Stiles was lying on their bed flipping through Derek's laptop with a frown on his face. Derek lay down beside his mate and gazed at the screen. Stiles had found his media files. Right now there was a picture of Derek and a group of his friends at a house party. Stiles thumped the arrow to select the next picture, then the next one, and again.

'Hey what's my pictures ever done to you?' Derek asked reaching over and taking Stiles's hand to kiss his fingertips.

'Nothing.' Stiles sighed. It was clear that Derek had a ton of friends, was a popular guy. There were loads of girls hanging around him in the pictures, and they were hot. Like Lydia Martin hot. To start with every few pictures had a girl with her tongue shoved down Derek's throat but eventually they filtered out. There was one girl in particular who kept reappearing, a cute blond who always seemed to be hanging off him, cuddling and kissing and looking completely like a shower fantasy.

Stiles frowned; he would always be a loser hanging off other people's popularity. He tried to picture himself there, hanging out with the sexy people. He reckoned he'd fit better in the corner just watching them. Stalking them. What would he say to them? It wouldn't be long before they walked away, cute little nose jobs curled in disgust.

Derek started to tell Stiles who the people were in the pictures, pointing out good friends and casual acquaintance. Stiles listened with only half an interest. Derek didn't seem to mind sharing stories about all the fun he had. Stiles really hoped Derek didn't want to meet Stiles' entire collection of friends because Scott had already met him and how did you tell a guy like this that you only had one friend. And people who hated you. Maybe he could convince Danny to pretend to be his friend.

Stiles closed the file and opened another one at random. There was a guy in these ones hanging around Derek's neck. He was slim and gorgeous, with blond floppy hair and red lips. Then Stiles came across the kissing pictures again, the blond with his tongue down Derek's throat. He thumped that file closed with a sigh and caught sight of one of the videos. The still of a hot butt in a purple thong walking away from the camera towards Derek who was lying on the bed on his side with his head on his hand. Stiles knew exactly what type of video it was.

'Seriously?' Stiles asked raising an eyebrow.

'Don't watch that.' Derek said trying to take the laptop.

'What if I want to?' Stiles asked.

'I don't want you to.' Derek said.

'Why? Want to keep secrets and hide stuff from me?' Stiles asked jutting out his chin.

'No, I don't want to upset you because you're my mate. All that is history. I'm here now, this is my home. I'm staying here, well not here because I'm finding a place of my own but I'm staying in Beacon Hills. Forever. With you.' Derek said easing the laptop from Stiles's hands. Stiles let him take it and watched him shut it down before setting it on the dresser. 'I'll wipe it when I get time ok.'

'You don't have to. They're your memories.' Stiles muttered looking away towards the wall.

'I've got you now. Think of the videos we can make together.' Derek said crawling up the bed and tilting Stiles head so he could kiss his neck.

'Kinky bastard.' Stiles moaned as Derek kissed his insecurities away.

Somehow Stiles didn't think Derek's past live was so over.

XXX

Monday morning rolled around and despite the fact that John offered Stiles the chance to stay home from school, what with losing his home and all, Stiles declined. He was desperate to get back to normality and he hadn't seen Scott since Saturday morning. He took Amy and Judith with him in his jeep. Judith complained the whole way there about the transport but Stiles ignored her, busy arguing with Amy over what radio station to listen to.

They dropped Amy off first. Stiles was collecting her after school as well. Derek had warned both Stiles and Judith not to hang about because he didn't know what Peter might try next. Stiles was chuffed when Amy kissed his cheek goodbye.

School was the same as usual. Stiles tripped over his feet when he stared too long at Lydia and wasn't watching where he was going, Jackson sent him flying into a row of lockers and Scott mooned over Allison.

'Dude her family are hunters.' Stiles hissed as they ate their lunch.

'Huh?' Scott said dumbly.

'As in people who hunt werewolves.' Stiles pointed out, waving half a sandwich around his head.

'Are you sure?' Scott narrowed his eyes.

'Positive. Dude we're puppy bait to her. She'll chew us up and spit us out.' Stiles said, finally eating his food.

'But she's so sweet. We're studying together after school.' Scott said dreamily.

'Yeah well study your wolf instead. Hey you should come home with me.' Stiles suggested.

'Nah. Derek creeps me out.' Scott shuddered.

'That's my boyfriend you're talking about.' Stiles pointed out but Scott didn't seem to hear him because Allison had leaned towards him to talk. Stiles just turned away and stared at Jackson and Lydia as they kissed.

Stiles was waiting for Judith when she finally arrived screwing her nose up at the jeep. Stiles ignored her reaction and tried to make small talk as they got in. He turned the key, and the jeep made a funny crunching noise before kicking out. Stiles frowned and turned it again.

'Typical piece of shit.' Judith snapped.

'Shut it Judy.' Stiles said. 'You'll hurt her feelings.' He got out and popped the bonnet, staring at the engine with a slack jaw. Judith got out the other side with a sigh to complain some more when she copied his look. All the pipes and wires in the engine had been cut. Stiles looked up at Judith who just stared back.

'Amy!' He said turning and fleeing out of the school gates on foot.

XXX

'Well well, what have we here? A little Hale all on her own.' Peter Hale said smirking down at his niece. Amy pulled her schoolbag close to her chest and stared up at the man with wide eyes. 'And how are you. Tell me Amy what did you learn at school today?'

'Nothing.' Amy said quietly.

'Nothing. That's not a very good school then is it?' Peter said shaking his head in mock concern. 'I've been sent to collect you today. You're daddy asked me to come get you.'

'I'm waiting for Stiles.' She said.

'And who is Stiles?' Peter asked.

'Derek's mate.' Amy said straightening her back a little more.

'Oh your big brother got himself a mate. Well, that's good news. They'll be busy then together, won't have much time for you I would imagine.' Peter said making a sad face.

'They do!' Amy defended. 'They took me shopping with them yesterday.'

'Isn't that nice sweetheart.' Peter said. 'Well Stiles is busy at work or so your daddy tells me so that's why I have to collect you.'

Amy bit her lip and stared up at the man. She had never liked him, never felt comfortable around him. Derek and Laura had always taught her to speak her mind, to stick up for herself.

'You're not very smart are you?' She asked.

'Whatever do you mean?' Peter asked her.

'Stiles goes to school.' Amy said raising her chin. 'So you're telling me lies. I'm not stupid and I'm not going with you. I'm waiting here for Stiles and Judith. And for the record, Derek's going to kick your ass.'

Peter's eyes darkened, glaring at the little girl.

'Your precious Derek's going to be lying in a pool of blood with half his throat in my fist before very long.' Peter snarled bending down and taking her arm. 'I've had enough of this.' He said yanking her forward. He didn't get a step before something almost bowled into him. He let go of Amy's arm to move.

Amy looked over her shoulder. Stiles was standing behind her panting to get air into his lungs. He had one arm wrapped around her chest and the other one gripping her shoulder.

'And you are?' Peter asked in a bored tone.

'I don't talk to strangers.' Stiles said backing away, keeping his eyes on Peter.

'I thought this was supposed to be easy.' A voice said from behind. For a second Stiles though it was Derek but then he realised it was Daniel.

'Well we've got two for the price of one now.' Peter said.

'Three. Here comes Judith.' Daniel said as he stuffed his hands into his pockets.

Stiles rolled his eyes. He had told Judith to stay put. She came to a stop beside Stiles and wrapped her hands around his arm.

Stiles looked around. They were in front of a school and the road was filled with traffic so he was glad they were in a public place but he still felt vulnerable. There was no way he could have protected Amy and Judith against Peter alone never mind Peter and Daniel. 'And what do we have here. Is this the mate?' Peter asked looking at Stiles.

'Yes.' Daniel said. He sounded bored.

'My, what a handsome boy. It's been a while since I've had a boy…' Peter said trailing his eyes over Stiles.

'Stiles is a man.' Amy said angrily looking back up to Stiles. He gave her a small smile. Quite frankly Stiles was panicking. He had no clue how he was going to get them out of this mess. Both girls were clinging to him, depending on him. He wondered if Derek's scent all over him had anything to do with that.

'He hasn't claimed you yet.' Peter said sniffing the air. 'Though you stink of him.'

'Jealous?' Stiles goaded. The only semblance of a plan in his head was to keep them talking and pray that someone would stop or come to help or something. 'I mean he does smell like Alpha. I bet you would love to smell like Alpha.'

'I will smell like Alpha. I promise you that. But why is he procrastinating in claiming you. Quite frankly, you're delicious. I would almost be tempted to take you and mate you myself.'

'You can't do that.' Stiles said.

'I can do what I want.' Peter said stepping closer. Amy let a little sound out of her throat and Stiles moved her until she was beside him. He didn't want to let her go any further because he was aware of Daniel behind him. Peter ran a finger up Stiles's neck, then grabbing his shirt he pulled Stiles closer and followed the path with his nose. Stiles shuddered and pushed him away as he stepped back. 'Yes you smell like Alpha too. I think I'll take his pack and his family, take his mate, and then take his life.'

'Good luck with that.' Stiles said. A car stopped beside him and a door thumped closed.

'Get the hell away from them.' Derek snarled. Stiles looked to where he was standing. Derek looked furious, his fangs had slipped out slightly and his eyes were glowing red. Laura stood behind him, face like thunder.

'And here's the Calvary.' Peter said with that sickening smile. He stepped away from Stiles and the girls and folded his arms, rocking back on his heels.

'Car. Now.' Derek said. Stiles walked to the car, pushing the girls in first. Amy practically climbed into his lap when he sat down. 'I think it's about time you stopped hiding and came to talk to me.' Derek said stepping close to Peter. Daniel stepped forward but a snarl from Laura had him stopping in his tracks.

'I'm letting you play at Alpha for just a little while longer. I don't want to spoil your fun before you die.' Peter said. Derek growled low in his throat before turning around and getting into the car. Laura followed behind him, sending one last glare over her shoulder.

xxx

'Stiles how could you be so fucking stupid and irresponsible.' Derek roared when they got into the house. 'Jesus Christ.' He slammed his hands onto the table. It groaned with the force of his weight. 'I just want to fucking slap you right now.'

'It wasn't my fault.' Stiles said.

'Oh yeah? Where the fuck were you. I told you not to hang about. I told you to get to her school as quick as possible.' Derek snarled. 'You fucking idiot. If anything had happened to her I would have killed you.'

'Derek, it wasn't my fault my-'

'I don't want to fucking hear it. I trusted you, and you let me down. I don't know if I want a mate like that.' Derek said turning his back.

Stiles could feel the hurt well up inside him, adding to the guilt. He felt bad enough about what happened. Derek's temper was making him feel a million times worse.

'Do you know what I'd have to do if you're a mate I can't trust? I'd have to use you, declare you an omega. You'd be the punch bag of the pack, you'd have to obey me completely, be collared, and be kept behind locked doors. That hasn't happened in the Hale pack in over two hundred years and I don't want to have to fucking do it to you.' Derek said. He looked like he was about to tear something apart.

'Can Stiles speak now?' Judith suddenly snapped. Derek turned to glare at her.

'Thank you Judith.' Laura said glaring at Derek. Stiles shot her a smile. 'Oh no, I'm as pissed as he is, I just want to hear what you're trying to say before I go buy you a fucking collar.'

'Someone tampered with his jeep ok. Lay off him, he protected us.' Judith snapped.

'Is that true?' Derek asked.

'Did you see it sitting about when you came to lift us?' Stiles snapped.

'Actually no I didn't.' Laura said thoughtfully. 'Who would do that? Peter?'

'No 'cause he said Stiles was at work.' Amy spoke for the first time. Derek looked at his little sister, still standing half behind Stiles her tiny hands wrapped around Stiles's arm.

'Why did he say that honey?' Laura asked.

'He said he was there to collect me because Stiles couldn't get me cause he was at work.' She said.

'So if he didn't tamper with your engine who did?' Derek asked. Stiles shrugged. He was still smarting from Derek's anger. Every time he thought they turned a corner and got over some hurdle, something else was shoved in their way. 'Did you sniff to see if you detected a scent?'

'No I was too busy running to Amy's school to protect your little sister.' Stiles snapped. 'How did you know to get us anyway?'

'Judith called.' Laura said. 'Hey Gran was making apple pie this morning. I bet she'd give us a slice if we asked nicely huh girls?'

Derek watched his sisters walk out the door hand in hand.

'This isn't working.' Stiles said.

'Stiles wait!' Derek called as Stiles went up the stairs.

'No. I'm going to be fucking collared now! What the fuck Derek that's not even humane.' Stiles said. 'Collaring a human. Fuck when I had a dog he didn't even wear a collar until I took him for a walk.'

'That's the worst case scenario. I do trust you. They trust you; I was surprised when Laura managed to get Amy to go with her. She's clinging to you like you're her air.'

'Then why did you say that.' Stiles asked. He hated that Derek made him feel like this.

'I was angry; it was heat of the moment. I was scared.' Derek said.

'Derek if this is heat of the moment now, and we haven't been mates for a week, what will you be like in a year, in five years. Will I always feel this way; will you always try to hurt me?' Stiles asked. He couldn't live like this, live on the edge, one moment in Derek's good books and the other frightened Derek was going to drop him like a hot potato.

'No I won't. I'm under tremendous stress. Everybody's turning to me because I'm their Alpha; I'm the one they depend on. Know what I did all morning? I sat on the phone to my cousin in New York talking him through his marriage problems. After that I was at the bank with my Granddad because the pack has monies and valuables in various safety deposit boxes. We went through ledgers and books and bank accounts and then I had a late lunch, read the property section and called a second hand dealer about a car for Judith. Does that sound anything remotely like what I was doing last week? Not to mention thinking about security around this place and trying to find ways to lure rouge Alphas from their hiding place.' Derek rubbed his eyes. He was new to this too, Stiles understood, but taking his anger out on Stiles wasn't helping them at all.

'Derek…I understand but I've never been in a relationship. I've fallen in love with you, already, since waking up a few nights ago to you licking me. Licking me Derek, like an animal. I'm seventeen I need to get my head round more than being licked instead of introduced to someone.' Stiles muttered.

'So I have to add you to my list of Alpha things I have to learn to do properly.' Derek said thoughtfully.

'No you have to add me to your Derek's top priority list.' Stiles said smiling softly and stepping closer. 'And beside me you have to make sure to put make up for being a dumb jerk and not listening to my boyfriend.'

'Boyfriend.' Derek asked with a smile.

'Yeah. I'm going to call you my boyfriend when I introduce you to people.' Stiles said poking a finger into Derek's chest.

'But we're mates.' Derek said sliding his arms around Stiles's waist.

'I know but I like the way boyfriend sounds. I've never had one so I want to say it.' Stiles said nuzzling his nose against Derek's neck.

'I can live with that.' Derek said dropping his lips to Stiles's throat. Suddenly he stopped and inhaled. He pushed Stiles back to arm's length, eyes flashing red. 'He touched you?'

Derek's voice was completely different. It was dark and deep just like the voice he used an hour ago when he found them with Peter. 'Yeah, said something about taking your pack then taking your mate.'

Derek growled. 'You fucking stink.' He screwed his nose up.

'And we're back to making Stiles feel like he's ten inches tall.' Stiles said pulling out of Derek's hands. 'Should I shower or something.'

'He's put a mark on you Stiles. He's going to make a challenge for you too. A legit challenge.' Derek said stepping back from Stiles as if burned.

'And what does that mean?' Stiles asked.

'That I can't claim you until I've answered his challenge.' Derek said through clenched teeth.

'What physically can't?' Stiles asked. He was horrified at the thought of Peter being interested in him.

'No it's werewolf law.' Derek said.

'Oh my god werewolves have laws?' Stiles asked. He imagined a group of old werewolves sitting around with beards making up their own laws just to mess with people. Creeper laws.

'Yes.' Derek said like it should have been obvious.

'Just break it.' Stiles said stepping closer to Derek.

'You don't understand, if I break it and a court of wolves find me insulting and negligent then I could be stripped of my Alpha status. The pack would be defenceless against him then.' Derek said stepping away from Stiles again.

'So what does this all mean?' Stiles asked pushing a hand through his hair.

'That I can't have sex with you until after I've faced Peter?' Derek said looking out the window.

'Sex. As in…'

'As in sticking my dick in your arse.' Derek snapped. Stiles was starting to worry that all this anger was going to make Derek crazy.

'Ok, what can we do?' Stiles tried opening his arms.

'Nothing. We can't do a thing.' Derek said darkly.

'We can't be intimate? At all?' Stiles asked.

'No because he hasn't been offered the chance to show you what he would be like.' Derek said.

'He's not going to get that chance.' Stiles said.

'He might have to. He could demand it and we won't be able to refuse him.' Derek said. 'Then you would have to choose.'

'Werewolves are barbaric.' Stiles said. 'Can we at least make out, share a bed. After all, you have to impress me too right?'

'Yes I think that's ok.' Derek said tiredly. 'I'll have to scent mark you like he did. To show my intentions with you.'

'Huh?' Stiles asked but he was tugged forward. Derek dragged his nose up Stiles's neck.

'You still smell like him.' Derek said turning and walking away. 'I'm going to my grandparents' house. Come with me.'

'Why?'

'Because I'm not leaving you here alone.' Derek snapped. He reached out and grabbed Stiles by the wrist tugging him downstairs. When they were on the path to Derek's grandparents Stiles readjusted their hands so their fingers locked together.

'Is this ok.' Stiles asked softly looking down at their fingers.

'This is ok.' Derek said, but his voice sounded tired.