Chapter Three: Mr. Green

Willow

I don’t remember making it upstairs into my bed, but that’s where I woke up. I groggily woke up and wiped my eyes. My first thought was that this wasn’t my New York City studio apartment but then the memories all came crashing back.

Papa.

The bar.

Rune.

Owen.

I quickly rose from bed and opened my suitcase, rummaging around for something to wear. I changed into a pair of skinny jeans and a black blouse and headed down the stairs, not bothering to zip it up. I heard footsteps and froze in the hallway. Oh my god. There’s someone in the house! I frantically searched around for something I could use as a weapon and settled on an old candlestick that Papa bought one day at a yard-sale. I walked into the kitchen with my candlestick above me head ready to strike. Owen was there, holding a spatula and dancing to some popular song playing on his phone. He turned to me and raised a brow. “What is this, clue? Miss Scarlet in the kitchen with a candlestick?”

I laughed and dropped the weapon on the table and sat down. “Sorry. I thought you were an intruder.”

He grinned and placed a plate of eggs and bacon in front of me. “An intruder who happened to sneak into your house and make you breakfast?”

I rolled my eyes and dug into the food. “I wasn’t thinking, okay Colonel Mustard?”

He stuck his tongue out and sat down across from me with his own plate. “I always thought I was more of a Mr. Green.”

I pointed the end of my fork at him and rolled my eyes. “Keep dreaming, wolfie.” He shot me a playful glare and we ate the rest of the meal with friendly conversation. Owen asked me about my job and if I had any friends in the city and I told him that I was an editor for a newspaper company. It paid well and I managed to make a few acquaintances in the city but no lasting friendships. He nodded and told me a little more about his company and then the conversation shifted to last night. Apparently, I fell asleep on the sofa and he carried me up the stairs into my old bedroom. He continued to talk about his life here in Blackwater since I left and the dynamic of the Pack. He had had a few girlfriends but nothing too serious. I wasn’t about to tell him that I was happy he wasn’t in a relationship. It seemed that my little childhood crush hadn’t gone away and just sitting across him sent heat to my belly and sweat to my palms.

“Hey, I’m just wondering, what was that about last night with Rune?” Ever since the encounter at the bar, I was completely confused. Rune and Owen almost killed each other, and I had no idea why. “Things almost got really ugly.” I had seen my fair share of shifter fights when I used to live here. Papa used to tell me to stay away from them when things got hairy because you never know who could lose an eye… or worse.

His happy demeanor changed and his knuckles turned white as he gripped his fork. Owen stared at me for a moment before releasing his grip and sighing as if I didn’t just watch him almost shift before me. “What do you mean?” He asked, trying to brush off my question.

I narrowed my eyes. “I’m not stupid, Owen. Something clearly was wrong between you two.”

Owen’s brown eyes left mine and he moved in his seat nervously. “I don’t know what you mean.”

Figures, he isn’t going to tell me. Well, either way, I was going to find out. I abruptly stood up from the table and placed my empty dishes in the sink. He watched me as I crossed the kitchen and started to walk to the front door. It was only when I grabbed the doorknob that Owen spoke up. “What are you doing?” He asked cautiously.

I turned to look at him. “Well, if you won’t tell me, then I’m going to go see Rune.” I mused. I would never see him willingly, but he didn’t need to know that. “You know, since you won’t tell me? I’m sure he would be happy to enlighten me.” Rune had asked me out a few times when I still lived in Blackwater. He was persistent, and I always said no. Most of the time, he wouldn’t take no for an answer, and I had to take measures of my own. Those measures included slaps and knees to the testicles.

Owen’s face contorted in anger. He clearly did not like the idea of me going to Rune. “Don’t.” A low growl erupted from his throat.

I grinned. “Well, if you won’t tell me...” I opened the door slowly and took one step outside.

Owen jumped from the table faster than I could turn around. He grabbed my arm and dragged me back to the table. “Stop. I’ll tell you.”

I crossed my arms over my chest and flared my nostrils. “I’m waiting.”

He held his hands up defensively. “Okay, Okay, easy.” He ran a hand through his blonde locks and stared up at the ceiling for a moment before continuing. “I didn’t want to tell you because you’re leaving and it’s not your concern... but... in four days Landon is stepping down as Alpha and they’re holding a contest. Rune and I are competing.” In Blackwater, the Alpha of the pack wasn’t determined by some birthright, but by the strength and worthiness of the wolf. Only the most powerful and most honorable was allowed to lead the pack to glory.

My eyes widened. “A-Alpha? Owen, you’re gonna be Alpha?”

He smiled sheepishly. “If all goes well...”

“Oh my god! That’s amazing. You’re going to be a great leader. Papa always said so!” I grabbed his hand from across the table and squeezed. “That’s truly wonderful.”

He smiled back and I caught another glimpse of his chipped tooth. “It is. And if I become Alpha, I will be the leader alongside the chosen Luna.”

I couldn’t help but frown. “Luna? Who’s the Luna?” If Owen became the Alpha, he’d have to marry and mate with the Pack member who is chosen as the Luna. There was a sudden pain in my chest. My heart ached, we could never be together. I always knew this, Papa warned me that getting with a shifter would be bad news, which is why I always tried to stay away romantically but it still hurts me to know the truth.

An unknown emotion flashed in his eyes. He paused. “I... I am not sure. The Pack elders have chosen her from birth. It’s a prophecy… blah blah blah.”

I forced a smile. The idea of anyone else with Owen crushed me. “Oh.” I needed to set my feelings aside. It was clear that Owen had a duty and a destiny. He would be a skillful leader and the Pack—and his Luna—needed him. We could never be together. I’m not Pack.

“Willie I—“

“No. It’s fine. Wonderful even. You are gong to be the best Alpha, Owen. I’m not Pack so it’s not my concern. Like you said, I’ll be leaving soon.” I was rambling. It was obvious.

Owen shook his head. “No. I think you’re more Pack than you think. You said you didn’t remember us? Or Blackwater? Until you got the call from Art?”

I shrugged. “Yeah.. What does that have to do with anything?”

“Well,” he explained. “The Pack is protected by any outside influences and threats. When a Pack-member leaves the Pack, they forget. Their memory is wiped clean for their own safety until they either come back, or have another member reach out to them. It’s a Pack safety measure as old as time.”

“But, I’m not Pack. I was adopted by Papa.” I frowned. “I’m not a wolf. I’ve never had a change, I was never allowed in Pack business. I’m sorry Owen, I think you’re mistaken.”

He frowned and looked away, clearly at war with himself. It seemed like he knew something that he wasn’t vocalizing. “Seriously, Owen? What’s going on?”

He shook his head and a piece of golden hair fell in the center of his forehead. I was tempted to lean across the table and put it back where it was but stopped myself. Owen sighed and brought his gaze back to mine. He plastered a forced smile on his lips. “Don’t worry about it, Willie. It’s just Pack drama.”

He didn’t utter another word on the subject the rest of the morning. I couldn’t still my thoughts. I was constantly thinking about the bar fight and then Owen’s strange behavior. He lied to me. Owen actually lied to me. He knew something that he simply wasn’t telling me and that hurt. I thought we were close. Owen was my best friend and he lied right to my face. We spent the rest of the morning talking and joking about random things until it was time for me to leave. I needed to meet Landon, the Pack’s Alpha, at the lawyer’s office in town to settle Papa’s effects. Owen was quiet in the car. He mostly focused on the road and quietly sang along to the radio the whole way into town. It wasn’t until we pulled in front of the law office that Owen turned to me with his eyebrows knitted together in concern.

“Are you sure you don’t want me to come with you?”

I shook my head and smiled. “No. Don’t worry Owen. I’m just meeting with Landon.” He frowned as I continued. “You should go home. You don’t need to stay with me. I’m not a kid anymore.”

“No. I’m staying with you in town. I’ll be close in case you need me.” His voice was deep and commanding. “You go into the office. I have some errands to run. Meet back at my truck in an hour?”

He phrased it like a question, but it didn’t seem like I had a choice. Owen was going to stay here and I didn’t have a say in the matter. I felt flattered that he cared so much, but he was kind of smothering me. “Owen,” I sighed. “I appreciate it, but you know you don’t have to protect me anymore, right?”

He snorted. “Of course I do. I will always protect you, Willie.” He smiled warmly at me and my heart fluttered. We both hopped out of his truck. He walked around the front and stood before me. “Come here,” he wrapped his arms around me and I buried my face in the warmth of his chest. He smelled like pine and citrus. He tilted my face up to his. I saw complete adoration and warmth in his eyes. “I will always, always, be here to protect you.”

I felt my cheeks heat up. We were so close and Owen has never held me like this. I stared into his eyes and smiled, believing every word he said. I knew that Owen would always be there for me. “Thank you, Owen.”

He leaned down and my heart began to race. The way he was leaning in, was he going to kiss me?

Instead, he placed a loving kiss to my forehead. “I care about you, Willie. Blackwater’s changed since you left. People have changed and they’re on edge because of the Alpha transition. Please promise me you’ll be careful?”

I nodded and blinked away the mist that was clouding my vision. He kissed me. He said he cared about me. “I promise.”

He gave me a firm squeeze and his eyes lit up as he face erupted into a large, goofy smile. “Good.”