Archive of Our Own

Not a wolf

Peter Hale picked a piece of lint off his immaculate charcoal grey suit and sighed, he was waiting for a meeting he didn’t want with people he really hated, but business was business.

A man joined him at the restaurant table, his two colleagues opted to stand, one behind Peter and one by the window. The man was blonde, blue eyed and dressed like a banker, a bit of a cliché; he spoke in an east coast accent.

‘Thank you for meeting me Peter.’

Peter indicated it was no trouble. The waitress took their order then disappeared. The man spoke again. ‘So, our mutual friends have a favour to ask. They have authorised me to share some information with you in order for you to understand what they need.’

Peter sipped his iced water, ‘I’m listening.’

‘The Hale Foundation has made a significant dent in their resources of late. Our friends would like to halt their activity, get a window to regroup and get an effective force in place to take down their leadership. A few weeks would do it. Our friends would like a way to do this.’

Peter took a deep breath, considered the information and nodded, ‘There is a way, if you kidnap one of their number the others will spend their time on that and halt chasing our friends and taking their quarry.’

The man looked sceptical, ‘Really, you think that would be effective?’

Peter smiled like the feral animal he was under the suit and the lawyerly sophistication, ‘Kidnap the right person and you can effectively cripple the foundation, the police force, the school and the town.’

The man was impressed. ‘Who?’

‘Stiles Stilinski, the sheriff’s son, the Foundation’s researcher, volunteers at the school library and helps coach the Lacrosse team.’

‘They will all want a part in finding him?’

Peter laughed, ‘He has power over the rest of them, they will do anything for him, and they won’t give up looking for him unless he turns up dead. Also, he is human, much more difficult to find.’

‘OK, can you help our friends get to him?’

‘I can.’

‘So that just leaves your fee. There is money available if you want it unless there is something you would prefer.’

Peter shook his head, ‘No. They can keep their money. I want the boy.’

The man tried not to look shocked, ‘Stiles Stilinski?’

‘Yes, I can drug him, they take him away. I join the search then go away on the pretext of business and they can deliver him to me untouched and unharmed. Deal?’

The man nodded appalled and mesmerised, ‘How long can you keep him?’ he asked wishing he was elsewhere.

Peter shrugged, ‘However long they want. If I get bored of him, I will kill him and make sure they find the body. That will have the whole gang preoccupied trying to find out who murdered their favourite boy.’

The man raised his eyes to Peter’s and saw no emotion there only a cold, hard predatory stare.

Food appeared and Peter started to eat his Caesar Salad. The other man had lost his appetite but stayed and drank two whiskeys. Peter wiped his mouth with a napkin, ‘Give me a contact number and I’ll let you know where and when to pick him up. Sometime in the next forty- eight hours.’

The man nodded.

**********************************************************************************

Stiles opened his eyes slowly, his head ached, his throat was dry, and his eyes were gritty. He sat up slowly and looked around, ‘Wow,’ he thought as he sat on the edge of the big bed and took in his surroundings. It was all cream and beige and white, it was also luxurious and beautiful, the bedlinen was soft, and a fur blanket covered it, the carpet was thick and soft underfoot. He stood and went into the ensuite bathroom- same colours, same luxury. He peed, flushed and ran water to wash his hands and face. He picked up a fluffy towel and dried his face, he recognised the absence of a detergent smell and recognised the scent of a familiar werewolf, the scent of Peter Hale. Stiles wasn’t a wolf but to him Peter always smelled of sandalwood, petrichor and the preserve.

Stiles took a deep breath, thought, ‘Here we go again.’ He was starting to feel more awake. He looked at the soft grey sleep pants he was wearing and the long- sleeved cream t shirt. What was Peter playing at.

Ho opened the bedroom door and stood staring at the room outside. It was enormous, pod-like and almost circular. It was white and cream and off to the right had a balcony at canopy level? In the middle was a sunken well of seating with a coffee table and entertainment centre. The other side of the well had a dining table laid for breakfast. The kitchen was a suspended island on the left- hand wall where Peter Hale was scrambling eggs. He was also dressed in pale sleep pants and a cream t shirt. Stiles almost laughed but his head hurt, and he stopped himself.

‘Hi Peter,’ Stiles sighed.

Peter looked up, ‘Have a seat, breakfast is ready.’

Stiles sat at the table, drank orange juice and poured himself coffee. Peter put a plate of pancakes, bacon and eggs in front of him and sat opposite with his own breakfast.

Stiles was hungry and tucked in avoiding looking at Peter for now. Peter respected the silence and ate his breakfast. When Stiles sat back nursing his refilled coffee cup, Peter handed him two pills, aspirin and Adderall. Stiles took them. He tended to agree with Douglas Adams on food and drugs in strange places; if someone was going to poison you, they would do it somehow so you might as well eat what was offered. Stiles smiled resignedly, ‘So, you finally snapped, realised you couldn’t live without me and kidnapped me to your evil yet incredibly stylish lair.’

Peter raised his eyebrows, took a deep breath and let it out, ‘Something like that, yeah.’

Stiles did laugh now, ‘What the hell does “something like that” mean Peter?’

Peter drank his coffee then stood, ‘I have somewhere I need to be. The balcony is locked, there are no phones or computers. There are plenty of TV streaming packages and games and,’ he gestured to a wall of bookcases, ‘some really good books. Be good, you can’t get out.’

‘So, I am your prisoner. OK but I want answers when you get back.’

Peter nodded, ‘I will tell you what I can.’ He cleared away the breakfast things and put on the dishwasher then he went to have a shower and get dressed. Stiles trailed around the entire room- it reminded him of the TV series Legion based on the comic book character. The books were eclectic and fascinating. He went into the bedroom to find Peter in boxers and a shirt. He sat on the bed up against the headboard and watched Peter dress, ‘So, you slept here with me last night.’

Peter nodded, ‘You were drugged, actually I drugged you two days ago. You were delivered to me yesterday.’

Stiles made a strange sound and his eyes widened. Peter continued, ‘I also bathed you and dressed you. When you woke up, I got you up to pee and I gave you water. Now we are all caught up I have to go. Don’t eat too much, lunch I am bringing Chinese for dinner. All you favourites.’

Stiles shook his head, ‘Best kidnapper ever. Thank you, I already have Stockholm Syndrome.’

He had been in some weird situations, weird, sickening, painful, mind-bending situations so being kidnapped by Peter and held in his luxury lair was a welcome change. Besides, he couldn’t hide anything from Peter. Peter was a powerful werewolf, well aware that Stiles was fascinated by him, always smelled of arousal around him and that Stiles, now eighteen and having known Peter for years was not frightened of him. He would wait for an explanation.

When Peter left, in an elevator, no less, Stiles tried to see how far up he was but the balcony only afforded trees and the other windows were set up high around the pod including a spectacular round shallow dome high above the sunken area. Stiles went to sit on the soft, deep, cream curved sofa in front of the entertainment centre. He wasn’t in the mood for media, still felt tired and decided a nap was in order. He put his head on a cushion and closed his eyes, it was too bright, so he turned his face into the cushion and fell asleep in the warmth and cosiness.

Stiles came to when the elevator doors opened, and he looked up blearily to see Peter enter carrying a thermal box. He looked at Stiles concerned, ‘Have you been asleep all day?’

‘Guess so,’ Stiles sat up, ‘Must have been good drugs for the drugging.’

Peter handed him a bottle of water, ‘You’ll dehydrate. Drink that.’

Stiles obeyed.

Peter went to change, it was getting dark outside and the lighting came up in the pod, ‘Snazzy.’ Stiles thought.

Peter brought the food over, a selection of dishes, little bowls, chopsticks and forks, beer for himself and napkins.

‘Thank you, you are a very considerate kidnapper.’ Stiles meant it and he knew Peter could read his heartbeat and know this, ‘So what am I really doing here?’

Peter didn’t answer straight away, and Stiles started to feel anxious for the first time. Peter handed him a box of noodles, ‘Try not to get anxious Stiles.’

‘OK, then tell me why you kidnapped me.’

‘Some people asked me for a solution to a problem they had. You were the solution, but I couldn’t let them keep you so when they asked what I wanted as payment for my solution I asked for you.’

‘How long are you planning on keeping me here?’ Stiles asked.

Peter shrugged, ‘Two weeks tops.’

Stiles frowned, ‘What kind of people would hand over a person as payment for a job well done?’

‘Businesspeople.’ Peter answered.

Stiles looked at him, ‘Stop being vague. So, is everyone out searching for me?’

'That’s where I have been, helping investigate your disappearance but I can’t help anymore because I am now on a business trip.’

Stiles sat back on the sofa, ‘You bastard, you intend to spend two weeks with me while everyone I know and love searches for me.’

‘You are safe.’

‘Thanks, why me, what have you done?’

Peter sat back and put down his chopsticks, ‘Listen to me, I cannot tell you anymore. These people have to believe I wanted you as a …….’he breathed and Stiles interrupted, ‘A plaything…… a toy?’

Peter met his eyes, ‘The alternative was they took you and I got paid……. not an option. You would have been a hostage and killed when they had done what they wanted.’

Stiles nodded, ‘But why me?’

Peter sighed, ‘Because you being missing would cause the most disruption to the Hale Foundation and Beacon Hills Police Department.’

Stiles scent soured but Peter picked up his chopstick again and reached for the fried rice.

‘Hunters are planning to attack the Hales and you weakened them for them.’ Stiles stated, his foot was tapping, nostrils flaring, and he fought back tears. He ran a hand through his hair. He picked up the fried noodles and started to eat them, ‘This is good, ‘ he sniffed up his tears and his anxiety subsided a little because he realised the story would be the same if the Hales knew what was going on. If this was a trap for the hunters and Peter was doing this for Derek. At this moment he could only accept he was here with Peter. Peter who would protect him.

Peter drank his beer, ‘We could have visitors at any time. You need to be with the ruse to be safe.’

Stiles laughed mirthlessly, ‘Why not just keep me drugged, feed me soup and get me up to pee!’

He couldn’t keep the note of bitterness out of his voice.

Peter stared at him and Stiles knew there was more going on, ‘This situation is complex. Please cooperate. I need you to be safe.’

Stiles nodded, ‘I will,’ he stabbed an egg roll and chewed it, ‘So, what does cooperation look like Peter?’

Peter looked at him and bit his lip unconsciously not because of Stiles tone but because of the sudden spike of arousal in his scent. Peter swallowed and relaxed a little. He had admitted to himself a long while ago that he wanted Stiles. Stiles was irritatingly funny and always smelled of arousal around Peter. Peter enjoyed the sadomasochistic way Stiles alternately sought him out and avoided him.

‘We need to talk about that, but while we are alone, we can do whatever we want.’ he said trying to be neutral and failing.

Stiles raised his eyebrows and didn’t need to be a wolf to feel Peter’s barely disguised interest in him.

Peter continued, ‘If we have a visitor you will need to act as if I am controlling you, be out of it a bit maybe as if I am still drugging you.’ He didn’t look happy about this.

Stiles nodded and Peter read resignation in his scent, Stiles understood.

Stiles finished his water, ‘I am with the programme kidnapper mine. I am yours – any thoughts besides keeping me safe,’ he teased.

Peter sighed relieved that his Stiles was back. He sat back with his beer and smirked.

Stiles shook his head and licked his lips, ‘What is this place anyway?’

Peter brightened even further, ‘A tree house.’

Stiles looked around, ‘On what planet?’

Peter dimmed the lights remotely and the night sky appeared through the windows and the dome. It was beautiful.

‘It’s a pod in a tree, almost self- sufficient. From the outside you wouldn’t know it was here, the elevator is in a tree trunk. The underground parking starts with an approach tunnel entrance half a mile away in the woods. The pod and deck are in the tree canopy. All you can see for miles are trees.’

‘Handy lair for an evil Stiles- knapper.’

Peter laughed, ‘That is not why I had it built. You are the only other person who has been here since it was finished. It’s my retreat. I may let it out eventually but for now no one else knows I have it.’

Stiles smiled and raised his eyebrows, ‘And you brought me here!’

Peter started to clear up the food, ‘I……’ he hesitated, ‘I wanted you to see it. I thought you would appreciate it being such a nerd. I always think of George Jetson when I arrive.’

Stiles nodded, ‘I totally see that. It is very UFO or the luxury escape pod from Prometheus. We could watch that….’ he stopped, ‘if you want?’

They looked at each other. Peter with relief, that whilst he had kidnapped Stiles, Stiles was happy to be his captive. Stiles, way beyond Stockholm Syndrome and into fantasy sex with the wolf.

‘Yeah, great idea. I’ll put the food away. Do you want something else to drink?’

‘Something sweet please.’

Peter came back from the kitchen and sat next to Stiles this time handing him a Dr Pepper, ‘My favourite.’

‘I know.’ Peter said with satisfaction, ‘We could watch all the films.’

‘An Alien marathon!’ Stiles was pleased which pleased Peter. Two weeks he thought, two weeks of making Stiles happy. He swigged his beer.

Stiles moved closer and dropped his head onto Peter’s shoulder, ‘Are you sure you didn’t engineer all this just to get me alone?’

Peter laughed, ‘And if I had?’

Stiles kissed his cheek, ‘I’d be fine with that.’

Peter listened and Stiles heartbeat told him it was true.

Despite Stiles’ protestations that Prometheus was the one he wanted to start with Peter won and insisted they start from the beginning and watch the films in order.

They discussed and picked at the original but agreed they loved it. Halfway through number 2 Stiles was asleep against Peter. Peter nudged him, ‘Come one, bed.’

Stiles got up to clean his teeth and Peter followed, then followed him to bed. Stiles lay on his side propped up on one elbow, ‘I’ve been in these clothes all day.’

Peter sat on the edge of the bed and shrugged, ‘Change or take them off.’

Stiles looked at him and stripped off his shirt. Peter did the same then lay on his back with his head on his pillows. The bed smelled of them both and to Peter it was intoxicating but it was Stiles who moved to lie against him, and Peter put an arm around him.

‘This is a long way from our flirting and bantering.’ Peter sighed.

Stiles yawned and smiled, ‘Yeah, makes a nice change not to be covered in mud and blood.’

He closed his eyes and Peter covered them with the blanket. Stiles lay still for a few moments then moved closer, ‘I’m not a sixteen- year old virgin anymore. If your hesitation is because you think I don’t want you- I do, I always have. You smell the arousal on me, it is not just because I am a horny teenager- it is the effect you have on me. I want you but if we are not going to do this then just know it’s Ok, it’s enough to know you want to keep me safe.’

Peter raised Stiles’ chin to look at him, ‘I do want you; you talk more than anyone I have ever met, you are annoying and clever and devious and irresistible. After this kidnapping is…...’

Stiles interrupted, ‘I’ll be fine, and I don’t expect you to live long enough to have to worry about it, those people searching for me are gonna want you dead,’ he laughed.

Peter gave up and gave in, ‘You are such a brat.’

‘Not planning on changing.’ Stiles yawned again and dropped his head back to nuzzle Peter’s neck. Peter breathed, ‘Good,’ and pulled him much closer.

Stiles melted into him, soft and sleepy, parting his lips as Peter kissed him and didn’t stop until Stiles sighed against his lips. Peter moved his lips to Stiles neck and scented Stiles who was drifting in the warmth and Peter’s kisses. Peter smiled, drinking in Stiles’ arousal and moving them to be side by side. Stiles smiled, ‘Finally making a move eh?’

Peter kissed him and moved to take off their sleep pants. Then he lay down pulled Stiles tight between his legs and encircled them both. Stiles lazily kissed and sucked Peter’s neck knowing he was driving the wolf wild and Peter stroked them, ‘Fuck Peter, that feels so good.’

Peter inhaled the scent of honey and cherries along with a muskiness that had deepened as Stiles got older and floated. Soft, pliant Stiles was an aphrodisiac and he wanted to hear him moan and swear as he gripped Peter’s bicep harder and harder until he came over Peter’s hand. The scent and Stiles’ satisfaction sent Peter over the edge and he gasped trying to prolong the sensation for both of them. He stayed put until Stiles raised his head and then released them both. Peter kissed him long and deep then let him go so he could lie back, and breath and Peter could wipe his hands on the abandoned clothes. He pulled Stiles back into his arms and Stiles turned over for Peter to spoon him.

Stiles snuggled back into him and Peter moaned and splayed a hand over Stiles stomach to hold him close. Stiles covered the hand with his and drifted off to sleep. Peter relaxed and slept, he had what he wanted even if it was a short while, even if he didn’t deserve it, even if he didn’t get to keep it.
 

When Peter woke up Stiles was in the shower, he closed his eyes again and went back to sleep. When he woke up again, he was alone. He got up, jumped in the shower and then put on a towelling robe to go and see what Stiles was up to.

Stiles was in a white towelling robe too. He was sitting at the table hulling strawberries to go with croissants and butter. He poured them coffee and Peter kissed his hair before sitting. He wanted to keep up the intimacy, for there to be no misunderstanding between them. ‘How are you this morning?’ he asked.

Stiles smiled, ‘Surprisingly good for a captive plaything.’

Peter accepted the teasing and Stiles put out a hand to cover one of his, ‘You OK?’

Peter nodded, ‘Yeah, good. You are not dressed.’

Stiles smirked, ‘You wolves are very observant- neither are you.’

They ate the warm buttery pastries and sweet fruit. Stiles drank his coffee and picked up a second croissant. Peter heard his phone ping in the safe. He went to read the message, reply to it and return the phone to the safe. He came back to the table, ‘We are having a visitor this afternoon.’

Stiles frowned, ‘Don’t worry. I’ll be good.’

Peter did look worried and Stiles continued, ‘What is it Peter?’

‘We may have a problem.’

‘Tell me!’

Peter drank his coffee, 'So, he thinks I am using you and wanted to know if I was willing to share.’

Stiles looked horrified, ‘What the hell Peter?’

Peter looked at him, ‘It’ll be OK. I’ll bite your shoulder, put a dressing on it and say I claimed you as my mate. He’ll know I’ll rip his throat out if he comes near you.’

Stiles shook his head, ‘Who are these people? How the hell did you get mixed up in this?’

Peter looked at him and Stiles calmed at the look, guilt tinged with fear. Stiles moved to sit on his knee and hold him tight. Peter kissed him then buried his nose in Stiles neck, ‘I can’t tell you anymore. It would be too dangerous, and they have supernaturals working for them. They need to believe I took you and I am holding you against your will. Forcing you to have sex with me.’

Stiles shrugged, ‘OK, we have a few hours. You had better ravish me, mark me and bite me. Make sure you get plenty of blood on the sheets.’

‘Stiles!’ Peter frowned, ‘Stop!’

Stiles looked at him and softened his tone, ‘Sorry,’ he stroked Peter’s cheek and licked into his mouth, he moved to straddle him and undid the robe leaning naked into Peter who moaned and pulled him tighter squeezing his ass. Stiles smiled and pulled at Peter’s bottom lip though not hard, ‘It’s what we were going to do anyway.’

Peter kissed him again, ‘I want to make love to my soft, sexy Stiles not put on a show for anyone.’

Stiles kissed him hard and rubbed up against him, ‘Then get to it wolf. I want you; you want me. Make it official, bite me for real. This can be our honeymoon- we do kind of deserve each other.’

Peter growled into his neck and breathed, ‘You would be mine.’

Stiles stood, pulled him up and lead him to the bed, ‘Peter, I have been yours for a long time.’

He discarded his robe and sprawled on the bed, ‘Come and claim me.’

Peter did, he turned Stiles on his side and lay against him pushing his top leg up to stroke him, ‘You’ve been with a wolf before, not one of ours, I smelled them on you.’

Stiles nodded, ‘Yeah, more than one in San Francisco. In case you haven’t noticed I have a werewolf kink.’

Peter grabbed lube and poured it on his fingers and palm, when he started to touch Stiles again Stiles took a deep relaxing breath, ‘Feels good.’

Peter kissed and nipped his shoulder and inserted a second finger. ‘There was a time when I thought you had a kink for a particular Alpha.’

Stiles laughed and squirmed, against the insistent fingers, ‘Derek, no. Too high maintenance.’

Peter laughed, ‘Wow,’ he bit more deeply. as he inserted a third finger. Stiles moaned and pushed back harder, ‘I’m not high maintenance. Fuck me and feed me- that’s all I need.’

Peter bit his lip and made Stiles jolt as he found a spot Stiles liked, ‘Fuck Peter, take the edge off, I need to come.’

Peter’s other hand snaked around to stroke Stiles in a rhythm with Stiles fucking his fingers. Stiles arousal climbed and Peter stroked faster tipping him over the edge. Stiles shuddered and clenched then relaxed and breathed deeply.

Peter let him rest for a while, keeping up gentle pressure and drinking in his scent. Stiles leant back into him, ‘Start there, I like it,’ he rubbed his head against Peter,

Peter nuzzled and sucked his neck, ‘Oh god so do I.’

He removed his fingers, pushed Stiles’ leg higher, hooking it over his arm and moving easily into Stiles. Stiles cried out, ‘Shit, shit, just stay there for a minute, let me feel you there.’

Peter obliged, it felt amazing. He stroked Stiles back and sucked his shoulder. He moved sightly and Stiles started to move against him, ‘Oh yes, you can fuck me now and bite me. Just don’t stop.’

Peter rolled his eyes and his hips and got the reaction he wanted as Stiles moaned and writhed. Peter was in no hurry, but he wanted to bite Stiles in this position, covering his mate like this did something to him he couldn’t explain. He speeded up his thrusts and moved to push Stiles down putting his leg under Stiles’ for deeper access. Without warning he bit Stiles shoulder and held on as he thrust to orgasm. He collapsed on top of Stiles who groaned. He wiped Stiles’ blood on the sheet before licking the wound and withdrawing. Stiles hadn’t protested about the bite, but he whined at the withdrawal. Peter eased off him to let him turn over. Peter kissed him and Stiles tasted his blood in the kiss. Peter stroked him telling him he was his and he was beautiful. Stiles smiled, wallowing in the attention. Peter’s strokes became more ardent and when he sensed Stiles’ was ready to come, he moved to put his mouth on him and suck him in. Stiles came rocketing into his mouth, swearing.

Peter let him ride out the orgasm then released him and moved back up to lie flat out. Stiles lay beside him breathing settling.

Stiles opened his eyes and moved into Peter’s arms which encircled him easily, drawing him close. Peter kissed him, loose and sweet and satisfied. They dozed for a while enjoying the mingled scents and intimacy.

Then Peter got up, kissed Stiles and got ready to meet their guest. He asked Stiles if he wanted lunch. Stiles shook his head, ‘Not now, after he’s gone. I’ll stay here and set the scene in case he is curious.’

Peter nodded not as calm as Stiles and left the room. Stiles got up and looked in the mirror. Peter had dressed the bite tidily, but the other bites and scratches were visible and could easily be seen as non-consensual. Stiles got back in the bed and drank some water before laying down with his back to the door, the bloodied sheet covering only his ass. He tried to stifle his arousal in case the visitor was supernatural. He thought about his dad and how he must be feeling. He must be angry and missing Stiles. Stiles drifted off to sleep wondering how his life and come to this,

Peter went to meet his visitor in the underground carpark. It was one of the hunters he knew was important in the organisation. A man who didn’t trust anyone but a man not supernatural.

Upstairs the man was clearly impressed by the set up. He said he just wanted to let that Peter know how successful his kidnap had been and to thank Peter in person for the idea which had made the Hale Foundation drop everything to search for Stiles Stilinski. So, Peter had discharged his part of the plan and the man asked if he was happy with his payment.

Peter put on his best self-satisfied smile and nodded, ‘Oh yes, very very happy.’

‘Can I see what all the fuss is about?’ the man asked curiously.

Peter nodded again, ‘Look but don’t touch. I have bitten him to claim him.’

The man raised his eyebrows as Peter opened the bedroom door and turned the lighting up. Both men looked at the scene. The blood on the sheets was a stark contrast to the cream sheets and Stiles alabaster skin. The lighting showed up the bruising and bites clearly. The man took these is and the dressing on Stiles shoulder. There was no arousal in his scent instead Peter picked up pity.

‘Beautiful, isn’t he?’ Peter breathed.

The man nodded, ‘Yes,’ and turned to leave the room, ‘Well I will leave you to your fun and I look forward to working with you in the future.’

Peter thanked him for his visit and accompanied him to his car. He waited until the camera feed told him the car had left the tunnel then secured the entrance.

When he left the elevator, he sat at the kitchen table head in hands for half an hour until Stiles came out in his robe. Peter looked up and smiled wanly. Stiles frowned, ‘You really don’t look like you are enjoying your super villainy.’

Peter tilted his head and sighed. Stiles pursed his lips, ‘Gone all silent eh? OK, well I’m starving so let’s eat and then you can drag me back to bed.’ He stood and went to the kitchen, pouring and downing a glass of orange juice. Peter came up behind him, leaning on him, caging him with his hands on the counter. He scented Stiles neck the licked s strip form Stiles shoulder to his ear making Stiles’ toes curl.

‘Where did your clothes go Peter?’ Stiles asked closing his eyes. Peter growled into his neck and the turned him in his arms. Stiles raised his eyes slowly to the electric blue glow and dropped fangs. Peter pushed the robe the rest of the way off Stiles and lifted him easily against him. Stiles put arms round his neck and legs round his middle, ‘OK,’ he said softly and was carried to the bed and lowered to it with a wolf between his legs.

Stiles just took his brain off the hook for an hour and let the wolf take him apart, Peter needed to satisfy his mate, reinforce his claim and ease the burning desire he felt for Stiles.

When Peter released him and lay back on the bed, Stiles lay motionless enjoying the pleasure and pain that coursed through him. Peter eventually spoke, ‘Thank you.’

‘That was pretty amazing. I’m well and truly fucked so feed me wolf.’

Stiles sat up slowly, ‘I seriously need food.’

They put on their robes and Stiles sat on the sofa. Peter brought out the contents of the fridge, cheese, grapes, pickles, ham, cherry tomatoes and crackers. Peter opened a bottle of red wine and Stiles inhaled fresh coffee. Peter put on background music and they said very little as they ate.

Stiles went back in the kitchen and came back with ice cream and two spoons. Peter put the leftovers away and sat down again but closer taking the spoon Stiles offered him. Stiles dug into the salted caramel ice cream hitting the melted chocolate centre and pulling it out. He licked around the spoon and groaned, ‘That is good.’ He watched Peter eat a spoonful and nodded approvingly. Stiles sat back, ‘Can we talk now?’ He asked.

Peter nodded, ‘Our visitor went away happy- I wasn’t happy to have him anywhere near you. I tried not to translate that into dragging you into bed.’

Stiles shrugged, ‘Why? You went all wolfie and I said OK. ‘

Peter licked his spoon, ‘I guess I feel I lost control, you are not a wolf and I treated you less than I should have.’

Stiles pushed into Peter’s space and nuzzled his neck with cold lips, ‘I am yours. I understood what you needed, and I really like being thrown around by you. Anyway, that is not what I wanted to talk about.’

‘I love you.’ Peter said looking down at the spoon not at Stiles.

Stiles nodded and sighed, ‘You really do, don’t you?’

Peter nodded; he hadn’t expected “I love you” back but he hoped.

Stiles took the spoons and put down the ice cream moving onto Peter’s lap to scent and kiss him, ‘I am yours for always, I know it deep down in my soul.’

Peter kissed him and held him tight smoothing his hair. After a while he asked, ‘What did you want to talk about?'

Stiles sat back a little, 'What happens when we leave here? Is there a plan?’

Peter rubbed his hands up and down Stiles back slowly, ‘Not yet. Depends on how things turn out. I know I am being vague.’

‘I know you want to protect me Peter, but I need to ask, will you be able to go back home?’

Peter stared into the honey eyes and then dopped his head down on Stiles’ chest. Stiles put a finger under Peter’s chin to raise his head and lifted it to see his question answered in blue pools of tears.

'You claimed me Peter, I go where you go.’

Peter shook his head, ‘No, you need to go home, go to college, have a life.’

‘And you? I may survive being parted from you but how will you live without me?’

Peter pulled Stiles’ back into his arms and buried his face in Stiles’ neck.

‘I have made provision for you. The Hale family money is in trust and separate from my personal money. I have legally signed all my money and assets over to you as my mate.’

Stiles tried to push him away hard, but Peter wouldn’t let him go. Stiles struggled and swore, ‘You fucking bastard, you asshole! Let me go!’

Peter wouldn’t let him go, ‘Shush, shush sweetheart. Listen to me Stiles I know it’s hard; but this may be all the time we have together. Time to enjoy being together. Please let me love you while I can?’

Stiles sobbed in his arms then collapsed against him. Peter just held him and kissed his hair.

It took a long time for Stiles temper and tears to subside, he raised his head, eyes red rimmed and reached for a paper napkin to dry his eyes and blow his nose.

‘I need a drink. Do you have any of that wolfsbane whiskey that gets you drunk?’

Peter nodded. Stiles eased himself off him. ‘Let’s get drunk.’ He picked up the mostly melted ice cream and started to eat it.

Peter stood stiffly, ‘What would you like?’

Stiles sighed, ‘Besides you, alive and a semi- normal life, gin or vodka, I’m going to put Dr Pepper in it, so I’ll drink it whatever it is.’

Peter got glasses, one a whiskey tumbler the other a tall glass, the whiskey, vodka, Dr Pepper and ice and put them on the coffee table. He poured the dinks and handed one to Stiles who took a good long swig before raising his glass to Peter, ‘To you, Peter and the fucking mess you have gotten us into.’

Peter raised his glass; he wouldn’t argue with Stiles at this moment, so he drank his whiskey.

Neither of them were drinkers. Peter liked the taste of fine wine and good whiskey, but he rarely drank to get drunk- it left him below par for the next twenty- four hours. Stiles had had one or two beers and a whiskey- soaked night with Scott that had ended in a fight.

On his night they drank, they told each other their true-life stories, their embarrassing secrets and their heart- breaking losses before they were too drunk to speak.

Peter was just coherent enough to put Stiles to bed. Stiles fought him and tried to get Peter to fuck him before collapsing in a heap. Peter shifted him over to his own side of the bed and lay down, but the ceiling was revolving around him. He got up, ran a sink full of cold water and stuck his head in it then he was sick down the toilet. He wiped his face, rinsed his mouth and felt much better. He got bottles of water and aspirin. He drank some water and parked the rest for the morning. Stiles was going to be so hung over then he was going to remember that Peter had told him he might lose him. Tomorrow was going to be difficult.

Peter woke up and got up gingerly, but he was fine. He drank the water next to the bed then got up to pee and throw water on his face.

Coming back into the bedroom he looked down at the teenager smooched into the pillows and his heart stuttered. Keep him safe his wolf howled, and Peter took a deep breath. Peter remembered he had a camera and went to get it. He took pictures of Stiles asleep and then left the bedroom to face the mess they had left last night. He put on coffee the tackled the set dripped ice cream and cracker crumbs.

By the time Stiles stumbled out of the bedroom clutching the water bottle in one hand and his head in the other, Peter had vacuumed, wiped and washed up.

He looked at Stiles and smiled a little failing to hide his amusement. Stiles was such a drama queen and having a hangover was a perfect excuse to display this. Peter put coffee in front of him, ‘Did you throw up?’

Stiles nodded, ‘Yeah, then I took the aspirin and I drinking the water.’

‘Good.’

Peter sat at the other end of the sofa with his coffee and munched toast and marmalade. Stiles picked up his coffee and mock toasted, ‘Thank you.’

Peter took a photo and Stiles moved to look at him, but the movement hurt, and he groaned, ‘Bastard,’ he said weekly.

Peter laughed, ‘I am just documenting history for you.’

Stiles positioned a cushion and lay down, but he sat up again. Neither position helped his head.

Peter stood and went to the doors of the balcony, ‘Fresh air- that is what you need.’

Stiles groaned, ‘What I need is to find the hair of the dog that bit me.’

Peter winced, ‘Ho, ho, ho, very funny. Come on get up, it is a beautiful day.’

The unlocked doors led to a wooden deck partially shaded. Peter put steamer chairs in the shade and put the small patio table between them.

Stiles followed him out walking like a zombie in a white towelling bathrobe. He plonked himself on the nearest chair. Peter brought the water and coffee out to him and the went to refill his own mug before joining him.

‘Stiles, open your eyes.’

‘No, it is too bright,’ he mumbled.

Peter reached over and put sunglasses in his hand. Stiles put them on and opened his eyes. It was beautiful, the rail around the balcony was made of curved Perspex and well- spaced wooden posts so the view was not obstructed. Stiles looked out at the sea of trees then raised the glasses to see all the different shades of green. The sky was light blue with just a few whisps of white clouds.

‘It’s beautiful Peter, I love it.’

Peter sat back and sipped his coffee. Sties picked up his coffee and drank most of it. He was unusually still and quiet. Peter knew he had to leave him alone to process the reality of their situation. He closed his eyes and gave in to sleep.

Stiles looked at Peter over his sunglasses when he realised Peter was asleep. He took the time to really look at the beautiful man he was undoubtedly in love with. Last night Peter had told him more about his upbringing, the things he had had to do as Talia’s left-hand but also how he wished his life could have been different. He would still have been a lawyer but maybe human rights. Stiles had said he was that now only werewolf rights, he reminded Peter of all the good the Hale Foundation was doing. Peter had nodded saying he still wished he could give Stiles the life he deserved. Stiles had laughed, not denying living the high life with a globetrotting human rights lawyer wouldn’t have been fun, Stiles travelling with him as his researcher, profiler and lover.

As it was Peter would be dead, expected to be hunted down for his part in whatever was really going on. Stiles was still fuzzy on who would be after Peter because he still wasn’t sure who he was playing for. If he had betrayed Derek again then Derek would hunt him to the ends of the earth, if he was double crossing the hunters then they would kill him.

Was this really all the time they had? Was Stiles really expected to go on alone maybe even without his friends. A rich, lonely man. Stiles blinked back tears, got up and went inside to curl up on the bed and sleep away his hangover and his tears.

Peter looked in on Stiles later, he was fast asleep. Peter sighed, getting drunk had been a good idea.

Peter blinked away tears and went to get more coffee and toast before taking a long hot shower.

Stiles didn’t emerge until just before dinner and Peter heard the shower. Peter had been reading with soft classical music in the background and he felt calm. He hoped Stiles would feel the same.

Peter put down the book and went into the kitchen to start the dinner. He put curly fries on a tray, fried onion rings and started to grill the burgers. He put all the condiments in the middle of the dining table with sliced cheese and pickles. He was just putting the curly fries in the oven when Stiles appeared. He looked well rested, his hair was getting longer, and he had swept it back off his face. He was wearing grey sweatpants and a red t shirt which Peter had loved when he bought it and loved even more now.

Stiles watched him close the oven and turn the burgers before coming closer and putting his arms around Peter’s waist. Peter drew him closer and kissed him, ‘Better?’ he asked, and Stiles looked at him, ‘Yeah. Sliders and curly fries, I hope you have chocolate milkshake.’

Peter nodded, ‘In the fridge.’

Stiles took a deep breath, ‘Peter Hale I love you.’

Peter nodded again, ‘I know.’

Stiles laughed, ‘Love you even more now. What else you got.’

Peter kissed him again parting his lips and taking his breath away. When he stopped Stiles patted his arm, looking breathless and pink, ‘OK.’ He steadied himself against Peter, ‘I need to sit down, feed me mate. I’ll get the milkshake.’

They sat down and Peter shook his head at Stiles hoovering up curly fries.

After dinner they cleaned up together and loaded the dishwasher. For the first time Stiles felt the domesticity of their relationship and had a glimpse of the life they could have. He gave up trying to be cheerful because the wolf could read him like a book. They poured coffee and then went back to the movie they had abandoned. Peter sat close and put a hand on the back of Siles’ neck reassuring and slightly dominant and Stiles’ felt amazing. They finished the movie and the coffee and Stiles headed to the bathroom while Peter rinsed the cups. When Peter turned Stiles was stood against the door jam of the bedroom, hands behind his back, chin tilted toward Peter. Peter stilled and forgot to breathe then had to and took a gasping breath. He walked towards Siles,

‘You are perfect,’ he stood so close he could count Stiles’ eyelashes, ‘How do you do it. Go from flailing and curly fries to still and beautiful.’

Stiles eyes were deep pools of, ‘you can have me if you want me,’ his plump, pink lips a slightly sad and defiant line.

Peter looked at every millimetre of his face, ‘And red is definitely your colour.’

Stiles lowered his eyelids, his stomach swirled with desire. Peter kissed his eyelids, his nose, his chin and down his neck. Stiles breathed but didn’t move, giving all the power to the wolf.

Peter raised his lips from Stiles’ neck and kissed him hard, pinning him to the door jamb. Peter’s wolf howled, ‘Mine!’ at him. When he eased back, he whispered, ‘I am going to kiss and lick every centimetre of you.’

Stiles whistled, ‘Could take a while.’

Peter nodded taking Stiles’ hands from behind him and pinning them above his head, ‘Could take days,’ he smiled lasciviously, ‘you don’t even need to be awake for all of it.’

Stiles laughed, ‘My weird wolf.’

Peter shrugged then drew Stiles’ hands down and led him into the bedroom. They spent the next nights and days in bed, when Stiles was drowsy after sex, he complained about being touched and licked but when he was flat out exhausted and asleep Peter just carried on.

While Stiles’ slept Peter also got them food and drinks which they ate in bed.

On the fourth morning Stiles was up first and when Peter got up Stiles was in the jacuzzi bath with the jets on easing his overused body. Peter leaned over, searched for any pain and leeched it away, he ruffled Stiles hair and left him to his bubbles. Peter went in the shower then stripped the bed, vacuumed up the crumbs and wiped down the bedside tables. He remade the bed and then dressed in shorts and a t shirt. He heard the bath emptying and stuck his head around the door, ‘Breakfast?’

‘Yes please, the works, I’m starving.’ Stiles smiled.

Peter returned the smile, ‘The works coming up, you so deserve it.’

Stiles rolled his eyes, ‘I so do.’

Stiles put on sweatpants and a t shirt before joining Peter in the kitchen, ‘Do you need a slave?’

Peter laughed, ‘Yes, but not in the kitchen.’

‘Ha ha, OK then I am going to sit on the balcony. Thank you, chef.’

It was a beautiful day up in the trees, the sun shone, and the birds sang. Stiles was trying to stay up and not let reality seep in yet.

Peter brought out the breakfast. It dawned on Stiles as he piled scrambled eggs onto toast that they had been there a week. He looked at Peter who was cutting up pancakes drenched in maple syrup and adding bacon.

‘You used to eat your pancakes with just a drizzle of syrup.’

Peter chewed, ‘I need the calories to keep up with you.’ He said teasingly.

Stiles nodded, ‘Damn right you do.’ He’d loved being kissed and nipped and licked all over, loved being the only thing in the world Peter wanted. He moved to reach for the coffee pot and winced. Peter immediately drew the pain away, the poured the coffee, ‘Thank you.’ Stiles said sweetly.

‘Only fair since I am partly to blame.’

Stiles raised his eyebrows and smirked, ‘Yeah you are partly to blame.’

Peter kept a hand on Stiles arm and drew the rest of the pain as he finished his coffee. Then he moved his hand to Stiles’ neck, he went to speak but Stiles’ cut him off, ‘No I am not having this conversation. You still won’t take me with you.’

Peter nodded, ‘No. Wolf or not I won’t.’

Stiles took his hand and held it tight, ‘I think if you bit me and left me, I might die. My dad will look after me if no one else. Regardless of species I am pack, no one will challenge your decisions and I am stronger than any of you think.’

Peter leaned over to kiss him, ‘I know how strong you are my beautiful boy.’

Stiles went to sit in his lap to be kissed some more, he moaned, ‘You taste like bacon and maple syrup and me.’

Peter smiled, ‘Perfect. Go finish your breakfast.’

Stiles went back to his bacon and eggs and toast. Another day with Peter- another day.

Peter went indoors first, taking his plate and the ketchup. As he scraped and rinsed the plate, he heard his phone ping. His heart skipped a beat, and he closed his eyes breathing deeply. He opened the safe and looked at the phone. The message said, ‘It’s all over, all went to plan. Move quickly.’

Peter allowed himself one moment of panic and regret and then moved.

‘Stiles come in now and go and get dressed in warm clothes.’

Stiles came in and looked at Peter askance. Peter locked the balcony doors, ‘Go now.’

Stiles went and came out in jeans, a long- sleeved t shirt and a jumper. Peter threw him a beanie hat and a parka, ‘Those too and boots.’

Stiles obeyed. Peter handed him a backpack and went around turning things off before putting on his own clothes. Peter grabbed his phone and opened the elevator, ‘In,’ he said and followed Stiles in. As the elevator dropped Stiles found his tongue, ‘What the fuck is going on?’

The elevator stopped, Peter went to the controls to open the tunnel and ushered Stiles into the car. Stiles went without protest, but his shock was rapidly turning into fear.

Peter drove fast through the tunned to the entrance and pulled onto a track. He quickly sent a text and then got out.

‘Come on get out.’ Stiles did and Peter helped him on with he backpack. He stilled and pulled Stiles into his arms, ‘Remember I will always love you, you magical creature and use all your strength to keep going even when you think you can’t. I love you.’

Stiles pulled back meeting Peter’s eyes and feeling a sob starting in his throat, ‘I love you,’ he got out before tears filled his eyes, ‘Don’t leave me.’

Peter shook his head and kissed Stiles long and hard, ‘Keep off the track but follow it to the main road. Someone you know will pick you up. Go now, they will be on their way and you can’t be here.’

Peter got back in the car and drove away in the opposite direction. Stiles watched the car disappear into the woods, he wanted to find a hole to crawl into, he wanted to give in to the shock and fear, but he didn’t. Keep going when you think you can’t.

He headed towards the main road at least two metres in from the track, he felt like a hobbit hiding from a Nazgul. His tears dried up and determination took over. It was still early and cold and he could see his breath, after a while his legs started to ache, but thinking was now beyond him and the ache was real, keeping him going.

He walked until he reached the main road and then fear gripped him, he was too exposed. He skirted the road and found a hidden spot where he could watch the road. He drank some of the water from the bottle in the mesh pocket on the side of the backpack. Then he waited.

A familiar vehicle pulled up at the end of the track and Stiles stood and walked towards his jeep as Scott McCall got out of it.

‘Oh, thank god, Stiles.’ Scott hugged him. Stiles hugged him back and was then ushered into the passenger seat before Scott drove away at speed.

Stiles looked at Scott who smiled, ‘You OK buddy?’

Stiles stared at him and hugged the backpack, ‘Just tired.’ He put up the parka hood, closed bis eyes and fell asleep.

It was nearly noon when Scott pulled up to the Hale house. He got out and opened the door for Stiles who exited stiffly and followed Scott into the house.

‘Safely delivered,’ Scott smiled, and Derek turned.

‘Stiles!’ he exclaimed and moved forward to give Stiles a big hug. Stiles was numb and confused.

Scott and Derek spoke and then Scott took off saying goodbye and he would see them later.

Derek helped Stiles off with his coat, but Stiles wouldn’t part with the backpack. He took off the hat and shoved it in the bag.

Derek went into the kitchen and came out with hot chocolate for Stiles who took the mug wordlessly. Derek was beginning to be worried by Stiles’ silence especially as Scott had said he hadn’t spoken and slept all the way there. Stiles put the mug down next to him.

‘Your dad should be here soon,’ Derek said.

Stiles looked at him sharply, ‘Is he alright?’

Derek smiled, ‘He’s fine, we all are. Thanks to Peter and you, of course.’

Stiles shook his head, ‘I don’t understand,’ he started to shake, ‘I don’t understand.’

Derek sat next to him and shushed him, ‘It’s OK, you are safe, you were always safe, and we weren’t looking for you. The hunters had to believe we were. I’m sorry Peter couldn’t tell you the truth and I realise you probably didn’t know which way he was facing but he was always with us.’

Stiles pulled away, ‘I’m safe, we’re safe but he’s not. What about Peter?’

Derek sighed, ‘I don’t know.’

Stiles was building up to a rant, ‘Find out, find him. How can you sit there calmly when he is still in danger? They’ll kill him!’

Derek looked at Stiles quizzically and grabbed his arm pulling him close again but this time sniffing him. Stiles pulled away again. Derek let him then shook his head and sat down putting a hand over his mouth.

Stiles sat down again and drank the hot chocolate. He dried his tears and worried at the skin of his thumb.

Derek searched for words with difficulty, ‘He claimed you. Was it consensual?’

Stiles raised his red-rimmed eyes to Derek’s, ‘Bastard, of course it was consensual. There’s always been something between us, left alone we resolved it, revelled in it.’ Stiles looked defiant, ‘He is mine!’

Derek shook his head, ‘Stiles- I didn’t mean to insult you, it’s just you are not a wolf and you are so young. He knew his part in this operation could cost him his life and yet he still irrecoverably bonded you to him, to us.’

Stiles looked at the Alpha wearily and spat out, ‘What? Am I not good enough for our precious pack? Not good enough to be his mate?’

Derek swallowed, he moved to take a knee in front of Stiles and to take Stiles’ hands in his firmly, ‘Look at me Stiles, focus, none of those things are true you know that. You’ve been pack a long time, the hunters knew how important you were to us, Peter told them. I know you have been through an intense experience. It’s been eight days and you’ve been drugged, kidnapped, had an intensely emotional experience with your mate and now you are suddenly back here alone.’

Stiles tried to pull away, but Derek held on, ‘This is not what I would have wanted for you as our Alpha and as your friend. I’m sorry.’

Stiles sniffed back tear, ‘I’m not. I wouldn’t change it I’m proud that he chose me.’

Derek sighed, ‘He is the lucky one.’

He released Stiles and stood, ‘Your dad’s here. Get some rest and tomorrow I’ll explain exactly what has been going on. I promise I will try and find out information about Peter.’

Stiles nodded, ‘Thank you Alpha.’

Derek looked at him, ‘Stiles!’ he said sharply, and Stiles acquiesced, ‘Sorry Derek, perhaps I am more of a wolf than you think I am.’

Derek sighed as Noah came into the room and enfolded his son into his arms. Noah hugged and Stiles cried. Noah looked at Derek confused as far as Noah was concerned Stiles had never been in any real danger.

Derek shook his head at Noah as if to say leave it for now and Noah did.

Siles was largely silent in the car and once at home refused food and hugged his dad before going to his room. He drank the remaining water from the bottle Peter had filled and cried. He started to take things out of the backpack, a can of Dr Pepper, Reece’s Pieces and an apple. Peter had also packed his coconut shower gel and the camera. Then clothes, clothes Peter had bought for him including the red t shirt and the biscuit coloured Henley that Stiles had remarked on as he had slipped hands beneath it to remove it. Everything smelled of Peter and him and want.

Downstairs Noah shook his head, he began to suspect that the simple kidnapping had been more complicated for Stiles. Noah had never seen Stiles so upset. He’d always thought Stiles had a teenage crush on Derek Hale, had always wondered why Derek had never bitten Stiles when he had turned all his friends into werewolves, banshee, kanima but he had never touched Stiles even though it was clear Stiles was just as much pack as any of them. Noah grimaced; he had the wrong Hale. Stiles had been in love with Peter all along.

Whatever had happened between Stiles and Peter, good or bad, Stiles was alone with the consequences. Noah ate dinner and went to bed. Tomorrow was soon enough to find out and Derek was going to talk to Stiles.

Stiles woke up, it was 5am and he felt dehydrated and a little sick. He went downstairs, drank a glass of water and made some coffee. After a large mug and some cookies, he felt better.

He climbed into the shower and sat under the hot water for ages slowly coming back to life. He washed himself with Peter’s shower gel and didn’t cry. Enough- he was strong, and he would keep going.

He dressed in the cream sweatpants and red t shirt and took a deep breath remembering the look on Peter’s face when he had worn it for the first time. No one had ever looked at him like that- such want, such desire. He put on socks and sneakers and went downstairs.

He wasn’t surprised that Derek was in the kitchen making coffee and toast. Stiles sat at the table and Derek put his refilled Batman mug in front of him.

‘What do you want on your toast?’

Stiles sipped the hot, sweet coffee, ‘Marmalade please.’

Derek nodded and when the toast was ready, he put Stiles plate next to his mug then took a seat opposite him. Stiles picked up a slice of toast bit it more to placate Derek than because he really wanted it. Marmalade, what a weird thing. He’d bought it because he had seen a jar in the pack house cupboard and figured only Peter would eat it. He had been right, and Peter had been right too- marmalade was delicious. When Peter had seen Stiles put it on his toast he had nodded approvingly, and Stiles had been pleased. Seemed silly now, how hard he had tried to impress the wolf who had wanted him all along. A single tear escaped and bounced on his plate. He sniffed.

‘So, Derek, what have you been up to?’

Derek nodded, ‘You know how many weres and other supernaturals we have saved in the last year. We are becoming well known- good in some ways, bad in others- in the last few months we have not only saved people, but we have killed or captured a fair few hunters in California and beyond. You also know we have a spy in with the hunters, far removed from California, she sent a message via an omega she sent our way. The hunters were planning to weaken the Hale Pack, keep us distracted while they amassed a force to take us out. Peter had given them information before, of course that was what we wanted, when we wanted and this time, we got lucky the hunters contacted him looking for a way in. He laid the trail to kidnap you and direct all our attention to finding you. It had to be believable- you couldn’t know for certain who he was working for, but his mandate was to keep you safe.’

Stiles sighed, ‘He did keep me safe.’

Derek agreed, ‘We raided the hunter’s camps in Utah, California and New Mexico, night before last.’

Stiles stared at Derek and Derek shook his head, ‘No we didn’t kill them all. Stiles, no, we had them arrested by the FBI for gun running and people trafficking. They gave up their bosses, but you know how it is- cut off one head………’

Stiles nodded, ‘Impressive, well done and I am glad you are all alright.’

Derek bit his bottom lip, ‘I haven’t heard from Peter. They know he double- crossed them and they know where he was living. It could be a while before we know one way or the other.’

Stiles nodded but didn’t meet Derek’s eyes. Derek was silent for a while, then he looked at Stiles, ‘Do you want to talk about it?’

Stiles knew how much it had cost Derek to ask. Derek who hated to talk about feelings but under the hard exterior was a ball of molten emotion.

Stiles smiled and shook his head, ‘Too soon, I need to live with what I have of him. Anything else can wait until I know if he is alive.’

Derek nodded, relieved. He would have done it; he would have listened to Stiles pour his heart out, but it would have cost him a lot. He needed to stay positive, the pack had had a big win and were having a party to celebrate. Most of the pack were not fans of Peter even though they knew what he did was vitally necessary, and they wouldn’t be concerned for him. They would drink his health and tease Stiles for being kidnapped and having to spend a week with him.

Derek stood, ‘I know this is hard, but you should come to the party tonight. Everyone will want to see you. How much can I tell them?’

Stiles looked up at him, ‘Tell them the truth.’

Derek nodded, ‘OK, I hope to see you later.’

Derek went to leave,

‘Derbear.’

Derek turned and Stiles stood and turned to him, ‘Can I move into the house? Sleep in Peter’s room?’ Stiles asked quietly.

Derek closed his eyes and bit his lip to still his heart, ‘Yes, of course. It is where you belong.’

‘Thank you, Alpha.’ This time there was no sarcasm in Stiles’ use of the title just the simple acknowledgement of Stiles’ acceptance of his place in the pack and his respect for Derek as their leader.

When Derek left Stiles sat down heavily and put his head on his arms on the table. Noah came downstairs and took the chair Derek had been sat in, ‘Moving out then?’ he said calmly.

Stiles met his dad’s eyes, ‘I am his mate. I am more a part of the pack than I ever was.’

Noah nodded, ‘That is saying something considering you have been knee deep in Hale business since Scott was bitten. When did you find time to fall in love with Peter?’

Stiles smiled and huffed a little, blinking, ‘I always wanted him, dad. Turns out he wanted me since I refused his bite at fifteen.’

Noah did a double take, ‘You what?’

Stiles shook his head, ‘I don’t think I have ever told anyone that.’

‘He asked if you wanted to be bitten?’ Noah emphasised the ‘asked’.

Stiles nodded,’ Yes- asked politely and took no for an answer. He never forced me. It was a joke between us. When I did something clever or found a solution to a pack problem, he would remind me that I would have made a wonderful wolf.’

His eyes sparkled with the memory. Noah frowned and realised how much his son loved the werewolf. He tutted, ‘So Derek never bit you because you belonged to his uncle.’

Noah realised he had used ‘belonged’ and was ready to apologise if Stiles jumped down his throat about people belonging to one- another but Stiles sighed and smiled wearily, ‘Thanks for understanding.’

Noah stood to make some toast and fresh coffee. Stiles sat quietly, unusually quiet and still. Noah looked at his, sometimes he still looked like a little boy, he was only eighteen, but sometimes like now he looked like the product of the things he had seen and the pain he had suffered. He looked weary of the world.

Noah poured Stiles a big glass of orange juice and Stiles thanked him. Stiles knew his dad loved him and would support him as would Derek. He would keep going he thought wistfully.

Stiles moved into the Hale pack house late that afternoon. He didn’t take everything, but he took the essentials. School was done and he was always going to be working for the foundation over the summer. College was a consideration for another day.

While preparations for the party went on downstairs, Stiles put his things away amongst Peters’. He smelled the clothes then stripped to his boxer briefs and slid into Peter’s big, soft, comfortable bed. He picked up Peter’s half read book and opened it at the bookmark. He read a paragraph about Barak Obama but couldn’t keep his eyes open. He was drowning in Peter’s scent and felt almost as safe as if the wolf were curled around him. He fell asleep.

He never went to or heard the celebrations. Derek checked on him twice. He stood at the bedroom door letting in enough light to see Stiles fast asleep spooning one of Peter’s pillows, face smooshed into another. When he went back hours later, Stiles hadn’t moved. Derek closed the door quietly and headed to bed himself.

Stiles woke up to sunlight streaming through the window and the sound of laughter coming from outside. He got up slowly, put on Peters robe and looked out the window. His friends were sitting around a picnic table, looking at their phoned and laughing. He turned the clock around and saw it was nearly lunchtime. Time to face the music. He walked down the stairs to see who was indoors. Derek was sitting on the sofa against the wall with his feet on the coffee table. He put down the manila folder he was reading when he saw Stiles. Caught between doing too little and too much he stood and pulled Stiles into a hug. Stiles smiled into his shoulder and patted his back, ‘OK there Derbear, I’m OK.’

Derek held him at arms- length, ‘Good- Stiles you are a lucky man.’

Stiles frowned at him, not understanding but Derek led him into the kitchen and opened the larder fridge. ‘Oh!’ Stiles nodded.

‘You missed the party so there are plenty of leftovers. Now you have to eat it.’

Stiles smiled, ‘Challenge accepted.’

Stiles sat at the huge kitchen table and Derek gave him a plate and a fork and the surrounded him with sliced ham, beef, dips, rolls, sausages, chips and pickles along with half a gateaux.

Stiles helped himself and was soon joined by Scott, Allison, Lydia, Isaac and Cora. They started eating and Derek poured drinks and made coffee before sitting next to Stiles and putting fillings in roles for himself.

Cora pushed a dish of sausages at Stiles, ‘Try these sticky sausages, I made them from Nigella’s recipe, best sticky sausages ever.’

Everyone nodded and Stiles tried one, he nodded and smiled at Cora taking another to add to his ham and mustard roll. He looked up to approval on Derek’s face and rolled is eyes. Eating the roll, he decided to break the ice everyone was tiptoeing on.

‘So, you guys had a big win, congratulations guys.’

They all looked at him, then Scott spoke, ‘Yeah we did, but you were part of it too,’

Stiles shrugged, ‘I was a distraction, glad it helped. Tell me about the op.’

They did and Stiles absorbed the pride each one had in their role. Peter was mentioned several times, but Stiles just let the story wash over him.

After lunch, the pack started to drift away, reminded by Derek to clear up after themselves. Derek went back to his files leaving Stiles with Scott. Stiles nearly left too but decided he couldn’t avoid this conversation, ‘OK, Scott, have your say.’

Scott fidgeted, ‘Derek told us what happened. Was it some kind of Stockholm Syndrome?’

Stiles stared at him wide eyed, ‘No. I woke up in a beautiful place that smelled of a man I had always wanted.’

Scott winced, ‘Peter?’

Sties nodded, ‘We were together, on the same page, we wrapped ourselves in each other and drowned in our desire.’

Scott was blushing and looking down at his hands. Stiles took pity on him, ‘Listen Scott, I love him, and I am his. He claimed me and made me pack, not on the outskirts but the mate of Derek’s left hand. If he is alive and able to return, we will live here together. Accept this for me Scott. If he doesn’t come back, I will need you, all of you.’

Scott met Stiles’ honey eyes, ‘Give me time, I’ll get there, and I am here for you whatever you need, always.’

‘Thank you.’

Scott stood, ‘We are having another day off. You are welcome to come to the drive in with us you know that.’

Stiles smiles, ‘Thank you, I’ll come next time. I need to talk to Derek and my dad. Have fun!’

Scott nodded and left. Stiles cleared his plates and went to join Derek who gestured for Stiles to sit by him, ‘You handled Scott well. What do you need? If it’s about your job, take some time and then do the research you need to do.’

Stiles nodded, ‘I will, thank you. I’ll work in the office and be happy among his things. But I need to talk to you about something personal.’

He handed Derek the letter he found in the rucksack. Derek opened it and read it carefully, eyes widening, ‘Fuck, Stiles- do you have any idea how much he is worth? You are worth?’

Stiles sat back, ‘Not a scooby, he just told me he put it all in my name. He’d obviously done it before this situation.’

Derek sighed, ‘Typical Peter- no loose ends.’

Stiles frowned, ‘Not sure how to take that.’

Derek smiled softly, ‘He wanted you to be secure, he wanted you to be his and therefore ours.’

Stiles could feel tears in his eyes, ‘I might not have reciprocated.’

Derek laughed, ‘Really Stiles, you know the answer to that.’

Stiles nodded and sniffed, ‘Yeah. Peter never asked a question if he didn’t already know the answer.’

Later that afternoon Stiles went to the station to sit with his dad and explain what Peter had done. He said he would just spend his salary from the Foundation and pay off their existing debts, still a lot of money, but he wouldn’t be irresponsible with Peter’s money. His dad agreed and was glad Stiles was being Stiles and organising their finances.

Stiles went back to the pack house and to Peter’s study. His job at The Hale Foundation was researcher- he contributed to the knowledge needed to fight or help the supernaturals they encountered. He also researched to locate werewolves who had fallen out of packs or been captured.

Peter was the next step in the process- he organised the teams in the field to locate and capture or free weres and other supernaturals.

Chris Argent was their in- field coordinator- he distributed weapons and kit needed to the field teams and organised the logistics of getting supernaturals to secure facilities and weres to the Hale Foundation housing and training facility.

Everyone else was either out in the field in teams of two or trainers at the facility.

Derek, Peter, Chris and Lydia were on the board. Scott and Stiles had laughed and declined board seats but now Stiles was Peter’s proxy on the board. He also decided to do Peter’s job. He had learned enough and knew the contacts to carry on where Peter had left off.

It was over a week before Derek convened a board meeting when he realised Stiles was organising teams, checking on them and passing their requirements onto Chris as well as passing on intel those who needed it.

Derek had the board formally recognise Stiles as Peter’s proxy and proposed getting him a junior researcher to help with the day to day searches.

Stiles sat quietly in the meeting, sad and serious as Chris reported to the meeting that there was no news of Peter.

Stiles dialled out of the rest of the meeting until the end when everyone thanked him and repeated that if he needed anything he only had to ask. He nodded and thanked them. He excused himself and realised he needed to get out in the fresh air. As he left the training facility to go get a jacket he wondered if he could find Peter’s retreat. The itch got worse as he changed then went to get a snack and water realising in the kitchen that he had the rucksack in his hand. He looked at it and then out the window at his jeep. Could he do it? Could he find the house in the trees?

Outside he opened the jeep door and put the rucksack inside. He felt like he had been sleepwalking for days and when he got in, he leant his arms on the steering wheel and let his head drop onto them. What did he think he was doing?

Derek watched Stiles from the kitchen window for ten minutes before going out to the jeep. Stiles was asleep, head on his arms on his steering wheel. Derek sighed; he’d guessed what Stiles had been planning. Stiles had seemed fine for over a week, he worked, he ate, and he slept but Derek realised now he wasn’t fine.

It was getting late and cold. Derek texted Cora to come and help him. Cora took the backpack and Derek woke Stiles walking him into the house while Cora locked the car. Derek put Stiles on the sofa and covered with a blanket as he drifted back to sleep.

Cora came in with two coffees, ‘There you go.’

Derek took the coffee and thanked her as he sat in the armchair. Cora sat on the other sofa, ‘He’s not the Stiles who left.’ She stated.

Derek nodded, ‘I know. I wasn’t happy that Peter did what he did but Stiles is. As miserable as he is now, I have to admit they found something I haven’t even come close to.’

Cora agreed, ‘Do you think Peter is alive?’

Derek stroked his beard with equal parts worry and thought, ‘I hope so, I am sure I would know. If he is, he will be feeling pretty bad, worse than Stiles, being apart from his mate and after being newly bonded.’

Cora shook her head, ‘Uncle Peter finally did something I approve of and he managed to balls that up.’

Derek looked at her, ‘Approved of?’

‘Yeah- he picked a mate who is young, cute, intelligent and an asset to the pack.’

Derek nodded, ‘And left him.’

‘You going to leave him there?’

Derek tutted and sighed, ‘I’m going to cook dinner, wake him up to eat it and then put him to bed.’

‘OK, I’m off bowling with the guys.’ She smiled at her brother, ‘You are smooshie wolf, Derek. Sometimes the way you looked at Stiles I thought you wanted him.’

Derek didn’t complain about being called a smooshie wolf, but he did say, ‘Stiles and I are good friends these days. We understand each other and I love him like a little brother. Stiles was there when I needed more family.’

Cora nodded and said goodbye,

Derek cooked hunters chicken and curly fries. He woke Stiles to the smell of barbeque sauce, ‘Stiles, dinner is ready.’

‘Yeah?’ Stiles was fuzzy.

‘Yeah, come and eat it while it is hot. I made you a chocolate milkshake.’

Stiles followed him to the kitchen table.

‘Where is everyone?’ he asked.

‘Bowling.’

Stiles nodded, ‘How long was I asleep?’

‘A couple of hours; seems to have done you good. Eat up.’

‘Thank you, it smells delicious. I can help with the cooking if you like. I’m pretty good.’

‘Sounds good. How about tomorrow you and I go for a long walk in the preserve, the grocery shopping and you can cook tomorrow night.’

Stiles smiled, ‘Yeah, thanks Derek I would like that.’

‘Well I better start taking better care of you and making sure you look after yourself. I am your Alpha and when Peter gets back you need to be in good shape, or he will blame me.’

Stiles laughed, ‘Yeah, he will.’

They finished eating in silence. Derek felt better knowing Stiles would let him help and Stiles because he was going to let him. Stiles needed to keep going.

Another week went by and there was no sign of Peter. Stiles kept busy and kept anchored to Derek and the pack. He worked hard for the Foundation, he ate and knew that Derek watched him, and he slept because he wore himself out. He saw his dad a coupled of times a week and their relationship grew stronger as they had honest conversations.

Stiles was not letting on how much he was struggling but at the beginning of the third- week he started to feel physically ill. On the Monday he got up and felt feverish, he took a shower and headed downstairs. He joined everyone for breakfast, which was the usual noisy, grouchy Monday morning affair. He looked at the pancakes Cora put in front of him and barely made it to a downstairs bathroom before he threw up. He washed his face and rinsed his mouth and made it to a sofa dizziness swirling around him. He lay still hoping the feeling would pass.

Derek and Cora stood with Scott and looked at Stiles from the kitchen. Cora said, ‘Sex with a wolf might help?’

Derek and Scott stared at her, ‘What? It may be an old wives tale but what if it’s not.’

Derek shrugged, ‘He could just have a stomach flu.’

Scott nodded, ‘Get him back to bed and I’ll call Deaton.’

Deaton came straight over and spoke to Stiles privately. When he came out, he spoke to Derek, ‘I’ve given him an anti-nauseant and a mild sedative to keep him calm. Scott told me what Cora said and it isn’t an old wives tale. It would have to be you as his Alpha and despite Cora’s old wives it doesn’t have to be sex, just skin contact and scenting- the tale is such because it usually ends up being sex.’

Deaton was always so low key and practical. Derek wanted to hit him, hard. Deaton paused before leaving, ‘Don’t do it in Peter’s bed.’

Derek sat on the sofa with his head in his hands, he could feel his hard won, ordered existence slipping away. Deaton had left presuming Derek would do this intimate act with Stiles as though he were making him coffee or handing him a coat. Deaton hadn’t offered and alternative. Derek shook his head and picked up his phone texting Deaton he had before intervention became a necessity rather than a choice. Deaton said forty- eight hours adding that in that time Stiles would not be getting any better.

Derek decided to sleep on it but of course he couldn’t eat or sleep. The pack avoided him and tried to avoid him seeing them talking about it.

At midnight he sat on the edge of the bed next to Stiles and stroked Stiles hair back from his forehead. Stiles honey eyes fluttered open, ‘Hi Der, what’s up?’

Derek smiled, ‘Idiot- how do you get yourself into these situations?’

‘Natural talent I guess.’

Stiles sat up a little and Derek put another pillow behind him.

‘Did Deaton tell you what he thought I should do?’

Stiles nodded, ‘No offence Derbear but I don’t want you to do it. I am human and I may survive on my own given time and rest.’

Derek took his hand, ‘What if you are worse in forty-eight hours? There is another choice.’

Stiles smiled, ‘I already told Peter that I didn’t want you to bite me. I know you won’t do anything against my will.’

Derek nodded, ‘No, I respect your choice. Get some rest, I’ll look in on you later.’

Stiles nodded, ‘I’m not going to change my mind.’

They had both meant what they had said. Derek knew he wouldn’t be popular with his pack or Noah, but Stiles had made his choice.

Cora was sitting on the sofa wating for him.

‘Let me guess you are the pack’s representative to the ‘what Derek should do’ debate.’

She nodded, everyone else had made themselves scarce.

‘And?’ Derek asked.

Cora motioned him to sit in his favourite armchair.

‘You are our Alpha, our leader, we respect you, but we have a question. If it was anyone other than Stiles who was in this condition would you have hesitated to help them?’

Derek felt his wolf stir but kept control, ‘No, but not for the reason you all surmise. You all think I love Stiles and have always secretly wanted him, that I never claimed him because I didn’t want to tie him to this life however much I loved and wanted him.’

He sat back, ‘As I said before, I do love him, I admire his intelligence and his ridiculous bravery, but I never wanted him as a mate. Peter tied his best friend to us when he bit him, and I have seen what this life does to bitten humans. I loved Siles enough to hope he would leave Beacon Hills and have a different life. I knew Peter wanted him; he has for years. He has been prowling around since Stiles became eighteen but didn’t make a move. I guess I thought if they spent time together Stiles would get on Peter’s nerves and it would be over. I was wrong. There is something else. Peter signed all his money and assets over to Stiles a while ago. This is not some older wolf putting pressure on a younger human for sex. This is Peter putting his whole life out there for the love of his life.’

Cora shook her head, eyes wide, ‘You are not going to do it.’

‘No, he doesn’t want me to touch him, he doesn’t want the bite. He may make it through this, either way he has made his choice.’

Cora nodded, she moved to sit on the floor and leant on her brothers knees, he moved his hand to the back of her head. She looked up at him, ‘I’m sorry Derek, I didn’t realise you felt so strongly. I’ve always felt all werewolves were strong and superior. I know bad things have happened, but bad things happen to everyone. I don’t feel it’s such a bad life. I’m sure Stiles will pull through, he is young and strong, and when he does ask him how he feels about this life. When it comes down to it, he chose this.’

Derek stoked her hair, ‘Wise woman, you should have been the Alpha not me. I am more of a wolf, but you are more of a leader.’

Cora went to bed and Derek was just about to check on Stiles when he heard the screen door on the back door open. Someone was out late; he went to see who it was and reached it as it opened to reveal Peter. Derek took a few steps back as Peter walked in and then he punched Peter as hard as he could. Peter landed heavily and sat nursing his jaw for a moment then Derek held out a hand to pull him up. Peter flexed his jaw, ‘I suppose you think I deserve that.’

Derek nodded then pulled Peter into a fierce hug, ‘I am so glad to see you.’

Peter hugged back, ‘Me too Derek. How is my boy?’

Peter followed Derek into the kitchen, ‘Go see for yourself, he’s in your bed.’

Peter smiled broadly, ‘Is he now, he moved in, thank god. I’m a mess and I’ve just run the last fifty kilometres not feeling too good, I need some food and a shower. Tell me about him.’

Derek made Peter coffee and sandwiches and talked as Peter ate.

‘On the surface he was fine, and he kept going without complaint until yesterday when he went downhill. He did his job as well as his own, took your seat on the board and he has been cooking for the pack. His heart was slowly breaking and today he refused to be bitten or have me help him.’

Peter swallowed, ‘Things happened so damn fast.’

Derek nodded, ‘I know, we were lucky, we got the intel and Chris moved. You had to get out and get him out.’

Peter sighed deeply, ‘I left him on the side of a trail and told him to keep going. I never expected to be on the run this long.’

Derek squeezed his uncle’s shoulder, ‘I think he will forgive you.’

Peter nodded, ‘He will. What about you?’

Derek leaned on the sink, ‘I only ever wanted the best for him- I realise now that he had decided what was best for himself. He picked you.’

Peter smiled, ‘Thank you for looking after him.’

Derek shrugged, ‘He’s pack. Anyway, I am going to get some sleep.’

Peter stood, ‘Goodnight. Love you Derek.’

Derek nodded as he left, ‘Love you too.’

Peter put his dishes in the sink and went upstairs slowly. He opened the bedroom door letting in a shaft of light that fell on a pale cheek and a pale arm hugging a pillow. He breathed deeply and closed the door, he already felt much better. He slipped into the bathroom and smiled as he showered off days of grime with the coconut body wash. Dried off he went to the closet and got two more pillows; Stiles had monopolised his.

Peter lifted the covers completely to see the naked, beautiful body and slipped in behind it. He lifted Stiles head and slipped an arm under his neck; he spooned Stiles and splayed a proprietary hand on Stiles’ stomach. Stiles squirmed against him pulling him closer and murmuring, ‘Stop wriggling Peter and go back to sleep.’

Peter kissed the now healed scar of his bite on Stiles’ shoulder and closed his eyes drinking in the scent of his mate and draining away any pain Stiles was feeling. Even sleeping Peter’s scent would make Stiles feel much better.’

Peter stirred when Stiles got up to pee, it was very early, and the sun tinged the horizon. Stiles yawned and got back into bed this time into Peter’s arms and went back to sleep with his nose firmly fixed to Peter’s neck. Peter held him close and waited. Not for long- Stiles eyes popped open and he eased up, ‘You bastard, shit bag…...’ Peter stopped him by kissing him hard and not letting him go. Stiles returned the kisses hungrily and then turned into a frenzied mess, babbling as he grabbed Peter’s hand to touch him and began stroking Peter, ‘God you smell so good, I need you scent all over me, inside me, fuck me.’ Stiles rubbed against him and Peter took control to calm him, kissing him languidly and pinning him down easily stroking Stiles to orgasm. Stiles then collapsed on him but kept up the insistent stroking that was driving Peter crazy. Stiles bit Peter’s lips and neck, ‘Fuck me wolf.’ he breathed. Peter was never going to last that long and urged Stiles to suck him instead. Stiles did like his life depended on it and when Peter came Stiles moaned around his orgasm. Peter lay back and smiled pulling the now limp Stiles back into his arms, ‘Feel better now baby?’

Stiles nodded and put every bit of flesh he could over Peter. Peter kissed his hair and breathed in their combined scents, strong and powerful, ‘I’m sorry I left you for so long.’

Stiles kissed him, long and slow, revelling in the taste of them both in his mouth, ‘Never leave me again.’

Peter flipped them covering Stiles body and starting to nip and stroke him, ‘Never,’ he said softly.

Stiles was beginning to feel more awake and alert, ‘Does Derek know you are back?’

Peter nodded and rubbed his chin into Stiles’ neck scenting, ‘Yeah, he punched me in the jaw.’

Stiles smiles, closing his eyes as Peter stroked down his body, ‘He’s been a rock. He wasn’t happy that you claimed me, but he looked after me,’

Peter kissed him, licking into his mouth and making Stiles moan, ‘You’re pack baby. He’s our Alpha and it is our job to make his life as uncomfortable as possible.’

‘I have definitely done my bit towards that goal.’

Peter stroked him and Stiles arched into the touch, ‘There you go- perfect beta.’

‘I’m not a wolf.’

Peter’s hands moved to cup Stiles’ ass and he scented Stiles neck, ‘You smell like one.’

Stiles laughed, ‘Why are you talking when you could be putting your mouth to something more useful.’

Peter raised his eyebrows, ‘Sassy. I like it. I am going to fuck you so hard you will howl like a wolf.’

Peter moved down Stiles’ body nuzzling, nipping and licking.

‘My weird wolf,’ Stiles breathed and let out a howl which made Peter laugh against his stomach. Not a wolf eh?