He was going to go out of his mind; it wasn't just that he was spending a month away from his weres, technology, and friends. He loved his dad and loved spending time with him, but why did the man to choose The Rockies for a fishing trip? Fishing! Never mind that he couldn't fish worth a hoot or that Stiles was far more likely than not to get tangled in the damned fishing line. He would skip letting anyone know how many times he had to have a fishing lure removed from his leg, shoulder, and butt. We'll just say that it was more times than he had fingers or toes.

Whatever, the point was that you go to the Rockies for hiking, not for fishing, which is what he talked his dad into on their next to the last day there. This was accomplished with a shit ton of threats of a more severe diet and by informing him that hiking was better for his heart than fishing was.

They had leisurely hiked about a mile when a noise attracted Stiles attention. It was a low and pitiful whimper.

"Not that I don't approve of stopping, believe me I am all of the stopping, but what are you doing?" the Sheriff questioned his curious son; panting slightly. Next year maybe he should choose a cooler month to vacation in and as well as a cooler location, although it had felt fine when he had been in the water.

"Do you hear that?" Stiles asked as he approached a bag of trash. Some people just had no fucking respect for nature and that truly pissed Stiles off. He was going to grab the bag and toss it into the first can he came across when the whimper he had heard earlier came again from the now moving bag.

The elder Stilinski looked on as his son rummaged in the foliage just off the trail. The boy had a heart of gold and would wind up being the death of someone, hopefully not him.

"DAD! Come look," Stiles yelled excitedly as he plucked up the wiggling bag, tore into it, and - and melted at the pitiful sight before him. The Sheriff looked over Stiles' shoulder and understood the reason for his son's melting.

"Can I keep her?" he asked as he lifted the pup's tail to determine sex.

"Let's get her to the vet and see what he says about her first. Poor thing looks half-starved and we have to make sure she'll live. Wouldn't be right to take her in if she's going to die shortly after. If that's the case, we'll do the humane thing and put her down. However, if the vet clears her, then she's yours. You have to take care of her and you know that this isn't like your old tamagotchi thing that you pawned off onto everyone and anyone to take care of it," the Sheriff scratched the whimpering pups head. There were only a few times when he wished violence on an individual, now was definitely one of those times.

Stiles smiled at his dad and hugged the pup closer to his body. "I was six when I had that thing, I'll take care of her. I know she's okay, hungry and afraid, but she's strong and I think it would be a good growing experience for me. Let's get back to the campsite and get my baby to the doctor. Local vet will work for now, but Deaton is going to be her doctor at home. Nothing but the best for my baby girl," he cooed as he let the pup suckle on his fingers.

The mile hike back to the site was not leisurely and thankfully downhill. The Sheriff understood his son's hurry, but he just knew that this little whimpering pup meant the end to his vacation and possible the end to his restful nights. He was thankful that the pup's eyes were open, but from the looks of her, she wasn't exactly old enough to be weaned. He hoped, for his son's sake, that the vet wouldn't say she would need to be put down. With all of the work he had been doing lately he knew that Stiles was home alone more often than not and that, for some reason, Scott had started hanging out with the Lahey kid. Which meant Stiles was alone more these days. His son was right, the pup would be good for him.

Once they made it back to the site, they wrapped the pup up in some of Stiles shirts, placed her in the front seat, and packed up the campsite; before heading out and finding a local vet.

The local Ranger directed them to a Dr. Valladares, who was located ten miles from the park, and had a very good reputation. Thankfully, the Ranger had also called him and the man took time out of his Sunday to see to the pup.

The elderly doctor did a thorough examination, deemed the pup a wolf mix (Derek was just going to love that) and only about three and a half to four weeks old. Just old enough to open its eyes, but not old enough to be fully weaned. It wasn't unheard of for people to ditch the runt of the litter, but it always upset the old vet.

"So, will she; it is a she, right?" the Sheriff stuttered a little as Stiles cuddled and cooed at the puppy.

"Very much a little lady." Dr. Valladares assured him with a smile.

"Okay. So, what are her chances of survival? Can she grow into a happy healthy dog or are we just prolonging her suffering?" he queried, doing his best not to wince at the hurt that flashed across his son's face.

"I assure you sir, with a little loving and a lot of care, she'll grow to be a fine Lady. You should try to get her fixed in a few months' time. Do you have a good vet where you live?"

"Yeah, Doc Deaton. He's a good man. My best friend works for him." Stiles piped up once his girl had been given a green light on living.

The elderly vet smiled and nodded as he wrote out some simple orders. "Good, he should be able to help you figure out the right formula for her. Until then, go down the street to Wal-Mart. Get you a can of puppy formula, not infant formula now, and a small baby bottle. She's too big for a puppy bottle. Also, some distilled water and some rice baby cereal. Mix 4 ounces at a times, according to the directions, and feed her every two hours. Just a pinch of the rice cereal now. You'll also need to get some baby wipes so you can stimulate her to go pee and poop. I don't advocate carrying a pup without a carrier, but in this case keep her close to your skin and don't let her out of your sight."

"What aren't you telling us doc?" Stiles wondered softly as he put his girl under his shirt and close to his heart.

"Her chances for survival are good, but she is malnourished and was probably neglected before she was dumped. She's going to have abandonment issues for a while and she could become depressed if you leave her for any length of time by herself," the old vet answered honestly.

Stiles smiled sadly and replied; "That, I can deal with. I don't like being alone either. She'll make good company," while looking into the pups large brown eyes. "We need a name for you; don't we?"

Stiles wandered out to the rental car talking up a storm to the quiet pup while his Dad and Dr. Valladares wrapped everything up.

"Thanks Dad," Stiles breathed softly as his dad got into the vehicle and began the quick trip to Wal-Mart.

John sighed and finally looked at his son when they found a parking spot. "You know, I never meant to make you feel lonely. If - if you felt or feel like I'm in some way neglecting you; tell me. I don't want you to hate me when you get old enough to move out."

"What are you talking about? I know you love me and I know you're busy keeping the town safe. I may have resented it a few times, when I was younger, but I understand it now. I know that you have to work so we have food on the table and I have my jeep to drive," Stiles answered honestly.

"When did you grow up son? What happened to my flailing spazz of a kid who avoided responsibility like it was a communicable disease?"

"I grew up when you blinked and I stopped avoiding responsibility a year or so back," Stiles replied with a bitter laugh.

"Are you really lonely? John asked as they exited the car and walked up to the always open store.

Stiles sighed and didn't even try to smile. "Sometimes, Scott is so busy with Allison and Isaac that he's kind of forgotten that I am still here, just waiting to be his friend again. Lydia is pining over Jackson moving away. Thus, spending all her time with Allison and Scott. That's okay though, I mean Derek has been a lifesaver and he doesn't really mind my constant talking, even though he's always telling me to shut up. He's, Dad are you okay?"

John stood there looking shell shocked at everything his son had just told him. His best friend and John, himself, had made Stiles feel so lonely that he was seeking out the company of a man named Derek. Probably Derek Hale, the murder suspect.

"Oh, come on. You know that he didn't murder anyone and I should bring him over some time so you two can meet. He's actually a tender hearted and decent guy, when you give him a chance that is," Stiles said huffily.

"I said that out loud? And are you two dating? You're only seventeen son and I can legally have his ass thrown in jail for raping you," John said very seriously.

"Dad, I'm eighteen in a few weeks and would you really throw him in jail for becoming my friend? My BEST friend? You can threaten me all you want, ground me, take away my jeep, but don't dis on Derek. I mean, I could only hope that he would be interested in someone like me; not that he is. Still, he's my friend and has helped me. I can call him day or night and, just like Scott used to, he comes running to my rescue," Stiles stated very seriously.

John couldn't help but look and feel like a chastised child. He was supposed to be the adult. Yet, here was his son explaining things to him. Honestly, when did their roles become so reversed? "Sorry, but you have got to understand my point of view. I've arrested him before and I didn't know you were getting friendly with him."

Stiles sighed and rubbed his temples, not the easiest of tasks when one hand was busy holding his baby. "I know dad and I'm sorry for not telling you. I just didn't want you to flip out like you just did. He's been good for me; you know. I am trying to re-socialize him and that forces me to expand along with him. Also, you may want to think about the slim possibility of him becoming my boyfriend."

"Wait, I thought you two were nothing more than friends. Why should I worry about him being your boyfriend?" Panic, thy name be John.

Stiles stilled for a moment, then started to walk to the store. He really needed to get inside and get his baby girl her stuff before she got hungrier. Once his dad grabbed a cart and caught up to him Stiles calmly said, "I care about him as more than a friend and when I hit eighteen I plan on telling him. He'll say 'no', but I have to get it off my chest."

"He'd be stupid to say no to someone as awesome as you son. Can't say that I get the attraction, but if you really like him and he's good to you, then I'll accept him. As much as I can anyway."

Stiles smiled his way through their shopping trip. The only hiccup was when Stiles had tried to buy her a binky. Which his dad refused to buy. They got everything they needed and Stiles was delighted to find a baby bottle with puppies on it. They grabbed one and then checked out. Stiles handed his little girl to her grandpa ('She's my baby dad, so you're her grandpa.") So he could use the potty and run one of the bottle under hot water. Not the ideal sterilization, but she needed food and she needed it five minutes ago. He rushed out with the warm bottle in hand. He quickly made up the bottle, grabbed Primrose (no bad name).

Anyway, he grabbed his baby, tucked her into his shirt, and set about feeding her the bottle. There was a little trouble getting her to latch on at first, but her pitiful whimpers and nervous feet outstretched slightly clawing his chest just made him all that more determined to do right by her and thankfully his dad's pocket knife was up to the task of widening the holes the holes in the nipple of the baby bottle.

Her little, yet really sharp claws were not a good idea against his skin, but he would endure it so she would feel safe and secure with him. "We need to name her dad."

"Oh, now it's we? I thought she was your baby," his dad chuckled.

"Even when I have a real child I would want my father's input when it comes to names. I mean, I might not use the name; but input, it's a family tradition."

"How about that Princess chick on those Star Wars movies you used to watch?"

"Leah?"

"No, it began with a p - Padawan or something like that." John said earnestly.

Stiles couldn't help but to chuckle "Padmé Amidala, she was a queen not a princess, and no thank you. I don't want her to fall for a good guy who turns bad and tries to hurt everyone."

"Okay, Uhura? She was always my favorite character on Star Trek."

Stiles took the almost empty bottle away from his girl and put her on his shoulder to burp her. "You realize you get a creepy stalker smile on your face when you say that name, right? So, another pass."

"Hey, she was a classy and self-dependent woman. You could choose a worse name," John defended his choice.

"Hey, Nichelle was smokin' hot and I agree about Uhura, but I don't want you to pop a boner when you're holding your grand pup. Disturbing much? Come on girl, burp for Papa," Stiles cooed while rubbing and patting his girl's little back. "Oh, there you go. Good girl, now let's see if we can get grandpa to pull into a place to eat. 'Cause I need to fill my tummy too. Yes, I do."

"It's a bit nauseating how you 'coo' at her. I can honestly say I am terrified of what you would be like around a real baby. We'll stop at the first place we come to. No complaining about my food choices on this trip home. You're going to be too tired to offer help with the drive so we'll stop just outside of the Utah border and catch some shut eye before grabbing some more grub and heading home. How's my granddaughter doing over there?" John mumbled while looking at the passing restaurants for possible eating heavens, because he fully planned to break his diet in the hardest possible way.

"She's nuzzling my chest. I think she likes my chest hair. Oh, and I can totally help with the drive home. I'll nap between her feedings and then she can get wrapped in my shirt and put in yours. I can pull over every few hours to feed her and to hop out and stretch my legs. Sound good?" Stiles asked while rubbing his wiggling baby bump.

"We'll take a break just outside Utah and I'll drive us home after a few hours. Sorry son, I know you think you're doing a good thing, but stick to caring for your babe. We'll get home right about the time we were scheduled to. I know you are in a hurry to get home and show her off, but you should probably only socialize her to a few people at first. The rest can wait until she gets more settled. Now, Arby's has a drive thru and curly fries, so figure out what you want to eat." John explained as he pulled into the parking lot with a smile. His son may be older and more responsible, but he was still a kid who wanted to show off his shiny new toy.

They ordered and ate with Stiles cooing at the pup sleeping on his chest. When the two hour mark was up Stiles set about making another bottle for the little girl. Thankfully he had remembered to rinse the bottle before the milk had set in it. There day was spent like that. A few chats, Stiles declaring that his girl (No dad not Selene, she was a vampire) would be introduced to Deaton (because she deserved the best in vet care) and Derek as soon as they got home. Of course Grandpa was to continue to imprint on her and Stiles was already very bonded with his baby.

The next morning, Stiles looked like hell, but he also looked happier than John could remember in a long time. Mystique (no Dad, not a good name, besides do you know any humans with that name? Sure there were probably a few, but not his girl); anyhow, the puppy was good for Stiles. The only hiccup came when she decided she had had enough of Stiles cleaning her bottom and promptly pissed all over his chest.

Stiles did not freak out or flail about; all he did was smile, say good girl and ask his dad to 'Please, pull over at the next rest stop.' When they got there he took her to the restroom with him, along with some clean clothes, a towel, and a wash rag.

"You didn't scold her," John commented as he held the wet and whimpering pup in a towel trying to keep her warm.

"Why would I? She was just doing what nature dictates and she's smart as a whip. All the other pups her age have to have help going potty, but not my baby girl. She's not only got my looks, but she got my smarts too," Stiles stated proudly as he cleaned himself up.

John couldn't help but laugh. One day Stiles would make a good father. When John told him this, Stiles just blushed and reminded him that he was gay. "Adoption is still an option or maybe a surrogate. All I know is that one day you will have a kid and I will laugh as you pull your hair out over every little thing that they do."

"You're evil, but I still love you. Now let's get home. If we time this right you can drop me off at Deaton's, head home, and get some shut eye before you have to go to work tomorrow." Stiles reasoned as he took his girl and tucked her back under his shirt. This time with a towel at her bottom.

"How are you going to get home? Walk? I can stick around until after he's examined her."

"I'll text Derek and have him meet me there. He'll want to meet the newest member of the family." Stiles explained with a small smile.

"Ah, want potential Daddy to meet the baby? And have you decided on a name for her?" John half joked.

"Shut up," Stiles blushed and then softly replied, "And yes, Lillian Talia Stilinski. Lily for short."

John felt his throat tighten and his eyes sting at the name. "Your mother would be proud that you named her Grand pup after her. Lily loved you very much and I am sure she would have loved her namesake too."

The ride home after that was fairly quiet. Occasional whimpers from Lily, snores or humming from Stiles, while John wondered how a puppy became ingrained into the family so that even he saw her as a baby not the wolf pup she obviously was.

Five miles out of town and Stiles shot off a text and then sat there nervously bouncing. "She's going to puke all over you if you don't stop bouncing her like that." John warned.

"Oops, sorry Lily, Papa is just nervous. I hope you like Derek. He's grouchy and might growl, but he's a good guy and I know you'll love Doc Deaton. He'll treat you right and make sure you're up to date on everything and tell me if I got the right formula for you and everything. So, stay calm; because Papa won't leave you and no one will hurt you," Stiles whispered to his baby while rubbing her back.

As John pulled into the Vet clinic parking lot he saw the black Camaro that usually signaled Hale's presence. "You sure you want to do this? I don't mind waiting." Okay, so he was nervous about leaving his little family in the hands of someone like Derek Hale, but Stiles had warned him and he needed to accept the possibility like a man.

"I'm sure and stop worrying. I won't tell him today and even if I did he wouldn't abandon me to walk home. I promise everything will be fine. Now get home and shower, because Daddy-o you are ripe and relax so you can get some sleep." Stiles grinned as he grabbed the bag with Lily's stuff in it and climbed out of the car. "Love you, see you in a few hours."

Stiles stood outside of the veterinary clinic for a few breaths and then put on his happy face and made his way inside. All the while praying that Derek wouldn't have a fit and hurt his baby girl. Yes, she was a new wolf and in his territory, but Lily was important to him and who could turn her down? She was as cute as a button. Scruffy blond fur and eyes that reminded Stiles of Derek's. She was perfect and if things didn't go well then Deaton should have a tranquilizer gun ready to shoot Derek in the ass.

To his surprise; it was Lily who started to growl as soon as he entered and then double shocked to hear an answering growl coming from Derek.

"What the actual fuck? Lily, stop being so anti-social and Derek, stop growling at my baby," Stiles demanded of the two.

"You were dating another werewolf behind my back?" Derek growled, because no; he couldn't do as Stiles had asked and just stop it.

"What the hell are you talking about? Okay, Number one: you know the only werewolves I have been around are in your pack. Number two: Lily, my baby; is the puppy I found in a trash bag. She's been so well behaved so I don't know why she's growling. It's okay girl. Papa is here and Derek won't hurt you," Stiles assured his girl while slightly bouncing her on my shoulder.

Of course it would be at this point that Deaton chuckled and made Stiles come back to explain everything. "So, she was in a trash bag. Not a den or just caught in a bag?" Deaton asked while looking at Lily. He hadn't touched her yet and this made Stiles nervous.

"Bag was tied up so I doubt it was an accidental entanglement. Why, what's wrong?" Stiles demanded, his brow drawn tight in confusion.

This made Derek growl louder, though this time not at Lily, and made Deaton rush to grab a book. "This is practically unheard of in this day and age. Hell, it was unheard of a hundred years ago. You were in the Rockies right? There are no packs in that area. Tourist places are off limits to grab as territory. Too open to hunters and too open to humans," Deaton explained.

"Wait, I don't understand. Please use your words to explain what's wrong with Lily." Stiles said nervously clutching his girl closer to his chest.

"Nothing is wrong with Lily. She just happens to be a werewolf. Only you could have this kind of luck Stiles," Derek stated while looking at the pup warily.

Stiles hugged Lily closer to his chest and shook his head. Wolf or werewolf it didn't matter. She was his baby. "Does this mean I have to give her up? I don't want to give her up."

"Stiles! She's not a puppy. She needs to be with her own kind," Derek said sternly.

"I know that and I have you, as a friend at the very least, couldn't you help? I just - Deaton, I can't give her up. When I opened that bag and she suckled on my fingers and I knew she was my baby. I knew, or I thought I knew, that she was a pup, but that didn't matter to me. Because she was, no, is my baby. Please," Stiles begged.

Derek groaned and Deaton just smiled; "I really don't think it would be wise to try and give her to another pack. She already smells of you and has imprinted on you. If Derek there doesn't want her to be in his pack, I'll try to find another pack that will accept you and Lily. Cute name. Has she shifted into human form at all?"

"No, but I guess this means we will have to tell my Dad about werewolves. He already accepted her as his granddaughter and was talking about me being a dad and all that. This, this will surprise him. I know he wanted me to be in a relationship before I became a parent. Oops," Stiles glanced nervously at Derek.

Derek was just sitting there and rubbed his temples. Which did nothing to ease Stiles' anxiety. "Derek, may Lily and I be in your pack?" he asked tentatively.

"What's her full name?" Derek breathed out with a sigh.

"Lillian Talia Stilinski," Stiles replied with a blush.

"A beautiful name," Derek answered with a slight choke. Of course Stiles would choose Derek's mother's name as the pup's middle name. "I welcome you both to the pack. Let me see her and see if I can get her to change."

"I feel awful," Stiles cried suddenly as he handed Lily over to Derek.

"Why's that?" Deaton asked as he watched the two wolves together.

"I've been feeding her puppy formula and I was wiping her butt to try to get her to go potty. I should have been giving her baby formula and buying diapers and stuff. I am an awful Papa already," Stiles said with teary eyes.

"No, you're not. You did what you thought was right by her and she was only on the puppy formula for a few days. Did you keep her in a pet carrier?" Deaton asked him.

"No! Never, I kept her under my shirt, next to my heart. It kept her calm and warm."

"There, you did exactly what a momma wolf would have done and she seems to be imprinted on you. I'm glad Derek took you two in. I wasn't sure that I could find a pack to accept you." Deaton spoke honestly.

It was funny watching Lily and Derek. Derek was softly growling and nudging her with his fingers and she was growling back and nipping at his hands.

"I should call my dad and Mrs. McCall. See if she would bring me a diaper bag from the hospital and ask my dad to pick her up and bring her here. Hopefully they can get here quickly. It's almost Lily's feeding time. Fuck, I'm going to have to get a car seat and a sitter for when I'm in class. Fuck my life, and a job to take care of food, clothes, diapers, I am getting in over my head, Oh my god... what about a birth certificate? What if the mom comes looking for Lily?" Stiles panicked. He couldn't help it, everything just caught up with him all at once.

"Stiles, breathe. I promise you, everything will be okay. Now, call your dad, then Mrs. McCall, and let yourself relax for a few minutes. Watch Lily dominate her Alpha," Deaton grinned as he guided Stiles to a waiting chair.

"She's not dominating me. We're establishing a baseline of communication," Derek informed them with a pout growl.

"Uh-huh," Stiles murmured as he called Mrs. McCall and begged a boon of her first.

"Stiles, did you get some girl knocked up?" she asked seriously.

"What? No! I don't even have a girlfriend," Stiles replied, appalled at the thought of getting some poor girl pregnant.

"Are - are you pregnant? I mean I know boys aren't supposed to, but you have all this weird stuff happening around you and I wouldn't be surprised if that Derek boy didn't knock you up," Melissa whispered.

"WHAT? Just... what? I AM still a boy and I have never and Derek isn't - Oh my god! Please, could you just bring a diaper bag and some; I don't know nursing stuff. No wounds or blood, just to check health. Okay? You can find out what's going on when you get here," Stiles moaned out. His life? Spiraling out of control.

"Where is there? Stiles, just text Scott your location and I'll be there as soon as he gets here," she said with a sigh.

"I'll have my dad pick you up. No Scott. He doesn't need to know this and to be honest; I really don't think he cares. I love him like a brother and you like a second mother, but I am not going to lie to myself. Scott is more interested in Allison and Isaac. Some days he remembers that I am there, most of the time he doesn't. Please," Stiles begged.

"I remember when Scott pushed you off of the swing set and broke your arm. All you said was that you still wanted to be his friend and he had to carry your books as an apology. After that I thought you two would always be together and now I don't know what to think. I get off in fifteen minutes. Ask your dad to pick me up in twenty minutes, and Stiles?"

"Yes, Mrs. McCall?" Stiles asked softly. He knew all of this was hurting her and he didn't want to add to her pain.

"I hope you and Scott can patch up your friendship. I know he's distracted, but don't give up on him completely. Please?" Melissa requested earnestly.

"He's my brother; in my heart and soul. I don't think I could give up on him even if I wanted to, not completely. See you soon," Stiles answered honestly before hanging up. Scott wasn't his best friend anymore, but he would always be his brother.

Stiles quickly called his dad and begged him to pick up Melissa and come to the clinic.

"Did you confess to Derek only to have him leave you there?" his dad asked with an angry edge to his voice.

"No, but I promise you a surprise when you get here," Stiles replied with a squeak.

"I'm almost afraid to get there. Whatever it is, remember that I love you and it's not the end of the world," John sighed wearily at the other end of the line.

"Love you too, see you in a bit. Bye," Stiles said before quickly hanging up the phone. He looked to Derek and Lily in hopes of distracting himself only to remember that everything seemed to be centered on Derek.

"Something you want to tell me?" Derek wondered while still playing trying to coax Lily into human form.

"Melissa thinks you knocked me up and my dad thinks you broke my heart. I have no idea why Melissa thinks that. My dad thinks it because he may have some inside information about you," Stiles admitted kind of.

"Should I worry about the information?"

"Not for another few weeks. I promise, I'll tell you when the time is right."

"She probably won't change until close to feeding time. We'll just keep the bottle until she changes. You hear that kiddo? No food until you change. Disobeying your Alpha is not a very nice thing to do." Derek informed Lily.

Stiles bit his lip and did his best not to laugh at the duo. Deaton had been right, Lily was totally dominating Derek... and Derek seemed to be enjoying it.

"We need to talk," Deaton intoned as he reentered the room. Not that Stiles had noticed the man had been missing.

"Sure, what can we do for you?" Stiles asked.

"We need to put up a birth certificate. Both a human and a wolf one. We need a woman to put on the human certificate. Any candidates?"

"Janet Doena Smith. Born March 1, 1990 at Nantucket, MA. Orphaned, no known parents or guardians," Stiles rambled out. He had been thinking of that since he had been informed Lily was a werewolf.

"I suppose you want yourself as the father," Deaton asked with a chuckle.

"That would be preferable, but I'll settle for Derek being the Dad if I'm not believable enough."

"Derek?"

"She's Stiles girl, use his name," Derek ordered evenly.

"Good, now that that is settled. Stiles, for the werewolf certificate, your name will be placed in the mother's place. You need a wolf to back you up. Derek is your Alpha, but this is something different, something more," Deaton explained.

"I don't understand. What's going on?" Stiles asked nervously.

"What the good doctor is hinting at is that a wolf must co-parent with you. Otherwise your claim on her is moot and any rival pack can come in, claim her, and; if they want to, they would and could kill her," Derek explained as calmly as he could.

"They can't have her and no one is allowed to kill her. Not anyone! She's a baby. I - I know I'm just a kid, but I'll do right by her. We're already in a pack and I promise to bring her over often so Derek can help her. I need - I mean please help," Stiles begged.

"I'll co-parent with you," Derek offered.

"Derek, do you realize how this will look to other packs? What this means in your circle?" Deaton asked with a raised eyebrow.

"In your circle? Derek is there something you want to tell me?" Stiles asked warily.

"It means that to other packs you are my mate. It's on paper only, so don't worry about it. We just have to be careful to let them see us together and smell like each other when we meet someone."

"Stiles, what Derek is trying to tell you, and failing at I might add, is that you will be his mate. Which is very similar to marriage, without any chance of divorce," Deaton filled in while glaring at Derek.

"I won't lock him down like that. So it will be on paper only," Derek growled.

"But-"

"Derek, what does that mean for you?" Stiles asked seriously.