**Derek’s POV**
I was on my way to the office when I overheard a small group of women talking about a sexual encounter that they recently had. The guy that they described sounded an awful lot like Sam. I know that Eva said that Vincent was her boyfriend, but I think that Sam might be trying to manipulate or seduce her somehow. I know the look that a man gives a woman he desires when he thinks that she isn't looking. Brandon did that towards Eva for years. I was guilty of it too early on, but now I see her as my younger sister whom I must protect.
But Katie, I do see her as a potential lover, however, I will not act upon it because I don't want to jeopardize my friendship with Eva. Even when Eva was dating Victor, I tried to show her that he was a cheat. But she didn't believe me until she saw it with her own eyes. I intend to take a video and I will show it to both her and Vincent. If she doesn't believe me, I am betting that he will because I have seen love for her in his eyes. He wanted to kill me too when she and I danced. That's love.
I did some digging and I located where Sam lives. It is further away from town than I had expected. My cell service is spotty, but at least ! have a signal. I don't have to wait long when I see Sam and another big guy leave. Keeping a safe distance I follow them as they drive into the city. It's getting dark and it is becoming harder to tell them apart, but I can't risk getting a closer look. They parked outside of a building not far from my office. Unfortunately, they separate so I must choose one to follow.
I hope that I picked Sam, but I honestly don't know. He stops as two women approach him.
One has pale skin and long flowing raven-colored hair and the other is a petite blonde. They engage in a conversation but I can't hear it, so l try to get closer. Sam's back is facing me and I noticed his head shoot up before I heard a rumbling growl. The raven-haired woman yelled, "Kill him!"
**End Derek’s POV**
I didn't have time to port home. I ported Brandon and me straight into Rick's office. Kia screamed, but that was the least of my worries. I said, “Sorry, hun,” as I froze her. I looked at a worried Rick and said, “Tell us everything!”
Rick sighed as he ran his hand over his face and through his hair, “You know that if Derek is on a lead, he tells us. I haven't heard from him at all today. His phone goes straight to voicemail too. His neighbor said that he left for work hours ago.”
“Did you check his journal?” He tosses it to me. I pour through the pages, “Nothing.”
Brandon suggests, “I can trace the last place his phone pinged.”
“Do it! I am going to have to get at least my mates here.” I opened my mindlink and told them where I was and to hurry.
Rick puts his head in his hands, “I am sorry. I know you needed a break.”
“Rick, Derek is family. We will find him!”
“What if…” he says.
“Don't think that. It is never too late!”
Just then my band of merry mates ported in. “Fuck! I hate porting,” Sam yelled.
“Suck it up!” Vincent retorted.
“Sam, you do realize that gods port. You are a god like it or not,” Bael adds.
“You guys have bickered the whole time, haven't you?”
Eric shrugs, “Not the whole time.” I roll my eyes. This is my eternity.
Rick asks, “I know everyone else, but who is the new guy?”
Bael walks over to Rick and extends his hand, “Bael.”
Rick briefly shook his hand before jumping back. “You're not a Hunter, wolf, or vampire. What are you?”
Bael smirks. “I am The Demon King,” he replies smugly.
I smack Bael. “Asshole!” I walked over to a stunned Rick. “He's one of my mates. He won't hurt you.”
“How?” he asks.
“My father's idea, but we are adjusting.”
Holding his phone up, Brandon walks back into the office, “I got a ping. I followed it from his house to the Fall Packhouse to not far from here,”
“Then let's go!”
Bael holds up his hand, “Wait! Brandon, where near here?”
“Senate and Red,” he replied.
“There's a brothel near there. Does Derek enjoy women?” Bael asks.
“No! He's not like that!”
Brandon backs me up by saying, “He's not. He is the gentleman type.”
Vincent nods, “He is.”
My eyes go wide. “Dalton!”
“That still doesn't explain why Derek was at our packhouse,” Sam says.
“Shouldn't we unfreeze Kia?” Eric asks.
“Vincent, can you handle it?”
Vincent smiles, “Yes, love.” Bael looks at him. Vincent snaps at him, “Fuckoff! When she's carrying your child, I will torment the fuck out of you.”
Eric throws his hands up, “Can we just have one normal day, people, just one day.”
Rick chuckles, “Eva, I feel sorry for you. I bet you wish that there was an unfriend button.”
“I will make one someday.”
Eric pulls me to him, “You most certainly will not!” Then he kissed me passionately until the lights began to flicker.
As Vlad pulled me away from Eric, he said, “Break it up before you cause a blackout! Now, let’s go!”