Chapter 6
Three weeks. That's how long had passed, and I still was unsure of my choosing. But from my studies, and the constant, unforgiving training, I'd picked up on instincts I didn't know I had, but they'd always been there. Being here for this long had also brought me closer to people that I not only would never have found a friend in, but people who were now my confidants, those who had my back and I would have theirs. Vampire felt like the best choice, but how could I know? It's not like I could try it out before I chose. I had to base my choice on what I felt was the best, the most right. If I chose wrong, would I be able to tell? Farren told me a few days ago that I was perfectly suited to either creature, but she seemed to want to sway my opinion in favor of werewolf, and it didn't worry so much as make me very curious. She obviously knew something I didn't, and with her ability to see the supernatural side of someone human, I was curious to know what special talent I had. At the same time, I somehow had a feeling that being a vampire would be more efficient. Sure, it would be expected of me to hate the werewolves, but of course I wouldn't, I was going to be fighting for their greater good. But as a vampire, it looked as though I might have a slight advantage. If I was said vampire, I could pull off the whole thinking the werewolves were pets and work behind the scenes. That had to count for something right? But in the end, what if my choosing werewolf counted for something bigger? It was so confusing, and I often wished that I didn't have to choose. Why not just remain human and play the food source that could actually be helpful behind the scenes?
Farren assured me that my choosing would push the revolution into a new area. What she meant by that, she wouldn't tell me. I had the craziest feeling that it had something to do with Derek. But why would it? I mean, yeah, we were friends, we had to be if we were going to be spending this much time together, but I couldn't shake the feeling of unease. Every time I was around him, my senses awakened. I was constantly aware of him, even without paying attention to him, and even attempting to ignore it. Was this man doing something to me and I just didn't know it? Did werewolves even have that kind of power? So many questions, and so far, they were all unanswered. I had to be smart enough to figure this out.
And quick.
"Aaden?" Derek's muffled voice came from behind my closed door. What did he want now? "Just a sec!" I pulled on a pair of black cotton sweatpants over my short shorts. It was my day off, I shouldn't have had to train today! Fresh cold air slipped under the barely raised window, sending chills up my arms. I walked to the door and opened it. Derek wasn't in his training clothes surprisingly, thankfully, but it confused me. "Yeah?" "So, um, oh where do I start?" I raised an eyebrow. He seemed nervous. Why would Alpha of Alphas, Derek Hale, be nervous? I stayed quiet as he seemingly racked his brain. "Listen, I'm not a good talker, mostly because I'm used to yelling. I just wanted to say, I talked to Farren and got it cleared to take you off grounds. I thought that maybe, well, that you might like to contact your mother."
My breath left me. My mother! She hadn't heard from me or seen me in almost a month! She was probably enlisting every spy and hitman she could hire to track me down and kill the poor sucker who had done this. I felt warmness enter my heart. Derek cared whether or not I saw my mother. I felt light headed, and then I realized he was waiting on my response. Blushing, I answered, "I'd love to. Give me a minute to change?" "Absolutely." And without another word, he walked down the hall. I was trying to piece together how I was going to tell her about this, without actually telling her what was going on. Best not to get her involved, because this was dangerous and she was all I had left in this world. I slipped on some jeans and a tee shirt, paired it with a black hoodie and slipped on my shoes, trying to keep myself from racing down the halls. Every step brought me closer to her.
Once outside, I found Derek and his Camaro, already revved up and heat blowing. "Isn't anyone else coming?" I asked, suddenly feeling very weird about climbing into his car alone with him. "No. Is that a problem?" "I guess not." I said, reluctantly sitting beside him. I shut the door, and before I could strap in, Derek put the pedal to the metal. Once on the road, he was hitting close to seventy. "Derek? Um, the speed limit is thirty five down this road." "So?" "What do you mean 'So?'! You could get a ticket!" He scoffed. "Aaden, you seem to have forgotten what and who I am. A flash of my eyes and they'll excuse it. Plus, I've done prison time, twice, it's nothing." "Prison time? TWICE?! Who the hell are you? What the hell did you do?" "I'm Derek, Aaden. No matter my past, that's who I am, don't think otherwise. And it was some dumbass who thought he could get the better of me if he put me behind bars." "Is said dumbass still alive?" "…No. But that doesn't matter. He wasn't a good person anyway." I quieted, taking this in. Obviously he had no qualms about killing just anyone. This was slightly worrisome. I realized, quite suddenly, that this didn't make me withdraw from him. I must be an idiot! I screamed inside. Reaching over to shift the gear, his toughened fingers brushed my thigh, and fire shot up my spine, making my ears ring. What the hell? It seemed anymore that everything was drawing me to this man.
Thankfully I didn't get to ponder long before he slowed down and pulled into a run down, homey little café. This was too normal for a werewolf to know about, especially one as busy as Derek. "Okay, so once we get inside, I'm going to give you your phone. Call your mother, have her meet you here." I nodded and he stepped out, sauntering behind the car and reaching for my door. He pulled it open, and I rather shyly took his outstretched hand. He seemed to offer it in instinct, because his eyes were wandering around the lot and little building, searching out any source of threat. But once his quick assessment was done, he lowered his glowing eyes to mine. I watched as the red dispersed like little threads from his eyes, detaching first from his pupil and leaking to the sides of his irises. Now back to the gray-green of his normal eyes, it was as if the spell was broken. "What's that like? Seeing through your red eyes?" I couldn't help but ask. He gave a sexy and genuine side grin, giving me a glimpse of his fang. "Imagine looking through a red glass, and everything is clear as crystal. I can see for miles, undeterred by anything." "Wow, must be cool." He said nothing, but switched holding my hand to wrapping an arm around my shoulders. We walked in silence to the door before I admitted, "Honestly? I still have no clue what to choose. I've only got four days left." I let the true worry I felt seep into my words. Derek sighed. "About that," he said, "Farren and I discussed it. You and Spencer have shown outstanding understanding and work ethic. As a reward, we're giving you as much time as you need to decide. Please don't take forever though." His fingers gently squeezed my shoulder, making goosebumps raise on my arms. I felt so relieved with this news. I could take my time in choosing, and perhaps make the right freaking choice.
