Eighteen and Waiting

The sky was a sharp crisp blue without a cloud to mar its perfection. The sun kept the winter chill at bay for which Stiles was grateful because the thin hoodie layered on top of the thick sweater was barely enough to keep him warm as he hiked down the side of the freeway toward the city.

Stiles spent most of the day as he walked down the gravel shoulder weighing his options. He still didn't have many to choose from but he had more than when he was seventeen.

The little alpha's words kept bouncing around in his skull. As far as Stiles knew wolves hated and despised humans but the cub had made it sound like the wolves were keeping their distance because they didn't want to scare them. The whole thing was strange but then Stiles had just a few examples to base his opinion on.

The only wolves he had ever had contact with were the turned and the omega, who seemed to hate everyone on site. Stiles had been told all his life that True Wolves considered themselves to be above humans and would not tolerate the disrespect of one speaking to them or even looking at them. Because of that idea humans kept their distance, unwilling to upset the uneasy balance between the two species.

Could everything he had ever been taught be so very wrong?

It would have to be a question for another day because today he needed to worry about a few simple things: where was he going to stay and what was he going to eat. Survival trumps unanswered societal questions every day.

He had survived for the last four months on the city streets but with winter coming he would not stand a chance against the cold frosty nights. Plus, with the Jubilee Fair shutting down there would not be the out pouring of foods to keep him from starving.

Getting a job without papers would be borderline impossible, Stiles thought. The betas that held the middle management positions that did the hiring would scoff at the mere site of Stiles and would never give him a chance.

But if Stiles was truly honest with himself his mind was already made up. He could still feel a small empty space in his chest, one that had been warm for just a few short minutes while he was in Derek's presence. The smell of his fur and the remembrance of his gentle hold invaded his dreams nightly. As much as Stiles wanted to pretend he was making a logical even minded decision, his choice had long been made. He was going to do his best to find Alpha Hale.

There still was that twinge of nerves. Lifelong fear of something doesn't just evaporate like a puddle in the summer sun but even Stiles knew that an Alpha's Mate was something to be cherished. They were treated with the gentlest of touches, cared for and supplied with their every desire. Mates were the anchors that an alpha needed to function, the thin wall that kept their darker instinct from emerging.

Hell, being a mate couldn't be worse than living on the streets. And if it was he could always run away again; he was good at that.

His mind made up, a plan in place, Stiles started to work his way to the Hale Manor. At first he was worried that he wouldn't be able to find it, that he would be forced to ask for directions and possibly run afoul of the Argents who were sure to be still on his trail.

But luck was on his side for once. The Wedding between Laura Hale and her human mate was the news of the day and every paper, magazine, and TV station had the event plastered for all to see.

A quick stop at the public library where Stiles had spent many an hour hiding out during the last few months netted him an address and directions. Jumping over the turn stile of the metro, Stiles took the public transport to the end of the line. Even without the map Stiles would have had an easy time knowing which way to go. The road toward the Hale Manor was filled with a constant stream of cars and delivery vans.

Hiking along in the shadows, Stiles counted the vehicles that passed him until the numbers seemed to press against his brain. There were so many people and presents heading to one house. Maybe, Stiles thought, this was not the best time to invite himself into their home. Who would want a dirty human crashing the wedding of the year?

He was still unsure about what to do when he crested a small hill and was able to look down on the glory that was the Hale Manor. Multiple tents glowed with a golden light, lavender lanterns with intricate designs filled the evening sky, and hundreds of people, well wolves, filled the enormous back yard dressed in their finest silks and satins.

Seeing that the party goers were outside made Stiles' decision on what he should do so much easier. He didn't have to crash the party; no one even had to know he was there until it was all over. He could sneak down and hide inside the monstrosity of a house until the next morning. Surly Derek would be happy enough to see him that he would forgive his slight trespassing.

Getting onto the Hale grounds was easy. The gates were flung wide and the guards were laughing as they ate the catered dinner that had been supplied for the entire staff. The heaping plates that had been brought out to them as Stiles watched from the shadows made his stomach threaten to growl.

Moving quickly as they joked and devoured the food, Stiles slipped by the guard house and run quickly up the lawn toward the large house. The whole place was awash with lights and streamers of lavender and cream ribbons. Stiles approached from the darkest side where the party was hidden from his view by the massive walls. He could hear the laughter as the Hale Pack's family and friends enjoyed the reception.

About half way down the side of the house there was a small doorway that led down into the basement of the Hale House. The well-oiled hinges didn't even squeak as Stiles opened it and hurried inside.

He found himself in something of a catch-all room. There were pieces of lawn equipment as well as old bicycles hanging from ceiling hooks. Each step deeper into the room gave Stiles a little glimpse into Derek Hale's life. Aside from the bikes there was camping equipment and fishing rods, a whole shelf of baseball paraphernalia from bats to bases, and a huge tub of Legos.

Stiles smiled brightly at the thought of a young Derek surrounded by masses of Legos as he built towers and spaceships. Stiles had loved Legos as a child, something else he had lost with his parent's sudden death.

The end of the room had another flight of stairs leading up into a washroom that backed the kitchen. Hearing the clatter of platters he quickly ducked into a large cabinet filled with mops and brooms. The wait staff quickly refilled their trays, laughing happily at the honor of serving at Laura Hale's wedding and left to keep the party attendees well supplied with Champagne to toast the couple's happiness.

Exiting the kitchen he found the main area of the Hale Manor dark and quiet. The large furniture and tasteful sculptures cast long shadows across the room. Beneath his feet the parquet creaked softly. If anyone from the pack had still been in the house they would have been alerted to his presence immediately.

Eyeing the curving staircase that wound its way up the side of the entrance Stiles pondered his next step. The rooms would most likely be allotted to family and important guests but there had to be a linen closet or something up there in which he could hide for the night. Come morning he could find the dark haired alpha and explain everything.

Surely he was almost safe. The alpha had said Stiles was his mate.

Insecurity is a nasty, sneaky little demon that whispers your deepest fears into your heart at the worst possible moment. Stiles' murmured that the alpha had realized his mistake the moment Stiles had been driven away in the backseat of the dark car. Why would an alpha of the Hale's standing want a homeless orphan nobody like himself?

What if the unmated male wasn't even in the manor? How would he ever be able to convince any of the true wolves that he was the mate of a Hale? Without Laura, who would surely be off on her honeymoon, there would be no one to collaborate his story.

His palms were slick against the banister railing. Stiles heartbeat raced as the first traces of panic caught hold of his nerves sending his system into a fearful spin. No True Wolf would take the word of a mangy un-claimed human. He would be held until the city betas arrived and then hauled away.

Stiles' foot faltered on the second to last step. The chill of fear in his chest bent him over, forcing him to grasp for air in abruptly tightened lungs. It was stupid to come here, foolish to think he could belong in a place like this.

"Oh God, Oh God," he whispered turning to head back down, to run into the night and keep from being caught, when a voice came out of the darkness.

"What the hell are you doing up here?"