<\/p>\n Stiles pointed at Kate, who another deputy was securing with cuffs even while an EMT was assessing her. \u201cFire.\u201d He looked like he wanted to say something else, then he just closed his eyes like he was in pain and let out a whoosh of breath.<\/p>\n \u201cOkay, son, okay.\u201d The deputy brushed a hand over the boy\u2019s head and pulled him in for a hug. \u201cIt\u2019s okay, one word at a time is fine.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYour son shot one of the perps Deputy Stilinski,\u201d The deputy that had been interviewing Peter said coming up to the two of them. \u201cI don\u2019t want to ask, but you don\u2019t have a backup weapon that isn\u2019t registered with the department, do you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, of course not,\u201d Stilinski said with a frown. He turned to look at Stiles. \u201cSon, did you get a gun from someplace?\u201d<\/p>\n Stiles pointed at Kate again, tilted his hand back and forth while rolling his eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat does that mean?\u201d The other deputy asked, looking at Stilinski.<\/p>\n \u201cI have no idea,\u201d Stilinski replied. \u201cStiles, we really need to know where you got the gun you shot that man with.\u201d<\/p>\n Stiles just blew out a breath and jabbed a finger at Kate again.<\/p>\n \u201cI do believe he\u2019s trying to tell you that he stole the gun from Kate Argent and her associates,\u201d Peter interjected watching in fascination as Stiles grew more frustrated with his father and the deputy, but still didn\u2019t speak.<\/p>\n Deputy Stilinski glanced at Peter and then turned back to his son, \u201cIs Mr. Hale correct Stiles, did you steal a gun from Kate Argent?\u201d<\/p>\n Stiles nodded, jutted his chin up, and pointed at the house. \u201cFire!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI for one am grateful for your assistance in protecting my family this evening Stiles,\u201d Peter said, kneeling down in front of the boy. He ignored the hissed disapproval from the other two men.<\/p>\n Stiles gave a sad sigh and shook his head, waving a limp hand at the house that was no longer a blazing fire, but a smoking ruin.<\/p>\n \u201cI know,\u201d Peter nodded, understanding what the boy was trying to express. \u201cI wish we could have gotten here earlier too.\u201d He took the boy by the shoulders until he met his eyes. \u201cI want you to understand something though, okay.\u201d<\/p>\n Stiles stared at him and gave a short nod.<\/p>\n \u201cThis isn\u2019t your fault. The deaths in that house, those that couldn\u2019t be saved. None of that is your fault.\u201d Peter tightened his grip when he felt Stiles try to pull away. \u201cNo, it isn\u2019t your fault. You saved us, Stiles. You saved us. Thank you.\u201d Stiles shook his head.<\/p>\n \u201cThank you for saving us.\u201d Peter saw Stiles take each word as if it was a physical blow. Tears began to fall down the boy’s face. \u201cI will never forget what you\u2019ve done for us. You will always be an honorary Hale from here on out.\u201d That was the closest he could get to calling the boy pack in front of his father and the other deputy.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know if you should be grateful that an eleven-year-old boy had to shoot someone for you.\u201d Deputy Stilinski said bitterly from behind him as Peter got to his feet.<\/p>\n \u201cI would wish that Stiles had not had to make that decision,\u201d Peter said smoothly, turning around to face the man. \u201cBut I can not be anything but grateful that he did shoot the man before that man could shoot my eight-year-old niece or your eleven-year-old son. I won\u2019t be sorry about that, deputy. I didn\u2019t put the gun in your son\u2019s hand, given the option, I wouldn\u2019t have. I will however be grateful that he did have it and knew when and how to use it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cUncle Peter,\u201d Landon came up, his eyes red-rimmed, which spoke more to the wolfsbane that was threading through the smoke than to the tears he was trying to hold back.<\/p>\n \u201cLandon?\u201d Peter asked his hand going out immediately to grasp his arm. \u201cWhat happened?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMom and dad,\u201d Landon\u2019s voice choked off.<\/p>\n \u201cThey weren\u2019t supposed to be here until tomorrow,\u201d Peter said a frown on his face even as he searched through his shredded pack bonds to find the very few that were still intact.<\/p>\n Cole and Lottie weren\u2019t really part of the Hale pack, Cole being his mom\u2019s brother. Cole had been another surprise birth, like Peter and he\u2019d been closer in age to Talia than to their mother. Landon had been Cole and Lottie\u2019s only son and he\u2019d been coming to the Hale pack as Peter\u2019s successor, which had brought Cole and Lottie to these occasional full pack gatherings a few times a year.<\/p>\n \u201cI guess they got in early,\u201d Landon looked towards the house.<\/p>\n \u201cFuck,\u201d Peter whispered.<\/p>\n \u201cHow do you know they’re in the house?\u201d The still-unnamed deputy asked.<\/p>\n \u201cTheir car,\u201d Landon pointed to the white car parked in front of the house.<\/p>\n \u201cFuck,\u201d Peter said again. He felt a small hand slip into his and looked down into the solemn face of little Stiles Stilinski.<\/p>\n \u201cStiles, come on,\u201d Deputy Stilinski came forward and took Stiles away. \u201cLet\u2019s leave the Hales alone. They have enough to deal with right now and we need to go home.\u201d<\/p>\n Peter fought not to snarl at the deputy. He realized that Stiles was, in fact, truly pack and he\u2019d have to do something about that sooner rather than later. He watched the Stilinski’s leave, the boy watching him over his father\u2019s shoulder with too old eyes.<\/p>\n The other deputy moved away when another of their number came up to ask a question, so Peter ignored them and turned to wrap an arm around Landon bringing him in close.<\/p>\n \u201cYou aren\u2019t alone Landon. Do we know who else was in the house?\u201d Peter asked. \u201cMy bonds are a mess, I\u2019ll need to meditate on them before I can make sense of them. If we have an idea of who was in there it could help.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe know that Talia and Laura were in there,\u201d Landon said. He looked at Peter with raised brows and Peter nodded in acknowledgment. He agreed, he wouldn\u2019t have inherited the alpha spark if either one of them had survived.<\/p>\n \u201cI have to think that Rick was in there as well,\u201d Landon said, speaking of Talia\u2019s husband. \u201cHe was never far from Talia when she was home.\u201d He added.<\/p>\n \u201cAunt Shannon and Uncle Charlie were there with the baby and young Julian,\u201d Peter felt pain lance through him again, he knew those bonds had been severed, no, not severed, ripped out instead leaving wounds still raw and bleeding.<\/p>\n \u201cNine dead,\u201d Nic said from behind them. \u201cIf we hadn\u2019t blown out that tire it would have been all of us.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIf you\u2019d been here\u2026\u201d Derek asked coming into the conversation, his whole attitude subdued.<\/p>\n \u201cNo,\u201d Nic said. \u201cThere was something in the ash and in the smoke. I can feel it now, my ability to touch my magic is muted right now. It\u2019s almost as if I\u2019m a baseline human at the moment.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI didn\u2019t tell her anything about your magic Nic, I swear,\u201d Derek\u2019s head shot up and his eyes were wide.<\/p>\n \u201cI know you did Berry,\u201d Nic said with a shadow of a smile. \u201cNot to put a pin in your ego little brother, but I think you were probably meant to be a distraction if anyone started paying attention to the wrong thing, or the right thing as the case may be.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut we didn\u2019t see anything,\u201d Peter said, a growl in his voice. \u201cWe remain completely blind to everything. I don\u2019t know how that is possible.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ll find out Uncle Peter,\u201d Nic said. \u201cWe aren\u2019t blind now.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDefinitely not,\u201d Landon agreed.<\/p>\n \u201cI can see a lot Uncle Peter,\u201d Cora said from where she lay curled against Derek\u2019s chest. \u201cMy chest hurts though.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh sweet girl,\u201d Peter said. He reached over and took the little girl from Derek and cuddled her into his arms, scenting her as thoroughly as he could in a public setting. \u201cWe\u2019re here and we\u2019re not going anywhere.\u201d He turned to look over what was left of their home.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll go see if we can leave Uncle Peter,\u201d Nic said. \u201cThey\u2019re probably going to want to know where we are going to be at though.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI have an apartment in town,\u201d Peter said absentmindedly. \u201cIt\u2019s a three-bedroom, although there is only one bed right now since I converted the other rooms, we can make do.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019ll work,\u201d Nic said. \u201cWe can pick up some air mattresses or something tonight and figure out the rest tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n Peter gave him the address and watched him walk over to the man he suspected was in charge of the scene. He turned to look around and saw that Kate was awake and in the back of a police cruiser glaring hatefully at them.<\/p>\n \u201cAny idea what\u2019s going on with that?\u201d He murmured to Landon, nodding towards the cruiser.<\/p>\n \u201cShe tried to claim we attacked her, but when they started asking questions it came out that she has sort of a hate on for us Hales and was trying to take us all out during our family get together,\u201d Landon said carefully. He seemed to be aware that they were being listened to by the deputies lingering in their area.<\/p>\n \u201cHuh,\u201d Peter said, just as aware of their audience as Landon seemed to be. \u201cThe Argents have always been difficult to deal with for our family. I never knew why, it went back pretty far if I remember my grandmother\u2019s stories. It was a little too Montague and Capulet for me when I was younger, as I got older I didn\u2019t think much of it. Maybe I should have.\u201d He looked at the smoldering ruins that now housed the remains of the majority of his family.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sure they\u2019ll figure it out Peter,\u201d Landon said. Peter knew that he meant that they would figure it out and rain their own version of justice down on the guilty parties.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sure the truth will come out,\u201d Peter turned towards Landon and raised an eyebrow at him. \u201cYou aren\u2019t a Hale though.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m a Calhoun, apparently that\u2019s close enough for them.\u201d Landon shrugged.<\/p>\n \u201cHale or not, you\u2019re family,\u201d Nic said coming back. \u201cWe\u2019re ready to go. They said we can take your car, we\u2019ll need to go down to the station and give full statements tomorrow but we can go now.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGood,\u201d Peter said, \u201cCora has already passed out.\u201d He headed to where they\u2019d left the car parked haphazardly.<\/p>\n Emergency vehicles were all around it, luckily it hadn\u2019t been in the way of any of the fire engines. Someone had turned the engine off at some point, Peter looked at the older two boys.<\/p>\n \u201cAny idea where the keys are?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve got them,\u201d Derek said, he pulled them from his pocket and handed them to Landon when he reached for them. \u201cI turned off the car when you sent me away after the police got here.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll drive,\u201d Landon said. \u201cI think the pup is going to need to stay close to you for a little while right now.\u201d<\/p>\n Peter nodded and let Nic open the back door for him, he climbed in and settled himself against the opposite door. Derek practically dove in the door after him, attaching himself to his side. With Cora settled heavy on his chest, Derek crushed upon his side and the scents of Nic and Landon heavy in the air of the car the pain of shredded bonds were eased just a bit.<\/p>\n He felt the fledgling bond growing from the Stilinski boy, but when he followed it down he didn\u2019t find the boy attached to anyone else, not even his father. It was something he made a note to look into later on.<\/p>\n \u201cWe should stop by the local strip mall and pick up what we need for the night and tomorrow morning. I doubt we\u2019re going to want to do too much socializing once this gets out,\u201d Nic said leaning his head back on the seat in front of Peter, his voice tired. He sounded much older than his 22 years.<\/p>\n \u201cDo you and Landon want to take care of that?\u201d Peter asked. \u201cI can try and extract myself from Cora and Derek if you want to take over here instead.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI think Landon and I should stay with the kids, you\u2019ll be footing the bill,\u201d Nic said, turning a tired smile on Peter. \u201cYou should still have the pack card on you right?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes,\u201d Peter acknowledged. \u201cAnd yes it\u2019s in my name so the two of you wouldn\u2019t be able to use it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah,\u201d Landon threw a weaker version of his smirk into the rearview mirror at Peter. \u201cWe\u2019ll stay with the kiddos and send you out to shop for essentials.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI shall endeavor to hunt well for our pack,\u201d Peter said with a smile, he heard Derek chuff a laugh at his side and felt accomplished.<\/p>\n Landon pulled up to the small strip mall nearest to Peter\u2019s apartment. He parked and Nic came around the car to help Derek move Cora off of Peter.<\/p>\n \u201cCan I come with you Uncle Peter,\u201d Derek said. \u201cOnly, you might need help carrying stuff back to the car. Also, you shouldn\u2019t be alone.\u201d He finished with his jaw firm just like it did when he\u2019d made up his mind about anything and wouldn\u2019t be moved by anything less than an act of god.<\/p>\n \u201cOf course Derek,\u201d He shared a look with Nic, \u201cand you are correct, we shouldn\u2019t be moving around alone right now. That is very good thinking. We\u2019ll leave Nic and Landon with Cora. You can help me keep watch while we get the essentials here.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t take too long,\u201d Landon said, he hadn\u2019t moved from the driver\u2019s seat or done more than turn the car off and put it in park. \u201cI want to get undercover. My wolf is on edge.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe all are Landon,\u201d Peter walked over and reached through the open window to grip Landon\u2019s neck. \u201cWe\u2019ll reconnect once we get to the apartment. It won\u2019t be a perfect fix, but it should help.\u201d<\/p>\n Peter felt Landon relax under his hand.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah Peter, that would help,\u201d Landon agreed. \u201cWashing this smoke and ash off will help even more.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe need to get this trip over with, wash up, and get some rest,\u201d Nic said from where he was cuddling Cora in the back seat. \u201cWe\u2019ll figure out the rest later.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAlright, let\u2019s go,\u201d Peter drew his hand back and turned to gather Derek up. \u201cLandon keep watch. Protect the pack.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes Alpha,\u201d Both Landon and Nic replied automatically.<\/p>\n It startled Peter and at the same time, it settled his wolf. He nodded at them and with a hand on Derek\u2019s shoulder they headed towards the shops.<\/p>\n \u201cI know you hate them Uncle Peter, but I kind of wish we had a supercenter of some sort right now,\u201d Derek said. \u201cIt would make tonight\u2019s trip easier and much quicker.\u201d<\/p>\n Peter heard the unsaid \u2018safer\u2019 at the end of Derek\u2019s sentence and wondered how long it would be until any of their greatly reduced pack felt safe again.<\/p>\n \u201cYou might be right Derek,\u201d Peter said, giving the boy\u2019s shoulder a squeeze. They headed towards the sporting goods store. If Peter was remembering correctly, they had camping gear. Hopefully, they would have something for them to sleep on tonight. He\u2019d be able to arrange for beds tomorrow he was sure, but tonight they would need more than his hardwood floors.<\/p>\n They found air mattresses in the camping section, Peter bought four and they carried them out to the car, putting them into the trunk.<\/p>\n They headed to the next store, clothing. Landon and Nic had their bags in his trunk and Peter had clothes at his apartment, but Derek and Cora only had what they were wearing on their backs. Peter gathered clothing that looked like it would fit Cora by the armful. He remembered to grab underclothes at the last minute and had to allow a minute for the panic and grief about the fact that his niece was now the only female member of his pack to rush over him before he pulled himself back together.<\/p>\n \u201cGet yourself a few changes of clothing Derek,\u201d Peter told his nephew. \u201cFrom the skin out. I don\u2019t think much will have survived the fire and if it did, I don\u2019t know when we\u2019ll have a chance to get to it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Uncle Peter,\u201d Derek turned away to begin looking for clothing.<\/p>\n Peter noticed that Derek\u2019s hands were shaking. He tossed the clothing he\u2019d gather for Cora into the cart and set his hand on the back of Derek\u2019s neck.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re almost done pup,\u201d He murmured so that Derek was the only one that could hear him. \u201cWe\u2019ll send for take-out tonight, but we\u2019ll need to gather some groceries after this, and then we\u2019ll be done.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOkay,\u201d Derek nodded. He picked out some clothes, throwing them in the cart with what Peter had picked out for Cora.<\/p>\n When they reached the register Peter saw what had to be the grumpiest looking stuffed bear wearing a wolf costume. Peter tilted his head at it and realized it was also wearing a bright rainbow-colored bow.<\/p>\n He tossed it on the counter and ignored the small smile that he received from Derek for it.<\/p>\n \u201cShe\u2019ll like it,\u201d Derek whispered as they carried the bags out to the car and added them to the trunk.<\/p>\n \u201cHmm,\u201d Was all that he said to that.<\/p>\n \u201cGroceries?\u201d Derek asked pointing to the other side of the parking lot where the grocery store sat facing the strip mall. It shared a parking lot, while still not being a part of the mall itself.<\/p>\n \u201cYes,\u201d Peter nodded towards the car,\u201d He opened the door and ushered Derek into the back seat before taking the empty spot in front. \u201cLandon is going to drive us that direction though. I refuse to cart groceries across the parking lot if I don\u2019t have to.\u201d<\/p>\n Landon rolled his head from where it had been resting on the back of the seat. \u201cAt your service Alpha,\u201d He said with a snappy salute. He started up the car and they were across the lot and parked again in less than five minutes.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ll be back shortly,\u201d Peter looked over the seat at Nic and Cora. She was still asleep or at least doing a good job pretending to sleep. \u201cIf anyone has any requests for the immediate future get them in now.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know what you have in your apartment,\u201d Nic said. \u201cI had Landon write up a list while you were in the stores though.\u201d<\/p>\n Landon handed over an envelope that had been repurposed to make a grocery list. Peter glanced down at it, when he saw the length of the list he looked back at Nic with a raised brow.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re going to have all of us and our youthful appetites in your apartment,\u201d Nic said in response. \u201cThat doesn\u2019t even account for the wolf metabolism side of things. Cora is going to eat a good portion of that on her own. Derek will plow through the rest. Landon and I are pretty good at taking care of ourselves, but those two need to be able to get at the quick and easy protein and carb foods at their ages.\u201d<\/p>\n Peter sighed, \u201cThanks Nic, I wouldn\u2019t have thought about that until they came to me hungry later tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo problem Uncle Peter, part of what I was learning from Mage Moira in my magic and pack classes,\u201d Nic said tiredly, referring to the lessons he\u2019s been taking to learn how to use his abilities to help the pack later on. That is until Deaton had told Talia that they weren\u2019t good for him.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ll talk about that later,\u201d Peter told him. \u201cYou still want to come in with me Derek?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes Uncle Peter,\u201d Derek said, already getting out of the car before Peter had finished the sentence.<\/p>\n \u201cOkay, Nic gave us this list,\u201d Peter handed it over to Derek. \u201cIf there is anything that you want that isn\u2019t on this list just let me know. If there is anything that you think Cora will want that isn\u2019t on the list, let me know. I want to get this done quickly, but I want to make sure we get it done correctly.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes Uncle Peter,\u201d Derek said looking at the list. \u201cUncle Peter?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Derek?\u201d Peter grabbed a buggy and headed into the store.<\/p>\n \u201cHow much space do you have in your fridge and freezer?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI think I have a tray of ice cubes in the freezer right now and some eggs in the fridge.\u201d Peter smiled at Derek\u2019s look. \u201cI knew that I would be spending most of this week and the last few at the big house, so I cleaned everything out and haven\u2019t stocked back up yet.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo we\u2019re going to need everything then?\u201d Derek said, tapping the list with a finger.<\/p>\n \u201cYes Derek,\u201d Peter said with a quick smile at the serious expression on the boy\u2019s face. \u201cWe don\u2019t need to get everything now, just enough to get through the next few days. I can order groceries delivered tomorrow if needed.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOkay.\u201d Derek agreed and they began to shop.<\/p>\n Derek led the charge and Peter pushed the buggy behind his nephew somewhat bemused. It wasn\u2019t that he didn\u2019t know how to shop. He did it for himself and he\u2019d shopped for the pack often enough, but Derek took it to a whole new level.<\/p>\n Even with so little time to prepare and a haphazard list, Derek attacked it like it was a military campaign, and the success or failure of it depended on the best apples or the right crackers. He made Peter get his phone out and sign up for the store\u2019s frequent shoppers program so they could get discounts when they checked out.<\/p>\n Peter was a little dazzled by the time they were pushing the cart out the door.<\/p>\n \u201cLook at this Uncle Peter,\u201d Derek said waving the receipt at him. \u201cWe saved twenty-seven percent of our order with all these discounts, I bet we could save more if we downloaded some of their online coupons next time.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI had no idea that you liked shopping this much Derek,\u201d Peter was careful to keep his tone mild, but he saw that Derek still flinched. \u201cThere isn\u2019t anything wrong with it Derek. I was just unaware that you were this good at it. I admit that I don\u2019t pay as much attention to where I could be saving as I should. This will be very helpful in the future.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah?\u201d Derek\u2019s voice was soft, almost shy. \u201cMom said I didn\u2019t need to worry about it so much, but if you can save this much money why wouldn\u2019t you?\u201d He turned those wide hazel eyes on Peter.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know Derek,\u201d Peter said, arriving at the car he knocked on the trunk until it popped open for them. \u201cYour mother has always been something of a mystery to me.\u201d<\/p>\n They loaded the groceries into the trunk before heading back around the car. Settling into their seats, Peter nodded to Landon and they began the final leg of their journey home. Peter took his phone out and called in an order for pizza to be delivered in the next half hour or so.<\/p>\n He directed Landon into the parking garage and they were lucky to find a spot near the elevators.<\/p>\n Nic took Cora, while the rest of them loaded themselves down with their packages and headed up to Peter\u2019s apartment. They\u2019d need to make a couple more trips, but much less than any baseline human would.<\/p>\n Peter unlocked the door and stepped in to turn on the light.<\/p>\n \u201cGo ahead and lay her down in my room, it’s the only one with a bed. We can wake her up all the way when dinner gets here, no sense in forcing her awake right now.\u201d Peter said, gesturing Nic down the hall. \u201cGroceries this way.\u201d He led the other two into his kitchen and dumped his bags on the island in there.<\/p>\n He looked at Derek and saw that there dark shadows beginning to form under his eyes. He caught Landon\u2019s eye, jerked his chin towards Derek. Landon nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cDerek, can you put away these groceries while Landon and bring up the rest of the bags?\u201d Peter asked.<\/p>\n \u201cUh,\u201d Derek looked around Peter\u2019s kitchen a little dazedly. \u201cI guess, you just have to tell me where it all goes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t have any specific place for anything,\u201d Peter said with a smile he hoped came across as reassuring rather than exhausted. \u201cYou can organize it however you want to right now.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh,\u201d Derek looked back at him. \u201cIf you\u2019re sure.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCompletely,\u201d Peter said. \u201cIt would help if you could do this. Once you get the groceries taken care of. Go ahead and grab a shower, grab a set of my sweats to put on after. I\u2019ll start washing these new clothes as soon as we get everything up here.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOkay Uncle Peter,\u201d Derek said as he turned to work.<\/p>\n Landon and Peter slipped out of the apartment and headed back down to the car.<\/p>\n They grabbed the last of the bags in near silence. Peter glanced at Landon while they waited for the elevator.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not going to ask if you\u2019re okay,\u201d Peter finally said, \u201cMostly because none of us are okay and I don\u2019t think we\u2019ll be okay for quite some time.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo,\u201d Landon agreed. He turned until his body was oriented towards Peter. \u201cTalia hadn\u2019t fully brought me into the pack yet, my alpha could conceivably call me home.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe aren\u2019t feudal lords,\u201d Peter said wryly, but he knew what Landon meant. \u201cDo you want to stay Landon? I won\u2019t hold you to promises made to a different pack.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re still the Hale Pack,\u201d Landon said. He stepped into the elevator as soon as it opened.<\/p>\n Peter followed much more sedately, glad to note that they were alone. \u201cYes, we are the Hale Pack. We are also very diminished, you\u2019ve been around long enough to know what this will mean in the long term.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019ll be given a year to solidify your claim,\u201d Landon adjusted the bags in his hands and closed his eyes in thought, leaning back against the wall of the elevator. \u201cAfter that you can be challenged for the territory.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYep,\u201d Peter said with a nod, meeting Landon\u2019s gaze with a sober one of his own. \u201cNic\u2019s already realized this, I felt him leaving what protections he could around the house despite how diminished he was from whatever the hunters did. It\u2019s why he hasn\u2019t left Cora\u2019s side and probably won\u2019t go too far from the rest of us until he\u2019s satisfied with our magical protections.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo when you say you aren\u2019t the same pack,\u201d Landon said.<\/p>\n \u201cI mean we can\u2019t be the same pack,\u201d Peter said. \u201cI\u2019m the Alpha now, not the left hand. I have no enforcers. I have one beta who is barely eight years old and another who just turned sixteen. Nic might be able to be my emissary if he wants, but that\u2019s the extent that I have right now Landon.\u201d Peter sighed, feeling suddenly very tired.<\/p>\n \u201cYou have an enforcer if you\u2019ll take me, Peter,\u201d Landon said. \u201cI want to stay.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI can\u2019t promise anything here,\u201d Peter said looking at his cousin. \u201cI plan to do everything I can. To use every trick, every resource at my disposal to survive the next few years and come out on top, for Derek and Cora at least, but I can\u2019t promise anything.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI wouldn\u2019t believe you if you did,\u201d Landon said. \u201cThis whole situation is a clusterfuck. I still want to stay. You were training me to take over for you, even if the others didn\u2019t like it. The position suited me, if you\u2019ll have me I still want it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOkay,\u201d Peter nodded, \u201cI\u2019m much too selfish and desperate to try and talk you out of it little cousin. So come on.\u201d<\/p>\n They exited the elevator on Peter\u2019s floor and headed into the apartment. Peter dropped the remaining bags off in the kitchen and led Landon into the bedroom he\u2019d turned into an office.<\/p>\n \u201cLandon Calhoun,\u201d Peter let his eyes bleed red. \u201cSwear your oaths.\u201d<\/p>\n Landon bowed his head and kneeled, for all that Peter had said that they weren\u2019t feudal lords, many of their ceremonial rituals would not have been out of place in that time period.<\/p>\n Peter let his claws out, reaching over and setting them to the back of Landon\u2019s neck. He let just the tips slip past the skin. Not enough to cause damage, but enough for the magic to take root.<\/p>\n \u201cBy the Moon who we hold sacred, I give you my oath. I will in all endeavors strive to be faithful to Peter Hale as my Alpha, never to cause him harm and to remain as true to him as the Moon is true to us her children.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBy the Moon who we hold sacred, I give you my oath. I will honor your pledge and give you shelter beneath my roof, the food at my table, a bed in my home for as long as you are my beta. I will offer my protection against claims made against you for you are pack. I will hold this to be true and just as\u00a0 witnessed by the Moon who calls us her children.\u201d<\/p>\n Carefully Peter removed his claws from Landon and helped him to his feet. Landon tilted his neck and Peter leaned forward, shifting his face to bring his forward, he bit into Landon\u2019s neck to set the magic.<\/p>\n Stepping back, Peter held onto Landon\u2019s arm to steady the other man as he wobbled. Peter eventually got him into one of the office chairs.<\/p>\n \u201cWow,\u201d Landon said. \u201cI didn\u2019t realize how bad my bonds were.\u201d<\/p>\n Peter frowned, \u201cWhat do you mean?\u201d Peter couldn\u2019t imagine that they were very good right now, what with the fire and the forceful severing of so many. Even if Landon hadn\u2019t been an official Hale Pack member, he would still have had some familial bonds with the rest of them. His parents were part of his pack though and that would have been a double wrenching of both the parental bond and pack bond being destroyed.<\/p>\n \u201cI knew the bonds I was trying to form here were being hampered by Talia\u2019s resistance to me and Deaton\u2019s\u2026\u201d Landon waved a hand to encompass Deaton\u2019s apparent everything Peter guessed.<\/p>\n \u201cYes Deaton,\u201d Peter said, he wondered where the emissary was. He\u2019d have to look the man up and see if he\u2019d been in the house.<\/p>\n If he hadn\u2019t been there then where was he after the fire? Where was he now, when the remains of the pack should be gathering together?<\/p>\n Peter shook those thoughts away after making the note to look into it.<\/p>\n \u201cWell I didn\u2019t realize how weak they were until you just brought me in,\u201d Landon looked up at him with a shattered expression on his face. \u201cI didn\u2019t realize that my bonds with my parents were as weak as they were. I felt them break, I feel the shredded edges of them even now. The strength of the bonds I now have with the members in this apartment though, that far outstrips any bonds I\u2019ve had in the last few years at least. The only bond that comes close is the one I have with Nic.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat is concerning,\u201d Peter said, feeling his brow furrow and forcing himself to smooth it out. \u201cLet\u2019s go shower and then we\u2019ll eat. After that we\u2019ll all meditate, hopefully, that will help ease some of what we\u2019re all feeling.\u201d Peter headed towards the door. \u201cLandon?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah?\u201d Landon looked up from where he\u2019d been staring at his hands.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t mention the weak bonds to anyone until we know more,\u201d Peter said. \u201cI have a feeling that there is more there than just you not connecting with us.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah,\u201d Landon stood. \u201cPeter, why do I feel like we\u2019re more fucked than it looks like on the surface?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBecause we probably are dear cousin, we probably are.\u201d Peter held the door open for Landon, who he\u2019d let go ahead of him. \u201cWe\u2019ll just have to make sure that we keep the pups safe.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe will Alpha,\u201d Landon\u2019s voice went cold. \u201cNothing will touch them unless they want to bleed.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cVery good,\u201d Peter nodded with approval. \u201cAs long as you wish to take on the mantle, I think you\u2019ll make an excellent left hand.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI want it, Peter,\u201d Landon said. \u201cI\u2019ve never understood why your pack looked down on the role. The protection it gives to the pack and to the alpha has always resonated with me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThen welcome to the Hale Pack, Left Hand Landon Calhoun,\u201d Peter said with a smile, turning and drawing Landon into a quick hug. \u201cNow let\u2019s go get some showers.\u201d<\/p>\n Peter directed Landon towards the bathroom in the hall, he stopped in the living area and made sure that Nic had enough cash to tip for the pizza delivery when it arrived. He\u2019d already paid the rest with the pack card. Nic was freshly showered and so was Cora, she was awake and leaning against her brother watching some cartoon on one of the streaming services that he subscribed to.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m going to go shower, then we\u2019ll all do a meditation session,\u201d Peter said, \u201cWe need to try and smooth out the bonds as best we can tonight before they start to scar over or fester.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Title: Alpha Peter Author:\u00a0Sibyl_Moon Fandom: Teen Wolf Characters\/Pairings: Pre Derek\/Stiles Genre:\u00a0 AU Hale Fire, Angst, Fix-it Kinda, Magic!Stiles Word Count:10k Author Notes: AU, Hale Fire Changes, Death happens The last word Stiles said was \u201cMom.\u201d The first word Stiles said was \u201cFire.\u201d Peter hated it when his… Continue reading<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[3,9],"tags":[11,20,22,24],"class_list":["post-273","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-ead","category-teen-wolf","tag-au","tag-fix-it","tag-hale-fire","tag-magic-stiles"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sibylmoon.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/273","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sibylmoon.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sibylmoon.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sibylmoon.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sibylmoon.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=273"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sibylmoon.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/273\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sibylmoon.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=273"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sibylmoon.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=273"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sibylmoon.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=273"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
\nAuthor:\u00a0<\/strong>Sibyl_Moon
\nFandom: <\/strong>Teen Wolf
\nCharacters\/Pairings:<\/strong> Pre Derek\/Stiles
\nGenre:\u00a0<\/strong> AU Hale Fire, Angst, Fix-it Kinda, Magic!Stiles
\nWord Count:<\/strong>10k
\nAuthor Notes:<\/strong> AU, Hale Fire Changes, Death happens<\/p>\n