Periculum

15.

*Sebastian's POV*

I couldn't tell if Owen was incredibly brave or incredibly stupid.

He was walking into Mateo's cage. Mateo's red eyes snapping over to him and snarling with a malice I had never once heard before from anyone.

"Hey man..." Owen said slowly, keeping his movements the same. Predictable, slow, smooth, "I ain't in here to hurt you, okay?"

Mateo kept snarling at Owen. The Walsh kneeling and baring his neck to Mateo. I stared as Owen barely trembled as Mateo sniffed at his throat, I could hear Dennis whimper a bit near me.

Mateo sniffed near Owen's jugular. Owen keeping his breathing even and steady before Mateo slowly leaned back. His growling having dimmed but he kept his eyes fixed on Owen.

"There we go man..." Owen said softly, taking a pair of thick gloves and grabbing the restraints Mateo was in which made him yelp in agony, it made my heart twist.

Mateo was released from his restraints quickly. His wrists irritated and probably worse from the silver, black veins were shooting up from the wounds.

"He needs a healer" Owen announced, still staring at Mateo then slowly turned to look at me,
"You're up"

Mateo was glaring Owen down, his lip starting to curl again and I spoke before I could think,

"Mateo?"

Mateo stopped and I said his name again, the wolf looking over at me and just staring. I swallowed heavily,

"Remember me love?" I asked softly and Mateo left Owen alone, walking over to the bars to me and staring,
"Can you remember me?"

Mateo just stared more, his brow knitting together a bit and I held up a hand to him. Mateo gently snuffled at it before nudging it affectionately.

I wanted to cry, "Hi Mateo..." I said softly, gently bringing my hand to cup his cheek which Mateo leaned into,
"It's me...Sebastian, remember? You'd make me chamomile tea and cuddle me in that knitted blanket of yours? I'd read to you though I doubt you truly listened...you'd always lay your head on my chest and have your eyes closed..." I smiled weakly, moving my other hand over my chest a bit,
"Right here, you'd lay right here..."

I could feel the tears well in my eyes and I let out a weak sob, squeezing my eyes shut. I could tell Mateo was sniffing at me again and it just made a few tears leak down my face, hanging my head before I felt two careful, tentative, rough hands on my cheeks, thumbs wiping away my tears and a rough voice spoke,

"Keep love in your heart. A life without it is like a sunless garden when the flowers are dead. The consciousness of loving and being loved brings warmth and richness to life that nothing else can bring."

I opened my eyes and looked up, being met with a gorgeous emerald green gaze and a tender but tired half smile,

"Pretty sure that's Oscar Wilde..."

"Mateo...?" I choked out and the werewolf nodded,

"It's me" he whispered, voice hoarse and I let out a cry of relief.

Owen helped Mateo to his feet, bringing him outside of the cell and I was immediately there, holding him tightly and he held me back.

I ignored the smell of blood and grime on Mateo, trembling as he held me. He kept his face buried into my neck, a hand in my hair.

"We gotta go" Dennis said, looking up at the ceiling, "gotta leave before Valentine realizes"

I nodded, hesitantly tearing myself from Mateo to help him to his feet and Dennis came over to help.

Together, Owen, Dennis and I lead Mateo from the dungeons. Upstairs where it seemed a battle was raging still, I glanced over only to stare.

It was Valentine. Blood was dripping from his forehead from a gash and his lips were pressed into a thin line. I could see scars on his throat that looked like something with jaws had bitten it.

I hardened my gaze, turning away and leaving the Castle with the others. Helping Mateo into a cart where he could be taken to the werewolves for treatment.

I sat beside him as the cart headed off, holding his hand in both of my own, kissing his fingertips.

"You came for me" Mateo whispered, looking up at me tiredly and I smiled weakly,

"I always will...you are my love"

Mateo smiled back at me, "And you are not only my love, but my light"

I smiled, petting Mateo's hair back and kissing his forehead.

No doubt my father would want to retaliate, but for now? I was just happy to have Mateo with me.

"How are you doing?" I asked Mateo softly and he smiled at me, moving the hand I was holding to rub my cheek,

"I'm doing just fine".

~FIN~