Page 102 of The Alpha's Forced Rejected Mate
The girl smiled. "Can you show us some magic? Just a tiny bit?"
Dominic started to speak up to stop her—Luna was still healing—but hesitated when he noticed how happy she looked at the children's warm acceptance of her.
"Just a little spell," Luna said, lifting her hand. She murmured something Dominic couldn't understand. Tiny sparks began to appear above her palm, shaping themselves into a wolf running through a trail of stars.
The kids gasped and rushed in closer, their faces lit with awe. Dominic kept his eyes on Luna, her joyful expressionsqueezing something deep in his chest. She had always deserved this—a life filled with wonder and admiration instead of judgment and fear.
"That’s all for now," Dominic shouted, stepping in to save Luna from overdoing it. "Get back to your training, all of you."
The children dragged their feet, glancing back at Luna’s magical performance as they went. Dominic reached out to help her stand, holding her steady when she wobbled.
"I'm still not strong," she admitted.
"Then we should get you resting," Dominic said, but Luna shook her head in refusal.
"Not yet. I want to experience more of the pack. I need to see what I've missed all these years while I was away."
Dominic couldn't refuse her.
They strolled across the compound. Pack members paused to greet them, showing Luna a level of respect she had never received before. Women who used to whisper harsh things about her now greeted her with warm smiles. Men who had once acted as if she didn’t exist now lowered their heads in acknowledgment.
When they arrived at the pack’s sacred grove, the setting sun painted the sky in warm hues. Luna sank onto a bench beneath the old oak tree, her body tired but her determination shining through.
"They accept me now," she said, almost in disbelief.
Dominic lowered himself onto the bench beside her. Their shoulders brushed. "They’re seeing what I’ve known all along."
Luna faced him, studying his expression. "What do you mean?"
"Strength. Kindness. Someone people would follow." He took her hand, his fingers tracing her palm. "Someone I could love."
Luna’s breath caught. "Dominic..."
"I love you, Luna," he said, his words flowing as though he could no longer contain them. "I've loved you long before I even understood what love was. Now that I've found you again—and knowing you're carrying our baby—I can't imagine a life without you next to me."
Luna moved closer, resting her forehead against his, and her voice trembled as she whispered, "I never stopped loving you. Even when I wanted to hate you, my heart just wouldn't let me."
"I want you to be my partner—not because of some mating bond or ceremony, but because we want this."
"Yes," she breathed, leaning in to close the distance.
Their lips met softly at first, but the kiss deepened. He held her, careful of her healing body, though the need that had been building between them for so long refused to stay hidden. Luna’s hands slid into his hair, gripping him like he might slip away.
“Take me home,” she said, her words brushing against his lips.
Dominic rose to his feet, picking her up.
Home. It’s ours now.
Dim candlelight lit up the bedroom while Dominic carried Luna inside. He had arranged everything earlier sothe space was perfect—fresh sheets fitted on the bed, candles glowing all around, and the soft smell of jasmine filling the air.
He lowered Luna to her feet by the bed but kept a firm hold around her waist to steady her. "Are you sure you're feeling strong enough?" he asked, searching her face for any sign of doubt.
Luna didn’t answer at first, tugging at the edge of her dress and slipping it over her head.
"I’ve never felt stronger," she said, reaching toward him. "And I am ready for this."
Under her dress, she had on a plain black bra with matching panties. The dark fabric stood out against her light skin.
