Mated To The Alpha Of The North
Chapter 58

Jax

Nothing had turned out like I had expected when I arrived in the South not long ago.

The seconds dragged on minutely around me while they seemed to simultaneously slip by like the sands of time, and I lost myself in coming to terms with my new reality. When I finally glanced up, we were back in the kitchen once more.

I knew that I must have helped my mate bag up the groceries and carry them inside when we had returned to the lodge, but my mind had been a million miles away while my body had went through the motions mechanically in its absence.

However, I could not deny the soothing effect Willow’s mere presence provided throughout my inner turmoil.

I was sure she had noticed my inattention and recognized my need for some time to process things on my own for now. Although she did not say as much aloud, she had given me a brief peck on the lips, and then she was off, flitting around the kitchen like a hummingbird in pursuit of nectar with a dazzling smile illuminating her beautiful face as she went.

I subsequently settled in at one of the wooden chairs at the table, making myself comfortable for the long haul in case Willow needed a hand with anything while she worked.

My wolf and I were hesitant to let her out of our viewing area, as well, so my chosen seating preference killed two birds with one stone.

I allowed myself a few additional moments to reconcile my differences with leaving my sister behind before I communicated with my beta about the upcoming changes.

I was still unhappy about Ronnie’s decision to remain behind, but I understood it the more I considered her perspective. She was also an adult now, something I too often let myself forget with her being several years younger.

I had grown up always looking after her, and then she suddenly became all that I had before Willow miraculously appeared in my life. I wanted the best for my baby sister, but I found that I could not go against her express wishes either, notwithstanding the added anxiety it evoked within me.

I had never had an issue asking Ryker to keep an eye on Ronnie in the past, yet I currently acknowledged the clear signs of discomfort that arose at the thought of exactly that. The unease was most likely caused by the strange reactions both had recently exhibited around me when the other had been mentioned.

Nevertheless, I pushed aside the apprehension and reached out to my best friend, before I could talk myself out of it, while Willow’s aromatic cooking suffused the air around me.

He was thrilled initially when I had informed him that I would be returning home soon with my new mate in tow, but his enthusiasm swiftly darkened when I let him know that he would be temporarily taking my place as acting alpha in the South, with Theo’s aid, of course.

I knew very little about Ryker’s checkered past here in his birth territory, though being his oldest friend, I was aware of some of the demons that he had kept locked deep inside over the years.

I was not sure who his parents were or even what had happened before he had arrived within my sphere of awareness, but I knew he always shied away from being directly in charge of others, despite the effortlessness and natural talent he possessed in doing so.

He was practically just a kid himself when he had stumbled injured and half-dead into our territory, alone and only 12 at the time, but fighting everyone tooth and nail that dared to approach him, nonetheless.

The only information they had been able to get out of him other than growled threats had been that he was fleeing from the south.

I was not sure what he saw in me that day, but he allowed me in and accepted my help where he had attacked others before me for less.

We had been stuck together at the h*p ever since then, growing up and raising hell as the dynamic duo that everyone feared.

He had stepped up and taken the role of beta when I had asked after my father’s death and the torch was passed on to me, yet I had always believed that he was destined for his own future, separate of mine.

Don’t get me wrong, he was the epitome of what a beta should be, but therein lies the problem.

He was too strong for the role, and I hated knowing that I was the one stunting his growth. This provisional arrangement was the perfect opportunity to allow Ryker to show the others his leadership aptitudes, not to mention illustrate to himself his own true capabilities.

The issue was getting him to see that, but he had always been just as hard-headed as my sister.

Further, I had not brought it up to the others hitherto, but I was gunning for Ryker to take over Zeke’s old position here.

I also never mentioned my suspicions to Ryker, not knowing how he would react to the implications, but I had an inkling that the role may truly belong to him rightfully regardless.

He refused to talk about what had happened to his family, but his above average abilities had more than spoken for themselves over the years in my opinion, leading me to only one conclusion: he had to have alpha in his b***d.

With this knowledge, I queried to myself how it came to be that a pathetic weakling like Zeke had become alpha here in the first place.

He was sycophantic and only able to maintain his control through treasonous methods and blackmail, leaving little uncertainty in my mind as to how he was granted the privilege now that I had more information.

He had been the alpha in this province for about a decade, maybe a little less, if I remembered correctly, but I recollected that he had made waves as the youngest alpha appointed in history.

Astonishingly, no one had questioned his qualifications at the time, simply going along with the elders’ appointment on blind faith.

I had always found that strange, but it had floated outside my range of consciousness, being too young to do anything about it, until presently, when my conversation with Ryker transported the thought flying back to the forefront of my mind.

Things were starting to fall into place in my mind, and Ryker’s new intel about the movement near the borders of our territory helped me piece together the rest.

However, I chose to keep my personal revelations to myself for now, electing to conserve my energy and redirect my beta to accepting his new fate.

I had been keeping our dialog brief as I considered the best outcomes of our current predicament and let my mind roam, but as I looked up and around the room, I noticed that the food was nearing completion.

Ryker had persisted to argue with me concerning the inevitable, but I knew my time was running low now. He had never complained in the past when I had sent him with my sister to ensure her safety, and I was beginning to guess that there was a reason why.

As much as the thought pissed me off, I decided to use it to my advantage, ensuring I did not delve too deeply in the process.

To no one’s surprise, my sister remaining in the Southern Province was the turning point that convinced him to begrudgingly take on the role.

It took another couple of minutes to organize the final details, but I was able to finish right as Willow was removing the last dish from the oven, feeling satisfied that I had held up my end of the discussion from prior this morning.

Moreover, I felt a weight lift from my shoulders as I found a way to make peace with Ronnie’s choice; and with my responsibilities taken care of for the evening, I resolved to spend the rest of the night enjoying the company of my family.