Lilly Among Wolves

5 Birthday

Lilly woke up lying on Ian's muscular chest in her bed, smelling of another female. Lilly bit back a growl, moving away from him almost falling off the small twin bed. His soft breath brushed lightly at her hair as he slept peacefully. Lilly closed her eyes, wishing he had stayed in his room last night. Lilly tensed hearing her sister Rose giggling. Lilly sat up, pressing her finger to her lips and looking at Rose. Lilly did not need her to wake up the beast. Rose repeated the action, smirking before running out of the room and bringing back a tall dark-haired male and a smaller silver blonde-haired male around 19 with her. Lilly knew them from Ian's photos and brief conversations. The tall dark-haired one was Darius, and the blonde was Chester.

" Aren't you a cute little thing! " The tall black-haired man said, flashing red eyes. Lilly tried moving, but Ian held her fast, looking for the threat. He groaned, looking at the two males, and laid back down.

"Leave her be Darius. " Ian grumbled before sitting up. Lilly stood by him, not moving, worried she might get bitten.

"That's rich coming from someone who couldn't keep his wolf in check around her." Darius teased Ian. Lilly hid her face, giggling.

Behind Darius stood Chester. He had a black leather collar around his neck, smiling happily at Lilly. Lilly knew him to be a bubbly vampire halfling.

"Someone is protective over their muse, aren't they even when they reek of a mistress? " Darius commented, glaring at his friend. Lilly covered her smile with her hand, not looking at Ian.

"Enough Darius, I get it." Ian glared at him before getting out of bed and stretching with nothing but his boxers and a tee.

"Ian!" Lilly scolded, shielding Rose's eyes. Rose giggled, trying to move Lilly's hand. Ian smirked at Lilly.

"I'm going to be out for the day. Have a good birthday, Lilly. "Ian called, looking at her once more before leaving.

"Happy 18th birthday Lilly." The two males said, looking at Lilly, and smiling before leaving with Ian.

"Happy birthday sis. " Rose said, running and jumping on the bed to get to Lilly. Lilly laughed, hugging her, trying to forget Ian was in her bed. She would have to get her sheets cleaned now.

"Thank you, Rosie. " Lilly said, kissing her forehead before getting ready for the day. Lilly got dressed in a black crop top and black skorts and put a blue flannel over it, buttoning it up. She slipped her black sneakers on before putting her red hair in a braided pony.

Lilly walked downstairs to the dining room and sat down by Rose, who crawled onto her lap happily.

"Sister, I made this for you." Rose giggled, holding a purple and blue friendship bracelet to Lilly with her name in beads in the middle. Lilly smiled and hugged her. She loved her little sister dearly.

"I love it. Could you help me put it on?"

Rose smiled; help tie it. She then showed Lilly the one that matched except it had her name in the middle of it. Lilly smiled at her sister.

The bell rang for breakfast as Maria and Alistair came in and sat down.

"Happy 18th birthday Lilly." They both said before calling the chef in.

He brought out a strawberry-covered waffle and bacon on a plate and served it to her.

On the count of three, they all sang Happy Birthday to me before the chef served the others. After they ate, the chef came back.

"Tonight's dinner is steak and duck with mashed potatoes, seasoned corn, and salad. It will arrive shortly." He said, turning back towards the kitchen.

Lilly smiled as she waited for Rose to finish her orange juice.

"Thank you, Maria and Alistair." Lilly beamed, smiling at Maria and Alistair.

"You're welcome, dear. Ian won't be back until 8. He said to enjoy your birthday. But he wanted us to tell you. Sunday will be the day you head to the academy to get settled in with him." Alistair said, wiping the corners of his mouth.

"I can't wait to go. " Lilly said, smiling. She dreaded staying with Ian but would give it a shot for Maria and Alistair. Lilly didn't know what Ian wanted, but she knew it was going to be trial by fire with him.

After finishing breakfast, Lilly played tag with Rose in the yard until she had her last violin practice at two. Lilly's teacher, Mr. Rolt wished her happy birthday and made her practice over the rainbow on her violin and then into the West from "Lord of the Rings."

"You're turning into a master, Lilly, a little bit more practice, and you will be winning medals for playing." The bigger middle-aged man said, smiling at Lilly.

"Thank you, Mr. Rolt. it was a pleasure to have you as a teacher," Lilly said, bowing and leaving to go eat dinner.

Diner went well. Lilly got to eat cherry cheesecake for dessert, her favorite. After dinner, Lilly took a stroll in the small garden with Wanda. They had always gone to see her mother's grave by the roses on her birthday. As they walked along the cobbled path through the garden, they picked a small bouquet of different flowers to lay on the marble grave.

"Can you tell me a story of my mother?" Lilly asked as she laid the bouquet down on the worn stone surface. The roses had started to grow on her mother's gravestone. Lilly rearranged them so they didn't obscure her mother's headstone. Wanda settled on the bench that was by the small fountain watching Lilly.

"Let me see if I can remember any when she was your age. " Wanda said, fixing the Afghan sweater she had knitted. Lilly said a little prayer for her mother and sat beside her grandma.

"Your mother was wild like you were. It was a different kind of wild though. It used to be called being a gypsy or hippie. She loved having fun and going to concerts when they were live in front of people. There was one time when your mom went to a concert and met some great people and some bad people too. College is going to be like that, so keep your head straight. Trust your gut feeling. Dahlia was smart, and you remind me a lot like her." Wanda sniffled, hugging Lilly.

"I'll do my best nanny," Lilly kissed her grandmother's head and held on to her.

After a while of visiting and talking to Lilly's mother's grave. Lilly helped Wanda to bed and checked that Ian hadn't come home. It was after 9 now. Lilly smiled, hoping he would stay gone until they left for college. Lilly went into the library to find a book to pass the time until Daisy showed up. Lilly looked at classics and pulled out "A Call of the Wild." It was one of her favorites growing up.

Daisy went into the library with a tray of snacks and wine. Lilly smiled at her friend, went to the library balcony, and grabbed the blanket off the chair before settling in for a night of reading in the moonlight with Daisy. They had created this ritual four years ago and had become a yearly thing for her birthday. They would read bits and bobs of books and come up with their own silly stories while drinking wine. Lilly had always looked forward to it. If Daisy wasn't the help, they would be the greatest of friends. Another reason Lilly wants to study business is so she can hopefully learn about the in-house help policy. Daisy was born into a treaty, and she hoped she could free her so she could be a citizen instead of help for the rest of her remaining life. She was a human, like her sister Rose.

"The pussycat ran water up the tin train roof and a man with a crooked nose." Daisy giggled, flipping through a hardcover book. It looked old age. I giggled, taking a swig of wine from her glass, thinking for a moment.

"A man with a crooked nose lived with a pussycat who ran water up to the tin-roofed train station. The only thing is, the train conductor didn't like pussy....cat", Lilly busted out laughing, almost knocking her glass over. Daisy laughed at her.

"Oh, naughty girl. My turn!" Daisy cheered. Lilly gave her one that was from a sultry book. Daisy turned it into a funny s*x joke. Before long, they finished the wine and needed to head to bed. It was already midnight. Lilly helped clean up and ended up falling asleep in the library due to slight drunkenness.

******-*******-********-*******-******

Ian walked into the two-story brick mansion slightly drunk. He had lost a bet to Darius and Chester. Ian had been telling Darius about getting Lilly a necklace for her birthday and had been looking at some of his jewelry. After that they went to his house to drink while playing games. One thing led to another and truth or dare happen, making him tipsy due to losing to a dare. He had forgotten the time but couldn't sense anyone was up because it was past three in the morning. Ian felt a cold breeze sweep past him, making him shiver. Ian followed the air into the library.

On the library moonlight balcony, Lilly was sleeping in the wicker chair with a book in her right hand. Her head leaned against the back of the chair, exposing her olive neck to him. Ian groaned, feeling his wolf surge forward. He pulled him back. Lilly whined in her sleep, pulling the small blanket further from her. Shielding herself from the cold from the balcony window.

"thump". The book she was reading clatters to the ground, but it doesn't wake her. Ian gently touched her cold cheek. Lillianna was cold to the touch. Ian leaned down, sliding his arms underneath her and pressing her to his chest. Lilly, sleepy, looked up at him.

"Ian?" she asked sleepily. He could smell the wine on her breath. He smirked, knowing she had fun on her birthday.

"It's okay, I'm taking you to bed. " Ian murmured, making sure he had a good hold on her before taking her to his room. Lilly nodded, lying back against his chest, and closing her eyes. Ian carefully made his way to his room with Lilly, cradled in his arms. Ian slid off his shoes quickly before lying on the bed with Lilly beside him. He caught the scent of her hair, which smelled of vanilla and honey. Ian looked at her for a moment. She looked beautiful in her sleep. Her red lips were slightly parted, and her long lashes laid against her flushed cheeks. Her auburn hair made her pale skin brighter.

Ian leaned down, gently placing a kiss on her forehead before sliding her closer to him on the bed. She moaned for a second before curling up as he placed the blanket on her. Lilly had moved to the center of the bed with the bed comfort wrapped around her. Ian moved it away from her, making her whine and turn the opposite way from him. Ian chuckled, sliding towards him. She mumbles before trying to lazily swat him away.

"Rose leave me alone, " Lilly mumbled, moving away. Ian shook his head before changing into his plaid sweatpants. It was already 4 am, and he had a meeting with the elders and healers at 7 in the morning. Ian laid down on the bed, scooting Lilly to the side to give him room. She moaned, pulling the comforter over herself again, hiding inside it. Ian sighed, not even caring, and took her extra soft blanket and laid it over him. Her honey scent helped relax his mind, and he soon fell into blissful dreams.