The Wolf and The Hunter (Sterek)

Chapter 7

Stiles turned to Allison once they reached the doorstep of their house. He put a finger to lips, signaling silence, even though none of them were speaking. "Shh."

The two cousins nodded at each other as Stiles gently inserted the house key in the keyhole and gingerly turned the handle to decrease the noise.

The lights were off, making the house look darker than the woods. Good, that must mean Uncle Chris and Aunt Victoria were asleep.

Stiles let out an inaudible sigh of relief and flicked the light switch on.

"Kids." the low voice of none other than Chris Argent calmly said as soon as the lights went on. His arms were crossed, eyebrows furrowed and expression unperturbed.

Stiles almost shrieked in shock. He hated when Chris did that unforeseen-Sherlock Holmes stunt.

Allison and Stiles exchanged wary glances. Oh shit.

"Would you guys like to enlighten me on why you are both home thirty minutes past nine?" Chris asked, nodding his head towards the clock on the wall. Stiles could tell he was trying not to go berserk on them, but the angry edge of his time was still present.

"Um...." Allison began uncertainly. She looked at her cousin again, who gave her the 'just lie' face. Obviously that wouldn't help much, as Allison found difficulty in lying to her parents. Stiles didn't understand it, lying was basically one of his best skills. The last time Allison lied was when they were in middle school when she got a low B instead of her usual A on a test and didn't tell anyone except Stiles. She was so distraught over it, while Stiles was grateful he got at least a C minus on it. So not really a good example.

At least he thinks that's the last time she's lied...

"We uh got into a bit of an accident." Stiles spoke up, earning a grateful smile from Allison. Uncle Chris's expression twisted to immediate concern. "Accident? Were you hurt?"

Allison shook her head. "We're fine dad. Stiles hit an animal accidentally-which was totally my fault and I'm so sorry-and so Stiles and I panicked and we looked for the closest place for help. By a stroke of luck, we found a veteranian center, and fortunately Scott and Derek worked there so they were able to help."

"It's okay Alli." Stiles assured her softly for the fifth time since they got back.

Chris raised an eyebrow at his daughter. "Scott and Derek?"

"They're friends."

Stiles pursed his lips. He guessed he and Derek's were friends now...right?

Chris seemed skeptical, but he just shook his head and let the matter go. "Well, next time give your mother or I a call. She was worried sick about you guys." he chastised.

How could they have forgotten to call Chris and Victoria? They must've been in full panic to think of calling them. Stiles's stomach churned with guilt, Aunt V and Uncle Chris were probably worried sick. He mentally face palmed himself. "Where is she?"

"She's sleeping upstairs. I let her sleep while I waited for you guys to come home. Now go upstairs, you have school tomorrow."

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"...So what were you and Scott doing in the supply closet?" Stiles asked after he closed the door of Uncle Chris's car. Not that she rarely wasn't, but Allison was more jovial than usual. Her dimples flashed numerous times that morning because she was smiling so much. It was kinda weird.

Allison rolled her eyes. "Why do you care?" she waved at her father as he yelled goodbye to the teens.

Stiles waved as well. "Bye Uncle C! And you and Scott took like, thirty minutes in that closet. Just to get towels. You see where I'm going with this?"

Allison shook her head. "Yes, I understand what you are implying. Scott and I were just caught up in conversation, that's all." Stiles nodded slowly, convinced there was something his cousin wasn't telling him. "I won't tell you anything else."

Stiles shrugged. "Okay then-"

"Alright fine! Scott asked me to the party on Friday!" she squealed. Stiles raised an eyebrow at her. What party?

"Party?"

"Yeah, didn't Scott tell you about the party on Friday? It's supposed to be after the lacrosse game." Allison explained.

Lacrosse game? Scott would've told him about some party. Not that he had much interest in going anyways. Parties were never really his style.

"You should ask Derek!" Allison suggested animatedly, catching Stiles off guard. Like hell that would happen.

"Ask me what?" Derek's gruff voice asked from behind Allison, causing Stiles to almost have a heart attack. He opened and closed his mouth several times, before his mind registered what was fully happening. "Hey Derek!" Stiles put on his cheery persona, shielding his nerves from Derek. It was only because Derek was an intimidating guy...that was all.

"Uh hey. You guys wanted to ask me something..?"

"Well Stiles wanted to ask you-"

"Where's Scott?" Stiles cut off Allison. His cousin just huffed at him in annoyance, but didn't say anything else.

Derek raised an eyebrow. "I don't think he's here yet." Hmm, weird. Stiles assumed he and Scott were brothers or somewhat related, since they were always together one way or another. Just like he and Allison.

Allison looked down at her phone to hide her disappointment. Or she was just texting Scott, who knows.

"Is that what you wanted to ask me?"

"Yup definitely." Stiles replied. Unbeknownst to him, Derek heard his heart skip a beat. He was lying.

"You're lying." Derek stated bluntly, furrowing his eyebrows suspiciously. Stiles laughed sheepishly and tried not to squirm under the taller boys skeptical gaze. Maybe Derek could read him better than he thought. What if he realized Stiles's attraction to him? That is probably why Derek's always weird around him. Oh that would be embarrassing...

"Scott!" Allison chirped, saving Stiles from inner humiliation.

Scott walked up to them with a bright smile. "Hey guys!" Stiles swore he heard Allison swoon. Ugh.

The four made their way towards the school building. Allison and Scott were engrossed in conversation, while Stiles listened along amused. Derek was purposefully walking a
decelerated pace behind the group.

Stiles noticed this and looked behind him. Derek's attention seemed to elsewhere, as he was staring straight ahead-probably deep in thought.

Stiles slowed his pace as well. "Hey." he greeted him. Derek snapped out of his thoughts, shaking his head forcefully. He must've been in seriously deep thought.

Derek hummed his hello. Stiles scratched the back of his neck nervously. What should he say? Oh! He could thank him for helping him and Allison yesterday. That should start a decent conversation.

"So I-I wanted to thank you for helping Allison and I yesterday. She really freaked out."

Derek wanted to state that Stiles had also been hysterical, but he uncharacteristically decided not to. "I did what I had to do." he simply said instead.

Stiles smiled, which was Derek would never admit made him look more gorgeous, even if it was just a small smile. He averted his eyes away from him and kept looking straight ahead.

Stiles didn't take Derek's brusque response personally. Derek was probably just a very withdrawn person who wasn't good at socializing. Nothing he hasn't handled before.

But he and Derek would soon become friends. The boy didn't know why he was so determined to become Derek's friend, but he wouldn't give up on Derek just yet. Curt responses were just the beginning.

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