Chapter 50

Chapter 50

I was an awkward piece at Derrick's side, meant to be his queen, a woman who didn't know her place and felt unworthy of it, a woman who had no idea what she was supposed to do. Derrick was a man of the people, an expert at interaction. My strength had always been concealing from people; leading them had never been one of them.

I turned to face the room properly, but he was deep in conversation. The auction's offerings, which included jewelry, art, vehicles, and vacation houses, were all tastefully exhibited and served as incentives for the wealthy to part with possessions they already possessed in excess.

Reaching across the smooth body of an automobile in the center of the room, I ran my palm over it. It was an expensive, pointless collectible from one of the previous models that would wind up collecting dust in someone's garage.

I proceeded farther into the space, passing by glass displays containing jewels. The diamonds had a shimmering, dazzling quality. Although I had never been much of a jewelry wearer, there was something about an emerald necklace that drew me in. The focal point was the green jewel, which was beautifully carved and encased in a pattern of smaller diamonds that extended to the chain.

It reminded me of something else, but the beauty was one thing.

"It's a beautiful piece, don't you think?" I noticed a woman next to me when I glanced at her reflection in the window.

She displayed her riches and status by dressing similarly to everyone else in the room. She was wearing a gold gown that shimmered as she moved. Her fingers were clasped around a purse set with a rainbow of diamonds when I turned to embrace her. For an instant, I was in awe of her beauty as she appeared radiant in a dimly lit room.

"It is," I hesitantly answered. It took me a little while to figure out why she had approached me, even if I didn't grasp her intentions.

"I wouldn't get your hopes up too much; I doubt Derrick Anderson would bid on a beautiful piece like this for a girl he just picked up off the street." I should have expected her to be scathing in her remarks, since her air of prestige told me enough about the generosity she would show.

Her confidence startled me for a second before I understood the truth of what she had said. A woman who was envious of my position was harassing me while I was looking at gorgeous jewelry that reminded me of the man I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. She had tried to insult me, but she had no idea that Derrick's beta had actually spotted me on the street.

I couldn't help but chuckle.

I said to her, "Thank you; I'll keep that in mind," and she expanded at my indifferent remarks.

She was surprised by my answer, but there was nothing I didn't already know that she could tell me. Derrick's presence was drawing nearer to me once again, and she glanced over her shoulder once more before turning and leaving.

While I waited for him to come over, my gaze went back to the jewelry. Before long, I sensed him lingering behind me, his chest just a breath's distance from my back, his hands gripping my hips. I leaned into him before I had a chance to think about it. I attempted to keep my heart rate from racing as his body eased beneath my weight, and he let out a satisfied moan.

As I fixed my attention on his silhouette reflected in the glass in front of us, I could feel his chin resting on my shoulder and his face grazing my hair. I reluctantly accepted the mate link, which felt so enchanting.

"Do you like it?" I wanted to turn around and ask him what he was thinking, but instead I answered his inquiry with the same gentleness he had given me. His words were like a light caress across my skin.

I said, "It reminds me of something," and he stroked his hands up my sides while a tremor went through my entire body.

It was a perilous assurance that he would trace my body with his pads before pressing in at my navel while his hands were upon me. I felt my spine stiffen against his, my mind racing with attempts to prevent my scent from tricking him again.

In answer, Derrick hummed thoughtfully, seemingly oblivious to the chaos he was creating inside of me.

"And what does it remind you of?" His tone had grown huskier, and I was fighting the overwhelming sensations that were consuming me.

I turned in his hold, staring at him with his eyes glimmering. Having chosen to wear this outfit due to his captivating eyes, this jewel had only increased my attraction to him. I cupped his jaw with my palm, and as my fingers touched the area beneath his eyes, his gaze darkened. The pads of my fingertips brushed over his long lashes with a gentle touch. It took him a minute of enchantment before he understood what I was saying. My hips pressed into the tops of his thighs as he drew me in closer.

He growled low, and I said, "It reminds me of a man who can't seem to take his eyes off me." I could feel the sensual heat in his gaze, and my breath had become thick and hot.

For a brief minute, I allowed myself to think that Derrick would have taken me on this floor if he had been a lower wolf. He had a vice-like hold on me, and I could see him trying to force himself to look away from my thoughts by closing his eyes.

Upon opening his eyes once again, he bestowed upon me a veiled glance, as if the strands of our romantic connection were urging us to satisfy our innermost fantasies.

"We should take a seat before the auction starts." He gripped my arm, his hand slippy from my hips, his voice gruff as he said.