Unraveling Secrets

「 Chapter 4 」

"Hmm... Her name is Maddie, correct?"

"That's her nickname, but yes, you can call her that."

The Alpha stared at him blankly. "I asked for her name, not nickname."

"Madeline."

"Madeline." He tested her name on his tongue. "How lovely. What else is there to know about her?"

The two spent awhile talking about the young girl. Nathan was not too happy with the fact that one of the most dangerous men in the world was mated to his sister, but in his heart, he knew he'd take good care of her. Being a human in a werewolf pack can be lonely, especially when it comes to romance, since werewolves cannot really feel attraction to humans. Despite her striking beauty and kindness, Madeline had not once been in a relationship or even on a date. Deep down, her brother was glad that someone would finally love her in that way.

——————————

"The Alpha's coming to have dinner here tonight, if that's alright with you," Nathan said to his sister, who was helping the maid cook dinner in the kitchen. She hummed in agreement, not paying much attention.

"The Alpha's coming?" The maid asked, perplexed. "The food should be as good as possible then. Darling, will you please knead this dough to make the pasta?" She requested, turning to Madeline.

"Sure, I love touching dough," She beamed, plopping the yellow ball onto the clean counter and working it in.

After cutting the pasta into long, wide sheets and boiling it in salted water, the maid began assembling the lasagna. She slid the dish into the oven, then cleaned up the kitchen.

"I have to go now, alright darling? Take it out in about 45 minutes, make sure it doesn't burn!" She instructed, before shutting the door behind her. Madeline busied herself by decorating the dinner table, changing out the tablecloth, and placing glass candles on top.

"Hmm... It's missing something..." She wandered to the living room and grabbed a white vase, setting it back down on the dining table. "Much better. If only I had flowers to put in it-" Her thoughts were interrupted by the doorbell ringing.

"I'll get it!" She hurried to the door and opened it. The Alpha stood there, holding a bouquet of flowers. A small gasp escaped her lips at the sight of the beautiful plants.

"Those are so pretty! You know, I was just thinking about getting flowers to put in that vase." She turned to point at the empty vase on the table.

He handed them to her. "I brought them for you."

"Really? I can have them? Thank you!" She smiled, taking them from his hands. Nathan watched the scene amusedly. His sister was terrible at taking hints. It was clear that she failed to see the romantic intention behind the flowers.

"I just remembered I have something to do. You both can eat dinner together, I'll be back in an hour," Nathan announced, heading to the door. The Alpha firmly grabbed him by the arm, stopping him.

"What do you think you're doing?" He whispered, narrowing his eyes at him. Nathan smirked playfully.

"I'm leaving so you two can be alone."

"Eat before you go, Nathan," Madeline pleaded. "Or you'll starve."

"I'll eat later, I'm not too hungry right now. See ya!" He slipped out of the Alpha's grip and disappeared out the door. His sister frowned as she watched him leave, before turning her attention to the guest.

"Are you going to leave too?"

He blinked at her, confused. "Do you want me to?"

"No. But you came to see Nathan, right? And now he left. Still, please stay. I hate eating alone."

He was glad that she wanted him to linger. "As you wish."

The young girl took the lasagna out of the oven, pleased to see the slightly browned edges and melted cheese. It came out perfect. She cut in into squares and put two pieces on the plates, giving him a bigger piece. Alpha Blade was distracted looking at the liquor rack in the dining room.

"Do you drink?" He asked her, examining the bottles.

"No, those are for Nathan. I'm not allowed to drink."

"Why not?"

"Because I'll get drunk. But werewolves don't get drunk, so you can drink some."

"One drink won't hurt you."

She shook her head. "Nathan will get really mad at me. Anyway, dinner's ready!" She set the plates and utensils on the table, before sitting down. He sat across from her, and they began to eat. The silence in the room disturbed her. He seemed completely uninterested in speaking to her, but she was very talkative.

"My name is Maddie. I don't know if I ever introduced myself."

"I know. Your brother mentions you often."

"Oh."

She waited for him to introduce himself, but he simply stayed quiet.

"... Can I know what your name is?"

The Alpha gazed at her, the corner of his lip twitching in amusement. "I'm an Alpha, you know?"

Her head tilted in confusion. "But I thought 'Alpha' is your job, not your name."

"You're right. But it is considered disrespectful to call an Alpha by his name."

Madeline peered at him through her lashes, pushing her bottom lip forward slightly to form a pout. "But I thought we were friends."

He froze for a second. Friends? "No way I'm letting my mate friend-zone me." But if permitting her to call him by his name would make her feel closer to him, he decided to allow it. Plus, she looked too cute while pouting, he couldn't refuse.

"My name is Matthew."

Her eyes instantly lit up, a grateful smile spreading across her face.

"Thank you for eating with me today, Matthew." He was not used to being called by his name, but he loved the sound of it coming out of her mouth. Her voice was euphonious, sweeter than honey.

"Only you are allowed to call me that. Anyway, I have to leave now. Take care."

"Goodbye." She watched contentedly as Matthew left, before turning her attention to the flowers sitting in the vase. "Pink and blue, how did he know those are my favorite colors?"

𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙖𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙩𝙞𝙘𝙨

(i'm a bit new to posting on wattpad so idk how this works lol but i see quite a few stories make collages for their characters and i thought it'd be fun to try it out)

this is how i imagine Matthew and Madeline, but feel free to imagine them however you'd like <3