**Chapter 1: The Unlikely Encounter**

Derek Hale had always considered the town of Beacon Hills to be his domain, a place where he knew every nook and cranny, every hidden spot and every face. But there was one face that had always managed to get under his skin - that of Lidi, Stiles' older sister. To be honest, he'd always found her to be a bit annoying, always trying to mother him and Stiles when they were hanging out at the Stilinski's house. Her condescending attitude and know-it-all demeanor had made him steer clear of her whenever possible. That was until tonight. As he was walking through the local park, he spotted her sitting on a bench, reading a book under the faint moonlight. She looked different, somehow. There was a quietness to her that he'd never seen before, a stillness that made her seem almost... vulnerable. For a moment, he considered walking away, but something about her alone in the darkness caught his attention. He approached her quietly, not wanting to startle her, and when she looked up, their eyes met in a flash of surprise. For a moment, they just stared at each other, and Derek felt a jolt of recognition. It was Lidi, but not the Lidi he knew. This Lidi seemed softer, more relaxed. "Hey," she said, a small smile playing on her lips. "Derek." "Derek Hale," he replied, sitting down beside her on the bench. "What brings you out here tonight?" Lidi shrugged, her eyes returning to her book. "Just needed some fresh air, I guess. Couldn't sleep." Derek raised an eyebrow. He'd never known her to be a night owl. "What's keeping you up?" She looked up at him, a hint of amusement dancing in her eyes. "Just trying to clear my head, I suppose. You've seen me around, but I'm sure you never really thought about talking to me, did you?" Derek chuckled. "Not really. You're always so... bossy." Lidi laughed, a low, throaty sound that surprised him. "I guess I can be a bit much sometimes." He studied her profile, trying to understand what was different about her tonight. She seemed... lighter, somehow. "You know, I never thought I'd say this, but you're kind of... growing on me," he said, trying to sound casual. She raised an eyebrow, a smile spreading across her face. "Is that a compliment, Derek?" He shrugged, feeling a little self-conscious. "I suppose it is." They sat there in comfortable silence for a few moments, watching the stars twinkle above. It was strange, Derek thought, how easily he seemed to be talking to her. Maybe it was the quiet of the night, or the way the moonlight made her eyes sparkle, but he found himself feeling... at ease. As they sat together, Derek realized that he was actually enjoying Lidi's company. He couldn't recall the last time he'd felt this way about someone, especially not someone as... formidable as Lidi. "So, what do you do for fun, Lidi?" he asked, curiosity getting the better of him. She looked at him, a hint of surprise in her eyes. "You know, the usual stuff. Read, watch movies, hang out with Stiles..." Derek raised an eyebrow. "You and Stiles aren't close, are you?" Lidi smiled wryly. "Not really. He's my little brother, and I love him to death, but we don't exactly see eye to eye." He nodded, intrigued. "I never would have guessed." She laughed again, and this time, there was a warmth to it that made him feel like he was actually getting to know her. As the night wore on, Derek found himself wanting to stay and talk to her some more. It was a strange feeling, one he wasn't quite sure he was ready to acknowledge. But for now, he was happy to just sit there, and get to know the Lidi he'd never really seen before.