A Howling Heart
Chapter twenty-nine

I throw his keys hard and watch with satisfaction as they sail toward his face. They miss his face, and with predatory speed, he catches them in his hands.

I hate that! I hate that even retaliation doesn't work with him!

My nostrils flare as I huff angrily and cross my arms over my chest.

"Why should I?"

He moves to the end of my bed, seemingly unbothered by my outburst.

My breath hitches at the electricity I feel from his closeness. It's that dangerous connection, the one that pushes me to throw caution and logic to the wind and give into my heart. The kind that will allow me to be claimed in front of a pack of werewolves if the desire is as high as it was a day ago in that kitchen...

"Stay back," I say, holding up a hand to keep him at a distance.

As if seeing this as a challenge, Matias takes another step near me, standing on the side of the bed I am sitting on.

I shake my head, waving my hands at him. The stern look I direct to him doesn't dissuade him.

"Matias -"

"Oh, Fae," he says and sighs. "I just can't keep myself from you."

Oh, no. He must be feeling it, too. That or guilt is driving him to flirt me out of my interrogation of him. It's a smart move, knowing that we are connected, and depending on the right circumstances, I am powerless to the Lycan promise of us mating.

He chuckles, and the sound loosens the tension in my shoulders.

Distance is the only remedy for the brain fog his presence causes me.

"Not a chance, my love. I will give you your answer as long as you come with me." He licks his lips and arches a brow.

"What?" I look at him finally. Those wolfish eyes are ever so gentle when they rest upon me, and knowing I'm his weakness, I find myself drawn to him.

Maybe going with him won't hurt.

His voice invades my head.

'It won't.'

I gasp. "Get out of my head!"

"If you really want me to, I will for now." He shrugs.

"For now?" I glare at him.

He nods. "I won't promise to always stay out of your head. Remember, I won't lie?"

"Yes, but clearly you lack self-control."

His throat bobs as he swallows, and he offers me his hand.

"Do we have a deal?" His demeanor makes it hard to know whether I should be frightened or concerned. He's so good at hiding his true feelings when he wants to. I don't know....

Can you truly trust a man who leaves you in the dark?

"Yes."

I scowl at him before eyeing his hand.

For my mom's sake, I shouldn't go.

I glimpse his muscular body, aware of how my body begins to enliven, and I feel the excitement of our strengthening bond.

He inhales deeply, and I already know he can sense it. My body can never keep a secret from him.

"I shouldn't. My mom might wake up."

He shakes his head slowly, running a hand down his face before uttering gruffly. "She will not. Besides, do something for yourself for once. Truly for yourself without the worry of others' reactions to it. Take a chance, Fae. Don't let the chains your mother has locked over your life continue even after they have been removed."

His words ring true. I've always wanted to please her, to ease her stress, so I just abided by her rules more than not. It became the easiest thing in my life. When you're afraid your mother will die, you spend less time fighting her idea of safety and security and just go along with everything.

"How do you know?"

"Because I do." He takes my hand in his, stroking the back of it. "Trust me."

My throat feels dry. The desire to trust in him is strong enough that I have difficulty just giving in immediately. Still, I manage. "She will not know."

Matias glances out my window. "I will have you back before the sun rises."

"You will?"

He nods, reaching for my hand. He leans down to place it against his chest, and just as I've felt before, his heart is steady.

"I will bring you back from our home to here."

My shoulders relax as I sigh. "You keep calling it that... our home."

My cheeks warm as I say it because it sounds crazy when spoken aloud.

We haven't even known each other for a month.

Talk about moving fast.

He lifts my hand to kiss it. "It is our home. Time means nothing. It is relative. Our two weeks have been the equivalent of years. I've known you from the moment you were born. I knew you were mine. I could feel it. I could still see things through your eyes. In your mind."

Oh my goodness, he's been connected to me for that long?

"Yes." He peers deeply into my eyes, and I can sense his strong emotions just from his gaze.

At this moment, I trust him, so I let him pull me from the bed. I let his hands glide along my hips.

"Mm, Fae. When you're like this..." A low growl rumbles in his throat, and the possessive sound makes me reach for his shoulders to steady myself.

Attraction-born dizziness makes me a bit uneasy, but thankfully, his broad shoulders steady me. "Whoa."

He wraps his arms around my waist.

"I'll carry you."

My eyes bulge.

What?" My voice is high-pitched with shock. I start shaking my head rapidly. "No, no, no. It's okay. I'm just dizzy."

His fingers gently move up and down on my back in a hypnotizing fashion. "I don't want you getting hurt." He grins. "Besides, what are you afraid of, huh? Afraid I'll get too handsy? You and I both know that you enjoy it, Fae." His voice is husky as he utters those words, and I want nothing more than to follow the instincts of my heart and body.

"Oh, I can handle you. Carry me, then."