::: NINE :::

Walking for hours in the forest was exhausting, it was like a new spring of energy run through me as James finally led us to a dirt road - there was a gray car parked on the side of the road. James walked straight over to the car and got in the driver's side as Derek and I followed him and got in the backseat. I was sitting behind the driver's seat and as far from Derek as I could when James started the car and we were off to wherever this house is. I didn't know where it was or why we were going and I wanted answers now. "Where are we going?" I didn't aim the question at anyone, I just wanted it answered.

James was the one to answer as we turned on to a main road. "We are going to The Packs house. It's a couple of towns away, so we have a long drive ahead." Is that a good idea to go to The Pack? Derek and I couldn't be in trouble- I'm sure Derek would take us away, I hope. "We have been watching that brown mutt lately, he has been getting into trouble and needed to be handle with - he started eating humans. Anyway the mutt led us to you...We ran into Derek" He looked in the rearview mirror at Derek. "Your another wolf we have been watching as Derek is part of The Pack, we look after our Pack members."

"How do you know that Derek's a member of your Pack?"

"The leader of The Pack is Derek's father." That was a kick in the stomach. Did Derek know? I turned to look at Derek and found him already looking at me.

"Did you already know this?" He simply nodded his head. "How long?"

"Andrew told me, his way of trying to get me to leave for The Pack." I don't get it, why doesn't he just go with The Pack?

"Why didn't you leave?" I hated saying the words but what was the point of him being around if he wanted to be somewhere else - Simon, Tori and I can find Mr Bae on our own.

Derek shrugged his shoulders as we stared at each other, waiting for the other to break. I was the first to give up, I couldn't stare in his beautiful green eyes without aching - I didn't want to cry in front of anyone.

Someone cleared there throat. "Anyway, you guys might want to clear up whatever is going on between your relationship." And James needed to shut his big mouth before I do for him.

"There is no relationship."

"You're having a bad day. One way or another, you're Derek's Mate." I can't believe James thinks it's alright just because I'm meant to be his mate.

"Just because I'm Derek's mate and that's even if Derek got it right. He doesn't ow-

"What do you mean if I got it right. You are my mate Chloe."

"If I'm your mate than why did you leave me? You're meant to stay with me Derek, you're meant to be mine." The tears were flowing over my cheeks as the emotions swirled around me.

Derek's voice went soft as he spoke next. "I don't want to hurt you. I'm still dangerous, we don't know what they did to me."

"They did the same to me." Derek pulled me to the middle seat of the car and put his arms around me - an instant relief flowed through me. "You know I'm not going to forgive you that easy." Derek laughed and pulled me closer - I almost forgot that James was there.

"We can help you with your changes, make it easier. Chloe won't be able to come next change, you'll have to do it with us big boys." James meant it as a joke but you could tell he was serious. "You are all welcome at the house even the other two who were with you."

"You mean Tori and Simon?" They were only two I could think of.

"Yeah, what's the story with them? I know about Chloe here." I wasn't sure how much information Derek would give him.

"Simon is my step-brother. Tori is in the same situation as us." Quick, short and straight to the point - Just how Derek likes it.

"They went to this hotel?" That's what Derek told me, I don't get it.

"Yeah, I didn't want them hanging around the safe house in case Andrew went to find us. I needed to find Chloe so I went sent them to a hotel and told them I'll get in touch."

"Can you get in touch with them now? You can call them and I'll send a someone to get them."

"It won't be any trouble contacting them. How about we pick them up on the way there?" I could tell Derek was worried about his brother - He has a Pack, that's Simon, Tori and me.

"We're too far away now, there probably on the other side of town. The Pack leader will want to talk to you before the others come, sort out the terms."

"Fine. I want someone to get Simon and Tori as soon as we get there." Derek's voice didn't leave any argument.

"Yes, Sir." What was that? Why did James called Derek 'Sir'? I looked up at Derek to see his expression match my own.

"Derek, what was that?"

"Derek has Alpha blood running through his veins. His Alpha in your group, you just don't feel the force of the command because you're not a wolf but for us wolves, an Alpha order is to be done." God, this is one hell of a day.

1. Leave Andrew. 2. Derek breaks up with me. 3. I get attract by a wolf. 4. We met The Pack 're going to The Pack's House 6. The Pack leader is Derek's father. 7. Derek is Alpha. Am I missing anything? I think I got the main parts. Derek still looked out of it in thought- Who wouldn't be? Derek's found out so many things in the past two days.

"There's a Hotel up ahead here, we'll stay here for the night and leave early tomorrow." James looked at us in the rear view mirror. "I thought you guys might be tired."

"Thanks James." I smiled at him and I did meant it - I tried not thinking about where we could be now if we didn't run into James. At least will have The Pack to help us - Maybe it won't be the four of us against the rest of the world.

James pulled up to a hotel - It didn't look to expensive, it was small and built for comfort. It was a two building with rooms on the ground and up stairs, the office was in the middle of the two buildings. I couldn't really make out what everything look like, it was too dark outside as James pulled up in front of the office.

"I'll get a room on the ground floor and 3 single beds." Derek gave James a nod and he left to book our rooms - The car was quiet while Derek and I waited for James. The weather looked alright outside, there was a pool on the ground floor on the right side to the office and I could imagine a time when swimming in it would have been my top priority.

James was back and driving us to our room. "We have room 21A." He stopped the car and everyone got out. The inside of the room look alright, better than sleeping in a dirty building. There was a bathroom and a large room with three single beds, there was no kitchen. I took the bed closest to the window and further away from the door. Derek chose the one next to me leaving James with the one near the door. "Who wants the shower first? I think ladies should go first." James sat on his bed and smiled at me.

"Thanks." I closed the bathroom door and saw three towels sitting on the bathroom bench. I stripped my clothes and jumped into the warm shower - It felt like years since I had shower. I wanted to stay there forever but knew it wasn't possible - putting on my jeans and shirt, I felt a bit cleaner. I opened the door to see James playing with the TV and Derek sitting on the bed - he still seemed lost in his own thoughts.

"Hey Derek, why don't you go have a shower?" Derek looked up at me and mumbled a yes after he closed the door and we heard the shower turn on, James spoke soon after.

"Do you think Derek's alright?" James didn't sound like he was being an ass.

"I think his" I hesitated with choosing the right word, I didn't want him seem weak."...shocked."

"He'll be ok, Derek's like his father. You know Derek is the only son left, the Edison Group killed the others. We're all related in The Pack somehow but Derek's a special one." There was a silence before he spoke again. "The Pack will be there for him, his part of the family though he is going to need you Chloe. You're his strength, the reason why Derek lives - You're his mate. Just look into his eyes and you can see all the love he has for you. You and only you, no one else." James didn't say anything else after his speech; he stayed quiet and watched the TV. Deep down I knew that I am Derek's mate but another side of me didn't want to get hurt again, I want to make sure that Derek is with me to stay. I know I won't be able to stay angry at him for long because one way or another I love him. I love everything about him, the good and the bad.

James got up and headed for the door. "I'm going to grab dinner for us, I'll be back later." When James left, Derek opened the bathroom door and it was one hell of a surprise. Derek's chest was bare, showing of his muscled chest with his jeans hanging dangerously low on his hips with that perfect V line. His black wet hair was hanging in his eyes, I could see his green eyes looking through the curtain of hair. There were drips of water from the shower dropping from his hair and landing on his shoulders, traveling down his body to the edge of his jeans. I licked my lips just wanting a taste. He slowly walked closer to me until his body was almost touching mine, he moved so his lips were only inches from mine. My eyes traveled from his lips to bright green eyes - they held love, affection, and...lust. Slowly I reached up to met his lips, when our lips touched it was like the first time we kissed - it was passionate and sweet. I put my hands in Derek's wet hair and tried to move closer to him, his hand went against my back and pressed me into his muscled chest. Time seemed to tick by until Derek slowly pulled away leaving out breathing was heavy.

When Derek spoke his voice was rough, hearing his voice made me more aroused than I thought possible. "I don't want to break this up but James is waiting outside for us to finish." Before Derek pulled away he gave my lips another kiss and left to open the door for James.

James was standing at door with a smile, he walked straight in not carrying anything. "I see you had fun well I was gone." I blushed bright red but directed the attention away from me.

"I thought you were getting dinner?" James sat on his bed and started taking his shoes off.

"I think Derek and you already had your dinner, it sure smells like it in here." I blushed again, remembering that James were as heightened as Derek's. "It would be best if you got some sleep, we're waking up early tomorrow. Good night." James went into bed and pulled the covers up. I guess he wasn't joking about sleeping because minutes later he was snoring.

"Come on Chloe, we should get some sleep." Derek came over and gave me a good night kiss, he walked over to the light switch waiting for me and I got into bed as Derek turned the light off.

I couldn't hear him moving but I heard the blankets on the other bed."Derek?"

"Yes?" I wasn't sure if it was right to ask.

"Can you sleep with me tonight?" There was a long pause until I heard the blankets moving again. I saw a large shadow walk over to me, I moved across to make room for Derek. He got into bed with me and put his arm around my waist, I could feel the warmth and the wonderful pine scent of Derek. It felt great to be back into his arms - My body and soul felt whole again. This is where I wanted to be for the rest of my life. Right here with My Derek.

"I love you Derek." I felt him pull me closer and nuzzle his nose into my shoulder.

"I love you Chloe. I'm sorry for being a Jerk." I heard Derek breath in my scent as I gave an unladylike snort at his pitifully choice of word to describe him for the day.

"With all my heart, forever." I only slightly heard the muttered words as the haze of sleep over took me.

:^:^:^:^:^:^:

PUBLISHED: 06/10/2010

REVISED: 22/05/2013