Page 5 of Branches of the Willow

“No,” I said at the same time Mikael had. “Definitely Avery’s. He’s going to need to keep this one in check.” I nodded to Nicholai as if he were no more than a pesky child. “Dimitri, I think you should stay here, in my father’s pack. One of our craftsmen was recently taken from us.” My voice cracked a little as I spoke of Jack again. “We need another hand there, and it would be the perfect place for you to apprentice and see if it’s everything you have hoped for.” Dimitri couldn’t contain the grin that spread across his face like wildfire. “Mikael’s uncle taught him quite a bit, I’m sure he wouldn’t mind sharing that knowledge with you as well.”

“I’ll be happy to assist you with further lessons once you have the basics down. I am not nearly as good as my Uncle, for he was a true artist, but perhaps you will surpass my own skill as well.”

“I would be honored.”

“Who is this Avery person?” Nicholai spoke up again, not at all happy that his friend Dimitri was being received better than he was.

“He is your only hope of staying here, and possibly being part of the immersion program. So, when you meet him, you will want to show some respect. I value his opinion. If he says you’re too much trouble, I will take him at his word.”

“Fair enough.” Nicholai ground out.

“Andy, if you would show them to Jack’s place?” Weariness seemed to seat itself deep in my bones at that point. I wanted nothing more than to go home and collapse in bed with Mikael’s arms wrapped tightly around me. He seemed to sense this too and gave my hips a little squeeze. “Once you see them dropped off, I want you to get some sleep, and then head to Avery’s in the morning. Take the pass to get there because I want him to have a proper heads-up about two new men coming to his lands. He has enough going on over there as is.”

“Let him know we’ll be bringing these two with us in a few days.” Mikael added.

“Also, find out if he needs any assistance with his current situation.”

“Will do.” Andy spoke up, before nodding his head to the others indicating that they should follow him. “Let’s go get you guys settled in.”

“Oh, hey Andy,” I waited until he turned to come back closer before I finished. “Let Avery know that Freedman’s pack is going to be a problem too. I know he has people out there that keep tabs on things, and Freedman’s people need to be on that priority list, if they’re not already.”

“Sure thing, Jess.”

I turned to Mikael after Andy left with the three new werewolves. “I guess I should have been expecting that level of cocky, considering Evan, Asi, and you were the first three Ancients I met.”

“I don’t know what you mean,” Mikael spouted out in mock indignation. Then he grumbled. “But if that cock weasel eyeballs you one more time, or tries calling you his sweetheart again, I will be more than happy to take care of the Ancient problem for those objecting to the program.”

“Is that what he said?”

“Yes, that’s what he said.” Mikael pulled back a little. “Don’t look so flattered.”

“I guess you better hurry up and get me home, before I have to take that jerk up on his unspoken offer.” I teased, and just like that Mikael was on me in a flash of furious passion. Strong arms caged me in as if I were his unwilling prisoner. His kiss, bruising my lips in such a delicious way, was just what I needed to rejuvenate myself a bit. That is, until I heard a throat clearing from across the room. I peeked over Mikael’s shoulder to see my parents standing there. My mom seemed to be amused while my dad definitely was not.

“Sorry.” I managed to get out as I peeled myself off my mate. “We were just heading home.”

The response I received was a grumble from my father as he meandered through the living room and into the kitchen. He never dropped eye contact with Mikael as he went. It was probably his way of assuring Mikael’s mouth didn’t find mine again until dad was out of sight. The snickering in my ear let me know Mikael was aware of that fact too.

“Jess, Mikael.” My mom started. “If you’d like to stay for some late dinner, I was just about to throw something together.”

“No thanks, Mom,” I managed to get out before a yawn overtook me. “I’m beat,” another yawn, “and just want to go home.”

“I understand. We’ll see you tomorrow. Stop in for lunch, Jessica. You’ve been too busy, and you don’t look like you’ve been stopping to eat at all.” My mom’s gaze travelled the length of my body, most likely noticing that my clothes were fitting a little looser than they used to. She was right. Often, I was skipping meals in order to fit everything in. Unfortunately, she had to call that out in front of Mikael, who started noticing too.

“Let’s get you home, fed, and rested.”

“Please, and thank you,” I murmured to him before placing a kiss on his cheek and turning to head out of my parents’ house. Neither of us missed the low rumble of noise that made its way from the kitchen where my father was. Mikael and I both chuckled as we made our way out to his motorcycle. My father was having a really hard time with the fact that his little girl found her mate. I wasn’t sure whether to roll my eyes are go give the man a hug and tell him that I would always be his little girl, no matter who I was mated to or how important being the white wolf eventually made me. I would always need him. Another yawn hit as Mikael handed me my helmet. I decided that I would reassure my father tomorrow.

3

Adjustment Period

Iwokeuptopancakes with fresh cut strawberries and whipped cream on top, bacon, some juice, coffee, and the most gorgeous man in the world delivering it all to me with a smile on his face. “Is this heaven?” I asked, voice still husky with sleep.

“Every day with you is heaven, love.” Mikael closed the distance between us as he spoke and placed a sweet kiss on my lips before pulling away and sliding the food closer. “Now, eat. I don’t need your mom insinuating that I’m not taking good enough care of you.”

“She never said that.” I huffed.

“No, but she did notice you’ve lost weight, and she’s right. You aren’t taking good enough care of yourself. You come first, Jess.” I started to argue with him, that making sure my people were taken care of comes above all else, but he cut me off. “You can’t take care of your people effectively if you’re so warn down that you can’t even pay attention to what they need.” He smiled at me as I begrudgingly took a bite of my food. That bite was heavenly, and I couldn’t even fake my displeasure anymore. I dug in and ate like I had been starving for weeks. “The white wolves have warned you about finding balance in your life. Maybe, this is exactly the kind of thing they meant. You needed a mate in your life who would kick your ass and tell you to slow down a bit.”

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