Stuck with the enemy

Chapter 72: Morning Secrets

I rose and moved to the window, pulling the old curtains back just enough to see outside. The world was washed clean, mist curling through the trees. And with it, the world outside waited.

I texted Paul, asking him to come with the car. He hadn't answered yet, but I trusted him to get here as soon as he could.

I checked my phone again. Still no message from him. Good—he was probably still asleep.

I couldn't let him walk into this without a plan, especially since Deniz was here. No one knew. No one could know.

I moved away from the window and back to my phone, typing quickly.

Derek: "Change of plans. Deniz is with me. She was out for a run and ended up in the wrong part of the woods. We have to take her home too. Don't tell anyone she is here!"

A plausible lie. Deniz did run, and she had found me. Just... not exactly the way Paul would think.

I hit send, then tucked the phone into my pocket. I turned to look at her again. She was asleep again. She shifted in her sleep, the blanket slipping down her shoulder. Without thinking, I moved forward, pulling it back up, tucking it carefully around her. My fingers brushed her hair, and she murmured in her sleep but didn't wake.

A part of me wanted to leave it at that. To let her sleep, to let this strange moment of peace stretch on forever.

But I knew better. I needed to prepare for Paul's arrival. I needed to think about what came next—because the world wasn't going to let us stay hidden in this cabin forever.

Deniz stirred, eyes fluttering open as I stepped back. Her gaze landed on me.

"Sorry, I fell asleep," she said, her voice rough with sleep.

"It's fine" I said softly. "You are exhausted."

She nodded, sitting up slowly, pulling the blanket off . "I'm fine now."

I hesitated, then cleared my throat. "I messaged Paul again. He must still be sleeping, but he'll be on his way with the car very soon."

She tensed. "What did you tell him?"

I met her eyes, holding her gaze steady. "I told him you were out for a run and got caught in the woods. That you found me."

A flash of relief crossed her face. "Good."

I nodded. "No one knows you were here with me overnight. No one will."

She looked down at her hands. "Thank you."

I shifted awkwardly, feeling the weight of everything left unsaid. "Deniz... earlier, when you said you'd spoken to Adeline—"

"I meant it," she cut in, her voice quiet. "She doesn't need to know about this either. No one does."

I nodded. "I agree."

For a moment, silence stretched between us again. The kind that was more comfortable than it should have been. I cleared my throat, glancing at the small fireplace where the embers still glowed.

"Derek," Deniz said suddenly, breaking the quiet. "You're sure Paul won't tell Adeline?"

"I'm sure," I said firmly. "I told him not to. And he wouldn't betray me."

She nodded, relief flickering in her eyes. Then she took a deep breath and said, "Ok, I trust him."

I hesitated, then gave a small smile. "You trust him?" What does she mean by that?

Deniz let out a shaky breath. "Yeah. He's a good Beta and won't break your orders."

"Yeah," I said, my voice low. "I'm just making sure no one else gets pulled into this mess."