Fated to the Werewolf King
19: Lily

She looked at the poster that Erica taped on the wall behind their table. The large golden dragonstaring down a lone woman fighter. Her fingers touched the woman's back, trying to borrow thestrength she had. Tomorrow was the day. Jasper would meet his end, but the strength she yearnedfor from the fictional character didn't come. Instead, there was a growl in her mind. A familiarwarmth and his scent wafted through her being and she glanced around, but Jayce wasn't with her.Mate.

The Wolf's voice spoke to her, his guttural tone bouncing off the walls of her mind. It startled her fora moment, for a second, believing Jasper was playing another trick on her. Electrical impulsesbubbled through her veins, calming her nerves instantly, her sex quivering.

"How are you..."

I bit you. You are ours. Forever.

He growled again, and Lily found Erica talking to the manager. The Wolf quieted after that, but itstill left her heart a flutter. His Wolf claimed her again, deepening their bond.

"Oh, this is just adorable.” A familiar voice disrupted her thoughts, and she peered over to seePenelope strolling in, her eyes taking in the streamers and balloons. Lily smiled when the womanapproached her with open arms.

"Penelope, it's good to see you." Lily said as they embraced. Penelope smiled at her, pushing hersunglasses up into her hair.

"I got an S.0.S. from Jayce.” She said to her. Lily looked over at Erica and the manager. She rolled upher sleeves to show off her scars. Penelope frowned instantly, turning her arms over as sheexamined them.

"He said you might help me with covering them up for tomorrow.” Lily told her. Penelope tappedher chin with her manicured finger, studying the scars.

"I have a new line of foundation, but it's still in the trial stage.” She pouted slightly. Lily felt the sliverof hope she had faded. "But I haven't tested it yet and this would be a wonderful opportunity.”Penelope gave her an encouraging smile.

"Lily." Erica walked over, her eyes on Penelope.

"Erica, this is Penelope, Jayce's mother. Penelope, this is Erica. My best friend and my manager.” Sheintroduced. The women shook hands.

"It's a pleasure. May I ask what brand of eyeliner you are using?" Penelope asked, curiously. Ericaraised a brow.

"Mystique." She replied. Penelope's smile grew more.

"I'm glad to know you like my line of work." She said. Erica's other brow shot up with the first.

"No way. You're that Penelope?" Erica asked, struggling to hold back her excitement. Lily stood by,feeling a little lost as the women conversed.

"I can't believe I'm meeting you in person.” Erica beamed. Penelope giggled at her enthusiasm.

"Are you two available? I wanted to go look for an outfit for tomorrow. I can purchase an outfit forthe both of you." She offered. Lily went to interject, but Erica looped her arm with hers."Absolutely!" she said.

"But Erica, what about...?" Lily protested.

"Most of it is done. We've been here all morning. Let's take a break.” She recommended. Lily let outa sigh and smiled, following the women out.

Penelope's driver took them to a beautiful, and rather expensive, dress store in the city. It stood tallwith pure white Roman style pillars that made it seem superior to the surrounding stores. A man ina suit opened the door for Penelope, inclining his head in respect to the woman. When they enteredthe building, it was like walking through Heaven's gates. Stairs spiraled to the second floor on bothsides, the white marble floor stretching out before their eyes. They stationed a lounging area in thecenter with an open fire in the center. Men and women walked around wearing top dollar attire Lilyhad never seen before, nor could afford.

"I feel really out of place here.” She mumbled, shrinking herself down as much as she dared. Ericahad hearts in her eyes as she looked around. Past the lounging area was a red carpet with racksbeyond racks of dresses, dress shirts, slacks, gowns, everything that you'd wear to proms, boardmeetings, weddings even. Each rack had a designated designer flagged above it, and Erica zoned ina specific rack that had strictly dark clothing on it.

"I figured they'd have your taste here, Erica.” Penelope said as she walked up behind her. Erica waspulling clothes off without really looking at them, containing the drool that was clearly at the cornerof her mouth.

"Changing room?" She asked eagerly. Penelope pointed further back and Erica took off. Lily sighedwith exasperation.

"What's wrong, Lily?" Penelope asked worriedly, returning to her side. Her fingers brushed a lock ofher blonde hair behind her ear. It was just a tender thing to do, but it made Lily emotional instantly."I'm sorry. You've done so much for me and I don't know how to thank you." Lily said as she lookedat all of her options. Penelope smiled at her, grabbing her hand and lead her over to a smallersitting area in front of the changing rooms.

"It should be me that should thank you." She said, an apologetic smile on her pink glossy lips."Me?" Lily asked quizzically. A woman walked over with a tray holding two thin glasses ofchampagne. Penelope took both and passed one over to Lily.

"To be honest, I was searching for a Mate for Jayce by the time I came across your ad." Penelopestated, sipping her drink. "He's at a crucial time in his life right now, and I worried for him."

"What would've happened if he hadn't found a Mate?" Lily asked her as she sipped the champagne,taken aback by its sharp taste.

"Well," Penelope looked away uneasily, "He was supposed to replace someone by the Winter Solstice,his thirtieth birthday. If he didn't, the royal council would intervene and cast him from his throne asthe Werewolf King." Penelope told her. Lily frowned at her words. She watched Jayce from afar andup close. He was working so hard for his people. Wasn't that enough?

"But then I came across your ad. You explained your story to me and any personal need of mine tohelp was overlooked in order to help you." Penelope peered over her glass to Lily. Lily looked downat her drink, watching it bubble and fizz. She never knew how much was really on Jayce's shoulders.Maybe that's why he was the way he was. Why he slept with so many women? Trying to replace thatsacred soul link so his royal council could get off his back

"That seems so unfair, though." Lily said. She felt his Wolf stir at her words. "He works so hard for hispeople. He always puts them first before anything else, even me. I'm not mad that he does that. Iunderstand why, but he deserves to fall in love like everyone else does." Lily lowered her drink."Maybe that's why I fell for him.” She spoke from the heart. Penelope inclined her head, her eyessoft as she listened.

"You've changed.” She said to her. Lily met her gaze.

"Really?" she asked her, recalling the sob mess she still is. Penelope gave up her glass to a waiterthat passed on by.

"You've grown since the day I picked you up in New York." She rested her chin on her palm. "I'mproud of you.” She said with a smile. Lily felt her heart grow a size as it swelled up. His Wolf growledin agreement. Lily's eyes scanned the racks again.

"I don't know where to start." She said with a pout when the door to the changing room slammedopen and Erica waltzed on out. She wore black platforms with a tight black leather skirt thatstopped at mid-thigh. A black crop top showed off her belly button piercing and she popped thecollar to her maroon leather jacket. She flipped her bangs from her face and gave them a devilishsmile.

"My, my Erica, you look stunning. That style fits you splendidly.” Penelope complimented her. Ericablushed at her words, giving them a spin before facing Lily.

"Your turn.” She said, helping her out of her seat. Penelope snagged her champagne from her hand."But I don't know what to go with." Lily admitted, looking at each rack with nothing sticking out toher. Penelope stood at her side, thumbing through it.

"You'll want something that will be breathable. Not only will it be hot tomorrow, but a crowd ofpeople will flood you in a small building.” Penelope told her as she pulled a dress off the rack. Ericastood on her other side.

"You'll want something that defines you and your body. Show off some skin, but not too much.”Erica said, pulling off two more dresses.

"Show off skin? But my scars.” She spoke in a whisper. Penelope smiled at her.

"I told you I have something, didn't I? Right now, let's focus on the outfit. We'll worry about theappearance afterward.” She pulled off a few more dresses, and they both laid their choices acrossher arms, spinning her to the changing room and pushed her inside.

What felt like centuries going by, dress after dress being discarded, Lily finally laid her eyes upon asapphire blue dress. It's off the shoulder straps lay loosely, not awkward when she moved her arms.The collar curved and fit just below her collarbone. Her breasts fit snug in the fabric, but she wasfine with that. A silk ribbon wrapped around her waist and tied into the back as a bow. The skirtflowed freely, giving her legs the freedom she wanted as it stopped just above her knees.

She stood in front of Penelope and Erica, playing with the skirt, watching it swirl as she twisted herwaist slightly. She ran her fingers over the soft fabric.

"I think I found my dress.” She said as she looked at them. Erica's jaw was nearly to the floor.Penelope had a smile on her face as she got to her feet, turning Lily toward the mirror.

"You look stunning." She said to her, reaching into her purse and pulled out a container of whatappeared to be foundation, "Would you like to test it?" She asked her. Lily nodded, eager to see theresults.

She held out her arm as Penelope opened the lid and wiped a small bit of the foundation on one ofher smaller scars. Erica came up to them, watching curiously. With just a thin layer over the scar, itdisappeared, the foundation blending nicely with her skin tone. Penelope licked her thumb andbrushed over it, but the scar didn't reappear.

"Does that mean...?" Lily met Penelope's gaze. She was smiling triumphantly.

"It won't wash off. That part is good. Now we just need to see the durability.” She told her. Lilyinclined her head at her.

"To see how long it will last for?” She asked her, and Penelope nodded. Lily looked down at the scarshe knew was there.

"If the scar doesn't reveal itself before you go to bed tonight, text me, and I'll bring several moretomorrow morning when we get you ready.” She said. Lily couldn't believe it. Aside from being athome, she can walk around freely without having to worry about staring eyes.

Speaking of staring eyes...

"Penelope." An overly sweet voice pierced through their bonding session as Chelsea walked over, aslender man in tow wearing what appears to be a butler outfit, short brown hair that was sleekedback and pale blue eyes. He had a small mole on his left cheek, the only blemish that wasnoticeable. Lily stared at the man as he waited patiently behind Chelsea, his eyes downcast. Human,possibly? But she felt something... off about him, but she couldn't place it. Lily heard his Wolf grow!with malice. His Wolf didn't like this man, so she stuck with what the Wolf felt. Lily walked away fromPenelope, letting the girls talk as she fumbled for her phone.

"Lily, what's wrong?" Erica asked her, taking notice of her fingers trembling. She didn't know why,she just needed to get ahold of Jayce. Now. But her fingers wouldn't work. She needed to calmdown.

"I wanted you to take my picture for Jayce so I can get his opinion.” Lily said, handing her thephone. Erica raised a brow questioningly.

"Wouldn't it be better if you surprised him? He might like that more.” Erica suggested. The Wolfdeepened his growl, and she felt his spirit wrap around her. Her hands steadied finally, and shecould smile through her racing mind.

"Maybe blue isn't his favorite color, ya know? I want us to match.” Lily said. Erica raised her browhigher somehow. If Erica knew her by now, she would know something was off. Thankfully, it clickedin because she smiled and lifted her phone.

"You're right. Smile.” She said to her, her hands angling the phone a certain way, "Beautiful. I stillthink he'll love it." She said as she huddled close to her, looking over the phone.

"I'm afraid my hands are tied, Chelsea.” Penelope said before turning her attention back to them.Chelsea scowled before walking off as elegantly pissed off as she could, her butler following closelybehind.

"What did Chelsea want?” Lily asked as she peered as casually as she could over Erica's shoulder.Chelsea was standing outside as her car was being brought around, but the man was no longer withher. Panic settled in. Was she imagining it?

He's here.

His Wolf snarled aggressively at her, and she felt herself reel from it. Erica steadied her swayingbody.

"Alright, tell me what's up right now." Erica demanded from her. Lily looked at her.

"I think that guy with Chelsea was Jasper."