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Stiles would kick and scream if he could.
Fuck, I should’ve never gotten out of bed this morning.
Stiles willed his heart to beat at a normal pace as he laid out on the table stiff as a board.
I’ve been through worse. He must have injected me right before we left. Damn, I shouldn’t have drank that drink he offered me. I’m never drinking again!!
His thigh stung like lemon juice on a paper cut.
“I’ve got to run to the car real quick. Don’t move a muscle.” The black-haired man laughed at his own joke.
Har-Har, Stiles attempted to stare daggers into the back of the man leaving the campsite. Go fuck yourself, asshole.
He never even suspected it. By the time his body felt heavy and stop cooperating it was too late.
He’d shot off a text to Scott but knew it would go unread. It was just automatic.
No help will be coming for him. He let his mind drift back to earlier...
Stiles knew Peter wouldn’t be there that evening for the pack meeting. Unlike Scott and the pack, he and Peter still patrolled and kept the town safe. Scott thought it was just luck, but Stiles and Peter were more practical. When Scott became a True-Alpha, he changed. He was now co-Alpha to the pack. Derek had left the week prior to go visit Cora in South America.
He hadn’t gotten three steps into the loft before he knew something was up. Everyone had stopped talking. Scott stood up, “What are you doing here?”
“Um, pack meeting. Plus, spent all night researching.”
“I told you, Stiles. That isn’t necessary anymore. Lydia got it covered.”
He looked but hadn’t seen the red-head.
“Well it can’t help to have more than one person looking into it though.” Stiles had looked around and felt his stomach sink as all his friends avoided looking at him directly.
“You’re just in the way Stiles. You’re human and we don’t need any in our pack.”
“But Allison is a Hun--”
“--she is a hunter. Plus, she’s my girlfriend.” Scott cut him off.
“I’m your best friend or so I thought.” Stiles his chest ached.
“You were. I don’t know how to make it any clearer. You aren’t needed or wanted anymore. Leave.” Scott’s face turned stone cold as he pointed towards the door behind him.
I hope Scott feels like shit when he finds out I was kidnapped. Stiles laid there watching the leaves sway in the wind. I should’ve punched him in the face. I can’t believe nobody sided with me. Peter would’ve thrown a fit if he was there. I should’ve just called Peter after I left. But he knew Peter was probably busy eliminating the newest threat, unbeknownst to Scott and the pack.
Instead, he took his fake id that Danny had gotten him and gone to the club. Several drinks later that emptiness in his heart seemed to turn numb. When a handsome man offered to take him back to his place for some fun, Stiles eagerly went along with it. Adam, the man’s name, had driven them to the outskirts of the Preserve to a campsite he had set up. That should have been a red flag.
I told Scott that we needed to continue to expand our patrol. But… Nooooo… Scott said it wasn’t necessary to come this far out anymore. Fuck. You. Scott. He heard a loud thud out near the car he was dragged from. Seconds past before the taller man pulled a large duffle bag towards him.
“Soon, I am going to eat you right up. I don’t break promises.” Adam unzipped his bag and started to shuffle through it.
I get a distinct idea that he doesn’t mean eat me up by ravishing me with sexy times. Here I was thinking finally, something good was going to happen to me today. Ha ha on me. Stiles studied the chiselled face next to him.
“Honestly, I’m happy the drugs worked on you. Once in awhile I get someone who’s immune to it and then things get nasty.” Adam’s face lit up in joy when he found whatever he was looking for.
No one was going to save him. His life was going to end at the hands of a human.
It wasn’t even a wendigo or any other type of cannibalistic supernatural being.
Only I would survive supernatural beings and end up dead because of a psycho human. If I had accepted Peter’s bite when he offered, I’d never be in this situation. Stiles’ had always felt an attraction towards Derek’s uncle. Peter had always treated Stiles differently than anyone else. Even before he came back from the dead. Scott never trusted Peter, but oddly enough Stiles did. He couldn’t explain it but he always felt lighter when Peter was nearby. Not that he’d ever admit that out loud. Peter already had an inflamed ego.
The moonlight reflected off the large butcher knife that Adam pulled out. “The first person I killed was by an accident.”
He set the knife down and ripped Stiles shirt off. “I wasted the first few kills. I never knew how tasty human flesh was before I tried it.” Stiles saw Adam’s gaze become unfocused as he stared off for a few moments.
Stiles felt his heart beating rapidly against his ribcage as panic settled in. Shit, I really am going to die. Fuck my life.
Shit! Is Lydia going to scream for me?
“It was this young man,” Adam began again as he ran his hand down Stiles’ chest. “He was one of those who was immune to the drugs. He almost got away, but I pushed him into the fire and he lit up screaming.”
At least he got to die fast and didn’t have to listen to you ramble on and on. Stiles watched the flames behind Adam. How about you trip and fall into the fire yourself.
“... it was a bit burnt taste, cooked for too long. But I’ve perfected it since then.” Adam leaned down and licked over Stiles left pec.
You’re a sick bastard.
Derek is going to feel so guilty for leaving Scott in charge when he finds out I was killed and eaten.
Adam picked up his knife and Stiles would shiver by the insane look in Adam’s eyes if he could. “Let’s get started…” he pressed the knife down against Stiles’ skin and with expert skill began to cut into Stiles’ flesh.
Fuuuuck, Stiles screamed in his head as pain ripped through his body. Help! Help! He tried in vain to thrash around.
“It is best to eat as you go.” Adam dangled a piece of Stiles’ skin in front of him, “it’s tastier when it’s still warm.”
It looked like a bloody piece of bacon.
Maybe, I’ll vomit and choke to death.
Stiles blacked out when Adam started the fourth cut on his left cheek.
##
Peter’s head was spinning as the Alpha’s power transferred into him. Stiles offered to come help, but Peter wanted him safe.
“If you don’t show up to the meeting, they’ll start asking questions.” Which was true. Scott and the pack would care less if Peter came or not. His only true ties were Derek and Stiles.
“Okay, just be careful and come back in one piece.” Stiles pleaded.
“Of course, you know me. Even death can’t keep me away for long.”
He was just pulling back into Beacon Hills when he felt Stiles’ ties to the pack snap.
With a deafening roar, Peter pressed down the accelerator and drove to the loft. He ripped the door right off the hinges when he entered, flashing his eyes crimson red. Everyone cringed and he huffed with pride when the smell of fear penetrated the air. He let out a soft chuckle when he smelt piss from Scott.
“Who did you kill!” Scott yelled as he jumped up and stood in front of Peter. “Was it Derek? Did he come back early?”
Standing up straight he made eye contact with the young teenager True Alpha, “If you must know, there was a feral Alpha entering town and I took care of it for you. Just like Stiles and I do all the time. Did you really think our territory just turned peaceful one day. You’re pathetic.”
Technically, it was now Stiles and his since this pack tossed Stiles out.
Taking a deep breath, he realized that Stiles’ smell was old. “Where is Stiles?”
“I don’t know.” Scott’s crossed his arms and narrowed his eyes towards the older man.
“Scott said since Stiles is human he isn’t really pack and told him to leave.” Lydia spoke up and earned a growl from her Alpha. “Growl all you want, you know I never agreed to this.” She picked up her book and walked towards the door, “As I told you, if I wasn’t in the bathroom when he came in I would have said it to your face. Stiles is more pack than you’ll ever be.” And with that the red-haired Banshee pushed past both Alphas and left.
Peter picked up Scott and slammed him into the wall, “I felt the ties snap. I thought he was died.”
Dropping Scott to the ground he stormed back out the door, “You better be all gone when I come back.”
Some of the others looked guilty. He’s deal with them all later.
##
Peter had gone to Stiles’ house to find he hadn’t been home for hours. Frantic, he drove all over town looking for him. Finally, as he went to the police station to talk to the Sheriff he overheard a couple complaining about their car being stolen from the club. Idly standing by he memorized the license plate when it was read off to the officer.
“Peter,” the Sheriff called out, “what’re you doing here?”
“Hello, Sheriff. Have you spoken to Stiles this evening?” He didn’t want Stiles’ dad to worry yet.
“No, last I heard he was heading over to the loft for the routine pack meeting?”
Peter was there when Stiles had caved in and told his dad everything. After the initial surprise, the Sheriff seemed to handle it well. He asked lots of intelligent questions and didn’t freak out.
His response was that he raised Stiles. Very little surprised him.
Honestly, that answer made sense.
Even before the supernatural, he was always finding and getting into the most crazy scenarios.
His magic was still at a baby’s level. As Deaton had sealed it long ago. He could only control mountain ash— but Peter knew with the proper mentor he could be amazing with it.
But now that bastard has died so the seal is no more.
“Okay,” Peter smiled. “I’ll see you this weekend for the game.”
“Sure,” the Sheriff sat back in his black office chair, “is everything okay?”
“It will be. I’ll talk to you later,” Peter learned that the Sheriff was pretty good at telling lies.
No wonder Stiles was good at avoiding the truth.
He drove to the club where the car was stolen. He smelt Stiles at the club. He knew about his fake ID.
It hadn’t occurred to him to come here on his first go around.
It was old and stale. It’s been hours since he’d been there.
Of course he’d come here after being kicked out.
But this will make it easier. He wanted Stiles in his pack. To be honest, they were always in a sub-pack together. They accepted each other and worked well together.
That asshole Scott though. He’ll need to go.
His phone rang and it was Lydia. Angry he snapped, “what!?”
He instantly calmed down as he heard the heavy breathing.
“He doesn’t have much longer,” and then heard a thump as she passed out.
They had been working with her and she was getting better and predicting deaths for those she was close with, but only within an hour or sooner.
He put the metal to the pedal and sped off.
With a deep breath— he consciously reached out to solidify his bond with Stiles.
####
Stiles’ came in and out of consciousness. He wasn’t sure how much time had passed but the slight breeze stung. He could barely keep his eyes open when he realized the drugs were wearing off. He could move his pinky.
“I knew you’d be delicious when I first saw you.” Adam was wiping off his knife. “Oh, you’re still alive. This is wonderful.” Stiles closed his eyes again. “Everyone dies much earlier on. But you’re a fighter. It’s hopeless though.”
It’s because my magic is keeping me alive.
The moon lit up the sky. The forest was quiet as if it was holding its breath.
His entire body was on fire with pain. The wind felt like a thousand needles.
A tears trickled down his face.
“Oh,” the toned man’s eyes crinkled with happiness as he leaned down to lick the tears. “Hmm, salty.”
Stiles' head was propped up by a log. “Look at how beautiful you look now.”
Stiles was able to look down and he saw blood. He got nauseous for a different reason. He was missing small pieces of skin. Both of his breasts were sliced up, his stomach, his legs were a mess. Everywhere but his arms that laid by his side.
He couldn’t see it but he knew he was missing small pieces of skin in his neck and face too.
He wished he knew more magic. But all he knew was how to control mountain ash. Peter promised he’d find a mentor for him. They had just figured it out when Deaton met his untimely death.
To think Deaton was behind so many deaths— including his own mother and Peter’s own parents.
Adam tisked, “Besides those awful tattoos, you're a true beautiful canvas. It’s just screaming,” he laughed, “for me to work on it.”
Perhaps that’s why his arms were left alone.
Maybe tattoos taste inky.
He started to laugh. Oh, am I in shock? I am starting to feel dull… Why doesn’t it hurt more? Is this something natural that happens to people? Like when someone is able to walk after being shot in the head or when someone has third degree burns… maybe it’s a sign of my impending death.
Stiles tried to move. Still not much.
Peter, I wish you were here. Stiles felt his life slipping away. Now I won’t get the chance to tell you how I really feel.
He jolted back to reality as Adam began cutting into his right thigh. “I’ll have to pack up and leave after you. That is the key, don’t stay for too long. Kill one or two people and move on before someone catches on.”
Adam talked about his last victim a few days earlier.
“Now, unlike you, he was a real screamer. Oh, when the drugs wore off he begged and begged to be let go. Sadly, he was dead when I finally was done with him. Hmm, I wonder if women taste different. Maybe I’ll try them next time.”
He tossed the cooked skin into his mouth and chewed loudly.
“Want to try it,” Adam’s eyes were sparkling with mischief.
Not the good kind
Stiles glared at him. Oh, he will not scream nor beg. Not for this bastard.
“Man, I wish you’d fidget more or at least whimper. This isn’t as much fun when you're so compliant. I know the
Drugs are wearing odd.. I saw you move your pinky a few times. Hmm, let me find something…
Stiles sighed in relief. A tear trickled down his cheek. Adam yelled in triumph as he pulled out a syringe.
“Adrenaline. Just a little bit. I don't want you escaping…maybe I drugged you too much.” Adam laughed, “ohhh I have an idea.”
Sties didn’t like the sound of that. He gave a small dose to Sties before putting it away.
I wonder how fast it works?
Adam pulled out a hammer and raised it up high and slammed it down on his knee caps.
Okay, Stiles didn’t tell the truth. A blood-curdling scream escaped from his lungs.
Stiles’ saw the blackness starting to come over when he heard the distinct roar of a wolf… Scott did come…
“What the fuck was that?” Adam yelled as he stood up and held the hammer in front of him, turning around in a circle.
That is the sound of your death coming. Stiles’ breath was slowing down.
The last thing he saw was a magnificent large black wolf leaping over him and cutting off Adam’s screams. He knew that wolf… and it wasn’t Scott.
The red eyes were a very welcome surprise.
###
Peter had seen the tire marks off the road. They were well hidden but not to Peter.
He was a man on a mission.
He pulled off the road and shifted before taking off the makeshift driveway. He knew people would camp out here once in a while.
His feet pounded on the forest floor. His breathing was even as he used his newly Alpha heightened senses.
He heard a stranger’s laughter as he mumbled to someone else.
Stiles' bond was fading…
He let out a deafening howl.
The closer he got the more irate he became. He could smell blood and soon he confirmed it was Stiles.
He broke out into a clearing just after a bellowing scream was torn from Stiles. He could hear the bones crunching.
There was a tall dark-haired man, human, wielding a bloody hammer. His cream silk shirt was splattered in Stiles’ blood and his eyes were bulging.
He yelled out and he could smell the fear.
Good. It will be the last thing he will feel.
Stiles was laying on a foldable picnic table and he wasn’t even sure if he was conscious anymore.
He leapt over the table and tackled the attacker.
The hammer fell from the man’s hand as his back thudded on the ground.
“What the fuck,” he screamed. “Help me!!”
If Peter could laugh in his wolf form he would.
He was so full of rage, his ears were pounding. He didn’t waste any time killing off Stiles’ attacker.
His would-be murderer.
His claws sliced through the man’s chest and arms. The man put up a futile fight.
Begging for him to stop… until his life ended. With good measure—- Peter bit off half the’s head at the neck.
With a few extra swipes of his claws he staggered off the dead man and shifted.
Covered in blood he ran over to the table.
Stiles' eyes were glazed over and his breathing was raspy. His normal jackrabbit heartbeat was more like a sloth pace now.
His entitled body has strips of skin carved off.
He wanted to vomit.
“Stiles, can you hear me,” Peter laid his hand on him and swayed at the pain he tried to relieve Stiles.
The boy didn’t respond.
His knees were a mess. Pieces of bones were tossed all over.
“Stiles… your magic isn’t enough… I have to bite you if you want a chance,” Peter cried.
He couldn’t lose him. Was he willing to take the wrath of biting him without consent?
He said no the first time he was asked… but Peter had heard a skip of his heart indicating a lie.
Waiting for any type of response felt like an eternity.
“I can’t lose you now.”
###
Stiles felt cold and numb. He no longer had the energy to move. His body felt so heavy and everything sounded so distant.
He was drifting in and out.
At least I know Adam won’t ever find out what a woman's flesh will taste like.
He heard the desperation in Peter’s voice… it was like listening to someone talk under water.
When did it turn so cloudy…
I’m sorry you have to see me like this…
Oh, is Peter begging? Peter never begs.
Why won’t my body move….
Stiles laid there drifting over the endless sea…
His body was oddly not in so much pain anymore.
If only he had a way to let Peter know.
Oh, he reached out and searched for the bonds.. Yes, there it is. He hadn’t noticed Peter’s before. It was so strong now.
With the whole dying thing and all.
He was so shocked by the pack cutting them off he hadn’t thought about searching for any that remained.
It was so painful… like horrible heartburn.
He used the last of his energy to tug it. Then… nothingness.
###
There, he leaned forward. It was the slightest tug. Then Stiles' breathing seemed to stop.
“No,” Peter cried out. He took that as a yes.
Damnit he didn’t care if he was wrong.
He had to try.
His fangs elongated; he buried them into Stiles unmarked wrist.
He reared back and gripped Stiles’ limp hand… holding his breath.
What if his magic rejected the bite? What if it changed him fundamentally? What if he lost his magic? What if he they cancelled each other out and he was just an ordinary human? What if he lost his memories?
Peter spiraled further down.
He felt helpless. Just like that day where his family burned.
He could smell the smoke as if he was reliving it in real time.
He felt himself begin to panic as he had flashbacks to the fire.
He tried so hard to save everyone… Why did he have to survive?
He was gasping for breath.
Wait!!
“Stiles,” Peter came back into himself. The sun was out and the smoke was just from the campfire burning out.
The young man's eyes were closed.
When did that happen? Peter thought to himself. Did he close them? He can’t recall.
The young man groaned.
His heartbeat was slightly stronger.
But his body was still covered in open wounds.
Should he try to carry him? Would it cause further injury?
He was uncertain and he hated it.
“I’ll drive, carry him,” a familiar out of breath feminine voice called out, startling the wolf.
Peter growled and his claws came out.
Lydia was unphased as she crossed her arms. She was sweaty and her hair was matted down on her forehead and neck. Her usually perfect makeup was smeared and most of it was wiped off. Her eyes were bloodshot from crying.
“I screamed for him on the way here. Swerved off the road and scrapped the side of my car on some trees,” she recalled as she motioned with her hands for him to pick up Stiles.
“I can’t describe it… but I know the bite took. He was dead at least for a second,” she stopped and held eye contact.
Letting the truth settle in.
Stiles still hadn’t woken but his breathing wasn’t as raspy.
“But, for some reason. Perhaps his magic, maybe because you bit him right at the time of his death, whatever it was… he is with us again,” Lydia's voice was strong and confident.
Peter glanced back at the crime scene.
“Don’t worry about that now. I’ll get it taken care of. Stiles is our top priority and you need to focus just on him,” Lydia turned after she got a nod from Peter.
Still dazed that he almost lost another loved one, he silently followed her out. She opened her back seat and motioned them both in.
“Stay with him. I don’t care about the blood. I’ll be trashing this car and upgrading anyways,” she told him.
The radio was on low as they drove off.
####
Stiles’ went from nothing to on fire with lava.
He groaned but was unable to move.
Thankfully, the feeling was fast. A jolt to bring him from nothingness.
He knew people were talking but it was all jumbled up and far away. He began to feel warm.
He was cold for so long.
It felt like years. Month. Minutes. Seconds. Time was weird.
He felt himself lifted up gently and moved.
Not Adam. I feel safe. Oh… wait isn’t Adam dead…
His wrist felt like he dropped boiling water on it.
He felt the low rumble.
A car?
He groaned in pain. It felt like his body wanted to turn inside out.
He welcomed the dark again.
###
Stiles drifted in and out of consciousness for days.<
Peter stayed by his side and he only allowed John and Lydia near them.
Scott had the audacity to try to show up.
If John hadn’t been so quick to shove him out Peter’s door yelling—- Peter may have another death on his hands.
But watching over Stiles took precedence.
John and Lydia took turns to sit with Stiles as Peter used the restroom and such. He complained when he forced to take a fast shower.
“Do you want to be covered in blood and guts when Stiles wakes up,” John had replied sternly and guided him out of the room.
Peter had quickly blanched and ran off to clean up.
John was ready to put out a hit on McCall-Hale pack when he first found out what had happened.
It seemed Allison was jealous of how much Scott relied on Stiles and talked Scott into pushing him out ‘for his own good’.
They had it planned out for when Derek was away. Scott blindly believed her every word.
Lydia found not everyone was on board but was Alpha’d into obeying Scott and his stupid girlfriend’s jealousy.
Peter could smell and hear his nephew and niece before the knock.
Lydia got the nod from Peter and she opened and a quiet greeting let them in.
Erica, Boyd and Issac aka the OP McCall pack wanted to come over. But they were aware it was best to wait per Lydia.
“Shit,” Derek held his hand to his mouth and his sister shoved him out of the way to get a look herself.
“Thank goodness you got an Alpha Spark just in time to save him,” Cora pitched in.
Derek got teary eyed.
New skin had finally grown over the wounds but it left white scars behind. The theory was he died so the scars stayed behind when he came back too.
Peter counted his blessings. At least Stiles was alive. His bond had started to shift too. Peter knew without a doubt the bite took. Not that he didn’t believe the Banshee but to feel it made it a reality.
He wasn’t sure what type of wolf Stiles would be and if he would still have access to his magic.
Time will tell.
“I am sorry we are a day late, but we decided to deal with Scott and the pack first,” Derek commented wiping away his tears.
“You’d be proud of him uncle Peter. He even raised his voice and punched Scott and…”
Cora launched into the retelling of kicking Scott out.
Scott was no match against Derek. They may have been co-alphas but Derek was the main one and it showed the previous day.
“Erica, Boyd and Issac are officially in the Hale pack. Mason, Hayden and the others decided to leave with Allison and Scott.”
Malia and Kira were currently overseas in a temporary pack that had an alliance with the Hales. Kira was in training and Malia went with her girlfriend. Actually, they are in the same pack Jackson had joined.
“Chris disowned Allison on the spot. He hadn’t known the extent she played in it. He said after Stiles wakes he would like to officially join our pack and apologize. ” Derek replied.
“Our?” Peter cocked his head.
“Yes, we would like you, Stiles, John and Lydia to officially merge with us and become the United Hale pack. I would be proud to stand next to you and lead our packs together.”
Derek didn’t flinch or break eye contact. He smelt— relieved and happy.
Peter stopped and focused on his bonds.
Uh, I do have pack bonds with Lydia and John too…
“I am in agreement,” Lydia spoke up from the recliner chair.
John nodded along.
Peter was impressed and kind of in shock that John and Jordan were the ones to clean up the crime scene.
The official story was close to the truth. Adam, a serial killer, was linked to a dozen other cannibalistic murders, had chosen Stiles as his latest victim.
There were witnesses of them leaving the club together.
A wild animal cougar was lured in by the smell of Stiles and mauled Adam to death.
Stiles was able to fend off the large cat. And he was sent to a speciality rehab to recoup from his injuries.
###
Stiles started to rouse. For the first time, his body felt more light and wasn’t in agony.
The voices became more coherent. They were familiar and he was surprised to hear Cora’s voice too.
Someone— no, he knew it was Peter, had his hand curled around his bicep.
Probably pulling the lingering pains he had.
He hadn’t opened his eyes yet. He took count of his body.
He felt a new presence within him.
Oh, Peter bit me. I wasn’t mistaken. I did see red eyes…
“Hey, he’s finally waking up,” Peter sighed in relief.
Oh, guess it’s time to face reality.
He opened his eyes and were surrounded by his true friends and family.
And the one he loved gripped his hand with tears coming down back face.
“So, you can cry,” Stiles’ voice cracked.
Peter glared at him
“Hey son,” his dad took his other hand. His face was red from crying in relief that Stiles finally woke up. “You gave us all a scare.”
“I can’t believe you were taken out by a human,” Cora quipped.
Derek punched her in the shoulder.
“Welcome back,” Derek gave one of his seldom smiles.
“Yeah, hope you're ready for this next chapter. I can’t wait until you heal up to spar. I bet your wolf will be fierce like Peter’s,” Cora added in
“What are you doing here?” Stiles didn’t mean to sound rude.
Cora winked at him, “Dull. Uncle Peter is finally an Alpha. I’m joining the Hale pack. Not that fake pseudo fake hale ish thing Derek had going on with the douche McCall.”
Stiles struggled to sit up and smiled.
Oh, I have scars…. No battle wounds to remind me of what overcame and lived.
He wasn’t ready to be a wolf but he guessed it was a hella a lot better than being dead.
He died and came back… and he’s ready for this new life.
“Oh, does this make me a zombiewolf too. Wait, I can feel my magic better now. A zombiewolf mage? Wait… as a wolf can I still work with mountain ash…”
The pack gathered around as Stiles joyfully asked a thousand questions.
They were just happy he was alive.