Finding Derek

When Wisp wakes up in strange, oversized clothes, in a strange, oversized bed, in a strange (not-so-oversized) cabin that all belong to an even stranger (also stupidly handsome, bound in rippling muscle, and slightly cantankerous) man, she doesn’t know what to think.

Especially because she has no idea who she is.

She doesn’t know where she came from or how she got there, and the man – Derek, she quickly learns – is no help in the matter. Even her own name is a mystery. (Although she is happy enough to take on the one Derek unknowingly bestows upon her in an offhanded comment, calling her a “wisp of a thing”.)

Circumstances being what they are, Wisp is grateful when Derek agrees to shelter her until they can figure out who she is. Something innate – something other – tells her she can trust him. Even if Derek does seem more comfortable communicating through grunts and eyebrow raises than actual words. The attraction that buzzes between them doesn’t hurt either.

In fact, it’s almost enough to make Wisp wish that she won’t ever remember her past, and that she could just stay with Derek – and his affectionate chocolate lab, Thane – forever.

Well… if she could shake the feeling that someone – someone nefarious – was after her, anyway.

* * *

When Derek finds a half-drowned girl clinging to life on the shore of a river that runs through his land, he reluctantly brings her home with him, planning on being rid of her as soon as she gains consciousness.

A proverbial wrench is thrown into his plans, however, when she wakes up and claims to have no idea who she is. Her lack of memory certainly makes her hard to return, and against his better judgement, Derek takes her in.

From there, it doesn’t take long for Derek to find himself drawn to Wisp: to her ridiculously wide, doe-like eyes, to her honey-scent that seeps into every cranny of his cabin – of his life, to her innocent nature that simultaneously makes him want to hide her away from the world and wrestle her down into his bed and just…

But he can’t.

Because her identity isn’t the only thing Wisp’s in the dark about. She has no idea who, or what, he really is.

Secrets, though, have a way of coming to light.

Who would have ever guessed that Derek being a bear shifter wasn’t the most arduous one he and Wisp would have to overcome to be together?