“Let’s go see Olsen.” Derrick kissed her taking some of her panic away. She grabbed the condom and walked into the bathroom to throw it away. A few more of the condoms caught her eye, all of which were broken. Not quite sure how she felt about this, she pushed it to the back of her mind before walking back to Derrick in the bedroom. One problem at a time. Maybe this time I will get lucky and not get pregnant. She had heard stories of women trying for years to get pregnant after all. With her thoughts in order, she took in a deep breath.
“What happens now?” She looked toward her mate. Only a little while ago someone had tried to kidnap her from Derrick. She had no idea who was after her and the unknown scared the hell out of her.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Derrick
DERRICK EYED HIS LITTLE mate after she pulled on a T-shirt and jeans from a little bag Olsen picked up for her earlier in the day.
“You're living here from now on.” Derrick grabbed the bag and set it on the bed next to Maria.
“Do I have a choice in this matter?” Maria raised an eyebrow.
“Your home is too small for me to live in. This home has been in my family for generations. The choice is logical.” Derrick pulled on his jeans then looked up. Maria folded her arms and proceeded to glare at him. Her fingers tapped against her forearm like she was weighing her options.
“This isn't how I imagined being asked to live with a guy.” She huffed.
“I'm not a guy. I'm an alpha werewolf and your mate.” He leaned in toward her.
“Well, Mate, I will move into your beautiful home on one condition.” Maria’s lips twitched up.
“What is it my dear?” He wondered what she could be up to.
“You change me into a werewolf, tonight.” Maria's eyes never left his. The image of her as a wolf started to play in his mind and his wolf’s presence perked up, ready to make it happen. He didn’t expect being changed to be her condition.
“Ok.” Derrick was nervous about her becoming a wolf because some humans died, but with her being a witch, the risk doubled. He wanted her to be a wolf to protect herself but he also didn’t want to lose her. He kissed her and pushed her body back onto the bed. He pulled away just enough so he hovered above her lips while she tried to catch her breath.
“I will protect you, Maria. Or I will die trying. This is my promise to you. I want you to live with me because you’re my mate and if you’re not living here it makes my job even harder.” Derrick watched her eyes widen. She placed her hand on his jaw line.
“I will happily move in here with you and protect you just the same.”
He kissed her again, this time making it deeper which caused her to moan. Olsen cleared his throat down stairs.
“I need to speak to you Alpha,” Olsen said just above his normal speaking voice. Derrick pulled away from his mate and helped her off the bed. He didn’t like it when Olsen called him alpha, it normally ended in terrible news.
“Let’s get this over with so I can get back to loving you.” Derrick winked at Maria, earning him a small giggle. The laughter warmed his chest. This woman grew on him and the strong urge to protect her against everything coursed through his body.
She adjusted her T-shirt over her pink bra. Images of yanking off her panties and fucking her anywhere in the house came to mind while he pulled on a shirt. He grabbed her hand and they strolled down the steps toward a fussy baby and a mom attempting to calm her down. Alia gave a half smile before her gaze returned to her little girl.
“Is she ok?” Maria let go of him and walked over toward Alia and Aura.
“Yes, just a little tired. Dad forgets she is a light sleeper in the day time.” She glared at Olsen. He kissed her head and apologized.
“Who coordinated the attack?” Derrick turned toward his second in command. Olsen shoved his hand through his deep red hair.
“Well, we don’t know for sure. We tried tracking their scents but they kept going back to the police station and we lost it after that.” Olsen ground his teeth. As the alpha, Derrick wasn’t pleased with the news but as Olsen’s longest friend, he knew the man had done his best. Olsen and Aiden were the best trackers in his pack and if they couldn’t keep the scent, no one could.
“Fuck.” Derrick had been hoping for better news. Maria placed her hand on his back in an attempt to comfort him.
“We can figure this out.” Her calm voice brought him a moment of peace. He wouldn’t feel at ease until he killed everyone who had tried to hurt his mate. Alia wiggled to the couch and placed Aura in her lap. She muttered something and little shapes popped out of thin air. Aura stopped crying and stared at the bright shapes floating between them above her head.
“How do you do that?” Maria left Derrick’s side to sit next to her. Alia smiled.
“It’s simple. Here,” Alia said as she grabbed Maria’s hands and moved them into position.
“Now think of the shape and the color you want. Make sure you focus really hard. Now speak clearly, Volitar figuras. Most of the spells are in Latin.” Alia’s stern but calm voice helped Maria focus. Maria nibbled on her lower lip as her eyebrows rose. Alia twitched her hands a bit and Maria tried to follow closely.
After a few tries light blue circles appeared. They faded and she closed her eyes for a moment and then repeated the little spell, this time more appeared and they turned around. Derrick was proud of her for learning the spell so quickly. Aura focused on the shapes while Maria’s face beamed with excitement. The little girl’s delight brought warmth to Derrick’s heart. He wanted kids with Maria and he hoped it would be soon. The front door swung open and hit the wall behind it. The shapes vanished as Aiden stumbled into the room carrying a bound male on his shoulder.
“What the hell is going on?” Derrick growled. The wolf dropped his hostage with a thud making him cry out through the gag in his mouth.
“Just found him trying to sneak up on the property from the south. Bastard had Maria’s picture in his pocket.” Aiden kicked the male in the gut.
“Get him to the barn and secure him. Then you and Olsen do a lap to make sure no one else is coming.” Derrick barked out the orders. He turned to see fear in his mate’s beautiful eyes.
“Maria, lock the door to the back yard when I leave. You only open it for one of the three of us.” Derrick heard Alia whisper words of affection to her mate as she nodded. Maria jumped off the couch.
“Where are you going?” Maria blocked his way to the back door.
“I'll interrogate the male to see who sent him onto my land. You will be safe in here.” Derrick pulled her into a rough kiss. Her hands grabbed his sides sending a zing down his body straight to his cock. Damn it! He pulled away and jogged out of the house after Aiden and Olsen. I will keep my woman safe.
He stood outside the barn and listened for any movement around him. All of his senses were on high alert. Nothing caught his attention, yet the pit of his stomach tightened. He entered the barn to find the male with his head hanging down. The man glared at Derrick, the gag no longer in place, but his hands were tied behind his back.
“Why are you after Maria?” Derrick growled. The man bit his tongue and spat at Derrick. Specks of blood hit his shirt making his wolf roar with anger. Derrick wrapped his hand around the man’s throat making his eyes bulge. After a moment, he let go and the male glared at him.
“Because she is the mayor. We have information about her being mated to you. Our mayor shouldn’t be tainted and now she is thanks to imprinting with a wolf. She will die so another can take her place.” The man regarded Derrick like this was the only logical reason.
“Who sent you?” Derrick clenched his fists in rage listening to the man.
“We all work together to make this town great. Once you kill me, more will come. We will succeed.” He spat on the ground.
“Well then I might as well get this over with,” Derrick growled and grabbed the male’s hair and pulled tight. Derrick moved the guy’s face to meet his eyes. “Unless yo
u want to share with me who sent you? Then I may spare your life.”
The male appeared frightened for a moment then it vanished, replaced with disgust.
“Humans will take back their world.” The man tried to move his head out of Derrick’s strong grip but only managed a tiny turn.
Anger coursed through his body at the information. Humans were such hypocrites when it came to anything ‘abnormal’ in their eyes. Derrick shoved his hands through his hair while staring down at the man before him.
“Well, if they do, you will not be here to see it.” Derrick growled low. With one swift pull Derrick snapped the man’s neck.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Maria
MARIA KEPT SNEAKING peaks through the back window hoping to see Derrick walking back. Alia placed her hand on Maria’s knee, catching her attention.
“It does no good to worry. Derrick is a strong alpha and Olsen is strong too.” Alia’s warm smile touched Maria.
“You’re right.” Maria rubbed her hands on her pants to keep them busy. Alia readjusted Aura on the couch and moved her hands so the beautiful shapes would float just above the baby’s grasp.
“Will you to teach me magic.” Maria waited patiently for Alia to answer.
“I’d love to teach you. I take it your mother wasn’t up to the task?” Alia pulled at the end of her hair and met Maria’s gaze.
“It was like I repulsed her by asking.” The image of her mother’s face flashed into her mind. She bit the inside of her mouth to keep herself grounded.
“Well I’d be happy to help you out. When do want to start?” Alia glanced at Aura who yawned. Her eyes fluttered and then snapped open like she was trying to avoid her nap.
“As soon as possible. I have this bad feeling something will happen soon, especially with the crash and I want to be prepared.” Maria couldn’t explain how she knew something bad would come, but her heart settled in the knowledge of her being semi-prepared. The crash had shaken her up and she wanted to have more control of her powers if something happened again.
“Well let’s start now,” Alia said. Maria was growing to like this woman even more. Alia was almost like her witch-god-mother. Witch-god-mother, that’s funny. A smile touched her lips as she thought about her own joke.
Maria nodded. Determination to learn everything about this side of her new life kept her going. Alia began by explaining the basics of magic, how it took a toll on the body and if you weren’t well rested it could affect how strong you were.
“Also, any lunar or solar event like an eclipse magnifies your powers. I assume your mother had you over to watch those.” Alia nibbled on her bottom lip. Aura had fallen asleep finally, resting in her mother’s lap. Alia whispered something and Aura’s body hovered off her legs and settled on the couch an inch from Alia’s side. Maria enjoyed watching her sleep for a moment, the complete peace on her face warmed her heart. Alia raised an eyebrow and Maria thought back to the last red moon.
“Yea, I felt really jumpy that night.” A light tap rang out on the back door making Maria jump. Derrick stood tall with anger filling his beautiful eyes. Maria fumbled off the couch as fast as her short legs let her without waking Aura. She opened the door and Derrick stormed in, shut the door, flipped the lock, and then pulled Maria into a tight hug.
“Are you ok?” Maria whispered into his chest.
“Yes. Just frustrated.” He pushed his nose into her hair, though their height difference made this a difficult task. After a few moments, his muscles relaxed against hers.
“Those stains might not come out.” Maria rubbed her nose against his chest. The blood on his lower shirt was kind of hot in an odd sort of way. Something about him said he’d protect her no matter what.
“Once I'm done clearing the land we can change you, if you still want to be a wolf.” He leaned back enough to meet her gaze.
“My mind hasn’t changed on the topic. I'm embracing everything about myself.” Maria tried to stand taller, she hated being so damn short.
Derrick nodded and kissed the top of her head. “You’re perfect no matter what you do. I will always stand next to you.”
“I’m glad.” She kissed him. A small fire burned in the pit of her stomach. He rubbed his nose against her nose with a smile.
“Later little mate.” Derrick left her arms and walked back outside. Maria locked the door again and watched her mate shift, shredding his clothes then he disappeared. Alia moved to Maria’s side and rubbed her hand on Maria's lower back.
“The heat should end tonight. Being a witch has its perks.” Alia chuckled.
“What do you mean perks? This heat shit is hell.” Her whole body ached both from all the sex and needing more of it.
“If you weren't a witch it lasts another day or two.” Alia’s gaze scanned the backyard.
“Fuck! There’s no way I’d get anything done in this state.” Maria couldn't imagine being so horny at the office while trying to work. Images of Derrick taking her on the desk flashed in her mind. Maria pushed her thighs together to try and ease the pressure building in her body.
“Would you like to practice more?”
“Sure.” Maria turned toward Alia and they walked to the table. After half an hour of work Maria’s body felt like she had tried to run a marathon.
“Lux.” Maria sighed again when the ball of light flashed in her hands then vanished.
“Relax, your magic has been suppressed for so long, it will be hard to get it to focus.”
“I’m focusing so hard.” Maria grabbed the glass of water and took a sip. She tried again, this time the light lasted a few more seconds before vanishing.
“Remember when the Blood Moon is highest your powers will be the strongest.” Alia reminded her. Maria continued to practice for a few more minutes. She had managed to hold light, ignite a small flame, and lift a pen up an inch before it crashed back down. Alia looked up and Maria followed her gaze to see all three men standing naked at the door.
The spark in her belly lit up like wild fire under Maria’s skin. She stared at her sexy alpha. Her panties were instantly soaked while her eyes traveled down his rippling abs. God he is fucking sexy.
“Is everything ok?” Alia asked as she opened the door to let them all in. Olsen pulled her into a quick kiss.
“Yes. It's all clear,” Derrick said. His eyes on Maria. Her whole body melted into the chair.
“Let's practice more after dinner?” Alia suggested. Maria nodded absentmindedly. Food was the last thing on her mind as she stared into her mate’s heated gaze.
“We'll get the food.” Aiden punched Olsen in the arm. Before anyone else moved, Derrick lifted Maria into his arms and ran up the stairs. The light fabric of her shirt grated against her sensitive flesh. In a flash, he had her naked on his bed. Every worry about being heard vanished when his lips touched hers. Her hands gripped his hair to keep him closer to her. The need to fuck him sent every thought of getting a damn condom out of her mind. They don’t seem to work with him anyway.
A low growl vibrated against her lips, sending a shiver of excitement down her body. He pulled her legs apart and shoved his swollen cock into her wet core. His lips muffled her moan of pleasure. There was no gentle side to her mate as he slammed into her body. Yet with his brutal pace, pure pleasure filled her. They both needed this as much as they needed their next breath. His strong hands gripped her hips, digging his nails into her soft flesh.
Her first orgasm crashed into her with barely any buildup. As soon as she caught her breath, the second one started building fast in her core. Derrick pressed his lips to her shoulder then nipped at her neck. The slight pain intensified the pleasure, sending her over the edge once more. She gripped onto his back, her whole body felt like it might float away if she let go.
Derrick groaned into her neck as he reached his own climax. Only then did he slow down to let them breathe. His gaze met hers while he caught his breath making her heart swell.
“I love you, Derr
ick. It’s crazy, we barely know each other yet I do love you.”
“I love you, Maria. I will protect you no matter what.” This time when he kissed her, it held more emotion.
He let her up and they dressed so they could go back downstairs to his friends. She bent down and saw her bra was no longer in one piece. With both sides in her hand she stood and glared at her mate.
“This was my favorite one.” Maria eyed the garment. She was sad at the loss of the bra because it had been the most comfortable one she owned.
“I will buy you more just like it, if you want. But I prefer that you don’t wear them.” He leaned down and kissed her. With a sigh, she pulled on a thicker shirt to conceal her nipples and headed downstairs. Before she reached the bottom, the aroma of tacos and hot sauce hit her nose. Her stomach growled with approval of the first. She never really liked spicy food. Her bothers took pleasure in calling her a wimp when they ate Mexican food.
“Thank God, you guys are done. That was just downright torture to listen to.” Aiden smirked then winked at Maria. Her cheeks burned.
“Well when you find your mate and she’s in heat, you can have the same reprieve. Until then, shut it.” Derrick narrowed his eyes toward Aiden.
“Oh, I can’t wait.” He rubbed his hands together. “I bet I’ll be able to make my mate scream louder than Maria.”
“I do not...” The words stopped in her throat. She didn’t remember if she had been loud enough for the neighbors to hear. If she was honest with herself, she didn’t care if the whole world heard her in the moment. Every nerve of hers had been screaming for Derrick to keep going.
“Oh, honey you’re loud.” Aiden winked and laughed. For the first time, Maria caught her mate chuckle, she liked the sound and wanted more. Maria sat next to him and grabbed a few tacos.
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