Author's Note: Stiles-centric chapter, but it does set the course for the rest of the fic.

ooOoo

Stiles couldn't get Derek out of his system. The kiss had done things to him. He felt like there was a big empty space on the inside now that he was here at home, away from his alpha.

He longed to be held in those arms again, to be filled by that scent as they kissed passionately.

His mind replayed over what they had shared in the woods earlier that day at training. Derek's lips kissing him like they would never stop, his own lips responding quite as needily.

Stiles shivered with bliss just to recall it. Falling onto his bed and wrapping his arms around himself, letting himself drift into fantasy.

Derek's scent, his wild scent, tinged with just a bit of sweetness like mint. Those hands had touched every inch of him. Stiles could still envision perfectly the feel of those hands.

He'd never felt more needy, or more open. Derek finally claiming him. He'd wanted it, he'd even begged for it harder, faster.

When had they become this? When had he and Derek become so much more than just friends?

Stiles realized it had been for awhile. He'd had these feelings ever since the pool, or maybe even before. The pool was the first time he'd really voiced them, his desire for Derek to trust him, to let him see inside.

"You don't trust me, I don't trust you," the words replayed in his mind.

He must have revisited it a million times in his mind. His feelings for Derek had been there for months, and they'd only gotten stronger and stronger.

Today had been the culmination of it all. He'd given Derek everything, and the alpha had done the same. He'd told him that he loved him. Oh those words like sweet music to his heart!

"I love you Derek," Stiles whispered aloud, as he lay on his bed recalling it all.

He did. He'd never loved anyone more. How had he never seen just to what depth his love could go? Derek had given him everything he'd ever wanted. He'd been filled by him, and now here he was in his bedroom, feeling alone and empty.

Stiles had no reason to feel that way. He and Derek weren't living together, even if they were something more now. Why couldn't he get the alpha out of him?

Maybe something had changed between them. Maybe this was what werewolves called mates.

Even as Stiles thought it he felt something rise up within him, his wolf, pining for Derek like never before. He couldn't just lie there. He couldn't contain it.

Stiles stood from his bed, feeling his wolf takeover quite against his own will, yet he could still control it. His wolf wasn't making him wild. It was thoughts of Derek that calmed the beast within.

Stiles looked into his dresser mirror, shocked at his reflection looking back at him. Red eyes, not golden beta ones. Why did he have red alpha eyes?

The answer hit him immediately. Mates. Was that really the answer? Did he want to be Derek's mate?

His phone buzzing against his desk broke his thoughts. It was Derek calling. Stiles willed his claws to retract and answered.

"Hey what's going on Derek?" he asked, keeping his tone surprising normal.

"I can't stop thinking about you," Derek said in a low voice. "Is it the same for you?"

Stiles wondered if he should answer that honestly. There was no reason he shouldn't.

"Totally," he replied in a weird voice. "Its so strange Derek, yet it feels so right. That isn't all. Something's happened."

He was talking about the red eyes of course. He'd somehow become an alpha, and he hoped that didn't make he and Derek rivals. The thought that Derek might hate him once he knew was unbearable.

"What's happened?" Derek asked gently.

"I'm scared Derek," Stiles whispered. "I swear I didn't want this, but I'm afraid you'll hate me."

"Stiles don't be ridicilous. You can tell me what happened. I promise its okay."

Derek's voice reassured him. The alpha would find out at some point anyway. Better to get it out there now, right?

"Derek I think we must be mates, because I'm an alpha now too."

There he'd said it. He hadn't beaten around the bush.

"Stiles," Derek spoke strangely. "That's... I don't understand. I'm not angry, but how can you be an alpha?"

"Could it have something to do with werewolf mates?" Stiles questioned.

"I'll ask Peter. In the meantime I'm coming over. I want to see you. Is your dad at home?"

"No," Stiles said. "He isn't. You can come over."

He actually really wanted Derek to come over.

"Alright I'll see you in about twenty."

The call disconnected and for some reason Stiles felt happy, like he could jump for joy. Derek was coming. Everything felt right again.

ooOoo

Author's Note: Sorry I haven't updated in awhile. I wasn't sure where to go with it. Yep, Stiles is an alpha mate.

Reviews appreciated.