Willow's arms felt good around me, it was comforting. For the first time in years, I felt good in someone's arms. After I came out of my depression, I shied away from touch or getting close to anyone who wasn't family. Even my one-night stands ended.
However, being here with Willow, I felt like a new me and I knew it was time. That it could be good for both of us, something we both need. I pulled back enough to see her face but not enough for her arms to drop.
"I learned later on that the beta's son was banished from his pack and family. He was also charged with rape and forced mating. He was sent to shifter prison but that's all I knew. After her death, I sunk into a deep depression. I went days without eating or sleeping."
A smile spread across my face as I remembered Bonnie and Seth's help.
"My sister and best friend forced me to break out of my depression, I had people who loved me and needed me to be strong. It was tough but they were with me every step of the way."
Her body then sagged and I knew she was tired. I held both of her shoulders, so I gently pushed her down and smiled.
"Get some rest," I told her.
Willow nodded before gripping my hand.
"Don't worry, I'm not going anywhere."
---
A few hours later, I was still sitting holding Willow's hand when her father and Beta walked in. The Alpha glared at our hands but I refused to move, thankfully Doctor Lucas walked in as well moving in front of him.
"Wake Willow up!" he ordered.
"I'm sorry sir, I can't do that," Doctor Lucas spoke calmly.
"Is she that hurt?" Beta Jesse asked, worry lacing his voice.
"Yes and no, her wolf is very weak at the moment so it's taking more time for her to heal."
"She's always been weak, hard work will set her right," Alpha Nicholas said coldly.
I noticed the Doctor and Beta Jesse staring at the Alpha strangely.
"She's stronger than you give her credit for, Alpha," I growled.
He glared at me and was about to say something when my father walked in. He looked like he was biting his tongue hard.
"You should be more concerned with training my warriors than my daughter, that is what you came here to do."
"We have been training your warriors, Alpha Nicholas," Father spoke up. "Your warriors are good fighters, they don't need that much training from us. It seems Beta Jesse has been training them well."
Beta Jesse puffed up a little, clearly proud of the praise for his warriors. However, Alpha Nicholas glared at him as if he had overstepped his place.
"Well, clearly his training tactics are lacking if the attacks have increased."
"The attacks have increased because you are more focused on indulging your selfish mate than keeping your pack safe."
We all turned to see Alpha John walk in.
"Alpha Nicholas, may I introduce Alpha John Carter of the NightWind pack," Father announced.
"What are you doing here?" Alpha Nicholas demanded.
"Max?"
I turned to the weak voice to see Willow awake and staring at all the people in the room. I smiled and helped her sit up.
"I think we should discuss this somewhere else," Alpha John suggested. "Miss Willow, do you think you have the energy to join us?"
"She's not coming, she needs to rest," her father demanded.
"A minute ago you were insisting she had to go back to work, now all of a sudden she needs to rest," I scoffed before turning back to my alpha. "I can help her Alpha."
Willow held my hand as we all walked to Alpha Nicholas's office, even Doctor Lucas came with us.
Alpha Nicholas sat in his desk chair, just as his mate walked in. She took her place next to him uninvited. Alpha John and Father sat in the two chairs opposite him and I sat with Willow on a small sofa with the doc right behind us whilst Beta Jesse stood on the other side of his Alpha.
"Now will you tell me what you are doing here?" Alpha Nicholas growled again.
"I came to discuss the state of your pack. I found it odd that your beta was the one who sent the request for help. At first, I thought he was simply passing your message along but after what my Beta has told me, I now know that wasn't the case."
Alpha Nicholas glared at my father who simply glared back, not intimidated by the older man at all.
"You've been snooping around my pack!" he growled.
"Don't take that tone with my warrior!" Alpha John growled back.
We all shrank a little at the intensity of his power, including Alpha Nicholas. It was clear he was a much weaker alpha compared to Alpha John.
"My warriors were only sent here to train, as asked, but upon arriving they noticed many things not right. First, Alpha Nicholas, you spend a lot of the pack's income on your mate, instead of your pack which has caused your pack to suffer."
The Luna blushed and glared at the same time.
"How dare you accuse …" she started.
"Be quiet! I am not addressing you!" Alpha Nicholas barked.
"My warriors have discovered that you have left a lot of the running of your pack to your beta, and as a result, more rogues are appearing on your land. Word must have gotten around that the Alpha of this pack either doesn't care about his pack or is weak."
"How dare you! I am not weak! And I care about my pack."
I scoffed before Alpha John continued to speak.
"I am not calling you weak, I am simply telling you the rumour surrounding your pack. Thankfully, you have a strong beta and he has done the best he can but there is only so much he can do."
"Alpha?" I asked.
Alpha John nodded and everyone turned to me. I gripped Willow's hand and she nodded weakly at me. She must have guessed what I was going to say. I stood but Willow refused to let go of my hand.
"Alpha John, this is Willow Beniot, she is Alpha John's oldest daughter from his true mate," I introduced.
The Luna growled but went quiet when her mate growled back.
"She's been mistreated by her father and his mate. As well as Beta Jesse's son and his new mate."
"I have not harmed my daughter!"
"Why would he hurt his blood? You're just infatuated with the little slut aren't you boy, that's why you believe all her little lies," Luna Megan sneered.
I growled in warning and she smirked.
"You're just proving my point, little pup!"
"Is that how you let your mate speak about your daughter?" Alpha John asked with a growl.
Alpha Nicholas didn't answer and his mate looked smug. I guess that was all the answer Alpha John needed.
Then Beta Jesse stepped forward and coughed, getting everyone's attention. He turned to me and Willow.
"What did you mean about my son and his mate?"
I glanced at Willow who nodded and attempted to stand. Instantly, I helped her up and wrapped an arm around her waist to steady her. She took a deep breath and turned to everyone.