A Howling Heart
Chapter Fifty-Eight

"Wait, wait, wait," he grabs my arm and spins me around. My body crashes against his. With a powerful hold, he wraps his arm around my waist and huffs out a breath. Those dark eyes flicker to my lips before he replies defeatedly. "You win. I will not think about ending my life." The indirect way his eyes move away when he says the words makes me question the legitimacy of his promise.

"Why do I still not believe you?" I squirm against his hold. His grip only tightens. He lowers his mouth to mine, swiping a kiss from my lips.

"You have to believe me. I spoke the words. There. Now, will you have a bath with me?"

"I am not sure I want to indulge your ego," I respond, my nose upturned. He pulls away, chuckling.

"You are too adorable not to be with right now."

"Mhm.” I roll my eyes and tap his arm. "Are you going to let go now?"

He groans and buries his head in my neck. The warmth of his breath sends chills rolling down my spine. "Do I have to?"

I snicker when he nuzzles my neck and unsuccessfully shove at his shoulders to get him away from me so the tickling will stop. "Yes! Yes! You're tickling me!"

He pulls his face away from the crook of my neck and grins. "That was too much fun. But you can't blame me for not wanting to let go of you, Fae. I almost lost you forever. I am unsure how I will ever be able to breathe or relax when you're not in my presence."

My heart calls out to him in response to the grief in his voice. I feel his pain as if we share one body. I wrap my arms around his waist, hugging him tightly before pulling back. "I understand, Matias. Once we are mated, maybe you will feel more at ease."

"Maybe," he parrots and finally releases me.

"I guess it doesn't hurt to seize the moment." I throw my arms around his neck, standing on my tippy toes before pressing my mouth against his. The heat from his breath mingles with mine as I mold my lips together in a synchronous dance of desire. His tongue glides teasingly along my bottom lip, causing me to gasp with excitement.

He is all man...

All wolf.

All Alpha.

I trail my hands over his shoulders and down to his chest. The sound of his groan almost makes me lose my resolve, but with a firm huff of air, I gently push him back. "B-Bath time."

I stutter breathlessly, and he licks his lips before biting them with his teeth.

"You're right. We should. But I don't want to stop."

I take a few slow blinks and firm my lips with disappointment.

"I don't want to either, but we should. We have a bath to take."

He narrows his eyes to scrutinize my face for a moment before turning around and drawing the bath. I'm surprised when he pulls out bath salts and bubble baths. "Where did you get that?"

"Tonya." After he says her name, his shoulders tense as if he knows I'll be angry about that response. He's right. I am.

Of course, it had to be her. Of course!

And they're in his bathroom?

Jealousy moves over me, and I tense. The fact that her bath stuff is in his bathroom makes me nauseous. I glare at the bubble bath as he adds it to the water that's filling the tub.

He probably used them when they were intimate.

Those are just the leftovers.

How many times were they in this bath together?

He whips around so fast I feel my eyes bulge, and I stumble backward while clutching my hands to my chest. My heart pounds quickly, making my chest feel tight as I notice his darkened gaze. "Have you forgotten I am inside your mind?" He tilts his head a fraction before arching a brow. "Are you jealous, My Fae?"

A smug grin slowly spreads on his face, and I glare at him before crossing my arms over my chest.

"Does that make you happy?" I swat at him with a sour look on my face.

"It's cute."

"Not to me."

"I like it when you're possessive."

I hate being jealous... it makes me think violent thoughts, and that's not like me.

He steps forward, and I shake my head, but that only makes him chuckle.

He clicks his tongue tauntingly. "My gentle Fae, you are the only one worthy of me. Haven't I made that clear?"

Well, it still doesn't excuse the fact that her stuff was in his bathroom.

"You are the only woman I want... The only one I want to hold. The only one who will stand by my side and rule."

I scoff and roll my eyes.

A devious look takes the place of his earnest one, and my eyes widen a fraction in alarm.

"You and that attitude of yours. Apparently, it needs a little adjusting," he teases.

I don't get time to respond. He scoops me up, fully clothed, and lightly tosses me in the bath. The warm water engulfs me completely, making my clothing stick to my body annoyingly, but when I emerge with hair plastered to my face, I begin laughing hysterically.

Matias joins along in laughing and places both hands on the side of the tub to lean forward menacingly. "I'd start believing the man who will practically be your husband soon if I were you?"

I narrow my eyes at him. "Oh, really?"

He nods. "Uh-huh."

"Well, you asked for it." I quickly scoop water up in my palms and toss it at his face, watching it smack him in his nose and mouth. Laughter bubbles up uncontrollably once again. I fall backward into the bath, clutching my mouth and tummy as I'm overwhelmed with glee.

Matias climbs in, half-dressed as before, and plops down like we are two teenagers just enjoying the moment. I couldn't ask for anything better.

I still am in awe that this man will be all mine.

The bath remains a playful atmosphere. Matias puts so many bubbles in the water that we don't even need to lather up because we are covered with them. Once I started shivering, he helped me rinse off with the shower hose and concluded that we should exit. It shows me just how an Alpha takes care of his mate.

I am ready to become one.