Page 79 of The Alpha's Forced Rejected Mate
A small shiver ran through her at his touch. "So what should I be thinking about instead?"
Dominic considered his answer carefully. "What does this shield mean to you? What are you protecting?"
Luna's gaze dropped to the ground as she thought. "The pack," she said. "The children we just taught. All the innocent witches still in danger." Her voice grew stronger with each word. "Everyone Xavier wants to hurt."
"Then focus on that," Dominic said, his voice low and intense. "Not the spell—what the spell accomplishes."
Luna nodded, realization dawning in her eyes. She squared her shoulders and set about it again, but this time Dominic noticed a difference. Her movements were more fluent, with a serene rather than concentrated expression.
Golden light poured from her hands, stronger and brighter than before, and spreading outward in a perfect arc that covered them both.
The barrier hummed with energy, solid and without any wavering. Speechless and filled with astonishment and glee, she maintained it with even, deep breaths.
"I'm doing it," she whispered, a smile spreading across her face.
"You are," Dominic confirmed as he reached toward the barrier. His hand met resistance, like pressing against thick glass. "It's strong."
Luna's smile widened, but her concentration didn’t waver. After a full minute, she lowered her hands, and the shield faded gracefully rather than collapsing.
"That was…" She searched for words. "That felt completely different."
Their eyes met, and something electric passed between them.
"What else do you want to try?" Dominic asked, breaking the tension.
Luna turned back to the ancient book, flipping through with newfound confidence. "There's a section I always wanted to try on offensive magic—using energy as a weapon.”
"Use me for practice then," he challenged, stepping back into a fighting stance.
Luna looked dubious. "I don't want to harm you."
Dominic gave her one of his mischievous smiles. "I'd like to see you try. Besides, your enemies will be moving."
The challenge sparked something in her eyes. She nodded, positioning herself across from him. "Don't say I didn't warn you."
Can still be baited.
What followed was unlike any training session Dominic had ever experienced. Luna studied the grimoire between attempts, learning to channel her magic into focused bursts of energy. The first few tries were wild, missing him entirely or dissipating before they reached their target. But with each attempt, her control improved.
Dominic dodged and weaved, offering advice when he saw openings in her technique.
The moment became a dance between the two, with his movements of the predatory grace of a born fighter and her magical attacks becoming more and more precise.
"You’re not giving your all, Luna," he said, lightly dodging an energy bolt. "Don't hold back. You won’t win that way."
Luna narrowed her eyes. "Fine." Planting her feet firmly, she gathered her magic once more, and when she let the magic go, the energy shot toward him with precision.
Dominic just barely rolled away with the scorched earth where he had been standing. He rose to a crouch, surprise very much apparent on his face.
"Better," was his acknowledgment in a slightly proud voice.
Her confidence only grew with each success, and soon, they began to spar. Sweat dripped onto her brow as she blocked all of his numerous assaults with quick magical shields. She retaliated with energy blasts that kept him upright.
Finally, when Dominic lunged forward in what could have ended their game, Luna stepped aside with unexpected agility. Her hand shot out, magic pulses catching him mid-stride and knocking him off balance. She was already on him, using her own weight to foil him.
They hit the ground, Dominic almost twisting entirely to lessen the blow. Upon coming to a halt, Luna was straddling his chest, with one hand going to full magical glow, positioned barely an inch away from the alpha’s throat.
Her silver hair was now completely free of its confines, flowing around her face like a curtain of moonlight.
