Try Me

Chapter 11

Willow's POV

The storm hit shortly after Jacey's tribe fully arrived. I had managed to get more of my things from my room and into Jacey's before it hit as well. My brothers sat off to the side watching as everyone greeted one another. I was tucked into Jacey's side, his arm around my waist as he introduced me to many of his tribe members. I could tell many didn't approve of me, and that was okay, because they have no say over the situation. The one I didn't want to meet was Brooke. She clearly didn't like me, and as soon as she walked up to us, voiced her opinion.

"You shouldn't be here," she told me. "No one wants you here." "Well that's not true, Jacey wants me here," I pointed out to her. "He's only courting you for tradition and will drop you as soon as the two months is up," she said and I rolled my eyes. "God you're so desperate. If that were really the case, do you think he'd actually invite me to meet his tribe or want to learn about my customs if it were just for show," I asked her.

"Sorry to interrupt the possible cat fight," Shade said while cutting in. Brooke glared at him, but Jacey and I ignored her. "What's up," I asked Shade. "Mom found out from dad, that he, Ethan, and Jax are trapped in the storm when bringing home more groceries and can't get the jeep out of the snow," Shade shared with us. "Do you know where they are," I asked him. He said where they were and I nodded. "I can bring them back," I said. "Are you insane," Shade said to me. "She can do it," Jacey said and I looked up at him. "Just be careful," he said before kissing me. I nodded and went to his room to shift into my wolf form before leaving to go find his family members.

Jacey's POV

I stood by the cave entrance, wearing my jacket and scarf she made for me. "She'll be back," my mother said as she came to stand with me. "I know," I said having full confidence in my mate. If anyone could ensure they made it home safely it's her. "I couldn't help but over hear Brooke's accusations though," my mother said. "She may prove herself a problem. Whatever happens, Willow has my support as well as your siblings and father's." I nodded, "Thank you mom." "I find it funny," she said with a soft smile. "In a room full of dragons it's the wolf that's able to breathe fire." I chuckled softly. She had a point.

After that we fell in silence as we waited for them to return. It took them two hours to return. Willow's fur was covered in a slushy mix of water, ice, and snow and she appeared to be shivering slightly. Ethan came in right after her followed by Jax and dad. "Fuck it's cold outside," Ethan cursed as he brushed the snow from his hair. "We would have gotten lost had Willow not used her flames to guide us," Jax said. "Unfortunately when a fierce wind blew, it knocked a massive pile of wintery mix from a tree and it fell on her," dad said. She went to the room to shift and possibly take a shower.

"Hot tea is in the kitchen," my mother offered to them as I sealed off the cave to keep out the cold. I waited outside of the room for Willow to come out. When she did I saw she was wearing my hoodie and a pair of sweat pants, her nose still pink. She had blow dried her hair and put her feathers back in. I took her hand and lead her to the kitchen. My mother poured her a cup of tea while I got her something to eat to help refuel her magic. "Thank you," she said as she accepted it. I stood behind her, arms wrapped around her as she ate, offering what little warmth I could to her. When she finished, she leaned back into me and I rested my chin on her head. I felt her body heat rise now that she had her magic refilled. She sighed softly, happy to no longer feel cold.

We stayed like that for a while until Brooke had to make her presence known once more. "What do you want," I asked her. "You two are rather disgusting," Brooke declared. "How," Willow asked her, clearly not in the mood. Neither was I to be honest. "A dragon and a wolf. It's disgraceful," she said. "How could you disrespect the tribe like this Jacey?" Willow didn't hesitate to stand and get in her face. "I do not care what you have to say about me, but don't ever bad mouth my mate. He loves this tribe and would never do anything to dishonor it. He is courting me, because fate is fate. If it wasn't meant to be, then he and I wouldn't be mates, don't you think? Now stop acting like a jealous whore."

Brooke glared, "I think you should learn your place you mutt." Brooke reached up to most likely pull out one of Willow's feathers but Willow grabbed her wrist in a tight grip. "Don't touch them," Willow growled. Brooke winced in pain at the harsh grip Willow had.

By now the entire tribe was watching. "Women shouldn't have feathers anyways," Brooke said despite the pain she was in. "We follow Willow's tradition where there are no gender roles. She is the highest ranking warrior in her pack, making her the third highest ranking member in general. She has earned her feathers. Whether you accept that or not, is your choice, but you have no right to approach her on the matter. Our leader gave us permission to gift them to her," I told her. Willow released Brooke's arm and Brooke did her best not to show how much pain she was in. I was surprised Willow didn't burn her, I know I would've.

"If you're the third highest, then I guess your pack must not be worth anything then," Brooke sneered. Willow growled warningly. "On the contrary Brooke," our Tribe leader, Lawrence, said while stepping forward. "Willow comes from the Frigid Ice pack in Alaska. They're one of the oldest packs around and some of the fiercest warriors I have ever met. Willow is the first ever Vir to be made Chief of Warriors which alone wasn't easy to do. Yes Willow isn't a dragon, and I know many of you are upset by that. However, as she stated, fate is fate. I had allowed Red and Desiree to gift her the feathers as a way to show her that she is accepted in our tribe. Just as Jacey is accepted as her second in command in her pack. So even though Jacey isn't a wolf, in her pack he is their fourth highest ranking member. I have contacted their Alpha and we thought it a great chance to create an alliance. As you all know, a civil war is on the verge of happening between the Virs and Bestias. We and the Frigid Ice pack don't want anything to do with the war. However, given that we possess a Temple, it may come to our door step anyways. When that war will come, we don't know. If it comes during the cold months then we will be at a disadvantage. The wolves have agreed that if the war comes during the winter, they will come to help us protect our Temple. They want nothing in return. They believe Temples are places of peace and should be kept that way. However, I don't believe in letting their favor go unpaid so to repay them for their kindness, we are accepting them as a branch of our Tribe and they've accepted us as a branch of their pack. Our customs will stay our own of course, but I feel that this is a right step in the right direction for everyone's future."

Everyone was speechless after his announcement. He then walked away to go to the room he was staying in for the night. I looked down at Willow as she looked up at me. Neither of us saw that coming. I wonder what the future will have in store for us now?