A Howling Heart
Chapter thirty-one

Matias chastises me as we near the jeep. "You're too hard on yourself, Anima mea. You are perfect."

He's just saying that because of a supernatural connection.

Matias hisses angrily as he opens the passenger door for me to get into, but he closes it without another word. He climbs into the jeep and starts it before pulling away onto the street. "Where are you taking me," I inquire, a big part of me already knowing he won't give me a direct answer.

"You'll see," he responds, affirming my suspicions.

"Matias, tell me," I insist and cross my arms. The surprises I've received since moving here aren't exactly relaxing.

He sighs. "You are impatient."

I shrug, glancing at him. "I don't like surprises.... Correction, I don't like your surprises."

They are scary or life-altering in nature.

He rolls his eyes but doesn't hide the grin on his lips. "You are going home," he says.

Home...

The fact that we are driving away from my aunts definitely signifies he is sticking with his idea that home is not there but somewhere with him. "To the mansion?"

He nods and turns down another street. "Where your pack awaits."

"My pack? I don't even know them." I've encountered some people with him, but he's never taken the time to introduce me. It's only heightened my suspicion. In addition, there's a woman who looks like she wants to put a dagger in my eye. "Don't worry about her," he states with a clipped tone.

"If you're trying to rid me of suspicion, it's not working. Is there something I should know about her?"

He clears his throat, taps the steering wheel, and shakes his head. "Now is not the time for this. You haven't had any introductions, so we can discuss later."

"You will come to know them. Even love them. As I have."

I don't know if I can trust them. I am just learning to trust him...

And that blonde woman? Forget it.

Matias pinches the bridge of his nose as we stop at a red light. "You don't have to worry about her. We are nothing. I am her alpha, and she is one of many. And as for trusting your pack, you're going to have to learn how to. I am supposed to lead them, my love. You are going to be right by my side. It will require more trust than you have now, but I know you are capable of it. Just takes practice."

By the sound of his voice, I get the idea that they could've been something originally, and my heart skips a beat.

Am I jealous?

Yes.

Imagines invade my mind of him, and the naked blonde embraced in passion, using each other violently.

How many women has he been with? Do they pass around women of the pack? Will he continue after we are officially mated? If he thinks he can have me and I'll share him with others, he has lost his mind. I don't care if it's a pack tradition. Not happening...

"Have you slept with her?" I turn and watch him closely. I don't want wiggle room for any lies.

He's quiet, his hands tightening around the wheel.

Oh no.. He has.

"Sex for me used to be something different. Just a means to an end, but with you, it will be different. It will be the end. So whatever you are thinking, quit it."

"And what is it that I am thinking?"

Two people who are completely vulnerable with one another.

"So, you have? You've slept with her." I hate how my bottom lip quivers as if I'm pouting and can't look at him anymore. My eyes move out of the window, trying to fixate on something, as if trees and quiet buildings will remedy the hurt I feel inside.

"We've had sex, yes. There was no emotion behind it. Only nature."

I bite my quivering lip to stifle the snort of sardonic laughter that wants to leave my lips.

Nature?

Now he's playing the wolf card.

"There is no card." His tone is condescending.

"If sex is so meaningless, then what's the point of doing it with me? And why put on this show? Why act... like this."

I gesture around wildly, aware that my cap on my emotions has blown off. I'm not sure if it's the fact that the 'blue moon' will be here soon, per Matias's words, or what, but I find myself vibrating with anger.

"When I lay with you, it will be very different."

"How?"

"It will be... explosive. Mating is existential. It's otherworldly. We will become one. Blood mated forever. The bond we have now will be amplified. I would die for you. I will never touch another woman, and no man will ever try and take what is mine. Unless they want their throat torn out."

I swallow nervously at his words.

"You are it. All I want and all I need. Tanya will bow to you once we're mated, and even now, she will not disrespect you. Not while in my presence, not while within our pack." "Whoa.

"Do you understand?"

I'm reluctant to answer, but I hum a quick agreement before I move my gaze back outside, aware I'm now on the more rural side of town.

I don't know enough about his world....

He takes my hand. "You will learn."

When we arrive near his Uncle's house, he parks and I get out of the car.

"On foot from here."

I eye the dark forest and jump when he's beside me before I know it.

"Matias!" Nate's frantic voice catches my attention. I can barely see him emerging from the trees in the moonlight. Matias throws his arm around my waist and tugs me into his side protectively. Nate's eyes slide over me, and he nods, acknowledging my presence before he continues.

"Matias, it's your Uncle." Just from the pain in Nate's voice, I know the news isn't going to be good. I worry about Matias's reaction. Most importantly, it makes me feel like a horrible person because if something is seriously wrong, I've been anti-Esai since the beginning.

Matias frowns. "What happened?"

"Another pack.... He was attacked. He's hurt."