Chapter 307

“How are things with Axel?” Mateo asked, eyes twinkling with that mischievous glint he always got when he was about to lecture me.
Oh, that was the one thing that hurt me more than my forfeiting his chances of becoming the Alpha—My and Axel’s complicated relationship.
I sighed, bracing myself for the ache that would follow my words. “Mateo, do you have any idea what happened earlier? Axel saw me… with Álvaro.”
Mateo’s expression shifted instantly from amusement to seriousness. “The infamous ’seeing you with Álvaro’ moment?”
“Infamous is right.” I rubbed my temples. “You know Álvaro’s infatuation is like a mosquito buzzing in my ear at 3 a.m.? Well, Axel walked in just as Álvaro was doing his usual charm offensive — or what I call ’pathetic groveling with a creepy grin.’”
Mateo blinked. “How did Axel react?”
I stared at the cracked concrete beneath my feet, reliving the moment. “He froze, like a deer caught in headlights. His eyes darkened, and there was this… tension. Like the air itself was about to grip me on the neck. I swear, I could hear my own heartbeat pounding so loud I thought it’d blow my eardrums.”
Mateo nodded slowly. “Classic Axel. Did he say anything?”
“Not a word. Just stormed off like I’d slapped his honor with a wet fish.” I made a face, my lips twisting in irritation. “You know, ever since the honeymoon, it’s been this awkward dance. We’re avoiding each other like we’re walking on thin glass that’ll shatter into a thousand shards if either of us looks the wrong way.”
I had opened up to Mateo three weeks ago about the things that went wrong during my honeymoon. Surprisingly, he was more understanding than my husband.
“This isn’t your fault, María José. Axel might have been mistaken. And if someone else indeed took your virginity who wasn’t your husband, then maybe he didn’t deserve it in the first place.” He’d said.
I wasn’t sure about that, but I liked how relieved I felt every time I opened up to Mateo.
He rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “Sounds like you need to break that awkward chain.”
“I’ve tried everything, Mateo. Ignoring him, being overly friendly, even that time I accidentally spilled his coffee — twice. He barely reacted. All we do is have sex to please our wolves and then go back to being strangers.”
Mateo smirked, obviously not convinced. “Not everything, María José. There’s one thing you haven’t tried yet.” Follow current novels on
I looked at him suspiciously. “Oh? And what’s that?”
He leaned in, lowering his voice like we were conspiring in some spy thriller. “The seduction approach.”
I squinted. “You want me to seduce Axel?”
“Not just seduce,” Mateo clarified, eyes sparkling with teasing fire. “Do something so hot and random when you’re alone with him that he won’t know what hit him.”
I opened my mouth, but no words came out. “Hot and random, huh?”
“Exactly. You want to shatter that awkward silence with something unexpected. Something that’ll knock his socks off and get him talking.”
I crossed my arms, feeling skeptical. “And you think this will work?”
Mateo nodded with the confidence of a man who’d watched too many telenovelas. “Trust me. It always works. Men are simple creatures, María José. Especially when you throw a little heat and chaos into the mix.”
I chuckled. “And what exactly should I do? Start dancing on the table? Recite some sultry poem?”
Mateo grinned. “Better. Wait here.” He turned and jogged toward the guard’s shed, disappearing inside.
I stood there, rubbing my arms as the evening breeze whispered through the trees, carrying the scent of pine needles and dry earth. My mind raced, imagining every ridiculous scenario Mateo might suggest.
Did he have a book of pick-up lines? A guide to “How to seduce your future Alpha in three easy steps”? Was he about to hand me a flamingo costume and a kazoo?
After a few minutes, Mateo reemerged, holding something bulky under his arm. He strutted back over, looking like a kid who’d just found the secret stash of candy in the attic.
“What’s that?” I asked, eyeing the thick book he held up like it was a treasure chest.
“Wait till you see.” He handed it over carefully, like it was made of glass.
I opened the cover and gasped.
There, in bold, flamboyant letters, was the title: “Seduction Secrets for the Hopelessly Clueless: How to Win Hearts and Minds With a Little Bit of Everything.” The cover was a riot of colors — pinks, reds, and gold glitters.
Mateo chuckled. “No man can resist talking things out after these kinds of methods.”
I flipped through the pages. There were pictures of people winking, sultry poses, and tips like “Make eye contact that burns like fire” and “Use compliments as weapons of mass attraction.” “Strike a deadly seductive Pose.” “Wear Red Thongs.”
Page 47: ’Drop your pencil and bend slowly. Maintain eye contact. If he doesn’t speak, he might be dead.’
“This… this is ridiculous,” I blurted, laughter bubbling up unexpectedly.
Mateo winked. “Ridiculously effective.”
I shook my head, smiling despite myself. “You’re unbelievable.”
“Hey, what can I say? I’m a man of many talents.” He gave a mock bow. “So, when are you going to try it out?”
I closed the book with a dramatic sigh. “I don’t know if I’m brave enough to pull this off.”
Mateo’s grin widened. “You don’t have to be brave. You just have to be bold.”
I rubbed the back of my neck, feeling the heat rise to my cheeks. “Bold, huh? Alright. Maybe I’ll try something small first.”
“Small is good. Start with a smile. Then escalate to a wink.”
I raised an eyebrow. “A wink? Really?”
“Trust me. Winks are magic.”
I laughed, shaking my head again. “Fine. I’ll give it a shot.”
Mateo clapped his hands. “That’s the spirit! Just remember, María José — confidence is sexy. Even if you mess up, own it. That’s way hotter than perfection.”
I tucked the book under my arm and started to leave, but Mateo’s voice stopped me.
“Oh! One more thing.”
I turned. “What?”
“Don’t let Álvaro see you reading that. It might confuse him.”
I grinned. “Good advice.”
As I walked away, I could feel the hope and nervous excitement swirling in my stomach. Maybe this was the beginning of something. Maybe, with a little heat and chaos, I could finally break the awkward chain and get Axel to see me again — really see me.
Or maybe I’d just make a fool of myself. Either way, it was going to be entertaining.