Accept My Claim (As I Hold My Breath)

Welcome to my new Sterek ff! Enjoy!

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Stiles happily shoved another handful of curly fries into his mouth as a sudden growl echoed through the cafeteria. Stiles rolled his eyes. "Here we go again," he mumbled around the mouthful of food.

Scott chuckled and offered him the pudding cup off his lunch tray. His best friend obviously knew pudding made everything better. Not as good as curly fries, but they served in a pinch. Giving Scott a grateful grin, he turned and looked around to see who was getting claimed. He quickly saw long blonde hair hidden behind the muscular frame of Boyd. No big surprise there. Boyd and Erica had been an unacknowledged couple for months. While they didn't spend a whole lot of tie together in public, Boyd did manage to show up and beat the shit out of anyone who gave the sweet girl a hard time. People had wondered why a Claiming hadn't happened before now. Her health had probably played a big part, Stiles figured. Erica's epilepsy was getting progressively worse. This would be good for her then. Boyd was a born wolf and now that he was claiming her, she would be offered the Bite by Boyd's alpha, the uber handsome leader of the Beacon Hills pack, Derek Hale.

"Do you accept my claim?" The question was roared so that everyone could hear it, as was tradition.

Erica's quiet answer of "I accept your claim", was probably loud enough for the people directly around them to hear, though Stiles could barely make it out.

Soon after, her cry of pleasurable pain – the mating bite – was heard before the sounds of ecstasy filled the room – the physical claiming.

Ah, the act of Claiming. A millennia long practice that was continued to this day, even in the not-so hallowed halls of high school. They had been learning about the tradition since they were old enough to understand the difference between shifters and humans. Thanks to the extreme immune systems of shifters mixed with things that killed off humans like the plague and common cold, there were more shifters in the world than humans. Not that it mattered, there weren't any differences in the way people and shifters were treated. Sure there were human supremacists and shifter purists, but all in all, people were just people, it didn't matter if they had claws or not.

Since shifters only took mates through Claiming, the practice was introduced to kids when sex education was and then again in high school. When shifters reached maturity, typically a year or so after puberty, they were able to scent out their mate. If they determined they wanted to be with that person they went through with the Claiming. Some shifters chose not to mate. Sure it meant that something would always be missing in their lives and their animal would never be truly content; but, hey, sometimes mates were douchebags. Then again, some shifters were douchebags and didn't believe in mates or just wanted to be wolf-sluts.

Stiles had seen plenty of Claiming's starting around sophomore year. Jackson Whittemore had taken every step in the process seriously, but then again with Lydia Martin as his mate, there was no way he was going to mess up. He courted her (not necessary, but considered traditional), gave her gifts to show he could provide for her (gifts could be anything from baubles like jewelry to actual symbols of provision like cars, houses, and college tuition), then (not so traditionally, except if you were Lydia) he let her pick the time and spot of the pubic Claiming. As it went, the claim-er approached the claim-ee and bit them – more held them in place than bit – in the back of the neck. This signified the beginning of the ritual. They then released the potential mate and asked if they accepted the shifter's claim. The claim-ee accepted, the mating bite was given and then they consummated the mating right there. In public. Sex in front of people. For the most part, it wasn't lovey-dovey either. It tended to be pretty rough as the shifter's animal took over and that didn't lead to soft touches and slow dances.

That first Claiming had been intense for Stiles. Seeing his childhood love not only get claimed but then seeing her nude form being forcefully taken by Jackson Fuckhead Whittemore was as crushing as it was erotic. He'd felt slightly ashamed by having to retreat to the restroom to solve his growing problem, but felt better at the fact that he wasn't the only one in the bathroom. People just didn't acknowledge it, it was easier that way and less embarrassing for everyone involved.

The only Claiming he was uncomfortable with was Scott and Allison's a little over a year after his friend became a werewolf. Scott and his mother had petitioned Alpha Hale for Scott to have the Bite due to medical reasons when he was a freshmen and he was approved. When Scott had talked to Stiles about his intention to claim Allison, Stiles had helped him with courting and gift ideas, supporting him every step of the way. He'd stayed on the field during the Claiming (it happened after lacrosse practice last year), but he'd kept his eyes closed. Seeing his best friend getting it on was just a tad more than he could handle, it would be like watching a brother.

By now, though, seeing a Claiming wasn't a very big deal. It happened at least once per month in locations from the cafeteria to the parking lot to the football field and the mall (for some reason this was a very common location). After the Claiming, the couple had the option of planning and holding a reception, much like human receptions where they could have dances, gifts, fancy dresses and such. Many adopted the human tradition of exchanging rings as well. Lydia's finger constantly looked like it was going to fall off thanks to the giant rock balanced on it. The final step tended to be the Bite, if they decided to go for it. Lydia had decided against it, though she said she was keeping it open as an option.

Stiles sighed as his eyes drifted over to Lydia, smiling when she met his gaze and waved. They'd become friends over the last year and he was really happy for her, even if her mate was a douche. He wasn't in love with her anymore, thank goodness. No, that ship had sailed. Now he saw her more as the picture of what he would never have. There was no way in hell anyone would ever want him. He was awkward, had a monster case of ADHD and that alone was enough to chase people away. He was only kinda decent looking, not enough to attract anyone, human or shifter. Hell, he didn't even care about gender, he was good with either, not that he'd ever had a chance. He'd thought something would have happened with Malia after she'd begun sniffing him a lot and spending time with him, but then she'd mated with the new kitsune, Kira, out of the blue. Maybe he was meant to be a lone wolf… only without the wolf part. Just alone.

A howl echoed through the cafeteria, signaling the completion of the claim and the room broke into applause. Stiles joined in, adding in a whistle. He was happy for Erica. She deserved this chance to be whole and healthy. At least somebody got to be happy since it wouldn't be him.

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"Scott, did you see that?" Stiles shrieked, his arms flailing over his head in excitement.

"I did see that! Great job, Stiles," Scott said, patting his friend on the back with a grin.

"Scott. Did. You. See. That?!" Stiles repeated, bouncing on his toes, his body unable to contain his joy.

"Yeah, buddy, you scored," he replied, watching the stands for his mate.

"Scott, I scored. Twice!" Stiles didn't think Scott was giving his accomplishment the attention it deserved.

"I know, I was there for both of them," Scott continued, grinning as he saw Allison walking toward him. "I'll catch you later, Stiles. Great job out there.

"Yeah, okay, bye!" Stiles flailed his goodbye wave, still pumped with adrenaline. Looking around, he realized he was alone, no big surprise. His dad was going to be working late so there was no reason to hurry home. Grabbing his stick and a ball, he started running drills hoping to burn off some energy, a proud smile playing at his mouth as he went.

An hour later, he was panting and running to get his water bottle out of his bag. As he bent over, he got chills up and down his back. Someone was watching him. He didn't know how he knew, but he jerked up and looked around. His dad had taught him to always be aware of his surroundings and he knew someone was out there. Out the corner of his eye, he saw a black shadow disappear into the trees at the opposite end of the field. He shivered as he made his way to his jeep, realizing quickly that the chills and shivers hadn't been from fear or trepidation. It had been anticipation.

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His mate was alone again. McCall considered himself Stiles' best friend, but ever since he mated with the Argent girl, he hadn't acted much like a friend. He ignored Stiles, brushed him off, canceled their hang outs and didn't seem to see that Stiles was lonely. His mate was alone too much of the time between McCall's love life and the Sheriff being too busy at work.

He'd wanted to cheer when Stiles had made his first score and he actually gave a little jump and a fist pump when he scored the second, though Stiles would never know. His boy had worked so hard to gain control over his lanky body and he'd done well. He grew out of too-long, gangly limbs and into a long, leanly muscled, lithe body that made the shifter pant with need. Watching him run and shoot the ball into the net by himself over and over, he was sorely tempted to step out of the shadows, to go talk to Stiles, encourage him, let him know that he wasn't alone and never would be again. Instead he stood there, staring. When Stiles jogged over to his bag and bent over, he'd let out a growl, the sight of his mate's pert ass was too delicious to ignore. He was startled when, seemingly in response to his growl, Stiles had stood and whipped around, like he was looking for the source of the sound. He couldn't have heard it. The sound was nearly sub-vocal. He'd quickly stepped behind a tree and barely withheld a gasp when Stiles seemed to look right at him. There was a tense pause before Stiles tilted his head adorably, then shook it, grabbing his bag and leaving the field.

The wolf waited before following and watching until his mate was safely locked inside his jeep and pulling out of the parking lot. He then turned and jogged his way home.

He walked around to the back of the house where the reception for Boyd and Erica was being held. Grabbing a drink, he walked up onto the porch and whistled to gain the attention of his pack, hiding his frown at the sight of McCall smiling happily, knowing Stiles was going home to an empty, lonely house.

Clearing his throat, he held his drink up. "To Boyd and Erica, may their lives be full of love, cubs, and prosperity!" He let loose a long, deep throated howl and heard as his pack joined him, the air filled with the sounds of joy and the hope of new family.

Boyd walked up to him, his new mate trailing him shyly, blonde hair covering her face. "Alpha Hale, may I present my mate, Erica Reyes."

Derek Hale hugged his pack mate before lightly embracing Erica. "Welcome to the pack, Erica," he said and kissed her gently on the forehead.

"Thank you, Alpha Hale," she said quietly.

"Did you two decide on a date?" he asked, smiling at her kindly.

"Yes, can we do it tonight?" Boyd asked hopefully.

"You didn't want to take the night to celebrate?"

They both shook their heads. "We won't be able to truly celebrate until she is no longer in danger. Once she has adjusted to the change, then we can relax and enjoy our mating."

Derek nodded. "Understood. Okay, well, why don't we get you two settled into one of the rooms downstairs and get started then. Everyone here knows and understands."

Boyd grinned at Erica in relief and held his hand out to Derek. "Thank you so much, Alpha. I can't tell you what this means to us."

Derek dragged him in for another hug and squeezed his beta tightly. "I have a pretty good idea."

Erica offered her hand and he gave it a gentle shake. "May the moon bring you your mate, Alpha. Thank you." The relief on her face was palpable.

It took everything Derek had to not show the pain he felt. "Thank you, Erica."

As he escorted them to a safe room in the basement, he wondered if he would ever get the chance to have this with Stiles. Whether he wanted to be changed or not, to have the chance to call him mate would be more than he could ever hope for. It was too bad he didn't deserve him. If there was anything in him that was worthy, he would claim his boy in a minute. But there wasn't. So he wouldn't.