Marco's POV
The ride back was quiet, but not in an uncomfortable way. Matilda sat beside me, her fingers resting lightly on her lap, her expression unreadable. But I could feel the shift in her. She wasn't running from me not this time.
When we arrived back at the pack house, I didn't take her inside immediately. Instead, I led her to the garden. The moonlight bathed the space in a soft glow, casting shadows over the roses and wildflowers. The scent of earth and night air mixed with her scent, and it did something to me something dangerous.
She turned to me, curiosity in her eyes. "Why are we out here?"
I didn't answer right away. Instead, I reached for her hand, guiding her toward the stone bench in the center of the garden. She sat, watching me carefully as I stood in front of her.
"I wanted a little more time with you," I admitted.
Her lips parted slightly, but she said nothing.
I crouched before her, reaching up to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. She stiffened slightly but didn't pull away.
"You're thinking too much," I murmured.
She let out a shaky breath. "I just… I don't understand why you're being like this."
"Like what?"
"Soft," she whispered.
I smirked. "Would you rather I be rough?"
Her breath hitched, and I felt the way her pulse quickened.
"No," she said quickly.
I leaned back against the bench, smirking as I watched her. "You know, little one, you're much braver than you let on."
She frowned, tilting her head. "What do you mean?"
I shrugged lazily. "You keep saying you're scared of me, yet here you are. alone with me, at night, without trying to run."
She rolled her eyes. "Maybe I just don't think you'll eat me."
I chuckled darkly. "Oh, I could, Matilda. You'd taste sweet."
Her eyes widened slightly, and I grinned, enjoying how easily I could fluster her.
"You're impossible," she muttered, pushing at my chest playfully.
But she underestimated her own strength,or maybe my lack of willingness to resist her touch. Either way, she lost her balance, stumbling forward, and before either of us could stop it, she fell right on top of me.
I caught her instantly, my hands gripping her waist to steady her. But the moment she realized how close we were, she stilled.
Her hands were pressed against my chest, her body half-straddling mine, her breath uneven. She looked up at me, eyes wide, lips parted slightly.
Everything in me tightened.
She didn't move away.
Instead, she moved closer.
It was hesitant at first, like she was testing the waters. But when she leaned in just enough, something inside me snapped.
I met her halfway.
The kiss was soft, unhurried. But it didn't take long for me to realize something she didn't know much about kissing.
Her lips moved tentatively against mine, unsure but eager, letting me guide her.
Good. I should be her first.
A low growl rumbled in my chest as I deepened the kiss slightly, my fingers pressing into her waist. She gasped against my mouth, and I swallowed the sound, taking my time, savoring the feel of her.
Her innocence made something dark and possessive coil inside me. She was mine, even if she didn't fully understand it yet.
I pulled back slowly, resting my forehead against hers, my hands still gripping her waist.
"You started that," I murmured, my voice rough with restraint.
She swallowed hard, her breath uneven. "I… I don't know why I did."
I smirked. "I do."
Her cheeks burned, and she looked away, but I tilted her chin back toward me. "You feel it, don't you?" I whispered. "This pull between us. No matter how much you try to fight it, it's there."
Matilda's face was burning red, her hands nervously fidgeting as she sat frozen on my lap. Her breathing was uneven, and she refused to meet my eyes.
I smirked. So shy.
Her innocence was intoxicating, and it thrilled me to know that no other man had ever kissed her like this,had ever touched her the way I just did.
I lifted a hand and tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear, my fingers brushing against the heat of her cheek. "You're blushing, little one," I murmured, amused.
She scrambled off my lap so quickly she almost tripped over herself. "I–I should go to bed!" she stammered, turning her back to me as if that would somehow erase what just happened.
I chuckled lowly, rising to my feet. "I'll walk you."
She stiffened, then nodded, still not meeting my gaze.
I led her toward the pack house, moving slower than usual, enjoying the way she kept sneaking glances at me but would quickly look away whenever I caught her.
By the time we reached her door, she hesitated, her fingers gripping the handle tightly.
I leaned against the frame, watching her intently. "You don't have to be embarrassed, Matilda."
She still didn't look at me. "I wasn't thinking… I just.I don't know why I did that."
I tilted my head, stepping closer, my voice low. "You kissed me because you wanted to."
She sucked in a sharp breath.
I reached out, trailing my knuckles along her cheek. "And it's okay to want me, little one."
Her breath hitched, but before she could overthink it, I pulled back, giving her space. "Go get some rest," I said softly.
She nodded quickly, slipping inside and shutting the door behind her.
I smirked to myself.
She was running from me.
But soon. she wouldn't want to run at all.
The next morning, I was in my office, going through reports when Darius strolled in without knocking, his usual smirk in place.
"So.how's Matilda?" he asked casually, but I knew him well enough to hear the teasing in his tone.
I didn't look up from my papers. "She's fine."
Darius leaned against the desk, arms crossed. "Just fine? You spent the whole night with her. I expected a more interesting answer."
I shot him a warning glance. "Nothing happened."
Well.not nothing. But the kiss was mine to keep.
Darius raised an eyebrow. "Nothing at all?"
I ignored him, flipping a page in the report. "Why are you really here?"
He sighed dramatically. "Fine, fine. I have news. A distant Alpha,Alpha dominic recently found his mate. He's hosting a grand gathering and has invited Alphas from various packs."
I leaned back in my chair. "And?"
"He sent us an invitation. The gathering is in a month, and you're expected to attend."
I tapped my fingers against the desk, considering. "We'll go."
Darius grinned knowingly. "You should take Luna with you."
I stiffened slightly at the title, but I didn't correct him. Matilda was my Luna, whether she fully accepted it or not.
Darius continued, "It'll be the perfect opportunity to introduce her to the other Alphas. And it'll show that she's yours."
My wolf growled in approval. The idea of showing the world that Matilda belonged to me. pleased me.
I nodded. "Fine. I'll take her."
Darius smirked, clearly enjoying himself. "Think she'll agree?"
I gave him a sharp look. "She will."
She might not realize it yet, but she was already mine.
And soon… the rest of the world would know it too.