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 tosleep just a few hours ago, but she couldn't succumb to the sleep spell herself. It had been nearly amonth since Jayce left and very little gain on his side. Not like she got far herself. With Elias stayingthere, she was so occupied with him and making sure he was happy and having a good time, shehad kept pushing off her duties. Now she only had a few weeks left until the winter solstice and shewas at square one.

She wrapped her arms around her knees, resting her chin on one. The position made her stomachuncomfortable. She sighed, releasing some pressure until her stomach finally settled down. That washer 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 hernauseous, 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 tuckedthem away to. She needed to remain strong, but it was getting harder the longer he was away. Shereached up, touching the Mark on her neck. Heat slithered through her fingers, warming herinstantly.

"Jayce... I miss you. I wish you were home." She whispered, tear drops dripping from her chin. "I'mstruggling on the home front. I feel like I'm failing you... Would it be so much easier if you hadsomeone 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. Shenearly fell off the couch. Peering around, there was no one else in the dark room aside from her. Thegrowl 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, pacingthe room carefully. Another low growl pierced through her, this one made her sex tremble. Shegasped, dropping to her hands and knees. Heat ran along her ass and over her hips. It crawled upher back and down her arms. She shuddered, but she wasn't scared. She recognized this feelinganywhere.

"Jayce?" She called out, forcing herself to her knees and made her way back to the couch. The nextgrowl made her shut her eyes. Crimson eyes stared back. She opened her eyes, looking around, butshe was still alone. She closed her eyes again, taking a deep breath. This time there was an outlineto 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 herface. 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 herface. 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 ofthis. 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 andweak.

"Torn and weak?" She asked him. He shut his eyes and for a moment, Lily heard the sound ofcrashing waves on a shore line. The sea salt filled her nose, nearly making her choke. Hersurroundings changed to crystal clear sky and a small beach. She looked around in awe until shenoticed 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, walkingacross 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 tussledfrom 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 feltreal. The Wolf laid down behind them, curling a bit. She can just barely feel Jayce's warmth, eventhough 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 thismoment 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 cansmell you." He let out a soft growl. His Wolf let out a huff in response. Jayce's brows came togetherbefore he sat back, looking back out over the water, "I'll be coming home... I won't have any goodnews 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 asshe embraced him. She imagined the softness of his hair, his strong form. She pictured hisconfidence, his aura of power, his devotion to his people. For a moment, she felt her cheek brushagainst his hair, the smell of fresh rain clouding her senses. Jayce reached up and placed a handover 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 willnever 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 chuckledsoftly.

"I'll be strong for you, for the both of us.” She squeezed her hold on him before letting go. Shelooked 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, replaceing her resolve."Fuck 'em.” She stated. The Wolf inclined his head, "Why do a bunch of Alphas have to decide thelove between people?” She punched her palm, "If they can't accept me because I'm human, thenwe'll make them accept our love then.” She said determinedly. His Wolf rose to his feet, rubbing hismuzzle against her face.

I will help you.

Lily's eyes fluttered open, the dark living room filling her vision. She found herself laying on thefloor, snow still falling from the sky. The warmth from Jayce still lingered on her skin, confirming hersuspicion 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 inthe garden. Though he was shifted into his Wolf form, Elias had no issue playing a little rough withthe Beta. Elias had eased up since staying with her, but they still had some ways to go before he cantruly 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'tstop her stomach from doing flips. She had never done a televised interview before, but first she hasto 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 imaginingJayce 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 beforeheading inside. Lily walked over to Elias as he tried to form a ball to start a snowman. Damionpushed snow together for him.

"Would you like some help, Elias?" She asked as she knelt down. Elias looked between her and hissnowball. He nodded and she helped pile the snow around it, patting down. Damion nudged herwith 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 settledin. 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 ifyou have a moment of hesitation. I just hope you're ready.” He told her before shifting back andpushing 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 topof the first one.

"Great news, she's all for it. Bad news, she wants you there now." She said, tapping her watch. Lilyfrowned, looking down at herself. She didn't have the time to get changed. She brushed off thesnow 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 tablewhere 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 Eliasthrough the house. She knelt down in front of him, zipping up his jacket and helped settle his haton 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 hepassed his toy to her. She fit the tiny beanie on it before passing it back over, "There. Now Momowill be warm, just like you." She smiled at him. Elias looked at Momo for a moment before huggingher. 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, tryingto 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 thanready.

The reporter that Lily had met a little too much now was the one that asked to interview her. Lily satacross from her, her nausea hitting its peak, but she forced it all down. She needed to get throughthis. She needed to do this for Jayce. She shut her eyes, feeling his Wolf's strength coursing throughher 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 litup 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 toLily 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 itseemed 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 wasJayce'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, stillsmiling.

"No worries at all. Now, how about we jump straight to the interview?" She picked up a stack ofnote 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 ofwhat 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 herterritory after all.

"How can we be so sure?" She asked her, raising a brow. Lily looked down at her hands, clenchingand unclenching them before rolling up her sleeves to show off her scars. Some of the crew let outsoft 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.” Lilytouched her chest, “I opened up about something that I was determined to take to my grave." Hereyes softened, "But Jayce showed me such kindness, such warmth. He accepted my battered souland healed it." She smiled lightly.

"Does that mean you took advantage of our Alpha?” She asked her. Lily's heart stopped. Tookadvantage 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 inher 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 behis 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 witha 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 wellexperienced.” Velma informed her. Hearing about Jayce's passed endeavors wasn't news to her. Sheknew he had far more experience under his belt than she did, but it still bothered her on how Velmasaid it.

Lily...

She listened to his Wolf as he purred in her mind. She reached up and rested her hand over thenecklace 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." Lilysaid to her. Velma flinched suddenly, "Let me make this clear for you once and for all.” She facedtoward 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 wantto think of you all as my family. You may not support me, but I support you." She rolled up hersleeves, showing off her scars to the camera, "For those who are not happy. Who are scared to fighttheir own monsters. Who can't speak up. Let me be your voice. Let me be that person you can relyon."

"Turn off the camera.” Velma told the cameraman. Lily met his gaze head on and he hesitated. Hekept 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 allproud.” She inclined her head. The cameraman cut the line, lowering the camera and stared at Lilyfor a long moment. The whole crew was staring. She could feel her heart slamming against herchest. One by one they each inclined their necks at her. She stared dumbstruck as she moved hereyes around the room until they stopped on Velma. She had her note cards crumbled up in herhand, 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 lookingback at him, "I'll do more interviews with you, but Velma is no longer allowed to interview me orAlpha Jayce anymore." She met Velma's shocked expression one last time before leaving thebuilding.

You did well,, my Queen.

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

As she reached the main floor, Lily found Damion playing with Elias and Erica was pacing back andforth. 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 aweak laugh.

"I'm shaking, Erica." She held up her trembling hands. Erica grabbed them and clapped themtogether. 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 pupswere. She watched as he hid behind Damion as the others tried to sniff him. She frowned, worriedthat they might judge him for not having shifted like they were. Erica walked over, handing her asteaming 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 blissfulsigh. 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. Damionmade his way back over and sat on the other side of Erica. Lily watched Elias run around with theother children, laughing. She smiled to herself.

"It would have been a difficult call, but having Jayce leave you behind was a smart choice.” Erica toldher, 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 Jayceand set up a conference with him and the other Alphas for tonight?” Lily asked him. Damion raiseda 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 tothe playground as two Wolf pups had Momo between their teeth and were pulling on it. Elias wascrying, begging them to stop. Other She-Wolves looked over, unsure of what was happening, butLily didn't hesitate. She bolted out of her seat, dropping her drink in the process. She had the needto 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 andstaring at Elias with their tails between their legs. Lily heard others approach them, but soft snarlingstartled her. She peered down at Elias as he hunched over, his body shaking. He was whimperingand 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 clothestore beneath her hand, black fur sprouting from under it. Her eyes widened as Elias continued tosnarl, 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 reachedover to pick up Momo when Elias lashed out, burying his fangs in her arm. She gasped, letting out ayell.

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

"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. Sheopened 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 armsand 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 thesnow and handed it over, "You have our support.” She told her. Lily smiled at her before headingback home. Elias snuggled against her chest, his breathing finally evened out. She rubbed her cheekagainst his nose. This felt... right.