Chapter 16
Dominic
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The Moon Goddess works in mysterious ways. How could I sense Blair as my mate when she already wore another Alpha’s mark? Alpha Julian’s claim was there on her neck, plain as day.
I’d held out against my pack Elders for years, refusing arranged matings and chosen pairs. Deep down, I knew my true mate was waiting for me somewhere.
Then I saw Blair. Her scent hit me like a drug- orange blossoms mixed with sweet spices. It was burned into my memory from that first moment.
This morning, when my wolf recognized her as our mate, I waited for her to feel the same pull. But nothing. Her lack of response drove me crazy. Her scent had me in a frenzy, yet she seemed immune. The only explanation was her existing mate bond – dying, but still present.
She looked at me like I was just another Alpha, and it set my teeth on edge. Watching Julian and Violet treat her like dirt only made it worse. I wanted to tear Julian’s throat out and take Blair back to my territory where she’d be safe. But things are never that simple. At least I’d have her alone in my car, surrounded by that intoxicating scent.
Once she got in, her fragrance filled the space. Fighting the urge to pull her closer was torture, especially when she pressed herself against the door like she was trying to escape.
I was figuring out an excuse to touch her when the car suddenly lurched sideways. She tumbled into my lap, and my arms locked around her protectively. A growl ripped from my chest–who dared attack my mate? The stench of rogues filled the air.
After we’d dealt with them and got back on the road, I missed her warmth. Without thinking, I grabbed her hand. When she called me out, I took the other one too, shooting her a grin. “You said to let go of that hand, not this one.” The contact sent electricity through my body, straight to my groin. Kane, my wolf, rumbled with pleasure when she blushed. I waited for her to pull away, but she left our fingers
intertwined. For now, that small connection was enough.
“You’ve got a scratch here.” Blair pointed to my neck. Rage flared at the thought of the rogue who’d jumped her. His claws must have caught her during the attack. Still, I felt proud watching her fight alongside me.
Her fingers brushed the spot. “It’ll heal.”
“Not quickly enough,” I said. “Rogue scratches can get infected. Let me help.”
Her brow wrinkled. “How?”
“Like this.”
I pulled her closer, freed her hair from its braid, and pressed my lips to the bruise. She tensed but didn’t retreat. I sucked harder, savoring the taste of her skin. Her hands pressed weakly against my chest, but the soft moan that escaped her lips told a different story. I took more of her skin between my teeth. If I didn’t claim her soon, I’d lose my mind. Kane howled inside, desperate to mark his mate.
It took everything I had to pull back. Her chest was heaving, her bottom lip caught between her teeth hard enough to draw blood. God, I hoped she was starting to feel our connection. “In shifter lore, they
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say a mate mark hurts when your partner’s unfaithful. Does yours hurt?”
She stared at her lap. “It doesn’t hurt when he… but my whole body does.” Tension radiated from her shoulders as she trailed off. “I don’t understand why it’s fading though.”
Hope surged through me. “Isn’t that a good thing?” I grabbed her hands excitedly.
She yanked away like I’d burned her.
“I don’t know…” she whispered, like it terrified her. She edged back toward her corner.
“What’s wrong?”
“Alpha Dominic,” she said softly but firmly. “I’ll sign the Luna contract after Julian releases me. The Goddess knows I need out of this marriage, but don’t think I’m…” She took a steadying breath. “I won’t sleep my way to the top.”
It was the third time she’d said something like that, and it pissed me off. “Blair, that’s not how I see you at all. Are you worried I’ll bed you and dump you? Didn’t I promise to help you reclaim your pack?” Her blush confirmed my suspicions. “You’ve got me all wrong. I hate women who use sex as currency. Remember how Violet threw herself at me?”
That seemed to ease her mind. Her eyes softened, looking adorably confused. “Still… you shouldn’t have done that to my neck. It sends the wrong message.”
“Well, your bruise is already healing. You’re welcome.” I smirked. “But I meant what I said–I want you to sign that contract soon. Because I like you, Blair.”
Her phone rang, Alpha Julian’s name lighting up the screen.
