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“My wolf sister told us to go directly to the inn. No stops.”
He hummed. “Perhaps I underestimate your sister.” A moment passed before he added, “I won’t make that mistake again, Rose. I’m sorry.”
His fingers curled into mine. The remainder of the ride was quiet all the way up to the point where we walked into the Orchid Suite. Purple roses sat in a vase on the dresser in front of the mirror. A little card read,
For making it back safely. Don’t forget to call Bruise.—Sasha
Guilt gripped my heart like a vise. Without missing a beat, Matéo took my hand and led me to the bed. He encouraged me to lay out. He wrapped his arms around me. He moved my hair aside and kissed my neck.
“It’s time for me to tell you about Lisette,” he whispered.
I froze.
A sigh escaped him as he stroked my hair behind my ear, his breath coating the back of my neck in lazy waves.
“AndMaman. AndPapa. My family—” His audible swallow broke my heart. “My family was torn apart by vampires.”
“Oh, Matéo…”
He exhaled forcibly. “My father died first. Quick. My mother was tortured until she finally succumbed to death. And my sister?”
Pain rattled my core, my lower lip quivering as I closed my eyes. His heart beat restless against my back as he hugged me tightly to his body.
“My sister was sent into the woods to run,” he continued in a low voice. “They hunted her for sport. When her screams ceased to echo, that’s when I knew she was finally granted the grace to die.”
Fear rushed through me, coiling around my heart. The poor muscle was already suffering immensely from the terror forced upon the man who now held me. It was almost too much to bear.
But not for me.
Not for hispeace.
I flipped over and cupped his face as tears streamed from my eyes. I held his focus for as long as I could manage, willing him to keep his gaze on me and me only.
“I’msosorry,” I whimpered. “I wish that never happened to you. I wish I could help ease your pain. I wish I could stop…”
A sob sprouted from my throat. I hiccupped as I closed my eyes, bowing my head toward his, joining our foreheads together.
“I wish I could stop your nightmares.”
He shushed me. “Fleur, you have done more for me than anyone I’ve ever met.”
“I want to keep doing that. Please, let me do that. Let me heal you.”
“I’ll let you in,” he whispered. “If you let me in, too…”
Chapter 13 - Matéo
Saturday morning came quickly with birds cawing loudly just beyond the grand window. Giant birds. Unreasonablyirritatingbirds.
Agitation flung me from the bed and inspired me to swing open the curtains, glaring at the shifter birds squawking excitedly while flying past my window. My growl got cut short by a tiny voice behind me: “Leave them alone, Matty.”
I whirled around. “They’redisturbingus, little boxer. You’re the owner.”
“A fourth of an owner.”
I scowled. “You’reone of fourowners of this inn and you can tell them to shut up.”
She grinned while sitting up, her hair a mess around her shoulders with her tank top riding dangerously low over her nipples. Round points threatened to sneak past the end of the fabric, stealing all of my attention. She leaned forward, pushing her arms together to plump her breasts.
