ck him. Instead,

erek. I app

mily's for," Der

hey weren't family. They were enemies bound by a

more forced conversation. She stood at the sink washing dishes whi

t," Mom said gently. "A

er than necessary. "Just ti

hug. "But I promise, it's going to be wonderful. Kane is amazing, and Derek...

r scent of vanilla and lavender. More than anything, she wanted to tell

was so happy. So hope

ldn't des

u, Mom," sh

kissed the top of her head. "Now go

she passed Derek's room at the end of the hall, she heard

her own room and

she let herse

beside her, whining softly. Lily buried he

irl?" she whispered. "We're

offering comfort the

, she could still hear Derek's music. He was so clos

stepb

black

t? What was

t hadn't felt like pack magic. It had felt like something else entir

exhaustion finally dr

er Creek High. Tomorrow, s

fe as Derek Stone's a

for putting her in this position. Hate him for being right about pack law. H

, buried so deep she bar

lectric connection she'

ing her from nightmares of blood and gray eyes. She lay in be

Derek. The

't been

tching the sunrise. Lily dragged herself out of bed a

th her hand o

he was

run twenty minutes ago,"

hallway, already dressed in jeans and

dn't hear

"He runs every morning, rain or shine. Five miles t

... ded

urned serious. "The pack looks to their leader for stren

ed nice, nothing like the cruel stepfather from fair

"I just wanted to check o

e," Lily

ueezed her shoulder gently. "And if anyone gives you trouble, you tell me. Pack

. She managed a smile and escaped into the bathroom

r and leaned agains

treating her like family, while his son was blac

reminded hersel

in their old apartment, with a huge shower and double sinks. Derek's side was neat, toothbrush, deodorant

herself, Lily picked

omething da

led lik

horrified at herself. Why did

school had uniforms, but Kane said this one didn't. She settled on jeans and a green sweater that

Luna, who cocked her head and wa

her door m

a ride to school," Mom call

ropped. A ride. W

omi

ought, and headed downstairs. Derek stood by the front door, keys in hand, loo

?" he

have a

uth twitched like he

per bag. "I made you lunch! Turkey sandwich

ighteen. I c

ssed her cheek. "Have a wonderful

soften slightly. Whatever else he was, Derek clearly c

truck parked in the driveway. It

said, because she

cked it and climbed in. "You comi

erior smelled like his cologne, that same p

ing. He started the engine a

st, trying to ignore how aware she was of Derek beside her. His hands were steady o

ver some rules,"

ossed her arms. "You a

nced at her, then back at the road. "At Silver Creek H

u're Mr. Popular. E

er." Derek's jaw tightened. "That means they'll be watching you. Watchi

to do? Pretend I worship