A Howling Heart
Chapter forty-seven

For once, an insurmountable sinking feeling pulls me deep into despair. I sniffle, tears searing my eyes before they roll down my cheeks. It feels like hours that my mother convulses in pain, but really, it's only a minute. One last hiss of pain that morphs into a howl until a wolf is staring at me in her place.

My thoughts are unleashed on my tongue. "What... the... hell. What's going on? I don't understand. I thought mating had to be involved for Luna and Alpha to transition. Matias? Matias!"

Matias swallows as my mother whimpers and moves slowly toward me. He makes sure I'm unable to have contact with her, slowly backing us both up until I'm near his jeep. His body is tense and alert.

"I don't know what is going on... but you need to stay behind me, Fae. The first transformation is brutal. Very instinctual. She's not in her right mind. The animal part of her is going to take over. You are just an obstacle in her way."

I shake my head. "Let me see my mother. You're being ridiculous. She's whining; that's not a sign of aggression, Matias."

I move to step around him, but he grabs ahold of my waist, lifting me off the ground. I smack his arm in disapproval.

"I will not let anything happen to you," he asserts gruffly. "Even if it means going against your will."

I beat my fists against his back. "You're being ridiculous!"

My mother wouldn't hurt me...would she?

The sound of a piercing howl startles me. I manage to whip my attention to the wolf and frown as she licks her lips and begins to growl. Her head lowers, her shoulders high, her teeth bared, and her ears erect.

"Now, do you understand? A new wolf is dangerous to everyone." He sets me down and lets out a deep breath. "I need to bring her back to the pack."

She howls, which makes the hairs along my body stand on end.

I don't know how he'll do that. I doubt she will go willingly.

"If she won't go willingly, I will call upon our pack members to guide her." Matias eyes her, taking a step forward with his fists balled down at his sides. "Ego Alpha. You will bow to me and no one else. Lycan blood runs through your veins." I watch as he stares down my mother like they're both secretly communicating, and I shift helplessly beside him. After a few seconds, howls pierce the night sky, and I realize he's called upon others from the pack. Ugh, not Tonya.

I don't want to deal with her. Not after the fact that she let me leave the house knowing it was unsafe. As if she harbors feelings for Matias still and is trying to eliminate the competition. As if it won't also cause Matias's demise in the end not to mate. But some people are selfish. They will tear you down just so you can remain at their level and never leave them. That's Tonya.

I don't trust her...

And the thought of her around Matias...

I shake my head, aware that he can feel my jealousy. At this moment, since my mother has made an odd transition into a wolf that not even the Alpha understands, going on and on about another woman isn't really appropriate.

"We will discuss that later." He comments on my thoughts, and I cross my arms over my chest, unwilling to confirm the doubt in my heart. "Right now, I must get her back to the pack. I must check on Esai."

He whips around and nods to the jeep. "We will drive. Get in."

I peer at the jeep and back at the house with millions of boxes.

Maybe it's best if I just stay back -

"Get in the car. I won't let you out of my sight. Not after what just happened... you are MINE." He growls the word mine to solidify his seriousness, and although I don't want to admit it, his possession makes me shiver. "Making you wet, huh?” Crap. I forget he can read my thoughts. It is so intrusive.

"Get used to it," he teases.

I huff and climb into the car, eyes moving to my mother, who's panting in her spot as the sound of howls near. Matias gets into the car beside me and pulls out quickly.

"Wait! I thought you said they were coming to get her?"

"They are. We need to get back there."

"How will they get her to go?"

He glances sideways at you. "It's a wolf thing."

Everything is a wolf thing.

"Will someone be able to figure out why she turned?"

He shrugs, whipping the car sideways, which causes me to cry before he glares at me.

"Seatbelt. Now."

So bossy...

"I don't joke around when it comes to your safety."

"Clearly," I grumble.

I'm sort of glad...

I spare a glance at him, watching as the corner of his mouth twitches upward in a grin at the last thoughts in my mind.

The drive back to his house is excruciatingly long. My heart frantically pounds in my chest as I think about my mother and her new form.

She's become everything she's despised. She's become the monster she's run from my entire life... the one who took her love from her.

Little did she know my father was using her. He was using her for the title of Alpha. My father didn't care that it would destroy her and filled her head with nonsense about remaining human.

When we return to Matias's house, I hop out of the jeep, and he curses.

"Fae, I need to make sure they have her there safely. I need to check on Esai... if my suspicions are correct, he's changed too."

That thought brings about a fear that's crippling. I reach for the jeep, balancing myself with my hand. Regardless of Esai's past motives, he tried to strangle me. The flashbacks from that rob me of breath and sense as I claw at my own throat. "Fae!" Matias yells for me, but I can't see him. His voice sounds muffled like it's a million miles above the surface, and I'm drowning in painful memories of an assault that I still don't understand.

If he's a wolf, then I'm in danger.

What if Matias can't stop him?

What if he just finishes the job that Nate couldn't?