A Howling Heart
Chapter thirty-two

Esai has been attacked. Where joy should reign since he is getting exactly what he dished out to me, fear and sadness for Matias are in their place; this is the only person Matias has. Like me, who only had my mother, I couldn't imagine something happening to the only family I've ever known.

"What?" That word is a growl almost unrecognizable from the anger coursing through him. Someone has threatened a member of his pack, even if he's the failed ex-alpha. Whoever threatens Matias's pack threatens him. I instinctively reach up for his chest, fingers spreading along the muscle and tattoos that line his skin. He places his hand over mine, but his eyes don't leave Nate. "Who did this?"

Nate's hesitation makes Matias snarl and demands the answer once again. "Who did this?"

"Amoux pack!" Nate exclaims, clearing his throat awkwardly. I see a flicker of fear in his eyes from Matias's murderous gaze. Matias spews an array of curse words, some in English and some in Latin. His hand is back down at his side in a clenched fist.

"Is Esai alive?"

Oh, the dreaded question. For Matias's sake, I fear the answer, practically holding my breath, the entire stretch of silence that ensues until Nate nods.

There is no relief in my Alpha. His body quivers irately, his shoulders roll, and his teeth gnash as he begins pacing.

"I will kill them. I will kill them all!"

This side of him unsettles me. The leader of all these beasts. One strong enough to take on their enemies. I suppose when we mate, he will be at his strongest.

Excitement makes me shiver. I would enjoy seeing him at his prime, unstoppable and happy.

Matias takes a deep breath, but his fury doesn't wane. He shoves his fingers through his hair.

"Gather the pack. I want Brandon, Trevyon, Maykayla, and Grendal ready. I will finish that pack like I should've. Irrumabo! I will make sure every single last one of them has their throat ripped out, and we will bathe in their blood."

My eyes widen as a horrid surprise knocks the wind out of me.

I've never heard him speak like this. Not about people in particular.

This is the man I'm destined for?

He's scary.... Terrifying.

Matias tenses beside me like my thoughts have affected him greatly, but he's too focused on Nate, who's nodding.

"We may have casualties. I've heard they've gained more members."

Matias laughs mirthlessly. "I don't care. They could have a legion of members, and I wouldn't back down! No one harms my pack. Especially not the Amoux. They've been our enemies since before even Esai's reign. They think they are big and bad because of their treaty with the bloodsuckers in Thurse, but I am not scared of them!"

Wait. I must have misheard him. Yeah, that's the explanation. No way did he just say-

"Matias," I call and move toward him with ice in my veins. I grab his arm to stop him pacing, forcing him to calm down and look at me.

With my hands now cradling his face, I ask the question that has begun to eat me alive.

"Please tell me you didn't just say what you said. Tell me vampires aren't real."

Images of cursed, blood-sucking, red-eyed, Dracula-sounding beings come to mind. I don't know whether I should laugh or cry. This world is much crueler than I thought it would be.

I search his face, praying that it isn't true.

Matias doesn't answer me. I despise his silence.

"Matias!" I huff angrily. "Tell me, please?"

His expression softens. He raises his hands to mine and places them gently over mine, guiding them down and around his waist to pull me into a hug.

The warmth from him is soothing, but curiosity still circles my mind like a curse.

"I deserve to know. Don't be like my mother, Matias. Please?"

I resent her for how she coddled me. I won't allow the man I might be with forever to start indulging in it.

He sighs and strokes my back. "Fine, Fae. I will tell you the truth."

"Thank you," I say and sigh.

Matias cups my chin lowers his head to kiss me, and then whispers.

"Yes, they are. But don't think for one second that I would allow that filth into our lands or anywhere near you. Understand?"

I want to freak out. I feel my scream stuck in my throat, but his words compel me to swallow that feeling and trust in him. There are things in life I have no control over, and it is better to be informed than naive as a member of the paranormal community.

"But, wait, now you're going to go fight those who are friends with the vampires?"

He could get hurt...

NO!

That word enters my mind swiftly, and I press myself against him hard.

"Guard your thoughts, Love. You should have more faith in the person who is supposed to lead and protect you for the rest of his life, no?"

I grit my teeth because there is truth in it, but as the one who will mate with him, I think I can at least state my objection.

He's mine.

I won't let someone hurt him. He can't go...

He says my name softly as if he's about to break me if he's not too gentle in his approach.

"Fae. My soul..."

"Don't go! Matias! Please, don't leave me."

I narrow my eyes and cast a severe expression.

"You could get hurt," I say.

And not come back to me.

The thought of him never coming back is.....

"Unbearable," I breathe the word in a sigh.

His hands caress the side of your face after my admission. The steady gaze he levels with me is filled with admiration. "Fae, my Love. This is my life. This is who I am. I am the Alpha and I protect what is mine."