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Stiles was amused when Peter admitted that Chris Argent had made Peter a partner in Argent Arms.
"It's only so I can be listed as a legitimate arms dealer," Peter huffed. "So the arsenal in the basement is legit."
"At least dad will approve," Stiles grinned. "Mostly."
"Brat. The only reason you're not listed is because you're underage," Peter replied. "But Derek is now an employee of the company, too."
"Wish I could be there when Gerard learns that Hales are working for his precious company," Stiles snickered.
"Christopher did say he got approval from the Matriarch for that, so Gerard doesn't have a leg to stand on," Peter gave a sharp smile.
"Even better!" Stiles replied. "So, what's next?"
"I thought we'd get the surveillance system up and running before we do anything in the building," Peter said. "I'm not sure about living there as yet but with the arsenal in the basement, the building needs extra security."
"True," Stiles nodded.
"Your dad has recommended a couple of firms, so I'll be spending time walking them through the building," Peter said.
"Not alone!" Stiles pointed a finger at Peter.
Peter shook his head. "Derek will also be there. I know he doesn't know as much about security technology as the people we're bringing in, but I will want him to learn how to manage the system."
"That'll be good for him," Stiles agreed. "Are these firms 'in the know' at all?"
"One may be," Peter replied. "Pretty sure the rest are not."
"What kind of equipment are you looking at?" Stiles was curious.
"Something that's at least partly open-source," Peter replied. "While there's a point that money isn't an object, I want to have systems that we can customize. Which means some flavor of Linux and using an Android OS on some of the handheld devices."
"These are not the Droids you are looking for," Stiles intoned.
"Now you're being silly," Peter laughed with him.
"Hey! At least you get it," Stiles laughed.
"If you want, we can do some basic magical warding schemes before the installation," Stiles offered. "Then, when the electronic security is up and running, I can set up further wards and make them as tight as you want."
Peter looked at Stiles speculatively. "How tight?"
Stiles let information flow in his head for a moment. "I can almost make the building not exist to anyone who shouldn't know it's there. But that gets awkward because that means no utility workers, deliveries of most types, mail, or even like the fire department if it's needed."
"Hmmm...."
"But I can do a serious intent ward for sure," Stiles went on. "No one who means harm can get in. At all."
"That may be sufficient," Peter nodded. "How about if you start with where Derek and I are living and see what you'd like to tweak. Gives you a chance to practice before you do it on a larger building."
Stiles nodded. "Perfect. And that helps keep you safer right away."
"How are your classes going? When would be good to do that?" Peter asked.
"I'm ahead on the classwork, so that's not a problem. The weekend should be good," Stiles decided. "And maybe on Saturday. I don't know yet if there are any physical reactions to doing that kind of work."
"We meet with Scott's pack on Friday evening, so that should be good timing," Peter nodded.
"Have you heard from Scott or Theo?" Stiles asked.
Peter shook his head. "Derek's been keeping an eye out for Theo and he hasn't been seen in town or attended school for at least few days. Doesn't mean he's gone. So be on alert yourself, in case he comes back and tries to harass you."
"Let me think..." Stiles went through the information in his head. "Okay. If I can be at the Nemeton, I can put a low power intent ward around Beacon Hills. Tying it to the node means I don't have to power it myself, so it wouldn't take any daily work on my part. But it could be a general notification to the Pack bond that something... unsavory has come into town. It wouldn't be perfect, but it would definitely let us know if someone like Theo came back into town."
"That would be useful," Peter nodded. "Are you sure that wouldn't be taxing on you?"
Stiles nodded. "Positive. We'd have to like renew it... hmmm... yearly-ish, I think. But as long as we play nice with the Nemeton, it should be willing to help protect itself."
"Let's start with smaller wards first," Peter decided. "I want to see how that affects you before we do a bigger work, like Beacon Hills."
"Oh, you'll have to help with Beacon Hills," Stiles grinned. "And if Derek and Dad can be there, that would even be better. It will be easier for them to get notifications if we tie them to the warding process."
"I like that even better," Peter said. "Sharing that load amongst us would be best."
Stiles grinned.
Scott avoided Stiles all week, so Stiles didn't have to deal with any nagging or uncomfortable questions related to the Friday night pack meeting. Peter had reserved the back room at a restaurant and had ordered enough food to feed everyone well.
Just as Stiles was starting to worry if anyone was going to show up to the meeting, most of the pack arrived together. Some of them came over to greet Stiles and a few went to greet Derek. Just about all of them looked curiously at Peter.
Stiles introduced Peter to those he knew, making it casual. Peter wanted to go for a less autocratic style than Scott had used, hoping for cooperation.
In the end, there were a eight 'wolves from Scott's Pack, five purely human significant others, and four that were supernatural but not 'wolves. Four of the seventeen, Stiles had never seen at any of Scott's pack meetings or get-togethers. Interesting.
When the dinner food was mostly gone and everyone felt mellow, Stiles stood up. Evidently, being Emissary also made him the point person for meetings like this.
"Hey!" Stiles called to get everyone's attention. "Just a bit of Pack business and then there's going to be dessert. Okay?"
A general murmur of contentment.
"This is my first meeting in my official role as Emissary for the Hale pack," Stiles said. "I know a couple of you used to act in that role for Scott and if you want to discuss it with me, I'm willing to do that. However, I'm going to be a showoff here."
Stiles held out a hand, palm up. A small flame appeared on the palm of his hand. It danced along his fingers and disappeared when he made a fist.
"That's part of the reason I've been made Emissary," Stiles said. "So don't think it's personal that you weren't chosen for the role."
"Did that demon thing give you that power? And is it still in you?" a male voice came from the back of the room. He knew Peter and Derek were watching closely and would be able to identify the questioner, later.
"It's a longer story but, some of what I can do I had before I was possessed," Stiles admitted. "Although I do have a boost from the Nogitsune. And after what I went through, I think I'm entitled to that. But, the Nogitsune is gone and will not be coming back." Stiles said that firmly.
There was another small murmur from the group.
"Who's the Alpha?" That came from Sydney, who had a seat near where Stiles was standing.
"I am." Peter moved next to Stiles and flashed his red eyes.
Silence.
"What about Scott?" Sydney asked.
Stiles wondered if she had been appointed spokesperson for the group, or had stepped up. He'd have to keep an eye on her.
"Scott is struggling with his wolf," Stiles admitted. "We're trying to work with him to get him some help and make him a better Pack member." Hopefully, no one would notice that he didn't say anything about Scott joining this pack.
"What do we have to do to be part of your Pack?" Sydney asked.
"Peter is willing to take all of you here tonight into the Hale Pack, as a probationary member," Stiles replied. "Everyone gets the same treatment that way. Peter will scent anyone interested tonight and that should create a loose Pack bond with the Hale Pack. You get a chance to see what Peter is like as your Alpha and he gets to see what you're like as his Beta. If you decide you want to move to another Pack, then no hard feelings, and we will help sponsor you to another Pack." Stiles took a breath. "You don't have to make a decision tonight and you have a three month window before you have to decide. You're welcome to be Pack-adjacent for the three months but you will have to decide by the end of that time."
"What if Peter doesn't like one of us?" Sydney asked.
"That will be an individual discussion between Peter, me as Emissary, and that person," Stiles said firmly. "What happens will depend on why Peter has decided the individual will not be a member of the Hale Pack. But it is Peter's decision."
"What's going to happen next?" Sydney asked.
"Derek and Peter will be organizing training sessions, we will have meetings to discuss 'wolf lore and Pack history and the Pack responsibility to Beacon Hills. And there will be full moon runs," Stiles said. "Not everyone can and will come to everything, but if you're even faintly interested in fully joining the Hale Pack, you will be expected to participate as much as you reasonably can."
"What if someone decides not to join the Hale Pack?" Sydney asked.
"The humans will be a case-by-case discussion. Those of you that are 'wolves or supernatural, you need to plan to leave Beacon Hills," Stiles said flatly. "That is non-negotiable. 'Wolves need to be part of a Pack. If you don't join the Hales, you need to plan to leave. We will certainly help you find another Pack. If you do join the Hale Pack, and you later decide to move away, get married, or just find a Pack you like better, we will help you do that. It's done all the time."
"That's not what Scott told us," Sydney sighed. "He said we could never leave his Pack."
"Which is why we wanted to go with the probationary status," Stiles admitted. "We don't know you and you don't know us and we need to have some time to get acquainted. You shouldn't feel trapped by your Pack. It's like another family, and we'll share custody of you with your born family, so to speak."
"Our parents or siblings?"
"Maybe," Stiles shrugged. "We're taking on the lot of you in one go, so we're not saying yes or no to the rest of your family at this time. If you think you need to have the supernatural discussion with your family before the first of the year, come to me or Derek or Peter and we can discuss it. But there's enough work to bring all of you up to speed without adding others right away."
"One last question," Sydney said with a grin. "What's for dessert?"
Stiles laughed. "Make your own sundaes."
A cheer went up.
"Let the staff bring everything out." Stiles had to raise his voice over the rising din. A group pitched in to re-arrange the tables and assisted the restaurant staff in setting everything up. It was good to see them working together without having to be prompted.
The rest of the evening went really well. Sydney and three of Scott's betas made a point of talking to Peter. Well, as far as Stiles could see, Sydney did most of the talking but the others answered questions whenever Peter asked. Two of the three shyly asked to be scented. Peter stood fractionally taller and exchanged scents with the two. Stiles felt new Pack bonds spring into place.
Peter deliberately circulated among everyone in attendance. Stiles could see many of them thanking Peter for dinner, although a couple only did so because their companion brought it up.
It was nearly midnight before everyone left, leaving Stiles, Derek, and Peter alone.
"I think that went reasonably well," Stiles offered.
Peter nodded.
"We may want to bring Sydney in for a talk at some point," Stiles said. "I'm getting a sense that she's not really human."
Peter nodded. "I'm suspecting the same thing."
"Does that mean her family is probably not human?" Derek asked.
"Could go either way, but she will have something supernatural in her family history," Peter replied.
"Anyone else?" Stiles asked.
"Some sleep for all of us," Peter said, drawing Stiles in for a firm hug. "You did well tonight. Thank you."
"You're welcome," Stiles leaned in to Peter's warmth.