Lily walked along the grassy and damp path. The stars sparkled high above her, a chill brushing along her skin. For a summer evening, it was rather cold. Goosebumps rose over her arms, spreading over her shoulders, back, chest, and legs. She tried to rub them away, to warm herself, but they continued to spread. She breathed out, her breath like white smoke. A sharp pain settled across her chest and as she glanced down, blood trickled down from a thin cut on her naked body. She touched it, hoping it wasn't real, but the warm fluid startled her. Another sharp pain drew her attention down to her wrists, where more blood was oozing out of the cuts. She went to speak, but her voice was gone.

When she called Erica back, it overwhelmed her with so much joy she couldn't contain herself. Hearing her best friend's voice was music to her ears, especially with everything going on now."Lily! Thank God you're alright! Where have you been? Why haven't you contacted me?" She started going off on her like a parent going off on a rebellious teenager."Erica, slow down."

Damion checked the address for the fourth time, feeling the bags under his eyes. He strained against the exhaustion, forcing his mind and body to focus on the mission at hand. He looked up at an apartment building that was eight stories tall with a red brick exterior. Nigel and Joel flanked him, ready to kill this sick fuck that hurt his best friend's Mate. He felt eyes on them as they entered the building, but didn't care who watched him. They followed the steps to the fifth floor, walking down the sticky hallway until they reached the last door at the end. He nodded to Joel and Nigel before he slammed his foot against the door, sending it flying open and off its hinges. What he wasn't expecting to see was a lair of obsession.

Maybe Erica was right. Maybe she was taking things too quickly with Jayce. She was always like this with a guy. She'd fall too quickly, and it would just be a mess in the end. The same result with Jasper, except he took things too far and she couldn't turn back. Jayce, to her, was like an untouchable force with a quick temper and an insatiable lust. Lily had sensed his power that flowed through his veins. The power of an Alpha. A King. He had grown accustomed to doing things alone, or with help from his Beta, Damion. Yet there was still this thick black curtain that stalled her from approaching him. It wasn't his Wolf. She faced him head on. He was purposely keeping her out, and for reasons she didn't know.

She looked at the poster that Erica taped on the wall behind their table. The large golden dragon staring down a lone woman fighter. Her fingers touched the woman's back, trying to borrow the strength she had. Tomorrow was the day. Jasper would meet his end, but the strength she yearned for from the fictional character didn't come. Instead, there was a growl in her mind. A familiar warmth and his scent wafted through her being and she glanced around, but Jayce wasn't with her.Mate.