Chapter Six

Derek POV

When I finally reached the edge of the forest, I sprinted into the town and tried to find Scarlett. My fury was uncontrollable and I'd already shifted into the wolf, but I kept thinking of her to stop myself from losing my humanity and giving into my wolf instincts. Less than twenty-four hours I'd known this girl and I had such a primal instinct to protect her, what was she to me anyway?

Your humanity

, a small voice whispered in my head and that was what made me stop.

I leapt onto a nearby shop roof, that overlooked the town square, closed my eyes and focused on my imprint connection to Scarlett. She was close, less than ten minutes away. I could feel her fear, but I also felt her strength that showed she was still putting up a fight

Keeping to the roofs and out of sight, I jumped from rooftop to rooftop with ease. Then I stopped as I looked below and saw them. Scarlett had just been thrown to the floor by a a thug holding a knife, causing her to hit her face hard on the pavement. Anger pulsed through my veins, I wanted to tear his head off for thinking he could lay a finger on her. Even from here I could smell her blood and I could tell she was losing conscious, he was going to pay for that.

"If you'd had given me the cash, none of this would've happened!" he snarled, grabbing her handbag and turning to run up the nearby ally. I leaped from the rooftop and stood in his path, his face was a look of pure horror when he saw my wolf features and my bright red eyes.

"What the fuck?!" he exclaimed.

Pure hated filled me as my werewolf side took over and I glared at this piece of scum. This real monster. I snapped his neck, as easily as a twig and killed him instantly. I would have pulled him apart limp from limp and burned his remains, but Scarlett's silent moan of pain stopped me and I hurried over to her.

By the time I reached her, I had already shifted back into my human form. I knelt down and saw she was out cold, but I felt relieved when I could hear her pulse still keeping her alive.

She needed medical attention and only one person could give her that. Picking Scarlett up very gently, I scooped her into my arms and sprinted into the night.

Scarlett POV

My head pounded with pain and I could not find the energy to open my eyes or move, but I could hear people's voices speaking quietly near me.

"I still don't get why you brought her here." Scott's voice hissed

"Well with your famous vet on his own little vacation, I couldn't think of anywhere else to take her." was that Derek Hale's voice?

"It's a good thing you did bring her to me, Derek." a woman said firmly.

I stirred and opened my eyes with difficulty. I was in Scott McCall's living room and I was lying on the sofa.

Derek's face was the first I saw, he crouched down next to the sofa and looked at me with eyes full of concern.

"How are you feeling?" he asked softly, staring at me with those incredible green eyes.

The memories came flooding back: the acne dude, the knife and the sudden hit to the head.

"I was mugged!" I said, panic suddenly hitting me and my breathing became quicker.

"Shh, it's okay" Derek shushed me, gently stroking my hair away from my face "no one is going to hurt you, you're safe."

His hands on my face were incredibly soft and I felt myself calming almost at once. He tucked my hair behind my ear and then took hold of my hand in both of his, giving it a comforting squeeze. Mrs McCall (who was very similar looking to Scott) chose that moment to walk in, carrying a glass of water.

"Drink this, it'll help." she said and Derek helped me sit up, handing me the glass of water.

I drank a few mouthfuls of water, then asked the question that I needed to be answered.

"What happened?"

"It's a good job you had Derek to come to your rescue, he saved you from that mugger," Mrs McCall said proudly.

Scott was standing by the door, glaring at Derek with his arms crossed, but Derek didn't notice.

"How did you know where I was?" I asked Derek, who still held my hand gently.

"Just luck, I happened to be in the neighbourhood" he said, giving a small smile.

I didn't believe that, but my headache distracted me and I put my hand to it, groaning in pain. I noticed there was a plaster where my cut had been, good job Mrs McCall was a nurse. She told me that she was going to book me an appointment for tomorrow, just to check that I didn't have concussion.

I looked at my watch and saw it was past midnight, dread filled me because I knew my aunt would be freaking out.

"I need to get home," I said, standing up and relising too late that was a bad move (so I had to sit back down) "my aunt will be freaking out."

"I'll take you," Derek said, standing up and giving me my rescued handbag "it's on my way anyway."

Under normal circumstances, I would have objected. However, my luck wasn't great tonight.

"Sure."

Derek and I walked in silence, but it was a comfortable silence. When we got to my front door, I turned to him.

"I never really said thank you for… earlier" I said awkwardly, but he waved it away with a dismissive hand.

"Don't mention it." he said, smiling at me "I love saving a damsel in distress."

I smiled at him, rolling my eyes "Well, thank you. But for the record, I'm not always a damsel and I can take care of myself."

His grin got wider and he chuckled "Trust me, I don't doubt that for a minute."

I unlocked the door and stepped inside, turning back to speak to him.

"Goodnight, Derek." I said, giving a small smile.

"Night, Scar." he said softly with a smile that made him look gorgeous.

Scar? No one had given me that nickname… not ever. Before I could say anything, he turned and left.

Later when I got into bed, my mind was still racing with unanswered questions.

My first day in a new town and I nearly get mugged, then I am rescued by a handsome and mysterious bad boy and I can't help but think there's more to him than meets the eye. One thing I'm certain about though: I was definitely wrong when I thought nothing strange could happen in Beacon Hills.