Fated to the Werewolf King
8: Jayce

The gap between them grew wider as weeks went by. Since her episode, she refrained from anytype of communication with him. Every time he thought of her scarred body, his Wolf nearly tookover and would wreck the room he was in. He's had construction done three times in the last twoweeks because he couldn't control his Wolf. Damion had stopped by several times, but he justdismissed him. He wasn't in the mood to deal with the festival or the council. Even when he shiftedto go on his runs, he was breaking trees left and right. Who was he truly angry at, though? Jasperfor hurting his Mate for months, or himself for asking a pointless question. He'd give anything tohear her voice. To feel her lips again. To hold her, even if she was just crying. Anything to soothe thebeast in him.

"Good morning!" Penelope opened the door to his office, stopping mid step to see broken glasslaid about. "Oh, dear." She carefully stepped around the best she could before arriving at his desk."You look awful."

"What do you want?" He asked with a half snarl. He wasn't in the mood to entertain guests.

"I wanted to steal Lily away for the afternoon. Have some girl time.” She told him. He turned awayfrom her, pouring himself a small glass of bourbon.

"Do whatever you wish." He swirled the glass toward her before downing it. He listened to her sitdown.

"What happened?" She asked him as he slammed the glass down, shattering it. He lifted his hand,blood streaking it as the sliver of wounds healed quickly.

"She told me everything that happened to her. She showed me all of her scars.” He said as he wipedthe blood on his slacks. Penelope let out a frown.

"Did you do anything to provoke her?" She asked, genuine concern on her face.

"I was a dumbass and opened up about how shitty it is being a King. I asked her what happinesswas and she just..." he rolled his tongue against the inside of his cheek, "she ripped into me."

"And it bothers you?" She asked him. His eyes met hers and she gasped, "She's your Mate.” She gotup from the seat and started pacing, "Have you tried talking to her?”

"And say what exactly?" He ruffled his hair in agitation. “I can't replace the right words to say to her toexpress how sorry I feel." He swiped documents off of his desk again. Penelope cocked a brow athim.

"You sound like a whiney pup.” She told him bluntly, making him snarl, "Instead of verballyapologizing to her, you can just show her.” She told him, looking at her watch, "I'll go snag her. Wecan't be late for our reservation.” She said and hurried carefully from the room. He waited amoment before getting to his feet and stood by the open door, tuning in down the hall.

"Oh, Penelope. I didn't realize you were stopping by." Lily answered her door. Her scent filled hisnose, making him inhale deeply. He leaned against the wall as they talked.

"I wanted to surprise you with lunch. Do you have time?" She asked her cheerfully. If she used thattone, how can anyone say no?

"Of course. I actually made the deadline for my first draft today, so my schedule is open.” Sheinformed her. So that's why he hadn't seen her. She must've been hammering away to meet herdeadline.

"Oh, that's fantastic! Then we'll make this a lunch of celebration. I'll invite Jayce along.” She said toher.

"No!" Lily yelled out. He clenched his fists, "Oh, it's just..." she exhaled, "I think I really messed upwith him, Penelope. We haven't talked since I exploded on him." Lily's voice had sadness tied into it."Oh honey, he's a man. He'll get over it. Look, I'll go wait out in the car. Get yourself ready and meetme outside in ten. The choice is yours if you want to invite him." Penelope told her before her heelsfaded down the stairs and the door shut behind her. What would she decide? Would she talk to himor would she leave?

"The Hell. I don't need to wait around for her to ask me. I have shit that needs to get done.” He said,stepping on the glass that was still scattered around the floor, and took a seat back at his desk. Hejust had a few more documents to sign before they can set the festival up. That'll be one less thingto worry about.

Her door opened and shut, her feet rushing down the steps and the front door opened slightly andshut. He shut his eyes. The sliver of hope he unexpectedly had vanished when her sweet scent camewafting up the stairs as she ran up to his door. Her blonde hair was in disarray, wearing blackleggings and a red plaid button up with her sleeves rolled up. She was finally showing off her scars."Jayce!" she yelled, trying to catch her breath. He stared at her as she stood up straighter, blowingher hair from her face, "Will you join me for lunch? Actually, your mom and me." She looked aroundthe glass on the floor and the paperwork on his desk, "Oh, I should've known you'd be busy. Uh,nevermi..."

"I'd love to." He interrupted her, getting up from his seat. He stepped over the glass with his bootsand shut the door behind himself. She stepped back as he shut the door and she took him in. Heglanced down at his dark red button up and black slacks with black boots. "Are we going or?" Heasked her. She shook her head and dashed down the hall again.

"Well, let's go.” She called back to him as she rushed down the stairs. He smiled to himself as hefollowed her. Her words came back to mind. Happiness can be something small. Something silly.She stood at the door as he reached the bottom stop, his eyes looking over this woman before himin a new light. Her hair shined like gold as she looked up at him with those beautiful green eyes ofhers. This was the happiness that he wanted.

The limo pulled up outside a five-star restaurant with valet parking. Penelope stepped out first andJayce followed, holding his hand out to Lily. She took his hand; the shock shaking his core. Hewatched it affect her as she pressed her thighs together. He shifted her hand to the inside of hisarm; the act taking her by surprise as he escorted her inside. Her eyes were like saucers as she gazedaround the Greek styled establishment.

"I feel very under dressed.” She said, tightening her grip on his arm. He watched eyes narrowing inon her as the host ushered them to their seat off to the side by the chef's station.

"You look beautiful.” He whispered to her, listening to her heart pound away in her chest. Penelopetook her seat, gesturing across from her.

"Lily, how is everything else going?” She asked as Jayce and Lily sat across from her while the waiterset up their water glasses.

"Therapy has been a bit of a rollercoaster lately, but I think I'm doing better than I realized.” Shereplied, her fingers wrapping around one another beneath the table. He shifted in his seat, his legbrushing against hers as the waiter handed out the menus.

"It's always a pleasure having royalty in the house. Any wine today?" The waiter asked. Penelopeglanced at the list, pursing her lips before setting down the menu.

"You pick, Lily." She told her. Lily looked taken aback. She looked down at the menu before her andthe list of wines she's probably never heard of.

"Uh, I don't know. I'm not a wine specialist. What would you suggest?" Lily asked her. Penelopeinclined her head thoughtfully.

"We'll take a bottle of Roditis.” She smiled sweetly at the waiter. He bowed his head inacknowledgement before walking off. She leaned closer to Lily. "So, what type of book are youworking on?" She asked curiously. Lily opened her mouth to answer, but she glanced up at Jayceand blushed lightly, rubbing the back of her neck.

"Oh, it's nothing special, really." She said, her eyes looking over the menu again.

"Nothing special? You made New York's Best Seller with book one, right?" She asked and Lilynodded, smiling shyly.

"Best Seller?" Jayce asked to confirm. Lily played with her hair. He rested an elbow on the table, hischin on his palm. "Either you tell me about it or I go buy it." He told her, making her swivel in herseat.

"You wouldn't." She narrowed her eyes at him.

"Try me." He dared her. She puffed her cheeks at him. Soft giggling sounded across the way, and heglanced over to see Penelope smiling at them.

"Isn't this a lovely sight?" She teased, making Lily blush more and turn her face away. He glanceddown, spotting Lily's hand just barely brushing against his knee. The waiter brings them the wineand three glasses.

"Are you ready to order?" He asked them, a fake smile on his face. Jayce and Penelope order beforeturning their eyes on Lily who was still looking over the menu nervously. "Perhaps the Alpha couldmake a suggestion for the young lady?" The waiter offered, trying to hurry her along. Jayce glaredup at him.

"She can order on her own.” He growled at him. The waiter stiffened slightly before nodding andgoing quiet. Lily buried her face in the menu, but her eyes stopped scanning it. "Take your time, Lily.Get whatever you'd like." He told her.

"But it's all so expensive." She frowned.

"Don't worry about the price. I'll cover it." He told her. She glanced up at him before nodding andlooked over the menu once more.

"I'll take the Pork Souvlaki then." She said as she handed over her menu to the waiter. He bowed hishead before walking off. "I'm guessing you don't get many humans here, huh?" She asked them."We have ties with humans that we do business with, but no human actually lives with us." Penelopetold her. "Until you, that is.” She smiled at her. Lily looked down at the table, her hands clenched onher lap.

"I'll leave once I know I'm better." She told them. Jayce thought his heart stopped at her words. Hefelt Penelope's eyes on him, but he avoided it.

"Lily, what all do you know about us Werewolves?" Penelope asked her. Jayce shot a suspicious lookat her and she smiled innocently back. Lily inclined her head as she thought it over.

"Well, based on what I've gathered while being here, a pack is normally ruled by an Alpha who has aBeta as a second in command.” She pointed at Jayce. Here, Jayce is both the Alpha and theWerewolf King, which I'm still unfamiliar with.”

"That's good." Penelope nodded.

"You all can shift into Wolves.” She tapped her chin, her eyes glancing off. He watched her, notrealizing the smile on his lips.

"Have you seen Jayce shift?" She asked her. Lily's face turned red suddenly.

"Well, yes, but I saw nothing.” She defended herself, but he knew better. Penelope smiled withamusement.

"He has a beautiful coat, doesn't he?" Her eyes twinkled mischievously now. What is she playing at?"Yes." Lily said, and for once he felt his own face grow hot. "It's soft too." Lily smiled gently, as ifreliving the memory of the garden. He cleared his throat.

"We came to celebrate, didn't we?" He said, raising his glass. The women raised their glasses withhis, “To Lily." He simply said. Penelope repeated his words, taking a sip. Lily looked at her glassbefore looking up at him. He gave her a quick wink before Penelope could catch it, making Lilyblush madly and down her wineglass. She let out a breath when she finished.

"Wow, that's actually really delicious.” She said. Penelope let out a laugh, refilling her glass.

"Now Lily, there is one thing that humans may not know about us.” Penelope started. Jayce glaredover at her, but she ignored him.

"And what's that?" Lily asked curiously.

"Mates."