Fated to the Werewolf King novel Chapter 34

Maybe it was her imagination, but it felt as if Jayce was being distant with her all of a sudden. After Damion stopped her from spilling the news about her pregnancy, he'd been withdrawn. She knew this too well by now. Something was on his mind and it was going against his better judgement again. Maybe holding off until their wedding day to surprise him may not work after all. Yet when she wanted to tell him, he found some excuse to avoid her. He occupied himself at the pack house to 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 with magazines sprawled around her. One open to dresses, another to bouquets, another to cakes. She had a notepad with several venues written down, but none would take her last minute request, even with who she was marrying.

"Hey dad." She replied, not removing her gaze from the mess around her. He sat on the couch behind 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 four days 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 and actually 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 the nostalgic look in his eyes.

"I was so young when she passed away. What would she have done in my place?" She asked him as they turned down a street. Lights hung over the streetlights, giving off a soft glow to the holiday spirit that everyone was sharing. Each shop and restaurant had Christmas decorations out, going balls 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 out in 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, but overall there was no inclination of their approval. Had her message not really gotten through to them after all?

After they crossed another street, a large park laid out before them, people walking along the paths that 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 wrapped around the base of the tree. Several paths spiraled out from the center, each pathway lined with lit up trees. The large pine tree shared the same lights intricately through its branches. A large glowing star 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. The women smiled at her and nodded. Elias smiled brightly, turning back to Lily and handed over Momo. "I will guard him with my life." She salutes to him. He immediately shifts, tearing apart his clothes 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 a bit, 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 told her.

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

"Oh, by the way Luna, how is the mating ceremony going?" One asked her. Lily let out a groan involuntarily. 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 women nodded in understanding, "Sorry, this is all new to me as well. I'm Nathan, Lily's father." He introduced himself.

"Renee."

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

"Please, just Lily. I'm not too much for formality." Lily said. Melanie smiled at her, pushing her red hair 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 dark brown eyes lit with excitement.

"Oh, please! We need something to distract us from the sports and the last minute Christmas shopping." 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 anywhere with 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 to them tomorrow for you." Renee told her. Lily felt weight lift off of her shoulders.