╭ ⊸⊸⊸⊸⊸⊸⊸⊸⊸⊸⊸⊸⊸⊸⊸⊸⊸⊸ ╮

𝑬 𝑽 𝑬 𝑹 𝑮 𝑹 𝑬 𝑬 𝑵
❝ 𝚖𝚘𝚛𝚐𝚊𝚗, 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚏𝚛𝚒𝚎𝚗𝚍'𝚜 𝚛𝚎𝚜𝚘𝚛𝚝 𝚋𝚎𝚝𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝚋𝚎 𝚊𝚜 𝚗𝚒𝚌𝚎 𝚊𝚜 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚜𝚊𝚢 𝚒𝚝 𝚒𝚜 ❞

╰ ⊸⊸⊸⊸⊸⊸⊸⊸⊸⊸⊸⊸⊸⊸⊸⊸⊸⊸ ╯

ㅤ𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐑𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐀𝐋 𝐓𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐁𝐑𝐔𝐍𝐎 𝐖𝐀𝐒 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐌𝐎𝐋𝐄 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐖𝐇𝐎𝐋𝐄 𝐓𝐈𝐌𝐄 was quickly confirmed by Gideon, and he worked with the remaining members of the team to keep Bruno in the dark about what they knew. He tasked Elle and Hotch to rope Kruger in on the plan, while Spencer somehow ended up controlling the satellite feed that everybody had their eye on.

While that was going on, May stayed in the sidelines, watching everything unfold. Her stay in Langley definitely opened her eyes to realizations about herself, her role in the FBI, and her role in the pack. She hadn't realized it until now that she had the qualities of a leader; she always just assumed that she was just okay; she was an expert in one thing, and that was that.

Then came the fact that she's the rightful alpha of a pack of shapeshifters. She always imagined herself simply replacing her father on the council, becoming an 'elder', someone the Quileutes can turn to for help, knowledge, and everything in between. But then she shifted into the foretold White Wolf, basically the ultimate alpha, and she was thrust into a world that she wasn't prepared for yet apparently born for.

She never thought anyone assumed she'd be a good leader, but the pack all think so, even the council members. But the belief in herself never solidified until now, when Hotch's told her Gideon's opinion on her. Not for a moment did she realize that he had such high expectations; in no way did she ever even imagine herself having her own office. She knew being a member was a privilege enough—to work with some of the best minds in the country—but to lead them?

She certainly didn't have that in her bingo card.

"You okay? May asked Derek as soon as he—and the rest of the CIA agents that came with him to rescue Aaliyah and her children—arrived back to Langley.

"I'm okay," he breathlessly replied. She could hear his heart pounding in his chest, and she couldn't help herself from pulling him in a tight hug that he immediately reciprocated, wrapping himself around her. They stayed in that position for a while, relishing in each other's presence.

"So that's your girlfriend," Gina commented as she walked past them and headed to her desk. She had a smirk on her face as she looked at the two. "Didn't expect that."

"What do you mean?" Derek asked as he slowly pulled away from May, though his arms were still around her and vice versa.

"Knew you had to be dating someone when your flirting was all half-hearted," Gina shrugged, then turned to May. "You got a good one there, Agent Black."

May couldn't help but smile. "Well, thanks. But we're not together."

Gina immediately frowned and glared at Derek. "You haven't given her a label?"

"I--"

May was giggling the whole time that Gina chastised Derek. "And here I thought..."

"Hey, I'm trying my best here!" Derek defended.

"Not good enough! If I were you, I'd get down on one knee already. She practically solved this case singlehandedly!"

"You--" Derek was once again cut off, and he couldn't help but pull away from May as he began to raise his hands in defense as he tried his hardest to explain himself.

"I thought she was already your girlfriend!"

"She has an overprotective best friend!"

"That's not an excuse! 'If he wanted to, he would'!"

Derek groaned. "Gina--"

Their relationship only progressed from there, and May couldn't help but think that Gina's words actually got through to Derek, as he was less intimidated—yes, intimidated; May was genuinely surprised when he told her this—when he was faced with Spencer.

Though he was still obviously respecting Spencer's boundaries—which are mostly just about not wanting them to be too affectionate in front of him—Derek was getting bolder and bolder with his advances, which May both appreciated and hated. She appreciated it because she knew it meant that he wasn't afraid to let everybody know that he pursuing someone, but she hated it because of the guilt that she was beginning to feel.

She had yet to tell him the truth.

But she genuinely didn't even know where to start. How is she supposed to approach him and tell him that she's a shapeshifter who can transform into a horse-sized wolf? And then tell him that he was her imprint? Literally her soulmate?

And Spencer didn't exactly make her feel better, because even he was starting to feel guilty. Luckily, Hotch didn't know anything about the imprint, so he was blissfully unaware of anything that was bothering May.

May and Spencer had just gotten home from work when the former received a call from someone unexpected: Bella Swan.

"Hey," May greeted once she answered the call. She had her phone between her ear and shoulder as she was still clearing out her go-bag. "What's up?"

"I did it," Bella admitted in her usual muttered way of speaking. "I-I convinced Edward it was Victoria. Said I had a dream about it. A-And you're right though, I thought about it and only your idea makes sense. It couldn't be just the Volturi, or just Victoria. I-I-I...yeah, I did it."

"Congrats Bella," May couldn't help but grin to herself as she finally had everything out of her bag. She took that as her cue to move the phone away from her shoulder and actually hold it with her hand. "What are you gonna do now?"

"I...I don't know. I'm not sure," the pale girl sighed. "Edward's very concerned about my safety now because he knows that the army is coming for us. Keeps watching over me at night, but it's keeping him from feeding properly."

"The rest of the Cullens aren't helping him?"

"They offered, but...I don't know why he wants to do this alone."

"Then make him work with his family," May emphasized. "Not only will it help you and Uncle Charlie, he's able to feed. Which keeps everyone else safe."

"O-Okay, you're right," Bella agreed. "I'll let you know if something else happens."

"I got you," May said. "And remember, remind the Cullens to keep Uncle Charlie safe too, okay? If he gets hurt, I swear..."

"Don't worry, I care about Cha-- I mean...my dad, too. Even though I don't exactly know how to show it."

May scoffed. "Maybe you can start by calling him your dad. I mean, from what I remember, he was always the better parent. Anyway, I have to go. Keep yourself and your dad safe, and keep the Cullens—mostly your boyfriend—in line. Keep me updated. I'll make sure to keep the pack updated, too. Goodbye, Bella."

She pulled her phone away from her ear, quickly ended the call, and threw the thing down to her bed. May was tired; the case, though only a day, took a lot. It lasted hours with no stopping, and all she wanted to do was close her eyes and fall asleep. But of course, she had to change out of her outside clothes and into an outfit for bed.

Rushing into her bathroom, she peeled off her clothes and quickly jumped into the shower. She had no energy to wash her hair—mostly because she knew it would take forever for it to dry—so she pulled on a shower cap before turning on the water.

After her quick shower, she changed into an oversized shirt and some sleeping shorts before heading out of her room. Unsurprisingly, Spencer was on the phone with a nearby fast food chain that was open 24/7. This was the usual for the two of them as more often than not, they have no energy to make food after a long case. Without a glance to her, Spencer rattled off her usual order before ending the call.

He finally turned to her. "You excited to wash the dishes again?"

"Fuck off."

"Two-week break, huh?" Derek grinned at May, who, along with Elle, was getting some coffee. He gestured to the both of them. "What are you guys planning to do?"

"No idea yet," May shrugged noncommittally. "I already took a trip back home just a few weeks ago. Kinda wanna take a break from them. For now, at least."

"I have no idea either," Elle shrugged. "It's not every day we get some time off. I mean, I can definitely go back to New York, but..."

"What if I tell you both about this wonderful, wonderful resort in Jamaica where we can get some rooms for free?" Derek teased as he grabbed his own cup from the draws and poured his own coffee. "And I mean that. For free."

"A free room at a resort? In Jamaica?" Elle emphasized, her voice clearly expressing her doubt. She scoffed. "I doubt that."

"Come on, humor me, you two," Derek then turned to May with a coy smile. "What do you say?"

"How exactly are we gonna get into a resort for free?" May frowned before taking a sip of her coffee. "You have a contact or something?" At the sight of Derek's beaming grin, she snorted. "You actually do?"

"That's why I'm inviting you two!" He nodded. "Come on!"

Elle looked at May, who visibly looked like she was genuinely debating this spontaneous trip. Sighing, she shifted her eyes to Derek as she nodded. Turning around, she poured a cup of coffee for herself before finally facing the two once more.

Her eyes then focused on Derek again, a smile slowly growing upon her face. "Morgan, your friend's resort better be as nice as you say it is."

"Hey, I never said it was his," he responded, leaning back and sitting slightly on the counter as he relaxed. "He just manages the place. But trust me when I tell you it is off the hook. Hot sunny days, cool breezes at night," he wrapped his arm around May's shoulders as he led her back to their desks, Elle trailing behind, "never-ending tropical drinks with little umbrellas and nothing but young, beautiful," he specifically gestured to May, "adults looking to make vacation memories."

May smirked. "I'm starting to think this might actually be a good idea. Elle?"

"As long as there's someone for me there too," Elle told the two of them slyly. "Because I can't be a third wheel."

Derek quickly turned to her and slung his free arm around her shoulders, now holding on to both women. May couldn't help but giggle at the turn of events.

"Two weeks of pure heaven, you two," Derek promised.

They finally arrived back at their desks, but instead of heading their separate ways, they decided to all continue their conversation by Derek's area.

Elle let out a satisfied sigh. "I can't imagine what two weeks away from this place is gonna feel like."

"Well, you know, you better thank your man upstairs for making it the whole team," Derek told her, all while gesturing May to make herself comfortable on his desk that was cleaner and more organized than usual, considering he'd cleaned up so he can go home as soon as possible. May didn't hesitate to prop herself up. "Otherwise, you know they'd find a reason to bring us back up in here."

"They have other teams," May scoffed, rolling her eyes.

Derek grinned at her. "Okay, you can go on believing that if you want to, but I am not answering my cell phone."

May laughed, clinking her cup against Derek's. Elle, of course, quickly caught on and clinked hers with them.

"Oh there he is!" Derek exclaimed, finally spotting Spencer who had just walked past them. He quickly walked over to him. "Pretty boy. Last chance. I can get my man to swing you a hotel room for practically nothing. Even you might get a little loving out there."

"Derek," May gently reprimanded.

Derek, like a deer caught in headlights, cleared his throat. "I mean...you know..."

Spencer smirked to himself, continuing to fix up his stuff so he can leave. "I know. Thanks anyway."

"Oh, come on, Reid."

"I have to go. Going home," Spencer barely looked at Derek before beginning to walk away. "Have a good one, guys."

"Bye," Elle told him, both her and Derek watching Spencer walk away without another word.

"He look okay to you?" Derek wondered.

"He looks about the way I would if I was gonna spend two weeks with my family," Elle replied.

May snorted. "Leave him be."

"Hey, don't knock family!" Hotch said as he speed walked out of his office, his usual stoic self surprisingly bright and happy for once. "I'm gonna get nothing but for the next 336 hours."

"Good for you," Derek commented. He and the two women were sporting smiles of their own, Hotch's happiness surprisingly contagious.

"Haley's got a list of chores a mile long and I can't wait," the man grinned. "Biggest decision I gotta make is what I'm gonna do first."

"I bet you she has a thought or two about that as well," Elle told him.

"Bring it on!" He said, before leaving.

Gideon was next to practically high-tail it out the building, walking past them while saying, "I'll be lost in a cabin in the woods for the next two weeks. Do not call me for anything. Have a great time. You all deserve a break!" He stopped in his tracks, turning to look at them. "Seriously, don't-- don't call." Then he was out.

May laughed. "Don't worry." She then turned to Elle with a teasing look on her face. "Jamaica, huh? What's the dress code?"

Elle grinned. "As little clothing as possible."

Snorting, May shook her head. "I guess it's time I actually buy myself some bikinis."

"You don't have any?"

"Never had the opportunity to actually need one."

"Thought you grew up by the ocean?" Derek wondered.

May looked at him, then looked at Elle, before making a face. "You know how cold it is in La Push, right? It's never warm enough for bikinis, guys."

Elle then hugged her, pulling her close, while laughing. "Shopping spree?"

"Shopping spree," May quickly agreed.

"Am I invited?" Derek teased.

"Absolutely not."