Yoooo! Thanks for the new follows/favorites and reviews. They mean a lot to me!
Something you should know about this chapter: There will be references and small moments to that show Florence was talking about in the previous chapter. Don't worry, I won't make it pushy. It's just for a short laugh (if this story even has the capability to make you laugh). Tell me if any of you know the show. That would be pretty awesome! :3
Now onto chapter 12!
Derek had never been more reluctant to step out of his car in his entire life. Even when he was running into the hospital to protect Stiles from Peter so long ago, he instantly reacted. But then that was to protect someone... This was him going to pick up not only Florence, but Kory.
For the rest of the night, he would have to be close to the very thing that could ruin literally everything he had worked for and built over the last several months. Maybe that sounds selfish, but he knew that the information he had been hiding from Florence would destroy her. The poor girl already fears men. She never admitted it- nor had he ever brought it up- but he could tell whenever a large male walked by her down the street, or when they were in the coffee shop they met and they were in front of one. At first he thought her accelerating heart rate was due to her finding them attractive so she got nervous. But when he saw her hands fidget... When he saw how she shifted her weight uneasily and would get closer to him, he knew. Sometimes, when a large man, or one that looked relatively similar to Kyle, got too close, he could smell her fear. He could feel it.
It was horrible. Even at some points with him, he would have to reassure her. Moments like when he would straddle her and tickle her, her heart would not beat faster because she was laughing. No... It was because she couldn't move. She was pinned. No way out. One man, twice her size, completely dominating her. She knew he would never hurt her, but the instinct to be afraid always took over. It was like a bell in her head, something telling her to get away and protect herself. That's why she would cry and beg for him to stop. At first, he thought she was telling him to stop tickling her because, well, who doesn't? But Derek quickly realized she was not finding it amusing. It hurt to have to calm her down and hold her to prove that he wasn't a threat.
The werewolf's black converse walked along the cobblestone path lightly before he jumped up onto the porch. Walking into his girlfriend's house without knocking had quickly become a habit, even though she always knocked before coming into his loft. The living room empty, he made his way up the stairs and down the hall, wondering if Kory could tell he was there. Probably.
Florence's bedroom was different than her mother's house. He always knocked.
"Come in!" he heard her shout over a t.v. Derek pushed the door open to find Kory sitting on the side of her friend's bed (the bed was along the side of the farthest wall and the television was in front of it, a dresser under it) and Florence next to her. The blond stared at him, her gut twisting with fear. She refused to let it show, but he knew. Oh, he knew.
"You guys look.." he began, taking in their appearances. Pajamas, messy buns and... Just lazy females. He would have smiled at the sight and laid down next to his girlfriend, had Kory not be there.
"Like we're not even ready to go? I know." Florence admitted. "But this episode..."
Frowning slightly, Derek turned his head to the t.v, seeing what he at first believed was a cartoon. Fucking anime. There was a tall man with a white lab coat with stitches in it, a large bolt in his head. He was fighting kids, apparently winning easily. "That guy looks like a cross between Frankenstein's monster and a mad man," he stated.
"Well, that's great because he is an insane scientist. His name is Franken Stein."
He was silent for a moment, staring at Florence, who's eyes were on the television. Kory, however, had her head tilted down slightly, her hands fidgeting. His frown deepened, wishing she would just leave. But then, he was pretty sure she wished the same of him.
Kory glanced up at Derek, but she refused to lock eyes with him. Whether it was her being a beta and him an Alpha, or just her fear of him, she couldn't tell. But she could tell he was impatient and probably irritated with having to wait up for them, so she forced out her voice. "Hey, Florence, we should probably go. We'll be late to the movie."
"Alright..." The brunette picked up on the reluctance and strain in her voice. She chose to remain quiet about it till she was alone with her.
Derek, who had heard it more than Florence, shot her a death glare when Florence was focused on turning off the t.v. "I'll give you two some privacy," he said, stepping out of the room and closing the door. He walked into the living room and leaned on a wall, his arms crossed. Damn, he hated that girl. Or maybe he hated the possibilities she held... Either way, he couldn't stand it.
"Are you ok?" Florence asked her friend as they changed into casual clothes.
"Yeah, why?"
"I just... You sounded different a few minutes ago. Your voice was strained."
"Oh, I just didn't speak for a while so my voice was all 'egh', you know?" It was now much easier to lie now that Derek wasn't in the room.
Florence bought it easily. "Ah. Well I'll buy you some water when we get to the theater."
"And M&M's?"
"And M&M's."
Kory smiled brightly and picked up her purse. "Sounds good. Alright, let's get going."
With a short nod, the two girls made their way into the living room, where they found Derek patiently waiting. Act normal. Maybe she'll catch on and will too, he thought to himself. He really hoped he was right.
Derek gave Florence a soft smile when she stood on her toes and kisses his cheek for opening the door for her and her friend, who was waiting outside on the porch. "You're so polite, you know?" the brunette giggled.
"Hmm. Sure. Now come on, we're already going to be late as it is."
"Not if you're driving," Florence said as the three made their way to the car.
Derek dipped his head to the side and nodded slightly in approval. While Derek took his place in the driver's seat, Kory sat in the back and Florence got in the front.
The three were silent for all of thirty seconds as Derek started the car and pulled onto the road.
"No Led Zeppelin?" Florence asked when he didn't move to turn on the stereo.
"Nah. I already listened to them today."
"K. Well I'm just gonna..." She never finished her sentence, only flicked through the CD case that was kept under the passenger seat.
Kory, who was reluctant in her actions, looked over Florence's shoulder. She knew that she had to act natural. If she wanted to live, she had to. "Metallica?"
"Maiden," Derek spoke up.
Kory raised an eyebrow at him, daring to be brave. "Metallica."
"Maiden."
Florence only stared at them, her eyes darting between them.
"Metallica."
"Maiden." Derek grabbed the CD case and put it in his lap then pushed his knees up to steer the wheel with them. Kory let out of a huff of annoyance and leaned back as the Alpha flipped through the case.
Florence grabbed the wheel and held it. "Jeez, Derek, couldn't you tell me which album? I could have found it for you."
"Well where the fuck is the fun in that?"
"Umm... I'm thinking getting to the theater, not the hospital," the beta said, her tone a bit more confident, if only by little.
Derek only grunted in response as he pushed Iron Maiden's Killers album into the stereo, a loud punk rock song playing, causing Florence to jump. Kory only laughed. "Ahhhh are you fucking serious?" Derek groaned as they walked up to a long line to get tickets.
"God fucking damn it..." Kory whispered.
"We should fucking bomb this place."
"Oh my fuck, Derek, why."
"Why the fuck not?"
"Because there are children around," Kory mumbled, feeling horrible about the fact that moms were glaring at Derek and Kory.
"... Sorry..." the blond mumbled.
With a sigh, Derek shoved his hands into his jacket pockets.
It wasn't very long, maybe five minutes, before he caught Florence shivering. He shrugged off his jacket and draped it over her shoulders, his finely chiseled muscles creating ridges under his fitted maroon t-shirt.
"But you'll be cold," she said.
"I won't be cold. Now wear the damned jacket."
Florence sighed lightly, knowing she would lose the argument if she put one up.
It was fairly easy for the three to find seats, given the movie they were seeing had been in theaters for weeks. They sat in the middle, with only a few small groups of people throughout the room, mostly teenagers. Florence took her place on the right side of Derek, Kory next to Florence.
"Are you sure you want to watch this?" Derek asked. He knew this movie. Well, he knew the legend of Sweeney Todd. The man was basically a barber who would slaughter people, then his partner, a baker, would bake the people Todd killed into meat pies. Great movie.
"Yeah. Johnny Depp is in it..."
"That's not really the only reason why you want to watch it, right?"
"Of course not. It's also a musical!" Florence exclaimed.
"Jesus fucking christ..." he mumbled, tilting his head down and rubbing his forehead. "You and your musicals."
"So I like musicals," she said as she wrapped her arm around his and basically hugged his bicep, "There's nothing wrong with that."
"Not at all," he assured, kissing her head.
With a light giggle, Florence turned her attention to the screen.
Derek could feel the hatred emanating from Kory. He was amazed Florence couldn't. But then, he was a wolf... He was so much more sensitive to emotions than humans were.
Florence was cuddled into Derek's side when Todd was going on a killing spree. Her stomach felt as if it was flipping and her heart ached. How could a human want to cause so much pain, shed so much blood? To end a life... To end a life. To take away so many memories and erase all chances of creating new ones, to feel delighted when you see the very light of life drain from a person's eyes as you kill them... You would have to be a monster, Florence thought, burying her face into his side.
"This is too much for her," Kory mumbled in Derek's ear. Fear of being so close to him was nerve-racking, but it was for the greater good of Florence. She needed to say something.
Fuck...
She needed to say something.
He only nodded lightly in response, not moved at all by the carnage. Although, he was pretty interested in it.
"We need to get her out of here."
"Alright, alright. Shut up now," he growled ever so slightly, but it was loud enough for her wolf hearing to pick up.
"Florence, baby, you want to go?" Derek asked as he turned to her.
"No..." her voice was quiet, and she peaked at the screen. God, the sound of a man's blood gurgling as his throat was slit bore into her, making her feel as if she would throw up.
He could feel her distress, making his own stomach begin to curl. He knew in his heart Florence was his mate, but he couldn't admit to himself the truth. He couldn't. If he did... He would eventually convince himself it would be ok to mate with her. No, not make love to her or to have sex with her, but to mate. To seal a bond he so badly wanted. One he needed. But of course, once mated, there is no way out, save death.
Never would he ever commit her to something like that.
"Come on, it's ok. I'll take you home."
"I don't wanna go to home," Florence mumbled as her fingers curled, clutching his shirt.
"You're horrified."
"It's just a movie. I'm fine."
Fine? Huh. So that's why he felt her shaking lightly.
"Florence, you're crying..."
"Shut up."
Derek let out a light sigh and he turned his head, looking at Kory. She made eye contact with him for a brief moment, feeling a spark flash in her stomach.
"uh- Florence, we need to go. I know you. You can't watch these types of movies. That's ok."
Derek rubbed her back soothingly, mumbling in her ear, "Come home with me. We'll make popcorn and watch some stupid anime shit."
Kory rolled her eyes, her wolf hearing picking up on what he said.
"It's not stupid..." Florence argued.
"Alright. It's not stupid. But we'll watch it and you'll forget about this, ok?"
The brunette nodded, sniffling. "Ok."
Kory and Derek both stood, the Alpha gently holding Florence's small hand, feeling her soft skin. That was one thing he really loved about her. Her skin was so soft, and it smelled so fucking good.
Florence took on her weight as she stood, but darkness overtook her eyes and she was insanely dizzy. She leaned on Derek, clutching his shirt. He wrapped an arm around her back, knowing she needed support.
She let out a breathy sigh, trying to get her vision back. It really didn't take long, maybe ten seconds, but when she did, she couldn't tell if she was grateful. Florence took another glance at the movie screen, seeing Todd clean off a bloody blade.
"Holy fuck, Florence, don't look," Derek said, pulling her down the isle of chairs to the exit. Kory had been waiting by the door, wishing Derek would hurry up with getting her friend out of the room.
When the two were closer, Kory opened the door, allowing them to walk through, then exited herself.
The walk down the hall was silent, the smell of popcorn getting stronger as they got closer to the lobby.
"Can we please never talk about this?" Florence asked as they exited the theater lobby, exposing themselves to the cold night air.
"Of course," Kory said, a small smile on her face.
The brunette nodded lightly, then pulled Derek's jacket closer around her. His scent and the warmth of it made a great sense of comfort, but she really did wish she was back at his loft already.
Derek looked down at Kory, who was surprisingly by his side rather than Florence's. "Talk about something with her," he whispered as a car drove by, knowing it kept Florence from hearing him.
"Like what?"
"I don't know. Something."
Kory nodded, then slowed down, allowing Derek and Florence to get ahead. She then went to her friend's side.
"So, Aunnee Flower," she began, already smiling by the name Colven had given his aunt, "how ya doing?"
Florence couldn't help but smile. "I'm alright... But why did you call me that?"
"Because it's super cute. Just like you."
Her smile widened. "Wow, Kory."
"What? It's true."
"It's true," Derek cut in, "you are."
A light blush dusted her features.
"That's where Colven must get it," Kory suggested. "He's also kind of crazy like you too."
"I'm not crazy!"
"Like hell you're not. What was that dream you told me about? The one with the skipping giraffe?" Derek asked.
The blond raised an eyebrow, giving her friend a questioning look.
"Hey! Giraffes are the crazy ones."
"Oh, ok, sure. That's why they-" Derek cut himself off, raised his arms perpendicular to his torso with his forearms at his chest level, and he did a jumping/galloping motion for a few feet.
"That's now how I imitated it!" Florence stated, not moved in the slightest by Derek doing what he was doing. Kory, however, was. Since when did Derek act stupid like that?
He slowed down by a lot, turning his head to look at them, then resumed walking at their pace when they caught up with him seconds later. "Oh really? Then how did you do it?"
Florence gave him what he caught as a challenging look. "Like this."
The brunette skipped ahead, twirling. Although Kory seemed fine with her friend skipping ahead, Derek wasn't. The street may have been lit, but it was still dark out. The narrow alleys they passed by were much darker.
However, he said nothing, only watched her carefully. She was quickly forgetting about the movie they just watched, and he didn't want to stop her. It would help her sleep that night.
"Derek, I know you told me not to say anything to her, and I haven't, but I need to tell her about what I am," Kory said, her voice quiet.
"Why would you want to?" he asked, his eyes still on Florence, who had actually gotten pretty far, maybe fifty feet ahead.
"So I wouldn't be holding something that important away from my best friend. Unlike you, I want her to know me."
Derek growled, looking down at the blond, who now looked afraid. Good. "I told you why I'm keeping everything from her. She can't take it. So do-"
He was cut off by a short scream.
Derek looked ahead, seeing Florence's phone on the ground, the LED light flashing. Both of their eyes widened and they bolted down the sidewalk, quickly making their way to the phone. Derek looked left then right, finding a dark alley.
A large back faced him, very male. He was obviously holding something... Some one. He could see Florence's legs, and he could hear her muffled cries. But... She wasn't struggling.
Three other men were in front of her, they all looked as if they were going to attack her. One man- who had a gun in his hand- looked up at Derek and Kory. He smirked lightly.
"You must be Derek. Our buddy Kyle has been wanting us to find you." Once those words were spoken, the man with the gun raised his gun.
He was aiming at Florence.
He pulled the trigger.