Lily's POV:

I smiled as I opened my eyes and covered my mouth with my hand as I saw where we were and how amazing it was.

"You did all this?" I whispered looking around. Candles were everywhere even on the lake; the lighting was dim and there were many flowers that I could smell from where I was standing. I spotted an arranged table not far from where we were standing. It was perfectly set with two long candles in the middle, a bottle of wine, and plates. The food was covered but it smelled delicious. I couldn't believe Derek would have done all that just to please me; he might really like me. I smiled and turned to look at him, his eyes were dark and he was looking at me intently.

"Do you like it?" he asked unsurely.

"Like it? Are you kidding me? I love it, Derek! It's amazing, romantic and I feel like I'm in heaven!" I threw my arms around his neck and giggled as I rested my head on his chest. That's when I noticed how firm it was. I blushed and pulled away. "Thank you,"I said softly.

"No, don't thank me." he led me to the table and pulled out a chair for me. I made myself comfortable and looked at him sitting in front of me.

"So, tell me about yourself," I asked lamely as I was just trying to make conversation and break the awkward silence that set between us.

"There's not much to say really...I left town when my parents died. Only now was I able to come back and I'm glad I did." he paused and smiled. "I spend most of my time here. The only person I ever trusted is my guardian, which you will be surprised when you meet him. He is about 37 as tall and broad as me and very funny but likes to look serious."

"I thought we were talking about Derek, not his guardian," I said playfully which made him chuckle

"Yeah right...Derek." he laughed and looked at me. "Alright tell me what you want to know."

I thought for a moment and looked at him intently as my fingers were playing with the stone, he gave me. "Why do you care about this so much? Who gave it to you?"

He thought for a moment and took a deep breath. "Let's eat first and we will talk about it afterward alright?"

I just nodded because I felt hungry and heard my stomach grumble. I started eating in silence not looking at him; it was very delicious I wondered who cooked it. I could feel Derek's burning stare on me so I looked up and blushed, he wasn't eating he was just looking at me.

"What?" I asked, smiling.

"Nothing just contemplating."

I giggled. "I'm done eating and you're not eating so maybe now you can tell me about that stone of yours?" he seemed to keep getting lost in thoughts and it made me very curious.

"My Guardian...Kellen, found me when my parents died, I was still living with the neighbors. They hadn't taken me to the agency yet. I Ran away one day and Kellen found me alone in the woods and he took me in."

"Just like that? And you trusted a stranger?"

"I know it's weird but when I saw him it felt like I knew him, his face was so familiar and I felt safe around him. So when they took me to the agency and he asked to be my guardian I immediately said yes, and now I'm not regretting it. He is a mentor and a brother to me."

"Mentor?" I asked raising an eyebrow

"Yeah...I'll tell you why later on. Back to the stone." he pointed at it and I smiled.

"Earlier you said it was passed down to you by your ancestors."

"Yes, that is correct. As it turned out Kellen had been friends with my parents for a while before they passed. They had left it with him until a special day. Kellen gave me this stone the day I turned 15, and it changed my whole life, I felt different, it actually changed me."

"How can a stone change you?" I was super curious now, and it made me want to protect the stone even more.

"This stone is called Zerix, the legend of the stone is said to have magical properties. Once connected to my skin it woke something in me, something that was sleeping for a long time."

I was frowning and about to ask more questions when I heard a hard voice from behind us.

"Derek!"

I looked back and saw a tall broad man who was as good-looking as Derek but had greyish eyes, I assumed he was Kellen.

"Umm hi, sir," I said shyly.

He looked at me and nodded. "Hello, Lily."

He looked at Derek and I followed his gaze. I gasped as I saw Derek glaring at Kellen. He looked monstrous and scared the hell out of me. I frowned and coughed.

"Um, Derek?"

"I'll be right back," he said as he walked with Kellen to a small cabin not far from me.

Derek's POV:

"Really Kellen! What part of 'let me spend one night without supervision' was hard for you to do?"

"You were going to tell her for god's sake! Are you crazy?"

"That's not the point, we agreed I could get the night off if we came here! Why did you have to come out of the house?" I was so angry I could rip his throat out. "I can't believe you talked to me like that!"

Kellen was pacing the room back and forth. "Derek I've been teaching you everything for a few years now, I helped you keep your secret for so long I don't want you to endanger yourself! I already told you many times NOONE can know about you," he emphasized the word no one, which frustrated me even more.

"She has the right to know Kellen! Sylvia knew about you didn't she?"

"Yes, but you are not allowed to date, you said she was a friend. If she is a friend why tell her? You barely know the girl!"

"I like her alright? And if I want to be with her then I have to tell her everything."

"Listen to yourself!" he looked at me and noticed I wasn't wearing the stone he frowned, "Where is it?" he came so close to me we were standing toe to toe.

"In my room?"

"You're lying!"

I sighed. "Look she's been out there for too long I'm going to her we'll discuss this when she leaves."

I was making my way toward the closed door when he stopped me "For the last time Derek, where is your damn stone!" he was getting angry and I couldn't allow Lily to see him in such a state, it could get very ugly.

I pushed him away. "Dammit, Kellen! Lily is my soul mate! I gave her the stone and claimed her as mine! You can't change that anymore, no one can!" I yelled and opened the door furious but stepped back when I saw Lily looking at me with confusion clearly showing on her face.

"Lily." I whispered and reached to take her hand but she ran away.

Lily's POV:

I was sitting all by myself and was feeling uncomfortable, shifting in my chair as both their voices were getting higher every second. I took a deep breath and decided to go over there and stop their fighting, what a stupid move I did! I heard practically everything, I felt strange, betrayed in some kind of way but most of all I was in shock, and irritation took over me. I was about to leave when Derek came out and tried to take my hand with audacity. Of course, I felt attracted to him in ways my mind could not explain or even accept so without giving time to myself to have second thoughts I turned away from him and sprinted off.

Yes, I tried to run away from him and I really thought I would be able to get home before he could catch up with me. Yes, that is me all wrapped up in my perfect world. I groaned slightly as I felt strong arms wrapping around my waist and firmly making me stand my ground.

"Let me go, Derek!" I yelled as I kicked around trying to free myself from his strong grip.

"You're not going anywhere alone," he said in my ear and it was more of an order than anything else was which strangely made me still for a moment.

"I just want to go home, Derek! Please let me go I can't stay here anymore," I said pleadingly but all he did was tightening his hold around me. I sighed and looked up at him, eyes closed and head up, he looked like he was fighting something inside him it looked strange and scared me again pointing out what an idiot I've been to come here with him when I barely knew him.

"Derek?" I whispered hoping he would let go of me, his grip was starting to hurt me

"Derek please you're hurting me...I won't run just let go of me" I spoke rather gently that I was surprised my voice didn't break. I seemed in control but deep down I was freaking out with every bone in my body screaming at me telling me to kick him in the crotch and just bolt. But of course, I didn't.

After what looked like an eternity but was in fact a few minutes, Derek finally let go of me gently and slowly but still had a grip on my wrist, afraid I would run I assumed.

"Thank you. Now can you please let go of my hand let me go?" I said looking at him when I saw his green eyes snap open glaring at me, it was something...I couldn't explain how I felt. He felt dangerous and I hated it. I took a deep breath again, pulled my hand, and was surprised that he let me go.

"You really want to go home?" he asked me finally breaking that awkward silence and looking away from me.

"Yes I'd love to actually," I said feeling bad for ruining all his effort in making a perfect first date but it wasn't my fault. He confused me, confused everything in me or around me and what he said earlier gave me an odd feeling. I couldn't be his mate! I knew what that meant because I loved to read fantasy stories but that was it, they were all fantasies none of it existed, it wasn't real. I didn't' believe in soul mates it was...

"Okay...I'll take you then" he snapped me out of my thoughts and dragged me to his car. He was a bit aggressive but I didn't mind since I would get to get out of here.

I stayed silent for the whole ride trying not to look at him, which was very hard. Even though his eyes were darker and still had that murderer look in them, his lips forming a straight line the person was still pretty attractive. Alluring even. I shook my head at the thought and was glad we entered my bloc. Once in front of my house, I grasped the handle wanting to get out when he stopped me

"Will I see you again?" his voice was deep and full of pain which made me feel bad for my actions. I slapped my mind for pitying him and got out

"You'll see me at school other than that I'm not sure. Oh and um...Don't talk to me when you see me. Just ignore me" I slammed the door and practically ran to my house knowing he would follow. Oddly, he didn't and this confused me even more.

I locked the door, let my mom know I was home before going to my room and started crying like a baby. A few hours later I was ready to get to bed, I went to the vanity mirror to braid my hair and saw the stupid stone gleaming at me in the mirror. Aggressively I snatched it off and threw it across the room "Stupid necklace! Stupid stone! Stupid date!" I grumbled "Stupid Lily!!" I said the latter harshly before jumping in bed. The dreams realm welcomed me the minute my cheek got in contact with my pillow, which proved I was really worn out.

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