Unraveling Secrets

「 Chapter 7 」

"Why did you leave the house? You had me worried, I was looking everywhere for you." She stood up, brushing the dirt off herself.

"I'm sorry, I didn't know you'd get worried. Are you angry at me?" He fought back the urge to smile. How can she think he could ever get angry at her?

"I'm not. But next time you want to leave the house, tell me first, alright?" She nodded and said her goodbyes to Nathan's grave, before following Matthew back to the house.

...

"Can I ask you something, Matthew?"

He opened his eyes to see Madeline's face inches away, staring at him intently. They were both laying in bed, ready to fall asleep.

"Hmm?" He responded, too tired to speak.

"Promise you won't lie?"

His muscles stiffened as the air tensed up. Did she find out she was his mate? Or has she heard of the many other secrets he keeps from her?

"What is it?"

"Do you even like my baking?"

That was her question? The heavy feeling in his stomach dwindled; he was getting himself worked up for nothing.

"If you want my honest answer, I've never been a fan of sweets. But I do think you're a good baker." Madeline made a mental note to try and cook more savory foods.

"... Can I ask you something else?"

"Go ahead."

"How old are you?"

"Twenty-two." He heard her gasp in surprise.

"Really? I thought you were like, thirty."

...

"What?" He was accustomed to people thinking he was older than he is, but thirty?

"Okay, maybe not thirty. You don't look that old, but you act old. You act like a dad, kind-of. Sorry, am I being rude?"

The corner of his lips curved upwards in amusement, and Madeline froze for a second. This was the first time she had seen him smile. He hardly ever showed any emotion, she felt a bit special to be able to see this rarity.

"Go to sleep," He mumbled, shaking his head.

"But I don't want to sleep. I want to talk to you."

"You're going to make me late for work tomorrow."

"Fine, I'll let you sleep. Goodnight."

——————————

Rumors began spreading around the Pack quickly. By now, they were all aware that their Alpha was living with another girl.

Alpha Blade turned eighteen over four years ago, and had been looking for his mate ever since. Deep down, they all hoped he would find her soon. They wanted him to be happy. Although he was highly respected and praised across the land, they could tell he was terribly lonely. His Pack eagerly waited for the day he'd meet his mate, and let her melt his ice-cold heart.

But her? She could never be his mate. She was too young, too weak, and most importantly, a human. What could he possibly want from her? They found it hard to believe that such a pure, innocent-looking girl was sleeping around with their Alpha, but what else was there to assume?

When the news reached Edith, she could not believe it. The cute teenager who always helped her with her chores would never do such promiscuous things. Her curiosity got the best of her; she would ask Madeline about it herself next time she had chores at the Alpha's house.

"Darling, may I ask why you live here now?" The two women were in the living room, Edith ironing his clothes while Madeline folded them up.

She shrugged in response. "I don't really know. He wanted me to come here after Nathan died."

"Does he... make you do anything in return?"

Madeline looked over at her innocently. "What do you mean?"

"Well, Alpha's not that kind that he'd let you stay here at no cost..." The young girl furrowed her eyebrows.

"Don't talk about Matthew like that. He's very kind."

The maid couldn't believe her ears. "You call him by his first name? And- You think he's kind?" Alpha Blade had many good qualities, but he was never known for being kind.

"He told me only I'm allowed to call him Matthew," Madeline smiled, turning back to fold his clothes. Edith was speechless. Not even the Beta, his second in command, was allowed to address him by his first name. But this human girl had the permission?

"You know, darling, if you weren't a human, I would've thought you were his mate."

"Huh?"

"I've known him for many years, and I've never seen him treat a girl like this. You two almost seem like a couple."

The young girl's lips parted in shock. A couple? A deep shade of rose swept across her cheeks.

"That's not true," She said, shaking her head. But the more she thought about it, the less sure she was.

"Stop being silly, Maddie. You're just a human, he'll never like you like that," She reproached herself, turning her attention back to the chores.