A Howling Heart
Chapter twenty-five

I feel ice enter the air from this kind of verbal promise. It is as if a covenant has been strained within the spiritual realm -the covenant that I am to honor with Matias.

A cold shiver rolls down my spine, along with a dull ache that is similar to the one I felt at the house, which leads to excruciating pain. I can tell from Matias's breathless response to my words that he's feeling it, too. "Fae, do not say these things. Do not utter aloud what can have severe consequences, especially if you don't mean them." He gestures around us as if he can sense it all around us, too.

"Oh, she means them!" My mom slaps her hand against the Jeep door. "Now, are you going to bring us home, or would you put her in danger by forcing us to walk home?"

Matias's jaw ticks, his eyes darkening with rage. "Fae will return here! Just because you couldn't live up to your responsibility doesn't mean your daughter won't!"

My mom raises her brows in a challenging manner. This must be the woman who was destined to be Luna. Now that their curse has calmed from their closeness, the exchange of blood and her acceptance of mating with Esai in the balance, her confidence and aggression are Matias-level.

"You have no say in this. I've raised her! I say she will not!" Mom's upper lip curls with disdain at Matias. "You and your Uncle are not suited for her. I won't have her near him or anyone related to him."

At the mention of his uncle, I glance back at the house, afraid I will see the daunting silhouette of that violent man, but Matias must've set him back in terms of physical strength from that shove and the blow to the wall. He isn't there. Thank God.

"She is not you. She wants this," Matias snarls, getting more irate when my mom laughs sardonically.

"I will do whatever it takes to keep my daughter safe. Even if that means moving her far away from -"

A growl that would scare a grizzly bear erupts from Matias's lips. It interrupts my mother's retort. His intimidating steps toward her keep her quiet.

He stalks toward me. "You are not going to tell my mate what she will do!"

Mom gasps when he gets in front of me and scoops me up in his arms, throwing me over his shoulder as he spins and begins towards the woods where the mansion awaits.

This is getting out of hand. I feel like a chew toy.

"Let me down! Matias!"

I wiggle, hoping he will loosen his grip, but once again, I underestimate the muscles of an Alpha. They work in his favor. He carries me effortlessly, not even faltering a step from my panicked movements. "Matias! Let me go! You can't just kidnap me and think I won't put up a fight!"

He snickers. "I am not kidnapping you. I am taking you to our home."

Our?

"Yes, our. You belong with the rest of the pack, with me, within my bed."

"Y-your bed?" My cheeks warm with embarrassment. My tongue goes dry at his words. Unbidden images surface in my mind of me lying in his bed.

Oh my... How I wouldn't want to leave it all, that's for sure.

"Yes," he replies. "It is as you imagine it. We won't be able to get enough of one another soon, Fae."

I'm in a daze while he continues carrying me.

"You let my daughter go now! Let her go, or so help me, I will dial 911 right now!"

He hisses frustratedly at my mother but continues carrying me, unbothered by her police threat.

"You think I'm bluffing? I will tell them you've hurt us. Kidnapped us! She does not belong with you!"

Matias halts, whipping around with me in his arms.

"Let her go now." At least she's not screaming anymore. Her voice is calm but menacing.

Both of them have lost their minds. No one is being rational anymore. I am too frail compared to their strength to fight back and advocate for myself. How am I going to stop this before Esai regains strength and makes his way out here to finish what he started?

And she's so upset... I feel bad.

My body is so treacherous when he's around.

Matias sighs, loosening his hold before he lets me slide down his body where my feet plant back on the ground.

"Your daughter is my mate." Matias can't take his eyes off me when he says that. The air changes, and instead of the chill, there is heat-immense heat. I feel flushed by his desire-packed gaze.

"No, she is not. Tell him, Fae."

She hates Esai and her Lycan heritage so much that she would fight this hard against it.

I'm closing my eyes, feeling torn between the supernatural pull I feel with Matias and the duty of being a good daughter to the only parent I ever knew-and could rely on.

"Not my mate," I grumble.

My mother reaches for me, dragging me back toward his car. The power of Matias's steps makes the ground shake.

"I am her alpha!"

When we get near the car, I spin around from the mighty hand on my arm, and Matias wastes no time before he cups the side of my face, and his lips are on mine hungrily. I want to keep a guarded facade before my mother, afraid of the ridicule of disagreeing with her.

I don't want her to be disappointed.

Matias's voice is in my head once again.

'Mine!'

The moment his lips touch mine, electricity commands my body with his, like I'm a puppet with strings attached to him. A condemning moan rumbles in my throat, and I find myself desperately kissing him back, a needy heat filling me until I'm ready for him in every way possible. My hands search along his body, committing his muscles to memory, tugging him harder against me, not ever wanting to let go.

"Fae?" My mother's weak voice breaks through my lust filled haze.

What am I doing?

I'm kissing him in front of my mom!