Chapter 299 - The Vampire's Servant

“Don’t worry, baby. As soon as I get you to the cars, I’ll take that gag outta your mouth. I just can’t have you screaming right now.”

My men spread out and I could finally see who it was. A large black man was carrying a woman over his shoulder. I didn’t recognize him, that didn’t necessarily mean he wasn’t one of ours. Did he have a hunter?

“Hold on right there.” I ordered.

He came to a stop as we filtered out of the forest. The man looked around and saw that he was pretty much surrounded. My men moved to close the gaps.

“Derrick? What the hell are you doing?” One of the rogues asked.

“Lyle. Nice to see you man. We never see each other anymore.” Derrick chuckled. “I was just heading out. We should get together sometime for a drink.”

“Who’s the girl, Derrick?” Lyle growled.

The girl over Derrick’s shoulder started screaming and bucking. I caught sight of a flash of orange hair. The sound of the voice was suddenly familiar.

“Emmalyn?” I gasped.

There was a squeal of confirmation from the girl. I growled at the man holding her. I could see that her legs were tied together. I was betting he had her arms tied too.

“Mine.” Derrick snarled.

That shocked me. Emmalyn’s mate was a werewolf? She didn’t seem to want to be with him. Maybe he didn’t understand that you need to court non-wolf mates.

“You’re a rogue-born, Derrick. You don’t have a fated mate. Let the girl go.” Lyle stated firmly.

“You don’t understand. My wolf chose her. She’s my mate. She just needs time to get to know me and fall in love with me.” Derrick insisted.

“This isn’t the way to do that.” I told him. “Things like this only push your intended mate further from you. Do you even know what you’re taking her from? Her little sister is back in the triage area, worried because she never came back from the fight.”

I was pretty sure Amelia was worried, once she realized Emmalyn hadn’t come back. I would be worried if Trent hadn’t. It was the nature of siblings, you worry.

“I need her. I need to make her love me.” He mumbled.

“She won’t love you if you take her away from her little sister right now. She has a lot of family who is worrying because she’s not with them. One of her cousins is in the hospital on the pack lands right now. There’s no way Emmalyn won’t worry about them.” I said.

“Derrick.” Bellamy said from behind me. “Lyle linked me. Put the witch down. You can’t just steal the woman you want. You have to court her properly. This isn’t the way to get her to want to be your mate.”

“Queen Bellamy. Don’t make me give her up. I never felt like this before. I love her.” Derrick pled.

“I understand. That’s why I’m not making it a command yet. Don’t get me wrong, I will make this a command if you take even one step away with her. You’re just making yourself the bad guy here. All she knows about you is that you’re some big guy who decided to take what you wanted without considering her feelings. That’s not going to make her love you. Let. Her. Go.” Bellamy ordered.

Derrick looked around and sighed. He picked Emmalyn up off his shoulder and set her down in front of him. Then he untied the ropes around her wrists and ankles.

Emmalyn reached up and untied the gag in her mouth. Derrick stood and looked down at her. I kind of felt for him.

“I will never love you. I will never be your mate and I never want to see you again, Derrick.” She growled, then kicked him between the legs and ran to hide behind Bellamy.

He dropped to the ground, holding himself. I winced. That did not look like fun. Two of the rogues headed toward him and helped him up.

“She’s rejected you, Derrick. You need to move on. I want you out with the searchers looking for injured allies. You are to be in my office at Lune Rouge no later than Tuesday morning. That gives you a couple days to wrap up anything you need to here. You will not contact Ms. Grove while you are here.” Bellamy commanded.

Derrick whimpered a little. It made me feel even worse. He really thought he was in love with Emmalyn. A rejection has to be as painful for him as it would be for a pack wolf.

Bellamy led Emmalyn back toward the gathering area, and we pressed on into the forest. We found a couple living hunters that we made quick work of. Derrick was quiet.

I ended up walking with him as we led the search team. He seemed imposing, but a little broken. I wanted to help.

“You need to give her space. You overwhelmed her.” I said quietly.

“I never loved anyone like this before. I just wanted her to give me a chance.”

“You took it too far. Kidnapping is never the answer. Just try to stay away for the most part. Send her gifts. Visit without touching or going on about being mates. Get to know her and let her get to know you. You have to take things slow with humans.” I told him.

“Do you think she’ll want me? Do you really think I can change her mind?” He asked.

“I think you have a better chance doing it this way than whatever crazy idea pops into your head.” I chuckled.

He seemed to be thinking it over. I was certain, if his brain had decided kidnapping was a valid choice, that he would think of something even crazier next time.

“I’ll do it. Thanks, man. You’re a good guy, for a pack wolf.” Derrick grinned.

I hope Emmalyn doesn’t hate me for this. I just couldn’t let another wolf suffer like that.