Mated To The Alpha Of The North
Chapter 68

Willow

Jax’s pronouncement of his fears relating to the bears’ possible forthcoming incursion instantly dragged my memories back to the disastrous day that I had found both of my parent’s murdered, the cataclysm that had flipped my whole world upside down on its axis.

My vision clouded as my haunted past consumed my awareness, sending me right back down into the pit of despair that I had only recently clawed my way out of.

I could hear my wolf shouting for me, reaching out to help pull me back from my spiraling downfall, but her presence was muted by the horrific images still revolving through my mind on a reel.

Then, out of nowhere, the light fragrance of freshly cut grass began to seep into my consciousness, followed by the aromatic smell of rich coffee as I vaguely felt sturdy arms encircle my waist.

It was enough to spur me into seeking the source of the scrumptious scent as I nuzzled my nose into the crook of my mate’s neck and my body collapsed against his all at once, my mind flying back to the present with the action.

Jax’s close proximity helped me to begin to put things in a new perspective while I took deep breaths in and out at a steady rate. I realized that I would always grieve for my parents. They had been taken far too soon, but then again, so had Jax’s.

I could not continue allowing my ghosts to taint my future. Jax was here, and he was everything I had ever hoped for in a mate. He looked at me the way my father used to watch my mother when she was not aware, and I knew that my mate would move mountains for me if I only asked it of him.

I was shocked when I noticed that the pain that normally accompanied any memories from my past, the good included, was absent as I remembered the love my parents had shared with one another.

Still, I wanted to be the same immovable pillar that my mate was for me, someone he could lean on in his times of need, as well.

I physically felt the weight of the pressure that he shouldered as he tried his best to reassure me that the males had handled all of the details.

However, after all that he had done for me, it just pissed me off that he was still trying to go above and beyond to ensure that I did not feel an iota of added stress, all to the detriment of himself.

My wolf argued that he was only doing his job as my mate, and I could admit that I saw her point an infinitesimal amount if I considered the animal instincts guiding his decisions.

Yet, I was not a fragile flower that would wilt at the first sign of trouble. Luna had placed us together for a reason, and I would make damn sure that I did my part as his other half.

I had pushed out of his lap as the anger flowed through me and tossed out a snappy retort at his implications that the alphas were taking care of everything.

The more I thought about it after Jax had fully explained the situation, the harder it became to shake the feeling that Zeke was involved in this whole fiasco somehow.

Jax was right before when he had said that something was just not adding up. I never would have believed that Zeke held any sway over the bears in the past, but I had overheard enough over the years and witnessed my fair share of surprises regarding the length he was willing to go through in order to keep me imprisoned. Therefore, I could not deny the feeling in my gut that warned me to be on guard.

I observed when Jax froze mid-stride in the middle of the kitchen as the veracity of my words seemed to hit him like a freight train. I could sense his emotions wreaking havoc on his system through our bond, and I did not resist the urge to meet him in the middle and return the favor from earlier.

I had subsequently doubted myself for a split second when he had questioned me about my reasoning for my conviction concerning Zeke’s involvement, but I swiftly shoved away my own wariness, knowing it was only the demons of my past speaking.

Resulting, the relief crashed through me as my mate confirmed the wise decision that I had made in placing my trust in him with his avowal for me to believe in my natural instincts.

Jax’s absolute confidence in me was like a soothing balm on my slowly healing soul, helping in piecing me back together bit by bit, but I persisted to remain disgruntled that there was nothing else to do but wait and see, even if my theory turned out to be accurate.

Then, like a lightbulb going off over my head, I recalled an errant thought that had crossed my mind while conversing with Ryker erstwhile.

If we were stuck for the time being, Jax might as well start my self-defense refresher course. He luckily did not take much convincing, but he did apprise me that he needed to rearrange Ryker’s departing time before we could leave for the location he had in mind.

I slipped off upstairs with the backpack that he had left by the door in tow while he was distracted by his chore, freshening up before rejoining him as we exited the house hand in hand.

We elected to walk the short distance, Jax promising me that we were in the locality of his secret spot. We continued our trek in silence at first, but, before long, he began sharing several of the happy memories that he possessed of his parents.

He was not pushing me necessarily, but I understood the purpose of him taking a trip down memory lane anyway. He could feel my emotions as clearly as I could sense his, and he had definitely picked up on my anguish before.

I had been enjoying the vaguely familiar scenery as we trudged on, but I felt a smile spread on my face at Jax’s effort.

Ensuing, we lost ourselves in reminiscing about our families, Jax’s small action assisting me in finally making peace with the fiends of my past. Nevertheless, I was stunned when I gazed around and realized the familiarity of the place that my mate had brought me to.

I was not sure that I had ever been to the portion of the province that the pack house sat on before yesterday, but I had extensively scoured the forest in the widespread territory encompassing where I had grown up close by here in the Northern Territory.

It had been years since I had last explored these woods, but I was sure that I recognized the area that Jax had led me to as we neared the rushing river and lofty pin oaks.

“You know about the caves behind the waterfalls too?”

He appeared staggered for a moment, but then he broke out in chuckles, responding, “Here I thought I would be showing you something new. My father let me in on the secret when I was child, though I guess I should have known you would be in on it also with your father being the former beta.”

“You would have guessed correctly, then.” I returned his radiant smile with one of my own before asking, “Is this where you had in mind to go over my training?”

“Yes, if my memory serves correct, this cave was larger than the others in the area, and it should provide an excellent source of privacy.”

I felt my b***d begin to heat with his words, but I was also aware that we only had a finite amount of time, so I said the first thing that popped into my mind in reply as I rapidly began stripping out of my clothes, “Race you to the top.”