Innocence

6

Clayton

He gripped the steering wheel and felt her words all over again, his wolf howling and angered that Clayton had not stepped up and claimed her, told her. Duke's ego was bruised by the way she spoke, and what she had said, "there is no us" that part had stung the most, he knew that she was not aware of her situation but their pull and connection was unmistakable, she must have felt it and if she had, she must know that that alone already meant that there was an "us" he had to fight Duke's urges to punish their mate, Duke was hurt and angered and following his animalistic instincts, it had taken alot to push him back and focus on her needs.  She has no clue what she really is and his heart breaks for her, her world is going to come crashing down und he is in the middle of it. He will always be the reason that she has to learn that most of her life was a lie. Lilly is sitting very still, waiting for his next move. She has calmed down somewhat, and he could sense relief when he pulled up to Jim and Laney's house. He needed one more minute with her, one last minute before he takes her into the storm of truth that's about to come down on her. "Lilly, I'm going to kiss you,  is that ok? " she doesn't answer so he presses his lips to hers and waits for her to respond,  finally she gives in and kisses him back passionately, their tongues do a quick dance and he has to pull away before he gets aroused. Clayton cups her cheek with his hand and looks into her confused eyes, "I'm sorry for everything that's about to go down in there. I'm sorry that it has to come out this way, but there is no other way." He places a quick kiss on her forehead and squeezes her knee. "Let's go, baby." Before she opens the door she looks up at him but gets out of the car without saying a word. He wished he could take away all this confusion and pain that she's about to experience. Following her closely he can sense Jim at the door, anger rising in him. "Clayton, what is the meaning of this?" His voice a low growl. Clayton sighs, he'd hoped never to see or speak to Jim Walker again. Using his Alpha voice he meets Jim's gaze, "Let's talk about this inside, over a drink Jim, we're going to need it."

Minutes later they sat across from each other, Laney walker was crying silently and Lilly tried to comfort her. Everyone was staring up at Clayton and he knew he had to say the words. Jim speaks before Clayton could muster up the courage, clear distaste in his words, "What is going on, why have you come? I can smell you all over her!" Lilly's cheeks burn red as she scolds her father, "Daddddddd! Stop! what the hell?"  He doesn't move and inch staring into Clayton's eyes, a clear challenge. It has to be done, so Clayton holds up his hand. "Jim, Laney. I know that you've come to an understanding with the pack to live your lives separately but there are new developments." Clayton braces himself, he hasn't said the words aloud yet. "In a twist of fate it seems, Lilly is my mate." It looks as if Jim's eyes are going to pop out of his head and Laney is sobbing. "Look, I know you've chosen a different way of life but we all know that there is no way around this." A look of sorrow takes over Jim's face as he looks at his daughter standing there puzzled and scared. Clayton has to give them all the details, he clears his throat and gives Lilly an apologetic look. "Out of respect I will be completely honest with you, we've not mated yet," Lilly's face turns red ,"oh my god," is all she gets out her eyes dropping to the floor. He continues, "I found her in the pub last night, it was a complete coincidence. Now we have been intimate but I've treated her with respect and kept her virginity intact." This time Lilly is furious and does not hold her tongue,  in the same tone she spoke to him in her kitchen she practically screams at him, "What the f**k Clayton? Why would you do this? Those were private moments! What's your game here?" Clayton has to close his eyes and push down Duke again. That's about the 5th time since he'd met her that she'd spoken to him with such utter disrespect. She is still young and has to learn to control her emotions but she will be punished for her smart mouth this time. He would have to wait for them to be alone. He is clenching everything again, fists , jaw, legs and arms. Jim takes note and looks at his daughter,"Lilly, calm down and apologize right now, speaking to your Alpha like that is not ok and it could lead to punishment!" She gasps, obviously thinking about their little s*x game, having no idea that the real punishiment for talking to an Alpha without respect was a severe one. Clayton can sense that she is more confused by the second. He needs this to end. Looking at her now, he let's out "Lilly, I will forgive and forget your harsh words this one last time, but be warned if you speak to me like that again there will be punishment," noticing the way she's looking at him he has to add to her embarrassment, "No need to smirk my dearest Lilly, this punishment will not be anything like what you received this morning, this time it will hurt." Her eyes dart between her parents as if she's looking for protection from them, unknowing that they could not infact save her. Clayton can smell Joey coming to the front door. Jim senses it at the same time and gets up to open for him, simply leaving the door open for Joey to come in on his own. Moments later Joey is there next to Clayton, smiling brightly at four very stressed out faces, "Why so gloomy? " he asks. Clayton shoots him a serious look but this doesn't seem to put him down one bit as he continues, "Jim, buddy, how've you been?" He walks over to Jim and embraces him in a bear hug. This seems to calm Jim down a bit and Clayton is relieved. An akward silence falls as everyone is staring at the floor, each filled with their own questions. Clayton can not take it and decides to jump right into the unpleasantness. "Jim, Laney, she doesn't know?" Jim shakes his head and looks into his wife's weary eyes. "No, she doesn't, Alpha." Clayton doesn't understand these two, how could they put her in so much danger, any other being could cross her thinking she's a wolf and attack without her knowing it. But furthermore how could they keep something that was a part of her from her. Rubbing his hand over his face he knows that he has to force their hand now. They won't like it but it's their responsibility to tell her the truth. "Jim, I'm afraid you'll have to tell her, there's no other way." Jim walker gives his Alpha a short nod while his wife protests and cries, it is clear to Clayton that she was the one behind this. "Laney, stop, it's been long enough. She's missed half a life already, I don't want to make you but I will if I have to. She looks at him defeated but manages, "Alpha, what if she..isn't one.... of us, we were waiting for her 18th to see before..." he words trail off and Clayton is suddenly over it. He had warned her but she still continued, he snapped, using his voice again he stares at her coldly, "Laney, do you take me for a fool? I can smell it on her, you as her mother can smell it,too! I don't know what your reasons were for keeping it from her, but it's over, you WILL tell her. All of it before this night is through!" Laney's shoulders drop and she starts sobbing into her hands again all the while Lilly is standing next to her mother arms folded and a blank look on her face. Clayton walks over to her, wanting so badly to save her from the pain and betrayal that she's about to feel. Taking her in his arms he hugs her tight and whispers into her ear, "Lilly, my baby, it doesn't matter what you're about to hear, I need you to know that we're in this together and if not today,  you're world will make sense again, I'll make sure of it." She still has the blank look on her face but to his surprise she kisses him back when he presses his lips to hers lightly. Turning to Jim he says, "I'm sorry that this is the way it has to be Jim. I'll give you some privacy, Joey and I will he out front." Jim nods and gets up to move closer to his daughter. Clayton takes a seat on the comfortable living room couch right by the door. Joey gives him a strange look so he asks him in their private mindlink "What, Jo? " He is frowning now. "This is not going to end well, Clay."

"I'm trying my best, Joey. Now go guard the outside for in case they try something, Laney is a psycho and I won't put it past her trying to get Lilly to run."  Joey shoots his fingers at Clayton and says "Gotcha." Over his shoulder. He can hear Jim talking about fairy tales and werewolves and from here he can feel Lilly's confusion and anger.  Clayton lays his head back, closes his eyes and listens to what is being said. It feels wrong but he has to know when to go Lilly if she needs him. He tries to imprint the memories they made this morning very firmly in his mind, not wanting to ever forget her complete innocence and her joyful outlook. He sighs as he realises that, he might not see her that way again for a very long time. His phone rings and he is annoyed, looking at the screen he sees that it is Cabe with a sigh he answers, "Cabe, how are you?" Cabe speaks loudly through the phone, " Clayton, I know that you've requested more time and I just wanted to inquire, are you well?" Clayton is instantly irritated, why was this man so pushy and nosey? "Cabe, I am well, I just tought we'd all need to hit the refresh button a bit before we start our merge meetings again. Fresh eyes and all that!" Cabe clears his throat, "Oh yea, then um I guess we'll be in touch!" Clayton says goodbye and listens to the conversation in the dining room. It's not going well for Jim and Laney.