Hi readers. I am sorry it has been a few days since I last uploaded content. My internet connection has been crappy. However, I am uploading two chapters now to make up for it. Enjoy!
Willow I sat shivering within the tiny confines of the cave that I was lucky to find on such short notice. I wished I could build a fire to dry my clothes, but it would be too obvious. I had been gone a few hours, but I had traveled little distance in that time. In fact, I was still huddled in the small crevice I had found a few miles down the river. I hoped that even if Zeke did follow my scent trail to the river, he would be smart enough to know that I had used it to hide my travels. Then, fingers crossed, he would think I was long gone already. I knew he was not too bright, and I had walked in the river, fighting the tiring current, to my present location. I knew there was no way he could follow his nose to me at least. Nonetheless, I remained vigilant to my surroundings, jumping at every sound that penetrated the lull of the gentle waves of the river rushing close by. I finished my pilfered food a while ago unfortunately. I tried to hold out, but I was just too hungry. Now tha
Jax I felt the beginning edges of panic creeping in as I sped through the forest as my abnormally large wolf, having shed my human skin as soon as I finished speaking with Reese. My thoughts raced as I ran. I was beyond proud of her for running, of course, but I did wish she had waited just a little longer to make her grand escape. If she could have held out until lunch, then we would have been there to rescue her. Instead, she was running through these woods all on her own with Zeke and his warriors, while I raced to save her. It was possible that she was already long gone. After all, she did leave several hours ago, but something in me was pulling me closer to the river, like she was reeling me in. However, I rapidly became even more alarmed when I realized that Zeke’s scent was nearby. I strained my ears to ensure none of his warriors were around as well. The last thing I needed was an ambush, though I knew Reese had my back and several of his warriors would be hot on our tracks
Willow I felt a massive pounding coming from the back of my head as I gradually woke up, groaning audibly as I shifted in the soft, comfortable bed, and groggily attempted to sit up. However, as I began to wake up, the events of the past…how many ever hours, were all starting to come back to me. What happened in the clearing? How did I end up in a bed? Where was Zeke? The questions kept coming one after another as my brain fought to catch up, and my heart thundered furiously in my chest once I realized I was not alone. Further, I was startled to notice that my left hand was being held in a rough, but surprisingly comfortable embrace. I knew I should be panicking and fighting to get away right now, but I just felt so safe, and it had been a long time since I had felt the comfort of this feeling. Be that as it may, my eyes flew open so I could ascertain who was holding my hand. I felt small electric currents racing through my palm where it connected with his, but his calloused skin
Willow I tried looking everywhere but at Veronica; though, she kind of messed up my plans when she sauntered up and took her brother’s chair. She began speaking without any preamble, “He is already halfway to in love with you, you know.” Her bold words and actions shocked the hell out of me, but I could not help the swell of satisfaction that swept through me as a result. I schooled my features so that I did not give away my feelings, still I was not sure I managed to pull it off. My wolf was beyond pleased and preened inside, but my human half still had some misgivings, no doubt caused by the years of emotional torment I had suffered at Zeke’s hands. However, she must have seen the doubt that leeched into my thoughts because she went on without any prompting from me. “It is the truth, but you will see that
Jax I felt relieved when my mate readily agreed to allowing me to help her. I could already tell that she was used to doing everything on her own, but she did not have to anymore. I would make damn sure of it. I would have to find some way to thank Ronnie later for all her help with my mate and for the suggestion of the bath, but, for now, I went about looking for supplies in the small room so I could prepare a soothing atmosphere for my mate. At some point, I was going to need to ask her what her name was. I could not keep going around calling her my mate all the time. Well, I mean I could, but it would be nice to know her name too. It was honestly killing my wolf and me not to know the name of our other half. I had tried asking around so I would not have to bombard her with questions right away, but, to my dismay, not a single soul knew wha
Willow I let a small gasp escape from my lips the moment we stepped through the bathroom door. It was like being transported to a completely different world. The lights were turned off, but the illumination provided by the flickering candles established a relaxing atmosphere, not to mention a wonderful aroma that seemed to blanket the room. I took a deep breath and allowed my gaze to travel over to the massive tub before meeting Ronnie’s eyes. The tub appeared to be near overflowing with vanilla scented bubbles, while cherry scented candles covered the counter nearby. I could not wait to sink into the warm, frothy water and soothe all the aches in my body that seemed to be never ending. However, I felt a bit unnerved by the seemingly romantic setup, whether that was his intention or not. I was suddenly feeling infinitely grateful that Ronnie had been t
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
Willow I allowed a grateful sigh to escape as I looked down at the clothes Ronnie had given me. I pulled on the yoga pants and sports bra she had given me without a second thought and then went to pull the t-shirt over my head. However, I noticed that the size of the shirt was disproportionate to the rest of the clothing I had been given, and the giant t-shirt smelled just like Jax. I guess he wanted to make his own contribution to my wardrobe I mused; that, and the fact that he wanted his scent on me no doubt. I could not find it in myself to complain though as I pulled the soft fabric over my head. I took a deep breath of the rich coffee and fresh cut grass smell that was uniquely him. Taking a moment to steady myself, and my control over my wolf, I took several deep breaths before exiting the bathroom. Jax was waiting for m
Willow About Three Weeks Later… “Baby, we talked about this. You know we have to go help Ronnie with the final details before the ball. She has been complaining nonstop since we left, and then Scarlett bailed right after, leaving only Mari and her to organize the whole thing.” “We still have three days until the ball, sweetheart. This will only delay us a few hours, and I think we deserve to celebrate a little longer. My sister will be fine once she hears that she is going to be an aunt.” There was no more talking after that, at least nothing coherent as Jax sealed his alluring lips over my kiss-swollen ones once more in a passionate caress that left no questions concerning how he was feeling about my unexpected information. I had not even considered pregnancy when we had completed our bond, but of course I would be the one to get pregnant on the first go around. I was somewhere on the spectrum of freaking the fuck out and overwhelmingly joyful to be bringing another life into
Willow I was startled out of my deep slumber when Jax jumped up with me still ensconced in his arms, the sudden action jostling me awake. I was confused for about a second, but then my brain gradually caught up with the sounds that were filtering into my ears, and I spun my head around in a circle until my eyes connected with Ronnie’s. I did not register the others in the room until after I had leaped up and ensnared my sister in a giant hug in my excitement to see her again so soon. She let out a chuckle before gently pushing me back with a scrunched nose and look of discomfort coloring her expression. I was a bit hurt a first, but I immediately understood her apprehension when she said, “It is great to see you Willow, but you kind of need a bath. It appears that my brother could use one too.” I glanced back to where Jax was currently conversing with his beta and Asher, and I could not deny the actuality of her statement as I took in the dried blood that still streaked across
Jax I had followed Willow’s lead, shifting back into human form and blindly advancing towards the kitchen with my eyes glued to her naked ass. I pulled on some pants, content to follow my mate’s lead, but I realized how stupid the action was when I discarded them a few minutes later so that I could check the house’s security one last time. I was shocked when my wolf was hesitant to leave, but after another careful assessment of the area with my enhanced senses turning up nothing unusual, I pushed aside his worry and set off at a fast clip so that I could return to my mate sooner. I had traveled a few miles, my wolf fighting me the entire way, when the influx of warnings swamped my mind. The border was under attack, and it was by none other than the bear shifters that we had been keeping an eye on. I did not understand how they c
Willow After about an hour of practicing, with Jax refusing to so much as kiss me while we were training, we agreed to call it quits for now. He had only managed to go over a few of the basics due to us being pressed for time, but I felt good about what he did teach me during the allotted period. I also thought that it was kind of cute how serious he was about my preparation if I was being honest. Don’t get me wrong, I was just as invested in making sure that I knew how to protect myself, but I did not think one kiss would deter me from that goal. Irrespective, I was in heaven when he finally leaned down and closed the distance between our bodies, smashing me against his chest as he hoisted me up with ease and thoroughly plundered my mouth. He kissed me until I was out of breath, but then he pul
Willow Jax’s pronouncement of his fears relating to the bears’ possible forthcoming incursion instantly dragged my memories back to the disastrous day that I had found both of my parent’s murdered, the cataclysm that had flipped my whole world upside down on its axis. My vision clouded as my haunted past consumed my awareness, sending me back down into the pit of despair that I had only recently clawed my way out of. I could hear my wolf shouting for me, reaching out to help pull me back from my spiraling downfall, but her presence was muted by the horrific images still revolving through my mind on a reel. Then, out of nowhere, the light fragrance of freshly cut grass began to seep into my consciousness, followed by the aromatic smell of rich coffee as I vaguely felt sturdy arms encircle my waist.
Jax I had known this conversation was coming all along. Regardless, Willow’s words managed to succeed in startling my thoughts away from the dark path that they were previously headed down. While I was thankful for the reprieve, not looking forward to thinking about Ryker being anywhere near my baby sister without my regulation any more than necessary, I found my trepidation almost equal when I considered the topic that she wanted me to fill her in on. I never wanted to keep secrets from my mate, but I also did not want her to worry about the added difficulties that Ryker had heretofore been keeping me up to date with on top of the stress that Zeke’s reappearance had produced. I found myself stuck between a rock and hard place as I was forced to choose between total honesty and protecting her, both mentally and physically.
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 wit
Willow I tiredly rolled around in the bed when I awoke, wincing at the soreness I could feel suffusing scarcely used muscles and electing to leave my eyes firmly shut as I reached out blindly, searching for my mate’s large form. Nevertheless, they soared open abruptly when my wandering hands came up with nothing but an empty space and cold sheets during their hunt. Blinking my groggy eyes open, I allowed them a minute to adjust to the bright light of a fully risen sun filtering through the white colored curtains, I had not realized that I had slept in so long, but it did not surprise me with how late Jax had kept me up last night, not that I was complaining. Still, I knew one thing for certain. Those window coverings would be exchanged for a much darker alternative in the near future if I had anything to say about it.
Jax With one powerful lunge forward, my mind fractured momentarily as it was overwhelmed with the sensations of claiming my soulmate at long last. I nebulously noticed that my wolf had managed to express his excitement through a low howl that I could feel all the way down to the tips of my toes as my shoulders strained with exertion and my claws tore into the wooden rail behind my mate’s head. I was struggling to not blow my load, holding my raging member stock-still so that the sensory overload would not send me sprinting over the edge prematurely as I was besieged by the lust drenching me in its deluge at the feeling of her wet heat ensconcing me. I wanted this to last at least until I had her screaming my name as her center compressed around my pulsing length with the resulting tremors of her release before we started the s