Wolves of Enchantment

Chapter 9: Anything But

Lilith’s Point of View

Emily and Jason were excited about me staying the night and had no objections. Sage was also gracious, kindly offering to help with anything I needed. She mentioned they always keep the guest bathrooms equipped with handy travel packs containing all the essentials for unexpected visitors. She urged me to look through the cupboards and let her know if I required anything that wasn't provided.

I decided to have a hot shower after eating because why not? I had been swimming in a lake, and it would be nice to be clean before putting my clothes back on. I locked the door to the guest room and then stripped off the bathing suit, hanging it up on a hook in the bathroom to dry. I peeked in the cupboards, and Sage wasn’t lying. There were about 20 unopened travel kits, boxes of condoms, lube, a hair dryer, hair products of all kinds, hair elastics and clips, hairbrushes and combs still in their packages, tampons and sanitary napkins. They had literally everything.

I stood under the steady stream of hot water as I watched the steam rise in the bathroom. I was relaxed and … happy. I couldn’t remember the last time I felt this way. As always, thoughts of my parents flooded my mind, and the pain of missing them hit me once again. It didn't get any easier with time. I also missed my friends, but looking back, I wondered if they were true friends if I had to hide parts of myself from them.

Juniper and Axel may not be Nephilim like I was, but they understood the intricacies of having one foot in the human world and the one we walked in. I didn’t feel like I had to wear a mask with them once. It was liberating. That’s why I decided to take a risk and stay over tonight. I really did want to be friends with them.

Using one of the travel packs, I freshened up with deodorant, a toothbrush, and toothpaste. I brushed my hair and blow-dried it before getting dressed. The guest room was massive, even larger than the one Jason and Emily had prepared for me in their house. It was clear that the Foster/Carter family had wealth. However, Axel didn't act stuck up, which was a nice change. I was used to rich kids being snobby and irritating back home.

It was hard for me to wrap my head around the fact that Juniper and Jax were best friends. She was always so kind and friendly, and I couldn't imagine her being close friends with someone who wasn't the same way. Then again, maybe he was just as nice as she was. I didn't put much effort into getting to know him because I was too preoccupied with his flirtatious glances towards me. All I wanted right now was friendship; my life had been completely turned upside down recently, and I wasn't looking for anything more.

Jackson, on the other hand, rubbed me the wrong way. He gave off a sense of entitlement like he was used to always getting what and who he wanted. Deep down, I knew my gut feeling was right. I would have to be polite and amicable since I was staying in his home tonight, but if he made another move on me, I wouldn't hold back telling him to back off. I had already made it clear that I wasn't interested in him or the obvious arousal he displayed when I was on top of him during our wrestling match on the raft.

I opened the door to find Ember and Juniper sitting on the floor waiting for me.

“We waited for you so you didn’t have to find the bonfire on your own. I’m going to stay in the room next to you, and Terrance will be in that one,” Juniper pointed to the room the furthest away from me.

I couldn’t help but laugh at how these girls did everything possible to make me feel welcome and comfortable.

“Thanks, I appreciate it,” I grinned and followed my new friends outside to where a bonfire had been set up near the water. We found spots on logs surrounding the fire, and I watched as some people roasted marshmallows over the flames. Jackson strummed his guitar while others listened intently. I couldn't help but notice how Axel, completely unaware, had captured the attention of both twins, who gazed at him with adoration.

“I wondered if you would notice,” Ember giggled. “Jax and Jackson have always had a crush on the twins but never seem to make an impression on them. Axel has no interest in them, yet both girls have been crushing on him hard for as long as we can remember. None of the boys seem to realize it, though.”

“Please don’t be offended, but I don’t see the appeal,” I said, nodding toward Jackson.

“That’s because you haven’t heard him sing yet,” Juniper rolled her eyes. “Everyone either wants Jackson or wants to be Jackson.”

“Right,” I muttered.

My mind went blank as he began to sing, and suddenly, all his annoying quirks disappeared. Time seemed to freeze as I watched him, completely mesmerized. All of his previously annoying quirks faded away as I listened to him sing. At that moment, he sang with such passion that all I could see was how gorgeous Jackson was. What was wrong with me?

“Oh, no, not her too,” groaned Jax as he sat beside me.

“Give her a minute. We’ll see if she falls for it like every other girl or if Lilith is strong enough to resist our brother’s charms,” giggled Ember.

It was like a switch flipped when I heard Ember say that.

“What do you mean resist Jackson’s charms?” I demanded, scowling at Jax and Ember.

“Jackson and Axel are descendants of Asmodeus,” Juniper shrugged.

“The demon of lust?!?” I exclaimed.

“Yeah,” Juniper answered nonchalantly.

“Not you?” I asked Jax, curious.

“Nope, sorry,” Jax added, thinking I was disappointed.

He was mistaken. I was anything but.