Our Guardian Angel

Chapter 27

The pack was sitting at the table for breakfast the next morning when someone showed up. Cora was the first to get up, Derek following after when he realized it was her old pack. When they got outside the had realized only about a third of their pack had come, Derek visibly relaxing knowing that there wasn't going to be a fight today, at least not with them. A man, tan with half of his head shaven, the other half long and styled, stood in front of his pack, hands clasped together as if waiting for Derek to greet him. Derek stepped off of the porch nodding, his eyes flashing red, the other's flashing back.

"Where's your new mate?" Jamison asked.

Derek's posture stiffened, "He's inside."

Jamison nodded, "Congratulations."

"Thank you. But, you're not here to talk about my mate." Jamison nodded again. Derek nodded toward the house leading them inside.

Most of the pack was already sitting in the living room, getting up when Derek walked in with the other pack. Boyd and Jackson stayed seated as the others left like they were instructed to do the week prior. Stiles stood by the fireplace not quite sure if he should leave or not since the rules changed due to the mating ritual. Derek stared at Stiles, his eyes looking toward the love seat. Stiles sighed sitting down next to Cora as the alpha stood in front of them.

The other pack found seats, some of them choosing to stand against the wall behind their alpha. Jamison and Cora made small conversation before they decided to get down to business.

"She belongs with us."

Derek rolled his eyes, "She was only with you because she didn't know anyone in our family survived the fire."

"That's beside the point. She was pack to us and you weren't meant to be an alpha. She's not safe with you."

"Her safety is not your concern anymore."

The argument went on awhile longer before Stiles coughed and nervously got Derek's attention. The alpha tried to glare at him but wasn't able to keep the hard look on his face. Stiles waited for permission to speak.

"Let the boy speak, Hale." Jamison said, amusement lacing his voice.

Derek sighed, nodding, letting Stiles cling to his arm as he stood. "M-Maybe, we should just let Cora decide? She's been in b-both packs. She should know where she feels safest. I don't want her to leave b-but she's an adult now, she knows what's r-right for her."

Derek looked at Jamison, the room already knowing he was in agreement with his mate. Stiles mumbling an apology as he sat back down.

"No, that's a great idea. Cora, who do you want to be with?"

Cora looked between the two, "Look, Jamison, I love you and your pack so much and I'll always be grateful, but this is my family. Literally. I have my family back and I'm not leaving them no matter what."

Jamison nodded, "Alright. But don't expect a place in our pack in the future."

"I won't need one."

The other pack got up and left, Derek's body relaxing as Cora hugged him. "Love you big brother."

"Love you too, Cor."

He turned toward Stiles, "Don't apologize for speaking up."

Stiles nodded, "I-I didn't know if I was allowed to..."

"You're the alpha's mate. You have just as much of a say in things as he does now." Boyd mumbled from his seat.

Derek nodded, "We're equals."

Stiles nodded, "Okay."