Earning Her Trust

Chapter 17

I'm sorry guys I aimed for this to be so much longer but it was taking way too long for me to get done so I cut it off here and am posting what I have so far.

Thank you guys for all your comments, I really appreciate knowing how badly you wanted me to update and it gave me the motivation to keep writing. I'm sorry I've just been so busy this year because it's my last year. I have exams in three weeks and then I'll be done!!!! I need a break from studying sometimes which is when I write. I honestly don't know when the next update will be but I hope you guys know that I really do try as hard as I can to update for you guys.

(not edited by the way, comment any mistakes please!)

xx Marie

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DEREK POV:

"Shit" I mutter as I sit up straight on the floor

I groan as I pull myself up from where I rolled off the couch in my sleep and fell. I was reaching out for Avery I think and couldn't feel her. I guess I just keep reaching further until I rolled myself off. At that thought my eyes shoot open as I check my surroundings to look for my mate. A sniff of the air tells me she hasn't been in here for a while now but that she's near by. I strain my ears to hear she's downstairs and that Bass is here too. I use Drakes help to get a sense of how she's feeling. When I determine she's perfectly fine and not distressed whilst she's speaking with him I decide to take my time incase they want to talk between themselves, knowing she's safe with him.

I pull myself up off the floor and make my way over to the wardrobe. As much as I love the blush my mate gets when I walk around her with no shirt on, I grab a t-shirt and put it on anyway. She's getting more comfortable around me and I don't want to push it by not wearing clothing ever. I really don't think she trusts me yet and I don't blame her considering it's only been a week or so and after everything she's been through it isn't her fault she's so scared. But she is getting more and more comfortable around me to the point that I honestly don't think she wants us to sleep separately ever again. 

The way she clings to me so tightly as we sleep, as if letting go will mean she has to go back to where she escaped from proves that she does trust me enough to know I'm not going to hurt her. I don't think I could ever sleep away from her now either. I would miss her soft little snores and the way she snuggles her face into my neck, her wolf unconsciously taking in my scent to calm her and eliminate a lot of the bad dreams. Granted I haven't been able to stop all of them but I know for a fact that she used to have a lot more than when she's with me.

I crack my back and wince as I attempt to rub out the sore and tense muscles through my t-shirt that are a result of spending another night on the couch. It's somewhat comfortable, especially considering I have Avery wrapped around me but it's in no way as comfortable as my huge bed. She may trust me not to hurt her but I do't think she trusts me enough to sleep in an actual bed with me. It hurts that she still has a fear of me doing something so terrible to her but Ava comforts us in saying that it's not really us, it's just the bed itself that ignites her fears. I need my mate to trust me fully, and I need her to be happy. I don't want her to have to fear me, or anything in our house.

My phone starts to ring and I frown as I try and find it in my room. I generally mind link my pack members if I need to speak with them and the only time I would ever call Avery in the future-once I get her a phone-would be to hear her voice. Drake growls at me at the thought of ever needing to leave my mate to visit another pack. He may not like it but the prospect of that is very real if the rogue issues with the pack next door to us don't go away soon. I told Avery about it because I don't ever want her to feel excluded. My father had always told me to treat my mate when I find her as my equal, confiding in her and asking for her input and advice on things concerning our pack. It's her pack as much as it is mine and she deserves to know and have a say in everything. My mother had always told me to love my mate with my whole heart and to protect her from any dangers.