Soulmates | Derek Hale - Chapter 39: Chapter 39

"Stop. You're not done healing." Derek scolded.
Cora continued to pull herself up on one of the ceiling pipes despite Derek's warning, glaring at her brother defiantly.
Derek sighed, walking further into the room, "Cora. Get down."
Derek and Cora had quickly settled back to their sibling bickering once Cora had gotten used to being back home.
"Yeah? Well, I'm done lying around." Cora dropped down from the beam, whirling around to face him.
"Then sit," Derek huffed, sharing an irritated look with his mother who followed in after him.
Talia smirked as she sat on the couch, she'd had many conversations like this with Derek when he was young, and it seemed like Cora was following in her brothers footsteps.
Cora crouched down, starting up a set of press-ups, not bothering to look up at Derek, "Are you gonna help me go after them?"
Derek reached his sister, kicking her foot sending her tumbling down to the hard floor. Cora growled under her breath, pulling herself up.
"Derek," Talia tutted.
Derek easily dodged a punch she sent in his direction, Cora hit his chest in frustration, "Come on, fight back! I came back for this?"
Talia had knew for a long time that all her children had inherited the Hale anger issues, well, possibly minus Kieran, and as they grew older it became much clearer.
"I can't believe I got my ass thrown in a vault for three months for you!" Cora fumed, "All those rumours I heard. A powerful new Alpha, one of the Hales, was building a pack. Do you know how long I waited to hear something like that? Do you have any idea how it felt to find out you were alive?"
Derek frowned under his sisters heated look, "I'm sorry to disappoint you."
The family turned in shock as the building's security alarm sounded, a red light flashing across the room. Whilst upstairs, Laura continued to stay fast asleep over the siren.
"What's that?" Cora questioned, her voice fearful.
Derek went to rush to Maeve's loft, but the door started to open before he could even get there.
"Trouble," Derek growled, flicking out his claws, "Get back."
Next door, Maeve was dashing around trying to serve lunch to Dean, Luna and Isaac, whilst munching on her own random concoction of that days cravings.
Isaac had been sent home after him and Scott riled up the twins and got himself suspended, and after the body found at the school Maeve brought all three kids home just to ease her mind.
Luna shared a mischievous grin with Isaac as they looked to Dean fast asleep in his chair, a plate of uneaten food in front of him.
Picking up a piece of bacon, Luna waved it under his nose, waiting to see how long it took to wake him. A crash below and the alarm blaring out startled the group and woke Dean, the three of them turning to Maeve in concern.
Maeve walked out of the kitchen with a frown, cautiously placing a bowl in front of Luna.
"Mommy?" Luna worried, sipping on some juice, "What was that?"
"Eat your lunch," Maeve instructed, heading towards the door.
"Maeve-" Dean and Isaac jumped up, hurrying after her.
Maeve lifted the door handle, nodding over to Luna, "I'll be fine. Watch Lu until I know who's out here. Lock the door behind me."
"Maeve," Dean went to argue, but her stern glare silenced him.
"Do it," Maeve opened the door, quietly walking out into the hall, ignoring the boys anxious looks as the door locked shut.
Maeve cautiously walked forward as the sounds of fighting echoed around the hallway, gasping as Derek's pained howl followed.
"Everybody done? 'Cause just listening to that was exhausting. Talia, its been a long time," Deucalion's voice rang out as he entered the loft.
Talia glared, "Not long enough."
Deucalion crouched down in front of Derek, hearing the floor creak outside, "So, let's chat. Come in Ms Hale."
Derek's eyes widened as Maeve slowly walked in, Maeve's watered seeing Derek in such pain.
"Sorry about this, Derek. I asked Kali to be gentle, but..." Deucalion trailed off.
"This is me being gentle," Kali hissed, twisting the pole in Derek's chest.
Derek fell forward in pain, stumbling over his words, "Let... let her go."
Ennis tossed Cora aside, Cora fell towards Maeve, the older wolf taking her into her arms, leading them over to stand beside Talia.
"See? We're not unreasonable," Deucalion pointed out, crouching down in front of Derek.
"What do you want? You want to kill me?" Derek wheezed.
"You really think I'm that boring? Don't throw me in with sociopaths like her aunt. I'm a man with far more vision than simple murder. In fact..." Deucalion smirked, "I'm here to show you just how much vision a blind man can have."
Cora tried to pull out of Maeves arms as Kali twisted the pole in Derek's stomach, "You're killing him!"
"Not yet, little sister. But I could," Kali teased, staring Maeve dead in the eyes as she tugged on the pole.
Maeve growled, her anger spiking, "Let him go!"
Talia held Maeve back, shaking her head warningly. Maeve settled down, her eyes continuing to glow.
"Who knows if it's five minutes or five hours before it's too late to take this thing out? But just to be on the safe side, Duke, you might want to get to the point before Derek looses it," Kali smirked as Derek's blood started to pool on the floor.
"Now you see the one problem with being in an Alpha pack. Everybody wants to make the decisions. Me? I'm more about discovering new talents... Like you," Deucalion started.
"Not interested," Derek winced.
"Ah. But you haven't even heard my pitch," Deucalion reminded, moving to sit on the couch.
"You want me to... Kill my own pack," Derek realised, taking deep breaths.
Deucalion chuckled, "No. I want you to kill one of them. Do that, and I won't have to ask you to kill the others. You'll do it on your own. I did it. Ennis did. Kali did. Tell him what it's like, Kali, to kill one of your own."
"Mm..." Kali hummed, "Liberating."
"Listen to me, Derek. Do you really want to stay beholden to a couple of maladjusted teenagers bound to become a liability? And believe me, they will become a liability," Deucalion's attention landed on Maeve, "You want to protect your family, don't you? All your pack is doing is holding you back."
"See, the reason I'm always invested in new talent is simple. We all know a pack is strongest due to its individual parts. The stronger the individual parts, the greater the whole," Deucalion continued, "When I lost my sight, one of my betas assumed I wasn't fit for my role anymore. He tried to take it from me. Killing him taught me something about alphas I didn't know they could do."
"His power was added to mine. I became stronger, faster, more powerful than I'd ever been. I tested this new ability to subsume the power of your own by killing another one. In fact, Derek, I killed them all. I took the individual parts and became a greater individual whole."
Maeve wondered how long it would be until the alpha had finished his rant.
Deucalion lifted Derek's chin, tracing his face, "You're right, Kali. He looks like his mother. You must be so proud, Talia. You'll get to know me, Derek. Like she did."
"No, he won't," Talia growled, stepping in front of the girls, "You won't be having any involvement with my family, ever."
"You're not an alpha anymore, Talia," Deucalion pointed out with a small laugh, "What power could you possibly have over me?"
"I know you," Talia reminded, "And all your weaknesses, Duke."
"I know you," Derek interrupted with a grunt, "I know what you are. You're a fanatic."
"Know me? You've never seen anything like me. I am the Alpha of alphas," Deucalion the loft darkened as his voice bellowed out, "I am the apex of apex predators! I am death, destroyer of worlds! I am the demon-wolf!"
Maeve winced at the volume of his voice, Cora hid behind one of the beams whilst Talia stood tall, glaring at Deucalion.
"Hate it when that happens," Deucalion mused, motioning for his alphas to follow, "Consider my offer, Derek. It is in your best interest."
Kali yanked the pole from Derek's stomach, tossing it aside letting Derek fall against the floor.
Maeve hurried across the room as the door slammed shut, pulling Derek into her arms, kissing the top of his head as she sat beside him, waiting for him to heal.
Derek relaxed in Maeve's hold, the pain leaving him breathless, "It's okay, you're alright-"
Maeve looked up at the Hale women, sharing a nervous glance with them. Things just got a whole lot worse.
—
Maeve was well aware of how stubborn the Hales were, but Derek would not give up on going out against the alpha pack no matter how much she tried to convince him overwise.
"I'm sorry, I don't want you running into a lions den!" Maeve shouted into a thankfully empty loft, "You can't be this reckless, we can't afford to be this reckless. What happens if god forbid I go into labour and you're being torn apart by the freaking alpha pack!"
Derek groaned in frustration, "I don't have a choice!"
"Yes you do!" Maeve argued, nervously pacing in front of the desk, "You do have a choice!"
"Then what do you suggest I do, Maeve?" Derek asked, gently catching onto her arm before she did another lap around the loft, "Wait for them to take another person I care about? What happens If they take you? Or Luna?"
Maeve frowned tearfully, "Don't fall for their trap, Derek! You almost bled out the last time you went against them, we aren't ready to do it again!"
"There isn't time to wait!" Derek shouted back, turning to leave, "I'm leaving. I have to do this, Maeve."
"Derek," Maeve called after him, "Derek, don't leave!"
"You trust me, don't you?" Derek paused by the door.
Maeve nodded slowly, "Of course I do."
"Then you know I'll be fine," Derek stated, walking out of the loft as Maeve's tears started to fall.
—
"An animal clinic?" Cora asked as she followed Peter towards the clinic.
"It's not as ordinary as it looks. The building's half made out of Mountain ash. I'm not actually sure how to get in," Peter told her, listening into inside the clinic.
"Well, maybe we could do what normal people do and knock on the door," Cora stated obviously.
"They're here," Peter realised as Laura pulled up outside the clinic, climbing out of Archie's car.
Laura had pointed out the obvious that morning, when trying to sneak into an animal clinic, it was probably a good idea to take someone who had a key.
"Who?" Cora frowned.
"All of them." Peter answered.
"How's our patient?"
"Out cold."
"And the prognosis?"
"Surprisingly optimistic. He's gonna make it."
"Hm. I think you might've overestimated his odds."
"But how do we know who's in there? Is it Derek or Ennis or both?" Peter and Cora ducked down as the door opened.
Archie made his way around the front, Laura hurrying to hide with Cora and Peter. They knew Maeve would've joined them if she wasn't too distraught to leave her room, she and Luna had locked themselves up there that morning, Talia had been the only one to get past the door to check on them, Jamie not long after once he threatened to climb through the window.
They jumped as Kai fell to her knees howling and sobbing into Aidens arms.
"Well, we know one thing... that wasn't for Derek," Peter whispered holding his nieces hands as they ran around to the front of the building.
Archie walked out of the clinic, whispering, "Ennis is definitely dead, I saw his body. Derek wasn't in there."
The Hales shared a nervous look. It was too soon to be hopeful, but the thought of Derek possibly being alive gave them some comfort.
—
Isaac hurried down the hallway with Cora in his arms, the Hale was trying to hold in her sobs. Hearing the commotion in the hallway, Maeve sharply turned to the door.
Lorraine heard Cora's sobs, quickly ushering a confused Luna upstairs, "Come on, Sweatheart."
Luna held onto Lorraine's hand as they went upstairs, "What's going on?"
Maeve stared at the stairs leading towards the door in annoyance, Talia flashed her an understanding smile, climbing up to open the door instead.
Talia gasped seeing Cora, her daughter running straight into her arms, "What happened?"
"Is someone hurt? Is Stiles okay?" Maeve asked in alarm.
"He's fine," Isaac replied nervously, "Maeve-"
"Cora," Maeve frowned, approaching the teen, but Cora avoided her gaze, "Cora look at me!"
Cora's cries only got worse, hiding her face in Talia's shoulder.
Maeve blinked in surprise, turning to Peter and Laura who'd arrived just then, "why wont she look at me? What happened?"
Maeve grew anxious at everyone's broken expressions, rubbing her bump as she exclaimed, "Why wont anyone tell me whats going on! Wheres Derek?"
The mention of Derek caused everyone to freeze, Coras sobs starting up again. Maeve's heartbeat increased, turning to the only person in the room who would tell her the truth straight away.
Peter walked forward, holding onto her arm for support, "He's dead, Maeve."
"What? No-" Maeve shook her head in denial, "He's not dead."
Talia blinked back her own tears, placing a hand on Maeve's shoulder, knowing the pain Maeve was going through.
But Maeve wasn't going through that pain, the loss of a mate. Derek couldn't be gone. He didn't feel gone.
"There was a fight- he fell," Laura spoke through tears, "It was too high, too fast."
"He'll be fine, its Derek," Tears burned in Maeve's eyes, "He's always okay."
"Maeve, we're sorry-" Peter comforted, reaching to hold her hand.
Maeve shrugged off Peters hand, whirling around, "He's not dead! He can't be dead!"
Maeve grew weak under the sympathetic looks, her voice wobbling, "D-dereks dead?"
Peter nodded, closing his eyes as Maeve broke down, unable to see her like that. Maeve fell into his arms, sobbing against his chest, Peter held her tight knowing she'd fall without him.
Stiles breathed heavily as he sprinted through the door, he relaxed seeing Maeve being comforted by her family. Across the room he spotted a shadow by the stairs.
"Luna," Stiles whispered sadly.
Maeve didn't hear him, too consumed by her own grief. Stiles made his way across the loft, rushing up the stairs where Luna sat at the top, tears streaming down her face.
Stiles looked to Lorraine, who seemed in shock over the news herself. Derek was always someone who seemed invincible, the thought of him being gone was impossible to comprehend.
Stiles lifted Luna into his arms, "It's alright, Lu, I've got you."
Luna didn't respond, crying into his chest. She'd overheard the whole conversation downstairs, her werewolf hearing was getting better with each passing day. Like her mother, she refused to believe Derek was gone.
—
Maeve stared blankly up at her bedroom ceiling, Luna was finally fast asleep next to her on her fathers pillow. Jamie had stayed and read her stories until she'd fallen asleep, the comfort of her godfather was helpful with the lack of Derek's presence.
Maeve didn't get that comfort, as much as she loved Jamie. No one could help mend the Derek sized hole in her heart.
Maeve glanced down at her stomach, a harsh kick going against it. She smiled despite the urge to cry. The thought of Derek not being around to see their family grow broke her heart all over again.
Her phone buzzed on the dresser, Stiles' name flashing up. Her brother had been checking on her every hour on the dot, but he'd stopped calling or texting hours ago.
"Stiles?" Maeve quietly answered, frowning hearing him cry, "Stiles, are you alright? What's happened?"
"Somethings wrong with this place, Maeve," Stiles sniffled quietly, "the wolves all tried killing themselves, or hurting themselves at the least."
Maeve sat up in confusion, "What? Are they alright?"
The phone went quiet for a moment and Maeve knew Stiles was nodding despite her not being able to see.
"They're alright, but god, it was horrible Maeve," Stiles stammered, "I can't explain it, everything just suddenly turned and they were trying to hurt themselves. We've locked ourselves in the bus, I think we're safe in here."
"I'm coming to get you," Maeve slowly moved off the bed, tugging on a cardigan over her dress, "I'll be there soon, or I'll send someone else to get you."
"No-"
"Stiles," Maeve warned, slipping on a pair of shoes, "I'm not having you sleep in a place like that. No way."
"You should stay with Luna."
"She's asleep, I'll be back before she wakes," Maeve argued, "My mom and Nan are here just in case."
"You don't have to, really-"
"Stiles, stop w-" Maeve began, pausing as a familiar scent hit.
"Maeve? What's wrong?"
Maeve stopped by the door, her body frozen in shock as Derek's scent reached her, hanging up on Stiles. Elizabeth watched Maeve stop, knowingly standing to get her car keys. Unlike some other family members, Elizabeth believed Maeve when Maeve refused to believe Derek was dead.
"Should I get Stiles?" Elizabeth questioned.
Maeve nodded mutely, walking across the hallway before she even realised she was moving.
Dereks scent grew stronger as she opened the door to the loft, her heart clenching in relief as Derek's voice reached her ears.
Turning the corner Maeve just about burst into tears seeing Derek sat on the end of his bed shirtless and bloody, but seeing Jennifer beside him caused her to step back, blinking in confusion.
Derek sat back weakly as Jennifer helped him down, "I've got it from here."
"I really should help you," Jennifer suggested, hesitant to leave, "I need to make sure you're alright."
Derek scowled in confusion, "Why?"
Maeve almost fell back in shock as Jennifer lunged forward, kissing Derek. Maeve was already in a state of shock, she had no idea how to process the sight she was seeing.
But seeing the completely disgusted look on Derek's face brought her comfort she didn't know she needed.
Derek looked up as the door creaked, feeling at ease as soon as he saw Maeve, but quickly panicked knowing the sight she'd just walked into.
Maeve looked at Jennifer dismissively, "You should leave."
Screw Jennifer, Derek was alive.
"Oh, uh, get better soon, Derek," Jennifer's eyes widened in shock, awkwardly hurrying past Maeve out of the loft.
Silence filled the loft as the door slammed shut, Derek's chest slowly healing.
"I didn't-" Derek went to defend himself, trying to stand but Maeve motioned for him to stay put.
"I know," Maeve sighed.
She trusted her husband enough to know that meant nothing, if anything it told Maeve that woman was probably a complete lunatic. Derek, who loved Maeve with his whole entire soul, would never cheat on her, everyone knew that, Maeve included.
Didn't stop desperate women flinging themselves at her husband, though...
The shock fading brought back the upset from the past twenty four hours, there was a chance that Derek died. Even if Maeve refused to believe it, she didn't know how she would've handled it if it were true.
Maeve smiled through her tears, "You're alive."
Derek nodded tiredly, Maeve let out a breath before sobbing, rushing across the loft into his arms. Derek didn't care about the pain, all he wanted was to have Maeve back in his arms again.
Maeve held him tenderly, breathing heavily in relief, "I thought we'd lost you."
"I told you I wasn't leaving, didn't I?" Derek reminded hoarsely, his chest burning as he chuckled.
Maeve reluctantly pulled away from the hug, Derek's hands still resting on her waist as she gently held his face in her hands.
"Never do that again," Maeve sighed, gulping as she saw his wounds, "No wonder they thought you were dead, look at you! You idiot!"
Derek winced as she touched the skin beside the cut, but relaxed as it started to heal.
"How bad?" Derek asked, Maeve looked back at him in disbelief.
"You fell off a building, how bad do you think?" Maeve growled, reaching into the desk draws for some bandages, "This will take hours to heal, if you don't bleed out first. I told you not to go! I said you'd get hurt! Who was right? Me!"
Derek chuckled fondly, coughing as she roughly placed a bandage on the cut, "You're mad."
"I thought you were dead for the past twenty four hours!" Maeve exclaimed, "Of course I'm mad! Then when I do find out you're alive you're with some random teacher that's obsessed with you."
"She's not obsessed with me," Derek argued, "She just found me."
Maeve squinted suspiciously, "That's all?"
"That's all," Derek repeated, brows rising in amusement, "You're jealous."
"Rightfully so," Maeve scoffed bitterly, "I don't like seeing other women kissing my husband."
Looking down at Dereks amused stare, Maeve decided to throw some salt into the wound, "I slept with milo last year."
Derek's eyes widened, his chest burned as he coughed in shock, "You- you what? You hate the guy!"
Maeve smiled smugly, "Now we're both jealous. Oh don't look at me like that, I'm with you, aren't I?"
"Like you'd marry Milo," Derek grumbled in disgust, "What were you thinking? You must've hit you head."
Surely Maeve wouldn't be that stupid, Derek wondered. Then he remembered he did send her through an emotional whirlwind.
"Hmm. Probably about how much I hated you at the time," Maeve joked, laughing as Dereks grip tightened around her.
"Oh please, you never stopped loving me," Derek groaned, "How could you not? I love you, I'm the father of your children, I'm very attractive-"
"Wow, and here i thought we left that ego back at high school. Yes Derek, because you look so attractive right now," Maeve scoffed, tossing his bloody t-shirt aside, "Black blood and death reeks sex appeal. I'm just waiting for you to whisk me off to bed."
Derek watched her in amusement as she slammed the first aid kit down on the desk, turning back to him, her eyes widening in realisation at the look on his face.
"Really? Now?" Maeve questioned with a laugh, "You look like you're about to keel over."
Derek gently tugged her towards him, "I'm healing!"
"Yes, healing the giant gash in your chest," Maeve reminded, rolling her eyes as Derek kissed her neck, "This does not encourage healing, Derek Hale! I have told you this many times. Don't think this is going to happen everytime you loose a fight."
"But aren't you glad I'm alive?" Derek smiled tauntingly.
"I was until i remembered how insufferable you were," Maeve tutted, rolling her eyes as he kissed her again, "Until I saw my supposedly dead husband with another woman."
"You love me," Derek pointed out in a mumble against her cheek, "I don't care for that teacher. You know that."
"I do," Maeve mused, kissing him swiftly, "But I won't if you go falling off anymore buildings!"
"Noted," Derek joked, tugging her towards his room, "I'm kissing you before you remember how angry you are at me."
"Derek!" Maeve groaned, but let Derek lead her away regardless, "You're such a bad influence."
Dereks laugh echoed around the loft, "Now you're realising that? And I thought you were the smart one."
"Derek!"
—
Elizabeth frowned as she looked up at the motel, it looked sketchy, no wonder strange things happened here. Spotting the school bus she knocked on the door, looking through the window to see the pack sprawled across the seats.
Stiles jumped up at the sound of the knock, his anxiety fading knowing someone would be there to take them home.
Stiles hurried down the bus, opening the door, blinking in surprise at the sight of his fathers ex wife, "Liz?"
Elizabeth smiled softly at the tired teen, "Come on, let's get you home."
Allison woke up at her aunts voice, asking quietly as she and Lydia stood, "Is my dad coming?"
"He left just after I did," Elizabeth answered, the pack following her across the parking lot.
Stiles stood staring blankly at the motel as Scott, Isaac and Boyd climbed into Elizabeth's car.
"Stiles? Are you alright?" Elizabeth questioned in concern, "Stiles?"
It was hard not to care for Stiles like one of her own, he and Maeve were like two peas in a pod and her daughter wouldn't let Stiles get anything but all the love and care that he needed. It was also how much he was like his father, there similarities differed as Noah grew older, but Elizabeth could look at Stiles and see the person she used to know and love.
Elizabeth touched his shoulder, turning him away from the motel, "Stiles, it's alright. You're safe now."
Letting out a sigh, Elizabeth pulled him into a hug. Stiles froze, but relaxed into the hug.
He'd only ever known Elizabeth as Maeve's mother or his history teacher that he argued with like a friend, but now knowing she used to be married to his dad bought an unusual comfort to him.
His only mother figure since Claudia passed was Melissa, but having Elizabeth around was sort of like sharing a mom with Maeve, and Stiles felt in the times where he was at his lowest that he had a somewhat dysfunctional normal family.
—
Chris followed Maeve down to the cells of the FBI building. Maeve didn't come here often now her maternity was almost underway, but her grandfather sat in the cells was a reason to.
Maeve yawned as she clicked on the light, flicking through her remaining paperwork as she nodded for Chris to walk in, not in the mood to deal with Gerard herself.
Tossing another sighting of Scott and Stiles doing something illegal into the trash can, Maeve rolled her eyes. They'd be doomed without her and Noah saving their asses.
Her eyes widened at the name at the top of the next sheet, Seth Hale, written in bold letters. Scanning the document all she could gather was that his cell mates were getting suspicious of him, and that most likely a transfer would be taking place.
Could've been worse, Maeve mused silently.
"Twice in a month, Diana," Gerard spun around in his wheelchair, spotting Chris, "Christopher. Should I be flattered?"
Chris hesitantly walked towards the cell whilst Maeve remained by the door.
"In 1977, my uncle Alexander Argent checked into the glen Capri motel for a one night stay. In room 217, he used a shotgun to blow out the back of his skull. The autopsy report noted an unusual animal bite in his side," Chris told his father.
"If you already have the information, what do you want from me?" Gerard questioned, wiping at his nose with a black blood filled tissue.
"I want to know the alpha that bit him. The alpha that bit my mother. I want his name," Chris demanded, Maeve set down her paperwork, approaching the cell curiously.
Gerard smiled grimly, "Deucalion."