WillowI don’t remember much after that. Brief images of him dressing me flicker through my head as I lay in bed. Being carried through the forest and then it's just darkness. It was like I was drugged all over again.Maybe it was a dream?My hands frantically pat down my neck until I feel it. A couple of raised bumps where he had claimed me. They were still tender. But a permanent reminder of what I let happen.I did exactly what my father said and let a wolf claim me. One of the many I promised myself I wouldn’t let happen.My body felt weak and heavy as I rolled onto my side. The mate bond had somehow zapped every piece of energy I had. I wasn’t told about this. Or maybe it is different because we are 'fated' mates? He didn’t just claim a random wolf.The door opens, I don’t need to look to know it’s him. His oak and maple scent wafts in, hitting me harder than any other time.He doesn’t speak and closes the door. His feet move across the carpet towards me until he appears in fro
ZaneShe sits on the other side of the desk. Her brow had formed into a perfect little frown after I made her come this morning and it hadn’t left her face since. She also hadn’t muttered a single word since. Confused by her own feelings. She had enjoyed it, yet it was bothering her that she had.She had brought a sketchbook down with her and she was still to open it. Internally arguing with herself instead.Every now and then, her fingers would go to the mark I had given her. She would wince as she touched it.“It will heal.” I tell her. The frown stays in place as her caramel eyes find mine. She silently nods at me, making her blonde hair fall around her face and shoulders.“There’s nothing to be ashamed of.”“I’m not ashamed!” She fires back a little more abruptly. She criss crosses her legs on the chair and takes a deep breath, her words long gone before she even opens her mouth.“Come here.” I instructShe just stares at me, that frown still doesn’t budge.“I won’t ask you again.
WillowMy heart races as he holds me. I was desperate to run. To escape the chaos. But he holds onto me, keeping me locked against his chest. Letting me feel his warmth until I mould myself against him.His fingers comb through my long hair while murmuring “You are safe, little wolf.” He does it over and over, even when my heart calms he continues with the slow movements and those five simple little words.Safe? How could one person make me feel safe when I had spent years constantly looking over my shoulder?The office door creaks open and I feel him shake his head. A warning to the person who wanted to speak to him.“Willow, I want you to see a therapist.”I push myself upright to stare at him. He cups my face and runs a thumb over the dried tear tracks on my cheek.“You want me to talk to someone?”“Yes.”It was such a human thing, I’m surprised he even suggested it.“There’s a therapist in my town.”“You’re serious?” He constantly surprised me. Was there a reason why he had one he
WillowIt had been almost a week since he made me go to a therapist. In that time, he hadn’t mentioned the boss once. I’m guessing my reaction shocked him. It had shocked me too, but at least he had stuck to his word and hadn’t forced me to go back.In fact he hadn’t tried to get me to do anything. He let me eat, draw, and even shower in peace. He hadn’t touched me either, well, other than to cuddle me in his sleep. I’m sure he was waiting for me to come in to heat.I had seen what heat did to women. Back when the pack was still whole.Some women would lose their fucking minds. Being marked didn’t always mean they wanted their mate either. Any man would do. My father’s Beta was literally dragged off by his mate. It was about the only time females had all the power and the men lapped it up. Yet when it’s over, the men go right back to being in charge. It was a fucking joke.And I really hope the human side of me would mean I wouldn’t experience it or at least let me not be so crazy.H
Willow.“Don’t you ever do that again! Do you understand me, Willow!”I nod against his solid chest, listening to his heart race. It slows after what seems like an eternity and his fingers leisurely trace my spine. I should tell him what I was doing, instead, I find myself unable to force the words out. He reaches for a towel and slowly wraps it around me, letting the tips of his fingers graze over my skin, making it prickle from his touch. But it’s not like before, when we were in the kitchen.His hand moves to my throat. “Tell me you won’t do that again.”“It wasn’t what you think.” I blurt out. My hands lock onto the wrist attached to the hand around my throat. “For a start, I wouldn’t bother stripping, wet clothes weigh you down.”His brows knit together as he stares into my eyes with his insanely dark ones. I had looked at his eyes more times than I could count and still the depth of them takes my breath away each and every time.“What were you doing?” He demands. He looks back
Zane“Is that right?” I cock an eyebrow at her“That’s what I said!” She yanks on a pair of joggers, her caramel eyes ablaze with anger as she stares back at me.She was unlike anyone else. Unafraid to challenge me. Unafraid to try and stare me down, even before I marked her as mine.My little wolf folds her arms across her chest. “I’m not a toy that you can pick up and drop when you want!”“I never said you were a toy, little wolf.” I could feel her embarrassment at how easily I had brought her close to the edge. Not only could I feel it through our bond, there is a red tinge to her skin slowly making its way up her neck. “Now are you coming for a run or not.” Her caramel orbs drop to my outstretched hand. They widen in confusion. She was expecting a punishment for shouting at me. Maybe on a different day, but I was more intrigued to see what her wolf is like.“Why?” She asks as she brushes past me and sits herself on the bed.“We have been over this. Now, are you going to show me y
ZaneThe car screeches to a stop and a wolf with copper hair leans through the window, firing shots at me. She manages to take out some of the nearby wolves who had come to investigate the sound. I had to find Willow.I move forward and a sharp pain vibrates through my leg making its way up toward my hip. She shoots my front leg, and it sends me crashing to the ground.Forcing myself up, I call for my pack when the car starts speeding off.“What the fuck?!” Stevens mutters as he comes running towards me. He yells out to more of the pack.‘Willow.’ I mutter to him 'Find my mate!'“I will find her.” He makes sure someone is seeing to me and takes off running down the road. Some of my other men join him while I’m taken to the pack hospital to have the bullets removed.‘Willow?’ I try linking her. ‘Little wolf?’ Silence. She was alive, I knew that much, but she wasn’t conscious. That had to be the reason why she wasn't answering me.I am almost healed when Stevens returns. A heavy set f
Willow“Just breathe.” I whisper, staring in the mirror at my reflection. I didn’t recognise the person looking back at me. Far too much makeup for my liking. Thick mascara coated my lashes that were supposed to make my caramel eyes pop. Bright red lip stain coated my lips, making them look much fuller than what they really are. Foundation covered the bruise sitting on my left cheek, because Goddess forbid that someone sees that.My blonde hair had been tied back in some kind of fancy updo to show off my face properly. To draw attention to my slender neck and my decent sized breasts because that’s what the men like to see.They liked to know what they were buying.They wanted to make sure there was nothing wrong with their goods.I turn, checking to make sure that the most important parts of me were covered. Though the red dress just drew more attention. The way it hung off of my curves, but clung in all the right places. I hated it, but that was what they wanted. It was always what t