*Matthew's POV*

I close the door of my office, Lila having the smallest sense of keeping herself away from me. She rolls her eyes at the countless books on the shelves, plopping down on the chair in front of my desk. "Do you ever actually read these?" She asks with a raised eyebrow. "Looks like you've bought more since last I've been here. I thought I told you the modern thing to do is watch movies."

Her eyes land on my electric guitar in the corner. The acoustic lying on the ground by the sofa where I left it yesterday. "Oh Goddess, you still play?" She asks with a smirk. My jaw clenches and I stay in silence. She leans back, "Remember when you used to play for me?"

"Yes," I narrow my eyes. "Last I recall, you said I should stop because my music would never amount to anything. And that it was obnoxious and loud."

"That's a bit dramatic," Lila rolls her eyes. "I said that you would never become a rockstar, Matty. And did you? No. Sometimes the plain facts hurt. You played too often anyways. It was so loud and an incredible ruckus."

I decide to ignore her. Because of her I stopped playing. But Mia loves my playing—always asking me to hear new songs. She even helped me pick out some sheet music in town so I could start composing my own songs. The idea of Mia calms me for a split second.

I step around until I'm sitting behind my desk. Thankful to have space between Lila and I as she can't reach. My thumb instantly searching for my wolf ring to nervously press into it. I have no words. I'm too focused on keeping my wolf at bay.

"You're staring." Lila's eyes are too busy roaming around the room. I watch as they linger on the bookshelf with my Royal book collection that King Aiden gifted me. I never let anyone read them—only Mia. I'm fascinated that Lila has a sudden interest in them. She's never shown interest in anything I like.

"You wanted to talk." I speak slowly. I need to be able to maintain my composure, "So talk."

Lila turns towards me, her eyebrow raising. "So hostile."

I'll show her hostile, my wolf growls and it manages to escape my lips. This only seems to entertain her as she smirks.

"You haven't stepped foot in the Valley or spoken to me in years," I narrow my eyes. "So I implore you to explain yourself before I throw you out of my pack."

"Our pack." Her comment does nothing to me, so she finally sighs, keeping her gaze on me. "Fine. I've missed you."

Once upon a time, those words would have had me rolling. Sinking to my knees in happiness. Now they leave a metallic taste in my mouth. I bite my cheek so hard I actually draw blood. There isn't a single drop in me that misses her. I think a part of me is just furious because I look back at the empty shell of a man she left and want to seek revenge on his behalf. If I had been around to protect younger me, there would be so much I would tell myself. Starting with the fact that I meet a gorgeous girl whose personality and looks runs laps around this bitch.

"No, you haven't." I place my fist under the desk to clench it.

"I have." Her voice losing the playfulness she's somehow maintained since she arrived. Her eyes narrow at me and lips purse. "You know why I left, Matty. To travel the world and get away from the Valley. Does it not dawn on you for a second that I had nothing against you?"

She's so full of shit, My wolf tells me. Nothing we did made her happy.

"We were so young, Matty." She places her hands on my desk, leaning forward. "I wasn't ready for a mate. I wanted to go out and see more than this pack. But you wanted to stay here. You had to stay here. And I just...wanted to find myself and have fun."

"Fun?"

"Yes, fun." Lila smiles softly. There's a distant look in her eyes like she's reliving her memories and it does oh-so-little to push my anger aside. She sighs out, leaning back in the chair, her arms crossing.

"It's okay that you have that girl," She finally says—changing the topic. I stiffen.

If she says one bad thing about our Mia, I'll kill her. My wolf growls.

"I understand you have needs, Matty." She shrugs it off like it's nothing. "Can't say I didn't have my own fair share of conquests. You should really take a holiday out of the Valley. Go to some of the human towns. Humans just throw themselves at us, you know."

I blink a few times. Unsure how to even being to unwrap this information. So while I was mourning the loss of a mate, here was Lila, living her "fun" life while sleeping around Goddess knows where. The thought almost has me in laughter.

"If you had so much fun," My words are so bitter. "Why bother coming back?"

"Because I miss you." Her eyes roll as she says it again. "Honestly Matty, have you not been listening to a word I've said? I've told you like five times now. I. Miss. You."

I don't want her. I want her gone. I tell my wolf, who huffs in agreement.

Lila keeps talking, her hand waving around as she tries to explain herself. "You know, the traveling was fun. I got to meet a lot of really interesting people. I lived with humans and other supernatural beings. Had so many experiences—intellectually, spiritually, sexually."

She winks and I want to throw up.

"But..." Her hand drops into her lap, voice suddenly turning serious. "My wolf and I have been trying to find what we're missing, and we think it's you. We always knew you'd be here waiting for us, and I guess we felt like it was time to come back."

Now I can't help it. I burst out into laughter. It's just too surreal. It's unbelievable. It truly is unbelievable because not an ounce of my body trusts the words coming out of her mouth. Knowing she's lying and acting is heating my wolf. And me. This isn't the Lila we know—and you can argue she changed but I find it doubtful.

"I'm so pleased that you consider me your back-up plan." My voice laced with venom.

"I won't lie," She cocks a smile. "It's been comforting all these years knowing you'd be here. And look how sexy you've gotten. Last I was here, you didn't have as much muscle, and I'll admit the tattoos are a nice addition."

Lila's eyes land on my glasses that are on the table and she smirks, "And clearly you stopped wearing glasses. You used to wear those god-awful things all the time. Goddess Matty, they're so unattractive I can't believe you've kept them all these years. You look like a total dork."

Don't listen to her Matthew, my wolf growls.

She reaches for them and before she can grab them, I take a hold of her wrist and clench it harshly. Control, control, control. I tell myself as I push my wolf back. I will not let her demean me any longer. Every word out of her mouth is foul and I can't stand it.

She never cared about me. She rejected me right before I was going to officially claim her as Luna in front of the pack. She hated everything about my personality—all my quirks and mannerisms. She nagged me and belittled me and embarrassed me in front of everyone. And she cared even less about the pack. Always starting trouble and never wanting to get involved. Talking badly about the university and despising our town.

I feel my eyes hazing over and I control my breathing. Lila stares at me intently—both confused and amused. "Get out," I say slowly.

"No," Her eyes narrow in challenge. Her own wolf trying to combat mine. "I understand you better than anyone, Matty. I'm your mate."

I want to speak to her, my wolf bangs against my head. I can't let him have that control. It would be almost impossible to reel him back in and what if he does something rash.

Sage, I mind link my Beta. She's making me angry.

"You're not my mate." I snap bitterly.

"I am," She places her free hand on mine. I know what she's trying to do—she's trying to rekindle the mate bond. But it's non-existent. The sparks I used to get when I touch her are dead now. The only feeling I'm getting is static as if my hand has fallen asleep. It's unpleasant and annoying. I hear the door open, and Sage pushes herself inside. Lila ignores her and I keep my eyes focused on my ex-mate.

"I'm the Luna." Lila's eyes narrow and lips curve into a smile. "It seems the pack didn't mind much either. I took the liberty of walking through town this morning letting everyone know the Luna has returned."

My eyes widen—my wolf surging forward and I try to pull him back like a hysterical dog on a leash. But he's so angry and dragging me. My heart beating faster in my chest. I need to stop and focus on reigning him in. A part of me wants to let him explode but I don't know what'll happen if I do. He's never been this furious and I don't know how much longer I can hold him.

Find out if she's lying, I mind link Sage.

She's not, Sage replies instantly. I can feel her eyes on me. I've been hearing word from the pack.

The rage bubbles and starts to scream like a kettle over the fire. Lila takes my hard breathing as a cue, she let's go of my hand, and she walks around the desk. She turns my seat to face me. Placing her hands on either side of the arm rests and leaning forward. Sage growls in the room, I put my hand up to stop her from attacking Lila.

"Matty," She says slowly. "That girl. Mia. She's not your mate. I am. We're meant for each other. You need to give me a chance."

My voice comes out strained, "I'll give you a chance, Lila."

I want to speak to her! Now Matthew! my wolf rages.

The entitlement. The disrespect. Her absolute disregard and disparage of Mia. My Mia—the Luna. Ruining my day with her and then having the fucking audacity to stroll around my pack like she owns it. Like she never left. I feel my eyes turn black as I slowly stand up. My aura is radiating off me in waves. I haven't felt this level of irrational anger in years. There's no more logic, only red. Everything is red.

Lila smirks and just when she leans in and I realize what she wants to do, I let him out. It's like taking a backseat in my mind. I'm watching what's happening but have no control over my movements. My hand reaches up for Lila's throat and I grasp it harshly. Her nails suddenly scratching my hand and wrist.

She might not willingly open her mind to me, but she's still a member of my pack. My wolf sends her a signal so far into her head that she's forced in letting the Alpha in. He's growling erratically. The energy depleting in my body at an exponential rate. Having my wolf come forward in human form has never happened before.

I can sense Lila's anger—not even fear. Just pure rage. My wolf growls—mind linking her immediately. His voice echoing between our minds, I'll give you a chance to leave and never return, Lila.

Even with my hand around her neck, she manages to choke out. "That girl will never be your mate."

Her defiance is noteworthy and only reminds me she's been lying. She never respected the Alpha title. She's always had a vendetta against me because I was the Alpha's son. Her contempt for our world has always been so evident. She's never liked packs, Alpha's, or even the King.

My body pushes her against the bookshelf. Holding her up so that her toes barely touch the ground. I vaguely hear Sage call out to me, but Lila's face turns red in my vision. My lips snarling and I can't help but shake with power and rage. My wolf isn't holding back—he wants her to know exactly how he feels and what our position entails.

"If you so much as look at my mate—my Luna—her beauty will be the last thing you'll ever see." My voice comes out of my mouth and sounds laced by two separate entities. My wolf has never spoken through me, the feeling so raw in my throat, burning my vocal cords. "I'll make damn sure that you spend the rest of your pathetic life walking blindly with the sheer memory of her being the last thing you saw. And if you ever step foot again in the Valley, Matthew may hesitate killing you, but I surely will not. Do you fucking understand?"

I can feel my hand clenching harder around her throat and Lila suddenly looks panicked. Her nails scratching me harder as I constrict her airway and blood flow.

"Alpha!" Sage's voice echoes into the office. I drop Lila almost instantly, who falls on her knees coughing.

Turning to Sage, her expression is both horrified and in awe. My aura emitting so powerfully, her head instantly bows down in respect—afraid my wolf will lash out on her. Lila can't look me in the eye, the power pulsating through me keeps her head down and she's shuddering in fear.

Let me back in, I tell my wolf.

Take her away, Matthew. Far away. He says before retreating back into my mind. A sudden wave of exhaustion and massive headache hits me.

Sage is staring at me. Her eyes wide and mouth open. I clench my jaw, taking a few deep breaths before I look down at Lila. Her eyes finally glancing up at mine. There's so much hatred behind them—that a part of me is actually happy to see it. This is the look she used to give me—the gaze she's been hiding.

I grab her forearm, pulling her up to her feet. "Let's go."

I drag her out of my office and outside. I bark an order to Sage to stay behind and she does. Shoving Lila into the passenger seat of my car, I start driving. My mind is completely elsewhere. I'm trying to calm my wolf and he's trying to comfort me. Lila has the common sense to shut the fuck up.

I hate being this angry. I hate that this side of me has come out. This isn't who I am—not deep down anyways. Lila has a magical ability of getting the worst parts of me to surface. The deep depression I was in when she left which later turned into anger. Anger that caused me to lash out like a reckless and rebellious teenager. Sleeping around, drinking, doing drugs. And now this. My inability to control my wolf.

A part of me is ashamed of how I've reacted. I should have been able to rein him in more. I've spent countless years training. I remember being in the Palace and King Aiden was teaching us that to be a successful Alpha is to have control over your wolf. Now I've let him control me and I feel mortified.

I try to think of Mia. Mia always calms me down. Mia brings out the best in me. She makes me playful and funny. She understands my jokes and we quip together. Her smile is so gentle it warms my heart and insides. I can't wait to be back home and just relish in her. To comfort her and tell her that everything will be okay. That this will never happen again.

My brain and body are so frazzled that by the time I check the car clock, I realize we've been driving for over four hours. The sun setting in the horizon. Is four hours far enough away from the Valley? Probably not. But it'll have to do. Lila should know that my wolf means his threat.

I pull the car into a dirt path in the middle of the forest. As soon as I change the gear into Park, I turn to Lila. Her eyes are staring coldly in front of us. Her anger not going unnoticed.

"Give me your wrist," I hold my hand out. My eyes baring into the side of her face.

She scoffs, "Get rid of it. I don't fucking want it."

There she is. My wolf growls.

She hands me her wrist with my pack's brand. The Celtic tree of life looks like it's faded slightly but it's still there. I hate seeing it on her and I won't let her go like last time. When she rejected me, I wanted her to keep it. To remind her of her home and to remind her of me. Now I want it to remind her to never return.

I control the nail of my index finger to turn into a claw. Dragging it on the inside of my hand to gather some of my blood before I slice Lila's skin. A gash made with my Alpha blood that sears into the brand. Lila flinches in pain as my blood is absorbed into the wound. The veins that formed the tree of life suddenly blackening before the brand itself fades from a beautiful tattooed black to white like a healed scar.

Lila breaths out heavily. If I didn't know any better, I'd say she just got punched in the gut. She rolls her head in my direction, seething. She tries pulling her wrist out of my grasp. "Can I fucking go now?"

I narrow my eyes at her, now that my anger has subdued slightly, I finally feel like I've got my emotions in check. My brain can work now when I don't feel clouded with my wolf. My mouth parts slightly as I try to figure it out.

"For once in your life Lila, do me the courtesy of being honest with me." My back straightens and I grip her wrist harshly, "Why did you come back?"

"I don't owe you anything, Matty." Her eyes are cruel and spiteful. "You Alpha's think everything is about you and it's not. Just like that sick man we call our King. If he was such a good King, why haven't you marked your precious Mia?"

Don't get angry, I tell my wolf quickly. I need to think.

That's difficult, Matthew. I hate her.

"You're a rebel." I try to keep my composure. Lila stays silent, her gaze staring straight ahead. It's the only thing that makes sense. "Did you really think you could convert me to your idiotic cause?"

She lets a deep breath out of her nostrils, making sure not to look at me. "I heard that you almost broke when I left you. It's a miracle you were able to re-build from the rumors that spread. I figured I could come back and pussy-whip you."

We should kill her, my wolf hums hopefully.

We're not monsters. I tell him.

Speak for yourself, he huffs.

Having pledged myself to the King means reporting and turning in rebels. I step out of the car, walking around to Lila's door. The King would want her—to know what she has to do with the rebellion. But I know what happens to the Rebels once the King has gotten all his information. I open her door, pulling her out. Grabbing a fistful of her hair I yank her head back, staring down at her with as much composure I can muster.

"This is my last act of kindness to you," I tell her in a low voice. Mia wouldn't want me to kill. I won't stoop low because of Lila. I cannot let myself be clouded in darkness and antipathy. Lila's eyes bare nothing but hatred and I'm glad it's there. Because I hate her too.

"You heard my wolf." I let her go just by the edge of the forest. "Never come back."

It's better if we kill her Matthew. She'll never bother us again. Mia will never have to worry. And we have one less rebel in the cause. He is a bit of a sadist and quite thirsty of violence.

Lila walks into the forest and I watch her to make sure she doesn't try anything. Just as she's about to disappear, she turns to face me. Her eyes narrowed, "She won't be yours forever, Matty."

Before I can say anything, Lila shifts into her wolf, barreling through the trees and forest. I feel like I can finally breathe. A massive pressure has been lifted off my shoulders. Without a second to spare, I hop back into my car and start driving home. Thinking of Mia and how I'm going to tell her everything that happened. Every word that was said.

By the time I reach the Valley, it's long past dark. My body and mind are exhausted. I feel like I could sleep for three days straight. The thought of Mia's arms around me in bed sound so comforting.

As soon as I walk into my castle, I know something's wrong. I make my way to the kitchen where Sage is pacing nervously. River leaning against the island counter. I frown when I see Clara, Ashley, and Evan.

Sage see's me first, running to me in a hug. "I'm so happy you're back," she says honestly.

I only manage to nod. My entire body relaxing now that I'm home. I'm exhausted. "Where's Mia?"

"Alpha," Clara speaks up—surprisingly. She hasn't been very vocal with me since she's arrived. She spends most of her time with Sage, River, and Mia while they discuss Sparta. Overall, she's been incredibly helpful towards us and other than a bit of friendly banter, I wouldn't say we've grown particularly close, but she makes Mia happy.

I frown, my body suddenly alert and standing straight. My voice coming out harsher than I intend it to, "What?"

Sage grips my arm, "We can't find Mia."

My insides shatter like glass. My wolf and I suddenly panicking. "What do you mean you can't find Mia?"

"We've looked everywhere," Ashley speaks up, but her head bows down. No one wanting to look me in the eyes. I try to mind link Mia, but they're right. She's too far away. I can't get a hold of her. Our links only function for certain distances unless they're a warrior.

"She ran off pack territory," River explains. My breathing quickens and I'm suddenly hit with fear. This is so much worse. I can't lose Mia—not her. No, Mia loves me. Why would she leave? Where is she going?

I turn back around, going straight for the front door. My wolf already begging me to go find her. I can't bare it—I can't lose her. Not her. And with all of Sparta looking for her, what if they get to her first?

My wolf starts howling in panic and I'm about to shift when Sage steps in front of me. "Stop," Sage grabs either of my arms. She's looking me straight in the eyes, my hyperventilation quickening. "I sent Tyler."

"Tyler?" My voice booms loudly. I can feel my eyes darkening again. I don't know how much emotion my human side can take. Maybe it's just better if I pass out in the back of my mind and let my wolf take over again. With his heightened instincts, I'm sure he'll find Mia.

"Matthew," Sage's face contorted in concern. She hardly ever uses my name. "Tyler left hours ago to look for her. You're not going to find Mia before him. He's the fastest warrior in our pack and her friend."

My logic isn't working. I'm sure what she's saying makes sense but right now it might as well be a foreign language. I need to go find her. I can't just wait idly by knowing my mate is out on her own somewhere. I push myself past Sage—ready to shift.

"You need to stay!" Sage growls at me.

"Like fucking hell I do!" I snap at her as I turn to face her. My eyes darkening and a growl escaping my lips. Sage meets my gaze head on, but I can tell the rest are retreating in submission.

"The pack is freaking out," Sage tells me. "Your ex-mate showed up and wreaked havoc. You need to stay here for your pack. Tyler is out there, and you know he cares about her. Nothing you do now will help Mia there. You need to help Mia here and talk to your pack about what fucking happened."

I don't care about what the pack thinks, I think to myself. As the thought crosses my mind, I feel myself come down from the anxiety. I can't think this way. Not again. I almost lost the pack last time—there's no way they would trust me again if I resort to the Dark Ages.

But it's Mia. It's not Lila. Lila drove me insane. She made me change and she never loved me. Mia is different and the thought of not having her makes Lila seem so obsolete. Living without Mia...there's no turning back for me there. I wouldn't be able to bare it.

Almost like she can read my mind, Sage looks at me full of pity and fear. "You have to care about the pack, Matthew." She says gently, "We'll get Mia back. I promise. But you need to stay here."

I start pacing, my mind unable to function properly as my wolf's instincts are to go after Mia. I need to try and think. Control, control, control. Nothing bad can happen to her. I can't live without her. Why would she leave? Did she lose control of her wolf? Oh my Goddess, is she going back to Sparta?

Control, control, control.

"River," I bark at my head of warriors. He waits for my words. I take several deep breaths, keeping my gaze on Sage who's helping me breathe. "I want you to get constant updates from Tyler."

"Yes Alpha," River bows his head. His mind elsewhere as he links. I can't mind link Tyler from this far—that's River's position.

I stare at the little band of Mia's closest friends. I can't think at all. My mind isn't going to be relaxed until I have Mia with me again. My wolf is stirring in anger—his wish of killing Lila growing by the second.

"Just tell me what to do Sage." I turn to my Beta and she knows very well I'm not in control of myself. Just listening to a few messages in the mind link I realize how word has gotten around of Lila's return. I can sense confusion and panic and my shoulders sag down because I want to go after Mia, but Sage is right. I have to fix this problem here and place my faith into Tyler. I can't have pack members doubting who the true Luna is.

"Tyler says he's picked up on her scent," River informs me.

I clench my fists to my sides. It should be me out there, not Tyler. "Tell him not to come back until he has our Luna."

***

A/N: I noticed I have a lot of silent readers haha. Hope you guys are also liking the story. Anyways, I've already written the next chapter--and I'm willing to make a deal with y'all ;) None of my chapters have broken 20 votes. If you guys can make it 20 votes on this chapter I'll update the next chapter ASAP!!!!

Please feel free to comment!!! Honestly, one of my favorite chapters to write.