Jace’s POV
I couldn’t stop smiling as she ate. Although I knew she was uncomfortable, I didn’t want to leave. Whenever I looked elsewhere and back at her, I found her smiling too at the food or at Flora, but once she noticed my gaze, her smile faded.
“Would you like me to order some pizza tomorrow?” I asked.
Seeing how she was enjoying her food, she would love to eat pizza. That’s what was going through my mind.
“I don’t think I could like it, so it’s fine,” she answered as I frowned.
She was speaking as if she had never tasted it.
“That’s because she hasn’t,” Ridge responded coldly.
“Oh, I see,” I said, then stood up and walked to the balcony.
It was late, and soon everyone would be indoors resting. Only a few warriors would stay awake patrolling.
“The sky is surely beautiful today,” I whispered softly then raised my hand to the sky calmly and closed my eyes, enjoying the breeze.
“I want to sleep next to her,” I spoke to Ridge silently.
“Don’t even think about it,” came his warning.
“What if I wait for her to fall asleep then sneak in?” I asked.
“That would only frighten her even more if she woke up in the middle of the night,” he answered.
“You are right, but how the hell should I stop what I’m feeling? Right now I badly want to stay longer in her room. I am fucking dying to hold her, even if it’s just her fingers,” I said honestly.
“We both do, but right now isn’t the time,” he answered.
I sighed heavily, opened my eyes, and then dropped my hand and turned.
Lillian stood alone a few meters away looking at me.
“I’m sorry, did I overstay my visit?” I asked softly.
“A little,” she answered.
“Oh, then I must leave you to rest,” I said, then walked towards her.
When I stood in front of her, she lowered her gaze, and I noticed how nervous she was.
“Hey, I won’t do anything to you, I promise. I just moved closer to have a good look at you before I go to bed,” I said honestly.
When she looked up and met my eyes, my heart began to beat rapidly, and I found myself moving my hand to touch her cheek.
“You can’t, please, Miss!” Flora’s voice sounded in the corridor, making me drop my hand.
The door opened, and Leah walked in, looking furious.
“You dumb bitch, how dare you. I couldn’t believe it when I heard them call you Luna!” She screamed as I looked at her lazily.
Was she stupid or just desperate to die? I gave her a fair warning, yet she chose to ignore it.
She was about to move when Lillian rushed behind me and grabbed the back of my shirt, resting her head against my back.
She was badly trembling when she was stronger than her. Was it because she was deeply scared by her as well? Was she a part of her trauma?
“Leah,” I called in a warning.
“No, Jace, what has she done to you? You hated this bitch, remember? You loved and still love me. I am who you chose as your Luna and mate. Please remember how much you adore me. I am your chosen mate, remember?” she asked softly.
I was about to move when Lillian tightened her grip.
“I just want to talk to her,” I whispered softly.
“No, if you go to her then… then…” she whispered in a cracked voice.
Did she think I was going to switch to how I previously acted if I went to her?
“Lillian, just for a second,” I said softly.
“No, you can’t,” she yelled, and this time I could smell the scent of tears, and that made Leah smirk.
“What a pathetic bitch,” she mocked.
I turned and faced Lillian with a smile, trying so hard not to show the anger I felt.
“I chose you, and I will do the same thing a million times, so don’t ever think I would switch on you for any female. That asshole is long gone; he died the day you died,” I said, then kissed her forehead to assure her.
“So don’t be afraid,” I whispered as I turned and walked to Leah.
“Jace, you can’t be fucking serious with what you… Ahh,”
She cried out, then went silent as she stumbled over the slap I had landed across her face.
I watched without an ounce of remorse as she fell to her knees and moved her hand to her bleeding nose with a whimper.
“You are lucky to be alive, Leah. That’s why I expect you to act as one who is. But I won’t let you speak badly to my mate, not even walk into her room like that. I knocked when I wanted to walk in and see her. Who do you think you are, and which bastard talked you into acting as if you own the pack?” I asked furiously.
“Look at my mate, look at her!” I yelled as she slowly did.
Her cheek was badly swollen, and the side of her lip was busted.
“Does she look comfortable and at peace with you being in front of her?” I asked as she shook her head while sobbing silently.
“Answer me, damn it!” I demanded.
“No,” she answered and then groaned in pain.
“Never show your stupid face ever again in front of her, because if you do, I will kill you. I swear to the moon goddess! Now Flora, take her out of this room, now!” I yelled as Flora quickly walked in and helped her get up.
She looked scared too, perhaps that’s why she was outside of the room when she could have walked in before.
“This way, Miss,” she whispered and then walked out of the room with her.
When I turned and looked at Lillian, I was shocked to see how she was much more terrified of me than she was of Leah.
“Lillian, look, I know I might have freaked you out over what I have done to Leah, but I can swear to the moon goddess that I won’t hurt you in any way. So….,”
“Leave,” she said seriously.
“Lillian…,”
“If you won’t, then I will. After all, this is your room,” she said as I brushed my hand through my hair.
“I understand, I’ll leave. So please be at ease and take some rest,” I said, and then slowly walked to the door.
“I know that my apologies don’t sound sincere to you, but I still want to apologize. I’m really sorry for showing you such a brutal side of me again. You are still terrified of me, that I know, yet I went ahead to act that way. Please forgive me for being stupid and selfish. Sleep well, and if there is anyone who dares to disrespect you, mind-link me. I’ll take care of them,” I said, then walked out of the room with a heavy sigh.