Matilda Anderson pov
As I woke up, I instinctively reached out beside me, but Marco wasn't there. Maybe he had stepped out. My body ached all over, a painful reminder of last night. Samuel had really roughed me up. My eyelids felt heavy, exhaustion still clinging to me, so I let myself drift back into sleep.
And then, the nightmares returned.
Uncle Richard.
His furious eyes bore into me as he towered above me. His voice, sharp and filled with disgust, echoed in my ears.
"You worthless slut!"
A fist. A slap. The searing pain of his belt against my skin.
I whimpered in my sleep, helpless against the memories that refused to fade.
I whimpered, curling in on myself.
Suddenly, warm hands were on me, shaking me gently. "Matilda," a deep voice called, pulling me from the nightmare's grasp. "Wake up, little one. You're safe."
I gasped, my eyes flying open, my body trembling. Marco's piercing gaze met mine, his brows drawn together in concern. His warmth surrounded me, grounding me.
"Where were you?" My voice cracked as I clung to him. "Please don't leave me."
His strong arms wrapped around me, pulling me against his chest. "I'm right here," he murmured. "I'll never leave you."
A sharp ache radiated through my body, and I whimpered. "Everywhere hurts… my leg… it hurts so much."
Marco's jaw clenched, his eyes darkening with fury, but his touch remained gentle as he brushed my hair back. "Don't worry," he soothed. "The pack doctor is on his way. I won't let anything happen to you, Matilda. I swear it."
His words, his presence, made the pain just a little more bearable.
Marco held me tightly, his warmth chasing away the last traces of my nightmare. His scent earthy, rich, and intoxicating wrapped around me like a protective shield.
I buried my face in his chest, my body wracked with pain. "It hurts so much," I whispered, my voice barely above a breath.
His hand ran through my hair, soothing me. "I know, little one. I know," he murmured. "But you're safe now. No one will ever hurt you again."
Tears burned my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. I had already cried too much in my life. Instead, I focused on Marco, on the steady rhythm of his heartbeat beneath my cheek.
A soft knock at the door made him tense for a moment before he relaxed. "That's the doctor," he said.
He shifted, preparing to move me, but I whimpered at the sharp pain in my leg. He growled lowly, his frustration evident. "I'll carry you."
Before I could protest, his strong arms lifted me effortlessly. I clenched my jaw, trying not to cry out, but the pain was unbearable. A small whimper escaped, and Marco's grip tightened protectively.
"I've got you," he whispered, pressing a soft kiss to my forehead.
The door opened, and a man in his late forties with graying hair and sharp, knowing eyes stepped inside.
"Put her down gently," the doctor instructed, setting his bag on the bedside table.
Marco lowered me onto the bed carefully, his hands lingering on me as if he were afraid I'd disappear.
The doctor's gaze swept over me, assessing my injuries. "She's been through a lot," he said, more to Marco than to me. He pulled out a small vial and a syringe. "I'll need to give her something for the pain before I set her leg."
As the doctor pulled out a syringe, my body tensed instantly. My breath hitched, and my fingers gripped Marco's arm tightly.
"No… no needles," I whispered, shaking my head. My heart pounded against my ribs.
The doctor gave Marco a knowing look. "She needs this for the pain. Otherwise, setting her leg will be unbearable."
Marco sighed, his arms tightening around me. "Matilda, look at me," he commanded softly.
I turned my head, meeting his intense golden gaze.
"I won't let anything happen to you," he promised. "I need you to be strong, little one. Just for a moment."
Tears welled in my eyes as I shook my head again. "I I'm scared." My voice trembled.
His hand cupped my cheek, his touch grounding me. "I know, but I'm here. Hold onto me, as tight as you need to."
The doctor moved closer, and panic surged through me. My breathing turned ragged, and I tried to push away.
Marco's grip tightened, his arms caging me against him. "Shh, you're safe," he murmured into my ear. "I've got you."
I buried my face in his chest, clenching his shirt in my fists. His scent surrounded me, strong and familiar.
"Do it now," Marco ordered.
A sharp sting pricked my skin, and I whimpered, my body jerking instinctively. Marco held me tighter, his lips brushing against my hair. "It's okay, little one. It's over."
The pain faded quickly, replaced by a heavy warmth that spread through my limbs. My grip on Marco loosened as exhaustion washed over me.
"You did so well," Marco whispered, his fingers stroking my back.
My eyelids grew heavy, my body sinking into the comfort of his embrace. As the world blurred around me, the last thing I felt was Marco's steady heartbeat against my cheek.
I drifted in and out of consciousness, the warmth of Marco's embrace anchoring me even as exhaustion pulled me under. His steady heartbeat was like a lullaby, keeping the fear at bay.
At some point, I felt movement gentle hands adjusting the blanket over me, a soft kiss pressed against my forehead. I wanted to open my eyes, to stay awake, but the medicine was too strong.
When I finally stirred again, the room was dim, the glow of a single lantern casting shadows across the walls. My body still ached, but the pain was dull now, distant.
Marco was sitting beside me, his large frame leaning forward, elbows resting on his knees. His eyes were fixed on me, intense and unreadable. The moment I moved, his hand was on mine, warm and protective.
"You're awake," he murmured.
I blinked up at him, my throat dry. "How long was I out?" My voice was barely a whisper.
"A few hours," he said. "The doctor set your leg while you were asleep. He said you need rest."
I exhaled shakily, shifting slightly, but the dull ache in my leg made me wince. Marco's grip on my hand tightened.
"Don't move too much," he warned. "You're healing, but it will take time."
I swallowed, staring at his face so strong, so full of barely restrained anger. I knew that anger wasn't directed at me, but at what had happened. At Samuel.
"You're mad," I said softly.
His jaw clenched, his golden eyes flashing. "I should've killed him." His voice was low, dangerous. "I will kill him."
A shiver ran down my spine, but not from fear. From the sheer force of his rage.
I squeezed his hand weakly. "Marco… just stay with me." My voice trembled.
His expression softened instantly, his thumb brushing over my knuckles. "I'm not going anywhere, little one."
Tears pricked my eyes, the weight of everything pressing down on me. My body hurt, my heart ached, but Marco was here.
He shifted closer, tucking the blankets around me with surprising gentleness. "Rest, Matilda," he murmured. "I'll be right here when you wake up."
I wanted to stay awake, to keep feeling the safety of his presence, but exhaustion pulled at me once again. With Marco's hand holding mine, I let my eyes drift closed, knowing that for the first time in a long time I was truly safe