Invisible String || Peter Hale

Chapter Three: Suspicious Minds

"What's that saying? "Blood runs thicker than water?" Doesn't that apply to us as well?" Derek evidently hadn't thought through the words the tumbled from his lips, the proof lay before his eyes in the form of the Argent who was more of a mother that the one with whom he shared blood.

"No. Family is just as quick to stab you in the back if presented with the right motive, or simply for the fun of it." Peter voice grew thicker and deeper the longer this conversation continued, focusing on Andrea's scent as he tried to calm himself "How thick did blood run when Damien second-handedly killed your girlfriend?"

Derek froze, gaze downcast as his heart hammered against his rib cage. Guilt engulfed his bleeding heart as he thought to the lover who fell to death's clutches. Andrea's eyes widened, shooting up from her seat she slapped Peter over the head, expression one of disapproval as she spoke "That was beyond insensitive. Apologize."

"Fine." He bit out, focusing his attention on his nephew whose expression resembled a scolded puppy who was waiting to be fussed as assurance that everything between them is okay "I'm sorry, however, you're the one who was idiotic enough to start this conversation before coffee entered my system. It's a guarantee that I shall be cranky and have no filter, the topic of conversation was simply enough to push me over the edge."

"That's not what I meant."

"It was an apology, wasn't it?" Peter offered a weak shrug, reaching forth to trap Andrea into his arms once more. A content smile stretched his lips when the woman didn't so much as struggle, allowing herself to be manoeuvred into his embrace and settled comfortably.

"Barely." She muttered in response, unable to maintain her façade of irritation when Peter's fingers danced along the bare skin of her arms, leaving goosebumps and a smile in his wake "I do agree that trying to so much as have a conversation, much less one of this topic, was completely idiotic of you though. Do you not recall what happened when Laur drank the last of the coffee before Peter had woken up?"

"Okay, that happened one time." Peter spoke in defence, expression irked as his eyes danced between the two who exchanged an amused glance.

"I still believe you two have lost your minds. I mean, what person in the right state of mind accuses someone- who has been in a coma for the last six years- of being an alpha who murdered, rather brutally I may add, his own niece?" Derek was quick to return to the previous topic, eyebrows stood raised as he continued "Whilst I understand your prospective in terms of Damien's lack of care for his family, and only ever doing something if it benefits him in some way, accusing him of killing his niece is rather extreme, especially considering his current state."

"One: who said anything of being in the right state of mind?" Andrea's question drew a snort from Peter, Derek however was less than amused as the woman lifted her fingers, counting off as she continued "Two: you won't be trying to defend him when the bastard emerges from the shadows, revealing himself as the alpha."

"You have absolutely no proof to back up your claims, you merely have a feeling." Derek drawled blandly, whirling to face them as he waved his finger in Andrea's direction.

"And when have my feelings ever been wrong?" Derek hesitated for a moment in consideration, eyes shifting to his uncle in hopes of a tale from years prior when he realised the Argent was indeed right.

Peter's shoulders lifted, lips quirked in amusement as his words made Derek deflate "She's right. Each time she's had a feeling about someone or a situation, it's revealed to be true."

"Okay, perhaps you have a slight point. However-" Derek was quick to lift his finger as he watched triumph spread throughout Andrea's features "that doesn't change the facts."