Chapter 33
Derrick turned and looked at Lucie, his eyes focused on her as a fire lit behind them.
He stepped closer and pulled her by the waist, holding her flush against him.
His eyes met hers and continued to blaze.
“Mine!” he said in a low growl before smashing his lips against hers roughly as the beast inside him demanded to claim her.
Lucie felt a bit shocked by his reaction.
He was holding her body so tight against his, but at the same time, she felt like she was melting into his arms. He deepened the kiss as his tongue prodded her lips open, exploring her mouth.
She moaned as he gripped her butt tightly, trying to pull their bodies even closer together.
She could feel the evidence of his arousal between them as her fingers locked into his hair.
Deeper. Urgent. His kisses were making her delirious and hungry for more.
The sweet sparks were no longer satisfying enough.
Now, there was a deeper desire. A stronger burn screaming for him from her lower body.
Derrick pulled them apart, panting against her lips. He raised a hand to gently cup her cheek. “I never thought I would want to hurt someone so much for just looking at you,” he said lowly while he took in deep breaths, inhaling her scent to calm himself down.
Lucie met with his amber eyes as she tried to get her breathing under control.
The electrifying moment left her feeling a bit foggy.
She leaned into his chest and wrapped her hands around him.
“I’m yours. I’d never allow anyone else to touch me.
Even before I knew you were my mate, I never …
” She felt his fingers trail over her cheek, then down to her neck.
“I know, Lucie. I believe you and trust you. I need to rein in these emotions. I’ve never felt jealousy before, and …
” He let out a dry chuckle. “I think I’m a bit savage when it comes to you.
I could easily rip someone to pieces and not even think twice about it.
” He leaned into her and began peppering her with light, tender kisses.
He started on her forehead and moved down to her cheeks.
Finally, he lightly pressed his lips against hers.
“I needed this to calm down. I figured I would spare the other two.” Derrick winked down at her. “Ready for that movie?”
Lucie gnawed on her inner bottom lip and met his gaze. If they watched a movie, how long after would he have to leave? “What time … when do you need to leave?” She watched as a wide smile formed on his face.
He tilted her chin up with his thumb and leaned in close to her mouth, still smiling. “Tomorrow morning,” he whispered into her lips.
“Really?!” Lucie said excitedly. When he nodded, she jumped up, wrapped her arms around his neck, and kissed him excitedly. “Thank you.”
“Baby, don’t thank me. I don’t want to leave you either.
When I left earlier, it was to send the others back.
I told them I would meet them tomorrow. I just couldn’t bear to tear myself apart from you already.
I’ll never be ready to leave you, but we haven’t gotten to spend a lot of time together.
” He brushed her cheek with his hand. “I have to keep reminding myself that we’ll be together for eternity, that I can get through this short time apart. ”
She leaned her cheek into his hand, covering it with her own. “I just want to be with you too. It isn’t natural for mates to be away from each other.”
Derrick leaned his head into hers, still looking into her eyes.
“If it was any other enemy, Lucie … if it wasn’t for this witch who is plotting against your family …
I can’t lose you. As hard as it is to be away from you, it’s more terrifying to think I could lose you.
I love you, my little mate.” He smiled into her lips and brushed against them once more.
“Come on, let’s enjoy our time now. Let’s not be sad about what will happen tomorrow. ”
Lucie nodded. It would be a waste to think about being apart while they were still together.
His arm slid around her and he opened the door to her room, leading her back downstairs.
“Have a nice soundproof chat?” Jasper gave them a crooked grin.
“I remembered to close the door this time,” Derrick said smugly. “So what are we watching?”
Aedan grinned. “Jasper and I already picked the movie since you two took so long. I hope that’s fine.”
“That’s fine with me,” Derrick said, pulling Lucie next to him on the couch.
Lucie, however, did not like the flash of evil in her brother’s eyes. And the moment the movie started, she understood why. The title came up … Itsy Bitsy. Oh no. She could handle most scary movies, but scary spider movies … nope. She moved deeper into Derrick’s side.
“We don’t have to watch this, Lucie,” Derrick whispered.
“Oh yes she does. It’s only fair,” Aedan said, clearly enjoying himself. “Besides, a movie like this with Lucie … I’m doing you a favor.” He winked at Derrick and chuckled, turning his attention back to the television.
Lucie felt Derrick’s embrace tighten around her. “Don’t worry, Lucie. I’ll protect you. Always.” She felt his lips on the side of her head, sending soothing tingles over her body. Okay, maybe she could watch the movie in the arms of her mate.
Nope. She couldn’t do it. It didn’t matter that it felt amazing being in her mate’s arms. She could almost feel bugs crawling on her.
She turned her head and tucked it into Derrick’s side.
She felt gentle vibrations from his chest as he chuckled at her.
His hand slowly began to trace over her side.
Her breath hitched as his fingers found the edge of her shirt.
She shivered when his fingers touched her bare skin, swirling slowly on her stomach underneath her shirt.
If he was trying to make her think about something else, it was working.
Or he might be acting like a guy who had just found his mate.
In either case, she wasn’t thinking about the movie.
She was thinking about his sweet smell and his chiseled, hard chest under her hand.
And how just his fingertips could make her desire him.
Okay … maybe this wasn’t a good thing to be concentrating on.
Especially in a room where her brother and like a brother could easily smell her arousal.
Something she couldn’t hide from their keen noses.
She pushed away from him and glanced up to see his dark, lustful eyes.
She bit her lip and felt her cheeks heat up.
“I’ll be back. I’m getting a drink,” she whispered, getting up and heading toward the kitchen.
She rubbed her face slightly and opened up the refrigerator, grabbing a bottle of water.
Downing the whole bottle, she shook her head, smiling.
Just a couple of days ago, she never thought she would be capable of these feelings.
Suddenly, there was a commotion going on inside her head. There was a lot of communication from the pack mindlink, but she clearly heard Sam, her father’s beta, telling them that there had been an attack on one of their pack members.
Aedan jumped up immediately, and they made it to the door at the same time, Jasper and Derrick beside them, though they didn’t know what was going on.
“Stay here, Lucie!” Aedan growled.
“You stay here,” Lucie growled back, darting past him. The moment she was outside, she quickly shifted, running toward the upper territory. He was in just as much danger as she was. He didn’t get to act like he was protecting her. She would protect him as well.
She heard Aedan’s wolf right behind her and the sounds of Jasper and Derrick racing beside them.
They came upon a small group. Winston and Adam, her father’s gamma and delta, were there ordering pack members to return to their homes.
Sam was kneeling next to a body on the ground.
Lucie shifted back to her human form and knelt down next to the injured pack member.
She looked up at Sam as Aedan reached their side.
“He’s going to be alright,” Sam said. “He was with patrol group B. They said these pale creatures came out of nowhere and attacked them. They were heading right for our pack borders.” Sam’s eyes looked a bit worried.
Derrick knelt next to Lucie and put his arm around her waist, guiding her up so he could hold her against him.
“I’m going to have another band of soldiers join us, Lucie.
They won’t get past my men. This only happened because we left to escort you back here.
They won’t get close to your pack again. ”
“How can I leave my pack when it’s in danger?” Lucie whispered out. She looked at Aedan and could see he was thinking the same thing.
“It won’t happen again. Hey, Lucie, look at me,” Derrick said, lifting her chin up to him. “They will never get close to your pack again. I already sent Chaz to go and request more soldiers. We’ll have this area under our protection as well.” He looked at Aedan. “Trust me.”
“It’s not like we have a choice anyway. Mom and Dad are not going to change their minds,” Aedan said with a scowl.
“Hunter briefly filled me in on everything. We appreciate your assistance. We can’t let anything happen to our royalty.” Sam stood up and looked at Adam. “Help me get him to the infirmary.”
“Will do, Sam. Then Winston and I are going to collect Gia, Kurt, and Jamie. They’re at a party.” Adam sighed, lifting up the body with Sam.
“We’ll double the patrol sizes for now. There’s nothing for you two to worry about. I’ll personally see to the pack’s safety until your father returns.” Sam looked between Lucie and Aedan.
“You two should probably stay close to the house until your father gets back,” Adam said, not liking leaving the two of them out here.
“We will.” Aedan nodded for them to go on.
Lucie leaned into Derrick’s chest as they carried the injured soldier away. “Dad is not going to like this at all.”
“Lucie, please don’t just dart off like that,” Jasper finally breathed out in annoyance. “I know this is your pack, but at least explain what’s going on. You’re going to give us a heart attack.”
“Sorry I didn’t have time to type up a memo, Jasper.
” She shot him an annoyed look that quickly became one of concern.
“There hasn’t been an attack on our patrols in a very long time.
This is big news. It’s going to be unsettling for pack members.
I’m worried they will feel anxious about Aedan and I being sent away. ” Lucie frowned, biting her inner lip.
“I think they’ll be relieved to know you two are safe,” Derrick said quietly. “Speaking of safety, let’s go back to the house.” He looked at Aedan, who nodded his head, looking around.
They were lucky there weren’t any casualties this time. But this was Lucie and Aedan’s pack … their home. It was hard thinking they wouldn’t be there to help defend it if the need arose.
Lucie took in the scent of her mate. It was amazing how it helped her relax. His warm arm around her was a weighted comfort. She was glad she had him by her side right now.
Jasper, Derrick linked to him as they walked back to the house. He rubbed his hand over Lucie’s shoulder in soothing motions. I want Lucie to go and stay in the vampire kingdom until after the ceremony. It will be safer for her there.
Jasper looked over at Lucie and nodded his head. It wasn’t him he needed to convince. Though he figured Hunter would understand, especially after this. And Justice could just plan to meet them in the dragon kingdom afterward. It would give him more time to hone his skills as a guardian too.