𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 | derek hale [ON HOLD]

48 | 2 2 + 2

My eyes flutter at the sudden brightness. I smell the wood and musk and feel the soft fabric beneath me.

I'm in my bed back at the loft.

I slowly crack my eyes open and I'm blinded by the sunlight. Rica is sleeping soundly beside me, her body cuddled into my side. I sigh as I allow myself to wake up.

There's a slight throbbing in my head and I touch the pained spot to realize it's a bruise. It was probably from when the nogitsune yanked my hair and threw me to the floor. I'm wearing a light pink satin pajama set.

Derek must have changed me while I was out.

Rica startles awake and her tail starts wagging frantically, She walks up to my face and licks a light kiss on my cheek. "Hello, girl," I whisper, my voice raspy. "I'm ok, don't worry."

"Hana?" My mate walks in from the bathroom, a low-hanging towel wrapped around his waist. His hair shines with water and there are droplets cascading down his muscular chest and abs.

My mouth waters.

Holy cannoli. This man.

"Hi, Derek," I smile at him, admiring the view.

"Here, let me get you some water," Derek turns into a worried-mother. He brings me water and some pain medication. I take both greedily, waiting to feel semi-normal. "How are you feeling?"

"Exhausted, but better," I tell him with an assuring smile. "What about Kira and Scott? Are they ok?"

"Deaton is dealing with them," Derek tells me. "They're both doing fine." I sigh in relief.

My friends are safe. Now, onto other important matters...

"What day is it?" I ask.

"The 7th," Derek replies after checking his phone. My entire being suddenly jolts awake.

"Oh my god, how did I not realize?" I gasp. I jump out of bed and jump on Derek. He grabs me immediately, this action now a reflex, and I squeeze him in a tight hug.

"What is it?" He asks, confused as I begin to kiss all along the side of his neck.

"Happy birthday, Derek," I mumble as I inhale his sexy scent.

"Holy shit, I forgot," Derek whispers as he hugs me tighter to him. "We're so busy with Stiles that it completely slipped my mind."

"Silly werewolf," I giggle into his neck. He chuckles. "Oh, how is your back? Was my dad nice?"

"He patched me up," Derek nodded. "You don't need to worry about us, love. Your dad and I are good."

"Good," I smile. "I know he's not been the... um... greatest with you." Derek shrugs. "What about Stiles?"

"He's with his dad. They're taking care of it," Derek replies. "Deaton injected him with Letharia Vulpina." I gaze at him questioningly. "It's wolf lichen. It's Latin translation means 'deadly to foxes.'"

"So, Stiles is free from the nogitsune?" I ask, confused.

"More like the nogitsune is comatose at the moment," Derek explains. "Stiles is in control now. The nogitsune is weak and doesn't have strength. We now have some time to figure out what to do, thankfully."

"Ok, that's not terrible," I hum in agreement. "Now that that's all dealt with... what do you want to do?" His eyes flare and he pushes me back onto the bed with his large frame. I squeal in surprise.

"You," he growls hungrily into my ear. I gasp as he starts a trail of kisses from the tip of my ear and down my neck. His groans vibrate against my skin, and I shiver in delight.