Matilda Anderson's pov
Lena smirked as we walked down the hall, her grip on my arm firm. "So…" she drawled, her eyes glinting mischievously. "How does it feel to be officially claimed by the mighty Lycan King?"
I groaned, covering my face with my hands. "Lena, please."
She cackled. "Oh no, no, no. I have so many questions. Was it everything you imagined? Did it feel like you were being"
"Lena!" I hissed, yanking my arm away. My cheeks were burning, and I swore she was enjoying every second of my embarrassment.
She sighed dramatically. "Fine, I'll be nice… for now."
I glared at her, but after a moment of silence, I found myself mumbling, "Why didn't anyone warn me about the knot?"
Lena blinked at me before bursting into laughter. "Oh, sweetie, we wanted to, but we figured it would just freak you out more."
I groaned. "That would've been useful information!"
She shrugged. "Would you have still gone through with it if we had told you?"
I hesitated, thinking about how overwhelming, intense, and all-consuming it had been. Then, I thought about Marco his hands on me, his voice, the way he had held me afterward, so protective and tender.
"…Probably," I admitted, cheeks heating.
Lena grinned. "See? No harm done. Besides, it's not like you hated it."
I shot her a glare, but she just wiggled her brows.
Then a thought hit me. "Was it the same for you? With Darius?"
Lena rolled her eyes. "Of course. But Marco's will be… stronger since he's a Lycan."
I groaned again, covering my face. "Oh my god."
She laughed. "Oh, you poor thing. No wonder you've been locked away for a week. You're lucky you can even walk."
I whined, "Lena, stop."
She just smirked. "Hey, at least now you know what you're in for every time your mate gets needy."
I choked, and she burst into laughter, dragging me toward the garden.
Elera practically bounced into the garden, her eyes gleaming with excitement as she spotted me and Lena. "Matilda!" she squealed, rushing over. "How are you feeling? Oh, you must be glowing now that you and Marco have fully bonded!"
I gave her a tired look. "I mostly feel sore and exhausted."
Lena snickered beside me. "That's what happens when you take a Lycan as a mate."
Elera giggled, then suddenly clasped her hands together, her eyes twinkling. "Ooooh, I can't wait for the little heirs!"
I froze.
"What?" I choked out.
Lena smirked. "She means babies, Matilda. Pups. You do know that mating leads to that, right?"
My stomach dropped. I blinked at them, completely speechless.
Elera clapped excitedly. "Imagine how cute they'll be! A little boy with Marco's golden eyes or a girl with your curls"
I shook my head rapidly. "No, no, no. I don't think I'm ready for that yet."
Lena arched a brow. "Well… whether you're ready or not, it's bound to happen."
My breath hitched. "But… I mean. it was just the first time. That doesn't mean"
Lena and Elera exchanged a look before bursting into laughter.
"Oh, sweetie," Lena chuckled, placing a hand on my shoulder. "You really don't know how Lycans work, do you?"
Panic coiled in my stomach. "What does that mean?"
Elera beamed. "It means you might already be pregnant!"
I stared at them. My heart pounded. No. That couldn't be. Not already.
Right?
I shook my head quickly, forcing a laugh. "That's ridiculous. There's no way I'd get pregnant after one time."
Lena's smirk deepened. "Oh, honey…"
Elera nodded enthusiastically. "Lycans are very fertile, especially during a claiming. And with Marco being the Alpha King, well… let's just say the chances are high."
I felt lightheaded.
Lena grinned, clearly enjoying my horror. "Better get used to the idea, Matilda. Because if you aren't pregnant yea. you will be soon."
I let out a strangled noise, my mind racing.
I had just started getting used to being Marco's mate. Now, they were talking about babies?
Nope. Nope, nope, nope.
I shook my head, squaring my shoulders. "It's fine," I muttered, more to myself than to them. "There's no way I got pregnant on the first try."
Lena just hummed, amused. "If you say so."
Elera squealed, clapping again. "I can't wait to find out!"
I groaned, burying my face in my hands.
I sat on the edge of the bed, my arms crossed as I stared at the window. My mind was still spinning from what Lena and Elera had said. Pregnant? No. There was no way.
Right?
I groaned and flopped back against the pillows, frustration bubbling inside me.
Just then, the door opened, and Marco walked in, his golden eyes immediately locking onto me. His expression softened as he shut the door behind him.
"Why do you look so moody?" he asked, his deep voice laced with amusement.
"Nothing," I muttered quickly, turning my face away.
I felt his smirk before I saw it. The bed dipped as he sat beside me, his warmth instantly making my body aware of his presence.
"Nothing?" he repeated. "Lena and Elera were here, weren't they?"
I hesitated. "Maybe."
He chuckled. "And what did they say this time?"
I stayed silent, suddenly feeling ridiculous. I didn't want to tell him what had me so worked up. He'd probably laugh.
But Marco was relentless. He leaned down, bracing himself over me, his face hovering inches from mine. "Matilda," he murmured, his fingers tracing slow, lazy circles on my stomach. "Talk to me."
I swallowed hard, my pulse quickening. His touch wasn't helping my already scattered thoughts.
I huffed, still avoiding his gaze. "They… they were talking about babies."
Marco froze for a second. Then, slowly, a very smug smile spread across his face.
"Were they now?" he mused, his voice taking on a teasing edge.
I knew that tone. My eyes narrowed. "Don't."
His smirk deepened. "Don't what?"
"Don't look at me like that."
He leaned in, his nose grazing my jaw, his breath hot against my skin. "Like what, baby?"
I clenched my fists. "Like you want to knock me up."
Marco let out a low, dangerous growl of satisfaction.
"That's because I do."
My entire body tensed. My face went up in flames.
Marco chuckled darkly at my reaction. "Oh, Matilda.you have no idea how badly I want to see you carrying my pup."
I squeaked and tried to push him away, but he caught my wrists effortlessly, pinning them beside my head.
His golden eyes burned with amusement and something darker.
"What's wrong, little mate?" he whispered. "Scared you'll start wanting it too?"
My breath hitched as Marco hovered over me, his strong hands keeping mine pinned beside my head. His golden eyes gleamed with mischief and something far more dangerous—possession.
"I—I didn't say that," I stammered, my voice embarrassingly weak.
His smirk only deepened. "No? Then why are you blushing so much, baby?"
I squirmed beneath him, my heart pounding. "Because you keep saying things like that!"
Marco chuckled, the deep sound vibrating through my body. "And what exactly did I say, hmm?" He tilted his head, feigning innocence. "Was it when I told you I want to see you round with my pup? Or was it when I said I plan to make that happen?"
I whimpered actually whimpered.
He leaned closer, his lips brushing against my ear. "Tell me, little mate. Which one got you squirming like this?"
I clenched my eyes shut, refusing to answer.
Marco let out a low, satisfied growl. "Mmm, I think I already know."
Before I could protest, his lips trailed down my neck, pressing soft, open-mouthed kisses over the mark he'd left there. Heat bloomed in my core, and my body betrayed me, arching into his touch.
His grip on my wrists loosened, and I could have pushed him away.
I didn't.
Instead, I let out a shaky breath as his kisses trailed lower. "Marco…"
He hummed in response, clearly pleased with how easily I melted under him. "Yes, my queen?"
I swallowed hard. "I—I can't be pregnant. Not from the first time… right?"
He paused, then pulled back just enough to look into my eyes. His gaze was unreadable, but there was something in it something that made my stomach twist.
"…Right?" I repeated, my voice weaker this time.
Marco smirked again, but this time it was dangerous.
"Do you really want me to answer that, baby?"
Marco's question made my stomach twist.
Why don't you want kids Marco asked
Why didn't I want kids? It wasn't that I didn't want them. It was that I was terrified.
I lowered my gaze, tracing patterns on the blanket. "I'm not ready," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. "I'm scared."
Marco stayed quiet, waiting.
I swallowed hard. "My parents left.I was alone. I don't think I can take care of any kid. What if I'm not good enough? What if I mess up?"
There. I said it. The fear that had been clawing at my chest since Lena and Elera brought it up.
Marco moved closer, his warmth enveloping me. He gently cupped my chin, tilting my face up so I had no choice but to look at him.
"You won't be alone, Matilda," he said firmly. "Ever again."
His golden eyes held a depth of emotion that made my heart clench.
"I don't know how to be a mother," I whispered.
His lips curved into a small smile. "And you think I know how to be a father?" He chuckled lightly, but his voice held sincerity. "We'll figure it out together."
I wanted to believe him, I really did. But the doubts still lingered.
"What if I mess up?" I asked, my voice small.
His grip on me tightened not harshly, but reassuringly. "You won't," he said, his tone leaving no room for argument. "You're already strong, Matilda. You care so much. That's what makes a good mother."
I let out a shaky breath, my fingers curling into his shirt.
He kissed my forehead, lingering there for a moment. "You don't have to be ready now," he murmured. "But don't ever doubt that you'd be an amazing mother when the time comes."
I closed my eyes, breathing him in. His words settled something deep inside me.
I wasn't sure when or if I'd ever be ready. But knowing I had Marco by my side…
Maybe that was enough.