Try Me

Chapter 20

Willow's POV

The next day I was up and dressed. I grabbed the small black fabric that I had Jacey wrap around my left forearm and tie it to secure it. It was our mourning cloth, one we wore for a week straight. The cloth was just a simple piece of fabric, so when Jacey said he wanted to wear one, I took one of the shirts he didn't really wear and cut it. It wasn't the fabric that mattered, but the symbolism behind it. When I saw my brothers I kneeled and they ran up to me. I wrapped my arms around them and buried my face into their fur. They gave soft whines.

Mom was brave and stood her ground till the very end, Brax said to me in the mind link. I nodded, knowing she did without having to be told. It did help though. When I released them I stood and saw the warriors who did make it. "This is my mate Jacey Solaris," I introduced. They greeted him warmly and we helped them get settled. The pups who were old enough ran about with curiosity. When they saw some of the other dragons who weren't in their human forms they would give little barks with their tails wagging.

I navigated through them all with ease. I slipped into my role as Alpha easily enough. By the time I got everyone settled, the Chief had arrived. He, Jacey, and I went somewhere private to discuss our full convergence. "Traditions will need to be compromised on," the chief said with a nod. We both agreed. "I guess the Solaris tribe should get with the times, and get rid of gender roles like the wolves have." I nodded, "We will have to change why we tattoo." The Solaris tribe tattooed those who have helped earn a victory in battle. Jacey's tattoo on his arm was from the fight in the temple when the feud broke out and his brothers put an end to it. We tattooed those who were warriors to show that they were a warrior, mine was on the back of my neck at the base. It was small. "Instead we will change to the tradition of feathers." The chief and Jacey agreed.

We continued to go back and forth for two hours, changing and adapting our traditions to blend together. Once that was all said and done. We went before everyone and presented what we have agreed upon. The chief will stay the leader, but I will be second and Jacey third. We then discussed the traditions that will be staying, going, and have changed. "Any questions," the chief asked the large group before us.

"Why do females have to learn to fight," Brooke asked with a scoff. "Because everyone should know how to defend themselves," I told her. "You don't have to become warriors, but it allows your mate and family to feel a little better when you can defend yourself," Jacey told her. "If the men are out fighting, then who is left with the children? It's the women." "Had the women not been able to defend themselves when the wolves were attacked, I don't want to think of the number of casualties there would have been," the chief said and several of the warrior dragons nodded in agreement.

"I highly doubt we'd even be that good," another woman said skeptically. "That's why you train," one of the female wolves said to her. "Willow had been attacked by a group of Vir wolves, and we found her crashed bike, but we couldn't go help her because we didn't know how to fight. Our sister was possibly dead, and we had to wait for the men to come," Ebony said to them. "I hated feeling helpless. I think this is a good thing and you guys shouldn't be so scared of change." "Willow is an excellent teacher, more of a hard ass than the trainers, but I promise it won't kill you," Shade said and some of the other wolves seemed to agree about my training harshness.

I'm not that bad.

We answered a few more questions before we ended the meeting. I went to the kitchen and sat at the island. Leroy poured me a drink, "You look like you could use this." I nodded, "Thanks." I downed the shot then sighed. Jacey wrapped his arms around my waist and I leaned into him. Leroy poured Jacey a shot and handed it to him. Jacey tossed it back easily before setting his shot glass beside mine. "Who's got night patrol," Ethan asked when he came in. "It's supposed to be below freezing tonight," I said. "I'll take it with a couple of wolves." "Are you sure," Jacey asked me. "I'm fine handsome, don't worry about it," I said to him.

Be careful, he said in the mindlink.

I didn't answer him with words, instead I tilted my head back and he leaned his head down to kiss me.

Jacey's POV

When she went on patrol, she did so in her wolf form with the others that were patrolling with her. I stood at the mountain entrance for a few minutes, before I got too cold to continue standing there. I went to the family room and saw her brothers laying by the fireplace with my nephews enjoying the warmth they give off.

"Where's mom," I asked Jade who was on the couch. "She's been helping with the orphaned pups," she answered and I nodded. I went to where the pups were and saw mom sitting cross legged on the floor while one of the younger pups played tug of war with her while another was curled up asleep in her lap. She gave me a soft smile, "I heard Willow took the night patrol." I nodded, "She feels restless." She nodded and looked down at the wolf pup. "She hates that she wasn't there, but as far as I know she isn't blaming herself," I told her. "It would be foolish of her to do so," she said to me. I nodded, "I know."

One of the pups came over and sniffed me. "The pups are much like younglings," my mother said to me. "They enjoy sleeping huddled together despite they have plenty of body heat, they eat much of the same, have many of the same mannerisms, sleep schedules. As adults, they're loyal, do what they can to protect their loved ones, and they have big hearts. I was worried about a wolf joining our family. Then as I got to know Willow, I realized, that wolves and dragons were a lot alike. I had no reason to worry nor be upset over no longer being purely dragon. I am sorry for how I reacted when I first learned you had met Willow. I love her very much and I am so happy she is now part of our family." She lost in her game of tug of war and I smiled softly as the pup shook the toy in victory.

I kissed her cheek, "Thank you mom." I then left the wolf nursery and went back to my room. Willow won't be back till sunrise so there was no point in waiting for her. Especially since I worked in the bar tomorrow. I shifted and got comfortable before a light sleep took me.