Page 69 of The Alpha's Forced Rejected Mate
Dominic didn’t follow immediately; he stayed in the chamber for a while longer, using the moment to gather his thoughts before going in the direction of his father’s study.
***
His father’s study had intimidated Dominic when he was a child. It was a room for a man, a room of weapons and books and a distinct aura of power. As he entered now, he saw the room differently.
It looks smaller.
"I was told you made quite an impression with the council," his father said without looking up as Dominic entered, pointing at the seat across from him.
Dominic sat lightly on the chair. "I only spoke the truth, Father."
Harrison rose from his chair and moved to the window that overlooked the pack grounds. Below, members went about their daily lives—training, tending gardens, children playing.
"I always wondered why you changed so dramatically after joining the Hunter Organization," he said quietly. "You went from a compassionate young wolf to something…harder. Colder."
He turned to face Dominic. "I blamed the nature of your work. On the things you had to do to save the supernatural world from ruin, and the tough decisions you needed to make."
"The tough decisions weren’t what did it. I couldn’t even tell I was being controlled," Dominic admitted. “But it’s over now.”
Harrison nodded slowly. "And Luna Mitchell was the one broke you out of that."
"She did."
Dominic’s father made his way back to his desk, but didn’t sit. The old alpha leaned against the edge, facing his son.
"I'm stepping down as alpha," he announced.
Dominic didn’t hide his surprise. "What? Why now?
"Because the pack needs strength to face what's coming. And because my time is ending." Harrison held up a hand to stop Dominic's protests. "I've led the pack for almost forty years. My wolf is growing tired. The alpha mantle should pass while I can still offer guidance from the shadows."
Dominic's mouth went dry. "You want me to take over."
"The role is yours by right—if you're ready to claim it."
Am I ready?
"How can you trust me to lead, Father? After all I have told you, after all what happened, how will our people trust me?" he asked, giving voice to his doubts.
His father’s expression softened. "Because you're questioning whether you're worthy. A wolf who doesn't question himself is dangerous." He straightened, his bearing suddenly every inch the alpha.
"And if I fail?"
"Then you'll get up and try again." Harrison put a hand on his son’s shoulder. "Not giving up is part of being an alpha."
Dominic stood, the weight of the decision pressing on him. His wolf stirred within, not fighting the prospect, but considering it carefully.
"The pack will need strong leadership in the days ahead," Harrison continued. "The threat you've uncovered…we'll need to prepare. To fight. To protect our own and perhaps others as well."
Dominic moved to the window his father had been looking through moments before. The pack grounds spread before him.
My responsibility.
The years of training. The missions. The hard decisions and the blood on his hands. All of it had shaped him into someone who could protect his pack against what was coming.
Even rejecting Luna had ultimately led them both here, to this moment where they stood the greatest chance of defeating the demonic threat together.
"When?" he asked, turning back to his father.
