Adeline couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong. The shadows in the trees, the strange sounds that echoed from the forest — they all seemed to close in on her as she stood beside Derrick, staring into the darkness. Every instinct she had screamed at her to run, but something inside her anchored her to the spot. It wasn't fear, though. No, it was a deep, visceral pull toward him — an invisible tether that seemed to bind them in a way she couldn't explain.
Derrick's gaze swept the surrounding area, his jaw clenched tight. The moonlight bathed his face in an ethereal glow, casting sharp shadows across his rugged features. For a moment, Adeline thought she saw a flicker of vulnerability in his eyes — something that made him seem more human than the powerful werewolf leader he truly was. But it disappeared as quickly as it came.
"We're not alone," he repeated, his voice low and controlled, though there was a trace of tension in it. His eyes flickered to the dark trees, a subtle warning in them.
Adeline felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end. She wanted to ask what he meant, but she knew better than to question him when he was this alert. He was in charge here, and something told her he wasn't just talking about the rogue wolf they had fought earlier. The danger was much closer now, more personal. And it was somehow tied to her.
"Derrick," she breathed, her voice barely above a whisper, "What's happening? What's going on here?"
He turned to her then, his amber eyes locking with hers, soft but filled with an intensity that took her breath away. For a brief moment, time seemed to slow as the tension between them thickened. The attraction she felt for him, something she had been trying to suppress, flared once more, and she could see it in his eyes — the same yearning, the same pull.
"I'll explain everything. But we need to stay inside. It's not safe out here."
Without waiting for her response, Derrick gently but firmly took her hand, leading her into the Heathcliff Pack's compound. The estate loomed in front of them, its large gates swinging open as if anticipating their arrival. The sounds of the forest, the eerie rustling and creaking, faded away as they entered the house, the heavy doors closing behind them with a resounding thud.
Inside, the atmosphere was different. It was calm, almost peaceful — but the silence was unsettling. Adeline noticed the pack members moving about in the distance, their eyes flickering toward her with curiosity, even caution. She could feel their gaze on her, but no one approached. They respected Derrick's authority, and their silence only deepened the tension hanging in the air.
Derrick led her through the hallways, his grip never leaving her hand. The touch was grounding, steadying her as her mind raced with questions. Her head spun with confusion — what was the connection between her and this pack? Why was Derrick so intent on protecting her? And why did she feel like she was slipping deeper into a world that didn't belong to her, even though every fiber of her being wanted to embrace it?
They reached a large, cozy room with a fireplace crackling softly in the corner. The warmth from the fire washed over Adeline, and she suddenly felt the weight of the night crash down on her. The exhaustion, the adrenaline, the confusion — it all piled on, threatening to overwhelm her.
Derrick released her hand, but his gaze never left hers. He walked toward the fireplace, turning to face her as he spoke.
"Adeline, I don't know how to say this, but the truth is… I've been watching you for a long time. You're not just anyone. You're part of something greater, something I can't ignore."
Adeline's heart skipped. His words sent a shiver down her spine, and she stepped forward, her voice trembling. "What are you talking about? I don't understand. All I know is that my grandmother kept secrets. She knew something about me, didn't she? Something that… connects me to all this."
Derrick nodded, his expression serious. He walked toward her slowly, his steps measured, his gaze softening as he reached out to gently touch her cheek. "Yes, Adeline. Your grandmother knew. And she tried to protect you from it. But now… now it's too late."
"What do you mean?" Adeline whispered, her heart pounding in her chest.
"I mean that you are my mate," He said, his voice steady but filled with a deep sincerity that caught her off guard. "The bond between us is real. You're not just a human. You're a part of this world — a world of wolves, of power, of magic."
The words hung between them, and for a moment, she could only stare at him in shock. Everything he said made sense, yet nothing made sense at all. A part of her wanted to deny it — to tell him that he was wrong, that it couldn't be true — but another part of her felt the deep connection in her bones. The pull toward him, the way her heart fluttered whenever he was near. It was as though something inside her had always known, even before Derrick had said it aloud.
"I don't know what to say," Adeline murmured, her voice shaking. "I don't know if I can believe you."
"You don't have to believe me," Derrick said softly, stepping closer, his hand moving from her cheek to gently cup the back of her neck. "But you feel it, don't you? The connection. The pull."
Her breath hitched, and she nodded slowly. Yes. She did feel it. It was undeniable, like a fire igniting deep within her soul.
Derrick leaned down, his lips brushing against her forehead, his voice low and soothing as he whispered, "I'm not going to force you into this, Adeline. But I'm here. And I'll be here, no matter what. I'll protect you."
Adeline closed her eyes, her heart racing as she allowed herself to absorb the gravity of his words. The bond between them — it was real. And it terrified her, but it also felt right in a way she couldn't explain. The overwhelming need to be close to him, to let him in — it was almost too much to bear.
As if sensing her hesitation, Derrick gently pulled her into his arms, holding her close, offering her warmth and safety. The scent of him, earthy and powerful, enveloped her, calming the storm inside her.
"Adeline," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "I've waited so long for this. For you. I just need you to trust me."
And in that moment, Adeline made a choice. She pulled back slightly, looking up into Derrick's amber eyes, seeing the vulnerability hidden beneath his alpha exterior. And she saw the sincerity, the love that had been there all along, even if it had been unspoken.
"I trust you," she said softly, her voice steady.
His expression softened, a slow smile curling at the corners of his lips. "Good," he whispered, before closing the distance between them. His lips met hers in a soft, tentative kiss that quickly deepened, igniting a spark between them. It wasn't just the heat of passion, but the warmth of connection, of knowing that they were bound together in a way neither of them could ever fully escape.
For the first time that day, Adeline allowed herself to surrender to the feelings that had been building inside her since their first meeting. She kissed him back with all the emotions she had kept hidden, all the fear, the longing, the trust. She let herself be consumed by him, by the love that felt so foreign yet so familiar at the same time.
As they pulled away, their foreheads resting against each other, Adeline whispered, "I don't know what's ahead of us. But I'm ready."
He nodded, his hands gently tracing her back. "We'll face it together."
And in that moment, She knew that no matter what dangers lay ahead, no matter what secrets were waiting to be uncovered, she and Derrick would face them side by side. Because together, they were unstoppable.
He led her to the bed and laid her there. He reached for the duvet and covered her.
"Sleep tight sweetheart. Sleep tight"
"Where are you going?" She asked him.
"I'll be in my study. It's just the next room"
She nodded and gave herself into the overwhelming power of sleep. This time around, she had a peaceful rest.