A Life Worth Living

Chapter 51

"Hello, Isaac," Harry said, answering the call, glancing briefly at the time. Thirty minutes until their reservation. He'd meant what he said, he wasn't going to cancel it for anything. He was looking forward to some alone time with Peter, they needed this after everything that had happened and the new threats that were coming out of the woodworks. "Can I help you?"

All he got in reply was heavy panting through the phone.

"Isaac?" Harry asked, sitting up, becoming alarmed.

"Should I call my dad?" Stiles asked, phone already in hand. His finger hovering over the call button. Just waiting for the go ahead, a general worry on Stiles face, he didn't know Isaac well, didn't consider them friends. If they were, Stiles would have already acted. He cared, and cared very deeply and would go to the ends of the earth for those he considered his.

Harry put up finger, indicating for him to wait.

"Isaac?" Harry questioned firmly, "If you're unable to talk for whatever reason, cough for me." Entirely focused on the conversation he was having, the others were silent as well, listening, Stiles was obviously one sided, since he couldn't hear yet, and didn't know enough magic to do it yet…at least Harry assumed so.

What came through wasn't a cough, it was wet and raspy, as if his lungs were filled with liquid, perhaps blood?

"That's not good," Stiles muttered, a frown on his face, "Maybe I should call an ambulance too?" able to hear Isaac clearly, when he felt left out he got very motivated…and thus was able to get his spark to allow him to hear things he wouldn't normally.

"You know Isaac's address?" Harry demanded, standing up.

Stiles nodded immediately, yes, he knew, he lived across from Jackson the Douche-canoe.

"Call an ambulance, immediately, inform them that they're going to tend to someone with breathing difficulties and don't know their exact condition. That it's a family member to blame." Harry ordered, "And that the police department will be there." Which would showcase the seriousness.

"I will," Stiles agreed, already moving into the hallway, to call 911 while Harry called his dad using Peter's phone, keeping Isaac on the line. Not that he was talking, you could only hear raspy sort of breathing.

"Noah? I need you to do a 10-42 on Isaac Lahey," Harry stated curtly. "Code 2, for a 273A." code two meant no sirens and the 273A was code for child abuse.

Peter watched Harry silently impressed, there was no way Harry had any need to use those codes. Unless, they copied the Mundane counterpart…but wizards don't use radios so he couldn't see how. To think he had memorised them in case he needed them in a Mundane case…he was very intelligent.

Noah inhaled sharply, "10-4," automatically using the codes as well, to let Harry know he understood.

"Once he's released, bring him here, I'll have everything you need so it's all legal and above board." Harry ordered, "I made a promise to him and I will keep that promise." That he wouldn't end up in the system, his life was already going to be turned upside down.

"I'll see to it," Noah agreed, trusting Harry to keep his word.

"Your son will give you Derek's number, keep them apprised for the rest of the evening." Harry informed him, Stiles was probably going to stay this evening, but Noah should have Derek's number anyway, just to be on the safe side. "I'll be caught up by the end of the night."

"Alright," now that definitely surprised Noah, but something else must be going down for that to happen. Obviously it wasn't something dangerous otherwise he'd like to think he would have been apprised himself, if not by Harry then by his own son. "I have to go," the sound of the car beeping before the call ended.

"You good? Will you be able to handle this?" Harry asked Derek, giving him his full attention, making sure that he understood the answer didn't need to be yes. It's not like they were throwing him in the deep end. All he was going to do was answer a few calls and then report them back to him. Isaac would probably end up in hospital tonight. It was the metaphorical deep end for Derek, so to speak, since Derek didn't like talking overly much. This would be good practice, even with just Noah, who was pack-adjacent.

Derek looked like Harry was personally seeing to it that he was executed. He had to keep his face straight, and not laugh. It would take a long time before Derek felt comfortable in social situations, if ever. That was okay, though, he had people around him who would do the talking for him. One day he'd probably have Stiles doing the talking for him…he certainly spoke enough for everyone.

"I can," Derek promised, he would never wish to let Harry down, let his Alpha down. If he was being trusted with this then he wouldn't let that trust be diminished. It was just answering phone calls…it was easier than talking to people face to face. He couldn't trust his own judgement.

"Good, if it's bad, call us," Harry informed Derek, squeezing his shoulder, acknowledging how difficult it was. "I'm proud of you, Derek." With help, he'd get there, that's what the therapist was for.

Derek flushed red, and gave a small but genuine smile, not the one he used to disarm people.

"You ready to begin your introduction into Beacon Hills once more?" Harry then turned his attention to Peter, with a teasing smile of his own.

"Indeed," Peter stated, standing up, "Shall we?" moving towards Harry, urging him from the room, throwing back, "Don't wait up." He'd genuinely expected the night to be cancelled the second the name 'Isaac' was uttered from Harry's lips, despite their determination to keep said date.

Stiles, Teddy, Derek and Cora all groaned dramatically at that pronouncement. Erica just grinned wickedly, having grown up with neither men…and frankly they were hot, it was no trouble to imagine what would happen tonight. It mattered very little that they were her Alphas either.

"Are you alright with it?" Stiles asked Teddy, deeply curious, he knew like Teddy that Harry had never been serious about anyone before. Hell, he'd never seen him with anyone, Teddy hadn't either, but Teddy knew his dad had dated on and off when he was a kid. He wasn't sure how he would feel initially if his dad started dating someone…he liked to think he'd be happy for him though.

Derek and Cora stilled, glancing their way, at least until Aaron made how unhappy he was at being ignored. Derek automatically scooped him up, soothing him, all the years of babysitting had easily come back, he was a natural.

"Are you kidding? He's met his soul match, that's…the most beautiful thing in the world. To meet the one that is your match in all ways…there's nothing more cherished." Teddy admitted, still awed. "It's more frequent for creatures to find their mate, but wizards and witches…its very rare. I can only hope I'm as lucky as dad and find my mate."

"We were raised knowing how special it would be too," Derek admitted, from where his nose was in the crook of Aaron's neck, inhaling his scent, rubbing his own into the boy who shrieked with laughter, blabbing happily.

"Our parents were mates," Cora admitted timidly, even if her mom or dad hadn't been in the fire…they wouldn't have lived long after their mate perished.

"Was he co-Alpha?" Stiles asked, unable to deny himself knowledge when presented to him. He would never have brought it up, but since they were discussing it…it wouldn't be so bad would it?

"No, dad was a Beta," Derek said gruffly, "They mated, but he didn't become co-alpha."

"Why? Isn't that what's meant to happen?" Erica asked, "I mean Harry is…" and he and Peter hadn't mated yet, they had no bite marks, and their scents hadn't imbued together the way mated werewolves did. Not that she had any experience with those scents, but Derek and Peter were teaching her everything about being a werewolf, including all the different scents and such.

"My dad became Alpha before he and Peter met," Teddy explained, Derek nodded, it was something he'd revealed. "That's how strong the bond between them is going to be, he's a wizard and those bonds manifest differently. Our pack bonds are different from other packs bonds. It's why Aunt Mione is so curious about them and often asks us questions about it."

"So when they mate…" Erica queried.

"Our pack bonds might change again, like getting stronger or something," Teddy admitted. "We'll find out soon enough." They were going to bond soon, he reckoned, maybe even tonight.

Derek, Erica and Cora automatically cocked their heads, "There's an owl coming,"

"Oh! It's for me! My pamphlets are finally here!" Teddy said, scrambling up and out the back door, watching the sky waiting for the owl to get there.

"Pamphlets for what?" Stiles asked, scrambling after his best friend, very curious to know what was going on. "Wait is it for the course on creatures?"

"Not creatures, wolves specifically, actual wolves," Teddy admitted, arm akimbo waiting for it to land.

"Wait…you're serious about opening a sanctuary?" Stiles asked, mouth agape. "You mentioned it only once…I didn't think you were serious."

"Yeah I mentioned it once, it was more a slip of the tongue, you didn't know about the supernatural then." Teddy pointed out, "It's something I've always wanted to do." He admitted. He'd often told his dad that's what he wanted to do, he'd been stuck between wanting to be a healer or run his own sanctuary actually.

"You said you wanted to be a doctor," Stiles said thoughtfully, he'd assumed his best friend would end up at one of the best universities, he was smart enough to be admitted and he knew they had the money to allow Teddy to go to any school he wanted.

"Healer, yeah," Teddy said, lips pursed, "I want to do both, but I can't. It takes years to become a healer, and I'd been all my focus to get the grades I'd want…but the sanctuary…it would mean a lot to me." He wanted both, but he knew he couldn't accomplish both, so he would need to pick one then the other. Considering he didn't want to be too far from the pack after he took his exams…he thought perhaps sanctuary was his calling.

"Have you spoke to your dad about it?" Stiles asked taking a seat, watching his best friend. This was what he loved about Teddy, they could have serious conversations, a back and forth. It wasn't just all 'him' 'him' 'him' lamenting over every little thing that went wrong, from Lacrosse to Allison Argent and just not listening to him.

"Oh he knows I want to do both, and as much as he'd love to…he can't make that choice for me. He said I had to make that choice from the heart, if I did then I'd be happy, and that's all he wants for me." Teddy said, releasing the burden from the owl and watching it take off.

"Sounds like him," Stiles grinned, hell, he didn't think Harry would care if Teddy never did anything with his life. "It's good advice…how about part time? Do both?"

"I suppose that's possible, it would give me more time and the workload would be less and not as much time away from here." Teddy mused, as he took a seat next to his best friend. "It would mean training for six years to be a healer, if it was just a Medi-wizardry course two years." Instead of full time three years for a healer and one year for Medi-Wizardry.

"Isn't there an advanced course?" Derek joined the conversation, he had been listening, they all had.

"Yeah, it's…said to be really intense, only five people out of a hundred succeed. It's a yearlong course, and I most definitely wouldn't be able to do anything in that time." Teddy said, "Or six months for Medi-wizardry.

"I'm assuming that's the equivalent of being a doctor or nurse right?" Derek questioned, brow furrowing. He was reading everything he could get his hands on when he had free time. It was utterly fascinating, reading about the magical world on a whole.

"Oh yeah," Stiles nodded eagerly, "That's it exactly."

"If you want to tend to animals…wouldn't you be better doing a veterinarian course?" Derek questioned bluntly, "A doctor can't work on animals after all…and if you're determined to run a sanctuary…bringing in a vet to deal with sick wolves will be costly. I know that it's more difficult to become a Vet than a doctor but I don't think that would be a problem for you." He knew the grades in both worlds and their counterparts, Teddy was in the top 5 percentile in Hogwarts, not just his year. That's with the time he took off every month to recover.

"They're the same thing for us," Teddy explained, opening the package, "We learn everything, both human and animal anatomy….although I wonder…if there is one more geared towards just creatures…"

"An apprenticeship?" Stiles pondered, it's basically what Scott had been aiming for actually…by working with Deaton.

"That's actually a good idea," Teddy said, "They're magically binding, it would need to be someone dad trusts…otherwise he wouldn't like it."

"Is there anyone your father knows that's a healer that you could apprentice to?" Derek asked, Harry knew a lot of people and wouldn't be surprised if there were a few he trusted.

"Maybe, I'd need to ask him," Teddy replied, relaxing feeling much better that a resolution had been reached. Perhaps within a year he might actually be beginning to open a sanctuary…something he'd wanted to do for so long.

"Isn't there a list you can find of people who offer up apprentices in the area?" Derek questioned.

"I think there might be one in MACUSA," Teddy said, eyes widening, "I'll Floo them right now!" smacking both of them on the arm for their help before scampering inside.

"I think they're going to have a lot of friends in the coming years," Stiles said with a wicked grin, pointing towards his familiar.

"Yes," Derek agreed, a thoughtful look on his face, his mind mulling over the possibility of giving Teddy the land surrounding his former home to build the sanctuary. They didn't want to build there, never would, too much bad had happened. If Peter's plans came to anything, they would be building nearby or actually extending the house here, but as far as he knew Peter hadn't discussed it with Harry yet.

He was unaware that Peter had similar thoughts a while ago when Harry told him about Teddy's aspirations.

"Good evening! How can I help you?" a pretty young thing asked as she stood at the podium, playing the part of hostess. A tag attached to her clothes revealed her name as Marion.

"We have reservations under the name of Hale," Harry informed her, a well-bred smile on his face.

"Right on time! Please follow me to your seats," she said politely, "Do you have any other members of your party still to come? We will escort your girlfriends right up!" she said cheerfully.

Harry's lips twitched into a small smirk, before he asked him, "Something you want to tell me Peter? A foursome on our first date? How scandalous,"

Peter's lips pursed, trying to stop himself from laughing at the look on the hostess' face, it was comical to say the least. "As I recall, I most certainly made it a romantic table for two."

The hostess blanched, cheeks flushing red, as embarrassment covered her features.

"Luckily for you," Harry said deadpan.

"Indeed," heated eyes flared as he gazed at Harry, eyes only for him. He cared very little for prejudice, ordinary people were always the same. Werewolves however…had no hang-ups about sexuality.

The hostess said nothing, as she still red in face, took them to a two seated booth. Handing them their menu's before she got out of there, her heels clicking behind her.

Peter chuckled, shaking his head ruefully, entirely too amused than the situation called for. He'd had very little to be amused by for the past seven years, it was…nice to be able to feel amusement without anger and rage being the more prominent emotion.

"Have you been here before?" Harry asked, as he glanced at the menu.

"Many times," Peter replied, "A great deal of them were business meetings…my clients liked their luxury." And their desire to keep it had them reaching out to the likes of him to get them out of the trouble they were in. Too many of them had been guilty, not that they had admitted it. No, they claimed they were innocent and Peter naturally heard the life in their heartbeat and chemosignals.

"What would you recommend?" Harry asked thoughtfully, gazing down at the open menu, he didn't often eat out. Preferring his own food, but a restaurant of their calibre had to surely make good food.

"Their steak is very good, as are their pasta meals," Peter said easily, as if he would not recommend the steak. He almost always chose a meat-based meal, always rare of course, medium always tasted too burnt for his tastes.

Harry hummed softly, giving the menu one last glance, deciding upon a meal, "You ready?"

Peter nodded, and made a gesture for a server boy – and he was a young boy – to take their orders. Forgetting entirely, that he was young as well, but he most certainly didn't feel it. Perhaps it was the responsibilities he had or what he'd been through…probably both.

"I'll have the Grilled flank steak with radish and corn salad, a side of chips and a bottle of your best Valpolicella Ripasso." Peter ordered; he had long ago memorized the menu for his favourite restaurants. Which weren't many, he had a very discerning palate. So it was difficult to find restaurants that not only served quality produce but cooked the food well enough for Peter's high standards. Then again, having been eating hospital food…he definitely didn't want to suffer through substandard food…or worse, Jell-O ever again.

"I'll have Cheesy Rigatoni with Roasted Potatoes and Cabbage, with beer," Harry requested, setting the menu to the side so the boy could take it, but he was busy gaping over Peter either over the fact he recognized him or found him attractive. He cleared his throat a little loudly.

"Yes, Sir!" he said smoothly, regaining his senses, scooping up the menu after writing down their order on a piece of paper and leaving for the kitchen to send in their order.

"Recognized you or attracted to you?" Harry asked, cocking his head to the side, watching him go.

Peter blinked, "Both," he answered honestly, seeing no need to lie.

Harry chuffed in amusement at the look of smug superiority on his werewolf's face. "You're so vain," he commented wryly.

"And you are not," Peter observed, if he could use his looks to get ahead, he'd do it. "Frankly it's a surprise nobody already put a ring on your finger." He confessed, and it was true enough.

"Most guys I met had no desire to settle down, let alone raise a child that was neither mine or their blood." Harry said, repeating what he'd told Peter before. "I swore from the first time I held him that I'd always put him first…my own godfather put revenge before me and ended up suffering over a decade in prison for a crime he didn't commit and without trial."

"Was he ever compensated for wrongful imprisonment?" Peter asked, unable to help himself, the lawyer in him coming out.

"He died before he could be proven innocent, two years after in fact, when Peter's body was found and it became evident that he was innocent. Although, technically he was never charged with a crime, still…his name never really recovered that horror." Harry explained.

"And you didn't press charges?" Peter questioned speculatively; he could feel that it wasn't an overwhelmingly sad conversation for Harry.

Harry sighed, "What's the point? It wouldn't bring Sirius back." Leaning back and putting his arms under the table as their food was brought to them.

"That much is true, but it would stop any more travesty of justices happening. Losing money seems to be the only way to prevent governments or businesses taking the law into their own hands." Peter immediately claimed his glass of wine and tasted it; it would be perfect with the steak.

"Oh, you've got that right, they're tight fisted when it comes to funds, most of it seems to go into the Minister's pocket." Harry snorted, taking a bite of the pasta, and found Peter was quite correct, it was good. Moaning softly, he murmured through a mouthful of pasta, "It's good."

"Is it still problematic?" Peter questioned, making sure not to say too much for any eavesdropping going on. Digging into his own meal, finding his gaze drawn to Harry's lips shivering a little at the obscene moan he'd let loose.

"Actually no, we have a decent one now," Harry replied, "He's a good guy, honest, hardworking, he's working on overhauling everything he can. The Wizengamot is undergoing a regime change as well."

"Wizengamot?" Peter queried.

"Think of it like the senate and the supreme court," Harry said thoughtfully, "Or maybe just the supreme court, the council would be more like the senate perhaps…politics bore me." He admitted.

"You prefer a more direct approach," Peter agreed, that much he had gleaned from Harry.

"Aptly put, yeah," Harry agreed with his assessment. "In my opinion it's about bettering the person who's in office for the most part than the world on whole. Sure, there are exceptions to the rule, but not many. The people we have right now…are exceptions but how long that lasts, who knows?"

"Here's to a few more years to decent leaders," Peter said, clinking the class with Harry's beer.

"Yeah, hopefully Donovan remains after his term is up," Harry said wryly, "I doubt very much the next person will put up with me." Lips twitching, Donovan knew how he worked, and it was a give and take, almost like family at this point.

"From my understanding…they need you a hell of a lot more than you need them," Peter said, snorting derisively. "You have the funds; you could create your own investigative team. In any speciality you desire, if you do wish to continue working." He would never be stuck for choice if the next president of MACUSA turned out to be less than stellar.

Harry conceded his point with a nod of his head, mouth full.

"Apart from being a lawyer was there anything else you actually wanted to do?" Harry asked a few moments later.

"I did do something on the side, buying and selling items, speciality items, it wasn't exactly a thriving practice, but it paid well, especially if I found what they were looking for. It kept me occupied when I wasn't working for Talia or busy with a case." In other words, doing Talia's dirty work or in court.

"Would you like a glass?" Peter asked, gesturing towards the bottle as he filled up his own glass again. He drank for the taste only, it wasn't as if he could get drunk, not on the Mundane stuff anyway. "It's a good year," seeing that he had finished his beer.

Harry shrugged, "Go ahead," not minding at all. He rarely drank, "But it can only be one, otherwise…" they wouldn't be able to get home, he wasn't risking splinching them.

Peter nodded his understanding, not that he wanted to get Harry drunk. He'd rather not ply him with drink and have him falling asleep tonight…he had more strenuous activities planned. "Is bonding something you desire tonight?" wanting to be on the same card. "Is it something you want? There is no going back." He needed him 100% sure, he couldn't handle Harry deciding he didn't want to be bonded, it would destroy him. He wasn't sure how Harry would be affected by it, but considering he was magical too, there was a massive chance that he would be similarly affected. Only there was no chance of going feral for Harry.

"I know," Harry replied, he was far from stupid. "And yes," he said quietly, even if they didn't have a sexual relationship he liked Peter a great deal and would never wish to go back to the existence he had before. "I…would never risk what we have…life was…lonely before the pack, not that I minded at the time." He admitted talking slowly and deliberately.

"You can't miss what you never had," Peter nodded his understanding, an echo of the empty bonds thrumming through him. A shudder wracking his spine, "And I agree, we have built something…good." And the thought of it being gone was enough to let him know it would drive him feral. He'd lost one family, he refused to lose anything more.

"I've always only had a small group of friends, social situations were uncomfortable for me as a youngster." Harry said wryly, drinking the wine, having finished his meal, which had been delicious. "I had only Ron and Hermione, they stuck by me through horrible circumstances. Well, Ron waffled a few times, but he more than made up for it. I was always jealous of Ron, as much as Ron was jealous of myself. He had a massive family, he had six siblings, and parents who would die for him."

"And what was he jealous of? Your 'fame'?" he questioned, rolling his eyes.

"Partly, I think it was more to do with knowing just how rich I was." Harry explained with a grimace. "He knew something I didn't at the time. I thought I had one single vault to get me through the rest of my life. I was unaware of it being a trust vault, which only had to do me until I was seventeen-years-old when I became Lord Potter, and the entirety of my estate was open to me, that and the Black estate, bequeathed to me by my godfather. I think he always resented that I wouldn't 'share' it with him."

"Children can be…self-serving and vicious when they feel wronged," Peter said, "Regardless of how they were raised." His mind dwelling on Laura, who had most certainly not been in any definition a child. He honestly didn't understand to this day why she'd done what she did. He got in an abstract term leaving him, but Cora and Aaron? That was…undefendable.

Not even Derek was able to defend her, regardless of what they'd been though together. Which Peter secretly thought was nothing but hiding and running, not giving Derek the help he needed, she had been a bad alpha, and bad alphas were always put down.

"Yes, they can," Harry agreed, "I'm just grateful I didn't raise one." Teddy was…perfect to him. Loving and caring, would do anything for anyone, and he had a good friend who was much the same. Merlin help anyone if they targeted someone either cared about…for Harry knew they'd see a side of them that hadn't surfaced before.

"Would you care for dessert, Sirs?" the server asked, as he took the plates, seeing as they were done.

Harry and Peter gazed at each other, "I'm thinking not," he had waited long enough to bond with him, waiting any longer…did not sit well with him at all. Who knows when they would get a chance to do this again? Especially if more Argent hunters were on the prowl?

"Just the check, please," Harry said, gaze never wavering from Peter's as he spoke to the server. The sexual tension from earlier returning, with fervour. There was no denying that if anyone was looking, they'd know just exactly what they would be getting up to tonight. Although they would never comprehend or experience the reality of it, of a bonding to someone else on a very elemental level.

"How did you partner with your past…boyfriends?" Peter sneered the word 'boyfriend' out, and that's all they'd ever be, childish boys who had no idea what they were giving up. Their loss – should they ever discover it – was his gain, and oh, he intended to gain. He actually preferred the British term, lovers.

It took a few seconds for it to click for Harry, "Ah, you mean whether I topped or not, I did top, yes, but it isn't always my preference. I suppose you could say I am a switch. I just…found it difficult to trust anyone." Enough to show them his back, his neck, too much bad had happened to him that he just couldn't bring himself to trust anyone back then.

"Not even topping from the bottom?" Peter asked, a wicked grin on his face at the innuendo. Plus the vision it elicited, they had best leave soon, otherwise he was going to showcase himself.

Harry snorted out a laugh, that had been a horrible innuendo, "That was so bad," he commented, shaking his head.

"It served its purpose," Peter replied, neither agreeing or disagreeing.

Harry smiled, while it was true, there wasn't much to laugh at sometimes, Peter shouldn't feel the need to break any tensions. He had a feeling it wasn't normal for Peter to desire to either…the newness was charming.

Harry claimed the check before Peter could get his hands on it, "You can buy next time," neither were hurting for money, he put down a good tip, signed it and put in the pin before reclaiming his card after it was done.

Naturally it had been accepted.

They both finished the remnants of the wine in their glasses, neatly finishing off the bottle.

They begun to leave, only to hear the server squeak in disbelief.

"How much of a tip did you leave?" Peter asked, not even needing to look behind to know why he was struck dumb. When Harry gifted…it was in excess, he didn't do things by half. It had cost more to repair Stiles truck than by him a brand new truck or car. Oh, he knew why he had fixed it rather than buy something new. The car held major significance, it had belonged to his mother, and it was basically all that was left of her other than photos and memories. Going for a wolf for Derek as a therapy companion and coming back with an entire pack. Yes, he always did things in excess.

Harry laughed, as he opened the door to the restaurant, "It was only a couple of hundred dollars," it wasn't as if he had broke the bank giving him money. They deserved it, they worked so hard, for such long hours and mostly lived on tips they get from patrons. Two hundred dollars was nothing to him but it would be everything to the boy.

"You are too generous," Peter stated, as they left, "It's a wonder you have anything left."

"Hardly," Harry replied wryly, he didn't think he was too generous, "I rarely go out to give such amounts often."

"That will hopefully change," Peter said, he loved going out for meals, but that had been only because it was always so loud at home when he was younger. Every meal consisted of his entire pack, and they hadn't been a quite bunch. He'd endure it if it meant they were all back with him, but wishing for something that just wouldn't be…was a useless and depressing endeavour. He would just relish what he had.

"Maybe we should take the entire pack out for lunch sometime?" Harry suggested, he was sure they'd all love that.

"Tomorrow?" Peter suggested, "To celebrate?" co-alphas and bonding's were very celebratory things in a wolf's life. "To us, it is very much like a marriage and I have no doubt Cora and Derek will expect something."

"If I were a werewolf, what would the celebration be like?" Harry asked so quietly that the humans would have heard a thing, as they walked down towards the Apparation point hand in hand.

"They'd celebrate in the evening before, its usually the night of the full moon that they mark it for. Taking down some prey, offering it to our significant other as a sign of always vowing to provide. Often they dismantle it, keeping the hide as a trophy and eat everything else." Peter replied, "The entire pack partakes, welcoming them into the fold." It was symbolic and beautiful.

"Is it something you'd like to do?" Harry asked, giving Peter his pure undivided attention. "Honestly, is it?"

Peter licked his lips, recalling the only one he'd ever been to, "Yes," yes, it was something he would love to experience with Harry.

"Would you prefer to go the whole way and wait to bond until the full moon?" Harry queried, as they slid into the darkened and empty Apparation spot. Not even making a move to Apparate until he heard Peter's answer.

The yearning Peter experienced was…surprising to say the least. Just thinking about the closeness they'd experience during it…and beginning anew, his, Derek's and Cora's first kills which had been in the house…had been destroyed along with everything else. It would signal a new beginning and a fresh start for them all. "Is it something you would want to do?" Peter asked, regardless of his magical abilities…the humans brought in the pack had found it quite sickening and wild, their chemosignals had given them away. Wild as in it was almost as if they were prudes. The nudity always alarmed them, having grown up after childhood to believe it was wrong. The kids had always loved it though, but getting to stay up after bedtime was always exciting whether you were human or Were.

"Peter…I'd love to experience it with you," Harry said sincerely, "Maybe add a magical bonding while we're at it?" combing both their histories together and making it a spectacular night.

"Magical bonding?" Peter asked, sex was completely and utterly off his mind.

"Marriage really," Harry said softly, "Close your eyes, I'll Apparate us,"

Within moments, Harry and Peter returned home, Harry summoned a book, and flipped through it until he had the chapter he desired. Both of them ambling towards Harry's bedroom.

"This is the one," he told Peter, handing it over, "It's intimate, private, and it will join us together more so than the soul bond we will eventually initiate." Which was when they had sex and accepted each other fully. It couldn't be coerced or forced in any shape or form. Magic could not be tricked, after all, only people could.

"Private?" Peter asked, zeroing in on the information and he begun to read it. sitting on Harry's bed as he did so.

"With or without witnesses, we can adapt both traditions together and create a new one." Harry suggested, the more he thought about it the greater the desire was. "With our pack being half magical's half werewolves…I wouldn't be surprised if it became the new tradition. Nothing gets left out, just interwoven together." Well, not quite half yet, with it only being him, Teddy and Stiles as magical with Hermione being pack-adjacent.

"The nudity isn't a problem?" Peter asked, needing confirmation.

"It might be for Erica, but I have a feeling she won't mind." Harry said with a grin, "She adapted to being a werewolf with ease, it's almost as if she was meant to be one. However, it is probably best to have Derek or yourself educate her and Stiles in what happens and how important tradition is to us so that she or Stiles doesn't screw up and feel awful about it." this wasn't something pack-adjacent got to experience or witness.

The experience brought the pack closer together, and gave them more power on top of it. It was said to be the most liberating experience of ones life.

"Now we wait until the full moon," Peter said excitement mixing with disappointment, he had such plans for tonight. The wait though…would be more than worth it. To experience Hale traditions as they were meant to be experienced…yes, definitely worth it…and they would be entirely safe within the boundaries.

"Shall we inform the others?" Harry queried, seeing the genuine excitement adorned Peter's face…made the wait more than worthwhile.

"Yes," Peter replied, standing up, taking the book with him.

They weren't surprised the slightest to see the pack in the living room, all of them had a book in their hands, reading. Aaron was napping in the middle of the puppy pile. Completely tired out, no doubt, from all the fun he'd had with the rest of the pack.

Everyone was surprised to see them.

"Isaac is in the hospital, he will remain there for two days they think, he's in pretty rough shape. His father has been arrested, and Noah is already pushing towards having Isaac stay with you." Derek told him, frowning, "Other than that…nothing's wrong," wondering why they were even here. It was pretty obvious what they had planned to do this evening.

"Thank you, Derek," Harry said, giving him a smile, for taking care of the pack while they went out and for doing something he found difficult.

"Harry and I…are going to bond on the full moon," Peter replied, giving Derek and Cora a look before nodding, yes, they were going to go through the ritual and rites.

Excitement burst through the bond, Cora was practically vibrating with excitement. Even Derek was excited but he most certainly didn't showcase it at all.

"Ritual and all, you're all naturally invited," Peter added.

"Ritual? What ritual?" As always Stiles dived in to the ins and outs, wanting to know everything. "Is there a book I can read?"

"The fire probably took it," Cora said sombrely.

"The book is in the Hale vault," Peter corrected her, "The oldest and most precious of books were kept in there." Out of children's curious hands. "I will get it for you tomorrow, but it will also be combined with Harry's traditions."

"Like what?" Erica asked.

"A marriage, we will be bound in all ways that evening, in both Were and magical ways, and magic will ensure it's recognized in the Mundane world as well." it was Harry's turn to explain, "Everything will be explained so you all know what's going to happen and when."

"You'll all feel it, so ensure you make no plans the morning after," Peter added, excitement thrumming through him and broadcasting back through the bond the pack shared which was like no other. "That afternoon we will go out and celebrate."

Stiles lurched up, flailing dramatically, mentally calculating how many days it was to the full moon. "Will I get to use my magic?"

"Actually…if it goes the way I think it will, you'll be further bound as the Emissary of the Hale pack and the territory of Beacon Hills." Regardless of his age.

I know you're probably thinking 'It's disjointed' 'You need to make up your mind what you want to do with the story' 'she needs to make up her mind' etc...but the reality IS people are constantly changing their plans and deciding to do something different, so this is in reality how people ARE soooo it was deliberate on my part and NO there's not going to be a voyeuristic sex scene that's just between Peter and Harry ;) but there will be a marriage/pre-mating scene next i'm rather looking forward to writing it - damn muse! - lol will Isaac remain human or will Peter finally have a bit difficulty with one of his Beta's? R&R please *rubs hands gleefully* back to writing my normal length chapters every two days I'm hoping *Fingers crossed*