Alpha Do You Need a Luna?
Alpha, Do You Need a Luna?
Melissa’s POV)
The air in Dominic’s office felt like ice against my skin. His words ung between us, heavy and inescapable.
“You will publicly apologize to Amber Chase,” he repeated, his vole leaving no room for negotiation. “You will take full responsibility for the affair and the subsequent fallout.”
I couldn’t breathe. My fingers dug deeper into Ethan’s arm, desperate for support as Dominic continued.
“At Ryan Quinn’s birthday celebration, you will stand before the entire supernatural community and admit your role as the third party.” His blue eyes pierced through me like silver daggers. “You will compensate Amber financially for the damage to her reputation.”
My legs trembled beneath me. Ryan’s birthday was the social event of the season everyone who mattered in Silvercrest would be there. If I admitted to being the “third party,” I’d never be able to hold my head up in wolf society again.
“And if we refuse?” Ethan’s voice was tight beside me.
Dominic’s expression remained impassive. “Then I withdraw my permission for your marriage. The pack will not recognize your unión.”
The floor seemed to shift beneath my feet. Without pack recognition, our marriage would be meaningless – we’d be outcasts, denied the protection and privileges of the Blackwood name.
I turned to Ethan, my eyes pleading. Help me. Save me from this.
“This is outrageous!” Èthan’s voice exploded through the room. His face flushed with anger as he stepped toward his uncle.” You’re trying to destroy Melissa’s reputation!”
Dominic didn’t flinch. “I’m merely ensuring that the appropriate party bears the consequences.”
“Amber is the one who broke off our engagement!” Ethan’s fist slammed against the desk. “She’s the one who walked away!”
“After discovering your betrayal,” Dominic corrected coldly.
Ethan’s chest heaved with barely contained fury. “I don’t need your 2% territorial rights. I never did. In fact, I asked for the engagement to be broken off myself!”
I stared at him in shock. This wasn’t part of our plan.
“Is that so?” Dominic raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced.
“Yes.” Ethan straightened his shoulders, wrapping an arm protectively around my waist. “I love Melissa, and I intend to marry her with or without your blessing.”
My heart swelled despite my fear. He was fighting for me, choosing me over everything else.
“I’ll agree to apologize,” Ethan continued, his voice steadier now. But only on one condition: you must allow me to marry
Melissa.”
I held my breath, watching Dominic’s face for any sign of relenting
“Very well,” Dominic said after a long pause. “You may marry Melissa.”
Relief flooded through me, but it was short–lived!
“However,” Dominic continued, “there are two additional conditions.”
Ethan tensed beside me. “What conditions?”
“First, you will compensate Amber financially with your penthouse in the Neutral Zone and the two storefronts you own on
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Alpha, Do You Need a lurra
Prosperity Boulevard.”
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+25 BONUS
gasped. Those properties were worth millions!
“Second,” Dominic’s gaze shifted to me, “Melissa will still make her public apology at Ryan’s birthday celebration. This is non- negotiable.”
The room spun around me. He was asking for everything Ethan most valuable properties and my dignity.
19
“This is about minimizing damage to Amber’s reputation,” Dominic explained, his voice devoid of emotion. “The criticism will be redirected to where it belongs.”
Before Ethan could respond, Dominic checked his watch and stood “I have a pack meeting to attend. I expect your answer when I return.”
With that, he strode from the room, leaving us in stunned silence,
Felix Peter, Dominic’s Beta, gestured toward the parlor. “Please wait here.”
We followed numbly, collapsing onto the plush sofa as the reality of our situation sank in.
“This is insane,” Ethan muttered, running his hands through his hair. “Why is he doing this? Why does he care so much about Amber’s reputation?”
Felix adjusted his glasses, his expression carefully neutral. “If I may offer an explanation…”
Ethan looked up, desperation in his eyes. “Please do.”
“The Alpha Heir seeks a permanent solution,” Felix said carefully. Miss Chase’s continued emotional attachment to you creates… complications.”
Ethan’s eyes widened in understanding. “He’s fed up with her, isn’t he? Her emotional outbursts, her clinging to a relationship that’s clearly over…”
“The Alpha Heir prefers clean breaks,” Felix confirmed with a slight nod.
I watched as relief washed over Ethan’s face. He thought Dominic was annoyed with Amber, wanted to end the drama once and
for all.
But something in Felix’s careful phrasing made me wonder if there was more to it.
I reached for Ethan’s hand. “I’ll do it.”
He turned to me, surprise evident in his expression. “What?”
“I’ll apologize publicly,” I said, my voice stronger than I felt. “I’ll accept the humiliation.”
“Melissa, you don’t have to-”
“I want to be your wife,” I interrupted. “I want to be a Blackwood. If this is what it takes, I’ll do it.”
The truth was that I have put up with a lot more to get to this point. I remembered what Victoria had said when she first came to me the year after Amber left the country “Amber’s away studying and doesn’t know when she’ll be back, don’t you think this is your chance omega?”
I’d seized that opportunity, working late nights with Ethan, bringing him coffee, listening to his problems. I’d worn the perfume Victoria told me he liked, touched his arm when he seemed stressed, laughed at all his jokes.
And it had worked. He’d kissed me in his office one night, and I’d known then that I would be a Blackwood.
The memory strengthened my resolve. I would not lose this chance, not when I was so close,
“I’ll do whatever it takes,” I repeated, squeezing Ethan’s hand. “A few minutes of humiliation is worth a lifetime as your wife.”
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Alpha, Do You Need a Tuna
+25 BONUS
(Felix’s POV)
Jobserved the couple from my position near the door, noting the calculation behind Melissa’s apparent devotion. Her eyes betrayed her – not love, but ambition burned there.
When Dominic returned an hour later, his face revealed nothing of his thoughts.
“Have you decided?” he asked, his voice cool and detached.
Ethan stood, his posture rigid but resigned. “We accept your terms
Dominic nodded once. “The properties will be transferred to Amber by the end of the week. The apology will take place as discussed.”
“Fine,” Ethan said tightly. “Is that all?”
“For now.” Dominic returned to his desk, effectively dismissing them.
I escorted the couple to the elevator, maintaining my professional demeanor until the doors closed behind them.
When I returned to the office, Dominic was standing at the window, gazing out over the city.
“They agreed rather quickly,” I observed.
“As expected.” He didn’t turn from the window. “Melissa James wants the Blackwood name more than she values her dignity.”
I hesitated before asking, “May I inquire about your true motivation, Alpha?”
Dominic was silent for so long I thought he might not answer. Finally, he turned, his expression softer than I’d seen in years. “Amber needs to move forward,” he said quietly. “As long as she holds onto hope with Ethan, she cannot heal.”
“You’re protecting her,” I realized aloud.
“I’m giving her the closure she deserves.” He returned to his desk, his mask of indifference slipping back into place. “A clean break is the kindest option.”
But I had caught something in his eyes when he spoke Amber’s name Something personal, almost tender.
“Of course,” I agreed, filing this observation away.
–
a flicker of something I hadn’t seen in my Alpha before.
My phone vibrated in my pocket. Checking the screen, I was surprised to see Amber Chase’s name.
“Excuse me, Alpha. Miss Chase is calling.”
Dominic’s head snapped up, his interest poorly concealed. “Answer it.”
I stepped aside and took the call. “Miss Chase, how may I assist you?”
“Felix, I need to see Dominic,” she said, her voice tight with nervous energy. “It’s important. Can you arrange a meeting?”
My mind raced with possibilities. Perhaps she’d reconsidered the breakup with Ethan?
“Of course. May I ask what this concerns?”
“I’d rather discuss it with him directly,” she replied.
I glanced at Dominic, who was watching me intently. “One moment, please.”
Covering the receiver, I informed him of her request. “Miss Chase wishes to meet with you. She seems… agitated.”
A flash of concern crossed his features. “When?”
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Alpha, Do You Need a Tuz
+25 BONUS
“As soon as possible,” I replied.
He nodded once. “Tell her to come immediately.”
I relayed the message, and Amber agreed to arrive within the hour
When she entered Dominic’s office, her nervousness was palpable. Her hands fidgeted with the strap of her handbag, and she couldn’t quite meet his eyes.
“Miss Chase,” Dominic greeted her, his voice notably gentler than it had been with Ethan. “Please, şit.”
“Thank you for seeing me on such short notice,” she said, perching on the edge of the chair.
I brought her coffee, noting how her hands trembled slightly as she accepted the cup.
“Felix mentioned this was urgent,” Dominic prompted when she remained silent.
Amber took a deep breath, squaring her shoulders as if preparing for battle. Her eyes finally met Dominic’s, determination replacing her earlier anxiety.
“Uncle, no, Alpha Dominic,” she began, her voice gaining strength with each word, “do you need a Luna?”
