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PAIN CONSUMED ALL OF Maria’s thoughts. It wrapped its tentacles around the base of her skull and vibrated down her spine. She woke up to a massive, pounding headache. Maria rubbed her neck in an attempt to stop the pain, she rolled over to see Derrick still resting but not facing her. A horrible sensation settled in the pit of her stomach as she rolled him over onto his back. His eyes were glazed over and his body ice cold. A scream left Maria’s lungs as she stared at him.
“Maria, wake up.” Derrick’s voice called out, pulling her from her nightmare. Blinking a few times to make sure she was awake, she moved her body into Derrick’s arms. Tears fell from her eyes as she pushed her face into his chest.
“You’re safe, Maria. I’m right here.” Derrick kissed her hair as the tears slowly stopped.
“I thought I woke up to find you dead. You were so cold and it was so real.” Maria’s body shook in Derrick’s strong embrace.
“I'm right here.” Derrick rubbed her back, helping her calm down. Once Maria’s breathing finally returned to normal, she pulled him into a kiss. Her body instantly warmed against him.
“Oh, if Olsen and Alia weren't here I’d take you right now.” Derrick seemed frustrated.
“That's ok. Tonight, we can spend all night alone. Deal?”
“Sounds like a plan.” He gave her a quick kiss. Maria dressed quickly and grabbed her phone. She had Kate call a press conference in an hour's time. She needed to get a few things straight. The woman confirmed the message as Maria walked down the stairs.
“So why did you need us here first thing in the morning?” Alia stretched her arms and yawned. Her baby girl was wide awake and with a cute grin on her chunky face. With her heat over it dawned on her that soon she might have a little one of her own. The thought both excited and terrified her. Would her little one be a wolf or a witch? Or would the child be able to shift and practice magic like she would be able to do soon. Once Derrick changes me tonight. Maria wanted to be the alpha female Derrick needed by his side. She was strong when she needed to be and being the mayor for a week, had given her some added experience. Let’s just hope there is less fucking paperwork, then I’m all good.
“Two seekers came here last night,” Derrick said making Alia freeze like a board.
“What for?” Olsen asked as he wrapped his arms around Alia like he was holding her up. Derrick repeated what the seekers and Maria talked about. Maria let the words sink in. She didn't like being told what to do, but at the same time they were practically elders since they knew more magic than her. After a few moments of Derrick talking, Alia’s body visibly relaxed in Olsen’s embrace. Maria wondered what she had been through for her to have such a strong reaction to the seekers.
“Ok. I will make some calls to figure out who is close and making these rules. I thought the closest coven was south of us. I've been talking to them but they neglected to inform me about being in Crescent Coven territory.” Alia turned toward the baby girl on the couch, who cried out for attention.
“Derrick I need to get to city hall.” Maria straightened her shirt, trying to appear clean cut. He nodded and pulled her into a big hug before they walked out of the house. Her nerves started to build the closer they inched toward her office.
“You'll be great.” Derrick rubbed circles on her leg above her knee.
“I really hope so.” Maria cleared her throat. A small podium sat in front of the building with a crowd of people waiting in a half circle.
“I need one favor?” Maria turned toward her mate.
“What my mate?” Derrick’s lips twitched up to give her a wicked grin making her body react to him.
“Unless someone is about to harm me, will you stay in the shadows? I'm not ashamed of you, but I also don't want them to think I'm pardoning you for the second time out of being your mate.” Maria pardoned him both to save him and for saving her. She had heard what happened to a convicted alpha headed to prison. The whole pack had rioted for a full week and five humans and eight werewolves were dead at the end of it. The media had a field day with the headlines all bashing the pack just because the mayor didn’t like something small about the local alpha. The whole situation made Maria’s stomach roll.
“I can do that this time.” He winked. Derrick parked the truck in the back. Maria took in a deep, calming breath before she climbed out of the truck and started her walk toward the front of the building. True to his word, Derrick stayed behind her. As soon as she exited the building a bunch of flashing lights assaulted her senses. Slowly she regained her focus and sauntered to the podium.
“First off, please hold all questions until the end. I have a lot to say and I don't need to be distracted.” She tried to stand taller. Being short fucking sucks!
“The first matter I need to explain is about the Chief of Police. Last night, Hugo and a group who believe werewolves shouldn't exist, acted on a plan I believe had been conceived with the blessing of the previous mayor. At 4:55 someone drugged me and took me from my office to a barn,” Maria paused trying to come up with a better option than the truth. Vampires weren't out in the open and Maria wasn’t going to be the one to open the flipping coffin.
“There, the Chief had a dead werewolf. He was going to set the barn on fire so that the local pack would be blamed for the death of the interim mayor.” That sounded feasible. Maria mentally patted herself on the back. “However, before Hugo could kill me, the local Alpha came to my rescue, after hearing of the plot. In a short scuffle, the Chief and his men ended up dead while attempting to kill the werewolves who had come to my aid.” Maria blinked quickly as a few flashes from a camera hit her eyes.
“I publicly pardon the alpha, Derrick and his pack mates for killing the Police Chief and a few of his deputies.” More flashing lights.
“Next, as of tomorrow, all the candidates for the special election will need to announce they are running. These past few days have been eventful to say the least. That is all. Any questions?” Maria steeled herself for the next part. When the last mayor was arrested, they had asked her so many questions it made her head spin.
A flurry of hands raised as a bunch of cameras flashed in her face. Four questions and I'm leaving.
Maria pointed toward one lady up front.
“Is the Police Chief really dead?” Concern filled the woman’s voice.
“Yes, he is.” Maria pointed toward a male journalist.
“Who will be replacing him? Will there be an investigation into his death?”
“The Deputy with the most seniority will take his place until the new mayor can appoint one in a few weeks.” Maria’s shoulders relaxed a bit as she answered these two easy questions. Maria ignored the second half of the question, she didn’t want to think about them investigating Derrick, especially since they would soon find out about them being mates.
“Will you be announcing your own campaign to run for mayor?” A woman called out before Maria pointed at anyone.
“I’d announce at a later date. As of right now it is being discussed between my family and me. Last question, please.”
“Are the rumors true about you being the local alpha's mate?” A male called out from the front. Maria’s hand tightened in her jacket pocket. So much for getting out before the rumors started.
“The alpha saved my life and I’m thankful he heard about the plot to kill and frame his pack mate in time. Thank you all for your time.” Maria turned and walked back toward the building. The reporters yelled their questions at her retreating back but she didn't listen anymore. She still had to decide if she would be staying on as the mayor and waiting for the election to come or let go of her dream.
Derrick or being the Mayor. What am I going to do? Her feelings were leaning toward the first. The alpha had grown on her greatly.