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Melissa was sleep-groggy but coherent in the morning.
"She'll be fine," Chris said as Stiles stood at the ash line, debating whether or not to break it.
"At least until the full moon," Peter added. "But we'll deal with that when we need to."
"I'd love a shower," Melissa admitted.
"Sure," Chris said. "We have some clean clothes for you." He hesitated then offered, "I'll help?"
Melissa blushed but nodded. "Please?"
"You do that and we'll work on breakfast," Stiles said as he broke the ash line for them. "Take your time, since dad won't be home for another hour."
Stiles and Derek prepared breakfast. Peter went upstairs at one point.
When he came back down, he pulled Stiles and Derek close. "Melissa's struggling with the loss of her fingers. The skin is mostly healed but I told Chris to put a bandage on her hand for now."
Stiles nodded.
John came home and swiped a piece of toast. "Do I have time for a shower?"
"Sure," Stiles said. "I'll hold off starting the eggs until you're ready."
"Thanks," John nodded.
It wasn't too long before they were sitting down to eat. Stiles noticed Melissa holding her damaged hand in her lap but ignored it, as did everyone else.
After breakfast, Stiles sat next to Melissa and took her good hand.
"As Emissary, I welcome you to the Hale Pack," Stiles said.
Melissa's eyes went wide. "Thank you for your welcome to the Hale Pack," she stumbled through the response.
Stiles felt the bond. It wasn't as strong as the others but he decided that was due to her physical weakness at the moment.
"You'll get the hang of it, but I want to thank you for agreeing to take the Bite," Stiles went on. "I would have missed you."
Melissa nodded. "It was... hard. I know Scott isn't the best Alpha, so I didn't have a good impression of any of this. But Peter, oh, and you... feel safe in a way I never expected."
Stiles nodded. "Good." He leaned closer and lowered his voice. "I'll bet it helps to have Chris close, also." He gave a small grin.
She blushed. "It does. That he was going through this at the same time kept me going."
"You were dreaming, weren't you?" Stiles asked. "I'm sorry, but the tea Scott brought you was... not good. We don't know why you would be given the drug but it is what was causing the dreams."
Melissa frowned in expected confusion but nodded.
Stiles went on. "The purpose of the drug is to allow a shaman to dream, but is only used in a time of trouble. What can you tell me of your dreams?"
Melissa sat back a little and looked thoughtful.
"I dreamed of Scott a lot," she admitted. "He... died... frequently. In horrible ways."
Stiles nodded. "That is part of the purpose of the drug. To show one all the possible outcomes in a time of trouble. The drug is... problematic and generally used only in dire circumstances."
"Why me?" Melissa asked.
"No idea," Stiles admitted.
"Scott brought it for mother's day," Melissa said. "Said he didn't have a lot of money, so he got a friend to help create a personal tea blend from stock they already had on hand. So it didn't cost him a lot." She shrugged. "To be honest, I didn't really like it, but I'd have a cup when Scott was around. Trying to make him happy."
"Would Scott have any?" Stiles asked.
"Sometimes, but not every time," Melissa replied. "Scott wasn't much of a tea drinker, so I didn't think a lot about it."
Stiles had to consider what the 'tea' would do to a 'wolf. The poisons were poisonous to almost all creatures. But there were elements that were for the sake of magical foreseeing and would not benefit a 'wolf. Stiles didn't know enough to know what the effects would be on a 'wolf. Something else to research.
Stiles reached out and gently but deliberately took Melissa's injured hand. "You have a lot of changes that will be coming at you. Being a 'wolf is only one of them. Know we are all here to help you. Good days, bad days. That is what Pack is for. We don't leave anyone behind. Sure, you'll have to learn new things. And there will be things we can't predict at this point. But we will be here for you."
Tears fell down Melissa's face. "Thank you," she whispered.
"If nothing else, I'll teach you to type on your phone using both thumbs," Stiles teased.
Melissa gave a wet laugh.
"Too soon?" Stiles asked.
"No." Melissa shook her head. "I think I needed that."
He drew her close and let her head rest on his shoulder.
"That's what Pack is for," Stiles promised.