The Fox and The Wolf - Book One {Sterek}

Chapter 24: Spirited Away

"Stiles? Stiles, can you hear me?" He asked me, his voice clear and loud.

I nodded weakly, staying where I was in Isaac's embrace. "Okay. I need you to focus on your feelings. Focus hard on Derek, and tell me what you feel." He instructed.

I did as he asked, picturing his green and brown eyes in my mind, letting his scent envelop me. I gasped as a wave of pain hit me, hard. Another wave of fear, confusion and anger washed over me and I sucked in a breath. "Pain, a lot of pain. And fear. He's scared and confused. And angry," I said in a voice that barely sounded like my own.

I could feel the confusion from the rest of the occupants in the room, but I was looking at Deaton. "He's not dead Deaton," I said. He nodded, looking relieved.

"Uhhh, how does he know that?" Scott addressed Deaton and I buried my head in Isaac's neck again.

"Perhaps that's a conversation for another time," he said calmly. "Right now, we need to figure out who took him, and why."

"I caught a strange scent in Derek's room, but I don't recognize it," Scott said to the doctor.

"Well... who would want to take him? And it was obviously without a struggle. So, he went willingly. But based on the emotions Stiles sensed, he's not among friends," Deaton said, puzzling over it.

Lydia added her two cents. "Well we don't really know of any other enemies... besides hunters. Maybe we should start by calling Argent," she suggested.

"Good call. Can you do that Lydia?" He asked. I heard the rustle of her curls as she nodded and walked away, dialing Chris Argents number on her phone.

"Scott, what did the scent smell like? We might be able to work out some details based on that," Deaton said quickly.

"Well... I smelled Stiles, which is vanilla spice and burnt leaves, and Derek, which is forest and mint. And the third scent was sort of... crisp, or dry maybe. Like sand. Sand and gun powder... and wolfsbane," Scott finished his explanation worriedly.

"So maybe somewhere warm? Like down south?" Liam asked.

Lydia walked back into the group then and I raised my head to look at her. She looked hopeful. "Chris thinks he might know who took him. I told him what you guys were saying about the scent... he thinks it was a family of hunters from Mexico. The Caliveras?"

Deaton's face hardened. "Yes, he could be right. That's the only explanation." The feeling started to come back into my body at the news, finally having a course of action. Deaton looked around the room solemnly. "Who's ready for a trip to Mexico?"

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It was 8am and we were all crammed into two vehicles, the Jeep and Derek's Camaro. Scott was driving my Jeep, with Isaac, Liam and Mason in the back. Lydia was elected to drive Derek's precious Camaro, with Malia and Kira. We had packed for several days, just in case, and informed all of our parents we were going on a 'camping trip'. I couldn't believe that my dad had believed that one. Whatever. I finally felt like I could breath as we drove away from Beacon Hills, and towards wherever Derek was. I was back to my regular self, just extra worried, as I tried to form a plan in my head. We still had no idea what we were going to do to once we actually got there, and this was my specialty. I needed to come up with a plan. One that would work.

I came back to reality when I spotted Liam shifting uncomfortably in the back seat, jammed between Mason and Isaac. "What's wrong Liam?" I asked gently. He looked at me guiltily.

"I know we're in a rush to get to Derek, and that he's in danger... but I'm hungry Stiles," he whined. I felt my own stomach growl at his words and turned to Scott.

"Stop at the next exit, we need to eat," I commanded, and he nodded at me. I texted the girls and they agreed.

We pulled into a small diner as I realized it was already 4pm. We hadn't eaten since yesterday. I'm surprised it took Liam that long to say anything... the kid could eat a horse for every meal. We got a table together and ordered a feast, knowing we may not be able to stop for food again until well into the next day. I sat between Liam and Isaac, making sure they got enough to eat. Isaac kept an arm around my shoulders and Liam sat close enough that our arms were touching, both of them sending calming scents my way. I accepted the contact gratefully while I stuffed the food in my face, not really tasting it. Scott reached across the table to touch my hand a few times, his eyes still worried. I tried to reassure him with a look each time, but I had a feeling I was unsuccessful.

We all took a bathroom break and left the diner with a few to go containers I had ordered for Liam. As we were getting into our respective vehicles, Lydia pulled me into a fierce hug. Malia and Kira joined in, circling me with their warm bodies, while Lydia whispered in my ear.

"We'll find him Stiles," she said confidently, and they all squeezed me a little harder before letting go. I gave them a small smile and climbed into the drivers seat of the Jeep.

Scott went with Kira and the other girls this time, leaving the boys with me. Isaac sat in the passenger seat and leaned against me as he faded off to sleep, his even breaths helping to calm my nerves. Mason had fallen asleep against Liam's side, and the young werewolf kept his eyes trained on me in the rear view mirror. I opened my mouth to say something, try to reassure him maybe, and he cut me off immediately.

"Don't say it. I know you're not okay," he whispered. He laid his hand on the back of my neck reassuringly, and my pulse slowed at his calm touch.

Eventually he too fell asleep, and the jeep was filled with the sleepy breathing of the three boys. Despite falling asleep, Liam kept his hand on my neck firmly, and Isaac stayed against my side. I smiled at their peaceful faces, glad they were finally getting some rest and relaxing. I felt a surge of protectiveness when I looked at them all. I needed to protect them. Needed to make sure they were safe and taken care of. I imagined this is what it feels like to be a parent. Is this what Scott feels like as the alpha looking at his pack? I wondered. I imagined it was. This feeling was completely instinctual. They are my pack, and I will protect them. All of them.