Chapter 21

After more than eleven excruciating hours, they landed in LA. When they got out of the plane, he almost faceplanted to the floor from happiness. So glad to be on regular soil again, and when he got outside, he inhaled so deeply he thought his lungs were going to explode.

Because of the time difference, it was the same day by date, but a couple of hours later. It was so strange. It was now ten at night, so Stiles decided that they needed to find a hotel and start driving in the morning. Maybe because it would postpone the coming meeting with his dad and old pack, but he thought it was a good idea, okay!

''Stiles, it's an hour driving. I just have slept on the plane, so I could drive us to a hotel nearby Beacon Hills, and then we can stay at the hotel for the rest of the night.'' Jackson said calmly. He really was sympathetic to Stiles's inner turmoil. Stiles could really hug the guy, so he did.

''Thanks, Jacks, I- I just don't know if I'm ready yet, you know?'' Stiles whispered into his betas ear while scent-marking him in his neck.

''I know. Just as Tessa says, we will take it slow. We do what you want. Okay?''

Stiles could only nod. He didn't trust his voice at the moment. They got the rental car, and Tessa booked them two rooms at the Beacon Hills inn. Stiles tried to get his breathing under control, but it was hard work. When they reached the inn, Tessa went in alone because nobody would recognize her.

Jackson had the room next door and was hungry. Stiles and Tessa could eat something too, so he went to a nearby diner to get something to eat for all three of them.

When he was gone, Stiles started to crumble. He couldn't put on a face for Tessa. She already knew him too well.

His breaths came harsher and shallower. It has been years since his last panic attack, but thinking of his lost pack and his dad. He just couldn't cope.

Tessa was with him and pulled him into her arms, stroking his back and telling him it was okay. That she was there for him and always would be.

After what seemed like hours, she pulled back a little to kiss him sweetly on the head. He melted in her embrace when he finally could breathe normally again.

''Go take a shower, Alpha. Jackson should be here soon with the food.''

Stiles simply nodded before walking into the bathroom and getting into the searing hot shower.

He was almost finished when he heard loud banging on the door of their hotel room. He quickly got out and bound a towel around his waist before throwing the door open and striding into the room.

He saw Tessa being held up by her throat against the wall, and he wolfed out.

''LET HER GO!'' He bellowed with his Alpha voice.

The man slowly turned, and shock was evident in his scent and face. Red eyes bored into him, and a familiar voice spoke.

''Stiles?'' His voice sounded broken, just like it had when they found out that Erica was dead and just after Boyd was killed.

''Sourwolf. I asked you once already. Let. My. Beta. Go.'' Stiles snarled out. He couldn't believe his eyes. Derek freaking Hale was in front of him. He had missed the Sourwolf so much, but Tessa's safety was more important at the moment, and he was livid that the Sourwolf had attacked her.

Derek let the beta down to the floor. Tessa began gasping for air and spluttering before rushing to Stiles. He pulled her into his arms while still glaring at the other Alpha.

He didn't feel threatened by Derek, he has been in enough cage fights to pick up some stuff and stand a chance against the man, but he knew that Derek wouldn't do anything now. He was way too shocked for that by the looks of it.

''Stiles, how- what? How?'' Derek said. Clearly searching for words. Derek just stood there gaping at Stiles and Tessa, not believing his eyes.

At that moment, Jackson walked in without a care in the world and with the food. Like it hadn't been enough of a clusterfuck already.

''Hey, Derek, I see that you already met my Alpha.'' He cheerfully said, seeming not bothered with the intruder. Derek seemed to flinch for a moment before schooling his features.

''Jacks,'' Stiles growled while flashing his eyes. Demanding silence for the moment.

Jackson nodded and tilted his head in submission before taking Tessa from Stiles's arms and scent marking her, then guiding her to the bed. Tessa was openly glaring at Derek, not hiding her disdain at the moment for being attacked.

''Derek. I will explain everything, but not now and not today. I can't handle that, but I hereby ask permission from the resident Alpha to stay in Beacon Hills. Could you grant me that?'' Stiles said when he got his wolf back under control.

His eyes were still flashing red, but he let them like that. Knowing it unsettled the other Alpha.

''This is your home Stiles, of course you have permission.-'' Derek seemed to mean that, and a little tension seeped out of Stiles. ''-But you are going to tell me right now what the fuck has happened to you.'' Derek growled also flashing his Alpha eyes.

''Yeah. Not gonna happen. I need a run. Tess?'' Stiles turned towards his beta, and she already knew what he wanted from her.

She pulled out the mountain ash they got a couple of weeks ago in London before throwing it at Derek and trapping him in a mountain ash circle. In London, they found out that Tessa still could use her spark abilities, and it was pretty convenient that she could trap other wolves inside a mountain ash circle while being a wolf.

''How can you use mountain ash?! You are a werewolf!'' Derek roared.

Tessa just scoffed before walking to Stiles and planting a kiss on his cheek.

''Go run. Jackson and I will explain a couple of things to the resident Alpha.'' Tessa said in Stiles's ear.

Stiles smiled gratefully before simply turning into his wolf and bounding out of the door of their hotel room, rushing to the woods, needing to get away for a couple of hours. He didn't saw the flabbergasted expression from Derek or the smug ones from Jackson and Tessa.

Stiles was already anxious about seeing everyone, but to relive his trauma from the past months over and over again? He really couldn't deal with that now. Jackson has heard the story, and Tessa knows it. They can explain everything to Derek. Stiles needed some time to clear his mind.