Cages// Teen Wolf AU

Chapter Ten

The rest of the week is uneventful, and I find myself falling into my routine once again. I take a deep breath before stepping out of my school building, shoving my hands into my coat to keep warm. The snow crunches beneath my feet and I make sure to watch for ice on the ground so I don't slip.

The wind is harsh as it whips around me, my hair going all around my face. As I gather my hair and haphazardly put it into a ponytail, my eyes land on the black vehicle in front of me. The car sits a few yards away, but is the only one around. A small scowl forms on my face, but there's a small hint if excitement filling my body as I stare at the familiar car. What is he doing here?

I walk over to the car, seeing him sitting in the front seat, eyes already on me. "What are you doing here?" I ask standing at the passenger door.

"Came to see you." He simply says before letting his gaze fall from me and to the empty parking lot. Slowly, I get into the car and the warm air blows at my face causing me to take my hands out of my pockets and put them up to the vent.

Derek pulls out of the parking space, heading out onto the road. The two of us remain silent, I wipe my hands on my jeans looking out at the snow falling from the sky. "Are you still mad at me?" He asks suddenly. I look over at him to see he isn't looking at me, his focus is solely on the road.

"No." I answer honestly, he doesn't respond but out of the corner of my eye I see that he has slightly relaxed. I look over at him, waiting for his reply, when I don't get one I put my bag in the back seat of his car and turn my attention to the road.

"I want to take you somewhere." He says after a while, his voice sounds lighter. I pursue my lips without responding, I could either say no, and continue to have no contact with him. Or, I could say yes and stay with him, it doesn't take long for me to choose my answer.

**

"You're taking me to get food?" I ask as we park the car in front of a small restaurant. Derek shrugs, walking in the building, holding the door open for me. When we get inside we find a small table and patiently wait for someone to come and take our orders. "Why are we here?" I ask looking around, somewhat nervous.

"To talk,"

"What do you want to talk about?" I ask and Derek glares at me. "You wanted to talk, then do it, but I'm not going to ask questions and not get any responses from you."

"Fine, what do you want to know?"

"Are you in a gang?" I ask softly, careful to make sure no one else is able to hear me. A lady walks over to us, taking our order before quickly taking off. I let out a small sigh in relief, relaxing back into my chair as I stare at Derek. "It isn't hard, we both know the answer." I point out watching his face for a reaction, but I get none. His face is stone cold, if he's angry I can't tell, he masks his thoughts well.

"Yes." He finally answers and my stomach flips, I knew he was but his conformation made it seem all too real.

"Why are there people after me?" I ask taking a sip of my drink the waitress has set down for me.

"They aren't after you per say, they're more so after me." Derek replies drinking from his cup. I stare at my fingers trying to take in this information.

"Is it safe for me to be with you?" I ask after a few minutes. I don't look at Derek, but I can feel Derek's gaze fixated on me. He remains silent and I squirm anxiously waiting for his answer.

"It's more safe for you to be with me than anywhere else." I lick my lips nodding slowly at his response. I guess what he said was true, I mean, just because he was gone didn't stop someone from breaking into my house. I shudder at the thought.

"Okay, last question, why'd you come back? Why'd you come back now, not just tell me the night I initially asked you?"

"I didn't want to." He says quickly, "I didn't want you to know about it."

"What changed your mind?"

"I realized," he stops suddenly pursuing his lips, "I realized you were too important for me to let go of."

We stayed at the restaurant for a long time just talking and enjoying each other's company. It was refreshing to see Derek, especially when he's in a good mood. By the time we decided to leave the sun was already down and another round of snow had begun to fall. We walked back to Derek's car silently, a small smile on my face, I was glad he decided to come back.

When we got to my apartment complex Derek offers-insists- to walk me up to my door. I don't fight him, knowing that I'd get no where if I did. "You okay?" Derek asks nudging my shoulder with his arm. I break my gaze with the floor and look up at him nodding.

"Yeah I'm just thinking." I say lightly.

"What are you thinking about?" Derek asks and I let out a soft breath keeping my eyes trained on him.

"You." Derek mouth falls open slightly and just as he's about to say something the elevator doors open up and we both step out onto my floor. When we step in front of my door I unzip my bag looking for my keys. "Seriously, " I mutter to myself moving my hand a little more frantically to find my key, but it isn't there.

"Here," Derek says with a smirk holding my keys out to me. I scowl at him before taking my keys from him.

"Asshole," I mutter under my breath. Derek tips his head back a small laugh falling from his lips and he shakes his head.

"You dropped them in my car, goodnight Alexa." He says before turning on his heel and walking away. I slowly zip up my book bag before putting it back over my shoulder. "Lex," Derek's voice catches my attention as I turn back to him. "I just wanted to.." he trails shaking his head, "Fuck it," he mutters taking a few steps towards me and pulling my lips to his.