Stuck with the enemy

Chapter 7: Overprotective?

Alya picked me up, and we headed straight to the party. I glanced out the window as the town lights flashed by, trying to shake the uneasy feeling that crept up on me. Alya, ever the social butterfly, seemed more excited with each mile, filling the car with chatter about the event. According to her, the organizer was an old classmate she hadn't seen since graduation. Now he was back in town, throwing a grand event as a kind of reunion, pulling together people from all walks of life, many of whom hadn't spoken since high school.

My heart dropped when I heard this. All her former classmates? No way. Was it too late to turn back? The thought made me tense, but I tried to keep my cool, hoping Alya wouldn't notice.

We pulled up outside the venue, a massive house that seemed to glow in the night with festive lights illuminating every window. The energy inside was palpable, even from where we parked. Music thumped against the walls, sending vibrations through the air, and decorations hung in every corner, meticulously placed to create a whimsical, nostalgic atmosphere. I couldn't deny it-the host had an impressive eye for detail.

But as I followed Alya inside, I couldn't fully immerse myself in the ambiance. There was an odd tension in the air, and I could feel it like static against my skin. No matter how hard I tried to focus on the present, something felt off, and I couldn't shake it.

Then I saw him. Derek Garcia, the danger himself, was already there. He lounged across the room, unmistakably arrogant, his usual smug expression giving him the appearance of someone who thought he owned the place. His twin sister Julia stood beside him, her boyfriend at her side, along with a girl I didn't recognize, likely another one of his admirers. They all looked perfectly at ease, laughing, as if they had not a care in the world.

The second I entered, his eyes found mine. He locked onto me with a look that was almost predatory, his wicked smirk making my stomach tighten. I tried to shake it off, to ignore the intensity of his gaze as we crossed the room, but I could feel his eyes lingering on me, like a weight pressing down.

"Deniz, isn't it beautiful here?" Alya exclaimed, gesturing toward the string lights that hung above us. "Look at these! They make it feel so magical."

"Yeah, it's... cool," I replied, forcing myself to look away from Derek. I needed to ground myself, to stay focused on why I was here. Alya had dragged me along for support and company, and I couldn't let Derek's presence ruin my night-or hers.

Alya suddenly tugged on my arm, pulling me from my thoughts. "Let me introduce you to our host," she said, guiding me toward a tall man who was approaching us with a friendly, open smile. His confidence seemed effortless, and he exuded a natural charm.

"Alya!" he greeted, his eyes lighting up as he took her hands. "You look exactly the same! Has it really been three years?"

She laughed, shaking her head. "Three years? It's wild to think about. Time flies, right? Mason, meet my friend Deniz." She turned to me, smiling. "Deniz, this is Mason Walker, our old football star and school legend."

Mason chuckled, reaching out to shake my hand. "I think she's exaggerating, but it's nice to meet you, Deniz." His grip was firm but warm. "That's a beautiful name, by the way. What does it mean?"

"It's Turkish," I replied, feeling a bit flustered by his attention. "It means 'sea.'"

Alya interjected, a playful grin on her face. "And just like the sea, she's calm but also full of surprises." She winked at me. "You two have fun-I'll catch up with you later."

"So, Deniz," Mason continued, his smile genuine, "are you from Turkey?"

"Not quite," I said, trying to ignore the feeling of Derek's eyes on me from across the room. "My grandmother is Turkish, but my parents and brother were born here. It's just part of our heritage."

Mason nodded, his expression warm. "I think that's amazing. I'm really glad you're here tonight." There was something reassuring about his smile, but even then, I felt a chill creeping along my spine, a sensation that was hard to ignore.

I glanced over Mason's shoulder, and there he was again-Derek, watching us with an intensity that made my pulse race. His glare was dark, his expression twisted with disgust at every friendly word and casual gesture Mason directed at me. I forced myself to focus on Mason, determined to ignore Derek and whatever jealous storm he was brewing.

"What do you do, Deniz?" Mason asked, blissfully unaware of the tension thickening the air.

"Oh, I'm just helping Alya out at her café until fall," I said, trying to keep my tone light. "After that, I'll be starting university. I'm going into architecture."

Mason's eyes lit up with genuine interest. "Architecture? That's impressive! I might need a second architect on some projects down the line," he joked, lightly touching my arm. His touch was casual, but even so, I could feel Derek's burning gaze across the room.

---

Derek's Perspective

I hadn't seen Mason since high school, but here I was, attending his grand reunion party, more out of a sense of obligation than actual interest. My sister Julia and her mate had tagged along, eager to see old friends. Of course, Julia brought Clara along too, likely hoping to push another setup attempt on me. I sighed inwardly.

My wolf, David, growled with disdain. "Derek, are you seriously considering this?"

I scoffed, crossing my arms. "It's not like I have a lot of options left."

David didn't hesitate, hitting me with the truth. "If you'd accepted your true mate, you wouldn't be here, debating Clara or whoever else comes along."

I felt a pang at his words, but I shrugged it off, refusing to dwell on it. David was right, though-I'd rejected Deniz, and she seemed perfectly content without me in her life.

But as I looked across the room, I spotted her. She had arrived, and it was impossible not to notice. With her hair down, cascading around her shoulders, she moved through the crowd gracefully, effortlessly. She was breathtaking, and I couldn't tear my eyes away.

"Derek, close your mouth," David teased, chuckling. "You're catching flies."

I snapped my mouth shut, clenching my jaw. But as I watched, Mason walked up to her, his confidence radiating. My irritation flared as I saw him touch her arm, making my fist tighten involuntarily.

David's growl rumbled in my mind. "Let's teach that fool a lesson."

Unable to hold back my jealousy, I sent a mind-link to her, my voice seething with possessiveness. If you don't walk away from him now, things will get ugly. She glanced at me, irritation flashing in her eyes, but after a moment's hesitation, she finally excused herself, stepping away from Mason's side.

Satisfied, I leaned back, a smug smile tugging at my lips. I wasn't letting her go that easily.