#wolf mates

Disbelief was shining in your eyes when the irritated voice of Peter reached you from the right. Slowly, your body turned in the stool of the mostly empty coffee shop where you were enjoying your break.

And just as you expected, yep, it was indeed Derek’s older uncle lamenting about your drink of choice.

“It’s called a milkshake, Peter,” you reminded him before putting the spoon in your mouth and licked the delicious strawberry taste clean. The utensil landed with a soft clang on the napkin on your right. “You should try it sometime. I must be mistaken but weren’t these just invented when you were born?” You tilted your head in a challenge and leaned your head back to gaze up at Peter, offering a small smirk.

Peter narrowed his eyes at your dig. “Oh please, not that old since those girls over there have been sending me looks since I entered.”

A sigh of frustration left your mouth when you saw Peter wink at some girls in the corner of the shop. You inwardly groaned at the sound of giggles at your back.

Peter sat down on the seat next to you at the table, but not without a satisfied grin on his face.

“Yeah, right. These girls merely got a daddy complex.”

Peter shrugged his shoulders. “I don’t mind. I can be their daddy.”

Now you couldn’t control yourself any longer and rolled your eyes. “Jesus, just make sure they’re not underage. I don’t want the police of Beacon Hills to condemn you as a sex offender. It would probably be easier for these hunters to find your butt then.”

Peter pursed his lips and his eyes lit up. “By the way, did I just hear you say the word ‘daddy’? Are you trying to tell me something, perhaps?”

Before you could stop your impulse, you leaned forward to create an intimate setting and whispered teasingly, “Get your mind out of the gutter, Peter.”

The older Hale laid a hand on his chest and leaned back in his chair. “You can’t play with a guy’s emotions like that.”

Shaking your head, you revealed a small smirk. “Not interested. By the way, you really should stop antagonizing Derek.”

“But it’s the only benefit to my day. I exist for teasing my nephew.”

“One day he really might try to slash your throat again if you keep that up.”

Peter’s gray-blue eyes shined brightly at the prospect. A wicked grin remained on his lips. “Can’t wait.” Without waiting for your permission, his hand pulled your milkshake to himself. The red straw was ignored as he took a significant gulp.

Your mouth opened in shock at the audacity.

“You’re lucky that you didn’t use my straw,” you muttered through clenched teeth.

Peter hummed in appreciation and dropped the glass on the middle of the table. With regret you noticed how the drink had diminished to its half.

“Tastes like strawberry ice-cream in a drink,” he said, licking his lips to chase the flavor.

“That’s the point,” you replied tersely, no longer feeling charitable towards him. “What are you doing here, Peter?” Pettiness was clear in your fingers when you pulled the glass back towards you.

Peter tilted his head. “Maybe I was in the neighborhood.”

Your tone turned serious/annoyed. “You’re never in the neighborhood.”

“Okay, fine. Maybe I was trying to find a way to talk to you.”

Your expression turned blank. Though there was a part of you that had a notion what was weighing on his mind. “About?”

Peter’s next words were chosen carefully. “I wanted to make sure that you knew what you were dealing with.” Peter cleared his throat and leaned forward, folding his hands between you two on the table. “Okay, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity where I’m actually trying to be helpful and tell you everything you need to know about that mating bond.”

You yielded to the personal setting he wanted to create, to ensure that no one would hear unsettling words such as ‘wolfsbane’ or ‘shapeshifters’.

“Why now? I can count the number of times you’ve actually helped people on the fingers of my hand. And guess what? I wouldn’t even have a hand in the end.”

Peter pointed to his chest as a reminder. “Fine. Not an upstanding citizen. But someone who actually worries about Derek.”

Now that caught your attention. Your narrowed eyes exposed the intrigue you were feeling. “Why are you worried?”

“I think you two need to complete that mating bond.”

You arched an eyebrow at the frank statement. “I’m sorry?”

“When you helped Derek heal a few days ago, he took a huge risk when he scented you.”

You blinked rapidly at the words that didn’t make any sense to you. “Explain.”

“Usually when you’re unmated and cover them in your scent, you’re urged to complete the bond as fast as possible.”

“I’ve known Derek since he was a teenager and there were countless of times when he cuddled with me, so I don’t understand.”

“This time is different because he showed you his wolf—his true form—and basically, you know…” You furrowed your brows in confusion when Peter’s waved to your body.

“What? What are you trying to say?”

The uncomfortable smile on his face made you worry for a second. “Because he…” Peter’s eyes widened when he exclaimed, “God, why do you want me to say it out loud? Because Derek sniffed your damn va-jay-jay.”

You shook your head as you tried to come to terms with Peter uttering that word in the first place. “Jesus. I still don’t understand. Use human words, why don’t you?”

“Have you ever seen two wolves mate in real life? Like in a documentary?” Peter continued at your slow nodding, “You could compare it to that. They chase each other, bite each other playfully. Then the male sniffs at the female’s reproductive organs to see if her sex hormones are permeating the air. If she will accept him.”

Licking your lips, your curiosity controlled your thought process. “What happens if the bond isn’t completed … fast enough?”

Peter exhaled heavily, evading his gaze from you. “Unmated werewolves with an incomplete bond will show … aggressive tendencies. They’re out of control. Not to mention, how any emotional outburst could make you shift into your primal form.”

You blinked slowly at the horrifying image Peter was portraying. “Why didn’t Derek tell me?”

“Well, he has control over his wolf, more than before. But I don’t condemn him for it. No mate would be able to ignore their mating instincts. Even Deaton couldn’t have predicted that this would happen when you brought him to the doctor. Besides, you should know Derek. He’d rather suffer in silence than admit there’s something wrong.”

“What happens now?”

“Well, if Derek has it his way, he’d give you the choice but endure the cruelest pain while slowly losing his mind.”

Your face made a grimacing expression. “Has anyone ever told you that you’re such a pessimist?”

“Yes,” Peter answered with a blank face.

You nervously twiddled your fingers. “Has Derek shown any after-effects so far?”

Peter nose twitched in distaste at a certain memory. “I don’t know. How would you interpret him piercing my skin with his damn claws?”

You frowned in remorse when Peter’s shoulder twitched. “He shifted already?”

He leaned forward again. “You would do me a huge favor if you could finally have sex with him.”

Peter’s vehemence was really freaking you out when you recoiled. And here you thought Peter wasn’t the kind of guy to operate as Derek’s wingman. “Jesus. Why would you say that?”

“That’s how the mating works,” he admitted through gritted teeth.

A grimacing expression was on your face but you told yourself that you had to push through. Despite the uncomfortable sex talk that was bound to come.

“Alright, give me a crash course then.”

Peter raised an eyebrow. “On sex?”

“Mating. Tell me how to consummate this bond and everything else it entails with it.”

He inhaled deeply before letting it all out in a tired sigh. “Fine. I already told you the bad news of the what-if’s should the male not complete the link. To be honest, I don’t know how it works with humans, but in my experience female wolves went into a sort of heightened heat. Increased libido, spreading of sexual hormones. This way, she would enthrall the mating partner and make it nearly impossible for the male to reject her. That’s why you need to fulfill this before the next full moon.”

You were waiting with baited breath, not liking this scenario any more than Peter. “So, you’re saying, Derek doesn’t want to complete the bond?”

Peter rolled his eyes. “That’s all you got from that? No, out of some chivalrous manner, he wants you to initiate it. If Derek had it his way, he would keep himself chained up on the full moon while ensuring you stay far away from him.” He shrugged his shoulders, debating every alternative. “Admittedly, Derek would smell you from across town and it would be pure torture. Sucks to be him, I guess.”

“Sounds dangerous.”

“It is.”

You bit on your lower lip, feeling worried for yourself. “But if Derek will be able to detect hormones, won’t the other werewolves—?”

Shaking his head, Peter replied with an assuring tone, “No, nothing like that. No one will break into your home and try to molest you. It’s like his sensors will be more receptive to yours.”

Still, anxiety remained rooted inside of your body at the thought of what could happen. You shook your head to clear your mind. “Anything else you need to tell me?”

“Okay, let’s talk post-mating. Once Derek has put his mark on you, that and his scent will repel other suitors.”

You tilted your head, feeling your lips twitch. “Sounds great, no more annoying boys flirting with me. By the way, which century are you from again?”

“How about ardent admirers?”

Chuckles left your mouth. “You’re such a poet, Peter.”

The werewolf rolled his eyes, but kept talking like you hadn’t said anything. “Downside: you wouldn’t be able to live apart for long without feeling like you’re going through a cold turkey. Anyway, shared abilities. You’d get his healing powers. To be honest, I don’t know what you would offer him…” A look of disdain formed on his face. “since you’re human.”

“Gee, thanks.”

“But like I say, you’re a damn anomaly since you’re a human mate, so nothing’s set in stone.” Peter relaxed in his seat.

You felt stupid for even uttering the next words. “Will I turn into a werewolf?”

“Don’t be ridiculous. Derek’s wolf just wants to keep you safe without changing your DNA in the process. Any other questions?”

Your next words were chosen carefully. “How exactly would we consummate this? And why does this feel like an engagement?”

“Because it is. We had to evolve from pissing on our female’s legs. Anyway, consummation.” Peter nodded his head with his lips pressed together, like he was bracing himself for what was coming.

His voice went higher and his eyes met anything but yours. “Then, you know, the sex happens.”

You nodded, humming quietly.

“Two people joined under the moonlight.”

“Peter, get to the point.”

After a long inhale, he continued listing off the things with his fingers, “Full moon. Some passionate loving. Climax. Knotting. Not going to explain that,” Peter hurriedly answered when he correctly interpreted your look. “And then both will leave their mark.”

“Don’t tell me I need to bite Derek.”

Smugness appeared back on his face. “Oh, you’re gonna want to. And a big chunk too. It’s pure instinct, a ravenous need.”

“Why do I get the feeling that you’re enjoying this immensely?”

Peter widened his eyes innocently. “Moi? How could you think that? We’re going to be family after all.”

“You want me to talk to him, don’t you?”

“That would be my preference. Just try and talk some sense into him, alright?”