Fated to the Werewolf King
14: Erica

When she got the okay to visit her, it overwhelmed her with joy. She packed everything she could fit into her suitcase. She cleared her schedule and in the morning she was off. Lily had told her it was a close call of her not coming because of security reasons, whatever that meant, but her new boyfriend reconsidered.

"I swear, if he's just like Jasper, I'm leaving with her.” She grumbled as she walked off the escalator. Most of her anger was aimed at herself. All the signs were there, yet she blatantly ignored it. She was focusing so much as Lily's manager and less as her friend. She could've ended the relationship sooner with Jasper, but she didn't truly know what all happened. Now she will.

"Erica!" Lily's voice screamed across the terminal, her arms waving to signal where she was in the crowded airport. All the rage she felt dissipated instantaneously when she saw Lily smiling and healthy. The man behind her caught her attention, along with what looked like armed body guards that flanked him. He was a tower of muscle with the atmosphere that screamed not to fuck with him.

How did Lily get herself wrapped up with this guy? He looks like some mafia boss.

"Lily." she said as she closed the distance. Lily sprinted toward her, her arms encircling her. Erica hesitated a second, but once she realized how real this was, she hugged Lily tightly in return.

"I'm so happy you came. I've missed you so much.” She cried into her shoulder. Erica pulled back slightly, pushing Lily's hair from her face.

"Babe, are you okay? Has he hurt you at all?" She asked, her eyes shooting daggers at the man behind her. He scoffed in response, his arms crossed over his broad chest.

"No, he hasn't. I promise. Jayce wouldn't hurt me." Lily sounded so sure of it. For now, she'll believe her, but she wanted proof. Lily grabbed her arm and pulled her closer to this Jayce character. "Jayce, this is Erica. She's my best friend and my manager." She introduced so easily. Erica pushed her curly bangs from her face, glaring up at him. His red eyes were totally out of the norm.

What is this guy?

"Erica, it's a pleasure to meet you. Lily has spoken highly of you.” He inclined his head respectfully. She looked over to Lily questionably.

"We can talk in the car. Come on, I know how you get when you're jet lagged.” Lily teased her. Her attitude has changed completely since she last saw her. She was so reserved before, hardly spoken. Jasper always spoke over her, or even for her. What magic has this man performed on Lily to have her seem better?

"What?!" she yelled as Lily told her story to her. She was fumbling with her hoodie, that she had zipped all the way up.

It's hot outside. How can she be in a hoodie and jeans?

Lily looked over at Jayce, who sat across from her. He nodded firmly, and Lily unzipped her hoodie. Erica's eyes widened at the sight of it. All of her scars that scattered across her chest, shoulders and arms. Lily looked away uncomfortably, tugging on the tank top she wore beneath.

"That's why I left. I had to get away." Lily told her, her hands shaking. Jayce reached over and grabbed Lily's hands. They met gazes and Erica watched Lily smile.

"And this one?" She pointed out the odd bite mark on her neck. Lily's face flushed as her hand covered it.

"That's..." she went to explain.

"That's my Mark." Jayce told her. Erica felt her rage bubbling up again. Lily grabbed Erica's hand. She knew her temper better than anyone.

"Wait! I asked him to.” She told her. Erica looked at her, feeling a little disgusted.

"When did you become a masochist?" She said half jokingly. Lily blushed even more.

"It's not like that! He's a Werewolf.” She told her.

"A what? You let him bite you? Are you going to change into what he is?" She was fuming. She had so many questions that needed to be answered.

"Perhaps the Werewolf himself should explain.” Jayce intercepted his voice powerful and forced her to yield. He explained the contract Lily agreed upon in order to escape Jasper. Coincidentally, he discovered she was his Mate, his soulmate in human terms. He went on that he respected Lily and wanted to be patient with her while she was in therapy.

"I see... So, you're the head honcho?" She asked him. He nodded once. She eyed him suspiciously. "You look like a mafia boss. Are you sure you can trust this guy?” She looked pointedly at Lily.

"Of course I can.” She said without hesitation. "And he's not a part of the mafia. Aside from being an Alpha, he's the Werewolf King." Lily told her. Erica looked between them for a moment, letting that information sink in.

"You couldn't lead with that?" She exploded. Lily let out an awkward laugh.

"Sorry, I guess I should have. I really missed you, Erica. I'm so happy that you're here." She smiled more sweetly now. Erica felt guilt trouble her heart.

"I'm sorry. I knew something was up, but I didn't think it would escalate to this.” She gestured to the scars. Lily hurriedly put her hoodie back on, zipping it back up to her neck.

"It's okay." She said, but Erica shook her head.

"It's not okay. I could have stepped in. I could have spoken up, but I put my job before our friendship and let it blind me." Erica looked at Lily. She gazed back, tears pooling in her eyes. She grabbed Lily's hand. "I promise I won't ever leave you alone again.” She said sternly. Lily smiled at her.

"That makes two of you." She said, looking over to Jayce. When Erica looked over at the large, imposing man, he was smiling at Lily. The smile changed his face completely.

The car made a turn and her eyes flew out the window. They had been talking the entire ride, she wasn't sure where they were going at first. They were bypassing restaurants and houses until they took a curved road that lead them to a large mansion. Erica's jaw dropped.

"You're renting this?" She asked, not believing for a moment that Lily could ever afford this.

"God no, just one room." Lily informed her.

"I'll be discussing your contract with Penelope later." Jayce mentioned to her. Lily went to speak, but she sighed, smiling. The car rolled to a stop in front of the doors, small puddles littered the driveway.

"I'll give you a tour of the house.” Lily said to her as they exited. Jayce stepped out, but left one foot in the car.

"I have to head to the pack house. Now that they settled the events, I have to be present to make sure it all runs smoothly. I'll be home later.” He informed Lily. She pouted, looking down. Was she upset with him he was putting his work before her feelings?

"Okay. Have a good day at work.” She suddenly beamed up at him. It even took him by surprise. He smiled softly at her, leaning down and kissed her. Erica looked away uncomfortably. Jayce drove off, leaving her, Lily, and his two guards with them.

"Are you really okay with that?" She asked her as she escorted her inside. Lily looked back at her, her head cocked like a confused puppy. Erica looked around with her mouth agape and her eyes were like saucers. Lily was living the dream in this beautiful place.

"He's the Alpha of this pack. He has a duty to uphold. As much as I'd like to be with him all day, I can understand his responsibility.” She said to her. Erica stared at Lily.

When did she become so grown up?

"If you say so." Her eyes wandered again. "Please tell me you have a jacuzzi in the place.” She said to her. Lily let out a laugh.

"Afraid not, but we have a beautiful garden.” She told her, her eyes moving past her to the guards that hovered by the door, "Oh, you two can take a break. I'll let you know when we decide to head out back.” She told them. They inclined their heads so that they exposed their necks to her before filing off to the living room.

"Whoa, they listened to you." Erica said as she watched the men leave. Lily started up the stairs right away.

"Come on."

Erica had watched Lily during the tour. She was smiling through everything as she showed off her new home. Her rather large bedroom that was the same size as her apartment, several office style rooms, a room strictly designated to a grand piano for some odd reason, Jayce's room and office. Lily did not know what she had in the palm of her hands, but that was so like her. She could be given a damn diamond the size of a softball and she could care less about its worth. Lily had also discarded her hoodie once they were alone, and it broke Erica's heart at the sight of her scars. All of it had happened right in front of her and she didn't stop it. sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ Find_Nøvel.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

"Oh, I asked Jayce if you can stay the night here. It would be like old times." Lily spun around to face her. "What's wrong?" She asked worriedly.

"Lily, I'm so sorry." Her hands balled into fists. "You were in so much pain, and I did nothing.” She sniffled. Dammit, she hated crying. She felt arms around her shoulders as Lily embraced her. "You're here now, that's what matters." Lily said to her. Erica nodded, pulling away to collect herself. She took a few deep breaths until she was sure that her emotions wouldn't get the best of her. "Alright, let's find a place to discuss your first draft.”

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