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Melissa's fever finally broke and the last of the poison was wiped from her skin. It was like a sigh of relief that came over the entire Stilinski household. She was now in a natural sleep and they could afford to wait for her to wake naturally. Chris was still in the room with her, holding her as they slept.John had reluctantly left them after Matias had called from the Sheriff's department.----"I'd stay, but I've already worked a double," Matias admitted. "The wife is going to kill me as it is. But Chen's wife called him in sick. Says he went to that new Thai place on Maple and, well, it's not agreeing with him.""Maybe flag someone in the health department to swing by there?" John suggested. "Want to make sure it's a one-off and not a problem.""I'll do that," Martias agreed."I'll be there shortly," John said. "Black should be on duty, also?""Yup.""We'll be good," John said. "Thanks for covering.""Glad I could help!" Matias replied.----"If Melissa had been sick any longer, we would have had to call for help," Stiles admitted. "If she had been human, I would have had one of the nurses set her up with IV fluids. But that's not simple with a 'wolf." He looked at Peter. "Do you have information or is there information in the Vault on dealing with sick 'wolves?""It takes a lot to make a 'wolf sick the way humans think of it, and information on dealing with sick 'wolves is limited, to be honest," Peter replied. "Mostly, leaving it alone and letting the natural healing take over is the first thing almost everyone does.""And I know about putting burnt wolfsbane into wounds that have wolfsbane in them," Stiles replied. "But what about poisons like this one?""A lot of times, poisons hit the stomach and, well, come right back out," Peter grinned. "It's not pretty but if you can get poison by a 'wolf's nose, then the stomach is the second line of defense. Vomiting out the poison works well.""Eww... but reasonable, I guess," Stiles nodded."Which also makes moost antidotes hit and miss," Peter admitted. "Sometimes, the human understands the need for an antidote but there are ingredients that the 'wolf won't accept. That gets messier.""Getting a poison into a 'wolf's system would be interesting," Stiles said thoughtfully. "Likely why Hunters focus on things they can manage, like wolfsbane and mistletoe. Anything powerful enough to be absorbed by skin contact would likely not pass the sniff test.""True," Peter nodded."Which is why, on the surface, a vet is a good Emissary," Stiles mused. "Knowing about animal husbandry can be useful dealing with the 'wolf."Peter nodded. "Which is why someone like Deaton would work in that area," Peter said. "Being a Druid makes him decent Emissary material but the veterinary credentials make him even more attractive.""How long has Deaton been the Hale Pack Emissary?" Stiles asked."I don't know or even have a good guess. Most of the time, only the Alpha knew who the Emissary was," Peter replied. "Talia and I would talk about who it might be before she became the Alpha. And she never told me after she became the Alpha. In spite of being a magic user, Emissaries were frequently human. Keeping the Emissary separate from the Pack was a frequent measure to protect the Emissary."Stiles frowned. "On the surface, that sounds like a good idea but, at least for the Hale Pack, that hasn't worked out so well.""Too true," Peter admitted. "And not something I plan to continue."Stiles poked Peter in the side, although Peter grabbed his hand and drew him in close."Now that you're an Alpha, you need an Emissary," Stiles said baldly. "You gotta use your words."Peter grinned, wryly. "It's been a whirlwind," he admitted. He held Stiles hands and looked directly into Stiles' eyes.Stiles shivered. He could feel the predator but also knew he would be safe."Miecyslaw Stilinski, would you do me the honor of taking on the role and responsibilities of being the Emissary of the Hale Pack?" Peter asked softly."Alpha Hale, I am honored by your consideration and willingly take on the role and responsibilities of being the Emissary of the Hale Pack," Stiles replied.The bond between them bloomed hard and fast."Whoa!" Stiles said, rubbing his chest. "That is... amazing."Derek came clattering down the stairs as Stiles' phone rang."Daddio!" Stiles said."What did you do?" John demanded. "Even I felt that.""Peter officially made me Emissary of the Hale Pack," Stiles couldn't stop smiling."Okay, that's a good thing," John said. "Tell me more later.""We will!" Stiles promised.Derek came over to Stiles and held out a hand that Stiles took."As a beta of the Hale Pack, I welcome you as the Emissary," Derek said formally."Beta Hale, thank you for your welcome," Stiles replied. "I am pleased to be the Emissary to the Hale Pack."Another bond appeared in Stiles' head, not as bright or as large as Peter's but substantive and warm.Peter tilted his head and grinned. "Christopher wants to greet you, also."Stiles grinned. "Sure!"They went upstairs to find Chris waiting at the doorway. Stiles broke the ash line and took the hand Chris offered."As a beta of the Hale Pack, I welcome you as the Emissary," Chris repeated Derek's greeting."Beta Argent, thank you for your welcome," Stiles replied. "I am pleased to be the Emissary to the Hale Pack."Another bond, strong and steady, appeared for Stiles.Derek rubbed his chest. "Mom... mom never felt like this," Derek admitted."More reading will be required," Peter admitted. "I suspect the Pack Bonds Stiles has helped us create are... unusual. But also very special.""We can quietly ask around?" Stiles asked. He grinned. "Maybe Alpha Raine would know something of the lore. He strikes me as the type.""A good thought," Peter nodded. "I always knew you would be magnificent." He leaned in for a kiss."How's Melissa doing?" Stiles asked Chris."I'm thinking she's getting ready to wake up," he admitted. "I can't tell you how I know that, just that I do."Stiles privately thought there might be a Mate bond between Chris and Melissa, but that would be between them."Do we need to keep the ash line?" Stiles asked.Chris considered. "Not for our sake, but... Scott is still out there and I don't want to let him near Melissa until she's ready to deal with him.""That's more than reasonable," Stiles nodded. "Do you need anything?"Chris shook his head. "I'm fine here. But thanks."Peter looked thoughtfully at the unused single bed in the room. "Let's move that to another room. Stiles slept on the couch last night but we'd both appreciate a bed, even if it would be a bit snug.""Sure," Chris said. "We can move that to the other bedroom. Derek? Give me a hand."It was easy work for the 'wolves to move the bed and mattress to the third bedroom. It had been his mom's workroom, so it hadn't been used as a bedroom since she had died. But it felt welcoming in a way Stiles had not expected. Chris went back to Melissa and Stiles closed up the ash line.Derek went downstairs to take the couch for the night. He seemed to understand the need to be together. With Pack."Your mom loved you," Peter said gently as Stiles slowly circuited the small room, touching books and items that clearly had been Claudia's."It's easy to forget that," Stiles admitted."I don't say it enough, but know that I love you," Peter said as he leaned in for a soft kiss.Stiles felt himself blush. "Sappy 'wolf! Come on, let's get some sleep," Stiles said as he smiled. "It feels like tomorrow will be a long day.""Oh?" Peter looked thoughtful.Stiles shrugged. "Just... a feeling?""I will respect that," Peter nodded. "Some sleep will be good for all of us.""Dad should be home early in the morning," Stiles said. "We can have breakfast ready for him.""Sounds like a plan," Peter nodded.