Capture & Release

Chapter 5

Derek took longer at the school than he anticipated, the teachers clearly wanting to pull out all the stops to reassure the Alpha who they knew was in the business of protecting Omega's and vulnerable people of any designation. They had spoken to all the parents of the other children involved and advised each that a change in behaviour was required else their children would face expulsion as they would not tolerate bullying of any kind against any designation.

They had also gone a step further by organising an assembly that morning with all the children of the school to address behavioural issues overall and to Derek's surprise invited him to stay and speak at to give an overview on the impacts such behaviours could have. Whilst the idea itself had been well received by Derek, he would have much preferred some advance notice so that he could have, at the very least, prepared what he could say to such a young group of children, or even better have persuaded Laura to do it.

It had actually gone surprisingly well, with some children even asking him questions that he was thankfully able to answer with ease, what with him now being well used to having to both answer and address Isaac's fears and concerns following the life he had led up to his adoption.

Derek was however relieved to be getting back to his office to pick Isaac up and had every intention of thanking Stiles for his assistance today as the man had gone above and beyond in helping him out.

Derek couldn't help smiling to himself every time he thought about the Omega. He was such a livewire, such a ray of sunshine in a world that had been depressingly dark for Derek since his parents' deaths. There was something about him that intrigued Derek, made him want to learn more about him, he was so smart and inquisitive, he was keen to know as much about him as he could.

Unfortunately whenever he asked questions about Stiles' life before joining the company the Omega seemed reluctant to give much away, turning the subject around with a joke or answering the question with a question in return, somehow successfully keeping his cards to his chest without appearing rude or unwilling. Derek not wanting to pry or force the Omega to talk about things he was clearly unwilling, let himself be led in whatever direction Stiles deemed the conversation safe.

Derek knows of course the type of trauma's that Omega's can live through, Isaac being a prime example. But Derek had met the Sheriff and he seemed a sincerely good guy. Derek was well aware that looks can be deceiving, however he was confident there were no dark secrets in that regard, as the Sheriff was also someone the Omega talked about with abundant enthusiasm so it was clear there was no hidden trauma in that direction thankfully.

But there was still something, something Derek couldn't put his finger on that haunted the man. Derek could of course have asked around or researched Stiles' history but that would be a breach of trust that he did not want to break. Instead he bided his time hoping to earn enough of Stiles' trust that he would feel safe enough to open up to him more in due course.

Mulling over the anomaly that is Stiles, Derek silently walks into his office only to find a giggling Isaac chasing Stiles around the large meeting table. Isaac looked adorable wearing a sheriff's county hat and sheriff badge, clearly in his element chasing Stiles with glee whilst holding a set of handcuffs in his hands. Stiles however looked ludicrous as he ran ahead of him, with what Derek assumes was a stocking on his head, whilst clutching, for some reason, Derek's cactus to his chest as he shouted somewhat dramatically "you'll never take me alive!"

Derek's sudden bark of laughter surprises both of them, bringing them to a sudden standstill. The look of shock on both their faces makes the situation even more ridiculous, causing Derek to give in to full on laughter, feeling his heart warm at the sight of them having so much fun together.