Mine to Protect Chapter 26: MI CASA ES TU CASA

*Derek*

She grasps my hand and starts leading me towards a flight of stairs, then she notices my luggage and exclaims astonished. “You brought such a small luggage; you are a woman of few possessions. It doesn’t matter, Alpha will shower you with clothes, shoes, jewelry and anything you could wish for. He will treat you like a queen.”

She keeps leading me up the stairs, ranting on about how their Alpha is a real gentleman, generous, compassionate, and I don’t know what else, because my brain just disconnected; I look back at Derek still standing in the entrance looking very amused at my predicament. I send him a death glare, and then a pleading one, hoping my puppy eyes work as good as his do.

He chuckles, then grabs my luggage and climbs the steps two at a time, reaching us in no time; he certainly is athletic.

“Rose, let me take her to a guestroom, for right now, I think she would be more comfortable this way,” he says, gently placing a hand on Rose’s shoulder.

Rose stops in her tracks and turns to face us. She is one step above us, while Derek and I are standing side by side, one step below her. She arches her brow.

“Guestroom? But she is your mate! Don’t tell me you too haven’t been intimate yet?”

I know my face must be a deep red by now. I can see Derek scratching his neck in embarrassment from beside me.

She then scrutinizes my collarbone and neck, looking for something. “You haven’t even marked her yet!” She whisper-yells at Derek. “What is wrong with you, Alpha? This is no way to treat a mate. No wonder she is so thin, I bet she is suffering because you haven’t marked her. Are you having second thoughts? Do you have another girlfriend?”

Derek eyes widen at the accusation, he hurries to explain, “It is nothing like that, I assure you. I love Hazel, I want her, and I want to mark her. There is no one else. It’s just that things are a little complicated at the moment. We will mark each other when we feel ready to do that.”

I am surprised by the fact that he said he loved me, and by the fact that he did not say outright that I am the one who does not want to be marked. I think Rose would not be this friendly toward me, if she knew the truth about it.

I start also to understand the expectations Derek is faced with, he must be under a lot of pressure because of me. And what Rose said about me suffering because we haven’t marked yet, does it mean that he is suffering because I haven’t let him mark me?

Rose seems to accept his explanation, and starts walking again up the stairs, muttering something about us youngsters not respecting traditions, and how in her times mates would mark each other immediately, get right into bed and pop out their first pup within the first six months.

Noticing my state of insecurity, Derek squeezes my hand, winks at me with a playful smile on his lips, and still holding my hand, starts leading me up the stairs, following behind Rose.

Rose stops at one of the grey doors on the third floor.

“You can use this room; it is clean and spacious. Fresh towels and spare pillows and blankets are already arranged. The room opposite is the Alpha’s, in case you decide to pay him a late-night visit,” she explains wiggling her eyebrows.

I blush deep red, much to Derek’s amusement. Then she turns around and starts walking away.

“I’ll leave you two lovebirds at your things. See you at dinner.”

My little kitten embarrasses so easily; I can’t help teasing her.

“I have lost count of how many times you have blushed today,” I whispered near her ear. I see her shudder a little, like a small electrical current has passed through her body.

Then, without looking at me, she turns the doorknob and steps inside the room. She gapes at the size of the room, and drinks in her surroundings. I am curious to know what she thinks of its decoration from a professional point of view, maybe she can add her own touch when she decides to become Luna, I would love for her to make it her home too.

“Your packhouse is amazing!” she exclaims in owe.

“Look at you, just now you were trying to escape from a moving vehicle to avoid coming here, and now you say my home is amazing. You change your mind pretty quickly!” I say jokingly.

She looks at me remorsefully, “I am sorry for my behavior in the car; I just don’t like other people making decisions for me and being kept in the dark about what’s going on. I’ve had enough of people keeping secrets around me.”

I see where she is coming from, and I make a mental post it not to surprise her like this again. Although, she would never have come here if not taken by surprise. I have discussed this topic many times with her parents over the phone, and that is how we have come up with this plan.

“Would you have come here if we had given you a choice?”

She thinks about it for a second, then admits looking at her feet, “Probably not.”

“Well, now that you are here, you might as well enjoy your stay,” I say in a more cheerful tone, “I’ll let you rest and freshen up a little, then I’ll pick you up for dinner at six? Is that ok?” She nods.

I start leaving the room, while adding, “If you need any kind of help, or if you want to pay me a pre-dinner visit, instead of late-night one, I will be in the opposite room,” I say wiggling my eyebrows at her.

She rolls her eyes at me and slams the door behind me. At least now she is back to her normal self. I can’t help chuckling.

*Hazel*

I push the thought of that jerk out of my mind and start exploring the room and its annexed bathroom, which is huge, all-in-white marble, with black and white tiles chessboard style only on the shower’s walls. It has a huge bathtub too, complete with spa system integrated. I must soak in here before I leave!

I go back to the main room and notice the walk-in closet, the light blue velvety sofa, two French doors which lead to a small balcony. There is even a table with two chairs on the balcony. I can imagine myself seated there, reading a book, basking in the heat of the sun. This is paradise!

I decided to arrange my belongings in the closet first, before I go soak in the tub. I’ll need a pair of clean underwear anyway, and I want to get out of this dress, it seems quite pointless keep wearing it, since my vindictive plan has failed completely.

I open my small suitcase, and I feel my blood boiling at the garments my mom has packed for me. What the hell! Is she trying to whore me out or something?