DOMINIC
I left Lena sleeping in my room, the steady rhythm of her breath still echoing in my ears. The heat of her skin, the way she had trembled against me, lingered longer than I wanted to admit. I hated walking away from her, but I could feel the shift in her even before she pulled back—she needed space. Time to think. And I needed clarity. There were things demanding my attention, things I had postponed for far too long.
Things that wouldn't wait anymore.
I stepped into the hall, the mansion cold and too quiet around me. Stone walls lined with oil paintings, sharp angles, and shadowed corners—every inch of this place had been built to project dominance. And yet tonight, it felt like a cage.
I spotted Evan strolling toward the stairs, hands in his pockets, whistling like we weren't one wrong move away from disaster.
"Evan," I called out, and he froze like a kid caught sneaking snacks before dinner.
He turned slowly, grinning. "Alpha," he said, drawing the word out like it was a joke between us—which, sometimes, it was. "If you're about to scold me for loitering, just know I was performing a very official hallway perimeter assessment."
I gave him a flat look. "I need you to stay with her. Don't let her leave. Don't let anyone in unless I say so."
Evan blinked. "Wait—am I babysitting?"
"It's not babysitting."
He tilted his head. "Feels like babysitting. Is there a snack rotation? Do I read her bedtime stories or just keep her from busting through a window?"
"She's not going anywhere," I said. "But I want eyes on her. Just in case."
"You got it." He nodded, then leaned in slightly. "Should I wear something more intimidating? Or maybe softer—like a hoodie, to make me seem emotionally accessible?"
"Evan."
"Right, right. Gently stop her if she tries to leave. Like, 'please return to your emotionally compromised prison cell, miss.' Got it."
I started to walk away, but he spoke again, his tone more thoughtful now.
"She's really your mate?"
"She is," I said simply.
Evan nodded once. "Then I've got her."
I looked at him for a moment, the usual sarcasm gone from his face. He was still grinning—but this one was different. Quieter. Grounded.
"I mean it," I said. "Don't let her out of the room until I'm back."
"I know." He winked. "Did you know you get sappy when you're in love?? It's cute, really."
"I'm not—" I stopped, groaned, and kept walking.
His laughter followed me down the hall.
This house was built to intimidate. Every stone, every archway, every silence meant to remind people who was in control. But right now, with Lena behind one of these doors and Evan cracking jokes like we weren't circling war, it felt almost bearable.
Lucas, my beta, was already there, leaning against the large wooden table. He looked up as I entered, a warm smile lighting his features before it faded slightly, sensing the tension in my body. Lucas was another reason it was almost bearable.
"Dominic," he greeted, his voice carrying a note of concern. I didn't expect to see you so soon. I thought you'd be busy," he smothered a grin. I thought there'd be a little more time to get things in order out here."
I couldn't help but feel the weight of his words, but instead of anger or frustration, I felt relief that he wasn't upset. That's the kind of person Lucas was—steady, loyal, and far more understanding than most would give him credit for.
"I didn't want to wait anymore," I said, my voice firm but weary. "I've waited long enough, and things can't stay the way they are. Not now that Lena's here."
He nodded, his expression softening. "You've made your choice, Dom," he said, a small smile creeping onto his face. "And I'm with you. Always have been. She's your mate, after all."
The words settled deep in my chest, a comforting weight I hadn't realized I needed. Lucas had always been like a brother to me, and hearing him support me made this all feel a little more bearable.
"But I know things won't be easy," Lucas added, his voice quieter, more serious. "Lena's human. And she's going to have a lot to adjust to. It will be hard for her to understand everything, especially now that she's in a world she never knew of."
I ran a hand through my hair, frustration creeping into my chest. I knew that. I knew how difficult it would be for her. But it didn't change the truth of the bond between us.
"I'll take care of her," I said, my voice strong. "I'll help her through it."
Lucas nodded, but there was a concern in his eyes that didn't sit well with me. "Just make sure she doesn't feel trapped, Dom. She's not used to this life or to us. You know how overwhelming it can be, it has to be worse for a human."
"I'm not going to force her into anything," I growled. "She's not some possession. I'll let her decide what she wants. I'll give her space."
Lucas gave a small sigh, clearly relieved if not completely convinced. "Good. Just remember, Dom, she's a person, not a responsibility."
Before I could answer, Adelaide slammed open the door, heels clicking loudly as she stalked toward me. Her presence was like a storm rolling in, filled with power and fury.
She was beautiful, undeniably so, with a sharp jawline and piercing green eyes that could cut through steel if she wanted. She had been the one my pack had always assumed I'd marry—strong, well-bred, and the daughter of a prominent pack leader. She'd joined our pack years ago after the wars, and her pack had been destroyed. She was everything that was expected of me as the Alpha.
But standing in front of me now, I could see the hurt in her eyes. The fury. And something else—a betrayal.
"You've got some nerve, Dominic," she hissed, her tone sharp, venom lacing every word. "I expected you to at least have the decency to tell me before you—" She cut herself off, as though the words were too much for her to say. "Before you rejected me for that human."
I hadn't expected her to react this way, but I wasn't surprised either. She'd always been proud, and now I was throwing everything we'd built away, everything she'd believed was her future.
"Adelaide, this isn't what you think," I said, my voice low, trying to keep calm. "This is about the pack. The bond I have with Lena is real. And it's not something I can ignore."
She scoffed, her eyes flashing with anger. "Real? You think this—" she gestured to the air between us, as if the mere idea of me and Lena could be felt physically "—is real? You waited years, Dominic. Years. I stepped up during that time. I kept this pack moving forward. I am the reason your pack is still here at the top and not decimated by another. And now that she's here, you turn your back on everything we've been working toward? You're choosing her. A human. Over me. Over the future of the pack."
I opened my mouth to respond, but the words caught in my throat. How could I explain the depth of the bond I felt for Lena? How could I make her understand that this wasn't just about power or duty or legacy? It was about something deeper, something I couldn't control.
"You know the rules, Dominic," Adelaide continued, her voice shaking with rage. "A mate is supposed to strengthen the pack. But this? This is a weakness. She is weak."
I felt the sting of her words, and my fists clenched, the urge to lash out building. "You don't understand," I said, my voice harder now. Lena is my mate—not you. I didn't choose her, but I will protect her. I'll fight for her, no matter what."
Adelaide laughed, but there was no humor in it. "Protect her? What are you going to protect, Dominic? A fragile human who can barely keep up with us? What does she bring to the pack? What does she bring to you?"
I stepped forward, my anger flaring. "She brings me everything, Adelaide. And I'm not going to let you or anyone tear that away from me. You will fall in line like everyone else, and you will respect the traditions and customs of this pack. That is an order."
Lucas shifted uneasily in the background, clearly uncomfortable with the tension in the room. I could feel his eyes on me, waiting for me to crack, to break under the pressure.
"You think she'll save you?" Adelaide sneered. "You think this is some kind of fairy tale? You're a wolf, Dominic—a leader. You have a responsibility, a future. And now you're throwing all of it away for her?"
"I'm not throwing it away," I said, my voice cold and final. "But I'm not going to sacrifice her either."
Adelaide's eyes blazed with fury, but I could see the hurt in them too. It was a blow to her pride, to everything she had expected. But I couldn't take it back.
She turned on him with a fierce glare. "And what about you, Lucas?" she hissed. "Are you just going to stand there and let him destroy everything?"
Lucas didn't flinch. "I'm his beta. I stand by him, no matter what. Just like I always have. And I'll protect Lena, too."
Adelaide's eyes blazed with fury, but she didn't say another word. She turned sharply, heading toward the door.
"You'll regret this, Dominic," she said over her shoulder. "Both of you."
The door slammed shut behind her, leaving the room heavy with tension.
I turned back to Lucas, meeting his gaze. "She's not going to let this go, is she?"
"No," he said, his expression grave. "And you'd better be ready for the fallout, Dominic. Adelaide's not the type to back down. If she doesn't get her way, she'll make sure you both pay for it."
I nodded, feeling the weight of his words settle in. But there was no turning back. Lena was mine; no matter what came next, I would protect her—both of us.
I didn't respond. There was nothing more to say.
I had made my choice. And whatever happened next, I would stand by it.
Lena was mine, and no one—no one—was going to take her from me.