Chapter 20 - Jillian
Tension was high in the house for the next week. Maddox had several Council meetings to attend with the guys. He was gone for long hours and came home looking more stressed than when he went. With Maddox out of the house more, I started to feel like I was going stir crazy.
I sat outside, staring across the yard into the woods. I wondered how the man knew about the information he was telling the guys. Just how much did he know? What was he even planning?
The glass door opened, and I looked over my shoulder as Maddox stepped outside. He gave me a smile. "What are you doing?"
"Enjoying the weather," I said, giving him a smile in return. "How are you doing? Did you sleep okay last night?"
I often went to bed alone. Maddox came to be when he was ready, but he was always out of bed before me in the morning. The lamp was always on, and the blinds were always pulled up, soaking the room in light.
"I slept okay," he said, walking over and taking a seat next to me. "The Council is still fighting with us for more information, even though we have nothing to give them."
I frowned. "I'm sorry."
He gave me a smile and sighed. "Speaking of the Council, you have a meeting with them later about your house arrest, right?"
I nodded, hoping that everything that happened wasn't going to change their mind about letting me off of it.
"When we let you off, let's go out for dinner."
I made a face. "They could tell me no."
"They have no reason to."
I chuckled. "With the new information about this guy going around, I don't know if they will be eager to just let me out freely."
"Different circumstance."
"They might not view it that way." As much as I wanted to get excited about the idea of leaving the house, I wasn't trying to get myself worked up about it too much. They could disagree with it.
"There is a restaurant near the lake that has some excellent seafood."
I couldn't help but smirk at him. Maddox was so sure that I was going to get my freedom. It was touching, and I felt my heart skip a beat.
"Maybe," I said, leaning back in my chair. "Pending how much the Council feels like being generous."
Maddox laughed at me, and for the first time in days, I felt like maybe we could relax for a moment.
An hour later, Hope was driving me to my meeting with the Council. Hope had expressed that when it came to magic, she had a better understanding and would make sure that the Council wouldn't take advantage of me.
We headed inside, and Hope stood with me outside in the hallway. She glanced at the magic bracelet and frowned.
"I'm sorry you have to wear that."
"It's not that terrible."
She frowned. "Well, for someone that's used to having magic, it would suck to have it stripped from you."
I frowned, wondering if maybe she knew what it felt like. But before I could ask, the doors opened and we both headed inside. The Council was in their normal seats, looking annoyed to be here.
"Welcome back, Jillian. Hope I don't think we will be needing you."
Hope gave them a smile. "I'll be staying."
Ralph shifted in his chair, and his eyes snapped to me. "Jillian, have you had any possessions?"
I shook my head. "No. Just some visions that Maddox has informed you about."
"She's wearing the bracelet. She can't use any magic even if she wanted to. She can't run anywhere anyway, due to her bond with Maddox. She doesn't need to be under house arrest anymore."
I swallowed, really wanting to have my freedom back. I wanted to be able to help in some way, and I couldn't do that being confined to the house.
They were all silent for a moment before Ralph spoke up calmly. "Alright, we will remove you from house arrest, but you will continue to wear the bracelets."
I felt my heart stop beating, not realizing how badly I wanted to be out of the house. It had only been a few weeks, but I missed being free.
"Thank you," I said, not even going to fight them.
I arrived home a little later and found Maddox waiting in the living room. He got up as soon as I came through the door. "Don't go anywhere."
I paused and raised an eyebrow at him. I then noticed that he was dressed up nicely. "You're dressed nice."
"Because we are going out for dinner," he said, walking over towards me. "I have a small gift for you first."
He pointed towards the stairs where a large bag sat. He waved a hand, and I walked over, pulling it open. I reached inside and found a long-sleeved black dress. The fabric was soft and lightweight, which meant I wouldn't get hot outside wearing it.
"I bought it so it covered up the magic bracelets."
I felt touched as I looked at him. "Let me go change really quickly." I hurried upstairs, stripping off my clothes, and slid the black dress on. It fit me like a glove, and I stared at myself in the mirror, taking myself in.
I felt stunning, and I wanted Maddox to see it so badly. I hurried back downstairs and watched as his eyes widened when she saw me walk down the stairs. "It fits me nicely," I said, doing a little twirl at the end.
His eyes remained on me, and I watched them track over my body. He smiled. "It fits you really well."
I blushed as I stepped into his arms. "Thank you for it. It's beautiful."
He kissed my cheek. "You make it beautiful."
Maddox drove us to the new place that was open by the river. It was a charming little restaurant with seating outside, nestled among the trees. The sun was high, and the business was bustling with people. I pressed close to Maddox as he guided us to a small table near the back.
Music played softly with the sound of the water. The place was stunning and calming. It gave you the feeling of being in the woods and one with nature. "It's beautiful here."
Maddox smiled. "I thought you might like it. The food is good."
I stared at Maddox, taking in how relaxed he looked. It was nice to see after so many days of looking like he was being pulled through the ringer.
"Have you come here a lot?" I asked.
He nodded. "A handful of times."
I watched the way he smiled, and he raised an eyebrow at me. "You're staring at me."
"Sorry," I said, feeling my face grow hot. "I just…I haven't seen you this relaxed in a while. It's nice."
He smiled. "Because things feel alright." Maddox reached a hand over the table, taking mine. "And I have you to help with that."
"I've just been at home."
He chuckled. "You've been there for me even when I'm stressed. You ask me how my day is, and if there is anything you can help with. It's nice. I don't feel like it's all on me."
I felt my heart skip at his face, and I couldn't help but smile at him. "Well, I'm glad I could help."
He kissed my hand, and I felt a wave roll over me. But before I could say anything, the waiter came. We both ordered the seafood boil and some water to drink. We got into talking, and I laughed. I couldn't remember the last time I laughed as hard as I did with Maddox.
We talked about our hopes and dreams. We went over our fears and things we wished we could change. Maddox told me what it was like growing up being raised to be an Alpha and how hard he worked to get where he was. By the end of the meal, I thought I knew Maddox.
"Are you ready to head home now?" Maddox asked as we stepped outside the restaurant.
I shook my head. I wasn't ready to go back just yet. We were having such a good time, and I didn't want it to end.
"Why don't we do something fun?" I asked, giving him a smile. "Something wild."
He raised an eyebrow at me. "Something wild?"
I nodded. "Yeah. We've both been so stuffed up inside, we just need…I don't know. We need to get our blood pumping."
A smile spread across his face as he turned towards a bike path. "Okay, I have something."
Maddox held my hand as we walked. The view was stunning as always, and the path spiraled into the woods. There were sounds of birds chirping and bugs buzzing. It was peaceful.
"I don't think a walk is what I meant when I said that."
Maddox laughed. "Just hold on. We have to walk to where I want to take you."
We paused as we got to a large mountain opening. I could see it wasn't going to be an answer climb by any means. It would certainly get your blood going.
I looked down at my dress, suddenly regretting it.
I glanced at Maddox, but he was undoing his clothes. "What are you doing?"
He smirked at me. "You didn't think I was going to make you climb that in that." He pointed towards my dress. "I'm not ruining that."
I chewed on my cheek, deciding not to stare at him while he undressed. But I found myself peeking at him. Maddox was built like I remembered. He had strong hands and a muscular build.
My mind went back to us sleeping together, and a shiver ran down my entire body. I quickly shook my head, trying to clear the thought away.
When I looked back at Maddox, he'd shifted. A large brown wolf stood next to me now. He had lighter brown fur than the other wolves, but when I looked at his eyes, I could see Maddox's eyes.
He bent over, not forcing me to jump onto him. I crawled onto his back, tightening my thighs around him and grabbing hold of his hair. Maddox growled low, and it vibrated underneath me.
My legs tightened more before he took off. I leaned down, holding onto him with a death grip.
Maddox climbed the mountain with ease, like the extra weight of me on him didn't matter. We were moving fast, and the wind bit at my face. But I laughed. Each movement, each step, was pure joy. The view was stunning, but as we climbed higher, more of the town came into view.
As we peaked the top, I stepped back from Maddox, taking in the view. It was absolutely breathtaking. The sun was going down, and the town's lights were all coming on. It was like it was straight out of a movie.
"Wow," I said, stunned.
"I thought you might like it," Maddox spoke behind me. I turned slightly, taking him in. He was entirely naked, a soft smile on his face. I felt hot all over, hot and bothered.
I turned to him, placing my hands on his chest. "Thank you for showing me this."
His arms wrapped around me as he kissed me. The kiss was soft, a slow burn, but it changed. Both of us were suddenly wanting more. I ran my hands down his chest, and his hands reached for my ass. He hoisted me up, pressing me against him.
I found myself grinding on him, his cock hard against me. He growled against me, and it curled my toes.
"Fuck, the things you do to me."
I smiled as he turned us, laying me onto the ground. He grabbed at my dress, pulling it up. He yanked at my underwear, ripping them off.
My breath was hitched as I watched him. I felt so much love for this man. So many emotions that I couldn't put my finger on them. He had changed so much for me in such a short time.
"Arms up." He pulled the dress over my head, unsnapping my bra with ease. I was completely naked with him. He scanned me, his eyes looking at me like a wild animal in heat. I bit my lower lip as I did the same to him.
He kissed me roughly. His tongue was violent, and his teeth scraped at my skin. I returned the favor, biting into his shoulder as he slid into me. His thumb was rubbing softly on my clit, which forced my legs to hook around him.
"Oh god," I moaned, as his teeth sank into my breast. A new sensation wrapped around me.
I wanted more. Needed more. It was like I was drunk and couldn't get enough.
Maddox pulled me forward, seating me deeper onto his cock. I bounced as he thrusted, having him deep in me. My moans echoed around us, but I didn't care.
He kissed me, his fingers tight against my skin with each thrust. I was so close, just near the edge of an orgasm.
"I'm close," I said, digging my nails into his shoulder. I knew I had broken skin; my entire body was shaking.
"Come with me," he growled, kissing me once more. I did. I felt my body give way as an orgasm took hold of me. Maddox thrusting so deeply into me that I thought I would bruise, but I needed it. It only forced my orgasm higher, and I cried out his name.
I sagged against him, panting desperately for air. I stared out at the view, feeling sweaty and sticky. I couldn't help the smile that pulled at my lips.
"I have always wanted to do that."
I leaned back, looking into his eyes. "Fuck?"
He reached a hand up, cupping my face. "No, fuck up here with someone that I knew would want to protect this pack as much as I did."
I had felt safe before, but in that moment, I felt equal to Maddox, like it was truly me and him against the world.