Chapter 16

''So, how are you going to do it? Just call, and then rush out that you didn't die?'' Tessa says, then seems to think about it for a second and cringes behind her coffee mug.

''Wow, that sounded really crude. Sorry..''

Stiles grimaced. He really didn't know how he should do this. Would they even believe him? Would he believe anyone who just told him, hé I know you thought I was dead for almost a year, but tadaaaaa here I am. Insert jazz hands.

No, no, he would not believe them. He groaned and banged his head against the countertop of the kitchen.

''I don't know, I really don't think my dad would believe me if I just call. Maybe we need to go there. But what if the pack doesn't want me? What if they chase me out of Beacon Hills? What if-'' He is silenced by a slap on the back of his head.

''Babe, shut up. It isn't helping, and you need to stay in control if we are going to start planning our next step.''

Groaning again, he nodded, still with his head on the countertop. He then looked at Tessa again and narrowed his eyes.

''You know, I'm the Alpha, you should listen to me.''

''Yes, yes, you're the big bad Alpha, you can lead us to where ever, I cower in your shadow, I will follow jada, jada, jada,'' She said while waving her hand in a dismissive gesture before taking another sip of her coffee.

''I'm a really bad Alpha that I don't even growl when you say shit like that.''

''No, your not. We just share something called mutual respect. Plus, I've seen you naked. If you growl at me, it's going to turn me on. Then after I'm going to say stupid things and you growl again, it is a vicious circle we really shouldn't start.'' She said while sighing. Arousal wafted around her, and Stiles bit his lip to stop himself from growling because she's right, they would start again, and they just put on some clothes.

''Okay, fine, what do you think we should do?'' Stiles asks.

''It really isn't up to me, Stiles. We are talking about your dad and friends, those who have missed you for the better part of a year. People who are grieving. Calling doesn't seem like a good idea but are you ready to fly to the states and just knock on their door?'' She says, and he really doesn't know the answer to that.

''I think they are more willing to accept anything if I just show up. When do you think we could fly over there?'' He asks softly.

''We could fly over tomorrow if you really want it. I can always sell the house on another day and fly back to fix the paperwork then. So again, it's your choice, Alpha.'' She sounded so sincere that Stiles felt warm again. Feeling content with his small little pack.

He swallowed down his anxiety of flying tomorrow already.

''Maybe we should wait a couple of days longer. Could we go for a run today?''

''Yeah, sure, do you want to go as a wolf or as human?'' She asks casually. She knows that he feels better in his wolf form, safer.

He grins, and begins to strip, then turns into his wolf form before barking at Tessa.

She let out a sigh, but it's fond. She changes in her running clothes while Stiles runs through the house like a real dog excited to go for a run.

Within five minutes, they're running through the neighborhood, Stiles staying next to Tessa like a really good trained dog.

After running for about ten miles, Stiles suddenly smells something familiar. He doesn't know what it is, but he gets excited.

''What's wrong?'' Tessa asks, barely out of breath.

They are in a park nearby, and they stopped running while Stiles is sniffing around them. Then he hears pounding feet coming towards them.

Stiles turns around, and Tessa also looks in the direction of the pounding feet. They see a guy in a red hoody running towards them, and it takes Stiles a couple of moments before he recognizes the guy. Blue shining eyes glare at them, Stiles wants to yip happily at the guy from his past, but before he can do anything, Jackson tackles Tessa to the floor. Stiles is shocked for a moment.

Tessa and Jackson snarl at each other, and both wolf out. They both wrestle to be dominant, but Tessa is losing. She is strong but not as strong as a very pissed off Jackson.

''WHERE IS HE!?'' Jackson bellows in Tessa's face.

And Stiles is snarling now. Nobody attacks Tessa. He pulls Jackson off his beta before pinning him against the floor. Jackson clearly didn't saw this coming because he looks shocked for a moment. Stiles quickly turns into his human form before roaring in Jacksons' face.

''Don't lay a finger on her!''

''Stiles?'' Jackson croaks out before baring his neck.

Stiles pushes his nose into Jackson's throat as acceptance of his submission before pulling back and pulling him up with him.

Jackson looks shocked like he saw a ghost. Which, fair, is probably true because Stiles is standing in front of him.

''Hey, Jacks,'' Stiles says with tears in his eyes.

Jackson pulls him into a bear hug with a whine before pulling back and punching him in the arm.

''Why didn't you tell anyone you're not dead? And how the fuck are you an Alpha wolf? AND WHY CAN YOU TURN INTO A REAL WOLF? And who is this?'' Jackson yells before glaring over Stiles's shoulder to Tessa. Who is watching them with a hint of amusement.

''Maybe we need to have this conversation at home, where Stiles can get some clothes on,'' Tessa says with a soft smile.

Jackson looks back at Stiles before taking a step back like he was burned.

''Ug Stilinski! Why did you let me hug you while you're naked! You perf!''

Stiles lets out a laugh before turning back into a wolf.

''Come on, or do you have somewhere to be?'' Tessa asks Jackson.

He looks suspicious for a moment before shaking his head and following them back to Tessa's house.

After running for an hour, they finally arrive back home. Stiles bounces inside in wolf form before turning back into human form and quickly pulling on sweat pants but forgoing a shirt.

Tessa and Jackson are now in the kitchen. With the run back, they didn't talk much, and Jackson still smelled a little angry.

''So, tell me, what the fuck happened?'' Jackson demands. Stiles lets out a growl and flashes his Alpha eyes. He will tell him everything, but he doesn't like to be rushed.