Page 75 of The Alpha's Forced Rejected Mate
"What is going on?" she asked.
Dominic now moved around her, brushing against her legs. Luna held still, her heart pounding against her ribs.
What is he doing?
Before her, their eyes connected. That look ignited fire within her chest, and the heat began to race through her limbs in a matter of seconds. Without thinking, Luna reached out, tracing the silver markings from his muzzle to between his ears.
The wolf's head lowered in agreement as he leaned into her touch, accompanied by a deep, burbling rumble. Luna's heart seemed to stop. It felt intimate, but she couldn't put it towords yet. She watched, awestruck, as faint rays of light seemed to be cast from the silver marking beneath her touch.
"You are wonderful," she whispered in awe, before she was able to stop herself.
Dominic's wolf moved closer, his huge body warm on her side. She stroked along his neck with her free hand, digging her fingers into his thick fur. Waves of awareness coursed through her, an intoxicating concoction of awe and desire.
Luna gave herself a moment.
"We should get back," she whispered, hand reluctantly withdrawing. "It's getting dark."
Dominic stepped back, then went to her side, though he looked intent on seeing her all the way home. Luna gave her assent, readjusted her satchel, and they started to walk down the path together.
Through the twilight forest, walking with the wolf side of Dominic seemed peculiarly natural, as if they'd done it hundreds of times before. Luna relaxed, and the little bit of tiredness she'd felt earlier was washed away by serene goodness.
Entering the compound filled her with a growing awareness of curious glances. The sight of Dominic's wolf walking beside her, almost protectively, would certainly fuel pack gossip.
The cabin was dark when they reached it. Luna opened the door, letting Dominic enter first. Inside, she lit a few lamps, casting the main room in a warm glow. Dominic's wolf moved to the large rug before the unlit fireplace and settled down, watching as Luna removed her satchel and began unpacking her supplies.
"Are you staying wolf all night?" she asked, arranging her herbs on the small kitchen table.
A nod from the massive black form.
"Any particular reason?"
Dominic's wolf just watched her, those gray eyes revealing nothing. Luna sighed, running a hand through her silver hair, loosening the braid that had grown messy during her day's work.
"I'm going to shower. I smell like forest floor." Luna gathered clean clothes and retreated to the bathroom, where she spent long minutes under the hot spray.
By the time she emerged, dressed in soft black leggings and an oversized sleep shirt, she felt human again—or as human as she ever felt.
Dominic remained in wolf form, now sprawled across the rug. The fire was lit, though, casting dancing shadows across his black fur. Luna paused, taking in the sight. He must have shifted briefly to light it, then returned to wolf form.
"Thank you," she said, gesturing to the fire. "That's…nice."
Dominic's wolf watched her, those gray eyes reflecting the firelight. Luna hesitated, then moved to sit on the floor near him, close enough to feel his warmth but not quite touching.
"Mia, Liam, and Sophia helped me today," Luna continued, realizing suddenly it was easier to talk to him in this form. Perhaps because she didn't have to guard against his expressions, didn't have to worry about what he was thinking. "They're…not what I expected."
She stared into the fire, memories of the day washing over her. "Nobody's quite what I expected, honestly. I thought—I thought it would be worse, coming back here."
The wolf moved then, sliding closer until his side pressed warm against her hip. Luna tensed momentarily before relaxing, one hand tentatively coming to rest on his back. The simple contact felt right in a way she couldn't explain.
"I saw you training today," she admitted quietly, eyes fixed on the dancing flames. "I didn't mean to spy. I was just passing by and…" Her voice trailed off as she struggled to find the right words. "You're different as wolf. Free. Powerful."
Dominic's wolf turned his head to look at her, something unreadable in those gray eyes. Luna's hand continued its gentle motion along his fur, finding the repetitive movement soothing.
They sat in silence, the only sounds the crackling fire and Dominic's steady breathing. Luna's exhaustion gradually returned, her eyelids growing heavy. Without thinking, she leaned more heavily against Dominic's warm side, her head coming to rest against his shoulder.
"I should go to bed," she mumbled, but made no move to rise.
Dominic shifted slightly, adjusting his position to better support her weight. Luna knew she should get up, maintain the careful distance they'd established since returning to the pack. But the fire was warm, Dominic's presence was comforting, and she was so very tired.
