Hello my beautiful readers!
First, please feel free to skip this authors note as I know it's a tad long winded. Second, know that any time I say to skip reading something, I'm only ever talking about my author's note and not my actual story. I never want you to skip reading my stories :) Third, I know it's been a while and I'm so sorry for the wait. What with the holiday season and illness going around, plus my personal life and starting a weight loss journey, I've either not had time or haven't been inspired to write. It is a little difficult to explain but even though I know everything that I want to happen in all my stories, sometimes the words just won't come to me and if I force myself to write, the chapter doesn't seem to turn out good and sounds phony to me. So I just let myself have a break, which was very difficult not to feel guilty about. I've read so many lovely, sweet, beautiful comments. Like for real ya'll, some of them made me cry happy tears! I feel so bad for the people that visit daily to see if I've updated and every time I read a comment saying that I feel the want to try again.
I never imagined any of my stories would have people wanting to come back so often. I wish I could write chapter after chapter in record time and upload every week but it's just not possible. However, every time I read your comments I do try to write, hoping that this time I'll be able to get the chapter out and the words right. Thankfully, I've finally done that and nearly finished three chapters across my four stories. I decided to post the chapter for this story first, for I know so many of you love Willow and Maxwell (but mostly Willow, lol). I tried to deliver on a nice length chapter and I hope it's enjoyable to read, despite the chaotic, melancholy tone. I love this chapter because it shows the subtle changes in Willow's ability and willingness to trust Max and I think Maxwell's love for Willow is beautiful. I do want to point out that if you haven't read True Nature and haven't paid much attention to side characters, the drama in this chapter and the next might take you by surprise, so if you feel confused, I encourage you to read True Nature.
Anyways, sorry for the long winded ramblings. I hope you all enjoy this and comment for comments are the only thing keeping alive my drive to find time for writing. They mean so much to me, so thank you.
The next story updated will be Beautiful Gifts, Small Packages (since the comments indicate people are starting to get into the story more). Then I'll update The Only Exception before I come back to this story. And no, I haven't forgotten about True Nature's ending. I actually have several parts of the chapter for that story written but can't make them come together right now. Don't worry, I'll figure it out, hopefully soonish. Fingers crossed!
Lastly, if you're dying for something to read with a power exchange vibe and you haven't read my story, The Slave and His Master, maybe give it read? Hopefully you'll enjoy it and (bonus!) it's a completed story. It's my first story on here and therefore, not quite as good in my opinion but it's still a sweet read and has a special place in my heart. As always, like all my stories on here will always be forever, it's a bdsm m/m love story.
Please leave any questions about any stories in the comments and, if they aren't addressed directly in the chapter, I will answer them in my next authors note. Again, I can't wait to read your lovely comments. Oh and I really love the long ones too so never think you're saying too much <3
Much love, Xx
Ps: let's just pretend editing mistakes don't exist please
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Maxwell's Pov:
I lost track of the days after the first time I made love to Willow. Once we'd gotten started, it became near impossible for either of us to stop. The next few days were a blur of lovemaking but I could tell that the sex was helping. The little omega was finally cooling off and as happy I as I was that I was helping, I also knew that once he was in his right mind, there would be no hiding that we'd fucked.
His once small tight hole now had a slight gape that bloomed open easily the moment my cock touched it. He was all stretched out and beautiful, his body baring the marks of being mine, save for my mating bite. I loved how he looked from my doing but I was worried Willow wouldn't like any of it.
I knew it would be any time now, that the omega would come to. I'd woken a few hours before to find his temperature had finally returned to normal. He had been asleep for a while, curled into my side as he had been his whole heat. When I realized that my mate would come to his senses soon, I quietly held him tight, trying to memorize every moment of being this close to him, knowing there was a good chance he wouldn't want me when he woke.
After another hour, Willow finally stirred from his place in my arms. He stretched slowly, like a kitten lazily waking up from an enjoyable nap, and I could feel his eyelashes brushing against the bare skin on my chest. I held my breath, aware that he was fully awake when he tensed in my arms. He struggled for a moment and I let go of him immediately, allowing him to pull away from me. I sat up slowly, as if trying to show him that I wasn't a threat, pulled on a shirt and scooted away a bit so that he could have some space.
"Hi," I breathed, feeling ridiculous that I couldn't come up with anything else to say and nervous about my mates reaction. Would he reject me?
Willow's eyes met mine and I cringed. He looked scared shitless.
"I'm naked," his voice shook but otherwise he stayed perfectly still.
"I can get you something to wear," I offered, needing to do anything I could to put my poor little omega at ease.
"N-no.. I'm sticky.. it's.. I'm.. gonna shower," he announced before slipping out of bed.
He blushed when he realized I would see his body when he walked away and nervously looked at the blanket that lay on the floor but he didn't pick it up. He froze, his gaze locked on me, and quickly covered his little cock with his hands with a nervous squeak. His eyes began to water and his lower lip trembled, his breath coming out in quick little gasps. Seeing him look so helpless broke my heart. I got out of bed and cringed again when he timidly took a step back but I was determined to help anyways. I bent down, picked up the blanket and held it out to him without getting any closer and dropped my gaze to the ground.
"I won't hurt you love," I nearly whispered, when he didn't take the blanket. Willow took a few more breaths and then cautiously reached forward with one hand to snatch the blanket. He quickly wrapped it around himself, blushing the entire time.
"I-" he bit his lip and then turned, fleeing our--I mean my--bedroom as fast as he possibly could.
A few minutes later I heard the shower water turn on. I mechanically walked to my door, shut it and locked it. Then I walked back to my bed and sat quietly for several minutes processing what had just happened as I slowly began to fall apart. Willow was scared of me. Willow was embarrassed to be seen by me. Willow wanted to wash my scent off his body. Willow didn't trust me... I was no longer safe... or.. Daddy.
My eyes filled with tears. All my worry, all my restraint, all my prayers to the moon goddess, for everything to be okay were for nothing. I'd ruined everything by giving in. My mate was suffering and I couldn't even help him because he didn't want me. I sniffled quietly as the feeling of depression settled over my wolf and I.
My precious mate might hate me forever now. I'd wanted so badly to make everything up to him but now I was scared I wouldn't even get the chance. I'd fucked up, yet again. I was the worst mate in existence. Who knew that one little omega had the power to bring me to my knees before stomping on my heart? I knew I should be strong right now. My mate was not doing well and I needed to do everything I could to soothe him. I also knew I sort of deserved this. I mean, I had broken Willow's heart first, years ago, but I still had feelings too! I couldn't keep it together all of the time! But... I could keep my pain to myself. I made sure to stay quiet so that Willow would not hear and, for the first time in my adult life, I cried.
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Willow's Pov:
I was having the best dream. Maxwell was telling me that he loved me, over and over and he was kissing me everywhere. Every few minutes he would pause to tell me how beautiful he thought I was before pressing another kiss to my skin. I felt completely adored, worshiped even, and my wolf preened from all the attention. I stayed in that warm place for ages, feeding off of my mates desire for me. Max was so nice to me here. So warm and loving, a perfect vision of what I longed for all my life. I fought him on nothing, giving in to every delicious, tingly feeling that he bestowed upon me. It was magical and completely intoxicating and I never wanted to leave my warm cocoon where I was loved and my wolf was at peace... but then I woke up.
The first thing that I noticed was that some of the warmth I'd felt was still present, for I was in my mates strong, warm arms. I liked it. I stretched out against him, loving how his body heat felt against my skin. Then I noticed how achy and sore my body felt while remembering how Max had been angry with me. He yelled at me to go to my room and I had defied him because? I thought for a moment. Oh right, because of THAT omega. I tensed, suddenly realizing that I was completely naked and so was my mate. Then I noticed how my asshole ached. Chills broke out across my skin as bits and pieces of a memory crossed my mind. Running away. My heat. The woods. Black gloves. Power. Pleasure. Shame. Shame. SHAME. I struggled, trying to free myself from Maxwell's hold, surprised when he let me go easily. I sat up and scooted to the edge of the bed, feeling like a trapped animal.
What the fuck did he do to me?!
"Hi," Maxwell said quietly, causing me to flinch.
Hi? How about an explanation? The last thing I remembered was telling the alpha that he couldn't touch me. Ever! He'd willingly touched someone else, yes hugging is still touching! And I didn't forgive the omega for it, not when that omega had done much more with my mate, before I was even of age to be noticed by him! It wasn't fair! But here I was, naked in Maxwell's bed, feeling incredibly sore and used. Had he touched me against my will? I wanted to ask but my wolf wouldn't let me, hissing that I shouldn't upset Alpha right now when we were vulnerable.
"I'm naked," I finally said, not knowing what else to say.
"I can get you something to wear," he offered quietly.
I felt even more confused when my wolf hummed contentedly at the alpha's gentle display. He was unsure about what was happening too but he was much more easily soothed by our alpha than I was. I wished I could be that stupidly naive but I knew better. Alpha had punished me for attacking his other omega and running away. I didn't want to be near him, except for the huge part of me that did.
