Chapter Text
“I heard you died…”
Peter and Melissa
Peter rolled his eyes as he drove up to the ruins of his old home. His nephew’s urgent phone call, insisting that everyone associated with The Hale Pack needed to meet him as soon as possible had been a bit overly dramatic.
Typically Peter loved dramatics but since his resurrection he was less than pleased with his nephew being his alpha, his nephew’s attitude and now the place that he was ordered to meet. He was happy that at least Lydia and Isaac had warmed up to him since he helped Derek heal Boyd and Erica the other night. He hadn’t seen the two since they all left them alone to sleep off the torture, but he hoped their attitude towards him was more cordial.
Derek’s attitude really left a lot to be desired.
Yes, Peter did go a little insane. And yes, he did kill his last remaining niece. But what was he supposed to do but apologize? It wasn’t like he could take it all back. He certainly would if he could. The fire broke him. He wished he hadn’t survived it all the time. He lost so much family because of it; the insanity from it drove him to do all he did before his nephew killed him. But since his resurrection he was back to his old self. No homicidal rage in sight.
He just really wished that his daughter still survived, his little Malia always lit up his world, and he really didn’t see a purpose to living without his only child.
But Peter knew his big sister, and his entire family line would kick his ass if he willingly left Derek alone in the world. He needed to redeem himself for the wrongs he’s committed before the family would accept him again anyway. So his working plan was to help Derek and his betas until they were a force to be reckoned with, and then join his family in the after.
Hopefully his little girl wouldn’t be to mad they had been separated for so long when he saw her again.
Peter shook off his morbid thoughts.
He really resented Derek for calling a meeting here of all places. They both had lost so much here. He lost a daughter and his siblings, Derek lost four siblings and his parents, and they both lost the entirety of their extended family (the east coast Hales had been visiting for the family reunion, the fucking Argent bitch had really timed her massacre perfectly) why would he ever want to hold a meeting here?
As Peter walked up to the group, he quickly realized that there was a woman he hadn’t met just yet… he noted Lydia, Isaac, and the new beta Jackson …was glad to see The Argents and the Druids weren’t invited…annoyed to see McCall and his sidekick were there…recognized Noah and Natalie from high school…but this woman that stood next to McCall he hadn’t had the pleasure of meeting. But he needed to, he felt the pull to her, he knew who she was going to be to him one day…he just needed to meet her and be the kind of man who deserved an angel like her.
He couldn’t introduce himself just yet as Derek began to speak as he slid to stand between his nephew and the mystery woman.
“Peter… Boyd and Erica have been missing for a week. We didn’t know what happened. Hoped they just wanted to get away from Beacon Hills between me being a bad alpha and The Argents…maybe they needed a break? Until today when this note was delivered to the train depot we practice in…”
YOUR BETAS ARE OURS
RELINQUISH YOUR TERRITORY TO US, OR THEY DIE
VISIT YOUR OLD HOME FOR PROOF OF LIFE.
“You can’t relinquish the territory Derek... but we will find them.” Peter urged. He wasn’t about to die or let his nephew die for a problem the pack could solve with a little critical thinking and sweat. Especially not when he just met his mate.
“I wasn’t planning on giving up the territory…all of Hale blood would have to die. They must not be born wolves if they don’t know this…once you get a whiff of the proof of life you will understand why I think so…” Derek said, pointing toward the ruins.
On the door was a bastardized triskele, the sight making Peter angry. How dare these heathens take his family’s symbol and desecrate it like that! It was an insult to all Hales, alive and dead. It was disgusting! It was an outrage! But it wasn’t proof of life for his fellow betas…
Then he realized that the symbol was painted in blood, and walked towards it to smell it to see what his nephew meant by his comment. Derek and Peter were the only ones Hale blood left…it would be very easy to kill two people, especially if you kidnapped their packmates to lure them into a trap. When he got close enough he picked up four distinct scents.
“Erica…Boyd…Cora…Malia…” Peter said, his eyes watering, turning to his nephew and the gathered crowd.
“You smell them too?” Derek asked, his own eyes watering. “I thought I was going insane! I already updated everyone else on who they are to us.”
It made sense that if Malia had survived somehow, so did Cora. The two girls were inseparable; they refused to leave one another behind for anything. Peter collapsed on the steps and sobbed.
“My baby…six years… my baby …” he wept until arms circled him.
They were to small to be his nephew’s and by smell he knew it was his mate. She must have felt the pull too. Humans could, but this was a little soon. Unless they met before and he didn’t realize… that, or she was incredibly kind to a stranger.
“We’ll find her Peter…we’ll find them all…” She said soothingly using the sleeves of her long sleeved shirt to dry his tears.
“Thank you...” he said when she was done.
“Melissa McCall. You turned my son.”
Peter felt fear. He had met her before after all, when he wasn’t himself. His mate’s son hated him. She would hate him. This was terrible.
She laughed. “Don’t worry Peter. I heard you died already, and you are suffering enough with the revelation about Malia. I think I’ll settle for some petty vengeance after we rescue those kids. Sound good?”
Peter nodded.
“I want in.” Natalie and Noah chorused. When would those two finally date? They were disgusting. Have been since they were teens.
“As much as my uncle deserves your anger…we all need to band together to find Boyd, Erica, Malia and Cora and for them to be alive when we do.” Derek broke in.
“What do we tell Emma?” Isaac asked.
“She will keep asking questions until Erica comes home. Boyd’s dad thinks he’s been staying with Erica, Isaac and Emma… but Erica’s sister is not easily brushed off. Not even my best lies are accepted.” Lydia said.
Noah sighed. “She’s been coming to the station every day.”
Derek nodded. “If we don’t find them in the next week I’ll tell her, but I know Erica would want to be there when we let her guardian know about our wolfy secret.”
“I may have a few contacts I can talk to. Maybe see if they know who is using this disgusting symbol!” Peter growled.
The next day after inviting himself to Derek’s disgusting loft to discuss the information he was able to get from a few old acquaintances and one new little fox friend. He dropped the bomb of Melissa being his mate on Derek. Nephew had insisted they visit the McCall’s and explain the situation to them.
Sitting at Melissa’s dining room table with Stilinski Jr and Scott glaring at him and his nephew was uncomfortable, but Derek was right, he needed to explain the situation to his mate and her son before she started to feel the full effects of the pull. “Scott has Derek ever explained the mating pull to you?”
“No. Derek and I aren’t friends.” The teen gritted out.
Peter rolled his eyes. The young teen was stupid and stubborn when it came to Peter’s family. Derek wasn’t evil; he just had no experience with alphahood, or in training young betas. Peter knew Derek did his best but he really had no experience with the bitten before Scott, and the experience with Scott colored his interactions with his bitten betas training. He was really trying and Peter resented little Stilinski and Scott for not trying to understand his nephew. Peter loved his nieces and nephews, all of them. Derek and Cora were all he had left of any of his siblings and he loved them no matter how much they hated him for what his psychotic self did to Laura.
“Well there are a lot of things a pack can explain to you Scott. My nephew’s attitude may leave a lot to be desired at times and you and I met when I was more beast than man. But there are a lot of things that we can help you with. The first of which being why besides being a hunter, the Argent girl was completely wrong for you.” Peter shot back, trying to keep the venom in his voice out. He wanted Melissa to forgive him for his misdeeds, and ripping her son a new one wouldn’t help to meet his goal.
“Peter, calm down. Scott didn’t hurt my feelings. I’ll explain.” Derek said, placing a hand on Peter’s shoulder to calm him. Derek understood how Peter was protective of his family now that he was himself again and his daughter (and anchor) was alive. “A mating pull is a something that happens when two soulmates first meet. Only one soulmate needs to be a wolf. You feel like there’s a chord pulling you to them by your heart when they are near, and you have vivid graphic sexual dreams about them. When they’re not near it feels like your heart aches. It only goes away once you’re mated. And by that I don’t necessarily mean sex.”
“Though that is not discouraged.” Peter offered.
Derek rolled his eyes. “It does entail verbal acceptance of the bond on both sides and a claiming bite.”
All three non-Hales gasped at the revelation.
“So you all know why we asked to have this talk now?” Derek said.
“Isaac is my mate? Has he known all this time?” Scott said standing up.
“Yes. You were with Allison and happy. He didn’t want to interfere with that.” Derek offered.
“Erica! Oh god! What if we don’t find her!” Stilinski Jr said worriedly.
Melissa rubbed her hand over her heart and was staring at Peter.
“I’m sorry for everything I did to your boy. I’d be sorry even if you weren’t my mate. I just hope that when we rescue my daughter and the others you would be willing to give us a try Melissa. And Scott, I hope you would be able to forgive me to if your mother gives me a chance...not for me, I deserve all your anger but for my daughter.” He said to the McCalls
Scott looked to Peter in disgust. “What does your daughter have to do with you mating with my mom?”
“If we mate, we’ll become family. I would consider you my son in every sense and Malia would consider you her brother. She won’t understand your hatred of family. Hales are very forgiving of family. She never knew the monster you met when I was alpha and she never will.” Peter explained.
“Derek hasn’t forgiven you for Laura.” Stilinski offered.
“I have. It wasn’t him really. Maybe if he wasn’t remorseful and when he was resurrected was still that psychotic version you know best I wouldn’t forgive him. But the fire... you have to understand how many family members we lost...and Peter was trapped in the house with them. I was one of six kids. Peter one of seven. All Peter’s siblings had mates and at least a couple kids. Our family from back east was there too; it was a family reunion that week. They are all gone. A large extended family wiped out. Not everyone’s surname was Hale and not everyone was a wolf but they all were our family.” Derek said looking heartbroken, “You all are considered pack to me now, like it or not. You are mates of my betas, which means you are family. I will protect you with all I have. You may not like my uncle or me. But we’re here to help no matter what.”
The table was silent for a moment until Melissa stood. “Peter, can we talk in the living room? I know Scott and Derek will still be able to hear but I’d like to pretend we have some privacy.”
Peter nodded and followed her to the living room. She sat on the sofa and patted the seat next to her. He was quick to join her, but he waited to speak until she did.
“You’ve done a few bad things. But, I remember you from before the fire too. You came in when Malia was ten and running a crazy high fever. You were so worried about her you didn’t even notice me helping the doctor. I’ve felt the pull since that day. I promise to try to forgive you for what happened, as long as I see the man before me and not the beast that did those horrible things.”
She had felt the pull for six years? It made sense he hadn’t…the fire happened a few nights after they got home from the ER. He had been so focused on his child getting better he didn’t have time to sleep, and the ache in his chest he’d attributed to missing his family since his resurrection. He did recognize Melissa from his dreams. He’d been dreaming of her for weeks and not realized the mating pull. He was an idiot.
“You are an amazing woman.” He sighed reaching for her hand, which she offered with a smile. “I promise to strive to be someone that deserves you each day. And I promise that I will only ever harm another being when our family and pack is in danger.”
“I’ll take it.” She smiled. “I’ll even accept a claiming bite now if we agree to leave other things until we get to know each other. Just know Peter, if you hurt my son I will kill you.”
“I would never do anything to hurt our children ever again. Scott may still not like me but I consider him my child, as much as Malia is my child.” He said shifting.
Melissa pulled her hair away to expose the right side of her neck, instincts telling her that was the best place for a bite. “I’ve always wanted another child. A daughter would be wonderful.”
Scott came running into the living room. “Mom! Are you crazy!”
“Scott I’ve been dreaming of this man for years. I need him.” Melissa said before turning to Peter. “Let’s do it.”
“I, Peter Jonathan Hale, claim you as my mate.” He said, “Now you darling, full name and claim, then I do the bite.”
“I, Melissa Marisol McCall, claim you as my mate.” She said with a brilliant smile.
Peter then bit her as gently as possible. He didn’t need to sink his teeth all the way in, just break the skin. He knew that the bite itself would heal quickly, but the idea of hurting his mate was repulsive to him.
Once he drew back and his face shifted to human Melissa smiled and stood.
“Okay boys! I need some help clearing the spare room so we can get it ready for Malia! And while we’re doing that we can talk about how we’re going to find my daughter and our packmates.” She yelled as she headed out of the room and up the stairs.
Stilinski and Derek then exited the dining room and followed Melissa, probably realizing that Melissa McCall was not a woman to be ignored. Scott was still alternating from glaring at Peter to looking surprised in the direction of his mother.
“Scott, we best listen to your mother. I don’t think I would like to see her anger in action.” Peter said as he stood and followed the direction of his mate.
“Wait! Does this mean you’re moving in?” Scott said, breaking out of his surprise and following.
Melissa knew having her newfound mate move in right away wasn’t going to be smooth, especially the way Peter and Scott got along. But she deserved happiness and she was willing to put in the hard work as long as Peter didn’t go back to his old ways.
For the past week his scheming was focused on finding their missing daughter and their packmates. Four kids were out there, God knows what was happening to them, and Scott and Stiles (her stubborn boys) were aligned with the Hale Packs goals for now. She hoped that after the kids came home, Scott and Stiles would join the Hale Pack if only because their mates were part of the pack. It would be agony to be in another pack then her son and the boy she loved like a son.
Last night they got a lead on the pack that took their packmates. Peter’s new fox friend had helped them track down a pack of bitten wolves that had killed their alphas, and betas once they were alphas. They all formed a pack with each other. They were using the symbol that had been painted on the Hale Ruins as their symbol. Peter and Derek were wary of a head on confrontation, even knowing that alphas without betas were weaker than omegas. Their only concern was the hostages for now.
After Noah worked a bit of magic on the identities Peter’s contact had given them, and found an old bank in town that was purchased by one of the alphas, the pack was in motion for rescue.
Derek had called in Chris Argent and his hunters to chase the alphas away, and hopefully eliminate them, so the pack could rescue and heal their betas. Argent had agreed because of what his daughter had done to hurt the Hale Pack a few weeks ago, promising to leave town after the alpha pack was dealt with.
Melissa didn’t really buy that Argent would leave, neither did her mate. They both knew that it wouldn’t take much for Allison to start shooting arrows into the pack again, and Melissa was just grateful that her son hadn’t been targeted yet. They both realized the alliances were temporary, and that Derek needed the kids out of the line of fire so he could focus on the injured.
Melissa was left in Peter’s car after her mate and boys, on the same page for the first time in history, insisted she stay back. Stiles was in Noah’s car with Nat, and Melissa hoped those two would come clean to their kids about the relationship soon, there was no more reason to keep it quiet as Nat’s divorce was final a few weeks ago. Noah and Melissa were great friends, raising their boys together, helping each other through the pains of being a single parent, of Noah missing Claudia, of Melissa’s fear Rafael would come back, and they loved each others sons but they never thought of each other in any other way than family. Peter had been jealous of her friendship with Noah at first but when he smelt Nat on him, he understood Noah wasn’t interested in Melissa in any romantic way.
The Argents had long since chased five wolves away from the building, and the pack entered. She knew it was going to take a while so Peter and Derek could administer first aid so she wasn’t worried.
Derek was the first to exit a girl (who Melissa assumed was Cora) in his arms as he made his way to his car. Lydia and Jackson followed behind supporting Boyd; Nat got out of Noah’s car then and ran to hers to help the teens get the injured boy settled. Isaac was next carrying a weeping Erica, Stiles got in the front of Noah’s cruiser so Isaac and Erica could be comfortably in the back. Peter was next, carrying their girl, Scott by their side staring at Malia in awe.
Melissa got in the backseat, and soon Peter was handing their girl to Melissa. Malia just sniffed her and relaxed into her arms, “Mommy.” She sighed.
“That’s right baby, you’re safe now.” Melissa said, as Scott and Peter settled in the front seat of the car, while Melissa rocked and rained kisses on Malia.
After the rescue, they went to drop the supernatural bomb on Emma Reyes, which took a bit of the night to explain. The woman took the whole thing a lot better that Melissa had. On the way home, Scott sat in the back with Malia and Melissa held hands with Peter as he drove one handed.
“It still feels weird.” Her son said.
“The family bond?” Peter asked.
“Yeah. Like my wolf loves you like you’ve always been my Dad, and I couldn’t love Malia more if we grew up together…it feels right. Not to mention Derek and Cora feel like family too.” Scott finished as Peter pulled in the driveway. “I’ve been trying to fight it, because you’re a jerk, but…you’re so good to Mom and me too no matter how catty I’ve been.”
“You’re my son now Scott.” Peter said plainly, “Complicated past aside, I love you as much as I love my Lia. Always will.”
“Don’t promise always. Dads break their promises.” Scott said as they all exited the car. Melissa hugged her boy; sometimes she forgot that even though she made Rafe leave when Scott was young, he still had plenty of time to damage their boy.
“This is different baby.” Melissa insisted. “He’s not Rafael.”
Scott looked to her skeptically, but nodded. “Come one Malia. I’ll show you your room!” he said grabbing his sister’s hand.
When the kids were inside Peter took out his hand. “Do you think he’ll ever support me adopting him?” her mate asked as they walked into their home.
Melissa sighed. “I hope so. Maybe when we’re married? Just give him time?”
“I will darling.” Peter said, kissing her soundly. “Lets lock up and cuddle. It’s been a long day.”
“Sounds great to me dearest.” Melissa said as they entered the front door. “I’ll go check on the kids, you lock up.”
Peter saluted her and Melisa smiled making her way to the stairs. She peaked in Scott's room to find it empty and saw that the bathroom the kids would share was empty too so she made her way to what was not Malia’s room.
She found them sitting on the bed, Malia in Scott’s arms and Scott holding her tight. “Scott, did you show her the changes of clothes we got her and her toiletries in the bathroom?”
“Yes Mom. I even loaned her some of my sweats to sleep in.” Scott said. “She said smelling the family would help her calm down.”
Melissa smiled. Her boy was so kind. “Do you need anything else Malia? We’ll go get you more things tomorrow of course, I know the room is very basic but your Dad and I wanted you to choose your clothes and other belongings. This was the guest room. You can change whatever you want.”
“It’s perfect for tonight Mom.” Malia said with a beaming smile. “I know it sounds silly, but once I get washed up do you think you and Dad can tuck me in.”
“Of course Malia.” Melissa said.
Her daughter smiled and made her way to the bathroom. Melissa looked to her son and opened her arms to him. He ran to them right away. “I’m so proud of you at how well you’re handling all these changes Scott. I know this week has been a lot to take in, but you’re doing great and I appreciate you.”
“The family and pack bond helps.” He admitted, “The mating pull with Isaac automatically makes me feel loyal to his alpha now that I recognize it and the family bond with all the Hales because of your bond with Peter makes them all family. I know I don’t have to stay in Derek’s pack if I don’t want to but the bonds make me want to give him another chance.”
“I will always support you if you decide a pack isn’t for you. But I appreciate you trying.” Melissa said, giving her son a kiss. “Have you spoken to Isaac yet?”
“No. I keep chickening out.” He sighed, “I’m scared that he will be angry I ignored him for Alison.”
“Well the sooner you speak with him, the sooner he can forgive you.” She told her son, “That is if you want him as a mate.”
“I do! I mean I never considered liking a guy before this…but Isaac being around him feels amazing! I know a lot of it is the mating pull, but I’d like to get to know him better at least.”
“No rush.” Melissa assured with a smile. “I waited six years before bonding with Peter.”
Scott snorted. “Then immediately bonded with him when you figured out what the pull was and had him move in that day.”
Melissa heard her mate coming up the stairs and laughing. “He does have you there love. I mean I don’t think we have a leg to stand on when it comes to telling our kids not to jump into mating bonds to quickly.”
“Malia asked us to tuck her in when she’s ready for bed.” Melissa said changing the subject. Before kissing her son again. “You should probably get ready for bed to baby, we have another eventful day tomorrow.”
Scott gave her another squeeze. “Night Mom. Night Peter.” He said before walking to his room calling “Goodnight Malia.” As he passed the bathroom.
“Goodnight Scott.” Melissa and her mate chorused, hearing Malia call out “Goodnight Brother.” From the bathroom.
Peter pulled her into a hug and sighed. “Everyone’s safe.”
“All locked up?”
“Yep. We should probably stop by Emma’s tomorrow to debrief with the pack about next steps, Argent will contact Derek about the alpha hunt when he has something.” He explained. “Then we can go to the mall for things for our girl.”
“You should get some clothes for yourself. All you brought here was a few outfits some books and a computer.” Melissa said poking her mate playfully.
“Yeah, I will.” He promised, “I hadn’t planned on staying alive after helping Derek train his pack. But since I found you and Malia…I want to stay.”
Her heart broke for her mate. “I love you Peter. Please stay with us.”
“I will.” He said grabbing her into a hug.
Just then their daughter came flying out of the bathroom, hair damp and dressed in Scott’s clothes. “Stay Daddy.”
“Of course Malia.” Peter said to their daughter, “But Lia…you have to know I did some terrible things.”
“Boyd and Erica told me.” She said sadly. “You couldn’t have been in your right mind Dad. I know you. But just because you have to make up for your past doesn’t mean you don’t deserve to live.”
Melissa nodded. “We have time to work on it.” She promised their girl as they broke up the hug. “Hop in bed Lia.”
“Okay Mom.” She said skipping into the room.
Peter squeezed Melissa’s hand and Melissa pulled him in the room with her to tuck their girl in and assure her she was safe.