Enduring Love (A Derek Hale Fanfic)

Chapter 20

Derek, Isaac, Peter and I walked up the barely visible trail to the Hale house. On the door was a swastika-like spiral pattern.

"So, this is why you were so eager to build you pack and power," Peter says.

"What it is?" Isaac questions.

"Derek?"

"It's their mark. The mark of an alpha pack."

"Like a pack of alphas?" Isaac couldn't wrap his head around it.

"Exactly," Peter agreed.

"What do they want?" I asked.

"They've come to Beacon Hills because they've taken an interest in the new alpha in the area."

Isaac and I looked at Derek who wouldn't meet our eyes.

I dropped Derek's hand and walked into the house; everyone else soon followed. Peter and Isaac made their way into the used-to-be living room and I walked upstairs to Derek's room. After a few moments, Derek followed.

I lay on the bed as he sat on the edge, head in his hands.

"Whatcha thinking about?"

"You would know."

"What's wrong, Derek? That was pretty harsh."

He ran his hands through his hair.

"I know. Im sorry. It just seems as soon as we get rid of one problem another shows. I didn't mean to take it out on you. I'm sorry."

I crawled onto his lap and straddled him. I held his face in my hands.

"It's going to be okay, Derek. You have nothing to worry about."

"But I do. I have you to worry about and Isaac, too."

"I've told you before, I can take care of myself."

"But I want to be the one to take care of you. I'd feel whole if I could. I failed once at that. I don't want to do it again."

He dropped his head.

"Hey, look at me."

Slowly, he raised his gaze to mine. I pressed my lips to his softly, sweetly.

"That wasn't your fault. And I don't blame you. Look at us now. We're stronger together. We can take care of each other. You're not the only one who has to do all the protecting, ya know?"

Derek stroked my cheek lightly with his thumb.

"How did I deserve you?"

"I ask myself the same thing."

He pulled my lips to his and laid back on the bed. I kissed him passionately, with the occasional, playful lip bites.

After a while, I pulled away for a moment.

"I love you, Derek Hale."

"I love you, Bri Lahey."