Stiles pulled down the visor and looked at himself in the mirror. He’d been stressed out all day. Mostly because he was going on a blind date, much less at a Christmas party. He was supposed to meet the guy there and had a very vague idea of what he looked like. Lydia had told him that Derek was traditionally handsome and had beautiful green eyes. That was all he had to go on, so he hoped the night wouldn't be a bust. Lydia would be there, but he knew that she’d leave him with his date as soon as she could so he could get some. Stiles definitely wouldn't turn it down, but it wasn't his plan, either.

He sighed and pushed the visor up again, then stretched his neck, running his hand over the back of it. He just really needed this to be a good night. Stiles was tired and needed a break, just for one night. Work was fine, even though it was stressful and his dating life was nonexistent. He wasn't exactly upset about that, but sometimes he did miss having someone next to him in bed.

Stiles sat there for a few more moments, letting his head rest on the headrest, and then forced himself to get out of the Jeep and go into the building. He faintly wondered how many floors it had as he pushed the button to call the elevator and then slid the door open when it arrived. It was nice, to see an older elevator still in operation. It wasn't quite what he’d expected as he slid the door closed and punched the number for the floor Lydia had given him.

It felt like forever for the elevator to reach the right floor, but when it did he could already hear people talking and holiday music playing. So there were a lot of people. Great. Stiles slid the elevator gate open and then stepped out. He checked his phone and shoved it into his pocket, then reached up to knock on the door.

There were muffled sounds on the other side of the door and then it was opening, revealing the hottest guy that Stiles had ever seen.

“Uh, hi,” Stiles stuttered, really trying not to fall all over himself.

“Hi,” the man said, grinning. “Sorry, I’m Derek. I’m sure you’re someone’s plus one?”

Derek stepped back as he pulled the door open and Stiles stood there staring.

Derek? This was Derek? That was impossible. There had to be someone else here named Derek. Because if this was Derek then he was more than traditionally handsome.

“Well, I’m Stiles.” He stepped forward and through the threshold, his eyes never leaving Derek’s. “I’m actually supposed to be meeting a Derek here for a blind date. So maybe I’m your plus one?”

Derek’s smile didn't falter as he glanced over Stiles and closed the door behind him. “Looks like,” he replied and offered his hand to Stiles. Stiles reached out and shook it, almost melting into Derek’s touch. Because damn.

“Welcome to my loft,” Derek added, shaking Stiles’ hand and holding on a little longer than someone should with a brief handshake. “I’ll have to thank Lydia for setting us up.”

That made Stiles blush, which wasn't a pretty thing because his skin became splotchy red. “Is that a compliment?” Stiles asked as he released Derek’s hand. Derek motioned with his head into the people-filled space, and Stiles followed him.

“It is,” Derek replied, his chin tucked down against his chest as he looked into the drink in his other hand like he was shy when he had no reason to be.

Oh. Well. It was good that Derek found him attractive because that made Stiles more confident in replying with, “I think you’re attractive too. So I’ll have to thank Lydia and buy her something nice.”

They both laughed. Stiles walked with Derek as Derek showed him around the loft, which wasn't many rooms, but it was still a nice space. Derek told him that he was always the one to host parties at his place as his pack’s Alpha and that revelation only made Derek hotter.

Stiles didn't drink alcohol so he sipped his cinnamon hot chocolate, his eyes focused on Derek. He couldn't stare anywhere else and he was sure it was the same for Derek even though Derek managed not to stare at him. Because that might be a little awkward.

They stopped near a wall lined with built-in bookcases filled with books to the brim and Derek pulled one out. “I know this might be a little forward, but I’d like to offer you this as a gift.”

He handed it to Stiles and Stiles looked the book over, smoothing his hand over the worn cover. It was titled Werewolf Mates and Pack Dynamics.

Stiles frowned and opened the book, flipping through the pages. “What’s—”

“I noticed the second you walked through the door. Your scent…” Derek cleared his voice, like he was trying to say something difficult. “You’re my mate, Stiles. I know it’s a lot—”

Mate. Stiles looked down at the book in his hands, letting that thought settle in his mind. Mate. Stiles was Derek’s mate?

It made sense in a weird way that Stiles couldn't explain, but he knew that he was drawn to Derek the second he saw him, and it was more than just Derek being hot.

A smug voice broke through Stiles’ thoughts. “I see you two have hit it off,” Lydia said with a grin as she sipped her wine. “And mistletoe…Derek…” Lydia smirked and walked away with a knowing smile.

Stiles followed Lydia’s gaze and sure enough, there was mistletoe above them. “Isn't mistletoe toxic to werewolves?”

Derek laughed. “Only if ingested and my sister insisted on putting it around the loft.”

“Sister?” Stiles’ interest was piqued. He needed to know more about Derek, his family, and his pack. He needed to know everything. Especially since they were mates.

“Laura,” Derek supplied with a nod. “I’ll introduce you two later if you’d like.” Derek shifted from foot to foot, then set his empty glass on the shelf. “So, since it’s tradition…” He nodded toward the mistletoe.

Stiles didn't have to be asked twice as he set his drink next to Derek’s on the shelf. Derek leaned in then, his hand cupping the back of Stiles’ neck as Stiles stepped in close until their bodies were touching.

When their lips met it was like fire coursing through Stiles’ veins and he moaned into it, pressing against Derek as their lips begged for purchase and their tongues tangled together.

Stiles was panting when they finally broke, pressing his forehead against Derek’s. “Wow,” he managed to get out. “That was—”

“Cosmic,” Derek offered, just as breathless.

“Something like that,” Stiles replied with a chuckle and then brushed his nose against Derek’s.

He grinned and kissed him again, letting himself get lost in the feeling of Derek. And if it was always going to be like this, Stiles knew his life would be filled with a love that consumed him, filled with passion and adventure.

A life that would be filled with Derek, pack, and home.