::: THREE :::
The clock shined back at me- eleven O'clock in the morning. I couldn't remember the last time I had spelt through the morning without nightmares, I checked my room- no raising of the dead and...no Derek. I had no memory of getting into bed last night, there was simply falling asleep against Derek- the thought of him bringing me to my bed warmed my heart as a possessive feeling stirred with it- his yours. I closed my eyes to take a breather and settle the un excepted tense feeling.
Feeling under control, I made my way down the stairs in my Pjs to find the dinning room buzzing with activity- At seeing Tori awake and dressed meant I slept far longer than usual. "Sleeping beauty is alive! Now come on, I want to go shopping." At the dining table Tori was filled with energy as there was a slight bounce in her stand- the girl got way to excited about fashion.
"I just got up, do you think maybe I could eat breakfast?"
A laugh sounded from Simon before he said, "We had trouble keeping her down stairs, she was going to come wake you up with a bucket of water and I did't think you'd like that wakening."
"Well thanks for keeping her down here, I actually had a great sleep." I turned to Tori. "Give me five minutes to eat breakfast."
"Fine. But we're going shopping today." Than i remembered one slight detail that had changed in our plans.
"U-u-m-m-m To-r-ri , Derek is coming shopping too." If looks could kill I swear I'd be dead.
"What?! You mean that wolf boy is coming?! Come on Chloe I thought it would be just us girls." She stood there with a hand on her hip as she signed. "But I guess it's fine, it's not like you have a good fashion sense." I frowned at her keeping the comment on my tongue on hold- there was no point trying to argue with Tori.
"Hey Simon, do you want to come shopping? You and Derek can go do your thing while Tori and I can do ours. We can meet up for lunch."
"Sounds good Chloe, I'll go get ready." When Simon left the room, Derek cracked.
"I'm meant to be staying with you, how am I going to protect you if I'm not there?" Is it just me or are werewolves overprotective?
"Derek, it's only going to be a couple of hours and we'll catch up for lunch." I smiled to convince him- he simply grunted and left the room without a single word. Great, now I've made him angry.
Finishing my breakfast, Tori was sitting on the other side tapping her against the wooden floor broads. "Thank god you're finished, I swear a turtle could have eaten faster than you. Now get dress."
As I made my way from the kitchen I remembered one of the reasons why I was going shopping- a blush spread across my cheeks and down my neck as I turned back to Tori. "T-t-t-to-r-rr-ri-i-iiiicou-u-ulld-d-dibo-o-orrrrr -r-r-r-owso-o-meun-nd-derw-e-ear-r-r?" The words rushed from my mouth, leaving Tori looking at me with raised eyebrows.
"Slow down Chloe and tell me again."
"Tori could I borrow-w some underwear-r-r, please?" I added the please thinking it might help.
To my surprise Tori didn't laugh or yell at me, simply shrugged. "Yeah sure but keep them after because I really don't want them back, why don't you have any? Did wolf boy tear them up?" The blush deepened as my mouth opened and closed trying to find some response."Come on, I'll get you some. Then we can go shopping."
We walked out the kitchen and in the direction of the bedrooms. Tori went straight to her draws and pulled out a G-string- I simply stared at the strip of fabric hoping to hell that she wasn't going to give me that. The expression on my face must of tripped Tori about my thoughts as she started to reassure me."Don't worry, you'll hardly know it's there . And besides Derek will love it."
My thought about the underwear was put on hold as I registered Tori's words about Derek. "W-What?
"Oh come on Chloe, I know you guys are going out and you have always had this thing for him and you never know Derek might like these." She smiled and handed me the G-string- I wasn't really sure what to do with it, I might as well go commando.
"Don't worry, it's not going to bite you but Derek might." Tori laughed and pushed me out the door with the G-String in my hand.
Great, just prefect.
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Walking out to the car I was aware of my underwear, to the point where I felt like everyone know I was wearing one- I was very self conscious as I could hear Tori talking in the background but made no sense of the words. My mind was higher aware- it was like a teen drama movie, where you bend over and the whole school finds out about it. "Hello? Chloe? Anyone there? Get in the car, I'm not holding it for you princess." I didn't know if it was Tori or witches in general but they always seem to have bad mood swings.
"Sorry Tori, does Andrew have everything?" Hopefully we wont spend too much time in the shopping centers because I knew for a fact that Tori be herself could make Andrew broke. Getting in the car I was put in the middle between Simon and Derek as Tori had called shot gun and neither of us dared to argue.
"Andrew has everything." Her mind was evidently calculating how much money she could spend for the day- I would be happy with just new dye...and underwear.
Andrew turned around in his seat and handed us all phones and credit cards. "Now, only use the phone in an emergency. Which doesn't include calling your friends or boyfriends." He gave Tori a pointed look. "Buy whatever you need, the credit cards should cover everything. Just be safe and don't grab people's attention. Call me when you want to get picked up, pick up has to be before 6pm."
Together we all mumbled our agreement as Andrew put the car into in the front seat was jumping up and down trying to find a radio station that she liked. Derek was staring out the window, being stubborn as usual to not make any contact around others and Simon was looking at the other one with his elbow against the window. I debated on whether or not to say something to Derek, there was the possibility that he was still angry with me- I shouldn't have to say sorry, it's not like I did anything wrong.
The mall was a regular size, nothing to large like you would see in the city but a country one- the place was buzzing with activity and I checked for danger, seeing none I glanced over at Derek and reserved no reaction so I took that as everything was clear. With the car at a stop, we walked towards the building like we were a normal group of kids spending the day together, in the inside we were far from been called normal with the legal activity and supernatural powers.
Tori didnt waste anytime, once we entered the automatic doors she shot off to the first store in sight. "Hey Chloe, look at this top. What cha you think?" Tori held out a low cut, pink top with sparkles.
I didn't like it but the shine in Toris eyes said she did. "Yeah, it looks great on you Tori." The approval had her walking over to the counter, she would have brought the top either way.
Looking around I saw Simon and Derek at a sports store- I wanted to confront him, maybe even say sorry as I felt the need to be close to him. "Chloe, stop thinking about wolf boy and get over here. I found something that you'll just love." Walking over, Tori was holding up a mini skirt.
"Ah Tori, I don't really think I would wear that."
"Derek will love it. It will also make you look taller and you need all the help you can get."
"Hey! My size is fine and there is nothing happening between us."
"His stubborn and your blind- I'm a witch, I can feel the electricity between you two." I rolled my eyes at her dramatic scene and followed her to the other side of the store. Tori was rustling through a pile of underwear and pulled out red lacy panties. I was already shaking my head before she spoke, "Chloe it will fix your entire problem. He won't be able to stay away from you."
"Tori please no. Chose something else, just not that." I could hear the begging in my voice- I just wanted to put the underwear down before it caught someone's attention.
"Fine, but we will have to get you some better underwear and fitted clothes." I thanked the gods that she changed her mind- it was only the start and my sanity was already slipping.
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We walked into the food court with our arms full of bags- I swear Tori brought most every set of clothing that took her fancy. We made our way over to the table Derek and Simon had, I dropped all my bags once I sunk into the chair next to Derek. "I'm surprised my arms haven't dropped off and my legs haven't stopped."
"What are we all having for lunch?" Looking around the food court all I could see was junk food- It felt a cardboard taste on my tongue, you really get sick of junk food when its the only food available on the run. Chinese stall looked the best- I had order Chinese loads of times with my dad, watching one of my movies. The home sickness didn't drag me to down as my attention turned to Derek's growling stomach- the guy never stopped eating but it didn't stop the small smile on my lips. "I think Derek's hungry and I'm getting Chinese. Anyone else want some?" At the mention of food we headed to the Chinese shop before I even finished talking.
We stood in line, the couple of guys behind us caught Tori's attention. " There pretty hot." She slightly nodded her head in their direction.
"Yeah, I guess they look alright." A growl sounded behind me and I took a glance at ghe presences almost tucked behind me- I tried to ignored the tension in his body and chose what meal I wanted.
"I would go out with one of them. You know, Derek and you aren't going to well so maybe one of them would work." Tori was trying to kill me, either she had a plan or she really wanted to get rid of me. I didn't get to answer as Derek's hand appeared on my waist, tightening ever so slightly as he buried his nose into the crook of my neck. A growl run through his chest as my breathing came out in gasps, the soft pressure of his lips on my neck made my knees weaken until Derek was holding my weight. "Hey wolf boy and wolf girl. Stop, you're burning my eyes." Tori had a smile on her lips while saying this but that didn't stop Derek from growling at her- I hadn't seen this side of him since our encounter getting to Andrews. "See you should be happy that we brought those clothes today." Oh god did she have to say that with Derek and Simon here- I could feel myself reddening.
The line moved up and we were ale to get lunch with any hussel, we made our way back to our table and I could feel Derek behind me, if I leaned sightly back i would be pressed against him. His hand rested on my lower back and his body gave off waves of warmth, it was like having a personal space heater. Sitting down at the table, Derek took a seat next to me and dug into his meal only to lean into me a few moments later and nuzzled into my neck."I like being close to you but I think your stomach needs some food." I smiled up at him teasing as I gave him a swift kiss on the cheek. He looked surprised at my reaction before leaning in putting his forehead against my own - Looking into his green eyes I came to the reason that I was forgiven because there was every emotion except for madness shining back at me.
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When we got all the shopping bags into our rooms, Tori grabbed me by the arm and dragged me to her bedroom. "Chloe, we have to dress up and do a show. Wolf boy, you have to stay out." I turned around and saw Derek standing at the doorway, I mouthed 'help me, pleaseee' and his reply was 'have fun' before walking down stairs- maybe this way payback and my shoulder slumped as i realised it was going to be a long afternoon. "OMG Chloe, you have to put these jeans and this top."
"Tori, I'm not your Barbie doll and you saw what I brought." I turned around trying to escape to the door.
"Oh no you don't. At least put on two outfits and then you can go find wolf boy."
"Fine but you should really stop calling Derek wolf boy." I put the clothes on, Tori really pull through- I must say, they looked pretty good as they compliant my body instead of down sizing it.
It didn't turned out to hard to try on the other two outfits and chat with Tori before I was free to go. I found Derek in the library reading- That boy was way too smart for his own good as I stood at the door watching him and debated whether I should go in. "Come in." Derek was still reading, he didn't even stop as he spoke the words and with some hesitation in my steps I walked over to the couch to his side.
"Are we a coup-p-le?" I looked down trying to hide my blush, my cipped nails seemed like a better topic to discuss. Derek put the book down, he lifted my chin and made me look straight into his eyes.
"Do you want to be? Because I do." I didnt act at first until my mind and body understood his words and I jumped onto his lap planting a kiss on his lips. Every part of my body was tingling and I wanted to be closer, so much closer. We kissed one last time and pulled apart trying to catch our breathes as we rested our foreheads together. For once, I wasn't ashamed about my behavior or my body's reason- I didn't need to be around Derek. "I'll take that as a yes." He gave me one of his real smiles that took my breath away- the lack of oxygen made me feel faint as I hugged Derek. "Chloe, I need to tell you something."I nodded against his chest. "What have you heard about werewolves and their mates?" I didn't know much about them- shit I hardly knew anything about myself.
"Um... I think I read something about having only one mate for the rest of their life- wolves are the same."
"Yeah, that's about it. We're protective and territorial over our mate." Derek took a deep breath and leaned back as if he was preparing himself for some kind f battle, his muscles tensing under my hands. "Chloe you're my one and only, the only one I'm ever going to love. " He took another steady breath. "You're my mate. I won't want anyone else. I love you with all my heart and I'll protect you with everything I have." I fell in love with him, if that was even possible in such the small time together- Little by little, things started to make sense with his earlier behavior.
I slowly leaned closer until I was a centimeter away from his lips, the sickened look of horror that had been placed upon his face moments ago faded away."I love you, Derek Souza."
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PUBLISHED: 06/10/2010
REVISED: 13/05/2013