Chapter Text
Derek Hale, burdened by the unexpected responsibilities of being an alpha king of werewolves, found himself thrust into a position of power at the tender age of 18. The throne he inherited was one he never wished for, and the weight of leadership rested heavily on his shoulders. His reign began with an air of solemnity, a stern demeanor born out of the betrayals he had endured when he was just 16.
The wounds inflicted by his girlfriend's betrayal, as she ran away with his best friend, left the born alpha emotionally scarred. The scars ran deep, causing him to become grumpy and suspicious of those who claimed to be friends or sought to get closer to him. The heartbreak he experienced forced him to close off his heart, making it accessible only to his remaining family members.
Amidst the challenges of leading the werewolf community, Derek struggled to reconcile the responsibilities of his position with the emotional turmoil within. The alpha king had to navigate the delicate balance between maintaining the strength of his pack and guarding his own shattered heart. As he grappled with the ghosts of his past, the young king found solace in the loyalty and support of his remaining family, the only ones who had proven themselves worthy of his trust.
The Alpha’s world was on the verge of turning upside down when he encountered him. It was an ordinary afternoon for Derek, a respite from his rigorous training and discussions with his counselor. Little did he know that a chance visit to the library would bring about a profound shift in his life.
As the king entered the library, a sudden and intoxicating scent enveloped him. It was a sweet aroma reminiscent of cinnamon rolls, triggering his wolf instincts to the point where he could almost feel the animal yearning to break free. Following the scent, his keen senses led him to a captivating sight.
There, engrossed in a romantic novel and completely oblivious to Derek's presence, was him.
He possessed a captivating allure. His pale complexion was adorned with charming moles that seemed to dance across his skin like constellations in the night sky. The features held an understated beauty that only intensified as he bit his lip in concentration while reading.
Caught in the moment, the alpha observed as he, seemingly lost in the world of fiction, remained unaware of the looming predator in his midst. The omega’s heartbeat echoed rapidly, revealing a subtle vulnerability and a hint of arousal that only heightened Derek's interest.
Unable to resist the magnetic pull, Derek, with a throaty growl, demanded his attention. The intensity of his gaze, coupled with the red glow of his eyes, betrayed the alpha's inner struggle between the primal instincts of his wolf and the human desire for connection.
Startled and a bit wide-eyed, he finally tore his attention away from the book, meeting Derek's gaze. In the face of the growling alpha, he managed to stammer out an introduction, "I-I'm Stiles. I was just... reading. Oh my god, I'm so sorry your grace.. ‘’
The omega, Stiles, hastily got up, but in his rush to leave the room, he tripped and almost fell to the ground. His stumble was halted mid-air as the alpha, Derek, swiftly caught him, a testament to the supernatural reflexes that came with his werewolf nature. Derek steadied Stiles on his feet, taking in a deep breath to savor the intoxicating scent that surrounded him, his wolf acknowledging the alluring fragrance.
Barking a soft, "Watch where you step," Derek couldn't help but feel a surge of protectiveness as he took in the blushing Stiles, who nervously looked down at his own feet, apologizing once again. Despite the initial growl and tension, there was a subtle shift in Derek's demeanor, a flicker of something more than the stern alpha exterior.
However, the alpha king was not ready to dismiss Stiles just yet. "What were you doing here anyway? Who are you?" Derek inquired once again, his tone carrying a mixture of authority and genuine curiosity.
Stiles, still slightly flustered, met Derek's intense gaze and replied, "I'm Stiles Stilinski. My dad is a keeper of the library, but he wasn't feeling well, so I took his place." There was a sincerity in Stiles' voice as he explained his presence, and the air in the room seemed to hold a lingering tension, a silent acknowledgment that their paths had crossed for a reason beyond the mere coincidence of duty.
"I didn't know the keeper had a son, nor that omegas like to read romantic novels," Derek taunted, his words carrying a teasing edge. Stiles, however, was quick to retort, mouthing something smart in response. The banter between them seemed to escalate the tension in the room.
"Well, now you do," Stiles replied with a smirk, undeterred by Derek's teasing. The exchange of playful banter seemed to linger in the air, a curious undercurrent woven into their interaction.
"The library is off-limits for a reason; it contains valuable information regarding matters of the state. I could hang you for treason," Derek replied sternly, a subtle undercurrent of concern in his voice. Stiles, feeling a pang of sadness, quickly apologized, realizing that he might have crossed a boundary.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to intrude," Stiles apologized sincerely, his scent shifting to reflect his remorse. Derek, recognizing the impact of his words, immediately tried to retract his harsh tone. "I didn't mean to—" he began, but before he could finish, Stiles was already gone, the door swinging shut behind him.
Derek sighed, a mix of frustration and regret settling over him.. The Alpha didn't mean to insult Stiles, yet the omega's unexpected presence had caught him off guard. Regret for his attitude lingered, and he found himself wanting to see Stiles again. Grabbing the book the omega had left on the floor, Derek read the summary, a smile tugging at his lips as he realized it was a romantic story between a werewolf king and his most trusted knight. Intrigued, he decided to seek out Stiles.
Navigating through the halls, the king inquired around until he found Stiles' room. The moment he stepped inside, the scent of Stiles enveloped him, driving Derek's wolf into a frenzy. The room wasn't exactly neat or orderly, but Derek found himself appreciating the unique charm, calling it a "beautiful mess" in his mind.
Leaving the book on the bed, Derek wrote a note that simply said, "I'm sorry. It's yours." He hesitated for a moment before adding a genuine, "Enjoy," realizing that he genuinely wanted Stiles to have the book. With that, Derek exited the room, leaving Stiles to return to his space.
Stiles returned to his room after a heated argument with his father, vowing never to go to the library again without disclosing the specific reason. Discovering the book with the note, his keen senses picked up something else. Stiles, with a curious frown, realized he could detect an additional scent lingering in the air, a scent that was distinctly unfamiliar yet undeniably alluring.
As he took a deep breath, Stiles identified the scent as Derek's, the alpha king's unique fragrance. It was a potent blend of comforting pine and warm sandalwood, a scent that had inadvertently intermingled with the omega's room. Stiles felt a mixture of surprise and intrigue, the unexpected discovery adding another layer of complexity to the encounter.
The scent, coupled with the romantic novel and the note, made Stiles reconsider his initial impression of the alpha king. A smile played on his lips as he couldn't help but feel a certain warmth at the realization that Derek had not only left the book as a gesture of goodwill but had also left a trace of his own scent behind.
The subtle shift in the Derek’s demeanor, the unexpected kindness, and the gift of the romantic novel left Stiles wondering. Why was the alpha king suddenly being so nice to him? What prompted Derek to gift him the book? And more puzzlingly, why did Stiles' inner omega seem to be purring, repeating one word over and over again — mate, mate, mate?