Chapter Sixteen - Chase

As if I needed another reason to drag her back to my room and rail her into my bed, she did this. Willow folded her arms across her chest and stared at Tiffany. There was an intense stare-down between the two. Tiffany was obviously butt hurt over it, but neither of us cared. Tiffany shifted her weight and put her fists on her hips. “I don’t see any marks,” she said. “Is this true?” she asked me. “Like I’d make that up, Tiffany. Right in front of him? Get a life." She pressed her lips together tightly and moved her eyes toward the burnt cookies in the oven. “Well, I’ll take that as a no then.” “You should,” Willow said sharply. Tiffany’s face grew warm. I was oddly suspicious this was an attempt to get me down here alone. Who couldn’t make cookies? And who did it in the middle of the night? “Get this cleaned up,” I said, walking toward Willow. Willow turned before I could make it to her and marched out of the kitchen. I knew she couldn’t help but tell Tiffany that we were mates. I don’t think she planned to do it. I followed her up the stairs and into her room. I listened to her mumble under her breath. She turned sharply, and face-planted on her bed, screaming into her pillow. I watched in amusement as she unraveled in frustration. The corner of my mouth tugged into a smile. The hem of her t-shirt rose from her fall and I could see the bottom of her perfect round bottom. My wolf had taken over before, and I’d touched her in ways I hadn’t planned yet. Taking it slow and my wolf didn’t go together apparently. But feeling her heartbeat and breathing hard. The lust rolling off her skin. My wolf broke free, and I couldn’t fight him. “Are you going to sleep like that?” I asked. "It doesn't look very comfortable." “Yes,” she said into the mattress. I walked over and face-planted beside her, making her turn her head toward me. “I wanted to strangle her with that long golden hair back there. She's so ... ugh." “Yeah? I couldn’t tell at all,” I said. She tried to fight her smile. “She just makes me so freaking mad. Her surprise at our mate bond pissed me off the most. Like I wasn’t meant to have one.” “She’s just jealous,” I said, dragging Willow over to my chest. She rested her cheek against me and sighed heavily. “Did I push it too much earlier? I don’t want you to feel pressured.” She shook her head. “No. You didn’t. I was pleasantly surprised. I liked it.” “I meant what I said about going slow. My wolf just got control for a moment.” “Tell him my wolf says thank you.” I smiled up at the ceiling. “It’s late.” “It is,” she said. "We need to go to bed.” “I don’t want to move,” I whispered, rubbing my fingertips down her back. “Don’t. I’m comfortable.” Before I realized it, I’d fallen to sleep with Willow in my arms. I didn’t wake up until someone knocked on her door the next morning. I blinked rapidly, noticing how high the sun was in the sky and that Willow wasn’t on top of me. I sat up on my elbows and noticed her practicing in her room. She wiped the sweat from her eyes and walked toward the door. “Who is it?” “It’s Keith. Have you seen Chase this morning, Willow?” She looked back at me for guidance. I rubbed the sleep from my eyes and stood up. “Why didn’t you wake me? What time is it? 9 AM?" She shrugged. “You looked tired, and when you didn't move when I woke up, I didn't have the heart to wake you." I opened the door as she moved out of the way, and looked at Keith. “Sorry. I overslept. I didn’t have my phone.” “It’s fine,” he said. “I left breakfast for you both in your office. I found Alpha Gerald. He said the credit card is in the safe in your office. Here is the code. The she-wolf retrieved all of the food. However,” he said, giving me a look. “As for decorations, Tiffany is in charge of that department. I wasn’t sure what you wanted to do about that. I heard about last night …” “Is everyone talking about it?” Willow asked from behind me, dropping her fists to her sides. Keith nodded. “Looks like Tiffany spread the word.” I shrugged. “Who cares? It’s none of their business. Thank you. I’ll take care of the decorations.” He tipped his fingers in a salute and left. Willow leaned against one of the posts on her bed. “Regis is going to hear and go tell the regional court that you’re showing me favors.” “Nah,” I said, rubbing my palms against my face. “If he does, he’ll only have one incident to report, that you’ve been working off with kitchen duty.” “He’s going to watch me harder,” she whispered. There was a disappointment on her face. A fear of losing the ability to train, even if it was just in her bedroom. “I’ll take care of Regis if he decides to act out,” I said. “I need to get dressed. Breakfast is in my office when you’re hungry. I’ll see you soon.” I shut the door, and hauled tail to my room. I showered and dressed in record time. I inhaled the breakfast that Keith had out for me and walked toward the dining hall. Tiffany had cleaned up all of her mess. Not that I didn’t think she would, of course. I hated to think I had to face her after last night. I stalked down the hallway, overhearing some warriors speaking about Willow. I didn’t sense Regis in the bunch, but I stopped by the wall and angled my ear. “…that’s why she only has kitchen duty for crashing practice,” one said. “I don’t personally see the big deal,” another said. “It’s against the rules. She-wolves aren’t as strong as wolves. They have heats. It’s stupid even to consider,” one said. “Willow is a great fighter.” Derrick’s voice sliced through. “If I were alpha, I would go against the board and at least give her a chance.” “Yeah, because you have a crush on her,” one said. “I don’t,” he snapped. “I love Willow because she’s my friend. She’s been through a lot. People need to lighten up on her." “Whatever,” a few of them laughed. “Wait until Regis finds out that Chase is her mate. He’s gonna freak out. He already can’t stand her, and wants to bring her down a notch.” “Alpha Chase will demolish him,” Derrick mumbled. “I’m out of here.” Derrick walked off, and I stepped into a vacant room in the hallway to avoid him. Willow was right about Regis wanting to bring her down. Part of me sensed he would tell the regional court, and the other part didn’t give two cents. As alpha, I had the right to discipline my wolves the way I wanted. I’d handle that if and when it came around. The maternity ward was busier than I expected it to be. The front receptionist told me to wait in one of the empty rooms and she’d tell Tiffany. Ten minutes later, Tiffany walked in with tightened shoulders and a tight-lipped smile. “Alpha. How can I help you today?” “Keith informed me that you are in charge of the decorations for the summer party?” She held her clipboard to her chest, and she nodded. “I am, yes.” “It’s next week. So, just decorate however you want. Maybe like the previous years? I’ve never been, so I don’t know.” She nodded, and her gaze lifted from the sparkling tile floor. “Why didn’t you tell me that Willow was your mate?” “You know now,” I said, daring her to disagree. “I do,” she stepped forward and lifted her gaze toward mine. “Is there any particular reason you haven’t marked each other yet? Because, if it’s because you’re not ready …” I stepped close to her and shoved my finger in her face. “I’m not that kind of alpha. I honor my mate. She’s the pack’s future Luna, and you should too. You don’t stick your nose in my business. You don’t ask me questions about our relationship. The facts are that Willow is my mate, and you aren’t. I suggest you get back to work.” I left her with a red face, and anger seething off her. The audacity of some she-wolves these days. They'd learn quickly that I did not step out of my relationship with my mate, and I never would.