Fated to the Werewolf King
30: Lily

Lily looked out the living room window to the night sky, snow gracefully falling. She had put Elias to sleep just a few hours ago, but she couldn't succumb to the sleep spell herself. It had been nearly a month since Jayce left and very little gain on his side. Not like she got far herself. With Elias staying there, she was so occupied with him and making sure he was happy and having a good time, she had kept pushing off her duties. Now she only had a few weeks left until the winter solstice and she was at square one.

She wrapped her arms around her knees, resting her chin on one. The position made her stomach uncomfortable. She sighed, releasing some pressure until her stomach finally settled down. That was her other problem. She hasn't been feeling well at all lately. She hasn't been able to eat as much, unable to sleep through the night. Her stomach had been stirring left and right, making her nauseous, but she pushed through it. She needed to.

She gazed down at her phone:

2:19AM

Another night and no call. Her dark thoughts were creeping back from the shadows she tucked them away to. She needed to remain strong, but it was getting harder the longer he was away. She reached up, touching the Mark on her neck. Heat slithered through her fingers, warming her instantly.

"Jayce... I miss you. I wish you were home." She whispered, tear drops dripping from her chin. "I'm struggling on the home front. I feel like I'm failing you... Would it be so much easier if you had someone of your own species? Someone that can make you and your people happy instantly?” Silence. She sniffled, removing her hand. A low, deep grow! bounced off the walls of her mind. She nearly fell off the couch. Peering around, there was no one else in the dark room aside from her. The growl seemed familiar though, so she didn't feel frightened by it.

"Hello?" She called out, worried about waking Elias upstairs. It was quiet again. She got up, pacing the room carefully. Another low growl pierced through her, this one made her sex tremble. She gasped, dropping to her hands and knees. Heat ran along her ass and over her hips. It crawled up her back and down her arms. She shuddered, but she wasn't scared. She recognized this feeling anywhere.

"Jayce?" She called out, forcing herself to her knees and made her way back to the couch. The next growl made her shut her eyes. Crimson eyes stared back. She opened her eyes, looking around, but she was still alone. She closed her eyes again, taking a deep breath. This time there was an outline to these crimson eyes. It didn't take shape of a human form, but that of a Wolf.

"It's you.” She said as the large black Wolf stepped closer. His nose came down, rubbing against her face. She smiled, surprised at how real he felt.

He misses you to.

His voice was around her instead of in her head now. She can still feel the tears streaming down her face. The Wolf laid down in front of her, his head leveled with hers.

"I feel like I'm failing him. There's so much happening and the date is coming soon." She sniffled, wiping her eyes. He huffed, his exhale blowing her hair a bit.

It all sounds tedious.

He yawned, flicking his tail.

"I guess, but I want to make Jayce happy.” She touched the Mark again, "That's why I tackled all of this. I want him to be proud of what I can accomplish.” She said to him. The Wolf inclined his head. He is proud of you. He may not be able to call you every night to remind you, but he's torn and weak.

"Torn and weak?" She asked him. He shut his eyes and for a moment, Lily heard the sound of crashing waves on a shore line. The sea salt filled her nose, nearly making her choke. Her surroundings changed to crystal clear sky and a small beach. She looked around in awe until she noticed a lone figure sitting on the beach. She recognized his portrait easily.

"Jayce!" She screamed, and for a moment he flinched, looking around. The Wolf got up, walking across the sand, yet left no prints.

This is what is happening through my vision.

Lily followed him as Jayce looked back out over the water. He wore a shirt and jeans, his hair tussled from the gentle breeze the waves pulled in. She sighed at the sight of him. She sat beside him, running her hand over the sand, but not feeling a single grain. It all looked so real, yet none of it felt real. The Wolf laid down behind them, curling a bit. She can just barely feel Jayce's warmth, even though he wasn't physically with her.

Your bond is exceptional.

The Wolf lain his head down on his paws. Lily let out a breath, closing her eyes as she savored this moment with him. Jayce inhaled deeply, his eyes dilating as he glanced in her direction.

"Lily..." she opened her eyes to see his so close. She blushed as she stared back into his eyes. "I can smell you." He let out a soft growl. His Wolf let out a huff in response. Jayce's brows came together before he sat back, looking back out over the water, "I'll be coming home... I won't have any good news either...” Lily frowned at his words.

So it was a bust after all.

Lily got to her knees, moving behind him and wrapped her arms around his neck. Jayce stiffened as she embraced him. She imagined the softness of his hair, his strong form. She pictured his confidence, his aura of power, his devotion to his people. For a moment, she felt her cheek brush against his hair, the smell of fresh rain clouding her senses. Jayce reached up and placed a hand over hers. She could almost feel him now. He felt so close even with being so far away.

"It's okay.” She whispered to him. His hand tightened, "I told you before. My feelings for you will never change. I am yours, now and forever." She kissed his cheek softly, "If you want to come home, then come home. We'll tackle this together, just like Rayne and Gideon." She said. He chuckled softly.

"I'll be strong for you, for the both of us.” She squeezed her hold on him before letting go. She looked back at his Wolf who was observing her.

You'll make a great Queen.

His words gave her strength she didn't know existed. She balled up her fists, finding her resolve. "Fuck 'em.” She stated. The Wolf inclined his head, "Why do a bunch of Alphas have to decide the love between people?” She punched her palm, "If they can't accept me because I'm human, then we'll make them accept our love then.” She said determinedly. His Wolf rose to his feet, rubbing his muzzle against her face.

I will help you.

Lily's eyes fluttered open, the dark living room filling her vision. She found herself laying on the floor, snow still falling from the sky. The warmth from Jayce still lingered on her skin, confirming her suspicion that it wasn't just a dream. She got up and stretched. She had a long night ahead of her. "You want to do an interview?" Erica asked her for the third time. Damion was playing with Elias in the garden. Though he was shifted into his Wolf form, Elias had no issue playing a little rough with the Beta. Elias had eased up since staying with her, but they still had some ways to go before he can truly trust her. She wasn't in any hurry though.

"Yes. If the people are going to get to know me, this will be the fastest way.” She said, but it didn't stop her stomach from doing flips. She had never done a televised interview before, but first she has to be sure to land one.

Damion rolled in the snow with Elias, shaking the powder from his fur. Elias laughed carelessly, throwing more snow onto him. Lily watched the two interact, unable to stop herself from imagining Jayce in his place with their own child. Would he be just as playful?

"If you're sure. I'll give the station a call real quick and see if they can fit you in." She said before heading inside. Lily walked over to Elias as he tried to form a ball to start a snowman. Damion pushed snow together for him.

"Would you like some help, Elias?" She asked as she knelt down. Elias looked between her and his snowball. He nodded and she helped pile the snow around it, patting down. Damion nudged her with his nose. He finally stopped acting weird towards her after he Marked Erica.

"What is it?" She asked him as he sat down beside her. He started to shift, and Lily averted her gaze. "You sure doing an interview will be smart?" He asked her. She let out a sigh as her nausea settled in. She sat back, rubbing her stomach.

"It's a start at least.” She told him. He inclined his head as he sat bare ass naked in the snow.

"You need to be careful though. News reporters are Wolves, not just literally. They will devour you if you have a moment of hesitation. I just hope you're ready.” He told her before shifting back and pushing over more snow. That would be her downfall if she didn't tread carefully.

A short time later, Erica stepped back outside. Lily was helping Elias put the second snowball on top of the first one.

"Great news, she's all for it. Bad news, she wants you there now." She said, tapping her watch. Lily frowned, looking down at herself. She didn't have the time to get changed. She brushed off the snow and looked down at Elias.

"Hey, would you like to come with me? We can go to the park when we're done.” She smiled at him. His ears perked at the mention of a park and quickly got to his feet. He rushed over to the table where Momo sat. Erica walked over to Damion with his clothes.

"We'll meet you at the truck.” Erica threw back at her as Damion shifted back. Lily walked with Elias through the house. She knelt down in front of him, zipping up his jacket and helped settle his hat on his head. She reached into her back pocket and pulled out a tiny hat.

"I bought one for Momo." She said, holding her hand out for the toy. Elias’ eyes widened as he passed his toy to her. She fit the tiny beanie on it before passing it back over, "There. Now Momo will be warm, just like you." She smiled at him. Elias looked at Momo for a moment before hugging her. She hesitated, taken aback by his sign of affection. She slowly hugged him back.

"Ready." Damion said, looking surprised as he noticed Elias hugging Lily. She smiled at him, trying to push the tears back. This meant so much for her.

"We're ready to.” She told him as Elias released her, running over to Damion. She was more than ready.

The reporter that Lily had met a little too much now was the one that asked to interview her. Lily sat across from her, her nausea hitting its peak, but she forced it all down. She needed to get through this. She needed to do this for Jayce. She shut her eyes, feeling his Wolf's strength coursing through her veins.

Breathe.

She took a deep breath and slowly exhaled, steadying her heart and stomach. She was ready. "We're live in 3..2...1.." the man behind the camera pointed toward the reporter. Her straightface lit up instantly with a bright smile, her curls bouncing on her shoulders.

"Good afternoon, this is Velma bringing you the interview of a lifetime.” The camera panned over to Lily and she smiled with a light wave. "Our own future Luna has graced us all with her presence. Thank you for joining us today."

"Thank you for having me on such short notice.” Lily smiled at her. Velma continued to smile, but it seemed so forced. Her eyes roamed over Lily's clothes.

"My, you look quite cozy." She said. Lily glanced down at her slightly oversized sweater that was Jayce's and jeans. Her hair was in soft waves over her shoulders.

"I apologize for not being more presentable, but I feel more comfortable this way." She said, still smiling.

"No worries at all. Now, how about we jump straight to the interview?" She picked up a stack of note cards that were next to her on a small round table. Lily's heart started to beat slightly faster. "I'm ready when you are.” She said.

"Good. Now, since you made your official grand appearance at the summer soltice, is it really true of what happened to you?" She asked her. Lily's chest tightened up.

"Of course. I wouldn't lie about that.” She said, trying not to be on the defensive. This wasn't her territory after all.

"How can we be so sure?" She asked her, raising a brow. Lily looked down at her hands, clenching and unclenching them before rolling up her sleeves to show off her scars. Some of the crew let out soft gasps, but Velma didn't look pleased yet.

"Are you sure those were not self inflicted?” She asked her. Lily heard his Wolf grow! angrily.

"If they were, then exposing myself in front of the entire pack would have been for nothing.” Lily touched her chest, “I opened up about something that I was determined to take to my grave." Her eyes softened, "But Jayce showed me such kindness, such warmth. He accepted my battered soul and healed it." She smiled lightly.

"Does that mean you took advantage of our Alpha?” She asked her. Lily's heart stopped. Took advantage of him? Is that what she did? "Bringing up the subject of our Alpha, he's a dignified man, proud and honorable.” Velma swooned as she talked about him. Lily felt the ugly feeling bubble in her chest.

Don't let her get to you.

His Wolf whispered to her and she took a deep breath. Lily smiled happily.

"You're right. He is honorable and proud. I've never met a man like him, it makes me so happy to be his Mate.” She made eye contact with Velma. A vein pulsed in her forehead.

"Speaking about being his Mate, is it true that he's very well endowed down below?" She asked with a slight smirk. Lily felt her cheeks grow hot.

"Excuse me?"

"He's the Werewolf King. From his many lovers that he's taken prior to you, he's very well experienced.” Velma informed her. Hearing about Jayce's passed endeavors wasn't news to her. She knew he had far more experience under his belt than she did, but it still bothered her on how Velma said it.

Lily...

She listened to his Wolf as he purred in her mind. She reached up and rested her hand over the necklace that Jayce gave her. She could almost smell the fresh rain she had come to know so well. She smiled to herself.

"From your question, it comes to my understanding that you were not one of his past lovers." Lily said to her. Velma flinched suddenly, "Let me make this clear for you once and for all.” She faced toward the camera. "I know being human isn't natural in this community. You have so much history, so much potential. It would take me years and I still probably wouldn't scratch the surface.”

"Lily..." Velma attempted to disrupt her, but she shot her a look.

"But I want to learn, I want to grow with this knowledge." She focused back on the camera. "I want to think of you all as my family. You may not support me, but I support you." She rolled up her sleeves, showing off her scars to the camera, "For those who are not happy. Who are scared to fight their own monsters. Who can't speak up. Let me be your voice. Let me be that person you can rely on."

"Turn off the camera.” Velma told the cameraman. Lily met his gaze head on and he hesitated. He kept the camera rolling.

"I don't know what it means to be in a pack, but I ask for your guidance. All I wish is to make you all proud.” She inclined her head. The cameraman cut the line, lowering the camera and stared at Lily for a long moment. The whole crew was staring. She could feel her heart slamming against her chest. One by one they each inclined their necks at her. She stared dumbstruck as she moved her eyes around the room until they stopped on Velma. She had her note cards crumbled up in her hand, staring daggers at Lily. She rolled her sleeves back down, turning to the producer.

"Thank you for having me. I'll be leaving now.” She headed for the exit before stopping and looking back at him, "I'll do more interviews with you, but Velma is no longer allowed to interview me or Alpha Jayce anymore." She met Velma's shocked expression one last time before leaving the building.

You did well,, my Queen.

Hearing his Wolf praise her made tears come to her eyes. She felt so relieved that it was over, but she worried about the aftermath

As she reached the main floor, Lily found Damion playing with Elias and Erica was pacing back and forth. When she met her best friend's eyes, Erica beamed a beautiful smile and bone rushed her. "You crazy ass woman. That was amazing!" She cheered for her, hugging her hard. Lily let out a weak laugh.

"I'm shaking, Erica." She held up her trembling hands. Erica grabbed them and clapped them together. Damion walked over with Elias sitting on his shoulders.

"That was super ballsy. Kudos. To the park?" Damion asked the question toward Elias. He nodded, playing with Damion’s hair. Erica linked her hand with Lily's.

"You're so strong. I'll be sure to thank Jayce when he gets back.” She said to her. Lily smiled at that. Lily sat on a bench off to the side as Damion took Elias to the playground where other Wolf pups were. She watched as he hid behind Damion as the others tried to sniff him. She frowned, worried that they might judge him for not having shifted like they were. Erica walked over, handing her a steaming cup. Lily smelled hot chocolate instantly.

"What's the next plan?” She asked as she sat beside her. Lily sipped her drink, letting out a blissful sigh. Her stomach was still stirring, even after the live interview.

"I want to focus on the wedding now.” She said as she sat back.

"But don't you still need the approval of the Alphas?” Erica reminded her. Lily let out a groan, checking her phone. No message from Jayce again.

"Yeah. Should I have gone with him? Would it have been more productive?" She asked her. Damion made his way back over and sat on the other side of Erica. Lily watched Elias run around with the other children, laughing. She smiled to herself.

"It would have been a difficult call, but having Jayce leave you behind was a smart choice.” Erica told her, snuggling against Damion. He wrapped his arm around her, kissing her hair.

"I feel like I can still contribute though.” She peered down at her phone, "Damion, can you call Jayce and set up a conference with him and the other Alphas for tonight?” Lily asked him. Damion raised a brow at her as he pulled his phone out.

"I can try." He got up and walked off as he made his call. Shouting drew the women's attention to the playground as two Wolf pups had Momo between their teeth and were pulling on it. Elias was crying, begging them to stop. Other She-Wolves looked over, unsure of what was happening, but Lily didn't hesitate. She bolted out of her seat, dropping her drink in the process. She had the need to protect Elias, to save his toy.

RIP!

Momo tore in half, his stuffing piling onto the snow. The two Wolf pups had their ears laid back and staring at Elias with their tails between their legs. Lily heard others approach them, but soft snarling startled her. She peered down at Elias as he hunched over, his body shaking. He was whimpering and snarling, something he'd never done before.

"Elias? Are you okay?" She rested her hand on his back. Time seemed to slow down as his clothes tore beneath her hand, black fur sprouting from under it. Her eyes widened as Elias continued to snarl, his body shaking hard. Her eyes went to Momo, still being held by the two Wolf pups.

"Can you let that go, please?" She asked them. They dropped it, backing away slowly. She reached over to pick up Momo when Elias lashed out, burying his fangs in her arm. She gasped, letting out a yell.

"Lily!" Erica shouted, running over. The She-Wolves scooped up their Wolf pups, stepping away from them. Lily looked down at Elias, his eyes wild. She reached over and brushed her fingers through his fur. His ears laid back and his eyes finally refocused. He released her arm, fear setting in as he looked up at her. He started to whimper and cry, but she continued to comb her fingers through his fur.

"It's okay, Elias. It's okay." She said softly, hoping her words would soothe him. Elias started to how! like he was sobbing his eyes out. Lily showed him Momo.

"I can fix him. Would you like that?" She asked him. His ears twitched, so she took it as a good sign. Damion came running over, sliding up beside her.

"I'll call up Felix." He told her as he was already dialing. Lily nodded and looked back to Elias. She opened her arms to him. He hesitated, looking at her with his tail buried between his legs.

"Let's go home, okay?" She said. Elias whined, moving into her space. She cradled him in her arms and stood up. "I'm sorry for the trouble.” Lily apologized to the She-Wolves.

"Is he okay?" One asked as her Wolf pup peered around her.

"He'll be okay. This was his first shift, so he's probably just scared more than anything.” Lily told her. Erica walked around and picked up Elias" tattered clothes.

"Luna, you handled that so well." The other woman said, picking up the stuffing that was in the snow and handed it over, "You have our support.” She told her. Lily smiled at her before heading back home. Elias snuggled against her chest, his breathing finally evened out. She rubbed her cheek against his nose. This felt... right.

Sᴇarch the FindNovel.net website on G𝘰𝘰gle to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.