Matthew's P.O.V
"Theme park?"
Camilla's voice was barely a whisper as she tugged at the hem of my shirt. Her hair fell forward like silk curtains, hiding her face as her little fist clenched tight. She wasn't saying it straight, but I knew what she meant.
She wanted to go. Badly.
Dad dropped her off earlier, said she'd been sick for days. Fever, no appetite, skipped school. All she wanted was to hang around me. He said she still had a bit of a temperature, but when I checked on her, she kept batting me away, insisting she was fine.
She wasn't.
Camilla's my only sister. After the divorce, we got split up. Mom and Grandpa tried to keep us together, but Dad had other plans. Court dragged on for six damn months before the judge ruled that I'd stay with Mom, and Camilla went to Canada with Dad.
Different countries. Different worlds.
We used to be close, inseparable. Now we're lucky to get a few months together at all. Not because our parents are keeping us apart, but because life is. She's adjusting over there, and I'm gearing up to become Alpha of the Howling Crimson Pack. Busy doesn't even cover it.
So when I saw her standing there, pale and tired, just to see me… it hit me hard. Who knows when we'll get another chance like this?
"You feeling okay? Not dizzy or anything?" I asked, laying my palm on her forehead.
"No! I'm fine! Stop babying me like I'm breakable," she snapped, sharp and sudden.
Definitely not her usual vibe. Ever since Dad remarried, she's been on edge. I get it. I really do. But the way things went down, there's nothing I can change. Mom's focused on making sure I'm ready for the title, for the power. Camilla? She's got her own mess to deal with.
"Alright, alright," I sighed. "Lemme change first, then we'll head out."
Before I could move, she grabbed my hand.
"I brought money. Dad gave me a lot before I came," she said, half pleading.
She pulled out her wallet and flashed a debit card, plus a fat wad of cash. Typical Dad move. He never skimps when it comes to us. And for Camilla, this trip clearly meant everything.
I laughed, nudging the wallet back toward her.
"Keep it. You're my sister, I've got this."
She hesitated but finally gave in after a little push. That's my girl.
"We'll go tomorrow," I told her. "For now, just chill. You've gotta see Mom first anyway."
"I wanna go now!" she whined, excitement bubbling up like soda fizz.
"What? You haven't even seen Mom yet—"
"No! Now, Matthew!"
I groaned. "Fine. You win."
Seriously, I'd never seen her this fired up. It was like something in her flipped. She wasn't the quiet little shadow I used to look out for, she was finally fighting for what she wanted.
We hopped in the car, heading toward the theme park, and she wouldn't stop talking, rides, snacks, the works.
And then outta nowhere…
"Matthew, you're eighteen now, got your wolf, training to be Alpha. So like… you gonna find your mate soon and settle down?"
I glanced over. She looked chill, too chill, considering how hyped she'd just been.
If anyone else asked, I'd brush it off. But coming from her? Yeah, it hit different.
"No clue," I said. "Haven't really thought about it."
"Why not?"
I shrugged. "Dunno. Just hasn't crossed my mind."
"Is it 'cause of what Mom said?"
I shook my head. Mom's strict, yeah, and way too protective. But she's not the reason I've never chased the idea of finding my mate. Still… whenever the topic comes up, she goes quiet.
Honestly, Camilla got me thinking. If I've never even considered meeting my mate, how the hell am I supposed to lead a whole pack?
"What if you do meet her?" she asked, more serious now. "Would you make her your Luna right off the bat?"
"Let's circle back to that later."
We finally got to the park. Camilla grabbed my hand and practically dragged me through the gates. It was packed, Ferris wheel towering above, cable cars zipping by, roller coasters roaring in the distance. Food stalls everywhere. Total sensory overload.
"Can we stay 'til they kick us out?" she asked, eyes sparkling.
"What? Hell no."
"Please? Just this once?"
"Not happening."
"Don't you wanna ride the Ferris wheel at midnight and see the lights?" she pouted.
I let out a dramatic sigh. "You're gonna get me in trouble."
We snagged tickets, hit every ride we could, snapped a ton of pics, ate way too much junk. Camilla was glowing, like her fever had never happened.
And then it hit me.
A scent.
Thick. Sweet. Overwhelming.
I stumbled, sweat dripping down my back.
What the hell…?
"Matthew! You okay?" Camilla's voice was distant, muffled.
Vision blurred. Chest tight. The scent twisted my stomach—a rush of pheromones crashing in from nowhere.
No way. Not here. Not like this.
Something yanked me forward. I pushed through the crowd, barely hearing Camilla yelling behind me. I didn't know what I was chasing—just that something was pulling me straight ahead.
Public restrooms.
The scent was damn near choking now, syrupy sweet, like caramel.
Crowd gathered. Shouting. Pounding on a stall door.
Someone was in heat. The air was thick with it.
I didn't think. I just acted.
Shoved past people. Ripped the doorknob off like it was paper. Locked myself inside.
And then I saw him.
Curled up on the floor. Face red, breath ragged.
No fucking way.
My mate.
A boy. A freaking kid.
Our eyes met. Tears streaming. He crawled forward, grabbing at my jeans with shaky fingers.
"Please…" his voice was wrecked. Raw.
My jaw clenched. Body on fire. Instincts screaming. Take him. Claim him.
What the actual fuck was happening?
He pulled me down, clinging to me like I was the only thing keeping him grounded.
And just like that, I knew.
I was screwed.
If you want to punch up the emotional cues or explore more of Matthew's internal conflict, I've got ideas. You want it darker? We can go darker. You want it swoonier? I can make that happen. Just say the word.