I would like to thank: xXChlerekXx, jcanderson33, moon-called-princess, MortalInstrumentsObsessed and PhantomMalevolence for reviewing Chapter 4 and your help with the whole T vs M and Chloe/Derek for Chapter 6! :D
(Also there was mention of Derek being out of character, and I agree with it up to a point, but in this chapter you'll see that he's under a lot of pressure making him a little unlike his old self due to this, I always enjoy reviews and constructive criticism always is welcome so if theres anything you notice feel free to let me know, and I hope this chapter doesnt disappoint anyone :)
Disclaimer: So, I own the system Sony Vegas 09, a special edition of "The Tales of Beedle the Bard" and I have a pet ferret, but one thing I don't own the Darkest Powers Trilogy in any way, they all belong to Kelley Armstrong... Now if I could do a body swap then I would own them...
This was majoritally wrote late at night so any mistakes here and there could you tell me about in a review please, then I can fix them as I always have trouble finding my own mistakes and I dont have a Beta either, and without further adew, Chapter Five! :D
Five
Lauren didnt like what I said to her and she rounded on me, face full of repressed anger and plastered with a fake smile, "While I appreciate your input Victoria, I am sure you'll understand that I dont believe your opinion is relevant. This discussion is a family matter therefore I would appreciate it if you kept your opinions to yourself, if its all the same to you that is?" And then she turned to Chloe and said, "Sweetie please, I only have your best interests at heart! You're too young for a serious relationship, the both of you! And at a time like now as well? I only want you to be happy!"
"If you wanted me to be happy you'd be supporting me instead of trying to pigeon hole me into breaking up with Derek against my will. Please Aunt Lauren, why cant you understand that?" Chloe asked, and I could tell her voice was on the verge of cracking. So it was at that moment I opened the motel door and shut it again with a small click. Getting out of there quietly to let them deal with their arguments in private. As Lauren not so delicately put it, it was a family matter, and I wasn't family, therefore I shouldn't be there.
Sometimes I really couldn't understand Lauren. Sure, wolfboy has his faults but if he saw something was good for Chloe - Even if it was something he didnt like, something he hated he'd let her continue with it because if it made Chloe happy then of course thats all that matters. Lauren on the other hand is a different story, I bet she's still trying to justify herself now. Thank god I got out while I did, if I had to listen to any more of that patronising "you're still my little innocent niece" voice I think I might vomit.
Today when we were buying supplies for the rest of the group was bad enough. If it wasnt for what I saw with my own two eyes at the Edison Group's lab I wouldnt trust her as far as I could throw her. And with her weight and height its safe to say I wouldn't even be able to pick her up off the ground. As it is I don't trust her completely. Sure, she was willing to sacrifice herself to help Chloe escape, but only because it was in Chloe's best interests at the time. Whose to say if she didnt have a change of heart and decide something else was in her best interests she wouldn't sell Derek down the river to protect her precious niece... and the rest of us with him?
Don't get me wrong Lauren cares about Chloe, more than cares, she loves her. Loves her more than that bitch of a mother ever loved me in fact, you can see it in her eyes when she looks at Chloe, that much nobody can argue with. But if something was in Lauren's best interests - Like breaking up Chloe and Derek, and she could fool herself it was for the best, I think she would do it, because when it comes down to it someone cant change their opinions just like that. Lauren is prejudiced against Derek for being a werewolf, and if she didnt suck it up soon Chloe is going to see just how bad she really is and I dont think she'll forgive her again this time.
Chloe told me what Lauren said in the lab that time when she was first taken there. We were having a "girlish bonding moment" or whatever you want to call it, and if knowing all we do now coupled with that, I dont think I could trust Lauren as easily as Chloe can. Damn that girl is just too nice, to a serious fault sometimes.
Its been drummed into me since me went on the run to keep to the most secluded areas of wherever were staying. To keep my head down, but not to act suspicious, so that people dont get a good look and at the same time so that they dont remember me well either. To make eye contact when being spoken to so that I dont look like I'm hiding anything, but also not to engage in conversations with any strangers unless it is 100% necessary, no matter how innocent they could be.
"I mean the little old lady could be a serial killer, working for the Edison Group, you never can tell these days." Simon said that while he was lounging back against his bed, during the first meeting we had as a group. What did I ever see in him please? Must have been the meds. The adults werent there of course. Dont get me wrong the guys are glad to have their Dad back just like Chloe with her Aunt, but the stuff we'd been through? It would be a lot better if they didnt hear about any of it otherwise we'd never be left without their supervision again.
Simon was right though. You couldn't trust anyone, no matter how innocent they looked. We'd tried that, we'd trusted Mr. Bae's friend Andrew and look how that turned out? In turn he'd trusted his friends and they had betrayed him too. That little old lady anology Simon used? Well it couldn't be more apt, in fact Margaret was the first thing that sprung to mind as soon as he said it, however I'm not quite sure "little" was the right way to describe her.
I was near the woods now, I dont even remember the journey towards it, but I suppose it made sense I'd come here - It was one of the few places I could really be alone and close enough to the others at the same time. However the closer I got to it the more I began to realise other people were there, and not just anyone.
Derek and Simon.
It sounded like they were arguing. I knew I should probably turn back, it was none of my business, and apart from that it was a miracle Derek hadn't noticed me as it was, it was only a matter of time before he did and then it would be me who'd get into it with them for eavesdropping, when all I'd done was stumble across them purely by accident. My mind was made up to turn around and go back the way they came, leave them to it, I'd come here to get away from one argument and I sure as hell didnt need to stumble into another when I heard Simon say something that kept me rooted to the spot for Derek's reply...
"Give me the chance to help you for once..."
Simon help Derek? Sure they thought I only cared about number one, but if something was wrong with wolfboy that I could help with then I actually did want to help.
"Fine Simon, I trust you. But its serious, as you've probably guessed its about me being a werewolf."
I saw Simon's silly little nod at this, always the calm one of the pair. Of course it would be something to do with Derek's werewolfism, if it wasnt the Edison Group. I mean what else was there that could have such an effect on a guy like Derek?
"Its about my instincts, their becoming uncontrollable, Dad's told me some things that I didn't know before. I have a serious problem Simon, its..."
Derek stopped at this for about a minute, it didnt look like he was going to continue, thats when I heard Simon saying, "You can tell me anything Derek. Were brothers."
"Dad told me some stuff about when a werewolf finds his true companion, his... mate. He's said that feelings of attachment, and other... emotions only become stronger as time wears on. He said that all of this, all these things I'm feeling, would be exaggerated greatly if I were to find this person during puberty, where things are generally more..." I could see Derek struggling for a word at this point, but it only took him a moment before he found the one that seemed to express what he needed, "Intense. He said my instincts would become more uncontrollable, that I'd want to be with my mate and in the end make her my own in every possibly way. That she'd become more important than my own safely, than anyone elses in fact."
There was a quiet silence as the two of them took all that was said between them in.
"I think you can understand what's been on my mind now Simon." I could see the back of Derek's head as he ran his fingers through the back of his hair, in an almost nervous gesture so unlike Derek I almost missed the next thing I heard.
"Chloe... You think she's your mate, dont you? "
"Now you're getting ahead of yourself Simon, I said no such thing," I could just imagine this elusive smile Chloe was always banging on about of his ghosting the edges of his features, "What I said was that Dad told me these things, he may believe Chloe is my mate, but how would I know any different? What I mean to say is, I've nothing to compare it to, therefore I've been trying to figure it out myself and put a little distance between myself and Chloe so I can be absolutely sure of my findings."
"Yeah but Derek, even if there was just the slightest possibility Chloe was your mate, no matter how small... I mean, doesnt she deserve to know?"
"You cant breathe a word of this to her Simon! Can you imagine what she would think if she knew? I dont want her to feel compelled to stay with me when there is yet to be any proof either way! On the other hand if it turns out she isnt my mate how do you think that would make her feel? That there is someone out there, someone who is perfect for me and me for them in every possible way and she isnt her? Could you imagine that? No, its better she doesnt know until I'm sure, if it becomes a problem then of course I'll tell her, but until then I need your word this stays between us."
There was an awkward silence before I heard a low growling noise that sounded something like "Simon" coming from Derek's general direction. Now that I looked at him he didnt look too good, reminded me of another time he'd looked like that actually...
"You have my word Derek. I promise I wont tell Chloe about this, but you need to keep me in the loop. I mean maybe I can help? I'm not sure how yet but you never know..."
"Yeah, you cant be much worse than Dad I guess."
"What do you mean?"
"Well lets just say I've had a few lucky escapes recently. He's been trying to sit me down for "The talk" and while I'm greatful it just isnt necessary when..."
I didnt hear the rest because I'd already turned around to make my way back to the motel that I shared with Chloe.
Chloe.
I couldnt believe the guys were just going to keep this from her! Sure I could see their point of view... Derek was scared of her reaction, and of making her face something as serious as this after all that had already happened recently when it might not even be true and probably a whole lot of other things too, but to keep it from her? She had a right to know! And what about Simon? He barely put up any protest!
I should tell her... But when it came down to it, when it came down to my word against that of the guys, against that of her boyfriend who was she going to believe? Me? I dont think so. Sure, they treat me alright now and they trust me, but when it came down to it and after all that had happened there is no way Chloe would believe me against them. So what do I do about it? I couldnt just pretend I hadnt heard all that, but I couldnt tell her either, so perhaps I should just wait and see what happens for now?
I was kept from thinking more about this however when I heard Lauren's voice around the corner, she sounded nervous... suspicious?
Deciding that I might as well find out what was going on here too I slipped deeper into the shadows and turned the corner slightly for a little look. She was clutching the phone to her ear as if it was a lifeboat, and looking around to make sure nobody could overhear her. I ducked back around the wall and just listened.
"Yes, yes I know all that!" I could hear the loud din of someones voice on the other end, whoever it was they weren't happy, "But what about the others? Cant I just-" I tried to distinguish whether it was a man or a woman, but that was next to impossible, "No but, please, they trust me, if I just explained to them-" Explained what to who? To us perhaps? "I understand, it'll be done before you know it. Goodbye."
I quickly made my way back to the motel after that before Lauren could see me snooping. After all she'd done she still couldn't be trusted? It was still all an act? From what I'd learnt from Chloe she'd been recruited to the Edison Groups cause when she was still very young, fresh out of medical school. And if old prejudices died hard, could the same be said for old loyalties as well? I didnt know, but one thing was for certain. Lauren needed to be watched. As soon as morning broke I'd go find the guys, tell them what I'd overheard, the latter part anyway. As for the part about Derek's... problem, that could wait. We have more urgent matters to attend to than Derek's little wolfie urges at the moment.
Sorry it took forever to update guys! I was away without internet for about two and a half/three weeks, and I didn't take my laptop with me for the latter half, and may be going away to the land of no internet again very soon. :(
I hope this chapter was worth the wait and that you'll please review!So what did you think of Derek's actual problem? Did you like it being wrote in Tori's POV? Was it what you were expecting? Please do review and let me know as I know a lot of you have put this story on your alerts but not reviewed yet so perhaps if you could do so for this chapter for me? I'd really appreciate it, as it is your reviews that keep me going with this story so much of the time! ^_^