Mated To The Alpha Of The North
Chapter 19

Willow

I reclined against the side of the tub with my eyes closed, allowing the fragrant aroma and comforting water to lull me into a state of bliss.

I allowed my mind to wander, thinking about how crazy it was that I had finally found my mate. My wolf rejoiced in my head. She wanted to run to his side; she did not understand why I hesitated.

If I had found Jax two years ago, there was not a doubt in my mind that I would have run straight into his arms.

It was killing me to resist what I thought was called the mating heat. I was not quite sure, but either way, it boiled down to me wanting to throw myself in Jax’s arms constantly.

It had been so long ago since my mother had tried to talk to me about mating. I was not interested in listening then, so I had tuned most of it out.

I wished like hell I had paid more attention now though, I thought despondently to myself.

I had always longed to find my mate, but that was before Zeke and his twisted misconception that I was his destined mate and the years of physical and mental torment.

I struggled with the idea of allowing another male close to me, especially another alpha, after the way Zeke had forced his way into my life.

However, between the intense need I felt to be near Jax at all times and my wolf’s incessant whining for our mate, I knew that I needed to at least give him a shot.

Jax, and his sister for that matter, had been nothing but respectful and thoughtful of my needs since I had awoken, despite the lies Zeke tried to fill my head with.

I really needed to find out what had happened to him after I was knocked unconscious in the clearing, I thought drowsily to myself. I did not like having to look over my shoulder, wondering when Zeke would pounce.

******************************************************************************

I rolled over in bed, startling awake by the slamming front door. I sat up sleepily, rubbing my eyes as I confusedly looked around the room.

I did a quick double take when I realized I was in my childhood bedroom, and the familiar sound of the door knocking against the wall as my father strode into the house after a morning of fishing had woken me from my slumber.

I swiftly threw the covers off and stumbled out the door, after grabbing my robe off the hook hanging by my bed.

As I hurried down the hall, I took in a deep breath and immediately smelled coffee and my mom’s famous French toast. The scent drove me to rush even faster through our small family home.

However, I could not help but take in the familiar family photos and random knickknacks dispersed throughout our home that I had not seen in so long.

I felt tears gather in my eyes as I finally reached the kitchen and saw the most wonderful view.

My father had my mother boxed in against the counter while his hands clutched her recklessly close as they embraced each other.

The sight definitely would have made me gag or roll my eyes before, but now, all I could think about was how happy I was to see my parent’s love again.

I had always yearned for a male to look at me the way my father looked at my mother, you know the look he gives her when he thinks no one is watching.

I think watching my parents was what made me into the hopeless romantic I was, but I had known that none of the boys near home were my other half.

As a result, most of my time was spent lost in the woods, exploring the hidden secrets of the Northern Province that only a few lucky wolves had known about.

I sneakily attempted to make my way towards the plate of steaming bacon and French toast while my parents were engrossed with each other.

However, just before I was able to snag the first crispy slice of goodness, my father’s voice rang out, “Don’t think we cannot see you over there stuffing your face little Willow.”

All thoughts of food were immediately abandoned the moment I heard my father’s voice again.

I flew to his side, wrapping both him and my mother up in a tight embrace that I never wanted to end. I was in heaven.

“I love you both so much.” My voice came out muffled, but their quick responses told me that they had heard me anyway.

“We love you more than anything little Willow.” My father’s deep voice intoned.

My mother’s sweet, bell-like voice soon followed, “We will always be with you sweetheart, no matter what happens.”

We continued to hold each other close as the moment seemed to stretch on forever.

Unfortunately, my little family reunion did not last long.

Out of nowhere, the sound of breaking glass and splintering wood filled the air. My father speedily switched modes from loving father to vicious protector, ushering my mother and I away from the sounds of destruction.

However, before we could make it through the living room to the alternate exit, two enormous bears crashed through the side door, driving us back towards the kitchen.

My father tensed, ready for a fight, as he ordered my mother and I to flee. Nevertheless, before anything else could happen, the door to the kitchen opened and out walked my worst nightmare: Zeke.

******************************************************************************

I awoke suddenly, gasping for breath as water streamed out of my mouth and nose. I sat up against the side of the tub, still wheezing for more air to reach my lungs.

I pulled the stray pieces of hair from my face and mouth as I finally caught my breath, gazing around the small room to ensure I was still alone.

I surmised that I must have been having a nightmare after having fallen asleep in the tub. To tell the truth, it did not surprise me that I had fallen asleep.

I was still exhausted, and the warm water paired with the softly luminescent candles had lulled me right into dreamland.

I fully submerged my head under water once again to shake off the last vestiges of the drowsiness. The water was only lukewarm now so I must have been in here for a while.

The tepid water helped reinvigorate my tired limbs, and I used the minor energy burst to push myself up to sit on the edge of the tub. I reached over and snagged a couple soft, fluffy towels from the shelf.

I immediately wrapped myself up in the cuddly fabric and then reached over to pull the plug out of the tub. I began drying my hair as I watched the last remnants of the bubbles swirl down the drain.

I heard the door to the bedroom open as the smell of perfectly seared steak began to seep into the room, competing with the lingering scent of cherries.

My wolf had previously been sluggish from our impromptu nap, but the smell of the fresh meat, along with the intoxicating scent of our mate, swiftly caused her to jump to the forefront of my mind.

I hurriedly finished drying my long locks and then laid the towel on the floor to use as a bathmat where the water and bubbles had spilled over the edge of the tub earlier.

I pushed up to standing using the side of the tub as a leverage point, intending to blow out the candles and join Jax in the other room.

I did not have any clean clothes here, and I was not about to put the same dirty, torn garment on that I was wearing before.

However, before I could finish blowing out the last candle, I heard Jax knocking on the bathroom door.

He began speaking, “Willow, love, Ronnie sent me up with some clothes for you, and I have some food for you if you are ready to come out.”

I felt my heart speed up when I heard him say my name for the first time. Before I knew what was happening, I was walking to the door and throwing it open with abandon, my wolf having seized control.

My eyes traveled from his head to his feet, perhaps lingering a tad too long in certain areas.

I wrestled with my wolf for control before she could rush right into Jax’s arms, while I was wearing nothing more than a towel, nonetheless.

I was able to use the doorframe to halt my forward progression as I grappled for dominance with my wolf. It felt like she had somehow gotten stronger since our spontaneous catnap earlier or something.

Jax appeared startled at my sudden appearance, but he immediately held the clothes out for me to take.

I noticed his eyes also did a quick onceover of my still damp body as he waited for me to take the offered garments.

His entrancing eyes pinned me in place for a moment, giving me a chance to take the reins back from my wolf.

As I took a cautious step forward, I noticed that I had left deep scores in the doorframe when my nails had lengthened into claws from where I had stopped my wolf earlier. Shit.

I gingerly took the clothes from Jax with one hand, while the other had a secure hold on the towel. I was not worried about him, but I was concerned about my shaky equilibrium.

I finally found my voice as I brought the clothes closer to my body, stepping back into the bathroom. I noticed they smelled faintly of Ronnie herself. “Thank you for these. I will be out in just a minute, after I get dressed.”

Jax nodded briefly before turning back towards the bedroom. I let a small smile slip out as I went back into the bathroom with my new clothes, shutting the door behind me.