Chapter 6

Jackson's POV

As I let out a long heavy sigh, I rub the temples of my head in frustration. I'm sitting at my desk in my study writing boring papers for boring Alpha responsibilities. Yes some people think that being the Alpha is great and all, but like I said it’s all responsibilities with the meetings, planning, protection, and paperwork between the other allied packs. So much planning, it really stresses a guy out. It was amazing how my father was able to manage such a responsibility all while being at war with Ian threatening the pack.

I glance at my phone for the hundredth time, it was nearly five in the afternoon. Alice and Lily still haven't comeback yet.

I tap my foot and my pen as I keep staring at the time slowly move. It was getting late.

"Why isn't she back yet? She should be here by now!” My Dominance growls on in my head preventing me from working.

He had been getting more and more restless by the hour. I mean, who could blame him? They have been gone for more almost five hours now, which has got me feeling anxious since Lily left the house.

I look over to my phone faced down on the desk. I keep thinking that I should call Alice and see if everything was alright, but I also argue against it. I trust my cousin is taking good care of Lily.

'Lily.'

I never stop thinking about her. Though she has been a stubborn pain in the ass lately, I still can't help but see her as very beautiful and angelic soul. So perfect to me in every way.

From the way she smiles. To the way her tone of voice changes when she speaks to others. The way she acts all tough and serious. Even the way she stomps around in anger and makes a cute pouty face whenever we have an argument, which was almost daily.

The more times that I get to see her, the more attraction I feel towards her. But there was still so much I wanted to learn about her as a person. I want us to have a decent conversation and get along. I want to get to see her on her on her good days, and vice versa. But how can I get that ball rolling if she isn't going to comply with my reasons for protecting her?

I think back to earlier when I made the deal with Alice. Enticed by the possibilities of what Lily would buy that would be for just my eyes. I was excited to see what she would be bringing back to wear. Envisioning the many different looks enough to make me hard. 

I grip the bulge that was uncontrollably forming, urging to release itself from the tightening sensation my clothes were restricting.

"Damn it." I lowly grunt in frustration. It was unfortunate timing and inappropriate of me to think of her in such a way considering we've been arguing since the dispute about her family.

It kills me seeing her upset and giving me the cold shoulder when I try to make it up to her in some way. But I hope that this shopping trip would ease her into giving me another chance.

Bothered that I knew that this hard-on wouldn't go away until I took care of it, so I get right to it.

I unbuckle my pants and release it from the fabric of my briefs so it would have all the space it wanted. I lean back against the chair and let out a sigh of relief when I begin to move my hand around the shaft as I allow my mind to do its thing.

I begin to imagine her in a red laced two piece with just enough transparency to see through the thin material and red straps attaching them together. Thinking of the way she would possibly look at me with innocence or embarrassement while she was on full display. And her firm chest rising and falling at my touch. With her lying in bed with her legs opened for me while I stand there and admire the view. And I'd imagine her heavy pants when I caress her all over and pull her in close.

I dryly gulp when I feel myself getting close.

I could envision the sweet scent of her as I plant her butterfly kisses leading down to her heating core and listen to her angelic voice moan out loud and orgasm all while I devour her through the lace. Hearing her say to me in shallow breaths and whimpers, begging for me to put it in. And after teasing her to the point that it drives her crazy, I thrust with all my might into her aching core and listen to her mixed cries of pain and euphoria as she would take in my full twelve-inch cock.

Picturing us in all kinds of positions as I fuck her rough. Missionary, doggy, cowgirl, as many possible that would send us both to the edge.

On top of that, hearing her repeatedly call out my name while I move faster was bringing to my limit.

"Fuck-!!"

I let out a breathy groan as catch the heavy amount of cum shooting out so it wouldn't touch my clothes as I ride out my release. Slowing down my pace when I was near done so I could catch my breath.

Sighing in relief, I clean away the mess I made with the tissues placed in the one of the drawers of my desk and throw them in the trash. I fix my pants and rest my head back as I gaze the white ceiling deep in thought.

I may have taken care of relieved myself now, but I wasn't completely satisfied as just imagining her. And neither was my Dominance.

I want to feel her. I want to hold her. I want to have her for real. But this was torture not even being in the same room as her since she would run off to the one next door

It hurt me every time she would try to get away from me. But I wasn't going to force her when I wanted her. At least I was able to control myself when I would get the urge, but I wasn't sure how much longer I was going to hold out.

My thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door. My immediate thought was that it could be Lily.

"Come in." I say clearly.

The door opens, and to my let down it wasn't her. Instead, it was Sean, my second in command, coming in.

"Hey man.” He greets. “How you holding up?”

“I’m just peachy man.” I grumble as I sway in my chair like I was bored out of my mind. “Anything to report?” I glance up to him.

“We’ve searched the entire perimeter of our territory multiple times since the attack using our best trackers, but we still found nothing.”

I slam my fists on the desk. “Search again!” My Dominance takes over. 

“We can’t Jackson, there’s nothing left for us to find. This is getting us nowhere. Whatever happened that day, how Marcus and the rogues killed Daniel and snuck in, left no trace.”

I clench my fists tightly until they were white to the knuckles. But I manage to take a breath and relax. But the lingering feeling of guilt I felt about Daniel’s death still hits me.

I had sent him and two others to the far east of our territory to do their routinely perimeter check. But I would never have imagined that would be the day he would die. The three split up to cover more ground, and when they hadn’t heard from him in minutes, they went to look for him. Only to find him next to a creek, motionless with a look of shock.

It was very disturbing news to hear them announce to everyone while we were all in the house talking with Lily about the pack.

That wasn’t the only thing that guilts me though. His mate. Thinking about how she’s grieving about the loss of her mate, it’s just awful.

“How is Evelyn?” I ask him.

He looks away saddened as he slightly shakes his head. “She’s still in a blind rage. Her Dominance will not let her come back to her human form. It’s only a matter of time until she’s..” Sean didn’t finish that sentence. We knew what it meant, and it was heartbreaking for us all.

The day that Evelyn’s friends reported her sudden hysterical blind rage the moment of the attack, was the moment we learned that her mate was killed. The bond between mates is the strongest ever of our kind, beautiful but dangerous.

Before Evelyn could do more damage to the town, we captured her and placed her into one of our private cells hidden deep in the woods away from the town. She wouldn’t eat or sleep, she would just howl in pain, growl, or attack at anyone who would try to talk to her.

“Just have the guards keep feeding and checking up on her.”

“Alright.”

We stand there in tense silence, there was so much on my plate that I needed to figure out. But this situation has me and my wolves stumped. I don’t know what I was going to do to fix this.

“You know,” Sean breaks the silence. “It is suspicious how Ian and Marcus knew that Lily was here within a few hours. I’m starting to think that Lily was right, maybe there is a traitor in our pack. What are we going to do about that?”

I shake my head in deep thought and in quiet anger, but I keep my composure.

"We'll deal with him later. Our main priority is to keep all of this from Lily, especially about that bastard Ian, I don't want her involved more than she already is."

"Understood Alpha. Something else seems to bother you." He takes notice of my short pacing.

"Where are they? They should have been back a long time ago!"

"You mean Alice and Lily? They're doing fine Jackson. You need to chillax bro, nothing is gonna happen to them."

“But I don’t know where they are! Alice blocked me from linking to her. What if they’re lost, or hurt, or stuck in traffic? Oh dear God!”

Sean stands there staring at me with a brow raised in disbelief at my ridiculous rants and lets out a chuckle. “You’re really losing it buddy. Just calm down and put a little trust in her.”

“This is no laughing matter Sean. ARGH! I want Lily home now!”

"WE'RE HOOOOME!" Alice announces loudly downstairs. “AND WE BROUGHT THAI!”

I smelled Lily’s scent enter the house and my inner wolf goes crazy. I rush out of the study and down the stairs with Sean following behind. I turn the corner and see my precious Lily setting down her bags. She spots me approaching her. I immediately pull her into my arms and hug her tightly.

“You’re home.” I let out a sigh of relief as I dig my face in the crook of her neck, breathing her scent deeply in. No wonder her name is Lily, she really smells like a whole field of them along with the sweet aroma of vanilla and honey.

She went stiff in my embrace. "Unless you want another glass cup smashed against the side of your head again, you've got to stop doing that cause it's really uncomfortable and awkward for me." She tries pushing me away, but I hold her tighter growling.

"Easy there tiger. Respect her boundaries." Alice says as she hugs and kisses Sean.

I groan and let go of Lily. I was then that I realize a huge stain on her shirt, and it was lightly wet.

"What happened here?" I point it out and Lily looks away, turning red.

"Chloe happened." Alice says placing a hand on her hip.

"Ohh" I look back to Lily who was quiet, putting her attention to something else so that she wouldn’t have to look at me.

'She knows.'

"Look, Lily I-"

"I'm fine, it's not that big of a deal. Nothing else happened since Alice dealt with already. So let's just drop it.” She was quick to cut me off. She didn't want to hear any of what I had to say in this case. So I respect her request, even though I want to clear up the situation.

Lily reaches into her pocket and hands me my card. “Here’s your card back, thank you for letting me use it in order to get everything I need. Now if you’ll excuse me, I'm gonna go shower and change out of this." She pulls at the part of the shirt that still stuck onto her skin, looking uncomfortable of the feeling.

Lily picks up her bags once again and makes her way upstairs with Alice following with the rest.

I watch her from where I stand till she disappears. I groan in frustration and tug at my own hair.

"You've got to be kidding. First the issue with Ian and now Chloe? What the hell am I gonna do?"

"You my friend, are fucked." Sean pats my shoulder. "Good luck dealing with this situation on your own."

"Well thank you for those reassuring words of confidence my most trusted Beta and best friend. Really appreciate it." I say with sarcasm.

"Anytime buddy." He snorts and leaves me to myself.

Time Skip~

Midnight was nearly upon us, and the hardships continued. Earlier in the evening, I received word that Evelyn had finally passed from heartbreak. It was an awful way to die; alone, feeling nothing but sadness, anger, and pain. I had to be there to deal with the matter.

We held a secret funeral for the two, though it was not like the traditional human funeral that we hold. It was a tradition that perished mates would be laid side by side as they are surrounded by their friends and family. the Alpha says a few words. Granting them a peaceful passage to the heavens where they would be together in the afterlife with their ancestors. Then they would be carried by their loved ones to the ancient burial site deep in to forest, far away from the town where they could rest in peace.

It’s a long process to do, but we do it as respectfully as possible. As Alpha, we have a responsibility to our pack, we share a bond with everyone like family. And it hurts us more to have to send them away from everyone else, especially when we’re not prepared. These are one of the hardest burdens we must bear.

I quietly walk into the house, being as quiet as possible to not wake up Lily. But to my surprise, Lily wasn’t asleep in her room at all. She was in the living room balled up in a blanket on the couch, watching TV. I was about to call out to her but when I looked at what she was watching, my eyes widened.

The news was on talking about her disappearance, watching in silence as the reporter gave much information about the case. A clip even showed who I presumed to be her mother, since she kind looked like Lily, talking to the reporter in tears, begging for people to help find her missing daughter. They even showed a clip of her little brother and sister asking for the same thing. The devastation in their eyes, they just wanted their big sister home.

Lily sniffs and buries her face in her knees, and she hugs them tightly. “Don’t cry mom…Nancy… Zack… Please stop crying, I’m here. I’m safe. Just please… Stop…” Lily’s voice breaks and fades before she could finish her sentence.

She cries silently as she continues watching, not taking notice of my presence behind her.

Witnessing all this breaks my heart, it makes me feel more guilty of the things I’ve done, the things I’ve told her.

“What have I done?” I thought to myself.

Alice was right, I was suffocating Lily with my overprotective nature. She’s only human who’s lived a regular life until I came into the picture. I was making her unhappy when I thought I was making her feel safe.

“Lily.” I call out from behind.

Lily jumps, screaming in panic. At the same time she rotates her whole body, looking at me with scared, wide, teary eyes. When she realizes that it was me, she loses her balance and falls off the edge in a split second. All I could see from the other side of the couch was her feet sticking up.

"Oh shit!" I panic.

I rush to help her up. I didn’t expect such a scared and exaggerated reaction before.

“Are you alright Lily?” I ask as I help her back on the couch.

“Don’t ever sneak up on me like that again!” She breathes hysterically but soon calms down.

“I’m sorry. I didn't mean to scare you like that.”

Lily quickly changes the channel and wipes her tears away. “How long were you watching?”

“Long enough.” I start. “Why aren’t you in bed?”

“Wow. So not only am I under house arrest, but I’m also not allowed to stay up as late as I want and watch TV. Why don’t you just chain me up in your dungeon and leave me there without food or water while you’re at it?” She says sarcastically.

“Lily.” I glare at her. She had the obvious signs of insomnia and irritation. Her eyes looked tired, but she was refusing to sleep, and she won't tell me why. I was going to have to ask Alice later about what's been going on with her. But I knew that arguing again would be pointless this late in the night.  

“I wasn’t tired, okay? So I thought I’d watch some TV until I was.”

I look to the TV and back to her.

“Of all the channels, why did you watch the news?”

Lily hugs her knees again and stares at the floor.

“It wasn’t my intention. I was just flipping through the channels until I came across it. And I just…” She shuts her eyes tightly, trying her best to keep herself from crying again.

I nod my head and we sit there in silence. I glance to her, wanting to say something, but I couldn't find the right words for it.

“Lily, I-“

“You know..” She cuts me off. “ For the past week since I was brought here, I’ve tried my best to escape this place with any chance I had. When that kept failing, I’ve been looking for many reasons to make sure that I’d hate you. And despite everything that you put me through, finding out that you were in a relationship before me takes the cake.”

“I don’t like where this is going.” My inner wolf says anxiously. I didn’t like it either.

Her expression slightly changes as she continues.

“Just think about it. If we hadn't run into each other at the airport, we probably could have moved on with our lives like nothing happened. You would be with Chloe for the rest of your life. And I would be back at my home with my family and friends, living the dream I've worked so hard for. Feeling happy and free without having to hide in fear from werewolves trying to kill me."

“Ouch.” My inner wolf knew how I was feeling right now. This was hitting hard.

"But...” She pauses. “That’s not happening. Because I'm here now with you, stuck in this house, and I guess that's how it'll be from now on." She looks down with this tired and saddened expression. "And I might never see them again." It was clear on her face that she was depressed.

Alice was right. Maybe I was getting a bit carries away with protecting Lily. What I thought was doing the right thing for her, was taking a negative effect on her emotional health. The guilt will never end until I make this right.

"Lily…" I begin, thinking carefully of what I’m going to say. "It's true that Chloe and I were together before you came. And I’m sorry you had to find out this way. But I promise you that what she and I had wasn't real, it was a toxic relationship that I had a hard time getting out of. She wanted to be my mate, but it didn’t work out the way she hoped. What she and I had is buried deep in the past. You’re here now, and I want you to be my future and my happiness just like how I want to be yours. You’re my mate Lily Stephens. As difficult as thit is to accept, that's how it must be."

She doesn’t say a word. I felt that she was still upset about the whole thing. I let out a heavy sigh.

“Look Lily… The truth is that I was a mate-less Alpha. Ever since I took over the pack, I’ve been fighting alone without my mate by my side to be there for me, to give me comfort and love when I really need it, and to tell me that everything is going to be alright when things go bad… Every time I saw others together happily with their mates, it was just a constant reminder that I was alone for another day… I desperately wanted to find my mate. Wolf or not, I needed that special person to be a part of my life… and as luck would have it, I found you. It was really a miracle that we were able to be at that airport at the same time.”

I glance over to her, but her hair was covering her face as she remained starring down. I couldn’t tell what she as thinking, and that concerned me. Finally after a moment of silence once again, she finally speaks.

"Even if I did manage to escape this place and go home, it wouldn't matter, would it? Now that everyone including the rogues know I'm Luna, going back home would be the worst option. It would put me and my family in danger…" She looks to me with tears forming over her puffy tired eyes. "I wouldn't be free with or without you in my life."

I had nothing else to say except for, “I’m sorry…”

What she does next surprises me. Without saying anything she turns off the TV and leans onto me, resting her head against my chest. Although it was completely dark now, I could still see her clearly thanks to my night vision.

I wasn’t sure what this meant, I was afraid to do anything without making her uncomfortable in her fragile state. But what she says next in the quietest tone of voice, changes everything.

“Hold me.”

Now with her consent, I cautiously wrap my arms around her tiny figure. Holding her gently as I try to comfort her.

“Thank you again for letting me get out of the house for the day. I had a good time with Alice and her friends.”

“Your welcome. That’s all I want for you here, to have a good time and feel comfortable and safe around us. To feel safe around me.”

“Well I can’t have that much now, because someone out there wants me gone.” She looks up at me.

I frown as I hold her firmly. "I know this wasn't the life you chose or expected Lily. But I promise you that I will make it all better so that you can be happy and free, and even see your family again. And you're right, it would be dangerous to be out there more than ever. It would put you and you're family at risk. But hey, you're making a brave and selfless decision that is protecting your loved ones, and that's the smart and powerful Luna this pack needs."

I try my best to make her feel a bit better. My Dominance feels the sadness radiating off her, we just wanted her to be happy. I gently rock her side to side as I keep on saying comforting words to her. Telling her that everything will be alright to raise her hopes.

“I’ve had a lot of time to think about us, and… I'll give it a chance.”

“What?”

I could almost hear her heart race clearly and feel her shifting slightly. She was seeming nervous

Lily sits back up and faces me, but she stares away. Even though it was dark, I could see all her beautiful face.

“All these unexplained feelings I have deep inside for you makes it harder for me with each day. Every time we argued or when I said something horrible to you, I would feel super guilty and hurt. I found it hard to sleep in the other room without you there, but I fought it because I was afraid of giving into these feelings. I realized that there isn’t any other way around it. This is the connection between mates, is it?”

I nod, and she lets out a sigh of dismay.

“We’ll, I guess I have my answer then. I’ll give this a chance. My role as Luna to the pack and… Even give us another chance us." She paused before saying the last part. "If we want to make this… partnership work, then we're going to do this right."

I couldn't believe it, Lily was giving me a second chance and be my mate. My inner wolf and I were overcome with excitement.

”Oh my God Lily, thank you!" I was so thrilled that I pull her in for a hug. “You don’t know how much this means to us.”

"But!” She cuts in, pulling away from the hug a bit. “We're gonna make some changes in order for that to happen."

I look at her perplexed before she continues.

“I want you to lift the house arrest. No more keeping me indoors every day. And give me some space when I ask for it.”

"Lily you know I-" She cuts me off.

"I’m going to put my trust in you Jackson. I know that you will do anything to see to it that I am safe, and I respect that. But I also want you to trust me as well. I may be human, but I'm not that weak, I can protect myself."

I shake my head. "I don't want to risk that Lily; you don't know what they're capable of."

She shrugs her shoulders.

"Then teach me to defend myself. I would rather me having a higher chance of living out there with self-defense than just hiding away like a damsel in destress. I would be a sitting duck here. Please Jackson, will you trust me?"

She glares at me with pleasing eyes, I could see the determination and confidence in them. This was something new that I was learning about her as a person. At that moment I knew that she was going to make a great Luna. I just need to put the time and effort for her to succeed. She needs me as much as I need her now more than ever. And I’m not going to give up on her.

I smile with pride and nod. “Alright Lily, I’ll consider to your terms. I’ll let you go outside as much as you want if you’re not alone. Always have Alice or anyone else with you. And I’ll have Chris and Alex train you effective immediately. But if I see that the training is too much for you, I’m calling it off. Got it?”

“Deal.” She smiles. “But you’ve got to have a little faith in me. I don’t want any small injury like a bruise or a scratch be the reason for you to pull me out.”

“You’re right.” I nod. “I’ll get off your back for a while if that’ll make you feel better.”

“Thank you.” She says with a gleam in her eye. Seeing her cheer up warms my heart. I just know that I’ll never get bored seeing that in the future, our future.

"Alright then. Now let's go to bed, we start first thing tomorrow."

"Actually, could it be Saturday instead? I don't think I'll be able to focus since I'm a bit restless from lack of sleep and all the crying I've had."

She bashfully looks away while twiddling her thumbs. I look down at her with a soft smile.

"Of course. You can have all of tomorrow to recover and we'll start on Saturday. Now let's go."

Without warning, I pick her up bridal style. And she lets out the cutest yelp as she clings on to my shirt.

"Hey! Put me down I can walk by myself." She hits my chest, which had no effect whatsoever.

I give her a smirk then lean into her, our faces just mere inches away. She freezes and stares at me, wide eyes as her face slowly turns a soft shade of pink.

I let out a low chuckle. "You're so cute when you blush." Then I press my lips against hers by surprise.

Though my eyes were closed, I could sense from the rhythm of her heart increased rapidly. I knew that her eyes grew wide in shock. I move our lips in a slow rhythmic motion.

Lily didn’t push me away which I took as a good sign, so I continue our little make out session. I feel her hands hesitantly wrap around my neck, which deepens the kiss. I was surprised, but I smirk at the bold action.

My inner wolf was starting to like this a little too much, he was starting to put ideas in my head. And as much as I wanted to do everything to her that was running wild in my head, I needed to stop things if I wanted to make this relationship work.

When I pull back and look at Lily, she was as red as a tomato. Her eyes were heavy and glossy, as if she was in a trance. Her breaths were slow, accentuating the form of her chest sexually. This was a side of her that I’ve always wanted to see. And so far I was liking what I see.

It took her a minute to realize what had just happened, and her expression changed in an instant.

“W-what was that for!?” She stammers on her words frantically, covering her mouth in embarrassment.

I let out a chuckle. “I’m just giving a kiss to my beautiful mate. There’s nothing wrong with that.”

She glances away, cursing under her breath. “Why is it that I feel like this every time I’m around you even though I’m human? It makes me want to do embarrassing things. It’s so strange.”

“Don’t worry.” I assure her. “We’re going to start over in getting to know each other and we’ll get you to be in control of these strong emotions.”

She smiles and thanks me with a soft smile.

“Besides, if we want to do this right, then we should get used to our daily kisses from now on.”

“Daily?!” She blurts out with an anxious expression. “Wait a minute-”

“Now,” I cut her off. “Let’s go upstairs and sleep in our bedroom.” I wink at her as I walk out of the living room in the dark.

Lily reacts more when she catches on to what I meant. She squirms around and pushes away, attempting to get away from my hold on her.

"Forget what I said about giving this a chance. I'm not ready yet, I need more time."

"Too late! No take backs." I smile deviously, though that did hurt me a bit on the inside. I switch my hold on her my throwing her over my shoulder before going up the stairs.

"By the way, I know about the deal you and Alice made about me. And if you think that I'm going to be semi naked around you then you're out of your mind cause there's no way I'm doing that, Period!"

“Too late princess, a deal’s a deal. I held up my side of the bargain, now it’s your turn.”

“WHAT?”

“I’m kidding. I won’t make you do something you don’t feel comfortable doing. Not without your consent.” I point out. “The most I’ll have you do on the other hand of this deal is that you sleep in the same bed with me. I won’t do anything to make you uncomfortable with me, we’ll just hold each other as we sleep.”

“Fine.” She mumbles. “I suppose that’s a fair deal.”

“By the way, do you really sleep semi naked? Because I do.”

“YOU’RE SLEEPING WITH CLOTHES ON!”