*Matthew's POV*

My Mia, mine.

The moment I wake up, I'm instantly comforted by her warm sleeping body. Even in my dreams all I could think of was her. I see her smile and her beautiful brown eyes. I hear her laugh and the little giggle she makes when I'm particularly quippy. As soon as I open my eyes, I search for her. A smile spreading on my lips as I pull her into my body. Her lips parting in a content sigh.

Mine, my wolf purrs in content. It's been so long since he's been this happy. I don't think he's been this energized and motivated since we were a teenager. From the moment he met Mia, he's been obsessed with her and as have I. Her mannerisms drive me crazy—how she bites her lip, her adorable blush, the way she chews her knuckle when she's reading a book. It makes shudders run down my back.

And last night she was more open with me than ever before. I had been waiting for her to be ready physically, but even before then, I knew I wanted to make her my Luna. And then last night she not only let me make love to her but after plenty of laughs and talking about the future she was kissing me passionately. God she was so perfect. Taking control with her gentle touch.

I let myself re-live how she felt and what she looked like. Pulling her close to me now as I inhale rosewood and books. She kissed me so softly, her touch so unbelievably gentle. It's so different to mine. She blushed when she sat up on me—slightly clumsy in the most charming way. I held onto her waist, absolutely stunned she wanted a second round.

Our insatiable Mia, My wolf growled lowly.

And that she was. Her hands were on my chest, eyes timid but laced in pure love and passion. When she started riding me, I felt bewitched by her—completely awestruck and encaptivated. Her hips moved so softly—keeping their pace throughout. She would lean down to kiss me. To tell me she loves me and I...I have never experienced a love so pure in my life. So open and like the love I read in the countless books in my library.

And Mia is so soothing and gentle—something I've never experienced in sex before. My anger and my wolf have always led the charge on my sexual exploitations. Knowingly, I can admit I've only ever gone rough and fast. Even when I had control last night, it took every ounce of my being not to let my wolf overcome my sense of logic. But not Mia. Mia is delicate and it just makes me realize how we complement one another—differences and similarities crafted effortlessly.

I can't get the image out of my head. The way her body would flow when her hips grinded against me and her breasts so perky and stunning. Watching her throw her head back in soft moans. Fuck. She was driving me crazy and there was so much I wanted to do but I was completely entranced in her. Letting her take the lead and watching her confidence, was within itself, ravenous.

She came first, her body arching slightly but she kept going until I released. Then she collapsed on me. Tired and breathless. I pulled her into me to kiss her cheeks and her forehead. Telling her just how much I love her too until she drifted into sleep.

And now I get to watch her wake up. Every morning is like Christmas knowing she's in my bed with me. By the time I check the clock, it's already past noon and I realize we've slept in a lot. My wolf begs me not to move—he's been waiting so long to mate with her. He's already livid that we can't officially mark her. The best I could do yesterday was claim her in front of the pack during the initiation. It was a way to calm myself and my wolf, but to also bring Mia the respect she oh-so deserves. The pack is overjoyed with having a Luna.

Now that I've had a taste of Mia though—Goddess I don't know how I'll keep my hands off of her. I thought mating would make it easier for me not having the urge to mark her. But every time she shows me her neck, every time I kiss her in that soft spot that makes her moan, my insides are set ablaze and every instinct in my body is telling me to mark her.

We should have marked her last night, my wolf growls. She's ours Matthew.

He knows very well we can't mark her. Not until we have a solid plan to present to the King. I'd like to believe I'm one of the few Alpha's—other than the rest of our band—who knows King Aiden very well. A perk of getting to know him was all the powers he shared that comes alongside his title as King.

One of his many powers is that of succession. As soon as a wolf ascends as Alpha, no matter where in the Kingdom, Aiden has a sense that lets him know. We call it his wolfy-sense behind his back—making jokes that he's the werewolf version of Spiderman. The purpose of his succession power is to make sure that the Alpha who has ascended declares his fidelity to him. For some reason this also coincides with Luna's as even the Luna's are required to declare their loyalty.

This situation with Bren is not only a pesky thorn in King Aiden's side compared to the Rebellion but is easily solved with him simply separating Mia and I by sending her back to her 'destined' mate. Luna's are supposed to strengthen packs—to steer the Alpha's—I'm not remotely surprised that Dickwad is losing his mind. I almost lost mine when my mate left me.

I can just see the situation unfolding very clearly—knowing King Aiden—he'll resolve this issue with minimalistic intervention by mandating that Mia returns to Sparta to be with her true mate. He believes so strongly in the Moon Goddess that her word—alongside his—is law. He's quite a Moon Goddess zealot. The thought of Mia returning to Sparta was infuriating before but now it's unimaginable.

Our Mia, my wolf breathes.

I open my eyes again to look at her sleeping. I brush some of her dark hair out of her eyes. Her face angelic and aura content. She doesn't realize it yet but the more she's associated with the Luna position, the stronger her aura has gotten. I can sense her power growing alongside me.

I spoon her into me, letting our naked bodies mold together. Her lip curls into a small smile that seems to be formed by her subconscious. I lay a kiss on her shoulder, her neck, her cheek, and finally her lips.

Her eyes flutter open for a split second and I wish I could stare into them the rest of the day. Who cares about grading papers? I intend to spend our day in bed. Doing all sorts of dirty things.

Mia groans slightly, and I can't help but smile. Whispering under my breath, I kiss her again. "I'll go make us some breakfast, gorgeous."

She seems to comprehend it briefly before she sinks back down into the pillows and cover. Her breathing shallowing with sleep. Every ounce of my body tells me to stay in bed and cuddle her, but I manage to swing my legs over the edge. If we're going to stay in bed today, I better make her a big breakfast. I wouldn't want her energy draining. She does love my French toast.

Hastily putting on a t-shirt and some sweatpants, I make my way downstairs. There's a spring in my step and I can't stop smiling like a total buffoon. The things Mia has done to my mood is astounding. I yawn once I'm in the kitchen, going straight to the fridge. My mind so busy thinking of the beautiful naked woman in my bed upstairs that I don't even seem to notice.

I take a deep breath as I pull out the orange juice and my entire body freezes. Vanilla and jasmine...

My wolf starts to see red, growling so deeply inside me that it almost surfaces. I have to muster every fiber in my body to calm myself. To push back the anger that is bubbling closer to the edge.

Sage, I mind link her instantly. Come here now!

"Hi Matty," She says from behind me. I can't look at her. I'll kill her. Her stupid pet-name for me feeling like an open blister. I used to think it was endearing. It used to make my wolf feel loved. It's childish and demeaning.

Today, My fist clenches to my side as my wolf angers. Trying to calm him can be so fucking difficult. Why the fuck did she have to come today out of all days?

Her voice is soft—almost playful. "Did you miss me?"

I let out a humorless laugh. I'll have to face her. So, I turn around slowly, letting my eyes rest on Lila. She looks a bit older and more womanly than girl, but just the same. The blonde hair is the same, the smile is the same, and that look in her eyes is the same.

Sage! I scream to my Beta. So help me Goddess, where is she.

I try to remember what King Aiden taught me when I was in the palace. He guided us on how to tame and control our wolf and their instincts. It's only rarely my wolf gets the best of me but right now it sure feels that he might.

"I know you missed me," Lila leans onto the island counter. Her elbow holding up her head, a wink playing in her eye. I see a leather band wrapped around her wrist—something new clearly. And of course, our pack brand is still sealed on the inside of her wrist.

We should have never let her keep it, my wolf growls. The pack brand doesn't set alarms off when a wolf crosses into the Valley. She probably just strolled right in and because I always leave my door open, it probably wasn't particularly difficult to enter.

Her lips pull into a smirk, eyes rolling. "Wow Matty, I knew you were quiet but the least you could do is say something."

Get the fuck out of my house you good for nothing cu—, I shut my wolf off. It'll only keep him at bay for a few seconds, but I know when he starts throwing British curse words he's getting riled up.

My mouth tastes like lead, but I manage to do as she says. "Something," I say bitterly.

"I can see your humor isn't lost," Lila smirks. She walks around the counter, her hips swaying while she steps closer to me.

My hands start shaking with rage. Her scent getting closer and choking me. My wolf banging against my head. Control, control, control. I repeat to myself. Lila stops in front of me—she can't possibly be real. I'm having a terrible dream. I'm going to wake up and Mia is going to be beside me, giving me her beautiful smile.

Lila places her hand on my chest, looking up at me through her lashes. I stop breathing—why does she have to ruin everything? Why can't she just leave me the fuck alone? I feel my eyes blacken and clearly Lila gets the wrong idea because she smirks.

I'll never forget how she made me feel. She hated everything about me. I annoyed her, I was boring. All words that came out of her stupid mouth. While my wolf and I tried everything to get her to love us, she just spited me. It wasn't unconditional love—it was all a game to her. To see how far she could push the Alpha to his brick before pulling the rug out from under me.

You're a wonderful human, Matthew. My wolf had to console me on one of the many nights we spent howling in my room. I'm honored to be your wolf.

I'll never forget that moment. When we realized we had to lean on one another. Because a part of me started hating him and a part of him started hating me. It was only after weeks of desolation that we came to terms that we are one and we cannot hate ourselves.

"I knew you missed me." She says again in a lower voice. Her face too close to mine for comfort.

Sage comes running into the kitchen, an expression of concern on her face. My eyes shoot up to her, my mind linking her immediately. Get her off me, I order.

I thought I wanted to kill Lila, but the moment Sage's eyes fall on her, there's a wrath unlike no other. Sage's aura—though typically not as strong as mine—could easily be confused with an Alpha's in this moment. So much rage in such a small person.

I know how much Sage hates Lila. The pack calls it the Dark Ages. The Dark Ages indeed. I couldn't control my wolf at all. We were nothing but a heaping mess and Sage stayed by my side. Her comfort was all I had. Her guidance was all the pack had. I didn't give a shit about the pack when Lila left. I was ready to sit in my room and rot while the pack disbanded. Sage kept it alive—bless her. A true Beta, and a true best friend.

"Alpha," Sage bangs on my door. "Goddammit let me in."

I sat on my small couch in my bedroom. Staring emptily into the fire in the fireplace. Sage started to ram her body against the door. Until finally, it gave way with one last large push. She cursed a lot but nothing she did would get me to look up.

"Alpha," She tentatively walked towards me like she was approaching a stray kitten. A part of me couldn't really hear her. It was like being trapped underwater and my wolf was so deep in despair that I couldn't see any light.

Sage knelt down in front of me, trying to force my eyes on her. Her hands resting on knees, pain written so clearly across her face. But even then, I couldn't look at her. I just kept staring at the fire in front of me, watching how the flames danced.

"Matthew..." She whispered so softly like she was afraid to. Her hand reached up to my face, her touch finally capturing my attention. "Matthew this isn't you."

My breathing intensified and the panic that I've gotten accustomed to hit me again. My aura must have affected her because she started crying. Tears streaming down her cheeks. I've stopped trying to hide my aura—so I wonder what it feels like for her. If she can feel my pain. I wonder what I look like...I've probably lost weight and I definitely haven't slept in weeks. The sun hasn't touched me in what feels like years, and I haven't had fresh air in so long. My room is utterly trashed—the bed partially broken, the pictures all scattered on the ground, and so so many papers on the floor from the pages I ripped out of my books.

Sage pulls me into her arms, bringing me down on the ground with her and I let her. She's been taking care of the pack since Lila left. I have zero knowledge of what's happening, and I don't care. What's the point of leading a pack without a Luna?

"You should be Alpha." I tell her eventually. My forehead on her shoulder, trying my best not to sway off of her. I'm drained and spent. My wolf and I haven't gotten along in a while. We're just angry and sad and confused and I so wish I was just human. A normal human heartbreak can't possibly feel this way.

"You're the Alpha, Matthew." Sage rubs my back—it's comforting. "We need you."

Every time I imagine standing in front of my pack, a wave of shame hits me across the face like ice-cold water. I'm embarrassed to say the least. Humiliated would be putting it kindly. Rejections never happen. Why would they? Mates are each other's better half. But what's worse, being an Alpha who gets rejected. It's... degrading. I must be the first Alpha in history to get rejected.

She pulls away and I can see the desperation on her face, "I need you. Just tell me what to do. Please, I can't keep seeing you like this. You have people here, people who love you, who cherish you."

Her voice starts to sound far away because I don't believe it. A part of me starts to tune it out. Almost like I'm unworthy. Sage must have been able to tell I was blanking out. Because all of a sudden, she slaps me across the face so hard my head turns.

"Matthew Vale," She scowls me. "I'm so sick of seeing you like this. I cannot bare it any longer. I will not let this stupid, good-for-nothing, Barbie bitch ruin your life. Do you fucking hear me? Come on, we're going on a run."

She lifts me up, my body leaning on her the entire time we walk down the stairs. I feel so weak but somehow, we manage to make it outside. Sage forces me to shift—it's the first time I let my wolf totally out since Lila left. And somehow, it makes us both finally see just a little gleam at the end of the tunnel.

"Hi Sage," Lila chirps like it's a casual Sunday afternoon. Her voice quickly pulling me out of the memory.

Sage's eyes turn black as she barrels over. She pulls Lila off of me, dragging her in to the living room where she throws her onto one of the couches. I stay back for a few seconds, breathing deeply trying to calm myself.

I want Mia, my wolf growls.

No, she can't witness this.

I can't help but remember my younger self. It doesn't even feel like me. When I look back at the memories of what happened, it makes me think I'm watching a movie of someone totally different. All the anguish I felt when Lila left has been replaced by nothing. Time being the best healer. And Mia. Falling in love with Mia. I'm only left now with anger. Lila can fuck right off.

After calming down, I take my time to walk to the living room. Lila already comfortable on the couch. Looking around the room with raised eyebrows. "You didn't change anything," She turns to me shaking her head in disapproval. "You know how old fashioned all this looks, right?"

I'm already exhausted but her comment throws me back. Fucking typical...

"Why the fuck are you here, Lila?" I finally manage to speak a full sentence. Saying her name tastes like bile.

"Listen," She sits up. Her eyes looking between Sage and I. "I can tell this is a shock and all. But will you at least give me the benefit of the doubt to explain myself? I feel like I've entered the lion's den. Clearly."

Her eyes skim at Sage, who's equally, if not angrier than me. Her own words failing her while she tries not to wolf out. I can already see her nails slowly turning to claws.

I cross my arms over my chest, "Answer my question."

"Isn't it obvious?" Lila frowns, "I missed you. I just want to talk. Resolve things."

My wolf can't help it, he starts laughing. He's a blubbering mess of hysterics, Is this bitch for real?

It's been years. And in those years, Lila has never returned. She's never sent a letter or message. I've built a life to myself without her and with the idea that I would never see her again. I'm content with it. So fucking content without having her around that I can't believe she had to turn up the day after my Mia's initiation to pull this bullshit.

Her timing is a joke, My wolf growls. He starts growing angry again and I feel it bubbling. Outrage I'm having to control and push down.

"You need to fuck right off," Sage growls.

I close my eyes for a split second, Sage watching me carefully as I try to calm myself. I'm just about to reach for the blanket on the sofa couch that smells like Mia, when Lila stands up. Her eyes narrowing behind me as they flicker slightly.

"Who the fuck is that, Matty?"

I turn around to see Mia. Goddess, my beautiful Mia wearing my dress shirt and a pair of underwear. Under any other circumstance I would jump her here and now. I try to let the sight of her calm me and for a short second it does. It's quickly replaced by concern. I don't want her here. I don't want her to see me this angry and spiteful. I just want to go back and lie in bed with her and love her and have her love me. The fact that Lila is ruining it makes me so...angry.

At first, Mia looks so innocent and confused. But Lila's words cause her demeanor to change, and I can't help but feel proud. Her back straightening and her eyes glaring directly at Lila. "Who the fuck are you?" She retorts effortlessly.

Lila's nostrils flare, evidently picking up our mixed scents. I allow myself to breathe in Mia—Goddess, her scent delicious. She smells like me and her and love and sex—and for a moment I let my wolf relish in it.

Lila's eyes glaze in black, "I'm Lila, Matty's mate."

And the relishing is over. My anger surfaces and I snap my attention to Lila with a low growl. What a pathetic use of the word mate. She's not my mate. I don't care what the Moon Goddess says.

I don't want them in the same room. I just want to shield Mia—make sure she doesn't have to be around for this. I turn to her, my eyes pleading. "Mia, please go back upstairs."

Her eyes snap to me, she's trying to read my expression. Her lips are pressed in a hard line, and I can see the flicker of pain behind her beautiful eyes. No...

"Pack your bags while you're at it, pet." Lila smirks. Her arms crossing and eyes turning back to their color. "The real Luna is back."

Kill her, my wolf seethes.

I'm just about to turn on Lila, but Mia's wolf comes out in full spring. In a split second, Mia is across the room, holding Lila against the wall with her forearm pressed into Lila's neck. Mia's eyes pitch black, her lips curled into a snarl, and canines poking out.

Fuck she's hot, my wolf can't help it. Staring at her ass when the dress shirt rides up.

Lila is screaming, quite pathetically if I'm being honest. Sage and I rush over. "Get her off me," Lila shrieks. After a few tries we finally loosen Mia's grip. Sage pulling her away from Lila and taking her a few steps back.

"Sage," I instruct. "Take Mia upstairs, now."

Mia's eyes flicker back to brown. She's staring at me with so much pain. I realize then how I've positioned myself. In front of Lila like I'm guarding her. Her hands gripping my arm dramatically. I pull my arm away from Lila, stepping towards Mia.

Comfort her, my wolf whines.

I cup Mia's face in both my hands and kiss her full-heartedly. She seems surprised at first but kisses me back when I pour in my desperation. I need her to know that everything is okay. Her eyes are brimming with tears, and it makes me melt and want to sink to my knees. I try to mind link her, but she doesn't let me in. I pull away, keeping my forehead to hers.

"Gorgeous," I tell her softly. "Please go upstairs."

I can feel her anger and her fear. She nods her head—somewhat embarrassed and broken. Sage has her arm over Mia's shoulders, but her gaze stares at me. I don't want to leave Lila with you, Sage links me.

"Stay with Mia." I tell her sternly.

She knows better than to go against my word. Sage glances between Lila and me, finally retreating up the stairs with Mia. My Mia. Once they're out of sight, I turn to Lila.

"Your pet attacked me," Lila growls.

"Call her that one more time and I'll have your head rolling on the ground." I growl back, my voice booming with rage. "You want to talk? Fine. Let's go talk."

***

A/N: how do we feel about Matthew's POV ^-^ kind cute writing from his perspective haha well for a the first section anyways