Ice Melts, When It's Hot Ch. 08

To my complete surprise, Maxwell looked down at me and asked, "Willow, my Luna, what should I do? I don't want to believe that Frank is a monster but even I must admit that in the last few years something has felt off about him. And then during your heat.. there was a moment when I thought maybe.. well.. I just don't know anymore. Should I believe the rogue?"

I froze at the mention of my heat, suddenly seeing thick trees all around me and god was it hot! Black gloves. Fingers.. inside of me.. I shuddered and clung tighter to Maxwell, I didn't want to think about that right now. My alpha was requesting my council so I needed to pull myself together! I took several deep breathes and contemplated the problem at hand, grateful that the alpha wasn't rushing me for an answer.

I knew Maxwell didn't want to believe Sophie's story and it seemed certain that if he punished Frank without proof, he'd probably punish himself as well. I was convinced that Frank had done something vile but I also felt that if he had, a simple questioning of the beta and omega would prove to be insightful. Part of me felt that he should question the rogue as well but from the way he tensed when hearing they were related, I decided against it.

"G-give F-frank a chance to explain himself and.. insist you meet the omega." I cringed, waiting for rebuke but when Maxwell didn't interrupt or challenge what I'd said, I felt myself gain confidence in my advice. "If Frank is forcing him, he might lie but.. I should think it will be easy to tell, especially if he can't control his scent like the rogue suggested. You should also meet with Lotus Pack. If the story is true, we can't let Frank push us into a war. I.. I learned in school that the Lotus Pack can be quite deadly, given they shared magic with the moon goddess in ancient times, so it would be best to keep the delicate peace we currently have with them. Also... I.. I know it's a strange direction to go but, I would have someone interview the former King and check his quarters. Maybe we can find some information about how he achieved peace between our packs in the past, since during his reign was the last time the boundaries were crossed. I know his mind is.. not what it was but maybe he has journals or something that holds his secrets. Maybe they made him a promise they won't break or maybe we will learn something we didn't know before. Anything we can get to have the upper hand would be a good thing. Just in case our plan to handle this diplomatically goes to shit." I advised, desperately hoping to be useful.

"Sophie, secure me a meeting with Lotus Pack. It doesn't matter what hour of the day or night, just as soon as they're willing. And send Kent to father's quarters. He's good at nosing around in other people's business. I will deal with informing Frank myself and Soph.. if you believe this rogue to be trustworthy then... do what you must." Maxwell ordered and she nodded, leaving immediately.

"You're going by what I say?" I asked, honestly surprised that he took my suggestions without a second thought, especially for a situation as delicate as this.

"Of course. You're my Luna. I trust your judgment and I thought your proposal was wise, as you are more likely to be more unbiased than I am, considering Frank's involvement and my friendship with him. Our relationship could easily blind me to the best course of action for everyone involved. Looking into my father's past is also a stroke of genius, for I never considered the idea of looking into his personal writings. I've always had too much to do repairing the damage to our pack to consider the deals he made have made with others. I'm lucky to have you ruling beside me. You're a very good Luna. My true match."

I felt my entire body blush.

Never in my life had I been praised for anything except looking beautiful and being perfect. I'd truly feared that I'd be mostly incompetent when it came to ruling over the pack and my parents had said as much. Apparently, I was too spoiled and too dumb to understand the dynamics of leading a pack and too precious to understand suffering, but that was okay because I was pretty. I just needed to keep from embarrassing Maxwell, keep him satisfied, which I'm sure my heat had done, and provide him with beautiful puppies. Realizing Max saw me as his equal turned my insides to liquid and my wolf began to pant the word "mate" over and over in my head, demanding my alpha to take me. My brain turned to mush and I felt the need to fully submit but this time, it wasn't my wolf forcing me into it. I wanted to do more for my alpha, especially when he was so stressed and tense.

Just as I was about to drop to my knees and offer him anything he needed, Maxwell spoke again. "Willow, do you mind if I have some time alone to... compose myself? I need solitude to come to terms with everything I've learned today and I'm sure you'd like a break from me."

My heart dropped. That wasn't what I wanted. I wanted curl up to the alpha and comfort him. I wanted to offer my body to him if it would help. I wanted to offer my mouth, my hands.. anything. I just wanted to comfort him for I could tell how badly he was hurting, despite the fact that he really wasn't showing it. I didn't even question where these desires came from. I didn't stop to think about how they hadn't been there before my heat. No. I was too focused on the pain of not being needed any longer because what the alpha wanted now was my absence. I tightened my control of my scent so that he wouldn't know how low that made me feel. After everything this morning, I hardly deserved to feel hurt. Besides, leaving Maxwell alone was pleasing him.. sort of.

"I'll just tidy my room then. I'm sure you want your things back," I murmured, trying to hide the bitterness in my tone with a small smile.

"Keep it all," Alpha offered. He then kissed my forehead before retreating to his room and I wrapped my arms around my body in a tight hug while my wolf howled in pain. I guess I wasn't that useful after all.

I let myself stew in self pity for about five minutes until I heard a mournful sob coming from the direction of Maxwell's room. I felt a strange sort of fury rise up in my chest when I heard that sound and my wolf wanted nothing more than to claw Frank's throat out. My mate did not deserve to hurt like this and he did not deserve to suffer alone! I was his Luna, his partner! He needed me and I wouldn't be pushed aside! I squared my shoulders and swiftly made my way to his bedroom, determined that he would have me whether he wanted me or not!

*******

Maxwell's Pov:

I was doing my best to give Willow space as I dealt with my feelings over what allegedly happened between an omega and one of my best friends. I paced the floor as I began to think. I had known that Frank was becoming more violent. He barely shifted anymore, he refused to fight and he hadn't gone on a full moon run in almost a year. He spent most of his time locked up in his home except for when I requested him to carry out an order in my place. Honestly, he was only my third in command because of our friendship and more often than not, I took on his role as well as my own and felt the strain of being overworked constantly. I didn't exactly blame him though.

Frank had gotten unfair treatment from my pack ever since he became of age, all because of his brother, Owen. The beta had been caught defiling two members of Lotus Pack and had been cast out as a rogue. In order to keep the peace, I vowed to never let Owen return to Shadow Pack. I despised him for what he had done and it reminded so much of both our father's.

I supposed it made sense, considering Frank and Owen's father served as my father's second in command. I hated Avery Habberforth for the way he encouraged my father's infidelity from my mother and how the pack gossiped about her constantly, disrespecting her position as Luna like my father did. If that wasn't enough, it was rumored that Avery Habberforth had raped an omega he was pursuing. When my father found out about it, he'd mated them instead of punishing Avery and even though everyone knew the omega never wanted to be with Avery, they said nothing. The poor wolf had died after giving birth to her second son and Avery blamed Frank every day for it until he died himself. That was the type of father Owen and Frank had to grow up with and I had always pitied Frank for it and developed a brotherly affection towards him. We had been thick as thieves when I discovered how fowl his home life was and we promised to be friends for always.

When I found out about Owen's crimes, I was not surprised, for he had always been violent growing up and I'd saved Frank from being turned into a bloody pulp plenty of times because of Owen's temper. I had always protected Frank. Especially when my pack turned against him, given Owen's crimes and banishment. I knew with all my heart that I had to save Frank. Yes, maybe his father was bad and maybe his brother was bad but I knew him! I had known him all my life. He wanted to serve me, he wanted a mate. He was normal. He could be normal. I'd survived my horrible father and moved on. He could too and one day he'd find his mate and then he could finally be happy. Or so I hoped.

Then, when he started to change, I let him be. The pack was horrible to him and I couldn't do much about it so I didn't force Frank to deal with them too often, taking on his responsibilities myself. This made me busier than ever and I had little time to devote to our friendship. I was happy when I found out he still had a small group of friends within the pack and that he'd even branched out and met a few humans. I eventually learned that they played poker once a week... although, now that I thought about it, I'd never... been invited, even once. I hadn't thought about it before but that was strange.. wasn't it? We were best friends. He was practically my brother and I was always there for him. I never judged him. I helped him in any way I could. So why would he not invite me to a night of wholesome fun?

Maybe he thought I wouldn't have time to come. I mean, now I didn't have time, given that I was trying to put all my focus into my relationship with Willow, but before.. I could have used a night off. Why hadn't he ever invited me? I walked to my bed and sat on the edge as a chill ran down my spine. Maybe he hadn't invited me because he didn't want me to come. And if he didn't want me there, maybe it was because he was hiding something. Or someone. The omega? If he was doing something as monstrous as treating an omega as more lowly than a pet, letting anyone who wanted fuck and bite the boy, he sure as hell would never tell me about it.

Frank knew how protective I felt over omegas. They were precious and important to the longevity of our pack. We couldn't have a strong pack without happy, safe omegas. They were the lifeblood to our existence, for without them, we would never have children, family, love or the ability to mind connect. Omegas were just as essential as alpha's and even more so than beta's. They brought so much to the table, despite being helpless and small. I knew of countless alpha's that would have been lesser men, or would have turned bad or ones who would have died, were it not for their omega. An omega who could never protect themselves held the entire life balance of their alpha in their palm forever. It was different than an alpha and a beta, who could never mind connect with each other. No, omegas have always been special. They deserved to be defended. When one was hurt or ruined, you weren't just hurting the one. You were hurting the generations of wolves that might never exist now and all because of a cruel act. I sighed helplessly. I didn't want to believe that this story about Frank was true but I had to protect the omega if one was involved. Especially if the boy really was pregnant. I wouldn't be responsible for an innocent's suffering and as Frank was in my pack, his sins were my responsibility. So, no matter what I felt or believed, I had to be unbiased as I investigated my best friend.

When it rains, it pours, I mused dejectedly, feeling an empty ache gnawing at my insides.

My mate thought I'd abused him. I was a bad mate. My best friend and third in command may have abused an innocent omega. I couldn't save him. I'd failed and the pain an an innocent omega was probably on my shoulders. I was a bad friend. I also had.. a brother, a real flesh and blood brother. Information I'd somehow never been privy to and yet, I felt that I'd let him down. If I'd cared enough to investigate the rogue when I became king, I would have pulled his medical records and learned the truth about our parentage. Even if those in the pack that knew were sworn to secrecy, medical records could be viewed by the king. I could have found out years ago but I hadn't. I was a bad brother. What kind of a king was so negligent? I was an unworthy king and a bad alpha.

I was trying so hard, all of the time. Why couldn't I get anything right? Was I doomed to destroy my pack like my father? Destroy my mate like him? Destroy my brother, like him? Could I never escape the sins of my father? Did the moon goddess hate me that much? Maybe, when things were settled, I really should go to the council and ask them to put me down. Then everything could finally be over. It would be selfish, but then, I'd already established that I was a terrible alpha.

I don't know when but I started crying. Loud, anguished, messy, uncontrollable sobs that I couldn't help but let out. I felt so completely alone and useless and hopelessness settled in my bones. I needed my mate so badly. I needed to feel him. I needed to take him and show him that he still needed me. That I could at least make his body feel good! I could do one goddamn thing right! I could claim him! I needed him to center me. I needed the peace and comfort that only he could bring because he was my mate. I needed him to.. to love me back. Suddenly, my bedroom door slammed open and I looked up in shock to see a furious Willow standing in the doorway. Fuck. What had I done wrong now?

"I want you to fuck me," he announced furiously, shocking me to my core.

"What?" I asked angrily, unable to believe the words that had just come out of his mouth when just this morning, he accused me of rape.

Willow didn't answer, he simply looked down and began to undo his pants. Soon they were on the floor and only his shirt was hiding his perfect little body from me. It was maddening.

"We're not having sex," I growled, beyond irritated that I had to deal with rejecting the comfort I so desperately needed, for fear of Willow hating me even more later. I didn't want to hear about how my grief was somehow me taking advantage of him.

"Of course we are," he argued, attacking the buttons on his shirt. "You're my alpha and I want your cock inside me."

I began to shake with rage. How could he do this to me? I was trying so hard! I promised I wouldn't touch him again and here he was, demanding that I break my word just like during his heat. Except this time, he was doing it on purpose.

"Don't test me Willow please. Don't tease. I'm exhausted. I can't deal with this right now," I begged, forcing my hands to stay at my sides though they itched to touch his pale skin.

"Oh, so you only want to play with me when I'm out of it?" He asked harshly, finally stripping his shirt off so that I could see his beautiful naked body, covered in my marks.

"No that's not... how could you think that? I wanted to have sex with you the day we mated. I waited and waited for you to be ready. I never wanted to hurt you or rush you. I wanted you to go slow and figure out what you enjoyed. I hated myself, and still do, for your first time being during your heat. I've apologized, I've tried to take care of you, I've offered you my life and yet you use what happened to punish me further?" I asked, unable to bare my mates accusation. "Why are you looking for more reasons to hate me? I won't touch you. I promised. I won't have you frightened of me again. Just go away. I'll stop crying soon okay. I know it's weak and I'm sorry. Please leave. Or at least get dressed. I can't-" I stopped myself and looked away, hating that my cock was hard and leaking for him. I couldn't help but want him when I saw him like that and it didn't help that my wolf was fighting hard against my self control. When Willow only glared at me defiantly, I turned my back on him. Only to have the image of him naked so thoroughly burned into my mind that, though my eyes were closed, I felt like I was still looking at him.

Willow was quiet for a moment and then I heard soft footfalls as he walked near to me. All at once his arms were around me and his tiny body was pressed into my back, his small hard cock pushing on my spine, right above my ass.

He wants you, my wolf growled happily but I ignored him and held still, unwilling to do anything that could mess things up further.

"I'm sorry Alpha. Please don't send me away. I was just trying to help and I didn't know how to.. I just wanted to help," he whispered tearfully into my ear. "You were crying. Again. I.. I don't like seeing you sad. It hurts. Let me fix it. Tell me what to do," he begged.

I sighed, feeling even more defeated. "Sorry I keep hurting you. I'm sorry all I've ever done is hurt you." I wanted to say more. I wanted to say I figured out what I'd done to him when he was a kid but I couldn't. I just didn't have the energy to go there.

"Alpha, no. You've been really wonderful since I started living with you. Especially with how... well I suppose I've been slightly... difficult to deal with and I'm sorry. I'm.. I'm still not sure what happened during my heat but I don't think you hurt me. Not anymore. But I.. I don't want to talk about that right now. I'm here because I know you're hurting. I just want to help Alpha. I promise I won't throw this in your face. Please fuck me. It might make you feel better."

I turned to face my mate, surprised as much by his words as I was by how gentle his tone was. Willow had never spoken to me like this before, without all the snipping and the yelling and the walls. It was almost like we were having a real conversation. "I don't want to fuck you," I told him gently, feeling sick that he didn't think of his offer as making love but as a way to cheer me up. As if I would ever use him for my own gratification.

"But.. didn't you like me during my heat? You said it was good. I made you feel good right?" He asked nervously, looking deeply hurt by my refusal.

"Yes baby. You made me feel good but.. I want to try again somehow. I want to make the next time special, as if we'd never had sex before," I told him, wanting him to know that I took his loss of memory seriously. If he could only remember the next time as his first, then I was sure as hell going to make that special for him. He deserved as much.

"But.. you've already had me. I'm already stretched out and used. I'll never go back to being a virgin," he argued pitifully. "Please just take me. Let me do something useful. I'm you're Luna. Making you feel good is my job."

I sighed helplessly. I'm didn't want to fight with him anymore and I desperately wanted to touch him. I was so weak. I reached out hesitantly and cupped his asscheek with my palm. Willow didn't react so I gently turned him around so that his back was facing me. I grabbed both his cheeks in my hands, spreading them apart so that I could look at his perfect, swollen hole. It was already less open than this morning and I mentally sighed with relief, for I had hated seeing my omega so distressed over it being "ruined". He wasn't ruined. He was beautiful.

"Alpha please," Willow whimpered, pushing his ass a little closer to my face. "Please touch me, please kiss me," he begged.