Dr. Luna
The Vampires Promised Bride Chapter 26

Lucy smiled as she felt herself wrapped in Derek's arms. There was a feeling of contentment that she never had before. It was like being in a safe, warm, cocoon. But there was also something else... a deep desire. The scent from Derek was more intoxicating somehow than before. She opened her eyes to look at his sleeping face. His eyes were closed and his face was right in front of her. Her focus went to his lips that were deliciously right in front of her.

She would be leaving his side soon. She was about to forc.ibly be put on a mate diet. And she wasn't sure how long she would have to go without him. How long would it be before she could taste his lips? How long before she would bear his mark? If you know you are going on a diet tomorrow, would you not have one last dessert today?

A delicious moist cake is served right in front of you. Would you not eat it because you are going on a diet tomorrow? Hell no. You'd eat it today because of the diet tomorrow. Derek was her dessert. She knew she couldn't have all of him right now, but his lips were fair game. She had tasted them before and was going to taste them again.

She leaned in closer and gently brushed her lips against his. The sweet tingling sparks ignited where their lips touched. But immediately his lips covered hers. His body pressed into hers and was now capturing her beneath him. He greedily kissed her as his hand held her face possessively. She reached her hand up and brushed them through his hair tugging him into her slightly. He groaned into her mouth and deepened the kiss. Dipping his tongue into her mouth with deep slow massaging motions that soon quickened with passion. His kiss became fiery and possessive. She gasped as she felt him lightly bite her lips. He pulled on her bottom lip and growled into her mouth.

Their breathing was getting faster and faster. Lucy's cheeks were heating red from the passionate kisses. His warm kisses explored her face and down to her neck. Where he began to tease a special spot on her soft skin. He licked and pulled on the skin growling into her as his other hand wandered over her body.

He returned to her lips and desperately kissed her. Growling and claiming her lips. She clutched onto his shoulders pulling him deeper into her. The tingling sensation and sweet jolts of electricity were over taking them both. She instinctively arched into him and his low growl of approval made her body shudder underneath him.

He pulled away. He gripped the pillow on the side of Lucy's head while they both panted for air. His eyes fixated on her, and he growled lowly, "Mine". Then very slowly he kissed the tip of her nose before he forced himself into a sitting position.

Lucy reached out and grabbed his hand as he helped her into a sitting position next to him. She snuggled into his chest as his arms came around her.

"Don't you think you should leave your mark on me now? I'm liable to change my mind." Lucy teased and felt his chest tighten underneath her.

"I'll kill anyone who touches you." He listened as Lucy giggled and smiled. "I'm serious. It's our nature. If anyone touches you whether with your consent or not, they are dead. So, you may want to tell me now so I can chalk it up as the past... has there been anyone else..."

Lucy smiled. His voice sounded so meek. She looked up into his eyes and brushed her fingers through his hair. "What do you think?" She giggled but then noticed a very serious reaction. "Seriously?" She raised up on her knees and wrapped her arms around his neck, leaning her forehead into his. "I was betrothed since before I was born. No one messed with me. I was the girl who was always alone. No one to go to parties with, no one to take me to dances... because no one wanted to waste their time with someone already taken."

"But there was one guy recently..." Derek growled lowly.

"That was the first time that ever happened. Ever." Lucy shrugged. "Honestly it was the first time anyone ever looked at me that way before..."

Derek growled and grasped her sides. "You are mine to look at Lucy. Only mine."

"What about you? Going around as Ryan... no one knew you were unobtainable." Lucy pushed back and sat on her heels. She quirked an eyebrow at him. She watched as he smiled at her. His hands still resting on her sides.

"Were there girls interested in me? Yes. I won't lie there was a lot of interest... but I refused them all. It was always you Lucy. I told you this and I mean it. I have loved you for a long time now. You were always the one who occupied my thoughts. I just wasn't interested in anyone else like that. I went to parties and hung out with others... but never as a date. I only went to get to know my peers better as a future leader. But I've never been with anyone else Lucy..." He held his gaze on her to show how serious he was. "In my eyes no one else existed but you."

This lined up with what Tonya had told her too. Lucy leaned back into him, wrapping her arms around him so that she could hold him close. "I don't want to leave you already..." She breathed out.

"I won't be washing these sheets or pillows. I am going to need to keep your scent there..." Derek tilted his head into the crook of Lucy's neck as he took in gentle whiffs of her scent. "I'll give you my shirt... so it will help you sleep without me by your side." "Oh, I'm sure Jasper will pat me to sleep." She bit her bottom lip and smiled. She listened to his frustrated groan. "If it helps you sleep, I can tolerate it for you...my little mate."

She was surprised to hear this from him. She was just teasing him, but it warmed her heart that he was suppressing his jealousy for her.

"You know there is nothing at all romantic between Jasper and me, right?" Lucy wanted to make sure he knew this. She didn't want him to feel like he had any rivals to worry about.

"Mmmhmm I know. I trust you both."

Lucy leaned forward and took his earlobe with her teeth. She tugged on it lightly and felt him grip in to her tighter.

"I went to talk to your parents again last night." Derek managed to mumble out to distract himself from ravishing her.

Lucy pulled back and looked into his amber eyes. "You did?"

"After you fell asleep... they were already waiting for me. They expected me to talk to them again." Derek chuckled. "I told them how I was conflicted, and I wanted to keep you with me. I told them how I wouldn't leave you if the situation was reversed... It would take a direct order from my parents... like what your father gave you. Separating mates isn't easy." Derek smiled sadly. "Our conversation together led us into a conversation where we came to the same conclusion... Beryl is purely after your family. Her goal is to kill the four of you. No matter what the costs."

"I already thought about it earlier and that it was a suicide mission."

Derek sighed and cupped her cheek in his hand. "Someone that desperate to kill you... I can't let you near her. Your parents plan to send you and Aiden to either Elysium or the West Dragon Kingdom. They want you both to be somewhere where the witch can't get to you... And your father said that if I want to visit you, I can come to them, and they'll open up a portal to you."

Lucy listened to him quietly. At least they planned to send Aiden too. Most likely Justice would also come along. And it would at least be fun in Elysium and the dragon kingdom. They would get to spend some rare time with their family and cousins. At least maybe that would help distract her from not being with her mate.

"How long...?" Lucy asked, biting her inner bottom lip.

"I don't know exactly..." Derek looked into her pooling green eyes. "I hate this too." He chuckled and frowned, shaking his head. "It's killing me Lucy. It's killing me to think about...the only thing that keeps me going is that I am protecting your family... protecting you. But I don't know how long it will take. But I promise I will visit you. In a few weeks after you are settled I'll come to see you. And... with the vervain properly out of your system..." He cleared his throat slightly as he looked at her smooth unmarked neck. "I guess I should probably get ready..." Lucy said sadly.

"Hey... I forgot to tell you, we will be accompanying you. You are my soul mate. The vampires here will recognize my claim on you above the prince's. It is taboo to break up soul mates. So it is natural for me to give the order to escort you back to your pack... since you are my mate."

"Will you have to leave immediately after we get back?" Lucy felt his breath on her skin as he leaned closer.

"Depends on how we travel. If we hike to the vehicles, we can save some time. So maybe I can stay with you for a few hours before heading back."

"I'd like to introduce you to my brother." Lucy watched him nod his head and smile.

"I'd like that." Derrick pulled her in closer to him. He brushed her nose with his and covered her lips. He pressed his lips into hers offering a very soft, warm and sweet kiss. He wanted to show her in this kiss just how precious she was to him. He wouldn't have many opportunities to kiss her without prying eyes. Not that he needed to hide his kisses, she was his mate. But some kisses were not meant for public eyes. And this was one of them. As his hand trailed over her sides. "Mmm Lucy." He mumbled through his lips. "You taste so sweet. Your scent... is addicting." He licked her lips lightly and nudged her nose lightly as he pulled apart. "I love you...my little mate."

"I love you too." Lucy whispered out shyly.

Derek smiled as he watched her cheeks redden with her confession. She was simply too adorable. "Come on. If we don't get moving now you won't have time for breakfast."

"I can think of something we can have for breakfast without leaving this room." Lucy said coquettishly.

Derek's eyes darkened and a low agonizing groan escaped through his lips. "You are like a rabbit who jumps into the fox's den."

Lucy shrugged. "Some rabbits just want to get eaten. Just waiting for the fox's instincts to take over." She grinned and bit her bottom lip. She watched his gaze move to her lips. The color in his eyes changed rapidly back and forth as he fought against those instincts. "You're everything I've ever wanted Lucy. Everything I could possibly want in a mate and more." He reached his hand out and plucked her up to her feet. He crashed her body into his chest and squeezed her firmly into him. "How am I going to do this Lucy... I feel like I'm drowning already. I'm weak. When it comes to you... I never realized how weak I am."

"Derek... you are not weak. It isn't supposed to be this way. We aren't supposed to be separated." Lucy leaned up and kissed his jawline. "I'll be waiting for you. Kill the witch and come for me." She smiled and leaned up to his ear. She let her hot breath beat against him as her lips brushed his earlobe. "And we will see if you ever figured out how to make a baby." She gave him a crooked smile. She was told when she was a baby that Derek had asked how to make a baby. He wasn't a child anymore and she was certain he figured it out. But it was fun to tease him over it.

Derek chuckled lowly. "Mmmm we will see if I can figure it out." He playfully pulled her hips into him and lowered his lips to her neck. He nipped on her skin slightly and flicked his tongue over her neck.

Lucy couldn't help the moan that escaped her lips when she felt his arousal against her. It was evident how much he was holding himself back.

"Just because you aren't marking me now... doesn't mean..."

A deep growl reverberated from his throat. "Don't think I haven't thought about that too. But I want it to be special... for the both of us. I want to mark you the same day we..."

"Derek." Lucy pressed against his lips lightly. "We can wait. I'm yours. And I'll be waiting for you."

He wrapped his arms around her tightly. The two stood there quietly holding one another. Both hoping that time would freeze just for them. But time stopped for no one. They had to reluctantly part from their sweet embrace. And begin the journey back to the Diamond pack... where they would have to say goodbye.