So making out is a thing now. It was unhurried, and tender. Somehow we moved to the bed and I have to say that lying in Derek's arms is something I could become addicted to really fast. Being curled into his chest and having his warm body so close to mine is amazing. Time has lost all meaning. We could have been here for hours or minutes. All I know is that I never want this to end. My eyes are closed and our legs are intertwined. "This is nice."

The only response I get is what sounds like a purr rumbling in his chest, and then after a few more minutes of silence he finally speaks. "There is something we have to talk about. A lot of things actually."

I pull back and he sits up, so I do too. "Okay, what about?"

"Well first of all, what happened to you? Erica and Boyd refused to tell me." His hand cups my face and softly rubs over the bruise on my cheek and the cut on my lip. Some of the pain ebbs away and the black lines race up Derek's arm. I knew that wolves could do that, but have never seen it done. The tingling sensation is different, but not unwelcome.

"It's nothing."

"Stiles, it isn't nothing. What happened?"

His eyes are searching my face as if looking for the answer. There isn't much he can do about it now, so I guess it's okay to tell him. "Gerard kidnapped me from the game and took me back to the Argent house. I was thrown in the basement and Erica and Boyd were tied up. I don't know how they got captured though."

"They were leaving." He casts his gaze downward and that look of defeat comes back. This time it is my turn to put my hand on his face and make him look at me.

"No, they weren't. They should have been at the game that night." There is confusion in his eyes. "Isaac came over after they told you they wanted to leave, so I made him take me to them so I could talk to them. I got them to agree to stay. Figured you tried, but went all grumpy wolf on them. So I yelled and then I told them that a family sticks together through thick and thin. So they changed their minds. They were going to come and help that night at the game. And they did. They were there with you guys before Jackson was healed. Right?" The look of shock on his face makes me want to laugh. "What?"

"Nothing. Just you got them to stay."

"Well isn't that what I am supposed to do as the Alpha's Mate? Be the pack mom and all?" Instead of using his words he slants his mouth over mine in a bruising kiss. I giggle into it and rub my fingers through his hair at the base of his head along his neck. He pulls back and has a smile of his own on his face. That makes my smile even bigger. This is the smile that is meant only for me, and I will always try to bring it out of him. "So, what else?"

His jaw tenses up a bit, but then relaxes almost immediately. There is a warm tug on the bond and he places the palm of his hand on my chest, over his mark. "This is not a normal claim mark. It is always a bite." My hand is on his mark now and I am tracing it with my fingers. "This kind of mark only happens with people who possess the Gift."

"The what?"

"The Gift, magic, Stiles."

"I'm magic?"

"Well the first clue was that you could use mountain ash. The second was the way your eyes clouded over when you were yelling at Scott in the warehouse."

"They did what?" I almost want to run over to the mirror, just to make sure they are the same chocolate brown they always are.

"It's okay, Stiles. But I think you should talk to Deaton tomorrow. He has the gift too. He was an advisor to my family. Many larger packs have them. They call themselves by different names. Druids, Watchers, Mages. But in the end, they all possess what we call the Gift, and have a knowledge of the supernatural." It takes me a second to wrap my head around this. I have magic? Dr. D. has magic? What? I mean werewolves are real. Kanimas are real. Why wouldn't magic be real? It makes sense, kinda.

"So I have powers and shit?" I rest my head back on his chest. His body is so warm I don't want to move.

"I'm not really sure how it works. Pack business was handled when us younger kids weren't there. I knew we had someone with the Gift, but I never met him."

"So I might not be just the defenseless human after all." This could be a good thing.

"I never thought of you like that. You have always been strong. You look after your dad, you looked after Scott, you helped me, and you never complained about it. Well at least not in a way you meant. No matter what was happening, you were always there in the thick of it, even though you couldn't heal like I can. I assume that Gerard beat you as a message to me." I nod. "How did you keep me from feeling your pain? I didn't even know you were under attack. That shouldn't have happened?"

"I just kept sending calm thoughts through the bond. I knew you had to stay focused on the Jackson situation, and I couldn't let you fall into a trap. He wanted me to be a message, but I thought I would deliver it in my own time."

"Bond?"

"Yeah, this intangible cord that connects us. There are smaller ones to the rest of the pack. But the one to you is strong. I can get a sense of what you are feeling. Like right now, you're… uneasy. What's wrong?" I lift my head a bit and look up at him.

"Stiles, only wolves should be able to feel the bond. And it is different than you described it. More like a sixth sense. I just, know. I have it with my Betas too."

"Maybe it's a magic thing? Or maybe it's because we're True Mates."

"That is the second time you have said that. What does it mean?"

"You don't know? Well neither do I. It's something Gerard said. Something about you being a True Alpha, and having a True Mate. And that it is very rare, and powerful." He looks contemplative for a while. "Maybe you should come with me tomorrow and we can ask the good doc together." He nods and I fall back onto his chest letting my nose rest in the crook of his neck. He is nuzzling me back and lets out another purr.

"I should get going."

"Not yet." I grip his shirt in my hands holding him closer. He nods again, and before I know it I am asleep in his arms.

…

The only thing better than being in Derek's arms, is waking up in them. I was never one to want to be the little spoon, but I am not complaining now. Our legs are still tangled together, and his nose is pressed right behind my ear. Hot breath on the back of my neck sends shivers down my spine. This is seriously the best way to wake up. But the need to use the bathroom is pressing and if I press back enough I can feel Derek's morning wood against me. And that is not something I think either one of us is ready for yet.

As I try to move away, his arms hold me tighter, and he pulls me closer against him. So not helping the situation any. "Derek, I have to use the bathroom." The words are whispered, but he grunts and reluctantly lets go. When I get up I turn to look at him still trying to sleep. He looks so calm; I can't wait to crawl back into bed with him.

The hallway is dark and I tip toe to the bathroom, hoping that I didn't wake my dad. After I finish up and brush my teeth for good measure, (morning make out session, not as hot with morning breath), I quietly go back to my room, but Dad's door is opening and he steps out. "Stiles." That is never a good tone of voice.

"Yeah dad." Maybe if I pretend to be innocent I won't get in trouble.

"Next time ask if Derek can stay the night."

I wince at the words. "Nothing happened. Just sleeping I promise. My virginity is still intact."

He lets out a sigh. "I don't want to know. Just next time ask me first." I nod and try to will the blush down before I head back into my room.

As I close the door I see Derek sitting in the chair, and my thoughts of returning to bed are ruined. So I go and sit on the bed next to him. "So… I guess this means that you will have to use my front door more often now. I don't think that overnight stays are going to be okay unless dad knows about them." Derek turns about ten shades of red, and that is completely adorable. He is actually embarrassed. I didn't know he could get embarrassed. "How didn't you hear him anyway?" His blush deepens.

"I was distracted."

"By what? We were only sleeping."

"Your heartbeat." And with that I can't hold back anymore, I launch myself over to him and nestle myself in his lap, giving him a sweet kiss. Kissing is so wonderful. Why haven't we been kissing this whole time?

"You are such a romantic." He looks horror struck, so I tap his forehead with a finger. "That is a good thing dumbass. I like that you let that show in front of me. It shows that you're not such a sourwolf after all." He pretends to grumble at the nickname, but leans back in for another simple kiss. After I pull back I look in his eyes and get lost for a moment. "I was really hoping that we could sleep a bit longer, but I guess that is no longer an option. So I guess we could go get some breakfast, and then visit Dr. D."

He nods and I start to change after Derek leaves the room to use the bathroom. I like that he doesn't ask me. He just goes. It is so domestic. When he gets back we head downstairs. Dad started some coffee, and I pour a mug for Derek. I won't touch the stuff, not that Dad would even let me. He puts some milk and sugar in it. Again, I figured him all wrong. I picked him for a black coffee as strong as he can get it type. I set about making scrambled egg whites, with spinach and turkey bacon. Dad frowns when I place it in front of him, but eats it anyway. Derek looks grateful, I don't think he gets many home-made meals. I will have to fix that. "So you boys have anything planned for the day?" It is the first thing my dad says, and I can tell that he is a bit tense. Seeing your son lying in bed with his much older boyfriend might do that to a guy.

"Yeah, we have to check on the pack, and probably just hang out." I don't want to tell him about magic just yet. Let him mull over the whole werewolves are real thing first. Then tell him, 'oh hey, I have magic now. Yeah, that's a thing.' Derek catches my eye and silently he gets what I am trying to do.

"Pack, right."

"Yeah, the pack. You know, my new group of friends."

"Yes, I know Stiles. Just be home for dinner."

"Can do." I eat the last bit of egg on my plate and take all the dishes to the sink. I'll do them when I come back. Derek follows me outside and we get in my Jeep. I don't know where Derek parked the Camaro, but he can get it later.

The ride to Deaton's is a quiet one, but is it comfortable. When we are about a mile away, I start to think, which leads to my heart rate picking up, and my breathing gets harder. The feeling of a hand on my back rubbing in circles calms me down. "What's wrong Stiles, you started to have a panic attack."

"I- I just thought…" We are going to the place where my old best friend works. "…Scott"

A low growl comes from Derek. "If he is there we can leave. I don't want him around you if it upsets you." I pull over. My hands are a bit shaky.

"That isn't what upsets me. It's just…he was my best friend, he lied to me, didn't tell me things. That hurts. I have been there for him this whole time, and he just shut me out. Or he was so involved with Allison, that I started to get ignored. When I showed up to the warehouse where you guys confronted the Kanima, he didn't even care that I was bruised and beaten. He didn't try to come over and be happy with the rest of us. He didn't make me feel like I was a part of his pack, when he should have. And it hurts. I just can't talk to him right now. I know he has sent me a few messages, and called a couple of times, but I just can't deal with it right now. I want to. I want to talk to him again. He is like my brother. But he has a lot to make up for, and not all of it is to me. He has to make amends with you and the pack before I can fully forgive him. He owes us that much." Derek's silence is readable by the look on his face. He agrees.

"If he is there, we will call Deaton and ask him for an appointment and make sure Scott isn't there for it. I won't let him see you until you are ready."

"Thanks." Knowing that Derek has my back in all this only makes my heart swell in joy, even with the overtone of sadness. I can handle anything as long as I have him by my side. Pulling out onto the road and breathing become so much easier. When we get to the clinic Scott's mom's car isn't there and neither is his bike but that doesn't mean anything. Derek gets out and walks inside then comes back and opens my door.

"He isn't here." The breath I didn't know I was holding comes out and I gingerly get out of the jeep. When we walk in Deaton is standing behind the counter.

"I have been expecting you Mr. Stilinski. Come back on back." He holds the door open. Derek walks through quickly. It is made from Rowan and he can't touch it. Following behind him, I keep my hand in his. It helps to comfort both of us. We walk back into the exam room and set ourselves on the far side of the table. "I assume you are here because you have figured out what your spark means."

"Okay, see that there, the talking around the subject thing you do, so not able to deal with it right now. Derek says you can do magic. That I can do magic. Is it true?"

"How does Derek know this?" He gives a pointed look to Derek, which he gives right back. Always on guard.

"I saw his eyes haze over when he was yelling at Scott two nights ago. The air was thick with something but I don't know what it is."

"Ah, that would explain a few things about Scott's behavior the last few days."

"He has been acting weird." Even though I may not like him too much right now, he is still my best bro, and I worry about him.

"Yes, it seems as if he hasn't been all there. Like he has been in his head and unable to come out of it."

"Did I do something!?" There is a hint of panic in my voice. Before I think about it I am leaning into Derek's body as he wraps an arm around my waist.

"He will be fine. You didn't do anything besides make him think and feel how his actions have affected others. Something he hasn't been doing recently."

"Good. He needs to. But what about me. How could I have done what I did without knowing I can do it?"

"Well, Stiles, being an empath is not something you are always able to control." Empath? I am an empath. That makes so much sense now. "You should be able to feel what others around you are feeling and-"

"And even be able to take what they are feeling away." I look at Derek and he knows what I am talking about. That night when he came in through my window, right after we found out Peter was the Alpha, when he told me that he wasn't on Peter's side. I took the anguish and sadness from him. I didn't know that I was doing it at the time but it happened.

Deaton looks at me. "How did you know that?"

"I kind of did it a few months ago." Derek looks at me and nods for me to continue. "I didn't know I was doing though. There have also been a few times when I was feeling things and I couldn't explain how or why I was feeling that way. This makes sense."

"Yes, well, like I said, you can't always control empathy. Especially someone like you, always trying to take care of others without thought for yourself. But be careful, empathy can be dangerous too. You can not only feel what others do, and take that feeling from them, but you can influence how they feel, and even heighten or lessen their feelings. It is a handy art, but difficult to master. Mostly because everyone is full of emotion and influencing one without the others can lead to an imbalance. And with magic there must always be a balance."

This is a lot to take in, but I have a feeling that there is more. Maybe that is what this feeling is. The magic, the way that I can always tell when there will be trouble. Even before it happens. Deaton starts rummaging through a wooden box he sets on the table. Chest is probably a better description of it though. He starts setting out objects on the table. They are a mixture of wooden ones that look like they were hand carved, to marble and stone ones that look very breakable. There are a few other bits as well and none of it looks like it belongs together, yet it all seems to fit. A wooden heart he sets out draws my attention more than the others, and I gently run a finger over it. Deaton gives me a look of encouragement and I pick it up. It is warm in my hand in a way that wood can't be. At least not without it burning. "These are instruments we with the gift use to help us in our studies. Not everyone with the gift has the same powers. The heart you are holding represents empathy. It can help you focus your power and let you learn control over it. It won't come to you all at once, it will take time and training, but if you are willing, I can help you."

"I would like that. What can you do?" He points to a wooden figure of a lion, and a crystal that has been naturally shaped into an orb.

"The lion symbolizes my tie to nature and animals, and the orb represents my affinity for divination."

"So what, you can see the future and talk to plants and animals?"

"Essentially, yes. Although I cannot really talk to plants or animals. It is just easier for me to understand them. And the future is not always clear and readable. It changes with every decision we make. I see possible futures; some of them happen, and some of them don't. Most of us with the gift possess two special abilities, and there are basic magics that anyone with the gift can perform. I want you close your eyes and try reaching out with your mind. Find another object that you can feel a pull towards. So I close my eyes and just try to relax. Derek's hand resting on my lower back helps. Then I feel two sparks. When I open my eyes I reach out instinctively for the piece of red string, and a pentacle made of silver. "Ah, this is quite rare, although not unheard of. You possess three gifts. Empathy, the ability to see bonds, and able to create barriers."

"See bonds?"

"Yes, I think the easiest bonds you will find, are the ones within your own pack. They will connect you to the others in varying ways. I do not know them all so I will not be able to help you there, but I can tell you that a basic pack bond will stem from the head to another person's head, and it will be black in color. There are different lines from different places that symbolize the different kinds of bonds, such as Mates and Family. As for the Barrier magic, this means more than just your average Mountain Ash circle. As you progress you will be able to generate physical shields, mental blockades, and many other things in that nature. I have seen one particular person bend a grove of trees to aid her in an escape. It is a powerful defense. One that will come in quite handy when dealing in the affairs of wolves."

This is so overwhelming. So not only can I use magic, but I am a rarity in those in possession of the gift, in the fact that I have three. I get feelings, shields, and bonds. I was kinda hoping to be able to create fire and hurl it from my fingers, but maybe it's better I didn't get some of the more destructive ones.

"I can see that you are thinking that you didn't get some of the more offensive abilities, but any one of the gifts used in the right way can be used as a weapon. I am not going to be the one to tell you how, that you will have to figure out for yourself."

I nod, something I will have to think more on later. "So you said you would be willing to help train me. I think I would like to take you up on that offer. I don't think this is something I am wanting to try and wing myself."

"Of course. Perhaps we can set up a few days a week to meet. Here would be best for myself, seeing as it is my place of work."

I hesitate a second. I don't want to say it, and I am lucky enough to have a mate who picks up on these things. He was quiet through the whole thing, but I think that he was just trying to absorb all of this like I was. "Can we arrange the training around Scott's schedule?"

Deaton looks a bit confused. My hand squeezes Derek's in thanks, but I can continue. "After the things that Scott has done, and the way he has treated my pack I am not really on speaking terms with him. I want him to know what he did hurt me and my pack. So I am not ready to see him just yet. I don't want you to compromise his job; I just hope that we can maybe work around it."

"I think that can be arranged. I have your information, so I will call and let you know when our first session can be. I also want you to keep those." He gestures to the three objects that represent my powers. "Like I said, they will help you to gain focus and control. Try to meditate each day when you wake up and before you go to bed. Stretch your mind out to them and close yourself off to the outside world." I look at him skeptically, just shutting off my brain is going to be easier said than done. But it's worth a shot.

"Thanks, I really appreciate the lack of non-answers. I just have one more question. Derek said that not everyone with the gift calls themselves the same thing, what do you call yourself?"

His eyes brighten at my enquiry. "Ah yes, I have heard many names, but the one I find suits me best is Druid. You will find yours, just let it come to you. Don't go searching for it."

"And how is it that you came to work with the old Hale pack?" I know I said I only had one question, but really, this is me we are talking about.

"When I came to town about fifteen or so years ago, Talia, Derek's mother, came to me and asked if I would consider becoming the pack's emissary. It wasn't a hard choice to make once I met the rest of the pack."

"What is an emissary?"

"It is a person with the gift, who helps other supernatural creatures. Mostly found in werewolf packs, but occasionally working solo. I had never been offered the position before, and I was quite a bit younger at the time, but it was fulfilling work. And my gifts helped the pack and my part in the pack immensely." This gives me more to think about. "When you have finished your training with me, perhaps Derek would ask you to be the pack's new emissary." That was the line of thought I was going with, but Derek tenses. I have a feeling that we will be talking about this at great length in the near future. I nod giving my thanks and Derek does the same as we walk out to my Jeep.

"So do you not want me to be the pack's emissary?"

"It's not that."

"Then what is it? You have to use your words, telepathy isn't one of my super-powers. Oh My God! I have super powers!"

"Yes, you can annoy me to death even more now."

"Oh shut up. I know you love me, and that you actually like it when I ramble and get super geeky. I know you secretly get all of my weird references, even though you pretend not to. But seriously, what is wrong with me doing the magic thing for the pack?"

"Nothing. It is just a powerful place in the pack. And you will become even more of a target than you already are. You are the Alpha's mate. And if you are the emissary too, that is a lot of weight to put on your shoulders."

"I know, but I want it. I like to feel needed. I like to help people. And this just gives me one more excuse to help the pack. I really want this." I give him my best puppy eyes expression, and I know I will get my way. I think that he will always give into me in the end. But I would never use that against him. Well not every time. He just cares too much. And I love him for that.

"Okay, but I am coming to your training sessions." His voice is gruff and there is no question about it.

"Why? It's not like he is going to hurt me, he has been helping us."

"I just want to be there, okay?" his grumpy face is back.

"I am old enough to do it by myself you know."

"I know, just… please let me do this." His eyes go from hard to pleading so fast it almost gives me whiplash.

Rolling my eyes, I look over at him, "Fine, you can come. You might help me too. You helped keep me anchored in there."

There is a beat of silence there, "You're my anchor too. I told Isaac during his first full moon that is was anger, but I lied. It used to be, but after your apology after the wolfsbane bullet, well, it's been you."

I feel like I shouldn't be astonished, but I am. That is huge, I mean not that being mates isn't huge, but this was way before I even knew I liked the guy. Which leads to a whole new line of questions. "When did you figure it out?" he gives me a quizzical look. "That we were mates? When did you know?"

He blushes a bit, and I love that he does. "I have known since I first saw you with Scott in the woods that day, when you were looking for his inhaler."

And that doesn't surprise me. Wolf senses what they are. If it is a smell, which I am pretty sure it is, then it should be an almost instant thing. But at the same time, the information in the book I have says that you are still able to pick your mate to an extent. "We really need to figure out what this whole being True Mates, and you being a True Alpha means. I think there are some things that could be explained by it all." He grunts in agreement. And gives me a look of longing. He never thought that he would have a mate, that he would have this, and here we are, together. And he is happy, even if his face doesn't give it away, I can still tell. This bond we have with each other, I think it can only get stronger. And I can't wait for that to happen.

Hope you guys liked it! I have a lot going on in this part of the series. Stiles has magic, and lots of wolfy training. There is about one or two chapters that don't mesh into the story well so those will read more like one shots and for that I am sorry. I did the best i could. Also when some of the more graphic parts of the story happen, i.e. sex, I will put in a breaker so that not all of you guys who want to read it have to. This will be my first time writing it, so please be kind to me.

I love to hear what you have to say, whether it be good or bad. So please leave a comment or a kudo so i know you guys are enjoying it!