So here's chapter 10. I wanted to make this one a little more fun, but it doesn't stay that way completely through the chapter. I'm adding more drama and suspense to the story too. It's all going to tie together eventually so trust me on this. I know what I'm doing. Also, I know this chapter is a little shorter than the others, but I'm having a bit of writer's block. I hate it. It usually takes starting a new story to get out of a funk like that so that's probably what I'll do. Anyway, just like before I am requesting at least ten reviews before I upload the next chapter. I don't think it's unfair. It just makes me feel like I'm not wasting my time writing this story. But enough of my whining. Please read and enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own Darkest Powers!

Chapter 10

Derek's mother comes running and giggling gleefully toward us. I can hear a groan come from Derek. Like he already knows this is going to be a very unpleasant experience for us. Knowing Derek doesn't really have that many reactions to too many things, I have to believe him.

When the beautiful red haired woman rushes toward us she stops just a few feet away and grins widely. "Aw, Dery! Your mate is absolutely adorable! She's a necromancer, isn't she? I can tell by how tiny she is."

My face turns red at the statement. In both embarrassment and indignity. Derek sighs and waves his hand loosely at his mother. "Chloe this is my mom Jaime. Mom this is Chloe. My mate."

Jaime goes down to her knees and gets to eye level with me. "You know, I think attraction toward necromancers must run in the family because I'm one too. Derek is so much like his father."

"Stop it, Mom," Derek grunts with a slight blush on his face.

I giggle. "It's okay, Dery."

"I really hoped that you'd forget that," Derek looks away with an annoyed expression.

"Well, I did, but your mom reminded me," I smile sweetly.

Jaime takes my hand between her two. "Listen Chloe, I know Derek can be an idiot and a brute sometimes, but I swear he is the sweetest boy in the world. He and his brothers are nothing, but a bunch of softies."

"Mooommm…"

I look over Jaime's shoulder to see Nate standing there with an indignant look on his face. Jaime looks over too and grins cheekily. "What is it, Nathaniel?"

I let out an amused giggle. "Nathaniel?"

"It's Nate, Mom!" Nate throws his hands in the air.

"Not according to your birth certificate," Jaime mocks in a sing-song tone.

Carter steps forward and places his hand on his brother's shoulder in a comforting way. "Don't even try, Nate. You know you'll never win. Besides, right now is about Derek and his precious little necro mate."

Jaime turns back to us with a twinkle of mischief in her eyes. "So, Chloe. Is my boy any good at kissing? How far have the two of you gone?"

My face turns a bright red color. Before either of us can respond I hear a deep chuckle. I look up to see Jeremy walking toward us. Jeremy gives Derek an amused look. "Sorry, Derek. I couldn't stop her. She asked me if I knew where you were and I just said you were close. She used her friends to find you."

Derek just glares at Jeremy. "You didn't even try."

"Clay!"

The new voice shocks me again and I jump and even let out a squeak. Jaime giggles. "She's so jumpy. Don't worry, darling. That's just Elena. That's Clay's mate."

I look up to see Clay embracing a tall and beautiful woman with long blond hair. I can't really tell from here, but I think she has blue eyes. Her stomach looks like it's ready to explode. "She's pregnant?"

Jaime nods and turns back to me with a kind expression. "I want all my sons to be able to have the happiness Clay has with Elena. I was starting to lose hope, but I'm glad Derek found you."

Derek tightens his grip around my waist in an almost possessive way. I place my hands over his and return Jaime's smile. "It's more like I found him. Literally and metaphorically."

Jaime gives her son a curious look. "What does she mean, Derek?"

Derek just grunts and that doesn't sit well with Jaime. She reaches over and grabs Derek's ear then twists so hard even I flinch. Derek lets out a whimper while Jaime yells at him to not keep secrets from his mother. I notice laughter then.

I look up to see Carter and Nate doubled over in laughter while Clay just has an amused smirk adorning his face. Derek has a look on his face that makes him look like a puppy that was just kicked. I giggle and lean over to kiss the corner of his mouth.

Jaime beams. "That's so cute. Oh! Why don't you two kiss and I'll take a picture of it. That way we'll be able to cherish the moment forever."

"No," Derek refuses straight out.

Jaime pouts as she holds up a camera she had in a purse I didn't notice before. "Please, Dery. Just one picture. You're still so new to this relationship and your kisses are still sweet and innocent. Later on they'll be full of nothing, but lust and passion. Just one picture."

Derek growls. "No!"

"Don't growl at me young man!" Jaime flicks Derek's nose.

I giggle while Derek's brothers howl with laughter. Finally Jeremy comes up to Jaime and pulls her away. "Now now, Jaime. Try not to suffocate Derek and his mate."

Derek pulls me closer if that's even possible and buries his face in my hair. I hear him take a deep breath and let out a contented sigh. Jaime giggles. "I'll let you two be alone for a little while longer before bombarding you with more questions of your relationship."

Both Derek and I have the grace to blush at her words. I know I'm going to have a lot of questions to answer. Instead of answering I just nod shyly and bury my face against Derek's neck. Derek strokes my back lovingly as he obviously approves of this gesture.

Once Derek's family, and the other werewolves that gathered, are gone, Derek tilts my head back for another kiss. Just then I see a flash of light. I jump a little and turn to see Jaime holding up a camera with a wide grin on her face. "This is going over the fireplace along with your brother's first kiss picture."

I turn to Derek. "What does she mean?"

Derek groans in exasperation. "When Clay first started going out with his mate, Elena, Mom followed them around until they kissed and she took a picture of it. It's on display on top of our fireplace. Clay keeps destroying it, but Mom has the original so she just keeps printing it out and putting it up. Now we're going to be her next victims. There are also pictures of us when we were little too."

I shake my head and smile brightly. "I don't mind. I think it's really cute."

"Of course you can see them when Derek brings you over to meet the rest of the pack officially," Jaime calls over her shoulder as she runs to catch up with her mate, Jeremy.

Once we're alone again Derek wait's a few minutes with his head tilted. Then he leans down to kiss me again. I wrap my arms around his neck and giggle into the kiss. "Your family seems like a lot of fun."

"You find it amusing, but they really know how to get on my nerves," Derek grumbles as he leans down to kiss my neck.

I sigh happily and let Derek continue what he's doing while I stroke his soft black hair. I moan when he hit's a particularly sensitive spot. Derek looks down at me and arches an eyebrow. I blush and bite my lip. Derek goes back to kissing that one spot.

Then Derek switches to nibbling and the feeling gets even more intense. I moan again and I try to keep it quiet, but it just feels so good. Man, the things Derek can do to me. I feel so alive and protected in his arms. It's only when someone clears their throat behind us when Derek and I finally break apart.

I look over my shoulder and see Simon standing there awkwardly. Okay, I know Simon can be a sweet person, but lately I feel like he's been doing nothing, but interrupting us during a special moment like this is really going too far.

I look up with a slightly frustrated expression. "What is it, Simon?"

"Um, do you think we can go for a walk?" Simon shifts uncomfortably under Derek's deadly glare. "There's something I would like to talk to you about."

Derek wraps his arms tighter around me. I sigh and lean my head on Derek's shoulder. "I'm sorry, Simon, but can we do that at a later time. I want to spend some more time with my boyfriend."

Simon's fists tighten at his side and he gives me a tight smile. "Yeah, sure. That's no problem. I guess I'll see you around then."

Once Simon has walked off Derek growls and turns my head to kiss me deeply. "I don't like that he keeps trying to take you away from me. When am I going to get alone time with you without having to worry about something interrupting?"

I wrap my arms around Derek's neck and pull him in close for another deep kiss. This one lasts until I need to pull back for a breath into my burning lungs. Not a second after I regain my composure Derek pulls me in for another one.

My head is reeling by this point. I feel Derek's tongue lick my lower lip before I open my mouth to let him in. I gasp and pant as I try to keep up with Derek's passion.

When Derek finally gives me a break I place my forehead against his chest while I catch my breath. That was seriously the most intense kiss I have ever experienced. Granted I haven't really been kissed before Derek, but still. That was some kiss. I've never had a feeling like it before.

After a few more minutes my breathing goes back to normal. Derek doesn't look like he needed to bother. That must be because of the werewolf's stamina. A blush spreads across my face as a dirty thought crosses my mind. I bury my face against Derek's face.

Derek strokes my back soothingly. "Sorry. I didn't mean to go overboard like that."

"It's okay," I mumble into his chest.

Derek leans down to kiss the top of my head then tucks a stray lock of hair behind my ear. He leans down to whisper in my ear. "If you like, we can stay here and do that some more if you want."

His words send shivers down my spine. I swallow hard at the dark lusty look in his eyes. I lean forward and peck Derek's lips lightly. Derek grabs the back of my head and pulls me harder against him. He fists my hair and makes me tilt my head back so I can deepen the kiss.

I let out a moan and this spurs Derek on even further. He pushes his tongue into my mouth. Derek adjusts my position so that I'm straddling his lap. I press myself closer so I can feel his hard chest. I can't believe how much muscle Derek has. That's just one of the perks of having a werewolf as a boyfriend and a mate.

Finally Derek lets me go. I can still taste Derek's saliva in my mouth. It's oddly really erotic. I lick my lips and smile shyly at Derek. "We need to kiss like that more often."

Derek chuckles and runs his fingers through my hair. "If that's what you want."

"It most definitely is," I giggle.

Then Derek lifts me up while standing himself. Once he's up he sets me down on my feet. I sigh and wrap my arms around Derek's neck. Derek leans down for one last kiss before we start walking.

Just as we're about to enter into a clearing Derek starts to growl. He pulls me against him just as something flies by my head. I gasp and turn to see a shadow moving between the trees. I turn up to Derek. "What is that, Derek?"

Derek gives me an uncertain look, but he speaks anyway. "They're bounty hunters that have been after my kind for as long as we have existed. They must have tracked us here and have decided to make me their next target. This isn't good."

I feel the color leave my face as Derek continues to speak. By the time he's done I'm shaking with fear. "What are we going to do?"

Derek picks me up and throws me over his shoulder. Then he turns to run in the direction his family went in. Well that definitely answers my question, but it still doesn't stop me from crying out in surprise.

The trees and surrounding area become blurry. I feel blasts of air going past my face a lot. What are those? I really hope those aren't what I think they are.

Derek finally comes to a stop when we enter into some sort of compound. Derek sets me down onto my feet and I stumble. Derek catches me before I can fall on my butt. I give Derek a look. "What did I say about warning me before you do something like that?"

"Would you rather ask me if it was okay and give the bounty hunters more time to aim and shoot us?" Derek throws back.

Almost immediately I know Derek regrets his words because he sees the tears building in my eyes. He wraps his arms around me and holds me tightly. I bury my face against his chest while he whispering sweet and comforting words to me.

Click!

The bright flash of light startles me. I turn to see Jaime holding up a camera with a silly grin on her face. "Oh! This is just too cute. Derek, you really should have found a mate sooner. Who knew you were a big softy?"

Derek scowls. "We just ran into some bounty hunters."

Jaime's face instantly becomes serious. "We need to go talk to your father then. You are more than welcome into our home, Chloe."

With that Jaime walks away. I look up at a huge house. It's actually more like a mansion. I look up at Derek. "This is where you live?"

Derek shrugs. "Most of the pack lives here. There are other little huts around the property where some families live, but yeah. I live here. It's not that impressive, is it?"

"Yes it is!" I exclaim.

Derek shakes his head then grabs hold of my hand. "Come on, Chloe. We need to go talk to my dad and I have a feeling that you just got more involved than I would have liked."

"What do you mean?" I ask.

Derek sighs and runs his hand through his hair. "Bounty hunters have a hard time trying to capture one of us. It's not easy trying to find our weakness, but when they do they use it to the fullest. They'll figure out sooner or later that the way to get to me is through you. My mate. They'll target you and use you."

I bite my lip. "Am I being a burden to you?"

"No!" Derek cups my face in his hands and makes me look at him. "No, you're not. I'm just saying that those bounty hunters will do whatever it takes to capture one of us. Even if it means using a werewolf's mate."

"What am I going to do?" I sniffle.

Derek takes my hand again and starts walking toward the mansion. "I'll protect you so you won't have to worry, but because I know you're stubborn and say you don't want me risking myself, I'll find a way to make sure you don't have to worry about anything."

I just smile. "You know me so well."

Derek smirks.