"Tell us why we should do this for you Peter," Xaiu spoke.

Peter stood before the three cloaked alphas in the perserve clearing. It had been a long night, and they probably weren't so pleased to see him back again so soon.

"I told you my Lord," Peter replied, keeping his voice in check at having to repeat himself. "If Stiles is brought close to death Derek will have no choice except to bite him. You get what you want. He becomes a werewolf. Scott will not forgive Derek for giving Stiles the bite. That's how the conflict must begin."

The three alphas were silent, thoughtful. Peter could only wait for their verdict.

"You are sure of Derek's feelings?" the female alpha asked. "He cares for the human?"

"I know that he does for myself Tanya," Xaiu answered her, saving Peter the effort. "I could sense it when I was in the house with them all present. Derek kept giving the boy strange glances."

"Be that as it may," the female Tanya said. "Is this really worth our effort? Why should we go with Peter's plan?"

"I did not suggest we should," Xaiu replied a little defensively. "However, I do think it has merit. Scott considers the boy his best friend. I think Peter is right that Scott would never forgive Derek for having to be the one to give the bite. We need to test their strength, to see how worthy they are to be alphas. The conflict must begin."

Peter couldn't have said it better himself. He was more than content to let the alpha do all the talking. Part of him did regret having to hurt Stiles. Only a little. There was the possibility the bite might not take, but at the end of the day Stiles was only another human. Peter could live, even if Derek might not. That thought made him smirk. Either way he won. If Stiles died Derek would be absolutely and completely crushed. He could kill his nephew easily. That wasn't his preferred course, but if it made him alpha again...

"Fine," Tanya said, still sounding skeptical. "We'll try it his way."

She turned to look at Peter.

"I will be the one to attack the boy," she said, her voice cold and unconcerned. "My claws could use a little sharpening."

There was an eagerness in her to whet her claws with the boy's blood. Peter could sense it.

ooOoo

(The next morning in Beacon Hills...)

Stiles put the last plate he'd just finished washing from breakfast in the cabinet. His dad sat at the kitchen table with his coffee, eying his son with some concern.

"You seem strangely quiet this morning Stiles."

Stiles thought back to last night. Derek and he kissing. It still seemed so unreal. The pain of ending his friendship with Scott hit him too, making him feel depressed again.

"Its nothing dad," he managed in a heavy voice.

"Stiles please, don't lie..."

His dad rose from his chair, walking over to him, placing a concerned hand on his shoulder.

"I'm your father. You know I love you."

"I know you do dad," Stiles said with a smile, hugging him. "Its just my anxiety again. That's all. Promise... "

At least that wasn't entirely a lie. Their moment was cut short by his phone buzzing in his jeans pocket. Stiles pulled out of their embrace.

"Let me just check that," he said.

Peter: Stiles, Derek needs to see you, ASAP. He won't tell me what's wrong.

Stiles' expression became worried again as he re-read the text. Derek needed him. His dad eyed him questioningly.

"What is it son?" he asked.

"Oh its uh... Scott."

That was of course a lie, but Stiles knew he couldn't say Derek.

"Scott needs me dad."

ooOoo

The Jeep made its way down the perserve road toward the Hale house. Stiles could barely keep his hand steady on the wheel from anxiety. What was wrong with Derek? A loud explosion made him jump and his Jeep began to jump terribly, bucking him. He cranked it off and got out to check. Great a flat tire. Something must have pierced it. He didn't see his attacker. Claws swiped like a flash across his back. Stiles cried out and fell to the ground. His attacker slashed him again down the arm. He looked up into cruel eyes. It was a werewolf, but not Derek. The creature drove its claw forward once more. Stiles gasped as it pierced his upper stomach, blood spilling over the ground. His head was swimming as he groaned, losing too much blood too fast. The werewolf had gone.

"H-help me," he rasped. "Somebody... "

ooOoo

Derek's face became white with terror, his coffee cup crashing to the floor. Something wasn't right. It was Stiles. The feeling seemed certain in that, but what could be wrong? Was that a voice? Was it in his head?

"H-help..."

Derek started running. Peter watched him bolt out the front door with a smirk, everything going according to plan. Derek hardly noticed the green flashes going by, he was running so fast past the trees. He could smell Stiles' scent, mingled with something coppery... blood. Derek stopped, the boy lying on the ground a few feet away from him, breathing eratically. He bent down, running a hand over the boy's wound as a tear ran down his face. This was too much. He couldn't heal this.

"D-Derek," Stiles gasped.

He weakly raised his hand.

"No Stiles! Save your strength."

He cradled the boy in his arms, sobbing and not caring. Tears pouring down his face. He'd have to change him. There was no choice. Stiles was still looking up at him, his eyes weak. He felt the boy's hand touch his arm. He knew what it meant. Stiles wasn't going to die! He wouldn't let it happen. He grabbed the boy's hand, raising his arm and bit into the flesh. Stiles gasped a little, but that was nothing to the pain he was already feeling. Derek looked at the bite, inspecting it to make sure it'd pierced the skin. He stretched his hand out over the wound, using his healing power to reverse what damage he could.

"You're going to live Stiles," he told him fiercely.

The pain had decreased a great deal. Stiles smiled up at him, raising his hand, fingers stroking Derek's cheek. Derek grabbed that hand, holding it against his chest and sobbing.

"Stiles I love you! Gods I promise that I didn't want to, but I do. I love you so much! Don't leave me."

Stiles gave him that weak smile again, his eyes drifting closed. He needed to sleep.

"I w-won't Derek," Stiles managed weakly. "I..."

Derek soon heard labored snores from the boy. He threated his fingers through Stiles', holding his hand. He knew now. Stiles was who he was meant to be with. He was his mate, and he wasn't going to die! He wouldn't let it happen.

ooOoo

Author's Note: Well, like or don't like? I'd be interested in your thoughts.