Emma's pov

　　I swallow hard as I clean near the edge of his underwear. We talk for several minutes while I take care of Matthew's wounds. His body is warm, very warm. Our eyes meet a few times, and I feel the urge to kiss him more than I'd like to admit.

　　"Does it still hurt?" I ask as I apply a healing ointment to the minor cuts on Matthew's face; our faces are close, I can feel Matthew's heavy breathing near my hand.

　　Matthew's forehead furrows at times when the ointment is applied. "No, it doesn't hurt, Emma," Matthew replies with a hoarse voice. His hand comes to my face and pushes the strand of my hair behind my ear; his touch on my face, the brushing of his fingers, sends shivers down my spine.

　　A few minutes later, Beta Liam appears with a healing potion for Matthew, who starts protesting about taking it. "This is for the warriors, I'll heal on my own. I don't need this," Matthew argues. But I ignore his protest and bring the potion to his lips without saying anything. Our eyes meet again, and without any further protest, Matthew takes the potion, and we both watch as the larger wound on his abdomen slowly closes.

　　"I'm sorry, Matthew," I murmur as I apply a bandage to his face. I keep my eyes focused on Alpha Matthew's cheek as I say those words, "This is all my fault. I'm sorry."

　　Alpha Matthew raises his body slightly to sit up, and I try to stop him from doing so, but it's in vain. He grabs my hand that was on his face and makes me sit on the bed with him. This closeness makes me gasp in surprise. "Leave me alone with Emma," Matthew orders Beta Liam and the other pack member, and they both obey quickly. Leaving just me and Matthew alone in the room.

　　"Emma, where were you?" Matthew asks seriously. His green eyes are filled with concern, leaving me somewhat stunned. "Did that bastard Michael do something to you? Did he hurt you?"

　　Matthew is worried about me? Is that what he's doing? Even Accalia seems surprised by the alpha's change in attitude. I adjusted myself better on the edge of the bed that Matthew led me to sit on.

　　"Emma, then... what happened? Where were you?" Matthew rushes the question with more fear in his voice. I place my hand on him to calm him down.

　　"I'm fine, sorry. Just a little surprised. James, my brother, he hit me on the head when the fight between the packs started, and he planned to take me to Moonshadow Pack," I explain calmly. For a moment, I consider not mentioning Daniel, that we spent a pleasant afternoon together. "I managed to escape from him, and for a while, I didn't know what to do. I didn't know if you wanted me back here, but I couldn't not come back."

　　I refrain from saying the phrase: come back to you. But Matthew surprised me by declaring something to me that I didn't think was true. "I want you here with me, Emma. I've been worried about you for the past few hours, not knowing if you had returned to Moonshadow Pack of your own free will or not. If that idiot Michael had condemned you to death because of his sister's murder."

　　Matthew caresses the back of my hand with his fingertips until I raise my hand a little, and our fingers intertwine, a touch that makes me euphoric. "I couldn't shake the idea that I couldn't protect you. That my pack couldn't keep you safe, protected from them. I should be the one apologizing to you, Emma."

　　My eyes widen in surprise at that, and I shake my head at Matthew's sincere words. "No, it's never been your fault. It's mine. You got hurt because of me, for sheltering me, welcoming me. Damn it, for lying to protect me. I caused this, caused this rift between the packs," I declare remorsefully.

　　"Things between my pack and the Moonshadow Pack had already been icy. Our alliance had a weaker link for a few months. What happened today wasn't your fault," Matthew tries to reassure me, but I don't allow myself to feel compassion for my actions that led him to get hurt.

　　"Of course it was, Matthew, it's obvious it was. Michael came here to take me away, and I should have gone with him. I should have returned so this wouldn't happen," I say, tilting my head to the cut on Matthew's abdomen that had begun to close. Matthew lifts my chin with his free hand, forcing me to look at him.

　　"None of this is your fault, Emma, none of it. I'm an alpha, and it's my duty to protect mine," Matthew declares firmly, sending a shiver down my spine.

　　"But I'm not yours, Matthew... I'm not a member of the pack, your pack," I murmur ashamed. Matthew's hand slides from my chin to my cheek, bringing my face closer to his.

　　"You are mine, Emma..." Matthew declares with a growl emanating from his throat. "My friend, my desire, you are my most improper thoughts and most sinful desires. Not being part of the Night Howlers Pack doesn't make you insignificant. I will protect you whenever you ask, whenever it's necessary."

　　Matthew's lips are brushing against mine as his words are thrown at me. "Matthew, I thought you didn't want me," I confess in a low mumble. Matthew's response to my declaration is a passionate kiss. He leans into my lips, invading my mouth with his tongue, and I bite his lip with desire.

　　My arousal for Matthew erupts like a volcano as I taste the alpha on my lips. Matthew's hand grips my short hair, his fingers entwining in the strands of my hair. A moan escapes my lips when Matthew's other hand finds my breast over my shirt, squeezing it firmly. I grind my ass on top of Matthew's cock, feeling it hardening underneath my pants.