Derek gives a gentle huff at that, a humorless laugh that suggests he knows that feeling all too well right now. Screwing things up with Scott, for Derek, could be dangerous to the whole human population of Cadelle. Granted, he's willing to give Scott credit for having figured himself out back home without Derek, but again...he'd had Stiles there and here, he doesn't. Derek needs to not screw things up with Scott, so that Scott has someone to teach him to anchor himself and keep control in his corner...or the humans could suffer the consequence.

"We just both have to tread lightly," he agrees. "He has a lot of anger right now. A lot of resentment toward Peter, so explaining how you're my cousin is definitely something I'd say you should keep in your pocket for a little while."

Then, Derek pauses. "I didn't realize you were that close with him. When did that happen?" It isn't accusatory, it's just a fact; he hadn't realized that Malia was very invested in anyone else in the pack beyond Stilinski, but then he hadn't stuck around after Mexico, so he's aware that he's probably missed a lot.