Willow

Chapter 2: Arrangements

"Martha!" I yelled stumbling up the stairs in search of the old maid, needing some motherly comfort. 

My breathing was growing heavier and heavier as memories came crashing past the walls I'd built. Goosebumps raised through my arms, my pupils dilated, my heart constricted and I felt as if every cell in my body wanted to jump out. Flashes of a black wolf, of blood, screaming, a silver knife, a cross, and other taunting images appeared behind my eyelids and it felt too real.

"Martha!!" I screamed with so much desperation that the hallway shook.

"Cariño? What is wrong? Alpha?" Martha questioned as she came out of the room. She gasped catching site of me as I finally let the damn break and fell on my knees. "Oh bebé! Come to Martha, it's gonna be okay."

She fell down next to me and gathered me in her arms as my whole body shook. Her hands, which were wet from preparing my bath, rubbed down my back in soothing patterns as she mumbled sweet nothings in her native tongue. Though my body trembled and shook and looked ready to collapse, not a single tear sled down my cheek. Strong wolves don't cry Willow my dear. The voice that haunted me whispered causing me to let out a chocked noise that scared even Martha. 

"I have no choice Martha! I have to go back, my pack- my pack needs me!" I wheezed as she rocked me back and forth.

"Breathe Willow, you must not panic querido! You scaring your old lady. Whatever it is I know that you will over come it because that is just the way you are mi dulce!" she whispered sternly hugging me to her chest. 

I gladly welcomed her warmth as I let it calm me. Violet whimpered as I started pushing away all the haunting memories one by one, flinching every time one stayed in my mind for too long. We stayed like that until my breathing returned to normal and I had gathered myself up enough to stand on my own two feet. Martha watched warily as I stood, expecting me to stumble, to which I replied by standing ram rod straight and steeling my expression.

"Thank you Martha" I said gratefully. "I need you to gather everyone from the house. I have something to tell them. Ask them to arrive at the east wing sitting room in thirty minutes. There are some things I must think through first."

"Oh, oh no you don't querido! I will ask them to come in an hour." she cut me off as I began to protest, "No! You will first go have soak in the bath I prepared for you and then you will let your mind rest before you approach the others. You cannot order them if your head is not clear niño!"

I started to protest again but Martha was having none of it. She pushed me towards my room with determined strength from her frail arms muttering about strong headed Alphas. She pushed me through the already open mahogany doors and left but not before giving me one last stern look. I swear to Selena I am allowing these women to push me around. First Maddy with insisting I leave the office early and now Martha with me relaxing. 

I growled in frustration as I headed towards the bathroom, stripping on the way. My dress was thrown across the otherwise immaculately clean room along with my deadly heels as I shredded my underwear not having the patience to remove it carefully. I walked into the marble bathroom and shut the door with a little too much force.

The vanilla scent of the bath along with something herbal that I couldn't place drifted towards me and it immediately calmed me down. Knowing this would successfully relieve me of at least some of stress, I sent a quick prayer of thanks to Martha for bless, she knew how to prepare a good bath. As I strode towards the bear clawed tub, the reflections of my movements through the clear glass mirrors caught my eye.

As predators werewolves were naturally beautiful. We were usually gifted with at least one physical attribute that seemed alluring to humans and even wild animals. It drew them in and kept them interested until we decided to go in for the kill. The girl staring at me through the mirror had been rumored since childhood to be the most blessed of them all. Her smooth honey tinted skin glided over the sharpness of her cheeks, and slowly slid down her long neck, passing the heaviness of her breasts, as they dipped into the curve of her waist and expanded at the flare in her hips before traveling down long endless legs. Her glossy black hair had escaped its knot and was now cascading past her sharp shoulders, some tickling her pixy nose that rested over a pair of pouty bow shaped lips. But her most striking feature were the pair of luminescent amethyst eyes that shone like the moon herself. 

But none of it reflects the things I've been through. It's just a suit, I thought bitterly before turning my head away harshly and settling into the bath.

Martha's magic herbs made sure I was unburdened by my thoughts during the bath as I let the water slosh around me but it didn't last long. My worry over my pack came crashing in, making me furrow my forehead pensively. If I had to go back to save my pack then that's exactly what I would do no matter the consequences to me. If attending the blastered Court was the way to ensuring the safety of my pack then I would do it. I'd just have to grit my teeth through all the pointless conversations and barely veiled greed of the higher ups of the werewolf community. 

After fifteen more minutes of coming up with a game plan, I stood out of the tub determined. I quickly dried myself with the fluffy white towel, not bothering with my hair. I walked out of the bathroom, letting the steam follow, as I headed towards my closet. I swung open the closet doors grabbing the first pair of skinny jeans in sight along with a baggy white shirt and plain underwear. Quickly slipping them on, I headed out of the room and towards the east wing as my voice echoed through the halls carrying the message to sensitive ears.

"I need everyone in the east wing immediately!"

Not two minutes later all five other occupants of the mansion stood before me. Martha seated herself on a nearby couch her worry lines prominent, her niece Silvia, sat beside her casting me questioning looks. We had gradually become close friends since I arrived and I trusted the girl with my life. Her mate, Joshua, stood next to the pair, his built frame contrasting strongly with his job which was looking after the IT side of the security systems in the house. The twins, Kevin my cook and Calvin my security man stood at attention in the middle of the room. I think they could sense the bad news I was about to deliver. I took a moment to memorize all their faces, breathing in their scents and committing it to memory. I gave them the warmest smile I could mange before starting. 

"I want to thank each of you for everything you've done for me for the past four years. You welcomed me in as your Alpha and you've looked after this mansion so well. Calvin you've kept me safe and helped avoid any threats with the help of Joshua. Thank you for to the both of you for protecting me, I truly appreciate it. Kevin, my god you've made me the best home cooked meals this world has to offer and I think my appetite has fallen in love with you. You've always kept me healthy and even though I barely need healing you've fussed over every little paper cut. Thank you for worrying for me. Sylvia...you've been the most trustworthy and loving friend I could have asked for and I am so thankful for your loyalty and friendship. And oh Martha, what would I have done without you. You kept me from drowning all these years and you've been nothing less than a mother to me. I love each and every one of you and it saddens me to leave you but I don't have a choice. My pack is in trouble and as Alpha it's time I returned. I will be leaving tomorrow at sunrise and I just wished to see all of you one last time." I finished, fighting to keep my emotions at bay.

It was deathly quiet for a moment before Kevin broke it with a smirk and mirth in his eyes.

"Who said you were leaving us behind?"

Okay so I'm a day late to update sue me. 

But in all seriousness what do you'll think of this chapter? It isn't very exciting but I wanted to give Willow a little background before jumping into more complicated things. The next chapter will be a little more interesting, I promise because it'll show Willow as an Alpha where she's meant to be.

Tell me if there were any typos, I wrote this right after math class and now I feel so drained!

Anyways hang in there for the next update! I'll see you next Friday (who am I kidding probably Sunday)!