DOMINIC
I left Lena in my room, the sound of her soft breaths lingering in the air. I hated leaving her like that, but there was no choice. The moment I felt her pull away, I knew she needed space to think. And there were other matters to attend to—things I couldn't put off any longer. Not now, when my future – my pack's future – was on the line.
"Evan," I called as I stepped out of the room, plans rolling through my head. The young guard, still green around the edges but loyal enough, stepped forward quickly.
"Sir?" he asked, his posture rigid.
"Stay with her. Don't let her leave this room. If she tries, stop her. No one gets in unless I say so." I met his gaze, ensuring there was no confusion.
He nodded. "Understood, sir."
I wasn't worried about Lena running. She couldn't, not with the bond between us still so raw, but I needed to keep her safe, keep her secure while I handled the rest of what was waiting for me. What I had been waiting for years.
I walked down the long hall of the mansion, my footsteps echoing in the silence. Every inch of this place was designed for power, for control. But now, in the quiet, it felt more like a prison. For me. For Lena. For everyone caught in the shifting tides of my decisions.
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.
"Dominic," he greeted, his voice carrying a note of concern. "I didn't expect to see you so soon. I thought we had more time... to deal with all this. With her."
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's going to be hard for her to understand everything, especially now that she's in a world she never thought she'd be a part 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. Not used to us. You know how overwhelming it can be, especially for a human."
"I'm not going to force her into anything," I assured him. "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 to hear that. "Good. Just remember, Dom, she's a person, not a responsibility."
Before I could answer, Adelaine 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 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.
"Adelaine, 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," Adelaine continued, her voice shaking with rage. "A mate is supposed to strengthen the pack. But this? This is a weakness. She is weakness."
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."
Adelaine 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, Adelaine. And I'm not going to let you or anyone tear that away from me."
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?" Adelaine 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."
Adelaine'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."
Adelaine'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. Adelaine's not the type to back down, and 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, and 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.