A Howling Heart
Chapter twenty-three

I am ready to openly reject Matias's invitation to shield myself from him again, but my mother's words make me pause. Her blatant prejudice pokes at the bond Matias and I have. "Honey, don't. It's not safe with ... them. There are things you don't understand." Venom in her voice irks me.

I pull back from her and frown. "What things? Things you should've told me?"

Her face falls, guilt flashing in her eyes until she pushes it away and replaces it with sternness. "Fae, now is not the time to go pointing fingers. Okay? I kept things from you to shield you from the harsh truths of reality. If someone had kept more things from me, maybe I would've made a better decision when I was younger or felt more informed regarding my choices, okay?"

Matias huffs and takes another step toward us with his hand outstretched to me. "My Love, come here."

My mother's hands tighten on my arm. Her voice shakes. "Trust me. It. Is. Not. safe."

Matias glares at her hands as she yanks me backward and holds up a hand for Matias to remain away.

"Do not come near us-leave my daughter alone!" She cups my face in her hands, sincerity in them. "Please, Sweetheart. Trust me. This world is dangerous. These two are dangerous." The confidence behind those four words makes the human fear that lingers in the back of my mind present itself. Apprehension cripples me.

I stand still, unsure of what to do. I swallow the lump in my throat, aware of Esai's wolfish expression shifting from my mother to me. His eyes move to my throat, and any shred of confidence left in my body dissipates.

He's thinking about the night he almost...

...Almost killed me.

"You look so much like your mother." The smugness in his tone makes ice fill my veins. Is that why he attacked me? To seek his revenge? Because he has nothing to lose? Both of them have suffered greatly because she rejected him. They are at the end of their lives, as much as I don't want to admit it-no wonder he felt fine lunging after me that night.

But I won't stand here and allow him to goad her. I especially won't let him get close to her. If my suspicions are correct, he is going to try strangling her too!

"Matias, I think it's time my mother and I leave."

"Leave? I won't allow it."

"Allow it?" My eyes widen incredulously. "Can you honestly tell me that both of us being here with him are safe? Look at your uncle!"

I know this wolfish bond we have makes it harder for me to resist him, but we aren't mated yet, and he doesn't get a say right now.

Matias waves a dismissive hand and steps toward me and my mother. "I do. You are mine, and I am yours. I must protect you, and I cannot do that if you're miles away from me."

Distance is what my mother needs. I will make sure she gets it.

I glance at my mother, a twang of anger in my heart that she looks so startled.

Distance is what we all need.

"NO!"

"You're back." When Esai finally speaks to my mother, my insides become ice. His gritty, low voice barely sounds human.

Oh no.

He sounds like a....

"Monster? Fae, you are not in danger."

"I've waited years, Mariah," Esai says with terrifying delight as he addresses my mother.

"Not enough years." She spits in his direction.

Esai lets out a deep, throaty laugh that sounds devoid of humor, making the hairs along my body stand on end.

He widens his arms. "And yet you're back."

Mom shakes her head. "Not for you." She holds my hand in hers. "My return was solely due to my daughter. She deserves more than she was getting where we used to be. I thought that I-that we would be fine here. I thought you had-" "Died?" He takes a daring step toward us.

Mom swallows nervously.

"You and I both know you will do as destined."

"Do what?"

The silence in the room is deafening.

When my mother refuses to answer, Esai does. "She will give me her body, heart, and soul."

Mate... he wants her to mate with him.

"What? You-You want to mate with my mother?"

"I am the rightful Alpha! I never got my chance to reign as I should have. I love my dear Nephew here but will not squander an opportunity for wellness and power. Do you understand, little girl?"

The little girl's comment makes me angry.

"Matias is already mature enough to take over the throne. He plans on-"

Esai guffaws. "And here you are fighting each of his advances, denying you will give yourself to him over and over aloud. Thankfully, we can tell by your body language that the bond within you has a fighting chance against your genetic stupidity, which I'm certain your mother passed down to you as if the pain we both have endured wasn't punishment enough to render some common sense in her!"

"Shut your mouth!" Mom screams at him.

If he claims Alpha of the pack, does that push back Matias's complete transition?? Does it push back our mating?

The unease in me feels almost more than I can bear.

Will he claim Alpha of the pack then and prolong Matias's transition?

There is so much I want to know about the Lycan blood running through my veins!

"Never," Mom snarls.

"I see you've been suffering too..." He nods at my mother, eyes moving over her weakened frame. Esai's tongue flicks out against his cracked bottom lip. "I miss that fire within you." "Stop it. Now!" Veins bulge in her neck and forehead. "I will never be yours!"

"You were supposed to be mine." He takes another step forward. "Not his."

"Enough!"

"Even after death, he still claims what is mine." Esai shoves his finger against his chest, poking himself a few times to emphasize his possession over my mother.

"Esai, I said enough!" She sharply shakes her head.

I blink, and Esai crosses the floor to us. It all happens so fast...