Mated To The Alpha Of The North
Chapter 55

Willow

I had not been paying much attention to the males as they strategized, but I had put my two cents in where I had believed it was germane to the current point of discussion.

Moreover, I could not help infrequently targeting sly glances Theo’s way as the day progressed onward. His presence here perplexed me, though I did not particularly relish the thought of dredging up the last time I had seen him face to face, so I let my inner query go without any outward questioning as Ronnie and I engaged in our own conversation on the side.

When our chat grew stale, we turned our attention back to what the males were still embroiled in deliberating.

I had mixed sentiments initially when Reese had advocated for Jax to finally take me home, to where my roots had remained embedded deep within the rich topsoil of the Northern Province.

I instantly felt the tidal wave of melancholy that crashed into me, always accompanying any aspirations I had of returning home one day, but this time, things were starkly different than in the past.

I allowed myself to openly revel in the new possibilities presented in front of me for a fleeting moment in time before I subsequently reined in my runaway emotions until I could explore them more freely in the privacy that I desired.

I was further intrigued when Ronnie had professed Ryker’s familiarity with the geography of the area, but I did not miss the quick expression of distrust that had alighted in my mate’s eyes at her proclamation, motivating me to delay my inquisition for when we were alone later.

My wolf had remained serene during the course of the morning, content to bask in the nearby proximity of our mate, but she was beginning to stir restlessly in my head as more time elapsed with no changes.

I was seriously considering sneaking out for a snack when the males reached a provisional solution at length.

From what I had gathered, Asher and Reese were going to alternate aiding Ryker and Theo with maintaining the Southern Province provisionally while we traveled home. I believed Jax was going to follow up with the elders’ absence, as well, but I did not catch many specifics while the males were debating this issue, too engrossed in my own line of dialog with Ronnie.

The two alphas had started filing out once a point of concession had been reached. In the interim, Jax gathered me close in his solid arms to stand, but all activity rapidly ceased as Theo’s eyes lasered in on mine.

Following his soliloquy, I found myself intensely gratified that he had chosen to express his heartfelt remorse for my treatment, even if he was not the one largely at fault.

It did not expunge all the horrible things that had happened to me over the years while I had been confined to that house, but his validation helped ease a part of my soul that I had not known needed healing.

I had previously believed myself impervious to the opinions and actions of others, yet I was coming to the realization that a great deal of misinformation had been spread, undoubtedly by Zeke himself.

Nonetheless, I was ready to move past the memories that had haunted me for so long, keen to begin my fresh start with Jax and Ronnie in my home territory.

Although, it dawned on me when I glanced in her direction and noticed her uncomfortable expression that my plans might have to readjust regarding her propinquity to us in the near future.

“Well, to be honest, Theo, I was not quite sure of your name until today either.” I stated, letting a light laugh escape as I broke through the thick ice that had seemed to encase the room at his heavy proclamation.

Reese and Asher finished shuffling out of the room as the tension broke, but I shot a sly glance Ronnie’s way as I observed her remain fixed in place.

I turned back towards Theo, assuring him in a confident voice, “I do appreciate your apology, but let’s just leave it all the past. I am ready to start living again.”

“I can see that.” Theo replied with a wide grin stretching across his mildly wrinkled face before he went on, addressing both Jax and I, “I will, however, say this last piece for now before I get out of your hair. I am thrilled that you each have found your other half in one another. I knew your father well, Jax, and he would be proud of the alpha you have become.”

Theo was true to his word and bowed out of the room as soon as he was done speaking, the soft snick of the front door closing behind him echoed in the sudden silence.

I could see the shock register on Jax’s face at the male’s avowal. Apparently, he had been previously unaware of the connection to his father, but I could also sense the hollow ache of sadness that seemed to radiate from him before his face was wiped clean and a look of emptiness was painted in its place.

I longed to beg him to open up to me, to not shut me out. I wanted to be there for him as much as he had already been there for me to lean on in my time of need. However, I realized now was not the opportune time when Ronnie’s uneasy shifting brought her awareness back to the forefront of my mind.

Jax zeroed his attention in on his sister at her slight noise, the force of his gaze nearly knocking me on my a*s, and it was not even directed at me.

I watched as Ronnie squared her shoulders before taking a deep breath and looking Jax straight in the eyes as she said, “I am not going with you both when you leave tomorrow morning.”

I felt pangs of sorrow sear through my heart at her words. I had been picturing my new sister by my side when I finally returned home, but I could not say that I was surprised by her revelation.

Jax on the other hand…well, I was choosing to believe that he only needed time. He sprung up from his seat with a look of anger overshadowing his natural beauty, though I noticed he was gentle as he deposited me back onto the sofa from where I had been cuddled up in his lap.

He strode irately from the room without even a passing remark in her direction. I was torn between the two siblings, unsure who to comfort first in their distress.

I strained my ears, trying to make sure my mate did not leave altogether, but relief flooded through my system when I heard him stomp into the kitchen and start banging pots and pans around.

I turned my gaze back towards Ronnie then, resolved to help ease her upset now that I was sure Jax would be alright for the time being.

It pained me to see how her face had shuttered at Jax’s abrupt departure, and the strength that she had seemed to exude only moments ago had drained from her body all at once as she sank back into the cushions of the love seat we were currently sitting on.

“You don’t hate me now too, do you?” She asked with a sad smile as she met my eyes.

“Of course not! I had feeling this would be the outcome, but I was not expecting how negatively he would react.”

It was quiet for a few minutes, neither one of us breaking the hush that had filled the room, but I forced myself to ask my next question, in all likelihood already knowing the answer, as I said, “It is because of him, isn’t it?”