𝒉𝒊𝒓𝒂𝒆𝒕𝒉, 𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘦𝘴 𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘬𝘪

𝟓𝟑

𝐌𝐎𝐍𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐑

Rushing back into the house, Aurelia closed the door behind her and Scott before slumping against the wall. Her body felt like it was on fire. Where relief flooded half of her, the other half shook in fear.

Scott explained that he was going to go and check on Stiles, but his voice sounded muted. Nodding slowly, she returned her attention the chaos in the living room.

Deaton was trying his best to clear everything up, but his reluctance to touch the bandages on the floor were evident. Pointing to the kitchen, Deaton took that to mean there were some gloves he could use. Not wanting to let his skin touch it, in the case it would injure him.

Aurelia's mind ran through the events that began from the moment they left Stiles' mind, one moment in particular that stood out to her. Rounding on Peter, who stood pale as a ghost, she examined his features.

"Peter." Lia stated.

"Yes." He responded, watching her carefully. Something was off with him and that much was clear.

"What did Lydia tell you? What did she know?" Aurelia asked, watching as his eyes widened and he began to shift from foot to foot. It was clear he was going to avoid the question. "Peter. Just spit it out. I doubt whatever it is can make me dislike you any less than I already do."

A pang of hurt flashed across his face, as he lowered his eyes and focused on the floor. Aurelia couldn't understand why her words were seemingly hurting him so much. This was Peter. He didn't care about much if it didn't directly involve him.

"Okay, erm, here it goes." Peter coughed, not ignoring the looming presence of Roman who loitered in the corner. Watching and waiting. "Around eighteen years ago, I had some memories removed by my sister. I never knew what they were, until the other day when Lydia discovered them for me." Aurelia pressed him to continue. "Lia, I am your biological father."

Her mouth went dry. Lia tried to ask a string of questions. How it was possible?

When?

Why?

She was shocked, she was upset that she never knew. But more importantly, she was furious.

"Oh, Jesus Christ." Lia muttered, her hand going to her forehead as she stumbled backwards. Peter reached forwards to catch her as her knees went weak, but Roman beat him to it. Practically scooping her up and sitting her in one of the dining room chairs. "I don't understand."

Peter pulled a chair out to face her and leant forward onto his knees. "I remember knowing your mother. I always had thought she was beautiful, and powerful. But she had always kept it quiet, he never knew." Peter chuckled. "How? I have no idea. She was fiery and confident, but sweet and ever so loving." Peter gushed and Aurelia's heart swelled at his words.

"You remind me of her, actually." He continued, watching as Aurelia's eyes flickered up and met his own. "I remember falling in love with her and hating him." Peter spat, the way that he spoke of her adoptive father sent shivers down her spine. "She loved me too. I know she did. But she was afraid." Aurelia shivered at the thought of what he did to his own wife. "She didn't want to hurt him."

Aurelia's head shot up. It was not what she was expecting in the slightest.

"He— he never hurt her?" Aurelia asked, relieved and somewhat shocked.

Peter shook his head, but Aurelia didn't know which way to take that. "No he did, but only once it was too late. When you and Isaac were already born."

Falling quiet, Aurelia lowered her head. "I'm assuming my memories were taken when she found she was pregnant, as she wanted to keep it quiet. She didn't want your father to find out you and Isaac, weren't his." Peter sighed. "Because, believe me, if I would have known you and Isaac were mine. I would have fought for you. You wouldn't had to have grown up with that monster for a father."