From the Ashes

From the Ashes: Chapter Seventeen

It's hours later, nearing dinner time when the two spark and the alpha make their way back to the pack house. Neither of his parents part form him, instead keeping him between them as close to them as possible. Stiles has never felt safer.

"Are you sure?" Claudia asks.

Stiles glances at the pack house and swallows then looks at his parents. "Yes. I mean I'm nervous but pack is pack. I know they'll help me."

Peter smiles and nuzzles his son's temple. "They will indeed. We can send the little ones upstairs and soundproof the room. That should give us enough privacy."

"Okay," Stiles whispers. "Is it bad I really want Isaac right now?"

"No. It is completely normal and expected to want and/or need your mate."

The curly haired beta rushes outside and throws his arms around his mate, rumbling deeply in his chest. His nose is buried against the pale neck of his mate and Stiles sinks into the embrace. "I was scared for you," Isaac whispers. "Are you all right? Or at least better than when we found you?"

Stiles sniffles and purrs at a kiss to his pulsepoint. "Mhm. Much better but I need you close."

Isaac leans back but doesn't let go. "I'll stay as close as you want. You have a look that says this is serious. What's happening?"

"I'm gonna tell them but I can't do it alone. It was hard to tell Matka and Tata. I can't imagine how I'll tell the betas."

"Hey," the blue eyed man says quietly as he cups the younger spark's face. "I'll help you. We don't have to tell them everything. They don't need the details. Just enough to understand."

"Okay. I love you."

Isaac grins and kisses his mate as he laces their fingers together. "Love you too."

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It takes a few minutes to gather the betas in the den after sending the niblings upstairs to play but soon it's Stiles, Isaac, Peter, Claudia, Kira, Allison, Jackson, Jordan, Cora, Malia, Theo, Harley, Helix, Vira and Amelia all gathered around.

Stiles looks for a place to sit but squeaks–a manly squeak thank you very much–as Isaac pulls him into his lap. "O-Okay. This works."

Peter and Claudia sit on either side of him and both Kira and Allison are by his feet scenting him.

"It's okay, my angel. Just breathe," Isaac whispers in his ear. "I'm right here." The wolf's arms slip around his waist in a firm hold.

Stiles nods and clears his throat. "Thank you for being willing to listen. Over the past two years of being part of a real pack I've learned a lot about what pack means. There's a level of trust that is precious and I'm honored to be someone you trust. However, I've realized that not being more open with you all, gives a perceived lack of trust in you and that's not at all what I'm intending." He chews on his lip taking a few deep breaths as he gathers his thoughts.

"As you all know when I was nine..." He glances at his mother who nods. "When I was nine I was in danger and to protect me Matka used her spark as a shield around me before leaving. From age nine to age sixteen I lived with Noah. I thought he was my dad. Then a ritual happened when some of the parents went missing. So, we went and..."

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Allison has tears in her eyes when Stiles finishes telling them about the ritual. She shifts and climbs into his lap with her ears drooping.

He smiles softly at her and cards his fingers through her orange and black fur. His eyes flick up to see varying reactions from the rest of the pack.

"So, yes. Allison is the Allison in that story. We thought she died and because of that belief I was committed to Insanus Carcerum. Sco–" he cuts himself off as nausea rises up.