What just happen? I found my thoughts scattered all over the place. My mind was playing a crossword in its own time. "Derek" I asked considering whether or not I should pull him up. I didn't understand why he was on his knees. Stiles and Ella who I could hear were sitting on the stairs didn't understand why he was on his knees. In that moment I don't think even Derek knew why he was on his knees. But there he was – a stone sculpture with a sick heartbeat.
"I think you killed him" I could hear Stiles chuckle from the stairs. I slowly got down while shot Stiles a strict look. "Derek" I leveled with him. "Honey, Ella, could you get a glass of water" I called out trying to think of a way to pull a werewolf out of shock.
"Maybe you should slap him" Stiles suggested trying to ease up the situation as Ella disappeared to the kitchen.
"Derek, I know this is hard and surprising, and wonderful and frightening, but it'll be OK. Just breathe" I comforted.

Derek got up quickly staring intensely at the child before giving me one quick look. And then he was gone. So that didn't go as well as I hoped, I thought as I straightened up. What was that about? I mean I knew that it would be hard to comprehend to some extent, but wow.
The next few hours went passed pretty quick. Shortly after Hales exit Stiles headed home and I was left in an inquisitive state. Ella had excused herself after Stiles' departure after telling me that Derek would come around. What was there to come around? He couldn't neglect this information – I mean he has a heart? Left to my own curiosity sleep seemed miles away.

I was still in my PJ's when I heard a loud knock on the door. There stood the same stone sculpture before me as the day before. But this time he was carrying a dirty, fluffy ball in his hands.
"Hi" he said apologetically. "Uhm hi.. I.. You want some breakfast?" I asked as no other words were to be found. He followed me into the kitchen. "So.. How are you? Any life-changing new information come your way lately?" I attempted to joke as I put down a plate of scrambled eggs and bacon in front of him. Baby Charlie squealed for attention drawing both our faces to him. I grabbed him out of his baby-seat quickly.
"Here" Derek said with the same serious look on his face. "Erh.. Thanks?" I said taking the fluffy ball that looked like it had been ill-treated.
"That's Ernie" Derek informed as if the balls name would explain everything. "He's an orange hamster" he continued. "He was Laura's once, and when I was born she gave him to me" he pointed at the newly identified hairball.
"Oh, Derek" I said while putting a hand on his shoulder and trying to restrain myself from crying. Ernie, I thougt – I can't believe this. "So what do you feel about this situation?" I asked. "I mean. Would you like to get to know your nephew? Laura was going to tell you about him, but you're entitled to you reaction and you position" I continued.
"Charlie is family. I don't disregard family" he answered in a responsible manner.
This is not some Godfather spin-off; this was real life we were talking about here. "I want to be a part of his life" Derek finished catching onto my trail of thoughts. I was slightly annoyed, but I could see the sincerity in his eyes. They were so innocent compared to the rest of his body. Who was I to deny the fact that this hot-tempered lone-wolf was attractive? I buried my thoughts quickly before plastering on a smile of consent.

"You can visit Charlie whenever you want" I said as I walked him out.
"Sure. Yeah I'll do that" he said with an intense look on his face. I stood there in the doorway watching him drive off not fully grasping the events of the past 24 hours. The rest of the morning was spent trying to clean Ernie without injuring him any further. Charlie seemed satisfied with his new stuffed animal and it pleased me that he welcomed the family" heirloom" into his little world. The thought of Derek's actions made me smile.

"That's all?" Ella exclaimed. Her voice high pitched in an annoyance of disappointed suspense.
"Well, it's enough for me" I retorted feeling a bit insulted on behalf of Derek that she didn't see the value of Derek's visit.
Ella seemed happier today than she had the last few days. I guess there's nothing like having Stiles around when you're blue. Regardless of what had changed her attitude, I was happy that she seemed more comfortable now. That means it's time for school, I thought to myself.
"It's more than enough for being Derek. I mean this guy is practically made out of stone" Scott agreed closing the fridge behind him. I felt a bit bad for thinking lower of Derek earlier – but no one would have guessed this, not even Scott who was a part of his pack. Which triggered my curiosity; since Derek was now alpha what was my relation to him? I thought it would be better to address him directly about this matter, after all Scott was still young, and probably unaware of all the different complications of bonds in a pack.

I pulled up right in front of the old, rotted house. Why does he live here? How does he live here? "Derek?" I called as I walked through the open door. Something wasn't quite right by the smell of things.
"How can I help you?" a blonde demanded entering the room in high-heals, tight pants and a tank-top. "Where's Derek Hale?" I asked alarmed by the stranger. Who was this girl? What had she done to Derek?
"Derek!" a male voice called out, appearing behind the blonde. A brown haired boy with childlike eyes called for Derek as a child calls for their parent when the delivery-guy comes. "Evelyn?" Derek looked surprised. I could feel a little cocoon growing inside me at the sound of him calling my name.
"Hey Derek. I was wondering if we could talk. In private" I said looking over at the blonde and then slowly at the apathetic boy. "Erica, Isaac.." he uttered before they disappeared out of the house.

"They're in my pack" Derek explained catching my bewildered expression. So the lone wolf was not so lone after all. Something about that thought agitated me, but I let that emotion bury itself quickly. "I was wondering about us.." I said quickly regretting using the word "us". It sounded superficial, as if I'd known this stranger. "I mean, do you know, like, how are we connec.. What is your position.. Well who are you for me?" I asked sounding like a confused third cousin.
"You want to know if you and I are in the same pack?" he synthesized my words. I nodded quickly in response. "Well, technically, I'm your alpha.. As Peter took the role from my sister and then I from him" he explained.
"Oh, OK. So.. Yeah.. I'm not really sure what that entitles, but it's good to know" I mumbled.
"We're connected. There's a loyalty between us, one few humans can experience" he explained. Stiles, I thought immediately to be one of those few. His connection to Scott, and Ella. His compassion was hard to find.
"And we can feel each other. Emotionally, it's not only the heartbeat, we can feel a weak signal of each other's emotions" he continued. "Basically that feeling of connection and comprehension you had for Laura. We have a bond" he finished. There it was again – the cocoon was growing inside me, almost ready to open. I had this strange adoration for him linking us together – I felt needed by him and it felt good. It felt important. It felt needed.