A Howling Heart
Chapter forty-nine

I'm not arguing about this right now. Not when I'm so worried about my mom.

The howls pierce the night sky before I hear the viscous sound of growling and jaws snapping. It's followed by whimpering. Fear creeps deep into my bones, creating a home within me again. Matias tenses with me in his arms. He listens intently for a moment, his eyes flickering over the woods. A bitter curse leaves his lips, and my unease heightens to dangerous proportions.

"Matias, what's going on?" My voice shakes, and I reach for him.

His jaw ticks, and he shoves a hand through his hair. Something flickers in his gaze, but he puts up his impassive wall again, and I cannot detect his feelings. "Nothing. I need to get you back to the mansion." He picks up his pace, jogging with me in his arms effortlessly. I still have to admit that this otherworldly strength is impressive and shocking. I've never experienced it, so seeing Matias is astounding sometimes. Being Alpha sure has its perks.

The faster he moves through the trees, the quicker the mansion enters the clearing. The wind whips past my face, stirring my hair and causing wispy strands to free themselves in uneven patterns. The smell of dew touches the air as if it will rain soon. The sky is filled with dark gray clouds that threaten a storm.

I cling to Matias as he runs with me, letting his warmth seep into my body to clear away some of the bitter coldness of anxiety. His closeness does its job and calms my nerves as we go deeper into the forest near our destiny. "Don't worry, Fae, I will protect you at all costs. I don't want you to ever think you are defenseless when you are with me. Understood?" His husky voice is level with a sureness that is contagious. I gobble it up and smile warmly up at him. "I honestly believe you will defend me if ever needed." I mean those words. I can feel their truth in my heart, settled and unwavering. This man may have been intentionally obtuse with me when I first moved here at the beginning of our relationship, but he has come a long way.

Each trial we enter brings us closer. As sad as I am about the drama and chaos, I am happy to have grown in my trust and desire for a man who so clearly wants the best for me and desires me with a passion not only derived from fate's calling of us together as Alpha and Luna but also because there's attraction, friendship, joy, and comfortableness between us.

Even if we were just a "regular" couple, I feel like we could make it.

The thought makes me smile. I glance at Matias, and he's smiling briefly, too.

I hear Tonya yelling Matias's name when we get to the mansion.

We can never catch a break from this girl.

I grit my teeth, feeling tension in my jaw and a headache forming behind my temples.

"Matias! Quick. It's Esai."

My eyes shoot open. Fear smothers my protests for a moment, keeping me paralyzed in my soon-to-be mate's arms, but that paralyzing effect wears off the moment I spot Tonya, and I realize she is full-blown naked.

And, of course, she's naked... Why wouldn't she be? Is this why she and Matias have a thing? Because the women in this pack just run around with everything on display?

The thought makes me scoff.

"Fae, be nice," Matias whispers.

Tonya rushes toward us both as we near the front door, and my eyes skate down her naked flesh. And I swear she grins at me like she knows her nudity is bothering me, cocks her hip in a way that reveals way too much of her lower half and moves her arms wildly while speaking so her upper half bounces freely for all eyes, most importantly, my Alpha's eyes, to see.

I want to slap some sense into her. To show her truly that those tactics aren't going to work on him. If they haven't worked then, why would they now? She's desperate, and it's pathetic.

A sharp bark of laughter leaves Matias's lips before he smoothers it with a cough and addresses her.

"Yes, Tonya?"

She bats her lashes, probably hoping to catch his eyes drifting, but he hasn't looked below her shoulders as far as I can tell.

Who knew I'd be dealing with high school jealousy and drama as an adult...

Fighting over a man...

But I can't control who my destiny is.

"It's important."

"Then get on with it," he growls. "I need to get Fae inside."

Tonya's eyes narrow and linger on me for far too long. "Of course. Whatever to keep her safe." The last sentence sounds disingenuous. She doesn't care about my safety. I wish she'd just let those true colors come out. Let's see how ugly she is as a person.

She sounds utterly sarcastic, but Matias doesn't seem to notice. I frown at her, narrowing my eyes. I can tell she doesn't like me. From the moment I saw her the day I found out werewolves existed, perched naked in the clearing. She wants my position.

She wants to be the Alpha's mate.

"But she will not," Matias replies sternly.

I firm my lips, glancing at Tonya, who seems to have heard Matias. I grin and raise my brows.

This wolf gene is turning me into a jealous, petty woman.

Matias snickers as I get inside the mansion, and he finally sets me down. I frown at the loss of his touch, and regardless of my disagreement on bearing his children, I still crave his intimacy like you do oxygen. I crave closeness.

A chorus of howls echo in the woods, and my eyes bulge.

Matias points a finger at the ground. "Stay here. I will be back." His eyes sweep over the woods again like there's real danger.

"Are we okay? Are we under attack by the Amoux's?"

He frowns and inhales deeply. "I have to go. You need to remain here. I'll give you more information as soon as I receive it."

Matias goes to leave me, but I can't help thinking that I should savor this moment for a few minutes, take a minute to give him a proper goodbye, one with a kiss and a promise of tomorrow in his arms. Wait.

I grab his hand, watching Tonya stand in the doorway, watching both of us. I make sure to look right at her as I move my body into his before I lift on my toes and press my mouth against his, a soft groan pulling from my mouth at the feel of his tongue sweeping my bottom lip.

Mine.

"Yours," he says in your mind. "Be safe, please."

"Take care of my mother."

"Yes, Anima mea."

When I finally pull away, Matias growls and wraps his arms around my waist before claiming my lips once more, and I'm powerless to his lips. They feel so warm and like home.

It's hard to deny destiny when it feels familiar And comforting.

I let him go, worry furrowing my brows.

What if that whining wolf is my mom?

What if she's not okay?

When he finally pulls away, Tonya is fuming.

I've never fought over a man, but the innate possession and aggression that comes over me when he's in her presence is too strong. When he twists, a sickening growl breaks through the trees. "It's Esai! He's dead."