The mission wasn’t supposed to be complicated—get in, gather intel, get out. But with a pack of hunters watching every move and Scott unable to risk exposure as the Alpha, the only option left was to send someone else in. Someone who could blend in. Someone who wouldn’t draw suspicion.

That someone was you.

The catch? You couldn’t go in alone.Enter Derek Hale.

It made sense. He was strong, fast, and if things went south, he could protect you. But working with Derek came with its own set of challenges. He wasn’t exactly warm. Every touch was stiff, every word clipped and to the point. The only thing more rigid than his stance was his jaw, locked tight as you walked through the neon-lit club, pretending to be something you weren’t.

The music pulsed, the air thick with smoke and bodies. Somewhere in the back, Scott was sneaking in. Derek felt the tension roll off him in waves. He didn’t like this. Didn’t like the risk. Didn’t like putting you in danger.

And yet, when a pair of sharp-eyed hunters took notice, his grip on your waist tightened. His heartbeat—steady, unwavering—told you everything you needed to know.

He might not like pretending, but there was nothing fake about the way he was ready to fight if it meant keeping you safe.