A Howling Heart
Chapter four

For the remainder of the day, he's in my head. Like a high I can't escape. His husky voice is the narrator of my thoughts. With each blink, he reappears behind my closed eyelids, and the familiarity that wades in my gut is stifling. He's probably just one of those people who tends to remind others of someone. That's it.

Either way, I'm thankful to be employed.

I bristle through the house, the night sky blackening the world as I peer out the window. I smooth my dress, flicking off the hallway light when I run into my mother coming out of her bedroom.

"Oh!" I let out a deep breath, hand against my chest as I tightly close my eyes. She chuckles before I feel her feathery touch along my wrist.

"Fae? Where are you going?"

When I finally open my eyes, I note her expression of concern. I place my hand over hers, reassuringly squeezing before she pulls away and lets her arm hang by her side.

I almost don't want to tell her because she's been so worried about the move and this town.

But she'll worry more if I don't tell her.

"I got a job. Taking care of an elderly man. It's very good pay, and we need the money."

I gently rub her arm and offer her a soft smile. Her brows knit together warily, and she shakes her head.

"Fae, I just want you to be careful, okay? This place... this town. There's a lot of negative memories I've had here."

"Like what?"

I don't like the ominous feeling behind her words.

She shakes her head and sighs. She's never been open about her time here. As close as the two of us are, she's never trusted me enough to relay her secrets. It hurts me, but I mask it with a tight-lipped smile. "I should go."

I turn around, glad she can't see the disappointment wavering in my eyes, as I move towards the stairs.

"Fae, please be careful."

"I wish I knew what to be careful of, but yeah. Noted."

I jog down the steps, the skirt of my dress swaying as I hastily move to the door and throw it open.

If it's not worth mentioning, it must not be much of a threat...

Maybe it was just me, but Matias was intense.

And I swear it was like he was reading my damn thoughts or something.

I hop into the driver's seat and huff out a deep breath.

I've never had a man stare at me so intently, regardless of age.

I pull out of my driveway, eyes moving over the window beside the front door, and I notice my mother with her face practically pressed against it and her eyes slightly widened. She worries too much.

His house is the way I left it, only this time, there are a few lights on, and somehow, in the darkness, it seems even more still than when I first ever arrived. No movement inside further heightens my anxiety as I move to the door. I recheck my phone quickly to ensure I've made it on time.

Punctuality is important.

When I lift my hand to knock, the door is yanked open before my fist makes contact, and there he stands every bulging inch of him. I blink a few times, inwardly cursing at myself as I find my eyes sliding over his face to the ropey muscle along his shoulders and upper body.

"I- Matias. Sorry."

I shake my head, completely flustered by his presence. I laugh awkwardly and rub the back of my neck. His eyes hold the maturity of someone way older than him. Much older than me...

I typically pride myself on my maturity, especially at the age of 23, but now, standing before a man who seems mentally aged, I find myself feeling like a damn infant.

To him, I probably am. I'm most likely just a girl in his eyes. Not a woman.

Disappointment hits me powerfully, and I almost see what looks like his eye twitching with annoyance.

"Am I late?"

He slowly lifts a brow, and his jaw tenses.

"Are you?"

Uh... is he answering a question with a question.

"I'm sorry.. If I upset you."

Wordlessly, he spins around and stalks into the house. From his behavior earlier in the day, I know this is my cue to follow him into the depths of the house. I close the door quietly behind me, not wanting to wake whoever else lives in the house.

Does he always look like he's in a foul mood?

My steps falter when I notice some people scattered around his living room.

What the...

I feel my face warm as all eyes move to me. Matias is standing there watching me as well.

"Hello."

I'm confused.

And a little worried... Am I safe?

"No one's going to hurt you. Don't mind them."

I pass my eyes over the small crowd of people, offering them a small smile and a quick wave.

"Hi. I'm Fae."

Not that it matters.

A woman with long brown hair on the couch narrows her eyes at me as I wave, and my discomfort is amplified. That is until I hear Nate's voice from the next room. I spot him eating whipped cream from a hot beverage in the kitchen. "Fae?" He rises, tossing his spoon on the table and walking over to me.

My face lights up as he nears, and I throw my arms around him, thankful for the familiar face.

"Whoa, you alright?" He chuckles, unkeen to my lack of caution. He pats my back, and I apologize as I step back from him.

"Sorry, sorry."

"Don't apologize. It's nice to see a friendly face. Unlike this bunch."

He gestures with his thumb to the girl I was just warmly acknowledging. He laughs.

"I hope Matias isn't giving you a run for your money."

No, but he's intimidating as hell.

Matias clears his throat, and I turn my attention back to him, aware of how every single time I set my eyes upon him, the wind rushes from my lungs, and I feel my heart flutter in my chest as an electrical current seemingly passes between me. Shameless attraction that's probably one-sided.

Wonderful.

Nate crosses his arms over his chest. "Well, I'll let you get back to what you were doing. It was good seeing you."

"You too. We should get together sometime this week. I could use someone showing me the town. God knows my mother isn't up to it."

He nods and offers me a warm smile.

"Sounds good. I'll show you all of the sights."

The piercing sound of a wolf's howl startles me into jumping, and I press my hand against my chest, an apologetic expression moving over my face.

"Sorry. That sounded close. Are there a lot of wolves in the woods?"

My mother never mentioned that.

The silence in the room confuses me. I firm my lips when no one answers, about to mutter a pathetic goodbye and hurry out of the room when Matias speaks. "Yes. There are."

"Oh wow. Is anyone worried about them attacking?"

A chorus of laughter echoes around the room, and I frown.

What's so funny? I'd be worried about that.

"You shouldn't worry about that. The wolves keep to themselves, so as long as they aren't bothered."

Why does he talk about that like they aren't wild animals? You can't control them.

He casts a bleak look at me before he nods.

"Come."

He whips around and heads towards the stairs, his back corded with tensed muscles.

Have I offended him?

I scurry after him, reaching for the banister as we both ascend the steps.

Maybe I should apologize.

I contemplate what to say to him, hoping it'll dissuade the dour mood that's overcome him.

"Matias, I'm sorry -"

When we get to the top of the steps, he whips around, and I run directly into his firm chest. He grips my arms, and that electricity I've been feeling pulsates so potently, I feel my skin heating beneath his large hands. Holy... What is that?

I move to step back from him, but my legs don't listen to my thoughts or commands. They remain glued to the floor. His eyes bore into mine like every secret part of me is completely exposed for him. Like I'm utterly vulnerable to him.

His name is on my lips, but it doesn't roll off my tongue. I'm speechless. I am glued to my spot like his gaze commands my body.

"Do I make you nervous, Fae?

Yes.

So very much.

I shake my head, hoping my blush doesn't give away the fact I'm lying, as I feel the blazing heat along the skin of my cheeks. My eyes skate to his lips, which roam over the darkened pink flesh as his upper lip slowly curls upward to reveal a canine tooth.

He's invigorating.

He uses a hand to cup my chin and tilt my head to level my eyes with his.

"Answer me."

His words aren't a question. He demands it from me, and I find myself shamelessly obeying.

"No, you don't."

An agitated rush of air escapes his lungs, and he clicks his tongue disappointedly at me. "You're lying again," he replies.

How the hell can he tell?

"I'm not."

He tightens his grip on my chin, and I feel slight pain along my skin, but I still don't move to stop it.

"You can't hide things from me."

He sounds so sure of himself.

His thumb grazes my bottom lip, making it pucker out like I'm pouting. His gaze keeps me entranced.

"Let's try that again."

He wants me to confess he makes me nervous.

So fricken nervous it makes me warm in my most intimate places.

I swallow and purse my lips. A heavy sigh follows.

"Yes. You make me nervous."

My words are a whisper, yet they sound deafening within the silent air surrounding us.

"So nervous it makes my head spin."

He moves slightly closer to me. I swear he's going to kiss me. I'm almost sure of it as his tongue slowly glides along his bottom lip, moistening and preparing his delectable mouth for the pressure of mine upon it.

Do I even want him to kiss me?

It would be a complication. An extraordinary, tempting complication.

I do want him to kiss me.