Willow

Several months later -

It took me a few weeks to settle into my new life. Max had helped me get the twins into school and to figure out what I wanted to do. I struggled even to accept I could do anything or nothing if I chose to.

I'd decided to take some online college courses. I wanted to be a writer. I'd always loved reading and creating stories for the twins when I read to them at bedtime. 

Max assured me I didn't have to work, since he made more than enough running his father's bar, but I hadn't liked that idea at first. However, as I started studying I found it helpful. I could be there for the twins, help them with their school work, put food on the table for Max as well as study. 

He told me, originally, he worked the night shift but he wanted to be home for me more so he switched to the day shift. I loved seeing the smile on his face when he came home and saw the food on the table. 

That morning started like every other. Max awoke early, kissed me awake and then went to start breakfast. His kisses always left me tingling. I smiled as I remembered the night we mated as I watched him move around the kitchen. 

---

A few weeks after I arrived, Max surprised me with a date. Bonnie had helped me get ready and agreed to take Ben and Mollie for the night. I'd blushed when she'd winked at me. 

Up until that point we'd only just slept beside each other. I knew he wanted to do more but he was letting me go at my speed. However, I think I was ready. 

Max had taken me to a small clearing in the forest. He'd set up many lanterns which made the whole area look magical. In the middle was a large blanket with a picnic basket. It had been the best, most romantic night ever. 

When we got back I hadn't waited. I'd pulled him to me and latched my lips onto his. After a minute he pulled back and looked at me. I guessed he was looking for confirmation. 

Without waiting, I pulled the thin dress over my head and stood before him in my underwear. His heated gaze sent shivers down my body, I could feel my skin prickling with goosebumps at every place he raked his eyes over. 

Slowly, I took small steps back, towards our bedroom and once he got over his shock he quickly followed. I chuckled as he struggled to remove his clothes whilst avoiding the furniture and walls. He scowled at me but then dropped it when I reached behind to unclip my bra. 

Before I could remove it fully his hands stopped me. He gently caressed my skin as he lowered the straps. I should have felt embarrassed, I should have felt scared but I didn't. Max always made me feel safe. 

We made quick work of the rest of our clothes. Soon, I was lying on the bed and Max was hovering over me. Hungrily, he kissed a trail down my body. I moaned as he licked and nipped around my breasts whilst his strong hands groped and massaged me at the same time. 

When he reached my core I was ready to combust. I begged him for god knows what and he didn't disappoint. When his tongue lapped at my folds, my back arched. Fuck he knew what he was doing. A pang of nerves hit me at how much more experienced he was than me. However, my mind blanked as I felt one of his fingers at my entrance and I bucked wildly. It felt strange at first but it didn't take long for the pleasure to start and I was grinding into his hand.

Max smirked as he continued to pump me whilst kissing his way back up my body. My hands gripped anywhere they could, his hair, the sheets, his shoulders. He worked me up until all I could do was scream my release as my body shook. 

"Claim me, Max!" I gasped as I came down from my high. 

"Are you sure?" he asked. 

I pulled him down for a searing kiss as my answer. He moved over me and I groaned at his weight. I stilled a little as I felt his thick cock rubbing against my core.

Max leaned up and sat back on his legs. I felt his tip rubbing against me and the nerves finally arrived. He must have sensed it. 

"I'll go slow," he whispered. 

I nodded and tried my best to relax. Max did as he said and slowly pushed inside. It hurt and I almost wanted to tell him to pull out, to stop. Max leaned down and peppered my face with kisses. 

Slowly, as he rocked back and forth the pain started to ebb. Pleasure started building. Sensing the discomfort going away he started to speed up. It felt so good to finally have him inside me, words couldn't describe it. 

"Fuck I'm close," he moaned. 

"Me too," I breathed. 

I exposed my neck to him instinctively and he growled. My wolf, who had slowly started to come back, whined at the sound of her mate's pleasure. 

As we both reached our climax I felt his teeth against my skin. His hips stuttered against mine as he sank his teeth in. I cried out as my orgasm hit me like a forklift truck. 

My wolf howled and I could feel Max's wolf connect to mine. Our wolves bonded just as strongly as we did. After a few moments, Max got up and went to our shared bathroom. He came back out with a cloth. I smiled as he gently cleaned me up before climbing back into bed with me. 

"Goodnight, mate!" 

"Willow?" 

I was jerked out of my memories to see Ben and Mollie standing ready to go. A blush crept up my neck as I ushered them outside. I'd been so lost in my fantasy that I hadn't noticed anyone around me. 

After I dropped them off I decided to head into town to get some food. I liked the domesticity of life now. I used to hate food shopping and all the chores I had to do. Now it relaxed me, I guess it all depended on who it was for. Also, I had my own car to move around in, well it was Max's but he was using his dad's old one. 

As I walked around the shop I felt a strange sensation of being watched. However, when I would look, nothing seemed out of place. I shrugged it off and told myself I was being paranoid. 

I felt it again when I exited the store and put my bags in the boot. This time when I looked I could see someone watching me. The cold eyes chilled me to the bone.

"Father?"

"Hello, daughter!"

I looked around desperate for an escape or help. However, not many shifters would have been here, since the town wasn't on pack land. 

"Well, well, look who sold herself to the little beta-to-be."

My stepmother smirked coldly as she moved up against her mate. 

"Where are my poor babies? I'm sure they are dying to see their mother after living with you."

Remembering the twins gave me a little courage. I took a deep breath and glared back at her. 

"They are doing great. Their teachers praise them, they have lots of friends and enjoy being with me. They don't think about you at all."

"Why you little bitch!" she snarled as she stepped forward and slapped me. 

A collective gasp could be heard around us. Several humans had stopped and were watching. I recognised a few and could see them on their phones. Hopefully one of them was calling Max or someone in the pack.

My face stung but I refused to cry or show any pain. Father stepped towards me and I stepped back. He kept advancing until I was far enough away from my car door. I had no idea what they were planning but I wasn't going to stick around to find out. 

Quickly, I spun on my heels and raced off. My father shouted after me. I could hear his feet pounding on the pavement. Thankfully, I knew my way around town a little better now. 

I knew around the next corner would be a path into the woods. If I could get there I could maybe get my wolf to shift and make it to the pack lands. Though I felt my wolf more now, I still hadn't tried to shift yet. I wasn't sure if I could but I had to try. 

My only hope was that Father would underestimate me, like always and that somehow Max would find out what was happening.