Fated to the Werewolf King novel Chapter 39

Lily had distanced herself from him after the interaction with Derek. She hadn't spoken a single word, but he could feel the fear she felt. The doubt. Everything they were striving against came barging back in unwelcomed. She said she needed space, she needed to think. He gave her that, but to not communicate about how she was feeling? What did the fucker say to her to make her shut down? Nathan couldn't even reach her. Or his Wolf. Jayce knew his Wolf and Lily had grown close while he was in Hawaii. Did he feel a little jealous? Yes, but he wouldn't admit that openly. Their wedding was only days away now. He sent out the calls to the Alphas, except for Derek and Lukas. Penelope hasn't even gone home to him either. After watching Lily drive off with him, she said she felt something was off. Very off. So she chose to stay in the city for the time being where she believed Elias would be safest. That was probably the first time in a long time that she had her motherly instincts kick in. Alpha Lukas had gone missing from his pack after the meeting apparently, so his Beta had taken over until further action was taken. Luna Selene had stepped up in his absence as well, taking on many roles that the Alpha had and delivered with spectacular results. Another mystery was his gifted shift the night he crossed paths with Derek. His Wolf or Nox as Lily had decided to call him, forced the shift without explaining as to why. Just that Lily needed help and fast. He didn't question it at the time. The thought that Lily was in harms way again sent him into action and let Nox take over.

Jayce walked into their home after another late night at the pack house. He wrapped up the last of what was needed for the end of the year so he could spend the rest of the time with his family. He saw football on the TV, Nathan snoring on the couch with Elias curled up beside him. Her sweet, floral scent dragged his feet to the kitchen where she sat at the counter, her laptop beside her, a notebook in front of her and headphones attached to her phone. She was busy writing in the notebook that she had not sensed him yet. He walked closer, seeing a blank page on her laptop. Was she working on her book? It's been awhile since she focused on that.

He leaned against the counter, peering closer to her phone and noticed a live stream with people. One of them being a male with shoulder length brown hair, and fresh clean face that was speaking to the others. Of what, he wasn't entirely sure, but the others seemed drawn to him as he spoke. Jayce trailed his eyes up from her phone to Lily. She was wearing a tank top, finally comfortable with what was exposed. Her blonde hair acted like a curtain, hiding her face from him. He watched her shift position, sniffing the air until she jumped when she saw Jayce standing so close.

"Jesus fuck, Jayce." She pulled her headphones out, covering her face with her hands. He listened to her heart race at the sudden surprise.

"You were concentrating pretty hard. I didn't want to disturb you." He said. Lily ran her fingers through her hair, pulling at a few knots.

"I'm at a loss again." She grumbled, the most she's said to him over the past few days. He took another stool, sitting beside her. He picked up her phone, still unable to hear what the discussion was, but everyone was laughing.

"What's this?" He pointed to her phone. Lily took one of the headphones and placed it in his ear. He listened to the man talk in an odd accent, Scottish? No, Irish? A woman with red hair was speaking with a slightly deepened voice. Another man with an abnormally large flask spoke in a higher pitch. Jayce couldn't follow along with what was happening, but Lily was giggling. He watched her smile, her face alongside his as she watched the screen.

"They're playing Dungeons and Dragons. They just recently started a new campaign. The DM, uh, the Dungeon Master, he's married to her." She points to the red head woman. He could see it now, the way the man would glance her way, even for the slightest moment, their was admiration.

"So, she has the advantage since her husband is this DM?" He asked her.

"No. He's a fair DM. A lot and I mean a lot of people look up to the guy." She glanced over to her laptop, "I actually listen to them when I'm at a writer's block and need some help with inspiration." She said as she let out a slow breath. She tapped her pen on her notebook where several ideas had been scribbled over.

"It's not working?" He asked her. She stopped tapping, peering over to him with a worried expression on her face.

"I'm ready to talk... about what happened." She told him. He sat up straighter, "I think we should involve everyone. Especially your mom." She insisted. He looked at her face, searching her eyes. She was serious, and... scared. Jayce gave a single nod before pulling out his phone and made his calls.

After everyone gathered in Jayce's office, Damion shut the door behind himself. Nathan had put Elias to sleep in Lily's old room and joined them all. Lily sat on Jayce's desk, twiddling her thumbs while everyone got situated. It was late, everyone was tired, but when he made the call for an urgent meeting, they all rushed over. Erica was sitting closest to Lily aside from himself who stood beside her. Nathan, Damion and Penelope sat on the lounging furniture. Penelope didn't look like herself. Her hair was down, slightly untamed. Her face was bare, but her natural beauty exceeded the false beauty she normally wore. She had on what looked like a sweater dress with leggings and boots with it.

"Go ahead, Lily." Jayce encouraged her. She looked up at him, her breathing had quickened slightly. Was she going to have a panic attack? He grabbed her hand, squeezing tightly.

Nox, help her calm down.

Jayce watched as Lily's heart race eased up, her breathing evening out. She let out a relieved sigh and faced everyone.

"So, a few days ago, Derek and I had an altercation." She said.

"What type of altercation?" Penelope asked her.

"Well, he..." Lily paused, her eyebrow twitching slightly, "he... um..." tears formed in her eyes, her hand reaching up and touching her neck. She didn't even have to say it. All the progress of moving on from her trauma, and Derek had put her back into it him damn self. Jayce's nails started to sharpen.

"Did he hurt you, Lily?" Nathan asked, looking pissed for the very first time that he met him. Tears spilled over as she nodded silently. Erica was on her feet, hugging Lily tightly. Jayce finally noticed she was shaking.

"He kept saying that what I felt for Jayce isn't true... That I make him weak..." she started to cry more, "That I'll only be good for breeding and just be discarded." She buried her face in Erica's shoulder. Damion jumped up, grabbing Jayces arms before he could smash something.

That fucker... That fucking bastard!

"Why would he go so far after he already gave his opinion?" Her father asked. The lanky man was red in the face as he tried to understand Derek's motives, and restrain himself from damaging anything near him.

"I don't understand..." Penelope said softly, "I thought he was coming around..." she covered her face with her hands. Lily had grabbed Jayce's hand. He looked down at her, her tear filled eyes pained him.

"Jayce... I think he tried to kill me..." she spoke those words so softly, Nathan might not have heard it, but the Wolves certainly did. Jayce's shirt ripped as he started to shift. Damion wasn't holding him down anymore. He was pissed to.

"Lily, are you sure?" Penelope asked her. Lily nodded, sniffling.

"He had his hands on my throat... He... He wouldn't let go..." she touched her throat. Jayce looked at his Mate, snatching her away from Erica and clutched her to his body. She let out a gasp at the tight squeeze. He wanted to hunt down Derek, make him pay for harming his Queen, his Mate, his own fucking daughter-in-law, but Lily needed him more right now.

"Breathe for me, Lily. You did good." Jayce muttered into her hair. She was safe and sound now. Derek would never lay a hand on her again. His claws rubbed her back, but she pulled away.

"Jayce, I don't want him coming after our family." She told him, tears streaking her face. He cupped her cheek.

"He won't ever lay a hand on you again. Not when I'm here to protect you." He said. Lily shifted her gaze away like there was something else.

"I can't..." she pulled away from him and turned toward his desk. He looked at her confused until she turned back around, the thin blue present in her hand. She held it out to him, "I can't hide it anymore." She said.

"But Lily..." Erica went to interject.

"No! It wasn't just my life on the line." Lily snapped. Jayce hesitated before taking the gift. He looked at Lily, seeing her nod. What did she mean by that? Was it Nox that she was referring to? A spirit as strong as him would never go down so easily. He pulled the top off, almost dropping it after what he saw inside.

Pregnant.

He looked at Lily, the wheels in his head coming to a full stop. His eyes trailed down to her stomach. He dropped the box, the test falling out and clattering to the floor. Everyone around him was silent, waiting for his reaction. Lily especially. He could see the thoughts written on her face she was that easy to read. Uncertainty and fear. Fear of what he would say next. She had his pup growing inside of her. She gasped.

"Jayce?" She asked as she reached up and wiped something from his face. He finally felt the tears escaping his eyes. He let the first emotion come through. He grabbed Lily and pulled her into a hug, lifting her off of her feet. Her arms wrapped around his neck. He sniffled, taking in her scent.

"Damn." He growled, the tears not stopping. She pulled back, looking at him.

"Are you... happy?" She asked him. He set her back down, leaning his forehead against hers.

"More than happy." He said, his hands resting on her stomach. He moved his hands back up and kissed her hard. He felt her melt into him, his arms enveloping her, never wanting to let go. Someone coughed, forcing him to pull away. He forgot that everyone was still in the room, but they were smiling.

"You know, I think it's been ages since I've seen him cry. It's refreshing." Damion put an arm around his neck, pulling him away from Lily and gave him a big hug. Damion smacked his back as they hugged, making him look around at everyone. Nathan was standing with Erica and Lily, his face fresh with new tears as he smiled at his little girl. Is this what it meant to be a family? The love. The support. Jayce's eyes moved over to Penelope after Damion released him. She was still sitting on the couch, away from the celebration.

"Penelope?" He called to her as he moved over and sat beside her. She glanced over to him, giving him a weak smile and patted his knee.