42: Jayce

"Is Lily my sister?" He asked Derek. The Alpha shut his eyes and for a moment Jayce grew scared

and horrified. After finding the picture of a woman that was the spitting image of Lily in his jacket

pocket, he had a million questions added on from what he already had. He got lucky to arrive in

time when Lukas was about to go in for the kill on Lily. Jayce only saw red after that, tearing Lukas

apart until he was barely breathing. Then when he turned his attention on Derek who was already

shifted back and injured, Lily had crossed his path, defending him.

"He saved me." She had said before passing out. Now she lay in a hospital bed, paler than normal

with deep bite marks on her leg. Nox had been focusing on healing her wounds, but with the

amount of blood she had lost, she needed time. Their wedding was in two days now, but he was

prepared to announce the postponement.

"Is Lily my sister?" He asked again. Derek shook his head slowly, and Jayce sighed in relief. He

looked at the picture. Though the woman smiled, he could just see the sadness that lingered behind

that smile.

"She was engaged when I told her we were Mates. Way before you were even born.” Derek said,

finally gaining his voice. Jayce sat back in his seat, looking at the old man wrapped up in bandages.

"So she rejected you." Jayce said a bit coldly.

"No, It was mutual.” Derek told him. Derek shut his eyes, his brows furrowed in pain, "I loved her.

More than anything, but she couldn't decide between us." Derek reached his hand up and covered

his face. He'd never seen his father get emotional. Ever.

"So, you took it out on Lily? I'm sure that made you feel a shit ton better." Jayce growled

"When I saw her in the hospital room with you, I thought it was Autumn. For a split second I was

overcome with joy of seeing her again, but her scent didn't match.” Derek looked up at the ceiling.

"When I found out it was her daughter of all people that you were Mated to... It was unfair." He

admitted. Jayce set the photo on the bed near his hand. Derek grabbed it, groaning as he lifted his

hand up to gaze at the picture.

"You always said that humans were inferior creatures. It wasn't because you thought ill of them, but

because she chose a human partner over you." Jayce stood up, "Now my Mate lies in a bed because

of it." His body was starting to shake from the anger he felt. Derek rested the picture on his chest,

looking up at Jayce.

"In the center of my right forearm, pull off the bandages.” Derek told him. Jayce looked at his arm,

then back to him. He let out a tired sigh before reaching over and with a single claw, tore open the

bandages. He didn't see anything at first, but Nox growled deeply. When he took a closer look, a

very faint gold glow came from a small bit of his arm. He could barely make out the design it made

as the glow continued to slowly fade.

"My allegiance was not as strong as Lukas’, so his tattoo will be better proof.” Derek said as he laid

his head back and shut his eyes.

"Proof of what exactly?" Jayce asked him. He needed his answers before the old man fell asleep

again.

"Proof that something greater is at play. Something... we've never seen... before." Derek drifted back

to sleep. Jayce rubbed his temples when the door opened and Penelope walked in. She was wearing

the same clothes from the day before. She moved up to Derek's side, seeing the photo and

frowned.

"I knew he wasn't over her." Penelope told him. Jayce looked over to her.

"You knew?" He asked her. She nodded slowly. She took the photo and placed it on the pillow

beside him. She took Jayce's seat and grabbed Derek's hand.

"I was there for him during his heart break. I never found my Mate, so I never knew what it felt like

to be rejected.” She said to him, "You should go to Lily.” She told him. He only nodded, getting to

the door when she called back to him, "Take it easy on her." She said as he shut the door. Should

he? She stormed off during the discussion, took his car which now has a ticket for illegal parking,

and nearly died. Not just her, but their child to. All for the sake of winning his father over, but it had

worked...

Jayce walked into Lily's room that was right next door to Derek's and noticed Nathan sitting on the

bed beside her. Lily was sitting up, crying into her father's arms when the door clicked shut behind

him. She glanced over to Jayce, her green eyes standing out against the red. She looked happy to

see him, and then the fear crept in and she pulled her blanket up to her face. Nathan looked over to

Jayce.

"I need a moment alone with Lily." He said firmly. Nathan looked at Lily worriedly and for a second

he didn't budge. He grabbed Lily's hand and squeezed it. They were looking at one another,

communicating with their eyes. Nathan finally let go of her hand and left them alone. Jayce looked

over to Lily as she sat back on her bed. He stepped closer to her, she moved back.

Great.

"Lily." He said, but she shook her head.

"Don't Lily me." She cried, "I know I fucked up, but I am done being the woman that hides behind

you.” She said, clutching tightly to the blanket. "I was not going to wait around while you chased

after your dad in a damn cat and mouse game that may never end.” She sniffled. Nox whimpered

softly. His Wolf had grown soft since they bonded.

"You not only risked your life, but our child's life to.” He told her. Her body stiffened when he said

that, her shoulders shaking, "You can't be reckless, Lily. When you're Luna you have to think about

the lives around you, most importantly, the lives you carry inside of you." He said, standing beside

her bed now. He didn't want this to be their reunion after the fight. He wanted to embrace her, kiss

her and never let her go, but she acted on impulse and it nearly got her and their child killed.

Lily went to move her leg, wincing loudly as she gripped the blanket. He lifted the sheet, taking

notice of the massive bruising that covered the bite marks. At least Nox healed them shut for her,

she'll just be sore for awhile. He looked back at her face, her eyes lowered. All of his anger slowly

disintegrated as he sat on the bed beside her. He moved an arm around her shoulders and she dove

right into his arms. She cried into his shirt, and he let her. He rubbed her back with one hand and

brushed her hair with the other. She was safe now, but before he could tell himself there was no

longer a threat, Derek's last words came to mind before he fell asleep. He'll have to have a nice chat

with Lukas later.

After Lily calmed down, she begged to get out of bed. He watched her wince and struggle to get

her sweats on. He knelt down and just barely touched her leg. The shocking sensation made her

jump and grab his shoulders for support. He looked up at her flushed face as he helped get her

pants on. He let his fingers graze her thighs as he pulled them up, her breath catching. His eyes

moved down to her belly and he placed his forehead against it. He focused in on the tiny soul that

resided in her and he sensed it. The Wolf spirit that the child shouldn't have yet, it was beating

within it. Lily's fingers moved into his hair, combing slowly.

"This is unbelievable." He mumbled, making Lily giggle softly.

"It's incredible. They already have their Wolf spirit.” She confirmed for him. He heard Nox grow!

tiredly, stirring in his mind. The tiny spirit stirred just enough to give both Jayce and Nox a start. It

was already responding.

"How could I not sense it before?" He asked her. Lily nibbled on her bottom lip.

"Nox may have helped a little bit with that.” She told him. Of course he did. Figures his Wolf would

take part in the surprise.

"I'm going to go see Lukas.” He told her as he got to his feet. She frowned for a second before

nodding.

"Take me with you.” She told him. He growled instantly, "Something else is going on with him. He

didn't obey Nox when he should have which means one of two things.” She held up her fingers, "He

could've gone rogue.”

"Unlikely. I'd sense the tear from the pack.” He told her. She inclined her head as she lowered her

second finger.

"Something or someone else is controlling him.” She limped over to her hoodie and put it on and

tied up her hair. She looked like she was about to go to a fight.

"Lily, you need to rest." He told her, but when she didn't listen he gently tapped her leg. She let out

a yell and nearly collapsed if he hadn't caught her.

"I'll be fine. I can't just sit still. I need to move. Get the blood flowing." She started to stretch,

wincing as she did. He found himself smiling.

"What could you possibly offer with the interrogation?” He asked her. She looked over to him as she

finished stretching.

"For starters, I can think outside the box. I knew during the fight that something was off. He acted

like a rapid animal with no self control.” She sat down with a soft yelp and put on her sneakers. He

leaned against the bed, his arms crossed.

"And put you and the baby at risk again?” He asked. She flinched, a pained look on her face.

"Okay, that wasn't smart on my part, but I got the job done." She squared her shoulders and met his

gaze. He cocked a brow down at her, "Besides, someone has to keep you in check before you kill

Lukas on his hospital bed." She poked his chest. He rolled his eyes.

"I can interrogate without needing to cause harm.” He said. She let out a loud HA, followed by

laughter after that.

"You're cute." She leaned up and kissed his cheek, "Now come on." She said. He looked after her,

shaking his head before following her out.

They walked down a separate wing with less staff and many security guards lined the hall. Damion

stood by Lukas' door when he took notice of them approaching. He let out a breath when he saw

Lily awake and walking.

"Damn girl, you had me and Erica scared.” He said, embracing her. She returned the hug weakly.

"How is he?" Jayce asked after Damion released Lily and slipped his hand with hers. He was glad

that nothing happened between them, but he still felt possessive of her.

"He's awake, but he's refusing to talk.” He looked over to Lily, "You should stay out here." He told

her. She rolled her eyes and walked into the room without saying anything. They immediately

followed, finding Lukas leaning back in his bed. His arms and legs were bandaged up. He had

stitches across his stomach and chest. Another round of bandages wrapped his throat. His eyes

burned into Lily when she entered the room.

"I hoped you died.” He said through clenched teeth. Jayce snarled at him, but Lukas seemed

unaffected by it. He could sense the weak link of his Wolf spirit, which would explain why he wasn't

healing properly.

"Why do it? You're an Alpha. A leader." Lily said, standing dangerously close to Lukas. Jayce felt

Damion's Wolf shift uncomfortably in him, Nox doing the same. Lukas tore his eyes away from her.

"There's nothing wrong with wanting more power.” He sneered at her. Lily let out a breath

"Nox, can you bring his Wolf forward?" She asked openly. Jayce watched curiously, hearing Nox in

his mind grow! softly in response to her. Lukas’ eyes widened and he grunted in pain. His nails

sharpened, his fangs lengthen and his eyes switched over. Then his body relaxed and Lukas looked

between everyone.

"My Luna." A guttural voice came forward that was not Lukas". Lily stepped closer to him.

"I'm glad I can talk to you.” She said, reaching out and laying a hand over his claws. The Wolf

whimpered. Jayce and Damion exchanged glances as they watched

"She's insane. Did you know she could do that?" Damion whispered his question. Jayce shook his

heard. She surprised him again.

"I can't stay long.” The Wolf spoke, baring his fangs painfully, "He's fighting for control.” He whined

softly. Lily gripped his claws.

"Can you help us?" She asked him. The Wolf looked between her and Jayce. He inclined his neck.

"He may have turned tail, but my allegiance is to my King." He said.

"Alpha Lukas struck a deal with someone, didn't he?" She asked him. The Wolf nodded, “Can you tell

us who?" She asked. He gritted his teeth again. Something on his arm started to glow, drawing

Jayce's attention to it. He realized it was the same intricate design that Derek had, except this one

was vibrant like a fresh tattoo. It was pulsing like it was its own living, breathing organism. Jayce

went to his other side to look at it closely while Lily spoke with the Wolf.

"Kar..min...a..." the Wolf groaned in pain, baring his fangs as he tried to restrain Lukas from

returning. Lily leaned in a bit closer. Damion hovered near her, ready to pull her away when it came

down to it.

"Karmina? Who's that?" Lily questioned, looking over to Jayce. He only shrugged, his eyes on the

tattoo. It started to glow brighter, giving off an unbearable heat. The skin around it started to

bubble and blister. Lukas claws grabbed Jayce's and Lily's arms.

"Don't let her... win..." he growled, his body withering in pain. Lily gripped his claws tightly, tears in

her eyes.

"You did good. You can let go now. Be at peace.” She told the Wolf. He whimpered as she caressed

his cheek before finally sighing. The blisters started to slowly pop one by one, covering his arms and

neck. Jayce stepped away as Lukas took back over, his eyes wild as he struggled against whatever

was happening to him. He started to scream in pain as boils and blisters covered his face.

"Lily!" Jayce shouted as he made it to her just as Lukas’ body exploded. Blood, bones and flesh

splattered the walls, the ceiling, and the bed. Lily screamed as both Jayce and Damion took her to

the ground, covering her from being hit from the explosion. The door opened and security rushed

in, gasping and yelling about what just happened. There was so much noise going on around him,

he could barely focus on what just happened.

"Jayce... Jayce!" Damion shouted, finally getting his attention. He looked at his Beta and then down

to Lily. She was clinging onto him, very minor blood sprinkled her cheeks and clothes. Damion had

his arm over Jayce's back as he tried to figure out what just happened to. Lily was looking at where

Lukas' body was, and she was crying.

"No!" She screamed. Jayce held her against him as she cried out. It was tears of loss. Why would she

feel that way over the man that nearly killed her? Nox howled within him. It was filled with same

emotion Lily gave off. It wasn't for Lukas, but for his Wolf.