Page 21 of The Alpha's Forced Rejected Mate
“I’ll have her processed and ready for your arrival,” Dominic said, changing the topic.
“Good. I’m bringing the priest with me. The binding will happen on the dark moon tomorrow night.”
Dominic’s grip tightened on the steering wheel. That was unusually fast. Most witches were held for weeks before binding ceremonies were performed.
“Any particular reason for the rush?” he asked, maintaining a casual tone.
“The signs are increasing. More hunters were found with demonic corruption last week. Whatever the witches are planning, it’s accelerating.” Xavier’s voice hardened. “We can’t afford to wait.”
“Understood.”
“I’ll arrive tomorrow evening. Keep her secure until then. And Dominic—” Xavier paused. “Don’t allow yourself to be alone with her more than necessary. Even the strongest minds can be influenced.”
The call ended before Dominic could respond. He slipped the phone back into his pocket, a frown settling on his face. Xavier’s warning wasn’t standard protocol. It was almost as if…
As if he knew something about us.
But that was impossible. Dominic had never reported his history with Luna. Had never told anyone about their brief encounter, about discovering she was his mate. He only revisited that night in his memories.
Luna stirred slightly, her breathing pattern changing as the sedative began to wear off. Dominic refocused on the road ahead as the compound’s security gate came into view. Two armed guards stepped forward, recognition dawning on their faces as they saw who was driving.
“Alpha Blackwood,” the first guard greeted, respectfully bowing his head as he approached the driver’s window. His gaze flickered to Luna. “Successful hunt?”
“Always,” Dominic replied shortly. “Open the gate.”
“Yes, sir.” The guard stepped back, signaling to his partner. “Welcome home.”
The massive steel gate slid open, revealing the sprawling compound beyond. Unlike the military base that housed the Council offices and main operations center, this area was designed to look almost like a rustic mountain retreat.
Log cabins were arranged in a semicircle around a central clearing, with training grounds and other facilities hiddenamong the trees. It was where the hunting squads lived when not on assignment.
He parked behind his cabin. Luna was beginning to stir more insistently now, her eyelids fluttering. Dominic moved quickly, circling the vehicle to open her door. He unfastened her seatbelt and lifted her into his arms, one arm supporting her shoulders, the other beneath her knees.
She was lighter than he expected, yet her body fit against his with a familiarity that sent an unwelcome jolt through his system. Her head lolled against his chest, her scent filling his nostrils.
Don’t think about it. Don’t remember.
Dominic carried her up the steps to his cabin’s back entrance, where he managed to unlock the door without jostling her too much. Inside, he moved directly to the spare bedroom he’d converted to a secure holding room.
It wasn’t as cold or clinical as the cells in the main facility—it had a real bed, a private bathroom, even a small window, though it was reinforced with bars.
It was still a prison.
He laid Luna on the bed, then reached into his pocket for the specialized cuffs he’d brought. Silver alloy infused with binding spells—standard issue for witch containment. They would suppress her magic without causing physical harm.
As he fastened the first cuff around her wrist, Luna’s eyes shot open. For a disoriented moment, she stared up at him, confusion evident in her dark blue eyes.
Then, memory flooded back. “Get away from me!” she hissed, scrambling back against the headboard.
Dominic didn’t react. “I need to secure both wrists.”
“Screw you,” Luna spat, holding her already-cuffed wrist protectively against her chest. “I’m not your prisoner.”
“Actually, you are.” Dominic stood at his full height, towering over the bed. “Will you cooperate, or should I make you?”
She glared at him, and he kept his gaze on her, impassive. Finally, Luna thrust her free arm forward, her expression venomous.
“Just get it over with,” she muttered.
