Fated to the Werewolf King
45: Nathan

When did Lily become so grown up?

His little girl was speaking to a group of She-Wolves after their dinner wrapped up. He knew thatshe was a people pleaser, but this atmosphere that surrounds her now is of something much higherthan himself. Even Erica was taking part and she could care less about formal parties, that's just howshe was. Yet here they both were, still together after all this time.

Nathan scanned the room of these diplomatic leaders and stepped out. He didn't belong there, hejust couldn't see himself fitting in. Instead he looked for the young Wolf that he had grown fond ofrecently. Elias. The boy always had this energy that never seemed to end, and his imagination wasoverwhelming. He reminded him so much of Lily at that age. Always seeking for adventure, lookingfor something new and exciting. Just like her mother once was. Oh how he wished Autumn washere. To see their little girl all grown up, getting married and having a baby. Autumn would've beenover the moon.

He stepped into the kitchen, thinking he'd replace the pup snacking when he replaces Jayce sitting at thecounter alone, pouring a shot of bourbon. He glanced up.

"Nathan, care for a glass?" He asked him. Nathan took a seat across from his soon to be son-in-law."Please." He said as Jayce turned around to fetch another glass. The man was massive. He had to bepushing six foot five, his muscles practically bursting through his maroon button up. When heturned back around, he met Nathan's gaze.

"You alright?" He asked him as he poured his shot and slid the glass over to him. Nathan stareddown at it, tapping his finger against the glass.

"It amazes me how well she's fitting in with all of this." Nathan said finally, downing the drink. Itburned his throat, making him cough and his cheeks flare up. Jayce downed his, uneffected by thealcohols influence.

"It's just for show. She's clearly uncomfortable, but she won't admit it." Jayce told him as he pouredanother glass

"Why does she go through with it then?" Nathan asked him, declining the next pour. Jayce swirledhis drink, the corner of his mouth lifted slightly.

"She's trying to prove to them and to herself that she can handle it." Jayce downed his drink beforesetting the glass aside.

"She's like her mother.” Nathan mentioned, sitting back a bit on his stool. Jayce raised a brow atthat.

"She hasn't talked about her mother with me. Did they have a bad relationship?" Jayce asked him.Nathan smiled sadly.

"Not exactly.” Nathan said as he rested his chin on his palm, "Lily was so fond of Autumn. Hermother was a free spirit. She always craved for adventure.” He smiled sadly, "I just never craved thesame thing." He peered over to his empty glass and pushed it back over to Jayce. The man pouredhim a drink, sliding it back over.

"What happened to her?" Jayce asked him. Nathan downed the drink, letting the liquid scorch histhroat. He winced slightly.

"Car accident.” Nathan ran a hand through his hair, "We separated and she was moving back toVirginia with her parents.” He felt his mood darken, "It took me almost three days to tell Lily whathad happened.”

"I'm sorry." Jayce said, but Nathan shook his head.

"Life just sucks that way. I guess that's why I was always a helicopter parent with Lily. I was scaredthat God was going to take her away from me next.” He pushed his glass back to Jayce, but the manheld onto it with no intention of giving it back.

"It's true that life can be harsh at times, always testing your limits,” Jayce's eyes shifted to thedoorway where the women were laughing. The man's eyes softened a bit, "but it's during thosetimes when those moments matter the most.” Jayce got up from his seat, putting the bourbon awayand setting the glasses in the sink.

"I think she met someone before we had Lily." Nathan blurted out. He watched Jayce shoot a glancetoward him. He sat back down across from him, "Sorry, it's probably the alcohol.” He tried to makean excuse for the outburst.

"Noted. What makes you think she saw someone?" Jayce asked him curiously. Something about hisdemeanor seemed a little... off, but he couldn't place as to why. Nathan dropped his gaze to thecounter.

"We were pretty young at the time when I got a job in New York. She didn't want to leave her homestate to move with me. I would be making enough money to be comfortable for the both of us.”Nathan inclined his head when he heard Lily laugh from the other room.

"Making decisions like that would strain any relationship. You obviously worked it out in the end.”Jayce told him. Nathan smiled weakly.

"Yes, but I still had a gut feeling. We took time apart, and she didn't communicate with me foralmost two months.” Nathan sat up a bit straighter, feeling the heat in his cheeks from the liquor. "Iguess I just took it as a sign that if I didn't meet her half way, I might lose her entirely.” Nathanblinked before rubbing the back of his neck, "Damn, look at me. You should get back before you'remissed.” Nathan got off his stool, making sure to have his bearings. Jayce rolled up his sleeves,revealing his tattoos.

"I'm the last person anyone should talk to about relationships since I never truly had one. At least,until Lily arrived." Jayce's eyes softened again when he mentioned his daughter. He could see howmuch this man truly cared about her. He knew from that look alone that he can trust Lily to him."But from what I can understand from what you said, Autumn needed her own space. If she didn'tlove you, she would have never come back to you. So if there was someone else, you were thebetter option." Jayce stood up to his towering full height, "Besides, you both created one beautifulwoman, so I'm not complaining.” Jayce complimented. Nathan grumbled a bit at that, making hissoon to be son-in-law chuckle.

Gasps sounded from the next room as the front door opened and shut, heels tapping against themarble tiles. Jayce immediately growled and left Nathan alone in the kitchen. He took a few deepbreaths to steady himself before following after him. Crowding the foyer were the Alphas and Lunas,along with Damion, Erica and Lily. The men appeared on edge for some reason as Nathan walkedup, and Erica was standing in front of Lily like she was acting as a shield. When he finally managedto get a glimpse past several arms, Nathan immediately recognized a woman, Penelope, but it wasthe man next to her that caused Nathan's blood to boil. Jayce's father, Derek, was standing in thecenter of it all, his face worn down and looking sluggish compared to his business self he presentedto them several days ago over breakfast. This was the same bastard that tried to kill his little girl."Derek!" Lily exclaimed finally, pushing past Erica and embraced the man. Everyone was taken abackby her actions, even her fiancé was unsure on how to respond. Derek looked down at her confusedbefore he very slowly hugged her back. Nathan blew up.

"Release my daughter!" He shouted, making everyone turn toward him. He stomped past the wall ofWolves, ready to throw a punch when Lily let Derek go and stood in front of him.

"Dad, you need to calm down." She tried to coax him into backing down, but he wasn't having it.With the liquor fueling him, he pushed Lily aside and punched Derek square in the jaw. A throbbingpain and an audible crack came from his hand. Penelope gasped, stepping away from the violentmove. Lily grabbed Nathan's arm before he could launch his other hand at him. Derek rubbed hisjaw, but he didn't even flinch from the impact.

"How could you be defending him after what he did?" He shouted at her. Lily stared wide eyed athim. He very rarely raised his voice at her, but this time he had a damn good reason. He pulled hisarm free, but this time a large hand grabbed him and pulled him away. Nathan glanced back to seeJayce restraining him.

"Derek saved my life." Lily said, and he met her gaze, "Lukas was ready to kill me, but Derekprotected me. If it wasn't for him, I wouldn't be here. We wouldn't be here.” She rested her hands onher belly. The whole room fell quiet as shocked expressions covered most of the faces.

"WHAT?" the Lunas shouted at once. Lily blinked, looking to Jayce as he let out a sigh. He let Nathango, but stayed right behind him.

"We're expecting our first child.” He announced to them all. Nathan looked around at their faces,the women smiling immediately. The Alphas nodded, appearing pleased with the news, butNathan's eyes went to Derek. He was looking at Lily with a tender expression, it only angered himmore.

"So, that's it? You just forgave him even after what he did to you?" Nathan asked her. Lily looked ather father, stepping closer to him and frowned.

"How much did you have to drink?" She asked him, but he waved her question dismissively.

"And you? You're okay with that?" He turned toward Jayce. He cocked a brow down at him, foldinghis arms over his broad chest.

"If Lily can see past Derek's mistakes," he paused, shifting his gaze away uncomfortably for amoment, "then I'm going to respect her decision.” Jayce glimpsed toward Lily. Nathan lookedbetween them, shaking his head.

"I'm sorry, but I can't respect that." He stepped away from the group.

"Dad." Lily called to him, but he ignored her as he went up the stairs. He couldn't be in the sameroom, let alone under the same roof as that man. As he walked down the hall toward his room, heheard running footsteps and glanced back to see Lily running after him.

"How could you think that it's okay to forgive someone that tried to kill you so easily?" He asked heras he stopped in front of his room. Lily stopped a few feet away, looking at him perplexed.

"You're the one that taught me to forgive those that need it most. Derek was misguided.” Shepeered over her shoulder, lowering her voice, "There's more going on, dad. If you just listen to me, Ican explain everything that happened.”

"You can't just forgive someone for trying to kill you, Lily. It's not right.” Nathan raked his fingersthrough his hair, "If you keep to your decision, I'll be leaving first thing.” He told her before openinghis door and closing it behind himself and locked it. He could hear Lily pounding on the door andcalling out to him, but he refused to answer her. He grabbed his suitcase and started packing. A partof him blamed the alcohol in his system. He knew he was a lightweight, but he wasn't expecting thealtercation like this to arise so suddenly.

Another knock came, heavier than before. Nathan thought it was Jayce and he was tempted toanswer it, but even the King of Werewolves couldn't change his mind. So he continued packing untileverything was in the case and sat on his bed. The knock came again, this time followed by a deepvoice that he wasn't expecting.

"Mr. Thornstun, I believe it's time we had a talk.” Derek spoke up from the other side of the door.Nathan jumped up immediately, letting his anger move him to unlock and throw open the door.Derek peered down at him with his silver eyes. He looked more exhausted than intimidating. Nathanbrought up his sore fist again, but this time Derek held up a hand. He gestured down the hall whereNathan spotted Lily hovering. She looked worried. Nathan felt a ping in his chest when he looked ather. Eventually he stepped aside and let Derek into the room, shutting the door behind him.

"You have some nerve for coming here." Nathan grumbled at him.

"You're right." Derek said, interrupting the racing thoughts of rage Nathan had started to build upto counter whatever Derek had to say, "I don't deserve Lily's forgiveness in any way. What I did wasinexcusable, and I wish I could take it back.” Derek faced him, but not until his eyes drifted across apicture of Autumn that Nathan accidently forgot to pack. Derek reached over, picking it up and ranhis fingers over the picture slowly. He appeared to be admiring her.

"Put her down." Nathan told him and Derek listened.

"Autumn was my Mate at one point.” Derek said suddenly. The wheels in Nathan's head came to asquealing halt at his words, "It was by chance that I came in contact with her." Derek's eyes roamedthe room, "She mentioned that she was engaged, so I never forced myself upon her. I respected herspace because she was in a tight situation.” Derek finally settled his eyes on him again. Nathan feltthe anger slowly evaporate from his nerves at the mention of this. He knew something had gone on,but to actually have it confirmed by the very man himself.

"She finally told me that you two had come to a compromise,” Derek's eyes grew dark and sad, "butshe couldn't decide what path to take. So I decided for her." Derek finally met Nathan's gaze.

"You broke it off with her?" Nathan asked, and Derek nodded. Nathan sat down on the bed as awave of relief washed over him. He held onto that gut feeling for so long, the knot it formed finallycame undone.

"What happened to her?" Derek asked him. Nathan looked up at the man, seeing the genuineconcern in his eyes. He dropped his gaze back to the floor.

"She died in a car accident.” Nathan said softly. He heard Derek walk up to him and sit beside himon the bed. They both remained quiet as they mourned the loss of their lover.

"Why did you attack my daughter?" Nathan asked him, no longer feeling the urge to fight. Hewasn't a real match against a Werewolf anyways. Derek stiffened beside him.

"I think that's a talk I need to have with everyone.” He said, "You should also have your handchecked.” He pointed out. Nathan looked at him confused before looking down at his hands. Hisleft hand looked normal, but his right had bruising around his knuckles and was swollen. He was soenveloped in his anger and with the liquor in his body, he barely felt the pain. When did he becomesuch a lightweight?

"Right, sorry." Nathan grumbled his apology.

"Don't be. I'd have done the same.” Derek got up, "I'm glad things worked out the way they didthough.” Derek spoke softly now. Nathan looked up at the figure beside him, "When I first saw Lily,it was torment. I thought it was so unfair with how Fate worked out, but when we all had breakfasttogether, I saw how Jayce looked at her.” Derek's hands clenched and unclenched, "It hurt, but atthe same time I had a sense of pride that I haven't felt in a very long time."

"Usually when someone feels that kind of way, they don't get the sudden urge to kill." Nathan toldhim. Derek nodded slowly.

"I know, and I'll give you all my answers when we group together. I'll admit though,” Derek turnedback to Nathan and put out his hand, "I'm fine losing her to you in the end since she would've beenthe happiest.” Nathan looked at Derek's hand.

"I'd have to disagree. Even though we worked things out, she wasn't truly happy. We never gotmarried because she didn't like the idea of being tied down, but when we had Lily, her attitudeperked up." Nathan rubbed his face, "But it was short lived. She loved Lily, and Lily adored hermother dearly, but Autumn and I just didn't see eye to eye anymore.” Nathan stood up and facedDerek head on. The man kept his hand out still and Nathan shook it firmly. Autumn was gone fromboth of their lives, leaving memories they individually shared with her. What mattered most toNathan now was Lily and her own happiness.

He opened the door, the men exited the room and found Lily in the same spot as before, but thistime Jayce, Damion, Erica and Penelope had joined her. She was visibly shaking when they steppedout. Jayce had his hand on her shoulder, but once Nathan was in the hallway, he let Lily go. She ranfrom him and threw her arms around her father. He hesitated a second before hugging her back.His little girl, the only connection he had to Autumn now, swept away any lingering anger,confusion, and sadness he had left. Instead he felt love and reassurance, and that's all he'll everneed.