Chloe's POV
"You could definitely get away with that look with your new hair," Tori insisted, handing me a crap load of make-up.
"But I've never worn make-up before," I admitted.
Tori smirked. "That's why you have me."
It was such a relief to have helpful/bitchy Tori back because even though she and I have never really gotten along, she was still helpful when I needed her and I hated to see her so upset like she was this morning.
"But do I really want to spend my money on this much of it and the hair-straightener?" I ask, worried because most of the money Ruth gave me would cover everything Tori shoved at me.
She nodded, pretty sure.
"Okay..." I headed for the counter.
...
Around three o'clock, we were back at the house and all I could think was what people were going to say when I walk in the door, especially Derek. Would he like it or would he hate it? My stomach began to churn and I was thinking about running back to town and demanding them take the extensions out.
When we walked in the door, the first thing I heard was: "Jesus!"
Cole.
I turned to look at the taller boy, his teeth bared with interest as he smiled, eyeing my hair. He reached out and took a piece between two fingers. He nodded his approval and allowed me to pass by. I made my way up the stairs and to mine and Tori's room where I found Derek staring out the window. He didn't move right away, but I saw his nose crinkle and I guess he could smell the difference in me. Or on me.
He turned and was about to say something but was stopped when he looked in my direction. I closed the door behind me and set my bags on my bed, completely aware of Derek's emerald gaze still on me.
"Your hair..." he managed to say.
"You don't like it," I said. If he didn't like it I would be slightly disappointed since I did.
Derek shook his head. "N-No, it looks..." He paused, looking for the words. "It looks beautiful; not that you weren't already."
I blushed and watched as he walked around the bed to stand beside me, towering over me. "Are you sure you're the same Chloe Saunders who left here this morning?" he joked. It was extremely rare for Derek to joke around, but when he did it was only around me.
"That depends," I replied.
"On what?"
"Do you want me to be?" I asked with a cocked eyebrow and I know that did something to him because right away he reached out and pulled me against him.
Derek's POV
Wow, if I wasn't some type of inner voice, I would pounce her right now.
And I would have no problem kicking your ass if you tried.
Ease up, I'm just saying.
So am I.
Phelan went away and I was left to think clearly with Chloe. God, when I smelled her in the room when she got back, I did not expect the site I got when I turned around. Her hair was pin-straight, blonde and black, and a lot longer. She still had the same aroma she had when she left, but the girl who stood before me looked nothing like the Chloe I saw this morning. In fact, she looked more mature and older, but she still had the usual vulnerability to her which I loved the most.
"I will always want you to be you." I reached out to touch her hair. "Even if you look different. Just be my -" I caught an unwelcome scent in Chloe's hair and anger welled up inside me.
"What?" Chloe asked.
I stayed silent for a second. "He touched you, didn't he?" I growled.
"Who?"
Even the thought of his name was like acid to me. "Cole."
For a moment, Chloe looked extremely confused until she seemed to realize something.
"When I walked in the door, he was the first one to see -"
I wheeled around and headed for the door. How dare that bastard touch my girl! He knew who she was to me and there was no way I was going to let some other wolf touch her. I made a beeline for the stairs and stomped down and followed his scent that led me into the kitchen. Thankfully he was alone because the second I saw him, I grabbed by the front his shirt and shoved him up against the counter.
Cole instinctively fought back and shoved me away, but that didn't stop the urge to rip his face off. The only thing that stopped from doing so was Chloe standing in the doorway with Simon right behind her, waiting for a chance to jump and break us up, not that he'd have a chance without getting hurt.
"What the hell is your problem, dude?" Cole snapped.
I pointed my forefinger at Chloe. "You keep your hands off of her," I growled in a low voice. "Do you understand me?"
Cole started to laugh. "Oh my God," he said. "All I did was comment on her hair and you're on a mission for blood." He looked in Chloe's direction. "How do feel about his overprotective tendencies?"
Chloe stayed silent, but I could see she wanted to respond.
Cole shook his head. "Look dude -"
"Derek," I angrily corrected him.
"Derek..." He stood upright. "I'm sure Chloe can handle herself, especially her hair."
I got up close and personal with him now. "Just keep your hands to yourself."
He smirked at me, indicating that he had no intention of listening to a thing I just said. I was going to have to keep a really close eye on this one.
Chloe's POV
I decided to come back up to my room after that close call in the kitchen with Derek and Cole. I was so scared that something was going to happen and I know there wouldn't be much I could have done besides call for someone to help. I wasn't even aware of Derek behind me since he was like the wind when he walked, quiet and invisible. I lie down on the bed and stare up at the werewolf I have decided that I fell in love with and admired how good he looked, especially when he looked at me with those piercing green eyes with concern and affection.
"I'm sorry," Derek whispered.
I frowned. "For what?"
He waved behind him. "For could have happened downstairs."
"No one can blame you acting based on your instincts."
Derek snorted. "Instincts," he said, testing the word. "I wanted to rip him to pieces."
"All because he touched my hair?" I was confused now.
He nodded.
"But -"
"It's a territorial thing, Chloe," Derek said. "It's what comes with the wolf."
"I don't understand."
He made a bold move to sit on the bed beside me and took a deep breath. "When you and I first kissed, it was like some weird sign that officiated the bond between you, me, and the wolf." When he saw my further confusion, he continued. "By that I mean, you're mine. No other wolf can have you."
"Like how when wolves pick a mate, it's for life," I add.
Derek nods. He looks down at his fingers, unsure of how to continue and I sit up and force him to look at me. His eyes are filled with fear; but why?
"I don't want to lose you, Chloe," he whispered.
"Y-You won't lose me. What makes you say that, Derek?"
He shrugged. "I'm afraid that everything that comes with me will scare you away and I don't think I can handle that." He sniffed. "You're the air I breathe, Chloe, and if you leave me I might as well die now."
"Derek..."
He looked up at me and his usual piercing gaze was shiny from the forming tears. He's crying! My God, if I ever told someone that Derek Souza could cry I don't think they'd believe me. Derek never cries, so he must be truly scared right now. But how could I reassure him that I wasn't going anywhere? I don't think words alone could show him that.
I took Derek's face between my hands and forced his eyes to meet mine. When they did I could feel the fear and sadness radiating off of him and all I wanted to do was cry with him, but no, one of us has to be strong right now.
"Derek Souza, you will not lose me," I said sternly. "I am here as long as you want me to be."
He nodded and took me in his arms. "I love you, Chloe."
For a moment I froze and that's when I realized: in the short time Derek and I have known been together, much less known each other, I have come to realize that my feelings aren't just some high school girl's crush, but real love. Sure, I was only fifteen and I had many years ahead to figure out true love, but right now I was living in the now with the only boy I believe I could love.
"I love you too, Derek. Always." I pulled back and looked at him again. I craned my neck up and caught his lips with mine. They were wet from his crying, but that didn't stop me from enjoying the feeling of his lips on mine and the taste of him.
It was in this moment that I officially signed my fate with Derek Souza, a werewolf.
