Alpha Matthew let me take some of the book's home, but we agreed I could come over the next day to start reading his sacred collection. The whole day I was eager to finish teaching and get through classes so I could finally go and read. There was something about being in his office that also made me feel at home.

I guess he already told his guards that I was coming because the moment they saw me, they gave me approving nods before letting me into the house. No one even tried to walk me to his office, I guess they just trusted that by now I know how to get there. Alpha Matthew was just handling paperwork and what looked like grading some homework. Part of me thinks he was happy to see me, but I quickly pushed that thought out of my head.

After some small conversation, he unlocks his shelf and lets me pick the first Royal book. Now, I'm sitting on Alpha Matthew's couch. While he's doing his Alpha duties, I'm curled up holding a giant book about the powers of our Moon Goddess. All information I had never thought I would ever know about. The book itself is gigantic and has all the feelings of being ancient. Not only does it look like it comes from a monastery, but it also has a literal radiate glow. It almost feels like it's vibrating with power. It's addicting.

There's one chapter that I read about how the Moon Goddess picks Beta females. It makes me sit up a bit straighter as I read about the intricate inner power that Beta females must possess in order to hold their rank. It only makes me respect Sage even more. In our werewolf society, everything is dominated by Alpha males and general testosterone. For her to be penetrating that glass ceiling makes me smile.

Every so often, I feel Matthew's eyes on me. I know he keeps glancing in my direction, but whenever I look up to meet his gaze, his eyes are already back down on his paperwork. Even though I haven't caught him, I can feel the intensity of his stare.

I flip through a few pages, until I gasp softly. This seems to catch Matthew's attention and he raises his eyebrow. "Alpha, you have to see this," I stand up and walk towards him. I don't think about it too much, but I decide to go behind his desk next to him. Leaning my butt on the edge of his desk while I face him and hold the giant book in my two hands.

He leans slightly back in his chair, arms crossed over his chest. But I don't have much time to look at him. I'm too excited.

"There's some cryptic message in this chapter about mates." I tell him rather quickly. "After you read the general, mates are soulmates, eyes glaze over, they smell really good, yada-yada."

I roll my eyes and that seems to make him chuckle. If there's one thing we can bond over, it's our subtle hatred and longing for having a mate.

"But here," I point even though he can't see it. "It reads, 'It is not unheard of having a second chance. The forging of mates, although improbable, is possible. But only with the touch of the Moon.'"

"Do you know what this means?" I say excitingly. I finally look away from the pages and at Matthew. His eyes have darkened over, gaze staring hard at my lower half that is practically sitting on his desk. It doesn't occur to me that he might be angry at me casually being this close to him. His eyes move up my body until they rest on my face.

I stammer a quick, "Sorry" and maneuver my way around the table so I'm sitting across from him. Trying to get back on track, I leave the book open on his desk on the page. "Do you know what this means though?"

His eyes turn back to green, head cocking to the side. For a few seconds he stares at me before turning his attention to the book. Looking down, he shrugs his shoulders. "I wouldn't get your hopes up, Mia. These books are cryptic and incessantly ancient."

"Really?" My hopes do actually sink down slightly. I try not to let the fact that Bren rejected me get to me here. Part of me is incredibly happy I didn't end up with that immature prick. But the other side of me is still getting over the grief of losing a mate. The grief of losing the idea of a mate. I won't ever have the unconditional love that is supposed to come with having a mate.

Seeming to feel my despondence, Matthew sighs, taking the book to look over the phrase. "It feels like reading ingredients to a potion. How do you 'forge' mates? The Moon Goddess crafts mates. It says it in the page prior that we are crafted for one another by her. And being touched by the moon? Does this mean the nighttime? Or does it actually mean the moon has to touch you? I'm skeptical."

I nod along with his words. Realizing that he's probably right. It even said that it was improbable, which basically means, never going to happen. My wolf tries to reassure me. Letting me know that we'll be okay. I agree with her, trying to also comfort her. After all, she's been longing for a mate as long as I have.

"Sorry for getting excited." I tell Matthew as I stand up. I grab the book from the desk, walking towards the glass shelf to put it back. "I've had enough reading for today. Maybe tomorrow I'll pick it back up."

As I slide the book into the shelf, I hear Matthew stand up from his chair. "In that case, would you like to keep me company for dinner?"

My eyes practically bulge out of their sockets, my wolf howling in my head. I turn around, seeing Alpha Matthew's devilish grin, one arm crossed over his chest as his tattooed hand nervously plays with his wolf ring just under his chin.

"Dinner?" I gulp. I haven't eaten since breakfast. My body seems to betray me as my hollow stomach sends signals to my brain that I'm hungry.

His eyebrow raises curiously, "Yes. I'm quite the chef."

Spend time with him, My wolf says. He's hot.

"Dinner sounds lovely." I tell him honestly.

Alpha Matthew smiles, he cocks his head to the side, indicating that I should follow him. As he walks out of the office, I follow closely behind him. I haven't been to other parts of his home. So far, it's been the main entrance and his office. I can't help but notice how beautiful the oil paintings are in the hallway he talks me down. There are portraits of people I don't know and landscapes of places I've never seen.

Just as I turn the corner, I'm almost blown away by the beautiful living room and kitchen space. The living room is just to my left, with a large fireplace and beautifully upholstered leather couches and chairs. The walls are like the rest of the house, black stone like a medieval castle. There's a massive plasma screen TV over the fireplace, and I can't help but notice a set of guitars that are hiding in the corner of the room. When I turn to my right, I see the shiny copper kitchen appliances. It makes the room practically glow.

But the most impressive and beautiful part is the view of the lake. The entire backside is practically glass where I can perfectly see the ripples of the lake water as the sunset shines on it. The beautiful mountains I've grown to love in the distance. I can't help but be in awe by how stunning it looks.

Without even noticing, Matthew has gotten comfortable in the kitchen. He's pulled out a chopping board, some veggies and meats. He rolls up the sleeves of his button-down. Letting some tattoos on this left arm show. The sound of him chopping away pulls me back to reality and I turn towards him.

"Your house is stunning." I tell him as I inch closer towards the island where he's quickly chopping away. I'm incredibly impressed at his ability to work like Gordon Ramsey. Slicing things elegantly yet rapidly. I'm not sure what he's making but it's already getting me excited.

"Thank you." He says looking up with a grin. "It's been in my family for generations."

I lean on the counter, letting my forearms rest as I watch Matthew cook. Occasionally, he'll look at me through his eyelashes, his stare making me blush, which causes him to smile that devilish grin.

"Do you always invite new female wolves to your house to read your books and cook for them?" I ask with a raised eyebrow.

"Would you be jealous if I said I did?" He retorts quickly. Eyes meeting mine and a fluent wink escaping his expression. He walks across the kitchen, grabbing some pots and pans and setting it on the stove.

"No," I try to scoff. But his wink had me swooning and feeling butterflies in the pit of my stomach.

Without letting me say anything he adds, "No. I don't flirt with female wolves that often."

Flirt? I think to myself. Who said anything about flirting?

Flirt back. My wolf growls in my head, He's smart and nice and dreamy. Look at those tats. Those veins on his arm...yum...

"I don't believe you." I roll my eyes, his body suddenly turning to face me. He sees the playful smile on my face and relaxes slightly, realizing I was joking.

"You should believe me." He says gently. While the food is cooking on the stove, he grabs a towel to wipe his hands, walking—practically stalking—towards me. My smile wavers the closer he gets, until he's finally leaning on the counter next to me. His body turned towards me, a sad smile on his face. He pushes a strand of my hair away from my eyes, settling it behind my ear. Matthew's eyes meeting mine, face so close I can see the patterns of his green iris.

"I went down a dark path after my mate rejected me." He explains briefly in a monochromatic voice. "I didn't care about my pack. I didn't care about myself. A part of me and my wolf was lost. I acted out a lot. I was angry and irrational. Which means I had way too much meaningless and rather pointless sex. It took time. But I found my way again, trust me when I tell you, I don't flirt with other women anymore."

There's an honesty and almost power behind his words that make me want to hug him. He seems incredibly put together. He cares so much over this pack and its university in particular. It's hard for me to imagine him as a disaster. But his words ring true. It's taken a lot out of me not to give up some mornings. I think being away from my pack has helped me wonders, but Matthew can't just leave like I did. He's the Alpha, this is his place, and he has to stay here.

I don't have any words for him. Instead, he pulls away, walking back towards the stove. As he sautés whatever he's cooking, he quickly adds, "I'm very impressed by how you've handled the rejection."

"Yeah well..." I don't feel uncomfortable talking to him about it. In fact, standing here in the kitchen in Matthew's presence makes me feel at ease. "It's not like Bren and I were close or anything?"

"No?"

I shake my head, "No. I tutored him a bit and we were friends. Or at least I thought so. But he wouldn't even let me touch his hand, much less kiss him or do anything else."

Matthew starts plating the food. He doesn't say anything until we're both seated at his dining table across from one another. I stare down at the roasted vegetables and brilliantly tender steak. My mouth instantly watering as I dig in.

"I'm assuming you waited for your mate." Matthew says after taking a bite of his food, his words surprisingly not making me feel self-conscious.

"Yeah," I sigh out. "Look at the good that did me."

He chuckles softly, "I waited for my mate too. Not that she seemed to care."

"Well at least you've had sex." I roll my eyes, taking a bite of the steak. "At this rate I'll probably die a mate-less virgin."

To my surprise, Alpha Matthew stops chewing for a split second. His eyes turn a shade of dark, a small growl coming from his chest that he quickly covers up with a cough. He takes a sip of water, nervously playing with this ring.

Did I say something wrong? I think to myself. We're having such an open conversation, I hope I didn't make him feel uncomfortable.

"I'm sure you'll be fine." He finally smiles his devilish grin. "I could smell that male wolf on you yesterday."

"Who? Tyler?" I practically scoff in disgust. "No way. He's like a brother."

His eyebrow raises, the edge of his lip curving ever so slightly before he buries his face in his food. After a deep breath he finishes the rest of his plate in a few bites. He leans back in his chair, watching me slowly eat through my dinner. His arms cross over his chest. "So, you had to tutor the Spartan Alpha?"

I let out a small laugh, "Yeah if you ever go to war with him, just put the quadratic formula on your flag. He'd probably break down instantly."

Matthew let's out a full laugh. It makes me feel so warm inside. The sound is gorgeous, and it makes the dark aura around him fade away. I can almost feel that he doesn't laugh as much as he should. Like he's been waiting for a good excuse to let it out. I didn't even think my joke was that funny.

"I'll keep that in mind." His chuckle still echoing in the room, "For what it's worth, I'm glad you know how to use the quadratic formula. I'm sure it's not particularly useful in Sparta."

A pang of appreciation rings through me. It feels like...validation. Something I only ever got from Clara when I lived in Sparta. It makes me smile so brightly I feel my cheeks start to hurt. It almost feels unreal, so I ask, "Really?"

"Really," He replies. A sheepish shrug, "Nerds are my shit."

"Good." I don't know where the confidence for me to say that came from. But I lean back in my own seat, crossing my arms just like him and imitating his earlier wink.

Meow, my wolf says making me grin.

He licks his lower lip, another growl humming in his chest. He briefly closes his eyes as soon as they shade over. In a second, Matthew is standing up, grabbing the empty plates and taking them to the sink. I take that as my cue to stroll into the living room. I can't help but eye over some of the paintings.

I walk over to the corner of the room, where I notice a few guitars. There are two electric guitars and one acoustic. I smile softly, calling out to Matthew as I hear him finish with the dishes. "You play?"

He walks into the living room, body tense as he realizes I'm talking about his guitars. "No," he says. "Not anymore."

"Oh, come on." I take a seat on the couch. "I'd love to hear you play."

Alpha Matthew stares at the guitars, his jaw clenching and unclenching. "It's been a long time," he says quietly.

"I've always wanted to play an instrument." I tell him honestly, "But other than war drums, we weren't exactly a marching band back home."

This seems to make Matthew less tense. He chuckles slightly, pulling out the solid black electric guitar from the corner. There's a layer of dust he quickly has to brush away. His eyes scan the chords, a hint of sadness flashing across his face while he tunes the strings.

"I used to play all the time. Now I only play with my friends." He tells me honestly, sitting down on the coffee table while placing the guitar under his arm and on his leg. Under his breath I can hear him mutter, "She thought it was annoying."

I don't think he meant to say it out loud, but I can't help and feel for him. I know what it's like to love something that someone else doesn't appreciate. Matthew loses himself quickly. He pulls out an amplifier that was hiding behind the set. I'm in awe with the way his body seems to remember the set up. His hands tuning the chords. His fingers plucking the strings. Pulling out a guitar pick that was lodged at the neck.

"I'm in a band." He chuckles softly, plugging in the guitar into the amplifier. A shrill of electricity suddenly sparking into the house.

"Really?" I smile brightly. Sarcastically I add, "You? In a band? With those tattoos, dark hair, and swoon-worthy bod? There's no way."

A smirk plays at his lips, "You know, I think I won't play tonight."

He starts to put away the set, but I quickly stop him. "No please play." I practically beg, "Please Matthew."

His body tenses instantly, eyes snapping up to mine and for a split second I think I've angered him. "I'm so sorry Alpha," My eyes wide in embarrassment. I can't believe I've just called him by his first name instead of title. In Sparta it'd be a total shitshow for me.

Alpha Matthew bites his lip, taking a deep breath and closing his eyes. "Don't be. Call me Matthew. It sounds rather appealing coming from you."

I know he can see the blush creep up on my face, but he doesn't say anything. Instead, he begins to the play the electric guitar. The sounds instantly echoing through his house loudly. As if the amplifier was getting an additional boost.

It only takes me a few seconds to realize he's playing one of my favorite songs, Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen. I could practically sing along in my head. And despite Matthew saying he hasn't played in years, his muscle memory is evident. It's almost instinct that his hands and fingers are moving along.

I'm in absolute awe as I watch him play. I pull my knees up to my chest, hugging them closer as I slowly fall into a trance. Watching Matthew play, his tattoos, his arms, his shoulders, his face. He's gorgeous. I've never had this kind of physical attraction to anyone. I start to even wonder if I ever felt this way about Bren.

As Matthew hits the solo on his guitar, I hear the front door open and close. Soon after, Sage rushes into the living room. She's panting like she just ran over here. Her eyes go wide when she sees Matthew on the coffee table playing. They then trail to me, eyes growing even wider. Shock and confusion evident on her face.

Instead of getting angry, she walks towards me, taking a seat next to me. A smile creeping on her face. She leans into me, "I can't believe you got him to play."

I frown, has it really been that long? But I choose not to look at Sage or think about it too much. My focus is entirely on Matthew.

*********

A/N: I wrote this extra long chapter for you guys!! I hope you enjoyed it and it made you giddy and happy like it made me!!! Some of you guys have been so so sweet to comment that you're enjoying my story and I really just want to say I appreciate it!!! I've been wanting to write this story for a while but never had the guts to so I'm incredibly grateful for all the support <3<3<3