Fated to the Werewolf King
34: Lily

Maybe it was her imagination, but it felt as if Jayce was being distant with her all of a sudden. AfterDamion stopped her from spilling the news about her pregnancy, he'd been withdrawn. She knewthis too well by now. Something was on his mind and it was going against his better judgementagain. Maybe holding off until their wedding day to surprise him may not work after all. Yet whenshe wanted to tell him, he found some excuse to avoid her. He occupied himself at the pack houseto get the reception hall figured out, but that still left her with everything else to worry about.

"Hey babygirl." Nathan spoke up as he entered the living room. She was sitting on the floor withmagazines sprawled around her. One open to dresses, another to bouquets, another to cakes. Shehad a notepad with several venues written down, but none would take her last minute request, evenwith who she was marrying.

"Hey dad.” She replied, not removing her gaze from the mess around her. He sat on the couchbehind her.

"Did you get anywhere?" He asked her and she groaned loudly.

"No! Jayce won't give me his damn input for anything either. He's been avoiding me for the last fourdays and our wedding is in less than two weeks.” She rubbed her face, trying to force back her tears.Nathan picked up one of the magazines, looking it over before setting it back down.

"Why don't we go for a walk? Get your mind off of this for a little while." He suggested. She nodded,picking up her magazines and piled them on the table.

"Oh, let me make sure Elias is ready to go to." She said before hurrying off.

Once she got herself and Elias ready, they left the mansion behind and walked through the city.Maybe this would help her instead. She liked burying her face in a book, but getting out andactually getting it done would be far more sufficient.

"Oh, I heard that they have the Christmas tree up in the center of the city. Would you like to see?"Lily asked Elias as he walked between her and Nathan. He nodded, pulling her along.

"You remind me so much like your mother.” Nathan suddenly said. She glanced his way, seeing thenostalgic look in his eyes.

"I was so young when she passed away. What would she have done in my place?” She asked him asthey turned down a street. Lights hung over the streetlights, giving off a soft glow to the holidayspirit that everyone was sharing. Each shop and restaurant had Christmas decorations out, goingballs to the walls with trees, ornaments, garlands, etc

"Autumn wasn't afraid of a challenge. She'd take whatever was thrown at her and flip it to work outin her favor." He shrugged, but he was smiling at the thought of her. Lily continued to look around,making eye contact with a few pack members and waved shyly. They inclined their necks at her, butoverall there was no inclination of their approval. Had her message not really gotten through tothem after all?

After they crossed another street, a large park laid out before them, people walking along the pathsthat wove through it. Each tree had lights laced through its branches. As they followed one path in,they found a large pine tree sitting in the center of a stone walk way. The stone path wrappedaround the base of the tree. Several paths spiraled out from the center, each pathway lined with litup trees. The large pine tree shared the same lights intricately through its branches. A large glowingstar sat at the very top.

"It's absolutely gorgeous.” Lily complimented the breathtaking sight. Elias tugged on her sleeve,pointing at the bottom of the tree where a few other pups were playing. She recognized the She-Wolves from the other day and approached them cautiously.

"Hello. I'm sorry to intrude, but is it alright if Elias plays with your pups?” Lily asked politely. Thewomen smiled at her and nodded. Elias smiled brightly, turning back to Lily and handed overMomo. “I will guard him with my life." She salutes to him. He immediately shifts, tearing apart hisclothes and rushes off.

"He's got the shift down to a tee.” One of the women said as Lily and Nathan joined them.

"Oh, he won't stop shifting. After Jayce got back, he had to show it off right away.” Lily bragged abit, watching Elias from afar.

"Is Elias Jayce's son?" The other asked.

"Oh no. He's his younger brother. He's staying with us probably through the holidays now." Lily toldher.

"They look so alike. It makes sense that they were related.” The other replied. They all watched on asthe pups played in the snow.

"Oh, by the way Luna, how is the mating ceremony going?" One asked her. Lily let out a groaninvoluntarily. She gasped, covering her mouth. Nathan chuckled.

"She's a bit overwhelmed right now, but she's got it handled.” He responded for her. The womennodded in understanding, "Sorry, this is all new to me as well. I'm Nathan, Lily's father.” Heintroduced himself.

"Renee."

"Melanie." They exchanged, "Luna..."

"Please, just Lily. I'm not too much for formality.” Lily said. Melanie smiled at her, pushing her redhair out of her face, casting her eyes back out to the pups.

"Lily then. Can you tell us about the ceremony?" She asked her. Renee leaned forward, her darkbrown eyes lit with excitement.

"Oh, please! We need something to distract us from the sports and the last minute Christmasshopping.” Renee said. Lily half smiled, looking up at the tree.

"In all honesty, I'm lost.” Her eyes followed the lights, constantly getting tangled in the branches."Jayce is handling things for the reception, but with Christmas so close, I'm not getting anywherewith venues, dress shops and the like." Lily rubbed her temples. Nathan rubbed her back gently."That is tricky.” Renee said, letting out a sigh. Melanie clapped her hands together.

"We'll help you!" She said cheerfully.

"How?" She asked her. Renee hopped to her feet next.

"Our mom group that we're in. A few of their husband's own restaurants and shops. We can talk tothem tomorrow for you." Renee told her. Lily felt weight lift off of her shoulders.

"Really?" She asked, feeling a bit of doubt. Melanie kneeled down in front of Lily, taking her hands."Lily, you are our Luna. Our Queen. We all heard your interview. Some will remain quiet, but the restof us will stand with you.” She told her. Lily felt tears sting her eyes.

"Thank you so much.” She sniffled. Melanie leaned in close.

"By the way, how far along are you?" She asked. Lily gasped, staring at her. Renee winked at her."We have what you can say a sixth sense for this sort of thing.” Renee told her.

"Lily, is that true?" Nathan asked her. Lily wiped a stray tear from her cheek.

"Yeah. I found out four days ago.” She told him. She watched her father's eyes glisten with emotionas he hugged her. She let more tears flow this time.

"Does the Alpha know?" Melanie asked quietly as a couple walked passed them.

"No, I wanted to surprise him, but I don't know if I can wait.” She wiped her eyes. Melanie helpedwipe her eyes before taking her seat again.

"News like this is a huge deal. Not just for him, but for all of us." Melanie told her.

Great, nothing like more pressure.

"I wish there would be some way for everyone to see it happen.” Lily said, her eyes going back tothe tree. She inclined her head at it before inspiration hit her. "I got it!" She launched to her feet,"We'll have the wedding here." She turned back to them.

"Here?" Nathan asked as he looked around.

"In front of the tree. It's perfect. The area is large enough for everyone in the city to attend.” Shewas smiling, looking around at the lights.

"And it's already predecorated.” Melanie joined her. Renee only smiled. Nathan stood up, stretchinghis back.

"Alright, that knocks off the venue, the decorations and the audience.” He checked off for her. Lilysighed in relief.

"Leave the food to us.” Renee told her. Lily looked at the two She-Wolves, feeling respect for thewomen.

"I can't thank you enough for your help. If you two or even the mom's need anything at all, pleasedon't be afraid to ask.” Lily told them. The women shared a look and smirked.

"We want an invite to the baby shower.” Renee told her. Lily looked between them and let out alaugh.

"Absolutely." She told them. Lily looked back at the pups and let out a soft whistle. Elias looked up,his tail wagging as snow sprinkled his black coat. He barked at the other pups before running over.Her father picked up his tattered clothes.

"Is this what I get to look forward to as a grandpa?” He mumbled to himself. Lily giggled at him asshe picked up Elias’ Wolf form. She looked at the tree again, another thought coming to mind.

"I think we need a little touch of Christmas at home to. What do you think?" She asked Elias. Hegrowled softly in response. She waved farewell to the She-Wolves as she pulled out her phone."Damion, I need your truck.” She said.

"Am I already assisting with hiding bodies?" He joked.

"I'm not Erica.” She giggled. He chuckled.

"May I ask why?"

"l want to the decorate house.” She told him.

"Say no more, your majesty. I will meet you with your chariot.” He continued to joke before clearinghis throat, "I'll meet you in an hour. Your future husband is giving me a death glare.” He said.

"Wait. Is he okay?" She asked him. Elias was playfully nipping at Nathan's fingers.

"Okay as in?"

"He... He hasn't been talking to me the last few days." Her voice hitched a bit, "Has he said anythingto you at all?" She listened to Damion clear his throat.

"No, but I'll talk to him for you." He told her before hanging up. Lily looked at her phone beforelooking at her dad. He half smiled, rubbing her back again.

"Autumn would be very proud of you, Lily." He said to her. She smiled, nodding. She straightenedher shoulders, letting the strength of his Wolf work through her nerves.