"You? Hiding? Why? Everyone loves James Lacrosse," she said rolling her eyes. He grinned at her that country boy smile that made her warm all over. James was about six foot, with that sweet farm boy look to him that made women just fall at his feet in a pile of drool. While Lily resisted the falling part, she was a closet drooler.
"I've been asked to mate some alphas daughter three times already, I've been accused of fathering five children which we know is impossible, and a few more alphas want me to pay some damages they claim I caused years ago," he listed off.
"Glad I am not the only one then," she said with a laugh. "Some guy called me the hybrid, claimed I should be his, then dared touch me. Nick there saved him from crapping his teeth for a month," she explained. She saw a wave of possessive jealousy wash over his face before he grinned with a laugh. While James gave her space and understood that she needed time, his beast saw her as his and no one should touch her but him.
She didn't like it but James was trying so that's all that mattered to her. His beast could go suck eggs. "How long do you think they'll be here before they leave," she asked and he gave her a suggestive look that made her lower belly tighten. Before she would've smacked him and told him to don't even think about touching her buy since that night he marked her, there seemed to be this pull between them.
She knew it wasn't the mark but James himself. He showed her that night what her life could be if she let go of her fears and it was wonderful. Not just the sex bit the time they spent talking and being just two people. As much as she hated to admit it, she wasn't ready to let go and give into what he offered and James understood. That of course didn't mean that she couldn't taste the forbidden fruit every now and again.
"They might be here for a while," he said, walking up to her. She lifted her chin up towards him as she gave him a sly smile.
"That's horrible. What do you think we should do?" she replied.
"I've got an idea or two," he said, leaning down and kissing her. She made a small moan of approval as she wrapped her arms around his neck. Yep, she loved herself some forbidden fruit. James stared up at the ceiling, one arm crooked under his head with the other around Lilly. He loved the way things had been going with them over the last couple of months. Lilly was much more relaxed and open to him now. There was only problem. She was only like this when it was just them. When it came to being around her family or the pack she was still kind of distant.
It was pointless, though. Despite what either of them said, everyone knew they were together. Which is why he was so pissed at his friend and alpha. He had let some of the alphas believe that if they came here, they'd get a chance at Lilly and him. That alpha who touched her was lucky he hadn't been around. It was one thing to hit on her. From what it sounded like, the ass had disrespected her and he wouldn't tolerate that from anyone.
"You look serious. What's up James?" Lily asked, bringing his attention down to her. She sat up and began to get dressed. He tried to hide his disappointment that she wouldn't spend the night with him. He had promised to give her time and he was trying. Sometimes like now, when it felt so good to have her there with him, it was hard.
"I was thinking about the meeting today," he lied, not wanting her to know his frustrations. "Nick told everyone what happened in Montana," he added, grimly.
"Really? I meant to ask him about that. I know Wendy said they had been attacked. What happened," she asked and he sat up, looking for his own clothes.
"It was vampires. They didn't give warning. Just attacked in the dead of night. His beta and all but two enforcers are dead. They have people watching the boarders during the day. They kill anyone that dares enter," he explained. "You remember that woman, Bonnie. The one that was helping Xavier?" he asked, sounding and she nodded.
"Yeah, I still can't believe Nick went so easy on her," she replied.
"Well Nick says the vampires took her captive in the attack," he told her.
"Why? Or do you think she's working with them again," she asked, anger marring her features.
"No, It looked like she went against her will. Nick says she's been working hard to make up for what she did," he told her.
"Then what reason could they take her for then," Lilly said with clear confusion.
"I think she's your sister's day time jailor," he said, knowing how much she was going to like that one. Sure enough, she looked ready to rip into something then took a deep breath.
"That still sounds so damn weird. My sister," she grumbled calmer. He smiled, proud of her. She was getting a lot better at handling her anger. "So what else?"
"I'm afraid that's it. With so many alphas we spent most of the time with stupid introductions because you know alphas. Everyone needs to be properly recognized or it's an insult," he said. His tone so sarcastic that made her laugh.
"God forbid," she replied. "So how long we looking before something gets done? It's been two months. She's been with them two months," she said and he saw a bitter guilty look on her face.
"Four days we move. The meetings continue for two more days. Then Tony meets with those who've agreed to help and on the fourth we leave," he explained.
"Good, well I should get to bed and get some rest," she said.
"Yeah, same here. We're going to start nice and early in the morning," he complained.
"Have fun with that," she teased and left the room. He sighed, getting up and leave the Roberts home for his own.
James leaned over in the chair almost half asleep. Today had turned out to be just as dull as yesterday. All they did today was talk about Xavier. His experiments and what the vampires wanted to do with that knowledge. Then came the argument of how serious was the vampiric threat. Some seemed to think the attack on Nick's land was just a sign he was getting old. The alpha didn't take to kindly to that idea and several times a fight broke out.
The ugly truth was, James didn't see many of the alphas all that interested in moving to go against the vampires. Even less wanted to help Nick. Finally, lunch came around and James got up from his chair and stretched. "Hey James," he heard a familiar voice. He turned to see Chris Lyons. Chris had helped him and Lily several times in the past. He used to be Tony's sister's mate.
But Lacy betrayed them. Tortured Lily, her supposedly her best friend. She also tried to kill Chris so she would be free to mate James. Just before she died, Lacy had fallen so far off the rails, he didn't even recognize her in the slightest. Later it became clear Lacy was manipulated into believing Chris was her mate. This way Xavier could use her hate of him to his advantage and get her to do what he wanted.
With Chris was Xin Qian, his real mate and two men James didn't know. He shook Chris' hand and let the tiny woman pull him into a hug with an excited squeal, so typical of her. "It's good to see you again James. I wanted to introduce you to my dad and brother," she said in a happy tone. "This my Dad, Bradley and my brother Mason," she said, still sounding very, very happy.
"Okay, sis. You can calm it down a bit," Mason said and the tiny witch/werewolf looked at him confused.
"What are you talking about? I am calm," she said then made a dismissive wave then looked to James. "Guess what?" she said, almost squealing. "Mason, Chris and I are going with you guys to Montana. Daddy is going to give his full support," she finished with a giggle.
"Yeah, calm as a cucumber sis," Mason said with an overwhelming amount of sarcasm. "How do you not want to tie her do down and gag her. No, that's not an invitation for details of your bedroom life," he asked Chris. Xin Qian huffed crossing her arms.
"Okay enough you two. Really, I thought at this point you'd two grow out of that," their father complained. He then held out his hand to James. "As my daughter stated I'm the alpha of Oregon territory. I'll be giving half my enforcers under the command of my son. If your alpha didn't make a good enough argument Xin Qian and Chris have. It's time we put a stop to this meddling with the natural course of things," he said as they shook hands.
"We appreciate it," James told him and glanced over the mass of people there. He frowned when he saw the man with the Alpha of western Texas. He was vaugely aware the alpha of Oregon saying his farewells and left them. James just glared at the tall, broad man across the room. He shouldn't have been too surprised but he still wasn't happy to see him.
"Who's that?" Chris asked, noticing James glare.
"My father," he replied.
"Hey, something else you and Lily have in common. Daddy issues," Chris said with a smirk and James turned his glare on Chris.
"Chis you have the social skills of an ape," Xin Qian complained then looked to James. "Maybe you should go talk to him. Say hi or something," she suggested to him. He shook his head but offered her a smile.