Chapter Seven - Willow

My paws ached by the time I stopped and shifted. I braced my palms against the trunk of a giant pine and took a deep breath. That was exhilarating. The course. The running with wolves, and the breaking of the rules. I’d never been a rule-breaker growing up, but, I understood the adrenaline it gave some people now. A small stream trickled close by, so I walked over and dropped to all fours. I cupped my hands and brought the water to my mouth. I ran so fast out of there that I didn’t know if anyone was following me or not. I didn’t care at the moment. I laughed at myself, splashed water onto my face, and rolled over onto my back. The mid-morning sun hit my skin. I was tempted to lay there and sunbathe. I could close my eyes for just a few moments … Then a glooming shadow chilled my skin, and I opened my eyes. Chase stood over me, his chest heaving from tracking and chasing me. Being naked in front of pack members was the norm. Being naked in front of my mate, the new alpha, I felt humiliated. I scurried up to my feet, keeping my gaze on his face instead of the body I knew was most likely impressive. “Do you need something?” I asked, refusing to hide myself from him. The softness in his hazel eyes the night before had warmed me in places I wouldn’t mention. I knew his touch would soothe the ache my heat was bringing, but I’d never expected it to feel that good. Pretending it hadn't hurt worse than the heat. Chase wiped the side of his mouth with the pad of his thumb and glanced down the stream. “I assume you know what you did was wrong. I don’t need to tell you that. Provoking Regis isn’t warrior material.” I didn’t give two cents about Regis. Apparently, being born with a vagina wasn’t warrior material either. His greedy stare shifted, and I watched as he struggled to keep his gaze from my breasts. Folding my arms over my chest, I dared him to look again. “You’d be right. I did it because I was promised I would have a chance.” I stepped toward him. “And I’ll do it again. And again. Until you let me train with the wolves.” Chase hissed under his breath. A distant look crossed his face, and I figured someone was speaking to him through the mind-link. He blinked and turned his attention to me. “Rex is here. I need you to come with me.” I didn’t budge. “Who is Rex?” “The tracker I’m bringing in to find your mother’s killer.” “You said I could help you with that?” I answered. “Why aren’t we going out to find my mother’s killer.” Chase shifted, clearly uneasy about having to explain himself. “We are going to speak to the wolves that were there and see if we can find any new information. Rex is going to go look for anyone with the tattoo described in the Rogue file." I’d memorized that file. I knew exactly what tattoo he was talking about. The crossbones with the howling wolf. The thought of it gave me shivers. Chase stepped closer to me. His scent enveloped me and caused a roll of nausea from my upcoming heat. “Don’t think we’re finished talking about what happened this morning. I can’t let you go unpunished for breaking my rules. Mate or not, you went against me.” I would do it again. I shrugged, as if a punishment was just another day for me, when in reality I’d never given my father a reason to punish me. “Fine,” I said in a sultry voice. “Do what you have to.” Chase’s tongue snacked out over his bottom lip and his gaze dipped down my body. “I know you’re hurting, Willow. Just remember what I told you last night, I’m here when you need me.” He turned from me and shifted into his wolf. Chase’s wolf was large like most alphas. His coat was a stark contrast to mine. A midnight black that shimmered in the sunlight. He pawed at the earth, those dark eyes staring into my soul, waiting for me to shift with him. My fingers twitched to reach out and touch him. It was an intimate moment for a mate to see your wolf. I wasn’t accepting him, by any means, but I closed my eyes and let my wolf break free. The pure excitement my wolf felt almost made me jealous. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to enjoy a human mate, but I had to stand up for myself, or no one would. Chase stepped close to me, his snout sniffing down my body as he circled me and nudged my side. My wolf wanted to submit, to roll over and show him our submissive side. I didn’t fight with her often, but today, I begged her to keep her head up high. Reluctantly, she did. Chase watched me for several seconds before he turned and ran toward the pack house. I followed behind him, keeping close, showing him that I wasn’t some she-wolf that couldn’t keep up. We broke from the woods and did not shift until we were in the courtyard. There was a giant Hummer parked in the front next to Chase’s Jeep. The man leaning against it was a military type. He wore his hair in a buzz cut, but it looked dark from what I could see of it. The smile on his face when he saw Chase widened. They embraced each other, while I found a pair of jeans and a T-shirt on the front steps of the pack house. “It’s good to see you,” Chase said, turning his attention to me. “This is Willow Jacks. She’s Alpha Gerald’s daughter. She’s … helping me find her mother’s killer.” Rex’s dark eyes shifted to mine. I could tell he sensed I was something to Chase, but he didn’t ask any questions. “Nice to meet you, Willow.” “You, too,” I said. “Are you a good tracker?” He laughed. “Straight to the point. Yes, I am. I’m part of the Werewolf Military. I’ve been doing this for a living for over a decade. I’ll do my best to find your mother’s killer.” There was an honesty about him that I liked. “Thank you.” Rex slapped Chase’s shoulder. “Why don’t you show me around?” he asked. “Or is the big, bad alpha too busy?” Chase laughed but turned his attention to me. “It’s lunch, why don’t you go eat? I didn’t see you at breakfast. Afterwards, we can talk about the Rogue file.” My stomach felt empty, so I didn’t press going to talk about the file now. “Sure. See you after.” I left them both to catch up while walking into the pack house. The smell of roast beef wafted over me. The cafeteria was busy when I filed into line. The warrior’s table all glared at me, but I only smiled back. I didn’t care if they were butt hurt about that morning. They’d get over it. I noticed Dad for the first time since he told me I wasn’t becoming a warrior. My heart softened at the crossword puzzle sitting on his table. Mom always liked to do those with him. I walked over and swallowed my pride. “Is this seat taken?” Dad looked up with kind eyes. “Of course not, Willow. Sit down.” I slid into the chair and opened my silverware from the napkin. “How are you?” he asked after a few moments. “Fine,” I lied. “How are you liking the retired life?” He looked up at me. “It’s been peaceful, Willow. I hope you’ve forgiven me.” I didn’t answer, because I didn’t know the answer. I took a bite of my food, watching Chase and Rex walk into the cafeteria. Dad followed my line of sight. “I heard about training this morning. You’re going to get yourself in trouble.” Chase’s gaze shifted toward mine, but I looked down at my food. His stare was too much at times. It made my body ache. Dad cleared his throat. “Don’t avoid him, Willow. Why don’t you both come over for dinner at the house this Friday?” I cringed. “I don’t want you playing matchmaker.” “I’m not. The matchmaking has been done. He is your mate. I’m just trying to give the man a break from your stubbornness. Goodness,” he hissed. “I’m finished. I'll talk to you soon." He gathered his plate like a child throwing a tantrum and left. I fought the urge to toss a fork at the back of his head. I stabbed my pot roast and shoved the bite into my mouth. The feeling of being watched hit me, and I glanced around the room. It only took two seconds to see Regis glaring at me from the warrior’s table. I chewed my food, watching his fingers tighten into fists on the table. He was pissed. I could practically feel the heat rolling off him. I knew jumping on his head would start something, but I didn’t care. I took another bite and smiled over at him. He’d eventually have to get over it because I wasn’t backing down until they welcomed me with open arms.