Stuck with the enemy

Chapter 71: We're Even

Derek's Story

I woke to a hush of morning light spilling through the cabin's small window, pale and silvery after the night's storm. The air was fresh and cool, filled with the scent of wet earth and pine. For a moment, I lay still, letting the calm settle over me. The fever was gone, like it had never been there at all. My body felt... whole. My mind is clearer than it has been in days.

I turned my head to the side and there she was—Deniz. Curled up in the blanket, her breathing soft and even. Her hair was damp, sticking in dark strands to her forehead, and her lips were parted just slightly, pink and full. Even in sleep, she looked fierce. And fragile.

She'd saved me. I didn't know how exactly, but I could feel it. Like her touch had burned the sickness out of me, left me stronger in its place.

I reached out, brushing a loose curl from her cheek. My fingers lingered there for a second longer than they should have. She murmured something in her sleep, turning her face towards my hand.

A smile tugged at my lips. Gently, I tucked the blanket around her shoulders, careful not to wake her. She looked so peaceful, so... safe. After everything, it was all I wanted for her.

I sat back, letting out a breath. Outside, the world was clean and bright. The rain had stopped, leaving drops of water hanging on the pine branches, catching the light like tiny stars.

I leaned against the couch, and my thoughts drifted back to the night before—my fever, the nightmare of my mother's voice, the way Deniz's hands had steadied me, wiped the sweat from my skin. Her voice in the dark, promising she was there, no matter what. I owed her more than I could ever say.

I ran a hand through my hair and spotted a small wooden table pushed against the wall, a charger coiled up on top of it. Relief washed over me. My phone was dead, but maybe... I plugged it in, the familiar buzz of power surging through it, grounding me in the moment.

I powered it on and the screen lit up, messages from Paul and the pack flashing at me. I thumbed a quick message to Paul first.

"I'm at the old hunting cabin. Need a ride back later today. Will explain everything."

Then I hesitated. Deniz... She was safe here, but they'd be worried if they didn't find her in her room. I thought of announcing Aras.

"He'd be furious if he knew she was here alone with you," David said and he was right.

"Jacob?"

"Out of the question, you want to give me a heart attack?" David asked.

"That's impossible, but you're right," I responded.

"Alya," David said again. She was the only one who made sense.

I typed out a quick message, fingers flying.

"Alya, it's Derek. Deniz is with me; she's fine, but nobody has to know she is here. Don't worry. Can you cover for her?"

Alya's reply came fast.

"I'll tell everyone she crashed at my place. Don't worry about it. Just take care of her. What happened? "

I let out a breath, relief flooding me. She'd handle it. I had no time for explanations.

I put my phone back on the table and turned my gaze back to Deniz. Her eyelids fluttered, a tiny frown forming between her brows as she stirred. She looked so tired, like the weight of the world had finally let her rest.

I reached out again, my hand hovering over her shoulder. "Deniz," I whispered, my voice low. "Wake up. It's morning."

She shifted, her lashes brushing against her cheeks, before her eyes slowly opened. Drowsy and unfocused at first, then sharpening as she looked up at me.