15 "DO YOU LIKE HER?"

Derek cursed inwardly at the mention of Claire's name. This is what he had been scared of; the pack's reaction to Emma being his mate, worse Claire. He knew how dangerous and possessive she could be, even though they weren't mates. She doesn't even know who Emma is and she already saw her as an enemy. What will she now do when she knows, or when he informs the pack about it.

"Maru, I have no choice..I have to reject her." Derek thought to his wolf, ignoring the sharp pain that ran across his heart. He really had to. He didn't want his little witch to be bullied or to suffer prejudice. He had to protect her.

But Maru was silent.

Derek shrugged his shoulders at that. Perhaps he was sleeping, and would awake after he turned 18.

"Sometimes I wonder how a dim witted fellow like you wants to lead a pack. Won't you ask her how she met your mother, or how your mother was comfortable enough to even show her where to get her food?" Maru said, grunting.

Derek could imagine him rolling his eyes if he was a human. But his wolf was right, how did his mother get to know her.

"Hey.." He called out to Emma, who was staring at him , her eyes brimming with unknown emotions that made him possessive. His little witch was nervous, and zoned out. He could understand her state, as he cut his eyes reluctantly away from her to look at his friends.

Shane was sitting, still staring at Emma, having kept his favorite orange juice back on the table. His mother really did it. But how did she know that they were the one here, Derek thought. Did Emma mention their names? He hoped that she didn't tell his mother of the stunt she had pulled on him earlier. He could also see that Leo was still standing, his arms folded as he stared at the little witch in a mixture of shock and amazement. He knew that his little witch has impressed his friends greatly.

A smile broke out on his lips; but it was short lived as he looked at Clem, whose face was contorted in awe. He could also see the love brimming in his eyes, not daunted by the fact that his twin does not like the new human girl in their midst.

"Emma.." He said, cutting his attention back to her; ignoring Clem. His beta was really asking for trouble.

"Yeah, she replied, bobbling her head, as if trying to call herself back to reality. He smirked. It felt good knowing that he had that effect on her.

"What's the use, since you said you would reject her?. Let Clem have her then." Maru said sarcastically.

Derek knew his wolf was just trying to taunt him. But he had to reject her, but he still didn't want any other guy close to her.

"Selfish now, are we?" Maru taunted.

But Derek, for now, didn't care. He had to find out something first.

"How did you meet Melvina?". He asked, in a nonchalant voice, not wanting her to sense his curiosity, for he could tell that she was too observant for her own good.

"A good quality of a Luna.." Maru piped in. But Derek pretended like he didn't hear his wolf.

"I met her while strolling. She had come upon me while I was resting my aching foot after walking for sometime" Emma replied. She couldn't understand Derek's fascination with the governor's wife. 'Does he like her, are they having a secret affair.' She thought worriedly, biting her lips.

She was also curious about who Claire was. They had stopped asking about the bullying experience when she mentioned her name. 'Was she also an important personality, maybe the president's daughter this time.' Emma thought and scoffed. This place is really going to be the death of her.

Derek heard his little witch scoff, but he had no idea, why. He couldn't wait to spend more time with her, away from judgmental the stares of his friends. He was eager to know more about her; where she was from, what was her best food, and things that made her happy. But for now, he had to settle for just asking her some prompt questions.

"Did she ask you anything?" He finally questioned, moving to sit on the sofa adjacent to her, for he didn't consider it wise to sit close to her. He didn't trust his wolf, not to jerk her up, and place her on his laps; although he really wanted that. He couldn't wait to taste her succulent red lips.

"Not much." Emma replied. "Just the usual who are you and what are you doing here." She continued, not thinking it necessary to tell the guys the full gist of what transpired between her and Melvina.

"Then what next..?" Derek asked, rubbing his hands together, the pack meeting slightly forgotten.

"Then we went to the eatery." Emma stated, getting tired already from the questions. She needed to sleep.

"Then wha..."

"Nothing!" Emma shouted, interrupting Derek. She was pissed off already.She didn't know whether it was from the tiredness or the fact that the guy she liked was so interested in another.

"Why are you so interested in your governor's wife, Do you like her?" She blurted out in contempt, breathing heavily.

Derek opened his mouth, then closed it; all the time trying to hold in his laughter which was threathening to bubble out of the surface. But the full bouts of laughter from his friends triggered his.

"Did I hear it correctly?" Shane ethused, still laughing.

Emma was embarrassed. She figured out that she got it all wrongly, but then concluded that it wasn't her fault. 'To hell with them' she thought, standing up. She had to sleep this out.

But Derek held her hand. She didn't want to think on how he got to her that fast; her thoughts were clouded with the softness of his hands, and the feel of it on hers. She would want him to touch her.

"I..." Derek muttered, still trying not to laugh. 'How can he be interested in his mother?" He chuckled at the thought.

Derek's chuckle snapped Emma from her haze. She drew her hands sharply from his hold in anger that he was still laughing at her.

"When you're done laughing, pick your friends and get the hell out of my house. I'm going to rest." She said, walking off to the master bedroom; not turning back for once to see their expressions.

"Wait..." Derek said, trying to reach for her again, but Shane held him back.

"We are late for the pack's meeting." He said.