Secret Shifter

Part 4

I woke the next morning to hear someone rummaging through the room. Quietly I reached for a book off the bedside table and threw it toward the intruder. He caught it mid air, a look of surprise on his face, 'Hey!' His husky voice complained. It was Derek and I sunk back down from relief. He made his way over to me and looked at me sympathetically.

I couldn't stop looking at him looking at me, like I was this weak little thing, and I guess right now I was. A loud growl rumbled through my stomach and I could feel the heat race to my cheeks in embarrassment.

'Haha, I guess you haven't eaten in a while. You think you can make it down stairs to eat something?' Derek smiled softly.I felt weak and didn't think I could make it myself but still I sat up and managed to get to my feet. My vision started to get black dots and I felt myself falling, but I never hit the floor.Derek had caught me and was now holding me in his arms, 'It's ok, I'll help you.' He carried me gently but surely down the stairs.

The house was amazing and fit the bedroom I had been staying in, it was obvious this guy was wealthy, i mean most Alph's were, but this place was rich with...warmth. I was afraid I might see someone else when I barely knew Derek, but it seemed that no one else was here.

Derek must have noticed me looking around cause he spoke up, 'This is my place, no one else is here except you. Do you like it?' He looked down at me then and again he took my breath away, I nodded in response. Of course i liked this place, i liked the way it made me feel, the way he made me feel...

We made it into the kitchen where he sat me down on a stool and began grabbing ingredients for pancakes, which were secretly my favourite. I would even go into a diner on my travels every Sunday just to eat them. My stomach began to growl even louder at the sight of food and Derek couldn't help but laugh.

'So...' He spoke while pouring the mixture, 'Do you ever speak? I mean you told me your name and that's about it.'

I looked down at my hands. I hadn't spoken in years, the last time I did was when I called out to my parents as they were dragged away by the Rogues. It must be hard for Derek, not hearing his Mates voice, i know i loved to hear his. Our eyes met and i struggled to decide whether I should say something, or not. It's not like I was afraid to talk, i was afraid of making a connection with him.

If Derek knew me, what i was, what happened, why i am the way i am, it would make it hard for me to leave. Yes Derek scares me, anyone being close to me scares me. I dont want to lost someone ever again, so i dont talk, i dont connect and i never stay in one place for too long.

'Its ok,' Derek spoke, but I could hear the disappointment in his voice and it made my stomach clench. I broke...

'Sorry, I just don't know what to say,' my voice croaked and sounded like a complete stranger to me. Why was it so easy for him to break down all the walls i have built up over the years? He seemed surprised before he quickly recovered, 'No that's fine, maybe just answer my questions to start with?'

'Ok.' He seemed relieved that I spoke to him and I couldn't help but think that was sweet.

'So how are you feeling?' Derek seemed genuinely concerned.

'Im hungry,' I answered honestly and it made him laugh, though i didnt understand why, 'And sore.'

He tilted his head while looking at me, 'I'm sorry about that.'

'Its not your fault, you were protecting your pack,' I, more than anyone, understood why he did what he did. Rogues, most of them, were known to be ruthless. Besides it wasn't him that dealt the blows, it was Peter.

'No, it was my fault. I never knew what Peter was doing. I told him to restrain you, but I didn't tell him to lay a hand on you. I don't want you to think I'm that kind of Alpha.' His voice was desperate, he didn't want me to see him as a ruthless leader. But the only thing I could see from him was kindness.