Derek stood stunned for a second as he watched her walk away.
Derek, however, wasn't about to let her go that easily.
He followed her out, his voice rising as he called after her. "I mean it, Ella! Just give us a chance. Please, hear me out!"
Ella stopped in her tracks, her hands clenching into fists as she fought to keep her composure. She spun around to face him, her eyes blazing with anger. "A chance?! What happened to the first chance you had? Please stop using your fake affections!" she shouted, her voice trembling with barely contained fury. "Just get to the point!" "What exactly do you want from me Alpha Derek?"
Derek's jaw clenched as he took a deep breath, his hands balling into fists at his sides. "Fine," he growled, his frustration evident. "My people are suffering, and there's nothing I can do but ask for your help."
A bitter laugh escaped Ella's lips as she shook her head, her suspicions confirmed. "I knew it," she muttered under her breath, her eyes narrowing. "You're only faking your affection just to use me again."
"I'm not faking anything, Ella!" Derek shot back, his voice desperate now. "I promise to make up for my past mistakes, so please…"
"Okay!" Ella interrupted, raising her hand to silence him.
Derek blinked, taken aback by her sudden change in tone. "Okay?" he echoed, unsure if he had heard her correctly.
"Yes," she replied, her voice cold and detached. "I'll agree to help the innocent werewolves,and I will respect my husband's wishes." She emphasized the last part, her eyes locking with his, daring him to challenge her decision.
Derek's face twisted with anger and disbelief. "What?" he demanded, his voice rising. "Wait a second…are you only agreeing because of your husband?" His voice dripped with frustration as he continued, "What about us?"
Ella's lips curled into a spiteful smile as she responded,"Us? Was there ever Us?" "And besides, Who would reject a noble man like Alpha Moore for someone like you?" She said mockingly starring at him from up to down.
Her words were like a punch to Derek's gut, and before she could react, he grabbed her by the arms, pushing her roughly against the wall of the café. His face was mere inches from hers, his breath hot against her skin.
"What! Are you crazy? Let me go!" she demanded, her voice shaky as she struggled to maintain control over her emotions. But Derek's wolf was close to the surface now, his eyes glowing red with barely contained rage.
"Don't talk to me like that," he growled, his grip tightening on her arms.
"Is this how you treat your potential savior?" Ella asked, her heart pounding in her chest, but she forced herself to remain calm.
"The smell of male arousal," she taunted, her voice mocking as she sniffed at him. "This isn't your bedroom, Alpha Derek."
Her words sent Derek over the edge. Without thinking, he crashed his lips against hers, kissing her with a desperate, raw need. The kiss was rough, his teeth biting into her lower lip until he tasted blood. For a moment, Ella was too stunned to react.
But then she snapped back to reality.
With all the strength she could muster, Ella shoved Derek away, wiping her lips furiously. "Keep your distance, Derek," she warned, her voice low and dangerous. "Don't forget, I'm Dr. Brown."
Derek's eyes were wild with frustration, his breath ragged as he struggled to control his wolf. "It doesn't change the fact that you're my mate!" he shouted, his voice filled with desperation.
"Shut up!" Ella fired back, cutting him off. "Never come close to me again, except if it's strictly for business." With that, she turned on her heel and walked away, leaving Derek standing there, his chest heaving with a mixture of anger and longing.