Dominic's POV
I moved quickly through the dense forest, my senses sharp. The rogues could still be close, and the last thing I needed was another fight when Ashen was too weak to defend himself.
Then I caught the scent,Ryker.
I followed the trail until I saw him standing near the tree line, his sharp eyes scanning the area. The moment he saw me, his nostrils flared, and his expression twisted in confusion.
"Why the hell do you smell like an omega?"
I stiffened. My wolf bristled at the question.
Back off.
Ryker raised his hands slightly, but his sharp gaze didn't waver. "I'm just saying. You reek of it. And…" His eyes narrowed. "Why the hell did I find suppressants in Ashen's bed?"
I exhaled slowly, trying to keep my temper in check. "Not now, Ryker."
He shook his head, stepping closer. "No, we're talking about this. You know suppressants this strong are illegal, right? They can screw with a wolf's biology"
"I know." My voice was clipped, my hands clenching into fists.
Ryker's expression darkened. "Then why the hell does Ashen have them?"
I hesitated. I didn't owe him an explanation not yet. Not when I barely had one myself.
But Ryker wasn't stupid. He was already putting the pieces together.
His eyes widened slightly. "No. No way."
I remained silent.
"Dominic." His voice was lower now, more cautious. "Are you saying Ashen is—?"
"I said back off." My tone left no room for argument.
Silence stretched between us.
Then Ryker ran a hand through his hair, exhaling sharply. "Shit."
Yeah. Shit was right.
And now that I knew the truth?
There was no way in hell I was letting Ashen keep running from me.
Ryker followed me as we made our way back toward the cave, his footsteps light but his damn mouth running.
"So," he drawled, his tone filled with pure amusement. "Our fierce, cold-hearted Ashen is actually an omega? Damn, Dom, I gotta say, I didn't see that coming."
I clenched my jaw, ignoring him.
He didn't take the hint.
"I mean, it makes sense now. The attitude. The constant need to prove himself. The whole 'I'd rather die than submit' thing. He must've been real fun to deal with once you figured it out."
I shot him a glare. "Ryker."
He smirked. Unbothered. "What? I'm just saying, you must've been losing your damn mind."
I was losing my damn mind. But I wasn't about to let him get under my skin.
We stepped inside the cave, and Ashen immediately sat up, his sharp eyes locking onto Ryker.
He must've heard us approaching because his expression was already defensive.
And the second Ryker smirked, I knew he was about to push it.
"Damn, Ashen," he said with a low whistle. "Never would've guessed you were hiding all that under that tough-guy act. Makes sense now, though. The attitude, the aggression—"
Ashen lunged.
His body was still weak, but his pride wasn't.
Ryker barely dodged as Ashen snarled, his instincts kicking in despite his exhaustion.
I stepped between them instantly, grabbing Ashen before he collapsed from his own stubbornness. "Enough." My voice was low, firm.
Ashen fought me. His body trembled, his scent flaring,anger, frustration, humiliation.
His fists pressed against my chest as he glared up at me, his breath ragged. "I am not—"
I turned, my sharp gaze locking onto Ryker. "You can't talk to your Luna like that."
Silence.
For the first time in a long time, Ryker looked shocked.
His eyes went wide, his smirk completely gone.
Ashen, however, froze.
I could feel his entire body tense against me, his breath catching. He looked up at me, stunned.
Like he hadn't expected me to say it.
To claim him.
To stand between him and anyone,even my own Beta.
Ryker recovered fast, his brows raising. "Shit. You're serious?"
I didn't look away. "Dead serious."
Ashen's breathing was uneven. His fists slowly uncurled, but he didn't step back. Didn't argue.
He just stared at me.
And I stared back.
Ashen was still tense in my arms, his breath uneven, his body trembling from exhaustion and something deeper,something he didn't want to name.
Then, after a long silence, he spoke.
"Can I just have my pills, please?" His voice was hoarse, tired.
I didn't answer immediately.
Didn't move.
Just watched him.
He wasn't asking because he needed them. He was asking because he was scared.
Scared of what he was without them.
I glanced at Ryker.he was still standing there, watching the exchange with unreadable eyes, but I didn't need his input on this.
I refocused on Ashen, my grip firm but not restraining
"You need to rest first," I continued. "You're already weak. Taking them now will make it worse."
Ashen's jaw clenched. He didn't like that.
Didn't like me controlling this.
Didn't like me caring.
But I wasn't backing down.
He exhaled sharply, tearing his gaze away. "Fine."
I felt the weight of that word.
It wasn't acceptance.
It was temporary surrender.
And that was fine,for now.
I gently eased him back against the rough cave wall, making sure he was steady before stepping away.
I glanced at Ryker again. "Did you bring them?"
Ryker let out a low breath before nodding. "Yeah. Had to dig through his whole damn room, but I got them." He pulled a small vial from his jacket and tossed it to me.
I caught it effortlessly, rolling it in my palm before looking back at Ashen.
His eyes were glued to it.
Like it was the only thing keeping him grounded.
Like he needed it to breathe.
I hated it.
But I wouldn't fight him on this. Not yet.
I crouched down beside him, holding out the vial.
"Take it," I said. "But understand this, Ashen."
He reached for it, but I didn't let go immediately.
His sharp gaze snapped to mine.
"You can keep hiding if you want," I said, my voice low. "But I see you now."
A flicker of something passed through his eyes,fear, anger… maybe even pain.
Then he yanked the vial from my grip and looked away.
Hated that he needed them. Hated that he thought they were the only way he could survive.
I wanted to rip them from his hand.
But I didn't.
Not yet.
Ryker crossed his arms, leaning against the cave wall with a smirk that was half-annoyed, half-amused. "You really gonna let him keep taking that shit?"
Ashen shot him a glare. "I don't need your input, Beta."
Ryker snorted. "Yeah? Well, tough. Because I'm pretty sure our Alpha isn't a fan of his mate poisoning himself."
Ashen flinched.
It was quick,barely noticeable,but I caught it.
I turned to Ryker, my voice dropping into something cold. Final.
"Enough."
Ryker held up his hands in mock surrender, but I knew he'd back off.
I let him have
For now.
Ashen's hands tightened around the vial, his knuckles pale. His entire body was coiled tight, as if he were fighting a battle within himself—one I could already tell he was losing.
I didn't back down.
"You agreed," I reminded him, voice calm but unyielding. "I let you keep your suppressants. Now it's your turn to keep your end of the deal."
His lips parted, but no words came out.
Because he had no choice.
We both knew it.
Ryker stood to the side, arms crossed, waiting for the inevitable. He knew Ashen wouldn't be able to argue his way out of this.
Ashen's throat bobbed as he swallowed, his pride warring with reality.
Then, after what felt like a lifetime, he finally exhaled and looked away.
"…Fine," he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper.
I almost smirked.
Almost.
Instead, I just nodded. "Good."
He refused to meet my gaze. His breathing was unsteady. His fists clenched and unclenched at his sides, as if the words had physically hurt him.
And maybe they had.
But I wasn't going to let him run.
I reached out, grasping his forearm gently but firmly. "Let's go."
He stiffened.
For a split second, I thought he might fight me. Might try to bolt.
But he didn't.
With slow, reluctant movements, he followed as we stepped out of the cave, the cool night air brushing against our skin.
Ryker walked ahead, his usual smirk present, but he didn't comment.
He didn't need to.
Ashen was coming back with us.