Soulmates | Derek Hale - Chapter 52: Chapter 52

"Maeve?"
Maeve stared blankly down at her hands. Deaton's words rang loud and clear, she would never be a werewolf again - not unless she was turned.
Derek watched his wife in concern, she was trying not to break down over the loss of part of her that had existed for over 10 years. They'd weighed up their options, even if he wanted to turn her, well, after Paige... he couldn't take that risk.
"I'm okay," Maeve said in a whisper, tracing her fingernails where her claws once were. "It's okay."
Deaton shared a sad look with Derek before turning to leave to give the couple space, he paused in the doorway, turning back to face them
"Your mate bond," Alan started, "Has it changed?"
Maeve smiled softly, "No."
By some miracle, Maeve could still feel the bond between her and Derek, the magical pull hadn't broken despite all the odds now she was human.
Walking to the back office, Alan pushed open the squeaky door. At the sudden squeak Sam jumped in surprise, knocking over his drink as his claws emerged from his skin.
Luna looked up from her homework with wide eyes, taking in Sams panicked stare at his hands.
She reached over and took his hand, Sam slowly looked up at her, instantly feeling calm.
"Its okay," Luna comforted, grinning as Sams claws slowly retracted, "That's it."
Sam sat back in relief, nervously glancing over his shoulder at his father. Alan was definitely curious, his sons control was temperamental but Luna always helped him control it - it was very familiar to the couple he saw ten years previously,
Alan smiled encouragingly, "It's alright, control takes time, Samuel."
Sam nodded, looking away with a blush, "Yeah, I guess you're right."
Derek wrapped his arms around Maeve, his wife relaxing against his chest. It was such a different reality for them now, neither knew how to deal with it.
Maeve looked up at him with a sad smile, "Looks like we got a head-start on our step back from beacon hills plan."
"Looks like it," Derek sighed, "Are you sure you're alright?"
Maeve shrugged, picking up the journal Alan had gifted them, "I will be, I've been human before, haven't I?Right now we need to focus on Florence. Alan says this is all he knows, so we'll have to take your dad up on his offer."
Derek frowned, he didn't like it, his suspicions over his father were still raised - but after his and Talia's trust in this pack, Derek knew they had no choice.
Derek and Maeve had known for months that Florence was different from her siblings, and they needed to know just how different she was.
—
"Nervous?"
Malia smiled shyly, nodding her head at Isaac. Cora and Dean bickered loudly in the backseat, somehow Cora had been hit in the face with his lacrosse stick - Dean denies all allegations.
Malia was finally going to high school, it had taken lots of convincing ( mainly Maeve ) for her to go, but Malia eventually gave in.
"You'll be okay, we'll all be with you today," Isaac promised, parking the car beside Stiles' duct tape covered jeep.
Malia took a deep breath, opening the car door with a slam, looking up in shock as it hit Stiles' car.
"Oi!" Stiles wound down the window, gasping as it suddenly closed on his face, "Don't hurt Roscoe!"
"Who's Roscoe?" Cora called out, pausing in her attempt at hitting Dean with her folder.
"Stiles' only friend," Dean snorted.
"I'll have you know Scott is my friend!" Stiles argued, glaring at the Hales as he hurried out of his car and over to Scott.
Malia stared up at the school, she was terrified. Isaac moved to stand beside her, and in a leap of faith she reached out and took his hand.
Isaac gazed at her in surprise, but squeezed her hand and led her up the steps.
Cora and Dean paused in their brawl, looking at Isaac and Malia with identical looks of surprise.
"What the hell is that all about?" Dean questioned, his voice muffled by Cora's hand that was pressed against his face.
"Just as confused as you, brother," Cora shrugged, kicking Dean in the shin before running after Isaac and Malia.
—
Maeve wasn't quite sure what to expect when arriving at Seths old packs residence, it was only a few miles out of Beacon Hills and somehow she had no idea it existed.
The tall cabin like home reminded her of the old Hale house in its glory, but with her powers gone she couldn't tell how many people were inside.
Derek looked uncertainly at the building, "Looks like the whole packs here."
Talia and Seth stepped out of her car beside them, Maeve lingered by her own car with the twins inside incase things took a turn for the worst.
Their anxious breaths momentarily settled as a group of children around the age of six barrelled out of the house, giggling as they played a game. Maybe Seth was right, this pack maybe was a family just like theirs.
A burly blonde named Fraiser stepped out of the house, approaching them suspiciously, "What do you want?"
"We're here to see the witch," Derek replied, stepping in front of Maeve as Fraiser glared at her.
"Humans aren't welcome here," Fraiser warned.
Maeve blinked in surprise, she'd never received such hostility from a werewolf before. She felt eyes on her, it appeared the whole pack was watching from afar.
"Maeve is part of my pack," Derek defended.
Fraiser scoffed, practically glaring daggers at Maeve, "She's an Argent."
"My wife isn't a hunter," Derek said with a growl.
Maeve reached and took his clenched fist into her hand, smiling encouragingly, "It's okay, I can go."
Derek looked ready to argue, but Fraisers voice rang back out, "And why should we allow you onto our land? How can we trust the man that married a hunter?"
Maeve watched Derek hesitantly as she stepped back to their car, if Frasier angered him anymore she was certain a fight would break out.
"You can trust me," Seth intervened, moving to stand between them, "I was pack. Isiah invited us back onto his land."
The group stood in a silent stare off before Frasier finally relaxed, "You want to see Ingrid? Why?"
"My granddaughter may be a Seer," Seth informed briefly.
Fraiser nodded stiffly, motioning for them to follow him. Maeve watched with a sigh, she didn't like the thought of Florence going in there without her.
"Be careful," Maeve warned as Derek lifted Florence from her car seat.
"I will," Derek promised, following after his parents with Florence protectively held in his arms.
Maeve pushed back the sudden urge to cry as she climbed back inside the car, if it were only months ago she would've been welcomed onto those lands with open arms. Now everything was different.
Freddie kicked his short legs against the back of her seat, looking at the empty car seat beside him with a frown, "Rory go?"
"She'll be back soon," Maeve smiled, "It's just you and me today, Freddie."
—
Derek was thankful for the lack of eyes on him as he met with the witch, her room was eerily similar to the witches' he met in Italy which was slightly concerning.
Florence clambered about in his arms as she looked around curiously, her blue eyes lit up at the sight of the witch walking through the door.
Ingrid was a small old woman, her greying hair was loosely tied with ribbon at the back of her head - much to Derek's glee she looked friendly.
"Derek Hale," Ingrid hummed, looking Derek up and down, "I knew you when you were a boy, your father too."
She watched Derek's scowl deepen at the mention of Seth, "You two did not have such... animosity between you then. Regardless, your mother was one of the best alphas in decades."
"Hello sweet girl," Derek's grip tightened around Florence as Ingrid stepped closer, she raised her thin brows up at Derek, "You're wary of me."
"Last time I met a witch she randomly resurrected my mother and sister from dark magic she stole from my wife," Derek explained bluntly.
Ingrid nodded, "I see. Well, Derek, I can assure you not all witches behave such as she - I would never betray a Hale, you were once family to me."
"Why aren't you?" Derek frowned.
"Our alpha..." Ingrid sighed, "Was not pleased with your father marrying into your mothers pack."
"I thought you were allies?" Derek questioned.
"We were, but no alpha wants to loose a strong beta to another pack, one could say to a even more powerful pack," Ingrid's gaze settled back on Florence, "Powerful indeed."
Derek pushed away the information for a later time, asking hopefully, "You know how to help her?"
"She does not need helping, Derek," Ingrid smiled sweetly, "She needs training. I can guide her as she and her skills grow, it is a gift she will not truly understand until she is older."
Derek thought Ingrid was old... but Isiah was ancient. Despite his age he still looked intimating, espivsllg compared to Derek, Talia and Seth.
Derek had never seen his father look awkward, but the silent showdown between Seth and Isiah settled that. Derek shared a look with his mother, Talia had taken to entertaining Florence rather than take notice of the silent argument.
Fraiser stood in the doorway, looking every bit the bodyguard, Derek hid a smile - Maeve would've made a guard dog joke out of that.
Isiah took a deep breath, his voice gruff has he spoke, "I will put it plainly, Seth. I am dying."
"I would hope so," Seth snorted, Derek's breath practically shot through his hairline, "Almost two hundred is a bit ambitious even for you."
"You're almost two hundred?" Derek asked, eyes wide, "That's possible."
Isiah shrugged, "Were werewolves, ain't we? Miracles happen. But this miracle is ending, I am dying and I do not have a beta to take my place."
"What about your pack?" Talia asked, "You have plenty of betas."
Seths eyes suddenly widened, "But no beta of blood. Not since I left."
Derek looked between the former pack mates, "We're related?"
"Isiah is my great grandfather," Seth informed him, eyeing Isiah suspiciously, "You want one of my children to take over as alpha?"
"No," Isiah's stare fell on Derek, "I want Derek to take over."
"I already have a pack," Derek protested, disbelief written across his face.
Derek wanted to grab Florence and leave, this was crazy! He was an alpha of his own pack, which he was still learning how to do... he couldn't take on another mans pack.
"Our families are powerful packs, if my legacy cannot live on in its own right then I wish for it to run alongside our longest allies," Isiah told Derek, "My pack take care of themselves, but they need a leader to turn to in times of need - if you are anything like your mother, then I want it to be you."
Talia's proud smirk didn't go unnoticed.
"And my wife," Derek glared, "My wife is human, from a hunting family. You are asking for the both of us, not just me. Can your pack deal with that?"
Isiah scowled, Frasier looked equally as displeased.
"If you can trust that family..." Isiah agreed, "Then we will too. My pack will not like it, but they will learn."
"So what you're asking of my son is to take over once you are gone, in trade for Florence being taught by your witch?" Talia summarised.
"That's exactly what I want."
—
In light of her accomplished day at school, Malia felt like she could tackle more of the things she feared. This was how she and Isaac ended up on Peter Hales doorstep.
Maeve pulled up outside of Jazz's house, with her and Peter now a thing, Peter had practically moved himself in.
Freddie toddled up the driveway as Maeve hurried over, holding his arms up at Isaac waiting to be carried. His giggles rang out as Isaac picked up up and swooped him around.
"Are you sure you want to do this?" Maeve asked Malia.
Malia nodded confidently, "I need to do this."
Maeve opened the door, leading them through into the lounge where they found Peter and Jazz. Peter looked equally as anxious as Malia, Jazz and Maeve sharing concerned glances.
Isaac awkwardly followed Freddie, who'd flung himself out of his arms and ran over to the garden.
"How do you move so quick yet be so little," Isaac muttered, rushing after Freddie who'd broken into sprint.
Peter stared at Malia fully for the first time, she looked just like him - she had his attitude to, not that he would know that yet.
Malia was the first to break the awkward silence, bluntly saying, "Everyone's said you're kind of a dick."
"That sounds about right," Peter chuckled, glancing knowingly at Maeve who quickly diverted her attention elsewhere.
"But, I hope you would like to get to know me," Peter added, "Maybe I can prove you otherwise."
Peter watched as Malia glanced at Maeve for reassurance before she nodded, "I'd like that."
"Did you know Maeve is your godmother?" Peter informed her, Malia shook her head.
"You remembered?" Maeve asked in surprise.
Peter smiled slightly, "Derek helped get my memory back. It's a bit foggy, but I remember."
"That's great!" Maeve exclaimed.
Malia shifted uncomfortably before asking, "Do you know who my mom is?"
"Barley," Peter sighed, "But women like her never deserve to be mothers."
Jazz linked arms with Maeve, slowly pulling her out of the lounge, "Why don't Maeve and I give you some time to catch up?"
Peter and Malia looked ready to protest, but the girls had already hurried out into the garden.
Isaac held Freddie in his arms as they walked through the garden, lifting the toddler so he could reach the leaves.
Freddie clapped excitedly at the sight of his mother, pointing at one of the trees as he proudly said his new word, "Tree!"
"Yeah, tree!" Maeve encouraged, sitting down at Jazz's outside table set.
"That went well, right?" Jazz asked, glancing nervously at the patio doors.
"No blood was drawn, so that's a good conversation in our family," Maeve comforted, "The awkwardness will fade once they realise how similar they are."
They glanced back at the glass doors, watching with smiles as Malia reached over and hugged Peter. He blinked in shock, but eventually hugged back much to Maeve and Jasmines glee.
"They'll be just fine."
—
Derek felt a child all over again, sat between his parents and his siblings as they looked at him nervously. Only this time it was his house and he wasn't a scared child.
"What do you need to tell me?" Derek asked knowingly, "Youre looking at me like there's something I need to know."
"When packs reach a certain strength, something happens to the alpha," Talia informed him, "It's called evolving. It's how I was able to transform into a true wolf."
"So if I take on Isiah's pack, I'll evolve like you did?" Derek questioned, sloughing back into the sofa at the weight of the revelation.
"It's certainly likely," Talia nodded.
Cora jumped beside Derek on the sofa, Derek rolled his eyes as she shoved him aside to make room.
"I think you should take it, Der," Cora hummed, "Why wouldn't you want a stronger pack? And you get to be a cool actual wolf like mom!"
"Dereks just shy," Dean playfully pouted at his big brother, sitting down beside Florence on the floor.
"Derek can choose whatever he wants to do, he has a family to think about first" Laura defended, "Though, I'm slightly offended we didn't get asked."
"Dereks the golden child," Kieran joked, holding up his hands as glares settled in his direction, "What? He's the alpha here!"
Cora and Kieran was right, there didn't seem to be any negatives. But Derek didn't know if he could lead another pack, he was barley leading the one he had!
Derek sighed, rubbing his eyes tiredly, "I need to talk to Maeve about it."
"It's your decision," Seth pointed out.
"Maeve's my wife," Derek argued bitterly, "I know you're not familiar with the subject, but we make decisions together."
Like being summoned, Maeve walked through the front door, wrangling Freddie out of his jacket and shoes. At the sight of all the Hales sat around together Maeve was hit with anxiety.
"Oh god, what happened?" Maeve gasped, grinning down at Florence as she ran over to her mother, kissing her cheek "Hi darling! did you see the witch?"
"Witch!" Florence chimed.
Derek quickly stood, ushering his wife and kids back out of the door, "I need to talk to you, outside."
Dean watched the door slam, "Like I said, he's shy."
"Do you really think this is what Derek wants?" Laura frowned, "Especially with what happened to Maeve - the both of them wanted to step back from the supernatural. Surely Isiah could've chose one of us if he wanted a Hale."
Talia looked down at her children with a smile, "He knows Derek is capable of being an alpha, he's seen how protective of his family is. Derek can make the commitment, if you were to take over your life would change completely."
"Well I don't wand it," Kieran shrugged, "I work 24 hour shifts at the fire station, I can't have betas running around searching for me."
Cora hummed in agreement, "I have places to see. Can't travel the world with commitments like that. Dean has anger issues so he can't..."
"Shut up, Cora," Dean groaned, tossing a throw pillow at her.
Talia's gaze settled on Laura, "Would you really want it, Laura?"
"Well," Laura sighed thoughtfully, "Your 'alpha 101' lessons were pretty boring growing up, honestly."
Talia laughed under her breath, "I rest my case. It's now just down to Derek."
—
Maeve and Derek walked along the shoreline of the beach, holding Florence and Freddie's hands tightly as the kicked at the small waves.
"We wanted to step back from the supernatural," Derek added to the pros and cons list.
"Derek, you're already an alpha," Maeve reminded, "There's only so much we can step back from."
"But two packs? This ones hard enough to handle and half of them are under the age of ten," Derek murmured.
"You will be an amazing alpha no matter how big the pack is, Derek," Maeve encouraged, "If you think you can do this, you should."
"I've been a terrible alpha so far," Derek frowned, "How the hell am I supposed to take on more?"
"You haven't been a terrible alpha!" Maeve argued, "You don't become an outstanding alpha the moment you turn, you have to learn- which you are! You're already better than most alphas I've met."
"If I couldn't help Scott, how can I help-"
"Derek Seth Hale," Maeve interrupted loudly, the twins stared up at her in confusion, "Scott was a true alpha, he was meant it figure it all out on his own. He has own pack, he's learning just like you. You will come into your own, Derek, maybe this is the push you needed."
Derek sighed, staring out at the water, "I'm really going to do this."
"You're really going to do this," Maeve smiled, wrapping her arms around him, "And you'll be the best alpha to this pack, or any pack that deserves you."
—
Arriving at her fathers to pick up Luna, Stiles practically tackled her as soon as she made it through the door.
"Thank god you're here!" Stiles exclaimed, tugging Maeve through the hallway.
Maeve frowned at her brother, "Is everything alright? You look a bit... crazed?"
They stopped outside the garden, the doors were open revealing Luna drawing on the floor with chalk beside her Noah and Liz were preparing dinner from the barbecue.
"Look at that and tell me it's not weird," Stiles said, pointing at Noah and Liz dramatically.
Maeve glanced between Stiles and her parents, "What am I looking at?"
"They're sat there laughing," Sriles stared, Maeve let out a huff, sitting on the step knowing this would be a rant, "Together. They don't laugh, divorced parents are supposed to glare at each other from separate cars!"
"Laughing with their granddaughter," Maeve pointed out as Stiles slouched down beside her.
"Laughing." Stiles repeated, looking at Maeve as if she were an alien.
"They were married, they're going to get along," Maeve reminded.
"Divorced," Stiles argued.
"It's not like they split up cause they hated each other," Maeve defended with a sigh, "The time just wasn't right... if they wanted to try again then I'll support them."
"It's so strange," Stiles said defeatedly, "maybe... maybe I just thought mom was the only one for him, I know it's unfair - he married Liz first! But him and mom are all I've known."
"Whoever it is, my mom or another - doesn't he deserve to be happy?" Maeve smiled sadly.
Stiles nodded, watching as his father laughed at Liz dropping a too hot burger on the grass, "He does."
Maeve quickly changed the subject before Stiles lost himself to his thoughts, "Dereks taking on another pack."
"Really?" Stiles exclaimed, "How do you feel about that?"
Maeve tugged at the hem of her skirt nervously, "I feel like the packs growing but I won't be apart of it anymore."
"Well if anyone knows how you feel it's me. Token human here." Stiles reminded, looking to Maeve in amusement, "You're the pack mom, literally. They'd fall apart without you, just like Scott wouldn't last five minutes without me."
Maeve smiled, leaning her head against Stiles shoulder. Stiles turned at the sound of the door, letting out a groan at the sight of Derek.
"Ugh you brought Sourwolf," Stiles complained, spotting the twins fast asleep in Dereks arms, "You know you look a lot less scary with the two of them hanging around your neck."
"Hello Stiles," Derek greeted dryly, "Always a pleasant greeting."
"Will you hurry up we're hungry!" Luna shouted from the yard.
The trio made their way out into the garden, like Stiles, Derek was surprised to see Elizabeth so relaxed at the Stilinski house.
Luna hurried over to hug her parents, "You guys have been gone agessss. Stiles tried to make me watch Star Wars again."
Stiles looked horrified as he stared at Luna, "Will you stop with the Star Wars slander! It is a piece of art-"
Maeve wandered over to her parents leaving Stiles to rant away, "Are you two going to tell us what's going on or are you going to let Stiles go insane trying to figure it out?"
Elizabeth tossed a lettuce leaf into the salad, sharing a look with Noah, "I have no idea what you're talking about."
"I don't need to involve nan in this interrogation, do I?" Maeve smirked, dodging the spatula Noah playfully whacked at her.
"Don't you interrupt her holiday," Elizabeth glared, "There's nothing going on, Diana."
Maeve turned to her father, "Dad? Is there anything you'd like to tell us?"
Noah stared at the two blondes before turning back to the barbecue, "I have no idea what you're talking about."
Maeve groaned in frustration, Stiles had planted the idea in her head now she had to know what the hell was going on. Stiles finally finished his rant, Luna looked ready to strangle her uncle whilst Derek had sat back on the sun lounger and fallen asleep like the twins.
Luna looked at her grandparents mischievously, "If you're wondering, they're back together. I saw them kissing in the kitchen!"
"What!" Maeve exclaimed.
"I knew it!" Stiles shouted, practically jumping from his chair, "I told you I wasn't going crazy Maeve! I told you!"
Elizabeth put her hands on her lips, narrowing her eyes at the youngest in the group, "So what if we kissed? Doesn't mean we're back together."
Maeve groaned, taking a burger from Noah before slouching down beside Derek, "Oh please say we're not going down that route."
"I'm putting a stop to this disturbing topic before we get details," Stiles complained, "What we should all take from this situation is that I was right!"