9: Lily

"Mates." Penelope said with a gentle smile. Lily raised a brow at her, but the term wasn't lost on her.

She sensed Jayce tense up when she said the word, shifting uncomfortably beside her.

"I'm assuming that is a more serious topic than what I'm thinking of?" She asked, and Penelope

shrugged, swirling her wine around.

"Yes, and no. It's not so much a serious topic, but it's one that Humans can easily overlook. Unlike

Humans, Werewolves have a partner that they soul link with." Penelope told her. Lily leaned forward

slightly.

"That sounds romantic.” She said, and Penelope nodded.

"It can be, but some Werewolves can go without a Mate.” She said, sipping from her glass. Lily

frowned, dropping her gaze to the table. Her eyes then darted up to Jayce, who was avoiding her

gaze.

"Do you have a Mate?" She asked him. His hand gripped his slacks slightly. “I'm sorry. That was rude

to ask.” She said, feeling the tension radiating off of his body.

"He has time still. What do you think, Lily?" Penelope asked her.

"What do I think?"

"Humans may not have the same soul link as we do, but do you believe you'll find someone on that

spiritual level?" She asked her. Lily went silent. After everything with Jasper, she wasn't entirely sure

if she even wanted to try again, but the memory of Jayce's lips caressing hers sent a shudder to

ripple between her thighs. She cleared her throat as she tried to block out the memory.

"I don't know." She looked at her hands, flexing her fingers a bit. "I lost myself when I was dating

Jasper. I think I should find myself first before I even think about getting serious with anyone." She

said, looking over to meet Penelope's gaze. The waiter brings their plates, the spicy aroma mingled

with the sweet. Lily's stomach growled loudly, and she blushed brightly. Jayce let out a chuckle.

"That's the second time now. Did you not eat yet today?" He asked her.

"I had to miss breakfast. The deadline was at 10 this morning. I literally was up at 6 trying to finish

things before emailing it to my manager.” She looked down at her plate, her mouth literally

watering at this point.

"Don't wait on us. Dig in." Penelope told her and she obliged happily.

"That was so delicious.” Lily sighed in content, sitting back in her chair. Her eyes went out the

window to the busy street, watching people walk on by. Can they smell her in here? Should she

return to the mansion?

"I have a meeting I need to attend to at the pack house. Will you two be alright or should I drop you

off back at the house?" Penelope said to them. Before Lily could respond, Jayce spoke up.

"I'm going to give Lily the tour of the city.” He looked down at her. "Aside from your appointments,

you haven't really left the house.” He told her. He wasn't wrong, but she felt like Werewolf fodder if

she went off on her own here.

"Splendid. I'll be in contact when we get closer to the day of the festival.” She said as she got to her

feet.

"Festival?" Lily asked her.

"It's to celebrate the Fall Solstice. Jayce would have all the details, same with Damion.” Penelope

mentioned, "Have a good day, you two.” She gave a small wave before leaving.

"Damn that woman." Jayce grumbled beside her. She looked up at him, his hand partially covering

his mouth.

"I like her.” She said to him. His eyes shifted down to her.

"Are you ready to go?" He asked her and she nodded, getting to her feet with him. The waiter

walked over, collecting the empty wines glasses.

"Don't you have to pay?" She tugged on Jayce's sleeve. The waiter peered over at her, giving her a

fake smile she knew all too well.

"It's on the house." He replied, returning to clean up. Lily frowned at him, extending out her hand.

"Let me see the check.” She told him. He hesitated, looking between her and Jayce. Jayce only

shrugged, so the waiter handed the check over. Her eyes widened at the total, but she reached into

her back pocket, taking out her wallet, and passed him several large bills. The waiter stared in shock

as he cautiously took the money, like it could disappear in an instant.

"You're still working your ass off. You should get tipped for it." She said to him. His fake smile turned

genuine as he inclined his head respectfully toward her.

"It's a gesture out of respect for the Alpha. Here, he's showing his gratitude.” Jayce informed her.

She nodded, smiling kindly at him before following Jayce out the door. The sun was still high in the

air, beating down on them. Jayce unbuttoned the first three buttons, showing off the tattoos on his

chest a bit.

"So, where to tour guide?" She asked him playfully. He smiled down at her, extending out his hand.

She hesitated, following the arm up to his face.

"Can't have you getting separated since you're so small.” He teased her. She gasped, taking his

hand, and they started walking.

"I can't help that my growth stopped, bigfoot.” She retorted. He chuckled at her.

"You know what they say about big feet.” He threw back. Pink colored her cheeks, and she nudged

him. As they walked along, he pointed out the stores and the restaurants to her. Many people

stopped and chatted with him along the way, asking various questions about the festival, mostly.

Some people had cameras and microphones at the ready, but he bypassed them with ease.

"We can go back home." She told him, feeling awful that he's been bombarded with paparazzi and

pack members the entire walk. He shook his head, though.

"I actually wouldn't mind a suggestion from you regarding the festival. Usually we end the night

with fireworks. It's cliché, but the people love it." He was telling her as they walked by a bookstore.

Her eyes fell on the poster taped to the glass, her eyes wide.

"Wow." She moved up to the poster, trying to hide her giddiness. On it was a large golden dragon

staring down at a woman wielding a sword, her long blonde hair untamed in her leather armor.

"Is this what you like to read?" He asked behind her, but before she could answer, a squeal sounded

near them.

"It's her! It's Lily Thornstun!" A woman squealed out, a small group of people swarming around her.

Her back pressed up against the window instinctively, looking around at the beaming faces.

"Miss Thornstun, can I have an autograph?” One of them held up her book.

Oh, that's what this is about.

Before she could reply, Jayce wedged himself between the horde of book lovers and herself like a

giant wall.

"Easy everybody." He commanded, and everyone immediately took a couple of paces back, but their

excitement was still overflowing.

"Oh, Alpha! You know Miss Thornstun?" One man asked. He glanced over his shoulder at her and

she smiled weakly, mouthing a “sorry’.

"I do. I'm assuming you're all fans of her book?" He asked them, and they all cheered. Her heart

swelled with pure bliss at the sound. She hadn't felt this way since her book first received the

reward. She stood at his side.

"If it's alright with the Alpha to pause our brief tour, I can do autographs and answer questions

necessary." She said, raising her eyes up to him. He looked down at her worriedly, but she nodded

firmly.

"Alright, but one at a time.” He told them, and they all erupted with excitement. "Jeez, when did the

Alpha become a bodyguard?" He mumbled to himself.

"I appreciate it, though. I'll treat you when we get back to the house.” She lowered her voice before

stepping forward, "I'll do autographs first." She announced as everyone got in line.

After an hour of signing books and answering questions, the crowd settled down, giving her a

moment to breathe.

"You're a natural.” He told her. She barely forgot he was still there. She was so in tuned with the

crowd, she lost all sight of what was around her.

"They all look so happy." She pressed her hands against her chest. "It brings me so much joy

knowing I touched their hearts through my work.” She said, smiling.

"That looks much better on you.” He said low in her ear. She turned her eyes on him, his face mere

inches away from hers.

"What does?" She asked as her heart threatened to burst from her chest.

"Your smile." He said to her, his eyes flashing to her lips and back to her eyes. A click drew their

attention to a news reporter, her short bob of curls bouncing on her shoulders.

"Does the Werewolf King have a new lover?" She asked, her microphone too close for comfort. Lily

pressed herself against his side and his arm wrapped around her securely.

"Friends." He stated clearly, yet a part of her heart ached at the word. The woman's eyes pouted a

bit, probably upset that she didn't have a scoop that she could work with, but her eyes changed and

she focused solely on Jayce.

"Tell me, Alpha, how are things going with the festival? Anything new and exciting to be expecting

this year?" She asked him. Lily drowned her out, looking away from them as he discussed the

festival with her.

"I actually asked Miss Thornstun to assist with the finale, but the details are still unfinished. I'll have

a conference later this week to further discuss my plans.” He mentioned. He took it all so naturally.

She watched his frame with admiration.

"Last question, do you have a date you plan on bringing to the festival?" She asked, but the twinkle

in her eyes gave way to her selfishness. This reporter wanted to land him. Lily felt an unknown

emotion take over her heart. Before she knew what she was doing, she reached up, taking hold of

his collar and pulled him down to her, her lips pressing against his. His hand that was wrapped

around her crushed her against his body as he returned the kiss. Every inch of her was ablaze, her

panties drenching as his tongue sought hers. She forced herself to pull away, looking up into his

wild eyes as she licked her lips.

"I'm his date.”