A/N: Tried to keep this one short and sweet.

"So what topic are we discussing this evening?" Derek grunted from the corner of the room. Stiles gave him a wide grin and answered sheepishly "Mates." Derek looked like someone had dealt him a blow to the stomach and begun to blush as Jackson asked, "It's not going to be like a Twilight discussion is it? I really don't need to hear any of that after I was forced to watch the films."

"No Jackson, It won't involve us talking about any of that", Stiles sighed. "Also I won't be the one talking very much as I can only tell you what books say on it. I was hoping the Hales might tell us what they know on this?"

Derek just growled and brooded at anyone stupid enough to look at him for information. Cora giggled at the idea of the conversation and blushed as deep as her brother. "I guess you would like me to handle this one then?" Peter mused. He stepped forward and coughed to clear his throat.

"I don't know what their mother told them on this subject so they can feel free to chip in whenever they like", Peter started. "The werewolf is human and animal obviously. While the human side is normally dominant over the animal side of a werewolf's nature when they find their mate the human side must put up a great struggle for control. The wolf inside will constantly be concerned and seeking it's mates company."

"Mom always told us that when we discovered our mate we would feel it deep down and we would want to spend lots of time together; nuzzling, holding hands and all the normal stuff for someone in love", Cora chipped in.

"Yes that's quite right. As the couple grows the wolf will develop a bond and should its mate become seriously injured or lay dying then they will sense it. Much like an alpha can."

Peter stopped to look at the teenagers around him. "As you have no doubt noticed within a pack there is a lot of closeness and boundaries that humans fail to understand. At least the humans outside the pack. But even stronger than that bond that exists between pack members is the bond for a mate. A few of you have discovered this already; even if you are unwilling to admit it. Mates are for life for werewolves unlike real wolves."

"So if the wolf inside discovers their mate does their mate get any say in the matter?" Jackson asked quietly. "That's difficult to say. More often than not the two will feel the same about each other; especially if they are both werewolves themselves. Think of it as both being closely connected, like two sides of the same coin. Werewolves can mate with humans though and that is different. The human does not have an animal side so there is more independence for them. They may choose not to reciprocate the feelings to the werewolf in which case the werewolf will usually adopt a close friendship, or similar protective role over the human."

"Is it possible that werewolves can have more than one mate?" Stiles whispered. Derek's head snapped round to look at him, while across the room Jackson watched him closely. "Again another complicated answer. An alpha being the dominant leader of the pack may choose a second mate. The second is chosen for whatever reason but the first is an involuntary reaction. Betas and omegas have only one mate. The only exception occurs in the death of their mate. When the mate dies werewolves affections will generally transfer to a new mate. The wolf inside longs to have a special someone that is separate from the pack."

"The mate is not always a sexual partner though; it can be a best friend or the equivalent of a soul mate. That's what mom used to tell us", Derek breathed. "My sister was right there. It is unusual but a werewolf's mate is not necessarily a sexual partner. They may for all appearances display the same emotional responses they would a sexual partner though." Peter looked around at the teenagers' confused expressions. "They may touch intimately and kiss but may not necessarily have sex", he sighed to clear up the confusion. Suddenly many of the faces showed uncomfortable expressions hearing him talk that way. "Of course most mates are sexual partners and alpha werewolves have been known to take on second sexual partners like wolves themselves are known to."

"Okay I think we have heard enough now", Stiles said looking rather flushed. "That confirms most of what I read about the werewolf mating habits. If anyone for any reason still wants more information I have a few books that may answer those questions in a less embarrassing way than this discussion. Just let me know and I will pass them on. What do you say we watch a film or something now?" Stiles babbled rather rapidly. He always had a tendency to speak too fast when he was nervous and uncomfortable but seeing a lot of red faces around him he sighed in relief as he realised they all felt the same way.

A/N: Let me know what you thought please with reviews or PM.