Chapter Text
After a few days of longing and searching, Stiles returned to the library. Unbeknownst to him, Derek had been actively seeking his presence, and the alpha king's anticipation grew with each passing day. The omega finally appeared after five days, the library's charm drawing him back.
The Alpha, unable to contain his eagerness, had gathered a stack of romantic stories by the window – the very spot where he had first caught Stiles engrossed in a novel. As the younger man entered, he noticed the carefully arranged pile and, with a shy smile, placed the book the born alpha had given him next to the window.
Throughout the day, stolen glances and shy smiles were exchanged between the two men. The air in the library became charged with an unspoken connection that seemed to deepen with every shared look.
Late in the afternoon, as Derek excused himself for an urgent meeting, Stiles, feeling a pang of hunger, was pleasantly surprised when a tray filled with delectable snacks appeared. By the king's “order”, Stiles could indulge in any treat he desired. The omega refused to admit he purred, but the joy in his eyes spoke volumes.
The following day unfolded in a similar fashion. The omega librarian, eager to continue their newfound routine, arrived early at the library. This time, he left a red rose on the pile of books in the corner where the king studied along with a batch of his homemade biscuits, a gesture of gratitude for Derek's thoughtful gesture. The Alpha, smiling at the surprise, decided to join Stiles and initiate a conversation.
Seated together, the library's ambiance transformed into a space for shared confidences. Derek sought to understand Stiles' tastes, inquiring about music and various other aspects of his life. The conversation flowed effortlessly, the barriers between alpha and omega gradually dissolving in the enchanting world they created within the library's walls.
Their unclaimed rendezvous continued until one day, or rather one afternoon, the alpha didn't show up. Stiles, accustomed to their shared moments, felt a pang of worry. When he asked the guards about Derek's whereabouts, a strange air of evasion surrounded their responses. Returning home with a heavy heart, the omega learned the truth from his father, John — the king had been ambushed in the gardens by a group of fanatics, and though injured, he was not in immediate danger.
Stiles, overwhelmed by concern, embarked on a mission to see Derek. With the help of his best friend and king's guard, Isaac, he managed to sneak into the king's room. However, a stern female voice demanded an explanation. "Who are you?" she asked.
Startled, Stiles managed to whisper, "I'm Stiles. I'm a friend to the king. I heard he was injured and came to see how he is." The woman's suspicion lingered, wondering if the omega had come to finish what the attackers had started. However, something in Stiles' expression must have conveyed the sincerity of his concern because the woman, revealed to be Derek's sister, reluctantly allowed him to see the alpha.
Entering the king’s room, Stiles found him laid in bed with a prominent red blood scar on his chest, a visible reminder of the ambush. The Alpha slept, healing under the watchful eye of his sister. Stiles, feeling a rush of emotion, trembled from sadness as he approached the bed. His eyes filled with tears at the sight of the injured alpha.
"He's going to be okay. You can stay if you want," Cora the king’s sister offered kindly.
Stiles, torn between staying and giving the werewolf the space to rest, replied, "No, I'll let him rest." However, his gaze lingered on the werewolf, unable to tear his eyes away from the alpha's sleeping form. Doubts and fears for Derek's well-being gnawed at Stiles' heart.
"Are you sure he's okay?" Stiles asked again, seeking reassurance. Derek's sister, displaying a comforting smile, nodded. "Yes, he's healing. You can trust he's in good hands."
Despite the reassurance, Stiles left Derek's room with a heavy heart. The fear of losing the alpha, coupled with the realization of the emotions he harbored, left Stiles in tears as he retreated to his own room. The events had ignited a cascade of emotions, and Stiles grappled with the newfound fear of almost losing Derek and the complicated feelings that had surfaced in the face of that potential loss.
Stiles didn't leave his room for the next day or the day after that. His father, growing increasingly concerned, reassured him tirelessly that the king was indeed okay, recovering well and ready to resume his duties. However, Stiles seemed to be spiraling into his own world, shutting himself off, barely eating or speaking, lost in the tumult of his thoughts.
His father, recognizing the need to pull Stiles back into the world, urged him to visit the library on the third day. Stiles, silently and reluctantly, agreed after a much-needed shower, as per his father's insistence. As he stepped into the library, he was met with a surprising sight – candles flickering, flowers adorning the space, and a romantic ambiance befitting a dinner straight out of the novels Stiles often immersed himself in.
In the center of this carefully arranged setting stood Derek, dressed up and wearing a huge smile that lit up his face. He whispered Stiles' name, and in response, Stiles emitted a wounded sound, rushing towards the alpha. He wrapped Derek in a tight hug, sobbing hard, as Derek lifted him with concern, holding him close.
Setting Stiles down in a nearby chair, Derek continued to embrace him, shushing away the tears and whispering comforting words. "I missed you. I'm okay," he assured, placing soft kisses on Stiles' cheek and forehead until the omega calmed down, looking at him with sad yet relieved eyes.
"I was so worried," the omega whispered, his eyes filling with tears once more. The weight of the fear and uncertainty lifted as Derek held him, creating a haven within the romantic ambiance of the library.
Derek held Stiles closer, his embrace reassuring and protective. "I'm okay, and I wanted to see you," Derek murmured, his voice a soothing balm. Stiles, still overcome with emotion, remained silent "I heard you came to visit me and didn't stay. Then your dad told me all about your nestling thing, and you haven't eaten in two days. Why, little omega?"
Stiles, embarrassed and blushing, admitted, "You know why. I was so scared and afraid I lost you. Not that I had you; you're the king, and I'm me. But you know what I mean."
Derek smiled tenderly and held him even closer. "I'm okay now. And I would have healed faster if I had a little noisy omega reading to my chambers while I was healing. But you came and went like a little mouse, leaving your scent behind along with a wave of sadness. It made me realize how important you are to me, how much I want you next to me when I wake up or when I go to sleep. How much I crave to hold you and be held by you. How I want to kiss you with every cell of my body and claim you so no one else can have you — my mate, my partner, my husband for the days to come."
"Derek, you can't possibly mean—" Stiles looked at him, shocked yet smiling and blushing.
"Do you mean the king can't claim who he wants?" Derek challenged, raising an eyebrow.
"I'm yours, little omega. I knew since you fell into my arms that first day. And you're mine?" Derek asked, his gaze intense.
Stiles, shy yet determined, replied, "If you take me, then yes."
"Good," Derek said with a satisfied smile, sealing their unspoken agreement. "You're mine," he whispered, claiming Stiles' lips in a kiss that echoed promises of love and belonging, sealing their fate as mates intertwined in the tapestry of their shared journey.