Matilda Anderson's POv
After I left Marco, I found myself with Elera, Ana, and Lena Darius's mate. I was still thinking about what Marco had told me over breakfast, but I needed more answers.
"This mark… how does it work?" I finally asked.
Lena and Elera exchanged a look before Lena sighed. "It's painful," she admitted.
My stomach twisted. "Painful?" I echoed.
Lena nodded. "And it will be done in front of important pack members."
My eyes widened in shock. "Why didn't Marco tell me that?"
Lena hesitated, then continued. "Some people faint from the pain. Then their mate takes them in afterward to help them recover."
I swallowed hard. I knew Marco wouldn't hurt me on purpose, but the idea of fainting in front of strangers, of enduring that kind of pain, made me uneasy.
Elera gently squeezed my hand. "It's tradition, Matilda. It proves your bond is real. And once it's done, no one will ever be able to challenge your place as Luna."
I took a shaky breath. "And if I don't do it?"
Lena's expression darkened slightly. "Then others, like Alpha Kade, might think you're still. available."
The mention of Kade sent a shiver down my spine. I thought of the way he had looked at me at the party, like he was calculating something.
I pressed my lips together. "So I really don't have a choice, do I?"
Elera smiled softly. "You do. Marco would never force you. But if you want to be safe truly safe then the mark is the only way to ensure that no one tries to take you from him."
I nodded slowly.
I gripped the edge of my dress, my mind racing. "Will my body change after this?" I asked hesitantly.
Lena nodded. "Yes. You'll be more connected to Marco and the pack. You'll be able to mindlink with us, and you'll feel the bond even stronger."
I swallowed. "And Marco?"
Elera smiled. "He'll become even stronger. A marked Alpha with his Luna by his side is nearly unstoppable."
I frowned slightly, processing it all. "So… I'll be like one of you?"
Lena shook her head. "Not quite. You'll still be human, but you'll have a deeper connection to Marco. And there's something else…"
The way she hesitated made my nerves spike. "What is it?"
"You'll be able to feed on his blood."
I stared at her, stunned. "What?"
Elera chuckled at my reaction. "It's not as bad as it sounds."
"But… why?" I asked, still trying to wrap my head around it.
"In ancient times, mates fed on each other's blood to strengthen their bond," Lena explained. "For wolves, it's different, but for human mates, taking the blood of their Alpha reinforces the connection. It's rare now, but the bond calls for it sometimes."
I shook my head in disbelief. "So.I'll want to drink his blood?"
Lena nodded. "If the bond demands it, yes. And Marco will give it to you willingly."
I pressed a hand to my chest. This was all so overwhelming. Not only would I be tied to Marco forever, but my body would change in ways I never expected.
Elera touched my arm gently. "You don't have to be afraid, Matilda. Marco will take care of you."
I nodded slowly.
Lena suddenly grinned, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "And then…" she trailed off, watching me closely.
I swallowed nervously. "Then what?"
Elera chuckled, but it was Lena who answered, her tone playful yet serious. "Then, you'll go needy for him. Your body will crave his touch, his scent… and most of all, his knot."
My face burned instantly. "W-what?"
"Oh, you heard me," Lena said, clearly enjoying my reaction. "Once the mark is complete, your body will recognize Marco fully as your mate. You'll want him in ways you never imagined. You'll feel it deep in your core, an ache that only he can soothe."
Elera nodded. "It's your body's way of sealing the bond completely. And trust me, it's intense."
I stared at them, my heart pounding. "You're joking, right?"
Lena smirked. "Not at all. You'll want to jump on him every second. Even the smallest touches will drive you crazy. His voice, his scent everything about him will call to you."
Elera laughed at my expression. "It's why most mates don't wait too long after the mark. The heat that follows can be… overwhelming."
I felt like my entire body was on fire just thinking about it. How was I supposed to handle something like that?
But I don't know what to do,I said frustrated
Lena gasped dramatically, her eyes lighting up with excitement. "Wait… don't tell me you've never been with a man before?"
My cheeks burned even hotter, and I looked down, unable to say the words.
Elera and Lena exchanged glances before my silence gave me away.
Lena nearly squealed. "Oh my goddess! You're completely untouched?"
I groaned, covering my face with my hands. "Lena, please"
"This is amazing!" she cut in, practically bouncing in her seat. "Marco is going to love this."
Elera, thankfully, was calmer. She placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder, giving Lena a look. "Relax, Lena. You're overwhelming her."
Then she turned back to me with a soft smile. "Don't worry, Matilda. Marco is experienced. He'll know exactly what to do, and he'll take care of you."
Lena grinned. "Oh, he's definitely going to enjoy taking care of you."
Lena smirked. "And let's be honest, he'll love being the first to teach you everything."
I groaned again, my cheeks burning even more.
Elera chuckled. "Just trust him. You'll be fine."
Lena smirked wickedly, leaning in closer. "Oh, Matilda… you really don't know what you're in for."
I swallowed hard. "What do you mean?"
She giggled and exchanged a look with Elera, who just shook her head with a small smile. Then Lena leaned in, whispering dramatically, "Marco is huge."
My eyes widened instantly. "W-What?"
Lena nodded, looking far too pleased with herself. "I mean, huge. Like, you're going to be in so much trouble."
Elera sighed, rubbing her temples. "Lena, stop teasing her."
"Oh, come on, it's true!" Lena argued, grinning at my red face. "Matilda needs to be prepared! Our dear Alpha King is not small, and she's going to -
Just then, the front door opened, and in walked Marco.
I nearly choked on air.
Lena's grin widened as she quickly straightened, completely unbothered.
Marco's golden eyes flickered between us, sensing the tension in the room. "What's going on?" he asked, his deep voice laced with suspicion.
Lena was the picture of innocence as she stood up. "Oh, nothing!" she said sweetly, throwing me a very obvious knowing look. Then, with a wink in my direction, she grabbed Darius by the arm. "Come on, mate, we should give these two some privacy."
Darius raised a brow at her but let himself be pulled away, and just like that, they were gone.
Leaving me alone with Marco.
Who was now looking at me with curiosity.
"What was that about?" he asked, stepping closer.
I could still feel the heat on my cheeks, the words Lena had said haunting me.
I forced a nervous laugh, waving a hand dismissively. "N-Nothing! Just… girl talk."
Marco didn't look convinced. "Girl talk?" His eyes studied my expression, and then he took another step toward me. "Your face is red."
I knew it was red. I could feel the heat burning my skin.
I took a step back instinctively, but he only followed.
Oh, goddess.
Lena, I hate you.
I took another step back, but Marco only followed, his golden eyes narrowing slightly as he studied me.
"You're acting strange," he said, his deep voice laced with curiosity.
I forced a nervous laugh, waving my hands. "Me? No, I'm completely fine! Nothing weird at all!"
Marco tilted his head, his sharp gaze piercing through my terrible attempt at lying.
"Lena said something to you," he guessed, stepping even closer.
I swallowed hard, feeling trapped as my back finally hit the wall. He was right in front of me now, his tall frame towering over mine, his warmth surrounding me.
I shook my head quickly. "Nope! She didn't say anything!"
Marco arched a brow. "Really?"
I nodded frantically, but my body betrayed me. My cheeks burned, my hands fidgeted, and I couldn't even look him in the eye.
Marco's gaze darkened slightly, as if something clicked in his mind. Then, to my utter horror, the corners of his lips curled into a slow, knowing smirk.
"Lena was teasing you… wasn't she?"
I froze.
Marco leaned in, his voice dropping to a husky whisper. "What did she say, Matilda?"
I wanted to push him away, wanted to escape this situation, but my body refused to listen. I felt glued to the spot, heat coiling in my stomach at how close he was.
"N-Nothing important," I stammered, my voice barely above a whisper.
Marco's smirk deepened, and then just to torture me further he brushed his lips dangerously close to my ear.
"You're lying," he murmured.
A shiver ran down my spine.
I clenched my fists, trying to gather whatever dignity I had left. "It was just… dumb stuff!" I blurted out. "Lena was just being Lena and saying ridiculous things that don't matter at all!"
Marco pulled back just enough to look at me, his golden eyes gleaming with amusement.
"Ridiculous things?" he mused.
I nodded way too quickly.
Then, just as I thought I had managed to escape further embarrassment, Marco did the worst thing possible.
He grinned.
Not just any grin. A cocky, knowing, utterly sinful grin.
"Lena was talking about me, wasn't she?"
My breath hitched. "N-No!"
His grin widened. "About what exactly?"
Oh, goddess, kill me now.
I turned my face away, too mortified to look at him.
Marco, of course, was not going to let it go.
With a deep chuckle, he reached out, gently taking my chin and tilting my face back toward him. His touch was firm but gentle, his golden eyes filled with something dangerous.
"Tell me, Matilda," he murmured, his voice dripping with amusement. "What exactly did Lena say about me?"
I tried to escape, but Marco was faster. He caged me against the wall, his arms braced on either side of my head, his massive frame completely overpowering mine.
"Going somewhere, little mate?" he teased, his voice low and husky.
My heart pounded so hard I was sure he could hear it. "M-Marco, this isn't fair!" I stammered, pressing my palms against his chest, but he didn't budge. He was solid, unmovable, and way too close.
He tilted his head, golden eyes gleaming with amusement. "Fair? Hmm. And was it fair for Lena to whisper things to you that made you blush like this?" He ran a knuckle along my burning cheek. "Now I really need to know what she said."
I swallowed hard. "It—it was nothing important!"
Marco hummed, unconvinced. "Nothing important, yet you can't even look at me?" His smirk grew wicked. "I think it was very important, Matilda. And I think you liked whatever she said."
My face burned hotter. "No!"
His chest rumbled with a deep chuckle. "Lena was talking about my size, wasn't she?"
I died. Right there. On the spot.
My whole body tensed, my mouth opening and closing like a fish. "Marco!" I gasped, horrified.
He just grinned. "Oh, she definitely was." He leaned in, his lips grazing my ear, his warm breath making me shiver. "Tell me, little mate. Were you curious?"
I whimpered.
Marco groaned, his amusement darkening into something else. "Goddess, Matilda," he murmured. "Do you have any idea what you do to me when you make that sound?"
I did not, and I wasn't sure I wanted to find out.
With the last ounce of my sanity, I shoved at his chest. "You're insufferable!"
Marco let out a low laugh but finally pulled back slightly though not nearly enough for me to breathe properly. His golden eyes held mine, intense and burning.
"You're lucky you're so damn cute when you're flustered," he said, shaking his head. "But next time, Matilda…" He smirked. "I'll make you say it."
Then, as if he hadn't just completely wrecked me with his teasing, he stepped back, acting completely normal while I stood there red-faced, weak-kneed, and utterly ruined.