Mated To The Alpha Of The North
Chapter 41

Jax

My wolf and I were on cloud nine now that Willow’s wolf had left her mark on us, even though it was only temporary, but it was clear that her wolf had been the one driving the action, leaving us feeling conflicted about the momentous occasion.

I could not help the sound of pleasure that escaped my lips at her unexpected act, but I pulled back quickly before I could do something I would regret later, feeling my angry c**k protest at the distance from the warmth that had been so close.

I knew she might not be okay with her wolf’s bold move, and I did not want to push her too far.

I reached down to readjust my painful e******n, promising to take care of it later, before focusing back on my mate’s facial expressions.

Willow seemed to be struggling with herself as she fought with her wolf to regain control over the situation; however, I immediately felt gratified as I watched the emotions flick over her face and saw the slow smile begin to build as she registered what her wolf’s actions meant.

I knew starting out that I would have to be patient with her, but I was happy to see that she seemed to want me just as much as I wanted her, despite her traumatic past. She was trying, and that was all that I could ask of her for now.

My wolf and I wanted so badly to sink our canines into Willow’s lovely skin, right where her shoulder met the smooth curve of her neck, to let everyone know that she was irrevocably taken.

Of course, my scent would warn off most, and I had left my own little reminder of our time together this morning, after all, but my wolf and I could not wait for the day when Willow wore our mating bite proudly, announcing to the world that she was ours forever.

Nevertheless, despite my satisfaction in this moment, and my wolf and I’s raging desire to fully claim Willow once and for all, I provided her a temporary reprieve through Ronnie, knowing she was not ready to face more of her fears right this moment.

However, I never could have predicted how she would have reacted to the seemingly innocent subject change.

That was one of the problems of dealing with the outcome of years of suffering, you never knew what triggers would evoke the fright. I was constantly terrified that I would say or do something wrong to hurt my temporarily fragile mate.

She would need time to heal, and my wolf and I would be there every step of the way helping her work through the painful memories, just as we had before. One thing I was positive of though was that she would overcome her struggles.

I had seen the determined set to her eyes earlier at that pivotal moment where she had decided to let me in, even just that small amount. It was somewhere to start, and I was thankful that she had allowed me to distract her later, as well.

My mate was no wilting wallflower, after all.

I hated to bring up Zeke again, but I needed her to know that dealing with him was a priority and was the only thing that could tear me from her side at this moment.

She reacted much better than I was expecting to this portion of my speech, apparently already completely trusting me to protect her, which sent pride shooting throughout my wolf and I; however, her rising alarm when I mentioned my sister was seriously concerning.

I was not sure I would be able to save her from the hurricane that was named Ronnie, but, for my mate, I would damn well try.

I gently cradled her in my arms as I sat up on the bed, setting her softly on the bed beside me after I finished talking.

I instantly noticed when Willow’s breathing sped up, quickly accelerating until it was near hyperventilation levels. Her beautiful face turned ashen, and I could hear her heart hurtling away in her chest, as she seemed to zone everything out in her panicked state of mind.

My wolf was busy freaking the f**k out, but I viciously shoved him to the back of my mind, blocking out all of his doomsday thoughts as I focused on what our mate needed in that moment.

Without hesitation, I reached out and scooped her up right back up again, depositing her snugly in my lap as my arms wrapped tightly around her shaking frame, letting her know she was not alone anymore.

I made soft, soothing sounds and urged her to take deep breaths in and out, relaxing my hold enough so that she could comply with my words.

Her eyes had latched onto mine as soon as they had made contact once I had pulled back, so I watched as she registered where she was and who was holding her. Then, her chocolate eyes seemed to melt before she buried her face against the crook of my neck, taking in long inhales while I continued to comfort her.

We sat like that for what felt like an immeasurable amount of time, her breathing and heart rate gradually slowing until they had both returned to normal levels.

We had not said anything the entire time we had sat here, other than the few comforting words I had voiced earlier to help her calm down.

My throbbing c**k had thankfully deflated at the first signs of Willow’s panic, but if we sat like this for much longer, I had a feeling it might make a comeback.

It was a good thing Ronnie would be here soon, in that regard at least. I was still worried about how Willow had reacted when I had brought her up though, and we needed to talk about it before my sister charged in and made a delicate situation worse.

Unfortunately, it appeared our time alone together was about to be interrupted a little sooner than I had hoped. I could hear Ronnie further up the path, but she was almost here. I was not sure if Willow would be able to hear her yet or if the wolfsbane was still dulling her senses.

However, Willow answered my wandering thought without me having to ask, seemingly having read my mind, when she lifted her head and tilted her ear in the direction of the path. She moved to get off my lap then, but I held tight. We needed to talk about what had just happened.

“Sweetheart, tell me what upset you first. My wolf and I will not be able to leave your side if we don’t know that you are going to be okay.”

In my head, I was already making arrangements to reshuffle my schedule. I would do anything for Willow, and that included cancelling anything that interfered with me taking care of my mate, but her next words had me pausing in my planning, unsure about how to go about making her feel more comfortable.

“I am okay now. I know you need to find Zeke, and I will be okay with Ronnie. I really like her too.” Willow answered enthusiastically, but she must have seen the questioning look on my face because she went on before I could intercede, quietly stating, “I was worried about all of the changes and you not being there to help me through them. Ronnie is amazing, but…”

She trailed off, looking away from my eyes before she finished, “It seems like you are the one my wolf and I need when everything gets to be too much. It just freaked me out to think about meeting so many people without you by my side.”

She seemed hesitant to admit how much she relied on me already, and I could see why given all that she had been through. Yet, I needed her to know that that was exactly what she should be doing.

I reached out, gently gripping her chin and drawing her eyes back up until they met mine again before I said, “Love, I will always be there when you need me, and you do not have to feel ashamed about it. That is why Luna paired us together. I promise there will come a time where I will need your strength to lean on, but for now, it is your turn.”

I saw the tears glistening in her eyes, sending an arrow shooting straight through my heart, but she immediately leaned forward, closing the short distance between our lips, shocking the shit out of me.

Nevertheless, I eagerly returned her gesture, opening my mouth without any delay when she lightly bit down on my bottom l*p and swept her tongue into my mouth, branding me as hers while her unique flavor flooded my taste buds and drove my wolf senseless.

I could feel my d**k react to her delicious curves pressed right up against me as she ardently kissed me, showing to the true extent of how my words had affected her.

I was lost, immediately consumed by the raging fire that coursed through my b***d, tightening my arms around her and moving to lie her back down on the bed, I…

Bang!

I heard a loud crashing sound come from somewhere out in the rest of the house and then, “Knock, knock, big brother! I am here to get my new sister, so you had better be decent!”

Ronnie yelled as she bulldozed her way into my lodge, cracking the building tension in the room wide open, and I let out a long breath as Willow chuckled lightly.

I set her down carefully, running a hand through my hair before saying, “She really will come in here if one of us does not go stop her.”

I looked down mournfully at the long, thick outline of my c**k that could clearly be seen through the thin material of my sweats, reaching down a hand to adjust it yet again before going on, “Would you mind if I met you in the kitchen after I take a quick shower?”

I caught a glimpse of her gaze glued to my hand’s movement, watching as Willow’s face colored a lovely shade of red before she quickly peeled her eyes away, answering, “Um, sure.” She agreed easily, popping up from the bed and taking a few unsteady steps towards the door.

Despite the uncomfortable sensation radiating from my balls, a small laugh managed to escape my lips before I said, “Willow, your clothes are in the closet, sweetheart.”

She froze momentarily, the blush spreading down to her chest and drawing my eyes to her pretty pink nipples, before she rushed to the closet without another word.