Chapter 12 A Deal

King's POV

I trudged through the forest towards the pack house, exhaustion weighing on my shoulders. The first rays of dawn were just breaking through the trees as I shifted back into my human form, shivering slightly in the morning chill.

Derek was there waiting, holding out a pile of clothes. "Rough night, boss?" he asked, taking in my disheveled and tired state.

I just grunted in response as I pulled on the t-shirt and sweatpants, too drained for conversation.

"Don't tell me you were out all night searching for that girl's necklace," Derek said, falling into step beside me. "You know she rejected you, right? No need to go simping over an ungrateful brat."

I rounded on him with a snarl, fist clenched. "Watch yourself! That's my mate you're talking about."

Derek held his hands up in mock surrender, though his eyes glinted with humor. "Yeah, yeah, I know. The 'destined bond' and all that jazz. I'm just saying, most guys would take the hint if a chick slapped them across the face and