A/N: Another update! So quick too. I'm on a roll, I guess. Review!

Chapter Twenty-Five

Chloe sat in her bed, staring at the night sky- and full moon. She was waiting for Derek to knock on her door, but he was late. Suddenly she heard his light footsteps come down the hall. And straight past her door with only a small pause.

Chloe could hardly believe it. She'd noticed he'd been avoided lately and now this clinched it. But she didn't understand. She'd finally realized she loved Derek during the battle when there had been little chance of success.

Now he hated her.

Well, if he thought he was going to ignore her and get away with it, he had another think coming, Chloe decided with a scowl, slipping out of bed and leaving the house.

"Chloe..." a voice whispered. Mary. A chill shot down her spine. Mary appeared in front of Chloe. "I want to leave."

"Leave the grounds?" Chloe asked.

"No, you stupid girl!" Mary shouted, blasting the necromancer back two feet. "I want to go to him," she added calmly.

Chloe blinked. "You- you want to m-move on?"

"Y-yes," Mary replied, mocking Chloe's stutter.

The necromancer hesitated. She'd never moved a ghost on, but it couldn't hurt to try. Chloe took Mary's hands, wary of the ghost, and closed her eyes. Mary was stuck on earth because of her ties, so Chloe imagined ropes holding Mary down that were unraveling.

"Thank you," Mary whispered. Chloe opened her eyes and didn't see or sense the ghost anymore.

She stood smiling for a second before continuing into the forest. Mary had just briefly distracted her from her bigger purpose.

"What are you doing?" Derek demanded, coming out of the forest to her right. She jumped and placed a hand over her chest.

"Geez," she snapped. "Way to scare me half to death!"

He winced. "Sorry, but you shouldn't be out here. It's not safe."

"Because of you?" Chloe asked, an eyebrow raised. She was feeling oddly confidant tonight and acting out of character.

"Partly." He shrugged and began to scratch his arms. "And the Edison Group might still be wandering around."

"Oh..." Chloe trailed off, watching Derek scratch and scratch. Soon he'd draw blood. She grabbed his hands to still his movements. He froze. Did he feel the same way?

"Simon-" Derek began. He cleared his throat. Why was he bringing up his brother? "Simon will be good for you," he muttered. Chloe felt her draw drop. Well, now she knew what that expression felt like. She dropped his hands and shoved him. He barely moved a half step.

"You're so stupid," Chloe cried. "I'm not in love with Simon! I'm in love with you, Derek!" She glared at him and felt a little satisfied when he looked shocked. And then he doubled over, clutching his stomach.

"Run!" he ordered. A feral scream erupted from his mouth and Chloe froze, unable to move, as Derek finally completed his Change.

Indescribable, she thought, looking at the beautiful werewolf. She stared into Derek's wolven eyes and took in their intelligence. What Derek had feared had not come true. He was still himself.

"Well," Chloe said shakily, falling to her knees. "Do you feel the sudden urge to maul me or chase rabbits?"

He darted forward and pressed his nose to her forehead. There was something comforting about it. Suddenly he was human again and kissing her fervently.

"I love you too," he whispered, and kissed her again. Chloe pulled away with a smile- and a blush.

"Would you put some pants on?" she said.

He laughed and went to retrieve his pants. Chloe couldn't help but sneak a peek at his backside. She was human, after all.

He returned and pulled her to her feet with another kiss. A distant memory returned. Mate…

What was a mate?

Derek started to growl and he pushed Chloe behind him. She watched as people entered their area with guns pointing at them. She clutched Derek's hand and watched as the wall of people parted and Dr. Davidoff stepped through.

Derek's growls halted in his chest.

Simon?