Soulmates | Derek Hale - Chapter 46: Chapter 46

"Malia, um, why don't you go get some breakfast?" Maeve suggested.
Malia glanced around the room, sensing the awkwardness as she hurried out the room and into the kitchen.
Isaac looked up in surprise as Malia stumbled into the kitchen, "Oh, hi."
He'd heard lots of Malia, especially from Scott and Stiles who were texting him questions every five minutes, but had actually yet to meet her. Malia stared at him uncertainly, slowly sitting down opposite him at the table, Dean was beside her but he was asleep in his chair which was no surprise.
Isaac sensed her nerves, "I'm Isaac. You're Malia, right?"
Malia nodded, hesitantly taking a box of cereal from the middle of the table. Isaac smiled softly as he handed her a bowl, sighing in relief as she slowly took it and didn't think of it as some attack.
Luna broke the awkwardness as she rushed into the room from the patio, the beast she called a cat in her arms,"Have you seen Cinderella? I've lost him."
"I thought Cinderella was a girl," Malia looked at the small girl, completely puzzled.
Isaac chuckled, "it's easier not to ask."
Malia nodded in thanks, watching in amusement as Luna froze in fright, Derek's voice ringing out from upstairs.
"Luna get your cat before I throw it right back at Stiles' head!"
Back in the living room, Talia send Maeve a warning glance as Peter only grew more angry. He knew something was being kept from him, Maeve was good at lying but this was just a step too far, Peter could read straight past her guilty face.
Maeve awkwardly smiled, "Okay before you start shouting please remember I have two babies upstairs who I've just got to sleep after a long night. So please, for my sanity - don't shout."
"Why did that girl smell like me? Like family?" Peter questioned slowly, "Who is she?"
"Peter, just calm down for a minute," Talia interrupted, Peter waved her off.
"I'll calm down when someone tell me what the hell is going on!" He exclaimed, but kept slightly quiet before Maeve freaked out, "You two know something - something you've known for a long time, I take it!"
"Malia's your daughter," Maeve rambled before Talia could stop her, "You only just found out and Talia removed your memory!"
Maeve took a deep breath, stumbling back against the bookshelves lining the back wall, "God, I've wanted to say that for a long time."
Peter was frozen in shock, he didn't understand - how could he have a daughter out there and not know? How could Maeve keep that from him? Why did Talia choose to keep it from him? He wasn't angry, he wasn't hurt, he just felt confused. Before Maeve could tell him more or before Talia could justify her decisions, he turned and walked out, his heart and his mind burning as he tried to come to a conclusion - any conclusion, at all.
"Well that went well," Maeve sighed, glancing at Talia warily, "He hates us."
"He doesn't hate us," Talia argued, "He's just shocked. He will get over it."
Maeve frowned, "He shouldn't have to. He should hate us."
—
"So when did you get there?"
Maeve shared an amused look with her father as she entered his office, nodding in acknowledgement at the teens being questioned by Scotts father. Malia had been left with Laura whilst she was gone and Maeve knew she would be in capable hands - well, it was either her or leave Malia with Dean and Kieran which was definitely not a good idea.
"At the same time," Stiles answered.
Rafael McCall sighed impatiently, "At the same time as who?"
Rafael had been an irritating addition of the station, whilst the FBI had Maeve working at the station on behalf of the supernatural division- the human side had decided to send in Rafael McCall, much to Noah and Maeve's frustration.
"At the same time as me," Scott added.
"By coincidence?" Rafael asked.
Scott frowned in confusion was Stiles sat up straight, "What do you mean coincidence?"
"That's what I'm asking you. The two of you arrived at the same time. Was that coincidence?" Questioned agent McCall.
"Are you asking me?" Scott wondered.
Stiles shrugged, "I think he's asking me."
"I think he's asking the both of you," Lydia stated pointedly.
"Okay, let me answer the questions. Let me ask the questions," Maeve rolled her eyes as Stiles winked up at Agent McCall.
"Just so I have this absolutely clear. Barrow was hiding in the chemistry closet at the school. Someone left him a coded message on the blackboard telling him to kill Kira. Then Barrow took Kira to a power substation and tied her up with the intent of electrocuting her, which blacked out the entire town," Rafael summarised.
Stiles faltered under Maeves heated stare, immediately regretting not informing his sister of what had happened. In his defence, he had no idea she was off maternity leave.
"Sounds about right," Stiles agreed.
"How did you know he'd take her to a power station?" Rafael asked, his patience wearing down.
"Well, 'cause he was an electrical engineer. So where else would he take her?" Stiles reminded obviously.
Agent McCall nodded in surprise, "That's one hell of a deduction there, Stiles."
"Yeah, what can I say? I take after my pops and my sister. They're in law enforcement," Stiles smirked proudly.
Noah let out a snort, muffling it with a cough whilst Maeve simply grinned at her colleague, swirling her FBI badge around her finger.
"Stiles, just, uh...Just answer the man," Noah chuckled.
"We made a good guess," Stiles answered.
Rafael turned to Scott and Kira, "What were the two of you doing?"
"Eating pizza."
"Eating sushi."
Scott and Kira looked to each other sheepishly.
"Eating sushi."
"Eating pizza."
"Eating sushi and pizza," they concluded nervously.
Rafael turned to Noah and Maeve in disbelief, "You believe this?"
"To be honest, I haven't believed a word Stiles has said since he learned how to speak. But I think these kids found themselves in the right place at the right time and that girl sitting there is very lucky for it," Noah answered.
"Hale?" Rafael asked Maeve, glaring discreetly.
Maeve shrugged, smiling tauntingly, "Like dad said, just luck."
Maeve was glad to be home after a long shift of wanting to tear out Rafeals throat, but Derek had decided to make her life much more difficult.
Halloween was a very serious event in the Hale house and every year Derek was the one to rebel against it, without a fault.
"There isn't a werewolf in Alice in wonderland, Derek," Maeve scolded as she finished tying the bow around Luna's head.
Maeve could see the scowl through his transformed face, "There is now."
The family had dressed up for halloween as Alice in wonderland characters, aside from Derek, of course.
Luna, in her blue Alice dress, ran over and linked arms with Sammy, dressed as the mad hatter, "You're supposed to be the caterpillar, daddy!"
"I would do anything for you Lu, but that is not one of them," Derek reminded.
Luna glared at him, making her opinion on the matter very clear.
Laura, the Cheshire Cat and Kieran, the white rabbit, appeared with the twins in their arms, dressed as tweedle dum and tweedle Dee.
"You're such a spoilsport, Derek," Laura said bitterly, spotting her brothers costume.
Maeve picked up her red cloak from the sofa, the red queen was Luna's choice and Maeve found herself with red hair and a face full of makeup that she wouldn't be caught dead in on the normal day.
With Derek being declared as the family disappointment they made their way through town to Jamie's Halloween party, trick or treating along the way.
Maeve squeezed dereks hand painfully as he growled at a group of young children, the children screamed in terror and scattered away.
"You shouldn't do that," Maeve scolded, "If someone did that to our kids you'd flip out."
"It's a good job no one has scared our kids then, isn't it?" Derek added smartly.
Maeve rolled her eyes, watching Luna and Sammy gleefully take candy from one of the houses, holding hands as they ran down the path back to them.
Derek stepped between the kids, separating them with a scowl on his face.
Maeve slapped his shoulder, "Really, Derek. She's eight."
"And he's ten. I won't have my daughter holding the hand of an older boy," Derek argued.
"Oh give over," Maeve laughed, "Is this how it's going to be now? He's her best friend."
"Yep."
"Brilliant."
—
Maeve's mouth fell open in surprise, bursting out into laughter unlike Derek who growled under his breath. Luna and Sammy looked down at the loft in awe.
"Can we go?" They chimed excitedly, begging to go inside the party.
"No," Derek grumbled, storming down into the party.
They may not live there anymore, but Derek did not want his house turning into the go to party spot. Maeve thought it was hilarious.
"Why can dad go and we can't?" Luna complained, turning to her mother with a scowl.
"We let you stay up until three in the morning, I'd say that's exciting enough," Maeve reminded, walking up the steps and unlocking the front doors, "Bed time!"
Jamie's annual Halloween party went off with its usual chaos, and Luna and Sammy had somehow convinced their parents to allow them to attend as well. The two kids were still full of energy whilst the adults were turning in for the evening.
The kids grumbled as they stomped up to Luna's room, Archie and Maeve carrying the twins inside after them.
Cora's eyes practically fell from her head as she spotted Derek walking through the crowd, pulling Malia along as they rushed over "Dean!"
Maeve had trusted Cora and Dean with Malia duty, wanting Malia to have a normal Halloween like her cousins, but this was not what Maeve had in mind.
"Oh crap," Dean groaned, spotting his brother too.
"Is this bad?" Malia questioned innocently.
By the time Maeve made it back inside she found Derek stood threatening the DJ, which was no surprise. She strolled over to the Hale teens, raising her brows as Cora and Dean looked down sheepishly. Malia just grinned at her.
"Bro, sorry, The Bloody Beetroot doesn't take requests. Bro, seriously. I said the DJ doesn't take..." the bodyguard warned, pushing Derek back.
Maeve winced knowingly, "Oh no."
Derek grabbed onto the bodyguards neck, lifting him off the ground, smiling smugly, "He'll take mine."
The room fell silent as Derek turned and flipped the DJ table, his shout echoing across the loft, "Get out!"
Cora grinned in amusement as the teens hurried out of the loft, angry Derek was very amusing at times.
Dean laughed as he took note of Maeve's outfit, "You look mental."
"I am dressed far more appropriately for Halloween than you are, thank you!" Maeve tutted, smoothing down her sprayed red hair.
The loft grew eerily cold as the partygoers scrambled out. As the room cleared out the pack noticed figures appearing in the shadows. Derek and Maeve shared a look of alarm as the oni etched closer.
Cora and Dean hurried out of the loft with Malia, refusing her first party to end in a battle.
Aiden backed away nervously, "Guys, they're all looking at me. Why are they all looking at me? Guys?"
Derek, Scott and Maeve ran towards the oni, each fighting one. Derek stumbled as he got knocked back, he reached to snap the oni's neck, his eyes widened as it snapped back together, throwing Derek across the room.
Maeve fell as Derek collided with the wall, her claws that she went to swipe at the oni with had been turned and swiped at herself instead. She stared up at the oni in disbelief and she pulled herself up.
Maeve stumbled as Scott crashed against her, sending them both to the floor. The oni stood undefeated, Maeve felt a strong stare in her direction.
Isaac flicked out his claws, the only one left standing. The oni slowly turned, Isaacs eyes widened as the Oni reached into its chest, pulling out a sword engulfed in smoke.
"Isaac," Maeve called over warningly, Isaac nodded, stepping away from the oni.
"Somebody do something!" Allison panicked as the Oni grabbed onto Aiden.
Aiden quickly fell to the ground unconscious as they let him go. Scott growled protectively as they went to approach Kira, but quickly vanished into thin air as sunlight shined into the loft.
"What the hell were those things?" Scott gasped tiredly.
Isaac shared a defeated look with Allison, "Your dad's 24 hours are up."
—
Maeve was ready to scream out of stress. Chris had given the full rundown on what the hell was going on and Maeve was in disbelief that yet again Beacon Hills was under threat.
Slowly sipping her coffee Maeve headed to her office from where she was avoiding doing work with Archie, picking up on her coworkers voice.
"Yeah, I'm walking in now. And trying to avoid the hostile stares of everyone in here," Rafael told his co-worker on the phone as he entered the station.
He swiped his keycard against his and Maeve's office door, walking in, "No, no. Probably another week or two and we'll be ready for a formal review. There's enough here to put Stilinski so far out of government work, he won't be able to get a job riding the back of a garbage truck."
Maeve didn't think she could hate him anymore in that moment. Maeve walked into the office with a furious glare on her face, having heard the whole conversation.
It was no secret Maeve and Rafael didn't get on, but sharing an office only seemed to intensify their disagreements.
"Yeah, exactly. Let me call you right back," Rafael quickly hung up as Maeve walked in, slamming the door behind her.
"You're trying to fire my dad?" Maeve fumed.
"Hale-" Rafael sighed, "This place needs a sheriff who can do his job."
"Like Scott needs a father who actually is there?" Maeve fired, "What makes you think it's down to you, anyways? This station was running just fine before you barged your way in."
"We know that's because you've been here, don't we, Hale," Rafael argued, "I know you're biased because he's your father but-"
"If you think any of the higher ups will agree with you, you're wrong," Maeve pointed out, "We've been working with them for months, you have no idea how this place runs."
Rafael blinked in surprise, Maeve rolled her eyes, storming out the door before she inflicted pain on him, "Nice try, McCall. Better luck next time."
Derek was bribing Freddie and Florence with a spoonful of mashed broccoli when Maeve arrived home, grinning at the sight of her husband.
"Don't you look like a little housewife," Maeve teased, kissing his cheek as she sat down beside him, "I think you need an apron."
Derek pointedly ignored his wife, tossing the spoon on the table in defeat as the twins stared back at him in a silent protest.
Maeve picked up the spoon, laughing as Freddie quickly reached out to take it from her.
"That's not fair," Derek complained like a child, "They've refused that for the past hour, you turn up and now it's all they want!"
"They're messing with you," Maeve grinned, "You think Freddie Stiles and Flora Lorraine would be easy kids?"
Derek grumbled under his breath, "We're not having anymore children."
"You think I want to birth more children?" Maeve scoffed, "No chance. We're gonna have our hands full with these three, believe me."
Florence suddenly scowled much like her father, chucking her bowl off the table in distress. Her parents turned to her in confusion only to be interrupted.
Maeve's point was proven as Luna's scream burst through the kitchen doors, Maeve and Derek shared a look of terror. Derek sprinted out the doors without a second glance, Maeve carefully picked up both babies and rushed outside after him.
Luna stood on the swing attached to the playset in their garden, looking down at Samuel sat on the floor in disbelief. To be more precise, his glowing golden eyes.
Maeve and Derek looked to each other in disbelief. At their worried glances, Sam appeared more panicked.
Derek breathed heavily, slowly crouching down in front of the boy, "Sam, I need you to breathe, alright?"
Sammy shakily nodded, glancing around with wide eyes. Maeve nodded for Luna to come stand beside her, Luna looked reluctant, but eventually gave in at Maeve's warning glare.
"Luna, what happened?" Derek questioned, listening to Sammys heartbeat easing slightly.
"I don't know!" Luna stressed, "We were on the swings and I was going too high and he told me I would fall but I didn't listen and I did fall! I turned around and his eyes were glowing!"
Maeve eyed the dried blood on her daughters knees, no cut or bruise in sight, "What else?"
"I- I think," Sam mumbled through anxious breaths, "I think I took her pain."
Luna was still young, and at two years older Sam would have more chance of developing the usual werewolf traits. But to be able to take pain was quite advanced for a young werewolf, especially one that had only just turned.
The revelation seemed to make Sam panic more, crying out as claws emerged through his nails.
Derek jumped forward, grabbing Sams arms to stop him from moving, "Hey, easy! It's alright, just say calm, nothing bads going to happen. Just keep breathing."
Sam nodded, taking a deep breath, coughing has he inhaled too much air.
"Go call Archie," Derek said pointedly.
Maeve took the hint, ushering Luna back inside to leave them alone. Maeve settled the twins in their play corner of the living room, texting Archie after he didn't pick up and leaving a message with Deaton's receptionist.
Luna sat down on the sofa, nervously tapping her feet on the coffee table as Maeve sat down beside her.
"Mom?" Luna frowned, glancing up at Maeve, "Will Sammy be okay?"
"Of course he will," Maeve smiled comfortingly, "He's just like us. It's scary turning for the first time. Your dad will look after him."
Luna nodded thoughtfully, pouting slightly, "Why didn't he tell me he was like us?"
"Well, sweetheart, I don't think he knew himself," Maeve pointed out.
"But how can you not know?" Luna questioned, "I thought we all know - isn't it born or bitten? Grandma Talia says that.."
"That's not always the case, there can be many unexpected or unexplainable reasons for being a werewolf," Maeve sighed, turning to face Luna, "I've never told you how I found out I was a werewolf."
Luna blinked at her mum in surprise, "You didn't know too?"
"Well, my family is a family of hunters - like the ones we warn you about," Maeve started, "One night, on the full moon, I was home alone whilst they were out on a hunt. But when the moon went up, I started to turn for the first time."
Luna looked puzzled, "How old were you?"
"Seventeen," Maeve replied, "I didn't really know what was happening, I had been human my whole life. So I ran out the house and into the woods because-"
"The woods feel safe," Luna recited.
"Exactly. When I got to the woods I stumbled into your dad, he looked as I did, and in that moment I knew I was a werewolf and I was terrified."
"What happened next?" Luna asked giddily, "What did dad do?"
"I was so shocked that I passed out," Maeve informed her, Luna gasped in surprise, "I know, how silly of me! Your dad didn't want me alone out in the woods and took me home to wait out the full moon, it wasn't until the morning that I really understood that I had turned into an actual werewolf."
Luna nodded slowly, "But how come you turned if you didn't get bit?"
"There's a lot of things we don't know, but there is one theory. Do you know what a mate is?" Maeve questioned.
Luna shook her head.
"Well, a mate is sort of like a soulmate, a person your destined to be with, your one true love," Maeve explained, "Hundreds of years ago, it's said that all werewolves had mates. They all had one person out there that they would love unconditionally, think of it a bit like a piece of string - you can tug at it and it will stay one, but if you pull it too much then it will break. When your dad and I broke up, our bond didn't break completely, but when grandma Talia and Seth did, theirs broke."
"Did it hurt?" Luna worried, "Can they fix it?"
"No, sweetheart, but they're okay now," Maeve soothed, "Some werewolves never find their mates, but it doesn't mean they will never love. You can find love even if they aren't your mate, you don't have to love anybody you don't want to."
Luna looked up with wide eyes, "How could you not find your mate?"
"Well, it could be something as simple as living too far away from each other and never meeting," Maeve suggested, "Your father and I were on opposite sides of hate, we would've never met if it weren't for what happened that night."
"Will-" Luna started hesitantly, "Will I have a mate?"
"Maybe," Maeve hummed, "Your grandma Talia did, I did, it would make sense if you do. But your aunties or uncles haven't found theirs yet, but it doesn't mean they won't."
Luna nodded uncertainly, "Okay..."
—
Outside Derek had managed to help Sams eyes to stop glowing, now that the boy could see normally he was terrified of his claws.
"Derek," Sammy stressed, trying to scratch at his claws, "It hurts."
"You've never turned before, so it will hurt," Derek took the boys arm, taking away his pain, "But it won't always. You'll get control and it won't hurt anymore."
"What if I can't?" Sam cried.
"It may not happen straight away, it took me years to find control," Derek replied, "But you know Isaac and Scott, they learned quick, I'm sure you will too."
"How?" Sam asked with tearfilled eyes.
"We help you," Derek replied, his bright crimson eyes glowing.
Sam immediately eased under his hold, breathing heavily as he sat down on the grass, "How did you do that?"
"I'm an alpha," Derek replied, "We help betas like you, we take care of you. You're part of the pack."
Sam's nerves eased, his worries fading knowing Derekwould look after him.
Archie ran through the garden gate, Alan not too far behind.
"Samuel!" Archie stressed, crouching down beside his brother, "Are you alright?"
Derek moved to stand beside Alan, smiling weakly at the betas father. Alan stared at his sons with a frown, but ultimately he knew deep down that had happened.
"Was he okay?" Alan questioned.
Derek nodded, "Eventually. Do you know how this happened?"
"I believe we have another Maeve on our hands," Alan replied, "He has no family that could've passed it on, I don't take him with me when I visit packs so he couldn't of been bitten."
Derek sensed Alan's worry, "He'll be safe with us."
"Thank you, Derek," Alan smiled gratefully, "You are a lot like your mother, you know?"
"I doubt that," Derek said sheepishly, "She was always a great alpha."
"No alpha is great straight away, it's the ones that learn and grow that are the best," Alan reminded, patting Derek's shoulder before moving to comfort his son.
Maeve smiled nervously at Jazz as she opened the door, sighing at the sight of Maeve. Peter had gone missing and refused all of Maeve's calls, and after searching for hours Maeve realised he would be at the most obvious place. Maeve didn't like to think that her best friend was dating Peter, but given everything, she had to get over it for now.
"Is he here?" Maeve stressed, "I've looked everywhere.
Jazz nodded, holding open the door, "I've barely got two words out of him."
Maeve waved to Jazz's kids Benji and Suzie as she made her way out into the garden, sitting down on the porch swing beside Peter who ignored her presence.
"You have every right to be mad," Maeve started, "but I want you to know I wanted to tell you so bad."
"Why didn't you?" Peter muttered.
"Well, to be honest, I still don't know the full truth myself," Maeve answered, "Talia never told me everything, I just made sure Malia was okay. She's great, Peter, she's a lot like you."
Peter smiled discreetly, "Does she know about me?"
"No, I was going to wait until you decided if you wanted to be in her life," Maeve informed him, "Because you deserve a choice, she has an adoptive father - if you aren't ready, its alright."
Peter sighed, leaning his head back on the wall as Maeve asked, "How are you feeling?"
"I don't know how to feel, to be honest," Peter mumbled, "How are you supposed to feel when you randomly find out you have a kid after 17 years?"
"Well, if it makes you feel better, when Lu was born Derek sat and stared at her for three hours straight because he couldn't believe she was real," Maeve informed him fondly.
Peter rolled his eyes, "He's such a sap. Honestly though, in a way I'm happy and then the next minute I'm angry. Angry at Talia for taking away my memories."
"If you could, would you like them back?" Maeve wondered.
"I think so," Peter replied, "It might help me figure out how the hell I'm feeling."
"My sisters hiding something," Peter warned her after a moment of silence, "She wouldn't hide this from me for no reason, there must be a reason behind it."
"We have to find out that she's hiding then," Maeve agreed, twiddling her fingers nervously.
"Stop looking so guilty, you idiot, I forgive you," Peter chuckled.
Maeve looked at him hopefully, "You do?"
"I do. I'm quite surprised how long you managed to keep it a secret, very unlike you."