A Howling Heart
Chapter thirty-three

I know Matias won't budge on his decision, but my devastation doesn't lessen. We begin marching through the woods, determination in each powerful stride. Matias's hand grips mine firmly to help guide me through the dark brush.

He can't leave me.

What if -

No. I have to trust that he will be okay.

I was telling him I couldn't be his mate just earlier. And now, suddenly, I'm clinging to him? This is exactly what I wanted to avoid, especially with my mother's fragile state.

Matias has tension in each step. I feel the powerful vibration of his anger emanating from his body until I, too, vibrate with the same toxic energy.

Who knows, maybe I can convince him.

Maybe.

"Matias, I don't think you should go."

"Fae, we already discussed this."

I grab his arm, gently stroking it as I'm filled with the urge to comfort him.

"We haven't discussed it enough. I want you to reconsider."

"Reconsider? That is not the way of a wolf. Our decisions are made based on blood and power. The Amoux pack has wronged me for the last time."

How many times have they wronged him? And blood and death?

"That story is for another time," he states.

And I'm just supposed to sign on and agree to fully immerse myself in this world?

That sounds reckless and foolish.

His voice enters my mind. "That is our way."

But that's not my way. I come from a place of calm disagreements. I don't know how to be an aggressive dog.

He sighs, and I know it's a lost cause. His mind is made up; if I've learned anything about him, Matias isn't one for much compromise. When he wants something, he takes it. He doesn't adhere to the opposition when he believes he is right. I guess being Alpha is perfect for him. But being his queen, the one to rule by his side to command the attention of the others, just isn't me.

When the mansion comes into the clearing, I hear howls shatter the eerie silence until they awaken the night.

"The pack," I say.

"Yes," Matias confirms.

Just as I get close to the door, I hear twigs snap and the sound of animals moving through the shadowed trees. My immediate response is fear, but with inward words of encouragement, I manage to get my heart back down to a steady pace while sticking to Matias's side.

"Calm, my Fae. Everything will be alright."

Sure it will.

Matias stops before I get to the door and spins us around so he can address the eyes upon us both. Some are in wolf form, others naked, and in human form. The sight is absolutely chilling.

"The Amoux pack thinks they can rescind rules we've upheld for the past few years! We will remedy that!"

Snarling from the pack startles me, and Matias continues.

"Tonight - we will go to them and avenge Esai! And we will leave nothing but Ash."

Oh, my goodness.

When he's like this, he seems like an entirely different person, and although I'm frightened, I find that I'm overwhelmed by the need to howl.

Matias spins us back around, and I enter the home, eyes scanning the walls. Tanya is nowhere around, thankfully, as he leads me up the steps. I frankly remember the first time we were there, and he'd been so turned on that he'd almost thrown the rules of the blue moon out and taken me on the steps.

And I would've let him at that moment.

"Fae..." He warns me again, aware of where my thoughts are floating towards, but it's too late; once again, they break loose in my mind, and I greedily daydream about his rough hands, gently gliding down my sides until they come to my thighs.

"I'm warning you, stop."

I take a slow, sensual, deep breath, and he curses.

Would he be gentle with me?

Or would he ravage me like a piece of meat until I was raw and red from his antics?

"When the blue moon comes, you will not want me to hold anything back when we are joined as one. Believe me."

I frown. "And how do you know that?"

"It's instinct. Besides, if you think we are the first pair to go through a mating bond, then you're in for an interesting awakening."

I contemplate his words. "You've physically watched others?"

He pinches the bridge of his nose. "Let's not steer this conversation down a dangerous path."

"Once we are in each other's arms, not even death itself could tear us apart. You are going to want me until you are so physically spent that you pass out."

"Oh?" That's vivid.

I'm breathless by his words. Ridiculously filled with desire just by the sheer mental image of him mating with me.

Stay level-headed.

But if he dies tonight, he will never get that chance. Unless...

An idea begins to form in my head while getting up the stairs.

Matias stops in front of a thick door. "Our room."

"Our?"

He doesn't comment on my surprise. Instead, he counters it by opening the door, and as soon as he does, his smell envelopes me, and I'm encased in something so predominantly his. I feel at home.

Our room. "Yes."

My eyes skate over the room. It differs from his room in the other house. It's more... lived-in. More personal. Along every surface is something that can be attributed to Matias, and when he moves us both inside, a calm settles over me. Like I belong.

Like I was meant to be here.

He steps in front of me, guiding his hands along my hips, which makes me gasp, and he captures that sound with his mouth upon mine. Only this time, unlike his usual feral need, he's gentle, and that word stirs inside my mind as a result. Mine.

So mine.

He growls against my lips, yanking me into him so his chest presses firmly against mine, and my front is pressed against the throbbing steel in his pants where I can't escape.

I don't want to escape.

I want him.

He bites my bottom lip, sucking it into his mouth until I'm a mewing pile of passion, and he's managed to slip his tongue into my mouth to claim my taste. He savors me between his teeth and pulls me toward the bed. If begging can't get him to stay, maybe bargaining will.