Three days later and he had heard nothing from Lydia or Stiles. He has spent the days feeling restless. He went into the woods numerous times, but all he could smell was the familiar stench of wildlife, plant life and earth. The dirt had a stronger smell, like there was more of it than there should be, but that was it. That was all he could get.

Everything had looked the same too. Not a tree out of place.

So why the fuck was this feeling not going away?

He called Lydia first, but she didn’t answer. He called her again with the same result.

He growled in frustration, stalking over to his couch to sink down and rub his hands over his eyes. If Lydia wasn’t answering he would have to call Stiles. And if he called Stiles he would have to talk to Stiles. After everything they had been through together, you would think he would be okay calling a member of his pack. After Gerard, and the Alphas, and the fairies, and the vampire. He was secure in his role as the Alpha. The pack is all connected now, they were all safe. When there was free time between threats, Derek had made sure to spend time with them all, strengthen the pack bond… Except for Stiles.

It’s not like he hasn’t tried with Stiles, because he has. He invites him to all the pack meetings and get togethers.. they just always end up talking to other people.

The first lull of safety between threats for his little pack had been after the Alphas. The pack was still separated between Derek’s biten betas, and Scott and his friends. Derek had decided that outings might be a good idea. They would be in no one's turf. The teenagers could actually be teenagers for once. And Derek could get them to mingle. He had decided to start small, so he invited Isaac, Erica, Scott and Stiles to a baseball game. He knew they all enjoyed the sport, so at least they would have common ground to talk about.

And it had worked! Scott and Isaac had hit it off. Erica had finally loosened up, relaxing for the first time since the Alphas had taken her.

It had been a success, except for, of course, Stiles. Stiles had seemed to enjoy himself. Shouting at the players, and eating three hot dogs. But he didn’t talk to anyone. And when Derek tried to talk to him, Stiles had completely ignored him.

When he had gotten home that night, Derek had felt his pack bond with Erica, Isaac and Scott all strengthen. Scott has connected more with Isaac and Erica too. It had been a successful outing.

Except, of course, for Stiles. Whose pack bond had felt the same as it had before. It had been frustrating. But Derek hadn’t given up.

He had done a few outings with the other packmates, and everything was working. They were connecting like a proper pack. Derek felt their bonds thrumming healthily between them all every night before going to sleep.

Except for Stiles. Derek hadn’t had time to invite the kid to anything else before the next threat was on them. The fairies had been confusing creatures, tricking people and messing with things, all to make themselves laugh. Stiles had been the one to figure it out then. Derek had tried to congratulate him, but the kid never listened! Derek had just finished saying Stiles had done a great job, when Stiles had turned to him and said, “oh sorry sourwolf, were you talking to me?”

Beyond frustrating.

Nevertheless, as soon as everything has settled, Derek had started up on the out-trips again. He invited Allison, Stiles, and Boyd out to a movie. One of the marvel movies he knew they all enjoyed. Allison and Boyd had agreed to come, but Stiles said he didn’t watch movies in theaters.

Which, like, how pretentious is that? Who doesn’t watch movies in theaters?

Instead Stiles planned a pack wide movie marathon. Everyone was invited, so of course Derek had even unable to spend any one on one time with any of them. The pack bonds in general approved, but nothing had been strengthened that day.

Then the vampire had come to town. A lot of the pack had been injured, including Stiles, but they had finally found a way to kill it thanks to Lydia.

Now here they were, the majority of the pack halfway through their senior year. Nothing had happened since the vampire. Until now that is. Derek had tried a few more outings. He had invited Stiles to one of them, a concert down in LA for some famous artist, Lady Rara or something.

Stiles had outright laughed in his face, and then flat out said no. He had even had the nerve to look offended while being so rude.

Derek had given up after that. That had been about a month ago. Stiles obviously didn’t want to spend time with him, so why was Derek trying so hard? Stiles would probably go away to university and leave the pack behind. Derek only had to put up with him for a few more months.

Derek sighed. Stiles was annoying, rude, and only in the pack because of Scott. But he needed to know if he had found anything.

He hit the call button and pushed the phone to his ear. No answer.

Typical.

Then his phone buzzed.

From Stiles:

Haven’t found anything solid yet. Lyds and I are pretty sure it’s a woodland creature though.

To Stiles:

Like a nymph? Why aren’t you answering your phone?

From Stiles:

No we ruled out nymph. We’re looking into gnomes and trolls now.

From Stiles:

Texting is better for me.

Derek stared down at his phone with a frown. Texting is better for me? What an asshole.

To Stiles:

Good. Keep me updated.

Stiles send back a thumbs up emoji. Derek threw his phone on the couch and walked away.