Matthew's Pov

　　The following hours are a blur of suffering and temporary relief. Our doctor cleans the wound on my leg and gives me regular medication; the enchanted ones I order to be used on the more severely injured warriors. I see their faces, marked by pain, and feel a new wave of guilt washing over me.

　　"It will be necessary to give you a few stitches, sir, to speed up your lupine healing process," the doctor informs with a serious and neutral voice, his eyes hiding the compassion he probably feels.

　　"Go ahead, doc," I respond quickly, wanting this stupid wound to heal soon. Every second I spend here is a second less to care for my pack, to plan our next move, and to honor the memory of those who fell.

　　After the stitches are placed on my leg wound, I use a crutch to head to the second floor, towards my room. All I want to do is sleep for nearly a year, just to erase the massacre that was tonight.

　　I feel like I've barely slept when I'm awakened by a knock on my bedroom door. However, looking out the window, I realize the sun is already setting and a new night is approaching.

　　"Damn! Did I sleep all day?" I ask in surprise.

　　Fenrir doesn't have a chance to respond because another knock on the door catches our attention, and I shout for the person to come in. It's Liam, my beta, his face etched with worry and suspicion.

　　"Alpha Matthew, sorry to wake you. Someone is here to see you," Liam announces with uncertainty in his voice, and I become suspicious.

　　"Okay, who is it, Beta Liam?" I ask, curious. Liam clears his throat before answering.

　　"Ava Davis. She says she's come as a peace ambassador and would like to speak with you," Liam replies, his eyebrows furrowed, creating even more lines of expression on his forehead. His worry and suspicion are very visible.

　　Ava, Emma's best friend, despite being the daughter of Alpha Davis, my current rival. My mind tries to process the information, but I'm too tired.

　　"Okay, let her come up, Liam. Thank you," I finally order, adjusting to sit up in bed.

　　Ava appears in my room with a first aid kit, but that's not what surprises me. Her attire is, at the very least...

　　"Vulgar!" Fenrir completes the thought in my mind, also surprised.

　　I clear my throat as if the word 'vulgar' might slip out unintentionally.

　　Ava has a delicate smile on her lips, and I return the gesture politely.

　　"Thank you for seeing me, Alpha Matthew. I was worried you might refuse my sincere request for peace. What happened last night was something very..." Ava's voice trails off into silence.

　　She approaches my bed with quick steps, her blue eyes showing a glimmer of something I can't immediately decipher.

　　"What brings you here, Ava? Does your family know you're here?" I ask suspiciously, looking firmly at Ava.

　　The young woman lowers her eyes in embarrassment, and I get my answer from that look.

　　"My father and brother don't know I came here. They aren't planning anything peaceful, not after last night," Ava responds with a timid voice.

　　I raise an eyebrow at her, "So why did you come here, Ava? Into enemy territory?"

　　Ava opens the first aid kit and fiddles with some cotton and gauze.

　　My eye is still swollen, and my leg hasn't fully healed. Ava gets up and crouches in front of me, ready to change the dressing on my leg.

　　"I came to take care of you, Alpha Matthew. You've always been kind and affectionate to me, and I couldn't let that go. I wouldn't forgive myself if I did," Ava comments softly.

　　I pull away from her touch, and she looks up at me.

　　"That's not necessary, Ava. Emma, my mate, will be here soon to do that," I announce seriously, suspicious of her intentions.

　　Ava lets out a disdainful laugh at the mention of my mate Emma, which intrigues me.

　　"Emma wouldn't know how to apply antiseptic to cotton, Alpha Matthew. I remember well when she dated Michael; he was always getting hurt, and she tried to help him with bandages. They make a lovely couple, they fit so well together," Ava comments lightly.

　　I grab her arm and lift her forcefully, her eyes widening at my action. Jealousy flares within me at the mention of Emma and Michael's history.

　　"They may have been a lovely couple before Emma became my mate. Now she is perfect by my side. Your brother Michael was never a worthy man for Emma, especially after the way he treated her," I respond through clenched teeth.

　　"Matthew, I..." Ava stammers, and then the door to my room opens.

　　"Ava, what are you doing here?" Emma suddenly asks.

　　I breathe a sigh of relief at my mate's presence, even as jealousy threatens to boil within me.