Chapter Thirteen
1180 Words
James’s POV
I looked into Quinn’s violet eyes, thinking over everything she’d just told me.
I trusted her.
She was one of the best doctors I’d ever known.
But I still wasn’t sure what to make of it.
“I’ll have my Beta and Delta start looking into Lilith’s past,” I said. “Maybe they’ll find something.”
Quinn nodded.
“Okay. Keep me updated.”
She glanced down at the chart in her hands.
“I finished my last examination for the night. So far, everything looks good.”
She smiled.
“I’ll be back first thing in the morning.”
“Thank you, Quinn.”
She gave me a small smile before walking toward the front door.
Waiting for her were her mate and their two young pups. One of them one squealed, running into her arms the moment she stepped outside.
A small smile found its way onto my face.
Thoughts entered my mind of a future with Lilith and her having my pups
Turning back toward the hallway, I made my way to Lilith’s room. I gave a quick mind link to my Delta and Beta
“Spike, Liam I need you to do some research on Lilith for me, look into her past”
“Why?” Spike replied back
I sighed “Just do it” after I cut off the mind link
I quietly pushed the door open.
She was sitting up in bed, flipping through one of the books Quinn had brought her earlier.
The moment our eyes met, her beautiful hazel eyes lit up.
Even after several days… Her scent still was amazingly intoxicating.
“I brought dinner,” I said, holding up the takeout bag.
“And before you ask…”
A grin spread across my face.
“I remembered your favorite.”
Her entire face brightened.
“You did?”
“I did.”
“I think I’m starting to like you.”
I laughed. “Starting?”
She shrugged playfully. “The food definitely helps.”
Chuckling, I rolled the overbed table in front of her before gently raising the head of the medical bed until she was sitting comfortably.
“There, better?”
She nodded. “Much.”
I set the bag on the table.
“Go ahead.”
“I hope I got your order right.”
The moment she opened the takeout container, the room filled with the comforting aroma of Chinese food.
Her eyes lit up.
“You did get it right.”
She looked up at me with a genuine smile.
“I can’t believe you actually remembered what I told you.”
I shrugged, trying to hide how happy her smile made me.
“It wasn’t hard.”
She looked down at her food, absentmindedly stirring it with her fork.
“I’ve never had a man actually listen to me before… Or remember the little things I liked.”
Something tightened in my chest.
“Oh?”
Curiosity—and if I was being honest, a little jealousy got the better of me.
“You’ve had a boyfriend before?”
A low warning growl echoed in the back of my mind.
Mine.
I mentally sighed.
Calm down.
We’re not doing this.
My wolf grumbled but reluctantly fell silent.
Lilith laughed softly.
“No.”
She popped a bite of orange chicken into her mouth before continuing.
“I’ve never had a boyfriend.”
I blinked.
“You haven’t?”
She shook her head.
“I’ve gone on a few dates… But nothing ever came of them.”
She smiled awkwardly.
“I was always waiting for the right person.”
Her cheeks turned pink.
“I guess I’m old-fashioned.”
My heart skipped a beat.
A warmth spread through my chest.
“You know…”
I smiled.
“I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that.”
She met my eyes.
“You don’t?”
I shook my head.
“No.”
“I think it says a lot about you. You care more about finding the right person than just being with someone.”
I watched us a genuine smile spread across Lilith’s face.
I pulled the chair from the corner and brought it to her bedside, placing out both containers. And grabbing some wooden chopsticks.
“Let’s get to eating” my stomach was also beginning to growl from hunger.
As we ate we talked for hours, losing track of time as the conversation drifted from one topic to another. Before I knew it, the takeout containers were almost empty, and the room had settled into a comfortable silence.
“If you’re up to it tomorrow” I said, rubbing the back of my neck. “I’d really like you to meet my pack.”
She paused, her wooden chopsticks hovering over the container as she considered my request.
I caught the flicker of hesitation in her hazel eyes. It wasn’t that she didn’t trust me I believe it was fear of the unknown. Just a few days ago, she hadn’t even believed werewolves existed.
She stuffed another bite of orange chicken into her mouth, chewing thoughtfully before swallowing.
Finally, she looked at me and gave a small smile. “Okay.”
She nodded.
Relief washed over me.
I couldn’t help but chuckle. “Good I’m glad.”
Once we were finished eating, I gathered the empty takeout containers and placed them back into the plastic bag.
Lilith looked up at me.
“You don’t have to do that.”
I smiled.
“I know.” I picked up the bag. “I’ll be right back.”
She nodded picking up her book she was reading earlier as I stepped out of the room, carrying the bag down the hallway to the large trash bin.
“James.”
I sighed inwardly before turning toward the familiar voice.
Emerald-green eyes met mine.
“Hello, Serena.”
She folded her arms across her chest, a smug smile tugging at her lips.
“I’ve heard you’ve been spending all your time with some human girl.”
“Her name is Lilith,” I corrected calmly.
A flicker of annoyance crossed her face.
She slowly circled me.
“You know my father always wanted us together. We would make the strongest Alpha and Luna the West Pack has ever seen.”
She reached out and rested a hand on my arm.
I immediately stepped back, breaking the contact.
“I respect everything your father did while he served as Beta,” I said evenly. “But he no longer has any authority over pack decisions” I held her gaze. “or over my personal life.”
Her confident smile slowly faded.
She studied my face for a long moment before speaking again.
“She’s your mate…”
It wasn’t a question.
I nodded.
“Yes.”
Her jaw tightened.
“I see.”
I took a step toward the hallway leading back to Lilith’s room.
“Our conversation is over, Serena. You need to leave that’s an order.” I said sternly
- Writer
