THE DESPISED UNCLE

Emma could literally see the thick tension in the air; a sharp knife could cut through it. From the expression on the boys' faces, she could tell that the uncle in question wasn't the Christmas gifts type; the boys didn't like him.

She knew she needed to leave. This was some deep shit family matter, and from experience she knew they would be more uncomfortable that she was there. It was better she left, and gave them some privacy; she had a work to get to anyway.

"Uhmm guys.." she said, trying to shuffle her neck away from Derek's hand; it hurt already from his tight grip since Shane mentioned his uncle. But she had enjoyed the feel of it while it lasted; although she felt stupid for even allowing him to pull her closer after his jab at her. She didn't understand why her emotions were so weak when it comes to him.

"I need to get to work." She said finally, also giving up on shuffling her neck away. He would just let me go himself. She thought, as she stared at the guys who seemed to have zoned in on her.

"Work?" Derek muttered. "What work?" He asked, looking down at his little witch with questioning eyes; his uncle-centered-thoughts forgotten for a moment.

Emma huffed, ignoring the sweet tingles that slide down her spine at his gaze. 'Why is he acting all interested? He should go his girlfriend' she thought, not minding the pang of jealousy she felt when she thought of the girlfriend.

"Emma.." she heard him say and sighed; she had zoned out again.

"I got her a work at a café. She has the morning shift there." Clem stated, before she could answer.

She could feel his grip tightening on her neck once more, and she smirked. It seems she wasn't alone in the jealous ring. And man, was she so happy about it.

"We have to be going Derek." Shane said, as he could feel the tension rising again; although for a different reason this time around. He knew he had to stop it; there were heavier matters on ground.

Derek shifted his gaze to his gamma; he knew what he was trying to do. But he had to go along with it.

"Okay then." He said, sliding his arms off his little witch's shoulder.

"Don't hesitate to call me if you need anything." He said, as he placed his two hands on her shoulder; turning her to face him.

"Why?" she retorted, crossing her arms across her chest.

He would have laughed at the fake-brave look on her face, but he had learnt from experience that she wouldn't like that. He didn't want to make her angry for the second or third time today.

"Because I care.." He answered, caressing her cheek softly; smiling as he saw her blush. He knew that she wasn't expecting that sort of answer from him, wasn't expecting the touch either.

"Okay. But I don't have your number." She muttered softly, to his amusement. His little witch was really cute. He thought staring at her.

He collected her phone which was in her hand, and input his cell number.

"Don't forget to call." He said.

"Alright." She muttered, and left; but not without saying goodbye to Clem and Shane.

"You both are a beautiful sight to behold." Shane said, smirking as he watched his alpha still staring after Emma as she walked farther away from them.

"Yeah, for now." Clem muttered.

Derek snapped his head away from the sight of his little witch, towards his beta as he heard his words.

"What did you just say?" He asked.

"I said.." Clem was talking, before Shane interrupted.

"Guys knock it off. We have to go." He stated. "And I think we might have a pack meeting after your uncle leaves." He said, looking at Derek.

"Why do you think so?" Clem asked. "We just had one two days ago."

"I think you are forgetting how tiring and conniving Derek's Uncle could be." Shane said.

Clem huffed. How could he forget? The man was a cold coward and he didn't understand why Derek's father still entertained him. Yes, they were brothers.. and so fucking what. He thought.

Turning away, he could see Derek already walking off, head bowed down in deep thought. He remembered what had happened earlier with Emma. His alpha was unusually protective of the human. He hoped it was just a mere crush that they would fight over, and not his mate. His twin would go crazy.

"Let's be going then." He said, referring to Shane who stood adjacent to him staring at their soon to be alpha.

He nodded, and they both went off fast in matching strides until they were at the same walking length with Derek.

The trio sauntered from the college grounds to the outside environs in silence. No one seemed to have anything to say.

"Are we going to walk? I came with my car." Clem finally said, as they got to the parking lot.

"Let's get in then." Derek stated. He wasn't in the mood to walk even. It was Aaron who had dropped him off at school; his car had developed a weird fault this morning.

Clem took out his keys, unlocked the door of the shiny mustang and turned on the ignition; letting the locked doors out so that his companions could enter. When they did, he zoomed off at a great speed.

They got to the pack house fifteen minutes later.

Derek stepped out of the car immediately, before Clem could turn off the ignition. He had to see his mother.

Walking up into his residence, knowing that his friends could find their way if they want to, he went straight to the kitchen through the back door. And as he had thought, his mother stood in the kitchen with his little sister preparing pancakes.

"Good afternoon Mom." He greeted, walking closer to the duo which stood near the kitchen sink.

Melvina whirled around at her son's voice, smiling when she saw him.

"How was your first day at college?" she asked enthusiastically, dropping a fine shaped batter in the pan on the fire.

"Boring as high school." He replied, carrying his baby sister up. She had trotted towards him when she caught sight of him.

"Shane told me…" He was saying when his father and his uncle came into the kitchen.

"Derek." His father called, surprised to see him in the kitchen. He had been waiting for him in the sitting room as he thought he would pass through there normally.

"Good afternoon Dad" Derek greeted

"Good afternoon Uncle Arnold." He muttered.