Page 37 of Baseball and Shifters
When I take my first hesitant step towards them, the stranger turns his head and our eyes lock. For a split second the world around me freezes. Everything ceases to exist as I’m trapped in his stare. Before I know it, he’s no longer standing next to Bastian staring into my soul. He’s running right at me.
This man is nearly a foot taller and a hundred pounds of pure muscle heavier than me, and he runs like a freight train to get to me. He’s a few feet from me when he growls “Mine,” a puff of smoke curling from his nose before he lunges at me. He tackles me to the ground, caging me in his arms, protecting my head and body from slamming into the ground. Running his nose across my exposed collar bone, he causes an all too familiar tingle to run through my body.
Not again.
I knew I should have vetoed this shirt.
Laughter pulls my attention from the huge stranger on top of me.
“Okay, D. Get off her before she bolts again,” Bastian laughs. “Our girl’s a runner.”
Why is my mate laughing about another man pinning me to the floor? He should be mad, right?
“Hey, Firefly,” he greets me with a sweet smile and I momentarily forget about the weight of his friend on me. “I’m glad you came.”
“Me too,” Lucas says beside him before huffing at the man still hovering over me. “Derrick. Seriously, dude. Get off. You can come with us if you want, but you can’t lay on her all night.”
I feel Derrick smile against my collar bone before he kisses the spot and pushes himself up.
“Mate,” he says again, this time with a blinding smile.
I can’t help but gape at him in shock as Lucas helps lift me from the floor.
“Oh my God that’s fucking huge!” I gasp out before slamming my hand over my mouth. “Sorry I mean freaking huge. I cannot believe my mark would do that to you. I am so sorry.”
Tears well in my eyes as he holds his hand out asking for a moment as he goes to a nearby mirror and examines himself. His fingers trace the large tribal swirls making up a foxes face on his cheek. He follows them as they trace down his neck before ripping off his shirt and revealing the large fox that swirls and winds down his neck and shoulder before fanning her four massive tails across his back. My tears fall openly now, there’s no way he could be okay with that massive of a mark. He’s going to hate me before he ever knows me.
“Holy fucking shit,” his booming voice is nearly a yell. “This is fucking awesome!”
Derrick crosses back over to where we stand and gently wipes the tears from my face. Then he plants another kiss. This time, directly on my cheek.
“I love your mark on me, Emerald. Now everyone will know that I am yours.”
“For someone who acts like they don’t want mates, you sure are collecting them quickly,” Bastian chuckles as he bumps my shoulder.
“Seems I can’t escape them,” I huff.
“We’ll make sure you never want to, Moonbeam,” Lucas vows from beside me.
Looking in his eyes, I almost believe him.
“Okay so that was a lot, but I think we’re here for a date. D, I assume you’re joining us?” Bastian asks as he bounces on his toes.
“Lead the way,” Derrick replies.
Bastian takes my hand and for some reason, I let him. I’m surprised when instead of leading me back the way I came to the front door, he leads me further into the lobby.
Derrick
Everything makes sense now. Why I’ve always felt so connected to Bas and the twins. Why Lucas’s mate’s sunny forest smell drove me wild. Why she seemed so important to me before I even met her. Why I’ve felt compelled to protect her like I have my boys from the moment we met. My dragon has known all along.
We’repack.
I can’t keep my eyes off the dragon taking flight over my mate’s collar bone while I follow behind Bas and Lucas. I’m thankful for our height difference because even as they lead our mate to the movie theatre, I have a perfect view over her head to scan the room for any potential threats all while keeping her in my sight. When I spot Liam, I think he may have finally come to his senses but he locks eyes with me then hightails it the other way. I’m going to have to have a talk with him eventually. He’spart of this pack and I won’t have him hurting our mate with his stubbornness.
“You guys have a movie theatre? No fair,” our mate huffs adorably as she looks around the room.
“The girls’ dorm doesn’t have one? That’s lame,” Lucas says. “But if it gets you over here, can’t say I’m mad about it.” He smiles at her and she shakes her head. “Now, the real question is what’s your stance on the best seat in a theatre?”
