Marco's POV
She hesitated for a moment before finally crawling out from under the bed. She sat down on the floor a few feet away from me, hugging her knees to her chest. Her eyes were wary but no longer filled with fear just uncertainty.
I stayed still, giving her space.
"I know you have a lot of questions," I said, my voice steady. "I'll answer them."
She looked at me for a long moment before speaking. "Why did you bring me here?"
I didn't hesitate. "Because you're my mate."
Her brows furrowed in confusion. "What's a mate?"
I studied her, watching the way she searched my face for answers. She really doesn't know.
I exhaled slowly and shifted slightly, resting my arms on my knees. "A mate is.something sacred in my world," I explained. "It's a bond, a connection stronger than anything else. Wolves don't just choose their mates, Matilda. They're fated."
She blinked, clearly struggling to understand. "Fated?"
"Yes," I said. "It's like… destiny. The Moon Goddess chooses one person meant for us someone we're meant to protect, cherish, and love."
Her lips parted slightly, but she didn't say anything.
I continued. "The moment I saw you, I knew. My wolf knew. It's why I can't stay away from you. Why I won't stay away from you."
She swallowed, processing my words. "But I'm not like you. I'm human."
I nodded. "That doesn't matter. The bond doesn't care what you are. It only knows that you're mine."
Her fingers tightened on the fabric of her dress, and she glanced away. "I don't understand any of this," she admitted. "It doesn't make sense."
I leaned in slightly, my voice softer this time. "It doesn't have to make sense right now. But tell me, Matilda.Do you feel it?"
Her head snapped up, her eyes locking onto mine.
I held her gaze, unwavering. "The pull. The connection between us. Do you feel something when I'm near?"
Her lips parted slightly, but she didn't answer right away.
Then, after a long moment, she whispered, "Yes."
Satisfaction rumbled in my chest, but I kept my expression controlled.
I leaned in slightly, my voice low and steady. "After the bite.your body will change."
She swallowed hard.
"You'll go into heat," I continued, watching as her breath hitched. "It's the body's way of completing the bond. The need will build until it's unbearable, and the only thing that will ease it…" I paused deliberately, letting the words settle. "Is me."
Her cheeks darkened even more, and she shifted slightly. The scent of her nervousness mixed with something else something sweeter.
My wolf rumbled in satisfaction.
"And when we mate," I went on, my voice growing huskier, "I will give you my knot."
She let out a small gasp, her lips parting slightly before she snapped her mouth shut.
The moment stretched between us, thick with tension.
She didn't ask what a knot was, but I could see the wariness in her eyes, the unspoken question lingering there.
Good. I didn't want her to ask. Not yet.
Because if she did, I would have to tell her the truth that once we started, there would be no stopping. That her body would take me in ways she never imagined. That when my knot locked us together, she would feel everything.
And there would be no going back.
Darius had told me about his own experience when he mated his mate.The heat had been overwhelming, the need consuming. And when it came time for the knot…
His mate had cried.
Not just from pleasure but from the sheer intensity of it.
I clenched my jaw, glancing at Matilda.
She had no idea what awaited her.
No idea how hard it would be for me to hold back when the time came.
Would she cry? Would she beg me to stop? Would she be frightened of me all over again?
The thought sent a sharp pang through my chest.
No. I would make it right for her. I had to.
I forced my voice to remain steady. "You don't have to think about that right now."
She nodded quickly, still avoiding my gaze, her fingers twisting in her lap
"You have time."
I smirked slightly. For now, I would let her hold onto that illusion of control.
Because when the time came…
She would beg for it.
I watched her for a moment longer, letting my fingers linger against her skin before finally pulling back. She was still tense, still processing everything I had told her, but there was something else beneath her nervousnesssomething I could feel through the bond forming between us.
Curiosity.
A soft knock on the door broke the moment. My jaw clenched in irritation as I turned toward it. "What?"
Darius's voice came from the other side. "We need to talk."
I exhaled sharply, glancing at Matilda. She was still sitting on the edge of the bed, her hands curled in her lap, avoiding my gaze. I wanted to stay, to push her just a little further to make her acknowledge the pull between us but duty called.
For now.
I stood, giving her one last lingering look. "Rest, Matilda." My voice was softer now, but still laced with command. "You'll need your strength."
She looked up at me then, her eyes searching mine like she was trying to figure out what I meant. I didn't explain.
I left the room without another word, shutting the door behind me.
Darius stood in the hallway, arms crossed. His expression was unreadable, but I knew him well enough to catch the way his eyes flicked toward the door before settling back on me.
"She's adjusting," he said simply.
I growled lowly. "She will."
Darius didn't comment on that. Instead, he motioned for me to follow. We walked down the hallway in silence until we reached my office. As soon as the door shut behind us, he spoke.
"The rogue we captured finally talked."
My muscles tensed. "And?"
Darius's expression darkened. "They were looking for her."
A cold fury swept through me.
I had suspected it, but hearing it confirmed sent a rush of possessiveness through me so strong my wolf snarled inside my head.
"Who sent them?" My voice was dangerously calm.
Darius exhaled. "They wouldn't say. But we found markings on a few of them black crescent tattoos."
I stiffened.
I knew those marks.
The Black Crescent Pack.
Ruthless. Unstable. A pack that had been scattered after their Alpha was killed years ago. But if they were organizing again…if they were after Matilda.
Then this was more than just a random attack.
This was a threat.
"Why would they want her?" Darius asked, watching me carefully.
I clenched my fists. "I don't know." But I would find out. And when I did, I would burn every last one of them to the ground.
Darius nodded, his expression grim. "We should increase security. Double the border patrols. Keep warriors stationed near Matilda at all times."