Mated To The Alpha Of The North
Chapter 24

Jax

As I neared the door to Willow’s room, I could sense her distress bleeding through the walls, driving my wolf and I insane with the urge to ease our mate’s anguish.

I burst through the door without a second thought, my wolf having taken the reins, and barreled towards the bed where I saw her panic-stricken eyes, brimmed with salty tears, unaware that I had even smashed my way into the room.

The tray of food that I had stopped in the kitchen for on my way in had thankfully survived somehow, though I quickly shoved it into Ronnie’s arms as I rushed to my mate’s side.

I did the only thing it crossed my mind to do in that moment, I picked her up and sat her in my lap, wrapping my arms securely around her small frame, not even considering that she might not want me so near her this soon.

However, she quickly melted into my embrace, putting any worries I might have had to rest.

I buried my face in her thick, luscious locks, loving the rich honey scent that only enhanced her natural, delectable scent that was distinctively hers alone.

After a few moments, Willow’s breathing started to even out, and she appeared to have calmed down to a certain extent.

She had her face pressed against the fabric of my t-shirt, subtly sniffing my own distinct, organic aroma as she clutched the soft material in her dainty hands.

When I glanced up, I realized Ronnie was still in the room, holding the tray of food I had so crudely shoved at her in my haste.

What did you say to her?

Somewhere in my brain, it registered that I was being callous and unfair to my sister, but my only focus at the moment was on Willow’s wellbeing, with my wolf seriously pushing the limits of my self-control.

I asked Ronnie the question, or rather demanded an answer, through our mind link.

Though the query and my prior behavior could be taken several ways, I knew Ronnie would understand that I had only wanted to know what had set off Willow’s anxiety.

It was well acknowledged after all that mates with unclaimed partners were known to act a little crazy at times.

Ronnie would also hopefully forgive me for my brash actions later when my wolf was not as close to the surface.

I knew my mate would have a long way to go after everything that had happened, but I would be there every step of the way. Ronnie replied while I was busy mulling over what was to come.

I told her the truth. She has been most likely ingesting wolfsbane on a regular basis for Luna only knows how long. It is amazing she has lasted as long as she has.

Ronnie’s tone bordered on reverential when she finished. While my wolf and I were furious that Willow had been poisoned unknowingly, presumably by Zeke to keep her weak and compliant, Ronnie’s words had only confirmed a former misgiving.

I continued to rub small, soothing circles over Willow’s back as I considered Ronnie’s revelation.

I had suspected wolfsbane’s involvement in Willow’s slow healing progression earlier when Ronnie had been talking about Theo, before I left to interrogate the wolves in the bunker. There were a lot of similarities, and I told Ronnie as much when I replied.

I honestly suspected as much before when you were telling me about Theo’s recovery. There were too many resemblances. Do you know how much is still in her system? Can we do anything to speed up her healing process?

I was desperate to help Willow in any way that I could. My wolf just wanted to hunt Zeke down and make him pay for everything he had put our mate through.

It was difficult to control his vicious impulses when I also wanted the same thing. However, Ronnie’s answer thankfully helped temper his violent reaction.

There is not much left, only enough to cause some lingering weakness and temporary pain, though I daresay nothing as severe as what she appears to be used to, mercifully.

As far as how you can help, you are already doing it, but this food you so thoughtfully brought up will go a long way as well.

Other than that, I would suggest taking her to shift a little later today after she has rested more, though it looks like you could use some too, big brother.

She definitely was not wrong on that front, but Willow’s needs would always come first. I glanced down to where she was still wrapped tightly in my arms.

Her pulse had finally slowed to a normal rhythm, but she was still resting her head lightly against my chest, dark eyes open and gazing up at me in wonder now, instead of staring forward at the blue cloth.

I switched to talking aloud, worried Willow would think we were hiding something from her.

The only reason I had chosen to use the mind link before was due to her noticeable suffering that Ronnie’s words had caused before I had arrived.

I did not want to make it any worse at the time. However, I wanted to be certain that she would not confuse me for Zeke, and she was obviously feeling much better now.

“Thank you for staying with Willow, Ronnie, but would you mind leaving us alone for a while? I would like to get some rest after she eats.”

Ronnie did not hesitate before replying, “No problem. Just keep doing what you have been doing, but do not forget what I said about shifting later after you guys rest some.”

She turned to leave the room, after depositing the tray of food on the side table, apparently having nothing else to say.

However, Willow spoke up then, to my surprise, “Thank you for all your help Ronnie. I really enjoyed spending time with you.”

She spoke softly, but the warmth in her voice was difficult to hide. The friendship that seemed to have sprung up between my mate and my sister pleased me to no end. My wolf hummed his agreement in my head.

I knew Willow would need someone other than me to talk to at times, and I was okay with that.

Ronnie enthused just as affectionately when she responded, “It was nothing Willow. I will see you later after you have rested up a bit more. I expect you to make a full recovery so long as you let Jax keep taking care of you.”

She smiled, once again turning to leave the room. I noticed her words had caused a slight blush to appear on Willow’s face.

I would have been happy to let Ronnie leave without another word, but I had promised Asher earlier that I would ask her about planning the ball for the unmated males. Consequently, I spoke yet again, preventing her from leaving again for the moment.

“Sorry, just one more thing Ronnie. It would be extremely helpful for me if you told me you were still willing to plan the ball we discussed before. A lot of the males were already looking forward to it.” I finished coaxingly.

I knew well about Ronnie’s aversion to planning anything, but I was hoping that I could appeal to her sympathetic nature. There was no way I was going to ask my mate to do it, as Zeke had intended.

However, stunning us both, Willow spoke up before Ronnie could escape the room without promising to help, and that is exactly what she was trying to do. I noticed that she was somehow only a few feet away from the door, despite me not having physically seen her move a step.

“I was not sure that was really happening, but if it is, I would love to help with the planning…so long as I am not the one in charge of everything.” She finished in a firm voice, though I could tell it took courage for her to stand up for herself and express what she wanted.

Her words inspired a mixed reaction in my wolf and me. While my wolf maintained that this was further proof that she was the perfect mate for us, her stepping up to help when we needed it, I was worried about her taking on too many responsibilities before she was fully healed. I also did not want her to feel any sort of obligation.

Ronnie apparently had had the same worries because she spoke up, to my relief, without any further prompting from me, “If Willow wants to help then I will as well, but I do not want to be solely responsible for it either. Maybe we could ask some of the other girls in the village for help and make it a group thing. I am sure they would be dying to let loose their creative fancies.”

I could see several benefits to Ronnie’s suggestion, and Willow did not appear to be opposed to the idea, so I wasted no time in agreeing with her, “I think that sounds great, but it also sounds like it would be more up your alley to talk with the local girls. I am sure you could replace all kinds of volunteers. If you are okay with this, then maybe you could all meet up later this week when Willow is feeling better.”

Ronnie quickly responded, after seeing Willow’s approval, before she exited the room, “Sounds perfect. See you guys later.”