Soul Sparked

Chapter 12: Everyone Lies

Stiles watched Derek expectantly, his expression guarded as he searched the wolf's face. Derek noticed a few people glancing their way curiously and took a deep breath. "Stiles, could we just go back to the bar and talk? Please?"

Stiles didn't reply right away, the gears turning in his head. His fingers brushed over his soul mark subconsciously and he cleared his throat. "Answer a question for me," he rasped out.

Derek took a step closer, frowning when Stiles took an equal one away from him but nodded. "Okay?"

"Can you do a full shift?" Stiles asked, his voice hard but quiet.

Derek sucked in a breath, his heart pounding. "Yes, but–"

A tear slid down Stiles's cheek as he backed up, "How long have you known?"

"I–"

"HOW LONG?!"

Derek's heart hurt. "Since the day I brought the cookies."

Stiles's eyes widened and his breathing sped up before he turned away and he disappeared quickly into the crowd as another tear fell. With his scent masked Derek was unable to keep track of him. Derek's chest constricted as the room spun and he grew lightheaded. What was he supposed to do now? Oh fuck Stiles knew and he was hurt but all Derek could do was force himself to try to get his breathing back under control. Then he would worry about what to do next.

***

Stiles quickly maneuvered his way through the sea of people but felt someone grab his arm. "Stiles? What's wrong?" Cora asked.

Stiles whipped around to look at her and stifled a sob. "Did you know?" he asked, gesturing to his mark.

Cora swallowed thickly and met his gaze. "Stiles, I'm so sorry. I–"

"You knew," he whispered, knowing she'd still hear him over the music. He felt like he couldn't breathe and yanked his arm away. He had to get out of there. "I'm going to Isaac's. You and your brother please leave me alone." Then he turned and ran out of the club bursting through the door into the cool night air. He sucked in a breath filling his lungs before running back to campus and sealing himself in Isaac's dorm. He soundproofed the room and let out a pained shriek that mirrored the one he let out the night his mom died before collapsing on Isaac's bed.

***

Stiles stifled a hiccupped sob in Isaac's pillow. He could hear two muffled voices outside the dorm before the bed dipped and the scent of Jackson had him whining. Jackson wrapped his arms around Stiles and Stiles tucked his head under Jackson's chin. "Talk to me Stiles baby?"

Stiles whimpered but relaxed more at the endearment and the scent. "M-My best friend kept it from me. M-My s-s-supposed s-s-soulmate is—" he started shaking.

Jackson scented him and held him close. "Shh. Shh. Breathe."

Stiles tried to breathe as he nuzzled his nose against Jackson's neck, but he was distraught. "Why is it that my ex-boyfriend who I love so much is the one comforting me? You know why? It's because the one person who is my perfect match I don't trust. I don't know what to do!" he whispered, his voice having gotten quieter until it was barely audible.

"I know. I know but I'm here and you're going to be okay. I won't leave you until I know you're okay. Isaac is offering cuddles if you want them, but he won't push. Cora is keeping her distance but she's fighting it and Derek seems lost."

Stiles buried his nose against Jackson's neck. "Isaac should stay with Cora. She'll need him. Despite my fox whining for Derek, I don't want him...right now."