Mated To The Alpha Of The North
Chapter 34

Jax

My wolf wanted nothing more than to scale the tree and end the wretched bird who had dared to intrude on our moment with Willow.

I kind of wanted the same thing, but I knew that out here in the middle of the forest was not exactly the best place for a romantic interlude, especially not for someone who was clearly as inexperienced as Willow.

Don’t get me wrong, I had saved myself for my soulmate too, but I had also messed around some when I was a teenager. I could not resist the temptation of the local girls being my stupid hormone addled self, though I never crossed that final line. So, yeah, I had a bit of experience.

None of that mattered now though. Willow was my one and only, and I would wait as long as I had to for her. I would also make damn sure her first time was special. She deserved nothing less.

I had stepped back to give Willow some space when the owl had broken into our private moment, ruining the mood with its territorial warning.

I noticed that she looked a little flustered as she let a small, disbelieving laugh out from under her breath. Perhaps the nocturnal bird’s timing was fortuitous after all.

“Shall we get going then? I suppose it is getting rather late, and I do need to feed my gorgeous mate.” I finished affectionately, holding out my hand for hers.

It helped soothed my wolf’s impatient nerves when she reached out without hesitation to immediately enclose her small hand in my larger one. I gripped her petite hand gently, but still firmly as we started our journey home without any further need for words.

I urged my wolf to take a backseat for the moment, promising postponed pleasure as a reward for his patience. He reluctantly complied for the time being, allowing me to remain more fully in the moment with my mate instead of engaging in a constant dominance battle in my head while we walked home.

It occurred to me then that I had not informed Willow about my plans for us to immediately go to my lodge instead of returning to the enormous pack house for her belongings, though I would quickly need to do so before we came upon the split in the path a few minutes ahead of us.

As we continued down the path, I allowed my senses to scan our surroundings for danger while I mind linked with Ronnie to ensure that she had been able to move the rest of Willow’s belongings to the lodge for me while we had been gone today.

I thanked Luna when she instantly responded that she had already taken care of it and of procuring the items I had asked her to get for Willow. My sister really was amazing. I was not sure how yet, but I needed to replace some way to repay all her help and generosity.

Gently squeezing Willow’s hand to get her attention, I began talking when her chocolate colored gaze met mine, “Are you okay with going directly to my lodge, love? I had Ronnie move your things for you today while we were gone so you would not have to go back there.”

I was horrified when I noticed her beautiful eyes beginning to overfill with salty tears. I instantly reached out and brushed the moisture away with my thumbs. However, before I could worry too much, her sweet voice began speaking and quickly put my worries to rest.

“Sorry, I am actually really happy. Yes, your lodge sounds perfect. Thank you, baby.”

I observed amusingly as she seemed to freeze for a moment when the last word slipped past her perfect lips, still reddened and swollen from my hungry k****s earlier.

I have got to say, that was not the pet name I would have expected her to pick for me, but hell, I would take anything she gave me.

My wolf was a different story, but he could keep growling all he wanted in my head. She continued walking in silence, apparently having decided it was the best option rather than risk further embarrassing herself.

I thought she was adorable, but I would probably only make it worse if I told her so. Instead, I wrapped my arm securely around her waist, bringing her into the warmth of my side as we continued down the path, veering slightly to the left as we neared my lodge.

However, any quiet, peaceful plans I had thought to make with my mate tonight immediately fled as my nose took in the scents pervading the air as the lodge came into sight ahead.

Ronnie had conveniently forgotten to mention that she would be waiting for us when we got back. Oh, and with Asher and Reese too. What was I saying earlier about thanking Ronnie?

With a resigned sigh, I continued to walk at the same pace, bringing Willow with me as we climbed the short flight of stairs to get to door, though I glanced down when a small giggle sounded in the quiet night.

“What is so funny sweetheart?” I asked her, leaning down and pressing a k**s against the top of her head as we paused before entering when we finally reached the door.

She smiled softly before replying, “It’s nothing. I think we may have some unexpected visitors though.” She finished, letting out another light laugh as we entered the lodge, still wrapped up in each other.

Fortunately, the smell of bell peppers, melted cheese, and red sauce also filled the air, encouraging us to follow our noses to the kitchen where Ronnie and the others were waiting with dinner for us. Well, at least she had brought food.

It was hard to be mad when she had saved me the trouble of replaceing something edible to eat for my mate. I was not going to lie; I was not much of a cook, but for my mate, I would have given it my best shot.

Thank Luna, Ronnie had saved us all from that. I did not really want to have to put out the fire I would have inevitably started from me trying to cook something palatable. Look, I had many talents, but cooking sure as hell was not one of them.

I pulled Willow tighter into my side as we entered the kitchen and spotted the others lounging around the crowded room. I was not concerned about Ronnie perched on the counter, but Asher and Reese, sprawled out in chairs around the small breakfast table, were another story entirely.

In theory, I knew they were friends, but my wolf did not care in that moment. The unfulfilled mating bond was driving me a bit insane with the urge to protect what was mine.

I still had not marked Willow’s lovely skin with my claiming bite, and they were unmated alpha males after all. I think I may have even let a growl escape before I managed to rein my wolf and I’s temper in.

Willow’s small arms wrapped solidly around my middle kept me grounded and allowed me the moment to gather the modicum I needed to speak, “Hello Veronica, thank you for the heads up that you would be crashing our relaxing evening in tonight by the way. Asher, Reese.” I finished, nodding my head in their direction.

I could not help but add the barb acidly, not quite over her little slip in relaying those details earlier when we had conversed.

Ronnie ignored my jibe, enthusiastically responding, “Don’t be like that Jaxy, you know you missed me. Besides, I am here for your lovely mate, not you. These other two gentlemen here have their own business to attend to with you.”

Oh, Luna. She had not called me that since we had been children, the name automatically softening the already waning irritation their presence had caused, though I did wish she had chosen not to mention that little nickname in front of the other alphas.

I could already hear them snickering quietly under their breath from behind me at the table as Willow and I walked over to where Ronnie was sitting up on the counter.

Willow greeted Ronnie warmly, but she did not say much else, other than to politely respond when I introduced her to Asher and Reese. However, I did notice that her eyes remained glued to the oven.

Taking the hint, I moved forward, preparing a plate for her as she remained close to Ronnie’s side. As I gathered the plate and a glass of milk that I had poured for Willow as an afterthought, I sincerely thanked my sister for bringing dinner tonight while I walked the dishes over to the table, shooing Asher to the other side in the process.

I quickly retrieved my mate, wasting no time in grabbing her hand and towing her over to the table. I sat down first, and then pulled her gently into my lap so that she could eat. I thought she might protest the possessive move, but her cheeks only colored slightly as she allowed me to cradle her snugly in my lap.

I paid no attention to the others in the room as Willow settled in and began eating, a deep sense of satisfaction setting in at being able to care for my mate’s needs.