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Derek’s POV

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I couldn’t help but smile when I heard that I don’t have to go to the pub or pretend anything in front of anyone tonight. I remembered how everyone was behaving in the morning, there were too many whispers and questions all because Stacey and I walked into the pack together.

I was sure, many of them would be knowing that she spent her time with me in the pub, and not to forget, I didn’t return to my home after dropping her at her penthouse.

What's wrong with everyone?

Why do they need to give so much attention to other people's lives?

At last but not least, Adams's drama, which he created in front of everyone.

I wanted to reach home as soon as possible and relax with the hope that when tomorrow comes everyone would have something else to talk about rather than discussing the topic of Stacey and me.

As soon as I reached home, I took a shower and felt my body relaxing after it. I got into my comfortable dress. I jumped on my bed and then switched on the TV to listen to some news. At the same time, I grabbed my phone to order something from the human world because I really wasn't in the mood to cook. My parents kept suggesting that I should choose someone else as my chosen mate but it's not that easy. My wolf hadn't felt a type of connection for any other woman.

Before I could have ordered something to eat, I heard Stacey's voice in my mind.

"Hey Derek"

I groaned in my mind before replying to her. 'Please don't tell me that she changed her mind and now wants to go to the pub.'

"Hey Stacey! Change your plan?", I asked her bluntly while I heard her chuckle on the other side.

"Don't worry. I am still not going to the pub and won't drag you with me."

"Okkaaayyy!! So, is everything alright?", If not for her work and why had she mind-linked me?

" What are you doing?"

"Nothing. Just relaxing and was planning to order something to eat."

"Perfect timing then. Don't order anything and come over to mine. I will cook us dinner and we can have each other's company rather than eating dinner all alone."

"But..."

"Come on! I promise that I would behave and wouldn't do anything stupid to make you uncomfortable."

"I don't think that's a great ide..."

"Pleaseeeeeeeeeeeee...If I will stay alone then I might ended up going to the pub again! We are friends now, right? Then don't you know that a friend in need is friend in deed? So, I am coming at your place to get you." And with that, she blocked the mindlink.

I stay on my bed, staring at the ceiling.

'Do I have a choice now? I guess, NO'

I left the bed in annoyance and walked toward the wardrobe to change my clothes. I couldn't understand what I was feeling right now. I didn't want to go to her place because if I did, it might become the breaking news of the pack again but then she was right. If she stayed alone then she might have ended up in the pub. She needed a distraction and being her new friend, it's my responsibility to bring her out of her difficult situation.

"I am here.", I heard her voice again. I walked out of my room, locking the door behind me. Since I stayed in the packhouse, she was here with a car to pick me up and I could already see a lot of stares on me.

I really wished the ground would open and eat me up.

'Moon Goddess! This is so embarrassing.'

I headed toward Stacey's car. She was standing against her car, waiting for me to come out.

"Hey", She said happily.

"Hi", I smiled back and signaled her to give me the car keys.

"Get in. I am driving tonight.", She said. I nodded, heading round to the passenger's seat, while she climbed into the driver's seat. She soon started the engine and we got on our way to her penthouse. "I am planning to cook a meatball with rice and steamed noodles. Hope you like that!", She said.

"It sounds great!"

"Sorry for dragging you into my plan. I was bored and was looking for company. That's why Alicia suggested me, your name.", She said with a smile.

"Alicia?", I asked, because I hadn't heard this name before.

"My wolf.",

'Her wolf is interested in our company. Hmm!', My wolf, Rex, mumbled.

'What? Is something wrong?'

'I can't tell that now.'

After a while, I reached her place, and thankfully, this time, she opened the door on her own and I followed her into the living room. I looked around and found the photos of her and Adams which were hanging all over the walk were now gone. I smiled seeing the process which she made today. First, she didn't go to the pub and secondly this.

She caught my eyes, managing to force a smile. A silence filled the room for a moment. I didn't know what to say because it was making me uncomfortable. She cleared her throat, straightening herself up.

“I am planning to shift back to the pack house. I don’t think I need this big penthouse when I don’t have a mate or any pups to share it with.”, She said, trying to hold back her tears.

“I am sure, one day you will have everything.”. I said, smilingly.

“I hope so. Come on, we should get started on dinner.”, She said, motioning me to follow her. I headed into the kitchen with her, everything which she had planned to cook was out. It looked like she had already done her first-level preparation.

“Can I help?”

“Nope. Thank you for asking but I love doing my work on my own.”, She laughed. “You can relax and see the art of my cooking.”, She added, laughingly. I took a breakfast bar and did as she suggested as she got started on dinner. I smiled as I watched her, she looked like a professional in the kitchen.

“Do you love cooking?”

“Yes, It is one of my favorite things to do. My mother used to say that the way to the heart starts from the stomach.”, She said, looking over her shoulder at me, smiling. “So, do you know cooking?”

“Yeah! But I hate it.”

“Is it so? Then one day we should cook together and I can help you out with why you hate cooking. Because as far as I am concerned, this is the best household work.”

“That would be good because I am sure that I am going to be alone for the rest of my life. So, I need to learn to stop hating cooking.”, I laughed. Stacey stopped doing what she was doing, turning to face me and leaning against the kitchen counter.

“Rubbish, Derek. There is no way in hell that you are going to spend all your life alone.”, She said in a serious tone.

“Well, I don’t think so. You see, my Luna always keeps me engaged in her work and steals all my time.”, I said with a smirk, trying to ease her mood.

“Okay! She does sound like a bitch.”, She laughed. “But trust me, Derek, a gentleman as handsome and caring as you will not be alone forever. The right woman is out there for you.”, She said with a smile.

#TBC