Everest's POV:

Italy is a lot more fun when I'm not around Matias' family. I only have so much energy and so many comebacks, so it's more worth it to just relax and not have to argue with them. And, my current form of relaxation is definitely walking around these beautiful streets with people who are actually happy milling around.

According to Matias, this city where he grew up is mainly populated by wolves and not very much by humans. There's a few here and there, but there aren't really any places that are only for humans like there are in places with more of them. For humans who are uncomfortable around wolves, they often stay away from these kinds of cities, but there is a population who does not care and are inclusive of all of us.

We are currently sitting outside on a patio, sharing drinks and not really focused on doing anything. Apparently this city still partakes in their weird afternoon napping ritual, so there are very few places open for eating or drinking.

Thankfully, Matias knows this place (as he should since he spent his entire childhood and most of his teenage years here) and he knows what places are open for drinks.

Matias ordered me something called a limonata since I don't really like alcohol and it tastes like a slightly bitter version of carbonated lemonade. I'm usually a sweet tooth, but it's refreshing enough that I cannot find it in me to mind that it's not sweeter.

I glance over my shoulder and see one of the people in black suit that have been tailing us all day and making sure we don't take off.

"Should we invite him for a drink? Must be boring standing there for hours on end staring at two idiots who aren't going to run," I say, holding up my drink and nodding to the guy in the suit.

He ignores me and keeps the same expression that he's had the whole time.

"The guys following us are specially trained for the sole purpose of following people," Matias comments, sipping his glass of wine.

"So they must've been fucked when you and Cody ran."

Matias hums. "Well, they didn't expect us to run. Everything was very under the table, so there wasn't much attention given to us until we were gone. It took them a while to locate us because everything was done in cash and we had no traces or receipts." He looks over at the guy, sighing deeply. "They hired better trained guys because of us."

I finish my drink and Matias waves one of the servers over to ask for another. I'm not at all enthusiastic about going back to Matias' mansion tonight, mainly because of his family, but Matias is definitely less excited than me. He's way more bitter and will probably have me out here drinking limonatas all night as opposed going back to his place.

"Are you hungry?" Matias asks me as my drink is placed in front of me. "Or is there anything you want to see?"

"If you want to avoid your family, take me on another tour," I say, eagerly starting my new drink.

Matias finishes his wine, but he doesn't order another glass. "You look a bit tired so I don't want to drag you around if you want to rest."

"I don't need to rest," I say, my voice much whinier than I wanted it to be. "I don't like your family, so why the hell would I want to go back?"

"You are still adjusting to the time change, Everest."

"I'm also adjusting to being kidnapped."

Matias purses his lips. "Fair point." He waits for me to finish and when I refuse another drink, he pays the small bill and grabs my hand. "So... nothing you want to see?"

"I didn't really set up an itinerary," I deadpan, squeezing his hand. "Italy was not on my list of places to go."

"Where did you want to go?"

"Well, nowhere out of the country, honestly. These kinds of trips are for couples and last time I checked, I was rejected by my mate and now I'm in a lovely arranged mating kind of scenario."

Matias squeezes my hand softly, and I can tell he's trying to pass some kind of comfort to me through our joined hands. "You don't have any kind of connection to your wolf, do you?" he asks, pulling me a bit closer to his body and glaring at anyone who eyes me too closely. 

"No."

"Nor do I," Matias says somberly. "If we both did, I'd take you on a run out here. There's some places that are quite beautiful and not that populated. Plus, all places in Italy are protected and you are not allowed to harm a wolf under any circumstances."

That is a nice change of pace; because there is a large human populated in the United States and they run the government for the most part, there are specific places in which we are allowed to run that are protected. However, there have been moments in which humans have murdered wolves in these protected areas, so now they are fenced off and you need to present a valid identification in order to enter them. 

Which, in my opinion, is a little messed up because we deserve to be able to run and not feel as though we could be killed. 

"That would be nice. You've been without your wolf for three years then, haven't you?" I ask, knowing that's when Matias lost Cody. 

He nods. "My connection became a bit difficult when I left Italy because it severed the pack connection to my family, but our primary instinct was to protect our mate and keep him away from people who wanted to try experimental surgery on him. Thankfully, it strengthened in time when I was just with Cody, but then disappeared altogether when he died."

"Why didn't your family just take him back here? And you with him?" I ask, as they clearly did not have a problem doing so with me. 

Matias scowls. "They wanted to teach me a lesson."

"That's a fucked up lesson."

"I know. Plus, they knew that I had time before I would be expected to take over the company, so they could let me meet someone single that I got along with enough to force into this life. I genuinely thought they would let whoever Matteo ended up with take over, but then they took us and I realized that was their plan." 

I frown as we walk up a slanted street toward a park like area. "You thought they would just leave you alone to suffer?" 

There is a small water fountain surrounded by cement benches that we sit on side by side. Neither of us lets go of our joined hands, but I don't want to comment on it because I have actually gotten to like having our hands joined together. 

"I did." Matias' eyes are focused on his shoes. "I thought that they killed my mate to teach me of my betrayal, but I supposed Matteo has managed to avoid their demands for him to mate someone that is not meant for him." 

"What about your sister?" 

Matias shakes his head. "I guarantee she was their second pick, but her mate's family has their own company that he is most likely expected to take over. It would be a demanding split and there is enough profit in the balance that it's unnecessary to try to confine them to to one company."

"Wow, being money motivated really does destroy morality."

"It's also about power. Money is where the power lies." Matias rolls his eyes. "Not that I ever really cared. I was happy to do a remote job that paid enough to keep Cody and I comfortable, but neither of us cared for unnecessary luxuries."

I lay my head on his shoulder and rub the back of his hand with my thumb. I'm not sure if he feels at all comforted by me, but I notice some of the tension release from his body, so I supposed I am helping a little bit. If there is any way I can help him receive some kind of comfort, I will do so because he did not deserve what he has been given in his life so far. 

Well, not life, but his shitty family. 

"I hate that I am slowly falling for you," Matias grumbles, making my heart jump to my throat and my blood freeze. 

Not in a bad way, but in a shocked way. Of course, I knew that I was slowly falling for him because he has shown me nothing but kindness and tenderness, despite me not being the one whom he truly desires. 

"You are?" I ask, and if we did not have enhanced senses, I doubt he would have heard me. 

Matias sighs deeply. "Yes. And I shouldn't be because it is inevitable that you will end up back in the United States and I will have to stay here and accept my fate. I am sorry that I am telling you because you should not have to worry about my emotions, but it's how I feel."

"I think I'm falling for you, too," I say, biting my inner cheek nervously. "I did not think that was even possible, and I honestly don't know if I just have low standards because no one has ever really treated me with any kindness or respect that you have."

"Well, I don't think I'm a terrible person, but it is possible that I fall under the realm of low standards."

I laugh, feeling my cheeks heat up and ensuring I look away from him. "Yeah, you did get me kidnapped and smuggled into another country." 

"Everest?" Matias asks, his voice suddenly getting unsure and making me feel a bit more anxious than I was a few seconds ago. 

I hum in acknowledgment. 

"I promised you that I would get you out of this situation."

"Yeah, I know."

He moves his arm and wraps it around my shoulders as opposed to holding my hand. He pulls me even closer, and I can fully take in his scent, appreciating how sweet the scent is and how I wouldn't mind waking up to this scent every single day. 

Ugh, stupid Omega brain. 

"Promise me that you will understand what I have to do in order to keep you safe, even if it is not ideal," Matias says, pressing his forehead against my own. 

Silence falls and the only sound is the water in the fountain and the leaves on the trees rustling as a breeze blows through the park. 

 "It depends on what you plan on doing," I respond because I will not make a promise without what the outcome will be. 

Matias sighs once again. "I don't have a plan yet, it may end up being very unconventional in order to keep you safe."

"I don't like the sound of that," I say honestly. "But I also don't like the sound of experimental surgery."

"Come on," Matias says, grabbing my hand and pulling me to my feet. "You look exhausted, so we should get back." 

I follow his lead, but I do fear what his plan could end up being. If there is one thing that Matias has proven, it's that he will do whatever it takes in order to keep me safe.