Big Bad Wolf Book 1

Chapter 24

I stretched a little before opening my eyes, coming face to face with my boyfriend. I smiled as I noticed he was still asleep, he looked precious. I continued staring at him, taking in every feature from his strong jawline to his dark eyelashes just brushing his cheeks.
I softly brushed my thumb across his cheek and found myself looking directly into a pair of pale green eyes. I pressed my mouth to his and kissed him softly. He shuffled closer to me and I pulled my head back to look at him.
"What?" he asked. I blushed lightly and snapped out of my daze.
"Nothing." I replied quietly. "It's just, I love you so much."
I met his eyes again and saw him smiling. He kissed me softly and ran his hand through my hair.
"I love you too." He murmured. "Now get ready, I have lots of places to take you." He smiled.
"Where?" I asked, still looking in his eyes.
"It's a surprise. Therefore, I'm not telling you." He smirked. I glared playfully at him. "So get ready."
"Only if you come shower with me." I stated.
He flashed me his teeth in a grin before holding me closer and leaping off the bed, walking to the bathroom with me in his arms.
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"Give me a clue?" I pouted at Derek as we stood in a line at a book store. A small smile touched his lips as he pointed to the book I held in my hand, it was Darren Shan's newest one. "What about it?" I asked.
Derek rolled his eyes playfully and he grabbed my shoulders, turning me around. My eyes widened as I read the poster in front of me. I spun around and flung my arms around Derek's neck, making him chuckle as his arms wound around my waist.
"Are you serious?"
"Yes." He chuckled. "We're at his book signing."
I pecked his lips before releasing him and he grabbed my hand, lacing his fingers with mine. I rested my head on his arm as the line gradually moved forward.
After another fifteen minutes I was walking out the book store with a huge smile on my face. I felt Derek's arm slip around my waist as he led me back to his car. I scooped my hair up and tied it into a messy bun. I felt Derek's lips on the back of my neck as he kissed it, making me smile. I turned around and looped my arms around his neck as he gently pressed me back against his car.
A smile touched his lips and he pressed his nose to mine as our eyes connected. I felt his thumbs rubbing small circles on my hips and smiled, touching my lips softly to his. His hand stroked up my back before he pulled away, opening the car door for me. My cheeks warmed a little as I slid into his car. I heard him laugh lightly as he shut the door before getting in the other side.
I sat diagonally in the seat so I could look at him while he drove. A smile played on his lips and I saw him glance at me.
"What?"
"Nothing." I smiled.
"Why are you staring at me?" he asked.
"Because I want to." I shrugged. "Um, Derek?"
"Yeah sweetie?"
"Do you want, would you like to see my family?" I asked hesitantly. Derek looked over at me.
"Do you want me to?" I nodded shyly. "Then we'll go visit your family." He smiled softly.
"Are you sure?" I asked quietly. "It's a pretty morbid place."
"Honey, I'm used to morbid. Trust me." He scooped up my hand and pressed a kiss to my palm.
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Derek's P.O.V.
I noticed Steph wrap the thin black cardigan tighter around her as the wind picked up a little. I wrapped my arm around her and pulled her close to me as we walked towards the back of the cemetery.
We came to a stop in front of quite a large crypt and Steph used her ring as a key to open the door. I helped her push open the door as I saw her struggling a little.
"Thanks." She said, grabbing my hand and leading me inside. She frowned and waved a cobweb away from the doorway, making me chuckle.
"This place is actually quite nice." I remarked, looking around. "Ten tombs?" I looked down at her. She nodded.
"Mum, Hailey, Dawn, Andrew, grandma, grandpa, uncle and my three cousins Amelia, Ricky and Adrian." She pointed to each of them in turn.
I noticed that she had a look on her face that I knew all too well. I gently grasped hold of her chin and tilted her head upwards so she was looking at me.
"Don't blame yourself, it wasn't your fault."
"But-"
"There was nothing you could have done to stop it Stephanie." I said firmly, using her full name; something I hardly ever did. "Okay?" I asked, softening my voice. She nodded sadly and I stroked both of her cheeks before kissing her forehead.
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"I feel better now." Steph said as we got back in my car.
"Why? Did you not feel well?" I asked, frowning as I pulled out the lot.
"No, I'm okay. I meant about you seeing that, it's like I'm not weighed down anymore." She explained. I nodded and reached over, giving her knee a gentle squeeze.
I heard a faint growl and looked at my mate as I stopped at a red light.
"Was that your stomach?" I asked. She blushed and nodded, making me chuckle. "I think you're hungry."
"A little." She giggled.
She leant over and kissed my cheek before I started driving again.
"What was that for?"
"Just because I can." She smiled. "And I love you."
I felt her fingers brush along my jaw and smiled. She ran them through my hair before replacing her hands back in her lap. She opened her mouth to say something, but her stomach cut her off by growling again. I chuckled and saw a light pink dust across her cheeks.
"Hold that thought, let me get you something to eat before your stomach bursts from hunger."
She laughed and I took a second to look over her, memorising her image into my brain. I smiled to myself as I pulled into the parking lot of her favourite restaurant.
End Derek's P.O.V.

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I noticed Derek shift in his seat slightly and looked at him questioningly as he slid a small box over to me. I opened it and my eyes widened as a silver ring with a small diamond in the centre was revealed to me. My head snapped up to look at Derek.
"It's a promise ring." He explained, taking the ring out of the box. "I love you and I want you to have something that can lead to more in the future."
Tears filled my eyes as he slid the ring onto my left middle finger. I grabbed his face and kissed him from across the restaurant table.
"I love you." I said, my forehead against his as I looked in his pale green eyes. He smiled and pecked my lips before getting up and offering me his hand.
I took it and he gently pulled me to my feet, wrapping an arm around my waist as he led me out the restaurant and to his car.
"Where are you taking me now?" I asked.
"Somewhere sandy." He replied.
"Give me a clue?" I paused before slapping my palm on my forehead at what I just said, making Derek laugh. "The beach." I said. He nodded, still chuckling. I pouted at him and he smiled.
"It's not my fault you're a little dim sometimes." He teased.
"Hey! That's not very nice." I pouted.
"It's one of the many reasons why I love you." He grinned, flashing his teeth.
"Sappy wolf." I smiled; pushing his head lightly and making him chuckle.
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I grinned cheekily and kicked sand at my werewolf boyfriend. He shook it out of his hair before getting up and chasing after me as I ran away. I glanced back which slowed me a little and Derek collided into me.
I fell backwards onto the sand and Derek caught himself with his arms so he didn't land on me. I giggled as he pushed himself up slightly so he could see me. I ran my fingers through the front of his hair and he pecked my lips before lying in the sand next to me.
I looked up at the darkening sky and felt his hand link with mine, making me smile. I shut my eyes in content, feeling the light breeze wash over me.
I felt a shadow fall over me and opened my eyes to see Derek' face looming above mine.
"Hi." I remarked. He smiled and his face disappeared from my view.
I reached out and pulled him down to hug him, his head resting on my chest. His arm lay across my stomach as I slowly ran my fingers through his hair.
"I can feel your heartbeat." He said quietly.
"Mhm." I hummed.
"It's steady and calm."
"I feel safe with you." I murmured, still playing with his hair.
"I would never hurt you." He said softly. "I promise." He hooked his pinkie with mine, making me smile.

Ah! Only 4 more chapters after this one!