Mated To The Alpha Of The North
Chapter 46

Willow

It took me a few minutes to come back down from the high that I had been riding after Jax’s sweltering goodbye k**s, and when I finally fell, I found that Ronnie had just completed tidying up the kitchen while I had been standing in the middle of the room like a lovestruck fool, right where Jax had left me prior.

Ronnie had taken one look at my face as she turned around from where she had been washing the dishes at the sink and then proceeded to break out in giggles while saying in between laughs, “You should really see your face right about now.”

She snickered, before going on in a sober tone of voice, “If I was not so happy for my brother and you, I might have been a little sickened by that display, but it just makes me melt seeing how content you two are together.”

Her words warmed my heart further, aiding in slowly, but surely destroying the barrier that I had erected over the years to protect myself. They also helped give me a brighter outlook for my future, leaving me keen to get started experiencing life again.

Therefore, when I responded it was with true sincerity, stating, “I am grateful that I met both of you. My life has changed so much for the better since then, and I cannot wait to explore the town with you. Let me run upstairs and finish getting ready and then we can head out if you want.”

Ronnie agreed easily, apparently approving of my suggestion, and I wasted no more time before dashing upstairs to complete my personal hygiene routine. However, I did allow myself a moment to take in the rich aroma, which was uniquely Jax, that still clung to the room from his recent departure.

After committing the smell to memory for probably the thousandth time, I made my way into the bathroom to brush my teeth and wash my face.

Though, the love bites that Jax had marked my pale skin with gave me pause as I glanced up at my reflection in the mirror, tilting my head to the side to get a better view. I had initially been mad, or really just embarrassed if I was being honest, but then I had considered their significance within our society.

My wolf was thrilled with the dark marks coloring the left side of my neck. The more I thought about it, I had to admit that I reveled in the feeling of being desired by him, that he had wanted me enough to leave his show of possession on my body to warn others away.

I also decided that I did not give a damn what anyone else thought about my mate marking me in whatever manner he chose to do so in. Sure, it was not the norm, but neither was our situation.

Truthfully, everything still seemed a bit surreal to me, like I was just waiting for the other shoe to drop at any second. This, in turn, led me to ponder about what would happen when Jax finally did catch up to Zeke as I turned on the tap to wash my face.

Nevertheless, before I was able to come up with a satisfactory answer, I was able to detect the sound of Ronnie tromping up the stairs after a few minutes had passed. There was not any uncertainty in my mind whether she was heading in my direction or not.

It was enough to pull me out of my wandering contemplations and back into the present where I was currently in the middle of brushing my teeth. I speedily ran the brush over the remainder of my teeth, ensuring I was quick, but still thorough in my haste.

I grabbed the brush from where it was lying on the counter as I went to meet her in the bedroom, but I found myself detouring slightly to the left to rummage through the cabinet for a hair tie when I considered the amount of time it would take to brush through my long tresses later tonight if I had left them unbound all day while we traveled throughout the town.

Ronnie was sitting on the edge of the bed, waiting for me, when I had emerged from the bathroom. She started speaking as soon as I had come into view, “Hey Willow, I thought I could help you brush your hair and maybe braid it if you wanted me to?” She said cheerily.

I thought about her offer fleetingly, a braid would certainly keep my hair from knotting, no matter what she had in mind for the day, and it also had the added advantage of advertising to any assholes we came across that I was already taken.

My wolf was satisfied with my reasoning, which was good enough for me, even if I still had not quite forgiven her for her brazen action early this morning.

I answered Ronnie without delay, “Sure, that sounds great, thank you.”

I said as I walked over to join her where she was sitting. Faint traces of my mate’s heavenly scent still seemed embedded within the fabric of the blanket, gradually help to ease any anxiety that had managed to linger.

Subsequently, Ronnie efficiently combed through the numerous tangles that had amassed since I had brushed my hair last, no doubt several of the snarls were caused by Jax’s nimble fingers twisting through the dark brown strands, not that I was going to tell his sister that.

We talked a little on and off as she worked through my long locks and tightly wove the three sections together, and when she was done, we began our adventure, at least it appeared that way to me as we made our way into town.

We elected to walk, Ronnie assuring me that it was not too far a distance. I admired the wildlife on the way, enjoying the peaceful atmosphere and pleasant company.

Once we had arrived in the small settlement, she showed me around a few of the shops, introducing me to people as we went. I took it all in stride the best that I could. Though I definitely noticed some doubletakes aimed my way.

I loved the sightseeing and meeting Ronnie’s friends at the coffee shop, despite my nerves being totally shot after several hours of interacting with strangers and taking in my new surroundings.

Ronnie’s pitch to stop in at the coffee shop for an afternoon pick-me-up was instantly accepted the moment the last word had crossed the threshold of her lips.

I had not wanted to bring it up, but I could honestly use the rest after our busy morning. I was hesitant to acknowledge the soreness I could feel seeping into my muscles, and my wolf’s pissy attitude about missing our mate was not helping anything.

Needless to say, I was more than ready for the quiet escape she had promised, but I was, unfortunately, wrong in the assumption that we would be alone.

Upon entering the shop, we made our way to the counter, ordering our drinks before replaceing a table to relax at while we waited, but Ronnie’s attention was diverted along the way by a tall redhead that oozed confidence.

Ronnie’s beaming smile filled her face as she grabbed my arm, steering me in her direction, as she called out, “Scarlett! Oh, and Mari, too! Just the girls I wanted to see.”

However, she stopped for a minute, lowering her voice so only I could hear as she said, “They are who we need to talk to about the ball. I know you have a lot on your plate, but I promise you will not regret meeting them.”

I was feeling overwhelmed with all of the competing stimuli, but I took a deep inhale of Jax’s fragrance, thanking Luna that I had decided to wear his shirt today. It allowed me the composure I needed to make it through the next hour or so as Ronnie introduced me to her friends, and we discussed some of the details of the ball.

I was appreciative when Scarlett and Mari had volunteered to take care of most of the particulars, though I found that I liked them individually and would not mind spending more time with them in the future.

Nonetheless, I was reaching my tolerance limit for being separated from my mate. My wolf would not shut the hell up, and I was pissed at myself for not being able to be apart from him without feeling this unease building up.

I was not used to relying on others, but I recognized, even in my aggravated state, that it was something I would quickly need to get used to.

Ronnie and the others had continued discussing some of the minutiae while I struggled with my wolf and berated myself internally, but I knew for a fact that I would never be able to recall what had been said.

I had tried to hide my growing discomfort from the others, but I think I must have failed because after a little longer, Ronnie turned to me, her words evoking conflicting emotions as she said, “Jax is going to meet us back at the lodge.”