Chapter Nine

Skylar

I had heard my Wolf clearly, but the words remained surreal to me. It made no sense, but it also made complete sense.

I had been snatched minutes before I was proclaimed as Marcus's Luna, only to find myself in the place I had longed to be for years: with my mate. Except that individual was none other than Alpha Dominic, Pale Moon's direct opponent.

Marcus's fury had been directed at this guy several times. The only individual who had caused trouble in my pack. I wanted to be happy, but I was sad and bewildered about the lives lost due of Dominic, my friend.

At the same time, it made complete sense given how drawn and desirable I felt to him. But the expectations and dreams I had for my mate suddenly seemed empty. Was it inappropriate to want a mate who was free of drama?

My Wolf hissed in irritation as I disregarded her. She hadn't seen what I had in the two years I'd spent at the pack home.

"Here," Dominic's voice broke me out of my stupor. "You look like you have seen a ghost."

I looked down at the glass of water in his hand but didn't try to grab it from him. He had killed a lot of wolves, and now I was here with him, acting as if his past didn't matter.

"I'm assuming from your reaction that you know we're friends," Dominic said, the corner of his mouth rising slightly.

The sneer on his face irritated me, but it also energised my Wolf. "I'm going home," I said, dismissing him.

"You are home," he yelled. "This is your home now, where you belong."

"I don't know you," I exclaimed. "How is this my home?"

A line emerged between his brows, and he looked at me with steely eyes.

He carefully placed the glass of water by the coffee table. "I thought you were being difficult because you didn't know that we are mates."

My Wolf purred ecstatically at the suggestion of mates. I wanted to despise Dominic, but deep down I knew I couldn't. The sadness I felt caused me to want to go.

"I don't want to be here," I stated, my tone severe.

"You are mine," he exclaimed, his voice full of command. "You're not rejecting me."

I glared at him. "You're not taking me by force," I said. "You belong to me," he hissed.

"I belong to no one!"

"Is this because of Marcus?"

"This is because of me and what I want!"

He scoffed. "We both know what you really want and that is to be here with me, your mate."

My brows furrowed at his remarks. He was correct. I wanted to be near him because my Wolf was drawn to him. It made me angry. I couldn't associate with the enemy, could I?

"We're enemies," I reminded him, awaiting his response.

He narrowed his gaze at me. "Your pack is my enemy, you're not."

I rolled my eyes. "In case you have forgotten, I belong in that pack." He let out a growl. "Not any more." "You're my Luna; you belong here."

"It's better if I leave before it causes more problems for both packs," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

I knew he could hear me, so I didn't need to exert myself by speaking louder. If Marcus had issued a search warrant, a feud between the packs was inevitable.

He would be trespassing, resulting in more avoidable deaths, which is the exact opposite of what I need right now.

"I am not going to let Marcus take you away from me," Dominic snarled, raising my head to meet his stare.

Something flashed before his eyes. The whirling blue specs in his eyes captivated me, making me nearly entirely surrender to him. I jolted awake before he could hypnotise me.

"I don't want a war," I moaned, hoping that Dominic, my partner, could understand.

"I cannot guarantee that. If that loser trespasses and threatens my pack, I will do everything in my ability to defend my people, and you."

His remarks made me frown. Meanwhile, I understood his desire to defend his pack, but I didn't understand why he felt compelled to protect me. I was not in danger. I just wanted to go before Marcus could find me.

"I'm leaving," I repeated once more.

"Do not make me keep you here by force," Dominic warned. I stared at him. "You wouldn't dare."

"I'll do whatever it takes to keep you at my side. Do not make this more difficult than it already is."

I laughed dryly. Instead of responding, I strutted towards the door through which the group had exited.

Before I could reach the door, his powerful arm stopped me, causing electrical shocks to radiate throughout my body.

My eyelids closed tight as I realised how amazing it felt to have him close, but at the same time. I couldn't help but think of the innocent lives lost as a result of his actions.

I growled and yanked my arm away from his. It took him by surprise, but he did not move. My back was against his chest, and I could feel his breath fanning my hair.

"You will not stop me if I want to leave," I dared to say, straining to maintain a steady tone.

Dominic did not answer, but I felt him snake his arm around my waist and spin me in his arms.

He steadied me before the force caused my back to contact the door. I didn't want to look up at him; I needed to escape free of his clutches, but I couldn't move. He had me cornered and shoved against the door.

"You don't want this?" he asked, his voice low and hoarse.

My breathing quickened as I realised how deep his voice was, as if it were a single whisper. It sent shivers down my spine. I swallowed audibly as he dropped his head to level with mine.

At first, I turned my head to the side, expecting him to kiss me again. But Dominic shocked me by nestling his head against my neck. It drove my Wolf nuts, and I could feel my heart racing wildly.

"You don't want me?" he asked, his breath tickling my ear and making the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.

I wanted him. I desired this. However, I didn't. He made it difficult for me to think coherently. He was my mate, but I was torn.

I wasn't sure how I felt after learning about his past. I wanted him, but the thought of being selfish made me hesitate.

I finally came to my wits and pressed on his chest. My actions made little effect, but they caused Dominic to remove his head away from my neck and stand up straight. His brows furrowed together, but he said nothing and waited for me to speak.

"I need to return to my pack," I said, my gaze fixed on his. "You don't belong there," he argued, but his tone was low.

He was correct, whereas I was not. But he had no need to know about my ideas. I was never going to return to Pale Moon.

"I don't belong here either," I said passionately.

He slammed me up against the door again, this time with more force.

His grip on me was so strong that I couldn't move a single muscle.

"I've told you that you belong where I am. "And that is in my pack, our pack."

I avoided his sight and focused my attention on the black shirt he was wearing.

Every plan I had in my thoughts vanished. I found myself in a stupor yet again. His smell drew me into his embrace, and his Wolf drew mine even closer.

"I can't be with you," I honestly muttered against his chest, feeling my tears start.

I was not a cryer, and I certainly wasn't going to cri right now. But discovering my partner just to discover he was the enemy made me feel upset.

Being stuck between two Alphas and their feud was possibly the worst thing that could happen to me on top of everything else that had

happened. I shrugged my emotions aside, not wanting to appear vulnerable to the enemy.

"Is it because of him?"

I looked up to see his anxious gaze. "Because of who?" "Marcus, your other mate."

His remarks confused me, but I didn't have time to think about them before he spoke again.

"So it is," Dominic said, lowering his hands.

Rolling my eyes, I slipped out of his grasp and went to stand near his desk. "It is not because of him. He's not my ma-"

"What other reason is there?" Dominic interrupted, cutting me short, his voice harsh.

I wanted to yell at him, to scream. He spoke to me as if I were his lost property. My frustration was steadily eating me up. He was so gorgeous that it irritated me. He could have been less beautiful.

When I felt his arms around me again and electrical currents flowed through me, I snapped back to reality.

"Skylar?" he asked, his lips against my temple and his voice more calmer.

He was quite near, and I could feel his heartbeat in his chest since my back was pressed against his. Hearing him mention my name made me faint in his embrace.

I couldn't get away from his touch, no matter how hard I tried. I closed my eyes tightly and savoured the sensation that radiated through me before summoning the confidence to speak my next words.

"I can't be with you, not like this."

The words bothered me. My Wolf wanted to dominate and prove the Alpha wrong, but I stopped her. Her adoration would not impair my judgement.

At my words, Dominic loosened his grip on me, forcing me to turn and look up at him. His eyes were dark and steely.

"Have I done something to upset you?" he inquired, concerned.

"You killed so many innocent people," I cried, my eyes crying on their own.

Dominic's brow furrowed; he appeared unhappy, but he said nothing else. He examined me for a time, and I could feel the attraction between us grow stronger, but suddenly he drew away and turned to face the window of his office.

I'm not sure why his hand was covering his mouth, but he appeared to be surprised. Finally, he turned to face me again.

"I have business to take care of. I will have Maya show you to a room. "You should rest; we can talk later," he said, his voice severe and firm.

His demeanour had drastically altered. He appeared cooler. I sniffled and wiped away at my wet lashes.

But Dominic didn't give me another look before walking out the door, leaving me alone in his office.