Mated To The Alpha Of The North
Chapter 66

Willow

I muttered a perfunctory greeting in response, not really awake enough to make conversation, but I pulled my long tresses over my shoulders and darted my eyes away from his general direction as I did so.

I had not been expecting to see anyone else or I probably would have showered former to coming downstairs, but it was too late to change now, so I resolved on making the best of my current predicament.

If I had been thinking clearly earlier, I would have apprehended that there might be others rambling about. This was the pack house of the Northern Province, after all.

I could guess that he was trying to be friendly, but I still felt uncomfortable around large men by myself after my experiences with Zeke, so I had remained quiet as I beelined straight for the coffee that drew me in like a magnet with its nutty fragrance.

Jax was the exception to my discomfort for obvious reasons.

Although I would probably feel better all-around after refreshing my memory of the self-defense techniques that my father had taught me as a child like Ronnie had suggested, and perhaps learning a few new ones along the way.

I would have to talk to Jax about helping me with this since we had to leave before his sister was able to fulfill her promise.

Speaking of my mate, the light scent of newly cut grass lingered on the air, combining with the rich aroma of coffee and informing me that he had only recently departed from the room.

I twisted around, feeling self-conscious, despite Ryker’s lighthearted chuckles prior, and noted him lounging at the table where he was now taking a large bite of his sandwich.

He was also paying me no mind as I combed through the cabinets of the unfamiliar kitchen in search of a coffee cup and some sugar.

I knew that I would slowly but surely get past my hang-ups, but until then, I would keep pushing myself out of my comfort zone. Starting with right this second.

“Any idea where Jax ran off to?” I forced myself to ask, belatedly realizing that I could have mind linked with my mate instead.

“He said something about the car before he hightailed it out of here like his a*s was on fire, so I am guessing he will be back shortly.”

I finally poured myself a steaming cup of the aforementioned beverage after locating a cup on the second try, though the sugar took a few more attempts.

I did not reply as I rummaged through the fridge, praying there would be creamer, but feeling marginally crestfallen when I was unsuccessful. Yet, another realization began to dawn on me as I retreated back to where I had left my drink with the milk as my consolation prize.

Jax had literally tilted my world on its axis last night, and I had responded very vociferously and enthusiastically to his mastery of my body, wholly engrossed in the moment and not thinking about the aftermath in the morning.

Well, I supposed it was not morning by this point, but the results were the same. I felt mortification drift in as I recalled all of the moaning and the plentiful pleas for my mate that had passed the threshold of my lips last night.

I had been so consumed with l**t and ensconced in our own little universe that I had failed to consider who else might be in the wide-ranging vicinity.

Rather that outright ask Ryker the inquiry that was on the tip of my tongue, I selected another one entirely in hopes of confirming my budding suspicions and taking my mind off of the worst-case scenario.

“Will you let Ronnie know that we made it here with no trouble when you arrive in the South?”

I observed as he answered robotically, wiping all traces of emotion from his face as he said, “Of course.”

He did not expound further, choosing to shove the remnants of his sandwich into his mouth instead, but then again, I did not expect him to.

I had wanted the attention off of me, and I got the added bonus of seeing him clam up at just the mere mention of her name, affirming that Ronnie’s attraction was not solely one-sided.

However, before I could push the topic more, I heard Jax tramping up the path to the door, coming into view soon thereafter as he strolled through the same door that I had prior.

He prowled directly to where I was leaned up against the counter after setting the bags by the door. My hand remained extended from having just placed the warm cup on the flat surface beside me, but he hastily entered my personal space, wrapping his arms securely around me and making me forget all about my invented troubles with a searing k**s that momentarily took my breath away.

In the meantime, Jax’s voice soothed the rest of my frayed nerves as it inundated my mind, and I had to admit that I was grateful that he had elected to communicate through our link at the time, in lieu of articulating his concern out loud.

Are you alright, sweetheart? What were you panicking about?

It took me a minute to respond as I registered his tempting lips pressing into my new mark that he had bestowed upon me last night, sending tingles of electricity shooting down my spine and straight to my still sore center.

Even so, after physically catching my breath and putting some space between us by reaching to the left for my abandoned coffee as an excuse to do so, I managed to answer through our inner connection.

I am fine, baby. I was freaking out briefly, but I am calming down some now. I do have to ask how many people overheard our grand performance last night though.

Jax took several steps back after my assurances, with a shit-eating grin on his face, nonetheless, as he grabbed a few items from around the room and motioned for me to join him at the table with his bounty of snacks, replying through our link in the process.

Do not fret, love. Last night was just between you and me. Ryker is the only one with a room here, and he was out on patrol as his wolf for the majority of it. Will you come eat some food now?

The last traces of unease that I had felt disintegrated with his words, and following, I happily cuddled into his lap without complaint, after ensuring I brought my coffee along with me, of course.

We chatted about asinine topics while we munched on our food, but Ryker was predictably done before either one of us. He had made his excuses to leave, stating that he needed to pack for his imminent departure, but I think he also wanted to give us some space.

Nevertheless, Jax’s words temporarily halted his exit when he intoned in an atypically deeper than normal voice, “Remember what we discussed about Ronnie.”

Ryker did not verbally reply, but he jerked his head in a rough nod before hurriedly withdrawing from the room.

I debated whether to ask my mate about the vague statement, but ultimately decided to wait until later, having something else more exigent on my mind at the present.

I rotated my upper body until I was staring at Jax head-on once I had finished picking at the muffin that I had been eating and Ryker had been gone for a while.

My eyes unerringly sought his as I started, “So, do you want to tell me what is going on now?”