Love & Loss

Sunrise is Willow's favorite time of day. Each morning before getting ready for school she ran through the woods and down the mountain to the river. Something with the cool morning air against her fur, the water splashing along the rocks and the sky's morning colors filling the sky brought Willow comfort. Today was no exception and she needed the normalcy now more than ever. Today was High School graduation which she knew Jack and Connie were thrilled about, but there was much more going on than that and they had absolutely no idea. Willow's world was so much bigger than what they knew it to be. She just hoped she could make it through her 18th birthday and the heat without causing any real commotion. Two things she had been dreading for years. Living with humans that knew nothing outside of their day to day life had been good for the most part but hiding who she was has always been a struggle. And there was a pack in town that knew of her but didn't cause any harm so far. Two of the members went to school with Willow, one also graduating this year. They kept their distances from one another and that was that. Which was relatively easy given the fact that they came from very different circles at school. Willow kept a low profile everywhere, including school, having a handful of close friends. None of them knew. And Mark was well, popular. Dated cheerleaders, played football, all of those cliches. This would be the year he mated with somone at their pack ritual. There's a ceremony every year and those un-mated and old enough must attend to find their mate, or claim who they wish at the next full moon.The idea disgusted Willow, but those are for packs and she didn't have one so there was nothing to fret about. The heat would be bad and hopefully bearable but she'd gotten this far. Willow turned and started back up the mountain around the trees shaking her head free of the thoughts whirring around. No matter what happened Willow knew she had to make sure Jack and Connie knew nothing and remained safe. No matter what. She moved quickly and within no time she was in the backyard of their home shifting into her human form, dressing herself with the clothes she'd left on a branch. Willow could smell the breakfast Connie was cooking. She went all out this morning. Once dressed she crossed the backyard to the back door and the smell of breakfast was mouth watering as she pushed open the door. "Look who it is! Took a little longer than usual, ya alright?" Jack asked from round glass kitchen table, putting down his coffee. "Yeah I'm fine the weather will be good today," Willow smiled small and grabbed herself a cup of coffee on the counter. Jack went back to reading the paper but she felt Connie's eyes gazing at her curiously. "Need some help?" "Oh no, dear thankyou. Just about done here so you just go sit down," Connie smiled genuinely and Willow gave a small nod in return, sitting down at the table next to Jack. The clock above him read almost 9'o clock already and the graduation started at 11. There wasn't much preparation to do besides throw on the gown and cap but she promised Seth and Maggie she'd meet them at Maggie's beforehand. Connie sat a plate of food down in front of both Jack and Willow stacked with chocolate pancakes with strawberries, sausage, bacon and hashbrowns. Willow dug in even quicker than usual ignoring her parents' watchful eyes. Her wolf was hungry. For food, for freedom to run and hungry for the mate her shewolf had been promised since birth. Willow and her shewolf rarely agreed and it'd been difficult to keep the wolf at bay but she'd managed to. Now with Willow's 18th birthday nearing and the full moon just nights away for the mating ritual, her shewolf was trying to claw her way out. "That was quick," Connie commented from across the table as Willow stood and brought her empty plate to the sink. Jack had barely touched his food yet. "Yeah, I'm sorry but I promised Maggie I'd meet her and Seth. I'll see you guys there?" Willow asked eager to get out of the house and away from Connie's searching eyes. It had never sat well to keep such a big secret from them, especially Connie, but how was she supposed to tell them? It was law no to expose themselves or the exsistence of their kind, period. A law punishable by death. And with so many nearby packs in the area it was too risky. For Willow and her parents. "We'll see you there." Jack nodded still buried in the newspaper picking at the plate of food with his fork mindlessly. Willow smiled and left the kitchen to head upstairs, Connie's eyes burning holes through her. Once inside her room Willow closed the door and exhaled deeply leaning back against the door. Today was going to be a long day, the whole weekend was going to be difficult. She just had to get through it. Minutes later Willow backing her truck out of the driveway dressed in the deep purple graduation gown, the cap on the passenger seat beside her. The thing looked ridiculous she wasn't going to wear it any longer than necessary. Seth's house was across town and while pulling in front of it, Willow noticed Maggie's Audi in the driveway. Maggie's feelings for Seth had grown over the years but nothing ever happened. Maggie never made a move and Seth was either oblivious or uninterested. Willow had been waiting for her best friends to announce their love for what felt like ever. "Finally! Come on, I need help with my hair," Maggie rushed out of the front door before Willow had made it up the driveway, clinging to Willow's arm as she pulled her inside. Maggie was the polar opposite of Willow in just about every way. Feminine, boy crazed, obsessed wih fashion and practically lived at the mall. Maggie was also head cheerleader while Willow much preferred to maintain her invisibility, which she had managed to do right until the very end of school. "Who cares about your hair? It'll be hidden under that hideous cap," Willow questioned still being pulled into the living room where Seth sat playing Xbox, dressed and ready to go. He grinned at Willow. "Look who decided to grace us with her presence, you want in?" Seth nodded his head to another controller on the couch. "No, she's busy helping me just keep staring at your screen and leave her be." Maggie hissed and brought a kitchen chair into the room, plopping down out of breath. Seth and Willow watched in amusement. "What do you want done?" Willow asked with a smile, running her fingers through Maggie's bleached pinstraight hair. She'd told her best friend a thousand times to cool it with the bleach but Maggie hadn't listened. Her hair was rough and coarse. "Whatever you have to do to make it presentable for the party," Maggie's fingers toyed with some hair clips in her lap. "What party?" Willow questioned and used one of the clips to part Maggie's hair. "You never go, what do you care?" Maggie muttered earning a sharp tug of her hair from Willow causing her to squeal. Seth laughed. " Okay, okay! Mark's throwing a party and invited the whole class!" "You guys are going?"Willow looked at Seth for confirmation and he shrugged, glancing away from the screen briefly. "He won't go unless we all do." Maggie rolled her eyes and Willow raised an eyebrow, braiding quickly. "Seth," Willow peered at him waiting until he paused the game and turned to her. "Go to the party. You'll have fun," "Not unless you come with." Seth shrugged. "I'll just come chill with you," "No, Seth. Go have a good time, it's your last high school party." Willow insisted tying the hair tie at the end of the neatly tightened braid. Maggie laughed. "That's funny coming from you that's all. You haven't been to even one high school party, Willow." Maggie sighed and stood up using a hand mirror to assess the braid before smiling. "You're a life saver and you're a lot of fun, I just wish you'd leave your cave and let other people see that." "What other people?" Willow laughed and it dissapeared when Maggie met her eyes with a serious expression. "You haven't dated anyone, not even been on ONE date. If you're gay that's fine, but you just..." Maggie sighed small and shook her head before leaving toward the bathroom. Leaving Willow and Seth in an awkward silence. So what, she never dated? So she didn't lose her virginity under the bleachers to some asshole like half the class. So she didn't sleep around or go through guys like underwear. What's so wrong with that? Willow gulped the lump in her throat and felt Seth's hand on her shoulder. She hadn't realized he moved beside her. "Don't worry about it, alright? Mags is just emotional today," Seth comforted her and Willow suddenly felt so selfish. Not just for making him miss the party tonight but there's been so many other oppertunities he'd given up to join Willow in her cave. "I'll go to the party, but you're driving." "What?" Seth blinked with a confused expression. "You'll go?" "Yeah, screw it." Willow shrugged and Seth grinned before pulling her in for a hug. One of those warm brotherly hugs. She could smell the onion rings he'd eaten along with the weed he'd smoked that morning. "Alright, let's get this over with." The graduation ceremony was everything Willow had imagined. Crowded, loud and it didn't end soon enough. When it was her time to receive her diploma she could see Jack and Connie in the second row clapping loudly, tears in their eyes. When it was all said and done Jack and Connie found the three of them to take pictures with before her friends found their families. The ride home was full of Connie talking about how great the ceremony was and how this is a brand new chapter for Willow. The thought terrified Willow. Now, what? She'd gotten into the community college nearby and would start in the Fall but Willow still had no idea what she wanted to do with her life. Willow's mind whirled until she found herself back upstairs lying on her bed staring at the ceiling. Connie wanted Willow to study cosmetology. Besides the fact that Connie owned her own salon, she thought Willow had a lot of potential. Jack didn't say much about anything let alone about what direction she should go in, which she was grateful for. In just hours she'd be 18. For a wolf, for Willow, that meant more than it did for a human. Why did she agree to that party? Just as she pondered cancelling her cell phone vibrated on the bed beside her. A text from Maggie. Maggie: B there soon! Willow: Can't wait Letting out a deep sigh and glancing at the time Willow stood off the bed and wiggled out of the gown finally, tossing it into her hamper. She'd worn faded blue jeans and a black tanktop with her converse beneathe the gown. Comfortable enough. Willow turned to the life size mirror on the back of her closet door, staring at how pale her skin was. A scar that ran from the top of her right breast to her shoulder blade. Her parents had been the only ones to see some of her scars after adopting her. Willow made sure to keep them covered to avoid the questions. Connie and Jack never asked and Willow was always grateful for that. "Willow! Maggie's here!" Connie called from downstairs and Willow pulled a t-shirt from her dresser just before the bedroom door flew open. Maggie smiled brightly carrying a few bags with her and dropped them onto the bed. "What's all that?" Willow asked curiously without moving. "Well, I figured you didn't have much of anything to wear to a party. And I couldn't choose what to wear, so I brought some." Maggie explained and kicked off her sandals as she empty all the bags onto the bed. Bright dresses, skirts, lingerie, blouses, heels, sandals, jewelry, handbags. Everything that Willow knew nothing about. It was a foreign language. "There's a few I thought you'd look amazing in," Maggie made a small pile to the side at the corner of the bed near Willow. "Go ahead, try them on." "But...." Willow began and Maggie shook her head. "You agreed already, babe. You're in this now." Maggie said evenly and Willow stepped toward the bed to eye the small pile waiting for her. Her eyes widened and before she said anything Maggie took her hand in her own. "I know it's not easy and you're nervous. You're beautiful, Willow. Own it." Maggie smiled. "Alright," Willow muttered and lifted a red dress from the bed. It was a deep shade of red, similiar to blood. Strapless and way shorter than anything Willow had ever worn. Besides how bare she'd feel, her scars would show. Willow did love the color though and it was better than any of the other outfits Maggie had chosen for her from the looks of it. As Willow moved for the door Maggie laughed, already changing into a light blue sequin halter dress. "Where ya goin? Why not change in here?" Maggie wondered. "The bathroom is fine." Willow said quickly and closed the door behind her before crossing the hallway to the bathroom. Once the door was locked behind her she squeezed her eyes shut and took a deep breath. "Come on, it's just a damn dress." Willow told herself and then kicked off her converse. The room smelt of vanilla and coconut when Willow made her way back into the bedroom. Maggie was in a different dress now and it looked amazing on her. It was a honey gold color and tied behind her neck. Short but flowy and it looked more elegant than it did slutty. Which Willow imagined to be hard to pull of when you're a hot blonde. Maggie's eyes widened and she smiled when she turned around to face Willow. "It looks so good! You have to wear that one!" Maggie insisted and Willow watched as Maggie eyed the scars. The first near her shoulder, the other on the outer left thigh and the last one went from the inside ofher right knee and up her thigh. They were deep and very much visible. "That explains a lot of your wardrobe." Maggie nodded and came closer handing Willow a pair of black leather boots that would cover much of her legs, up until above her knees. "There's nothing wrong with scars and you look more beautiful with them." "Thanks, Mags." Willow mumbled and zipped up the boots. They were surprisingly pretty comfortable and the heel wasn't big so it was easy to move in them. "It's my turn to do your hair and makeup." Maggie smiled wide and Willow shifted weighing this out. "Fine. But- absolutely no pink, no glitter, and I don't want to look like a f*****g racooon, alright?" Willow said was a straight face making Maggie giggle. "I know you, silly. Come on and sit down." Maggie pulled the desk chair toward them and patted the seat waiting patiently. As Willow hesitantly sat down Maggie lifted the hair curler that had been sitting on the desk. What took like way too long of a time later, they were finally dressed and done getting ready. Willow couldn't imagine doing this all the time just to go to a party. Maggie insisted on taking a selfie together before going downstairs where Seth was waiting to leave. Where he'd been for atleast twenty minutes waiting. Willow glanced at the clock. Half past eight. Not too long before midnight and she was 18. "Come on, Seth isn't gonna wait forever." Maggie grabbed Willow's hand and headed for the stairs. Willow was halfway there and wondering how Maggie was moving so quickly in the heels she'd chosen, when she heard Connie. "Oh, dear. You look beautiful!" Connie exclaimed and hugged Willow tight before she was even off the last step. "Doesn't she, Jack?" Connie persisted making Willow shift uncomfortably, glancing at Seth who stood near the door. Staring at her with a goofy grin on his face. "My little Willow always looks beautiful, dress or not." Jack gave a half smile and winked at Willow making her smile. "We need some pictures!" Connie squealed and ran into the kitchen for her camera. "I'm sure they're ready to leave..." Willow mumbled. "Oh, come on! No Homecomings, dances, proms or anything the last four years! Just give me this, please." Connie pleaded, camera in hand as she hurried back toward them. Willow groaned as Connie stood in front of her and her friends with an excited smile, camera in her face. Maggie took it all in happily moving closer to Willow's left side, wrapping an arm around Willow's neck. Willow stiffened feeling Seth's arm wrap around her waist resting a hand on her hip, his chest pressed against her right arm. Willow wanted to look at Seth but resisted the urge, smiling as Connie moved through her photo shoot. After taking photos of the three of them, Willow took photos with Connie and Jack both together and then separately. Willow fought the urge to rush them. Connie was right. Willow hadn't participated in anything school related, or even with other classmates besides Seth or Connie, so Connie had never gotten to feel what most parents do in the high school years. "Okay, okay. I'm sure the kids are more than ready to go, dear." Jack intervened with a knowing smile in Willow's direction. "Yes, thanks. I'll be back by..." Willow began as Maggie led her by hand toward the front door. Seth was already outside waiting in the car. "Don't be silly! Just have fun and let me know you're safe," Connie beamed, scrolling through the collection of photos on the camera. "I'll make sure she's safe and has more fun than she's ever had, Ms. Turner!" Maggie promised and pulled Maggie outside toward Seth's car. Maggie's stomache tightened and her throat felt dry and as she slid into the backseat Willow check the time on her phone. A few minutes after nine. Less than three hours. Is that why she felt so off? Or was it just this new experience that made her nervous? Maybe both. As Seth took off out of the driveway and drove Willow felt his eyes on her in the rearview mirror. Why was he looking at her? Maggie was too excited and oblivious to notice, gushing about how great the party is supposed to be. "And Mark and Jocelyn broke up last week so he'll be looking..." Maggie baited. Maggie's had it in her head for the last year that Mark had some sort of crush on Willow. Even though they've only shared a few words with one another (always in school) and had never hungout. Willow had no idea how Maggie had come to this conclusion. As for Mark being single, it made sense he broke it off with Jocelyn in time for his birthday and the mating ritual. He'd just been entertaining himself and filling his time until he found his true mate. Willow was disgusted with him. "Yeah, right. Even if the jerk had some sort of interest in me I'm not interested." Willow scoffed and looked out of the window. To see a full bright moon illuminating the dark sky above them. A full moon! "f**k," Willow cursed beneathe her breath. Maggie had turned up the radio loud enough nobody could hear her. Willow wondered how she hadn't anticipated this. She should have checked the calendar. And she should definitley not be out going to a party tonight. Not with all the unmated wolves out and hunting for their mate. Even if some didn't find their true mate, they'd settle for someone they found appealing. And Willow wasn't going to let anyone mark her. Nobody was to own her. As the car turned onto the road of the party at Marks Willow felt light headed and her skin grew warm. There were cars and trucks parked along either side of the road and up Mark's driveway, one even back up on the lawn. The bed of it was full of beer and liquor. The music was blasting from the house. There had to be atleast 200 people here. Mark didn't have a small house, it was a newer built three story home with six bedrooms, from what Willow had heard. Mark often threw parties when his parents were out of town and people would talk about the events that happened for weeks following the parties. Willow knew this would be a different party for everyone who attended, not just her. Maggie practically skipped up the driveway and into the house while Seth walked beside Willow. "What's with you tonight? You're off." Seth asked. "I could say the same about you." Willow responded easily. She could never tell her friends about who she was, what her life had been before being adopted before Connie and Jack. Tonight she wished had her Mom to go through all of this with her. Someone that could relate. There was so much going on inside the house and the different scents filled Willow's nostrils as she walked in through the door. The lights were dimmed and the living room had been turned into a dancefloor with all of the furniture pushed against the walls, a DJ booth on the right. Colors flashed through some sort of light near the booth and behind the dancing mob Willow spotted tables of beer pong in the kitchen. There was alot of people but Mark wasn't to be seen, nor any of his siblings. Willow guessed they were preparing for the ceremony. "Come play!" Maggie demanded and led Seth and Willow to a beer pong table. For a while Willow forgot what the night would bring, the risks she needed to avoid. She had fun. Seth and her lost a few games of beer pong but it didn't matter because they laughed so hard. It felt good. Normal. Maggie went to request some songs at the DJ booth and Willow could feel the scratchiness in her throat get worse by the minute. She needed to drink something. "I'm gonna grab a drink. Do you want anything?" Willow leaned toward Seth to ask and he shook his head, easing his hand into hers as he led her toward the kitchen. Where half the cheerleading squad was doing shots and making out with jocks inbetween sips. "Holy...Is that you, Willow?" Teagan asked staring at Willow in shock. The others turned to look at her as well, some surprised and some uninterested. "Still me." Willow muttered and grabbed a red cup. As she began to fill it with water Teagan giggled and took the cup from Willow's hands. "You've gotten this far tonight. Don't bore it up now," Teagan giggled while handing Willow back her cup. Teagan had poured what looked like fruit punch into it but the stench of alcohol was heavy. Seth glanced her way while grabbing himself a beer and cracking it open. "You don't have to..." Seth started but Willow lifted the cup and threw the drink back and down her throat. It eased the dryness temporarily but Willow refilled the cup and emptied it again. "Thirsty?" Seth looked at her worried. Before she answered Maggie skipped into the room rushing them back toward the dancing crowd. Apparently one of Maggie's favorite songs were playing. It was fast and upbeat but definitley had a provocative sound to it. Willow felt weird being in the middle of people dancing around her, but as she started to move she realized nobody gave a s**t what she was doing. When she turned around she saw Maggie dancing closer to Seth with her back to him. Seth looked surprised and almost put his hands on Maggie's waist but didnt. Willow raised an eyebrow at him motioning for him to do something. His mouth set in a line and his eyes avoided Willow as his hands slid around Maggie's waist pulling her closer against him. Maggie smiled with delight. Willow turned and continued to dance. A few songs and lots of sweat later, Maggie pointed toward the bathroom and scurried off. Willow wanted to ask what the hell Seth's problem was but it was too loud and he wouldn't hear her anyway. Seth held a hand out to Willow and she took it,surprised when he pulled her against his chest. She heard his heart racing quicker as his fingers tilted her chin up to face him. What the hell was he doing? Willow panicked. And then suddenly her throat squeezed shut. It felt as if somone was squeezing her from the inside while sitting on her chest making it hard to breathe. The music was gone. The dancing people were gone. She'd pushed Seth away and turned to find where the delicious scent was coming from. Having this much power, such an effect on her could only mean one thing. "Mate," A man said with a husky voice and stood near the back door staring at Willow. It felt like he saw through her. Their eyes met and she had never seen anyone, anything more beatiful than the man before her. He was tan and tall, maybe 6"5. He had black hair that was cut evenly but was ruffled in the sexiest way imaginable. His hands were huge. Willow wanted him and she knew he wanted her too. As he took one step in their direction Willow bolted to the front door. As much as she wanted him, and she did, she couldn't let him have her. She could hear Seth calling out for her but she ran for the trees behind the house promising herself she'd get Maggie a new outfit. The clothes ripped off of her as she shifted into her wolf form and dashed through the woods running faster than she ever had. She couldn't lead him to her parents. So she ran hoping to lose him along the way. Before she knew it she was at her spot and catching her breath. She was just starting to feel relieved when she smelled him. And then she heard a light chuckle as the man stepped out of the woods still in his wolf form. Which was also beautiful. And the largest wolf she'd seen yet. His furr was jet black and his eyes a light blue. Which meant only one thing, he was an Alpha. "Did you really roll your eyes at me?" He asked sounding amused. Neither of them made a move toward one another. When she didn't answer he look at her curiously. If she ran he'd chase her and she didn't know where else to go. She was stuck. But not all of her minded. Her wolf wanted him right then and there. Willow fought with her wolf silently trying to use logic to override her wolf instincts. "You're the rogue." He said matter of factly and took one step toward her. "Why are you fighting it?" And Willow could see the faintness of pain in his eyes as their eyes locked. "I can't leave my family," Willow explained simply but even she could hear the pain in her voice. Willow looked down at the ground fighting tears and didn't move as he came closer and nuzzled her neck. "Nobody is asking you to." He felt good. He felt right. And Willow didn't want to let him go, couldn't bear the thought of it. They both heard the tires nearing and shifted without a thought. His head rested on the top of hers, her cheek against his bare chest. They were both naked. And Willow realized this she spun around away from the approaching car and away from her mate, who chuckled again. "Better break it off with the boyfriend." He suggested calmly and when Willow turned to glare at him, her voice caught. Just inches behind her and even more beautiful naked. Willow hadn't any real experience with guys or sexuality but she knew what his erection meant as his eyes took in her body slowly. The lust was visible on his face. "He isn't my boyfriend." Willow whispered and heard the car door open behind them. How would she explain this to Seth or Maggie? Being found naked at her hiding spot with a naked hot stranger. "Willow, are you alright? You're...why're you naked?" Seth asked boldly. Willow still had her back to him. The man took a look at Seth and saw how he was oggling Willow from behind. "I suggest you leave. Now." The man told Seth firmly. And Seth laughed causing Willow to look at the man pleadingly. "Please don't hurt him. He's a good friend." Willow whispered quietly and the man didn't look one bit pleased about it. "I'm fine, Seth! Don't worry about me! Go find Maggie," Willow responded. "Fine." Seth muttered and Willow frowned at the hurt in his voice as he drove off. "Willow," The man purred from behind her. His hot breath sending goosebumps along her skin. Her wolf craved his touch. Needed his touch. "Your name?" She asked. "Most call me Alpha, but you will call me James." His voice made her wet alone. When his fingers lightly grazed her shoulder where her scar was she bit her lip to contain her moan. "There are many."He whispered and turned her to him as he moved his mouth toward her skin. As his lips found her skin and he teased his tongue along the length of the scar slowly, Willow couldn't contain her moan. The sound of her pleasure drove him crazy. He could smell her excitement dripping between her legs. How he wanted to taste her. To be inside of her. To claim her as his. "You will stay with me." James decided and watched her expression change from pleasure to anger quickly. "I won't be told what I'm doing." Willow muttered and moved to step away but James' arm caught her own. Not hard but enought to stop her. "You are my mate. I will claim you." James stated with his arms wrapped around her, bringing her as close as possible without being inside of her. He pressed between her legs and could feel her wetness coat him. She needed him, she was just better at fighting her urges. "I will not be claimed. Not by you or anyone else." Willow insisted but couldn't bring herself to move out of his grasp. She was too comfortable against his chest and in his arms. She felt safe. Safer than she had felt in a very long time. And his hardness was now against her, teasing her in a way she'd never felt. The size of him scared her but made her want him all the more. There was nothing small about this man. She felt it pulsing against her and it paused right at her entrance. All she had to do was move maybe an inch and he'd be inside of her. Their eyes locked and as Willow bit her lip he growled and lifted her into his arms moving through the woods quickly. "Where are we going?" Willow asked and linked her arms around his neck as he ran. He was much faster than her, he could've easily caught her earlier. James was kind. "Our home." James answered and mindlinked with his brothers. "Parties over." He looked back down at his mate who clung to him as she fought the entire process. Her eyes were shut with one cheek against his chest. She was beautiful and James wondered how he had come to deserve her. Yes, a rogue, but he knew there was more to it than that. A story she'd tell in her own time. The scars were proof that there had been much pain in her story before going to the humans. It was his job to protect her now, from any kind of harm. He wouldn't let anything happen to her again. Once they reached the backyard he knew the pack was waiting with anticipation to see who their knew Luna would be. James knew some wouldn't be too excited about it, especially his younger brothers. He felt Willow stiffen in his arms as he carried her toward the pack, naked and exposed. He didn't intend to put her down on display. "As you can see, I've found my mate tonight. In the most unexpected of places, right in our home at the party. Some of you may have already met her and may also have some opinions that I suggest you keep to yourself and if necessary, you can present them to me tomorrow. She will go nowhere. Once she is claimed, she will be our new Luna and will be treated as such. No one touches her." James addressed the pack with confidence and authority. It just made Willow more wet. She tried to fight it and silently cursed herself, knowing the others could smell her arousal. "So you're not so bad when you're not hiding underneathe..." Mark began to joke and before James had a chance to shut him up Willow was out of his grasp and in front of Mark. She gave him a right hook that put him on his ass causing the rest of the pack to laugh. James chuckled and nodded in approval. "Man I've wanted to do that for such a long time." Willow muttered and stepped back beside James, exposed and facing the rest of the pack. Mark stared in disbelief while getting up from the ground, glaring back and forth between James and Willow. "You're just going to let her prance over here and start swinging?!" Mark roared and his face turned beat red when his eyes landed on Willow who was smiling, amused. " You think this is funny, rogue? You've got no experience even being in a pack and now you're going to be Luna? Your last pack didn't want you, why should we?" Mark spat in her direction. James' face tightened and Willow stepped forward. "I told James I'm not interested in being claimed. I never dreamt of being a Luna and I'm fine without it." Her eyes stared through Mark as she continued stepping forward. "As for my last pack...you know nothing. Speak of them again and I'll do more than just knock you on your ass." Willow promised staring through him. The silence was heavy. James let the rest of the pack go to continue their night, standing beside Willow and Mark. "You were out of line tonight, brother. You made a fool of me and you made a fool of yourself. Go, before I do something I regret." James said evenly, anger leaking out in every slowly spoken word. Mark avoided their eyes as he shifted and tore back through the woods. "Let's get you inside." He said softly and led her into the house through the back door. "How many people live here?" Willow wondered while being led through the mess the party left and up a staircase. "Well, there's me, Mark, Lucas, Vince and now you." James answered and glanced at her reaction that remained even. He chuckled and led her to the end of the hallway where the master bedroom was. "Where are your parents?" She questioned and gasped softly when James pushed the bedroom door open. The room was impressive. Everything in it was either red or black. The walls all painted black, with red checkered boxes on the ceiling, the huge king sized bed was made with matching red satin sheets and pillows. There was a fireplace to the right near a balcony over looking the property. "Mother died giving birth to Lucas and my father got attacked by rogues a few years back." James explained and knelt in front of the fireplace to light it. "That's difficult, I know." Willow murmured and closed the bedroom door before moving toward James. He dimmed the lights with a remote and met her eyes. "My...My parents were Alpha and Luna of the Yellow Moon pack." As the words left her lips Willow couldn't believe she told him. She had never told anyone that. James looked at her with surprise and then wonder, silent for a few moments before taking a hand in his. "You're the only survivor." "Yes, that I know of. I never found my brother Gregory's body, but there's been no trace of him since." "So your human parents renamed you." "Yes. My given name was Fiona." James stared at her putting all the puzzle pieces together, sympthizing for his mate. To watch your entire pack, your entire family get slaughtered in front of you is torture. And she was so young. She lost everything she knew, to be thrown into the human world to fend for herself. "I will protect you. I will keep you safe. I will love you, at your absolute best and your absolute worst...if you let me." James' eyes pierced hers and she could see, hear how genuine he was. And then James was pulling her onto his lap in front of the fire. The warmth felt good against her skin and their bodies met again she wanted nothing more than to be one with him. "You still haven't kissed me." Willow observed and James smirked before sliding his fingers through the back of her hair, pulling her hard against his lips. As their lips met Willow's body began to tingle and she moved harder against him, one hand lost in his hair and the other on the back of his neck. Their tongues danced together before James teasingly bit her bottom lip. It felt too good. She returned the favor by pulling his head back roughly by his hair, sliding her tongue along his bottom lip before biting hard. James growled and smelled the air, smelling her arousal. She was dripping. Willow moaned softly when he lifted her and brought her to the bed, holding her arms above her head while kissing down her neck slowly. At a pace that kept her impatient. "Come on," Willow whimpered and James smirked, his c**k twitching at the sound of her plea. He could drag it out of course, but he didn't know if he was capable of that tonight. Not with her. He needed her. "I thought you didn't want to be claimed." James baited while kissing down her right breast to her n****e, flicking his tongue lightly. He could practically taste her juices the scent was so strong. So sweet. Willow glared at him stubbornly, biting her lip to repress the moan. Her resistance only turned him on more. She was so different than any woman he'd ever met. "I won't until you beg me." James purred and bit her n****e hard getting a loud moan from his mate. Her hips moved and her legs opened, waiting for him. "I don't beg." Willow snapped with frustration causing James to chuckle before he continued to kiss lightly down her stomache, her hips. He hovered over her for what seemed like forever to her. His hot breath driving her crazy between her legs. She wanted to kick him in the face. She also wanted to ride him into oblivion. She doubted how much longer she could take it. And then his tongue was running up her inner thigh slowly, and then the other. He paused. "Please, James." She breathed heavily and their eyes met. "Claim me." As she spoke the words James' tongue dived between her legs lapping up all her wetness. Willow moaned loudly and pulled on his hair, gripping a pillow with the other hand as she came for the first time. But he didn't stop. He kept going making her legs shake. She was on the verge of cumming again and as she did his hands gripped her thighs roughly, the sound and taste of her pleasure fueling him. After riding the second wave James came up for air and knelt inbetween her legs, holding himself in his hand. He noticed Willow's expression. "What's wrong?" "I just...will it hurt?" Willow mumbled feeling embarressed. James raised his eyebrows and stared at his mate in awe. "You're a virgin." James said in slight disbelief, noticing Willow avoiding his gaze and her flushed cheeks. He gently leaned forward and tilted her chin to him, kissing her gently. "There's no shame in that. I just can't believe how lucky I am." James purred against her lips and kissed her again. "To answer your question, yes. It will hurt for a moment and I'll go slow, but then it will feel very good." James murmured hotly into her ear. As he pulled away, he searched her eyes making sure it was alright to continue. Willow nodded and bit her lip nervously as he pressed himself against her opening. James groaned feeling how wet she was against him, for him. Then he met her eyes as he slid into her, slowly. Little by little. He watched her expression change from shock, to pain, and then... "More," Willow moaned as he sat still almost fully inside of her. She was tight, very tight. He was hoping he wouldn't c*m too soon but she made that difficult as she wrapped both legs around his waist and rotated her hips impatiently. Even that motion caused him to groan. He stayed where he was and let her do the work from underneathe him. "I'm going to mark you." James warned half expecting Willow to argue. When she didnt he licked and nibbled at her neck making her moan louder. And then he started thrusting into her hard, slow and hard. As the pace picked up he could feel them both getting closer to the edge. "Yes! Take me, James!" Willow moaned and he didn't hesitate. James sunk his teeth into her picking up speed, slamming into her with power. And she took it, coming off the edge with him while blood trickled from her neck.