Chapter 2

Matthew

"What are you thinking?" Natasha clung her hands on my arms, which I instantly got rid of.

The image of Emerald's pain-filled eyes when I rejected her raced through my mind, filling me with overwhelming guilt. The touch of another woman now felt like a sin. Rejecting Emerald tonight was never my intention, but circumstances took an unexpected turn.

"Are you regretting your decision now?"

Yes, I am regretful. We're talking about my mate, after all. But there's nothing I can do to change the situation. I've already made a promise to Natasha that I will take responsibility for her pregnancy, and I won't back down from it. A promise is a promise. Even though it means disappointing the woman who was meant for me, I've chosen to honor my commitment.

"Matthew I hope you won't forget what you promised me," Natasha sighed, leaving my side after getting no reaction from me.

If only Natasha's father were not so strict and willing to accept whoever his daughter's mate was, perhaps everything wouldn't be this complicated. There would be no one involved in this mess.

Frustrated, I throw away the cigarette before exiting the venue. My conscience will not allow me to rest until I have had a tailored conversation with Emerald. I want to tell her everything.

"Did you see where the woman in the mauve dress went?" I asked the security personnel stationed just outside the venue.

"She left 15 minutes ago, sir, and she went straight to the parking lot," he replied.

I sniffed the air, catching a lingering hint of her sweet scent wafting through my nostrils. I followed it until it led me to a nearby pub. She hadn't returned home?

I entered the establishment and scanned the entire place. I quickly spotted Emerald in the midst of the crowd. She seemed a bit tipsy as she sensually danced with a man beside her. My blood boiled with rage as I noticed other hungry-looking men leering at her body.

Fuck off, she's all mine.

"What the fuck are you doing?" I hissed, snaking my hand on her waist.

She stopped midway as her neck slowly turned in my direction. Her emerald fox eyes shone so brightly at the dimness of the place. There was an apparent disgust, anger, and hate directed at me.

I can't blame her.

"What more do you want, Matthew? Was rejecting me not enough to satisfy your conscience?" she hissed menacingly, her words followed by a low, haunting wolf growl.

My wolf whimpered in agony. We had severed the bond, but her pain still managed to reach me, like a piercing thorn in my heart. Desperation consumed me, and I longed to pull her into a comforting embrace. But it felt wrong, given the tangled mess of our situation.

"Leave me alone, Matthew. We're fucking done!"

Emerald wanted me out completely, and I understood her reasons. I should respect her wishes, but I couldn't bear to leave her amidst these lecherous men. Earlier, I had wanted to talk to her, to clear things up. Now, my sole desire was for her to leave this unsafe place.

"I want you to go home, Emerald." My voice almost sounded pleadingly.

It's the only way to keep her safe especially since she's drunk.

"You're such a hypocrite. Unbelievable!" she yelled before turning her back at me.

She proved to be even more stubborn than I had imagined. Natasha was waiting for me back at the pack house, and I needed to return before her father arrived. However, leaving Emerald in this situation was not an option.

If I had to use my power to make her listen, I was prepared to do it. By hook or by crook, I was determined to ensure she went home safely. I won't let her pettiness do her wrong.

"Mathilda, bring her back to the homestead," I commanded Emerald's friend.

Perhaps Mathilda could tame the vixen; after all, they were friends. Emerald wouldn't listen to me due to sheer pride and perhaps anger, but Mathilda had done no wrong to her, so she might be more receptive to her persuasion.

"May I know Matthew why my dearest friend hates you to the core of her being?"

My eyes lingered on the now wilding Emerald in the dancefloor. Wondering if it'll be okay for her to disclose our secret. I have already hurt her and telling Mathilda about my rejection would probably hurt her pride even more. After all, she's a woman.

"She rejected our bond," I lied.

Mathilda's brow furrowed in confusion. "Emerald... rejected you?" she asked in disbelief, eyes slowly widening. "That doesn't make sense at all."

"She won't be this wasted if she's the one who rejected you. My friend isn't like that," she added, shaking her head.

I brushed off her unsolicited thought of the matter. This is not the time to reflect on things. She has to bring her friend back to the homestead— that's the goal.

"She won't listen to me," I said, admitting defeat. "But maybe she will listen to you."

Mathilda furrowed her brows. Her eyes were hawk-like, trying to analyze the situation, discerning what was going on. But she eventually heaved a sigh, then nodded.

"I'll try, Matthew."

The word 'try' was something I couldn't trust. She had to, not just try, but ensure Emerald listened. Mathilda had to bring Emerald back to the homestead, whether or not she was willing to cooperate. It was an order.

"Tell her I went back to the packhouse." Maybe if she knew I wasn't here anymore. She'll calm down.

Mathilda heeded my command and proceeded to walk to where Emerald was dancing at the moment. I glanced at her for the last time before I walked out of the door.

She'll be fine.

"Where have you been?" Nicholas's question was the first to welcome me after reaching the packhouse. He's yet again on his alcohol escapade.

A few empty cans of alcohol are scattered on the counter while he's holding a bottle of vodka. Drinking has become a habit of his to forget his runaway Luna.

I sighed, remembering the chaos that happened years ago.

All of a sudden, my mind flew back to Emerald's wasted but beautiful face while my hand reached out to the available glass of liquor. At some point, I could now relate to the pain my brother had felt. The only difference is... I rejected my mate, whereas he... it was my actions that drove his mate away. I am such a dick.

"I went to unwind in the bar," I replied, breaking the deafening silence.

"Natasha's father arrived a minute ago. He was looking for you. You better go to their house now."

Speaking of. I groaned after remembering the promise I had made to Natasha. If only I was keen enough with my words. Things wouldn't have reached this far. Some people wouldn't be affected and hurt as a consequence of my thoughtless decisions.

I chugged the liquor in one go and wetted my lips. "I'll be back," I told my brother before heading out.

I was still a kilometer away from Natasha's house when I already heard loud voices and a cry. With my wolf speed, I ran and reached the place in no time. I didn't knock and just get in.

And there, on the floor, a woman is weeping. I came to her aid and glanced at the angry old man who was lashing at his daughter. His face reminds me of someone I should have sent to the grave.

"What are you doing, Injo?" I asked with gritted teeth, putting Natasha in my hold.

His freaking daughter is pregnant for fuck sake. Yet, he dared lay a hand at her. If she happens to have a miscarriage, it'll be a burden on my part once again. I promised to protect her and her child. I will not disappoint her.

"You impregnated my daughter before claiming her, you bastard!" he started throwing a fit. "How dare you raise your voice at me and disrespect me!"

If only I could smash him straight to the wall, I probably have done it already. But out of respect for the connection he had to my now-deceased parent, I will not touch him yet. Once he goes beyond the limit. I swear to the heavens he'll regret everything.

"You're being unreasonable, Injo. Natasha is pregnant, so what? I'll take responsibility for her."

He sneered. "As if you have a choice, Matthew."

I know, I don't have any. That's why I rejected my very own mate because of this fucking responsibility. I ruined what's supposed to be mine for someone else security. I hurt the woman I should have cherished for a lifetime, broke her heart, and snatched her happiness, for Natasha.

"Let Natasha stay with me for the night," I wish.

As long as Injo is in their house, Natasha will never be safe. Her father is her own nightmare. I cannot sleep at night thinking that she'll be harmed in her own household. Not unless, she's with me in the packhouse.

"For what? Are you going to fuck her again? That bitch is pregnant. She'll stay here," he mercilessly demanded.

"Dad...please," Natasha begged in between her sobs.

"Shut up, you disgraceful bitch. Go back to your room!"

My wolf growled defensively as Injo tried to snatch Natasha from my grasp. She may not be my mate, but she's my friend. I firmly held Injo's hand, preventing him from further mistreating his daughter.

"She's my mate. You have no control over her life anymore, Injo," my voice boomed like thunder, a surge of negative emotions building within me.

"Mate?" he scoffed. "You haven't marked her yet, Matthew. You know the rules."

"I'm waiting for the full moon," I reasoned.

I had never dreamed of claiming someone else's mate as mine. But considering Natasha's current situation, I couldn't help but bend my own rules—for her sake and for the sake of her unborn child.

"Bullshit reason, Matthew. How many full moons do you need before you'll mark this useless piece of shit?"

His words were like salt in Natasha's still-fresh wound, making her bleed emotionally. This was the kind of father no child should have to endure.

"Just wait, Injo. You have no say in this anymore."

Those were my final words before I carried Natasha, weakened and hurt, in my arms. Whether he consented or not, I was taking her to the packhouse.

As I left, I heard Injo uttering curses under his breath. With my position in the pack, he couldn't touch me. Otherwise, he'd be banned from entering our territory—a punishment Nicholas should have enforced long ago, if not for that vow.

"I'm sorry, Matthew. You got involved in a fight that you shouldn't have," Natasha said.

I remained silent.

"Clean yourself up first, and if you feel any discomfort in your body, let me know. I'll be outside," I instructed Natasha, placing her in the guest room.

I didn't wait for her response and headed to the balcony to clear my mind. The night was peaceful, and the wind provided some comfort. Everything might have been blissful if not for one image that kept flashing in my mind.

Emerald.

Was she home now?

I sighed, recalling everything. She would likely be one of the doctors at the homestead and maybe even here in the center. There was a ninety percent chance our paths would cross again. I could only hope she'd remain civil and professional.

"Don't tell me you did something to the old man?" Nicholas asked with malice.

"Nah, it would've been a waste of time."

"Then, is there something you haven't told me?"

I sighed again and extinguished my cigarette. Nicholas knows nothing of what transpired earlier. If he found out I'd found my mate, he'd likely bombard me with questions. For now, I wanted to keep everything a secret.

"Just thinking about how to stop Injo from abusing Natasha. He's gotten worse than ever, Nicholas."

"Are you sure that's really what's bothering you?" he probed.

I hesitated for a moment, torn between revealing the truth and keeping my newfound secret hidden. Then, with a sinking feeling in my chest, I realized that Nicholas might already suspect something.

Could he somehow know about my mate?