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12. Girl talk. Well, almost
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Related chapters
The Way You Taste 13. Sleepless in Ontario
WILLOW’S POINT OF VIEW ****RATED R**** As I lay in my bunk bed, a plan starts to form in my head. I’m not giving up on my mate. Not now, not ever. “Hell yeah!” Jamie agrees. The bond is affecting him just as much as it affects me, and he will have to concede eventually. So, I decide to stop being this moping, fearing girl and go back to my confident boss-ass self. I wait for the right time, when everyone else is asleep. I can feel he’s still awake, though, the mate bond really is a gift. “Holden?” I reach him through the mind link. “Willow?” He sounds surprised. His husky voice is a sweet caress. “Yeah. I can’t sleep,” I say. This is weird and uncomfortable. First of all, I’m not used to mind linking anyone else but my parents and my brother. And I’m not at all close enough to Holden to just link him up in the middle of the night. But I’m sure of what I want, and I’m going to be bold and trust this bond. “Me, neither,” he murmurs. “Thinking of me?” I ask in a put-on
The Way You Taste 14. Third chance
HOLDEN’S POINT OF VIEW This is it. I have all the logical reasons why I can’t be with Willow, and I also have all the logical reasons why I can’t reject her. But I won’t live in limbo forever. I won’t reject her, nor will I mark her. I will dissolve the bond. I have a clear view of the situation. I have a new goal in mind: I’m going to focus even harder on the MBS. I’m going to get Willow’s blood samples from the pack lab, all her stats and results, everything. I’m going to take them to Dr. Tremblay and we’re going to work on it together. We’re going to figure it out, and I’m going to have the perfect variation of the drug and all my problems will be solved. “And unicorns and rainbows and pixie dust,” Hendrix snickers, and I ignore him. The best thing about this plan is that it’ll create a distance between me and Willow. This way, I won’t be influenced by the bond. I’ll have my mind clear, and I’ll be able to focus on my research. I’ll spend even more time at the University
The Way You Taste 15. Training day one
WILLOW’S POINT OF VIEW Phase one of my plan was a glorious win for me. Now I have confirmation that Holden wants me as much as I want him. At least sexually. Of course, I’ll continue trying to seduce him, showing him how much he wants me and how good giving in to the bond could be. But that’s not all of it. I’m determined to show him who I am outside of the bond. To make him fall in love with me. Holden Temple, I will show you that I’m not only your mate, but a warrior, a thinker, and a partner worthy of being by your side. Worthy of being in your heart. I will excel in training and college. I will prove my worth not only to Holden, but to the entire pack. With my plan taking form in my mind, I feel a newfound determination burning within me. A new sense of purpose. Jamie jumps around and giggles in my head. She’s on board with my plan, and I think she’s probably even more excited than I am. I fall asleep to dreams of Holden and of my place in this pack. *** I wake up in a
The Way You Taste 16. Fists and sweat
WILLOW’S POINT OF VIEW ***CONTENT WARNING: MILD VIOLENCE (SPARRING)*** I’m not entirely sure what to expect from Callie. I was a bit upset that she didn’t interfere when Harper was talking shit about Xenia. Callie and Harper seem to know each other, I just don’t know yet if Callie is a grade-A bitch, too. My heart races as I step onto the ring. Our eyes meet, and I’m fueled by determination. Her fiery red hair matches the intensity of her gaze. I assess her. She’s on the curvier side, but I know in real life that means nothing. I’m smaller, so I’d guess I could use my speed and agility in my favor. But I can tell she’s confident, as a smirk plays at the corner of her lips. Gamma Rhys’ whistle cuts through the murmurs of the crowd, and the match begins. We exchange a nod, a silent acknowledgment of what’s about to go down. “We got this!” Jamie cheers me on, and I draw strength from her support. I will prove my worth today. I am ready for this. My palms are sweaty. Mom’s spagh
The Way You Taste 17. Understanding my mate
WILLOW’S POINT OF VIEW Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit. What could this be about? I scan my head for all the possible reasons why Alpha Michael might want to speak with me. Holden. It has to be about Holden. He’s going to tell me Holden wants to reject me. Dad. He knows who my father is and knows he asked me to keep an eye on the pack. Xenia. Xenia is secretly a hybrid who can’t really perform as well as full-blooded werewolves, so she can’t be in the Cadet Program, and as her cohort mate, I have to deal with it. I try to reach out to Xenia through the mind link, but I keep hitting walls. She wasn’t part of the crowd who left the gym. Come to think of it, I don’t remember seeing her after her fight was over. Is she missing? I only have thirty minutes, not enough time to shower. Instead, I spend those thirty minutes agonizing over the whirlwind of shit that has hit my face in the last two days, mourning the loss of whatever I’m about to lose. I rehearse different speeches to
The Way You Taste 18. Alone with her
HOLDEN’S POINT OF VIEW It’s absolutely insane that I barely even spoke to this girl, and yet, the thought of her makes it impossible for me to focus on anything else. Every time I close my eyes, I see her. Willow. The way her body arched, the scent of her skin, the sound of her voice. The thought of what she tastes like. “We can finally do all that and more!” Hendrix says. I shake my head. Get a grip, Holden. This is about research. Willow is waiting outside the Pack House, dressed in an outfit that seems like it’s crafted from my own fantasies. A fucking pleated skirt and a white blouse. Like a fucking British schoolgirl. The way it clings to her form, revealing just enough to make my imagination run wild. I’m instantly reminded that I didn’t actually get to see her naked when we had sex. “No better place than our lab for that…” Hendrix taunts. “Morning,” she greets me, shooting me a smirk that says she knows exactly what she’s doing to me. I motion for her to follow me
The Way You Taste 19. Bridging gaps
WILLOW’S POINT OF VIEW “Dad! I thought you said we weren’t supposed to talk until after boot camp?” I smile as I answer the phone. “Yeah, I just missed you too much. So, how’s my Willy Kitty?” He chuckles at me as he uses my old nickname. “Good! I mean, everything’s so different, there’s a lot to get used to and I haven’t had much time yet.” “I bet,” he chuckles. “So, tell me about it. What do you think of Ghost Pack?” I love it. Absolutely love it and I wish you’d done the right thing and raised me and Lachlan here so we could’ve experienced a normal werewolf childhood. What the fuck, where is this coming from? I can’t hurt him like that. “It’s beautiful, Dad,” I say instead. “I’m really happy to be here. “What about training? Has it started yet?” “Yeah,” I reply enthusiastically. “I mean, I’ve only had one day. But it’s pretty cool, I really like the vision they have for the Cadet Program. It’s not all about training and fighting, it’s about being a part of something
The Way You Taste 20. Moonlit desires
HOLDEN’S POINT OF VIEW ****RATED R**** Theoretically, Mondays are a holy day for werewolves. “Moon day”. Everyone in Ghost Pack has a day off, except for essential workers. It’s the only day on which Cadets have no training, and it’s the only day on which there are no meetings with the ranked wolves. Yet, we partially live in a human world, so those with jobs outside the territory proceed as usual. I actually don’t have any classes on Mondays this semester, so I could be back in the territory chilling with my friends and enjoying my free time. Instead, I’m hiding in the University laboratory. I’m trying to convince myself that I’m doing something productive, that I’m actually working on my research. But I’m not. I’m sulking and brooding. I’m trying to figure out what I’ll do today. I’m hiding from Willow. Per our agreement, I’ll be spending time with her today. She pretty much decided on it for me, she said I had to take her to dinner and to the Moonlit Communion afterward. It
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The Way You Taste 36. On the brink of battle
HOLDEN’S POINT OF VIEW The second I'm out of the Council Room and in the Pack House bunker, fear and anxiety hit me head-on. There is no shame in admitting it, I’d be mad if I weren’t afraid in this situation. Ghost Pack is home to 1,533 werewolves, and this bunker is equipped to house 200 people, with enough food and water to keep them for an entire year. It’s the center of a spider web of underground tunnels leading to several other bunkers, which also have enough room, water, and food. All in all, we can keep our 1,533 pack members and an extra 200 safe and fed should we need to. The ghost of the Siege of Sandy Hills looms large over us, so we’ve prepared for it in the last 60 years. We’re ready to stand natural disasters, bombs, nuclear attacks, radiation, and biological weapons. Not that we ever thought anything other than rogue attacks and wars with other packs would ever happen, but hey, better safe than sorry. Right now, the atrium is alive with urgent activity. It’s like a
The Way You Taste 35. Crisis council
HOLDEN’S POINT OF VIEW Stepping into the Council Room, I can instantly feel the tension hanging heavy in the air. The room’s usually calm and orderly, soothing Father’s OCD. But today, it’s buzzing with uncertainty and worry. Beta Ricardo, Gamma Linda, Delta Andrew, and Elder Johnson sit around the massive wooden table, each with their tablets in hand and their heads leaned in, exchanging urgent whispers. Father is pacing near the fireplace, the flames flickering in his eyes. When Willow walks in behind me, surprise sweeps across the room. Eyebrows shoot up, and I can almost hear the wheels turning in everyone’s heads. "I see your mate is joining us," Father remarks, stopping in his tracks. His eyes move between Willow and me. There’s a faint smile on his lips, but I can sense the underlying scrutiny. He's weighing, assessing, observing how we handle the situation. Alice spins around, her eyes flashing with hurt and anger. “Everyone knew?” Her voice is barely a whisper, but it cut
The Way You Taste 34. Gathering storm
WILLOW’S POINT OF VIEW The stables hum with the usual noise and chatter, as hay and horses give off their familiar scents – scents I’ve come to love. Today, I’m on brushing duty. There’s something oddly soothing about the brush moving rhythmically against a horse’s coat, seeing how shiny it gets, it’s like a living masterpiece of muscle and power. Harper is still a bitch, but I’ve noticed some subtle changes. Our recent cohort training sections have been pushing us together. The exercises require us to rely on each other for defense and attack, to protect, and to be vulnerable. And then there’s the strategy sessions, where we sit together, maps and plans spread out in front of us. Our voices overlapping and our ideas clashing and merging… We’re learning to value each other’s perspectives, to listen and compromise, to create plans that use both our collective and individual strengths. Somewhere along the line, the shaky foundation of trust was built, and it’s kinda awesome. The pas
The Way You Taste 33. Shadows of legacy
WILLOW’S POINT OF VIEW I stand in formation with my fellow Cadets in the meeting hall, eyes glued on the stage. There are unfamiliar faces among the ranked wolves, but I don’t make any effort to guess who they are. All I can see is Holden. We were told he wasn’t going to be involved in training this year because of his studies. Yet, here he is, on stage, his eyes scanning the crowd, embodying the strength and poise of a future Alpha. He steps forward, clearing his throat. “Welcome, everyone,” he says, his voice clear and steady. “Today, we take the next step in your training. You know about the attack on the Shell and the threat it could mean for our pack. So, we’re going to up our game. I’ve reached out to our allies and asked them to help us. Today, we have the honor of being joined by very special guests. Gathering Storm Pack has sent us an elite squad of 15 warriors to share their wisdom, with their captain, Seth. And Silver Hill Pack has sent Finn, their Gamma, and their futur
The Way You Taste 32. Testing love
WILLOW’S POINT OF VIEW My heart thuds loudly in my chest as I enter the lab, eager to spend time with my mate, to get closer to him. The first thing to hit me is the sterility of it all. How it’s cold, white, clean, clinical. So different from the warmth and intimacy Holden and I shared just last night. But it’s not the lab itself that hits me like a gut punch, that makes my legs freeze and my blood boil. No, it’s the tall, lean form of a blonde man in a white lab coat. Dr. Tremblay, it has to be. Holden’s boss and research advisor. It seems like we’re back to Science Holden today. Not only does he want to keep his distance from me, but he also wants to put a barrier between us. He’s doing exactly what he said he wouldn’t. Yesterday was only a dream, and now I’m back to the sad reality. I feel betrayed. “Willow,” Holden is at my side in an instant, his words rushing out of him with a hint of nervousness. “Look, I should’ve given you a heads up, but Dr. Tremblay is here to help
The Way You Taste 31. Forging strategies
HOLDEN’S POINT OF VIEW The air in the Council Room is humming with tension, each face portraying a mix of worry and determination. It’s like stepping into a hive of focused bees, everyone buzzing with energy and eager to do their job. Father stands at the head of the table, and I take my seat next to him, drawing from his calm energy to steady my own buzzing nerves. “Thank you all for being here,” Father begins, his voice a pillar of strength, “our efforts over the past few days have been monumental. But we’re still far from solving this crisis. We need to brainstorm and piece together every bit of information we have. Holden, would you begin?” Taking a deep breath, I stand up. Hendrix nudges me gently with resolve. “The other Temple Packs haven’t seen any similar incidents,” I say, infusing my voice with as much determination as I can. The Temple packs, of course, are the ones informally referred to as the “Temple Dynasty”: Ghost Pack, Gathering Storm Pack, Shallow Creek Pack, an
The Way You Taste 30. Crossroads
HOLDEN’S POINT OF VIEW “HOLDENNNN!” Father’s voice invades my head, piercing the bubble of post-sex bliss I was in. Shit. “My office, now,” he says in a homicidal tone. Realization washes over me, and a pit forms in my stomach, like a black hole consuming all the thrill I was reveling in just seconds ago. What in the heat of the moment felt so natural, so right, now mixes with the sharp pang of embarrassment and shame. I curse my recklessness, my impulsivity. As I enter Father’s office, I’m greeted by the wall lined with portraits of previous Alphas and their Lunas, going all the way back to the 1800s. Their silent eyes judge me, like they’re Harry Potter portraits about to chew me off. Under their stares, I feel vulnerable, exposed. It’s suffocating. Right now, I feel like I’m four inches tall. Father looks beyond pissed. Before I can find the right words to explain myself, he speaks. “Holden,” his voice is laced with a mix of disappointment and anger, “having sex in public
The Way You Taste 29. The morning after
WILLOW’S POINT OF VIEW I wake up to a sweet ache in my body, reminding me of how hard my mate fucked me last night, marking every part of me as his. Well, except for ACTUALLY marking me. But I’m more convinced than ever that we’re on the right path to fully becoming mates, to fully accepting our bond—step by uncertain step. Last night, everything changed. I could see it in the way Holden acted throughout our date, I could hear it in his words as he opened up to me about things I’m not sure he had even admitted to himself, and I could feel it in the way we fucked passionately. “It was a wild ride, huh?” Jamie nudges me cheekily. “Oh, I hope I get to ride that cock soon…” I muse. As I go through my morning routine, I look back on everything that happened with a smile on my lips. Every gesture, every kiss, is an echo of our deepened connection. Yet, amidst all the warm fuzzy feelings, a shadow of doubt creeps in. I have to hold on to the belief that things changed so much that not
The Way You Taste 28. Leap of faith
HOLDEN’S POINT OF VIEW We then reach a park, and my feet don’t need a guide to take me towards an ancient tree that stands out from the rest. It calls to me. The Eternal Tree. It's huge, with branches stretching out like wise old arms, and its leaves are perpetually green. As we approach it, a warm, calming energy envelopes us, and I take a glance at Willow. She looks so… Peaceful. “Do you feel that?” she asks, her voice soft, almost reverent. “It’s like… Like the tree is alive. More than just a plant. It’s… sentient.” “It’s a portal, Willow,” I smile. “A crossing between worlds. It leads to the fae realm.” I turn my eyes to my mate, taking in her true self. She’s like an open book, with welcoming arms. She’s never been anything but honest and open with me, inviting me in, no pretenses, just pure, inviting honesty. The need to share, to unload, takes over me and, for once, I just give in. “You know,” I start, the words tumbling out in a rush. “All my life, I’ve tried to under
