Contents(72)
Prologue
My name is Willow Anders, and this is my story. It does not start out happy, but I must remain optimistic for the future. This cannot be my life. I refuse to believe that this was what Luna had in store for me, in spite of the lack of evidence to the contrary thus far. I used to dream of the day when someone, anyone would rescue me from this horrid...
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Chapter One
Willow
I could smell the savory scent of the roast cooking in the oven, making my stomach protest loudly and reminding me that I had consumed little since yesterday morning, like I needed the prompt. Hopefully, I would be able to secret away some scraps after I had cleaned up the dinner party occurring later this evening.
Zeke watched with disdain as I...
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Chapter Two
Willow
Two Years Earlier...
Sure, everything was great at first. I awoke in a spacious room with a soft, fluffy bed cushioning my body. I could feel that my injuries had mostly healed, and I noticed that I was clean, wearing some sort of nightgown.
It was concerning that someone touched me while I had been incapacitated, but I guessed that I was thankful for...
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Chapter Three
Willow
Still Two Years Earlier…
When I awoke an undefined amount of time later, I gazed around the room to ensure I was alone before doing anything else, noticing as I did so that I could now see the details of the room without the aid of Zeke’s remote to turn up the lights.
Sighing in relief, I sagged back into the fluffy pillows and sank...
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Chapter Four
Willow
Still Two Years Earlier…
Zeke’s face soured as his grip on me constricted infinitesimally more. I tried to not show my discomfort, but it became impossible as he proceeded to recklessly grope my curves with abandon.
I shoved against him with the little force that I still possessed and successfully managed to continue resisting his a...
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Chapter Five
Jax
I ran my fingers through my hair, a common gesture for me when I was stressed, as I thumped my knuckles against the sturdy wooden door. I was feeling antsy all of a sudden. I had been traveling over the last month to meet with Asher, Alpha of the Eastern Province, and Reese, Alpha of the Western Province.
After we had finally driven the bears from ...
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Chapter Six
Jax
I paused for a moment at the door, noticing the tantalizing scent again, but the feeling continued to exacerbate so I shuffled out the door after the other two males, completely ignoring any comment Zeke may have made in protest.
The scent faded the further I walked from the house, and I had this odd urge to go back, like I had forgotten something. I pus...
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Chapter Seven
Willow
I was startled awake by Zeke slamming open the door. I moved as far away from the raging alpha as possible, feeling very disoriented by the stark difference between my reality and my dream. I was having one of the best dreams I could recall ever having in my life.
I tried to hold on to the feeling as long as possible or to remember even some sma...
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Chapter Eight
Jax
I awoke slowly, hearing the sounds of the forest surrounding me. I rolled over in bed, noticing the sun was just beginning to shine through the slits in the fabric of the curtains.
The sight did not surprise me. It did not matter where I was or how late I had stayed up the night before, I always rose with the sun. Some days, I wished I could sleep ...
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Chapter Nine
Jax
We were not waiting long before Zeke appeared to lead us down the hall towards the dining hall again, his annoying voice droned on. I tuned him out as I surreptitiously glanced around, looking for any traces of the girl. There were none. The faint hint of honeysuckle and vanilla seemed to be getting stronger the further we walked into the house, but it s...
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Chapter Ten
Willow
I was awoken from my peaceful slumber once more by the sound of the door slamming open.
I scrambled up, pressing myself against the far wall and curled up in a ball, not that it helped much in this tiny closet. I felt like I had only been asleep for mere moments, but that did not matter to Zeke.
Zeke barreled in, already yelling obscenities at m...
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Chapter Eleven
Jax
After what felt like an eternity, I was finally heading back to the pack house with Ronnie. We were alone, but I knew Asher and Reese were close and would be ready when the time came.
It had already been one of the longest days of my life, and it was only lunchtime. We were not talking as we walked along the path, but I noticed Ronnie kept shooting...
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Chapter Twelve
Willow
I sat shivering within the tiny confines of the cave that I was lucky to find on such short notice. I wished I could build a fire to dry my clothes, but it would be too obvious. I had been gone a few hours, but I had traveled little distance in that time.
In fact, I was still huddled in the small crevice I had found a few miles down the river. I...
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Chapter Thirteen
Jax
I felt the beginning edges of panic creeping in as I sped through the forest as my abnormally large wolf, having shed my human skin as soon as I finished speaking with Reese. My thoughts raced as I ran. I was beyond proud of her for running of course, but I did wish she had waited just a little longer to make her grand escape.
If she could have hel...
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Chapter Fourteen
Willow
I felt a massive pounding coming from the back of my head as I gradually woke up, groaning audibly as I shifted in the soft, comfortable bed, and groggily attempted to sit up. However, as I began to wake up, the events of the past…how many ever hours, were all starting to come back to me. What happened in the clearing? How did I end up in a bed...
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Chapter Fifteen
Willow
I tried looking everywhere but at Veronica; though, she kind of messed up my plans when she sauntered up and took her brother’s chair. She began speaking without any preamble, “He is already halfway to in love with you, you know.”
Her bold words and actions shocked the hell out of me, but I could not help the swell of satisfaction th...
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Chapter Sixteen
Jax
I felt relieved when my mate readily agreed to allowing me to help her. I could already tell that she was used to doing everything on her own, but she did not have too anymore. I would make damn sure of it.
I would have to find some way to thank Ronnie later for all her help with my mate and for the suggestion of the bath, but, for now, I went about look...
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Chapter Seventeen
Willow
I let a small gasp escape from my lips the moment we stepped through the bathroom door. It was like being transported to a completely different world. The lights were turned off, but the illumination provided by the flickering candles established a relaxing atmosphere, not to mention a wonderful aroma that seemed to blanket the room.
I took a deep bre...
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Chapter Eighteen
Willow
I reclined against the side of the tub with my eyes closed, allowing the fragrant aroma and comforting water to lull me into a state of bliss.
I allowed my mind to wander, thinking about how crazy it was that I had finally found my mate. My wolf rejoiced in my head. She wanted to run to his side; she did not understand why I hesitated. If I had found ...
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Chapter Nineteen
Willow
I allowed a grateful sigh to escape as I looked down at the clothes Ronnie had given me. I pulled on the yoga pants and sports bra she had given me without a second thought and then went to pull the t-shirt over my head.
However, I noticed that the size of the shirt was disproportionate to the rest of the clothing I had been given, and the giant t-shi...
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Chapter Twenty
Jax
I watched my mate as she fought to stay awake. My wolf and I felt relief when we saw the trust shining out through her eyes. I knew she would still worry until I got rid of Zeke permanently, and make no mistake I would, but I also knew that she would trust me to protect her until that time came.
I could hear Ronnie coming down the hall now. Willow’...
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Chapter Twenty-One
Jax
I clambered out of the bunker with Asher, not quite as angry as I was before I entered but still pretty pissed, despite the release of pent-up energy and aggression I had expelled below. I noticed the sun was just rising above the canopy of trees in the east. I looked down at myself and grimaced at the large blood splatter that covered the front of my sh...
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Chapter Twenty-Two
Willow
I awoke sometime later, though I was not sure how much later, feeling a little sore and a lot weak, nothing new for me of course, yet I somehow still managed to feel better than I could remember feeling since arriving here in the South. I had been dealing with the exhaustion and physical pain for so long that it seemed a near constant, but maybe there...
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Chapter Twenty-Three
Jax
As I neared the door to Willow’s room, I could sense her distress bleeding through the walls, driving my wolf and I insane with the urge to ease our mate’s anguish.
I burst through the door without a second thought, my wolf having taken the reins, and barreled towards the bed where I saw her panic-stricken eyes, brimmed with salty tears, unaw...
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Chapter Twenty-Four
Jax
I glanced down at Willow after the door had shut completely. She still appeared to be doing alright, but my wolf and I would continue to worry until we completed the mating bond.
I still had the overwhelming urge to claim Willow; it was nearly unbearable to resist, in fact, despite my exhausted state. The only thing that allowed me to abstain was knowing...
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Chapter Twenty-Five
Willow
Everything had started to fade, but then Jax was there, and not for the first time either. It seemed that I was destined to continue being saved by my mate, the one Luna had chosen for me alone.
I knew that I had been on the edge of having a full-blown panic attack before Jax had arrived in the room and scooped me up into his arms. I had zoned everyth...
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Chapter Twenty-Six
Willow
I had fallen asleep, feeling optimistic for the future after having received a promise from Jax for us to move into his lodge after we had rested for a while.
I would have insisted on moving immediately, with as much as I hated being inside this house, but I had found myself exhausted and slightly weak still, most likely caused by the remnants of wolf...
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Chapter Twenty-Seven
Jax
I stood locked in place like a lovestruck fool for a few moments while I waged a war with my wolf. He wanted to barge into the bathroom and finish what Willow had unintentionally started. I mean, I wanted that too, but I knew that would not be the right thing to do.
Instead, I took a few moments to rein in the desire for now, and then I checked in with R...
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Chapter Twenty-Eight
Willow
I was in a bit of a daze when Jax finally pulled away from the mind-blowing kiss. It had only lasted a few short moments.
At least, I think it had, but the whole experience was kind of surreal. One second, I was freaking the fuck out, and the next, Jax’s incredible lips were on mine, making me instantly melt without a second thought.
Any panic I...
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Chapter Twenty-Nine
Jax
I felt a mixture of emotions as Willow moved to get out of my lap, especially after the words I had just spoken. However, before I could panic too much, Willow turned and met my eyes with a mischievous expression on her face, and then she had spoken those words that had driven my wolf insane.
He was clawing at my skin to get out as she stepped away. I wa...
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Chapter Thirty
Willow
I watched as Jax got up and looked around the surrounding area. I was a bit confused as to what he was doing, but my wolf spoke up in my head saying He is making sure we are safe, dummy.
I was surprised to realize that she was right, though the insult was unnecessary. I knew she was just anxious, but still. I noticed the pinched look on Jax’s fa...
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Chapter Thirty-One
Jax
The lingering fragrance that denoted only Willow teased my wolf as he swiftly stalked off after our mischievous mate, making sure to give her a generous head start. Her petite legs would be no match for the speed my wolf could manage if pressed, or so I had thought, but that was not the point of this little foray into the forest anyway.
As my wolf ran th...
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Chapter Thirty-Two
Willow
I was fairly certain my wolf had fallen asleep sometime between the water fight, the subsequent wrestling match that ensued later by the bank of the river, and now.
After we had exhausted ourselves in the chilly stream and our wolves had finished frolicking by the water, Jax and I had collapsed in a tangled heap underneath a nearby tree, still ...
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Chapter Thirty-Three
Jax
My wolf wanted nothing more than to scale the tree and end the wretched bird who had dared to intrude on our moment with Willow. I kind of wanted the same thing, but I knew that out here in the middle of the forest was not exactly the best place for a romantic interlude, especially not for someone who was clearly as inexperienced as Willow.
Don’t g...
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Chapter Thirty-Four
Willow
I wanted to protest sitting in his lap, really just because of the innate intimacy the position implied in front of the others, but I was afraid it would call even more attention to myself.
My face was already red as a tomato as it was, and I kind of did need the comfort of his arms surrounding me while I adjusted to all of the changes, if I was being...
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Chapter Thirty-Five
Willow
Ronnie broke into my wandering thoughts when she returned with a few items that she had retrieved from the closet. She handed me the items and then gently encouraged me to take a quick shower before we talked anymore.
I had been eager to see what Ronnie had procured for me, seeing as it had been several years since I had had anything new, but I found ...
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Chapter Thirty-Six
Jax
I let the water wash over me as I was still reeling from the information Asher and Reese had relayed, mechanically washing my hair and body while I attempted to process the disturbing news. The elders were just gone. All of them.
Asher said it looked like they had all fled after he had demanded that first meeting with them and consequently removed them o...
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Chapter Thirty-Seven
Jax
I felt my pulse began to pick up as she went to roll over before noticing that she was already halfway on top of me, her eyes popping open to meet my heated hazel ones.
She looked so cute with that startled look on her face before it had started to melt away into a look of embarrassment as she moved to get off of me. I reached out, gripping her round hip...
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Chapter Thirty-Eight
Willow
As I sluggishly woke up, I took a moment to take in my surroundings before opening my eyes, noticing the intoxicating scent filling my nostrils with each deep breath I took in.
The aroma emanating from him, and the encompassing bedding, immediately clued me in to the fact that I was currently snuggled up against Jax’s strong body. I stretched ou...
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Chapter Thirty-Nine
Willow
Jax did not waste any more time, immediately coaxing me to lie back as his talented mouth continued its downward descent, peppering kisses along my neck and nipping lightly at where the smooth slope met my shoulder, before shifting his attention further south to mount a full assault on my abundant breasts.
I was completely lost in the moment, enjoying...
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Chapter Forty
Jax
My wolf and I were on cloud nine now that Willow’s wolf had left her mark on us, even though it was only temporary, but it was clear that her wolf had been the one driving the action, leaving us feeling conflicted about the momentous occasion.
I could not help the sound of pleasure that escaped my lips at her unexpected act, but I pulled back befor...
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Chapter Forty-One
Willow
I hurried into the closet, firmly shutting the door behind me before turning around and letting out a long breath, shutting my eyes momentarily to bring myself back into the present.
I opened my eyes, shaking off the daze that seemed to never leave when I was in my mate’s presence, and I looked around hopefully for the clothes that Jax and Ronni...
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Chapter Forty-Two
Willow
Ronnie’s words immediately sobered my thoughts and halted the next words that were on the tip of my tongue from falling out. She was right, I had marked Jax this morning.
Well, my wolf had, but I could not really be upset at him for doing the same thing, just in a different manner. Could I? My wolf yipped a resounding no in my head, but I was st...
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Chapter Forty-Three
Jax
I promptly finished rinsing off and taking care of my problem downstairs, though I knew it would not last for long with Willow’s lovely scent taunting my wolf and I at every turn. Her personal fragrance had persisted within the confines of the small closet that I had found myself within, already causing my dick to stir de novo.
I could hear her mov...
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Chapter Forty-Four
Jax
Asher was already there once I had arrived at Reese’s dwelling, though it appeared that he may have just arrived, seeing as he was still standing in the front hallway with Reese when I had walked through the door.
I was already on edge due to the distance between me and my unclaimed soulmate, so Asher’s next words seriously pushed the limits ...
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Chapter Forty-Five
Willow
It took me a few minutes to come back down from the high that I had been riding after Jax’s sweltering goodbye kiss, and when I finally fell, I found that Ronnie had just completed tidying up the kitchen while I had been standing in the middle of the room like a lovestruck fool, right where Jax had left me prior.
Ronnie had taken one look at my ...
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Chapter Forty-Six
Willow
I could not help but notice that our return trip to the lodge had taken longer than the initial journey into town, and I had a sneaking suspicion that my slower pace was the cause of the increased length.
We had not talked much on the walk home. My mind was too fried at the moment to focus enough to keep up a line of conversation, and I was too busy t...
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Chapter Forty-Seven
Jax
I arrived back at our lodge, enthusiastically anticipating the moment when I would get to hold my curvaceous mate snug in my arms again, but I was regrettably saddened when I had discovered an empty dwelling, though the fact should not have surprised me considering the mad dash that I had been in to get here.
I settled down to mind link with Ronni...
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Chapter Forty-Eight
Willow
Upon arriving back at the lodge, I speedily shifted shapes and was then shepherded into the house by a tremendously domineering mate.
I found that I did not like this side of Jax, discovering that it reminded me too much of Zeke’s overbearing ways, despite the differences in the details.
I had promised myself that I would speak up more in the fu...
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Chapter Forty-Nine
Willow
My nerves had settled some since Zeke had disappeared into the night, but the adrenaline was fading fast, leaving me exhausted and sore from the full day of activity as Ronnie steered me to sit in one of the four matching chairs surrounding the breakfast table downstairs.
She apologized profusely that Zeke had been able to make it all the way into the...
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Chapter Fifty
Jax
I carried my mate up the stairs and straight into the washroom, depositing her in the walk-in shower and taking a step back after making sure that she was steady on her feet.
Next, I quickly stripped off my shorts, pleased to see that she had copied my movements with only a slight blush gracing her face as she removed her own clothing and chucked it some...
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Chapter Fifty-One
Willow
My eyes felt like lead weights as I pushed the remnants of the buttery noodles around on my plate, but my movements were sluggish and half-hearted at best. A yawn escaped from my mouth as I relinquished my hold on the utensil.
I had eaten a lot more than I thought could, more than I had in a long time, in fact. I supposed it was not surprising, seeing...
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Chapter Fifty-Two
Willow
I awoke suddenly, a pleasurable feeling racing down my spine and straight to my core, exactly where I felt a hot, pulsing tongue working magic on my vagina as it swirled around the little bundle of nerves.
I could feel my channel clenching around two thick digits that were pumping steadily in and out as my back arched up off the bed. I could not help ...
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Chapter Fifty-Three
Jax
I had only been waiting for a few minutes when Willow had returned from the bathroom, looking like the vision she was, despite her only being absent for a short period of time. I loved that her beauty was the effortless type, the kind she was not even aware of.
I admit I may have lost myself daydreaming about our future momentarily until she had reached ...
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Chapter Fifty-Four
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 th...
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Chapter Fifty-Five
Willow
I gazed over at Ronnie as the silence dragged on. I knew she was aware of who I had meant by him. I did not want to say his name audibly in case Jax was listening, but I was dying to know, even if she could not tell me all of the specifics right this second.
The elation I had felt at the prospect of returning home dimmed a bit with the knowledge that ...
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Chapter Fifty-Six
Jax
She did not meet my eyes as she informed me that she was ready to take the next step in our relationship, but I knew she was still shy, even with me. Therefore, her spoken words were enough for my wolf and me to pounce forward in a flash, pulling her tightly against my chest as my lips descended.
The words had barely passed the threshold of her lips befo...
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Chapter Fifty-Seven
Jax
Nothing had turned out like I had expected when I arrived in the South not long ago.
The seconds dragged on minutely around me while they seemed to simultaneously slip by like the sands of time, and I lost myself in coming to terms with my new reality. When I finally glanced up, we were back in the kitchen once more.
I knew that I must have helped my mat...
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Chapter Fifty-Eight
Willow
I could tell that Jax still had a lot of emotions to sift through, aside from the fact that he probably had a million details to organize before our departure tomorrow, as well. I knew he would talk to me if he needed to, and that was enough for my wolf to allow me to get busy with the preparations for dinner.
I whizzed around the kitchen, feeling in ...
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Chapter Fifty-Nine
Jax
I trudged up the stairs after an emotional goodbye with my sister. I saw her to the door and made her promise to mind link with me when she made it home safely. I knew the others had everything under control for the time being, but I could not help the worry that continued to suffuse me where my sister was concerned.
I located Willow snuggled up in the d...
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Chapter Sixty
Willow
I continued to struggle with coming back down from the mountain peak that Jax had rocketed my fatigued body to at a heretofore unparalleled rate, but in the back of my mind, my wolf jumped for joy as his growled words managed to register through my utter state of bliss.
I felt the stirring they induced in my already overexerted body, only compounding ...
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Chapter Sixty-One
Willow
I was jolted awake by the decreasing momentum of the car, or at least I think that was what had roused me. The last thing I had recollected was staring out the window as the trees surrounding us on either side of the small road blurred while we had sped onward, leaving the Eastern Province far behind us in the distance.
Don’t get me wrong, it wa...
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Chapter Sixty-Two
Willow
Jax’s firm lips came down hard on mine as his talented tongue invaded my mouth, his intoxicating flavor exploding over my taste buds in a speedy burst while his frantic kiss sent my libido skyrocketing on the spot with the force of the passion that I could sense looming just beyond his carefully cultivated control.
Ensuing, his large hands gripp...
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Chapter Sixty-Three
Jax
With one powerful lunge forward, my mind fractured momentarily as it was overwhelmed with the sensations of claiming my soulmate at long last.
I nebulously noticed that my wolf had managed to express his excitement through a low howl that I could feel all the way down to the tips of my toes as my shoulders strained with exertion and my claws tore into th...
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Chapter Sixty-Four
Willow
I tiredly rolled around in the bed when I awoke, wincing at the soreness I could feel suffusing scarcely used muscles and electing to leave my eyes firmly shut as I reached out blindly, searching for my mate’s large form.
Nevertheless, they soared open abruptly when my wandering hands came up with nothing but an empty space and cold sheets durin...
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Chapter Sixty-Five
Willow
I muttered a perfunctory greeting in response, not really awake enough to make conversation, but I pulled my long tresses over my shoulders and darted my eyes away from his general direction as I did so.
I had not been expecting to see anyone else or I probably would have showered former to coming downstairs, but it was too late to change now, so I re...
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Chapter Sixty-Six
Jax
I had known this conversation was coming all along. Regardless, Willow’s words managed to succeed in startling my thoughts away from the dark path that they were previously headed down.
While I was thankful for the reprieve, not looking forward to thinking about Ryker being anywhere near my baby sister without my regulation any more than necessary,...
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Chapter Sixty-Seven
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 ba...
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Chapter Sixty-Eight
Willow
After about an hour of practicing, with Jax refusing to so much as kiss me while we were training, we agreed to call it quits for now.
He had only managed to go over a few of the basics due to us being pressed for time, but I felt good about what he did teach me during the allotted period. I also thought that it was kind of cute how serious he was abo...
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Chapter Sixty-Nine
Jax
I had followed Willow’s lead, shifting back into human form and blindly advancing towards the kitchen with my eyes glued to her naked ass. I pulled on some pants, content to follow my mate’s lead, but I realized how stupid the action was when I discarded them a few minutes later so that I could check the house’s security one last time.
...
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Chapter Seventy
Willow
I was startled out of my deep slumber when Jax jumped up with me still ensconced in his arms, the sudden action jostling me awake.
I was confused for about a second, but then my brain gradually caught up with the sounds that were filtering into my ears, and I spun my head around in a circle until my eyes connected with Ronnie’s.
I did not regist...
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Epilogue
Willow
About Three Weeks Later…
“Baby, we talked about this. You know we have to go help Ronnie with the final details before the ball. She has been complaining nonstop since we left, and then Scarlett bailed right after, leaving only Mari and her to organize the whole thing.”
“We still have three days until the ball, sweetheart. Thi...
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