He considered her question, eyes narrowing at the clause she added on. It was clearly something she was introducing in order to grant herself more freedom, and that immediately had his paranoia spiking. But it did make sense, he was forced to accept. He knew that he couldn't keep tabs on every door that they made. If anything, this was efficiency.

Eventually, Derek nodded.

"That's right," he said, "if it's something immediate, it's not necessary. But anything longer comes to me, whether it's going to last five minutes or five years." Straightening up, he tilted his chin up. However worthy of awe she was, he was the alpha here. He had to take charge. "This is my territory, and it's gonna stay that way. Abide by that, and you have my support."