This is the first chapter of the first fanfiction I've ever written. I hope you guys like it! :)

We kissed until our lips were numb. Then Derek takes my hand and we both sit on the ground. I look up at Derek and grin. This boy and my life will be forever connected, and it suddenly dawns on me that I love this boy. Derek looks down at me and I press my hands to my lips while turning away quickly, my face getting hot. I smile and tell myself that it's Derek, I shouldn't be embarrassed.

As we sit there, our hands entwined, the adrenaline from the kiss wears off, and I start to think of the St. Cloud's and all the other dangers ahead. I think of how with the Edison group he would always put himself in danger for me, no matter what the risks. If we started dating, I would become more than just a girl he has to protect because I'm in his pack. I would be his mate, one he needs to protect, and it will be even worse. I know in my brain I can't let him put himself in danger like this, but my heart tells me a different story.

Everyone always tells you to follow your heart, but would they if that meant the other half would be shattering itself for yours? I think of Derek laying dead on the ground, covered in blood, eyes staring up and unblinking just like Andrews and the other countless dead men I had seen in the past two weeks. I think of him resting peacefully in a coffin, ready to get lowered into the ground, and I can feel my eyes start to swell up with tears as I think of what I must do.

I look at Derek again. He looks at me too and smiles this magnificent smile that will be on my mind all day. Nice Derek. Thanks for shoving your cuteness at me just when I made a decision to not be with you. Then he grumbles something that I can't quite make out. At first I thought I said that out loud and I start to panic but when I give him a confused look, he repeats it and I hear it clearly this time.

"I love you"

I can feel tears prickling my eyes and can't help it when I start crying softly.

"Did I say something wrong?" Derek asks me in a concerned voice as he leans over to hug me. I am then engulfed by his arms and can't help but relax and take in the smell of him.

"No, I love you too" My reply comes muffled from being buried in him.

I look up and see Derek smiling a little but when he sees me still crying his smile quickly disappears and turns into a frown.

"Then why are you crying?" he asks slowly.

"We can't be together" I say as I look down again.

Derek's arms drop from around me. He gets up from the ground and starts pacing with confused look on his face that quickly turns to rage when he looks back at where Simon and the others are.

"Is this because of Simon?" He starts, but I cut him off.

"No, no it's just that-" I try to say, but he interrupts me.

"He told me we could be together and that it was alright! There is no reason we can't! We defeated the Edison Group! We did everything we could so that we could be together and then you tell me this? After all we've been through you're just going to say it's over? That you had enough fun and now you're ready to go back to reality? I can't believe you Chloe. Do you even love me or was that a lie? If you really did love me I'd think we could be together." Derek's voice starts to rise to a shout. "I should have known you weren't what you seemed, but I guess you're a damn good actress." His voice starts lowering a bit, and I start to relax. "I should never have loved you." He whispers with such a quiet venomous rage, that all I can do is stand there, shocked.

I just stare at him, letting the hurt penetrate him like daggers. As soon as he looks at me, he realizes what he had just done. I start to walk away, but he grabs my arms and flings me into him, putting his mouth on mine in a panic frenzy, trying to mend what was far to broken. I push him away with as much strength as I can muster, and make a break for the house.

"No, Chloe. I'm sorry! Come back!"

But he was too late. I was already gone.