Chapter 48

Chapter 48

With his hands soft on my skin, he pulled me out of the limousine and applied pressure to my elbow. As I reentered the world, I lifted my dress and straightened out the unwanted creases. The material slid on my body, hugging my hips and dropping against my legs. Derrick was standing next to me, his presence overpowering me, and before I realized it, his hand had returned to mine, firmly grasping my palm.

I sat up straight and raised my eyes to his again, my heart racing frantically in my chest. My body pulled toward his heat, and the visceral way he was already looking at me brought out all of my wild side once more—my abilities and my emotions bundling into something dangerous. Similar to myself, I could sense his wolf attempting to resurface and take over. A subliminal sigh slipped from my lips, a possessive growl pressing into the back of his throat as our wolves attempted what our humans were too honorable to yield to.

With his jaw clenched, Derrick wrenched his gaze away from me, leaving me to wonder what was going through his mind as my wolf manipulated my thoughts to manifest the intense yearning she had for him. He only needed to shove us back into the vehicle for us to fall apart. Rather, he directed his attention in front of us.

I trailed his gaze, a tiny gasp trailing from my mouth as I took in the massive house before me. It was nothing like the pack house he lived in, yet it was filled with lights that glowed like stars and had hues reminiscent of the moon's reflection on the ocean.

All that Derrick brought me to see astounded me. I had never experienced royal treatment or been on someone's arm before, and here I found myself walking down the blue carpet that had been laid out just for us.

He let go of my hand as we arrived at a set of steps, and I noticed that other people were observing the two of us, which made me feel anxious once more. As they gazed at me and observed Derrick's infatuation with me, it was as though time had frozen. My heart skipped a beat as the guarded aura enveloped me as he ascended a few steps and extended his hand to me once more.

It was logical. Despite what the mate bond was telling us, Derrick was almost a dream come true—a man of size, a man of manners, and a man of passion—and I was a woman unworthy of any of it.

That much was clear even to humans.

I put my hand in his and then lifted my dress, taking the stairs cautiously under his gentle direction. When we came to the top, he gave me a quiet smile that made me almost lose my breath.

Perhaps things wouldn't go as badly as they started, and perhaps there was still time to make things right. Perhaps I could pretend that I was all he had been looking for and that I was everything he believed me to be. I wanted this date to be ideal and for him to remember me fondly even after learning the truth.

Perhaps for tonight, I could put an end to my self-sabotage and allow myself to enjoy my time with him guilt-free.

I immediately whispered, "Thank you," blushing as his lips curled into a tiny grin. He relished my compliments and appreciated my kind gaze. I couldn't pretend that later on, when I saw him in a tux, I wouldn't have fantasies about him.

As he drew nearer to me, his hand pressed against the small of my back and his arm wrapped around my waist, making me gasp for air. A promise of all the things he could do to me, his firm and determined touch felt like an electric pulse pounding through me. With his other hand going to cup my cheek, he glanced down at me once more, causing my heart to race. I was enjoying the closeness he was providing, even though I had flatly refused him in the car.

He blew a few hairs behind my ears and then leaned in to give me a peck on the cheek before putting his mouth on my ear.

"You never have to thank me; it will always be my honor to hold you close." His remarks were everything you wanted to hear from your partner; they were akin to an oath taken with blood. I ought to have spoken to him about those things instead.

With his hand remaining on my back, he came to my side once more, encouraging me to go forward and leaving me little time to process what he had said.

Derrick led me to the estate's entrance, where the lights had become less fascinating despite becoming brighter as we approached the home. The doors were flung open, revealing an opulent foyer adorned with gold-trimmed pillar walls, marble arches, and paintings with gold frames. I felt immediately underdressed as the sounds of the party seeped into the front of the home, the estate's entry giving way to an older couple greeting each guest.

The older couple saw us, and my grasp tightened around Derrick's as the old man excitedly called out Derrick's name. I had no idea why he had brought me here in the first place, and they were both humans, so I was in over my head.

"Anderson Derrick! Too much time has passed since we last saw you. The man drew my companion closer to him, their embrace confirming their friendship.

Derrick delivered a powerful backslap to the elderly man, but refused to release my hand because he was bundled against his chest. I stood awkwardly at his side while he laughed quietly at his friend's excitement, a sound that vibrated in my chest. My eyes strayed to the woman on her husband's side, who was viscerally interested in me.

She wore a lavishly decorated gown that was a rich crimson color and covered in diamonds. Rings encircled her fingers, rubies encircled her neck, and a jeweled tiara that appeared to have been stolen straight out of the hands of a monarch seemed to perch on her head.

Her scowl deepened as she observed my basic outfit, and her intense gaze was studying everything about it. She was probably not supposed to understand why I was standing next to a man as wealthy as Derrick was.

Derrick turned to face the woman who was still studying me after he managed to break free from the old man's hold. His passionate embrace on the back of her hand captivated the attention of my wolf, which filled me with envy.

"You've brought a lovely lady friend with you this time; this is different." She sneered. "You'll be breaking a lot of hearts tonight." Once again, a furrowed look appeared on my face as I willingly leaned into his side, releasing my hold on his hand to interlock my arm with his.

I could feel the pleasure of my touch vibrating through his wolf, and now I completely understood why he had wanted to claim me before he'd brought me here. A possessive heat ignited in my veins when I thought about all the ladies who had come before me and all the women who still want a piece of my partner.