Endings are also Beginnings

Chapter 30


Willow had managed the daily struggle to be normal and not be

heartbroken. True it had only been a few days since she had seen

her dreams go up in smoke. She was surviving. It might not exactly

be living but hopefully that time would come.


Her coping strategy was seriously being undermined by Richard

though. He had sent her flowers every day since she had given him

the ultimatum. Just flowers, no message on a card attached to the

bouquet. And now this. He had called a meeting of the pack.

She couldn’t beg off. He made it mandatory for everyone. She

would get in serious trouble if she refused this order. So, here

she was sitting on the front stairs of her aunt’s house waiting

for her ride. She was going no matter what her heart had to say in

this.


Michael’s car pulled up. She stiffened her spine and marched

towards the car as if she were to face a firing squad without a

blindfold. She would be strong. She would get through this. It

wouldn’t be this way forever. Would it?


Michael wisely stayed silent during the ride. He could sense her

morose nature and knew not to intrude. If Willow felt like

unloading her burdens, then she would. No need for him to push

anything. He hated to see her so sad. She was usually a sparkling

light of joy. But not now. Now she was unhappy. If Richard

wasn’t such an imposing guy, he would beat him up. But Richard

was the Ulfric for a reason. Michael knew he was outmatched.


They parked the car and Willow slowly got out. There was no rush to

be running in the woods. She didn’t want to be there at all.

She wanted to climb back in and demand to be driven home. She

forced down the impulse to flee. She was an adult. She could take

this.


By the time they reached the clearing, the entire pack had

assembled. Richard sat on his throne flanked by his bodyguards,

Jamil and Shang-Da. Sylvie stood off to the side. Everyone was

curious to why they had been gathered. Obviously only the Ulfric

knew the reason. The pack encircled the throne and waited to hear

what he had to say.


The crowd hushed as Richard rose to his feet. Willow couldn’t

help the desire that began to simmer at seeing him again. It was

completely unfair of him to be so good-looking. It should be

against the law. As soon as she got out of here, she would write to

her representative.


His voice rang out. “I’ve called the pack together to make

an announcement. Much discord has been sown with the loss of my

former lupa. Some of you wish for me to reinstate Anita. I will

not. I will not share my mate with others. Wouldn’t you think

less of me if I did?” He glared at pack members that were known

Anita supporters. They sheepishly cast their eyes down in response

to the glare.


He continued with his speech. “I have chosen another. She is

pack and she is one of you.”


Willow’s heart plummeted to her feet at this announcement. Who

was the lucky werewolf? She glanced around to see if there were any

gloating faces.


Richard faltered for a moment. “If she will have me, that is.

Willow would you do me the honor of becoming my lupa?”


Willow was absolutely thunderstruck. Had she heard correctly? Was

she hallucinating? Maybe this was a dream. Should she pinch

herself? Her mental ramblings were cut off with a nudge from

Michael. She blushed when she realized that the eyes of the entire

pack were on her.


She glanced at Michael and received a reassuring grin. She took a

step forward and the pack parted before her. An open path led to

Richard. He had a hopeful look on his face. What was she to say?

Was this really happening?


In her daze, she almost walked into Richard. She halted and looked

into his deep brown eyes. She knew her answer when she held his

soulful gaze. She had a lump in her throat that she couldn’t

dislodge. She swallowed painfully. She nodded.


His face broke into the widest and whitest grin she had ever seen.

He quickly picked her up and swung her around joyfully. He set her

down and laid a kiss on her that not only curled her toes but her

hair too.


He finally broke off the kiss. He turned them to face the

pack. “Thronnos Rokke Clan, this is your new Lupa. Know her

scent.”


They quickly found themselves surrounded. Willow was being caressed

and sniffed as she was accepted into her new role. Willow had a

thought as she endured the drawn out greetings. She better call

Marianne. She didn’t know anything about being a Lupa.


END