Dr. Luna
Chapter 19

The cool night air swirled around Lilly as she left the building. In front of her was an opened outdoor garden that featured a beautiful fountain spitting up water in its center. Solar lights lit up the area and the water sparkled in its light. She walked up to the water fountain, feeling the wet mist as the water flowed back down. She inhaled the cool air, filling her lungs and trying to calm herself down.

What made things worse for Lilly is she was blaming herself. If she had not worn her hair up and revealed her neck so sensually then it probably never would have happened. If she would have picked a more modest outfit she could have blended in more and escaped their attention. If she wasn't trying to provoke Tyler, then this may not have happened. Unconsciously, she began to scratch at her neck, trying to remove the feeling of his breath on her skin. His touch, his breath, his invasion was unwanted. "Lilly, don't do that." Cedric pulled her hand down from clawing at her neck. "You are okay. There is nothing there. He didn't leave a mark there. It's okay Lilly." Cedric's voice was low and gentle. He was trying to calm her down. He could see she was shaken up. This was all Tyler's fault. He gave them the impression that the pack did not care about her. If he had not acted childish, she would not have experienced such a bad situation. He had openly shunned her and had his pack follow suit. It was because of this that those wolves thought she was free game, and no one would care.

Lilly looked up at Cedric, her green eyes glistened with wet tears. She couldn't replace her voice to talk. She realized she hadn't said one word since that moment. She just could not believe it. How someone could be so brazen to invade a stranger like that. Not just invade but try to mark them to take as their own. She closed her eyes and took a few steps away from Cedric. She did not have much experience in seeking comfort with another person. She knew that Tyler's touch would comfort her. She craved it and his comfort as his mate. As a person though, she was angry with him and wanted to be far away from him. It was so confusing having a mate. Damn wolf hormones or whatever it was.

She looked out into the darkness and noticed fireflies dancing in the air. There were so many, and they were beautiful. She walked out towards them and they swirled around her. Her eyes shined as she stared at the small flashing lights in wonder. She had never seen fireflies like that. It was calming and she smiled as she felt their wings tickle her skin. It was always nice to replace a light in the darkness.

So many things had happened to her since she was taken by Tyler. She had always wanted to fit in and be part of a pack. However, she could not refute that ever since that day she had experienced so much pain. Maybe Kira was right. Maybe they should have just gone rogue. What was a joke, suddenly sounded like a blissful idea. The fireflies looked so happy and free as they flew through the air. She had been watching them for quite some time, Cedric was quietly watching her as he leaned against the fountain. He was letting her have time to herself to process everything.

The fireflies began to vanish and fly away from Lilly's side. She watched the lights trickle away as a dark aura approached her from behind. Lilly felt the firm grasp on her shoulder as she was spun around abruptly by Tyler. He held her by her shoulder and cupped her chin with his free hand, using his thumb to tilt her head around. He inspected her neck with menacing eyes. He then leaned his head in, placing his nose at the crook of her neck. He was searching her scent for anything foreign that should not be there. She felt him hesitate when he reached her marking spot. She could feel him contemplating. She knew he was thinking about forcing his mark on her right there.

Tyler was relieved to see that she was untouched. He saw the marks of fingernails on her neck, but upon smelling her neck he knew it was from her own hand. He was enraged that something of his was almost tainted. Her neck was his to mark. She was his mate. He should have marked her the night he brought her back to his pack. He could feel his canines poking through. He mustered all the self-control he had to push her away from him. He was livid at what almost happened to her. He wanted to comfort her and apologize for what he had done. For the position that he had put her in. He knew that their emotions were too raw right now and it would be best to talk when cooler heads could prevail. He stared at her for a moment and then reached up and gently pulled her hair down. He looked over the hair as it covered her neck before he stormed away. He needed to walk away from her because his wolf was fighting him to claim her. He glanced at Kade who had followed him out.

"Get her in the vehicle, NOW! We are leaving. Kade... put her in my vehicle." Tyler snarled and then stormed back into the building. He had been upset all evening. He was blaming himself mainly. He never acted irrationally but, when it came to her, he did. He let his emotions run raw and unchecked. He knew it was his actions that gave those wolves the idea. Not that it was excusable. They would never make that mistake again... or any mistake again. He claimed the lives of the four wolves. There are no second chances for interfering with a wolf's mate, not as far as Tyler was concerned.

Lilly stood there dumbfounded. He inspected her like his toy had been messed with. He did not talk to her. Not a word. Now she was going to be tortured more and be forced to ride back with him and Jessica. Getting marked by a strange mutt was suddenly not sounding so bad. She glanced up as Kade approached her. Doing the duty his Alpha had commanded of him. Cedric and Tristan walked up to her as well.

"Lilly, I already spoke with Tyler. I will be coming to the Diamond pack in a day or two."

Lilly nodded up at Tristan. It would be nice to have him around. At least she knew he was a friend, a real one. No one could order him around. It was an unfair feeling to have. She was just being a bit bitter. She knew that Avery and Kade were her friends deep down. She also knew that the friendship was only as strong as Tyler's will. If he ordered them to pretend that she was invisible, then she would be. Stupid werewolf hierarchy.

Lilly followed Kade around the building and out to where the vehicles were waiting. Kade opened the door for her and she took a seat inside. She was surprised that Cedric also got inside the vehicle with her followed by Kade. The two of them looked at Cedric curiously.

"What about your date?" Kade asked.

"Dates over. She doesn't need me to escort her home. I need to protect my princess." Cedric raised his arms above his head and leaned on them.

"Man, you are such an arrogant a*s. Your followers are so lovesick that they don't care how you treat them." Kade snorted in irritation.

"Hey, that's on them. I tell them all I am not interested in them, but they are welcome to follow me if they wish. It is their own choice." Cedric closed his eyes and relaxed.

The seats in the stretch SUV were along all sides of the back of the vehicle. Lilly was sitting on the back far side. away from the seats by the door, where Tyler and Jessica would most likely be sitting. Cedric sat beside Lilly and Kade sat across from her on the other set of side seats. The car door opened, and Jessica slipped her slimy self in, followed by Tyler and his black aura.

"Let's go!" Tyler barked at the driver. Kade went to interject because his date was not in the car, but Tyler immediately answered for him. "Your two dates are in the other vehicle."

The vehicle soon was humming along the road. Lilly sat there quietly not looking over at Tyler though his eyes were glaring at her. She could feel him shooting daggers at her. Then the corner of her eye caught Jessica leaning her head on his shoulder. Seemingly an innocent act if not for the smirk on her lips. Tyler did nothing. He allowed her head to rest on him. Not long after that she casually placed her hand on his knee. She knew she was provoking Lilly. Lilly did not make direct eye contact and pretended as if she did not notice, but Kira did. Kira was proclaiming promises of how painful she was going to make Jessica's death and of all the creative ways she could kill her.

"So Kade, how scared were you thinking you might have to get in a fight with the Ashen boys." Cedric chuckled as he looked over at him. He was trying to get Lilly's attention off of what Jessica was doing!

Kade smiled. He was thankful for what Cedric was doing. He was beginning to feel uncomfortable feeling the tension rise. "Honestly, it's a good thing they are friends. That would not have ended well. Those boys are huge. And I am not a small guy." Kade chuckled as he thought about their massive size. "Especially Tristan. He looks like he ate another guy."

"I had such a good evening dancing, even if it did get cut a bit short. You are such a great dance partner." Jessica's venomous voice rang out. She was doing this to get Lilly to look over at her since she had not gotten a reaction out of her.

Lilly did not look over her way. In fact, she closed her eyes and leaned her head back. She concentrated on the gentle humming of the engine and the lulling movements of the vehicle. She did not fall asleep but was relaxing her body. Her head was hurting. A bit from Kira and a bit from the tugging she kept feeling in her head.

Kade glanced over at Tyler, it was a look of disappointment and frustration. Tyler was so focused on one thing, that he was overlooking what was most important to him. It wasn't the girl sitting beside him, but the one who almost had a horrible thing happen to her. This was the first time he had ever seen Tyler being so jealous. It was clear who he really wanted. He knew that it was guilt and a promise that kept him catering to Jessica. He would have to stop and cut ties with her. If not, he would lose Lilly for good, if he hadn't already.