Fated to the Werewolf King novel Chapter 8

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

"Good morning!" Penelope opened the door to his office, stopping mid step to see broken glass laid 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 away from 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 sit down.

"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 wiped the 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 happiness was 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 got up 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 find the right words to say to her to express how sorry I feel." He swiped documents off of his desk again. Penelope cocked a brow at him.

"You sound like a whiney pup." She told him bluntly, making him snarl, "Instead of verbally apologizing to her, you can just show her." She told him, looking at her watch, "I'll go snag her. We can't be late for our reservation." She said and hurried carefully from the room. He waited a moment 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 his nose, 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 that tone, how can anyone say no?

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

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

"No!" Lily yelled out. He clenched his fists, "Oh, it's just..." she exhaled, "I think I really messed up with 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 meet me outside in ten. The choice is yours if you want to invite him." Penelope told her before her heels faded down the stairs and the door shut behind her. What would she decide? Would she talk to him or 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. He just had a few more documents to sign before they can set the festival up. That'll be one less thing to worry about.

Her door opened and shut, her feet rushing down the steps and the front door opened slightly and shut. He shut his eyes. The sliver of hope he unexpectedly had vanished when her sweet scent came wafting up the stairs as she ran up to his door. Her blonde hair was in disarray, wearing black leggings 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, blowing her hair from her face, "Will you join me for lunch? Actually, your mom and me." She looked around the 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 boots and shut the door behind himself. She stepped back as he shut the door and she took him in. He glanced down at his dark red button up and black slacks with black boots. "Are we going or?" He asked 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 he followed 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 him in a new light. Her hair shined like gold as she looked up at him with those beautiful green eyes of hers. This was the happiness that he wanted.

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

"I feel very under dressed." She said, tightening her grip on his arm. He watched eyes narrowing in on 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. Penelope took her seat, gesturing across from her.

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

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