Chapter 31: Chapter 31

THIRTY-ONE

“Caleb told me that you’re looking for me.” Willow walked into the kitchen while trying to tie her hair up into a bun.

Black pulled her to him and helped her tie it up. “Yeah, I was getting bored.” He replied.

“There’s a whole party outside.” Willow rolled her eyes. “I thought you really needed help with something.”

Black leaned down to her level and captured her lips. She responded immediately and kissed him back. Black placed his hands on her waist and pulled her closer before she pulled away and playfully glared at him.

“Anyone can walk in at any moment.” She told him but Black did not seem the littlest bothered by it.

“Who cares what they think?” He said before wrapping his arms around her and pulling her to his body. “You’re mine.” He declared before breathing in her scent.

Willow had to control her breathing, not only from the kiss but due to Black’s words as well. He had been saying it more often than before. ‘You’re mine’, he said with so much confidence. She could not even feel an ounce of discomfort whenever he said it. When Aleisa had told her that Black would eventually grow more possessive and claim her in any way, she thought she would dislike it very much. But he always did these sweet things before whispering ‘mine’.

Every time Louis called her his, she always had this irking feeling. Louis had no good intentions every time he addressed her in that way. He considered her to be his property, to do anything he deemed right with. For Louis, she had no worth. Black though, treated her differently. Perhaps a few months was too soon to conclude but Black had that much of an effect on her.

“I still have to help around though and don’t you have to introduce me to people?” She teased.

Black let out an irritated sound before releasing her. “Don’t go outside yet. Aleisa should be in her room, if she can’t go out with you then you should come back here.”

Willow nodded with a smile. Black had been hesitant about this whole party thing since she did not have his mark yet. And every person that would be at this party would think of her as a threat because of being a human.

Willow stood on her toes and pecked Black before walking out of the kitchen and going upstairs. She had become so accustomed to Isaac and Aleisa’s house that she knew her way around the entire house. She stopped in front of Aleisa and Isaac’s room when she heard what seemed to be like arguing. At first, she grew worried thinking Isaac and Aleisa were arguing but the slightly open door showed Aleisa and Levi.

“What do you mean by “I can’t do it”?” Aleisa asked, her voice portraying irritation.

“I can’t. No matter what you think, he is still my brother and I don’t want to betray him.” Levi replied.

“So many people are suffering because of your brother and you don’t want to do anything about it. I just need you to give me the information needed to rescue the people that your brother is using.”

“I can’t betray him like that,” Levi repeated.

“You’re being a real selfish prick right n—” Aleisa stopped talking and paused. “Who’s by the door?!”

Knowing that her cover had been blown, Willow took in a deep breath. It had not been her intention to listen to their conversation but after seeing Levi, her curiosity had increased. Now that she thought about it, eavesdropping was a bad idea. The two people she was eavesdropping on were werewolves with enhanced senses.

She opened the door wider and entered the room with a guilty face. Aleisa looked like she was trying to decide whether to be upset or relieved that it was only her. Levi on the other hand did not seem happy.

“Willow?” Aleisa questioned with disbelief.

“I’m sorry, I don’t usually eavesdrop on other people’s conversations...actually, I never eavesdrop.” Willow said in a panicky voice. Despite how much she had bonded with Aleisa, she could not easily neglect the fact that Aleisa was a Luna.

“Don’t worry, this does have everything to do with you anyway,” Aleisa said before looking back to Levi. “You claim to love your best friend so much. What of the fact that she would still be like all those people if she weren’t Black’s mate?”

“It doesn’t matter, Willow is Black’s mate.”

“All those women and men are just like her. You can’t be selfish and think that just because Willow is no longer like them, you can ignore it.”

“I’m really sorry Aleisa,” Levi said before looking at Willow. “Come on Willow.” He let out his hand and Willow looked at it before shaking her head.

She was not stupid. It was clear what Aleisa was asking for and that Levi refused to help. Willow had thought about all those poor souls that remained behind countless times. She had even told Levi about it, she could not believe that he refused to help.

“Why are you being like this?” Her voice was low. “If you can help then why not do it?”

“Wi—”

“I know first-hand how horrible it is to be used as a sex toy. You’ve seen how they treat them. Do you want to save your brother so much even if it costs so many lives?... I know that you love him but you have to understand that there’s no saving him.” Willow could feel her eyes becoming moist.

“Those people also have people that have probably been looking for them, loved ones. Anyone could end up like that if people like your brother aren’t punished. It can be anyone, me or even Caleb—”

“No!” Levi growled and glared at Willow. His fierce stare alone made her want to take back her words. “I wouldn’t let such a thing happen to him.”

“You only say that now because he is safe but you don’t realise that some of those people aren’t as lucky as Caleb, their families could still be looking for them,” Aleisa added.

Levi glared at both of them before walking out of the room. Aleisa looked at Willow before sighing.

“I hope he will agree.”

“Don’t worry, I know Levi and he is a good person. He will come through.” Willow assured Aleisa with a small smile.

“Did you need something?” Aleisa asked.

Willow looked at her with a confused face before she remembered why she had gone there in the first place. “Oh...Black told me to check on you. He said I should go out with you if you’re done and if not, I should go back to him.”

Aleisa’s eyes brightened with mischief. “What are you still doing here? Go back to him, oh my I should prepare myself for some drama.” She said happily.

Willow’s eyebrows knitted together in confusion. “What do you mean?”

Aleisa rolled her eyes. “I’m sorry Willow but I’m not ready yet, you’ll just have to go back to Black.” She said solemnly.

Willow looked down at Aleisa. She looked as ready as one could. She was already naturally beautiful and didn’t need anything, Willow found it hard to believe that Aleisa needed anything to look even more beautiful than she did.

“You’re not done?”

“Not even close,” Aleisa replied and shook her head.

Aleisa pushed Willow out of her room and closed the door. Willow walked down the stairs, all the while thinking about Levi. He reminded her of Black’s story. Even though Levi was different from his brother and did not support who Louis had become, Levi still had a special place in his heart for Louis. She understood Levi to a certain point but she also had to think about all those innocent people. After experiencing the same hell, it would only be normal for her to try and help those that were still going through hell.

When Willow entered the kitchen, Black was washing his hands. He looked up immediately and smiled instantly and Willow’s mood lifted almost immediately. She went up to him and wrapped her arms around his waist.

“What happened?” Black asked worriedly and placed his hands on her shoulders.

She pulled away and shook her head. “I just like our hugs very much.” She admitted. “And Aleisa isn’t done yet.”

Black rolled his eyes. “Despite taking so long, when she comes down she’s going to be looking like she does every day.” He said and earned a smack from Willow on his chest. He looked down and gave her a toothy grin. “I guess I have to be the one.”

He wrapped an arm around her waist and walked with her to the back of the house. A lot of people were already there, chatting each other up, drinking or eating. Black didn’t have to do much searching before he spotted Zaira, he had already seen her when she had arrived with Dylan and the twins. Zaira was by the snacks with a plate in her hands, talking to Nina. Black could take a lucky guess on what they were talking about and be right.

As they walked closer, the change in mood around the place was evident. Even Willow who did not have any enhanced senses could feel the drastic change around them. Everyone’s eyes were on them, it caused goose bumps to line up on her skin. Without thinking of it, she moved closer to Black. He pulled her closer and kissed her tempo to ease her as well as to let everyone know that she was someone dear to him.

“I didn’t know that you found your mate or the fact that she’s human.” Allan, Dylan’s beta commented after walking closer to them.

“Allan,” He acknowledged with a nod, skipping the title and formalities. “This is my mate, Willow...Willow, this is Allan, Dylan’s beta and—”

“Aleisa’s best friend right?” She finished with a small smile. Aleisa always talked about Allan and if she was not talking to him then she was on the phone with him complaining about how he never came to see her.

Allan nodded and smiled at her. “It’s great to meet you, Willow.” He let out his hand for a handshake and she tentatively shook it. His dimpled smile made her blush lightly as she took away her hand.

Black did not fail to notice the faint blush, he pulled her to him and glared at the Beta. Allan chuckled lightly and rolled his eyes before raising his arms in surrender. For Black, Allan represented the perfect guy for any girl, he was smart, great at everything and even passed when it came to looks. He did not want Willow to fall for Allan’s charms. Even if he knew that Allan wouldn’t do such a thing, he couldn’t help it but be protective.

“Where’s Aleisa?... I’ve been calling her phone but she’s not answering.” Allan asked and looked around.

“Oh, she’s upstairs getting ready,” Willow answered with a smile, happy to help a person that was dear to Aleisa. Allan nodded thankfully before walking away. “He seems nice.” She commented while looking at his back before turning back to look at Black.

Black frowned at her. “Him? He’s a smarty-pants, he’s boring.” He said.

“Really?... I don’t think he’s boring.”

“You should believe me,”

Willow rolled her eyes, knowing fully well that Black felt jealous because of their interaction. “I only said that he seems nice.” She shrugged.

“And I—”

“BLACKIE!!”

He rolled his eyes and did not turn around. Zaira’s voice rang in his ears and he could hear her running towards them. Only Zaira and Nina were gutsy enough to ever call him ‘Blackie’ in public. Caleb only ever teased him about it when they were alone or with family. Zaira came in front of them and looked at Willow with a huge smile.

“Damn!” She exclaimed before anything else. “I’ve seen multiple pictures of you but you look so much better in person. And you have a pretty name as well.” She praised before finally introducing herself, “I’m Zaira, Black’s sister from other parents.”

“I wouldn’t call you my sister.”

Zaira chose to ignore Black. “Aleisa and Nina have told me so much about you, Willow. Let’s get away from grouchy Black.”

Before Zaira could take hold of Willow’s hand, Black pulled her behind him and shook his head. “No, she’s sticking by my side today. She’s unmarked and there are a lot of people here and others aren’t even here yet. What if someone attacks her because she’s human?”

“I can fight Black, in case you forgot, I once kicked your ass.” Zaira retorted confidently with a smirk.

“Years ago. Besides, do you always have to mention that you once beat me, especially to others?” He asked.

Zaira nodded. “Come on Black, just give her to me!”

“No. If you want to spend time with her, I’ll have to be by her side just like this.” He replied with a straight face despite Zaira’s pout.

Zaira huffed. “Fine.”

Willow looked at both of them in disbelief. She could now see why anyone who did not the exact situation would think that they were a couple. The first thing she had thought when she had seen them with Evie and Allie in their arms was that they were a beautiful family. Now that she knew everything, she felt a bit bitter that someone else could look so good for Black. Did she even look half that good?

She didn’t like comparing herself to others but every time someone like Zaira or Aleisa was in the room, she felt like she could not stand next to them. They looked like goddesses. Sometimes she wondered if Black had made a mistake and she was not actually his real mate and his real mate, someone more beautiful was still out there.

“Come on Willow,” Zaira called out and tried to grab her hand once again but Black did not let it happen.

“Black,” Willow decided to intervene. Black shook his head in reply. “You’re going to be by my side for the entire day, there’s no need for us to hold hands through it all.”

Black looked hurt by her words. “There’s a need for it.” He replied simply.

“Have your way, Black.” Zaira gave up and decided to settle for Black’s wish. She led Black and Willow to a table and sat with them before she started chatting up Willow.

“I’m so sorry, I didn’t want to have someone investigate you but Black wouldn’t tell me anything.” Zaira apologised for the third time since they started talking. Willow only shook her head and told her that she understood even though it bothered her that it seemed like so many people were looking into her life.

“Are you already having fun without me?” Dylan asked as he took a seat and kissed Zaira. “The twins are having a play-date with Kace, Caleb’s taking care of them. Can I drink now?” He asked excitedly.

“Who’s gonna drive?” Zaira asked and Dylan shrugged.

“I’m sure my sister won’t mind if we sleep over.” He replied before looking over at Black and Willow. Dylan visibly tensed up and looked at Willow suspiciously. “A human?”

“Oh yeah, I forgot to introduce you,” Zaira said before Black could. “She’s Willow, Black’s mate.”

Dylan frowned and searched her for any form of mark but did not see anything. He looked at Black and raised an eyebrow. “Not yet marked and by the smell of it, mated either.” He commented.

“That’s none of your business.” Black retaliated bitterly.

Dylan’s jaw ticked and before anything could happen, Zaira placed her hand on his face and pecked his lips. For a person that was usually joking, Dylan easily lost his temper. That was one of the things Zaira had noticed immediately after they had mated. Dylan easily got upset when someone disrespected him and Zaira linked it to him being an Alpha.

Aleisa decided to finally grace everyone with her presence. She greeted everyone with a smile and thanked them as they wished her. She hugged Zaira as well as Dylan and they teased each other endlessly. Willow watched silently as everyone celebrated and only talked when talked to. She smiled whenever someone genuinely greeted her without disdain. Black remained by her side through the entire night just as he had promised.

When the time finally came to surprise Aleisa with her new office, they did it as a family. Aleisa thanked all of them, not forgetting to thank Willow incessantly. After the party was through, everyone was happy that it was a success.

“Thanks so much, Will, I’ll invite you into my office on Monday morning,” Aleisa said with a huge gloating smile.

Willow smiled. “I’ll look forward to it. Goodnight.”

After saying goodnight, Black and Willow drove to Black’s house. Willow was so exhausted that she took off her shoes before they even entered the house. She leaned to Black and continued sighing.

“I think I didn’t have enough to drink.” She said with a regretful pout as they both sat on the couch.

“I didn’t drink anything,” Black said. He wrapped his arm around her and pulled her close to him. “I’ve been watching you the entire day in this dress, it’s very tempting.” His low tone made Willow forget about her thirst for another cup of wine.

She looked at him and met his lustful gaze, already anticipating so much. Black kissed her just like she knew he did. He brought his hand below her ass and guided her on top of him, riding her knee-length dress upwards. A moan left her lips as Black’s other hand traced her covered back and his tongue entered her mouth.

The taste of wine lingering, she smiled playfully when they pulled away for air. “You liar, you definitely drank.”

“That’s you, sweetheart, not me.” He replied before trailing down to her neck.

Willow arched her back and ground on top of him. She moaned lightly as Black sucked on her skin and her hands latched onto his body with all her might, feeling every back muscle. Black’s hand remained on her thigh, holding her in place.

“Black,” Willow moaned out.

Black paused after hearing her moan his name. It only made him want to take more than he was supposed to. The sounds Willow was releasing only fuelled his desires more. He kissed her more fervently to elicit more sounds from her, tasting every part of her exposed skin. He went back to her lips, muffling the sounds escaping her mouth.

Willow’s hands went down to Black’s shirt and she helped him take off the button-down. She ran her hands up and down his back while they kissed. Black’s hands both went to her hips when she started moving too much, holding her firmly. He could feel all of his blood flowing downwards and Willow’s movements only made him more excited.

Black pulled away and looked at Willow’s face. “We should go and sleep.” He said in a husky voice. Willow opened her closed eyes and pouted.

“I like what we’re doing now,” She replied before kissing Black’s neck.

“Don’t tempt me.” He replied and stood up with Willow still in his hold. She placed her head on his shoulder.

“Zaira is nice, I think I’d like to be her friend.” She murmured on his shoulder.

“I’m sure she’ll like that,” Black replied while going up the stairs.

When they finally made it to the room, Black tried to make Willow stand on her own but she balanced on him. “You need to change into something comfortable.”

Willow shook her head. “Not necessary.” She replied.

Black chuckled lightly. “Come on, you’re gonna thank me tomorrow.” He said as he dragged her to the closet. “Get changed.” He told her before walking out.

Willow looked at her clothes that were now part of the closet thanks to the number of times she had slept over. She opted for one of Black’s shirts and took off the dress she was wearing. After changing into Black’s shirt, she walked out and looked around the room for Black.

“Black?” She called out after not seeing him. She knocked on the bathroom but got no response.

“I thought I’d find you in bed,” Willow turned to see Black entering the room with a cup of milk. He looked at her and smiled goofily while walking towards her, admiring how she looked in his shirt. When close enough, he pulled her close to him by her waist and kissed the corner of her lips.

“Here.” He handed her the cup and she gladly accepted it.

“Thanks,”

After drinking the milk, Willow let Black take the cup from her hand and drag her to bed. He pulled her close to him and covered them. Willow placed her head on his chest and sighed contently.

“I sleep so much better with you by my side.” She said with her eyes closed.

“I’d only hope so.” He replied while running his hands through her soft hair. “Did you apply to any university?” He asked after a while.

“Not yet, Char is doing most of the searching though. She’s clearly more invested than I am.”

“She’s just happy that you’re finally going to finish your studies.”

“I’m glad too.” Willow smiled wildly. “I really like how my life has become better since you came into it.”