My knee bounced as I sat on the bed. Willow had gone to see the new Alpha two hours ago. She'd promised to come see me once she was done but I was still waiting. Was she too tired and decided to go to bed instead or is she still with him?
"Stop sighing and go, find her," my father grunted as he turned over in his bed.
Without waiting any longer, I rushed out She wasn't in her room or the infirmary. A sinking feeling settled in my stomach as I couldn't find her anywhere. When I neared the alpha's office I noticed her alpha stood with mine.
"Max? It's late, what are you doing here?" My alpha asked.
"I came to see Willow," I started before turning to Alpha Jesse. "Is she still here? Do you know where she went after?"
Alpha Jesse's forehead creased as he glanced at Alpha John.
"Still here?" he asked. "I haven't seen her since you took her back to the infirmary."
"But you sent for her," I insisted.
"No, I didn't, who said I did?"
"Your son's mate," panic was slowly filling me now.
"Max, I would never send her to even speak to Willow, let alone collect her," he insisted.
"Where is your son?" I asked.
You could almost see the moment as realisation flitted across his face.
"I haven't seen him since then either. After everything went down I spoke with him in my office about how he'd been treating Willow. I told him I was disappointed that he would choose Julie over Willow. Julie had no idea how to help the pack, she only cared for herself."
"Trip said that Willow was a loser and he couldn't be with someone like that. He said no one would want Willow as their mate anyway so she could just still act like the Luna, like she had been. I'd been so angry, I'd growled at him."
Alpha Jesse rubbed the back of his neck and shifted his weight.
"I informed him someone had already chosen her and even if they hadn't Willow would have her own life, not the one she had before, even if that life wasn't here. He was furious and demanded to know who wanted his fated mate. I reminded him she wasn't his mate, Julie was and he would have to face the consequences of his choices."
My wolf whined and inched to be released. He didn't want to lose another mate any more than I did. I was about to race off but my alpha stopped me. Alpha Jesse stepped forward.
"Come with me, if he's not in his room I have an idea of where he could be."
I followed him as we made our way to his room, only Julie was inside. Julie looked up expectantly but then rolled her eyes when she saw us. I guess we weren't who she was expecting.
"Where's Trip?" Alpha Jesse demanded.
Julie scrambled off the bed and stood straight at the tone of Alpha Jesse's voice.
"He … he .." she stammered.
"Why did you tell Willow I called for her?" he added.
"Well …." she stammered again and I growled.
I raced forward and gripped her neck. She gasped and tried to break free. Neither alpha stopped me.
"Answer the fucking questions!"
She struggled so I released her neck a little but I didn't let her go.
"I'm sorry … Alpha …. I …. Trip," she stammered in between gasps.
"What about my son!" he called angrily.
"He wanted … he said that … that Willow needed to be taught a lesson. That she shouldn't think about leaving her pack."
"Who is he to decide that!" I growled, tightening my grip again. "If Willow wants to stay or leave, that's her choice. He has no say in the matter, especially after what he did to her."
"I didn't …" she started.
"Don't say you didn't know!" I warned. "You knew full well she was his fated mate and that he wanted to hurt her every time you two were together. You even fawned all over him when she showed up when we arrived. You knew full well what was going on."
"Did he tell you where he was going?" Alpha John asked.
She shook her head as best as she could in my grip. I growled low before releasing her. My body was burning, itching to shift, my wolf wanted out.
"I think I know where he could be, follow me," Alpha Jesse ordered.
We all raced out of the pack house. Alpha John had called for my father and a few of our warriors, whilst Alpha Jesse called for a few of his. Once we were all present, Alpha Jesse shifted and raced off, we all followed suit and raced after him.
After what felt like hours, we eventually came to a small cabin, nestled in the trees. It almost blended into the foliage around it. It looked well-maintained but hardly used. I could sense Willow inside along with Trip and I didn't like that.
"Shift back!" Alpha Jesse ordered once he shifted.
We all followed him, though I was itching to race ahead.
"What is this place?" Alpha John asked.
"It belonged to my parents. My mother didn't like being around so many people all the time, so my father built this place. They would come here from time to time. When Trip arrived they would take him with them, he always loved it."
"Let's get inside already!" I urged.
"Wait!" Alpha Jesse insisted. "Despite what he has done, he is still my son, at least let me go first."
"Ok, Jesse," Alpha John agreed. "But remember he took someone against their will. You know what you will have to do if he has hurt Willow in any way."
Alpha Jesse sighed but nodded. He made for the steps and Alpha John, my father and I followed behind closely.
"Trip!" he called out as we reached the small porch.
We all heard a rush of feet before the door was flung open. A half-dressed Trip rushed out but halted when he noticed the rest of us.
'Why the fuck is he half naked?' I thought angrily.
"Father? What's wrong? … Why have you brought them here?" He asked his voice sounding forced.
"Where is Willow?" Alpha Jesse demanded.
"How would I know that? Ask the mutt behind you, he's the one who's been following her around like a dog in heat."
I growled and took a menacing step forward but his father stopped me.
"Trip! Where is she?"
Trip took a step back and bowed his head. I guess Daddy never shouted at him before.
"I … I don't know what you mean, father."
"You used your mate to trick Willow into thinking I wanted to see her alone. So where is she?" His father insisted once again.
"Well … you see … the thing is …"
He stammered and couldn't find his words.
"Step aside Trip," I demanded but he stepped in my way.
"Where do you think you're going?" he demanded.
"Step aside!" His father ordered.
Trip wanted to argue but eventually, he had no choice but to move. I raced up the steps and into the small cabin. I could smell Willow but she was nowhere to be seen.
It wasn't until I noticed some stairs almost hidden by the large fireplace. I raced up into a small attic-like bedroom. There, asleep on the bed, was Willow. Her hands and legs were bound and it looked like she'd been hit.
My wolf wanted to burst through and rip Trip to shreds. I forced my wolf to calm down whilst I worked on freeing Willow. She didn't stir as I lifted her and carried her outside. Trip had a lot of explaining to do.