Chapter 115
"But he's already marked me." I slid my fingers to my neck, recalling the way his teeth had pierced my skin, our mate link exploding like a rocket, lit so brutally and reverently that it sparked its promise.
Derrick's bite had healed while I slept, but any wolf could see the mark on my skin. Not only could it be seen from the claim around my neck, but our life forces became entangled as our mate link solidified. Not only did I have his powerful aura and aroma, but I also had him for the remainder of my life.
My pack bond had clicked into place, so even if he hadn't decided to claim me in front of his entire pack, everyone would have understood what had happened.
My mind was racing with all the possibilities because so much had happened in such a short period of time, including our mate bond, the new pack link, and the immediate stress of attempting to handle my mother.
"His mark has completed your mate bond, but your powers run on a completely different wavelength, according to this book," Gabriel clarified. Your magic will become much more potent if you claim him in the same manner that he has claimed you. Your level of connection to one another determines the potency of your magic. I stopped myself from falling by pressing my hand against the table in front of me.
In seconds, Derrick's hands were around my waist, giving me a stronger hold that allowed me to use him as a support beam.
"Definitely not; she fainted out when I marked her, so what's to say that something worse won't happen if I mark her? You won't be hearing from me again until you have proof because I won't lose her over a few lines on paper."
Derrick detested every word Gabriel said, but his words were the ideal remedy.
Increasing my strength meant that I could save us, but I couldn't help but feel a wave of uncertainty wash over me.
Perhaps I wouldn't hesitate to mark him if I didn't possess such erratic power, but I had already shown him how erratic my magic could be in his presence.
Wolves only had to mark one another once, and it was best for the most dominant wolf to do so. However, what if marking me again would make my previous mark worse? Derrick was correct; I didn't want to do anything that would jeopardize our finally-completed mate bond.
I suppose that was the main distinction between my mother and me: she would sacrifice anything for power, whereas I would sacrifice anything for love.
I said to myself, "I need to think," and Derrick led the way back to the couch.
I was having a hard time making sense of everything on my own as the strain, pain, and tiredness of it all built up inside of me.
He was quick to notice that I was upset and quickly started massaging my thighs in a calming manner before bending down in front of me once more.
I could feel both of their eyes on me, silently observing me, waiting for me to crumble, but I already believed I had lost him once, and I was determined not to make the same mistake twice.
With a sigh, he leaned in my direction and made me gaze at him. His hands settled.
"I'm doing everything wrong." Silently, he remarked, "I haven't even asked you how you're feeling." I looked into his watery eyes, and slowly the stress left me.
We had both had a difficult few days. We had tried our hardest to keep our feelings to ourselves because we both believed that we would lose each other. Derrick had gone back to being his wolf, and I had stopped fighting, but we were no longer able to run away from our emotions.
The mate bond ensured that.
I mumbled, "She lied to me about everything," as a dull ache started to build in my chest. "I could handle the pain, but what was worse was knowing that if people knew the truth about who I was, they would all despise me just as much as she did. I realized after all this time that the only reason she kept me sequestered in that basement, away from everyone else, was so that I wouldn't be able to find you."
I inhaled, my inner agony intensifying.
"She had all her defenses in place. She persuaded me to disguise my identity and attempted to sever our relationship by instilling in me the fear that you would despise me. She must have altered my memories as well, and the reason behind it all was her desire to prevent me from surpassing her in strength." Derrick grasped me firmly, his rage spreading and entwining itself with my suffering.
"She will pay for what she did to you." I closed my eyes tightly.
She had already broken me, and even though he promised to give me everything I could ever ask for, it didn't make it any better.
I answered firmly, "I don't want her to hurt anyone else," and I followed my glance over his face until it settled on the side of his throat.
As he sensed me accepting what I wanted, his hold on me felt like a vice.
"You don't have to mark me; we can find another way." We were already running out of time in an unfavorable battle, so I shook my head.
This was what was going to give us the upper hand.
"I want to mark you." "But this isn't just because of my magic," I reassured him. I want to form a strong link with you in every manner. She cannot take anything more from us, in my opinion. I will not give up until I get what I want—a family, a life with you, and your love." I said.
We were frozen in place, breathing in shallow breath and reveling in the illusion of eternal bliss. He appeared to be watching me for all eternity, his body poised in stillness, and then all of a sudden he moved.
His arms pushed under my knees, and he hugged me to his chest, towering over me as he lifted me into the air.
I was completely overcome by the shock of his grip on me, and I could feel every inch of him. My words reverberated with promise like a melody, and his intense touch convinced me that he felt it too.
We knew that the kiss we had shared earlier wasn't enough for either of us, even if our time was valuable, and we didn't know what would happen next.
He carried me out of his office and started up the stairs, but he was too fast for me, and my heart started to race.
I thrust my lips into the bend of his neck and planted kisses all the way down its slope.
Even though he hadn't consented to me marking him yet, I knew he wouldn't argue when he stammered as my fangs lightly touched his flesh.
He carried me to his bedroom, his breathing getting deeper as we went, but he didn't stop at his bed as I had assumed he would. Instead, he went to his bathroom and settled me gently in between the two sinks on the counter.
I scowled as he planted a soft kiss on my forehead.
He had decided to retreat, but I was a coil waiting to spring on him.
"What are you doing?" I nearly fell off my seat when I reached out for him, and his lips curled into a tiny smile before he moved away from me.
We'd been apart for long enough to last a lifetime, and even if it was only a few steps, I never wanted to be apart from him again.
Before the water started to pour, he moved to the shower and fiddled with the settings on the screen.
I watched him, biting my lip uncomfortably.
Though, given the situation, it was clear that neither of us had practiced basic hygiene,
I wasn't exactly picturing myself being taken to the shower for the first time.