Chapter 20
Stacey’s POV
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“It will work, right?”, I asked nervously.
He chuckled. He surprised me by pulling my hand and brushing his lips against my fingers.
“Don’t worry. You are going to get the best revenge for your mate.”, He said. “But this is not going to work unless you relax. You seem very on edge.”, He added.
‘Is he not usually the one that freaks out and gets nervous, not me? I have to give it to him that he is very observant.’, I thought.
I nodded, putting the best smile on my face. He intertwined our fingers and it surprised me how relaxed he was. Like he’s known me for a long time.
“You are still nervous.”, He said, squeezing my hand. “You need to lighten up a little bit. Remember, you’re on a mission. And you need to accomplish it with flying colors.”
I leaned back in my seat and tried to relax a little. But inside, my heart was hammering wildly against my chest. Whether it was because I’ll be seeing that person who was meant to be mine in someone else’s arm or because of the tingle that Derek’s hands were sending down my spine, I was not sure.
“How can you be so relaxed?”, I asked in surprise.
“Well, even I am nervous. But Rex suggested that one has to be calm and cool to make this mission successful. And I am following his instructions.”
“Thank you for everything, Derek.”
“Anytime, love.”
“Wait, what?”
“I am pretending.”, He said, raising his shoulders for a while on which I laughed. “So, what do you have planned for the future? I mean what are you going to do next? You are not going to play a revenge game all your life, do you?”
“I am thinking of adopting a baby.”
“Really?”
“Hmm”
“I must say Adam is a loser.”
“Why did you say so?”
“Because he couldn’t see your pure heart in all these years. If I had you, I would think about leaving you no matter how big that reason could be.” I forgot to breathe that instant. I finally recovered, I forced myself to laugh.
“Right. Keep that frame of mind, You need it to make it all real.”
We chatted, polished our plan, and all my nervousness and tension released after talking with Derek for that long.”That is us here.”, He said, making me realize that we have reached our destination.
“So now, we’re officially together.”, He said, staring at me deeply in the eyes. My breath coughed in my throat as I watched him lean forward and brush his lips against mine. It was a soft, gentle kiss. When he pulled away, I thought he took my heart with him.
My heart pounded as I watched him exit the car and go around to open the door for me. I saw Adam and Megan just getting out of their car in front of us. Before I could have averted my gaze, I saw Adam glaring at Derek.
Operation Revenge was starting to work exactly as I planned.
“Come, Love”, Derek said, holding his hand out. I took it slowly and stepped out of the car. He took my hand and pulled me toward me. He leaned closer to my ear and said. “Though Rex has already given you the compliment, still I should let you know that you look breathtakingly beautiful. I have to keep to safe and close to me.”
And because I couldn’t say anything to that, I just laughed. He pulled me toward him and gave me a kiss on the forehead as his arms wrapped tightly around my waist.
He tossed his key to the valet.
Then, with him wrapped all around me, he led me towards the venue. My eyes again fell on Adam with HER! Though he was not interested in her. She was too busy glaring at me, eyeing me up and down. I gave him a smug smile. He soon turned away from me. I chuckled to myself, turning my attention back to Derek.
***
Derek’s POV
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I had to make sure to keep Stacey close, seeing the way other guys were looking at her. They need to know she was taken and to stay away from her. I knew I had no right to think like that. This was maybe pretending, but for it to work, Adam needed to see that Stacey is all for me. He needed to see that she is doing what she used to do with him, show me a lot of affection.
‘If I am being honest, I don’t want any other man going near her. I would hate that and I am not going to deny that.’, Rex said.
“Do you know Derek, when I had attended this mating ball after turning 18 years old. I had so many dreams and expectations from my mate. But now, everything has been shattered. Now I don’t believe in the mate bond created by Moon Goddess at all.”
I reached forward and touched her cheek softly.
“Don’t doubt her decision. She might have thought of something great for your life. Maybe you don’t believe in all this but I do and I believe that someday happiness will find a way to you.”, Tears started welling in her eyes and I could tell that those tears were out of happiness. She stood up on her toes and gave me a chaste kiss on the lips. As she pulled away, I leaned forward and recaptured her parted lips, deepening the kiss.
“Ahem Ahem”, We quickly parted away when we heard the sound of fake coughing. Without looking at those people, we could tell who was there!
“Stacey, My Wolf Princess!”, I heard Stacey’s father saying and pinched her cheeks.
“Dadddd! I am not a kid anymore.”, She faked her anger, rubbing her cheeks. “By the way, how are you and where is Mom?”
“Your mom stayed back at the pack because she was not feeling good. Now before you get worried about her health, let me tell you that she’s all right, nothing serious.”
“But…
“Why did you stop visiting us? We have not seen you in weeks?”
It was true, I haven’t seen Stacey visiting her parents, maybe she didn’t want to show her condition to her parents? That’s when Alpha Asher’s eyes landed on me.
“Derek, my boy. I barely recognized you. I have always seen you in casuals and dirty clothes. Seeing you in Armani suits is something unexpected.”
“I know, Alpha.”, I laughed nervously.
“I can see where it is coming. But I must say, you look handsome and look amazing with my daughter.”
“We’re just pretending, dad. Nothing more than that.”, Stacey answered.
“Are you sure that you are pretending?”
“Dadddd….Please don’t overthink it.”
“I won’t...I promise. Though if I am honest, I have always liked the idea of the two of you.”, He smiled. “How are you, Derek? Even, you don't come to see your parents. They miss you.”
“I am good, thank you, Alpha Asher, you? Yes, I have been a little busy these months but I promise to visit them tomorrow.”
“I wonder who is to blame for that. I am good, thank you”, He smiled, giving me a quick hug.
“Daaaddddd”
“Come on, the three of us can go get a drink.”
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#TBC
