My blood boiled and all I could think about was beating Trip to a pulp. Which is why it took me a little longer to register what she said.
"Wait!" I shot up and she turned to me.
Willow had a small smile on her face and despite the bruise, she looked stunning. Slowly, she walked over and sat back down next to me.
"Did you say what I think you did?" I asked.
"Which part?" she teased.
Everyone in the room chuckled at me but I didn't care.
"The part where you agreed to be my mate!"
Alpha Jesse patted me on the shoulder as he stood.
"Congratulations Max and Willow, though I am sad to see you go I know it's better for you. I wish you both all the best. Get some rest, Willow, we'll talk more tomorrow."
Everyone left and I beamed down at Willow.
"Are you sure this is what you want?" I asked, needing to be sure.
After all, she could have just said that to piss Trip off. I would have paid money to see the look on his face when she told him that. Willow lifted her hand to my face and pulled me down for a gentle kiss.
"Yes, Max, I'm sure. I was always going to say yes, I just didn't think I was good enough for you."
"Oh baby," I cooed. "You'll always be good enough if not more."
I settled her into bed and kissed her forehead. She drifted off and I headed for Alpha Jesse. I needed to know what was going to happen to that scum.
"Ah you're here Max, how's Willow doing?" my father asked.
"She's good, tired but good."
He nodded and patted my shoulder. I smiled at him and then turned to Alpha Jesse.
"What's going to happen to him?"
Alpha Jesse sighed.
"For now he is on house arrest. He is not allowed out of his room unless he has been called for. Also, he will no longer be trained for the beta position. I can not allow him to be my second if he's going to act like this."
I nodded. I would have liked him beaten up but I guess his father couldn't exactly order that. Luckily he didn't hurt Willow too much. Otherwise, no one would've been able to stop me.
"I thought I had raised him better than this," Alpha Jesse sighed.
"We can only do so much," Alpha John reassured him. "The rest is up to them and who they surround themselves with."
"What about his mate?" I asked, suddenly remembering Julie.
"She is also under house arrest, in the room next to Trip's. That way they are close enough for their wolves but not in the same room."
I was satisfied with that as well. Alpha John patted my shoulder and smiled.
"We will be returning to our pack in the morning. You and your father will remain here to help Willow and her siblings collect their things. Then you will bring your new family home with you."
I nodded eager, to go home but also to have Willow join me.
"Your sister has already moved out of your place to make room for your mate and her brother and sister," Father told me.
"Wait! Where is Bonnie going to stay?" I asked, not likely that she'd have to leave.
"Don't worry about her. She'll stay in the main house until she finds her place or her mate," Alpha John assured me.
---
The next few days were a blur. Willow was both excited and scared to leave her pack. Her brother and sister were excited and didn't pack as much of their stuff as I thought they would. The main items they picked were mainly items Willow had made or bought them.
Everyone came to apologise and gave her presents, so much so that she became overwhelmed. She told me it was the first time she had brand new things, from clothes and shoes to books and even a new laptop. That one had been from Alpha Jesse.
She cried a little as we drove away but I could also see her body shift, like a weight had been lifted. Willow was no longer tied down to that horrible place.
The drive back was uneventful. The twins fell asleep almost instantly. As we pulled up, Bonnie and Sebastian were waiting for us. Sebastian looked like shit, it killed me to see him putting on a fake smile for everyone.
Bonnie instantly pulled Willow into a hug. Willow wasn't quite sure what to do at first but soon hugged her back. The twins were a bit shy but once inside they perked up. Sebastian and Bonnie helped get them settled whilst I took Willow to my room.
"You can put your stuff away here. I will sleep out there and you can sleep in here," I told her, wanting her to feel comfortable.
"Why would you sleep out there? This is your room," she asked with a furrowed brow.
"Well, you should take the bed. I've slept on the sofa before so I'm used to it."
"No … I mean this is your room. I can sleep out there," she insisted.
"Bonnie would kill me if she learnt that you were sleeping on the sofa," I teased.
I watched as Willow's cheeks blushed, I wondered what she was thinking about. I didn't have to wait long.
"Well, I don't want you to sleep on the sofa and I don't want you to be killed by your sister … so why don't we share the bed."
Her face was bright red now and I wanted to smirk and tease her but I figured that wouldn't be the best idea.
Gently, I gripped her arms and pulled her against me. She blushed even harder but slowly wrapped her arms around my neck.
"I don't want you to be uncomfortable," I reassured her.
Willow smiled faintly before looking up at me. I thought she was going to insist I sleep in the bed or reassure me she would be fine. However, I wasn't expecting her to pull my head down.
Her lips pressed against mine, hesitant at first but then more firmer as I responded. I moaned into her mouth as her tongue tentatively swept over mine.
It was obvious she had next to no experience but that excited me more. Knowing I was the only one to ever feel this, feel her, was intoxicating. Her hands raked through my hair and I groaned against her lips.
"God! The things you do to me!"
"I hate to break up this beautiful moment but you have guests dear brother."
We both jumped apart and Willow blushed as we turned to see a smirking Bonnie and Sebastian. Whilst Willow scrambled away, I noticed how Sebastian's smirk looked more sad than teasing. It wasn't until I could get Bonnie alone that I found out why. Liam was being a dick again.
That night, Willow went to bed before me. She looked fast asleep when I finally crawled in beside her. I tried to leave a gap so that she had plenty of room but the minute my head hit the pillow she wrapped herself around me. Her head rested on my chest and her arms pulled me against her small body.
I smiled as I moved my arm around her small frame. A wistful sigh came from her and I couldn't help but chuckle as my eyes drifted closed.
----
The next day I decided to visit a certain someone. Liam needed to get his head out of his ass and soon. Sebastian was worth the trouble if he only got out of his head and took the chance.
I'd given Willow a long lingering kiss before leaving. Her brother and sister all cooed and laughed as I left. It felt good to see her smile and blush.