Luna Thalassa's Awakening

Chapter 7

_Thalassa's POV_

A part of me couldn't fully believe that Matteo would accept me without hesitation. I silently questioned whether he truly understood the gravity of the curse that supposedly surrounded me. Surely, once he learned more about my past and the misfortunes associated with it, he would reconsider.

Matteo continued walking through the forest, navigating the terrain with ease despite carrying me. As we approached the edge of the trees, I could see a road ahead. Parked on the roadside was a sleek black SUV. Matteo strode towards it with purpose, and my curiosity grew about our destination.

"Lucas," Matteo called out to the dark-haired man who had accompanied him into the cave. "Open the door."

Lucas, with a nod, swiftly moved to open the car door. The air of authority that surrounded him in the cave persisted as he executed the command without hesitation. Matteo carefully placed me in the back seat, ensuring I was comfortable before he joined me.

Once Matteo settled beside me, the car door closed with a thud, enveloping us in the relative quiet of the vehicle. The engine's purr resumed as Lucas took his place in the driver's seat, and the black SUV smoothly merged onto the road.

Kale occupied the front passenger seat. As we ventured deeper into the forest, the surroundings changed, and the dense trees gradually gave way to a more open landscape.

The shifting landscape outside the car window mirrored the turbulence of my thoughts. The sudden turn of events and the prospect of a new life in the Moonfire Pack left me in a state of disbelief. As the car glided along the road, the awkward silence within the vehicle deepened.

I stole a sideways glance at Matteo, who sat beside me, his eyes focused on the passing scenery. My mind struggled to accept that I had found a second chance mate, especially one with such a formidable reputation as the Alpha of the Moonfire Pack.

The rhythmic hum of the engine did little to drown out the cacophony of doubts echoing in my mind. How could someone with such power and responsibility genuinely accept me, cursed as I supposedly was?

I couldn't help but steal more glances at him, subtly taking in the chiseled features of his face, the intensity in his emerald eyes, and the commanding yet comforting aura that surrounded him. His lips, in particular, drew my attention.

The urge to lean in, to feel the warmth of his lips against mine, danced at the edges of my thoughts. I wondered if he felt the same way about me. As if in response to my thoughts, his gaze suddenly locked onto mine. For a fleeting moment, our eyes connected, and an electric tension hung in the air.

In that instant, I felt exposed, as if he could unravel the complexities of my thoughts with a single look. The urge to lean in, to taste the warmth of his lips, became more pronounced. However, as quickly as our eyes met, I turned away, breaking the intense gaze.

Matteo's voice, soft and concerned, cut through the lingering silence. "What happened, sweetheart?" he asked gently, his eyes searching my face. "Your heart is beating too fast."

I bit my lip, unsure of how to respond. The intimacy of the moment weighed heavily on me, and I hesitated before speaking. "I... I'm just overwhelmed," I finally admitted, avoiding direct eye contact. "Everything happened so fast, and I'm still trying to process it all."

A teasing grin played on Matteo's lips, and he chuckled softly. "You're such a bad little liar, Thalassa," he remarked, his eyes sparkling with amusement. Caught off guard, I turned to face him and saw that he had a smirk on his face.

The realization that he saw through my attempt to downplay my emotions brought a blush to my cheeks. "I guess I'm not as composed as I thought," I admitted with a sheepish smile.

Matteo leaned in slightly. "I also noticed how you were staring at me earlier," he said. "You look pretty when you blush, you know."

I felt a warmth spreading across my cheeks, and I couldn't help but chuckle nervously. "I, uh, didn't realize I was that obvious," I mumbled, feeling a mix of embarrassment and amusement.

Matteo's smirk softened into a genuine smile. "No need to be shy, Thalassa," he reassured me. "This is normal between mates."

In a tender move, he took my chin in his hands, and our eyes locked. The anticipation lingered for a moment before he leaned in, pressing his lips gently against mine.

As our lips met, a warmth enveloped me, melting away the doubts and uncertainties that had clouded my mind. It felt as if the connection between us deepened with each passing second, and I couldn't deny the undeniable comfort that the kiss brought.

Matteo's lips were surprisingly soft and he was very gentle with me. In that fleeting moment, the world outside the sleek black SUV disappeared, leaving only the intimate exchange between him and me.

Just as the kiss deepened, a sudden clearing of the throat interrupted the moment. Startled, I pulled away, and my eyes widened as I heard Lucas's dry remark, "Well, I guess I'll need to wash my eyes with holy water now."

Matteo, with a playful glint in his eyes, turned to Lucas. "You shouldn't have been looking, Lucas."

Lucas raised an eyebrow. "You're the Alpha, you set the example."

Kale chimed in, "Yeah, show some consideration for those of us who haven't met our mates yet."

Matteo chuckled, realizing the truth in Kale's words. "Fair point. My apologies, Lucas and Kale. We'll try to keep the romantic moments to a minimum, at least until everyone has found their mate."

I was so embarrassed that I couldn't bring myself to face any of them. Instead, I stared out of the window. The landscape transformed, and the Moonfire Pack's territory unfolded before my eyes. The dense forest gave way to expansive fields, and the scent of pine was replaced by the crisp fragrance of open air. The car continued its journey, carrying us deeper into the heart of Matteo's domain.

Matteo's voice, gentle and reassuring, broke the silence, "We're entering the Moonfire Pack's territory now, Thalassa. Soon, you'll see your new home."

Upon hearing the word "home," a peculiar mix of emotions stirred within me. Born into the Crystal Pack, I had never truly felt at home there. The memories of isolation and the weight of the supposed curse had always cast a shadow over any sense of belonging.

As Matteo mentioned the Moonfire Pack as my new home, uncertainty gnawed at me. Would this place, with its unfamiliar territory and werewolves I had yet to know, provide the sense of belonging I had longed for? Could I truly find solace within the confines of a pack that was entirely new to me?

The black SUV came to a smooth stop in front of a grand mansion, presumably the packhouse. Matteo, still holding my hand, opened the car door, and I followed him as we stepped out onto the pack territory.

The mansion loomed before us, an impressive structure that hinted at the pack's strength and unity. The air carried a mix of scents—werewolf, nature, and something distinctly belonging to the Moonfire Pack.

As soon as my feet touched the ground, a sudden pain gripped my belly. It was unexpected, and I winced, placing a hand on my stomach as if trying to ease the discomfort. Matteo, noticing my reaction, turned to me with concern evident in his eyes.

"Thalassa, are you alright?" he asked, his grip on my hand tightening.

The pain in my belly, sharp and transient, left me momentarily breathless. "I... I'm not sure," I replied.