Chapter 4 My Wolf Wants Her Anyway

Derek's POV

I couldn't confirm it when she bumped into me at the airport, but being close to her the other day in school… her scent, it called me.

I ran my hand through my hair. It couldn't be possible that she was my mate. No, no, that was impossible. She was human.

I growled under my breath, low and sharp, my chest burning with this mess of rage and confusion.

Shit…the wolf in me wasn’t quiet anymore—he was pacing, clawing at the walls I’d spent years stacking brick by brick. It wanted her. It recognized her.

But she was just a weak, fragile human. I couldn't be mated to her. That’s not how it worked. At least... that’s not how it used to work.

I kept my eyes on her from a distance not out of obsession, but out of curiosity.

And probably obsession, because seeing Caleb close to her pissed me the hell off.

I walked into school like I always did. Girls looked and whispered. Tried everything possible, but I didn’t look back.

Didn’t care. Didn’t want to talk to her.

Except…

God! It was getting harder not to.

Then I saw her. Just standing there by her locker, it felt like time stopped. And yeah, —time might’ve stopped. Or maybe it was my heart.

Hell, if I knew. What was Adrian always doing around her? Did she know? No, I wasn't sure. When I stepped into history class, I sat two seats opposite from hers.

Her scent was so strong.

I tried to focus. I really did.

But whatever Mr. James was saying, my mind turned it out.

Audrey Dauval.

She looked normal and ordinary. But everything about her screamed not normal. Not to me. Not to the wolf inside me that wouldn’t shut the hell up.

After the class ended, I watched as she took her bag, and it looked like I wasn't the only one feeling the pull.

Adrian was already standing next to her now, and my wolf wanted to rip him into bits for being too close to her.

I sat there when everyone left even Mr. James.  I sat there in silence. Not moving. Not breathing right.

 Then Adrian walked in, Calm and cold. As if he saw this coming. He didn’t say a word. Just stood across from me. Arms crossed. Jaw locked.

The kind of silence that meant something. It was a warning.

I leaned back in my seat, deliberately slow. “You forgot your manners or just came to glare?”

“You need to stay away from her.”

“From who?” I acted like I didn’t know who he was talking about. Like the name hadn’t already carved itself into my head and my heart.

“Do you think I’m dumb, Derek?” I see the way you look at her always watching her. I won't warn you again. Stay away from Audrey.”

I chuckled darkly. “Didn’t realize you were her guard dog.”

“I’m warning you, Derek. You don’t know what you’re messing with.”

“Oh, I think I do.” I stood up. “And I’m not staying away from her.”

I smirked. “Go ahead. Do your worst.” His jaw twitched, but he didn’t move.

“If you don’t back off… I will…. You know what my family is. You know what we’re trained for.”

“Yeah, hunters, right?” I said with a snort.

“And yet, you think that’s going to scare me? You guys may be skilled, but you are still humans and I have claws. I'm not afraid of you.”

“You should.”

Adrian stepped closer, lowering his voice. “There are lines even my family doesn’t cross. Bloodlines we’ve been told to leave alone. For a reason. But if you go close to her, I swear to—”

“She doesn't know, does she?” I cut him off, He paused.

“She has no idea what your family does. And the existence of my kind.” He didn’t say a damn thing. Didn’t have to.

His silence told me everything.

“She does.”

I exhaled slow, dragging a hand down my face. “So she’s not just some random girl,” I muttered.

Didn’t even mean to say it out loud.  

“She’s one of you.”

“She’s not one of us,” Adrian snapped, eyes flashing. “And she never will be.

That’s the point.” I arched a brow. “Then why protect her like she is?”

He didn’t answer. Instead, he just stepped back. “It’s none of your business. Werewolves and hunters have been at peace, Derek. Don’t start something you can't finish.”

And with that, he walked away.

I dashed out into the woods, letting out a loud growl. It felt like I was running mad or something. I wanted to see her, be close to her, my wolf was completely restless.

“Wow, cousin. What has got you all worked up?” I heard Caleb from behind me. What the hell was he doing here?

“What the fuck do you want, perfect son?”

“Easy,” he said, pushing off the tree. “Just came for a little fresh air. But instead, I find you out here howling like a lunatic and foaming at the mouth. Let me guess... girl trouble?”

I growled, my hands curling into fists. “This isn’t your business.”

“Oh, but it’s kind of,” he said, circling me like a predator.

 “You’re pacing these woods like a dog in heat. Word’s going to spread, Derek. You know what happens when your wolf starts acting up.”

I grabbed his shirt and shoved him hard against a tree. “Say whatever you came to say, Caleb, and get the hell out of my face.”

He didn’t even flinch. Just smiled. Then his expression turned serious. “If it’s about that human girl you’re stalking,” he snapped, “you better cut that fantasy short.”

“It’s none of your business, Caleb.”

Flat and final. I growled again.

“I overheard your conversation with the hunter. Stay away from her, Derek.”

I pulled back with a smile. “You stay away from her first.”

His expression instantly changed. “Do you think I don’t see you?”

He didn’t say a word. “Enjoy the rest of your day, Derek,” he said before walking away without making another statement.

That was unlike him.

Normally, he’d throw some smart-ass line back.

But this time? He just walked away.

Yeah….

Something was definitely up with him.