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HOLY FUCKING SHIT! Maria continued to read over the report compiled by the spies on Alia, the witch, and the vampires of her little town. Her pen rested between her lips to keep herself grounded. She couldn’t believe what she read and wondered if someone had placed a work of fiction on her desk as a joke. The pen in her mouth dropped as she took in a sharp gasp at the lines relating to the possible extermination of these supernatural beings. What the fuck!
“What’s wrong?” Derrick strolled over toward her desk. Maria jumped in her seat and closed the file.
“Shit, you scared the hell out of me.” Maria pushed it to the side. “Is it already time to leave?”
“Is everything ok?” Derrick studied her for a moment. She glanced at the documents and shook her head. Extermination would not happen on her watch.
“Oh, yea. It’s nothing.” Maria pushed her hair back as she stood. “How was your afternoon?”
“Fine. Olsen is coming back with his mate and a new baby girl.” Derrick seemed nervous and she hoped this trip to see her parents didn’t scare him away. That would be stupid if he runs after meeting your parents. Maria rolled her shoulders trying to ease the tension.
“Olsen is your second, right?” Maria relaxed a tiny bit.
“Yes,” Derrick said. “Ready to go?”
“I’m as ready as I’ll ever be.” Maria gave a weak smile. They left the office and headed south toward her parent’s house.
***
“IS EVERYTHING OK?” Maria asked, she placed her hand on his knuckles. He relaxed his grip on the steering wheel.
“Yes.” Derrick rolled his shoulders and turned the truck into the neighborhood. Maria turned to him.
“It’s not too late to back out.” Maria didn’t like the tension tightening her stomach.
“I won’t say anything inappropriate or anything to contradict you.” Derrick leaned toward her and gave her a short kiss. Her body relaxed before she climbed out of the truck. When he jumped out and slid over to her side, his hand moved to her lower back. She leaned into him and her breathing steadied.
The door swung open to reveal Devin standing there with the same black hair and green eyes as Maria. Walter ran out and grabbed her, pulling her into a tight hug. Maria giggled as she hugged Walter back. His black hair was a lot shorter than she remembered but his blue eyes were the same bringing her some degree of comfort.
“I’m so glad you’re home, safe and sound,” Maria said.
“Who is this?” Walter asked as he stared at Derrick with Maria still in his arms.
“This is Derrick. Derrick this is my oldest brother Walter and this is Devin.”
Devin pulled her into a big hug while Walter continued to stare down Derrick. Maria slapped Walter’s arm making him turn.
“Stop it now.” Maria stared at her brother. “Don’t you start either, Dev.” Maria narrowed her eyes toward her other brother. Devin raised his hands up acting innocent.
“How about you tell me who he really is so I can run interference with mom?” Devin raised his eyebrow while his hands slid to Maria’s shoulders.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” Maria shook off his hands.
“Dinner is ready,” her mother called out. Slowly they walked into the house. “Shoes, Maria,” her mom said before Derrick entered the house. As Maria fumbled out of her flats, her body swayed. Her eyes were scrunched together while she waited to meet the floor but when it never came, she opened them to find Derrick’s sexy gaze on her.
“Thank you,” Maria whispered.
“You’re welcome.” Derrick’s blue eyes seemed to stare right through her. She resisted the urge to kiss him because she didn’t want to hear any gruff from her parents. Derrick was the first man she had brought home to meet her parents. Even if she was balanced on the fence about being his mate she knew this needed to go well. Once Maria stood fully up right, she turned to find her father resting on his overstuffed recliner.
“Dad, this is Derrick.” Maria smiled but her father on the other hand didn't seem pleased. He made a small nod toward Derrick then stood and walked into the kitchen.
“How was your flight?” Maria asked Walter but she didn’t get an answer as her mother walked in followed by her father, and her mother’s green eyes narrowed on Derrick.
“Derrick, this is Elene, my mother and you’ve met Mark, my dad.” Derrick lurched forward to shake their hands but stopped when Elene glared at her daughter.
“Did you imprint with him?” Elene yelled.
Maria’s back straightened. “How did you know he’s a werewolf?” Maria turned to Derrick, his calm face brought her comfort but didn’t ease the tension building in the room.
“Answer the question Maria!” her mother demanded. Maria mulled it over for a split second.
“Yes, I did imprint with Derrick.” Maria’s eyes stayed on her mother as she inched closer to Derrick. He wrapped his arm around her waist and Elene glared at him.
“Did you complete the bond?” she hissed. Derrick’s body stiffened next to Maria and she wondered why.
“It's not your concern.” Maria didn’t like the direction this conversation was taking. Her mother seemed livid beyond belief at the possibility of her being with a werewolf. She wondered how her mother would react to her actually being fully mated to a shifter. Tonight, she’d find out how she completed the bond, then decide if it was the right choice or not.
“You should leave,” Elene said to Derrick.
“You want me here then he stays.” Maria ground her teeth together. She wouldn't tolerate her parents judging Derrick’s character based on him being a werewolf.
“My children will not be mates to wolves!” Elene’s body vibrated with rage. Maria’s stomach turned at her mother’s declaration, she never thought her mother really hated wolves so much but the rage in her eyes was undeniable.
“Walter and Devin if you want to come over tomorrow then you’re welcome in my home if you can accept Derrick being a wolf.” Maria grabbed her shoes and ran out the house before her head exploded or her tears could fall. She didn’t want to believe her mother’s reaction. Derrick followed close behind her but she didn’t glance back when he closed the front door.
Her mother continued to yell as she climbed into Derrick’s truck. Tears fell from her eyes before she managed to keep them in. A deep part of her wanted to accept Derrick and be his mate but she also didn’t want to lose her family over their prejudice. Derrick turned on the truck and drove a block away, then parked. When the engine died, he pulled Maria over into his lap after making quick work of her seatbelt.
“What’s her problem?” Maria choked out through her sobs. She never cried in front of people but she felt like Derrick wouldn’t judge her messy face and blood shot eyes.
“I'm so sorry. I wish it didn't happen.” He rubbed her back, letting her cry. She wondered if this situation had happened before or if he was trying to be nice.
“Ugh, how can I be freaking hungry?” Her stomach rumbled. “That still should have gone better. Maybe if I...” Her voice cracked, she had no clue why her mother was being so judgmental of someone she didn’t know.
“How about I have someone bring us some food? I have to talk with Aiden anyway.” Derrick kissed her head.
“That’s fine. He can eat with us, if he wants.” Maria wiped at her eyes. “I’m sorry, I had no idea-” Derrick placed his finger on her lips stopping her ramble.
“It’s not your fault. Don’t blame yourself.” He kissed her forehead. “Plus, it’s not the first time someone has judged me for being a werewolf.”
Maria sat up and kissed him. Her hands moved into his hair and heat filled her body. She felt his cock growing under his jeans. Only a few layers of fabric made a barrier between his hard on and the spot it wanted to be in.
“You need to eat, Maria.” The command in his voice sent a shiver down her spine. When they reached his home, she would ask him about the mating thing but first she’d listen to the alpha.