25: Jayce

He didn't react fast enough. The bastard gave off his scent at the last second before he pulled the

trigger. He felt the warm blood pool beneath him, and Lily's scream in the distance. He felt cold, and

for a long time he didn't think he was going to recover. Jasper was doing God knows what to his

Mate, and silver bullets incapacitated him.

Our Mate needs us.

His Wolf growled in his subconscious. Jayce looked at the eerie crimson eyes that matched his own.

A sharp pain erupted in his ribs that forced a gasp from his lips. He knew this pain.

Let's not make her wait then.

His bones shifted as an earth shattering crack nearly split his head in two. He pushed off the ground

while hunched over. His clothes tore away as fur sprouted from his body. He was as black as the

darkest of nights as he stood on his hind legs. He inhaled deeply, his senses heightened.

Jayce...

Her voice drew his attention over to Jasper, who leaned over Lily, pinning her down with his legs.

She sobbed uncontrollably, but muffled by something. Jasper pushed her legs apart further. Jayce

let out a horrifying growl that made the Vampire jump. He grabbed the back of his head and tossed

him away from Lily, hearing a crack as he collided against the door. He hovered over Lily

protectively, snarling aggressively.

"J-Jayce?" He felt her fingers in his fur. Jayce growled down at her before lunging at Jasper. He

didn't hold back. He listened to the Vampire scream in agony as Jayce tore him apart with his claws,

sending blood to splatter on the floor, the walls, the door, and himself. Jayce continued even when

Jasper stopped fighting him and gurgled up the leftover blood in his body. He watched the life

leave his eyes.

He stood over the heap of blood and flesh before turning his eyes on Lily. She still sat where she

was, her eyes on him. Jayce wished she hadn't watched what he had just done. He could imagine

the nightmares she would have for a while. He walked toward her, glad she didn't flinch or attempt

to run, and knelt down in front of her.

"Is it really you?" She asked him, and he nodded. Her hand reached up and brushed along his snout.

He whimpered as he leaned into her touch. He looked over at her, seeing the cuts on her face. Jayce

leaned down, licking her chin and cheek, and watched as they healed up instantly. He closed his

eyes as he sent out a message to Damion and a few of his soldiers through their mind-link.

In ten minutes, Damion had forced his way through the door, startled by the bloody mess he nearly

stepped into. Erica popped up behind him, her eyes wide as she took the scene in. Figures she

would come along as well.

"Is that?" Erica asked, her eyes moving over to Jayce and Lily, "Oh my God, Lily!" She ran through

the mess, trailing her bloody footprints with her as she knelt on the other side of Lily. "Are you

okay?" She asked her.

"I'm fine. Jayce saved me.” He felt Lily's fingers on his chest and he growled softly in response.

Damion stepped over the best he could, his eyes landing on a large pool of blood with two

scrunched up silver bullets in it.

"Jasper got desperate apparently, but didn't do his research.” He walked over to Jayce as he got to

his feet, peeking past his usual height, "You good?" He asked him. Erica helped Lily to her feet. He

cracked his neck and rolled his shoulders.

"What the fuck happened to you? You bulked out.” Erica said, looking up at Jayce.

"He gets like this when his life is in danger, kind of like a Plan B for when shit goes down.” Damion

said unfazed. Jayce watched as Lily moved away from him, stopping short of the bloody mess.

Damion quickly averted his gaze as she stepped out of the shredded dress.

"Is it real? Is it over?" Her voice trembled. Jayce stomped up behind her, his hands on her shoulders.

It's over.

With a grunt, the fur retreated into his skin, the sharp pain of his bones shifting back to place. He

stood naked behind her. Lily faced him with tears in her eyes. He brought her to his chest and let

her cry, feeling the weight lift off of her shoulders.

His other soldiers arrived, taken aback by the bloody massacre by the front door. Erica retrieved one

of Lily's robes and sweats for him. One soldier stepped up to Lily, his blonde hair pulled back into a

ponytail.

"Luna, may I check for injuries?" He asked her. Lily looked up at Jayce and he nodded, watching

them go off to the living room with Erica.

"How do you want to handle this? If word gets out that you were attacked tonight, the pack may be

uneasy.” Damion said as he watched a few others arrive at the scene and cleaned up. Jayce snarled,

grabbing all of their attention.

"Not one word of this gets out. If I hear that any of you breathed this to the public, you'll end up in

the same mess as that bastard did.” He said, nodding to Jasper's dismantled corpse. His soldiers

inclined their necks instantly, feeling the fear for their lives as they rushed to clean up.

"You think she'll be okay?" Damion asked as he looked over to the living room. The soldier was

checking her pulse and asking her questions. She looked calmer than he was expecting her to be.

"She's a warrior. Lily's much stronger than she looks. She'll rise above this. She is no longer shackled

to him." Jayce said, feeling slightly dizzy. He grabbed his head, sitting down on the steps with

Damion's help.

"You should go in, just in case. You know how that form takes a toll on you." Damion suggested.

"Not until I know she's okay." Jayce argued. The soldier walked back over to him and Jayce rose to

his feet too quickly. His vision went dark just as he felt his legs give out beneath him.

A soft beeping sound stirred him awake, his eyes fluttering to see bright lights above him. Damn,

did he die after all? He grunted, squeezing his eyes shut a moment as he settled with his other

senses. Beeping was rhythmic to his heartbeat. The mattress beneath him was firm and

uncomfortably thin, unlike his bed at home. He felt an IV in his arm and a thin wool blanket pulled

up to his sternum. The scent of lilies relaxed him as a small, fragile hand grabbed his.

"Jayce?" Her sweet voice made his eyes open, taking in her worried green eyes. She had thrown on

a hoodie and jeans, her makeup in rivers down her face. She looked like a beautiful mess.

"Hey." He said, squeezing her hand. He sat up, her arm around his back to support him. "How long

was I out for?"

"Just a few hours. Damion already explained everything to me.” She said to him. He looked over at

her, grabbing her hand again.

"Did I scare you?" He asked her. She frowned, lowering her gaze to their hands.

"When the gun went off and you went down, I thought everything was over. You didn't respond to

my voice. I couldn't hear your Wolf anymore.” She got teary-eyed, but quickly wiped her tears away,

smudging her makeup even more.

"I was surprised more than anything and relieved.” She looked back up at him. "Jayce, I don't know

what I would have done if I had lost you.” Her voice shook, and she took a deep breath. He

squeezed her hand tightly.

"I'm not going anywhere. We have the rest of our lives together still." He pushed her hair behind her

ear. She nodded, sniffling. He pulled her head to his shoulder, wrapping his other arm around her

back to rub it.

"Am I interrupting?” A deep voice boomed from the doorway, making Jayce tense up. His eyes

moved past Lily's blonde hair to a gentleman in the doorway. He wore a dark blue business suit and

tie, his silver hair slicked back, his black hair shaved low on the sides. Lily pulled back slightly,

looking over at the stranger.

"I'm sorry, but this is a private room. You can't be in here." She said, trying to stand strong. The man

stepped into the room more, his very presence commanding. He felt Lily shrink back against him

"I have every right to see my son." His silver eyes honed in on her and Lily stiffened under his gaze.

Jayce growled, wrapping his arms around her.

"What do you want, Derek?"

Of all the people to show up, Derek was the last person he wanted to see. After a strenuous night of

the festival, Jasper and now waking up in the hospital because of his shifting, he wasn't in the mood

to hear what his father had to say. All he wanted was to get home, curl up under the covers with his

Mate, safe in his arms now that Jasper was dead. Yet here they all were, staring at one another in an

awkward silence until Lily, bless her soul, cleared her throat.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, sir. I'm Lily Thornstun.” She extended her hand out to him, but he only

stared back at her. Jayce watched as her stance broke down ever so slowly before his eyes, but then

Derek stepped closer to her and shook her hand.

"Miss Thornstun, it's a pleasure of mine as well." He said to her. Jayce growled tiredly.

"Lily, can you go get me discharged?" Jayce asked her. She turned back to him once their

handshake was over. Her eyes sparkled with worry.

"Are you sure? The doctor should at least check you first." She said, her fingers brushing his hair

from his eyes. He grabbed her hand gently, pulling her closer to him.

"I'm fine. I'd rather be in bed, anyway.” He told her, stretching his back. Her brows knitted together,

but she nodded.

"Okay. I'll be right back.” She said to him before leaving the room. Derek looked after her as she

closed the door behind herself. Silence filled the room again as Jayce pulled out the IV, watching his

arm slowly heal. It'll be awhile before his Wolf was at full gear again.

"A Human woman. I didn't want to believe it when your mother told me." Derek finally said, taking

off his jacket and draped it over his arm. He was built similar to him, but he had a more professional

appeal where Jayce was semi professional. Jayce got off the bed, suppressing a yawn.

"I'm getting that recently.” Jayce said dismissively as he left his room. His father walked just behind

him. The gleaming white walls and tiles were nearly blinding under the fluorescent lighting. Jayce

turned down another corridor, spotting Lily at the nurse's desk filling out paperwork. He admired his

Mate from a distance.

"I received word that Councilman Helson was relieved from his duties yesterday.” Derek mentioned.

"You're correct.” Jayce said, continuing to stare at Lily as she conversed with the nurse.

"That's a bold play. His daughter would have made a good Luna." Derek said, walking past him. Lily

glanced up at Derek as he approached her. Jayce's hands balled into fists. Chelsea would only be

good because she is a She-Wolf. She knows the pack inside and out. Lily may be an outsider, but

she had a heart of gold. She would treasure his people like they were family. He knew that, yet

doubt tickled his mind. Could she handle it, though?

"Miss Thornstun.” Derek stopped before her. "I will meet with my son later this afternoon. Be sure to

have lunch ready by then.” He said to her before walking away. Jayce watched Lily's surprised

expression as she watched after his father. He walked up to her, her expression changing instantly

to a soft, tired smile.

"You're all set. I contacted Damion to come pick us up and take us home. I also asked him to handle

the wrap up of the festival in your place while you rested.” She informed him as the nurse handed

her the discharge papers.

"Lily, you're not my secretary.” He told her, taking the papers away from her.

"I know. I just wanted you to take it easy today." She lowered her gaze. He lifted her chin so he

could look into those green eyes.

"Thank you. Let's go home." He said, slipping his other hand down and linking their fingers

together. Her smile widened a bit more.

"Okay."

He groaned as he turned over, his back aching more than he wanted to admit. Once they got home,

they both crashed into their bed without a moment of hesitation and passed out. He got some

decent sleep in, but when he awoke, his back was killing him. Soft, warm hands ran over his back

slowly, applying pressure in a few areas that made him sigh.

"Lay on your stomach.” She said to him, and he obeyed. His back still ached, but not as badly as she

straddled over his ass and massaged his back. He groaned in response to her touch, the electric

impulses jumpstarting his nerves pleasantly.

"I never knew you were a masseuse.” He grumbled, his hands clenching the sheets as she applied a

bit more pressure on his lower spine. A soft crack sounded, and he let out a moan.

"I know how to give a massage, and I'm glad I was right that you needed it.” She said, applying

more pressure between his shoulder blades. Another crack, slightly louder than before. He grunted,

but he felt a million times better than he did minutes ago. She continued moving her hands down

his back in lines, in circles, pressing down whenever she needed to. He was melting beneath her

hands, and before he knew it, he was asleep again

He awoke an hour later, dazed and confused, when he checked his bed and saw that Lily was no

longer at his side. He checked his phone.

11:34AM

Shit, his father would arrive in a couple of hours to discuss whatever he needed to. He forced

himself out of bed, amazed that his back felt so much better, and jumped in the shower.

After he dried his hair and changed, he heard music playing from the kitchen. He crept down the

stairs, listening to swing music as he entered the kitchen. Lily's back was to him, her hair up into a

ponytail with loose strands swaying against her face. She wore a blue and black plaid dress that

stopped at knees, the long sleeves covering her scars. Her hips lined up with the music as she stood

in front of the stove, sauteing what appeared to be a mix of jalapenos, diced onions and tomatoes.

In another pan were three chicken breasts, seasoned and simmering.

Lily spun around and froze up when she discovered him in the doorway. She turned off the music;

her cheeks red with embarrassment.

"J-Jayce! H-how long were you standing there?" She asked nervously. He smirked as he walked up

to her. He grabbed her hand and dipped her.

"Long enough to know that you need lessons in swing dancing.” He said to her. She bursted into

giggles as he pulled her back up. "What are you making?" He asked her. She turned away and

flipped the veggies. A small fire flared out, but quickly settled as she lowered the heat.

"Grilled chicken breast with sauteed veggies.” She said, her shoulders slouching, "Do you think your

dad would like it?" She asked him.

"Is that what is bothering you?" He asked her as he went into the fridge and pulled out more

ingredients to make a green salad.

"A few things are actually bothering me. I just hope he likes me." She said as she turned off the heat.

She reached for the cabinets, struggling on her toes. He watched her climb onto the counter and

pull down plates.

"What are you doing?" He asked her as she closed the cabinet and hopped back down.

"I'm sorry, I don't have the height of a basketball star, okay?" She threw back at him as she plated

everything. He raised a brow at her sass. He moved up behind her, his hands on her hips as he

pressed her against his raging bulge.

"Did you just sass the King?" He growled into her ear. She moaned, her ass pressing against him.

"And if I did?" She asked him, looking over her shoulder. He wrapped her hair around his hand and

pulled. She gasped while his other hand reached under her dress. His fingers traced her entrance

through her panties.

"I'll just have to punish you, then.” He licked behind her ear as he unzipped his pants. He lowered

her panties until they were around her ankles and he slipped into her sex. She moaned out, the

walls expanding and constricting every inch of him. He held there for a moment, taking her in when

he heard a soft click come from the foyer. He pulled out and covered her mouth as she moaned.

Jayce gestured to the doorway, and her eyes widened. She lifted her panties back up as Jayce

stuffed himself back inside just as Derek entered the kitchen. He paused for a moment, his nose

flaring.

"Did I interrupt?" He asked, his eyes burning toward Lily.

"Nope. I just finished plating everything. Why don't you two go take a seat in the dining room and

I'll bring the plates over.” She said with a smile. She pushed Jayce toward the exit while she

gathered everything.

"I told you I was coming to meet with you." Derek said as he set himself up at the table, draping his

dark red jacket over the back of the chair. Jayce took a seat across from him, his temper high and

his lust on fire. Getting that one quick insert wasn't enough to satisfy him. He needed more.

Lily walked in, setting the plates down in front of them. Once she set hers down beside Jayce, Derek

let out a scoff.

"What do you think you're doing?" He asked her. She tensed up, looking over at him.

"I'm sorry, I'll go eat in..." she picked up her plate, but Jayce stopped her.

"You'll be eating with us.” He said, his eyes leveling with Derek's. Lily looked at Jayce, slowly putting

her plate back down.

"This is a meeting between two Alphas. She does not need to be included.” Derek said to him. Lily

looked down at her plate, unsure of what to do.

"She is my Mate, my Luna. She will join this meeting you called for." Jayce finalized, but Derek

wouldn't allow it.

"A woman, especially a Human, has no right to be sitting with us.” Derek challenged. Jayce snarled,

his fangs bare. Lily rested her hand over his and he looked at her smiling face.

"It's okay. Derek wanted to speak with you privately.” Lily said, standing and picked up her plate.

She leaned over and kissed his cheek sweetly. "Enjoy your lunch.” She smiled before walking over to

Derek and picked up his plate.

"What are you doing?" He asked her as she removed his plate from the table.

"Oh, an Alpha doesn't deserve my Human style cooking.” She said before walking away. Jayce

watched Derek seethe at the end of the table. He wouldn't lie. It shocked him she even stood up to

him that way. Jayce cut into his chicken, already salivating.

"So, what's it you want?" Jayce asked him as he took a bite. Derek forced himself to settle down,

adjusting his posture.

"It's about the Winter Solstice.” He said. Jayce had a hankering feeling this was the topic he'd

mention.

"And?" He asked.

"As you know with tradition, you are to Mate and wed by your thirtieth birthday.” He said to him. He

knew this already.

"Get to the point of this." Jayce growled impatiently.

"Even though that part of the tradition will be met in the time of the Solstice, your... Mate... needs to

know the full history of our race. Starting with traditions, every Alpha that's led, previous Kings. She

needs to win your people over." Derek said to him. Jayce sits back in his seat, twisting his fork in his

hand.

"Lily has practically won my people over already."

"Right, I heard about her little speech at the festival, but that won't be enough." Derek stood up

from the table. "I expect results the next time I come by. The other Alphas are... interested to know

more about your Mate.” He said distastefully. Jayce didn't know how to take that. Interested how?

Because she is Human? Because of her beauty? His protective instincts kicked in and he didn’t want

any other man near her besides himself.

"Lily won't disappoint.” Jayce growled deeply. Derek put on his jacket and adjusted his tie. He

shrugged before taking his leave. He sat in the dining room alone for a moment, staring down at his

half eaten plate. Thoughts rolled around in his head. He had a few months until the Winter Solstice

to get Lily on track. Would she be able to manage it in such a short time? That wasn't his only

problem right now. His cock throbbed in his pants. He needed to settle another matter first.

He followed her scent into the garden, spotting two untouched plates on the table. His nose lead

him deeper in until the oak tree came into view. She sat on the swing, just like she had the first

night she was with him. She was playing with the edge of her skirt when he approached her. Her

eyes went up to him, shining at the sight of him, but it quickly faded away.

"How did the meeting go?" She asked as she lowered her gaze. He went and knelt down in front of

her. He pushed one of her loose strands behind her ear.

"Not as well as I hoped." He said.

"I guess winning your dad over is officially out of the question.” She said sadly.

"I wouldn't say that." He said as he got back up to his feet and leant his hand out to her. She took it,

following him back through their garden

"I took his plate away and talked back to him. I don't think I can bounce back from that.” She said

with disappointment.

"I beg to differ.” He said as he escorted her back inside.

"How? He doesn't seem like the type of guy that gives second chances." Lily told him. Jayce pulled

her along still, walking upstairs. "Where are we going?" She asked him curiously. He scented her

arousal spike when he made his way toward their bedroom.

"I made you a pinky promise, remember?” He reminded her. He stopped outside their room and

faced her. She stopped abruptly before colliding with him.

"You remembered?” She asked. He pulled her against him.

"I'm taking time off so we can have our time together." He told her, leaning down and kissing her

feverishly, "I hope you're ready. I won't be easy on you.” He said against her lips. Her eyes lit up at

his words, biting her lip.

"What are you going to do?" She asked him. He bent down slightly, picking her up and slung her

over his shoulder. She let out a scream and struggled a bit.

"I'm going to show you how much I love you." He told her before taking her into the room and

slammed the door behind himself.