“How do you feel?” He asked her.
“Like I’ve just woke up from the binge of the millennium,” she said with a small smile then turned serious. “I think I’m safe. It’s gone, the enthrallment,” She explained, ignoring the pang of disappointment that she felt with that fact. He eyed her for a moment then nodded to Sandy. James and Andrew started removing the heavy chains from around her, but Lily felt hesitant to move out of the chair just yet.
“I need to report to Jessie,” Dorin said then looked at Lily. “This won’t happen again,” He told her then left. Lily got up and all eyes fell on her, making her feel self-conscious to say the least.
“I’m just going to go get cleaned up,” Lily said awkwardly and left the room. She sighed with relief when she was away from everyone’s penetrating stare. After grabbing a change of clothes Lily, washed her hands and face, cleaning off the dirt and blood on them. She couldn’t let A. J. see her like that. She changed clothes and debated on throwing her soiled ones away when Liz walked into the room with a glowering expression.
“I know you’ve always been a little brash but this? Oh, this takes the cake,” she started and as Lily opened her mouth to defend herself, Liz cut her off. “I can’t believe you’d be so irresponsible Lily! You’ve put everyone at risk! You’ve put my son, the future of this pack at risk! What were you thinking coming back into this house knowing that vampire was going to come after you,” Liz lectured her.
“No one is going to get hurt Liz,” Lily said, trying to calm her down. “Matty won’t get hurt. The vampire only wants me.”
“Yeah, but it’s not him that put us in danger tonight. You were out of it Lily. You bit James! Who knows what you would have done if there wasn’t anyone to manage you,” Liz practically snarled at her and Lily flinched, feeling the alpha factor coming off her in waves.
“I wouldn’t ever hurt him or anyone else… I’ve always been a little violent where James is concerned, enthralled or not,” Lily replied with a half-smile, trying to lighten the mood, but it only made Liz get angrier.
“This is not a joke! You should’ve never come back and I for one wish you didn’t! I may not be able to exile you out of the pack but I forbid you to come near my son and as long as you’re in this house Matt won’t be!” Liz yelled at her then turned to leave the bathroom. Liz gave a startled jump when she turned and saw James standing in the doorway.
His lip was curled with a silent fury that made Lily want to take a step back even though he was glaring at Liz. “Remember who I am James, your alpha,” Liz demanded to James with her chin held high and pushed passed him. He watched her leave still with a furious look on his face.
“Don’t get yourself all worked up James,” Lily said, trying not to sound as defeated as she felt and left the bathroom but instead of going to her room she went to her sisters. The room was just like Lacy left it. Apparently neither Andrew nor Sandy could bring themselves to pack her stuff. She started to close the door when James pushed his way in. “James,” she started to complain.
“We have to talk,” he practically growled at her.
“I’ve really had enough lectures for one day. I know, okay. I know I’ve stupidly put everyone at risk, if not from Silvano then from myself,” Lily said with exasperation.
“That’s exactly why we need to talk,” he demanded. “Liz is wrong. You should be here. This is your home and this is your family. You haven’t put anyone at risk. You didn’t attack anyone,” he told her and when she started to object he interrupted her. “Biting me doesn’t count because as you said you’ve always been a little aggressive when it comes to me.”
“I could have. I was out of control, I could hardly think much less think clearly. I could have done anything!” Lily argued and sat on the bed, wishing she had never come home.
“You’re wrong,” James argued back. “When Andrew put those cuffs on you, you didn’t even flinch against him. When he put that UV light over you, you swore and hissed but didn’t lift a finger to strike him. You wouldn’t have and won’t hurt your family, Lily!”
“I should have learned by now,” Lily said sadly. “Everything goes wrong when I leave my lab. The first time I’m turned into a monster and now I’m going to become some mindless slave.”
“That’s not going to happen,” James demanded and Lily simply shook her head.
“Yeah just like Silvano was never supposed to get near me but we see how that worked. Sorry, but my faith in the Aquivalere protecting me from him is not very strong at the moment,” she replied.
“That makes two of us,” he replied. “In fact I don’t think they are capable of doing anything right! It will be the pack that’s going to keep you safe,” he went on then sat down on the bed next to her and grabbed her chin so she would look him in the eye. “I’ll keep you safe Lily. Silvano will not make you into his pet.”
The conviction in his face and voice stole her breath away and Lily wasn’t sure what to say or do in reply.”Thank you, James,” she said finally. “I… I’m really sorry about biting you,” she apologized.
“No need to apologize, it was no big deal. Might want to save it for the beast because he’s not as forgiving at me,” James told her “You treated him like some kind of lap dog, pulled his ears, and was singing to him “Who’s afraid of the big bad wolf?” He is not happy,” James told her with a hint of a smile, but Lily groaned.
“See? This is what I’m talking about! I could have caused your beast to go on a rampage,” she groaned and he now started laughing.
“If it was anyone else I’d agree with you but when it comes to you the beast is rather tame,” James told her.
“I doubt that, I’m really good at pissing people off,” Lily told him with a small smile of her own then sighed. “Liz is right James,” she told him after a moment. “I really shouldn’t be here. It’s too dangerous.” James started to argue, but she held up her hand.