The Guilt Matthias Felt

On the third day apart from Shaina, Matthias felt the emptiness like a constant ache in his chest.

His wolf paced restlessly inside him, craving her touch, her warmth, the way she always submitted so perfectly to him.

Work at Redborne Tower dragged on, and every quiet moment made the mate bond pull harder.

Paloma stayed close, her movements calm and professional. She leaned over his desk to hand him reports, letting her soft, warm scent drift steadily toward him.

It was not overpowering, just constant. Each time she was near, his wolf noticed it a little more, growing familiar with her presence.

Matthias resisted.

He clenched his jaw and kept his eyes on the papers, refusing to let the temptation take root. He was strong-willed, and he loved his mate too much to waver.

Paloma was patient.

She never pushed too hard or too fast. A few more years of playing this game would not matter to the Blacklores.

They had waited this long. Slowly, quietly, she was working her way deeper into Matthias’s daily life.

And at the rehabilitation facility, Zacharias tried to stay useful, but Shaina kept every conversation short and strictly professional.

She was surrounded by her guards and focused only on the work. Her loyalty to Matthias ran deep.

Not once did she give Zacharias even the smallest opening. Her heart and body still belonged completely to her mate, and she made sure everyone could see it.

While....Ferdinand Blacklore watched everything from afar. He created small situations that painted Paloma as helpful and harmless.

When Paloma reported that Matthias kept resisting her subtle advances, the old Alpha smiled coldly.

It was time to turn up the pressure just a little.

And that little push happened on the last day before Shaina’s return.

The boardroom at Redborne Tower felt heavy with tension. Matthias sat at the head of the table, his hands gripping the arms of his chair.

One of the major shareholders, old Alpha Richard from the Tealthorne pack, had just announced he planned to sell his 23% shares to the Winterchase pack.

The news hit Matthias like a slap.

He growled low, eyes flashing with anger. “You cannot sell those shares. Tell me what’s wrong. If something is not to your liking, we can fix it right now. Twenty-three percent is too important to lose.”

The old man simply shook his head, his face set in finality. “My decision stands.”

Paloma spoke up from her seat beside Matthias, her voice steady.

“Alpha Richard, perhaps we can discuss your concerns privately after the meeting. I’m sure we can find a solution that keeps you satisfied with Redborne.”

Richard’s eyes gleamed with sudden interest. “Yes. Stay behind, Paloma. We’ll talk.”

Matthias’s stomach twisted. He knew exactly what her offer meant. When the meeting ended and the room cleared, he turned to her, voice tight with unease.

“You don’t have to do this, Paloma. I can handle it myself. I’m not some weak Alpha who needs his secretary to sacrifice her body for pack business.”

Paloma gave him a soft, determined smile and touched his arm lightly.

“Leave it to me, Alpha. This is my choice.”

Guilt already gnawed at Matthias as he walked out.

He did not go far.

He stopped just outside the boardroom door, heart pounding with unease.

The door had not closed properly. It bounced back, leaving a narrow gap.

Through that gap, Matthias watched.

Richard pulled Paloma onto his lap without warning. He yanked the front of her dress down, exposing her full breasts.

He buried his face between them, sucking hard on one nipple while his fingers pinched and twisted the other. His heavy pheromones flooded the room, thick and demanding.

Paloma stayed mostly quiet, refusing to give him the satisfaction of her moans.

Richard’s hand moved lower, tearing her panties away in one rough motion.

He shoved two thick fingers deep into her pussy, curling them hard until she gasped sharply.

Then he flipped her over the long conference table. He pinned her head down against the cool wood and bent her over. His cock was already hard and leaking when he pulled it out.

With a low growl, he slammed into her from behind in one brutal thrust, burying himself to the hilt inside her tight heat.

He fucked her hard and without mercy, his hips slapping loudly against her ass.

Each thrust was selfish and deep, driven by pure lust. He used her body like payment, grunting with every rough stroke.

Paloma lifted her head just enough to look toward the door. Her eyes met Matthias’s through the gap.

Shame burned in her gaze, but she gave him a small, sad smile. She shook her head slightly and mouthed clearly, “Go. This is my choice.”

Matthias’s fists clenched so tight his knuckles turned white. A storm of guilt, anger, and unwanted heat twisted inside him.

He turned away sharply and walked back to his own office, his face blank and unreadable.

But inside, the image of Paloma bent over the table would not leave his mind.

The guilt sat heavy in his chest. Paloma had done this for Redborne. For him.

And without realizing it, the Blacklores had just pushed their poison a little deeper into the perfect life he shared with Shaina.