Derrick's pov
"Goodbye."
Isn't it how the one word I was using on Ayden the whole time can cut so deeply when it was used against me? I've been saying goodbye to Ayden this whole time, but it was only because I knew he would always be around. I'm so stupid, everything my brother said about me is true. I was denying my feelings for my mate in order to protect a mate who didn't need protecting. I could see now that Ayden would have found a way to forgive me if I became the monster my sire warned me I would be, simply because he loved me. The way he looked at me before he followed the man, I was sure any love he had for me was long gone. I don't know how long I stood there, watching the two of them growing smaller and smaller as they disappeared into the woods, when someone pushed me roughly causing me to stumble. I turned around to find Kareen behind me, glaring at me angrily.
"You do not care if your mate leaves forever? You will just let him go?"
My eyes widened at his words and I took off to catch up to them.
"Ayden, stop!"
Ayden and the man froze, both turning to face me.
"Why are you here, Derrick? Why did you follow me?"
"I love you, Ayden! I should have realized that you would forgive me for the loss of our pups! I should have given us a chance, but instead I pushed you away and broke your heart again and again when I should have protected you . . . please don't leave me."
Ayden stepped forward, a sad smile on his face as he lifted a hand and brushed trembling fingertips across his cheek.
"You don't know how much I've wanted to hear those words, Derrick, but it's too late."
"Ayden, please."
"I can't trust you. I don't want to be hurt by you again, so I'm leaving everything behind."
"Your pups? You'd be willing to abandon them because of me?"
Ayden lowered his head, letting his hand slide from my face and fall to his side.
"I love my pups, but I can't stop the regret that they're not yours. I can't be a mother to my pups as long as I can't get over you. Please Derrick, I don't want to play this game anymore . . . I'm tired and I don't want to fight for someone who can throw me away at the drop of a hat, not anymore."
"Ayden, please do not go."
Ayden moved past me, running to Kareen and pulling him into a hug.
"I have to, Kareen. I'm happy you and Zander made up because I need you to take care of my pups while I'm gone."
"You are my best friend, I do not wish to say goodbye."
"I just need some time, Kareen. I promise I'll come back."
I do understand, Ayden and I give you my word that I will care for your pups. Please do not stay away long."
Smiling softly, I brushed away the tears that ran down his cheeks.
"Don't be sad for me, Kareen. It'll be harder for me to go if I see you crying."
"It's not like you care anyway. If you really cared about his feelings you wouldn't be leaving."
Ayden's eyes blazed as he whirled around to face me.
"Just shut up, Derrick. You're the reason all of this is happening. It's so funny, when I found out I was your mate, I actually thanked the Moon Goddess for giving you to me. I counted down the days you would accept me as your mate and I could hardly keep my control when the day came for you to mark me. I ran to you because I was so excited that I could finally be with you and instead of accepting me, do you know what you asked me?"
