19: Emissary – Part 5

By the time Zepar contacted them with a short outside visit to their building in two days, both Stiles and Derek were mostly healed and the magic refilled and settled in them. Enough to be ready for the meeting with this mysterious Leader and Zepar near the Nemeton's clearing around nightfall that day.

It gave the mates some time to prepare and talk over what they should ask and what they'd have to do in different scenarios. Zepar had told them that it was only going to be the Leader and him, but neither fully believed that. Which was no surprise after the reputation the rival alpha had managed to build for himself in the last few months.

"So... we mainly go with the diplomatic approach, right?" Stiles asked as he sat behind the wheel of his Jeep. They had decided to go with that since it was better built for the rough terrain they'd have to navigate on until they reached the rendezvous point.

He's been buzzing all day with anticipation and nerves, because finally they might get real answers. Emphasis on the 'might'. They didn't really know what to expect, though. This Leader might try to lie to them or provoke them to coax some reaction probably mostly from Stiles. Or they might attack the mates. Which were all possibilities Derek and Stiles tried to get ready for.

He was drumming impatiently on the steering wheel with his fingers while waiting for a red light to turn green. It felt better for him to drive and do something instead of just sitting on the passenger seat like a bundle of nerves. Well, he was like that anyways too, making his irises lightly shimmer in their usual amber color when the magic was close to the surface, but at least with driving he had something else to focus on too besides reining in the magic as much as possible.

"Although I'll go berserk on their asses if they try to hurt you again. I had enough of that," he said even before Derek had the chance to react anything to his question.

"I doubt they will, they're done with their tests so either they will talk to us or we'll have to fight for our lives." Not that they were interested in killing him, they were after Stiles if they considered him a danger but there was no way Derek was going to stand by and watch. So yeah, it was possible that they were about to walk into what possibly could be the fight of their lives. They were prepared for it, they were healed, they knew how to work together so Stiles' magic could amplify the Alpha but… they were up against very old and strong beings.

Derek sat calmly and collected in the passenger's seat, Stiles was enough of a nervous energy next to him. Too used to these life and death situations, the werewolf didn't think about it too much, they could die. Sure. They could walk away unscathed, they could be badly injured. One thing he knew for certain: he was going to make damn sure Stiles was going to walk away from this alive, no matter the cost.

"Let's try to play it smart. We ask them why and we make sure they realize you're not some bomb about to go off, that we have it under control. We try to work with them, though I prefer not being tied to them after today. But whatever it takes." If there were hunters watching him as alpha, then adding a Druid Council watching Stiles wasn't that much of a difference.

They were not evil, they were not going to turn dark, they had nothing to hide. "Hopefully we can get some information about the Nemeton, what your connection means, what my connection means. If they're willing to share." Druids hadn't been exactly forthcoming with information, or at least the ones they knew. It could also be a complete bust.

"Yeah... yeah, you're right. We should be level-headed about this. It's just that they had caused so much pain for both of us and through us to the people we love... And they managed to mostly destabilize me with playing on my emotions. I'm not stupid, I had noticed that tactic and can feel it too. I'm terrified of losing you and my control," Stiles stated those facts with a somewhat cooler head. "I cannot let them get to me. You cannot let them get to you either. Because if there's going to be a fight, it won't be pretty, that's for sure," he mumbled as they reached the edge of the Preserve and Stiles led the Jeep off onto a dirt road.

"We'll also have to figure out who the mole is. They know too personal things. Maybe we get lucky and they slip up some way so we can figure out who talked to them about us," Stiles mused. It was something that's been bothering him ever since they had realized that fact. And the list of suspects hasn’t narrowed down ever since. It kept him up some nights, leaving him standing in front of his board or on the roof garden to let Derek sleep.

His frown only deepened when soon the Jeep stopped to a halt near the place by a small creek where they were supposed to meet and Stiles stayed still for a few moments, taking a deep breath from the forest air coming through the rolled down window. "Either way, we have to be smart about this," he said and closed his eyes, letting some of his magic go to map out the area. They were a little early, but that was on purpose. To try to see if they were walking into a trap or not.

"I already know who the mole is." Derek had been keeping quiet about it, since admitting that would also lead to the whole Kate talk. Stiles hadn't asked yet, but he was going to want to know what Zepar had hinted at. He mostly wanted this to be over with first before they handled what was no doubt going to be very unpleasant. If they survive today. He also didn't say more, in case Zepar was close by and was here early. "Later," he promised. Right now it didn't matter.

The alpha inhaled deeply, shaking his head. Nothing. Not that would be saying much, they could mask their scents and heartbeats and he wouldn't be the wiser. Stiles might get more with the magic since that was not so easy to hide. His muscles were ready, his entire body was geared up in case of an attack, he had to be ready for anything, it could be the difference between life or death.

He hadn't liked the meeting place, too close to the Nemeton, too much temptation for Stiles to tap into its power if they were going to fight. Perhaps that's why it had been chosen. It certainly wasn't neutral ground. The Preserve belonged to Derek. The tree? It belonged to itself. Mostly. It did seem to prefer the young couple so maybe it would aid them for a change instead of soaking up blood.

With a sigh, the older man quietly got out of the car, keeping the door open as he let his eyes roam. Crickets were chirping, the night creatures were slowly emerging now that it was dusk, but nothing more.

Stiles wanted to pester a reply out of Derek about the identity of the mole, but with his powers loose, he could tell that Derek was set on the task ahead and would keep himself to his "later" comment, so instead Stiles just grunted and stayed behind the wheel with closed eyes for a few more minutes.

He knew when Derek got out of the Jeep. Behind his closed eyelids he could kinda see his mate's familiar golden and red energies swirling aware like the wolf was. Otherwise he could trace only a few nearby animals' presence.

Opening his glowing amber eyes, he pulled the magic back just a bit so it could alert him if something came closer to them.

"They aren't here yet. Let's head to the creek," Stiles joined Derek on the other side of the car, stroking along his forearm to calm and ground perhaps both of them a bit. Then keeping his guards up, he led the way and stopped near some big rocks. Hopping up on one while mapping out the small clearing and the surrounding trees, he hummed, shaking his head for Derek as if saying 'still nothing'.

So now came the waiting part. Which was something Stiles hated to do because of his restless nature.

Waiting wasn't pleasant, especially not when it was in these kinds of circumstances but the Hale would rather wait so they had the advantage than to come here ill prepared. Derek glanced at Stiles who was perched on a rock, looking restless even though he was constantly using his magic to scan the surroundings. The alpha crossed his arms, spread his legs a little to keep himself grounded, often his to-go-to stance. They didn't speak, because they were comfortable in one another's silence and didn't need to blanket it anymore with babble. Not that Derek was much for small talk, but anything they spoke right now could be overheard so he wasn't going to chance it.

Stiles didn't need to say anything about them arriving, Derek knew around the same time as the Spark did, because there was a distinct change in the atmosphere, a rise in the electrical charges, as if a thunderstorm was about to erupt. Zepar had masked his scent, probably used to doing that around whoever it was he brought with him. Somebody part of the Druid Council.

The tall alpha emerged, and with him was an older woman, perhaps not dressed in any typical way befitting a high druid, not anything Derek had expected. Perhaps something black, or a New Age dress. Instead she was wearing a suit, a neat fit, clearly tailored to her body and there was an aura of power surrounding her. It made Derek instinctively uncomfortable, as well as the look she threw their way. She wasn't too amused with the change of plans, yet she had agreed to a meeting.

Straightening his stance, Derek moved closer to Stiles.

That move wasn't missed by Stiles or the newcomers. The former jumped off the rock and stepped next to Derek to be a united front.

"That's close enough," Stiles said to Zepar and the black woman who had runes running up on both sides of her neck, barely visible from her dark skin color. The black thick hair was put up in an elaborate yet elegant bun as she stopped in the middle of the small clearing, Zepar looming a step behind her, eyes aware and stance calm yet protective.

"To be honest, I expected some hood or cape or something," Stiles murmured, maybe a tad bit disappointed in her appearance. It made the woman faintly smile, though.

"At long last, the current Stilinski Spark and his familiar, the Hale Alpha," she said, her voice calm and somewhat deep. "I am the Leader of the Druid Council."

"I'd say it's a pleasure, but I don't like to lie. And given the circumstances and the fact that you guys have put us through some pretty painful tests, I think it's understandable that we aren't too thrilled from your presence. Yet, we appreciate your willingness to meet us here," Stiles said, staying mostly diplomatic instead of offensive. After all, he had to be here more in his Emissary role than the hot-headed Spark he could be. They had to persuade these people and through them the Druid Council that he wasn't a threat and that he could keep it together.

"I think it's understandable why we tested you, wouldn't you agree? You made the choice to use your Spark and utilize magic. You made the choice to bond with an alpha which furthered your progress and then some unfortunate events took place," the older woman admonished. "We weren't so thrilled either to have to come here and make certain you weren't a threat."

Derek didn't like the way it was turned around on them, as if that excused the route they had taken, as if that made the injuries okay. He had nearly died twice, and he certainly hadn't asked for it.

"No," his eyes narrowed at the other couple, his voice cold and low. "You should have talked to us. What you did was cruel and unneeded. Regarding the lives of others, my life, as not important. But then, we weren't supposed to be alive to have this conversation, were we?"

"We have not decided on that yet."

It wasn't a good enough answer for the Hale and he growled at that. They had proven themselves ten times over and this leader of the Druid Council didn't even think that was enough. "We're not killers, we balance one another. Stiles isn't going to go dark like Julia. We let Zepar go, that should be enough proof."

"Julia had an unhealthy obsession with you, Mr. Hale, and now you're with another druid, even more powerful than her. Mister Stilinski is unstable, that we can see and you are both connected to the Nemeton. Our concern is with that. Don't you find it curious that you have ended up with a powerful druid yet again? You're always at the heart of things, Mr. Hale. Where you are, trouble follows. You're not suited to be bonded to a talent such as Stiles, yet here we are. Perhaps you're the one who corrupted the Nemeton. A necromancer and a dark Spark should not be kept alive."

This wasn't good. The woman and Zepar knew too much and they had to be careful with Derek to avoid further unnecessary fights.

"Neither of us asked for any of this, but things still happened. I think we grew up to the task pretty well in a very short period of time," Stiles said, putting a hand onto Derek's forearm to calm him down. The gesture wasn't lost on the other pair, just like Stiles didn't miss the way Zepar took half a step closer to the Leader, as if preparing to protect her with his life if it came to that. The air was charged enough to make everyone's hairs stand on end, that was for sure.

"And who are you to judge what had happened? Or to decide over our lives? I thought druids believe that things happen for a reason. That's one of the cornerstones in druid belief, isn't it?" Stiles raised a brow.

"True..." the woman said after a pause.

"So if that's the case, then Derek and I became the protectors of this town and the Nemeton for a reason. Or you want to go against the will of such an ancient sacred tree? We seem to be have chosen by it. And we are ready to be the protectors. We've always been that, even before our connections were established with the Nemeton or bonding for life. Can you say it without a doubt that you know what the tree wants? That our roles here aren't to keep the balance on the long run?"

"Julia's darkness made this all happen, not us," Derek chimed in, even though he wanted nothing more than to charge at the woman and shut her up, but he didn't. Stiles' gesture reminded him that keeping a cool head was the best way to get out of this alive. For now. Because it felt like they were buying time, they had been judged unfit already. "Her rituals strengthened the Nemeton, it forced Stiles and the True Alpha to let in darkness, resulting in the Nogitsune. Stiles beat that with the pack's help, and despite the darkness lingering, he never was a bad person. It awakened the Spark in him, and as the curious person he is, he explored it. There are no crimes here. We made the best out of bad situations while your Council stood by and watched."

It was clear there was no hiding anything since the woman knew it all, was well aware of everything that had happened in their lives. The invasion of that kind of privacy made Derek bristle inside, but he rolled with it. So if it was all known, then he was going to lay it all out. Like Stiles did.

"I didn't want to give my blood to the Nemeton. It was forced on me when it happened. I haven't abused it, didn't use it to see if I could bring my family back. I didn't tell others to prevent them from being tempted to raise loved ones from the dead. Stiles didn't know he was that powerful, we certainly didn't realize what us dating would lead to. We're careful, we use the magic to protect, we don't abuse our powers to be killers. The Nemeton picked us, and my family has been here for generations to be the protectors."

He took a breath, not used to talking this much and as the leading Druid wanted to open her mouth, he was quick to cut her short. "I'm not done." The wolf took a little pleasure in seeing her taken back by that. "You're right, I'm not worthy of Stiles, not because of his Spark but because he's an amazing person who could have been a big shot FBI agent exploring the world. I am suited to be his mate. I chose him. I will die for him and I will end his life if he ever should go dark. He made me promise that, knowing fully that I won't ever break a promise. So either you help us to be the protectors you need us to be, or this is going to be a fight where only two of us will walk away from alive. He is my everything and you're not taking that away from me."

Hearing all that, Stiles had to take his eyes off the other two for a long moment and look at Derek with so many emotions in his eyes. He didn't even care if their 'enemy' saw it.

"I know it's not the time and place to say it, but I never wanted you more than now," he told Derek, his hand sliding down from the wolf's forearm to the hand curled into a fist and interlocked their fingers. It made his lazily swirling magic react a bit, lighting up their joined aura and settling over them like a warm blanket of balance.

"Leader, if I may..." It was Zepar, trying to speak for the first time since he had stepped onto the clearing with his druid.

"No, you don't," she cut him off, her tone soft and a bit far away, as if thinking about something while watching the mates. "I know what you want to say and I also know you've grown fond of these two despite doing your duty as you were supposed to do." What is it about these two? One has to be special to be able to make something like that happen. All her life since she'd known Zepar, he had no soft spot for anyone. Until these two.

There was another pause as the woman was watching the Spark and his Wolf, her own obeying her wishes and for a change staying silent. Both that and the fact that she said Zepar had a soft spot for them surprised the mates a bit.

"Not to mention that it was you two who made me unstable," Stiles said seemingly out of the blue as he turned his lightly shimmering gaze back at the Leader. But it was natural for him to refer back to previous topics with the busy brain of his. And now it was important to persuade this woman, who had too much power over their fate to Stiles' liking. "But I overcame it, even when my mate died and I had to revive him. With him on my side, I can do that easier. So maybe stop trying to kill him if you are so worried about me going dark and posing a danger to everyone..." Sarcasm. Because that could never stay hidden in Stiles' case for long.

The Leader didn't seem to mind it, though, because that shadow of a smile was back on her face.

"Very well then... The situation calls for a compromise. I don't wish to fight the two of you or risk my wolf's life in another confrontation. The Council will grant you a chance to prove yourselves as the protectors you two claim yourselves to be. But we'll be watching from the shadows and you'll probably see Zepar time after time too. But let this be also a warning. If you go dark and a danger for some reason, neither of you will survive. The Council is there for a reason, even if you don't understand half of it why."

"Zepar is welcomed here," Derek made sure to only mention the alpha because even though they probably were going to have to deal with the Druid Council over the coming years, they were very unwelcomed. Zepar on the other hand, despite what he had done, had followed orders and Derek had a feeling that under that gruff exterior, there was a werewolf he might actually like. "We also work with Deaton. If he's willing, we'll be okay with him updating the Council on us."

Deaton was one of the few druids Derek trusted. He wasn't the mole and he had helped them without asking anything in return. Even though his reasons were dubious, he had never done anything that had outright harmed them. In the past he mostly didn’t help Derek when it could have made a difference, thought in truth, the Hale hadn't made it easy on him either. As he was planning on not making it easy on this woman who hadn't even told them her name.

"If he goes dark, I will stop him. That’s my right. And you know that will be the end of me as well."

"Yes, that is a fate you cannot escape, no matter how much time has passed for the bonds to settle. You're his familiar and his mate. With just one of those bonds you would have made it, but having both has sealed your life to his. Without him, you will have a few weeks at most."

"I don't regret that," Derek shrugged. She wasn't telling him anything he didn't know already. As long as they could be together in the afterlife, then when that eventually happened, he'd be at peace with it.

Stiles very much didn't like talking about their deaths, but he understood that it was important to make this druid understand that they had thought about such scenarios too. And that they had a plan in place if he ever went dark and wanted to go on a killing spree or something.

"I wouldn't want a life without Derek either. And without my familiar I wouldn't last long. The magic would kill me soon enough. Or I'd do the same to myself to prevent others from getting hurt," Stiles said bloody seriously, meaning every word, that was clear to all of them present.

"Spoken like a true protector. Good," the Leader nodded. "Deaton I trust. He's fond of the two of you as well and I trust his judgment. I'll receive updates from him then," she agreed. "Your bonds and love are strong and healthy. You did overcome the hardships we rolled in your way, indeed. I'll give you that," she continued then looked at Stiles, addressing him this time. "Your control over your Spark and the magic is remarkable for a young wielder with little guidance. I give credit where it's due," she nodded with some respect.

Stiles returned the gesture as acknowledgement, his hand still in Derek's, his thumb drawing nervous little circles on the warm skin because of course he couldn't stand still for long.

"What is it, young Spark? There's something else on your mind too," the woman slightly tilted her head to the right, studying Stiles and his energies.

"I think it's understandable why I don't trust you at all... especially since I don't know even your name or what the Council's real goal is... But I have questions regarding the Nemeton and I'm not sure even Deaton has answers to that. If it's true that you know much more then you might care to answer some of these questions."

Zepar visibly relaxed behind her when she chuckled lightly. "You have a sharp tongue and some wits to you, just like how my wolf said. Very well... My name is Violet. You can ask your questions and I might give you an answer if it suits me."

Stiles snorted and rolled his eyes at that, but relaxed a bit too – not that he'd let his guard down around these two, though. It was nice of Derek to 'welcome' Zepar, but the other alpha would have to prove himself to Stiles big time after everything he'd done to them. He didn't take it lightly when someone tortured and killed his mate...

"I've been having some... dreams about the Nemeton and can feel my connection to it stronger lately. Why is that?"

"Are you sure they are dreams and not visions? What you should do?" she asked back then paused for a moment before continuing. "You felt like you were under attack lately because of Zepar and the tests we've put you through. That explains why you might have felt that connection stronger to the tree as protector. What did you see?"

Visions? That might be possible too, right? Stiles wasn't sure because he didn't have much to go on.

"Makes sense... You didn't make us think of you anything other than a threat to our lives and the peace of this town," Stiles agreed. "I saw myself touching the Nemeton. Not the corrupted dark parts. The healthy one. It's been calling to me to do that. What would happen if I gave in? And what do you think it wants from me? We have our theories, but I'd like to hear yours first, Violet..."

"It wants to communicate with you. The touch would allow that. The few Nemetons in the world alive all have a druid they connected with. I can't tell you what it wants, I don't know."

Violet was honest with those words, Derek couldn't detect a lie and he understood why she was willing to let them live. If there were so few Nemetons left, then Stiles communicating with one seemed to be a very good reason not to kill him when he hadn't gone dark.

"What if it wants more sacrifices?" the alpha asked, because that seemed to be a likely outcome.

"Druids did sacrifices to the Nemetons. It was a yearly ritual which got lost during modern times. The sacrifices kept it healthy, gave it energy and magic. Especially pure ones. It was an honor then to be given to the tree."

That wasn't much of an answer, but she was a druid still, of course she wouldn't get straight to the point. Derek however didn't want to sacrifice innocent lives to it, once was more than enough for him. And Julia certainly gave it a lot of lives. He glanced at Stiles when Violet did too.

"Are there more questions?"

Stiles stayed silent for a few moments, thinking through what Violet was saying. Frankly, it made sense that the Nemeton tried to communicate with him through touch and that's why it sent such dreams or visions. That much Stiles had figured out on his own too. It also made sense that this woman couldn't know what the magical tree wanted from him since all such sacred trees were different and if each has a connection to one chosen druid then it makes sense others don't know their 'wishes'.

"What kind of a sacrifice? You're talking about the animal and elemental sacrifices, not the human ones which would be required for dark stuff, right?" Because yes, Stiles had read quite a few druid books by now to know about annual sacrifices for the Nemetons.

"Yes, not necessarily human sacrifices. I see you're trying to catch up with the druid ways. I assume Deaton helped you out with that."

"Yeah. He and his books can be useful. I had to learn a lot in a short time."

"That's what we heard too," Violet confirmed. "It seems that your... mixed past with the Nemeton makes you careful. Which is good. As you have to know by now, magic is a curious thing. It can be helpful and dangerous too. You seek reassurance that touching the tree won't be harmful. I do not know if that is going to be the case if you touch it. This Nemeton of yours has been a curious one all its life and went through some unfortunate 'traumas' with it being cut down and then used by a dark druid for selfish gains. You are wise to be careful with it, but I wouldn't advise ignoring its call for long."

"So you say I should touch it and see what it wants?" Stiles raised a brow, a bit still surprised that for once a druid gave him a more or less clear answer.

"Yes," the Leader nodded. "You and your familiar were chosen for a reason. And we'll be watching... Just in case."

"Just in case..." Stiles grumbled with another eye-roll.

"Our work here is done for now. We're leaving town, but Zepar will circle back in a few weeks," she nodded towards the towering wolf who moved with one of his trade mark smirks towards Stiles, presenting a black name card with a phone number in silver on it.

"Call me if you need help or whenever you get bored of this guy," he smirked and winked at Stiles, obviously meaning his mate.

"That's not gonna happen, but thanks," he took the card with the number he knew they'll never call unless there was an emergency. Then they watched the pair walk off and disappear in the trees.

When the two left, Derek exhaled. This went easier than he had expected it to go, and part of him didn't think it was over because anything that was too easy would come back to bite them in the ass. Of course, he didn't speak yet, he waited to make sure they were out of hearing distance as he sat down on the rock Stiles had been perched on not too long ago. Far away a car was started and he finally looked at Stiles with raised eyebrows.

"I don't think she likes me." Understatement. He was probably only alive because he was Stiles' familiar, as she kept referring to him instead of alpha. No doubt because the Alpha Spark had not been his. It was gained by killing another alpha, to save his own life. It had been a just kill, not some power trip. Honestly, he didn't care what some council thought of him, he was way too used to being seen as something negative to let it get to him. Waste of energy.

"What are you thinking?" They bought some time. That was one thing, but they were going to be watched, they were going to have to be careful. It could have been so much worse.

"That we're alive because even this Violet is curious what will become of us," Stiles said and finally tore his eyes away from the spot where the other two had disappeared minutes ago. He turned around and hopped up on the rock next to Derek, their sides touching from shoulder to knee as Stiles slid his hand into a big warm one.

"And that yes, she doesn't like you, but we don't like her either," he said, lifting the name card closer to memorize the number. Just in case. "Part of me is glad that this went easier than expected. But another part is left feeling uneasy about it," he sighed and rubbed Derek's hand with his thumb like he so often did when they were holding hands.

"And another part of me, the one that can feel the pull of the Nemeton, wants to go to the stump to touch it right now. Since we are so close," he added with closed eyes, listening to the barely there humming and pulses of energy he could feel even in the rock underneath them.

"Now?" Derek wasn't sure if they should go now, even though Violet had urged Stiles not to keep the Nemeton waiting for long. It made sense though, they were close to it, so why ignore the attempt to get communication going when they were right there? Because Derek didn't trust the tree and what it could do. Because the stump was colored red thanks to his blood soaking into the wood repeatedly. Because they should be cautious.

Glancing at their joined hands, he tightened his fingers around the thinner digits while Stiles kept rubbing his thumb along his skin. "If you really want to do this, I can't stop you." He'd rather go back home after picking up their daughter and focus on a wedding that was happening very soon and they hadn't done much for. The tree was going to get them into more trouble, he was sure of it, because it was going to want something. Animal sacrifices seemed way too easy after all the human sacrifices it had gotten.

"Something she said made me think. And I know I'm not supposed to voluntarily give blood but... what if it turned dark because all of it wasn't by choice and we can change that by making it a choice?" Which meant no animal sacrifices either, they had no choice. They would have to get creative in their offerings, dig into the past what all would suffice.

To that suggestion Stiles opened his eyes and looked at Derek with a light frown. "It turned dark because there was dark intention behind the sacrifices. The blood spilled being involuntarily shouldn't matter that much. Magic is mostly about intention. Julia's intentions were dark and that infected a part of the Nemeton. Yes, there were customs in several cultures in the past where the human sacrifices were willing too. Because they believed they served the purpose they were chosen for. To protect, to accompany the dead in the afterlife, to bring a fertile and rich year to the lands... And sure, if the sacrifice is willing, it makes things easier, but in the end, the magic wielder's intention is what really determines what course the magic will take," he explained and lightly tugged on Derek's hand.

"If you're thinking of willingly giving from your blood as sacrifice, I'm not comfortable with that. Not before we learn more about Nemetons and the connections they can have with a chosen druid. I do believe that we were chosen for some purpose. And Violet's words make sense that I might be the druid this one chose. Because if we look just at the fact that out of Allison, Scott and me only I felt that connection the strongest and let the darkness in enough for the Nogitsune to possess me... I think out of the three of us, it's always been me because of my sensitivity and Spark heritage. Scott and at one point even Allison might have been protectors of this land too, but neither of them felt this connected or dreamed with the Nemeton like I do," he lightly shook his head and stared at his bony knees.

"And if this is really this important... that even the Druid Council might want to see what happens, we have to get more information, do much more research before I could attempt to touch that tree. The old me might have already done it, but now... now I have other responsibilities too. You, our daughter and a wedding to plan. And we need some rest before our next big supernatural adventure. We just closed our most recent one, for now," he smiled a bit then leaned his head onto Derek's shoulder, feeling drained and tired.

"That's what I was thinking," Derek agreed. Research, rest, planning a wedding, focusing on little things like cake tasting and well, it didn't need much more than that, it was a small wedding. Still, he wanted it all done and not have to worry about yet another mission or whatever other trouble they were going to get pulled into. The human needed rest and food. Mundane stuff to recover from it all and frankly, so did Derek. Not because he physically needed to heal but a few days without having to fight to survive would be good, would be the best even.

With a soft smile he pulled the exhausted Spark up. "Let's go get our daughter, pick up food from the drive-through, and watch a movie when Beth is sleeping. In a couple of days we'll visit Deaton to get some more answers."

Stiles had a job to return to and sure, the hours were flexible with how Stiles was contracted but the deputies were already side-eyeing the young Stilinski for favoritism, they shouldn't add more fuel to the fire.

"Let's go home. It's done."

For now. For now they could stop worrying about getting killed. They had at least a few months to prove themselves.

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