24: Lily

Fuck. I need to be fucked.

Lily smiled through her horniness after her time with Jayce in the bathroom. She didn't know what

got into her. Maybe it was the lack of attention she got all day from him. Maybe it was the intense

situation with a door hiding them from the world. Whatever it was, it excited her in a way she never

felt before. And she wanted more of it.

Jayce had to take his leave and make his rounds, but he would escort her later for the lanterns. The

way his eyes fired up her sex and his sexy smirk on his lips nearly made her cum. She ached badly

for her Mate.

"We're almost there, Lily. You're doing great.” Erica cheered her on from behind her. Lily smiled back

at her, feigning innocence. She couldn't wait for this to be over.

"Miss Thornstun, it's an honor.” A man's voice interrupted her thoughts, and pressure slithered

behind her right ear. She felt her heart race as she looked up at the man before her. He had jet

black hair, a charming smile, goatee and pale blue eyes. Though he was smiling at her, his eyes

looked lifeless. She knew those eyes anywhere. How could he look so different? A growl thundered

in her head, the pressure fading away, and she smiled up at him.

"The honor is all mine.” She smiled sweetly up at him as he passed her the book and she signed it.

She passed the book back to him and his fingers brushed against hers. They were cold and slender

as he tucked the book into his hoodie he wore. For a second, she thought she glimpsed something

tucked into his pants, but his hoodie covered it before she could get a good look at it.

"Any way I can get a picture with you?" He asked her with a smile.

You fucking creep.

Erica rested her hand on Lily's shoulder.

"Sorry, no time for photos today. Lily still has a line of people to get through before heading off for

the evening.” Erica told him. He inclined his head at her, but nodded.

"No worries, I understand. Thank you so much, Miss Thornstun. I hope you have a great rest of your

day.” He smiled down at her. She tried not to cringe.

"You as well.” She waved as he left. Erica squeezed her shoulder gently, sharing a look as they

watched him exit the shop.

"I can call Damion." Erica said, whipping out her phone. Lily put her hand over it.

"No. He'll know then and he'll hide." Lily told her and continued with her book signing. If only she

had a way to tell Jayce without being noticed. She thought of her Mate. His muscular form in his

black button up, his tattoos glistening with sweat from the heat. His black hair combed back with his

fingers, his crimson eyes devouring her whole.

Lily?

Lily blinked, looking around to find him, but he was nowhere in sight. She finished and went on to

the next one. She went back to the dominating image of him with his sleeves rolled up and his shirt

unbuttoned. Lily felt herself get hot in more ways than one, forcing a smile as she greeted more

people.

I can feel you, woman.

His growl penetrating her head and it took every ounce of her being not to moan out loud. She

gripped the table suddenly, resting her head in her hands.

"Lily, are you okay?" Erica asked, as she panicked.

The football field was lit up with enormous lights as it flooded with people. Many were sitting on

the grass and decorating their lanterns while others had already finished and were waiting to get

things started. Lily knelt on the grass with Erica, using a permanent marker to decorate her own

lantern when she smelt fresh rain. Her eyes drifted up to an approaching Alpha and Beta, both

holding their own lanterns. Out of the corner of her eyes, she noticed Erica twitch when she sensed

Damion walking over, but she didn't look up.

"Do you really not like him?" Lily asked her. Erica looked at her in surprise, tapping the marker

against her chin.

"It's not that. It's quite the opposite, actually.” Erica's cheeks stained pink. "He's everything I've ever

wanted in a man." She stuck her tongue out between her lips as she continued drawing.

"Then why do you get so annoyed with him?" Lily asked her. Erica avoided her gaze.

"I guess I'm still adjusting.” She grumbled. Jayce and Damion sat beside each of them, forming a

small circle. Jayce had a more relaxed expression on his face after their session earlier. Even after she

told him about Jasper confronting her, he didn't lose his cool like he normally did. This was a

tremendous step since yesterday. He said he was proud of her for being brave in the face of evil.

Lily held up her lantern proudly, turning it as she looked over the intricate designs. She peered over

to Erica where she was drawing a skull on fire. She glanced over to Damion who was going full force

on his lantern. Then her eyes landed on Jayce, who was looking at his lantern like it was some

foreign object.

"Trying to figure out what to do?" She asked, shifting closer to him. He inhaled her scent deeply as

she brushed against his side.

"I'm not an artist." He said to her. She giggled, setting her lantern down.

"Neither am 1." she said to him, "Maybe instead of a design, you could write something instead.”

She told him. He thought it over before writing something down. She leaned over to see, but he

pulled his lantern away.

"No peeking.” He growled softly at her. She pouted up at him, making him flinch and sigh. "I was

writing a wish." He said, spotting a hint of blush on his face. She moved away to give him space.

"Don't you want to know what it is?"

"It won't come true then if I knew about it." She said to him. Lily looked around at everyone else

who appeared to be nearly done. She got to her feet, brushing the grass off of her legs. She noticed

some of her scars appeared through the makeup.

"By the way, where did Penelope go?" Lily asked, trying to scan the crowd for her, but to no success.

"She had a flight to Tokyo to catch. She's promoting the new foundation, all thanks to you." Jayce

said after finishing his lantern. That explained why she wanted before and after pictures this

morning. Jayce climbed to his feet. He nodded to someone and all the lights went out. Lily jumped,

looking around, and Jayce rested a hand on her arm. He flicked on a lighter and lit their lanterns,

the ominous glow lighting up their faces. She watched as everyone else lit their lanterns, spotting

across the field.

"Ready?" Jayce's voice boomed over the crowd. There was soft cheering as he faced Lily, grabbing

her hand gently. She looked up into his face, her heart ready to burst through her chest. In sync,

they released their lanterns, letting them float into the sky. Lily stared in wonder as everyone else let

go of their lanterns, letting them float alongside theirs.

"It's so beautiful.” She breathed. She felt a tug and glanced up at Jayce as he closed the distance

between them. His other hand rested on her cheek and she watched the love in his eyes.

"Lily." He said, leaning down and kissing her softly. She leaned into him, her free hand rested on his

chest. As everyone's eyes were on the lights above them, her attention was on her love in front of

her.

"I had so much fun today." Lily said, still riding the high from the day. Jayce chuckled at her as he

pulled into their driveway.

"Aside from cutting yourself." He said to her as he got out and opened her door. She smiled up at

him. She patted the pocket that held her panties.

"Don't tell me you didn't enjoy yourself." She said, heading inside. He closed the door behind

himself.

"I fully enjoyed myself, just as much as you did, apparently.” He teased. She giggled until a click

caught her attention and a loud growl.

BANG! BANG! THUD!

Lily covered her ears as the sound nearly deafened her. She dropped to her knees as a ringing

sounded in her head. She turned her head, her eyes widening as she spots Jayce on the floor. Blood

pooled underneath him. A figure stepped out of the shadows of their living room, a revolver in his

hand and a sadistic smile on his face.

"That was too easy.” He chuckled, turning his sights on her. Lily's eyes went back to Jayce's lifeless

body. Everything inside of her came crashing down all at once as she screamed.

"Jayce!" She wanted to go to him, but Jasper stepped between them, blocking her path. She

struggled to her feet, tears streaming down her cheeks. Jayce didn't move. Jasper stepped toward

her.

"Now no one will be in my way." He said to her. She finally looked at him. Every fear she thought

she left behind today came rushing back and she froze up. Jasper stood in front of her, his hand

reaching up and caressed her cheek slowly, his nails slicing her skin.

"It's been so long, Lily." He inhaled the scent of her blood, his eyes dilating and his canines

sharpened. She only stared back

Vampire?

His other hand reached out, grabbing hold of the collar and tore down. She fell away from him,

landing back on the ground, clutching the torn fabric against her exposed body. He licked his lips as

he knelt in front of her.

"Let me see those eyes.” He gripped her chin painfully, his nails digging into her skin again. His

smile grew wider, more sinister. "The fear. It's so beautiful.” He said before pushing her down on her

back.

"No!" She finally found her voice, her body kicking into high gear and thrashed her arms and legs

wildly. He dug his knees into her thighs, his hand grabbing her wrists, and pinned her down. She

screamed as loud as she could, but his tongue shoved into her mouth to quiet her. She bit down on

his tongue, forcing him to retreat.

"You gained a fighting spirit. Good, I was getting bored.” He wiped his mouth. Instead, he placed

the barrel into her mouth, making her tense up. "If you continue to fight me, I'll pull the trigger.” He

threatened, releasing her hands. Jasper tore her dress off until she was bare before him. He eyed her

scars with affection, tracing each one. She squirmed beneath his touch.

"Stop. Please.” She begged between sobs. The barrel made it uncomfortable to speak. His hand

continued downward over her stomach.

"No panties? You've become a whore in the short time that we were apart.” He said, opening his

pants. She continued to cry, shutting her eyes tightly as he parted her legs.

Jayce...