Mated To The Alpha Of The North
Chapter 59

Willow

I could tell that Jax still had a lot of emotions to sift through, aside from the fact that he probably had a million details to organize before our departure tomorrow, as well. I knew he would talk to me if he needed to, and that was enough for my wolf to allow me to get busy with the preparations for dinner.

I whizzed around the kitchen, feeling in touch with my mother as I used our family recipe to make the lattice topped apple pie and fried the chicken in Crisco concurrently on the stovetop.

I had also made some baked macaroni and roasted asparagus to go along with our meal, but it all came down to a waiting game as soon as I pulled the last piece of crispy chicken from the blistering pan of grease.

Following, I peeked into the oven to observe the development of the confection, noticing with relief the lightly browned edges that signified that it was almost ready.

My gaze traveled to where Jax had remained silent as a statue as his mind worked, and then it ticked up towards the clock hanging above him on the wall.

I cursed to myself as I realized that the others would be arriving soon, and I looked like a hot mess after my afternoon in the kitchen.

Conversely, it did not look like Jax had moved a muscle since he had planted himself in the hard, unforgiving chair earlier this evening, persisting to somehow look as flawless as he had upon first waking up this morning.

I evaluated my options and quickly decided to sneak upstairs for a few minutes to freshen up after sweating my a*s off running around the sweltering kitchen for the past hour or so.

I paused to open the back door on my way up so that the heat from the oven had an avenue to outflow, inspiring me to move faster on the off chance that someone showed up early.

It did not take me long to speedily change my clothes and splash some cool water on my inflamed face before hurriedly throwing my long tresses up in a messy bun and rushing back down the stairs, yet I decelerated markedly after nearly tumbling down them headfirst in my haste.

I shook off my clumsiness and glanced around the room for my mate when entering. Thankfully, I noted that Jax’s expression had morphed into a brighter outlook in my absence, though he remained fixed in place as I made my way to the oven to check on the pie.

However, he summarily appeared at my side the second the sweet-smelling pastry left my hands, wrapping his sturdy arms around my solid waist and tugging me tightly into his chest, tipping my face up for a soft k**s at the same time.

Alas, we did not have long before Ronnie was sauntering through the gaping back door, Asher visible in the background as he swiftly entered the kitchen with his nose high in the air behind her. Reese and Theo trickled in behind them, and Ronnie shortly thereafter revealed that Scarlett and Mari might stop by later, in addition.

I was surprised by the last two, and possibly a little by Theo’s presence, but I found myself pleased with the add-ons. Thank Luna, I had made plenty of extra food, being used to cooking for large numbers of males at a time.

I guessed some habits took longer to break, but it was one I was grateful for in the moment.

The night seemed to pass in a blur, everyone soaking up the lively atmosphere and stocking up their memory banks until they were near overflowing with happiness and love.

Further, I watched amazed as the food disappeared like hot cakes, giving me an unprecedented feeling of contentment in the company of others, besides my mate, from their clear enjoyment of my creations.

It pleased my wolf and I immensely when we perceived Jax’s lighthearted manner throughout the night and the easy affection he bestowed upon us without a second thought.

I reveled in the familial environment, but I also discovered myself relieved when Ronnie had suggested we slip upstairs for a while after everyone had finished eating and had then subsequently meandered into the living room.

In whatever way, as I was soaking in the last praises for the meal that I had cooked before our impermanent escape, Scarlett strutted into the room, without Mari I initially observed, but the silence that ensued after Reese’s snarled claim had thickened the tension to unrecognizable levels.

I watched from a few feet away as Scarlett’s vivid green eyes were drawn instantaneously to the tumultuous gray of Reese’s when she entered the room, triggering him to utter a single word in a growled tone that was barely decipherable as he said, “Mine.”

Without pronouncing a word in response, Scarlett rapidly reversed in her tracks with a determined countenance filling her face, sprinting from the house like a bat out of hell. Reese was hot on her heels, leaving everyone one else sitting around blinking at each other like a bunch of idiots with their abrupt disappearances.

Even so, one thing had become painfully clear as the previous events had transpired: Reese had found his mate, though she did not appear willing to accept the connection if the performance we had all witnessed was anything to judge by.

The males broke the silence first, spurring Ronnie and I to utilize the opportunity to retreat upstairs so that we could spend some time together alone before I left with her brother the next day.

I had originally been a little worried about Scarlett, but Ronnie had assured me that she would be fine, so I let it go, feeling confident that she knew what was best for her friend.

I had also learned through the discussion during dinner that Reese would be departing soon after Ryker took our place here, but I had a sneaking suspicion that that portion of their plan might change considering recent events.

Ronnie plopped down on the bed and started speaking before I even had a chance to shut the door behind me, firing off, “Promise me you will not let my stupid brother go so long without visiting this time. I think I might die if I have to wait forever to see you both again.”

I could tell that there was no heat behind her insult, and I saw the sadness behind the brave mask she had tried to keep in place as I responded, “Oh, I don’t think that will be an issue. I know that he will miss you as much, if not more than, you will miss him, but he did spend a lot of time thinking things through earlier, and I can always insist on visiting if he drags his feet too long.”

“I am going to miss you both so much. It just feels like I am meant to stay here.”

Rather than reply, I hauled her in for a hug that she reciprocated in the blink of an eye. We remained wrapped up in each other’s embrace for a seemingly endless amount of time, but I knew the seconds were flying by, nevertheless.

We conversed for a while about nothing in particular, but then a thought leapt back into my mind from my conversation with Jax before everyone had arrived for the dinner.

“At least you know we will definitely see each other again before the ball. Which I do hope you realize that you are going to have to supervise mostly solo with the aid of the other girls now that I am leaving.”

She shot up immediately, saying as she paced around the small room, “Shit, I had forgotten about that,” but she went on after she had pondered my statement more thoroughly, stating, “but at least Scarlett and Mari promised to do most of the work for it.”

“I am sure it will be great, and please let me know if there is anything I can do to help.”

“Oh, I will, but, for now, we should probably head back down to tell the others goodnight. I know you guys have an early start in the morning.”

I lugged myself up from my reclining position on the bed in response, a sad smile gracing both our faces as we rejoined the others in the living room.

The males were lazing about the room when we entered, but Asher and Theo efficiently finished their drinks and expressed their farewells before hastily turning in for the night.

My eyes began to tear up at the bittersweet emotions battering against me while I struggled to find the words to explain how much Ronnie had assisted in changing my life for the better in the relatively short period of time that I had known her.

Ultimately, unable to find the perfect thing, I settled on a final tight squeeze in lieu of dialog before exiting with a comforting look aimed my mate’s way so that he could privately converse with his sister before our imminent departure.