Atelophobia (TW soulmate AU)

Chapter 34: An Important Conversation

*Stiles*

Scott's dealing with this new thing he has with Danny and even though he's tried to convince me to go with him, it's something he needs to do by himself. So currently I'm at the Hale house (because where else would I be) while he's dealing with that. 

Talia wants to talk with me and Peter. She made it sound important and so I'm curious as to what it's about and why I'm being included. Normally when Talia has meetings, even just within the pack, it'll include Peter, Derek, and Laura. So this time it's just....strange. That's the only word I can find for it. 

We enjoyed dinner afterwards Talia gestured Peter and I to her office. She closed the door hind her to improve the sound proofing. Even though Laura was actually ver here for pack dinner, she wasn't included in the meeting. But I wouldn't be surprised to find her trying to get into the room.

"Why don't we talk a seat." Talia said sitting down. Peter and I following suit. 

I guess she's trying to be informal when most meetings she has are very formal. 

"Why am I here for this conversation?"

Remember Stiles, you don't have a brain to mouth filter. 

Talia just gave me a motherly smile and I couldn't stop the small smile that formed on my face. Peter patting my knee and then taking my hand in his. I wouldn't be surprised if he knew what this conversation will entail. 

"You are aware how a wolf becomes an Alpha, yes?"

"I believe so. There's at least three different possibilities. 

* One: you kill an Alpha

* Two: You become one out of sheer will and rejecting the Alpha that turned you

* Three: It gets passed down from the previous Alpha through pack bonds, normally passed to next of kin." 

"Correct, however, when passing down Alpha status within the pack we look for individuals who have qualities of an Alpha or in other words Alpha potential."

"Like Laura?" 

"She has some qualities, but so does Derek and so do you." 

"Wait, me?! I'm human I can't be an Alpha." 

Me?! She sees me as Alpha potential. How? What qualities?

"You can still be Alpha while being human and no it won't turn you. You'd just get some extra perks like slightly more enhanced senses and healing. Improved reflexes." 

"Oh."

Silence as this new information started to truly process in my brain. Peter was periodically squeezing my hand. 

Was he nervous?

I put that thought out of my head for the moment focusing on the current conversation because if I don't, I won't get out all the questions I'd like answers to.

"What qualities do I even have?"

"A majority of what both Laura and Derek have. Loyalty, Leadership, Strategy, and Strength. Even with it being in a different sense compared to my children. And you have something that they don't have. The feeling of being safe to younger wolves. Now Derek is caring, but he has a hard time articulating to others, even with Jordan. Laura hasn't really had a caring bone in her body ever. But watching you the other night with Scott's pack and how they flocked to you immediately. Took comfort in you, unsure of Scott's own roll. You stood up. You took charge. Great Alpha qualities." 

Oh. My bleeding heart is a great Alpha quality. I blinked, unsure of what to say next. My brain is mo in a thousand miles an hour and my thoughts all over the place that I blurt out the first coherent thought I have.

"This is why Laura wasn't involved in this conversation like she whined about over dinner?"

It caused a surprised laugh to come from both Peter and Talia. 

"Yes, Stiles. This topic is why. I'd rather her not go throwing her weight around with you like she does with Derek. She brings up the ugly and tries to get a reaction out of others. A reason I've told her on a multitude of occasions that if she doesn't fix she can't be Alpha. So currently you and Derek are my front runners." 

"Really?"

"Yes, Deucalion and Satomi Ito agree."

"I was the one to bring it up."

I looked up at Peter. 

"Being the current Left Hand, I look for such traits and even though we're mates I can't just turn the skill off. I started my case trying to be as neutral as possible and at least Talia had seen the same traits. Alpha Carver and Alpha Ito were brought in as  outside sources. An uninvolved party with an unbiased opinion. They also agreed that you have Alpha potential."

I blinked, a small smile on my face. I don't know how to feel with this new information. 

"If...if you end up choosing me for next Alpha, how does that affect Peter?"

"He'd be Left Hand until you eventually either picked someone else for that position or you decided not to have one. Then until you completed your mating he'd be a regular pack member along with being the Alpha's mate." 

"And if we've completed the mating?"  

I felt Peter tense next to me. 

Oh this is the fist time I've willing mentioned about fully cementing the bond sometime int he future.

"He'd be your Luna." 

Oh. I chanced a glance at Peter and all I saw in his face was hope and pure love. 

He's happy. 

"Stiles." 

I looked to Talia.

"You don't have to worry to much about it now, I just wanted to inform you. I did the same with Laura and Derek." 

I nodded. It's like an informational meeting we just had. 

"Thank you."

She nodded standing up causing Peter and I to get up as well and follow her out of the room. Opening the door there's Laura right in the way. Not even trying to hide the fact that she was attempting to listen in. Though she knows about the sound proofing. I couldn't see Talia's face, but I wouldn't doubt there being a look of disappointment on her face directed at Laura. 

Peter and I went to go past her and she sneered at us clearly angry, it when is she not. 

"You getting kicked out of the pack yet?"

"LAURA!" Talia stated very angry and very done with Laura's shit. 

The Alpha tone used caused the whole house to stop. No one goes against the Alpha. Laura did her best o hold her mother's age in a challenge before giving into her wolf and bowing her head, exposing her neck. 

Talia motioned for Peter and I to leave as she drug her daughter back into her office for a talking to.