Authors Note-

Ok. As promised. Chapter 20... is huge! And Im releasing it before I leave because This chapter is way mare nail biting and better to dwell on!

Review please, if all my subscribers reviewed in the next 4 days that I'm gone I would have 60 reviews waiting for me in my inbox. Wouldn't that be so cool? But I won't make my quota that big.

how about 390+

Thats 30 I know but I'm going to be gone and if I come back to that I'll release the next chapter right away.

Enjoy!

Chapter 20-

Derek hardly touched his pizza. If he had eaten a half an hour ago before he even went into that shop, he would have scarfed down his regular eight slices. But ever since the small town disappeared from view when him and his dad were heading back, he has been growing anxious. And it wasn't like him to get nervous about things, especially things like this... but then again he never put this much effort into anything like this. He was never really given the chance.

Everything was so bottled up inside him, the way he felt about Chloe was eating at him. Just because she was completely unaware of exactly how he felt. He had tried to tell her, over and over... but even then his nerves weren't as haywire as this.

Maybe because the certainty of it being said this time made the situation different. Because this time he would find a way to keep Chloe to himself, he wouldn't allow anything to get in his way this time...

He just didn't know when he would have another chance like this. If the training was going to become a regular thing then his and Chloe's time together would be limited. Sure they had their spare weekend time, but who was to say that Simon wouldn't want to step in and steal some of that precious time, or Tori, or his dad.

Or Chloe's mother...

Ever since wednesday she has been staying annoyingly close to Derek. He knew ghosts attached themselves to humans and that's what Jennifer had done. She glued herself to him, as if that were the only way she could keep an eye on her daughter, and made sure Derek kept his promise to protect her. How did he know this? One, he was becoming over-sensetive and Derek knew that was because of being around Chloe so much. Two, she was constantly touching him, as if making him aware that she was watching. There had been a couple times that he had asked her whether he should let Chloe know about this or not. -Not that it was some creepy secret about him cheating on Chloe with her mom.- But personally he didn't want Chloe to know. And Jennifer agreed. She only touched his arm indicated her way of saying no.

Going back to Derek latest situation, back when he was at that shop, he had asked Jennifer for advice. Of course he wouldn't ask Simon like his dad suggested, that wasn't the kind of advice he wanted. Derek just wasn't sure exactly on Chloe's taste in things. She wasn't high maitenence, but still. Gifts weren't his thing. And who better than to ask her mother? He just asked if Chloe would like the first thing he picked out. The exact item he was looking for and Jennifer tapped his cheek indicating her words for yes.

Then Derek got antsy and before he went to meet up with his dad, he had asked her if him and Chloe could have some privacy. It was wierd asking her that, but the situation would be so much stranger if Derek was ready to confess to Chloe, and her dead mother was there watching. She was slow to reply on that one. But with an extra reassurance from Derek about keeping his promise, she gave a reluctant yes.

So now here he was, sitting at the dining room table, picking at his third slice of pizza. Bryce and Kit were having an animated conversation on their lessons for the next week, while Tori kept Jackson and Simon busy giving off quotes from her book. As for Chloe...

Derek felt a light nudge against his leg, and he glanced across the table to where Chloe was sitting. She was watching him.

"You okay," she mouthed. Derek simply grunted, a usual response. Chloe looked away, slightly disappointed. But Derek could feel it every time her eyes flickered back to him. It was like he could feel her every movement, or sense it like he was able to with Jennifer. After a few minutes she nudged him again.

"Are you sure?" Derek couldn't help his chuckle. And that seemed to soothe her... only a little.

Unfortunetly, dinner passed quicker than Derek would have liked.

He didn't have very much time to stall either. Simon went up to finish his 'Beauty and the Beast' sketch -a surprise for Chloe as was his idea now-, Tori went to the library for more research, and Jackson muttered something about going out to stretch his legs -only after he promised to keep his distance from Derek and Chloe this time.- He had noticed the way Derek was eyeing that trail back when they were training. Kit and Bryce still lingered at the kitchen table. They were studying the information that Tori had stolen from the lab, before they had all escaped, now. They were trying to figure out how they were going to recruit the other supernaturals. Kit only mentioned that Derek shouldn't keep Chloe out in the forest so long.

So with a shaky exhale he met Chloe on the back patio.

"Hi," she chirped. Derek could see her eagerness shine in her extremely, bright, blue eyes. She knew something was up. Suddenly the gift in Derek's pocket weighed a whole lot more than it had a second ago, and his throat felt like it was closing up. Her lips pulled back over her teeth as she smiled, hardly thinning that overly-plump lower lip that he admired so much. A breeze pulled her vanilla scent his way and his world spun momentarilly.

If he was nervous before...

"Hey," he struggled. More like he choked the word out. Chloe's eyes fogged in worry.

"Derek are you okay? You hardly ate anything."

"Nervous," he blurted without thinking. And he could feel himself flushing. Thank god it was almost dark, he knew Chloe's weaker sight wouldn't be able to make out the red in his cheeks in this light. Again his mouth was running as if it had its own mind. That always happened around her. It only made sense though, because it only happened around her. If his dad or Simon had asked him if he was ok, they would have had to ask twenty more questions before they got a solid answer out of him.

"What's there to be nervous about," Chloe asked. Her blue eyes fluttered innocently. Derek swallowed.

"Just, I need to tell you something. And this time I plan on telling you." Chloe's eyes seemed to spark in realization of his words, then curiousity. Now that he put it out that way, there was no way he couldn't tell her. Because if he didn't, Chloe would find a way to get the answers herself, until it killed her.

"Come on," Derek said gruffly while taking Chloe's hand. He laced his fingers between hers, though her fingers only brushed over his knuckles when they did this. Her hands were so small compared to his. He started leading her towards the patch of wood that him and Jackson had been training in earlier that day. The air was starting to get cooler, which was odd because for the past couple of days it had been trying to get warmer in an attempt to prepare for summer. Chloe shivered through her thin jacket and Derek eyed it disapprovingly.

"I thought it would be warmer tonight," she confessed. Derek sighed and pulled himself to her other side, blocking her from the breeze. During this movement a gust hit him hard, so cold that it slapped him in the face. Derek grumbled... it didn't feel like the same heavy ice that touched him when Chloe's mother was near... just a change in the wind. He could only smell the forest in it though... but he could hear something else. A low hum, like someone speaking.

Just the wind. That's all it was.

They reached the edge of the wood, and again against Derek's will his mouth opened. His instincts telling him to do it now, no more stalling.

"Chloe. I keep trying to tell you something... but things keep getting in the way." He stared into the forest, eyes scanning the trees for nothing in particular. Again he had that sense that Chloe's eyes here on him, questioning.

He turned to her, meeting her eyes. They were darker in this light, but they still managed to shine. If anyone looked close enough they could see the hints of green swimming in them, making the color a rich teal. Derek wondered if her eyes matched her glow as a necromancer. And just staring into her eyes... it was like his nerves washed away into their deep pools of innocence.

"Chloe I-"

A breeze cut through them, and Derek stiffened. This time both his ears and his nose caught something.

"Derek?"

Said boy shook his head, and held onto Chloe's eyes again.

"I-"

"No, there is no more time to wait," a whisper sounded in Derek's ear. Chloe didn't seem to hear it, so it wasn't a ghost, and it wasn't near enough for her ears to catch.

"What's wrong," Chloe asked, Derek shushed her and cocked his head in the direction of the voice. Just to make sure no one was approaching them. If so he would pull Chloe more into the woods for privacy. But the sound had come out more than a whisper this time, low.

"Listen to me, we only have one more shot to get this right. If we mess up again they will shut down the entire program and do things themselves." Derek stiffened, tensing at the dialogue of this hushed conversation. It was coming from the other side of the lawn. Who was here? He didn't recognize a scent of anyone other than the others here with him. He heard a muffled tone, something he couldn't make out.

Derek motioned for Chloe to stay... but of course she didn't. She followed him noisily as he tried to hear better. He shot her a look.

"Sorry," she mouthed, and walked quieter.

"Of course. Not after how much work and money we have put into the subjects. If they get their hands on them before the projects are finished who knows what their un-intelectual minds will think of them."

Derek cursed, it was definetly someone from the Edison Group. The scientists taking one more shot to capture the experiment runaways before the Cabal caught up to them.

But still there was no unfamiliar, or distantly familiar scent. Why was that? Another muffled noise, as if the speaker were talking to someone on the phone.

"Good, tomorrow is fine, the sooner the better. This won't be easy but-"

The voice cut off, and Derek thought there was something familiar about its smoothness. The wind cut through the forest opening that he and Chloe were approaching, only bringing...

...Jackson's scent. And that was Jackson's voice. Foot steps started towards them. Derek clenched his fists and barred his teeth, his mind racing. He could feel Chloe's uneasiness as she stepped closer to him.

Jackson was one of them? A spy for the Edison group?

How long... no it was just that he didn't see it before. How could he be so stupid? Jackson randomly appearing after having escaped so long ago, only to tag around with Derek whom he had hated back when they were kids. All those times he had saved Chloe's life... only because she was the prize the Edison group still wanted. And now he was selling them out, the Edison group was probably on its way now. Because they had no more time to wait.

Derek sensed Chloe's shudder beside him.

"Something is in there," she whispered. Something meaning she sensed a spirit, but it was the opposite... until Derek got his hands on him.

Jackson's form staggered into view. Chloe and Derek stood right in the opening, and Jackon's targeted exit. But he glanced up, catching them as if he just realised they were there. His eyes didn't show any guilt, only straight confusion... and fear? Yeah he better be afraid.

"Derek?"

The dark werewolf growled, lunging towards the unsuspecting blonde. He grabbed the collar of his flanal shirt and thrust him against the tree, pinning him there. Jackson's face twisted in both anger and... more confusion.

"Hey, what's your problem!"

"Derek," Chloe protested. "He didn't get in our way this time, you came over here to him." She sounded miffed, like she couldn't believe he was acting this way. But she hadn't hear what the dirty liar said... but Derek had, loud and clear.

"Chloe, he's working for the Edison group."

"What?" Chloe turned to Jackson, fear igniting in her eyes. Like she couldn't believe it was true. But Derek could, he only felt like such an idiot because he had started trusting the low life.

"What are you talking about," Jackson blurted. He struggled against Derek's grasp, but he wasn't trying very hard. As if his strength vanished or he was in a weak state. Against Derek's fist he felt like any other feeble human.

"Don't pull that crap. I heard you on the phone with someone from the Edison group." Jackson's eyes widened, they seemed to drift passed Derek. But still Derek couldn't see any indication of guilt. Only confussion, and question.

"Phone," he muttered, mostly to himself. Testing and tasting the word... Then he shook his head and met Derek's eyes again.

"Listen I wasn't on the phone with anyone, let alone the Edison group-"

"I heard you. You said that you had one last chance to capture us or the Cabal would shut down the projects. Don't play dumb with me, it will only make me more angry." Derek's hand tightened into the fabric of Jackson's shirt, his anger was rolling off of him in waves. He wasn't in a state of struggling for control at this moment. Only because he was giving into instinct instead of frail human weaknesses. The wolf inside him growled, connecting instead of trying to be on top.

All this time he thought they were all safe, growing to trust this guy... actually hoping he had someone else to help him through the entire werewolf thing, and it was all a joke. Jackson winced though Derek wasn't causing him any pain, not yet anyways.

"But I didn't say any of that-"

"Where is the phone?" Both the werewolves glanced at Chloe, her blue eyes were hard but not inflicting any ill feelings towards Jackson. Only hard in concentration, because to anyone else but Derek who had actually heard the conversation, Jackson was puting up a pretty good act. His hazel eyes wide with innocence and confussion. Something in Derek's throat rumbled, telling her not to fall for anything he was saying, but she threw him a glare. This surprised him.

"I don't know, I don't have one. Search me, I don't have a phone," Jackson spelled out. Derek dropped him, and Jackson gracefully landed on his feet. He spread his arms preparing to be searched. Derek patted him down... and to his displeasure he found nothing.

"Want me to strip down," Jackson barked. His own anger flashing in his eyes. Derek straightened, barring down on Jackson, scrutinizing him with his gaze. Jackson was a few inches shorter, but he stood his ground getting just as much into Derek's face as Derek did to him.

"Derek, he doesn't have a phone-"

"I'm sure I can find it."

"Yeah? You think I hid it? Go ahead big guy. Sniff it out. But its a waist of your time, there isn't one." Derek released a threatening growl, attempting to shut Jackson's smart ass mouth. But Jackson merely kept his composure.

"I'm not working for the Edison group."

"I don't-"

"Derek stop."

Derek's shoulders tensed more at the tone in Chloe's voice. He turned to her in surprise. She stood tall, giving him a hard look.

"I don't know why you're acting like this. If it's a joke it's not funny anymore. Jackson obviously has no phone and he clearly claims to have no coordination with the Edison group."

"Yeah. he claims-"

"I said stop. Ok? I thought you and Jackson were getting along, but this is getting old."

"You don't believe me?" Derek's voice was low, struggled against his anger. His eyes became shards of sea, green glass. His fists clenched, unclenched, and clenched again.

"There isn't a phone, or anyone else in this forest. You would have already tracked them down if you believed there was someone else. Besides-" Chloe glanced at Jackson, anger still contorted on his face as well as Derek's. Derek couldn't believe he was hearing this from Chloe... if anyone, she should trust him... not Jackson.

"Besides what, Chloe," Derek growled, threatening her to take Jackson's side instead of his. His eyes told her not to do it, or else. He could see clearly on Chloe's face that she did not like that, at all.

"Look, I don't know what you heard. But Jackson has sleep spells-" Derek snorted.

"You expect me to believe he was sleep walking?" His answer was retorted and drowned in sarcasm.

He didn't miss the flash in her eyes... like she had been slapped in the face. Deep down, way deep down, Derek felt a sting of regret. But more he felt betrayal... It wasn't all Chloe though, but Derek was to far gone... too angry, and it didn't matter. That hurt was overpowering...even more so with her next action.

Chloe didn't say anything. She looked away from Derek. Her eyes lingered in the direction of the house, as if she wanted to be anywhere but there, anywhere that was away from him. She didn't believe him. His girlfriend, his mate, didn't believe him.

... fine then.

Derek shoved his hand into his pocket. He stepped towards her as he pulled out a decent, sized box. Chloe took note of this and tried to take a step away from him, but Derek caught her hand before she could get away. He dropped his gaze, letting his hair curtain his eyes. His jaw set, holding back the loathing fumes.

He placed the box in her hand, and released her instantly. Without so much as looking into her eyes he turned, muttereing, "that's for you," And he decended into the woods, disappearing from her sight into the dark.

Even through all Chloe's frustration and anger with Derek's behavior, even through everything else she felt, she only concentrated on the tears that stung her eyes. She took in a skakey breath to slow her confused, racing heart. She turned to Jackson to apologize for Derek acting that way, but he was gone.

Derek wouldn't just leave her with him, if he truly believed he was dangerous right? No matter how mad he was about her not believing him...

He was being ridiculous.

In a daze, Chloe took a moment to glance at the box in her hands. A knot formed in her throat. She opened it slowly, afraid of what she might see.

... she didn't expect a ring of course... but she also didn't expect this.

A staggered sob escaped her lips...

...What just happened?

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