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Chapter 5: Ulterior Motive

I break away from him, not liking how vulnerable he makes me feel and needing the distance. I have to be more careful around him, or I might get caught up in the fantasy that something real could come from this. I can’t afford any liabilities, not with my mission still incomplete.

“So what now?” I ask Derek.

“Now, I have some calls to make. In the meantime, I will take you back to your place so you can pack your things.”

“Pack my things? You want me to move in today?” I am shocked things are moving so quickly, with everything going on I figured that would go on the back burner.

“Of course. Having you in the house will make it easier for us to work together. Plus, you will be safer in my home. One girl is dead and another is missing, I am not taking any chances.” His protective behavior warms me, but our recent encounters are still fresh in my mind. I need to keep things professional. I need to keep my guard up, or it will only be that much harder when I have to leave.

We walk back to the bike, carefully avoiding our previous route, and I climb on behind him again. The drive back seems shorter somehow and as soon as we arrive at my house, Trina comes flying out of the door and starts talking a mile a minute as dramatically as possible, which is classic Trina.

“Lily! Oh my god, Mary told me what happened! A dead girl, how horrible! And you went anyway, thinking it was me! And I am so terribly sorry you were all worried about me. I certainly got an earful from Mary about it, so no need to rehash it. I am perfectly fine, as you can see, but my god Lily, what was it like? Oh no, don’t tell me, I don’t think I could take it. You were always so much stronger than me, Lily. I just couldn’t imagine-” her voice halts as soon as she notices the Alpha behind me and her eyes bug out of her head. For probably the very first time in her entire life, she is at a loss for words.

“Good to see you’re safe and sound, Trina,” Derek says to her.

“Uh….thank you...umm...sir,” she stumbles over her words, intimidated by his presence. He nods at her and turns to me.

“Lily, we have to get to the house so I can take care of some things, so make it quick. I will have someone come grab the rest of your stuff in a little bit, just pack a small bag of essentials for now since we have the bike,” Derek barks his commands like a general, but a gentle push on the small of my back softens his words. Trina gives me a wide-eyed look after seeing his gesture.

“Yes, sir!” I salute him in a mocking way and he scowls at me. Trina’s jaw drops and I grab her by the arm and drag her into the house with me. As soon as the door shuts, she lays into me.

“Lily! You must tell me what’s going on! I can’t believe you just did that to the Alpha! Wait-did he say to pack your things? I was only missing a few hours and I come back and you’re moving out, I assume quitting your job since you can’t work here if you don’t live here, and you’re moving into the Alpha’s house? Oh, the way you sassed him like that, it isn’t wise, Lily, he is the pack leader, you have to show him respect. And when will we see each other now that you won’t be working or living here anymore? I am going to miss you so much, you know you are much more fun than Sammy. Oh Lily, you must explain exactly what happened in a few hours that could turn our whole lives upside down!” She barely breathes through her tirade and although she has always been dramatic, she has never been this put out before.

“Trina, take a breath. It’s all going to be ok. I am not quitting my job, I just got a small promotion, that’s all. I am going to be working for the Alpha now. And we will still see each other, it just might not be as often, but I promise I will always make time for you. I won’t be that far away, so don’t get yourself all worked up,” I spoke reassuringly to her and put my hand on her arm.

“But, Lily, how did this happen?”

“I just offered to go with him to see the dead wolf, thinking it was you. I told him what I thought about how she was killed and he thought my input might be helpful in solving the case. It’s no big deal,” I gave Trina the cliffnotes version, she means well, but she has a big mouth.

“Oh, Lily! I am so sorry I had you worried. And of course he would want your input, you have always been so smart. I am just so distraught that I will have to work here with only boring Sammy to keep me company. I know we will still see each other but it just won’t be the same. But of course I am so happy for you, it's such an honor to work for the Alpha! It’s just all happened so quickly. You’re sure there isn’t something going on between you? I mean, I wouldn’t blame you a bit, he is so handsome and manly…” she stares off with a dreamy look in her eyes and I feel a pang of jealousy in my gut.

“No, there is nothing going on, you are imagining things,” I am a little harsher than I intend, and I don’t know who I am trying to convince, me or her. She gives me a very pointed look.

“What?” I ask her.

“Oh, nothing,” she says flippantly.

“If you have something to say, say it,” I demand.

“The way he looked at you, Lily, don’t tell me you didn’t see it,” she says.

“Just what are you trying to imply?” I ask her.

“I think he wants you,” she points her finger at me.

“That’s nonsense, you’re seeing something that isn’t there,” I reply. But something is there, I thought.

She doesn’t look convinced in the slightest.

“You may not want to admit it, Lily, but I think you want him too.”

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