Page 74 of The Alpha's Forced Rejected Mate
Suddenly, a massive black wolf was where he stood just a second ago, silver markings shimmering across its sleek fur.
Wow.
Dominic's wolf was magnificent—larger than any she'd seen, powerful and graceful.
When she first saw him fight in his wolf form, everything had been too fast, but now she could properly appreciate him.
Luna couldn’t look away.
Dominic prowled the clearing's perimeter, his movements displaying controlled power. When he broke into a run, demonstrating attack speed, Luna's breath caught in her throat.
Beautiful.
Luna knew she should leave. It felt almost voyeuristic for her to watch something so primal while hiding. And yet she couldn't force her feet to move; she was hypnotized by the sight of Dominic in his true form.
She couldn’t imagine how long he’d been denied this. The dark influence had suppressed his wolf, imprisoned it beneath layers of corruption. Now, running freely, he was whole again—both man and wolf united.
The training continued, other pack members shifting to join him. Luna watched them move together, a coordinated unit following Dominic's lead.
After what seemed like hours but was likely only minutes, the wolves began shifting back to human form.
Dominic was last, his transformation as fluid as before. Luna stared at him again as his powerful wolf body elongated, fur receding to reveal muscle.
Luna swallowed hard, heat flooding her face as he stood tall, sweat glistening on his bare chest. She'd seen him shirtless before. But something about witnessing the transformation, about seeing him in his dual nature, made this different. More affecting.
Stop staring, she scolded herself, retreating silently, moving deeper into the forest before circling back toward the eastern border. Her body hummed with need, and Luna knew she was wet. He hadn’t even touched her or looked at her.
She shook her head, trying to distract her mind from the half-man, half-wolf she just saw in all his glory. The eastern border needed protection. Everything else, especially her confused feelings for Dominic, could wait.
***
It was nighttime when Luna finished the fifth ward. She was beyond exhausted, and her magic reserve was empty. She had said she would do one a day, but after the help from the young wolves, she knew she could get more done.
After finishing with the eastern border, she had started on the southern border, making far more progress than she expected on the first day.
Now, Luna packed up, tucking the grimoire into her satchel. The forest was now very quiet under the evening sky.
Luna moved carefully on her way back to the compound. In the distance, she could hear the evening sounds of the pack, voices carrying on the still air, the occasional laugh or call.
A rustle in the undergrowth to her left made Luna pause. She scanned the shadowy forest, senses alert.
The rustle came again, closer this time. Luna tensed, backing up slowly, eyes fixed on the dense brush where the sound came from.
Oh moon!
A massive black form burst out from the undergrowth, moving so swiftly Luna barely had time to register it before it stood before her.
It was Dominic's wolf.
His silver markings were unmistakable even in the dim light, intelligent gray eyes fixed on her face.
Luna felt relief. "You gave me a fright," she said, trying to calm her quickening breaths.
The wolf gave a peculiar snort. Now he was even more impressive than she had ever seen him from afar.
Her voice was unsteady as she said, "I was just heading back. I was done with my wards."
Dominic's wolf lowered his head and grazed gently against her hand. His fur felt much softer than she'd imagined.
