Matilda's POV
A soft warmth surrounded me, different from the cold, hard walls I had grown used to. My body ached, but the pain was distant, dulled by exhaustion.
I felt safe.
Slowly, I blinked my eyes open, my vision blurry at first. The ceiling above me wasn't the dark, damp stone of Kade's prison it was familiar. Soft.
I was home.
My breath hitched as I turned my head slightly. Marco sat beside me, his large hand wrapped around mine, his thumb gently stroking my skin. His eyes, usually so fierce, were filled with relief and something deeper something raw.
"You're awake," he breathed, leaning closer.
Tears burned in my eyes. "You… you came for me."
His grip tightened ever so slightly. "Of course, I did." His voice was low, thick with emotion. "I will always come for you."
I swallowed hard, my other hand instinctively moving to my stomach. My baby. Our baby.
Marco immediately placed his hand over mine. "The doctor said the baby is okay," he reassured me, his tone gentle but firm. "But, Matilda… you're weak. You need to rest. No stress, no movement just focus on getting better."
I nodded slowly, feeling the weight of exhaustion pull at me again. But the fear, the pain, the nightmare of the past weeks they couldn't reach me here.
Because Marco was here.
Because I was safe.
A tear slipped down my cheek, and Marco was there, wiping it away.
"Sleep, my love," he whispered, pressing a soft kiss to my forehead. "I've got you now."
And for the first time in weeks, I let myself believe it.
I closed my eyes, letting sleep pull me under this time, without fear.
I sat up carefully, my body still aching but stronger than before. Days had passed since Marco brought me back, and while I was grateful, I was tired of being stuck in bed.
Hunger gnawed at my stomach, so I decided to get up and grab something to eat. I moved slowly, but the moment I reached the doorway, a deep growl echoed behind me.
"Where do you think you're going?"
I turned to see Marco standing there, arms crossed, his sharp gaze fixed on me like I had just committed a crime.
I sighed. "Marco, I just want to get something to eat."
His jaw clenched. "You should have called for someone. You're supposed to be on bed rest."
I groaned. "I need to move around. I can't just lie in bed all day like I'm helpless."
Marco stepped closer, his eyes dark with concern. "You almost lost the baby, Matilda," he said, his voice strained. "You think I'm going to risk that just because you're tired of resting?"
I folded my arms. "So what, you're going to watch me every second? Even if I want to bathe, I have to call you?"
His face was completely serious. "Yes."
I gaped at him. "Marco, that's ridiculous!"
His expression didn't waver. "I don't care. If you need something, you call me or someone I trust. No exceptions."
I clenched my fists, anger bubbling up. "You're taking this too far."
"I don't care," he shot back. "I will do whatever it takes to keep you and our baby safe."
I knew he meant well, but this was too much.
I turned away, my chest tightening with frustration. "Marco, I love you, but I need some freedom."
He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Matilda… please." His voice softened, but the desperation was there.
I exhaled, knowing this was coming from a place of love, but I couldn't let him smother me.
"I'll be careful," I said, meeting his gaze. "But you have to trust me to take care of myself too."
His lips pressed into a tight line before he finally gave a reluctant nod.
"Fine," he muttered. "But only small walks and if you feel even a little unwell, you call me."
I rolled my eyes. "Yes, Alpha."
He shot me a warning look, but I caught the small smirk he tried to hide.
Marco Draven the fiercest, most dominant Alpha completely wrapped around my finger...
I hated to admit it, but maybe Marco had a point.
After insisting on moving around, I went to the kitchen, determined to cook something for myself instead of relying on the pack servants. It felt good to do something normal again to chop vegetables, stir the pot, and just breathe without feeling like a prisoner in my own body.
But as I stood by the stove, the warmth of the fire mixing with my exhaustion, a wave of dizziness hit me out of nowhere.
The room tilted. My vision blurred.
I gripped the counter, my breaths shallow.
"Damn it…" I muttered, trying to steady myself.
The next thing I knew, strong arms caught me before I could fall.
Marco.
"I knew it!" he growled, his voice thick with frustration and worry as he scooped me up effortlessly. "You never listen!"
I groaned, pressing my forehead against his chest, too weak to argue. "I'm fine…"
"No, you're not," he snapped. "You're stubborn, and now you're going back to bed."
I sighed, feeling his warmth and strength around me. As much as I wanted to protest, I was too tired.
"Just don't say 'I told you so,'" I mumbled.
Marco let out a deep exhale, his grip tightening around me. "Oh, trust me, I want to. But right now, I just need you to be okay."
And despite my frustration, I melted at his words.
Maybe… just maybe, he wasn't overreacting that much after all.
By the time Marco carried me back to our room, my body felt like lead. I hated feeling weak, but the warmth of his arms and the steady sound of his heartbeat soothed me more than I wanted to admit.
He gently laid me on the bed, adjusting the pillows before pulling the blanket over me. His movements were careful, almost too careful, as if I might break.
I sighed. "Marco, I'm not dying."
His jaw clenched, his golden eyes locked onto mine. "You could have collapsed and hurt yourself or the baby."
I looked away, guilt creeping in. "I just wanted to feel normal again"
His expression softened, and he brushed a strand of hair from my face. "I know, Matilda. But you need to give yourself time. Your body has been through hell, and I can't stand the thought of losing you or our child."
I bit my lip. As much as I wanted to fight him on this, I couldn't ignore the raw emotion in his voice.
I reached for his hand, squeezing it weakly. "I promise I'll try to take it easy."
Marco exhaled, then leaned down, pressing a soft kiss to my forehead. "Good. Because if you don't, I'll have no choice but to tie you to this bed."
I let out a tired chuckle. "Kinky."
A deep growl rumbled in his chest, but I could see the corner of his lips twitching. "Matilda," he warned.
I smiled slightly, letting my eyes close. Despite everything,Kade, the nightmares, the fear I finally felt safe.
Because Marco was here.
Because he wasn't letting go.