Chapter 11
1548 Words
Lilly’s POV
Macy and I are looking through the racks of tops in our fourth store. I’ve picked up a few cute tops and bottoms, some extra workout gear, and a new pair of shoes for training this summer, I’ll have to get back into it now that I have Maeve. Macy, on the other hand, has almost more bags than she can handle and she’s loading her arms up as we make it through this store.
“How are you supposed to carry all of that?” I ask her, raising an eyebrow at her ever-growing pile of clothes.
“Oh, I’ll find a way. This is all too cute, I can’t decide. So, I’m buying all of it.” She says with a smile.
I roll my eyes and head to the counter to check out.
“I’m starving. Food court after this?” I say over my shoulder which causes Macy to stop her search and run towards the registers. I knew that would work.
As we collect our bags and head towards the exit, my wrist starts to ache. I try to hold out and push through the pain. The food court is in the center of the mall on the second floor. We have to pass a few boutiques, a specialty, high end jeweler and a shop that specializes in maternity and baby items before we can reach the escalators to take us to the second floor. As we passed the jeweler, the ache in my wrist started to burn like acid has been poured on it and I drop my bags. Tears fill my eyes as I start to whimper, fighting to hold back the scream.
Macy swings around and her eyes grow large as she drops her armful of bags to rush to my aid. Knowing rubbing my wrist sometimes helps, that’s the first thing she tries. The pain alleviates slightly but not much. I’m holding back the scream that’s threatening to escape as the pain intensifies. Black spots start to cloud my vision, the sounds around me begin to muffle and I feel myself begin to sway.
I can barely make out Macy screaming for someone to help before darkness consumes me. The last thing I feel is a pair of large arms catching me before I hit the ground. When I came to, I realized I’m in a very plain looking room, on a mildly comfortable couch.
“Oh Lil!” Macy exclaims as she appears in my view. “Are you okay?”
“What happened?” I asked her.
She sealed her lips, moved her eyes away and looked behind me, then back to me.
“You fainted.”
“Does that happen to you often?” A deep voice comes from behind and I shoot up in surprise.
“Whoa, who are you?”
The voice came from a strange man, a God really, leaning against the back wall. He’s tall, easily 6’3”, has long sandy blonde hair placed in a low ponytail. His black t-shirt shows every ridge of muscle buried beneath. He has rugged features, but in a completely breath-taking way, and soft green eyes complimenting his olive skin tone. Too bad he’s not my mate. He smells like a wolf… only more, if that makes any senses. Extremely powerful.
‘He may not be mate, but he’s nice to look at.’ Maeve says.
The man raises an eyebrow almost at the same time, and I wonder for a moment if he heard my wolf. I shake off the thought, that’s not possible.
“Lil, that’s the Royal Beta, Derek Smith.” Macy interjects quietly and I’m speechless, he’s a Lycan. I’ve never met a Lycan, we don’t have any in Crescent Moon.
The Greek God standing here is the Royal Beta? The Lycan Royal Beta. It only takes a moment before reality sets in, and I immediately avert my eyes and bare my neck.
‘What is the Royal Beta doing here Maeve?!’
‘How the hell would I know?’
Beta’s eyebrows knit together for a moment.
“No need to bow. Now, again, does that happen often? The fainting.”
I debate what to say. I can’t tell him the truth, royal Beta or not.
“More so recently.”
“She was in the hospital a few days ago. The doctor told her to take it easy and I guess I shopped her into exhaustion. We were headed to the food court to rest and eat before we head home. Then this happened.” Macy covers for me.
She’s not wrong, but because of Maeve I’m fine now. I was fine that night in the hospital, but the doctor insisted I stay for observation, and I couldn’t exactly admit that my wolf took care of it all now could I?
“You should get something to eat and go home.” Beta Derek says with a pointed look. “Are you okay to get to the food court on your own? I have business to attend.”
“Oh… um yeah, we’re good.” I say as I start to gather myself and bags. “Thank you.”
“For?” He stops at the door and turns to look at me.
“I assume you kept me from hitting the floor. The last thing I remember is well…not hitting the floor.”
He just nods and leaves the room. I look over at Macy and she just shrugs.
“He was kind of an asshole.” Macy says to me as we leave the room.
I nod in agreement and we head towards the food.
Lucian’s POV
While I was working with the jeweler to pick up Lacy’s necklace, Derek was working with another store associate to find the perfect ring for Jules. They found each other as mates six months ago and he wants to officially propose. They’ve marked and mated, she was inducted as Beta Female but I think Jules wants a wedding, and Derek is more than willing to give her the world if it will make her happy.
With our purchases in hand, we headed for the exit, intent on heading back to Highland Peak to begin the alliance proceedings. As soon as we step back into the main mall, I freeze in my tracks. I’m enchanted by the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen walking out of the clothing store Axle was trying to lead me into.
She has long, silver-blonde hair, layered in waves that look like soft clouds against the moonlight. Her eyes, such a deep, dark blue, like the ocean at night. Olive, tanned skin, curves in all the right places. I watch as she crosses the mall with her friend, when suddenly she stops and drops her bags. I can hear her whimpering, trying to hold back. Her friend drops all her bags and starts to help her.
‘Something’s wrong. She’s going to faint. Help her.’ Axle says in a panic.
I try to take a step, but I can’t seem to move. No matter how hard I try I am literally frozen in place. I watch in slow motion as she starts to sway.
‘MOVE human!’
‘I can’t!’
“Derek. She’s going to faint. I… I can’t move.” I tell my best friend, the urgency and panic in my voice doesn’t go unnoticed.
“Somebody help!” Her friend screams.
He doesn’t even think twice. Handing me his bag, he rushes to the woman before me, catching her just before she hits the ground.
‘Take her somewhere safe to rest, stay with her until she wakes up. Axle thinks she’ll be fine in a little while. I’ll meet you at the car.’ I linked him.
‘You better explain yourself when I get there.’ He says back and I shut the link.
As soon as she’s out of sight, the weight that seemed to be holding me down lifted and I can finally move again.
‘Axle. What the f**k was that. Why couldn’t I go to her?’ I asked him.
‘Moon Goddess?’ He replies questioningly.
‘What the f**k does that mean!?’ I yelled back frustrated.
I let out a sigh when he shuts himself away in my mind and makes my way towards the car to wait. I pass by the food court and stop to grab us some to-go food. It’s four hours back and while I could probably make it in about 3, we still missed lunch.
Once I step outside, I light up a cigarette. I rarely smoke, only when I’m at my breaking point do I crave the damn things. I get to the car and lean against the side, pulling a long drag. Feeling the smoke enter my lungs, calming my nerves simultaneously.
‘Do you think that’s her?’ I ask Axle.
‘I do.’
‘What the hell was that. Why couldn’t we move?’
‘The clearing.’ Axle reminds me of the dream when we stumbled into the Realm of the Fae, we couldn’t touch Maeve.
‘So, what, I can’t come near her?’
‘Unsure.’ He growls.
I finish my cigarette and start in on my chicken strips and burger combo.
- Writer
