Page 7 of Branches of the Willow

“Really, it’s okay. Your comment was perfect. It reminded me of something Jack would have said. It was almost as if you channeled his spirit. Thank you, for that little piece of my friend today. I needed to hear an off-the-wall comment while being in his space.” I took a seat on the leather sofa, and Mikael came to sit beside me, while the other men just waited. “Mikael had some questions for you three before we can get you all settled in.”

Mikael didn’t waste a minute, he jumped right in with the questions while I kicked myself in the ass for not thinking to ask them myself. “When did you leave the colony?”

“A week ago. We waited to see what would happen. There was a lot of speculation about the white wolf, and Antoine being dead, but we thought Malachi would step up. He didn’t.” Nicholai offered candidly. It was also clear by the tone of his voice that he wasn’t a fan of Malachi. That at least was one point in the man’s favor.

“Did any of you see my brother before you left, or here of him being there?”

“No, but his mate was there until just before we left to come here,” Brian answered that time.

“What of Leanna?” I asked, jumping into the mix.

“She was with Annabelle. They seemed in a hurry, packed up the smaller house, and took off.” Brian informed us before offering a little more detail as to how he knew that. “It was one of my last duties, to help them pack. When I realized the royals were ditching the place, I figured I would see if I could get here to meet the white wolf. We heard about your immersion program when we managed to get state side, and here we are.”

“So, you helped them pack?” Mikael questioned while Brian nodded his head in the affirmative. “We’ll need you to tell us about everything that was taken. Not right now, but as soon as possible.”

“Did they mention a destination to you as they packed?”

“No.” Brian sighed deeply. “I was just the help. It’s not like they were going to ask my advice or tell me their plans. I simply packed bags and carried them out to their vehicle. I wish I could help you more.”

“You have already been a huge help, Brian.” I spoke softly and offered him a kind smile because I didn’t think he had ever had someone appreciate anything he had done for them. “We’re going to get you and Nicholai settled in with the Daniels Clan soon. If you have any problems adjusting while you’re there, send word to me, and we’ll make sure you are placed somewhere you fit in better. I don’t want you to feel as though you’re trading indentured servitude in one place for another. Avery’s pack is much like my father’s. We all pull our own weight here, and we are both communities who step up to help one another out, but we do not put all the work on the backs of people we think less of. It’s not like that here. I need you to understand that.”

Brian inclined his head to let me know that he understood, even as the tips of his ears turned red with embarrassment. “Brian, make me that list. Anything you can remember will be helpful,” Mikael requested as we got up to leave. “Is there anything else the three of you need right now?”

“Is this where I will be staying permanently? This house?” Dimitri looked around appreciatively at Jack’s old place. That kick-in-the gut feeling again caught me by surprise, but I knew very soon we would have to turn the house over to someone else. Life kept moving forward even when I wished I could put it on pause.

“I’m not sure yet, Dimitri. That will be a question for my father, as this is his pack. Jack’s widow is also still around, and while she took time away from this house, I’m not sure yet if she’ll want it back or want to be somewhere with less memories that might ease her as she carries on a life without her mate.”

I was shocked when Nicholai spoke up, rather than Dimitri. “You are the white wolf, surely you do not bow down before a pack leader, father or no.” His words came across almost as if he were scolding me.

“I am the white wolf. That doesn’t mean I’m a dick. I work with the pack leaders to do what’s right for our people. The dictator-style regime we were under before with Antoine’s monarchy didn’t work out too well for a lot of our kind. Brian here can attest to that.”

“And don’t you ever think to question Jessica again, you hear me?” Mikael interjected. “Sheisthe white wolf. You will learn to show respect in her presence, or you’ll find yourself in the most unsavory of places. I’m sure your smart mouth would not serve you very well in the locks.”

Nicholai blanched a bit, and for the second time I watched as he looked me in the eye and apologized. “Apologies, my lady.”

I was so not in the mood for anymore hand holding as we turned to leave Jack’s house. Tyler remained outside, standing guard as we left. “Ty, they’re not prisoners, but I want them watched at all times while they’re here. Brian knows the royals personally, and Nicholai’s just a dick. Keep an eye on them. Get someone to help if you need it.”

“Sure thing, Jess.”

Mikael and I continued down the road and passed several other homes belonging to pack members. “You know, it’s actually peaceful out here, when it’s just the two of us walking like this.” Mikael smiled down at me as he spoke.

“Except it’s never just the two of us anymore.” I pointed off toward the tree line at the men and wolves who patrolled in the distance. “I know my dad needed to increase security patrols for the pack lands, considering everything going on, but I feel like we’re always under someone’s watchful eyes. I miss the old days, sneaking off to cave pools, dancing into the night without a care, bad jokes and a thousand wardrobe changes with Ashley.”

Mikael looked worried and stopped me in my tracks. “Jess?” He questioned with a little hurt in his eyes.

“I don’t regret you, or us, or our bond, Mikael. I just meant things used to be simple, and now I feel like I’m always at someone else’s beck and call. I don’t think I’m cut out for this white wolf business.” I whispered the words and then sighed dramatically. I could be strong all day long. I could make decisions. There were things I didn’t mind doing, like helping to get my people back on track so that our kind could once again grow stronger and flourish. “I feel like I’m losing myself most days, and that has nothing to do with being mated to you and everything to do with my new lot in life as the white wolf.”

“Okay, that’s it. I’m taking you home. We’re going to pack up some lunch and go to the falls. It will be just the two of us, and some quiet, alone time. What do you think? Maybe we can stop by and play with the puppies?” He was trying to cheer me up, and I loved Mikael for it. It also sounded like the kind of day I needed.

“Jessica!” One of my father’s men greeted us on the road. On second thought, it appeared that he was heading towards us with a purpose. “Mikael.” He inclined his head to both of us. “Sorry to interrupt, but you’re needed at your parents’ house, right away.”

“Of course, I am.” I’m sure my tone came out colder than I meant for it to, but I was just too tired to care at that point. “Maybe, after we deal with this next thing…” I sighed to Mikael wistfully.

“We’ll make it happen.” He pulled me in closer to his body and gave me a squeeze along with a kiss on my head. “The bike, and the open road, are calling our names. Maybe we should take a trip?” We continued walking as Mikael made plans out loud to distract me from being overwhelmed by my new duties. “You could always say you’re going to check in with some of the smaller packs that are further out.”

“Now, that sounds delightful. We could hit up some of the protected lands on the state parks to run. I can taste the freedom now.” I smiled up at him. “Thanks! I don’t know how I’d get through all this without you by my side. At least we can dream together, if not actually find a way to fulfil those wishes right now.” We were closing in on my parents’ house, and I was able to see the commotion taking place. There were guards congregating towards the house, and what looked like too many bodies moving around behind the windows. “What the hell?” I asked no one in particular, as I picked up my pace a bit. A small burst of adrenaline hit my bloodstream, effectively knocking the weariness out of my body, and allowing me to move with a purpose instead of strolling along as I had been doing.

“Mom? Dad?” I called out as I breached the front door. There were no words for the sight that greeted me. I stopped, mid-stride, not able to process who was sitting in my parents’ living room.

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