Fated to the Werewolf King
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 Penelopeshrugged, swirling her wine around.

"Yes, and no. It's not so much a serious topic, but it's one that Humans can easily overlook. UnlikeHumans, Werewolves have a partner that they soul link with." Penelope told her. Lily leaned forwardslightly.

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

"Do you have a Mate?" She asked him. His hand gripped his slacks slightly. “I'm sorry. That was rudeto 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 replace someone on thatspiritual level?" She asked her. Lily went silent. After everything with Jasper, she wasn't entirely sureif she even wanted to try again, but the memory of Jayce's lips caressing hers sent a shudder toripple 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 datingJasper. I think I should replace myself first before I even think about getting serious with anyone." Shesaid, looking over to meet Penelope's gaze. The waiter brings their plates, the spicy aroma mingledwith 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 finishthings before emailing it to my manager.” She looked down at her plate, her mouth literallywatering 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 thewindow to the busy street, watching people walk on by. Can they smell her in here? Should shereturn 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 youoff 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 ifshe 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 herfeet.

"Festival?" Lily asked her.

"It's to celebrate the Fall Solstice. Jayce would have all the details, same with Damion.” Penelopementioned, "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 coveringhis 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 waiterwalked 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 afake 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 onlyshrugged, so the waiter handed the check over. Her eyes widened at the total, but she reached intoher back pocket, taking out her wallet, and passed him several large bills. The waiter stared in shockas 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 turnedgenuine 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 theair, beating down on them. Jayce unbuttoned the first three buttons, showing off the tattoos on hischest 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 hishand, 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 nudgedhim. As they walked along, he pointed out the stores and the restaurants to her. Many peoplestopped 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 andpack 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 nightwith 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 dragonstaring 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 soundednear 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 agiant wall.

"Easy everybody." He commanded, and everyone immediately took a couple of paces back, but theirexcitement was still overflowing.

"Oh, Alpha! You know Miss Thornstun?" One man asked. He glanced over his shoulder at her andshe 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 heartswelled with pure bliss at the sound. She hadn't felt this way since her book first received thereward. She stood at his side.

"If it's alright with the Alpha to pause our brief tour, I can do autographs and answer questionsnecessary." She said, raising her eyes up to him. He looked down at her worriedly, but she noddedfirmly.

"Alright, but one at a time.” He told them, and they all erupted with excitement. "Jeez, when did theAlpha 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 beforestepping 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 amoment to breathe.

"You're a natural.” He told her. She barely forgot he was still there. She was so in tuned with thecrowd, 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 joyknowing 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 mereinches 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 theirattention 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. Lilypressed 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 abit, probably upset that she didn't have a scoop that she could work with, but her eyes changed andshe focused solely on Jayce.

"Tell me, Alpha, how are things going with the festival? Anything new and exciting to be expectingthis year?" She asked him. Lily drowned her out, looking away from them as he discussed thefestival with her.

"I actually asked Miss Thornstun to assist with the finale, but the details are still unfinished. I'll havea 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 twinklein her eyes gave way to her selfishness. This reporter wanted to land him. Lily felt an unknownemotion take over her heart. Before she knew what she was doing, she reached up, taking hold ofhis collar and pulled him down to her, her lips pressing against his. His hand that was wrappedaround her crushed her against his body as he returned the kiss. Every inch of her was ablaze, herpanties drenching as his tongue sought hers. She forced herself to pull away, looking up into hiswild eyes as she licked her lips.

"I'm his date.”