Disclaimer: I'm writing fanfiction, clearly I don't own anything of value.

Our Last Night

I looked over towards the repetitive clacking sound that was making itself known down by my shoulder. Chloe's teeth were chattering incessantly and she'd wound her arms around herself to stave off the wind. We hadn't much clothing with us, as we'd left almost everything we had on the bus with my brother, and that knowledge caused another twinge of guilt to grip my chest. Chloe didn't have to come with me, I shouldn't have told her that I was about to change. Had I been smart, I would have just told Tori, there's no way she would have followed Frankenstein out into the cold night, only to be pestered with horrible images and the memory of man-eating werewolves. No, she'd have just told me to stop bothering her and let her sleep. I should have done the smart thing, but the thought of being without Chloe when I was so vulnerable felt wrong. I trusted her, and a part of me hated it.

She made me, in a way, more exposed and defenseless than when my body attempted its change. She brought out emotions in me that I had long repressed. She clearly had no problem expressing herself, when she was happy she smiled and when she was angry, she'd yell and spit. People did not stand up to me. Boys, grown men, all looked at me and steered clear, obeying their instincts that told them I was dangerous. Chloe had no sense of danger, she was like a Chihuahua who thought to take on a Doberman, size and power meant nothing. She confused me, made me angry, and what was worse, I wanted her to.

Her soft sigh brought me out of my musings. "Are we almost there?" she asked as she looked up at me, her eyes wide and almost pleading.

"It's in sight, the driveway is just a few yards away." I answered, not wanting to keep eye contact with her too long. Something about her large blue eyes brought out a sense of protectiveness in me that I was not used to. My every instinct told me that she was pack, that if anything were to happen to her I would never be able to rest until she was safe in my arms. This coupling tender emotion towards her infuriated and annoyed me. I was Frankenstein, girls went after the cute blond Koreans of the world, not the tall gruff freaks of nature. I knew this, had long accepted it, but there was this nagging feeling in the back of my mind that told me I could have her. That she was MINE.

When we arrived at the house, the lights were all turned off and the door was locked. The key, conveniently enough, was underneath the welcome mat. I unlocked the door and surveyed the room; it looked like no one had been home for a while. I listened to Chloe scuffling around, eventually stopping in front of the refrigerator. She let out a groan as she pointed to something on the door. "Look, it's his calendar, he's been out camping for the last two weeks." I walked up behind her to confirm what she had just told me. As I came closer, she leaned back just enough so that she was resting lightly against my chest, subconsciously seeking warmth. I gulped slightly but didn't move.

"It's not all bad." I said looking at the later dates. "This says he's due back two days from now, which should give Simon and the Bitch enough time to meet us."

I felt her elbow me sharply in the stomach. "You big oaf, don't call her that. She's trying her best."

"Maybe, but even at her best she still makes me want to strangle her." She looked up at me with a mock glare. "What? I'm just being honest. I think the cold is making you crabby."

"I am not crabby." She pouted. "But I am freezing. Does Andrew have a fireplace or something? The only thing decently toasty around here is you, and you keep shifting and that's not helping!" To prove her point she spun around and wrapped her arms around my waist. "Now unless you can find me an alternate heat source, don't move!"

I stood their stunned for a few minutes. What does she think she's doing?! I mentally asked myself. She snuggled in deeper, burying her head into my chest. Probably doesn't realize what she's doing, she's only had an hours sleep today. I looked over and spotted the fireplace and a large afghan. May as well have some fun. He thought to himself smirking as he bent down to scoop her up into his arms.

"What are you doing?" she demanded, a shocked look spreading across her face.

"Getting you your alternate heat source." I replied gruffly, trying not to let on just how much I enjoyed holding her. With my wolf strength, she felt like she weighed nothing. I strode across the room and plopped her down on the couch. I wrapped the afghan around her and headed for the door. "Now wait here." I called back. "Andrew used to keep wood stockpiled in his shed, hopefully it's still there. I'll be back in a minute."

With that I closed the door, letting the wind and cold help calm my pounding heart.

............

I sat on the couch dumbfounded. I can't believe that just happened. I thought. I knew that I liked Derek. The long walk to the house had given me time enough to figure it out. He was just so possessive, so... strong. He had been infuriated with me whenever I put myself in danger, he cared about me enough to defend me against two werewolves twice his age. When Liam had stared at me with that frightening look of desire, I'd looked up at Derek's face. I'd seen the rage, the protectiveness. What Liam had no doubt intended to do to me terrified me to my very core, but the expression on Derek's face had helped calm my fears. He would never let anything happen to me.

I had never been kissed, never met anyone whom I'd wanted to kiss. No boys at my school brought up the same feelings of giddiness and yearning that Derek did. I found myself wondering what it would be like; would he be soft and tender, or hard and unyielding? Would the wolf in him cause him pain when he pulled away, those animalistic instincts ignored? The very thought sent a shiver of anticipation to go up my spine.

I wasn't stupid when it came to boys. "Physically innocent, mentally corrupt." A friend had once told me. Girls in an art school rarely made it to my age before bedding someone who claimed to be the next big thing. I was different, I was in no hurry to put that kind of burden on myself.

Just then Derek strode in, five large logs and a bag of kindling in his arms. I ran over to help him carry some of it, but he just ushered me away. I let him by, watching as he bent over the fireplace trying to get a flame. I smiled to myself, remembering the heat of his embrace when he'd held me. My leaning into Derek's chest earlier had been no accident, just my testing the waters. He had not moved. No, he had played my little game. Tonight was possibly our last night alone together, and if anything was going to happen between us, I would have to see to it myself.

..........

So what do you think? Let me know if you want me to continue. PS, thanks for correcting my tenses everyone!