Chapter Text
The pack was with Derek and Stiles in seconds. It was impressive really. All the betas would be struggling to shake off the moon and yet they responded to the Alphas anger. Allison, Scott, Lydia and Jackson all came to the front door as they had not been keen on sex on the forest floor.
The people in the pack without preternatural noses didn't understand why the others were growling. Their surprise came not from the threat but rather who was uttering it. "I'm gonna rip their throats out with my bare hands."
The pack mom was in his fiercest protective mode but Derek was no better; the pack he'd rebuilt having lost his family was being threatened. He would stand side by side with Stiles and help destroy this pack who had dared to encroach on his territory. “I will be right beside you.” Derek promised darkly. This was an insult and a threat all in one. This pack had come marked their den and then just left. It was a message saying that the pack believed they could come and go as they pleased. Derek would rip their throats if they even tried.
“Who is it?” Lydia asked, already understanding the situation immediately. She was hoping to cut through the testosterone to planning how they would strike back. She had talked about everything with Stiles so that she would be able to handle the supernatural world.
Isaac was confused and skittish not liking the foreign scent so close to their den. “I don’t understand.”
Peter Hale was the one who answered, knowing and recognising the symbol. It would have been too much to expect to have a week of peace. “It is a calling card of a special pack, An Alpha Pack.”
Lydia snorts, “That is a declaration of war ... not a calling card.”
All the betas stiffened at the threat to their territory. Stiles was the one to calm them, “They can try but I will destroy anyone who tries to harm a hair on your heads.”
That was not a threat and all the pack understood that was a promise that they could take to the bank. Strangely enough, many relaxed. Stiles was adamant that nothing would be discussed whilst they were hanging outside on their drive. “Come on. Let’s go inside and plan. I want revenge. Revenge should be planned on a full stomach.”
Derek could tell that he was seeing a shade of what Queen Mab was like when her anger was stirred. He could guess that Edward would be proud and probably enable his grandson if it was needed. He did not feel sorry for this pack as he was well aware that whatever they wanted it was detrimental for his pack. Still, his mate had a good idea and that was to get them food. No one should plan revenge, or plan for a war on an empty stomach - that was not the wolfy way.
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Derek had never been so glad that Stiles had convinced him to get a large dining table. He was still amazed at the sheer amount of food that Stiles managed to cook and was glad that Erica and Isaac could help without poisoning them. It was a good thing that he had managed the accounts as well as he did, or, he would not be able to afford feeding teenage wolves. He was glad that he employed a firm to keep an eye on it now. He doubted that he would have time to oversee everything now that he was a Deputy.
In fact, he was really glad that Stiles and his Dad had made him think about being a Deputy as a job. It not only allowed him to integrate himself into the community in a way that made hunters think twice about taking action. It also allowed him to make searches that would help them figure out the latest threat.
The minute the last set of pancakes were plated up the conversation started. Derek was aware that his Uncle seemed to know about this pack. If there was one thing Derek remembered from his mother was that she made sure she had up to date information on all packs. It was something that he was going to start again so that he could perhaps avoid issues like this again in the future.
“Tell us what you know Uncle.”
Peter looked up and he was surprised by the respect being shown. Who knows a chance for his rehabilitation within the pack was possible? He was sure that this was the boy’s doin. Stiles was smart enough to know that Peter should be kept closer and not kept on the outside like Derek would favour. It was a smart play as he was already starting to care for the pack again, like he did of old.
“The pack is called the Alpha pack. They are a rare pack in that each member is an alpha in their own right.”
Stiles frowned, “How does that work?”
“Deucalion their leader is old school. He rules by being the biggest baddest son of a bitch.” Peter finished letting the group hear his concern. He remembered the last time they had been in Beacon Hills. It had not been pretty. In fact, the only thing that had stopped Deucalion causing chaos was Talia. She was pretty much the most respected Alpha on their coast of the US at the time.
Derek sighed, “Lovely. Wait that was way back when Ennis and the group and Gerard was here, right?”
Peter looked appropriately sorry. He was well aware of the part that he had played in the death of Derek’s first love. Of course, he was happy and mated to Stiles and the boy was good for Derek. It did not mean that you ever wanted to be reminded of the deaths of old lovers. He still flinched whenever anyone reminded him of the death of his mate. They might not have been a love match but he had grown to care for her - almost as much as he had cared for Chris in their heyday before Gerard had reared his ugly head.
“That is right. Deucalion has in the intervening years let all power go to his head. He calls himself alternately, ‘the Demon Wolf’ or, ‘the Alpha of Alphas,’ depending on his mood.” Peter informed them dryly.
Stiles snorted, “Well he gets points for narcissism and ego.”
Lydia snorted in agreement, “Not really.”
Peter grinned because this is why he loved the pack his nephew had built - Any other pack at seeing the symbol and working out what it meant would be quaking in their paws. His pack, well they took a different route. First they researched, learned the weaknesses of their opponents and then they destroyed them. It was why, truth be told, Peter had gone off the idea of revenge. If he wanted to be an Alpha - he would certainly not be stupid enough to go about taking Derek’s spark. It was not that he feared his nephew. It was his mate, Stiles he feared. The Alpha’s mate was someone, whom would destroy him and he would do it with a smile on his face and a song in his heart if he had to.
“You should be not too hasty to judge.” Peter counselled. “He has been blind since before the fire and has still managed to keep reigns of the pack.”
He informed the group with the required respect it deserved. Peter was not one to like Deucalion but he could respect the accomplishment of his feat. It was also a slight reminder to the pack that they should not judge him by his disability as it could end badly for them.
Derek was the one to sum up the situation in his delightfully deadpan way, “Awesome.”
Stiles snickered, “Okay it is painfully obvious that we need more information and until then none of you are on your own. If you even suspect that you are about to meet any of the pack then you call for back up.”
Allison looked determined. She would never harm another head of this pack but that did not mean that she would not harm those who were after her pack. “I will talk to Dad. Let’s see if we can’t level the playing field.”
Stiles had to smile. He adored Allison she was like the perfect Disney Princess who was a perfect match to Scott’s Charming prince act. Right now, she was less Disney Princess and more warrior Xena princess - both worked for Stiles.
Stiles smirked, “Take Peter with you.”
Peter frowned and he noticed the way that Derek ducked his head behind a coffee cup. Peter tried to scent them to see if he could pick up what they were planning but he got nothing. He looked dubious but stood to leave with Allison, he mock bowed, “As my alpha wishes.”
The rest of the pack was frowning at them as if they had both grown a second head. Derek was enjoying screwing with the pack, plus, it had the added advantage of giving his Uncle the chance of manipulating things in a way that might not cause untold chaos. Oh, and if he was clever - it just might give his Uncle a happy ending.
Scott was the one to ask, “What the hell is that about?”
Derek’s only answer, “Peter and Chris are childhood friends.”
Erica was the one to catch what was not being said. “Are you serious?”
Isaac looked lost but Danny was the one to catch on, “Hang on what about Mrs Argent?”
Stiles shrugged, “That is for them to sort out between themselves.”
Scott was confused, “Are you saying that Mr Argent is Peter’s ...”
Derek nodded, “Mate and none of you are to interfere. The adults will figure it out between themselves and any actions on our part could cause reprisals.”
The pack understood what was being said. Leave it be. The last thing they needed was an angry hunter after their asses.
“We get it.” Erica promised. “So what are we to do?”
Stiles grinned, “We go about our business. We are careful and we gather information to strike when they least suspect it.”
Derek nodded as that was perfect. “Agreed. Don’t you all have homework?”
The teenagers all grumbled and left the table. There was some sort of argument that as they had all this crap - why should they have to do homework? Stiles was still at the table, smirking at his mate.
Derek frowned, “What?”
Stiles laughed softly reeling him in for a soft kiss, “You are such a mean Alpha making them do homework.”
“No I just care about their education,” Derek retorted , defensively.
Stiles rolled his eyes, “I know.”
Derek pulled him onto his lap, “And what about you?”
Stiles smirked, “Come on Sourwolf you know me better than that?”
Derek did. Derek was aware that Stiles was always one to clear the ‘shelf’ so to speak of any homework the day before the full moon. It was so he could look after the betas until they shrug off the night before and the second half is whilst the betas were distracted with homework and he and Derek could have some time to themselves.
“You sure you’re are not distracted?” Derek asked, even though Stiles could say with certainty that Derek was not unsure. He could feel his certainty.
Stiles leant in close, teasing his mate with his rich scent which was laced with his arousal. Stiles knew that his scent was one of Derek’s weakness. “Nope, we will deal with them ... but they are not distracting our time.”
Derek was more than okay with that. He picked Stiles up with a little growl. He clearly wanted to reaffirm his bond. It was not like the night before - this morning, someone had dared to challenge him. Stiles got this and was only too happy to distract his Alpha. He had this trick with his tongue you see. Derek loved it.
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Meanwhile at the school, a woman stood looking around the deserted halls. Yes, this would do nicely. She could embed herself in this place as a teacher and plan the end of the Alpha pack once and for all. She could have fun - all of the sacrifices she would need for it to work were here to. She had the virgins, the warriors, the guardians and the scholars all in one little perfect place.
The only people that could throw a kink into her plan was the resident pack. She was aware this territory was Hale territory and amazingly it seems that two remaining Hale’s had managed to rebuild the pack once more after it had been decimated by the Argent woman. She would have to decide if they were with her or against her.
How hard could it to be distract a pack of pups with a young Alpha?
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL!