Mattew Pov

　　Damn it! I knew it! I knew I couldn't trust that bitch. How could I be so stupid? So irresponsible? Son of a bitch! I let her get close to Charlotte. Damn it, I let her read bedtime stories to my sister. I'm an idiot!

　　As soon as the words were out, my instinct kicked in fast. My hands, which were resting on Emma's waist, gripped her hips tighter. I swung my left arm, pulling Emma's hips with me, causing her to lose balance and fall to the ground.

　　In a swift motion, I let my claws protrude and my canine fangs elongate. Leaning over Emma's body, I held her by the neck, my claws pressing against her soft skin.

　　I was about to kiss her, I wanted to kiss her and fuck her so badly. How stupid was I! I let the head of my cock think for me, let my carnal instincts take over the truth.

　　Emma's hands try to scratch my arm, trying to loosen the grip I have on her neck. My eyes spark with anger, with the betrayal I'm feeling now.

　　"I knew you were a spy. From the beginning, I said so. How foolish I was to believe otherwise, to think it would be different!" I say through gritted teeth, anger boiling under my skin.

　　"Mattew, I'm not a spy. I swear!" Emma struggles to speak, the air almost escaping her lips. "I didn't come here to harm Charlotte. I swear!"

　　Lies upon lies! Sweet words, gentle words, teasing, exchanging glances, even our training now... all lies! A performance for her to get close to me, to Charlotte.

　　I stay on top of Emma, a fierce growl escaping my lips. My eyes spark with resolution, just one pull, one deep scratch, and Emma's life would end, and Charlotte would continue to be safe, protected.

　　But Emma's eyes, damn her eyes. Damn it! Her brown eyes are restless and bright, and I feel still hypnotized by them.

　　"I swear on my life, Mattew, that I will never harm Charlotte in any way. I understand your concern and protection for her," Emma argues, and I loosen my fingers a little from her neck, just enough for her to breathe slowly.

　　"How did you find out?" I question with an authoritative growl.

　　"I was playing with Charlotte and stumbled upon a meeting. Unintentionally, I overheard what they were saying. About the prophecy," Emma reveals hurriedly.

　　Mattew Anderson, you're the dumbest and most idiotic alpha on the face of the Earth! You allowed Emma to roam freely in your wolf pack, in your territory, without supervision, without anything. Look what this lack of care caused you? An imminent danger to your little sister's life!

　　The thoughts are so accusatory against me that my anger remains high. Two months with Emma here, reading to Charlotte, spending almost the whole days together, our shared moments, the sexual tension that filled the rooms when we were alone, all this clouded my mind.

　　"I have no reason to reveal this to anyone," Emma declares, and I tighten my grip on her neck against the ground.

　　"I can think of plenty of reasons for you to use this information to your advantage. Clearing your name in your Moonshadow Pack. With that in hand, only the Moon Goddess knows what would happen if the information leaked," I retort angrily.

　　Emma places both hands around my arm, her touch electrifies my skin, makes me euphoric. But I ignore the sensation. Her face carries concern, but something beyond that that I can't fully decipher.

　　"I would never use Charlotte in that way or in any other way, actually. I would never betray your trust or put Charlotte's life at risk. Her being a prophet is a blessing, a unique gift. If I wanted Charlotte's harm, I wouldn't even have told you that I know what she, how special she is," Emma argues, her voice now possessing an inexplicable calmness. "I revealed it to you because... because I don't want there to be secrets like this between us."

　　Shit! How does she do that? How does she manage to hit me like this? With those words?

　　Emma's hands delicately grip my wrist, I know she can feel my heartbeat with this touch. I remain alert to every move she makes.

　　"I promise I will never reveal about Charlotte, to anyone. I promise to keep this secret, I'll do anything to make you believe me, Mattew. I... I love Charlotte."

　　My claws retract, I keep my hand on Emma's neck for a few more seconds before getting up. I can't shake off the feeling of distrust, but the anger... the anger is already dissipating upon hearing that declaration.

　　"I'll keep my eyes on you, Emma, if I perceive any hint of danger around Charlotte because of you... I won't hesitate for a second."

　　Emma gets up quickly, we both stand staring at each other. I can't decipher Emma's expression anymore.

　　"Don't worry, Mattew, I won't do anything that hurts Charlotte, I promise."

　　"It's better not," I finish with a growl. I leave the training hall with my inner turmoil still raging.

　　Flashbacks of minutes before Emma revealed to me that she knew about Charlotte run through my mind. I wanted to kiss her so badly, damn it! The way we trained, how our bodies synchronized for those few seconds, I felt... I felt, damn it, no matter what I felt!

　　One more person now knows about Charlotte. If somehow Emma goes to Moonshadow Pack with this information, the thin line of peace between our two wolf packs will be torn forever. My Night Howlers Pack still doesn't have full strength to claim Moonshadow Pack territory, not now. In a few weeks, the possibility would be more viable.

　　My steps lead me back to my room, the early hours are quiet, the only noisy thing is my mind and my heart. I want to believe in Emma, for the past two months she has done nothing but take care of Charlotte.

　　I observed Emma closely during this period, our conversations and provocations, it had been a long time since I felt light with someone like this. That I didn't feel like being with someone like I was feeling for Emma. But that's dangerous.

　　I throw my body onto the bed and rub my eyes.

　　"You don't have time to be in love, Mattew. Not now," I mumble to myself.

　　A tightness in my heart arises, like something being pulled and twisted. I can't allow myself to get entangled, attached to Emma... my wolf pack needs me. I can't let my plans for the future of the wolf pack be compromised.