After the incident with Jennifer, Ashley had to resign herself to watching Derek from a distance. And now more than ever, she needed to watch over and protect him.
She watched as Derek revealed himself to Jennifer after being absent for a while. She watched as Jennifer jumped into his arms and the couple shared a passionate embrace.
Ashley still did not like the English teacher. Others would say it was jealousy, but she could not shake off a nagging feeling of suspicion for the woman.
She heard a twig snap behind her and within seconds felt a presence beside her.
"Look who we have here?" Peter whispered jokingly into her ear. "Stalker much?"
Of course, it was Peter. News about her being back in town must have spread.
Ashley pushed him away and continued to watch Derek and Jennifer.
Peter watched her with a mix of affection and hurt. Peter always had mixed feelings of envy, anger and familial affection towards Derek because of this. As for Ashley, he loved and hated the girl. Loved her because of who she was. Hated her because she would never be his.
It's always been this way. I've always been watching you as you watched him. He thought to himself. That's why I had always wanted to crush him. Maybe then you will turn to look at me too.
Memories of longing filled Peter's thoughts. All those times he loved her. All those times he watched her love another.
He kissed her desperately, consuming her with thoughts of him.
Then he pulled away.
He shouldn't be doing this.
He was dying.
He shouldn't be hoping for more.
Hope was a dangerous thing.
With his back turned to her, he told her: "You should leave."
Still reeling from his unexpected actions, Ashley muttered, "Huh?"
"You should leave." He reiterated firmly.
"What? No. Why?"
When Peter didn't reply, she cried out.
"First you kiss me, then you tell me to leave? Why are you being like this?!"
"I don't want to get hurt again!" Peter roared back at her.
Ashley quivered slightly at his words.
Seeing her reaction, he reined in his anger and sighed.
"The last time...when you chose Derek...over me... it broke me." The tremor in his voice betraying his pain. "I–I don't think I can bear it if you chose him again."
Ashley became speechless as he revealed his vulnerable side to her.
"Seeing you with him with all your memories back." He continued. "It made me feel like you're choosing him all over again."
"Peter." She whispered and cupped his face in her hands.
"I'm so scared. I don't want to lose you." His voice finally cracked and tears rolled down his face.
Ashley did the only thing she thought would comfort him. She kissed him.
In that moment, nothing else mattered. No fear. No worries. Just being present in the moment. Her kiss conveying to him her feelings.
"I do care about you, Peter." She pulled back and confessed.
"But you still love him." He stated.
Though her indecisiveness frustrated him, he also understood.
The hurt on his face must've been evident for she looked at him worriedly again.
Peter placed his hands on her shoulder, gazed deeply into her eyes and declared.
"I love you, Ashley Hale. I always have. I always will."
YOU ARE READING
Wolfsbane II | Teen Wolf
Fanfiction"You're my wolfsbane. Mine and Derek's whether he realizes it or not." "You're the bane of my existence. And my saving grace." "It's always been Derek. Always." "He truly loved her. And it was his love for her that made me fall for him." "I love you...
