CHAPTER EIGHT
Maria
HOLY FUCKING SHIT! Maria continued to read over the report compiled by the spies on Alia, the witch, and the vampires of her little town. Her pen rested between her lips to keep herself grounded. She couldn’t believe what she read and wondered if someone had placed a work of fiction on her desk as a joke. The pen in her mouth dropped as she took in a sharp gasp at the lines relating to the possible extermination of these supernatural beings. What the fuck!
“What’s wrong?” Derrick strolled over toward her desk. Maria jumped in her seat and closed the file.
“Shit, you scared the hell out of me.” Maria pushed it to the side. “Is it already time to leave?”
“Is everything ok?” Derrick studied her for a moment. She glanced at the documents and shook her head. Extermination would not happen on her watch.
“Oh, yea. It’s nothing.” Maria pushed her hair back as she stood. “How was your afternoon?”
“Fine. Olsen is coming back with his mate and a new baby girl.” Derrick seemed nervous and she hoped this trip to see her parents didn’t scare him away. That would be stupid if he runs after meeting your parents. Maria rolled her shoulders trying to ease the tension.
“Olsen is your second, right?” Maria relaxed a tiny bit.
“Yes,” Derrick said. “Ready to go?”
“I’m as ready as I’ll ever be.” Maria gave a weak smile. They left the office and headed south toward her parent’s house.
“IS EVERYTHING OK?” Maria asked, she placed her hand on his knuckles. He relaxed his grip on the steering wheel.
“Yes.” Derrick rolled his shoulders and turned the truck into the neighborhood. Maria turned to him.
“It’s not too late to back out.” Maria didn’t like the tension tightening her stomach.
“I won’t say anything inappropriate or anything to contradict you.” Derrick leaned toward her and gave her a short kiss. Her body relaxed before she climbed out of the truck. When he jumped out and slid over to her side, his hand moved to her lower back. She leaned into him and her breathing steadied.
The door swung open to reveal Devin standing there with the same black hair and green eyes as Maria. Walter ran out and grabbed her, pulling her into a tight hug. Maria giggled as she hugged Walter back. His black hair was a lot shorter than she remembered but his blue eyes were the same bringing her some degree of comfort.
“I’m so glad you’re home, safe and sound,” Maria said.
“Who is this?” Walter asked as he stared at Derrick with Maria still in his arms.
“This is Derrick. Derrick this is my oldest brother Walter and this is Devin.”
Devin pulled her into a big hug while Walter continued to stare down Derrick. Maria slapped Walter’s arm making him turn.
“Stop it now.” Maria stared at her brother. “Don’t you start either, Dev.” Maria narrowed her eyes toward her other brother. Devin raised his hands up acting innocent.
“How about you tell me who he really is so I can run interference with mom?” Devin raised his eyebrow while his hands slid to Maria’s shoulders.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” Maria shook off his hands.
“Dinner is ready,” her mother called out. Slowly they walked into the house. “Shoes, Maria,” her mom said before Derrick entered the house. As Maria fumbled out of her flats, her body swayed. Her eyes were scrunched together while she waited to meet the floor but when it never came, she opened them to find Derrick’s sexy gaze on her.
“Thank you,” Maria whispered.
“You’re welcome.” Derrick’s blue eyes seemed to stare right through her. She resisted the urge to kiss him because she didn’t want to hear any gruff from her parents. Derrick was the first man she had brought home to meet her parents. Even if she was balanced on the fence about being his mate she knew this needed to go well. Once Maria stood fully up right, she turned to find her father resting on his overstuffed recliner.
“Dad, this is Derrick.” Maria smiled but her father on the other hand didn't seem pleased. He made a small nod toward Derrick then stood and walked into the kitchen.
“How was your flight?” Maria asked Walter but she didn’t get an answer as her mother walked in followed by her father, and her mother’s green eyes narrowed on Derrick.
“Derrick, this is Elene, my mother and you’ve met Mark, my dad.” Derrick lurched forward to shake their hands but stopped when Elene glared at her daughter.
“Did you imprint with him?” Elene yelled.
Maria’s back straightened. “How did you know he’s a werewolf?” Maria turned to Derrick, his calm face brought her comfort but didn’t ease the tension building in the room.
“Answer the question Maria!” her mother demanded. Maria mulled it over for a split second.
“Yes, I did imprint with Derrick.” Maria’s eyes stayed on her mother as she inched closer to Derrick. He wrapped his arm around her waist and Elene glared at him.
“Did you complete the bond?” she hissed. Derrick’s body stiffened next to Maria and she wondered why.
“It's not your concern.” Maria didn’t like the direction this conversation was taking. Her mother seemed livid beyond belief at the possibility of her being with a werewolf. She wondered how her mother would react to her actually being fully mated to a shifter. Tonight, she’d find out how she completed the bond, then decide if it was the right choice or not.
“You should leave,” Elene said to Derrick.
“You want me here then he stays.” Maria ground her teeth together. She wouldn't tolerate her parents judging Derrick’s character based on him being a werewolf.
“My children will not be mates to wolves!” Elene’s body vibrated with rage. Maria’s stomach turned at her mother’s declaration, she never thought her mother really hated wolves so much but the rage in her eyes was undeniable.
“Walter and Devin if you want to come over tomorrow then you’re welcome in my home if you can accept Derrick being a wolf.” Maria grabbed her shoes and ran out the house before her head exploded or her tears could fall. She didn’t want to believe her mother’s reaction. Derrick followed close behind her but she didn’t glance back when he closed the front door.
Her mother continued to yell as she climbed into Derrick’s truck. Tears fell from her eyes before she managed to keep them in. A deep part of her wanted to accept Derrick and be his mate but she also didn’t want to lose her family over their prejudice. Derrick turned on the truck and drove a block away, then parked. When the engine died, he pulled Maria over into his lap after making quick work of her seatbelt.
“What’s her problem?” Maria choked out through her sobs. She never cried in front of people but she felt like Derrick wouldn’t judge her messy face and blood shot eyes.
“I'm so sorry. I wish it didn't happen.” He rubbed her back, letting her cry. She wondered if this situation had happened before or if he was trying to be nice.
“Ugh, how can I be freaking hungry?” Her stomach rumbled. “That still should have gone better. Maybe if I...” Her voice cracked, she had no clue why her mother was being so judgmental of someone she didn’t know.
“How about I have someone bring us some food? I have to talk with Aiden anyway.” Derrick kissed her head.
“That’s fine. He can eat with us, if he wants.” Maria wiped at her eyes. “I’m sorry, I had no idea-” Derrick placed his finger on her lips stopping her ramble.
“It’s not your fault. Don’t blame yourself.” He kissed her forehead. “Plus, it’s not the first time someone has judged me for being a werewolf.”
Maria sat up and kissed him. Her hands moved into his hair and heat filled her body. She felt his cock growing under his jeans. Only a few layers of fabric made a barrier between his hard on and the spot it wanted to be in.
“You need to eat, Maria.” The command in his voice sent a shiver down her spine. When they reached his home, she would ask him about the mati
ng thing but first she’d listen to the alpha.
CHAPTER NINE
Maria
MARIA SAT ON THE COUCH while Derrick spoke on the phone with Aiden. Her mind repeated what had happened at her parent’s house. Disbelief filled her body at her mother’s words. If Maria mated with a werewolf she understood there might be some backlash but this had broken her limit of understanding. She tried to come up with a reason behind her parent’s sudden rage against the werewolf species but nothing came to mind. What the hell is wrong with my mother? The question made her so angry.
Her hands shook and the light above her flickered. She barely noticed the light, as she focused on the sudden buzz of power under her skin. She stared at her hands in confusion. What the hell? She looked for Derrick, for a second his gaze locked with hers. He stood at the end of the couch watching her. Anger from her mother fueled the power. The light bulb above her burst plunging them into darkness. A little scream left Maria’s lips. The sudden buzz left her body faster than it had filled her.
“What the hell?” Maria tried to find Derrick in the shadows. He walked over to the kitchen and turned on the light.
“I don’t actually know.” Concern filled his beautiful blue eyes. “But I have an idea on who to ask.” He clicked a button on his phone and then his eyes returned to her.
“I’m going to use the bathroom.” Maria scurried off the couch and ran to the downstairs restroom. She studied her reflection in the mirror. Her hands shook as she scanned her body for some kind of change. Maybe you’re turning into a werewolf? Wait, did having sex with a wolf make you a shifter? Her mind pondered the idea for a moment. Panic filled her body. She opened the door to find Derrick about to walk in.
“How do you become a werewolf?” Maria snapped before she lost her nerve.
“A werewolf bites you while in their wolf form.” Derrick scratched his head.
“Then what the hell is going on?” Maria’s voice rose with fear. A light tap sounded in the living room before the front door opened. A man with no hair except on his face, walked in with three bags of food. The aroma of shrimp and alfredo reached Maria making her mouth water.
“Aiden set it on the table.” Derrick turned back to Maria. “Eat and our friend will be here in an hour.” Derrick pointed toward the table.
“Who?” Maria’s gaze flew from Aiden to Derrick wondering who would answer her question.
“Alia.” Derrick leaned in and kissed her. When he straightened, his stared up toward the ceiling like he had a thought.
“How can Alia help me? She’s the witch, right?” Maria’s mind raced at the potential problems only a witch would be able to solve.
“Dude, is she a witch too?” Aiden asked.
“I don’t know, Aiden,” Derrick growled. Aiden set the food on the table then shrugged.
“Would be pretty cool. I’ve seen Alia in action, she’s pretty bad ass.” Aiden’s body was so relaxed as he talked to the alpha. Maria wondered how long they had been friends for them to have such a close connection.
“I can’t be a witch. Can I?” Maria searched Derrick’s face for answers.
“Your scent has some similarities. We will figure this out after we eat.” Derrick slowly maneuvered Maria to the table.
I can’t be a witch, I just can’t... But then what the hell is happening to me?
Maria picked at her shrimp alfredo while she watched the clock as time slowly ticked by. Her mind kept going back to the same question. If she was a witch, why hadn’t she recognized it before? Her phone buzzed again with a message from one of her parents. She didn’t want to see what they had to say.
Her phone began to buzz continually just as a woman with a baby in her arms and a male walked into the house. The male caught her attention with his deep red hair, which seemed to be dyed. His wide shoulders and strong arms carried a little girl with the same red hair.
“How was the drive?” Aiden popped up and grabbed the baby. They inched closer and Maria noticed the little girl’s eyes were not the same dark blue as the guy. No they were a brighter shade like the woman with long blonde hair.
“Long.” The mom sighed and appeared exhausted as she took a seat next to Maria and dished up some of the food.
After a few more rings, she finally glanced down at her screen to see her older brother’s face on her phone.
“Excuse me.” Maria walked out to the back yard while the newcomers relaxed on the couches in the living room.
“Hello.”
“Come home, Maria.” Walter’s voice filled her ear.
“I can’t. I will see you tomorrow. I love you, but this is something I can’t waver on.” Maria hung up and watched the others inside. A chill ran down her body. She turned to search for the cause and a male walked up toward her. His lowered head sent up major red flags.
“Who are you?” Maria asked hoping he was a beta wolf coming in to give a report or something. His head snapped up, his eyes were red and his face pale as snow. Not a wolf. Run, Maria! Her body seemed frozen in place as she stared into those menacing eyes. She had seen the same features in a photo earlier in the day. Oh, fuck he’s a vampire.
“You smell good.” He called out. In a flash, he stood in front of her, the movement too fast for her eye to catch. Her heart pounded in her ears making it hard to think. A sharp nail dragged down her neck, making a small bead of blood fall toward her chest. The vampire leaned down and licked the blood and then leaned back.
“You taste good. I’m new around here so be a good girl and don’t scream,” he growled. Before Maria registered what he said, his mouth came down on her neck and bit down hard. She screamed from the pain. Her body finally started to work as she pushed on the vampire. Letting the anger she had before and the fear of being dead fill her, a buzz stronger than before returned under her flesh. She pushed against his chest and he stopped sucking on her neck.
A sudden howl of pain filled her ears, but she barely noticed as her eyes focused on his chest where she had pushed him. The clothes were charred and beneath them the skin was angry and red in the shape of her small hands. I did that! Her head spun. Large hands grabbed her before she fell over. The male in front of her, no longer had his head attached. Derrick’s strong body filled her vision but a deep need to sleep took over her body. Maria tried to push back against the darkness consuming her mind. Her eyes fluttered for a moment before the blackness consumed her.
CHAPTER TEN
Derrick
“DERRICK, SHE WILL BE ok. She just passed out from exhaustion. Magic takes a lot of energy. Maria doesn’t have the practice a trained witch has, she doesn’t know how to control it. She will wake up in an hour or so.” Alia rubbed Derrick’s back as he stood next to Maria. He wasn’t prepared for a witch for a mate. How the hell am I going to help her?
“Aiden, call Marcus and tell him to come get his fucking vamp.” Derrick barked out the order. The vampire had crossed a line by drinking from Maria and signed his death warrant when he laid his hands on her. Derrick heard Aiden on the phone. Seconds later the doorbell chimed. Aiden shook his head toward his phone and opened the door. The local king vampire, Marcus, walked into the house with ease.
“So, you killed one of my vamps. He was just turned a few weeks back.” Marcus narrowed his eyes on Derrick. There was a hint of censure in this last sentence but Derrick didn’t give a shit. “I thought we had an agreement.”
“Your newbie fed on my mate.” Derrick stood to face Marcus. The older vamp glanced at Maria but Derrick blocked his view.
“My apologies. She does smell intriguing.” Marcus’s lips twitched. Derrick lurched forward and Olsen barely managed to stop him with Aiden’s help.
“You better warn your others I will kill again if they touch her,” Derrick growled. “That includes you.”
Marcus nodded then collected his fallen before disappearing. Derrick slid back to his spot next to his mate, waiting for her to wake up. After what seemed like an eternity, her eyes fluttered o
pen.
“Derrick,” Maria whispered. He leaned over and kissed her. He didn’t care about the others possibly watching. He only cared about Maria being ok.
“What just happened?” Maria choked out once Derrick released her from the kiss. Relief flooded him as he scanned her body.
“A stupid vamp attacked you. It won't happen again,” Derrick growled. Her fingers brushed against the angry red mark from the vamp's mouth. She winced and looked at her hand, a few small drops of blood covered her fingers.
“But what else happened?” Maria seemed confused.
“How about you tell us what you experienced?” Alia asked. Maria turned to the wolf-witch and nodded. She recounted talking to her brother and then how the male spoke to her. Derrick ground his teeth to keep himself next to Maria. He wanted to jump up and kill another blood sucker.
“I pushed against him and the guy yelled. When I saw his chest where my hands were... Well, his clothes and skin were burned.” Maria stared down at her hands.
“Maria, can you sit up for me?” Alia asked in a gentle voice. Maria did and gave a weak smile. “Olsen, can you get us some water please?”
He walked to the kitchen with his daughter in his arms, the little one still fast asleep. He noticed a big difference with Aura and her cousin Mason. Mason constantly cried all the time. Aura, thankfully was calm and relaxed. Olsen returned with the water and Maria chugged it down.
“Thank you.” Maria’s color slowly returned.
“All right I need you to relax as best as you can and follow my instructions. Don’t worry about hurting anyone,” Alia said. She nodded and met Derrick’s gaze. Fear filled her green eyes.
“I’m right here,” Derrick reassured her. She nodded and turned to Alia.
Blood Moon Page 4