Page 16 of The Alpha's Forced Rejected Mate
“You mean you won’t.” Her eyes searched his, looking for something—mercy, perhaps, or the man he had been before.
Dominic maintained his straight, solid tone. “It amounts to the same thing.”
Luna’s chin lifted in defiance, a gesture so familiar it made his chest ache. “What happens if I go with you? What does this Council of yours do to witches they capture?”
The question lingered in the rain-soaked air between them. Dominic couldn’t bring himself to explain the binding ritual—not now, not like this, with her body pushed against his and memories haunting him.
When Dominic did not instantly respond, awareness dawned in her eyes, followed by horror. “They seek my power for themselves. Is that it? They do not want to protect anyone; they want to use me.”
“It’s more complicated than that,” Dominic exclaimed, irritated by her explanation.
“And I’m just supposed to trust you?” Luna raised her voice slightly. “Trust the people who sent you to hunt me down like an animal?”
“You don’t have a choice,” Dominic said, tightening his grasp on her wrists as she struggled with him. “Either come with me now, or I’ll be forced to sedate you.” To accentuate his point, he shifted one hand to grab a little syringe from his jacket pocket. The transparent liquid inside glittered dully in the faint light of the alley.
Luna’s eyes fixed on the syringe, real fear replacing the defiance in her expression. “Don’t,” she pleaded. “Whatever that is—don’t put it in me.”
“Then stop fighting,” Dominic said firmly. “Come with me voluntarily.”
They stared at each other for a moment as rain continued to fall around them. Dominic was painfully aware of every point of contact between their bodies: her soft curves pressing against him, her wrists beneath his fingers, her warm breath mingling with his in the cold air.
“Fine,” she replied gently. “I’ll come with you.” Dominic’s wolf growled in suspicion at the sudden surrender, and he remained vigilant even as he carefully freed her wrists. “Don’t try anything,” he advised, pocketing the syringe but keeping it easily accessible.
Luna nodded, putting her arms over herself as if she had just realized she was wearing damp clothes. “Where are we going?”
“I have a safe house nearby,” Dominic explained, taking a step back, yet still close enough to grasp her if necessary. “We’ll spend the night there and leave for headquarters in the morning.”
He motioned for her to begin walking towards the mouth of the alley where they had entered. Luna complied, walking under the rain with Dominic close behind.
They were almost to the parking lot when Luna stumbled on the wet pavement. Dominic automatically stretched out to support her, clutching her upper arm. Luna twisted toward him as soon as his flesh touched hers, pressing her free hand into his chest. Before he could activate his protective pendant, her palm emitted a wave of power beyond anything he’d ever experienced.
The force knocked Dominic backward, sending him falling into a stack of empty plastic crates. As he crashed against the brick, pain lanced through his back, shocking him for a second. By the time he regained his balance, Luna had already sprinted across the parking lot, onto the street beyond.
Dominic hissed, his eyes blazing silver as his wolf battled its way to the surface. Adrenaline filled his system as he charged after her. Rain affected his sight, but he didn’t need to see her—he could track her by scent alone, feeling a draw toward her like an anchor.
Luna got to the sidewalk and ran across the street, just evading a car that honked violently as it swerved around her. Dominic followed, his quicker reflexes allowing him to weave through traffic. He was catching up to her now, her normal pace no match for his magical speed. She appeared to recognize this, veering abruptly into a popular coffee shop on the corner. The door jingled as she yanked it open and went inside. Dominic paused briefly outside to survey the situation. This was a public location. Witnesses. There were limited exits. She had trapped herself.
He entered the coffee shop, water dripping from his clothes as he inspected the inside. There were students with computers, office workers looking for shelter from the storm, and baristas working behind the counter. Conversations paused briefly as customers noticed his intimidating, soaking wet presence, then continued in slightly more muted tones.
Luna was nowhere to be seen.
Dominic moved deeper into the shop, following her scent past tables of curious onlookers toward the back of the establishment. A sign indicated restrooms down a short hallway.
He approached slowly, mindful of the attention on him, but completely concentrated on his prey. The corridor had three doors: the men’s restroom, the women’s restroom, and an emergency exit with an alarm bar across it. Suspicion rose in his mind as he pushed against the exit door.
The door swung open silently, revealing an alley behind the coffee shop—but no Luna.
Dominic stepped into the alley, inhaling deeply. The rain was swiftly wiping away her scent trail, but he detected the tiniest trace headed west. He took off running through a maze of back alleys and service corridors, following the trail that was quickly fading. His wolf was fully involved now, motivated by both the pleasure of the chase and something more primal—the desire to claim its mate.
Find her. Catch her. Protect her.
The chase led him to a small park tucked between apartment buildings. Dominic slowed, scanning the open space. Trees provided limited cover, their leaves heavy with water.
A playground sat deserted, its swings gently swaying in the wind. A gazebo stood at the far end, its white paint peeling, but its roof provided protection from the rain.
There.
There was a flash of movement inside the gazebo. Dominic approached carefully, no longer rushing. His predatory instincts rejoiced in the hunt’s conclusion, and his wolf nearly preened with satisfaction.
