1| MARINE MCCALL [TEEN WOLF]

Chapter 7: Always

"After all this time?
Always. . ."

- s e v e r u s s n a p e

AINSLEY SAT BESIDE Derek on the couch, holding his hand in hers. They spent the last hour just sitting and talking about everything.

"It's why I joined the Marines. I didn't want to live in fear anymore," She explained to him as she stared down at their entwined hands.

Derek gazed at the gorgeous woman before him. The only person who could ever make him feel like a love-struck teenager. He had learned something about her that made him love her even more, "Tell me about that. What was it like, being a soldier?"

She glanced up at him with a small smile on her face. It shocked her, how quickly they became comfortable with each other again. It was as if no time had passed and they were still those young teenagers.

"Life-changing," Ainsley replied carefully, "I've experienced and witnessed horrifying things. But it's made me stronger and it's built me into who I am today. But the best part was the people I met and built relationships with. I gained more than strength, I also gained a family."

Derek smiled when he saw one grow on her face. It was obvious she cared for her fellow soldiers. However, he couldn't help but feel a bit of jealousy. She was surrounded by men, one of them must have caught her eye.

"Did you- were you ever involved?" He mumbled so quietly she almost didn't hear.

She couldn't help but be a bit amused at his tone. Ainsley knew him enough to know he was trying to hold back his jealous/possessive side, "Yes."

Her eyes shined with shock when he released a fierce growl. But he couldn't help it, she was his.

"But I had never loved anyone else after I met you, Derek," She continued on as she brought her hands to his cheeks, forcing him to look her in the eye, "Yes, I went on dates and had relationships but I never loved any of them."

"None of them lasted longer than a couple of months because they-- they just weren't you." She spoke each word with love and meaning. Derek's jealousy and anger disappeared ad he listened. As sappy as it sounded, he felt like his heart would beat out of his chest.

He couldn't help it, he always felt that way around her. It was the way she spoke, the things she said, and the way she looked at him that turned him into a love sick puppy. (No pun intended.)

"I never gave women a second glance after I left," Derek whispered to his mate and smiling when her eyes grew wide with surprise, "I always knew you were my mate Ainsley. Just the thought of being with someone else made me sick to my stomach. Whether you forgave me or not, you would have always been my one and only."

This time, he cupped her face in his hands and slowly leaned in for a kiss. But he felt her pause and lean back a little bit causing him to pull away with a hurt look on his face, "What's wrong?"

"I'm scared." She whispered softly while flickering her gaze to the side, avoiding his eyes, "That one day this won't be real anymore. I'll wake up and you would be gone again. I can't go through that Derek, I ref-"

Derek quickly cut her off by placing a hard yet passionate kiss against her lips. A kiss that left them breathless and their hearts racing. A few seconds later, they pulled away for air.

"Ainsley, I'm not going anywhere. I will never leave you again. I'm going to protect you and no one is gonna hurt you as long as I am around," He vowed while staring into her eyes.

Ainsleys eyes watered as she stared right back, "Promise?"

"Promise."

She couldn't help it and she felt the mood needed a little lightening up, "Maybe promise could be our always."

. . .

After my time with Derek, I received a phone call from Coach asking me to help him with the team. Seeing as I was his star player back in my day, I couldn't tell him no.

So here I was, walking through the familiar locker room with a smirk on my face. Both from my time with Derek and the hilarity of seeing these adolescent boys thinking they have a chance with me.

I ignore their cat calls and others cries of embarrassment, "Believe me boys, if there's anything I haven't seen. I'll throw a dollar at it."

I catch sight of my baby brother and send him a megawatt smile. However, being his protective little self, he rushes over and glares at his fellow teammates, "Ainsley, what are you doing here? And what are you wearing?"

Furrowing my brow, I look down at my spandex shorts and sports bra with a tank top thrown over, in confusion.

"First of all, there is nothing wrong with my outfit Scotty Boy. Secondly, scoot out of my way because I need to speak with Coach. He asked me to help him with the team seeing as I was once Captain," I replied with my hands on my hips and an irritated frown on my lips.

Someone snorts behind me causing me to whip around only to see an older version of a young boy I used to babysit, "Not just Captain, but the best lacrosse player in the history of Beacon High."

"Little Jackson? No way, look at you! You've really grown up!" I gasp as I pull him into a brief hug.

He pulls back and sends me a small smile. I hear Stiles make a noise behind me as if he's surprised to see an actual genuine smile. I roll my eyes at him but I've always understood why Jackson was that way.

Sure, his adoptive parents were rich but they left him alone all the time. He grew up with a void inside that no one bothered to fill. The poor kid never felt true love from a parent, adoptive as well as biological.

"Hey Ainsley, I've missed you too." He mumbles shyly while trying to ignore the looks of surprises from everyone else.

Smiling softly, I ruffle his hair fondly, "Let's talk more later, okay? I wanna know how you've been doing."

He gives me a nod before Coach pops out of his office with his loud mouth,
"OK, everyone head out! It's time for practice! Yeah, that's right Greenburg, I'm gonna work you the hardest."

Stifling a laugh, I jog out to the field after the team. Once we're there, Coach and I stand side by side in front of them. Coach wears an evil smirk on his face as he announces my presence, "Alright, today I am going to let Ainsley take over practice."

I see the players look at each other in apprehension and others with amusement. At least some of them remember my military background.

"Alright then, thanks Coach. As many of you may know, I am Ainsley McCall! Yes, Scotty boy is my baby brother," I announce, smiling when I see Scott burn with embarrassment, "Today we are going to be running. Oh, stop that groaning! I will be running with you guys, got it?"

I use my 'military commander' voice as I glare at them for protesting. I watch as their faces all change to fear.

"Y-yes! Ma'am!" They stutter, making me smirk. I lead them to the track and stand in front of them, "Ready? Run!"

By the end of my conditioning training, all the players are gasping for breath. I shook my head in amusement as I watch Coach glance from his team to me and back again.

"Ok, pansy's hit the showers!" Coach yells at them before turning to me, "Hey, Ainsley. Thanks, you were great with them."

"No problem coach. It was kinda fun bossing them around." I reply, making him laugh, loudly might I add.

He heads off back into the school while I glance around, wondering what I should do next. Sighing, I decide to wait for my brothers to get out of school.

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