11: Lily

Lily walked along the grassy and damp path. The stars sparkled high above her, a chill brushing

along her skin. For a summer evening, it was rather cold. Goosebumps rose over her arms,

spreading over her shoulders, back, chest, and legs. She tried to rub them away, to warm herself,

but they continued to spread. She breathed out, her breath like white smoke. A sharp pain settled

across her chest and as she glanced down, blood trickled down from a thin cut on her naked body.

She touched it, hoping it wasn't real, but the warm fluid startled her. Another sharp pain drew her

attention down to her wrists, where more blood was oozing out of the cuts. She went to speak, but

her voice was gone.

"You thought you could escape me?" A voice sang around her. She felt a tightness in her chest as if

someone was squeezing her heart to death. She tried to move, but the cold of the night froze her in

place.

"I will find you." Another sharp pain settled on her neck, blood rushing down her body. She wanted

to scream. She wanted to cry, but she couldn't do anything. A hand snaked around her throat and

squeezed. She wanted to be free.

Crimson eyes and a deep grow! rumbled through her body. The grasp on her throat loosened, and

she could breathe again. Heat wrapped around her naked body, warming her skin, the goosebumps

fading from existence. Fresh rain filled her senses, making her gasp out.

Lily sat up quickly, sweat soaking her clothes as a storm thundered outside her window. She

watched as the rain pelted heavily against the glass. She crawled out of bed, taking off her clothes

and went into her bathroom. When she looked in the mirror, she looked at all the scars that covered

her body. She washed her face, hoping the cold water would erase the dream she had. Jasper had

gotten to her again, just when things were slowly getting better. Just when she was forgetting, he

came back to remind her. Remind her he was the master. Yet she felt HIM. His heat, his smell, his

eyes. His presence sent Jasper running.

She went back to her room, putting on a crop top and very short shorts, but she couldn't get back

in the bed. It was as if Jasper was waiting beneath the covers for her. Lily left her room behind,

letting her feet drag her away until they stopped in front of a door. She glanced at it, realizing that it

was Jayce's door. She went to knock when his door swung open and he stood before her in his

boxers, his hair tussled from sleep.

"Lily." He said her name, and that's all it took. Tears ran rampant down her cheeks as she looked up

at him.

"He's in my dreams.” She choked out, "Can I sleep with you? Please?" She pleaded. He reached out,

hoisting her up so that he cradled her ass. Her legs wrapped around his waist and her arms wrapped

around his neck. She cried into his neck as he shut the door and carried her to his bed. He sat on

the edge, rubbing her back and brushing her hair with his fingers. He didn't need to say anything.

This was enough for her.

After she finally calmed down, she held onto him. He hadn't said a single word to her, but he

continued to comfort her. She never realized how sweet he could really be when he's not acting like

a dick. When she was around him, Jasper never came to mind. Everything felt normal for a change.

"Would you like to lie down now?" He asked her, and she nodded. He lifted her up, holding her with

one arm as he laid down on the bed, holding her against him. She slipped down so her head lined

with his chest. His bed was so soft. He pushed her hair from her face. His hand went to her lower

back, stroking her skin in small circles. She finally looked up at him, his eyes gazing back. They held

such intensity for someone that looked so tired.

"I'm sorry for waking you." She whispered. His eyelids shut.

"I wasn't sleeping.” He grumbled tiredly.

What a liar.

She looked over his face, then down his neck and to his chest. Her fingers traced his tattoos on

chest. He growled softly, but it wasn't threatening.

"You saved me." She said. His eyes opened again. His hand stopped moving. "I couldn't move.

Couldn't scream. Couldn't breathe.” She stopped tracing his tattoo, firmly pressing her hand on his

chest. She felt his heart beat against her palm, "But then I felt your Wolf, and Jasper disappeared. Is

that because of our soul-link?" She asked him. He ran his fingers up and down her waist slowly.

"That explains why he seemed so unsettled.” He mumbled.

He?"

"My Wolf. He must've felt something was off and intervened." He yawned.

"I'm glad he did.” She leaned her head against his chest. She felt Jayce stiffen next to her, but then

his arm wrapped around her. Her eyes fell shut, and the world around her faded to black.

The storm continued to rage outside when her eyes fluttered open, her legs stretching. An arm

tightened around her waist, pressing her against a solid surface. Her vision cleared up and her eyes

focused in on Jayce's peaceful face. His hair draped over his eyes like a silky black curtain. She

listened to the thunder outside as she snuggled in closer to him, closing her eyes. Beneath his rough

exterior, he was gentle and caring. Her arm slowly extended over his waist until her hand rested on

his back. She felt him shudder in his sleep.

Time passed when she felt him stir finally. His muscles flexed as he stretched, strengthening his hold

on her. His eyes blinked open a few times, shimmering lightly as he took in the still slightly dark

room until his eyes rested on hers.

"Good morning." She said with a soft smile. His eyes fell shut again.

"I must be dreaming if you're in bed with me." His deep voice vibrated in his chest.

"It's not a dream.” She said to him. His eyes flashed open again, looking down at her and then at the

window.

"Well shit. What time is it?" He asked as he yawned, turning over slightly to lie on his back.

"I don't know. I left my phone in my room." She said, looking over to his nightstand where his

phone sat and reached across him. She heard him inhale as she crossed over, tapping his phone

screen.

9:47AM

"Quarter to ten.” Lily told him, also taking notice of several blocked missed calls. "You have some

missed calls too.” She informed him. She peered down at him, blushing as she realized how close

they were. Her bare stomach brushed against his hard abs, creating goosebumps to line her skin.

These goosebumps were different. They were reacting in a self-aware way that made her blush even

more.

"Chelsea." He rubbed his face. She frowned as she sat away. His girlfriend prior to her arrival. She bit

her lip, playing with his blanket.

"I'm sorry... I didn't mean to get in between you two." Her eyes looked anywhere but his. "I'll...

understand if you'd like to go see her." Is that what she really wanted, though? He grabbed her

hands as he sat up. His other hand cupped her cheek.

"Lily, you are my Mate. I don't need any other woman in my life.” She felt him searching her eyes.

His fingers moved to the curve of her neck, the touch alone making her quiver. This was nothing like

how Jasper touched her. He was cold, sharp and held such strong resentment toward her while

whispering his love as he endlessly tortured her. For so long, that was the love that was engraved

into her skin, into her heart and mind. Yet her soul attached to another, yearning to experience a

new type of love. One that was strong, dependable, warm and everlasting. His rugged demeanor

disguised his true self, and she had the curiosity to explore it.

Her hands reached out, her fingers grazing his torso. He let out a soft growl. Did his Wolf like it

when she touched him? Her fingers traced his tattoos. His breathing became shallow, but he didn't

stop her. This man was built by the gods.

"Lily." He spoke her name in a growl, drawing her attention to his face. His eyes took on an eerie

glow, his jaw clenching and unclenching. He looked like a beast ready to devour his prey. It sent a

delicious shiver down her spine, over her ass, and tickle her sex. She never felt that way before. Not

with Jasper or any other man before him

Maybe just a little more...

Her fingers moved along his collarbone until they inched their way up his neck. She felt his pulse

quicken at her touch. Her thumb swept over his cheek, feeling his chiseled jawline. Her eyes went to

his slightly parted lips, her thumb rubbing over them slowly. Another growl vibrated in his chest,

deeper than before.

"Lily, I won't be able to hold back if you keep going.” He said to her. She looked into his eyes, his

Wolf battling against the lust that was taking over him. For once, she could feel more than just the

fear of being hurt, of being violated. His Wolf wanted her, to protect her from the evil that wanted

to consume her. Her body ached for him, but was she ready? Getting over months of abuse would

still require time to heal, and a man sat before her, wanting to help with the process. She wanted to

forget about Jasper completely.

"Kiss me.” She told him, and there was no hesitation. His lips crashed into hers, his arms encircling

her waist as he settled her on his lap. Her fingers made their way into his soft locks, entangled in

them. One of his hands rested on the back of her neck while the other was on her lower back. Her

lips parted for him, his tongue dashing in and instantly dominated hers. He was used to conquering,

but she didn't want to be conquered. Her tongue rolled over his and pinned his down. He let out a

groan, his body moving beneath her until she felt his bed against her back and the weight of him

against her chest. She felt his hips grind against hers, a moan accidentally escaping her lips.

"Fuck. Do that again.” He growled against her lips. Her face flushed, looking up at him the moment

she could breathe.

"Do what again?" She asked him, and he ground against her once more. Her back arched in

response, another moan escaping her. He kissed her again, continuing to grind his hips against hers.

She felt his bulge grow even larger against her shorts. His lips trailed to her neck, and he nibbled

and suck. She pulled on his hair, feeling his other hand slide over her thigh. Jasper never made her

feel this type of fever before.

"Jayce." She moaned as he licked her neck. His hand left her thigh, grabbing her hand. He growled,

and she swore she felt his fangs against her neck. She tried to look at his face, but his hand that was

behind her head snaked into her hair and held her in place. She felt trapped, panic slowly creeping

in.

"J-Jayce." She stuttered, her mood evaporating. His hand pinned down hers, slipping his fingers

between hers. His hips pressed against hers harder. She moaned again, unable to hold back the

pleasure she felt even when her mind wanted to escape. Her sex soaked through her panties and

shorts now, her juices caked her inner thighs. When was the last time her body reacted to a man this

way?

"S-slow down." She got out when he snarled. She noticed his fangs, brandished and aimed for her

throat. Was he going to kill her? Did she take things too far? She released his hair, pushing against

his chest.

"Jayce, please.” Tears threatened her. She pushed against his chest, but he only pushed back.

"..mark... you..." his guttural voice was new to her. She ignored the pain as she turned her head and

met the eyes of his Wolf. He wasn't looking at her though, his full attention was on her neck still.

What did he mean to mark her?

His teeth lunged forward, her hand moving up from his chest and slammed against his face. He

grunted, his fangs piercing her palms slightly. She noticed the blood drip from her hand. He froze

up, horror painted on his face as his Wolf receded and Jayce's face returned to normal.

"Lily... I didn't..." he sat up, his eyes looking over her body until they set on her hips. His eyes flashed

for a moment and he looked away, his hand over his face. "Get out.” He told her. She stared at him

as she scrambled to sit upright.

"What?"

"Get out!" He roared at her, his forehead creased with rage as he stared daggers at her. She stared

back at him. She swallowed the fear that clamped down on her throat.

"No." She said. He snarled, getting out of bed. "Where are you going?" She asked, following him. He

threw open his bedroom door, his hulking form seething.

"Stay away from me." He ordered her, not once looking back as he walked away. She followed him.

"No, I want to know what happened.” She reached out, her fingers barely grazing his arm when he

spun around. She skidded to a halt, nearly crashing into him.

"Don't come near me. Ever.” He yelled down at her. She shrunk back from the power of his voice.

"I- 1 don't understand... I thought... things were going well..." she said, losing the strength in her

voice.

"You thought wrong.” He barked back at her. Any remaining strength she thought she was gaining

back diminished.

"It was all a lie..." she started, her eyes on the floor, "Everything... Wanting to help me heal... Being

Mates... All of it..." she covered her face, "None of it was real..."

"Lily, wait..." he finally calmed down, but she already decided. All the dark thoughts she had

suppressed came flooding back, and she let it consume her.

"I opened up to you... Let you in... I wanted to forget this feeling...” she dropped her hands to her

sides, "I shouldn't have come to your room... Shouldn't have come here..." she turned and walked

down the hall until she closed the door behind herself. Once it clicked shut, she sank to the floor

with her back against the door and released the tears. Why can't there be a day where she doesn't

need to cry?

"I don't know what I'd want to deal with more. Jaspers abuse or Jayce's rejection.” She mumbled to

herself. Thunder was the only reply she received.