“What? You did!” Aedan grinned widely.
Derrick’s eyes lifted up to Lucie. There was a menacing possessiveness in them, and the aura of a killer began filling the room. “Where is this guy? I want to meet him.”
Lucie laughed. “I know you’re strong, but don’t bother. You can’t beat him.” She looked over at Aedan, who started laughing.
“Gotta let that one go. Lucie is right. He would take you down.” Jasper smiled and patted Derrick on the back.
“Oh look, here it is,” Aedan said, pulling another picture out.
“Aedan, don’t!” Lucie squealed and tried to leap for the picture, but Derrick quickly snatched it. Lucie watched him immediately tense. His muscles flexed and his hand trembled slightly. “Now wait a minute. Let me explain,” she said calmly. It was cute seeing his jealousy, but it was unwarranted.
“You can explain this?” Derrick said, turning the picture so she could see it better.
She knew exactly what picture it was. It was a picture of her and said guy under the covers in bed together. Aedan had run in and snapped a picture as they held up their hands, trying to block themselves from the picture.
“Do you have feelings for him?” Derrick asked in an icy tone.
“Wait, let me explain?—”
“Do you?” Derrick asked tersely.
“Of course I do, but?—”
Derrick’s dark gaze snapped to Lucie. There was something crushing about his gaze, almost smothering. But more than that, she could feel his pain. The suffocating, drowning sensation started filling her up again. She walked up and cupped his face in her hands. “Will you listen to me? Turn the picture over.”
Derrick looked into her eyes and back to the photo. This all happened before they were mates, so it shouldn’t bother him, but she told him she’d never touched anyone. His mind continued to race as he flipped the photo over. On the back was written “Lucie and Mikah caught hiding from Alexa after pranking her.” He looked back at Lucie, who still had his cheek cupped in her hand.
“Aedan, don’t tease him,” Lucie scolded. “There has never been anyone else.” She smiled at Derrick and brushed her hand over his cheek. She felt his breath as he took in her scent, calming himself down. “Since I couldn’t go with you or Jasper, my cousin Alexa’s guardian Mikah took me to prom. At the after-party, Mikah and I tricked Alexa into eating a ghost pepper. This picture was us hiding from her wrath and Aedan outing us.”
“I’m sorry,” Derrick muttered, embarrassed at himself.
“Aedan was provoking you. It’s okay.” She stepped closer and wrapped her arms around him, playing with the hair at the back of his neck and holding his gaze. In their case, it would really be a good idea to be marked as soulmates. She could see many misunderstandings not happening in the future because of it.
“Maybe you should just mark her now. It might help you get control of that jealousy.” Jasper snickered. “Come on, Aedan. Let’s finish the movie.”
Aedan chuckled and slapped Derrick on the back. “Sorry, it’s like a rite of passage for a brother to do these things.” He winked at Derrick and Lucie and followed Jasper into the living room.
Lucie bit her bottom lip and smiled up at him. “Do you want to go ahead and mark me now? It may prevent further misunderstandings.”
Derrick leaned his head down, growling against her neck. “I don’t think your room is soundproof enough … not with the moans I will make come from your mouth.”
Lucie giggled. “They’re soundproof for werewolf mating. Don’t use a lame excuse like that.”
Derrick nibbled on her neck, letting his tongue flick over the spot where he would mark her. “I’ll be back to mark you, Lucie, when I can stay with you afterward for a few days. I want to be there with you through everything. We’re both very special cases, and I’m a bit terrified of what might happen after the marking, to be honest. I’m afraid I won’t be able to pull myself away from you afterward. And yet I can’t leave you unmarked either. We’ll both be stronger because of it. But it will make being parted … torturous.” He moved his lips to her cheek and buried his nose in her hair.
“Stay with me now … mark me now,” she said quietly. She felt his fingers dig into her, and he quietly groaned into her hair.
“Maybe that is a good idea.” Derrick’s breath became more ragged and he pulled her body flush against his. He grabbed her chin and tilted it up, crashing into her lips frantically. He plunged his tongue into her mouth, trying to kiss her as deeply as possible. Her fingers tugging into his hair, and pulling him toward her only encouraged him more. He pulled away, his dark eyes gazing into hers. “Let’s go to your room.” She breathlesslynodded her head, and he smiled at her. They both wanted it. Sometimes the best-laid plans couldn’t wait for what nature intended. He lifted Lucie up bridal style and began moving toward the stairs.
They heard a knock on the pack door just as they reached the first step. Derrick halted and turned. They both watched curiously as Aedan and Jasper went to the door. Sam stood just outside.
“I ran into him by the pack territory line. He needs to speak with Ryan.” Sam motioned for the person behind him to come inside.
Derrick slid Lucie down onto her feet. “Lenny?!” Derrick approached the door as the guy walked in, his eyes glazing over as a conversation between the two of them took place.
Voidless are heading in different directions to different packs. I think they’re trying to provoke the king and queen of the wolves to respond,Lenny reported to both Jasper and Ryan.
Shit.Derrick pursed his lips together.
