Chapter 46: Lily
Jayce advised the Lunas and Alphas to leave them be for the rest of the evening and they would gather in the morning to get the last minute details wrapped up for the wedding. At first the Lunas were hesitant to leave her alone, especially Selene. Maybe the Luna, soon to be Alpha, felt responsible for what her deceased husband did, but Lily could never blame her. There may have been a point in time where Lukas was a decent man, and he truly cared about Selene, but that man surrendered himself to a being unheard of. Karmina. Was she that enticing of a character? Should she be worried about the other Alphas succumbing to her? What about Jayce?
Lily peered over to her Mate who sat back on the couch with her. His crimson eyes were darker than usual, nearly black as his button up. His shoulders were tense, his muscles bulged against his shirt. No, he wouldn't be swayed so easily. He may have nearly failed in Hawaii, but since then he's proven himself to gain her trust back. Her eyes drifted down to his neck where her Mark glistened in the light of the fireplace. It was since then that she felt their connection get stronger, tightening until it couldn't be breakable again. Karmina won't take him away from her, not while she was alive. Lily looked across from her to Derek who had his moon silver eyes glued to the carpet. When they managed to get alone, he hadn't said a word. He looked to be struggling internally about what we're about to discuss, and she couldn't argue. Aside from being pregnant, she felt her stomach become a huge knot and it only just tightened the longer the silence went on. Penelope retired to Lily's old room where Elias was snoozing peacefully. After whatever happened between Derek and her father, Nathan also went to bed for the night. She rarely saw her father get so angry, and it had terrified her at some point, but she couldn't disagree with how he felt. It was truly insane of her to forgive Derek for nearly killing her not so long ago, but she felt deep down that she had to forgive him. Lately her mind had been developing and adjusting to her new role. She rested her hand over her chest, feeling her heart beat steadily for the first time in awhile. Somewhere within the deepest part of her heart, she belonged here. Along side Jayce, the Werewolf King, pregnant with his child who had a strong, yet undetermined future. She can sense it. The shift in the air, but she couldn't quite tell what it was, but somehow it felt nostalgic.
"Lily?" Jayce's deep, husky voice spoke to her, bringing her attention to the matter at hand. His hand reached over and rested on her knee, giving it a gentle squeeze. Through her leggings she felt the heat of his touch. That same heat settled in her cheeks.
"Sorry, I guess I'm a little scatter brained.” She smiled weakly at him. His brows furrowed and his eyes narrowed on her belly. She placed her hand over the small bump that had started to form.
"I'll try to make this quick then." Derek finally spoke up from across the way. Lily looked back to him, finally meeting his gaze. She nodded, sitting back a bit.
"Okay, I'm ready." She said. Derek flickered his gaze away for a moment as he collected his thoughts once more. He let out a breath.
"A few months ago, Lukas came to me. When word reached the other packs that my son had a human for a Mate, I was outraged.” Derek began, keeping his eyes on the dancing flames.
"Of course, that's just how things work out with us. Unless the Mate bond were to be rejected, it's official otherwise.” He clasped his hands in front of him as he leaned forward slightly.
"I reached out to Penelope since I knew she had been visiting quite frequently in that time frame. She told me that it just happened to be a coincidence that the woman she picked up in New York to live here turned out to be his Mate." Derek's eyes softened, a look she would have never expected from him due to his usual demeanor.
"I flew out the day of the fall solstice in order to meet you, yet I found out from your guards that Jayce had been wounded and was being treated at the hospital. Of course those with the proper titles knew that the Werewolf King can't be brought down so easily, I was still a bit shocked.” Derek finally looked up at Lily, maintaining the softness in his gaze.
"When I opened that hospital room, what I wasn't expecting to see was someone that I mistook right away as my Mate.” He reached into his jacket and pulled what looked like a photo. He reached across, passing it over to her. She gasped softly at the woman in the picture. Her hair like the sun and her eyes like beautiful emeralds. She felt the familiar sting of tears grace her eyes.
"My mom was your Mate. She looks so young." She ran her fingers over her face, wishing to feel her motherly warmth again.
"We met when I had recently become the Alpha of the East Coast pack. She was engaged to your father at the time as well, but they had a disagreement. So, we spent time together for a couple months, until..." his words faded away and she looked over to him again. His moon silver eyes lost their glitter and shine and darkened to almost grey.
"My parents worked things out.” She finished for him. He nodded slowly "They were engaged for years, even after I was born. Now I know why." She reached over and placed the photo on his lap, "My father thought she didn't want to get married because it would take away her freedom, but somehow I knew that wasn't the case.” Lily inclined her head as she thought back to when her mother packed up her suitcase after another fight with her father. The fighting seemed endless. Her mother was a bird, and her father caged her by moving them all to the city. She couldn't breathe. She couldn't fly. Lily recalled her sad eyes as she put the suitcase in her car. Back then she didn't know it, and she wished she did.
"I think... no, I know my mother regretted the decision she made back then. She told me before she left that no matter what Fate gave me, to always follow my heart. Don't make the same mistake she did.” Lily focused on Derek. His eyes lit up slightly at her words.
"Is that why you attacked me?" She asked him. He stiffened when she mentioned that, his eyes darting to Jayce as he shifted beside her. She felt Nox stir, growling protectively.
"No, that wasn't the objective. Though in my mind I recognized you as Autumn at first, my Wolf took the recognition another way." He said.
"Another way?" She asked him.
"Queen." He told her. He rubbed his right forearm before rolling up his sleeve. Unlike Jayce who had his tribal tattoos covering his arms, Derek's arms were bare. "Lukas made a deal with someone many years ago. If not for this being, he wouldn't even be an Alpha. He introduced her to me, sort of. I've never really met her in person, just through him."
"Oh, the grocery store opens in fifteen minutes. I invited all of the Alphas and Lunas, Damion and Erica over for a big breakfast.” She peered over to him as she picked up the keys to the Audi. He scratched his head.
"Would you like some company?" He asked her. She blinked, staring at him for a long, awkward moment.
"Sure if you want. I'll go warm up the car.” She told him as she checked her pockets for everything. He nodded and went back to his room. When she stepped outside, she could see the sky start to lighten up little by little, the moon gradually dimming as the sun took its turn. She inhaled the chilled air, letting it sting her lungs.
A couple of hours go by when Lily and Derek return back to the mansion. The sun had finally overtook the night, warming her face even with the cold wind caressing her cheeks. She spotted Damion and Erica hopping out of his truck when she pulled up behind them. Erica smiled when she noticed Lily step out of the car, but sneered once Derek stepped out next. Damion took on a defensive stance at the Alpha.
"Damion, can you help us get these in please?” Lily called to him, hoping to drop his guard as she popped the trunk. Derek was beside her, grabbing multiple bags in both hands. Damion's head peaked around the open trunk, eyeing the groceries.
"Sure." He said slowly, watching Derek carefully before grabbing what was left. Lily shut the trunk with her spare hand, nearly jumping out of her skin when she turned around to see Erica in her face. "Are you okay?" She asked her eagerly, checking her face and neck.
"I'm fine. Erica, you're going to give me whiplash.” Lily told her, her best friend finally releasing her. Lily walked past her and opened the door for everyone. Everyone made their way into the kitchen where she spotted Nathan, Penelope and Elias at the counter. Elias eyes lit up when he spotted both Lily and Derek enter. Her father still looked uneasy with Derek around, but he didn't seem to be throwing anymore punches.
"My what is all of this?" Penelope asked as Lily started putting all the groceries away. Erica and Damion stood off to the side, still registering the fact that Derek was in the same kitchen as everyone else. He raised a brow at them as he took a seat beside Elias.
"Yes?" He finally asked. Lily peered from around the fridge door, eyeing them carefully.
"I know we all like left before hearing anything last night. Can we finally get the details?" Erica asked him. Derek hesitated, peering down at Elias.
"Elias, why don't you go wash up for a minute.” Derek suggested. Elias hesitated, cocking his head as he looked between his parents and then to Lily. She nodded to him, watching him hop off the stool and rush to the bathroom. Once the door was shut, Derek went into a brief summary about what they talked about the night before. Erica remained quiet which was really unlike her, and Damion looked just as uncomfortable as Jayce did last night.
"Well fuck.” Erica said after he finished explaining and Elias came back out of the bathroom. He ran up to Derek, grabbing his hand. The Alpha looked down at the little boy, unsure of what to do with him. Elias had a nanny for so long, Derek barely socialized with his son. Either of his sons really. He reached down and picked Elias up and placed him on his lap. Elias looked over the moon, and it made Lily smile.
A deep, tired grow! followed by the scent of rain wrapped around her. Strong arms enveloped her, crushing her against a hard chest. His face nuzzled into her neck, kissing sweetly. She shivered, biting her lip which made him growl seductively into her ear. Fire and electricity mingled between her thighs from his embrace.
"You weren't in bed when I woke up. Where did you go?" He asked her, his hands on her waist, gripping it and pressing her body against him more.
"Grocery shopping with your father.” She told him, nodding her head toward the counter. He stopped, glancing over to the group and growled in annoyance.
"Why is everyone suddenly here?" He rubbed his face, but wouldn't let her go.
"l invited them over for breakfast since we'll be doing last minute details today.” She tried not to blush as his hard on pressed against her ass. Penelope had her chin in her hands, smiling innocently at them. Derek and Nathan looked uneasy, avoiding looking in their direction while Elias was occupied playing with Momo. Jayce grumbled again, feeling defeated and left the kitchen. She frowned, watching his broad back walk away from her. She knew he wasn't used to a lot of people in his home all at once.
"Go on, darling. We'll figure out breakfast.” Penelope encouraged her. Lily still hesitated before going after Jayce. He made it to the stairs when she rounded the corner and grabbed his hand. He stopped, looking down at her.
"I'm sorry, I just thought since it was Christmas Eve, it would be nice to have everyone together.” She said to him. "I should've checked with you first, but you looked so peaceful and I knew how tired you've been lately. I took care of the groceries and I went ahead and paid off that ticket since we were out and about anyways. I just...” she paused, lowering her gaze, "I thought for once you could have a break from being a King and be able to have fun with everyone. So I invited everyone for a big breakfast before we wrapped everything up for tomorrow." Jayce gripped her hand, pulling her close to him. He brought his lips down and molded them with hers. Her head grew dizzy from the contact. He pulled away slowly, leaving her in a daze in his arms.
"Thank you.” He told her, keeping a good grip on her hand as he lead her upstairs. She felt her sex tingle with excitement as he took her to their room.
"But breakfast." She attempted to argue, but who was she fooling? Jayce closed the door and pinned her against it. His other hand turned into claws and carefully cut her tank top down the middle. She stood there in her bra and leggings, staring up at the godly man before her. His claws lifted her chin before resting gently on her throat. He gave a gentle squeeze, making her moan suddenly.
"I want you. Now." He demanded, letting her hand go and slipped his fingers into her hair, gripping it tightly. She gasped, meeting his eyes.
"Is that the King talking?" She asked with a bit of defiance. He closed the gap between their bodies, the heat of his body making her pant. He lowered his lips to hers, but left an inch between them. His crimson eyes burned into hers, but she couldn't look away.
"I'm not a King today, remember?" He licked her lips. She nipped at his tongue, almost catching it with her teeth. He growled down at her. His fingers squeezed again on her throat slightly before letting it go. His hand reached down and pulled his sweats down enough for his fully erect cock to bounce out. She glanced down and licked her lips in full sight of him. His hand then turned into claws like the other did and made a slit between her legs. She gasped as she felt her leggings tear. Not just her leggings, her panties to. She watched him inhale deeply of her scent, lifting her up and wrapped her legs around his waist. She wrapped her arms around his neck as he settled her on his cock. Her eyes rolled back as he pinned her against the door and pumped into her. She bit her lip, struggling to keep her voice down, but with his cock slamming into her, he was making it very difficult to keep quiet.
"Lily." He moaned, the door shaking behind her. She leaned up and kissed him, slipping her tongue past his lips and pinned his down. He moaned loudly, his claws digging into her ass. Her fingers slipped into his hair, rocking her hips against his thrusts. He moaned even louder than before, thrusting harder. She pulled her lips away, looking at him. He slowed down all of a sudden, but kept the roughness going. Her sex squeezed around his cock, hugging it tightly with her wet walls. He thrusted harder, forcing his cock in deep as he could in this position.
"Fuck, you feel so good." He moaned, taking her away from the door and laid her down on the bed. He pulled out, leaving her sex quivering as he turned her over. He lifted her ass, lowering her chest to the bed. With his claws he tore open her leggings until her ass was visible and he squeezed it. He directed himself back inside of her, letting out a sigh. He leaned down, pressing his chest against her back, his claws moving up her arms until they were over her hands and clenched the blanket. She watched his muscles in his arms bulge from the tension.
"You like how I feel?" He whispered into her ear as his cock throbbed in her sex. She grinded against him, listening to him moan. She hasn't heard him be so vocal before. It turned her on more than she realized.
"I love it, babe.” She moaned back, turning her head and licked his ear. He shivered, sitting back up and started thrusting again. She gripped the blanket tightly, moaning into it while he fucked her. His claws gripped her waist tightly, digging into her skin a bit.
"Lily... Lily!" He moaned, moving his claws to her shoulders. She felt her sex get tighter around him, his thrusts getting faster now. He grunted, slamming into her one last time, pumping his seed into her core. She muffled her scream into a pillow as she came, feeling her juices drench his cock. He remained inside of her for a little longer, panting and running his claws over her back and ass. He leaned down to her head again, kissing her neck and cheek lightly. She met his gaze, her heart pounding in her chest. He finally pulled out of her, rolling her onto her back. He leaned over her, continuing to stare until her cheeks flared up. She threw her hands over her face to hide it.
"Why are you staring?" She asked him, feeling shy.
"Wife." He said, making her uncover her face. His own cheeks tinted red after he spoke, "As of tomorrow, you'll be my wife.” Lily nodded, reaching up and rested a hand on his cheek.
"And you'll be my husband.” She told him. His eyes fell shut, leaning into her palm.
"Say it again." He told her.
"Husband." She said sweetly this time. His breath hitched in his throat.
"Again." He growled softly, leaning down. She smiled up at him.
"My dearest, sweetest, sexiest husband.” She said. He kissed her deeply. She felt his love pouring into the kiss, sweetening it until she was high off of it.
Tomorrow.