Chapter Sixty-One - Willow

The smoke from the bonfire billowed up into the darkening sky spiraling toward the moon. The night felt lighter than the previous ones. There was laughter in the air again, and the promise of a fun night with no complications. Despite the sound of children’s laughter in the air and the smell of hotdogs on the grill, I couldn’t stop thinking about the Alpha King. I prayed he showed up with something to help us. I prayed he showed up at all. For him to have been scared at first, I wouldn’t have been surprised if he decided against showing up tonight. “Are you coming down to join the pack or are you going to sulk on the balcony all night?” I smiled at the backyard but didn’t turn toward Chase. “I’m coming. Just a minute.” Chase walked over and put one hand on either side of my hip. He inhaled my scent and nuzzled his mouth against me. “What are you thinking about?” “What the Alpha King is going to say.” Chase wrapped his arm around my stomach and hauled me back against him. “Wel