Derek Hale was born into a family of werewolves. His mother, Talia, was highly respected within the werewolf community meaning Derek came into contact with a number of werewolf packs growing up, and hunters too. When the Argents burned his house to the ground, and his family with it, the remaining Hale fell out of society. Few people knew much about him, other than the traumas of his past. When an alpha appeared in Beacon’s Harbor, he broke his recluse patterns to connect with Scott McCall, the newly bitten werewolf. His attempts to mentor weren’t always so well received, and his tendency to be cocky, arrogant, and stubborn at times, made him a rash leader. His motivations were always well-intended, fighting for those he cares about the the protection of his pack. When Scott refused to join him, it certainly didn’t stop Derek. Maybe he underestimated how much of a handful they would be, but Isaac, Boyd, and Erica gave him the pack he needed. To Scott, his choices were not always moral, but Derek never saw it like that. He did what was necessary, he did what an alpha had to do. The attack of the alpha pack was not unforeseen, but the return of his long-thought-to-be-dead sister was. Cora’s return to Beacon’s Harbor was a surprise, and when she was hurt by Aiden in a fight, Derek became very aware of what he could lose. The war was won in the end, but not before Derek lost his alpha status, becoming a beta. Sacrificing his power to save his only remaining sister, Cora, wasn’t much of a choice. He would always protect his sister. Being a beta again opened Derek’s eyes to Scott’s abilities as a true alpha, and what it meant for the safety of Beacon’s Harbor. When the dust settled, he and his sister moved to the city, away from the places that held so much loss for both of them to have somewhat of a fresh start. But people from Beacon’s Harbor rarely stay away for long. The threats to the town from inside and out may be enough to bring him back and fight alongside new and old allies.
Diana Meade: Derek only has a faint memory of Diana’s mother, Elizabeth, from back before she married Diana’s father. Elizabeth was a Hale, a cousin of his mother Talia. He didn’t see her much after she married the witch, but knew she had twin girls, but after Elizabeth died and the Hale house fire, Derek didn’t make an effort to keep up with that part of his family’s connections. He kept an eye on Diana for a while, but when Malia was discovered alive after so many years, Derek’s interest was piqued. The truth about the Meade and Hale families will come out eventually, but even Derek has questions.
Damon Salvatore: Similar in dedication to those they hold closest, both Damon and Derek share the overwhelming love for the ones they love. Since Damon’s come back to town, the two have become friends. The two’s mutual view on the community bring them closer, while their opposite personalities keep their friendship evenly weighed.