Chapter Text
Mate. “I’m your what?” That word. It makes something thrum inside of me with recognition.
“You’re my Mate. And I’m yours.” His voice is hesitant but again the word sounds so right. Mate, Derek is my Mate. “Stiles, are you okay? No, you’re probably mad at me. I mean I kept it from you, and now you hate me. I was just so worried that you wouldn’t feel this way about me and I didn’t tell you because I couldn’t lose you as a friend, and now-“ I cut him off with a kiss. Just a light one, a simple, yet passionate, closed mouthed kiss.
Eventually he relaxes into it and kisses back. As the air leaves my lungs I pull away to gasp for breath and tell him exactly how I feel. “Derek, I could never hate you.” He looks a bit dumbstruck and I am ecstatic that I am the one to put the expression there. “I mean the fact that we could have been doing this months ago-“
“What?”
Heat creeps across my cheeks and I know that I am blushing something fierce. “Uh, I’ve kinda been in love with you for a while now.”
We both sit up and he takes my hands in his. “How long?” I am embarrassed to say, but the look in his eyes is so sincere and begging me, I can’t not tell him.
“I started falling for you the first day I met you. There was just something about you that kept drawing me back. I had to push it down because you were straight and weren’t single. When you told me you were bi, I almost got my hopes up. But I was sure you would never feel the same about me.” I let my gaze fall from his, but he pulls my chin up with his hand and makes me look him in the eyes once more.
“Stiles, I felt it too. I knew that first day I met you that you were my Mate. But I didn’t really know you; I wasn’t sure how to act around you. And I was with…” His face falls a bit, but I can’t let him feel bad, not when I have found out something like this. I won’t let her ruin anything more in his life.
“Hey, don’t do that. It’s not your fault, and I will keep telling you that until you believe me.”
He nods and clears his throat before continuing. “I didn’t want to jeopardize what we had. Mom said that Mates don’t always have to be together, that they could be friends too. Just that we were meant to stay in each other’s lives. But the more time I spent around you, the more I needed to be with you. I felt so guilty about my feeling, that I had to break up with her. I didn’t think you would want to be with me, but I couldn’t be with her when all I was thinking about was you.” Then a bit of sadness enters his eyes.
“Derek? What’s wrong?”
“It’s just, it’s my fault that you had to be turned. You didn’t really want it, and now you’re a werewolf.”
“No.” The word comes out so forcefully I can feel the wolf shifting under my skin wanting to get out and destroy Kate for all the pain she has caused Derek. “It is all her fault. She did this. Not you. And you need to stop blaming yourself for her actions. You had no idea of what she was planning. You thought you were with someone that cared about you. Never forget that. It wasn’t your fault. No matter what you think. And I don’t want to hear you say that it was again.” My eyes flash with the last of my words and his shift to their bright blue in response.
“Okay.” It comes out quiet and mellow, but I know that he is giving in for now. He will continue to blame himself as time goes on, but for now we can rest peacefully.
“Good. Now I think it’s time to sleep.” Grabbing him we lay down again, wrapping our arms around each other. Silence envelopes us, but sleep is coming slow. “You know I meant it when I said I love you, right? It wasn’t just me talking because I thought I was dying. I really do Love you. Capital ‘L’ and all.” My nose is buried in his neck and his in mine when I say this, so I can’t see his face, but his body tenses for a moment before curling tighter around me.
“I meant it too. I Love you Stiles. Nothing will ever change that. You’re my future.” He nips lightly at the skin on my neck and presses a kiss at my pulse point that makes me shiver in something that not even Danny made me feel.
My pelvis grinds against his without me even thinking about it. “Sourwolf, you can’t say and do things like that to me.”
“You’re my Mate. I am supposed to say and do things like that to you.” He nips again a bit harder this time and a whimper escapes my throat as I lean into his lips a bit forcefully. But then he turns me over so my back is to him and presses his nose to the space behind my ear. “But for now, sleep.”
Grinding back a bit I can feel his hard on pressing against me. “You are such a tease.”
“Stiles, you are the tease. You have no clue how you affect me. The way you smell, the way you walk, your fingers, those moles.”
“Now you’re just listing things about me.”
“And each one of them entices me more and more each day. But we aren’t going to do anything for a while. You are still fifteen and I want to do right by you. I won’t mess this relationship up too.” His arms pull me so close to him, that I think we may merge into one person.
I know I could push this, but I want to respect the boundaries that he has set up for himself. I think they are more for him than they are for me anyway. “Okay, but kissing is something that won’t be stopping anytime soon. Plus, I want to test this new healing. How long does a hickey last on a wolf? It is just a bruise after all.” He laughs behind me as we settle into a comfortable silence. I know he was hiding this from me, but he was just trying to be a good friend and protect me. I can’t be mad at him for that. Besides we are together now, and that is all that really matters. I still have a few questions, but they can wait for morning. For now I just want to relax into the arms of my Mate. So that’s just what I do.
____
Waking with Stiles in my arms is something that I could do every morning and never tire of. He had turned in his sleep and now his head lies on my chest with his limbs spread over me and the small empty space left on the bed. His lips are parted just a fraction of an inch but it is enough that I can feel his breath ghosting out across the skin of my neck. His nose twitches a little every once in a while, picking up the scents of the house coming to life around us. Mom is in the kitchen with dad and Mr. Stilinski talking over coffee. Mostly about what Stiles being a werewolf will entail for the future.
Other family members are gathered in other parts of the house waiting in anticipation to meet the newest wolf of the pack. Today we were supposed to go on a run through the woods, and now Stiles can join us, all while exploring his new abilities. “You’re thinking too loud. Go back to sleep.” Stiles digs a little more into my neck and I can’t but to let out a small laugh.
“Sorry, but we really should get up. You’ve got a big day ahead of you.”
He groans, “Do I have to? I would very much rather stay right where I’m at.”
“Yes, Stiles. The rest of the family wants to welcome you into the pack, again, you have to talk to mom about controlling the wolf, and then we are going on a run later.”
“UH! But I am so warm and cozy right here.”
“Stiles.” I meant to say his name as a reprimand but it ended up coming out more as an endearment.
Sighing, “I know, I know. Plus I have a few more questions about Mates. I mean, how is that stuff determined? Is there some kind of special link between us now? What all does being Mates entail?”
“Well, I know that as a pair of Mates grows stronger they can start to feel the other’s emotions to some degree, and that they almost always know where the other is.”
“That’s how I found you last night! I didn’t know where to go, but then I just got this feeling, and I knew you would be at the tree house!”
“Yeah, mom said that sometimes it can happen with a human Mate too, but that it wasn’t as common. “
He blushes. “Well there I go, having to be the special flower and all.”
“You are special, but not the way you mean.” I nuzzle into his cheek. “Plus, that should make you a stronger wolf. Probably helps to explain why you have such amazing control already.”
“Maybe.”
“What else could it be?”
“I know last night I said I thought you were one of my anchors, but I really think that’s true. The fact that you were anchoring me even before I was turned might have something to do with it as well.”
“I was already your anchor? For what?”
His voice goes quiet. So quite that I am sure I am the only one who can hear him right now. “Whenever I felt a panic attack coming on I thought of you. I don’t get them very often anymore, but right after we figured out that Kate was a Hunter, I might have had one or two.”
Instantly, the need to check him over for any damage or areas that hurt is overwhelming. As if sensing my need he bares his throat and I latch onto it quickly. Eventually I get myself under control and I am able to pull back. “Sorry.”
“Don’t be. I totally get that feeling now.” His fingers start tracing random patterns on my abdomen while the other hand is twined with mine in a vice like grip.
“What about the other stuff?”
It takes me a minute to realize what he is talking about. “Oh, uh, no one really knows how or why the Mate bond is created. Not every wolf finds their Mate. My Grandfather and Grandmother weren’t Mates, but they were happy. Mom found dad, but it wasn’t until they were older. The fact that we have each other is rare, that we found each other so young is almost unheard of.”
“So does that mean we will be together forever?”
“If that’s what you want. I’ll be around for as long as you’ll take me. I won’t love anyone else. I know we’re young, but I know that to be true now.” My voice is smaller than I would have liked, but the last part I make sure to say with conviction.
“Ditto, Sourwolf.” He pulls me into a kiss and we don’t stop until we are both gasping for air. Then there is a knock on the door.
“Boys, breakfast is on the table. We have a few things to talk about so you better come down and get some before it gets cold.” Dad walks back down the stairs. It takes us a little bit to get up and get dressed. Stiles goes for one of my shirts without asking and it makes my wolf hum in happiness. He is giving into the instinct without a second thought. Not a question in his mind. He notices me watching him and comes over to lay a gentle kiss on my lips before walking out the door so that I can get changed.
He is keeping up some boundaries like I asked him for. I just don’t want to mess things up between us and take things too fast. I will love him no matter what, but I am just not ready for more than kissing and cuddling right now.
He is waiting outside my door for me and we go downstairs to meet up with the rest of my family. His family. Our family. It feels good to think that. He is a part of me and part of the pack, but he is also a part of the family. Always will be.
The pack greets him and we eat breakfast answering many more questions like we have the past two days. Stiles’ father sits on the fringe of conversations and rarely joins in unless he is asked a direct question. He is still a little unsettled about the whole reveal. But with time, he will come to see that we are nothing to fear, and will always be there for him. I know that is how mom wants him to feel. “So when is this run gonna happen?”
Stiles always was a tad bit impatient. But I feel the same way. It has been forever since we have been able to really run as wolves and let loose a little. Now that the Hunters are busy trying to deal with one of their own, we should be safe for a little while. Yes, there will be some backlash, but she got caught. Most times when that happens the group they are with lets them serve their time for their own stupidity. I doubt that she will just be forgotten though. She is an Argent. They were one of the first hunting families to pop up, and remain one of the most prominent families to carry on their traditions.
“Soon, pup. First I think it would be best if you and your father had a moment to really sit down and talk. We have told him a few things this morning, but I think that he will take it better coming from you.” He nods. “Okay, then why don’t you go to my study? You will have some privacy there.”
____
“Can Derek come with me?” I look more to dad than to Talia. I am sure she won’t mind and I really need dad to be okay with all of this and with him. She nods, and dad just looks a bit shaken by everything. He nods as well and starts making his way to Talia’s office. Derek lays his hand on my arm and looks at me questioningly.
“Are you sure? I can wait out here for you.” His eyes say all the words he doesn’t. ‘I love you, I trust you, thank you.’
“Yeah. Dad needs to know about these things, and while I know a lot, I still don’t know everything. Plus I want you there. I’m still not sure how I have maintained so much control and I need you to stop me if I need stopped.” Squeezing my arm and placing a light kiss on my forehead we start to make our way to the study as well.
When we get there dad is pacing back and forth in front of the couch and is running his hand over his tired face. It doesn’t look like he got much sleep last night, and he could probably use a shave, but as soon as we enter the room he turns to us and sits down on the sofa. Derek and I take two chairs that are close to one another. Our hands are joined, I need the contact as much as he does. Especially after his reveal last night.
“So, dad, werewolves.” I laugh nervously and he gives his own quivering chuckle. “Do, you, uh, have any questions?”
“Stiles.” He says my name exhaustedly. “What have you gotten yourself into?” He turns to Derek, “No offense son, but this is a dangerous life. Hunters, no control, full moons? Kid, I don’t really know what to say.”
Derek squeezes my hand as my face falls from my father’s. “I know dad. But this is a life I would have chosen even without receiving the bite. They’re family, dad. Talia can help me with controlling my new instincts and the Hunters won’t be too much of a problem right now. They will be too focused on trying to get Kate off to come after us. The pack is a strong unit together. And Derek..”
Normally talking isn’t something I have a problem with, but I can tell that dad isn’t getting on the whole werewolf thing. “Sir, what Stiles is trying to say is that we won’t let anything happen to him. Last night notwithstanding, we generally lead a quiet life. Yes, it does bring some dangers, but if he is with us, he won’t have to face them alone.”
Dad sighs before continuing. “Son, I’m not going to try to stop you from being a part of this. I know that you need it. I’m just not sure that I am ready to be thrown into this yet.” He runs his hands over his face and through his hair again, trying to come to terms with everything that he has found out in the last twelve hours.
“Sir, with all due respect, you have to be ready. This is happening. Not to you maybe, but Stiles is going to need you. The pack will always be there for him, I will always be there for him, but without you it will me all that much harder for him.”
“Derek, it’s okay. He just needs time.” I get it. I mean when I found out about Derek and the girls, I needed some time too.
“No. Derek’s right.”
“Dad, really. It’s okay.”
“No it isn’t. I’m always gonna be there for you kid. No matter what. This is going to take some time to wrap my head around, but I will. It isn’t up to you to take care of me. I’m your father, you need me, and I will be there for you.” Derek lets go of my hand as I cross the room to wrap my dad in a hug. “Your mother would be so proud of you son. I’m proud of you.”
“Thanks, dad.” There really isn’t too much more to say after that. I mean there still might be some things to talk about, but all of that can wait for now.
Dad pulls back from the hug and holds a hand out to Derek to shake. “Now, I know that you and my son are together, so I expect you at dinner sometime this week.” Derek shakes his hand and pales a bit, but nods his head in agreement. “Why don’t you kids go. I know the rest of the… pack, is waiting on you for that run. Just… be careful, okay son.”
“Yeah, dad. I love you.”
“Love you too, son.” We hug one more time and then exit the study back to the kitchen.
“Everything okay?”
“Yeah, Talia. Everything’s good. Now how about that run?”
We move outside to where the rest of the pack is waiting. Most of them are fully shifted into their wolf forms with only a few in their Beta. They once told me that only born wolves can make the full shift. Part of me is jealous that I won’t be able to share that with the rest of them. “Okay, now I want you to release some of your control on the wolf. Let it take over your senses while keeping the instinct in your power. It isn’t easy, but if you can do this, then you can make the shift into the Beta form.”
I nod at her and reach inside myself for the wolf that I know resides within me. I can feel it, just waiting to come out and for me to release control. But I do as Talia said, let it take over my senses while keeping it in check. As I do, I can feel the change happening. My eyes burn with power, my forehead elongates as my teeth and claws sharpen and lengthen. I grin a feral a smile, but it is received with a few shocked looks. At first I don’t know why, but then I can feel the change going further than it was supposed to. I am pitched forward and my bones start morphing in a way I have only witnessed once with Derek and the girls. It isn’t painful like they said, but it so unexpected that I can feel my breathing starting to get shallower.
Derek appears in front of me as my panic attack starts. “Stiles, let it happen. Don’t fight it. I know you weren’t expecting this, but you have to go with it. Okay?” I nod and match my breathing to his. The change continues and Derek is shredding my clothes so that I won’t get stuck in them. Fur spreads down my body and before I know it the change is done. I take a few steps forward trying to figure out how to move in this new form, but my instincts are helping me acclimate. It takes no time at all for me to be darting around the back yard sniffing at the other wolves. One smell gets me more than the others. Derek is still kneeling where I left him. He is staring at me in what must me wonder. “Mom, how is this possible?”
I take my first look at myself. White fur covers my entire body. I can hear a few snaps of a camera and when I turn, Laura and Erica are leaning over Erica’s phone trying to get a few good pictures of me. Good, then I will get to really see what I look like later. “I’m not sure Derek. No bitten wolf has ever been able to make the full transformation. Maybe it’s because he has wolf blood in his heritage. There is a lot about the wolf that not even we have knowledge of.” She turns to me and pulls my focus to her. “This doesn’t change anything. The way to stay in control remains the same. Keep you anchors in the forefront of your mind and you will be just fine.” She reaches out and slowly caresses the side of my new face then scratches behind my ear. And yeah, that is so something I can totally take more of. Now I know why the others turn into puppies when I do this to them.
Then I feel the pull of Derek as he starts to remove his own clothing. I trot over to him and bump up against his legs. “Hey.” He bends down chuckling. Then looks me in the eyes as his hands roam over my fur. “You know, you’re beautiful.” I give a little yip. “I mean it. I’ve never seen fur like this before, it’s brilliant, just like you.” He scratches behind my ears lightly, and I let myself lean into it a little.
He pulls his hands away and then finishes taking off his clothes, then making the change himself. His black fur curls around mine as we sniff and make contact with each other. The wolf part of me wants to take over and run wild, but Derek is keeping me grounded and letting me overcome the urge. We stay close to each other as the rest of the pack waits for Talia to shift so we can start the run. When she finally does she lets loose a howl to the sky and the rest of us follow suit. The need to answer her call it too much, but it feels amazing.
After the howl is ended, Talia takes off into the trees and we all quickly follow. Derek is at my side and I can tell that Erica and Laura are close by as well. Not everyone stays together, but for the most part they are all within sight of everyone else in the pack. Erica nips at my heels and then races out ahead of me quickly followed by Laura. Derek yips in happiness and we both dart off after them.
…
I’m not sure how long we run. It feels like no time at all before we are all making our way back to the house. Night as fallen and I may or may not have eaten a rabbit that Derek and I caught together. I am trying not to dwell on it too much, it will be better that way.
We shift back and there are some clothes waiting for me on the steps so that I won’t be naked. Although I am noticing that the wolves are pretty much okay with themselves with or without clothes. “So what do you think?”
Derek’s shy hesitance is cute. He ducks his head and scratches his arm looking so unsure. I pull him into a hug and plant a kiss on his cheek. “That was some of the most fun I have ever had! I can’t wait to do it again!”
He picks me up and spins us in a circle that is so romantically cliché that I melt a little on the inside. We are laughing and he ends up losing his balance and we both go down on the ground in a giggling heap. “I love you[,] Stiles. I’m sorry it took me so long to realize it, but I do love you.” I can’t say anything in response because I am too choked up with emotion from the last few days. So I kiss him. It’s the most passionate kiss we have shared, and I can’t wait for more.
I don’t know what the future will bring for us, Kate has been handled, and I know that dad will get her accomplices taken care of. But as long as we have each other, I know that we can handle whatever comes our way. It won’t always be bright and happy, but what life ever is? I can’t wait to spend the rest of mine with him.