Marco's pov
I stepped back, watching him writhe in pain, his breath coming in short, panicked gasps. His blood stained the cold dungeon floor, but this was nothing compared to what was coming.
"You think this is bad?" I murmured, my voice deadly calm. "This is just the beginning."
His wide, terrified eyes met mine. He opened his mouth to beg again, but I turned away before he could.
I had no interest in his pleas.
Darius was waiting by the door, arms crossed. He gave me a knowing look. "Let me guess. You're not done with him?"
I smirked darkly. "Not even close. He'll regret ever laying a hand on Matilda."
Darius chuckled, shaking his head. "I'll have the guards keep an eye on him. We'll make sure he doesn't die too fast."
I nodded, rolling my shoulders to ease the tension in my muscles. "Good. I want him to feel every second of it."
With that, I walked out of the dungeon, the sound of his ragged breathing still echoing behind me.I made my way up to the pack house, my blood still running hot from the dungeon. The moment I stepped inside, the scent of her soft, warm, and undeniably mine washed over me, soothing some of the fury still simmering beneath my skin.
I followed her scent to her room and found her sitting on the balcony with Elera. They were talking and laughing softly, the sound like a balm to my rage.
Elera was the first to notice me. She smirked knowingly before standing. "I'll leave you two," she said, giving Matilda a playful wink before walking past me.
Matilda looked up, her smile faltering slightly when she saw me. "You're back."
I stepped closer, my eyes scanning her face. She looked… calm. Safe. Good.
She must have noticed something in my expression because she frowned. "Did something happen?"
I exhaled slowly, pushing back the dark thoughts of the dungeon. She doesn't need to know. Not yet.
"Nothing you need to worry about," I said, sitting beside her. "Tell me about your day."
She hesitated for a moment but then relaxed, leaning against the chair. "It was nice. Elera and Ana were teasing me about… the kiss." Her cheeks turned pink, and she looked away.
My lips curled into a smirk. "Oh?"
She huffed. "It's not funny. They wouldn't stop asking questions."
I leaned in, brushing my fingers against her cheek, forcing her to look at me. "And what did you tell them?"
Her breath hitched slightly, but she held my gaze. "That… I don't know what to think yet."
Something inside me stirred at her honesty. She wasn't running. She wasn't pushing me away.
I leaned even closer, my lips just a breath away from hers. "Then maybe I should give you more to think about," I murmured.
Her breath caught, but before I could close the distance, she placed a hand on my chest, stopping me. "Marco…"
I stilled, waiting.
She looked uncertain, but there was something else in her gaze something hesitant yet curious. "I… I want to take things slow."
I studied her for a long moment, then nodded. "I'll wait, Matilda." I ran my thumb over her lower lip, my voice dropping to a promise. "But when you're ready… you'll be mine completely."
Her face burned red, but she didn't pull away.