Page 3 of Branches of the Willow (The Ancients #3)

3

Adjustment Period

I woke up to pancakes with fresh cut strawberries and whipped cream on top, bacon, some juice, coffee, and the most gorgeous man in the world delivering it all to me with a smile on his face. “Is this heaven?” I asked, voice still husky with sleep.

“Every day with you is heaven, love.” Mikael closed the distance between us as he spoke and placed a sweet kiss on my lips before pulling away and sliding the food closer. “Now, eat. I don’t need your mom insinuating that I’m not taking good enough care of you.”

“She never said that.” I huffed.

“No, but she did notice you’ve lost weight, and she’s right. You aren’t taking good enough care of yourself. You come first, Jess.” I started to argue with him, that making sure my people were taken care of comes above all else, but he cut me off. “You can’t take care of your people effectively if you’re so warn down that you can’t even pay attention to what they need.” He smiled at me as I begrudgingly took a bite of my food. That bite was heavenly, and I couldn’t even fake my displeasure anymore. I dug in and ate like I had been starving for weeks. “The white wolves have warned you about finding balance in your life. Maybe, this is exactly the kind of thing they meant. You needed a mate in your life who would kick your ass and tell you to slow down a bit.”

“Okay.” I bit out through a mouthful of food before I could swallow. “I get it. I will do better, promise!”

“Good, now I’m going to shower, and when you’re done there, you need to get ready. I just happened to think of something this morning, and we need to get back to talk to the guys who came in last night. I have some questions for them.”

The water was already streaming from the shower before I could find out what Mikael wanted to ask. I hurriedly finished up my meal, and snatched some clothes up out of the closet, in the hopes of joining Mikael in the shower before he finished. I had fallen right to sleep the night before, even though I desperately wanted a few intimate moments alone with him. We could make up for that this morning as part of my new ‘taking care of me first’ life plan I was being shoved into. Unfortunately, before I could get more than a couple steps, my cell phone started ringing.

“Why me?” I huffed as I reached for the phone that had been tossed on my desk the night before. “Hello?”

“Jessica?” I knew the voice instantly. It was Sierra, Jack’s widowed mate.

“Is something wrong, Sierra?”

“Well, I was on a walk last night, headed to the lake, and I saw some lights on in the house.” By ‘the house’ she meant, the house she used to share with Jack. Sierra had chosen to move out and go live with her parents again for a while, because she couldn’t stand being there alone. Although, there was a small cabin not far from them that I had hopes of talking her into taking as her own now, since she didn’t seem capable of being in the old house.

“I’m sorry, I should have told you last night. We have some guests staying there for right now. Two of them will be leaving soon, and the third may end up staying put right there.” I heard her breath hitch through the phone. “I’m sorry, Sierra. I know, it’s hard, but we can’t let the house just sit forever. If you don’t want it, we need it for others.”

“I know. I just… well, I was just surprised, I guess. It’s okay, Jess. I knew someone would have to use it sooner or later.”

“How have you been doing? Is there anything I can do for you?”

“No. I’m fine.” She hesitated a moment before speaking again. “Do you think…” her voice got quiet and then trailed off completely. I stayed on the line, just listening to her breathe for a few minutes.

“Do I think what, hon?”

“I don’t know why I didn’t die with him. It hurt so much. I still ache like there’s a piece of me missing that I will never have again. I just don’t understand why I survived it. What’s the point in being here without him?”

My heart ripped open right then and there. “Oh Sierra…” I whispered. “You will be with him again, one day. You are just not done here yet. I don’t know how I know it, but I can tell you that soon, you will realize why you survived his loss. Your purpose is out there, and it’s going to find you soon.” I wasn’t entirely sure where the words were coming from. I was overwhelmed with a feeling of rightness as they left my mouth though. Sierra had more to do with her life before she would be called to her mate’s side once again. “I’ll come see you in a bit, okay?”

“Yeah, sure.” Sierra sounded despondent. “See you soon, Jess.”

Mikael walked in then, fully dressed, and I couldn’t help but think that I’d missed another opportunity to be with him. I wanted to be saddened by the fact, but it was hard to do after talking to Sierra. If nothing else, her experience made me take a second to appreciate the man standing before me. I’d take just being able to walk up and kiss him, even if it meant we missed out on more together, so long as he was still here for me to have that little bit. “Everything okay?” He asked.

“Yeah.” I put the phone down and picked my things up. “Give me just a minute to shower and change, and we can head out.” I turned to him before moving into the bathroom. “I need to see Sierra while we’re there. She is a priority.” He gave me a knowing look, and then reached out to snag an arm around my waist and scoop me in closer to him. His kiss was warm, wonderful, and full of love. It was just what I needed. “Thanks for breakfast.” I added as I walked away. I was rewarded with a playful smack on the butt. Also, just what I needed.

“Hey, Jess! Long time, no see, girl!” The tall, slender man with shaggy brown hair and smooth chocolate eyes graced me with a genuine smile that lit up his entire face. I wasn’t sure where he’d been hiding out all this time, but I hadn’t even seen Tyler since a few weeks before my Ebullience transition. We were the same age, so it seemed odd, but then again, I had been kept so far apart from my pack for all those years after my Calling, when my parents first saw my wolf, that not having seen him made sense.

“Tyler!” I called out. “It has been a while. How are you?” I asked him as he pulled me into a big bear hug reminiscent of the ones Jack used to give, which made my heart squeeze a little as we stood in front of Jack’s old house.

“I’m on guard dog duty right now,” he joked. Andy left a few hours ago, before dawn, to head to the Daniel’s Clan to speak with Avery.” Tyler’s attention was now focused over my shoulder, and I turned to see Mikael had caught up to me and was standing there with an amused look on his face.

“Tyler, this is my mate, Mikael. Mikael, Tyler. We were in school together back in the day,” I added for my mate’s benefit.

Mikael stuck his hand out and shook Tyler’s. “Pleasure to meet you.”

“You too, man. I honestly didn’t think this one was ever going to find someone good enough for her!” Tyler winked at me. “Although, I am glad it wasn’t that freaking dick, Zach.

“Tell me about it.” I rolled my eyes as I thought of Zach. Even back when I’d last seen Tyler, you could have called Zach a dick. Now, I’d call him far stronger things, if I chose to focus on him long enough to give a shit. “Hey, we need to catch up. I want to know how things are going for you, and if you and Shelly ever…” By the blush that passed over Tyler’s face, I could tell that something happened between them, although maybe not significant enough to become mating material. “I have to take care of some things first, but later, okay?”

“Yeah, sure thing, Jess. It’s been too long.” Tyler stepped aside so we could get inside Jack’s old place.

Walking through the door was like being hit with an emotional bomb. Even though there were three new wolves currently staying there, everything still carried Jack’s scent. “No wonder Sierra couldn’t stand to be here anymore.” I all but whimpered as I spoke the words. Mikael pulled me close, in a gentle, reassuring hug as we found our way to the living room. My fingers wandered over the worn leather back of the couch before I glanced up, trying to keep tears from spilling down my face.

“Are you all right, M’Lady?” Brian asked as he glanced up at me from the chair across the room. I nodded, and gave myself an internal pep-talk, trying to get my emotions under wraps. It was not an easy thing to do when each rapid intake of breath left me hurting all over again for the loss of my friend, my brother.

“Well, if I had known you were going to be miserable about our heading off to another pack, I would have put up at least a little bit of a fight about staying.” Nicholai running his big mouth did two things. First, it triggered my anger, making it possible for me to work past my own sadness. Second, it reminded me of something that Jack himself would have said to me. About the time Mikael’s warning growl roared loudly through the house, I started laughing. That reaction only managed to confuse every single person in the room, Mikael and myself included.

I tossed a hand up on Mikael’s chest to calm him, as I continued laughing. Then I tried to explain. “I’m sorry, that’s something Jack would have said.” Mikael, at least, understood my reaction then. “Please, understand,” I started to explain to the three men who were now completely bewildered with me. “This house used to belong to my dear friend, a man I considered my brother. His passing wasn’t that long ago. So, it’s bittersweet to come here and still be able to catch his scent and see pieces of the life he lived here.”

“Ah fuck! I’m sorry. My comment… if I had known…” For once, Nicholai seemed like a real person in that moment. I simply smiled at him.

“Really, it’s okay. Your comment was perfect. It reminded me of something Jack would have said. It was almost as if you channeled his spirit. Thank you, for that little piece of my friend today. I needed to hear an off-the-wall comment while being in his space.” I took a seat on the leather sofa, and Mikael came to sit beside me, while the other men just waited. “Mikael had some questions for you three before we can get you all settled in.”

Mikael didn’t waste a minute, he jumped right in with the questions while I kicked myself in the ass for not thinking to ask them myself. “When did you leave the colony?”

“A week ago. We waited to see what would happen. There was a lot of speculation about the white wolf, and Antoine being dead, but we thought Malachi would step up. He didn’t.” Nicholai offered candidly. It was also clear by the tone of his voice that he wasn’t a fan of Malachi. That at least was one point in the man’s favor.

“Did any of you see my brother before you left, or here of him being there?”

“No, but his mate was there until just before we left to come here,” Brian answered that time.

“What of Leanna?” I asked, jumping into the mix.

“She was with Annabelle. They seemed in a hurry, packed up the smaller house, and took off.” Brian informed us before offering a little more detail as to how he knew that. “It was one of my last duties, to help them pack. When I realized the royals were ditching the place, I figured I would see if I could get here to meet the white wolf. We heard about your immersion program when we managed to get state side, and here we are.”

“So, you helped them pack?” Mikael questioned while Brian nodded his head in the affirmative. “We’ll need you to tell us about everything that was taken. Not right now, but as soon as possible.”

“Did they mention a destination to you as they packed?”

“No.” Brian sighed deeply. “I was just the help. It’s not like they were going to ask my advice or tell me their plans. I simply packed bags and carried them out to their vehicle. I wish I could help you more.”

“You have already been a huge help, Brian.” I spoke softly and offered him a kind smile because I didn’t think he had ever had someone appreciate anything he had done for them. “We’re going to get you and Nicholai settled in with the Daniels Clan soon. If you have any problems adjusting while you’re there, send word to me, and we’ll make sure you are placed somewhere you fit in better. I don’t want you to feel as though you’re trading indentured servitude in one place for another. Avery’s pack is much like my father’s. We all pull our own weight here, and we are both communities who step up to help one another out, but we do not put all the work on the backs of people we think less of. It’s not like that here. I need you to understand that.”

Brian inclined his head to let me know that he understood, even as the tips of his ears turned red with embarrassment. “Brian, make me that list. Anything you can remember will be helpful,” Mikael requested as we got up to leave. “Is there anything else the three of you need right now?”

“Is this where I will be staying permanently? This house?” Dimitri looked around appreciatively at Jack’s old place. That kick-in-the gut feeling again caught me by surprise, but I knew very soon we would have to turn the house over to someone else. Life kept moving forward even when I wished I could put it on pause.

“I’m not sure yet, Dimitri. That will be a question for my father, as this is his pack. Jack’s widow is also still around, and while she took time away from this house, I’m not sure yet if she’ll want it back or want to be somewhere with less memories that might ease her as she carries on a life without her mate.”

I was shocked when Nicholai spoke up, rather than Dimitri. “You are the white wolf, surely you do not bow down before a pack leader, father or no.” His words came across almost as if he were scolding me.

“I am the white wolf. That doesn’t mean I’m a dick. I work with the pack leaders to do what’s right for our people. The dictator-style regime we were under before with Antoine’s monarchy didn’t work out too well for a lot of our kind. Brian here can attest to that.”

“And don’t you ever think to question Jessica again, you hear me?” Mikael interjected. “She is the white wolf. You will learn to show respect in her presence, or you’ll find yourself in the most unsavory of places. I’m sure your smart mouth would not serve you very well in the locks.”

Nicholai blanched a bit, and for the second time I watched as he looked me in the eye and apologized. “Apologies, my lady.”

I was so not in the mood for anymore hand holding as we turned to leave Jack’s house. Tyler remained outside, standing guard as we left. “Ty, they’re not prisoners, but I want them watched at all times while they’re here. Brian knows the royals personally, and Nicholai’s just a dick. Keep an eye on them. Get someone to help if you need it.”

“Sure thing, Jess.”

Mikael and I continued down the road and passed several other homes belonging to pack members. “You know, it’s actually peaceful out here, when it’s just the two of us walking like this.” Mikael smiled down at me as he spoke.

“Except it’s never just the two of us anymore.” I pointed off toward the tree line at the men and wolves who patrolled in the distance. “I know my dad needed to increase security patrols for the pack lands, considering everything going on, but I feel like we’re always under someone’s watchful eyes. I miss the old days, sneaking off to cave pools, dancing into the night without a care, bad jokes and a thousand wardrobe changes with Ashley.”

Mikael looked worried and stopped me in my tracks. “Jess?” He questioned with a little hurt in his eyes.

“I don’t regret you, or us, or our bond, Mikael. I just meant things used to be simple, and now I feel like I’m always at someone else’s beck and call. I don’t think I’m cut out for this white wolf business.” I whispered the words and then sighed dramatically. I could be strong all day long. I could make decisions. There were things I didn’t mind doing, like helping to get my people back on track so that our kind could once again grow stronger and flourish. “I feel like I’m losing myself most days, and that has nothing to do with being mated to you and everything to do with my new lot in life as the white wolf.”

“Okay, that’s it. I’m taking you home. We’re going to pack up some lunch and go to the falls. It will be just the two of us, and some quiet, alone time. What do you think? Maybe we can stop by and play with the puppies?” He was trying to cheer me up, and I loved Mikael for it. It also sounded like the kind of day I needed.

“Jessica!” One of my father’s men greeted us on the road. On second thought, it appeared that he was heading towards us with a purpose. “Mikael.” He inclined his head to both of us. “Sorry to interrupt, but you’re needed at your parents’ house, right away.”

“Of course, I am.” I’m sure my tone came out colder than I meant for it to, but I was just too tired to care at that point. “Maybe, after we deal with this next thing…” I sighed to Mikael wistfully.

“We’ll make it happen.” He pulled me in closer to his body and gave me a squeeze along with a kiss on my head. “The bike, and the open road, are calling our names. Maybe we should take a trip?” We continued walking as Mikael made plans out loud to distract me from being overwhelmed by my new duties. “You could always say you’re going to check in with some of the smaller packs that are further out.”

“Now, that sounds delightful. We could hit up some of the protected lands on the state parks to run. I can taste the freedom now.” I smiled up at him. “Thanks! I don’t know how I’d get through all this without you by my side. At least we can dream together, if not actually find a way to fulfil those wishes right now.” We were closing in on my parents’ house, and I was able to see the commotion taking place. There were guards congregating towards the house, and what looked like too many bodies moving around behind the windows. “What the hell?” I asked no one in particular, as I picked up my pace a bit. A small burst of adrenaline hit my bloodstream, effectively knocking the weariness out of my body, and allowing me to move with a purpose instead of strolling along as I had been doing.

“Mom? Dad?” I called out as I breached the front door. There were no words for the sight that greeted me. I stopped, mid-stride, not able to process who was sitting in my parents’ living room.

“Leanna?” Mikael all but whispered as his body stiffened with tension. I felt it because I had come to such an abrupt stop that his front was immediately plastered to my back. Chills ran down my spine, and I didn’t think it had anything to do with my close proximity to my mate.

“Mikael!” Leanna whined from across the room where my father’s guards stood over her and a visibly shaken Annabelle. “We didn’t know what to do…” She cried through fresh tears.

“Shit…” I whispered, before nodding to John, one of the guards. “Where are my parents?”

“Kitchen.” His response was all business.

“Thanks.” I ignored the fact that Leanna and Annabelle were sitting on the couch, under guard, pleading and crying, and walked straight into the kitchen with Mikael following. “Dad? What the hell is going on? Where were they captured?”

“They weren’t. They showed up in a car about fifteen minutes ago.” My dad responded.

“They what?” I questioned.

“They are seeking asylum, apparently.” My dad said as he handed Mikael a bottle of beer. “Thought you could use this.”

“Thanks.” Mikael still looked slightly shocked, but I noted the disbelief in his eyes. He wasn’t buying the bid for asylum. Quite frankly, neither was I.

“I’m going to assume that Malachi was not with them?”

“No, he wasn’t.” My father answered.

“Jameson,” Mikael started firmly, “have they mentioned where he was last seen at least?”

“I was waiting on the two of you to get here before we started questioning them. Jessica should be here because of who she is, and I wanted you to be here, because you know them better than any of us. Hopefully, you’ll be able to pick up on any deception.”

Mikael nodded his head in agreement, put the beer bottle to his lips, and tipped it back taking a long pull of the cold brew. I wished I could tip one, or twelve, back with him. Suddenly, our plans seemed further and further beyond our reach.