Chapter 24: Learning To Fight (Derek's POV)

Derek's eyes flew open when there was a soft knock on the door."Maya? Are you there?" he heard Zack say trying to be quiet in his booming voice. What was it 4 am? The sun wasn't even up yet. He jumped up out of bed and out the window before Maya even woke up. As he hit the ground, he remembered the night he shared with her. He remembered the way he felt when he was with her was amazing. She imprinted with him and he practically imprinted right back.

He thought of all the things he loved about her as he crouched under the window. He loved how her eyes lit up when she saw him. He loved how she trusts her instincts. How she looked with her hair blowing in the breeze. How she just understood exactly what he was feeling all the time. He loved how she tried to be brave for his family. He loved how she looked when she slept. How warm she was when they hugged. How her muscles relaxed when he kissed her…

He noticed he had been looking up into the sky daydreaming as Zack woke Maya up and started talking to her. He snapped out of his trance when he heard the word war come out of Zack's mouth. Zack told Maya that they were fighting over her. It was true but did he have to tell Maya that? What was he thinking when he spoke? This would help her? Derek snuck through the woods and back to his parked car as Maya and Zack walked through the house.

He ran to his car as fast as he could. He fumbled with his key but finally got into the car. He had to tell Autumn about the power he had in the hospital. Maybe…. Maybe he could save the girl he loved since childhood. He smiled devilishly as he thought about beating those dogs and make them go away from them and never come back.

He finally pulled into the driveway and ran up to the door with the keys still in the ignition. He banged on the front door and yelled Autumn's name. She finally opened the door with a yawn. It was still only 5 am. He charged inside and practically trampled his sister. "What is it!" she screamed as he stepped on her foot. Words flooded out of his mouth. He explained everything to his young, powerful sister. He said everything that popped into his head. He explained the power, the pain, and his love for Maya. She stared at him blankly as he confessed everything in his mind.

"So you had your first taste of magic, huh? I thought you would never get mad enough to use it," she said with attitude. She knew? "So I guess you want me to teach you to use all of this new power. You have to want it really badly for it to work. Use your love, your pain, everything. Understand?" He nodded. "Fine. I'm only going to help you because we need help beating these wolves." He jumped for joy, hugged he as tightly as he could, and thanked Autumn nonstop. "Meet me outside in 10 minutes. Wear something that won't melt… I mean, wear something that you can move very… very well in." She chuckled.

Before he could think of her melting comment, he ran upstairs and changed into sweats. When he arrived outside, Autumn's makeup was dark and he hear was in a ponytail. "You ready?" she asked sweetly as she stood about 20 feet away. He nodded, but Autumn pushed him back a few paces. He got pushed through the air a few times. He yelled that he was ready and ran at her. She stood there looking at her one hand's nails and stuck out her other hand. He flew into the air and landed onto his back.

"Are you kidding me Autumn?" he yelled as he stood his ground. He stuck out his hands and felt the surge of power shoot through him. This time she was the one who was pushed onto her back. She smiled and laughed a little bit.

"That's better!" she said. They fought until the sun set. He learned so much and he could control his power now. He could finally save Maya. They sat down inside on the couch and ate dinner alone. "So are you going to spend the night at the dog pound again tonight?" she growled out of the corner of her mouth.

"Yeah I am. I'll be fine. They didn't even notice last night. I have to make sure she is okay," he answered coolly.

"She can take care of herself," she snarled under her breath.

He stood up and yelled in her face. "I need to be with her! She needs to be with me. She told me that. Why don't you understand that?" Autumn didn't even look up.

Slowly she moved her head up. She squinted her eyes and yelled, "Um.. Maybe because she's a WOLF! She can kill you whenever she wants. One bite and you're dead. Why don't you understand that?"

Derek sat back down. "Yes I know that Autumn. I love her. I will give my life for her. Just wait until you find someone who loves you. Then you'll know what I mean. Just wait." He was quiet and confident. He made sure she knew where he was coming from. He stood up and left the house. He coolly walked to his car. He knew Autumn was watching from the window. He had to be confident or else she would forget the whole conversation. He started the car and turned on his blasting music. His troubles melted away as the beat thumped in his chest. Just as he got there, he saw Maya half naked on top of Zack. Derek actually turned around and puked in the garden. They kissed for another 15 minutes. Derek sat below the window and listened to their playful kissed. His stomach churned. Finally he heard talking and Zack's footsteps lead out of his room. Derek stood up and watched Maya recover her beautiful body.

Finally he tapped on the window and Maya's face appeared. "I saw that," he whispered as he kissed her gently through the open window.

"Don't worry, Baby. I'll make you way, way happier than Zack was." She smiled and helped him into the window. She kissed him as they made their way to the bed. She pushed him onto his back and sat on top of him. She peeled his shirt off of him and he took off her dress. The sensation Derek felt when their skin touched was amazing. He held her tight and kissed her peacefully. They barely made a noise. They whispered "I love you" to each other.

When she started to unbutton his pants, he stopped her. "No, not yet. Not here. I'm not ready." She just looked relieved and put her head on his chest. "I love you Maya."

"I love you too. More than you can imagine," she whispered as they fell asleep in each other's arms.

Derek woke up as a piece of duct tape was put over his mouth. He was silently hauled away into the darkness.