Fated to the Werewolf King novel Chapter 45

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 that she was a people pleaser, but this atmosphere that surrounds her now is of something much higher than himself. Even Erica was taking part and she could care less about formal parties, that's just how she 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, he just couldn't see himself fitting in. Instead he looked for the young Wolf that he had grown fond of recently. Elias. The boy always had this energy that never seemed to end, and his imagination was overwhelming. He reminded him so much of Lily at that age. Always seeking for adventure, looking for something new and exciting. Just like her mother once was. Oh how he wished Autumn was here. To see their little girl all grown up, getting married and having a baby. Autumn would've been over the moon.

He stepped into the kitchen, thinking he'd find the pup snacking when he finds Jayce sitting at the counter 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 be pushing six foot five, his muscles practically bursting through his maroon button up. When he turned 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 stared down 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. It burned his throat, making him cough and his cheeks flare up. Jayce downed his, uneffected by the alcohol's influence.

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

"Why does she go through with it then?" Nathan asked him, declining the next pour. Jayce swirled his 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 before setting the glass aside.

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

"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. Her mother was a free spirit. She always craved for adventure." He smiled sadly, "I just never craved the same thing." He peered over to his empty glass and pushed it back over to Jayce. The man poured him a drink, sliding it back over.

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

"Car accident." Nathan ran a hand through his hair, "We separated and she was moving back to Virginia with her parents." He felt his mood darken, "It took me almost three days to tell Lily what had 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 scared that God was going to take her away from me next." He pushed his glass back to Jayce, but the man held 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 the doorway where the women were laughing. The man's eyes softened a bit, "but it's during those times when those moments matter the most." Jayce got up from his seat, putting the bourbon away and setting the glasses in the sink.

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

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

"We were pretty young at the time when I got a job in New York. She didn't want to leave her home state 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 for almost two months." Nathan sat up a bit straighter, feeling the heat in his cheeks from the liquor. "I guess I just took it as a sign that if I didn't meet her half way, I might lose her entirely." Nathan blinked before rubbing the back of his neck, "Damn, look at me. You should get back before you're missed." 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 how much 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't love you, she would have never come back to you. So if there was someone else, you were the better option." Jayce stood up to his towering full height, "Besides, you both created one beautiful woman, so I'm not complaining." Jayce complimented. Nathan grumbled a bit at that, making his soon to be son-in-law chuckle.

Gasps sounded from the next room as the front door opened and shut, heels tapping against the marble tiles. Jayce immediately growled and left Nathan alone in the kitchen. He took a few deep breaths 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 walked up, and Erica was standing in front of Lily like she was acting as a shield. When he finally managed to get a glimpse past several arms, Nathan immediately recognized a woman, Penelope, but it was the man next to her that caused Nathan's blood to boil. Jayce's father, Derek, was standing in the center of it all, his face worn down and looking sluggish compared to his business self he presented to 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 aback by her actions, even her fiancé was unsure on how to respond. Derek looked down at her confused before he very slowly hugged her back. Nathan blew up.

"Release my daughter!" He shouted, making everyone turn toward him. He stomped past the wall of Wolves, 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 throbbing pain and an audible crack came from his hand. Penelope gasped, stepping away from the violent move. Lily grabbed Nathan's arm before he could launch his other hand at him. Derek rubbed his jaw, but he didn't even flinch from the impact.