Page 80 of Chasing Savannah

Chapter 26

Derrick worked to get his heartbeat back under control. His mate was sprawled against his chest, her breathing coming out in hard pants. He gripped her ass, loving the feel of it in his hands.

“You cannot possibly be ready to go again.” She murmured against his skin.

“Doesn’t mean I can’t enjoy having your body on mine.”

She sighed, the happy sound sinking into his heart.

“I barely know anything about you,” she said after a few moments. She kissed his shoulder. “Do you have any siblings? Where are you from?”

He stiffened, the faces of his family speeding across his mind. Their faces grew fuzzier with each passing year and he mourned every piece of them that he lost.

“Derrick.” Savannah whispered and cupped his face. “What’s wrong?”

He shook his head. “I had a little sister.”

“Had?” Her brows furrowed.

He cleared his throat. “She and my parents were murdered.”

“Oh no. Derrick, I’m so sorry.”

“It’s…” he swallowed the polite lie he was used to muttering. It wasn’t alright, but after so long, he could finally think about them without his chest constricting.

“What happened?”

He rubbed a hand down her back. “I don’t know what happened. I came home from boot camp and found them.”

“Oh, Derrick,” she whispered.

It was the worst thing he’d ever seen in his life and no amount of war zones had wiped the image. He shook his head. He didn’t want to put the image of his dead family into her head.

“They were murdered while they were in panther form. We were a small prowl, maybe fifteen or so, including the children.” His throat worked.

Savannah made a sympathetic sound and hugged him tighter.

“I’m from a small town in Indiana. I wanted out of that place in the worst way, so I joined the army. I didn’t realize I was leaving my family unprotected.”

“What do you think you could’ve done, babe?” She said softly.

“I don’t know, love, but it doesn’t stop the what ifs.”

She nodded.

“I was barely getting through my days until I met Carlos. When I say I saw my future with him, I mean that literally. I saw him and me together with our mate. The moment I laid eyes on you, I knew you were it.”

She kissed him, a tear sliding down her cheek.

“Does that bother you, that I had seers in my family?” He searched her face for any signs that she was uncomfortable.”

She shook her head and cupped his face. “I know you would never hurt me, Derrick.”

He growled and took her mouth in a possessive kiss. She arched her back and moaned. He broke from their kiss and rubbed his head against her neck, marking her with his scent.

“My grandmother used to always tell me that I would have twice the love of anyone in our prowl. I never knew what she meant until I met Carlos.” He murmured against her skin.

She turned her head to face him. “I feel a little guilty without Carlos here.”