DISCLAIMER: All chapters of this work are fiction using characters from the Teen Wolf universe. I do not claim any ownership over them or the world of Teen Wolf. This work is solely for entertainment purposes and is not considered film or tv canon (not by a long shot).

Derek Hale heard the sounds of two individuals traipsing through the woods. Moving toward them, he cataloged what he was hearing – a splash as they leapt not-so-gracefully across a small stream, the crunching of leaves and twigs beneath their sneakered feet, and two distinct scents. The first scent he knew easily … a beta. The alpha's new pack starter, apparently. The second scent … Derek froze. He stood as still as the trees surrounding him and struggled with what he was smelling … and feeling.

It was like a thousand needles pricking his skin all at the same time … he was cold and hot and for a moment he couldn't hear anything but a heartbeat that thundered in his ears. Doubling over, Derek struggled to get control of the assault on his senses. It wasn't painful per se … in fact, he found he didn't mind the sensations much at all once the endorphins kicked in and he began to relax a little.

His mate … the new beta was walking through the woods with his mate. His true mate – the one he was destined for and that was destined for him. It was a very male scent but Derek didn't care about that … gender labels were for humans. Derek was experiencing the call of another's blood to his … and he welcomed it. Taking a deep breath, he opened his senses to the woods and took in as much information as he could before confronting the pair.

Voices.

"I can hear things I shouldn't be able to hear … smell things … "

Derek pursed his lips. The beta apparently had no idea what was happening to him. That was going to prove problematic. The answering voice made his breath catch slightly.

"Smell things? Like what?"

His mate. Young, but that was to be expected considering the beta was still in high school and apparently they were friends.

"Like the mint mojito gum in your pocket," the beta said.

"I don't even have any Mint Mojito …" Derek's mate replied.

There was a rustle and a pause. Derek could smell the gum himself but he was impressed that the beta had been able to single it out from the hundreds of other smells that permeated the world at any given moment. He heard his mate put the gum back in a pocket.

"So all this started with a bite." the boy asked.

Derek felt disappointment well up. His mate was not only young, but his sound and scent made him obviously very human. Still, not a deal-breaker. He allowed himself a small smile at that – this was his true mate … it would take something far worse than he could imagine to make Derek not want him. Shaking away the thought, Derek concentrated again on the two boys.

"What if it's like an infection," the beta asked. "Like my body's just flooding with adrenaline before I go into shock or something."

Derek had to admit that was probably a pretty good description of the onset of the wolf's emergence in someone who'd been bitten. His mate's reply caught his attention.

"You know what? I actually think I've heard of this … it's a specific type of infection."

"Are you serious?" the beta asked.

Derek wondered that himself. His mate continued.

"Yeah, I think it's called lycanthropy."

Derek nearly swallowed his own tongue. His mate knew about them?

"What's that? Is it bad?"

Derek sighed. If the beta didn't even have a basic knowledge of the legends or myths … this was going to be harder than he thought.

"Oh yeah, it's the worst," Derek's mate replied. "But only once a month."

This time, Derek heard the mocking undertone in his mate's voice. Of course … he was human and most humans didn't believe in werewolves or anything else that went bump in the night. He bit back a growl of frustration and let the blood call refocus his thoughts. This was his mate … and if he was friends with the beta he was going to find out the truth soon enough.

"Once a month?"

"Yep … on the night of the full moon." Derek's mate gave a soft teasing howl. The sound, low and mocking, still made the hair on Derek's neck stand up and he shivered. His mate chuckled and Derek listened to all the nuances - the laugh was good-natured and not unkind. He was trying to ease his friend's nerves. "Hey, you're the one who heard the wolf howling."

"Hey man, there could be something seriously wrong with me!"

"I know! You're a werewolf!" his mate gave a fake growl. Derek let himself wonder how that would sound for real. He shook his head. He knew he would have to break cover and confront the two, but he didn't want to end the suspense. He kept trying to build a face around the voice, scent and mannerisms. It was amusing but he knew reality probably wouldn't match.

"Ok, obviously I'm kidding," his mate offered in apology, but then, as if his mouth simply wouldn't stop, he rambled into, "but if you see me in shop class trying to melt all the silver I can find, it's 'cause Friday's a full moon."

Derek rolled his eyes. His mate was teasing about something that was so far from funny Derek couldn't even think of where to start. The steps paused and he knew it was time for him to emerge. Derek wished he could announce his intention to the kid, but because of his youth and ignorance, that would have to wait. Taking a deep breath, he stepped out from behind the tree that had been concealing him while he eavesdropped. He was glad for the air in his lungs because he suddenly forgot how to breath altogether.

Of course that's him … why would Fate bring me anyone else? Derek thought.

His mate was apparently a scrawny sixteen old boy with dark hair cropped short enough to qualify as regulation military and a heart rate faster than a hunted rabbit even at rest. He wore a t-shirt with a bulls-eye on the front. Derek looked heavenward.

Oh someone up there has a sense of humor.

Derek stared at the pair who remained oblivious to his presence. He exhaled slowly and schooled his features into an unreadable mask. Outwardly, he was still. Internally, his thoughts were racing.

My mate is human, still in high school and fairly ignorant of all things werewolf. God help me, I'm doomed. Derek thought, unsure whether he should see this through or run now.

About that moment, his blissfully unaware mate noticed him and jumped. If it was even possible, his heart rate sped up and Derek was faintly concerned he would pass out. The boy smacked his friend on the arm and scratched nervously at his neck before jamming both hands into his jeans pockets and staring at the ground. Derek noted his scent filled with unease but not fear … yet. The beta kept his eyes locked on Derek in an almost-challenge. He glanced at his mate who was regarding him with hunched shoulders. Derek frowned. The obvious submissive posture made him angry for some reason. His mate shouldn't cower.

Enough.

Derek knew his stride across the clearing was aggressive. It was calculated to put them on edge and give him control of the situation.

"What are you doing here?" Derek barked. No response. His mate scratched nervously over his scalp which irritated Derek. "This is private property."

The beta continued to stare at Derek. He was going to have his hands full with this one, he could tell. His mate's voice pulled his attention away.

"Uh, sorry man, we didn't know."

The beta stood only a step in front of Derek's mate but it was obvious who led in this relationship. Another flare of irritation ran through Derek. His mate would answer to no one but the pack alpha. The beta didn't lower his gaze.

"We were … just looking for something and … " Derek looked at the beta expectantly wondering if he would actually say what they were seeking. The beta caved. "Uh, forget it."

Derek regarded them a moment before tossing the beta's inhaler to him. It had been easy to locate with the boy's scent all over it. He turned and walked off without another word. Today was not the day to approach his mate. He'd have to wait. Unfortunately, Derek had little experience with patience. He listened to the conversation behind him, always feeling a slight tug when his mate spoke.

"All right, come on, man, I gotta get to work," the beta said.

"Dude … that was Derek Hale."

Derek couldn't stop the slight thrill that rushed him. His mate knew who he was. Well, that was a good start anyway – what else did he know?

"You remember, right? He's like only a few years older than us."

"Remember what?" the beta asked making Derek growl softly to himself.

Does the kid know nothing?

"His family," Derek's mate emphasized. "They all burned to death in a fire, like ten years ago."

Derek blinked. It was a clinical description of quite possibly the most horrific day in his life.

"I wonder what he's doing back," the beta replied.

Derek practically heard his mate shrug.

Night had fallen and Derek sat on a ledge over looking the town of Beacon Hills. He'd spent the rest of the afternoon learning who his mate was – Stiles Stilinski. Derek shook his head. His mate was named Stiles Stilinski ... he'd definitely offended a deity somewhere along the way. Tracking the new beta, Scott McCall, to his house, Derek learned a few things about him. He was the priority right now, but when he'd finished his reconnaissance, Derek went in search of his mate.

It hadn't taken long to find the scent and track Stiles home. Derek's eyes drifted over the city lights until he found the one that belonged to his mate. Stiles lived in that house ... his mate lived in that house. It was almost too much for Derek to wrap his head around. By some strange luck, he'd found something he believed would be forever denied him … his true mate.

The fact that his other half was below the age of consent for California and still in high school was just another fun little bump in the road of his life.

The age issue presented a complication. Two years wasn't an eternity – he made a mental note to learn the kid's birthday – but Derek had no idea how to progress. How did someone breach this particular topic in conversation?

Hi, my name is Derek Hale and you're my destined mate. Want to go get a drink?

Derek groaned as he realized that Stiles was also underage for drinking as well. He was so young and so human. Derek's frustration escaped in a soft snarl. And yet.

And yet … when he'd confronted the boys in the woods, Stiles' scent had marked him as uneasy and a little afraid certainly, but he'd stayed beside Scott. Derek had picked up on something else … a determination that pushed past the fear. Stiles would not have left Scott's side even if they'd been attacked. His mate was brave, loyal ... and incredibly stupid to think he could possibly defeat a werewolf. Of course, Stiles didn't know what Derek was ... it crossed his mind to wonder if the blood call affected Stiles the same way. Probably not - Derek was quickly coming to the realization that Stiles was going to be nothing if not contrary.

So ... courage and loyalty were good qualities for a mate. He filed that away for later.

Derek lay back on the ridge and pulled up his memory of Stiles, overlaying what his senses had told him before he even saw the kid. His eyes were his best feature. The warm amber gaze caught Derek's attention almost immediately ... before Derek had a chance to take in the rest of Stiles. The werewolf sighed. Stiles was still growing so there was no saying how he would look in a few years time. Derek had no choice but to wait. He had a feeling that was going to be difficult. The blood call would only grow stronger until acknowledged by both mates. Considering that Stiles had no idea werewolves really existed ... Derek had his work cut out for him. It was probably fortunate that Stiles was underage – it might prove to be easier to maintain control. Derek closed his eyes and thought of the way the late afternoon light turned Stiles' eyes honey gold.

Wonderful ... I'm spouting romantic mush over a sixteen-year old boy with nice eyes. Derek covered his face with both hands.

He wanted to see Stiles again ... soon. Preferably not looking as if he might bolt if Derek so much as said 'Boo!'. He sighed. His true mate was named Stiles Stilinski and Derek's wolf needed to be near him. Returning to Beacon Hills was simply getting more and more interesting as the days went by - and he still had to figure out who the alpha was before he killed again. He looked up at the moon and wondered if Stiles was watching too.