chapter 3

Derek's POV

I picked my mate up bridal style and exited the office. My mother and two others approached me as soon as I entered the hallway.

When they noticed my mate in my arms, the lady asked why her daughter was in my arms. When I told her she had blacked out and I was taking her to the pack doctor, a guy around eighteen tried pulling her from my arms.

"Mine," I yelled at him, ready to beat the crap out of him for trying to steal my mate.

"Give me my sister, and I'll take her." The man grumbled.

I growled at him and mind-linked the pack doctor, Sally, a forty-year-old woman.

I told her what had happened, and she said she'd be there in ten minutes.

"Meet me in my room," I said, and she agreed.

My mother, my mate's mother, and my mate's brother followed me to my room.

I placed her on my bed and sat next to her holding her hand.

I couldn't take my eyes off her and her beauty. I just wanted to go back in time and not fuck those two she-wolves or anyone else. I wish I had waited for her instead of fucking around.

I became aware of a pain in my chest. My father barged into my room and approached my mother.

"Is everything alright?" My father asked

"No, this man is acting strangely and will not leave my little sister alone. Mom, we need to make sure she's all right. She hasn't woken up yet." My mate's annoying brother stated.

"Lisa, we're taking my daughter to the doctor. She has never passed out before." I couldn't help but growl at what her mother said.

"NO, SHE IS MINE!" I yelled.

My mother and father gave me a knowing look.

"Is she your mate?" My father asked. He already knew the answer.

"Yes."

"Oh my, let's take a seat." We have much to discuss with you, Lilly, and Jason." My mother said, and they sat.

Sally, the pack doctor, walked in and began checking on my mate. I told her through mind-link that she had walked in on me having sex.

"She'll be fine, though I'm sure she'll be hurt by how you met. It's going to take a lot of effort to get this fixed, Derek." Sally mind-linked me with nothing but seriousness.

"I know, and I intend to wait as long as it takes for her to forgive and accept me. I can't imagine my life without her." I replied.

Sally assured everyone that she was okay, that she had only been shocked, and that she needed to rest. I was grateful that she didn't tell them about our conversation about what had happened.

If her mother and brother knew the truth, they would hate me. She left after everyone thanked her.

"This has to be a mistake. Mom, how can Rose have a mate? She doesn't have a wolf." Jason asked.

"Rose," I said quietly. It felt so natural coming from my mouth.

Then it occurred to me that my mate was the daughter of my mother's best friend. I never found her because they left when I was too young to realize she was my mate.

"She might get a wolf when she turns 18." Aunt Lil said

"You know I'm a witch, and her father is a werewolf, Derek. She may never have a wolf. She is unaware of the supernatural. I kept it from her and my younger son James because they might never get a wolf. I knew Jason would get one because he's firstborn," Aunt Lil says.

"Why would you keep the supernatural world from them, Lilly? Even if they do not have a wolf, they may gain power from their witch side." Aunt Lil looked down with guilt as my mother spoke.

" Derek, I'm so sorry! I honestly didn't expect her to have a mate or a wolf. Unfortunately, she never showed any signs of having a wolf." Aunt Lil explains.

"Wait! Mom, are we just going to believe him? We don't even know who he is. What if he hurts Rose?" Jason growled

"I would never hurt my mate," I growl, looking him in the eyes. I took a deep breath and continued.

"Look! I realize we haven't seen each other in years, and you don't know me. But I can't live without her. When you meet your mate, you will understand. I will take my time with her as much as she needs. I can't and won't stay away from her, and I don't want us to become enemies. So please give me a chance." I said seriously.

Aunt Lil and Jason exchanged glances before Jason nodded.

"Okay, I'll give you a chance. I will kill you if you hurt my sister." Jason said.

I nodded, not wanting to tell him I had already done so.

Lilly, Jason, and my mother went to find James. He met some other teenagers and was outside. My father and I stayed in my room. He sat in the corner on a chair while I sat beside my mate, holding her hand.

"What really happened, son?" my father asked. I couldn't help but cry when I looked up at him. I told him about how she passed out after walking in on me and the two she-wolves having sex. He sat quietly and listened until I finished.

"Son, that's a lot for a girl to see. It's going to be more difficult than I expected for you to win her heart. She has no idea what werewolves or mates are, and seeing you with two females isn't going to help convince her that you're serious about her. I warned you that messing around with all those females would bite you in the ass."

"I know, Dad. When I noticed her staring at me while I was with those two she-wolves, I felt dirty and disgusted with myself. I'm not sure what I was thinking when I decided to mess with all of them. I only want her, and I only need her father. What should I do? "I asked, hoping he knew the answer.

The only thing you can do, son, is to prove to her that you only want her. Show her how much she means to you, and don't lie about your previous relationships with other women. It's not going to help." I nod in agreement at what he said.

We sat in silence for a while until my mother, Aunt Lil, and Jason returned. Twenty minutes later, I felt my mate's hand move and looked down to see her brown eyes staring into mine.