Chapter 3: Damion

Damion rested his arms behind his head as he watched Erica get dressed, her curled Mohawk in disarray from their love making. He looked her over from her heart shaped ass and her plump breasts, all fitting so well into his hands. He got out of bed as she clasped on her bra, moving up behind her and kissing her neck. She shivered in response, his hands reaching around and cupping her breasts.

"Damion, I have to finish packing. My flight leaves in a few hours." She told him, but she wasn't fighting him. He nibbled on her shoulder, his fangs extending and grazing against her skin.

"Let me Mark you, Erica." He said, pressing his cock against her ass. She moaned, but pushed herself away from him.

"No. I still need time to think about it." She said.

"It's been almost two months now. How much more time do you need?" He asked, feeling slightly annoyed. Every time he had a moment that was perfect to Mark her, she would panick and make excuses.

"I still want to have my freedom." She retorted, moving away from him as she put a shirt on. He let out a heavy sigh.

"What are you talking about? I'm not going to take your freedom away." He told her, sitting on the edge of the bed.

"Why should I believe you? If you were to Mark me, I'd lose myself." She argued.

"What? You're not making any sense." He said. She pulled on her jeans and started throwing random clothes into a large black duffle bag.

"You wouldn't understand."

"Then help me understand." He got back to his feet, grabbing her arms to make her stop packing, "Erica, I get that you want time for yourself. I would never take that away from you, but having a Mate is a once in a lifetime thing for me." He told her, pushing back her hair from her face.

"I get that, but I have always been able to do things on my own. I don't want that taken away from me." She averted her eyes.

"Erica," he spoke her name tenderly. He cupped her face in his hands, "I would never take what is most important to you. Your independence was one of the things I fell for first. You're a major badass that some of our soldiers would die to be." He leaned in and kissed her deeply, trying to show through his love that he meant every word. He felt her return the kiss.

When he pulled back, her eyes still look clouded with doubt, but at least now she was looking at him. She rested her hands over his, taking them off of her face.

"I'll give you my answer when I come back." She told him. He frowned, but it was better than nothing. His wolf growled, displeased.

"How long will you be gone for?" He asked her as he got dressed. She closed her bag and put on her boots.

"A week. I'm going to Toronto to visit a new author." She told him. After he finished getting ready, he picked up her bag and slung it over his shoulder. They walked together in silence. Once they stepped outside, she shivered as she pulled on her jacket.

"I didn't expect the temperature to drop so quickly." She sniffled, her nose already red. He walked up to his truck, tossing her bag in the back seat.

"Erica, you know I like you for who you are, right? I wouldn't dare change you for the world." He said, hoping his words would finally convince her. She let out a sigh, resting her hand on his cheek affectionately. He leaned into it, kissing her palm.

"I know." She said, but there was still that look in her eyes. He prepped for heartbreak as he drove her to the airport.

He walked into Jayce's mansion like he normally would. Since he left that morning, he left Lily behind to handle their mating ceremony and bonding with his people. He tasked Damion to handle any affairs at the pack house and to keep the councilman off of her back while he was gone. His nose took him into the kitchen where he spotted Lily sitting at the counter with a small, black haired boy across from her. He was twirling spaghetti with his fork when he glanced up.

"Damion!" Elias cheered, jumping off the stool and rushing him. He chuckled, picking up the wolf pup.

"Hey little man, it's been awhile." He said, surprised that Jayce's little brother was here. Damion glanced over to Lily as she was smiling softly at their union. His wolf growled at the sight of her. It wasn't an angry or annoyed growl either. It was happy to see her.

"I didn't know you were coming by. I have enough food for another plate if you're interested." She offered, getting to her feet.

"Food sounds amazing." He settled Elias back on his stool. He walked around the counter as Lily attempted to climb it to reach the cabinet. He stood behind her, reaching over her head and took out the plate himself. Her scent filled his senses until they were overloaded. He inhaled deeply, his eyes dropping down to see her wide, green eyes staring up at him. He blinked, stepping away.

"Are you okay?" She asked worriedly, reaching up and pressing the back of her hand against his forehead. He felt his body flush at her touch. His wolf purred in response. What the Hell is happening?

"Y-yeah, I'm just a little out of it since Erica went out of town." He said, pulling away and closed in on the pot of spaghetti. He's never reacted like that with Lily before, so why now?

"That's right, she went to Toronto for a week. I hope it goes well. Landing another author is a pretty big deal." She said as she returned to her seat.

"Is it really? I never knew." He replied, taking a seat beside Elias, "So, how long are you here for?" He asked him as he dug in.

"Until mom comes back." He replied simply, his stuffed lamb, Momo, sat in his lap with him.

"I'll be watching him while they're gone." Lily said, pushing her half eaten plate away.

"Not hungry?" He asked her.

"My stomach has been doing flips all day. It's probably just my nerves getting to me." She smiled weakly. She looked over to Elias, "Are you finished?" She asked him. He nodded, sitting back as she reached across and picked up his plate.

"Someone's a growing boy." Damion commented. Elias looked up at him with his crimson eyes.

"I want to be big and strong like Jayce." He said, his eyes growing sad, "But I haven't shifted yet." He informed them.

"I'm impressed with your speech, Elias. For a five year old, you're really smart." Lily complimented. Damion watched Elias' cheeks flush pink at her words.

"Any plans for the evening?" Damion asked as he finished his plate and started to eat hers. He wasn't the type to waste food.

"I thought we could play hide and seek, then watch a movie. Oh, and I can read you a bedtime story. How does that sound Elias?" Lily asked him. He nodded, remaining quiet, "Good. Why don't you go wash up and we'll meet in the living room." She suggested. He hopped off his stool and patterned off to the bathroom.

"He likes you, I'm glad." Damion said as he finished her plate and brought them over. She started washing the dishes. He looked at her frame. Her long, wavy hair flowed like a golden waterfall down her back. Her pale skin decorated with old scars. His eyes went to her neck where Jayce's mark was. The eerie crimson glow was more vibrant than ever and it looked to be pulsing. His wolf growled deeply at the sight of it.

"It's only the first day, I still have until Penelope gets back." She finished the dishes and looked over to him, "By the way, Elias said he hasn't shifted yet. Is there an age requirement?"

"Usually wolf pups shift by the time they are three. It's not out of the norm that he hasn't shifted yet, his wolf spirit probably isn't ready yet." He informed her. She pouted a bit.

"Do you think Jayce wants a family?" Her words surprised him.

"I don't see why he wouldn't."

"It's just..." she sighed, brushing her fingers through her hair, "I guess I'm just worried that once I give him an heir, he won't need me anymore." She lowered her gaze, her hands clenching her shirt. She looked so damn adorable.

"I don't think he wants that with you." He said. Her eyes flew back to him, "What I mean is that Jayce probably wants a real family. Think about it. Aside from Elias, his parents haven't really given him a shred of what a family really was." He told her. She inclined her head thoughtfully, exposing the other side of her neck. It was bare and his fangs pressed against his bottom lip. He covered his mouth to hide them.

Get ahold of yourself. She's Jayce's.

His wolf growled in response, his fangs retreating.

"You're right. Thanks Damion." She smiled up at him. He swallowed as Elias appeared back in the kitchen. "Go on ahead, Elias. I'll be the seeker." She encouraged him. He nodded, clutching Momo to himself as he dashed off. She giggled.

"You'd make a great mom. Just as you are a great Mate." He said. Her cheeks tinted pink.

"You think I'm a good Mate?" She asked him. He reached up, taking a lock of her hair and twirled it around his finger.

"You bring out the best in Jayce, I see that. I'm sure his people see it to." He told her, his eyes locking with hers. Lily smiled at him. His heart fluttered.

"Will you play with us?" She asked as they started to walk to the foyer. He lifted his nose into the air, immediately scenting Elias hiding in the dining room.

"It would be fair with my sense of smell. I actually need to make a phone call anyways." He said, taking out his phone. She nodded before walking into the living room. He stepped outside, out of ear shot as he speed dialed Jayce. If what he thinks is happening is actually happening, he's a dead man.