Mated To The Alpha Of The North
Chapter 52

Willow

My eyes felt like lead weights as I pushed the remnants of the buttery noodles around on my plate, but my movements were sluggish and half-hearted at best. A yawn escaped from my mouth as I relinquished my hold on the utensil.

I had eaten a lot more than I thought could, more than I had in a long time, in fact. I supposed it was not surprising, seeing as I had eaten little since breakfast before, bright and early this morning with the two siblings.

Ronnie had thankfully suggested procuring a few snacks to munch on when we had talked with the other girls about the ball and while we were at the coffee shop in town, but then we had run into Jax on the way back to the lodge for a late lunch and that was all she wrote.

One thing led to another, and well, we had never gotten around to actually eating anything before he was driving me to all-out sprint home due to the lapse in security, not that I was aware of that particularly helpful detail at the time. Then, the whole debacle with Zeke had thrown things even further off course. Though that was neither here nor there now.

I had been conversing back and forth somewhat with Ronnie as we savored the food that she had made, but the dialog was dragging now.

Jax had placed his large hand strategically high up on my thigh, occasionally rubbing tiny circles over the thin layer of fabric that separated our skin, inciting my wolf’s inner fantasies to gush to the forefront of my mind.

My already divided attention splintered into reduced fragments, part of me considering what it would be like when Jax did finally claim me wholly.

However, I could instantly feel the heat searing my face and spreading further down my neck as the images stirred a molten fire that simmered just below the surface, no doubt a lingering byproduct of our shared shower previously.

I swiftly scanned the room for a distraction, my eyes frantically darting in every direction but my mate’s. Now was definitely not the time for my arousal to make itself known with the impending arrival of visitors and Ronnie only a few feet away.

As I alighted upon the tidy surfaces in my search, I was reminded again of Ronnie’s thoughtfulness. I had been extremely grateful when I had noticed that she had cleaned up the kitchen in Jax and I’s absence.

Rap, rap. Rap, rap. Rap, rap.

I was a bit startled when I heard the staccato of several loud knocks on the back door, the very one that Jax had breezed through formerly in his desperation to replace me.

My blinks were slowly but surely becoming longer periods of time where my eyes remained shut, yet the bewilderment of the moment was enough to give me a jolt of energy to lift my head a bit higher as Jax called out, “You guys can come in.”

The other alphas ambled in without any further prompting. As they entered the dwelling, Jax moved to gather me up in his arms, stating, “Let’s go into the living room so Willow can lie down while we talk.”

I was delighted with his precognition, but I still believed I could have strolled by myself the short distance to the other room. My wolf told me to shut up and relish the close contact with our mate while we could.

I found I did not have the energy to resist and immediately burrowed down into my mate’s warmth as he settled us on the loveseat together, with me mostly situated in his lap and his strong arms surrounding me in a protective hold.

I could not deny the butterflies that had erupted in the pit of my stomach at his tender embrace, loving the nearness to the source of his delectable scent and the almost hypnotizing pull he seemed to have over me when in close proximity.

I had been somewhat uncomfortable with his extreme possessive behaviors at first, being partially worried about the overlap in tendencies between him and Zeke, but I was beginning to learn that that was just a part of who Jax was.

It was how he showed his affection when words simply would not do, in complete opposition to the reasoning behind Zeke’s treatment, though I had only gleaned enough to piece together miniscule portions of the truth over the time that I had been forced to spend in his presence over the years.

I also secretly got a thrill from the feeling of desire it elicited in me from his actions alone, but I would never say that out loud where anyone could hear.

Asher and Reese had followed us into the room, replaceing their own respective seats. I did not pay much attention to them, too busy wrapped up in Jax’s arms, but I did notice the saucy wink that Asher had shot my way before Jax’s growl had him scurrying to sit in the seat the outermost away from where we were cuddled up together.

I turned my head into Jax’s chest, content to curl up and catch some rest while he discussed matters with the other alphas. I just needed to be close to him right now. I could not care less what they were discussing in the moment. I did, however, catch a few tidbits here and there in between my fitful bouts of rest.

I recalled Jax mentioning that the main attack had been carried out on the pack house, most likely Zeke’s starting point in his hunt for me. The next logical place would be the lodge, which was why Jax had been running a perimeter check in the first place when he had been ambushed.

Zeke’s distraction tactic was actually pretty impressive for him, and I kind of found it hard to believe that he came up with it on his own. It might have worked if he was even half the alpha that Jax is. Instead, he had run away from two she-wolves with his tail tucked between his legs, leaving a path of b***d behind in his wake, no less.

I may not have had any refreshers in self-defense as of yet, but I was not helpless.

Zeke had managed to get the upper hand on me before only because I was injured to begin with, and he consequently maintained that control by secretly poisoning me. The emotional and physical abuse was just the cherry on top of the sundae.

I vowed to myself then and there that he would never have that kind of power over me again. I would do anything and everything imaginable to ensure that, including starting training with Ronnie as soon as possible. Of course, I had Jax as the first line of defense, but I would never rely solely on anyone to stand up for me again.

The guys kept talking as my mind soared, and I think Ryker’s name was brought up a time or two. Even so, the words had all started to blur together at that point. I think I must have fallen asleep at some point because the next thing I knew, the other males were standing and making their way out the door.

Ronnie dashed in briefly, reaching down and giving me a small squeeze before also following the others out of the room.

Jax had wrapped one of his arms around my shoulders and hooked the other beneath my legs, picking me up with ease as he ascended the stairs to our room. In the distance, I heard the door close as the others left.

I could not say if they had managed to figure out the issue or not, but as I felt Jax gently lay me on the bed and slip off the loose sweats I had thrown on prior, I decided to trust Jax and permitted myself to drift off to sleep.