Marco's pov
I stood in silence, my gaze fixed on the house.
She ran from me.
The realization sat like a stone in my chest, but I shoved the feeling down. Now wasn't the time. The pack needed me.
Turning away, I forced myself to focus. "Pack meeting. Immediately."
Within minutes, my warriors gathered in the main hall, their faces tense. The scent of blood still lingered in the air, mixing with the earth and sweat of battle.
"Report," I commanded, my voice sharp.
One of my warriors, Gregor, stepped forward. "There were plenty of them, Alpha. More than usual."
My jaw tightened. "How did they get this far? No one thought to secure the Luna my queen?"
The room fell silent.
Some of them lowered their heads in shame.
I exhaled through my nose, my patience wearing thin. "How many pack members died?"
"None," Gregor answered.
Relief was brief.
"What did they want?" I demanded. "Who sent them?"
Murmurs spread through the warriors. Some were just as confused as I was.
Darius, standing at my right, crossed his arms. "I've already started tracing their movements. We have a few of them captured. They'll talk."
I let his words settle, my hands clenching at my sides.
Whoever sent them made a mistake.
A fatal one.
I would find out who dared to send rogues into my territory.
And I would make them pay.
I turned to Darius. "Take me to the ones we captured."
He nodded, leading me out of the hall and toward the dungeons. My warriors parted as I passed, their gazes lowering in respect but I could feel the tension in the air. They had failed to protect Matilda.
I had failed.
And I wouldn't let it happen again.
The dungeons were cold and damp, the scent of blood and sweat thick in the air. Torches flickered along the stone walls, casting long shadows. The moment I stepped inside, low growls filled the space.
The captured rogues were chained to the walls, their bodies bruised from the fight. They glared at me, but there was something else beneath their rage.
Fear.
Good.
I stepped closer to the first one, a filthy-looking wolf with matted fur and red-rimmed eyes. He bared his teeth at me, but I could smell the way his scent wavered he was nervous.
I crouched in front of him, my golden eyes locking onto his. "Who sent you?"
The rogue spat at my feet. "Go to hell, Alpha."
I didn't react. Instead, I reached into my pocket, pulled out a silver blade, and pressed it lightly against his arm. His skin sizzled instantly, a strangled hiss escaping his lips.
"I'll ask again," I said, my voice dangerously calm. "Who sent you?"
He writhed but refused to speak.
Coward.
Darius stepped forward, cracking his knuckles. "Let me handle this one, Marco."
I exhaled slowly, standing to my full height. "Make it quick."
Darius smirked darkly before grabbing the rogue by the jaw, forcing him to look at him. "You'll talk," he promised, his voice laced with menace. "One way or another."
I turned away as the sounds of breaking bones and strangled screams echoed behind me.
I had more important matters to deal with.
Matilda.
I left the dungeons, my mind still burning with unanswered questions. But right now, there was only one thing I needed to do.
Find Matilda.
She had seen me shift. She had run from me.
I could still see the fear in her eyes, the way she backed away before bolting inside.
I hated that look.
And I hated that I was the reason for it.
When I reached her room, I found Elera standing at the door, arms crossed. The moment she saw me, she let out a sigh.
"She won't open the door," she said.
I clenched my jaw, reaching for the handle. Locked.
"I'll break it down," I growled.
Elera immediately stepped between me and the door, placing a hand on my chest. "Marco, no. That will only scare her more."
"She ran from me," I said, my voice lower this time. "She thinks I'm a monster."
Elera softened slightly but didn't move. "Then don't act like one."
I narrowed my eyes.
She sighed again and shook her head. "Give me a second. I'll get the spare key."
I exhaled sharply, but I didn't argue. Instead, I stood there, fists clenched at my sides, trying to force down my frustration.
Minutes later, Elera returned and handed me the key. "Go in," she said. "But gently, Marco."
I said nothing as I took the key, sliding it into the lock. The door clicked open.
The room was dim, the curtains drawn. I stepped inside, my gaze scanning the space.
Empty.
But then a sound.
A small shuffle.
I turned my head sharply toward the bed.
She was hiding.
I let out a slow breath, moving closer. "Matilda," I called, keeping my voice even.
No response.
I crouched slightly, looking beneath the bed.
There she was, curled up, her arms wrapped tightly around herself.
My chest tightened.
She was hiding from me.
I had fought wars. I had faced enemies that made men cower in fear. But this,seeing her afraid of me was something I wasn't prepared for.
I wanted to drag her out, to force her to see that she had nothing to fear from me.
But that wasn't the way.
So instead, I exhaled slowly and lowered myself to the floor, sitting beside the bed.
"I'm not leaving," I said, my voice calm. "But I won't force you to come out either."
Silence.
I leaned my head back against the frame, staring at the ceiling. "You can stay under there for as long as you need," I continued. "I'll wait."
More silence.
Then, after a long moment, I heard the quietest whisper.
"Why?"
My fingers curled slightly against the floor.
"Because you're mine," I said, closing my eyes briefly. "And I don't run from what's mine."
Silence stretched between us.
I stayed still, listening to the sound of her breathing uneven, hesitant. She was scared, but she hadn't told me to leave. That was something.
"I don't expect you to understand everything right now," I said quietly. "But I need you to know this I will never hurt you, Matilda."
No response.
I turned my head slightly, looking at the edge of the bed. "You think I kidnapped you and forced you into this world. And maybe I did," I admitted. "But I won't apologize for keeping you safe."
A small shuffle.
I didn't move.
"My world is dangerous," I continued. "What you saw today.That's who I am. That's what I was born as. But it doesn't change what you mean to me."
Another small shift. She was listening.
I let out a slow breath. "You saw my wolf, and you ran. You were afraid."
Still, no answer.
I clenched my jaw. "You can be afraid, Matilda. But never of me."
More silence.
Then, barely above a whisper, she finally spoke. "It was just so much."
I exhaled, relief washing over me that she was at least talking. "I know."
A pause.
Then she whispered again. "You looked like a monster."
The words hit deep.
I stayed silent for a moment before I said, "I am a monster. But never to you."
Another shuffle.
Finally, a small hand peeked out from under the bed, gripping the blanket. Her fingers tightened on the fabric.
"I don't know what to think, Marco," she whispered.
I turned my head, looking at the small bit of her that was visible. "Then don't think. Just feel."
A pause.
Then, slowly, she moved.
Her head peeked out from beneath the bed, her blue eyes uncertain, wary. But she was looking at me.
I stayed still, not wanting to scare her again.
She swallowed, her gaze searching mine. "I don't want to go."
My chest tightened.
I reached out carefully, brushing my fingers against hers. "Then stay."