Chapter 29

Kelly The next morning, I told Derek of my plans to stay with him for at least the next two weeks so we could better get to know one another. He seemed fine with the idea, though the excitement didn’t meet his eyes. I guess I shouldn’t have expected any differently, he is getting forced into this, more than I am in fact. Why would he be excited?

I set up dance lessons for a week from now. That gives us a week to get to know each other before we get much more handsy with each other. Hopefully, Derek wouldn’t combust on contact. In the meantime, there were a few things I needed to take care of. Emmett was already one step ahead of the game, offering to move over to the southern kingdom to continue my plan of care as far as things went with Keres. I still hadn’t told Derek about her, nor had I asked if my doctor I slept with once could come and live in the palace with us. So many worms in that can.

But it wasn’t like Derek was telling me his history of women he had slept with either. It was in the past, as far as I was concerned, he didn’t need to know. And I didn’t want or need to know his laundry list. Honestly, if I did, I might just lose it knowing who he found more worthy of his touch than me. Maybe he just didn’t like blonds. I could always have my hair dyed. Whatever. Onto my next order of business, calling Thorin.

“Hey Thorin…” I said when he picked up the phone.

“Solnyshko, everything okay?” He asked.

“Fine,” I sighed. “I have decided to stay in King Dereks’ kingdom for at least the next two weeks. I figured I’d let you know so you weren’t waiting up for me with training.”

“Are you happy, Solnyshko?”

I paused for a bit too long, fighting the tears that wanted to fall. “I’m sure I will be.”

“I see.” He said, silence stretching over the phone. “I can always make king disappear, would you like?” He asked.

“No.” I half laughed, knowing all too well that he could probably make it happen. “But thank you Thorin.”

“I see you soon.”

“Bye.”

– – – – – – –

Later that week…..

– – – – – – –

Goddess, what was the problem now?! Our ceremony was just around the corner and Derek had been continuing to act strangely. I could hardly get him through our dance class, which was only an hour long.

“Derek? Are you okay?” I called from outside the bathroom, trying to be empathetic but failing miserably.

“Yeah, I’ll be out in just a second.” He answered. He took a few minutes, but eventually came out looking flushed. “Alright, what’s next?” He asked.

“I was thinking we should take a little break. Maybe talk about honeymoon plans?” I said in a sultry voice, wrapping my arms around Dereks’ neck. Let’s try to redeem today.

“Honeymoon plans. Right.” He nodded.

“Italy and Greece are my top picks.” I shrugged.

“Whatever you’d like.”

“Italy it is then.” I smirked.

“Sounds great.” He agreed.

“Wonderful,” I purred, thinking of all the ways this man could bend me during our honeymoon, praying it wouldnt all be in my head.

Derek kissed my forehead and I had to fight the growl of frustration that was threatening to come out. I mean for goddess sake, it wasn’t like he was a virgin! Did he just not find me attractive? Or was he gay and just hasn’t come out yet? Goddess help me not hurt this man! He was beginning to make me feel like a s****l predator, not cool. He has completely friend zoned me! I’m so sick of it!! His only saving grace was that I was tired and decided to go to bed early. Hopefully, tomorrow will be better.

– – – – – – – –

“I need to speak with Valerie privately today. Do you think you could meet me at lunch time?” Derek asked while we ate breakfast together.

“Sure. What do you need to talk to her about?” I frowned. “Is it about the wolf who marked her?” I whispered.

“Yes, actually. There is going to be a rejection and I would like to keep it as confidential as possible.” Derek sighed. “No offence.”

“None taken. I think I intimidate the poor human anyway. She is always running off when I come around.” I shrugged.

“Thank you for your understanding.” He said, reaching across the table to squeeze my hand.

Well, we are already starting the day with more contact than before. It was a start. We finished having breakfast together and Derek went off to work while I went back to my guest room and continued doing research on my secret mission. I also gave a final head count for our ceremony. It felt so odd saying that. Our ceremony. It didn’t feel real to me. Hopefully, it will soon.

I left for the office shortly after, Harper sent me on my way with some lunch for myself and Derek, which I was grateful for. I was just walking into Dereks’ office when the strangest phenomenon happened.

“Hey Derek, I brought Cobb salads.” I said over my shoulder as I began setting my things down.

Derek practically flew out of his chair, spun me around, and took me by surprise. His lips crashed into mine, his hands keeping my head in place while our tongues danced together. It was desperate and needy and so hot.

“Good afternoon to you too.” I said, fanning herself. “Goddess Derek, I didn’t know you were such a good kisser.” I laughed and blushed. Goddess, what was happening to me?

“Thanks for being patient with me. Why don’t we go eat?” He said as if he didn’t just rock my world.

I nodded and we dug in. I was hardly hungry for food, though. Unfortunately, I felt like I was dealing with a deer and I was afraid to move too quickly and scare him away. I wasn’t supposed to go into heat for another month or so, so I don’t think his k**s was because of that, which I guess is a good thing.

“I’m going to run to the restroom.” I said after throwing out our trash.

“Okay.” Derek said, taking a seat at his desk before he would more than likely ignore me for the remainder of the day.

I took my time getting to the bathroom, in no hurry to get back. When I got there, I could hear someone vomiting wretchedly in one of the stalls.

“Are you okay?” I asked, knocking on the stall door.

“Yeah.” She said after a minute in a small voice. I could hear her sniffling. I think it was the human.

“Can I come in?” I asked.

Derek said she was getting rejected today, she probably didn’t understand any of this. I understood rejection better than anyone. It wasn’t fair to leave her to deal with this alone, human or not. While I waited for her to answer, I grabbed a few paper towels and wet them with cool water. When I finally heard the stall lock flip open, I quickly let myself in, finding the human sitting on the floor, hunched over the toilet.

“Valerie was it?” I asked, getting down on the ground with her, moving her hair out of the way and putting the paper towels on her neck.

“Yeah….sorry for this.” She said, refusing to make eye contact. “I don’t know why I have been so sick lately.”

“Are you eating and sleeping alright? Getting enough water?” I asked.

“No.” She snorted.

“No man is worth you feeling like this,” I said.

“You know…?” She asked, her l*p quivering.

“I know boy problems when I see them.” I said, handing her a strip of toilet paper to dry her eyes.

“I wish I didn’t love him so much still. I try to hate him, but it’s so hard.” She cried.

“It just takes time.” I said, rubbing her back. “You’ll be okay.”

After a while, I managed to coax Valerie off the bathroom floor. I made sure she had something to eat and drink before getting her back to her depressing-looking conference room where she was endlessly searching for a needle in a haystack, or so Derek tells me.

When I got back to Dereks office he didn’t even seem to notice I was back, or maybe he just didn’t care. He was so hard to read. I hope I wasn’t making a mistake agreeing to be his queen. I know he isn’t like his father, but his father did raise him. He had the similar cold shoulder his father had that my father warned me about when I first agreed to meet him. My only reassurance was that I still had time to back out, and that k**s today. He had been so stern about not wanting to touch me, I almost thought he was gay and just afraid to come out. Which I personally have no problem with if he was gay, unless I find out after we are marked and mated. I wont be someone’s cover up. Thankfully, the raw passion behind his k**s told me otherwise. That was at least one good thing, if nothing else; the s*x would be phenomenal.