Chapter 39

Matteo:

Finding my mate has to be the best thing that’s ever happened to me.

Goddess, I can’t stop thanking the heavens for blessing me with someone so beautiful, brilliant, and fiercely confident.

And moving her into the packhouse? Definitely one of my smartest decisions.

Now, I get to see her… wake up next to her… every single day.

“Alpha!” Damon’s voice slices through my thoughts.

I blink, turning to him. “Yeah?”

“You okay?” He narrows his eyes. “Because, Why the hell are you sitting there, grinning like that? We were literally in the middle of a serious conversation.”

It’s only then I realize I’m still smiling like a lovesick fool. I shift in my seat, clear my throat, and try to pull myself together. “My bad. Where were we?”

“We were talking about whether we should strike Dylan’s pack first… before he hits us.”

I tear my gaze away from him, clenching jaw tight. He’s not wrong.

Ever since Dylan threatened us—and those captured warriors confessed he was behind the staged attack—Damon’s been breathing down my neck about launching a counterstrike.

And now, with news that Dylan’s forming alliances with other Alphas…

Still, I can’t bring myself to do it.

“We only strike if he does, Damon,” I mutter. “I still think he’s bluffing. Dylan’s a coward.”

“What if he’s not? Think about it, Matteo. If he’s building an alliance, that could tip the balance. Especially if one of those Alphas is Hunter.”

I tense.

“Their warriors can’t match ours,” I argue, but it sounds weak. Even to me.

“Seriously?” Damon scoffs. “Fine, Dylan’s warriors are trash. But if Hunter joins forces with him, we might actually have a real fight on our hands. You know he’s the only Alpha whose warriors can hold their own against ours.”

I blink a few times and rake a hand through my hair. Damn it. He’s got a point.

Dylan is slick. Manipulative as hell. I wouldn’t put it past him to sweet-talk Hunter into siding with him.

“But would Hunter even go that far?”I ask. “The least he could do is be fùcking grateful. We literally saved his entire pack with the cure for that virus,”

“Oh right. After you demanded 70% of his monthly proceeds and kicked him out of the hospital like he was some common criminal?” Damon snorts. “Yeah, Matteo. Real generous.”

I roll my eyes. “He deserved it. The bastard was harassing my mate.”

Then I let out a heavy sigh. “We’ll just tighten security around the packhouse. Post more—”

But my words trail off the second I hear a small, familiar voice call out.

“Alpha!”

I turn, heart skipping a beat. There she is—my pretty girl, racing toward me with her backpack bouncing on her shoulder.

“Bel, baby!” I say, before opening her arms wide.

She throws herself into my chest, and I wrap her up in a tight hug. My fingers run gently through her hair as I pull back just enough to look into those big, stunning eyes of hers.

How the hell did someone as beautiful as her come from Hunter?

It doesn’t matter.

He doesn’t know. And even if he does, he’s never… I mean, NEVER taking her from me.

Not while I’m still breathing.

“Alpha!” she says again, this time with a pout and those classic puppy-dog eyes.

Oh, I know that look. She always gets her way when she pulls that.

“Yes, Bel baby?” I ask, already half smiling.

“Can you please come with me to school tomorrow? We’re having a game party, and we’re supposed to bring our mummy and daddy!”

I chuckle, heart melting a little at how excited she looks. “Why not?”

“Really?” Her lashes flutter, and her voice rises an octave. “You’ll come as my..daddy?”

“Of course, Isabel,” I say, reaching out to pinch her cheeks.

She squeals instantly. “Yay! Thank you, Alpha Daddy! I love you!”

“I love you too, princess.”

She throws her arms around me again in one of her tight little hugs. And just as quickly, she pulls away, gives me the brightest smile, and darts off—leaving me sitting there with my heart in my throat.

“Okay, that was adorable. I think I’m gonna cry,” Damon snickers beside me.

I laugh under my breath, still feeling the warmth of Isabel’s hug.

I’m about to pick up where we left off, but before I can get a word out, a sweet voice echoes through the mindlink.

‘Where are you, Matteo? I’ve searched the entire room and can’t find you anywhere.’

A grin tugs at my lips.

‘Someone’s missing me, huh?’

She snorts. I can practically hear the eye-roll.

‘I’m on my way. Expect me any minute now,’ I reply, already smiling wider than I should be.

Without another word, I push up from my seat. Damon groans.

“Where are you off to now? We were in the middle of something important.”

“Yeah,” I say, leaning in and giving Damon’s shoulders a quick rub. “That’ll hold for now. I’ve got something more important to handle, hm?”

He chuckles, and I catch the knowing look in his eyes. He gets it.

Without waiting for a reply, I turn and head down the hallway toward our room—

Where Anika is.

The second I step in, I spot her standing in front of the mirror, carefully removing her jewelry. Her back is to me, and for a moment, I just watch her. The quiet grace in her movements. The way the soft lighting dances across her skin.

“When did you get back?” I ask, my voice low as I slowly make my way toward her.

“Not long ago,” she replies with a sigh. “Goddess, You don’t want to how severely stressed out I am.”

Now behind her, I pause, letting my eyes take her in through the mirror.

God, she looks tired. But still so damn beautiful.

I reach out and gently pull her into me, brushing aside the loose strands of hair that cling to her neck. I dip my head and breathe her in. Warm. Soft. Her scent wrapping around me like home.

I press my lips to the side of her neck, not even kissing..just grounding myself there.

“I missed you,” I murmur into her skin.

“Oh, trust me,” she murmurs, voice low and teasing. “I missed you more.”

I smirk, brushing a knuckle down her arm. “Then why don’t I… you know, help you unwind a little? Ease the stress… make you feel energized and very revitalized.”

She lets out a soft chuckle and slowly turns to face me. Her eyes flicker with curiosity and something a little darker. Then her hand rises, resting lightly against my chest.

“Would you be kind enough to tell me what that revitalization looks like?” she says, her voice barely above a whisper. “Because I think I really need it right now.”

I can’t help but laugh under my breath. Goddess, she has no idea what she’s just invited.

My right hand slips beneath her blouse, slowly trailing upward until it finds the soft swell of her breast beneath her bra. I fumble for a moment before pulling one out, fingers pinching her nipple gently between them.

She gasps..while a soft moan escapes her lips.

“You asked for it,” I murmur.

My other hand sweeps her hair aside.

And then, I crash my lips onto hers, hungry and unrestrained.