"You know, nephew, this could be considered stalking," Peter said quietly, coming up next to Derek who was once again watching Stiles on the lacrosse field alone.

"Shut up," Derek replied without any heat. "He's always alone now. Scott doesn't even try to spend any time with him." As much as he'd had sympathy for the young asthmatic when he'd first met him a couple years ago, everything about Scott McCall was now getting on his nerves.

"He is still considered newly mated," Peter reminded him.

"And yet Allison finds time for her friends. Why does McCall have to follow her to the mall when he could go hang out with Stiles?" Derek looked at his mate with sadness and longing.

Peter nudged him with his shoulder. "He wouldn't be so alone if you got to know him." He said this to Derek at least once per week, just as he knew what Derek's response would be.

"Not yet," Derek murmured. "Soon."

The answer was always the same. Soon. But soon had been coming for at least three years now, since young Stiles had hit puberty. That was the moment when Derek had been drawn to this same field by the beautiful scent of his mate. He had been shocked when he'd smelled the notes of sweet grass and summer coming from the young teen which had instantly made him think of home, love, and forever. He had recognized Scott McCall from his meetings with the young man and his mother who were petitioning for him to have the Bite. The gangly youth next to him was laughing and running around the field on coltish legs that were almost too long for his body as they practiced their new lacrosse skills. That delicious scent was emanating from him, calling him like a siren song. He hadn't intended to tell anyone, but as soon as Peter saw him next, he asked who his mate was. Derek tried to deny it, but Peter was a genius at reading people and Derek found he was grateful he had someone to talk to about the confusing new feelings coursing through him. He feared it would bring distress to his uncle, but Peter instead smiled as he shared memories about first meeting his mate, Anna.

For that first full week, he had been guilty of stalking Stiles. He learned everything he could about the young man and easily fell in love with him. He was young, only fifteen, but was already strong, brave, loyal, shockingly smart, clever, and unbelievably funny. Derek almost gave himself away so many times because he would bust out laughing at Stiles' many jokes, quirks, and pranks. He loved playing jokes on his dad and Scott and always got caught, but he never failed to laugh, his warm whiskey eyes sparkling with delight at his own cleverness. Those eyes staggered Derek with the depths they hid from the world. Joy, purity, and innocence were balanced by intelligence, grief, and maturity. He was a natural caretaker, keeping his home clean and cooking healthy foods for his dad at the same time he always had an extra inhaler for Scott on hand and was always willing to tutor his friend in any of his classes.

Stiles was obviously beautiful on the inside as well as the outside. He once heard his young mate mourn about his lack of appeal physically and this staggered him. Not appealing? Did he not see his beautiful porcelain skin, interrupted by delicious moles that begged to be kissed, licked and nibbled? Did he miss the lean muscles forming along those long arms and legs, growing stronger and more limber over time? How did he not see the beautiful chestnut highlights in his dark brown hair? When Stiles finally grew his hair out, Derek often found himself wanting to run his fingers through the length, or during darker moments, wanting to grip it tightly as he pounded into his young body. Those moments were becoming more numerous as Stiles got older. The sound and scent of his mate pleasuring himself was a torture he was now used to. The first time he'd heard Stiles having "Stiles Time" as he called it, he'd ended up with his claws sinking into his own palms as he fought the desire to leap through his bedroom window and help him along. The scent of his desire and pleasure was delicious and made his mouth water with the desire to sink his mouth down on the younger man's hard length and swallow him whole. He was guilty of jacking off in time with Stiles on more occasions than he would be comfortable admitting. Just scenting his mate most days made his cock hard as it got more difficult to fight his desire to claim him. It was too easy to picture their Claiming, sinking his fangs into that long, flawless neck before sinking his cock into that pert ass that was perfectly formed.

"Nephew, you stink of lust," Peter informed him dryly.

Derek coughed and turned away from the field. "Sorry." They began walking home, Derek only glancing back at his mate once which he found to be an accomplishment.

"I know why you are waiting to claim your mate, but you've proven yourself by now, Derek. The pack is strong, prospering and expanding beyond our wildest dreams. It's okay to take him for yourself now."

His uncle's words were welcome and filled him with pride, but the fear he'd been living with for almost a decade was hard to overcome. His lack of strength had cost his family their lives, no matter what Peter and Cora told him. When Kate and Gerard Argent had become part of the human supremacist movement and then rogue hunters and gone after the Hale pack, Derek had been just fifteen years old. He'd been home that day with his entire family, the only one absent was Peter who'd been away with an allied pack helping train their new members. The Argents waited until the middle of the night and attacked with silver and fire. Derek had woken to the smell of fire and had leapt into action, running to his sisters' room and finding it already on fire. He'd drug Laura and Cora out into the yard before turning back to the house to find his parents and aunt. On his way back in, he was shot and lost consciousness. He woke up only to discover his home was gone and he had lost everyone but Cora, his other sister having died from burns and smoke inhalation. Peter arrived home and nearly went feral in his grief. He and Derek had immediately set out in search of the Argents. Though Sheriff Stilinski questioned them multiple times after that, the case of the missing Argents was never solved. It never would be.

Derek had expected Peter to want to be Alpha, but his uncle later told him he'd never wanted the position and since Derek was the oldest living descendent of Talia Hale, he became Alpha. His main goal was rebuilding the pack. When they finally were able to pull themselves from their grief, they leveled the old house and built a garden on top of it in memory of the lives lost. Nearly a mile away they rebuilt the pack house making it bigger and safer with underground escape tunnels and using fireproof materials.

Once their home was done, they put out word into the town and neighboring packs that they were accepting applications, of a sort, for membership in their pack. Derek didn't want to limit the pack to family members as Talia had done. Applications weren't common, but they had to take precautions after losing their entire family. Slowly humans began petitioning for the Bite which would then enter them into the pack and other wolves began applying to join the pack. Vernon Boyd was the first born wolf he accepted and he was Derek's Second next to Peter. An ally of theirs, Deucalion, sent them the orphan twins, Ethan and Aiden Thompson. The first human to petition was Isaac Lahey who had been severely injured by his abusive father. His father died later from a gunshot wound after a standoff with Sheriff Stilinski when he refused to hand Isaac over to get help. Derek accepted him immediately and saw Isaac as a little brother, the young wolf clinging to him and crawling into his bed to cuddle most nights when he had nightmares.

Within three years, the pack quadrupled and was proud to have a mix of humans, wolves, a kitsune, and even an emissary in the form of a veterinarian named Alan Deaton. Peter said that Deaton had wanted to work with his mother, but she had turned him away, wanting only shifters in her pack. Derek was surprised as he learned more and more that his mother had been a bit of a purist. He had learned nothing but tolerance and acceptance from her so it was shocking to learn just how many opportunities she had shut down. He made it a goal to give everyone at least the chance to be heard. There were many he turned down or sent to neighboring packs. Peter had proved invaluable in being a walking deception detector. Not just in hearing lies, which Derek could do, but spotting those who had ulterior motives or had delusions of gaining power.

One guilty of both was Theo Raeken who'd shown up in Beacon Hills and, after being turned down by Derek, was eager to start his own pack. He'd had no luck so far, but Peter was watching him in case he started any problems. Derek didn't have a problem with another pack living in Beacon Hills, but Raeken's kind of pack would only bring headaches, not peace and prosperity.

Derek's pack was strong and everyone got along for the most part, it was the best Derek could have hoped for. He knew that it was what he'd hoped to accomplish when he went to claim Stiles, but there was still fear in him, fear that he wasn't good enough to protect Stiles yet, that he still had something to make up for. Soon, he told himself. "Soon," he told Peter as they walked into the pack house.

"Whatever you say, nephew," Peter said with a smile. "Just don't wait too long." With that cryptic statement, he walked away.

Derek made his way to his office but stopped when he heard the familiar sounds of a video game being played and detoured to the game room. When he'd made the plans for the new house, he'd included several extra-large rooms to be used for the entire pack. There was the game room with the pool table, foosball, air hockey, and several wide screen televisions and every game console the pack could find. There was also a library with enough tables and desks for the high school pups to do their homework and find any resources they might need. Derek considered education one of the highest priorities to the shifters aside from learning about their dual natures. There was a room that was meant for any uses the female shifters wanted to use it for, though none had claimed it yet. There were also several small rooms dispersed between the larger bedrooms in the second and third stories of the house to be used for eventual nurseries, he hoped. In the basement, there were several secured rooms for new shifters to adjust to the change and for any shifters who were having trouble controlling themselves during the full moon. There was a large barn shaped building outside that held their gym and training rooms. Derek wanted to make sure they had everything they could need or want. He wanted the best life for his pack.

Walking into the game room, he saw Scott sitting by himself playing some zombie game, an open soda on the coffee table in front of him.

"Hey Scott, where's Allison?" Scott was always near his mate, which was also his reason for not spending time with Stiles.

"She's at the mall with Lydia and some girls from school," Scott said, shooting him a smile before looking back at his game.

"Why don't you ever have friends out here?" Derek dropped into an overstuffed chair near the teen. He was actually curious.

"Friends out here?" Scott seemed truly baffled.

"Yeah," Derek gave him a curious look. "You do know the pack is welcome to have company out here right? This isn't a pack exclusive house."

Scott dropped his controller, his eyes wide. "Really? I thought it was. I never see anyone bring friends out here."

"Boyd brings friends all the time, they just tend to hang out in the gym. The twins have friends over too, I guess you've just never seen them." Derek thought about it and realized the twins typically hung out in their rooms. "Regardless, feel free to have people over. Why don't you invite the Stilinski boy over?" The suggestion was out before he could tell his brain to shut up. He clenched his jaw, fighting the urge to take it back.

Scott's face lit up. "That would be awesome! I keep blowing him off because I want to be out here," his expression was shamed. "It feels safer out here than in town sometimes."

Derek moved and sat next to the young shifter and threw his arm around him. "It's perfectly normal to feel safer in the pack house and pack lands than in town. Your wolf feels more secure here. You'll grow more adjusted the more you mature as a shifter. Don't let it hinder your relationships though, Stiles is perfectly welcome here anytime you want him over. Does he know why you prefer it out here?"

The shifter's looked pained. "No. I just tell him I want to spend time with Allison, which I do, but Allison doesn't have any problems hanging out at the mall or at friend's houses. I just go with her or come back here alone. God, he must hate me."

Derek felt relieved knowing Scott wasn't just being an asshole to Stiles. "Well, call him up and have him come out. He can stay for dinner if you want. The only time I would step in and have company go home was if it started interfering in pack business or your school work."

Scott hugged his alpha tight, thrilled he got to have his friend back. "Thanks Alpha, I'm gonna call him now."

Derek smiled and squeezed him tight. He sat back and gave him a stern look. "If something like this comes up again, just talk to me, okay?"

The teen nodded enthusiastically looking very much like a puppy.. "I will!"

. ~ . ~ . ~ . ~ . ~ . ~ .

Stiles leaned forward, looking for the turn into the preserve Scott had described to him. Everyone knew the pack house was out here, but nobody came out here without an express invitation. Scott had called up out of the blue and invited him out. Stiles may have broken out into a spazzy dance of joy at the thought of spending time with his best friend. Scott said they needed to talk and then they could have an epic video game tournament if he wanted. He'd even told him he could stay for dinner. It had been so long since they'd spent time together out of school. This was going to be amazing!

After driving and turning several times, he finally passed a sign welcoming him to the Hale pack lands. He found himself looking out every window, looking at the different buildings and seeing people he knew. He received friendly waves from those who recognized him and saw Scott standing outside the freaking huge pack house. His friend waved him over, pointing at a parking space. Stiles eased into the spot and turned off his baby.

Getting out, he got a bro hug from Scott which made everything feel okay again. He'd felt a little lost without the best friend he'd had since the first day of preschool. Now, things felt like they might be able to get back to normal. He just had to try not to screw things up again.

"Hey, sit with me for a second," Scott said and led him to an awesome porch swing that had obviously been shifter-proofed with heavy chains connecting it to the roof above them.

Stiles couldn't help the happy sigh that escaped him sitting next to his best friend on the porch of this epic fucking house.

"I'm sorry I've been blowing you off so much recently," Scott began.

Stiles waved a hand at him. "It's okay. I'm sure it's not easy being friends with the town spaz," he gave a hollow laugh, his knee bouncing in agitation.

Scott stopped the gentle motion they'd started in the swing and turned toward Stiles. "It wasn't because of you, Stiles. It was me. I'm the problem not you."

His brown eyes grew wide. "Really? I just figured between wanting to spend time with Allison and my ever growing list of irritating – though loveable – qualities…" his smile was filled with hope.

Scott shook his head. "Never! Are you kidding? I miss your flailing and comic book rants. And yeah, I want to spend time with Allison, but that isn't all of it." Taking a deep breath, he explained about feeling safer on pack land then in town, and that Derek told him it was normal to feel that way.

"Well, it makes a kind of sense, doesn't it?" Stiles said, patting his friend on the knee. "So it really wasn't because of me? It's because of your damaged ass?" He grinned widely. "I knew I should have renewed that ad on Craigslist for a new best friend."

Scott laughed and punched him in the shoulder. "Hey now! Yes, it's my problem, but you're stuck with me. Derek said you are welcome out here any time and only pack business or my homework would get in the way."

"Suh-weet!" Stiles gave him a high five. "Show me around this most awesome pack house, you mental midget."

Scott grinned, he had no problem with the insult, it was like coming home in a way.

Stiles bounced behind Scott on a tour starting in the out buildings. They stopped and talked with Boyd and Erica for a couple of minutes. Everyone had been shocked by the changes Erica had gone through when she received the Bite. She was outgoing now, confident, vibrant with a raw sexiness to her that Boyd was very aware of and took great delight in. Stiles squeaked when she ran up to him and gave him a hug. They'd never really been friends, but he had helped her out several times over the years when she'd been bullied or needed help through a seizure. She nicknamed him Batman because he always seemed to have something on him to help people from Scott's inhaler to sweets to help her through her low sugar dizziness. He called her Catwoman because her laugh sometimes sounded like a cat meowing.

Stiles embraced her gently and then skittered away quickly when he heard the growl come from Boyd. Scott jumped in front of him, but Boyd held up his hands and shot an apologetic look to Stiles.

"Sorry, dude. I'm still getting used to the protective feelings the mating opened up. I didn't mean to growl at you," Boyd said and held out a fist for Stiles to bump.

Stiles grinned at him and bumped it, then shook out his hand from the pain. "Damn shifters and their bones made of brick. No problem man!"

. ~ . ~ . ~ . ~ . ~ . ~ .

Derek knew it pushed him to an all new high level of creeper, but he couldn't help keeping an eye on his mate through the security cameras. He'd heard Scott's explanation of why he'd kept his distance and smiled at the open relief and joy on his beautiful mate's face. Watching his lips as he talked was distracting and he couldn't help the hardening of his cock. He continued to watch as Scott showed him around. He was thrilled and proud of both his pack and his mate at how easily they accepted him and vice versa. His mate was well known and well-liked judging by the reception of several of his packmates. Seeing Erica hug Stiles was encouraging. She'd come so far in the few days since she'd been turned. Cora, Deaton, even the twins knew Stiles and welcomed him to the pack house. He also noticed people were giving Scott shit for not having Stiles out sooner and Scott received it all with a blush and hesitance. Stiles flipped it back on the pack members saying Scott knew the pack couldn't handle all of his fabulosity, so he had to ease into it. From there, it was more of a joke instead of the chiding it was meant to be.

He could burst with the pride he had for his mate. Stiles had been truly hurt by Scott's behavior, but had not only forgiven him but was now defending him. His mate was strong, loyal, and worthy of all the adoration Derek felt for him.

Once the friends made their way to the kitchen to gather snacks, Derek decided it was time. He walked quickly to the kitchen. Sure, he and Stiles knew who the other was, you couldn't help it in a town this small. Derek was the alpha and Stiles was the only son of a very popular sheriff. You ended up crossing paths now and then. But they'd never been officially introduced and he wasn't going to miss this chance to touch his mate, even if it was only a handshake.

Rounding the corner into the kitchen, he caught Scott's eye.

"Stiles, this our Alpha, Derek Hale. Derek, this is my best friend Stiles Stilinski," Scott said formally.

He was hit again with pride as he saw Stiles hold his hand out palm up, the motion acknowledging Derek as a higher rank than him. Not many humans acknowledged shifter rank, much less put those kind of manners to use.

"It's nice to meet you, Alpha," Stiles said, his whiskey eyes shining, a wide, friendly smile on his face.

"Likewise, Stiles, welcome to the Hale pack," Derek got out, his eyes not leaving Stiles'. His hand touched the soft, but firm hand of his mate and his heart nearly pounded out of his chest.

Stiles gasped. As soon as the alpha had grasped his hand, a shock had went up his arm and seemingly right into his chest. He looked at Derek, confused. The alpha's shockingly light green eyes pierced right into him. A smile lifted the full lips surrounded by artfully grown stubble and though it happened to quick, Stiles swore the werewolf alpha winked at him.

"You are welcome here, Stiles. With the pack's relationship with your father, we consider you both friends of the pack. So even if your friend here doesn't invite you, feel free to come out anytime you want," Derek said, giving a teasing smile to Scott. And while what he said was mostly true, usually 'friends' of the pack were made so because of something they had done for their pack, like the sheriff. He was extending that a bit to include Stiles, but he had to make sure his mate knew he could come to him whenever he wanted or needed.

Stiles nodded and smiled, nudging Scott in the side. "See, now I don't need your lame ass."

Scott rolled his eyes. "Yeah, whatever. Come on, I'm gonna kick your ass on COD."

"You wish, Scotty," Stiles said and gave Derek a little finger wave as they left the room.

Derek watched Stiles pert rear end leave the room meanwhile feeling shock that he'd actually winked at his mate. But, he saw Stiles react to the shock of his hand, a little known reaction humans had to meeting their shifter mate. It wasn't a strong enough feeling to let humans know they'd met their mate – most would just write it off – so it wasn't taught in school. Stiles felt it though and Derek had felt such joy he'd had to react and so he'd winked at his mate. Foolish, yes, but there was nothing to be done about it now.

"Alpha, a word please?" Boyd asked, coming into the kitchen.

"Sure," Derek said and they walked into his office. Derek closed the door and leaned against his desk. "What's up?"

"Theo Raeken has decided it was time to get an education. He's been here for months but suddenly he wants to go back to high school. He enrolled at Beacon Hills and starts next week. I figured you would want to know," Boyd reported.

"Damn. Okay, good work. I'll look into it as well. Keep an eye on the pack at school. We don't know what kind of crap Raeken is cooking up." A feeling in his gut told him this was a situation he'd end up getting involved in, and not in a good way.